NOTD

By Sarah Redman

This is my first Nail Of The Day post for a while now. I have been partially distracted with cuticle tattoos (Tattoo Trends) and also by exams, etc (Cheating on Blogging with Magazines) to paint my nails.

That hasn’t changed – right now I don’t think I have the patience to do a half decent job with my nails. So I’ve made things a bit easier on myself and gone back to an old favourite. Nail Wraps.

On my nails at the moment are Elegant Touch’s Envy Wraps Bling Candy Sprinkles. Retailing at £5.00, these textured nail wraps are modern and fun. You can add a splash of colour underneath these clear films or just keep with your base coat for a simple yet striking effect. This ice-cream coloured, gem-encrusted design mixes a combination of pink, purple, blue, green and silver multi-sized dots – and each dot is surrounded by a simple gold ring.

In the past I have found some of these things a tad fiddly and if there is a straight-line to be found then I may as well pack up and go home. But with these wraps being clear asides from the design, even I found it hard to get it wrong.

My first one took about three attempts, but I think that was purely down to my lack of practice because the rest were simple. Just peal off, press down, shape to size and you’re ready to go.

I love this easy way to get super jazzy nails and have gained a few compliments in the days since having them on. These beauties last up to ten days, I’m on my third day with them and mine are doing pretty well so far.

What do you think of my super speedy nails? Do you like nail wraps or would you rather just wait for you polish to dry? Let us know and leave a comment below, Tweet us @thesarahsblog or post on our Facebook page.

Super Superga

By Sarah Redman

The sun is officially out and for once it doesn’t seem to be going away. Yay.

So I have take the bold step of putting my boots away – even if they are still within easy reach and out come the summer shoes. I’m that person who is permanently cold even when the sun is shining so I have left the sandals alone but instead have dug out the Superga.

My Superga are only a year old but already looking a bit tatty, covered in an array of scuffs, alcohol and nail polish (don’t ask) – I really should take care of the more! My lovely pair are their 2750 Cotu Classic’s in grey sage, retailing at £45.00. These shoes were a great purchase last summer, I can’t believe I’ve never had a pair before they are so comfy and go with everything.

My lovely shoes – you know i’m rocking the spotty socks…

The brand Superga, known as ‘the people’s shoes of Italy’ is over 100 years old and focuses mainly on its classic 2750 style, with various remixes and fashion designs each season. It also has an impressive celebrity backing with everyone from Alex Chung through to this seasons Suki Waterhouse endorsing or wearing a pair.

So in true Sarah style I am eyeing up another pair and I thought I would share my top three contenders for this summer with all our lovely readers:

Superga 2750 Cotu Classic – Ottani – £45.00

First up are these great teal colour, for my wardrobe this colour will work well with my style and wardrobe full of summer clothes.

Superga 2750 Cotu Classic – Dark Bordeaux – £45.00

Secondly, these are just because a bordeaux or burgundy is just a very me colour – so I just love them.

Superga 2750 Cotu Classic – Fresh Salmon – £45.00

Lastly, I’m in the summer frame of mind and this fresh salmon hue is a great way to add some colour in your wardrobe even if you are not ready to let go of your jumpers. It’s also a really fun colour!

What do you think of my top three, do you like their classic styles or is it their metallics or animal print ranges for you? Let us know and leave a comment below, Tweet us @thesarahsblog or post on our Facebook page

(Top three Superga photos taken from their website, links back to the original posting are the description)

NOTD

By Sarah Redman

Not a classic OOTD (outfit of the day) but a NOTD (nail of the day).

Today I have gone with a nude look. This weather is playing havoc with my ability to decide on a nail colour. I’m done with winter now – I love a cuddly knit but I’m just so fed up of being cold – so I’m not sure on my dark polishes, my effects and my glitters. But then again, I’m not really ready for my bright summer styles. So I’m left with my muted pastels and after painting my nails I’m not complaining. It’s a nice in-between.

I have gone for a nude. My nail polish is by Ciate and came as part of my Mini Mani Month. It’s called Amazing Gracie and not only is it pretty, but it reminds me of my lovely little sister, Gracie, back home. My base coat is Ciate Underwear and my top coat Ciate’s Speed Coat. I have also used Essie‘s Apricot Cuticle Oil.

What’s your favourite nail colour of the moment? Let us know and leave a comment, Tweet us @thesarahsblog or post on our Facebook page.

Christmas penguins

By Sarah Redman

It is our last day of uni tomorrow, so I’m really starting to get into the Christmas spirit.

My advent calender is almost half empty and my Christmas decorations are lighting up the room.

These are my lovely little light up penguins! A present for my mother to make my uni house more Christmasy. These super cute colour changing penguins are sure to give any room some festive cheer.

What do you think of these lovely little animals, have you got any decorations you want to share? Leave a comment below, Tweet us a picture @thesarahsblog or post a photo of your decorations to our Facebook Page.

Add some sparkle with space dust

By Sarah Hugill 

With christmas coming up who doesn’t want their nails to match the festivities? 

 

I decided it was time to add to my polish collection. As you may have seen in a previous post, “Pearly pink for busy bees” I love Rimmel products, as they’re both reliable yet reasonable. Rimmel have recently released this “space dust” range for instant glittery polishes in a range of colours, but I went for this bright pink shade known as ‘Luna Love” in order to brighten up any outfit.  The coverage is great with the polish, even with one coat the colour is dominant! 

Have you tried the space dust range yet? Let us know @thesarahsblog 

Winter nails

By Sarah Redman

During the winter my nails get quite brittle so nail polish chips easily, this can be really annoying especially if my nails are weak.

Recently I have discovered Rimmel London’s Salon Pro with Lycra (£4.49). I love this polish, i think it’s going to become my go to nail polish… I now own the three shades below!

The Lycra makes a noticeable difference to other nail polishes and whilst it has never lasted the whole ten days it claims it can last you up to, I still love it and the colour definitely doesn’t fade either. Even with one coat the coverage is great and it is really fast drying. The brush is another great factor to this polish, it is wide, flat and shaped, perfect for even nail coverage first time.

This product comes in a range of rather lovely colours, some designed by Kate Moss – I find they are a bit different to some more standard ranges, this includes more of a range on colour, going for the dusty pink (grape sorbet) above right and the powdery denim blue (navy seal) above centre. Personally i feel this product is great value for money.

I think for the optimum results from this polish two coats and a top coat are required, but then that works best for most polish’s. My only criticism is that the lid is quite chunky, which is fine – but if you are used to a smaller lid to hold it can seem a bit tricky to get the precision you are after on first use.

Have you tried Lyrca Pro? What did you think? Leave a comment and let us know or Tweet us @thesarahsblog

Prom styling

By Sarah Redman
Now I am having a bit of a moment as i am feeling a tad old, having watched my sister and her friends get ready for their year 11 prom the other evening. But on the upside I though I would share with you how one group of friends can be so diverse in their outfits yet still all look fabulous. So here they are with a glass of Martin Asti #yum all looking lovely:
I asked each of the girls to choose a favourite part of their outfit (and if they couldn’t choose I was quick to tell them what I was loving!) so below are their outfits and my featured favourite bits.

Grace Redman: Gold bow detail shoes (Forever 21)

It is no secret that the right pair of shoes can make an outfit, this was certainly the case for my sister – we had months of trying to find the right shoes and then the bag to match! But in the end she went for these lovely gold ribbon shoes. I really like these which follow the metallic trends, but are a little different to the usual covered in glitter heels.

Mimi Marshall: Back detail blue lace dress (Xenia)

I am really loving the low back on this dress, complete with bow detail, I think it is a really refreshing way of showing some skin in an understated sexy way. I also love the pop of colour, very summery, which is a nice difference to traditional prom colours (and great with matching shoes – forget the bag, matching shoes and dress is where it’s at).

Freya Edwards: Colour block maxi dress (Gas Station)

Whilst this dress is a colour block maxi, which i think is great as it is a bit more daring than the usual prom dress, in the main photo the skirt of the dress does in fact look tie dye. This is thanks to the dappled light coming through the trees in the garden- meaning just by standing in the right place you can work two trends in one dress. Genius!

Emmi Palmer: Floral bracelet / ring combo (Miss Selfridge)

It is no secret I love a good bit of jewellery, however the whole ring / bracelet combo thing is something i have never really tired! So to see this lovely bracelet give the outfit a little something extra was great, a subtle approach to prom jewellery which i sometimes find a little too blingy for my tastes (and it looks awesome with a champagne glass!)

Ella Spencer: Navy diamonte back detail maxi dress (AX Paris)

I am absolutely loving how elegant this dress is, I have never bought from AX Paris before but this dress has definitely inspired me to have a look if I need something nice for an occasion. Again this has the great back detail, but this time with navy diamanté across the shoulders.

Ciara Murphy: Red patient platform ‘Dorothy’ shoes (Call It Spring)

I love the Call It Spring range of shoes and got rather excited when they became available in the UK. I have nicknamed these shoes ‘Dorothy Shoes’ simply because to me they are. I love how shoes can become a statement and completely change an outfit. These shoes are ticking many style boxes in patient and platform – but goodness knows how Ciara managed to walk in the all night!

Have you been to a prom recently or got an occasion coming up? Will you be channeling any of these styles? Let us know and leave us a comment or Tweet us @thesarahsblog

Grace Redman: Dress (Miss Selfridge), Shoes (Forever 21), Bag (Accessorize), Make-up (Bobbi Brown), Tan (Sienna X – shade 8)

Mimi Marshall: Dress (Xenia), Shoes (New Look), Jewelry (Pandora), Nails (Barry M), Tan (Loreal Paris)

Freya Edwards: Dress (Gas Station), Shoes (New Look)

Emmi Palmer: Dress (ASOS), Shoes (Miss Selfridge), Bag (Miss Selfridge), Jewellery (Miss Selfridge), Tan (Tipz’n’Toez)

Ella Spencer: Dress (AX Paris), Shoes (Dorothy Perkins), Bag (Dorothy Perkins)

Ciara Murphy: Dress (BooHoo), Shoes (Call It Spring – Available at Debenhams & ASOS), Bag (Very), Jewelry (Pandora), Make-up (Benefit & Bare Minerals), Tan (Sienna X)

French fashions: Pimkie

By Sarah Redman
Pimkie. French brand. Affordable and accessible.
So I just had to have a little rummage through their sale whilst on holiday. To my delight a €14.99 top reduced to €5.00. Sold.

I love the pale blue colour, I am really loving pastels this summer and like how this has been paired with lace on this sweet cami.

What colour scheme have you gone for this summer, have you picked up some great sale pieces? Let us know and leave a comment or Tweet us @thesarahsblog
We love to hear from you!

Flash of colour

By Sarah Redman
I’m not known to be one for false nails, to be perfectly honest they have always freaked me out a little bit. I could never understand the appeal. But recently I have noticed with the rise of gel nails that falsies have improved some what – at least enough to entice me.
So wandering through a blissfully air-conditioned supermarché on my way to find something off the shopping list, I was momentarily distracted by their cosmetics section, only to come across these rather fabulous concoction from Maybelline.

Maybelline New York, colour show nail falsies
Normally the fluorescent nail is a trend I pretty much stay away from. Although in these summer months and in the wonderful heat of the south of France the yellow, pink, and orange hues enticed me.
I will not lie to you, I am pretty much completely useless with these on, they are so long! Although saying that they have held up against clorine, washing my now ‘mermaid’ length hair, and making chocolate soufflés… Not too shabby. But I figured I am on holiday so why not.
Have you upped your nail game recently or are you a fan of nails you certainly won’t be doing the washing up in? Let us know and leave a comment or Tweet us @thesarahsblog

Pop into Paperchase

By Sarah Redman
Paperchase has just opened in Sevenoaks town, so I just had to pop in knowing my love of cards and matching stationary. However what I came away with really wasn’t what I was expecting.

I have now discovered that Paperchase sell nail art products #woop so when I discovered this set of nail gems for £3 they just had to be mine… Roll on nail experimentations on holiday!

If you like this post or have bought any great nail art lately then let us know and leave a comment or Tweet us @thesarahsblog