A/W wardrobe update - New Look & Topshop

Afternoon lovelies, so this is the last Friday before I head back to school, that means that autumn and winter starts to set in very quickly, so my wardrobe needs a little update.

 New Look - £22.99

First up, I picked up these jeans as I loved the colour, their a cross between blue and green, with a lot of black (really bad description!)Their not quite as thick as jeans, but not quite jeggings, but its rare I like something in a skinny fit (hello thunder thighs!) however I think they hit the grunge trend quite nicely, and I will be wearing them a lot over the autumn! Great for £22.99

Topshop - £55.00

Next up I have this faux-leather jacket from Topshop. I've been umming and awwing about a new jacket for a while, but couldn't commit to a real leather jacket. So browsing the Topshop site, I fell for this jacket, and so popped online and picked it up from the Tall range. Although its a tall, it still sits just above my hips, plus the sleeves are a tad long but I will love it no doubt. This was £55.00, something I can't wait to wear more

New Look - £69.99

Finally, like many others I've lusted over the Office Nighthawk's (£80!) as well as the Topshop Alvin's (£90!!) but couldn't justify them, so when I saw these online at New Look, I knew they would be mine. These are real leather, so totally worth the £69.99 that I paid for them, and I will wear them lots and lots and lots :D

I can't wait to get wearing these bits, do you want to see outfit post? What are your picks for autumn? xx

Marc Jacobs Dot

Afternoon lovelies,

Over the year's I've gathered quite a collection of fragrances, I love how they look in my bathroom, and I do wear them all (not at once, obviously) but my go to brand is Marc Jacobs.

I adore Daisy and Lola so when my mum asked me what I wanted them to pick up for me from Duty Free on their holiday, I knew I had to add Dot.

Dot is inspired by Marcs love for polka dots, although unless you know this, its easy to think it relates to ladybirds, especially with the packaging, the signiture oversize top is so cute!

The perfume itself is a very floral affair, with the initial notes being quite fruity, this warms to a more floral scent with jasmine and orange blossom. Considering this was released as a summer fragrance, its more of an evening scent, but I think I will get more wear out of it over the autumn and into the winter.

It's an Eau de Parfum so it's a lot stronger then an Eau de Toilette, so you only need a very little bit before it becomes overpowering - I can't wait for them to release this as an Eau de Toilette as I suspect that will be a lot fresher then this one.

You can pick Dot up from any perfume shop, however if you buy it from Boots or Boots.com then you recieve a free gift. Mine is the 50ml bottle and cost £47.00, but it also comes in 30ml and 100ml.

Have you tried Dot yet? 

Go Sky Ride - Milton Keynes

Afternoon lovelies, hope you enjoyed your bank holiday.

On Sunday, I was invited to head over to Milton Keynes to take part in the Annual Sky Ride, a 4km route with stop offs along the way, celebrating all things cycling.

skyride.com

Over 5000 people turned up outside the shopping centre to kick off this years ride - families, groups of friends, new and old cyclists all took part, whizzing around the route.

Now I'm not the fittest of people at the moment, I've not been to the gym for a while (read 5weeks!) but the route wasn't too taxing, and there were plenty of opportunities to stop off, one place even had a range of bikes to try out - everything from penny farthings to clown bike ( the boy fell off quite a bit!)

 There was a real carnival atmosphere and we stumbled upon these guys doing tricks on bikes - was amazing how they even jumped over a 3ft bar! 

skyride.com

 The ride is designed to get more and more people out, on their bikes, across the country every week there are free bike rides for you to join, you can choose the level at which you ride, I prefer a nice, leisurely ride where as the boy wants more speed, and there are a range of terrains and distances to suit everyone.





Cycling should be something that is free and easy for everyone to get involved in, you don't need a lot of specialist equipment, a fairly cheap bike, a stylish helmet and some reflective gear and your good to go!

skyride.com

If you want to find out more, head over to http://www.goskyride.com/ to find a ride near you, as well as loads of other information about cycling and best of all...it's free!

I'm off out on my bike now, heading to the gym to get back into it, how did you spend your weekend?

NOTD - Topshop Late Show

Afternoon lovelies, 

The weather is starting to turn, and I'm starting to feel the need to reach for darker, my autumnal colours. 

Topshop produce some fantastic colours, and Late Show is no exception.

A red toned purple that's quite dark, like the night sky in autumn when the sun has just set. I like that its a deep purple, that flashes in the light.

As with all Topshop polishes, it was opaque in two coats and the formula has real staying power, I wore this for 4 days before there was any obvious tip wear which I'm chuffed with. I only took it off once I needed a change. 

The packaging is the usual cute dotty packaging which I adore, even the brush is a short, stumpy brush that spreads the polish evenly across the nail.

So what do you think, what are your autumnal colours?

John Frieda Full Repair Deep Conditioner

Afternoon lovelies,

I've been dying my hair for nearly 8 years now, and it's been a multitude of colours. Coupled with this, I like to swim quite a lot, and so all of this has left me with dry, damaged hair.

Ever since I stripped the colour from my hair I've been on a quest to restore it to health, as well as grow it back out to the length I had it as a kid. So I've been stocking up on deep conditioning treatments, without spending too much!

My current favourite product is the John Frieda Full Repair Deep Conditioner. A few months ago, John Frieda launched the full repair range, and reading lots of blog reviews, this was one of the stand out products, so off I popped to Asda and picked up a tub.

The conditioner has a creamy consistency, bordering on the runny side, but it spreads easily through the hair. I tend to use this on the mid-lengths to the ends of my hair, after I've washed it and then leave it for 10-15 mins, you could use this as a quick fix, but I like this as a treat.

The smell of the product is amazing - and it transfers to the hair,not over powering, but enough so you catch it over the rest of the day.This leaves my hair so soft and silky, without weighing it down and it's helped improve the health of my hair.

The packaging is sleek and professional looking, if a touch deceptive as the product is held inside a red pot inside a thicker, translucent pot, but you do get 150ml of product, which is enough for a once weekly treat.

If all of that wasn't good enough, they are currently on offer at Asda, where you can get 3 for £10 across the full repair range, so I've stocked up on these!

So, what do you think, do I need to try anything else in the range? Xx

Feel Unique Sale Picks

Afternoon lovelies.

When the e-mail popped into my inbox advertising the Feel Unique sale, I knew I had to head over and have a look. 

1) Philip Kingsley Elasticizer 150ml - RRP £26.25 - Sale £20.07. I remember reading Lily's review of this and then recieved a sample of this in a beauty box. I cannot believe how this has helped my hair - its so much healthier since I started using this so when I saw this in the Sale, I did make a cheeky order :) 

2)Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush - RRP £14.50 - Sale £11.60.
I've seen the lovely ladies over on Pixiwoo use this product in quite a few videos, it always leaves a very subtle colour on the skin, without being overly shiny. I think the colour range is great and I did pick this up - will review it as soon as I can :)

3)Joico K-Pak Deep Penetrating Reconstructor - RRP £14.95 - Sale £12.71. My poor hair has been through the mill recently, and I'm planning on adding ombre colour to it at some point, but before that, I'm on a mission to get into really good condition. Joico is a brand that my hairdresser has used on my hair and I loved the results it left me with. 

4)FAB 5 in 1 Eye Cream - RRP £22.00 - Sale £17.60
I picked up a sample of this at my local Boots and instantly fell in love with it. This is something I loved so much that I have recommended it so many people and am now on my second tube, but a little goes a long way!

5)Jemma Kidd Light as Air Liquid Foundation - RRP £25.00 - Sale Price £20.00. I love this foundation, it bought my last tube back at Christmas and don't always use it as I find it to be one I save when I'm have a good skin day as the coverage is light to medium for my oily skin. I love the feel of this on my skin, and its great that it has SPF in it. 

All of these come with free delivery, I love that as I hate when you shop in a sale, think your making a good saving and then stung with a massive shipping cost - so not fair!

There are my picks, link me in the comments or let me know what your picks would be from the sales?!

xx

Happy 1st Birthday Benefit They're Real Mascara

Afternoon lovelies, is anyone else practically melting today?!

This weekend marked the 1st Birthday of Benefits much hyped They're real mascara. To celebrate, you can pick up the special set which includes a full sized and a mini mascara, for the price of a normal full sized product.

I'm an absolute mascara horder, I have so many, I change them up weekly, so I held off buying it until recently, but using my Boots points, I finally caved in! (Yes, I have a problem!)

'It's the mascara that's beyond belief! This jet-black mascara lengthens, curls, volumises, lifts & separates lashes for a spectacular "out-to-here" look.'

If any of these happen on my short, stubby lashes then it will be nothing short of a miracle!

No coats

One coat

Two coats

Look at the difference! Not only do my lashes look more defined and thicker, but they look longer. (please ignore my pre-threaded eyebrows!)

The brush is a plastic, short bristled comb, with a spiky ball on the end. I'm not normaly a fan of these brushes but it really worked to separate and coat my lashes with the product.

The product is quite a wet formula which seems to take ages to dry, and I'm concious of it as I carried on getting ready. It doesn't seem to flake to much, it even stayed put when my eyes were streaming after getting my eyebrows threaded! I even wore it in the sun yesterday, and most mascaras run under my eyes but this didn't thankfully, but I can't wait to test it out at work for a full day!

I still think the £18.50 is quite a steep price tag, but it is a high quality mascara, with sleek packaging, and as I spent my Boots points, this was a massive treat for me :)

You can pick this up from Boots counters as part of the set for £18.50, or buy online at Boots.com where unfortunately you don't get the deal but I feel its still worth it! 

What do you think...can you believe 'They're Real'?

Benefit SunBeam

Afternoon lovelies, hope its sunny where you are.

For a long time, Benefit has been one of my go to brands for higher priced make-up, I don't own anything more expensive. I love everything about it, the packaging, the quality, the retro styling, its just so cute!

So when I saw that they were bringing out another highlighter, I knew it was something I would need in my collection.

'This golden bronze highlighter gives you a natural, sun kissed radiance. Dot & blend over makeup on to cheek & brow bones for a bronzed glow that complements all skin tones. It’s liquid sunshine in a bottle!'

Sunbeam is a warm, creamy bronze highlighter with very subtle light reflecting particles that will brighten most skin tones. It's probably more suitable for a normal to drier skin then mine, so I need to use it sparingly, and not anywhere it will highlight larger pores.

Its easy to apply, simply dot along the high points on cheekbones, cupids bow and brow bone for subtle highlighting, alternatively mix with you foundation for an all over glow. Another way of applying is one I've been using recently, but mix it with a couple of drops of Benefit Benetint and apply on apple of cheeks, blending up using fingers - this gives a nice flush of colour.

As with all Benefit products, a little goes a long way, so this will last quite a while, which is how I justify the price really.
I've used this so much over the summer - its a real staple in my make up bag and one that I'm sure I will use over winter as well.

You can pick this up from Benefit counters in Boots or at Boots.com for £18.50, a total Bargain and well worth the investment, do you think?

xx

Bargin Buys - Next-2-Nowt

Afternoon lovelies,

The summer months are the hardest for me as I have everyone in my family's birthday, plus the boy's birthday as well as keeping myself entertained over the summer holidays, so July and August are really expensive months, but that doesn't mean I can't treat myself.

Sales used to be where you could pick up the items that you had lusted after all season at a discount price but in Watford its just the same old, tired stuff that no one wanted the first time round, and I fail to ever pick up much of a bargain.

Well now I have found a way to pick up some of the ideas I loved and missed out! 

next2nowt.com is a great website which aims to delivery affordable fashion for everyone. The range of products they have are last season, but there also some bits that are this season as well.

They also have a section of 'Famous Name' products, items from places like Topshop, River Island, etc - they have just removed the labels to prevent items being returned. All of the items are heavily discounted, and you can pick up some real gems.

I picked up two items, a pair of shoes and a jumper

 Yes, you are seeing correctly - a pair of Topshop Ambush boots...£25!!! I was over the moon. Yes they have some scuff, the soles are worn but other then that, these are perfect! So happy as their are still retailing for over £80 on Ebay!!!

I also picked this cute, neon pink jumper, with cropped sleeves, its really cute, and a total bargain at £8.00. It fits like a dream and I can't wait to start wearing it.

You have to expect that items are second hand, and there might be small defects, but the guys over at Next2nowt do advertise that in the description, but it's well worth a look.

So what do you think? Have you found any cute gems on there yet? Let me know xx

NOTD - Models Own Ibiza Mix

Afternoon lovelies, hope things are good with you, I can't believe I now over half way through the summer holidays, where has it gone?!

With the return of the wet weather, I'm dreaming of going in a summer holiday and so went on the hunt of my Models Own Head Kandi collection. I wanted to add some sparkle so grabbed the Ibiza Mix from my box.

Ibiza Mix is the polish that would be produced is OPIs Rainbow Connection and Deborah Lipphams Happy Birthday had a baby - its an explosion of bronze, gold blue, pink and green glitter suspended in a clear polish.

Unlike finely milled glitters which can feel gritty on the nail, this apples fairly smooth and a top coat would smooth it out fully. It last really well on the nails, I had it layered over Topshops Pool Party as well and it really sparkled in the sunshine as well as brightening up this rubbish weather.

I love Models Own, I've said it before and shall say it again, you can't go wrong with £5 for a massive 14ml of wonderful product.

So what do you think, a colour that you have?

Xx

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

NOTD - Topshop Pool Party

Afternoon lovelies, doesn't this hot weather just make you want to throw a pool party?!

I know that's cheesy, but I love being at home at my parents during the summer, catching up with friends, chilling out in the sun , reminds me of being a kid and having friends over to play in our pool and on the water slide in our garden ( did anyone else just have a blue tarpaulin sheet and a bottle of fairy liquid?!)

To celebrate the gorgeous sun, I have been wearing and loving Topshop's Pool Party. I saw this originally on Lily Pebbles blog and knew I had track it down, but none of the stores near me or online had this in stock, it wasn't until I popped into the Oxford Street store that I found it :)

Pool Party is a gorgeous turquoise greeny/blue polish that reminds me of Models Own Top Turquoise but slightly greener. The application was quite good,it was opaque in two coats and applied evenly across the nail. It's not a really glossy polish but a good top coat will sort that out.

I love Topshop polishes, I think they last well and the colour range is very broad and I can't wait for the autumn colours to start coming out!

For £5 you really can't go wrong with these polishes, I love the bottle design, the brush is quite good and for a nail border this is a brand that I love :) you can pick them up in store or online

What do you think, a colour that you love? Did you ever have a pool party?

Xx

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

New Look - stay-cation outfits

Evening lovelies, hope your well and enjoying the weekend - at this moment I'm up north at my parents house for a mini 'stay-cation' whilst they go abroad.

As some people might no, the boy and I are currently saving for our own place, and this means that some things have to be sacrificed, and one of those things in a summer holiday abroad  So this year we're having lots of little mini holidays in different parts of the UK.

Just because I'm not going abroad doesn't mean I can't splash out on some nice outfits, and New Look is one of my favourite places for stocking up on some nice bits.

Outfit 1 - 

Black & White Cross Print Skirt - New Look

Cameo Rose White Heart T-Shirt - New Look

Glitter Wellies - New Look

Skeleton Necklace - New Look

Sun Glasses - New Look

One of my favourite things to do when I'm somewhere new is to go off exploring, especially if there is some countryside to walk through. Last weekend we were in North Wales and this outfit would have been perfect for walking around Portmerrion and Conway as the weather was great, but could have turned at any moment. This could also be worn to a festival as the wellies are super cute - I can feel that I need to own these for winter!

Outfit 2 - 

White and Blue Tie Dye Playsuit - New Look

Purple Laceup Hi-Tops - New Look

Sunglasses - New Look

My second outfit is something that could be worn when the weather was a bit warmer but would look ace rocking it along Skegness pier  especially on the Dance Machine or the 2p machines! I love the idea of playsuits,and this one would be so easy to update to be dip dyed as well! I'm loving the hi-tops as well at the moment - I live in mine from New Look even though they are falling apart not (they are ancient!) 

It would be so easy to mix these items together and add the skirt to the playsuit to give the tucked in denim shirt look which is great, and then for autumn, update the playsuit with some studs on the collar and some tights and boots.

As ever, New Looks clothing is great for the transitional seasons at the moment - so why not enjoy a stay-cation this summer with New Look and the UK!

What do you think?

NOTD - Models Own Indian Ocean

Afternoon lovelies, another Thursday has passed by in a whirlwind of Olympics and cups of tea. 


Back in early spring Models Own brought out a set of duo-chrome polishes, and I must admit that I'm not really a fan of duo-chrome polishes. I picked up Purple Blue from the set back in spring, swatched it once and instantly hated it on me - it didn't even make it only the blog or a full manicure.


So I was really apprehensive when I saw all the hype surrounding Indian Ocean that I put off getting it for ages, but I couldn't resist the pull every time I went into Boots.

Indian Ocean is a pale turquoise polish which moves through lilac, purple and gold when played with in the light. From the pictures above you can also see the pink and green which are also in the polish, however they are not as obvious on the nail.

With flash

Without Flash

I knew from reading reviews that this was going to be a very sheer polish, and it took three coats to get it semi-opaque. Normally I would have layered this over a blue such as Models Own Blue Boo to make it fully opaque, especially as I have very white nail tips but I don't think my nail tips are too offensive at the moment.


I did layer this over one coat of OPI's Nail Envy as a base and I'm pleased to say I've had nearly 4 days out of this with no chips or damage. 


In my opinion, Models Own is one of the best collections of colours, with a superb formula and so well priced, scarily I think I have over half of their colours. You can pick them up easily at Boots, Boots.com and Models Own for the very reasonable price of £5 or Boots have them currently on offer at 2 for £8!! 


What do you think, have you tried out Indian Ocean?