Wednesday, 5 November 2014

Therapy Dog Tooth Jacquard Dress • House of Fraser




Hello everybody! Today I'm coming at you with a review from one of my favourite companies - you guessed it, House of Fraser! Today I'll be talking about my new Therapy Dog Tooth Jacquard Dress. 

With a navy blue and black Dog Tooth pattern, the Therapy Jacquard dress is ideal for the office. But the real beauty of this dress lies in it's versatility. Add some sparkling jewellery and a pair of heels to this little number, and you're good for a night out!

The dress itself is true to size (which I know can be such a pain when it comes to purchasing dresses and they're not of true size). I feel this dress is a little big on me, but I already knew I was one or two dress sizes smaller than the one this was available in - which shows that with Therapy dresses, you can't seem to go too wrong with your dress size. They don't come up too big or too small. If you're really struggling, I'd say these dresses do sway a little more towards the larger end of the size.


In the first photograph, I've paired the dress with a little black cardigan and some flat dolly shoes for a more comfortable, relaxed, casual vibe. The dress can also be paired with skin tone tights and a grey jumper. Because of the dress' subtle pattern, it gives you the option to cover the top half (with a cardigan or your coat) and give the impression of a stylish skirt.

In the second photograph, I've added delicate gold and cream jewellery to give the dress a pop of bright, uplifting colour, and also put on a pair of classic black heels. Because the dress is subtle, I didn't want to take away from it with too many colours and bold heels, it's always best to play it safe when you're experimenting with patterned dresses.

This dress is wonderfully comfortable, and thicker than your usual flowy, airy dresses all in preparation for Winter - the colours and tones of this dress draw Autumn in to a close. If you like the look of this dress, be sure to check out the House of Fraser Therapy dresses online here and have a look through all of their lovely new styles!

See you soon my lovelies! 





Friday, 19 September 2014

Beauty Confidential



Hello you cheeky lot, today's post is dedicated especially to you make-up junkies out there. I'm coming at you beauty bedevilled bourgeois with some good news, courtesy of the lovely ladies over at House of Fraser, to hopefully brighten up your rather grey and drizzly Friday afternoon.

If you're not too familiar with House of Fraser, they've got a little something for everybody; whether you're into fashion, beauty or lifestyle (which, it seems you might be if you're over here on The British Trend) to lay it out for you, Beauty Confidential encompasses all that is make-up, skin care, and au de toilette. Sound like your cup of tea? Ditto. Want to hear the best news? You get £10 off one of House of Fraser's favourites when you buy one of your favourites



Now when I say "favourites", I'm talking brands such as Urban Decay, Clinique, Origins, Estee Lauder, Kiehls, and Arden (just to name a few) so some pretty sweet brands are featured in this offer. The Beauty Confidential offer is on thirty House of Fraser selected products, so be sure to have a good nose through what's available on their website right here!

I couldn't pass up letting you guys know about this lovely little offer, but this won't be around forever! The official Beauty Confidential dates are from:
Monday 8th September 2014 - Tuesday 23rd Septemeber 2014



Thursday, 28 August 2014

Models Own • Collections







Hello everybody! Let's jump straight into it today with a well-awaited post on, you guessed it, nail polishes! I know I probably owe you some sort of wild crazy excuse as to where I've been for the past month or so, and I'd love to tell you I've been out on some soul-searching, self-healing, once-in-a-lifetime journey somewhere exotic, but alas, I've just been on a little hiatus. It's been pretty self-healing (but sufficiently lacking in golden beaches and cocktails).

If you're following any of my social networking accounts, you may be clued in on my Models Own-related-news already. However, if you're new here (and we're not going to get into where you've been all this time) then I'll round up nice and briefly what happened.

I took a chance and entered into a give awy with Models Own, all you had to do was re-gram a a photo of the products they were giving away and use the hashtags provided - pretty simple, right?

Baring in mind the last thing I won was a game of Pass the Parcel when I was nine years old (the teacher made it land on me because everybody else in the circle won a little prize except for me) I was a completely surprised when I got a notification through from the Models Own team to tell me I'd won two of their new collections. In it to win it, right?

I was so unbelievably happy to hear I'd won the Polish for Tans collection and the Hypergel collection (probably more happy that healthy for some nail polishes - beauty lovers/bloggers out there, you'll know this feeling oh so well). I haven't even had a chance to use them all yet, so I'm not able to do full detailed reviews (but please let me know if you'd like one and I'll see what I can do!) so I'll sum up my first impressions of the products.

The box itself arrived in the post really quickly, I definitely wasn't expecting it to turn up as quickly as it did - which was fab! The box was totally gorgeous, too. No way I'm throwing it out! All of the ten of nail polishes (I know, ten!) came wrapped up carefully in patterned protective tissue and were all in perfect condition.


The colours (from top left to right) are:

Polish for Tans

Shades
Beach Bag
Bikini
Sun Hat
Flip Flop

Hypergel

Searing Pink
Sundress
Watermelon
Summer Solstice
Purple Glare

As soon as I laid eyes on the Polish for Tans collection, I fell into a deep and consolidating love for them. I mean, let's not beat about the bush here, can we please take a moment for the bright, popping shades?

I've never worn bright polish before, I've never really thought it was my style, but honestly, I was pumped to try these out, and just as predicted, I loved them as much as I thought I would! My two favourite being the green Flip Flop, and the orange Beach Bag (Beach Bag slightly taking the lead). I've never received more compliments on my nails than I have when wearing these two shades. Even my mum kept saying how she loved my orange summery nails! I can't wait to try out the other Polish for Tans colours, but I've done a quick swatch for your viewing pleasure.



Now I'll be the first to say I've honestly not had much experience with gel nail polish, I mean, I hear you have to take courses in the art of gel nail application! Unbeknownst to me when these first arrived, I excitedly opened one and gave it a try. At first I was a little confused as it seemed a little stickier and messier than usual (I have some serious practice in applying nail polish, so I began blaming myself for my shoddy job). But no, as it turns out, they are a slightly more difficult to apply, and I really do think I need a little more practice! So look out for an update when I'm a little better! My favourite colours in this collection have to be the rich pink Sundress and the popping Purple Glare.

(Here you may appreciate this evening's skills in photography editing, or lack there of)
I am so obsessed with these shades, and I feel very lucky to have won these, and they've offered up a great blogging opportunity too! Like I mentioned earlier, you've got to be in it to win it! Models Own have competitions and give aways like this all of the time, so make sure you're subscribed to Models Own on Facebook and Twitter - and most importantly - like them on Instagram (which is where I won the give away)


However, if you've already decided you love what you see, then check out their website (or your local Superdrug) where you can pick up any of the polishes you see here for £4.99 each. Links direct to Polish for Tans / Hypergel here!

I hope this has given you a little insight into Models Own's newer collections (update: there's an even newer collection on store shelves at the moment called Sweet Shop, which smell as good as they look so be sure to check that out too!)

Hope you've all had a lovely summer and you're looking forward to a nice, cosy Autumn!

See you guys soon (look forward to an appearance from another one of my favourite brands of 2014!)






Sunday, 22 June 2014

Week in Photos No.2



Fruit Market on Broadway / Cutest cupcake from Waitrose / Reminiscing with my little sister and old photographs / Our new lip care collection at work / Harvey getting ready to support England in the World Cup / Billy's 22nd Birthday / Peppa Pig gingerbread biscuits / Sleepy Wednesday mornings
Happy Father's Fay / Winning the Models Own Summer competition (Blog post to come!) / Loving Angelina Jolie and her adorable little family lately / Sunny days in the garden with the chikens / Notebooks too pretty to use! / Piano evenings / Tattoo idea inspired by my idol of 14 years, Johnny Depp / An important quote to keep in mind this week / Another tattoo idea, "24"
Four hours of travelling every day / Rose Bath bomb / A rosewater bath - the best thing ever / Somebody has finally gotten me into Game of Thrones! Now all I need to do is catch up... / Discussing some of my favourite art works, by Jake and Dinos Chapman / Daniel Radcliffe Appreciation Post / Giving away free Coca Cola at London Euston Station #sharewithfriends - an amazing pick me up after a long, hot day / Finally got my hands on my favourite lipstick (inspired by Maleficent) after weeks of it being out of stock! New favourite shower gel
"Yeah we all shine on, like the moon, and the stars, and the sun." / No wonder I was obsessed with this man for over 10 years! / Release of the introduction for my new series, Vices #Vices2014 / Watching so much Bear Grylls this week / Can't wait for Tringe! Seann Walsh tickets at the ready! / Left my old glasses on a train this week, so it's hello new red glasses and prescription / If you've known me for a while, you'll know how much I love Naked smoothies! Can't decide between Green Machine, Blue Machine or now Red Machine! / My new sunglasses and Tiger Balm were finally delivered, been waiting so long and so excited / Saturday Nights / New Icon / "Welcome to this quiet space" - one of the loveliest things I've ever found in a church yard / Summer afternoons in the church yard



Wednesday, 18 June 2014

Vices • #Vices2014





*Controversial topic, reader discretion is advised

Good afternoon you lovely lot. Today's post is going to be incredibly different to anything you've read on here before. I'm going to take a stab and say the most unique blog post I've ever done on here. In all honesty, I was debating whether or not to talk about it on here. I am incredibly nervous about posting this and the reception it will receive. However, I like to believe it suits my blog perfectly, and is possibly one of - if not the - most important blog posts I've ever written. So let me get this show on the road and tell you why.

My blog is about fashion, beauty and lifestyle. I'm always talking about aesthetics, and as much as I find a lot of fun in reviewing products (the good and the bad), designing outfits, and talking about new pretty collections, I'd like to affirm that aesthetics are not - and should never be - a priority.

As some of you may know, unlike a lot of bloggers, I come from a little bit of a different background. Although I spend a lot of my adult life writing, my years in school and university were based primarily around art - so art is a highly important factor in my life.

What some of you may not know, is that on the side of my blog, I am an artist. I don't have a speciality. I use and create whatever my mood allows (however I can confidently say that usually these are pen/pencil drawings, paintings, and photographs).

I'd like to take this opportunity today to talk about a series that I have recently began working on - a series very close to my heart - a series called "Vices". I will let my introduction do the talking:

_________________________________________________________________


Vices
#Vices2014

© Copyright 2014 Keely Sheridan


vice1
vʌɪs/
noun
  • Immoral or wicked behaviour. "an open sewer of vice and crime"
  • An immoral or wicked personal characteristic.
Plural Noun: vices
"Hypocrisy is a particularly sinister vice"

It is with great pride that I introduce my forthcoming portrait series; “Vices”.
This series will be compiled of nine close-up portraits of people with distinctive facial abnormalities, including skin conditions such as; Vitiligo, Nevus, Lupus, Eczema and acne scarring, and other deformities such as cleft palate, battle-inflicted scarring, tumours and facial reconstruction). Viewer discretion is advised.

Understandably, this is my most controversial work to date, and I must attest that my purpose for this series is not to mock or satirise - rather to explore the reception of the unusual - how onlookers become acutely aware of their treatment towards those with differences, and to respectfully expose the stunning beauty of these deviances, pressing that scars and disfigurements - although for some may be considered unnerving - are no greater than aesthetics.

After careful deliberation, I have chosen American actor Joaquin Phoenix as the front-man for my series. This decision has been made primarily by virtue of his facial birth defect - a prominent Microform Cleft Palate running from his nose to his lips, which has remained untouched by surgeons. As Joaquin Phoenix is a globally recognised public figure, it is with great faith that his image will aid to deliver to an all-inclusive audience the message I yearn to impart with; “Your dissemblance can be your vice.”

At present the sale of this series in undetermined. Once completed, there may be a potential opportunity to purchase the works separately, or alternatively, as a collection. Further information on the sale of “Vices” will follow after consideration to its subsequent reception.

I culminate my introduction to “Vices” with a collection of citations which inspire this impending series:

"Nature, who has the perfect maintenance of laws of her general equilibrium, has sometimes need of virtues, inspires now this impulse, now that one, in accordance with what she requires." - Marquis de Sade

"The lessons of life amount not to wisdom, but to scar tissue and callus." - Wallace Stegner, ‘The Spectator Bird’

"Some people see scars and it is wounding they remember. To me they are proof of the fact that there is healing." - Linda Hogan

"There have been times in my life that I’ve had a tonne of vices, and my demons have run amok for years and years and years." - Ron White

"Scars show us where we have been, they do not dictate where we are going." - David Rossi

"A portion of mankind take pride in their vices and pursue their purpose; many waver between doing what is right and complying with what is wrong." - Horace

"Our virtues are most frequently but vices disguised." - Juvenal

"It has been my experience that folks who have no vices have very few virtues." - Abraham Lincoln

Please regard my Copyright to “Vices”, and if you wish to contact me in regards to my forthcoming series and future commission-based work, please do not hesitate to do contact me at: keelysheridan@gmail.com

_________________________________________________________________

Hopefully you may have already caught on to why I'm posting this to my fashion, beauty and lifestyle blog. If not, don't worry, I'll break it down. I've posted it here because I would really like everybody reading this to know that it's not just those with flawless skin, beautiful eyes, a stunning smile and a great fashion sense who are beautiful. Heck, it's not even close.

We like to surround ourselves with beauty, we like to feel content knowing what that the world around us is beautiful - it's a basic instinct, if something looks good, it probably behaves/tastes/smells good, too. Thus, we want it to be a part of our lives.

But what if something doesn't look how we think it ought to? What happens when something so unusual that we suddenly become self-aware of how we're behaving around it? Do we still accept this, regardless? Or do we look for something better-looking?

I'd like to take this opportunity to say that it's not always the prettiest fruit that tastes the sweetest.

It's interesting isn't it? The psychology behind aesthetics. Perhaps you have a friend, a family member, a work colleague with a distinguishable difference in their appearance. How obvious was it to you when first meeting them? I can guarantee you thought about it, didn't you? And that's totally okay! But I can also guarantee it's something you look so far past now, that you don't even realise it's still there. It's paled away, because now you know them, and now they're a part of your life. Do you treat these people in your life any differently to anybody else? Of course not!

We handle differences (our own or others') - in of course - very different ways. Some shy away, close doors, don't want to talk about them. Others want to ask every question they can think of in order to gain a better understanding. Some quietly wonder and analyse their own behaviour as so to not upset anybody. Some get abusive because they're not used to the significant change in what they're accustomed to. There are some who don't see a difference.

As completely human as all of these reactions are, I'd like to point out that it really isn't very difficult to become the latter. Difference isn't something to be feared or nervous about, it's not even something that need be questioned - rather just accepted that this is how a person looks. I'd like to live in a world where we are working towards turning "Question followed by acceptance" into "Acceptance without question".

I'm not just talking about the more intense differences such as disfigurements and skin conditions, I'm talking about even small ones - somebody's choice in earrings, if a man chooses to wear a dress or lipstick, somebody's bright nail polish, somebody's haircut... These raise the obvious questions such as; why? But you're a man? But you're a woman? Can you explain that to me, I'm curious? Here is a universal answer to these questions: Because that is their decision today. They have no obligation to be the same person they were yesterday. They have no obligation to apply to a code of conduct.

When you make the decision to "not get involved" with people just because they look different, the only person who misses out, is you. How do you know that person isn't the most wonderful human you've ever met? How do you know that person isn't your best friend? How do you know that person isn't intelligent, funny, witty, creative? You will never know who you're missing out on, and you'll never know who's day you made, just by being the only person to stop and say hello.

This leads on to why I have called my series "Vices". My little sister sent me a message asking me if I was sure if I'd chosen the right name. At first, no, I wasn't sure. Which is why "Vices" is only provisional, for now at least. The word "Vice" suggests immoral, wicked behaviour or characteristics - and rightfully so, my little sister pointed this out to me - and I'm very glad she did. (Brace yourself, the Art Student is coming) This definition is not meant for the subjects of my portraits my any means at all, but more for those who perceive. Those who segregate, those who are malicious, ignorant, rude, "immoral and wicked" towards the subjects. My purpose with this title is reversal. The subjects of the portraits are not "immoral and wicked", but are you?

I'd like to drive this message home. Our differences are what make us ourselves. What good would we be if we were all identical? Next time you see somebody with a difference - really big or really small - it's okay to recognise it. But let's work on looking past them. Let's begin embracing difference. There's no hierarchy here, and we'd do best to remember that.

I would love to hear about your experiences regarding these issues, so please feel free to leave a comment below. If you are (or a friend or family are) affected by today's content, then please do not hesitate to contact me at: keelysheridan@gmail.com for any guidance through these issues. Thank you. 






Saturday, 7 June 2014

Summer Style with Lupita Nyong'o








It's official. Our lady of the year, Lupita Nyong'o is slaying us all at the dressing-for-summer game.

We're fast approaching mid-Jude, and for us here in Britain, as usual, we're not sure we even know it yet. The calendar may say "June" but the weather is telling us a very different story. (I'm not bitter at all that I had to call of going into town today because of the rain/thunderstorm)

Now if you're lucky, you'll have thought ahead and booked a summer getaway to Spain or Greece or somewhere lovely. However, if you're like me, the only time you've thought about a holiday recently is when you're at your desk, papers falling all around you and phones ringing asking for people you've never even heard of - what a nightmare. Don't get me wrong, I'd love a holiday, but it's finding the time and money!

For now, I shall live vicariously through Lupita Nyong'o. 


The 31-year-old Lancome Spokesmodel, Oscar winner and total stunner, Lupita, was spotted a few days ago on one of the lovely beaches of Maui soaking up the sun and enjoying a bit of free time just ahead of the Maui Film Festival. 

Truly showing us how beachwear is done, Lupita donned a super chic scalloped white bikini with a silver belly chain, a straw sun hat, simple sparkling studs, and big tortoiseshell glasses (as if her toned bod and the fact she's in Maui wasn't enough to envy!) 

This isn't the first time recently that Lupita has made us sigh; "I wish I had that outfit/why isn't that me?" Lest we forget her colourful number at the Maui Film Festival and her ever-so-classy outfit of choice for the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic. (Loving the sun hats!)


Lupita Nyong'o has never been one to shy away from striking colours, and we love her for it! But this introduction to classic monochrome wardrobe is just as beautiful. So for Lupita we've got; Actor - check, Model - check, Spokeswoman - check, Yale Graduate - check, bilingual - check, Oscar Award Winner - check, fashion icon - check. Seriously guys, is there nothing this woman can't do?

Keep your eyes peeled For Lupita Nyong'o in the newest movie of the Star Wars saga - Star Was: Episode VII!


See you soon!



Monday, 2 June 2014

Week in Photos No.1



My favourite Oatibix breakfast with blueberries / Wine o'clock at the FASHIONCHICK event / A new favourite polish / My personalised midi ring / Earl's Court's "Thought of the Day" (first one I've ever seen! Just happens to be one of my favourite quotes too) / Carrot cupcake / Really into natural juices lately / Grape and Elderflower Green Tea courtesy of my boss / Finishing my Hello Kitty white chocolate Easter Egg /
So long, Easter chocolate! (Which I'd saved for so long) / Wagamamas with the work crew / Checking out a Broadway House with work (as seen on Made in Chelsea) / Broadway House / Broadway House / A new Selfridges campaign (sneaky clue for an upcoming blog post - stay tuned) / Pretty rainbow after a busy day in London / Blue flowers at home / Coffee and Walnut cake - delish! /
Loving vegetarian sushi / The wonderful Angelia Jolie on the cover of Stylist Magazine (she was also the Cover Girl for the first issue!) / Tiger Balm and organic chocolate - starting to feel run down / Going home for a long weekend. My favourite Orange and Carrot Juice / Getting ready for my little sister's birthday / Happy 15th Birthday, Jade! / A new love discovered... Maybelline's Baby Lips! / My peach roses / A little squirrel came to say hello at my bedroom window /
My new favourite perfume / Almond Magnum / Loving popping reds, corals, oranges and pinks this season / Can't wait to see Maleficient this week / Setting up for Becky and David's Silver Wedding Anniversary / The Party - Our Love Story / "10 Pounds of Frank" play for the first time in front of a live audience / New icon for The British Trend / My favourite photograph to ever grace the internet - Michael J. Fox behind the scenes of Back to the Future '85 /