Baby, You're a Firework.

For most people when it comes to this time of year they think of Halloween and get excited. For me, not so much. Don't get me wrong, I do love Halloween but Guy Fawkes Night is where my heart truely lies. I absolutely love it. The fireworks, the sparklers, the candy floss, everyone regardless of age gathering to watch the display. This year like most years I went to the local display in the my home village and really enjoyed it (as always).

 My favourite ones, the purple looks a lot richer in the light.

In honour of my favourite unoffical holiday (not that there are many of those really...) I did some firework inspired nail art. I've only just started getting into nail varnish and the fun it entails, so they're a little messy, but all in all I'm happy with them. They didn't take too long and contrary to what I thought would happen, the glitter stayed on my nails (without a topcoat) instead of steadily depositing itself onto everything.

There was supposed to be a bit more of a theme based around black, pink and teal but I wanted to experiment with different colours and combinations. I used normal glitter, which I have a lot of because I always buy a few bags at a local crafts fair I go to every year. It's nice to have found another use for it (apart from the occasional Christmas or birthday card).

 I also really like these ones too, love the teal & pink combo.

It wasn't really a very complicated process, but I'll explain it anyway:

1. Base coat, I chose black, teal and pinky red.

2. Get a clear top coat, paint on generously and quickly sprinkle glitter at the tip of nail (or dip nail in glitter - which looks amazing)

3. You can add a top coat after this but I don't think it's worth it.

This lasted 3 days before it started chipping which is pretty good considering the wear and tear my hands go through.

I think for a more accurate firework look just doing all black base nails and then different colours of glitter on top works really well. The nail varnishes I used are:

Black - Claire's Accessories

Teal - 17 Fast Finish in Peacock

Reddy/pink - 17 Lasting Fix in Chateau

GUCCI ♥ fur & jewels. {part 1}

Source: Fashionising.com

There's been a lot of (faux) fur accessorising the catwalks for A/W 11 in the form of coats, shrugs, stoles and cuffs and it has all been so beautiful. There's also been an abundance of gorgeous, rich colour. Think burgundy and wine, deep turquoises and teals, golds, ochres and royal purples, in sumptuous materials; satin, silk, chiffon and suede.

I think that one design house has managed to sum up these two huge elements of A/W 11 in a really amazing collection; Gucci. They've focused so well on real, old time glamour and with so many colours and textures to choose from, a gucci winter isn't going to be a bland or monochrome one. I mean seriously, just look and drool. These clothes exude so much luxury and sophistication, so feminine yet mature.

Obviously most of us mere mortals can't even allow ourselves to dream of owning anything from their Ready to Wear collection. So, I've scoured the internet and have found some examples where you can actually get a little bit of the Gucci glamour, all below £60 (apart from one, but it's an exception!).

{1 - Next berry boots, £89} 

{2 - H&M nail varnish, £0.99} 
{3 - Warehouse pussy bow dress, £60} 
{4 - Next berry heels, £30} 
{5 - ASOS faux fur racoon tail, £10} 
{6 - New Look blazer, £29.99} 
{7 - New Look fur stole, £9.09} 
{8 - Awear belted skirt, £30}

{1 -Dorothy Perkins trousers, £20}

{2 - Topshop silk shirt, £40}

{3 - New Look belted mac, £22} 

{4 - Awear skinny belt, £6}

{5 - Next crew neck cardigan, £18}

{6 - Asos maxi skirt, £40}

{7 - Oasis bag, £40}

Part 2 will be bringing more afforable inspirations and a little on how to pull off the Gucci look.
And I have the most perfect shade of lipstick that matches those seen on the models. I just can't wait to show you at some point next week when I also put up my own Gucci inspired look.