Christmas Lust List

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder  //  Diptyque Eau Moheli Roll-On Cologne  //  Diptyque Philosykos Eau de Toilette  //  Diptyque Figuier Vert Candle  //  Diptyque Classic Candle Set  //  Jo Malone Lime Basil and Mandarin Home Candle

I'm back!!

I know it might have seemed as if I'd abandoned blogland there for a while, but actually it couldn't be further from the truth. It has been a busy (understatement of the year) few weeks for us, getting settled back into the UK, staying with family and finally moving into our own place, and once we did get here we still had to wait another month to get the internet installed! It was finally all sorted this weekend, and I couldn't be happier to be able to resurrect this little slice of the internet and get back into the swing of things!

With Christmas just around the corner, I thought it about time I rounded up all of the little goodies I've had my eye on throughout the year, but just haven't been able to pop into my shopping basket. Christmas is a great opportunity to try out the things you just can't justify buying for yourself - like, for example, expensive candles!! Now, don't get me wrong - it's not that I want other people to spend their money so that I don't have to. It's just that, traditionally I do find that family like to spoil each other at Christmas, and the best gifts are always the ones you've been lusting after for the greatest amount of time!

Diptyque, Hourglass and Jo Malone have long been  brands I have coveted, yet I've never been able to make anything mine - true, I probably could have, but truth be told, there are usually more important things to spend my money on than, say, household fragrances. As much as I'd love to pop a luxury candle on my mantlepiece, or add an expensive face powder to my makeup bag, sometimes I just can't bring myself to part with the cash.

What's on your lust list? Is there anything you've had your eye on all year that you're hoping to finally get your hands on?

It's good to be back!

xx

Weekend Wishlist

Mini Shopper, Zara // Aztec Scarf, Topshop // Tigi S-Factor Flat Iron Shine Spray, Feel Unique  // By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra Powder, Space NK  // Neom Happiness Organic Treatment Candle, Cult Beauty // Kevyn Aucoin Celestial Powder, Space NK

Hello lovelies, I hope everyone has had a great start to the weekend! Mine isn't going to be all that exciting, as my husband is working more and more at the moment, so I'm spending a lot of time rattling around the place on my own. We already worked opposite schedules, as I get Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays off, whereas he has two days during the week. But at the moment, he's been working even on his days off, both during the day and at night. It's not ideal, and I had been thinking that if anything, work pressures would be easing off now that we are getting closer and closer to our big move. But I suppose at least it's not going to be for tooo much longer, and it does mean all the more blogging time for me. I say that, but I've got plenty already, although it will help in terms of filming Youtube videos. I usually struggle to find any time with both the house to myself and the sun still in the sky to do those!
Anyway, moving on from that, today's wishlist is, unfortunately for me, a little bit high-end. Now, before I got into beauty blogging, I wasn't even aware of a great many of the brands that I am today, particularly those available from sites such as Space NK and Cult Beauty. Now that I am though, there are just so many beautiful products I would be thrilled to try, but I just don't know if I really want to open that can of worms as I tend to think that once you do, you don't really want to go back! I was a victim of this with skincare, as in the beginning I wouldn't have dreamt of paying over £20 for anything, being of the belief that lower-priced products were probably just as effective. However, since I discovered how much I like brands that use nice natural ingredients and give chemical nasties a miss and the difference this has made to my complexion, I now find it hard to bring myself to buy anything else. At least with skincare you really are doing some good for yourself, but with makeup? Let's be honest, it just looks pretty.
Now, don't get me wrong, I've been using brands like Mac and Clinique for years, and for me those that you'd find at the beauty counters in places like House of Fraser were about as high-end as it got. Their products are already on the pricey side, and I have to admit that I often favour them over the cheaper high-street brands found in Boots. But now I have found myself lusting after products from brands such as Kevyn Aucoin and By Terry, and I just don't know that I want to start spending £30-£40 on cosmetics - in all likelihood, I would probably love them and want to keep buying them, and then where would my purse and my bank account be? It seems it might be asking for trouble!
As for candles, I just can't see myself ever forking out £40 for a full-size Neom. As beautiful as they are, and as long as they last, I just can't help thinking what else could be done with that money. I'm quite pleased to have discovered that they do smaller sizes for £15 though, which while still less than cheap for 75g is more affordable for those of us who want to dip our toes in the water.
So, will I really give this gorgeous selection of products the swerve forever more? Probably not. But I think I'll probably wait for special occasions like Christmas and birthdays, as they would make lovely presents (famous last words?). When I am in a position where I am able to get my hands on all the things I need, it will be nice to reserve real treats for the Christmas list, and I also think people enjoy giving things that are going to evoke gasps and shrieks of appreciation!

Have you tried any of the brands above, and would you consider integrating them into your daily routine? Would you think twice about converting all of your products to such high-end brands?

xx

Weekend Wishlist

Monochrome Playsuit, Topshop  //  Ren Satin Perfection BB Cream, Space NK  //  Rose Gold Statement Necklace, Miss Selfridge  //  Kevyn Aucoin Liquid Airbrush Foundation, Space NK  //  Elemental Herbology Perfect Clarity Blemish Minimiser, Feel Unique  //  Embellished Heels, Miss Selfridge  //  Striped Crop Top, Topshop  // Cocktail Ring, Miss Selfridge

Hi everyone, hope you're all having a nice relaxing weekend and making the most of the sunshine!
I'm feeling pretty content at the moment when it comes to beauty, clothes and accessories, as I acquired quite a lot throughout the month of April and got everything I needed, and lots of things I wanted, too. But, as usual, I'd be lying if I said that nothing had caught my eye over the past week, so while this wish list might be a bit more modest than usual, it's still there!
Beauty-wise, I'm still suffering from the dreaded hormonal blemishes on my chin, so I'm looking for something to help me zap them in their tracks. What most appeals is the Elemental Herbology Perfect Clarity Blemish Minimiser - a product that had somehow escaped my notice during previous perusals of their website until I had another nosey earlier this week.
Another product I'm eager to get my hands on is the new Ren Satin Perfection BB Cream, something I've been waiting for for ages. Now, I'm not really a fan of BB creams in general, and have found every one I've tried so far something of a let-down, but this being Ren, I've just got a feeling that they will have done a good job.
I've been on the look-out for a new foundation, as while I'd usually be cracking out the tinted moisturisers at this time of year, my skin is really in no position to be going minimal at the moment, and is need of better coverage. I'm a bit tired of my current options - Revlon Photoready is nice, but I've recently began to notice how oily it makes me look when filming videos, and with my t-zone being a bit less controlable then it was previously, I'm thinking I might need to go for something a bit less illuminating and a bit more matte - not something that really appeals, but you've got to do what you've got to do. I'm mostly using the Estee Lauder Invisible Fluid at the moment, which is a nice mid-ground between a tinted moisturiser and a foundation, but I'd like to have another option on hand for those days  when it's just not enough, so the Kevyn Aucoin Liquid Airbrush foundation sounds just perfect.
Fashion-wise, Miss Selfridge have just unveiled their new collection of limited-edition jewellery, and I have to say, they've got some truly gorgeous pieces in. I also fell in love with a pair of their embellished heels, a monochrome playsuit from Topshop and a little striped crop top, too.

What's on your wish list this week?

xx

Weekend Wishlist

Crop Tee, Topshop  //  Light Optimising Primer Broad Spectrum SPF15, Nars  //  Ombre Bracelets, New Look  //  Boots, Office  //  Lip Bullet in Covet, Topshop  //  Bracelet, Topshop  //  Pierre Hardy for Nars Blush Palette in Boys Don't Cry, Nars  //  Satin Lip Pencil in Lodhi, Nars  //   Nails in Aurora, Topshop

Why hello, hope everyone is having an awesome weekend so far! I don't work on Fridays, so mine started yesterday, but I'll save that for tomorrow's round-up post.

I'm feeling quite satisfied at the moment in terms of beauty products, clothes and accessories, as within the last month or so I have acquired quite the selection of goodies. As you probably know by now, I did do a liiittle bit of shopping for my birthday, and obviously I was lucky enough to receive some presents as well, so I'm pretty much sorted for the time being. That said, there are certain websites that will always have something that will tickle my pickle, so of course when browsing on the Nars website earlier in the week there were one or two things that caught my eye. I'm missing a primer in my makeup routine, and the Light Optimising Primer Broad Spectrum SPF15 sounds like just my cup of tea, as I'm a sucker for anything that aids or promotes radiance, which this one promises to. I've also quite fancied trying out the Satin Lip Pencils since they came out, and Lodhi seems to be the perfect spring peach shade. Last but not least, I couldn't help but notice the selection of blushes by Pierre Hardy. It's not that I need another one, but there's just something so appealing about Nars blushes, especially when they come in such pretty designs.

I would really love to add some new boots to my wardrobe for spring, preferably something a bit more in-keeping with the season and the colour palette I'm most likely to be embracing, which is mainly made up of pastels. These gorgeous crochet boots from Office are just the ticket, and I think they're so unique.

Other than that, I was bound to be tempted by a few bits from Topshop - mainly the gorgeous multi-tonal Aurora nail polish - and New Look. I've spent so much time admiring statement necklaces of late that arm attire seems to have taken a back seat, so I don't currently have much in the way of bracelets and feel the need for a bit of an update.

I hope everyone's been enjoying the warmer weather - if that'snot the perfect excuse to crack out the spring wardrobe then I don't know what is!

What's on your wishlist this week?

Have a lovely weekend.

xx

Weekend Wishlist: The Zara Edition

// All from Zara //

Following my little shopping trip which resulted in many a Zara purchase last weekend, I'm finding myself a little bit obsessed with the place. There are so many gorgeous pieces I wish I had picked up, and every time I pop onto their website I find myself tempted even further. The funny thing is, although I've always liked Zara, it's never really been a shop that particularly excited me, yet now I can't get enough of it. I really think the quality and variety have come on leaps and bounds over the past year or so, and there are now so many iconic pieces being churned out it's hard to keep up. What I really love about Zara is how well-made their pieces are, and the way in which they are able to keep up with the trends while still remaining chic and sophisticated. I know that anything I buy from Zara will last me years, so I'm not all that put-out by the prospect of forking out for a blazer or handbag - when it comes to classic, timeless pieces I'd rather pay that little bit more than go for a cheap option that's going to fall apart in five minutes. I save the likes of Primark for the fast fashion and rapidly moving trends, which it does so well.

At the moment I'm mostly craving brightly coloured blazers. I love how they can be dressed up or down, and a good pop of colour is all that's needed to take a monochrome outfit into Spring. I'm also lusting after a really good quality handbag, as I tend to chop and change quite easily and as a result usually pick up cheaper options that don't quite stand the test of time. I'm after a spacious neutral or black bag that has plenty of space for all the junk I cart around, but that is also easy to organise so I don't find myself having to rummage it through it for my phone or purse, which would inevitably be residing right at the bottom. Of course, while seeking out such bags, it was impossible not to be drawn in by one or two of the brighter, more ornate looking clutches. There are some gorgeous beaded and embellished numbers in at the moment, and being the sort of girl who usually throws caution to the wind and just grabs whatever's prettiest, I'm going to have to exercise some restraint!

Footwear-wise, I'm looking to update my collection with some bright boots and shoes, and I must admit that I'm still partial to a bit of animal print or stud detailing. I know they've been done to death by now, but I love the fact that shops and designers are still coming up with new variations and managing to keep things fresh. I'm quite happy to see these trends continuing on into the next season, and I'm looking forward to seeing how they are going to be combined with more traditional Spring/Summer styles, as well as the lighter, fresher colour palette of pastels and pretty brights.

Last but not least, there are some stunning statement necklaces in for the warmer months, and personally I love to keep a stash of these to brighten up basics, as I find that they help me to get so many more outfits out of my wardrobe, and get me wearing items I might otherwise cast aside or reject as being a bit boring.

Have you popped into Zara lately? If so, what caught your eye?

xx

Weekend Wishlist

 

Petite Collared Playsuit, £48,Topshop
Cream Blush in Deep Throat, Nars
Rose De Rose by Terry, £40, Space NK
Studded Bag, £59.99, Zara
Petites Studded Printed Shirt, £38, Miss Selfridge
Stila Convertible Colour, £16, Space NK
Leopard Print Shirt, £35, Miss Selfridge
Topshop Nails in Twilight Tease, £6, Topshop
Topshop Nails in Queen of Green, £6, Topshop
Jordan Studded Shoe-boots, £60, Topshop
Studded Pumps, £28, Miss Selfridge
Studded Shorts, £32, Rare @Topshop

As you can see, I most definitely haven't got bored of studs since last week, and yet again, they are well and truly dominating my Wishlist! These have turned out to be a huge trend this summer and are set to continue into the Autumn, which frankly, is fine by me. They can continue forever if they want.
I've also gone a bit blush-mad this week, with Nars Deep Throat, Stila Convertible Colour and Rose De Rose by Terry all making an appearance. The Stila one is actually designed for both cheeks and lips, while Rose De Rose is a liquid blush which has a buildable satin finish. It's sheer, and can be used all over the face in spite of the colour it looks in the bottle. Actually, the one I want is called Amber Rose, which is a peachy-bronze nude, but I could only get an image of this pink shade, which is called Fresh Rose.
Yet again, Miss Selfridge have got some gorgeous printed blouses in and I was pleased to see that they had my favourite one in Petite.

I haven't been up to much this weekend so far. My other half's family might be coming for lunch tomorrow, and we really want to have a barbecue in the garden, but really, I can't see the weather cooperating! My spending ban has gone really well this week and I haven't bought anything I don't need, but I am worried that the money I have been squirreling away instead of going shopping is now going to have to be spent on fixing the car! I really hope not. Will have to wait and see what happens on Monday when we take it to be looked at.

What's on your wishlist this week?
Hope everyone is having a lovely weekend!
xx