I'm a hipsta too

Yes, I'm one of those dicks who has succombed to the Hipstamatic app. Been addicted for a while, but not posted my snaps on here before - it's very predicatable, no? But I thought the lovely colours matched the vintage shade of my nails.
This is the first try of my Wah! for Model's Own Nail Pen, and I'm seriously impressed. Great pigment, easy to use (on my left hand) and the level of control over dot/line size is good. I don;t think I devised this design... I'm sure I've ripped if off from somewhere but I can;t for the life of me remember who/where. Sorry if it's you - please let me know so I can credit you!
The polish is Collection 2000 Mint Mojo - streaky, watery and with a pretty naff brush (thick bristles = patchy coverage) but for the price (£1.79) what do you expect?

Swan takes flight

It's out!
Jon bought me one of the amazing La Boca posters I blogged about here for Christmas, so I HAVE to like this film or I'll be adorning my walls with lies, like a tit I once men who was wearing a Ramones T-shirt and had no idea it was a band. Acid bath.

Bring on Spring: footloose and fancy free

Topshop's Natalia Metal Beaded Wedges have inspired me. I will now launch a regular feature called Bring on Spring, where I will showcase all the things I can't wait to wear when the weather turns warmer, that are stupidly already in the shops, and will be sold out by the time I actually need/can afford them, because there are many more fiscally sound and forward planning people out there than myself.
Seriously, in times of such austerity, who can afford to buy somthing now that they won't be able to wear for another three months?

You can't always get what you want

My love for Lauren Conrad is not undocumented on these pages... nor is it particularly original, edgy or fashion forward. That said, I would be lying if I didn't admit, I ask myself 'What would Lauren do' more often than I reach for the divine intervention of the Olsens, who I always thought were my ultimate style icons. Which is why I loved receiving Lauren Conrad Style this Christmas.
I know, many of my readers are now going to ask themselves why on earth they follow me - I take style advice from a reality TV star who pretended to work in fashion and offered a very dull line of basics for an extortionate amount. That said, reading the book (I say reading, it took me all of a day) was a wonderful reminder that there is a simple, systematic approach to style that my wardrobe severely lacks.
I far too often buy clothes without considering where they fit in my wardrobe, which is an incredible waste when they never get worn.
I am also someone who sadly cannot carry off the 'effortless style' look - crumpled clothes and slouchy layers leave me looking more off-the-street hobo than off-duty model. Lauren's more polished aesthetic is something I'm aspiring to, not because it's my favourite style by far, but because it's something that I know in my heart of hearts suits me better than ALL the clothes I naturally gravitate to.
Do any of you forsake your favourite trends in leiu of a more flattering style? If the Rolling Stones taught me anything, it's that when buying clothes at least, you can't always get what you want.
As an aside, I love her new hair colour. At the end of February I'm booked in to go lighter - I figure life's too short to not try ombre before it dies. But if I chicken out, I may go for this subtle chestnut look?

And the winner is...

If I were a stylist (which I will never be, clearly, as I can hardly dress myself) and I had masterfully created this look, I would instruct Sandra to sashay down a catwalk before the waiting paperazzi and announce, in the style of Mugatu: "Ladies and gentlemen, I give you, ROCK AND ROSE".
Everything about this look is right up my street. The edgy hair and complementary smoky eye are the ideal counterpart to such a soft, textured and embellished Jenny Packham gown. The shade suits Sandra's porcelain skin to a T, and that cuff picks up on the dress's detail perfectly, while giving a nod to her edgy hair and beauty choices.

On another note, my posts have been a little lazy of late, I know. The state of my nails would tell you how little time I've had, so I hope, until I get my shit together, you're happy with the brevity of my offerings. If not... buy me a PA!

HAMbags and gladrags

What's not to love about hydrangeas, handbags and a piglet? I bloody love this.
From the Mulberry SS11 campaign.

New year, new make-up

I don't know if I have ever told you this, but I'm an idiot. When an idiot gets drunk, terrible things happen, and in the the past this has led to public face-plants, countless lost and damaged phones and, recently, my thinking I'd lost my make-up bag.
I do believe I jinxed myself, having mere days before totted up the worth of said sack and realised with horror that I should probably name it on my contents insurance. Nevertheless, I apparently took little care of it at the work Christmas party and awoke the next morning (Christmas eve, I hasten to add) and couldn't find it in any of the bags I'd been drunkedly toting on the long journey home from Mayfair to Stoke Newington. In a mad dash to catch a train up north, I had to leave without all my essential beauty items, and rely, for the next few days, on the thankfully overstuffed  stash of my glamorous mother.
Now, ever the optimist, I saw this as an opportunity to try a few more 'drugstore' products and I have been terribly impressed.

***

I was most upset about the loss of my make-up brushes - I don't own a whole lot but those I did lose -- foundation, slanted blusher and eye shadow blender, were from Benefit. Goodbye £60. So I spent some time perusing what Boots had on offer and made the ethical choice (for once) of Ecotools.
The beauty tools are made with synthetic 'cruelty-free' bristles, sustainable bamboo handles and recycled aluminium.
I plumped for the eye shader, powder and foundation brushes, and they are all fabulously easy to use. The powder brush is especially great for bronzer. The finish is exceptionally blended in seconds and it applies in subtle thin layers -- almost foolproof for building colour gradually. I picked mine up for £9.
The foundation brush is also great for building coverage. It's more absorbent than Benefit's synthetic bristles, which means the finish is much more seamless, and half the price at around £7.
The brushes also wash fantastically, with absolutely no bristle loss.
These are the best mid-price brushes I've ever used.

***

The twist to this tale is upon returning to London, sober and not hungover, I found my make-up bag in the flat. Oh well, I now have a glut of new products to tell you about!

I like ugly dogs

Just sayin'

Cracked out

Ok, so I'm pretty tardy to the Barry M Instant Nail Effects party, mainly because it was sold out everywhere I looked before Xmas. BUT, I have a small pearl of wisdom to impart which makes what must be the millionth blog post on this clever-if-not-slightly-gimmicky product worthwhile:
The thinner the stroke, the more it splits.
See my thumb - this was a relatively thin coat. The ring finger was a much thicker layer. So there you have it.
The basecoat above is Nails Inc Cadogan Square, a lovely creamy camel that matches my skin colour perfectly in natural light, meaning it can look a little like I'm wearing no polish at all. It's pretty damn chic. Application was a little patchy so you'll need a steady hand, two good coats and some Seche Vite.

Campbell's scoop

 

Move aside Lita, you fugly cow, Meeker and Harlow have landed.

Perfection

Marriage suits Mrs. Madden.
Pic courtesy of the brilliant Because I'm Addicted

The eyes have it

Tom Ford Anouk sunglasses must be mine for Spring. I shall now embark on a two-month hunt for a partner in crime for bank robbery, or a an excellent rip-off. 

Fresh blood

Lizzie Olsen, I welcome you and your eyebrows to the blogosphere. You are my one to watch in 2011. Now go forth and make me proud.
Pic courtesy of Olsens anonymous