Sochi 2014 • Team Ladies Short Figure Skating

I'm not usually one for sports, but when it comes to "pretty"/"feminine" sports - I'm all for it! Now I love Ballet, I really do (I'm completely obsessed with Lauren Cuthbertson who starred in The Royal Ballet's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland) so when I realised the Winter Olympics were coming up, I started getting super excited for my favourite event - the figure skating! (I guess because it's pretty similar to Ballet). I digress. Anyway, I thought for today's post, I'd keep in the spirit of Sochi 2014, and have a look at a few of my favourite costumes the figure skaters are wearing this year - while letting you in on some costumes secrets (facts courtesy of Cosmopolitan - check them out, and also remember to click photos if you want to be taken to their site) now let's get to it!

Yulia Lipnitskaya - Yulia is by far my favourite figure skater this year, she may be only 15 years old (and the youngest in the competition), but she's absolutely brilliant, and her routine was completely captivating. Her  royal blue costume is elegant, appropriate and the looked amazing! (Perfect for her enchanting performance too)

1) Dresses can have up to 100,000 crystals each, and each crystal has to be applied by hand. Dresses can take around 2-4 hours to make, but the crystals themselves can take anywhere from 4-40 hours to apply.

Carolina Kostner - I absolutely love this fresh white costume, although the neckline appears to have a pretty deep scoop, I think Carolina looks fabulous in it, and really stood out in this crisp white costume.

2) Skaters can only buy 1 or 2 costumes a season. Skaters don't make a lot of money - and these costumes are expensive! So they tend to wear the same ones all season. They can cost anywhere around $1500-$3000 (and maybe more!)

Mao Asada - I love Mao's costume this year! It's so feminine and delicate and reminds me of rose petals (or The Little Mermaid!) I haven't seen a figure skating costume designed this way before, and for this reason (and it's absolutely stunning of course) Mao's costume is definitely one of my favourites this year. 

3) The style trend in figure skating costumes right now leans towards sleeker, more minimal designs. Michelle Kwan was the first figure skater to popularise the more naked, evening gown, swimsuit-style costume. Before Michelle, everyone tended to have their arms completely covered.

Kexin Zhang - Our "lady in red" this year is Kexin Zhang - and doesn't she pull it off! Red is a strong and stunning colour against the white of the ice, so to have both a powerful performance and a powerful costume is a big thumbs up!

4) Women can now wear unitards - but this wasn't always the case. After Debi Thomas wore a unitard in 1988, they made a rule that women had to wear skirts. That same year, East German skater Katarina Witt created an even bigger controversy by wearing her own blue unitard with feathers instead of a skirt (that little rebel!) After that season, the rules were changed so that tights and a skirt were required for every female skater (in addition to unitards and pants being banned). The rules were re-adapted in 2004, and now allow women to wear "skirts, trousers, and tights" (this includes unitards!)

Ashley Wagner - How elegant is this design? A classic, flowing black dress with a flourish of diamonds make this costume stand out above many others this year - because who needs bright colours when you have diamonds, eh?

5) Costumes that break any rules can cost the skaters points. There is a 1-point deduction (that's the same as a fall!) for skaters whose costumes are deemed inappropriate, or do not comply with the rules. (However, these rules are pretty vague). The "biggie" is that clothing must be "modest, dignified, and appropriate for competition. Not garnish, or theatrical in design. Clothing may, however, reflect the character of the music." (This ruined the credibility of the movie "Blades of Glory" for me!) Each of the the 9 judges and a referee have a button they can press if they feel the costume is out of line, but 6 out of the 10 have to have pressed the button in order for the deduction to occur. Better to play it safe I say!

Natalia Popova -  I am loving Natalia's unique choice of costume this year! Reminiscent of Zebra pattern, this costume pulls together an appropriate selection with a classic design (I mean, just look at those sparkles!)

6) The front of the dress cannot be more than 50% nude fabric. Apparently the official rule is a little more vague though; "Clothing must not give the effect of excessive nudity inappropriate for an athletic sport."

Nathalie Weinzierl - How amazing is this 20's inspired costume worn by Nathalie this year? The up-do, the strappy dress, the classic black, the sparkles... And not to mention the gloves! Very Gatsby indeed!

7) Accessories are not allowed, but this rule seems to rarely be enforced. Many skaters seem to ignore this rule, with many wearing earrings, hair accessories or necklaces as a part of their costumes. As pretty as they are - surely this rule has something to do with health and safety? Gracie Gold wore all 3 of these things during this year's National Championships without receiving a penalty, and Michelle Kwan almost always wore a small gold necklace while she performed.

Mae Berenice Meite - Our first bright pink dress, and Mae isn't afraid to show it off. My favourite part about this particular costume has to be the diamonds around the neckline - absolutely stunning

8) Props are also banned in this competition, but are often used during special exhibition performances.

Jenna McCorkell - Another royal blue number, almost as if it's progression of Yulia's dress! I'm in love with the should detailing and the texture of the skirt and chest piece - so pretty.

It seems like there are more rules and regulations to figure skating than you could've imagined (and that's without going into remembering complicated routines - now that's a lot to remember!) Speaking for my inner 13-year-old, I'd love to be a figure skater, but with costumes at that price, all those rules, and being actually *cough* able to figure skate, I think I might have to look elsewhere. If you're interested in checking out my favourite figure skater, Yulia Lipnitskaya's enchanting performance at Sochi 2014 this year have a nose over here! In light of Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, I hope you've enjoyed getting to know a little more about figure skating... And until next time!

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Valentine's Night In

 

The sweetest day of the year is just around the corner! (Well, under a week away at least) and with cuddles, chocolate, good movies,romance galore - there's no denying it really is a lovely day. But whether you've got a someone to share it with this year or not, make it a good one! Now going out for a swanky meal, going to the movies... Let's face it, that's a lot of fun, but who says you have to go out to have all the fun? Whether your Winter cold is still hanging around, whether you're feeling the pinch, or whether you're just not in the mood to go out in the cold, there's no need to put your romantic evening on hold (by yourself or not!) So here's a (hermit's) planned guide to a cuddly, romantic Valentine's Day...

My pick for Valentine's Day movie is - in my eyes - a classic. Although it's a love story, it's not your typical one like "The Notebook" or "Romeo and Juliet", and it's not one that's been seen by many, surprisingly! My pick is "Chocolat" starring Juliette Binoche and our favourite guy Johnny Depp. So whether you're in love with an Irish, guitar-playing Johnny Depp or just masses of scrummy chocolate, this movie is a must-watch this Valentine's Day.

Now this is really up to you - whether you're tucking into a meal for two, or cooking up something yummy for yourself, there's no need to slack on Valentine's Day. My pick for a meal for two today is Pan-Fried Chicken in a Grana Padano Crust (click on the photo to find out the recipe!) Obviously, if you're a Vegetarian/Vegan or this isn't your cup of tea, check out Channel 4's Valentine's Day Recipes (where I found this particular one) or BBC Food's Occasions Recipes. So why the chicken? It's something simple to whip up, won't break the bank, and sounds light and absolutely delightful, so why not!

Make Valentine's Day special! Why not treat yourself (and your partner) to a nice cocktail? For my alcoholic cocktail I've chosen the "Purity Tangerine Rose Cocktail" (disclaimer: not encouraging you if you're under the legal drinking age!) this sounds like a lovely cocktail to sip while at home watching your movie after your meal, so give it a shot! You'll need some tangerine-infused Vodka, fresh-squeezed tangerine juice, fresh-squeezed lime juice, rose syrup, Peychaud's bitters and rosewater. For how to make this cocktail, click on the left image!

Now If you're not really into alcohol - don't worry, I've got you covered. Try out my mocktail selection, "Cran Lime Good Time". Now there are so many different concoctions you can look into as it really is whatever tickles your fancy. This one in particular is a really simple, fresh and fruit mocktail, so I recommend it! For this recipe you'll need cranberry juice, fresh lime juice, ginger ale, ice and cherries/a slice of lime (for decoration). If you like the sound of this, click here to find out how to put it together.

More of a reader than a movie watcher? Rather be snuggled up in bed with a good book and a nice candle burning? If you're looking for a romance-fuelled book full of lovely poems and letters (awww) then this will be a nice up-lifting book to get your hands on. No one said you had to be single to enjoy a good book on Valentine's evening, if your partner is like mine and constantly reads - cuddling up with a book each would work wonders for a cosy night in. Like the look of this book? Click on the image to find out more.

Ah. Potentially the most important part of Valentine's Day. If you're anything like me and you've got a bit of a soft-spot for choccy, hopefully Valentine's day will bring you at least a little bit! No matter what your favourite chocolate, I'm sure we can all agree - it's pretty good stuff. After much deliberation, my Valentine's chocolate pick has to be something a little more unique. Don't get me wrong, I love a little bit of Cadburys, Lindt Lindor, Thorntons, Ferrero Rocher... (You name it!) but if you're staying in this Valentine's Day, why not make your own chocolate? Such a fun idea to whip up some yummy chocolates either with your partner or by yourself (mmm... I can smell the melted chocolate already!) Check out this page right here to take a gander at what goodies you can make. There are so many to choose from! Fudge Hearts, Chocolate Covered Cherries, Caramel Hearts, Chocolate Nutella Hearts, Cinnamon Heart Pops - you decide!

So, if you're not up to leaving the house and braving the cold this Valentine's Day - remember, it doesn't mean you have to put your plans on hold! I can't wait for Valentine's Day, as you can see, I'm really feeling the love! I hope I've given you a little bit of inspiration, and I really hope you all have lovely day/evening no matter what your plans are.

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V and Wonderland Magazine

I was recently on the hunt for new fashion magazines. I know what you're thinking - a fashion magazine is a a fashion magazine, right? How different can they all really be? To an extent, I guess you're right, they're all there to, well, show off some lovely clothes and products! But I think it's a little bit more than just that. I like a magazine to be a bit... Artsy. I like them to have their own unique style. I think it's really important for a magazine to have a totally individual cover, because that's what gets you your buyers! Come for the cover, stay for the content. I mean, take a nose at V Magazine - have you ever seen a cover like it? Me neither, the use of colour is for sure 60's inspired, and I'm loving the chunky 'V' that covers the entire space, it's so unusual as normally something to this effect would obstruct the model and advertisements of the content, but they totally get away with it! Love it. 

                      

                        

Pretty swanky huh? So lately I've been looking for more crazy cool designs like these. I didn't think I'd come across a design I love as much as V Magazine, but lo and behold I actually have! It's called Wonderland Magazine, and once again, I'm in awe (doesn't take much when it comes to fashion and beauty, does it!) I first heard about Wonderland when I discovered that one of my favs, Emma Watson, was featuring on the cover/in the mag over the next coming month. So naturally, I was always going to check it out.

I'm loving how Wonderland are incorporating a strong 70's mag vibe, with (particularly in the first image) a 50's inspired up-do and dress on Emma. The use of one individual colour backdrop gives us a bit of a blast into the past - which a lot of magazines here in 2014 really aren't doing. I absolutely love the style, so I definitely think they're going a step in the right direction, especially as I hadn't heard of them before this fabulous Emma-Old-Style-Fashion ensemble came along! Big up Wonderland Mag! I'm also really feeling the second cover. It's different to the first in the way that the style is definitely more our era, but it's for sure still kept a hold of it's vintage flare. So here's a peek at the photos inside!

Possibly my favourite photo of the collection, first of all I'm in love with the pastel background (does it remind anyone else of having your photo taken as a kid?) I also really like the outfit choice for Emma here, certainly French-Student inspired. Add that with flawless make-up and there you have it!

        

Disney Princess anyone? I'm thinking Emma could sure pass for the next Disney Princess in these photos, the deep blue and gold colours alone scream "royalty!" and the gorgeous tiara pulls the look together. Loving it!

        

Who here loves Douglas Booth? Yeah, he's in it too. I could sit here and bang on about the pretty pinks and blues and Emma's stunning hair... But I know what you're really here for. And that's okay. You carry on.

Final photo I've got for you, and we're ending it with a bang. The colour theme for this photo shoot has been incredible, subtle pink, blue and purple tones with vibrant yellows running throughout - totally beautiful. I'm so happy I found this magazine, as it's already shot right up there with my new favourite magazines! Vintage styles crossed with bright, modern colours and chunky designs are definitely in this season. 2014 is certainly looking to be a year of fabulous form.

If you want to know where I got these lovely photos, give them a click! They'll take you straight to the websites, and if you'd like to see more of V Magazine here are their Facebook and Twitter, and likewise with Wonderland Magazine, Facebook and Twitter are linked! I hope you've enjoyed today's (rather lengthy) post, I just couldn't resist having a chat about this photo shoot and some of the gorgeous magazines that have recently caught my eye. Until next time!

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Thank you, Company

Good evening! Now as some of you may remember, towards the end of 2013 I published a blog post named "Spring & Summer 2014", now for those with your magnifying glasses and superb memories - you'll recall I entered it into a competition hosted by my all time favourite magazine, Company Magazine (for Company Academy, under Content Creator). Don't worry if you don't remember, I would no way expect you to. Because, when I first entered, I did it on a bit of a whim really. It wasn't big news, because the chances of me winning were so small that I didn't think it worth even getting excited about if I'm honest! The only thing I'd ever won before was a game of Pass-The-Parcel in primary school (and that was only because it stopped on everyone but me, so the teacher felt obliged to stop it on the only kid who hadn't won a lollipop). I entered, hoping for the best, but reminding myself not to get my hopes up. I work hard on my blog and I absolutely love it to death, so it was no skin off my nose to give it a shot - I'd always do what I loved anyway. So it was a win-win.

Lo and behold, I somehow won. By this point, I was convinced someone who'd been running a blog since the internet was born would have won by now. Besides, I spend what feels like most of my life watching fashion/beauty YouTube videos by YouTubers such as Zoella, Rhiannon Ashlee and Tanya Burr - and they were my idea of "real" content creators. There was no way I thought I stood a chance.

So when the email came through from a lady called Holly at Company Magazine (who is honestly one of the loveliest ladies ever) telling me I'd won out of "hundreds of applicants" I was in what I can only describe as mortal shock. I was on a train too, so not a wonderful combination as the urge to cry, laugh and sing was overwhelming. 

This isn't a post to talk about that though. Today I got my hands on a copy of the issue for the first time, as it recently went on sale, and I'd really just like to say that I'm so grateful to Company Magazine for featuring my blog over a two-page spread. Not only am I immensely overwhelmed by anybody choosing my blog, but I'm amazed that it happens to be my favourite magazine. (I remember even studying and basing my own magazine on Company Magazine for my Degree Dissertation!). So I suppose this post really is a HUGE thank you for selecting my blog. I love what I do, and I'm so happy eternally grateful that this has been the outcome. 

Hope you all have a lovely evening!

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Yankee Candle • Mandarin Cranberry

So if you've known me for any length of time, you'll know about my unashamed obsession with scented candles. If you haven't known me for long, well let me tell you that it is a love oh so true. Especially - might I add - Yankee Candles. Now my personal favourites were always warm, sweet smells (Red Velvet, Creamy Caramel, Christmas Cookie... yes I'm a foody!) but for Christmas my younger sisters bought me three Yankee Tarts (two Christmas Eve and one Merry Marshmallow - I'll blog about those another day!) and a "Mandarin Cranberry" mini candle.

                                

I burnt my Mandarin Cranberry candle for the first time this evening, and my conclusion? It's really wonderful. I was never really into zesty scents, but I certainly am now. I'm a changed woman. I think because this particular candle combines a fruity, fresh overtones with a deep and sweet base. It's a lovely candle to burn on a chilly evening - I totally recommend it. So getcha'self a cup of tea, a hot water bottle and a blanket, light a Mandarin and Cranberry Yankee Candle and snuggle down with a good movie. You deserve it!

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Fabulous February (She Loves Green Tea)

Hello! Remember me? Now, I know we haven't seen each other since last month - and I apologise - but I've recently got myself a job (I know!) and I've had a lot to sort out. I haven't exactly had much inspiration lately either to say the least, but don't worry I'm here and I think we can work through this if you let me. Starting here. Welcome to Fabulous February! I hope you had a lovely January and didn't work yourself too hard getting rid of any Christmas weight you may or may not have gained throughout December. If your little bit of Christmas weight has now become your little bit of extra weight - I feel ya.

On to today's post! It's the 1st of February... Which means; Valentines Day, Pancake Day, The Brits, Lent, and Kissing Friday. I think that makes February pretty fabulous if you ask me. But shocker! I'm poorly. Of course I am. So the post I've put together today is a cheap, cheerful and cosy outfit is put together because it sure would aid how I feel right now - which ironically, is absolutely not fabulous. 

1. Monki, Annie Knitted Top, £29 (buy here) 2. UNIQLO, Women's Fleece Socks (Stripe), £5.90 (buy here) 3. Forever 21, Layered Skinny Workout Leggings, On Sale, £9.27 (buy here) 4. House of Fraser, Linea White Knitted Hot Water Bottle, On Sale, £7 (buy here) 5. Indigo, She Loves Green Tea Mug (buy here) 6. EOS, Smooth Sphere Lip Salve Honeysuckle Honeydew, £5.99 (buy here) 7. Barneys, Morgan Collection Isle of Aran Throw, On Sale, £325 (buy here)

Comfy. Cosy. Cute. I don't know about you, but I think I'd be feeling a little bit more "fabulous" than I currently am if I had this collection to my name!

(Side note: you don't have to love Green Tea to use the mug, it's not even a preference)

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