DIY Studded Shorts

Hi everyone, here is a little fashion DIY project I got myself stuck into a few days ago and i'm pretty pleased with the results so thought I would show you all.

If you want to have a go yourself you will need:

• pair of old jeans to cut/shorts (or anything else you fancy studding)
• Some studs of your choice- keep reading and i'll let you know where I got mine
• Chalk or pen of some sort for marking out things on the fabric
• Fabric scissors that will cut through denim
• Pliers for securing the studs

So first of all this is the little package I received the studs I ordered in.

I got them from the online josyrose website here and the exact studs I bought are these ones here. I did however love the look of lots of them and wanted to get them all. It was very nicely package and came within a couple of days which I was very impressed with.

I also got a little free gift. Free things are always exciting!

These are the studs I ordered. They are priced at £1.49 per 10 grams which is roughly 16 pieces. You order them in units where 1 unit= 10 grams. I ordered 10 units which gave me roughly 160 studs at £14.90. Postage and packaging was £2.75 which is fairly reasonable.

It was the first time I'd seen this website and I really recommend it if you're after any crafty bits. I particularly love the collars and fringing that they sell and might do something with them if I get another DIY urge.

Although i'd seen lots of studded things around and seen various posts or youtube videos on how to do it yourself the one that got me started was a video by 'Niasays': definitely recommend checking it out here

If I had a pair of plain denim shorts I wanted to stud I would have used those but I happen to like all of my shorts I own and didn't really want to change them so I went charity shop hunting and came across these jeans in my size. I liked the colour and at around £2 you couldn't go wrong.

I got cutting and heres what I ended up with. I also turned up the ends as I found it just looked better that way. 

A tip I would recommend when cutting jeans into shorts is : definitely try them on and mark it out first. Mark it out at the longest length you would like them and cut that (nothing more frustrating than cutting them too short and ruining them). I would also say mark all the way around the shorts not just straight across as the front and back are generally different lengths to make room for the bum area.

After around 2 and half hours of studding heres what I was left with and I love them. I didn't think it was too time consuming as i just sat myself in front of some good tv and got studding.

The studs were fairly easy to apply a little fiddly at first but once you get into a rhythm its fine. The studs have 8 sharp prongs on them which are easy to push through the denim then with the pliers folded each prong over one by one to secure it to the material. They are very secure and Idon't see them coming away anytime soon if ever.

After sprawling the internet for different studding designs on shorts I found some that had pocket detail which I really liked. I just cut the pocket halfway open and studded that part exactly like I had done on the front. I like that there's a bit of studding on both the front and back.

After all that I still have 20-30 studs left and now i want to stud everything; t-shirts, bags....the possibilities are endless!

I will probably feature these in an outfit of the day at some point. Hope you all enjoyed and happy studding!

P.S i've just reached 100 followers and am very very happy. Thank you to everyone who reads what I write, love you all!

XOXO L

"Lace is as much about the space between the threads as it is the threads themselves"

Hey everyone, I have been a little absent lately so here's whats been going on with my life; for the past two weeks i've been doing some work experience as I thought it would be a productive thing to do during my uni summer holiday. Working 9-6 monday to friday when you're used to doing pretty much nothing is hard work let me tell you! I have enjoyed it though and with that out the way I have fun some fun bloggy things I am planning to do.

Here is an OOTD from a couple of days ago when there was actually some sun in England (please come back Mr. Sun)

Top- New Look

Shorts- Topshop

Watch- Guess

Nails- Barry B's pale blue

Hope you enjoyed,

XOXO L

Better late than never- Awards

I have no better excuse for not reposting these other than i've just been lazy. This does not mean however I do not appreciate them and I was not ridiculously happy when the lovely bloggers nominated me for them. I feel very lucky to have been given this award by three fellow bloggers, these are:

I was given the 'one lovely blog award' by the lovely Nykki from http://mymaneblog.com. Her blog is great and she has lots of fun things on there, thanks Nykki! xoxo

I was also awarded the 'one lovely blog award by Lilley from http://lilleymay.blogspot.com. Take a lot at her blog she's got some really great reviews on different products. Thanks Lilley xoxo

Also got an award from Emily Rose at http://rose-tinted91.blogspot.com she's also got some great reviews and other really useful posts. Thanks! xoxo

So....Rules for these awards:

1. Link back to the person who awarded you: check!

2. Write 7 random facts about yourself:

• Once upon a time I lived in America but now live in lovely England
• I am about to go into my second year of studying Architecture at university
• I was once a gymnast...and backflip at any given opportunity
• I currently have a mild humous obsession and eat it with everything
• I am ridiculously indecisive and cannot decide my favourite...food, film, song, anything
• I never ever have my nails not painted
• I get cold very easily but love winter purely for the clothes you get to wear

3. Nominate other bloggers: I nominate.....

http://hannahsmakeupsecrets.blogspot.com

http://laurakristinexo.blogspot.com

http://ooooohpretty.blogspot.com

http://beautyrights.blogspot.com

http://beautyful-fashion.blogspot.com

http://boldnbella.blogspot.com

http://oliviajane14.blogspot.com

http://eliseed.blogspot.com

http://krzteli.blogspot.com

Thank you to everyone who nominated (really hope I haven't missed anyone) me and also thanks to anyone who follows, comments or views my blog, I love you all!

xoxo L

OOTN and Yummy Things

Last night I went out for my friends birthday, my friend from uni also came to visit and brought me lots of yummy things and we danced the night away....this is what I wore 

• Dress- Miss Selfridge
• Shoes- New Look

I particularly like this dress because I think it is very versatile and can be worn for daytime or evening depending on what you accessorise with it.

I am wearing Barry M's Pale Blue on my nails

Beautiful cupcakes, and do not be fooled by the 'Happy Birthday' cupcake it's not actually my birthday. These are also the most delicious brownies I have ever tasted, already eaten half the box.....oops.

 How cute is this!?

Hope you enjoyed,

XOXO L

"Totem poles and wooden masks no longer suggest tribal villages but fashionable drawing rooms in New York and Paris"

All images found at http://weheartit.com under 'tribal'


XOXO L

Haul- Pamper Time

I popped into Boots yesterday with the intention of getting a hair mask that would sort out the dryness from all the swimming i've been recently doing.....but of course I picked up some extra things. I also got some great recommendations for hair products from my lovely followers, but in the tiny Boots I went into there was limited choice available, heres what I got.......

• Chocolate Masque- £1.01
• John Frieda Miraculous Recovery- £5.89
• Watter bobble- £10.00
• Umberto Giannini enviable body blow dry spray- £5.49
• Umberto Giannini shapely body mousse-  £5.49.....there was a special offer and I got these 2 products for £7.50, I love a bargain!

I'd been looking into getting one of these bottles for a while and just never got round to it. I happened to see them when I was in Boots so thought I would pick it up. Now I know to some of you this may seem silly...but I'm just fussy about my water! Water is all I tend to drink really, people think i'm being cheap or on a health kick, but really I just like it. At home I always drink filtered water so this bottle that filters any kind of water as you drink seemed perfect (apparently it can even make dirty puddle water drinkable, although I'm not sure I want to try that). Also better than reusing lots of plastic bottles so i'm doing my part for the environment ;)

This mask was also something I just picked up on a whim. I'm prone to very dry skin and while my Liz Earle products tend to normally keep it under control I have been a bit lazy with it recently so thought I would use this as a bit of a pick me up before I got back into my routine. Now I used it this morning and while I wouldn't say its the best product in the world its not bad, would probably use it again, and it left my skin feeling nice and smooth. The smell alone was probably worth it, smelt just like chocolate mousse, good enough to eat.....although I just about resisted. 

Insert scary photo now......

Yep and here it is, looking like I rubbed chocolate all over my face, lovely.

 I plan to do a separate review on the Umberto Giannini and John Frieda products as they fit quite well together as a nice little hair care post. I've been wanting to try out Umberto Giannini products for a while, had to stop myself from buying everything in the range as I just couldn't justify buying shampoo, conditioner, hairspray etc when I have ones that do me just fine for now.

Hope you enjoyed, 

XOXO L

OOTD- She wore a ribbon in her hair...

• Hair bow- New Look
• Top- New Look
• Shorts- Topshop

Hi everyone, I was just about to go out and enjoy the (rare) sunshine and thought I would do a quick OOTD. I've finished my course now and am now a qualified lifeguard, yay. My hair however does not seem very happy with 7 consecutive days of chlorine and swimming pool water, if anyone can recommend some sort of hair repair mask or something similar that would be lovely :)

Hope everyone is having a good weekend.

XOXO L

"A penny saved is a penny earned"

Hi everyone, I would like to introduce you to my piggy bank Percy...original I know. He is surprisingly large for a piggy bank and if I ever manage to fill him up i'm sure he will weigh a tonne! I purchased him from Argos...and if you look carefully you can see little distorted me in my pj's in his reflection.

Anyway....I started saving loose change about a year ago and my piggy bank is nowhere near full...partly due to how large it is. I recently decided that I will now be saving for something that I wouldn't normally buy, something that would be just too frivolous (bit of self blog promotion there) to buy out of the blue. Now i've been thinking maybe a lovely bag like the mulberry Alexa which is one i've been lusting after for a very long time. Chances are by the time (if ever) I manage to fill it I will have changed my mind anyway....but I like to have a goal. I am also well aware that the contents of Percy is unlikely to reach anywhere near that amount unless i'm filling it purely with £2 coins, which i'm just not rich enough for (I need to use those bad boys). I am also willing to keep filling or refilling Percy well into my 20's, 30's....40's whatever it may be until I can purchase something of value and be proud of my saving ability. Any of you doing something similar? Also any suggestions on what you think I should be saving up for (practical suggestions are just as welcome as those of the frivolous variety) would be greatly appreciated.

I would also like to mention that I may be a bit M.I.A in the blogging world this week or the next couple of weeks as I have rather a lot on my plate. I am currently doing a life guard course which at the end of the day leaves me very knackered and smelling nicely of chlorine. I also have a big summer project to do before I go back to uni....you can see Percy in the above picture resting on some of my reading material.

Hello to all my new followers, its great having more of you to chat to :)

Hope you enjoyed,

XOXO L

OOTD -"... Stuck in her daydream"

• Cardigan- Wallis
• Chinos- H&M
• Bag- Miss Selfridge
• Earrings- Gogo Philip

Hope you've all had a good weekend

XOXO L

Hair: 3 Celebrity Inspired Updos

Hi everyone, thought I would show you some messy updos perfect for summer. They can all be done without applying any heat to your hair so they are quick and easy without being too damaging. I also love the messy look that they all have so you don't have to faff around worrying about the look being too neat or getting messy throughout the day.

1. Mary Kate Olsen: Plaited Headband Updo 

1. This can be a no heat hairstyle but I like to curl the front sections of my hair to help create the messy look that Mary Kate has, this however is not necessary.
2. With your hair in a centre parting I then backcombed sections of the hair to give volume.
3. Take all of your hair to one side and divide into three sections.
4. Plait all the way down to the ends, no need to be neat.
5. Pull the plait to wrap around the top of your head.
6. Fasten securely with hair grips, I like to use two crossing over each other.
7. Pull out the front sections of hair and any other pieces you think will look good.
8. Add some hairspray to secure the look, voila!

2. Emma Watson: Higher Messy Bun with Plaits

1. Ensure that your hair is in a side parting for this look.

2. On one side take a section of hair and begin to plait, secure it with a hair tie for now (this will be taken out later).

3. Take another section of hair on the other side of the parting just above the ear and plait all the way down and secure.

4. Leaving the plaits out take the rest of the hair into a high ponytail (if you have very thick hair you may need to fasten this with a hair band).

5. Twist the hair around into a messy bun and fasten with hair grips.

6. Pull the plaits around the head, remove bands and fasten, the way I have pinned them around is just a suggestion.

7. Emma Watson completes her look with a thin red hair band, the hair band is of course optional but I quite like the way it finishes off this hair style.

3. Kate Beckinsale: Relaxed Messy Bun

1. Start with a centre parting and back comb the hair at the crown to give it some volume.

2. Take some hair from either side of the parting just above the ears to create a 'half up half down' look.

3. Pin it at the back with some hair grips, don't be too neat the messier the better.

4. With the rest of the hair, scrunch it up to the back of your head into a messy loose bun.

5. I pinned mine with grips but if you have very thick hair you may also need to use a hair tie.

6. Pull out bits of hair around the face, add a bit of hairspray and you're done :)

Let me know if you try any of these looks out, I would love to see them. Also, if you have any other hair requests I would be happy to give it a go...found I quite like doing hair tutorials :)

Hope you enjoyed,

XOXO L

Ciaté Nail Polish Review- Nude Trio

I had seen the Ciaté Paint Pots floating around the blogging/youtube 'beauty community' for a while and the cute packaging always stood out to me yet I had never tried them or even looked into getting them at all. I had been looking for a good nude colour when I came across Fleur's blogpost on the perfect nude here. The next day I was flicking through the latest issue of Marie Claire and there was a £10 off code for Ciaté...this was definitely a nail polish sign if ever there were one...so here's what I got... 

So whilst looking for the perfect nude I stumbled across 3...typical, they came in a lovely little trio set for £22 it was then £12 after my discount code. There are so many lovely colours to choose from it was a difficult decision but this little gift set seemed perfect. I'm not sure this particular set is still available but they do lots more and all the colours I got; Beach Melba, Couture, Cookies and cream are all available separately at £9 and can be bought from the website here. I don't know if they can be bought in shops, I have not seen them anywhere yet but if anyone has let me know.

Cookies and Cream

This is after 2 coats and its a lovely grey nude...and with such a cute name I knew I would like it!

I was very impressed with how long they lasted. I have never really found a nail polishes that is more long lasting than my trusty Barry M nail paints but this definitely beats it. The above picture was taken after about 5 days of wear, although there are a few small chips at the ends of the nail I would still be perfectly happy to keep it on longer, I only took it off then because I was dying to try out the other colours!

Couture

This was the original nail polish I was going to go for and it is probably my favourite out of the three. Its a lovely subtle pinky nude and looks great after 2 coats.

Beach Melba

It was only until I began writing this that I read the name properly and realised it was called Beach Melba not Peach Melba...which explained why it was such a different colour to Barry M's Peach Melba. Anyway, this colour is almost just a sheerer version of Ciaté's Couture. This is after 3 coats of application. Whilst its a very nice colour its probably my least favourite out of the three just because its a bit too nude for me. I do however think it would be a great nail colour if you were doing a french manicure with a white tip, its a really nice natural colour.

There was a time when I didn't think I would find any nail polish to beat the quality and consistency of Barry M's nail paints but this one is definitely in the runnings. Although its a bit pricier and I wouldn't normally pay much more than £3 for a nail polish as there are plenty available for that price I definitely recommend checking out Ciaté, especially as on the website there are a huge range of colours available and they do nice sets which save you a bit of money.

Hope you enjoyed,

XOXO L