I'm still going! Today was a bit of a brighter look for some supplier meetings and the big pitch of our new season campaign.
Coral and tan dress - Primark
Black patent court shoes- New Look
Coral and tan dress - Primark
Black patent court shoes- New Look
So, I've decided to extend this feature and do a full weeks worth of outfits- some will be more exciting than others!
Yesterday, I was just in the office whereas today I was out and about at various of our sites, so I needed something that was comfortable to drive in, but also business-like- and warm, as the temperature was -4 this morning!
Black pinafore dress - Oasis
Skinny tan waist belt - Primark
Beige cashmere cardigan - Zara
Brown leather ruffle shoes - Linzi Shoes
I also have a thin black thermal undershirt underneath!
Til tomorrow x
Yesterday, I was just in the office whereas today I was out and about at various of our sites, so I needed something that was comfortable to drive in, but also business-like- and warm, as the temperature was -4 this morning!
Black pinafore dress - Oasis
Skinny tan waist belt - Primark
Beige cashmere cardigan - Zara
Brown leather ruffle shoes - Linzi Shoes
I also have a thin black thermal undershirt underneath!
Til tomorrow x
I've decided to contribute my limited knowledge to the fashion world today and produce one of my first ever Outfit of the Day posts! I love reading other people's, and although I'm not the most original or stylish of people (my taste is too safe to be 'high fashion')- I do put thought into my outfits. I don't seem to come across many posts about the area I'm most curious about-workwear. I think putting together a workwear outfit that is smart and somewhat on-trend is a bit of challenge, and I'm always looking for help and advice from other people- so here is my own small contribution!
Apologies for my unamused expression, Darling Husband was being generally useless as my photographer!
Navy and white stripy dress - Closet @ Fashion Union
Black waterfall jacket - Fashion Union
Black perforated leather waist belt - H&M
Blue patent petite stiletto sandals - Dorothy Perkins
Collection 2000 Cream Puff lipcream in ‘Fairy Cake’ (£2.99)– I haven’t used anything from Collection 2000 for a seriously long time. To me, it’s forever linked in my brain to the taste in pink glittery eyeshadow and bronze lipsticks I used to have when I was 13. But it seems I have been out of the loop for too long, and in the meantime the quality of the range has improved beyond measure.
This product is a very on-trend matte lipcream, but it somehow managed to avoid being horribly drying on the lips, unlike similar products I’ve tried from Bourjois and Revlon. Cream Puff promises- and delivers- a dense, long-lasting colour that is velvety and comfortable to wear. ‘Fairy Cake’ is a dusky coral perfect for the colder months, and it performs equally well on cheeks.
The cute, slightly retro packaging wouldn’t look out of place at Benefit. All in all, its a beautiful product for a bargain price and is one of my new ‘won’t be without’ products. And I’m not alone. Lisa Eldridge, the celebrity make-up artist recently revealed it as one of her top tips as well! There's a great in-depth review of the shades at http://lovelaughlauren.blogspot.com/2011/08/collection-2000-cream-puff.html
Nanoblur Optical Skin Cream (£19.99) – there has been a massive PR push around this product, so I’ll admit I’ve been wanting to try it for some time. With reports that it had sold out and delivered dramatic results, I was intrigued enough to hunt some down when it first launched.
It’s £20 for a small-ish tube, which isn’t too over the top, but I made the mistake of shopping for it with Darling Husband, who insisted I didn’t need it and talked me out of it. But then my mum came up for a visit from Cornwall- she’s equally a beauty junkie- and decided she would treat both of us to some!
It’s sold purely as an optical diffuser, and it doesn’t claim to have any lasting benefits for your skin. So it’s not to replace any of your existing skincare products, merely to enhance them. I’ve lately been increasingly worried about expression lines on my forehead that seem to be getting worse, and I hoped this would deal with them and possibly with my dark circles, as those are my real skin woes.
If you wear a liquid foundation, you apply the cream on top, and if you use a powder, you place it underneath like a primer. As I wear a mousse, I was a little confused, but I used it on top in the end. I was really impressed! It did magically seem to airbrush away my forehead lines – they weren’t invisible, but you would have had to strain quite hard to see them. Under my eyes, I felt that it helped a little, but not as dramatically - perhaps because I also have bags, and it doesn’t disguise those.
My mum, at 60, has a lot more deeper wrinkles and she had also already applied her powder foundation, so she kind of put it on in the wrong order, and she didn’t feel it did an awful lot for her. I’m not convinced it can do that much for mature skin, but as a product for skin with minor surface blemishes and light lines, I feel it worked really well, I was very happy. I’d be curious to see if it makes skin look better in photos, so I’ll update on that.
Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in ‘Flatter Me’ (£14.00)- I'm a bit late to the party with this one. It's been around for a while, and I've never tried it because I thought I didn't 'do' cream shadows. I've never tried one that didn't end up messy and uneven before, or even smudge into my eyeliner. But this one is the real deal. It gives a lovely, smooth coverage with no creasing, its highly pigmented with great blendability and it lasted all day without a primer. The shade 'flatter me' is a lovely bronzey taupe, very wearable for daytime. I was given this as a gift and I'm very impressed with it and plan to aquire some other shades.
Umberto Giannini Overnight Beauty Moisture Balm (£5.61) – if you have hair that’s prone to being dry and damaged (hello highlights and over use of GHD's!), then this is a wonder product that can really help you to get soft, lustrous tresses again. Think of it as a night cream for your hair. You rub some into the midlengths and ends of your hair - and do this last thing at night, because you will look like a greasy, stringy mess! But when you wake up, it's like your hair has had a spa day! The first time I tried this, I was surprised that I actually got a couple of comments at work about how soft and shiny my hair looked. Now I try to use it once a week as an extra boost for my poor, mistreated locks.
Molton Brown Re-Charge Black Pepper Body Wash (£17.50)- this one is a bit of an indulgence, but well worth it, especially if having hot bubble baths is getting you through the current zero degree freeze outside! A little squirt makes plenty of bubbles, so although it's pricey, it will last. I also feel its nice to have a little everyday luxury. I really love the scent of this, it is unusual, but quite sweet and very addictive. There's nothing else like it - it's perfect for winter nights in. It will make your skin smell sooooo good. You can also do the double and use it as a body wash in the shower. A little slice of peppery heaven!
How often do you wash your face? Twice a day. Once with tepid water to wake me up in the morning and last thing at night with warm water before I go to bed. Any more would be a tad obsessive, non?
Your skin type? Generally normal, but I lean towards oily in the summer and get drier in winter!
Which facial cleanser do you use? I've currently just started a bottle of Garnier Pure 3-in-1 Wash, but I usually use Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit or Multi-Defence washes, they really suit my skin.
Do you use facial peels? I haven't tried microdermabrasion or any chemical peels, but I do love peel-off face masks. I find peeling them off weirdly satisfying. I like No7 Pamper & Peel Radiance Mask. It's a fruity purple gel that you spread on with a little fan brush- beautiful!
What moisturiser do you use? Constantly switch around brands as I love trying out new stuff, but my old faithful is always Olay Complete Care Multi-Radiance. It has everything my skin needs and leaves a perfect base for make up.
Do you have freckles? Not really- very faint ones on the tops of my cheeks that are only visible when I'm tanned, nothing to write home about.
Do you use an eye cream? Yes. My eyes are my biggest skin woe- dark circles, bags, you name it. It's my skin battleground. I use-and love- Dr Nick Lowe Skin Solutions Correcting Cream, plus a caffeine roll-on in the morning.
Do you have acne? Spots have never been a problem for me, even when I was a teenager, so I've been lucky there.
Do you use an SPF? Yes, every single day. I believe it's the single most important thing you can do for your skin. I wear moisturiser and foundation with an SPF and if I know I will be out in strong sunlight, I also wear an SPF 50 facial sunscreen. I am THAT obsessed!
Foundation? I love Chanel Vitalumiere, it gives an amazing dewy finish. But I equally love Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse and am never without it. I also like Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector Cream topped with some Clinique Superbalanced Mineral Powder for daytime.
Concealer? I'm currently wearing Maybelline 24hr SuperStay, after reading rave reviews, but I also like Bourjois Bio Detox Organic for dealing with my dark circles, and Benefit It Stick is the best for blemishes.
Do you know your skin tone? NW25- but although I love most MAC products, I never like any of their foundations, bizarrely. So I'm a 021 Nude in Maybelline terms and usually some kind of warm beige in other lines! I have a light golden, not quite olive skintone that hints a bit at my distant French and South American heritage!
What do you think of false eyelashes? I'm in love with them! I wear them everytime I go out in the evening to an event. So I'm a pro at applying them. I have a drawer full of packets of lashes in my dressing table!
What do you think of the rule of changing mascara every 3 months?
I'm not particularly germ-phobic, but it's probably common sense. Mine only ever last a couple of months due to drying out or me wanting to try something new.
Your mascara? I really prefer mascaras with plastic brushes to those with fibre ones, as I think they define much better. And I like a volumising formula. My favourite ever mascara was Lancôme Fatale which they discontinued a couple of years back *sob*. Now I always buy Maybelline Volum'Express One By One (in the coral tube)- it's fab!
Sephora or MAC? I love both- don't make me choose! Although where I live in the UK, we don't have a Sephora (probably thankful for my bank balance) so the MAC shop is my poison!
Which make up tool do you use the most? My Benefit Hard Angle brush- I'm obsessed with cat eye liner and getting arched brows, so it's an essential!
Do you use shadow base? Not really- for big events, I sometimes use Urban Decay Primer Potion, but I think with quality eyeshadows you don't really need one.
Base for face? I really like Rimmel Fix & Perfect but a lot of shops don't seem to stock it.
What is your favourite eyeshadow? Im never without MAC shadows in Phloof and Satin Taupe. I like a slightly pearly finish as well.
What is your favourite eyeliner: liquid or pencil? I prefer liquid for day as it gives a neater, more durable finish. But for evening, I'm all about gel creams- Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner in Sepia or Urban Decay Ink for Eyes in Zero.
Have you ever had a mascara accident? Ummm... If stabbing yourself in the eye or getting it on a strand of hair that then smears all over your face counts... Then yes!
What do you think of pigment eyeshadows? I'm not a fan- they're too
messy for my liking!
What about mineral make up? When they first all came out, they were all I'd use! Now, I prefer them in the summer, when my skin is oiler. But sometimes they're too messy (see above!).
What is your favourite lipstick? I like a
nude lipstick with a slightly glossy finish, so my holy grail is MAC Sheen Supreme in Bare Again. I also won't be without- Benefit Full Service Lipstick in Lady's Choice, 17 Mirror Shine in Beehive and Mac Lustre in Lovelorn.
Lipgloss? Hands down best is Chanel Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss in Imaginaire- well worth the price.
Your favourite blush? Daniel Sandler Watercolour blush in Cherub or Hail Mary.
Do you buy make up from eBay? I'd never try something for the first time from eBay, but it's great for finding discontinued products if you know what shade you need.
What do you think of drugstore products? I think the formulas are amazing these days and no one should be shy to try it. I'm a big fan of Sleek make up and I really think the quality rivals any of the high end brands. I also love Maybelline!
Have you ever considered taking a make up lesson? I worked on several make up counters while studying for my degree- Clarins, Givenchy and Benefit. So I know a bit about application. I'd secretly love to be a make up artist if I was to retrain, so I would consider lessons for sure!
Are you clumsy at putting on make up?
No I'm pretty decent.Friends often ask
me to do their make up for nights out- one even asked me to do her wedding
make up- but I wasn't keen in case I got it wrong! I'm always watching tutorials on YouTube to learn more techniques as well.
Whats the worst make up disaster for you? I haven't made any personally since I was young and liked pink glittery eyeshadow really! But I think the worst sins are badly done fake tan- I never use the stuff- and overdone black eyeliner!
Do you like bright or natural make up? Natural, definately. Occasionally like a bright purple on my eyes or a bright pink lip in winter though!
What celebrities make up is your favourite? Alexa Chung- I love cat eyes and she nails that. Or Candice Swanepoel, although she's just stunning anyway!
What would be your one and only make up material to use life long if you had to choose one? Eyeliner. I always play up my eyes! It's my desert island product!
Do you ever go out with make up? Only if I'm going straight to the gym in the morning, then there's not much point.
What do you think you look like without make up? Anything from hideous to just 'nothing special'. I don't like all this 'hiding the real you' argument, as I feel far more myself with make up on- the real me wears eyeliner!
What cosmetic brand do you think is the best? I hate to choose just one as I don't like being tied down! I like MAC, Maybelline, Sleek and Chanel the best overall though!
What do you think of make up in general? Its one of the passions of my life. I never get tired talking about it- hence the blog- and love trying new products! I love how it can transform a person completely!
Resolutions are the marmite of the moral world and seem to divide people between love and hate for them, but I'm never happier than when in the midst of a planning session, so they represent a world of satisfaction to me.
Whether I stick to them is another matter entirely, but here they are anyway, laid out for all to see:
1) To maintain a good marriage through compromise and communication- obviously, it's my first year of married life, but having been together for 8 years, I like to think I'm not entirely naive about how it all works. I know a good marriage takes work and I want to try my best to be tolerant and dutiful in the little domestic aspects that make up our daily lives together. Also to keep the channels of communication flowing.
2) Keep up my exercise schedule and run a full 5k- so the end of 2011 was unexpectedly a good one for me and getting fit. I felt like I finally began to enjoy exercise for its own sake, rather than doing it because I had to. And I really want to build on that this year (after a complete break over Christmas). I'd also love to complete my C25k training and complete a race. I have done a 5k before, but I didn't run the whole thing, so I really want to do that this year!
3) To make more fresh, seasonal dishes- much to the amusement of my hard-partying inner 18 year old, I've gradually got more and more involved in cooking over the past few years. D.H is also a big fan of playing chef, so it's something we enjoy together. And we've gotten to the point where we don't eat much frozen or processed food anymore but I want to go further and cook more extensively and with seasonal produce, not just fall back on failsafe quick standby dishes all the time. And as we got 7 new cookery books between us over Christmas, there's a lot of recipes at our fingertips to try.
4) Write two chapters of my novel by February- this is a perennial one on the list since I graduated my English course at university! Oh, I just never seem to have the mental energy for creating a novel after work (blogging is different as I've chosen quick-and-dirty stream of consciousness here). But I feel like there will never be a good time, and I just need to take the plunge and put a few words to paper and see where it takes me.
5) Check my bank balance at least once a week - compared to my younger self, I am a much more financially savvy animal, but I still sometimes like to bury my head in the sand when it comes to watching my pennies. But this year, I want my money to work hard for me and buy me some nice things, so I'm going to have to keep a closer eye on it!
6) To go to the next level with organisation at home and work- again, compared to how hopelessly messy I was as a child, I'm a paragon of organisation now at home and in my busy work life. But this is the year I want to refine my systems and go really OCD! I want showhome levels of tidyness and cleanliness at home and a file for everything at work. I have too much on not to be like that! So in my home, I'm focused on being more proactive about little things I spot as they occur rather than letting them build up, and in the office I'm likewise troubleshooting before things can flare up. It's the micromanagement and breaking it down before it really begins.
7) Take more pictures and record our lives more- I used to be good at this, but lately I realised I don't do this as much. But I love family history and looking back at moments in time, so I'm going to document the day to day a bit more, on this blog and in more pictures.
8) Bake a different cake every weekend- okay, so this one is a bit ambitious, and probably where I'm most likely to fail but dammit, I'm going to try! With so many new recipe books, there's so much I want to try. With the exception of weekend I might be away, I want to try and bake as many new recipes as I can!
So, there you have it. Wish me luck!
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