April Inspiration

We are already half way through April! I cannot believe how fast this year is going already. I am not loving it, that's for sure. Before I know it, I'll be back in cold England for good and starting my final year of university.

 

Like every month, it is (passed) time to create an inspiration board for the month.

 

Happy April!

 

 

1. During the Easter holidays, I was sick. It always happens when I'm home aka Christmas and Easter. Therefore, I didn't get to do as much as I wanted. I did catch up on a load of British TV and I caught up with all the drama of the soaps as I lay on the couch day in, day out.

 

2. I have been back in Spain for over a week! Time flies when you're having fun etc. I can't believe I leave in less than three months. That will be the end of my year abroad. This makes me very sad. I don't want to leave the sun and the sea!

 

Alicante Harbour

Me and Dottie on the beach

 

3. I have so many exciting writing opportunities coming my way at the moment! As a twenty year old, I am really proud of myself and how far I've gotten in the past two years of publishing my work on online blogs and magazines!

 

4. It was SG's second birthday on the 2nd! So, HAPPY (BELATED) BIRTHDAY SG!

 

 

5. Lot's of exciting things coming up in the next few months! This year is definitely in my top two of life so far... Having the best time!

 

My Latest Ten Pins

 

I am now a huge fan of Pinterest. I may do a weekly blog update of my latest ten pins. Mostly, I pin different tattoos, not that you can see any here, as I am obsessed with ink. I have other boards such as beauty, hair inspiration, people who inspire, health & fitness, fashion & style, dream wardrobe etc. all of which you can find here.

 

Happy pinning!

 

Inspire

January is already over and February is already upon us. Time goes too quickly for my liking. Before you know it, the Christmas decs will be going up in the streets again and that will be another year of our lives over and done with.

 

Anyway, back to the now and not the future, as always here on SG, I have created an inspiration board for the coming month.

 

 

February is the month of all things love thanks to St Valentine's Day which is why I have gone for the theme of love as the base of this inspiration board. We have rose-like hair which is something that I would love to be able to do with my hair as well as classic roses and pale pink and white fashion. There are also the obvious images of love: a romantic couple, more flowers, hearts etc.

 

I also wanted to put what was inspiring me this month: the music of Queen (like every month one day or another), warm, homemade tomato soup which I which I could eat right now! I remember making a really good tomato soup when I was in school between the ages of 12 and 14. I wouldn't know how to do it now though. The aspect of young, wild and free because that is what I am, not so much wild but young and free. Plus, a very cool way of keeping all my earrings in shape. I need to invest in a dream catcher when I go home, which is at the end of next month!

 

This weekend has been a lazy one compared to the last. This time last weekend I was in The Union stuffing my face with a full monte beef burger with all the trimmings: bacon, cheese, fries, salad - Mmmm. Now I am back on rations. I have spent the past two days in bed despite the lovely weather outside, as well as tidy and change my room about. I've been missing out on highs of 28 degrees.

 

Tomorrow, this will all change as I start my new job in a local school. I am very excited, especially after finalising all of the paperwork last week. I am not so excited for the 8:55am start. But, this means that I will be out and about in the lovely warm city of Murcia. I'm not complaining.

 

Another exciting thing that happened this weekend (which will have it's own post) is that me and my friend Laura have booked our travels for June! Cordoba, Seville, Granada, Marbella and the White Island, Ibiza are all on the cards to kick off my summer holidays this year!

 



Lately On Pinterest

I wrote last month that I had recently opened a Pinterest account and I love it. I love finding all these different inspirations that I would never find on google or photobucket etc. I especially love all the tattoo finds! It's great inspiration.

 

Here are some of my latest pins:

 

 

Source: Pinterest

 

 



HerUni: Beauty Trends For Party Season

Is it true to say that you, like me, don’t really think about the makeup as much as the dress and the hair for the night out you plan on having? Or, are you a true beauty fanatic who is already up to date with all the trends? Either way, the following beauty trends will give you what you are looking for in the makeup department during the winter period, and more importantly, the party season, especially Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

 

 

All

 

 

Fresh Faced
There is one look on trend right now for all those out there who like to keep a fresh face over the Christmas season. It may not be a look you would choose for a night out, but for working and earning, or a wintery walk through the park. It is a very simple look to create. The trick with this is aiming for a dewy glow by exfoliating, hydrating and moisturising your skin. All that is before putting on your foundation. One foundation to go for would be BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector Sensitive Skin by Garnier. To complete the look, wear brown or brown/black mascara instead of jet black. Avoid the extra volume mascara too; leave that for the crazy nights out. A good brand on budget would be Collection 2000 Lash Lengthening Mascara (W/P) Brown/Black. With this look, it is also about eating healthier, sleeping more and stressing less which will all show on your face. Balmain, Chloe and Calvin Klein Collection among many others showcased this look at the Autumn/Winter fashion shows.

 

 

Be Ethereal
Take some inspiration from other-worldly creatures, maybe not from the film Avatar. Nobody wants to be painted in blue from top to toe during winter season as we’re already blue from the cold at this time of year. Pearly shades, clear, pale skin tones and pink lip colours are the beautiful colours that create the ethereal look. Costello Tagliapietra, Giles and Giambattista Valli have all taken on the ethereal look for their models this season. Silver and blue tones alongside bronzed eyes and silver liner are all part of this other-worldly look. Adding a peony lip will make the look more classic. To go all out, and very over-the-top, mix orange, black and purple to recreate Prada’s fantastical take on the ethereal look. A dewy base is best; use BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector Sensitive Skin just like in Fresh Faced. For the eyes, glitter eyeliners are great such as 2true Eyeliner Dazzler No.2/3/4 in Silver, Green and Purple. Top it off by rimming the water line with a light blue such as Barry M Kohl Pen Kingfisher Blue. For the lips, a simple pale pink will do, and what better than Nivea Lip Care Soft Rose 4.8g for that extra protection against the cold night.

 

 

 

 

Eyes

 

 

Normally, for a big Christmas or NYE party, the eyes are the focal point on your face. Whether you go all out, or you create a more subtle look, there are plenty of trends to choose from.

 

 

Golden Eye
Want to be star of the show? Gold is a festive colour, and it can brighten up your eye immediately. Hitting the catwalk with the golden eye is Emilio Pucci. For the best outcome, use a variety of gold’s to illuminate some parts and accentuate others of your eye. Don’t forget to draw a golden line underneath your eye to add that extra pop. Use a mixture of Accessorize Merged Eyeshadow Golden Caramel and Golden Brown for the ultra smoky golden eye look. Make sure you add extra black Rimmel Scandel Eye Mascara to complete the look. Or, for the simple golden eye look, wear L’Oréal Colour Appeal Mono Eye Shadow Pure Gold, or for a golden line, Sleek MakeUP Eye Liner Liquid Dip It Gold. All these variations can be found in Superdrug stores nationwide or online. This look is definitely one for the New Year’s celebrations.

 

 

Sultry Smoke
The smoky eye is always in season despite the sun or snow. During the party season, the smokiness has a darker effect with silvers, greys, blacks, and even dark blues just like Diane Von Furstenburg and Valentino. For the classic smoky eye, think of the model in Armani Code by Giorgio Armani. Her eyes look beautiful surrounded in black. You can achieve that look too without the assistance of a makeup artist. You can either achieve this with a simple black liner surrounding the eye with pencil, Rimmel Special Eyes Eyeliner Pencil Black, or with liquid: Rimmel Exaggerate Liquid Eye Liner Black. A different way to achieve the simple black smoky eye look would be to use to likes of single shadow GOSH Eye Shadow Mono 006 Black. On the other hand, if you want to achieve the ultimate smoky eye, buy a combination palette of shadow like the Rimmel Union Jack Eye Palette Black Cab. Start with the lightest colour as the base of the look, working it all over the base of your eye up to the brow. Then, with the middle colour, brush that on the entire eye lid, and line it underneath too. Finally, with the darkest shade, blend it from the outer half of the lid, the same underneath the eye. Girls, you are ready to find someone for the mistletoe with this sultry look.

 

 

The New Smoke
Instead of the classic smoke, why not go for smoke with a little bit of an edge: a change in colour. Donna Karen New York opts for deep red smoky eyes on her models for Autumn/Winter whereas Jason Wu goes for a metallic green smoke. You can achieve the smoky look with any blend of colours: greens, reds, purples, blues, which are all right on trend right now. Use colour palettes such as Rimmel Glam’Eyes Trio Eyeshadows – Sumptuous Tourmaline for a purple smoke or for a dark green look, use Rimmel Glam’Eyes Quad Eyeshadows – Green Sapphire. For a bright blue look, use Make Up Academy Professional Trio Eyeshadow Blue Babe or Max Factor Max Effect Trio Eye Shadow 7 Over The Ocean. Rim the waterline with Rimmel Special Eyes Eyeliner Pencil Black and complete the look with Rimmel Scandel Eye Mascara. This look is one to use for a night out on the town.

 

 

Grunge Look
The trick to this look is to make it look like you’ve slept in your makeup. Usually, any of us girls would be like “No way! That only happens after a big night out.” This look has hit the catwalks like a 90s flashback, and it could very well be the daring option to go to over the smoky eye. All the big names in fashion, Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton, and Rag & Bone, have ordered a grunge look for their models, especially Jean Paul Gaultier. Use Rimmel Special Eyes Eyeliner Pencil Black to create a cat eye look. A good thing to do would be to dip the pencil in water beforehand. Not only would the pencil go onto the skin easier, but it would make it smudgier. Another tip for a lived in look would be to put bronze eyeshadow underneath the lower lashes, using your fingers. A good one would be Max Factor Earth Spirits Eyeshadow 108 Inca Bronze. If there is a rock gig to go to, this would be the look to go for. Or, even if you wanted a change in style, a grunge look would be the one to use. I wouldn’t use it for the day time in case anybody actually thought you hadn’t taken your makeup off the night before.

 

 

 

 

Cheeks

 

 

Blushed Cheeks
Pink cheeks will make sure that you don’t have that washed out look. Think typical English Rose, and buy products such as NYC Colour Wheel Face Mosaic Cheek Glow or 2true Blusher True Colour 1 Pink Blush to create a fresh wintery face as if your Granddad has just pinched your cheeks like he used to do (or still does) when you’re a little girl. This ultra feminine look has come from shows such as Dolce & Gabbana and Michael Kors.

 

 

 

 

Lips

 

 

If you don’t want to make your eyes the focal point of your makeup, the other option is the lips which you can spruce up with two options: the classic red lip, or the daring stained lip.

 

 

Red Lips
Ruby red lips have always been on the catwalk, and they will never be taken off it either. This is a look that you should master today to make sure that you are set for a life of red lips for years to come. This season’s shades include deep velvet berries and intense pops of scarlet. Gucci and Rochas have chosen the deeper shade of red with colours of berries to add glamour. Coral red is a playful look compiled by Rick Owens and it will suit every skin tone. A top tip is to blot the lipstick to make sure that this look lasts from dawn til dusk, meaning from your long day of studying for January exams, until those drinks after dark with your nearest and dearest. Accessorize Lip Stick Really Red is the one you want for the pop of lip colour to brighten any occasion, whereas if you prefer a deeper shade of red this season, buy Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick Diva Red or Maybelline Colour Sensational Lipstick Hollywood Red.

 

 

Stained Lips
Mixing the darker shades of red into this Autumn/Winter trend of stained lips, you can go for an edgier look of dark stained lips. Colours range from red-wine and deep berry. On the catwalk, Gucci, Etro, Bottega Veneta and Nicole Farhi have all put stained lips in their shows this season. Start with a lip liner to create a precise look and blot away excess oil and gloss for the matte look. Minimise the eccentricity around the eyes with this look for a classy look. Dark lipped examples are L’Oreal Colour Riche Made for Me Lip Blush Silk, Maybelline Superstay 24 Dual Ended Lipstick Rasberry and Max Factor Colour Elixir Lipstick 685 Mulberry. Be warned, this look is only for the brave, and prepare make sure you take your lipstick out with you because you’re going to have to top up throughout the long night of partying ahead.

 

 

 

 

Head to Boots or Superdrug for all the makeup mentioned at low prices.

Whichever makeup trend you choose to follow this Christmas and New Year, don’t forget to take it all off after a night out so that you don’t clog up your pores and make a mess of your clean pillow. Your skin will thank your dirty cleansing wipe in the morning.

 

 

Welcome to the Festive Season

I can't believe that it's December already! This year has gone so quick, and these three months in Spain have too. December is the month of giving, Christmas, time with friends and family, eating and drinking loads, hoping to not get fat etc. Also, it is party season! But, that is a whole different SG post.

 

I, personally, have been waiting for December to come around since September, so now that it is here, I can safely say that I am very happy.

 

Also, because of my flight change to a later time, I was able to change my flights for free. So, I am now flying home on the 13th December (next Thursday/10 days!) which of course, I am so excited about.

 

This time of year, I always start writing my story/books again which I have started already. I finished the first draft of book one over a year ago. I've started both two and three now, just writing here and there. I have big plans for this series and hope to continue writing over the month.

 

At the moment, I am also going through a tattoo phase, where I want loads more and I spend hours on Pinterest looking at different tats. I'm trying to force myself to wait until next September though, after I've been in Spain because the climate here has made my latest really dry.

 

Happy December!

Welcome to the Festive Season!

 



Cosmo

During August, I received a special package from Cosmopolitan.co.uk containing a load of bright eye makeup that I had to photograph and review. I loved trying different looks with the variety of colours and then writing up a review!

 

The article is finally live on the site, and I could not be prouder of myself and happier!

 

 

 

http://www.cosmopolitan.co.uk/campus/cheap-fashion/trend-on-trial-applying-bright-eye-shadow-beauty-test

 

I hope to write more for Cosmo. Although, at the moment, I'm not writing as much as I should for HerUni at all! I need to pull my act together for them. I've just sent a film review to a different writers blog that I am hoping to start writing for too. At this rate, I need to keep on thinking of more ideas to spread around the world of onling writing!

 

 



HerUni: The Halloween Special - What To Wear?

 Halloween is right around the corner with just two weeks to go! It is that time of year that we have always loved since childhood. Those were the times we spent getting dressed up, going to scary parties, and knocking on neighbours doors shouting “Trick or Treat!” Now, there is usually a massive fancy dress party in the local Union or club.

What is on every girls mind in the run up to Halloween is, what do I wear on that night out? Nowadays, the normality is to be as sexy as you can with your outfit. Think Mean Girls when Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan) turns up to that house party full of sixteen year olds who look like they should not be wearing those clothes at their age, especially that unforgettable bunny outfit that Regina George (Rachel McAdams) pulls off. Another theme of outfits that seem to be all over the shelves nowadays is Halloween versions of Alice In Wonderland and Little Red Riding Hood. When I was a little girl, all I wanted to dress up as was a witch, not a fairy tale or Disney character.

Nevertheless, with our busy student schedules, and lack of money to throw away on just one fancy dress outfit, why not buy clothes from the high street that you can dress up to suit one of the classic Halloween personas this year? This way, you have a brand new outfit that can be worn more than once a year.

Welcome to the firey pits of Hell. The female version of the Devil is deemed to be sexy, powerful, and the ultimate ‘Lady in Red’. Instead of buying a tacky PVC dress, or the shortest red skirt imaginable, go towards the more elegant look with a long red dress and red stilettos. Wear strong black liner with mascara, and complete the look with blood red lips and nails. You will feel sexy and sophisticated with this look, and you will definitely turn heads in this outfit.

Welcome to the darkness. Another classic is the vampire. As young women, we can allow ourselves to be a little more sexy. Historically (and if you have seen all the vampire films and television shows, old and new), the female vampire is flawless, beautiful and seductive. For this night, and every other without the fangs, you can mirror the same image with a simple fitted LBD, bloodstained lips, dark eye makeup, bloodied nails with a cracking pair of sky high black stilletos to complete the look.

Welcome to the Witching Hour. As I said before, transforming into a witch when I was a kid was so exciting. To have my mother make me up with her dark red lipstick, completed with a spider drawn on my cheek with black eyeliner is one of my cherished moments from early childhood. Now that I’m twenty, if I were to become a classic witch, I would be doing my own makeup using black everything. Create a black smoky eye, using dark greys with black around the outer corner. A black laced dress with laced tights creates the perfect witch silhouette, and to top it off, a tall black hat. For your feet, witches can magic up anything, so why not a pair of beautiful laced up boots? You are bound to be the tallest girl in the room with all the added inches.

Welcome to your nine lives. A witches pet, the cat, is another simple yet traditional Halloween costume. Or, you could become the Catwoman. Either way, the following high street outfit will inspire you to head in the right direction. Black wet look leggings are easy to put on, plus a black strapless bralet – both of which can be worn again and again casually or dressed up – are the base of your outfit. Add black shoe-boots to add height, and you are practically there. A cat mask is a must. If not, find some cat ears that you can buy from the high street at stores such as Topshop, River Island, or Claire’s Accessories. Makeup wise, again it is the classic black liner. Create cat eyes with this, and add a spectacular amount of mascara to your lashes. Red lips and black nails complete the look.

Welcome to the graveyard. As a skeleton, you will have been dead for years, but that doesn’t mean you have to look rough and dirty. In the fashion world, a skeleton editorial would never be like this. Instead, the model would look a little bit edgy with full skeleton makeup, and fabulous clothes. Head to Topshop where they have gone skull and bone crazy with their clothes and accessories. Grab a pair of black leggings with bones painted on, plus a black and white bralet to create the balance of black and white. Add a black heel with buckles to create the edgy look of a high-fashion skeleton. For your makeup, head to a fancy dress store for black and white face paint, and get creative.

These are my top five classic looks for Halloween with a fashion twist. If you bought an entire outfit from one of those boards, think how many times you could wear it after Halloween, perhaps even once a month. More importantly, you can mix and match, these pieces to suit the rest of your wardrobe and your style.

What is a fashion post without the accessories? Even dead, evil, and magical creatures need pieces of jewellery to complete their entire look! Following is a huge amount of accessories to mix and match with the outfit of your choice. All items are from Topshop, currently available on the website.

 

 

 

I'll be writing another HerUni Halloween post soon!