Well I couldn't let a month go by without some new additions to my wardrobe. I've managed to pick up some absolute bargains which I cannot wait to wear!
I've been searching high and low for a well-priced fringed kimono such as this and after viewing a friends holiday snaps on Facebook I saw her wearing this and asked her where it was from. She told me it was from Internacionale, which I honestly never even consider for clothing. It's currently in the sale for only £12.00. They only have size 14 left (I'm a size 10) but because of the 'floaty' and oversized nature of this garment it honestly looks fine. I know the summer months have probably left us now but I really want to wear this with a simple white vest and ripped denim shorts.
I've had my eye on these bardot skater dresses from Missguided for some time now but took my time ordering because I really wasn't sure of the quality of their 'value' range. This dress is so unbelievably cheap and whilst, yes, it's not the most amazing quality item, for the price it's really good. This looks great belted.
Crop tops... they used to scare me until I bought a high waisted leather skirt a few months back. I wanted something quite plain and understated, as the leather skirt is quite a statement piece in itself. Again this top is in the value range at Missguided but at only £3.49 it is such a bargain. I did actually receive a faulty item at first with a hole in the neck, but the exchange was pretty quick and easy.
Lastly, I added this PU pyramid bracelet to my Internacionale basket whilst purchasing the kimono. I wasn't 100% about it at first but actually now I've received it and tried it on I really, really like it. It's very easy to wear and will look great with a lot of outfits.
Now I'm a big lover of mineral foundation and I've been using the No7 version for quite a few years now. I'm really lucky with my skin so I can get away with minimal coverage. I'd run out of my trusty No7 mineral foundation so I decided to try something new - along comes The Body Shop with a 3 for 2 offer on make up and this was one item I picked up.
Mineral foundations are pretty good for your skin as most, including this one, don't include any synthetic ingredients, perfumes or any other irritants. Mineral foundations are as close as you can get to wearing nothing on your face. For that reason mineral foundation is also perfect for those with sensitive skin. Also the majority of mineral foundations contain and SPF, bonus!
I do really enjoy using this product. I find that it does give my skin a lovely, natural finish with a soft radiance. I apply using a Kabuki brush from No7 and I apply only the smallest amount to my skin. It doesn't cake and doesn't sink into my fine lines like some liquid foundations do. You also don't get the dreaded 'tide marks' effect on your jawline as the powder blends into your skin tone effortlessly. I don't think it looks like I'm wearing any makeup when using this product. As cheesy as it sounds, it's my skin but better!
My only small gripe with this product is that I feel the packaging is too small to fit in most kabuki brushes, resulting in a pretty big mess. The No7 mineral foundation I was using before had larger packaging and my Kabuki brush could comfortably dip into the pot. I am guessing that The Body Shop's own Kabuki brush is much smaller, therefore better suited to their products (a ploy to get you to buy their brush?). But that really is a small issue and won't put me off buying in future. Besides, I really do need a new Kabuki brush!
The above picture shows the finish I get when using The Body Shop Virgin Minerals Loose Powder Foundation, in conjunction with their radiance highlighter. I really am pleased with this product and it's one that I will continue to use for the coming months. The product is fairly pricey, £15.00 for a measley 5g of product but you really do need such a small amount to create a beautiful finish so I think it shall last me quite a while.
Have you used mineral foundations before? What do you think of them?
I love editing my blog pictures and making them look as adorable and unique as possible. Whilst browsing the internet the other day I came across these fab little arrows which can be downloaded as a font. Best of all it's completely free!
Simply download the file, open the folder and click 'Extract All'. Then select a folder to extract to (you can make a temporary one). Once that's done, copy the .ttf files and paste them into Control Panel - Fonts. And you're done! To use them in Photoshop or some other photo editing software simply use as though you were adding words. You should then be able to resize, recolour and change the orientation. Above you'll see which character corresponds to which arrow.
I've been wanting to try a Matte top coat for such a long time now, and on a recent trip to my nearest Boots I picked up the Essie Matte About You top coat along with the beautiful Bobbing For Baubles.
Bobbing for Baubles is a beautiful dark navy-grey which I came across on Pinterest and instantly fell in love with. It honestly has the most beautiful formula and the colour is so intense that I actually only needed to apply one coat.
The colour is amazing - such a gorgeous almost-black navy which looks amazingly chic and sophisticated. I was worried about looking a little 'gothic' with dark nail varnish but I don't feel it looks that way at all.
Once my nails were completely dry I then applied one coat of the Essie Matte About You mattifying top coat. I've never used a mattifying top coat before but I was amazed with the results. Best of all, the top coat was pretty fast drying.
I then decided to add an accent nail on my right hand using Maybelline Forever Strong Pro in Winner Takes It All, a beautiful, rich gold colour which I also added the matte top coat to.
I am honestly in love with the results of this. It looks so classy and sophisticated and the matte top coat gives it something extra special. Next I would like to try a dark, matte nail with glossy metallic tips, or glitter accents.
Have you tried a matte top coat? What do you think of the finished look?
This is most definitely one of my favourite side dishes. It's super easy, quick and healthy - not to mention it's absolutely delicious! This makes a great alternative to ordinary potato chips. Here is my recipe for Herbed Sweet Potato Wedges.
You will need:
Approx 1 Sweet Potato per person
2-4 tbsp Olive Oil
1 tbsp Mixed Herbs
1. Preheat the oven to around 200c. Chop Sweet Potato into wedge shapes and lay in a deep roasting tray.
2. Drizzle Olive Oil all over the potatoes. Use more for a crispier skin or less for a healthier dish.
3. Sprinkle the mixed herbs all over the wedges and shake the tray until the wedges are smothered in the oil and herbs.
4. Place the roasting tray in the preheated oven and roast for 25-30 mins, shaking once throughout.
Unfortunately I got a little bit excited once my Sweet Potato Wedges were cooked and I ate them all before remembering to take a photograph. This is great served with chicken or steak dishes, I hope you enjoy!
To commence the Starting Off project we have the most important topic of all - skincare. Without good skincare you can wear all the best makeup in the world and still look pretty darn dreadful! In this post I will cover the absolute essentials; what to use and when to use it. Unfortunately, as I have never suffered from oily or spot-prone skin I am unable to cover this. I've always had normal-dry skin, and as experience is the best form of recommendation I will include the products that work for my skin type and will hopefully work for others with the same.
I've also now filmed an accompanying video all about skincare. Watch it below:
First up is makeup removal. Please, put those makeup remover wipes down. They will only push the makeup and impurities further into your skin. You really need to be using either a cream cleanser such as the Simple Kind to Skin Purifying Cleansing Lotion or a product such as pictured above, a micellar solution. To those unfamiliar with micellar solution it is a cleansing 'water' which feels so refreshing on the face and literally dissolves away your makeup. Two cotton wool pads is all you need for clean, fresh skin. The above micellar solution is the Loreal Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Micellar Solution which is currently sold in Boots for a mere £3.33 and it really does do a great job at removing makeup. It can also be picked up in most supermarkets. Remember girls, never go to sleep without first removing your makeup so make sure to use this at the end of every single day.
The second skincare essential is moisturiser. Without this little gem you will have wrinkles and dull looking skin before you hit 25. The above product is the Garnier Skin Naturals Soft Essentials 24hr Nourishing Day Cream which, for me, does a brilliant job. It is super light so doesn't make your skin feel greasy. In your teenage years you really don't need to worry about the type of moisturiser you use, just as long as you use one. Simple do a great range of moisturisers for less than £2.00! Again, you should be moisturising every single day.
Next up is a product that every single person in the world needs to use without excuse, SPF. Using SPF on your face not only prevents skin cancer, but also keeps wrinkles and skin discolouration at bay. Also, it stops you from returning from your holiday resembling a lobster... not a good look! A lot of makeup products now contain SPF (look on the labels) but if not you really should be using a SPF on your face... even in this rubbish British sun. I cannot stress enough how much you should also ensure you apply plenty of SPF to your face whilst on holiday in a sunny country. Is a killer tan really compensation enough for years of wrinkes, dehydrated skin?
Lastly, I really wanted to include in this post a body moisturiser as this is often overlooked. Soft, hydrated skin has much more elasticity in it, so during growth spurts you are less likely to develop stretch marks on your skin. Stretch marks occur when a deep layer of your skin is torn through being stretched too quickly, this can occur through rapid growth or weight gain. Nourished skin has a better ability to stretch and withstand this growth without tearing, where as dry skin is not so great at this. Try to make it a habit to apply moisturiser every day, or every 2-3 days. Nivea and Garnier do some great moisturisers which can be picked up for under £3 from your local supermarket or high street.
So that was the first of my Starting Out series. I know only too well how confusing the beauty industry can be so I've stuck to the absolute essentials; makeup remover, face moisturiser, SPF and body moisturiser. With regular use of these four essentials you can be guaranteed soft, subtle skin for years to come.
Next week I'll be recommending concealers and giving advice on how to use them.
I absolutely adore using highlighter, I do! I love to highlight my cheekbones, brow bones, the bridge of my nose... all sorts. I will go as far as to say that I apply it literally all over my face - it's true! Lately I've gone back to my trusty mineral foundation and as mentioned in previous posts my skin is just so darn dull so I've taken to using highlighter as a primer to give me a little glow.
Previously I was using No7 Skin Illuminator, which is a lovely little product and makes my skin look glorious but the packaging is just so bloody useless that I've given up on it. I picked up this The Body Shop Radiant Highlighter whilst they had a 3 for 2 offer on, in which I picked up this Lipscuff and the aforementioned mineral foundation.
This highlighter comes in a tube (much easier than the stupid brush applicator that came on the No7 product) and I love the sleek design of the packaging. At £12.00 it's not the cheapest highlighter around but so far I'm really enjoying using it.
As mentioned before I have been applying this to my whole face to try and give me an overall glow and I'm impressed with the results. I simply apply this product to my face, concentrating on the cheeks and nose and I rub in using my fingertips. Underneath mineral foundation the effect this gives me is a soft, subtle glow, not at all sparkly or overly shiny. This photograph was taken in natural sunlight and has had no editing so I hope you can see the glow I have to my cheeks and the bridge of my nose.
Of course, you may well want to apply the product over foundation (as is intended) and for this I think it does a great job. It is really easy to apply and blends in beautifully, and such a tiny amount will go a long way. In the below pictures I've applied the product to my hand and simply smoothed in with my fingers. I'm not sure if this makes sense but in my opinion it gives quite a matte shine, it's not particularly shimmery just glowy.
It really does look beautiful if you apply it to your cheekbones. Here I've applied it using my fingertips but a makeup sponge or a brush such as the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush would give a beautiful, soft finish. It is applied over mineral foundation and didn't at all cake up my foundation or some other adverse affect. I've not yet tried it over liquid foundation but I can't imagine this having any negative affect on that either.
Overall I am really impressed with this product and I'm pretty sure I'll buy again. For me it's perfect for both applying an overall glow to my face and highlighting any specific areas. The price may seem steep for only 25ml of product, but as such a small amount is needed to create a beautiful effect I expect this should last me quite a long time.
Have you used The Body Shop highlighter? Or do you have any other favourite highlighter?
I do tend to suffer quite badly with dry, flaky lips which can play hell with wearing my favourites lipglosses (attractive flakes of skin in my gloss, anyone?). I have been meaning to get my hands on one of the Lush lip scrubs but unfortunately I don't actually have a Lush shop near me. The other day I popped into The Body Shop and asked the nice lady there is they had any such products and voila! They do indeed!
This, ladies and gentleman, is The Body Shop Lipscuff and I blimin' love it! It comes in a handy lipstick style application (no getting the product stuck underneath your fingernails) and as you can see it is a lip balm with small exfoliating particles in.
The particles aren't uncomfortably rough but rough enough to remove any small flakes of skin from my lips. I've only been using this product for two days, applying two or three times a day, but already my lips do feel much softer and flake-free. It also had a lovely minty smell. It does leave some visible particles on your lips so your best off applying, rubbing in with a finger for extra exfoliation-ness and then wiping away completely. Immediately after use my lips feel soft and fresh from the minty taste.
I also really like the sleek, minimalist packaging. At £8.00 this isn't the cheapest way to exfoliate your lips (I quite want to try the DIY lip scrub involving brown sugar and oil) but it is quite a nifty little addition to my beauty drawer.
What you used the Body Shop Lipscuff? Or do you recommend any other lip scrub products?
The beautiful Stephanie from Steph's Inside Voice had a wonderful idea which dozens of bloggers are joining in with - a series based on helping teenagers get to grips with the makeup basics and know-how's. I was quick to sign up for the Starting Off series as I remember only too well the angst of being a teenager, experimenting with makeup and getting it horrifically wrong! The concept is that each week starting Tuesday 27th August every blogger involved in the project will publish a post on a particular topic. Each of the ten weeks has a different topic which are as follows: Week One: Skincare Week Two: Concealer Week Three: Foundation Week Four: Bronzer Week Five:Blusher Week Six: Mascara Week Seven: Eyeliner Week Eight: Eyeshadow Week Nine: Lips Week Ten: Tools
The world of makeup is confusing, hella confusing! So the aim is to all offer a little advice to those who are just starting out wearing makeup; which products to use, how to use them, and most importantly... how not to use them! I've been wearing makeup for well over 10 years now so safe to say I'm pretty clued up. To coincide with my blog posts I'm also going to be uploading YouTube tutorials for some of the categories, e.g. how to apply liquid foundation, how to cover spots and undereye circles... I'd also like to add that I intend to use pretty much only affordable, high street brands as I don't imagine many young teenagers will be able to fork out on expensive luxury brands and in my opinion, high street is just as good! I'm really looking forward to being involved in the Starting Off project. If you'd like more information on this project or you would like to be involved then visit Steph's Inside Voice or add her on Twitter @stephsvoice.
I picked up the Loreal Micellar Solution after RPierceMakeup recommended this product in a video. I picked it up for the bargainous price of £3.33 (currently on offer in Boots) and thought I'd give it ago and see how it compared to the much loved Bioderma.
Now don't get me wrong, I do love Bioderma and I've never had any complaints about its effectiveness at removing makeup, but it is quite pricey and difficult to get hold of. The Loreal Micellar Solution, on the other hand, is super cheap and is available at most drugstores and even supermarkets. I picked up a 200ml bottle of the Loreal Micellar solution for less than the price I paid for a 100ml bottle of Bioderma.
For those of you unfamiliar with Micellar Solution, it is a gentle but effective way of removing makeup. It feels like you're applying a cool, refreshing water to your face but in fact the solution is dissolving away your makeup. It evens works great at removing mascara, even waterproof mascara. Simply hold the solution-sodden cotton wool pads over your eyes for a few seconds and wipe away. Both the Loreal and Bioderma version do not sting my eyes so no worries there!
I've not been using the Loreal Micellar Solution for long, but already I can say that it is just as effective as the Bioderma. Removing makeup is quick, effective and cheap with this product and I shall certainly be buying this alternative in future.
Have you used either of these products? Which do you prefer?
A couple of weeks ago my beautiful big sister took me to IKEA and bought me a few bits and bobs. A few months back I moved into my boyfriends house and at the time it was looking a little bit, well, boyish! So I've taken it upon myself to add a few little girly touches to the place and he's actually not grumbled so far.
I managed to pick up some right little bargains in IKEA and I'm so pleased with all of them. There's not really enough items to put into a haul video so I thought I'd do a quick little post showing you what I got.
I can't seem to find this bed linen set or throw on the IKEA website, despite them only being bought 2 weeks ago. Anyway, this lovely floral bed linen set comes with four pillowcases and cost only £6! Despite the price it does feel lovely quality, though quite bizarrely there are no buttons at the bottom to close up the gap where you put your duvet in. The pink throw/blanket was a right little bargain as well at only £5 (this was on offer if you held a discount card). It will be perfect for cuddling up on the sofa in the winter months with a mug of hot chocolate and The Holiday on DVD (I have to watch that film literally every winter).
I've been looking for a little dish to do this exact job - throw all my watches, every day jewellery and hair bands/pins into on my bedside table. This dish is actually a candle dish and was a bargainous price of £1.75! I absolutely adore the laser cut pattern around the edge.
Another little gem I picked up, this bowl was actually found in the dinnerware section but I though it was absolutely gorgeous and perfect for keeping my every-growing collection of rings in. It is a pinky-lilac colour and has a beautiful seashell type effect to it. Beautiful!
And finally the most bargainous item of all! I picked up this gorgeous smelling candle for a mere 95p. I haven't burned this candle yet, but the strong vanilla smell (one of my favourite smells) means that my bedroom is beautifully scented with it just being there.
Have you picked up any fantastic items from IKEA lately?
I would just like the take this opportunity to sing the praises of a product I have been using for some time now but haven't ever mentioned on my blog before. This is the No7 Total Renewal Micro-dermabrasion Exfoliator, and this is my BFF.
This product claims to instantly reveal fresher, clearer, younger-looking skin. Micro-crystals sweep away dull cells, improving appearance, tone, texture and radiance from the very first use. What are micro-crystals, I hear you ask? Well luckily for you I managed to get a photograph of this lovely little fellows.
Can you see all those little lumpy bits? Yes, they're the micro-crystals and it's these bad boys that leave your skin so soft, smooth and feeling amazingly clean.
I dampen my face before applying a small amount to my forehead, cheeks, nose and chin. I rub each area in small circular motions for approximately 30-60 seconds on each area. Once I'm done I simply rinse away and voila! Soft, clean skin in an instant. This product has absolutely rave reviews on the Boots website and I'm really not surprised. This is so much better than any other exfoliator - it gets much deeper and leaves a much for satisfying result. Your skin can look a little red and feel somewhat irritated afterwards, but that's just a sign that it's doing it's job. After all, it is taking a whole layer of skin of your face! It is also advised that you do not get your face in direct sunlight for a couple of days afterwards and you skin will be much more sensitive to the suns rays and is more likely to burn.
You really should take a look at the reviews of this product over on the Boots website. This product sells for £11, but Boots usually have their 3 for 2 offer on No7 products so you may be able to pick up a few bargains while you're there. Defintely worth buying this product!
Have you used this product, or any other home micro-dermabrasion products? What did you think?
I absolutely adore this recipe. It's super easy, super tasty and best of all, you can really taste the freshness of the ingredients. Here's how to make my homemade Chicken Jalfrezi.
You will need:
1 tbsp Olive Oil
1 tsp Fennel Seeds
2-4 chicken breasts, diced
1 Onion, finely chopped
1 Green Pepper, finely chopped
2 Garlic cloves, crushed
2cm of Root Ginger, finely chopped or 1/2 tsp of Ground Ginger
2 tbsp Jalfrezi Curry Paste
1 tin Chopped Tomatoes
1 tsp Hot Chilli Powder (or more/less to taste)
2 tbsp Fresh Coriander, finely chopped
1. Heat the oil in a large frying pan and add the Fennel seeds. When they begin to sizzle, add the diced chicken breast. Fry until cooked throughout.
2. Add the onion, pepper, garlic and root ginger if using (if using ground ginger don't add yet). Fry until the onion is translucent.
3. Add 2 tbsp of Jalfrezi paste and stir until all ingredients are smothered. Fry for 2 minutes and then add the chilli powder and ground ginger (if using).
4. Pour in 1 tin of chopped tomatoes and add the finely chopped fresh coriander. Simmer for approximately 15-20 minutes on a low heat until the juices have reduced.
Serve with Pilau rice and garnish with fresh coriander.
See, I told you it was easy. It's actually pretty healthy as well with one serving holding approximately 300 calories. This is such a tasty curry dish and you will sure be glad you made it. Bon appetit!
I am so sorry that my existence in the bloggersphere has been, well, non-existent. I've just been in such a weird mood the last few weeks and I've just had zero motivation. But I'm back with my latest installment of Topshop Tuesday.
As you can see, there is once again a kimono present. There is also THE dress that every blogger and their mum's dog has been going crazy for. They actually have it left in my size but I seriously can't justify spending money on pretty dresses right now. As for the orange crepe dress... my friend actually wore this out last weekend and I fell in love with it. It's very bright and very eye-catching, and it would look wonderful with my tan! Lastly, these boots are to die for. The perfect mix of girly-grunge but totally wearable.
Where have I been, you may ask? Well other than going on an amazing 11 night holiday (which I shall come to shortly) I have been doing nothing more than lounging around in my PJs and watching re-runs of The Hills and countless Harry Potter films. That's right ladies, I'm currently finding myself in the grips of a quarter life crisis.
I turned 25 at the end of July and I never realised how much it would actually affect me (in a good and bad way). I've suddenly found myself pretty depressed at the fact that I still haven't nailed a permanent job (though I'm on track) and I'm still not bloody married. I have spent the last week obsessed with pinning anything wedding-related on Pinterest and giving my boyfriend extremely evil stares. I've been eating chocolate for breakfast one day, then the next going all day without a scrap of food. I, surprisingly, just can't even be bothered to touch a drop of alcohol (good or bad?)
Most of all, I'm bored. I literally have no income right now and so I can't afford to go for days out, or go for a little shopping spree, go and visit relatives who live far away, have a full-on baking day. I literally cannot do anything right now and I'm tearing my hair out.
On the plus side, my quarter life crisis has spurred me on to get my damn butt in gear. It has encouraged me to keep in better touch with friends, old and new. It's taught me the importance of making the most of your younger years, such as going to festivals and on plenty of nights out (when I get a job). It's prompted me to live outside my comfort zone a little, whether that be something as little as trying a new food or saying yes to a whole new experience. It has also completely changed my perspective on life. Before I turned 25 I was adamant that I wanted to get married and have children as soon as possible. Although I still really want to be married, I'm happy to wait until I'm 30 before having children. Besides, that's only 5 years away and still doesn't give me a lot of time to really live before settling into family life. It's also changed my mind about other things too, like tattoos. I never really wanted a tattoo before, not since I was 17 anyway. But now getting a tattoo is on my to-do list (something discreet obviously, with me being a teacher). After all, how can I have really lived without experiencing absolutely everything?
Anyway, enough of that. Now I'd like to tell you about my amazing holiday that my boyfriend took me on a few weeks ago. We went to Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt for 11 nights and stayed at the Hilton Sharks Bay resort which I would thoroughly recommend. This was actually my 5th stay in Sharm, but my first at this hotel. The food isn't the best, but that's just Egypt for you. My boyfriend and I did develop what is affectionately known as 'Egypt Tummy' but that certainly didn't affect our holiday. The weather was hot, hot, hot, about 47c!
This was only one half of roughly 10 swimming pools, by the way.
We met some wonderful people out there who I really hope we will remain good friends with. All the staff were attentive and kind and really made our stay. It was my birthday whilst we were on holiday and the hotel staff bought a cake up to my room which was so kind. Prepare for some photo heavy content now!
I picked up the Dove Intensive Repair Regenerating Masks as I was looking for a good hair mask to nourish my hair after I dyed it last week, and these were also buy one get on free in Tesco. On a side note, doesn't regenerating mask sound like something Dr Who would use?
Anyway, I have to skip right ahead and say that I love this hair mask. It smells great, rinses away easily, doesn't weigh my hair down and leaves it feeling super soft and manageable.
The conditioner itself is of pretty thick consistency. I shampooed my hair as normal with Tresemme and applied this to my lengths and ends after wringing my hair of excess water. I left it on my hair for approximately 5 minutes before rinsing away. I didn't find I had to take an excessively long time to rinse this away and I wasn't left with any residue on my hair. It was kind of one of those moments where you know you love it already because even when your hair is soaking wet it still feels so smooth.
I blow dried my hair with my usual Charles Worthington heat protect spray and I was so impressed with how soft my hair felt - I couldn't stop touching it! I now have three-day-old hair and it looks in such great condition, but it looks natural.
I will definitely be repurchasing this product and I'm so glad I got two in the Tesco BOGOF deal.
Have you used this product? What did you think? Are there any other hair masks you like?
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