Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts

Friday, 18 May 2012

summer wish list


Hurry up summer! I can't stop dreaming of being able to wear shorts and skirts without the need for thick tights and to be able to venture outside without having to debate whether to bring my umbrella or not. However, on the other hand, I don't know if I'm quite ready to have to keep my legs stubble free 24/7 and to keep my toe nails prim and painted (mmm cold and rain is good for laziness)... So to try and get in the mood for summer (how is it nearly June?!) I've put together a little wish list of more summer appropriate bits and bobs.
  • Now I 100% don't need any more nail varnish but this doesn't stop me wanting this incredible turquoise polish from Essie. It doesn't look like much in the bottle but definitely Google some swatches as it's so beautiful on. I'd happily wear this on my fingers and toes all summer.
  • This daisy print jacket would look perfect with some high waisted denim shorts and little sandals for a stroll in the park. It's also really handy to have a little summer jacket like this around as, well... the English summer weather can be unpredictable to say the least.
  • I'm really enjoying using my No7 BB Cream again at the moment and it's the only one I've tried so I'm keen to give some other ones a go. I loves Origins skincare and I like to think that this would not only make my skin look brilliant while it was on, but make my skin healthier in the long run. I've heard some great reviews of this too!
  • These wedges from River Island would be great to wear out at night in the summer. I'm not going to pretend that I'll stop wearing black in the warmer months as that would just not be true - these wedges would look great with black leggings and a black tunic!
  • I actually think this Monki blouse would look great with the River Island wedges. This would also be fab over denim shorts or again with leggings if it's a little chillier.
  • This skirt makes me want to go on holiday so much! The idea of wearing a little white cami tucked in to this and then walking down a beach barefoot is my idea of heaven right now. The print is beautiful.
  • I can't really put my finger on what I love about these earrings from Urban Outfitters but I just think they're a really interesting shape. In the summer I scrape my hair up in to a bun a lot and I think dangly earrings can look great when your hair's up.
  • If you read my post a few days ago (which you can look at here) then you'll know that I'm obsessed with lip products at the moment. I really want one of these sheer gloss sticks from Estee Lauder but I don't know if I'd be able to decide which colour - they all look so pretty!
What's on your summer wish list?

xx

Tuesday, 8 May 2012

wish list: make up


Yes I'm on a spending ban (and yes I ruined the first day by buying something from ASOS) but it does mean I can pretend to shop and create endless wish lists...
  • Violet Fatale is such an incredibly unique and beautiful colour. I definitely have nothing like this in my lipstick collection at the moment. Team the gorgeous shade with the packaging and you have me drooling!
  • This Laura Mercier cream blush would be a fab colour for the summer (go away rain). It would look so pretty with just a little slick of mascara.
  • I know these Shu Uemura eye lashes aren't everyone's cup of tea but I think they'd look so much fun for a party! 
  • I've wanted this Topshop Eye Crayon for a while now so I'm not sure why I haven't given in and got it. It would be such a versatile product, and could be blended all over the lid on its own, used as a base for other eyeshadows or used as a liner. Ooh, I think I've just convinced myself haha!
  • I've read so many reviews of Stila's In The Light Palette over the past few days. You know how much I love my neutral eyeshadows so this would be just perfect for me.
  • As I mentioned yesterday, I've really been enjoying using my Revlon Eyeshadow Palette in Addictive and I think the colours in this quad, Siren, are really pretty too. These would be great for a plum-ey toned smoky eye. Revlon eyeshadows are such good quality too!
What's on your current make up wish list?

xx

Sunday, 6 May 2012

recent happenings #4



Liberty / can't get enough of Monki at the moment! / a very naughty cake oops / lonely Starbucks lunch / chilling in my glasses / pretending I'm in the country when really I'm strolling through Mile End / cheeky trip to Space NK / my cosy bed looking very inviting / my first attempt at tanning - it went pretty well!

As you can see I haven't had a very exciting week! Last Sunday I went to a car boot sale and then took a little stroll down Carnaby Street which was lovely but the rest of the week has been spent studying studying studying. My first exam is now only a few days away - I can't wait until 29th May when it's all over! The only other couple of things I did this week which I can think of is voting last Thursday in the local elections (shame about the result for Mayor) and I enjoyed a tasty curry on Brick Lane - of course I was too busy gobbling away to remember to take a picture!

I've also decided that I'm going to put myself under a spending ban from tomorrow until the end of exams. That means no new clothes or make up sob! It's only just over three weeks though so it shouldn't be too hard...!

xx

Sunday, 29 April 2012

recent happenings #3














final essay of the year in! / cheeky Yo! Sushi by myself... / a very wet Selfridges / a naughty but beautiful treat from Selfridges - my first YSL lipstick! / soggy Canary Wharf / coffee and cake / a grey Olympic stadium / love my new top! (another Zara purchase...) / can't wait to start reading this! / a tasty dinner for my boyfriend's 21st birthday / my little purchase came from Dolly Bow Bow but the ring was too small so I need to exchange it :( / lovely candles to help me revise / I love this polish, it's so simple - LA Girl in Darling (ignore my very messy nails, I painted them on the Tube!)

As you can see I've actually ventured out a little more this week which has been brilliant! I've still got lots of revision to do so trying to divide my time between that and enjoying myself a bit as much as I can. Also, note the grey and wet theme of these photos - I'm getting sick of living in a very rainy London! 

xx

Saturday, 28 April 2012

five treats for under £25


When I put these wish lists together, it's very easy for me just to pick lots of very expensive items so I thought I'd show you some cheaper things that I'm currently lusting over (um... although I may have bought a couple already!) So if you're out shopping today or tomorrow, here are a few ideas of what you could treat yourself to without breaking the bank!

  • Well I should probably admit that that I've already bought these earrings from Forever 21. I really like the idea of the heavily spiked necklaces that lots of people seem to be wearing at the moment but I'm not sure if they're a bit much for me and I could actually pull them off. Instead I thought that these would be a subtler way of wearing the trend and for £2.40 I couldn't really say no!
  • I bought my current purse in a charity shop probably about four years ago now and I still absolutely love it. However, the part where you put your change has ripped at the bottom so I'm forever chasing pennies round the lining. However, I don't want to part with my beloved purse so I thought I'd perhaps just buy a coin purse. I love how simple this one is from Cos, it's so plain and unfussy.
  • Again I've actually already bought Skagboys... I absolutely love Irvine Welsh so I've been excited about the Skagboys, the prequel to Trainspotting, coming out for months now. If only I didn't have revision so I could just sit down and read it all day!
  • This colour of this Chanel eye shadow is so beautiful, the greyish purple shimmer is so interesting. I probably shouldn't get this too soon though as I treated myself to a purchase from Chanel this week - the Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronzing Make Up Base... oops!
  • If you're in Britain you'll know how disgusting the weather is at the moment so that means endless cups of tea to try and cheer myself up. Also, with revision added to that, the kettle is never off! I love having nice mugs and this mug by James Sandler is so cute!
Tell me what your current wish lists are... I'm very easily tempted haha

xx

Thursday, 12 April 2012

birthday pennies


As it's just been my birthday, I have a little bit of money to treat myself to a few bits. I've already picked up a couple of things, which I'll more than likely show you soon, but here are a some more items which I'm very tempted by!

  • Everyone has been talking about the Real Techniques brushes for a while now and I think I may have to treat myself to the Core Collection to see what all the fuss is about!
  • This Topshop necklace is so pretty. I picked by a really plain gold cuff necklace from River Island the other day as I thought it would look fab with plainer outfits, and I think this would too!
  • Don't ask me why, but I'm obsessed with the idea of getting these trainers at the moment. When I go to the library late at night, I tend to wear my running shoes which isn't a good look to say the least... I think these would look really cool on lazy days with skinny jeans or leggings - the colour is amazing.
  • I have a sample of the Lancome mascara from my Glossy Box and I can't stop using it. It's so good, it really lengthens and defines your eyelashes. I think part of why it is so fab is the curved shape of the brush which really grabs all your lashes.
  • I have such an old and rubbish phone, after losing a nice phone in a club a few years ago. My boyfriend has an iPhone and I love all the fun apps and things you can get - I want one! I do love the idea of a white phone but I can just see that mine would get so horrid and dirty haha.
  • Like everyone else at the moment, I am loving everything Zara. This bag is so beautiful, but when I saw the price of it online, I thought it might look really cheap. I then saw it in the shop and it doesn't at all! I do love the black version, but I think I'd most likely go for the grey as I don't have a bag that colour and it's probably a bit more spring appropriate.
  • Another Zara item! I tried this oversized top on the other day and loved it. I then didn't buy it (I bought this dress/tunic instead - I've been wearing it with leggings!), and I'm not quite sure why... I think there were just too many things I liked and I felt a bit overwhelmed. However, I can't stop thinking about it so I think I'll have to pop back and pick it up!
  • I already have way too many eye shadows, but this is just such a beautiful colour and I can see myself getting lots of use out of it. I love anything taupe and shimmery so this is perfect!
  • I love the idea of maxi skirts, but I'm quite short and therefore think they may look a bit odd on me. However, I've seen lots of smaller people wearing them recently and looking fab. This one for New Look is nice and plain and I think it would go with so many things. I also think it could be carried through to winter with tights and heeled boots!
  • Lastly is this gorgeous Monki blouse. I picked up this dress in the same print, and my boyfriend told me it was silly to get the same patterned blouse. I just love the shape of it though and I think it would look lovely with high waisted jeans so I think I may pop back and get it (sorry Ollie!) And it's in the sale...
What are you lusting after at the moment? Tempt me!

xx



Monday, 9 April 2012

a true lip butter?



The other day I gave in and finally purchased one of the new Revlon Lip Butters that we've been hearing so much about. I must admit that when they finally hit the shops I was actually a bit disappointed in the range of colours and found them a bit, well... boring. (Just me?) There wasn't a shade that instantly jumped out at me. Anyway, as I said I picked one up on a whim and went eventually for Macaroon, a subtle brown toned reddish shade.

As quite a few people have said now, the formula was not what I was expecting at all. When I heard about the Lip Butters I was expecting a very sheer and soft texture which was moisturising on the lip. In fact, they're really very pigmented and not sheer in the slightest. Also, as for the feel of them on the lip - dare I say it - I've actually found them to be quite drying. I have other lipsticks which don't claim to have moisturising properties which are less drying than this! Despite these criticisms, I do love the colour of Macaroon for everyday wear but I have taken to applying a lip balm first as I tend to do with all my other lipsticks. The colour lasts on my lips for three ish hours before I feel that it needs to be reapplied, which is about standard for me. I also like the sleek packaging which feels sturdy and well made. I love being able to see the colour through the top of the lid too!

In a totally unrelated incident (I get pulled in by the Boots 3 for 2 offer far too regularly...) I picked up a Mirror Shine lipstick by 17 in the colour Purple Haze. This is a gorgeous purpley berry shade, as the name suggests, and looks like you've been gobbling blackberries - just the kind of colour I love! Anyway, when I wore this for the first time yesterday, I realised that this was actually far more how I had expected the Lip Butters to be. The colour is incredibly sheer and I find the Mirror Shine lipsticks to actually be a lot more moisturising than the Revlon Lip Butters - I don't feel the need to apply lip balm before at all. The colour definitely doesn't last as long but that can often be the case with more glossy and moisturising lip products, and having to reapply regularly doesn't bother me particularly. I'm also not really a fan of the packaging; the blue metallic bullet doesn't really do much for me and looks a bit cheap.

Left: 17 Mirror Shine, Right: Revlon Lip Butter
Top: Revlon Lip Butter in Macaroon (slightly smudged... oops!), Bottom: 17 Mirror Shine in Purple Haze
I have other 17 lipsticks but this was my first from the Mirror Shine range, and I will definitely be picking up more as I love the formula. As for the Revlon Lip Butters? I don't think I'll necessarily get another one, not because of the texture but because of the colour range. One product that I hear has a similar feel to it are the L'Oreal Caresse lipsticks, which are meant to be very sheer. Also, the range of colours looks far more exciting than the Lip Butters so watch this space!

I picked both the Revlon Lip Butter and the 17 Moisture Shine Lipstick up from Boots. The Lip Butter was £7.99 and the Mirror Shine Lipstick was £4.59.

Have you tried either of these products? What did you think? If you've tried one of the L'Oreal Caresse lipsticks, did you like it?

PS. Today is my birthday! I'd like to pretend it's by eighteenth again, but the truth is I'm now twenty. Still young, but too old for my liking! Another trip to Boots for the 3 for 2 may therefore be appropriate as a little treat...

xx

Thursday, 29 March 2012

nail of the day

Hello :)

I just had to show off this nail polish - the colour is INCREDIBLE! You may have already seen this in my last post, and here it is on my nails! It's Maybelline Express Finish Nail Colour in 'Turquoise Lagoon'. Such a brilliant colour while the weather's a bit warmer :) I also think it will look fab on my toes when I'm on holiday.

I hadn't tried a nail polish from the Maybelline Express range before but found it really easy to work with and it's fully opaque after two coats. As usual I used my trusty No7 So Smooth Base Coat and Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Top Coat. I've had it on for a few days now and there is no signs of wear, not even a little bit of tip wear yay!

It's actually quite a bit more green than this :(

I'll definitely be picking up another colour from this range!
Maybelline Express Finish in 'Turquoise Lagoon' was £4.09 from Superdrug.

xx

Wednesday, 28 March 2012

work = treats

Hello hello,

I don't know about you, but whenever I have lots of essays to do and I feel a bit sorry for myself, I find it very easy to justify all sorts of purchases. Now, none of these items are particularly expensive but judging by my bank balance, I still should have probably waited until my March pay check in a few days...

Anyway, here are some cheapy bits I've treated myself to recently as I've been a very good girl and worked very hard :) well done Florence haha!

I actually really wanted a Revlon Lip Butter or one of the Maybelline Colour Tattoos but they were all sold out in the Boots and Superdrug in Angel (sob).

Sleek True Colour Lipstick in 'OMG'

Max Factor Lip Liner in 'Fire'

Collection 2000 Cream Puff Moisturising Lip Cream in 'Cotton Candy'

MUA Out There Plumping Lip Gloss in 'Pin Up Pink'

MUA Extreme Felt Liner in 'Black'

MUA Bronzer in 'Shade 3'

Maybelline Express Finish Nail Colour in 'Turquoise Lagoon'
Nothing too exciting, just a few high street picks - I can't wait to go shopping on Saturday after I've been paid hurrah!

xx

Tuesday, 27 March 2012

korres lip butter in quince

Hello!

Just a super super quick post today! As I've said before, I have so much work at the moment, like most people at university - I'm writing this in the library actually!

Give me until Friday and my posts should be a lot more regular.

Anyway, I thought I'd show you something I bought recently that I'm really enjoying using -


The Korres Lip Butters are really moisturising and light weight. 'Quince' is such a pretty shade, and adds a bit of colour to your lips without looking too dramatic for the day - fab!


I picked mine up from ASOS for £6.

Hope you're all doing something more exciting today than I am and enjoying the sun :(

xx

Sunday, 25 March 2012

boots botanics conditioning clay mask


Ah! I've just finished using this product for the third time and I love it so much that I have to tell you about it! I picked the Boots Botanics Conditioning Clay Mask up as part of a 3 for 2 skincare deal probably a month ago now. There was only actually two products I wanted so I grabbed this as it was cheap so it would be free. I wasn't really expecting much so I've been really surprised by its results!

The Boots Botanics Conditioning Clay masks contains burdock which 'purifies and clarifies' and clay to 'draw out impurities'. It claims to have 'a negative electrical charge to attract deep-rooted impurities from the skin without over drying'. Now, I don't know the science behind these things so I can't say if this is true or not, but all I know is that it works! After using this face mask my skin instantly looks so bright, fresh and clean, but at the same time doesn't feel tight and dry. I've also noticed that I've had less spots over the last few weeks and I definitely think this is something to do with it!

I take my make up off with eye make up remover and a face wipe, and then use a gentle cleanser (such as the No7 Beautiful Skin Hot Cloth Cleanser) just to make sure my face is completely clean. You have to shake it before you apply the mask to ensure that it's all an even consistency due to the clay. It's quite runny which makes it a bit difficult to apply without getting it all over the sink, but I attempt to apply it all over my face, avoiding the eye area, and not down my clothes and the tiles...

The tube instructs to leave it on for ten to twenty minutes and I leave it on for about fifteen. The mask does dry which makes your face feel all tight and funny (so I sit there stretching my face in to lots of different positions and try and make it crack...) The one negative of this mask is the removal process. You rinse it off with warm water, but again this paints your sink green. After a lot of splashing and rinsing, I use my cleanser again just to make sure all the mask is off.

I've been using this once a week and I can see myself repurchasing this over and over again. I love how bright and healthy it makes my skin look! I've used it three times now and I the tube is still really full. The Boots Botanics Conditioning Clay Mask is only £2.49 so I really do urge you all to give it a try!

(I've said it before but just in case anyone was wondering - my skin is normal to combination but although I do get a little bit oily in places, my dry areas can be more of a problem)

xx

Wednesday, 21 March 2012

elf mineral moisturising lip tint


Hello!

Just a quick post about a product that I'm really enjoying at the moment!

If you're looking for something nice and moisturising for your lips, but equally a nice pigmented wash of colour then you should definitely try one of the ELF Mineral Moisturising Lip Tints. They're so butter-soft in texture and feel lovely on your lips, not drying or tight in any way. The Lip Tint also contains SPF 8 so while moisturising your lips, it's also protecting them from any further damage. However, the high point for me is the colour. The shade I have is 'Berry' and it's a gorgeous dark raspberry like shade (I have it on in my profile picture)! I have quite a few tinted lip balms and this is definitely the most opaque of them all! The only slight negative is that the colour doesn't stay on your lips for that long (this may partly be down to the scrummy sugary taste which leads to my constant lip-licking...).



The ELF Mineral Moisturising Lip Tint is available from the ELF website as part of their Mineral range for £3.50. They quite often do free postage and packaging offers too so if you're not already signed up for their emails then I recommend doing that! ELF can be quite hit and miss with their products but this is one which I really do recommend and I think I'll probably pick up another one in either 'Blush' or 'Cherry' when I next place an order! :)

I'd love to hear any of your ELF recommendations!

xx




Tuesday, 20 March 2012

no7 beautiful skin eye make-up remover


Hello hello!

I picked up the No7 Beautiful Skin Eye Make-Up Remover in Boots on Saturday, so I thought while we all have millions of £5 off No7 vouchers lying around (surely this can't just be me?!), I'd tell you whether it was worth getting!

The front of the bottle tells us that the make-up remover is suitable for all skin types and hypo-allergenic, which sounds great to me as I have quite sensitive eyes. This didn't irritate my eyes at all, whereas some other make-up removing products can really make my eyes sting (I wear contact lenses and my eyes can feel quite sore by the end of the day). It also did actually do a good job at removing all of my eye make-up, including mascara, without me having to rub and tug about at my skin!

This is all sounding very promising but there is something that I HATED about this product - the consistency. It's just so greasy! It feels like what I envisage rubbing cooking oil around my face to be like, and this sensation doesn't evaporate or anything, it just sits there on your face, slipping around... Not pleasant at all.

The full price for the No7 Beautiful Skin Eye Make-Up Remover is £7.75, which to be honest I think is a rip off for 100ml worth of oil. I wouldn't even get it again with a £5 off voucher.

Sorry No7 - you've got some other great make-up and skin care products (such as the No7 Hot Cloth Cleanser - loving this at the moment!), but this really disappointed me.

xx

Friday, 16 March 2012

spring knitwear

Hello again!

I just thought I'd show you a jumper that I picked up when I popped back to Norwich last weekend. I purposely bought it in a larger size as I really like the oversized look. The sleeves are quite tight and are three quarter length and then the neck is reasonably wide so it's very flattering.


As for the knit, it's purled and the wool is lots of different spring-like pastel colours woven together, mostly pink and blue. I wore it yesterday with black skinny jeans and black loafers which I thought was a really stylish but simple outfit - nice and quick to throw on in the morning!


The jumper is from a shop that's only just recently opened in Norwich called Ark (you can view the jumper too here online). Most of their branches are more in the North which is a shame as I'd love there to be one in London so I can have more of a look. The store itself reminded me a lot of Urban Outfitters but more reasonably priced :) For example, this jumper was £24.99! I also noticed when I was on the website that they do free postage and packaging hurrah!

Anyway, I like this jumper so much that I had a little look around for some other knitwear which is suitable for spring and here are some bits that I found.



Have you heard of Ark before? Have you bought anything from them?

xx

Wednesday, 14 March 2012

nail of the day

Hello again!

I thought I'd show you what I have on my nails at the moment :) I absolutely love the look of bright red nails but I very rarely paint them red. However, when I do it reminds me how sophisticated it can make you feel! They make me want to put on a breton top and capri pants and eat brie and pretend to be be all elegant and chic... just me?


The red I used is a Barry M nail varnish in 'Bright Red', and I also used my No7 'So Smooth' base coat and Sally Hansen 'Insta-Dri' top coat, which are my go-to base and top coat currently. While we're on the subject, I truly do recommend trying the Sally Hansen top coat if you haven't tried it as it not only makes your polish last so much longer but also dries your nails very quickly! You put it on and they're dry in thirty seconds so it's great if you're in a rush or just plain impatient hurrah!


In the picture above, I also included one of my nail files which I love! I've had it for a while and in a pack you get two with a lovely peacock print on and a carry case so that when you throw it in your handbag it won't scratch things. Just thought I'd share that with you haha! I'm not really sure why I like them quite as much as I do... I tried to find them on the website but it doesn't look like they're necessarily available any more :( I picked them up in Bristol last summer and I think it was about £2.50 for a pack :)

Hope you're all fab!

xx

Tuesday, 13 March 2012

mess, blushers and mac and cheese...

Hello!

Sorry I haven't posted for a couple of days, it's a bit difficult sometimes juggling essays, university, work, living my general life and then scraping some time to write a post for here! Just to make life a little bit harder, I came back from a seminar this afternoon and found that my chest of draws had for some reason fallen over so my toiletries, jewellery and clothes were all over the floor :(

Disaster!
Anyway, to the point of this post - blusher! Ah blusher, how I love you. You can distract me from the above mess and cheer me up...

I popped back home to Norwich over the weekend, and on Saturday I did a bit of shopping with my mum and my sister which was lovely. While we were out and about I treated myself to a blusher from MAC (amongst other things)!

I chose MAC's Sheertone Blush in 'Breath of Plum', which is such a gorgeous not-too-dark muted plum colour which is totally matte (wow, great description). I picked this one as the colour's not too similar to my other blushers, whereas I have quite a few brighter and pinkier toned ones. I've already worn it a couple of times and not only do I love the colour, but it lasts brilliantly on the skin.

MAC 'Breath of Plum'
Left: applied with a blush brush, Right: swatched
However, I was thinking this morning that although I love the colour, it was perhaps the wrong time of year to buy it as it's quite a wintery shade. So this morning I put on Topshop's cream blush in 'High Five', which is the perfect blush for spring!

Topshop 'High Five'

Left: applied with a dual fibre brush (although heavily), Right swatched
It looks so natural and glowy and when you use a dual fibre brush to apply it, it blends evenly and nice and quickly :) I just love cream blushes on the skin this time of year as they give you such a beautiful healthy look. I just had a little check on the Topshop website though and it doesn't look as if this colour is available any more. However, Topshop have some other gorgeous colours to choose from such as 'Head Over Heels' which I mentioned in my 'Spring Make Up Picks' post :) The price is brilliant as well, I think £6 is such great value considering the quality (and the cute packaging)!

PS. On another little side note, I had a very yummy tea today so here's a little sneak peak -

Hopefully this doesn't gross you out, my house mate Dan hates people taking pictures of their food!
Macaroni cheese with chorizo and salad nom nom! Only just realised how big the portion was... oh well, it was delicious!

I know this was a bit of a disjointed post but hopefully you haven't minded! I'd also love to know what your favourite blushers are for spring (or maybe what you had for tea haha) :)

xx
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