Dear Santa...

I happen to think I have been very nice this year (maybe a little bit naughty....) so I think receiving any of these gems from Santa would be very lovely indeed!

Motel Rocks challenged us Street Team members to create a wishlist of what we would like for Christmas, and here's mine! It is made up of items I would really like (a new Tom Ford Black Orchid perfume as I somehow lost mine, a cupcake stand, this ASOS Studded Shopper bag, the Motel Rocks Delorious dress and some MAC and OPI goodies) and some unrealistic Wishlist items (this Marc by Marc Jacobs gold watch and a pomeranian puppy!) but hey, a girl can dream!

What would you like for Christmas?

Remember - if you are shopping for a gorgeous Christmas/New Years Eve dress for yourself, a friend, or a very lucky girlfriend, make sure you use my code livlouise at the checkout for 20% off!!

Dear Santa... Motel Rocks Street Team Challenge by oliviawilkins-smith

Glamour Magazine Nails Inc freebies!

So as I'm sure most people are already aware, Glamour magazine are spoiling us with a give away of four shades of Nails Inc nail varnish!

I am a BIG Nails Inc fan, I have always found the formula to be thick and gorgeously pigmented, and it dries shiny and looks super glam. Because of this, at £2 for the magazine AND the nail varnish, I may or may not have picked up a few....

L-R Elizabeth Street, St. James and Motcomb Street

 

 



Elizabeth Street - one of the most beautiful pale pinks I've come across, and I have definitely used a few!!

St James is a classic, classy rich red. It's gorgeous! I am constantly on the hunt for a truly great red nail varnish which looks classy and goes with my skin tone, and this is definitely a contender!

Motcomb Street - a deep dark blue. I am not really a fan of blue nail varnish, I don't know why but I just don't like it, and if I were going to choose a dark shade as an alternative to black it would almost always be a deep deep red (such as this!). With that said, this is a truly fab dark blue - it is super super dark and dries glossy and glam.


I have to say, I think these shades are completely gorgeous and Elizabeth Street and St. James have definitely become my go-to classy pale pink and red shades!

Did you pick up Glamour this month and get any of these Nails Inc nail varnishes?

Liv x

Sparkly Christmas Party Dresses

Now it is officially Winter, it is drawing ever closer to Christmas party season and with that comes sparkly dress season!

A sparkly sequin dress is quite possibly the most feminine item of clothing a woman can own, and if I could I would own hundreds and float through the city in a haze of sequins and colour. If only!

As it's never too early to start planning for a special occasion (those that know me know that this is one of my mantras), I have compiled my absolute favourites from across the web.

Enjoy!

ASOS Cross Back Dress in Multi Sequin 

 

 

Motel Gabby Sequin Plunge Back Dress in Gold

 

 

New Look Green Sequin Front Vest Dress

 

 

French Connection Spiegal Sequins Dress

 

 

 Warehouse Ombre Sequin Shift Dress

 

 

 Mango All Over Sequin Drop Waist Deco Dress

and finally....

 

 Motel Delorious Off Shoulder Dress in Red Sequins

Don't forget! For 20% off Motel Rocks, use code livlouise at the checkout and sparkle away!

 

 

 

Instagram

Follow me on Instagram, y'all!

My spanking new profile page is: www.instagram.com/livlouise

Follow me for clothing loves, notds, posey going out pics, cute doggies and the occasional rainbow.

MUA Nail Constellations - Gemini

I found this little container of loveliness while I was idly browing beauty blogs this summer.

MUA Nail Constellations are a dupe for Ciate Nail Caviar, which I have really wanted to try for a while now, but at the price they are couldn't really justify spending that much for a nail experiment! Thats why MUA's version is perfect - the little bottles are only £3 from Superdrug or the MUA store.

MUA describes their Nail Constellations as: inspired by the patterns formed into stars in the earth's night sky is a 3-dimensional extravagant nail art system you can create easily from home that leave your nails looking ‘wow!’.

The little jars are themed by the signs of the Zodiac, (l - r)

Gemini, Leo, Pisces, Scorpio, and Libra

 

I picked up Gemini, which is a lilac, baby pink and mint green formulation - gorgeous!

 

I used it with Rimmel's 60 Seconds nail varnish in Do You Lilac It? 

 

 

 

The finished product:

 

 



Picture jazzed up with PicFx

 

I think it looks fab! It makes a nice change from a simple one shade manicure and is my first dabble into nail art! I want to try the shades Scorpio and Libra too!

President Barack Obama

My grandfather always used to tell me, "Never tell people how much you earn, or who you vote for", and he was very committed to that. With the American Presidential Election taking place tomorrow, and the British media currently reporting that the candidates are 'neck and neck' ,as an American citizen (I have dual nationality, British-American) I feel it is important to pledge my support publicly, to the current President Barack Obama.

I support Obama because - under President Obama:

There has been 32 straight months of job growth, creating just under 5.5 million private sector jobs

Obamacare has helped 5.6 million senior citizens and people with disabilities to better afford prescription drugs, and children with pre-existing conditions will no longer be denied coverage

President Obama recognises that women's healthcare choices are personal decisions, to be made with her doctor, without interference from employers or politicians

Funding for Pell Grants was doubled and Obama established a college tax credit which helped 9 million students and families save money for tuition in the past year

President Obama has signed 18 tax cuts for small businesses

The American auto industry was rescued from the brink of collapse, saving 1 million jobs

President Obama signed the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, to help women fight against pay discrimination

Don't Ask Don't Tell was repealed, and he supports marriage equality (although I'd like him to go the whole hog and make it legal...)

And finally... First Lady Michelle Obama is in my opinion the most fabulous first lady ever.

The thought of Mitt Romney winning America's vote genuinely terrifies me.

Vanilla Candles

Today I popped to Ikea with Mama Smith for what was supposed to be a quick visit to pick up a tin opener and corkscrew. What we didnt know was that today seems to be a day of celebration at Ikea, I believe they're celebrating their 25th anniversary!

It was PACKED there, and strewn everywhere was festive Ikea bunting, people giving out balloons, craft workshops, photo booths, and in the middle of the shop girls from Heart radio station were giving away red heart balloons, and free cupcakes which gave you a chance to win a £50 Ikea voucher! Having just been in the gym for 2 hours (oh yes) I should have said no... but didnt. I am truly my own worst enemy!!

Anyway, the point of this post is to inform the world (aka my FIVE followers - hi!) about the gorgeousness that is Ikea Vanilla scented candles.

 

 

These are the yummiest things ever - so scented and sweet! Vanilla might not be everyones cup of tea but it certainly is mine - most days instead of perfume I rock Boots Natural Collection Vanilla spray I love it that much, and it has often been commeted by a curious boy that "you smell of chocolate buttons?"

These are seriously the nicest most atmospheric candles I've ever used, and so, so cheap. If you take a trip to Ikea I definitely recommend leaving with these!

Designer Pudsey Collection - Children In Need

In the UK, we all recognise Pudsey, the huggable yellow bear with a poorly eye covered by his signature dotty scarf.

But for this years Children In Need, 30 super luxury labels (including Alexander McQueen, Tom Ford, Victoria Beckham and Prada) have all designed and made a 24 inch original Pudsey Bear, to be auctioned off on November 15th at Christie's.

All 30 bears will be showcased at Selfridge's in London and Manchester until November 14th.

Check out some of the fab designs!

Burberry Pudsey

 

Katie Hillier Pudsey

 

Anya Hindmarch Pudsey