March Beauty Wish List

Nars NARSissist Eyeshadow Palette  //  Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil  //  

The Body Shop Aloe Lip Care //  Diptyque Diffused Facial Water  //  Jo Malone Sweet Almond & Macaroon Hone Candle  //  Bumble & Bumble Deeep Treatment  //  Bare Minerals READY Eyeshadow Duo 2.0 'Top Shelf'

Come midweek, I often find myself daydreaming about browsing the shops for beauty bits at the weekend, and today is no different. This time around, I've got my eye on a selection of goodies, most of which I've got Essie Button to thank for. Last weekend, I dedicated a good day or so to catching up with my favourite blogs, and the end result was a list as long as my arm of glorious new eyeshadow palettes, hair masques and suchlike, these ones being the cream of the crop and the absolute musts. In fact, I've already popped into the Body Shop and grabbed myself the Aloe Lip Care, as my lips were in dire need of a helping hand, and I have to say it's been working well so far.

I'll leave you to browse the rest  and see whether there's anything that takes your fancy - sorry to cut this short, but as I type, my keyboard keys are sticking like mad. It's driving me...well, mad. 

Note to self: Use the Ipad next time! But

Hope everyone is having a good week so far. Let me know if you've tried any of these, and what your thoughts are.

xx

The Weekend Beauty Wishlist

Well, there's a surprise - as per usual, my beauty wish list is packed full of skincare and not a lot else. It's not that I don't like makeup - I really do. But the quest for normal skin has got the better of me, and I just can't rest until I get it back! It's so ironic that back before I got into blogging, and (brace yourselves) would often go to sleep with a face full of makeup after a night out, relying on face wipes far too heavily the rest of the time, I had absolutely perfect skin with rarely a spot in sight. And yet now that I take care of it meticulously and have a healthier lifestyle in general, it basically hates me, and I hate it.

Anyway, enough of my moaning - we've been there, done that enough times already. But today I thought I'd put together a little list of the products that have been playing on my mind of late, one or two (!?) of which I'm hoping to pick up on my way through duty free. You may remember me doing a specifically duty free wish list a couple of weeks back, but times are a-changing and so is my shopping list. Saying that, I'd still love to get my hands on the majority of products featured, so I'm not really that fickle. Just greedy, perhaps.

A lot of the products on my list this time are for Clarins, a brand which is really, really appealing to me at the moment. I have always liked them, and grew up sneaking bits of my mother's products here and there, but it's only since trying their Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner that I've really been bitten by the Clarins bug. 

I'm in need of a new cleanser, so first on my list is the Pure Melt Cleansing Gel with Marula oil., which turns into an oil and then a milk upon application, melting away every last hint of makeup while leaving skin nourished and hydrated. I've also got my eye on the Lotus Face Treatment Oil for oily/combination skin. I do have a bit of an uncooperative t-zone, so a soothing oil which also aims to balance the skin and tone the pores would definitely come in handy. I've heard a lot about the HydraQuench Cream-Gel for normal to combination skin, and I find it notoriously difficult to get my hands on a good moisturiser for any skin type other than normal to dry, so I'm really intrigued by this one. Last of all, I quite fancy trying the Instant Smooth Self Tanning to add a bit of colour to my face, and the One-Step Facial Cleanser with Orange Extract, which sounds handy for travel as well as delicious-smelling.

It isn't just Clarins that's been calling my name lately. I'm already a big fan of the Ren Clearcalm 3 Clarifying Clay Cleanser, which does a fabulous job of keeping oil at bay in the mornings, but I feel that I need to add something more to my routine in the fight against blemishes. The Ren Clearcalm 3 Clarity Restoring Mask will fit nicely into my current routine, and hopefully will produce the desired results. I really trust in Ren skincare, as I have loved everything I've tried from them so far. If you haven't given them a go yet then I highly recommend starting with one of their masks. I'm also planning on testing out the Origins Make a Difference + Rejuvenating Treatment, which is supposed to be great for problem skin. I got a gift set from the Make a Difference range for Christmas, and was really impressed with the quality of the products and all that they did for my skin. Sadly though, this one wasn't included in the kit, and the ultra-rich moisturiser that was proved to be a bit oo heavy for my skin.

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronised Recovery Complex II is new on the block, and in a nutshell claims to make you look younger overnight. Well, who wouldn't want that? Sadly, I fear this might be a slight exaggeration, but with fine lines and crinkles already beginning to appear around my eyes I'm not really in a position to argue. Frankly I'll try anything.

What's on your beauty shopping list this week?

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

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

Leather Satchel, Cashmere Coral Lipstick, Concealer Quad Cire Red Blush and Face Contour Cream, all from & Other Stories  -  Radiant Sheen Quad, Beyond Sunset Eyeshadow Quad, Sculpt and Slim Contour Kit, all Daniel Sandler  -  Satchel, ASOS

The weekend has landed, and I don't know about you, but I for one am glad to see it!

This week marked the opening of H&M's new sister store, & Other Stories, and it's already been causing something of a store in the blogging world. Most excitingly for beauty bloggers, & Other Stories has it's own collection of beauty and skincare as well as stocking a select few other brands such as This Works and The Balm. Persnally, I can't wait to get my hands on some of their offerings, particularly the contour cream and concealer quad, as both are something I currently lack in my makeup kit (of course I do have concealers and bronzer for contouring, but I'm intrigued by these formats).

Another discovery I made this week is just how beautiful Daniel Sandler 's makeup collection is. If you weren't already aware, Daniel is a makeup artist who has worked on shoots for high-profile publications such as Vogue and Bazaar, amongst other things, and his high-quality makeup line looks right up my street. My favourite picks were the Beyond Sunset Eyeshadow Quad, Sculpt and Slim Contour Kit and RadiantSheen Quad.

And last but not least, I have absolutely fallen in love with both these beautiful satchels this week. The scallop detailing is just so pretty, and the pastel shades are perfect for the new season and will look amazing with monochrome as a subtle pop of colour.

Have you noticed how I seem to go through stages with my wishlists? It seems that one week I will want all skincare, the next all bags, and so on and so forth. Actually, skincare is a pretty consistent one with me, but I have exhausted the area in previous wishlists so it's time for a break!

I haven't got much planned for this weekend, so I will let you know what I got up to in tomorrow's 'Week in Pictures' post.

Hope you all have a lovely time in spite of the chilly weather!

xx

Monday Wishlist

Crop Tee, Topshop  -  Peach Studded Shorts, Miss Selfridge  - Necklace,  Miss Selfridge  - Aztec Ring, Miss Selfridge  -  T-Zone Balancing Day Fluid, Ren  -  L'oreal Paris Nude Magique CC Cream, Feel Unique  -  ClearCalm 3 Clarity Restoring Mask, Ren  -  No.1 Purity Cleansing Balm, Ren  -   Moisture Surge CC Cream, Cllinique

Wishlists are usually reserved for weekends, but with Mother's Day taking front seat this time around, there just wasn't time, unless I wanted to post twice in one day, which I didn't, as I was sure nobody would be back to read a second post. So instead, once again we are breaking the rules, and I've saved all my goodies for this dreary Monday morning. Now, if I was actually buying these then it would be a great way to start the week, but instead I'm going to have to make do with admiring from afar.

Having gone through a phase of trying out some skincare products that didn't agree with me, my skin has not exactly been looking its best lately, so I want to get settled into a regular regime and not bombard it with too many different ingredients at once. That said, I still stand by not wanting any nasties in my skincare, so I'm going to try and switch my day-to-day routine over to Ren. Of course, I'll still reserve the evening slot for trying out new products, but I'm going to be a lot more careful about checking out the ingredients first and making sure there are no comedogenics (pore cloggers) in there before forging ahead.

I'm intrigued by CC creams at the moment. Having been thoroughly disappointed with BB creams, I'm hoping that this time, there really is something to shout about. Two of the best I've heard about are the L'oreal Paris Nude Magique one (available in three varieties - anto-fatigue, anti-redness and anti-dullness) which rings in at just £9.99, and the Clinique Moisture Surge CC, which I can't actually find for sale anywhere as yet.

Besides that, I'm lusting after some Spring clothing and accessories. and could have included far more here, but I decided to exercise some restraint. These items are my top picks from the lot, and it's torturing me.

Well, that's it for this week's wishlist, I hope you've seen something you like.

Have a great week.

xx

Weekend Wishlist

Elemental Herbology Eye Elixir  -  Mac Lipstick in Party Parrot (Strength Collection)  -  Mac Lipstick in Strong Woman (Strength Collection)  -  Half Floral Tee, Topshop  -  Floral Sequin Vest, Topshop  -  Spike Stud Set, Accessorize  -  Spike Bangles  -  Elemental Herbology Facial Glow  -  Elemis Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Gel Mask  -  Origins No Puffery  -  Cream Cut-Out Shoes, Miss Selfridge  -  Fringe Crop Top  -  Mint Satchel, ASOS

This week, I've found myself in need of some nice new summery tops to pair with my huge catalogue of existing shorts. I tend to get bored of tops very quickly, to the point that when I get a couple of new ones I can't remember for the life of me what I actually used to wear before. Anyway, this week Topshop have got some lovely offerings in their new-in section, which remind me of summer festivals. Need I say more?

I also stumbled upon these gorgeous cream cutwork shoes from Miss Selfridge. Being something of a shortie, I'm always glad of a bit of extra height, so these will see me right through S/S 2013, day and night. To top off the new additions to my wardrobe (well...sort of) are some studded jewellery (you can never have too much) and the token Spring mint satchel. Mint is by far my favourite shade for the warmer months, so I can't wait to break it out again this year.

Beauty-wise, I seem to have been getting a bit out of depth. Champagne lips, lemonade pockets, as some might say. Basically,  everything I want costs a fortune. The main culprit is currently Elemental Herbology, a brand I have been eager to try for a while now. You may have noticed their Facial Detox mask on last week's wishlist, and this time it's the Eye Elixir and the Facial Glow Mask. I don't think I could bring myself to pay full price for them, as I am strongly of the believe that once you go even higher-end, you won't want to go back. It's a downward spiral, a dangerous game. Anyway, luckily for me, I was able to pick up the eye Elixir at little more than half the RRP, along with the Elemis Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Gel Mask, so those should at least feed my skincare craving for...a day?

Last but not least are some absolutely gorgeous, punchy shades of lipstick from the Mac Strength Collection (Party Parrot and Strong Woman), and Origins No More Puffery, because I woke up with THE puffiest eyes ever this morning, and that can't be happening again.

I hope you're all enjoying your weekend, and I'm extremely jealous of all you lovelies off to blogger meet-ups. I hope you all have a wonderful time, and for those of you with other plans, or staying at home, fingers crossed you have a relaxing time too.

What's on your wishlist this week?

xx

Weekend Wishlist

Forgive me for not linking up each of the products as I usually would do this week, but I'm putting this post together in a bit of a rush. You may or may not be aware that I'm currently in Brazil, although not based by the sea, so today we decided to book a bit of a last minute adventure and are leaving for our road trip early in the morning. I'm so excited, as the place we are going to is my absolute favourite (expect pics and a write up on the trip soon), but the downside is that I haven't really had the chance to prepare any posts for the next few days! However, tomorrow I will be letting you have a little peek into what is coming with me in my travel makeup bag, and will try to post more while away. Saying that though, I do want to make the most of the sun, sea and sand, as opposed to sitting indoors in front of a computer screen, but we'll see what happens.

I'm feeling quite Spring-like this week, possibly due to all this sunshine I'm getting, so the clothes and accessories on my wishlist this week reflect that. The Bag is from Accessorize, the playsuit is Topshop and the shoes and shorts are Miss Selfridge . 

Of course, I had to have a little nose at what was new on Feel Unique, and found myself drawn to the This Works Clean Skin Bundle, Pairfum Soy Message Ginger and Lemongrass Candle, Trilogy Rosehip Oil and the Di Palomo Wild Fig and Grape Enriching Hand Cream. Why? Just because.

Hope everyone is having a lovely weekend!

xx

Weekend Wishlist

Enrapture Extremity Heated Rollers  -  Bralette  -  L'Occitane Angelica Instant Hydration Mask  -  Crop Jumper  -  Topshop Lips in Ohh La La  -  L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil  -  Striped Hotpants

Hello, I hope you're all having the most wonderful weekend so far. I know a lot of people are feeling the January Blues at the moment, with Christmas over and nothing to look forward to, but Spring is just around the corner and we can always live in hope that the UK might actually get some sun this year. There is always hope.

Not much has caught my eye when browsing the sales and new-in sections this week - a rarity, I know. Most of what I am eager to get my hands on went into a mid-week skincare wishlist post, so with that out the way there really wasn't much left. However, two things I have been dying to try are the Enrapture Extremity Heated Rollers (the Totem Styler was on my list last week, but I have since discovered something even better!) and the L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil. 

I have seen a couple of videos on Youtube, where people have done Enrapture tutorials, and wow - the rollers create what I can only describe as my perfect hair style. Big, bouncy curls and oodles of volume - and they look so easy to use, too. 

I've heard one or two people mention the shower oil this week, and it just sounds like such a lovely, luxurious treat. Shower products are not something I usually splurge on, as there are plenty of lower-end shower gels and suchlike that do a fantastic job and smell amazing. However, having heard about this, I am very tempted to buck the trend.

Continuing with the L'Occitane theme, Jennie from Sailboat (which, I might add, is a fantastic blog and well deserves a read) talked about the Angelica Instant Hydration Mask in her round-up of her favourite skin, hair and body products of 2012 (here), and ever since I have been keen to pop in and pick it up. Jennie even goes so far as to say that it's the best mask she's ever tried, which is certainly a bold statement, and makes it impossible not to be intrigued.

Other than that, there are just a couple of bits from Topshop that I thought were quite nice, their Ohh La La lipstick included. It's a bit of a change from the deep, dark wintry shades everyone's been slicking on of late, and makes me think of the season ahead.

What's on your wishlist this week?

xx

A Festive Wishlist...What's Left!?

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate: www.kiehls.co.uk

All  Other Cosmetics: Feel Unique

All Decorations: Dotcom Giftshop (vintage Christmas decoations)

Clothes/bag: Topshop

When it came to creating this week's Wishlist, I strangely found myself at a loss. What on earth was I to put on it after all the pre-Christmas wishlisting I've already done over the past few weeks? What more could a girl want?

Well, not much, but it seems I've still managed to find a few things. This week, it's very much a mish-mash of cute festive decorations and the cult beauty products that have always fitted into the 'goes without saying' compartment of my mental shopping list, yet somehow have never been purchased. Take, for example, the Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm. This one has long been on my to'buy list, but due to it's slightly un-purse-friendly price and the fact that I've been eagerly stock-piling all sorts of other skincare products, it just hasn't made it home with me. Another such product is the Joico K-Pak Intense Hydrating Treatment, something which has come to the fore-front of my mind since having my hair ombred. I've already invested in all manner of products in order to rectify the damage done, and whilst many of those appear to be helping, I still find myself having moments of panic where I feel like cutting it all off. Whilst I'm at it, I also wouldn't mind giving their (Joico) Moisture Recovery Treatment Lotion a try, not to mention the Macadamia Luxe Repair Set, because frankly I'll stop at nothing to get my hair back in good condition.

Next on my list is the Jemma Kidd Light As Air liquid foundation, partly because I'm scared it will disappear of the market before I've had the chance, and the Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate, because frankly, I need it. 

Last but not least is the Xen Tan Deep Bronze Luxe, because I'm pasty and I know it. I'm not usually one for fake tan, due to too many past disasters and a fear of looking 'Tangoed', but I keep hearing about what a gem this stuff is and would really like to give my skin-tone a boost.

Other than those beauty goodies, I also wouldn't mind a cosy knit jumper, cute satchel and leather cutwork top from Topshop, and some vintage Christmas decorations, all from Dotcom Giftshop.

I hope you enjoyed having a little nose into my  last wishlist of 2012, and that you are all having the most amazing pre-Christmas weekend!

Eat, drink and be merry.

xx

Stocking-Filler Wishlist

I thought I'd so something a bit different this week, so instead of my usual weekend wishlist, I thought I would do a Christmas stocking-filler themed one. There are always little bits and bobs I find myself lusting after throughout the year, but I often never get round to picking them up. And with the festivities (and expensive present-buying) around the corner, I have forbidden myself to purchase anything that is not for someone else. So, I have compiled a little selection box of such treats and voila, here it is.

Yankee Candle Tarts

Any Christmassy scents get my vote at the moment, and I think these little Yankee tarts are a great way to try out a few different scents without having to fork out for a full-size one you are not even 100%sure you'll like. Plus, if you're indecisive like me and want a different scent for every mood or day of the week, then these are just the ticket.

Kate Moss Matte Lipstick in Vibrant Coral

Mainly just to see what all the hype is about. Actually, I'd like to try any of them, but this one tickled my fancy when browsing the t'interwebs for clues.

MUA Palette in Going for Gold

Actually, the one I really fancied getting my hands on was the Heaven and Earth palette, but alas, it is out of stock everywhere. This one is a pretty alternative though and fits in with the festive season with the variations of shimmery golds.

MUA Shimmer Kiss Bronzer

Yep, I know. Bit late to the party on these, but I am keen to try out this little treasure along with the Shimmer Kisses Blush. Which, I might add, was supposed to be on this collage, but managed to slyly escape somewhere along the way.

MUA Magnetic Nails

I've never tried a magnetic nail polish. And this one is pretty. Enough said.

Aussie Frizz Miracle

I love Aussie haircare, and after having my hair done I now have pretty frazzled ends which are in need of some TLC.

Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer

In the hope that it will wake up my forever-tired eyes and help me to bid bon voyage to my stubborn dark circles...or at least make it look that way. This has been on my hit-list for an age and I really don't know why I've left it on the shelf for this long.

Dove Summer Glow

I know it's not summer, but being pale as a ghost is no fun, and I've heard good things about this stuff.

Maybelline Colour Tattoo in On and On Bronze

Just because it's pretty, and I've never tried one.

I do apologise for not having linked up each of these products separately for you this time. You can find all products listed at:

www.superdrug.com

and

www.muastore.co.uk

The Yankees are available from:

www.yankeecandle.com

What are you hoping to find in your stocking this year?

xx

Weekend Wishlist

  Fairisle Jumper  -   Tote Bag  -  Mark Jacobs 'Dot' Eau De Parfum  -  Studded Military Coat  -  Skeleton Tshirt  -  Velvet Body  -  Boots  -   Wolf Collar Tips  -  Beaded Clutch  -  Mac Spring Forecast '13 Lip Palette  -  Charles Worthington Intense Rescue Melting Balm

It's that time of the week again!
I'm currently enjoying a lazy Saturday morning in bed with tea, Nutella on toast and the radio on, which quite frankly is a very nice way to start the weekend! That said, I think it really began last night, as I had a bit of a Friday night pampering session, also involving wine and homemade chocolate cheesecake, which was just what I needed after yet another busy week!
I've got to stop doing these wishlists. Seriously, they just encourage me! I used to be quite a bad spender, but in recent years I have become much more sensible about looking after my pennies. Or at least, I had until I started blogging! I swear it's worsening by the day, as I just can't stop mentally adding things to my list of wants, and really, I don't need them at all.I mean, if we are honest with ourselves, do we really need more than one or two  tinted moisturisers/blushes/bronzers at a time!? Lipsticks and nail polishes, fair enough - there are just too many pretty colours to choose from, and it's nice to change them to suit your mood/the season etc. But I do sometimes think that we bloggers go a bit crazy when it comes to makeup and the like. I say this out of guilt - I might have accidentally done some more online shopping last night:(
Anyway, moving on. There are rather a few treats in the shops at the moment that I wouldn't mind adding to my wardrobe, as well as the Marc Jacobs 'Dot' Eau de Parfum and this beautiful 'Spring Forecast'13' lip palette from Mac. I actually love the look of this little compact, as you get six pretty colours, and it seems to be the perfect size for throwing in your bag. I usually avoid doing this with palettes as they are often so bulky! Now, being an indecisive person as well as a lover of Mac lipsticks, I'd rate this as a pretty perfect gift, and it also means that I don't have to rummage around in the depths of the afore-mentioned handbag trying to find one tiny lipstick - only to find I'm 'not in the mood' for that colour that day! 'Right On Orange' looks just like my sort of colour for Spring/Summer, and I'm quite inrigued by 'A Look in Lavender' - it's not a colour I would have imagined using on mylips, but I have learned not to rule anything out when it comes to beauty and fashion, as sometimes you can find you can be really surprised by what looks nice.
Last but not least, I have to mention the Charles Worthington Intense Rescue Melting Balm. I saw Fleur de Force talking about this in her October Favourites video on Youtube, and she couldn't rave about it enough. A product that allows you to leave the house feeling like you've just left the salon, any day of the week? Sounds good to me! My hair has been so dry and brittle on the ends of late, not to mention the split ends, and I'm looking for a deep conditioning product that can really nourish it and nurse it back to health. Fingers crossed this is it!

That's my lot for this week. I'm already getting ahead of myself, as I won't be getting any of this lot until after Christmas, of at all - my Christmas Wishlist is already about two miles long!
What's on yours this year?

xx

Weekend Wishlist

Hello!

Hope everyone is having a nice relaxing weekend so far, whether that means letting your hair down and partying it up, or having a cosy night in with your favourite people!

This week has just absolutely flown by again. I know I do tend to wish the working week away, but when it does end I am always surprised that a week I thought was dragging by has suddenly come to an end.

I've been really busy with lots of paperwork to get sorted, but I did. of course, manage to squeeze in some shopping time, so I will be putting together a mini-haul post for you very soon. I say mini-haul because it really is going to be very little - I bought a foundation and a lipstick, and then I've got two pairs of shorts which arrived from Ebay, and a lovely bag, courtesy of my lovely other half!

But anyway, it's not haul time just yet.

I've found myself lusting after SO many things recently, and I just can't have it all. So for this week's Weekend Favourites, I sat down and asked myself which of the things I really need in my life. I say need, but what I really mean is, which of the products, items of clothing and accessories could I really just not stop thinking about. I often have moments of being desperate to purchase something the instant I see it online (although I generally refrain from doing so), but if I'm really honest with myself, I've usually forgotten all about them a few days later. But some things really aren't just passing fancies, and I still find myself longing for them weeks later.

So, without further ado, here are the goodies that made it onto that list.

I need them in my life!

1. Studded Collar Shirt, Zara

I keep seeing this and so I can't forget it! Originally, I tried to put it to the back of my mind, because the price is not something I'm particularly willing to pay. But it keeps popping back into my mind! I'm a little bit obsessed with anything studded at the moment, so I think I'm going to have a little look on Ebay and see what I can dig up!

2. Benefit Hervana Blush

G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S.

That's all I have to say about that.

3. Stila 'In The Light' Eyeshadow Palette

I really love the look of this, and I'm really excited to hear that it contains four matte shades as well as the shimmer shades, unlike the Urban Decay Naked palettes. I do love those, but I missed having matte shades for a lower-key day time look.

For those of you who don't know, this is a neutrals palette (as are the Urban Decay Naked palettes) with lots of gorgeous, wearable every-day shades. They're super pigmented too, which is always a major bonus. The Stila set comes with a Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeliner in shade Damsel, which is a matte chocolate brown, and I have heard amazing things about these, too.

4. Studded Cropped Tee, Red Rock

This is my favourite of everything on this list. I have only recently discovered Red Rock and I am absolutely loving their vintage and handmade clothing and accessories, which are all created in the UK.

This top is a pretty pastel pink, toughened up with gold studs and is perfect for wearing with high-waisted shorts, a staple in my wardrobe. I seriously do have to have this one.

5. Bleached Crochet Shorts, Topshop

Bleached denim. Crochet. What's not to love? These are really relaxed and summery, and will go with everything. All that's needed now is some sun!

6. Studded Collar, Topshop

As I mentioned before, I am a little bit in love with studs, and the same also goes for pointy collars. The fact that this is made from leather too seals the deal. Plus it's black, so it'll go with everything.

7. Mac Lipstick in Hue

There are lots more exciting shades than this one, and I am always drawn to bright shades. But I have been meaning to pick up Hue for a while now, as it's one of those nudey-pink shades that suits absolutely everyone, and is needed by absolutely everyone. I have somewhat neglected my collection of nudes, and now I'm finding myself drawn to them on those days where I just want a relaxed, natural look.

8. Caudalie Organic Grape Water

This stuff sounds amazing! I've been hearing so much about Caudalie on the blogging circuit of late, but I came across this delicious-sounding spray on their website and am now eager to give it a try.

Here's what Caudalie says about it: 

100% organic Grape Water: extracted straight from the grapes during the grape harvest, this mist refreshes, tones and moisturizes the skin at any time of the day. For all skin types, even the most sensitive, Organic Grape Water refreshes whenever you need it.

                                                 Doesn't that just sound amazing?

9. Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation

Again, something I've been hearing loads about of late, mainly from other bloggers. There seems to be something of a craze surrounding it, and given that it's a low-budget high street/drugstore brand like Rimmel, I'm intrigued. I have been using higher-end brands such as Clinique and Mac for foundation for years, as I generally find them to be, out of all cosmetics, the one product that it's really worth spending that bit more on. You usually do get what you pay for, and after dabbling in brands like Rimmel Maybelline and Bourjois in the past, I was even more convinced of this (although for the record, I do really enjoy other products from such brands).

However, recently, such brands really seem to have upped their game, and there are now a selection of high street foundations I am interested in giving a go after hearing rave reviews on them. Rimmel Wake Me Up definitely tops this list, as I always wake up looking really tired, and could do with all the extra help I can get in that department! It's also really affordable, so I'm planning on picking it up asap.

I'll leave it there, and give you a little update on my week in a separate post. Hope you enjoyed reading about my current lust-haves!

What's on your wishlist this week?

xx

Weekend Favourites

So, being the weekend, it's time for another Weekend Favourites post, and this week I have chosen my favourite clothes and accessories from across the online stores' 'New in' sections, as well as some of my current makeup must-haves.

S

Floral Drop Arm Top, Topshop. £26

I love this gorgeous drop arm top, and seeing as I already own a similar one from Topshop (the same, but black with white palm tree print) I know how lovely it looks on. These cropped tops can be worn loose with a pair of high-waisted shorts, which is my favourite look, but for those of you who prefer a tighter fit, it does have a tie at the back which enables you to change it up a bit.

Studded Bralet, Topshop. £38

I never get bored of black studded things! The rock chick look is still going strong in one way or another.

I haven't tried a bralet yet, and there are loads of pretty options out there for Spring/Summer. I'd love to get my hands on this one, along with a more colourful tropical print version. 

What do you wear your bralet with?

Frog Drop Earrings, £14

Cute! Enough said.

Moto Tapestry Contrast Hot Pants, Topshop. £38

Gorgeous. High waisted. Printed. Comfy.

What's not to love?

Tie Front Cropped Shirt by Oh My Love at Topshop, £25

Another of my current obsessions is cropped, sleeveless, tie front shirts, and this one would be more than welcome to join my collection, with it's mint green and coral combo - incidentally, two of my favourite colours of the moment.

Paisley Print Shirt, Miss Selfridge. £38

                                          I must have this. That is all.

Aztec Triangle Earrings, Topshop.£10

                                     Lilac Maxi Skirt, Miss Selfridge, £38

Clinique Long Last Lipstick in Runway Coral (Limited ed.), £16

This one will come as no surprise to the majority of you, who will be well aware of my love for all things coral, particularly where makeup is concerned. I just cannot get enough of coral lips and cheeks, and I am getting excited just looking at this one. I really need to get out more.

Benefit 'The Porefessional' Pro Balm, £23.50

I have been hearing SO many good things about this of late, that I just have to empty my piggy bank and give this a try. I think me could probably all do with a bit of pore reduction, and I know I could on my nose. I am usually a bit skeptical of these 'wonder products', as they often don'tlive up to the hype, but we shall see.

Topshop Nails in Eclipse, £6

Clarins Instant Light Liquid Blush in 02 Coral Tonic, £19

I think after my explanation for the Clinique lipstick, you're pretty clued in on the whys and the wherefores of this one!

As you can see, if I was to buy all of this little lot then I might be left with quite a substantial dent in my bank balance, so for now, they shall remain on my 'Wishlist', especially after my recent splurging on Ebay! Seriously, I am actually dreading not being here when the packages arrive and the Mr having to sign for them, he is going to want to have a word with me! Haha. Before anyone gets the wrong end of the stick about that one though, no, I am not a kept woman, and yes, I do work hard for my money. But you know what men are like, they never see the need for half the things we buy!

What is on your wishlist at the moment? I'd love to know what your selections would be!

Did anyone get to see the Olympic torch today?

xx