Only 40 something days until Download!

That's right folks, its not long until the Download Festival is upon us once again!! I haven't been since 2007, when I went for the weekend for the first time. I also went on my own, and as such, stayed with relatives who lived nearby. I don't think I'll ever camp again - cooked breakfasts, a BED, showers, toilets... all the creature comforts and then I get to go have fun in a field!!

So this year, me, my best mate and my bf embark on a trip to the festival, not camping. With a bit of luck the weather will be as nice as it was in 2007 - gloriously sunny and hot. Loads of bands to watch, just lying in the sun....

But what to wear? Having been to a few festies now I present to you my top 5 festival clothing tips:

1. Layer up - you don't know what the weather is going to be like, and lots of thin layers are easier to deal with than a couple of thick ones. Vest tops and thin cotton t shirts can be rolled up and slotted into even the smallest of spaces.

2. Comfy, sturdy footwear - you're probably going to end up walking miles. You don't want blisters when you are trying to fight your way out of the impromptu mosh pit that just sprang up around you. Also, remember that it might rain. So it would be best that your footwear could cope with this. My vote is on New Rocks, or something similar, as they aren't too hot in the warm weather and are pretty sturdy and waterproof if it rains. Take a spare pair of socks just in case.

3. Pockets - bags are rubbish in a crowd. Its difficult to carry a rucksack on your back, and the last thing you want is to have it hanging off one shoulder, because you're going to end up with a sore back after band number 15. If you can, wear trousers/shorts/bottoms with loads of pockets, and preferably pockets that you can fit a small bottle of water, tube of sunscreen and your money into.

4. Think about material and design - if it rains, and you are wearing long trousers that drag on the floor they are going to soak up the water quicker than you can down a pint of warm beer. Then you will have soggy legs for the rest of the day. Likewise, if they are long, and it is hot, you're going to have sweaty ankles. My vote - long shorts. Long enough to reach almost to the top of your boots. Then, you are shielded from the sun's rays (thus cutting down the amount of sunscreen you need to apply, and if the weather turns nasty, you can pull your socks up and keep your legs toasty. And they won't trail in the mud/wet. Same thing applies with heavy fabrics.

5. Black is always best - festivals are either muddy or dusty. Or both. White is not going to last 5 minutes. Black may still show the mud/dust, but when you put that through the washing machine 2 weeks after you get back, its going to be black when it comes out, not a patchy beige colour.

So there are my 5 tips for festival clothing. Before I go I'll show you the items that I will be taking with me for my weekend of fun!!

And we're back to dark hair again.....

So, after spending the best part of the last year with my hair getting lighter and lighter - first red, then blonde, I decided last week that enough was enough and the bleach had to go.

3 days of dye ensued - first a horrible light gingery brown that I think represented my natural colour (having not seen it for the best part of 10 years I have no clue) then what was supposed to be a gorgeous plum colour but actually went a weird inky blue, then a dep burgundy to remedy the situation. Which is where I am at now. And where I shall be staying.


The colour is Garnier 100% in 426 and my hair is wrecked. Not through that, but through far too much processing. I need to be very gentle with it for a while now....

Make up in the picture is MAC (what else!) - Aquadisiac e/s, Teal pigment in crease, Blacktrack fluidline, Lancome mascara.

Black - its all black!

I thought I'd give one of the new SS09 looks from MAC a try (www.maccosmetics.co.uk) seeing as I had all the products that were required, and seeing as how it is all black!!

Apologies that the photo isn't great, I came down with a cold yesterday and have the gormless look of someone who is trying to concentrate on the camera and the mirror at the same time!!

Paint Pot in Blackground
Pro Pigment in Black
Fluidline in Blacktrack
Kohl in Black
Mascara by Lancome
Foundation, concealer, powder all MAC

The original look can be found here: http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/templates/products/single_pick.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CAT22417

Pictures of aforementioned items!!

I have some pictures for you!! Its been a bit tricky to get pictures of the aforementioned beloved new clothes - I'm rubbish at taking pictures of myself and my photographer has been busy!! But enough of the excuses!!

Here is me yesterday enjoying the sunshine at the beach, wearing my skinny jeans and long New Rocks!

Jeans: Broadway Jeans, Long Tall Sally
Boots: New Rock 161
Jacket: Topshop Tall, Spring 2008
T Shirt (just peeking out): Alice in Wonderland, TRF, Zara
Sunnies: Boots 17, Summer 2008
Bag: H&M Winter 2007

More from me later!!