OOTD Oh how graphic...

HELLO one n all :)

An outfit of the day today, as new clothing...brings you new posts :) 

For the first time yesterday I ventured out christmas shopping. Yes, I left it last minute. Yes, I soon regretted this decision. HOWEVER...through all the chaos...I did pick up something for myself...sssshhh..

MONOCHROME GRAPHIC PRINT TROUSERS.obviously. 

I do have one minor complaint to H&M (where else would I have gone..) These trousers are TIGHT...and waaaay too small for the size on the label. I had purchased these about a month back in my usual size - well - the larger of the two sizes I usually am for trousers (you know how stores fluctuate!) and they were RIDONKULOUSLY tight. too small. I took them back. Plus at the time I was rather low on money and took it as a sign that maybe I was not supposed to be spending my money on clothes. 

SKIP forward to yesterday and there they were for £5 in the H&M sale. I took it as another sign that I clearly, afterall, was supposed to have these in my life. 

Now what disappointed me most, was myself. I knew naturally I had to get the next size up, but I almost contemplated not getting them, because of the teeny tiny label on the inside of the trousers. WHY NIA YOU IDIOT. Soooo silly. I had watched programs before about clothing stores beginning to make their clothes a size larger than what the label says, so, that when women try it on, they jump for joy they've got into that size smaller than usual with ease, and purchase it for the sake of the label. 

When watching this, I thought what a load of crap. Do we really care that much? Its absurd. No one sees the label so why on EARTH does it matter what size. 

However, yesterday afternoon, at approximately 2.25PM there was that mini me inside that was like "If you buy this size. That means you've gotten bigger Nia, and you've accepted it" 

I am ashamed for two main reasons. One. I am lucky, I am naturally the size I am happy with, and would want to be. So me thinking, even for a second that buying these trousers means I'm larger or whatever is just pisstosh. Secondly. Why should any of us care... everyone knows it's better to just buy the right size and for it to fit correctly, then to try and squeeze in the size smaller, letting ourselves overflow, and in turn, look larger than if we just bought the right size. 

I spoke to my friend about this all, and she added how one of the reasons she likes River Island is because in there she is a size smaller in jeans. LADIES this is ridonk. Lets not care about the little tiny number! As I wear these trousers in front of you today I make a stand, and declare I will no longer care that my wardrobe ranges from a size UK6 to a UK14. I am MYSIZE....in jazzy monochrome :)

Black Jumper - H&M £19.99
Graphic Trousers - H&M £5
Deena & Ozzy Boots - Urban Outfitters £20
Gold Chain - Me Nain's (grandma)

Vamp...

I'm wearing Sleek's Vamp Matte 786

Vamp red lips are sticking around and are hot stuff this winter. Add it with the matte lipstick trend and I'm all over it. 

As a woman on a budget...I've been searching for the best vamp lippy that little money can buy and here is the rundown :)

 ELF Mineral Lipstick - Royal Red - £5.00

 17 Lasting Fix Lipstick - New Black - £4.29

 Rimmel Kate Lasting Finish Lipstick - 04 - £5.49

Sleek True Colour Lipstick  - 786 Vamp Matte - £4.99

Collection Lasting Colour Lipstick - Vintage Rose - £2.99

As you can see they range from the very daring to the slightly vampy. I've only had the confidence to wear the really dark on nights out, but applaude those who rock it in the daytime. I think the trick to not looking over the top, is wearing quite a grungey casual look with it. Take a gander at Sunbeamsjess on Youtube to see someone rock this look perfectly. 

Quick Outfit

Definitely been absent over the last few days - just been working lots to try and get the christmas monies together! 

NO EXCUSE NIA!

I apologise :)

 Here is a quick outfit of the day none the less, just so that I don't feel like an utter failure at this blogging business. 

I'm afraid its not a very exciting outfit, but I feel sometimes simple is best. It's quite a preppy basic outfit, and then I just chucked on my H&M blazer as a coat to add to the feel of the look. 

SIDENOTE: I've loved this blazer for over a year now and loved it when Jenn from ClothesEncounters on YouTube bought it recently. Firstly because in my eyes that meant me and Jenn 'totes' have the same dress sense which makes me uber cool (PAH!), and secondly; It's been great to see how someone else styles something you own that you may not have thought of.
That's pretty much the joy of personal style blogs, that you can see the same item, yet in several different ways depending how people have interpreted the item and styled it.

Anyway hope you enjoy and have a gooden :)

Skater dress - Topshop (used as skirt) - can't remember the price but I think around £20 mark...

Cream Jumper - Primark £8

Socks - ASOS - £6

Flatforms - H&M (£20 Ebay)

Always steal your mother's old clothes...OOTD

Whenever my mother plans to get rid of a mass of clothes, I always make sure I'm first on hand to claim dibs. (With a sister its vital to get to the first look for the goodies) She never thinks I'd want any of it, but little does mother know the things she sees as out of date or too old, are just perfect for incoming trends - muahaha.

Here is a quick outfit of the day involving my ma's old skirt and belt, teamed OBVIOUSLY, with a H&M sweater and black biker boots to make it a bit more casual.
Make up today is pretty darn natural...I had work in the morning where I'm allowed to wear little makeup, and do little with my hair..so when I got home...I just placed a bit of Collection 2000's birthday suit lippy on, to freshen myself up a tad.

Hope you like and GOOD DAY TO YOU !

Outfit of the day

Quick outfit of the day wearing my new Deena and Ozzy 'Nancy' Boots (actually £40 on online sale at Urban Outfitters however got mine at my local store for £20). Today there are paired up with a H&M overload - I've come to realise I shop there too much...

Acid Wash high wasted Jeans £14.99
Grey jumper £19.99
Woolly hat £6.99
All H&M....oops..

Please excuse the hair and face - its a lazy Sunday :)

Appreciation post...

I have to admit, my taste in magazines is pretty trashy. YES I love to see the editorials in the magazines such as dazed&confused,vogue, ID, and Wonderland, but when I actually look back at the magazines I buy...

It's celebrity gossip magazines such as Heat.

I think it's because I just want something light to read, a bit of high street style and just generally some drama in my mundane life.

HOWEVER I have found my inbetween magazine. The mag that is still credible to read, but with light content, clothes I might actually be able to afford and celebrities who I admire. This magazine is Company.

Now I used to not go near company magazine..I just didn't feel I was the target audience. Come February this year however they had a makeover...and I loves it.

I love all the things previously mentioned but also love how much dedication goes towards bloggers in there, and career advice into all the fashion and music industry jobs we desire.

With the Internet taking down the magazine industry, Company have found a way to bring my attention back to magazines by linking the two worlds.

Im at a time where I've recently graduated and feel at a pivotal point in my life, and as silly as it sounds, when I have my little freak outs about what to do, reading company always calms and inspires me to get my butt moving!

And with that I'd like to say..

I appreciate you Company magazine!

Bravo :)

One day...

I dislike being poor. who doesn't? But it always effects me the most when I go on a google spree on Jeffrey Campbells. 

By the time I get a pair....JC's world domination will most likely have ended and yet I continue to kid myself by finding my new favourite pair of Campbells, finding the best deal on them, adding to my basket and then realising...who am I kidding? I CANNOT justify these. 

They are truely beautiful...however, for someone who can't do heels during the day - I applaude those you see traipsing around London in 5inch heels - and could most likely only wear Litas with trousers due to some cankle issues that, if I were to wear with a skirt, it would look like two tree trunks jammed into glorious footwear,  I sadly can't see the reasoning in spending that much on them. 

NONE THE LESS... I've made a deal with myself. WHEN I manage to get my dream job in London that actually PAYS me...my first paycheck is going on a pair. 

Currently I am lusting after the toe capped Litas...

They.are.beautiful.

The black quilted and gold spiked Lita's (Lita Crown I think they are called) are outrageous and amazing...and create a Chanel, Balmain, Versace, McQueen vibe and appear utterly luxurious...whilst the silver toe caps are slightly more understated and chic..
IF I were to actually get a pair (PAH) I would go for the silver toe capped Litas. Mainly because I'd fear I wouldn't actually get in to the establishments that I'd want to wear the Crowns in due to the spikes. Plus you could wear the silver toe caps more day to day...once you've mastered the art of walking in heels all day.

As for now...sadly...it will have to remain a dream, but for you lucky folk who can afford these....I am truely..."Well jel".

New shoooes?

Quick post!ill hopefully have an outfit of the day tomorrow involving these beauties but I was just so darn chuffed with my bargain today I had to post :)

So these leather delights are Deena and Ozzy 'nancy' boots and usually retail at £95...in urban outfitters currently they are on sale for £20!

SOLD!

I've been searching eBay for some new leather boots for a while now as mine are near the last of their days..and couldnt believe my luck when I saw these :)

I am in love with flat forms (though fear the trend won't last long) as they give height, and a cool edge whilst still being comfy. These boots pretty much sum up what I'm loving right now..flatforms, leather and punk.

LOVES IT.

Oh hello ombre...

I went back to ombre :)

There isn't too much to say on this matter, but I'll try!

A few years back now I went to the hairdressers with a Lily Aldridge image in my hand and demanded some ombre action. To say the least, like all experiences I have had with hairdressers, they went for the safe option. It wasn't hugely EVERYWHERE like it is now...mainly just the celebs and so

I ended up with a few highlights starting half way down my head a slight shade up from my own hair colour.

For £70 I wasn't a happy bunny AND true to my awkward self I did't speak up and demand they did it right.

So after that I decided to DIY it up, and it was a success :) This year I dyed my hair dark brown, and with a lack of style I just felt it made my hair a bit blah. So I decided to DIY ombre once again and this is the result.

To do this if you're interested its SO simple. All you need is one hair dye and some foil. This time around I went for Live Color XXL colour intense in Absolute Platinum by Schwarzkopf. (Generally speaking though just find an icy/ashey blonde in the lightest shade possible)

DO NOT FEAR...If you have brown hair it isn't going to come up as drastic as it says on the bottle. I find the lighter the blonde, the more likely it is going to be able to lift the hair colour. As most brunette hair is quite warm toned, and when bleached turns orange, choosing an icey/ashey blonde will help to combat this and correct the tone.

First thing u do is part all of your hair at the back and bring it to the front. Then with your hair dye you literally just put it on to the very ends of your hair. This is the part you want to be lightest so eyeball it to how far you want the lightest shade of your hair to come up to. My hair is long so I probably covered around 5-6 inches.

Cover it in foil (you'll end up with two foil pigtails!) and leave 15 minutes.

After that, take off the foil, keeping your hair in the two segments, add the rest of the hair dye to where you want the gradient to start. I applied mine to about...mouth/nose level. It really depends how big you want your 'roots' to be.

Wrap it up again in foil and leave for another 15-20 minutes.

My hair was medium to dark brown so if you're hair is lighter you probably don't need it on for as long...

The best thing is you can just unwrap the foil at any point and have a good old nose at how it's progressing and if you've achieved the desired shade, wash it off :)

DONE MY FRIEND.

I do advise buying a purple shampoo as it really does help to knock out the last of any brassy/canary yellow tones.

Ombre hair suits..EVERYONE. That is the best thing about it. I've always wished to have blonde hair...and trust me I have tried and failed. it does NOT suit me. Why I love ombre hair so much is I can get my blonde hair as the base colour/ roots still are a flattering colour to my skin tone where my hair hits my face.

 Left Image: My hair before ombre this time around.

Right Image:  Ombre hair from first time around. (medium - light brown start off point)

Outfit of the day

This was an outfit of the day 2 days ago...before the rain arrived. Now its dark in the mornings and cold and wet. hello winter so it seems :(

Anyway I had gotten this dress last week in a charity shop for £6. I liked the small leopard print as it gives it an edge yet its not too in your face. The chiffon material makes it more classy than trashy when wearing leopard and the tea dress style makes it suitable for the day although it could be just as easily dressed up for the evening. 

The day was sunny yet cold so I teamed the dress with black opaque tights and ankle boots (£22 Ebay). 

 I also threw on a hat which I got in the Urban Outfitters sale for £5. The hat styles it up a bit I feel. 

For my make up I kept it simple, with just mascara and Collection 2000 Cream Puff in Fairy Cakes 3. Lastly I put my hair in a messy side plait to get it out of the way! 

Thats it! Hope you like :) x

Outfit of the day

Quick outfit of the day for you all. 

Skirt is from a charity shop for £2.99 It is some crazy cheap shiny stretchy material (Acetate, Elastan, Nylon and Lycra)
As the skirt is quite 'dressy' I teamed it with a dusty lilac sweater from Republic (Mens section £20) and a black beenie (£8 Topman)
Lastly I wore my H&M flatforms (£26 Ebay - sold out in store)  for a bit of height and to tie in the black beenie.

Well that's it folks. Have a gooden :) 

Megan Fox 'inspired' look.

I love Megan Fox's makeup in this image..the bronzed smokey eye look...which isn't too dramatic..it just kind of creates an intensity in her eyes. Now as we all know any attempt of this makeup still won't make you look like Megan Fox, so after I got over THAT dream, I decided to have a go with what I had. 

Now either my photography skills have failed me, or my perception skills have as its all looking rather too natural. HOWEVER this does just prove how much photography can bleach out a look...so if you want something to look a certain way in pictures..I'd personally go a little more intense than you think.

Definitely need fuller lashes to create the look...falsies needed for me as I have little stumps for eyelashes.
I do think the skin has worked out well..I am pale (unlike good old Megan) so I've had to go with what my mamma gave me, and alter the look for me.

Here are the products I used - just in case you'd like to recreate a look with a SLIGHT resemblance to what it's supposed to be.

1. Bourjois healthy mix serum foundation in 53 Light Beige. I use a bad dupe of Macs 187 however it works   great for applying this foundation and creating a flawless application.

2. Rimmel Clear Complexion clarifying powder. I have oily skin so I place this on my tzone, chin and a little bit on the insides of my cheeks by my nose. 

3. Bourjois bronzing powder in 51? For this look I placed this on my temples, cheeks and jawline to try and produce a warm, contoured bronzed look.

4. Maybelline Dream Touch blush in 02 (a light peachy shimmery colour)  I used this on my cheekbones as a highlighter but to also add a hint of colour.

 5.Rimmel London professional eyebrow pencil  in 001 Dark Brown. I tried to shape my eyebrows a bit more like hers, however at the end of the day you have to work with what you've got! I dislike overly drawn on / fake looking brows.

6. Naked Palette, Urban Decay - eyeshadows used were 'smog' (lid and lower lash line), 'darkhorse' (outerlid and crease) and 'virgin' for the inner corner.

7. Bourjois eyeliner pencil in 01 Noir Expert. I used this on my inner and lower lashline and smudged it out to create a softer look. I also put it on my top lashline on the outer half of my eyes. 

8. MaxFactor Masterpiece Max mascara in Black. On top and bottom lashes, and quite alot to try and achieve fuller thick lashes. 

9. Mac lipstick in Myth as a base. I find this IS pale, and doesn't work if you just swipe it all over like a normal lipstick. The best way I've found is to dab it on until you achieve the right amount of coverage. 

10. Rimmel London Lasting finish by Kate (2nd lot) in 26. I find by itself its a bit orangey for a nude lipstick, so mixed with Mac's Myth it cools down a bit and works well. Myth is a matt lipstick whilst Rimmel's is quite moisturising. You can see in the Megan pic her lips our quite glossy. I personally can't stand gloss so a moisturising lipstick is the best I have to create the look.

Well that's it all, and that was my attempt/ interpretation... hope you like :)

One jacket - five ways

A denim jacket is a staple in nearly everyone's wardrobe and has been on trend throughout 2012, especially with a bit of DIY studding. 

I picked up my denim jacket from a charity shop for £1. Originally from Topshop, its technically 2 sizes too big, however, I like the oversized look :) 

The studs are from Ebay (I think around £6 for 100 studs) which I then used to customise the jacket. 100 studs is no where near enough to create the beautiful jackets you see from Ragged Priest but has worked well to create a similar vibe. 

SO. I decided to create 5 looks using my denim jacket. These looks are how I like to style it, annnd I hope you like it too :)

ONE.

First off...denim on denim. Here I went with high waisted grey jeans, a white cropped polo neck, and white brogue style flatforms/creepers.
The denim, platforms and cropped polo is definitely 90's which I'm loving at the moment. I'd say this outfit is good if you like your waist and want to show it off without looking....trashy? lol
My legs are quite bulky for my frame, so by rolling up my jeans along with chunky shoes gives the illusion of smaller ankles..hazaar!


TWO.

This dress is actually my mums old skirt which unfortunately didn't fit around my waist. When you have to get clothes on a budget, I think its important to look beyond its primary purpose and think how it could work for you. I give the skirt more shape by wearing a black vintage waist belt to cinch it in. The denim jacket and black biker boots edge up what could be a pretty summer dress.  The length of the dress is quite conservative so I like the fact it has buttons running down the front so you can create a slit to make it a bit more sexy. 

THREE.

Here I wanted to make the denim jacket a bit more feminine and preppy. I wore it with a basic black skater dress, cute black suede platform shoes, and my hair up in a high ponytail. I think without the jacket the outfit would look quite dressy and chic, however, added the denim gives it an edge and a casual vibe. 

FOUR.

For a more boho/ bohemian vibe I paired the jacket with a basic grey maxi dress with a vintage belt to cinch in my waist. When wearing something oversized I always try and make sure I create shape elsewhere so I don't look like a child playing dress up! My hair down with a middle parting helps to achieve the look, whilst my flatform sandals add a 90's edge. I am loving flatforms currently - they are just so comfy, yet add height and help to slim ye olde legs. 

FIVE.

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Last look! I tried to create something that was smart casual. The silk shirt, silk black shorts, suede heels create a luxurious, textured base that contrasts well with the rough and ready style denim jacket. I like playing with textures more than patterns and I love the suede,silk,lace,denim,metal mash. I put my hair up again, to try and create a more polished look. 

Hello!

I'm on a mission. After finishing in Uni in May, I am ashamed to say that I have been crawling at the pace of a turtle...
London Fashion Week is merely highlighting the fact people in my class have gotten off their butts and are doing it..and that is exactly what I need to do!!

So I'm starting here. A blog is perfect for all this free time and WILL force me to stay productive and remind me what I love.

I want to blog about style and beauty... but definitely on a budget. I love the beauty gurus on youtube, and certain bloggers but just do NOT have the bank account to go with their lifestyle. Here I want to show beauty looks and styling that is affordable, with affordable brands.  The best thing about today's youth is that whatever the bank balance, we are creative and thrifty and can create the 'look' we so desire.

THAT'S THE PLAN!
lets hope it works :)

N x