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Friday, August 31, 2012

Currently Coveting #3

 

WL3

 

1. Anything Inglot!//Varies//Inglot Cosmetics 2. Brushed Cotton Flannel PJS//£39 or 2 for £65//Charlotte and Co. 3. Even Better Foundation//£23//Clinique 4. Trenchcoat//£29.99//H&M 5. Blush//£4.29//Sleek MakeUP 6. Victoria’s Secret V Neck Tee//$17.50 or 2 for $28//Victoria’s Secret

 

I have been lusting after Inglot cosmetics allllll of this week. (It is quite sad and pathetic) I really want to try out their blushes, and the freedom system appeals to me so much, as does the fact that they are cruelty free and really inexpensive in comparison to other brands. I wish I had gone to the store when I was in NYC now – boo!! Let me know what you think of Inglot if you have tried any of their stuff!

How sexy – flannel PJs!! I got a pair from La Senza last year and they have been amaaaaaazing beyond words. I need more, especially since winter is coming upon us quickly. I can’t believe it is September tomorrow! I’m starting my Christmas shopping super soon!

I’ve seen Tanya Burr use this foundation in several of her tutorials and it has made me really want to try it out, it seems to give a lovely flawless finish and covers up redness nicely, yet it still looks really natural and not too cakey on her skin. (maybe because she’s got amazing skin already?!) Let me know if you have tried this and if it works for you!

I really love the checked pattern of this trench, I think it would be lovely for autumn with a nice chunky knit aubergine coloured scarf and some cute ankle boots. It doesn’t look very nice in the above picture I must admit, but if you clicky click here you will see it on a person and it looks much nicer! It is also bargainous. (yay!)

Sleek Blushes are something I can never seem to get my hands on, my Superdrug never, ever has them. It is rubbish, so I’d at least like to try one and see what the hype is all about.

Oh and finally, my most coveted item. I want ALL the VS plain tees. Soft, comfy, best fit ever. Sounds good. I’m obsessed with plain, well fitted t-shirts and these fit the bill. I want them alllllll. Sob.

 

xoxo

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Heaven in a Handbag #1 - Mulberry Bayswater


I decided to start a mini series about handbags. Most, if not all women adore them. Whether they be expensive or affordable, there’s nothing better than a new bag. (except maybe equally a new pair of shoes!) I am lucky enough to have a few amazing ones which I love, adore, (maybe) worship, etcetera. These happen to be quite expensive brands (no, I am not trying to brag – please don’t think that) and I thought doing reviews of each might be helpful in case anyone was considering purchasing any of them or just a more expensive branded bag in general. I know it is sometimes difficult to go into higher end boutiques and ask for a look at items as it can be intimidating, so I really hope this will give you a better idea if your thinking of investing! I will run through the features of each, what I love, what I don’t like and will honestly tell you if I think they are worth the money.


First up is the classic Mulberry Bayswater.

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I have the Bayswater in Black Natural Leather and it retails for £695. What can I say about this bag? I absolutely love it and have used it constantly since I got it almost three years ago now. It is a great bag for
everything; shopping, work, uni, going out casually.. it is brilliant.


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This classic black Bayswater only comes with gold hardware, however if you are looking for something similar with silver hardware, seasonally Mulberry do several different styles of Bayswater in different finishes and with silver hardware. I happen to love the gold hardware with the black leather, however I love their coloured leather and patent leather with silver hardware!! The bag has a postman style catch with the Mulberry emblem, has four gold feet on the bottom to protect the leather when you sit it down and has the
cute addition of a little postman lock which you can attach to the catch of the bag.


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Close up of the feet to protect the leather on the bottom of the bag.


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The little lock and the covering for it, so cute! (Although I have never used it…)


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The inside of this bag is really spacious, (for reference a full 2 litre bottle of water fits inside it pretty easily) and is adjustable too. Straps and buckles are on the inside front of the bag, which you can loosen or tighten in order to make the width of the bag greater or smaller. I quite like the structured look of the Bayswater so I have never loosened the straps on mine, and honestly have never needed to as I’ve always found that there is plenty of space!


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Inside the bag, there is a large pocketed area, which has a zippered section and two small pockets on the front of it.


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The zippered section. Size shown below.

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This is the pocket with an iPhone in a cover inside it, just to show you the kind of size that it is. There’s definitely enough room for an iPhone, lipgloss, keys etc. in this pocket!


The front pockets are much smaller, again shown below with an iPhone to give you a rough idea of size. (I would say credit card sized)


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Above is the bag stretched out as much as possible without the straps being loosened, as you can see it is huge!


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Here’s a picture of me holding it so you can get an idea of what it looks like on my arm and gives you a chance to see the size of it versus the size of me!


So, honestly, do I think it is worth the money? Yes.

The way I see it, is that I will use this bag forever. I’ve had it three years already and it is still in great condition. The way these bags are made is to change and get better with age, which they definitely do. Keeping any bag (not just good ones) in nice condition is about the way you look after them and store them, so that definitely does play a big part. The quality is so amazing in this bag that even as little bits get some wear and tear, give it more character. I’ve seen older Bayswaters and they look so charming, all soft and lovely! The fact that it is classic black means that it goes with lots of things and for many occasions.

It also comes down to cost per wear. Over the past (almost) three years I must have worn this bag about 400-500 times. That takes cost per wear (I averaged at 450) down to about £1.50 per wear. This is the argument I use all the time. (helps to justify it a wee bit) Considering that I plan to use it forever, I truly believe that it is worth the investment.


I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic, do you think that expensive bags are worth the investment?

xoxo

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Almost Just Married: Wedding Flowers


I asked on Twitter if people would like to see more wedding related posts and an overwhelming majority said yes! So I decided I will do a wee post every so often with my inspirations. They’ll obviously increase in frequency the sooner we get to the wedding! I’ve been going mad thinking about flowers this week, if I had a completely unlimited budget I would fill the whole venue with flowers!

Beautiful Bouquets..
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Peony-Bouquet

Can you tell that I like peonies? Okay, I love peonies! They are singularly the prettiest and most romantic flower imaginable. I will definitely be having a posy, based on the pictures shown above and the main flower will definitely be peonies (really, Samantha!?) but I’m not too sure about colours yet! My bridesmaids will either be in a teal/green or an emerald colour, so I think my bouquets will be a combination of white, pale pink and bright pink. Don’t hold me to that though!


Charming Centrepieces..
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Our venue has really high ceilings and is a big room. I want to go for an understated sort of elegance and really want high centrepieces as not to disturb the flow of conversation across the table. I’m not completely set on what centrepieces we’ll have yet, but I’ve put some inspiration above. I really love the idea of having a large messy posy type arrangement in a tall vase, and I want lots of candles on the table too!

Other beautiful bits and pieces...

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That's just some little bits of inspiration! I’ve got lots more on Pinterest if you want to follow me over on there! You can go to my boards by clicking here.

I’d love to know if you’ve been married, what you had for flowers. Or just what you think in general of what I’ve posted on here! I love when people share ideas with me!

Also if there is anything wedding related in particular you’d like to see, be sure to let me know!

xoxo

Friday, August 24, 2012

Spot Fighting Scrubs


I’ve been having a lot of problems with my skin lately, with plenty of spots popping up around my chin! Normally I have pretty clear skin, but it’s going a bit crazy at the moment. This all started after I was using Simple Spotless Skin line (which incidentally is to help get rid of spots) which broke me out terribly.


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I've been trying lots of different scrubs and washes, and I thought I would review these three for you all!


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I picked up this Neutrogena Visibly Clear Spot Stress Control daily scrub after my spots really started flaring up. You can get this pretty much everywhere and it retails at £4.79. This formula is enriched with green tea and cucumber and helps to unclog pores and remove dead skin cells. It claims to be gentle enough for everyday use without over-drying.

The formula itself is a gel/cream consistency and feels really light when you put it onto your face. It has small blue coloured micro beads which help to remove the impurities. When rubbing this into your face, it has a cool, slight tingling feeling and a hint of a minty fragrance. When you rinse it, it really does leave your skin feeling smooth and squeaky clean. I’ve noticed a big difference in my spots since I started using this, and when I stopped using it to try out the DHC cleansing oil I got in my August Glossybox, (review here) I broke out! So it seems to be working! I’d definitely recommend it.


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St Ives Naturally Clear Apricot Scrub is an old favourite. I used to love it when I was about 14/15 and it really helped my skin back then. When I found it in Asda on sale for £2 I thought I would give it a try again. It claims to be the UK’s number one scrub brand, and this specific product has 100% natural exfoliants (including walnuts and corn kernel) and 100% natural extracts. It also has salicylic acid to help clear and prevent spots. Like I mentioned, I got this on offer for around £2 at Asda, and it is currently half price in Superdrug just now for £1.99!

The one thing I will say about this scrub is that my skin feels so soft after using it, its pretty unbelievable! It has a slight apricot but also woody scent. (I’m guessing that’s the walnuts..) The exfoliator particles are much more visible in this scrub and it really does clean the skin very well, whilst still feeling gentle and moisturising. The only thing I would say is that I think that the Neutrogena one has cleared up my spots a lot more. This one didn’t really seem to do much in terms of spots, but when my skin problem has shifted I would definitely use this as an everyday scrub!


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I’ve had this product for a while now. It is the Clearasil Daily Clear Vitamins & Extracts Wash and Mask. Even before my skin started flaring up, I would use this mask once a week to avoid the exact problem that I now have! I stopped using it to use the Simple line which eventually caused the problems I now have. It contains a high level of moisturisers and a low level of salicylic acid so your skin looks clear  and smooth, and has avocado/ pomegranate extracts and Vitamin E to protect and nourish the skin. It retails for £4.99.

Like I said, I’ve been using this mask once a week on and off for about 3 months now and I really do like it. I tended not to use it as a daily face wash but you definitely could as it feels really gentle on the skin. It doesn’t have a particular scent and is a really thick creamy consistency. You leave the mask on for 3-5 minutes and it dries, which I love. (For some reason I really like face masks that dry in? – weird, I am aware!) It leaves your skin feeling squeaky clean and since I’ve started using it again I can see my spots and scarring fading, which I’m really happy with.


I’d love to hear any recommendations you have in terms of skincare that helps to fight spots! If you have a favourite, please let me know!!

xoxo

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Currently Coveting #2


WL2

1. China Glaze Ruby Pumps//£6.49//Salon Services 2. Chunky Knit Oversize Sweater//£34.99//Mango 3. Collar Necklace//£7.99//H&M 4. Mink Snaffle Ankle Boots//£75//Next 5. Supernatural Season 1-6//£43.97//Amazon 6. Alicia Flare Lace Dress//£77//French Connection


I was reading the lovely Amy’s blog over at PaintPotted about her new China Glaze nail polish and it made me realise I have to get this one in Ruby Pumps. It’s my absolute favourite nail polish (maybe ever) and is great for Winter! It is a deep red with a beautiful metallic shimmer with red and gold micro glitter. It is great all through Autumn and is lovely at Christmas too. I completely scraped the bottle of my old one so I have to repurchase. I buy most of my China Glaze nail polishes from Salon Services as I have a trade card, it is definitely one of my favourite nail polish brands in term of formula and consistency. Will be sure to do a post on it when I get it!

I am in love with sweaters, and the colour grey, so this one is perfect for me. Will be great for lazy weekends with a pair of skinnies in the Autumn! Bib necklaces are still really on trend for this A/W season and I think this one is so cute. I really love classic, simple style and this fits in perfectly with that.
These boots are gorgeous! My mum already has them and I can fit into them (they may go missing from her wardrobe… haha) but I really want a pair of my own! They are so soft and really comfortable, plus they look amazing on.

For those who don’t know, I am a total TV geek, especially American TV. My fiancé and I have recently started watching Supernatural. It’s really good and I wouldn’t mind the full box set! We’re almost at the end of season 2, and if you like TV programmes like True Blood, Fringe or Bones then you’ll definitely love Supernatural too!

Finally, I love this LBD! It is a really classic shape and I think it would flatter my figure beautifully. Would be great dressed down or dressed up and I love the lace detailing on the back.

What’s on your lust list?
xoxo

Friday, August 17, 2012

Superdrug Vitamin E Hot Cloth Cleanser Review & Giveaway


I have heard a lot about hot cloth cleansers and decided to give it a go. There’s a lot of hype with the Liz Earle one, which lots of people seem to love and is £25.50 for the 200ml starter kit with a muslin cloth. I saw this Superdrug one featured in one of A Thrifty Mrs videos and decided to give it a try.


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My skin has really been acting up lately, and I’ve been getting a load more spots than usual. Normally my skin is normal/combination and sometimes a little oily. This hot cloth cleanser is for dry to normal skin and boasts high levels of natural vitamin E. It is great for removing make up and dirt from your skin whilst gently exfoliating with the muslin cloth provided. This retails for just £5.99 for 200ml plus a muslin square.


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Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant which helps to shield your skin from the harmful effects of the environment and fights against premature skin ageing. This formula also includes vitamins A,B,F and H and also has extracts of horse chestnut which helps combat dryness.
Now for the review. I absolutely, completely and utterly am in LOVE with this product. It is literally one of the most amazing things I’ve ever put on my skin. I first remove my make up with my regular make up remover then use this afterwards and I don’t think my skin has ever felt so refreshed and soft. I could not say enough amazing things about it.


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You massage the cleanser into your face and neck in circular motions. As seen above it is a thick, creamy consistency (shown above) and to me smells slightly floral and vanilla-ish. I love the smell, its really calming. After doing this, fill the sink with hot water and immerse the muslin square in it. After wringing out the muslin, gently remove the cleanser in circular motions from your face, rinsing when necessary. Once all the cleanser has been removed, you splash your face with cold water and pat it dry. It’s such a lovely process to do at night, feels really pampering and afterwards your skin feels so amazing!

Another thing about this is that it is BUAV approved and not tested on animals! I’m trying to make a conscious effort to try and seek out products which aren’t.

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I love this so much I decided to go get a few more to giveaway! Superdrug are currently selling it for 2 for £3.99 (bargain!!) so I’ve got two separate bottles therefore there will be two winners! You can enter below.

Have you tried this cleanser? Or any other like it? Let me know what you thought!

xoxo



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Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Glossybox August 2012


Hi everyone. Thought that I’d share my thoughts and first impressions of the August Glossybox, which just arrived at my door this morning!


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The theme of this month’s box is International Superstars and promises to bring ‘hero products from around the world’ for its subscribers to try. It is filled with brands that are well known in the UK, but
also have cult status in their own country.


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From left to right – DHC Deep cleansing oil, Lipcote lip sealer, Vera Valenti eyeshadow palette, Alessandro Pro White, All for Eve balm, Glossybox Lipstick.

My first impressions of this box is that it seemed rather full and not a perfume sample in sight. (yay!) I will put the total running cost of the box throughout.


DHC Deep Cleansing Oil (Japan)

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Glossybox say; “This revolutionary water-soluble cleanser is better than any other make up remover you’ve ever tried.”

Full size - £18.50 for 200ml//Sample size – 30ml £2.78

I’ve only ever tried the ShuEmura cleansing oil before, and I wasn’t too sure of it. It just feels strange putting oil on my face to clean it (does anyone else feel that way?) This is a pretty decent sized sample though. You have to put the oil on dry hands and then onto a dry face to dissolve make up and impurities. I expected this to have a really nice floral smell but it actually smells quite spicy and slightly medicinal. Will give it a good try and let you know how I get on!


Lipcote (UK)

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Glossybox say; “The original lipstick sealer and secret of long lasting, feather fade and water resistant lipstick.”

Full size product – 7ml - £3.99

Again, I have tried the Sally Hansen version of a lipstick sealer and I hated it! The Lipcote one smells horrendous, a horrible alcoholic (and paint stripper?) scent that I don’t really want to put anywhere near my lips! The Sally Hansen on really stings when you put it on too, and I found that it made my lipstick come off like a second skin. (yuck – I know) I quickly tried this one, and it definitely doesn’t sting anywhere near as much as the Sally Hansen one and when you put it on your lips the scent definitely fades after about 30 seconds. I haven’t tried it over lipstick yet but will let you know when I do. I really like the packaging though, I think it’s really cute.


Vera Valenti - L’ombre à Paupière Margarita (Spain)

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The green shades from around the edges of the palette, from left to right – bottom left corner, top left corner, bottom right corner, top right corner.
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Shades from the middle of the palette, from left to right, starting at the top left hand shade, moving clockwise.

Glossybox say; “An eyeshadow palette offering a selection of ten different colours with an applicator included.”

Full size product - £3.85

Oh where, oh where to start. I was actually most excited when I initially opened my box to see an eyeshadow palette. When I lifted it up I realised it was in pretty cheap packaging but quite liked the colours. That was until I swatched it. The consistency of most of these eyeshadows is completely rubbish. The greens on the outside of the palette are the most pigmented, but you really have to work at getting the colour out of them. They are so powdery, and really remind me of make-up that you would give little kids to play with. The other thing was that after swatching these the shadows basically completely fell off my sister’s hand! (thanks to my sister for hand modelling for me above!) Obviously she didn’t have primer on but they didn’t seem to have any staying power. I really don’t understand why this could be considered a ‘cult’ product anywhere.


Alessandro Pro White (Germany)

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Glossybox say; “Optically brightening effect nail polish with anti-yellowing formula for radiant white and gleaming nails”

Full size – 10ml - £7.85 (I’m assuming this is full size)

I’m definitely intrigued by the sound of this nail whitener. My nails aren’t really yellow but they aren’t super white either, so I will definitely give this a go. As far as I can tell from the back of the bottle it is 3-free but don’t quote me on it! I had a look on the Alessandro website but its pretty hard to navigate! I tried this on one of my nails and it dried really fast, and is super shiny. Doesn’t look whiter to me, but I’m assuming you need to use it several times to see an effect.


All for Eve, Eve’s Balm

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Glossybox say; “Eve’s balm is an easily absorbed recovery balm to nourish dry chapped skin”

Full size product – 7g - £4.95

This little compact is really cute and the balm really is so soft and moisturising. It reminds me a lot of the Figs & Rouge balm that I got in another Glossybox a while back, although I much prefer the texture of the Eve’s balm. It has a earthy/herby smell which doesn’t bother me at all. I think this will be amazing for the autumn and winter months since I’m so prone to chapped lips. I also love how this Eve’s balm was created in support of the Eve Appeal, which supports Gynaecological cancer research. A lovely product for an amazing cause.


Glossybox Lipstick

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Swatched heavily on top and lightly on the bottom.

Glossybox say; “Professional beauty lipstick for soft and glamorous lips with a luminous, long-lasting colour.

Full size product – 4g - £9.50

This lipstick seems like a nice colour and a nice little extra. I would say it is definitely more of an everyday lipstick, as when applied lightly it almost exactly matches my natural lip colour.My shade is in Glossy Pink and I would say it is a neutral pink with a brownish undertone and is completely matte. It isn’t the greatest quality, the packaging is awful and I’m not sure about the long lasting part but a nice extra nonetheless.

Full box is worth - £32.89

All in all, my box is okay. The eyeshadow palette will be going to my Goddaughter (who is 2 and half and already loves to play with make up!) and I’m unsure of the Lipcote and the cleansing oil, however it may turn out that I love them! I'm really happy with the Eve's balm but I could have gone and bought that myself. A lot of this box feels kind of 'cheap' and not in the "yay I'm saving money!" kind of way.

What did you get in your Glossybox? Do you think these products could be considered ‘cult favourites’?
xoxo

P.s. Saffie gets super excited when my Glossybox comes, so I’ve inserted some photos of her loving it!
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