Saturday 31 October 2015

HALLOWEEN HOW TO:
PASTEL GOTH MAKE UP

Happy Halloween everyone! It's been such a fun month playing about with Halloween make up tutorials again this year - I've been sparkly and glittery in galaxy-inspired make up, looked a bit startled in Queen of Hearts make up, grunged up as Furiosa from Mad Max, and embraced my gory side with bloody stapled face make up. It's been a bit rough round the edges at times, but it's been fun to do, and that's sort of the whole point of these tutorials - if I can do them, you can too!

River Island got in touch to challenge me to put together a #RITrick or a #RITreat make up look, so I couldn't resist doing one more post. I was sent a selection of accessories and make up to inspire me, including this adorable comb-in hair chalk - which I knew I wanted to use! It reminded me of the type of thing I would have loved as a teenager, so that's what inspired this look - it's grungey, but still a bit pretty, and requires nothing other than a steady hand putting on eyeliner (the mantra of my teenage years!).


So, if you want to look a little spooky, and don't mind channelling 16 year old Juliet, here's what you need to use:
  • Black liquid eyeliner
  • Black kohl pencil eyeliner
  • Eyeshadows in a variety of pastel colours (I used yellow, pinks and purples)
  • Black eyeshadow (I used a NARS Shadow Stick)
  • Mascara
  • False eyelashes (I used Eylure volume lashes)
  • Purple lipstick (I used Barry M)
  • Fake spiders
  • Hair chalk

Start by building up the colours of your pastel smokey eye. I used a glittery light yellow in the corner of my eye, then layered a pinky-peach colour on top of that.

I then took a fluffy little brush and a slightly darker pink, and swept this quite dramatically all around my eye, pulling the colour down onto the tops of my cheeks (I wanted to look a bit grungey - almost like the area was bruised) and sweeping out towards my ears.

I then added purple eyeshadow to the outer corners of my eyes, and used a brush to blend these all together. So far, so colourful!


Now to get a bit darker! Blend in black shadow along your lower lash, and use your finger to make it a bit smudgey (the NARS shadow stick is great for this). Take your kohl eyeliner and carefully go along your waterline, and then use liquid eyeliner to create a cat's eye with a dramatic flick.


Use your liquid eyeliner to draw on small spiders around your eyes (or the best spider-like blobs you can do!). This bit is completely inspired by Valfre - an illustrator who draws super sassy girls with star freckles (she also makes the best accessories, check out her phone cases!).


Then to finish up, put on purple lipstick (I used a light purple, and dabbed a darker purple eyeshadow onto it), and pin some spiders in your hair! Use the hair chalk to brush through the ends of your hair, for a pinky/purpley vibe. Dress top to toe in black, and scowl at anyone you see. Have fun!

Friday 30 October 2015

MY TOP 10 INTERIOR BLOGGERS

It's official! I get my keys today! I've been banging on about my new flat for TWO months now, so thank you if you've read, commented or tweeted me along the way, it's been so nice to know that I've not just bored you all to tears!

I've now got a pretty busy week ahead of me. I've got to paint, move about a million books and heavy things, and assemble so much flatpack furniture (aargh!). Luckily I've got the week off work, so I can get all of my deliveries in at once - fingers crossed it all comes when it's supposed to!

My internet's the very first thing to be set up (I've got my priorities straight), so my plan is to keep blogging to schedule - but if I go quiet, you'll know why! I'll be tweeting and instagramming like mad, so if you fancy keeping up with my new flat adventures, come say hello there!

I thought it would be nice to share some of the blogs I've been loving as I've obsessed over house and home. A few of them are lifestyle bloggers who dabble in home posts, but if you've liked my rambles, you should like these too..

Top: Conversation Pieces, Apartment Therapy, Kate la Vie
Bottom: A Rosie Outlook, Sugar & Cloth, Burkatron

Conversation Pieces
I've featured Zoe's blog on here before, I just absolutely love her style! She blogs about interior design, thrifty finds and pretty things (and her pictures are always made even better by the presence of an adorable cat!).

Apartment Therapy
This is a mammoth site, but it started as a blog so I think it counts! Apartment Therapy is packed with inspiration for your home, with home makeovers, DIY, loads of advice, and ace tips for small spaces and budget living.

Kate La Vie
You might know her as ghostparties - Kate is the go-to blogger for beauty, lifestyle and interiors inspiration. She's a fan of clean lines, copper and cacti, and I am always seriously jealous of her gorgeous Glasgow flat!

A Rosie Outlook
Rosie's a lifestyle blogger who manages that fine balance between relatable posts and aspirational looks! She doesn't blog about homewares that often, but when she does it's cosy and dreamy.

Sugar & Cloth
DIY and decor to die for! This blog celebrates colour and playful accessories, from mini mountain photo holders to pom pom wall pieces. I want to craft it all!

Burkatron
Another DIY darling, Caroline is a master at simple and stylish tutorials for your home.

Top: A Beautiful Mess, What Katie Does
Bottom: Studio DIY, Llymlrs

A Beautiful Mess
If you have any interest in DIY or decor blogs, A Beautiful Mess will DEFINITELy be on your list already. It's packed with tutorials, tips and inspiration, and will make you want to grab a paintbrush and start a statement wall!

What Katie Does
Katie's a designer, and blogs beautiful imagery and tales of her life. Her home is calm, crafty and colourful.

Studio DIY
This is sort of cheating, as Studio DIY absolutely doesn't call itself an interiors blog, but I love their DIYs! If you ever want to throw a party, this is the site to look at.

Lily Melrose
Lily is a fashion blogger, who has been branching out into interiors over on her youtube channel. She's just moved house and vlogged every step of the way, and I've really enjoyed her videos. She's got an ace taste in homeware, and it's been so nice to see someone set up house by themselves and be so honest along the way!

Wednesday 28 October 2015

PIN CLUB

I think it's well-known that I'm a sucker for a subscription box (see here, here, and here!) so I was quite excited to come across the newest kid on the block, Pin Club.


Each month Pin Club design and create a brand new limited edition enamel pin, that gets posted to you as a surprise piece of post at the start of each month. They've only just started, but so far the pins have been super-cute, and it looks like there's lots of nice things to come - think cute, kawaii and kitsch, festivals and summer adventures, sugary treats, sprinkles, 80's retro, 90's cool, iconic faces, affirmations, girl power, stationery geeks and spirit animals. PHEW.

It's pretty cheap too - subscriptions cost £5 per month in the UK or £7 per month for the rest of the world. You can also buy a one-off pin without subscribing for £6.

Most subscription boxes seem to sit around the £20 mark, so it's nice to find something that's a little more affordable as a totally indulgent treat - this lets you get fun surprise post, support artists doing interesting things, and get cute lapel pins for your jacket or bag for the cost of a pint. Who wouldn't want that?


Subscriptions are only open for one day on the 1st of the month, so if you want to sign up, mark this Sunday in your diary!

Monday 26 October 2015

HALLOWEEN HOW TO:
BLOODY STAPLE FACE

I've got another Halloween tutorial for you, and this time I've gone mega gory. I love a scary Halloween costume, it's the only time of year that you have an excuse to cover yourself in blood and spook your pals (that's a normal thing to like, right?).

One of my favourite make up looks I've ever done was my bloody zip face, so I took inspiration from that to do a slightly different version. Say hello to staple face!


You will need:

  • Red eyeshadow
  • Black eyeshadow (I used a NARS velvet shadow stick, kindly sent to me by HQHair)
  • Foundation
  • Black eyeliner pencil
  • Mascara
  • Liquid latex 
  • Staples
  • Fake blood


Start by taking your red eyeshadow and putting on your eyelids, along your lower lash line, down into your cheek and into the bridge on your nose. If you've ever followed any of my zombie tutorials before, you'll recognise this step - it's my go to way of looking grim! I used a sponge applicator to add the shadow, and used my fingers to blend it into the skin.


Now get the black eyeshadow and add it to your lids and along the lower lash line. Smudge a little on top of the red shadow along the bridge of your nose (or whatever looks best for you - you just want to look grungey and a bit bruised!)

Add eyeliner along your waterline. 


Take the liquid latex and paint a strip along the bridge of your nose. Let it dry for a minute or so and paint another layer on (this bit is quite boring and you will look ridiculous). 

Once it's suitably thick and has dried, tear little holes in the middle of the latex - these are going to be your cuts, and the flaps of latex suddenly become flaps of disgusting skin (ew!). I used a kirby grip to do this bit, but you should be able to use your fingernails - just don't use scissors in case you cut yourself!

Use a sponge applicator to dab on fake blood in the latex holes. I did a few layers of fake blood to try and make it look splodgy and realistic, and also added a little bit of black eyeshadow onto the bloody bits to stop the colour looking too uniform.


Now, add your staples along the bridge of your nose. I just stretched the staple so it would comfortably slot around my 'wound', placed it on, and dabbed a little bit of liquid latex onto the ends to hold it in place.

Once your staples are on and the latex has dried, use foundation and the red and black eyeshadow to go over the latex edges. This will blend it into your face and looks SO DISGUSTING.


Enjoy freaking out your friends! 

Sunday 25 October 2015

SUNDAY LINKS

Happy Sunday everyone! Did you remember that the clocks went back this morning? I can't believe that another week has flown by so quickly - it's been so stressful! I still haven't started packing for my big house move (ha), so that joy awaits me next week.

Here's my round-up of interesting things from the internet this week...

Aristocat shirt (look at that cat collar!)
When I get really frustrated I cry. It's my worst habit, and the thing I most wish I could change about myself - I worry that it just makes me look weak and emotional, but I don't know how to fix it! This article doesn't offer any advice, but it is comforting to see that it's more common than I thought. 

This interview with Daniel Craig is WONDERFUL: "What could we learn from James Bond that would help us in our day-to-day lives?" Daniel Craig: [Thinks for a short while.] "Nothing."

Here's an absolutely beautiful Autumn DIY, how to make an ombre Autumn crown.

I always knew Edinburgh was a beaut, but now it's officially the best place to live in the UK!

This time next week it'll be November 1st, which means National Novel Writing Month (Nanowrimo) officially begins! The challenge is to write 50,000 words in 30 days, which leaves you with a first draft of a short novel. It's perfect for you if you've always wanted to write, but can't quite find the time - the site is packed with advice and pep talks and everything you need to find motivation and keep going. I really want to do it this year, but I can't decide if it's totally bonkers trying to do that AND move house?

I still consider myself quite new to city cycling, but this week I made record time on one of Edinburgh's hilly roads, and I realised how confident I feel cycling in traffic now (buses no longer faze me!). On that note, I really liked these tips for confidently cycling in cities.

Sneaky sexism is just as bad as blatant sexism. This is an interesting look at 8 ways men don't realise they are subtly shaming women.

I want so many things off this list: 25 insanely fun kitchen things you need immediately. How cute is the coaster cactus?

And finally, this is COMPLETELY self-indulgent (sorry), but in a week of major stress, it was so sweet to see I was mentioned as one of Wardrobe Conversations' Blog Crushes. You guys! 

Friday 23 October 2015

FRIDAY FLAT CHAT:
ONE WEEK TO GO

It's been 10 weeks since I first viewed the flat, 6 weeks since my mortgage was approved, and 5 weeks of Friday Flat Chat posts, where I've excitedly counted down the days to moving in by daydreaming about my new home. Now there's just 1 week left before I get the keys and move in.


I've owned a house before, so I'm not sure I should be this excited about my new flat, but I can't help it. This time it's mine, all mine, and I get to decorate it exactly how I want, without having to ask anyone what they think (or compromise on mediocre solutions).

That's exciting and overwhelming at the same time - I forgot that there's SO MUCH STUFF to do when you buy a flat, and I've had to do it all myself. Order everything, read all boring paperwork, organise all movers and deliveries, update addresses and change suppliers and call the council and meet with solicitors and ahh. I know it's good to be independent and that's partly why it's SO ACE, but it's also really stressful and exhausting. I alternate between feeling like Lesley Knope and needing an adult.

But I've been productive! I managed to finally convince the Ikea website that my delivery address actually existed so my furniture will arrive on time (although I'm dreading the amount of flatpack I'll need to build!). I booked my man with van, and a tiler AND a cleaner. I sorted out the very last of my dull-but-important paperwork, so I hopefully don't have any more massive documents to read, and, importantly, I paid my deposit. It's actually happening!

I've now got one week to say goodbye to this flat, which was such an important stepping stone for me after a very difficult part of my life. This little space gave me the breathing room to feel calm again, to pick up the pieces after an exhausting year, to like myself, and to love another (very wonderful) person. It's a small space but it's always bright and sunny and it's felt exactly like home. I'll miss my beautiful stairwell with its old mosaic doorway, my window seat that is the perfect spot for gazing on the world, and Sunday mornings, basking in the sunshine, coffee in hand.

The days are drawing in, but it's time for new beginnings. I just need to pack first.

Monday 19 October 2015

HALLOWEEN HOW TO:
GALAXY MAKE UP

Ever felt stuck for what to wear to a fancy dress party? Why not go as the ENTIRE night's sky, with this galaxy-inspired eye make up? Yes, it's ridiculous, but it's halloween! When else are you going to get away with painting your face with every colour you own?


This look takes a little bit longer than my previous tutorials, but I think it's worth it - it's so fun to do, and the finished result is a pretty and surprisingly wearable look. Plus you are pretty much guaranteed that no one else will turn up in the same costume as you.


You will need:

  • Purple, blue, silver and green eyeshadows (I used the Urban Decay electric palette and some MUA eyeshadows)
  • Glitter (I used an Urban Decay loose glitter)
  • White face paint
  • Black liquid eyeliner
  • False eyelashes
  • Mascara
  • Pink lipstick


Start by colouring in your face! I wanted this make up to focus around my eye area, rather than taking over my ENTIRE face, so I applied eyeshadow to my forehead, around my eyes and down my cheekbones. I used a mixture of turquoise green, purple and bright blue, and blended these all together. 


Using your purple eyeshadow and a small brush, fill in your brows.

Use the purple, turquoise and green shadows on your eyelids, and sweep the colours along the lower lash line too. I had originally planned to go from a silvery blue in the inner corners to a dark purple at the outer corners, but I am rubbish at blending, and just mixed the colours together instead. I think it works!


Add a bit more depth to your starry-forehead by dotting glitter across your skin, and then using the white face paint to add little stars. I painted stars above my brows and around my eyes, and painted a little moon on my forehead, just to mix it up a little.


Then add a flick of liquid eyeliner and apply false lashes. There's a lot going on with this look, so I think it's helpful to bring out your eyes as much as you can, and massive fake lashes definitely help! I bought these ones from the halloween section at Claire's accessories, and I really like them. You can also trim them to size, if you feel they are too big for you.

Put on pink lipstick, and then dab on some purple eyeshadow over your lips.


That's it! Wear with a black outfit to let your space face do the talking, or pair with a galaxy-print dress to go full solar system.

Sunday 18 October 2015

SUNDAY LINKS

How is it Sunday already? It's almost November, how mad is that?!

This week has flown by. I've been to London and back, I've felt guilty for not packing anything yet, and I'm still having loads of issues with Ikea (aaaargh)! Still, this weekend has been ace. I've been watching anime at the Filmhouse, and today I've got a Star Trek-themed games afternoon with my pals because we are cool guys.

Here's my round-up of interesting things from the internet this week!

Cactus earrings - Finest Imaginary on Etsy
I refuse to believe that you don't pronounce the 't' in Voldemort, but apparently so, according to the 10 most commonly mispronounced names in the world of literature.

I started listening to Limetown this week and I am OBSESSED. It's a fictional podcast that follows a journalist as she investigates the infamous disappearance of a doomed research facility, and it is so so so good. If you liked Serial and love spooky things, this is perfect for you.

If you're not sick of my halloween chat already, you'll like this: Black Heart Creatives (a super cool acrylic jewelery designer) have pulled together their plus size halloween picks (the drippy blood necklace is so cool!).

And here are 12 no-carve pumpkin ideas - I love the stencil ones!

Have you ever wondered how much do real bloggers earn?

This is a really horrifying, but fascinating statistic - people are being shot by toddlers on a weekly basis this year.

I didn't know anyone who owned a peacock, but my mum ALWAYS lectured me on how to pronounce 'butter', so parts of this hit a bit close to home! 19 problems you had if you grew up posh in Scotland.

This is my new favourite thing. Someone has written a book of dessert recipes inspired by Game of Thrones called Game of Scones, and it is as deliciously wicked as you might imagine! 

And finally, this absolutely should not be as funny as it is: Which song is most improved when all occurrences of "I," "me," "my," etc. are replaced with "Greg"?

Friday 16 October 2015

FRIDAY FLAT CHAT:
HOMEWARE WISHLIST

There's nothing like writing a weekly feature to realise how quickly time actually passes by. There's now only two weeks left until I get my keys! Two! Have I packed, or done ANYTHING useful?

Well, kind of. I've now been back to the flat to measure things (and have a pleasant-awkward encounter with the current owners), and I now have actual boxes so I can start to pack (I just haven't packed anything in them yet). I've bought a shower screen, and I would have ordered the rest of my furntiure, but I am having a total nightmare trying to order with Ikea online. It's all I can afford, and it thinks my postcode is invalid. Weep!

I love buying little homeware items, but I am trying SO hard to wait until I'm in and I've set up my proper furniture before I get carried away on accessorising the rooms. It's hard though! Lights and candles and cute vases are so much more fun to buy than tiles and dining chairs. So here's a list of what I love (and I'm just going to cross my fingers that none of these sell out in the next few weeks!).


Top

Middle 

Bottom

Wednesday 14 October 2015

OUTFIT: SCARVES & CYCLES

I am so pleased that scarf weather is back! I love this time of year - when you're not freezing, but it's cold enough to wrap up, the days are still bright, and leaves are crisp on the ground.

Cape - Dorothy Perkins (via Depop)
Scarf - Primark
Jeans - Primark
Boots - ASOS
Sunglasses - Forever 21
I had been searching for a cape for months, and was so pleased to finally find one I liked earlier this year. It's got a massive fleecy hood and huge pockets, and despite basically being a giant blanket, it looks really nice on too! It's also surprisingly ace to cycle in. I ride my bike a lot these days (my boyfriend is doing a good job of converting me into a proper city cyclist), and this cape is great - it's warm, but there's (obviously!) lots of ventilation, so you don't get too hot if you're cycling quickly!

The scarf is my new favourite thing. My friend bought this scarf last year, and I've been so jealous every time she wore it, so I was delighted when she said she'd spotted it again in Primark this year. It's half houndstooth, half tartan, and is suitably MASSIVE and cosy.

Bike - Kingston (via Amazon)
I ordered my bike this time last year after my very old, but very loved ancient Raleigh was stolen from outside my work (boo, hiss!). This is a Kingston Hampton Classic, which I got from Amazon (it felt weird to buy a bike from Amazon, but it was the cheapest site!). It's not the best bike if you want to cycle out of the city (or up a particularly steep hill), but it is a brilliant city bike (and I am getting better at hills).

I had been a little worried that getting a bright colour might make it more attractive to baddies (my previous bike had been a beautiful green vintage number), but I really didn't want a boring bike! I get loads of compliments on it too, which makes me so happy - fellow cyclists say nice things when we're waiting at traffic lights, and people give me thumbs up as I cycle past. It's very sweet!

Monday 12 October 2015

HALLOWEEN HOW TO:
QUEEN OF HEARTS MAKE UP

Next up in this year's halloween tutorials, something a bit more colourful!


Escapade fancy dress challenged me to recreate a classic halloween look (and kindly sent me some face paints to play with), so I went for the Queen of Hearts/Red Queen from Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland.

This is such a quick and easy look to do (I might as well rename all my halloween tutorials as the lazy girl's guide to halloween!), and also works really well if you're a red head already.


You will need:



Start by covering your entire face with white face paint. I used a sponge at first, but found it was easier to get even coverage by dabbing it on with my fingers.


Then use the light blue face paint to cover your eyes, from the lids to the brows. It'll take a couple of coats to properly colour in the area, so let the face paint dry before you go over it again to stop it streaking.


Then take your black face paint (black liquid eyeliner would work for this as well), and paint thin eyebrows above your natural eyebrows. Dot a beauty spot on your cheek too.


Add the false eyelashes. Some people find it quite tricky to put lashes on, but it just takes a little bit of practice! Apply the glue to the lashes and then leave them for about 30 seconds - this means the glue will go a bit tacky, and you'll find it easier to put them on. When you've placed them in the right position, gently press them on and then keep your eye closed for another 30 seconds, to give them a chance to stick in place.

Then finally, use your lipstick to draw a small heart shape on your lips. I was kindly sent this Lipstick Queen pencil in Cupid's Bow by HQHair and I love love love it. It's a lipstick and lip liner in one, it's seriously pigmented and it stays put for HOURS without budging. It also (weirdly) smells amazing too!


Pair this look with your most regal dress and lots of heart-shaped accessories. Off with their heads!

Sunday 11 October 2015

SUNDAY LINKS

Hello Sunday! I've had a fairly manic week, with a couple of big deadlines at work and lots to do! It's not been all stress though, I had a lovely night at the David Bailey exhibition at the Scottish National Gallery (which ends next week, if you're thinking about seeing it!), and a weekend of birthday celebrations with my pal Biddy, lazy long breakfasts and blogging prep.


What's better than a doughnut or a milkshake? A DOUGHNUT MILKSHAKE, obviously!

I really liked Zoe's very honest post on how to become a full-time blogger.

This is depressing, but very interesting: how gender bias at work turns up in feedback.

Book Week Scotland announced their programme, and it looks brilliant!

I loved the Very Hungry Caterpillar when I was little, and I really love this interview with the author Eric Carle. He was asked if he was worried about encouraging gluttony in children, and his answer is glorious.

Wonderful, beautiful Nadiya won the Great British Bake Off (yay), and the Guardian looks at how brilliant she is, and how she has won so much more.

I applied to GBBO this year (and was unsuccessful, obviously!), but I've spent the whole series feeling very glad that I didn't get through - it looked SO DIFFICULT. Someone from Buzzfeed baked every technical challenge from Great British Bake Off and the results are hilarious.

Lianne has just moved to New York, and I'm super jealous of her NYC life!

Finally, as the nights are getting colder it's officially comfort food season! This gourmet chorizo mac and cheese recipe looks amazing.

Friday 9 October 2015

FRIDAY FLAT CHAT:
BATHROOM PLANNING

It's Friday Flat Chat time! Are you bored of these posts yet? It's been seven weeks since my offer was accepted and I've still got THREE weeks to wait until I get the keys... I'm feeling pretty impatient, although I am aware that I probably need to think about starting to pack!

I've been a bit more organised since last week's post- I've booked my internet move (and got sweet-talked into upgrading to a new package, aargh!) and I finally ordered my sofa, which handily will arrive just three days after I get my keys. I ordered the lamp I was swithering over, which brings my furniture total up to one sofa, one lamp, one vintage trunk, and one hedgehog cage... I really need to get to Ikea, stat!

All bathrooms linked on Pinterest
One room I don't really have to think about (but I am anyway) is the bathroom. Currently the room is very simple and very blue. There's blue cupboards, a blue bath, blue walls, white square tiles, and a blueish-grey floor. It's definitely bright, but it's not quite the subway-tiled claw-foot tubbed space of my dreams.

Still, I'm trying to be realistic. There's no way I could afford (or have the energy) to replace the bathtub for something massive and fancy, but as it's quite a little room I could definitely update the floor tiles, and maybe replace the wall tiles if I have some money left?

Bathroom soaps - Anthropologie
Cloud storage - MoMA
Bath bombs - LUSH  

The thing I'm most excited by is the fact I'll finally have a bath again! I adore the flat I'm currently renting, but it has a teeny tiny shower-only bathroom, and I've been surprisingly frustrated with my lack of bath - it's (weirdly?) one of the main reasons I thought about moving in the first place.

I am SO excited about finally getting to buy ridiculous LUSH bathbombs again, bring on the bubbles!

Wednesday 7 October 2015

A TRIP TO GLASGOW

Sometimes it feels a bit exhausting trying to keep up blogging (on a fairly regular basis) alongside a full-time job. And other times, you get to do such fun things that it reminds you one of the reasons it's all worthwhile!

Last week I was invited, by the lovely hotel group citizenM, to visit Glasgow for an evening of 'art, nice drinks and bites'. I like all of those things! Despite only being 50 minutes away by train, I rarely venture West unless it's for work, so I was excited to try a bit of touristin' in Glasgow...

WHERE I STAYED
Photos by me / Joni Israeli
I was very kindly gifted an overnight stay in citizenM Glasgow (thanks guys!). I'd heard the hotel was pretty cool, but I'd never been in before, and I was seriously impressed. The rooms are pretty petite, but perfectly sized, with absolutely MASSIVE beds, a huge window (with an ace city view and blackout blinds), a rain shower (I am obsessed with these), plus free wifi, loads of free movies, and MAGICAL COLOUR-CHANGING ROOMS. 

I realise this makes me sound seriously easily-pleased, but this was so cool! You control the whole room from a mini ipad next to your bed, and you can set a pre-programmed mood, or change the colour by scrolling a (super satisfying) colour wheel. It also makes the room instantly amazing for selfies.

The whole hotel is lovely, with quirky features, chill-out areas, and just a nice vibe throughout. It's also surprisingly affordable - rooms start at £69. 

WHAT I DID
Clockwise: Turner Prize | Nicole Wermers | Queuing (by myself) in head to toe H&M | Bloggers unite!
citizenM's an art-loving hotel, so keeping in with this ethos, I was whisked away with a group of lovely Scottish bloggers to attend the preview of the Turner Prize, Europe's most prestigious visual art award, which is in Scotland for the very first time.

I often find it hard to comment on large-scale pieces of art - I'm worried I won't get it, or I'll find it a bit boring and then feel guilty for finding it boring. But I really loved Nicole Wermers' piece - a series of fur coats stitched onto chairs, and DOUG, a musical composition, was moving to listen to (although I reckon it would make more of an impact with a less-party crowd around).

It was ace to get the chance to explore Tramway (a venue I've always meant to visit) and finally chat properly to Scottish bloggers that I feel like I've known for ages, even though we hadn't talked before (hi Wardrobe Conversations!).

WHAT I ATE

I ate well. First of all we were served beautiful citizenM sushi, then after the exhibition we were whisked off to Stravaigin - a Scottish restaurant in Glasgow's West End that specialises in local food and wild ingredients.

It was fairly impossible to choose from their menu, but I managed -  Shetland salmon, followed by pork belly, then a Dulce de leche parfait with hazelnut brittle and brownie pieces. Oh boy. I was thoroughly defeated, but it was all delicious - it's worth a trip across the country just for that dinner!

It was all just lovely. Thanks to everyone who spoiled me so!

Monday 5 October 2015

HALLOWEEN HOW TO:
FURIOSA (MAD MAX) MAKE UP

It's October, which means the countdown to Halloween can begin! I'll be posting weekly halloween tutorials every Monday in October, which should hopefully inspire you if you have a Halloween party to go to (or just fancy being spooky). I'll say again, I am obviously not a makeup artist and I don't pretend to be! This is just my take on how to do different makeup looks, using items you'll have in your makeup bag.

First up in my halloween how-to series: Furiosa from Mad Max!


I saw Mad Max earlier this year, and I absolutely loved it. Yeah, Max is the title character, but Furiosa (played by Charlize Theron) is the star of the show. She fights the patriarchy, drives fast cars, and shoots down baddies, all while looking totally badass with one arm, and a shaved head covered in black oil.

Her look is really grungey, so I thought it would be a fun one to try and recreate for Halloween. It's so easy to do, I almost feel guilty for posting this as a tutorial - it's definitely a good look if you feel lazy but want to make an impact, or have no time to get ready.


To get Furiosa's super tough look, you will need:

  • Black cream eyeshadow (I used a MAC paint point)
  • Black powder eyeshadow
  • Black pencil eyeliner
  • Black cream eyeliner (I used an amazing Urban Decay cream eyeliner)
  • Mascara

Start by painting your entire forehead with the cream eyeshadow. You could use black facepaint for this too, but I like using eyeshadow - I think it looks less 'flat' than paint would. Use a brush or your fingers, and get a fairly even coverage of black, and make sure to colour in your hairline too (It'll look even better if you brush streaks of black in your hair).


Next, bring the cream eyeshadow down so it covers your eyes and the bridge of your nose. Then get the black powder eyeshadow and dab this across the whole area. This adds a bit more texture to the black area, and also helps the cream stay in place.


Finally, line your eyes heavily with the cream eyeliner and use your fingers or a small brush to smudge out the line. Use the eyepencil to fill in your waterline, and the cream pencil to go over your brows. Add mascara and that's it! To complete this look, you just need to pull your hair back into a tight ponytail, and perfect your best mad-at-the-patriarchy look.

Sunday 4 October 2015

SUNDAY LINKS

Hello Sunday! This week has been ace, I've binge-watched loads of Nashville (so, so obsessed with that show), had a flying trip to Glasgow to stay in the absolutely beautiful citizenM and view the Turner Prize exhibition (more on this soon), saw friends, ate amazing food, and basked in the absolutely glorious sunshine. Phew!

A3 letter lightbox (also available in A4 here!)
"The only thing Danny Boyle’s London 2012 opening ceremony was missing was a section where hundreds of women skipped around the stadium singing the praises of opaques, and the fact that, thanks to our terrible weather, we can wear them for nine months of the year".
Lauren Laverne wrote a list of the 10 best things about being a British woman, and it is perfect.

The most exciting thing this week was obviously that they found water on Mars! I went to see The Martian this week, and I'd hugely recommend it, I loved it!

Ryan Adam covered 1989 and everyone went mad for it.  New Statesman looks at Ryan Adam's 1989 and the mansplaining of Taylor Swift.

Vice asks the important questions: was Avril Lavigne killed off and replaced with an actress

I'm turning 30 in December, and I swithered over doing a '30 before 30' project. I decided against it (it all seemed too forced), but I liked this list: things every grown human should maybe stop doing by the time they're 30.

The new Lazy Oaf x Casper collection has just been launched, and it is perfect for October! I am particularly obsessed with that fluffy jumper.

Young Adult fiction tends to go for plucky, likeable characters (think Harry Potter!), but antiheroes are on the rise with more YA girls behaving badly.

This was an interesting read...  why are kids in Japan so independent?

Edinburgh wonder-shoppe Hannah Zakari are holding a cocktail clutch bag workshoppe. There's only 10 spots available, so if you are interested, sign up quickly! 

Friday 2 October 2015

FRIDAY FLAT CHAT:
BEAUT BEDROOMS

There's only four weeks to go until move-in day. FOUR! Have I done anything productive, other than incessantly blog about how excited I am? No I have not. I need to order boxes so I can start packing, I need to book my internet moving day (and I should have done this a week ago!), I need to start ordering furniture so it will arrive on time, I need to do things. Aargh!

bedroom inspiration
Bedrooms from pinterest
I've already blogged about my plans for my bright and colourful living room, and now I'm dreaming about bedrooms. The flat is such a colourful space, and I'm planning to leave most of it as it currently is (I love the yellow hall and living room and bright blue bathroom), but I don't think I can live with a lime green bedroom - the white paint is coming out!

I thought it would nice to balance all of the colour of the flat, with a very neutral and calm bedroom. At first I was drawn to all-white rooms, with soft splashes of colour, but now I love the idea of painting a grey feature wall, and pairing it with a white bed, black and white duvets, and brightly-coloured bedside tables (like this cute table from Ikea).


Because I'm a massive hipster-wannabe, I want to fill my house with filament lamps (pfft, who needs lamp shades anyway?). I absolutely love this black and brass lamp from Made, but I cannot fathom the 8-10 weeks shipping time... it's a lamp! It comes in other colours (like grey and nickel) that ship in 3 days, but I don't think I like them as much. Ah, what do I do? Do I order the black one and wait two months to get it? The struggle is real.

I'm not letting myself buy any room accessories until I actually move in (as I know I'll get carried away and then not have space/not like or need what I buy!), but I've already got my eye on this grey chevron throw...