Interview: Jazmine from Jazzabelle's Diary

Monday, September 30, 2013

Whenever I see a new post from Jazmine, 21 year old stylist, model, and generally lovely person behind Jazzabelle's Diary, my heart soars! This girl is so genuinely lovely inside and out - scrolling through her blog, the words "effortlessly chic" come to mind - and when trying to think of blogs that are the absolute cream of the crop, hers is one I immediately think of!

Jazmine was kind enough to let me interview her, and below you will find her answers to my questions about her personal style, photography, and Nicki Minaj! ♡

How would you describe your personal style in three words?
Simple, classic & ladylike.

I really love the fact your mother is your photographer - do you two have any photography tips or advice for taking the best outfit pictures?
I think taking your time, finding the perfect locations and discovering your own style are pretty important things. Also, my mum and I take the best pictures when I'm feelin' confident and happy, so I never force myself to take them just for the sake of a blog post, the moment has to be right.

What are five of your favorite things right now?
'I Love You More Than You Think' by Rizzle Kicks, The Mindy Project, a good ol' cup of tea (two sugars and a splash of milk!), my new Topshop teddy bear fur coat and lighting lots of candles around my bedroom.

Describe the average day in the life of Miss Jazmine.
I'll wake up around eight o'clock, have a cup of tea and start to get ready for work. I don't take too long to get ready, so sometimes I snooze my alarm for a bit, but I make sure I'm leaving my flat no later than quarter past nine. I'll then walk to my local train station, catch a train for two stops (I usually have a whole carriage to myself!), then pop to the Pret or M&S to grab somethin' for breakfast. I work in Cath Kidston, which honestly is the most lovely job, so I'm more than happy to arrive early so I have time for another cup of tea and a chat before we have to open shop at ten o'clock. As the in store Visual Merchandiser, I'm often doing the many displays, so sometimes I can be in the window all day changing the scheme for the new season or creating mini stories and displays in store.

After my four hour shift I usually head straight home (maybe stopping at the local florist or charity shop to treat myself to something!), to either get changed straight into my pajamas or get ready to take outfit pictures with my mum. Most evenings are then spent replying to emails, blogging, watchin' tv, listening to music and lounging around in my bedroom. I love the simple things in life, so I can be quite content in not doing much at all! Though sometimes it really is nice to be busy like I have been recently.

Lisette described you as "if Nicki Minaj and Audrey Hepburn had a child" - which I love and I think the perfect description of you! So I have to ask: what is your favorite Audrey film and your favorite Nicki song?
Oh, I thought that was the best compliment ever - I like to think I'm somewhat elegant and classic like Audrey, but then I also have a slightly wilder side to me - my Nicki Minaj alter ego, perhaps! Breakfast at Tiffany's, Roman Holiday (Nicki Minaj actually has a song called Roman Holiday, would you believe!) and Funny Face are three of my favourite Audrey films, I honestly couldn't choose between them as I love them all for such different reasons. And let's not even start on my favourite Nicki Minaj songs! Can I pick a few? Super Bass is a total classic, I adore the lyrics in Fly, but more recently I've been lovin' High School as I love learning to rap tricky lyrics!

Visit Jazmine on Jazzabelle's Diary, Twitter, Facebook, & Instagram

Thank you so much again Jazmine!

She and Reverie Camp Versailles Lookbook

Friday, September 27, 2013

The other day I opened my mailbox to discover an envelope from Small Girls PR - inside, the S/S 2014 lookbook for one of the loveliest brands around, She and Reverie!

Designer Quinne Myers' sweet aesthetic puts pastels and scallops in the spotlight with her gorgeous eye for lingerie and loungewear, and I've been under her spell since I saw Kate's post modeling one of her frothy skirts!

Inspired by Marie Antoinette and Versailles, this lookbook is utterly dreamy with beautiful ribbons and ruffles and model Ariel Winn-Mohler showcases Quinne's designs beautifully ♡

I definitely recommend checking out their other gorgeous collections as well - is this or is this not the cutest bra you have ever seen?! ♡

Happy Friday everybody - I hope you have a beautiful weekend!

At the Vanity

Tuesday, September 10, 2013


MAYBELLINE LIPCOLOR IN SHOCKING CORAL, REVLON LIPSTICK IN REALLY RED, REVLON LIPSTICK IN APPLE POLISH, LAURA MANFRE STICKERS *

I've been a bit down lately, and I find in those situations the best thing to do is try to find joy in the little things - like watching an animated movie or playing with new makeup. So when I heard Rite Aid was having a buy one get one half off drugstore makeup sale, I hightailed it to the nearest store! (◡‿◡✿)

TOP: SHOCKING CORAL MIDDLE: REALLY RED BOTTOM: APPLE POLISH

I ended up getting Maybelline's BB cream and one of their ColorSensational Vivids Lipcolors in Shocking Coral at Rite Aid - I've been meaning to try both for months!

I also walked to a local drugstore nearby and dug around in the clearance bin to find the last two Revlon lipsticks in Really Red and Apple Polish - each one only $2! I haven't tried any of Revlon's lipsticks before (besides the lipbutter!) so I was probably more excited then I should be over my discovery :|

I'm usually not really a fan of frosty lipsticks, but out of these three Apple Polish ended up being my favorite shade! When I got home I discovered it's discontinued color - sad face!

By the way, I almost killed these lipsticks trying to take pictures of them! The plastic shell in the background fell on top of them - thankfully they were a little smudged but okay! How do you beauty bloggers do it?!

MAYBELLINE DREAM FRESH 8-IN-1 BB CREAM IN LIGHT/MEDIUM

Meanwhile, I was pretty impressed with this! I did some research online and a lot of beauty bloggers agree that this product should be called a tinted moisturizer instead of a bb cream since it doesn't have anti-aging properties. That said, I was happy with my purchase since it was only $7, reduced the visibility of my pores, left my skin feeling pretty soft, and is SPF 30!

FOREVER 21 CAT TWEEZERS, FOREVER 21 CAT MAKEUP BRUSHES, LAURA MANFRE STICKERS *

Oh and by the way, how cute are my new Forever 21 kitty beauty brushes (sold out online but check your local stores!!) and tweezers?! Can't wait to play with them - the bristles are super soft!

FOREVER 21 SHEER BLOUSE, DRESS BOUGHT FROM PAIGE, ORIGINALLY TOPSHOP

And I know this isn't makeup related - but look how pretty my new dress and blouse look together! :')

What little things cheer you up when you're feeling blue? ♡

The Love Club

Thursday, August 29, 2013

TOP: Lazy Oaf* SKIRT: c/o Choies PURSE: c/o Choies SOCKS: Lazy Oaf*
SHOES: Kohls forever ago!

Hello! *kisses you on top of the head* I hope you are having a beautiful day! I am extremely excited to share this outfit with you! As you have probably noticed, I really love Lazy Oaf...! It's such a playful, cartoony brand that just makes me smile (though the pricing isn't always ideal on my budget - ;n;)! So when I was lucky enough to win a giveaway to ASOS from Ron at Dresses on a Clothesline, I was absolutely overjoyed and headed right for their Lazy Oaf section!

I have been really in love with baseball tees and varsity jackets lately, so I got this (sadly now out of stock!) cropped baseball top and it's perfect!

I accessorized the top with this beautiful strawberry purse from Choies - isn't it the cutest? ^o^ I'm a sucker for just about any fruit shaped accessories!

Until next time, au revoir! (oh and if you haven't listened to this song, go do so!) ♡♡♡

* Giveaway win from the lovely Ron from Dresses on a Clothesline

Fluorescent Adolescent

Monday, August 26, 2013


SWEATER: Thrifted DRESS: c/o Lookbook Store PINS: Tiny Tangerines
SOCKS: ASOS* BOOTS: c/o ChicWish

HELLO!! *throws confetti on you!* Can't believe it's been so long since I last posted - I had a few post plans but they kept falling through or not working! ~__~ But moving on...! ♡

LOOK AT THESE BOOTS. It was love at first sight when I saw them on tumblr, so when I was given the opportunity to review a pair from Chicwish I was beyond ecstatic!

I really love how you can customize these in so many different ways by swapping out the laces or just by wearing socks! I've worn them a couple times out and about - each time I have gotten quite a few compliments (quite a rare occurrence for me!) and I *have* noticed that my feet get a little hot - but since I'm so in love with them I don't mind ;__;

I'm going forward to when it gets really rainy again so I can splash in puddles and not have to worry about my shoes getting wet! They are also available in green and yellow.

Since these shoes are so loud, I just wore an all-white outfit (you will be seeing more of that dress soon....!) and accessorized with animal cookie pins by one of my favorite etsy stores, Tiny Tangerines, and pink heart socks from ASOS!

Last week was pretty low-key for me (aka BORING ¬_¬) so what have you guys been up too? Anything interesting? :3 ♡♡♡

* Giveaway win from the lovely Ron from Dresses on a Clothesline

Too Faced Sweethearts Blush Review

Monday, August 12, 2013

If you've been reading Mermaidens for very long you will know I absolutely a d o r e makeup! Being able to put on a little bit of lipstick and eyeliner makes me a little bit more comfortable with my outward appearance and does wonders for my self confidence.

And because of this, I want to start sharing makeup reviews! And isn't Too Faced's Sweethearts Perfect Flush Blush the perfect product to start with?!

Lately (due to Jessica's influence, no doubt!) I have been extremely curious about using blush - and so when I saw Too Faced's Sweethearts Blush I absolutely melted and made a bit of a snap decision and bought it!

I absolutely love the packaging's aesthetic - it's pink, it's gold, it's a heart shape! What I'm not as pleased about is the fact the case is made out of paper, and thus not quite as durable as I would hope!

But otherwise, I really do love it! What really cinched the purchase for me was the fact it comes with three different shades of pink - all of which can be built up to be more pigmented if you wish!


Trying to look glamourous while using a broken compact...

And now a very important question - what kind of brush should I get to apply this beautiful blush properly?! (⌒▽⌒)☆ And please let me know if you want to see more makeup reviews on Mermaidens! ♡

Mint Floral Dress c/o SwayChic

on my face I am wearing...
Wet n Wild Megalast Liquid Eyeliner
Maybelline Lash Stiletto Voluptuous
Laura Mercier Eyebrow Blonde Pencil
Too Faced Sweethearts Perfect Flush Blush
MAC Toxic Tale (limited edition, dupe)

Mermaidens - Musings of a Modern Mermaid ©2011-2014 All rights reserved
Portrait in Header Illustration by Sibylline Meynet designed by Designs Blue Moon