Transition

Skirt: Pine. Vest: Urban Outfitters. Boots: TopShop. 

Bag: Mulberry.

I'm back! I've spent the last couple of weeks moving to Los Angeles and getting started on my new TV show 'Revenge' for abc. Lots happening right now!

Hair

I've had quite a few emails regarding my hair recently....

I had my colour done back in March at a salon here in LA called Nine Zero One. The highlights are brushed on and concentrated on the ends and mid lengths of my hair. 

I had my layers cut just before I left London at Rush as they had offered me a complimentary service. The lovely Edra took care of me and I could not have been happier with the cut. I told her I was after long layers and she listened and gave me exactly what I asked for. 

I sometimes use clip in extensions for added length and volume. I'm wearing them in the pictures above. This set are from Head Kandy and I had them highlighted to match my own hair. 

I'm still using Shu Uemura hair oil to keep my hair looking glossy and the ends moist.

I've missed my blog so much!

Lady Danger

Jersey Trousers: Courtesy of Storets. T.Shirt & Cardigan: TopShop. 

Shoes: Christian Louboutin. Bag: Chanel. Sunglasses: Rayban.

We're back on home soil and it feels good :) 

As much as I love traveling I hate that it means I can never have all of my wardrobe with me. I miss my clothes! It was nice to get re-aquainted with these Storets pants and my Chanel bag today. 

The lip colour is one of my all time favorites- 'Lady Danger' from MAC. It's the perfect orangey red. More of my favorite lippies here.

My hair is having a 'au natural' moment due to all the Bikram yoga I plan to do now that I'm home.... My hair has to only think that there's moisture in the air and it reverts to curly!

Mouseketeer

I never really had a chance (or an appropriate event) to take part in the 'ear trend' when it first took off so when the lovely Lara Bohinc had a gold themed birthday party earlier this year, I jumped at the chance to become 'goldie mouse'.... Yes I know that's not a real character but so what! 

p.s A lot of you often ask me what my hair looks like without the extensions. There are no extensions in this picture. x

FAQ

This is a snap of where I spend most of my time at the moment: My trailer. Actors get paid to wait around, the acting we do for free.... I can't remember who said that, if anyone knows let me know. It's so true!

Since outfit posts will be few and far between until the boy gets out to North Carolina (one week and counting!) I thought now would be the perfect time to finally do that long promised FAQ post...

*How would you describe your style?

Un-committed. I find it hard to stick to any one style. I love trying new things and get inspired by magazines, street stye and other blogs all the time so I'm always changing it up. I do have a penchant for anything studded, leather, patent or leopard!

*What are you wardrobe staples?

Leather jacket, skinny jeans and good t.shirt. I wear my Miu Miu shoes (both loafers and heels) a lot.

*Most expensive item in your closet?

My Chanel bag. 

*Most wanted item?

I'm on the look out for a small vintage Chanel bag. Preferably in red. 

*Favorite designer?

It changes every season but Alexander Wang has loads of stuff that I want/need.

*Do you prefer highstreet or designer?

Both! With vintage mixed in :)

*How much do you spend on clothes?

Depends on the month and what I'm up to. I'm not afraid to splurge on items that I feel will last and bring a lot to my wardrobe. For example my Miu Miu shoes. They were expensive but I wear them LOTS and they go with everything! My Chanel bag will be with me forever and it will only get better with age!

*What are your favorite places to shop in London?

My absolute favorite shop is Liberty. I could (and often do) spend all day in there. It's filled with lots of gorgeous things and is less stressful then Selfridges. I always have time for TopShop in Oxford circus. I like to go at 10am midweek. It's always quiet and they have more stock :)

*What are your favorite place to shop in LA?

I like LF on Robertson for casual everyday items and I love Decades on melrose for special vintage. The vintage market on the corner of Melrose and Fairfax is also really good. I get all my vintage levi shorts from there.

*Favorite fragrance?

I have three that I love. Chanel 'Beige', Frederic Malle 'Lipstick Rose' and Chloe 'Love'.

*Are you sponsored by any brands?

No. Several brands give me items to wear on the blog but I only wear items that I actually like and really want to wear. If I've been given something for free I will alway put "courtesy of..." If I'm sent something and I love it then of course I say so.

*Which camera do you use?

The boy takes the majority of the blog pictures using a Canon 5D. I edit all pictures in iPhoto. 

*Which blogs do you read?

I adore Andy's Style Scrapbook and Sabrina's afterDRK. Other favorite's include Fade to Black and Made By Girl. I follow around 50 blogs.

*Why don't you update everyday?

Because I have a job! If I'm not filming then I'm auditioning or preparing for auditions. Ring My Bell is my baby and I love doing it but acting pays my bills :)

*How did you become an actress?

I always knew what I wanted to do and I followed through. I went to acting and drama classes as a teenager and eventually went to the only free performing arts school in England,The BRIT school. I attended open auditions and got a job from one of them which in turn got me an agent. 

I always believed in the need to train fully as an actor so when I was old enough I auditioned for several drama schools and was lucky enough to get into RADA.  I go out on auditions every week.

*Will there be anymore episodes of 'The Beautiful Life'?

No. Sorry!

*How tall are you?

5,8"

*Do you smoke?

No. And I never will.

*Which ethnicity are you?

I am mixed raced. My father is half Swiss, half Nigerian, born in England and my mother is English.

*How do you maintain your figure?

I go to Bikram yoga 2-3 times a week and I eat healthily for most of the week. I always let myself have one day where I eat whatever I like and that's usually a burger and fries.... or pizza... or bagels..... or apple pie.... mmmmmmm

*How do you get loose waves/curls in your hair?

I use a ghd straightening iron and this video on the ghd website here shows exactly what I do. 

*Which hair extensions to you use? 

I use a 'full head' set of clip in extensions so that I don't have to commit to them for too long and they are less damaging on my own hair. I usually buy my extensions from Head Kandy and have mostly been very happy with them... although the last set were not up to their usual standard so I may have to find a new place. 

Bang

Boots & faux leather skirt: Courtesy of Storets.com. 

Shirt: APC. Cardigan: Urban Outfitters

I have nothing but good things to say about Storets.com. Seriously, everything I get from them I love. This skirt makes all my leather skirt dreams come true!

I went to the hairdressers today and was supposed to cut some bangs (a fringe for my fellow English people) but I chickened out at the last minute and just had some layers added. I've decided not to let my fear get the better of me and I'm going back tomorrow and getting myself some bangs.... I think. Eeeek!

Lotions & Potions

My new beauty discoveries.... Out with the old and in with the new! These have been my star beauty buys so far this year.

NARS concealer duo. 

Really smooth and easy to blend. No chalkiness at all. 

Shu Uemura sheer face powder

Keeps me shine free without making me look over made up.

TopShop blush in "Neon Rose"

Super lightweight creme to powder blush. Stays put for ages!

Shu Uemura Essence Absolute.

Literally the BEST thing I've ever put in my hair. Worth every penny.

**The winner of the prom queen giveaway is Stephanie Noel. Please send your address to: ringmybellblog@gmail.com

Ombre

Apologies for the lack of outfit posts. It's simply been too cold. I plan to step up my game this week and get my ass out in the cold and take some pictures for you but in the mean time.... Ombre hair! 

Is anyone else obsessing over this as much as me?! I really want to do it but I'm scared of bleaching my hair again. It ruined my hair texture but I used to be rather blonde....

 This was taken on vacation with Cyrena from Freak deluxe years ago! 

I'm asking for trouble because you can only really commit one hair sin at a time. My biggest sin is heat and as we all know heat and bleach do not a happy head of hair make!

Sharp Edges

Boots: Courtesy of Kandee. Leather Trousers: TopShop. 

Jumper: Courtesy of Warehouse. Coat: Vintage.

I have no words to describe these shoes. They are AH-MAZING. They make me so freaking tall and I love that! The platform makes them walkable but to be honest I couldn't care less about walking- these are shoes are to be worshipped. Get a pair while you still can because I reckon these will sell out.  I've worn this jumper non stop since I got it, it's so cosy! I actually wish I got it in an even bigger size for added slouch appeal.

I've taken my hair extensions out. I had to wear them nearly everyday since August for 'Bedlam' and I got sick of them. They're having a much deserved break.

P.S Yes, that is my engagement ring ;)

Inspired by Zoe

I adore Zoe Saldana. She is totally my girl crush! We used her look at this year's Glamour awards as costume and makeup inspiration for a scene in 'Bedlam'. I  obviously could come nowhere near the luminosity of the lovely Zoe but I very much enjoyed paying homage to one of her looks.

Not the clearest shot, I know... You can just about work out the lacey dress. You'll get to see the whole thing when the show comes out! I loved the hair and makeup so much that I kept it in for a night out in Manchester with the boy....

Boots, Jeans & Jacket: TopShop. Shirt: American Apparel. Bag: Alexander Wang.

I just found out that I have a new job! Its a part in a movie that I read a while back... The script was so freaking scary that I had to wait for the boy to come home before I could finish reading it. The director directed the video for 'Seven Nation Army' by The White Stripes... I love that song and I loooooooooove that video so I'm sure that he will make a great film out of this script.

I'll be shooting 'Bedlam' until November and then straight on to the new movie and then it will be almost christmas!!!! Yep, I am one of those people that thinks about christmas from as far back as July.

p.s Who else is loving Cher from x factor?! Just you-tubed her performance for the 1000th time and realized there are some some very apt lyrics in that song....

"If you be hating, just be mad at yourself

I bet you think this song is about you,

don't you?"

Thanks again to all the followers, comments and twitter followers.... even the 'anonymous' haters xoxo

There's another bloglovin giveaway coming up soon so make sure you follow here for a chance to win!

Keep Clear

Dress: American Apparel. Clogs: Jeffery Campbell. Socks: Virgin airlines :)

I love the pockets in this dress, they give it a slouchy relaxed feel. The socks are those free ones that you get on Virgin flights. I love them! I collect them every time I fly with Virgin.

It's been a while since I've had the boy take my picture and it's great to have his photography skills back. His pictures make my timer shots look like a joke!

Lots of you ask about my hair... You all want the loose curly waves and I promise you they are super easy to get! I've thought about doing a hair video for you all but I realized despite being an actress the thought of talking to camera as myself freaks me out way too much! I've found a video that shows exactly what I do: LOOSE CURLY WAVES.  The only difference is that I use a slightly smaller straightening iron.

*Take a one inch section of hair and comb it through until smooth.

*Clamp your straightening iron at the root of the section of hair and with your free hand hold on to the ends of the hair.

*Rotate the iron 180 degrees and glide it down the length of the hair until you reach the ends.

*The slower you move the iron the tighter the curl will be.

*Try to alternate the direction that you rotate the iron with each section so that you get a more irregular look.

*When you've curled all of your hair run your fingers through to loosen and break up the curls. 

I like my hair to look a little messy and tousled so I usually prefer it the next day after I've slept on it!


p.s I use clip in hair extensions. They only work because my own hair is long enough to blend in. My own hair finishes at breast level so the extensions don't look so obvious. If your hair is shorter then neck length then really long extensions like mine wont work! xxx