Birds of Paradise

Yes, another outfit post! I make no apologies for this however, as I have come to realise that I take fashion risks far more regularly than I do in my make up choices at the moment. I think a lot of that is down to a lack of time. Throwing on an outfit that's different to any you've worn before, despite not buying anything new, doesn't take up much of my time. Blending shadows, applying eyeliner and spending an age getting my lipstick even (as I have asymmetrical lips, annoyingly!) is definitely more time consuming. As I am so close to getting the majority of the work in for my MA, time is a valuable commodity for me right now (Did anyone see the film In Time with Amanda Seyfried and Justin Timberlake? My life is like that...except not at all like it either).

I can only apologise about the less than perfect image quality and the fact that they are boring and taken inside. Again, this comes down to time restraints. I want to keep content on my blog and therefore, for now, shortcuts must be made. I just don't have the time to spend sourcing beautiful locations. Not until my final essay is written and I have a little more time in between dissertation writing and research. I promise to really up the anti in terms of photography then! I can't buy new equipment, but I will learn new techniques with the stuff I have. Anyway, onto the outfit!

A very casual outfit! Comfortable, but I felt smart all the same.

Flamingo Bag: Next Light Bird Jacket: H! by Henry Holland Multi-coloured Necklace: New Look Plain Black Top: New Look Lilac Denim Chinos: New Look Purple Sparkly Flip Flops: Matalan

Floral Frenzy

I love floral print clothing and accessories, especially this time of the year and into the summer. I find myself drawn to coral and floral whenever I walk into a shop at the moment. That and mint green or lilac! I can't help myself. As usual, I am always drawn to the shiny jewellery, like the magpie that I am. Below is a compilation of some pretty floral things that I found online this evening. I love them and I hope you do too!

Dress: £25 ASOS Kimono: £40 ASOS Floral Headband: £5 Matalan Floral Leggings: £10.39 Missguided

Plaits and messy buns

I thought you lovely lot might want to see what I did with my face and hair to spend a Sunday evening visiting friends of ours. Nothing spectacular really, but the hairstyle is certainly different for me as I'm not great at doing my hair in anything other than a simple messy bun, a simple pony tail or loose and wild! I was inspired by a hairstyle I saw on Morven who is currently competing in ASOS's Future Stylist competition. She was in turn inspired by another fashion blogger whose name escapes me right now, but she does mention it on her blog. It's a hairstyle that looks effective but isn't that hard to do, with a little practice. This was my first attempt and I'm sure I will get better at it the more I attempt it. I hope you like it!

Face-wise I don't have much on; Boujois Healthy Mix foundation with serum in 51, Collection 2000 concealer, Clinique Mascara, Avon gel Supershock eyeliner smudged on the lower lashline, MAC Creme Blush in Lady Blush and Benefit Browzings in Light for the brows. That's all there is to it. I didn't really want to plaster my face in make up when we were going to our mates house for dinner and to watch a DVD (Captain America in this case!).

Hope you're all well. Do you have a failsafe look for a casual evening relaxing with friends or do you always go all out?

Nicole x