Monthly Archives: November 2014

Ugly Christmas Jumpers

Posted on November 30, 2014

Hi Guys!

Now December is officially looming upon us I feel I can freely talk about the ‘C’ word without upsetting any one – oh except my other half, who believes all Christmas presents should be bought on Christmas eve, and the tree should be up for no more than two weeks, yes his name is Scrooge. Today I was going to talk about ‘Novelty Jumpers of Christmas Past’ – you know the ones, you were ten years old and dreaded opening that present from Granny, you knew it would be another hideous knitted Christmas jumper that you’d be forced to wear on Christmas day, and you’d even have to write her a thank you card telling her how much you loved it. Then because she thought you loved it, she’d knit you an even more hideous one the next year. Ahh good times!

Unfortunately I have no photographic evidence of any of my old Christmas jumpers to show you (they were probably ‘accidentally’ distroyed at some point) Even one of my more recent favourite Christmas jumpers, a vintage black number with gold sparkly snowflakes all over has seemed to miss being caught on camera.

Over the last few years, Christmas jumpers have officially become a ‘thing’, whether you go for novelty, cheesy, or traditional, you are no one if you don’t have some sort of Christmas jumper. This was last year’s effort –

christmas jumper 2

And no I don’t know who those people are. I have this jumper but can’t find it and can’t find any pictures of me in it I’m afraid! I have to say I’m a big fan of the brighter / louder / more ridiculous the better! IF IT LIGHTS UP THEN I WANT IT!

christmas jumper let it snow

This year though, New Look have kindly sent me this Brave Soul -Let It Snow Jumper, I think it’s rather smart and understated really! – it’s also currently reduced from £24.99 to £18.50 too! 😀 New Look have loads of awesome jumpers in stock so make sure you check out their site if you’re still looking for one!

To celebrate the modern day Crimbo jumper tradition, I thought I’d put together a few amazing / ugly / hideous Christmas jumpers for your enjoyment and possible inspiration…

christmas jumper 1

christmas jumper 4

christmas jumper 3

christmas jumper 5

christmas jumper 6 christmas jumper 7

I particularly like the ‘cone-boob-snowmmans-nose’ DIY one, I may try this myself :)

So what do you think of this new tradition? Are you a Crimbo jumper fan or wouldn’t be seen dead on one?

I hope you enjoyed my post! xxx

Jewellery | Thomas Sabo at Joshua James

Posted on November 29, 2014

joshua-james-ring

Hi Guys!

Recently Joshua James asked me to take a look at their site and pick a piece of jewellery to share with you on my blog. I was completely over the moon, and to say I was spoilt for choice is an understatement! Joshua James stock many top brands including Thomas Sabo, Trollbeads, Pandora, Michael Kors, DKNY and Fiorelli, and after spending forever trying to decide, I went with a beautiful Thomas Sabo Rose Gold Purity of Lotos Ring.

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This ring is brand new to Thomas Sabo and part of their Autumn 2014 Sterling Silver Glam & Soul Collection. It’s beautifully crafted from sterling silver and 18k rose gold plating, with a striking rose quartz as the centrepiece surrounded by dazzling white zirconia stone detail. It’s easily one of the prettiest rings I’ve ever seen!

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I’m a massive jewellery fan but I’ve never had the pleasure of owning any Thomas Sabo pieces before. After looking through their collections I’ve realised they really do have a vast array of jewellery to suit different tastes, and I’m completely in love with the pretty Glam & Soul collection! I love that it’s kind of half way between high fashion and fine jewellery, using fashion styling with top quality materials to create stunning pieces.

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I decided to team my ring with a similar sparkling nail polish look – I borrowed my Mum’s polishes and went for Ciate’s Amazing Gracie with Antique Brooch on top. The sparkly and glittery top coat of Antique Brooch really gave a lovely high shine glitzy finish but unfortunately my photos didn’t capture this, boo!

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My new ring is so gorgeous, it’s pretty and delicate – Im not keen on chunky rings as I have short fingers – and this is just the right size for me. I’ts detailed without being over the top, and basically ticks all the boxes for me! I’d highly recommend you check out the Joshua James site if you’re looking for jewellery gifts this christmas!

Joshu James currently have 10% off all Thomas Sabo and Trollbeads products until 01/12/14, just use code BLACK10 at the checkout!

I hope you enjoyed my post! xxx

This post contains a sample provided for review

Lola Make Up | First Impressions

Posted on

lola-cosmetics

Hi Guys!

I was recently sent a small bundle of products to try out from an unfamiliar band – Lola Cosmetics. I love discovering new brands so I was super excited to find out what they were like! If you haven’t heard of Lola, it’s a new British designed makeup brand created by professional makeup artists. Lola offers a wide range of colours, high quality textures and professional artisty tools, and products are available exclusively at selected M&S stores and M&S Online.

Their autumn / winter collection, entitled IT GIRL is inspired by the ‘intoxicating buzz of ’60’s and ’70’s downtown New York’

Showcasing a painterly way of wearing colour to create more edgy, statement looks. It’s a more creative take on colour blocking and the smokey eye. Lips tell three different stories: nude throws a retro focus on dark and dramatic eyes; deep berry gives a sultry rock goddess vibe, whilst the bright hue of our Hot Pink Lip Gloss shocks in just the right way.

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Lipgloss in Hot Pink (£10) – this gloss contains hydrating hyaluronic acid which works in combination with an active vitamin complex to help volumise and condition lip, and aloe vera extract to help soothe and repair. I’m not the biggest gloss fan at the moment as I prefer lipsticks, but this really is a pretty decent product. It has a non sticky finish and gives a lovely glossy shine. I love the bright pink colour too!

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Single eyeshadow in Dark Blue (£10) – this eyeshadow contains silicon particles and emollient oils to give an ultra-silky touch, excellent adherence and help prevent creasing. This really is a beautifully finely milled, super soft shadow. It’s easy to work with and blend, I have no complaints with this one! Blue is notoriously a difficult eyeshadow colour to pull off, but I think once you have the nack, this shade would look gorgeous paired with a nude lip.

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And lastly the Eye Pencil in Gold (£10) – this medium-soft pencil glides on smoothly for easy application and good coverage. The formula is definitely soft and doesn’t drag, but it doesn’t have the best coverage and is pretty sheer. I’m a big fan of high pigmented products so I’d have loved if this came out as intense deep gold. This is a light sparkly gold shade though so it could work really well on the inner corners of the eye as a highlighter.

Overall I’m impressed with these products, with ech of them being £10 each they’re probably a bit more than I’d like to pay, but I’ll definitely be checking the rest of the product range out when I’m in M&S to see if anything catches my eye!

I’d love to hear if you’ve tried Lola cosmetics before? I hope you enjoyed my post xxx

This post contains samples provided for review

Bonjour HK Beauty Products – 4 Mini Reviews

Posted on November 28, 2014

bonjour-hk-cosmetics-review

Hi Guys!

Today I have an interesting selection of products to show you from Bonjour HK, a Hong Kong based beauty store. It appears to be similar to Boots or Lookfantastic, offering a massive range of over 24,000 beauty and healthcare products covering skincare, make-up, fragrances, healthcare, hair care, personal care and accessories. I literally have no experience with foreign cosmetics so I was really excited when they offered to send me a selection of their products to review!

morning-veil-review

First up we have the Morningveil MasCream ($23.18) Now I’ve dropped you in at the deep end here, this is definitely the strangest product of the bunch – mainly because the main ingredient in this product is eggshell membranes. I think it’s the word MEMBRANES that makes me feel a bit squeamish…

Morning Veil Revital MasCream combines both a mask and cream (the clue’s in the name) in one to keep the skin moist while gently exfoliating the skin. The concept of this cream comes from the eggshell membrane, which is an egg-cellent skin-healer (sorry I couldn’t resist!) Eggshell membrane is rich in glucosamine, chondroitin, collagen and hyaluronic acid. It also contains patented gigawhite, organic argan, acai oil, and sap complex from bamboo & birch to make your complexion brighter and clearer.

So basically this is an overnight mask – and it isn’t eggy at all! It has a pleasant scent, and quite a fantastic light texture. You basically apply a thick layer to the face before bed, then just peel and wash off in the morning. I’ve used this a few times now and learned to apply a while before I go to bed to let the product dry a bit. It didn’t totally dry but was definitely better than going to bed with wet product on my face! When you wake up in the morning you just wash and peel the mask off and you’re left with super soft skin and a refreshed complexion. And it really works! This stuff is like magic!!

ciracle-pimple-solution-revew

Next up is the Ciracle Pimple Solution Pink Powder ($28.21) I love the word pimple! Ha ha!

This product is described as ‘The best pimple treatment that will stop wasted time searching for a treatment that works’ – big claims there! Ciracle’s Pimple Solution Pink Powder Treatment is supposed to relieve acne pimple spots and reduce the appearance of acne scars. It contains effective ingredients to treat your troubled skin gently.

You simply dab the pink solution onto troubled spots, and let Ciracle do the the work. It should do it’s thing within a week, to reveal clearer, smoother looking skin. It’s also handy to know the solution is safe for both the face and the body and suitable for sensitive skin like mine.

Basically you use a cotton bud to dip into the pink powder – the product separates leaving the powder to settle at the bottom half of the bottle, but the instructions say not to shake or mix up the separated ingredients. You then dab onto your spots on cleansed skin before bed, and leave to dry and wash off in the morning.

I don’t really have spotty skin, but one little critter did pop up just after I received this product so I jumped on the opportunity to try the Pink Powder out! I followed he instructions and after a few days my new friend had all but disappeared. Would it have gone that quickly it’s own? I’m not sure. I do think the Pink Powder made it disappear faster!

dr-bauer-wrinkle-iron-review

Next is the Dr Bauer Ionic Eye Wrinkle Ironer ($36.71) This interesting looking gadget aims to ‘iron’ out wrinkles and erase signs of ageing by using heat and ionic vibration.

Its 40-45 ℃ heating effectively promotes blood and lymphatic circulation to revitalize skin nerves for firming purpose, helping reduce dark circles and fine lines. Active ionic vibrations relieve and ease skin tension, delivering nutrients deep into derma. Make your skin experience the firmness and relaxation effectively.

To use, you apply small amount of skincare product (basically whichever moisturiser you’re currently using) around you eyes and mouth area, and the device works automatically once the massage head and moisture on the skin contact. You then gently massage over the area (three times for each area) to improve the appearance of your skin.

Luckily I don’t have any wrinkles yet but I do suffer with puffy eye bags and dark circles. I’ve used the ironer a few times now and am yet to see any results. Maybe it requires more long term usage – I’ll keep you posted!

eos-hand-cream-review

And lastly the EOS Nourish Hand Lotion ($5.22) I’m a big fan of EOS lip balms so I was excited to try their hand cream out!

EOS Nourish Hand Lotion is lightweight, fast absorbing and non greasy. It is designed to fit in your purse, your pocket, or on your desk, and looks as good as it feels on your skin. Infused with moisturizing shea butter, oat extract, and a generous helping of antioxidants and vitamin C and E, EOS will leave your skin feeling soft, supple and radiantly healthy long after you apply it.

I love the ergonomic shape and colour of the packaging, and the hand cream itself is one of the best I’ve tried yet. With a lovely scent, it’s definitely fast absorbing and leaves my hands feeling super soft and supple, it ticks all the right boxes for me. This is definitely a must buy for the winter months!

Well if you’ve made it this far, well done! I hope you enjoyed my mini reviews and I’d love to hear your thoughts!

This post contains samples provided for review

Glorious Ted Baker Christmas Gifts!

Posted on November 27, 2014

ted-baker-christmas-gits

Hi Guys!

I can’t tell you how excited I was to find out that one of my favourite brands, Ted Baker, have brought to some awesome miniature fragrances and a brand new range of home candles and diffusers just in time for Christmas! I’ve been a massive TB fan for many years, I can’t get enough of their amazing clothing (I have a thing for digital prints) and their bags? Don’t even get me started! I’ve been very good and restricted myself to only one bag this year, the Farra Exotic Tote which I save for special occasions, and I’ve also more recently tried their Mia Perfume which I love!

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Ok so let me start off with the fragrances. This ladies set contains four miniature TB fragrances in super cute 5ml bottles. Each bottle is packaged individually with a fabric tag on top so you could use them as super fancy tree baubles – I love this idea! The set of four is a very reasonable £22, or you can purchase them for £6 each individually. These mini perfumes would make excellent stocking fillers!

The four signature fragrances include –

  • XO – Sophisticated and Timeless.

    Ted’s XO fragrance is the ultimate embodiment of style. Top notes of orange blossom are combined with Gardenia Jasmine, Tuberose and base notes of powdery musk.

  • X20 – Vibrant and Passionate.

    Star Anise, Grapefruit and Sparkling Green notes are blended with a heart of Magnolia, Mirabelle Plum and Water Lily.

  • W – Beautifully Exotic.

    A charming blend of Fig Leaf Accord, White Peony and African Violet is teamed with Pink Orchid, Cassis and Raspberry and complemented with a warm Cedar and Vanilla base.

  • Woman – Floral and Spicy.

    A light, fresh fragrance with fruity top notes of Bergamot, Tangerine, Lemon, Apple, Peach and Rum. Floral and spicy extracts of Jasmine, Freesia, Rose, Ylang Ylang and Cinnamon are combined with a musky woody base of Vanilla and Vetyver.

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And I love that they also have a similar mens set available – aimed at the stylish and sophisticated fella, these minis are a slightly more generous 9ml and again come in four fragrance options. These are only available in a set of four though but are still priced at £22.

  • XO – Fresh, Green and Woody

    Designed for men who have a passion for the finer things in life. Fresh green top notes lead to a heart of aromatic woods, red berries and ginger roots, mixed with base notes of pink pepper and warm, sensual spices.

  • X20 – Spicy and Intense

    Top notes of Tangerine, Tea and Cardamom with Lavender, Rosemary Spices and Violet Leaves and a base of Black Pepper, Sandalwood and Amber.

  • Skinwear – Enticingly Aromatic

    Fresh, zesty extracts of Lime, Bergamot and Lemon are blended with notesof Rosemary, Cypress and Juniper with an enticing base of Sandalwood, Amber and Musk.

  • M –  Understated Sophistication

    Top notes of Tonka Bean, Musk and Vetiver are combined with Coriander, Amber and a rich, woody base.

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And lastly – I may have jumped up and down a little bit when I heard about Ted Baker’s brand new home fragrance collection – they have just launched a selection of fabulous candles and diffusers at John Lewis! I think my candle obsession is reaching new heights this Christmas, I have about five on the go already!

The Home fragrances are available in six different scents, with each one telling a different story and is designed to take you on a unique journey across the world. The set of candles each represent a different major city across the globe…

  • LONDON: Wild rose & leather
  • MIAMI: Star Apple & Passion Fruit
  • NEW YORK: Cedarwood & Vanilla
  • ATHENS: Fig & Olive Blossom
  • SYDNEY: Ocean Air & Sea Salt
  • TOKYO: Green Tea & Bamboo

I have the London candle, which is simply gorgeous. It’s different to any other candle I own – I think it’s the leather, but it’s a beautiful scent that will make my home smell cosy and inviting this winter. These would all make fabulous Chistmas gifts, I’ve got a couple more of the candles on my list already!

Ted Baker Home Fragrance Candles are £28 and Diffusers are £35 at John Lewis.

I hope you enjoyed my post! xxx

This post contains samples provided for review.

Amazing Black Friday Deals from Yves Rocher!

Posted on November 26, 2014

Black-Friday

Hi Guys!

So many retailers are jumping on the Black Friday bandwagon this year, it really is fantastic news for those of us that still need to do some Christmas shopping (that would be me then – I always plan to be organised but it never happens) and the fabulous number one French beauty brand Yves Rocher have some fantastic deals lined up for you!

From 25th November to the 1st December Yves Rocher will have up to a massive 70% off 40 of their best selling products! What an amazing deal! I’ve previously reviewed Yves Rocher’s So Elixir Purple EDP which is a lovely floral woody scent. This was originally £49 but now has 50% off in the sale so it’s only £24.50, what a bargain!

If you’re looking for some fantastic beauty and fragrance items make sure you check out the Yves Rocher site :) I’d love to hear if you’ve tried any Yves Rocher fragrances before? I hope you enjoyed my post xxx

This post was sponsored by Yves Rocher.

Wantable November Makeup Box | Review

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november-wantable-box

Hi Guys!

This month’s Wantable box arrived in record time, and I was excited to find a brand I’d never heard of before inside – Surratt Beauty. After looking into this company the products look rather good – they’re stocked in Liberty and have a high price point, so now I have high hopes and I really hope I’m not going to be disappointed!

surratt-beauty-smokey-eye-baton

surratt-beauty-smokey-eye-baton-review

First up is the Surratt Beauty Smokey Eye Baton in Mauve, $35.00

This is supposed to be a creamy liner with a smudger at the other end to create a smokey eye look. The liner is great but there’s no smudger! I’m not sure what happened there – the description includes mention of a smudger, as does other online descriptions but there’s definitely not one in sight!

Good points – The product has a creamy, smooth texture that’s easily blendable. I love the shade I received, Mauve. It’s a beautiful deep purple that’s easily build able and a great alternative to black.

Not so good points – There’s no smudger! Boo!

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surratt-beauty-concealer-review

Next is another Surratt product, this is the Concealer in Fair, $50.00

Surratt’s concealer stick adheres to skin perfectly and wears beautifully for flawless, long-lasting, full coverage.

Good points – This definitely feels like a premium product, it has a matte finish that blends well and easily covered my dark circles.

Not so good points – Depending on your skin tone, this shade could be too light for you. Luckily I’m white as a ghost so it’s perfect for me, and if you’d like to try the concealer there are plenty of other shades available. Also it’s worth mentioning that the product is only a tiny 1.9g which really is super small for the $50.00 price tag.

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Next is the Yourminerals Loose Eyeshadow in Lime, $22.00

Good points – I love love LOVE this shade, it’s such a beautiful pale olive green that’s super finely milled with gold sparkles. It catches the light beautifully and has a lovely soft consistency.

Not so good points – There’s nothing wrong with the actual product, but there’s nothing to stop the powder going everywhere inside the pot. There are four square holes that you tip the shadow out of and nothing to close them off so it just all comes out inside the lid. This shouldn’t be a problem as long as you’re careful when unscrewing the lid.

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And finally a Vincent Longo Deluxe Blush Brush, $24.00

Good points – I’ve had some Vincent Longo brushes in previous boxes and I’m never disappointed. This is a premium synthetic brush with long flexible bristles. It’s super soft and lovely to use.

Bad points – None!

Overall this little box included products valuing a massive $131.00 (£83.11) I’m pretty sure it’s the highest value box I’ve had so far! I’m really impressed with the selection of products included and hoping to see more of Surratt Beauty in future boxes!

You can check out Wantable and sign up here.

I hope you enjoyed my review! xxx