Urban Outfitters Autumn/Winter 2012/13

It's hard to think that autumn/winter 2012/13 collections are on their way or are already here when we don't seem to have had a summer yet. Personally, I prefer an Autumn/Winter collection to a Spring/Summer, I'm partial to layering, autumn burnt colours and a bit of knitwear, but for those who aren't, A/W 2012/13 isn't too heavy at all this year, in fact if we ever get a taste of summer weather any time soon I think A/W collections this year would still be very fitting with gypsy and bohemia inspiration being a forefront to the collection.

Urban Outfitters introduce two new collections 'A Modern Beat' think masculine meets feminine, mod style parkas, drainpipe jeans, slim fit and shirts tucked in. Then there's 'Tarot' a mixture of gypsy, bohemia and witchcraft, kind of paints a picture doesn't it? Think texture, lace and tapestry, layers and a lot of mystical and precious stone clad jewellery. Each collection has it's own style, but with colour palettes like khaki, grey, hot coral, burgundy and the always popular denim piece dotted about the collections mix beautifully. A/W makeup trends this year such as Roman-tique, a bohemia, electric and global influenced trend with sepia stains, texture, jewel-like metallics and a contemporary defused rethink on a smokey eye and the masculine trends where contour and structure is everything, where it's all about natural makeup with that hard, strong edge are very fitting to these Urban Outfitters collections. 

I was shown around the Newcastle store while Rachel told me about the collections, I've been in shopping a few times but it was great to find out that they're displaying art work from Northumbria University students/graduates which is where I study. You'll also find art work by Prefab 77, a collective of artists from the North East who's work is raw, British and rebellious, a perfect fit for the interior of Urban Outfitters.  Newcastle has the usual mix of Urban Outfitters own brand along with some amazing such as Vaudeville & Burlesque, Cheap Monday and Evil Twin, as well as their well known renewal selection of vintage and reworked pieces. It was great to find out the girl in charge of Newcastle's renewal selection is very particular and only puts out the best quality, so if you're in the area have a rummage!

LJ's Beauty Studio

 I'd been waiting for LJ's Beauty Studio to open for a while, curious as to what the lashes would be like, so when it launched Laura kindly sent me this pack of 'flirty' lashes. Sets of lashes come with 10 pairs and are priced at £6.50 which when you think one pair in Boots can set you back that much it's definitely worth it. I'm normally used to very thin, clear bands and usually stay clear of the thicker ones thinking they'll not look so great, but they actually still look really nice on, quite dramatic-naturalesque. Before applying them the lashes need bending gently and to give them some extra flexibility and curve is a must but they go on and stick (with the help of DUO) perfectly. I smudged some MAC Coffee eye pencil into the lash line just to give extra definition and base colour for the lashes to go against. The 'flirty' style is beautiful, soft yet full and really flattering, these would be perfect with a soft or heavy eye makeup.

Laura also blogs here along side her shop giving you sneak peaks and tips on what's coming to the shop. She also sells cosmetics tools and sunglasses, I'm loving the 'think...heat wave' ones. 

Illamasqua cream pigments & medium pencils

I made an Illamasqua order a couple of months ago. I think I was feeling sorry for myself after hurting my foot and not being able to attend the event. So I bought a cream pigment in Hollow, a medium pencil in Fidelity and the #1 blending brush. I've wanted to try out the medium pencils for a while now and I'm so glad I got one, they're so easy and quick to apply. They blend so easily, are buildable and last really well. These are totally kit worthy, I'd love to try a few more and create a whole eye look purely with these. Such a good tool if you want a quick defined eye. I'm now a massive fan of these pencils. The blending brush is also equally amazing and goes hand in hand with the medium pencil, they work perfectly together, creating soft blown out eyes.

I bought Hollow cream pigment as I heard it was a great contour colour. It is just that, but if you're looking to use this as contour I would say to be careful and not to over load as it is quite a cool shade and can turn a tad mucky with too much product. Other than that it blends with ease, even over powder which doesn't always happen with cream products, a great contour for cooler paler complexions when you find some bronzers to be a little too warm.

The picture above shows Hollow cream pigment next to Fidelity medium pencil blended and unblended.

What do you love from Illamasqua?

Wired Jewellery

1. my grandads old ring. 2. Wired Jewellery 3. blue stone ring present from parents. 4. jwlry 5. thumb ring from market

I'd been searching online for ages for above knuckle rings but to no avail, then a couple of weeks ago I saw a photo that Sara had posted of some amazing jewellery with above knuckle rings, and so thats how I found Wired Jewellery. The shop is filled with some amazing stuff, but I tried very hard not to go wild and just got myself a ring. I'm sure there will be future purchases of a lot more. I've seen a lot of jewellery shops pop up, a lot of them with the same things as others, but this one stood out with it's quirky handmade designs, stunning stones and real silver (which is a massive plus, I hate jewellery that tarnishes).

The ring came well packaged with simple but beautiful little details, like the paper cut hearts and embossed lettering, I think it makes all the difference when you get an interesting and pretty parcel. I got a medium size which is supposed to be a UK size F, it's the perfect size, fits a couple of fingers and feels secure on the lower part of my finger. I've been wearing it for a few weeks now and theres been no tarnishing, the quality is amazing and I feel like Phoebe Buffay.

Wired Jewellery are also having a flash sale this easter weekend. So get yourself 15% off with 'easterbunny'.

Guest Post: Lifting spirits with fashion & beauty

Illustration courtesy of Malia at deepfriedfreckles

Fashion Lifts the Spirits of Women with a Cancer Diagnosis
By: Jackie Clark

A cancer diagnosis can be absolutely devastating news for a woman to hear. Aside from feeling sadness, anger and denial, a woman may also change her lifestyle completely. Those who once cared about beauty and fashion may begin to wear pajamas or tracksuits and opt out of wearing makeup both during and after their cancer treatments.

Whether a woman is dealing with a diagnosis of mesothelioma cancer that has been caused by asbestos exposure or a diagnosis of breast cancer that runs in her family, it is important for her to try to remain a sense of normalcy. Despite a woman’s circumstances it is important to always be aware of the reality of cancer. Sadly, cancer doesn’t discriminate and once this is realized fashion forwardness can shine through.

First and foremost, fashion can be a great way to maintain a sense of normalcy. If a woman typically wore jeans and a sweater everyday, she should continue to do so. This will help her to feel more like herself than if she were to wear pajamas for example.

In addition, experimenting with new types of fashion can also help a woman with or without cancer feel more vibrant. Visiting a department store and asking a sales associate to help find the latest fashions to flatter skin tone and figure are a great place to start.

Accessorizing is also a great way for a woman to feel even more beautiful. Earrings that draw attention to her contoured cheekbones, bracelets that bring awareness to cancer and hats that help her cope with hair loss are also fantastic ways for a cancer patient to feel more beautiful.

Makeup can also be a huge part of fashion. A woman with a cancer diagnosis should continue her makeup regime in order to continue to look and feel her very best. She may also want to consult with makeup artists to help her to brighten up her face, which may appear tired from various rounds of treatment. A new shade of blush or a new tube of mascara can sometimes work wonders for a woman's self esteem.

Most importantly, women should try not to view themselves as victims but rather as victors. Try to keep the mindsets that controlling thoughts and maintaining as much normalcy as possible are the best ways to handle a diagnosis. Taking the steps to feel beautiful in her own skin is just one simple way that she can help herself on to the road to recovery. No matter what the future holds it is always important to look and feel beautiful because true beauty comes from the inside and nothing can change that!