Tuesday Thrills #3

*Attention: to fully appreciate this post, snuggle up warm and grab a cuppa!*

It's Tuesday which means it's time for Tuesday Thrills number three!

I haven't actually been up to anything specific over the past week so I thought this was a great opportunity to start embracing Autumn.

Its become considerably colder over the last couple of weeks, misty mornings and dewy trees, so I think it's safe to say Autumn has made an appearance. 

I personally love Autumn and here is a little list which sums up why:

Autumn is a great time to wrap up warm and also a great excuse to buy some new wardrobe goodies. It's a great season to embrace and to me it symbolises the start of the end of the year. I look forward to the spooks of halloween, the sparks of fireworks night, spending nights in with friends, open fires, hot chocolate and preparing for christmas goodness (which is definitely my favourite!) 

Ahh it's going to be so good!

So here's to a warm and cosy Autumn which I hope you all enjoy!

Boots Haul

I am a huge lover of drug-stores and could easily pass away time testing make-up samples, trying on perfumes and browsing the shelves for the latest hair products.

Earlier this week I took a visit to Boots and after scanning the beauty aisles, my basket soon started filling up with products and goodies which I just had to share with you.

First in my basket was the Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation. I have been hearing great reviews about this foundation and I love the idea that it can brighten up your skin making it more radiant and fresh looking (which is needed when your half-asleep in the mornings!).

I have only used this product once so far but from what i've seen, I think this might just be a regular in my make-up bag. It is medium to light coverage, easy to apply and leaves a dewy finish to the skin. Perfect!

Next I picked up Hair Xpertise Argon Oil which I have been dying to try for a long time. I was drawn to using Argon Oil as it is formulated to replenish dry and damaged hair. I try to look after my hair as much as I can as it is prone to dryness and split-ends after years of hi-lights, so I decided to take the plunge and buy this product in hope that it can restore my battered locks.

I am also in the process of growing my hair and if your hair is anything like mine (barely grows an inch for months) then you'll probably share the same enthusiasm as me when you see this product; Lee Stafford Miracle Hair Growth Shampoo and Conditioner. 

I first purchased these products a couple of months ago and loved them! It didn't make my hair grow miraculously over night unfortunately, but the condition of my hair had certainly improved as it became more stronger and fuller in appearance. So I have decided to buy these beauties again to help restore the condition of my hair.

As it was a 3 for 2 offer on haircare in Boots. I couldn't only stop at 2 products, so I also purchased Lee Stafford Hair Growth Leave-in Treatment to work alongside the shampoo and conditioner. 

This product is designed to be spayed onto the roots of your hair before drying which will go to work in restoring and stimulating hair growth throughout the day. 

I'm very excited to see if the Hair Growth collection will work it's magic and I shall let you know how I get on with the Lee Stafford range and the results I get in a couple of weeks time.

Lastly, I purchased Batise Dry Shampoo XXL. Dry shampoo is amazing but I find I can sometimes go a bit crazy when applying it to try and 'plump' up my hair, making it look cakey and powdery (not a good look). So when I saw this product I just had to give it a go. My hair is rather fine and this product is great for adding extra 'oomph' to the roots, either after washing it or day-old hair. It smells really fruity and you only need a quick spray of this product to get volume and freshness. 

So there we have it, my drug-store haul! I would love to know if you have used any of these products? What's your favourite drug-store buys?

Tuesday Thrills #2

I was really pleased with the great response I got from my first 'Tuesday Thrills' post last week and thank you for all the good luck wishes and encouragement you sent me for starting university (my first week went really well and I think I may have even made a friend or two!)

For those who have no idea what 'Tuesday Thrills' is all about, its a post I created where every week I will be posting about delightful, exciting or new things that have happened or will be happening in my life. 

Now I understand that it can be a little boring just reading about what i've been up to, so my aim is to try and pass some of these thrills onto you in anyway I can. 

On Sunday I ran a half-marathon for the first time in my life and I can safely say it was the hardest thing I have ever done! I am not and never have been a natural runner (the type who can put on a pair of trainers and run gracefully non-stop for 10 miles) so I was terrified as I was approaching the starting line thinking I had 13 miles to tackle. 

I decided to run a half marathon to raise as much money as I could for The British Lung Foundation which is a foundation very close to mine and my family's hearts. Thank god for Beyonce and Rhianna blasting in my headphones as I think it would have been quite torturous without them and I certainly couldn't have reached the finish line without supporters cheering me on! Half way through the race I could have easily given up, my legs felt like jelly and I had no puff left in me but I kept going and...I did it!!!

(Pinterest, 2013)

The quote above is very true in whatever circumstances you seem fitting. Something which may seem like a huge mountain to tackle does have a finish line and with strength and determination you can get to the top! 

So if you have something big happening in your life-maybe a new job, moving away or tackling exams, just keep going as after every milestone you pass, you are one step closer to where you want to be.

I admire anyone who has ever ran a race, raised money for charity or tackled something huge in their lives, it's a great achievement and it's certainly not the easiest thing to take on. But it shows great confidence and you should be very proud of yourselves :)

Shoe Haul: Flats

Over the past couple of weeks I have invested in a couple of pairs of new shoes! Seeing as we have now crept into Autumn, I thought there is no better time to purchase some lovely new flats to keep my feet nice and warm.

I live in flats and I love how easy, cute and effortless they look when added to any outfit, so I thoroughly enjoyed shopping for some new shoes to add to my ever-expanding collection.

(Excuse the scuffs, I wear these ALOT!)

My first item were these gorgeous bunny face flats from ASOS. Now I have been craving a pair of Charlotte Olympia Cat shoes for ages, but with a price tag of £465 they will have to stay firmly on my wishlist. So when I found these similar cuties for £25, I had to 'proceed to checkout' immediately-especially when I saw them in two colours! I know they aren't entirely similar (to start with they have 'bunny' faces instead of 'cats') but they tick all the right boxes in my book. I have worn these almost daily and they add a great finishing touch to most outfits. I particularly love wearing mine with black tights, a skater dress and chunky cardigan.

Unfortunately I can't find them on ASOS anymore, but they have a gorgeous pair in a 'panda' style here.

My next pair are these gorgeous red ballet pumps from Primark. I was instantly drawn to these as I love the vibrant colour and gold embellishment and couldn't resist a price tag of £6. I have yet to wear these  but I plan on teaming them with a black dress, chunky necklace and red cardigan for a subtle colour match.

Primark are great for shoes and I can never resist buying a couple of pairs, so I treated myself to another set of ballet pumps. I get easily bored of always wearing black shoes so I wanted a pair of shoes which are subtle but add a little colour to an outfit. These berry coloured slipper pumps come in at £5 and caught my eye straight away. They are really comfy to wear whilst being lightweight on your feet and I love to team these with black skinny jeans or chunky tights for an on-trend autumn look. 

In my opinion, a girl can never have to many shoes so I'm sure I will be on the look-out for even more!  

I would love to know what you think of my new purchases. Are you planning on getting some new shoes for the Autumn season? 

Tuesday Thrills #1

I have decided to create a little weekly post called Tuesday Thrills! Every Tuesday I will be posting about delightful, exciting or new things that have happened or will be happening in my life. 

Now I understand that it can be a little boring just reading about what i've been up to, so my aim is to try and pass some of these thrills onto you in anyway I can. 

I thought I would kick-start my Tuesday Thrills off with a boost of friendly encouragement. Tomorrow I will be starting at a brand new university where I will be studying full-time for a whole year...and I don't know anyone. (gulp!)

Ask me a couple of months ago how I felt about this and I would have shouted from the rooftops with great excitement, but now I know I start tomorrow, it's a completely different story as i'm a tad nervous to say the least!

I will be training as a teacher and I am delving into the complete unknown. But instead of being scared to start this new chapter in my life, i've decided to hold on tight and jump straight in!

Jennifer DeDonato, 2011 

The quote above seems very fitting and i've read, re-read and read it some more. 

Don't be afraid to take the first step into something unknown-a new school, new job, even a new relationship-because if you don't give it ago, you will never know what is waiting for you on the other side. It could be a great sense of achievement, an overwhelming feeling of happiness, maybe even a new friend!

You never know unless you try, and that is the motto I will be sticking with when I wake up tomorrow morning. 

So if anyone else is stepping into the unknown, go for it! It may just be the opportunity you have been waiting for.

What's in my handbag: Student Edition

I have seen a lot of these 'what's in my handbag' tags and posts floating around the blogsphere and I love reading them as I find they always give me great ideas for handy extra's to pack in my bag.

I am due to start University again soon so I thought I would add a slight twist and do a 'student handbag' edition. 

I was on the look-out for an oversized day bag which could carry all my essentials including books, A4 files and lunch! This tanned, animal lined tote bag from Accessorize is the perfect size, it has an adjustable shoulder strap, removable pocket and will more-or-less go with any outfit choice (Hurrah!). 

So what do I pack in there? Let's have a little look...

From left to right:

1. Hand Sanitiser: To keep those pesky germs at bay!
2. Floral Patchwork Diary: Perfect for writing down all those important assignment dates and coursework deadlines.
3. Cat Purse: I use this cutie as my coin purse, it's easy to whip out when you want to buy a drink or grab a chocolate fix from the cafeteria.
4. Glasses: Need these to read, write and see...
5. Lipsticks: I always pack a couple of lipsticks to have as handy top-up's to apply throughout the day.
6. Pencil Case: Carries all the essentials I will be needing in lectures. This pencil case is the perfect size, not to big but holds everything; calculator, pencils, pens, hi-lighters, ruler, rubber, pencil sharpener, coloured pens etc.
7. Red Heart Retro Purse: This is my main purse and holds all my cards, notes and of course my student i.d...great for getting discount on lots of goodies.
8. Pink Polka Dot Flask: Unfortunately the polka-dots are too small to be seen in this photo but this little flask is from New Look and is great to keep topped up for when all that learning gets thirsty work! 
9. Sunglasses: You never know when the sun might shine for 5 minutes in the UK.
10. Chew Bar: I have a very sweet tooth and this little chew bar is great for a late-afternoon treat *note to self-must also pack fruit!*

I also pack my A4 file, paper pad and course text-books and the great thing about this handbag is that I can fit all of this in without having to carry anything around (so I have a spare pair of hands to open doors!). 

Let me know if you have done a 'what's in my handbag' post, I would love to see!

Review: Banish those Blemishes

Recently I have been on a mission to find something to fix my skin. I would probably come under the 'combination skin' category-I don't tend to suffer from dryness however, my skin likes to be cruel sometimes and decides to get oily and breakout over night! *sigh*


So over the past couple of months I purchased three face products which I have tried and tested numerous amount of times. If your anything like me and have probably spent ALOT of pennies on products which just haven't worked, this review is aimed to help you out!

Visibly Clear 2 in 1 Wash Mask by Neutrogena


What does it claim to do? Cleanses deep down into pores and conditions skin, leaving it soft, smooth and healthy looking.

How did it perform? I was really drawn to this product as it was specifically designed for breakouts and I loved the idea of having a wash and mask all in one. When applied as a mask, it has a very thick consistency and leaves a fresh, tingly feeling after you have washed it off. However, I found that it dried my skin out after a couple of weeks. I could have been using this product a little too much (I was applying it as a mask once a week-sometimes twice) but from someone who doesn't normally have dry skin, I did inherit dry patches quite quickly.

Final Verdict: I was disapointed that I did not get on with this product but then again, it might work better for someone with a different skin-type.

Boots Simply Sensitive Deep Cleansing Mask

What does it claim to do? Remove excess oil and impurities and moisturises skin leaving it feeling soft, supple and revived.

How did it perform? This was a lovely mild mask which left my skin feeling clean and ready for make-up. It is a great 'pick-me-up' product and would be a great purchase for anyone with 'normal' skin who just needs a boost. Yet it wasn't quite strong enough for my skin and I didn't see great changes in reducing blemishes.

Final Verdict: This product is great for minimising pores and very gentle on your skin. Unfortunately, it was too mild for my skin and didn't help reduce any blemishes.


Soap & Glory Fab Pore Hot Cloth Cleanser

What does it claim to do? A 3-in-1 concentrated, deep-purifying formula with a natural blend of revitalising aromatic essential oils for an all round FAB PORE complexion.

How did it perform? This product has been amazing at clearing up any blemishes and helping my skin look even and moisturised (horray!). It comes with a handy muslin cloth, has a lightweight consistency, doesn't dry out your skin and melts away make-up-which after a long day of make-up wearing, feels very refreshing! I am newbie to using muslin cloths so I don't have a huge amount of experience to go by, but it is handy in wiping away dirt and oil and rough enough to add a touch of exfoliation.

Final Verdict: I love this product! My skin has really improved since using this cleanser and apart from the odd blemish here and there, my skin has cleared up completely. I will certainly be investing in another tube when mine run's out.

I'd love to know if anyone else has tried any of these products. Do you have a favourite skin product that you love?

Liebster Award

I was very excited to be nominated for the Liebster Award by the lovely Emily from Emily's Little Blog. I wasn't 100% sure what the Liebster Award was but after a little 'google' and reading Emily's post, I've discovered that it's such a great way to get to know more about fellow bloggers, so I just had to jump onboard!  

It's a lovely award to receive and pass on as it's there to introduce and highlight new bloggers. You can see from the instructions below that you have to state 11 facts about yourself, answer 11 questions set by the blogger who nominated you and then pass it on to 11 other blogs who you think are worthy of this award.

"The Liebster Award is for bloggers with under 200 followers and the rules of the award is that the nominee must link back to whoever awarded them, write 11 random facts about yourselves, answer the 11 questions from the award giver and then nominate another 11 bloggers and make up 11 questions for them to answer. It's a great way for new and undiscovered bloggers to meet new people and find some blogs that they want to follow."

So let's get cracking! 

Here are 11 random facts about me:

1. I collect vintage tea cups
2. I love shopping for stationary
3.I'm a natural worrier! I worry far to much about anything and everything! *I should really work on this*
4. Popcorn is my biggest weakness in the world, I have no self control when i'm around it
5. I have three small tattoos
6. When I was little I used to wake up really early on a Saturday morning just to watch cartoons
7. Those 'cruelty to animals' adverts get me everytime
8. I have a degree in Criminology
9. My mum is my best friend
10. I'm training to be a primary school teacher
11. I have been stuck on Candy Crush Level 143 for weeks!!!

And here are my 11 questions that I was requested to answer:

1. What is your favourite make-up brand? MAC! The MAC counter is my weakness, which is not so good for my purse. I love the quality of their products-I can't get enough of their lipsticks.

2. Ice cream or ice lolly? Ice lollies, especially 'Twisters'

3. What would your perfect holiday be? Spending a week away with my fiancé in the sunshine, lounging by the pool, drinking cocktails and listening to all my old songs on my iPod (I sound so lazy!)

4. Bath or shower? A bath everytime! Lying back in a warm tub surrounded by bubbles...you can't help but feel relaxed and cosy.

5. Any bad habits i.e. biting your nails? Does eating too much chocolate count?!

6. Do you have any pets? Yep-my cheeky bichon-frise Ralph

7. What's your favourite book? Matilda by Roald Dahl

8. Ever broken a bone? Nope (touch wood!)

9. What would your dream job be? Well it would have to be a primary school teacher-with a side of blogging!

10. Lipstick or gloss? Definiately a lipstick lover, I'm a bit messy when it comes to lipgloss and tend to get my hair stuck to my lips. Yucky.

11. Choose 1 item you could not live without: It would probably have to be my iPhone. Although i've dropped it more times than I can count, it has everything on it and is always by my side.

So there we go. Below are my 11 blogs that I would like to pass the Liebster Award onto. I have been really enjoying reading their blog posts, so please do click on their links, have a read and say hello.

ChloeBeautyy

Neon and Feathers

FrankieBoo

Beauty, Bits and Bobs By JessB

Watermelon Kisses

Beaut Chic

Hollybeee

Cute As A Button

A Flower Power Thing

Lola's Little Wonders

Emerald Skies

And my 11 questions for you ladies are:

1. Bright colours or pastel shades?
2. Have you ever met a famous person?
3. What is your greatest achievement to date?
4. How long have you been blogging?
5. High heels or flat shoes?
6. What's your favourite smell?
7. Who do you admire the most?
8. Favourite film of all time?
9. Where is your favourite place in the world?
10. Do you have a secret talent?
11. What is your biggest fear?

I hope you enjoy taking part in this as much as I have. Please do link me back when you post this, I would love to read your answers!

Kate Moss Lipsticks

I have been admiring these lipsticks for a while so decided to delve in and purchase one of these goodies as i've been hearing and reading great reviews about the Kate Moss collection.  

I was particularly drawn to the Kate Moss Lasting Finish Matte collection as I love the creaminess of matte lipsticks. Now, I know matte lipsticks can be a bit hit and miss as they can emphasise dryness along with imperfections, but these products do the opposite! They are super soft with a velvet feel, highly pigmented and once applied, leave a fresh clean finish. Perfect!

I decided to purchase the beautiful 107 shade and i'm so pleased I put this little gem in my basket. It is a deep cherry red which leaves your lips looking bold and eye-catching. I admit, I was a tad weary about wearing such a rich shade, but I really do love it. It adds a touch of glam to your make-up, compliments a fair skin tone and is a perfect colour for AW13.

The swatch above is a true match when applied to your lips and leaves an opaque finish in just one swipe. It has a lightweight feel so it doesn't leave your lips feeling sticky and includes Ruby Powder which works to maximise colour intensity.

I would recommend using a lip pencil when wearing this shade as it can be a little smudgy during application, but all in all I am very pleased I took the plunge and added this shade to my ever-expanding lipstick collection. It smells fruity (a mixture of berries and watermelon-yum!) and it lasts a good four hours before having to re-apply. If your a newbie to trying out rich dark lip shades, then I would make this beauty your first red-lipstick purchase, with a price tag of £5.49, you can treat yourself without feeling too bad for your purse.

I'd love to know what you think of this shade? Have you tried any Kate Moss lipsticks? 

Very Berry

At the moment I just can't get enough of the colour berry and i've been crushing on anything and everything in this wonderful shade. 

As autumn is vast approaching, the new Autumn/Winter fashion lines are being released and I have a feeling this vibrant colour will be right on trend this season. 

Don't get me wrong, I have been loving the bright colours of summer; give me mint and coral shades any day, but I am actually quite excited to start investing in some warm autumn colours (we're now in September after all).

My first item on my berry-crush list has to be this beautiful Topshop Berry Edge Paint Satchel. As soon as I layed eyes on this little beauty, I just had to have it, so it's definitely going in my shopping basket!

Next on my list are a pair of these gorgeous slipper shoes from ASOS, which are a bargain for £22! I think they would look lovely teamed with a pair of thick black tights-perfect for Autumn! 

A tartan skirt has been high on my wish-list since forever! Unfortunately I didn't manage to find a design which suited me last year; either to long (i'm a tad short at 5"1) or the wrong shape, but my prayers were answered when I discovered this Miss Selfridge Magenta Skirt. 

Although the colour isn't a typical berry shade, it's close enough for me! This would look lovely with a white knitted jumper and black patent shoes.

Channelling my love for nail polishes, I added another Barry M nail paint to my ever expanding collection. For only £2.99, I can't get enough of these little gem's and seeing as i'm going through a berry-trend at the moment, this Raspberry colour fitted the bill perfectly!

So there you have it, my new favourite colour at the moment and my top picks. The great thing about the colour berry is how it comes in a variety of different shades. Team this colour with light greys, creams, bottle greens and white for an on-trend look!

What do you think of my fashion finds and what colour will you be crushing on this autumn?

Geek-Chic

I have been wearing glasses now for a good few years; I admit I should probably wear them more often than I do, but I need them for driving, watching TV and occasionally computer work, if it's late and my eyes are ready to go to sleep.

The other day something quite misfortunate happened, which involved my poor pair of glasses getting chewed up and thrown about my cheeky Bichon Frise, Ralph!

After some stern words and attempting to fix them myself (whilst trying not to think of the damage this will probably make to my purse) I decided to take a trip to my local Specsavers, hoping they could save the day.

Seeing as I'm quite partial to a bit of spectacle wearing and i've had my old glasses for a couple of years now, I was secretly pleased that I had the chance to browse the displays and have a go at trying some new frames on!

Now, I do love the 'geek-chic' look and a pair of retro-framed specs teamed with a pretty blouse and chunky cardigan will always make me go weak at the knees. But unfortunately a pair of oversized, thick-framed glasses, just does not suit me (insert sad face here). However, in keeping with my passion for geek-fashion, I indulged in a fancy new pair of geek-chic specs but just a slightly smaller version. 

These are called AYANNA and come in at £45 at Specsavers, which I feel is a bargain for a pair of good-quality glasses, that I won't necessarily be wearing everyday. Although the design is very similar to my previous ones, this time I opted for a different colour; a rich, claret red. 

This colour is great for complimenting blue, green or hazel coloured eyes as the frame has bluish undertones. They are also a subtle shade of red, so they won't clash with any bright colours you choose to wear. 

I can now relax as I have a fresh new pair of glasses, which I can safely say are securely placed in their new case and out of reach from my cheeky little pup! 

What are your thoughts on geek-chic glasses and how would you style these statement frames?

A Pop of Lace

Hi there!

As September has arrived, I will officially become a student again, but this time, at a different university (gulp!). So, I've been on the hunt to find some new wardrobe items which are casual but a tad dressy, as I would love to look and feel my best for the new start in my life!

I simply loved this dress the moment I saw it appear on ASOS and I thought it was a perfect find to share with you. Firstly, it is a simple, long sleeved, black dress but with an added vintage flare! Secondly, it is designed by Pop Boutique whose clothing I love, as they stock great vintage style items and cute peter-pan collar dresses. *swoon*

ASOS Pop Boutique Dress

Before long, my days will involve either attending lectures or completing placements and this dress is perfect for both! The material is stretchy so it is comfortable to wear whilst keeping busy, the design is casual yet smart and the long sleeves can help to keep you warm and toasty in these (soon to be) autumn months. 

Now, speaking of sleeves, this dress has cute lace cuffs with a small button attached to each one. I personally love them but the great thing about this design, is that the cuffs are easy to fold away under the fabric if you feel they look a bit too much or just fancy toning the lace down slightly.  

All in all, I know I will be wearing this dress ALOT as it makes a really easy but pretty outfit with the added lace embellishments. 

Team this dress with a pair of cute ballet pumps, a pop of colour on your lips and your good to go!

What do you think of my new ASOS Pop Boutique dress? Do you have a new dress which you just love?