This Month I'm Loving... Patterns!

Okay strange thing to love, and I don't even mean patterns as in prints. No, I mean dressmaking patterns!

Why I hear you ask?

Well those of you who know me will know that I LOVED Textiles as a subject at school and just because I've finished school doesn't mean that my love has disappeared. Oh no, it still as strong as ever, if not stronger! And now that I've got this lovely long summer ahead of me I want to finally start sewing again! 

So, first things first I had to get me some patterns! I went to this AMAZING sewing shop in Tooting called 
Wimbledon Sewing Machine Co Ltd that my Textiles Teacher recommended, and I may have gone a little overboard:

But I have promised myself that I WILL use all of them before I buy anymore.

And I've made a little logo that I'm going to sew into the garments, just because I want to add a little personal touch too.

I'm also planning on gifting some of them to my friends and family, so if any of you are reading this, you never know, you might just get a nice surprise soon!

Another reason for writing this post is because I'm starting a new feature here on this blog called "Dressmaking Diaries" which will just basically be an account of my latest sewing project. I'm still not too sure yet if I'll post regularly during each project or only once I have completed it but either way, keep your eyes peeled for that! Here's a little graphic I created for it:

Anyway, I'm off to start my new sewing project!

The Blue Rooms Photographic Studio

Yesterday I was invited to The Blue Rooms studio for a photo shoot to see if I was "model worthy". Truthfully I've never really thought about modeling before, so this was all new to me.

When I arrived (besides the fact that no one actually noticed until almost 10 minutes later) I was made to feel fairly welcome by lady who seemed to be in charge. Turns out she was getting her hair done, hence the reason no one came and greeted us. We chatted for a few minutes and then I was told to wait until the makeup artist was ready. She was a bit over-friendly and at one point just stood outside of the door and smoked.

After about 20 minutes, the makeup artist did my hair and makeup. She was sweet but to be honest I wasn't a big fan of some of the looks she created (I only really like the first look). Also, the other makeup artist offered to help do my hair to start with, and bloody hell, he pulled so much of my hair out! I then had to wait again until the photographer was sorted.

Eventually the photo shoot actually started, and the photographer was actually really helpful. He told me exactly what to do and where to look and stuff. Overall I had 5 outfit changes and 3 hair/makeup changes. The "changing room" was a tiny cupboard in the photo studio. And it wasn't much of a studio either, just a room with a roll out background screen and differently wallpapered walls. Also, we were told they would do some photos outdoors, they never did.

After it was all over we were told beforehand we would have a "consolation" at the end to discuss whether modeling is for me and decide what to do next (either purchase photos or go home). The did not happen. Instead, all that did happen was the lady who first spoke to us tried to sell one of the packages available, starting at £850 (10 photos, website and Z-card) and going on into thousands and thousands. We decided we did not want this so she started making offer after offer, trying to make us buy something. Eventually she offered us this: Every single photo taken on the day for the price of 4 fully edited ones. That was something me and my mum were happy with so we accepted, said our goodbyes and left.

'Never again' my mum said. I think I'm with her on that one.

Anyway, here are a couple of the photos that I didn't hate:

Bottom line is, I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend them but they aren't all that bad either. Also, my experience may be different to others.

OPI SoftShades 2013 - Oz The Great And Powerful Collection

Here is O.P.I's annual SoftShades collection for 2013. It is inspired by the Disney movie, Oz The Great And Powerful and features 3 sheer neutrals, 3 glitters and 1 new Liquid Sand polish.

I've got the mini set which contains: Don't Burst My Bubble (milky creme), Glints of Glinda (milky creme), I Theodora You (milky creme) and What Wizardry is This? (new Liquid Sand).

All swatches are without topcoat.

Don't Burst My Bubble: An elegant pale pinky white polish. It's a very wearable colour that gives off a simple, elegant look. A nice clean look.

This is 4 coats, which is where I felt it was opaque enough, but I noticed 2 coats was good for just a sheer wash of colour. The first coat was a bit patchy but the second leveled it out. The formula was a tad thicker, but still easy to work with. Dry time was average, especially for that amount of coats and it dried to a high gloss finish.

Glints of Glinda: A soft neutral colour verging on tan/sandy toned. Again, like Don't Burst My Bubble, it is a very wearable colour and has a simple clean look about it.

I did 4 coats here but could probably have gotten away with just 3. Again, I noticed 2 coats was good for just a sheer wash of colour. Formula wise, it was pretty much the same as Don't Burst My Bubble. The first coat was a bit patchy but the second leveled it out. The formula was a tad thick, but still easy to work with. Dry time was average, especially for that amount of coats and it dried to a high gloss finish.

I Theodora You: A sweet baby pink polish that is elegant at the same time. Great if you want a subtle hint of pink but not full on candy coloured nails.

This one had the best formula of the 3 cremes, it was practically faultless. I did three thin coats but again, two would have been fine for a subtle wash of colour. The first coat was slightly patchy but hardly noticeable at all. Dried to a lovely high gloss finish.

What Wizardry is This?: A taupe brown shade with fine gold shimmer running through it. Features a dark olive base with flecks of gold bronze and brown. It reminds me of tarnished/antiqued gold, but truthfully I'm not too sure about the colour.

The formula was pretty good, not to thin and not too thick. At two coats I thought it was acceptable but I did three just to make it totally opaque. I'd say it requires at least 10 minutes drying time in between coats though because when I touched a nail after 5 minutes it smudged, so it definitely needs quite a long drying period. It dried to a VERY fine texture and actually a lot smoother than I was expecting. Also, it does take quite a while before it goes totally matte.

2 thickish coats of topcoat totally eliminates the texture and makes the gold shimmer really shine through. Removal was actually pretty easy, no severe scrubbing required!

Here's a quick shot of the polishes in this mini set:

Overall, I LOVE all three cremes in this collection! They are all totally wearable and just so beautiful! If I had to pick, my ultimate favourite would be Don't Burst My Bubble, because of the amazingly clean look it gives.