Guest Blogger Friday // Summer Favourites

It's Friday, which means that I hand over my blog to another blogger in the blogosphere! This time we have:

Naomi @ Naomi Tara

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Hi everyone,

I'm Naomi from naomitara.blogspot.com and I'm lucky enough to be one of Yuen's guest bloggers! I mainly blog about fashion and make-up, but I'm also have a huge range of other interests that may occasionally pop up.

For you to see the sort of products I use and love, I thought there would be no better blog post to do than a July/Summer Favourites. So before I babble on any longer, here are the products I've been loving this month..

First of all, MAC's tinted moisturiser in dark. I've been wearing a much lighter base than usual because of the heat, and it's doing wonders for my skin. I recently did an entire post about this product on my blog, so have a look if you want to know more!

Because it's summer, I've been wearing a LOT of sandals. My favourite without fail, every summer, are my Russell and Bromley blue suede gladiator flats. They're so old and used but I love them so much and I can't stand to replace them.

I've also loved Essie's matte nail polish topcoat. Obviously this is wearable all year round, but I've been wearing more corals, pinks and oranges this season and I love the look you get when you pair a bright colour with this matte topcoat.

The most affordable and easily attainable object on this list is Johnson's Baby Oil. I've been going out with friends a lot both during the day and night and feel like this works so much better than lotion in hot weather. It doesn't become sticky or slimy at all. I just get out of the shower and put the baby oil on my skin while it's still wet, and then pat dry with a towel. It does exactly what the bottle says, seals in moisture, and also makes your skin look so so healthy. This bottle is so used and horrible, it's also in Portuguese, sorry!

Swimming in the sea (not that I do that, hello phobias) and lying in the sun all day can really dry out your hair, which has led me to be using and loving Elvive's Extraordinary Oil. It's probably not the best on the market, but it's affordable and really works to replenish some of the lost moisture.

My favourite eyeshadow palette of all time, Urban Decay's Naked 2 has been replaced... By UD's Naked Basics! As a lover of matte and neutral colours, this is just my perfect palette. It's also so small and so easy to carry around. I'd been resisting the temptation to buy it since it came out and I'm so happy I finally gave in.

My last favourite is Make Up Forever's 274 duo-ended eyebrow brush and comb. The comb works well to brush brows into shape but why I really love it is the dense, tiny angled brush at the other end. I've used a MAC angled brush and Real Techniques brow brush and I thought I loved them both, but neither compare at all to the precise finish I can get using this brush and a brown eyeshadow. It takes a bit longer because the brush is so small, but it's so worth it.

So those are a few of my favourite items from this month. I've tried to keep this quite short but if you'd like to see more from me then I'd love it if you read some of my posts at naomitara.blogspot.com.

Thanks so much for reading, and thanks to Yuen for making me a guest blogger for her. I really appreciate it!

Naomi x

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Thank you Naomi for sharing with us your favourites this summer! 

If you would like to guest blog, simply email me at limzhuoyuen.bis@gmail.com for more details (:

Keep up with me on:  Bloglovin' //Tumblr // Twitter // Lookbook //Pinterest // Google + //Google Friend Connect

Guest Post // A little introduction

This is a scheduled post as I'm currently at the beach! 

Today we have Annmarie from The Simply Swift Blog

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Hi guyyys! I'm super excited to be guest posting today for Yuen! :)

 I write over at The Simply Swift Blog and although I'm a pretty new blogger, I am LOVING the blogosphere! It makes for a great creative outlet and a fantastic way to meet new friends. I hope you'll stop by!   

 Because we've only just met, I thought I'd share a few things that you won't find on my about me page:

 - I grew up on the North Shore of Massachusetts and only moved out of my childhood home to move in with my then boyfriend/now husband, Brian 

- I've only ever broken one toe, the "ring" toe on my right foot.

 - When Brian and I get home, we do a little "yay, you're home!" for the other. I don't know when it happened but we never talked about it, it just happens 

- I'm addicting to graham cracker ice cream, curling my hair, driving for no other reason than just to talk, and even numbers of things   

 Now that we're friends, I feel like I can reveal something that until only recently, nobody had ever seen before. It's hilarious, a little tiny bit gross, and when you know the story behind it, adorable. It's about me and my sister, Kara. To learn about our story, read this post. In case you don't have the time (or the tissues, because you miiight cry), I'll give you the short version. Three years ago in April, my mom sat me down and told me I had a sister. I grew up as an only child with just my mom (my dad left when I was a baby and passed away six years ago. I promise this isn't a saddy post) and didn't know until recently that they had a daughter before me. Because of their lifestyle at the time, they chose a closed adoption for her. Fast forward to September of 2011, we found her! We met on 9.10.11, and we've been

best friends

sisters ever since. She's amazing! Our bond was almost immediate. After the initial first date-ish conversations to get to know the basics about each other, we decided to start tackling the endless list of childhood activities we missed out on as kids. We've colored coloring books, played at playgrounds, she even curled my hair for the very first time a few weekends ago! 

Anyway, one of the most memorable of these experiences was our decision to play Chubby Bunny. Please say you know what I'm talking about! A ridiculous (and sort of crazy) game of stuffing marshmallows in your mouth and saying "chubby bunny" each time until you can't fit any more or say it again. It's hilarious. And super competitive which we both love. That's what I'm sharing with you today... the top secret video. Before you watch, know these things - the sniffling, the drooling... I know it's gross. But it's totally worth it. I promise! - I definitely think I counted wrong. I think we tied. - I know the JFK skateboard is weird. It's my husband's. I gave it to him as a gift years ago because he's obsessed with the JFK conspiracy, and he refuses to take it down "because it's a piece of ART, Annmarie!" - We didn't mean for the slow jam from The Voice to be our soundtrack. Sometimes magic just happens.   Ha! Enjoy! Chubby Bunny Video   

 Now that you've seen one of the weirdest things I've ever done, I hope you'll stop by The Simply Swift Blog from time to time to check up on me and Kara. I'm sure the embarrassment doesn't end there! :) 

 xo

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Thank you Annmarie for giving us a little insight about yourself! Don't forget to go check out her blog @ The Simply Swift Blog

P.S: Please do vote for me for a Missguided competition HERE - it will only take a few seconds and I'll be eternally grateful!

Keep up with me on: Bloglovin' //Tumblr // Twitter // Lookbook //Pinterest // Google + //Google Friend Connect

Guest Post // Lookbook Inspired by Lana Del Rey

This is a scheduled post as I'm currently at the beach! Which is why I'm handing my blogging schedule to some amazing guest bloggers (:

Today, we have Sockwun from ExtraExtravagant

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Hello, world. When I look for style inspiration, I refer to different sources: magazines, blogs, and - most importantly - people. This is a broad term that encompasses the people that I see on the street as well as the worlds most looked up to fashion muses, celebrities.

Kate Moss | The Olsen Twins | Leighton Meester

When you think of fashionable celebrities, the obvious candidates are always the Olsen twins, Kate Moss, and Leighton Meester amongst many other trendsetters. In this post, I want to bring to light another stylish celebrity that people dont usually think about - Lana Del Rey.

Lana Del Rey

Lana Del Reys looks are always fun and flirty. In this lookbook, I will incorporate three dresses: the white dress, the black dress, and the red dress.

« The White Dress »

Asos Petite Skater Dress in Aztec Lace in Cream | $51

L. Erickson Bermuda Bow Headband | $48

Alexis Bittar Elements Long Open Oval Pendant Necklace | $115.90

The white dress is the perfect Summer alternative to an LBD that is super easy to style. I have a style guide for white dresses on my blog. For Lana, she paired it with a cute headband and dainty accessories to keep the look fresh.

« The Black Dress »

 

Balensi Fox Lace Print Dress | $1,686

Carvela Gary Strappy Heeled Shoe Boots | $221

Moschino Metallic Woven Eco Leather Clutch | $294

If an LWD isn't your thing, the classic LBD is the way to go. Lana paired hers with gold-accented boots. You can opt for black booties paired with metallic accessories; in this case, a clutch works.

« The Red Dress »

Nasty Gal Hot Ticket Skater Dress in Cherry Bomb | $34

Ann Taylor Paisley Chunky Statement Necklace | $115 

Anthropologie Crystallized Water Drops Earrings in Clear | $132 

 

This is probably one of the most intimidating colors to work with for most people. Unlike white or black, red is a very out-there color, but if done right, it can be super flattering. If youre not comfortable with an all-out red, opt for a more subtle red. Pair it with statement jewelry to take the attention off the brightness.

I hope you enjoyed this lookbook inspired by Lana Del Rey. If you liked this post, head on over to ExtraExtravagant.com where I write about things like this!

Thank you so much, Yuen, for giving me this opportunity to write a guest post for you!

xoxo

Sockwun

ExtraExtravagant.com 

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Thank you Sockwun for a great Lana Del Rey inspired post! Definitely worth it if you want to channel her look!

Don't forget to check out her blog @ ExtraExtravagant

P.S: Please do vote for me for a Missguided competition HERE - it will only take a few seconds and I'll be eternally grateful!

Keep up with me on: Bloglovin' //Tumblr // Twitter // Lookbook //Pinterest // Google + //Google Friend Connect

Guest Post // 5 tips for naturally beautiful skin all summer long!

This is a scheduled post as I'm currently at the beach! Wheeee! But don't worry, I've got awesome guest bloggers lined up for you (: Today is a post from Michelle who works at a spa called Skana in a small town at Upstate NY -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Between heat, sun, and pools, summer can be hard on your skin. It doesn't have to be that way, though!  Follow our tips, and enjoy healthy glowing skin all through the hot months.
1. Go bare Summer sweat mixed with heavy make-up can clog pores and create skin problems. Since summer  activities are typically casual anyway, why not ditch the foundation and let your skin breathe during your  road trips and barbecues this summer?
2. No tanning Whether you're concerned about skin cancer or premature aging, sunbathing is definitely out. Even dark  skin is susceptible to sun damage, so bring an umbrella and stay in the shade! Don't let fake tanners draw  you in, either. They're still loaded with chemicals, many of which haven't been tested for long-term affects  on skin or health.
3. Rinse your skin Salt and chlorine will both dry your skin out, so don't forget a refreshing shower after you swim this  summer. It'll rinse off any chemicals from the water and keep your skin looking young.
4. Eat right
Unhealthy processed and sugar-filled foods can cause premature aging, so stick with fresh fruits and  veggies. Cool salads and grain dishes are refreshing in summer. And don't be afraid of healthy fats! Good  fats from Greek yogurt, fish, and nuts will keep your skin supple all summer long.
5. Stay hydrated Do you get thirsty in the heat? So does your skin. Avoid chemical-filled soft drinks, and stick with water  throughout the day. It'll flush out toxins that dull your skin to give you that perfect summer glow. Summer can be tough on skin, but it doesn't have to be. Stay fresh and natural with our summer skincare  tips, and you won't have to worry about skin issues ruining your summer fun! And when it's all over for the  day, try this recipe inspired by Skana Spa of New York State Resort, Turning Stone. It's perfect to soothe  your for oily/combination skin.

Tightening Green Tea and Grapefruit Toner

Ingredients:

2 green tea bags steeped in 1 cup water and cooled.

1/4 cup witch hazel

Juice of 1/2 of a red grapefruit

Directions

1. Steep the tea bags in the water and let cool.

2. Remove the teabags.

3. Add the witch hazel and the grapefruit juice to the tea water.

4. Mix all together.  Apply to skin with a cotton ball, let dry and then rinse off with water.

5. Mix all the ingredients in a blender until the mixture is perfectly smooth. Apply to skin with a cotton ball. 

6. Once it's dry, rinse off with cool water.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you Michelle for some great tips and an awesome, 'au naturel' recipe!
P.S: Please do vote for me for a Missguided competition HERE - it will only take a few seconds and I'll be eternally grateful!

Keep up with me on: Bloglovin' //Tumblr // Twitter // Lookbook //Pinterest // Google + //Google Friend Connect

Guest Post // Summer Loobook

This is a scheduled post as I'm currently at the beach! Wheeee! But don't worry, I've got awesome guest bloggers lined up for you (:

To start things off, we have Yige from Yet Another Makeup Blog

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Hey guys! This is the 2nd post in the Summer Lookbook series, annnnd it's on outfit ideas! So if you haven't seen the 1st one then click here.

1. Monochrome

Monochrome is a really big trend this spring and summer, also it's a really simple yet chic look.

The top I got from Internationale for £4, which by the way has a HUGE sale on right now, almost everything in their store is on sale and they're all under £20, AND it's buy one get one free! So the top has a really cute lacey Peter pan collar and the rest is just plain white.

I got the black skater skirt from New Look for £9.99, there's not much to say about it, it's just a simple skater skirt.

And for accessories, I have a pair of black brogues from Clarkes, a small black bag from New Look, a half black and half brown belt (I can't remember where I got it from) just to tie the outfit together.

I also thought a bright lip stick would go great with this outfit, since there isn't much colour in the clothes, you can play up your lip colour as a contrast to that. Or a nude lipstick would go great with the outfit as well. (both are more MUA, in the shades 3 and 16)

2. Printed Leggings

This outfit is for when the weather is very mild, too cold for shorts but too warm for jeans. It;s still very casual and comfy.

The top is just a simple white vest top, I can't remember where I got mine but any plain top would do. I chose a plain top because there is already a lot going on on the bottom half so it would be too distracting if the top was patterned as well.

The leggingins are aztec print, I think I got mine from New Look, and it's really comfy to wear and it's not sheer because one of my biggest pet peeves is see through leggings. I mean what's the difference between see through leggings and tights?

Then to go with the earthy toned patterns on the leggings, I chose a long gold necklace, so that the top half wouldn't look too boring. And on the necklace, there is a really cute hot air balloon decoration.

For shoes I just went with some beige brogues.

3. Day Dress

You gotta wear a sun dress for summer right? This look is slightly more dressed up but still on the casual side.

I got this dress from the sale in Internationale, can you believe that it was reduced from £22.99 to £6?! I really love the cut on this dress, I know you can't see it but the back of the dress has a cut out on the lower back, it's not too revealing but still playful.

To go with the dress, I have some flip flops from M&S, a small shoulder bag and a nude lipstick. I had a lot of trouble with finding the right accessories to go with this dress for some reason, but I think it's because the colour of it is quite different from the accessories I own.

4. Midnight Blue

Unlike the previous outfits, this is definitely not a casual look. I would wear this to a night out or to dinner or something like that.

The dress is from H&M, it was £6 - ish I can't really remember, and it's just a really simple navy dress with a skater skirt bottom, but the skirt part is actually hi-low, so the back of it is slightly longer than the front. The fabric of this dress is really really soft, just thought I'd point that out!

I chose a small chain with a heart on it for a more elegant look, this would look great with some black heels, but since I don't really like wearing heels (although I love how they look) I just went with some black pumps.

And for lipstick I thought a light pink would go great with this dress, since pink and blue look really gorgeous against each other.

5. Casual Shorts

 This is the last outfit so let's end it with another casual one! This is probably my most worn outfit during summer, just shorts and a t-shirt.

I got this cat top from Internationale along with all the ones mentioned previously, and when I saw it I just had to have it! You know how much I love cats, and by the way cats are going to be a huge fashion trend soon, they already are in some stores but it'll be a matter of months before they take over the high street!

The shorts are simple denim ones from New Look, and they've got a really cute cut on the sides as well.

Of course I had to pair this outfit with my favourite shoes - my purple converse! They are so so comfy and they never gave me blisters.

With a simple outfit like this, you can really play up the accessories, so I went with some midi rings (for DIY click here) and a golden ear cuff from Urban Outfitters.

Lastly I have got a cute back pack from Kipling just to keep my stuff in.

Thank you so much for visiting my blog, and don't forget to follow me on blog lovin here

- Yige x

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Thank you Yige for some amazing fashion inspiration this summer! Definitely time to look through my closet!

Don't forget to check out her blog @ Yet Another Makeup Blog

P.S: Please do vote for me for a Missguided competition HERE - it will only take a few seconds and I'll be eternally grateful!

Keep up with me on: Bloglovin' //Tumblr // Twitter // Lookbook //Pinterest // Google + //Google Friend Connect

Guest Blogger Friday // Tokidoki Obsession

Anyone else impatient for the weekend to start?

Every Friday, I have a guest blogger on my blog to write about anything they desire and to share their inspirations and favourites with everyone else! If you are interested in guest blogging, simply email me for more information at:

limzhuoyuen.bis@gmail.com

Guest blogging today is Kayla from Style Vancity

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Tokidoki Obsession by stylevancity on Polyvore

1. Country Club Beauty Bag $42 CAD - Tokidoki 
2. SANDy Mimobot $21 CAD - Tokidoki
3. Sunglasses $120 CAD - Tokidoki
4. Country Club Tablet Case $46 CAD - Tokidoki
5. Ju.Ju.Be Be Prepared  Diaper Bag Farfalle $195 CAD - Tokidoki
6. Donutella Plush Toy $21 CAD - Tokidoki
7. Phonezies $4.15 CAD (each) - Tokidoki

I was obsessed (literally) with tokidoki a few years ago as I fell in love with their cute prints and adorable figures. A term thrown around used to describe things like this would be "kawaii" meaning cute in Japanese. Despite it's kawaii and asian looks, tokidoki (meaning "sometimes" in Japanese) was actually started by Italian artist Simone Legno and a couple of entrepreneurs. As a lover of cute accessories and figures, I amassed tokidoki zipper pulls, keychains and vinyl toys that sit on my shelf even till today. 

If you're looking for a touch of cuteness or an "OMG that's adorable! Where'd you get that from?" I totally recommend taking a little splurge on a cute tokidoki product.

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You guys craving all things Tokidoki yet? 
Do go check out Kayla's blog at Style Vancity

Keep up with me on:  Bloglovin' //Tumblr // Twitter // Lookbook //Pinterest // Google + //Google Friend Connect