Temporary blogging break

Hello!

I apologise for not having posted very much recently. I've been rushed off my feet with Leeds Festival, my film, my shop and my music. I'm also having some technical problems with my laptop and wifi, everything has kicked off at once! Have a few music and fashion posts lined up for when I get the chance to get on a computer again.
Hope everyone has had a fantastic summer and I look forward to posting soon.

Courtney
xxx

Poetry: Ice

Take me home
away from the cold
to the fire,
to the hearth of it all.
Take my ribcage
into the palms
of your hands,
let them leave trails like frost.
Run your finger
down my spine
let it sit,
let it stay.
Pull me from
the icy grasps of jealousy,
the sting of being left outside in the snow.

Poetry: You Are

You are the itch on the inside of a vital organ,

the clench of a fist,

the stretch of a hand,

the crease of a brow,

the hot steam of caffeine,

the cold sting of a glass bottle.

An opened mail,

an empty message,

a hollow eye.

Poetry: Human

Bewildered, we travel

all whirring mechanisms,

all guns blazing.

A burning fire that eventually, like all things,

will fade away.

We falter and splinter into smaller and weaker parts.

Each second chisels away at our hearts until there is little left

but an empty space

where the cogs used to whirr.

Fashion: Jewellery posted!

Améliorer site

Facebook page

Kitsch button earrings

£4.00

Grrrl Style beaded bracelet

£3.00

Mwah lettered bracelet

£3.00

Iridescent heart drop earrings

£3.50

Kitsch pink butterfly earrings

£4.00

I am running a competition on the Facebook page. To enter, simply like the page and share this photo for a chance to win one of five 50% off discount codes.

Shop: New stock for Améliorer on Etsy

My Etsy shop, Améliorer, will be gaining lots and lots of new stock in a few hours time! I've been working very hard to create a load of original and quirky handmade pieces of jewellery. Have a browse of the Facebook page for more photos of new stock.

More good news: everything will be very reasonably priced! Bracelets will have a maximum price of £3 and necklaces will range from £6.

Be excited!

I've made all of the labels out of my old photographs and postcards.

Art: The Marvellous Adventures of Morricat

Adventures: Off to the Races (Leicester Racecourse)

Fashion: Races makeup tutorial

Subtle lilac and gold eye with cherry lips

1. Firstly, I used my low coverage Benefit Some Kind-a Gorgeous in Lite. I then followed this with Collection 2000 Pressed Powder in Ivory. I like to give my skin a matte finish rather than a dewy one. I also like matte skin with a metallic eye. As my skin isn't the greatest, this combination of cosmetics is great as it's very light and not cakey.

2. I then highlighted the arch of my eye with the neutral shade in Natural Collection Mocha/Latte duo eyeshadow. On top of this and onto the brow bone I applied L'oreal Paris Color Appeal in Pure Gold. It's a lovely shade and is very subtle, just a few flecks of gold to highlight- perfect!

3. To add some colour, I applied the metallic lilac from Front Cover Micro Rainbow eyes to the lids. This is quite weakly pigmented, so I layered up the darker purple colour towards the lash line and blended so it looked softer.

4. I lined the top lash line with Grey Utility Powerpoint Eye Pencil by Mac and drew a slight flick. I also brought some of this under the outer edge of the lower lash line. As I'm a bit of a sixties eyeliner fiend, I layered some of Natural Collection black eyeliner along the top lash line for a little more definition.

5. The mascara I used was Big Fake false lash effect by Natural Collection in Brown Black. I would absolutely recommend this product. One of my favourites. It's not clumpy at all, lasts all day and night, provides great volume and length, and is super cheap!

6. To finish, I used Toffee Waffle by 17. This is surprisingly good and lasts for rather a long amount of time!

(I am incapable of taking a serious/nice photo)

It's quite a nice little summery, quick, cheap and easy look!

Fashion: L'oreal Color Genius app

After seeing an advert for free app 'L'oreal Color Genius' I decided to give it a go. The app promises to help the user accessorise their make up to their outfit. 

The app requires a photo to co-ordinate the palette to. I was giving my new Topshop flower dress a first outing.

These were some of the options I was given and I liked the idea of doing something light and pretty for my day out at the races as usually I go for a fairly heavy black and white sixties look with pale lips.

Here's what I came up with:

I like this app! I like the colour suggestions and the ability to choose between day and night and match, blend and clash. It works very quickly and is convenient for use in the morning. This whole look took me about fifteen/twenty minutes. Seems as I've only used this for morning, the nail painting suggestion was a little ambitious given I'm late for everything, including waking up. However, I will use it one day! Going to post the tutorial in the next post, keep an eye out!

Music: Badass Females

My favourite of my Spotify playlists right now is 'badass females'. I'm a big fan of fabulous female musicians and had to build a collection of my favourites and their most badass songs.

You can listen and subscribe to the Spotify playlist here.

Azealia Banks – 212
Lana Del Rey – Radio
Lana Del Rey – Carmen
Lana Del Rey – Lolita
Lana Del Rey – Off To The Races
Marina and The Diamonds – Bubblegum Bitch
Marina and The Diamonds – Homewrecker
Marina and The Diamonds – Sex Yeah
Marina and The Diamonds – Girls
Marina and The Diamonds – I Am Not A Robot
Azealia Banks – Liquorice
Azealia Banks – 1991
Beyoncé – Sweet Dreams
Beyoncé – Why Don't You Love Me
Joan Jett & The Blackhearts – I Wanna Be Your Dog
The Runaways – Cherry Bomb
The Runaways – You Drive Me Wild
Suzi Quatro – The Wild One - 7'' Single Version
Blondie – One Way or Another
Blondie – Hanging On The Telephone
Florence + The Machine – Shake It Out
Florence + The Machine – Never Let Me Go
Lykke Li – Complaint Department
Lykke Li – I'm Good, I'm Gone
Bikini Kill – Rebel Girl
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Date With The Night
Best Coast – Bratty B
Kimya Dawson – So Nice So Smart
Shakira featuring Wyclef Jean – Hips Don't Lie (featuring Wyclef Jean)
Destiny's Child – Survivor
Destiny's Child – Bootylicious
Liza Minnelli – Mein Herr
Edith Piaf – Non, je ne regrette rien
Etta James – At Last - Single Version
Nancy Sinatra – These Boots Are Made For Walkin'
Ida Maria – Queen Of The World

Goodness: keep it bright

Keepin' it Bright

'keep it bright' is the movement and dream started by Zara Khalique. Zara lives in Manchester and promotes all round goodness and peace. Her website http://www.allihavetodoisdream.co.uk/ is possibly my favourite website of all time. Full of inspiration and motivation for even the rainiest of days, keep it bright is worth having a look through.

In addition to sharing quotes to kick start a smile, Zara also sells products to brighten up every day, as well as her own clothing range 'Dream Factory'.

Mission Statement Mug £8

Forever Pocketbook £4.50

The 'Someone's Everything' anti-violence campaign is her next step towards making this world a better place. Zara places importance on the terrible consequences of meaningless violent acts. Take a look at the page for more information. 

What an inspiration. This girl's going to take over the world, and we're all going to be very happy when it happens.