..while I've been gone

Hello Darlings,

I have been absent for a few months due to a few personal issues which have been taken up my time, so I thought I'd update my blog with a few pictures of the beauty purchases I made from the beginning of July through to mid September. (Will update new beauty purchases at the end of October)

I have a few more of these blog posts coming up because I have been naughty and bought some more beauty bits, it's a exciting (and expensive) period of me at the moment, I seem to be just as excited by beauty as I am fashion, every high street shop or beauty brand seems to have something I want! 

However back to the products!

MAC 'Centre Of The Universe' MSF (Heavenly Creatures Collection), 'Something Special' Cremeblend Blush (Permanent), 'Cut a Caper' Lipstick (Heavenly Creatures Collection), 'Insanely It' Lipstick (Permanent) , 'Pleasureseeker' Lipstick (Heavenly Creatures Collection) & 'Fashion Circuit' Eyeshadow (Electric Cool Collection)

'Centre Of The Universe' MSF - Heavenly Creatures Collection

Cut a Caper is my all time favourite lipstick, I bought it with the Tartan Tales Collection two years ago and nearly screamed with delight when I went to a MAC counter (out of pure chance - don't you love it when that happens) and realised it had been re-released with the Heavenly Creatures Collection, and got two back ups. I'm still scared to use them as often as I'd like as they won't last forever!! :(

Oh and the Pleasureseeker lipstick isn't great, but I'm determined to make it work for me!

I shall review these properly over the next few weeks.

I also picked up a Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser and a few of the L'Oreal Rouge Caresse Lipsticks but I want to dedicate a post to those separately. 

Hope you're having a great day!

I have been so naughty! (again)

Hello Darlings!

Yet again I have been very naughty! I don't have time to tell you too much about my purchases, but thought I would share them anyway.

Jumper: As you can see I have purchased my first winter-ish item, I tried to keep it as fun as possible, this jumper is rose gold and just beautiful, although not really keeping in tune with all the bright tops I have been buying lately, I think it's time to face facts, it's no longer summer...boo hoo!!! It's lurex so it'll be probably be a bit itchy but it's so yummy it'll be worth the public humiliation!

Necklace: I got a smaller dipped dyed version of this from Topshop, it's gold with bits of black which is so unique and pretty with all the bright items I have been buying, but couldn't find it on polyvore so picked the nearest item! However have linked the one I really bought! It's so pretty! Plus love studs and spikes so it's perfect for me!

Lipstick: Topshop Lipstick in 'Idol' - I have heard a lot about Topshop Lipsticks, and after checking them out, and the quite limited collection at my local Topshop I shall be ordering some more online! I love the consistency and they feel so good on my lips! (Yayyy!!)

Dress : I had to check and recheck the price of this dress, I intially saw it online and wanted it, but as there wasn't anything else that I wanted so couldn't justify the delivery charges! Anyway after I picked it up, got it home and stuck it on (I didn't want to try it on in-store as didn't want to ruin my hair ha ha) I am a bit umm and urr as whether to keep it. WHY YOU ASK? well arm cut outs come to forward so the sides of my bra show! I only stopped breast feeding four months ago, and these babies need holding up!!! So might need to invest in a new bra if I keep this lovely dress. Oh and if I do keep it I'll probably get the other colours too. bla bla bla!

I have a lipstick post coming up too, I purchased four lipsticks this weekend (including the beauty we see above) so can't wait to share them with you.

Much love!

New Purchases...

Hello Darlings!

These are a few of my latest purchases while taking advantage of Topshops free delivery charge.

Topshop Petite Peplum in 'Sea Blue' - I love my coral version of this, and although the 'sea blue' peplum only seems to come in petite, I had to have it! I am being so much braver with the colours I wear so get really excited making such fun yet unusual (for me anyway!) purchases

Topshop Kristen Jeans in Black - The light blue version of these jeans are really flattering, and seeing that I need a nice black pair, it would only be silly for me to ignore the Kristen Jeans in Black. These jeans are great for girls that are 'hippy' or have a tum and want to be able to get away with shorter tops. I love the shape it gives me, and recommend it to anyone wanting to give high waisted a shot!

H&M Basic Red Vest - I can't find the one I purchased on Polyvore, or online, so I attached the one that looks most like it, although the one I purchased it a lot more vibrant. I have been buying a lot of bright red tops, mostly chiffon, that are sea through, so needed a vest I could team them up with, without losing a great deal or dignity...or cash.

I am being a lot more sensible with my spending (although it must not seem like it) as I am only purchasing items I know I shall wear. Gone have the days that I fill my wardrobe with the same old tops that scream 'I am stuck in a rut', so feel much better about myself since making the change. I trust myself a lot more when heading out with my cards now!

x

My every day skin care routine.

Hello Darlings,

Today I am going to talk about the skin care products I use every day and how I feel they benefit my skin.

I have used Dermalogica for 8 years, the products I have used have changed as my skin has, which is what I adore about these products, it's like mix and match and finding the combination that works for you.

I am really sorry for the unclear picture, I didn't have much time to spend on perfecting its focus!

Before I start talk about each one, I should really give you background summery of my skin. My skin was always combination before getting pregnant, (oily t-zones, and dry-ish patches, but never anything I couldn't control) but over the 9 month duration and post pregnancy my skin became very dehydrated, and still to this day continues to be.

TIP ONE: GET SKIN MAPPED!! (It's a special magnifying glass that can see what is happening with your face, see where you are congested, dry, oily, patchy etc etc) They tell you what to use and give you a plan, even if you take away a few testers, most of the things I now use are due to falling love with the testers!

What I use:

Essential Cleansing Solution - I used The Special Cleansing Gel for 7 years, and never found it to be drying, however 4 months into my pregnancy my skin started to be dull and dry so I was recommended this and I have never looked back. It is a cream cleanser, very moisturising and leaves your skin feeling soft and very clean!  The natural reaction to dry, dehydrated skin is to change how much you drink and to change your moisturiser to something more moisturising, never did I think that it could be the cleanser that is wrong for my skin at that point, so do consider whether the cleanser you use is right for you if your skin changes for whatever reason.

Daily Microfoliant - I use this once a day (usually the morning) and my skin does not feel ready for the day unless I have used it, it removed any dead skin and clears congestion, for me it has especially helped around the nose and forehead. It leaves it smooth and you feel the difference immediately.

Multi Active Toner- In comes in a spray bottle so you just spray it on your face, so no waste and you get as much as your want, on wherever you need it. I smells natural but in a good way, no stinky scents here! I love this product. (Just don't get it in your eyes!)

Intensive Moisture Balance - I have used SO many moisturisers by Dermalogica, Skin Smoothing Moisturiser, Active Moist etc etc, but they all worked well because I didn't really have problem skin, I found this moisturiser worked to it's optimum when matched with the Essential Cleansing Solution, together they both leave my skin feeling nourished and hydrated.

I also use the Multivitamin Power Recover Masque and the Skin Hydrating Booster which I both find pick my skin up on days that it's feeling extra drab, but as I don't use these every day I shall do a separate blog post on them as Dermalogicas Masques and Boosters are amazing. 

All orders from the Dermalogica website have free delivery and come with recommended samples. 

I went shopping....

Hiya darlings,

Last weekend I went out and hit the shops, I thought the sales would all be over but thankfully got a few items I had been after for a while, and the rest from this season, so I happily paid full price for a lot of what I wanted because being a mummy to a young demanding baby means I don't get out much, and currently being in-between sizes, ordering online can be a bit of a bother. 

I recently mentioned that I was sticking to investment pieces, and although in my head I had been, this usually meant my wardrobe was choc-a-bloc with black and boring dark colours, so I decided that investment pieces do not mean 'blah' colours. 

This are the items I picked up. 

From Zara:

(Non-Sale Item) Zara cat top, with the cute little collar detail, I thought it would be a beautiful piece for my collection. I saw that Stacie from MissyElz had the longer white version, and I just loved the print, and simplicity of the top but they didn't stock it when I went to Zara. I love Stacies website, she never fails to inspire me, with her wearable day-to-day outfits. 

(Sale Item) Zara Green Peplum Top with Stud Detailing, I really love the colour and studs on this top, but wish it's material was slightly more forgiving, I don't find it very flattering. I am going to keep it and have it altered as it's just too beautiful to reject!

(Sale Item) Zara Studded skirt. Oh how I love studded items, and although this skirt has already started to shed (I have not even worn it yet!!) I know I can team it up with so many things, it's fit isn't very flattering 'up top' but as long as I wear it with an adequate top it should be fine. I am a big fan of simple yet interesting items. It's nice how a few studs can make something so classic seem so 'wow'.

From Topshop: 

(Non-Sale Item) Topshop Triangle Thong Collar. I love this necklace SO MUCH, I know I can team it up with so many things. It couldn't be more perfect for me! 

(Non-Sale Item) Topshop Basic Neppy Tee. Yes it's black BUT BUT BUT, I need a basic black t-shirt to team with lots of things (I also have this top in white too, I love it) 

(Non-Sale Item) Topshop Paisley Print Cigarette Trousers I usually walk straight past trousers like these as I think it's just not flattering for my bottom half, but I was brave and really thought the print was fun, yet still very me! The Cigarette trouser shape seems to work for me without making me look/feel mahoosive! I am always reading MediaMarmalade, and the beautiful print trousers never fail to amaze me, this blog is truly an inspiration and I am always shopping with the beautiful items on this blog in mind!

(Non-Sale Item) Topshop Sleeveless Peplum Top. Peplum tops have been, and are still everywhere, and I finally got my hands on a Topshop one, it's pretty basic, but love how fitted the top is, yet flattering for those that suffer from 'muffin top syndrome'

Picking up these items, which I really think are essentials (yeah right!!) for someone like me who doesn't have too much time to think about what she is going to wear today and really help me work out what other items would be invaluable to my collection.

Zara Embellished Sequin Clutch

I was umming and erring about whether or not to keep this clutch for two weeks, I don't go out too often and when I do I have a bag full of bottles and nappies, times I go out alone or with friends are not enough that I justify keeping a clutch that fits very little and is covered in pretty multi coloured sequins...but did I??? YES!!!

 Me being me and slightly OCD about things like this, I did look through about four or five of the same clutch to pick the best one! I have not used it yet though so it's all tagged up and new looking :)

It seems big enough to carry the baby free essentials.

Phone, make up essentials (a few bits) and keys, I wouldn't say anymore than that as if it's too full it'd wouldn't look as nice being held.

Flash!

I love anything with gold zip detail

I adore Zara the last few months and after constantly checking online and don't think the love story is going to end soon!

I am going to try and pick up more of these clutches as they come out, Zara like to release them in different colours and I'm quite upset that I missed bough the blue and gold versions! The black was pretty but I wear too much black therefore wouldn't stand out like the others....MAN I WAFFLE!

I can't seem to find the clutch online any more, however it was £29.99 and was still in my local Zara when I went last week so look out for it!

Have any of Zaras sequin clutches, which has been your favourite?

Zara Basic Soft Denim Shirt : it's Love love love

I, like many, have been looking for the perfect denim short for a very long time, and although my local Zara is relatively large, it's not as big as the branch in Westfield, so when in doubt I always try and go there as they have a larger range.

I instantly fell in love with this shirt, it's soft denim, the colour and the pearl pop buttons, it was everything I was looking for.

This is a slightly more true to colour picture of the shirt as the others show it to be a lot lighter.

 

 Zara Basic Denim Shirt

 Pearly Pop Buttons

Cute pockets (one on each side)

Sadly I did not try on the shirt before ripping the tags off (it looked my size!!) when rushing to the doctors the next day as although this says medium it was very fitted. I'm a size 8 on top so not sure what is going on there, but a fitted denim shirt is better than no denim shirt (I'm deluded)

I can't wait for it to be warmer so I can wear it more, it's too chilly to wear alone and It can't really be worn with anything else on top (in my opinion).

I love my shirt!!!!

 It's available on the Zara website here and free to deliver instore if you want to save a few pounds.

 

 Have you found the perfect denim shirt? What are you teaming it up with to give it a more girly look?