Glittery Gold Nails

Feeling quite Christmassy, and as I've said before, love a bit 'o' sparkle.

I'm also quite impatient for things to dry, so if your pushed for time and want a quick glam look, I think this is a good option!

So as always make sure your nails are clean and filled ready to rock and roll.

I didn't apply a base coat simply because I used Nailsinc Kate spade nail varnish range in Uptown glamour, I've used it with a base coat before, and it was quite streaky and took much longer to dry.. without a base coat it has a much nicer Matt finish. No idea why..?

I have to say I've never really been overly impressed with Nails inc and having been to there salon in London and coming back with not the nicest manicure in the world, I was hoping to be proved wrong.
Needless to say for the look I'm going for this shade works well.
The great thing is it drys very quickly, but if wearing it by itself it does chip quite easily if you don't apply a top coat. (Jus sayin)

Next step  I was then ready to apply ORLY sparkly gold polish. If applying this without a base colour behind it, you'll get a clear varnish with a bit of a glitter effect.
With a base colour behind it you get a much more intense look and sparkle!

Then to finish the look I used Barry M 3 in 1 product Base coat, Top coat and Nail Hardener in one.

Really great for finishing off the look, and also so you don't get that grainy texture from glitter polish :)

I've seen some amazing nail designs of late snowflakes and all would love to see some of yours!

Bada Bling Bada Boom Bouquets

Now I know not everyone loves Bling! But I seem to have inherited a magpie gene. Where I'm drawn to anything with a bit of sparkle, and when customers ask for this sort of style I just love it.

I know it's not for your everyday, loves a country style bouquet sort of person. But I really like the thought of how can I surpass the last one (something you should always have in mind I'm aware of).

I love using different things normally you'd think of using for weddings, like organza the use of wired ribbon, wire garlands, diamante pins you name it :D.

Here are a few examples I've done all for different occasions

 

 

Would love to see anyone elses Blingy bouquet creations too!

Monthly Favourites November: Bouquets| Beauty

I thought it might be quite nice to do a monthly favourites post.

Be that some of my favourite bouquets that I have made this month, and also some products that I have been using and loving.

First Up Bouquets

1. Is a very simple shower bridal bouquet in different shades of pink. Effortless and really pretty really suited the bride.

2. Bright Autumn Hand Tied
This bouquet was for someone who was going for dinner and wanted something to take. The people they were visiting are originally from Hong Kong, and so I tried to use quite bright colours, using Leucaspurnum Spray Chrysanths and pink aqua Roses. Wrapped in a tisse paper collar which is of a similar style in that area of the world. Customer was very happy and said it really made an impact for her dinner.

3. I know pink again, but lot's of people have been asking for pink at the moment which is quite unusual for this time of year! This was for a special birthday, presented in a vase. I plaited palm leaves with ribbon to give an extra bit of sparkle, as well as a couple of small white feather butterfly's

Beauty Products

1. This is the Rimmel Apocolips, I guess it's a lip gloss but when it's applied it dries it's much more like a lipstick.

I've heard so many good things about these that I just had to try them. I wasn't dissapointed, absolutly gorgeous colour and lovely smell and taste to them, slightly fruity.

This is in 'Big Bang' which is a very bright, pillar box red. If you wanted a darker more berry shade then 'Around the world' is a good one to go for.

I would apply a bit of lip balm before you apply the product, I just find it gave me a bit of extra staying power.

They stay on your lips for ages and definately don't forget to blot before you head out as you get a lot of product on the end of the wand.
I'd also check out your local supermarkets that stock Rimmel as you may be able to get it for a bit cheaper ;)



2. This is a new brand I'd never heard of before INGLOT

http://www.inglotuk.com/

INGLOT is a Polish brand that is now worldwide.
Here's their website you can also buy their stuff online if you don't have a store near you!

They've recently opened a new store in Cambridge and I can't tell you I was literally in HEAVEN walking into there shop!
SOOO much choice and colour assortment shimmers gloss you name it. All beautiful creamy and long lasting.
The shade I went for is 187 and its like a shimmery corally gold pink.

I'm nver normally a neautrals girl, and normally just go with block colours. But this is just gorgeous perfect for night time if you really want to make up your eyes more, or daytime.

It's very glam, and well worth the money Can't wait to go back and try more of their products!


Anyway, I hope you enjojed my Monthly favourites for November!

A Christmas Tradition 'Tomte'

This blog post isn't flower related (sorry about that).

But A Tomte is a Christmas tradition which I just think is so cute.

Well what is a Tomte?

A Tomte is a mythical creature which is derived from Scandinavian folklore.

He is basically a little creature a bit like a gnome. With a red pionty hat a large white beard, dressed in farmer typle clothing, and he is there to protect the children and the home from misfortune.

He's normally quite small in appearance too..but different tales range in the height he is meant to be.

I just love the idea that a little creature is there to protect you, and ward off misfortune.

On christmas night you are supposed to give him a bowl of porridge to thank him for all he has done.

If you forget this little thank you, you can soon see you good luck reversed!

So if your anything like me, and have been eating large amounts of porridge in the morning don't forget to give some to your tomte!!

I thought these ones were very cute at husandhem.com http://www.husandhem.co.uk/the-festive-home/744-swedish-25-cm-bearded-tomte.html

I attempted to make one last year as a kind of door stop! Which didn't last sooo well due to my shoddy sewing haha!

If any of you have a good tutorial for making one I'd love to see!!

Little trees

Little Trees!

So I kinda missed Halloween posting. So thought I'd get in early for Christmas!
Ha!

Having had a look at some 'designer' hotel christmas trees. You know the ones in hotels that look wonderful! And have so many trinkets on yet they look rather effortless.

 I'd thought I'd try my hand at designing some mini trees for table arrangements.

I know people love decorating their trees so thought it would be nice to do a mini one for a table or even a fireplace!

I've tried to go for a designer look, where as with any floral arrangement you tend to want to zigzag (yes technical term there) your grouping of different textures and colours.

I've gone for a white green and gold creation here! I've used big foam roses and a whole host of things I had left from last year!

Let me know what you think!

I may design a couple more with other colour designs, haven't decided yet..

Bridal trends

I started looking back on the number of weddings we have done this year.

Each and every bride has their own unique style and vision, and I've started to notice some trends that are continuing.

The Introduction of Paper.

A number of different ways that paper is often used in weddings is

 Decoration of the venue

Hanging lanterns and paper pom poms also known as kissing balls are quite popular at the moment. It is a good way to colour block and fill space with a small amount of effort.

I think personally hanging lanterns and kissing balls look most effectiive en-masse, particularly if they are of a colour scheme say blue and orange.

I think this kind of venue decoration is a great starting point for a florist and gives you an idea of how you can inncorporate these colours into flowers. With such graphic shapes that the lanterns can create, I feel it's a good idea to have subtlety and naturalistic apprach to the flowers

With the example that we did, we used whats called a fish bowl vase continuing the graphic shapes of the lantern within the vase, and combining both orange and blue in the floral arrangement.

 I have also noticed that place settings which are normally paper are becoming much more designedand ornate, which again adds something to the event decoration.

 

 

 

 

Paper Flowers

Paper Flowers are also becoming much more popular and have been incorporated in many top florists design work.
I think it's always nice to add something different and something quirky. Also it's something not so obvious and different from say another fresh flower alternative which is a silk flower.

 

Blue Flowers

Blue, is always a popular colour I am asked for. Depending on the season of the wedding fresh flowers in this colour can sometimes be a little tricky to get hold of. I would say if you are thinking of having blue flowers for your wedding August/September is a great month as you have the wonderful Hydrangea.
Other alternatives are Delphiniums Eryngium for a more subtle blue.

Shabby Chic

Shabby Chic is a trend that keeps on continuing.  I get asked alot about teacup arrangements, birdcages and teapot arrangements to finish off tables.




Let me know if you have noticed other wedding trends I would like to see

Autumn is here!

I'm sure your thinking..well DUH!

But I definately felt the temperature drop today. I actually like Autumn, it's still mostly sunny but a little chilly and fresh.
Lots of new things are in season at the moment Carthumus which scent always reminds me of fairy cakes. (Honestly it's kind of a sweet smell)
Hypericum, which has a spicey edge to it too although it's in season now, I really associate it more with Christmas.

And possibly my fav of the season is Phylasis also know as chinese lanterns <3

Beauty wise I'm loving Hocus Focus from Soap and Glory, Instant Flaw softening Illuminator. You can mix it in with your foundation (if you wear it, I personally don't wear any foundation cos my skin is really oily)

But I use it on my checkbones as a bit of a highlighter it's not overpowering and it gives you a little glow when you catch the light.It does have a very fresh smell also which is always a bonus, hey it's hard to look glam sometimes when your bleaching buckets ;)