The Pros & Cons of Makeup

Makeup is something that I'm sure everyone has an opinion on. Whether you pile it on, or wear it thin, appreciate or hate, everyone loves to talk about makeup. 
So here, in this post I have put together a list of Pros and cons I have discovered about makeup. 

Pros

If you are have had a late night, early start or are in general looking rough... NO ONE NEEDS TO KNOW. Yes, you can cover any imperfections, contour until your life's content and feel fabulous. 

Makeup is an amazing way to express yourself. Whether you love a gothic eye or a classic red lip. Makeup lets you be who you want to be (even just for that day) 

It's Fun.

Enhancing your natural beauty. You look a little pale, well go and give yourself a rosy glow girl. You can look as though you are not wearing any makeup at all, a completely nearly natural beauty, but actually you've spent hours perfecting this effortless face. (although no one needs to know that, our little secret)

It has become not just a crazy huge section of the marketplace but an industry in itself. Now not only can you buy a million different kinds of primer but you can watch tutorials on how to use them, read reviews of experiences with them, or better yet, make your own.

Cons

The main con... if its applied badly, you can look vile. Literally like you were attacked by an Urban Decay sales assistant and then after, Rimmel had a wee go too. 

Lipgloss. Hair. AND ANY FORM OF BREEZE OR AIR DISTURBANCE.

Lipstick on your teeth. Literally the worst, especially if no one tells you and you discover it yourself and have no idea how long its been there or how many people saw it.

If you use the wrong sort of products for your skin type or actually just take one of those random allergic reactions to a product.. Has this happened anyone else? When you use a product and your face decides.. "Mmm no. Not today, today that gives us a rash. But next week, it will be fine."

This could just be me... But when your eyes almost leak and you end up with a little ring of mascara/eyeliner under your eye, especially in the outer corner. I'm not talking about crying (thats a completely different problem) just unexplained eye leakage. Please someone tell me this is not just me?!?!

Reallyyy.... 

I could go one forever with these but basically, for as many cons you can find about makeup there is probably just as many pros. 

I still love it, though. I mean who doesn't love being ably to put on some lippy and feel like they can take on the world?!

Anyhow, to round this off, here are some of my fav makeup looks from the Emmy awards earlier this week. 

Sarah Hyland

Sofia Vergara

Natalie Dormer

Kerry Washington

Love

Nikki

x

20 Things I Learnt Being 20

1. Never underestimate the value of a squat. Not much more to be said than that. You do them right, you'll hurt like hell but have a hell'a a bootaaay
2. Work hard for what you want. No matter what is it, a car, a job, or even a nice bum (note point one) it will not just fall into your hands magically, you're going to have to work.
3. Manners Matter. SERIOUSLY. A 'Please' or "Thank you" can go a long way.
4. Crocs are never okay.
5. Work with what you've got, I have finally had to accept that I'm not going to have a last minute growth spurt and wake up 5'8. Basically, by the time you hit your 20's, you just have to accept this is what you have to work with, so weeeeerrk it. I may be the height of a 12 year old with a bum the size of Brazil (practically) but I really don't care anymore, healthy and happy is what matters ladies. 
6. If you don't know exactly what you're going to do with your life right now - Thats okay. Most people don't, so no freaking out.
7. You might start to say things that sound like your mum... then realise it and panic you've become middle-aged. I have no solution to this... In fact i'm terrible for it. I've found myself offering sandwiches for bus journeys, having a continual supply of plasters and tissues, I even used the word "trendy" once. 
8. Holding grudges is not necessary. Just move on. Being angry at that girl who took your seat in the canteen at school or your boyfriends ex's friend's brother for saying you were chubby, just is not needed now. You're an adult, keep those vibes positive. 
9. You'll have regular "I'm going to sort my life out" days. Usually after messy nights out or a few AWOL days in bed. 
10. Cooking is fabulous. Honestly, everyone and anyone can cook. Trial and error is what its all about, but once you get a few dishes you are confident with, soon you'll feel like Nigella in the kitchen. 
11. Thinking back to when you were 13-16 will make you cringe. Every time. Personally.. I wore way too many peace signs and heavily avoided the hairdressers. I am so glad I rekindled my love for a hairbrush. 
12. Putting on sweats or pyjamas every time you return home is always best.
13. You do not need to tweet/instagram/facebook boast. Social Media is huge I get it, I do and you want to show all your friends your new bag or car because you're excited. THATS FINE. Its the posts like receipts from nightclubs for ridiculous amounts of money that get me. Do you wanna see my food shop receipt? No, didn't think so. I don't wanna see how much money you're spending on overpriced booze then.
14. Coffee is the fuel of life 
    
15. If you're sad cuddle a puppy. Sometimes even looking at pictures of puppies helps - I suggest THIS website. (See me to the right having a cuddle with one of my dogs, Poppy.)
16. Travelling is always a good idea. See and do all you can round this world, its all we got. 
17. Listen to Drake, as he so frequently told us, he started at the bottom and now look where is! So here's what I've learnt.. You gotta do it, you gotta start at the bottom and be the number one coffee bitch at some stage.
18. Be open-minded. 
19. Chipped Nail Polish looks horrific. Always. (But I end up with chipped nails far more often than I'd like to admit)
20. Some of your friends will be starting to get engaged or have babies and some will be too drunk to know what day it is. Wherever you fall, make sure its for you and only ever move at your own pace. Do not judge other people's choices - Just think about what is right for you - in work, life and love. 

Hope you enjoyed and feel free to share any lessons you've learnt with me too! Comments are always welcome here.

Love
Nikki
x

If people make fun of you.. It probably means you're doing something right.

One thing I really can't deal with, is people who take themselves too seriously. 

And in fashion, you get this a lot - You know those poker faced, "someone stole my personality' kinda vibes. 

BUT times are changing people. And humour is infiltrating fashion. FINALLY. 

This came to light in the A/W catwalks back in February. When Chanel - some might say the most poker faced of them all, launched their Andy Warhol inspired Fall range... in a supermarket.

Karl Lagerfield has made supermarkets chic and I couldn't love him anymore for that... although he probably hash't actually been to one...

Also Moschino's new creative director Jeremy Scott made quite an impact back in February with the Fashion Takeaway range.

The reaction to it has been hugely successful (good start Mr Jeremy Scott).. especially this iPhone 5 cover - people go mad for a cute cover now.

Full Collections -  Chanel 

                         Moschino

It has always been said that imitation is the greatest form of flattery... (Sometimes I think mocking playfully can be more so) and a lot of slogan fashion has been popping up over the past year. 

 

       The Bags Under My Eyes Are Prada        More Issues Than Vogue

 

This is another one of my favs

I feel like some brands are starting to turn the corner and become more approachable... Less of the "big, super serious, I'm judging you heavily right now" and maybe, a little more light hearted? It is meant to be fun after all. 

Love,

Nikki

x

Stationery Stresses

Hello Lovely People. 

Today I am going to share with you a dilemma that has faced me since I was around 5 years old. Hopefully some of you can relate (and assure me I'm not crazy).

Similar to most females, I have a love for Stationery. And so my dilemma comes, when the perfect notebook, you've been waiting for your whole life, falls into your hands... What the hell do you write in it.

When I was younger, I would spend hours thinking through different options, is this the book I'm going to write a novel in? Is it a diary? Is it a scrapbook? Is it where I unleash my creative genius?! 

To this day I still stress about wasting a good notebook. 

These two notebooks have been giving me bother recently - as soon as there is moleskin effect I start to feel the pressure. I get those "these pages deserve more than my shopping list" sort of feelings. 

Anyhow, recently I heard (from little sister - the fountain of all knowledge) about a book that would have solved all of my notebook woes growing up.

Wreck This Journal - Now, there is no need to stress that you are wasting pages, it tells you what to do on each.

And if you check out some of the videos of completed journals on youtube - HERE you can see that these books mean big business.

In all honesty though, my childhood creativity probably wouldn't have matched up to these standards  - writing my name repeatedly seemed to be the height of it.

And so, now I have learnt to deal with my obsessions issues by reminding myself that a book is only wasted, when it is left empty.

In the theme of all things stationery and seeing as its nearly "Back to School/University/College/Everyone everywhere needs cute stationery" I have put together a list of some of my favourite finds on Etsy. 

 New Adventure Graduation Gift

Mint and Gold Reminder Pencils

Farm Animals Journal

Black and White Glasses Pencil Case

Terrier Moleskin

"Suck it up, Buttercup" Agenda Diary

Love,

Nikki 

x

NOTD - Leopard Loving

NOTD - aka Nails of the Day

Ever since a young age I have been a loyal lover of leopard print. 

When I was finally old enough to pick my own outfit to wear to church (one of the biggest social events in a 4/5 year old's calendar)... Every week I went for my favourite long sleeved, velvet leopard print dress with matching tights and lace up black boots. A quality choice in my opinion. My mother was not so sure but you don't argue with a 4 year old fashionista. 

This love has continued throughout my life... I could probably make an entire outfit (underwear included) made up of leopard print items. But obviously that would be a bit of overkill so I don't. 

Anyway back to NOTD, mine today are some leopard print lovelies. 

They are actually Nail Patch Art Stickers from Sephora I bought them a while ago so I don't think you can purchase them online but I have still seen them in stores.

Leopard Print is something that if done badly can look horrendously tacky or slightly... Pat Butcher. 

BUT if done well it can be effortless and fierce. I am evidently biased but here are some of Harpars Bazaar's best celebrities in the infamous print to persuade you.

Karoline Kurkova in Emanuel Ungaro

Heidi Klum in L'Agence

Lily Aldridge in Charlotte Olympia Flats and Saint Laurent scarf

Rose Byrne in Zara

One of my most recent leopard print purchases was a gorgeous Leopard and Royal Blue scarf from Coach (Although, I bagged it in an outlet centre on sale.. so yea BARGARIN) 

Before continuing any further with this blog, I would just like to make clear to any readers that I am not a model. SHOCK HORROR I know - at barely 5ft tall I am under no illusions that modelling is a possible career option for me. And so, this blog will be filled with photos either strategically cropped to remove awkwardness or like this one... of me imitating my fav monkey emoji. 

Thats all from me for now.  

Love

Nikki

x

Embrace Your Inner Obsessive

I would say one of my main talents in life is boxset and movie marathons. Anyone else? Well, I am amazing at it. But isn't that awfully antisocial and possibly a waste of time?? I hear you cry...

Well... yes but every so often, its needed (Especially mixed with large quantities of tea)

From The O.C and Gossip Girl to Dexter and Prison Break... I really don't discriminate when it comes to genre. Also... if there is a series of books thrown in the mix as well, I'll probably love it even more. Hunger Games, Harry Potter and Game of Thrones - I'm looking at you. 

Apart from revealing my inner antisocial obsessive to you, this post is also to share a fabulous online store that can help you embrace your inner hermit... (which most likely you have... don't pretend to be cool this is a non-judging environment, I promise)

PAMPLING.COM 

I actually found out about Pampling when I stumbled across a pop-up store of theirs in Valencia.

I saw the window display and was just like... YASSSSS (In the style of Crack Kid... if you don't understand this reference. Youtube it. I was literally him) 

Basically, what they are about is fan shirts made by fans for fans.

They run competitions through their website where anyone can design a shirt and the winners are sold online.

Stark Shirt  - Pampling.com

Denim Shorts - Zara

Belt - New Look

Watch - Marc by Marc Jacobs 

Being a big GoT fan this was my choice but in all honesty there was so many more that gave me a chuckle.

They also sell hoodies too.

After going to the store, I then checked out their website, its a Spanish company so there is a tiny language barrier but its quite self explanatory and you're able to muddle through.

Here a couple of examples of other designs featured on their website:

The minion designs are some of my favs. Those cute, little, yellow guys are popping up everywhere now. 

I hope you now feel more at ease about any TV/Movie addictions you have as however bad they may be... mine are definitely probably worse. 

Love

Nikki

x

Budget Buys - Zara

So as I may have mentioned... (just possibly) I spent some time in Spain this summer and one of the main things I learnt, in terms of retail, is that INDITEX pretty much owns the Spanish High street. 

INDITEX owns brands that the UK market are familiar with like Zara and Pull and Bear. But when you get to Spain and throw in Bershka, Stradivarius and Oysho, they are giants in market. 

Although I may have fallen in love a little bit lot with Stradivarius whilst in Madrid,  Zara still remains top for me. I've always viewed Zara as in the price bracket "not cheap but not expensive" however that changed when I witnessed the great REBAJAS (sales for all you non-spanish speakers) in July. 

The Spanish are notoriously passionate people... and when shopping in Zara sales, that passion turns to fury. A lot of blood, sweat and tears goes into their shopping.

However I battled nonetheless and found some great bargains, I am most excited about two dresses that I managed to bag each for less that 10 Euros! 

This number I actually saw a friend wearing and then went on the hunt for in the sale. 

I thought this channelled the Sports Luxe trend just enough for me... I'm not the biggest fan of it. 

Hidden heel trainers still make me feel slightly ill, but this trend took off in 2012 and seems to be here to stay so I bagged this baby 9.99.

Also... its white and anything white is a yes from me right now because I have a tan. A NATURAL TAN. Thank you Mr. Sunshine.

This little grey dress (again 9.99!) was quite an impulse buy, but I bought it more because I had one of those "outfit epiphanies" when I saw it. 

You know... those scenarios where you are shopping and you see something and automatically make an outfit in your head with clothes you already own?? Please someone tell me I'm not crazy alone with this?

Anyhow I seem to be needing more "professional" looking outfits lately... I must be actually growing up (eeeeekkkkkk) and so this grey woollen dress I thought would be the makings of a perfect office style outfit.

White Silk Shirt - Reiss
Gold Chain - New Look













Hope you enjoyed my excitement about sales.

Love
Nikki
x