In a Galaxy far far away...

This is my first shot at a galaxy, starry, universe nail design. I checked out a few tutorials on YouTube, mainly Andrea's Choice as I found hers the easiest to follow. I used Barry M's Black and Navy, and layered two purple shades over the top (unbranded nail art polishes) I then dotted on a few white 'stars' or 'planets' and finished off with a coat of Models Own Juicy Jules. I think this glitter polish might be too fine for this look but it worked okay and I'm quite happy with the finished effect.

It's freezing today. No outfit post because I'm wrapped up in a chunky cardigan with no make up on and scruffy hair. I'm not planning on leaving the house! The central heating has been turned on for the first time since April and it's kicking up a fuss with my health. I always have throat, lung issues the first couple of days the central heating is on and it plays havoc with my skin but I'll get used to it. I'd rather be warm!

I found out last night that I didn't make it to the final 5 in the Look Blogging Comp which I was gutted about. I really fancied a trip to London to see their fashion show but you can't win em all and I am still so overjoyed that I was short listed from 300 entries!

Tomorrow I'm going vintage charity shopping with Alison. We have to put aside a whole day just to focus on the charity shops around Deansgate. Manchester is great for vintage buys.
I also have an interview tomorrow morning with a fashion company looking for junior photographers so I'm pretty nervous. Any interview tips would be great, from what to wear to what to say! I'm rubbish in interviews.

x

P.S. It's the last day for nominations in the Cosmo Blog Awards if you enjoy my blog I'd love for you to vote for it under the New Fashion Blog category! It only takes a minute! Let me know if you do it would make my day :)

Turquoise Stone

Oversized Black Top - ROMWE

Denim Shorts - Vintage Levis 

Black Stud Bottom Bag - Ebay

Necklace - Yuju

I realise that my no make-up look appears as 'just rolled out of bed' on outfit photos. I should probably make a little more effort to put some colour on my face before taking outfit shots.

I've not stopped wearing this long a-symmetric top with cut out shoulders. It's also quite oversized with batwing sleeves. You can wear it tucked in completely or with half hanging out (as above) but when worn normally it drapes right down your right side but is quite flattering.

My Levi cut-offs are so easy to throw on over tights and the more I wear them the more relaxed and comfy they are. I actually only like to wash my denim every so often because I need it to be easy to wear rather than stiff as cardboard. 

This beautiful necklace was kindly sent to me from Yuju.co.uk and is right up my street. It's from their new collection which will be going live online on the 1st September. I love my turquoise stone jewellery and the this one is super long so looks great over a plain shirt as a statement piece. Yuju have some very lovely unique jewellery I noticed these chunky scarf necklaces which again look great with a plain black dress. 

It's Monday and that only means one thing... that the Look's Blogging Comp Winners are announced tomorrow. Dun dun dunnn. I've been trying really hard not to think about it for the past week but its so difficult not to! I think I'll be hiding in bed all of tomorrow, too scared to turn on my netbook.

x

In a Week...

Woah this week has felt like a month. But in a very good way, I've been kept busy and making the most of each day.
You know when my sister is home because with her comes chocolate. These fancy bars from The Tea Room were delicious! We also made a Orange and Carrot cake this week, my first time at making carrot cake but it turned out really well.

On Monday I took the hour and a half trip to Castleton, Derbyshire and you can read about it and see more photos here. The turquoise stone ring is real, I spotted it in a tiny jewellery shop window while we were there and my dad very kindly bought it for me. It's now known as my lucky ring as when I got home I found an email waiting in my inbox to tell me I had been shortlisted for Look's Blogging Comp! It's made me smile all week but the waiting to see if I've been chosen for the final 5 is dreadful. I really feel for X Factor contestants.

Hope you scrolled away quick if your not a fan of feet! I deliberated over even putting this picture up as I don't really like my feet and its a tad strange to photograph them for the internet but I was so proud of my little leopard print toes! I'm getting obsessed with this design and must find something else to move on to before I find more things to embellish with leopard. I did my nails in these crazy colours on Wednesday and they are still in great condition today. Thanks to Barry M's marvellous nail paints.

I've been after a huge brightly coloured 'toy' watch for ages and I found these Neon-T ones in my local garden centre of all places. They were only £6.99 and I was torn between a neon orange or this neon green. I shall feature it in a outfit post soon!

It's coming up to that time, the start of Uni. It will be the second time for me, yes I'm going to be a fresher...twice! I'm slowly starting to find people from my course on face book but I'd still like to leave some element of surprise for the first day! I'm thinking of a few Starting University type posts so if you'd like to see one or have any ideas let me know....

x

Online Shopping - A Colourful Affair

I've been browsing online looking for a few things from my wishlist, thick tights, knee high socks, strong chunky boots and boxy blazers. I've put together a collection of all the best bits from the online stores that are on sale right now. Colour wise, look out for burgundy, mustard, tan, cream and of course black for the Autumn season...

Online stores mentioned

Topshop

New Look

Missguided

Max C London

Dixi

ASOS

Romwe

Warehouse

Lavish Alice

Zara

Ebay Rocco

NEW ONLINE STORES TO CATCH MY EYE...

Romwe, a shop full to the trim with street style and they seem to add new items almost every single day! Free shipping worldwide and unique, quirky designs keep me going back to have a peek.

I'm a newbie to Missguided. While the rest of the blogging community have been buying off them for years. I haven't actually even made an order yet. I've heard mixed reviews on their customer service but I think I'll be placing an order soon for some wine coloured jeans and skater dresses.

I've heard a lot of good things about Max C London (not to be confused with Marc B) their online store includes some beautiful photography. You can also find their clothes and bags at ASOS.com and perhaps other places. I particularly like the black skull bags above, each generously studded with tiny gold skull heads. Check out the lace yellow dress with peter pan collar! Max C London also have their own blog for fashion news and advice.

I've fallen in love with these Dixi Chelsea Boots! For only £29 you can't really afford not to get them. Still, I think I will hold back, they are a bit too high for day wear for me and a bit too casual for nights out.

I'm awaiting my Models Own order with great expectation. I imagine everyone on the blogsphere will be showing off all the nail polishes they bought with the 50% discount. The offer is still on by the way if you have not heard the hype, FIFTYFIFTY at the checkout when you spend £20 or more. Meaning you can get 4 nail polishes for just a tenner!

x

Hobo Cardigan

Batwing Cardigan - Primark

Coral Vest - Primark

Shorts - ASOS

Belt - Primark

Ring - Topshop

Loafers (out of shot) - ASOS

Nails - Barry M Peach Melba, Barry M Light Blue

This cardigan is the most delightfully awkward item of clothing I own. I love the shape, the fit and the pattern but what in god's name do I wear it with!? In all honesty I actually just throw it over anything. 

Its a funny colour too, not quite black, not quite grey and not quite brown. It might be safer to just wear it over an all black ensemble and have done with it. But it seems today I was matching my outfit to my nails.

This leopard print design is everywhere. Everyone has their own take on it, and it seems to work well with any two colours. I think I still like the original shades the best but I was inspired to try this bright version after seeing the bandwagon pass by. If you're still in the dark about how its done you can follow my tutorial.

My whole household popped down to our local pub quiz last night - we came 3rd but I was quite pleased with our efforts as newbies. Tonight, just a quiet one. I'm making a carrot cake with my sister (I'll try and post evidence on Twitter) and perhaps catching up on Great British Bake Off.

x

The Stories Behind the Shoes

After having a huge clear out or a 'throw away day' of all my unwanted, worn out and miserable looking shoes, I was inspired to take snaps of the ones I actually am loving and wearing right now! A few of these shoes are new, some are very old and some bring back lovely memories of the places they have taken me in, the adventures that have happened and the stories behind their purchase.

Get ready for the huge list, the order is from left to right, top to bottom...

Toms Classic Navy - Schuh

Pale Pink Brouges - Primark

Studded Vectra Slippers - Topshop

Brown Loafers - ASOS

Black Lace Up Wedges - ASOS

Leopard Print Pumps - Primark

Gladiator Sandals - Next

Black Wedges - New Look

Brown Wedge Boots - Bargain Shoe Shop

Leopard Print Black Wellies - Macys NYC

Black Studded Boots - Chockers Shoes

Brown Lace Up Boots - Ebay

Black Wedge Lace Ups - Ebay

Nude Platforms - Chockers Shoes

White Leather Converse - Ebay

Sheep Slippers - a present

These Leopard Print Wellies were an emergency buy when I was in New York earlier this year when it poured down with rain! Me and my sister were wearing tiny pumps and our feet were beyond soaked when we trooped into Macys to look for drier shoes. We both spotted these wellies and even at a fairly high price for emergency boots ($75) we had to get them! Turns out at the till they were only $30! So I think they were destined to be mine.

Trying on a selection of my shoes like this reminded me how comfortable these ASOS Black Wedge Lace Ups are! I can't believe I haven't been getting more wear out of them.I might even pair them with some bright coloured socks in the autumn. 

These sheep slippers were a gift and since receiving them last Christmas I haven't taken them off! They have been through the wash a hundred times, and are slowly falling to pieces but I love them - so comfy.

The black New Look wedges are pretty much my night out staple. If I know there will be dancing involved, I whack these on. Super comfy, they look great with anything and everything, even two of my besties have the exact same ones. I bought these in New Look with a friend after she convinced me to buy them and I wasn't too sure. They were in the sale but turned out to be even cheaper at the till (I love when that happens) so a real bargain and I'm getting lots of wear out of them. 

You can probably tell I am not a huge heel-girl. In fact I could live in my Converse if I didn't have the urge to occasionally look girly. I'm also a boots person. This is why I love Autumn and Winter seasons. My mum refuses to let me wear boots in the Summer, even with shorts or dresses because she thinks its ridiculous. 

For the up coming season I am searching for a perfect pair of everyday brown leather knee highs and a pair of chunky ankle boots. I'm torn on the whole Chelsea Boot. I need to try on a pair to decide if they are for me.

Note: I am selling the Nude Platforms, although I love them dearly I will not get the wear out of them as I should. If you are a Size 8 and would like them, barely worn, please get in touch! Leave me a comment or email gwen@gwenmcmullin.co.uk
Original Price: £24.99  Selling at: £15.00 Shipping will be no more than £5 in the UK and Ireland.

x

A Frolic In The Countryside

Today I went on a little road trip with my parents to Castleton, Derbyshire otherwise known as The Peak District. We climbed up a mountain side (almost) to Peveril Castle and the view was pretty amazing.
(Please note in Photo 1 - I am not a giant, my beautiful Mum is just quite short, or petite as she prefers.)
Here I am doing rather amusing things, sitting on a bench with my Father, pointing at the castle and posing inside said castle.

As I get older I find day trips with the 'rents to be less stressful than it used to be, and in fact fairly enjoyable and pretty much completely free.


We visited Peak Cavern, otherwise known as the The Devil's Arse (yes, hilarity at its best) and got stiff backs and muddy feet from crawling through the underground caves.

The drive home was long and by the time I got home I just wanted to rest. But I was immediately perked up by an email I spotted in my inbox about the Look Magazine Blogger's Competition. I wont lie the thought of the competition did cross my mind during the morning as I knew the short listed 20 would be revealed today, but under no circumstances did I think my blog might have proved itself worthy! 

So you can imagine my excitement and disbelief when the email popped into my inbox!

I'm absolutely over the moon about being short listed from 300 entries and can not wipe the smile off my face. I'm so grateful to the Look Team and even though there is still time to go yet before the winners are announced, its lovely to just think that my blog is moving in the right direction and makes me want to work even harder! You can see my entry here.

Congrats to the other 19 and good luck, fingers crossed!
Hopefully I will be joining the other winners on the front row of  The Look Show ...eek!

x

In a Week...

1) I got new hair extensions this week. They are cheap as chips 100% Human Remy Hair 20" from Elegant Hair Extensions on ebay. I didn't want to shell out a fortune when I don't wear hair extensions all that much. These may need a home dye job, to darken the blonde and lighten the brown. These photos look good but in real life they are a bit contrasty. And I gave them a teeny trim so the ends were choppier. Apart from that I love them!

2) Tuesday night I was browsing the internet shops and found the most perfect coat. Yes a little early in the year to be thinking about winter wear, but I had to snap it up before they sold out! I'm talking about this little Barbour inspired jacket from New Look.
I left it overnight and ordered it the next morning. Of course, the sun was blazing down from the heavens, so I felt a bit daft buying a coat. But I'm glad I waited because New Look had a free delivery offer and with my NUS Extra Card I saved a total of £7.45 (as bragged about on Twitter)

3) This MUA nail polish is such a bright beautiful pink colour for only £1. Its a shame it chipped after just one day.

4) Myself and Alison rode out to a local lake (not going to mention the name but if you recognise it, send me an email!) and ate the most amazing ice cream - Thunder and Lightning, toffee flavour with pieces of honeycomb and a little raspberry sauce for good measure. I am now suffering from a bruised bum. Looking for a beanbag bicycle seat...

5) Glossy Box Numero Dos arrived on Thursday! I was happy with the contents, very pleased to see a lower lash mascara and the hair 'foundation' mousse is an interesting one - it crackles and pops like crazy in your hand and doesn't seem to weigh down my hair.

6) My not-so-official Autumn/Winter Wishlist is now pinned to the notice board beside my desk so I can keep track of what I actually need and want the most for next season and not spend money on crap. I'm going to cross off the items as I go. I'm looking for quality and pieces that can be worn in a variety of ways.

7) Decided to get a bit more creative with the nails, using all the different pink polishes I own and creating a polka dot pattern with a white nail pen!

8) What I wore to 'Pub Friday', photos turned out too shoddy for an outfit post as I took them way past 9pm. But I love this blazer from H&M.

x

Knitted Orange

Peach High Waist Skirt - H&M

Beige Shirt (underneath) - Primark

Orange Slouchy Knit Jumper - New Look

Brown Belt - Primark

Nail Polish - MUA

So a bit of a cheat 'outfit of the day' because yes, I am using the photos from my Autumn Wardrobe Post a few days ago. But, after putting this together I realised I loved how comfy I was and the two colours together, rusty orange with the peach. This is the skirt from H&M and everyone seems to own at least one.
So I'm wearing this today for mooching around the house and garden or perhaps popping to the shops.

A few of you were asking where the jumper was from and strangely I wear it loads but am yet to feature it in an outfit post. So here it is. If I remember rightly I was looking for it in store and online for ages but had to resort to ebay when I couldn't find my size. But I did get it for a bargain price.

I'm hoping New Look come up trumps again this year and produce some lovely slouchy knits. I'm also after a grungy, fur hood trimmed, khaki parka to see me through the winter so fingers crossed as they had a zillion coats and jackets last autumn.

Today hundreds of students across the country will have received their A Level grades! It's insane to think  that it was a whole year ago today since I was queueing in Sixth Form College, awaiting my fate. It turned out that all my hard work had paid off, very generously in fact as I couldn't have asked for better results.
I was incredibly proud of myself that day. I'd worked harder for those exams than for anything else in my entire life and maybe it sounds silly but I felt so rewarded when I looked down at those 4 little letters. And knowing that my efforts were the reason they were there. (With the help of fantastic tutors and support of my family and friends of course!)
So I hope everyone is happy with their results and ready to celebrate tonight!

"good things will come for those who wait..." forget it.
I honestly believe that good things will come to those who deserve them, but even greater things will come for those who work hard for them.

x

Your Summer to Autumn Wardrobe

I've been thinking a lot lately about what key pieces I'd like to see in my Autumn/Winter Wardrobe this year. Maybe it's the crappy weather we've been having or just time for a change, but  for whatever reason, my chunky knits and knee high boots have been calling! For my Autumn/Winter wishlist you can see my post here.

But today I've been exploring my Summer pieces and how to turn them into sufficient Autumn outfits. I think we'd all like to save money where we can, so I'm going to show you how I will be making my Spring and Summer buys of 2011 suitable for the fast approaching chilly weather...

You can see me wearing this skirt and shirt combo here back in April. For the cooler weather I will be throwing on a loose knit jumper and buttoning the shirt to the top. Black tights and black wedge boots keep the look smart.

I've loved wearing my denim high waisted shorts this summer! They look great with a floaty blouse tucked in. I'm going to be wearing them right through to winter too by adding thick tights, a chunky cardigan and a scarf. And a pair of cream socks sticking out of suede brown boots to keep my toes warm.

I love the ditsy print on this dress so instead of wearing it alone I will be layering up with a leather jacket, knee high socks (and the glasses are optional!) Geek chic. 

~

So there you have it! Cost cutting ideas to turn your sheer floral flimsy clothes into brand new cosy outfits ready for some serious leaf kicking, cocoa drinking and conker collecting!
I think Autumn is my favourite season!

How will you be preparing fashion-wise for the new season? Splashing out on new items or digging out your old jumpers from last year?

x

Wardrobe Wonders

I'm going out tonight for drinks and dancing so I'm left with the ultimate and most important decision, 

What to Wear!?

Black Sheer Vest - H&M

Black Lace Vest - Primark

Aztec Black & White Bandeau - River Island

Levi Denim Cut Offs - Ebay

Gold Chain - Primark

Chain Wrap Bracelet - Primark

Brown Cuff - H&M

Wedges - New Look

Wet Look Leggings - Ebay

Button Down Sheer Blouse - Primark

Nude Wrap Blouse - H&M

Cross Necklace - Fashionology.nu

Cross Ring - Urban Outfitters

Turquoise Stone Ring - H&M

Boot Wedges - Ebay

I love to lay out my outfit options before hand. This gives me a good idea of what pieces go well together and what I actually want to wear. I knew I wanted to go for something light/sheer and feminine but with a grungy edge. 

My favourite option so far is to pair the high waisted denim cut off's with the sheer black vest and just a bra underneath - worn with my chunky wedge boots. I'll be dancing all night so I need something super comfy on my feet. 

Seen as though the top is quite see through and I'll be having an awful lot of leg on show, I think I'll throw a simple black blazer over the top to cover up some flesh! 

I'm loving my gold jewellery right now so this leather and metal cuff and wrap around chain bracelet - plus some chunky rings will add a nice touch. 

I'd love to hear your suggestions, are you off out tonight? What are you wearing?

x