Check & Tartan prints

Checks and Tartan prints are one of the hottest trends of A/W 14. If you haven't seen someone,
looking dapper in a check or tartan print so far this season then you must have been walking around with your eyes shut. There are some excellent finds out there on the High Street for us that are working on a tighter budget. Here are my top 5 picks of checks and Tartan all under £20 BARGAIN!

  

Tartan Scarf – River Island £15

Tartan scarves are great to throw on with a leather or denim jacket to keep you cosy in
colder months and can effortlessly add a pop of colour, texture and pattern to an otherwise simple outfit.

Check Print Headscarf – ASOS £6

Whether you’re rocking an up-do, or you've let your hair down this headscarf would look super cute wrapped around a bun or tied around your crown with a fringe.

Checked Woven Skort – Boohoo £15

This skort is a steal from Boohoo at just £15! This item is something that you can dress up for a night out or play it down for a day time look. We love the 90s vibes here – perfect! 

Grey Tartan Trousers – Select £13.99

These trousers have a flattering slim fit and a high waist so will look splendid on any ladies’ figure. Style these with a plain black crop and a pair of chunky heels for an evening look or wear with a baggy t-shirt and flats for a more casual outfit.

Yellow Check Tunic Dress – New Look £19.99

A stunning dress that will work well with practically any accessories, shoes or bag – New Look have done excellently with this design.  Throw this dress on with a pair of woolly tights to keep you warm this autumn.

This is a bit different to my usual posts so I hope you lovely lot liked it. I'm going to be trying a few new things over the next few weeks so keep your eyes peeled.

Alex x

Chokers

I love wearing chokers! They just take me down memory lane- where my younger self stops of at Claire's to nag my mum for a tattoo choker. On top of that they make me feel like that edgy girl from the films (I can dream). Over the past year chokers seemed to have grown in popularity meaning I me and my fellow choker lovers can stock up for when they stop being cool again (but let us take a minute to pray that won't happen).

Here is the latest choker I added to my collection. It came to me in Ark. It jumped up and Down on the counter sjhouting 'ALEX BUY MEEEEE!' so I did. It has a lovely soft velvet cord and fastens at the back. The chokers at Ark are one size fits all but the chain you attatch the clasp to is pretty long so I can't imagine it being a problem for anyone.

The choker in this picture isn't strictly speaking, a choker... It's a headband. One thing I have done when a little strapped for cash is take my but to Primark and blow a huge £1 in there on those giant-bobble-type-headbands to wear them as chokers. You get loads in one pack and if your hair covers the metal clasp no one will ever know- trust me!

This is a lovely handmade piece created by Shelley from  Lostkeys. It is nice to have a charm that's sturdy rather than a dainty thing for a change and this is a thicker cord than anything else I have too. At Lostkeys you can choose from loads of different cords all available in a big range of colours and she does loads of different charms. Chokers from Shelley are custom made to your size which isn't something that you can get on the high street but it's worth waiting a bit for that custom necklace to be hand made exactly how you want it and in the right size.

On a side note if you decide you want anything from Shelley's store follow her on instagram @l0stkeys to see when she has promo codes available or any competitions for you to enter.

Last but not least is this double layered choker from Chxrmed which is another handmade accessory. This store does loads of cute tiny charms and crystal chokers and a lot where you can customise things like the charm, the colour of the crystal and the length of your chain. So if you want something that you know that is a little more personal then this is the store to head to. I can't tell you how much I love this choker I've barely taken it off since the postman brought it and I've managed to fall asleep in it a couple of times (wouldn't recommend sleeping in chokers, that is a stupid idea. But it was Freshers week so excuse me).

Thank you for reading my crazy long post, Alex xo

Lipstick Log #2

This is the second Lipstick Log here on Fangirls and Foundations now, I know it has been quite some time since the first post in this series but I've finally got around to making a second- and there are still plenty more to come! Today I'll be telling you my thoughts on MUA Matte Lipstick in the shade Lilac Belle (although, you probably already gathered that from the title)...




I know a lot of people have compared this shade to Lime Crime lipstick or other, but I don't have any so I can't compare. However what I can tell you is that this little treasure only costs £1 from Superdrug so its easy to find and easy to afford - round of applause for that. Lime Crime products aren't the most student-budget-friendly and can take a while to arrive here in the UK so I'll be loyal to MUA for the time being.



I know a lot of cheap matte lip products can flake and dry your lips but I've not suffered with that ball ache with this lipstick.

The only down sides are that it can feather and cling around dry patches but that has only happened when my lips are super duper dry. On top of that the formula is a little on the waxy side meaning I have to layer to build up pigment and its really hard to over-draw your lips.

Other than that, this lipstick lasts for hours and it's a pretty unusual colour to find from a cheap high street brand. Fantastic product and it costs, well, naff all really. Bloody Brilliant! 4/5

Thanks! Alex x

Sally Hansen £1

I stumbled across a few Sally Hansen products in Poundland and being a sucker for a bargain I snapped them up. One polish I bought was this Magnetic Nail Colour in the shade 'Red-y Response' which is more of a pinky purple shade than a red one but I do love the colour. I love the magnetic effect and it's really easy look to create and not messy and temperamental like I thought it would be. Unfortunately, the polish chips easily but it's easily sorted out if you have a decent top coat you can apply.

I've picked up a few different brands in my local Poundland such as Revlon and Neutrogena but what is the best bargain you've found in your local Poundland?

Alex x

Outfit Post #2

I'm getting into doing outfit posts but I hate taking pictures of myself because I always look so awkward an grumpy. But it's kinda hard to do an outfit post without pictures so enjoy my grumpy looking self. Yet again I'm lying through my teeth when I say 'Outfit of the Day' because I wore this like three weeks ago.

The Perfect Boyfriend Jeans

                                       

The Boyfriend Jean has become a huge new trend and I've been on a hunt for the perfect pair. Along the way I've found that there are many aspects that alter and I think that's what makes me love them so much; it makes them seem more of a permanent personal style choice, rather than a fashion trend that is in one season and out the next. That said they are a great jean for this transitional period from Spring/Summer to Autumn/Winter because you won't sweat to death on a warmer day or freeze on a cool one when you're wearing a style of jean that tends be cut up, turned up and baggy.

Lipstick Log #1

This is sure to be the first of many Lipstick Logs. My collection of lipsticks, stains, balms, glosses and scrubs just gets bigger and I have so many amazing products I want to tell you all about it's going to take me a while to get through them. It can be tricky sifting through crap to find that perfect lipstick so I'll let you know when I find a product I think you'll love too. This Sleek Lipstick isn't perfect but it is amazing it's in my top 10 for sure!

Lee Stafford - Hair Growth Range

I’d heard about the Hair Growth range by Lee Stafford months and months before I finally took the plunge and bought the lot because the products are pretty pricey. When I finally did get them it was because I spied the lot in Boots on three for two, how could I resist? For me, it’s worth them money, as long as I'm not too skint, here’s why…

Outfit Post #1

If you've read any of my blog posts before, the chances are you know that I pride myself on being a bit of a bargain hunter. I've read and watched a few £20 outfit posts and videos where people have admitted to struggling and a few where people have bought everything from Primark. So I took the challenge one step further and decided to not buy anything from Primark which is everyone's #1 (including me) when it comes to finding clothes and accessories that are super cheap. I don't really know why I felt the need to make things more difficult for myself but nevertheless, I did. This outfit came in at just £13 I did originally buy accessories too but decided they didn't match and scrapped them. Here is what I got...

I thought I'd have a little treat after finishing uni and give myself a nice little manicure. I'm no professional but i enjoyed it all the same and I think my nails turned out pretty good.

I'm no makeup artist but I have found this simple way to highlight and contour using Maybelline New York's cover sticks from their Fit Me collection. So here is how I give my little round face some structure.

I'd been hunting around for a lip stain for some time when I came across this one from e.l.f. This is in the shade 'Lucky Lady' which is a beautiful coral colour. These lip stains are the most expensive of the two that e.l.f do but they sill only cost £3.95 which is great and I purchased mine when they had 50% off- even better!

Bit of a silly title I know but I never know what to call outfit posts. I felt it was a fitting title anyway seeing as I'm wearing skate shoes and a skater dress. I'd have preferred to call it 'SK8R GRL' but I didn't want to make you cringe too much. So here is a cute, practical outfit for day- or maybe even night depending where you're going.

My lovely boyfriend was ordering himself some stuff from Blue Banana and because they have body jewellery on three for two he treated me to this lovely twisted barbell for my belly piercing and a nose ring. I L O V E this barbell! I thought it might get caught on stuff more often than a regular belly bar but it doesn't. I just thought that it would be a nice change and I was right. Well chuffed with this! My nose is feeling a bit tender at the minute because I've just started wearing a stud again after months of being bare nosed so I don't have the ring in but I'll update the post when I've tried that out. Anyhooooo, I just thought I do this quick post to let you all know that this twisted barbell is pretty cool and that Blue Banana have some good bargains at the minute. So there.

Thanks for reading, Alex x

A few weeks back My mum, sister, brother and I did a Swimathon at our local swimming baths. Between us we swam 1.5miles in around 40 minutes by relaying. We swam 2 laps a time in pairs hence the speedy time. It was a great experience that gave my 9 year old sister a chance to show off he skills and encouraged my 6 year old brother to swim as he usually just faffs about. It seemed to give my little bro a confidence boost too which is nice as he tends to beat himself up a bit about swimming. So not only have we collected for a great charity but we have benefited from it as a family, so if you're looking out for things to do with your family charity events like this are a brilliant way to have fun while helping others.

As I'm sure you know Sport Relief is an excellent charity that funds many project in the UK and internationally. Any donations are accepted with many, many thanks and if you would like to give a little for our sponsor page  click HERE.

Thanks for reading, Alex x

The sun seems to have been peering out through the clouds recently and summer is approaching. So I thought it'd be nice to do a review on something a little summery...  WARNING: This post contains appalling amounts of alliteration!

Source

Live at Leeds is the perfect event for those wusses that love live music but are afraid of the dirt that you'd find at a more conventional festival. The event takes place from the 2nd to the 5th of May and tickets are just £25 for the whole weekend and this gets you entry to loads of great venues across Leeds; including the O2 Academy and the Cockpit.

Coming up to the release of their new album Thirty Two, Reverend and the Makers did 32 house gigs up and down the country. Playing in fans houses shows just how much the band love what they do and the fact they're in it for the fans. I'm well gutted I didn't get to go to one! But luckily they announced they would be playing in a few different HMV stores after the Thirty Two went on sale.

Booking a Bargain

So it's been a month since we last posted on the blog... Oops. But Shannon and myself have been super busy and I've been on holiday- which as you may have gathered from the title is what this post is going to be about. After getting a great holiday for a fraction of the price it usually would have been, I thought some people might appreciate some of my tips on how to book a super cheap holiday.

The total cost for me and my boyfriend for return flights to Malta, transfers and 7 nights in a 4* hotel cost just over £230. And I'm talking £230 total not per person! So trust me, I know how to save! I'm a student so I have to...

Hey everybody! We have been nominated for a Liebster Award by the lovely and ridiculously talented Elisha Francis! This award takes the form of a badge and helps people to discover new bloggers and a bit about them, whilst also spreading the word about your own blog!

Fresh Laces at Harvey Nichols Event in Manchester.

Fresh Laces are heading to Manchester to hold one of their marvellous events and we're lucky enough to be official bloggers for the event!

CK lipstick from Fragrance Direct

Fragrance Direct is a fantastic place to pick up some really good bargains. Often you can pick up things that have been discontinued so it's a brilliant place to go when your favourite perfumes and cosmetics have been axed.

14 in 14

Image from We Heart It

I am the worst when it comes to reading! I pick up a book and read for hours then put it down, go to bed, and never pick it up again. I honestly can't remember the last book I read all the way through. I set myself this challenge, why don't you join me?

Homemade Sushi

I know a lot of you have probably made a New Years resolution to either lose weight, eat healthy or get fit- personally I'm wanting to get back in shape. Because the first semester of uni seems to have given me a bit of a beer belly I'm planning on limiting myself on alcohol, cheese and I'm going to get back into exercise. Here is a nice, healthy meal idea for you all.

How you can make a real change in 2014

Image from We Heart It

Fed up of making the same dead end new years resolutions year after year? Let's face it we all do it! That's why this year I'm making a resolution with a difference, I want to help make a real change! Why don't you join me?  Here's 3 easy-peasy ways you can help provoke a real change whilst having some real fun!