November's Snow

Well, the weather outside really is frightful. Here in Greater Manchester the snow has been  falling slowly all day but some parts of the UK have had up to 6 inches today! 
I got outside with my camera but didn't travel far it was just too cold! Today I've been staying warm drinking hot Ribena and eating home-made carrot cake whilst watching the Gilmore Girls. But tomorrow I will have to brave the weather as I'm picking my sister up at Piccadilly (if she gets here! Lets hope the trains are running...)
I think I'm getting too old for sledging or snow ball fights - the thought of being cold and wet is not as appealing as it was a couple of years ago. 


I've got some new bits and bobs to blog about so chances are I will be doing so asap, hope your all staying warm and safe in the snow! 

Off to Work

Hey guys, just a quick one, I'm off to work tonight and thought I'd show you my hair extensions after I dyed them, (sorry the photo isn't the best to see them clearly and I havn't made much effort in styling them!)

I'm really pleased with the way they have turned out, they match much better now - I'm still saving up to buy some brand new ones that are much thicker and luxurious - but for now I love the ones I have! 

Beauty Wish List December 2010

I don't usually blog about beauty related items but recently I have been lusting after some new products.

1. Clinique Anti Blemish Solutions Liquid Foundation  2. Collection 2000 Perfecting Minerals  3. Collection 2000 Concealer  4. Mac Mineralise Skinfinish Natural  5. Mac Lipstick in Hue

1. I am not a huge fan of liquid foundations, in fact I find they clog my pores and cause breakouts (I have quite sensitive skin) So I tend to opt for mineral foundations in powder format which have been a lifesaver. However, I still occasionally become swayed by liquid foundations and want to try them out without them causing me to breakout or feeling too heavy. I have heard mazing things about Clinique's anti blemish foundation and am wondering whether to give it a go. But at £20 for 30ml its something I may need to try out first....

Has anyone had experience with this foundation? What do you think?

2+3. Collection 2000 are at the opposite end of the spectrum in that they are a cheap as chips makeup brand. I love their mineral powder (which acts as my current foundation) and the concealer is great and not harmful to my skin. I need to buy these, I am running low.

4. Mac's Skinfinish Natural is also something I have heard great things about. Anyone use it? I'm hoping it offers enough coverage to be worn alone?

5. And finally Mac's infamous lipstick, "Hue" I own only 3 Mac Lipsticks (I'm not all that huge makeup) but I love every single one and have decided this will be my next lip product purchase. I worry that the colour may be too drying on my already dry lips as its so pale...

What are you girls (or guys) buying make up wise this winter?

Shopping List for 24th November 2010

Hey guys, 
I've decided the best time to do some Christmas shopping would be on a weekday, fingers crossed the shops aren't quite as busy! 

How is everyone doing for getting gifts? I'm almost done and I've left the best til last, presents for the boyfriend! I can pretty much buy him anything I think he would like, (or that I like!) he's fairly easy to buy for and I'm thinking of a nice big warm hoodie and some boy gadgets?
And a couple of weeks before Christmas I'm going to make some fancy chocolate box orders for last minute presents for my family and his. 

Lauren Conrad Inspired Hair

Lauren's Twit Pic: "Higher the hair, closer to god... Tonight I'm feeling like a saint haha"

Hey everyone, I'm on my way out tonight just for a meal with the girls and needed my hair off my face! I remembered this photo of Lauren Conrad and loved how she had her hair! Of course, I'v toned it down quite a bit as I'm only popping down the road. 

All I did was pull everything up into a high ponytail, back comb the pony, hairspray, twist it around the base of the hair band making sure it was big and loose, and secured with grips. Then hair sprayed again. Also pulled some bits out around my face and made the pulled up hair looser.

And yes I'm aware my hair is now a nasty shade and needs re-dying. I'm thinking of doing a home kit and going a bit darker/asher blonde more like my natural shade. I've always had multi-tone hair like this, I've never had highlights but it is starting to look a little scruffy.

Hope you like!

x

November Winter Warmers

Hi guys!

Thought I'd post some photos of recent buys.... 

Check out the knitted bobble hat! Its from H&M and it was only £4.99 if I remember correctly. 

The knitted jumper is from Primark for £11.

It's so cold outside lately I've taken to wearing my hat inside! 

Favourite things about November:

1. Bonfire Night!

2. The lead up to Christmas

3. Pulling on the woolies

4. Hot ribena

5. Great lighting for photos!

6. Staying in watching good films

7. The return of the mince pies

8. Christmas shopping

9. Family time

10. Appreciation for central heating! 

What do you guys enjoy most about November?

I am so excited for Christmas! 

A month ago I didn't even want to hear the word, it felt like 2 minutes since last Christmas!

But I'm now filled with Xmas spirit! I've already bought little gifts for my friends. 

Although I'm finding I buy for myself more than anyone else! 

And this year I am going to wait until I have all my Xmas presents, and spend  a whole evening listening to Christmassy music, and lighting my Christmas scent candles whilst I wrap them all! 

I've been ebaying away (not that thats new) and look what I received in the post....

This beautiful blue and black check blouse with bow tie to the front.

Originally from Topshop and never been worn, I paid only 99p 

- you can get a bargain on ebay!

Some more exciting news!

After what feels like a frantic rush to sort everything out and secure any future prospects is now feeling a lot calmer and controlled!
I met with the Photography leader today who looked at my work and fortunately seemed to like it, and offered me a place on the photography course! I will start a fresh next September and I am quite looking forward to it! He also showed me some of the students work (produced in the very 1st week) and it looks amazing so I'm a little worried. It has spurred me on even more to practice practice practice and learn lots of new techniques before I start. 
I now have a huge 9 months to fill with work, taking photos, more work, travels, taking more photos and even more work! And of course MUCH MORE BLOGGING! Right now I am lucky if I churn out 1 blog post a week, so I will be upping my game and trying to post at least 3 times a week.

Some unfortunate news...

I have to say guys, I've not been a very happy bunny recently. As some may know from reading my description box, I am studying Fashion at Salford University. And unfortunately, I've not been having the best time and I have decided to leave. 
This is not a decision I have made lightly and I have had several near-panic attacks thinking of the prospects of NO UNIVERSITY. I am most definitely not the sort of person to drop out of something so big just because.
So after a lot of stress and deliberation, I have decided it would be best for me to leave sooner rather than later.
I'm currently looking at transferring to the Photography course next September which is another huge passion of mine. I'm not having much luck at the moment, as things just seem to be getting more difficult. It's quite scary to think I have a full year of working and no education but on the other hand I have been in education non stop since I was 4 years old, and it may be time for a break.
I will have determination to keep working through 2011 and experiencing new things if I know I have a secure place at University in September. Right now my futures hanging on a tightrope and I wish things could just be sorted so I can get on with life!
Apologies for the depressing post guys, It's not all bad, I'm now so much happier that I have let go of the workload that was weighing me down. The course just did not agree with me.


So what's the future for this blog?
Well of course I still LOVE fashion, and of course I will be regularly blogging about it! But who knows what may happen in the upcoming months, I may have a whole new topic of conversation to talk about. 
Seen as though I am fixed on Photography as a career path (for now) I'm aiming to increase my portfolio and just take pictures here there and everywhere. Christmas is a fantastic time for photography so I'm super excited for the festive season. You can keep up to date with my photography here:
gwenmcmullin.co.uk
And I will be blogging on occasion about it too. 
I only have a small number of followers, but I want to thank each one - especially if you managed to read this whole post!


Remember guys, the most important thing is your happiness and health - so put them first always!

Trend: Ear Cuffs

Image from: http://www.fashiontoast.com/

And you can purchase this ear cuff here

I have recently re-discovered ear accessories. I'm not talking about your standard earrings here, I'm talking ear armour! This year, armour inspired jewellery is everywhere. Its now even on our ears. 
I'm not going to pretend this is a brand new never-been-seen-before fashion trend because I can remember vividly buying false ear cuffs from Argos when I was about 8 or 9. Up until recently I would never have seen myself wearing anything of the sort ever again, but I'm so glad I kept the 4 silver ear cuffs from Argos for all this time! And after seeing beautiful images of ear cuffs being worn I decided to give the trend a go once more.....

Image from: http://mariankihogo.com

Because of medical reasons it has always been a higher risk for myself than others to get piercings and/or tattoos - due to chance of infection. When I was younger this was a risk my mum obviously wasn't going to take, so when all my friends had their ears pierced and I couldn't it was very frustrating. That is how I learnt of all the various types of false ear jewellery. 
Since then, from age 16 onwards I decided I'd take the risk - I had my helix pierced once which never really healed, I now have my tragus pierced and last April I got my first tattoo. Yes, rebel that I am ;)
Never did get my lobes pierced though - after a while the desire wore off and I've never been bothered to have them done. I quite like the fact they aren't pierced and I wouldn't have the patience to faff about with putting in new earrings for different occasions. Its hard enough to remember to put on rings/necklaces in the morning.

purchase these cuffs here

Also bodyjewelleryshoponline.com have a great and cheap selection of ear cuffs for non pierced ears. In fact I have just ordered myself this 3 ring silver ear cuff....
It's just £2.49!


Going off the ones I already have, they are super comfortable and you will easily forget your even wearing one (or two!) and they look fantastic. I'd say they look rather realistic but even if someone does ask if you really have your ear pierced, then I wouldn't mind telling them the secret.


What do you think of the ear cuff? Love it or loathe it, let me know :)

Shooting in the Studio

I just got back from a photo shoot at Uni - the task being to photograph a hideous garment in a interesting a new way to make it look more desirable. I found this awful fur coat in a charity shop and asked my friend Danny to model it for me. We decided he could wear it over his head in a snood, hood, cape-like fashion. We were so rushed and were asked to take around 10 photos only ...(I took 36) but on a usual shoot I take hundreds and narrow those down to 5 or 6 final images (if I've been lucky). So here are a couple I've picked out, they will be up on my website later on too,
gwenmcmullin.co.uk

I think the 2nd is lovely in black and white and i love the shape he's holding in the 3rd.
Would love to hear what you think?!

Is The Poncho Making A Comeback?!

Remember the knitted, holey, tassel adorned ponchos of the early millennium.
I'll be the first to admit I owned one. Me and my best friend had matching ones and thought we were the coolest kids at school when we were 11. (That would be if we didn't have to wear uniform of course. We'd be wearing our ponchos!) I have clear memories of New Look stocking a HUGE range and everyone from children to adults were buying the bloody things.


Even my mum bought one (a little to late on the trend) a hideous thick polo neck khaki green one. After that, ponchos were out.
They disappeared as quickly as they arrived.
So is it possible that the poncho could be making a comeback? Are we really ready for a round two so soon (relatively) after the first?
Well, don't fret - because ponchos have been given a overhaul. 


And they are disguised creatively under the code name... Capes!  

  These are just some I picked out on Topshop.com  of course, this autumn/winter would not be complete without the cape coat, but I didn't quite realise just how popular the whole cape shape was getting.
This time, ponchos are taking a new stance - the draping is more fluid and relaxed, the material more luxe and there is movement! Cape Coats are still in true coat form, tough wearable fabrics to last all this winter and next, and I am currently on the search for my own cape coat/jacket. I'm still undecided on whether I will be purchasing any roll neck knitted capes this winter.... but I have to admit, ponchos are getting stylish!

What do you think? Does this trend need to be buried forever or could you see yourself working the poncho once more?

Urban Outfitters Cross Ring

I finally got hold of a silver double finger cross ring. I know these babies have been circling around for ages now and at the time, the UK was a little behind on the trend as I think the US were selling these everywhere! I considered paying extortionate amounts of money to have one sent from the American store Forever21 but I fought against it. Anyway, today I was perusing in Urban Outfitters and found them! All my hunting and they were right on my doorstep! If you want one, go NOW, because these will sell out fast.

Urban Outfitters have loads of beautiful rings in stock at the moment, here are some of my favourites...