21st Birthday Dress Dilemma!

What am I going to wear!?

This is the only age I will ever be for the rest of my life now! 22 sounds awful, so 21 I will be from now on ever more!

ANYWAY, I need a dress! I have looked everywhere, honestly, every spare moment I get I try and look for a dress, in the shops and online! I'm in London for my 21st for the whole weekend. I want something different, yet still smart and classy! HELP!

Pretty Pinks & Pastel Greens!

This weeks window at Nicola Sextons is Pinks & Greens. I personally love these colours together. We continued on with the garden theme too with the deck chair and fencing. We have reduced the prices one last time, some great prices for some amazing shoes!

http://www.nicolasexton.co.uk/index.php?dispatch=categories.view&category_id=353#1

A weekend of London Shopping!

Literally LOVE shopping! What girl doesn't!?

So this weekend gone, my Aunt came down with my 9 year old cousin from Darrrrrlington, to spend the Bank Holiday with us at home in London. On the Saturday we all went to Bluewaters for the day, last time I was there was probably 5 years ago, so it's changed rather a lot! My poor cousin had to tag along with us... bless him! With having just been paid for two weeks work, the bank account was looking good for a little spree...!

Well I knew I'd spend some money in Forever 21 as their stuff is at such a great price but, its also a little different from other shops. Little disappointed in the size of the shop, but that might be because I've always shopped at the Stratford Forever 21 which is like 4 floors tall, as is the one in NYC! However, I ended up buying a jacket, jeans and two basic camis:

This jacket is similar to the one I bought, they didn't have mine on the site. Mine has a fake leather collar and almost like a waterfall front/ overlay of it too. But it is that colour.

The jacket was £35, the jeans were on sale at £7, and both the camis were both £2 each. Bargains!

We went into River Island for my cousin, but I had a little peep at the sale rail and came across this skirt (Only a tenner!), which I thought would be ideal for work, but also this A/W midi skirts and jumpers paired together are in, good preparation!

Well, when we went in Zara... I always fall in love with their clothes... but this time it was unreal. Their A/W 13 range was amazing!! There was so much in there that I wanted! I could have spent hundreds! In fact, I wish we had gone there first as I would have happily have spent all my money in there! But I thought no, be good, you're saving for going back to uni, and it will soon be your 21st birthday weekend in London where you know you'll spend loads..! So I only ended up with these:

Tartan is so in this A/W, and I just loved the contrast of these materials. Tartan on the front, flowers on the sleeves and black lace on the back! I've now fallen in love with all the tartans that are out at the moment, a pair of tartan trouser will be next I think! And these boots! Well I've looked for years for a nice pair this colour. I only tried one boot on and just had to get them! I'm so bad with shoes, that's the second pair in two days! The top was £19.99 and the boots were £29.99. All in all very good! It's safe to say I shall be back in Zara relatively soon buying more!

Wore the red jeans and tartan top tucked in on the Sunday when we went shopping in London for my 21st Birthday present! Gosh, I never realised I was sooooo fussy! So my parents had given me a price limit to a piece of jewellery, I always wear sentimental jewellery and a necklace is the only thing I don't own which means a lot to me. I have Tiffany earrings, bracelet and a ring, as well as a diamond ring, which is what I wear everyday. So, I wanted a necklace which was everyday! I found two necklaces I liked but I wanted to join the items on them together... well Tiffany can't do that so I had to choose. After about 3 hours of looking at jewellery in Selfridges and Tiffany & Co, I finally chose... but I'm not letting anyone know what I've got until I've got it... its been sent of to have a custom length chain made so I have to wait till the Saturday after my birthday to get it... argh!

Sorry I haven't blogged for a while, I've been rather busy, shopping, travelling and working! I'll keep on it though!

Glossy Box - Highflyers August Box

My first box has arrived!!

I used to be with 'She Said Beauty', but stopped about a year ago when it became pointless to me. I thought I would give Glossy Box a try! They've had good reviews, and I always read about them on blogs, so I thought why not!

My first box arrived this morning and it looked like this: (Excuse the rubbish photos, I was doing it in bed I got too excited to wait!)

The packaging was pretty neat, polka dot box which opened up to a pale pink hard box with the Glossy Box symbol on the front. I opened it up to an August leaflet and then underneath there was a neatly tied ribbon. Just like the 'She Said Beauty' boxes. 

So this was what was in my box! 

Viva La Juicy Noir Perfume

Jelly Pong Pong Eyeshadow and liner

Oceane Make Up Remover Pen

Emite Eyelash Curlers

Purity Made Simple Cleanser.

I have never used any of these products so it will be interesting to see how they do. I probably won't use the eyelash curlers. I love perfume samples because they are great to take away for the weekend instead of having a big bottle, or even just to slip into your handbag for a top up during the day. 

I used to use Jelly Pong Pong stuff when I used to buy it from the NEC Clothes Show, but then I discovered more make up as I got older and ditched that brand. However, I will try it.

I can't see the pen being that useful to me... as I like to use wipes, but it may be good for around the eye because my eyes are so sensitive when it comes to taking make up off.

I've used eyelash curlers in the past, and the best ones I ever had were some cheap ones off E.L.F (Eyes, lips, face) I'll only ever use the curlers when I'm not putting a eyelash strip on.

I have been in fact looking for a cleanser, so this will come in use. Especially with my travelling back and forth at the moment, its probably a good size to use for another 3 weeks!

It won't be long till my September box comes because I ordered my August one late. It's actually quite exciting receiving the box and not having any idea what is in them!

My Everyday Make Up Products

So as you can see I'm a bit of a MAC fan... but to be honest I have't really tried many other brands. I think that's because I'm happy with MAC... but if anyone can suggest any other brand that is better then please do let me know! I'm too scared to step outside my comfort zone with make up so if people tell me about an amaaazing other product, I'll give it a whirl!

Products I use:
MAC Prep & Prime Skin Visage
MAC Studio Fix Foundation NW25 (That does go up to NW33 in Newcastle... I can't be the only pale person there!!)
MAC Moisture Concealer NW20
MAC Prep & Prime Highlighter in the colour Forecast
MAC Skin Finish Powder in Medium
MAC eyeshadow in Concrete (Which I lightly use on my eyebrows... I need to actually get a pencil!)
KIKO Eyeliner in Indigo Blue
Ardell Wispies Eyelashes
MAC Blush (The shade has rubbed off on my...)
MAC Cremesheen Lipstick in Raspberry Swirl (Only applying one layer as its very bright!)

So basically, I use a non oil based moisturiser (The 'Clean & Clear" one), just because I hate to have a shiny face! I then wait till thats dry and run on two squirts worth of my Mac Prep & Prime Skin Visage, literally can't live without this primer!! (Little trick too if you use this, when it has 'run' out, pull off the top, this may take some pulling/cutting ((Haha)) and inside you'll have a fair amount of primer left. Like for me a weeks worth really!)
With my Real Techniques Foundation brush I apply my foundation, and then buffer it in with their Stippling Brush to get an even finish. It also kind of pushes the foundation in so you get a good cover for the day.
I then apply the concealer around my eyes and quite far under, and blend in with a blending brush (not sure on the make) I then apply highlighter to my cheek bones and my brow bones. Blending that in too. I tend to blend upwards on the cheek bones.
I then use a flat square brush thing to apply my shadow to my eyebrows. Then with my KIKO eyeliner I apply that to my top lid. Sometimes I will put a bit on the bottom lid and blend it, but thats rare. I then stick my lashes on. (I don't always wear lashes, but these lashes are so natural, adding volume and length, they look great!)
I'll apply a little blusher to my cheeks, sometimes I use Bourjois Chocolate Bronzer instead, kind of depends on what colours I'm wearing in my outfit.
Finally I'll use the Mac Raspberry Swirl lipstick, or my trusty Lip Smacker Sprite Flavour lip salve to finish it all off.

To take off my make up at night (which you should always do before you go to sleep, its soooooo bad for your skin if you don't! Your skin needs to breathe too!) I always use Johnsons Baby Wipes because they are so gentle on your skin, leaving my skin baby soft at night!

Shoe of the week - Pewter Crystal Luciano Padovan

I'm in love with these Luciano Padovan Crystal heels this week! They look amaaaazing on!

I have tried these on in the shop many a times...! 

Now people say when they come in the shop 'Oh look they've copied Louboutins with the pink sole!' Well in actual fact, Padovan did the pink sole before Louboutin, so in fact, Louboutin copied him! Padovan shoes also have 120 steps in making the perfect, comfortable shoe. Where as many customers say the Louboutins are so uncomfortable! Why wear a Louboutin shoe if its so painful?! (Unless you have botox in the soles of your feet - no joke some women have that done so they can wear shoes that are painful and comfortable!)

Luciano Padovan Pewter Crystal Heels

Crystal Front

They were £365 but are down to £275 in the sale!

Check them out... http://www.nicolasexton.co.uk/index.phpdispatch=products.view&product_id=30933

Kia Rose Print Jumpsuit - Missguided

Oh my I have to get this! It looks amazing!

Misguided

Misguided

Well as soon as I saw the above picture I knew I wanted it!! How amazing would that look with Bright Pink heels or like the model has on Black strappy sandals!

When do I get paid next?!

Hot Colours for Hot Weather!

In the shop today with Amanda and we have just finished doing the window!

Since Amanda has joined us we have been a lot more adventurous with our window displays. We now cause a little huddle around the window every time we change the window!

Nicola Sexton Window Display

This week we are working with Oranges and Yellows!
Deck chair out with Eddy Daniele Peach Flip Flops with Swarovski Crystals, looking fab against an Elizabeth Kate scarf. We have Stuart Weitzman, Nila & Nila and Eva Sanchez shoes to bring all the oranges and yellows together.
Adding in Bill Skinner jewellery and a Butterfly Orange necklace.

We tried to make it like a garden scene so we also put the fencing out with some big stones, in the background is a vase with some flowers in.

Lets hope we haven't jinxed the forecasted heat wave now!

http://www.nicolasexton.co.uk/index.php

Sleep in Rollers - Review

Last night at around 10 o'clock I started putting my "Sleep in Rollers' in. Well I've put normal rollers in before (I'm not very good at them mind!) but these were quite a bit harder to put in I thought! So after what felt like an hour I had the majority of the rollers in. I had them all gripped in with two grips to be secure. I then finished with a spray of hairspray.

Box of rollers

What was in the box: Hair Grips, DVD and rollers.

Rollers in before bed

When I had them in, I thought I'm not going to be able to sleep with these in, they weren't as soft as I imaged them to be. Anyway, I got into bed, and laid down, they weren't too bad. They weren't super soft so your head was raised above the pillow, but when I found a comfortable position I was fine.

I did noticed that I woke up a lot in the night to change my head position and you kind of have to shuffle your head a bit to get the rollers to sit in a comfortable place. 

Anyway, when I woke up I showered and put my face on and then took the rollers out. When I first started taking them out I didn't notice anything like you would from plastic rollers. But when I had them all out, I liked it a lot!

I had volume with some slight curls. I didn't backcomb the roots before putting the rollers in, so I might do that next time to get more volume from the root. I liked the outcome a lot, a natural volumised hair style. And with time, I will get better at putting them in! So they may improve!! Here's some pictures of the outcome!

Morning!

Volumised hair

My Everyday Essentials - August

August's essentials

(Left to right - Lip Smacker Sprite Scented, Barry M Gelly Nail Polish, Batiste Cherry Scented Dry Shampoo, MAC Prep & Prime Skin Visage, Jimmy Choo Perfume.)

Yves Saint Laurent - Lipstick

I need this in my life! I love this pale pink colour called 'Lingerie Pink' and it has had so many good reviews! I WILL get it!  <3

Yves Saint Laurent

Back into pinning

I have now got back into pinning on pinterest! Great way to collect great images!
I'm also uploading my blog images onto here too!

http://pinterest.com/abbyfield1/boards/

Check it out: http://pinterest.com/abbyfield1/boards/

Holding the fort while Nicola's away!

So Nic is officially in Las Vegas, at the FN Platform trade show! She's almost finished completing her set up, and it looks great tied in with the London backgrounds that actually match to our photoshoot we did with the shoes!!!

Shoes are all looking great, and I'm sure Nic is going to have loads of orders rolling in!!

While Nic is away it is only Amanda and I in the shop. I'm at home at the moment having a day off and will be back up to Suffolk tomorrow. (After it took me 5 hours to get home last night when it should have taken max of two hours... I definitely needed a day off!!)

Nic said to us as she left 'Look after my baby!' Now Nic has left me loads of times before in the shop while she has gone off buying in Milan or wherever out of the country. Think this time it is a huge opportunity as she's in America, which isn't exactly close to home!! (Even though she has shown me her hotel she is staying in before she left, oh my goodness, I have to go to Vegas!!) She knows we'll look after her little shop!

Well, the shop is still standing, and Amanda and I have been doing great with the sale! (Check the sale out online if you want! http://www.nicolasexton.co.uk/index.phpdispatch=categories.view&category_id=353)

Shopcade - new obsession!

Now I normally hate the adverts that come up on the side of my Facebook, just because to me they seem inconvenient and annoying just being there!

Well I saw this one 'Shopcade' and just from the picture it looked quite interesting. Well, its safe to say, its a good enough site that I have even downloaded the app for it!

It is basically a place where you can collect and share items that you like on the site. You can also get alerts on offers that are going on items. They have all sorts of things on there from New Look to Alexander Mc Queen, showing you all the big discounts. You can 'want it', 'tag a friend' or 'shop it'. It also has brands that I have never heard of, but I can see their products in big clear images and see what they have to offer. There are things on there a little different and something that not everyone will have like most people do from main high street stores.

Heres a screenshot of the first things that popped up when I saw the site.

The good thing about this is its all pictures so you can just see the product and if something catches your eye you either hoover over the image or click the image to see the price of it. You can either specify what you want to look at or you can just see 'What's New' or 'Trending', so its good to see what other people are liking.

It is almost like Pinterest for fashion, but better because you can see the prices of the items and where they are from! Think I'm going to become quite addicted to this!

Give it a visit yourself! https://www.shopcade.com/

Pinks and Blues

So, I started writing a post yesterday and I re read it and I sounded soooo grumpy! (I was in a grump for some reason!!) I deleted it and thought I would re write it again today while I have time!

So yesterday was meant to be a nice warmish day, so the weather forecast said, and recently it has been quite right as seen as we did in fact have a nice heat wave for a few weeks. (Which needs to come back!) I thought I'd wear a dress to work as seen as we are in further reductions meaning all the shoe boxes are on the shelves in size order, so Amanda and I don't have to run up and down the steep stairs we have leading to the stock room! Anyway, so this floral dress is H&M, as is the navy blazer, the tan belt is from Bershka.

I thought I'd match my lips to the pink in the dress too, hence the similar picture but with a mug shot of me in the middle. I also have an electric blue eye linter on on my top lid which you can just about see in the bottom picture. My lipstick is Raspberry Swirl from Mac and thats a Cremesheen finish (love their cremesheen finish lipsticks) and the eyeliner is from KIKO which you can only buy in their two shops in London, or abroad. (You can order online however.)

It only started to rain a little yesterday, but luckily when it was time to go home it wasn't raining, but it was rather windy, which made me cold on my walk back to my friends house on the other side of the town.

I know I said last week I was going to do a review on those 'Sleep In Rollers' I promise I will on Tuesday when I'm on the train back to Bury again as I'll pop them in my hair monday night (hopefully I'll have a decent nights sleep!) Getting kind of used to my short hair now, it looks so much more healthier and just generally looks nicer. I have though been using some new products (My Mum's close friend used to be a hairdresser and so she's been telling what to use, and even giving me things to use!), so I'll let you know what I use on my hair tomorrow!

For now, enjoy your sunday everyone! (I'm at work - and its dead, hence why I'm writing this! Train home after work, wahooo!)

Mirror

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Yolandi - Music Meets Fashion!

Recently, a friend of mine showed me this duo from South Africa, Die Antwoord. When I first watched their music videos I felt like I was watching a horror film!! (Watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Uee_mcxvrw and you'll get an idea of what I mean!)

I watched a few more of their videos, and even though I'm probably not a huge fan of their music its self, I noticed their style was really original.

It is definitely not something I would like to look like, but it made me think of the different culture that these people live in South Africa. Not to mention Yolandi has an amaaaazing body!

Yolandi & Ninja Die Antwoord

After reading this interview in the W Magazine with them both, it then made sense why they dress the way they are, and why they write the music they do!

(http://www.wmagazine.com/people/celebrities/2011/01/yolandi_visser_ninja_die_antwoord_musicians/)

I then looked into them a bit further, more so Yolandi and fashion. It turns out that Yolandi is actually an inspiration to designers with the way their garments are modelled down the catwalk. Here is the designer Riri Sugawara's collection 'Dans la vie' which, the hair and make up was inspired by Yolandi....

Yolandi Inspired

Hair & Make Up

The stylist was Bill Watson from Toni & Guy. The look was to be extra long, tight, with a reverse plait.

Yolandi has even collaborated with Alexander Wang. The range is sportswear which is called 'T' ranges from tees, jumpers, sweats and tanks. It doesn't have anything to do with Die Antwoord but the campaign they did for it was entertaining, even though Yolandi swears every other word. 

...

Well, that's a little bit different. Not sure how that's going to work out for Wang but I'm sure we will see!!!

Wang said: "Where music leads, I follow," he says. "[Die Antwoord] is a different thing than what we might say is `fashion,' but fashion is still what they wear and how they portray themselves, visually. That's what I love so much." ELLE.com

Nicola Sexton jetting off to Vegas!

Nicola hits the headlines before jetting off to Las Vegas!

Nicola is flying off to Vegas tomorrow morning. I can't begin to say how busy she has been, and how busy we have been back in the shop prepping her to go. I can personally say I didn't have a clue how much would go into an independent about to wholesale in the USA! Now I do after all the work I have been doing! It's definitely going to be worth it for Nicola.

Nicola's shoes are the best selling shoes in the shop. Comfortable yet still very fashionable. Even if women think they have the most awkward feet, we can pretty much guarantee we can fit them with a comfortable pair of shoes!

Check out the most recent article written about Nicola's success and her prepping for her adventure in Las Vegas! (http://www.buryfreepress.co.uk/news/local/latest-news/shoe-designer-in-bury-st-edmunds-hopes-to-put-her-stamp-on-america-1-5382693)

Heres a sneak preview of some of her S/S 14 shoes coming in next year!

S/S 14 

S/S 14

S/S 14

Countryside vs City

I have lived in both countryside and city, mainly the countryside. Now, both of them have their pros and cons.

When I first got into Northumbria University, Newcastle, I didn't think any thing of living in the City or should I say the Toon, until I moved there. My flat was literally on top of a rail track! To begin with every time a train went past I would notice it, even at 3am (when I was actually trying to sleep and not out on the toon!) This really surprised me that I noticed every train because, with my Dad being in the RAF we have always lived near base where planes would come and go, and men and women out on the ranges firing guns. I guess growing up with that all your life you do get used to it. Where I guess a train running past my room was a bit different to a plane overhead.

Where I have moved to now on the outskirts of central london, is really peaceful. There is an airport near by, but its for private planes, and they are barely that loud. I like living in the countryside because of how peaceful it is, you rarely hear a siren or a car horn. Compared to Newcastle where you literally won't go 5 minutes without hearing a siren, car horn, or a train. I'm not joking! 

However, living in the countryside means that to actually get to a decent shop, or go food shopping you have to travel a fair bit. Where as in Newcastle town was a 10 minute, if that, stroll in. Which is also very dangerous for us Fashion girls who can't walk past a clothes shop without purchasing something.

(Instagram) Richmond Bridge

Abbey Gardens - Bury St Edmunds

(Instagram) Bury St Edmunds

Another thing I like about the countryside is, that it is actually picturesque. I've taken these on my iPhone 5, and only put a filter on the Fields and Richmond Bridge but the countryside is just so pretty. 

But, I have taken pictures of the city, in New York and in Newcastle where I have loved the outcome. I think a lot depends on the weather too mind!

People say 'ugh I would hate to live in the city' or vice versa, but to me I'm not bothered. I don't mind if my space is surrounded by big buildings, and that there are siren and car horns sounding outside my window. Or all I can hear is birds at 6am, and the occasional tractor on the fields near by. I think I'm lucky to be living in the countryside during non term time, and then when it is term time I'm in the city. Best of both worlds!

(Instagram) Millennium Bridge - Newcastle 2013

USA 2013 

Statue of Liberty 2013