Make Up Survey, consider yourself tagged!

Hair
SHAMPOO: Dove Daily Renewal, it smells lovely like the soap!

CONDITIONER: The same, I like to have matching sets of shampoo/conditioner. I really truly believe the messages on the back of the bottles that say they only really work if used in the set!

HAIR MASK: Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Hair Reconstructor. Tried it once and have never looked back. Nothing else will ever do.

HAIRSPRAY: Silvikrin Firm Hold. I like my hair to stay where I put it, but I hate it when your hair is like a helmet, so I only use firm hold instead of 'freeze hold'.

HAIR TREATMENT: Avon Keep Clear! Oxygenating Scalp Treatment. I had a bit of a period when my scalp was quite flaky and sore, and I got this on a whim from the Avon catalogue. Never looked back! It's like a really light foam that you just dab into problem areas when your hair is still wet and it just solves everything.

STYLING PRODUCT: Trevor Sorbie Volumising Spray. It's really reasonable for such a big bottle and it really lifts your hair before you blow-dry it, and then you can use it again before you style your hair. It's got heat-defence things in it which means it's like 2-in-1, ace!

HEAT DEFENCE PRODUCT: L'Oreal Hot Straight Cream. You only need a tiny little blob, it smells yummy and makes your hair feel all thick and glossy. Lovely.

COULDN'T-LIVE-WITHOUT PRODUCT: Batiste Dry Shampoo, either the original or the Blush one. It works so well and doesn't leave a white residue in my hair like a lot of dry shampoos. Perfect for days when your roots or fringe look a bit rank or when you're out and your hair is all sweaty and disgusting. It just makes everything nice and fresh!

Body
SHOWER GEL: Original Source Mango and Macadamia Shower Smoothie. It bubbles up lovely and it smells delicious, all fresh and yummy.

BODY MOISTURISER: Johnson's Baby Lotion. Cheap and cheerful and it does the job. I have sensitive skin, so I like to play safe. When I'm going out though, I like to layer my perfume with its matching body lotion, so it alternates between Nina Ricci 'Nina', Ghost 'Sweetheart', DKNY 'Delicious Night' and Lancome 'Hypnose'. And for an extra-special treat, I use Clinique Deep Comfort Body Butter, because it's just wonderful.

FAKE TAN: Solait Self-Tan Foam. I don't normally use fake tan, I embrace being pale. But I recently bought this cheap one from Superdrug and although it's very light, it works really well. Smells nice, no streaks and lasts for a few days, even with exfoliating!

FACIAL CLEANSER: I actually just use Johnson's Baby Wipes. Cheap and cheerful, again. I used to have the whole Simple range but it gets expensive quickly.

EYE MAKEUP REMOVER: Again. The baby wipes. If a mascara or something is particularly tough then I find using a bit of Vaseline on cotton wool works wonders.

MOISTURISER: Johnson's 24-Hour Moisturising Cream. Smells lovely and is light and fresh, perfect!

EYE CREAM: The Body Shop Vitamin E Eye Cream, and Boots Expert Sensitive Eye Gel for puffiness.

SPECIAL TREATMENTS: I don't really have any, my idea of a special treat is exfoliate, mask and lots of face cream.

FACE MASK: Clinique Turnaround 15 Minute Facial - heaven in a face mask. Expensive but totally worth it.

EXFOLIATOR: St Ives Apricot Scrub, one of the best I've found. It's not abrasive, it just sloughs away all the nasty dull skin and leaves your face looking all bright, plus the apricot smell is delicious!

COULDN'T-LIVE-WITHOUT PRODUCT:

Makeup
PRIMER: I don't use primer, I find it makes you look like you have a lot more makeup on than you actually do.

FOUNDATION: Maybelline Dream Satin Liquid in 30 Sand. It really does do what the advert says, it creates a lovely poreless look and it looks like its freshly applied all day long. The best I've found in a long time!

CONCEALER: Bourjois Anticernes Pinceau brush Concealer in Fair. Reflects the light really well so it creates the illusion of NO under-eye bags!

FACE POWDER: I just use a Natural Collection one from Boots, it's very cheap but everything in the Natural Collection range is perfume-free and is good for sensitive skin. I don't like spending a lot on pressed powders as I find it's devastating when expensive ones break in your handbag!

BLUSHER: Bourjois Blush in 54, Rose Frisson. I love how it's in its own little compact, with the dinky little brush and everything! Love this colour too, its a healthy girlie pink, without being too Barbie.

BRONZER: I don't like bronzer!

HIGHLIGHTER: MeMeMe Beat The Blues Illuminator and Enhancer in Sun Beam. Great!!

EYESHADOW BASE: I don't generally use eyeshadow base, I find that moisturiser works fine.

EYESHADOWS: I don't generally use eyeshadow unless going on a night out, then I tend to use No7 Stay Perfect in 35 Comet. A fantastic smokey grey with a hint of sparkle!

EYELINER: Rimmel all the way. I use Rimmel Exaggerate Liquid Liner in Jet and Rimmel Soft Kohl eyeliner, again in Jet. I think Rimmel have it spot on with eyeliners, they're just fantastic!

EYELASH BASE: Wtf?!

MASCARA: Ahh. My favourite. Maybelline The Colossal Volum'Express. Initially I was a bit disappointed with this after all the hype, but after about three days using it, the formula thickened up a bit and leaves me every day with wonderful, glossy, thick, Cheryl Cole-esque lashes. It stays on all day and doesn't flake, but it's really easy to take off at night as well, so it's just perfect in my opinion.

LIPSTICK: Natural Collection Moisture Shine in Rose Petal. A gorgeous girlie pinky-peachy-nude, perfect if you're trying to imitate Alexa Chung's makeup, as I so often am.

LIPGLOSS: Ew. I actually can't stand lipgloss. Gritty and sticky and just yuck. I'm a lip balm girl.

NAIL COLOUR: I rarely bother because I have such short fingernails. I normally go all out on my toes, but as no one really sees them I only ever buy cheap nail polish. Right now I'm wearing a bright pink/coral shade from 2True at Superdrug, but my normal shade is an amazing navy blue from, drum roll please... Primark!!

COULDN'T-LIVE-WITHOUT PRODUCT: Burt's Bees Honey Lip Balm. It's bliss, it's so much gentler than the original Burt's Bees and it smells like dessert! It keeps my lips supple and soft for ages and doesn't need a lot of application.

emergency decisions!!!! please help!

if anyone could make this decision for me, i'd be really very grateful! i'm going to a birthday bus run on saturday night, and i can't decide what to wear. the theme is 'dress to impress', so i can't wear anything i would normally wear on a night out, in case its too casual. so i've narrowed it down to three (black) dresses and i just can't choose, they're all so out of my comfort zone!!! i was going to wear a lovely gold dress i have from river island but i think dark is a better option, it's very likely drink will be spilt and i'd rather it not show up!! any help with this would be soooo very appreciated!

this dress is from topshop. i like it but i liked it better when i wore it back in march, when i could be a bit more wintery with it and wear it with opaque tights and shoeboots. just not sure that it works as a more summery dress! the belt is from faith @ debenhams and the shoes are from dolcis.
this one is from new look, i got it in november for a 21st birthday party, and have only worn it once since then! i like how it looks on, but i seem to have lost some weight and it no longer fits properly! it was always a bit baggy; i have to wear it with clear bra straps to hold it up! but now it gapes around the back, not a good look! but it's an ok length and it looks better without tights than the topshop one!

this last one is from oasis. it's still got the tags on, i haven't worn it outside of my room yet! i like the puffiness of the skirt, but i think it might be almost too dressy! ahhh!!!

if anyone at all can help with this, please do! this is getting dire now!!! thank you! :) x

i tell you i want you, i tell you i need you, just wanted you near me...

oops. after a week of sewing, the white summer dress i wrote about still isn't finished. but it will be!!! and in the meantime, i am planning my next little diy. this dress from gap that i posted about ages ago, i've finally decided to just do the most effective and simple thing and shorten it. so wish me luck!

not really made anymore cheeky purchases, though i have got a teensy little wishlist of things i want... navy over-the-knee socks and silver shoes like the ones hannah murray (cassie from skins) wore to the baftas last week. cute!

oh, not sure if anyone's interested, but the videos from our trip to glasgow have FINALLY been uploaded onto youtube, here's the links if anyone wants to have a peep :) apologies for the lunatics in my year at college, dancing like drunken fools and yelling all sorts, especially during the fourth one!! i would recommend watching the ones by cream, kasabian and the gossip, the other two aren't as good!!

'crossroads' by cream - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0SNazuo54s
'hush' by kula shaker - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUTu_fhlnCw
'superstition' by stevie wonder (be warned, this one is dodgy!!) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcKmBOZvUbY
'club foot' by kasabian - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZT-FiuBItI
'standing in the way of control' by the gossip - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVXXHNWnMQY

i'm easy to spot, i'm the only girl, singing at the front, dancing like a loon! :) hope you like them! x

sleepless long nights - that's what my youth was for...

evening :)

just a little quick post to say - I MADE MY VERY OWN BALLERINA SHOES!! yay!

technically, all i did was buy some pretty pink pumps and sew some ribbon on them, but i adore them! have a little looksee...

i just can't wait to dance about in them!!

it's the first diy i've successfully finished - it couldn't really go wrong, though, could it? i haven't finished covering my nightdress in pearls yet, but when it's done i shall post about it :)

i made another small purchase today, just a tunic t-shirt with some nice zippy thing from miss selfridge, £7 in the sale! bargain!

i went out last night and got all dressed up, but unfortunately, i forgot to take any pictures! curse my swiss-cheese brain!!! sorry!

anyway, have a lovely bank holiday monday :) x

i would go out tonight, but i haven't got a stitch to wear...

Welcome to the beginning of May!!

I guess, first of all, I should discuss my **AMAZING** trip to Glasgow on Wednesday. Perhaps I should explain. Every year, there is a showcase competition in Glasgow, among all the Scottish colleges. One band from each college has to compete. And this year, I was chosen! But, unlike the other colleges, we weren't a real band. We were a so-called 'supergroup', hand-picked by our lecturers. And super we were, even if i do say so myself!!!

After three weeks of seriously stressful rehearsals, and several little mini-arguments, it all went off with a bang on Wednesday night. We played at Oran Mor, an old church in the city centre, such a beautiful building! I couldn't be more proud of my 'band' if i tried - each and every one of them was truly amazing! So amazing in fact, that we won! The band with the least rehearsal time, and the only band to play an all-covers set! Here is the set we played, by the way...

'Crossroads' by Cream

'Hush' by Kula Shaker

'Superstition' by Stevie Wonder

'Club Foot' by Kasabian

and

'Standing In The Way Of Control' by The Gossip

I can honestly say I've never had as much fun performing as I did that night. It was a buzz I have never felt before, and if I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life before, I definitely do now. That buzz is a feeling I just can't explain, as cheesy as it sounds. Ridiculously so. Just a burning ambition and passion and fire. The best feeling I've had for a long time.. :)

The other girls there made me laugh a lot. Not in a good way. They were all in the toilet, backcombing their hair to ridiculous heights and crayoning on black eyeliner, til they actually looked quite scary. I heard one of them ask if she looked like Diana Vickers yet, but I think she had passed that boundary some time before!! It just goes to show how much appearance really has to do with modern culture.

Anyway. I did a little shopping today, seeing as it was payday. My little treat for the month, seeing as the rest of May is going to be so pricey! I bought a few little things, nothing much. I think my favourite purchase are these satin pumps. I wrote last week that I really wanted a pair of ballet slippers, and today I managed it. Well, almost. I bought a pair of pink satin ballet flats from Primark for £6, and then I bought some matching satin ribbon from John Lewis. I'm going to glue and sew some ribbons on later on, so I can tie them around my ankle and wear them properly, I can't wait!!

And another cheeky, but very sweet purchase is a little white cotton nightie. Interesting... Not. But it will be. I saw it and thought it was far too pretty to be a nightdress, and that I wanted to dress it up and wear it out as a sweet Summer dress. So I bought it for £4, and plan to customise it soon. I want to line it with white cotton so it's not as transparent as it is now. White is the least opaque colour to wear anyway, so I want to give it a bit more weight. The nightie is decorated with circles of embroidered cotton all over it, so I'm going to sew some pearls on to the front as well, just to dress it up more and make it more like a day dress, and not so obviously a nightie!

Customisation isn't my strongest point, so wish me luck!! x

and i was wearing this dress, cos i wanted to impress...

having minor distress.
nothing new there...

it's nothing serious. but i have a gig in glasgow on wednesday night (!!!!!!) and i have no idea what to wear. everyone else in my band is a boy, and i don't particularly want to stand out anymore than i'm going to!! i already had a plan to wear my new skirt, but that requires some serious footwear height, otherwise it could look a little strange and a bit too casual. unfortunately, only one member of my band is taller than me (without my heels on) and the rest of them have too much man-pride to feel comfortable with me being a few inches higher up than them. i'm not even that tall!!!! but heels are consequently a no-go area. dammit. any suggestions, however small, would be fabulous and much appreciated!!

time for my first outfit post in, oh i don't know, a long time. but it's really nothing to get excited about. it features a dress that i really do wear far, far too much. but i love it. probably the most worn item in my wardrobe. not actually sure if that's a good thing...

• cardigan - topman
• dress - new look
• leggings - topshop
• bag - lulu rose (but bought from ebay!!)

and this is just a random one of my attempt at messy curly hair. with my beloved satin bow!

oh, how i long for hair like this...

the title from this post is from 'we get on' by kate nash, only because it seemed a bit relevant. my actual song of the moment, nay, month, is 'tiny dancer' by elton john. some awful new remix of it was on freshly squeezed yesterday and it popped the mighty original in my head all day. and today too. sheer magic :) check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRK5vLUYLmg

wow. i really write really long posts these days. :)

gone are the days of magic...

i took my back my floral skirt yesterday. it did hurt so very much. even a bigger size didn't make it long enough to cover my bottom. boo. but i cheered myself up when i replaced it with this skirt from Only @ Envy. Such as the way things are, it was rather different to how i remembered it, but i still fell wonderfully in lust with it. finally, a high-waisted skirt that i don't feel overexposed in!!! i love the pretty coral colour in the middle - this photograph doesn't really make the colours look very nice. the 'pink' in the middle really is not that pink!!!i'm going to wear it bare-legged (no tights?? ahh!!!!!) to a marquee next week (that's a big outdoor party, in case you didn't know) with my trusty old black sheeny shiny huge heels, and a black vest. i did make a few cheeky purchases to accessorise with, although i maybe shouldn't have... i got a pretty matching coral beaded headband from miss selfridge for £2, and also a chunky coral ring, again for £2. i couldn't get a photo of the ring from the website, so do excuse my extremely dodgy phone photos (oh the shame..!) while my camera is temporarily out of action.. and excuse my stubby little fingernails. dear god, i really need to stop biting them!!

and i also made purchase of a very pretty black lace bow from miss selfridge. a bit pricey at £10, but still very pretty. and i have no willpower... it will look pretty on so many things though! i'm just trying to reason with myself now, seeing as i'll be very, very poor for a week!

i was wandering around the shops for quite a while yesterday. and it seems the shops are satifying my hugley girlie obsession for clothes at the moment... everything i saw seemed to be floral, or peachy and floaty. heaven!! see..

this dress is just everything i've been craving of late. it's short and floaty, with pretty little sleeves. it's a beautiful peach chiffon, covered with pretty glittery stones. and the best bit? it's from dorothy perkins, for £30!! as soon as i get paid next week, i can see this little baby flying straight into my wardobe!!!

also from good old dotty p's was this lovely peach tunic. it's very floaty and pretty again, but clings as well, so it doesn't look shapeless. i adore the neckline!!!! i think this is only about £25 as well. such a shame i can only afford one of them...

and elsewhere, just to prove my point about florals, i found this dress from miss selfridge. i wouldn't wear it myself - the blue is so bright and the flowers are quite garish, i just haven't the confidence to carry it off!!! it does remind me of my nanna's old curtains, but in a good way, i think...

if only i had a bucket of money, i'd be in heaven with all these lovely clothes drifting about! i'll bet that by the time i get paid, they'll all be gone!! *sob* !!! x