Gimme a Smooch!

The weather is ever so slightly picking up and i'm seeing myself grabbing more exotic coloured lipsticks. Orange and apricot shades are my favourite at the moment, because they are subtly bright and not too over the top.  This Smooch lipstick in shade Inferno is my latest obsession and I like it that much, that I've bought two of them. 

The first thing I need to comment on is the cute packaging.  It has a vintage vibe and I love the adorable chantilly lace design. The casing has a soft, easy grip texture, which makes the lipstick easy to apply. It doesn't slip out of your hands and it helps create a surdy application. The packaging feels rather expensive for the £7.50 price tag, which makes this lipstick a great bargain.

I love the colour of the lipstick as it compliments my skin tone and hair colour, however I admit it's a colour that not everyone could probably pull off.  I think the product is definitely more suited to darker hair colours as it makes the lipstick look dramatic, but yet toned down. 

As I've mentioned before, I love this lipstick and adding fact that I've already bought another when I haven't even finished the first one, I can definitely see this as a product that I will be wearing for quite sometime.

http://www.smoochcosmeticsuk.com/

Have you tried any Smooch Cosmetics before?

Read more

Confessions of a Shopaholic

A few weeks ago it was my 22nd birthday and I never really got round to announcing it or showing my brand new treats. It was very difficult time due to the loss of a family member, but I dealt with it the best way I know how...shopping.  I'm an impulsive shopper and always have been. My shopping habits are generally triggered by emotion and I'm ready to argue with anyone my belief that shopping is a real addiction. Do you ever get anxious if you haven't shopped in a long time? Have an overwhelming desire to have something new in your life on a regular basis? If you're answering yes, you're very much like me. I just can't help it, I love to shop. When I buy something I feel happy, until six months later when I have literally no wardrobe space from impulsive buys and my bedroom is literally cramped. The time I generally spend shopping is when I'm stressed. I love to stroll around and distance myself from life and pretend that I live in a different universe where money is limitless and the sky is literally the limit. Okay...maybe I have a problem. 

I never really do the whole 'haul thing', because I don't like to brag about what I've bought a lot of the time. I'm one of those people who sees someone showing off their brand new Mulberry Alexa and then sulks for days because I can't really afford one. Marriage and university life comes first, Louis Vuitton, YSL and Mulberry will come when I've made all my younger sacrifices. I want to be able to get my first full time job and properly be proud of my new handbag - when it comes to expensive things, I like to feel like I've earned it. 

One expensive item that I feel like I've really deserved lately is my sparkly new Macbook Pro.  My last laptop was literally falling apart. I used an old mouse from a windows 98 computer to work it, my laptop switched off every time it came unplugged because the battery stopped working and it weighed far too much carry around on a regular basis. I was kindly given a bursary by my university and decided to treat myself to my new Macbook when I went to London.  When I returned home, I quickly ordered this barbie pink case from Ebay to protect it from scratches. I get so many looks due to this case whilst I'm at university. I really think people assume I'm like Elle from Legally Blonde without the blonde hair. 

My next purchase was this gorgeous yellow Zara dress. I love colour in my wardrobe, because it makes me feel so confident. This dress compliments my brunette hair and looks great for springtime. It can easily be dressed up for a night out or dressed down for a girly day out shopping. I try to make my wardrobe as timeless as possible to save money and I think this is a great investment.

These shoes were brought from River Island a few weeks ago. I had an urge to buy wedges as soon as the sun came out and I love this nautical, french design. I think they're so cute and they're amazingly comfy. At £25 (with student discount) I'm glad I snapped them up.

From shoes to dresses. I seriously cannot go in New Look lately without browsing endlessly at their amazing line of floral dresses.  These two beauties are my recent purchases my New Look and I'm really impressed with the quality for such a low price. I love buying all my basics and staple daywear from New Look, I feel like I can never go wrong.

To complete all my outfits, I surrendered to buying this adorable Marc B bag. I love the Marc B range as they're always affordable, reliable and very sturdy handbags. It has got to the point where my mother has stolen my other Marc B bags as she agrees with me - you just can't beat them for durability.

Finally, my last big recent purchase is a well deserved week trip to Ibiza. I haven't been abroad since I was 13 - nearly 10 years. My parents bought me a passport for my birthday and I couldn't wait to book a holiday. Me and my partner are going to Ibiza for a week in July and I'm mega excited.  It's going to be my first ever adult holiday and even better, I get to go with my handsome fiance. Life is feeling quite a bit better now.

I think my next treat will be these beautiful Prada sunglasses so I can enjoy the weather properly.

http://www.smartbuyglasses.co.uk/designer-eyeglasses/Prada/Prada-PR09PV-1AB1O1-162683.html

Have you bought anything nice recently?

Read more

irresistible skin treats

Don't worry - I have had my eyebrows waxed since this photo *hides in shame*

Today has been rather pleasant and for the first time, I'm feeling almost my normal self. It's been a very difficult few weeks with exams and the added distress of losing a very close family member, but the sun has been shining, my work is close to completion and today has been full of productivity and positivity.   With all this happiness in mind, I thought I'd share with you a few of my latest treats that have made a positive impact in my life. Sometimes when you buy a new product, you don't realise that it will be the one - like realising a first date is going really well and you know you want to see him or her again. Most of these products are now items I couldn't bare to be without. From body scrubs to face masks, these little beauties have been injecting that little bit of happiness back into my life and making my daily grooming regime, a hell of a lot easier.

Sanctuary Spa Hot Body Scrub

Sanctuary Spa products are often hit or miss when it comes to my skin type. I've tried some skin care items that have dried out my skin, but others have made my skin radiant.  The Hot Body Scrub is definitely my favourite Sanctuary Spa product to date and something I really can't see myself living without.  For a start, the tub is massive. You can tell you're going to get your money's worth from this product and I've been using the scrub for several weeks now and it still looks almost untouched.  When you first apply this product, it feels really weird, but wonderful at the same time. When the sugar touches your body it feels like you're burning, but it soon settles down and your left with silky smooth skin. The after-scent of this product reminds me of sweeties and the seaside and I love everything about this product.  I've admitted many of times that skin care isn't something I easily get gripped on, but I can see myself repurchasing this body scrub over and over again.

Rose and Lemon Lip Balm

Doctors often say that a high percentage of pre-menopausal women will get anemia at some point in their lifetime and I've been one of them. This has been going on for several months now and whilst my iron tablets have been helping me beat the exhaustion, the dry skin and lips are still in dominant force. Due to this onset of illness and the amalgamation of exam stress, one of the items I've been purchasing a lot lately is lip balm. I've always been a fan of natural lip balms as I can't stand ones that leave your lips overly glossed or having an unfamiliar chemical scent.  The packaging on this product is very vintage inspired and something that I'm instantly drawn to when selecting my makeup. I like products that look elegant, even if they're only to moisten my lips. The Eve of St.Agnes lip balm has a heavenly scent of lemon and rose, infused by a mixture of oils and beeswax. I find that the lemon vastly overpowers the rose scents in this product, but I love how it reminds me of lemon sherbet. I've always loved anything infused with lemons or limes, so this product is perfect for me. The lip balm settles nicely once applied and feels soft, not sticky and I'm really impressed with the overall result.

http://www.eveofstagnes.com/

Completely my skin treats list are these two beautiful products from Ayurveda Pura. The brand belongs to an holistic spa in London and the company believe in products that help stimulate skin health and improve personal well being.  I was kindly sent both these samples to review and I've thoroughly enjoyed using them. My favourite has to be the clay mask, which is a lot less messier than other masks I've used in the past and smells surprisingly nice. My skin felt fresh and revived after using the product and it worked better than I originally anticipated. The exfoliating cream is great for those who would like a lighter skin care product. I really enjoyed the soft texture of this cream and the fact that it soaks into your skin without vigorous scrubbing. Would I repurchase any of these two products? Definitely.

http://www.ayurvedapura.com/

Have you tried any of these products before?

Read more

Positive in Purple

This last week has been very difficult to say the least, but I finally feel that I'm climbing the ladder of positivity and looking towards the bright side of life. This is clearly demonstrated in my clothing colour selection. I have recently been sent this beautiful dress to show you by Bon Prix and I feel the colour is quite appropriate to how I'm feeling at the moment - pretty peaceful, mellow and trying to get on with my life.

The dress is such a wonderful, flirty colour and evokes a sense of retro chic office wear. The material is comfortable and allows adequate breathing space - perfect for someone leading a very hectic lifestyle like myself. The only issue I have with this dress is that it's slightly loose around my stomach and makes me look a tiny bit podgy - this isn't any fault of the manufacturer, it's simply mine for having an awkward body shape. 

The length of the dress is just below the knee line and fits perfectly on my 5ft4 frame. This is quite an achievement as most dresses are either too long or a bit too short...thumbs up for Bon Prix.

Bold colours are bang on trend at the moment and sometimes it really does give you a confidence boost wearing an item with personality.  

This dress is £29.99 and I think it would be a great little investment for anyones wardrobe. It's certainly cheered me up.

http://www.bonprix.co.uk/

Read more

In Loving Memory

As soon as you begin to think life is going your way, happiness is just around the corner and that the future seems so bright, it's inevitable that something will most likely go wrong. I had been offered a weeks work experience at a top PR company, I was celebrating the fact that I only have two exams left in my second year of university and I was looking forward to my birthday in London. 

Last Sunday evening I had a phone call that shocked my entire system, my beloved auntie, the woman that I happily called my second mother, had suffered and stroke and was admitted to hospital. The last week has seemed like a blur - visiting the intensive care unit, watching her slowly slipping away. On Friday, the day before my birthday we sadly lost her. The woman I highly regarded throughout my life, my entire support system had vanished - apart of me died with her.

I decided to write this post in honour of this remarkable woman and to express how I genuinely feel right now, in the way I do this best - through writing. Many people suffer from heartbreak and loss all the time and I hope sharing my feelings through this difficult time, will show others that they are not alone. Turning a negative into a positive in these situations is always difficult, but most of the time, it's what the person we have lost, will want us to do.

My auntie Janet was a woman that when you met her, it was guaranteed that you wouldn't forget her easily. She was charismatic, loving and cared about everyone. Her time was dedicated to helping the needs of others way before helping herself. She volunteered for the charity Scope, spent much of time sharing pictures from the West Yorkshire Dog Rescue in hope that people would take an interest and she was above all, a very generous friend to the hundreds that knew her.

Me and my Auntie Janet had a very close relationship. Many people would often comment on how alike we are and she understood me more than anyone my life. Having suffered from depression herself,  when I was diagnosed with depression awhile ago, she would devote as much time as possible to cheering me up and trying to make me see the positive sides of life. She always used to tell me: "No matter what happens, you always have me and I love you." 

Unfortunately I don't have her in person anymore, but I know she will be there in spirit. If there's anything I've ever learnt from this wonderful woman, it's to make the most of my life and that I should begin to truly love myself. She was ever so proud of me and maybe it's time to reflect on how far I have become as a person - something which I have my auntie to thank so much for. I loved her in a way that I could never love again. She was my best friend, my support system, my comedian and above all, the closest family member I've ever had. 

Janet will be missed by so many people and this blog post is my own personal memorial to the person that will remain my inspiration in life until the day I can meet her again.

Read more

Is Cool Britannia back for good?

In Britain, we like to think of ourselves as a reliable, traditional and rather unfashionable nation.

However in reality Britain, and London in particular, has often been a world capital of fashion, design and music. And with a new wave of designers, labels and bands emerging, is Cool Britannia back for good?

The 1960s

During the 1960s, Britain was the one and only place to see and be seen. Huge bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Who had taken the world by storm and pushed Britain to the forefront of the international music scene.

In the world of fashion, British models such as Twiggy and Jean Shrimpton were modelling clothes by British designers, and London was packed full of hipsters and celebrities, with Carnaby Street at the beating heart of the swinging sixties.

The 1990s

Following the recession, unemployment and unrest, Thatcher’s Britain took quite a beating in the ‘cool’ stakes.

However, during the 90s British music started becoming exciting again. Brit pop was once more drawing attention on the world stage, and by 1997 when a young Tony Blair came to power, many people believe that Britain could be cool again.

With the resurrection of British music, fashion soon followed suit, with labels like Lipsy reigniting interest in home grown styles.

Today

With the internet turning national trends international overnight, working out where the capital of cool resides can be much more difficult.

However, London fashion week is an increasingly important indicator of world trends and you only have to take a look down any high street to see that most of the general public has embraced style more than ever before.

The British music scene is as strong as ever, with our vibrant festival culture helping to break new bands and support their growth. And you only have to glance at Hollywood to see how British actors are conquering America.

When it comes to ‘cool’, Britain has still got a thing or two up its sleeve to show the world, so let’s hope Cool Britannia is here to stay.

Read more