HELLO

31.12.11

The Future: 2012

To all my darling readers, faithful subscribers and new comers: I wish you all a joyous New Year. I hope 2012  brings you happiness beyond comparison, and success from hard work. See you in the future...

27.12.11

Sneak Peak

Here's a sneak peak at my outfit for tomorrow. I am going to my partner's cousin's birthday party, and am donning some festive red clothing and accessories. Watch out for the video soon. 

26.12.11

Christmas D'Chanel

It is tradition in my family that we have two Christmasses. One on the 25th at my mother's house, and the second on the 26th at my Grandfathers. Today's gifts were exceptional and much more beauty related, so they will be featured in upcoming blog posts and videos. I was lucky enough to receive Chanel No5 today, a perfume I have wanted for years. What did you get for Christmas?

Happiness

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! I hope you all had a fantastic day full of happiness, peace and love. I'm about to hop into my snuggly bed, courtesy of my lovely mum's gift, and wanted to share my favourite gift of this year. My wonderful boyfriend, Alex, who I mention alot, gave my the Soap & Glory suitcase! It is so brilliant, and stuffed full of awesome beauty goodies.

 The case comes with full size amazing products. I used Clean on Me in my evening shower tonight, and the smell is just gorgeous. Sweet but fruity and leaves the skin feeling fresh and luxuriously soft. It also features Mist Your Madly body spray, Calm One Calm All body bubble bath, Pulp Friction body scrub, Off Your Face cleansing cloths, Face Soap and Clarity face wash, and my absolute favourite Sexy Mother Pucker lip gloss.
The kit also features these three products: Hand Food, Heel Genius and The Righteous Butter. The problem is, that these have ingredients that I am allergic to including macadamia nut, shea butter and almond oil. This obviously means that I can't use these, so I am currently hunting for a plan for them. eBay vs giveaway....

20.12.11

Christmas Shopping

With Christmas literally days away, I decided it was probably about time to get my Christmas presents for my friends and family sorted out! Alex and I took a trip to Reading, which is about halfway between Oxford and London. There is more shops avaliable and in a smaller area which means two things: everything is easier to find, but it is crazily crowded. Can I just reccomend not shopping in the week before Christmas? It is stupidly stressful. I got some lovely food stuff for my mum in Oil and Vinegar, and some cutesy gifts for my sister and sister in law. I also managed to get my Secret Santa for work sorted, finding a super cute beauty gift in the most amazing wrapping! How is your shopping going?
I also managed to get a full make over at the Benefit counter in Boots. It destressed me completely, and I was given a free sample of Porefessional, which I have wanted to try for ages. The sales assistant also let me try the They're Real mascara, which is amazing! I would ask for it as a Christmas present, but I think I will just go out and buy in the New Year's sales... apparently Debenhams is having their "biggest sale ever". 

18.12.11

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

I thought I would share my Christmas decorations with you all. Unfortunately the downside to being home is working non-stop, so I have been pretty unable to blog until now! Sorry! Enjoy the snaps






13.12.11

Purple.

I love this look, its so vampy. Purple smokey eye + Till Tomorrow lipstick.

12.12.11

Dinner.

My and mum went to The Bull in Westfield White City. I had goats cheese and garlic tart + roasted potatoes and green beans. Oh, and a hefty glass of red wine. I think I have developed a love for red wine.


11.12.11

Red Lipstick All On The Paper

A possible new make up look? Foundation + red lipstick.

MAC 'Soar' Lip Pencil, Smooch Crimson Fire Lipstick

9.12.11

Odd One Out

I mean, we've all heard of photoshopping, photo editing and airbrushing, but H&M have taken this a step further. Their upcoming lingerie campaign features completely computer generated 'perfect' female bodies. Which is fair enough... but with a real model's head superimposed on the top of this fake fake fake body. So much for embracing real women's bodies. This move simply shows that H&M embraces nothing more than perfection, which isn't real, true or even possible. 
Spot the difference: the mannequin models in H&M's campaign.
Image from the Guardian Online. Read their article here

We are the Kooples

So it's the end of another term, and I am heading home for the Christmas break. I can't wait to put up my tree and go Christmas shopping! So tara London for a few weeks, hello Oxford

7.12.11

Reccomendations of the Weekend

I think this is a segment I would like to start becoming more committed to. Since I haven't been working many weekends for a while, I have been managing to explore more of London and other areas of the UK. And so, I want to post my 'weekend recommendations' or you all to explore. Do reply with your own!
This weekend, I recommend three extremely lovely places. The first, St. Christophers Place just off Oxford Street. "James" French patisserie, which I feel may have changed its name recently, sells amazing desserts, salads and lunches. I went here with my Aunt on Saturday. It can be packed, but is well worth it.
 The second is the beautiful, and completely original Christmas decor at Fortnum & Mason, one of my favourite haunts in the West End. The colours are beautiful, and much more fun than your average Christmas tree. 
And lastly, is Wolf & Badger in Notting Hill. My wonderful friend Natalya works in this concept store, is incredibly knowledgeable about all the excellent brands and designers that the store carries. I have given you a map image form my iPhone, so check it out. Whilst you're there, also check out 202 Restaurant (another friend Lara works here), and Tom's Kitchen for beautiful salads. 


6.12.11

Student Life Round Up: Second Year, Term 1

Hello dear readers. Last year I wrote two posts here and here concerning student life in my first year. If you didn't know, I am a student in London studying Fashion Journalism (how appropriate), and I find some younger readers enjoy knowing what university life is really like. I am back with my first second year post, so read on enjoy and it really is a wonder to see how things change


Good

  • Living in your own home is ten thousand times better than living in halls. I really love my house, and I work hard to keep it in a good condition. 
  • Having a bedroom bigger than a cardboard is also a plus. I am lucky enough to have a large bedroom with a double bed, so when my partner visits sleeping arrangements are so much more comfortable.
  • You feel naturally more informed and aware of cultural references when working at university. My course is steeped in cultural references and last years knowledge is incredibly useful when writing
  • In second year you do real work. This sounds odd, but last term I wrote more articles than I did for my entire first year.
  • You are introduced to your first industry project. Be warned, I may disappear next term due to a work overload
Bad
  • As with having more work, so does your partner. You talk less, and see each other less. Point blank, it sucks
  • My major bad point this year has been living with a nightmare. I used to live with two friends. I now live with one friend and a major arsehole, who makes it her lifes mission to make my life difficult. In the words of my mother-in-law "you don't really know people until you live with them"
  • With having your own house, you have your own bills. You know have to pay for heating, cooking, electricity and water. This can be OK but I am dreading our winter bills.
  • Although I live closer to my university now, I live further away from my university friends which means seeing them is becoming less frequent
I hope you enjoyed this life round up. I am incredibly excited for the next term as we are working with a major beauty company and I go on my one month internship. Till next term.. x

5.12.11

4.12.11

How To: Winged Eyeliner

How to do the classic winged eyeliner. A fantastic easy sexy look that is also right on trend right now.

3.12.11

Grazia Interview

Grazia Interview






















I have an interview at Grazia Magazine on Monday! This is for my placement next year for a month in Spring, and this is the look I have chosen: provided my shoes arrive in time!

Shoe Lust

I am not a huge fan of to Lita by Jeffrey Campbell. The height and the refrences to goth culture frankly put me off. But, when I saw these Lita style shoes on Dixi's Facebook, I swear I died of shoe love overdose. Shop here.

2.12.11

Marni Mania

Guess what? Marni is the next designer brand to be collaborating with H&M! I am actually quite excited for this collaboration, unlike the garish and scary looks available from the Versace collection. Marni's designs are understated, elegant yet forever stylish. Although their prints are simply amazing, and from the sneak peaks appear to be a focus for the collection, I am incredibly looking forward to getting my hands on some black staples, with a designer twist. Stay tuned. Read more, and get a sneak peak here
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1.12.11

Gareth Pugh for MAC

I seem to have completely missed this launch, however I don't really follow MAC special collections. This seasons collaboration is with designer Gareth Pugh. His designs are edgy, dark and mysterious which is reflected in the collection. I am heading to Westfield tomorrow to investigate the lipsticks.


Busy Busy Busy

It's finals time in LCF, so posts will be a bit sparse.. sorry! Devastating news today. We found out that Brenda Polan is leaving as course director. I am so sad to see her go, but excited to have internship opportunities with her new venture (to be revealed next Autumn!).