Want!!


 

(via Fashion Hedonism and Bertie)



This perfect bag. I am going to go to House of Fraser tomorrow to see if they have it.

Chunks of silver

I love rings - there is something nice about the weight of them on my fingers. And because I have big hands and fingers, I suit chunky rings, the kind that would do some damage in a fight (not that I've ever tried!).

These are my latest pieces (clockwise from top left):

Rennie Mackintosh Carrick Collection: This was an 18th birthday present from my aunt, and matches a couple of other pieces that I was given that birthday, a bangle from my grandma and some earrings from a friend.

Large square ring: This was a purchase from last week from a shop in Taunton called SilverScene. I spotted it in the window, wandered in to have a look and fell in love. Thankfully the price tag wasn't too hideous!! 

Four skull ring: This ring has a not so interesting tale of how I came to have it but I am not going to repeat it here! It comes from Crazy Pig Designs, a very rock and roll jewellery store in Covent Garden that sells amazing hand made skull jewellery. You can purchase pieces from their website.

Wide banded ring: This was a Christmas present from my parents just before my 18th birthday. I spotted it when I was in Cambridge for my university interview (I didn't get in). My dad bought it for me then and there, but obviously I didn't have it until Christmas. Unfortunately my fingers aren't quite as slim as they were 10 years ago, but it does still fit and hopefully will continue to do so! 

I'd take a picture of them on but I have seriously unphotogenic hands and the picture just would not do them justice!

Its a lovely sunny day here, so I am hopefully going to get into gear and go to the beach this afternoon to take some pictures. I probably should go and get dressed at some point! 

October Wishlist

China Glaze Lubu Heels (black base with red glitter)

 

MAC 217 brush

MAC 224 brush

 

MAC 219 brush

MAC Pro Travel Brush Roll

A new jumper

The perfect winter coat

Black tights

A holiday!

What are you longing for?

My top tips for great hair Part 1

I'm quite chuffed with my hair at the moment. I've had a lot of compliments about it, both for the cut and colour. My hairdresser also comments on the excellent condition that my hair is in, despite the things I do to it!! So I thought I'd share with you how I do it.

Let's start with the cut. A good hair cut is everything, and I am very very lucky to have found someone who not only understands my hair but cuts it to fit my lifestyle. Too often you find a good hairdresser but they just don't seem to get you and your style/life/interests and how your hair fits into that. Ian @ Buff in Taunton cuts my hair (http://www.buffdayspa.co.uk/) and he gets it. He is particularly good with shorter hair, and is an expert in all things colour.

Colour... I bleach my roots (or my friend does it for me, because I can't quite manage that one!), running it through the lengths for 5 mins at the end, then cover the whole lot in Special Effects (SFX) dye. To get my perfect colour I mix in approximately equal quantities Burgundy Wine and Blood Red, to give a really good pinky red colour. The photo does not do it justice! It glows in the sun :) I order the dye from www.beeunique.co.uk who are fantastic and have very speedy delivery. They sell all forms of brightly coloured vegetable hair dye and have galleries of people's hair.

Finally condition. Bleaching obviously isn't that good for hair. It takes quite a while to get bleach onto my hair as it is so thick, so I use a lower strength bleach which takes longer, but that is ok. I have dark blonde/mousey brown hair naturally, so I don't need much to bleach it. The vegetable dyes are good because they are full of moisturising ingredients and put a lot back into the hair, which really helps the condition.
Shampoo and conditioner are important, especially for colour treated hair. I am currently using Tigi Catwalk Collection Fashionista Colour Safe Shampoo and Conditioner, which is absolutely fabulous. Sadly I think it has been discontinued, but you can still pick up large bottle twin packs for around £20 (Click here). You don't need much of either to really cleanse and nourish your hair, so a big bottle will last a long time. I've had my bottles for about 6 months and I've only got through about 1/3 of each one!!
Styling products are important for the condition of your hair. I don't like to use anything that contains silicone, as I find that it a) reacts with my skin, and b) makes my hair feel odd.
My favourite products are the Naked Styling range from Boots, particularly the More Volume mousse, Frizz Fighter serum and the Heat Defender spray. Used in combination I get amazing results, and my hair is really manageable and soft.

This is my regular hair care routine - I'll write again soon about the things I do for my hair on a less regular basis, when it needs a boost or I want to style it differently.

And relax....

Its been a bit of a mental week. Firstly work decided to get off the wall busy this week, then I had my abseil on Thursday, then my exam yesterday. This was all on top of being at the tail end of a cold that I got at the end of last week and still have the remnants of today.

All this has meant I've been neglecting myself and my skin, and the stress has done its usual trick of making my skin erupt in horrible horrible spots on my chin. I suffer from horrific cystic acne sometimes, and it is painful. I have found the only way to deal with it when it happens is to be kind and gentle with my skin, apply hot towel compresses and plenty of witch hazel and Neals Yard Hypericum and Calendula cream to the area which is magic healing cream (I used it after I had my tattoo done and it healed up within 10 days). Hopefully my skin will be back to at least a better state fairly soon!

I have invested in some different moisturiser from Neals Yard, and some new cleanser, both from their new Starflower range for sensitive skin. I love the cleanser, its gorgeous and rich and lovely. The moisturiser is nice, but I am a little concerned that the cocoa butter in it will react badly with my skin, but we shall see!!

Terrified!

Is what I was today as I abseiled down the side of the old Debenhams building in Exeter. It's 140ft from the roof to the ground. 140ft of terrifying descent to the ground. I was absolutely fine until I went over, even when I was up on the roof looking out over the whole of Exeter. Getting roped up and standing on the ledge was the point where I bricked it. I think I screamed all the way down but it was kinda fun I guess... maybe if I had more practice I'd be ok with it!! Something to consider!

Speaking of terrified, I'm DJing again on October 28th at Hole in the Wall in Exeter. It will be my 2nd time doing it, and this time I have a 90 minute set to plan and play. Its a pre Halloween bash so my set will be Halloween themed, and of course there is the crucial debate about what to wear!!

Any suggestions?

My current favourite things

Right now I am completely in love with:

• Autumn tv :)
• Crispy, cool mornings with warm afternoons
• MAC Rain of Flowers nail polish
• Freshly dyed hair (SFX ftw)
• Vegan thanksgiving dinner
• Koko Kanu rum
• Plymouth gin
• MAC Dark Side lipstick and Vino lip pencil
• Grey leopard print
• Ace of Cakes and LA Ink!

I've got a Crush...

A Victorian Crush to be precise! Yes ladies and gents, the Jessica nail polish is mine. I went to the hairdressers this week (new hair cut, photos to follow) and there is was, calling to me.

Now I LOVE Jessica polishes - they go on so smoothly, are densely pigmented, don't streak and last well - perfect for someone who doesn't have the time to spend ages doing her nails.
This colour is perfect - its a proper military khaki colour, the most beautiful perfect green :)

 

My other crush is on Kat von D. I have an insane love of tattooos and I love LA Ink (which I've just started watching again). I think Kat is awesome, and I have just pre-ordered her second book, Tattoo Chronicles. Tattooing has traditionally been a male dominated industry, and tattoos are still very much regarded in society as a very masculine thing to have. Very often women with lots of visible tattoos are looked down on (especially by the Daily Fail crew) and are deemed somewhat less than feminine. One of the things I love about Kat von D is that she has taken on the industry, and to a certain extent she has won. 

I can't wait until Oct 26th when I will have my hands on the book!

Gorgeous new things!

I've been a little busy over the last couple of weeks but I have lots of new things to tell you about so I hope you'll forgive me!

Sadly there was no Jessica Victorian Crush to be had at the salon, but I am back there next week for a haircut so I will try again - that polish WILL be mine!

Since my last post, I am the proud owner of the following new things:

MAC Nail Polish in Jade Dragon and Rain of Flowers

Yumi Uttam Boutique Delacie Dress in black and Yumi 3/4 length black leggings with lace panel in the side



Jewellery roll

Black and white make up bag from Sainsbury's

I am also awaiting delivery of attempt 3 at a new winter coat which I can't find a picture of but you can see if you click here.

I have a busy weekend coming up, but there will be lots of things to post about when I get home! Must go and charge the camera in preparation....