Christmas come-down...

So Christmas has come and gone in a big food and alcohol fuelled flurry, and as a result of the latter it all seems like a hazy dream- wicked good fun though. Bring on the next one!!!

I got some lavely pressies too! In truth I did choose (and even buy) most of them but there were a few items that I wasn't expecting :) I plan to post up most of the clothes I got over the rest of the holiday...

This jumper came from a charity shop. I love massive wooly jumpers and you can throw them over anything creating and easy and effortlessly cool look. They also have the great benefit of keeping you warm, which is vital at the moment.

This t-shirt is from Therapy (in the House of Fraser). Slouchy tees are another favourite of mine and I love the colour of blue on this one. Therapy has certainly turned itself around in the last year.

I went sale shopping today and was very disappointed as I didn't find anything! I don't really need anything but still not even seeing one item that caught my eye was very uninspiring. Although the Asos sale was looking good and I found a few things, but I feel that shopping on the net will never be as good as rummaging around in a shop.

Love and serenity,

Gracie

x

You must try this...

While I was aimlessly wandering through the internet the other I came across the new Virtual Make-over Tool on the Topshops website. Click the link below to try it...
http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CatalogNavigationSearchResultCmd?catalogId=33057&storeId=12556&langId=-1&viewAllFlag=false&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=208495&beginIndex=1&pageSize=20&interstitial=true

Most of these internet make-over tools are quite frankly awful, especially the hair style trying ones, however Topshop's one lets you try out the whole of their make up range on a photo of your choice. Very simple. I would love to put up a before and after shot but my computer isn't letting me- irritating.

The photo above is a little blurry but I wanted to show off my lavely new nail varnish that my lavely flatmate kindly got me for Christmas. I, and the majority of my girl mates, have been lusting over this colour for quite some time now. It's "Poison Ivy" from the Topshop range and it's a beauty: elegant but not too over the top and very, very Christmassy!

There are many gorgeous items I have my beady little eyes on at the moment but most of them are a little pricey so I'm waiting until after Christmas in the hope that they will all be in the sales when I will pounce and splash all of my xmas dosh. But... I want these sooo bad. I may just buy them now, but then if I see them in the January sales I may kill myself. Can I wait???

Good tidings,
Gracie x

Back on track...

Urgh. So I'm a bit irritated with myself for totally failing in blogging the past few months. I'm not sure why I didn't, I think that when I wanted to write I didn't have the time or my computer was on the blink (don't get my started on my computer) and when I had the time I had a total block of inspiration. But I'm sorting myself out now and I plan to write lots about lots coz I think it's good for me old noggin'.

Anywho, I wanted to take some photographs and as its all snowy (I know, you're probably sick of people talking about snow...) I thought I'd venture into my garden. Its funny, I don't really do winter clothes- I don't think many people do. At the end of every summer I say "ooh I better buy some winter clothes" knowing full well that I'll probably end up purchasing shorter things than I would've in summer but I think as long as you've got a lovely big coat (or a collection of lovely big coats) to throw over the top as well a plenty of what I call "christmas jumpers" it doesn't really matter what you wear...as long as you don't moan of being cold- you wear the short dress in -2 deal with the freezy draft.

I really do love winter. And I do love the snow, I like the way it dampens all sounds so that when you wake up or walk in a wood everything is silent. When it snows I look about four times more ginger and I become rubbish at hide and seek...

I also love how everyone interacts at this time of year. People are genuinely happy, or a the very least content, and people take a little bit of extra time to be pleasant and kind with one another. Little people are also very, very happy and I love to see their excitment. Also you get to drink, lots and lots of drink and merryness...

A little extra peace and love,

Gracie

x

Huzzah Topshop!

A couple of weeks ago I was desperately searching for a berry/cherry lip stain to no avail. I had checked EVERYWHERE and had pretty much given up. However I was having a mooch in the Topshop in Brighton (now my local and I love it) and what should I see upon the new makeup stand but a “Lip Marker”. All excited I whipped the lid off the tester and tried it on my hand and bingo, my search was over, I had found my lip stain. It wasn’t £20+ either! - it was £7.50 and I used my student discount card too. In the photos it looks a little more red and a little less “berry” than in real life- but I adore it. Happy Happy. AND on Tuesday the Topshop in Brighton is holding a student with 20% of so I’m gonna use it as a good opportunity to spend some dough late night shopping. Really loving Primark as well at present- it has some really “edgey” stuff.

Peace,

Gracie

x

Busy, busy, busy...

It’s been an absolute age since I lost posted on here! A lot has happened and I’ve been dying to jot something down but I’ve been super busy; I moved down to Brighton a week and a half ago (it’s gone so quickly!) and I’m absolutely loving it. I feel so comfortable here that I haven’t really missed home at all- I feel no different, weird?! I’ve met some amazing people and done some amazing things already and just really “loving life” at the moment.
I’m going to post up all the cool places, and people, I find in the wonderful and inspiring town. Oh and I’m enjoying the actual university studying bit too- keep forgetting I’m here to do work!
There is an American Apparel here, which is bad because it’s full of beautiful things and I really want the trousers in the photo below but they are expensive. Treat myself? Oh go on then.

Another thing I’m loving currently in Mumford and Sons’ “White Blank Page”. It’s providing me with much solace at the moment.

Peace, Love and Serenity,

Gracie
x

Products to rave about...

A few things recently have really caught my attention for being fabulous and I think they deserve some recognition.
First up is Rimmel London’s “60 seconds” nail varnish with “express brush” for one second application... since the beginning of time, or at least the invention of nail varnish, cosmetics companies have promised fast drying and easy to apply polish for your nails but , in my experience, few rarely deliver on these promises. However, all is not lost as Rimmel London’s “60 seconds” nail varnish with “express brush” does exactly what it says on the tin. The shape of the brush means that the varnish gets spread evenly over the entirety of your nail without creating little messy reservoirs of paint at the sides of your nail where its meets the skin. It dries quickly too so you aren’t confined to your seat for about 5 minutes after you’ve painted your nails for fear of transferring it to the walls, the carpet or your outfit for the night. You really can put this nail varnish on in a rush (even the tricky other hand!). I’m currently loving it in “805 Grey Matter”- it looks unfussy, clean and elegant.
Aha I’ve just realised my next rave is about another Rimmel London product, they should be paying me right?!
“Colour show off lipstick”... I must admit I was a slave to advertising with this product. I saw the advert on the TV and instantly thought “I WANT that lipstick”; thank god I’m not like that for every advert on TV! I bought it in “230 Red Fever” (wearing it in the photo) which is a proper vampy shade- I love it so much but I’ve only really started to wear it regularly since I had my teeth whitened as the colour is so intense it seemed to make them look really yellow? Not so cool. But yeah this lipstick has the perfect balance between matte and gloss and if you apply it once, wear it a bit and then reapply it a little later it has staying power that will last the whole night...and the morning too if you forget to take it off.
It is definitely worth checking out the Rimmel London site, it has some cool tips and competitions:
http://www.rimmellondon.com/UK/home.aspx

Finally, the last products I discovered after going to a demo at The House of Fraser. Aveda “Pure Abundance” volumizing shampoo and volumizing clay conditioner are what I would call “miracle products” (I do not use that term lightly people!). I haven’t had my hair cut for going on a year now but it’s only recently that the ends have started to look noticeably ratty. At this demo I was given generous samples of these products to try out and no word of a lie they made my hair look and feel as though it had just been cut (and it has actually persuaded me to go and get a real hair cut). My hair had natural volume, looked shiny and the ends looked just like the rest of my hair- healthy. These products are expensive for what most people would spend on shampoo and conditioner but they really work. I was lucky enough to be given two £10 off vouchers for Aveda products and I know exactly what I’m gonna use them for...

Camera is broken (for absolutely no reason) which makes me so sad, but there is a chance that I’ll get a better camera out of it if they can’t fix the problem...please don’t be able to fix it!

Peace and Love,
Gracie

Making a home from home...

So I’m off to Brighton Uni in the next couple of weeks and I’m buzzing with excitement! I keep getting emails from the uni telling me what I need to get done before I get there, what to do on my first day, what to bring and, of course, details of fresher’s week (partypartyparty)- it seems like a bit of an information overload and I’ve made millions of list to try and get my head round it all. It’s a good amount of being thrown in at the deep end.
Yesterday I did a bit of shopping for bedding and towels and that; I took full advantage of the Primark that’s just opened in Guildford and got everything super cheap. Even though it was packed as it had pretty much just opened its doors, it was really spacious and well set out unlike most Primarks where you feel like you might not make it out alive. One thing I’m really conscious about at uni is making my little room feel like my own as they’re obviously really bland when you get them. I’m someone who likes their environment to be visually inspiring and appealing so I went for bright colours and striking patterns. I got pink towels- I’m not really a pink-loving person but I thought it would brighten up a plain white bathroom and my duvet cover is rather garish to say the least but it was in the sale so I’m not complaining. I think living in Brighton is gonna be pretty full on so why not have a room that matches that?
I wanted to get some clothes and random bits and bobs for me, but we ran out of time (I did manage to get a couple of things, the dress in the photo is one of them) I’m going shopping with my boyfriend in the week so I’ll splash the cash then.

And if anyone reading this is from Brighton, or goes there a lot, let me know of the in and outs of Brighton life and any good places you’ve found to hangout. Ta!

Loves,
Gracie

A girl’s best friend...

I’m talking make up. That title perhaps makes me sound a little image obsessed, but there’s something about putting on your face that makes the world easier to tackle; maybe it’s symbolic of control- ooh deep!
Anyway of course it’s not just ladies that like a bit of slap... it’s becoming more socially acceptable for blokes of all walks of life to wear makeup, and why not? I’ve always thought it was unfair that girls get to cover up spots and blemishes and make themselves feel better about their appearance and guys just have deal with it, especially in the teenage years. Male trends such as “guyliner” and the recent “androgynous” look have paved the way for man-makeup but like most fashions its roots go back into the past, most noticeably the eras of The Bright Young Things and The New Romantics. So I guess it would be more appropriate to title this entry as “Everyone’s best friend...”
I wanted to show you a couple of makeup items that look promising for next season and which I hope to spend my cash on...
Maxfactor smoky eye effect eye shadow £7.99 @ Boots... I’ve actually already tried to get this but they’d run out in the colour I wanted (Onyx Smoke) which suggests it’s a hot product. I will get it though!

The Swiss collection by Opi looks so unbelievably good. I love nail varnish to provide a coverage and finish that looks like you were born with that nail colour, and Opi ticks that box. But at £9.95 a pop from Asos I’m gonna have to pick my colours carefully... I’m loving “Just a little Rosti at this” and “Cuckoo for this Colour”
I like my skin to look matte and I feel after extensive testing from expensive brands to cheap ones that Maxfactor Colour Adapt gives the best effect (I use it in Creamy Ivory) it seems to lat forever too so great value for money. I often use L’oreal Paris’ Matte Morphose as a base coat as it just even my skin tone perfectly (in Rosy Ivory).

When it comes to powder I use so much I just buy the cheapest I can find. At the moment I’m using Collection 2000 in Ivory and it gives really good coverage and it last too.
I used to have the most amazing blusher that came in some make up set I got as a present. It was really rosy and shimmery and when it ran out I was worried I wouldn’t be able to find anything as good but Bourjois Little Round Pot Blusher in Rose is perfect- very English rosey!

Finally, I’m desperate for a cherry lip stain that doesn’t cost £20! My friend used to have one when we were little and I just wish I had it now! Does anyone know of such a product?!

Off to Camden later for a friends gig and to see my brother- very excited- then off to the boat again tomorrow.

Peace and Love,
Gracie

A hidden gem...

One rainy (and rather miserable) day a couple of weeks ago whilst I was holidaying on the Isle of Wight, my mum and I attempted to go to a vintage shop that we’d passed on the bus. Unfortunately it only opened on Fridays and Saturdays- so typical. I wouldn’t have minded so much however when you peered through the shop window a beautiful sight met your eye: A mass of vintage clothing spanning the decades of the 30s through to the 80s, from day wear to evening gowns.

The other great thing that made me so excited but also very gutted that the shop wasn’t open was the range of sizes. More often than not vintage shops and vintage sections only have very large sizes or very small sizes. It’s as if the sizes in between disappeared with the era. To make matters worse I was leaving a couple of days later so I wouldn’t be able to go back and get inside for a good rummage! My mum did promise that she would go back on Friday and I got a text the other day saying she’d stayed in there for an hour and bought two 50’s skirts and a mini dress- I cannot wait to see them! I just hope they fit. The shop was called Oh so vintage and they have a website (www.oh-so-vintage.co.uk) but I don’t think it does the shop itself justice so if you’re ever around Newport on the IOW check it out...but only on a Friday or Saturday!

I go back on the boat around the second half of next week and I really hope my parents have managed to sail to Totnes in Devon. Totnes has the most amazing vintage shops and a lovely way of life so I hope to report back with news of sunshine and wonderful buys!
I think summer might have come back too.
Pictured one of my best vintage buys: a “Crosby, Stills and Nash” baseball tee which I bought from Oxfam (vintage section) for about a fiver- I love it.

Loves,
Gracie.

Autumn 2010...

I’m not one you’ll often catch wishing away the summer but, please, bring on autumn! Us fashion followers are in for a real treat next season as a deluge of gorgeous trends floods our way. From capes to leather skirts to sheepskin and evening trousers I can honestly say I am very excited for the autumn months. Another plus side for me is that I have many of the key pieces in my wardrobe! Which does mean that I won’t really need to go shopping but it proves the longevity of these items.
On the catwalk: I’m especially loving Burberry Prorsum for the aviator jackets (as well as pretty much everything else!) and D&G for the knitwear and colours. Back in my budget range (and probably yours too) Asos is on top form as per usual, as is Miss Selfridge and Topshop...

I want this so bad it hurts... Topshop £70

And this... Miss Selfridge £45

And this for keeping you warm in the autumn months- there's something so incredibly sexy about a nude slip, perhaps Atonement is to blame? Topshop £18

The overall effect of these trends as singular pieces or combined, is that everyone looks so smart and powerful in a comfy and cosy sort of way- perfect for those chilly winds and wet pavements.
A great thing about next seasons must-haves is that they a fairly universal. Everyone, regardless of size, colouration or personal style can pull them off. One piece that needs to be approached with a little caution is the leather skirt; take the time to find a perfect one for you or you may end of looking like a...ahem hooker or just quite simply bad.

And the make up? A new word needs to be invented for the autumn make up- I love it! It’s so sassy with the red or dark lips and smoky eyeliner. Lush.
One trend I personally think I’ll side step: A line skirts- I just don’t think they love me.

Peace and Serenity,

Gracie

Bon voyage...

Last night my friend had a party to say a goodbye to everyone as she’s leaving to spend a year in Peru working in an orphanage. It was an amazing, boozy and very colourful night but the reason for holding the party was in the back of my mind- I cannot believe I’m not gonna see her for a whole year! Anyways it was around the world/gap yahh fancy dress theme so everyone was dressed up and they all looked so good. I went as a Russian mail order bride (not sure of the thinking behind that?). I wore a black wig and no one recognised me- people didn’t come up and say “hi” at first as they had no idea who I was. People said it really suited me to the point where it was frightening...



All in all it was a brilliant night and I hope it was the send off Claire wanted. I’ll miss her to pieces but I know she’ll do good over there and I’ll be here for when she gets back. The other weird thing is what will have changed by the time she gets back- a lot can happen in a year!

Peace and love,
Gracie

Holiday part 2- a festival of garlic...

Yeah so we were looking for things to do each day and on Sunday we decided to go to The Garlic Festival. We really weren’t expecting much. Anyway after the most traumatic bus journey of my life (it is not acceptable to change your toddlers nappy on a crowded bus) we arrived at a massive festival at which was the majority of the Isle of Wight’s residents- it was packed. Garlic featured very little considering the festival’s name. We headed straight to the beer tent to regather ourselves after the bus journey then we had a go at archery and loved it so much we’re planning on setting up our own archery in the garden (don’t worry we have a long garden).
The following day we went to The Needles to do some good old fashion sightseeing. The weather was beautiful and I just loved chilling out and snapping some pictures...

Me doing so archery.
The garlic beer I bought- I left it on the boat :(

Needly Deedly...

"To the wind that blows, the ship that goes and the girl who loved a sailor"

Gracie

Holiday part 1- making the transition...

So last week I went to join my parents on their boat for a little holiday. Due to poor weather they’d only managed to sail to Newport on the Isle of Wight- the plan is to get much further west. To reach them I had to get a ferry from Portsmouth to Ryde (very much enjoyed asking for a “ticket to Ryde”!) I truly believe the sea is in my blood and it’s very easy and rather exciting/inspiring for me to make the transition between a land lubber and a seasoned sailor. So here are some photies of the first couple of days of my holiday...

With it being this sunny I couldn’t wait to get to the boat! Snapping while I was on the ferry...


Hanging with the locals at The Spyglass Inn in the Ventnor...I couldn’t believe people were swimming in the sea, I was freezy!


Went for a ride on a steam train...and ate lots a cream teas yummy!

“here’s to swimming with bow-legged women”

Gracie

Over the moon...

I've been on holiday for the past week, which is why I haven't updated anything. But I've got lots to show/tell you so I put that up in the next couple of days...Anyway to todays issue, one that many are dealing with and that's A level results! Thankfully it appears my friends and I got everything we needed to go to the unis we had our hearts set on- which means I'm heading to Brighton eeeeeeeeee! To anyone who didn't get what they wanted, don't give up it's really not as black and white as everyone makes out. Phone up the uni and see if they'll still take you and if that doesn't work just take a different route to what you want to do- it may be quicker or even leader you to a better place. Worse things have happened at sea. I also got a lovely call from my boyfriend who's in St. Lucia- his little brother had just hit him with a paddle so his front teeth were badly chipped: typical. But they're all fixed now. I'm missing him but I'm celebrating results with my friends tonight so all's well that ends well.

More soon,

General happiness and well wishes,

Gracie

Oh new look up on Lookbook- check it.

I love jewellery, but jewellery doesn’t always love me.

I love wearing jewellery but my budget, like most people my age, does not allow for expensive, bespoke pieces and so I have to make do with the cheap (well cheapish) version from high street shops. I’m not complaining as I feel that high street shops do well to supply the masses with interesting and cutting edge pieces at a reasonable price. However unfortunately my skin type subjects such jewellery to extreme oxidation and I’m left with ugly brown rings, necklaces and bracelets that smell of rust. Well I though all was lost until a few years back when my friend told me that she coats her cheap jewellery in clear nail varnish. I couldn’t believe there was such an easy answer but it works so well! I now coat most of my jewellery in clear nail varnish and I have a few tips for you if you should decide to do the same...

~Coat the ring or pendant on one side first, place it down on the unvarnished part and leave to dry, then do the other side.
~Use smooth brush strokes that go in the same direction.
~If you haven’t got time to do the whole thing just focus on the parts that are in main contact with your skin.
~ Repeat the process whenever you see/feel the varnish is wearing thin- the length of time it lasts depends upon your skin type, the kind of varnish and how often you wear the item.
~necklace chains can be tricky and time consuming to coat so I suggest buying a couple of more expensive chains and putting your pendants on those.
~I wouldn’t recommend doing all your jewellery at once as the varnish can make you go a little light headed.
~And I wouldn’t recommend that you do expensive jewellery- expensive jewellery shouldn’t need this.
Hope that’s helpful...

This is what happens to my jewellery if I don't varnish them- I didn't varnish this ring until it was too late but I love it so much and the face is still silver so I varnish it to stop it getting worse.

I use 17 nail varnish as it's not too gloopy and it's cheap.

Peace and Love,
Gracie

A temperate climate...

British weather and British fashion go hand in hand. If you wake up to glorious sunshine you can guarantee that by mid afternoon it will be rainy...or even snowy! Because we can experience all four seasons in one day British fashion followers must prepare themselves for all eventualities and this results in unique mix and match outfits. You will often see short shorts and a skimpy top teamed with wellies and a big angora jumper or a pretty floral dress with a massive coat over the top. These combinations allow us to go about our everyday lives, despite the unpredictable weather, in comfort and style- we look laid back yet high fashion.
In these photos I’m wearing my favourite parker coat, a sixties style dress, suspender tights (which I ripped the day I got them, £8 down the drain!) and brown boots. This outfit is perfect for going on a walk to the pub where I can sit down with my friends and a pint and enjoy the lovely (if rather changeable) British weather.

Peace,

Gracie