Isla Fisher - InStyle Australia December '12

I came across these photos online the other day of Isla Fisher photographed by Troyt Coburn for the cover shoot of the fashion magazine InStyle Australia for their December 2012 issue. How beautiful are they??

Oh and Happy Hump Day! :)

Zara shopping spree purchases!

Zara is dangerous teritory for me at the moment. I can't seem to go into their stores without wanting to buy absolutely everything in there! Loving their recent collections. Saturday was another classic example of this problem. I was out trying to do some Christmas shopping and I thought I'd just take a quick peek in Zara. Big, big, BIG mistake! I ended up buying quite a few things and have realised that on top of my already out of control stripe addiction I am currently having similar symptoms for anything burgundy or checked.

Sigh...want to see the damage?

TRF Draped bird print dress with gathered waist - £29.99 (link)

TRF Dress with combination shoulders - £29.99 (link)

TRF Combined leather look front dress - £29.99 (link)

Zara Woman green and black checked shirt - £29.99 (link)

I personally would not wear this all buttoned up btw so not a fan of this Zara promo picture.

Zara Basic burgundy knitted scarf - £9.99 (link). Perfect for winter!

This is me wearing my new scarf and green checked shirt on Sunday.

And then there was this black and burgundy striped dress...

Zara Woman Burgandy and black striped dress - £49.99 (link)

I'd spotted it on their web store and seen it in the shop a few times and I just loved everything about it. So I finally tried it on this time and I wasn't 100% convinced on the fit but I still got it haha...

...BUT then after my shopping spree at Zara I walked past French Connection and they managed to lure me into the store with their 50% sale signs all plastered over the windows! In the sales rack I then spotted yet another burgundy and black striped dress, oh oh!

French Connection bands of colour bandage knit dress - £97 but at the moment 50% off so only £48.50! (link) So I tried it on and loved it, dilemma much?! I knew it would actually be a bit mental to keep both dresses so I decided to also buy the French Connection dress and then decide later which one to keep. At home I tried both on again and together with the flatmate we decided that the French Connection was the keeper! I think the fit was just more flattering and think I will get more use out of it because it is a bit longer which means I can wear it to work and easily dress it up or dress it down! Do you think I made the right choice? :)

And last but not least, I couldn't help myself when I saw this cute cotton blue/white cap sleeved block dress at French Connection. It's more of a summers dress but while on sale for only £21 and it being a classic 'me' dress, that I know i'll get plenty of wear out of....it was just a bargain couldn't pass on!

Soooo yeah, I didn't get much Christmas shopping done but love my new clothes haha! 

What do you think of my new purchases?

Tim Walker - Story Teller at Somerset House

One of my favourite photographers is Tim Walker. I think he is, without a doubt, the world's most visually exciting and influential fashion photographer. Walker's work is dazzle with life, full of magic, and plenty of humour. You can imagine my excitement when I found out that Somerset House is currently hosting a major exhibition of Tim Walker's iconic photographs and props at their East Wing Galleries in London.

Supported by Mulberry, Tim Walker: Story Teller showcases 175 of Walker’s most fantastical works from the pages of the world’s leading magazines: British, French, American and Italian Vogue, Vanity Fair, W and The New Yorker among many others. A couple of weekends ago I made my way to Somerset house to check out the exhibition! Here some sneaky pictures I took during my visit to share with you all..

 

The exhibit is free and open to the public until 27th January 2013 (link)

I love going to museums or exhibitions in the weekends, do you?

How and why to use an eyelash curler

One of my can't-live-without beauty products would have to be an eyelash curler. I am always recommending my friends to buy one because I think they are such little miracle workers! My lashes are naturally quite flat and don't have much of a curl to them so using a curler makes all the difference to really open up my my eyes and give me a more doll-eyed look.

Over the years I have tried several brands and two of my favourites would have to be the Shu Uemera curler (review here) and the MAC full lash curler. I recently lost my Shu Uemera one that I'd had for quite some time so I decided to repurchase my MAC trusty old favourite!

About their Full Lash Curler MAC cosmetics says "Curls lashes. Adds all natural glam! An artist essential: a pro-quality tool. Shapes and curves lashes into all-natural curl. Primes them for mascara or false lashes. Use it pre-lash and pre-mascara. Easy to use. Designed to curve gently round the lash line. Works with a simple squeeze and release motion! Totally tearproof!"

Here some before and after pictures to show you the difference...

A lot of people always joke and say it looks a bit like a tool of torture but I promise you it doesn't hurt at all and they are very simple to use. Trust me there is no need to fear the curler ;) 

Here is how to use them:

• Always use your eyelash curlers on clean eyelashes. Never curl lashes after you apply mascara because as the mascara dries, lashes can stick to the curler & be torn from the roots; damaging your lashes. If necessary, use eye makeup remover to remove old mascara.
• Next, simply spread the handles of the curler and center your upper lashes in between the upper and lower pads. Place the curler at the base of the upper lash line, as close to the roots as possible, without pinching your lid. Now squeeze gently! Hold for five to ten seconds and release. Once you feel more comfortable with your new tool, try walking the curler out to the end of the lashes as opposed to just clamping it down. This will give your lashes a more natural, and less harsh looking curl. Repeat on the other eye and don't use the curler on your bottom lashes.

Left eye curled - right eye au naturel! See the difference?

Now that your lashes are all lovely and curled just apply 2 to 3 coats of your favorite mascara, wiggling the wand from root to tip.

I'm currently loving the Clinique high impact extreme volume mascara - £17

And voila! Spidery long lashes in a snap!

For even longer lasting curled lashes here a little tip; with your blowdryer on low heat, blow air on your curler for no more than 5 seconds. Touch the metal. If it's hot, let it cool for a few seconds. You don't want to burn your eyelid. Now just continue to use your curlers as per the above steps. Heating is not necessary to use an eyelash curler; however, the heat will make a noticeable difference in curling your lashes.

MAC Full Lash Curlers retail at £14/$20/€23.50 and are available online or at your local MAC counter.

Do you use an eyelash curler to give your lashes more POW?!