My new Shellac manicure with a side of fruit salad…

For some time now, accent nails have been on trend when it comes to your manicure. One nail, quite often the nail of the ring finger, is decorated slightly differently to the rest of the manicure so that it makes more of a statement.

Here’s an example of Beyonce’s accent nail – a bright, mint green nail thrown in amongst a candy floss pink manicure.

Today, I experimented with this style when I went for my Shellac manicure. My favourite manicurist in Birmingham, Zoey, showed me her fruit slices and I just could not resist but to give them a go. I’d seen these on the internet before but never in the flesh – they are nail art pieces that you buy in sticks and trim down into little slices.

My Shellac colour of choice was a hot turquoise called Hotski to Tchotchke. I love this colour because it looks really vibrant when I’ve got fake tan on but also compliments fair skin beautifully for the days when I’m au natural. After applying my base coat and two coats of the Shellac polish, Zoey carefully positioned the fruit slices onto the nail of my ring finger.

When she was done, she set this under the UV lamp and then sealed it again with an extra coat of gel. Once this had set she applied the Shellac top coat as normal to all nails. After lots of polish, I was delighted with the finished result!

If you’re in Birmingham and you’d like to visit Zoey for a fruit salad manicure, use the contact details below to get in touch with her. A standard Shellac manicure costs £18.00 and fruit salad pieces are at a small extra cost. If you’re not local then be sure to scour eBay for your own nail art sticks – they’re always really cheap and come in a variety of styles. Enjoy your experiments!

• Book with Zoey! Call Cherry Red salon in Wylde Green, Birmingham, on 0121 647 8117.

Steal Rachel Bilson’s style at Topshop

Isn’t it funny how DVD box sets are simply irresistible when you’ve got work to do?

To keep myself sane over January, a time when I had coursework and a dissertation to do for University, I fell back into my old OC box sets. In fact, I watched seasons 1 -4 in their entirety! I’ve always loved the fashion choices in the OC, in particular for the characters of Julie, Marissa and Summer.

One thing that I noticed as the seasons evolved is that Summer’s style also evolved, and began to seem more and more like actress Rachel Bilson’s personal bohemian style. Her outfits always looked so eclectic and laid back but, this said, she never fails to look well-put-together and groomed.

Using my favourite pieces from Topshop this week, here’s my guide to stealing Rachel’s/Summer’s style.

• Use a pretty blouse to smarten up denim. This hippy print blouse is timeless and will brighten up any outfit. Cost: £38.00.

• Toughen up a girly print with leather. This biker jacket will add an extra bit of grunge to any pretty garment, capturing the essence of Rachel’s style. Cost: £55.00.

• Say it with a scarf. Rachel loves to accessorise with a scarf, particularly favouring bold prints and colours. This wool scarf is the perfect mix of both. Cost: £40.00.

• Keep your heels chunky. Rachel is very petite and so she relies on high heels to bump her up a little – these chunky colour-block shoes will add a subtle splash of colour (and height) to every outfit. Cost: £65.00.

• Don’t forget your California glow! Rachel always ensures that her face is fresh and flawless to accompany her casual style. Use this peachy blusher to fake the L.A. look. Cost: £6.00.

The great thing about Rachel Bilson’s style is that she is always comfortable. Take one piece of advice from Rachel’s fashion choices and always feel cosy in your clothes! It’s a sure fire way to look and feel fabulous.

Total outfit cost: £204.00.

Dream Jobs: The Nail Artist – Scratch Dollface

In the Summer of 2011, I enjoyed the company of one of the most eccentric people I’ve ever met. Scratchy by trade and Scratchy by name, this Londoner is known to those who encounter her as Scratch Dollface. Although her 9-5 job is teaching at a secondary school, she certainly isn’t one of these ‘the bell is a signal for me, not you’ types; Scratch uses her love for Fashion and Textiles to teach BTEC as a day job and work as a nail artist in her spare time.

A girl of 28 who has taken her natural flair and made a whirlwind of creative products, Scratch tells me the story behind her ever-growing brand.

When did you start doing nail art?
I’ve always done nail art for my friends. As a teenager I think I had the whole Spectacular nail polish range from Tammy Girl – they were such great colours. It was always a hobby of mine because I’ve always been into art – I think its something I have a natural flair for.

How did the Scratch Dollface brand emerge, and what made you pursue this as a career choice?
I started Scratch Dollface about 18 months ago after numerous requests for nail art and face painting from friends and colleagues. Word spread fast and people were recommending me to their friends, so I thought it would be a great to turn my hobby into a career. I’m a dedicated tweeter, so I’ve gained lots of followers there. I’ve also built up a good client base in Liverpool since discovering Peaches & Cream. One day I went in to show them my designs and they invited me to come and work with them during my visit… I now work there during all of my school holidays. Due to the growing demand for high fashion nails, my work has appealed to a lot of fashion followers wanting something different from the ordinary white tip or glitter. My passion for creativity is what keeps me going and I would eventually love to pursue this as a full time career.

How does your 9-5 job as a Fashion and Textiles teacher tie in with your Scratch Dollface empire?
I love teaching. My students are very complimentary about my nails and they help me to keep my ear to the street. Because my school is a specialist arts college we are always putting on big performances, for which I design and make costumes and do the hair and stage makeup.

Nail art has become especially popular since celebrities such as Katy Perry and Jessie J have been known to sport elaborate manicures. How do you keep your ideas fresh and ensure that you’re one step ahead of the crowd?
In order to keep my ideas fresh, I am constantly watching the catwalk to spot emerging trends and investing in new nail products in order to experiment. For me, it’s more than just applying a product and offering good customer care; I am trying to create something different for each and every customer, so I’m constantly looking for inspiration from all around me. I am an avid reader and collector of  ‘Scratch’ magazine (which is not associated with my name). It is like a bible for the nail world – it allows me to see new, innovating ideas and see what other nail technicians and artists are up to. I particularly enjoyed creating nail designs inspired by the recent Versace for H&M collection using the O.P.I Nicki Minaj collection.

Since the Scratch Dollface empire began, you’ve started customising accessories such as shoes and earrings, and even made pieces of jewellery. Why do you think people are so keen to invest in personalised fashion pieces?
I think it’s because it enables them to have something individual and one of a kind. I love being creative; I spend most of my time teaching my students how to make dresses but never have the time to make anything myself. This means that when I do get the time to make things, I love making jewellery and customising trainers. Currently I’m in the process of organising my designs to be printed onto converse style high-tops and these should be available soon.

Of all of the things in your repertoire, which Scratch Dollface talent is most enjoyable to you?
Nail art is my obvious favourite. I love the ways it can transform a person, and that they can wear their nail art like a piece of jewellery.

As a nail artist I imagine you’re extra aware of people’s manicures and pedicures. What do you think hands and feet say about a person?
I don’t mean to sound judgemental but I think you can tell a lot about a person from their nails. I’m not one of these people who is dolled up 24-7; however, I do my best to look neat and tidy and try to keep my nails and toes in good condition. Imagine the scenario – someone has just spent hours on their makeup, chosen a beautiful outfit and then you look down and see some crusty toes hanging out of her Louboutins. It’s just not right- to me, that says “all cash – no class”!

Scratch’s top tips for creating fabulous nail art:

• Subscribe to Scratch Magazine and read it from cover to cover each month.
• Take clear pictures of everything you do because no one will take you seriously without a good portfolio.
• Enter nail art competitions.
• Go to seminars/workshops and exhibitions to keep up to date with new products.

Scratch is a fabulous example of someone who uses her time productively to have her cake and eat it too. Knowing her on a personal level, I can assure you that after all of her hard work she still has time for a cocktail or two! Famed for her outrageous cackle, she’s a great example of the following phrase: ‘do something you love and you’ll never work a day in your life’.

For more information about Scratch Dollface:

• View her Twitpics
• Tweet her
• Add her as a friend on Facebook
• Call her: 07903 402 793

More in the Dream Jobs series:

• If You Have to Cry Go Outside: How to Land Your Dream Internship or Job
• Dream Jobs – The Festival Fashionista: Sarah Flynn of Phestival
• Dream Jobs – The Jewellery Designer: Sarah Warner of Bits and Bows

Real life Bridesmaids: what to do when you clash with your friend’s acquaintance…

One of my favourite things in the world to do is get into bed and watch a film. Whether it’s independent cinema, a gory horror film or a classic chick flick, I will watch and enjoy absolutely anything; my film taste is so eclectic. Last night I was curled up with Bridesmaids and I have to say that it was one of the funniest films I’ve seen in some time.

Bridesmaids really got me thinking about dynamics within a friendship – why is it that sometimes we just can not stand the friends of those closest to us? Here are my top tips for how to deal with your friend’s annoying acquaintance…

Ask yourself why you don’t like this person.
In life, you aren’t going to get on with everybody you meet; it’s human nature, if that were the case then life would be boring. Sometimes, however, a feeling of dislike can be masking something else… jealousy. Work out exactly what it is that you don’t like about the person. If they’re bad mannered or bitchy then, fair enough, hold your grudge. If the problem is that they’re posing a threat to one of your friendships, ask yourself why that is. Perhaps spending some more quality time with the friend you’re worried about losing will remind you that they still have a lot of time for you and ease your worries.

Sit next to her on your next big group night out.
No matter how hard you try, if you’re out in a big group then it is inevitable that you’ll end up splitting off into smaller parties. Three of you may head to the ladies, two of you may swan off to the bar… the list goes on. Take the time to sit by the person in question and let the group conversation branch off into something smaller between you two. Who knows, you might just have something in common?

Suggest that she come to yours to get ready.
If your friends are anything like mine, they’ll be all about the pre-party. My friends and I love getting ready together and having a drink or two before we head out – sometimes that is even more hilarious than the night out itself! This time is key for true friends; this is when you recommend your friend put on those magic knickers or change the belt that clashes with her shoes. Invite the acquaintance in question to join your friends in your pre-party and show her two outfit choices: one, fabulous, the other, heinous. If she recommends that you don the latter, she’s a bad egg and worth steering clear of.

Observe her behaviour with other mutual friends.
Take a step back before you take her strange behaviour personally. You might just find that she is difficult with other people, not just you, and therefore you’ll know that really the problem lies with her.

Speak to your friend and explain how you feel.
If you really don’t feel like you’re going to make peace with this acquaintance, speak to your friend and tell them how you feel. If you promise to be civil in situations where you’re all together but ask that she make the effort to arrange activities that are reserved for just the two of you, she’ll appreciate your honesty and be glad that she knows where she stands.

If you want to know what inspired this piece,  get to your nearest HMV and get yourself a copy of Bridesmaids. And as for the annoying acquaintance, scratch a little deeper… she may just be a new friend you haven’t found yet.

Dream Jobs: The Jewellery Designer – Sarah Warner of Bits and Bows

You’re never fully dressed without a smile… or without your favourite accessories! If anyone knows this it’s Sarah Warner, 25, from Birmingham. She’s a fashion graduate, a mother of one and the founder of clothing and jewellery company Bits and Bows.

Bored of her retail job, Sarah decided to expand her passion for dressmaking into a business venture. Since then she’s been snapped up by online fashion boutique Truffle Shuffle and even seen her designs worn proudly by celebrities such as Cher Lloyd. I caught up with her to hear how she has managed to expand something that started as an enjoyable hobby into a full-time way of living.

Although you initially started as a dressmaker, you’ve since focused on lots of Bits and Bows jewellery collections. What was it that made you decide to take the brand down this route?
I started making some jewellery bits for friends and to sell on Facebook in the Summer of 2010, and as soon as I started I just knew that it was something I wanted to expand upon. It was a lovely change to attempt something new, and teaching myself a new trade was really exciting and fun! It was only really when Truffle Shuffle contacted me that my confidence grew, and I began to push the jewellery and accessories more than the clothing.

Your jewellery has since received media attention from the likes of OK! Extra and more! magazine, and even been seen on celebrities. How does that make you feel?
It’s honestly unbelievable. The first time it ever happened (more! magazine), a customer tweeted me saying they had spotted it. I haven’t ever run so fast to a shop in my life! It never gets boring; every single time it is featured or talked about it makes me so proud. I never dreamt that this would happen or that Bits and Bows would become such an established brand. It’s amazing to know all the hard work is paying off, and that what started as a hobby is actually now my life/career.

Some of your jewellery pieces are very niche, for example your beautiful food rings! What inspires you when you put together a collection?
I always try to look into future trends, as I did with clothing, so for example I monitor colours and textures in fabrics from collections. Sometimes, however, an idea will pop into my head and I just have to develop it. I’m very much a spur of the moment kind of person, so if an idea or project comes into my head I start working on it straight away. I also take inspiration from previous pieces that sold well and continue to do so.

Along the way a very special addition has been added to the Bits and Bows legacy… a beautiful baby, Daisy! How has your business strategy changed since becoming a mother?
I got a lot of, “Oh, so much for starting your own business…” when I found out I was pregnant, but it couldn’t have been more wrong! 2011 was the best year yet for Bits and Bows. It was quite hard settling back into work after having Daisy, but I was lucky in the fact that I could do things when she was asleep and choose my own hours. I love being a mumtrepreneur and I’m proud of what I have achieved for us.

For a while now you’ve been blogging alongside the Bits and Bows business. Do you think that this benefits the company, and, if so, how?
It’s going well and I’m receiving great comments from people. It’s nice to know that people want to read about my daily going-ons and views. I try to keep to a good balance of personal and business, as I think customers like to know what kind of person they are buying off. It has definitely helped with traffic to the website, and I’m hoping to bring lots of new things to the blog this year!

If you could style a celebrity in head to toe Bits and Bows, who would it be and why?
Without a doubt I’d style Jessie J. Her stylist actually requested some Bits and Bows so she had a load of goodies sent over! It would be my absolute dream to see her papped in them. I also love Katy Perry – I saw her in concert last year and have been a huge fan ever since. She is wonderful and I think that her quirky look that would represent the brand well.

What does the future hold for Bits and Bows? 
There will be more ‘buy it now’ clothing, new jewellery treats as always, and lots more to be announced soon… I just hope that people continue to spread the word and enjoy the goodies I sell!

Sarah’s top tips for being an entrepreneur:

• Work hard. Determination and motivation are key. You have to love what you are doing.
• Promote your business. Try to get your brand spoken about. For me, it is all about social networking. Share your website with people, you can build up great relationships with people this way, too.
• Don’t let negativity get you down. Do what you think is right. If you are going to be taken seriously you need to stay strong-headed and not let negative comments get you down! Take everything as constructive criticism and let it motivate you.
• Keep up to date on trends and style blogs – it’s god to know what people are loving at that time. Some of my favourite blogs are Temp-Sec, Mixed Gems, llymlrs and ifeellikeidreamtit.

I especially love Sarah’s story because she’s from the same small part of Birmingham as me. It just goes to show that you don’t have to be based in London to be huge… you just have to have a lot of ambition. www.bitsandbowsboutique.co.uk 

And now for the Bits and Bows GIVEAWAY!

To accompany her interview, Sarah has very kindly donated TWO surprise Bits and Bows packages for my first ever Mixed Gems giveaway! For your chance to win, simply enter your name and e-mail address via the contact form below*. Competition will close on Sunday 22nd January 2011 at 7.00pm and winners will be announced within 24 hours. It doesn’t matter where in the world you are, I am searching for winners from London to Ibiza, straight to LA, New York, Vegas to Africa! Good luck!

*Your details will be kept completely private, only used to notify you should you be successful. If the winner has not replied to their confirmation e-mail within 3 working days another winner will be announced.

Name(required)

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More in the Dream Jobs series:

• Dream Jobs: The Festival Fashionista – Sarah Flynn of Phestival

Tribal Marebands hit Peaches and Cream – Rihanna, eat your heart out

When it comes to gorgeous head pieces, there’s only one lady that you’ll ever need to turn to – Mary Donnelly, aka Big Mare. Mare creates her signature ‘Marebands’ in accordance with the seasons. For summer it’s beautiful flowered pieces, for winter it’s knitted pom-pom creations, and now, to honour the rise of Rihanna, Big Mare has taken Marebands to a whole new tribal level.

I nearly had a heart attack when I saw these photos of the girls at Peaches! I’m still in Birmingham at the moment so I was gutted to have missed all of the fun in Liverpool, but I couldn’t resist posting some photos of their gorgeous tribal photo shoot yesterday. Here’s the new collection, with some body painted inspiration of how to work the look.

Top tips on how to channel the tribe

• Don’t be afraid to play with body paint. Use Snazaroo face-paints or mix your favourite pigments with water to mark out your bold colours. For special trims and highlights, grab your Peaches and Cream glitters.

• Let your curls run free. If you’ve got natural curls then dry your hair upside down for extra volume, or alternatively you can use a curling wand and plenty of hairspray to get the look on straighter hair.

• Make sure you don’t forget to accessorize. Chunky jewellery will be just the thing to compliment your look – Nicola picked up this fabulous necklace from Phestival.

• Last but by no means least, remember that there is one key element when channelling the tribe… COLOUR! Make sure you mix erratic prints with hectic colour concoctions so that this look is really vibrant.

Now all you’ll need is a dose of Big Mare’s sense of humour, a copy of Rihanna’s latest album, a fabulous new Tribal Mareband and you’ll be ready to bring a bit of Barbados to Britain!

To shop the look, visit the Peaches and Cream online shop by clicking here. You can also buy Marebands from previous collections and snap up some glitters while you’re there. Enjoy!

Dream Jobs – The Festival Fashionista: Sarah Flynn of Phestival

Imagine making a living from partying your Summer away at all the best festivals? Your job would be to capture every hilarious moment on camera, be a source of information for every festival enthusiast, and – most importantly – to style the outfits of everyone present. For many this would be a dream job, but for Sarah Flynn (above, right), an ex-building surveyor from Liverpool, this is actually a wonderful reality.

24-year-old Sarah founded Phestival in 2009. Her company consists of everything from running a full-time website to visiting each festival and selling her Phestival goods. Although the company sees it’s busiest times in the Summer (with a killer 19-hour shift for the night-long Global Gathering festival!) the maintenance of the company and website keep her going throughout the year.

What inspired you to launch Phestival?

I was actually a building surveyor stuck in a ‘normal’ 9-5 job… Bored with the routine, I spent summer of 2008 attending every festival possible! I’m obsessed with personalised items and realised that at festivals there wasn’t anybody providing a photo or key ring service for memories! That’s when I considered doing it myself, only, instead of personalised key rings, we thought t-shirts would be better.

Is managing Phestival a full-time job?

Most people think that we are only busy in the Summer time as this is the festival season; however, the preparation that goes on behind the scenes is actually 24/7! At the moment I am applying to the festivals that I would like to trade at – most applications are released in January. Also, now that we have the online shop and the website, I spend every single day updating the site with current news and information so that people can find out all they need to know about any UK festival through Phestival.

One of the best bits of the job? "We sleep in the main area when everyone else gets kicked out!"

Are there any websites, magazines or celebrities you rely on to give you an indication of what will be popular in festival fashion?

I absolutely love Company magazine! They feature so much information on festival fashion and festival news that it gets me so excited. A celebrity that we rely on for festival fashion has to be Fearne Cotton. She is our ‘festival queen’. Everything she wears becomes an instant craze at a festival. Last year, for example, was the fluffy animal hat that she wore to Radio 1’s Big Weekend in May. After that people couldn’t get enough of the animal trapper hats!

Of all the festivals you’ve been to, which one did you enjoy the most, and why?

Our favourite festival so far has to be Global Gathering. It’s our favourite because it is relatively small in comparison to others (about 40,000 capacity). The team behind it are so laid back and fun that it rubs off on the festival and creates such a fun atmosphere.

Justin Lee Collins and his friends after purchasing a personalised Phestival t-shirt at V, 2011

Festival fashion has become a fashion movement of it’s own in recent years. Which 5 staple garments or accessories would you recommend to someone who was visiting a festival?

Festival staple garments haven’t changed in a while so they’re quite simple to follow…

1. Bright coloured wellington boots
   Everyone has a bright pair of hunter wellies with thick, colourful socks. No matter how nice the weather is, the grass still goes muddy because of the amount of people walking on it.
2. Sunglasses
   Whether it’s sunny or raining, sunglasses are an essential part of a festival outfit. Our biggest sellers are our RayBan Wayfarers as seen on Tinie Tempah and Rihanna.
3. Hotpants
   It doesn’t matter whether its thunder and lightning, you still wear hotpants. All the dancing and walking will keep your legs warm!
4. Flower garland
   The latest festival staple is the signature flower garland. Complete with a very hippy feel, every girl needs a flower in her hair to complete her look. (I’d recommend Big Mare’s Marebands. You take a peek at her bands by clicking here – Rose.)
5. A thin parker coat
   Nothing too big, just something that you can throw on when the sun goes down or when it rains just to stay dry. There’s nothing worse than getting soaked and then sleeping in a tent, you just wont dry off!

These Noir Jewelry NYC bracelets were popular this Summer after Beyonce was seen to sport one at Glastonbury

Sarah’s top tips for starting your own business:

• Visit www.businesslink.gov.uk for information on setting up the business.
• Meet as many people as possible in your field of work – the more you can spread the word about your business, the more you’ll open doors of opportunity.
• Don’t feel threatened by other brilliant companies. Take guidance from other sources but just be sure to make yours better!

The Phestival team with Sarah, third from the left.

In an economy where everyone seems to be so glum about making a living, it is so nice and refreshing to speak to a career driven girl who loves her job and started it from sheer determination!

If you feel inspired to go for your dream job after hearing Sarah’s story, remember to read my ‘How to Land Your Dream Internship or Job’ feature.

www.phestival.com

P.S Are you a student in Liverpool? Sarah is currently seeking an intern to assist in her social media and marketing. You’ll only be needed for one day a week, making this a wonderful and flexible opportunity! Click here to view the vacancy and for details on how to contact Sarah. 

Pretty in Preen – SS12

Of all of the SS12 collections I’ve seen so far, one in particular has stuck in mind as taking the pretty prize – that of Preen.

Preen has burst into Spring with a collection that is striking and soft in equal measures. Dainty floral prints are mixed with sharp tailoring to give a look that is pretty but assertive. This model is also seen to sport strong eyebrows against an otherwise fresh makeup configuration – perhaps to mirror the contrasts within the collection?

Finishing touches seem key to the Preen collection; in this dress, for example, a black waist gives extra definition and shape, meaning that she who wears it will not be drowned in the gentle tones of these colours.

Squared patterns are also included to add an almost digital vibe to such delicate prints and fabrics – could this be a physical representation of how fashion is evolving with the modern world?

Skirts are generally around the knee (either just above or below), making them perfect for a transition from Winter to Spring. High waists are key… ladies, these will go down a storm in the office!

To get the look for a fraction of the price, this is what you’ll need to look for:

• Pastel colours
• High waisted skirts
• Pretty blouses – all with high necklines
• Sleeves either short or three-quarter length
• White lace to layer over garments
• Splashes of black – think waist belts and ankle straps on heels

With Preen making an impact on the SS12 catwalk, high street copies will be everywhere. This could potentially mean you’ll turn up to a fabulous bar in the same skirt as three other ladies, so why not try scouring a vintage shop? Here’s a vintage skirt I purchased a few years ago which I think captures the Preen collection quite well, and the best part was it only cost me £5.00. (Only thing is, I can barely get one leg into the waist of it now, let alone my actual tummy… ha ha!)

How to remove Shellac nails at home

Since CND have brought out Shellac nails, I have been addicted. One thing that I think always helps you to look groomed is to have a neat set of nails, and because I’m terrible and bite my cuticles (repulsive, I know) I rely on my nails to tidy up my hands. Shellac is the perfect way to maintain a lovely manicure without the fuss of having to touch up chips every couple of days.

One thing that I always used to consider a downside, however, was the removal process. Shellac nails, although fabulous, aren’t cheap, and so I was never too keen on purchasing their removal pouches. My usual remedy would be to soak my fingers in acetone, but this really dries out my fingers and I wanted a slightly less severe method. Convinced that there must be an easier alternative, I did a bit of Googling and was pleasantly surprised.

A forum thread recommended soaking your own Shellac nails off using regular nail varnish remover (with a fairly high acetone percentage), cotton pads and tin foil. Without hesitation, I got to work.

What I used:

- Boots own brand nail polish remover
- A nail file
- Flat cotton pads
- Strips of tin foil

Firstly, I took three flat cotton wool pads and cut them into quarters.

Next, I cut ten strips of tin foil, each about an inch thick and three inches long.

With a top coat, two coats of Shellac polish and a base coat to penetrate, I decided to do a bit of chiseling before I started to soak my nails. Taking a regular nail file, I slightly buffed the top of each of my nails, taking care not to file any of my actual nail. This removed the shine from them and thus made it easier for the acetone to sink in.

I soaked a cotton quarter in nail varnish remover and placed it over one of my nails. Then, I used the tin foil to wrap it up tightly and allow it to soak. Apparently the tin foil helps the nail to heat up and therefore allows the acetone to really sink in to your nails. I did all five fingers of one hand (because once it was done I couldn’t do the other one!) and left them to soak for ten minutes.

Call me a complete amateur, but when the time came to scrape off the withered Shellac I just used my nails! The varnish had gone so soggy that it was just a case of lifting it off slightly using my thumbnail from the other hand. If there were any small nicks that just wouldn’t budge, I simply buffed them off using the nail file.

Although I had prepared supplies to use a fresh cotton quarter and tin foil strip for each finger, I actually found that my little finger packages slipped quite easily on and off so I reused the ones I had made on my other hand… the recessionista’s guide to nail care!

My nomination for the Marie Claire Beauty Twitter Feed Award

Today I had a wonderful e-mail… I’ve been longlisted for the Marie Claire Beauty Twitter Feed Award.

In light of this I am over the moon. Marie Claire is a magazine that I love to read and I’m thrilled that they’ve recognised my Twitter feed as a source for all things beauty.

One thing that I do think is important to note is why I talk about beauty so much. I have worked as a makeup artist at the most wonderful salon, Peaches and Cream in Liverpool, and without such a fabulous job I doubt I’d have had half of the substance for my tweets! You can find a link to the Peaches online shop in my side bar… be sure to treat yourself to some lashes and ‘Rose’ glitter.

As a beauty fanatic, and someone who loves scouring Twitter for the latest updates and photos from the industry, I would absolutely love to be shortlisted in this category. From now until January 20th I need your votes. After this time, the shortlist will be announced and those who reach the next stage of selection will be invited to a ceremony in London. Please do take the time to use the link below and vote, it would mean the world to me!

VOTE FOR @RoseGallagherr IN THE BEAUTY TWITTER FEED CATEGORY

Here’s a little photo from Christmas of me in my rollers… ha ha!

The awards have caused a lot of controversy today among fellow bloggers. Some bloggers have questioned the motives of Marie Claire, wondering whether the blog awards are an excuse for the magazine to gain publicity on nominees’ blogs. I completely understand that the point is valid, but I’m too happy with my nomination to care.

As a fairly new blogger (Mixed Gems was launched in September 2010), I have noticed trends among the blogger community as to who tends to get noticed in such competitions. This is not to say that these blogs aren’t fabulous, because obviously they’re being noticed for being great; but, it does mean that the likes of the Marie Claire awards can seem daunting and pointless to enter if you’re not an established blogger. Now, as a longlisted Twitter candidate, I have faith that smaller bloggers can break through these patterns and I have been inspired to enter other competitions in the future.

Congratulations to all nominated candidates. Instead of wondering about Marie Claire’s motives, I think we should all just be delighted and celebrate the recognition.

Want to see what all of the fuss is about? Visit my Twitter page.