I'VE BEEN NOMINATED- Liebster Award

Thank you Eleni Mac for nominating me for the Liebster Award. Here it goes, probably the longest post I have written. Enjoy.

RULES OF THE LIEBSTER AWARD
1. Write 11 facts about yourself
3. You must answer all 11 questions given to you by the person who nominated you.
4. Nominate 11 new bloggers and give them 11 questions of your choice.
6. Let the bloggers know that they have been nominated

11 FACTS ABOUT MYSELF

1. I have small eyes that make people think i'm European or Thai. I'm not. I wish I was, but no I am fully Indian. (Does this count as two facts?)

2. I withdrew from University after 6 months.

3. I am a neat freak! I love everything to have a place and hate having a messy room.

4. My favourite colours are grey, white and black. Yeah I know the standard minimalistic colours but I just love the clean cut and simple look of these colours especially together. 

5. I have extremely thick hair, it may not look like it but it is heavy and takes me ages to straighten or curl it! 

6. I love doing outdoor activities like rock climbing, running etc.

7. I get up at 5:30am every morning to exercise. I like to feel productive before the day has properly started.

8. Buying homeware and storage is my favourite kind of shopping.

9. I hate to admit this but i'm a bit of a hoarder, I like to keep little things that bring back memories like tickets, cards, photos etc and I store them in a box.

10. I love to be organised and like being prepared for any situation.

11. I'm a bit of an IT geek. I love computers and working with different programs and softwares.

ANSWERS TO ELENI MAC

1. What made you start blogging?

I have read blogs since forever and always tried to create my own but I just never stuck to them. When I was deciding to leave university I felt like I wanted to get involved in something that I would enjoy and be able to express my fashion and lifestyle views so why not try blogging again BUT this time stick to it. So the week after exams I started my gazillionth blog and simply titled it after my nickname and this is where I started to express my 'expertise' of fashion, beauty and lifestyle.

2. If you could only wear one make-up brand for the rest of your life, what would it be?

It would have to be Nars because I don't like any other foundation. 

3. What's your favourite clothing brand?

Is it even possible to have just one?! Whistles and Zara are my favourites obviously because they do quality and effortless style perfectly and are also affordable. But if I had an unlimited amount of money I would definitely choose Acne or T by Wang.

4. Why?
Explained above.

5. Do you post at a set time each week, do you have a particular routine?

No I don't, I post when I want to but I should really think about doing this.

6. What's been the best bargain you've ever purchased?

Ermmm this is a tough one. I don't know whether you would call this a bargain but about 3 years ago I bought my gym kicks- Nike Free Runs in neon pink for about £40/50 when they were selling at £60/70 especially this colour. I still have them and they're in great condition, so I guess you could call that a bargain right?

7. What do you love about yourself? 

I hate questions like this but since the rules state we HAVE to answer every question, I would probably say my height/ long limbs. I am around 5ft6/7 and have a longer bottom half rather than top so I like the way my clothes fit on my body. I don't know what it is but I like clothes on taller people I feel like it makes the clothes look more sharper. (I hope I'm not offending any shorter people)

8. What's your ultimate goal in life career wise?

Well just before I went to university I wanted to do a Sociology degree then get a PGCE (teaching qualification) and become an A Level Sociology Teacher. However not everything goes according to plan and situations change so right now I have no idea what career I would like to get into. I've always had the goals of being a successful woman, being on a good salary so I can afford the lifestyle I want and move to Strasbourg, France. These goals still have not changed but I'm currently entering the route of Law so we shall see how this turns out.

9. Who do you admire?

Inspirational- Karen Brady and Victoria Beckham
Fashion- Rumi Neely
Beauty- Blake Lively and Gisele Bundchen
Lifestyle- Sarah Wilson, Vanessa Hudgens, Olivia Palermo

10. Why?

Apologises, I couldn't name just one.
Inspirational- These two businesswomen inspire me greatly, it shows that with hard work and determination you can be a successful woman in the world of business. (A little feminist here)
Fashion- With style, so many people inspire me whether that be designers, bloggers or celebrities. I admire them all, they all have their own unique taste. A particular blogger's style I love is Rumi Neely, I love they way she manages to pull off every outfit with such effortless elegance and style.
Beauty- These two are goddesses.
Lifestyle- When it comes to healthy living I love Sarah Wilson, the fact she quit sugar and lives her dreamy organic life in Australia makes me super envious. Vanessa Hudgens I love you gurrrl! She has this edgy hippy vibe which I love and by the looks of her Instagram feed her lifestyle is pretty rad too. Olivia Palermo- If I could have a prim and proper lifestyle it would definitely been hers, she's so elegant and oh la la. Especially with Johanne as her Fiancé, they are in fact the most p.e.r.f.e.c.t couple!

11. If you could do anything you wanted for a single day, what would you do?

Explore and zip line the Bali water/rain forests

I NOMINATE:

Eleni Mac

Love from Be

Eat Read Glam

Live Long Laugh Hard Love Much

Melanies Plum

Jane Khodos

Daily Mayli

Love Some Life

Keep Calm Kari On

Bibii Blue

A Little Taste of Mine

MY QUESTIONS TO THE NOMINEES

1. How long have you been blogging?
2. What is your must have beauty product?
2. A clothing piece you could not live without?
3. Summer or Winter?
4. Top 3 beauty brands?

5. Top 3 clothing brands?

6. Curly or straight hair?
7. In three words describe your style?
8. What camera do you use for your blog images?
9. Can you speak any other languages? 
10. If you could live in any country, which would it be?
11. Deserted island situation, your bag can only hold 5 things...

THE WORKWEAR EDIT: SHOES

Standing at 5ft 6/7inches, I'm too tall to be wearing those mid/ high pointed courts which are *stares into space* beautiful because they are not appropriate for an office job. Not only that, I will be travelling to and from work by train as well as having to run around the office for a long period of time. So as you can imagine it can be very tough on my feet, therefore I need practical and comfortable but not forgetting attractive shoes. These five are my favourite flat and heeled work shoes because they are pretty yet so comfy and suitable for an everyday office job!

1. Grey points- ZARA
2. Black leather very low heel points- MANGO
3. Grey and diamante pointed flats- NEXT
4. Black ballerina flats- H&M
5. Black suede points with gold heel- JONES

Update: I HAVE A JOB!

Last time I wrote one of these updates a lot had happened in my life, I just left uni and was trying to get to grips with life, throwing in a last minute trip to India too! Now I'm back with an another update, don't worry it's far more positive. I have a job!! After many applications, interviews I finally found a scheme which suited me down to a T and luckily, the firm loved me as much as I loved them!! So in a one week, I start a years long placement with the global law firm DLA Piper! I was so pleased to be offered a place on the scheme, so many people applied but I was the one they chose! This scheme is a great starting point for my future career, whatever that will be, and will open my eyes to the world of work, law and business. I'm so excited to kick start this new venture of mine and see how this all turns out.

Due to this big change in my life I have decided to devote several blog posts about the world of work, this feature will include workwear inspiration, what to wear to work, what's in my work bag and appropriate office shoes because what's a fresh start without a new wardrobe right?!

July Empties

The end of July is fast approaching so I thought I would share what products I have been loving this month. As you can see from the emptiness of these beauty products I have used this few a lot and definitely need to stock up asap!

The Nars Irresistiblement bronzer is my favourite by far, I just love the way it looks against my complexion and how it creates a great natural line defiance rather than harsh sharp lines.

I am in love with the smell of this Rituals blossom water body mist, it's perfect for these summer days as it gives you that fresh and floresence smell.

The La Roche Posay effaclar duo product was my life saver when I was abroad because of the heat and being on the ruaccutane tablets my skin became crispy and dry and I had a lot of random marks and upcoming pimples. This product slightly minimised these marks and got rid of any upcoming spots. After finishing my tablets I still used this product and my skin has never looked so clear, it looks moisturised and is perfect for the odd marks that appear.

If you're looking for a natural shade lipstick I definitely recommend the Mac matte lipstick in Mehr. The nudish and brown tone stand out against my skin tone and give me plumper lips but still looking very natural. Perfect for those minimal make up days.

In a previous blog post I reviewed the Ojon Rare Blend shampoo and conditioner and raved about how much I loved it, well that time has come where the bottles have nearly finished and I don't know what to do. The prices for the haircare were quite deer to purchase on the regular basis so I don't know whether to buy a new affordable brand of hair products and see how I get on with those or to splurge a bit and buy them. Tough decisions right?

GRADUATION

Yesterday my eldest sister graduated from Nottingham Law School with a LAW DEGREE! I couldn't have been a prouder sister, after hours on end studying she finally did it. Here's a few photos of the lovely day with family and friends.

WHAT WE WORE:

ME:
Grey low hem dress- The White Company (Be warned it gets very flowy in the wind)
Black strappy heels- Zara
Jewellery-Tiffany & Co silver bracelet and Nixon Watch
Black and white zipped clutch- Zara

ON MY FACE/ BODY:
Mac prep and prime natural radiance primer
Nars sheer glow foundation- Syraccuse
Laura Mercier translucent powder
Clinique even better concealer
Nars bronzer- Irrestiblement
Barry M liquid eyeliner
Estée Lauder mascara sumptuous extreme
Tom Ford lipstick- Flamingo
Sally Hansen tan- Medium
Diptyque perfume- Eau de Lierre

THE GRADUATE:
Black body con and chiffon dress- Asos
White strapped heels- Zara
Accessories-Burberry Watch

YOUNGER SISTER:
Red dress- Zara
Brown butterfly sandals- Next

JULY PLAYLIST

1. Budapest- George Ezra
2. Details in the Fabric- Jason Mraz
3. Nirvana- Sam Smith
4. I'm A Mess-Ed Sheeran
5. Brooklyn Baby- Lana Del Rey
6. Money, Power, Glory- Lana Del Rey
7. Only Love Can Hurt Like This- Paloma Faith
8. Simple Life- Casey Abrams
9. Boom Clap- Charli XCX
10. Nobody To Love- Sigma

It's coming towards the end of July so I thought I would share some of the songs that I have been loving this month. Yes I know the Jason Mraz song was ages ago but I listened to his album again and forgot how good it was! The other songs put me in that summer mood or I just love them.

CONNECT: INSTAGRAM

Follow my instagram: @kiripaul

Keep more up to date with me by following my Instagram account @kiripaul. You will see a lot of posts of what I am wearing, what I am doing, where and what I am eating, and finally what I have being buying and loving. So go follow and enjoy! x

OPTICAL X VB

Victoria Beckham's SS14 optical collection preview is making me wish I wore glasses. I can't wait to see the whole collection even though I will be just lusting and not purchasing (*sheds a tear).