OOTD/N - Leopard lovin'

An easy and colorful outfit for those hot summer days - And nights!

I wore this a few weeks back to a friends BBQ and thought it a great example of how to channel summer trends in a slightly more subtle way.
This top I purchased at the end of summer sales last year, for a good price in awear. I personally have great luck with their sales - and usually come away with something trendy or versatile.

I actually have this on backwards as there is a zip detail on the intended front, which I don't particularity like. However the back straps make for a more interesting 'cut-out' style when worn this way. The colourful lepard print makes this top a summer essential and a statement for the outfit.

I have it teamed with this black demin shorts from Urban Outfitters. These strap sandals and neon clutch both from pennys. Both are bang on trend this summer and when they are cheap as chips in pennys everyone can follow even the trends while saving some dosh!

-Cliona 

GIRLS NIGHT- IN #Sleepoverclub

Calling all lovers of girly nights!
Full of face-masks, girls only chatter and enough nail varnish to send you psycho!

So last Thursday I called up my girls for a night in. Sometimes the indulgent nights are much needed, especially when we all have such busy and different lived. Not that cocktails and talking until the small hours helped out lives in the grand scheme of things! But gave us a momentary break from reality and the big bad world outside.
I feel as though sleepover are both a tradition and religion with duvets, pillows and legs sprawled all across my room. Taking us back to the younger days when we first became friends.
I don't know what it is -  that talking, really late at night dose, but it is defiantly only a luxury shared with close friends. Time that is sacred and secret between you.

As part of our girlie night we had face-masks and manicured. We got a range of different types, mostly from superdrug and some others from boots. They are a beauty bargain at only 1.25 each!

I tried this calming floral mud mask. It was for normal to dry skin with soothing and hydrating properties, perfect for my combination skin.

It is a white coloured clay that was easily applied. I felt as though there was quite a lot of  product in the sashay, covering my skin in a thick enough layer with some to spare.
We left the masks on for about 15-20 mins when we could feel then clay drying and tightening on the skin. The best way to remove the masks is with warm water and a face cloth. After the mask my skin felt soft, refreshed and had a healthy pink glow.

We also engaged in a make-up sech. Below is another dear friend of mine, Emma. Being dolled up! 

Sorry, the flash was a little bright. 

And some more pictures of our night - Just for fun!

Some homemade (and Tesco helped) Cocktails 

Halloween Calllin'

Necessities 

Mermaid Manicures & All important slippers. Even when its 25 Degrees! 

What is you favorite part of a girly night?

- Cliona 

FESTIVAL SERIES : Essentials Checklist

Heading off to a festival this summer?
Here is my essential checklist for all your festival needs to make the
weekend as easy and comfortable as possible. 

• ·         ID

Might sound obvious but you will need photo ID, its dosn't matter who you are, who you know or how old you think you look – just bring the ID. Its not worth the time or hassel to be questioned or refused from something

• ·         Ticket

Another obvious one but people always manage to forget the most basic of things. And it would be a real sickener to miss out because you forgot a piece of paper!

• ·         Money:

I think its easy yo for get as I never really tend to carry cash. Make sure you are prepared. You’ll need food, want drinks and emergency money. Oh did I mention of drinks?

• ·         Wellie-boots 

If its anywhere in Ireland, England or even parts of Europe you are almost guaranteed at least ONE SHOWER. And the ground will become soft as thousands of people trek over the grass. You might feel silly wearing them on the bus if its hot but I think they are a must. You will not regret bringing them!

• ·         Camping essentials

Tent, sleeping bag, foam mat, torch, masking/duct tape, bin bags.

• ·         Hygiene essentials
  
  Hand sanitizer, toilet paper, dry shampoo, deodorant, body-mist, hair/tooth brush MOUTH WASH, wet wipes!

• ·     Space blanket, , first aid kit, plasters just in case  First-aid tents are always busy and small things can be dealt with easily.

I hope this checklist is useful whether you're a first time festival goer,
or an annual addict!
And let me know if I forgot anything. Happy camping!  More of the festival series coming soon!

-Cliona 

OOTD - Strips and Sass

This look is my ultimate 'tried and tested' and 'fool-proof' go-to outfit!

Its so easy to pull off this look and suits almost everyone and every occasion. 

Here I've teamed this black and white striped crop top with this pencil skirt, both from forever21.

You could say its drawing on the monochrome trend that's popular at the moment,
I like to think its Parisian inspired. Especially teamed with the red lipstick which is R.E.D by MAC and the nail rails which is catrice.
These heeled sandals are so ladylike and simply. When I wear them I feel like I've stepped off the set of sex and the city despite they are a primark/pennys bargin!
And my Marc by Marc B bag is years old but reliable to upgrade any look.

Alternatively you could team this with neutral lips and some neon accessories to be bang on trend for summer 2013.

So if you are stuck for an outfit, its so easy to just grab that reliable black dress - but for a bit more personality to your outfit just take stripes and add SASS! 

Cliona

OOTD - Hurrah to the wardrobe basics and 90's grunge

Hurrah to your wardrobe basics and 90's inspired grunge today!

So today I just threw some pieces together that I think are essential to your wardrobe and it turned out to have a sort of grunge inspired feeling!

Every girl should have a good supply of white tee-shirt. So versatile and easy to dress up and down. I do recommend something of good quality that will last. This one is from primark/pennys but is quite think and good for this in-between sort of weather. Its a super fine knit that has a bobble or grained effect.
If you buy from primark/pennys dont expect too. If you 3 to 6 euros thats roughly the amount of washed it can take before looking sickly, grey and worn. Try H&M for quality and reasonable prices.

Secondly are my blue jeans. These are a real bargain at just 15euro! Again from primark/pennys.
You cant beat a good pair of blue jeans. Not only are they a flattering colour for most body types they are so wearable!

Black is the new black!
Always a reliable. These black gilets are bang on trend right now!
 This one if from Forever21 and was just 25euro! It has a 'real leather' feel!
Its super handy and have gotten loads of wear from it already. And is a great basic for the wardrobe and a transitional piece for the seasons.

I feel like its a nod to the grunge trend that's hot at the moment.

Teamed with this bag I got in primark/pennys months ago the silver hardware matches the gilet perfectly. I think it was about 11euro. I love this bag its holds everything! And a black bag is one of the most useful items you can have - infinite wear for money.
However I have it 'clashing' with this gold watch and chain from Forever21. And the gold accent on my heeled pumps from primark/pennys they were 13euro.

So this is my basic outfit of the day, with a slight not to the grunge trend at the moment. Easy wear, comfortable and trendy for any day style! 

Cliona 

Review : Benefits BrowZings

Packaging or BrowZings. New at the top. and compleatly empty at the bottom

BrowZings is benefits wonder eyebrow kit. It containing both a tinted gel and setting powder. Available in light, medium and dark to suit your colouring or preference. It also comes with a miniature tweezers, angle brush and rounded power brush.

For me, eyebrows are a make-up must. I wouldn't go anywhere without my eyebrows 'done'. And this is the perfect combination brow kit.

I have naturally faint eyebrows of fair brown hairs but prefer mine much more defined and darker. I've used both the medium and light kits. Both preform to expected perfection as I would expect noting less from benefits renowned cosmetics

Before and after. Note more definition and colour. 

The consistency of the gel is one of the best I've tried. The pigmentation is strong but not so much so as though you could make a large and regrettable mistake. The colouring dose not tint your eyebrows in any permanent manor and can be easily removed with a make-up wipe if desired look is not achieved. If I ever tend to 'overdo' them ( personally I never think this but friends honesty is priceless!) You can reduce the colour by removing the excess product with a dry cotton pad or bud.

As mentioned the kit comes with a tweezers and two brushes. The tweezers are quite strong and although small and a little fiddly, the neatness of them allow for exact extraction. I do not recommend plucking your eyebrows if you've never had them shaped, if they are unruly or before you intend on going somewhere as you may have redness or swelling in the area, even watering eyes - spoiling your make-up.

The brushed contained are good for small brows and fine hair. I do use them when touching up my make-up during the day but prefer to use a long handle Revlon angel brush with I purchased at superdrug for 8.50.

I have been using regular matt brown eye shadows to fill in my brows for a few years now, have tried penciles, and 'eyebrow shadows' but my favourit product has to be BrowZings! Something that is always in my make-up bag and a must have item for any cosmetic craving gal


Cliona