Owl Attack!

 I'm crazy about owls, from my socks to my scarf. Here I have a few of my owly purchases for your viewing pleasure! My bags were both from ASOS and my scarf was from Bank:

 If you know of any super cute owl related items please let me know because I adore anything to do with owls. I've also developed a liking for foxes too, oh dear! What's your animal obsession?

XOXO

Mallzee: The way forward for online shopping!

 I have the answer to your shopping dilemmas! Have you ever searched through countless shops online trying to find the perfect dress? Do you admire a friend’s style but struggle to create the look yourself? Are you always giving people fashion advice but never getting recognition for your talent?

 Check out Mallzee.com which is launching later this year and those problems will be solved. You can create your own shopping mall or ‘Mallzee’ by choosing the stores you like to shop at and look at all of the brands in one place. Software will even find products to show you based on your personal style!

 If you use Facebook you can invite your friends via Facebook chat and they can help you decide on your outfit choices through polls, and you can star items that they might like. There are also great discounts, sale alerts, and if anyone buys items from your Mallzee you get paid (although I’m not sure how much money you’ll be paid).

 At the moment there are over 200 brands signed up to Mallzee such as Urban Outfitters, New Look, Feel Unique, St. Tropez, Office, Miss Selfridge, All Saints and more so you can do all of your online shopping in one place; this might be very useful when you start your Christmas shopping!

 Betsey Johnson said: "Girls do not dress for boys. They dress for themselves and each other", and Mallzee aims to give you space to make shopping social.

 If you put in your email address now and tell your friends via Facebook or Twitter you will be in with a chance of winning £100 of shopping vouchers and other goodies. Have a look for yourself and enter the competition here: Mallzee.com.

XOXO

Minimal Style

Minimal Style by lauren290591 featuring victorian boots

 I've been drawn to a more minimal style of fashion recently, maybe because I'm moving on with my life and I feel that everything should be fresh and new. Who knows? In an attempt to become more sophisticated I'm thinking about a wardrobe update in a minimal direction. I love the idea of having so many combinations of things to wear and the way that this style always seems to look cool and edgy. 

What do you think about minimal style? If you have any ideas about how to achieve this kind of look then let please let me know!

Lauren Loves ♥: Sophistication and elegance.

XOXO

What I got for my 21st birthday & haul

 As promised here are a few of the main presents I received for my 21st birthday, there are also things I got with my birthday money and some items I bought in general.

 So I don't have a photo of my birthday cake to share with you (which had candles with multi-coloured flames!) but here is a random item I bought recently. I love the sweet vanilla scent of this Yankee candle and it's just so relaxing and instantly makes me happy.

 My collection of rings were spilling everywhere so I bought myself this ultra cool zodiac/ palmistry hand ring holder and I also got an owl print trinket dish to hold my most worn earrings- both were from Urban Outfitters US online store. For my birthday I also had a Pandora bracelet which you can see closer here:

 From left to right: 1) My stack of books charm with the owl on the cover was a gift for graduating university. 2) The heart-shaped lock with dangling key was a present from my boyfriend for our 4 year anniversary. 3) The butterfly charm was a 21st birthday present. 4) The Gemini cameo was a 21st birthday present (yes I'm a Gemini). 5) I adore all things related to owls and this was a 21st birthday present. 6) I bought a Canon 600d camera with my birthday money and this camera charm so it would remind me of my 21st.

I'd wanted a studded bag for a while so I got this one with mixed studs from the US Urban Outfitters online store and the matching purse from Topshop.

 I got an Iphone 4 for my birthday and after a bit of searching for the perfect case I found this cute little sketched owl case on etsy.com!

 These are my most recent beauty purchases. I wear the Garnier BB Cream over moisturiser for extra hydration and blend with my fingers, it smells lovely and acts as a good primer. I then use my new foundation brush (the black one) and then the (orange) Barry M one which I got in Superdrug to apply foundation as the BB Cream doesn't give you very good coverage. 

 Soap and Glory's Extreme Plump lip gloss sure does work! The first time I used it my lips stayed plumper for hours afterwards but now it has a less noticeable effect after it initially tingles. I'd still use this on it's own or over another lip product for fuller lips as it works really well.

 I got this Umberto Giannini gloss mist to obviously add gloss to my hair which it doesn't really do but it does smell really nice and it makes my hair softer so it's still lovely to use. 

I got the Benefit Porefessional and Badgal Lash Mascara with Glamour magazine and while I'm still not too sure how to use the pore minimiser to its full effect the mascara is great for a quick application.

 The Beauty UK eye shadow palette was needed for costume makeup as I was going to some themed parties and I wanted bright colours. Although you have to apply the shadow heavily it really isn't bad for the price which I think was just under £4:

I also caved in to the pressure and finally bought an orange lipstick and a Revlon Lip Butter in one go! It isn't too harsh once you apply it and although it is hydrating I still wear the lip butter over lip balm:

 For my birthday I wore this triangular owl print blouse from ASOS:

 I also got a black crop top from ASOS and a soft t-shirt from Topshop:

 Hopefully you've enjoyed a look at what I've been buying and maybe have some ideas about what to get someone for their birthday if you need any! 

XOXO

What I've been up to in May

 May has come and gone so quickly! The reason I haven't been blogging is that I was working on my final essays for university, and all the stress was worth it now that I've got my degree.

 I also celebrated my 21st birthday in May, my cake even had candles with multicoloured flames! I'll do a big haul post soon to show you what I've been buying over May, including birthday presents in case you'd like ideas on what to get for somebody (or yourself).

 Until then, here's the outfit I wore on my birthday:

My 21st birthday outfit by lauren290591 featuring a models own nail polish

 Here's a sneak peek into my life during May, procrastinating, sunshine, Pimms & lemonade, and playing in the garden with my puppy Darcy and the hose!

Lauren Loves ♥: Sunny days.

XOXO

Feeling Flamingo

I Want To Be A Flamingo by lauren290591 featuring high heels

 It might seem a bit odd but I'm loving all things flamingo at the moment. I think a quirky flamingo print top would look cute with some pink jeans, which I've been meaning to buy practically forever. Over Summer I'll definitely be channeling my inner flamingo- are you feeling flamourous?

Lauren Loves ♥: Anything Pink!

XOXO

Zooey Deschanel: New Girl Style

Zooey Deschanel- New Girl Style by lauren290591 featuring pouch handbags

 I love Zooey and can't wait to watch New Girl every Friday. Zooey's character Jess has a really cool sense of style. To dress like Jess think retro, quirky, polka dots and geek-chic!

Lauren Loves ♥: Quirky accessories to add something extra to an outfit.

XOXO

The Hunger Games: Fashion Inspiration

Girl On Fire by lauren290591 featuring high heels

District 4: Fishing Fashion. by lauren290591 featuring platform shoes

 I love the Hunger Games Trilogy. After a nightmare dealing with my copies of the books when I ordered them I finally managed to read them all a while ago and now I can't wait to see the film! I've created some HG related collages that are inspired by the books/ film; the first is about Katniss- The Girl on Fire, and the second one is inspired by District 4- The Fishing District. Hope you enjoyed them!

Lauren Loves ♥: Gale or Peeta?

XOXO

Spring Style

Spring Style by lauren290591 featuring cross body handbags

 Spring has sprung and the warmer weather is making me feel like my clothes need to be brighter! I'm loving the map print and shades such as lime green and peachy corals at the moment. Hope this gives you a little bit of inspiration.

Lauren Loves ♥: Sunshine.

XOXO

Pastel Passion

Pastels by lauren290591

 I love the pastel trend, it's perfect for spring.

 I wish I could pull pastel shades off but being very pale they always make me look washed out. I like how pastel colours can give outfits a vintage kind of vibe but I always feel awkward wearing dresses in the day time for some reason and I don't think vintage outfits suit me although I do love vintage fashion.

 Even though I'm wary of pastels I think I'll at least be wearing some pastel accessories and makeup when the sun comes out to play! What's your favourite pastel item at the moment?

Lauren Loves ♥: Pretty pastels and vintage glamour.


XOXO

Middle Eastern Trend

 Summer seems so far away but I can't wait to feel warm again! I think that all things Middle Eastern will be perfect for the hot weather and will be able to add glamour to your day.

 Think dark, mysterious eye makeup, hamsa hands, snakes, eyes and lots of gold. Wear it casually or at night; you can add a patterned scarf and bright Middle Eastern jewellery to brighten up the cold days until summer arrives too.

 I've got my gold hamsa hand jewellery ready but what will you be wearing this summer? Let me know if you're planning ahead like me!


Lauren Loves ♥: Middle Eastern mystery and charm.



XOXO

Zooey Deschanel inspired nails + makeup

 

 Zooey Deschanel is a style icon and always a little on the quirky side. I'm enjoying her series New Girl at the moment and unless you've been hiding under a rock I'm sure you will have heard about the Golden Globe Awards. Zooey had the cutest tuxedo design on her nails for the awards:

 I was inspired by the tuxedo nails and the red carpet glamour and had to paint my nails: 

 I thought you might like a Zooey inspired eye make up tutorial too so here it is:

 Step 1: Use a black liquid eye liner to create a rounded eye shape

 Step 2: Soften harsh edges with a black kohl eye liner, cover the lid with a natural eye shadow and add a highlighter to the inner corner of your eye.

 Step 3: Curl your eyelashes and add black mascara.

 Step 4: Zooey's eyes are always quite bold so apply lots of mascara or add false lashes like Zooey!

 If you want to go for the complete Zooey Deschanel look you can curl your hair/ add a pretty bow, and wear blusher with a bright lip in pink or red. Don't forget to use a quirky design on your nails too!

Lauren Loves ♥: The friendship between Zooey and Joseph Gordon-Levitt!

XOXO

Festive treats (for me!)

 Although I did decorate the gingerbread house (with some help from my boyfriend) I must confess that this festive treat was not all for me!

 As there are so many discounts around right now I thought I'd make the most of them and buy myself some things for Christmas.

 First up are these pretty statement stone rings, I've been wanting some for a while and with the temptation of a discount code I just had to buy them from Lily Melrose's jewellery shop www.jwlry.bigcartel.com:

 Reduced from £35 to around £15 I managed to buy this t-shirt from The Orphan's Arms on ASOS:

 I went a little t-shirt crazy, being a massive Harry Potter fan and seeing Gem wearing the Deathly Hallows logo tee on www.gemsmaquillage.com I had to buy my own from Orange Circle. My wardrobe was lacking in navy items and I thought the colour went well with the cosmic print of the logo so I ended up getting the same t-shirt:

 The Topshop sale starts on Christmas Eve and I'm sure there'll be lots of bargains so you can treat yourself after all the hard work getting everything ready for Christmas.


Lauren Loves ♥: Saving money over Christmas.



XOXO

Need Christmas Outfit Ideas?

 Christmas is all about the glitz and glam and I hopefully have some inspiring outfit ideas for you!

 Why not vamp up the traditional gold sparkly Christmas dress with a cropped leather jacket and tough accessories? Wear with embellished heeled boots or if you're really daring, combat boots.

  

 Mix sequins and sparkle with other textures like leather and faux fur. Jazz up your LBD with an eye-catching clutch. Wear your favourite Christmas jumper with statement heels to a party or bejeweled flats if you want to keep things more casual.

 Most importantly, don't forget the Christmas spirit! Wear gift wrap inspired accessories/ make your own, or add novelty antlers, a Santa hat or bows to any outfit for an instant Christmas vibe. 

Lauren Loves ♥: Getting festive

XOXO