Rebecca Cox Illustrator

Morning everyone, just a quick update to let you know about another illustrator's work that I have started stocking in store at Mr Birds.  Rebecca Cox is a midlands based artist who graduated from Birmingham City University in 2011. 

 

Rebecca has a very detailed and delicate style and she uses watercolour and pen to create images which I am sure you will agree are fantastic.  

I currently stock a few original pieces and a lovely range of cards and prints.  Pop in and take a look.

Laura xx

MAC Guilty Passions Set

I thought I would share one of my Christmas presents with you in my blog today, I got a set of MAC Guilty Passions Metallic Pigments from my sister and I have been having lots of fun using them over the festive period.  

I love the packaging and I am going to use it to store my little tubs of eyeshadows including my Peaches and Cream pigments. 

The box contains four small tubs of crushed metallic pigments.  

Clockwise from top right - Spruced, She's Got Class, Moss Garden, I've Got a Crush on You.  I have mainly been using the She's Got Class colour on a smokey eye mixing it with the dark shades in my MUA palette.  

I did a quick swatch test of the colours and ask you can see a little really does go along way.  I have found that layering it slowly creates a really intense effect and the glitter really sparkles.  The pigments can be used on the face and I have used I've Got a Crush on You as a highlighter on the cheeks.  

What did you get for Christmas? 

Laura xxx

Happy New Year

Hi everyone, hope you have all had a brilliant Christmas and New Year.  I am really looking forward to the year ahead, I am working on lots of new ranges and I have a few new ranges in store. 

I hope you all have a really good time celebrating the new year, thank you for all your support and I look forward to seeing you all soon xx

Nails Inc Bling It On Hologram

This weekend I made a trip to Liverpool with friends and I went to one of their newest stores, Harvey Nichols Beauty Bazaar.  Whilst I was there one of the Nails Inc staff showed me one of their latest products, a fab glittery nail set for £20.  I have never spent this amount of money on nail varnish but after the demonstration I purchased a set.  

There are a number of kits available and they contain two sets of glitter pots, a sparkly nail brush, a mini top coat, a mini white nail varnish and a small tray to deposit glitter in.   

The kit is really easy to use you can use it on each nail but this time I decided to use it on one nail and paint my other nails a festive bright red.  I painted the nail red and before they dried I rolled them in the glitter.  

I then use the little brush to shake of the excess and tip the remaining glitter from the tray back into the pot.  

After adding a top coat I was ready and raring to go.  The glitter lasted for around a week before I decided to take it off as it was starting to slightly chip.  It came off relatively easy when I soaked the cotton wool pad and held it on the nail for a few moments before rubbing it off.  

Lots of people have asked me about the varnish and a few of my friends have purchased their own sets.  I was really pleased with the results and I can't wait to experiment with it over the next few weeks.  This application hardly made a dent in the glitter pot and there is still a silver glitter for me to use in the kit. 

I have teamed the look up with one of my heart glitter rings.  What do you think? 

Laura xxx

Lucie Whitehead available in Laura Loves Boutique

Hi everyone hope you are all having a fab weekend.  Just a quick post today as I settle down to watch one of my favourite Christmas films, Elf.  I wanted to show you a picture of a new range I now stock in my shop in Mr Birds Emporium by an illustrator called Lucie Whitehead.  

I first saw her work at an exhibition in The Custard Factory a few weeks ago and I was delighted when Lucie agreed to stock her work in my shop.  I have already treated myself to a number of prints for Christmas presents.  This picture is one I selected for my sister as a housewarming gift and she was so happy with it she got it on the wall straight away.  

There are a number of prints available including Amy Winehouse, John Lennon Elvis Presley and Jimi Hendrix.  

What do you think? 

Laura xxx

Handmade and Independent Companies Gift Ideas

With Christmas fast approaching I thought I would share some handmade gift ideas with you.  This year I am going to try and buy most if not all of my gifts from independent traders so I have been having a look around and I thought I would share some of them with you.

Notebook £7

I love this notebook and most of the things on Melanie Ann Green's Folksy site.  This notebook is £7 so would make a perfect stocking filler or secret santa gift.

Vintage Bus Blinds 

These framed bus blinds are so unique and often the talk of the shop since appearing in Mr Birds.  A really good present with a personal touch!

Tote Bag £15

This tote bag really makes me smile and I think most women (and maybe some men) would relate to it! It provides the perfect excuses for that new pair of shoes, new dress, jewellery, make-up ....

Picture Frames £4  

A great inexpensive stocking filler available in Mr Birds Emporium.  

Beatles Print £4.95

I chose this Beatles print as it is one of my favourite songs and I think it would look great in any household.  

Today is the Day mug £6.95

What better way to start the day than with an inspirational message? this mug does just the job!

Lets Dance Print £20

This fab print is available in Mr Birds and online and it is one of my personal favourites. 

Heart Necklace £7, Laura Loves Boutique

I have decided to include one of my own necklaces in the selection as these have been a best seller over the last few weeks and a lot of people have been picking them up as gifts.  They are also available as rings and brooches.  

What do you think of my selections?  Have you bought anything from an independent business or do you run one?  Post a link below and I will take a look.  

Laura xxx

Clothes Show Live 2012

I can't believe how quickly the last year has gone.  Christmas is only weeks away and it is nearly time for one of the largest fashion events of the year, The Clothes Show Live.  Luckily it is in my hometown so I have had the opportunity to visit a number of times.  I would really recommend it to anyone who has never been before.  The NEC is full of fashion brands and retailers and there are live fashion shows, champagne bars, makeovers and the chance of seeing the odd celebrity or two!

If you are going this year I would like to point out two areas that you must visit this year!  First is the Anita's Vintage Show Area where you will be treated to a variety of different vintage sellers.  Make sure you check out a fellow Mr Birds Emporium shopS Trunk Junkies Vintage and Roxy Valetta.  There vintage collections are fantastic and they have a eclectic mix of vintage and retro clothing and accessories.  You can find out more about them on Facebook.  

The next area that you cannot miss is the Off Beat Boutique.  There are a few traders I would like to recommend in this area.  Both Minimum Mouse and Mad Elizabeth Vintage are perfect for picking up a piece of vintage clothing or something from their jewellery ranges.  

In this area you will also find my Mr Birds Emporium neighbour Bits and Bows Boutique.  Sarah will be bringing a huge mix of items with her from sweet treat jewellery to her handmade clothing.  I am also pleased to tell you that Sarah will also be stocking some of my handmade brooches in her stand so if you are there be sure to pop in and take a look.  

Are you going to the Clothes Show?  What are looking forward to the most? 

Laura xxx