Medieval Dress Up

So this is what i wore to a relative of my boyfriends 50th birthday party! As you can tell by the title and of course the outfit, it was a pre-19th century british character themed fancy dress and i was Maid Marian the partner of the famous Robin Hood.

We made the skirt and sleeves from burgundy velvet that we bought from a material store and the floral 'headband' was also some sort of ribbon from the same shop that i just tied and clipped in my hair. I wore my burgundy skater dress (similar to the ones sold in Topshop) and just put the skirt over, tied gold rope as a 'belt' and just put the sleeves on my arms (although they didn't last too long). It was freezing so my boyfriends hoody went on!

You can't see the shoes in the pictures as the skirt is so long but i wore my heeled chelsea style boots from River Island.  

Makeup

Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation(long lasting!!)

MAC Studio Fix concealer

MAC Blot Powser (set t-zone) and MAC Mineralize Skin Finish (set whole face)

Illamasqua Powdered Metal - Ezrule (contour/bronze)

Avon True Colour Blusher - Shade 'Russet' 

Eyes:

Cream shadow from an ELF palette

MAC 'Mulch' and 'Twinks' in crease and lower lashine and 'Carbon' in outer-v.

Mac Blacktrack gel liner (winged eyeliner) and AVON SuperShock mascara.

Lips:

MAC 'Twig' Lipstick

Overall it was such a fun night! I think even the birthday girl herself was shocked at all the effort everyone had gone to. Pretty proud of my 'homemade' outfit me and my mother made the night before - talk about leaving things to the last minute! There was stocks and everything it was so fun. And that is me enjoying chopping Robin Hood's (my boyfriend) head off!

What do you think? Like a bit of fancy dress every once in a while?

Nadia xoxo

Blah, Blah, Blah.

One of my New Year Resolutions was: Blog more, blog better. Just blog, blog, blog! As proven this month i am terrible at keeping to resolutions - i don't know why i make them every year.

Making 'resolutions' every year doesn't work for most people, and they don't work for me. I think its better to make targets and goals every month or so. So that's what i'm going to do. I'm not going to get to annoyed if i don't fulfill my target i'm just going to try my best because after all things happen in life you don't expect and if you make a set resolution' you think you 'need' to stick to, it'll only make you feel worse when you don't.

One goal for next month is to definitely plan my blog posts more and try to get more done. I have a day off college every thursday so i will try to blog on my free day and weekends.
I'm always trying to eat healthily and stick to my weekly pole fitness sessions to try and tone up my body to make me feel better. So i'm definitely going to try and stick to that but not deny myself of treats (Terry's Chocolate Orange - my favourite).

So stay happy, keep smiling and expect more blog posts from me. Feel free to leave post suggestions.

Nadia xoxo

Neon Nails

  Models Own - Orange Sorbet

One upcoming trend i have definitely noticed recently is a bright pop of neon colour - whether it be a statement neon accessory or a pop of colour in your makeup or nails. 

Neon has been included in the new collections by Topshop and on The Blonde Salad blog. Bobbi Brown's new 'Neon and Nudes' collection (not available in the UK yet) embraces the idea of a natural face with the exception of a bright, statement colour on either the lips or the eyes depending on your mood. It's all about being bold and having one stand out piece.

 'The most modern way to wear bright colour is as an accent on an otherwise neutral face.” — Bobbi Brown'

I'm just not brave enough for a neon makeup yet (maybe when i have a tan). So, when i spotted this Models Own nail varnish in my drawer i knew it was the perfect bright touch. A neon, fluorescent, intense orange. Just the pop of colour i need to brighten up the January blues. 

Are you going to be taking on the neon trend?

Nadia xox

Sale Shopping Outfit

As you can tell these photo's were took quite a while ago judging by the christmas decorations. This was when me and my boyfriend hit the christmas sales on the 27th December. Can't say i got much though, a top, a shirt in the sale and a pair of jeans that weren't in the sale. All from Topshop. Big spender (not).

I wanted to look smart but casual and wear some of my new christmas things. But this boots started to KILL after about 7hours ahaha not good. If your flat footed and can't handle a heel do not buy them (or get really thick socks that your feet can sink into to - that helps).

Skirt - Primark

Vest Top - H&M

Shirt - Cheap clothing shop in Manchester Arndale.

Tights - Primark

Boots - River Island

Parka Coat - New Look (so warm and comfy)

Necklaces - Topshop (black and gold stars)  H Samuel (white gold heart). Not a good mix of colours and golds but both beautiful presents off my boyfriend i couldn't resist wearing or taking off.

Earrings - Topshop

Bag - Miss Selfridge (love it)

Nadia xox

Everyday Makeup Routine!

When your up at the crack of dawn and you need to be ready for education or work in half an hour, the last thing you want is to have to spend ages on your makeup. I think every girl should have a fast routine that she can rely on. This is mine:

Nothing fancy - just a simple daytime look that i can do in 5-10minutes at home or on the bus! 

I took these pictures after i had been out from 8am - 3pm so i'd had this makeup on for a good seven hours and i'm happy with how it's stayed with no top-ups (i didn't even have to powder my t-zone which usually ends up an oily mess) 

 This is a fairly new routine which i rely on most mornings when i need to be ready in a short time for college. It includes a new love which i'm going to go purchase!

My new love, is the well praised foundation - Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-place foundation. 

I've used it three times since i got the sample and still have some left. I've wore it twice for college (longggg days) and once for a party. Every time i have used it, i have been impressed with the staying power, the oil control and the coverage is amazing too. Beats my other foundations anytime.  I plan to do a full review when i buy the full bottle.   What are anyone else's views of Estee Lauder's double wear?

So anyway, i cleanse and tone my face with Lush's Dark Angel cleanser and Breath of Fresh Air toner. 

Then moisturise with Nivea's Soft Creme (tub). I definitely remember Nivea creams - i've used them all my life through summer and winter. Affordable and effective. 

I then apply either MAC pro-long wear foundation in NC42 or my new favourite Estee Lauder Double Wear in 4W1 Shell Beige. I put 'blobs' around my face with my fingers then blend with Sigma's Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki brush. 

I conceal my under eye circles and redness around my nose with MAC Studio Fix concealer in NW35 with my fingers then blend in some area's with Sigma's Precision Round brush (good for getting in all the little 'nooks and crannies')

Next i set the foundation and concealer  with MAC Blot Powder Pressed over my t-zone (especially my nose) i then dust MAC Mineralise Skinfinish Natural in Medium Dark all over.

I then contour with a paintbrush actually (it is the perfect size) and MAC's Studio Fix powder in NC45. 

My go-to blush is MAC's Fleur Power - can be built up to a bright doll pink or applied lightly for a natural flush of colour. 

Then another new favourite is my Illamasqua's Powdered Metal in Ezrule to highlight my cheekbones and nose.

Last but not least, lashings of Avon Supershock mascara for long lashes. 

Sounds longer and more than it actually is, but this is my simple daytime routine. Sometimes i swap products like blush or mascara etc. But this my basic routine that i tend to stick to for the daytime. 

Wow, so i hope this may have helped you! I definitely recommend all the products i have mentioned. They are all effective and work well or i wouldn't use them myself.

Nadia xox

first day back to college.

Aah, the day most of dread after the christmas holidays - the first day back in school/college/work. Early mornings, public transport (for some of us anyway) and hard work! It's not a day i look forward to. Although i'm much happier going back to college than i was going back to school. 

I wanted a casual outfit today for college, i had a long day 10.30 - 5 not including travelling there and back. So i needed to be really comfy, but look good too of course ;) 

  Jeans - Topshop 'Leigh' style (new so i couldn't resist wearing them)

Jumper - New Look

Boots - River Island 

Necklace - BohoBoho.com

This is how my makeup held up after being at college all day. So i'd had it on for at least 8 hours.

Foundation - Estee Lauder Double Wear sample (so impressed - next foundation!)

Powders - MAC Blot Powder & Mineralise Skin Finish

Contour - MAC Studio Fix NC45

Highlight - Illamasqua Powdered Metal in 'Ezrule'

Blusher - MAC eyeshadow in 'Sexpectations' (great as eyeshadow or blush or mixed for the lips)

Eyeliner - Avon double-ended kajal stick in brown and black (brown end on waterline)

Mascara - Avon SuperShock & Maxfactor Falsh Lash Effect Fusion (both great on their own too)

I would say this is my 'typical college look'. Easy, simple, comfy and warm with my parka on. 

Nadia xox 

New Year, New Outfit.

As you all know, today is the first day of 2012 and yesterday was New Years Eve. A night when many people dress up, go all out and celebrate another year! I celebrated my New Years Eve with my friends, my boyfriend and my family, it was an amazing night, fun, fun, fun.

How did you celebrate yours?

I went to my friends nye/birthday party (which was TOWIE themed and really fun), then i went to see my boyfriend and a few of his friends for 12o'clock (needed my boyfriend to be my new years kiss of course) and finally we came home and stayed up for a little while longer having a few drinks with my parents. Overall it was an hilarious night, lots of laughs with the people who mean the most to me. 

 D'ya think i look 'essexy' enough? 

False lashes, check. Animal Print, check. Heels, check! I think i did alright.
I actually really like this outfit, it's sexy yet the shirt makes it quite 'classy' or grown up and the wedges are just the most comfortable heels in the world!

Clothes:

Shirt - Primark

Skirt - Shout (cheap shop in Manchester)

Heels - Sole 

Jewellery:

Star Necklace - Topshop

Spike Bracelet - Topshop

Makeup:

Foundation - Estee Lauder Double Wear (sample) with MAC Matchmaster (another sample) over. Thought i'd use my samples up give them a try. More impressed with the Estee Lauder Double Wear though so far. 

Powder: MAC Blot Powder Pressed on t-zone and MAC Mineralise Skin finish all over.

Contour/Bronze - MAC Studio Fix Powder in Nc45 (too dark).

Blush - a shimmery pink roll on thing from a Hello Kitty Makeup set (best i can describe it).

Eyeshadow - All by MAC. Mulch on lid, Twinks and Carbon in crease and on lower lashline for definition. 

Eyeliner - MAC Fluidline gel liner.

Eyelashes - Ebay 99p for 10pairs and free shipping (bargain!!) bought twice off this seller and he/she are very good!  and the ones i am wearing are number 022 by the way. 

Soooo, that is my look for New Years Eve! Although i'm not so sure i came home looking like that and i definitely didn't wake up looking anything like that. The extensions came out and the makeup didn't come off (naughty).  Well, i hope you all had a lovely night and a great start to 2012!

Nadia xox

Cyber Nails.

 

 Glitter, sparkle, frosty silver and ice cold blues are perfect for the winter season! As i was sorting out my nail polishes, chucking away the old and gloopy, i spotted an old nail polish that i haven't used in years - the blue glitter by a brand called Kiko. Unfortunately i don't think you can buy it in the UK (boo), i purchased it in Barcelona, when i went with high school!  I have never found a nice way to use it, until now. When i saw these three colours, i just knew they'd go perfectly together. I visioned space and the night sky (aww). The dark, navy blue is from Avon, kindly given to me from the boyfriends mother
and the bright silver is from Avon.

I really am awful at painting my nails, still learning, i apologise. Although i do think that is pretty good for my standards! IT'S NEW YEARS EVE, hope you all have a lovely night, i am going to a TOWIE themed party, just got to figure out what to wear, got to dress up thats for sure! Have a nice start to 2012, byeeeeeeeeeeee.

Nadia xox