Lookalike

If you haven't heard of Kate Spade, you're missing out. 

Classically designed purses, bags and all manner of things are available at www.katespade.com but the price range may be slightly out of most of our budgets.

So I've found a few little pieces at H&M that will satisfy your Kate Spade urges. 

(hm.com) £2.99

(hm.com) £7.99

How cute are these? 

R x

Sales! Bargains!

Hello!

Apologies for my absence, this time of year is certainly a busy one, between work, buying presents and all the usual hum drum it's been a bit manic. 

It's the time of year where the sales are kicking in and although Christmas day hasn't been yet Marks and Spencer have sorted us out for spending that money that burns a hole in your pocket once you get it. 

1. Nature's Extracts Cranberry Candle £3. 2. Spotted Cosmetic bag £3. 3. Florentyna Bath Oil Decanter. £6.25. 4. REN Clean Skincare discovery kit. £15 (from £40!) 5. NUXE gift set. £18. 6. Eye shadow Brush £1.75

After a little M&S event with Ruth recently that included a lovely tour of the beauty products i'm super excited to get my paws on NUXE and REN at these prices. 

Merry Christmas! 

X

Christmas Jumpers.

It's Christmas!

I thought I'd give you a good list to choose from for your Christmas jumper this festive season, which one will you choose? 

Topshop's cute gingerbread number - £42.00

A sophisticated number from ASOS £35.00

Home alone jumper from KarmaClothing - £14.99

This little cute red nosed hottie from BHS - £25.00 

R x

What I'm going to try.. and will let you know!

This is a preemptive blog in the sense these are products I am going to buy/try and will let you know about! 

First up is a teeth whitening kit :- 

(superdrug.com)

This is from Superdrug and it's the fourteen day kit, it's on offer at the moment at £5.99 but out of stock, so hopefully it'll be back on that price! (normally £8.99) and the reviews online are 5 star! 

(johnlewis.com)

I've been trying out Liz Earle's nail colour in Grace.

(johnlewis.com)

This primer is fast becoming my go to staple for nights out or day to day! 

(superdrug.com)

The real techniques expert face brush came from the birthday fairies for me this year and I've used it everyday since.. I'll be letting you know what I think!

and finally the other product I've been putting through its paces is.. 

(johnlewis.com)

This little number, a bronzer in Dune bronze.

R x

The blogs I read

I'm always really interested to see what blogs other people read, I love looking at other people's lives and seeing what they've bought/styled like. 

Here are a couple of my favourites :- 

1. First up is Zoella 

A youtuber/blogger/vlogger/designer - her CV is getting bigger by the day, it's very inspiring to see what someone can do just being themselves. Although I have quite different fashion tastes to Zoe - I just enjoy seeing what she's been out to buy and what her opinions are on things. Being the same age I guess it's just me being plain nosey! Anyone who already follows Zoe's every move via various social networking will already know once you start following her there's a whole group that comes along with it. There are lots of other things I could waffle on about, but I guess what keeps me coming back is; she just seems a genuinely nice person.

2. Chic and Cheerful

Now, I'm going to be honest here, I'm biased. This is a very good friend of mine so naturally I just love this blog but I'll still try and tell you as honestly as possible why..

If you are the type of person or like the type of person that is to the point, witty, a dry sense of humour, an eclectic taste but still remains the girly girl we all are inside you will love Ruth's writing style. You will find high end make up, fashion and accessories contrasted with the bargains that look like high end from local stores. 

I wouldn't go as far to say that Ruth is hard to please but she certainly knows a good product from a bad, you're in safe hands here guys! 

3. Milk,bubble&tea.

 Everything on Becky's blog is appealing, the clear cut pristine images, her choice in about absolutely everything and her ability to make me want it all! 

Becky is very high up on my list of those bloggers you look at and are a tiny bit green with jealousy, but she's definitely worked for her stake in the bloggersphere. She shares her shopping, her baking, her family, her boyfriend and her day to day life with us and we're all on tender hooks to see what's next. She even shares my love of white Roses, Primark and Lauren Conrad. 

4. SecretDiaryofaFashionJournalist

Laura is exactly what she says in her URL! a fashion journalist; you can expect a great contrast from the high street to high end on Laura's little spot of the internet. I've managed to snag a great Celiné lookalike handbag from Ebay thanks to Laura and fantasize over her ever growing collection of handbags and shoes, I do love a mulberry! Expect pink lipsticks, bargains from Primark that are similar to those pesky designers who want to charge us £££ and a good old fashioned wish list.

5. SprinkleOfGlitter

This is Louise, a youtuber/vlogger/blogger who covers any topic you can think of, fashion, beauty, babies and more! She's part of the youtube group that also homes Zoe (above). I like Louise's honesty, if something is poop she damn well tells you so and considering a lot of companies gift to Louise - they're very willing to take the risk she won't write about it or worse she'll tell you the truth! Similarly to Zoe I don't have the same tastes in everything as Louise but her honesty and down to earth approach is refreshing. 

This is just a snip-it of what I read and I'll fill you in again soon on more! Enjoy!

R x

Christmas Decorations.

Every year, as a ritual - I have a theme for Christmas decorations, mainly the tree but this year it's even extended to the presents. 

I can't possibly give away my preliminary ideas but I can certainly give you a helping hand with a few of my favourites.

(sainsburys.co.uk)

My house is going to be filled with plaques, but this is just so cute and appt for Christmas time! It's just recently gone to a third off.. can you tell? and is £3.99

Now John Lewis have gone a step up and created ready made themes for you, I've picked you my choices.

 Vintage Market Christmas :- 

(Johnlewis.com) £4

(Johnlewis.com)

These are £5!

This theme has really soft gentle colours that will go with almost any home setting, classic white/cream lights on the tree will warm the room rather than look like a mini nightclub has come to stay. 

(Tesco.com)

A Merry Christmas Garland that just looks perfect across your mirror or dressing table. £5

Which colour scheme would you rather?

R x

.

What I'm obsessed with right now..

Just a little post on what I'm obsessing over or loving in life right now, 

Golden Girls - An 80's TV programme from America, four ladies in their 'prime' living as room mates - it's hilarious and they're pretty filthy! 

My dog Ruby - I can't stop buying her treats and I'm so excited to get her a stocking for Christmas, she's naughty as anything though! Here she's trying to drive my car ;) 

Dawn O'Porter's book - I saw this recommended by Caroline Flack and that it reminded her of growing up in the 90's .. Although she's nearly ten years older than me I reckon it'll be nostalgic for me too. 

Ted Baker's Ipad cases - I am loving everything Ted Baker right now, I think this is a classic colour and sophisticated. 

Elizabeth Arden eight hour cream - I'm obsessed with getting my paws on this, my lips are terrible at the moment !

Katy Perry - Killer Queen, I had this in a Glossybox and I really like it, it's a deep pungent fragrance, it lingers and I'm disappointed I've finished my sample. I normally don't buy into any celebrity fragrances, they're usually rubbish but this just so happens to have hit the right notes! 

R x

Matalan

I popped into my local store by chance the other day and was happily surprised by a sale! Once i'd made my purchases I received a voucher for a discount if I click and collect from their website and couldn't resist sharing my choices. 

First up this frame is for my living room, just in time for Christmas! 

(matalan.co.uk)

A cute heart shaped photo frame, it's actually quite a decent size and only £12.

(matalan.co.uk)

I love these hearts and have a couple around the house, they're so shabby chic and cute! This brightens up a boring door, helps the visitors! and is only £3!

(matalan.co.uk)

A Santa mug for him and a..

(matalan.co.uk)

Robin mug for her, perfect for hot chocolates with marshmallows and cream on a blustery evening. (£4 each)

(matalan.co.uk)

A fresh linen candle that smells divine, so much so the boyfriend has stolen it! (£5)

And lastly, 

(matalan.co.uk)

A navy blue plain textured top, it's half price in the sale at £5 and I think you can really dress these up or down.

I definitely recommend popping to your local Matalan or check out their website. 

R x

Miss Glossy

As you know I'm a big fan of the glossybox's and although have tried the birchboxes, I don't feel I've found my feet with them yet. 

So I recently managed to accumulate enough glossy dots (bit like a store card you collect points and can buy things) to buy something, so I choose the box designed for teens; just to have a nose as they seem to get some really good stuff! 

I was not disappointed! - Now this box comes Bi-monthly and is £7 plus postage. 

So first up we have the Clear Start from Dermalogica breakout clearing foaming wash.. a mouthful! You get the full size of this and it's £13 to buy! so you've got your money's worth in one product. Even though I'm in my twenties, that doesn't stop those bad boy spots coming, so i'll let you know on that one. 

A So..? spray with fruity tones, cute for the handbag and quick dash spray. £1.69

A sample of Lacoste touch of pink - This has never appealed to me to buy it and I've never tried it before, and it's always nice to have a sample before spending £38.50!

My favourite part of this box the Jelly Pong Pong 2 in 1 eye-shadow/liner - now these are £10.50 on their own, and I just love them. I was so pleased to see one in there and in a different colour to the one I have. Plus, I just LOVE the name. 

And lastly, the little mix nail wraps - this was the only part of the box that I felt gave away the target audience but as it's Christmas and I have a cousin who'll make good use of them, I wasn't too disappointed. 

I can't wait to see what comes in two months time!

R x

What Kate wore

Whatever you may think of royalty I haven't met a person who doesn't think Kate Middleton isn't beautiful, sophisticated and a bit of a style icon. Her style is elegant, classic and often quite basic. 

(google)

Her clothes are constantly sought after and sell out within a matter of minutes of her being pictured in them. They vary from high street and high end fashion designers but she certainly has her staples such as a good old blazer and those wedge heels from LK Bennett. 

I've just found this website 

(whatkatewore.com)

Which helpfully details her entire outfits to the best of their ability and can be super helpful if you just have to have that piece. My only suggestion would be a high street alternative to the more expensive pieces would certainly increase interest. 

(marieclaire.com) 

I for one, would certainly not mind looking like Kate! 

R x

Birthday gifts.

So I've had my birthday recently and I thought I'd do a small post about the beauty related things I had. I would like to say that I love seeing what other people got so that's why I'm doing this and I'm in no way trying to be like, look what I got! 

Okay, here goes! 

(http://uk.lizearle.com/cleanse-tone-moisturise)

I was in desperate need of my staple cleanse and polish and thankfully my Mum stepped up to the mark with two of these bad boys, thanks mummy! 

(www.tangleteezer.com)

A tangle teezer, my hair is thick and long and this has been AMAZING! I would definitely recommend to anyone that struggles getting that brush through. 

(http://www.boots.com/en/Real-Techniques/)

I had the expert face brush and shading brush from real techniques, I've only used them once but I can tell they're going to be my new favourites, so many good reviews about these and boots & superdrug have an offer on at the moment. 

(http://www.muastore.co.uk/)

This is the heaven and earth palette from MUA, you can buy these online and in superdrug and at only £4.00 they're a real bargain. I've worn a couple of the colours and they've been really understated and nice for the daytime. I'll definitely be investing in some more deeper colours for the berry trends this season. 

And finally, 

(http://www.jomalone.co.uk/)

I had the orange blossom and pomegranate noir from Jo Malone, these two layer together SO well and the added bonus of having two little samples of other fragrances is a nice touch. 

Hope you enjoyed seeing what I chose!

R x

ELF - Lipgloss

So who are ELF? - I hadn't heard of the brand until my blogger friend Ruth mentioned them and their new store in Cardiff. 

A quick wikipedia and I've found out they're a company established in 2004 in New York and specialise in affordable quality make up. Sounds perfect! 

Two things that have really caught my eye on their website is their palettes and brush sets, both extremely well priced and look absolutely gorgeous. 

(http://eyeslipsface.co.uk)

Look how much you get in this! and for just £8.00! 

I've often read about how drug store make up in America is cheap as chips and it's so great to see a company bring that to the UK and better still Wales! 

I've recently tried out a Glitter Lip Gloss from ELF - in Sparkling Wine, it's got a really moisturising texture and is bang on trend for the winter season. 

I had an understated make up look - but this gloss could be dressed up or down for anytime wear. 

I can't wait to try more from ELF. Have you tried anything?

R x

Another wish list!

It's just been my birthday and I couldn't think of too much to ask for so asked for staples but now I've suddenly thought of loads of things I'd love!

Typical. 

Here's my updated wish list:- 

1. Visiq facial steamer - £11.99 

My face is driving me mad at the moment with breakouts, blocked pores, dry patches and oily patches! So an at home steam and facial for £11.99 seems the answer to all my problems. This has had SO many good reviews and you get a fixture you can use to clear congestion now we're coming into cold and flu weather. 

2. John Lewis Shenzhen patent purse - £20.00

I love this purse! It comes in four different colours and I can't decide between the teal or mustard for my favourite. If you're anything like me you're always on the look out for the perfect purse, could this be yours? It's a classic design that'll always be in fashion.

3. Ted Baker Great and Glorious make up set. £19.00

This is on sale at the moment in Boots, I can't believe how much you get for the price! I haven't tried any Ted Baker make up before, so this is a great inexpensive way of testing out the brand or a great gift for Christmas without breaking the bank!

4. Jo Malone Lime Basil and Mandarin Shampoo. £16.00

I just recently had my first Jo Malone perfumes and I love them. This has really intrigued me, the smell is probably out of this world, but does it live up to being a good shampoo too? 

Any of these take your fancy too? What's on your wish list?

R x

Mini haul - bath products.

So, it may come as a shock to some of you that I've never purchased anything from lush before! As it's my birthday this Wednesday and I had a card early (I know I shouldn't have opened it!) I used the money to have a little try and here's what I picked up :- 

I decided three was a good well rounded choice and to be honest I couldn't smell a thing in the shop as it can be quite potent, I just liked the look of these! 

I've got the Snowman Ballistic which was £2.50, a Cinders Ballistic at £2.45 and the Candy mountain bubble bar at £2.65. 

I'm really excited to try them and see what they'll do to the bath, my skin and if they're worth the hype they get. One thing that did confuse me was the assistant asked why I hadn't labelled them..? I didn't see any labels to do so and he didn't explain that was protocol. If you know the etiquette of shopping in Lush please fill me in!

I then popped to Marks and Sparks to fill up on my favourite range of bathing products. 

I've mentioned the Natures extracts range before and I still mean every word, they're so lovely, affordable and the lemon verbena is something to shout about. So I picked up a lemon verbena bath, a scrub and a peach and almond cream bath and it all came to £5.50 as it was a 3 for 2 offer as usual. 

All I have to do now is find time to spend a few hours in the bath! 

R x

Christmas Beauty Picks.

I've mentioned the dreaded word (for some!) Christmas!!!

I absolutely love Christmas, and I'm already well under way planning what to buy who and what colour scheme to have etc. 

Here are some of the presents I've found so far for your loved ones, or yourself!

(asos.com)

This is the Ciaté advent calender.. Wow! I had heard a little bit about this from Ruth but hadn't seen it anywhere until now. This fabulous idea is £42.00, now that price may be a bit eek when you initially look at it but you're getting a polish for roughly every two weeks of the coming year without the combinations you could make. It's also the most unique and quaint advent calender you'll ever have!

(asos.com) 

This is the L'Occitane cherry blossom gift set; at £34.00 it includes a hand cream, a lotion, a shower gel and an eau de toilette. I can vouch (from borrowing someone else's!) that a little goes a long way with these products and the cherry blossom is a divine smell. 

(boots.com)

Another advent calender! - Just in-case that many nail polishes wouldn't suit you or whoever you're buying for Boot's have come up with this cute idea. It claims a selection of miniature and full size are inside but that's all it's giving away, so it truly is a surprise! This is £30.

(lush.co.uk)

This is a Lush bath bomb gift set, Louise from sprinkleofglitter recently had the little house and it looked gorgeous in the bath. This set is £18.95, a real luxury gift.