A Style Mosaic - 2013

2013 has been one of the most exciting years for me so far. And starting a blog has had a lot to do with that. I am so glad that I was inspired to create this, one bored June day. It has allowed me to write (one of my passions) on a regular bases, explore the world of photography and make new connections with interesting people. A Style Mosaic is only 7 months old, but in this time I have shared a lot on this tiny space on the web. We (my blog and I) have gone to America and back, seen a few trips to London, and embarked on countless day trips to dainty places. Looking forward to 2014, I hope to continue to post content on here, however an eventful year exam-wise may mean posts are slightly sparse. Please feel free to email me with any post requests or questions at a.style.mosaic@gmail.com. I promise to stick with it though! Even if it does mean late nights of blogging. Thank you to all who have read my blog even once, it excites me far to much when I get page views. I hope you all have a very happy new year and wish you the best for 2014.

xo

Boxing-day blues Hot Chocolate

 

    After having watched the Polar Express for about the 18294027204750376th time, I found myself in the mood for Hot Chocolate. What a welcome mood that is. It just so happened to also be the perfect thing to help me combat the Boxing-day blues, which I don't suffer too badly from. I actually quite enjoy Boxing-day. I love the left-overs, discovering presents you didn't even know you had and, in my case, watching all the Christmas movies you didn't have time for earlier in the month. But I know that Boxing-day is a bit of a let down for many. So I have come to your rescue, bearing a dangerous and very more-ish mug of steaming hot chocolate. Or maybe just the recipe for you to brew up yourself. Enjoy!

What you will need:

Hot Chocolate powder (I like Bournville best)

Spices

Warm milk

Water

A Christmassy mug

Nutella

Mini marshmallows

Add a heaped teaspoon of cocoa powder into your Christmas mug. I am cheating and using a Chai Latte powder that I got at the whole foods market, but any mixed spice will do. Add the same amount of mixed spice.

Fill the mug up, half with hot water, half warm milk.

Stir in as much nutella as the mug will hold, without eating it all yourself.

Add mini marshmallows, chocolate buttons or any other little treats.

Drink away :)

xo

It's begining to look alot like Christmas...

My excitement for Christmas tends to grow from about February. So now that the countdown is less than a week, I am constantly on the verge of an excitable breakdown. I bought this dress a few weeks ago to go to an awards ceremony with my good friends. I didn't realize how Christmasy it was until it came, and loved it so much, thought it deserved it's own post. Paired with this gorgeous Fiorelli purse given to me by the lovely Rosa, I think these two make the perfect outfit for any festive parties at this time.

***

Christmas trees are possibly my favourite things ever. Okay, so I say that about almost everything, but really, I love them loads. And decorating is one of the best parts of bringing the live tree into the house. I love our vast collection of decorations that we have accumulated over many years. Each ornament has sentimental or comedic meaning. The glitter covered pin cones made at age 5 are still hung proudly beside the expensive glass ones. Fairylights draped all over the tree in a big twinkling mass. At the end of it all, our tree is literally growing under the weight of festive trinkets. And I love it.

Dress- Topshop    Necklace- River Island    Bag- Fiorelli

xo

Haim

 First of all, sorry for the lack of posts. I am excuse-less. But I promise to make a habit of posting regularly in 2014. The other night me and my good friends Alice and Mara queued in the cold (after having stuffed our faces at a lovely little tapas bar) to see our favourite sister trio band. Haim. If you have been reading my blog for a while now, then you'll know how much I love Haim. I have mentioned them before in glowing words, so as not to repeat and embarrass myself I will let you drool over them here.

Este Haim's 'Baseface' was a show in itself.

xo

Christmas tunes

Christmas music is one of my favourite things about this time of year. I love listening to Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra whilst wrapping presents and eating (all the) mince pies. I always get excited for modern twists on old christmas songs too. I have been discovering a lot of them lately, and wanted to share my absolute favourites with you.

 My favourite Christmas albums include:

Michael Buble- Christmas                     Loreena Mckenneitt- Midwinter night's dream

Mindy Gledhill: Winter Moon                      Bing Crosby: Merry Christmas  

 

I had to share with you my favourite Christmas music video too. The ever tacky festive 'All I want for Christmas is you'.

xo

A Festive Makeup Tutorial

So I realise that posting about Christmas on the first of December is a bit eager, but i can't help myself. The excitement is just too much. During the festive period, I love experimenting more with my makeup. It's a great excuse to go crazy with glitter and Christmassy colours:) I thought that posting a Christmas makeup tutorial early on, may be a good idea as it isn't just on the 25th of December people like to dress up. Christmas parties come in abundance, and it is nice to have a go to makeup look. All the products I use in this tutorial are inter-changeable with similar ones.

Start by applying whatever face makeup you use daily and prime your eyelids with either a primer potion or a foundation. I am now using a light gold colour from a Clinique palate to start with an even base.

Now with the same brush, I applied 'Ego' by Mac on the outer-third of my eyelid all the way up to the crease. It is a gorgeous green shade and look great on all eye colours.

 With a fluffy eyeshadow brush, I used a gorgeous deep green pigment by Mac in a wind-screen wiper motion across my crease. This adds depth to the eye and helps give the look a 'smokey' effect. Then apply some of your favourite kohl eyeliner to the upper lashline. Don't worry if it is a rough line as you should smudge it out towards the end of your eye.

Using the same fluffy brush, take a shimmery silver colour (I'm using Bourjois eyeshadow in '25 Argent'), and use it to blend out the harsh line near the crease and also as a highlight for the corner of your eye. Curl your lashes before applying your favourite mascara. Mine of the moment is Max Factors False Lash Effect.

For the lips, I like to use a burgundy Yves Rocher lipstick and buff it into my lips to create a stain. On top of that I apply a Butter London Lipgloss from the Christmas collection called West End Wonderland. This Lipgloss collection is easily my favourite.

The finished look! Thankyou for reading. I hope you all have a lovely time at any festive events you and your makeup go to.

xo