Decorating Glass Tumblers

I wanted to make my good friend (and beautiful model), Miss Katie Smith, something a bit different for her birthday this year.

She's just got back from a trip to Africa and took some amazing photos! So I thought what better than having them printed on a glass to keep and look at forever!

I used glass tumblers/beakers, and decorated them with wrapping paper using watered down PVA glue.  I wouldn't try putting these in the dish washer and even hot water may cause them to peel, so I'm advising that if you make them you can use them as pen pots, makeup storage, tooth brush holders or even tea light stands (place them inside or on the base, just watch they don't get too hot!).

These are the wrapping paper pieces that I covered the glasses in. And the special one for Katie was with printed photographs. 

PVA glue mixed with water. I just put a little water in until the consistency looked right. A bit milk like I would say. 

Paste some of the PVA mix onto the paper and place it where you want on the wrapping paper. Then roll it, smoothing air bubbles as you go. With the excess paper at the ends, snip down to the base in little strips, then glue them down onto the base of the glass.

Then cover the whole lot in PVA glue to seal it. This is the Safari cup.

Finished cups! I really like them, what do you think? 

Best Of...New Look

Here's my current wishlist from New Look! I'm loving the dresses they are doing at the moment.

Floral Star Cupcakes

Tonight I had the urge to bake something! I was going to make macaroons but didn't have all the ingredients (hopefully make them tomorrow so check back!), so I made vanilla cupcakes with cute regal icing in the shape of stars and flowers.

The cupcake recipe is super simple and can be found here. 

It's the usual 175g caster sugar, 175g butter and 175g self raising flour. Add two teaspoons of vanilla extract and three eggs and mix together. Put in some cute bun-cases and pop into the oven for 12-15mins at 170c.

For the icing I simply bought the easy roll regal icing and rolled it really thin. I then cut out the stars and flowers and stuck them onto the cupcakes with butter icing.

Freckles and Gilbert

Surfing the usual blogs this afternoon, I came across this super cute iPhone case!

I clicked the link to the website and came across Freckles and Gilbert. They do the cutest iPhone, iPad, Kindle and laptop cases with delicate and unique illustrations. And at reasonable price points!

The cupcake on can be found here, and costs £20.

I also really like the below products (it is my birthday coming up!).

Book Wishlist

This week has been super busy, so sorry for not posting as regularly as I normally do. I've started back at work and we've been getting ready for our mid-season sale and change over of stock.

I also started my Friday internships at Velvet Magazine in Newmarket which I love! So great to be getting some hands on experience writing and being involved in the team. Today we had a meeting about the fashion show they are putting on in September - looking forward to helping with that! Look out for more blog posts about it.

I've been compiling my book wishlist for my third year of my degree (keen I know!) and here it is so far:

Miles Aldridge's coffee table book looks amazing! He photographs fashion images with a hidden, dark twist. In one, a model is eating a salad, which is actually made up of raw meat! Very cool!

Tim Walker's Pictures book has been on my wishlist for ages, but it is super expensive. He has to be my favourite fashion photographer with his fantasy inspired photos. I love images that have a narrative, I'm so bored of seeing studio shots with a model looking moody.

And last but not least, Norman Parkinson's book. After watching a documentary about him I really want to find out more, he seemed like one of the instigators for narrative fashion stories. Amazing photographer. 

What are you reading at the moment and do you have a favourite fashion photographer? 

iPhone Cover Make-over

I've been meaning to do a DIY iPhone case for ages! It's nice to make something that no one else will have!

How to make...a personalised iPhone cover. 

You will need:
-plain iPhone case (you can find one similar here).
-decorations
-super glue (or hot glue gun if you have it).

In my case I had some neon fabric stars left over from a project years ago and thought they would look great against the hot pink case. I bought the case for about £4 on amazon, a great bargain and it looks fab!

I'm really pleased with the outcome of my case! I don't know how long the stars will hold but they seem to be staying put for now.

What do you think? 

Review: Benefit They're Real! Mascara

A few days ago I asked you lovely lot to vote which sample you wanted me to review (in the mean time I have accumulated another one!). 

And you guys chose...Benefit's They're Real Mascara. 

There's been a lot of blogging about Benefit makeup, unfortunately being a student I can't really afford their products right now, so when this came free in a magazine I was pretty chuffed. 

I'm fairly happy with this mascara. I started using it instead of the Maybelline one which I wasn't very impressed with (you can read about why here).

The brush size is average. I'd prefer it was smaller as I find them easier to use (probably because I have the smallest hands ever!).

The colour is a lovely rich black and covers the lashes well.

The product doesn't smudge under the eyes or do that weird bobbly thing at the end of each lash.

The packaging is ok, a bit dull for the Benefit brand I thought. The sample size is perfect for taking on a night out though.

The only down side is that I find this mascara clumps the eye lashes together instead of giving you that gorgeous sixties full lash look. I STILL keep comparing all my mascaras to my Clinique one and they just aren't matching up! So I would say if you're going to spend some cash on a new mascara, go for Clinique!

Do you have a favourite mascara that you can't live without? 

Happy Kitty, Sleepy Kitty, Purr Purr Purr

I was having my regular browse on ASOS and I fell in love with these Cat Print T-shirts!

I especially love the ying yang cat! 

Don't Stop The Party

How amazing did Cara Delevingne look at Cannes!? 

Before

After  

Must have been some night eh, Cara? 

I think it's important that these images get seen, as much as I think Cara is an amazing model. I think young girls need to know how much work goes into making those models look they way they do on red carpets & shoots. And how much post-production is done afterwards. 

Stunning photo!

All images from the Daily Mail website. 

Samples

I have waay to many samples! And I was going to work my way through reviewing them all, but I keep collecting more and it's going to take up to much time.

So, I'm asking you my lovely readers, which one you would like me to review! Vote on the comments below and I will get to it!

Here is the list:

1. Avon Glimmerstick Eyebrow Pencil
2. Avon BB Cream
3. Elemis Fresh Skin Daily Moisturiser
4. Percy & Reed Volumising No Oil Oil (I'm intrigued how this is a no oil, oil?!)
5. ESPA Lift & Firm Intensive Eye Serum
6. ESPA 24-hour Replenishing Eye Moisturiser
7. ESPA Skin Radiance Moisturiser
8. ESPA Refining Skin Polish
9. Phil Smith Argan Hair Oil
10. Benefit they're real Mascara

Vote Now :)

Leibster Award

Thank you to the lovely Kathryn Briggs from the wonderful blog, Bags to Boot, for nominating me for the Leibster Award.

This is the second time I've been lucky enough to receive the award, so not to bore everyone again with more facts about me, I'm just going to answer Kathryn's questions (I'm not sure how many times your mean't to do the whole process but I love reading other people's answers to these kinda questions!)

1. Why did you start blogging?
My uni course recommended it. I'm studying fashion journalism, so my blog is a good sample of my work for prospective employers.

2. If you had to wear only one brand for the rest of your life what would it be?
Oooh tough one! If I had unlimited funds it would be Chanel. Otherwise it would be Topshop.

3.Why did you choose your blog name?
Having dropped out of uni the first time around (long story), when I went back I was a bit older than the rest of my course mates. Plus I don't really like clubbing, and my joints click when I move, so I was nicknamed Granny...

4. What's bee your best moment as a blogger?
Reaching 100 followers for sure. It's lovely to think people are actually reading something you've written. That's the dream for a journalist.

5. What's your favourite song at the moment?
It's still Thrift Shop by Macklemore. Think it sums up my life pretty well, haha!

6. What do you do outside of blogging?
I'm a student, an intern at a magazine and I work in a high street store.

7. Where's your favourite place in the world?
A little beach near where I live.

8. What are your summer plans?
Not much, working on my dissertation proposal, interning and (hopefully) earning enough money to pay the rent.

9. Best thing you ever bought?
Probably my laptop, or the box set of Gilmore Girls (I love that show more than is healthy).

10. Worst thing you ever bought?
Oh I don't know! I often regret buying things but I can't think of anything at the moment.

11.  What's your favourite blog to read?
I do love reading What Olivia Did. She has an amazing sense of style.

Best Of...the TV BAFTAs

All I can say is, WOW Sienna Miller!

Here's my best of the TV BAFTA's outfits.

I love this Matthew Williamson dress! Simple, classy but sparkly! 

Such an elegant line to this dress. I have no idea who she is (Laura Whitmore anyone?), but she sure has style!

As usual Millie Mackintosh from MIC looked amazing! Those shoes are gorge too! 

Whose outfit did you like the best? 

All images from the heat magazine website. 

Review: Clinique Tinted Moisturizer

While I was packing up my uni room I came across some samples that I've never used. One of them was a Clinique Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer with SPF15. I've been thinking about trying a tinted moisturiser as an alternative to foundation; due to my dry skin, so I was really interested to see what the overall effect was. 

I have to say, I looove this product! It's smooth, soft and gives great coverage. It doesn't leave my skin with dry flaky patches and it protects against the sun. The only downside is the consistency, it's quite runny (although this could be just the tester has been sitting around in a box for a while) and could do with a brush or a sponge to be applied. 

I had the sample in the 02 Ivory shade, however, this is way too dark for me. I wore it on a night out to  the pub so it didn't matter so much, but during the day it does look like I've been fake tanning my face. I'm considering buying the full version in the lightest shade possible. It's £21.50 from Clinique, so might have to go on the birthday wishlist!  

Mid May Empties

Spotted: Granny's on trend

I spotted this article while flipping through Marie Clarie this month! I'm on trend! 

Get your matching bag and hat out ladies, frumpy skirts and slippers are all the rage this summer! 

Kissing Giraffes

Evening readers! As you'll know, I'm a sucker for a cute animal print! And what could be cuter than giraffes kissing!

This is a lovely little skirt from Topshop, £38.

If I could wear white without throwing food all over myself then I would be snapping this up. However, I'm going to wait and see if they bring it out in another colour, I would be devastated if I ruined the giraffes by spilling baked beans/chocolate/diet coke down them! (I'm very clumsy!) 

Met Ball 2013 - Hot or Not?

I'm back! Sorry I haven't posted at all over the bank holiday weekend. I was literally just working on my uni projects, but they are all handed in now - second year is over!! I will definitely be blogging a lot more that summer is here!

I'm really looking forward to this summer. I'm interning once a week at the lovely Velvet Magazine, working at a shop and seeing the Rolling Stones in July! Can't wait! 

But onto todays post - this years Met Ball hot or not list! Personally, I thought the outfits at this years event were very strange! Very theatrical or very dull indeed! Here are my thoughts: 

Love Zooey D's look - but I miss the fringe. She suits it so well!

As much as I love Beyonce, I thought her skirt with matching thigh high boots were a bit of an odd choice. And as ever Kristen Stewart looked so happy to be there, jokes. 

SPOTTED - Hair Trend, Colourful Dip Dyes! 

What do you think of what everyone wore?

Ted Baker S/S '13 Competition Entry

Afternoon all! I'm having a little break from essay writing to enter the Ted Baker S/S '13 Competition.

You can win £75 in vouchers, lovely! Find out more here.

With all the lovely sunshine around, I just knew I had to include sunglasses in the combination. I love these Sandeep Wayfarer Sunglasses, so classic! I then headed to the dress section and fell deeply, madly in love with this swan print dress! How gorgeous is the detailing on it?!  This would be the perfect summer dress to wear the office with some chic sandals or wedges. And then came the bag! I love this mock croc handbag and it fits with the "Summer Work Outfit" style. Big enough to carry everything I need and the lining has bulldogs on it! Super cute!

(All items and background pattern by Ted Baker)

H&M Hand in Haul

Had a cheeky haul in H&M after handing in two projects yesterday! I handed in another today, so only one more to go next week and second year is over! I can smell the summer!

This dress is a really nice dusky grey. Love the aztec top and floaty skirt. Grey tends to wash me out but I really wanted a cool dress for this weather, and I think with a bright necklace and bag it will look smashing - and it was a bargain at £14.99.

A bit of a copy of the Topshop rolled sleeve tees, but I love the colour. It's a really vibrant purple. I have so many patterned skirts that I really needed a plain t-shirt to wear them with. I'm sure I'll be buying this in a few colours. £7.99. 

Quick Wishlist

Today I'm just doing a quick wishlist in-between handing in uni work and doing MORE uni work!

Love this cute horse print dress from Topshop, £40. It's a slip dress so I'm not sure if it would suit me or not, but maybe if I add a thin waist belt?

These rings from New Look are so sweet, a set of 4 for £4.99, sounds good to me! 

With the gorgeous weather outside my lips need a new kind of treatment. NARS Pure Sheer SPF Lip Treatment in Greta looks like the perfect nude colour while protecting your lips from those rays. £18.50 available from ASOS.