OOTD: Southport Beach!

 I went to the beach! 

It has been been so beautiful in the UK this past week, I convinced my boyfriend to take me to Southport. 

I had been burnt the previous few days so wanted to cover up a bit more on this trip. 

It was so windy what with being by the sea so I apologise for the terrible photos and awkward posing!

Leopard print dress- Topshop

Bronze laser cut shoes- H&M

Backpack- Primark

I bought this maxi dress months ago ready for summer and its just been sat in my wardrobe! 

I'm so glad Ive got to wear it this week cos its just my favourite!

I wasn't too happy with my choice of shoe with this dress but they were the only ones I took with me. 

I do love these shoes but they aren't made for hours of walking in the baking sun.

My bag is from Primark and its just so practical. 

I heard some teenagers laughing at my bag once saying it looked like a school bag. 

I'm getting too old to care about what children think of me and my choice of luggage! 

I'm thinking of jazzing this bag up a bit with some gold spikes I have lying around so watch out for a post about that!

I wonder what everyone elses favourite summer outfit is?

☼Love Nina

Nailed It! Garden Nails:

So, the sun came out in the UK! 

Tis a rare thing so I jumped on the chance to dress summery and go for walks. 

Aswell as this, the sun inspired me to be a bit artsy with my nails.

I decided I would try a yellow and white flower design on my ring finger and keep the rest of my nails a brown colour. 

When I had done this though I felt slightly disappointed. 

I don't know what I was expecting but I just wasn't happy with them! 

So on a bit of a whim I thought I'd jazz them up even more and go full on nature with them! 

I took a blue and green polish and made a grass against sky design. 

I didn't really plan it, I just went with it. 

I used an eyeliner pen I got free in a magazine to outline the design and voila! 

I had garden nails.

Sometimes its more fun to just give it a go instead of planning it carefully.

Anyway, I hope everyone is enjoying the sun. 

I know I am but I'm paying for it now with the rather painful shade of beetroot I've got going on now!

☼ Love Nina.

Nailed It! Freebie Nails Inc:

When perusing the magazines at my local Asda, I spied that InStyle magazine were giving away full size Nails Inc polishes. 

Score! 

The magazine cost £3.80, much better than the usual £11 price tag. 

There were a choice of three summer shades and after a lot of umming and arring I chose Bluebell. 

The other colours looked a little watery in the bottle. 

Bluebell is the most beautiful blueish toned lilac I have ever seen. 

I used it as soon as I got home! 

The consistency was amazing, one coat was enough but I used two for good measure.

On a recent trip to Manchester I picked up the Topshop Nail Tattoos from the Sisters Of The New Moon collection. 

I used a large sparrow design over the top of Bluebell and it looked really pretty. 

I thought the tattoos would go horribly wrong but after a quick blast under the tap it had transferred instantly! 

I cant wait to try some of the other designs.

I'm not sure if by the time I put this up the offer with InStyle will still be on  but f it is, I highly recommend Bluebell.

Thanks for your time,

☼love Nina.

Fashion Haul #1

So, I had a trip to Manchester town centre with a friend last week and picked up a few items. 

Yay for Payday!

(All items will be modeled by the loverly Kermit!)

The first item I bought was from Republic and I'd already seen this previously and knew I wanted it. 

It is this cream and gray aztec and cross print top with low armholes. 

You have to wear a top underneath this, unless you are very brave! 

I teamed it with another purchase from that day which is a simple, long orange vest top from H&M. 

I love this combination and think the colours go well together. 

I've worn this so much since I bought it! 

The top cost £15 which is quite cheap considering how much I've already worn it and will continue to do so.

Now, I am a massive Sci-Fi fan so when I saw this next item, it was meant to be! 

         I had seen galaxy print items before on catwalks and from designers but nothing really affordable or on the high street. 

So when I saw this top/dress for £7 (yes, £7) I had to have it! 

I can't remember the name of the shop but they have all the "now" prints in dresses, leggings, tops and they are all priced £7 or £5. 

The shop says it's closing down but I hope not 'cos I want ALL the leggings! 

I love my dress and it satisfies the nerd in me. 

Just look at it!... 

Ok I'll stop staring now.

I next picked up this earring and cuff set from TopShop. 

A friend had this and I loved the look so when I saw this in the sale for £1.50 I just had to. 

And yes, the friend is slightly peeved! 

 But it looks awesome.

Im loving aztec and geometric prints that are around at the moment and I picked this skirt up on a last minute whim. 

It is this drop hem skirt from Primark and it's so flattering it was definately worth £10! 

Although, I've now realised that the zip doesn't go all the way up, annoying but not the end of the world if teamed with a belt!

And that is it for my mini Manchester haul!

☼Love, Nina.

Nailed It: Leopard Nails:

Anyone who knows me 

is well aware of my love for nail art. 

I'm always updating as I paint my nails every couple of days. 

I like to think that I give it a good go and do it quite well.

 People, at work especially, always compliment me. 

Very flattering I must say! 

So it won't be a surprise to anyone that most of my posts on this blog will be about nails. 

It seemed right that my first real post will be about this. 

So, without further ado here's some snazzy nails!

Leopard Nails:

I have done hand painted leopard nails twice now, one was a while ago and the other was today.

The first is the more colour accurate version.

I used Barry M 320 (gold), MNY 461 (bronze), and the Topshop Nail Art Pen in black. 

This is a very easy look to achieve but I have to say I was disappointed with the Topshop pen.

It is hard to dispense the polish as you have to push down on the tip.

The line tends to be quite thick and clumsy.

I have used it three times and been let down each time. 

Instead of the Topshop pen, in the second look I used a cheap liquid eyeliner and had much more control over the design.

In this look I used two George (Asda) nail polishes in 14 Natural White and 31 Groove, the latter of which is a lovely bright pink but you need about 5 coats.

The second look is a lot braver and a bit tacky but the sun was out and I was all for crazy!

If anyone happens across this I hope you liked it, I'll have a lot more nail posts coming. 

☼Love, Nina.