How can I organise my life?

Crikey!- It has been a while hasn't it?!

Hi everyone, sorry it's been such a long time since I've been on here but my life has went from doing absolutely nothing in the summer to full on studying and just being very active in general. Although being busy is a great thing and you can really get cracking, I've been having trouble just get myself in order.

I don't know if this is the typical 'student lifestyle' we've all heard so much about, but honestly I cannot for the life of me stop procrastinating. Assignment due in next week? No problem, I'll just watch another four episodes of Gossip Girl.

So, I'm calling for help to give myself a good 'ole kick up the bum and start organising my life. Does anyone else get like this? How do you motivate yourself? 

I'd love to hear and maybe try a few of your techniques out myself.

Thanks for reading my word vomit,

Much love,

Chanel

xx

Book Review: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Hello,

Something a bit different for you today. Aside from my love of fashion and beauty another keen interest of mine is reading. Usually when I find an author I like, I read every book that particular author has written, a major example is John Green, I adore that man. Anyway, I had heard alot about thriller books and really wanted to try reading one as I usually read teen/love novels. The most popular thriller book by far at the moment is Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. 

I downloaded Gone Girl on my Kobo reader and to start with I was not exactly "gripped" by the storyline, infact I was a little confused and unsure if I wanted to read more. However, the beginning of the novel starts in a curious way and after deliberating I decided to read on to find out what happens. 

With spoilers in mind I will give you a quick run over of the plot without spoiling anything. Basically the novel starts from a man called Nick Dunne's POV and his wife Amy has gone missing. The book then follows the tale of Nick and his dealing with the case of a missing person and perhaps a suspected murder. However there is a twist in the plot as we also hear from Amy's POV through a diary written before her disappearance.

Although the book has a slow start I was plunged well into the plot about a quarter of the book through and began to try and solve the mystery in my head. After reading Gone Girl, I highly recommend you give it a read as not only will it have you shocked by the plot twists but also jumping from who's side of the story to believe. But just to warn you, the ending may be a little bit of a disappointment.

Also, another reason to read Gone Girl is because the movie version is due for release in cinemas in October 2014 and stars the very gorgeous Ben Affleck. Here is the trailer, but do NOT watch it if you are trying to avoid spoilers.

Do you have any reading recommendations for me, I'd love to hear them in the comments.

For now,

Chanel

xx

London Fashion Week Favourites- Julien MacDonald + Vivienne Westwood

Hi,

I am finally at the end of my London Fashion Week Favourites with two amazing designers Julien MacDonald, who's artistic work I admire and frequently buy from in Debenhams, and also the one and only Vivienne Westwood. Since this could potentially be a long post I'll get to the good stuff...

Julien MacDonald

I actually struggled massively with narrowing my favourites from the Julien MacDonald collection as every design is just so beautiful and formal and gives me major heart eyes. This dress is just gorgeous, white is the perfect summer colour and the cherry red almost oriental design across the chest and up the thigh makes all the difference. This is the type of dress that could be worn over and over and still have the same wow effect.

This second dress has pretty much the same kind of style with the dipped mesh front but I can't get enough of the material of this dress, it looks so glamorous and red carpet ready, I absolutely adore the blue small pattern and front opening of the dress, another amazing design and overall collection for Julien MacDonald.

Vivienne Westwood Red Label 

Vivienne Westwood will forever be the designer that brings creativity to it's full potential on the runway and the SS 2015 collection takes avant garde to new heights. One of my favourite designs is the one above as it combine simplicity with radical, and i adore the stripped trousers, definitely a must for next spring.

Finally, a darker piece from Westwood, I love the lace detailing and I think it's both gothic and glamorous at the same time, I could see this on red carpets all over the globe for leading ladies who are daring and don't mind dressing a little dark.

And that concludes my LFW SS 2015 Favourites, I really enjoyed making this little series and hopefully you have too. If you are too a keen fashion junkie like me then please let me know which designer really stands out for you.

For now,

Chanel 

xx

London Fashion Week Favourites- Topshop Unique

Hello again,

If you hadn't already guessed by the title of this post, I am adding another designer to my LFW SS 2015 Favourites, and this time it's Topshop Unique. I have been a huge fan of Topshop for a while now, all starting with their high street collections and then progressing into their couture collection after watching previous shows at London Fashion Week. I think Topshop always deliver fresh fashion with bold patterns and statement pieces, ready to wear for those who enjoy high fashion.

Once again, here is some of my favourite looks from this years SS 2015 collection...

This look reminds me of Sandy from Grease, it's very 50's rock and roll and of course the colours red and black bring out a real authentic and classic style. I think the way the designer has matched high waisted black pants with a cropped midi jacket is very flattering and I love the way the sleeves have an unusual shape, definitely one of my absolute favourite looks from this years LFW.

I think this look is super girly and chic, I love any top that is off the shoulder I just think they're really classic and bring an almost old fashioned look to the outfit.This look is very playful and the ruffling on the top looks great with the thick leather band at the bottom of the skirt, super cute. 

Now when I first seen this look I turned my nose up at it to be completely truthful, I didn't like the ruffling of the skirt and thought the shoes were not up to much. However, looking over the collection again, I have completely changed my mind and think this look is perfect for a city-goer in Spring.

Last but almost certainly not least is the gorgeous Cara Delevingne who opened and closed the Topshop Unique show this year. I am a huge fan of Cara and admire the way she can suit any look from grunge to elegant. This dress is floaty and embellished and I couldn't think of anything more suited for hot summer nights, I think the mauve/nude colour of the dress gives it a very girly flare with a reminder of 1920's fashion. 

London Fashion Week Favourites- Burberry Prorsum SS 2015

Hiiii,

I'm back with another addition to my "London Fashion Week Favourites SS 2015" with one of my all time favourite British designers who have created classic looks since 1856, alongside the iconic tartan identity. At London Fashion Week it is no secret that Burberry put on a showstopping catwalk to preview their collection not only to the most prestigious names in the Fashion world but also to an ongoing list of famous faces. This year show brought out it's newest Spring/Summer 2015 collection including a heck load of denim, sheer materials and a mass amount of bows, what more could a girl want, i hear you say?

Here are a few of my favourites from the collection...

I really love the texture of the materials used in this look, making it look clean and classy. The use of really basic nude and white shades make the outfit very fresh and perfect for hot summer nights, I am absolutely obsessed with the collar design and the sheer material on the skirt. 

When I was looking through the collection, this dress was what reminded me of summer the most. I think the ombre colour scheme allows the dress to have an almost floral look to it like lavender or violets. I love how the designer has incorporated blue with the purple, I need this in my wardrobe pronto.

Aren't the colours of this look gorgeous? I love the bright yellow pieced with a sheer black, both elegant and daring. The plunge line and cut around the pelvic area is definitely for those who don't mind flashing a bit of skin, but can be pulled of delicately with the jacket used by the designer. I ♥.

Finally, I found this dress really different from any of the others on the collection and think the modern art approach to this look is to die for. Modern art prints are very in season for next year and just look beautiful with pastel shades like in this look. The bag is a gorgeous and really brings the whole look together with the blue straps matching the sandals, very flattering.

.

London Fashion Week Favourites- House of Holland

Hello,

As London Fashion Week SS 2015 comes to an end and the catwalks are packed away, I decided to look back on some of my favourite looks from international and British designers in the next few blog posts. Although I usually watch the shows live from the catwalk, this year I have been unable as this week has been chaotic with moving home, so looking through websites and social media has been the only options. However, I still really enjoy looking at the new season's patterns and trends for inspiration on outfits and styles. Here is one of my all time favourite designers, and will be followed by a series of LFW posts.

House of Holland

I absolutely adore Henry Holland's creative input into the world of fashion, with bright colours and daring patterns to brighten up any designer wardrobe, Holland adds the essence of summer and excitement into his clothes.

I ADORE this look, it's super 60's with statement pattern.

I can actually see myself dreaming about this outfit, I love the colour and design clash, it's very unusual and not something you'd see on the highstreet.

This dress is perfect for casual wear, I love the almost shirt divide between the dress and think this would look super cute with either black boots or wedges

This may be my favourite look from the House of Holland collection, I can't get enough of the floral look Holland has aimed for and this top, matched with the silk skirt is to die for.

Once again, Henry Holland has stolen the show with his funky and trendy collection for SS 2015.

The Next Big Step...Uni.

Hi,

So I've been gone for pretty much three months now but I promise it was all for a good reason, I got into my first choice of university, Sheffield Hallam University to study Public Relations, yipee!

Although A levels were incredibly hard and caused a lot of stress, myself and my friends all achieved good grades and are now starting university all over the country. As I live in Newcastle and got into Sheffield Hallam, I had to move out and straight into student accommodation. I moved in over the weekend after a teary goodbye to my family home, here's a little snap...

Once I arrived in Sheffield I set up my belongings in my little room and made myself feel a little more at home, here is a couple of pictures for those of you who are as nosy as me.

                             

                                               

                                     

I'm sorry the pictures are not the greatest of quality as I left my bridge camera at home so had to use my iPhone. I start my course on Monday alongside Freshers, bring in the alcohol!

Have any of you started university or moved out into student accommodation, how is it? Let me know any tips or recommendations you have, I'd love to hear it.

For now,

Chanel 

xx

Music Reviews: New Releases and Upcoming Artists

Hiiii,

Usually my blog consists of everything fashion, beauty and lifestyle but so far I have not posted about my biggest love, music. If you know me personally then you know I will never go a day without listening to at least on song and I tend to play music just to encourage me to do minor tasks such as making a cup of tea or washing the dishes. I thought I would talk about some new music which I adore at the minute:

1. Leah McFall

Leah McFall was a runner-up on The Voice UK in 2013 and I absolutely fell in love with her voice. Her voice is very quirky and strong, if you haven't heard of Leah before please check out her cover of "Loving You" by Minnie Riperton, it's quite incredible. Recently, Leah has released her first official single 'Home' featuring her coach on The Voice, Will.i.am, (you can listen above and there is an official video but Youtube wouldn't let me attach it). The song is really catchy and I am obsessed. I wish Leah the best with the song and I really hope she gets the recognition she deserves. Eagerly waiting for the album.


2. Cheryl Cole

Cheryl's new song 'Crazy Stupid Love' has me up and dancing whenever I hear it. If summer had a theme tune, then this song would definitely be it. The saxophone during the chorus adds to the almost jazz feel to the song and it's easy lyrics make the song fun to sing and dance about to with friends. Check it out.


3. 5 Seconds of Summer

I heard about 5 Seconds of Summer about a year ago when they supported One Direction on the Take Me Home tour and began listening to the songs they had on YouTube like 'Try Hard' and 'Out of My Limit'. Now the boys have became a massive success after "She Looks So Perfect" and I can't get enough of their music. I'm especially loving 'Rejects' off the 'Don't Stop' EP and have linked it above for you all to have a listen. I'm super excited for the album and can see big things heading our way from 5SOS.


So there we have it, just a few little updates on what's currently being overplayed on my Spotify at the moment, I've just began listening to X by Ed Sheeran and I was going to include it in the post but I feel like I haven't listened to it enough to have a set opinion yet.

What music are you listening to at the minute?

Thanks for reading,
For now,
Chanel
xx

Coco Chatter: Summer Holiday

Hey,

So summer is officially here for me, yipee!

All my exams are over and now I have so much free time on my hands I just don't know what to do with myself. It's such a dramatic change from having an excess of revision and work to complete to having nothing to do at all that I just can't cope with it. I like to be busy mostly all the time otherwise I get bored very quickly and as I left my job last month for the right reasons, I find myself just slobbing about the house and generally feeling sorry for myself.

These are the times when I wish I had a hobby like drawing or playing an instrument to keep me occupied but if I'm being completely honest I'm a rather uninteresting individual and I just don't have the talent nor the patience. However, I am trying to lose some weight and exercise more to get fitter and just maintain a bit of a more healthier lifestyle before I go on holiday and university. I'm also attempting to learn a new language over the summer, Mandarin Chinese, which is keeping me busy too.

What do you do to keep busy? Do you get bored quickly?

Thanks for listening to my boring rants and I hope you all have a fantastic summer with lots of fun activities. I'll be having a lot more new content coming so watch this space!

for now,
Chanel
x

Product Review: LUSH Lip Scrub

Hi,
I'm back again and very promptly too, it must be something in the air.

I recently purchased one of the LUSH lip scrubs as it was a product that just everyone and their mother was talking about. I honestly have enough lip balms/products to last me and absolute lifetime so I don't know why I was so desperate to get my mitts on the popular LUSH product but alas I bought it out of total curiosity.

I spent a good while in the shop trying to decide between the different flavours, Bubblegum, Popcorn and Mint Julips. I adore anything Mint so Mint Julips was the one for me. I never really understood the use in lip scrubs as they seem slightly harsh for such a sensitive part of the face but I can admit I was a little bit extreme in my expectations and the LUSH products are not rough in the slightest and do leave your lips feeling soft for a little while.

However, as lovely as the scent is and the fun concept of rubbing the scrub onto your lips and licking it off (it's so tasty I almost ate the entire tub), I feel as though my money has been wasted just a bit on a pot of what is essentially mint-flavoured sugar. Of course, if the product is made for lips it has to in some way have natural ingredients but for £5.50 a tub I maybe expect just a little more.

The product does do it's job by removing dead skin cells on the lips and I usually apply it before lipstick so my lips don't go all nasty in the corners (you know what I mean). Although, I do have to admit I don't think I will be purchasing another LUSH lip scrub in the future.

You can view the product here

Do you use LUSH lip scrubs? What do you think of them?

Thanks again m'dears,
Love
Chanel
x

Cheryl's back and so is our fashion envy...

Yes, that's right, the absolute beauty that is Cheryl Cole has swan dived (literally) back into the popular culture a circle and the country is obsessed with her again. Not only is the Geordie girl a dazzler but also a major hot topic when it comes to stealing fashion advice in beauty, hair and makeup. Can you remember when every drugstore in the UK ran out of red hair dye all off the back of Cheryl's fling with red hair?

Cheryl's face may be back in all our magazines and on all the radio stations but I just can't seem to keep my jealous eyes off her fashion moves.

From wearing Monique Lhuiller on the red carpet of Cannes to the sexy gym customed gym wear in the 'Crazy Stupid Love' music video, it is clear to see why Cheryl as a fashion icon is idolised by women all around the country.

However, back when we seen Cheryl last her wardrobe seemed crammed with bright summer colours and risky clashes but now we are seeing a new, sophisticated side to her style. Wowing in white, Cheryl's statement colour of this summer is definitely making me consider risking the possible grass stains instead of reaching for neon.

Although Ms Cole does have the money to splash out on expensive high end designers, it is easy to recreate similar looks at home with affordable clothes and still look just as fashion forward. Here is a White Mesh Shift Dress from LoveClothing.com which has a clean and edgy finish with the use of mesh pannel along the top and the sleeves, a little bit like Cheryl wouldn't you think? Also the great thing about wearing white is the endless possibilities of coloured accessories (I'm working up a sweat just thinking about it!)

You can check out this dress here

I can't wait to see what else Cheryl has instore for us as she takes her seat on the X Factor panel once more and less importantly what Simon has to say about it!

Thanks for reading m'loves.

For now,

Chanel

x

New Product Alert

Red Heel Tips by Coloured Heel Tips

Hello again,

So recently I've been super busy and unfortunately have not been able to get all dressed up and have a good time with my friends. However, last weekend I squeezed on my red dress and slipped on my black heels and headed for the closest bar. I decided that I should probably try the new product I was sent by the lovely girls at 'Coloured Heel Tips' as I'd been dying to try them out but just couldn't find the right opportunity to flaunt them.

The tips that are currently on sale at the minute are exclusively in red and black, although the girls are pushing to add more colours to their growing collection. Being a student with a not so high paid job I find buying new shoes for new outfits a chore and to be completely honest I just end up sulking home with no new shoes and putting on the classic black lace ones I love so much. 

The tips are quite difficult to take off, and you may need the help of a very strong person with a pair of pliers or a local cobbler to remove your old boring black tips and hammer in the beautiful new red ones. At first, I thought this was a lot more work than what it was worth but after seeing them on my shoes I fell in love. The red just instantly strikes you as something that is very rarely seen in the shoe department and livens up the whole outfit. My shoes are quite small-heeled as seen on the picture and the red tips just add a whole new meaning of life to them.

The heel tips are very cheap at £1.50, a complete bargain for an expensive look and can be ordered in different sizes to match the tip of various types of shoes. They can be bought at the website http://www.colouredheeltips.co.uk/  so go and have a look. Also on the website is a voting poll for what colours the girls should apply to their collection so please do take the time to vote.

Thanks for reading, 
Much Love,
Chanel 
x

Stress City!!

Hi!

How are you all? It's been a while and I'm starting to feel like all I ever do is work.

We all know what it's like when the daily grind is just too much and we just want to poke out our hands and jump on the nearest bus to relaxation, but at the minute I just can't seem to relax or take my mind off work.
I'm currently writing this post whilst procrastinating with some A-Level revision which has been playing on my mind. I allowed myself a week off last week to travel, explore and socialize but every night before I fell asleep I'm faced with:

"I have so much work to do!"

"I'm going to fail my exams!"

"Am I a bad student? Should I quit whilst I'm ahead?"

"Will I ever get into my dream job?"

It's taken it's toll and I'm starting to lose sleep and quite frankly, the will to live. I know it's the typical student stress that hits us all but I just can't seem to take my mind of it. 

Thank you for reading my ramble, If you have an suggestions to what I can do to just kick back and forget about studying for 5 minutes then please let me know and I will happily take them under my wing. Do you ever find yourself stressed beyond belief? How do you deal with it?

Until next time,

Love,

Chanel

x

Save the Blow Dry- Yes please!

Save the Blow Dry- Moisture Eliminating Shower Cap Review

Hi,

I received a new and upcoming product in the post last week to test out and inform you lovely people of the magical wonder of beauty products which are yet to blossom in popularity. With the 'Save the Blow Dry' shower caps I can insure you that not only will you spend approximately 90% more time in the bath or shower (not legitimately proven), but you will also cut down on the time wasted of trying to style your hair after a soak.

If your hair stays perfectly styled after a relaxing bath or shower than your hair is one of a kind and I insist on you sharing your secrets. Unfortunately, for me, that is not the case. I have naturally very curly/wavy frizzy hair when not styled with heat (see below) so when I decided on having a dip, the struggle of having to tame wild frizzly bits and tats is almost off putting. Cue embarrassing old photo...

Oh dear.

The shower cap is like no other. The product has a absorbent towel on the inner layer with a water proof layer over the top, therefore trapping all humidity and condensation which would usually make you hair explode into a mass of frizz. I worried at first about the cap fitting as I have ALOT of really thick hair, but alas the cap is actually quite large and fit perfectly with all my hair tucked away.  I've used this product several times now and have yet to be disappointed, my hair looks great and also doesn't get greasy as quickly. I love the retro turquoise, it's very appealing and the patters are super cute, urgh I love!

This product can be bought at http://savetheblowdry.com/ for £14.95, and comes in a cute pink bow design also. Give it a look!

Thanks for reading, 

For now,

Chanel 

x

Hello? *wipes away cobwebs*

Hi everyone!

Well, someone has been away for a while.

Yes, not intentionally, that person is me.

I've been thinking about my blog alot recently and the cobwebs that it must be collecting without a new post but to be quite honest, I've been absolutely swamped by work. Who knew A-Levels held so much responsibility and effort?! 

But behold, a new promise that this time i must keep, I am going to majorly work on improving this blog from here on out. The summer has some very promising post ideas and I can't wait to share and hear the best beauty routines and outfits to wear when the sun appears from behind the cloud (psst, we know you're there Mr.Sun). Also, I'm hopefully moving in September to go to University and I hope that means I can come and rant about all my problems on here when I'm feeling a bit on the down side, if you all don't mind.

It's nice to be writing on here again, and watch this space, friends!
For now,
Chanel
x