Havana, Cuba - July 2013

My blogging has been VERY inconsistent. I apologise. To be honest I don't know how many people are still reading this blog...

I've been doing quite a lot this summer; travelling, festivals, going out for dinner... and watching a heap of YouTube videos - if you call that an activity. But for most days I sit in front of my computer doing... god knows?... for hours. And I always forget to blog.

None of that anymore! So I'll tell you what I've been up to this summer... before summer's over.

Firstly, I'll start with my trip to Cuba in July.

My dad and I went to Havana, Cuba, for six days. I've been to a few places in the Caribbean but none of them were like Cuba. Havana feels like living in the past. It is a country where there's no internet access for residents, vintage cars from the 60s/70s and homes that have not been re-decorated since it was made.

This may sound like an unattractive place to live but the city has so much beauty. Even though buildings and homes were run down and the paintwork was slowly scratching off, it showed so much history and remind me of what cities in Spain would look like in the 60s. Obviously there is a great Spanish influence, and also a retro American influence - Chevys and retro Miami looking apartments.


On the down side, poverty is very apparent there. I don't want to create a depressing tone, but it's a communist country where the people want so much to change and to modernise, however the government won't have it, so things economically are moving very slowly. I do partly agree with everyone making the same wage, I'm all for equality and fairness, but most Cubans earn only £23/5 a month and they can survive by that - is that really fair Communism?

Too many italics in that, I know.

Using the word survive means 'JUST about living'. Who wants to be 'just about living' for your whole life? Most of these Cubans, but not all, have to live their lives like this.

Ok, NOW the tone of this post is turning depressing. I'll show you pictures of my trip now.

Bare in mind, the pictures may look interesting and archaic, but these are just pictures, imagine yourself seeing this - everyday.

 *A lot of these photos were taken whilst driving. It was the best way to discover the city. So sorry for the reflection of the window, my photography skills will improve - some day.

Bahama Mama @ Swankys

On NYE I treated myself on a birthday voucher I had for a 'Classic Manicure' at Swanky Lash & Brow Bar in Kensal Rise, London.  So many times I have walked past Swanky but never taken a peek inside. I don't really like spending money on nails, especially when I can do it at home. But once in a while (one of my new New Year resolution) you gotta treat yourself. And Swanky is the place to get treated.

On a typical dark rainy London afternoon, Swanky was illuminated with pinkness in the middle of a gloomy street. A petite beauty shop decorated with pink baroque wallpapers, white ornate framed mirrors, rows of a wide range of nails polishes and chatty beauticians. At first I was a bit taken back by the extremely friendly chatter amongst customers and staff - this is London, who genuinely cares about what you're doing tonight?
But that is what makes Swanky stand out from going to those rapid, silent, uncomfortable yet so cheap, run-in-and-run-out Oriental populated nails shops. It was the familiar conversations that made the nail polish flow.

Ladies scurried in to get a quick fix-up on their tiny problems of chipped nails whilst boosting out their [insert incredibly posh accent] 'trip to the Bahamas, darling' or gossiping about the weekend before on what really went on at the trendy pub down the road. I was so surprised to know that my very own hometown actually has hot gossip about the hipster yuppie clique living in Kensal Rise (especially without the mention of exclusive Ladbroke Grove or Westbourne Park).

Apart from the chitter-chatter inside and the pitter-patter rain outside, I had possibly one of the best nail colours I have ever seen...

Ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to introduce to you, the colours of all colours, a fusion of red plum with cherry and blackcurrant pie - put your hands together for...!

BAHAMA MAMA - Essie

Berry nice, dontcha think?

My Verdict

So, would I be going back to Swanky again?

- Deffooo. (when I have the money of course)

Do I recommend yous lots to go in?

- It's a must. If you're ever in the area then you're in treat to go to a place where you can get your eyebrows and eyelashes plus manicures and pedicures done under one roof.  

Rating:

4/5

Was a bit too claustrophobic when heated convos steamed the room. 

Bit pricey - but worth it!

It's also a New Years resolution to start blogging on here more!

Happy Halloween Chicas

Was suppose to post this earlier in the week, but still recovering from double-whammy fancy dress parties.  If you don't know, you should know that I'm the type of girl that goes all out when it comes to fancy dress.  It just makes the partying a lot more fun when you're dressed in a different identity; plus it definitely breaks the ice at parties cos everyone is looking like a complete fool.

This year, for Halloween I was inspired by the Mexican festival, Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) which is a time to celebrate the lives of their loved ones that have past.  I think it's such a beautiful ceremony that should be encourage in many other societies.
I face painted, yes all my myself, these designs. It took about 1h 30, only cos I was messing it up and was unsure on what to do and I took my timmmeee - because I was early to the party, haha. Anyway, voila!

Yes. I know. I look scary. 

Second night for my friend's bday party, I was Avatarrrr!!

Whatcha think of my face painting skillz?

x

Baby I got a plan, runaway as fast as you can.

Nearly the end of August. And I've only done three posts? -__- disappointed face is needed. And I don't even have an excuse for my bad blogging. Oh well!

I think it's another holdiay/get me outta here post... I definitely need some new scenery in life.

Reminds me of a scene from a Lana Del Rey song.

Busy street, somewhere in Asia

Who doesn't love a pretty pink sky?

New York City from above. 

I find it oddly interesting that everything is so perfectly structured. Boxes, squares, rectangles...

And looking at how HUGE Central Park is!?

A bank in Toronto. Fancy, huh?

Summer fruity tropicana chicas.

Charlotte Free (lookalike?) and that lovely pink motel

- You should know that I have an obsession with pink motels

RiRi got that summer beach look going orrnn.

Now this picture, I love it. Probably because I've taken it, but it reminds me of my holiday in Las Vegas this year in January. It was, possibly , definitely the most expensive restaurants I've ever been to. It's located in the heart of Vegas, called the Stratosphere. It's incredible. A restaurant that rotates at over 800 feet, allowing you to see all of the lights, sparkles and dazzles of Viva Las Vegas. 

Damn, I wanna get away.

But it makes me glad that I'll be gone for a few days to Manchester this weekend. I know Manchester isn't the sunniest or most thrilling places in the world. But I love it. I reminds me of my home town London, only half the size. And all my family members up there are the loveliest people, ever.

It's the only place in the UK, other than London, that I know and visit the most in the UK.

Gutted Manchester Uni don't do the course that I want to do.

Graffiti @ Brick Lane

Had a strolling down Brick Lane, East London, today. I always forget how uber-cool the graffiti is down there. It's graffiti at it's best. No bad spelling swear words or tags or abnormal drawings of gentiles. Just the coolest, most attractive and admirable graffiti  (no, I should say), street art in London. 

Look at the detail on that! How incredible...

Drip Drop Gold

This is my design of sparkly red nail varnish underneath with a metallic gold dripping effect on to. It reminds me of superhero colours, Wonderwoman, no?

Barry M - Glitter Red

Sparkle & Fade - Metallic Gold

My future babies.

Black studded Lita boots.

You will be mine

I know they don't cost a bomb however they are not the normal price of what I buy shoes. I just simply need to save up. Simples. I know they will look stunning with each and every outfit I wear and add that punkiness edgy look. They are colossal high, and I'm pretty sure that if I miss a step - I would break my neck. I know they won't be appropriate for every special occasion. Regardless, they are a must have.

They're so hawt!

How much is too much denim?

The Question is:

How much is too much denim?


Ok, so below I've got two denim items. Don't get me wrong. I have been out with four items of denim! Denim shirt, denim jacket, denim jeans AND a denim ruck sack. It's obvious to say that I love denim, but I think I sometimes go overboard. So looking at these pictures, with only two items of denim - would you say it's enough... or more?

RiRi, my only recent style icon, has gotten away with wearing prominent denim. She is doing the definition of overload of denim. One shirt, another shirt wrapped around the waist; then pulled through the shorts, and studded denim shorts. 

Total originality or total madness?

(zimbio)

ELLE April 2012: The Olsens

I was so excited when I saw my ELLE subscription delivered by post and squeezed through the letter box.  I didn't have an idea who was on the cover.  So the sound I made when I found out that The Olsens were on the cover was quite an ear piercing cry.

It's funny to think that when I was so young they were such a child-star love of mine. Now, 10 years and more on, I still can't get enough of them. 

Their deer caught in headlights eyes, unbrushed bleached hair, dark and layered sense of style makes them such a fashion influence of mine. 

They can never leave their uber stylish Manhattan apartments without looking like they have stepped off the runway from a sombre artistic collection, and also without their Starbucks beverage.

I think they are every style lover's inspiration. 

How can you not love them!

Prada SS 2012

"Sweetness." - Miuccia Prada

Reminds me of the Hollywood 50s inspired Italian mixed with a fun Marilyn Monroe.

The picture below was taken a few weeks ago when I went to Las Vegas with my family for my Mum's Birthday. 

I was obsessed by this motel. 

I spotted it whilst walking down the streets on downtown.

It was perched so prettily and beyond retro between the humourously tacky but ever so sweet wedding chapels.

(taken on Instagram)

Don't even get me started on the shoes!

Hot flaming Cadillac powerful stilettos.

(style.com, google, instagram(karamb) )