Hola Chicas!

Alas I have returned from my too-short a trip to Malaga. As you could probably guess, the weather was lovely out there and I practically spent two days lying on the beach and roaming around the city. My friend, who is currently there for university, lives in the old town which is quite a central location, filled with history and bustling with shops, its own botanic garden and numerous restaurants. It also contains some rather beautiful Renaissance architecture and is centered around a massive Cathedral.

I was definitely in need of a little getaway after all my uni deadlines and this was just the perfect treat, lapping up the sun, sand and sangria...  I miss it already! That said, the weather here in Britain has somewhat improved as of late.

While I'm here, I thought I'd also show you something I picked up during my trip because it's always SO difficult to resist the temptations that come your way whilst browsing in the duty free section. That's all you really want to do- just browse until it's time to board the plane, because god knows you need to save every last penny for when you're actually at your desired destination, enjoying your holiday. At least that's what I wanted to do, until I saw this:

As a massive fan of the brand I just could not help myself, especially after wanting this for a whole year; the Urban Decay Naked Palette, numero 2. The shades are said to be perfect for everyday make-up and also brilliant for the more dramatic and smokey-eye looks. I finally have it and cannot wait to start using it!

Book Review: Vintage Beauty Parlor by Hannah Wing

Are you longing to wear your hair like Brigitte Bardot? Flutter your eyelashes like the doe-eyed actresses of yesteryear, Anna Karina and Marilyn Monroe? Or perhaps you're wanting to strut the glamorous allure of Marlene Dietrich... 

Well great because Hannah Wing will show you how with her practical little manual with step by step guidance on how to master such beautiful and iconic vintage styles of the 20th century.  

As a professional make-up artist and stylist who runs her own business, Bellus Femina, and just so happens to write beauty and style blogs for The Vintage Festival, Wing is certainly the expert when it comes to vintage fashion and beauty.

Her book is an essential go-to-guide with tutorials which cover basic make-up and hair styling tips alongside several chapters dedicated to recreating looks from every decade, from the classy, sultry look of the 1920s and the 1930s debutante, down to the disco divas of the 1970s and the bold punk looks of the '80s. Every decade comes with its own colour palette (how useful is that?!) and suggestions on how to complete your look with suitable fashion pieces, accessories and even fragrances!

Wing goes on to provide readers with expert knowledge about each era and how the prevailing trends came about, like the stylish, yet practical victory rolls of the 1940s, inspired by the desire to stay feminine in the workplace as women took over the British workforce during WW11.

This book is great if you're wanting to spruce up your every-day look and add some glamour to your wardrobe and equally as good if you're in need of some advice for a fancy-dress do.

Treat yourself and order Vintage Beauty Parlor from Ryland Peters & Small for a modest £14.99.
I would especially recommend this book for any vintage fashion enthusiasts and fashionistas!

OMG

So last Tuesday was my last ever hand-in AND THUS THE END OF UNIVERSITY AS I KNOW IT- *dun! dun! dun!*

3 years of hard-work has amounted to this moment.. 

I can't believe it's all over, I've had a brilliant 3 years and have met a bunch of really great people that I hope to be able to call my life long friends. My time at university has seen some serious highs and a fair share of lows- but that's the point of all, right?

I'm eagerly awaiting my results (eek!) and look forward to graduation! In the meantime, I have a trip lined up to Spain, only for a couple of days, to visit my friend whose taken a sandwich year abroad. I'm looking forward to seeing how she's doing out there and also to escaping this fickle British weather and getting some actual solid sunshine!

In other the news, the job hunt is on! Bring on LIFE!

Review: So You Think You're A Hipster?

What happened to your local area? Where did all these twenty-somethings in beanies and ripped skinny jeans come from? Why does the air hang thick with the foul stench of soya milk lattes and organic cupcakes?

In her delightfully satiric manual, Kara Simsek provides the low-down on the modern-day phenomenon, the so-called elite of today's young urbanites: The Hipster.

If you're gunna be a Hipster you need to be a flap-back wearing, non-prescription wayfarer owner with a set of seriously sweet garms and a moustache. 

Brilliantly illustrated by Paul Parker, her guide leads us through all the Hipster sub-categories (if there ever was such a thing) with 50 witty and insightful observations of the self-proclaimed, "cooler than cooler" ghetto embracing youth of today.

Simsek covers the basics for any aspiring Hipster like how one should tend to their facial hair (I personally dig "the hulkamaniac"),  on how to cater to their diet (all fresh and locally sourced organic foods, obviously), haircuts, glasses, tattoos and even dogs.

Flicking through the pages you'll also find the detailed explanations of such Hipsters like, The Urban Hunter: "the all action city woodsman", the Goth Lolita, the Cupcake Baker, and the Aspiring novelist...

She's so accurate that I can't help but recognize some of them, especially that blogger one...

All in all, this colourful little book works great as a gift (heck, give it to a Hipster friend!) and is just generally a really quick and funny read. Published by Dog 'n' Bone, you can pick up your copy here for the not-so Hipsterish price of £9.99.