Sunday 31 March 2013

How I'd Style: The Prom Dress


The rustle of skirts, the whispered gossip and the heady smell of Impulse and Lynx deodorants. Oh yes, it's nearly prom season folks. 

I remember being so excited about my prom; the hours shopping with my friends for THE perfect dress that would show everyone I wasn't just the geek in glasses. I was, there was no fooling! ;) And then the accessories, my favourite part!

For my prom I wore a sea green strapless dress with bow under the bust and I think it had some floral detail! I wore some awful sliver peep-toe heels (that I have only just given to charity, five years later!) and I think a silver clutch bag, that I remember being very nice…I wonder where it is! 

After doing some reminiscing, here's my prom dress styling - the 2013 way!

Saturday 30 March 2013

Beauty Review: ESPA Skin Radiance Moisturiser


While at my internship, I was lucky enough to be invited to a hard hat tour of the building that is soon to become the Bedford Lodge Hotel Spa! 

The beautiful Bedford Lodge Hotel in Newmarket is luxurious and welcoming. Before our tour, we were led into their spacious and sumptuous conferencing room to be told all about the new spa. We then headed over to the nearby mansion where the spa is under construction. 

I was pleased to see that the house is retaining lots of it's original features and you can still sense the history there (the cellar was used in WWII as a back up for the town council meetings). I can't wait to see it when it's all ready, it sounds like it's going to be an incredibly tranquil place to relax and get expert beauty treatments. 

The Spa manager Anna, explained to us that the products they are going to be using are by a company called ESPA, who I hadn't heard of before. They specialise in salons and spas, and they use natural ingredients to achieve the relaxing, refreshing environment of a salon. At the end of the tour they gave us a goodie bag with some ESPA samples, a gift card and a lavender plant (lavender is the theme of the spa)! So kind of them!



I thought I'd do a review of the moisturiser I received, and I've already spent the gift card so expect more reviews soon! 


Skin Radiance Moisturiser Review:  
Here's the lovely pink and purple packaging that the moisturiser came in, along with a refining polish that I've yet to use.


The moisturiser is lovely, it's rich and thick but extremely soft. I noticed a difference in my skin after one application. If you're a regular blog reader you'll know that I have extremely, extremely dry skin! Especially on my face and hands. This winter has not been good for my poor skin and I was in desperate need for a moisturiser that would relive my chapped complexion. 

After application to my face; the next day my cheeks were so much softer, although I think it's going to take a long time for it to be back to normal, and some sunlight would certainly help! Natural Vitamin D please!! 

The only downside to this moisturiser is the smell. It smells like you are in a salon, which I can understand as ESPA are spa products, however, for home use I would prefer something a little more floral or fruity, or even no smell at all! 

But all in all, a very good moisturiser for helping dry skin, something I think we could all do with as the spring seems nowhere in sight! 






Thursday 28 March 2013

Versatile Blogger Award

Thank you so much Rosa from the gorgeous Glossy Temptations blog for nominating me for the Versatile Blogger Award!


Here are the rules: 
1. Thank the person who nominated you

2. Include a link to their blog

3. Select 15 bloggers you follow regularly

4. Nominate these bloggers for the Versatile Blogger Award, leave a link to their page and a comment on their latest post to let them know they have been nominated

5. Tell the person who nominated you 7 things about yourself

7 things about Granny Gee:

1.  I am addicted to drinking diet coke! I used to drink over a litre a day but made myself cut down :/

2. I'd much, much rather go to a cosy country pub than a nightclub!

3. I'm training to be a journalist, I love writing! Hopefully one day I'll publish a novel.

4. I really want a dwarf hamster! I'd call it Hammy.

5. I love watching Emmerdale and Corrie, being a student has got me into so much rubbish telly!

6. I have two boxes of nail varnishes...big boxes!

7. In my opinion, Mulberry handbags are the QUEENS of the handbag world.

My nominations:

1. Secret of a Fashion Girl 

2. East End Meets Essex

3. Miss Baigent 

4. Almost Emily Jane

5. Owl Waltz 

6. Frolics& Fashion

7. Georgia Beee

8. Bags, Bows & Boots!

9. Bow Bentley

10. Cosmetic Debris 

11. Lolly Coral 

12. Busy Kissing Bees

13. Something To Say 

14. Little Bits of Sunshine 

15. Diary of a Fashion Fanatic 


Tuesday 26 March 2013

All about me!

A little bit of self promotion here! I guess if you can't do it on your own blog, where can you!

Some of my photography work has just been showcased on the gorgeous new Southampton based magazine - Lost & Found.

Also, a couple of articles that I've been working on during my internship at Velvet Magazine have gone up online, so check them out! If you live in the Suffolk area, try popping into The Suffolk Carver for some yummy lunchtime treats, or if you're getting beach body ready, try Jazzercise in Newmarket.

Sunday 24 March 2013

Best Of...River Island

It was me and my boyfriend's two year anniversary this weekend, so we went to Cambridge for a couple of days. We had a really lovely time, despite the bitterly cold weather (I thought it was nearly April!).

While having a look around the shops, we came across River Island Boutique. I'd never seen one before, but I was really impressed. It was designed in a slightly more upmarket way to normal River Island stores, and they had some stock that I hadn't seen before too.

I thought I'd do a little Best Of...selection for you readers. Something without all the Rihanna stuff that they are promoting at the moment! So, here's my Best Of...River Island:


Thursday 21 March 2013

Today's BIG News...

Well, if you haven't already heard about it...where have you been today?!!

H&M have confirmed the one, the only, BEYONCE, as their summer campaign model.

According to H&M bosses, Beyonce helped to pick out the pieces on offer. The Swedish fashion brand said that their summer collection has been inspired by Beyonce's individual style. It features sultry swim and beachwear, and is reported to have a "sense of paradise."

Sounds lush to me! I'm sure this collection will be flying of the racks quicker than Beyonce tour tickets! If that's possible! The first photo is amazing, just look at her super long legs!

H&M have chosen a perfect match here, with so many girls aspiring to be, and look, like Beyonce; this range offers them the chance to be that one step closer to their idol.

Monday 18 March 2013

OOTD - First Day Interning

What I wore today... first day interning at Velvet Magazine!
Blazer, M&S
Jumper, £20, ASOS
Leggings, New Look
Necklace, £10, Matalan
And I was wearing my black chelsea boots from Topshop, £60. 

I love the pop of colour the blazer gives to the outfit! Sorry about the rubbish picture, I tried getting my dad to take one for me but they came out blurry, bless him! 

The jumper is still available from Asos.





Saturday 16 March 2013

Saturday Savings

Today was all about savings - saving time & money.

My mum kindly drove me to find where my internship is based, to save me time and stress on monday morning! 
The magazine is called Velvet and it's a free, luxury mag based in Newmarket. 
We then headed to Bury St Edmunds for a bit of retail therapy. 


And here are some of my purchases! 
We started off at The Works - if you haven't been it is AMAZING for super cheap books and craft materials. The Dressmaking book is so thick and reduced from £25 to £9.99! A great saving and hopefully something to inspire me to get back into sewing! I also picked up another book for my dissertation (which is a big secret at the moment, I'll tell you all about it soon!) for £3.99! What a bargain!

We then headed to Matalan, where I bought the boyfriend some black trousers for work as his have been worn to death! I also picked up this gorgeous statement silver necklace for £10. I think it's going to be great for updating my trusty LBD, as well as brand new black jumper! 

Lastly, we stopped off at Sainsbury's, and naturally, mother and I had to check out the stationary (we are a bit addicted to stationary...you should see her study!). I found this cute A5 notepad to use for next term at uni. And, of course, I needed to buy Vogue! LOVE the cover image this month. So sixties!


Easter Treats!!
 Sainsbury's have these Easter goodies on fabulous offers at the moment. Just a heads up! The eggs are 99p each and the animal bunnies are 80-something-pence a box. 


Thursday 14 March 2013

Bloglovin

With everything being so confusing with Google at the moment I thought I'd re-sort out my bloglovin account and re-follow everyone I already subscribe to!
What a hassle, but it's got to be done! I love blogging too much!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Follow me folks :) x

Tuesday 12 March 2013

China Doll Boutique Competition

I'm totally crushing on China Doll Boutique's clothes at the moment, so I thought I'd enter their competition.

Here's my entry:


Dress, £32, China Doll Boutique

Clutch, £35, Accessorize

Blazer, £29.99, New Look

Necklace, £16.50, Topshop

Watch, £20, Asos

Heels, £59, Miss Selfridge

= £192.49

Check out China Doll Boutique, here. 

Monday 11 March 2013

Monday Blues Wishlist

It's cold, it's snowing and I'm turning into an essay writing ice cube! 
This calls for a wishlist to brighten my day!


Tips to become forties fabulous…continued

If you read my blog regularly you'll probably know that I am rubbish with doing hairstyles, especially on other people! This is why I love youtube tutorials. For my 1940's photo-shoot, I decided to do a really simple 40's hairstyle. 


First, my models hair was curled all over. Then I took each section and rolled it back and up and pinned it. For some shots I left a side ponytail to hang down, and for some I pinned the hair under itself to create a fake shorter 'do. 


You will need:

-curling tongs or heated rollers
-lots of bobby pins
-hair spray
-comb

This quick youtube tutorial is great for showing you exactly what I mean. I just continued to do what this lady does, but all around the face so that the curls frame it.

Or for a more detailed youtube tutorial, try this one



Saturday 9 March 2013

Outfit Inspiration

Some outfit inspiration! With my internship coming up I've been looking for smart outfits (dress to impress don't cha know!).
I'm also getting really excited about this summer, especially with the snow back AGAIN this evening! I'm desperate to go to Bestival this year - Snoop Dogg and Elton John = crazy! So I thought I'd plan my outfit in case I get the chance to go! 

Tips to become forties fabulous


Today I'm going to explain how to recreate the 1940s make up look from my recent photo-shoot.


1940s makeup was glamorous and decadent. The face was pale and the lips were a bright red. Makeup was an important part of the war effort. Women were encouraged to look their best to keep up the morale. Even though clothing was rationed, women made sure they kept up with the latest trends my remaking clothes and painting lines on their legs to replicate scarce stockings.


How to recreate the...

Eyes: Brows were incredibly thin but shapely. Draw a rounded thin line in eyebrow pencil to highlight the eyes. Lots of mascara should be applied and you can add a flick of eyeliner to the corners of the eye. For a bargain eyebrow pencil try Rimmel, £2.99. 


Face: The face should be pale and powered to perfection. Powder was popular in the forties to decrease shine on the face. In an era when women began to work in factories and on fields, face powder became a makeup stable. A rouge on the cheeks showed health and vitality. Face powder, also Rimmel.



Lips: Slick on a bright red lipstick to be a real forties siren. For a super vibrant red try Sleek's True Colour Lipstick in Vixen, which I think can be found in Superdrug. I was given it as a sample and it's too bright for my skin tone, but looks great for shoots. The blusher is by L'Oreal. 


And here you have the completed look - the perfect wartime woman: glamorous, strong and beautiful. 






Friday 8 March 2013

Fabulous Forties

Styling Project for University - the fabulous 40s with my muse Katie Smith. Tomorrow I'll post up styling, hair & makeup tips for the 1940s. Think land-girls, stockings and a lot of red lipstick.








Tuesday 5 March 2013

A Sunny ASOS Day!

Spring has sprung! Or so it seems. I was woken this morning by sun shining and the doorbell ringing - my ASOS delivery was here!
So here's a couple of things I bought:
Mustard tassel handbag, £30. I love the chain handle! 
Studded slipper shoes, £35. These are going to be perfect for my internship! 
I also bought a plain black jumper and a baroque skater skirt. However, I'm not sure if I'm going to keep them. They were for my internship (I was going to wear the jumper with a neon necklace or pearl collar), but I don't know if I like how they fit. I'll do an outfit post if I do decide to keep them! 

My internship starts in a week and a half (super nervous! this will be my fourth internship but I still get nervous on the first day!). I've been told to wear smart casual, which is the most difficult of dress codes! I was thinking of wearing some black and white aztec leggings with a green blazer for my first day. And now I can add my new shoes and bag!

 Do you have any tips for dressing for a work placement? 


Monday 4 March 2013

Three of the Best...Teacups

To celebrate my updated blog (you like?!), I decided to find three of the best teacups!

£12.50, Oliver Bonas -
such a cute scallop pattern, like a seashell! Reminds me of a seaside cafe.
Set of 4 for £30, Cath Kidson -
I love Cath Kidson prints and these are classic Cath!
£17, John Lewis - 
I love the shape of this one, and I bet that saucer would hold a biccy or two! 




ooops!

Sorry about the strange header that has been on my blog for the past few hours! I've been testing out a header for a university web-design project! 
xx

Sunday 3 March 2013

Sunday Beauty Buys

Today's Beauty Haul! 

1. Johnson's Facial Wipes,  £1.50 (discounted from Tesco)

2. Revlon Photoready Perfecting Primer, £11.99

3. MUA Undress Your Skin Shimmer Highlighter, £3

4. Barry M Nail Varnish in Nude (No. 342), a gift

So, today I was looking for a new Primer as my L'Oreal one has come to an end. I'd heard some good things in the blogging world about Revlon's Photoready range and thought I'd give their Primer a go. 

I've only had a brief test of the products so far (I'll review them properly in some upcoming blogs), but the Primer seems really soft on the skin and very smooth. It's a bit thicker than the L'Oreal Primer but I think this can only be a good thing as after a while the previous product did become watery and you needed more of it to cover your face.


I've been looking for something to brighten up my skin tone and contour my cheekbones at the same time so I went for this highlighter by MUA. There are a fairly cheap brand with some good bargains, I thought it would be best to go for a cheaper alternative before I decide if a highlighter works for me! 



As you can see, I've gone for a very nude theme this Sunday! Freshy, nude and dewy skin is very S/S '13. It's all about young looking skin, rosy cheeks and pink glossy lips. My mum kindly bought me this gorgeous nude colour from Barry M. It will work great as a base for a french manicure or with glitter topcoats! 

Have a great week readers!



Saturday 2 March 2013

Best Of...Collar Details


Collar Detailing is still HUGE on the high street. So here's a pick of the best! 
Sequins, crochet, lace and beads add that extra glamour to a workplace shirt or night out blouse!