Nail Art: Fresh and Fruity Fimo Fingernails

Fancy sprucing up your nails without working too hard? If you're loving all the crazy, cool and kawaii nail art looks that are everywhere at the moment then try this fun and fruity mani.It's quick and perfect for amateurs- ideal if you love the kooky Katy Perry look or want something a bit more special than your average french polish.

This design works on natural or false nails. I'm placing it over my own nails, cut short and square, as this keeps it 'daytime' (and allows me to keep typing....). You will need a coloured polish for the 'background' and some of these fimo fruit 'slice' shapes, available from Sallys, online or even on Ebay where you can get some great bargains-



Firstly, paint your nails in your desired shade. I chose a Barry M's no. 304 'Mint Green' but this look also works wonderfully with a cute coral or last season's 'mannequin nails' nude. Use two coats to get a really strong, even base.



When your nails are completely dry, pick out your first fimo shape. Paint a small blob of clear varnish where you wish to place it then press down onto your nail. Use an orange stick or tweezers to really press all the edges in.

Immediately paint clear varnish over the fimo to stop it 'curling' away from the nail.



Now repeat with the other fruits.

Once you've completed your design, paint over it with a good layer of clear varnish. I used an Asda polish with gold glitters in it (as I was feeling a little lazy and couldn't find my clear). The glitter is sort of cute though...



And there you have it, fruit themed nails perfect for summer in a flash.

DIY: Eyelash Extensions in Minutes

Eyelash extensions are great- capable of giving you doe eyes for days and allowing you to get up looking gorgeous. One problem. They can be pricey.

A decent (i.e 'full') set can set you back over £70. That's an expensive addition to your beauty regime even if it does save on mascara (and if like me you like big eye make up then you'll probably still pull out your wand for evening regardless.)

But never fear, there is a cheaper way to get plush peepers without busting the budget. Get thee to the beauty supply store and follow these simple steps to luscious lashes in a flash.

Firstly you'll need the lashes. I get mine from Sallys but you can also pick up individual lashes from Superdrug and Boots. the lashes come in clusters (each one is a tiny cluster of hirs in a sort of fan shape) or individuals (single or two hairs together). The individuals tend to last longer. I've worn individual lashes for weeks whereas clusters tend to shed on me within a fortnight.

Next is the glue. Sallys do a great eyelash extension glue for a bout a fiver. Shake the bottle up before application and tip a few drops at a time onto a square of foil or a saucer you don't mind getting messy.

Now use a pair of tweezers to remove one lash from the tray, dip in the extension glue and place on your lashes at the root. The extension should be attached to eyelash, not skin. If you can, sweep the glued part of the extension a little way up from the root of your eyelashes before placing it down. This will give more area for the glue to stick.

Hold the extension in place for a few seconds then use the end of the tweezers to gently push the fake lash so it's level with your own.

Repeat with as many lashes as you need to get your desired look.

For a feline effect, add a few lashes to the outer corners. To open up your eyes, try placing longer lashes in the centre (above your pupil) and getting smaller towards the outside. For a really full on look you can add individual lashes (upside down) to your lower ones, although this will requires a steady hand with the eyeliner to blend the lashes at the root, unless you want a piece-y Twiggy lash look.

These lashes can last for a good few weeks if you are careful and don't scrub at them. Use oil free make up remover or wipes to remove any shadow or liner. At first the process can seem fiddly but once you're used to it it takes almost no time- having had some practice I can now do a full set in 15 minutes without breaking a sweat.

Enjoy your new flirty flutter.

DIY: Bettie Page Pin-Up Fringe

Fancy injecting some pin-up style into your look? Feeling the pinch and needing more 'bangs' for your bucks? Try creating your own fabulous fringe- it's not as hard as you'd think and completely transforms tired tresses.

Bettie Page embodies the quintessential pin-up; sexy without being cheap, with a cheeky grin and style to match. Her signature look was definitely her now-iconic curved fringe. Not only cute, the sleek style adds shine to any style long or short, framing the eyes and highlighting a groomed pair of brows.

The look has been sported by celebrities as diverse as Katy Perry (in a fabulous bright blue wig), Petra Nemcova and even Beyonce in the video for 'Telephone'.

All you'll need is a comb and a good pair of scissors (i.e made for cutting hair, not paper/toenails!). You can get an okay pair from Superdrug for about £7.

It's easiest to cut your fringe dry. If hair will shrink/curl when dry, leaving you with a shorter look than the one you originally intended.



Firstly section off your fringe. I took a triangular section starting 2 1/2 inches back from your forehead and about 3 inches at its widest point (aka your front hairline). The larger your section, the thicker and more 'directional' your fringe will be.

Push the rest of your hair out of the way and comb the fringe section forwards. Cut it straight across slightly below your eyebrows. This leaves you with plenty of room to trim to your desired shape.

Comb your fringe through again. Now starting at the temple on your right side (or left if you're left handed) cut a downwards curve to the centre of your fringe about 1cm up from the mid point of your brows. When cutting take your time.

It's always better to take too little off than too much.

Now start from the centre and cut upwards and outwards to the opposite temple.

Remember that for a true Bettie look you're going to want to curl the ends of your fringe slightly with a curling iron, straightener or roller so whatever length you cut to, your fringe will end up at least fractionally shorter. You can use hairspray to 'set' your fringe in place if desired.

Here's how my first attempt turned out (excuse the shoddy photography):



Not too bad for a novice and completely free (and I used paper scissors because A. I'm a hypocrite and B. I suspect my hair scissors have been pinched for present wrapping)

Review: Louis Theroux America's Most Hated Family

In possession of a belief system? Harbouring some sort of morality/conscience/general good feeling towards humanity? Then prepare to be relatively insulted.

'Relatively' because watching the Phelps family wax lyrical about their hate of pretty much everyone- bar each other- seems at first so ludicrous that one simply can't take them seriously. The really worrying thing about this whole programme, fronted by Mr Leading Questions himself Louis Theroux, is that these people love the attention. They revel in it. They truly believe they were put on this earth to perpetuate hatred through minor, negative celebrity.

It's compulsive viewing, but then madness always is. A sideshow for the 21st century. Who doesn't want to watch an group of indoctrinated 17 year old's dance to a bastardised version of Lady Gaga's 'Telephone', or witness terminally repressed parents struggling to come to terms with their daughter's excommunication without showing any sort of emotion. And which of us doesn't feel well-adjusted, liberal and superior watching a group of clearly brainwashed bigots raving about 'fags'?

That is, until we really look at the children. Small boys who truly believe that Obama is 'the anti christ' and 'the beast'. Girls who will never marry because they can't do so with outsiders, pursuing imaginary relationships with camera men from Holland. There is such poignant sadness in their lack of freedom. At the age of 16 who wouldn't take religious fervour over the loss of everything they've ever known? We often sigh that we can't choose our families. Sadly it seems that some people can't even choose not to picket funerals with theirs, for fear of some outdated vision of hell.

Freedom of speech is one of the most important aspects of a diplomatic society. One should be able to exercise their right to express views without prejudice. As a writer I advocate this completely. But how long can views which incite prejudice be tolerated? Especially when aired at funerals for soldiers who have died protecting the country in which those picketing reside? Members of the Westboro Baptist Church enjoy the rights of an American citizen whilst causing misery to those around them and even to their own excommunicated family members.

Personally I feel if anyone should be excommunicated it's Fred Phelps and his 'church'. Possibly from the human race.

Death of A Diva

The entertainment world was saddened this afternoon to hear of the death of cinematic legend and incredible beauty Elizabeth Taylor. She was 79 when she passed away due to congestive heart failure.

The embodiment of glamour, four times Oscar nominated actress Taylor was possibly best known for her starring roles in lavish epic 'Cleopatra' and her equally fabulous part in Hollywood's greatest romance with co-star Richard Burton. A relationship resulting in two of her eight marriages.

Not only a talented actress, Elizabeth devoted much of her time to campaigning for AIDS-related charities. She was instrumental in the beginnings of the American Foundation for AIDS Research as well as creating her own charity, the 'Elizabeth Taylor Aids Foundation' . She was estimated to have raised more than $50 million to fight the disease.

Elizabeth Taylor was one of the greats. She owned a dignity and grace lacking in much of today's celebrity culture, a last vestige of the 'Golden Age' of cinema and as beautiful inside as she was out. She leaves behind four children, nine beloved grandchildren and a wonderful legend.



'You are who you are. All you can do in this world is help others to be who they are and better themselves and those around them.'

Elizabeth Taylor, 27/02/1932 - 23/03/2011

Carbon-Horror

In a bid for essay procrastination I went foraging for lunch today, but when I got there the cupboard was....well, almost bare.

Luckily I always have pasta and peas in, two things I buy but never use, so with the addition of a few other odds and sods this bastardised version of carbonara was born.

No it's not authentic. But it is quick. And cheap. And surprisingly yummy.

Just don't make it for anyone you plan on kissing- unless you or they have a thing for garlic.....

CARBON-HORROR

You will need:

* Pasta ideally spaghetti but I used some weird, oversized tube-y stuff today
* Garlic finely chopped one clove or two?!
* Ham chopped, or mushrooms if you're a veggie
* Frozen peas
* Cream double or single, whatever you have to hand usually works
* Cheese parmesan if you're fancy, cheddar if you're not...
* One egg yolk, beaten optional. Not one for the preggo's out there
* Black pepper to taste

1. Cook pasta in boiling water (I don't add salt because ham is usually pretty salty)
2. Drain pasta and using the same pan- oh yes, minimal washing up- heat some olive oil or butter depending on what you have to hand.
3. Add garlic and ham, stir for a couple of mins until garlic is cooked but not coloured. If it goes brown, that was too long....
4. Add peas, a grind of black pepper and a big splash of cream and stir, stir, stir.
5. As soon as the peas are tender i.e no longer frozen, add pasta. Stir some more.
6. Take off the heat and once cooled slightly so your eggs won't scramble, stir in the beaten yolk.
7. Dish up, sprinkle with grated cheese, shovel into mouth like you haven't eaten in weeks.

Delicious, semi-nutritious and super quick (and did I mention cheap?!)