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Hello everyone,

It's been a busy few weeks but I've grabbed 10 minutes to sit down a write a blog post before I catch some z's. I'm planning on going to the city tomorrow to have a browse around the shops as we're having a non-uniform day on Monday in aid of a charity and school council. I've really wanted a tube/pencil skirt for ages so I'll be on the hunt for a reasonably priced one! Also, I need to find a pair of longer, thick white socks to wear with my army-style boots. Everything else seen in the outfit above I have but it's just those two items that I'll be tracking down! However, I'm also looking out for any good cardigan deals as I was going to buy an aztec design one in the sales but I found out that it was £28 and it had a whole in the shoulder *face palm*.
Tell me what you think about the outfit above! A mother's day post will be coming soon.
Too-dal-oo.

(belated) february favourites!

Picture Credit - http://www.chibird.tumblr.com

favourite tv programme: Love in the Wild (ITV2, Wednesday, 9pm)
My friend actually got me hooked to this show. It started with 10 couples who are all competing against each other to win the prize at the end of the 10 weeks. This is one of my favourite dating shows currently because it actually gives the contestants chance to get to know each other instead of making a rash decision based on appearance.

favourite iPod app: Snake

I've become increasingly addicted to this app. While the hype is on Temple Run, I've found that this app is much more fun and definitely reminds me of the old-school Nokia phones! It's currently in the free top 25 section on the app store!

favourite beauty/hair: Natural Collection Waterproof mascara

I am the sort of person who's eyes are almost certain to start watering at random times so this mascara has been a life saver! I love the Natural Collection brand as I'm allergic to a lot of other brands! I got the mascara a while back in a 3 for £5 deal in Boots but they're always doing small deals like that!

favourite wish list item: Canon EOS Rebel T3i

I've longed for a camera like this one for over a year now and I know that I won't be buying it any time soon it's still top of my wish list this February. As summer approaches I'm starting to take more and more photos and it'd be really cool to have a professional camera! It's £470 in some places though so I have quite a wait ..

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Sorry for the shortness of last month's favourites. I haven't had a lot of time to think about it because I was given my final art project and I've had so much other school work! This month's will be better! 

prom series #2 : shoes

1) Woman's Red or Dead Victoria High Heels

Colour: Tan

High Heel Height: 9cm

Material: Leather

Size: 4-7

Was: £75 .. Now: £24.99

My thoughts: These shoes have a definite acquired taste and therefore will not be everyone's cup of tea. Personally, I think these will go with any length dress but not all colours.

2) Woman's Hush Puppies Noella Glitter High Heels

Colour: Black

High Heel Height: 7cm

Material: Man Made

Size: 3-5

Now: £60

My thoughts: I adore these shoes, however I detest the massive ribbon for the bow. There are ways to overcome the bow but I believe it's the crucial focus point which makes the shoes what they are. Another problem may be that the size is far too small as they only go up to a size 5!

3) Woman's Schuh Nina Platform Court High Heels

Colour: Pale Pink

High Heel Height: 13cm

Material: Suede

Size: 3-8

Now: £65

My thoughts: These shoes are incredibly tall so may be a solution for anyone who is shorter but they can only find long dresses! Also, they are a nude-ish colour so they would essentially match most dress colours if they are a last minute purchase!

4) Woman's Schuh Pretty Glitter High Heels

Colour: Black

High Heel Height: 14cm

Material: Suede

Size: 3-8

Now: £65

My thoughts: Again these shoes are extremely tall so if you have a longer dress which you need higher heels for than these shoes could be for you! They have cute sparkly heels and they would possibly match many dress colours! 

valentines cookies!

HAPPY VALENTINES!
Here's a quick and easy valentine's heart cookie recipe to give as a gift to your loved ones or friends!

SERVES 12     |     30 MIN PREP     |     12 MIN COOK

1) Preheat the oven to 170 C or gas mark 3.

2) Mix the butter in a mixer or by hand until it is light, then add the remaining ingredients and knead until the consistency is velvety.

3) Roll the dough so that it's about 6mm-1cm thickness (try to use as little flour as possible).

4) Cut out using a knife or shaped cutters and bake on a lightly greased baking tray for 12 minutes. (Cookies will appear almost white when they are cooked).

If you're feeling daring you can also add chocolate chips, raisins, sultanas or other dried fruits and berries to the biscuits in stage 2 when you're mixing the ingredients together. Add pink or red icing with sprinkles and decorations for the perfect valentines cookie!

Approximate cost of the ingredients:

- Butter (Asda Best for Baking 250g = 55p)
- Plain Flour (Asda Plain Flour 500g = 40p)
- Icing sugar (Silver Spoon Icing Sugar 500g = £1.09)
- Milk (Asda British Milk 568ml = 49p)
- Vanilla Extract (Asda Extra Special Vanilla Extract 38ml = 74p)

(I got this recipe from [here] and it is not my photograph).

oooo, snowy paintings?

Yesterday and today I've been working on a painting that I did for my Human Form final piece for GCSE art. While I was painting it I filmed and eventually I edited it all together and this is the result!
Facts:
- Took around 3 hours to draw and paint fully.

- Spent about 24 hours editing (mostly rendering time as it was such a long video to start with)!
- Originally the painting was supposed to be of me but it didn't look like me in the end!
- It's an artist response to my favourite artist Brett Manning (http://www.brettisagirl.com).

p.s. IT SNOWED! I haven't been out properly in the show but I did go outside to take a few photos:

A random redy-orange flower which was growing amongst the snow?

My welly :F

The seeds on the bird table were coated too!

A snow covered tree in my garden!

january favourites.

In 2012, I will be doing monthly favourite posts on the last day of each month. So here's my favourites for January 2012:

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favourite advert: Twinings

I love the animation in this advert and the way it's put together. I also adore the song choice and the realistic features in the advert. It really made me want to buy the product. 

favourite tv programme: Call the Midwife (BBC1, Sunday, 9pm) 

Ever since it started earlier on this month, this show has kept me thoroughly entertained! Not only are the scenes humorous and exciting, they also show the hard times which people faced during the War. For me, Miranda Hart makes this show and I am delighted to see that she has gone on to act in other shows as well as her sitcom, Miranda.

favourite iPod app: Many Bricks   

Although many people are besotted with Temple Run, I am actually enjoying Many Bricks. It's a free app in the top 25 category and it is incredibly addictive. A new level is unlocked after you complete your current one so you really have to work hard to get all of the levels done!

favourite beauty/hair:

Messy buns are so quick and easy to do before school or when you're lazing around at home! They seem to be coming into fashion again - thank goodness, I don't have to put much effort in hair-wise anymore! I haven't perfected one quite this pretty but mine will do for now.

favourite quote:

"the one who says it cannot be done should never interrupt the one who's doing it".  

I don't really think this needs explaining. 

favourite wish list item: a Brett Manning canvas

Brett Manning is definitely one of my current favourite artists and ever since I discovered here I've been wanting to buy a canvas of one of her pieces! I couldn't decide which one so I chose one at random. I emailed Brett just over a month ago and - being the lovely person she is - she actually replied and answered all my questions that I had! Please check out her prints here.

prom series #1 : long dresses

As prom draws near for me I'm starting a "Prom Series" where I'll give you ideas of dresses, hair, shoes, accessories and more! Note: not everything that I post will be of my particular 'style' because I'm just trying to be diverse and give plenty of examples!
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The first of this series is long dresses! Be careful when ordering online especially because you must get any measurements exact, and even then you may have to get the dress tailored further when you receive it. Personally, I'd go into a shop to buy/rent a dress because you can see if it suits you there and then! I will be wearing a long dress to my prom so it was exciting for me to search through the websites to see the different styles that have appeared for 2012!

1. Burgandy SheathFloor-length Strapless Dress

£79.00

Fabric: Chiffon

Neckline: Strapless

Silhouette: Sheath

Hemline: Floor-length

Embellishment: Crystals, Ruched

Sleeve Length: Sleeveless

Waist: Empire

Back Details: None

Shown Colour: Burgundy

2. Stunning Green Floor Length Prom Dress 

£87.59

Silhouette: Sheath

Length: Long
Neckline: Halter
Waistline: Empire
Closure: Zipper
Fabric: Satin
Embellishment: Keyhole, Sequin Detail
Train: Sweep Train
Show color: Apple Green
Occasion: Prom, Evening, Formal

3. Blue Evening dress
£249.00

Elegant backless blue evening dress with beaded detailing. Made from a slinky poly satin this dress features a pleated train.

4. SymphonyMaxi Dress

£170.00

A strapless, floor sweeping maxi with a ruched bodice and enclosed boning. The asymmetric drape detail at the front adds a graceful element to this sumptuous gown. The Symphony Maxi Dress has a discreet side-zip and comes with detachable straps. Length from underarm to hem is 128cm/ 50.5 inches.

** All information was taken directly from the websites that I found the dresses on. The photographs were taken from the websites.**