New Make Up Website!

For anyone interested in make up http://makeupbrands.co.uk/ is definitely worth a look as you can see what are the top sellers from each brand, and maybe get some ideas about what to try next! You might find something you hadn't thought of trying before!

Water Marbling for Nails - The Experiment!

When I was little I remember having a water marbling kit that came with paints, a big pot to work in and lots of white plastic things such as animals, bowls candles and so on. Then I started to see lots of posts from people on forums asking how this is done so I thought I'd give it a go!

The Kit:

A bowl you don't mind potentially ruining

2-4 Coloured Nail Varnishes

1 base coat

Q Tips

Cotton wool balls

Nail Varnish Remover

Tooth Picks

Now I'm not the tidiest of people to say the least so if you're anything like me make sure your work surface is covered or that you don't mind it getting messy!! First thing I did was clean my nails with nail varnish remover, shape my nails and wash them to make sure there was no oils or uneven surface to work on.

Then I added a base coat as some of the colours I'm using for the actual water marbling are quite dark and they might stain. So this is what I have now:

And now the fun part! Fill your bowl with lukewarm water (this will take several attempts to get the right temp for your nail varnishes to sit on the water and not sink or dry into a skin). As I mentioned this was an experiment so I tried two different ways of adding the varnishes to the water:

First I tried adding the nail varnish in random blobs all over the water and then I tried adding them all on top of one another. Then using the tooth pick drag the tip through the varnishes to mix them up, do a much or as little swirling as you like this is where every time you use water marbling for your nail it will be different.

This is the two different results I got:

Personally I prefer the second result, it was much bolder than the first and it seemed to last longer before the varnish started to dry out on me. You might get a whole hand done before it dries but if you don't just use a tooth pick to gather all the varnish off the water and start gain.

Now the tricky bit! You can either dive straight in nail downwards to get colour on (sometimes I found this way I picked up half of the nail varnish all at once) or as you see I've left gaps at the edge to get my hands in and lift up from under the varnish and get this :

Try not to get it as far up your fingers as I did!

Then with a q tip soaked in nail varnish remover quickly rub off all the extra varnish around your nail.

Sometimes it comes out a little messy but it's all practice!

Repeat for each nail!

Finally add a clear coat of polish if you want depending on the varnishes you've used. I didn't for these as they already had a shimmer.

I got loads of different effects from one batch so here's a few pics:

Happy water marbling!

I'll post any more experiments I do later on!

Midlands Fashion Designer Awards

The Midlands Fashion Designer Awards at Fazeley Studios in Birmingham was a night to remember. Designers, industry professionals and general fashion lovers were out in force to see all the talent that was on offer! I was lucky enough to attend with Elephtheria and this is what we saw!

Backstage with Elephtheria and one of her lovely models!

Here are a few more pics from the show too!

Would love any of the designers to get in touch so I can put your names to your pictures!

Much later than anticipated!

Ok I know it was a loooooong time ago but I have finally photographed my spoils from Fashion For Freedom! First up was the stunning dress from Gorgeous Couture!! As you can see it's far too long for me atm (I'm short yes and I'm wearing huge platforms under there too!) I am a bit of a magpie for shiney things so you can see why this made me extremely happy!

And then there was the pashmina from The Tie Rack too!!

Now I just need an occasion to wear them too!!

The Importance of Experience!

Why can't so many graduates get paid jobs? BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO EXPERIENCE!! There is no reason an employer is going to take on a new graduate with 3 years of EDUCATION instead of someone with 3 years EXPERIENCE.
Take it from me when I look at writers for Offers Boutique I would rather take on the one who knows what they are writing about and has writing experience than someone who has a journalism degree and doesn't know maxi dresses from a Maxibon!

I've vanished!

As you can tell this poor blog has not been tended well. If it were a garden it would most certainly be awash with weeds. However! come visit me at my new window box full of flowers at www.offersboutique.co.uk and see what we have to offer!

xx

Fashion For Freedom!

What a night!! Now you have to excuse my terrible photographs being the dappy blonde that I am I left my camera at home before coming up to the Midlands this week for work, and it wasn't until halfway to London I realised! And so I shall only post a few dodgy iPhone pics and then when the lovely Syafiqua sends me some I shall post more! 

So here goes *cringe*

These two lovely ladies kicked off the evening with some belly dancing! All that sparkle and shimmying really got everyone worked up and ready for the show! I did get to briefly say hi to these girls and they were really wonderful ladies!

And then it was time for the catwalk show!! Now my fantastic phone has jumbled these all up so apologies for not giving you fantastic designers full credit immediately! Prepare for photographic onslaught:

Aren't they gorgeous outfits?!?1

A big well done to Syafiqua for all her hard work to make such a brilliant evening, and thanks to all the sponsors and donations that made it such fun.

With events like the raffle it made for an all round good evening and to top it off I won *the dress*!!!

Watch this space for an outfit post in the dress!!

My Shoes!

Yeh, I've heard it a thousand times I probably didn't need any more shoes, but I couldn't resist! After way too many times being outbid on Ebay for brogues I'd given up looking for a nice pair of flats for walking to work or going shopping and then it happened....

I walked into TK MAXX (I'm officially addicted t rummaging through the rails of clothes) and headed for the shoes and BOOM! these lovely pair jumped out at me and in my size and on sale!

 Who I am to go against fate? :P

Motel Rocks! And oh how my purse isn't going to like me.....

Ok, so I am honestly trying to save money (in order to get a deposit and move permanently to the Midlands), but I am convinced this is some kind of conspiracy against me and now Motel are involved as well! They've sent me their new look book and my wish list is waaaayyy too long already, and this is how it goes:

So I started just flicking though the pics seeing if anything jumped out at me and this appeared, now I'm not usually a flowery girl but oh how I want this!! WANT WANT WANT WANT WANT....

AND WANT.......

WANT MOST OF ALL!!!!

So so not fair that money atm is really not growing on trees! I know you're worth it Motel but really you and your timing!!

More things I've found!

Uni seems like so long ago but my final collection shoot was so much fun! Here's a little peek until I find the rest of the pictures!!