Review - Soap & Glory Crazy, Sexy Kohl

I know it's a bit late for reviews of gift sets, but I can't resist with this set.

Just after Xmas, a couple of days after the sales had really kicked off, I braved town and headed straight to Boots. I wanted to have a look really and ended up picking up a couple of bits. My favourite bit was this set from Soap & Glory. I love the makeup from S&G, I have done ever since it came out, so to get all of these was great!

Crazy, Sexy Kohl set contains 3 eye shadow colours and 5 kohl liners.

The eye colours: Smokin', Dandy Plum and Aubersheen are really good quality, super pigmented and lasted really well with a primer. I was really please with how easy the colours were to use, the blend easily and give great colour payoff - the only downside is that there is some fall down.

The liners: Super black, Grapevine, Cocoa Bean, Aquabat and Blue my Mind, are 5 fantastic kohl liners. They are super soft and creamy, blend really well and stayed put which is really important for me as no one wants panda eyes. My favourite of the colours is Cocoa Bean as its the perfect brown liner, I could wear this every day.

This set for me has solidified my love for S&G, I can't fault it at all. You can still pick the set up from the Soap & Glory's website as well as being able to pick up Super Black & Cocoa Bean kohl liners from Boots for £5.

I now can't wait to hit up Boots for some more make up bits and pieces.

What do you think about Soap & Glory make up? Any recommendations? xx

Review - Kerastase Nectar Thermique

One of my personal resolutions was to sort my hair out, get it cut and coloured in a way that I love, and then learn to style it and look after it. With that in mind, I've stocked up on a couple of bits to help.

One product that I love is the Nectar Thermique from Kerastase. My hairdresser uses this every time I have it cut to protect my hair before blow drying, so I picked up a little bottle for myself. A heat styling product, this smells amazing thanks to the royal jelly in it.

I work a 50p sized blob through the ends and mid lengths of my hair before blow drying. I find that it prevents my hair splitting longer before my next cut. It doesn't help with straightness; however it does help keep my hair feeling soft all day.

I can't recommend this enough; it really is a good product, well worth the price tag. I picked mine up from feelunique.com in the sale, but they sell the bigger bottles for £16.60, well worth it for protecting my hair, I will be getting some other bits from Kerastase - any recommendations?

Now I just need to decide how to have my hair cut. What do you use to protect your hair? xx

NOTD - OPI AVOPLEX

No nail polish today, instead something that I swear by. 

I'm a nail polish addict, I must change up my nail colours every couple of days. If I'm not changing it, then I'm layering up colours, but all of this has taken its toll on my nails. I find in this weather, my hands and nails are dry, flaky and just a bit yukky. So every night, before bed, I use this on my nails.

Avoplex is from OPI, its a nail and cuticle oil designed to treat the cuticle and help grow strong nails.

I've been using this for a couple of months, just a little drop every night and its really improved my nails and my nail beds, my nails are stronger, whiter and smoother. I picked mine up from John Lewis for about £16 but I had a gift voucher, but I would say its worth it! 

How do you keep your nails in tip top condition? Have you tried this before? xx

Feeling Flat

Sometimes I sit here looking at this screen and think that I should try and always be positive. I do try and do that most of the time, but it is hard. 

The last few weeks have felt like a real battle, I constantly feel like I'm fighting against 100s of hidden forces that are pushing me backwards constantly, I can't seem to shake this feeling. It started just after new year with the loss of our first home, for those who read my post about buying a house will know how excited we were, but sadly fate stepped in and it wasnt meant to be. Since then, its been a real struggle to find somewhere we love, having found 3 places in as many weeks, we've missed out again due to other people paying more than the asking price. I don't even want to look at the moment, just when we start dreaming about the place, its snatched away again. Plus, people ask how we're getting on, and all I can do is say we're still looking, not found anywhere yet, but you can tell that they're not really bothered.

Coupled with this, I'm struggling with the blog, I want to blog so much, in the week I'm writing post after post to schedule, but I'm just not happy with the blog at the moment, I can't put my finger on it but something is not feeling right with it.

The pressure at school is really starting to ramp up, and I feel like I've suddenly forgotten how to teach. I stand there and have no idea what I'm doing, yet my class seem to be making progress. I'm constantly cross with them, fear someone walking in to observe me and dread any feedback as it just tears me apart. This is what teaching is at the moment, everyone judged, working ourselves into the ground and not getting any thanks for it.

To add to the list of things pushing down, last weekend we lost our little hamster, just writing this has me in tears, but when you tell people, they don't understand, she was just a hamster they tell me, but not to us, she was my company, someone to welcome us home every day, she is incredibly missed at the moment, I don't know when or if I will be ready to welcome home a new hamster, little Oreo has left an awfully big cage to fill.

All in all, I don't feel like me, I've been running at 50%, a lot of my old demons have reared their ugly heads again, and I feel very lost and flat.  I'm hoping once February arrives that I will start to feel better, but I'm not rushing it, many long baths will be taken, yummy food eaten and lots of sleep needed to heal and get better again. Bare with me whilst I find who I am again.

Review - TRESemme Texture Style Velvet Creme

Like a lot of people, I'm always in search for the perfect bed head hairstyle, that I just rolled out of bed, Serena Van Der Woodsen style hair. One thing I love it messy, beachy waves. I'm lucky in that my hair has a natural curl when its allowed to dry naturally. One thing it lacks is volume

So, on my quest for my Gossip Girl hair, I picked up the Velvet Creme from Tresemme. I'm a devotee of the Divine Definition Spray for messing up my hair, so I was keen to try this creme. Velvet Creme is a styling cream that aims to get a messy, textured finish to hair. The cream is similar to the Bumble & Bumble Bb texture (un)dressing cream, but at £21.50, its a tad pricey for a big tube so this is a much better choice!

I tend to use a small blob of this cream on the ends of my hair, rubbing between my hands before concentrating it on the ends of my hair. It did give me a lot more texture and volume throughout the lengths which was great, plus it lasted really well.

You do have to be careful with how much you use in your hair, but a little does go a long way. If I want more messiness then I just repeat the process, and then blast my hair upside down with my hairdryer to speed up the drying. Team this with the Definition spray and you've got dream hair, now all I need is to look like Blake Lively!

What do you think, how do you like to style your hair? xx

Review - January Glossybox

 

Hello! 

Another month and another Glossybox. I think this is the first time I've managed to get a review up, even if its an insta-review or a first impressions. This month, Glossybox have had a bit of a make-over, with a new, longer, glossy finish on the box, new print inside and new ribbon, it doesn't look dramatically different but its a nice refresh.

So January's theme is Back to Basics, with lots of products to get you ready for the new year.

In my box, I received:

Balance Me Super Toning Body Wash - 50ml Sample (250ml £10.25)

Anatomicals Puffy the Eye Bag Slayer -  1 Sample (Full Sized - 3 treatments £6)

Vaseline Essential Moisture -50ml Sample (400ml £4.99)

Yu-Be Moisturising Skin Cream -2x 3g Sample (33g £13.50)

The  Vintage Cosmetic Company Tweezers - £8

One full sized product isn't too bad, tweezers always come in handy at some point.

I'm looking forward to the Anatomicals product to chill out at the weekend, lord knows my eye bags practically need their own passport at the moment! Other then that, the other bits are a bit meh and will be used as and when, I'm starting to question whether the boxes are worth it any more.

What do you think? Are you still receiving these boxes or have you moved? What products do you like the look of? xx

Wednesday Lunch Box #2

Hands up, I forgot to do this last week, plus my lunch didn't happen last week due to running a few clubs with the children!

So this week I've got:

Tesco Country Vegetable Soup

Yup, not a lot there, but I've been so busy this lunch time that I was lucky to actually eat it!

Now to get home & have a proper tea!

What did you have for lunch? Xx

26 Before 26 - A final Update

So last year, just before my birthday, I set myself the challenge of completing a list of 26 things before I turned 26, and I enjoyed working my way through them, however I didn't complete all of them but I gave them my best shot!

• Save £1000  Yay! Saved more than this!
• Go to the beach Went to Brighton & Spain
• Walk in the countryside every week
• Be a tourist in London Loved wandering around London, need to again
• See a musical - Saw Matilda (27/07/13)
• Complete a project 10 pan
• Complete a project bathroom
• Take a photo daily
• Read and review two books a month
• Pay off my store cards - its about £500 now that I don't need as we want to buy a house One card paid off, one more to go!
• Visit Scotland
• Save £10 a month for a treat
• Cook one new meal a week from a cook book Loved cooking, I've cooked so much!
• Take lunch to school every day  I have done this, so much better!
• Buy fruit and veg from a market regularly
• Visit Harry Potter World ( I live opposite so I should really!)
• Blog regularly (3x a week)
• Bake something new on a Sunday every week - any suggestions welcome!
• Visit the major cities in England (Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, any others ?)
• Learn to make Dim Sum!
• Be a better blogger - commenting on others and replying to my own comments. 
• Make home made ravioli
• Find a location to take OOTD 
• Post OOTD posts
• Write a hand written letter to someone
• Shop my stash weekly

11 out of 26, not bad but not great, however I really enjoyed trying to. I might ever try and do this again before next birthday!

Have you set yourself any targets for this year? xx

NOTD - Orly Bonder Basecoat

A slightly different NOTD today, no nails but something for nails. I change my nail colour several times a week, however sometimes I want the colour to last longer so I try to use a decent base coat, my current favourite is a new discovery thanks to my advent calendar at Xmas.

Orly Bonder Basecoat is a rubberised basecoat which acts like a glue between the nails and the polish. I love this little bottle of goodness, it keeps my nail polish in place for up to a week with no chipping or tip wear. It dries quickly without needing to use my nail drying spray. Compared to my beloved Nail Envy, this is just as good, but without the heavy price tag.

This little bottle of amazingness is also only £5 for 5ml, a tiny bottle but you don't need a great deal, plus its amazing, but I may be biased. 

What base coat do you use? xx

Makeup - This Week #3

Hello, remember me? Yeah I know, I started the year off so well by blogging every day and then this week got a bit crazy after my birthday on Tuesday, and then a busy day of house hunting yesterday and a lot of sadness today, but blogging it getting me focused again. 

This week’s makeup picks:

Face:

- Benefit Hello Flawless Foundation (Nearly finished!)

- Maybelline Superstay 24hr Foundation

- L’Oreal True Match foundation

- Benefit It Stick Concealer

Eyes

- Benefit Browzing

- Maybelline Browdrama (Testing)

- SEVENTEEN Blow Out Mascara

- Rimmel Scandaleyes Kohl Liner

- Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof Mascara

Just a few bits this week, I'm also trying to use up some lipsticks as well, but that post will come up later in the week.

What bits are you using this week? Xx

Review - Boots Botanics Eye Make Up remover

Everyone seems to rave about the Clarins Instant Eye Makeup remover, however I can't justify the price of it, so I picked up the Boots Botanics version.

The Boots Botanics All Bright Eye Makeup Remover seems similar to the Clarins as it's a bi-phase product that you have to shake up before you use.

I find it work really well, it removes waterproof mascara as well as the Benefit They're Real mascara, which for me is the real test as that's a bugger to remove.

It doesn't really have a specific smell, sort of flowery and natural. It mixes up to a slightly oily mixture, it tends to run off cotton will, however it's better with cotton pads. It does leave the skin a little oily around your eye, but obviously cleansing after gets rid of this!

For £3.99, I can't really complain about this at all, it's usually on offer and it does the job with no irritation!

Phase you tried this? How does it compare to the Clarins one? Xx

NOTD - Nails Inc Porchester Square

Morning all!!

Monday morning means a NOTD :) Today’s offering is the gorgeous Porchester Square from Nails Inc. I know everyone raves about this one, plus Anna is always singing its praises, however I didn't really fancy it, I prefer dark colours throughout the year, so I never bothered picking it up.

However, when this was in my Boots Advent Calendar, I knew that I was going to have to try it, when have you ever known me to not try a nail polish?! So I sat down on Saturday and now I'm wondering why it took me so long to try it.

Porchester Square is a purple/grey colour, very neutral and easy to wear. Like most Nails Inc that I've tried, Porchester Square has a lovely creamy consistency, very smooth to apply and dries to a nice finish. The only downside I've found with this is that the lasting power isn’t very good, spot the little chip on the little finger? Although I had a good base, Nails Inc just don't last very long or well on my nails :( maybe this is why I don't buy them very often!

It's certainly a colour that I would recommend to people, I will reach for it more when the sun starts shining a bit more.

What do you think? Do you like Porchester Square? Is it just me that struggles with the lasting power of Nails Inc colours?

Xx

Makeup - This Week #2

Sunday night blues have hit, and they've hit hard this weekend - my parents have just left after spending the day here as an early birthday celebration and now I feel a bit naff. Oh well, time to get ready for school. 

This weeks picks:

Base

Benefit Hello Flawless Foundation (I will get this used up!)

Eyes

SEVENTEEN Doll'd Up Linger

Fat Cat Mascara

MUA Eye Primer

Rimmel Kohl Liner

Benefit Browzing

Cheeks

Topshop Prime Time Cream Blush

Mac Harmony Blush

I didn't fancy full on make up this week, wanted to keep it simple, plus there's some bits that need using up shortly as well!

What bits have you picked this week? What do you think of my picks? xx

On the Scales #2

Pinterest

Good morning!

Currently on my way to the gym, kinda afraid as I'm still in pain from Thursday.

This week was the week to get back on the horse with the healthy eating and at the gym, three classes this week, I'm building back up to my old routine, two dance classes and a core class are enough for this week!

So, the scores for this week

Last Week - 

Weight - 196lb (14st)

Body Fat % - 36%

BMI 28.9

This Week - 

Weight: 194lb (-2lbs)

Body Fat: No idea, scales not working! 

BMI: 28.6

No measurements this weeks, I doubt there would be much change in a week without a serious amount of toning work in the gym. 

This plan for next week is to get back doing some more toning sessions, these will have to be at home as the boy needs the car to get to swim training so I'm stuck to home workouts, tempted by the new Vicki from Geordie Shore's workout dvd - 10min blasts sound awesome, plus getting back into the Tone It Up & Blogilates youtube videos. I've also been pinning lots of inspiration this week over on my Pinterest if you fancy it, click here if you fancy checking some of them out.

How has your first week of January been? xx

2 Stars & a Wish #2

Woohoo, its Friday!!!

We Heart it

This week has rushed by, being back at school has been chaotic, but it was awesome being back with my children!

This week's 2 Stars & a wish:

* Getting back to work - It's strange, but I've really missed being at work, being away from my friends as well as my children. We've had some real laughs this weeks, it’s been nice to be reminded why I do this. Although their Y6 children, they are still very unaware of the outside world, no concept of where places are or what the world outside of their estate is like, that why it’s so great working in a school a school like that!

* Eating well, Feeling Great - Back on the 'diet' this week after over-indulging at Xmas, it’s been nice to be back eating clean and eating lots of different foods, we've actually managed to cook from scratch every night. Think I might start writing up recipes if you would want to read them.

Wish - My bike was stolen! We've had a lot of trouble in the flats recently, and to top it all off, some bugger has lifted mine and the boys! We've reported them but it’s not looking hopeful. Oh well.

How was your week?

P.S Count down to my birthday next week!!! Xx

Life - What I got for Xmas '13

Before we start, this is not a post bragging, nor am I comparing my gifts to anyone else, I like these types of posts as it's an excuse to be nosey.

So this Xmas was spent at my parents; then new year at the boys mums. I hadn't asked for anything big so I wasn't expecting anything big, however I got lots of brilliant surprises.

From the boy I got a camera rucksack, Bobbi Brown Palette, the pug/bulldog candle, some Lush treats, a jumper from Topshop and some other bits!

My parents gave me lots of little treats, a Yankee candle, some more Lush, a jumper from River Island, new slipper boots and a massive tin of biscuits. My Nan's also gave us a red letter day voucher, which we've spent on a tastecard!

My sister & brother got me some benefit make up, a pug wash bag, new IPad case and some other bits & bobs.

I also got a couple more tops from Topshop from the mother in law, as well as a Pandora charm and some hair care.

Although there was nothing huge, I did get lots of lovely presents, I think I'm at an age now where if I want something big, I simply save for it myself rather than asking for it!

I did pick up some bits in the sales, I will do a separate post on those bits though as I'm still waiting on my Lush order!

Link me up if you have done a post like this. What did you get for Xmas? Xx

Wednesday Lunchbox #1

So I know a lot of people do a What I Ate post, but I thought I would change it up a bit. On a Wednesday, I plan to show you what's in my lunch box, to give you ideas of healthy lunches that are low cost but full of flavour!

I try & keep my lunches as a fairly big meal, however I follow a paleo style diet with protein rich foods, and as much of it in its natural state - I notice a big difference when I eat too much processed stuff, especially with my IBS (tmi maybe?)

For lunch today, I've got:

- Homemade burgers with courgette & celery in

- Lettuce & low fat mayo bun

- mixed salad - peppers, cucumber & celery

- Tomato soup

As a tiny extra, I thought I would tell you about a massive sale thats going on over on my favourite site to buy Protein from! The Protein Works produce some of the best flavours of protein I have ever used, my favourite being the Butterscotch flavour. As well as that, I also use the large tubs of peanut butter as they are great value and last ages, I have to fight the boy off from using it all up!

I've already placed my order for Protein Pancake mix at 40% off thats £8 for a kilo, a huge tub of Peanut Butter and stocked up on my favourite protein powder at 10% off!  This sale is only on until Sunday, but head over and try some out, they are the best on the market as far as I'm concerned!

Head over to the Protein Works to check out the sale!

Review - Elegant Touch Rapid Dry Spray

We all know I'm a nail addict, I change my polish at least twice a week, if not more! I don't away get the time to change it and let it dry properly, instead resorting to throwing on paint and hoping not to smudge it too much before bed!

Well, I've now found the secret to perfect nails, quickly! I've seen the rapid dry topcoats, but how about a spray version?

Elegant Touch Rapid Dry Spray claims to give you touch dry nails in 60 seconds. just paint your nails, hold the can 10cm away and spray onto the nails. I don't know what or how it works, but you are left with dry nails very quickly.

It doesn't smell, doesn't damage you skin, you don't need to wash it off after, plus it's only £3.05 from Boots, why the 5p, I don't know! I received this one in a Glossybox, however I have since stocked up as it was on offer on 3 for 2!

For someone like me who is short on time, or is impatient when applying nail polish then this is a great litter product, and one I can't rave enough about!

What so you think? Do you leave enough time between layers or not? Any other products I should try? Xx

NOTD - Essie Luxedo

Here we are, first nail polish post of the year. I'm aiming to have Monday's post to be a nail polish of some variety, I like the routine, plus it means I can keep something regular going.

Starting off this year, I've got the gorges Luxedo from Essie. I have a lot of love for Essie, however in my head their still more of a higher end brand due to their price, but I think they are well worth the £7.99 price tag, plus it doesn't hurt to pick up a couple when their on offer in Boots or Superdrug.

Luxedo was part of Essie's Winter 2012 collection, so I was surprised to see it in Boots just before Xmas, it's currently out of stock on their website, so I don't know if that means it won't be here for long but I would recommend you pick it up!

A blackened plum colour, Luxedo is a gorgeous colour for winter. On my nails it can look blackmail in some lights it's plum and others a very dark chocolates brown - a really bad description but it is gorgeous. It's really glossy in two coats, plus it lasts really well on the nail, no chipping for over a week!

As it's the diffusion line, the brush is awesome, I find it covers my nails with one stroke, plus leaves a streak free finish.

As a lover of dark polish, this will be on my nails for a while, if not my fingers then my toes!

What do you think? A good colour for this weather or are you starting to crave lighter colours?

 Xx

On the Scales #1

Image via Pinterest

Oh look, another series! - This was meant to go live yesterday, but annoyingly I found it lurking in my scheduled posts - naughty blogger! 

So I didn't put any fitness goals in my New Years resolution post on Wednesday, I decided to keep them for a new series on Saturdays.

Last year I was doing really well with my fitness, however when December hit, I lost all motivation, plus began making excuses and stopped going to the gym and eating right.

Now it's 2014, I'm back on the fitness train, I'm not setting a specific goal for my weight, instead I know what I want to be, and this year I will get there.

I plan to track my weight every week on a Saturday before I go to BodyJam, and I will update my measurements every two weeks on here as well.

So, the big numbers:

Weight - 196lb (14st)

Thigh - 26 inch

Bum - 45 inch

Hips - 42 inch

Waist - 34 inch

Bust - 36 inch

Arms - 14 inch

Body Fat % - 36%

BMI 28.9

Now I'm not focusing on on the BMI as I don't believe it to be a good indication, however my Body Fat % has crept back up which is annoying but I will get on back on with this. I will be posting my lunch during the week to show you what I'm eating as well as the occasional gym routine or even a playlist! 

What are your fitness goals? What's your favourite exercise? xx

Makeup - This Week #1

Back for the New Year, I'm changing things up with the photography on here, no idea what you think but I quite like how they're turning out, just need to work on the focus of things.

I've changed the name of the series because I felt like it, that’s all really :) Onto this week!

Back to school tomorrow, it’s been nice to be off school; however I am looking forward to getting back and seeing my lovely children again. I also need to get back into wearing make up again, I've worn next to nothing for the past two weeks and it’s been great, however I don't want to scare the children! 

Base - 

Benefit Porefessional Primer

Benefit Hello Flawless Foundation

Eyes - 

Benefit Browzing

Rimmel Scandaleyes Mascara

Urban Decay Naked Palette 

SEVENTEEN Tattoo Me Liner

Cheeks - 

Rimmel Stay Blushed Cream Blush

Bourjois Bronzing Primer

There are all my picks for this week; I'm hoping to get some of the bits finished soon so they might make regular appearances. What bits are you using this week? What do you think of the different backgrounds this week?

Xx

Two Stars & a Wish #1

So, this year I've decided to shake it up around here and add in a few new regular features in the hope it will keep me blogging, plus I can't get into a routine with it all as well! This first new series I'm starting is inspired by all the people who do 5 on Friday, but as I'm a teacher, I'm using my least favourite phrase of 2stars and a wish - my kids love it when they see this marking in their books!

For those who don't know, 2stars & a wish is a way of marking that gives two things that the child has done well, plus one thing to improve on next time - I'm going to use this to mark my week, plus i plan to include pictures from my week.

* - A great Christmas at home, fully rested and ready to go back to school. It was nice to spend Christmas at my parents house, although my mum is a real feeder, for some reason we had up to 4 puddings on the go at any one point!

I know I've gained a bit of Xmas chub, but oh well, it was worth it for being so chilled out.

* - Lots of lovely, exciting presents from Christmas, I have been well & truly spoilt this year, from make up to clothes, plus loads of Lush stuff! Plus I treated myself to some bits from Lush in the sales so I can't wait to start enjoying those!

Wish - one thing that could have been improved was that we lost the house -boooo - sadly yesterday we got a call to say our seller was pulling out and wouldn't be putting the house back on for another year. I kinda feel like I'm going through a bit of a break up at the moment, I knew deep down something didn't feel quite right with it, but it still hurts a bit. We did start to look but it feel too early, so we will just keep saving for now!

Christmas - Bowl of nuts, Indiana Jones, Xmas tree before and after, I cooked this dinner, drink, no alarm!

Christmas - Comfy dog, Boxing Day Buffet, Panto, Champagne, Tree in Croydon, Grumpy Face, Small Sale Haul! 

So there we go, my first week! A good end of 2013 but a crap start to 2014 - oh well, it can only improve! 

How was you week? Xx