Get The Label: GTLurbanparty

Ok, so I know I said I was having a total blogging break to concentrate on my studies, well... turns out I needed a break from my break. When you start to know the wood grain details on your library desk, it’s time for a change of scene. So when an invite came from the lovely people at Get The Label to attend a Urban Hip Hop Party, well I couldn’t resist.

C/O Jay Cain photographer- Most photos are mine, but some are from the official photographer, simply because he was good not to include!

I will admit, I wasn’t too sure if I’d heard of Get The Label before, it sounded familiar, but I hadn’t bought anything.

The event was hosted at 2022 Dale Street which is a basement event space with an urban warehouse feel. When I arrived I felt I’d been transported to an edgy Manhattan art preview, which accompanied by the urban beats, and the immediate ‘let’s get you some champagne’ made for a winner.

C/O Jay Cain

On display was a selection of Get The Labels spring/ summer collection, which they have just launched. Get The Label offers well known brands at a fraction of the cost- up to 75% in allot of cases. Being a subsidiary of JD Sports, I was worried it might all be sporty wear, which really isn’t me, but I was pleasantly surprised. They had pretty summer dresses and heels, which of course I made a bee line for. There were the classics, such a Bench Jeans and Nike teeshirts, which I personally avoided, but I had my eye on a fab Rare dress. Get The Label has some great brands like Apple Bottom, Religion and Motel, and on the website, I've spotted Hunter Wellies, V Fest gear that wouldn’t make me cry into my credit card statement.

Throughout the evening we got the chance to pick out clothes from the new collection, and put together an outfit with a chance of winning the entire thing. Personally I am more of a trend lover, so wanted to prove that you could make trends out of classics. I paired an organza flower dress (Remarkable reminiscent of one Topshop did in mint) with a black sweater over the top. I cinched it in at the waist with a belt and added a necklace. If available I would have added a big underskirt to give some volume to the dress.

Sadly I didn’t win, but me and my model formed a lifelong bond...

C/O Jay Cain

Top- H&M

Blazer- Primark

Necklace- Topshop

Shorts- Topshop

Heels- Topshop

Danielle and Frances

C/O Jay Cain 

Me, Victoria and Rosy

C/O Jay Cain

Of course, being me, my fashion eyes were soon overshadowed by my foodie nose, and of I went straight to the canapés.

Seeing as I was photographed at #northmeetup with a cupcake, well I thought I might as well keep up the tradition.

There was also the chance to do a blog brag, which made me realise I’ll never be a TV star. I think I did about 4 takes, and in the end I spoke for all of about 20 seconds. If they decide to release the hash I made, I’ll post it on here so you can have a giggle.

C/O Jay Cain

I also got to catch up with the lovely Victoria form In The Frow, who I met at the #northmeetup, and meet some new gorgeous girls. 

Clara and me

Me and Megan

Overall I had a blast of a time, the team at Get The Label were really friendly, and were happy for me to chat to them about what they did, and how they got involved (nosey parker aren’t I? It’s the inner networker, I can’t help it!). We were looked after so well, I can’t thank them enough.

I’ll always be honest with you though, as I would hate this blog if it become commercialised, which I won’t let it! There were some great pieces, and honestly the price for the brands, such as Rare Opulance are amazing. If you do love your classics, Get The Label is for you. However, on a day to day basis i'm more... quirky, as evident by my sequin shorts and Velcro heels!

However, I’ve just spied a tribal bikini set for 6.99 on their website- 7 pound for top and bottoms! Crikey! This may be my incentive to actually bother book a holiday now.

You can find Get The Label here, or on Facebook here to see more of the events pictures.

Also during the month of May, you can have free UK delivery on me: Just use code UBPFD

Well, before that thought, its back to the library for me. Like Cinderella after midnight... ooh maybe I’ll meet a gorgeous prince hidden between the book shelves. Now that’s motivation!

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Study Break

That dreaded time has arrived. Exam time. Cue menacing villain music.

I’m currently in my final year at university, and after 4 long years, this is it. Crunch time, D day, the end. It’s been like a marathon, and right now I’m in my last mile, the hardest, but the one you put all your last bit of effort into to make the previous worth it.

So I’m going on a little blogging break so I can put all my heart and soul into my work. But don’t you worry, I’ll be back on the 5^th June, when I will have finished my last ever exam.

So wish me luck, and talk to you all very soon.

Laura x

P.S I’ll leave you with a snippet of my life from Instagram- yes, I am writing a final year computer science essay with a Disney Princess pencil case...

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Zara Burgundy Heels

Ankle buckle shoes seem to be a big trend right now. From Gucci to Pierre Hardy, and Kim Kardashian just can’t seem to get enough of hers! And to be honest, I couldn’t either. As a good little blogger does, I saw these on a fashion blog and instantly fell in love. I’m afraid I can’t remember where I saw them, but I instantly wanted them.

Now I was brought up where it felt like Christmas when my mum would come home with a sack full of hand me down clothes from me friend’s older daughters, free clothes? And free clothes above my price range? Yes please.

I have no problem with seconds, and so as these shoes are no longer for sale in Zara, to eBay I went.

I love the colour of these, the burgundy hue is so vivid, and the suede gives them a luxury quality. Although maybe not the best for the current rain filled season.

When it warms up- yes, when, I’m being an optimist- I’m planning on pairing these with shorts or maybe a midi skirt for more formal dress. But right now, casual meets glamour was my aim, with a relaxed pair of camo trousers and a denim jacket.

Heels- Zara

Denim Jacket- Topshop (Similar here)

Top- Matalan

Camo Trousers- Zara (Similar here)

Necklace- An independent jewellery boutique in Manchester.

They are actually considered midi heels, which usually I stay way clear of- I’m a killer heel kind of gal. My highest are 7inch! Granted they have only ever made an appearance once... However surprisingly I rather liked the midi height, I may be a changed girl. 

I’m looking for more inspiration to wear with them, what would you suggest?

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Cranberry Yogurt Cookies

Up until about 19 I hated dairy. Milk, butter, cheese- everything. I know, strange strange child. Now I can’t get enough of the stuff, especially cheese. But my other ‘can’t get enough’ is yogurt. My dad grew concerned about my bones like any parent would, and so at one stage forced me to eat a yogurt after every lunch.

Of course I kicked and screamed ‘My rights!’ ‘My rights!’ but turns out I actually rather liked the stuff. Ok more than like it, as my whole fridge is crammed with yogurts.

And this is how the yogurt cookie was born. I wanted to bake cookies, but had no chocolate, no nuts, not fruit, nothing for the flavour. And that’s when staring aimlessly in the fridge caused the light bulb to glow. Would yogurt work?

This is no from no recipe, it’s completely my own creation. In fact when I started to make these, I had no idea if they would work. But I am glad I did, as they do. They so do. They’re very creamy and moist, and nearly all gone from my fridge!

To make 20 cookies you will need:

• 225g Sugar
• 125g Unsalted butter
• 225g Plain Flour
• ½ Teaspoon Baking Powder
• 1 large egg
• Pinch Salt
• 125g Strawberry Yogurt
• 150g Dried Cranberries

First cream together the butter and sugar, until fully combined, and smooth.

Next, add the egg a bit at a time, again stirring until fully combined.

Sieve the flour, the salt and the baking powder into the mixture and combine.

Then pour in the yogurt. I used Activia, but this was purely out of what was in my fridge.

Once the yogurt has become fully integrated into the dough, add the cranberries.

The dough will be wetter than a typical cookie dough, as these cookies as ‘drop cookies’ meaning  that instead of rolling these into balls by hand, simply drop the mixture onto a greased baking tray. Make the cookies out of 2 heaped teaspoons. You will need more than one tray for the amount it makes.

Bake in a pre-heated oven at gas mark 5 for 16 minutes.

Once cooked, remove from tray and allow to cool. I then cut my cookies out using a cookie cutter to make them prettier, but feel free to just get stuck in. 

I honestly have no idea why I hated diary as a child, what was I thinking? No cream teas, no jelly and ice-cream, no milkshakes... I think I better go have another cookie, you know, to make sure I defiantly do like diary....

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Manicure Monday: Kiss Nail Wrap

I’ve haven’t done a Manicure Monday post in quite a while. The reason for this? My nails fell off? I developed an intolerance to nail varnish? Nope. Just sheer laziness.

Which happens to be half the reason why this Manicure Monday is slightly different. Slightly cheaty.

Nail wraps have been out for a long time now, so I’m pretty sure you will have all heard of them. Yet as a lover of painting my nails myself, I’ve never quite felt the need to try them before. However after receiving a pair at the #NorthMeetUp, I thought I should break my lazy streak, and give them a go.

These are Kiss Nail Wrap in Fashion Strips KWN12. There are 18 nail wraps in the pack which are essentially stickers of varnish which peel of a plastic sheet and press over your nail. There are 18 so that you can find the right size for your nails or in case you tear one… not that I did or anything…

The instructions say to peel back, stick as close to your cuticle as possible, bend the wrap over the edge of the nail and file off the excess, with the handy file included. Simple enough.

However they are a little more difficult to align and put on than that. As they are so sticky, and thin, it was a little awkward trying to align them without creasing or causing air pockets, however after a couple it does get easier. Patience was never my strong point.

My over all impressions are that they are very pretty designs, and do look really good actually. My mum was most impressed, and I can see their appeal to those who don’t have the steady hand nail art requires.

However I do have 2 negatives about them. The first is filing off the excess isn’t as easy or as neat as I expected. I’ve been sort of left with a rough edge which doesn’t smooth down, making them look a little untidy. 

However, it is the sizing though that causes the main issues. I didn’t think I had particular wide nails yet none of the wraps completely covered my nails, leaving gaps at the side. While it isn’t such an issue with the pale colour of these wraps, any other bright colour would clearly show the gaps.

From a distance they do look very impressive, and I really like their ease of use, it’s just a shame they don’t quite fit my nails.

I would recommend these, only if you have slim nails though.

Personally for me? I’ll be back on the nail art next week, don’t you worry! 

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