Jewellery storage

I've been wanting to update my jewellery storage situation for a while now. For ages now I've been storing my necklaces using a toilet roll holder (it doesn't look as as bad as you'd think!)

Whilst I am happy with this set-up, it annoying if you are looking for a necklace in a hurry. I also tend to use the same few necklaces over and over again so I really wanted to find a way to display my favourite pieces better.

Cue, inspiration board!

Found these pictures whilst on Google Images

I absoultely love the idea of using a picture frame to display and store your various bits of jewellary. For one, it looks amazing, and it also makes them really quick and easy to access.

Now I decided to use a noticeboard instead (because I already had one up on my wall) and I think it turned out pretty good. I just got an ordinary noticeboard from somewhere like B&Q or Ikea, and then I painted it purple using a wee tester pot of wall paint from B&Q. 

Before, and After

Actually love that colour of purple, but my room is far too small to paint it all that dark! For the part of the board holding earrings I used strips of black lace cut from an old necklace I have never worn once in my life. The hanging earrings are being stored on a chain rescued from a broken bracelet.

Now I just need to figure out what to do with the other 2 notice boards that I have on my wall!

There are tons of places to get cheap noticeboards

Ikea - £2.79

Ebay - £6.69

Ebay - £3.99

How do you store your jewellery?

- Allie 

Distressing, Studding and Bleaching Inspiration

So I've finally finished exams and its officially Summertime! Yay! The sun is even shining and for it is actually warm in Scotland. This can't continue for long surely!

However, since finishing exams I have spent hours looking at DIY articles and blogs and marveling at how other people are so crafty, making all sorts of clothes and stuff. I've even seen a few pictures of people using ladders as shelving, and it looks amazing! I can't wait to actually buy a flat so I can decorate it to my own tastes. There will be lots of ladders involved if this keeps up!

Images found while searching Google (for longer than I care to admit...) looking at studding shorts!

New obsession, studded and distressed shorts. I have loved this style for absolutely ages now, but I never realised how easy it is to stud shorts yourself! I've got an old pair in the back of (one of my many) wardrobes and they are getting a makeover as soon as my studs arrive from China. Don't you just love eBay?

I may even have a bash at making my own distressed shorts if I feel up to it. Bit nervous about totally ruining my shorts but I doubt I'll ever wear them again, so why not!

End Goal - getting up the courage to try dip bleaching some denim!

You can get studs for extremely cheap prices on eBay, my two favourite kinds where

Bronze Triangle Studs- £2.69 for 100

Gold Square Studs - £2.29 for 100

Have you made any DIY clothes etc? Or can you give me any tips of bleaching my clothes, I am determined to give this a bash before the end of summer!

- Allie

Lazy day

Nothing better than a lazy chilled day in bed catching up on programs!

I'm even blogging this from my phone while eating the quickest yet yummiest lunch around, omelette and orange juice.

How are you spending your day?

- Allie

Look for the Night

Look for a recent night out. I am absolutely in love with that blue top from Primark! Think it was only about £10 and it is amazing, look at that detail on the collar. Really recommend you have a shifty at what primark has in store, there are a couple surprises at the moment.

Blue is definitely going to be on trend in Autumn, especially dark cobalt blue! I am on the look out for some nice pieces at the moment, really craving a cobalt blue blazer but can't find one anywhere!

That chain necklace broke last week when I was in Uni! Absolute heartbreak. Anybody know where I can find a long bronze thick chain necklace to replace it? It was one of those necklaces that I could chuck on top of practically any outfit and make it look a bit more 'put together'

- Allie x

Four Fantastic Foundations

Four amazing foundations that I have had great experiences with. I would repurchase any of these foundations happily, although I never seem to buy the same product twice! Can't help getting drawn to the new shiny foundations I guess!  A couple things these foundations all have in common

1) They come in glass bottles, which I guess I am drawn too because it makes the product look a bit more impressive, and they have pumps. 

2) Pumps on the top of foundation bottles, maybe the best idea ever! You can choose how much product you want to come out and its mess and waste free. Brilliant!

Rimmel Lasting Finish 25h Foundation - RRP £6.99

This is my current foundation and I use this everyday religiously. I won't leave the house without putting this bad boy on! I can't vouch for the 'lasting 25hours straight' claim, however I have fallen asleep wearing my make-up a few times (very bad habit!) and there was definitely foundation still around in the morning which is pretty impressive! And no foundation transfer onto my pillows, also a bonus.

This applies with medium coverage and is very buildable. It gives your skin a nice dewy finish but not a shiny one! I personally love the way this foundation applies and looks, but obviously if you crave Matte finishes, then all you would need to do is add a little powder.

In summary, this foundation lasts ages, covers every little problem you may have, isn't drying in any way and leaves you with a lovely dewy finish. Not bad considering its only £6.99! Currently my favourite foundation of the lot.

Maybelline Dream Satin Liquid Foundation - RRP £7.99

This foundation is again medium coverage, but you could quite easily build it up to become a pretty thick layer if that was what you wanted.When it comes to longevity, I do have to say that as far as most foundations go, this definitely holds its own in that respect. However, it doesn't last quite as well as the Rimmel foundation, and it definitely wouldn't be 'sleep-proof'! It has great coverage but if you have any major issues I would be inclined to use additional concealer, just it case. Gives a really nice airbrush finish, and again isn't drying on your skin. 

At £7.99 I would happily repurchase this, but I think if you like it you'll have to be quick, on the Boots website it says that it is only available online and 'once its gone, its gone'! Eek, I might just buy a couple bottles in case.

Maybelline Superstay 24hr Foundation - RRP £9.19

I have read that the new version of this foundation does not come with a pump, which is a bit disappointing! 

I think that this is an odd thing to take away from the foundation because without the pump it is incredibly messy and fiddly to apply. A pump is much easier, cleaner and quite frankly more hygienic !

As far as the actual foundation, this one isn't for everybody. I had nothing but great experiences with this, and used it right up till the end of the bottle. However some people found it drying and too thick. I think if you are out and about in Boots etc maybe swatch a little of this onto the back of your hand and make up your own opinions on that.

I found that the coverage with this was amazing, a little bit went a long way and had amazing staying power! 

This was again has buildable coverage and is definitely medium/heavy, however you can barely feel it on your face one its been applied and has dried. 

No7 Stay Perfect Liquid Foundation - RRP £15.00

I am fairly sure that I bought this using one of the No7 Boots vouchers or when it was on a deal, there is no way I would pay £15.00 for a foundation from what I personally view as a drugstore brand.

This foundation very smooth and silky, and does glide onto the skin and leaves you with a dewy effect. The coverage however is fairly light/medium, and as you can probably guess I tend to go for heavier foundations.  However, I did really like this foundation, and it was another that I finished right until the end, and was fairly sad when it finally finished. I liked that it did give you good coverage, but looked very natural at the same time.

It does coverage the skin very consistently however I did use concealer whenever I wore this. If you like No7 then I would recommend this foundation to you, however I do think you can get better foundations for much cheaper!

I only realised after reviewing the 4 foundations that my favourite ( The Rimmel 25hr foundation) is actually the cheapest. Just goes to show you that money can't buy everything!

Any foundation recommendations for me to try next?

- Allie x

Roll On vs Spray On

Mitchum Shower Fresh Roll-On Deodorant vs Mitchum Woman Unperfumed Deodorant 

Yes this is a bit of a random post, but I thought I would write it nonetheless!

A lot of girls I know buy Spray-on deodorant because that's what they've been buying for years, and they like the fresh feeling they get when they spray it on. However I've been used to buying Roll-On. It's better for the environment, but more importantly, it is usually cheaper!

I thought I would compare my favourite brand and see which one I personally preferred once and for all... and then share these findings with you of course haha.

Spray On

Whilst you get a bigger can, in my experience you use a lot more of the product when spraying it on, and most of it ends up in the air around you! It does feel cool and fresh when you immediately spray it on, however I personally found that after about 10hours I was wanting to reapply, and that was just during the day. I highly doubt this anti-perspirant would last a whole workout! However it smells like, nothing, which is a good thing in my books. I love wearing perfume, so I don't want my Vera Wang to have a hint of Daises or Rainforests or whatever it is most deodorants seem to be smelling like now haha.

Roll-On

You use hardly any of the product, and whilst I can't state that it lasted the full 48hours, it never really seemed to stop working! One bottle lasted me ages, I'm talking a year plus. And again, it doesn't smell offensive in any way, which is a big plus in my opinion! And of course, you aren't harming as many polar bears when you use roll-on deodorant! It is also cheaper than spray-on, and if you are a poor student like me (with a make-up addiction) you will know that pennies count!

So in summary, if you are a die hard Spray-on lover, give Roll-on a shot!! You might like it, and if not, leave me a comment telling me where I went wrong ;) haha

- Allie x

Locks & Bonds

Locks & Bonds Professional Hair Extensions - 7 Piece Clip in Set and Quad Clip (Light Honey Blonde)

Now I was lucky enough to win these extensions through a giveaway over at the Celina's wonderful blog, Bycelina. I have been a long time fan, and am extremely envious of her life! Her pictures showing the view from her apartment in Monaco are to die for!

So onto the extensions, and I just have to say right off the bat, I am in LOVE with these extensions! You can tell that these are of extremely high quality and once they are clipped in they are set for the whole day (or night!). You don't have to worry about these unclipping suddenly, which can be very awkward to say the least!

The Locks and Bonds website is fairly self explanatory and it is simple to see all the different shades, and you don't have to worry about long delivery times. They are shipped extremely quickly with FedEx, and my package was here before I had even time to worry haha.

The thing with Hair extensions is that you really get what you pay for. I have previously done a post about cheaper hair extensions, and whilst they were great, and a good first time purchase, if you are serious about extensions and you were them a lot I would really recommend looking into investing in a pair of Locks and Bonds ones! The hair is so soft and silky, and once mine are clipped in you can't tell the difference whatsoever, in colour, texture, dryness, nothing!

You do have to make sure to take care of your extensions though, treat them exactly like your own hair... only better! That way they will last for ages, and you get the most from your money!

What do you guys think about hair extensions? Love them or loathe them?

- Allie x