Travels!

Sorry for the lack of updates ! I'm a bit busy after setting up another blog! http://www.ouifashionista.blogspot.com/ ! I do hope it will become more popular than this one as i've only been having 30 hits a day on average which is crap! anyway i love my readers i just want to make a better blog!

anyway i'm a sucker for mini or travel size make up or hair things! and here the top 3 mini things i want to try!

Cargo 30 day supply of lipgloss! How handy would these little bubbles of lipgloss be! I'd have the 30 day supply stashed in my bag for any day that i forget to put on or bring lipgloss!

Cargo Colourcards: eyeshadow: portable eye shadows!. Each of these single-use eye shadows is embossed onto super flat cards that are perfect for gals on the go. Each eyeshadow slips on easily with a fingertip or brush as a sheer shimmering color wash for the lids! it comes in a pack of 28!

Jonathan Pocket Redo Freshen-Up Wipes :These little packs of hair goodness freshen up hair, getting rid of smokey smells and greasy hair!

Birthday Wishlist

Its my birthday on the 8th of May and if my mom and dad are reading, which they are most likely to, wink wink, here is my ultimate list to celebrate my birthday. Louis Vuitton Speedy 30 ( available at http://www.louisvutton.com/ ) This is no ordinary bag, its a classic, and something I will be able to use forever and of very high quality, trust me it will last through the years. This style Louis Vuitton has been made for years and is timeless. Pretty Please, this is the most fabulous bag and i know its expensive at £345 ( price increase last week, damn LV and their price increases) but remember i'll love it forever.

I did think about asking for a ipod or a TV but then i realised, that will diminish in price very soon and it will be busted in 2 year's time unlike the speedy.

Will and Grace season 1, without a shadow of doubt, will and grace is my favourite show and with it not being aired so much after sadly finishing. It never without fail makes me laugh and you can watch it over and over again.

Blueberry Mask from Urban Outfitters, mmm this sounds soo good! it will make my skin clearer, glowy and smell great! sounds like the perfect mask!

These Urban Outfitter tees

are simple basics which will look great in summer. The sunglasses are in the sale for £5!

Then as its coming up to summer, i need some summer make up! Mac- Honey lust eyeshadow, Underage Lipglass, nailvarnish topcoat. Clinique Almost makeup powder to go with my tinted moisturiser which is spf15!

If you buy these from nordies you will save a massive £20!!!

This is a my ultimate list so this will give you ideas for the clueless grannies and aunts which always ask you what i want! This is handy before i ended up with an ugly sheepskin hat ( i don't do hats!), wooden dinosaur puzzles and my sis ended up with a used ugly leather satchel which my grandma had in her closet for like 20 years!

xxxx

MIA

Miss me?

Nope Couture gal isn't missing in action, she need a break due to personal problems. It's sorta sorted out but I'll survive. i can't believe i haven't posted since Saturday, i think i almost had withdrawals symptoms, Kidding! or am i?

With my birthday coming up in 2 weeks, and shockingly i haven't come up with list yet. I have a few ideas but i hope to do a proper post soon. I often get inspiration for blog posts while picking what to wear, listening to music but most of all while going for a walk. I think walking is the best way to come up with blog post ideas so walk with me and get the those blog ideas flowing.

It's late, my hair is a mess, I'm sad that I've just watched this weeks episode of gossip girl and i have to wait another week. It was the Blair's Sleepover episode and my my was it good.

anyway channelling gossip girl

couture girl xoxo, you know you love me

Tag!

I've been tagged by the lovely a la moda http://stylealamoda.blogspot.com/ She went tag crazy and tagged anyone who read it!

Here are the rules:1. Link the person(s) who tagged you.
2. Mention the rules in your blog.
3. Write about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours.
4. Tag 6 following bloggers by linking them.
5. Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger's blogs letting them know they've been tagged.

1. I'm allergic to tomatoes, Potatoes, Chili, pepper, Paprika, Oranges and Lemons!!
2. I've never understood how people can take over 15 minutes putting make up on! It takes me 5 minutes max and that's even when putting alot of make up on and taking it slow!
3. I own Paris Hilton's album and i love it.
4. Sometimes i just have to burst out with words or songs! No matter where i am! lol
5. I get excited when i look at my blog hit counter even if i only have around 30 people visit each day !
6. My legs go all wobbly and shaky after shaving ! and whilst shaving i always think of food!

I tag
gocoutureyourself-fashionblog.blogspot.com/
http://fashionaddictgirl.blogspot.com/
http://fashionyou.blogspot.com/
http://cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com/
http://tresposhepreppy.blogspot.com/
http://chanelcookiesandbalenciagabrownies.blogspot.com/

Well one of my beauty predictions came true!

you read it here first about my predictions for gold nail varnish being hot this summer and guess what, chanel are bringing out Gold lipgloss, eyeshadow and nail varnish! Costing a whopping $30 bucks for the nail varnish alone, discard that nail varnish and try opi or even drug store brands. my favourite ones come from drugstore ones ( UK - thats a chemist /boots)

My white tee is just too cool for you.

A white V neck tee should be a staple in everyone's wardrobe, it doesn't have to look sloppy or casual and it can transform into anything you want, except a treasure chest! leave that to the pirates to find.


T-shirts originate from Ancient Egyptian Times as part of their everyday clothes, and it wasnt until US soldiers in Europe during the World War 1 were rather taken with the light cotton undershirts the European soldiers wore under their garments that they started to become a top not underwear. I believe it was James Dean who made the T shirt and jeans combo very popular.

This outfit i made, could be worn by anyone and reminds me very much of blair outfit from gossip girl. Its perfect for going out to lunch.
This outfit could be worn to the park or on a day out shopping.

While i'm not going to argue with another blogger, i totally disagree with this post from Miss Couturable ( http://misscouturable.blogspot.com/2008/04/less-t-shirts-more-classic-white-shirts.html)

She states that " Thus, I'm against the addition of t-shirts to our dress code. I enjoy the creative ways that our student body has learned to work around the no-tees rule, and I feel that the rigorous academic ambiance is reduced when one is wearing a band tee instead of a cashmere v-neck sweater ".

T shirts are a basic staple in my wardrobe and i have many, printed, plain, long sleeved and Short sleeved. They can be dressed down and also up, infact a band tee could easily replace the white v neck i used in the outfits i made. I must give her claps for not wearing t shirts for over 3 years.

Couture gal xxx

C.W sort of, Banoffee Pie

This weeks C.W isn't really a chocolate recipe, its has some chocolate but not much lol. Banoffee pie is one of my favourite puddings and here is the recipe my family have always used with a bit of a twist! Instead of digestives i used chocolate hobnobs for the biscuit base.
For the base:
100g (3½oz) butter melted
250g (9oz) digestive biscuits

For the caramel:

100g (3½oz) butter
100g (3½oz) dark brown soft sugar
397g can Carnation Condensed Milk
Topping:
4 small bananas
284ml carton double cream, lightly whipped
cocoa powder, for dusting ( Hot chocolate powder in the UK)

You will also need:20cm (8”) loose-bottomed cake tin

Step 1: The base

To make the base, process the biscuits until like fine crumbs then tip into a bowl. Stir in the melted butter. Press the mixture into the base and 4cm (1½in) up the sides of the tin. Chill the base while you make the filling.

Step 2: The filling

Place the butter and sugar into a non-stick saucepan over a low heat, stirring until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves. Add the condensed milk and bring gently to the boil, stirring continuously to make the caramel. As soon as it thickens, remove from the heat. Spread the filling over the biscuit base, cool, and then leave to chill for about 1 hour, until firm.

Step 3: The topping
To serve, remove the pie from the tin and place on a serving plate. Slice the bananas; fold half of them into the softly whipped cream and spoon over the toffee base. Decorate with the remaining bananas and dust liberally with the cocoa ( UK hot chocolate powder)

This Pie is definitely not for diets! Its yummy but ever so slightly sickly! The recipe comes from nestle.

what i predict or will be wearing this summer!

As summer is coming along, here are my top items for summer in beauty and fashion! I also predict some of these items will be popular

Make up

Bronze eye make up, light pink lipgloss and gold or bright pink nails are my favourite items and i can see the bronze eye and gold nails becoming popular again

Fashion

I think boho will come back as it has been mentioned quite a lot lately. Gladiator sandals are perfect for summer and will look so chic with above the knee flowey skirts.I hope the over sized bags are here to stay as I'm a huge fan.

P.S my birthdat wishlist is coming up this week after C.W

If i was a really rich girl

i still wouldnt buy this at $210,000 !! it comes in gold or silver and is a total waste of money! Sorry LV no matter how much i love you, this bag is crazy not worth it!

John Frieda Luminous Colour Glaze in Dark Brunette

As its coming up to spring, my hair needs a boost and what better I thought than “ John Frieda Luminous Colour glaze”. It claims to reawaken lacklustre brunette hair with shine boosters and mild dye!


Hair: Normal with a tendency to be greasy after 2 days of not washing, can be knotty and has a slight wave to hair. Hair has lots of volume I'll be using the same products, My herbal essence coconut shampoo and conditioner and the glaze.
Wash 1: Hair is feeling way softer and is easier to brush, seems a bit shiner and hair is slightly lighter!

wash 2: Hair is lighter! only by a tiny incy bit but def lighter! It also is shinier than before! Wash 3 is apparently when you are meant to see significant shine and hair boost!
Wash3: Hair is much lighter and softer. It hasnt improved my shine at all but im liking the affects of the glaze!



Wash4: No Pics as i ran out of batteries! No change from 3rd wash also



Wash 5: As you can see it has lightened a tiny bit after the 3rd wash, no massive change since 3rd wash.



I ran out after the 6th Wash and it didn't seem to change afterwards so wash 5 is as far as the glaze will work.

Pros: Lighter, softer hair. Cheap price of £7.
Cons: Messy to use, lost a lot of product because it fell out of the hair! Didn't improve shine.

I would buy this again!

C.W Chocolate Cherry Cupcakes!

Chocolate Cherry Cupcakes

These cupcakes are super good and get eaten really quickly. I think they are even better than normal chocolate cupcakes! my icing was a bit too runny so add a bit more icing. I adapted the martha stewart cupcake recipe that i used in the other cupcake C.W and added cherries and made up a cherry icing! not bad huh!

Makes 18
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup of frozen cherries defrosted ( you can use normal cherries) chopped

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 12-cup standard muffin tin with paper liners.



2. Into a medium bowl, sift together cocoa, flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.



3. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.



4. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each, then beat in vanilla.



5. With mixer on low speed, add flour mixture in two batches, alternating with sour cream and beginning and ending with flour.



6. Stir in a cup of chopped cherries



7. Pour batter into cups, filling each 3/4 full.



8. Bake until a toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes.

Cherry Icing

Makes 3 1/2 cups, enough for 18 standard cupcakes

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened

1 pound (3 2/3 cups) confectioners' sugar

1 to 2 tablespoons milk

1 cup of frozen cherries defrosted and chopped

1. in the food processor blend the cherries until smooth.

2.In a mixing bowl, cream butter until smooth.Gradually add confectioners’ sugar; beat until smooth, then add the milk and cherries and mix again. add more icing sugar if it is too runny as it doesn't really set if too runny.

Its hard being a blogger when...

...You have two kittens always stealing your computer chair for a nap. They must think " gee Couture gal is about to blog, lets go and have a nap on her chair". Its rather annoying to say the least but you cant help but love them !

They are both siamese, the girl is the Lilac colour, her name is Yasmine and the boy is Seal point colour (the chocolate colour)he's called Jasper! Jasper has a obsession with pink things. He loves pink cat toys and my sister's Juicy Couture Scarf which he runs off with and chews! Which is highly annoying

See--->

P.S is it sad to buy this set for the train case lol!? its $38

The ultimate Accessory

A Starbucks takeaway cup, I'll take a cinnamon dolce latte to go! Starbucks makes the most yummiest coffee which simply can't be replaced by homemade coffee. Whilst sitting on those squishy maroon couches and reading the latest teen vogue while sipping my hot latte or taking that frappuccino to go.
The Olsen's are the queens of Starbucks, i mean they must drink hundreds a year, they should definitely do a endorsement with them, i mean they must be their best celebrity customer along with britney who's pics wont be on this post as her pics of her with starbucks are too awful!. The Olsens twins create the effortless hobo chick look, so fabulously, with their balenciaga bag nestled under their arm and clutching their favourite,Venti Soy chai tea
OK, admittedly as dorky as this sounds, I wish i was old enough to drive, as i think i would hop in that car each day, rushing for my Starbucks fix! I love everything about Starbucks, i love the smell, the comfy couches, the ice cold fraps or the hot lattes. I love how its the perfect refresher during shopping and it seems like the celebs agree too.






Couture gal xxx

Spring in my step

As we are coming into spring, it's time to put away those boots and rain boots and celebrate ballet pumps and sandals!

Sandals and ballet pumps look great with everything, mini skirts, puffy skirts, jeans, cords, khakis and shorts!

Here are my fave sandals for the UK'ers

For My U.S'ers

Ballet Pumps!

U.S'ers

U.K'ers

I want Candy

Candy coloured accessories are going to be huge trend this summer. Candy coloured will add a splash of colour to a summery outfit, it's a trend which everyone can wear,which it doesnt matter if you are tall, petite, large or skinny!

Here are some candy coloured accesories

AK Anne Klein Patent Watches are so cute and affordable for a watch and are available at nordstrom $65

MAXX NEW YORK " Fenway" patent bowlers are a perfect summer handbag, which are perfect for shopping or hanging out at the beach, they are $148 at nordstrom.

At Spring 2008 RTW, candy coloured shoes were popular with most collections, Lavins crayon orange platforms, Louis vuittons courts with cutout heels in a Bright pink.

Chloe had wedges with pop of colour on the heel, Giambattista Valli's had neon yellow heels and Missoni with their sea foam blue shoes!

Emillo Pucci's Show featured oversized clutches with candy coloured prints!

This delias bag is just like the Emilo Pucci's clutch, pictured above at only $26


These UO Shoes are only $16!!!! and also come in lots of other candy colours which will look fab in spring.

C.W Brownies

Welcome to another Chocolate Wednesday!

Finally I've found a Brownie recipe that works! Lets just say i usually stink at brownies! I cant even get the mixes to work, which is very embarrassing. But i stumbled across this brownie recipe and it works!
They taste great!

Makes 12 Brownies

4oz of chocolate chips or ( 2oz of milk chocolate and 2 oz of plain chocolate)
2 eggs
5oz Butter
10oz Caster Sugar
1/2 tsp of vanilla essence
2oz self raising flour
1oz Plain flour
2 tablespoons of cocoa powder
2oz of pecans

a deep square cake tin ( approx 8inches wide and at least 3 inches deep)

1. Heat the Oven to 180c/ 350F. Grease the tin, Line the bottom of the tin with greaseproof paper.

2. Melt chocolate over the stove in a glass bowl over boiling water or melt in microwave

3. Put Butter, Sugar and Vanilla essence in to a large mixing bowl. Beat until fluffy and light. Add eggs, slowly.

4. Sift both types of flour and cocoa powder into the bowl.

5. Add the Melted chocolate into the mix and mix well.

6. Chop the pecans finely and mix in.

7. Spoon mixture into the tin and smooth with the back of a spoon.

8. Bake the Brownies for 35 minutes until they have risen and have crust on the top and it comes out clean with a knife.

9. Leave the Brownies to cool in tin for 20minutes. Then cut them into squares.

Ta da Brownies!

Couture gal xxx