My 26th Birthday

Hi Lovelies!

Happy New Year to you all! ^_^

I'm sorry I'm so late to the party here, but I've been so snowed under with work that I've not really had time to function, let alone blog >.<

Just after Xmas I celebrated my 26th Birthday (it still doesn't feel right typing my age....I don't wanna be old! T_T) and so I wanted to share some things with you all.

We started the day off by going shopping at Silverburn in Glasgow, where I got to choose my super amazing Bday present from the Mister - a Swarovski Necklace!!!! I really love Swarovski everything, I'm a crystal fanatic! 

Isn't it beautiful?!?!?!

During the day I opted for a casual co-ord, since we went shopping and then out for Yum Cha!
Peplum jumper/top & knitted Slouch Cardigan: offbrand from Ebay
Jeans & earrings: Primark
Necklace: Swarovski


Here are a couple of images by my Buddy Rob @ CSD_Images - check out his work here: http://celticshadows.co.uk & on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CSD_Images-128053790554716/?fref=ts

My Bf & I stayed at the Royal Crowne Plaza in Glasgow for the 2nd year in a row, after really liking it the last time we stayed. The beds are SO COMFY! Seriously, I didn't want to get out of bed at all. 

Such a lovely room with the biggest, comfiest bed ever!

Later in the evening we went out for dinner at Amore Italian restaurant, before meeting some friends for a couple of quiet drinks. Having a Birthday between Xmas & New Year is pretty inconvenient timing for making arrangements and parties, since everyone is either broke after Xmas, or saving for New Year. Adding in that I turned 26, I decided to play it all very low key which was a lot less stressful.

my tiramisu <3 so yummy

Sticky Toffee Pudding

For going out, I changed into a more night-time look, although kept it weather-suitable as it was a really cold and windy Scottish night - no skirts or dresses for me!

Top: Offbrand from Ebay
Trousers: Parisian Collection, from NewLook & Unique
Blazer:Primark
Boots: New Look (can't see them here, but black matt shoe boots with silver pilot holes and a stiletto heel.

Once again, images are by Rob : Csd_Images

I didn't do much to my makeup to switch it from day to night, I just added another layer of eyeshadow and a red lip!

After we checked out of the hotel the next morning, we swung past China Bakery to pick up a box of wonderfully delicious Chinese cakes! ^_^ I have to admit that 80% of the box was eaten by me within 24hours...I'm such a sucker for cake!

After this, we headed out to Wallace Well Farm just outside of Glasgow to have breakfast...and what a massive breakfast it was! We could barely even finish it - and it was only £7.95!

They also have such amazing cakes to choose from, but I was too full from the breakfast to have any....next time though!

After breakfast we headed back home to relax, where my friend was house & cat sitting for me.

I had such a lovely time with everyone, and also received some amazing gifts from my friends and family too that I really love! (spa sets, hair extensions, spending money, a new jacket, jewellery etc)

Thank you all for giving me such a special day!
 

Love,

          Kasumi x

Gathering some new basics

Hi Sweethearts,

I really feel that I'm falling so behind in trying to get new blog posts out to you all, and it's just because I'm so busy at the moment.

What's new with me? 

Well, not terribly much! I've been doing well at being an ex-smoker (which isn't easy, let me tell you!), working and failing at being healthy.
 Being so exhausted after work leaves me no motivation to cook or eat healthily at all. Even though I'm at spin classes 3 nights a week, and generally eating less, I've still managed to gain weight due to the amount of crap I'm polluting my body with.
 However, I have managed to lose an inch off my thighs, which is great, however I've gained that inch back around my waist....what kind of sorcery is this?!?!!?
 I suppose that means I'm on the look out for an ab workout that won't affect my back, in addition to attempting to eat right and not just quick and lazy!
If you have any ideas for me, please leave me a comment below! 
I'm also looking at those waist trainer fad-trend-current product - do they really work? 


Moving on, I've been trying to renew some basics in my wardrobe (read: my current ones are literally falling apart or are ripped to shreds with wear and tear) so took a little trip around the high street with my other half before dinner to find some staples.

So, these are what I came away with today!

I've been in desperate need of these items for a while, and after being moaned at for the state of my work jeans (they were ripped from the inner thing almost 3/4 around to the other side!) I finally gave in and got some new ones.

 These 2 pairs came from Primark, for £9 & £11, and DAMN is it difficult to find bootcut jeans on the high street! I had to venture to Glasgow just to get some. Everywhere is skinny, Skinny, SKINNY...and I'm sick of them!
 They don't look good on someone pear shaped and short like me, unless I have a long top and heels on. I much prefer to try and balance myself out with bootcuts, that to be honest, are far comfier on my legs. (does anyone else find that skinny jeans are uncomfortable on the calves after a while, or is that just me?)  

Unfortunately, as usual, I'm going to have to either roll these up or cut them to make them a proper length for my 28inch legs...it's either that or I fork out 4times the price for ones built for shorties!
(whilst I'd have no problem doing this for nice jeans, work ones will just get ruined anyway so it's a waste of cash) 

I also bought a few Bras from H&M as I don't really have enough that are the proper size, so in order to throw them out I needed to restock.
 I got the same style in black, white and light pink as they're super nice, comfy and most importantly...really padded! I have a bit of a complex about my bust size, much like most women on the planet, so I don't feel comfortable wearing bras that aren't padded...I guess that makes me a cheater/let down...right?
They came in at £14.99 each.

Finally...something even less exciting (can you handle it?) SOCKS.
Seriously. Socks.
I am utterly convinced that either my cat steals them all, they magically grow legs and run away at night, or that the washing machine eats them!
 No matter how many pairs of socks I have, I can guarantee that before long they will be long gone! Even a full gutting out of my flat yields no results...this can't be normal, can it? Do they really grow legs? 


Moving on to something a little more interesting to look at, is my outfit for the day!

I really do have a thing for white jeans at the moment. Even though I have to be super careful not to mess them up, I always seem to feel really good and dressed up in them...even if my outfit is casual.
I recently picked up this knitted slouchy Cardigan from Ebay after being after one for a good while!

I never really thought that I'd wear something like that until I saw a picture of Ozaki Sayoko in something similar, and I absolutely love her style so I just had to find myself something similar!

I teamed this up with some white heels (on sale at New Look the other month), offbrand dangly earrings, bracelet, and a strappy black top that my mother gave me a long while back.

I actually used this Cardigan for a photoshoot on Sunday, where I did a little experimenting! Here's a sneak peek/behind the scenes from the shoot whilst I wait for the images! Hopefully you'll like them!

Silly VS super Serious face!

Anyway, that's all I have to report for the moment, as usual please leave me your feedback below! ^_^

Love,

           Kasumi x

Germany Trip 2015 (image heavy)

Hi Sweethearts,

Sorry for the delay in getting this post to you!

As I mentioned before, I was spending some time with my family back in Germany earlier on this month (unfortunately it wasn't under the best of circumstances) and I thought I'd share some pictures of my adventures with you!

So, my Mothership & I flew from Edinburgh to Hamburg this time, before commencing the most stressful 3 hour train journey to my family in Wolfsburg.

Travelling & Touristy photos:

(Left:Edinburgh Airport air traffic control/Right: Touching down in Hamburg)

Hamburg

Whoever said that Germans were efficient and punctual was totally lying - out first train to Hamburg Hbf was perfect, however our transfer from Hbf to Uelzen ended up being delayed due to the lines (unfortunately we arrived at the start of the 38degree heatwave) which meant on getting to Uelzen we had to literally run to get the connecting train to Gifhorn, which luckily waited for the passengers coming off the Hamburg-Uelzen train. 

Luckily my sister came to collect us at Gifhorn, as due to delays we narrowly missed the train to Wolfburg. 
(The train journey back was even worse for timing - we almost missed the train due to delays again, and the heatwave was over) 

Gifhorn Train Station

Eventually we got into Wolfsburg, and after some family time, I took a couple of days to wander around and feel all nostalgic about the city I lived in after I left school.

Left: VW factory/Right: Phaeno

We also took a day trip out to Braunschweig, to have a look around the shops and see some pretty architecture! I really love this city - it's just so beautiful.

Food

Anyone that knows me at all, knows that I have a major food addiction, especially when it comes to cake!
Here are a few of the yummy things I came across this time round. I really didn't eat much cake or bad things this time, as I'm actively trying to lose weight and it was heartbreaking not to eat every single yummy thing I wanted!

I couldn't resist picking up this beauty from Happy Donazz in the Schloss Arcaden, Braunschweig!
I absolutely adore these guys - they make the best Donuts ever....this one had crunchy nut on it! OMG! 

In true Me fashion, I found myself a good place to get some Sushi! 

Seriously, I have a massive addiction to Sushi, and it's usually the first thing I look for when I'm out and hungry. 

This box was just under 20Euros from Sushi Bar Viet Express in Kaufhof, Wolfsburg and was super lovely. On top of that they also gave me a discount randomly, so it was even cheaper. 

As far as value for money goes, this is definitely great and much cheaper compared to Scotland!
If you're in Wolfsburg, you should check them out: http://www.sushiwob.de

Left: Puddingbrezel for Breakfast/Right: Strawberry & Blackcurrent slices!

Baked Gyros with Cheese and Potatos from the Thission Greek Restaurant in Wob-stadt.

I also want to share with you some of the most delicious cherries, that came from my Omas' Cherry Tree! They were so good! 

Pets! 

I also want to introduce you all to my Sisters' cat, Lumpi. 

He's such a snuggly cuddly boy, that only gets to go outside when he has his jacket and lead on, so that he stays safe!

Isn't he a sweetie?! 

 

Fashion:

When we got to Germany, I was SO thankful that I packed light, girly, summery items! It was reaching almost 40degrees over the majority of the week, so I was absolutely melting! I even managed to get a ridiculous tan line from sitting on my Sisters' balcony for a few hours!

I wish that I could have put more makeup on, but for most of the week I had to hide it in a cold dark cupboard as my lipsticks and other cream/liquid products were taking the heat badly and things were beginning to melt! I dunno how you all in hot countries deal with makeup - short of keeping it in the fridge!

Travelling face! Hat: New Look 

Dress: H&M
Waistcoat: Primark

Necklace, Bracelet, Tshirt & Jeans: Primark

 Cardigan: Ebay

Dress: Offbrand from local Sunday Market/Car boot trader
Hat: TkMaxx
Sunglasses & Belt: Primark 

My Super Ridiculous tan lines! >.<

So this is a little rough sum-up of my week - food, sunshine and awful train services!
I've not posted any family pics up here to protect their privacy - however if you know me personally you'll have seen them on my personal page!

Next time I'll be back to chattering about makeup/looks/products and my usual geekery!

Until then,

Love,
          Kasumi x

Onee-Gyaru Makeup (Tutorial)

Hi Sweethearts,

Sorry for the lack of post last week! I was off on a trip back to visit my family in Germany, so didn't really have time to finish up my video posting, sorry! >.<'
(I'm going to post about my Germany Trip once I finish sorting through all the pictures that I took over there!)

So, after my eye incident, I've been having a break from Circle Lenses to let my eyes get back to fully functioning, and also having to avoid bottom lashes at the moment as they make my eyes water T_T

With that in mind, I've been seeing a good few Gyaru makeup looks that haven't used any bottom lashes, so I decided to give it a bit of a whirl and make a tutorial to go along with it!


Here are a couple of pictures of the makeup look (sorry, I didn't get round to styling my hair as it was a loooooooooooooooooooong day!) 

Here is the video to the tutorial, where I also put captions for my work process:

Link to Video incase you can't see the embedded version:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXgtsSj2eSY&list=PL0edgT-pdM0BaSF0Oxhc19qZlsSnIFUWh&feature=player_detailpage

So, onto the products!


For the base (In order):
+ Etude House CC Cream
+ Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation
+ Max Factor Pan Stick (For contouring foundation)
+ Rimmel Hide the Blemish Concealer (also used for highlighting a bit)
+ Etude House Cupcake all over colour (Blush)
+ Rimmel Stay Matt Powder
+ MUA Bronzer (For contouring powder)
+ Make Up Revolution Baked Highlights (Highlighter)

Eye Makeup: 
+ w7 In the Nude Palette (cream/ light brown/ mid brown/ darkest brown)
+ Make up Revolution Liquid Liner (Black)
+ Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil
+ Etude House Play101 Pencil (Black)
+ Makeup Revolution Baked Highlights (Highlighter)
+ Etude House Crystal Tear Eyeliner
+ Miss Manga (top)& Miss Manga Punky (bottom) Mascaras

Lashes:
+Brit Rocks Perfect Girl - Drama Queen

Lips: 
+ Mua Lip Liner
+ Etude House Dear my Wish Liptalk Lipstick

Wow, now that I've written it all down, it looks like a LOT of makeup, right?
 I do have to confess to being a product fanatic, though I never really realise just how many items I use until I have them all written down...oops!

Anyway, I hope that you watch and like my video tutorial - I was also thinking about doing pictorials for my looks to go with my blog postings if anyone is interested in that? Let me know your thoughts below!

Love,
          Kasumi x

Steal this Style: Sexy & Sophisticated Photoshoot

Hi Sweethearts,

The other week I finally managed to be brave enough to get in front of the camera and model again, after being extremely reluctant to do so due to my own body & confidence issues - so I thought that I would share this with you.

After much humming and hawing over what to shoot with the wonderful Louise from Louise Cantwell Photography  - we had originally planned to shoot some avant garde, fantasy, ethereal style fashion, incorporating a bespoke headpiece.
     However, after having a huge confidence crisis that morning whilst getting ready (Thankfully she's a very good friend of mine, so is used to me looking in the mirror and freaking out, repeatedly deciding that I hate myself and am a terrible disgusting person etc before I finally get the courage to do things.) and a failed attempt at putting together a last minute outfit (my sewing machine played up the entire night, and the outfit was far too sheer for going outdoors in public)  we ended up raiding my wardrobes to shoot a more glamorous, yet sophisticated type of fashion shoot - complete with some gal makeup!

The dress I chose was one that I picked up from Ebay last year on a whim, thinking that I'd love to be able to go somewhere/do something that would warrant wearing it - so it was a perfect choice for making me feel a little more like myself again.



I'm always a little wary when picking outfits from Asia, as I'm a lot more curvy, and pear shaped in figure so always wonder if it will fit over my butt or not! Luckily though, it's pretty perfect and makes me feel slimmer/more hourglass-like, due to the peplum and puffy shoulders.

I teamed the dress with a nude pair of heels from Primark, having not yet invested in a nice white pair (suggestions welcome)

Here are some shots from our adventure into the posh, quaint little side streets of my town & a local park bridge.  ^_^

I also happened to come across a sailor hat on my rails, which I think is maybe Russian, and couldn't resist taking it along as a fun prop! (feel free to correct me in regards to its' origin) 

           



It felt really strange getting back into posing that isn't a selfie, but at the same time I really enjoyed myself once I got back into the swing of things.
 It was a different style for both of us image wise, and it was a lovely to feel a bit more sexy/glamorous for a change!

I really love the more grown up, 'cool' type feel of these images - the outfit is pretty flashy for me, which I love, but the images are more casually styled....if that makes sense?

I would love to know your thoughts of the images, and do you wear clothing similar? Would you?
Let me know in the comments below ^_^

Love,
           Kasumi x