Sigma

I was recently sent this rather wonderful Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki make up brush by the lovely people at Sigma Beauty. 

"This exclusive flat top synthetic kabuki was designed to deliver a flawless makeup application. The Sigma Makeup F80 is a buffer brush that can be used to blend powder or liquid products. The short and dense bristles make it easy to buff your liquid foundation. The long handle adds comfort to your makeup application. The synthetic fibers are ideal to be used with liquid products and can be easily cleaned. Made of Synthetic Sigmax HD filament."

Now at the risk of sounding like a philistine, until receiving this brush, I've always used my fingers to apply my liquid foundation, I don't really know why, I just have - ease? laziness? Who knows. Anyway, I was a little perturbed by the size of the brush when I first saw it, when considering putting foundation on my eye lids (the brush is bigger than my eye!) however the kabuki is brilliant. It really does provide even coverage, blends well and I haven't stabbed my eyes like I feared! I haven't stopped using it since I received it and quite frankly I wonder how I have ever managed to apply foundation without owning a brush. 

Sigma offer a huge range of make up brushes and accessories at affordable prices. They're an American company, so don't expect next day delivery, but my brush still arrived fairly promptly. You're able to shop by function (eyebrow, highlights, liner, foundation, etc) which is particularly useful if you're not au fait with the world of make brushes. I'm rather enamored with their brush kits, though if I had the money, I'm not sure I would be able to decide which colour kit to go for! Purple, Aqua or classic Black. 

It's a little like stationary, there's something lovely about a matching set. 

x

Barnacled Warship - NEW

 

New to Wallpaper Rose x

Promises look good on paper, especially from you.

I recently received the loveliest of parcels from one of my favourite people, Sophie of Crown and Glory. It was particularly wonderful, as I was having somewhat of a crap day and as shallow as it may seem, receiving something pretty doesn't half make a shite day seem somewhat better! She gave me these lovely Vintage Button Bobby Pins, which I am yet to wear, but I love the detailed drawings and my much loved clay ribbed jersey turban. I think I've only taken the turban off to go to work I enjoy wearing it so much. As you may have ascertained from reading my blog, I have a head of unnatural proportions, so to find something that fits and I can wear comfortably all day is a true rarity and really quite exciting. Sophie offers all her headwear in two sizes, with the third option of custom, so even those with the fattest of heads can wear her creations! The ribbed jersey is not only a lovely shade, but very soft and without sounding too much like an old lady it really does keep your ears warm... and pins them back, should you have inherited one sticky-out ear from your Great Grandpa...

I also began to think about how I might style my turban - it took all my self restraint not to ask Sophie to bring a polka dot turban in a Louise size when she last came to visit (it's high on my list of desired purchases). I thought I would also factor in the Bitching and Junk Food shorts I won (*still waiting for their arrival) as part of the Deer Brain's birthday competition. I don't ever wear shorts, not from the lack of wanting, I just don't have the legs, however I'm being somewhat preemptive having just purchased myself one of these bad boys and telling myself that I will start jogging again tomorrow.

Crown and Glory - Going Dotty - Polka Dot Turban

Urban Outfitters - Neal Cable Cardigan

Asos - Peter Pan Collar Blouse

Bitching and Junkfood - Remade Levis Shorts

Wallpaper Rose - Tillie Brooch

Topshop - Nail polish in Hunting

Crown and Glory - Clay Ribbed Jersey Turban

EWM - Fisherman's Rib Jumper 

Bitching and Junkfood - Remade Levis Shorts

Wallpaper Rose - Jen Tee in Charcoal Marl

Wallpaper Rose - Perdi Key Pendant

Models Own - Nail Polish in Vintage Pink

It probably seems little strange but I've got a little obsessed with wanting to purchase a fisherman's knit sweater. There are quite a few floating around at the moment in various designs, but I quite want an oversized baggy one. I watched The Life Aquatic for the first time in a really long time last week and I'm now really fighting the desire to buy a navy one and sew on a Z.... I really do want to be part of Team Zissou. Anyway, I've found some in the sale at The Edinburgh Woollen Mill of all places (you probably think I'm 65 rather than 25 right now) and I'm debating which to purchase! Most the time I live in jeans, so I'm not sure if navy is the right move, I really like the burnt orange shade, but I prefer the longer shape of the other ones. Currently I'm leaning towards the bottle green - but then my Mum is still knitting me her own version of the UO green cardigan in the outfit above (yes it was meant to be a birthday present and yes my birthday was in January. It's just how we roll).... I don't know. Any thoughts? I've also realised that I didn't mention, when putting this outfit together that I was really inspired by Gem and her styling of the WR Jen Tee - layering the collar with a round neck jumper brings it into a whole new realm of wearability - especially while the weather is still chilly!

The wonderful Mr Bill Murray/ Steve Zissou

Boots - River Island and So You Shoes.

And just a little aside, or perhaps a call for advice, I love the two pairs of River Island boots pictured above, but can't at the moment justify the price tag. As they're not leather, I'd rather not really pay anymore than £20-£25. I'm trawling ebay at the moment, but does anyone know of any good sites for this kind of boot leaning towards the cheap?

I hope everyone is well. I'm about to start a Jen Tee sewing mission, though my mind keeps getting carried away by the thought of starting my quilt. I would love it if anyone could recommend any online fabric shops or any in London - I'm a little anxious to start sourcing material! Hopefully I should have some new jewellery pieces up on the website in the next couple of weeks too.

x

The Night Sky

Motel Shirley Shirt   Motel Sally Skirt  Motel Celeste Dress  Motel Jenna Dress

Topshop Nail Polish 

Wallpaper Rose Remi Necklace

Today (now yesterday) has been somewhat of a pig of a day, so rather than dwell on it, I thought I would distract myself with things of a pretty nature. As I'm sure you can tell I'm rather enamoured with Motel's new design Night Sky in the dusky grey - it looks so wonderfully soft! I absolutely adore the long sleeved shirt, it ticks all the boxes, though a big part of me wishes it was as long as the sleeveless shirt dress below. Which then starts me pining for the shirt dress. How amazing would it look with some black skinny jeans, brogues, and a big cardigan for the colder weather?? I haven't been particularly bowled over by Motel in recent months, it all got a little bright and geometric for me, but they've won me back whole heartedly with these pieces. I've also included the bodycon Jenna dress, which is great if you have the hips for it! 

Trawling through the Motel website, I've also discovered the rather wonderful black pleated skirt. (Which since yesterday, seems to have disappeared from the site!) I don't know about anyone else, I've been looking for the perfect black pleated skirt for some time, but they always seem to be too short or too long, but this length looks ideal. Saying that, it's definitely the kind of item that needs to be tried on. It's also available in a rather lovely shade of wine, should you be feeling adventurous. 

I think with the Night's Sky range I would be tempted to keep a rather neutral pallet for the rest of the outfit, but inject some colour with a muted nail polish - I love these shade from Topshop. I've then teamed the outfit with WR's Remi necklace. Initially I had in mind sailors using the stars to navigate the seas, but thinking about it now, maybe the Gabriella telescope would have been more appropriate?

Have a good Tuesday (Wednesday) - I hope for your sake you didn't have to crawl around a shop window ledge painting it. I can't wait to get home and have a big bear hug from the boyface and some kind of chocolate. 

However tomorrow (today!) I get to see Sam, Sophie and bake! Could it be any better?

I thought I would also quickly show you the two new shades of Jen tee - Charcoal Marl and Deep Indigo - which have both actually sold out now. The photos are shamefully bad as the light was fading, but when I make the next batch I will put the effort in to photographing them a little more successfully. 

If you follow me on twitter, you'll know I've been having a nightmare of a time trying to source lace collars - I've thankfully managed to order a different style of collar (still peter pan, but the lace is different) from America - I just have to hope that they're nice when they arrive! xx