House of Fraser Blogger Style Challenge

I recently saw this competition on a fellow blogger's page and just couldn't resist taking part myself!

House of Fraser are offering the generous prize of a £200 in-store shopping spree to the best blogger outfit made up of products sold by HoF.  As far as I'm concerned finding clothes I love in House of Fraser really isn't a challenge!  I remember going in with my mum in my youth and stroking the soft leather handbags...!  Enough of that though!  Here are my AW 12/13 picks!

1. Phase Eight - Daria Sequin Jumper £65

Metallics are going to be big this season and what better way to showcase them than on some knitwear?

I love the texture of this jumper and also the fact that it can be dressed up with a leather skirt or down with jeans or leggings.

2. Oasis - Faux Leather Biker Mini £45

This is a lovely little skirt with biker style quilting on the sides and zip details taking it away from your usual leather body con. Love!  Leather is always a good purchase as it comes in season after season and will be one of the hardest working items you own.

3. Head Over Heels - Pashy Zip Boots With Studs £49

These boots are an absolute steal!  They look really high end with the studs, zips and detailing but come in very cheaply compared to their Topshop, Asos counterparts.  My ankle boots are most definitely my footwear of choice at the minute and are a must buy for AW 12/13

4. Decadorn - Prussian Leather Wrap Bracelet £36

A lovely metallic bracelet to create an instant arm party!  Will match everything.

5. Coast - Robin Necklace £35

A chunky necklace can jazz up any outfit.  Mixed metallics are girl-grungy and will match all outfits perfectly. I particularly like the rings on this lovely Coast number.

6. Nars - Duo Eyeshadow in Hula Hula £23.50

This beautiful duo of shimmering gold and rose is the perfect way to give yourself a glossy party eye.  Nars shadows are famously well pigmented and these gorgeous shades will certainly be well used.

7. Bobbi Brown - Creamy Eye Pencil in Jet £15.50

A classic black kohl will add just the right amount of grunge to this shimmering metallic look.  This pencil from Bobbi Brown is creamy, smooth on application and has a sponge on the other end for that lust-worthy smoky eyed look. Perfect!

8. MAC - Lipstick in Shanghai Spice £14

You can't go wrong with a MAC lippie and this gorgeous pinky shade will offset a smoky eye perfectly.

9. Nails Inc - Nail Polish in Victoria £11

Victoria is a BIG favourite of mine.  It is probably my most worn shade and I couldn't resist including it here!  It is feminine but dark and the polish itself has great coverage after just one coat.  A MUST BUY.

10. Viktor and Rolf - Flowerbomb Eau de Parfum £48

Last (but most certainly not least) is Flowerbomb.  A cult perfume and my FAVOURITE.  It gives a gorgeous, feminine scent which is spicy enough for Winter and floral enough for Summer.  It has to feature here!

And there you have it.  What do you think?

Will you be heading to House of Fraser this week?  I know I will!

Sunday DIY: At Home Manicure...

There's nothing quite like having freshly manicured nails but for those of us who have neither the time nor money to get them done professionally all the time, perfecting the at home manicure is a must!

You will need:

Nail clippers

Nail file

Cuticle trimmer

Cuticle stick

Base coat

Nail polish

Top coat

Cuticle oil

Hand cream

and a bowl of warm soapy water

All of these are easily available about boots and worth investing in to keep your nails in tip top condition.

1.  Start by using the nail clippers to trim your nails to a uniform length, I usually take them reasonably short as my nails are prone to breakage.  Now using your nail file, file them to your desired shape (square, round, oval, squoval (great word!) - oval tends to suit everyone).

2.  Place your hands in the soapy water for 5 minutes to allow your cuticles to soften.  Using the cuticle stick, push cuticles back and trim using your cuticle trimmer.  Try and be gentle whilst doing this as cuts can be painful and infections can occur, (you have been warned ladies!)

3.  Next apply your base coat.  I've used Nails Inc Kensington Caviar basecoat.  Even if you decide to skip your topcoat NEVER skim your basecoat as it protects your nail from becoming stained but also gives your polish something to cling on to, making your manicure last longer, so it's win win really!  Allow to dry then apply your colour of choice.  Allow to dry again and add your topcoat, I've used the Nails Inc Kensington Caviar topcoat which gives a lovely gloss to my nails.

4.  Finish off my popping a little cuticle oil onto the nails, I've used the O.P.I. Avioplex oil which has a lovely melony smell and has really sorted out my dry nails!  I finally used a little of the Cath Kidston hand cream to leave my hands soft and pampered!

All of these products are easily available at Boots, so stock up and spoil yourselves in the sun this Sunday afternoon!