Hooray, Hooray, Its a Holi-Holiday

So I've just got back from FLORIDA!

Well, I got back on Friday, but I've been suffering majorly with jetlag!

It was an amazing holiday - we did so much out there, it was, literally, non-stop all day every day, but it was so much fun.

We went to all of the parks, went to Cape Canaveral, went down to Miami and swam with dolphins, went over to St. Petersburg in Tampa, which I definatley fell in love with that place, I would love to live out there one day.

I did do lot's of shopping whilst I was out there, so I'll do a separate post about what I bought.

But for now, just a few pictures to share with you.

Top Row l-r: NASA Space Station at Cape Canaveral; Mickey Mouse in Magic Kingdom; Hollywood Studios
Middle Row l-r: Universal Studios; Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Island of Adventure
Bottom Row l-r: Epcot; Miami Beach; Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom; Sea World

Top Row l-r: Giraffe in Animal Kingdom; Dolphin in Sea World
Middle Row l-r: Sea Lion in Sea World; Aquarium in Sea World; Dolphin in Miami
Bottom Row l-r: Sting Ray; Shamu the Killer Whale both in Sea World

Top Row l-r: Tree of Life in Animal Kingdom; Epcot Skyline
Middle Row; Island of Adventure Skyline
Bottom Row l-r: Miami Skyline; 'Everest' in Animal Kingdom

And now I'm going back to bed - my sleep pattern is so messed up, and I'm back in work tomorrow...... I'm going to be screwed!

BRB

See you in two weeks!

Holiday Nails

So I did my nails in time for my holidays.... 2 days to go!!

I used the same colours as in my last post, but thought I'd add a bit of a pattern to them.

My inspiration is the Half-Moon tutorial in my 'Wah Nails Book of Nail Art' that I bought a few weeks ago. But, the instructions in the book say to draw the half-moons on free hand, and I don't have the skill or steadiness for that... especially with my left hand! So I had to improvise a bit.

What I used: -

l-r Models Own Beach Party; Balearic Cool; Hedonist;
3-in-1 Base Coat, Top Coat & Gloss,
Cotton buds; Hole reinforcer stickers

How I did it: -

After using the base coat and waiting for that to dry, I painted the bottom third of each nail, alternatly using the Balearic Cool, Beach Party and Hedonist nail varnishes - then waited for them to dry.

Next, I cut five of the hole reinforcer stickers in half and stuck each half to each of my nails so only a little bit of the colour was showing in the gap. As below....

Then, using the cotton buds and nail varnish remover, I removed any of the excess nail varnish showing over the sticker - The reason I did this was because the Balearic Cool blue that I'm using is a very thin varnish, and so I don't want the excess to show underneath. I'm sure if you use a thicker varnish you wont have that problem... and i'm sure if I used enough coats I wouldn't either, but it just seemed easier.

So then I painted my top coat, using the Balearic Cool, and one statement nail using Hedonist.

Wait for it to completely dry before peeling off the stickers - and I mean completely dry, like 'watch a movie for a couple of hours then peel them off' kinda dry.

Fill in any gaps that might have appeared.

Add your top coat.......Et voila!

And that's me done now until after my holiday, when I'm going to come back and bombard this place with so many pictures.....!!

Pretty Quik Magic

So, I've been hearing a lot of good reviews about Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover - and it sounded absolutely perfect! You just dip your finger in, twist, and the polish comes off! Ideal if you balls up nail art and just want to take off one nail - so I bought it!

But in reading up about it, I kept coming across the name Pretty Quik - same idea, same premise, different brand - and, according to a lot of reviewers, better than Bourjois - so I bought it too!

Now, to para-phrase Harry Hill, there's only one way to find out which is better............... fight!

Let battle commence.....

So, to start off, all four of my test nails had the same type and amount of nail varnish on them.

Round 1 - Speed

Bourjois claims to be "1 second per nail" - it isn't. Well, not for me anyway. But it is quick, say 3-4 seconds.

Pretty Quik doesn't specify a time frame, except that it is 'Pretty Quik' - which it is. I would say marginally quicker than Bourjois.

Round 1 Winner - Pretty Quik

Round 2 - Looks

Bourjois bottle isn't offencive, it's a nice pink, looks good quality. The sponge inside is dark grey/black, so you can't see any of the removed nail polish. The bottle is also the bigger of the two, so you can fit your whole finger into it.

Pretty Quik is in a smaller bottle, and honestly, the colours and labelling scream "cheap" to me. Like a budget brand might. The sponge is a light pink colour, so you can see the removed polish, but after a while it seems to disappear. It's quite a small sponge, I had trouble covering all my nail. Also, the sponge had twisted itself around I had trouble finding the hole you are to put your finger in!

Round 2 Winner - Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover

Round 3 - Smell

Bourjois says on the bottle it's "Red Fruit & Vanilla Fragrance" - when I smelt it in the bottle I defiantly did not get that! It is ever so strong smelling. But after I had used it and it was on my fingers, I can smell it, and it smells more fruity than vanilla, but really nice.

Pretty Quik doesn't claim to have a fragrance. Smelling it in the bottle it just smells like strong generic nail varnish remover. After using it and with it on my fingers the smell tones down and almost has a fruity smell to it. But not much.

Round 3 Winner - Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover

Round 4 - Price

I bought both of these nail polish removers from Superdrug (though I can't find them on their website), prices reflect what I paid.

Bourjois was £4.99 for 75ml
Pretty Quik was £2.49 for 30ml

Although Bourjois is the more expensive of the two, you get more for your money. In comparison, 75ml of Pretty Quik would cost you £6.23. At £4.99, it's still expensive, but, although I don't know how long it will last, up to now, I think it's worth it.

Round 4 Winner - Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover

And so ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner.............   Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover

Quick and easy to use, smells great, and you get more for your money.

Catch Up

It's been a while!

I've not been up to much - the weather was amazing last week, so we went to the beach for the weekend. I got burnt a bit, and the boyfs dog got attacked by another dog, resulting in stiches, but apart from that it was good. Such a shame to be back in work this week - though the weather has dropped, big time, so it's not like I've been missing out!

I went to see Snow White & The Huntsman with the girlies on Wednesday - which is such a great film. I would recommend for sure. I think we're going to go see Men In Black III tonight, so I'll let you know how that is.

So I've had one last shopping spree before my holiday.

Now, to be fair, even though I said I wouldn't be buying anymore holiday stuff what I've bought isn't necessarily for my holiday!

From River Island

l-r Rose Gold Tone Owl Necklace; White Owl Friendship Bracelet; Gold Tone Small Bird Stud Earrings

 River Island seem to have started a cheaper jewellery range - now, me personally, I've never had any problems with the prices of the jewellery - but if they want to sell it cheaper, I'm all for it! It just means I'll have to get a bigger jewellery box!

From Topshop

Sleeveless Crochet Collar Top

 I'd had my eye on this beauty of a top, online, for ages, but it was never in my local store to have a good look at it. Until one day, it was just there, the only one, stuffed behind a load of jeans, and in my size! It was destiny!

Star Bracelet For Fashion Targets Breast Cancer

 So since destiny was on my side that day, I did a good deed and purchased one of the new Topshop Fashion Targets Breast Cancer Charity Bracelets. I'll definately be going back for the other designs, and colours when I get a chance .

From ASOS

Sugarhill Boutique Chiffon Merry Go Tie Blouse at ASOS

 This top is definately my favourite purshase in a long time - it's so cute, I love the pattern, the shape is so flattering, it's just perfect.

ASOS Pretty Pearl Hand Harness

I have wanted this for ages, and everytime I order something I think "I'll get it next time" - I've always been a bit hesitant because, basically, I have big hands!! Every other hand harness I've tried just hasn't sat right on my wrist, and in a couple of cases, when I got it on, I couldn't bend my hand! But this one is a perfet fit, if anything its a bit too big!! I'm so glad I bought it, I can cross one more this off my ASOS Most Wanted List

From Boots

l-r Smash Up Silver; Nail Art Pen Pink; Disco Mix

And finally, I bought these Models Own goodies from Boots - did you know, if you buy two or more Models Own brand cosmetics, you get a free Nail Art Pen!?!?!?!!!!! What a bargin!!