Resolutions

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Coat - Next
Jumper - H&M
Jeans - Zara 

A very relaxed look this week, inspired by my new year's resolution to....relax!!!
If life has tought me anything it's that it's short, and while you may be aiming for a certain goals, if life has other plans for you, all you can really do is go with it!

That is why my 2014 new year's resolution is simply.....Sit back, Relax & Enjoy! 
It is finally time to relax....take a breather....and reflect! Enjoy where I am and what I've done, without caring what anyone elses thinks. 

Kisses 

Tan xx

Sunday Polish: A Dangerous Affair in Red

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Ciate - Dangerous Affair

Gone for a Berry Red this week. I love Ciate polishes, they have a great glossy finish and dry fast, usually only needing 2 coats.

This is a beautiful shade of red. Its described as burgandy, but has a slight scarlet hue. In this weeks pictures the colour is a little off, appearing a bit brighter and more vivid than it actaully is.

Love 

Tan xx

Midi Addiction

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Midi rings have become huge, and although I don't usually do trends these have been on my shopping list for months. 
I've seen some gorgeous little pieces but all very expensive. Lets face it, rings this dainty were destined to be lost within a few months.

Luckily my lovely sister got me these for Christmas and I love them! However, having very slender fingers like mine, I seem to be doing all that I can to stop them flying off my fingers in all directions!
So, these rings and I will be having a brief love affair before they are also inevitably lost in the big bad world....but for now I'm just going to enjoy our time together.

You can find some great ones in Urban outfitters, ASOS and H&M.

Love
Tan xx 

The Trend Edit - S/S 14

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I was actually in two minds about doing this seasons’ trends edit.

Having to now deal with longer summers and winters, we’re still looking for coats in May and dresses in September. The autumn/winter and spring/summer divide is beginning to blur.

 We’re also more focused on our individual looks than ever before. Street style and bloggers influence is growing, and they are becoming fashion industry players determined just by what they wear. High fashion designers are no longer the only ones shaping each seasons trends but merely setting a base line.

 Trends may be less clear and only slightly different from those we’ve seen before, but evolved from the influence of street style, spring/summer 14  is bigger and bolder.

Burberry
Miu Miu
Everything Embellished
Listen up Magpies...don't stop now! Designers from the likes of Prada to Roksanda ilincic have joined you and gone to town with lashings of shimmer, sparkle and shining jewelled fancies. You'll find it lavished across tops, dresses, collars and anything else with spare fabric.
Must Have: Set your sights on all that glitters this seasons.
 
Erdem
Floral Futures
Designers seem to have found a way to join two polar opposites this season, teaming neon florals and botanical blooms with metallic glam rock and edgy attitude. Either try the lady-like treatment, sassy urban styling or be bold, and like designers embrace the two together.
Must Have: Edgy accessories & Feminine Florals
 
Antonia Berardi
Chanel
Pastel Persuasion
There's plenty of millage still left in this hue. Fashion hasn't quite moved on from the dusty pink, but instead has been joined by soft powdery mint tones.
Pink is best worn as one accent piece, but that's not to say you can't be shameless and step out on pink head-to-toe.
Mint however, is best offset with nude tones or blended with sorbet pastels, but best worn with plenty of confidence!

Must Have: Dusty Pink & Powdery Mint hues

 
Topshop Unique
Gucci
Bohemian Rhapsody
Brit It-girl Alexa Chung is the perfect poster girl for this next one.
A key take on boho for ss14 sees Anna Sui, Topshop Unique, Chanel and more, blending the romantic 70’s maxi dress and floppy hat with 60’s borderie anglaise dresses and retro sunnies.
Must Have: Floaty Overs & Wide leg trousers
 
House of Holland
Attention Grabbing It-Dress
Probably the easiest to pull off this season. Take one A-mazing dress, worn with heels and full confidence and strut your stuff. Done!
Must Have: Statement It-Dress
 
Christian Dior

Lace
SS14’s little lace dress (LLD) resembles more of night dress than a high-octant, vintage frock and is best styled with essential black eyeliner and voluminous hair.

Must Have: Little Lace Dress
 
Saint Laurent
Cold Shoulder
Don’t bare all for S14.....simply tease everyone with what might be by just showcasing your sculpted décolletage and collar bones.
Must have: One Shoulder/Strapless Dress
 
Simona Rocha
Sheer Skirt 
We are heading into transparent territory, so reach for your sheer pencil, maxi and midi skirts (anything shorter is so last year, dahlings!). To keep a remain somewhat reserved, houses such as Mulberry, Dior and Burberry have designed full briefs to accompany this cheeky look, and rightly so!

Must Have: Sheer Skirt 

Celine
Proenza Schouler
Pleats Please
Broad pleats are a thing of the past, well for now anyway, so go for tight please on dresses, skirts and accessories. 

Must Have: Tight Pleats

Alexander McQueen
Matchy Matchy
With no doubt, the hottest look this season is wearing one print all over or to clash several patterns in one outfit. If this seems too daring, then your best way to approach this is working one colour into everything from shoes, to your phone case...the works! Too much is simply not enough.

Must Have: Matchy Outfits

Sunday Polish: Nail Rescue

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 With a new polish every week, my nails are screaming out for a break. A pampering is just what they need......Manicure Time!

1 Off with the old
Acetone nail polish remover is much better at getting rid of nail polish, especially stubborn colours, but keep in mind that it is harsher and more drying.

2 Trim/File
Keeping your nails a comfortable length is a must. Mine tend to chip and break when they reach a certain length. 
Only use clippers on very long nails, otherwise file them down in one direction, using a smooth sweeping motion to create your preferred shape, squoval in my case. 
If you’re not sure about what shape is you best for you, give each of them a try (your nails will grow back so don’t worry, just be careful not to file them down too short).

3 Soak your hands
This step is optional, but adds I would definately reccomend in these winter months as it helps to keep hands and nails well moisturised.
Add one teaspoon of olive oil and your favourite bath soap to a bowl of warm water and leave your hands to soak for 5 minutes. 
If your nails are stained from your previous polish, instead, add a few drops of lemon juice and 1/2 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda to whiten them. This softens your cuticles for the next step. 

4 Cuticles
Also an optional step if your cuticles aren’t out of control. Cuticles are the little pieces of skin at the bottom of your nail beds which can sometimes get in the way of your polish.
Start by massaging some cuticle balm/cream into each nail then using an orange stick gently push them back. 
Do not cut them as this can damage the skin and lead to infection and irritation.
5 Buff
Using a fine buffer, gently buff out the ridges to even out your nail surface and remove any of the cuticle that remains on the nail. 
This will help to get that even glossy professional finish, but be careful not to buff them down too thin.

6 Wash & Scrub
Use a soapy hand wash and nail brush to remove any dirt or excess nail filings from underneath the nail. With a gentile scrub, or making a simple scrub with olive oil and sugar, buff away any dead skin. I used Soap & Glory's Body Polish. 
They’ll be left super soft and looking flawless. 
I know it is very tempting but do not cream you hands till you have finished apply your polish. Nail Varnish doesn't adhere well to greasy nails and will leave them a it blotchy and uneven...so resist!

7 Good Base
A base coat is essential to protect your nails and prevent staining from dark colours or regular polish changes like me! 
I usually start with Sally Hansen’s Nail Protex, followed by Star Nails Base Coat when applying colour. 
Sally Hansen’s Nail Protex is fortified with vitamins to repair and protect damaged and weak nails. For the best results it should be applied every other day for 7 days, removed and then repeated. If you are applying colour, this would be used as a base and then applied on top of your polish during the week till removed.

8 Colour Up
The fun bit. There are so many choices when it comes polish and designs, just be sure to choose a quality polish for the best chip resistant results.
For the best results apply two, thin coats of polish using three swipes – one on the left, one on the right and the last down the centre – wiping off any mistakes quickly before they have a chance to dry.
As I'm giving my nails a break this week, I have just used two coats of Sally Hansens Nail Protex.

 9 Fantastic Finish
Armed with a good top coat, my favourite being Seche Vite, you’ll be left with a perfectly glossy, long lasting manicure. 
I recommend giving your nails a few minutes to dry before applying the top coat and even more time once you’ve finished. I'm sure your no stranger to the odd smudge.....even the tiniest knock or scratch can ruin your hard work in seconds!

 10 Moisturise
Finish with a drop of cuticle oil to keep them from drying out, and slather on your favourite lotion!
My favourites include Crabtree & Evelyn La Source Hand Therapy, Cocoa Butter and Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream.


Enjoy 

Tan xx
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