Saturday 29 March 2014

Reading wish list.

I thought I'd share with you the books I'm wanting to read, I have to admit I have A LOT of books lined up to read and when I discovered the free book shop in my city, well it's caused a bit of hassle for my spare room/study! 

But I still fancy reading these;


I've noticed this book on everyone's (it seems) bedside table; a coming of age novel written through anonymous letters. I'm not sure if it's the cover, the press it's had or the title that is enticing me but it's doing something right. 

As you'll know from previous posts I am obsessed with the golden girls, it's a comedy sitcom from the eighties and early nineties about four outrageous but very different women and how they cope with the next stage in their lives. It is hilarious and anyone who's had five husbands must have some good stories, take Elizabeth Taylor! 

Mitch Albom and I are old *imaginary* friends! I've long had a love for his novels. They're affirming, inspiring, thought provoking and deeply interesting. If you've never read any of his works I strongly suggest you do. Check out Tuesdays with Morrie, a book close to my heart. 


R x



Thursday 27 March 2014

New look court shoes.

I've found these little babies 

They're the Ronald mesh detail court shoes, and are a steal at £19.99. They remind me of the PVC and mesh look that celebrities such as Kim Kardashian are currently working. I'm imagining these, peg/cigarette trousers a plain block colour top and a statement necklace. Perfect! 

You can get these from both ASOS and New Look. 

R x

Monday 24 March 2014

Bag Bargain at ASOS

ASOS really do have the best sales. 

This little beauty is from Oasis and is half price in the sale! from £38 to £19!
It'll be great for any season, any occasion, day or night... have I talked you into it yet? 

I love it!

R x

Sunday 23 March 2014

Night time routine lately.

Just thought I'd show you what my routine for nightly skincare is lately. 


1. Liz Earle hot cloth cleanse & polish. 2. Lush Tea Tree water, even after Liz Earle's revolutionary product this baby gets so much out of my skin, frightening! 3. La Roche-Posay Effaclar duo - I'm trying this out at the moment and finger crossing I will see some of the results I've read about! 4. Finally REN night cream for my tired eyes and dull skin. 

I've been using this combination for a few days (three of the products are new to me) and it seems to have brought up all the impurities so I do look a bit terrible but hopefully the improvements will show through soon. 

As they say, it gets worse before it gets better! 

R x

Friday 21 March 2014

Leather look jacket.

So, my current obsession with Millie Mackintosh and my desperate need for a spring jacket combined has led to my discovery of this beauty. 

George at Asda has become a serious high street contender and this on style jacket proves it so. You can pick this beauty up for £28. You could definitely work this for both the day time and evening. 

R x

Tuesday 18 March 2014

Subscription boxes.


A new craze is taking the beauty, fashion and jewelry world by storm; monthly subscription boxes.
I thought it might be helpful to do a post on what boxes are available (the ones I've tried), what you'll get and where to look! 

So firstly, beauty! 

The glossybox.

Self described as the 'ultimate beauty experience' you will receive an array of beauty, skincare and sometimes lifestyle samples or full size products. You can expect brands you were completely unaware of and will never want to be without again & well known beauty gurus. The products will be tailored to a survey you fill in on your preferences and skin/hair types. You will gain 'glossy dots' to then put towards free boxes, provided you are on a rolling subscription. 

Dependent on the type of subscription you choose it will be £10 plus p&p. 

The Birchbox. 

The Birchbox is a similar experience to that of glossy, they may hate me for that; but one box I had recently was virtually identical, I believe there are some spy's in one or the other! They do however, use different brands to glossy so although the products may be the same type the brand probably won't be. Holidays and seasons are represented within the boxes too which is a nice touch. You'll collect points with Birchbox that you can then spend in their shop, this box probably has the best perks in rewards sense. 

Again, £10 with p&p.

The Love me beauty.



The Love me beauty box is a little different in approach, you can choose the products you receive from a selection of three 'menus' if you aren't comfortable with the thought of paying for a box of products you're not sure you'll even use, then this is for you. 
The pricing is again the same £10 plus p&p, again there is a reward scheme for completing reviews. This box isn't as main stream with their products, there's a different feel to this box, I don't quite have the words but it feels more natural. I've never been disappointed with this box, ever!


Jewelry. 

Astrid & miyu

A secret concept box but with jewelry! This looks so cute, I can't speak from experience with this service but the pieces I've seen have always been so lovely. Again, you can be assured by the survey you complete on your style and preference to avoid any major disasters. This is a great way to keep on trend, have something unique (everyone has the same rings etc from primark don't they?) and the packaging looks like a real treat! This subscriptions is a quarterly one of £39 with free postage and packing. 


Food.

Graze 

(Images from GoogleImages)

If you're like me, eating healthy is a bit tough when the snacking demon takes over me! Here is your answer, the graze box. At £3.89 you can choose to have them delivered as much or as little as you like, you can choose an eating plan if you're trying to be extra healthy and you can rate or bin anything you know you won't like. So completely tailored to you! It's an exciting feeling when the box comes and you can't wait to try the amazing concoctions these geniuses come up with! 

I hope this gives you a little in-sight into these services, and if they would suit you! 

R x

Wednesday 12 March 2014

Overnight oats.

A bit of a different post but if you're anything like me sometimes breakfast can be a chore, either I haven't got enough time or a lot of the 'healthier' suggestions sound a bit too much for that time in the morning.

So! I have the perfect solution, Oats are such a good breakfast staple, healthy, keep you full for long and so on. But hot porridge in the spring and summer sounds like hell! 

Que; Overnight Oats
(laurenconrad.com)

You'll need 1 kilner jar, mines a 0.35l (and I got it from Sainsbury's), porridge oats, natural yogurt, cinnamon & a fruit of your choice. 

Pop a cup of oats, a cup of milk and two table spoons of yogurt into your kilner, sprinkle a bit of cinnamon and add the fruit. Leave overnight & hey presto! 

You can pretty much tailor this as you like so it doesn't get boring, I've been using blueberries, strawberries, lemon curd & peanut butter. 

Enjoy!

R x

Lush - Porridge.

We all love a bit of Lush (the bath and body shop for those Welsh, who might think something else!) 


I've recently discovered this beauty, the 'porridge' it's a soap that when you go in will be cut off in chunks. As you can see its a textured soap with the oats to be used for exfoliating. 

The small just feels so natural and creamy, you just feel like this is doing something good to your skin, I feel so soft and smell divine after using this. It's a soap, it exfoliates, moisturises & is preservative free. 

I'm completely hooked.
(I've Just been and bought some more!) 

R x

Whats on my face.

Going out for a Tapas meal the other night I decided for a subtle pastels make-up look.


Foundation - Rimmel Match Perfection, Eyebrows - Rimmel , Concealer - Collection 2000
Eyes - H&M Nudes (pink) palette, Mascara - H&M, Bronzer - Benefit Hoola,
Lips - E.L.F - Sparkling wine. 

My dress is from Primark & I think it compliments the light blue pastels in my make up perfectly. 

R x


Also, I just got blog lovin :) 
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Monday 10 March 2014

White T-shirt

I've done the impossible ladies! I've found a non-see through, non-bump hugging white t-shirt!

Let's all praise Marks and Spencer in unison!

(Marks and Spencer.com)

We've all been there, thinking this tee looks great and next thing you know you're showly all and sundry your bits.. not good! 
This baby has 'stay new' technology which promises to maintain the pristene condition it's in, I'll let you know about that as I haven't had mine for long.

But at only £6 I am just thrilled it is a nice quality, sits properly on and I'm not flashing any by passers!

R x

Currently loving..

Here's what I'm currently enjoying or.. Obsessing over!

This album is a girls anthem, a feel good sing along array of songs. This will probably be my soundtrack to summer.. Corny right? 

This tv programme is almost a sec and the city for your 20s although a little more gritty and less designer influence. It's hard hitting, sometimes too relatable and quite graphic but I'm completely hooked. 

You name it, I've tried it! I even begged my partner to fork out for Elizabeth Arden's eight hour balm, quite expensive for what it is and not overly remarkable (for me personally). But, Burt's bees have always been there for me, always in my handbag on stand by for my poor terribly chapped lips. 

Finally, I love any anatomicals product and this is so cheap, cheerful, smells great and I can't wait to try more. Has anyone tried their shampoo or conditioner? Or the lip balm? Let me know! 

R x





Friday 7 March 2014

New look wish list. SS'14


Just gazing around Instagram and the internet and thought I'd check out New Looks new season, bittersweet because I'm going to have no money but look amazing! Here's my picks.. 

This charcoal and rose gold watch is to die for, my wrist yearns for it and at £12.99 I really don't think it looks that cheap! 

Pastels are the new black this season so why not be bold and use the inbetween spring weather to break out these bad boys! (£19.99) I've also noticed that New Look seem to have really put a lot of effort into redesigning and improving their jeans recently so I'm looking forward to seeing the difference. 

Aren't these just the cutest little things? They're £15.99 and I spotted them on pearls and poodles Instagram. They're suitable for daytime or a casual night out plus the pointed toe is back big time ladies! 

Finally, can you tell I like to buy in outfits? Or is that dream! This cute contrast effect top is £9.99 and finishes the outfit perfectly. 

Ahh New Look you're breaking my heart but I love it! 

R x




Thursday 6 March 2014

H&M palette

I picked up one of the H&M palettes in a light nudes colour recently, I've had an amazing mascara from them before at only 99p! So I had reasonable hopes for this.



The colours are quite sweet and good for a transitional time such as spring! Okay so here goes there really is no pigmentation to these. I attempted to do swatches but frankly was too embarrassed to put up a photo where you can't see anything! I've used it quite a few times and you really have to work to get some colour. So I guess I'll just use them as a base for better shadows. If you're looking for very light colour all over the lid and a bit of eye liner it might work but I wouldn't repurchase. 

Sorry H&M! I still love your mascara. 

R x

Tuesday 4 March 2014

Japonesque



Before I got the opportunity of a little make up tutorial at John Lewis by Japonesque I have to admit I'd only vaguely heard of the brand. It turns out, I've been really missing out! They're a company 30 years in the making who specialise in tools and accessories and their products are exclusively available through John Lewis.

Here are Japonesque's make up artist to the stars top tips!

Foundation.
Start from the center of the face and blend outwards - if you're looking for a professional make up look the tools are the answer. Let the brush do the work over the face! (Also, Japonesque's foundations are buildable coverage!)

Concealer.
A little goes a long way with concealer and use it to tone down the pink undertones that may be apparent in your complexion.

Powder.
The softer the brush, the less product it will hold onto and therefore allowing you to control how much is being applied. Nobody wants an over caked looking face! (Japonesque have a one colour powder that suits all skin tones!)

Eyes.
Tap off the excess from your brush, don't go straight from palette to eye. A top tip for coverage and precision is to tilt the head back and blend whilst keeping your eyes open. This will give a realistic position to the product.

Bronzer.
Use it to shape the face, and use a rounded brush to sculpt and give definition. Forehead, chin, cheek bones allows for definition.

We did ask what would be the one brush the make up artist couldn't live without and she answered the smudge brush.

This beauty is £12.00 at John Lewis and for its versatility and recommendation from a make up artist to some top celebs I think that's a bargain!

Overall, Japonesque's message as a brand is use the correct tools and you will have the professional look you lust after. You should only have to invest in these once and then if you take proper care of them (gentle shampoo and warm water once a week!) you could have them a lifetime. 

R x



Monday 3 March 2014

Ted baker


I love Ted Baker, quintessentially English and great style.

The accessories particularly catch my eye in the new spring/summer '14 collection and in particular the clutches. 

(Johnlewis.com £99.00) 

How beautiful! Although not the cheapest clutch you'll find on the market - it will last you forever. The pastel hues will keep its longevity for the future seasons to come. If you've got any weddings coming up this summer, this clutch will seal the deal on your outfit.

R x