Blogging: helpful sites.

 Hello everyone, having a fun Friday? 

I have wanted to do this post for the longest time, but I've only recently worked out how to save screenshots in order to get them onto blogger (thank you paint!) so with that conquered, I got straight to it. 

I use all of these sights on a regular basis in order to help run my blog, they are all gorgeously laid out, easy to use, and most of all- inspiring! 

 -Pinterest-

Ah, the site that dreams are made of! I use Pinterest for everything and anything; if I need a pretty picture for a post (try saying that six times), some inspiration on a dreary day, or even for school work - I must say it has been invaluable for textiles! I have nineteen boards on the go and I love them all. I'll warn you  now - it's dangerously addictive if you are a fashion photography lover like me...

 -Bloglovin-

I use Bloglovin to follow all the blogs I read, frequently using the like button (something that isn't available on GFC) to support my favourite blogs. I check it regularly throughout the day and genuinely look forward to reading new posts. It is also not just for bloggers, I wish I had known about it before I started mine because it would have made things a lot easier. If you don't use Bloglovin' then I assure you - you should! 

 -PicMonkey-

This is the site I use to edit all of my pictures (even this one- ohh Inception!), and even created my banner on it so I love it to bits. It has countless filters, overlays, fonts and collage options; I would honestly now struggle without it.  It is so easy to use, and they always update it and add fancy new effects. It is free, but you can get all the shiny buttons and whistles on the `Royale` version which costs a few pounds a month - however it you can currently get a weeks worth for free!

 -Polyvore-

People are so creative on Polyvore, creating gorgeous sets of interiors or drool worthy outfits. I personally like to use it to create my wishlists and trend posts. It took a little bit of getting used to for me (I found things were not in the most obvious places) but now I think I have mastered it. It is fab for us bloggers because it has the ability to automatically post to blogger- perfect!

Feel free to follow me on these platforms buy clicking the links above the images. I hope you found this post helpful or interesting- I love discovering new sites so let me know your favorites! 

14 goals for 2014.

Hello everyone, Happy new year! 

I literally do not know where 2013 has gone, for me it was pretty good, actually thinking about it, it was great :) Although I'm not the biggest fan of change, I have a good feeling about 2014 and I am determined to make it amazing. 

I'm not usually one for really making new years resolutions, but I have deiced to set my self fourteen goals (seven blog related, and seven personal) in the hopes that if they are written down, I will be far more likely to stick to them.

Blogging goals:

1. Try to post at least once a week, I do this normally, however this is my exam year (GCSE's will be the death of me I'm sure of it) so I'll be under much more pressure and have lots of revision to do, but I am determined to keep my blog going. 

2. Refresh my design; whether it's just little tweaks here and there or a full on change, I'm sure to get bored of it at some point! 

3. Join this century and get Twitter and link it to my blog, and perhaps to the same with my Instagram account account. 

4. Do more collab posts; I love the blogging community dearly so I want to really throw myself into it and engage directly wit more bloggers.

5. Attend a blogger meet up or event (see above!)

6. Do more lifestyle posts. I really enjoy doing my Instagram/general life round up posts, so I need to do more!

7. Perhaps reach between 400 and 500 followers? I don't want to jinx it because that is a lot of people if you ask me, but if I did my life would be made!

Personal goals; 

1. Do well in my GCSE's; I'm hoping to get all B to A* and am fully prepared to work hard to get those results.  Wish me luck! 

2. Stress less. I am awful at worrying and then ending up getting myself into a state, normally at moment when I need to be working hard. I am going to really try not to breakdown every time something gets tough and instead channel that negative energy into something positive. 

3. Get a second ear piercing, I want to do it around my 16th birthday in April, so I guess we'll have to wait and see!

4. Drink more water; I'm already pretty good at this, but I'm going try and drink a bottle every. single. day. 

5. Change my room about. I'm desperate to refresh my room. Just like the blog, I'm getting bored of it! 

6. Explore different  makeup and clothing looks, I think it could be interesting! 

7. Get up earlier at the weekends; I am guilty of staying in bed for far too long on those lazy Saturday and Sunday mornings, but I want to really make the most of my time this year and not waste my time lying in bed re-watching YouTube videos! 

I'm going to make this into a page next to my bucket list, so check to see If I check things off! 

I wish you all the bets for 2014 and I hope your feeling as positive about the New Year as I am :) 

Mercedes-Benz #SocialReporter: Summer trends competition.

Hello my lovelies, I hope your all enjoying the bank holiday :) 

I was recently contacted to bring you guys the  `Mercedes-Benz #SocialReporter` competition. The Idea is you `Submit an entry that represents your summer look for 2013 – i.e. all the things that have excited you about the UK fashion scene this season and you could get your chic on as Mercedes-Benz's #SocialReporter for fashion. You can add as many pieces of content from as many social channels as you like` Sound good? 

For my entry, I created an outfit  which combines all of my favourite summer trends;  

I think this would be perfect for a causal day in a seaside town, picture this on the beach, the pier, in a cute cafe and then for a mooch round the shops! 

I love all of these pieces individually but even more as a whole.The super 90's thing going on this summer instantly makes me think of a scrunchie, which makes me want Zoella's hair even more (is that possible though?) because I think it would look amazing in a high ponytail with all that ombre going on.

 If you have been reading my blog this summer then you must know I have a whole lot of love for yellow nail polish and crop tops, often in the same post and the ones above set my heart a'beating.

 I have been eyeing up this gorgeous skirt Topshop skirt literally all summer, and I think it is now out of stock *cries*, but never the less graphic prints and midi skirts have been all the rage this season. 

Boho, Hippy chic, festival inspired; what ever you want to call it, this trend  has been having a moment, every summer of course, but this summer the high-street went crazy with those vibes, and I was definitely not complaining. 

And last but by no-means least, white, particularly in the form of converse, which I personally have lived in this summer!  

So for me, this outfit is summer 2013, and I rather like it :) 

So, you've created your look, now what? Well you simply add your entry to the site and you're entered into the competition. And let me tell you, the winner is a lucky one, because this is the prize; `Submit an entry that represents your summer look of 2013 for the chance to win access to an exclusive fashion event with Mercedes-Benz. You will be mingling with celebrities and VIP’s and report your experience back via social media. Activities include interviewing Tanya Burr over lunch and attending a fashion party and events. Round trip travel to London, accommodation and a personal chauffeur are included. So decide your look – is it what you wore to a festival, how you styled your favourite summer trend or a selfie of you looking summery and upload to the Social Reporter site`

This competition closes in two days (the 28th of August) so get your entries in ASAP to be in with a chance of winning! 

What do you think of my entry? Whats your favourite trend been this summer? 

Leave comment letting me know if you enter and I'll defo check it out! 

The seven deadly sins of beauty tag.

Hiya cherubs :)

My lovely blogging buddy Janiecy recently tagged me to do the `seven deadly sins of beauty` tag. I've seen this all over Youtube but not so much on blogs, so I'm excited to do it! 

Edited by me, orginal image found here.

The idea of this tag is that you are asked a question that corresponds with one of the `7 deadly sins`. Lets get started :) 

1. Greed: What is your most expensive beauty item?

I'm not a high end makeup girl at all, it's not that I wouldn't like to be (believe me) it's just my paper- round doesn't get me very far in a beauty hall! I do however have one MAC lipstick so that I think. On a side note, why have they put the lipsticks up by a pound? as is £14 wasn't enough! 

2. Gluttony: Which brand makes up the most of your collection?

I'm not particularly faithful to one brand, I like a bit of everything but overall I think either Rimmel or Maybelline. *Runs upstairs to check*

3. Wraith: Which beauty item do you have the biggest love hate relationship with?

I had to think quite hard about this one, but I reckon its the Rimmel Apocolips. I absolutely love the intensity of the colours and the finish they have, however I find they can be a bit of a pain to actually apply and I am not a fan of the taste at all . So I wouldn't necessarily say  it's a love hate relationship, more of a love/find- it-slightly-annoying relationship :)

4. Sloth: Which beauty product do you neglect due to laziness?

Like Janiecy, I don't always use my eyelash curlers, yep, guilty as charged on that one.  

5. Pride: Which beauty item gives you the most self-confidence?

Probably a nice bold lip, I feel a slick of lipstick can really brighten up a dull outfit and my mood!

6. Lust: Which item is at the top of your beauty wish list?

So many! I'm always seeing things I fancy adding to the old collection. At the moment though is a MAC pro eyeshadow palette, a YSL Rouge volupte lipstick and the Nars Laguna bronzer. Well a girl can dream!

7. Envy: Which make up product or look do you think looks great on others but not on yourself?

Without a doubt, Nude lipstick. It  completely washes me out and just makes me look ill! I'm not sure if this is something I've just got into my head but from past experience a nude lip is a `no`. Let me know if you struggle with nude lipstick as well! 

I really enjoyed this tag! Now I would like to tag...

1.Emma

2. Kia

3.Lydia

4.Alex

5.Ellie

If I haven't tagged you specifically please still do this tag! I would love to read your answers :) 

20 questions with bowsandbrushes.

Hi my lovelies,

I have quite an exciting post for you today! Me and my gorgeous Aussie chum Alex have been working on this for quite awhile now so I hope you like it :) Just to give you a bit of insight, Alex asked for my email a while ago which I was totally delighted by and we have been emailing back and forth ever since, and I like to think we've become quite close *awwww* But anyway, I need to stop nattering on and get onto Alex's answers to our questions! 

Would you look at that gorgeous face!

1. Name your top 3 places you would like to travel to? 

I'd love to go to London, New York and Verona in Italy. I love traveling so being anywhere foreign would make me happy! 

2. What is your favourite blog to read? 

I freakin love Louise from SprinkleofGlitter. Her blog is so perfect! The perfect mixture of beauty, fashion, silly and lifestyle posts! And I adore her little baby girl Darcy too she is just too cute.

3. What is one app you are addicted to (game)? 

It's a tie between Hay Day and Candy Crush, I can't stop playing them! 

4. Are you a bath or shower person?

Well, it depends on what mood i'm in. If i want to get the job done quickly or need to wash my hair i'll have a shower but if i'm tired or it's cold and/or raining or been a long day or i'm just not feeling the best a hot bath with bubbles and a lush bath bomb is all I want. 

5. Blusher or bronzer? 

Blusher. I naturally have quite tanned skin so I rarely use bronzer as it makes my face look muddy. 

6. What is your favourite animal?

I'm quite in love with woodland creatures. Ya know...deers, bunny rabbits, squirrels, owls, that sort of thing. I think it comes from my obsession with Bambi. 

7. Tea or coffee? 

Tea all the way. I really dislike coffee and I only drink it of i'm super super tired or if i'm in the city with my friends because they all get one and I cave to peer pressure :P

8. Favourite drug store beauty brand? 

Ooh! ermm .....I think Rimmel. A big portion of my makeup collection is Rimmel so I think that makes it my favourite. 

9. Where did you get the idea for your blog name? 

Ok so I really love bows (they're kinda my "thing") and i'm never without one in my hair or somewhere on my body and the day I made my blog I had just ordered a 32 piece brush set off eBay for $11 (!!!!!!) and I was really excited about it so brushes it was! 

10. What are your 5 makeup travel essentials? 

Wow! ok um...My Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation, my Maybelline "The Falsies" mascara, my Rimmel Stay Matte powder, my Topshop cream blush in Morning Dew and last but not least my MAC lippy in CHatterbox! (wow that was hard!) 

11. Why did you start blogging?

I started blogging because, like Alice, one of my favourite things to do is read blogs and I thought it would be fun to give it a whirl and see how it goes and maybe make some new friends along the way! I adore photography as well (even though I have to use my iPhone) so I thought blogging would be a good way to improve at that as well. 

12. Whats your favourite Magazine?

It depends what mood i'm in. I usually buy Frankie which I LOVE (the pages are a really cool texture and it seriously excites me) or Marie Claire but if i'm having a bad day or I don't want to think too much I get Cosmo. 

13. Do you have any pet's?

Indeed I do! I have a serious obsession with woodland creatures and the only one that I can legally own is a bunny rabbit so I got one! Her name is Jas and she's white with grey ears and nose and fluffy and i bloody love her so much, she's adorable! 

14. Wheres the furthest you've ever been from home? 

I went to Europe a couple of years ago so thats definitely the furthest away from home i've been. I adore travelling so hopefully I can go even further one day! 

15. What's your perfect meal?

I literally love all food.....like, LOVE it but I think i'm gonna have to say a traditional bake dinner. I have them every monday night at my nans and it's the highlight of my mondays. 

16.Do you have a favourite colour?

NEON PINK BABY 

17. If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

I never know how to answer this question! Eeerrrmmm....maybe invisibility? I really don't know there are so many cool super powers out there I can't choose. 

18. What's one thing in your wardrobe you can't live without?

I'm gonna have to agree with Alice and say skater skirts. I have about a million and I'm always in them. If I didn't have them I would probably be naked 90% of the time (hey now!) 

19. Are you good at any sports?

Kinda! I've been dancing for 10 years now so i'm ok at that and I play netball as well which i'm pretty good at if I do say so myself! (ah, and there's my modesty!) 

20. What's your biggest fear?  

Frickin vomit. It petrifies me so much. I have to run away when somebody throws up and it makes me feel nauseous and dizzy. Not my vom though, only other peoples. Weird hey?

So there we have it! I really hope you enjoyed this post :) My answer to these questions will be up on Alex's blog at a similar time to this hopefully (damn you timezones!) so please go over there and show her some love!

Alex's blog; Bowsandbrushes

Do you have any blogging friends from another country? 

50 followers giveaway.

Hello sweets, I hope your all having a good saturday so far, check out the weather! I'm so glad summer has finally decided to arrive :)

Yesterday I finally got  the last bits for my giveaway, so here it is; 

I'm afraid I haven't got a prada handbag or a trip to LA to offer you, but believe me if money was no object I would have! I have picked out some of my favourite makeup/ beauty bits for the winner so I hope you guys like what on offer!

So, the winner will receive: 

Two philosophy samples, one being  `hope in a jar` and the other `eye hope`.

Lush `Sweetie pie` shower gel.

Two Maybelline colour show nail polishes in `electric pink (from the neon collection) and `pow green`.

Along came Betty bath crystals 

A topshop bracelet

And the MUA `undress me too` palette. 

I am running this giveaway through Rafflecopter so the winner will be completely random. This is only open to UK residents, sorry if you live overseas, I do want to do an international giveaway at some point though!

In order to win this giveaway you must follow me on bloglovin and leave a comment with your email address and a suggestion of what you would like to see on my blog . For an additional entrance, you can follow me on Instagram  You could also write a blog post about this giveaway 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Goodbye GFC.

I'm sure you are aware that Google friend connect is leaving us *sobs*, this means that everyone following you on GFC will not be no more, to be honest, this is just annoying, I don't really see what anyone gets out of it! Yeah. I'm talking to you Google. 

However fear not, because Bloglovin has come to save the day :) Personally, I really like reading posts on Bloglovin. The android app is really good, and as I do most of my blog reading on my phone, it suits me perfectly and as the majority of my followers are on Bloglovin, I'm mostly OK. However, if you are only following me on GFC, then please do switch to bloglovin to carry on being notified of my  posts :) Every follower means a tonne to me and I cant wait to do a little giveaway when I reach that magic number 50! 

Love you all lots 

Alice

x

Liebster award!

Guess what, I've been nominated for the Liebster award! I would first like to thank the lovely Valeriya for nominating me :) (check her out, her blog's gorgeous!) 

The idea of this award is that you nominate 11 people , they then ask you 11 questions which you answer, as well as adding 11 facts about yourself. Next  you do the same for 11 other bloggers, asking them 11 of your own questions, get it?

So,without further-a-do, lets get onto the questions Valeriya asked me :)

1. What's your favourite colour of lipstick?

I would have to say red, I do love a bold lip! I find a slick of red lipstick can really make an otherwise plain outfit, and totally boost my confidence. I really want to purchase Mac Ruby woo, but my favourite is the Kate Moss for Rimmel lipstick in the first shade. 

2.Why did you start a blog?

One of my favourite things to do is read blogs, and I had done for quite a while before starting my own, I wanted to be able to comment on posts I loved and generally get involved in Blogging. I'm also a total fashion and beauty addict, so I thought starting a blog would be the perfect way to share that with other like minded people :) I also love English and writing so that's another bonus for me!

3.Which place would you like to visit?

This is such a hard question for me, because one of the things I really want to do in life is travel! I think at the moment I would have to say its between America, specifically New York, or Paris. A bit of a cliche, but I would really love to visit both places :)

4.What is your favourite genre of music?

I think I would have to say `pop`, even though that really makes me cringe! I love artists like Ellie Goulding, Bastille, Taylor Swift and Nina Nesbitt. I wouldn't say that I have the most mainstream music taste, I wont like a song just because it in the charts or everyone else like it anyway, but I'm really hypocritical; I'll really hate a song one day, and then I wont stop singing it the next!

 5. How often do you use hair straighteners, curlers, etc.?

Honestly? practically everyday. It sounds bad, but I have to blow dry my hair after I wash it because a) It takes forever to dry and b) it looks really awful if I don't  I also have to whip out the old curling wand as naturally I just have awkward flicks for hair. But don't worry, I use all the heat protection sprays I need ;)

6. What kind of a camera do you use?

I use my mums camera, which is the Nikon coolpix P100, not really sure what else to say!

7. What phone do you use?

I use a HTC Desire HD, which I love. I would defo recommend it if you don't want an Iphone :)

8. Your favourite magazine to read?

It was Shout, but I have recently been buying Company a lot more, which I really like.

9. List 5 of your favourite blogs to read.

This is really hard to pick just five, but I think I'm going to say; 

Sprinkle of glitter (I've actually had the pleasure of meeting the lovely Louise)
Cider with Rosie
Velvet ghost
What rebecca rose knows
Flutter and sparkle

10. Which high-end brand would you like to try?

This is a really good question for me, because I'm defo a `drugstore` girl! I really want to try out some Nars products, particularly the Lagoona bronzer and their eye shadow duos, let me know if you've try these!

11. Which place do you shop at the most?

I don't really shop in one place in particular, but I would say my main places are H&M, Primark and Topshop!

11 facts about me: 

1. I'm am currently taking my GCSE's, and am studding English language, literature, humanities, math, science, french, drama, history and textiles.

2. I have a bit of an addiction to organising ; all my nail polishes are sorted by brand, then colour, my make up all has a specific place, and I actually don't mind tiding my room!

3. Watching YouTube video's is one of my favourite things to do.

4. I'm not really sure what I want to do career wise, put I'm thinking maybe something to do with people, retail or media.

5. I once fainted at a swimming pool, wearing only a towel *awkward experience*

6. I really want two sausage dogs, their adorable.

7. I love Audrey Hepburn, I just think she is style and elegance personified.

8. I think rudeness is one of the worst traits a person can have.

9. I made one of my best friends by tapping them on the shoulder in the playground at our primary school on the first day and saying, "do you want to be best friends with me?" and we have been ever since. If only everything in life was that easy!

10.I do a paper round every Thursday,( even all that snow and ice didn't stop me!) and for my work experience soon I'm going to be working in Tea monkey, I'm really dreading dropping something!

 11.My nickname is `Alleybongo`, not really sure why, it just stuck!

My nominated Bloggers/blogs:
1.http://how-to-smell-the-couture.blogspot.co.uk
2.http://bowsandbrushes.blogspot.co.uk
3.http://www.beautybaroness.co.uk
4.http://makemeupkia.blogspot.co.uk
5.http://daintysprinkles.blogspot.co.uk
6.http://teenagedaydreams.blogspot.co.uk
7.http://tawnyfawns.blogspot.co.uk
8.http://victoria-emma.blogspot.co.uk
9.http://whatrebeccaroseknows.blogspot.co.uk
10.http://olwynsworld.blogspot.co.uk
11.http://ditsysprinkles.blogspot.co.uk

My questions:
1. Describe your style in one word.
2.What do you consider your greatest achievement?
3. Whats your favourite kind of blog post to read?
4. What's your favourite colour?
5. Phone or computer?
6.Jeans and converse or dress and heels?
7.Whats one beauty Item you couldn't live without?
8. Do you have a favourite memory?
9. Who is your inspiration?
10. When did you get into make up?
11. If you had one wish what would you wish for?

There you go! Thanks again to Valeriya for nominating me, I hope the people I've nominated have fun with this :)

Alice
x