Black xs dupe

Black xs is my most worn perfume, i first started wearing it when my parents got it me for my birthday around two years ago. I loved it at first as it was my first 'real' perfume, and i went through my first bottle so fast, not realizing how expensive it was. I then went on to try and find another perfume, but i couldn't find one that i liked more than black xs. After that it was always on the top of my wish list when it came to my birthday and Christmas, if i was lucky i would get a bottle  on both days, which i would then try and make last for as long as possible. 


I love a bargain so i regularly began to search eBay for it, but they always seemed to be listed on buy it now, not far from the rrp prices in shops. After my unsuccessful search i decided to try and see whether there was a dupe out there, i just typed in black xs dupe and a webpage came up for many perfume dupes, after scrolling through for a while, i finally came across a dupe for black xs...


Zara black;

The name is very similar, 'black' and in some way the packaging, with the decoration of roses throughout, so maybe it was Zara's intention. The Smell is not exactly the same, but definitely the closet i have ever smelt, both Black xs and Zara's black are eau de toilette but black xs does seem to last longer on the skin.


For a 30ml bottle of Black xs it is £27.50 from boots (although i do usually get the 50ml, which is slightly more expensive) whereas for a 30ml bottle of Zara black it is £6.70 which is less than a 1/4 of the black xs price. I find that the price of Zara black makes it more acceptable to use more often and top up during the day without feeling like you're wasting your money.

Dip dye nails

This is my take at 'dip dye' nails, i am no expert with nails i just like to experiment and have seen a few designs like this on other blogs and throughout tumblr.

All you will need is...

A base coat, i have used this nail hardener from boots which works just as good. Two different coloured nail polishes, i have used 'mint candy apple' by Essie and 'vintage pink' by Models own, you can use any two nail polishes you want to achieve dip dye nails. Plus some sort of sponge - i use a clean cleaning sponge, and rip a small piece off when needed. Lastly you will need a top coat which i forgot to picture, but any top coat will do.

Firstly I applied my base coat to the nail, then two thin coats of 'mint candy apple' to build up an opaque colour. With my second colour, 'vintage pink' i applied to the tips of my nails - this step does not have to be so neat as the line between the two nail polishes will be covered, just make sure the layer of nail polish applied is quite thin, but still thick enough to cover the over colour.

Next, to achieve the 'dip dye' effect I take my sponge and dip it into the second colour nail polish - to make it easier i drop a bit on to a piece of paper or old magazine. With the sponge i then begin to dab lightly where the painted nail tips meet the other colour.

Finish with a top coat and enjoy your dip dye nails.

Maroon Converse

Maroon converse - office 

I bought these about a month ago, from the office website. I'd been wanting converse for a while, as i had recently sold off my previous ones. Once i had finally decided what colour i wanted (it was between these or the white ones) i went to the Trafford Centre, however this turned out to be the most frustrating trip ever, which is why i ended up ordering them online.

In total, i must have gone to six shops and not a single one had my size and colour in stock. I would each one the same thing, and they would either reply with 'we don't have that colour in stock, would you like to try this colour?' or 'we only have a size 6 or 7' they all came out with different colour converse, and different sizes, it baffled me how they brought them out for me to try on even though they weren't even the size i asked for, but i tried them on, just to make them happy.

When i got home, i went on office's website just to make sure i definitely wanted them. I realized that i may as well order them online if my local shops didn't have them in stock. Before i order something online though i always check Voucher codes, and i ended up finding a 20% off code for Office so i got them for £31.99 instead of £39.99, plus there was free delivery on at the time - result.

They came reasonably quick, also they are really comfortable and true to size. For reference some people go down a size with converse, but i'm a size five in all other shoes, and got a size five in converse and they fit me fine, not too tight nor too loose.

eBay notice; I have recently added a lot more items to eBay, and relisted as it was previously a free listing weekend. Feel free to look at all my listings, thanks.

Wishlist #2

 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08

01. Hair cuff

I love this hair cuff, and this specific one is from eBay but they do sell them in other stores. I feel like it would give an outfit something more, and change a plain old boring pony tail.

02. American apparel Nylon tricot figure skater skirt

Out of all the colours available i definitely love the Navy one the most. I've come close to buying this three times now, but they've either not had my size, not had the money or the queue for the changing room was too long.

03. Asos colour block watch

This watch is so nice, and I've been wanting to buy it for ages but there are two things putting me off; the price and the fact that there are no numbers on the face. I know you can still tell the time, i just think this will make it more difficult.

04. Asos shirt with cut-out embroidered spots

yes, another Asos item, another item i lust for. I've been eyeing this up for a while now, i especially love the embroidered spots, and i wanted to buy this straight away when it went into the sale but i just have no money at the moment! I especially love the embroidered spots.

05. Topshop stud denim dress

A few years ago there was a dress like this in Miss Selfridge's, but with shorter sleeves. Unfortunately it sold out before i could buy it, so I've been searching high and low on eBay, but no luck. Then i saw this in Topshop the other week and i really like it.

06. Topshop Madame tapestry slippers

I love the Tapestry fabric/pattern on bags, and then i saw these shoes, so my tapestry love has widened. I think they would look great with skinny jeans, and i just want them in my wardrobe.

07. Urban outfitters eyelet peplum top

At first when ever i saw the peplum style tops/dresses/skirt i thought they were very 'towie' esque, and i do not like the programme, but this one in particular has grown on me, i think i have a thing for cut-out detail as well.

08. Urban outfitters heavily destroyed shorts

These shorts are amazing, plus they are in the sale for £20 - why do I have no money when the sales are on? I really really want them, but in store i have only seen small sizes and online they have all available it's just i wouldn't know what size i am in them.

Lost in London

I went to London yesterday for an art reward trip with school, although it was a long day it was really good. It was so busy because we were walking through some of the busiest parts, like Trafalgar square was packed because west end live was on, which looked great because rock of ages was on at the time.

While i was there we visited a couple of art galleries, one of them was Tate modern, across the way from the millennium bridge, i was excited for this bridge as i had been told it moved but it didn't move even the slightest bit, oh well.


The first picture is of me and my friends outside Buckingham palace, we went there to just have a quick nosy and then we walked to the first art gallery. I've got to admit it was kind of boring but we made a game of trying to find the cheapest one, which was £40 but we had no luck!


The best part of the day was Camden market, i didn't buy much just a bracelet and a ring from a cute Indian style shop outside the market hall, but if i would have been given more time i probably would have spent all my money. The food stalls around Camden smelt so good, so i decided to try a battered mars bar for the first time ever, and it was delicious! I don't even like mars bars because i'm not a big lover of caramel, but my friend got one and when i had a bite you could not even taste the caramel, so i went back to the stall to have one.


When we got to Euston train station to go home, the train to Manchester before ours had been cancelled, so people had to buy tickets to add on to ours. When we were queuing up my friend spotted Paddy Mcguinness, so she waited behind and got a picture, but i was already on the train. Then when we got on the train all our reserved seats were cancelled, so the thirty of us were split up all over the train, but two seats behind us was Alisha from misfits so we talked to her but didn't manage to get a picture.


As we were all split up, the train found a carriage that wasn't that full so we got moved, and it ended up being first class, so we got free drinks and food, we felt so posh. When we arrived in Manchester my aim was to jump off the train and get a picture with paddy, which i did, he seemed really nice about it, and his poor girlfriend/wife had to take a picture.

I love London and can't wait to hopefully go again, just to dedicate my trip to shopping, i loved just walking round the streets and seeing things come to life that i had only ever seen on TV before. The atmosphere was great too, i'd love to live in London!

Glamour | Porefessional

With Glamour magazine the July 2012 issue, they were giving away a free benefit mini, from one of the two either, porefessional or badgal lash. I decided to get porefessional, as i had heard much about it but never tried it before.

All in all, i'm glad i picked it up, as it is a good product but i don't think i will be buying the full size product anytime soon. I find that when first applied it does minimize pores - like it says, but I find that the product can make skin appear oilier than usual especially the more you get on through the day. The product does help to achieve porcelain, flawless skin at first but the product is not that long wearing.

I know i know, i haven't blogged for a week but i have an excuse, this past week i have sat four of my GCSE's, and had another two the other week. I can only apologize that my blogging pattern may still be a little sparse as i still have a few more exam's to sit, and a lot of revision to do.

I will be going London next Saturday, i honestly can't wait to hit Oxford street and Camden market but i will be also visiting a few art galleries - as it is an art reward trip. It's come at the best time though, as it's just after my last exam's which will be a great break and reward. After 3.15 on Wednesday i am free from exam's for at least another six months. One thing i will be happy to get back in to is running, i love running but put it on break to make way for more revision.

eBay hype

Ark cardigan, River Island purse, New Look denim shorts, Topshop sequin top, Asos jumpsuit, Topshop shoes, Miso sheer maxi skirt

Yes, i am on the eBay hype and have been for a few years now, i sell as well as buy - it's how i make my money and sometimes spend my money, how ironic? Anyway, i have recently listed and relisted a few items, including the items above. Over the past twelve months i have received and earned 100% feedback through selling 355 items.

I regularly update and relist, especially on free listing weekends. Even if the items i have shown in this post are not for you, these are only a handful of items. I am selling a wide variety, that hopefully will tickle your fancy.

This, basically is my job as it's my 'income', i don't do this alone, my older brother helps out as well.. even though he has a job already - so unfair. We list items and once we have packaged everything, sent them off in the post and calculated what we've earned, we split it.

So recently my life has been taken over by revision, lack of sleep, and an art trip; which consisted of going to London on Wednesday(my first time), plus two days at Manchester university one today, the other tomorrow. I was selected for the trip and took up the offer, as it's good experience. We have been working with some very important people, and have worked with the company 'wgsn' who predict fashion trends two years in advance. Next week i will be working with 'I am creative' which i have used in the past and found was really great for young people to gain experience/confidence in the working industry as you get given a real life brief to work with, plus their are prizes.

Also in two weeks i will be visiting London again for the day - twice in one month! but this time, this is more of a treat and we had to pay(only a small fee though) we will be visiting two of the art galleries, walking through the parks and of course the best bit OXFORD STREET! I am definitely looking forward to this, and my eBay earning will come in handy - yes Topshop, i have you in mind.

Once i get back from Manchester tomorrow, i am straight off to a hair appointment, my hair is in desperate need of a trim. I am really picky with my hairdressers, as i can't just go to anyone and my particular hairdresser Amy has been on maternity leave, so i have been waiting back for her arrival and booked the first appointment available. As well as a trim, i think i am going to have some sort of  fringe put back in, but not too sure yet. 

Whilst at the hairdressers i find it really relaxing, especially when they wash your hair, massage your scalp and all that jazz. The downside is, my hair is always really flat, and i don't really understand how they get it like that, as i have a lot of hair, i am basically the mirror image of hagrid. As i was thinking about posting about it, i may not do it straight away because of the flatness i will wait till i have washed it, and styled it myself. I may not even post about it, i might just tweet.