Hello dolls! Have you all had a nice Christmas break?
We've been having a lovely time relaxing after a hard few months, and I've been more interested in catching up with family and friends, scoffing Quality Street and watching Christmas movies than anything else, so my blog and Twitter feed have been really quiet!
However, I'm already feeling rested and recharged. Luckily for me, I'm not back at work until January 5th, so I decided to do a little post about the break so far. So, if you're still feeling festive, read on and enjoy....
Most of the stuff I've bought lately is quite dull and house related (co-axial cable kit, anyone? Caulking gun? Plate rack?).
But, I did do my first Boots run in a while to cash in my loyalty points for some Christmas stocking fillers, and bought a few things for myself too – hey, the points collecting has to re-start somewhere!
Hello puddings
As you know, I’m allllllll about Christmas, and as its been such a tough year, I couldn’t wait for some parties.
A bit of nice food, a few glasses of fizz and a good time sounded just the ticket. I’ve got two works Christmas events this year, so there’s a couple of party outfit posts on the way.
It only seems like five minutes since I unwrapped my November Glossybox (which you can peek at here), but before I knew it, December’s had landed on my doorstep just in time for all the Christmas parties coming up.
As we were knee deep in re-plastering the dining room at the time and I was the furthest I’ve ever been from glamour (I didn’t wear make-up for a full week, unheard of!), it was really nice to get the box and receive some festive treats to get me into the spirit!
The Christmas box was all gussied up in its festive packaging and red ribbon, a lovely sight so I was super excited.
This month we’d been promised for full size products so I was looking forward to being spoilt. What was in the box?
I can't say I actually felt excited at all, more relieved that the process was finally over. I can honestly say the whole thing has been beyond stressful and has pretty much taken over our lives for far too long.
We've had all manner of bad things happen. Missing out on houses we loved because we didn't have a buyer for ours. Losing buyers because we couldn't find a house we loved (timing is everything). Having buyers drop out. Having sellers threatening to drop out.
Plus, moving house became a black hole of money, unexpected costs are everywhere. The whole thing has been an utter nightmare and we're still pretty raw about it all but....we're here, and that's something I was beginning to doubt I'd ever be able to write.
This is all we've focused on for so long, it feels odd not to be worrying anymore.
Hello lovelies
Today, I'm doing one of my 'Loving Her Style posts' and although I usually pick a fashion icon and try to analyse what makes her style so amazing (my last was on Emma Watson, and you can also read my posts on Millie Mackintosh, Leigh Lezark, Mollie King and Zooey Deschanel).
Today though, instead of a person, I'm going to be talking about a type of style that I can't get enough of at the moment. And that is what I'd call 'glam grunge'.
Time for an update on my Little Black Dress Challenge!
I didn’t want to post loads of progress reports on this, because personally I find them quite boring myself, but its now two weeks into my eight week challenge, so it seems about right to do one now.
Shops have started to put up their decorations, the temperature’s dropping and I’ve seen the Coca Cola Christmas ad, which can only mean the party season is fast approaching and it won’t be long before we all have to slip into those frocks and shine.
Think of this as a pre-emptive strike for all the empty calories you’ll be indulging in over the break.
I won’t be holding back then (I’m a firm believer that you should have whatever you want at Christmas!) so by doing this before the break, I can abandon myself to gluttony for a few days without feeling too terrible.
So, how did it go?
That’s actually a good thing though, because I’ve really had the chance to test everything out and form a proper opinion of it.
Its been a great run of boxes lately with some brilliant stuff in, and although I had a couple of Birchboxes as well, I still think Glossybox are the better value and give me way more to smile about! That little pink box with all its ribbons and tissue paper still cheers me up and I really look forward to it each month.
So what would November bring? Would they manage to top the last few months?
Hello beauties
Another instalment of Life, Lately. This is a post I’ve started doing fairly recently, and basically I just sort of ramble on about what’s happening in my world.
I always really enjoy reading these sorts of posts on other blogs, and I think it breaks up the stream of product reviews and puts a little personality out there.
It’s the end of November, and I’m totally looking forward to Christmas already. This year has been challenging, tiring, and not an awful lot of fun, so I’m definitely looking forward to ending it on a nice note with lots of celebrations, drinking, dancing and stuffing my face!
Seb and I are like big kids at Christmas and we spend the whole month of December getting into the spirit, so give me a week or so and I’ll be in full on holiday mode!
Here’s what’s been going on in my little corner of the world lately…
Today I’m going to be talking about a really useful hairstyling tool that’s completely rocked my world lately.
I didn’t think anything on this green earth could induce me to ditch the GHD’s, but I have to say that since I purchased this, my straighteners have been lying in the draw, unsued, on a regular basis.
What is it, you cry? Well, the title gave it away. It’s the rather fabulous Diva Big Waves styler. If you long for easy, effortless cool-girl waves and texture to give your locks something different, then read on…
Like most things, I really love, this styler has multiple uses. You can either use the waving plates, or lock the barrel together and use for those very gentle, big, falling-out curls favoured by VS Angels.
Either is a really good look – but for me, the waving plate has the edge, and that’s how I use it more often.
Usually, I don’t do ‘favourites’ posts, only because my favourites don’t tend to change a lot! If I like something, its generally on heavy rotation, and places in my hall of fame are hard won.
With the change of seasons though, there’s a natural shake-up in the types of products and colours I’m favouring at the moment. So I’ve rediscovered a few must-haves that are making the darker evenings a bit more bearable. Here are the six top products rocking my world right now:
This weekend, I was lucky enough to get to go to the Bloggers Secret Santa event being run by the very sweet Hannah from Hannerking and Emma from Dinos Beauty Diary.
I've been to a few meets in Birmingham lately, and although it's been great to have the opportunity to explore a bit (and go to Selfridges!) it was so nice to do something closer to home and get to meet some local bloggers.
I've been to a few meets in Birmingham lately, and although it's been great to have the opportunity to explore a bit (and go to Selfridges!) it was so nice to do something closer to home and get to meet some local bloggers.
I meant to do an outfit post, but on the morning it was torrential rain and really dark all day, so it was too hard to get decent pictures. Boo. Blogger problems!
Isn’t finding the perfect foundation hard?
No matter how close you think you are, it always seems just out of reach. Then as soon as you do find one you adore and your skin needs change –perhaps its summer and you get a little oilier, perhaps you suddenly need more coverage – and you’re back to square one!
I recently found a Holy Grail foundation in Urban Decay Naked Skin, which I still adore (read my glowing review of it here).
But although it works well for me, sometimes I like a different finish, and I’m always on the hunt for a bargain option when payday seems a little too far away- so I’ve just tried the Lily Lolo Mineral Foundation.
I must admit I generally prefer to go high end for my bases, I think foundation really is one of those products where its important to spend a little more and you get what you pay for.
The last time I picked up a drugstore foundation it all went wrong – read about that here. Would Lily Lolo change my mind?
The other day, I showed you what clothes and accessories I’ve been buying recently, and now I’m going to show the make-up I’ve gotten my paws on recently.
I’ll be brief, because I intend to follow up with full reviews on a couple of these items later on.
But I haven’t bought much in a while so I was just keen to show you what I’d managed to get – there are a couple of brilliant bargains in here too.
Are you guys excited for Christmas yet? I feel like, now Halloween is out of the way, we can finally start looking forward to the happiest time of the year.
Confession - I didn't used to even like Christmas. But that was before Seb - who's a massive kid at this time of the year - converted me. And he converted me by showing me the fun in the holiday and building a series of little rituals that we do in the run up, from going on frosty walks with Christmas coffees to fetching the tree and baking boozy mince pies.
One of the most important of the rituals, of course, is decorating our home and our tree. Each year we have a little competition to try and find the best tree ornaments. We have to outdo each other! And this year, I might have won, thanks to a great online shop called The Christmas Boutique.
I haven’t done a haul posting in quite a while, mainly because I’ve been saving up like a demon, and although I have bought stuff its been few and far between, so I’ve tended to just do separate posts.
However, this payday I’ve had a bit of a shopping session for a couple of items I’ve patiently had my eye on, and there’s a couple I bought last month.
Some of them were real bargains as well – I love my eBay bargains. I’m going to do one post on the make-up purchases and one on clothes and accessories to make for easier reading.
Let’s start with the clothes.
You’ll notice one thing - there’s a lot of black. And a lot of leather. I’m totally having a grunge moment and I make no apologies for that!
Take a peek in my shopping bags…
What is your personal beauty battleground? We all have them - that one problem area that we really struggle with and feel ruins our look. Well, mine is definitely my under-eye area. Where do I start? Dark circles, puffiness and now, fine lines are starting to show as well.
There are certain natural factors that I know help - cutting down on salt, drinking enough water, getting plenty of rest. But I also need an eye cream that is effective, easy to use and pleasurable.
So I was thrilled when the lovely ladies at Vichy sent me their new Idealia Eyes to try. I already use and love the Idealia Life Serum, and the new eye product has been designed to work in harmony.
I didn't post straight away about this, because I wanted it to be a comprehensive review, and with skincare you have to use it for a while to really see results.
Vichy are a French spa brand who became available in the UK a couple of years ago - and if there's one thing French women are renowned for, its knowing their stuff when it comes to effective skincare that really delivers.
The Idealia range is perfect for the time of life I'm at - in your late 20s, you're not a teenager and the first signs of ageing are creeping in (shudder) but equally, the heavy formulations of anti-aging lines designed for those in their 40s overwhelm and unbalance your skin. The Idealia range is perfect as its not heavy, but it deals effectively with those environmental factors that cause aging.
So, what are they claiming and did the product deliver?
There are certain natural factors that I know help - cutting down on salt, drinking enough water, getting plenty of rest. But I also need an eye cream that is effective, easy to use and pleasurable.
So I was thrilled when the lovely ladies at Vichy sent me their new Idealia Eyes to try. I already use and love the Idealia Life Serum, and the new eye product has been designed to work in harmony.
I didn't post straight away about this, because I wanted it to be a comprehensive review, and with skincare you have to use it for a while to really see results.
Vichy are a French spa brand who became available in the UK a couple of years ago - and if there's one thing French women are renowned for, its knowing their stuff when it comes to effective skincare that really delivers.
The Idealia range is perfect for the time of life I'm at - in your late 20s, you're not a teenager and the first signs of ageing are creeping in (shudder) but equally, the heavy formulations of anti-aging lines designed for those in their 40s overwhelm and unbalance your skin. The Idealia range is perfect as its not heavy, but it deals effectively with those environmental factors that cause aging.
So, what are they claiming and did the product deliver?
I teased you with a quick shot of the six marvellous goody bags chock full of amazing products that were so kindly gifted to us at the FABB Events blogger meet in Birmingham at the weekend, so it only seemed fair to do a post giving a peek inside.
It really was like Christmas had come early to have so much amazing stuff to unwrap so massive thanks to Tor and Ray for spoiling us and all the brands that gave us their items to try, we are truly grateful!
There’s literally so much to show that this post will be just a quick look at the items, then I may come back and review certain items later – so if there’s anything you want to see more of, let me know.
Without further ado, here’s a look at all the goodies…
What would a blogger event be without the compulsory outfit and face of the day posts?
To celebrate me abandoning my usual vanilla scruffiness for the day, I thought a little post was in order about my day out at the FABB bloggers event in Birmingham - you can read about what happened on the day here. I saw a lot of Twitter chat about people not knowing what to wear to the event, but everyone looked pretty well turned out to me when I got there.
There were a lot of berry lips, dark leather, fedoras, ankle boots and faux-fur in evidence!
Before the event, I’d decided to do something along the lines of leather myself, so here’s what I came up with..
This weekend saw FABB Events hit Birmingham and I was like a kid the night before Christmas.
I knew it was going to be pretty spectacular, and a lot bigger than blogging events I’d been to before- with about 100 bloggers all converging on Alfie Birds in the Custard Factory
How are you coping with the colder weather and dark evenings?
I’m quite a fan of autumn, there’s a lot of good things about it (hot chocolates, nice coats, wearing boots, falling leaves), but the short days are hard to deal with – its now dark when I get up and dark when I come home!
Welcome to my second ‘Life, Lately’ post, just intended as a little glimpse into my day to day life and an update on various topics.
Not going to lie, life has been hard lately. Our house sale seemed like it was going to fall through AGAIN, and even though its now hopefully proceeding again, the whole thing feels very precarious.
I can’t believe there isn’t better protection for the biggest purchase of your life. You honestly have more rights buying a pack of chewing gum from the corner shop than you do buying a house.
The whole thing has been beyond a nightmare, and I can’t describe how exhausted, emotionally worn out and down both Seb and I are feeling right now. We’re pretty much broken people!
I’m just really hoping at some point we’ll be able to say it was all worth it, but that seems like a long way off at the moment- and I’m not even sure if we’ll get there yet.
Please wish me luck because I really need it!
Here’s what else is going on…
"Heels and red lipstick will put the fear of God into people." - Dita Von Teese
Amen to that. There's something about lipstick that makes us girls feel more pulled together, more capable, and ready to conquer the world.
It can be no coincidence that in times of recession, sales of lipstick go through the roof - after all, there's a reason its called 'warpaint'. It makes you ready for battle.
Like most bloggers, lipstick of all kinds holds a special place in my heart, so thank you to beautiful KerryJustBeauty for tagging me for this post. Here goes...
Amen to that. There's something about lipstick that makes us girls feel more pulled together, more capable, and ready to conquer the world.
It can be no coincidence that in times of recession, sales of lipstick go through the roof - after all, there's a reason its called 'warpaint'. It makes you ready for battle.
Like most bloggers, lipstick of all kinds holds a special place in my heart, so thank you to beautiful KerryJustBeauty for tagging me for this post. Here goes...
So I recently tried Topshop Makeup Foundation, which is the first base offering from the high-street behemoth. I've said before how much I love the Topshop make-up range, and their lipstick rank among my favourites, so when I saw they'd recently launched some skin offerings, I was intruiged.
I'll level with you right now and say that I didn't really like this product. I was expecting great things and I was kind of left disappointed. It's not bad enough to bin, but I don't think I'll be repurchasing this. Here's why...
This weekend, I'm off to the amazing #FABBBirmingham event at Alfie Bird's.
It's the biggest event I've been to so far, and I'm super excited. I've heard so many positive things about their previous events.
Some of my favourite ever bloggers are going along so I can't wait to see them, plus a couple of new connections of mine it will be lovely to meet in person!
But with all the excitement comes the eternal query- what do I wear?
I'm keen to stay with my current vibe of layers and leather but I've come up with a new twist on it!
Grey boyfriend tees paired with leather pencil skirts, ladylike bags and striped prom dresses. Toughed up with ankle boots and bold necklaces.
A splash of leopard, some bold red lips and I'll be good to go.
What do you think? Are you going to #FABBBirmingham? What are you going to wear?
Maybe its because life hasn't been that much fun around here, but I'm already looking forward to the release the festivities bring - the parties, the drinking, the eating, the relaxation.
I'd been feeling a little demotivated on the diet and fitness front lately. It didn't seem like I had much to look forward to, so I guess I just felt stuck in a rut with it all. I needed something to reinvigorate me badly, especially with the nights drawing in, when a comfy sofa and a boatload of carbs is always more appealing than diet and exercise.
So now, I've decided that the LBD will be my mission! I've embarked on a new plan as of Tuesday this week, to run from now until early December.
I've made up my own rules according to what has worked well for me in the past. If you're feeling demotivated, in a rut or just looking forward to looking fabulous for party season, I invite you to join me.
Here's how we'll do it...
Its been box city central round here lately with the October Birchbox unexpectedly arriving (see what I thought here) and, hot on its heels, the month’s offering from Glossybox.
But, after a stellar September offering, Birchbox seem to have returned to their usual offering which doesn’t really wow me – on the whole I much prefer Glossybox. Would they keep their crown this month?
Exciting news my beauties, I’ve found someone in my office who does Avon, so of course I had to place a little order of some of my all time favourite products that they do.
I have such a lot of love for Avon. My mum used to do it when I was little, and some of my earliest make-up memories are of playing with all the lipstick samples and the little bottles of perfume. No wonder I’m so obsessed with cosmetics now!
Often it feels like their products are still a well-kept secret though, so I'm here today to lay bare what's really worth checking out from their vast selection.
Avon do some absolutely classic products that are top quality, a few that I re-buy all the time, so I stocked up with the following:
I have such a lot of love for Avon. My mum used to do it when I was little, and some of my earliest make-up memories are of playing with all the lipstick samples and the little bottles of perfume. No wonder I’m so obsessed with cosmetics now!
Often it feels like their products are still a well-kept secret though, so I'm here today to lay bare what's really worth checking out from their vast selection.
Avon do some absolutely classic products that are top quality, a few that I re-buy all the time, so I stocked up with the following:
This week, Seb and I have some time off booked. Its just a long weekend at home, but we're both so exhausted by ongoing house dramas that its been a really vital opportunity for us to relax and enjoy some time together.
On Friday, we decided to head into town to grab some lunch at Pilot. Its a fabulous new restaurant and bar, priding itself on 'poultry and Processo' - it has fizz on draught -and it just so happens to be the new place of one of our friends, who is a talented chef. So we thought it was high time we went to try it out, and also we stopped by Home Sense and John Lewis to do some homewares shopping.
It was one of those gorgeous, crisp, sunshiny autumn days that are such a treat. Here's what I wore...
Birchbox was something I used to subscribe to, but I got bored of it and switched to Glossybox a while back, which I've been much happier with. Last month, Birchbox had something amazing in their offer (see my post on the September box here) so I signed back up, but it was only meant to be a one-month thing. Being stupid, I didn't cancel in time, so I've ended up with this as well.
Would the October box be enough to persuade me to keep my sub going? Find out and take a peek at what's inside....
This is another long overdue post I can’t believe I haven’t done before!
For my birthday, waaaay back in June, I got given the Smashbox Full Exposure palette from my lovely husband - see my birthday post here.
It was something I’d wanted for a while, but never been able to justify, so I was really excited by it. I didn’t actually use it for quite a while after I got it, but lately its become my ultimate go to for almost any eye look, so I had to share it with you.
I think this is the ultimate eyeshadow palette for people who don’t like eyeshadow palettes.
Welcome back to the occasional series of posts where I pick one of my many style icons and dissect why their look is just so damn fabulous.
This time, its a lady I've been meaning to profile for ages: Emma Watson. In some ways, it feels odd to have such a style crush on a girl that is so much younger than you are, but hey, inspiration comes from everywhere.
And there's such a lot to admire about Emma. I've enjoyed watching how gracefully she's handled growing up in the spotlight, how she values education in an age when the prevailing fashion seems to be ignorance, and how she combines having a social conscience with a keen interest in fashion and beauty.
I like how she was a little adorably gawky at first, a little unsure. She's no Elle Fanning or Kiernan Shipka - she didn't emerge from the womb wearing couture with a stylist on speed dial. No, rather, the public have seen her style evolve gradually and become all her own, from her earliest, geeky-kid premiere outfits to the self assured fashion maven she is now.
So, let me count down why I love Emma's style so much.
That place is a total candy store for anyone who loves all things make-up. I didn’t go totally wild, because I’m supposed to be watching my spending due to the house move, but I did pick up a couple of things I’m going to share here.
Hello my little teacakes
Once upon a time, I used to do an occaisional series of posts called 'A Week in the Life', which pretty much did what it said on the tin.
These fizzled out, mainly because, I'm sorry to say, an average week in my life is not that exciting, and I didn't think you'd all want to read about the endless pattern of working late, going to the gym and watching repeats of the 'British Bake Off' that is my usual weekly existance.
But I really like reading the 'lifestyle' posts on other blogs, so I've decided instead to do some posts simply called 'Life, Lately'. They will be a bit sporadic, and they don't encompass a standard length of time, but they'll just be little glimpses into my life, usually though the lens of an iPhone!
Ready? Great. Then here's what I've been up to lately...
Confession time again: I gave in. I cracked. I didn't mean to! I'm soooorrrryyyy.....
Talking about Birchbox here. I used to subscribe a while ago, then I got a bit fed up because the samples were usually pretty small and they didn’t send me much make-up, it tended to be more body and skincare.
I cancelled and switched to Glossybox and have been a lot happier with them.
But last month, Birchbox sent something to their subscribers that I had to have…so I signed back up!
I was also given a code for a full-size palette from The Balm, which was totally the cherry on top. Sadly, that hasn’t arrived yet, but the box came today.
Recently become addicted to a very special blog, Yazzy's Corner. She's such a lovely lady, and her posts have really made me laugh, cry, relate, envy...everything.
I loved this tag post she did and her answers were really smart, so I decided to have a go myself.
It occured to me that doing this post might help to crystallise in my own mind certain thoughts about why I'm doing this whole blog thing and what I hope to achieve.
If there’s one beauty concept that feels so right for now, its mixed metals.
The contrast of silver, copper and gold makes the most of the hazy autumn light, looks beautiful against post-summer, fading tan skin and looks modern and right for now.
I really wanted to try a new look using some of the mixed metal shades I'd seen on the catwalk.
Right, I couldn’t leave it any longer.
I had to get my post out on the lovely, incredibly generous goody bags Abbigayle over at stealstylist.com out together for those who attended her brilliant #bhmbloggermeet event last weekend.
There was so much in there, it’s taken me a while to get the pictures and the post done, but we were all very grateful, so I wanted to make sure this went up as soon as possible.
I’m in awe of how much hard work she must have put in to get all this together and spoil us silly, especially as I will shortly be doing the same myself for the March event I’m organising in partnership with 48 Hours of Fashion. Abbigayle did such a good job of her event and making us all feel welcome on the day. I hope you’re ready for a bumper goody bag here. Sooo much to unpack…
I placed an order with Kiko months ago, took photos of the items and I’ve even used up a couple of the products, but this post has remained unwritten for some reason.
I’m going to right that wrong and tell you all about the items I picked up and how they performed.
If you haven’t come across Kiko before, its an Italian brand hailing from Milan.
They do have a store down in London at the Westfield centre I think, but for the rest of us, its pretty much internet only to get hold of it.
Ooooookaaay, post number two on the fabulous #bhmbloggermeet event I went to this weekend. It was the most amazing time, and you can read about what we got up to here.
But it wouldn't be a proper blog meet without an outfit and make-up look post , would it? So here goes with all that stuff.
I posted a little about my style inspiration for the meet here, and I did my best to follow the plan and put together a look that's all about my current favourites - tailoring, leather, layers, vampy lips and molten metal lids.
Funnily enough, all the items are pretty much from one place - Topshop!
Got to love good old Toppers, right? I got them all at different times,
but they came together in a new combination here.
Super excited to be bringing to you today my second collaboration post with two of my best blogging friends and all-round lovely ladies, Sonya of OnceUponAGlam and Kerry of KerryJustBeauty.
Last time, we did a post on three ways to wear magenta lips, which you can see here, but this time….we’re all getting naked. Come on, you know you want to see that…right?
Well, before you start panicking and running for the hills, we’re actually talking about the famous and much loved Urban Decay Naked palettes, all three of them! We’ll each be doing a tutorial look featuring one of the palettes.
Hello my lovelies
This weekend was the #bhmbloggermeet over at Brindley Place, Birmingham.
I had such a brilliant time and I have so much to tell you about the day and what we got up to, that I’m actually going to do several posts.
But, srsly dolls, I’ve just swapped my moisturiser for a little beauty that I wanted to tell you about.
I’ve never really found a day cream I loved before, I’ve just been using whatever caught my eye. But that may have changed now I’ve found this.
As usual, it started with a blog. Over at Beauty & Le Chic, she has amazing skin, and when she said this was her choice of cream, I had to try it out for myself. I haven’t been disappointed!
Super
excited to be attending the #bhmbloggermeet taking place on Sunday. As
usual when meeting a bunch of fashionable bloggers, I want to try and
raise my style game, so I’ve been thinking about an outfit and
make-up/hair for the day. I thought I’d put together a little mood
board showing the kind of look I’m going for, and then I’ll do a
second post showing what I wore and how I actually styled it on the day.
I’m
my autumn style post, I laid out the look I’ll be going for over the
season, which was based around shirts, layering, lace and plum colours.
I’ve also decided to go for a bronze smokey eye and berry lips to set
the look off.
Really
looking forward to meeting everyone at the event – it looks like it
will be an amazing day, there’s lots planned and I’ve been looking
forward to it for ages. Hope you like this look…stay tuned to see how it
really turns out!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)