Monday 29 February 2016

Yorkshire Beauty


Rolling hills as far as the eye can see, forested valleys, stretching moors and silvery vapours drifting over the landscape in the early morning sun; welcome to Yorkshire.

At this time of year, although bitingly cold, the Yorkshire moors are breathtakingly beautiful, showcasing the glory of nature and sheer magnificence akin to Peter Jackson’s portrayal of New Zealand in his Lord of the Rings productions.

Having visited for a funeral, spirits were duly low, but when I encountered the stunning landscapes, I could not help but feel a sort of living presence, pulsing in every aspect of the surroundings, breathing life and energy through me. The crisp air and dewy flowers were intoxicating, as was the river with its thousands of intricate reflections that you could stare into endlessly.
         


Bolton Abbey was by far the most captivating place I visited. In the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, the ruins of a 12th century monastery exist in acres of woodland that are truly staggering and simply must be experienced. We walked for hours through the woods (muddy wellies accompanying) and skipped stones along the mirrored surface, topped off with a bowl (I mean it, it was a bowl) of hot chocolate plus whipped cream plus marshmallows plus sprinkles, and thankfully I didn’t have a coronary! If walking isn’t your thing (it wasn’t mine until I met my boyfriend’s mum!) then there are still places you can visit. There are about 9462 pubs in a 3-mile radius, all of which consist of roaring log fires, engulfing leather armchairs, a monstrously-sized roast dinner and as standard, an adorable pub dog. For afternoon tea, you simply must visit Betty’s Tea Rooms in Harrogate; nearly a century old, it boasts the most delectable cream cakes and extensive collection of tea and coffee (with over 300 breads, cakes and chocolates!). If you want to explore the town, there are hundreds of quaint little shops selling petite homeware bits that are perfect for gift-giving, or try the market in Skipton with thousands of books for sale as well as puzzles, fruit, vegetables and jewellery. There is a great buzz about Harrogate, and when we went we were lucky enough to catch the Pancake Day celebrations, with local radio stations and pancake-tossing competitions aplenty.


Don’t forget all the “Ye Olde Sweetshops” either – with pineapple cubes, rhubarb and custards, bonbons, humbugs, salted liquorice, jelly buttons (how much time have you got?) they have all the old sweets as well as some new!











Tuesday 16 February 2016

Have A Monochrome Moment

With the blossom buds just beginning to bloom, it is time to reap the last of the AW15/16 monochrome trend before SS16 comes in with all its nets, mesh, lightweight denim and lingerie in tow.

I love this combination, as it is simple yet sophisticated, and can easily be transformed from office to evening – just add some winged eyeliner, lashings of mascara and a rich lippy (I advise going for one from this list). Don't forget to dry shampoo your hair for extra volume and to deal with any residual grease (hey, we know you were too busy watching Netflix to wash your hair last night) and voila!

The best thing about this outfit is the price (it totals under £50!) so not only is it sassy and curve-hugging, but it is also affordable for anyone who doesn't have the cash to splash on designers.

Skirt - Primark £6
Turtle-neck top - H&M £5.99
Patent leather boots - H&M £23.99
Layered necklace - Forever 21 £6
Ear cuffs (1 x pearl, 1 x diamante) - New Look £1.99 
Earrings - Aldo £4.99 (Sale)

Tell me what you think of this outfit and don't forget to Tweet/Instagram/FB your monochrome outfit creations - make sure to tag me!


 

Assorted studs - wishbone/cubes/asymmetrical karma set
Primark - £0.50 (Sale)


Wednesday 10 February 2016

February Lipsticks

At this time of year when it is bitterly cold and wintry, we layer up to the max, leaving very little on show from under our chunky knits and parkas. To combat this limited fashion (apart from the various faux fur headbands and leather gloves that I collect in hoards), I like to whip out the statement lipsticks to revitalise my style and stand out from the crowd. Using earthy, rich palettes is ideal and with hues of dark berries, deep merlot and vampy violets, you will be on trend for February 2016. 
Revlon
Chanel
Bourjois

Revlon: Colorburst Lacquer Balm Stain in Whimsical £7.99
Chanel: Rouge Allure collection in no. 116 Envoûtante £26
Bourjois: Rouge Edition Velvet lipstick in Personne Ne Rouge 1 £8.99

Tanya Burr
Collection
L'Oreal Paris
Tanya Burr: Berry Picking Lip Gloss £5.99
Collection: Lasting Colour Lipstick in no. 14 Blackberry Fool £2.99
L'Oreal Paris: Infallible Gloss in no. 202 Gloss me Gorgeous DAZZLE £6.99

Maybelline
Barry M
MUA

Maybelline: Color Sensational Lip Stain in no. 350 Blushing £3.99
Barry M: Gelly Lip Crayon in Sirius 4 £4.99
Make Up Academy (MUA): Matte Lipstick in Scarlett Siren £1


Thursday 4 February 2016

8 Tips For Growing Your Hair

Like many of us, I thought I would be brave and go for the chop, opting to cut off my 17 inches of hair and have a long bob. Although I did love it, come the third week I was pining over my lost locks, considering anything from Sellotape to a stretch-out strap to make it grow. Unfortunately the truth that no hair-grower wants to hear is that once it is off, it will take its sweet time to grow back. However, there is a light at the end of the wind tunnel hairdryer attachment; there are several things you can do to speed up the growth process, all of which are relatively cheap and easy:

1.  Never use a hairband to tie a ponytail or bun; try using a scrunchie; I’ve found that velvet ones work best. The tautness of a regular hairband pulls on your hair and can rip hair from the follicle. A scrunchie is much softer and less aggressive on your scalp, meaning your hair can be up without too much tension put on it. Claire's Accessories do some really sweet ones that you can wear both in the house and as part of an outfit.

All Claire's Accessories at £2.45

2. When drying your hair, avoid using towels as sometimes the coarseness in the fabric can be harsh on thin hair. Instead, try an old t-shirt (I find my Dad’s ones are perfect, as they are extra soft from years of washing) as it is much gentler on the scalp and gives the follicles a rest.

3.  If money is a bit tight but you want to buy a hair treatment, try using things from around the home. One product that works a treat is olive oil. Heat it in the microwave in a microwave-safe measuring jug (or just a mug will do if you can’t find one) for 2-3 minutes. Pour this over the head and leave for 5 minutes to work. Wash it out with lots of shampoo and see your new shiny, healthy locks. Please note, any longer than 5 minutes left on will not make a difference. Oh, and BE CAREFUL as the oil will be hot!

4. Try one hair-wash a week without using shampoo, just use conditioner. The reason for this is that shampoo is effectively a soap, and certain soaps can remove moisture from the hair. This can cause breakages and split ends which means a lack of hydration and ultimately, dry, frizzy hair in bad condition.

5. It sounds obvious but I cannot stress the importance of using a heat protection spray. I like Lee Stafford’s Poker Straight Flat Iron Protection Mist (£6.49) as it works brilliantly and the smell is divine but again, a cheaper option is Superdrug’s Style Expertise Heat Spray at £2.99. Use it every time you blow-dry, rough dry, straighten, curl or even roller your locks to avoid unnecessary stress and damage.

    6. When handling wet hair, it can be a pain to get to a reasonably manageable state, especially if you have thick, curly or knotty hair. Use a children’s detangling spray (L’Oreal are notorious this product but a home-brand also can work well) and spray well before combing. You can also get adult detangling sprays, such as Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl Silkening Detangler (£6.50) but I find children’s ones are more equipped to combat the tantrums that ensue with hair brushing. This helps prevent any (painful) tugging and maximises hydration in the hair that will give a smooth and shiny finish for any hair type.

    7. Following the use of the spray, avoid the temptation to use a hairbrush to get your wet hair ready for blow-drying. Using a hairbrush can yank the hair from the root and take weeks, even months to grow back again. Substitute this with a wide-toothed comb (I think Wilko do one for about 80p) and slowly comb from root to tip in sections. If you have particular difficult or curly unmanageable hair, comb from about 3 inches from the ends of your hair downwards. Repeat this all the way to the section of hair until you get to the roots and can brush downwards in one smooth motion.

8. In the shower, I have a real habit (especially if I am in a hurry) of rushing my hair wash and giving no time or attention to it. Instead, give yourself a lengthy scalp massage, focusing on the roots, the crown and behind your ears when lathering. This stimulates blood circulation which brings more nutrients to your hair roots. Plus, who doesn’t love a cheeky massage?!