Nail Art: Union Jack Joy

My patriotic nails!

Hello and welcome to SW Fashion's thousandth Jubilee related post!

Okay, maybe i'm exaggerating slightly, but I know i'm banging on about it a little bit too much! That said, where is the problem in being a little bit patriotic, eh? I'm just doing the Royals proud.

Today I took my patriotic passions to my fingertips and attempted union jack nail art. Despite my shaky hands and INABILITY TO USE NAIL PENS I managed to do something that looked a little bit decent.

I do not think I am quite ready to get ambitious and attempt it on all my nails, so have opted for just me thumbs. On the rest? A muted gold by NARS (Senryou) as my silver glitter polish is at home, unfortunately.

I'm not saying they are flawless, and i'm the first to admit that up close they are pretty shoddy, but they are good by my standards!

Here's a little how to to get your Jubilee nails sorted in time for all those street parties tomorrow. Perfect with Pimms (not so perfect after Pimms- I shouldn't think nail art and alcohol are best of friends.)

1. Paint your whole nail in royal blue (my pick is King Tuts Gem by Jessica)

2. Paint a bright red cross on the nail (I went for Nails Inc in Victoria- my favourite red)

3. Line around the cross with a white nail art pen (WAH for Models Own is my favourite)

4. Add white lines diagonally across the blue for your complete Union Jack look!

BIG BEAUTY BANG: In Pictures!

The ticket- £10 redeemable on beauty products- I went for a NARS Multiple in Orgasm

Complimentary bottles of Jubilee Pop

At the event with my lovely rosette- blouse vintage, jacket Topshop, mini Alex and Abercrombie jeans. 

The great Jeffrey Campbell debut (so comfy!)

A delicious FREE NARS cupcake!

Creme de Corps and rock

Shu Uemure Eyelashes

Cupcakes and Green Tea

Pink Union Flags

Exclusive YSL Eye Palette

Tatty Devine Crown

Red Velvet NARS cupcake

Pick'n'mix at Jo Malone

Jelly Babies and Flying Saucers

Eyes by Nars

Scones and Jam and Pimms

Samba Swirl to top it all off! 

Want, Want, Need.

Apologies that i'm going so Jubilee mad, but it is just so cheery and so fabulously British! I am in love with this little Mulberry keyring. Yes, the £125 pricetag is a little *cough* A LOT *cough* more than i'd be comfortable spending on a keyring, but it is so sweet!

I genuinely do not know how Mulberry do it- they are definitely my favourite Brit brand. Show your appreciation with one of these keyrings (if you have a spare £125...)

Are you as smitten as me? Comment below or tweet me @SWfashion_ 

Royal Rendezvous!

Patriotic Puddings

I am proud to be British for many reasons, one of which is the puddings. Does that make me a pig? Totally trivial? Obsessed with food? Perhaps all of the above, but i'll hold my hands up to that. I love puddings and British ones are the best.

Sure, i'll take your Grasshopper Pie or your chocolate dipped churros, i'll even scoff that Tiramisu if you want (my best one yet? Missoni in Edinburgh), but if you were to offer me a glorious trifle, all jewel bright jelly and unctuous vanilla custard, i'd be putty in your hands. I am equally passionate about the Eton Mess; a mountain of whipped cream, chewy meringue clouds and swirls of seasonal british strawbs. And let us not forget the comforting warmth of the great British apple crumble- the satisfying softness of cinnamon dusted apples followed by the crunchy, sugary crumble.

Let's just say it: Britain do puds best. Just deal with it Michel Roux Jnr, Mary Berry's got you beat.

That is not to say, though, that every Brit has a secret talent for pudding production- I am a case in point. I once left it to my lovely mother and grannies to feed my sweet tooth and fatten me up Augustus Gloop stylee with their sticky toffee puddings and pavlovas, but now i've fled the nest I have been left to my own devices. As you are aware, my cooking style is less "made" more "microwaved"and as a result my sweet tooth has been deprived.

If you're also a fan of the ready meal, or baking-phobic, then fear not! While there are a million and one beautiful Jubilee recipes around at the moment, shun them all and get your pudding fix from Montezuma's chocolate (available online here and at Liberty)

The union-flag emblazoned choccy bars are delectable and now several new flavours, inspired by only the best British puds, have hit the stores in time for the jubilee next weekend. Choose from apple crumble, spotted dick, lemon meringue, summer pudding (mmm), treacle tart and the ubiquitous Eton Mess. Or, if you're feeling peckish, click here and purchase a cheeky box of pudding inspired truffles.

Apologies if this post has made you hungry... I'm also salivating, if that helps?

Your all time favourite British pud?

How To: HRH

Barking

I have never read a copy of Tatler, given my slight aversion to "yahs", but even I fell a little bit in love with this cute jubilee cover! How very patriotic!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Red White and Beauty

Today I did my monthly Boots blitz. Purchasing all the essentials that nobody really wants to spend on, but everyone needs to! Yes, I mean the blotting tissues, the eye make-up removers, the toothbrush, the dental floss... blah blah blah. It was all going so well, I had not been tempted by any of the new pampering delights on the shelves, until I saw this beaming and bold bottle of Original Source strawberry shower gel and I could not resist buying it.

I love strawberries, I love summer and I love Britain, so why would I choose anything else? It's always nice to have a super sweet shower gel to lift your spirits, and this one does just that. It also inspired this post!

It is fast approaching London's most manic summer ever, and the first big event is our old Queenie's Diamond Jubilee. So, instead of buying the obligatory crockery or tea towel, why not boost your beauty box with some special Jubilee products?

Everyone from Benefit to Nails Inc have produced something a little bit special to mark the occasion, so it's only fair that you treat yourself!