Blog awards

Hi guys! 

I am soooo  unbelievably sorry for not posting in so long. I was absolutely bogged under with A Level revision and my new job- I hope you can understand! 

So, I've been nominated for the Liebster Award by the lovely The Blonde Breakthrough 

I got these rules through The Blonde Breakthrough's Blog, who nominated me for this award and there are four rules to stick to when you have been nominated:

1. Thank the blogger who nominated you and link back to their blog
2. Answer the questions provided by the nominator 
3. Nominate and link ten bloggers that have less than two hundred followers
4. Create 10 questions for the nominees to answer.

My questions were:

1. Who is your biggest inspiration in life?

Wow- what a deep question. I look to many different people for different inspiration!

For everything, I usually would turn to my mother for inspiration; she's truly the best. For fashion and beauty, my ultimate inspiration is CarliBybel (follow her on Instagram and she'll blow your mind)

2. What made you want to create your blog?

Honestly, I just love to babble about things I'm interested in! I loved the thought that I could share tips and tricks with other people and hopefully one day be an inspiration for somebody else. It's also uber fun and satisfying!

3. If you could travel to any place in the world, where/why would it be?

I'm an absolute sucker for blue seas and white sand. I'd absolutely love to travel to Thailand, Bora Bora and the Maldives purely due to their breathtaking beaches and scenery! I've been to places like New York and Washington and I would totally want to visit more American states too! 

4.Peanut Butter or Nutella?

NUTELLA, ALWAYS.

5. What do you find most challenging about maintaining a blog?

100% the upkeep. I find it really hard to take crystal clear photos and find the time to write my blog- because I'm such a perfectionist, one post can take me hours! 

6. If someone was interested in becoming a blogger, what would your tips be?

Stick at it. No matter what, stick at it and be persistent. You're never going to get 10000 followers over night! Keep it interesting and ONLY write about things you're genuinely interested in. Unfortunately I don't think you can ''fake it till you make it'' with blogging, you've got to be yourself.

7. Best compliment you've ever received?

I always get told that I remind people of Demi Lovato which is an ultimate compliment as she's such an inspiration and empowering woman. However, my ultimate favourite was a comment on instagram where someone said I look like Megan Fox!! (I know, unreal!) 

8.If you were to throw a dinner party and could only invite 5 people (celebrities included), who would you invite? 

Scott Disick, Michelle Keegan, Kim Kardashian, Chris Brown and Beyonce.

9.If you could only have one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

BBQ CHICKEN PIZZA, hands down.

10. What is your favourite movie?

Argh, I hate this. LOL is a pretty awesome movie!

I nominate: 

1- Yeah I'm Lost

2- The Blonde Breakthrough

3- Love Lauren
4- Black is the new black

5- Never Too Experienced

6- Lipstick and Laughter

7- Sparkle Shine Heather

8- Romantiquely

9- About Today

10- Chatter Girl

My questions to you all:

1. If you could be friends with any celebrity who would it be and why?

2. What would your dream job be?

3. If you were a food, what would you be and why?

4. What do you find the most rewarding part about blogging?

5. Who is your favourite blogger?

6. If you could own any handbag, what would it be and why?

7. If you won £10,000 what would you spend it on?

8. Have you ever considered travelling? If so where would you go and why?

9. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

10. Sweet or savoury?

Time to get nominating guys- thanks for reading!

Simply Jess x

Topshop Joni Jeans: Simply Jess's Review.

Topshop Joni Jeans: possibly the most fast-fading jeans ever, but they're a pair you can't live without. 

Joni jeans are probably the most popular jeans ever at the moment. I've owned 3 pairs of Joni's, all with the same reoccurring issue... The quality!

I don't know how many of you will agree with me on this one, but when you buy black jeans you want them to stay black right? Right!

Unfortunately with Joni jeans (and most Topshop jeans) this doesn't seem to be the case. After around only 3 washes *approx* my black jeans are a faded grey. I've had many comments on last nights instagram post and many most of you agreed that your Joni jeans are either faded or they've ripped!

Here is a picture of my current pair and my new purchase. The difference is incredible! Many commented on my post asking 'how have you managed to stop your jeans fading?'

I don't want to fool you at all- this is unfortunately just the lighting and my old Joni's are verging on a light grey!

The sad thing is, and most of you may agree... Joni jeans are the most comfortable jeans ever. With the stretchy fabric and the high waist, these bad boys hug a curvylicious figure whilst also complimenting the slimmer figure (which I am not blessed with *sigh*).

However, I have one tip that my save your Topshop Jean-mare. 

BLACK DYE

That's right... Dye. If you pop to your local home store/supermarket you'll find fabric dye. I've been recommended to use black fabric dye in the washing machine next time I was my jeans (the faded ones). 

However, I'm too scared risking the dye staying in the washing machine and ruining my next lot of clothes so I'd use a washing up bowl/bucket and leave the jeans to soak in the black dye, and then put on a wash ON THEIR OWN or INSIDE OUT- this will avoid the dye running onto any other clothes you may have. 

If any of you have any black jeans recommendations, I'd warmly welcome them! I've heard that the River Island 'Molly' and 'Amelie' jeans are a good shout? 

Thanks for reading,

Simply Jess x

Tanning essentials: preparation and application.

Hi guys! 

So, I know it's only Wednesday and usually I would be preparing my tan on a Thursday (ready for the weekend) 

So, lets talk essentials.
Mine 100% come from St. Tropez.

This brand is absolutely incredible if you do not want streaks or patchy fake tan.

The steps I follow to gain the 'perfect' tan:

1. Preparation
Preparation is the key to a non streaky or patchy looking fake tan.

- I always make sure I'm fresh out of the bath/shower, with freshly shaven legs (and everything else) to ensure that the application will apply smooth.

-Moisturise! I can't stress this enough. You need to moisturise. Personally I just moisturise my knuckles, elbows and knees pre-application. However after my tan has dried I always do a full body moisturise too. 

2. Application

I doubt there's anyone that even attempts to fake tan without a fake tan mit, however if you are one of these people...INVEST IN A TANNING APPLICATION MIT!

There is nothing worse than seeing girls with bright orange palms. For a first, it doesn't look natural at all. In the sun, you never see tanned palms as they're not something that naturally catch the sun- thus making your tanning application look ridiculous.

-Orange hands would only occur if you apply tan without a mit as you would be leaving product on your hands.

- I always apply in a light circular motion, applying around one or two squirts of product at a time. The circular motion ensures that the fake tan will cover everywhere and it prevents the streaky lines that can occur.

TOP TIPS: 

- Don't apply too much product as you then increase your chances of build ups in areas, causing streaks and a heavily uneven tan

-If you over apply, you may well look orange- this is not an attractive look, the purpose of tan is to make you look TANNED (as if you've caught the sun) and most certainly not that you've had a ball with your Doritos.

-Don't heavily to the inside of your arm, your palms and the balls of your feet. These places do NOT naturally catch the sun and you'll see when you're on holiday- these areas are always paler as they do not tan as easy. If you apply lots of product to these areas too, it will look un-natural and defeats the object of a 'tan'.

-LET. IT. DRY. With nail varnish, you wouldn't  use your freshly painted nails to fold your clothes would you?! It would smudge them right? Exactly! Treat your tan the same- let the product dry to avoid any smudges, patches or stains. My worst ever experience was brushing my teeth after fake tanning (Drops of water came off my toothbrush and landed on my leg leaving some lovely white splodges where it'd removed my tan!!) 

I hope this has helped with your tanning application and I do highly recommend this product. I recently bought my new bottle from Feel Unique where it's currently only £24.00 usually £30.00 in my local Boots!

Thanks for reading,

Simply Jess x