Alice & Grace Love: bareMinerals

I've had a recent conversion and not the religious kind. I was recently in Newcastle Fenwick and decided to try the much recommended bareMinerals. I started off with one of their 'Get Started Kits' which was matched up to my skin tone. The kit costs £50 but comes with the foundation, bronzer & mineral veil (to keep make up in place), a tester size primer (which actually lasts quite a while) as well as a foundation brush, a bronzer brush & a concealer brush. In my opinion that's a hell of a lot for £50. You're also taught how to use it all, which is helpful if you're a novice like me. 

After this I was so impressed I had to go back for more & invest in some of their skin care which would compliment the use of my new foundation. My favourite piece has to be their 'Blemish Remedy' that comes with it's own little brush and costs a very reasonable £15. I can confirm it works wonders.

Since making the change to a powder foundation I can see a massive difference in my skin, it feels so much healthier. The main reason for this is that bareMinerals is completely natural & therefore a lot better for your skin than caking it in chemicals. Has anyone else tried their new skin range or fake tan? Let us know!

Alice & Grace xo

Bank Holiday Vibes

Since we haven't left the library in what feels like 100 years, we thought a chilled bank holiday weekend was just what we needed to interact with the human race again. We didn't do anything to hardcore though, we are sensible third years in prep for adult life after all, just a few cocktails with friends and a well deserved lie in! 

Jacket~ American Eagle Outfitters

Jumper~ Primark

Pants~ Forever 21

Sneakers~ Primark 

Jacket ~ Topshop

T-shirt ~ Cheap Monday

Belt ~ Topshop

Watch ~ Urban Outfitters

Jeans ~ Asos

Sandals ~ Topshop

Alice & Grace xo

Jack Wills Brit Pack: Alice & Grace Meet Josef Craig

So it's been a while since our last post, apparently third year is actually a lot of hard work - who knew?! But we're back with a super exciting post. We were lucky enough to be invited by Jack Wills to meet a member of their JW Brit Pack. This is a campaign which follows Britain's up and coming inspirational new talents. Enter local boy & Paralympian Josef Craig MBE, gold medalist and world record breaker - genuinely one of the nicest guys we have ever had the pleasure to meet (and he's only just turned 17)!

The floor was open for questions and we were also given the chance to have a one on one chat with Josef after the event (we both fell a little bit in love). Here's what he had to say:

A&G: What is your favourite thing about being British?

JC: Just being British! I'm very Patriotic and proud to be British. Meeting the Queen was such an honour, she was really nice. I even put on my posh voice for her! (he said in his thick South Shields accent).

A&G: What did it feel like winning gold?

JC: Getting gold was my greatest achievement and being awarded an MBE was my greatest honour.

A&G: Do you see yourself as a role model?

JC: It's up to you, you could go away today thinking I'm a tool but I hope I have inspired some people.

A&G: Have you ever used your gold medal to pick up the ladies?

JC: No I honestly haven't! (we would but he's too much of a nice guy for that)

A&G: Do you ever allow yourself a cheat day?

JC: I'm partial to a jaffa cake (cue the great debate; is the jaffa cake a cake or a biscuit!?)

A&G: Who do you think is the best dressed male on the scene at the minute?

JC: Leonardo Dicaprio always looks good, very sharp.

A&G: Describe your style in three words…

JC: Ultra smart, clean.

A&G: Finally, what advice can you give to an aspiring athlete?

JC: You just have to go for it, you make your own destiny.

The man himself looking rather dapper whilst being interviewed

A cheeky look behind the scenes - keep an eye out on the Jack Wills website to see the interview!

It was such a pleasure to meet someone who has achieved so much but remains humble (and impeccably dressed). Keep an eye out for him representing Britain at the 2016 Paralympics. 

Who says nice guys don't come out on top? 

Alice & Grace xo

Guess Who's Back, Back Again

You'll all be relieved to know we've been reunited at last after a rather hectic start to third year involving a lot of interning & editing! 

We put together our favourite looks for winter, although we seem to be stuck in time warp of the 90s and 70s; what can we say, we love a bit of nostalgia-we are historians after all! If there's one piece of advice we can give you when in Newcastle is to wrap up. Temperatures have plummeted & we have to stay looking fabulous..ahem. Here we're sporting our current obsessions (scrunchies & statement hats obviously) in Jesmond Dene, ultimate beauty spot in Newcastle - graffiti & all…

Scrunchie: American Apparel, £4.50

Knitted Dress: Missguided, £14.99 

Denim Jacket: Topshop, £55

Necklace: gift

Tights: Marks & Spencer, 5 for £ 3.50

Ankle Boots: River Island, last season

Bag: Zara, £79.99

Hat: Primark, £8

Turtle neck: H&M, £5

Tank top: H&M, £15

Cape: Cejon, £40

Leather jeans: Primark, £10

Boots: Primark, £15

It's good to be back,

Alice & Grace xo

Behind the scenes: Courier Halloween Photo-Shoot

Directing our first photo-shoot was scary but oh so exciting! And not to mention it was halloween themed, my second favourite holiday (nothing to do with the fact my birthday is around this time)...

Our vision for the setting and look of the shoot was 'These girls are beautiful...but they will kill you.'

Each look had its own inspiration; A mix of black swan, urban vampire and Dracula's daughters.

Check out these behind the scenes shots and let us know what you think.

Directed & styled by: Bex Finney, Frances Stephenson and Amy O'Rourke 

Beauty & hair: Amy Macauley and Safiya Ahmed 

Photographer: Katie Dyer 

Models: Sara Macauley, Holly Suttle and Rachel Aspey 

*If you haven't checked already check out more from the photoshoot online*

Bex 

Jack Wills Newcastle Launch: Fabulously British

It's finally here! Newcastle has it's own Jack Wills store! Alice & Grace were invited by the lovely Patrick to the launch...

We were pleasantly surprised by their British orientation in producing their brand. After all this does avoid the 'fashion guilt' (you know what we mean, air miles, sweat shops & child labour don't lead to a happy shopper). They even have their own flock of sheep to produce the perfect wool, they're all about the quality of their products & championing the British fashion industry. 

The layout of the store concentrates on their more fashion forward range rather than the classic sportswear, BUT don't worry they still have a great selection of sportswear! 

Ashridge blouse & Marlow Merino Cable Crew

While we enjoyed our complimentary cocktails and listening to the live DJ set we picked out our favourite pieces. This blouse is a timeless piece that's perfect for taking from day to night (plus it felt incredible). The jumper was picked from the men's range, JW are famous for their wool jumpers & this highlights the orange trend at the moment. We're also massive fans of wearing  our boyfriends clothes - so if they buy it...we wear it (and we don't have to pay a penny).

We particularly love the new twist on the famous pheasant logo and you can never go wrong with a classic JW knit. It's always worth the investment.

We were enlightened to learn JW have been working to create the perfect British wool; this involves breeding two different types of sheep, one with a softer coat, to give that great JW texture. 
We are highly impressed JW are working with traditional British brands proving they are, in fact, Fabulously British! 

Any North East bloggers let us know what you think.

Alice & Grace x

Newcastle Fashion Week

In our opinion Newcastle has always been one of the UK's fashion capitals & now the critics  finally agree! Newcastle Fashion Week more than proved this is one of the up and coming cities in the fashion industry. With host Caryn Franklin we were more than inspired by her campaign All Walks Beyond The Catwalk (please do check it out - the latest shoot was done by our hero Rankin!!). We also got to have a bit of a spree with ASOS marketplace stalls such as Mod Dolly (who we adore & will definitely be blogging about in the near future...).

Ever wondered how you're going to make it in the big bad 'Devil Wears Prada' world of fashion? Luckily we got the exclusive insight on how to get in and what to do when you're in from a fabulous team of industry experts including the fantastic Louise Wedderburn, Company Magazine's very own editor Victoria White and representatives from ASOS market place and Motel.

We pass on to you top ten tips for your career in fashion...keep them secret, keep them safe:

1. Develop your skills & interests so you can specialise in one area (styling, blogging, writing)
2. It's all about experience! Apply for as much as you can, research any schemes your university may be part of which help further your future. 
3. CV's need to stand out! This is essential; do NOT use typical phrases ('passion for fashion' is just a no go) sell yourself!
4. They are only interested in what you can give them not what you want.
5. Take any work experience you are given big or small.
6. Once you get your foot in the door MAKE THE MOST OF IT!
7. Starting a blog is key, it reflects your personality and your interests.
8. Fashion journalism degrees are not expected or looked for but they do provide amazing contacts.
9. Be nice- fashion is incestuous, piss one off you piss em' all off.
10. Knock backs are to be expected; this is OK.

*Recommended readings:  'Outliers' - Malcom Gladwell & 'Get rich blogging' - Zoe Griffin 

What we wore...

Kathy - Denim Jacket - Topshop & Dress - Cooperative @ Urban Outfitters

Bex - Camel coat-Topshop, Bag-River Island, Blouse-Topshop, Tank-Top-H&M