DIY Marble Nails

(This is a scheduled post - I'm currently away on holiday - any comments or questions will be replied to on my return!)

This Friday I have a nail art tutorial for you! This is a trick I've picked up recently and involves regular nail polishes and a plastic bag. Yep - a plastic bag. You can use any type of plastic you can even use cling film although I expect that could get a little messy. I'm using a small square bag that bits of jewellery might come in. I'm also using Essie polishes in Haute as Hello, Mint Candy Apple and Neo Whimsical. My base coat is my OPI and my top coat is Seche Vite's Fast Dry Top Coat. 

The finished result is something like this. It's a marbled effect without actually using any water to marble polish in. It's the easy way to achieve that pastel swirling, blobby design! I took these images straight after my top coat had dried and I'd not cleaned up around the nail very well. The nails look better the second day as any polish surrounding your nail falls off. 

001# Start by painting your nails with a base polish. White or nude are the best colours.

002# When your base coat is dry - apply thick blobs of colour to the nail. Do each nail one by one.

003# Add other blobs of colour

004# Lightly press the plastic bag/sheet over the nail, smearing all the colours together.

005# Repeat on each nail and then finish with a top coat.

Ta Da! You need to work fairly quickly - if the blobs of polish start to dry you will end up with a tacky mess as the plastic peels away. Lay the plastic over the nail and move around slightly if necessary. Don't press down hard! Using Seche Vite means your nails are dry within 30 seconds and you can even apply it over wet polish, meaning the top coat helps with the marbling effect too by smearing the colours together slightly. 

If you try this out please let me know and Tweet me your photos! 

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Karen Millen Destination Denim Event

(image from VIPXO)

On Saturday evening I popped down to the Trafford Centre Manchester to have a nosey at the Karen Millen Destination Denim Blogger Event, hosted by the lovely Victoria from VIPXO. On arrival we were greeted with a glass of champagne and encouraged to try the new collection on for ourselves.
Karen Millen is not necessarily a brand I would associate with denim - but their new line including snake skin, blossom print and suede jeans is really affordable with prices starting at £75.00 (not much more expensive than Topshop.) I personally was surprised at the comfort and stretch in the jeans. I tried on the flower blossom pair (which you can see me wearing on instagram) and found them to be so soft and not a harsh stiff denim.

It was lovely to meet other bloggers and chat, Victoria played the perfect host and made us all feel very welcome - she took the above picture which I cheekily pinched from her blog, so I hope she doesn't mind. The people at Karen Millen were equally as welcoming and presented each blogger with a goodie bag including a generous gift card. (Future outfit post to show you what I bought!)

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Outfit Planning

I've been busy planning what to take to the States with me next week. I find laying out all my outfit options a much easier way of getting it into my head that I don't actually need to take my entire wardrobe! I'll be going for two weeks and most of the items I'm taking can be mixed and matched to create new outfits. This being said I'll still probably take way to much stuff!

I photographed a small selection of outfits for my own records (and snapped images on my iPhone too) but also to show you what I might be wearing on my holiday.

Khaki Vest - Topshop

USA Print Shorts - Glamorous

Converse All Stars

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Crochet Sequin Top - River Island

Denim Shorts - Vintage Levi

Belt - Primark

Sandals - Blowfish

You can't beat the shorts and tshirt combo - especially for days where we will be doing lots of walking and sightseeing. Comfy shoes are a must which is why I'm taking three pairs of trainers and only one pair of sandals. Ideally I'd take about 8 pairs of shoes but lets be realistic, that's a lot of extra weight in my suitcase that I just don't need. My airport outfit will probably be similar, however I'll swap the shorts for leggings and throw on a hoodie for the plane. 

Grey Midi Dress - Primark

Printed Bomber Jacket - River Island

Pumps - New Look

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Tie Dye Midi Dress - Miss Selfridge

Pumps - as before

The midi dress is a new one to me as I never thought I could really pull them off. I love these two though and they are so comfy to wear and spend the whole day in. Both of them require some clever under-materials though as they are a bit see-through. This bomber jacket is quite daring for me but I'm looking forward to wearing it on cooler evenings in the city.

Khaki Green Shorts - Topshop

White Tee -Primark

Necklace - Topshop

Converse All Stars

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Print Oversized Dress - River Island

Navy Toms

These outfits are intended for our travelling days - in total we will be taking 6 flights and god knows how many underground or taxi rides so I need comfortable breathable clothing to get me through the city. 

Tie Dye Maxi Skirt - New Look

Black Crop Top - H&M

Sandals - as before

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Multi Feather Print Dress - Primark

Pumps - as before

For evenings or relaxing days out I've decided to throw some light-weight colourful dresses instead of my usual all black numbers. This dress from Primark was an absolute bargain at just £3 and I can see myself wearing it with both sandals and trainers. I've not included any jewellery items or accessories in these images as that's usual just something I decide last minute - or I wear very similar jewellery.

Please bear in mind these are not the only clothes items making the suitcase (I wish) and I may have to do a separate blog post on how not to pack a suitcase, to show you my terrible packing skills. Does anyone else like to lay out future possible outfits before going away? It really helps you realise how much stuff you actually need. 

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GlossyBox August

This month's GlossyBox came a little earlier than I expected but I was so happy to open it and see the products inside! I'm pretty pleased with this month's selection - which is based on International Superstars featuring most wanted products from all over the globe. This is a brilliant idea and one that makes up the best kind of beauty box if you ask me. As customers we want to try and test out the most coveted beauty items on the market especially those we can't get our hands on usually. GlossyBox have excelled themselves with this box.

#1 Lipcote - I've heard so much about this product that I was really excited to receive one in my box. I've tested it out already and it seems to turn everyday lipstick into a lip-stain. Which means glossy lipsticks do become slightly matte. I need to test this on a night out but I can see it being very useful and actually doing its job.

#2 Alessandro Pro White - This is a nail polish that is supposed to visibly enhance the look of your nails by making the tips whiter and reducing yellow staining. I popped this onto my nails as a base coat but as they are quite short at the moment it was hard to notice any whitening effect. Plus I'm guessing this product needs to be used repeatedly before results are seen. Keen to use this on my toes though as they are a bit discoloured.

#3 DHC Deep Cleansing Oil - I'd not heard of this before but after reading a few GlossyBox reviews it seems to be a well known item. It feels very strange to apply oil straight on my face but it definitely removes makeup. I'd use it in conjunction with another cleanser such as Liz Earle's Cleanse and Polish though.

#4 Vera Valenti Eyeshadow Palette - Nice neutral everyday colours. The browns will come in very handy and I don't own many greens so they make a nice change. The packaging is pretty awful but at least it's slim and neat.

#5 Eve's Balm - A cute little balm pot with a good quality mirror inside. I love the packaging it has a matte feel to it and I'll pop this into my handbag for my dry lips. A great little item to have.

#6 GlossyBox's Lipstick in Glossy Pink - On seeing this item I didn't have high hopes but in fact the colour and formula are lovely. It's a rose pink creamy lipstick with brilliant colour pay off. It's even quite bright on my lips and I know I'll wear this on a night out when I'm bored with nudes or reds. A surprisingly great product!

Overall what a great box this month! I've been excited to try out every product and not a single one has gone into my 'gift box'. I always love to see more make-up and skincare items in my box than body lotions or shower gels. A winning box - who else agrees? I hope you all got your hands on this one!

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Free Love

Crochet Top/Dress - OASAP

Leopard Print Round Sunglasses - OASAP

Denim Shorts - Vintage Levis

Brown Ankle Boots - eBay

Bracelets and Cross Ring - Fashionology

Turquoise Stone Ring - Vintage Jewellers

In my head I've been putting together outfits for my trip to the US. This one I just had to try on a photograph because I love this long crochet top so much. It's such a delicate item, most of my clothes have so much stretch and bounce in them I don't give wrenching them on in a rush a second thought - but when I'm wearing this I feel so elegant, put together and ...breezy. It's going to be great for the humid weather in DC at the moment. I've been searching around for a pair of large round sunglasses and these ones are lovely, they have a vintage look to them. They're pretty circular but the little corners at the top mean my they suit my round to oval face shape and stop it from looking any rounder!

The brown boots are exactly what I've been looking for (seems to be a week of finding coveted treasures!) and can you believe they were only £9.99 on eBay! The seller also has them in black which I might have to purchase in the Autumn. I can see me getting a lot of wear out of them.

Today I visited Tatton Park and took my camera out for some practice. Since finishing my first year of Uni I think I've only really used my DSLR for blogging purposes so I needed to get into the swing of landscape photography again. Congrats to all those celebrating A level results, I remember getting mine 2 years ago and feeling like all the hard work had paid off!

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Strobe Watch and Giveaway

One of the best accessories to any outfit is a simple classy watch. I love watches of all kinds and I'm sure you've spotted me wearing my gold and silver metal one in almost all of my outfit posts. Well this time I'm going for something a bit different in the shape of this Strobe by Limit black and silver watch. It's just the right size, chunky whilst not weighing down your wrist and can be worn alone of layered up with lots of bracelets.
The most exciting part is that at the click of the button the clear face surrounding lights up and flashes in a spectacular array of colours!

It's the kind of watch I'd wear on a night out with an all black outfit - or to a festival to add a bit of strobe light to a outdoor event. The flashing lights are just a bit of fun really and remind me of watches I had when I was younger! It's the type of miniature light show seen on the streets of Blackpool and mixes well with sparklers and glow sticks for a carnival spirited affair.

Even better news is that I'm giving a white Strobe by Limit watch away to one lucky reader! The white version (as pictured below) is even more suited to summer fun and would look great paired with multiple friendship bracelets. Scroll down for more info on the giveaway and how you can enter - it's free!

The Giveaway

The white Strobe watch pictured above is up for grabs for one lucky reader of thisfashionismine. All you have to do is enter through the Rafflecopter widget below - it's fast, quick and easy to do.

The rules are as follows - you must be a follower of my blog through Google Friend Connect. This giveaway is open to UK and Ireland readers only I'm afraid. There are a few different ways to enter to collect more 'entries' and be in with a better chance of winning. The giveaway will run for ONE WEEK and ONE WINNER will be randomly selected and announced on this blog. The winner will also be contacted via email or/and Twitter and I need a response to that email within 48 hours otherwise a new winner will be chosen.
So keep your eyes on your inbox! Follow me on Twitter for regular updates about this giveaway.


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Good luck to all! Remember to check back here on Sunday 26th August when the winner will be announced!

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Trend Report - Creepers

Creepers - Tribeca Shoes

I might be a bit late on the bandwagon with this one but creepers have been praying on my mind for months! When they first crept on to the scene (see what I did there) I was unsure if they were for me. As cool as they looked on others I never thought I'd pull them off. I decided to give them a shot though and I'm so glad I did. These classic black suede ones are from Tribeca Shoes and are just £18.00 (there is also 15% off your first order and free 2-3 day delivery - amazing.) You can see my exact pair here. There are a whole host of creepers available on this site, from the classics to studded or leather versions. 

History? 'Brothel Creepers' as they became known were originally worn by soldiers of WW2 based in North African deserts. They wore suede boots with 'crepe' soles. Many ex-soldiers continued to wear the boots out to certain nightspots in London which is why they became known as "brothel creepers". The shoes were then adopted in the late 50s by Teddy Boys and have been in and out of fashion ever since - gaining popularity with all types of subcultures. Interesting stuff!

Mainly I have been pairing them with leggings - but in the autumn months I'm planning on wearing them to Uni with dresses and tights. They're so comfy to walk in (although I haven't covered any serious ground in them as of yet) and add a edgy look to any outfit. They are a lot lighter than I imagined as well which means they don't feel heavy on my feet after a day of wear. Visually they are a seriously beefy shoe. But this supposedly means they create a flattering illusion of a slim leg due to the chunky contrast. 

It's my first venture into anything flatform as well. It's not that I've been avoiding the trend it's just the trend seems to be avoiding me. I've not come across any flatforms that I truly like (apart from some grey pumps in New Look that hurt to walk in so had to be returned.) What do you guys think to the trend? I'd love to hear your opinions. Are creepers just a fad or a fashion classic like DMs? 

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Ways to Wear - Mint Green Blazer

I've always been one to love a simple boxy blazer - they are perfect to throw on over almost anything. This beautiful mint green one was sent to me from the lovely people at Glamorous and I decided to feature it in a 'Ways to Wear' post to show you all just how versatile blazers are. This pastel coloured one is great for the summer months but can be a little trickier to style than say, a black blazer so here are a few of my own ideas...

Festival Brights

Coral Denim Shorts - Topshop

Bandeau Top - Primark

High Tops - ASOS

Here's a look I don't aim for much but it makes the perfect summer festival outfit. I'm dressing the blazer down by wearing it casually over a bandeau crop top and denim high waist shorts. Push up the sleeves and pop on your trainers. The material of this blazer is so soft and comfortable it's suitable for day time wear and rolling or turning up the sleeves. I've plaited the front section of my hair and shoved the rest back into a messy bun for a relaxed easy hairstyle. This look is also great for walks in the park, holidays or a BBQ. 

Wearing All Black

Disco Pants - American Apparel

Black Vest - New Look

Creepers - Tribeca Shoes

Multi Cross Necklace - Dorothy Perkins

This is probably the easiest way to wear any bright colour. I've made this outfit semi-casual by turning to creepers instead of heels and wearing my hair loose and messy. You could easily take this to a glamorous night time look. Absolutely loving my new creepers from Tribeca Shoes - especially paired with Disco Pants. An alternative to the expensive Disco Pants would be just some leather look leggings or skinny black jeans. 

To a Wedding

White and Gold Playsuit - River Island

Brown Belt - River Island

Wedges - H&M

Who says you can't wear white to someone else's wedding! You can if you pair it with a mint green blazer and brown sandal wedges. This outfit would also be perfect for summer parties. It's my Gossip Girl look and requires a classy brown clutch bag. This is the way to wear a blazer for formal or semi formal occasions and you can't go wrong with a white playsuit or dress. 

I'd love to know you favourite look? The second is definitely more 'me' but I'd wear all three looks should the occasion call for it. You can pick this blazer up for £40.00 at Glamorous. Other coloured blazers that work well in Summer include coral, baby blue or white. 

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1,000 Followers Giveaway - and the WINNER is...

Firstly a huge thank you to everyone who entered my 1,000 follower giveaway. In total there were 1,287 entries which is a little bit mind blowing! Hello to all new followers both on my blog and on Twitter - it's been nice to spot new bloggers and check out your blogs too. I'd love to send prizes to each and everyone of you but I'm afraid there can only be ONE winner. So, picked by random.org through Rafflecopter the winner is...

Entry No. 686

Gee Horsfield

*Congratulations Gee!* 

An email will be heading your way right now - so please reply asap with all the necessary details so I can get your prizes shipped out to you! 

Again, thank you to everyone who entered, lots of you tweeted and tweeted again about the giveaway which was lovely and I know it's disheartening when you don't win - but keep entering competitions because one day it will be you! 

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