motto monday

I love this. 

Whenever I feel down, prancing to the tunes of Miss Dolly Parton never fails to lift my spirits.

I don't really have much to report this week.

I have decluttered my blog. My sidebars to be precise. My blog is nearly a year old (January 29th 2010 was when it all began) and it has been the similar style throughout the last 12 months. Obviously tweaks have occurred, I fashioned my header, and fonts were added, changed, removed and subsequently reapplied. I have learnt that less is more in my eyes when it comes to my blog, and I am striving for a cleaner, simpler, more easily navigable space. Yet also I am in the mind set of, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" so won't veer too far away from the style you are accustomed to.

I plan to hold a blog birthday bonanza giveaway to celebrate a year in blogger-sphere and to say thank you to each one of you for following pearls & poodles. Terrific things have happened to my blog and I since I began this venture. I want to recap on my year blogging and recount all the fabulous opportunities I have had, and the lovely people I have met, whilst travelling along my blogging path.

I mentioned in an early Motto Monday post that I have started Zumba classes. I have been doing it for 6 weeks now and cannot express how much I look forward to it on a weekly basis. I was reading Victoria's post earlier today, detailing her plans to give Zumba a whirl, and to her and anyone considering it, all I can say is go for it. I know classes will vary, but I have been fortunate enough to find a brilliant instructor who delivers an awesome workout. I do a lot of running and play hockey, so it is nice to inject a choreographed variation into my fitness regime. Anyone wishing to embark on a New Year's exercise routine, then Zumba could be the answer.

A few to follow: Heather and Lauren.

View Post

cuticle care

Cuticles are one of those menial, yet annoying banes in life. I dislike really prominent cuticles so I do endeavour to banish them as much as possible. I will be the first to confess that I am an awful nail/cuticle picker. It is a horrible, subconscious habit. After reading Lacquerised: how to: happy cuticles last year, it made me highly motivated to take more care of my cuticles and nails, and develop a regime. Using my friends above, I have seen a marked improvement on the condition and appearance of my nails, and cuticles, in particular. This post demonstrates my current cuticle/nail state, undeniably not perfect, but miles better than they were a few months ago.


★ China Glaze Cuticle Oil: This is perfect for softening and conditioning dry, damaged cuticles, whilst also increasing the flexibility and strength of the natural nail. The oil smells a little fruity and is a special blend of five nourishing oils, including Jojoba, rice bran and antioxidant rich Vitamins A, C and E. This cuticle oil also pertains botanical extracts, such as Rosemary extract, which acts as a natural soothing and antiseptic agent. Cuticles are not only crucial for nail growth but they act as a barrier against bacteria, so you need to take care when poking and prodding them, which is why this oil is perfect because of it's antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agents. The applicator is just a standard nail brush and I apply a coat to each nail and then massage it in before reaching for an orange stick...


★ Orange Sticks: A pretty standard addition to any nail care ensemble. I just use the flat, tapered end and gently run it along the cuticle, removing any dead skin.


★  Sally Hansen's Cuticle Massage Cream with Apricot Oil : I simply adore this. Firstly, it smells delicious, a real medley of fruitiness. Secondly, it works wonders as an overnight treatment for your nails and cuticles. You could use it as above, in place of the cuticle oil, but I find it most effective when slathered on at night and left to nourish and soften your cuticles, ultimately improving the condition and suppleness of them. It also has made my nails seem strengthened and blessed with a glossy sheen. I probably do this once or twice a week.


Do you have a cuticle care regime?
I would love to know which products you swear by.

View Post

top of the shops

For Christmas this year, I was kindly bestowed with a Topshop voucher as one of my gifts; always a much welcome present in my eyes, due to my sheer inability to make suggestions for presents to my family. In despair, and if all else fails, credit in Topshop is very likely to make me beam with anticipation and thankfulness.

So I thought I would scour their site and earmark some certain pieces I would very much like to purchase in the coming weeks. I have held off spending my vouchers yet as the words "carnage" and "sale" best represent my local store at the moment. Sale racks are great and I have actually sampled some hidden gems amongst the odd-sized bikinis and buttonless shirts, but I am holding out for the season's fresh stock to be exposed, and then I can really be let lose. In the meantime, I have satiated my shopping urge and concocted a visual prompt to best illustrate the items and styles I am harbouring after this season. Key colours I am yearning for: rusty browns and burnt oranges, creams, camel and navy with a hint of print and a glimmer of gold.


From left to right, top to bottom:

★ Cream Butterfly Print Fluted One Sleeve Dress £50: I saw this a while ago and love the floaty femininity of the piece. 

★ Knitted Apricot Cotton Cable Jumper £38: I am severely lacking in the knitwear department and am always cold, hence the need for some warmth and cable knit in my life.

★ Leaf Wrap Ring £5: I could quite contently indulge in all of Topshop's rings. They are awesome, but I particularly like this one. I'd wear it on my little finger.

★ Whipstitch Aztec Blanket Cape £38: Simply stunning. I love capes and the Mayan-inspired design is gorgeous.

★ Tiered Peterpan Blouse £36: I was first attracted to the bold mustard hue of this blouse, and the tiered detailing is lovely too. This is my must-have.

★ Ashanti Taupe Shearling Ankle Boots £95: I haven't yet toyed with any shearling in my wardrobe, but these boots are just perfect.

★ Matelot Co-ord Shorts £35: I find high-waisted shorts are very flattering on my figure and I love how I could dress these up or down, dependant on the occasion, with tucked in tees or fancy heels.

★ Petite Toffee Lace Panel Smock £40: I am attracted like a magpie to anything lace-detailed, and the colour of this smock is really unique.

★ Rust Faux Fur Pom Pom Cable Knit Headband £12: Just wonderful and completely necessary.

★ Cream Faux Fur Gilet £65: I think I may be jumping on this bandwagon a little too late in the season, but I really want a fur gilet and I am positive our UK weather will allow me a few more months to revel in this winter warmer. 

★ Sail Boat Brooch £8.50: Reminded me of Jennie.

★ Snake Print Waterfall Blouse £50: Maybe a bit Bet Lynch ?

★ Brick Crepe Fold Over Hareem Trousers £38: These structured hareems will be perfect with my brogues and the peterpan blouse. Another absolute must.

So there we have it. I really enjoyed constructing this post, if only for my visual pleasure.

Which are your favourite pieces?

View Post

Going for gold

The latest shiny-new offering from Sleek Makeup is this rather dinky compact pertaining two magically metallic cream eyeshadows. Molten Metal offers us a highly-pigmented cream that can be utilised in many a way. Eyes, lips and cheekbones can be highlighted and given the Midas touch, glowing with gold and shimmering with silver hues.

From left to right:

Pewter and Gold Leaf


The pigmentation is definitely very rich and the consistency of these cream shadows is luxurious and glides on like a dream. I really enjoyed using them to create the below look. I used Pewter all over the lid, gently applied with a standard eyeshadow brush and then I lined by bottom lashes and the inner corners with Gold Leaf.
The wearability is average to good. It did crease a little after a laborious day but for £6.99, I think these shadows are not only a wonderful colour payoff and finish, but a simple way to add some glitz and glam to your eye makeup. 

Molten Metal (£6.99) is out today as a permanent addition to Sleek's makeup line. 
You can purchase it from Superdrug or Sleek online.


Shall you be going for gold this season?

View Post

tangled in tassels

This was my outfit from Saturday night. A rather baron, short-lived Saturday night at that! It transpires no one goes out on New Year's Day where I live, and bars call last orders and turf you out onto the streets at 10.30pm. I think because I hadn't done anything supposedly epic for New Year's Eve, I had an irrepressible urge to go out the following night, only for that desire to be cruelly quashed.

My tunic/dress is from River Island. I purchased this maybe a year ago and was part of the Pixie Lott range that was launched. I love the shoulder studded detail and the web of tassels. I just wore it with tights (evidently) and my Topshop biker boots.

I wish I could detail where my earrings came from, but they were gifted to me by 'Secret Santa' two years ago. I liked the injection of colour they added to an otherwise rather sombre outfit.

In regards to my makeup, I am wearing, and particularly loving, my Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation which fortunately doesn't make me look like a ghost when photographed, as rumour did suggest. On my lips I opted for MAC's Violetta which I obtained from the Venomous Villains collection. It is such a bright, vivid violet shade. It does, however, linger on your lips a little longer than you may wish. The next day you are stained with the suspicion of some secret berry eating!


Let me know what you think?
I hope you have all had a lovely, restful Bank Holiday today (if applicable!)
Back to work tomorrow...le sigh.

View Post

to infinity and beyond!

Beam me up Scotty, check out these galactic gems!

I shall be honest, this is a very tricky nail varnish to work with...it took 3 coats to achieve the effectiveness you see above, and it is very easy to become disheartened after 2 very streaky applications. You don't start to see the holographic mirage until the polish dries so be patient and your perseverance will prevail.

GOSH - Holographic no.549.

I picked this up from Superdrug probably about 6 months ago, but this was the first time I embarked on my space-age mission. I really love the effect, I wore it out last night with a very simple black tunic (outfit post to follow shortly) and it just added a bit of fun and frivolity to the look.
I am however dreading the removal of this nail polish...


Have you tried this nail polish? What are your thoughts?

View Post

hello 2011

Happy New Year to all my readers.
I sincerely hope 2011 brings you all happiness, health, smiles and memories.
I am not one to make resolutions as such...I believe that if you want to do something, change a trait or journey on a new path, you should just do it, there and then. No time like the present. But for all those who have made resolutions; I hope you achieve your dreams.


However, I would like this year to see me achieve some of my personal goals in life, which will ultimately lead to a brighter future, and if all this fails, I will ensure guaranteed happiness by getting a pug!

View Post