Forevermissvanity - A UK Lifestyle Blogger : August 2014

Mini-moon Essentials

Time flies so quickly. It felt like two minutes ago since my fiance and I discussed booking our honeymoon and this weekend will be getting married and next week we will be flying out to Ibiza. It's surreal when an event you have been planning for the last two years is just around the corner and everything seems to settle in place. I'm so excited, yet nervous about the big day and I'm incredibly happy that after all the mixture of emotions of my wedding day I will have a few days in Ibiza with my new husband to relax and reflect on our wedding week.

Ibiza is a place close to my fiance and mines heart. We went there on our first holiday abroad together and fell in love with the beautiful scenery, the glistening turquoise waters and the nightlife Ibiza has to offer. Ibiza is known for it's major parties, crazy nightlife and has a bit of a bad reputation for being loud and 'chavy'. However, my experience of Ibiza has been completely opposite. You really need to experience Ibiza at one point in your life and it's sad to see that the island isn't always on holiday hit list for most - especially this hipsters holiday destination guide. I first encountered the dreamy island when I was seven years old on holiday with my parents - we stayed in the family area of Ibiza and had the most wonderful time snorkelling and enjoying the landscapes.As I grew older, I really wanted to go back and experience the island as an adult that can legally drink and see what the Ibiza nightlife is all about. Although James and I did not go to the big clubs, we went on a few boat parties and spend many hours in the local bars enjoying the culture. We loved being five minutes away from San Antonio on the private beach attached to our hotel, then being plummeted into all things Ibiza when we went into the city. We decided to go back there on 'mini-moon' as we don't have much money from planning the wedding and since we experienced so much whilst we was there last time, we can stroll about the area knowing where everything is and relax on the beach with a strawberry daiquiri or two.

To get me in the mood for my mini-moon I've been gathering a few items and I was lucky enough to be sent a few holiday items to review. These Mocks* shoes are great for taking on holiday as they fold away easily in your bag for a day at the beach and take less space in your suitcase. They are stretch fitting meaning that you will not get any blisters whilst sight seeing and they have a sturdy sole meaning that you can walk over bumps in the cobbled streets without having sore feet. Mocks come in a variety of colours, but I chose this coral pair as they are bright, summery and match the loud atmosphere of Ibiza.

This Murad* sun balm has broccoli extract that stimulates the skin's natural defence against UV and has a heavenly citrus smell. The compact size of this sun balm makes it easy to carry around on the beach or in your purse and with an SPF of 35, it will ensure your skin stays protected all day through. This product is to be used mainly on the face, neck and chest - to be fair, most of the parts I get sunburnt anyway, but to be cautious always carry around additional sun protection. Sun burn isn't nice and can be incredibly dangerous - remember prevention is always better than the cure.

My final item on the mini-moon essentials guide is this gorgeous French Connection swimsuit from Psyche. I often get really self conscious wearing swimsuits as I have quite a saggy stomach from losing so much weight, but this pattern really hides it well and has made me feel so confident. I have worn it to the gym on numerous occasions since it arrived and it really gives me that body confident moment I need for my holiday. The aztec pattern looks bright and bold which fits well with the Ibiza lifestyle and I love the halter neck tie. This is seriously the best swimsuit I have ever worn.

Do you have any late summer holidays planned?

Although the current weather is suggesting that it is almost the end of summer, according to the recent weather forecasts we are predicted lots gorgeous indian sun within the next week and I'm looking forward to wearing my dresses again. I have felt rather boring during the last few weeks at work as I have woken up, seen the grey morbid skies and literally grabbed the nearest pair of jeans and walked out of the door. When it's sunny, my attitude changes and I'm much more happier and willing to get up earlier and put on a posh frock, heels and makeup.

As the weather is rapidly changing and the change of season is ahead, it's not really the time to go shopping for expensive summer dresses - that was a few months ago when we knew we had lots of sun coming our way. Instead, it's time to head to the shops that summer have dresses on sale or have a range of affordable dresses for those last summer fixes.

This beautiful printed dress is from the online retailer Wearall that sells a variety of affordable fashionable items. I love the bright floral colours and the way this dress slips on without any effort. The elasticated waist means that the dress stays comfortable even if you have indulged on an ice-cream or two and the short hem gives you that last chance to show off your legs before the cold weather sets in. This dress is perfect for my 'mini-moon' to Ibiza next week, I cannot wait to wear it strolling along the beach as this dress screams summer holidays.

Have you shopped at Wearall before?

I've never been one to get overly excited over bath sponges apart from a few days ago when the postman delivered these two beautiful Konjac sponges*. These sponges came from Konjac Sponge Company that specialise in natural bath sponges. For those who have never heard of Konjac before ( I hadn't until the other day), it a plant that derives from Asia and according to the website 'it can be found growing wild at very high altitudes.' The Konjac - which is actually a potato plant is made of 97% water, is low in calories and rich in minerals. The natural PH neutral alkaline of Konjac leaves the skin feel soft and balanced.

For over 1,500 years the Konnyaku has been used in traditional Chinese, Japanese and Korean medicine and diets and the Konjac sponge was originally designed to soothe babies skin. Now the Konjac Sponge Company are bringing this hidden gem to the masses by stocking them on a worldwide website for all to buy. The Konjac sponges are made from 100% natural vegetable fires, packed with minerals and antioxidants and they're also cruelty free.As well as being kind to the skin, the products are environmentally safe and naturally sustainable as well as 100% biodegradable. I was sent these two sponges to review here on Forever Miss Vanity and admittedly I wasn't expecting much, but having used these sponges each and every time I have been for a bath these last few weeks, I have been shocked by the quality and how soft they feel on the skin.

The Konjac sponges are initially quite hard as you would expect from a natural sponge, but once they reach the water, they soak up all the liquid and gently glide onto your skin feeling as soft as silk. The pink clay heart sponge is so soft on the skin that is it perfect those with any sensitivities or for those who are suffering from skin problems or even sunburn. The natural fibre face sponge is one of the websites best selling sponges and helps deep cleanse the face and gently exfoliate the skin. The vegetable fibres hidden within the product helps to stimulate blood flow and 'promote skin cell renewal.' Both my partner and I have fallen in love with these sponges and use them regularly in our bath times, to the point I'm even contemplating buying him the gentleman's sponge so that he doesn't steal mine. The sponges are a delight to use throughout the day and have the most beautiful designs that will sit well with any bathroom. I have nothing, but praise for the Konjac Sponge Company.

Have you tried any of these sponges before?

I can't believe how fast August has flown and the fact that it is almost payday again. With less than two weeks until my wedding, a hectic work schedule and lots of blogging to be doing, it's no wonder that I cannot keep track of time. I'm looking forward to two weeks from now when I'll be sat on a beach in Ibiza with no cares in the world and being a newly married woman. As much as I have loved planning every moment of my wedding, I'm just wanting to get it over with and embark on new journeys with my hubby-to-be.

This Payday will be my last one before the wedding so I'm not really supposed to be spending too much, but with all the autumn lines coming into the stores I know that I will not be able to resist shopping. Thankfully there are a lot of sales on at the moment and sites such as LoveSales are making life easier when it comes to grabbing discounts. I recently came across the website Love Sales whilst searching for discount codes for stores. As I'm no longer a student I'm unable to get discounts towards my favourite clothing stores and my wild shopping days have been toned down. I loved that feeling of grabbing a bargain and have missed that since my NUS card has been chopped up. Love Sales* notifies those who have signed up to the website when sales are about to take place and harbours all the big sales on one site, making it easy to grab those discounts. Working with brands such as River Island, ASOS, Debenhams, Kurt Geiger, Zara and many more, Love Sales allows you to click on your desired item and monitor the price. The site will then alert you the instant they are in the sale.

The three items I'm currently lusting over at the moment are this shift dress from River Island, the Estee Lauder Double-wear foundation and these snazzy Kurt Geiger Anja court shoes. The dress from River Island has leather panelling and I'm a sucker for anything with leather, the Estee Lauder foundation is the one I'd like to wear for my wedding and the Kurt Geiger shoes will be a perfect pair of court shoes to get me through the autumn.

Do you have a payday wish list?

I have been vegetarian for nearly 10 years and at least once a month I still get asked:"What do vegetarians eat?" Although vegetarianism is still in the minority, there has been a rise in the number of UK vegetarians over the last few years and also a rise in the number of people turning vegan. Long gone are the boring vegetarian foods that are simply a pile of vegetables, there are so many fabulous vegan and vegetarian alternatives on the market that eating vegetarian food is more exciting now than ever before. As an avid 'foodie' I'm always looking for different vegetarian meals to try and I was delighted when I stumbled across the company The Vegan Tuck Box.

The Vegan Tuck Box is a monthly subscription box that contains a surprise selection of exciting vegan snacks including different varieties of chocolate, biscuits, sweets, snack bars, crisps and other savoury snacks. This monthly subscription box is similar to the popular DegustaBox but is made up entirely of vegan, healthy treats hand-picked by two dedicated vegans. Years ago when I was a teenager I had a friend that was vegan and she opened me up to a wide range of exciting, yummy treats and although I could never be vegan myself, I love experimenting with different vegan products.

When selecting your 'Vegan Tuck Box' you have several options to choose from. You can purchase either a large or small box and then you have the option to select whether you would like the items to be gluten free. I went for a large gluten free tuck box as I've heard eating more gluten free products can benefit those with rheumatoid arthritis and I thought it would be a good way to be introduced to different gluten free products.

When the box arrived, I was overwhelmed by the amount of goodies in my tuck box and I loved the personalised note with details of my nearest Vegan Society. I felt like a child in a candy store and I couldn't wait until James and I had a movie night in so we could snack on our new treats. Our favourite item from the box without a doubt was the Food of Athenry Cookie Shots. I'm not sure whether my partner was slightly biased being irish, but I for one couldn't stop eating them. I even gave some to my parents when they came to visit and they couldn't stop eating them. I'm genuinely gutted that I've finished the pack. My second favourite items were the rice milk chocolate and the Ten Acre Crisps. The rice milk chocolate melts in your mouth and tastes deliciously creamy and the crisps are fiery hot ultra crunchy. I wasn't overly keen on the Coconut milk but that doesn't surprise me as I'm not the biggest fan of coconut and the Cheesy Kale crisps for me was rather disappointing as I personally felt they tasted rather bland - even though I love eating Kale.

Although I didn't love every item in The Vegan Tuck Box I did like the majority and those that I didn't like, I'm glad I had the opportunity to try. I love the concept of the Vegan Tuck Box as it allows you to pick and mix different foodie items and try food that might not be available in supermarkets near you. My partner and I loved trailing The Vegan Tuck Box and have decided once we get back from our wedding that we will become subscribers. I can't wait to see what is in my next box.

Have you tried the Vegan Tuck Box before?

Vivienne Westwood necklace (link), Dark Blue Necklace Trim Maxi Dress (Link), Kurrant Sandals (link), Olivia Oversized Catseye Sunglasses (link) and Blue Embellished Tribal Clutch (link)

When you're planning a wedding, it's strange how quickly time creeps up on you. It feels like yesterday when James and I were in the early planning stages of our wedding and now we only have 18 days left to go until the bag day. Planning a wedding is like having another job. I didn't realise how much work went into organising a wedding day. Then again when I got engaged two and a half years ago I was young, naive and had no clue about all the little things that can really bring a wedding to life. After all this planning, I'm looking forward to a holiday.

Four days after our wedding, James and I will be flying out to Ibiza to have our 'mini-moon'. As both of us have had such a busy year with our new jobs and the fact that I only finished university a few months ago, it made sense to downscale the Honeymoon for now and visit one of our favourite and most trusted islands. Ibiza is one of the prettiest islands I have ever been to and fulfils everyone of my 'mini-moon' needs. The beaches are spectacular, the snorkelling is excellent, the nightlife is thriving and it's a great place for a mini getaway.

One of things I am looking forward to before going on honeymoon - besides the wedding, is the honeymoon shopping and today I thought I'd show you a few items that I'm planning on taking away with me. My first Honeymoon wish list post is all about the items I would like to wear whilst sipping cocktails and watching the famous Ibiza sunset. The first item on the wish list is this gorgeous navy blue maxi dress from River Island. Maxi dresses are a holiday essential as they keep your body covered from the sun, they can be styled up or down and they are also good for when it gets a little bit colder on an evening. Teamed up with this vibrant clutch from New Look and these wonderful Kurt Geiger sandals the outfit will look effortlessly glamorous and help you channel your inner Hollywood beach babe.

I have chosen these cat rimmed sunglasses from Whistles and a Vivienne Westwood necklace to accessorise the look and add a touch of sophistication. Some of my favourite sunglasses have come from Whistles and although they are classed as a designer brand, they're sunglasses are really affordable. I was devastated when I accidentally sat on my favourite pair of Whistles sunglasses whilst on holiday earlier this year and I can't wait to replace them. The Vivienne Westwood necklace has been an item I have been lusting over for months and this nautical inspired piece looks like it belongs on a beach style outfit. This Vivienne Westwood necklace is classic, yet quirky and would add glamour to any outfit all year through.

What would be on your holiday wish list?

Finding the right perfume to suit your personality can be a nightmare on most days, never mind your wedding day. With more perfumes on the market, it is getting harder to find 'the one' - we have more choice than we've ever had and these days, there are far too many perfumes that simply smell so good.

On your wedding day it is important to find a scent that matches your personality and lasts the whole day through. I have certain fragrances that remind me of special occasions and I always buy a new scent when I have a special occasion on the horizon so that scent will remind me of that day in years to come. The Eau De Perfume Original Jimmy Choo reminds me so much of my friends wedding and I wore Roberto Cavalli the day I got engaged. The Michael Kors perfumes always remind me of University and Elie Saab reminds me of Christmas. I found it really tempting to wear one of my old favourites on my wedding day, but I want a scent that was brand new and that would remind my partner of only our wedding day. Therefore I headed to my local House of Fraser and purchased of one the most iconic wedding perfumes there is.

If you're looking for something classic with a fresh musky scent, yet hidden floral tones Coco Mademoiselle by Chanel is the perfect choice. Chanel perfumes are concentrated meaning and long lasting, compared to other less expensive brands that are slightly diluted. This means that you're applying pure perfume that will linger on skin and although Chanel perfume isn't cheap, you will spend less time reapplying it, meaning it is a lot more value for money in the long run. Every girl deserves a little bit of luxury on their wedding day and Chanel is definitely the way forward.

Have you tried any Chanel perfumes?

A few years ago I went to Liverpool Fashion Week (link) and got talking to a wonderful PR lady. She looked immaculate - lovely pink blouse, beautiful hair and gorgeous shoes. She had impeccable style. When it came to having our photos taken though, all eyes were on a brooch she was wearing. Everyone was falling head over heels for this little birdie brooch she had stuck to her lapel. It was probably the first time that I ever considered a brooch to be rather trendy on a young person. Excuse my naivety back then, but I thought brooches were more fashionable for mature women. After all, my grandma had many of them, but I could have never imagined wearing one myself. But after that night, my opinion had been completely changed. I went through a phase of buying quite a few for myself, hoping that I looked just as 'quirky' and 'cool' as the lady I met. After a few months my obsession died down and my brooches made their way to the bottom of my jewellery cabinet.

Fast forward a few years and brooches seem to be making a come back again. I have passed people in the streets that are wearing them and I've come across quite a few being sold on the high street and online. When I was approached by the company Museum Selection regarding a brooch review, I knew it was time to begin wearing them again and write an 'ode to brooches' on my blog. Brooches are truly wonderful little items that can add a little bit of 'bling' to any dull, boring outfit. They come in a variety of designs from classic diamonte styles to this Dachshund design sold by Museum Selection. I love this little brooch because it represents my partner and I and our obsession with dachshunds. We both want pet 'sausage dogs' in the future. This charming brooch is made from sterling silver and is very reminiscent of the whimsical designs of the 1920s - perfect for going for a vintage style.

Do you like Brooches?

A few months ago I delved deep into my emotions and wrote an honest account about living with Rheumatoid Arthritis (link) and to my shock, the article was shared via the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society and their readers, giving me amazing feedback and support from those in a similar position to myself.

Arthritis isn't a word you would typically relate to a 23 year old, it is mainly associated with those who are elderly suffering from 'wear and tear'. Even then, it's not always that common. My 90 year old Great Aunt has better joints than myself. After years of unexplained joint pain, copious tests and even the odd 'hypochondriac' statement from my doctor, I was finally diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and it completely changed my life. But 'it's only arthritis'? That's a phrase I hear mentioned so many times. Rheumatoid Arthritis is more than painful joints, it's an autoimmune disorder that can cause daily chronic pain, high levels of fatigue and due to the immunosuppressant commonly taken to ease the symptoms of RA, it can also expose you to many infections.

My RA has been dreadful over the last few weeks. Struggling to stay awake at work, pain whilst sleeping and the tablets I have been put on has given me the most hideous side effects. I have been feeling nauseous for the last few weeks and everyday has been a constant struggle. The worst came this week when I was hit by tonsillitis. It has been the first time I've had tonsillitis since being on all my tablets and the fatigue I've experienced has been unbearable. It felt like no amount of sleep would ever 'wake me up'. It's just another day living with Rheumatoid Arthritis and something I have to live with.

Although living with RA is often a struggle, I will not let it defeat me. Yes, I might be a little bit chubbier than before due to less exercise and yes, I might have days where I have to rest more than most, but my strong personality and willingness to succeed in everything I do will not be defeated. This year alone I managed to survive my final year of university and pass with an exceptional first class grade.I have also been given my dream job in PR and I have managed to organise my own wedding which is in a few weeks time. I still dance every single week even though I have days where I need to take frequent breaks and I'm finally getting my gym mojo back. Living with a chronic illness is difficult, but no matter how healthy you are, where you come from or what you do, there will always be obstacles in our way and RA is mine. I can do everything I put my mind to, it just might take me a little bit longer than everyone else. But as long as I get there in the end, I'm happy to settle with that.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an illness that many people know very little about and as a blogger and a suffer from RA, I want to use my following to spread awareness about the disease and hopefully show other sufferers like myself there is a light at the end of what can seem like a very dark tunnel. Having Rheumatoid Arthritis has taught me to never judge a book by a cover - a person that seems really healthy might not always be and to live life to full, because there are so many things that I could do years ago that I miss doing now. Live for the moment, set your goals and ambitions and don't let your illness define you as a person, it may have a hold on a big part of your life, but don't let it consume everything.

For more information on Rheumatoid Arthritis or to seek help visit http://www.nras.org.uk/

I have such a love/hate relationship with playsuits. I love how glamorous they look, the summery vibe they evoke and their wonderful history from being invented in the 1930s, worn heavily by Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor in the 60s. Playsuits have stood the test of time and every summer they keep reappearing back in our wardrobes, they only issue is they tend to not suit me.

After losing so much weight in the past, I have a little bit of a jiggly belly and playsuits have a tendency to draw attention to it. It's very rare that I come across a playsuit I love because of this, even though I'm always drawn to them and spend hours trying them on. Whilst I was shopping for my honeymoon essentials a few weeks ago, I came across this gorgeous turquoise print playsuit from River Island. The pattern looks tropical and summery, whilst the black bottomed shorts make this playsuit look glamorous and elegant. The playsuit looks like it can be dressed up or down for various occasions and the beautiful turquoise colour will look great whilst I'm strolling on the San Antonio beach in Ibiza.

If there's anything I have learnt from my mini shopping spree, it is that you shouldn't automatically rule out certain clothing based on a few ill fitting garments. I've searched all over for the perfect playsuit and this is one of them that I'm happy to be in my wardrobe.

Have you bought any playsuits recently?

When I'm having a lazy evening sat in bed on my Macbook, there's nothing that gives me more pleasure than blogging and searching the internet for new, affordable clothing brands. I love finding bargains and unique items, plus I'm a bit of a shoppaholic if you haven't noticed already. Whilst searching the internet a few weeks ago, I came across a new, upcoming fashion retailer called Vantage Fashion (link*). Vantage Fashion specialise in affordable clothing and stock sizes anywhere from size 8 to 32. They have a wide range of clothing and best of all, most items are below £20. Perfect for those who are looking to reinvent their wardrobe on a small budget.

I decided to try out Vantage Fashion for myself and picked out this beautiful rose dress (link*) for my honeymoon. I was looking for something light, bright and summery. The dress is really pretty and feminine and is really easy to wear, but unfortunately I find the fabric a little bit too light to the point it shows all my lumps and bumps off a little bit too much, however I can't really argue when it has such a small price tag. Overall I would shop at Vantage Fashion again as they have plenty of lovely dresses I can't wait to buy even though this dress might not be to my taste.

Have you shopped at Vantage Fashion before?

At almost exactly this time yesterday, I was sipping alcohol and beginning my hen party celebrations. Fast forward 24 hours and I'm sat in bed with the worlds worst hangover pitying myself and attempting to string a few words together on the blog. Although I drank far more than I probably should have done, I had the best hen party a girl could wish for and most importantly I was surrounded by 10 of the most amazing friends that I could ever wish for.

My hen party started with a fun filled dance session at the studio where I attend my weekly pole dancing lessons - Princess Pole Dancing in Huddersfield (link). My wonderful instructor put together a dance routine for us all to have a go at and we was able to have a sneaky drink and take a few fun photographs. It was great sharing one of my biggest passions with my friends - many of them who have never tried pole fitness before. I probably chose one of the most sexualised songs you could dance to, but the class proved that pole dancing isn't just about stripping and it can be a whole lot of fun. Thanks go to my instructor Sarah for giving me a night to remember and ensuring that I laughed solidly throughout the evening - my jaw hurts today from all the giggling.

Before attending my hen party, I spent hours getting ready and attempting to ensure I looked my best. After all, the attention was all on me for the evening and I'm not going to lie, I loved every minute of it. I chose my pink and white polka dot dress from Didi's Boutique for my hen party, but I was worried about getting my pale legs on show, especially when I was going dancing. I don't wear fake tan that often as I'm usually useless at applying it or I end up orange. I was sent this lovely tube of Urban Tan (link*) to review a few weeks ago, but I had been putting off trying it as I wanted to use it for a special occasion, even though using a new fake tan is risky when you need to look your best. Yesterday I plucked up the coverage and applied it all over my body. Like most tans, this bottle has a helpful tan colour guide to ensure you cover every part of your body, but it is slow developing and you won't see the results until a few hours later. I was terrified whilst waiting for the tan to develop, all I could think about was 'don't turn orange - I can't be orange on my hen night'.

The fake tan gradually developed throughout the whole evening and to my relief left me with the most beautiful, even, natural glow. I was shocked to see a fake tan that blended so well and looked like I had spent hours in the sun rather than used tan from a bottle. Even my friends commented on how lovely my tan looked. The light/medium tan looked perfect on my body and gave me the glow I was looking for. Urban Tan retails at £18.99 and comes in two different shades light/medium and dark. The best things about Urban Tan is that it is Gluten Free, Paraben free and is 100% vegan, perfect for those who try to stay animal friendly. The tan is enriched with Anti-Ageing CoEnzyme Q10 and includes caffeine to firm the skin and help tone cellulite, great for those looking for a bronzed holiday body. I've never rated a fake tan as highly as I do Urban Tan, I'm beyond shocked by natural look of my tan and the way it has brightened my complexion. This product will definitely be packed in my suitcase when I go to Ibiza on honeymoon next month.

Have you tried Urban Tan before?

As someone who regularly suffers from dry skin, I love trying out new skin care products. Clarins tends to be my all time favourite, but it can sometimes be a little bit out of my budget just before Payday. I was recently asked by the lovely people at Liv.co.uk (link) if I would like to try one of their new Nourish skin care sets and having looked at the cute packaging of this Nourish dry skin boxset, I leaped at the opportunity.

Liv.co.uk was launched in 2005 and derived from the "collaborative desires of like-minded people with a wish to provide excitement for customers and homes - beginning with natural products." The website stocks all organically made products including natural skincare, clothing and homeware.

Nourish skincare comes from ethically sourced ingredients which is great for people like me who suffer from sensitive skin and for those looking for an animal friendly skin care regime. Nourish skin care comes in four different categories: Radiance for normal skin, Balance for combination skin, Protect for dry skin and Relax for sensitive skin. I'm in the middle of three different skin types. I usually have rather normal skin, but I am prone to the odd dry skin flare up. I also suffer from slightly sensitivity when it comes to certain skin care products and I have to be careful what products I use. As the winter weather is fast approaching us and the summer is fading away, I thought it would be best to try the Protect dry skin care set and try to prevent any damage before the summer ends.

The first product in the Nourish Protect box set (link) is the Refreshing Cleanser. The cleanser is light on the skin, smells of citrus fruits and leaves no excess grease when applied. I love the little pump bottle and how soft my skin felt after I used it for a few days.

The second item in the boxset was the Toning Mist. Admittedly I don't use many toning mists despite owning quite a few, but I could get used to using this one. The citrus scent wakes me up first thing in the morning and leaves me feeling refreshed and like its sister products, it is easy to apply and seeps easily into the skin.

The Hydrating Mosituriser was the next product I tried and although I liked it, it doesn't seem a good enough contender to replace my Clarins Hydraquench. The product is light and airy and makes my face really incredibly soft, but the softness does not last as much as my regular product which makes my face feel as smooth as a baby's bottom all day through.

The final product in this giftset was Replenishing Peptide Serum (link). I love this serum as it smells like lemons and makes my face feel nourished first thing in the morning and last thing at night. The product contains lemon powder that helps cleanse the skin, Vitamin C which has antioxidant properties and Palmitoyl Tripeptide 5 which is an anti-ageing peptide known to iron out wrinkles. I know I'm not quite at that stage yet, but my face is looking smoother and clearer since using this product.

If you're a regular reader of Forever Miss Vanity, you will have noticed a few changes around here. Yesterday my blog went through a makeover to match my new post university life and the fact that I'm getting married four weeks today. I loved my last blog layout, but for a few months now I have been looking for a more sophisticated look that made me feel grown up and professional. My new blog header was designed by the lovely Trisarahtop Smiles (link) and the rest of my blog was designed by the blog designers at Pipdig (link). The colours, the logo and the fonts all match my style perfectly and my blog now has a new lease of life for the future.

This competition is listed on PrizeFinder UK , Competitions Today & UK Competitions

To celebrate my new blog layout and the fact that I will be married woman a month today, I'm giving away this gorgeous Phytomer giftset from The Beauty Expert (link) worth £65. The giftset includes a Doux Visage Velvet Cleaning Cream which helps remove makeup, dirt and impurities from your skin, an Expert Youth Wrinkle Correction Cream which helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and a Rosee Visage lotion to give you soft, gentle skin. To enter you must be a follower of Forever Miss Vanity and be aged 18 and over from UK.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

They say you're either a handbag girl or a shoe girl and although I often say I'm both, I know the leaning further towards the stilettos everyday. Shoes are my weakness. As someone who is 5ft2 and soon to be marrying a man of 6ft3, I see buying high heels as both a luxury and a necessity. Heels make me feel sexy, confident, taller and slimmer and I can also kiss my man without straining my neck - what more can a girl ask for.

My most recent shoe purchase was these lovely court shoes from Office (link). Office tends to be a little hit and miss for me at times and I usually very loyal to my Kurt Geiger's, however whilst shopping for a pair of wedding shoes these £65 beauties caught my attention. These red patent heels from Office are the perfect height for my wedding day and feel really comfy to wear. They look simple, yet glamorous and they are perfect for all types of occasions.

Whilst shopping for wedding shoes, I only had one thing in mind and that was I want my wedding shoes to be a pair of heels I can wear for many years after my wedding and get a lot of use out of. I'm not the type of girl that would settle for a pair of white lace bridal shoes. They are far too boring for my highly creative, bold and cheerful personality. I really wanted a splash of colour of my wedding day and something that would surprise people. My wedding dress is really long so these shoes won't be on show that much, but if I did fell like being cheeky and hitching up my skirt, at least I will have a glamorous pair of stilettos to show for it. Red has always been one of my favourite colours and these heels are just perfect in every way.

What would be your dream wedding shoes?

The Benefit They're Real Push-up Liner has been all over the blogosphere lately and as a big fan of cat flick eyeliner, I couldn't wait to try it for myself. I have always struggled finding the perfect eyeliner for 60s style makeup. The products I have tried in the past have either smudged too easily or flake within a couple of hours. I wanted something that would last the whole night through without me needing to reapply my makeup - because let's face it, if you want the perfect catflick eyeliner it can take hours to get it right and something that was easy to apply I needed an emergency top up. A few days ago I headed over to the Leeds House of Fraser and took a gamble on the new They're Real Push-up liner. I'm usually very loyal to my Bobbi Brown Gel eyeliner, but I think I have found a new replacement. With it's easy glide on ability and cool packaging, the Benefit Push-up liner seems to be living up to the hype.

According to the website, the Benefit They're Real Push-up liner is:"The FIRST EVER lash-hugging gel liner in a pen. The matte black gel formula won't smudge, budge or dry out and the innovative soft AccuFlex Tip hugs the lash line from corner to corner. The close the line, the bigger the eye." I was instantly sold after reading that statement, but with all beauty products it's one of those where you need to try it for yourself to evaluate the results. As someone that has always struggled and spent hours in front of the mirror trying to perfect my eyeliner, I have longed for a product that does exactly what the Benefit They're Real liner says.

When I was talking to the Benefit lady, instead of applying the makeup for me, she gave me the eyeliner and told me how to apply it. Anyone who regularly visits beauty counters to get their makeup done will agree that having a beautician ask you to apply your own makeup is one of the most daunting things to be asked. I always cave under pressure and smudge all my makeup and my side of my face never looks as perfectly applied as theres. I grabbed the eyeliner and following her instructions, I applied it over both eyes and then took a glimpse in the mirror. To my shock, it was one of the first times that my eyeliner looked spot on, perfectly clung to my lower lash line and even on both sides. It was the Accuflex technology that made applying the eyeliner so easy. The Benefit push up liner has an end that looks similar to a rubber fountain pen and all you do is twist the base of the product to release the gel and draw on your eyeliner. Because the product instead the pen is gel similar to the best selling Bobbi Brown Gel eyeliner, it lasts the whole night through.

I'm so happy with this product and it will make applying my makeup at 6am everyday so much easier. I love that feeling when you buy a product and it actually lives up to expectations, it was the best £18.50 I have spent in a long time.

Have you tried the Benefit Push-up liner?

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Benefit They're Real Push-up Liner