Lifestyle Blog

Sunday 16 December 2012

Klassy Nails ....

Instant nail wraps are a beauty item I have wanted to try for quite sometime, and no better time then now my beautician has had a little bambino as I am left to fend for myself in the nail department.

Initially I did think they were going to be a bit of a gimmick and result in a sticky mess with the wraps being stuck any where except my actual nails ( flash back to a previous stick on nail encounter... cue my fabulous beautician who always makes my nails look fabulous) .
But now is the time to stand on my own independent pedicured toes and try out the latest craze to hit the nail design industry.

As I am sure you are aware aside from sparkles and girlie things I am a lover of  celebrities, and love it when my favourite celebs bring out fashion and beauty items inspired by their style for us less famous people to get our hands on.
At first I was unaware that singer and business women Myleene Klass had her very own range of nail wraps but once I knew I just had to try them out .


Coming home to a parcel is exciting enough, but my excitement hit an all time high when I discovered that the nail wraps did in fact have a christmas theme !

The first red and white set have a pretty little christmas pattern with the edition of little white reindeers making them the perfect way to finish off any festive outfit, these were the wraps I tried for this blog as I wanted to save the others for Christmas Day. 

The second set are perfect for those who are watching what you eat this festive season or if just like my you actually don't like christmas pudding but still think they look just a little bit cute. They are tipped with  a white topping and finished off with holly and berries that literally look edible .. No nibbling though please. 

What I really loved with these sets is that they literally come with all you need to transform your nails into little wrapped parcels, having 24 wraps is really useful as it means you can have two applications and still have  extras in case you bodge one or need to quickly replace one. 
The set also comes with a Myleene Klass nail file which I found to be really durable and a nice large size meaning its really easy to use. Its fabulous quality also means it is going to be a new edition to my make up bag and one that sure wont need replacing for a while . 

Now on to the nails ...
Before 

I was so amazed at how easy these wraps were to apply, their simple instructions were clear and concise and the application was quick and mess free without a miss stuck wrap in site. 
Once I had selected the correct size wrap for each nail I simply peeled each one from the packet and starting at my cuticle stuck the wrap onto my nail . As you can see above my ring finger shows the after  effect and I have to say I am rather impressed. To get rid of the excess bit of wrap all you have to do it fold it over the end of your nail and file in a downward motion until it comes aways ... It really couldn't be any easier. 

Top Tip... To ensure your nails last my top tip would have to be to ensure you firmly stick all of the wrap down paying particular attention to the corners at the end of your nails, as this is where I found them to mostly likely catch and subsequently begin to peel away. 

One thing I always struggle with when doing my  own nails is painting my right hand as the end result is often one that is smudged and rather shaky looking, that was not the case with these wraps as their easy to manage application made it so simple to stick the wraps on both my right and left hand. 

After 


I really am so pleased with the end result of using these nail wraps and will most certainly use them again, I also really love how quickly I would be able to change the design by peeling them off and replacing them with a different design . It would also be really easy to alternate the designs to create a really on trend look and also combine them with a simple polish for a real statement design.

Have you tried nails wraps yet? ... Would love to know what you thought of them .
Love Liv

Tis The Season To Accessorize ....

Like a Magpie I am always drawn to sparkly things and my obsession with sparkles and accessories led me to discover Beju Accessories. This Liverpool based boutique not only offers fabulous jewellery and accessories but are also the nicest people I have had the pleasure of contacting ( a reason in its self to want to purchase from them now and again in the future).

Apologies now for not blogging for a while but those who follow me on Twitter / Facebook no that I have finally got home for christmas so the last week has mostly consisted of  manic festivities ; but with mince pies and mulled wine in reach I have finally found a spare 5 mins to tell you about these fabulous items.

After literally being in a glitter filled heaven I chose 3 items from their gorgeous range which I just had to review on here to tell you about them .

Now I am going to be perfectly honest, I am not normally one to buy things off the internet ( I no I need to get with the times ) but I am such a hands on person I love to physically pick up and feel things before I buy them. Also from past experience when I have shopped online I have been disappointed with the quality of the products.
That can't be said however for the goodies I got from Beju Accessories, as the second I tore open the packaging  ( I was just to excited to come home to them ) I was really pleased with their quality and knew it would be somewhere I would buy from in the future .

So now for the exciting bit ..... My new accessories which made it feel like christmas had come that little bit earlier.


Never one to be without a handbag it could quite easily be said I am rather obsessed with them, normally for me bigger is better but more recently I have tried to save my poor old back and opted for a smaller version which allows me to pack only the bare essentials.

I decided on this black clutch bag which being a staple colour would go with any outfit and could be used casually in the day with its optional strap or look edgy and chic for a night on the tiles. This strap feature is so useful as I have found most other clutch's to not have them, which is a pain if your out shopping or having a boogie and needs your hands free.


I first loved the skull print when I saw it on on a Alexander McQueen scarf and have been wanting to get my hands on it ever since .
Despite not being ultra sparkly I love how the studs give the clutch added glamour making it that little bit more feminine yet still giving it a rock chick vibe. The clutch does up with a magnetic clasp so a quick and easy way to get into the bag, once inside their is a  zip side pocket which is perfect for my mobile so I can always find it and then 2 smaller side pouches perfect for storing things.




Without wanting to look like a chameleon in all the same colour I do like to wear matching accessories and thought this bracelet would compliment my new clutch perfectly . Black and gold is always a colour I love to wear and I think it always looks really chic, I love the snake skin print on the black part of this cuff; its added detail like this I look for when buying accessories to make it unique and something that extra bit special . 

Last but not least was my super sparkly ring which is enough to dazzle the darkest winter evening. 
I did however have to use the photograph from Beju's Facebook page as I clearly need a better camera with a flash that can cope with the amount of sparkles on this ring . 

Its heart shape design was so girlie and eye catching it was a sure addition to my accessories collection, its elasticated band meant it could fit on each of my fingers so I could wear it on its own or with other rings . This type of band  is also really useful if you find it hard to find rings that fit, I find this a particular problem when they have the tags looped through them in shops making the rings a complete different size when you cut off the tag... So with this ring problem solved :) 

As you can see Beju Accessories comes highly recommended and I will definitely be buying from them in the future, if your lucky enough to live near or in Liverpool then  pop into their shop if not check out their fabulous goodies online via their Facebook page or Website.
All of their accessories would make perfect pressies for christmas including stocking fillers, secret santa or just if you need to glam up for your works Christmas party. 

But ALWAYS  remember accessories are for life not just for Christmas so be sure to check their sites for updates all year round and let 2013 and beyond glitter . 


Love Liv xXx  

Monday 3 December 2012

A Royal Congratulations

Congratulations to Kate and Will on the announcement that they will be expecting their first baby. xXx

Sunday 2 December 2012

London + Department Stores = Best Christmas Displays EVER

So today has been spent wading my way through text books in the hope to get lots of work done .
I am proud to say apart from getting distracted by Christmas song countdowns and the odd Christmas movie thrown I in I actually got quite a bit done ... Go Me !

After a productive day I am also feeling even more festive and to my delight I was at the point of festively exploding when I came across this article on the Mail Online  .
In a explosion of colour and all that sparkles it shows off the spectacular window displays of London's department stores in the wake of the festive season, and is enough to make anyone feel just a little bit Christmassy .
I hope you enjoy the photos and I hope they make you feel as magical as they did for me ... Its definitely made me want to pop along to London to see them for myself .
Well done to our capital city who once again have made me proud to be British .. 2013 you have a lot to live up to !!


I was in fact lucky enough to experience a very similar design as this yesterday when I visited the Harvey Nichols store in Manchester . This array of eye catching colours and designs of London's Harvey Nichols makes me squeal with excitement and gives me the urge to want to dress up in an assortment of colours and do a little dance.
Selfridges was another store I popped into yesterday to see what festive treats they had to offer , and despite opting for a more pastel palette inspired window display I still think it looks fabulous . For me their visual merchandising takes a more traditional approach playing on the more vintage theme that is so in at the moment .

This is another wonderfully designed window from Selfridges and with all of these festive displays minimalism was definitely not on anyones Christmas list this year . With so much to look its literally like being a small child again and if your anything like me it gives me butterflies in my tummy and makes me super excited.
Of course no christmas would be complete without a scrumptious gingerbread house and all thanks to Selfridges they have produced the biggest one I have ever seen ... Christmas hats off to you fabulous people.

My favourite by far however, has to be Harrods; their displays combines Disney Princesses with Christmassy elements and if you ask me it cant get any more magical. Their breathtaking designs have literally out shone them all with each Princess outfit being designed by top designers such as Roberto Cavalli and Valentino can it get any better ?

 Ralph Lauren allows you to step into the wintery world of Narniaesque theme,  its elegant display makes me feel like a snow queen and its icy white appearance makes me want to reach out for my fur coat (faux fur don't worry ) and prance around in a flurry of snow.

Hope this made even the scrooges out their just a little bit christmassy.

Love Liv xXx

Happy Sunday Angels xXx



Friday 30 November 2012

Its December Tomorrow xXx


So when we  wake up tomorrow December will have arrived ... literally cant contain my excitement.
There are so many things I am looking forward to in December its going to be the best month EVER.


  1. In a few more sleeps I will literally be driving home for christmas 
  2. I get to open the first door on my advent calendar ( ok so this is a little lie as I have forgotten it at home in Dorset but roll on the 9th when I can open and eat 9 days worth of chocolate )
  3. I can start blaring out the christmas tunes without the fear of getting arrested by the christmas scrooge police. 
  4. I can carry out lots of festive activities with all my beauties at home .
  5. I can sit by my fire watching christmas movies and drinking hot chocolate. 
  6. I get to wrap up all my pressies and pop pretty bows and ribbons on them all .
  7. Wait ... I need to do some Christmas shopping first .
  8. I get to make homemade mulled wine and drink it until I feel all warm and fuzzy inside. 
  9. I am going to get my bake on and make some homemade mince pies to go with my wine YUM 
  10. And finally I get to spend a rather fabulous festive season with my wonderful family and friends. 
ooo and I forgot to mention I can now go out in public and dance around in my christmas jumper :) 

Whats your favourite thing about December ?

Love Liv xXx 

Celebrity Culture .....


Go Think Big posted this super topical question on their Facebook page this afternoon and it inspired me to do a little post on my views surrounding the age old celebrity based debate.
As someone who is fascinated  by the world of celebrities I felt this an appropriate topic to comment on.

To me celebrity culture is like fashion trends ....it varies from season to season and can reflect an individuals personality and personal style . The current trend that has swept the nation recently is that of the reality star . This trend is reflective of the current societies interest and these publics are  the ones that drive magazine sales  expressing their interest into the reality stars lives; so surely its the publics themselves that are driving this sense of ambition and not the celebrities that are creating it?

   I have to therefore disagree  with the question posed by Go Think Big as  I believe it shows more then ever the sense of ambition that  if you want something in life and believe in yourself then you can achieve it. 

Celebrity culture stills consists of a range of people posing various talents ( such as singing or acting )  all of which are individual to that person, but like i said currently the public attention is drawn seemingly to that of the reality star . This presents the theory to me that rather then the lack of inspirational and ambitious celebs their is just a change of views in which young people aspire to. 

I'm not saying I wish there to be an army of Rylans being produced over the next few months but in  he obviously has such a huge followers of fans,  despite all those people out their talking negative about him he got extremely far in a competition voted for by the public.  We all no he's not going to be winning a Brit award any time soon but is a true representative of todays celebrity culture, and to me is someone who has expressed his passion for something and not given up just because someone said he was no good. 

So I guess what I am trying to say is that I just think it represents that if you want to make your dreams a reality then nothing should stop you and that is what young people should be taking on as ambition  . Not everyone has been gifted with the talent of singing or acting for example so should learn to embrace the qualities you do have, after all the sky is the limit. 

Basically I think everyone needs to take a chill pill and not take things so seriously, and if you like him or not take it as inspiration to follow your dreams.

Who drives your ambition ? 

Lots of love Liv 




Shining Like a Diamond...

I received this Banksy image on a card this week and its now taken pride of place on my windowsill
as a little bit of twinkling inspiration . It represents to me that everyone has the opportunity to grasp very special things in the palm of their hand, but its down to you to capture this very opportunity.
Recently various people have said how lucky I am to have achieved the things I have and when I look back it wasn't luck at all but pure hard work and dedication . The only think I can count on my lucky stars is being blessed with such fabulous and supportive family and friends around me xXx

Keep twinkling beauties ..

Lots of love Liv xXx

Wednesday 21 November 2012

A Merry Cupcake Christmas ...

When it comes to baking I am sure we all see ourselves as a domestic goddess producing the fluffiest   tasting cupcakes out there, but if your anything like me you long for someone to actually teach you some decorating skills when it comes to cupcake making to literally help put the icing on the cake !!

So the fabulous people at The Crafty Party Company have done it again and set up the ultimate in workshop treats .

These professionally run workshops by cake maker and designer Louise can be uniquely tailored to fit with the theme of your party, ranging from cute vintage designs to festive creations as lets face it you can never have too many cupcakes in your life.


 These tasty workshops don't have to be for a specific celebration either but can also provide a perfect girlie opportunity to establish your inner Delia Smith.
The end result can also make ideal gifts for family and friends this christmas, or just a treat for yourself as we all deserve a good old cupcake after all that christmas shopping right ??

For more information and quotes for these simply scrumptious work shops please contact Katie -
Katie@thecraftypartycompany.co.uk
07824396645

Love Liv xXx

All images are from The Crafty Party Companies Website x

Monday 19 November 2012

Crowning Glory ....


So now the super British summer has passed and the Jubilee celebrations feel a life time ago I am experiencing regal withdrawal symptoms and miss seeing crowns where ever I look .
I have therefore decided to do a little high street search to make my blog feel a little bit more patriotic and to hold on to my love for the royals a little bit longer.

Despite most of my possessions being encrusted with crowns there are always room for more :) ....
Move over K Middy there is a  new Princess Glitter in town..

So i'm not asking you to find your flags and put that bunting back up but hope these things bring back a few memories of an unbelievable summer in British history. ( Do feel free however to tuck into some strawberries and cream ).
Topshop CROWN BEAD RING STACK Price: £8.50
 Who needs a bit sparkly blue engagement ring from Wills himself when you can get this crown ring stack right on the high street. Ok I lied I wouldn't have minded but for now Topshop can be my prince charming !
Johnny Loves Rosie Mini Crown Alice Band £20.00

Ok I am going to be honest I don't think this is something I would actually wear but all the same I love it and think its so cute. I am such a fan of Johnny Loves Rosie's product as they are so girlie and individual and you can always rely on them to produce something that little bit unique . Keep up the fabulous work guys x



Cath Kidston RIBBON ROSETTE BROOCH £5

This cutie little item does make me want to hunt out my jodhpurs and trot on off to pony camp but I think its so sweet and its country/vintage style can only mean one thing ... CATH KIDSTON.

 
Crown A Day Tote Bag £5.99
And what does one need to carry all of her fabulous things in ?  A crown a day bag of course xXx


Paper Chase - Crowns Small Magnetic Notepad £4.50
A very special friend of mine bought me this little notepad as a gift last year . Its so beautifully made with a metallic finish on the crown designs and the magnetic cover means that it holds loose pieces of paper safe . I have yet to write in mine though as I want to wait for something special to use it for .


Hope you enjoyed my regal inspired post . 

Lots of Love Liv xXx 

Saturday 17 November 2012

Daily Dose of Sparkle xXx DDOS


For those whose day has lacked that extra bit of sparkle or even if your twinkling like the brightest star enjoy todays Daily Dose of Sparkle...

lots of love liv xXx
GOLD GLITTER NAIL WRAPS - Topshop £5
I have yet to try out nail wraps so would love to know if any of you have. Next time I have a little shop I will be sure to purchase some to do a little post , and I particular love these gold glitter ones as apart from Nails Inc I have yet to find other good quality glitter nail polish. On a further hunt I have just found these on the New Look website for £2.99 so save your self some pennies ( for extra sparklys ).
Star by Julien Macdonald- Bronze glitter photo frame


Being an old fashion kind of girl I love to actually develop photographs not to just have an online scrapbook of memories on Facebook , so I LOVE this beautiful sparkly frame which actually has 20% at Debenhams so grab one now.
Gold Glitter Star And Heart Line Lights-Next £18
I love this string of lights which is not only perfect for this festive season but can also be used as to add that extra bit of sparkle to any room all your round ... A perfect edition to my decorations this year.

GLITTER SADDLE BAG - Zara £9.99
Cutie ... now little bags are not something  I normally go for ( im more of a Mary Poppins fit everything kinda gal ) but my friend held my bag for me the other day and she couldn't believe how heavy it was . 
Maybe its time for a change and I may be able to survive the day with just my keys purse and phone . 
Hmmm we will see , if i had to pick though this is one of my fave little bags. 

Silver Sequin Tuxedo Blazer -New Look £34.99

In a true homage to Carrie Bradshaw a sequinned blazer is a must have for me this season and I love this one from New Look , where I can also get student discount so everyone is a winner and i'm set to dazzle this party season.

Faith, Trust and Pixie Dust...

So  my day has mostly consisted of research and literature reviews for my dissertation ( I no I live such a glamorous life ) and by 5'o clock I was really lacking some sparkle...
Unfortunately Warrington is not top of the sparkly places to visit list so I decided to look back over my photographs of the most magical summer EVER last year...

This of course was working in Disney World Florida, which was an experience that well and truly changed my life and of course made memories that will stay with me forever .

Whats the most magical holiday you have ever been on ?

Lots of love Liv xXx
Fantasia 

Hollywood Studios 

My Work Place for 3 Months 

My fave Mr DD 


The Greatest Show on Earth 

My Future House 

Almost Me xXx