Friday Feature: Fragments Jewelry

Mint Mohawk Necklace by Elizabeth Cole for Fragments

Early on in my personal style journey I discovered that an outfit isn't ever really an outfit without a piece of statement jewelry. A t-shirt and jeans becomes something altogether more interesting with an eye-catching point of interest around your neck, wrist, or adorning your ears. And it doesn't get more statement than these pieces by Elizabeth Cole for Fragments. With carefully paired colour-combinations, chunky chains and stop-and-stare shapes - these pieces aren't shy.

Mojave Stud Earrings by Elizabeth Cole for Fragments 

I think if you're making any big fashion investments this summer, it has to be on a character item of jewelry which you'll wear again and again. The bold designs and bright colours of Elizabeth Cole might not be for everybody, so check out the other amazing Fragments designers to find an investment piece that is your style to a T.  

Which designer is your favourite?

Guest Post: Design Tips Your Home Will Love

Image thanks to Kate Hiscock

This is a guest post via bettaliving.co.uk, I love these tips and hope you will too!

Are you looking to give your home a bit of a revamp? Well, we've put together a collection of top design tips that will help your home look fabulous without too much effort.

You might want to freshen up a room for the summer but don't want to completely restyle, or perhaps you just need a bit of guidance on how to finish off a recently redecorated room. Well, follow these fantastic design tips to add those all-important finishing touches to your living room and bedroom.

Living room or lounge

Colour can have a huge impact on any room, so getting it right is really important. There are many different colour schemes that will work in your lounge but the stark contrast of black and yellow is a big trend at the moment. Alternatively, if you want to stay neutral, opt for a textured chalky off-white, rather than a brilliant white.

Have a think about your seating arrangements. Most homes go for the traditional three piece suite, but modern fashions are challenging this, with the corner sofa rising in popularity. On second thoughts, who says you need a sofa at all? Just think how much space you could open up.

Bedroom

One of the most important rooms in any home is the master bedroom. No longer is just a place to catch forty winks; bedrooms have become a space to relax and chill out as well. This makes their design and style all the more important.

If you have plenty of space in your bedroom that you want to make the most of, try getting a bigger bed. You can of course go for a king size or queen size, but increasing the height will also make a difference. Small furniture in a big room always looks odd and can actually make the room look smaller than it is. A tall headboard could make all the difference.

For those looking to make their bedrooms feel bigger, try painting the walls a darker colour. Although logic suggests that dark walls will make the room feel cramped and enclosed they actually do the opposite.

It might surprise you to note that many designers will actually suggest mixing styles and designs. You don't always have to have matching furniture, particularly if you are trying to tone down a particular look. For example, a traditional four-poster bed will take the edge of a cool contemporary bedroom.

Visit bettaliving.co.uk for some more design inspiration and tips for the home.

Guest Post: How To Maintain Your Red Hair

Below is a guest post but, as someone who dyes their hair regularly, I really love these tips and I think you will too! 

Image thanks to Derek Gavey

Red hair is the colour of the moment when it comes to the perfect look for your tresses, with the celebrities working anything from auburn tones to deep shades of red in 2013. And it looks as though this trend shows no sign of wearing thin. There is bad news though: it's hard to maintain. Evidence of which can be seen just about everywhere.

So, this is for all those gals (and guys) out there that have dyed their hair red and now have no idea how to look after it.

Wait to wash

I hate not washing my hair. It just makes me feel a bit gross, but by waiting a couple of days after using red hair dye, you'll have luscious red locks for longer. This is because not washing your hair (aside from rinsing and conditioning) between 24 and 48 hours after dying will give your hair a chance to build up its natural oils, giving your hair colour the time it needs ‘to take’ i.e. attach to the hair oils.

Stay fresh with dry shampoo

Because there's no way I could go a few days without washing my hair with nothing to help me feel a bit fresher, I'd strongly recommend investing in a bottle of the dry stuff. If you usually wash your hair every day, it's time for a change. Try washing every other day, or every two days if you can bear it.

Protect from the sun

Did you know that your hair can get damaged by the sun? Yep, it works in the same way as your skin. If you want to maintain that red or auburn hair colour in the summer, you'll need to keep it out of harsh sunlight. There are some UV protection sprays that will keep those locks looking lovely in the sunshine.

Stay away from colour shampoo 

You probably see adverts galore for colour shampoo. There's probably some in your bathroom. Avoid it. The pigments in the shampoo are designed to keep your hair looking great for longer, but they have been known to change the tone when used regularly.

Fix those roots

Home hair dye kits usually last for around 6-8 weeks, but even if you manage to keep that vibrant red for that long, your roots will still start to show. Now let's be honest, roots don't look pretty. I definitely don't understand why they made it into a trend. Anyway, there are a number of hair dye kits designed specifically to just cover regrowth – take advantage!

So, there you have it, some top hair colour ideas on how to maintain red hair. Have you got red hair? How do you maintain the vibrant colour?