Summer skin and faking it.

It’s been so lovely and sunny outside and I’ve been stuck in my room doing work whilst my mum has been getting a tan. My mum has naturally darker compexion and whilst it takes me weeks to build up a tan she can get one in a weekend. Now I’m all for pale and interesting a lot of girls look better pale but I am not one of them. I look better and feel better with a tan. When I was little I had ginger – ish hair that turned to mousey blonde and my skin reflects this. I have freckles and my eyebrows are so fair I use an eyebrow pencil to make them visible. I try and stay away from orange but like most people who venture in to the world of fake tan I’ve had a fair few disasters.

In the summer I use fake tan and I like a spray tan if I can afford it. I also use bronzer on may face. In the winter I don’t bother so much with an all over tan because I live in skinny jeans or thick tights but I still use bronzer as part of my make up routine.

(I will only mention tanning products I have used and paid for myself. I’m no expert but I thought I’d share my experiences with you.)

Getting a spray tan
Firstly I much prefer getting a spray tan because if you go to a good place the application should be flawless and if you look around you can get a good sprat tan for £10. A spray tan is always a safer bet if you want a tan for an event and don’t want to risk a streak of a missed patch. However I’m pretty sure that standing in a booth almost naked being sprayed by a beautiful beautician is no one’s idea of fun. I’ve got to admit it’s an intimidating experience. The first time I did it I nearly left before she had even entered the room but I did it and it wasn’t that bad. The beautician was beautiful but she was also friendly and human and we chatted about my tattoos and tans and no awkward silences!
I tan at Dove spa they seem to have quite a few dotted around the uk.

Home Tanning

1. Exfoliate before tanning and always use a tanning mitt. I wish I listened to my own advice.

2. Sometimes the cheap stuff is alright.

3. Gradual tanner is always a safer bet.

4. Primark £1 tanning mitts are as good as any.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EXPOSE SELF TANNING MOUSE/BRONZE AMBITION TANNING CREAM

Also known as cheap stuff. Both of these where around the one pound mark from bodycare. Bodycare is a high street store there are a few near me but they don’t have a website. You have to be really careful because they are very unforgiving and tend to cling to any dry patches such and knees and elbows but if you are careful they aren’t bad and for the price they can be great.

VITA LIBERATA 24ct SILKEN SHIMMER

Costs £15 but lasts absolutely ages I used it all last summer and I still have ¼ left. Its very rich in colour and a little goes a long way. It is a bit shimmery and washes off in the shower so its good for a night out. Available from boots.com

St TROPEZ GRADUAL TAN

Probably the most famous tanning brand and its my favourite too this is the perfect colour for my skin and doesn’t small as rubbish as lots of others do. Its available from st-tropez.com  but I have noticed that in Boots at Christmas there is always a st tropez gift set which is normally half price on boxing day! This year a bought two sets for £10 each the contents of each set retails for just under £30 if sold separately, therefore I spent £20 for £60 of st tropez.

DOVE SUMMER GLOW

In my opinion this is the best gradual tanner for around a fiver.

Bronzers

BENEFIT CORALISTA

I’m not too sure if this is a bronzer because it’s quite pink, however I like it and it blends really well to enhance a golden glow! The packaging is super cute and it smell nice too, honestly! Avalible at benefitcosmetics.co.uk

LANCASTER INFINATE BRONZE

I’ve had this since last summer and its still going strong. It’s one of those bronzers you twist and it scrapes some powder up. (Terrible description I hope you get the idea.) It comes with a little brush and has tones of bronze pink and green (to neutralise red tones I believe) This powder is quite matte and seems to take away shine. It’s also the darkest of my bronzers. I got it for TK Maxx.

CHANEL SOLEIL TAN DE CHANEL

This was a duty free impulse buy and I’ve used it every day since. I got shade 61 Desert corail and the shade is quite fair but can be built up and it good if you want to build up colour slowly. chanel.com

This is a picture of my leg next to my friend we are the same skin tone naturally but I fake tan and she doesn't. I thought Id show you this so you know the type of colour I aim for. Please ignore out socks and shoes, we where walking home from the gym.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
When I need to buy tanning products, make up or toiletries I try and buy as much as I can from Boots. This is because of the boots advantage card. (I blogged about it HERE .) However I have been informed that Superdrug are starting a similar point’s card! I wonder how it will compare. According to Superdrug.com 12 days to go.


I’ve also become an Eyeko Ambassador I’ve liked their products for years once again seduces by cute packaging. I love there Fat Balm and I’m hoping to try out some more of their products soon. My ambassador code is: E15680

What are your experiences with fake tan? Have you got a spray tan or are you one of the lovely pale and interesting ladies? Do you want a golden glow for summer? Any accidents you would like to share or a tip for removing streaks? I’d love to hear from you!



xx

Royal wedding wishes

I have so much work to do I am chained to my desk but nothing can stop me obsessing over the royal wedding. Think of me what you will but I’m so excited. What will here dress be like? What will her hair be like? Her make up? The vows? If you’re looking forward to it or not you can avoid the hype. It’s not just Royal weddings I love but anything to do with weddings in general. I plan my hypothetical wedding on a weekly basis and I’m always coming up with ideas for my invites or table decorations. [ No I’m not getting married, I’m not even engaged – just a little bit mental.]
Have you seen the great viral clip by T-mobile, its an all dancing Royal Wedding spoof and its the best Ive seen, I kind of hope this is what the royals get up to behind closed doors.

On the big day I will be wearing a party frock and watching the wedding, my mum is making a buffet and we will be having people round all in the spirit of celebration. I also intend to paint my nails like this:



Image viatopshop.com



I wish I didn’t have so much work to do this week and I wish I had enough cash to go in to town or Manchester to indulge in a little Kate and Wills memorabilia.

Here is a rundown of my top three Royal Wedding Wishes

3. I have a love of all things knitted and if I could I would love to knit a Royal display for the party.

via waterstones.com

2.Royal Wedding: William and Kate Dress-up Dolly Book

viawaterstones.com

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1. This great top from one of my favourite manchester stores. Ive posted about them before HERE
It my Royal Wedding top of choice and I think it would look great on the big day.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Are you planning to do anything for the wedding or are you just happy for the day off? Anyone got a royal wedding outfit or royal wedding nail art, i would love to here from you, comment me with a link?!
 
xx

I like to tidy#3

I’ve noticed posts about tidying crop up a lot when I should be doing work so I’m going to confess. I have 1 gigantic scary academic essay and two rather huge creative assignments and I’m really pushing my luck leaving it to now. I’m normally quite a good student but I really don’t want to leave University and doing my last assignments seems so final but I will start tomorrow, I promise.


I've lost my keys somewhere and today I decided to rip my room apart looking for them, then walk in to town to post some mail and get a new key cut. Then I spent the rest of my day tidying and "playing dress up" with rediscovered clothes and jewellery. Then I organised my nail varnish BOX'S (yes i have box's.)

Found belt in bottom of wardrobe



This beauty will be back out for summer // zebra nails




Nail art "bits" now it bag insted of scattered round my room.



Models own collection



The rest of my nail polish "family"



What to you do to avoid work? Do you NEED a tidy room before you can work?

xx

PS.

My giveaway is still open so feel free to enter.

Tropical treats

I have a passion, a guilty secret if you will and it becomes evident in summer. I love print. Tropical Hawaiian that type of thing. I have dresses with palm trees and shorts with surfers I love the bright colours and the clashing contrast. One of my favourite pieces I own is a bright green vest top with parrots and palm trees I acquired from River Island.


What is strange about my tropical obsession it the gigantic contrast to the rest of my wardrobe which is full of black white and grey. I call it my holiday wardrobe. These are a few things I would like to add to my collection

Tropical by Danielle Rose Smith featuring beach handbags

TOMS blue shoes, 37 GBP
Kate Spade oversized bag, $95
Beach handbag, $79
Givenchy Le Prismissime 9-Colors Eyeshadow 61 Acid Lights, $62

It may not be conventionally fashionable but I love it.  Today I donned my tropical shorts which are from Topshop and are the same print as the swimming costume (above) with a white vest top and zebra nail art. Yesterday it was the faithful Riverisland jungle vest with black harems from H&M.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Do you wear anything that only comes out when the sun is shining? Or perhaps you dress differently on holiday? I know I do!


Xx

PS I have a guest post on Where Are My Knees that you can check out HERE.

Giveaway

 I’m so happy to see that my follower count has grown over the past few weeks. I started this blog 3 months ago and I was worried that no one would want to read it. Now blogging has become part of my routine and I thoroughly enjoy it. There are so many amazing blogs out there written by truly lovely people am honoured to have my own little tiny space in the blogosphere.


To celebrate I am hosting my first giveaway.




 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
All you need to do to enter is:


be a follower of a blog from blackpool by google friend connect, if you are not already the little follow button is on the right hand side
Leave me a comment with your email address and/or blog url so I can let you know if you win!
For extra entries you can tweet something like this :
@_dani_elle is having a giveaway at www.ablogfromblackpool.blogspot.com Take a peek!

Or of course you can mention it (please include a link) on your own blog.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry.

This giveaway will close on Saturday 7th may.

Thank you

xx

Manchester

This week I have been working in Hulme, Manchester on a writing project that I mentioned in my last post. Last Sunday I stayed at a friend’s in Manchester but the rest of the week I have been commuting from home. This has meant 5:45am starts and late nights I’ve not had chance to do any university work let alone blog. However while I have been away my follower count has kept past the 50 mark and I am thrilled. To celebrate I have decided to run a giveaway which I shall post up tomorrow- so keep your eyes peeled!


Yesterday after finishing my writing workshop I strolled (got lost a few times but made it in the end) back in to Manchester. My plan was to pick up something for my giveaway and a film for my Fisheye camera. However I had just been reimbursed my travel expenses and the money was burning a hole in my pocket. Today I know that I should have saved to money because I’m about to graduate and I don’t have any spare cash etc but yesterday surrounded by shops in the heart of Manchester city centre I couldn’t help myself!
Here are a few of the things I bought:



£12.99 HnM

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



£7.99 HnM

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I’m interested to see how good the Maybelline Gel liner is I usually go for the Mac gel liner which I swear by but I thought I’d give this a go. It comes with a little brush which is nice I will let you know if it’s got the staying power it claims.


There was so much a wanted especially from Accessorise but I just couldn’t justify the purchase Manchester was full of sales Topshop, HnM and Newlook. Schuh also had a pretty good sale and Paperchase had lots of things at half price and Easter goodies on 3for2.

Accesorise



Accesorise



Have you been shopping? What do you want?

xxx

Forever Friends. Caution: strong language

I have been a very lucky girl, I entered a writing competition last month . I had to send my CV with a portfolio of my written work and I was lucky enough to be selected and one of the six winners. It means I am now part of a creative team for the Zion Art Centre. I have intensive workshops all day Monday –Thursday followed by monthly review sessions, and online feedback, building to the finale performance in October. Exciting and shouldlook fab on my CV.

However commuting to the arts centre is a full day round trip I might not be very active on the blog scene for the next few days but I’ll try and read and comment as much as a can

I normally write young adult fiction or short fiction but recently I’ve been branching out in to all sorts of innovative hybrid types of writing. However until last June(ish) I avoided poetry as much as humanly possible then I met some amazing lovely poets from Blackpool and I started writing poetry too.

Whist I’m away I thought I would share the first poem I ever wrote to be read aloud. I wanted to write something a little bit funny that lots of people could relate to and this is what I came up with.


Forever Friends




Really good mates, yeah I’m your best friend,

But when we sit really close I close my eyes and pretend.

That tonight, you might take a chance,

And just for a laugh ask me to dance.

But then a girl walks past and you say “what a fittie!”

And I have to admit she is proper pretty.

You turn to me and say “what d’you think do I stand a chance if I buy her a drink?”

So I sigh and I nod but inside I’m dying coz you do stand a chance and I’m not one for lying.

So off you go to the girl over there,

With legs to her armpits and shiny blonde hair.

N I wonder if for a second you ever thought it would be cool,

To go out with a girl like me that you have known since school.

I’ve thought about it a lot you see n I’m perfect for you,

I’m not so much for women’s rights id do whatever you want me to do.

I hate it when you say I’m like a sister it makes me feel well queasy

Because the things I think when I think of you are really fucking sleazy

I think of you naked tied to a chair,

I think of you running your hands through my hair

I picture you naked all off the time

And I think of your body pressed against mine

You see I’m dirty minded and you are too so think of the things that we could do.

But you’re over there and you’re after a shag,

And she’s all over you the leggy blonde slag.

Still hopeful ill ask “wanna share a ride home?”

Ya go “nah mate just give us me phone, ill text you tomorrow she’s well up for it,

N well do you blame me she is fucking fit.”

So ill get a taxi all by myself ,

Always the girl left on the shelf.

And you’d think I’d be angry I wish that I could,

Get over you like I know that I should.

But that’s not an option coz you’re my best friend

So I’ll just go home on my own and pretend.


Any feedback let me know?

xx

Saturday shopping #2

Today was a usual Saturday just how I like them. Lie in followed by a pub lunch, a rummage around some charity shops, rollerblading and gardening and now I'm sat in front of the TV with my feet up!
The charity shops in Poulton-le-fylde where definatly on form today.

[1.Lovely little Asos number just £3.99, perfect fit and hangs just above my knee. 2. Jason Manford Live at The apollo. 3. Insanity by Charles Manson 4. A beginners guide to acting English by Shappi Korsandi . 5. A Garlic plant-Obv not from a charity shop, from a little plant stall.]

I just cant turn my back on a bargain. Are you having a nice weekend?

xx

Versatile Blogger Award

Many thanks to jewelsforhope who awarded me Versatile Blogger Award! I’m extremely flattered; I try to blog about a range of this so it’s nice to know it’s appreciated.

The rules of this award are:

Thank the person who awarded you.

Divulge 7 things about yourself.

Award 15 deserving bloggers

I’ve decided to use pictures to illustrate the 7 seven things about me because I thought it would make the post more interesting and I’m really tiered.




Today I swang through the tree's at Go Ape Rivington

Vist:Go Ape

I love Rollerskating and Rollerblading. These are my skates

I also have a pair of aggresive inline skates.

This is my lovely boyfriends and the amazing

8ft + snowman we made!

I love days out to the zoo. This picture was taken

at Chester Zoo in the butterfly house.

This is me age about 6, I used to be the proud owner

of a huge collection of Trolls

Sick of uncomfortable halloween costumes I favor the huge

pumpkin costume

9 weeks till my holiday.

I really intended to tag 15 people to this post but 15 is a huge number when every muscle in your body aches and all you want to be it sleep. So I’m going to tag 7.

A pocketful of Rosie

Messycarla

Some girls are bigger than others

S.B.V

Fatfrocks

Fashionwomble

Tenpennysplendid

Seven great blogs I really enjoy reading. I’m now off to bed because I’m aching all over. Go Ape was so fun I had already been once before with my boyfriend but this time my mum joined us on our tree top adventure. I’m a very proud daughter because my mum was so adventurous literally throwing herself off Tarzan swings and zip wires. We all got a little certificate after completing the course which is now proudly displayed on my fridge.

Please leave comments because I love reading them!

Night night, sweet dreams.

xx



Look what I made

Today I have done absolutely nothing. Nothing productive anyway, I chucked some more red dye on my hair and slapped on a bit of fake tan in case the sun comes back and I have to get my arms out. It’s beginning to sink in that is may last week of full lectures at university. I have a few little lessons and final hand in dates left but that’s all. I’m so sad. I wish I could do it all again. I have so many regrets and I wish I hadn’t took so long making the beautiful talented bunch of friends I have now, I’m going to miss them all ridiculously. Although we all say we will stay in touch I think it’s inevitable that life will pull us all apart I just hope I can hang on to the few special ones because they are truly some of the best people I have ever met.

Anyway I don’t want to dwell on sad things the best thing I did today was get my glue gun out! I decided to revamp an old phone case. I used to make/decorate them for family and friends and sold a few to make a little money.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

What do you think? I kind of like the “over the top “look. I’ve posted a Hello kitty case I made for a gift in THIS POST

xx

Nail art

This evening I’m not fit for anything apart from Desperate Housewives and a cup of tea in bed. I’ve been browsing nail art online for some inspiration and I thought I would share some of my favourite designs.


[I found the following images on sosoflynails]

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

I could spend hours drooling over all the amazing designs online most of which I can only aspire to. A few weeks ago I ordered a cheap dotting tool and a mixed bag of fimo slices so hopefully I can expand and develop my nail art skills.

xx

Blackpool Bargians

Firstly don’t you just hate it when ...



it’s all cold and dull so you pile on the layers, I’m talking jacket, coat and scarf. It pours down causing your make up to slip and slide all over your face and destroying your hair. Then out of nowhere sunshine. Warm warm sunshine.


So I spent most of the day bedraggled, boiling and carrying a big soggy parka and supporting panda eyes. Lovely.

Anyway this morning my mum suggested a shopping trip in to town. She’s off work for the Easter holidays so it was nice to spend the day together. I took her to Nando’s because she had never been before.

We didn’t get round all the shops because we where both spent up after a few hours. This is what I bought.



Vest top from Dorothy Perkins

Cardigan from Dorothy Perkins

My mum had a 25% off voucher and treated me to the vest top and cardigan. They are both in colours i wouldn't normally chose. I usually opt for black,white and grey but the vest top makes me think of a pretty deck chair and the cardigan looks old. Old being a quality that often attracts me to clothes!





Jacket from River Island



Reduced to £25 pounds I had to have this Jacket. Its quite thin denim which is great for the warmer weather plus it has a hood for all the April showers. Whilst in the queue I spotted some Models Own polish reduced to £2!

Vest From Primark





Other goodies from Primark,Topshop and River Island



Primark had lots of lovely things in but I've banned my self from buying shoes, bags and dresses . For the mean while anyway. I honesty have too many but I couldn't part with any of them so until I have made space I shouldn't buy and more.

My mum bought quite a few things but the 'buy of the day' has to be a red duffel coat she snapped up from Topshop. She already had a red duffel from Topshop that she bought last year and she has worn it almost every day. The one she bought today it this years version and she got it half price, £40. Its a little over sized and 80% wool so should be lovely and warm. She was really happy with her coat and wore it on the way home.

Coat from Topshop

All in all a very good trip in to town as well as the things I bought I found a few things I love and would buy if I could afford them/justify buying them.

Heels from Irregular choice

Necklace from Accessorize

Shoes by Doc Marten

The Doc Martens are called "Dr Martens Danielle Shoe" FATE. I'm pretty sure its meant to be.

At home I have spent the evening doing creative work and research for university but i still found time to watch Great British Hairdresser and paint my nails.

Have you got your eye on anything from the high street? Been shopping? Grabbed a bargain? Enjoying Great British Hairdresser?

Let me know!

xx