I don’t mean in a mad professor way (although I did resemble one after Saturday’s barnet shenanigan’s but that’s a story for another day) I mean in a trying something new way. It’s no secret I love fashion and make-up and statement jewels… but give or take the odd new season addition 90% of the time I have a tendency to play it safe.
Now I’m all for sticking to what you know (tailored jackets, leg lengthening jeans, cute dolly dress with black tights..) but recently I’ve been opening my wardrobe to find that the sea of black, mid-grey, marl-grey and um….charcoal-grey is a little bit….dull. I seem to be reaching for my peach jumper all the time, or the hot pink cardigan I bought in the French Connection sale about two years ago…
Yup. It seems this wife is definitely in need of some colour in her life.
Unfortunately I don’t have the budget (or the shopping time) to go purchase a dozen or so rainbow items so I went on ASOS, picked up a couple of accessories and figured I could wear them with lots of pieces from my existing wardrobe… particularly all that grey.
And my colour choices?
Yellow because it makes me happy and a pale sky blue… because it’s just so pretty.
* Cross Body Bag in yellow £30 and blue patent shoes £50 both at ASOS.
Obviously I won’t be wearing them both at the same time… although I guess you could.
Dirty Hair
I don’t mean as in the great unwashed… or slutty* even, I mean as in that kind of matt-textured messed up just-got-out-of-bed hair that I keep seeing on the catwalk and want for myself.
Well I think I’ve found the products to make it happen, has taken a wee bit of practice but I swear (and this is coming from someone who doesn’t “do” hair) once you get the hang of it you’ll be (ahem) dirty in a jiffy.
* Redken Powder Grip at HQ Hair and Undressing Creme from Space NK
On towel dried hair I apply the undressing creme from root to tip, I use a blob about the size of a 10p piece, I also comb it though with my tangle teaser to get an even spread.
I then tip my head upside down and “rough” blow dry i.e. in any old haphazard way. Once dry I shake out some powder into my palm and distribute evenly, paying particular attention to the roots…don’t forget some in the ends though – it gives that whole beachy bohemian look.
This kind of textured hair is really great for those of you that fancy an easy breezy up-do, the folks at John Frieda sent me this video which is ace – honestly, take a butchers and let me know what you think, it’s an achievable style that I think would look immense on maids with some kind of delicate hair band action going on.
Fancy Face
I tend to have an everyday make-up look (do most people?) but recently I’ve been getting out some of the many many items I can’t stop myself from buying and actually using them.
And when the BHLDN (the wedding arm of Anthropologie) update email dropped into my inbox (if you don’t already subscribe people you must you MUST) it was cosmetics a go-go with all of their lovely fresh-faced ideas.
The How-to can all be found on the BHLDN website, BHLDN also have great W-day hair-do inspiration too…. The Elfin is my favourite.
Music Pin-UP
I’m no music guru, and God forbid I would ever try and write a trying-to-be-Q-magazine review for you, but I have become a bit obsessed/intrigued by the apparent enigma that is Lana Del-Rey.
Is she really called Lizzy Grant? Is her Dad a multi-millionaire or did she in fact live in a trailer park?
Has she had her lips done….?
Who cares. I think she’s beautiful, and I love her voice – reminds me of Fleetwood Macs Stevie Nicks. The song Video Games is available now and her album “Born To Die” is released on 30th January on iTunes…. I have mine on pre-order.
So you gorgeous lot, any new purchases you want to share?
Anything you might be treating yourself to this weekend….?
I am trying my hardest to stay away from Zara, I’m like a kid in a sweet shop as soon as I step through the door.
Big Experimentation Love
Charlotte xxx
* Could be slightly slutty if worn with smoky eyes and whatnot…. 
Wow coming back from my first proper hair trial this was what I needed! More hair looks lol! I think I may have found a winner for my own barnet but I am going to be trying the everyday up do for a night out!
Make up wise, I think Saturday proved (thanks Charlotte again) that I have pretty good make up it’s just finding how to make the best of it! Been rocking the goldy nylon eyeshadow all week and a few people have commented at work how it opens up the eyes! WIN!
I am still unusure of wedding day make up, but I am going to start practicing. I am going to get a few new metallic shades to practice with as well which will probably be MAC as I love their multitude of colours! I am desperate to try to rock a plum eyelid!
This weekend will be mainly having pics took, and doing a bit of make up shopping…uh oh!
I am also going to now go listen to that Madame Del Rey and see what the fuss is about!
p.s. Charlotte…loving the Nivea gloop for the dry patches on my face…its already noticeably better…and I may have been using it on my feet for the winter scales! Prob not normal to use the same cream for feet and face but hey…it’s working for me right now!!! xxx
Hi Alex, I think I need to take my one advice and put some Nivea on my dry patches!! seriously – I am not drinking enough and sitting next to a radiator all day my cheeks are a bit flaky….
I think a plum eyelid sounds ace! make sure you take pics…
Charlotte xxx
Erm…if anyone up there is taking orders, mine’s a Runway Ready face, a BHLDN barnet and a Del Rey pout, please!
@Anna K – your pout is already pretty Del-Rey esque if I remember correctly and they are definitely 100% natural so I wonder why there is such a hoo ha over Lana’s? I’m guessing it’s just a bunch of jealous bitter girls with nothing better to do than have a go about someone they know hardly anything about to try and achieve what exactly? Make her feel so crap about herself she stops writing great music? …. Sad isn’t it.
If you want massive volume and general BHLDN hair then the Redken powder grip will be your new best friend. Promise.
Love runway ready and those jewel earrings would be perfect for my wedding! How gorgrous is BHLDN – have you seen the decor section? Its gorgeous!!
That yellow bag is so fun!
Rachie xo
Ooooooh I have a yellow satchel/over the shoulder bag that I’ve just brought back out from summer to add a bit of colour….great minds and all that
I am totally in love with the bed head boho hair, its my normal (read cant be arsed/rubbish with hair) style I must admit but I think I will try those products as the new one I’ve just got leaves my hair slightly producty (if that’s even a word), I’ve never added plaits either so going to give that a whirl.
As for Lana Del Rey, what a stunner, also a huge fan I cant wait for the album, I’ve been considering for a fair few weeks how to incorporate her video games song into our wedding as its just so dreamy and I love the instrumental part at the beginning, was thinking of maybe walking down the aisle to the instrumental version or having the vocal version while we sign the register as I just adore it so much.
xoxo
Oh my good lord! I have just listened to the Del Rey song and by jimminy it’s the song I have been going barmy to find out who sings it!!!!
I am sooooo getting my mits on that album when it’s out! Love love love that song, it has been on repeat now for about two hours while I sort out my make up/ hair/ costume jewellry drawers…erm yes…it took that long!
I have a lot of make up but when I look at it, I have like five or six things that I go to each time I need make up…I wish I could just buy the things I really need!
xx
Now I’m an old married… this is my favourite kind of post!
Not had the chance to look over it properly (booo to being super busy at work)… but it will definitely be something I’ll be reading with great interest this weekend!
xoxo
@Rachie – I know, immense, I was on the site for ages the other day just generally admiring.
@Faye – You MUST incorporate those lyrics somehow pet …
I’m in his favorite sun dress
Watching me get undressed
Take that body downtown
I say you the bestest
Lean in for a big kiss
Put his favorite perfume on
Loves!
@Katie – I think you could so rock dirty hair.
Charlotte xxx
My goodness, this is one of my fav songs ever!!! She is awesome, and all the del-ray haters are just, well haters. Loving the hair ideas, but am specifically after a certain Chanel lipgloss the American make-up lady used, can’t blimmin remember the name of the colour, so am just gonna have to go into Debenhams…watch out! xxx
Have also recently found a song called ‘Home’ by Gabrielle Aplin, defos worth a listen! x
@Charlotte I’m thinking signing of the register and as we walk out of the church as Mr and Mrs for the first time, before we skip off to our wild flower meadow for the reception, then the guests will get to hear the song in full and all its loveliness.
I will have this song at some point, somewhere during the day.
xoxo
love the bag & the shoes!….the make up is gorgeous…..and messy out of bed hair i <3!….but sadly i have fine hair and mines just ends up looking rats tails
@faye we are having video games played at our ceremony also most likely when signing the register.
@Charlotte i know what you mean about being obsessed with her….i am too but not in a weird/stalker way lol! There is just something about her, her voice, beauty & quirky/vintage style. wish i looked like her *sighs*
L xx
OH! The eyebrows on the model in the “Autumn Twilight” pic for BHLDN ?? I am very very proud of myself for having not *touched* my eyebrows since June (seriously, they look horrific but it will be worth it!) in an attempt to “grow them out” (like a face fringe) in time to completely redesign them for my wedding. I’ve been waxing and plucking since my early teens and they just didn’t have a “shape” anymore, and I think they were gradually getting thinner and thinner and I envied those with a “statement eyebrow”. I am going to be taking that Autumn Twilight pic with me to my first threading appointment!! I might also be purchasing that yellow bag!
The only experimenting I seem to do is when my little sis has a wardrobe clearout and I end up with some of her cast-offs which I would never have dared buy in a shop – it’s the only reason my wardrobe doesn’t contain ONLY black clothes!
I am about to experiment with my hair this Friday tho and getting a big chunky fringe cut. My 30th on Sunday so new decade, new look. Bit scared! lol
Loving Lana Del Rey – gorgeous and talented – can’t wait for my copy of the album to arrive. Also totally loving Lindi Ortega at the moment. Going to see her live later this week and v excited – she’s totally my new girl crush!
xx
I agree with Kate, now I’m an old married I love these posts. Mind you, I have just swooned over the Cotswolds wedding, the JP dress is gorgeous, the bride is gorgeous, the groom is gorgeous, in fact every ruddy photo is gorgeous.
I am now rushing over to BHDLN website xx
How on earth do you walk in such high heels?!