NOTD Mermaids That Sparkle

I've had quite a few comments on my nails last night and today both online and from family so I thought I'd better tell you all what I used and let you see some pictures.  I wasn't initially going to do this post so I apologise in advance for the unusual carelessness in the application.

These are the 3 beauties I used...

If you've been here for a while you'll notice that I've already blogged about the 2 darker polishes before in the post Green Eyed Monster. They were in a package sent to me by the beautiful Jacinta who blogs over at Make Up To Make You Feel Good. Pop by and say hello - I know she'd love it! A tremendous lady.

So yes! Essence Nail colours! I need so many more of these in my life. They're extremely budget friendly wee polishes I just despair that I can't find them anywhere in the near vicinity.. I may need a supplier from the South ;)

The first coat is Shade 77: In Style

Super hastily applied and I only put one coat on. If you're layering nail polishes you don't need to be too obsessive about the coats being even etc The colour is a great mix of navy and sea green with a slight shimmer that would work well on it's own. The second coat is Shade 78: Blue Addicted

I raved about this when I tried it as part of the Glitter Series. A bluey type polish with small blue glitter pigmants and big sea green ones. It does take a lot of polish to build the big glitter up though.

Whilst I'm here I should say that this whole process took me about half an hour. When they say fast drying they really do mean it which is impressively refreshing!

The third and final coat is a little glitter polish. I'm sorry the label has come off - shock horror (I know!) but any coloured glitter would do the job to be honest.

This little experiment came about after seeing my sister in laws nails for a Wedding. She had a navy base polish and Opi Rainbow Connection as a top coat and it was stunning. Whereas this isn't Opi and it's not AS showstopping, it's not a bad alternative at all and much cheaper!

The finished nails

So.... I'm utterly convinced I love Essence! Now to find a supplier!!!

Dot Dot Dot

If you want to avoid the situation I found myself in with Mystery Shop A yesterday and are a size 14 plus then I urge you to consider my favourite ever store (one I've had SO much style history with)

SIMPLY BE

There's not much I can say about this store. It was a style saver for me for so many years. It's still as stylish as ever

''Fashion Without Limits''

Offering a 20% discount on your first order and every possible outfit choice you'd need Simply Be cannot be beaten on their generous sizing options. Whereas that is a USP by itself they also provide up to date fashion trends, vintage style clothing, occasion wear and the list really does go on.

So when the absolutely adoringly lovely staff from Simply Be offered me a dress to review and show to you lovelies I was SO stuck! There were so so many styles and prints I was in fashion heaven!

I finally picked one of their Best Sellers

The Georgette Spot Dress

(available in sizes 14 to 32)

I kept the make up as 50's as I could and I added a fabulous polka dot scarf 

This dress is MADE for a 50's Jivin', doing the Bop, the Jitterbug and so much more.

Alternatively style with a netted fascinator and you'd be the style queen at any Spring Event!

A firm favourite of mine and I honestly believe it would be a firm favourite with a lot of you lovelies.

'Til next time ;)

Gone Dotty - NOTD

As the title suggests I've gone a tad dotty ;) (we all knew that I guess!)

To be more specific... my nails have gone dotty.

I had seen a post on Tumblr a while ago now where a very clever nail artiste had used the end of a household screw to do dotty nails, she stuck the nail into the end of an eraser (which was on top of a pencil) so when I decided to give it a go last night I was initially excited to try it out....

However, disaster struck!

The range of household nails we had weren't suitable and I had no pencil with an eraser on top :(

What to do.... well, since I was in an experimenting mood and with an air of optimism I decided to power on ahead with my dotty plan.

What I used...

Technic Nail Art Set (white)

Models Own Top Coat (nearly finished *wails*)

NYC Nail Polish in Black

Started off by applying the base coat (models own) and then the black base

  (picture quality isn't great - in my defence I'm always most creative at night lol)

Then I just freehanded the polka dots. No real design just dotted....

I found the Technic brush really easy for this, the manicures are harder, just a light dab was sufficient. Thankfully no real smudges!

All in all I'm really impressed at how they've turned out! Felt a little pleased with myself last night and proceeded to wave my fingers at my hubby in a ridiculous manner - sure that's what they're for!

I'm already thinking of MORE colour combinations!

But for now I'm happy I gave it a go.

And you know when you do your nails THEN realise you have the PERFECT dress to go with?

Happy times!

Stay tuned.... how much do you want to bet it's a polka dot dress?

''Bright, shiny, new...''

New hair deserves a post all by itself in my opinion.

I've had my hair various versions of the Live XXL on and off now for a decade 

I felt I was long overdue a change...

So! Channelling my inner Joan ;) Let me introduce to you lovelies my new 'do...

The dress is my best find on Ebay yet! I love it yet hadn't worn it as it didn't look right on me a month or so ago but I think I'm in love with the colour now. 

The shoes are the wee £6 Matalan ones again - told you they were a bargain ;)

I still haven't adjusted even remotely but I'm sleeping on it (for now) and it does need evening out in places (colour wise) and a couple of washes might take the brassy tone down slightly which I think it needs but all in all I'm quite pleased.

I'm glad I did it as I felt my style needed a shake up and it's definitely done that!

Amazing what a new hair do can do for a person, for now I feel all shiny and new.

Even have a notion to go out!!

Stay tuned ;)