24 days till Christmas

Okay, so I do know that as of today there is 23 days till Christmas, but I forgot to post yesterday, because of a few things, namely; adventy excitement, pride and prejudice, biology, the great wall of China, dancing and a piano. Don't ask.
So anyway, lucky you guys, there is 2 Christmas posts coming your way today!! 

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Yay, it’s that time of the year again!! And to really get everyone into the spirit of things, I am starting a new series of posts, one on each day up until Christmas eve, each with a different Christmassy activity, to make, do, bake, or see. I might post a few normal posts as well to break things up a little, (don’t wait on it though, chances are I will be way busy – at least in my head -), but from now on expect to see mainly snowmen and snowflakes, jingle bells and jam tarts, winter woollies and wonderlands, I’ve run out of alliterations so I think I will leave it at that!

This first one is on gift giving. Sorting out who you’re going to give gifts to and which you’re going to buy and which you’re going to make.

Sorting out who you are going to give gifts to

It’s sometimes hard to buy gifts for all your friends and family, but if you sort out who you are going to BUY things for and who you are going to MAKE things for, then you can give everyone something lovely but not bust out your savings! It might be helpful to start a Christmas gifts savings pot, so you don’t “accidentally” spend your designated gift money on something that you don’t actually need (I am guilty of this). Here’s a link to a post I did an AGE ago, on making your own Pencil pots which could alternatively be used as a money pot!

Step 1: Write a list of all the people you want to give things to.

Step 2: Divide the list into two parts, BUY and MAKE. For example, say a sibling has asked for a CD. Well you can’t really make that, so put them under the buy heading. Another example, you have an auntie who you don’t know what to get, so put her under the make section and look out for my next posts, to decide what to make her. Keep going like this until all the people on your list are under one column or another.

Step 3: Now write next to each person, what you are going to buy or make them.

Step 4: Add prices or things you need to make the gifts. If you don’t have enough money, then move a few people off the buy list and away to the making party!!

Step 5: Go shopping – always a good plan

Step 6: Now all you have to do is make the homemade gifts and frankly that’s the fun bit!

And remember to always make the wrapping up look beautiful as well, just adding a ribbon or some of that curly wurly, sparkly, string stuff, can make all the difference!

Watch out for my next few posts, because they will be full of sparkly, Christmassy fun, glittery and most probably red, green and gold, homemade Christmas gifts, how to do’s!

Until then sing some “dreamin’ of a white Christmas” and hopefully it will come true!!

Children in Need - Pudsey bear cookies

Not donated yet? What are you waiting for, people, its tonight!! If you really want to donate, but haven't had the time to do your bake sale/sponsored silence/sponsored run/sponsored bathe in custard (bathing in custard, sounds soo fun, doesn't it!) then now's most defiantly the time

There are so many different things you can do to raise money for Children in Need and it is not only REALLY EASY it is also REALLY FUN and on top of that could there be a better cause??

Me and my family made some Pudsey cookies and some spotty cupcakes, which we sold to various friends and neighbours and I have to say, they were DELICIOUS and very, very CUTE!

We asked for donations and guess how much we got!!

Roughly £65!! All for Children in Need!!

A few years ago we did this and got about £40. We bought a special kit, with a Pudsey cutter and bunting and a tea towel and a recipe and what not.... So, we used the cutter again and these came out! The recipe is really simple, just, butter, sugar, flour and cornflour, in a bowl, turn into breadcrumbs, then squish together, roll out and cut out the shapes. The bandanna is ready roll icing with Smarties for the spots! Even if you don't have a bear cookie cutter you could print out a bear picture and cut around it, to make the shape. We made the cupcakes with just a simple plain cake mixture e.g. sugar, butter, flour and eggs with a icing sugar and water icing, again decorated with Smarties! The facial features, for the cookies are just black food dye applied with a cocktail stick or if you have a food pen, that's perfect.

Because children in need is tonight, you might have a bit of problem selling them if everyone has already donated, but you can only try!! Ask your neighbours for donations, you will hopefully get more than asking for a fixed price. Obviously make sure you know the people you are asking!!

Good luck with the cookies and remember even if you don't get much money from the cookies, donate something to children in need, which starts tonight at 7:30!!

Radio waves, kept me company....

Yep it's the next one in this series already! Told you it would be soon.

This is one of those where I tell you what I'm listening to, recommended stuff and general la di da.

Previous Music posts;

    Saw your face in a crowded place....

    Music to try out

Somewhere in Stockholm by Avicci

Awesome. Just love the chorus.

    I hear echos of a thousand screams

    as I lay me down to sleep

    there's a black hole deep inside of me

    reminding me

    I lost my backbone, Somewhere Stockholm

A must listen to. Does it remind you of The Script or is that just me?

When I Was Boy by ELO (Electric light orchestra)

One of the best comeback songs EVER.

Bad Day by Daniel Powter

So calming, feel good stuff. But if you're looking for a laugh, search up the Alvin and the Chipmunks (remember that film? ADORABLE) version and blast it over the entire house!!

Hello Seattle by Owl City

Immortals by Fall out Boy

Theme for Big Hero Six. That film was so sad. I mean seriously, did they have to kill off his brother? But good song, none the less.

Harry Potter jumper

I love this jumper. It says "Yay, I love Harry Potter!!" but in a subtle (ish) way.

I got it in Primark when I was shopping with a friend and I had a hard time deciding whether to buy this or a t-shirt that said on it

    "After all this time?"

"Always".

Only someone who had read the books/watched the films several dozen times would get that!

In the end I got the jumper (obviously) and I'm so glad I did, because not only does it look amazing, it is oversize on me so it is super snuggy as well!

You could wear with just jeans keeping the focus on the symbol or you could wear with a more stand out piece, like a patterned skirt with boots or coloured trousers possibly with a beanie hat.

 That was an fun shopping trip, because not only did I get an completely awesome new jumper, I also discovered Japanese pancakes filled with custard! Off the subject I know, but they were delicious!

Magnus Chase - Pro's and Con's + Trials of Apollo

Yes I know I'm late.... Sorry.... But Rick Riordan has a new book out (yee!!) Magnus Chase and the The Gods of Asgard Book 1: The Sword of Summer. I only got it last week and have been glued to it since to get it finished, but then I was too busy to write this review. But anyway here it is, finally.


Contains some spoilers (however small), so if you haven't read it yet (and are even later then me!)
then you might want to shut this page now. Just warning you.

I will now read through it properly and slowly and probably find tons of stuff that's vital to the story but I missed the first time! I do that kinda thing. I skim read it as quick as I can 'cause I need to know what happens and then I go back and -most of the time- find at least 5 hilarious/useful/generally awesome paragraphs I missed! At least that's what happened with his other books. Unfortunately I'm not entirely sure if that will happen this time, cause I found it stop started in coolness.
That doesn't make sense does it! I guess what I mean is that I did like the Sword of Summer (don't get me wrong on that) it's just that I felt it didn't flow properly.I was expecting it to be as good as Percy Jackson and Heroes of Olympus and it wasn't, so I was disappointed.

I was also expecting to like Sam more, for her to be the next Annabeth and be all awesome and funny and she was, but more in a kinda action girl way.
    My favourite characters defiantly include Hearthstone, TG, Mallory, Blitzen, Magnus and of course Annabeth! I really liked how Magnus was a hero but not in a complete Action, swords, fight fight fight kind of way.

One more thing; I really wish that we could have read the conversation between Annabeth and Magnus at the end! Would have been so funny!

So over all it was cool, not quite awesome but I would definitely recommend. 

But on a even more exciting note, there is a new book set in the Percy Jackson world coming out next May!! I’m not giving spoilers, mainly ‘cause I don’t know any *awkward pause*.
    Though I do know this; it’s about Apollo, Zeus is sending him down to Camp Half Blood as a human and this series (yes, I know series!!) is about Apollo trying to regain his godliness!

There have also been a bucket load of hints about a few “well-known” characters making an appearance- I’m crossing my fingers for Leo to be one of those characters!

    Did anyone else nearly spontaneously combust with excitement when they heard this news??!! Please say yes, otherwise I just made myself sound seriously sad!!

Once again, sorry, I know most of this is old news, but I thought better late then never, hey?

And finally.... Lollipops! - London Pictures

What do you get when you stick me in London armed with a camera for half term?
A shed load of photos!! I thought I would share my favourite ones with you.
    You will get what the title means by the end!

Outside the British museum

Inside the British museum - Awesome roof

British museum - Oh look some more cool ceilings

And more ceiling....

A tree.... A very cool tree....

Window of Zara on Regent Street

Royal Opera House

Pineapple dance studios

Leicester Square

Another building on Leicester Square

Yep I know it's just a hot chocolate, but isn't it pretty? No? No.

And finally.... Lollipops!

Strictly come dancing 2015 week 6

10 best bits

1. Two words; Harry Potter - speaks for itself - instant awesome-ness.
2. Jay, Big Bad Wolf, Green contact lenses, crazy good costumes and oh yeah some pretty amazing dancing.
3. Helen George as a mummy....
4. Jeremy Vine turned Michael Jackson. Need I say more. It was amazingly hilarious.
5. Did I mention the Harry Potter theme? One more thing to say on that; Dancing on the table in heels. Kellie Bright is soooo cool. Star wars, now this
6. Anton's reactions
7. That waltz.... Those horns....The dress....The dance....That funny contemporary bit at the end....
8. ALL DA COSTUMES, to name a few; Jay, Jamilia, Helen, Antia, Kirsty and Brendan,....
9. Carol Kirkwoods hair
10. Oh and all the blow your mind dancing; Peter Andre, Jay McGuiness, Georgia May Foote, Helen George, Kellie Bright, Antia Rani....

When you realise tomorrows that Halloween party and you’ve nothing to wear

If you look at that title and say “yep, that’s me” then yeah keep reading!
I hope this helps all of you out there that are panicking, running around the kitchen dreading that moment when you turn up in a room full of ghosts, wearing jeans and a bright pink tee. Chances are if you’re in that situation you won’t be looking at my lil’ blog but anyways…. it might help someone, somewhere at some point. Today I was planning to do a vampire face-paint tutorial, but then that sorta spiraled and now I have tons of Halloween ideas so you got this instead! Hopefully after reading this, you will look dead gorgeous tomorrow (excuse the feeble pun….I just couldn’t resist).

For the ghost look:

Using a white blusher, foundation or sponge with white face paint on, cover your entire face with a light coat. Now use a light grey colour and make a sweeping motion up your cheekbones. Using a finger blend with the white, until it looks like your cheeks are hollowed out. You may need to put another dusting of white over the top for it to look fully natural. Do the same around the eyes, being very careful. Take a black eyeshadow and apply just to the eyelids. Above this put on a thin layer of grey eyeshadow, using the black eyeshadow brush to blend together creating a smoky look. Apply thick black mascara, eyeliner and a dark burgundy lipstick to complete the look! It might be cool to put some white streaks in your hair (make sure whatever you use can be washed off!!) then scoop half of your hair into a messy bun then twist the other half up and around it, in separate strands, bulking it out and crazifying it. You could attach some long strips of netting to a skirt and wear with long gloves and a little veil.

To make a skirt:

Take the biggest piece of white netting you can find and do a running stitch along the whole of the longest side. Make sure you use one entire length of thread because we are now going to gather it all up by pulling on one end of the thread and scrunching it up to the other end. Arrange the gathers so that there is enough material left to go around your waist. Attach the gathered side to an already existing skirt then sew up the sides.

To make a veil:

Scrunch up a piece of white material into a flower shape and put a few stitches through it. Cut out a square of white netting and fold one edge around a metal headband, stitch or glue to secure. Glue the flower on to the headband off to one side along with a bow made of lace scraps. You could make more than one flower and have a whole cluster of them, or alternately you could use fake flowers.

Off-duty vampire

Layer black and grey eyeshadow, like I did for the ghost look, but make it darker than before. Apply a thick layer of black eyeliner with decent sized flicks and mascara. Wear with dark lips in burgundy, red or if you’re feeling brave try black. If you want to go that tiny bit over the top use grey blusher along your cheekbones to hollow them out. Wear with “Just-woke-up hair” with a few strands plaited and pinned at the back of your head and a black-on-black outfit.

China doll

Cover your entire face with a thick layer of white blusher. Using a thin brush with black face paint on it or a black eyeliner draw lots of little cracks coming out of your hairline and along your cheeks like you’ve been dropped several times but always not quite broken. Apply white lipstick then using a stand-out pink lip-liner draw a lil’ rosebud heart in the middle of your mouth that goes over both lips. Using the black again draw two cracks going out sideways on each side of your mouth. Pale blue eyeshadow and black lashes. Do neat bunches with ribbons tied around in loopy bows. Wear with several full skirts layered underneath a dress, preferably in a pastel colour. Sew strips of lace around the hem of the skirts so they peek out from underneath the dress to look like petticoats. Lace sleeves or puffed sleeves could really complete the whole Miss Perfect thing.

Go out and kill the party (*cringe* I'm so not funny!) with your awesome outfit tomorrow.

Please don't pull a stupid face and close the page - Double denim

Double denim. Boom. Don’t think I have to explain ‘cause it kinda speaks for itself :/ Please, don’t pull a stupid face and close the page, just hold on a moment and hear me out, Ok? Ok.

I noticed quite a few predictions about double denim (or DD as I am now calling it) appearing in the trend forecasts at the beginning of the season and I was really excited to see how they would bring it back, but…. It hasn’t seemed to happen which is a bit of a disappointment.
    I guess it’s the whole “scary ‘80’s thing” but I’m going to try to change your – or at least my small amount of readers- minds. So I am urging you to dig out your jeans and jackets and…. Wait for it…. Wear them at the SAME TIME! *Shock horror*

If you’re not entirely comfortable about wearing dd straight out (and frankly I don’t blame you) then here are some ideas on how to modernize this look and totally own it.

1. Put an oversize shirt (Not white, otherwise you are actually adding to the ‘80’s feel!) hanging open underneath your jacket, over a grey tee with a stand out slogan or graphic print to tone it down a touch. To take part of the attention away from the jeans and jacket, wear brightly coloured converse style shoes, or boots with coloured laces (You all know how much I love DM style boots!).

2. If you're wearing denim shorts then try brightly patterned tights or knee-highs.

3. For colder days, a eye-catching beanie is a must, along with several layers under your jacket in the form of a brushed cotton shirt, a thick cardigan and a thin hoody in a block colour that complements the shirt. Is that too much to remember? Sorry. These are just suggestions to give you a bit of inspiration, the most important thing is to keep your own unique style shining through.

As promised here are your pictures and I’ve actually tried doing an outfit grid this time, which is kinda exciting for me, so I hope you like them and are inspired to try double denim yourself!

Denim jacket: Levis
Jeans: H&M
Red shirt: H&M
Purple shirt; H&M
Boots: Internet
Beanie: Peacocks
Born to dance t-shirt: Covent Garden stall (can't remember the name)
Purple cardigan: H&M
Navy hoody: H&M

I don't only shop at H&M, it's just a coincidence!!

Saw your face in a crowded place....

Hi, remember my last Music to try out post? Well this is the next one, showing you what I listen to, hopefully introducing you to some new stuff and rediscovering all those old favourites you haven't heard in ages!!

You're Beautiful by James Blunt
Remember this one? Personally I think it's one of his best ever songs - This and Postcards which is amazing too- I recently rediscovered it and now I can't stop singing the thing!

Shut up and Dance by Walk the Moon
Ok you probably know this one but anyway's you have to admit it is pretty awesome! The video is soooo cool! I want a flashing all-in-one suit thingy too!!

Drive By by Train
I bet when you listen to this you will remember the tune and be like ooooohhhhh I remember this, I used to love this song, but you won't for the life of you be able to remember the title or band (at least that's what I did!) I also love Train's song Hey Soul Sister. That intro's so catchy, you can't stop singing it for weeks!

Will update again soon. Probably very soon knowing how quickly my taste in music changes!

BTW Superheros by the Script is still my favourite song!!

Rainbow cous-cous

This gorgeous, easy to make, healthy dish is perfect for munching on at a picnic, soaking up the last of the sun and if your family is anything like mine and try to kiss you whenever anyone says cous-cous (kiss-kiss, get it?) it will provide endless entertainment!

You will need:

Just add water plain cous- cous

Cucumber

Tomato

Colourful peppers

Onion

Olive oil

Lemon juice

Top tip: You can use whatever vegetables you find knocking around your fridge, the more the merrier! Whole olives might be nice.

How to make:

1. Pour boiling water over the cous-cous following the instructions on the back of the packet.

2. While the cous-cous is soaking up the water, cut up all the vegatables (minus the lemon)

    into tiny pieces.

 3.Put all the chopped up veg in with the cous-cous and mix with a drizzle of olive oil and lemon.

 Serve with a smile (cheesy I know, but hey!)!

Cropped trousers and how to wear

Hey, so I’ve noticed a lot (I mean a lot) of cropped trousers on the street recently, which is kinda cool, ‘cause they are amazing, real chic when worn the right way. When worn the wrong way…. Well…. Don’t even go there…. But, below I’ve put some ideas and tips ‘n’ tricks on how to

do it right!

The casual "just threw this on and still look amazing"

Try frayed jeans with a wide fold-up paired with a white button down shirt that's half tucked in. For

a more "laid-back" feel throw on a brightly coloured oversize sweater. Have a go at a messy up-do to finish it off, Messy ballerina bun This link goes to my instructions. Not self-promotion or anything, but, it does look pretty awesome so have a go. Tell me how it went if you like, ‘cause I love reading comments :D

One of those office days

Neat pastel colours with perfect creases and a pair of black or nude heels make this style great for work as well as play – well not play as such, ‘cause for 1. You can’t really do the monkey bars in heels and 2. When you fall off you’d uncrease your trousers (and we wouldn’t want that now would we).  An open blazer in a darker colour adds to this appeal.

Classic mademoiselle

A one-size too big white shirt that has neat creases, tucked into a pair of - practically any colour as long as its pale - chino style trousers with a scarf tied at the side around your neck, is just the picture of classic French style. Top it off – French (Dutch, whatever) braid your hair or even better, twist the braids round your head, traditional milkmaid girl.

Sorry about the distinct lack of photos everyone *sheepish grin* will try to get some for next time.

Autumn Days smoothie

Both a warming, by-the-fire drink and a sunny autumn days smoothie!

You will need:
A blender

1 banana

1 large apple

Blackberries 

Apple juice

Ground Cinnamon

How to make:

Cut the apple into small chunks and boil to soften. Put in the blender with the banana,
blackberries, and a small pinch of ground cinnamon depending on how strong you want it.
Cover with a good slosh of apple juice. Stick on the lid (always important!) and give it a 30
second whizz until it is smooth. Lumpy smoothies are disgusting!

Taking summer dresses into autumn

Noooo…. summer's ending!! The days are getting colder again and swimming costumes are going to the back of the drawer once more. But one thing you don’t need to say goodbye to just yet, are your summer dresses and skirts!! Here’s 3 top tips so you can keep wearing them right into the autumn!!

  Layering is essential, throw on a brushed cotton shirt and denim jacket or cardigan over the top. Make sure that the shirt is in a colour that complements your dress.

Example. Pastel blue dress = Darker shades of blue or green shirt

The lifesavers that are tights! Keeping a pair of woollen tights (burgundy and grey are good colours) at hand is always a good idea. Sheer black are useful as well as they tend to go

with everything! If you are going to wear patterned, make sure (obv!!)

that the colours don’t clash!!

Another idea that will instantly autumn-a-nize your dress (skirt) is pairing with boots. Any boots, but in particular knee highs, second skin and DM’s. I find DM’s (or similar) the most versatile, because you can change the laces depending on what colour dress you are wearing! This may sound v obvious, but it actually doesn’t occur to some people!

Messy ballerina bun

You need: Hair pins and a headband no more than 2 inches wide

Brush your hair backwards taking a section from centre front and twisting it backwards pinning at centre back. Repeat this above your ear on both sides. THIS DOES NOT HAVE TO

BE NEAT! Put on a headband. (Just in-case you don't know how to!) Put your head through the hole and pull it down so it hangs around your neck. Put all your hair out over the band. Holding the front of the band pull it up and position about a cm away from your hairline. The twists will be flattened slightly but that doesn't matter. Gather your hair up (twists included) into a messy pony, then holding the end twist up into a bun. Stick pins in at the cardinal points (north, east, south and west), pull a few strands out to frame your face and there we go, a cute, messy ballerina bun!

Ideas

• Try different widths of hairband, no more than 2 inches work best but try thinner.
• Stick a brooch in the bun or a fabric flower ( You can buy these or make them yourself)
• It doesn't have to be a hairband, try tying a strip of fabric round instead,                            maybe tying a bow at the side.

How to wear

This is quite a fancy hairstyle so wear with simple clothes, jeans and a white t-shirt using a

colourful headband or a patterned skirt with a plain black band. For dark hair I suggest a bright or pastel band for light hair dark colours can be striking but bright or subtle works as well.

Primark T-shirt

I recently bought this t-shirt from Primarks Spring, Summer range.

It came in many other colours and patterns but this one is my favourite.

Very cute, very versatile, can be worn with almost anything.

 The clothes I have paired it with are (Probably) not available to buy any more.

Shirts; both H&M

Hoody; Hollister

Skirt; Homemade

This summers hairstyle

May, June time it was the twisted plaits pinned center back creating a boho feel but come July things have changed once again. Drum-roll please and in enters the... ponytail!
Umm... Ok... Your'e thinking, but I'm serious, for this summer only, this lil' girl style has opened
its doors to an older audience bringing a wave of freshness onto the fashion scene.

Vogues July issue held an article declaring that the general problem people have with
ponytails is the height; too high and you become a cheerleader but too low can sometimes
look too serious. - not to say that that's the case with everyone, some people look great with
the cheerleader/serious thing - the result putting people off.

The trick is getting it in the right place for you. not too low, not too high...
you just have to experiment.

Whats really in right now is messing it up, pulling strands out to frame your face.

You can play around with your ponytail once you've sorted the height,
try winding strands round or plaiting part of it.

Ponytails are cool in the celeb world to with big names such as Taylor Swift, Lilly Allen,

Katy Perry, Bella Thorne and Ariana Grande all giving it there own twist.