How To Create: Earrings Good Enough to Eat!

You know the deal - it's Christmas time, you’re lying on the couch watching bad TV surrounded by half empty tins of Roses, Quality Street and the inevitable box of USA Assorted Biscuits. You wipe your chocolate covered gob with the back of your hand and stare miserably at the carnage. Despite the countless sweet wrappers scattered at your feet, the shortbread crumbs down your best woolly geansaí and the groans from your bloated body you can’t help but yearn for some...Celebrations. Oh yes, to nibble on a sweet velvety Galaxy Truffle. Why is this chocolate so rare or so rare in my house?!

I’m getting distracted...returning to my tale of Christmas indulgence - I vowed to take a stand, a gym membership was too extreme (and possibly life-threatening) so I decided to delve deep into my artistic side and create jewellery out of the vibrant sweet wrappers. Sounds a bit crazy I know but this jewellery is really quirky and unique to you; you can choose your own colours, shape and size. You’re also doing your bit for the environment by recycling.

 You will need- sweet wrappers, a glue gun or superglue, cardboard (a cereal box will do), scissors, earring posts, a pencil/pen.

Earring posts are basically stud earrings with a flat base. You can glue anything onto these babies, they're cheap and easily found in jewellery making supply stores. I bought mine in Beads & Bling on Wellington Quay in Dublin.

Decide what shape and colour (and chocolate brand!) you want. Draw the shapes on the cardboard, you may need a ruler.

Cut out your shapes and place on your chosen sweet wrapper. Trace the shapes with a pen and cut out.

Apply a dot of glue on the card and place the sweet wrapper shape on top, pressing down firmly. Be careful if you're using hot glue, I used the edge of a towel to press down and avoid burnt fingers. When dry, flip your shape over and repeat.

Now your shapes are ready for the earring posts. Check out these hearts I cut out from gold Quality Street foil, be imaginative with your design or alternatively use two different sweet wrappers to create a collage effect. If you want your earrings to be a little more hard-wearing I'd suggest covering in contact book covering before applying the earring posts.

Apply a dot of glue to one side of your shape and place the earring post on top. Hold down for a few seconds and leave to dry.

Ta-da! And here’s some I made earlier - Quality Street green triangles, my favourite (literally!). I feel these earrings have a real 80s vibe as they’re so bold and flashy; I can see them complimenting washed-out denim or a jumpsuit perfectly. They could also add a different dimension to your festival outfit this summer.

The Tribal Trend - Penneys Has It Sorted

Tribal prints are all over the highstreet. Designers such as Donna Karen, Proenza Schouler and Michael Kors all included ethnic patterns in earthy tones in their Spring/Summer collections and thankfully the highstreet took note and hey presto - lovely affordable replicas! River Island has some wonderful tribal pieces but Penneys of course is way ahead of the game. Tribal prints adorn dresses, playsuits and cropped trousers and the traditional and much loved ethnic pattern, animal print, also features.

This playsuit caught my eye due to its unusual colour, it really stood out among all the browns, rusts and creams and at just €9 I couldn’t say no!

You might think tribal is a difficult trend to wear but keep it simple. I have seen matching blazers and trousers in shops and girls wearing clashing prints but I personally wouldn't be a fan of that bold look. To ease yourself into the trend, accessories are a good place to start - think printed clutches, wooden platform sandals and statement jewellery incorporating wood, beads and metals.

                                 Playsuit – Penneys/Primark (available in store now)
                                             Necklace – Penneys/Primark (available in store now)
                                             Sandals – River Island

Beauty Tutorial: Pink And Gold Nails Perfect For Spring/Summer

Pastel coloured nails dominated the spring 2012 runways. Armani, Marc Jacobs and Chanel sent their models out sporting nails dipped in creamy beiges, soft lemons and rose pinks. I've recreated this feminine look but by putting my own spin on it - adding a sparkly gold making it a little less demure. I've used Essence nail polishes which I love. Their wearability is just as good as other budget brands such as 17 and Rimmel  and at just €1.29 a pop you can throw two or three into your shopping basket without feeling too guilty.

Left to right: Essence Nude Glam in 04 Iced Latte, Essence Colour & Go in 50 Irreplaceable, Essence Gel-Look Topcoat

I started by putting on a base coat, currently I'm using Sally Hansen Diamond Shine Base & Top Coat. Then I applied two thin coats of the nude polish letting it dry completely between coats. This helps prevent chipping. Next I applied the gold polish; using small vertical strokes I covered just the tips of the nails. After this dried I applied the gel-look topcoat. This gives a really glossy shine, much better than the Sally Hansen.

How To Create: A Floral Headpiece

With spring coming to a close the daffodils, tulips and bluebells that once filled every park and garden are slowly receding. This and the fact that girl of the moment Lana del Rey has made floral headpieces her signature look inspired me to make my own. There are some lovely headpieces already stocked in the shops for festival season, New Look has a very pretty range, but I decided to make mine with fresh flowers.  It may only last one day but it’s authentic and purse friendly. Just don't rob your neighbour's prize blooms! If you find using fresh flowers too tricky try glueing artificial flowers to a plain plastic hair band.

You will need - a selection of flowers, wire that bends easily, rose wire, measuring tape, floristry stem tape or ribbon, sellotape, scissors, pliers (not pictured).

Measure and cut the bendy wire, approximately 65 cm should be enough. Place around your head, it's better to be slightly too big than too small. Twist the ends together to form a circle.

Take the floristry stem tape or ribbon and twist it around the wire until it's covered. Secure at intervals with sellotape.

    Cut the flowers leaving at least half an inch of stem.

Using pliers cut the rose wire into 1 inch pieces. Pierce the stems with the wire and then bend the ends creating a U shape.

Arrange the flowers on the headband. Secure in place by twisting the wire around the headband. Make sure you use the pliers to cut off any excess wire or you could end up with quite a sore head!

Voilà! A beautiful and original fresh floral headpiece. 

                    

Spring/Summer Fashion Inspired By Lana Del Rey

                                     T-shirt - Asos (available online now)
                                                   Jeans - H&M
                                                   Shoes - Mel (stocked in Schuh)
                                                   Earrings - Topshop

Like her or hate her, you have to admit Lana del Rey is one gorgeous looking woman. Her style is quintessentially vintage Americana, just on the right side of tacky. When I saw this Hollywood t-shirt on Asos, almost identical to Lana's, I had to have it. In her song 'Video Games' she purrs, 'I heard that you like the bad girls, honey', and dressed like this I feel like I should be sitting in a 1950 Cadillac Coupe de Ville with a beautiful man drinking Jack Daniels by the neck! 

To recreate her retro look think high waisted bottoms, bare midriffs, cat eye sunglasses and chunky gold jewellery.