Tuesday 31 July 2012

Getting Creative

In my previous post I showed you a few nail arts that I had recently dabbled into. For a person who prefers plain painted nails I have gone a bit nail art crazy! Here are a few snaps of the creativities I've been sporting.







I think my next post will be about skin care! So stay posted :) 

Saturday 21 July 2012

Matte, Sparkles and Shattered Nails

I recently went a bit bold with my nails. I'm usually the one to just stick with painted nails sans nail art, glitter or thrills. But hey-ho I went for a change and amped it up! 


The first one was a glitter tip nails. Here I used Illamasqua Baptiste and Barry M Hologram Glitter Nail Polish. 




Here I used a nude pinky nail paint as a based and then a purple shatter nail paint. Unfortunately I can't remember the brands or name of the polishes :( I also used a matte top coat over it. 


And my favourite one of all. The matte glitter nail! 
I used Essie's Nutmeg as a base colour and then OPI Rainbow Connection (glitter polish) on top. Then to tone down the sparkliness of it all I used Essie's Matte About You Top Coat. I really like the effect of the matte top coat on top of the glitter. It really brings out the colours and makes it look a bit more grown up. I'm not a massive fan of sparkly nails but I would definitely rock this again!


It was a pain trying to remove the glitter after but I have a tip for you! Soak a coat pad in nail polish remover and wrap it around each finger, and then wrap foil around the cotton pad. Leave it to soak for about 5 minutes (depending on how glitter-fied your nails are) and then remove them. You should find it much easier!


Hoped you like this post! And apologies for the photo quality, I used my iPhone to take the pics. 



Tuesday 17 July 2012

Afternoon Tea At Sanderson Hotel

In my previous post, I mentioned that I was going Afternoon Tea at Sanderson Hotel. And here are the photos! I had such a wonderful time there and the experience was really fun! I even saw a few famous faces ;)






The whole Mad Hatter's Theme was so cute! Me and my friends took so many pictures lol. The only thing I would say is that the sandwiches were not at flavoursome as I expected and the scones were slightly on the crumbly side for me. 

During our afternoon tea, one of my friends spotted Neyo. She was so nervous to go up to him so I took charge and approached him. He was so lovely and really took the time to take photos with all 8 of us! His security guards were so funny, I ended up having a little chat with them haha. Unlike the cast of TOWIE, I thought they were a bit full of themselves and my friend didn't manage to get a photo with them! What I can say is that OMG their teeth were blinding!





And here's a full outfit photo, since I didn't show it in the previous post :) 
Isn't the hotel's toilet so nice?!



So yep! That concludes my post. I'm thinking of going Afternoon Tea again but not quite sure where, I'm thinking at Sketch. It's looks so cool! Any recommendations around London?


Have you guys been Sanderson Hotel for afternoon tea?

Thursday 12 July 2012

Amber Lights and Feather Mess

Hey guys! A very quick 'Outfit/Face of the Day' before I head off for afternoon tea and bar later on this evening. One of my dearest friend is visiting London, so I decided to organise a little something for her : ) 


I look like I'm perving on my own boobs LOL
Not that you can tell but I'm wearing a mini one shouldered dress with feather prints (from Forever21), I decided to add a belt for some definition. I've bought this dress before the summer, and I am only debuting it now. Silly London weather!

Excuse my eyebrows I am going to get them threaded today! I am obsessed with MAC's Amber Lights eyeshadow, it's just a beautiful coppery bronze colour! It's look stunning with a tan! Here's a whole list of what's on my face: 

FACE
Tinted Moisturiser: Estee Lauder Day Wear Sheer Tint Release
Blusher: Clinque in 101 Aglow
Bronzer: Nars in Laguna
Powder: Make Up For Ever Super Matte Loose Powder in shade 12

EYES
Primer: Urban Decay Primer Potion
Lids: Amber Lights(MAC), Buck & Hustle (Naked Palette)
Eyeliner: MAC Fluidline in Dip Down

LIPS
Chapstick (since I have a cold sore boohoo!)

I might post you pictures of my day in the next post! I'm going to Sanderson Hotel for Afternoon Tea, it's Alice and Wonderland themed! So excited!

Can you guy recommend a nice afternoon tea place? 

Monday 9 July 2012

Wireless Festival

Last Saturday I went to Wireless Festival at Hyde Park and I had so much fun it was unbelievable! I bumped into a few school friends and had one of the best experience ever! Even the London moody raining weather didn't stop me enjoying it. I actually bought a rain poncho in preparation for the festival but in the end didn't really used it that much. 

I know Drake headlined and everyone went crazy for him, which I did too. But the highlight for me was The Weeknd at the Pepsi Max Stage which was in a tent. It was so crazy in there! I somehow managed to get in there and it was like a rave in there!

I didn't really take that much photos as I was too busy enjoying the whole thing OR just being squished by the others festival goers!


A couple of examples of the lost property at Wireless haha!




And my festival outfit :)

Vest: Concession at Tosphop
Denim Shorts: Reverse (DIY studs)
Knee Socks: Primark
Wellies: Hunter from Office
And various bracelets from Camden Market, Forever21, ASOS and Turkey Market Stall

I actually didn't both with a bag, and shoved everything in my denim pockets - which was phone oyster card and rain poncho! Make up wise I just wore a bit of mascara and YSL Glossy Lip Stain - kept it very minimalistic since I knew the rain would just wash it all away haha!

Did any of you guys go Wireless Festival? 

Friday 6 July 2012

Skin and Spikes

Hey guys! Just a quick 'Outfit of the Day' before I head out to run some errands and attend my friend's dance show.





You can't tell but this shirt has a high/low hem. I got it in Forever21 for just under £15! Bargainous!


In other news, I'm going Wireless Festival tomorrow! Cannot wait :D Will show you my outfit for that in the next post :) 

Is anyone else going Wireless? I'm so excited!

Thursday 5 July 2012

Yankee Candles

Left to Right: Pink Lady Slipper - Medium Tumbler, Mango Peach Salsa - Medium Tumbler & Vanilla Satin - Large Tumbler


Last winter I bought my first Yankee Candles, and now I am hooked! I've always loved candles before but could never find money friendly ones. Although Yankee Candles are not particularly budget friendly, it is certainly not making a massive dent in my piggy bank either.
Here are my Yankee Candle collection. I did have Cinnamon Stick but The Boy stole it from me ¬_¬ My favourite out of the three is Pink Lady Slipper.




Some tips I have learnt about candles 

  1. Always trim you candle wick to around 0.5cm 
  2. You can buy fancy candle wick trimmers OR just use nail clippers (that's what I do)
  3. Don't blow out your candles! The smoke masks the smell it has been giving off, instead use a smoke snuffer OR what I like to do is use the end of a used match stick and push it into the wax. This also makes it easier to relight next time. 
I've also used a few other branded candles. A slightly more pricier one that I would highly recommend is Max Benjamin candles - it's an Irish brand and uses Soy Bean Wax, so it doesn't contain parabens. I was introduced to this product as the wife/mother ( I can't what she said oops!) of one of the founders gifted it to my mother and I each Christmas :) You can find Max Benjamin candles at Selfridges and John Lewis or you can just buy from their website. 

What are your favourite candles?

Tuesday 3 July 2012

Hair Oils



Ever since the emergence of hair oils from the likes of Moroccan Oil and Macadamia Oil there has been a massive fan base for it. A few pumps of oil rubbed in your hair and every girl can feel like Rapuzel! I've tried both the hair products, I personally preferred the Moroccan Oil, however I wouldn't use them ever again! If anything, I found out that long term use would actually lead to your hair being more damaged from it!


Before I explain why it leads to hair damage here are my initial reviews for both hair oils.


Morroccan Oil 
The first thing I noticed with this hair oil was the smell! It smelt amazing. I have thick long hair and surprisingly 2 pumps was enough for me. It left my hair so silky smooth  and the smell lasted all day! I was amazed by this product and would have definitely purchased it again. I even recommended it to a lot of my friends, that's how impressed I was with the product.

Macadamia Oil
I bought this as a cheaper alternative to Moroccan Oil. The smell is pleasant but I prefer Moroccan Oil's one and to be perfectly honest this done nothing to my hair. I need much more oil, about 4-5 pumps - taking in to account that each pump distributed more oil than Moroccan Oil, and I did not see any difference in my hair at all.  

Sadly, with both hair oils they contain lots of silicones which was what gave my hair the silky smooth texture. Over time, build up of silicones with break down your hair. Comparing the ingredients listed in both hair oils, Moroccan Oil contains the most silicone. After finding out that essentially I was paying a lot of money for silicone I seeked a more natural approach.

And this is where Fushi Organic Argan Oil comes in! I bought mine on Amazon for around £11. And I must say I will definitely be repurchasing this product again! It is what I wanted and found in Moroccan Oil but with actual hair benefits.

Fushi Organic Argan Oil
The first time I used it, was exactly how I would use my previous hair oils - washed damp hair and rub the oils in from mid length to ends. However as I dried my hair, it left it greasy. And greasy hair is not what we want! I then looked up on the amazing internet to find out the correct way of using it, which was to use the argan oil before you wash your hair. Let it soak and do it's magic for around 5-10 minutes, then wash you hair as normal. The results were astounding, it left my hair so soft! Aside the amazing things it would do to your hair, you can use argan oil on your face, body and even food! Although, I don't think I would be trying that out, it just means that the oil is so multi functional and makes it so worth your money!

Have you tried out any other natural hair oils? 

Sunday 1 July 2012

My Bedside Table

I just got the chance to clean my room and rearrange my bedside table. And this is what it now looks like!

I have two different hand creams going on there. One is from Burt's Bees - not fond of the packaging nor the banana smell, I'm just trying to use it up. The other is a peach scented (and looking!) hand cream, which I'm not sure of the brand since my friend got it for me from Korea. 


I love Yankee candles and in my next post I will show you my little collection of them. And if there is one think you should know about me, is that I love Hello Kitty! To the point where I even bought myself a Hello Kitty bikini! Yep. You read that right. Twenty years of age and I'm still rocking a Hello Kitty bikini haha! 


I'm currently reading all those books in rotation. I usually read one book at a time, but I'm trying out a new way of reading. That and I want to buy new books so must read all of these first! I've been contemplating on a Kindle, but to be honest I love the feel and physicality of a book and I like building my book collection! Here's a close up of the titles:

As you can see there's a variety of genres. Don't you just love immersing yourself into a book, it really does takes you to a whole new world! I can easily stay up really late just gripped onto a book.


Anyways, I shall leave it at that. I need to get ready, as The Boy is coming to pick me up. We haven't planned anything yet...maybe cinema? 


Happy Sunday All! 

Thursday 14 June 2012

Inside my make up bag

I recently went on a one week trip to Leicester, Birmingham and Nottingham to visit friends. It was such a fun trip and here's what I bought with me... 





I tried to bring as little as possible, also I knew I'd be staying with four other girls. Who like me loves their make up so I could always borrow their stuff too ;)



The make up bag was a freebie from Dior many years ago when my mother bought a few of their make up products. I love the mint colour and the tassle detail. but the best thing about this bag is that you can unzip the bottom bit and it's just the perfect size to store your brushes. I'm not sure if the design is intentional, but it is now my favourite make up bag!


If you read my earlier post, I recently bought the YSL lipstain and lipstick. I think it is safe to say that the YSL Glossy Lipstain is now a firm favourite! It ticks all boxes for me; consistency, colour pay off, minimal fuss and that divine packaging!

So in details of what I bought along: 

Urban Decay Naked Palette
Nars Blush Duo in Orgasm and Angelika
YSL Touche Eclat
YSL Glossy stain in Rose Tempura
YSL Pur Couture lipstick in Rose Dahlia
Topshop Lip and Cheek Stain in Bitten Berry
OCC Lip Tar in Harlot
MAC lipstick in Lovelorn
Rimmel Lipliner in East End Snob
MAC Cremestick Liner in Sublime Culture
 Laura Mercier Brow Definer in Soft
MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack
 Make Up Forever Aqua Cream in Shade 14
Cover girl Lash Blash Volume Mascara
Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer
MAC Harmony Blush (used to contour)
Chanel Eyelash Curlers 

A few snaps from my trip :)

What do you guys bring on a week long trip?

Wednesday 13 June 2012

Nail Polish Haulin'

I recently stopped by a nail suppliers to get some new summer polishes. Here's what I got...

Clockwise:
OPI - Gargantuan Green Grape
Essie - St Lucia Lilac
Essie - Who is The Boss
China Glaze - Pool Party
China Glaze - Electric Beat
Essie - Tart Deco

I have used all colours already and I just can't choose a favourite! But I must say China Glaze Pool Party is absolutely amazing on toes! I wore it when I went Egypt and the bright neon pink against a tan is just divine! I would high recommend a bright prink neon shade if you're on holiday or have a lovely tan. I'm not sure why, but this shade dries instantly and definitely needs a top coat for a shiny and glossy finish. After wearing Tart Deco, I understand all the rave it gets, it's such a lovely shade! And I would imagine it suiting all skin tones.

I change my nail colour at least twice a week. Do you guys do that?! Or is it just me?

Sunday 10 June 2012

Crotchet Collar

I bought this sleeveless shirt in Forever21 recently and wore it out today for my baby cousin's birthday party. Isn't it adorable with the crotchet collar detail!





This shirt makes me so happy!

Duty Free Goodies

I recently went to Egypt for a few days and being a devout lipstick lover and YSL admirer I couldn't leave Gatwick Duty Free with at least one product. In fact I got two! I feel quite proud of myself that I refrained from buying everything. My mother had to stop me buying another two lipsticks from Chanel lol. 


Rouge Pur Couture in 17 Rose Dahlia & Rouge Pur Couture Vernis A Levres in 13 Rose Tempura


Isn't YSL packaging just divine?! I have a weakness for gold and YSL's packaging just tick all boxes for me. First off, I want to start off by saying that although I really want to adore the YSL Rouge Volupte lipstick, the consistency of it doesn't win me over. But Rouge Pur Couture, I love Rouge Pur Couture. Although it's my first one, it definitely won't be the last! I've always wanted the YSL Glossy Stain as soon as I heard of it but the price always prolonged my purchase. I'm a big fan of lip stains as they are long wearing and means that if I smooch The Boy then it won't transfer onto him! So it was only practical for me to get the Glossy Stain ;)




These are definitely going to be out on my make up table on display. Just looking at them makes my heart beats faster and brings a smile to my face. 


Being the YSL lover that I am, I couldn't resist including one of my prized possesions...


On a side note, I cannot believe how much the Arty ring has gone up in price since I bought it, which is about nearly 2 years ago! What an investment! Who needs stocks and shares when you can invest in an Arty ring ;) 


And here's a snippet of me basking in the sun in Egypt! 





I miss it already!


Is there any YSL products you love?

Saturday 2 June 2012

Inside my travel toiletries bag

I'm going Egypt this Sunday and thought I share with you what I'll be taking with me. I'm so excited for the long weekend break - although kind of gutted that I will be missing out on the Queen's Jubilee.


I'm quite surprised and pleased with myself that, that's all the make up I'm taking. Mascara, eyelash curlers, Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream and a few lipstains. I got three different types of sumblock going on: face, body and lips! Am I the only one who find baby wipes an essential for the summer? I always have a pack in my bag on hotter days so I can cool myself down it them and de-ick myself from that sticky 'I NEED A SHOWER' moment.





Don't you love my toiletries bag? I love this because it's clear and easy to clean. and obviously because it's Hello Kitty! haha




And of course an easy summer read is essential! I've read The (im)perfect girlfriend from Lucy-Ann Holmes before and really enjoyed it. So hopefully this would be the same too!


Summer reading and tanning is just one of my favourite things to do on holiday. Make sure to slather the sunblock! Or in my case sunblock(s) haha. You don't wanna come back a lobster now do you? ;D


Are you going on holiday this summer or celebrating the Queen's Jubilee?

Friday 1 June 2012

Carnaby St Haulin'

Yesterday Carnaby St held a 20% discount on all its stores. I headed out there thirty minutes earlier and eagerly waited.  First stop was Office and came out with two pairs of shoes. I was glad I went early, because I headed back into Office twenty minutes after I left and the queue was CRAZY! my third pair of shoes were some white Converses. Can you believe these are my first pair ever?! So are the Vans I got in Office! 
Clockwise: Jeffrey Campbell's Martini, Converse All Star Ox Low, Vans Lo Pro Yatch 
Aren't the Jeffrey Campbell Martini to die for?! I have the Topshop Vectra but started to get tired that everyone has them and the disposable-ness of the shoes, they studs were already off coloured and the soles thinning. These shoes were love at first sight, as soon as I saw them I knew I had to get it at the Carnaby St 20% deal. They originally retail for £105 and as far as I know Office stocks them. Besides Office, Jeffrey Campbell shoes are so hard to find in London!


I also made a cheeky purchase in Hilfiger Denim. I never really wore jeans until recently and decided that in fact they are a staple in a girl's wardrobe! I use to live in skirts, shorts and dresses only. But I'm fully embracing the trousers department as of late. I just got a standard mid washed pair of skinny. 


Okay, I think we all need to take a moment and just adore these Jeffrey Campbells! I now know what love is. 


Sorry about the lighting! They really don't do the shoes any justice at all.

Sunday 27 May 2012

Burt's Bees Grab Bag

Hello! I thought I start off my first post with one of my recent purchases. After reading Essie's blog mentioning an absolute bargain on Burt's Bee product. I found myself on their website and purchasing the Grab Bag before common sense kicked in.
The goodies inside are worth around £55 but I only paid £20. BARGAIN! 
I've never tried any of Burt's Bee products before and I thought this would be a great introductory for me.


Here's what I got inside my bag...

To be quite frank, receiving my order and seeing what products I got was more exciting than the products itself. The bag was quite disappointing...4 of the same exfoliating body wash (x2 full sized & x2 travel sized), 2 body lotions and 2 lip shimmers and 2 lip balm. Keyword here is duplicates! 

Goodies inside the tin
I will definitely be taking the travel sized body wash, and Lifeguard Choice Lip balm with me when I go Egypt next week (yeey!). However I dunno what to do with the body lotions, it contains shimmer. something I quite dislike unless it's eyeshadow. 



Although, this grab bag was a bit of a let down for me. I did find a star product.


Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream


This cuticle cream is awesome. I leave this by my desk and use it every so often leaving my cuticles all cute and soft. The scent is very similar to Lush Lemony Flutter Cuticle Cream but the consistency is more balmy. Although I have been a major fan of the Lush's one I find this one to be better. 


The grab bag is still on offer if you would like to try it out. 
Did anyone else buy the grab bag? What did you get?