Polka Dot Nails 

I always have my nails done as I genuinely believe that manicured nails are such a polished and maintained look.
I absolutely love the whole nail art trend that is floating around at the minute. I do try and (try very hard I may add) to funk up my nails but unfortunately I have not been anointed with the artistic gene. This does not stop me though! So after many failed attempts at fancy and complicated nail art creations I have decided to start again and this time start small. So I have equipped myself with a few nail accessories and here I go.

This nail art design is so simple even I could it!! 

Step 1- prepare ur nails by removing any old polish, wash or exfoliate ur hands. I love Nails Inc exfoliator for dry skin. 

Step 2- paint 1 coat of base coat.

Step 3 - paint 2 thin coats of black polish. I like essence colour & go in. It has a nice flat brush for full coverage and it is inexpensive which is helpful as I seem to go through black nail polish too fast.

Step 4 - using a blotting tool with a medium top dip it in white polish. I like Models Own in Snow White. It has a nice consistency and you only need one application. Gently dot your nails. If the dots are too loaded with polish they take forever to dry and that is if they dry at all.

Step 5 - leave to dry. Really important step as if your polish does not dry properly it will smudge. 

Step 6 - apply a top coat and leave to dry. 

Now you have what I call mini mouse nails that will lift any dull day. 

So that is my first addition to the world of home done nail art. Next time I hope to be a little more exciting. Until then hope you have fun if you try.

Have you tried something different with your nails? I'd love to hear about it. Please leave a comment. I love to read them...

J
Xoxo

Versatile Blogger Award

How delighted I am? ......very (“,)

¬  Thanks a million to the fabulous Chelsea over at Beauty is Perfection (http://chelsschapman.blogspot.ie/ ) ....a must see blog presented by the very talented blogger.

The Versatile Blogger Award Rules Are:

-Link the post back to the blogger who nominated you and say thank you,

-You have to nominate up to 15 bloggers who are relatively new to blogging,

-You have to inform the nominated bloggers that you have nominated them,

-Share 7 random facts about yourself,

-Then you need to add the Versatile Blogger Award photo to your post!

My nominations are:

¬  Laura at hiyaitslara -  http://hiyaitslaura.blogspot.ie

¬  Da Fairy Lovers -http://aslvieadam.blogspot.ie/

¬  Rachel at little purple orchid - http://littlepurpleorchid.blogspot.ie/

¬  Emma at 'Emziecole' - http://emziecole.blogspot.ie/

7 Random Facts About Myself................

1, I love strawberries, they may be my favourite food.

2, One of my favourite films is Madagascar....all 3 films.

3, I love a nice tan, not an orange tan, not a dark tan just a nice glow and I am very particular

4, I buy far too many hair products all in the pursuit of achieving volume. Big big hair is my ambition.

5. I am a girly girl who loves to be surprised and loves to feel special.....like 99.9% of girls out there.

6. I cannot stand 2 faced people. I have come to the stage where I just move on from people like that as life is too short.

7. I hate flying, like really hate flying. One of, if not the biggest, necessary evils in life.

So once again THANK YOU CHELSEA for the nomination, it is a real compliment coming from a girl with a fabulous blog like your own. Hope my nominees are as happy as I am

Xoxo

Judith

A Flower For All Seasons

Here is a little post, may not be beauty in the conventional sense but the subject (flowers) are beautiful all on their own!

Over the past  year I have developed a growing love for flowers. By no means am I 

evolving into a budding gardener or an agriculturist. I don’t have any major knowledge of flowers, how to grow them or how to arrange them. This is an area I would love to be 

more familiar with and learn about in the future. In the meantime I am simply drawn to flowers and plants. I absolutely love having them around my home.

“Flowers Are Colourful Smiles”

To me flowers are a sign of life. They are alive, they grow and flourish, and they can stand tall and beautiful and always draw a smile. They have the power to give a fabulous aroma to any environment.

Each week I buy a bunch of flowers from my favourite florist and place these flowers in my window. It has become my ritual. The real reasons I buy these flowers are for my mother. As I have mentioned in an earlier post my Mum is no longer with me and at the moment flowers remind me of her. I place them in the window for her. I like to believe that where she is (I like to believe heaven) she can see them in my window and they make her smile! 

Ok I realise that this may be alien concert to some people and outright madness by other people but this is my little ritual and I wanted to share it.

My flowers this week shared with you (“,)

A few months ago I bought a tiny house plant. It had no name attached, it was just alone in the supermarket and had lost all label. So I bought it, took it home, put her (of course it is a lady plant) in the window, watered her every second day. Months passes and nothing happened. To my surprise this morning I got p and went automatically to pop the kettle on and water my little gal plant. To my surprise we have growth! We have a little budding flower. Still have no clue what is going to grow or for how long but she is growing. I cannot wait to see what happens...............

My wee budding beauty 

So the next time you are out and about and you see a little flower or a whole field of flowers give it a thought, these flowers might be a precious reminder for some one.

Do you have any little routines, rituals or habits you would like to share. I would love to hear about them. Please leave a comment below..

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend.

Xoxo 

P.S I also found a good website showing the meaning of lots of flowers its really helpful.

http://www.centennialflorist.com/flowerfacts.html

A little thought for the day ...................

The Liebster Award!

How TRILLED am I? A hell of lot that how trilled I am (“,) Thanks to Emma from the fantastic blog Emziecole ( http://emziecole.blogspot.ie/2013/01/the-liebster-award.html) nominated me for the Liebster Award. I am loving everything about compiling and completing my blog and even knowing one person look at it is an amazing feeling. So thanks a million Emma!!

Ok so 11 facts about myself........here goes........

1.     I pick a star every night I am outside and think of it as my mother and say hello to her every night ( my mum is not longer with me)

2.    I love flowers as I see them as sign of life and they are pretty

3.    I have a cat named Biddy, she was rescued and is adorable as well as lazy and very spoilt.

4.    Mascara is my one must have beauty essential

5.    I have wanted to complete my own blog for years but have only got the courage to do it now.

6.    On a daily basis I am a teacher of maths, business and economics

7.    I love music! It has the ability to evoke every emotion known to man ( or lady in my case)

8.    I really want to visit New York. There is so much I want to see and do and experience.

9.    I am a very bad worrier even though I know worrying is a complete waste of time.

10. I trust too easy and hurt far too easy but like everything you learn with age!

11.  I know every single word of the film Grease and probably 75% of the words to the film Grease 2

There you have it, 11 facts about me. I do find it impressive you managed to read them all and I thank you for that. Now it is time for me to answer Emma’s questions

1.     What is the most interesting item of clothing you own?

I have a very beloved pair of Christian Louboutin shoes. Classic black court with the very red sole. A fabulous gift from my boyfriend.

2.    Which piece of makeup have you bought and never used/wish you had never bought

Mascara all the way.

3.    What made you start blogging?

I love cosmetics, make up and lots more. Also have I have lots to say or should I say write about.

4.    Who is your favorite YouTuber?

I love Tanya Burr. I like her taste in makeup and she has a really natural manner. Very talented lady .

5.    Which makeup brand do you not recommend?

Bourjois – I really don’t like any product I have ever bought. The worst has to be the nail varnish. Just not a fan

6.    What is your favorite high street shop?

Awear – www.awear.com it is here in Ireland not sure if it is in the U.K but the online store is excellent.

7.    Who do you look up to for fashion and beauty advice?

Oh a difficult one. I pull from so many sources, magazines, my own taste and probably fashion shows

8.    Have you ever had a 'wardrobe malfunction'?

Oh far too many.....my worst is more of a hair malfunction. I went blonde for a day ........literally a day. I am brunette and I intend on staying that way after my experience!

9.    On average, how long does it take you to get ready in the morning?

30 Minutes on an average day. If a special day maybe more.

10. Are you an early riser or a late night person?

Early starter and always have been

11.  What is your most important piece of beauty advice?

Look after your skin as it is the most natural and important beauty feature you will ever have.

My Nominations :

1.     A girl with some nail varnish -  http://agirlwithsomenailpolish.blogspot.ie/

2.    Izzie at Life as Issie - http://lifeasizzie.blogspot.ie/

3.    Catriona at Catriona LacLeod - http://catrionamacleod.blogspot.ie/

4.    Amy at Amy’s little corner of the world - http://amyslittlecorneroftheearth.blogspot.ie/

5.    Paige at Paige Humme - http://www.blogger.com/home

6.    Rachael at Little Purple Orchid - http://littlepurpleorchid.blogspot.ie/

7.    Geeklingsblog - http://geeklingsblog.blogspot.ie/

8.    Lousie at Daisy Belle Blog - http://daisybelle-x.blogspot.ie/#sthash.rTVRv8zg.wIy88TEN.dpbs

9.    Chelsea at Beauty is Perfection - http://chelsschapman.blogspot.ie/

10. Sarah at Ask the beauty Editor - http://askthebeautyeditor.blogspot.ie/

11.  Get beautilicious - http://anubeautilicious.blogspot.in/p/contact.html

Ok your turn!! My questions to you are as follows.,,,,

1.     Most important beauty product to you?

2.    Who is your fav designer?

3.    Describe in 5 words your perfect handbag.

4.    Wine or beer or spirt?

5.    Favourite thing to do on a winter evening?

6.    Why did you start your blog?

7.    Where would you most like to visit?

8.    Best and worst beauty buy?

9.    What advice would you give to a 15 year old you?

10. What is your hair brush diva moment song?

11.  Who do you think is the best dressed in the celebrity world?

I am really looking forward to seeing all your answers.

Have a fantastic week end.

XOXO

JUDITH

My week in Tunes!

As I mentioned in my post last week one of my big passions is music. I just love it. It has the power to change my mood, evoke a memory and turn me into a hair brush swinging diva! So I am hoping to add one post a week telling you about the songs and music I have been listening to this week. You never know someone somewhere out there who happens to stumble on my blog might just find their new favourite tune <3

So this week has been an ITunes on shuffle type of week. Not really knowing what kind of mood I have been in (January – yawn already) I just let the shuffle bring me where it wanted to bring me. These are the first five songs at the moment on my shuffle function. As I also mentioned before be aware I have a very eclectic taste in music...................

¬  Rihanna ft Jay Z – Umbrella

Ok Ok ....I know people either love or hate this song. I happen to love it. As soon as I hear the first beat I am in full swing singing my little heart out.  I just like the music, the lyric and the beat. I also must add I absolutely loved Rihanna’s hair cut in this video and may have done a copy cat version on my own bonnet in a little longer version.  Ella...Ella...Ella, eh, eh eh (“,)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvBfHwUxHIk

¬  Athlete – Wires

I had not heard this song for ages, maybe even a few years and I heard it lately just in a shop or radio or something, I had to find it in my ITunes library. It is just, what I would call, a well thought out song that is probably not played enough of. Not a massive Athlete fan but this song is good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPUlichsfQg

¬  Cee Lo Green - Bright Lights Bigger City

Oh how I love to drive to this song, don’t care if it is Monday morning on the way to work it just makes you feel cool ............ok maybe that is just me. My head automatically breaks into a nodding motion and I want sunglasses and big hair. 70’s funky vibe how are ya!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBhdIcb84Hw

¬  Villagers – Becoming a Jackal

I saw the villagers at Electric Picnic (Boutique Music Festival in Ireland) a few years ago and was lucky enough to hear this song played live. Fantastic! Although it is better experienced live it is feel good tune for me anytime as it brings me right back to that tent on a wet summer night.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hg0UsO5SFb8

¬  BonJovi – Never Say Goodbye.

Again a band many people either love or hate but having seen them live  in concert twice now I can confirm they are well and truly the superstars they are made out to be. This is one of their big belter songs that everyone knows the lyrics whether they would admit it or not. I love it. I sing it and I own it when I do sing it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifm00JEjSeo

Hope you enjoyed. What song/tunes have you been listening to?? I would love to hear them please leave a comment

Xoxo

Search For The Perfect Mascara

•   The question has often been posed to me if I could have one item of makeup and one item only what would it be? The answer for me does not even need thinking about. It would be mascara all the time. I simply love mascara. I like my eyes and my Mother always told me the eyes are the window to the soul is so true. Your eyes can tell so much about you and for this reason I like to have mine as bright and big as I possibly can. I love volume mascara and I love big lashes. I am a self confessed false eyelash lover however I don’t wear them for day wear (unless for very special occasions). I like the whole feeling of occasion when I wear lashes so that feeling would be lost if I were to wear them all the time. So taking this into consideration and my love for big bold bright eyes I am always on the hunt for volume mascara that will give me my desired look. I tend to purchase a lot of mascara’s. I have complied a little list of the mascara’s most used from my collection at the moment. I have used all of these mascara’s and the opinions shared are that of my own from my own experience of using the mascara. So here goes........

Just for information purposes I should tell you what other makeup I have on. In each picture I am wearing Yves Saint Laurent - Teint Touche Eclat Foundation in beige. I have a MAC Mineralised pressed powder and a little swipe of NARS Bronzer in Laguna. I am also wearing MAC’S Rapid black Penultimate eyeliner and Tom Fords Brow Sculptor in Espresso. To take off my mascara I used MAC eye makeup remover. I find this makeup remover excellent and gentle. 

• Lancome Hypnoses Doll Eyes

This mascara is nice but sadly not great.  It is promoted to give a wide eye effect and separate lashes. It does do this but not to the extent as I would like. It does not run or give you back marks around your eye. You do however need to put a fair bit on and I find you need to clean the brush often to remove clumps. It is nice for day wear in my opinion.  For high end mascara this is a little disappointing. I do like the brush as it is shaped in such a way as to help you get to the little lashes at the edge of your eye.  Over all I was disappointed a little in this mascara.

•  L’Oreal Volume Million Lashes Diamantissime

L’Oreal has been the creator of my favourite mascara’s for a long time and again this does not fail to impress. Its dark black, it has a fabulous brush that is fat at the top and bottom and thinner in the middle to give a curl to your lash. It gives your lashes volume and has staying power. One of my favourites for sure. This is a mascara I would like to always have in my make up bag as it gives me the big lash bight eyed look I really like.

•  Bare Minerals Flawless definition.

I am not a big fan of this mascara. It was fantastic at the beginning for the first maybe 10 uses then it just got worse. It is clumpy and gives a flat shape to your lashes. I also find that the brush gets very messy and needs to be wiped clean very often. The brush is thin and I think it would benefit from a bigger brush.  I also find that this mascara wears off easily and sometimes leaves clumpy bits of mascara in your lashes that are just a no go for any mascara loving girl. I will not be repurchasing this mascara. 

• Clinique high impact extreme volume mascara

This mascara does exactly as it says on the tube!! It’s fabulous. It has a big brush that just adds volume gives great length to lashes. My only negative is the brush gets a little clumpy but not so much as to put you off using it. This is definitely mascara I will buy again and continue to use. I really love it

•  MAC Opulash

Traditionally I am not a massive fan of MAC Mascara as it but I must admit this mascara is a little different. It claims to add volume and optimum length but to be honest I did not find this. It does however separate the lash nicely and it does add length but not so much volume. The brush is wide and big and that helps with the separation of lashes. I like this mascara for day wear as it’s clean and gives me bright eyes. 

•   Thick and Fast Super Volume Mascara by Soap and Glory 

In my pursuit of the best volume mascara I bought this after reading a few good reviews. Unfortunately it did not live up to my expectations. It had a big brush with I was hopeful of. I do like the effect it has no my bottom lash but the top lacks ump!! I have not used it a lot but maybe with another try or ten I may grow on me.

• Bobbi  Brown Extreme Party Mascara

I like this mascara. I got it as part of an eyeliner pot package so it is in sample size. I have a medium size brush and its jet black in colour. I separate the lashes and leaves them very bright looking. It does not run and has good staying power.  I would but the full size of this mascara when my sample is used up.

•  Lancôme Hypnoses Star

My sister gave me this as a gift how good is she? It is somewhat on an upgrade of the aforementioned Doll Eyes. It is indeed upgraded. It separates and gives better volume. The brush is thin at the top to help get the little lashes at the edges of your eyes and gives the rest of your lashes some volume. I do like the curl it gives your lashes at the sides, they almost curl out. I like using this mascara at the moment and hope it continues. 

There you have it, my mascara collection. The top 2 mascara's for me would have to be Clinique high impact extreme volume mascara and  L’Oreal Volume Million Lashes Diamantissime. The worst would have to be Bare Minerals Flawless definition. To repeat these are only my choices and every one has different wants and needs from a mascara! 

I really hope you found this post useful. What do you like in a mascara and do you have any recommendation for volume and big lashes???? I would love to know so please leave a comment. 

xoxox