Pick Flowers Not Fights

Top: c/o TK Maxx

Jeans: c/o Pop Couture

Flatforms: c/o Own The Runway

Ear cuff and necklace: c/o Kukee

Hope you've all had a good week and have lots of nice plans for the weekend! I am working most of it but then off to London on Sunday to celebrate Lily's birthday with lots of lovely bloggers :D 

Anyways on to todays outfit post. Following on from my post the other day this is the rest of the jewellery I was luckily enough to be sent from Kukee. Don't you just love the ear cuff? This is my very first ear cuff and I love it! Definitely have to wear this on a night out or something soon. 

The flatforms have made another appearance, I must've worn them 3 times this week. They're so easy to wear/style, and this time I opted for some loud printed jeans I received from Pop Couture the other month. I find patterns like this really hard to style but I think they work perfectly with this blouse. By keeping everything else minimal the jeans can do the talking :)

Glossybox June 2012

Glossybox serie exclusive pro beauty brush

Yves Rocher France mini mascara

BM Beauty bronzer

Clean Start by Dermalogica day/night 3-step kit

Vichy Dermablend Ultra-Corrective foundation cream stick

Another month, another Glossybox that I love. Yes to all the Glossybox own products. Last month was a compact mirror, this month is a brush, both of which are coming in very handy.

Recently I've had a lot of breakouts and so I've been treating my face with extra special care so I couldn't wait to try this Clean Start by Dermalogica. I have very sensitive skin too and this has been great. Also the toner is a gentle revitalizing type spray, so nice. Although it can take time morning and night you always feel so much better for it... cleanse, tone and moisturise girls!

Another BM Beauty product. Last time it was an eye shadow that I also used on my nails and this time it's a bronzer. Haven't used it yet but the eye shadow was really good so I'm sure I'll get my use out of it.

The Yves Rocher France mini mascara is so cute! I love mini's to take on nights out, so that's exactly what I'll be using this one for! Recently I've had lots of freebie mascara's so it's been hard to try them all but this ones been really good for a mini. I can definitely see the difference when using it.

And finally the Vichy Dermablend corrective foundation. I've never seen this before and I haven't used a spot stick since I was about 16. But I do tend to get spots still and I have a lot of scars/blemishes so this has been great to use. This small starter kit comes in 6 shades so it's good to work out which one suits your skin best if you want to then invest in it :)

Did you get this months Glossybox? What did you think?

On a side note I have seen a lot of negative views on Glossybox as a company and an idea of late. I have not experienced anything personally disrespectful from the company, but I know some of you have. This has put me in two minds whether or not to post about them in the future. My page views/comments have dwindled on these posts dramatically in the last month or so. I thought this was simply because I was quite slow on posting and with so many others posting the same things who wants to read the same 50 reviews?! However maybe this is not the only reason. Please do let me know if you enjoy my images/reviews and whether you'd like me to continue to post about Glossybox. Thank you.

Flatform love

Playsuit: c/o AX Paris

Belt: Vintage

Flatforms: c/o Own the Runway

Necklace: c/o Kukee

Rings: c/o Kukee and Hello Gorgeous

Lots to talk about in this post. Firstly I have lost my flatform virginity thanks to Own the Runway. And I have to say I love them! They're so comfortable and look great. Felt kinda weird when I first walked in them but I've got the hang of it now ha! I love that from the front they just look like wedges but they're flat so no achey feet! Woop. 

This playsuit is very similar to the last one I had from AX Paris, it's a gorgeous silky like fabric and fits perfectly. It was the pattern that drew me to it. As much as aztec has been massive I don't actually own anything particularly aztec so this is a welcome addition to my wardrobe. And it'll be great to dress up at night or wear casually with tights in the day. Playsuits are so versatile. 

And I have some lovely new jewellery bits! I was sent this beautiful necklace and tirangle ring from Kukee. I hadn't heard of them before but I can't rave about them enough now. They're items start from just £1!! Everything is so unbelievably good value. I am so happy with the neckalce, I wasn't sure how long it would be but I love the length. It's so delicate and dainty, feels really expensive but is actually a complete bargain! I would seriously say take a look at their website, you'll all love it!

And the really pretty green ring is from Hello Gorgeous. Another website selling ridiculously cheap jewellery so head on over and take a look :) This ring is just £2!

Hello Canvas

A couple of weeks ago I was contacted by a company called Hello Canvas. They specialise in printing photo's on canvas. In lots of different sizes they can print up to 36 x 56 inches! Prices begin at just £13 for the smallest size. 

The canvas I've had printed is 20 x 28 inches and I am SO pleased with the results. The image I gave them was of me and my best friend and wasn't a particularly huge file size. Yet the finished product is fantastic, the detail is spot on and I can't believe how perfectly printed it is on such a large sized canvas. 

This particular size retails at £39 but you can find all sizes/prices here.

It would make a perfect present for a loved one or friend, and a lovely landscape or your favourite photo could make a brilliant centre piece to a room. 

I was really impressed with the delivery too, my canvas arrived only a couple of days after sending the photo over. 

Lost at Sea

Dress: c/o Love

Shoes: c/o Oasap

Necklace, bracelet and ring: c/o Lost At Sea

I was sent this beautiful dress a while ago from Love but haven't managed to photograph it in this drab weather! It seems every day I have off it rains :( where has the Summer gone? I think this dress would be perfect to wear to a wedding or christening, or on holiday. So anyone want to get married, have a baby or take me on holiday, feel free! ;)

If you follow me on instagram (kimparslow) you may have seen me post about this jewellery from Lost At Sea. It came in the loveliest of packaging. They don't have a facebook or twitter page but you can find the full collection here and you can get 10% off with the code LOST9R4.

Ice-cream Cupcakes

Makes 8

4oz caster sugar

4oz butter

4oz self raising flour

2 eggs

Ok so I've totally stolen these from Katy. I saw her post about them the other week and knew I had to try them out. You may have seen me post a photo on instagram the other day, and a few of you asked em to put up the recipe so here you are!

My recipe makes roughly 8 although mine did rise quite a bit so you might be able to make like 9 out of it?! 

Anyway you basically make the cake mixture as normal. Cream the butter and sugar together, sift in the flour and add the eggs.

You then need to cover the ice-cream cones in foil so they don't burn in the oven.

You then need to put the cake mixture into the ice-cream cones. I filled mine up to about an inch from the top but they still rose a little too high. It's trial and error really.

You then bake them as normal. I baked mine on 160 degrees for about half an hour. I checked them at 20mins and they hadn't seem to cook at all so I didn't think they were going to work. But then about 10mins later they had risen and were cooked all the way through. 

It's best to stab them with a fork to double check the middle's not soft!

To decorate cream 4oz of butter and 8oz of icing sugar together and pipe! I split mine half and half and added a tablespoon of cocoa powder to the one half. I then piped them on top of the cooled cakes. Add sprinkles and a flake and you have ice-cream cupcakes :)

You can decorate them how you like. Could add nuts or ice-cream syrup to make them even more ice-cream like. The possibilities are endless!

Have fun baking! x

Indian Ocean

Models Own: Indian Ocean and Pastel Pink

I have finally got around to using my Indian Ocean polish I picked up from the Models Own bottle shop in London last month. I have heard mixed reviews about this particular polish from the Beetlejuice collection and I can see why. It isn't as strong a colour as say the 'Pinky Brown' shade and after two coats you can still see nail slightly. And I hate it when you can still see your nail tips through the polish, ew! However I then had the idea to do a nail design to funk them up a bit so I got out my trusty Pastel Pink and did this design. I hand paint this on, I find using tape is too tricky. And if your lines aren't perfect go over the seam with a nail art pen (I've used white) to hide any wobbly bits!

By doing the pink free hand you do end up with quite a bit of polish on your finger but I use a cotton bud dipped in remover to tidy it up :)

I have now used the Indian Ocean colour as a top coat over another polish and it's come out lovely so I may have to post this too!

Olive

This week Olive clothing updated their Facebook page with their latest lookbook 'Funfair' and I couldn't resist blogging a couple of my favourite photo's.

If you haven't heard of Olive before I'd recommend taking a look at their online boutique. Based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire their small boutique has grown over the last couple of years to stock many one off, vintage and beautiful pieces. I always pop by when I'm in Cheltenham and am now thrilled their online site is full of stock too. 

It's always nice to see a brand close to home do so well... similar to Yayer who are based in Herefordshire! Who would've thought it, not everything blossoms in the big smoke of London. 

If you have Tumblr or Pinterest follow me! I'm just starting to get into them both and there's plenty more photo's where these came from!

Love My Custom

Top: Topshop

Jeans: c/o Motel

Shoes: c/o Oasap

Necklace: c/o Love My Custom

I was gifted this beautiful piece of jewellery from a brand I hadn't heard of before called Love My Custom. Started in 2010 by Lisa-Marie, the brand makes unusual, statement jewellery inspired by art. Based in the UK, LMC are a true testament to British design with everything hand made and Lisa-Marie can make bespoke, custom jewellery if you have a particular idea. 

LMC have now been represented by big names such as Rita Ora and Kelly Rowland to name but a few, so I feel very privileged to now own a piece from the current collection.   

This particular necklace is called Peaches and Cream and you can buy it for £55. The name is apt for the colours used which I love for the Spring/Summer pastel trend. It comes on a 16inch gold chain which can be shortened to whichever length you wish so you could wear it higher possibly under a collar. 

So if you like your bright, unique, statement jewellery I'd definitely recommend taking a look at the LMC collection, it's really like nothing I've come across before.

Feel The Love

Dress: c/o Sugarlips

Clutch bag: Dorothy Perkins

Shoes: c/o So You Shoes

Hope you've all had a good weekend! The title of this post is from Rudimental's new song as I spent last night dancing away to it live. To say I've had a good weekend is an understatement :) Really not feeling like going to work tomorrow ha!

On to the post, I was sent this dress from the guys at Sugarlips who I've blogged about before. I absolutely adore this dress, the mix of a neutral nude colour and the neon lemon yellow works perfectly. It's called Opposites Attract on the website, how sweet. I don't own and one strap dresses or top and never thought they'd suit me but I really like this one and it's elasticated high waist fits so well. I can't wait to wear it maybe for a meal or it would be perfect in the evening on holiday somewhere hot.

I teamed the dress with my new wedges from So You Shoes. There's a lot of colours going on in this outfit but I think although the shoes are bright they compliment the dress well. They are extremely high wedges! I have high shoes but these are incredible, definitely a statement piece to any outfit :) 

Indigo Elephant

Dress: Dixi

Jacket: Tesco

Necklace: c/o Indigo Elephant

Ring: c/o Raspberry Grape

Probably my most favourite dress in the World. Have blogged about it so many times but here it is again :) And today I've teamed it with some super cute jewellery! I received this beautiful feather necklace from Indigo Elephant the other week and it came it the most beautiful, customised packaging!

If you haven't heard of them before, like I hadn't, check out their bigcartel! It's fully of lovely items. This feather necklace is a bargain at only £6.50 too :)

And the Raspberry Grape ring makes a second appearance... still haven't been able to take it off yet. 

Hope you're all having a good weekend! I have been off work from yesterday until Monday woop! Long weekend for moi. Off to Hereford tonight to watch the footie with the lads?! Hmm not really my thing but I haven't seen some of my guy friends for ages. It's bound to end up in me being a stupidly drunken mess, whenever I go out in Hereford it always happens to me, I'm jinxed there! Ha!

And thennnn tomorrow I'm off to Bristol again for another night at Motion. This time it's Shit The Bed and the likes of Rudimental, Skream and P Money, very excited! Already dreading the hang over on Sunday though :(

Don't forget if you haven't already enter my Dixi giveaway! It ends on Sunday.

Nail Bow Transfers

I've used the Ciate nail polish in 'bon bon' that was free in this months Glamour mag!

A while ago I remember seeing this post from Vicky where she'd used cute sugar skull nail transfers. So I immediately followed her link to this eBay seller where I then bought these bow ones, peacock feather ones and some sugar skulls of my own.

A few weeks ago I tried the peacock ones but they didn't come out very well, it was my first attempt at using them so now I've tried again they worked much better.

Basically you need to cut the transfers out as close to the edge of the images as possible then soak them in water for about 30 seconds. Carefully place them on the nail, I used tweezers. But be careful, they can be hard to move once on if you've got them in the wrong spot. And too much fiddling about can result in the image coming off in places, which happened the first time I used them! Even though they're a little tricky I would still recommend them, they look really fun and last well. With a top coat they didn't chip or anything.