Calypso Christmas

On the hottest day of the year surely the last thing you want to think about is Christmas right?

Wrong. 

July is the time when all the Christmas Press Days start to happen.

I have already had some eager beaver publications phoning to ask if we have anything for their Christmas gift list pages. 

So just as we finally got our Summer back this week, the last thing you want to hear is 'Jingle Bells' so I thoroughly enjoyed Beauty Seen's take on their Festive Press Day that they decided to call Calypso Christmas.

With reggae and summer tunes playing all day, and the venue decked out almost like a beach bar, it made a nice change from mini-yorkshire pudding beef volovant's, as they served Banana loafs, and exotic fruits with coconut shavings, you could of been mistaken for thinking you had stepped on to a Caribbean Island. 

I have a very basic, simple beauty regime. Cleanse, moisturise and I'm out the door, so I always find it interesting and useful attending Beauty events to find out and test new products I would not normally use. 

Two things that caught my eye here this week were

Lash Perfect Hi Brow Eyebrow Powder

and

Hi Shine Nail polish & kits. 

I am not a fan of overly drawn 'scouse brows' but I do like them neat and a little bit defined. I have often used Benefits Brow Zing, but find it very waxy. After having a tidy up with Hi Brow, that has a range of colours to suit all skin tones, the make-up stayed on all day and looked natural. 

There are also stencils available to make it even easier to create your desired shape. 

Available to buy here.

Now I am not up-to-date on the technology of it, but Hi-Shine nails is basically a nail polish that creates a long-lasting, non-chip, gel finish without having fake nails or gel tips. Polish's are available to buy on their own or you can purchase a whole kit that comes with a UV lamp that is essential as it sets the gel, and also includes a range of cute accessories - Who can refuse a glittery nail file?

They currently have a range of pastel summer colours out, and some beautiful Autumnal shades out soon. 

Pwettty...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.... No! I promise this will not start till at least 1st December. 

Double Denim

The sun finally made an appearance today, so it was nice to spend some time outside. 

The casual side of my wardrobe has taken over more space of the dressy side for the first time in years, I cant remember the last time I wore heels. I do miss it a bit, but will save it for a night worth digging them out for. 

In the mean time I am quite happy in my kicks and double denim. After what feels like a has been a long and emotional week I just want to chill and be comfortable on the weekend. 

I have a thing for HUGE gold hoops, but struggle to find ones that are light enough to wear all day - theres nothing worse than wearing heavy earrings. I got these ones from Claire's Accessories. If anyone knows where else I can get light funky gold hoops let me know.

JC

x

What I'm wearing: Denim Jacket - Primark, Coloured Jeans - Topshop, Trainers - Nike Air Max 90's, Earrings - Claire's Accessories. 

Sporting Greatness

So with the Olympics creeping ever closer, there is no escaping the faces of our Great British Athletes in magazines, on TV, Billboard posters. It is something I see as a welcome change, as these are actually people who work hard and deserved to be celebrated (unlike your Kim Kardashian's and Jordan's). 

This is something Nike agrees with, and to celebrate athlete greatness, they have taken their iconic Nike M65 jacket and custom crafted a unique edition for eight British athletes it partners with. 

Each jacket is personalised to pay tribute to each athlete's unique journey. 

The Nike M65 jacket has become a symbol of inspiration. Printed in patriotic red on the inside, each mantra embodies the spirit of athletic commitment and success. In addition to the personal mantras, a bonded wove Union Jack is stitched on the left arm, with the athlete's name embroidered on a Velcro name plate.  

The eight athletes from a range of sports have been presented with their jacket by people who would have inspired them, for example Basketball legend Scottie Pippen surprised Luol Deng with his customised jacket at the Nike World Basketball Festival earlier this month in Brixton.

When Track and Field legend Carl Lewis presented Perri Shakes-Drayton with her bespoke M65, it was seen as a truly special moment for Perri to receive her jacket from an athlete who has achieved such greatness at a time when she is aspiring to reach new heights herself in this Summer's games. 

The photo's of athletes receiving their jackets really do make some beautiful inspiring imagery. 

Scottie Pippen and Luol Deng

Paula Radcliffe

Carl Lewis and Perri Shakes-Drayton.

Personal Mantra's 

Paula Radcliffe - 'Be the best you can be each day'

Dai Greene - '100% effort, 100% of the time'

Perri Shakes Drayton - 'Train hard. There are no shortcuts.'

Hannah England - ' Every rep. Every session. Every race'

Holly Bleasdale - 'Believe in yourself and magic will happen'

Mark Cavendish - 'Remain the fastest. Stay the greatest'

Mo Farah - 'Go hard or go home' 

Luol Deng - 'I'll return to deliver'

What's yours? 

Words Have Power at Levi's

Yesterday I was invited to screen print my own t-shirt at the launch of the Levi's Print London workshop at their flagship store on Regent Street.

Running between 13th July - 3rd August, this interactive project is open to all to come and get their hands dirty and screen print their own t-shirts with limited edition prints by graphic artist Anthony Burrill. 

Known for his persuasive, up beat illustrations and and his witty approach to words (including the infamous 'Keep Calm') has uniquely captured London's spirit with a clever play on words. 

The limited edition tee's include slogans such as 'THE CITY IS OURS TONIGHT' 'DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOU ARE?' And a 'THIS IS NOT THE WEST' one exclusive to the Levi's Boxpark pop-up store in Shoreditch, has been created to capture the distinct culture that surrounds East London. 

For those who take part there is also the chance to recommend your own slogan, with the best being chosen and made in to a print on the next day. 

Are you ready to #PrintLondon??

Given Levi's overalls before I start my print. 

There are trained screen artist's to talk you through the steps and help you out.

The first steps, printing the boarder.

A dryer is used after each stage of printing to set the ink.

You can then share your finished t-shirt in the Print Workshops Photo booth and upload straight to Twitter & Facebook.

Every Girl Want's The Fairytale...

Admittedly I am going through a Tomboy style stage at the moment. Denim cut offs, Trainers, off the shoulder tee's, DM's and lethal looking jewellery are my staple wardrobe items, however just because I may dress a bit hard round the edges that does not mean that I'm not still a total girly girl. 

I love cute fluffy animals and hearts and flowers, pretty things and all that shiz.... You get the idea. But the one thing I still believe in most is Fairytales. 

(Find me a girl that don't... we were bought up and force fed this drivel. Yes I sound bitter because the fairytale still hasn't happened for me yet but I do still believe.) 

Off on a tandem but who remembers the Julia Roberts "I want the fairytale" line in the film Pretty Woman? See even prostitutes can dream!

So Mulberry really know what they're doing with their new Autumn Winter Forest Fairytale campaign featuring model Lindsey Wixon and two furry forest creatures shot by British photographer Tim Walker  in Blackheath Common, Surrey. The campaign is inspired by 'Dreams, fears and imagination' something we can all relate with, wouldn't you agree?

Connecting with consumers on a dreamy level it's no wonder their profits continue to rise... but more importantly it gives up something pretty to look at. 

Enjoy x

Ibiza Wardrobe

So I made my fifth trip to Ibiza this week for a short break in the sun. It is safe to say I am an Ibiza Addict. There is something unexplainably different about the Island from anywhere else I have ever visited. Maybe it's the night life, the beautiful scenery, the sunsets or the individual sense of style that has me hooked.
So here is my Ibiza Wardrobe Diary. xoxox

Day 1 - Cocoon @ Amnessia 

Shorts - Vintage Levi's, Top - River Island, Necklace - H&M, Belt - Topshop, Bum Bag - e-bay.

Day 2 - Dinner @ Cafe Mambos

Dress - Topshop Unique, Bangle - Primark, Earrings - Topshop.

Day 2 - Ibiza Live @ Eden

Shirt - H&M, Shorts - Topshop, Trainers - Nike. 

Day 3 - Labrinth & Maveick Sabre Gig @ Ibiza Rocks. 

Top & Skirt - H&M Fashion Against Aids Collection, Necklaces - Topshop & Vintage

Day 4 - Ushuaia 

Body - American Apparel, Shorts - Topshop, Trainers - Nike, Necklace - Forever 21, Bumbag - e-bay.

I'm bringing Sporty back...

Anyone who know's me well will tell you I am the most un-sportiest, laziest person. Ever. I couldn't give two hoots about the up-coming Olympics and I even once said 'I don't do activities' a quote that always gets bought up against me and has haunted me since.

However this week I have never been so active! Partly due to the mini heatwave we had I agreed to go swimming with a friend on Monday.... I don't mind swimming, I just don't enjoy public pools (I have every excuse under the sun to avoid exercise). But I'll admit I enjoyed it and came out feeling fresh.

So then on Thursday when I was invited to a work out event by Nike, I thought I'd give it a go... Seeing as I am interning for them now I thought why not. I got to choose a whole new kit and work out trainers (which I love).

It is actually an event run by Nike from their flagship store on Regents St. that anyone can attend, you just sign up via their Facebook page here. Named the Nike Training Club, it is a women's fitness community, who offer expertise, inspiration and motivation and its FREE!!
They have even been known to hold special events such as one a few weeks ago, where they did a work out session in Altitude 360 in the Milbank Tower whilst Katy B performed.

I won't lie, I found it hard, the warm up was grilling enough for me... a 15 minute to run to Regents Park where we continued with drill sessions (I told you I was unfit ok.) But I really did enjoy myself. Having suffered with stress and depression, they do say exercise is a good cure and I couldn't agree more.
I can't wait for a session they have coming up soon... Hip Hop Yoga!!

And what a better incentive than being able to choose a new pair of trainers courtesy of Nike.

 My new Nike Training Free XT Motion Fit Trainers. 

What I'm wearing: Top - Sass & Bide, Leggings - unknown - Trainers - Nike.

I continued the Sporty theme in to the weekend by going to watch some the boys I know play a charity football tournament at the West Ham grounds. They didn't quite make it through to the finals but did get  to the semi's. Well done boys!