Won't You Be My Valentine | Nail Art & Outfit

I'm a little late posting but my weekends are usually really busy. Still, better late than never right? This post covers not just my Valentine's Day nail art but also my V-Day outfit. :)

I have no significant other this year so I went out for dinner with family. I felt a little pathetic but we had fun and ate some good food. We left early so it wasn't really dinnertime and beat the crowd. However, this meant I had very little time to get ready and do my nails so I went really simple. I used 3 quick coats of My Own Sweet Valentine scented rose and added a holographic heart as an accent. Those of you who have bought my nail polish will recognize this as the heart that goes on your bottle's cap. It worked perfectly and didn't crinkle or pull up when I added a layer of top coat!

All simpleness aside I think my favorite part of this mani was the way it glowed in the dark.

Now for the outfit part of this post. While attempting to take a simple outfit pic my Labrador, Shiloh, kept wandering into the shot. She usually hates pictures so I really couldn't resist snapping a few while she was so willing. :)

I'll start with my outfit so you can wander off afterwards ... though I'm going to believe you're evil if you don't want to see my cute pup. :p

The top and polka dot jeggings are from Boscov's. Both I managed to pick up on sale. The jeggings just last weekend for about $5 (originally $40!!). The cami is from Walmart, and my much beloved boots are from Zulily.

So, what did you wear for Valentine's Day (outfit, nails or both)?

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Valentine's Day Rope Scarf GIVEAWAY!!

This is non-nail related, but it's a giveaway!! I mentioned on my Facebook page that I had found a scarf tutorial on YouTube, that obsession took over and that I was suddenly overflowing with scarves. I made a mention of maybe hosting a giveaway (or 2) but never expected such excitement! So here's the giveaway!!

This is a very simple infinity rope scarf that I wrapped and tied for easy on and easy off. It's as simple as slipping it over your head and 'fluffing' the front to get it to lay just the way you want. I had no trouble getting it on and off this way; however, if you're worried about this, it is an infinity scarf and carefully cutting the tie holding it together will let the scarf unwind so you can wrap it on yourself.

Giveaway Starts: 12:00 AM EST 29th January 

Giveaway Ends: 12:00 AM EST 3rd February 

Winner will have 24 hours to reply to the winning email. If winner doesn't claim their prize by replying a new winner will be chosen. 

Giveaway is open internationally. However, before entering be sure your country accepts the shipment of clothing. It will also be up to the winner to pay any taxes and fees their country may impose on such shipments.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Primark Christmas Jumpers 2013

I've never bought a Christmas jumper until now. This year I popped to Primark after seeing everyone's Christmas jumpers last December. 

There were SO many to choose from and all costing a very reasonable �12.00. Designs ranged from the subtle, classic xmas jumpers to 3D padded features. I took some photo's of Primarks offerings to help you choose if you're looking to get one. Be quick - these are flying of the shelf! I opted for the one with Santa's bum stuck in the chimney and I haven't taken it off this month! They are surprising good quality and cosy. Don't forget to check out the men's section as they have some goodens. 

Have you got a Christmas jumper yet? I'm blogging '12 days of Christmas' this month, catch up here. 

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Vacation Custom Hoodie REVIEW

We all love taking home a souvenir of our vacation, right?? I know it's not just my family or there wouldn't be so many nick-knack shops along the boardwalk!

While the kids go for key-chains and shark teeth necklaces the adults of my family usually pick up a t-shirt or a hoodie to take home.

After walking past a shop and seeing a paint splatter t-shirt on one of our first walks I knew exactly what I wanted. I wanted a Virginia Beach paint splatter hoodie to take home ... and it had to be a zip-up! I always feel like I'm choking when I wear a regular hoodie. Sounds hard to find, right?

Yep, it was impossible! (Unless I wanted to pay almost $100 at one place) We walked the boardwalk going into every single clothing store until about 20th street. Our hotel was on 2nd street; that's a lot of walking! Everyone else came out with their souvenirs, and I thought it was a lost cause for me. I was sure I was going to come home disappointed. Then one of my nieces just had to pick up one last souvenir. Some friendship bracelets. They couldn't be just any friendship bracelets either. They had to be the ones she saw the other day at one specific store ... even though the ones found in other stores were identical!

Enter my saving grace!!

Image from Google Maps

If you've been to Virginia Beach and walked the boardwalk you've likely either passed this little shop by or gone in and browsed. If you're planning a trip to Virginia Beach Ocean Style must be a stop!

Like I said, it's just a little shop and it's about midway between 9th and 10th streets. It has a small selection of clothing and nick-knacks to browse through but along the wall you'll find custom printing. This is the true gem of this store! I saw exactly the image I wanted on my hoodie hanging there, printed on a t-shirt.

Sadly, a browse through their zip-ups showed only one black hoodie in an XXL. Yes, it had to be black and no, I don't wear an XXL! So I asked about picking up a hoodie elsewhere and bringing it back for custom printing. No problem!

Great, now where to pick up a zip-up that was un-printed in a town where everything is emblazoned with Virginia Beach logos ... and on our last day too?? A trip to Walmart or Kmart just wasn't possible. Thankfully, a shop on this street had one they were willing to sell un-printed for a good price.

By this point it was our very last day, nighttime, and pouring down rain. However, I didn't care! I was finally getting what I wanted and I could go home happy.

Except, I couldn't get what I wanted. I take back what I said, the girl behind the counter might actually have been the true gem of this shop. I'm sad to say I never got her name, but she was an absolute sweetheart! She explained what I wanted wasn't possible, even going so far as to print a shirt to show me.

A little tweaking of my idea and I finally had something I didn't know I wanted but was so beyond happy with!!

Instead of getting this image on the front like I wanted, but would have looked horrible, I got it printed on the back. It sits just under where the hood lays and looks amazing!!

Virginia Beach is printed down one sleeve in this really cool scratched up print. It did go on slightly more purple than the bright pink it first looked, but still matches well so I don't mind at all!

And paint splatter on the front! I specifically asked for this but thought I was likely to get turned down but ... the girl (absolute sweetheart!) helping me handed over another of the Life's A Beach images and a pair of scissors and told me to cut out the splatter I wanted.

And then to top it all off she didn't charge me anything and refused the tip I tried giving her! She just wanted to see it on me she said. She did accept the hug I just had to give her though!

All told, I paid less than $20 for this gorgeous custom hoodie, and I really couldn't love it more!!

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Primark haul August

Popped into Primark a couple of weeks ago for a few items. I wanted a small handbag just for everyday use as all my others are quite big. This titch brown satchel,�4.00, is perfect size for my phone,purse & a couple of lipsticks! The flamingo shirt ,�7.00, was from the men's section; sometimes I prefer the mens tops to the womens! I went for XS and it fits me fine. Black socks, not very exciting but only �2.00 for 7 pairs! I needed some cheap sunglasses because I always end up losing/breaking them. These clear round ones were only �1, I'm going to customize them - post coming up soon. These high neck crop tops,�2.50, remind me of something the Spice Girls would've worn(i was baby spice!) I've seen a few #fbloggers wearing these tops & they look really nice so I picked up a grey one to try out the trend. 

Just a little haul, have you bought any bargains from Primark lately? 

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BIG sales haul - topshop, very + tk maxx

-picture heavy- If you've been following this blog for a while or know me in real life, you'll know just how much a love a good bargain. Mum calls me cheap; i call it being thrifty. I love shopping in the summer sales, even if it is for jumpers! Here are a few bits i've picked up this month...

Love Label @very jumper �15.00 sale

I'm such a jumper kinda girl and i love anything with a contrast of materials. The jumper sleeves are made out of a thin chiffon material and just adds something a bit different.

Love Label @ Very white jumper �25

I wanted a white jumper for the summer and the short sleeves makes this perfect. I think Love Label is my new favourite brand!

Oversized short sleeved shirts - Free!

I've had my eye on some square shirts from Topshop for a while now but �29 a pop? No thank you Sir Phillip! So i asked my grandad if he had any shirts he didn't want & he gave me some, bless! I'm going to turn some of the shirts into crop tops & other i'll be wearing as shirt dresses. Moral of the story - ask your grandparents for some 'vintage' hand me downs. 

Black LBD Tk Maxx �8.00 sale

Fringed shorts Tk Maxx �10.00 sale

As soon as i laid my eyes on these bad boys i knew they would be perfect for Reading. I don't know if i could brave these at home but i'll be wearing them all festival season.

Grey Skater dress Very �8.00 sale

This is a lovely dress for just slipping on when it's hot outside and you want something loose and comfy to wear. WHAT am i doing in that photo?!

Topshop Moto Jamie Ankle Grazer Jeans �13.50 sale

First dip into the world of Topshop jeans & i love them! The original �40 price tag has been putting me off but if i see any more in the sale i'll be getting them!

Have you found any good bargains lately? 

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Three outfits under �200

Even though my blog is mainly beauty I actually prefer fashion blogs! I love fashion and wished I had the courage to post outfit of the days like some of my favourite bloggers. Below I have created three different looks - beach, party and casual. Each costs under �200, i'm such a bargain hunter I don't think any of my outfits exceed over �200 in real life! I loved making these outfits, I'm not very good when it comes to technical stuff online so I actually browsed my newest magazines for clothes and images, ripped out the things I liked, glue them to paper to create a college then scanned it into my printer before uploading it to my blog! I know, bit of a kerffule but much easier than trying to use photoshop. Let me know what you think of the looks :)

This beach look is definitely inspired more by Miami beach than Clacton-on-Sea. I loved summer so creating this look was really fun(eeekk Ibiza on Tuesday!) I wanted to base this look on the neon trend which is going to be big this summer but I didn't want it to be too in your face so I focused on bright,playful accessories. Firstly, lets all take a minute to appreciate the price of this neon zig-zag bikini which is only �5 from Asda. Maybe not your go-to place for swimwear but they actually do some nice affordable items. I wanted to mix up this feminine outfit with a bit of menswear so I've chosen this grey oversized mens t-shirt from Primark �6. This will look great tucked into these denim shorts - a classic summer staple with a twist. I love the quirky print on these shorts from Bershka �25.99. I'm a highstreet kinda girl so I've chosen to tie together the look with a skinny neon green belt from FCUK �25. I found this matching neon satchel from H&M �39.99 which is big enough for some sunnies and suncream. Last of all are these beautiful fresh white heels with a hint of neon from H&M �29.99. Outfit total - �131.97

Party time - when you think of parties you think dresses so I wanted to do something a little different. This trouser suit will definitely turn heads. I fell in love with the paisley blue print with hints of gold embroidery. The trousers are �20 (on sale) from ASOS and the similar top is �45 from Miss Selfridge. I love the matchy matchy trend inspired by the lovely Florence Welsh. I thought these clunky(is that a word?) Zara wedges, �59.99, would be prefect for this party look. A big coat thrown over the shoulders will not only be practical but look so good. This faux fur coat is �35 from ASOS. To finish of the look I thought this prune coloured hat from Reiss, �39, and a slick of blood red lipstick would tie the look together nicely. Outfit Total - �198.99

Casual is what I like to wear most. This look is simple but with a few quirky pieces to make it more special and animal prints too keep it on-trend. How cool is this jumper, any jumper with an animal motif is cool in my books. This dark blue leopard jumper is �69.99 from good old Zara. I'm such a jeans kinda girl, i went with a straight pair from oasis for �48. As soon as I saw these pumps I instantly thought of those Marc Jacob shoes. These cute animal ballet flats with  a small heel from Javari are a much cheaper highstreet version and cost �34.20. Statement jewellery is going to be a big trend this summer, I thought this chunky gold necklace from Gogo Phillip, �15, works perfectly with this outfit. No look is complete without a handbag, I went for a simple black shoulder bag from H&M (instore) �14.99. Outfit Total - �182.18

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Bargain haul - Boots and Dorothy Perkins

Hello nice normal people.
As we've started to say bye to summer (did we ever say hello?!) I've been loving seeing what new products are being launched and what's on trend. Also my favourite thing about September is that most shops do double student discount! I've only bought a few things this month but got some pretty good deals!

I don't normally shop in Dorothy Perkins but they were advertising that they did a 15% student discount so I had a little look inside. I spotted these two beauties and had to buy them. They also do student discount on sale items so I paid �8.50 instead of �10. No bad as they retail for �28!

I had a No7 voucher so decided it would be rude not to use it! I wanted a new lipstick so I went with 'Pink Whisper'. No7 do so many lipsticks it took me ages to decide on one. Also, I asked last night on twitter what nail varnish shades you were loving at the minute and lots of people recommended Essie polishes, and in particular 'Bikini So Teeny' which is a lovely light blue. I spotted a similar shade at the No7 counter called 'Minty Fresh'. I picked up some face wipes for my sister, i much prefer using a moonie!) as I didn't really need any of there skincare products; but buying three items meant me getting the nail varnish for free as all No7 is on 3 for 2 at the minute, happy days!

What have you been buying lately?

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