NOTD: Floral Candy Stripe Nails

I mentioned at the end of my last post that I was going to attempt 'Cath Kidston' inspired nails. I don't think this manicure really screams 'Cath Kidston' but i'm so happy with how they turned out anyhow. I thought floral would be really fidly and difficult to do, but it's actually very quick and simple if you go about it in the right way. I used Models Own polish in the shades Beth's Blue, Pink Blush, Pastel Pink, and Jade Stone.

I painted my little, middle and thumb nails in Beth's Blue after applying a top coat, and the other two nails in a coat of Pastel Pink. I then painted/blobbed small patches of Pink Blush on the nail, almost in the same way you would do a leopard print pattern, and did the same with Pastel Pink, overlapping on the patches of Pink Blush to create a contrast of shades. To finish the flowers, I used the Models Own Nail Art Pen in White for more blobbing in between the patches of Pink Blush and Pastel Pink, and to create the leaves I dipped a bobby pin in Jade Stone. To create the candy stripes I simply used the striper brush in the Models Own Nail Art Pen.

So there we go, I think they turned out pretty good, what do you think? The weathers been absolutely gorgeous in England over the past few days, and I'm feeling the burn on my shoulders. Hopefully it will turn into a tan... I can dream. I'm coming up to my last day of school ever (possibly) and things are becoming pretty real. I hope you're all well,

Models Own Haul - featuring Ibiza Mix

I can't recommend Models Own polishes enough, I can't stop buying them.  The quality is great, the colour range is incredible, and I always look forward to painting my nails or trying out new nail art designs with them. I just love them. I own a fair few of these (25 now to be exact), but had to extend my collection with some new ones that I've had my eye on for a while. I've lost count of the times I put together my basket on the Models Own website, and then clicked the red x in the corner, because I just couldn't justify buying them. But, after all the stress I've been under lately I just went for it.

I went for the highly sought after Ibiza Mix from the hedkandi collection, a baby pink glitter called Pink Fizz, a holographic silver glitter called Juicy Jules, a sophisticated purple toned light grey called Utopia, and cornflower blue, Beth's Blue. I love them all, but I'm mesmerized by the glitters in Juicy Jules, it's absolutely stunning, especially in the sunshine England's been blessed with today, and to think just a couple of weeks ago it literally rained all day every day for at least a week. Get me too a tropical island paradise, now.

Look at how pretty they all are! Perfect colour's for the summer months. Application was great, I expected Utopia to be watery but, it was creamy and only took two coats to get a smooth finish. I'm still surprised at myself that I ordered such a 'nude' colour, I'm usually all about bright colour's, but there's something I just love about it. Maybe I can have sophisticated nails for once?

I also purchased the Wah Nail Art Pen in white. I already own it in black and really love it, and I've wanted to try out floral designs, tuxedo designs, polka dots, and aztec designs on my nails for ages. It comes with a pointy nib for detailed designs, and also a striper for straight lines.

I had my third exam today, none of them have gone amazingly well yet but I sometimes surprise myself on results day, so we'll just wait and see what happens. I don't have an exam for three weeks so I'll be getting my blog on for sure! I have two Los Angeles posts coming up, and a day trip to London post too. Now I'm going to attempt a Cath Kidston inspired nail art design. If it goes well I'll post a picture on here.

All Models Own Products shown are available from their website, the Boots website, and some Boots stores nationwide. The nail polishes retail at £5.00, and the nail art pen retails at £6.00.

#1 Week in Photos - London, Revision, and American Food

Beef Roast and all the trimmings | Chocolate Mousse Cake | Navy Tipped Glitter Nails 

Foot Socks - Literally | History Revision and supplies to keep going | Clean Make-up Brushes

Parcel from the USA | Lucky Charms and Jolly Ranchers | Lucky Charms

May Company Magazine | London Shopping in H&M | Big Ben

I thought I'd jump on the blogging bandwagon and do a week in photos. I always enjoy reading other peoples and I feel like I don't always tell you lovelies much about what I'm getting up to in my life. This seemed like the perfect way to do it! Apart from being tied down with revision and horrible exams, I've had a really lovely week. I received a parcel all the way from America, from one of my Dads friends, with some lovely treats that I've been missing since I got back from LA in February. Yesterday I took a trip to London with Allie (post to follow). We did some shopping around Stratford Westfields shopping center, visited M&M's world in Leicester Square, caught the tube to Covent Garden, had a yummy dinner at The Diner restaurant, and then ended up walking to the embankment to see Big Ben and the London Eye. I'm lucky to live close to London, and I visit a lot throughout the year, but not always to go and do the touristy things, so it was nice to explore the city. 

I hope you've all had a lovely week. Now to do more revision, but after Tuesday I won't have another exam for three weeks. I can't wait for that freedom!

NOTD: Pink Ombre Zig-Zig

I haven't done a post to do with nails for a long time now, which is strange because nails are what I mainly used to blog about. But, I'm not back on the nail bandwagon. Now I've quit my job, I can paint my nails whenever I want to, so naturally I've been trying out some different nail designs. This is one of my favourites.

I've seen the zig-zag nail around before, but I felt like putting a twist on it and trying out ombre zig-zag. If I'd tried to do this, this time last year, it would have been a disaster. But, overtime i'm slowly adopting a steadier hand. I used Models Own nail polish, (surprise surprise) in the shades Pastel Pink, Pink Blush, and Raspberry Crush. To create this design, I started by painting my nails with a base-coat, then with two coats of Pastel Pink. I then used the side of Pink Blush' nail brush, to paint a straight line 3/4 down the nail, and painted diagonally upwards from each side to the edge of the nail. I then did the same over the top with Raspberry Crush.

My exams start next Tuesday, which is my excuse as to why I haven't been blogging much recently. I can't wait until the summer, so I can get my blog back on. Like always, I've left my revision very last minute, so instead of enjoying the rare appearance of English sun, I'll be stuck inside with my head in a textbook. Good luck to any of you who are also doing exams, I feel your pain! But just stay focused and we can all do it!

Hope you all have a lovely weekend,