Thursday 22 November 2012

Lazy Day Wear

Sometimes everybody has one of those days (or weeks) where they just want to slob around their bedroom and watch re-runs of 90210 or The Vampire Diaries. Or, it is also that time of year for students, just before we can get excited about going home for Christmas, when there is that dreaded cloud looming over us called D-Day. And that means that we have to spend days and nights cooped up in the library (or in bed) reading material and writing up to 3000 words of a topic we've been studying for the past three months. I have to write around 5000 words by the 10th on something that I have no idea where to start. Plus, it's in Spanish!
 
Instead of staying in your PJs (and staying in bed - it's not a good idea), get up early and get some reading done, after eating breakfast whilst watching an episode of 90210. Then take a shower and get comfortable in some warm leggings and an oversized jumper, or tracksuit bottoms and a baggy tee.
 
 
I've added five tees so that it's for five full days of work/laziness just before the Xmas holiday.
 
However you like to spend your days chilled out on the sofa, you can do it in style, just incase somebody disturbs you and comes knocking on your door. This way you're fully prepared for anything, but with comfort! And if you're off to the library at 10pm, it doesn't mean you have to look your worst. However, if you imagine that image of a girl with scraped back hair, leggings and an oversized jumper with sleep in her eye, that would probably be what I look like when I go to the library.
 


Thursday 15 November 2012

HerUni: Hair Trends For The Party Season

Autumn has come and winter is most definitely near, if not here already. This means brand new fashion all around, and more importantly, new beauty ideas for hair and makeup. During the cold months, your hair can become brittle which is why you need to keep it nourished. More importantly, party season is sweeping the nation very soon, and for all the university Christmas parties as well as the one’s you will be embracing when you go home, you will need new hairstyles that are quick and easy to do! This winter, the hair from the catwalks is so simple to create in your own bedroom mirror. All you need is great music to get ready to, a gorgeous dress, flawless makeup and friends gossiping away. There is little need for hairspray this winter ladies, so make the most of it!
 
1.Bun
The bun is a classic look for all year round. It is the most sophisticated ‘do’ for those long days at work or slugging away in the library. It can also become messed up a little for the night time when you go for cocktails at the local Slug ‘n Lettuce. This year on the AW catwalks, it is Diane Von Furstenburg that has been teaming her fashionable clothes with the bun along with other designers such as Louis Vuitton, Michael Kors and Stella McCartney.
 
2.Centre Parting
During high school, were there were some girls who could pull off a centre parting without it looking too much like drawn curtains? Centre partings are simple and easy to pull off with the correct texture of the hair, and an added bounce through a simple wave. Gucci has it all figured out with his models by adding twists around the sides. Whereas, Roberto Cavalli has his thick-haired models illustrate this look with either a natural wave or slicked back for the grunge look. This hairstyle can be dressed up or down this winter, whether you’re going shopping on the weekend with your Mum, or going on a wintery first date
 
3.Twists, braids, plaits
Everyone loves a good braid or plait. If it is just to keep the hair off your face after washing it, or to keep it off the back of your neck on a night out, dancing away. Whichever it is, there are hundreds of ways to twist your hair into a completely different style without needing the level of a hair stylist. Gucci keeps it simple by twisting two parts of the hair and pinning them together at the back to create the classic up-down look. Marc Jacobs is recreating the look made famous by Star Wars’ Princess Leia with two plaited buns and a centre parting. On the other hand, Emilio Pucci has stuck to creating halos out of plaits and wrapping it twice across the middle of the head. The rest of the hair is straight and loose. Valentino is sticking to the twists by twisting both sides of the hair without creating a parting and wrapping it up neatly in a bun to finish.
 
 
4. Ponytails
Ponytails are never out of season! They are the easiest thing to do with a bobble – not so much without – and nowadays, women are more prone to styling them for a night out on the town with added height, volume or accessories. This is a style that emphasises the length of your hair, whilst keeping it off your face which can really show off your make-up. Ponytails, like Chanel, can be worn slick back with straight hair. This look is can always be a good one (despite the grease) for between washes, which is a lot more than we anticipate due to long nights at the library, followed by 9am lectures just before a deadline. Christian Dior and Jil Sander have gone for the extra low ponies for the catwalk, whereas Jason Wu opted for scraped back ponytails almost on top of the head for his models. Look to Ralph Lauren for the more laidback style with a small lift to the root.
 
5.Quiff/Bouffant
A quiff or bouffant is a great way to update any look for a night out. This is a look that I always ask my friend to style for me when the girls go out. A bouffant with curly hair is the ultimate hair ‘do’ for me. Alexander McQueen had his hairdressers in the ultimate bouffant zone. All of the hair was backcombed and pulled back. Anna Sui took bouffants to another level with the bouffant starting halfway back from the hairline. Big bouffants are in with a side parting at the front to create a completely different look. This added with a low ponytail creates an ultra modern look. Derek Lam is one of my favourite versions of the bouffant because it has a crazy, messy vibe, and isn’t ultra sophisticated like the other two. This is the type of bouffant to go for if you are a bit more edgy with your hair or, simply, you need a new look for that exciting gig that you are attending this winter. Vera Wang also has a variation of the grunge look. This look is a bit less height but says just as much.
 
6.Waves
Waves are the most natural look any girl could pull off. Simply leave your hair to dry naturally for a bit less of straight-up, straight-down hair. Or, if you need a little help, braid your hair when it is wet and sleep on it. In the morning, or even the next day (depending on how wavy you want it), let your hair loose. Waves are a good look to go for, without the stress of getting it perfect, for any occasion, be it a family dinner or a theatre trip. You can accessorize to suit the occasion with your clothes, makeup, or headwear. This fashion season, Balmain created the ultimate beach wave: the one that every girl wants to have during the summer months. Now, it has crossed over to winter. Many designers such as Gucci, Chloe and Robert Cavalli have teamed the centre parting with the wavy hair to create that ultra-natural look. Wavy hair can go from day to night with a simple change of lipstick colour.
 
 
7.Accessories
For the season that everybody looks forward to, the festive and party season, glam and glitzy accessories are definitely the way forward to update a look for the late nights on the dance floor. Using accessories is quick and easy too, only taking seconds to create a whole new look for the top of your head. When you think of Christmas, what is the first thing that pops into your head aside from the presents, the food, and of course the religion annotations? It is the gold star. Rodarte includes golden star slides in his collection, so get a few lookalikes with backcombed hair to sort yourself out for a hint of sparkle. Or, Rochas proves that you don’t need a bobble for a ponytail. Instead, find a wide clip to bring together the hair at the nape of your neck for a thicker pony with a bit of a difference. Dolce & Gabbana show that all you need for the modern princess look is a jewelled headband – perhaps with some pearls attached – and super straight locks to go from day to night.
 
8.Crazy Colour
Are you getting bored with your natural hair colour? Or, like some of my university friends, do you love to die your hair a different colour every few months? If so, this AW hair trend is for you. Dye your hair bright blue or bright red; or maybe even dye it candy pink for a bubblegum sweet look. Jean Paul Gaultier made his models have various bright colours at the roots of their hair with their natural colour for the rest of the length. Whether your hair is short or long, if you are on the wacky side when it comes to hair, you could pull this off too. At Prada, there is a new type of dip-dye in town. Models with uber-long hair have dip-dyes with colours from opposite ends of the colour spectrum. For example, platinum blond to ruby red. Or, for a look that is not as extreme as that, natural brown to black.
 
9.Side Parting
Sometimes to update a look, all your hair needs is a new parting. As well as the centre parting being on trend, so is the side parting. What is great about the side parting is that it can be just off the centre, or it can be a deep side parting. Whatever your decision, it will be in fashion. Another thing about this versatile look is that it can be a soft messy change or ultra straight. Bottega Veneta and Christian Dior have opted for the tight, shiny look with a side parting whereas Dries Van Noten has gone for the messier, laidback look. Both these designers have teamed side parting with a ponytail which is great for the wintery days. Add a scarf to keep your neck warm and this will do for any pub lunch or last minute Christmas shop. Lanvin, on the other hand, has added a touch of luxury to the side parting with waves that are inspired by the women of the late 1930s. This is one of your many evening looks for that glamorous party this season.
 
 
Images: glamourmagazine.co.uk
 
 

Wednesday 14 November 2012

November Shopping Spree

I have just returned from a massive spree at Nueva Condimina! I love that place! I went with the intentions of getting a few necessities including some winter warmers (as I have none!) and some new boots because the ones from Miss Selfridge are really narrow at the toes so I can't wear them for too long, and they squelch on marble floor which is everywhere in the university!
 
First purchase:



 
Grey over-the-knee boots. I have always wanted over-the-knee boots and have finally found some that go over my chunkier calves! They were pretty cheap too! They were in the sale for 24.50 euros! I love the stone wash colour. It is safe to say that I am very pleased with these new boots, and the heel looks like it'll last a while unlike other boots I have had in the past.
 
Purchases 2,3 & 4:
 


 
Some much needed jumpers/cardigan were purchased today! I now have more of a varied selection of winter warmers to fling over a tee and leggings. I did see another one with the same style as the first jumper, but grey with a skull on and coloured roses. I tried the small in that and it felt a little bit tight. I like oversized jumpers and usually opt for large. Besides, I prefered this image of the wolf because it was a bit different to the many skull tops I own. It was 15.99 euros.The second jumper was the last in large and it fits perfectly! It's baggy, but not too much and I can fling it over anything because it is grey! I like the small detail across the shoulders too which seems to be everywhere at the moment! Priced at 19.99 euros, I think it was a very good buy! The last one was something that my friend, Hannah, picked up for me. It is in large and it is really comfy! It's 19.99 which I think is a reasonable enough price for a thick, warm cardy.
 
Purchase 5:
 



 
The BIG purchase! I am in love with these boots! I have always been a little bit envious of Emilie's YSL boots (mylittlefashiondiary.net) and I saw the zip on these boots and it was just love. That is the only way I can describe it. They were 39.99 euros which I think is really good for high heeled boots! I may just be saying it to myself to make me feel better with the fact that I have little money (with travels & Xmas coming up!), but I love them, and cannot wait to wear them at home! I was going to wear my brown New Look boots on Christmas Day, but these might have just overtaken them! By the way, I'll only be wearing my boots for photos and the like, or when family first arrive. For the rest of the day, I'll be in slippers thank you very much!
 
I bought some little necessities also which don't need to be added on the post.
 
Other things I have bought this month are three skirts and a bag. I did need my skirts for Christmas for a change from the usual leggings. And the bag was a necessity for nights out(!) although the zip isn't great but it has gold spikes on it!
 

 
 
My Mum freaked out a little when I showed her the amount of stuff I bought today. Dad just laughed.
 
 I swear this happens to me when I'm shopping...
 
In other news, my friends and I have been planning various trips for next month before we go home (WHICH IS 5 WEEKS TODAY!), including Barcelona, Benidorm and Valencia. I hope (fingers and toes crossed) that we seriously do go through with it as it'll be an amazing way to end the first semester and it gives us so much more to look forward to before Christmas! I have also been planning a trip to Madrid for a long weekend in February, and another trip to Valencia for Las Fallas in March. I plan to go on plenty of weekend trips next semester, as well as try harder with this university despite how much I despise it!
 
 


Tuesday 13 November 2012

Winter.

Winter is on it's way in thick and fast. I'm even feeling it a bit over in the South of Spain where it should be sunny 24/7! This is not the case. I am really excited to come home in just over a month despite it being really cold.
 
My landlord came to the flat for rent last night and I was bare-footed, and he said, "Why don't you have socks on? Aren't you cold?!" in Spanish. I replied, "No." One of my flatmates was shocked so I said to him that it was a lot colder than this where I come from, in the minus' at the moment in fact. He couldn't believe it.
 
However, I am adapting to this weather as I get cold at less than 18 degree weather which is not normal for us Brits!
 
Anyway, as winter is coming, it's time for some winter inspiration on SG.
 






 

 
This was my 200th SG blog post!
 
I have just joined Pinterest where you can see here. Expect a hell of a lot of hair repins, especially in the run up to me getting my hair restyled! It is not long now until I get it done! Beyond excited.
 
 


Monday 12 November 2012

Travelling Around Spain

I love to travel. Not that that is to say that I have done a lot of travelling in my life, because I haven't. I know that Spain is this fantastic opportunity that not many people have the chance to do in their lifetime, but right now I am not appreciating it, so I thought I'd start making plans to travel around to different cities. I know that at the end of June for two weeks, I want to go travelling. It'll be better when it's warmer. I'll be able to see things more clearly, and I won't have to run and duck for cover every time there's a downpour, and flooding.
 
I have created a list so far, and I am pleased to say that I have been to at least two of the cities, and live in Murcia, so all in all I've been to three cities.
 
 
1. Murcia
 

 
 
2. Granada
 
 
 
 
3. Alicante


 
  
4. Córdoba


 
 
5. Sevilla


 
 
6. Galicia



 
7. Barcelona
 

 
 
8. Madrid



 
9. Cádiz



 
10. Bilbao



 
11. Santiago


 
 
12. Málaga


 
 
13. Marbella



 
14. Valencia


 
 
15. Léon



 
16. Salamanca

 
 
 
I will definitely find more cities to explore, but right now this is the list, and by the end of the year, I will have been all over Spain. I'll just have to save a lot of money, especially since I'm planning two holidays for Summer. There is so much I want to do in 2013, starting with travelling Spain. I need to find a job... ASAP.