Another haul....

Hello lovelies!! How BEAUT is the weather today?! Me and Mum took ourselves over to Nuneaton today to do a bit of shopping, and I was fully not expecting to get anything (Nuneaton isn't exactly the best for shopping!) But I did pretty well in the last of the sales! My main excitement is due to these babies...

I wasn't even aware these were out yet!? And I certainly didn't think this Superdrug even stocked Sleek but  they do and they had quite a good selection. Anyway I snapped up four of these to start off my collection....I got (l-r) 160 Pinkini, 158 Rosette, 162 Milkshake (these swatches don't do this justice, its incredible!) and 161 Minx. I'm so pleased with these, I think I may have skipped out of Superdrug....

Anyway the rest of my haul is here....it's a bit all over the place but I kind of just picked the odd thing up in random shops.....

Also, I have to show you my new toy...

They're the Andrew Barton wave makers, and they are amazing. I was so bored of either having straight or curly hair, and I fancied a bit of a change. I did a before and after pic for you, but the before pic is APPALLING!! Sorry, I got halfway through my hair and realised I'd not done one that I had to snap one, and then realised I'd left the macro setting on!! But it gives you a rough idea...

It looks better with the outfit of the day so you can see the whole look....

(Sorry about getting the oven in there....my usual photographer was absent so I had to get my mum to do it and she couldn't be bothered to put her glasses on!)

Top and Skirt: H&M

Sandals: Primark

Necklace: New Look

Bracelets and rings: Mainly Foverer 21, H&M 

Watch: ASOS

Has anyone else picked up these Pout Paints yet? 

Loves

xxx

July favourites....

Here comes my favourite time of the month! I've done a video for you this month, as last month I was feeling really rubbish and under the weather and only posted a couple of crappy pictures and hardly had any favourites! This month though I could have gone on and on and on! My main thing this month is hand and nail care, I've really trying to look after and grow my own nails, and with that has come a whole load of new additions to my nail varnish collection!!

Anyway here's the video so take a look....lots of lovely things that I can't get enough of!

Loves

xxx

Dove Intensive Repair...

Not one to meddle too much in the washing stages of hair preening (I’m a shampoo once, conditioner on the ends, rinse, dry kind of girl) I wasn’t too bothered about this little Dove bottle when I got it free with my asos order AGES ago. Last night, however, I was bored and in need of some hair loving, so decided to give it a try. It’s the new intense repair conditioning mask from Dove, and let me tell you it’s a miracle in a bottle. 

This is only a sample size, and you could probably get 2/3 washes with this depending on how much you use. I only popped a small amount through my ends beause I’m a devil for only washing my hair intermittently thoroughout the week and I hate it getting greasy too much. It tells you to wash your hair with Dove shampoo (sorry, I used V05) then pop it in your hair for a minute, before rinsing. I actually left it on for a bit longer than that as the ends of my hair are a bit of a mess, but I didn’t have to wait around because as soon as I put it on, I wacked my hair in a top knot and continued exfoliating/shaving legs/ washing face etc etc. The added benefit of this was the steam in the shower (I like it HOT) made the treatment mask extra effective!. I rinsed it out after about 3 or 4 minutes with as icy cold water as I could manage (bbrrrrrr!!!) and it made my hair feel amazing! So soft and it smelt amazing (typical Dove smell that doesn’t linger or offend anyone) and I will most definiutly be buying a full size bottle of this. Thanks ASOS, you delivered me a hair-miricle!!

Everyday hair tutorial....

Hey lovelies....I've been promising this for a while and it's taken me about two months to get around to uploading, this is actually from when I was videoing on photobooth on my mac so I apologise it's not as great quality as some of my newer ones, and apologies for having to keep getting up to plug/unplug things! Back when I was a bit more amateur...although I still am lets be fair!

I didn't show the extension I used in the video because I didn't have a packet of them, but as soon as I bought my new one's I took a picture for you....

Anyway...here it is. Any questions just comment here or on my youtube channel :)

Loves

xxx

Tears dry on their own....

OK yes I know that's quite a depressing title but it's just a little tribute to the amazingly talented Amy Winehouse, from my fave song of hers. Such a shame :(

Anyway enough of that, hello lovelies :) Hope you've all had an amazing weekend, I had a fab night out last night with a couple of the girls, but I'm paying for it now, I'm SO tired and I couldn't even manage to finish my Nando's earlier! Must be bad! I got a couple of shots before we went out, and had a little play on photobooth (standard pre-night out activity so it would seem!) .....

ME: Top: H&M

Jeans: Primark

Shoes: Office

Jewellery: Mainly Primark and H&M

STEPH: Top: River Island

Skirt: Topshop

Shoes: Faith

Jewellery: Mainly Dorothy Perkins

I am in love with these jeans, even though it did take a few lunges and trips up and down the stairs to loosen them up because they were practically sprayed on!

I popped into Leicester with the parents today, I didn't need/want anything except a free meal from them but I did pick up a couple of bits in H&M.....

Just some standard jewellery, nothing too amazing, but I am really into these sort of bracelets at the moment. Their only downfall is taking them off at half three in the morning after a night out where I thought it would be a good idea to pile them on....yes this was the exact scenario from half three this morning, I think I must have given up halfway through because I woke up wearing most of them this morning. Also, a quick snap of my OOTD from today, could NOT be bothered so it was my standard outfit of checked shirt, denim shorts, tights and trainers.

Shirt: Forever 21

Black vest: Primark

Shorts: Topshop

Tights: Primark

Trainers: Nike vintage blazers at Office

Rings: Dorothy Perkins 

Lipstick: Brighton Rocks by Topshop

Loves

xxx

Twice baked....

I woke up to a lovely surprise this morning, my Body Shop parcel came, which was brilliant considering it only got dispatched yesterday! So first of, YAY for The Body Shop!

Secondly, YAY for their amazing makeup which, until I spent a good ten minutes discussing the merits of a shimmer versus a matt bronzer with the lady in my local store on Thursday, I'd never really been bothered about before. Whilst it's true that I am what could only be described as addicted to their all in one face base (I've been using this for forever and a day!) I only ever walk in, grab it and walk out again. I kind of just wandered into The Body Shop out of boredom on my lunch break and discovered their Baked To Last Range which is just stunning! I didn't actually get any there and then, and instead came home and popped on their website to see if they happened to have any offers on. And let me tell you, oh yes they did!! If you spent over £40, you got £20 off your order, and free delivery on orders over £20, which I had a feeling wouldn't be a problem. This is what I got....

They had two bronzers, this one was the lighter of the two and was actually a lot lighter than I'd ever buy. I think it would be OK as a bit of an extra colour over my face when I have a tan, a bit like a powder, or even a bronzing highlighter. I'd definitely pick up the darker bronzer next time I'm in The Body Shop, it's not too shimmery to be used all over the face, and the colour stays all day! This one was in Warm Glow. 

I'm not very experimental (as you may know) when it comes to eyeshadows, but they had some gorgeous colours in their baked eyeshadows. They have two tones to them, a dark and a light. They are SO pigmented, I haven't actually tried this yet but they look like they'll go on amazingly! This one was in  Moonstone, but I also liked the look of Copper and Starlight. 

This was easily my favourite buy, their baked blusher in Petal. Again like the eyeshadow it has two colours to it, but swirling a big brush across the two of these gives a lovely colour. The pale colour on the right makes a great highlighter, I wore the pink as a blusher with a sweep of the highlighter today and it has stayed put all day, it's such a beautiful pinky colour that really matches my skin tone. 

The last think I bought was one of their cult products, their shimmer cube palettes. Not much needs to be said about these, gorgeous colours, really pigmented, and work well alone or together to create a smokey eye. 

Has anyone else tried anything from the Baked range from The Body Shop? Do you recommend any other colours/shades?

Loves

xxx 

Green eyed monster....

Hey lovelies, here’s just a little haul for you all, from Coventry Primark and a variety of other places. Apologies for the colour of my face, I promise it was the shit lighting in my room and I’m not really that colour!

Also a little OOTD from my trip (which was yesterday, even though I keep saying ‘today’….late post!) and my first trial at green eyeshadow….finally breaking away from nude and brown!

I’m also sending out a little SOS to you all, I am in seriously desperate need for a new handbag, It needs to be clutch, although if it’s got a small strap I can take off or tuck in the bag that’s fine. Tan or nude, preferably big because as you know I like to jam a LOT of stuff in my bag. I’d ideally like one that zips closed as I’m forever loosing eyeliners or lipsticks when I start my crazy moves on the dance floor. So far I’ve found this one from River island which I quite like, and this one from New Look, although I’m not sure either of them are going to be quite big enough. Suggestions welcome!

Loves

xxx

There's 'shopping' and then there's 'shopping'....

Hey lovelies! Hope you've all had a lovely weekend. I had a very very quiet one but it was nice to just chill out and relax. I went shopping with the parents on Sunday, but shock horror I didn't buy anything (apart from makeup remover and cleanser, but as these were essentials I feel they don't count!).

I took a quick OOTD for you, I wasn't a huge fan of this for a few reasons....

I never really wear leggings any more apart from when I'm jumping around the garage like a mad woman attempting to re-create the Pump It Up/WAGS workout/ Colleens bootcamp (delete as applicable) keep fit DVDs.
I also don't wear sandals. I sort of allow them under maxi skirts and dresses, but I HATE my feet in general and I think sandals just showcase them even more. As you cam probably tell from most of my OOTD posts I'd rather throw on a pair of Coverse or Nike's with a summer dress or denim shorts. So for some reason I combined both of these things in one outfit yesterday....please don't draw attention to the fact I look a bit of a tramp....

Jacket: Topshop

Top: Forever21 in New York

Leggings: Primark

Shoes: Office

Jewellery: mostly Primark

Watch: TW Steel

On another note, I bought a couple of the Collection 2000 Cream Puffs, their new moisturising lip creams. I wasn't sure what I expected from these but I loved them. They were a really subtle colour and you only need a tiny bit or they can look a bit 'cakey', but they smell AMAZING and go on smoothly, are seriously long lasting, and a nice alternative to a gloss.  

(l- Fairy Cake, r- Powder Puff)

If you like a tinted balm then I think you'll love these, lovely and soft, don't dry your lips out and don't have a sticky feeling that makes your hair stick to your lips as soon as the wind blows. Over all I think these are amazing, and I can't wait to get them in a few other colours!

Has anyone else tried these? Or any of the other colours?

Loves

xxx

Saint Germain, how I love you....

Hey lovelies.... I can honestly say TGIF! I've got a lovely relaxing weekend of doing not much at all ahead of me which I need after the couple of weeks I've had. I made up for it last night though and popped out for an impromptu night with a couple of the girls. It was such a fabulous night, few rose's with the girls, lots of lovely people out some of which I'd not seen for far too long, a fair amount of dancing, and I was tucked up in bed my 1am! I managed to get a few snaps before I went out (sorry they're a bit rubbish I had to do them quickly on photobooth!) but their main purpose wasn't for the OOTD, it was for my poor, poor under-mentioned lipstick. Mac Saint Germain is maybe one of my favourite things I own ever. It's long lasting, an amazing colour, goes with EVERYTHING and has seen me through many a messy night on the town, yet I hardly ever mention it?!? So here it is, a post dedicated to the little beauty that is Saint Germain...

(sorry lots of snap happy posey pictures coming up....)

Outfit

Top: Topshop

Bandeau: H&M

Shorts: New Look (too much love for these, worn them every night I've been out this week!)

Belt: Vintage

Tights: Primark

Boots: Office (even though you can't actually see them!)

Jewellery: everywhere! Mainly H&M, Primark and Forever 21

Makeup

Benefit Porefessional

Mac Studio fix fluid in NW22

Sleek luminaire in 003

Rimmel sunkissed bronzer in 002

Elf studio blusher in Fuchsia fusion

Eyelashes were some random ones from a cheap shop that I LOVE

Bourjois waterproof clubbing mascara in ultra black

Rimmel eyebrow pencil in dark brown

Maybelline gel eyeliner in black

Mac kohl pencil in Smoulder

Urban Decay eyeshadow from my naked palette (can't remember which one sorry!)

Too Faced extreme lip injection

MAC SAINT GERMAIN 

Does anyone else have the same love affair with this lipstick as I do?

Loves

xxx

Whatever happened to ageing gracefully? It got old...

Please excuse the Sex and The City quote for the title of this blog, I've decided to start from the very beginning of my box set (again) to cure man-less boredom in the evening!

I absolutely had to write this post to tell you all about another new discovery of mine. One of my mums friends introduced me to this a while ago and, while it did take me a couple of months to bite the bullet and splash out on the £32 price tag, I decided I had to try it. 

It's an Aloe Nourishing Serum, with extracts of white tea to preserve and replenish skin. Now with such a hefty price tag (at least to me anyway) I haven't been using it morning and night every day. So far I've had it nearly two weeks, and been applying it to my neck and chest to try and even out my skin there where my horrible rash has been from my allergic reaction to a fake tan (less said about that the better!) I can honestly say it's made a huge difference, my skin is so soft, the rash has gone and even though there's still a bit of redness left, I hope that using this for a bit longer will eventually get rid of that. I've also used it on my face every other night and it makes my skin feel incredible in the morning. I wouldn't use it in the morning as I have quite oily skin and it is quite heavy. 

I'd say in conclusion, the actual product is amazing, the price tag is a little bit off putting initially but a little bit goes a very long way and I think it will last me for ages. I'd never pick this up if I saw it on the shelf, mainly because (cue shallow moment) the packaging doesn't really do anything for me, but who cares when we're talking about a miracle in a bottle!! 

You can take a look at it here, and they have loads of other products so take a look around. 

Do any of you use a serum? Do you use it as well as a moisturiser?

Loves

xxx

Talk about a late discovery...

How have I never got around to buying this little beauty before?? I keep reading about the Une skin-glow pencil and saying I'm going to pick one up when I'm next in Superdrug, but I always get distracted by the pretty nail varnishes and lipsticks. Today I popped in and actually bought it and I can honestly say there's an element of regret that it's taken me so long. I got it in shade G03, it was either this or the shade lighter but when I actually tried it (as soon as I got back into the office) I was so glad I went for this one.

I've never ever gone in for the whole white eyeliner on the water line business but this is just amazing. A perfect match to my skin tone, creamy formula that blends well, and from my quick test of it this afternoon it lasts quite well too. I'm not sure how it will look when I've got full eye makeup on but with a bright lipstick and tons of mascara, this is going to be a permanent addition to my everyday makeup routine.

If you've thought about buying this but never got round to it....do so immediately.

I've not heard much about the rest of the Une makeup range, has anyone else tried anything or recommend anything else, I'm so impressed with this I'd feel like trying some other things from their range.

Loves
xxx

Where's my money....

First of all I just want to say a huge thank you for all the lovely comments on my blog and on twitter about my last post, I know it was a bit of a different one and I rambled a bit but some of you lovely people managed to make it right the way through to the end and seem to agree with me, so thank you :)

I've had such a packed weekend, I went to see my friend in his lady gaga tribute act on Friday night (he's not actually Lady Gaga can I just add!) It was brilliant and I'll have video's on youtube channel soon. I know they're not in-keeping with my channel but you absolutely have to see him....he's brilliant!!

I went out with the girls last night and unfortunately didn't get a single outfit picture which was annoying because I loved my outfit! I'll re-create it another day for you! Today I popped into Leicester with mum and dad and picked up a bit more makeup storage, only to read that the bblogger chat is all about the exact same thing....can't wait for this!!

Topshop makeup is slowly becoming an addiction....I went in there the other day and didn't even bother looking at the clothes! I never really jumped on the bandwagon when it first came out, but now I can't stop buying it! I now have all (I think) of the Topshop lipsticks apart from the lilac one which scares the hell out of me!! (Should I just go for it though...??)

Here's my mini haul...

Lipstick in Brighton Rock

Cream to powder blusher in Head Over Heels

Eye crayon in Lazy Days

Nail varnishes in Mover n Shaker and Hunting

As soon as I got home, I had to get Hunting (the green shade) on my nails, I'm so in love with it....

Sorry about the state of my nails, I've not got them right since I took my gel extensions off last weekend, they're a bit of a mess but they are getting better, I'm so determined to actually grow them and stop biting them!!

(l-r) Blush in head over heels, crayon in lazy days, lipstick in brighton rock.

The lipstick is amazing, I love the matt finish of their lipsticks and it lasts ages! It doesn't melt (a definite bonus for me) and they have really individual colours. The eye crayon is probably one of my favourite purchases though, it's such a pale pink with an amazing gold glitter in it that you can't really see on this picture. This will look amazing with loads of black kohl eyeliner and lashings of black mascara on a night out!!

Anyway here's a quick OOTD snap I managed before I popped into Leicester today, sorry about my rough appearance I was feeling a little tender from last night! 

Skirt: Zara

Bag: Urban Outfitters

Sandals: Primark

Necklace: Primark

Hair: NATURAL (I went without extensions for once!!)

I hope everyone's had a lovely weekend and I'll probably see some of you in the bbloggers chat later!

loves

xxx

Men are from mars....

This is going to be a bit of a different post for me today so I appreciate many of you won’t want to read it but if you do, well, thanks!

I’ve had an interesting few weeks (few years come to that) when it comes to men and relationships. I’ve recently been on a few dates with a guy I met (yes ok on Facebook and yes, ok it started as a poking war). He’s pretty close to being the perfect guy and everything, but after I’d got over the initial nerves of the first few meetings and of course the obligatory stress over WHAT TO WEAR?!?! it’s kind of in the ‘now what’ area. This is the usual case for me; I’ve not had a proper relationship for, well, years. My last boyfriend was back in 2007…we were together for about a year, had an amazing time, and remained really good friends ever since. I speak to him nearly every day and he’s pretty good with the dating advice (altogether now…’ahhhhhh’). So why can’t all man situations be like this? Recently it’s been a case of me getting fed up too easily, or they get fed up just as I’m getting too involved.  And when they get fed up, that’s when it takes me a few months to get over my ‘what’s wrong with me’ ‘I’ll never meet anyone’ trauma.

This time though, I’ve not had any of that. I’ve had an overwhelming feeling of ‘oh well’. And I think the bottom line to this is that for once, I’m just happy with myself and I’ve learnt to finally CHILL OUT. All of the girls are back from University, I’ve got a great job, loving meeting some amazing people through blogging, I’ve got potential crazily exciting plans for March next year, I’ve got my health, my family around me, and the promise of a glass of wine on Friday night.

Let’s be fair, we all love to have a busy social life and to know we’re going out every evening with friends or our boyfriend, but I’m now at the stage where, so what if I spend Saturday curled up on the sofa with my mum and a packet of biscuits. And who cares if I don’t have plans on a Thursday evening….I’d much rather lie in the bath with a facemask reviewing products for you lovely people :) 

So yes, while I’d love to find someone one day that ticks all the boxes (not an easy job let me tell you…there’s a LOT of boxes to tick) I’m not going to get caught up in the moment and spend all my time stressing in a ‘WHY WON’T HE CALL ME’ type state. And to be honest, it’s only in the last month that I’ve realised this and been able to go ‘never mind then’. This chilling out and enjoying life business is actually quite fun! If I want to lie in bed all day on a Sunday with wine flu from the night before then I will. And if I want to go on the odd date with a guy then why the hell not. (I think the word I’m looking for is liberating?!)

In regards to the previously mentioned latest guy, I may see him again, I may not. I don’t need a boyfriend to validate my life, I’ve gone this long without one so I can pretty safely say I’ll be fine. If all else fail’s I’ll just go by my lifelong saying that the only way to get over one man is to get unde..…..Oh no wait sorry I mean ‘plenty more fish in the sea’ LOL ;) 

Birmingham haul....

Hey lovelies :)

As you are probably aware by now, I went to Birmingham on Saturday to do a bit of shopping, I mainly wanted a couple of bits for my holiday but I kept half an eye open for something to wear for some big nights out coming up....I actually ended up with two dresses for these and a couple of other bits.

Here's the haul, and the OOTD I went shopping in below....enjoy....

Top: River Island sale

Shorts: Republic

Socks and bag: Republic

Boots: Office

Belt: Vintage

Jewellery: all over the place!

Sunglasses: H&M

loves

xxx

The final nail in the coffin....

Wahhhhh :( my nails have gone. After 5 weeks they had just got too long (I couldn't even do my own bracelets up) and the tips had just about grown off so I decided to take them off and go natural for a while. In fact, I'm determined to grow my own nails! I have the worst peely flaky nails ever, so not sure how well it is going to go, but one of my mates bought some hair and nail tablets from Holland and Barrett....

Her nails were the same as mine are now and did NOT grow but this was like a miracle and they're gorgeous now. Also, if they help my hair to grow that will be an added bonus. I think these were £6.99 so even if they don't work I haven't lost anything! You take 3 a day with meals, so I'll do an update every week to see how well they're working!

I also bought some Sally Hansen Maximum Growth treatment, which is just a clear varnish that aims to strengthen nails and aid growth.... (excuse my HORRIBLE nails, they are as sore as they look!)

While I was browsing Boots, I also came across this little contraption.... a back tanner!?! It may be useless but I'm a sucker for a tanning gadget, I'm off for a shower and to tan now so I'll let you know how it goes!!

11 most reached for products continued...

Hello lovelies....I know this is a bit overdue but I've finally managed to upload my 11 most reached for products successfully.... you may have seen my blog post about it but if not it's over here.

Here's the video for it, hope you enjoy. I'm loving doing videos on the Ipad, I'll be doing them all on there from now on (apart from my hair tutorial that I WILL upload eventually).

loves

xxx