Tie-Dye: How to

So as we know tie-dye is emerging back onto the scene, but a lot of places charge large amounts for pieces that you can just as easily replicate at home. If you want to work the look on a budget, here's a quick, easy and simple how to that takes hardly any time at all. You will need:

• A plain white tshirt in the style of your choice
• Some fabric dye (any market stall or habadashary will do this for cheap)
• Some hair ties or elastic bands
• Salt
• Hot water
• A place to dye the top (we used the sink)

Step 1

Gather everything needed together. Take your t-shirt and scrunch up the bottom adding hair ties as seen in the picture. The look works best if you're not too precise with it, so screw up bits of the top randomly and tie the bobble/band tightly round.

 Step 2
You should end up with something that looks like this...

After tying sections with the hair bands, we then used laces to wrap the t-shirts into small balls scrunched together. Again don't worry about being neat, the more random the ties, the better the t-shirt will look.

Step 3

Fill up your sink/bowl with hot water and follow the instructions on the packet. I bought this dye for around £3. Most tell you to add salt to hot water, then add the dye, stir and add your garment. After stirring for a few mimutes I left them to soak for around 30/40 minutes - again just follow what's on your packet but most will tell you similar.

Step 4
Unwrap the ties and you should have an end result that looks like this...

There you go - tie-dye! To add other colours just repeat the process again in the exact same way once the garment has dried, it's best to use the lighter colour first if you're going to use a few. 
TOP TIP: don't try doing it with a coloured t shirt, unless you are using really dark dye it probably won't show up - as you can see I also tried a green t shirt and the dye was barely noticable. 
This is just a easy and fun way to replicate the look for yourself, without having to fork out for the ever increasing prices shops are charging for the same look.

Have you tried tie-dying yourself? Let me know in the comments. 

Aussie Products Review

For a good few years now I have always found my self going back to Aussie products. I don't know whether its the smell or the way they work but for me, they always come out on top as an all rounder brand that works on my hair. The two main products I'm using right now are the 'Miracle Insurance Leave-In-Conditioner' and the 'Dual personality volume and gloss hairspray'. I have also used the shampoo and conditioners in past and been impressed.

Dual Personality Hairspray - £3-£4 / Leave in conditioner £4.49

The hairspray smells lovely and fruity and produces a good firm hold for your hair. As hairsprays go, it is pretty standard but you can buy different variations also which I think is a selling point - they offer different types (such as volume or shine) and different strengths of hold, so there is something for everyone. 

For me, however the leave-in-conditioner is slowly becoming one of my all time hair products. Not only does it leave my hair feel soft (I sometimes leave it on over night to encourage growth and repair) but this product smells divine. The one I use 'protects and detangles' and is infused with jojoba seed oil. It also doesn't include mineral oil, which is a bonus as I have been trying to avoid using products with that it lately after reading posts like this.

I think with Aussie products is all depends on what type of hair you have, as a lot of the products promise to 'nourish and repair' so people with glossy or naturally greasy hair may find these products too overwhelming. 
If you don't like the Aussie brand smell - avoid at all costs, but if that's a selling point you won't be disappointing. 
Professional Hairdresser Laura-Jane Cahill told me, "Aussie products are a great affordable range you can use at home. I've used them from time to time, and find the leave in conditioning treatments really nourishing.
As with any hair product I wouldn't recommend using for too much of a prolonged period - try and interchange with other products so your hair doesn't get used to the same one."
As someone with naturally dry hair any products that offer a nourishing and enriching hair treatment will reel me in. I also like the Tigi Bed Head 'treat me right' hair mask which has a unique mint fragrance. 
Have you tried Aussie products? Do you like them or do they not work for you? Leave a comment below!

Bits and Bows: a fashion designer talks being her own boss and SS13 trends

As summer creeps nearer and nearer, we come out of winter hibernation and fashion suddenly becomes bright again. At some point or another most of those fashion conscious amongst us have had the ever-so-slightly awkward and embarrassing moment seeing someone else wearing that exact same dress you thought no one else could possibly wear. Independent Fashion Designer, Miss ‘Bits and Bows’ Sarah Warner, 27, from Birmingham offers the solution to this; creating one off custom made fashion pieces.

Since becoming a fashion University graduate in 2009, Sarah start selling custom made jewellery and clothes through social networking sites and Ebay. Soon enough, she had built up a large following of customers desperate to get their hands on quirky pendants and made-to-measure dresses to make them stand out from the crowd.

Fast forward four years and Sarah has created her own fashion empire with the likes of Pixie Lott and the Saturdays as fans and has opened her own studio Bits and Bows Boutique in Digbeth's Custard Factory, Birmingham. Customers can make appointment to visit the studio and make orders to their personal preference from a range of fabrics and styles. Sarah has also expanded into menswear and stocks fellow independent concessions including hair products by brand Crown and Glory.

Bits and Bows Headquarters in the Custard Factory, Digbeth

So how hard is it to follow your passion and become your own boss?

“I do struggle sometimes to stay motivated,” said Sarah. “I have to kick myself sometimes and force myself to work rather than go shopping or watch television.”

As a full time mum also, Sarah told me it’s important to find a balance between work and enjoyment to stay focused, “I think to myself 'If I work hard today, I can treat myself tomorrow”. 

Staying organised and focusing on time management is something that Sarah holds as a top priority to make sure everyone stays happy. “My phone and emails are just non-stop, and sometimes people don’t realise your only one person, which can be really overwhelming but time management is key. As long as I’m surrounded by a million notebooks and calendars I can conquer anything.”

Spending half her time at the studio and half working from home she gives herself a break whenever she is on top of jobs, “I could easily work around the clock if my body and brain let me, but I have to force myself to switch off and take a break.”

Bits and Bows create custom made pieces that don’t break the break and rival styles out there on the high-street, with made-to-measure skirts and top starting at around £18. Sarah says to keep up to date, it’s important to constantly be aware of trends and what new looks are coming fresh off the catwalk. “Whilst at University, I did quite a lot of work on trend prediction so I know how to find good prediction sites, and understand new trends.”

Fashion Inspiration...

As a vital part of being a fashion designer, Sarah creates wearable looks for her customers that fit in sync with the current seasons in style looks. “I think it’s important for my brand to be on top form with styles and prints, as even though customers are looking for something new and unique, they also want to be wearing similar styles to what they see in magazines, so I always make sure my fabrics and styles are up to date with catwalks and seasonal trends.”

Personal Style...

As fashion is constantly evolving, it seems it’s just as important to develop a personal style rather than purely wear trends off the catwalk. Preferring to mix up her style from time to time Sarah said as long as she feels good in what she wears, she’ll wear anything, and that's what’s important. “I like bohemian style items; tassels, florals, chunky heels. Yet I'm also a sucker for midi dresses and stilettos. I like to feel comfortable but try out new things. I personally don’t only wear what’s on trend, I just buy or make things that I feel nice in – some items or styles are timeless.”

As a business woman and designer Sarah tells me that to be your own boss, you should always keep in mind that you get out what you put it. “Working hard is important for any budding fashion designers. It won’t be handed to you on a plate. Keep organised and up to date with trends, by reading magazines and doing online research.”

Also knowing your customers and putting them first is a must, “Know your customer. Not everyone is the perfect 10; you need to make things that everyone can feel good in. Whether it’s down to print, fabric or style, there needs to be something that everyone can love.”

No matter what your passion, the rewards soon come if you put in hard work. Sarah tells me the best part of having her own company is being able to network and create items that people will love. “I love networking; meeting new people and promoting the brand, I find because I enjoy it so much, it comes easy to me. It’s all part of it.”

There are plans to expand her fashion empire into children’s wear, launching Baby Bows in the summer which will be a range of dresses and skirts.
Also currently working on summer pieces and bridal season, Sarah tells us her three favourite trends for summer 2013;

1.    Monochrome

Bits and Bows Monochrome Maxi dress 

ASOS monochrome swing dress

“I think anyone and everyone can wear it, and it looks good on every shape or size. I think it’s always a winner and has been my top seller this season.”

2.    Pastels

Pastel Prom dress

Zara Pastel Blazer

“In my eyes these are always a winner and look so pretty on. They have proved very popular recently and plenty of customers have been asking or them.”

3.    Midi

Bits and Bows Midi Skirt

ASOS Midi skirt

“Midi skirts and dresses are so versatile they have become a firm go to. I think because there’s so many ways to wear them they have become a favourite recently and the style is very flattering.”

Find Bits and Bows on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sarahbits.bowswarner?fref=ts / Twitter @BitsandBows / Website http://www.bitsandbowsboutique.co.uk/

Would you have what it takes to be your own boss? What current trends are you loving right now? Leave a comment below I would love to know!

*All images courtesy of Bits and Bows / Amy from www.amypyt.com / product websites

Nail of the Day

A very summary nail which I'm sporting at the moment. I'm wearing false nails from Bodycare, they're so cheap and easy to use, I would highly recommend them for anyone looking for a professional manicured looked without the price tag of hitting the salon. Check out the ones Boots stock here.

As for the beautiful orange I'm wearing, it's from Nails Inc. It looks a slightly softer colour in this image but in real life its slighter more neon, but equally as lovely and summery.
I was given this spring summer Nails Inc mini collection as a present, and I love them already. A lovely mix of pastel and fruity shades, which will be great go to's as the sun comes out. Apparently inspired by the "pastel shades and punchy brights at Stella McCartney, Christopher Kane and Chloe"-I cannot wait to try out the pale minty green and baby blue. The bottles come in a miniature size which make them perfect for storing easily and gives you a change to try a range of colours as they don't take up too much space.

 Going for around £22.00, the box set will keep you going and set for all summer. Find them here. So far I've found the consistency to be fairly opaque and well lasting. I used them accompanied by my usual nail routine; filing my nails to desired shape and using a good base and top coat to ensure the polish lasts chip free for as long as possible. I'd say these are definitely worth the investment, even if its just for the cute packaging. These would also be great for creating cute nail art, think spots and tiny florals, perfect for a slightly unique summer nails look.

Have you tried these? What do you think? Let me know in the comments below