Mar 24, 2013

Glasses of the Week – The Classic

Jumper, Cos | Shirt, ASOS | Necklace, Primark | Glasses, ‘Blush’ c/o Swag & Stare

When I picked the Blush frames as part of my project with Swag & Stare, I was taking a slight leap of faith. They’re SO different from my usual spectacle style – I love dark, heavy frames that make a statement, whereas these make more of a whisper.

However, with an impending wedding and proof that the geek chic look really doesn’t work with a wedding dress, I’ve been searching for a lighter pair of glasses that won’t make me look like a maths teacher who’s fallen into the dressing up box.

Apparently, brides with glasses are a rare breed. When I tell people I’m getting married, a popular response is ‘will you wear your glasses?’ Which just baffles me. I look like a completely different person without them – if it weren’t for the whole white-dress-and-veil get-up, I doubt most people would recognise me if I didn’t wear my glasses on my wedding day.

LOL outtakes

So, the specs will be in place on 21st September. But I won’t be wearing my usual thick frames, and I think these delicate pink pretties are a great option. I want a pair that won’t overshadow my dress, will work with my vintage-style hair and makeup AND most importantly, will give my weakened eyes the boost I need to actually see my groom.

Sadly the snow thwarted my plans to take any decent outfit shots with these specs – Rob did capture me throwing a huge hissy fit because of the sheet ice and snow drifts in March situation, but those photos really aren’t fit for public consumption. So you’ll have to use your imagination and picture me in a swingy spring dress and my favourite Viv Westwoods (c/o Sarenza), frolicking in lush grass with daffodils in my hair.

Would you wear specs on your wedding day, fellow shortsighted friends?

How To Get Perfect Skin

Posted in Beauty.

Wondering how to get perfect skin?

Cheat!

I’ve spent many years (and many pounds) perfecting my skincare routine – expensive cleansers, ‘miracle’ moisturisers and toners that never seem to do anything at all but cost a fortune. Taking care of your skin is important, but after one-too-many mud masks, I’ve come to realise something – nothing beats the velvet perfection of a good foundation. Nothing will banish under-eye circles like a decent concealer. And you can blitz that spot all you want, but by day three (the red-and-angry phase), you’ll be praising the genius who invented ‘heavy coverage’.

Creating a flawless base is the most time-consuming part of my makeup routine, but it’s definitely the most beneficial. With skin sorted, the rest of my makeup goes on without a hitch. Even at the end of the day, when my blusher’s worn off and I’ve smudged my mascara, a good base will stick around and compensate for my failings elsewhere. Basically, I’m having a love affair with coverage and I don’t care who knows it.

These products form my Skin Staples – the ones I reach for day after day, for morning meetings and date nights and lazy Sundays. A different combination will result in a different look, meaning I’m covered (literally) for every situation.

Primers
The Porefessional by Benefit (c/o) – my everyday primer, the one I rely on to keep my makeup where I want it and not halfway down my neck. The lightweight formula is so smoothing – I’ve repurchased this little beauty time and again.

Prep + Prime by MAC – this was an impulse buy (damn you beautiful MAC MUAs!) but I’ve grown to love it. It has a slight shimmer so I prefer it for an evening look, but it’s got serious staying power – perfect for sweating it out on the dance floor.

Foundations
Nearly Naked by Revlon – I’m not a big fan of lightweight coverage and BB creams are my own personal nightmare, but I was drawn to the ‘in betweeny’ formula of Nearly Naked. More coverage than a BB cream but lighter than a foundation, this is a dewy dream and I think it’ll be great for the summer months (if they ever arrive. Hint hint, Mother Nature…).

Studio Fix Fluid by MAC – I *love* this foundation. It’s so silky smooth – it glides over skin, covering any blemish that dares cross its path. Pricy at £20.50 (and it doesn’t come with a pump so you have to buy that separately at £3.50, which almost made me reject it on sheer indignant principle) but definitely worth it.

Concealers
Hide the Blemish by Revlon – a long-time favourite of mine. I’ve used this since I was 14 and the creamy consistency is wonderful at covering those less-than-perfect bits. It’s not very long-lasting and does need touching up throughout the day… but it’s a cheap and cheerful buy and one I’ll always have in my makeup bag.

Corrector by Bobbi Brown – slightly dramatic, but I couldn’t live without this concealer. Honestly. It’s my desert island essential, the product I buy in bulk for fear of being a day without it, my little miracle pot. Rather than covering dark circles, it corrects them (clue’s in the name) – you’re colour matched at the counter and your shade balances dark areas, creating a flawless finish. Obsessed is probably the right word for my feelings about this one.

Full Cover Concealer – Extreme Camouflage Cream by Makeup Forever – this is tricky to get hold of in the UK (the link is where I bought it from, the only place I could find it) but worth tracking down if you suffer with scarring or beastly blemishes. It’s a liquid concealer so great for dried-out spots (eew, right?) and lasts forever and a day.

Fake Up by Benefit (c/o) – a new product for me, but one I’m quickly falling for. Although this is designed to be used under the eyes, the crease-proof formula is great for around the nose and I love the smooth consistency.

Powders
Mineralize SkinFinish Natural by MAC – another product I’ve repurchased again and again. This is a really light and airy powder that settles nicely on my skin and looks beautifully natural. It’s not the best at oil control and I find myself topping up throughout the day… but the finish is worth a bit of extra effort.

Hello Flawless Powder by Benefit (c/o) – the final product from the goody bag I got at a Benefit event a few weeks ago, and one that’s growing on me. More coverage than the MAC, meaning it can look a little mask-like, but it’s got real staying power and keeps shine at bay.

So, that’s my solution to perfect skin – a hoard of perfecting products that will give you the kind of skin a three year-old would be jealous of. And if anyone asks, you can give them the standard celebrity answer – ‘it’s all down to soap and water, just like my grandmother used!’ I won’t tell, promise.

What are your makeup must-haves for cheating your way to perfect skin?

Where I Work – Duke Studios

Posted in Writing.

My desk

I’m often asked where I work and what I do – probably because I have a slightly unconventional set-up that’s maybe a bit intriguing. I’ve spoken about my job – freelance copywriter, community manager and general digital type – here, but since I wrote that post things have changed, so I thought it was about time for an update.

Coasters and mouse mats | Graphics in the co-working space | Desk area

I’m still a freelance copywriter, community manager and general digital type, but these days I enjoy much nicer surroundings than the desk in my spare bedroom. In February 2012, I moved into Duke Studios – a shared creative workspace in central Leeds. Back then it was still in development, but now its almost finished and its looking rather beautiful.

Desk area cardboard stag | My desk with postcard print by Kris Atomic | Print in The Snug

Duke is a multi-purpose kinda place – there are cardboard studios housing small digital, design and creative agencies, there’s a co-working space where people sit on big picnic benches with laptops, and there’s the desk area – or Freelance Family Corner, as its affectionately known.

Co-working area | Little gift made for me by Family Corner when I didn’t win a Cosmo Blog Award 😉 | Cardboard studios

I rent a desk space and sit in Family Corner with five (we were once six – miss you, Lauren!) amazing freelancers who’ve become close friends. It’s a more permanent set-up for the single freelancer who doesn’t need a whole office, just some space to spread out.

Kitchen door | Flowers on the co-working benches | Vintage cameras in the kitchen

As well as our desks and a secure storage area, we have a lovely little kitchen with an AMAZING instant hot/cold water device, a private meeting room (the Not Bored Room) where we can take clients and access to a whole host of wonderful creative resources, like an almost-finished photography studio, workshop and laser cutter.

Coloured thread in The Snug | Comfy sofa in The Snug | The Snug door

There’s even a cosy little room (aptly named ‘The Snug’) for private calls and Skype conversations.

Duke is a truly wonderful place – after almost a year of working from home, on my own, every day I was starting to consider a full-time job again, just to experience some human interaction. But then I joined Duke, and quickly slotted into a routine. When you work from home, your job and your spare time can become blurry – it’s really hard to escape the office when it happens to be at the end of your bed.

Going out to work and coming home every night is a great way to separate those two parts of life. And an office doesn’t always mean carpet tiles and water coolers – working in such a creative environment is hugely inspiring and I honestly think I work harder when I’m at my desk!

Books in The Snug | Glimpse of Alan’s desk

So – this is where I spend my days, Monday-Friday from about 9.30am ’til 6pm. With a long lunch in The Wardrobe (which is just around the corner) on Friday afternoon. If you’re a freelancer and fancy joining our super-cool crew, check out Duke Studios here.

Sunday Relaxation

Posted in Beauty, Home.

Sundays may be made for relaxing, but more often than not I’m rushing around – cleaning the house, wedding planning, chasing after cats… Sundays are usually quite hectic.

This Sunday, however, I decided to give myself a break and indulge in the unfamiliar concept of ‘chilling out’. I went to a car boot, I bought some cookies (from Waitrose, not the car boot), I lit a fire, curled up on the sofa and watched Picture Perfect. Bliss.

Jasmine Fragranced Reed Diffuser, Vanilla Black Luxury Scented Candle and Mimosa Room Spray, all c/o Bahoma

Accompanying me on this lazy Sunday afternoon are a selection of sweet-smelling goodies sent to me by Bahoma, purveyors of candles, diffusers and beautiful scents. I’m a huge fan of candles and have been for many years – my draughty teenage attic bedroom was warmed with their flickering flames, and since then I’ve always had at least four dotted around the house. There’s nothing better to chase off a chill.

The kind people at Bahoma sent me a selection from their luxury collection to try at home. I’ve bought Bahoma candles many times, usually from TK Maxx, so was delighted to try a few new products as well as an old favourite. The candles smell delicious, last for ages and fill a room with scent – much like their Parisian counterparts, but at almost half the price at £25.95! Vanilla Black is rich and creamy – just sweet enough without being overpowering – and the chunky glass holder looks simple and classic on my coffee table.

Home Perfume Bibliotheque, c/o Bahoma

The diffuser, room fragrance and home perfume kit were new to me, but satisfied my love of scent. I particularly love this little kit, which allows you to try all Bahoma’s scents as well as layer different fragrances together to create your own unique blends. Summer Garden is amaaaaaaazing with Jasmine, FYI.

All Bahoma fragrances are designed by perfumier Malgorzata Strug-Guzowska and their products created in-house at Bahoma’s London studio. I think the room fragrance and diffuser will last and last, so the £20-45 price range isn’t too steep. At £25.95, the candles are pricier than your average Ikea tealight, but the quality is fantastic. I’ll keep repurchasing Bahoma candles when this one burns down – maybe Gardenia for spring?

Are you a candle fan? Ever tried the Bahoma range?

Glasses of the Week – Geek Chic

Posted in Daily Outfits, Fashion.

I’ve been wearing glasses since the age of 11 – back then and throughout my teens, glasses were a correctional aid for those with rubbish vision and came with many a ‘speccy four-eyes’ taunt. They definitely weren’t a fashion statement.

It’s been interesting (and also, kinda frustrating) to see the perception of specs change over the years. I’ve always loved wearing glasses – I wanted a pair of pink My Little Pony frames back when I had 20:20 vision – and although I favour bold frames, the transition from simple sight-givers to style staples has been a little odd. I’m quite good at spotting fake specs (with plain lenses rather than prescription ones) and like to indulge a moment of indignation – I wear glasses because my eyes are deteriorating. I’m a true spectacle-wearer.

This train of thought often ends in a serious dose of side eye (from weakened, slightly squinted eyes, granted) and a flounce in the opposite direction.

Despite often being asked if my glasses are ‘real’ (which I answer by taking them off and doing my ‘who said that?’ routine), the ‘geek chic’ trend has been kind to us genuine four-eyes. Wearing a bold, oversize frame like the Anson, sent to me by Swag & Stare, generates the kind of nerdy appeal usually reserved for Silicon Valley rockstars and hipsters with beards. No longer are you the red-faced teen with gawky glasses – you’re officially cool, my friend.

The Anson frame is made with Flexpex, making it SO much lighter than other frames in this style. I felt a noticeable difference in weight when I slipped these on compared to some of my other specs – great if you wear glasses full-time and want to lighten your load.

In keeping with my dork-adore vibe, I teamed my geeky glasses with a cardigan, Peter Pan collar, a speech bubble brooch and some tasseled brogues. To balance out the Amy-from-Big-Bang-Theory factor, I added tough skinny jeans and a poppin’ pink lipstick. Corduroy not included.

What are your thoughts on the specs-as-accessories trend? And how would you style these statement frames?

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