Wishlist for the Weekend.

It's come to my attention that I'm pretty good at spending money like water and very terrible at saving it, so I guess I'm doing this to benefit myself in that if I put it here, I'll feel (maybe) a little bad if I go back on it.
I frittered my first paycheque away a little bit and I'm hoping to be a bit more responsible next month, mainly because I just need to be more strict with myself but also because it's about time I start saving properly for Florida in December.

Still, I like to treat myself so here's my mini wish-list for payday, in a hope that I'll be able show a little more direction and restraint if I write it down.

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One: ASOS Leather Jodhpur Ankle Boots — I've been eyeing these up since the beginning of last month with the hope that they'd soon become part of ASOS' never ending, unfortunately they haven't yet but I think they'd be a worthwhile investment. Lets face it, my faux suede £8 Primark ankle boots aren't likely to hold up for much longer.

Two: Models Own Wonderland Box Set — Models Own have been releasing some great glittery polishes lately, but I wasn't totally taken by their earlier Mirrorball set, this one is totally perfect though and I can see myself getting a lot of use out of it, particularly the Snowflake one, which is just dreamy and almost an exact dupe for a flakey GOSH one I had a couple of years ago. They'll be great for Christmas and I love the mixture of fine and chunky glitters.

Three: Samsung Galaxy 10.1 Tablet — There's been a lot of buzz surrounding this tablet so I do feel as though I've been slightly brainwashed into picking it out, but at the same time it's just what I want. As last month saw my first grown-up paycheque, I was reluctant to part with my dosh which I now see was a little silly so next month this will be first on my list. The real question though is whether I pick it up from a real-life shop or save £20 (which could go towards a MicroSD card) and get it online but have to wait around.

Four: A New Hairdryer — It's not an exaggeration to say that my hairdryer has completely fallen apart, I'm pretty surprised that it actually still manages to dry my hair because it really isn't looking so great. Luckily its demise has come when Boots has half price offers on electricals, so this cheap and cheerful leopard-print Mark Hill Style and Shine Raw Power Dryer is an obvious choice.

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I hope you have a great weekend, I'm not going to let my current churchmouse status get me down and hope to get outdoors and snap a few rolls of 35mm because it's been a while. I'm so looking forward to tomorrow's lie-in as well as cooking lots over the next couple of days; sleeping and cooking are things I don't get to do much of during the week.

No more than usual.

Sometimes, being denied the joy of painting my nails can be tough as it's one of my favourite things to do. I didn't manage to snap my nails properly whilst I was away really, although this is probably the most elaborate design I did as I mainly went for simple multi-coloured nails. Maybe it was a bit excessive bringing five polishes on holiday, but I love to change and have the choice.

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Base Colours: Rimmel I ♥ Lasting Finish in Sunshine & Apricot Punch
Leopard spots: Models Own in Top Turquoise & Topshop Nail Art Pen in Nightrider
Top Coat: Rimmel Pro Super Wear Ultra Shine


I was a little against the Topshop Nail Art pen when I first got it, although I was really excited about it when I first heard about it. I'd say you really have to wait for your nails be completely dry for it to work properly, unlike the unbranded nail art pens that I'm used to or even the WAH/Models Own one. I think this is mainly due to the point of the nib and it just seems to scrape through the polish if it's not the right consistency. I was pretty pleased with this result but I think the pen is better suited to more intricate designs and is waisted on easy, 'splodgy' ones like this.
It was fun while it lasted but I also found that taking the time out from painting my nails before going away has made them the strongest they've ever been and even after being put through the mill a bit last week, they're still really healthy and not stained like they normally tend to be. If you're a bit of a chronic nail painter like me, I would definitely recommend giving yourself a breather every now and then and just allow your nails to breathe. I must admit that I felt a little self conscience at first, but now all the rank staining has grown out and I'm quite happy to just have them bare even if I'd rather they were painted.

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I thought I'd mention the top coat I've been using recently. I've never had much problem with Rimmel before, but I'm kind of unhappy with this one. I know I was spending a lot of time in the sea so I shouldn't expect resistance to that, but even before going on holiday I've found this polish doesn't live up to it's 10-day-wear claim. I really wish it did, but even after a few hours it's been easily chipped, it's a real shame because the brush makes for great application and it dries super-fast. It's been okay for it's affordable £3.99 price tag and the fact I don't want/need my nails painted for long periods of time, but I don't think I'll be getting this particular one again.

NOTD: Easter Eggs.

I've given a lot of thought to this design, and I'm very pleased with the results. I wanted something Easter-themed and springy, despite the weather acting to the contrary. Some of my favourite similar designs can be found here, here, here and here. Kim from Sweet Monday also did a similar combination, I'm really liking having a different pretty pastel colour on each nail, can it just be Spring forever?


White nail-art pen, eBay
Base colours:
Apricot Punch, Rimmel 'I &heart; Lasting Colour' (scented and smells lovely)
Lilac Dream, Models Own
Jade Stone, Models Own
U & I, MUA Love Hearts
Top Turquoise, Models Own
Top & Basecoat:
421 Clearly Clear, Rimmel 'Lycra PRO'

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In related news, if you're a regular reader of my blog you may be following my Photo A Day April challenge and therefore may remember the nail transfers I photographed for the 'post' challenge. Well, the lovely Jan Christie, the eBayer I bought the transfers from checked out my blog and sent me a message. I still haven't had a chance to try them out yet, but if you head over to Effie's Makeup Box you can check out Heather's efforts involving both cats and pugs.

If you go to Jan's eBay store and fancy picking up your own transfers, you can type 'intoruth' in the order form and she'll send you a few free samples with your order.

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I hope you have a great rest of Easter Sunday, I have one more blog on the way because it's a three-blog kind of day.

Pretty Polish.

My nails are super-short at the moment, so I haven't got around to trying any of these out yet, but they only arrived yesterday. Were you as excited as I was to see Models Own had launched three new colours to add to their Beetlejuice collection. I only have one of the 'old' ones, but they are much more suited to autumn/winter and these new colours are much more spring/summer. There is currently a mixed box set of six including polishes from each collection available for just £20 on the website.

It was mainly Indian Ocean that caught my eye this time around, the bottle makes it seem slightly mother-of-pearly, I hope it looks as nice on.

Models Own have a great deal on their website that means if you buy five, you can save £7. As a lot of my polishes are turning gloopy and I'm a bit low on Models Own, I thought the release of the new Beetlejuices was a good excuse.

L-R: Top Turquoise, Edamame, Lilac Dream, Soda Pop Pink and Indian Ocean



I was perhaps left a little disappointed with how the order was presented, my very first Models Own order came in such lovely packaging and these were just wrapped in a bubble wrap and posted off in a jiffy bag. I wouldn't mind but given that it's £2.95 and the package is only small it tends to feel like a bit of a let down. They did arrive really quickly though, so I think it's just that I hate paying for P&P.

I'm sure all these colours will be to high MO standard though, I'm most looking forward to Lilac Dream, I think. I just need my nails to grow that little bit more...

Did you pick up any of the new Beetlejuice collection, what do you think?

#760: Hello, Monday.

First outing for one of my Flapper Girl lady ties, so lovely.
Good morning!
I hope you had a good weekend, mine was nice. Some of our Uni friends came up to watch the rugby at Moon's on Saturday, I hate sports so I joined them afterwards, it was so good to see everyone and hang out. We went for breakfast at Frankie & Benny's yesterday morning and it was terrible, I've been thinking and I don't think I've ever had a good meal at any Frankie & Benny's restaurant. We laughed it off just because it was so awful, safe to say I don't think we'll be returning, milk for tea/coffee in a shot glass, come on!

So, towards to tail-end of last week I was feeling really demotivated, but the sun is shining and it's a new week. I've already had a promising phone call from Portsmouth University's recruitment agency, Purple Door and I've got a list as long as my arm of jobs to apply for/enquire about so I hope to keep busy.

Here are some things that are exciting and nice about today.

The sun is out and even though I am restricting myself to inside, my room is warm and bright.

I'm seeing Russell Howard this evening.

Hello 22 followers, I hope I live up to expectation.

Crafty Creatives — This is an incredible idea, it's like a Glossybox but for crafts! I think it will provide a much higher standard than those magazines you usually see floating about right about now, already subscribed.

Orla Kiely for Uniqlo — If I can't afford her beautiful homewares, I can still wear her designs, currently lusting after one of the tunics. Here's hoping the local Kingston Uniqlo is stocking it.

Lovely jobs, and not in the falsly advertised reed.co.uk sense.

Models Own new Beetlejuice colours — Was a good excuse to place an order for a new bottle of Top Turquoise and some other pretty springtime shades, can't wait to get them. I only ordered Indian Ocean from the new collection, not for any reason other than that I'm not a 'metallic nails kind of girl' and I thought the other two were a bit too gold/copper for me.

Like any good Internet user, I rounded off my Sunday with videos of cats, there are too many 'awhs' to not share. :3

Here's to a productive and happy week, did I mention I'm seeing Russell Howard tonight? *squee!

What I Wore - 02 October 2011

I quite like this, this weather makes it impossible to know what to wear, especially as I thought I was done with Summer and have already pretty much packed all my summer clothes away.

I'm wearing lipstick - Barry M 147

Heart necklace: Primark
Harmonica necklace: Juju, Brighton


What I Wore: Sunday, 2nd October 2011
Occasion: Sister's 18th family gathering.
Earrings: New Look
T-shirt: H&M
Belt: Primark
Skirt: H&M
Leggings: H&M


I wanted something summery and warm.
Yellow Peril - No 36, BeautyUK
Jade Stone, Models Own
Peach Puff, Models Own
Models Own/WAH Nail Art Pen, black

POW! Leopard!

Here is what my nails look like today:


Sophie's Pink, Models Own
Peach Puff, Models Own
Tangerine Queen, Models Own
Models Own/WAH Nail Art Pen, Black
Models Own/WAH Nail Art Pen, White
Can we please take a moment to appreciate the ambidexterity demonstrated on my right thumb, I was pretty chuffed. Obviously basically all I do is follow what WAH Nails do as my nail inspiration (I really like their word trend at the moment), but it's not as difficult as it looks and doesn't even take much practise. I'd stay away from stripes until you're really concentrating though, I think that it's the most frustrating design to do if you get it wrong because it's difficult to hide.

Speaking of nail art!
Models Own released an image today of their new line of polishes, the Beetlejuice collection. Beautiful holographic polishes that will be great for Autumn. I'm pleased because Models Own is easily my favourite brand and with these they're now able to keep up with Nail's Inc and 17, who have brought out 3D and magnetised polish respectively. I'm not sure which one I'll get yet but Pinky Brown is seeming mighty tempting as is Aqua Violet, which ever one I choose I am placing high hopes on any being better than the incredible let-down that was GOSH's Purple Heart.

The Beetlejuice Collection:
L-R: Golden Green, Pinky Brown, Purple Blue, Aqua Blue and Emerald Black
These colour changing nail varnishes will be available exclusively from the Models Own website from early November.

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