Today's outfit is one of my favourite pattern/colour combinations: black and leopard print. I am also giving a bowler hat a go, but I am still unsure about it.
August Love Me Beauty Box
My August Love Me Beauty Box* (£10.00 +P&P) features four full size items and I am very pleased with most of them. I received three makeup products and an eye cream and I wanted to share my first impressions with you.
My Most Used Makeup Products
There is nothing I love more than photographing brand new lipsticks or palettes, but... today I want to talk about my most used and well loved makeup products. The ones I either used up, repurchased, hit the pan on or simply used every single day since I got them . Are you ready for some recommendations?
Sale Purchases: Fashion & Beauty
I am the queen of sales... seriously, most of my wardrobe was bought with a massive discount and I very rarely pay full price for any of my clothing. I like spending, but I also like saving. Here are some of my recent purchases, most of them ordered this weekend, so they are not with me yet. I placed orders with Asos, House Of Fraser, New Look and Feelunique.
Elizabeth Grant 7 Piece Collagen Collection Offer and Giveaway on my Facebook Page
If you have a soft spot for luxurious skincare in stunning packaging, you will love the anti-ageing Elizabeth Grant 7 Piece Collagen Collection*. Ideal World TV are currently having a 'Bank Holiday Bonanza' and the offers are hard to resist. This beautiful set is worth £183.94, but you can buy it for only £39.99(free p&p). Is it worth it? I think so!
Urban Decay Pulp Fiction Makeup Collection
As a die-hard Pulp Fiction fan and a massive Urban Decay enthusiast, I actually screamed from excitement when this collection landed on my desk. I haven't been that excited about makeup in a long time. Some might find this collab weird, but I am OBSESSED and I will treasure it forever! I watched the movie about a 100 times (or more), danced like Mrs. Mia Wallace with my girlfriends at every single party after requesting THE SONG, I even had a huge Pulp Fiction poster on my wall years ago and... I still listen to the soundtrack every time I am in the car.... Ooooops... Anyway, enough about my obsession... The Pulp Fiction Makeup Collection by Urban Decay is now available in US and will be launching in UK on the 1st of September to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the movie and it is obviously limited edition.
My Little Box UK
I recently received my third 'My Little Box' in the post and I can finally share some more details with you, as the UK launch is just around the corner (September). Why should you be excited?
3 Refreshing Drinks With Alpro Coconut
As a self confessed coconut addict, I couldn't wait to give Alpro's new coconut milk a go! Armed with a cocktail shaker, a sparkly martini glass, a blender and a booklet full of yummy recipes, I was ready to try some new flavour combinations.
Fashion Monday #2 / Stylist Pick Outfit
As promised, I have a fashion post for you this Monday :) And... it is a 'proper outfit post', which means unflattering full length body shots by my husband.... I obviously included some snaps I took myself too :) I was kindly sent two pieces from www.stylistpick.com and I styled them with my own accessories etc. Let me know what you think.
New bedroom bits and decor refresh
I get bored of my home decor easily and I like changing things quite often. From a big selection of bedding to new throws and bits and bobs for the home, I spend too much time and money on it... Oooops... That's why I decided to finally say goodbye to the stripy wallpaper we had in the master bedroom (see it in THIS post) and change it to something more neutral.
All-Bran 5 Day Challenge + Giveaway
While your diet may be relatively healthy, it doesn't necessarily mean that you are getting enough fibre to maintain good digestive health. I am a healthy eater,who consumes lots of fresh fruit and veg, beans, nuts etc, but... being on a weight loss journey and reducing the size of my portions means that sometimes I can miss out on the fibre. That's why I agreed to take the All-Bran5 Day Challenge.
Joan Collins Timeless Beauty
If you are a fan of luxury makeup, you will absolutely love the Joan Collins Timeless Beauty Makeup Line. The packaging is breathtakingly beautiful and the formulas are lovely too. I have been obsessed with the small selection of products I received to try out and I now have far to many Joan Collins gems on my wish list.
Sigma Gel Liners and Liner Brushes
I am a liquid liner gal, but I quite like gel formulas too. The Sigma Beauty Gel Eye Liners* are the newest addition to my stash and as a lover of the winged liner look, I couldn't wait to try them out.
ELF makeup look: golden smokey eye & peachy lips
When it comes to makeup, I adore many high end products, but... I also love cheaper options, including some real gems from E.L.F. I especially like ordering from them , during their 50% off sales :) To create this makeup look, I used E.L.F. products only and I went for a golden smokey eye, peachy lips and glowy cheeks.
Vichy Idealia Eyes Review
I am a big fan of Vichy Idealia Life Serum* and BB Cream*, so the release of Vichy Idealia Eyes*(£23.00) got me seriously excited. I have been using the eye cream and serum for the past 4 weeks (morning and night) and my skin absolutely loves this combo!
Fashion Monday #1
Hi everyone. If you follow me on instagram, you might have seen my outfits already, but I think I am finally ready to start sharing some OOTD posts on the blog. I am not sure if the photos will be taken with my DSLR or just my phone/ipad, but I am not too fussed about it to be perfectly honest. I get my fashion inspiration via instagram every single day, so I am perfectly fine with mirror selfies. What do you think? Anyway... After the amazing response from many lovely ladies on instagram, I decided to introduce a 'Fashion Monday' feature to the blog, to mix things up a bit. I am getting fed up with writing about beauty 95% of the time and I want to branch out to other areas of blogging. Change is good, right?
Win £500 of John Lewis Vouchers in British Gas History Of Home Competition
I am not ashamed to admit that I keep almost every nostalgic item, because I find it really hard to part with things that mean something to me, or remind me of certain people, moments etc. It is just the way I am :) That's why I couldn't be more excited about giving you an opportunity to enter this fantastic competition hosted in cooperation with British Gas. The prize is absolutely amazing and the lucky winner will receive £500 worth of John Lewis vouchers! How can you enter?
Non-Beauty Favourites/ What I've Been Up To
I feature my beauty favourites on the blog almost every month, but to be perfectly honest, I have even more 'non-beauty' favourites, especially food related ones :) haha. I also very rarely include lifestyle updates, so today's blog post is a mixture of both, plus a virgin mojito recipe I promised to share :)
August Birchbox UK (review and video)
As a big fan of beauty boxes, I was very excited to open my travel themed August Birchbox* (£10.00 +P&P). I haven't seen any sneak peeks before it arrived and I didn't even expect one in the first place, so it was a total surprise :) As soon as I lifted the lid, I spotted two products I knew I will really enjoy, but the remaining two didn't disappoint either.
What to Do With Your Belongings When Travelling for Months
What to Do With Your Belongings When Travelling for Months
Preparing for extended travel involves more than just booking tickets and setting itineraries. One of the most overlooked aspects of long-term trips is figuring out what to do with personal belongings. Whether you're planning a career break, digital nomad lifestyle or a months-long adventure, leaving your possessions unmanaged can lead to clutter, stress and unnecessary expense.
Marlenha Flourish Moisturiser Review
Marlenha Flourish Moisturiser* (£49.00)
If you are a regular reader of my blog, you might remember my review of the Marlenha Petal Delicate Eye Serum. I am still using it and I absolutely love it. I was kindly sent the Flourish Mosituriser to try 6-7 weeks ago and again, I am really impressed with the formula.
Citizen M Hotel Glasgow (review +vlog)
Last month, I celebrated my 27th birthday and it was my first night (2 nights actually) without my son! He is 3 years old and I have watched him every single day and night for the full 3 years of his life and I am really proud of myself! Anyway... After many months (ok...years) of trying to 'cut the cord', I finally left Zachary with his grandparents overnight and spent 2 nights with my husband in Citizen M Hotel Glasgow.
Clarins #YouOnlyBetter Makeup Looks
When it comes to high end makeup, Clarins are definitely my favourite brand. I absolutely adore their products, so I couldn't be more excited about sharing this post with you. I took part in the #YouOnlyBetter campaign and recreated three of the simple makeup looks, featuring Clarins core line of products. There is no need for brushes or other tools and the video tutorials make things even easier.
Latest In Beauty Mio Box
Latest In Beauty Mio Body Beautiful Discovery Box* (£16.95, plus p&p)
I am a sucker for beauty boxes. I just love them. They are usually amazing value for money and this new collab between Latest In Beauty and Mio is a great offer for those who like to look after their body inside and out!
My first Bioslimming Wrap
Losing weight/inches is something I have been trying to do for the past 3 years and it is much harder than I expected. I am not talking about a couple of pounds here... I was slightly overweight when I fell pregnant, so after 9 moths of eating far too much (it was all healthy stuff FIY) I ended up huge and my stomach was insanely big at 42 weeks. Yep - I was 2 weeks overdue as well... Unfortunately I ended up bigger than ever, with tons of stretch marks and some loose skin after having Zachary and I am not exaggerating when I say that I am planning a tummy tuck after my next pregnancy. I am nowhere near my goal yet and like most people, I have my ups and downs, but to help me feel better in my own skin, I decided to give the Bioslimming treatments a go. I didn't expect miracles and I was just happy to treat my skin to some TLC it deserves, but... I was amazed with the difference after just one Bioslimming wrap at Westfield Complementary Health in Mauchline.
Vitamix: Vegan Ice Cream + Frozen Desserts
I am still obsessed with my Vitamix Pro 500* and I even got my husband into trying many of my creations. This instalment is all about frozen desserts, including healthy ice cream and smoothie bowls. They are super easy to create and taste AMAZING!
My Travel Skincare Bag
I never travel light, but I managed to keep things quite simple in terms of skincare when I was away for a week. Everything fitted into my Ted Baker Large Bow Wash Bag* and I was proud of myself for not taking my whole stash with me :) haha.
Home Decor: How To Give Your Livingroom An Industrial Look
The industrial look is a popular interior design trend that combines raw, unfinished elements with sleek, modern touches. This aesthetic takes inspiration from old factories and industrial spaces, blending materials such as metal, wood, and concrete to create a unique, rugged yet refined ambiance. If you're looking to transform your living room into an industrial haven, here's a comprehensive guide on how to achieve that distinctive look.
Brand Focus: Tangle Teezer
My hair gets knotty easily, but for some strange reason I did not own a Tangle Teezer until now! I know... such a bad beauty blogger :) haha. I have other detangling brushes (with handles) though and I really like them, so I had an idea of what to expect from the Tangle Teezer family. I was kindly sent three different designs to try out and I must admit - I am seriously impressed!
Suncare Essentials For The Full Family.
I am currently enjoying a seaside break and the weather is absolutely beautiful, so I finally got a chance to get a tan :) I am lucky to get a nice colour easily with my skin tone, but I always make sure to protect my skin from harmful rays when I am out and about or actually sunbathing on purpose :)
Love Me Beauty Box Review - July
After a slightly disappointing Birthday Box, Love Me Beauty really surprised me with their fantastic selection of goodies for July. I opted for edition 1 and I couldn't be happier with my box. I received 7 products in total this month and six of them are full size!
Lipstick Addict Tag (with extra questions)
Hi everyone. I have seen many 'lipstick addict tags' floating around youtube and blogs, but I wanted to add my own questions and include all (or most) of my favourite lip products in one post. If you decide to do this tag on your blog or youtube, make sure to let me know on Twitter or in the comments on this blog post so I can have a look :)
Three Tips To Help With Packing
Packing for a holiday is rarely quick and easy and it can be difficult to remember absolutely everything that you need and to pack. We aways forget something, right? Often finding yourself surrounded with a pile of clothes that just don't fit in your suitcase. Not to mention all the toiletries and other essentials that you need to take, trying to stick to weight limits and all the liquid restrictions. It can become overwhelming and extremely stressful for some.
Weekend pamper #4
Remember when I mentioned that I might be going abroad at the end of the month? Well... it is not happening, but... the emergency option is there and we are travelling to Scarborough tomorrow :) Yay! The last time I went, it was really lovely, so I think we will enjoy it if the weather is nice. Fingers crossed for some sunshine, I really need it! To prep for our my week away, I decided to have a little pamper evening with some treats for my face and body :)
Yves Rocher Secrets D'Essences Vanille Noire EDP Review
Yves Rocher Secrets D'Essences Vanille Noire EDP* (£49.00, £24.50)
I am still obsessed with everything vanilla and I don't think I will ever get tired of it! The latest addition to my 'vanilla centric' perfume collection is Secrets D'Essences Vanille Noire by Yves Rocher, but unfortunately it isn't what I was looking for.
Half Price Anna Sui Lip and Eye Colour Palettes
I am a self confessed palette addict, so I couldn't wait to play with these Anna Sui beauties! The Eye Color and Lip Color Palettes arrived a day before my birthday and it was love at first sight. The best part - you can get them 50% cheaper from Escentual, at only £14.00 each. From stunning packaging to amazing formulas, they tick all the boxes.
Simple Solutions to Improve Your Home Security in 2024
Enhancing your home security doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With a few simple steps, you can significantly increase the safety of your home and protect your loved ones. Here are some practical solutions to improve your home security.
Illamasqua Glamore Nude Lipsticks
To be perfectly honest, I haven't tried many Illamasqua products, but I am quickly falling in love with their exceptional formulas. The new nude shades from Illamasqua's Glamore Collection are absolutely stunning, especially Rosepout. There is a shade for everyone, so you might finally find your perfect nude lippy!
June Favourites
Wow, it's 11th of July and I just got round to writing my June favourites post. Ooops... I blame the beautiful weather for my laziness :) I have loads of amazing products to share with you though, most of them perfect for Summer.
Shimmering Body Oils
It looks like I might be jetting off to a hot country at the end of the month. It wasn't planned (we were supposed to go in October) and we are not sure where we are going yet. Spain, Portugal and France are possible options, but we will just get the best last minute deal, if everything goes according to plan. If not, we will just go to Scarborough with my in-laws for a week to enjoy the British seaside. The weather is supposed to be lovely from the 21st of July :) With that in mind, I went through my stash of shimmering body oils to make sure I have plenty to choose from. I am absolutely addicted to them and I go through many bottles in Spring/Summer.
Yves Rocher L'Eau Moment De Bonheur Review & Giveaway
Yves Rocher L'Eau Moment De Bonheur* (£38.00, £19.00)
Described as 'a breath of springtime' this scent is absolutely perfect for the warmer months. It smells very similar to DKNY Be Delicious and with a 50% discount, the 50ml bottle is a real bargain. I was kindly sent L'Eau Moment De Bonheur by the Baobella team, but you can buy it from www.yves-rocher.co.uk. I am also giving one away, as I was sent two due to a Royal Mail fail.
What's On My Desk and TaoTronics Elune Lamp Giveaway
To be completely honest, I prefer working on my laptop from the comfort of my giant corner sofa :) but... when I want to be more productive, I get things done at my desk. I share it with my husband, so it isn't totally my style, but it is a nice little space and I like having my side more girly and Scott's side modern. The desk we ended up getting is an IKEA Alex which consists of two Alex units and a 200cm long white worktop. It is massive and exactly what we were looking for! The newest addition to our desk landscape is a black TaoTronics Elune Lamp*, which we both love and... I am also giving one away to one of my lucky readers! You can enter the competition, by filling in the rafflecopter widget on the bottom of this post.
Summer Wishlist: White & Coral
1.Caudalie Divine EDP (Lookfantastic, £39.00) 2.Birkenstock Arizona Sandals (Asos, £49.95) 3.Denim Shorts With Lace Insert (Asos, £30.00) 4.White Floral Top (New Look, £24.99) 5.Kimono (Topshop, £45.00) 6.Gold Pearl Necklace (New Look, £5.99) 7.White Laser Cut Bag (New Look, £19.99) 8.Headband (Asos, £8.50) 9.Belt (Asos, £4.00) 10.White Hat (Debenhams, £13.95)
New from Urban Decay: Naked Flushed & Bronzing BB
There is nothing I love more in Summer, than a bronzed complexion and a nice golden glow. To help me achieve this look, I have been using two new Urban Decay releases. The Naked Skin Bronzing Beauty Balm and Naked Flushed Compact in Strip. I might be slightly obsessed with them :)
Sending restricted beauty items/blog sale advice
Hi everyone. Slightly different post today, but very important for those who consider having a blog sale, or simply send beauty items via Royal Mail. I personally didn't have a clue about any UK restrictions for sending beauty items like nail polish or perfume, so I thought I should write about it to warn you and help you prevent losing a lot of money. It's not a nice feeling, especially when it's a big amount.
The Pro Hygiene Collection Antibacterial Makeup Spray
The Pro Hygiene Collection Antibacterial Makeup Spray (100ml, £10.00)
Keeping my makeup very clean and sterile is something I started paying more attention to when my skin went crazy and I decided to eliminate all bacteria that could aggravate it. You probably know that it's important to disinfect your makeup, but do you actually do it? I got a bottle of this antibacterial spray, before my first ever blog sale to make sure all the products are 100% clean and safe to use by another person. Obviously, it is a product I use most days as well and I think that everyone should own a bottle of it, or a cheaper alternative.
Benefit They're Real Push-Up Liner & Remover Review
I already found my Holy Grail liner and I am not sure, if anything will ever beat it. It's the Bourjois Liner Pinceau. I absolutely love it! I like trying other liners though and the new Benefit They're Real! Push-Up Liner* (£18.50) left me really impressed. It is the first gel liner pen on the market and it officially launched yesterday.
I ♥ MAKEUP
If you are a makeup addict, you might be interested in the new releases from Makeup Revolution. They launched a new sister brand called I ♥ Makeup last week and I got a chance to try a selection of the new products.
Jimmy Choo EDP Review
Jimmy Choo EDP 60ml* (£29.99)
I've only heard good things about this perfume and everyone seems to love it. From the design of the bottle, to the scent itself, it is perfect! It is also pretty affordable, which is always a bonus. Jimmy Choo EDP is quite a sensual fragrance, but not your typical floral/sweet combination! It has a lot of character and gives me a boost of confidence.
Stress-free Blogging :)
Let's be honest... some of us freak out about our blogging schedules too much. I definitely find myself worrying about not having a blog post ready for the next day, or not having time to write one at all. I try to be relaxed about it, but the voice in my head keeps reminding me, that I HAVE TO publish a blog post. My 'To Do List' gets longer and longer each week, but you know what? I don't even care anymore and I seriously need a break. This doesn't mean that I will be absent, not at all! I am just starting to enjoy blogging again, after going through some really bad times. At some point last year I was blogging every single day, multiple times a day, but I found myself stressing out too much, so I decided to just relax for a while, as something I absolutely loved turned into a chore and I wasn't happy. I still enjoyed preparing most of the content, but all the admin work was killing me! If blogging isn't you job, don't take it too seriously, relax and keep some of the following tips in mind:
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