Get ready with me: Birthday edition

I really enjoyed putting together my last get ready with me post and have been wanting to do more ever since. However as a lot of you know I don't often get to leave the house but who says you have to leave the house to get glammed up? Especially when it's your birthday. My birthday plans were pretty low key, but high key for me. I asked if we could have a family get together at ours and I ended up having the best birthday I have had in years. Plus the fact that I got to make myself look pretty was a bonus. So here goes a step by step guide on how a chronically ill person can make themselves look a bit more presentable on their big day.

 

Just as I adviced in my first post do as much preperation as you can the day(s) before. Paint your nails (I used Barry M Majesty, a gold glitter colour) get your outfit ready and your make up planned. Here is the make up I decided to use and got ready the night before. I like to put all the products I'm going to use onto a tray as you will see below. As you will see in the photo below I also plaited my hair the night before, to give my hair some natural waves. I find this such a great and low energy way to get pretty hair. 

 

Max Factor Face Finity Foundation

Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder

Sleek Face Form in light

Makeup Revolution Iconic 3 Eyeshadow Pallette

Maybelline The Falsies Mascara in black

Barry M Blink waterproof precision eyeliner

Makeup Revolution Lipstick in Dazzle

Also pictured: Benefit porefessional primer but I completely forgot to use it.

 

 

Of course when it's your birthday starting your day opening presents needs to be factored in. But remember to  pace yourself. Two presents and I needed a rest, to save my energy for the rest of the day. A side note for my spoonie friends make sure you have scissors handy to help you open your presents, they come in handy when you don't have much strength.

 

 

After a rest it's time to start getting ready. First off clean your face and then moisturize. If I'm wearing more make up I like to use Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing lotion. I also used the simple eye roller ball which is great for helping your eyes feel less puffy. This time around I put my outfit on first. You will see what I wore at the end of this post but as it's your birthday what better time to dress up. Who cares if you're not leaving the house. Dress up and make yourself feel special. What I would say is if you do get dressed first then put on something to cover yourself up so you don't spill anything onto your party frock.

 

Start with your base. For extra coverage use a brush to apply your foundation with a brush. Then cover any red areas or blemishes with concealer (Collection lasting perfection.) 

 

 

Moving on to a bit of contouring with a little help from Vivianna's makeup YouTube channel. Thank you thank you Anna. Very well timed contouring 101video. In which she suggests contouring with a more tawny shade rather than the standard bronzey shades. Following her advice I first used some Rimmel Stay Matte powder where I would apply the contour and then using an angled fluffy brush I used the highlighter shade from my Sleek pallette to contour my cheek bones. 

 

 

Using my iconic 3 pallette I created a bronzey eye by first using the 2nd shade, which is like a shimmery light rose colour. I put this all over my lid. Then I used the 5th shade along, a darker rose colour and used this on the outer third of my eye and in the crease. Blending it all together with a fluffy brush. On my brow bone and inner corners I used the 1st shade to highlight and make my eyes appear brighter. I then had a moment of madness where I thought if I shut both eye lids I'd be able to see if the eye shadow matched. Such a classic brain fog moment. Oh why can't I see?! After chuckling to myself I lined my upper lashes with a felt tip style liner. I did try winging it out but as I have eye bags it just all bunched up and looked like a big blob. Then to finish off my eyes I used a couple of coats of Maybelline The Falsies Mascara, which I think I might have inspired a few of my family to try after all their compliments.

 

I've recently discovered it's best to do your undereye concealer and powder after doing your eye make up so that if you get any spillage you're not then taking your concealer off and can cover up any marks. So after doing my eyes I used the Rimmel wake me up concealer under my eyes blending it in with a concealer brush and setting it with the stay matte powder. I also applied the powder over my t zone.

 

 

Then give your plaits and roots a spray with some dry shampoo. I was going to use Herbal Essences but the top is stuckso I used Co Lab in the scent Rio. These are both great dry shampoos. And there is no white resindue which is just fabulous. Rub it into your roots and let your plaits out, massaging the dry shampoo into the waves. Try not to brush your hair too much but just give it a bit of a tidy.

Then put on your lippy, blotting it with tissue to give it more staying power and then add an extra layer. 

 

Lastly put on your jewellery. This necklace was a gift. Put on your crown (if you have one) which was also a gift, I have some pretty awesome friends. And put on your shoes.

 

 

Next pose for full length photos. This is a very important step. Not just for blogging purposes but to look back on and think "oo didn't I look nice." Note I only wore those heels for posing. My legs were shaking so much as I no longer have the muscle tone for them, so they are wheelchair only shoes. The shoes were customised by Glam it up Laurna. I changed into a pair of black flats with a bow and gold studs. My dress is from Forever 21.

 

Then go enjoy your day. I had such a lovely day spent with family, and lots of cuddles with my 3 week old twin niece and nephew. And was totally overwhelmed by all the cards and gifts my spoonie friends had sent. As well as enjoying yummy food and yummier cake. 

 

 

 

And this was me by the end of the day. Tired but very happy.

Hope you've enjoyed this post. I'm really enjoying writing these kind of posts so hopefully I will document some more in the future. 

 

Sian x

London Fashion Week SS 2015: The Swoon Collection

Marchesa

Last week was strictly a bed rest week however I did have some entertainment in the form of feasting my eyes on some of the fab photos courtesy of London Fashion Week. Here are a few of my favourites. 

As seen above, the gorgeous gowns at Marchesa made me want to dress up as a Princess all over again. Do you think they'll let me borrow one for Team Princess 2015? It's floral done at its best. I love the swish and softness of the gowns. But on the other hand that structured floral dress (2nd from the right on the 2nd photo) is just as divine.

Julien MacDonald

There was just so many pieces that I loved to choose from! I'm in love with the prints. I'm in love with the colours. I'm in love with the structure. The gorgeous detailing. It's all so lady like and elegant. I like that it's all very wearable. You know sometimes when you see photos or footage from a catwalk and think 'who would actually wear that?' (Not that I'm saying it's wrong.) However this collection I just want to try it all on right now. Plus I can imagine my friend Hayley in that gorgeous mermaidesque dress.

 

 

Some of my other favourite pieces include (from left to right) Matthew Williamson, Tom Ford, Temperley. I liked the rock and roll of the Tom Ford show, although it seemed strange that such dark colours were used for a Spring/ Summer collection. But black is always a staple choice.

 

Away from the catwalks, the streets of London during fashion week are the place to be seen and showcase your style. From those on the front row, celebs and fashion bloggers. Those invited to the shows are just as much on show. It can be a big part of the brands advertising. Getting famous people to wear their pieces and showcasing them to their millions of fans. 

 

My absolute favourite piece just has to be this gorgeous geometric print navy beauty from Julien MacDonald. Navy is such a classic colour, it's so elegant. I love how flattering the design is, with the lighter coloured sides. I JUST LOVE IT, FULL STOP.

 

And let's hand it to Moschino's Barbie girl collection for letting us know it's okay to dress like Elle Woods. I'm off to get a Chihuahua.

Erdem

 

Faustine Steinmetz

 

As a former stage manager what appeals to me other than the clothes is the whole production. The theatre of it. How each designer has chosen to create the perfect setting to showcase their collection and its concept. I just love it. Erdem, was themed around a Victorian hot house. It started with white, very ladylike gowns, but the more time they spent in the hot house they turned into these beautiful wild birds of paradise. I also liked Faustine Steinmetz presentation, where all the models were laid out like mannequins, on turntables. Whistles took over a tube station corridor as their catwalk and had the models coming down the escalator beforehand.

 

I can't wait to see how the high street translate it all and produce to these styles and at prices I can afford.

 

What were your favourite collections or pieces?

 

Sian x

Models of Diversity



photo source

  

In the wake of London Fashion Week what better time to talk fashion. In my post on body image, which you can read here. I mentioned an organization called Models of diversity. As their name suggests, Models of Diversity, are campaigning for the use of more diverse models in the fashion and advertising industries. Calling for more equality on our catwalks and in magazines. They are saying that the fashion industry needs to be more representative of a larger cross section of society. And there are so many cultures, ethnicities and lifestyles that are not represented fairly, even today in an age where we are educated about racism and political correctness.

photo source

I don't often read magazines now, but when I do it strikes me that more diverse models seem to be used as a 'token gesture' almost, and I do hate using that phrase. But it does almost appear like 'oh we've added a black model in to the mix to avoid any claims we're not an equal opportunities employer.' It's something I think a lot of brands are doing. And let's face it it's a pretty lazy way to tackle diversity. Because yes, diversity is about colour but it's about much much more than that. In an interview click to view male model Rob Evans says that it's only ever the same faces too and that he can visit various casting agencies and only see 2 black models on their books. He admits that because of his colour he was held back from many castings. He explains that in Brazil they have a policy of 50/50 casting. However the issue in his own words is that Brazil is not known as a fashion capital. More diversity needs to be shown on the catwalks of New York, Milan, Paris and London in order to make a real change. These are the shows that have the most influence. In a recent vlog Youtuber Tanya Burr said that she loved London Fashion Week because you could look around and everyone was so different. After all London itself is a melting pot of diversity. But is that being reflected on the catwalk, really?

The founder of Models of Diversity, Angel Sinclair (seen above) asks 'Where are the models of colour? The bigger models? The shorter models? The models with a disability? The older models?' and has established the organization to help make the fashion, beauty and marketing worlds more diverse places. A place where more consumers can identify themselves. With the ultimate aim 'to change the face of fashion and modelling.'

Angel, herself was inspired to start Models of Diversity after appearing on Gok Wan's Miss Naked Beauty and being surrounded by beauty in many, many forms. She noticed a clear contrast in what we perceive to be beautiful and what the magazines and fashion industries tell us is beautiful. And so Models of Diversity was born. They strongly believe in getting the publics opinion and asking them what they want to see on the catwalks and magazines and transferring that information into the fashion industries.

But where does the blame lie? With the designers? With the model agencies? Or casting directors? The following video is a CNN intervew with Iman, discussing the issue and how she thinks there needs to be a radical change in the Fashion industry. I think each of them has a responsibility to make the changes. However if the model agencies do not have more diverse models on their books, like Rob Evans pointed out, then the casting directors and designers don't have the choice available to them. Likewise if a model agency does not send their models to castings.

photo source

Whilst Models of Diversity recognise the need for more diveristy in fashion and modelling, they also understand that modelling on a professional scale is not for everyone. It takes a certain skill set and creativity. It is the same with an profession. But what Models of Diversity are saying is that if you have that potential then being more culturally diverse should not impact whether you get the job. And Models of Diversity are there to support aspiring models on their journey with training and test shoots. As well as promoting these models in the hope that agencies, casting directors, marketing executives and designers will take notice. As well as telling these models that they can be beautiful/ sexy/ glamorous. Building their confidence; which in itself is important, when they are used to thinking they are different and not seeing themselves represented in magazines and other advertising. In an interview on Sky News (which you can view here), model and director for disabled models at Models of Diversity, Chelsey Jay, explained that it's hard and isolating to be young but to not see yourself represented.

With the fashion industries, media and magazines being so powerful in their influence on so many people, especially young people seeing more diversity and widening the perception on beauty and attractiveness then perhaps more tolerance and understanding will stem from that. As well as inspiring more confidence in lots of men and women that feel they are not beautiful because they do not look like the models in the magazines. Now wouldn't that be nice?

To find out more about Models of Diversity visit their website, view plenty more videos of their events, campaigns and catwalks on Angel's youtube channel. Stay tuned for another Models of Diversity post on here soon.

Sian x

Holiday Lookbook

Hey, just a little post to share some of my holiday outfits. For a woman that's usually in her pj's getting dressed up is a treat and so when I can, I like to make an effort and where better than on holiday. I seem to be going through a floral phase at the moment but that's no bad thing, especially when there are so many gorgeous prints about. I'll leave details of any newer purchases below each photo. Or if you want more info let me know in the comments.

Dress: Forever 21

You can't really see from this photo but it also has a keyhole front.

This dress is gorgeous not ideal for wheelchaira though because it has a slit in both sides making the material likely to catch in your wheels. I had to hold it up.

Jewellery set: Made by me (I did mean to wear them but completely forgot)

Dress: Forever 21

The photo of the necklace shows fabric of the dress

Necklace: Forever 21

Shoes: from holiday

Nails: CG Line (Greek company)

Dress: Primark

Shoes: Tesco

Bracelet: Made it myself

Dress: Induldge

Bracelet: from holiday

Dress: Forever 21

Hat: from holiday

Bikinis tops: Freya Swim and Fantasie

Bikini bottoms: Freya Swim, Fantasie, Primark and Tesco

Headband: Forever 21

Glasses: Ray Ban (from holiday)

Sian

X

Ootd: My travel outfit

Hat: From previous holiday

Cardigan: Primark

Denim shirt: George at Asda

Dress: George at Asda

Shoes: Primark

I chose this outfit to travel in. I chose a maxi dress as I thought it would be perfect for covering my lower legs, the area that get's cold easily but also keep me cool enough on the plane and when we arrived. Also because I had heat rash on my legs so I didn't want to aggravate that. Maxi dresses or skirts are also a great idea if you need to put on flight socks as you can do so easily.

I added some layers as it was an early morning start so would be cool and also because my temperature fluctuates so this gave me a bit more control. I also packed a pashmina in my carry on luggage just in case.

I realise I said about not wearing flip flops or peetoe shoes in my post on the perfect travel outfit. However I really wanted to take these shoes and had little room for them. Plus I avoided the bathroom on the plane. I did regret it slightly when someones case fell over onto my foot whilst being wheeled up the aisle of the plane. I also wore my hat to protect it from getting crushed in my case and it came in handy for protecting my eyes as I was sat by the window.

And of course my trusty wheelchair completes the outfit and allows me to be there in the first place.

Sian