My steal of the week

I wanted the gorgeous Aran cardigan that popped into Topshop stores at the start of the A/W season. But I wasn't about to pay £50 for it! I've been on the lookout for some similar, that was nicer to my wallet. And I found it!

Peacocks Ladies Aran Cable Cardigan: £20 (£18 with student discount)



This is the oringinal Topshop one:



I prefer my Peacocks one :)

Something to think about...

Disclaimer: Do not watch this if you are of a nervous disposition...


M.I.A - BORN FREE VIDEO OFFICIAL (real and explicit version)
Uploaded by elnino. - Watch more music videos, in HD!

I wondered where all my ebay items were going...

A postal worker who spent 10 years hoarding packages of pornographic DVDs and female lingerie in his attic is facing jail.

Following a tip-off Royal Mail investigators raided Alec Clark’s home and found his attic filled with old packages and delivery receipts.

When confronted the 35-year-old admitted he had taken them.


He told Peterborough Today: “It seems I’m really into something that’s overtaken my mind. I had no intention of doing anything with it.”

Prosecutor Richard Brown told Peterborough Crown Court: “An investigation uncovered 10 postal packets and receipts from a variety of different companies, including Pabo, who sell sex toys and Figleaves, a women’s lingerie firm.

“They found sex toys, underwear, lingerie and books that had been sent through the post.”

He managed to escape detection for so long because he would open up multiple delivery packages, take out one or two items, then do up the box again and deliver it.

Defence attorney, Sara Young said Clark faced a jail term.

“This is a very serious matter. There was a large breach of trust involved. It does cross the custody threshold.”

A spokesman for Royal Mail said: “The overwhelming majority of our people are honest and we have a zero tolerance policy to any dishonesty.”

Steal of the week #2

Woops, sorry this is only my second SOTW!!

This is my one for this week, from Peacocks, I give you the "Ladies Georgette Dress".
VERY similar to the Topshop Angel dress, which sold out in days and sells on ebay for £60+




You can buy it here:

Comes in black or cream. Only £20, and if you're a student you get 20% off at the moment!

Operation Christmas Child

This year I did two shoeboxes for OCC. I was only going to do one...but then I got carried away buying stuff!

This one is for a girl, aged 10-14:


And this one is for a girl, 5-9:


I think everyone should do it, not only is it a lovely cause, but it makes you realise what you have...and how unfortunate others are. I'm only a student, and even I can afford it so it doesn't take much to do. Next year I want to do boxes for all age ranges, and both sexes! Better get some shoes now then haha!

Discount codes

SpoiledBrat 10% off everything including sale items until 25th December, enter XMAS10
Cloggs 10% off women's footwear including Irregular Choice, ends midnight 21st November, code AS10. Or £10 off women's boots until midnight tonight, code WMN100
Jelly Pong Pong free shipping until 31st December, code XMAS10
Miss Selfridge free delivery on orders over £40, limited time, code TREATWEEK. Or use code HQHAIR2010 for the same offer, valid until 31st December
HQHair 15% off with code HQMISS, expires 31st December (cannot be used on electrical items or hqoutlet).
Look Fantastic free shipping until 30th November, no code.
Karen Millen £50 off all boots, ends midnight Wednesday, enter 'boots' at checkout.
Wallis 20% off everything, ends tonight at midnight, code VIP20
Clothing At Tesco, save £10 when you spend £40 on F&F Limited Edition or Couture, ends Wednesday 17th Nov. no code.
Clinique free gift trio with any 2 online purchases, enter PRETTIER or FAVE at checkout (whilst stocks last), see images for more details.

Thank you to Pink Haired Princess for these!

New Flat!

Just come back from putting the deposit down on mine and my boy's new flat. At the moment we are living with two other people, but by July it will be just us two!

I'm so excited, it's a student place...but a lot better than usual student places and better than the flat we are in now. Deposit was a bit scary at £600. But luckily we managed it. Now I just hope I get a job after uni so I can pay the rent. Stressful :/

Before when I didn't have a job, my loan covered the rent, or I lived at home.

Now it's time for the real world...

Cotton Kandy

Ohhh, I'm finding lots of lush jewellery websites at the moment. Just stumbled upon www.cottonkandy.co.uk

Very vintage/kitsch jewellery, lots of sugar skulls and cameos! The website has a fantastic layout too, very easy to find bits - plus a sale section.

Now, sorry this isn't going to be a review, may review it after I buy something :)

But again, I have lots of uni work to do. Joy!

Movember

Could everyone please please donate to Movember?


Movember challenges men to change their appearance and the face of men’s health by growing a moustache. The rules are simple, start Movember 1st clean shaven and then grow a moustache for the entire month. The moustache becomes the ribbon for men’s health, the means by which awareness and funds are raised for cancers that affect men. Much like the commitment to run or walk for charity, the men of Movember commit to growing a moustache for 30 days.


One of my friends is doing it, and he would really really love donations - even if it was £1!!! If everyone who reads this donates a quid, something you wont miss anyway, that would be about £100!!!


Go here:

http://uk.movember.com/mospace/951150/?ref=nf


you can even do it with paypal!!!

In The Night Light, We Still Shine Bright - The Jewellery Box

Hi guys! Can only do a quicky today as I have lots of uni work to do :(

I came across a company called "The Jewellery Box" yesterday via Pink Haired Princess' blog. Firstly...all I need to say is, HOW PREEDY!!!!


If you love statment rings, this is the place to go. Although I haven't ordered anything for myself (YET!), I shall be placing an order soon! Doing a bit of research on their facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/thejewellerybox), customers are coming back time and time again - a reassurance quality is perfect!

You may have spotted the horse ring on x-factor (if anyone is still watching it...) and The Jewellery Box have stocked these, I'm not 100% if they still have some left but its worth asking. For all you girls who still like statment rings, but aren't too sure about the colours of the bird ring, there are other choices. Another one of my favourites is this stunner:


It has a very vintage feel to it, with an updated style of "the statement ring". Prices range from around £6-£30. They also make a select few bracelets and earrings, all very unique and beautiful. One thing assured, whatever item you buy, you will get some many compliments!! I love that feeling of having a unique item, and being asked where it's from.

So go girls! Get a beautiful handmade statement item :)

Pearl Lowe Christmas 2010

Pearl Lowe has her 5th collection for peacocks, arriving in stores on the 14th November. EXCITED MUCH? This collection is so much more wearable than her last one, which is full of weird weird dresses.

See the lace one? Mine!!!

Take the paper!!!!

Happy Halloween Ebay Haul

Size 10 Topshop Jersey/Denim Skirt
£2.99, £2.40 postage

Plus a few Xmas Presents I can't put on here :)

And...
A 1950's vintage chocolate faux fur coat:
£29, with £4 postage. Which I think is pretty good, seeing as the vintage shop near me is selling ugly ones for £40!

Goddiva? God AWFUL.

Many of you might know about this 3p flash sale Goddiva.com had. It was a joke. The website crashed, which they should have prepared for!

Hardly anyone got these 3p dresses, most of the items were still coming up full price in the checkout. Thats if you were lucky enough to get that far.

Shocking customer service, they weren't even bothering to answer their phones on the customer service line. All together? Seems like a scam to get more hits on the website, therefore, more advertisers interested.

Not happy Goddiva!

Shop shop shopppinnggg!!!

I thought I would make a list of clothes website that some people might not know about. All are amazing prices! When online shopping I always go to Topshop or New Look. These little beauties are often forgotten about:

www.dressrail.com
www.fashionunion.co.uk
www.awear.com
www.risefashion.co.uk
www.desireclothing.co.uk
www.selectfashion.co.uk
www.chiarafashion.co.uk
www.rubyredboutique.co.uk
www.secretsales.com (if you join this please ask me for my email address! We both get £5!!)
www.soyoushoes.co.uk
www.prodigyred.com
www.luv2nv.com
www.boohoo.com
www.maxxxim.net/shop/
www.vestryonline.com
www.karamelshoes.co.uk
www.tkmaxx.co.uk
www.dollydagger.co.uk
www.funkrock.co.uk

How to look good in photos...

Found this article via yahoo. Thought it had some good tips so I'm re-posting:

How to look good in photos

A photograph won't steal your soul, but a bad one can certainly kill your ego. Especially once it's tagged, posted online and emailed round the office before you can say “cheese”.

Unflattering photos are no trivial matter in the digital age. You use the internet to organise your social life, stay in touch, meet new people and even look for love, so your pixellated portrait holds a lot of power. Here are our tips for looking picture perfect.

1. Stand up straight

When someone whips out a camera and yells “smile,” you'll feel immediately self-conscious and start exhibiting defensive body language such as slouching and shrinking. Which is a shame, because that's exactly the kind of thing that makes you look bad in photos.

If you want more flattering pics, take control of your posture. Ditch the slouch and stand tall. Pulling your shoulders back doesn't just make you look sleeker and slimmer, it also makes you feel more confident. But do remember that this is a photo, not a military exercise. Don't stand so tall that you can't breathe.

2. Stop gurning

Self-consciousness also has an unflattering effect on your face, as you'll know from those pics where you look like a contorted bulldog. It's a vicious circle: you gurn when a camera appears because you hate photos of yourself, and you hate photos of yourself because you gurn when a camera appears.

Break the cycle by getting a grip on your gurn. When you see a camera pointing your way, close your eyes. Breathe. Relax your facial muscles. Open your eyes in time for the click, and you will look fresh, confident and at ease. (Worst case scenario, you will have your eyes shut, but at least you won't be gurning.)

3. Ask for a countdown

Timing is all. Half a second can make all the difference between a winning smile and a total face fail, so make sure you know when the click is coming. Don't be afraid to ask the snapper for a “3, 2, 1” when they're taking the photo. If you're nervous, keep your eyes closed and your mouth relaxed until after the snapper says “2,” then break out the smile and open your eyes. You'll look a lot more relaxed than you feel.

4. Know your best face

Everyone has a best side and a best smile. Don't think you do? Then you haven't paid enough attention to old photos of yourself. Go and look through some right now. Why are the bad ones so bad, and why are the good ones not so bad? Don't get fixated on things you can't change (eg “the good ones were taken before 1988”). Instead, look for angles and expressions that flatter you.

Warning: the “best side forward” habit can be hard to break. Mariah Carey allegedly insists on being photographed only from the right, while Barbra Streisand reportedly likes it from the left, as did 1930s Hollywood actress Claudette Colbert, who had entire sets rebuilt to flatter her. Claudette passed away in 1996, a year before the cameraphone was born. Probably just as well.

5. Put away your double chin

Even the skinniest necks can grow a little flesh pillow when there's a camera in the room, so banish the wobble with this old modelling trick: touch the roof of your mouth with your tongue when you smile. Practice in front of the mirror a few times to make sure that you're getting the intended effect (taught chin, long neck, winning smile) rather than the unintended effect (lunatic with fat tongue).

6. Do the red carpet pose

Here's another trick from women* who get paid to be photogenic. When a camera threatens to photograph your entire body, don't face it head-on. The resulting photo will make you look broader than you are. It'll be like Gok Wan in reverse.

Avoid this by standing side-on and turning your upper body towards the camera. This posture slims your body and emphasises your waist. True devotees of the pose tend to stick one leg out the front and put their hand on their hip – voila, thinner-looking pins and an elongated upper arm. For more details, see Victoria Beckham.(* Men who try this pose will just look like they're running away. Fellas should face the camera squarely and avoid making silly hand gestures.)

7. Have a laugh

Fake smiles rarely look real and are almost never flattering, but laughs are much easier to manipulate. This is partly because a laugh is a great tension-reliever, and a forced laugh often leads to a real one. Occasionally ridiculous; always effective.

8. Smile with your eyes

If fake laughs and toothy smiles are too cheesy for you (or you just don't like your teeth), don't worry: say it with your eyes instead. Body language can be extremely powerful in photos, and your eyes are the strongest weapon in your body language armoury. Smiling eyes beguile people for all the right reasons.

9. Beware glinty glasses

In person, your specs make you look gorgeous and smart. In a flash photo, your specs make you look like you're wearing mirror shades. Unless this is the look you were going for, we'd recommend removing the bins and showing off your eyes.

10. Direct light bad, indirect light good

Specs wearers and vampires aren't the only ones who should be wary of light shining right at their faces. A faceful of bright sunshine makes you squint, frown, sneer and screw up your features in a kind of double-chinned grimace. So remember, kids: don't look into the sun, especially if someone's got a camera.

Please please - ban "Nail Bars"

So, I've finished my week at my nail course. I want to write this entry to try and get as many people as possible to realise this horrible truth.

Do not EVER EVER go to one of those chinese nail bars. Why? Because they use a product that is illegal in every other decent country. Bar the UK.

MMA (Methyl MethAcrylate) is a monomer used in some nail enhancement applications that has stirred up tons of controversy over the past few years in the US and is quickly becoming a problem in International markets.

As early as the 1970’s the FDA expressed that MMA monomer is “a poisonous and deleterious substance and should not be used in liquid acrylic monomer for nail enhancement products” as it is an extremely high sensitizer and likely allergen that can cause severe allergic reactions through minor skin exposure. The FDA still holds strong on its stance for the safety of this product.

Aside from the “Use it and you will spontaneously combust” warning from the FDA, there are even more grave reasons for avoiding MMA applications.
MMA is extremely hard and as such having MMA on your nails can cause very serious problems. When enough force is applied to an MMA enhancement to break it, the result is usually enough force to tear the natural nail plate apart. This can lead to permanent nail plate damage if the tearing is located around or near the matrix or lunula. It can also result in an increased risk of serious infections due to the tearing and exposure of the nail bed or surrounding tissue.

Due to the severe hardness of MMA, the only way to file is through excessive drilling. Most techs irresponsible enough to use MMA are far too irresponsible to use an electric file. Techs that use MMA could care less about the health of the natural nail plate and as a consequence, the client suffers. Much of the damage associated through the use of MMA comes from severe damage attempting to apply and maintain the indestructible enhancements with a drill. The extra amount of drilling required to maintain these enhancements leads to situations where technicians burn the nail bed, over-thin the plate, and even drill through the natural nail plate.

MMA is so dense, that it is even more difficult to soak off than gel. Soaking off is possible (as with gel) but is very unrealistic as the time it takes for the solvent to penetrate is substantially longer than with a L&P or wrap system.
The result is usually seen in even more nail plate damage as the client or technician becomes bored of waiting and picks, nips, or rips the product off instead.

“But it just sticks so good and all”… Um… right…

MMA Does not bond very well to the natural nail plate. The only way it can adhere to the nail is through mechanical adhesion, which requires massive amounts of damage to the natural nail plate (through severe ‘etching’). The upper most layers of the plate have to be removed to expose the looser knit center of the plate. This gives the MMA something ‘substantial’ to bond to. If the nail separates or gets broken, this ‘etching’ process is usually repeated. Before long, the natural nail plates become thin sheets of keratin that tear easily as well as offer no protection from MMA seeping through to the nail bed.
MMA has the lowest level of attraction to keratin than any product used to enhance natural nails.

“ok.. BUT ITS SOOOOOO CHEAP N STUFF!”

MMA is sold through back doors and out of vans, just as one would buy stolen goods or drugs. The suppliers will usually get hold of massive quantities from dental suppliers to decant and re-distribute to known customers. Since MMA is completely undeveloped for the nail industry, and has no legal distribution, manufacturing, or education channels, it is usually at a much lower cost (just like stolen stereos are much cheaper than the legit kind).
No professional supplier sells MMA as they couldn’t afford the liability involved; just as no professional insured salon would use MMA. Insurers should be made aware of the immense liability these salons carry. This liability could cause the rest of the professional industries premiums to increase.

Around about 1974 the FDA placed MMA on its poisonous and deleterious list of substances and warned professional nail manufacturers against the use of the substance. Sale of monomers containing MMA would mean that the manufacturer could be held liable for the damage caused from the use of the product and the FDA would enforce regulation. No nail manufacturer has used MMA in any monomer formulations since as the field data and FDA stance is pretty self explanatory.

As the FDA stance was directed at manufacturers, not at technicians, MMA has been able to be used in the USA for many years, as it wasn’t exactly illegal … just warned against.

In the past several years, many states in the USA have been explicitly prohibiting the use of MMA monomers for use in nail applications at the salon level. This is a trend that should see all states explicitly prohibiting the monomer.

Nail technicians in the states now run the risk of loosing their license or being sued by customers for the use of this substance. Being proactive could save the industry millions as well as the priceless loss of consumer confidence.
NSS (non standard salons) have done extensive damage to consumer confidence and the industry as a whole through the irresponsible and unprofessional use of MMA.

So what’s the alternative?

EMA. The CIR approved EMA is strong, but has a designed limitation on strength. When enough force is applied to break an EMA enhancement, the result is usually little or no damage to the natural nail plate (dependant on how thick the enhancement is).
EMA has about 25 years of research and development behind it for the nail industry and therefore offers the safest, most advanced option over MMA.
And as far as the cost, MMA applications are actually only marginal over EMA applications.

O MY GOD! MY POWDER HAS PMMA!

Yup. So does damn near every powder on the market. So does countless other items that you use every day. PMMA stands for poly-methyl methacrylate. In plain old English, cured MMA. In this context, PMMA lends some of its strength to PEMA and poses none of the risks mentioned above.

Warning signs of MMA use:

* MMA has an unusually strong or strange odour, which doesn't smell like other acrylic liquids. Odour is present during application and when filing cured product (for fill-ins or repairs).
* Enhancements are extremely hard and very difficult to file even with coarse abrasives.
* Enhancements will not soak off in solvents designed to remove acrylics.
* Enhancements are cloudy or milky colour when cured.

Additional warning signs though less definitive:

* Low price of fills and full sets (MMA cost 1/3 of EMA)
* Dust or ventilation masks used (many technicians use dust masks today who do not use MMA)
* Unlabeled containers - technician will not show or tell the client what brand of product is being used

MMA. Just say no. Hell, smoke crack before you use MMA. Please double check what your technician is using. If they don't know, RUN.

Skulls and McQueen

My bargain of the week...

Not a real Alexander Mcqueen scarf, unfortunatley for me I can't afford £130+ on a scarf! However, I have found this little beauty on ebay.
This is the real scarf is the picture above. The nice little copy of it I found only costs £3.27!! Ok, it's from Hong Kong, so it may take a week or two to reach you. But for a scarf under a fiver who's complaining? I have obtained one of these lovely scarfs through a swap on Big Wardrobe, it's obviously not silk like the A.McQueen, but it is the softest cotton. Great as a summer scarf, draped around your neck casually, and then in the winter all bundled up :)

Ebay link here: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/White-Chiffon-Punk-Skull-Scarf-Shawl-Wrap-Cotton-Flax-/170509615994?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Women_s_Accessories_UK&hash=item27b32a437a

(seller: e.topsell)

Absent

Sorry - I've been a bad blogger. Our internet died and has only popped back this last week. We had some drama this weekend. A stray kitten! So, my boyfriend and his mate go outside for a smoke. My boyfriend comes in about 2mins later, as theres a kitten in the garden. Thinking it would be a few months old (therefore allowed outside)

But nope, this kitten is about 4-5 weeks, with no collar or chip. I phoned the vets asking what we should do, and she said keep it in your house, as its probably gotten out or the owners shouldnt be allowed it if they are letting a baby that young out.

So now we have a surrogate kitten! Which our cat isnt too happy about but we'll have to keep them in seperate rooms. We are going to flyer our road tomorrow...but I just hope the person who owns it hasnt let it out. Because thats just cruel, especially as we live on a main road.

She has now been picked up by the RSPCA, and hopefully they will find her owners or find her a new home. We have to wait a few weeks, then we can call and ask.

Steal of the week #1

So, every week I'm going to do a "Steal of the week." Which will be an item of clothing, at an insane price!



#1 is "Miso Lace Mix Dress" from Republic. At £10, it is a pretty good deal. This dress will last its time, as in the summer months you can wear it on its own, and in winter team it with leggings, boots and a biker jacket. Luckily, it is still in loads of sizes even though it is in the sale!

Get Cutie?

I came across these dresses purely by accident! Someone had one on ebay, that I bought not knowing what brand it was. I googled it, and came to this stunning website - http://www.getcutie.co.uk. Typical, when I'm trying to save money I come across dresses which are perfect for my personality and look! They all have a twist of rockabilly/gothic feel, but made so beautifully they give you amazing shape. I also adore the fact they have REAL women modelling these dresses.

No stick thin lollypop heads in sight. The dresses are a bit ouch on the wallet - but they are handmade and you can request any material that is on the site. They also state: "If we haven't got it in your size or fabric then we'll make it." How perfect?! Literally the only downside is the price, but for a special occassion I would buy one, and then it can be easily worn in the daytime too. Pair it with leggings and flats and you're away!

The picture above was one of my favourites, the cut of the dress makes your boobies look fantastic dhaaaaarling!

(plus note - i do not get paid for any reviews. I write about something if I like it!)

Nail Technician Moi

In August, I plan to do a nail tech course. You get to learn how to do all types of extentions, (silk, fibreglass, gel etc) and maincure! It cost £411...eeep! So I'm selling a lot on ebay at the moment to try an raise some funds for it.

I also have to get all the equipment, which will be another £500 probably. But, it is something I can do as a part time thing whilst at uni and in the future. Always good to have something to fall back on.

I'm really excited! I've even bought a cute little notepad ready to take notes (geeeeeek, lol!)

So yeh, I don't have many clothes left now as I've sold so many on ebay. Oh well, shopping in September when I get the next load of student loan!

Elvis in Home Alone????

Very scary indeed. There is a lot of speculation about good old Elvis Aron...Sure, if he wanted to stay hidden then he wouldn't be in a massive blockbuster. But, what if he is teasing us? I thought the whole "Elvis is still alive" thing was just lunatic fans clinging on to hope. But you have to admit - that guy looks like him. Also, after some further research it looks like that extra was never on the books. No-one who made the film knows who he was, or has him down for being paid. He isn't in any other shots in the film, which he would have been, especially in an airport. Directors won't just use one extra once.

Now, I'm not some mental Elvis fan. The boyfriend just came across this one day and we looked into it a bit further. I'm not sure what to believe...as a joke once, Elvis faked his own death infront of his friends and family. He hired someone to come in and "shoot" him. Of course it was blanks, but why do this to your friends and family? Also, once he was so ill he needed to go to hospital, and he couldn't get out as there were too many fans surrounding his house. I mean, if you were that famous wouldn't you fake your own death?

Things are not always as they seem.

First Post! A little bit about me me me :P

Ohhh, this is a new one for me. Follow me if you dare! All in all I am a 21 year old metalhead... I go to uni, I sleep, I eat and I have fun. I love to read, trashy novels as well as mildly clever books. My favourite band is Avenged Sevenfold, RIP Jimmy Sullivan. And as Marilyn Monroe said -

"I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best."

I feel like I am doing the wrong uni degree, but in August I will be doing a nail tech course, £411....ouch. Hopefully ebay shall help me out with this! Looking forward to it, as it is kinda scary not to know what you want to do with your life. Least this way I have a back up.

Yes I love love love ebay, and car boots. I love to find a bargain! And selling all your old bits and bobs to pay for other things you want is always good.

I'll stop talking crap for now.