PART 3: Christmas DIY Nails with Kerri Lown

WE USED: Professional Nail Art Pen + Brush in black, white and gold, Nina Ultra Pro in Cobalt, Louise Gray by Topshop in Junkyard, Nails by Topshop in Panther and 17 Fast Finish in Knock Out Red

 

1. Paint 2 coats of a dark blue nail varnish on your little finger. We used.... Then paint 2 coats of red on the rest of your fingers.

 

 2. Once your base colours are dry, apply a glitter nail varnish to the tips of your index, middle and ring finger. We used

3. Next we will be adding details of Santa's coat to the thumb. Use your nail art pens to do this; gold for the buckle, black for the belt and white for the buttons and trim. 

 4. Fill in the belt with the black nail art pen.

 5. With the black nail art pen write 'Ho' on the index, middle and ring finger.

 6. Using the white nail art pen, fill in the trim of Santa's coat.

7. Add detail of snow to the little finger

8. Once everything is dry, apply a clear top coat.

 ✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩

So that was the last design! Have fun with your nails this Christmas. Don't forget to take a snap of your Christmas nails and upload them to Instagram, along with the tag #HMOXmasNails. Also, thank you to Ella Turner for being my hand model, wasn't she fabulous? Will be doing more nail DIYs in the new year so watch this space :)

Merry Christmas everybody!

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PART 2: Christmas DIY Nails with Kerri Lown

WE USED: Small red pom-pom, Professional Nail Art Pen in black, Matt Nail Paint by Barry M in Caramel,
Nails Inc Nail Jewellery in Emerald and Nail Paint by Barry M in Racing Green

1. Prep your nails, then apply one coat of a rich green nail varnish to your thumb, index, ring and little finger. I used Racing Green by Barry M.

2. Next apply 2 coats of a light brown nail varnish on your middle finger. I used Matt Nail Paint in Caramel by Barry M. This will be the main base colour for your Rudolph.

3. Now it's time to add a bit of sparkle to your nails! I have this beautiful glitter nail varnish from Nails Inc in Emerald Green and it's just perfect for Party Season. Apply to your thumb, index, ring and little finger.

4. The final step is to add some detail to your Rudolph. You can use a very small red pom-pom for Rudolph's nose or if you don't have one of those available, use some red glitter nail varnish. To add a pom-pom, simply dab a little bit of your base colour nail varnish on to the tip of your nail and place the pom-pom on top, wait 30 seconds for it to set. Lastly, with a black nail pen add Rudolph's eyes. TA DA! You have Rudolph-tastic nails!

✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩

So, there you have it! My second tutorial for getting some super cute Christmas nails. Don't forget to show me your Christmas nails. Simply take a photo and post to Instagram along with the tag, #HMOXmasNails. 

Hope you've been enjoying my tutorials so far. Tomorrow will be the final part to my Christmas nail special and it is my fave! See you then :)

Love,

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PLEASE ASK FOR PERMISSION BEFORE USING, THANK YOU!
AND THANK YOU TO OUR HAND MODEL, ELLA TURNER

PART 1: Christmas DIY Nails with Kerri Lown

For the next 3 days we have collaborated with the lovely Kerri Lown. Kerri will be taking us through her top 3 Christmas nail designs and showing you how to add a bit of Christmas bling to your nails with these easy step by step guides.

Today we will be having a look at how you can add pretty shimmery snowflakes to your nails. This is quite an easy design to-do and you don't have to be an amazing artist, but a steady hand does help!

✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩

WE USED: Foil by Barry M, Tidal by Nails at Topshop and white holographic glitter from Primark

1. First of all prep your nails. File them to your desired shape and if you have a cuticle pusher push your cuticles back. (PLEASE NOTE: Never completely remove your cuticles as they protect your nails from germs and bacteria.)

2. Once you have prepped your nails apply 2 coats of a pastel blue nail varnish. We used 'Tidal' by Nails at Topshop. This will be the main background colour for our design.

3. Paint on snowflakes using a fine tip paint brush. We used Foil Nail Paint by Barry M. Start by painting a cross then add little flicks. 

 4. Sprinkle some holographic white glitter on to the nails. Try to do this when the silver detail is still wet so that it sticks to the snowflakes. 

5. Finally apply a clear top coat. This will make sure your nail design lasts longer.

TA DA! You have pretty shimmery snowflake nails!  You can experiment with different colours too. This is quite a subtle look for Christmas and is work friendly too. Tomorrow I will be showing you how to give yourself some super cute Rudolph nails.

Love,

✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩

ALL IMAGES ARE SUBJECT TO COPYRIGHT AND WERE TAKEN BY JENNIE DAVIES

PLEASE ASK FOR PERMISSION BEFORE USING
THANK YOU TO ELLA TURNER FOR BEING OUR HAND MODEL

RECIPE: Chilli Chicken Ramen

The days are getting shorter and it is certainly getting colder and this little recipe is perfect for warming you up on those cold rainy days and is incredibly healthy too! Bonus! I don't know if this is the correct way of making Ramen soup but this recipe has become a firm favorite in my family and Mini Owl certainly enjoys it.

Chilli Chicken Ramen (serves 4)
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Chicken Marinade
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4 x chicken breasts
2tbl of sake
2tbl Thai Red Curry Paste
2 teaspoons of caster sugar
1 teaspoon sesame oil
2tbl light soy sauce

Mix all the ingredients into a bowl and coat the chicken with the marinade. Leave for at least an hour in the fridge.

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Chili Chicken Ramen
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In addition to the above you will need

2 x liters of Chicken stock
2 x carrots (peeled and chopped)
1 x fresh ginger (about thumb size and needs to be peeled and chopped)
3 x garlic cloves (peeled and chopped
Coriander (one bunch)
1 x red Onion
Spinach or pok choy
1 x red pepper
4 x Chilies
1 x lime (cut into wedges)
2 x eggs (hard boiled and sliced in half)
5 x spring onions
Pickled ginger (optional)

1. First you need to make the broth. To do this add about tablespoon of olive oil or peanut oil to a large saucepan and heat on a moderate temperature. Add the chopped carrots and let them soften for 2-3min, then add the chopped ginger and garlic. Let that cook for another 2-3min, stirring constantly. Next add the chicken stock and soy sauce. Add fish sauce to season if required. Simmer for 20-25min. 

2. Whilst your broth is simmering, place the marinated chicken breast on to a baking tray with some tin foil and place under a grill for around 6-7min each side. Once cooked remove from grill and set aside.

3. Sieve the broth: Place the sieve over another saucepan and strain the broth. Put it back on to heat. 

4. Add your preferred noodles to the broth and cook for the required time on the packet (usually around 3 min)

5. Slice your cooked chicken breasts ready to serve on top of your noodles. 

6. Serve your noodles into bowls and ladle the broth on top. 

7. Finally arrange your preferred veg and chicken on top of your noodles. I like to use spinach, red onion, chicken, half a boiled egg, spring onions, coriander and pickled ginger. If you would like more heat add some chopped fresh chilli.

Serve with chopsticks and slurp those noodles up like the Japanese do. Slurping enhances the flavour. Well, that's my excuse anyway ;)

Douzo meshiagare!
(Happy eating!)

AKA Hooting Miss Owl

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SAVE THE DATE! The countdown has started...

The time has finally come! After months of preparation, the online shop has a launch date! It will be opening on the 2nd December 2013,  just in time for Christmas :) I am so, SO excited to finally be getting this up and running and I can't wait for you all to see it!!

I have lots of wonderful goodies for you to browse, including beautiful handpicked vintage clothes perfect for the A/W season (and least we forget, Party Season!). We will also be stocking retro and kitsch cards from Bradadoo, and if you can't quite decide on any of those, we also have Gift E-cards, perfect if your not sure what to give that special someone.

So, SAVE THE DATE and tell all your friends! You can also check out our Facebook page throughout the week for sneaky sneak previews and delicious discount codes. 

Ta ta for now!

AKA Hooting Miss Owl

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LFWeekend: Victoriana Trend

And finally, we have come to the last trend that was showcased at London Fashion Weekend. Say hello to Victoriana! This look was seen on Armani, Chanel and Preen's A/W catwalks collections, creating a Gothic look but with subtle femininity. 

To get this look right, think high collars, ruffled shirts, monochrome, gothic, and delicate lace. Even take influence from Equestrian style jackets. It's a smart sophisticated look which can easily be transformed for work or evening wear.

Which has been your favourite trend so far? Are you a Pretty in Pink or a Back to Nature girl? I personally think I'm a Pretty in Pink and Shape Up girl. I was sad to see Summer go but this has defintely got me excited about Autumn now! If you want to embrace these trends and you don't know what to get, buy a coat. It is the least expensive way to keep your look up-to-date and current.

Big love!
AKA Hooting Miss Owl

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LFWeekend: Shape Up Trend

Today we will be looking at the Shape Up trend that was showcased at London Fashion Weekend last Saturday. Were you a fan of the monochrome trend? Well, it's continuing this Autumn but with a slight twist. Take inspiration from geometric prints and add more colour to your look. This is certainly a fun trend and a great way to go retro and play with 70s psychedelic prints, just like Holly Fulton, House of Holland, Matthew Williamson and Temperley did in their A/W catwalks. Don't be scared of mixing up those prints but try to keep the colour palette the same otherwise you will end up looking like a bad acid trip.

I have some beautiful vintage pieces, which will be perfect for this trend, so I will definitely be giving this vibrant fad a go. Will you be donning the Shape Up look this Autumn?

Ta ta for now! 

AKA Hooting Miss Owl



P.S Not too keen on the Shape Up trend? Check out Pretty in Pink and Back to Nature

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LFWeekend: Back to Nature Trend

Welcome to my second installment of London Fashion Weekend's Trend show. The second collection to be showcased was titled Back to Nature, taking inspiration from Erdem, Mary Katrantzou, Michael van der Ham and Mulberry's AW13 range, and oh my, doesn't it look wonderful?!

Getting this look right is all about mixing prints and textures that are perfect for the outdoors. I am especially loving the mushroom maxi skirt and the khaki/gold hues. Mr D has just bought me a new winter coat (thank you!). It's a vintage 1960s faux-fur leopard print coat and will be ideal for perfecting the look this Autumn. I'm just waiting for it to get cold enough so I can wear it! Still, if last winter was anything to go by, there will be plenty of opportunity for that!

What do you think of the Back to Nature trend?


Big love!
AKA Hooting Miss Owl





 P.S If you haven't already, you can check out the Pretty in Pink trend here

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THANK YOU!