Art!

 

What do you think of my new artwork?
Having a lot of free time in Paris has enabled me to start sketching again (I hadn't drawn for enjoyment since I was 11!) and I did a quick scan and added colour. Hope you like it!
xoxox

ooh!

I've started designing T Shirts. Nerdy T shirts- ones that I wouldn't actually wear, but I'm having fun designing!
Have a look here:
http://www.redbubble.com/people/loveaj

:) Love AJ xoxox

So, what's happening?

First thing I noticed very quickly, is Parisian men have been more perverted than any other men. This has led me to dress very different; whereas in England I like to make an effort, here I rarely wear much make up on a day to day basis, and never wear skirts any more. Usually on a night out I stick to opaque black tights if I wear a skirt, no heels, and no low cut tops. Here's a glimpse of what me and a friend wore one time:

Ok, so I have bare legs and heels. Worst night for leeches EVER. The blouse is from Paris, as is the leather jacket, the skirt was Topshop, hair flower from a supermarket, and heels (you can't really see- they are navy with a big bow on) from a charity shop. But an outfit like that I would have easily worn in England!

This leads me to ask; I mentioned previously that French girls/women dress dowdy. Is this BECAUSE of the men that perv? Or to the men perv only because I happen to be wearing a fitted top and skinny jeans as opposed to no-fit jeans and a baggy jumper? One must be a direct consequence of the other, but which came first? Hmm.

Will keep you posted!
xoxoxox

I'M BACK!

I have excuses, promise!
Firstly, exams exams exams! Then I worked super hard to save up for the white iPhone 4 (nice work Apple, moving  the release date AGAIN!). Then I had a bit of a drama regarding University. Although I got into York! However, I deferred my place, so HERE is the big news...
I live in Paris now! Just for 6 months or so, but I am enjoying living in a completely different culture, in comparison to England, especially where I live (narrow minded small town!). However, in fashion terms, I much prefer London. I'll be blogging more and more about the differences, but I've learnt that London is far edgier; far more willing to take risks; far more expressive. Apart from the older ladies. I mean, 60+. They swan around in their vivid orange furs, headscarves, sunglasses and heeled leather boots, indicating a complete fashion freeze-frame. What happened in the last generation? Leave your ideas here!

Anyway, here's to me promising to blog again, promising to update, and a big HELLO from Paris! :)
Love AJ xoxox

Traumatic Times...

So, casually reading the "Style" Magazine a few weeks back, I was told that kitten heels were in. Feeling slightly nauseous but blaming their lack of other trends to talk about, I left the magazine for recycling and thought about it no more. But, please, I've seen it on catwalks, in countless magazines and (the most offensive), people ACTUALLY WEARING them.

But...why?! Heels are sexy, they make your legs longer and help your posture as you are forced to strut rather than shuffle. But kitten heels heighten the pressure on your heel, making it painful for no reason, do NOTHING for your posture/figure, make your feet look huge and just generally offend me.

Campaign to get them OFF the catwalk for summer?!

Who's with me?! :)
xoxoxox

BEAUTY BLOG 2 ♥

I've been promising one, so here we go, a pick of the most random but effective beauty secrets I can offer!

• If you run out of concealer, use the drier foundation found on the lid. It sounds gross but it's a thicker consistency and will be the perfect colour!
• For uber soft lips, brush them gently with a spare toothbrush before bed, then slather on lipbalm.
• Blast your eyelash curlers with a hairdryer before using- works just as well as the heat up ones, cheaper, quicker to warm up and you get extra curly lashes!
• Place a credit card on your eyelid when applying mascara if you tend to smudge it on top, you can wipe a card with a tissue in a swipe, but not so much your eyelid!
• For sexy, shimmering skin, use hair serum to rub down the centre of your legs and collarbone. Works just as well as those expensive highlighting products- more money to spend on the shoes to match!
• Run out of dry shampoo? Use talcum powder. For darker hair, bronzer works well.
• For a super exfoliator- mix a teaspoon of sugar with a small splash of olive oil. Rub in circular motions on your cheeks for super soft skin!
• Need to get out of the house fast but just painted your nails? Dip your fingers into the coldest water you can handle and they will set so quickly!
• Brighten your skin but soaking a flannel in soya milk then laying it on your face for 10 minutes. Do this once a week and it'll really get rid of dull skin!
• For a dewy spring look, use lipstick as blusher- rub on for a beautiful rosy glow.
• One of my favourite tips in the world! Spray hairspray onto your fingertips and massage into your scalp for INSTANT volume. It's effective, doesn't damage you hair as much as backcombing and is perfect to add your your hair routine every morning. A mini bottle of hairspray in you bag enables you to top up your "bounce" throughout the day too!

Thanks for reading! Hope they are useful, I will do another one when I have a decent haul of them!

Love you all xoxoxox

P.S ask me anything on http://www.formspring.me/annajohnstone

London Fashion Weekend!

So, last Sunday I headed to Somerset House in the Strand for London Fashion Weekend; a spin off from London Fashion Week, where the designers get rid of the clothes they were selling for dirt cheap, and anyone can attend as long as you have purchased a ticket.
I bought a Gold ticket, this included entrance, a "show bag" and a catwalk. The show bag was a pink canvas bag, designed by the winner of a young designer competition. This, for me, was the best part of it! It included a mini bottle of Bailey's (yum!), a "pocket rocket" (caffeine stimulant shot), Toni&Guy shampoo/conditioner, Moxie tampons (I have them already- they were SO cute! ...well, as cute as tampons CAN get), some tissues and random sachets of bits and bobs. Not exactly a wonderful bag of "goodies", but better than the clothes show ones at least, and not altogether bad freebies.

The shopping was good, except it got disgustingly crowded in the afternoon and the Luella branch was so hot I was sweating- not pleasant. However, I picked up a Spring 2010 (i.e. new season!) floral silk tea dress from DKNY Jeans for £40. And, with every purchase you got a free mini Be Delicious perfume! I shall upload a photo of me wearing it at some point, as I can't seem to find an image online. My other big purchase was a Papa Razzi clutch bag. If you haven't seen these...then, well, I don't know how to describe it. It's an illusion of a rolled up magazine, secured by a buckled, yet it is actually a decent sized clutch. Apparently the idea came to be used as a decoy for pick pockets! Anyway, it's definitely odd, and I'm a bit scared to use it, because I never use clutches, but when they were only £20 (they normally RRP £45), I just HAD to have it. And it looks cool in my bedroom.

Finally; the catwalk! We were directed through the looks for Spring/Summer, and I LOVED what I saw! Here is a montage of some of the photos I took (We sat front row, with a glass of champagne!). I love the feminines, yet neutral looks, and the pastel "nerd" looks, with long socks and preppy collars. Gosh, I can't wait until summer now! You may need to click on the picture link, to take you to the larger one so you can see the whole thing!

Anyway, I hope this blog wasn't boring for the non-fashion-orientated of you!
Bye for now xoxox

Well, I'm an advertisers ideal consumer...

I've decided to kick start a new healthy me, not simply for dieting, because I've got until October to get a new body for university, but for good skin/hair.
Basically, I had a facial at Clarins, and somehow was talked into buying some skin serum....for £37-50. Ouch- my skin is still young, surely I don't need it?! Well, maybe, but my skin already feels softer and takes to make up a lot better after just 2 days. I also bought some selenium tablets, which protect against free radicals from pollution, sunlight and general dirty air to maintain clear skin. I take it every morning, along with Multivitamins and Vitamin C tablets (my immune system isn't good).

I also learnt that:

• Face wipes are terrible for skin. My skin is mainly dry, but sometimes very greasy, and it turns out using face wipes literally soaks up all your skins moisture, and can leave you with spots as well. use a facial wash/cleanser, even if it takes longer.
• ALWAYS have a separate eye cream. There is a case of a woman who had awful bags under her eyes, and went to the doctor, who prescribed surgery. At the hospital, it was merely years worth of face products which had mounted up under her eyes, because the skin is so thin. Dab on eye cream around your eyes for a fresh look.
• When applying moisturiser, cup your hands and try to do an almost "suction application". This helps it really soak in.

Ok, well that's a mini beauty blog, mainly just for the skincare routine. Will update later!

Byee xoxox

Putting wasted time to a good use...

My hand knitted scarf! I sewed on the bow and pearls too, and added cream tassels. You can't see the length but it's enough to wrap around either once or twice and still have a chunky neck/good length ends.I bought a whole new cream roll to make the tassels...any suggestions on what I should make next?!


I haven't done a "Men Overheard" blog for a while, but here's a pick of some best! I'll try and do another Beauty Blog asap.


Guy 1: My girlfriend had this amazing pizza flavoured cocktail the other night
Guy 2: Really? What was it called?
Guy 1: Margarita.


 Man 1- "mate the electricity went off just as I'd put my wheetabix in the microwave"
Man 2- "Dude, you have them warm?"
Man 1- "Dude, you have yours cold?!"



Man 1: Mate, if you saw me walking down the street would you think I was gay?
Man 2: Um no. why?
Man1: Coz i think i look well gay.
Man 2: (stunned slience)


Guy - "You know girls always tell us to wash our hands after we go to the loo?"
Girl - "Yeah..."
Guy - "And you know us guys never listen?"
Girl - "Yeah..."
Guy - "Well I think Ive just wiped pee in my eye"


They made me laugh, I hope they do the same to you!
Take care xoxox

Things I love/want/NEED

I have a geography assignment, so naturally spend the evening watching the Sex and the City movie, knitting and making pretty pictures. Hints, anyone?

The shoes on the top right, Carvela, £120. Wait until the sales? Yeah, yeah better.

Today I wore a pink cashmere dress underneath a cream v neck sweater, and the same jewellery as yesterday, seen in yesterday's blog picture ↓ and cream and pink quilted pumps. Super smashing day :)

Speak to you later!
xox