A year in review.

So it's painfully evident that my priorities have been a bit misguided when it comes to my blog, but that's life and we move on. I am also very aware that around this time of year so many of us take time out to make online posts about how '2014 is my year' blah blah...but really like Christmas is only just a day, the new year is also just a day away...Yes I know- I have become a bit of a pessimist in my youth, but I think that's just the evidence of reality splashing me in the face. But on from my gloomy outlook, I thought I'd enjoy just one rare moment of online vanity and look back at some moments in the year of 2013 that will be vivid in my memory for many more months and years to come.

Going to the sunshine state of Florida and stopping through the city that truly never sleeps and meeting the man who always makes it wonder if it will "ever be cool" aka Mr Brian McKnight was one of my highlights this year.  As a Brit one is usually depraved from the warmth and sight of the sun, but this year I had the best of both summers- British heat wave temperatures were practically the daily normal temp in Miami, so with what has been a mild winter (in regards to the fact that it hasn't snowed) I cannot complain.

As a creative I am extremely experiencing new levels of passion within the creative/fashion industry and my newest love has been exploring the beauty industry and falling down the rabbit hole of make up...as I'm sure you know I.AM.A.MAC.GIRL.

Food.Drink. Shoes. Music.  That is how I have regarded the 'culture' aspect of my life.

My top 8 albums of the year (random number I know) are below....

-Drake-Nothing was the same-truly the rap/hip-hop genre will never be the same

-Beyonce-The Visual album- if you want to tell the world 'fuck u...' then this is how you do it.

-TGT- Three Kings- these three kings of R&B are blessing us in every way. full stop.

-Brandy- Two Eleven- relationship love letters in the form of music.

-Fantasia- Side Effects of You- another lyrically real album but easy to vibe too.

-R. Kelly- Black panties- twerk/grind/buss it whatever it's R.Kelly

-Rudimental-Home- all I will say is that my neighbours must be happy that I'm moving as my walls have reverberated this album at least twice a week.

Justin Timberlake- if you want to know how to do REAL proper music that is more than air-play worthy then this is how you do it.

There are loads more to add to the list but I wanted to keep this post semi-short (coughs)

And after what has been a roller coaster of year for me, in every way I am grateful for all my experiences and thankful to God for my friends and family who have been with me throughout an interesting year!

I would love to know what your highs/lows have been throughout 2013.

Happy New Year...

(spills her glass...guess some things don't change hehe)

Emerald Passions

As I delve deeper and deeper into research in order to gain knowledge, I find my naïve self-falling further and further down the rabbit’s hole that is make-up. I’ve always been in love with it and wanted to work with make-up. During my spring clean I found scribes of goals and plans that my teenage 13 year old self had written down and it was listed within this order; ‘fashion, make-up and hair’! And like with everything else, as you begin to learn something and gain understanding, you workout your likes and dislikes and the little tricks of the trade that enable you to achieve the results you desire.  Make-up, believe it or not has taught me to be more patient and more thorough with everything in my life. I am also a strong believer that make-up should not be used to hide who you really are, but only enhance the amazing natural beauty that god gave you, so wearing bright colours and shocking shades really wasn’t my thing. I was especially put off when I would see women walking around like they had literally done their make up in the dark- not a good look-believe me!

 However fortunately or unfortunately I have fallen in love with the Sleek ‘i-divine’ eye-shadow palettes. In total I have about 5/13 of the different palettes they have created. The colours are rich, intense and FULL of pigment and they last with or without primer! So I finally decided to take the unnecessary fear out of wearing bright shades and sit down in front my mirror and just practise, and this is what I have come up with. Inspired by Pantones colour of the year I call it

‘Emerald Passions’

For this look I have only just done my eyebrows and eyes, not a full face so please excuse the pores and shiny face lol

Tools Used;

Eyeshadow brush x2

Crease Brush

Blending brush

Eyeliner brush

Baby wipes

Sleek ‘i-Divine’ eyeshadow palette in; 

Ultra matte

Storm

Au Naturel

Mascara

I’ve enjoyed putting this together and I hope you like it, and if you wish to see more posts like this, let me know! Comment, email or tweet me :-)

The Finer Things in Life.

Tea, bed and blog! I simply adore the finer things in life, but nothing gets a smile on my face quicker than a huge endorsement from the simple things too. After a week away from work, I am rejuvenated and refreshed and my creative absorption levels are at an all time high. This has encouraged me to get back to my first love of designing and sewing. My bedroom/studio is piled high with tons and tons of fabric bags and swatches as well as my clothes and darling shoesies, and whilst in the process of my spring clean which is due to end this month, I have finally embarked on deciding to design and sew my first collection. YAY!

It drives me mad with frustration when I realise I’ve spent half my wages on clothes, knowing that I have the desired skill and understanding to make the stuff myself. Not forgetting to mention that I have a mannequin, sewing machine AND an OVERLOCKER gathering dust in my studio. It really is time to face up to my fears and get designing. It will only mean that I’ll have more money to spend on shoes, bags and jewels…unless I learn to make them too-then I’d only have to pay for food and travel! Ah BLISS!!! Not to use my creative goal as an excuse, but if my posts seem sparse or in fact rare, don’t be mad I’m only working on putting myself out there in this big world of ours. I will do my absolute hardest to keep you updated,for those of you on twitter; keep up with my design movements by tweeting #creativegoals , and I will also be posting my inspirational findings via pintrest. 

Varsity bomber jacket/cream zip jumper/varsity tee/denim gilet/leather gilet/printed scarf all Topshop,
 jewellery-Primark, Purse-TKMAXX, MAC, Seventeen, Black Up Cosmetics, Clutch-H&M

So with that massive announcement out on the world-wide-web, I can only go forward (even though I can easily delete this posting, I’d have deleted it knowing that you out there would have read it, and be anxiously awaiting to see what I have produced-and I’m not a cruel person). Yes so with that announced, here are my purchases in the last ninety days or so featuring clothes, make-up, shoes and accessories etc. Over the next few weeks my ‘purchase posts’ will change as I will be swapping the clothes buying for fabric shopping instead.  Whilst photographing for this post, I looked around at the items and noticed I hadn’t bought a single pair of shoes. In true ‘shoeaholic style’ it had been conveniently wiped from my memory that indeed I had purchased three pairs of shoes…phew considering as I was looking forward to spoiling myself in the asos sale for such resilience hehe 

I picked up a lot of things I wouldn’t normally consider to wear, like a WHITE varsity t-shirt (white and my hips aren’t friends), but I’ve fallen in love with it-definitely getting it in the black! (Topshop Varsity T-shirt £20)

Emerald green according to Pantone (only like the worlds leading colour experts, if you didn’t know!) is the colour for 2013 ‘lively. Radiant. Lush, a colour ofelegance and beauty that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony”. With that being said this choice of a cut-out midi dress in emerald green with leopard print seemed ideal as I do consider myself to be lively, radiant, lush and now with this print….fierce! Meow!!!!

I’ve found injecting colour, texture and print into my wardrobe of late to be quite easy. And stores like asos and topshop have made it even simpler by designing basic pieces but in mouth-watering colours and prints, like this ‘blood orange borderline tomato red’ pencil skirt. Shoe wise I fell in love with these uber comfortable tan wedges similar to the libertine pair and of course lassie. Now I was a bit put off as I thought they were a bit ‘orthopaedic’ and not in a good way, but after ample sessions of trying them on, both with painted nails and with them only being a fiver I just couldn’t resist. I had an impromptu shopping trip and picked up some fab ab jewels from ‘Primarni’ and this gorgeous purse from TKMaxx in a lovely lime green/yellowy colour.

Beauty wise I picked up what was only on my shopping list; MAC concealer and blot powder, gosh velvet touch lipstick in ‘romantic’, and ‘dolled up mascara in black brown’ from Seventeen for only two quid!! A treat from boots for being an advantage points customer. I’ve had my eye on the MAC ‘colour corrector palette’ for a while as seen on my wishlist. But whilst in Debenhams I came across the ‘Black Up Cosmetics’ stand, and I remember watching Chanel Boateng talking about them, so I picked up the colour corrector from them instead-but I have a ‘beauty box review’ post coming up so will spill the beans all in that.

So I look forward to hearing more from you all my lovely readers and I warn you now…watch this creative space!!!

Spring Clean part 1

Usually Spring cleans are massive clear-outs or deep cleans of ones living/work environment, when you take the awful task of taking the bin liner into the garage and empty out all that you don't use or need anymore! I will be taking up this ritual of 'spring cleaning' my bedroom/studio. But I also thought it appropriate to do the same with my beauty box, replace or buy new products to enhance my skincare routine. I've had great fun doing this; and above is a picture of some of the products I have purchased or already use. I have loved Sanctuary Spa Covent Garden products for a long time, and I used to consider them to be slightly out of my price range for bath/shower products, however of recent times I've discovered the need to use products that simulate a spa experience. My hectic schedule doesn't always allow me to go to the spa or sauna every month so I thought I would 'cheat' and get the products they use and spoil myself with spa products on a daily basis.

Mini Review;

I purchased the body lotion, massage oil, body shower and soap scrub and the hip and thigh massage brush. I LOVE nearly everything except the body lotion; I find it too thin a lotion for me personally and would like to get the body butter instead as I prefer the consistency of that product. I used them all as soon as I got home from work, and after a luxury 45 minute shower, I stepped out feeling like a new woman, skin super super soft, clean and just a general sense of relaxation; I really did feel like I had, had a session with Frederick my Swiss masseuse and my skin had the results of both a spa and sauna like experience.  

Make-up wise, I'm a MAC girl-when it comes to my foundation base, and have been now for the last three years. Their products match my skin-tone perfectly and are good quality, plus I love the whole experience of going to the counter and getting your face made up. Today I got an upgrade on my liquid foundation from SELECT COVER UP to STUDIO FIX which is amazing!!! It lasts for up to 15 hours and is versatile as it allows you to build up coverage or just have a light base.

Also the latest addition to my beauty box is a new set of make-up brushes from Crown. It has been said by runway make-up artists that 'the product can cost hundreds, but if your tools are cheap then your make up will look cheap too'. So I am very happy with my Luna 517 15 piece set. The brushes are uber soft, easy to clean and very good quality with no shedding whatsoever. 

I've always been a beauty junkie, but have been slow to release my inner beauty goddess, but having this spring clean has helped getting ready in the mornings easier on tremendous levels.