Summer Lovin'

Love is in the air. We are far departed from the magnificent/barbaric/capitalist (circle which applies) day that is Valentine's day but there is something about summer that heightens the feelings of lurve. And what better way to fully digest and live though a summer fling with no emotional baggage then a no-strings attached film. So whether you're craving love in a hot country or an affectionate city break, here are my top five holiday romance films.

Ah, Grease. The film that brought us 'You're the one that I want' and Olivia Newton John in THAT catsuit. For those of you who haven't witnessed the 50s youth culture that surrounds Grease, I'll give you a brief synopsis. Sandy (Newton John) and Danny (John Travolta) play out a surprising holiday romance reunion when Sandy becomes a new student at Danny's high school. But it's not all sweet and sugar from there on. Sandy is quickly adopted by the self proclaimed 'pink ladies', but will her sweet natured ways be enough to keep bad boy Danny down? The film has become a classic musical, recreated on stage many times but I urge you to watch the original cinematic version as well.

Paris is the city of Romance and that's exactly where writer Gil Pender (Owen Wilson) finds inspiration, love and the creative fulfilment he desires so much-with a twist.The film is a love letter to the twenties and its exuberant prolific personalities as much as it is about the love between Gil and Inez (Marion Cottilard). So if you love Hemingway, adore flapper dresses or just can't get enough of the French capital, this film is for you.

Nobody puts Baby in a corner. Set in the sizzling summer of 1963, Baby (Jennifer Grey) and her protective family set out for their summer holiday to Kellermans. Baby soon finds a sultry side of the holiday camp behind the foxtrot and the college boys where the entertainment staff blow off steam. Baby is instantly drawn to Johnny (Patrick Swayze), a young dancer, but will their forbidden relationship end before it begins?
And if a holiday camp isn't really your scene and you like your beats sexier and your cocktails with rum I highly recommend Dirty Dancing 2: Havana Nights. It's not masterpiece but as far a guilty pleasures go this sequels a winner.

Venice is beautiful. And so is David Lean's film. Katherine Hepburn plays Jane, a middle aged singleton on her dream trip to Venice. Initially uncomfortable by the attention she receives from local, Renetto (Rossano Brazzi) she begins to enjoy his company. But is it real love and will this real thing last past a summer fling (try saying that after a few too many mojitos). The scenes are beautiful and perfectly capture the unique city of Venice. If you're a big fan of classic. vintage films then this is the holiday romance for you. 

Calling all Javier Bardem fans! In Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona he plays Juan, a sexy artist, attracted to both Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (Scarlett Johansson), two American tourists soaking up the sights and culture of Spain. And because an odd love triangle isn't enough, enter Penelope Cruz, who plays Juan's estranged and erratic wife, Maria. So, a love square, if you will. If you love watching mysterious, romantic trysts and seek culture on a holiday, then Javier Bardem just might be your summer movie romance.


What's your favourite summer romance film?


NG <3

May Favourites 2013

I have two things to tell you. The first? I'm free! As of today the shackles of University have been loosened and I no longer have to learn Old English inflections or the phonetic alphabet, well at least not for a few months. You see, at half past ten this morning, I walked out after a beast of an exam, knowing that my days as a fresher are behind me. Scary stuff. And the second? Well, I've finally plucked up the courage to film a video. Believe me, sitting in front of a tripod, talking to a camera wasn't my idea of comfortable, but after a few (many) bloopers I finally have a finished product and so, ladies and gents, I present to you my May favourites-21st century style.
 



NG <3

Make Up How To: Tangerine Dream

Orange. Make up. The two words don't quite slide together, do they? But before you're filled with images of perma-tans and WAGs, I don't mean the orange you usually would avoid at all costs, I mean the subtle use of orange and coral to cleverly brighten up your makeup. Whilst playing with a palette the other day I spontaneously decided to use an orangey-copper on my eyes and I actually liked it. A lot of tutorials featuring orange eye make up online are quite dramatic but I wanted to create a subtle look more suitable for daytime. So here, readers, is my make-up how to: tangerine dream.

Step One:

Prep your skin using moisturiser and primer. I'm using Revlon Photoready Perfecting Primer. Then it's time for foundation and although this is an 'orange' make-up tutorial, I urge you  to avoid the tangerine look in this part. Instead use a foundation similar to your complexion, or just one shade darker. I use Clinique Stay Matte Foundation in 'Alabaster'. Whether you choose to apply with your fingers or brush is up to you. I'm using a foundation brush to apply it evenly before using the brush in downward strokes to blend it and pat for excess foundation. 

Step Two:

Dust a white shade of eyeshadow, with a touch of shimmer, over your eyelids. I'm using 'martini' from the Sleek Snapshots i-Divine palette.







Step Three:

Then it's time for orange! Blend an orangey-copper shade into the crease of your eye. Draw a line on the crease with the shadow and fill in the space between the line and the eyelid. I'm using another shade from the Sleek Snapshots i-Divine palette named 'sunset'. Then I used a rounded brush to blend in the colour with the white shade used earlier.










  
 Step Four:

 Now it's time to go bright! I used the shade from the aforementioned palette, named 'tequila sunrise'. Lightly tap the vivid shade onto the corners of eyelids with a small brush before using the same brush as before to blend the shade seamlessly into the copper and white shades.



 Step Five:

Apply a soft line of brown eye pencil just above the lash line for definition. I'm using Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Eye Liner Pencil in 'brown'.







 Step Six:

Curl eyelashes for 15 seconds eye. Then apply apply a few coats of mascara. I'm using Benefit Bad Gal Lash in 'black'. Press the mascara wand onto bottom lashes lightly for a second to give them length too.





 Step Seven:

Now it's time to focus on your face again. Apply powder to your face; I'm using Rimmel Stay Matte Power in 'peach glow'. Then, using a brow comb, brush through eyebrows briefly to shape them.















Step Eight: 

To achieve a coral glow on cheeks I used Benefit Cha Cha Tint. It's great for a flush of colour but make sure to rub it in straight after applying, as the tints tend to stain easily.






Step Nine:

Using a large, round brush, sweep 17 Glow Shimmer Brick in 'pink bronze' over the apples of cheeks for a touch of shimmer.







Step Ten:

Using Benefit Cha Cha Tint again, apply the stain to lips before rubbing in for a long lasting, coral flush of colour. Add a lip gloss to finish. I'm using Coralista Benefit Lip Gloss, as it also has orange undertones.

 
With Summer around the corner it's time to embrace colour and I know this is daunting so I hope this subtle step-by step tutorial to orange has helped. I can safely say that Orange is one of my favourite colours for Summer, it's just such a bright, vivacious colour!

And to further increase your use of orange why not try these beauty and fashion treats to look more Hollywood star than oompa loompa; 

1. Boohoo Neon Satchel, £25.
2. River Island Pink and Orange Tweed Jacket, £60.
3. Moroccan Oil Treatment 25ml, £12.85.
4. Hugo Boss Boss Orange, from £27.
5. Tenki Cream and Orange Floral Bow Dress, £25.
6. Burt's Bee's Citrus and Ginger Body Wash, £8.50.
7. Zara Leather Court Shoe, £49.99.
8. Rimmel Summer Orange Salon Pro Nail Colour, £4.49.
9. Bourjois Orange Punch Lip Crayon, £7.99.

And a cliche line for the win? Readers, the future IS bright.


NG <3

The Glamour of Gatsby

Oh, the glamour of Baz Lurhmann's 'The Great Gatsby'. Love it or loathe it, there is no doubt that the film is overflowing with ostentatious dazzle, whether or not it detaches itself from the true message of F. Scott Fitzgerald's masterpiece of a novel. I might be running into review territory but this is not a review, I'll leave that to Mark Kermode and my lovely friends over at the film show on URN. I will admit that I did find the film highly entertaining, if a little weak in parts, but one thing that caught my eye was the visual treat provided by costume designer Catherine Martin.

The costumes may not have been entirely accurate to the exact time of the novel's setting but the fashion of the film was a spectacular show of 1920s glamour. Think embellished, Prada flapper dresses, extravagant Tiffany headpieces and a nod to the oriental. And the men? Dapper suits, wicker hats, and a significant pink suit, that, I think you'll agree, Leonardo Di Caprio looks very dashing in. 'The Great Gatsby' is hot property right now, as is a surge in the decades' fashion, so here is my guide to encapsulating the glamour of Lurhmann's Gatsby.

1. New Look Clear Perspex Floral Necklace, £17.99.

2. New Look Brown Lace Up Brogues, £17.99.

3. Mutiny by Irregular Choice Black Bird T-Bar Court Shoes, £74.99.

4. Miss Selfridge Designed by Embroidered Frill Maxi Dress, £110.

5. River Island Cream Pacha Bead Embellished Kimono, £60.

6. New Look Cream Pearl Head Piece, £5.99.

7. Miss Selfridge Designed by Peacock Clutch, £60.

8. Pieces Cascade Chandelier Earrings, £5.00.

9. River Island Pink Embellished Sleeveless Flapper Dress, £55.

10. Edun Silk Tennis Dress, £130.


If you would love to read a more in-depth analysis of the costumes of the film make sure you read this 'Fashionista' article.

And finally, what did you think to the film? Did the visual aspects of Lurhmann's film grip you or were you disappointed at the blockbuster retelling?


NG <3

Simplicity

Hi, I hope you are all having a great bank holiday weekend! Well I'm back after a short break from NG now that most of my coursework and exams are over and all that remains is just one more exam. Summer feels ridiculously close but so far. Luckily I've got a break between now and that exam so it's been nice to have some downtime at home and of course blog! The weather this weekend has been perfect, and glass of pimms in hand I'm toasting to one of the most relaxing weekends of the year! Last night was spent with a few close friends and was the cherry on top of the cake (or strawberries in the jug of pimms, if you will) of a great, low-key weekend.

H&M dress (£13) and wedges(£10), Zara jacket and Boohoo bag. H&M, how I salute you and your prices. I went with a fairly simple, minimal look this weekend. I'm usually the first one in line to buy a flashy, statement necklace but sometimes clothes just look their best riding solo.  

It feels so good to be back-here's to the summer of blogging!

NG <3

Amongst the chaos...

You may have noticed I've been posting less lately and I just wanted to explain why. I'm coming the the end of my first year at Uni and I didn't realise quite how organised I'd have to be-hence the lack of posts and influx of caffeine- and therefore I feel it only right to let you know that I won't be posting on NG for the next few weeks while I take my exams. I'm sorry to do this but it means I'll be fired up with content for my return in summer!

Hope you have a great few weeks-see you soon!


NG <3

Are you a style planner?

One thing that has struck me as a trend in the weird and wonderful world of instagram is the regular pictures of bloggers 'planning' outfits and preparing every inch of their aesthetic in advance.

Up until recently, I only heavily invested time laying out and planning an outfit for large occasions and nights out, but now I have noticed I am increasingly planning outfits for daytime. I don't spend hours, it's usually more deciding what I will wear the night before-especially if I have an early lecture-and to insure I don't spend my whole life in jeans and a hoody. I suppose I'm noticing it more at University as I don't have a strict uniform to adhere to any more. Maybe it is the new found liberty of not wearing a restricting, not to mention unflattering, school shirt and overly sensible shoes. Anyway, enough of school-tie-loaded nostalgia and onto the point of this post; my question to you. I'm curious to know do your plan your everyday outfits or let spontaneity guide you through?

 And in the meantime I look forward to seeing what you plan on instagram!


NG <3

The Beauty Tin

I thought it was about time to do a post about my everyday beauty regime. The truth is, although I do love dazzle dusts and lipsticks in vivid hues, sometimes I crave a low-key, subtle look more suitable for daytime. Whilst I'm at University I don't have that much storage for makeup and so I tend to use a tin to hold all my daytime essentials so they're easy to grab-which is very helpful when getting ready for an early morning lecture! The rest of my make-up is stored in a basket for when I'm going out at time or want to experiment with more daring looks. Here's what's in my beauty tin...

Face products;

If I could only have two make-up products it would be mascara and foundation so it's essential that I have an easy routine when it comes to my foundation in the morning. I usually apply a primer like Revlon Photoready Perfecting Primer after applying moisturiser. Then I follow it up with my beloved Clinique Stay Matte Foundation in 'Alabaster'. I tend to use my fingers when applying foundation in the morning as, for me, it's quicker than using a brush and perks up my skin. Then I use Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer in 'Ivory' under my eyes and on any blemishes. I have oily skin so I dust a powder like Rimmel Stay Matte Powder over my face before finishing off with a flush of colour on my cheeks. The two I alternate between are Clinique Blush in 'Precious Posy' for a sophisticated glow or 17 Blush in 'China Pink' for a rosy flush of colour.

Eye products;

They say the eyes are the window to your soul but after a late student night or the toxic snooze button it can be a little tricky to look more bright than frightful. Here's how I try to look half decent in the mornings:

First I start off with a light shade from my Clinqiue Colour Surge Eye Shadow Quad palette and follow it up by applying one of the darker shades on my crease or the outside corners of my eyes. Alternatively, I like the metallic, creamy finish of the Rimmel Scandaleyes Eye Shadow Stick in the delightful bronze shade ' 'Bulletproof Beige' (a very fierce shade title I think you'll agree). I use a pen liner just above the eyelashes on my upper lid to define my eyes more, my usual go to is Maybelline Master Drama Liquid Liner Pen. I then curl my eyelashes for about 20 seconds each eye before applying a few coats of mascara. I idolise mascara and probably use a little too much for daytime but I rarely leave my halls without it adorning my lashes. My top picks for daytime are currently Clinique High Impact Curling Mascara and Benefit Bad Gal Mascara, both of which are great for building length. I'm not a huge fan of an overdone eyebrow but I do think it's important not to forget about your eyebrows and regularly groom them. In the mornings if I have time I apply a little Benefit Brow Zings Wax evenly before combing and tidying with an eyebrow brush.


Lip products;

I have to admit that my lip makeup is usually very simple day-to-day. I tend not to use lipliner but in my tin I do have a few favourite lip colours that I alternate depending on my mood. One of my go-to lipsticks is Maybelline Super Stay 14hr Lipstick in 'Ultimate Blush', a rosy colour with a metallic finish-it lasts so long! I also love the creamy, golden-pink hue and glossy finish of Clinique Butter Shine Lipstick in 'Pink-a-Boo'. Occasionally I do like to go for a full-on glossy finish and when I wish to do this I use Bourjois Effet 3D  Gloss in 'Corail Idyllic' which is a gorgeous peach shade featuring a shimmer that makes lips look fuller.
When I want to change it up, I use Benefit Cha Cha Tint for a matte, coral colour that stays on lips all day. This product is so ideal to have in my make-up tin especially with summer coming up, given it's shade and also as it doubles up as a cheek tint too. And if all else fails I go for the lip balm!

What are your go-to products for an easy, low-key look?

NG <3

NG turns 1

About a year ago I sat at my laptop and created this very blog you are reading now. The past year has been a magical, eventful year for me and I'm so glad I have been able to share snippets of my life with you along the way. My blog has been more than a hobby, in fact it has been a passion of mine for a year that I have loved developing, alongside my writing style. If anything I want to use this birthday post to say a massive thank you to each and every one of my readers. The blog was never about how many followers or comments I have, but seeing such wonderful feedback really does brighten up my day. So here's to a wonderful, fun and amazing year and to many more!

NG <3

The Films That Define Us #2

Happy Easter! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. Easter Monday is a time when me and my family relax whilst watching a film. If you're still undecided about what to watch this fine Monday Zoë and Anouk of 'The Daily Fashion Drug' have been kind enough to share some of their favourite films. I asked Zoe and Anouk to contribute, as seeing their great style on their fabulous blog, I just knew they'd have impeccable taste when it came to films too, and they certainly do!

What's your favourite summer film?

Anouk: "My favourite summer film is (500) Days of Summer because the first time I saw it was on a perfect summer day- God, I really miss summer! Every time I watch the movie, I think about that perfect summer day. And of course, the title is about summer! This movie is all about love, relationships and rejection".

Zoë: "Phew, that’s a tough one! I think it’s The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants. I saw this movie in the middle of a hot summer (yes, sometimes we have hot summers here in the Netherlands) with my best friend. We always wanted to go to Greece and meet a hot guy there just like in the movie!".

What's your most stylish film?

A: "It’s not a film, but a television series. I really enjoyed the series Gossip Girl. Not only because of the beautiful guys (Chuck Bass), but also because of their amazing outfits. I really loved Serena's outfits! It was always inspiring and that was one of the reasons why I loved it so much".

Z: "I agree with Anouk! Gossip Girl really went along with the latest trends at the time of filming. I think that all the characters in GG were always fabulously dressed and styled from head to toe.

But, I think that no television series or movie can compare to Breakfast at Tiffany’s. This film is so fun, classy and stylish! I love how Audrey Hepburn wore pants in that movie. Back in those days it was a little unusual to wear ankle trousers. And of course she is a natural beauty, so everything what she wore became stylish".

What's your favourite musical?

A: "I really can’t pick a favourite! I’ve seen a lot of musicals, because I really love them. These are my top three;

1.    Tarzan

2.    The Lion King

3.    Legally Blonde

I’ve seen the movie versions of these musicals, but I liked the musical versions more. Tarzan and The Lion King had an amazing atmosphere and Legally Blonde was more of a fun musical".

Z: "Definitely The Lion King! The costumes in this musical were amazing! And I also loved Wicked, but The Lion King is my number one favourite".

What's the scariest horror you've seen?

A: "I couldn’t sleep for two days thanks to the movie The Unborn. The movie wasn’t that scary, but a few ‘scary’ scenes of that movie were real-that’s why I was so scared! The movie The Blair Witch Project is also high on my horror list. It’s so scary because it’s filmed like a documentary".

Z: "Well, after I saw a horror film marathon that included The Exorcist, White Noise and The Hills Have Eyes, I became a big coward when it comes to horror movies… Since then I’ve never enjoyed a horror movie again".

What was your favourite childhood film?

A: "I have two big favourites; Pocahontas and the Beauty and the Beast, and I must confess, I still watch these movies. I know every line and song".

Z: "The Little Mermaid and also Beauty and the Beast. I always wanted a library like they have in the Beauty and the Beast! Actually, I still would love to have it in my future home…. ;-)".

A huge thank you for Zoë and Anouk's contribution-be sure to check out their great blog here!

NG <3