Saturday 24 September 2011

How to... create Newspaper Nails!



Recently I stumbled upon some pictures of this gorgeous, unique and readable nail art! Don’t they look fantastic? And they are extremely easy to do at home, which is perfect for me and any others who are a novice at creating nail designs. Plus, as I’ve just began a Print Journalism Masters, these designs are pretty apt and are a great way to use those used papers I have lying around!



What you’ll need: Light-coloured nail varnish, top-coat nail polish, rubbing alcohol, an old newspaper (make sure everybody’s finished reading it!) and a small container.

What to do:
1.       Paint your nails in a light colour so the newspaper print can be seen easily, such as white, cream or pale colours of green, pink, etc. Allow the varnish to dry completely before moving onto the next step!
2.       Next, pour some of the rubbing alcohol or surgical spirit in the UK, which is available in Boots, into a small container. Once your nails are dry, dip your nail into the container for about 5 seconds.
3.       Take a small piece of newspaper and press it firmly onto your nail for about 15 seconds. Peel it off and the ink from the words will be left behind! If needed, you can then use a cotton bud and nail polish remover to clean up the nail.
4.       Next, you should ideally use a top coat to keep the design intact. Plus, it gives the nails are lovely shine.

Et voila! Your eye-catching newspaper nails are complete and you are now ready to wow the public with your stunning nail art!

Hope you enjoyed this beauty post,
Love,
Emma! Xx

Tuesday 20 September 2011

What I'm listening to... Latino Summer!












Disc 1
1.       On The Floor - Jennifer Lopez
2.      We No Speak Americano - Yolanda Be Cool and DCup
3.      She Bangs - Ricky Martin
4.      Alejandro - Lady Gaga
5.      Whenever, Wherever - Shakira
6.      Rhythm Is Gonna Get You - Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine
7.      Copacabana (At The Copa) - Barry Manilow
8.      All Night Long (All Night) - Lionel Richie
9.      Hey Sexy Lady - Shaggy and Brian & Tony Gold
10.   Guantanamera - Wyclef Jean
11.    Macarena - Los Del Rio
12.   (Mucho Mambo) Sway - Shaft
13.   La Bamba - Los Lobos
14.   Bamboleo - Gipsy Kings
15.   Ran Kan Kan - Tito Puente
16.   Carnaval 2010 - Dario G.
17.   Samba Pa Ti - Santana
18.   Tu Es Foutu - In-Grid
19.   Miss California - Dante Thomas
20.  La Camisa Negra - Juanes
21.   Coco Jamboo - Mr. President
22.  Oye Como Va - Santana









Disc 2
1.       Hot - Inna
2.      Stereo Love - Edward Maya and Vika Jigulina
3.      Sway - The Pussycat Dolls
4.      Te Amo - Rihanna
5.      Mambo No.5 - Lou Bega
6.      Let's Get Loud - Jennifer Lopez
7.      Rhythm Of The Night - DeBarge
8.      Mambo Italiano - Shaft
9.      Quando Quando Quando (Tell Me When) - Connie Francis
10.   Guaglione - Perez Prado and his Orchestra
11.    Soul Bossa Nova - Quincy Jones & His Orchestra
12.   Spanish Eyes - Engelbert Humperdinck
13.   Maria Maria - Carlos Santana and The Product G&B
14.   Mambo - Helena Paparizou
15.   Inside Out - Imelda May
16.   Annie, I'm Not Your Daddy - Kid Creole And The Coconuts
17.   Me Río De Ti - Gloria Trevi
18.   Mas Que Nada - Sergio Mendes and The Black Eyed Peas
19.   Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood - Santa Esmeralda
20.  Nah Neh Nah - Vaya Con Dios and Rico Bernasconi
21.   Babara Batiri - Beny More



Latino Summer is a collection of hot latin-influenced pop, which includes a whole host of stars who use the Latin flavour to create their summer anthems, such as Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Shakira, Ricky Martin and many more. Although we are heading into Autumn now with Summer (what Summer?) most definitely behind us, these fast-paced, sing-along tunes get your hips swinging at any time of the year and sure make that housework/homework a whole lot more bearable!

A mixture of new summer hits and cheesy old classics reminiscent of the sizzling Spanish holidays of the past, such as Bamboleo, La Bamba and Mambo Italiano, this album is the only one you want to be listening to (and singing to) right now! Listening to these sexy summer anthems reminds me of those hot summer nights by the beach and always makes me want to break out the Latin American dance moves!

Although some songs have a pretty tenuous link to Latino pop, such as Engelbert Humperdink’s Spanish Eyes, I simply love this collection of songs and if I’m ever having a bad mood moment, putting this album on certainly cheers those blues away and is always a good start to a party!

Does anyone else own this album, what you think?
Adios + te amo,

Emma xx


Friday 9 September 2011

Fashion Forward: Kate Fearnley Boutique


If you hail from my hometown of Middlesbrough, the Kate Fearnley fashion label is one which you will not only know, but adore. However, those of you who are not familiar with this fashion forward designer will soon wonder why not? Loved by many A-list celebrities, such as Cheryl Cole, Katie Price, The Saturdays, Amy Childs and Alexandra Burke to name a few, Kate Fearnley’s quirky, edgy style has risen from the picturesque, seaside town of Saltburn-by-the-Sea to the glittering glamour of the red carpets!

Katie Price and daughter Princess both wearing  Kate Fearnley in an OK magazine shoot.
Graduating from Northumbria University in Newcastle in 1997 with a BA (Hons) in Fashion, Kate made her dreams come true when she won the Princes Trust in 2002 and established her own label. Nowadays, her eclectic style and exquisite collections made up of unusual fabrics, textures and shapes have propelled her popularity so much so that her little boutique in Middlesbrough have fans all over the country. This stylish store is a frequent haunt of the locals and her beautiful dresses are always a must-go-to whenever a special event is on the cards!

In 2010, Kate Fearnley was rewarded for her grit, determination and fashion flair with the prestigious Cosmopoliton award for the ‘Fashion Entrepreneur of the Year’. Cosmo said of the young, up-and-coming designer: “We loved Kate’s fun and fearless determination to burst on to the fashion scene. She never gave up and has truly succeeded in bringing her designs to life, making them accessible on the high street. She’s a true inspiration.”

Kate Fearnley winning the ‘Fashion Entrepreneur of the Year’ award at top women’s fashion magazine, Cosmopoliton. Pictured here with TV presenter, Zoe Salmon, who also wears Kate Fearnley.


The Kate Fearnley fashion label continues to surprise and delight with her Autumn/Winter collection for 2011 where a mix of fabrics and unusual adornments show an insight into her flirtatious, creative mind. Although her dresses aren’t particularly cheap at around £160 to £200 a dress, they are most certainly one of a kind, bang on trend and scream haute couture. When you buy a Kate Fearnley dress, you will be wearing something bold, new and exciting. And you certainly won’t be overlooked in a crowd wearing these gorgeous numbers:


       Left: Paige. This knee-length dress features a luxurious, bold yet feminine print with oversized, contrasting shoulder detail.
      Right: How amazing is this ‘Mendes’ dress!? The unusual mix of bold colours combined with the striped waistband gives this classic design the ‘wow’ factor. Add sequin collar and pocket detail and you’ve got yourself a winner.
      Below: Francis. This gorgeous, vibrant dress features boxed sleeves and a key hole cut to the back. 


            Above: The print and lace three-quarter sleeves showcase this ‘Gracey’ dress to its full potential. Wow!
      Left: The LBD has a unique edge with this ‘Astrid’ dress. The beautiful corsage detailing on the one shoulder and striped fabric makes this dress simply stunning.
           Right: Buttercup. This 50’s inspired dress looks divine with charming bow detail, underskirt and provocative colours.
      
Do you need to see more? Visit www.katefearnleyboutique.co.uk for more breathtakingly beautiful dresses, ideal for that special occasion. Kate Fearnley also custom makes dresses to introduce that special something that is just you!

Not only are her collections a parade of beautiful, feminine yet quirky dresses, they also prove the statement that with determination you can succeed. And for that Kate, I thank you.

Love,
Emma xx

Wednesday 7 September 2011

The Bachelor arrives!


Gavin and his girls!

This month has seen the UK version of The Bachelor hit our TV screens and boy, has it arrived with a bang! The reality dating show stars Welsh Rugby Union player Gavin Henson as the ever-so-eligible bachelor and a variety of girls, each with gorgeous looks and often quite strange personalities, all vying for a place in Gavin’s heart.


The reality series aired on August 19, with Gavin meeting, greeting and judging all 25 girls who are competing against each other to snare the bachelor. And some girls certainly put on a show! 26-year-old Tia didn’t even introduce herself before going in for a cheeky kiss on the lips and one girl even groped his bum, causing a shocked Mr Henson to give his best ‘Help me!’ look to the camera. But Laura Blair, 23, a dancer from the Wirral, put on a performance of a lifetime, while her competitors merely looked on in despair. Slamming the limo door shut, she certainly grabbed Gavin’s attention by refusing to walk up the stairs to meet him and exclaiming: “Carry me up the stairs otherwise I’m going home.” Poor Gavin had nowhere to run to!



The series, with its fourth show airing this Friday, follows Gavin’s quest to find his ‘one true love’ after his very public split with singer, ex-fiancée and mother of his two children, Charlotte Church. After two years living in singledom, Gavin is ready to move on and find someone new, by taking the girls out on a variety of dates each week, from daredevil zip-lining to romantic picnics in the park. Each show culminates in a rose ceremony, where the bachelor distributes roses to his favourite girls, leaving one or two broken-
hearted and therefore whittling his prospective girlfriends down to just one.

Gavin with ex-fiancée Charlotte Church.
Although this series has been entertaining to say the least (especially to a 21 year old girl who can fantasise about snaring such a hunk!), the end result seems pretty far-fetched. Guaranteed to offer true love, The Bachelor claims to end the series with Gavin and his new girl setting off into the sunset in a fully-fledged serious relationship. Even I, a hopeless romantic, find that pretty hard to believe! For one thing, the girls didn’t even know who their prospective beau would be, only that he is single and famous. And let’s face it, who wouldn’t want to date a celebrity? (Here’s hoping I stumble into Prince Harry some day!) Also, in a competition against 24 other girls, I definitely don’t believe you can show off your true self, warts and all, to the bachelor. Nevertheless, I offer the best of luck to the ‘winner’ and her man, and my cynical self might be pleasantly surprised in the future to see Gavin Henson’s wedding on the front of OK! Magazine.
Has anyone else been watching The Bachelor? What do you think about it and does it differ to the US version?

Hope you all enjoyed this post!
Love, Emma xx