Aprils Alphabet Challenge!!

Starting tomorrow morning for the next 26 days I will be completing an alphabet challenge. I will be posting every single day for the next 26 days, from A down to for Z. So keep your eyes peeled for my daily post, there might be something you would like to know in here!!

Stay Posted!!

Peace and Love x

Retail Therapy, Me Time

Okay so I have been feeling a bit down over the past couple of days so I figured it was time for some retail therapy and me time! There is no better pick me up than treating yourself…I started my afternoon getting my nails done at USA Nails in Stockport, then I had to pick up some birthday presents and a mother’s day present for my mama bear! I did great with these but I can’t post the gifts until they have opened them because they read my blog! 

I then got to treating myself, I started in Blue Inc. as this was where I picked my brothers birthday present from, I got a new ‘twisted’ beanie and a gorgeous night sky dress. I moved onto Primark then, I always get really random things when I go in here and as I didn't need anything other than new black socks you can tell! I got socks, and thinking of the dress I had just bought I got some black tights for it and then a silver pointed statement necklace, I'm loving jerseys at the moment so I couldn't resist this vest! And the sunglasses were £1, that’s right £1 each, so I had to buy 2 pairs of course!! So here is my haul…

Nails £15

Blue Inc: Dress £5, Twisted Beanie £6

Primark: Vest £6, Necklace £3, Socks £3, Tights £2, Sunglasses £1

20 Under £20

Spring is here!! 

This morning started clear with a pastel pink sky, which got me thinking about the current spring pastel trend, it has then rained all afternoon so I’m now sat at my desk dreaming of a sunny day! I have done my best to find some items that I think fit well into the trend, the mood board below has 20 items on all for under £20! Pastels are everywhere at the minute, as I’m at the office I have done all my research for this one online, all of the labels underneath the images are links to the website pages where you can find the items if you want to buy them!! I have slipped a beanie into this mood board as todays weather has shown it’s not quite ready to let go of the cold rainy days, and the swimwear has gone on as I know so many people booking holidays at the moment, plus the ice cream swimsuit from Misguided is just amazing!! The floral prints of some garments on the market really compliment the pastels so these can also be key to brightening up some pastel outfits!

Hope this helps to pastel up your spring wardrobe!

Peace and Love xx

Sun Glasses, Phone Case, Nail Varnish, Lipstick, Jelly Shoes, Blue Cross Body Bag, Blue Top, Beanie Hat, Bra, Knickers, Satchel, Scrunchie, Watch, Bikini, Pink Skirt, Skort, Playsuit, Ice Cream Swimsuit, Floral Pants, Necklace.

Image sources, (all accessed 20.03.2014): 

http://www.riverisland.com/  

http://www.topshop.com/

http://www.newlook.com/ 

http://www.missguided.co.uk/ 

http://www.warehouse.co.uk/

Hair Up’s

So yesterday I dropped all my plans and went to the hair salon! (Bramhall Hair Studio) My cousin (babysis) Connie is around 3 months away from being a fully qualified hairdresser and she wanted to practise doing a hair up before she had to pass it off at college. I took my laptop with me as I had some design work  to do and sat very patiently as she cracked on! Below are a couple of shots from my phone as we were having a laugh catching up!

Any hairdresser will tell you that my hair is a nightmare to work with, it’s great for the length and style as I don't have layers cut in, so for styling and up do’s it gets a thumbs up! Normally bleached hair will hold most styles because the damage hair is dryer and stiffer, mine however contradicts this, Connie explained why I've never been able to hold curls in my hair, and it’s down to the cuticles all over you hair strands, mine are basically too smooth so they won't hold a curl for a long period of time! So she had to work as quick as she could before mine dropped out…

The process  of this style is to curl the hair in sections and then pin the curls  to the head to allow them to cool in the shape of the loop rather than the length of it. She then sat me under a hood dryer and blasted it on cold to help the cooling process. She then took all the clips out and began to back comb my bouffant into shape, once she had this looking right it was all pinned into place. The curls were then looped around her fingers and clipped into position around the back. Once she was happy with how it looked she finished off the front curls and then coated it in hairspray.

I got home and luckily my dad was in, he is a professional photographer so I got him to get a few snaps for me so I could pop it up here for the world to see!!

Photography by chillphoto © 

chillphoto@hotmail.co.uk

Hair by Connie Hughes @ Bramhall Hair Studio

What's on my face?

Okay so here is a little post about what goes on my face to enhance my ‘beauty sleep’! Before bed I dab a little bit of Rénergie Yeux Multi Lift eye cream, I may be 21 but I figure you can never start too soon with eye cream!! And I’ve got to say this is the nicest one I have ever used! It glides over your eyes and it just makes your skin so soft, I obviously don’t have any wrinkles etc. to lift but, for general use I love it. To take my makeup off I use the Bi Facial Cleanser which is also great, it does leave my skin a little oily but once I top it with a little Tonique Douceur it balances out! In the morning I start with Galatéis Douceur lotion to base what follows, it’s a nice smelling lotion and doesn't leave my skin sticky!

Lancôme Products; Rénergie Yeux Multi Lift eye cream £48, BiFacial Cleanser £21, Tonique Douceur £22.50, Galatéis Douceur lotion £23.

I follow this with a little Rimmel Hide the Blemish concealer to cover those dark patches and any unwanted spots! A foundation that works well with your skin and tone is key to your morning regime, mines Rimmel Match Perfection (103) topped with Rimmel Stay Matte (transparent) powder to soften it. Bronze it up with Rimmel Natural Bronzer (Sun Bronze) which I like as it’s not packed with glitter (I’m a glitter lover, but there is a time and a place, and it’s not on my face every day), I finish the base with a hint of Rimmel Long Lasting Blush (pink rose) on my cheeks! Then to the detail…I trace my eyebrows on with No7 Beautiful Eyebrow it has to be this shade as I'm blonde, I think I'd look terrible with dark caterpillar eyebrows!!

Rimmel Products; Hide the Blemish concealer £4.49, Match PerfectionFoundation £6.99, Stay Matte powder £3.99, Natural Bronzer £5.99, Long Lasting Blush £3.99

If I’m going out I use pencil eyeliner to define my eyes a bit more, if I’m not I don’t! Then on comes the shadow, I use a French Connection eye shadow collection. I top my under brow with a pale gold shimmer then base the lid with a light brown and just edge that with a darker brown. I finish my eyes with Maybelline the Colossal Volume Express mascara and on my lips, cherry Carmex of course!! Sometimes I top it with a bit of lippy but to be honest I just love my lip balm too much to ever part with it!!

French Connection Eye Shadows £12, No7 Beautiful Eyebrow £6.50, Maybelline Mascara £7.99, 

Carmex £2.89

Below; Top image, shows a close-up shot of my eye make-up with eyeliner. Middle image, natural face whilst relaxing in my onesie!! Bottom image, full face made up with all the products listed above!

Peace and Love x

T.M.I

Hey! I have seen this post floating around on loads of peoples blogs, so I thought I’d give it a post, 50 Q&A so you can learn a little bit more about me by reading it!! If you have anything else you want to ask, leave me a comment and I will reply!

 1. What are you wearing?

I am wearing black high-waist leggings, a plum Cami top and fluffy timberland boots.

2. Have you ever been in love?

Yes I am currently!

 3. Ever had a terrible break up?

Hasn't everyone!?

 4. How tall are you?

I am around 5’7 I think.

 5. How much do you weigh?

Let’s just say there is enough to snuggle! :)

6. Any tattoos?

2, I have one on my back and one on my hip

 7. Any piercings?

Just my ears and my belly button.

 8. O.T.P?

Apparently this means 'One True Pair', so I’ve got to pick Posh and Becks, love Victoria and her clothing label, and well David Beckham…I needn’t say more than his name for some women to have started drooling!

9.  Favourite show?

My day is incomplete without a daily 6pm fix of the Simpsons!

10. Favourite bands?

No idea really, I saw Naturally 7 live and they were just amazing!

11. Something you miss?

Turkey twizzlers, best school dinner ever!!

12. Favourite song?

Hmm this changes on like a weekly basis, but all time put me in a good mood has got to be Ja Rule-Always on time & Mesmerize!

13. How old are you?

I am 21.

14. Your zodiac sign?

ROAR…Leo 

15. Quality you look for in a partner?

Kind, Caring, Funny

16. Favourite quote?

Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets.

So, love the people who treat you right and forget the ones who don’t.

And believe that everything happens for a reason…

If you get a chance – take it,

If it changes your life – let it.

Nobody said that it would be easy…

They just promised it would be worth it.

-Harvey MacKay-

17. Favourite actor?

Hmm, Morgan Freeman, I could listen to his voice all day!

18. Favourite colour?

ORANGE

19. Loud music or soft music?

Loud! Crank it up!

20. Where do you go when you're sad?

Tend to go for a drive in the hills to clear my head

21. How long does it take you to shower?

About 4 minutes, no idea how I do it but I am so fast!

22. How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?

Twenty - thirty minutes.

23. Have you ever been in a physical fight?

Nope.

24. Turn on?

That’s a need to know basis ;)

25. Turn off?

Stinking attitude towards other people

26. The reason I started blogging?

I love fashion, beauty style, so why not jot my thoughts and ideas down?

27. Fears?

Losing the ones you love the most.

28. The last thing that made you cry?

When I had tonsillitis and I was feeling sorry for myself!!

29. The last time you said you loved someone?

Last week to my boyfriend.

30. The meaning behind your blog name?

I was nicknamed Vixen a few years ago by my uncle, most people shorten it to Vix.

31. The last book you read?

Trafficked by Sophie Hayes

32. The book you're currently reading?

…Vogue?

33. The last show you watched?

The Bridge, it was a documentary about jumpers on the golden gate bridge, very moving!

34. The last person you spoke to?

My friend Rachael to check she was still expecting me for dinner tonight!

35. The relationship between you and the last person you text?

See point 34!

36. Favourite food?

There isn’t enough room!! But top 2 - Cheese and Chocolate!

37. Place you want to visit?

The whole world!!

38. The last place you were?

Home, car, work!

39. Do you have a crush?

Nope.

40. Last time you kissed someone?

Last week

41. Last time you were insulted?

No idea

42. Favourite flavour of sweet?

Cherry

43. What instruments do you play?

I played the flute as a kid.

44. Favourite piece of jewellery?

Tiffany&Co necklace

45. The last sport you played?

Does pool count?! 

46. Last song you sang?

Pharrell - Happy in the car this morning.

47. Favourite chat up line?

‘Have a feel of this shirt – Do you know what that feels like? – Boyfriend material' I've had this one used on me before, cracked me right up, and then I walked away!

48. Have you ever used it?

Haha no way!

49. Last time you hung out with someone?

Yesterday I had a family day.

50. Who should answer these questions next?

Anybody that wants to! If you do, comment your blog below and I'll have a read :)

I hope you enjoyed learning a little more about me! If you do this TMI post, leave me a comment, I'd love to read yours!

Peace & Love Vicky x

What I'm wearing!

Okay so I have been poorly this week and feeling really sorry for myself!! So today I decided to go and treat myself to a spot of retail therapy to cheer up, it worked!! I came home with this haul from Topshop/Topman! The baseball top is actually from Topman but I fell in love when I saw it displayed in the window, I really favour the dressed down sporty look at the moment, plus being ill, comfort has to go hand in hand with my fashion! And the material is so soft it’s as if I never left my pyjamas this morning! The hat is also Topman but I think it’s pretty unisex, it’s kept my head really warm whilst out anyway, and I love the embroidered fraternity logo! The socks seemed to match what I was going for when I had a nosey around Topshop and I knew I had my red sneakers at home so I just had to buy a red nail varnish to match!! All in all I have definitely cheered up a bit now! xx

Baseball Top – Topman £26, Fraternity Beanie – Topman £12, Socks –Topshop £2.50, Nail Varnish (Cryptic) – Topshop £6, Leggings – Littlewoods, Sneakers – River Island 

Railway Children Charity Fashion Show

So on Saturday night I went to a charity fashion show at Manchester 235 Casino, the venue was great, it was a perfect sized room for an intimate fashion show and the cocktails are remarkable! It is safe to say that I had a fantastic night looking at some great clothes and a tasty G&T of course!!

The charity was Railway Children which is an international charity who help kids that are vulnerable and living on the streets, either forced out of home or runaways, either way they are set for a possibly worse outcome by heading for the streets. The charity work to reach the children before anything can happen to them and give them a better outcome and chance at life. More information and how to donate can be found at http://www.railwaychildren.org.uk/  My pics are not the best quality as my camera died as I got there so had to use my phone!

I was invited to the event by a close friend; his clothing line IFlight Clothing Ltd, newly launched in 2012 hit the runway first. It is an independent clothing line founded by Imran (Pictured Below) The Company has a loyal customer base due to the high quality clothing with luxury effects and the quality customer experience starting from looking at the website down to having the clothes delivered. I have the jumper that is also pictured below where I am shopping at his pop up shop at the show and I cannot fault it, the material is super soft and it has been washed numerous times and kept the soft touch, so I would certainly recommend for the quality and comfort and the style looks great and goes with most of my outfits!! The website for the clothing is http://www.iflightclothingltd.com/  with new lines coming quite regularly so keep your eyes out! He has also begun an advertisement campaign with Kelvin Mellor, a footballer from Crewe Alexander Football Club modelling some of the IFlight collections.

Imran works closely with Francis Hooke who is the Managing Director & Principal Consultant of Quality Project Delivery http://qualityprojectdelivery.com/what-we-do/case-studies/iflight-clothing/ If you follow this link you can find out more about IFlight Clothing Ltd and about how Francis works with small start-up businesses to help develop their strategies and get them recognised which has clearly worked with the connection with IFlight.
     

From top right clockwise, Imran (Designer/Founder), IFlight pop up shop at the show, me shopping with Imran, Kevin Mellor modelling the menswear collection, Imran and Francis at the show.

Background image taken from http://qualityprojectdelivery.com/what-we-do/case-studies/iflight-clothing/ Surrounding images of IFlight Clothing Ltd collection on the runway.

Some of the IFlight Clothing Ltd collections, Images taken from http://www.iflightclothingltd.com/

Another favourite of mine from the show was an MMU student called Hanna, her creativity flared as she sent a clear raincoat down the runway, it was bound with bright yellow edges. She had also designed a large hooded jacket which just looked amazing.

Images of some of Hannah's collection.

Also during a show break the host of the show picked four people from the audience for a fun little game. He split the four into two teams and literally gave them a bag or rubbish each, with a three minute stopwatch at the ready one member of the team was named designer and the other the model. They then had to style the model as creatively as they could with the rubbish which included plastic bags, newspaper and tinfoil. I think it was a fab idea as it had the room cheering for their side and laughing as they out their arms thruogh bin bags, wrapped themsevlves in paper and foil.

Images show the volunteers competing with their rubbish!

Other clothing lines shown were http:/www.brandon-wesley.com/ and Unique Manchester