VOGUE give their verdict on the best handbags of AW13/14

Click HERE for the link to the article.

Here are some of my personal favourites from the collection:

I absolutely adore these heart prints from Burberry. They have produced the print as all over patterns as well as accents and I just can't wait for this to catch on. Most heart prints come in the typical red, white and pink at the moment; it will be great to see them reproduced in more earthy tones, making them less preppy and more versatile.

This colourful doctor's bag from Mulberry:

I have a gorgeous vintage doctor's bag that I found in a vintage shop years ago in a lovely camel coloured leather. Its only problem is that it can feel a bit drab when teamed with muted colours. A bag like this would provide all the room but would be so much brighter.

The same goes for this cherry toned doctor's bag from Marc by Marc Jacobs. Perfect if you're bored of muted leather bags but too afraid/clumsy to have a bright green one like the ones above by Mulberry.

I can't wait for these looks to come about. Dare I say it? I think I'm getting bored of the satchel and these will be a welcome change without having to resort back to tiny clutches or oversized bags you could fit an Olsen twin in. 

Do you have any other favourites from the catwalks? I'd love to see what styles you like. Also, I'll be putting up another nail art tutorial in the next few days so keep an eye open for those. Don't forget to subscribe through e-mail updates or BlogLovin if you want to be told when my new posts are up!

Love,

xx

about me: who I am and why I'm blogging

Cat Claws mission statement:

This is a blog about fashion, nail art and beauty written by a total amateur but complete fanatic. I'm not involved in the beauty industry and I'm not remotely good at drawing or art, however I love to try out the looks I see on celebrities, catwalks and instagram. I like to think that this blog will provide someone just like me who has no experience in these fields with the inspiration they need to create something fashionable and beautiful. The longer this blog continues, the more I will expand it to include music, films and television that has inspired outfits or nails, for example. Last but definitely not least, suggestions are always more than welcome!

Here are a few key facts about me:

• Name: Cat
• Age: 22
• Occupation: Student
• Born in: Belfast
• Living in: East London, although back in Belfast quite regularly and often for long periods of time

Here I am! This was taken by the amazing Big Bad Llama, a fantastic photographer and wonderful human being that I get to call one of my best friends. Check out his photographs and videos. He is a creative powerhouse.

 I am not a professional in the fashion industry, nor am I a beautician  I am a student, in fact I am a Law student. I am simply just extremely passionate about fashion and beauty. To me, they are a way of life. I am still young and am finding my feet in the world. I would love to get involved in these industries in the future, when I eventually get around to finding one of those 'real job' adults like to remind us young ones of so often. 

I really hope that I can bring the most of my talents to this blog through my writing, styling and nail artistry, allowing you to access trends you might be too afraid to try. Anyone can wear a fashion but it takes real personality to truly have style.

Love,

xx

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'Drip Drop': gunge nails how-to

I adore these dripping gunge nails. They're relatively simple to do and are really eye catching.

I got the inspiration for these nails from WAH Nails, who post them on their instagram all the time and have a great how-to in their book. (I've hyperlinked these myself, it isn't a bot! Click on them to look at their designs for inspiration or just to drool at their amazingness.) This is my take on the look as, since they published the book, I've noticed that WAH have added more detail to the gunge nails they post online, adding some shading and further drips.

A popular colour mix that WAH use is the red on black which looks really effective and gory. I like to mix up the colours so they don't look too Hallowe'en-esque, using candy colours as well as dark and gory types.

The colours I used were:

• For the base: Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine in Watermelon (248), and Blueberry (243)
• For the drip and effect: Models Own WAH Nails Nail Art Pen in Pink and White
• For the top coat: Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

Step 1: Paint your nails in the base colour. If you are using a dark base, it is best to put on a clear polish below in case your nail stains. Wait to dry.

Step 2: 

• Once the base has dried, draw a line across the top of the nail with the colour you are going to do your drip effect in. 
• Draw your first big drip by painting a circle and dragging the paint upwards towards the line at the top. Don't worry if it looks a little strange now, the more drips that are added, the better it begins to look.

Step 3:

• Draw in a few more medium sized drips.
• Begin to fill in the gaps between the drips. This is what makes them look more professional, giving a gloopier feel to them. Add in a few little drips as if they are just forming for a better effect.

Optional step 4:

• If you are happy with your desired effect after Step 3, you can just wait for them to dry and add a top coat. 
• You can also add more fallen drips towards the bottom of the nail, these look best below the little drips at the top, as if they have just broken off.
• Wait for the drips to dry, and add in some shading with a white or black. Make sure to stick to one side, I think the bottom right looks best. Do a thin line or dot to make the drips look shinier.

Finally, wait to dry and add your top coat.

I hope you liked my take on the drip nails. I really like using these colours as they are a lot less gory meaning they aren't exclusively Hallowe'en nails. I'd love to see more colour combinations and effects, so post any that you do using these tips in the comments below!

Lots of love,

 xx

5 minute ombre nails: how-to

These nails are so simple to do and, with a quick drying top coat, you will be ready to go in 5 minutes! Each layer doesn't take very long to dry and I've managed to do these while waiting for a taxi to arrive.

Ombre is a trend that has been around East London for a few years now but it isn't going anywhere fast, it is instead migrating from hair to clothes and now nails!

I used these three peach to pink shades, but it can be done with two or three similar shades of any colour. Just use whatever you have in the house! Blue and grey shades are great too.

The colours I used in the picture: Barry M Peach Melba 318, Models Own Fuzzy Peach NP015, Models Own Raspberry Crush NP057

What you will need:

• Two or three similar shades of nail polish to create an ombre hue effect
• Make up sponges (can be bought in Primark or Poundland for a pound, or dollar stores and cheap drug stores in America)

Step 1: apply your base colour and wait to dry.
I used the lightest shade but it can also be done using the darkest shade as the base and getting lighter for a reverse effect.

Step 2: dab a little of your second colour on to a piece of paper, card or plastic (anything you can throw away.

Step 3: Dip a make-up sponge corner in the polish and begin to apply it to the nail.
Begin at the top of the nail and work your way down 2/3rds of the nail.
Only touch the top of the nail with the freshly dipped sponge to make sure the colour fades into the base colour seamlessly.
Allow to dry.

Step 4: Repeat step 3 but with the third colour, covering the top 1/3 or 1/2 depending on how seamless you want the ombre effect to be.
Allow to dry and apply top coat.

There you have it! Simple, quick nails that look impressive but require very little effort.

Lots of love,

Cat Claws.