Nails for the weekend ♥

Helloo, sorry it's been a little post free lately, this is because I have a NEW blog! I've just been getting it up and running and then I shall be able to pay attention to both. As you may or may not know, I get married in 2014, and although it's far away, I am posting the events and encounters along the way! Also, the main focus of it is that I am mostly DIY-ing everything, or getting a lot of things off Ebay, so it's a place to share and acquire inspiration and tips! Obviously, weddings aren't for everyone which is why I'm doing it separately.

The blog is called Confessions of the DIY Bride. Naturally, I would of wanted Confessions of 'A' DIY Bride, but it's already taken. Here's the linkyplink! confessionsofthediybride.blogspot.com .

So, nails for the weekend. I fancied something shimmery and spangly, so that's what I did. Excuse my bite ridden fingers, I have a terrible habit and I'm sure I'm not the only one! 

For this I did two coats of Models Own Indian Ocean, which is an amazing duotone blue to pink. On the accent nail I did two coats of Razzamatazz by Topshop, which is my first Topshop polish and I love it! It's so glittery in the light!

I think they compliment each other pretty well. I am looking forward to getting more Topshop polishes, they dry pretty quick and this on is chokker-block full with glitter!

What nails are you sporting this weekend? Any Olympic themes? I'm not into the Olympics whatsoever but lets just say I've got blue nails for the Diving events ;)

Ciao for now XxX

Long time, No Blog! ♥

Hididdly Ho Strangerino's! Long time no blog post. I know, *Slapped wrists* all round. I think it is purely because I am skint as a ducks backside, and I haven't being buying beauty products. My life in general probably isn't that interesting to read, so I don't bother posting about everyday details. Mind you, if you have seen that we are trying to buy a house, we are still waiting! It's so annoying, if any of you have been through it, you'll know what I mean. Wait, wait and more wait. But I suppose good things come to those who...

So I popped to Tesco yesterday (and Boots = lethal), and I got a few bits. Not all of it is shown here because there are things I've bought before like the cucumber cleanser and toner, which I LOVE. They are about 80p each and if I use them religiously my skin clears up like a dream. Yes, there are wondrous products out there for skin care, but these really work for me and I have re-purchased already, which I don't do very often!

Here we have Models Own Ibiza Mix, and Utopia which are on at 2 for £8.00 in Boots. Go, go GO! I really wanted a nude colour with a hint of something in it, and this was perfecto. I also wanted Ibiza mix to go over the top, as it's my birthday weekend this weekend. I reach the ancient age of 22 on Monday, which I'm pretty sad about because I had a great 21st year. Oh well, I'm going shopping with the Mama so should be a good day.

Next was a Tesco Nail Polish, I didn't catch the shade - I shall find it, but it was 99p! It's a gorgeous coral shimmery pink, and isn't too far off Models Own Tropical Sun, it's like a pink version of it. Then I got some Vivo lashes for my birthday, they were £2.00. And Tesco Vitamin E eye cream, that was also around £2.00, I'll let you know how it is!

99P Nail Polish, bit of a beaut colour if you ask me!

I am wearing Models Own Utopia at the moment, and that's another colour I love! Can't wait to top it with Ibiza Mix for my Birthday!

Thursday Thoughties has appeared to be non-existent at the minute, so I shall get onto that next week. I shall do a Birthday nails post and maybe a what I got for my birthday one too! Also I'm thinking Curvy Outfit of the day posts? What do you reckon?

Have you seen my Chubby Bunny Video? I couldn't breathe for laughing!

What Models Own Polish is your fave? Any recommendations? 

Ciao for now xxXxx

P.S I'm now on Tumblr! Click HERE to see all the piccies I love!

x

Nails for the weekend ♥

Heylooo, hope everyone is well, and the horrible rain and floods haven't affected you too much. Depressing isn't it? We were meant to be going on holiday this Wednesday, but unfortunately we have had to cancel due to work being busy etc, so it's moved to September now. I bet it's gonna be so worth the wait!

So tonight we are going to see Marina and the Diamonds for the third time! I am super excited and I've seen she has been coming out after the gigs have ended so we are going to hang around and aim to meet her! I'd love to get her autograph on me somewhere, and may have it tattooed! Sad? Maybe, but I like to think of tattoos as building a story of your life. I think Kat Von D said it once, and it's a mantra I like to stick to so maybe I could justify it! I don't know, might not happen yet. Anywho.

I have done my nails for the weekend now, and they are actually pretty rubbish but I haven't got any nail polish remover with me so I can't redo it, oh well. I have a lilac on the nails, which took two coats (see products in last picture), and then drew a diamond with a black nail art pen, filled it in with glitter and then drew the diamond lines in. Bit of a fail, but it can just be worked out as a little diamond! Also I drew a little heart on my thumbnail as Marina always has a heart on her face, which I shall also be doing!

I don't think nail art is particularly my forte! It's the effort that counts though, isn't it?

Here are the products used. Ciate Nail Varnish in Purple Sherbet, which I absolutely love! OPI Glitter polish in Servin' Up Sparkle, and Models Own Nail art pen in Black. The Ciate Polish was free in Marie Claire and the consistency, drying time and finish are all brilliant, and I definitely think I'll be purchasing more Ciate polishes in the future!

Right, I better go and pick up 200 false nails that have just fell out their box into my handbag. Major fail. Hope everyone has a good weekend.

Ciao for now XxX

Nails for the weekend ♥

Bonjour Mes Amis! It's Fridayyyy! Wahooo! The Jubilee is fast approaching, and I must admit I am feeling rather patriotic with all the Union Jacks everywhere. Despite the current status of our country, we are lucky to be able to celebrate something like this to bring everyone together. Anyway, my nails today couldn't be any less patriotic, but they will be changed in time for the Jubilee party I am going to!

I fancied a change, and something funky for the weekend so I decided to go for a blue leopard print.

The products I used were:

Primark's own brand sky blue colour - available in a pack of four pastel shades.

China Glaze Liquid Crystal.

Models Own Black Nail art pen.

I've never done any nail art before, only regular painting so I thought I'd give it a go!

I used two coats of the blue Primark polish which is quick drying, but does start to gloop up in the bottle with the lid off for a bit, so be wary of that if you have it. Then I used the pen tip of the nail art pen to create the 'leopard' black lines. Make sure these are dry before continuing. I then got an eyeliner brush and dipped it in the Liquid Crystal polish to fill in the gaps, when this was dry I just went over the glitter that had gone over the black lines with the nail art pen. Finish with your favourite clear top coat, or leave bare for textured glitter.

Please excuse bitten fingers! Terrible habit!

I'm quite pleased at how this looks for my first attempt! Will have to get practising to perfect this and do some different designs. What's your manicure for the weekend or Jubilee?

Have a great one! Ciao for now XxX

Nails for the weekend ♥

Howdy lovelies! Just thought I would do a quick post to end the week, on my nails I am sporting for the weekend! As you may or may not know, I am an avid user of the Boots falsies, which are a pack of 200 nails for £8.50 with glue! I think they are super duper, and worth a try. 

If you've got big ol' nails like me, they fit like a treat. They are also anti chip, and I have very very rarely seen any on mine, no matter what polish I use. They can stay on around 5 days if you glue them on well in the first place, but I always carry the glue round with me for those just-in-case days! I have had to repurchase the glue a couple of times, because with all those nails it does run out pretty quick, but its super strong, so don't go attaching fingers to thumbs like I do, and you end up with a delightful print of skin on top of your nail. Anyone else do that?

SO, onto the nails! I have got a gorgeous polish from Essie, and a lovely textured glitter from China Glaze. I got them from the Beauty UK show a few days back (read the post HERE). I have been desperado to try out all my polishes since then, but due to work and things it's not always suitable! With the weekend on the way, I have been let lose! 

So the Essie polish is called Sure Shot, which is a deep raspberry pink with a blue undertone, and the China Glaze on the accent nail is called I'm not Lion. I really like these colours together, and the accent nail is a textured glitter, which isn't something I have actually had before but I really love the effect - feels like sandpaper!

So there we have it. What nails are you sporting for the weekend? And do you have any of these polishes, if so what do you think??

Have a fab weekend guys,

Ciao for now XxxX

Make up, nails n stuff! ♥

Hey everyone! So I thought I would just do a little update again with what has been crackalacking! Ed & I are off to the lake district tonight which is a lovely picturesque part of the UK, and covered in lakes! (If you hadn't already guessed...) So we have been before to this particular hotel, but it was only on business last time. We liked it so much we thought it would be nice to spend the weekend there for Eds birthday tomorrow, so we can have a little relax and an explore. Then we go to Cyprus 2 weeks today! Woohoo I'm excited, so much going on! 

So firstly, I have FINALLY bought a 120 palette. Something I am sure you have all seen before, but it has taken me years to get on the bandwagon! I don't know why really just haven't bothered, but I am glad I did now! It did take the mickey to come as it is from China, almost 3 weeks! But it was worth the wait. If you just type into Ebay '120 palette' they all come up. Usually they set you back about £10 - £15, but I quickly jumped in on a bid only one and got it for £7 with postage, so keep your eye open for a bargain! 

Sorry about the shocking picture, it was just a quick one to send to my Mom! The colours are wickedly pigmented, and I think it is going to last me rather a long time!

We went for a curry with Eds Mom and Dad for Eds birthday as we won't be here, so I thought I would try the palette out. Here I am wearing a very light lemony nude shade, applied firstly all over the lid. (After applying primer), then if you can see the blue patches on my top, I matched that to the nearest blue on the palette, and put that on the outer corners and crease. To define it a little more, I went in with a darker turquoise shade (a little like my hair colour), and further defined the crease, and super blended it all. I quite like these colours together, nice and springy! Earrings £2, Necklace £4, Shrug top £8 all from Primark. On the lips, George ASDA nude lip liner £4, and MAC Hue over the top £13.50.

Again sorry for the poor quality of the picture, but we were zooming really quick out to the cinema to see the Hunger Games!! I thought I would do a really quick 5 minute Katniss Everdeen inspired look - not exact, but how I liked it! I did a messy side plait as she has it, thick black winged liner (Blacktrack fluidline from MAC £16.00), mascara (MUA curved mascara £3.00) and Hue from MAC on the lips (£13.50). I thought the film was absolutely amazing and the second one can't come quickly enough!

So for tonights Lake District adventure, I have done my nails ready for the weekend. I decided to do a graduated glitter nail, because they always look pretty cool, especially when I have my fakies on. Fake nails are 200 pack from Boots (£8.00), my holy grail fake nails! Polishes are both from Primark and come in sets of four (not these colours together though), and the sets are £2.00 each. They are great quality varnishes and the blue is a one coat wonder! To graduate glitter, start about a quarter way up from the cuticle to the tip, then let it dry. When dry start a little bit further up, let dry etc etc you get the drift! If its a holographic glitter like this, try and get most of the larger glitter pieces towards the nail tips, it may be fiddly but gets a much better graduated look! Finish up with some Sally Hansen Diamond Shine nail hardener (£10.00) - not really a top coat but works wonders for me! 

So there you have it! Do you have any good nail designs to try? I would love to see!

Thanks for reading and I'll post some piccies when we return! 

Ciao for Now xXx

Happy valentines day ♥

Hello guys, blimey it has been ages since I have posted. Sorry to those who read, I have just been super busy! One of our friends has just had a baby, so here I am with baby Jak! We are Aunty Tilly and Uncle Ed. Jak is so cute I absolutely adore him! He has the softest skin ever and when Ed held him he opened his little eyes!

Scrunchy up face for Aunty Tilly hehehe :)

Open eyes for Uncle Ed :) xxx

So it's valentines day today! I have been looking forward to it for ages as we are going to a restaurant that we have been to once before that we really liked. It's pretty swanky, and I'm feeling a little like whatever I wear I will be underdressed, but you know what, I just want us to enjoy ourselves so it isn't the biggest deal what I look like I suppose! The restaurant is called Simpsons in Edgbaston, Birmingham. If you want to check out their website click HERE . We are having a ten course taster menu! I am so excited! Posh Nosh! =D

This is what Ed drew in my card <3 aww so cute. We got engaged up the Eiffel tower - if I haven't already mentioned it a million times - so he drew one for me! I got him a card with an Eiffel on the front, but me being an idiot didn't pick an envelope up with it! Nevermind, it's the words that count, can't help being a bit useless!

I have done my nails ready for tonight, here is the finished result!

This is the kit I used to create them. Boot's 200 nails kit and Primark Beauty nail varnish - believe it or not! The Boots nail kit is a definite essential. Rather than paying £25 - £30 a pop to have your nails professionally done with acrylics or gels, for £8.50 these are just as good. They last as long as you are careful with them, and the glue for them is great. I have done two sets out of them so far and both have been a success! I also prefer these because you can change the colours (don't forget to use an acetone free nail varnish remover so the nails don't dissolve!) and they don't damage your real nail underneath. 

I begin by selecting the correct sizes, and  laying them out to make it easier for application. I then file the tips, and all the top surfaces of my own nails, to give a rougher surface so the nail applies with a little more security.  Begin by applying a small amount of nail glue, and spread it around with the tip of the bottle to cover all the surface of the nail. Take the false nail, and starting with the round tipped bottom of it, push onto natural nail, laying flat from the base upwards. To set, hold down the nail very tightly with finger and thumb to compress any air bubbles. Continue for all nails, and let them dry.

Take the nail varnish of your choice. As I said, I have used Primark Beauty's new range of nail paints, which are actually brilliant for £2 for a pack of 4. I think they have 4 sets at the moment, which I have all of them because they are too much of a bargain to miss out on. So, these are the metallic colours. I used the shimmery gold (second from right), and the gold holographic top coat (far left). I used two coats of the gold, although you could probably get away with only one! They dry nice and quickly too, so not much waiting around. The holographic polish spreads the glitter quite well, and I have only used 1 coat, but you can add more if you wish. I haven't put a topcoat over that, because I wanted the textured effect. And there you go! Cheap, but greatly effective nails for valentines!

Thought I would just put on the roses I got sent to work! They are totally gorgeous and covered in glitter! He's an old smoothie hehehe <3

So I hope everyone has a great rest of valentines day, and if it's not your thing, get some choccy down your neck! Have a good'un!

Ciao for now! xXx

Waffle Waffle and review ♥

I am knackered. I tell you what I'm not going to miss. I'm not going to miss sitting on a desk until 11pm at night. I'm not going to miss coming home in the dark, and getting back up in the dark to be back on the desk for quarter to 7 in the morning. I'm not going to miss feeling knackered because of the inconsistency of my hours. Etcetera. There are certainly things - well, people, I will miss, but being back reminds me of the things I won't. I do feel quite detached now unfortunately, and I am counting down the last weeks. Wish I could just talk to the girls all day instead. We love a good gossip.

So this might be a bit of a long one, I have a few pictures! Probably not interesting but oh well, the little 'X' is in the right hand corner if you get bored :) 

I have been saying about a few different reviews for ages but haven't got round to doing them, so in this one they shall be! Firstly though, just some goings on...

This was tonight's dinner. Chicken and bacon risotto. Unappetizing picture I'm afraid, however, I have never in my life cooked risotto before but it was absolutely amazing!!! If one does say so herself... It was so tasty and filling, an all rounder. Find the recipe HERE so you can try it yourself. Good to Know is a great website for recipes and advice. It's the first place I look for either! It says use pudding rice but I actually did use aboria proper risotto rice, I also only used one stock cube because the bacon is salty enough as it is. I also put a dash of garlic salt, dried mix herbs and a splash of white wine in it, to give it my own kick. Mmm we have full bellies! 

(Sorry for out of focus pic, my camera is giving me major grief) This is what the risotto took however, a nice grated thumb! Grating the parmeraggiano into it, I thought a bit of thumb would be a nice, tasty, secret ingredient. Not recommended in the recipe for some reason though, funny that.

This is our new fire. It looks really cosy in our lounge now. I came home last night and Ed had put it all up and set it up for us. So cute <3 It's a bit warmer in here now! Just a quickie, does anyone else find that new Weight watchers advert profusely aggravating?! Ughh the song is the most irritating noise EVER! Rant over...

So, onto the beauty bit and finished with the first part of boredom...

I've been meaning to review this since Christmas so sorry it's been so long. It is Vera Wang's newest addition which is called LoveStruck. The bottle is gorgeous and is the same design for each size, which is great because with a lot of brands, smaller sizes have a simplified design. The scent is very light and floral, with a sweet hint at the top. I do like sweet perfumes such as Britney Spears midnight fantasy for a cheapish one. Gucci Guilty is a beaut too. I have a perfume  from Next actually that is £6.50 for a 30ml bottle and it is called Adore. Whenever I have it on, everyone seems to say something along the lines of 'Ooo that Gucci Guilty is lovely', and think it's that! So if you want to cheat, grab yourself a bottle of that. It hangs around too. I'm not sure if they do it in full Next stores, I personally get it from Next Clearance in Derby, but they may do!

This is the nail varnish I got the other day that I previously mentioned. I love the neutral shades that are coming in at the moment, and this was a cheap enough one to try. The shade is Werewolf and is from George at Asda. It's a pastel brown shade really, and paints on quite well. It does need 2 coats to really perfect it and dries pretty quickly. I've had it on about 3 days now and still hasn't chipped much. That maybe due to my genius top coat however! It is Sally Hansens Diamond shine. You can use it on it's own and it hardens brittle nails instantly and dries in about 10 seconds, or you can use it as a top coat and it is protective and makes any nail varnish look really shiny. It is quite pricey at about a tenner, but it's worth every penny. The George nail range is about £1.50 per pot, the quality of each colour actually does differ, but in this case it's a thumbs up from me for the price. Apologies for my fingers, they are guilty of a terrible biting habit!

I also explained about getting the Collection 2000 concealer in my previous blog. Everyone seriously raves about this on blogger and youtube, so I went out and got it! It was £4 and I got it in the shade '1 Fair'. It really is as good as you guys say! It brightens, covers, and sticks around. It's called Lasting perfection, so put that on your next haul list. On the picture I left part of the swatch as it was applied, and towards the right, I blended it a little to show you how good it is. It has an applicator the same as a lipgloss, nice and easy. Go buy! 

Underneath is the swatch of the warming powder by Bare Minerals. I got this as part of the starter kit set, which has an RRP of about £50, but I got it free as part of a scheme from work. Rather than a bronzer, it is more matte, and you only need the slightest bit on your brush. Too much though and you are left with a big block of colour on your face, so do watch that if you are considering the product. It's £19 on it's own, and I am a tight arse and known for not spending that sort of money on one make up item. I am obsessed with make up, and anyone that knows me would tell you the same, but I don't like to spend a lot when I am always determined to find something better and cheaper. On those terms, I don't know if I'd re-purchase, but I am actually yet to find something as good, so my theory may be beaten. 

I've never owned a Mac product in my life, and everyone raves about it. But I strongly believe it's half down to the application! If I ever get any, then I will fully make my mind up.

So that's it for now, if your still with me. If there's anything anyone wants reviewing let me know. Barry M is of course my forte, and I have pretty much every Dazzle Dust, so if you aren't sure on one, I can tell you about it!

Ciao for now guys xXx