Handmade jewellery

These are the pretty items I made last week with Anastasia Beads. I had a one-to-one lesson on how to make earrings, a bracelet and necklace and it was really good fun. Although I really had to concentrate, it was relaxing too because the rest of the world faded away whilst I designed and beaded my pieces :-)

A big thanks to Anastasia Beads, for being so helpful and for such a great selection of tools and beads. Let's hope I can now make my own pieces at home!

Party!

The past few days have been busy due to my family visiting and my birthday - hope you like my gorgeous cocktail!

So expect lots of fun posts about trips out, dinners and pretty things over the coming days.

Marbling on cards and photo frames

 Marbling is a simple and underused crafting technique in my opinion. Every design is colourful and unique and make fantastic designs for cards and photo frames - I hope you like mine. I feel the marbling really makes an uplifting statement when placed with a family pic with happy memories.

So how do you do it, I hear you ask. Get a tray with a rim and half fill it with water. Then add coloured ink to the water with a pipette and blow to create an effect. I'd advise not to use more than two or three colours. Then carefully place the card onto the water surface for a few seconds, then admire your design!

60s fashion

The 60s has always seemed like such an exciting decade - the war was becoming a memory, the Beatles were taking over the world... and of course, the fashion.

A quick browse on the high street reflects the 60s trend in a big way at the moment.  Shift dresses, block colours, monochrome and chintzy prints are ideal.  I would wear the trend by donning a shift dress, coloured tights, mary janes and statement rings.

Beauty wise, my new bob suits this trend very well, and makeup wise it has to be long lashes courtesy of lengthening mascara, pink blusher, and pink matte lips.

White Chocca Mocha

I made this yummy drink last night. Under the cream and chocolate sprinkles is fresh coffee mixed with hot milk and melted white chocolate... decadent!

Throw some light on the subject

 This is one of two lamps we bought for our bedroom in HomeSense, one of my favourite home shops.  It is really nice to have matching lamps in there, and they'll get a lot of use.  I love reading in bed before sleep, so a lamp is a must for me.  I think the glass design is really classic and timeless and the lampshade colour is such that whatever colour we decide to decorate in future, they will always complement eachother.

Flapper dress

I just had to share my lovely flapper dress with you, which I'm wearing to my birthday party next week.  I got it in the Topshop January sale, so it was a real bargain too!

I am so excited about the 20s fashion revival.  I love so much about that era - the fashion, makeup, cars - and I devour books and TV shows based during the time.  Thanks to the Downton effect and the upcoming film 'The Great Gatsby' (beyond excited!), this is a really good time to get involved in the trend.

With this dress I am planning to wear very high heels, a feather hairslide, and bright lipstick!

Brownies

I love chocolate brownies and here is my homemade batch! They took ages to cook but they were really tasty, even if I do say so myself!

As you have probably gathered, I enjoy baking and one of my goals this year was to do more of it. I am trying to get over my negative thought pattern of thinking I'm no good at it - no, I'm not going to be on 'Great British Bake Off', but I do enjoy making cakes and they taste alright, so I'm doing something right! Ingredient lists also frighten me; I imagine hours of fruitless searching in the supermarket!

I've found lots of choccie recipes I want to try and a marble cake is next on my list...

Cupcakes!

Last night I went on a cupcake course courtesy of Sarah at 'Cakes in the City'. The theme was Valentine's and here are my creations - don't they look pretty? Having eaten one since taking the pics, I can confirm that the buttercream is the best bit!

Nails Nails Nails

This look was created by using a pale OPI polish as the base, and then I experimented with 17 nail stickers. 17 the brand, not 17 the number!

I found the stickers were too thick, although they were easily cut into shape. I was glad I had used a pale colour under the stickers - I think they would have looked worse with a dark red or any deep shade, the stickers would have looked too obvious.

The stickers lasted a few days, and they were easily pulled off, leaving a sticky glue on my nails but without harming the varnish.

All in all I wouldn't use the stickers again - the thickness and how obvious they looked on my nails would put me off.  Next time I'll try nail tattoos for a cute pattern that is more subtle.

Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer

I've been wearing Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer for a few days now, and I thought I'd share it with you.  It's not a lipstick, it's not a gloss - I think a lacquer is somewhere between the two!  It comes in a variety of shades; I have gone for shade 303 Apocaliptic, the shade Kate Moss wears in the advert (if it's good enough for Kate...!).

I like a bright pink lip - I was tempted to try the nude shade, but I always feel that because of my pale skin, nude colours make me look washed out.  So I've stuck to my trusty colour, and it is a gorgeous shade, definitely one to brighten up a monochrome or neutral outfit, and very light and wearable in texture.  I found it works best with a slick of black mascara and some bronzer, et voila!

Daily glamour

This morning as I was choosing my outfit, I decided to wear one of my favourite necklaces, which I normally keep for nights out as it is a bit of bling!  But this morning I thought, why not wear it now?

As I work from home my day-to-day outfits are quite casual and based on comfort - but this sometimes means I miss out on wearing some really fun pieces.  Is there really a point in keeping things for best?

Today, wearing my glam necklace has put a smile on my face.  So from now on, if I want to wear a favourite item, I will.  If I feel a bright lipstick will cheer me up, I will put it on.  And if a spray of Gucci perfume is what I need, I will spritz away!

Go on, add some daily glamour to your life...

Spring trend - prints

As the sun tries to make more regular appearances, I think prints add to the spring feeling and they are a great way to wear colour - they look fab with black separates like an overcoat or accessories like shoes or a handbag.

Personally I like to go for quite a natural makeup look with a strong print - curled eyelashes, black mascara, tinted moisturiser and then perhaps a brighter lip colour.

In the same vein I think it is best to let the print do the talking when it comes to jewellery.  A necklace would only get lost in the print so it is best to let it take centre stage at another opportunity!

Florals are also everywhere at the moment, so this dress of mine fits both trends.  I've had the dress for years but I feel it is a classic style and can be dressed up or down.   It also feels really feminine and is a reliable piece I can go back to time and again.

Beyond The Torch

Last year I joined the new Teenage Cancer Trust committee in Cardiff, called ‘Teen Spirit’. This is a charity I have supported for a couple of years now, as it is a cause close to my heart. We have lots of events planned, but two members of the committee have created something very special which I wanted to share here.

 Lara Cowpe is a cancer survivor and has been an avid fundraiser for the Teenage Cancer Trust over recent years, having raised a staggering £30,000 for the charity. She was selected to be an Olympic torch bearer in Barry during the recent torch relay, and Elizabeth McGuire had the amazing idea of taking hundreds of photos of Lara in the run up to and during the relay. The photos give an amazing insight into the iconic torch relay, possibly the only time this will happen in our lifetime.

However, most importantly of all, Elizabeth has created a photobook entitled ‘Beyond the Torch’ which is now on sale, with all proceeds going directly to the Teenage Cancer Trust. This is the only book of its kind that has been created, making it truly unique. For more information, please see the preview book 

Please buy a copy for the full experience; remember every penny goes to the Teenage Cancer Trust to help them in their vital work to improve the lives of teenagers with cancer.

Pink and gold nails

So I had another go at nail art - this time using a pink OPI polish, with a coat of clear sparkle Nailene polish. Then with a steady hand I applied a stripe of gold with Nailene gold polish. Finally I used a clear topcoat to lock in the pattern and colour. This was easier than I thought it would be, though I don't think I'd be much good at any pattern that's more advanced than a stripe!

Looking for vintage inspiration?

Then I've found a great website for you!  Culture Vulture Direct is full of ideas for your home and lifestyle including furniture, accessories, art and utensils.  

If you want to be reminded of your wonderful holiday to Morocco, or dream of visiting India, then you can find pieces inspired by the culture of the country of your choice. 

Or if you're more like me, and looking for seaside based items or pretty floral cushions and mosaic coasters, you will also find plenty of ideas here.

I will definitely be taking a look at this website for home inspiration and for creative ideas!

Curly hair

I have quite a complicated relationship with my hair. When I was a teenager I absolutely loathed it for being so curly and thick. In my early twenties I had learnt to grudgingly accept it - and by now I try to work with it, not against it. I love to straighten it, not necessarily poker straight but just wavy enough to take the curl out of it. I think it works better long than short from looking back at various photos from over the years, even though it feels so heavy and thick. But I also style it more than I used to, with products and also with top knots, plaits and pony tails, and I love dying it red/brown. Or I'm happy to let the curls run wild and pop on a hat, and I realise lots of women wish they had thick hair like mine. Any tips/styles from other curly haired ladies gratefully received!