Autumn/Winter 2016 Nail Favourites

Feels like a million and one years since I did a nail polish post - or a beauty-specific post in general, for that matter. Truth is, I haven't been wearing much makeup (I work from home), my skin is riddled with eczema so I've had to stick to the same couple of skincare products for ages, and my nails have been... awkward. BUT, here I am, and I wanted to share the nail colours and nail care products that are reeeeeally floating my boat this winter...

As someone who is very vocal in her adoration for the Autumn and Winter months - a major factor in which is my love of autumnal shades - I had quite a task picking my favourites for this time of year. This selection is made up of best-loved brands, old favourites and a couple of newcomers. I've divided the shades into warm and cool

 Cool Tones

                                    1) Soigne Botanique - Bleuet

There are a few blue nail polishes that I couldn't live without, but my favourite Winter blue is definitely this one by Soigne Botanique. It's a gorgeous, deep petrol blue and a little bit different from any other blue I've found. Soigne are a firm favourite brand also, and all of their products are 100% cruelty-free and use some really innovative, eco-friendly, plant-based ingredients. 

2) Nails Inc London - Gloucester Crescent*

When I first saw this shade I thought it looked almost identical to my beloved Sheraton Street but, upon comparing them, I decided I might even like it better. It's slightly more grey-toned and wintry which I love. This shade also comes with the added Superfood Boost of Almond Oil and Matcha for nail wellness and is a wonderfully rich and glossy formula. 

3) Ciate London - Tweed & Tails**

I got this polish from one of Ciate's Mini Mani Month advent calendars a couple of years back and it was definitely my favourite out of all the polishes. Can't believe I still have some left! It's still good though and I've worn it a couple of times recently. It remind me of that wonderful time when the countryside is just starting to change colour. 

 Warm Tones

4) Nails Inc London - Kensington High Street*

To be honest, I actually always preferred St. Martin's Lane as my 'purple berry shade' of choice, but I received Kensington High Street recently and I've been really loving it. I've barely reached for the former since. I also really love Nails Inc's gel formula and the newer packaging is so gorgeous. 

5) Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine - Paprika

When Barry M first released their Autumn Gelly shades a couple of years back I rushed out so fast to grab them and they've been a firm favourite ever since (the next shade in this list is also from that release). I've never had so many compliments and people asking what polish I'm wearing than when I've been wearing this polish. 

6) Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine - Mustard

See above... Over the last 12 months I've discovered something about myself - I reeeeally love mustard yellow, particularly in Winter. This Barry M shade is sadly a little trickier to apply than others in that range, which baffles me a little bit, but it's so worth the effort. 

 Nail Care

Nails Inc Superfood Repair Oil*

I go through phases with cuticle oil. I go from swearing by it to not bothering with it at all. At the moment I'm using this new one, as my cuticles seem to get much drier during the colder months, and it's doing a fab job. The dropper application takes a little getting used to compared to my previous Nails Inc brush-on oil, but my cuticles always feel lovely and soft when I've used this. With almond, rosehip and argan oils.

Nails Inc 'Nail Pure' Base Coat*

Not going to say too much about this one because I'm planning a post on the full range, but I have to tell you all how excited I am about the Nail Pure range of products. These products, much like Soigne Botanique, feature a wonderful 'free-from' formula with no chemical nasties and no animal derivatives. I've also been playing with a couple of the colour polishes from the range, so will report back very soon on how this formula compares to the other Nails Inc formulas. 

It's been lovely pampering my nails again recently, following a difficult phase. They seemed to just decide one day that they didn't want to grow and wanted to split at any given opportunity, so I'd just left them to it for a time. I'm definitely making up for lost time at the moment though! 

I hope you enjoyed looking through these shade selections - tell me your ultimate Autumn/Winter nail products in the comments. I'd love to hear your recommendations!

*Products gifted to me for consideration

**Affiliate link (but be assured that I bought this product and bloody love it - if I didn't I wouldn't be recommending it)

bonprix Advent Giveaway: The Tube Scarf

*Competition now closed*

Let's face it, when winter rolls around and the wind picks up, there's one thing we all reach for above all else; the trusty scarf. It's just the ultimate winter warmer. I'm a scarf fanatic, even in the warmer months. My collection is constantly growing and is beginning to push my actual clothes out of my wardrobe. I feel no remorse though, and I have no plans to change my scarf-hoarding ways. The latest addition to my collection is this gorgeous, deep berry, floral number courtesy of bonprix* and I have one to give away to you lovely lot!

Here's how I styled it. I have a very particular set of colours that I reach for during the winter months, and berry and burgundy wine shades are always top of my list.  This scarf ticks all of my boxes and I teamed it with this gorgeous crochet panelled shell top in mustard yellow, purple nails and gold accessories.

I've got one more of these scarves to give away to a lucky reader as part of their Christmas advent giveaway series. This flash giveaway is for today only.  The requirements are as follows...

1) Entrants  should follow @thatlisaclare and @bonprixUK on Twitter,
2) Tweet a message using the hashtag #bonprixadvent
3) Leave a comment on this blog to tell me your ulimate Winter accessory (and don't forget to let me know your preferred contact method so that I can contact you if you win!)

 You must be a UK resident to enter this giveaway. The giveaway ends at midnight tonight (11/12/15) and the winner will be chosen at random using random.org. Good luck!!

You can browse the full range of Winter accessories over at

bonprix.co.uk 

What are your go-to Winter accessories?

Top 5 Products for Glowing Winter Skin

Ack, doesn't Winter really take it out of your skin?! It seems that, every year, as soon as the air gets colder and the wind picks up a bit, my skin begins to turn to stone. Dull, rough skin isn't a good look in any weather and I refuse to spend the festive party season looking and feeling like sandpaper so I've done something about it. Next week I'll be sharing with you my ultimate winter skincare picks, but today I'm feeling all festive so I thought I'd share with you 5 favourite products of mine for a glowing winter complexion, for face and body. 

Nip+Fab Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pads

Words cannot express my everlasting love for this product. I've been using it since it first launched. This is an exfoliating product designed to even out the skin's texture as well as brighten skin tone. I tend to pair it with my Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant a couple of times a week to really smooth things over but, after cleansing, I always swoosh one of these badboys around my face before toning, moisturising and applying makeup. Makes for a super smooth base. 

Superdrug Vitamin E Sugar & Oil Scrub

Superdrug's own branded products are regular in my routine now, and have been ever since I became vegan (almost) 2 years ago. Their Vitamin E range is a particular favourite of mine. In the past I've stuck religiously to Soap & Glory scrubs, and I still do use them, but this is a fantastic budget option. It's grainy, silky and really gets the job done. My skin feels glorious after I've used it and it really helps buff away that nasty, dull layer to make way for...

Tan Organic Self Tanning Oil*

New favourite fake tan alert! Confession; I've had this product for ages, but never actually got around to using it regularly until the last couple of months, due to a seriously busy year of exams, graduations and moving house. This product just refuses to streak... ever. It's an oil so it smooths on really easily and gets into all those awkward bits with little effort. It's also really quick to sink in. It's made up of a blend of organic, eco-certified oils and gives a wonderful subtle glow after a single application. Totally buildable though, if you desire a deeper colour. For me, it just takes off that pasty winter tinge. Usually I'd prefer a more olive toned product, while this one is more gold, but I find that nowadays I don't desire such a deep colour. Perhaps I'm getting old. 

GOSH Cosmetics Giant Sun Powder

I'd be nothing without this huge compact. Can you believe that I've managed to use one up already? My favourite way to use it is to dust it over my shoulders, chest and legs (if I've dared to expose my pins, that is) ready for a night out. Great for when you haven't had time to tan and gives off a lovely, subtle shimmer. I also like to use it on my cheeks if I'm going for a more bronzed look (which is usually the case for me, I love my gold and brown tones). On darker skintones it would also make a brilliant highlight. 

Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer

I'm sooooo late to the Too Faced party. I've heard cruelty-free bloggers across the board rave about this bronzer so I gave in a purchased it a couple of weeks ago. No word of a lie, I've used it almost every day since (well, the days I've dared brave the weather and venture outside, that is). It's the most amazing, blendable contour shade but it's also great for dusting over foundation and powder for a deeper colour. Because it's matte, its lovely for daytime wear, when you don't really want too much of a shimmer. My guess is I'm preaching to the converted here so I'll leave it there. 

For a more thorough round-up of my Winter skincare essentials, stay tuned for next week's post. With everyone gearing up for the Christmas party season, I thought we could all use some extra glow this week. I also wanted to officially give the finger to this nasty stormy weather we're currently having in the UK. Desmond can officially do one. My skin is armed and ready! 

What are your top products for the perfect winter glow? Do you reach for the bronze when the weather gets rough?

Warming Winter Fragrances by Harper's Bizarre Candles

Don't get me wrong, okay, I'm a complete candle freak 12 months of the year. As someone who lives with animals, scented candles are an eco-friendly way to counteract their various whiffs. However, I find them to be particularly comforting during the Winter months. One brand I have really come to love over the past year or so is Harper's Bizarre. Their candles are handmade from 100% soya wax, are eco friendly and come fully accredited by The Vegan Society as being cruelty-free and free from animal ingredients. Today I wanted to share with you a handful of their scents I've been particularly enjoying since the night have started creeping in...

Harper's Bizarre, based in Hull, is the baby of a lovely lady called Victoria, who I have now come to consider a friend. She makes each batch by hand and dreams up each original scent herself. Her quirky personality shines through in her products and the scents are truly unique compared to other candle brands (she recently came up with a scent named 'Chocolate puppies').  The candles come with a double wick for an even burn with an approximate burn time of 20hrs each. The fragrances are strong and carry wonderfully. Nothing worse than a scented candle you can only smell when your nose is in the tin. 

The fragrances I'm loving the most at the moment include the following...

Raspberry & Rose 

This is a year-round favourite if I'm honest, but I couldn't do a favourites round-up without including it. I love a fruit and floral combo. This candle is at its most gorgeous when burned in the kitchen.

Snuggley Blanket 

I find these kinds of scents to be the most comforting once the weather cools down and the nights get darker. Harper's version is particularly lovely and I always have it in the house. My favourite time to burn this one is at bedtime. 

Scary Mary

This is a new seasonal candle for Autumn/Winter 2015 and continues with the fruity/floral theme. I'm obsessed with it! Victoria has taken much inspiration from Halloween this year with other seasonal candles including 'Zombielicious' and 'Dirty Crow'. 

Pumpkin Apple Slice

Okay, this one isn't widely available as it was purely made as an experiment. However, it seriously smells like Autumn in a tin and I'm currently rallying a petition for it to make a more permanent comeback in 2016. Victoria sells her one-off experiments at events and vegan fayres so look out for her at any upcoming Christmas markets. You might find a hidden treasure! Check out her website for more info. 

Harper's Candles collections range from florals, to aromatics, to patisserie so there's something for every taste or mood. Of course, now that the holiday period is looming, the Christmas selections are also creeping onto the site and I can 100% vouch for those too. Jingle Bells and Let it Snow were particular favourites in my house last year. 

Harper's Bizarre candles are priced at £8 each, or 3 for £20. They make pretty gifts as well as a special treat to fight the winter blues. I don't know where I'd be without them! 

For more info or to place an order, visit

harperscandles.com

What scents do you find particularly comforting over the winter months? What are your favourite Harper's Bizarre fragrances? 

Winter 2015 Wardrobe Wishlist

I haven't done a wishlist-type post in so long! I've been browsing the web for inspiration since the weather started to turn colder, and I've already touched on my Autumn/Winter obsession once this month, so I thought I'd elaborate a little and share with you a handful of the items currently on my radar for the Winter months. Autumn/Winter fashion, for me, has always been about textures, prints, layers and seasonal browns, reds and greens, which is certainly reflected in these selections...

 1. Red paisley patchwork dress - £19.99 New Look (Online exclusive)* 
2. Brown patchwork slouch bag - £19.99 New Look*
3. Aviator 2 boots (Dark Brown) - £85 Wills London
4. Snowflake jumper - Dorothy Perkins

Fun fact: I wear way more dresses and skirts over the winter months than I ever have in the summer. This is down to my adoration for opaque tights and leggings. I feel more cosy in thick tights and boots that I do in jeans or trousers. I'm a huge paisley fan anyway, so this dress must be mine. It might even be a Christmas Day dress candidate, we'll see... The Aviator 2 boots by Wills of London are top of my Christmas list. Lace up boots are my absolute favourite look for Autumn/Winter. They just work for almost any occasion! 

1. Belted Aztec Cardigan - £22 Matalan
2. Knitted khaki skater skirt - £8 Primark
3. Navajo Fairaisle Duvet Set - From £13 Primark
4. Scarlet check scarf - £19.99 Accessorize

Okaaaay, so bedding isn't technically a wardrobe item (although all my spare bedding is, indeed, kept in the wardrobe so it's not too much of a leap - plus, I have been known to 'wear' my duvet for long periods over the winter). Each year I seem to miss out on the best of the seasonal bedlinen selections at Primark so I'm getting myself in there early this season. The addiction is real. As you can see, I'm all about the prints again this year. Anything checked or Aztec and I'm on it!

I have a feeling my budget won't stretch to everything in this post (although I'm going to give it my best shot), but I really wanted to give you lovely folks an idea of what my Winter style is and maybe provide some seasonal outfit inspiration. I don't do nearly enough fashion-related posts on this blog and this has to change! Now that I don't live alone I may even be able to bash out some outfit posts over the coming weeks if I can recruit someone for photographs.

What is on your Winter wishlist? Do you have a signature Autumn/Winter style? 

*This post contains affiliate links

** Stock images featured in this post sourced from PRshots.com 

Hello October | 5 reasons to love Autumn/Fall

I'm a September baby, therefore, I am genetically pre-programmed to look forward to Autumn each year. As much as I hate to wish away the summer - although, let's face it, we never get much of one around these parts anyway - sweating just isn't my thing, and the thought of all my cosy cardis and lace-up boots being stashed away in the back of the wardrobe for months is just too depressing. Now that we're into October, however, I'm officially getting all bouncy and excited again so I thought I'd scribble down a few of the things that make Autumn/Fall the winning season, in my eyes...

1. The Colours

Reds, browns, oranges, greens and (my personal favourite) mustard yellows... Autumn is undoubtedly a beautiful season. And what's more, the weather is - usually - still fair enough to appreciate these colours during long walks. One upside of having moved back to Derbyshire for a while is that the scenery is stunning at this time of year. Keep an eye on my Instagram profile for the inevitable proof. Shades like these tend to inspire my Autumn/Winter wardrobe as well. I love browns, burgundies and earthy greens at any time of the year but I go bonkers for them as soon as the leaves start to fall.

2. Hot Beverages

Now is the time that the coffee shop seasonal specials start to creep in. Pumpkin Spice lattes and toffee nut hot chocolates aplenty! I'm not a big consumer of hot, caffeinated beverages unless I'm freezing or on my way to an early morning lecture but I really enjoy a Starbucks/Costa stop at this time of the year. It gets me feeling all festive. Annoyingly, being vegan now rules the Pumpkin Spice latte out for me (why the spice powder has to contain dairy is beyond me) but this year I've pre-prepared a little pumpkin spice mix of my own as per this Pinterest post to pop in my handbag to satisfy any cravings. It also means I can indulge at home. 

3. Cosy Knits and Boots

As if we hadn't already established here that I'm infatuated with Autumn/Winter fashion, I will further confirm it by professing my undying love for knitwear. I just love being able to wrap up warm when it starts to get nippy out. My go-to look as the days get shorter is usually lots of layers, boyfriend jeans and work boots, topped off with an oversized sweater or cardi. Top of my Autumn wardrobe wishlist this year are these stunning aviator boots by Wills of London. They will be mine! 

4. Berry and Neutral Nails

The darker the evenings, the darker my nails. In truth, I will always prefer deep, rich nail colours like these over brights. I do dabble in brights and pastels during the summer months but, as soon as September kicks in, I really indulge myself. Old-school favourites of mine include Nails Inc St Martins Lane and Victoria, Barry M Chilli and Essie Shearling Darling and I also love chocolate, caramel, taupe and grey shades. This year I've got a few newbies in my collection, but I'm keeping quiet for now, as I'll be sharing those with you all next week in a new post.

5. It's Festival Season!

October marks the beginning of festival season. It's the time where everyone starts dreaming of pumpkin carving, fireworks, bonfire toffee and (if you're over in the States) prepping for Thanksgiving. I refuse to mention the C-word at this stage as I still think it's a little too early, but the countdown starts here, folks! I'm currently narrowing down the shortlist for my annual Halloween horror movie marathon and the Facebook bonfire event invites have already started creeping in. Exciting times ahead...

So, if you need me, I'll be snuggled up in a massive cardi, sipping my pumpkin spice latte and binge-watching horror movies on Netflix while painting my nails berry red and listening to the fireworks outside...

Do you adore Autumn as much as I do? What are your favourite things to do once the weather starts getting colder? 

Christmas NOTD 2013: Essie Toggle To The Top

Thought I'd squeeze one last post in before the big day! In honesty, I did have another Last Minute Gift post I wanted to do but I ended up having a bit of a mad 'here, there and everywhere' kind of weekend so never got chance to post it. Anyhoo, it's Christmas Eve now and I'm performing my last minute beauty rituals so I thought I'd show you my fresh Christmas Manicure courtesy of the Essie Winter Collection...

Jeez, I am so messy with dark polishes aren't I haha. The photos haven't turned out amazing either due to my parents having the DARKEST house in the world and the weather being so ghastly. 

Toggle to The Top came as part of my Essie Winter 2013 Mini-Collection (see my post Here) and I just knew it would be my first choice for Christmas Day. Essie describe it as Sparkling, Crushed Garnet Red and that's pretty much spot on really. I love that it's a little bit more grown up that your average 'Dorothy' inspired red glitter polishes. 

Here I've done two coats topped off with a layer of Seche Vite. It's certainly a beautiful polish. Only slight grumble is that it seems to be coming away at the tips already. Or maybe I'm just noticing it more because it's a darker colour. Either way it's not the end of the world. No doubt they'll be changing again by New Years Eve. 

What colour will you be wearing on your nails tomorrow?? Do you go for sparkle??

Essie Winter 2013 Mini Collection

Second post of the day! Woohoo! Hoping this means I'm back on track blogwise (but I don't want to jinx anything). I thought I'd pop this one up straight away as it kind of follows on from the previous post about my adventures at Boutique Spa. This post features my purchase from that evening which I am so excited about. It's the Essie Winter 2013 Mini-Collection. 

I think mini collections like this are a fantastic way to sample the highlights of a collection which would, otherwise, be pretty pricey to purchase separately in the full size (and let's face it, who uses up EVERY drop of polish in a full size bottle?). This one features 4x 5ml shades. For me, this Winter is shaping up to be all about deep, rich shades with a hint of festive sparkle and Essie have got this little set spot on in my opinion. 

Left: Sable Collar - Luxurious Pearlescent Cocoa Plum

Right: Toggle to the Top - Sparkling, Crushed Garnet Red

Left: Shearling Darling - Rich, Plush Ebony Red

Right: Mind Your Mittens - Deep, Double Diamond Black Teal

These colours look so luxurious! I love how they're completely different to my Nails Inc Autumn/Winter Collection (my post on that can be found Here for comparison and swatches). I'm a little bit peeved that I haven't been able to capture the true, pearlescent beauty of Sable Collar. The finish is really beautiful. I'll be wearing it over the festive season so hopefully I'll be able to snap a better photo for December's 'Month in Manicures' post. If I had to pick a favourite at this point it would be Mind Your Mittens as it's completely different from anything else in my collection and your usual festive shades, although it still seems completely appropriate for over Christmas. That said, I think that Toggle to the Top will definitely be my Christmas Day nail colour this year. 

I picked this up at Boutique Spa in London for £15 but, if you're not local, I'd definitely recommend running down to your nearest Boots/Superdrug Essie stockist before they sell out (which I'm willing to bet will happen soon). I've scoured the internet for online stockists but it has proven tricky as there seem to be several different sets out this year which are all pretty similar yet not quite the same. As always, I'm sure a thorough eBay or Amazon search with uncover a bargain or two. 

What are your Ultimate Festive nail polish shades?? Which brand do you prefer?? Did you rush out to get any polishes from this collection??

Going Totally Tartan for Xmas with Freya

Despite having been MIA from the blogging scene on and off recently (excuse for last week is a good, old-fashioned dose of the flu), there's still not a lot that passes me by when it comes to what's hot and what's not. What is DEFINITELY hot right now is Freya Lingerie. Did you know they were recently awarded CoolBrand status?! How amazing is that! Freya have a very devoted fan club who just adore their lingerie. My brother's girlfriend is such a fan that she even named her daughter after them. I was lucky enough to meet up with the lovely ladies from Freya during the last London Fashion week for a fitting and a nosey through their Autumn/Winter styles. Boy, it was an eye opener!!

Another trend that I have been happy to discover this year is the tartan CRAZE that appears to be sweeping the country in the run up to Christmas this year. I do love me a bit of tartan. I fell head over heels in love with the style and pattern of this beautiful 'Totally Tartan' lingerie set and, being all amazing and all, Freya fitted me up and sent along this beautiful padded balcony bra and matching short in my perfect size. I honestly was blown away at the fitting. I couldn't believe I'd got my size so wrong (especially as I am familiar with the traditional method of bra fitting and thought I knew my size inside out). Not sure I want to reveal my true size to the whole of the internet but it's a good 2 cup sizes BIGGER and a size smaller round the back than I had been wearing.Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaat??? These ladies really know their stuff because the lingerie is so comfortable and fits like a glove!

I'm not going to subject you all to a photograph of me wearing the undies (believe me when I say, nobody needs to see that at such a happy time of the year) but it's such a flattering style. Freya bras really are fantastic quality and the comfort factor is out of this world! The straps are lovely and wide and don't dig in and the back is as sturdy as they come. I'll think twice in future about just quickly grabbing cheap bras from Primark. I think it really is worth it for a piece that will last a long time and keep its shape to spend that little bit more. 

The tartan pattern of this set is a really soft, feminine take on traditional tartans and also features pinstripe denim and delicate button details. It's perfect for girly girls who also want a piece that's a bit different as well as being on trend. I don't think I've seen much tartan in other lingerie departments this year!

The bra in this set is available up to a G cup and sizes range from 30-38. RRP is £31 and it is also available in a plunge style. It comes with options of a thong, brief or short with prices starting at £12. Definitely one for your Christmas Wishlist! Start dropping those hints now...

Check out this style and many many others at freyalingerie.com 

Which 2013 Winter trends are your favourite?? Do you go crazy for prints?? Is long lasting, quality lingerie important to you??

Nails Inc Limited Edition Autumn/Winter Collection 2013

Second post for this evening! 

I couldn't save it until tomorrow as I've been so excited about these badboys. I've been itching to get my hands on the Nails Inc Autumn/Winter Collection* ever since they first revealed it and now HERE IT IS! Eeeeeep! 

This collection consists of 4 polishes:

Old Bond Street - A brilliant blue/violet shade

Oxford Street - A chocolatey mid-brown (The colour of the Bakerloo line!)

Regent Street - A deep wine red

and

St Martin's Lane - A gorgeous darkened blackberry/grape shade which really reminds me of Ribena (see my recent 'Month in Manicures' post).

I haven't had chance to play properly with all the shades yet. The only one that has made it onto my nails thus far is St Martin's Lane and I loved it so much (and it's lasted so long) that I'm still wearing it and have yet to swap it for one of the other shades. Here's where the trusty nail wheel comes in....

I just love how Nails Inc can produce such vibrant, pigmented shades whilst still keeping them subtle and on-trend for the Autumn/Winter season. These wheel swatches (aside from Old Bond Street which needed a little more building up) were only a single coat and the finish is so glossy. Nails Inc really are my Holy Grail of nail polish brands and I have so much love for them. They can do little wrong in my eyes. 

I'm going to dare to mention the C-word again now..... This set is a perfect treat for any polish lover this Christmas! It's also AMAZING value at £25 (a single Nails Inc polish will usually set you back £12 on it's own and here you're getting 4 - a total saving of £19) so could even be a sneaky present to yourself. 

These shades are Limited Edition and can be found in all Nails Inc stores and department store concessions as well as online at

 nailsinc.com

Do you go potty for Nails Inc?? Are you embracing Autumn/Winter nail colours?? Which shades are your favourite??

My Month in Manicures: Sept'13

Hello again!

Remember when I used to do 'Monday Manicure' posts? Also remember that it got to the point when I was so crazily busy I kept forgetting it was Monday? Well I've come up with a solution. I've decided that I'm going to be bringing you all my manicures in one monthly nail polish post. I always snap a photo of my manicures for Instagram so I will now be compiling them into one monthly post with a bit of info on all the products I've used and what I think of them. As we're coming to the end of September I thought this would be the perfect time to start and you'll probably notice that I've wasted no time in embracing seasonal colours. Products are featured in chronological order starting with the first mani of the month....

Maybelline Color Show Polkadots: 'Shooting Stars'

I finally got round to trying this polish! I picked up two shades of the Polkadots polishes back in June (post can be found Here) and, until this month, had only got round to playing with the pink shade. Well, I got bored one night and decided I fancied a Galaxy mani. What you see here is two coats of 'Shooting Stars' with a sweep of my Loreal Confetti topcoat over the top to add a little extra dimension. I love the result! As you can see I'm a little clumsy with darker coloured nail polishes (this photo was taken before I'd had chance to clean it up) but I'm getting better now. As I recall this mani was a bit of a pain to remove but it was loads of fun and lasted ages!

Essie: 'Playa del Platinum'

You'll be starting to notice by now that I ADORE Autumn and have taken great joy in pulling out all my neutral nail shades in preparation for the season. Playa del Platinum is a particular favourite grey-nude of mine that I picked up at last year's Olympia Beauty show. It goes with just about anything. It's extra shiny in this photo as I added a big dollop of Seche Vite on top of it. 

 

OPI: 'Barefoot in Barcelona'

This has been a previous all-time favourite of mine for Autumn/Winter and it still ranks extremely highly. It's a warm, muted terracotta kind of shade that looks particularly amazing when teamed with gold rings or bracelets. My OPI shades have been a bit neglected of late, in favour of Nails Inc (my ultimate HG polish brand) but the shades I have always seem to get more use in the cooler months. Everyone should have this in their collection in my opinion. 

Nails Inc A/W Collection: 'St Martin's Lane'*

This polish brings us bang up to date (I'm currently wearing this). I finally got my mitts on the new Nails Inc shades for Autumn/Winter this week. I actually did a little SQUEE when I opened the parcel. Look out for a full post on the whole collection very shortly but I just had to show you this polish a little early. If Ribena were a nail polish it would be this one. It's a gorgeous deep purple, blackcurrant sort of shade and fits perfectly with this season's berry colour trend. I adore berry/wine shades for Winter, in fashion as well as nails. Raspberry is a particular favourite. Again, this isn't the tidiest of manicures but I am getting better with darker colours, honest!!

So that was my September in nail colours. Guess I averaged one mani a week this month. Sometimes it's more, sometimes it's less. I find that, with Seche Vite, my nail polish lasts for ages and it sometimes seems a shame to remove it when it still looks so immaculate. I will confess to you that there is ONE mani missing from this post, but only because it will feature in my NEXT post (which is actually a very exciting one so keep your eyes peeled). 

So,until next month..... HAPPY NAIL PAINTING!

What are your favourite nail shades for Autumn?? Do you love a particular brand of polish?? Do you change up your manicure weekly or more often??

Timothy Everest for Superdry AW13

Welcome back my dears!

Don't know about you lot but I look forward to Autumn every year. I'm a September Birthday girl, I have a serious fetish for cosy jumpers, cardis and boots that I miss so much over the summer months, and also because Autumn is THAT time where you start putting serious thought into this year's Winter coat. Even though London Fashion Week this time round was focused primarily on Spring/
Summer of NEXT year, I had the opportunity to browse through the new Timothy Everest Women's collection for cult Japanese brand Superdry whilst hanging out at the Handpicked Media LFW Suite at One Aldwych at the weekend. There I was shown the entire women's collection and was able to take in each of the stunning jackets up close and personal. The design collaboration between Timothy Everest and Superdry founder James Holder has resulted in a contemporary selection of classic British shapes, colours and textures.... with a twist! These are four styles with four seriously different attitudes.

The Country Rebel

I fell head over heels for this jacket! I couldn't take my eyes off it. It's a modern take on a classic ladies riding/hunting jacket. Tailored beautifully and trimmed with a choice of vibrant colours including hot pink, purple and cobalt blue, it is a short, versatile style which could be dressed down with skinny jeans and riding boots or taken to town with a pencil skirt and heels. To bring it firmly into the 21st Century this jacket (and all of the other styles featured in this post) include a little inside pocket for your Oyster card and a loop inside the lapel to thread your headphones through. Available in 3 colours; Herringbone, Super Optical (with coloured trim - pictured) and Forrest Slub (a deep grey with navy trim).

The Muse

The buttons are what made this jacket for me. It features 12 branded Timothy Everest dome buttons which give it an almost military vibe. The hidden querks are exactly the same as with the Country Rebel. All of the jackets also have contrasting panels under the collar which is visible when turned up and features the Superdry brand name. What I also love is that Superdry have designed a pair of tailored shorts to match The Muse (RRP £75) making it a complete outfit. 

 

The Rock Rebel

Inspired by Debbie Harry and Chrissie Hynde (how awesome is that), this jacket is one that can be worn anytime, any place anywhere and is designed for comfort and versatility as well as style. The black version I have pictured could be perfect for a wild night out or just for a shopping trip. Casual, yet super chic at the same time. It is also available in Dogtooth print which hints at more of a mod kind of feel and has the same coloured trim options and functionality as it's sister styles.

The Town Coat

This style was created with Agyness Deyn in mind. This coat is seriously luxurious and so comfortable to wear (I've tried it on and it was love). It gives such a flattering long silouette and is perfect for day to night wear. It is just a beautifully tailored coat and would keep you seriously warm in the harsh months ahead. Perfect for strolling through the city or even strolling through the woods with your dog. I love how all the pieces in this collection are so versatile. It gives you endless style options from just one key piece. 

I loved looking through this collection and just had to share it with you. The fabrics have to be touched to be believed. Sadly, it is unlikely that I will ever own one as I'm still in the grip of student poverty haha. But if you're looking to spend that bit extra on a piece that will go with almost anything and last a hell of a long time then you should definitely consider one of these. 

You can browse all the styles and colours at superdry.com. All of these styles are available online and in Superdry stores now.

Do you love Autumn/Winter fashion?? Which of these styles would suit you best?? Do you go the extra mile when choosing your Winter coat??

My Autumn/Winter Colours 2012: Makeup Edition

Hello lovelies! 

I hope everyone's had a great week and keeping nice and warm from the cold! Speaking of which, I thought i'd do a post about what makeup colours i have been loving for the new season. Autumn/Fall is a season particularly associated with stunning colours and i've found myself reaching for a certain palette of shades without even realising it! So i thought i would snap a few to show you!

I'll start with the cheek products because i really pay attention to what shades i put on my cheeks in the winter months. As is to be expected in colder weathers i'm not as tan as i am in the Summer, and rightly so (i'm not inclined to overcompensate for this, but prefer to go with it). I really enjoy glowy cheeks in winter shades. My ultimate favourite is Sleek's Fenberry Blush from last year's Berry Collection but i conveniently left it at my parents house last week so it was unavailable for photos.

(L-R)
Sleek Blush by 3: Pumpkin
I think the name says it all to be honest. This palette is named and put together PERFECTLY for this season! You have a gorgeous reddened coral shimmer, a slightly darkened pink and a juicy tangerine. I've used all of these recently and it's permanently in my makeup bag when i'm travelling around for uni as i love to be able to choose.
BeneFit Dallas
Even though it's pretty matte, i just adore the burnt peach and plum tones this powder has! It really  adds a beautiful glow to the cheeks. I often use this with a gold toned highlighter in the evening or just a sweep on it's own in the daytime.
Bourjois Delice De Poudre: 
As i mentioned before, although i like to have a glow about my skin (nobody WANTS to look like a corpse at any time of the year), i do try and tone it down a bit for Winter. I fake tan more often, but don't build it up as much, if that makes sense. This bronzer on me is very subtle. Usually i would mainly use it as a contour, but recently i have been popping a bit on my cheeks, nose and chin to add a bit of warmth.

Sleek i-Divine Palette: Avoir La Peche (Paraguaya Collection)
I can safely say that, in recent weeks, i have NOT been into much on my eyes. My staple look of late has consisted of JUST my Maybelline Gel Liner and 17 Peep Show Mascara. But when i have reached for eyeshadows lately i have only reached for this palette. I love how it's warm, but not dark and how the shades brighten up my green eyes. Again, the peach and orange tones of the shadows are so seasonal, but are kept muted and flattering thanks to the grey and brown shades. This palette was Limited Edition BUT i find the Sunset palette from Sleek to be every bit as appropriate. It's a MUST have for the cooler months in my opinion.

Can you see a pattern emerging here for Pumpkin and Berry shades?? My nail choices very much fall in with this pattern. I'm not going to wax lyrical about the shades this time (i chose them pretty much for the same reasons as everything else above), but i will list the shades for you just for reference purposes.

OPI Barefoot in Barcelona
OPI Y'all Come Back Ya Hear
Nails Inc Piccadilly Circus
Nails Inc Victoria

I haven't been wearing a ridiculous amount of lipstick just lately because i haven't had too many excuses to, but i've been absolutely loving MAC Spirit (above) for an everyday winter shade. It's just such a natural shade but it's that tiny bit darker and that, to me makes it more special than your average nude. I find it leans slightly purple on me (not really demonstrated in this pic though). It's a Satin finish, which isn't my favourite but i'll forgive it. If i want a lighter shade i'll mix it with Honeylove or Myth.

MAC Vegas Volt (above) is my other winter pick of the year so far. It's a colour i'd usually associate more with summer, but for some reason i've felt like it's brightened up my cold, tired face on a couple of occasions recently. I'd usually go more for Morange in the run up to Xmas but, my hair is a little too purple-ish for it at the moment in my opinion so i substituted it for the, slightly pinker, Vegas Volt.

So those are what makeup shades are floating my boat for Autumn/Winter. I haven't done a makeup look post in a while so i think that, next week, i will combine a few of these products and show you my 'Winter Face'.

What colours are floating your boat this season?? Do you make a bold statement or keep it natural and glowy??