Life Lately #9

It feels so nice to be typing up a blog post right now as September has been a hectic month and it has really affected my blogging this month! I’ve been super busy with work and of course university starting back so the time for my blog has been limited but on top of that I’ve also felt so uninspired right now! I am definitely feeling like I am in a bit of a creative funk at the minute with ideas and when I have such limited time to plan and prepare posts it makes it worse as the last thing I want to do is publish poor quality rushed content! So, to help ease my way back into blogging and get motivated again, I’ve decided to change up my blogging schedule. I usually post three times a week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday but in order to fit around my other commitments I’ve decided to cut my schedule to twice a week! Starting next week, my blog will have fresh content on a Tuesday and Friday at 10am GMT. It’s annoying to have to reduce the number of posts but hopefully it will make my life a lot easier!

Anyway, blogging rambling over. As I mentioned I started back at university this month. How exciting! Summer definitely felt like it went past in a flash and I feel so overwhelmed by the fact that I need to get back into living the student life. Fun. On a plus note, it is now three months til Christmas, if that is not exciting then I really don’t know what is! Whilst I am not particularly thrilled about the amount of workload that is about to hit me soon, I am excited to get productive and soon before I know it will be time for hot chocolate, winter coats and snow. Ahh, heaven!

Before things get all winter-y though, Autumn has arrived first! In the spirit, I did a bit of clothes hauling to fill up some of the gaps in my wardrobe. I picked up the majority of things from my Autumn Style wishlist and I just need a couple more things before I am pretty happy! Hopefully next month I can also pick up my dream Acne Boots that I’ve been saving up for! Considering I’ve cleared out a lot from my wardrobe recently, I do think I deserve a little treat, right!?

In terms of beauty, I was also super hyped by the arrival of Kat Von D makeup in the UK. Finally! There will be a little reveal soon on the blog so keep your eyes pealed! I did also hear of a little rumour about Sephora coming to the UK but I don’t want to get my hopes up too much but that really would be the icing on the cake!

Catch up with September posts: Beauty Wishlist, Sephora Haul, Caring for Hands and Feet, Becca Ombre Rouge Palette Review and Building a Minimal Wardrobe.

How did you spend your month?

Twitter | Pinterest | Bloglovin | Instagram

The Best Places to Buy Beauty Products

What can I say, I love to shop! Being a student and an all round makeup hoarder, I like to search out the best deals on beauty products to make the spending that little less painful. I have quite a few go-to stores/websites for buying new beauty products that I thought I would share with you with an emphasis on some of the great deals that you can pick up on too! Obviously all of my picks are UK based although many of these options do ship internationally.

Feel Unique

Probably one of the best online beauty retailers around.

+ Feel Unique have an incredible range of products and brands and pretty much stock all of the big mainstream globally recognised beauty brands.

+ In the UK, Free shipping when you spend over £15!

+ Ships internationally to many worldwide locations.

+ Regular discounts and sales – I picked up so many great deals through Feel Unique!

+ Occurring Student Discount via Unidays which is usually 10% off however can rise up to 20% occasionally.

Boots

Of course I couldn’t go without mentioning the home of the drugstore in the UK.

+ Houses all of the main drugstore brands in the UK and many exclusive brands such as Soap & Glory, No7 etc.

+ Both online/physical stores.

+ Free Click and Collect in stores.

+ Also has great range of luxury brands too.

+ Advantage card loyalty scheme (more details here) – the chance to be rewarded.

+ Regular great offers – such as 3 for 2! (Classic!)

Space NK

The home of unique luxury beauty brands.

+ Has many exclusive brands that are hard to source elsewhere

+ Online and physical stores

+ Free Click and Collect in stores

+ Great N.dulge reward scheme (mentioned here again)

+ Occasional offers/sales great for when getting spendy!

+ Free samples online and in store

+ Really helpful in-store staff

+ International delivery

ASOS

The popular fashion retailer often overlooked for beauty!

+ Small but good range of beauty brands including Nars, Benefit, Rimmel etc.

+ Free delivery over £20 in the UK.

+ Worldwide shipping.

+ Student discount

+ Regular discounts e.g. 20% off

Cult Beauty

A online retailer I have only used once but I really recommend!

+ Many exclusive hard to find brands, many similar brands to Space NK.

+ Free worldwide shipping over £50.

+ Really quick efficient shipping.

+ Free samples.

+ Occasional discounts/sales.

Fragrance Direct 

An underrated discount beauty retailer for both fragrance and makeup.

+ Sells great range of brands from drugstore to high end.

+ Sells many discontinued/hard to find products.

+ Great lower discounted prices on many popular brands.

+ Cheap delivery/also free over certain amount.

+ International shipping.

House of Fraser

The department store overflowing with all the best luxury beauty brands.

+ Stocks many popular mid-range to high-end brands from Mac, Urban Decay, Chanel, Tom Ford etc.

+ In store/Online.

+ Free delivery over £50.

 + Free Click and Collect in stores.

+ 10% student discount

+ Beauty Reward card – offering £5 reward for every 500 points

+ International shipping.

+ Occasional offers/sales.

Look Fantastic

An online retailer always bursting with discounts. 

+ Great range of brands from Benefit to Illamasqua.

+ Free worldwide shipping to many locations!

+ Regular discount codes e.g. 20% off.

+ 10% Student discount.

Escentual 

One of my favourites for a bargain, totally underrated!

+ Good range of luxury brands.

+ Cheap UK delivery or free over £30.

+ Worldwide shipping.

+ Regular discounts e.g 20/25% off.

+ Regular offers e.g. 1/3rd off.

+ Low Special prices across many top brands!

+ Pretty pennies reward scheme – earn on each purchase and money off on the next.

+ Free gift wrapping for present buying.

Where do you like to shop for beauty products?

Twitter | Pinterest | Bloglovin | Instagram

Style Wishlist

I tend to have moments where I am really into shopping around for new clothing bits for my wardrobe and other times when I am not really feeling inspired enough for a wardrobe refresh. Currently I am feeling it when it comes to clothes, I don’t know whether it’s the upcoming change in season or from having cleaned out my wardrobe that has sparked this but I definitely have a few pieces that are on my radar. I do have quite a few more investment pieces in the line up but I am looking to make some high quality purchases as I find the perfect staples for my wardrobe.

Starting off with Urban Outfitters, I have developed a love for UO lately, something I am sure I have made clear on my blog before. A lot of their pieces are a little more expensive but the styles are all so pretty and the quality is great too. I love a good casual tee and I love how cute this little strawberry tee is. Definitely one I will be picking up!

With Spring arriving, it is no better time for a good trench coat. I love the trench style and have forever longed to own a good quality camel trench. Whilst Burberry may be out of my budget for the time being (a girl can dream right!?), Zara will always remain queen of outerwear. Their coats and jackets are always great quality and totally reliable pieces as well as being truly gorgeous. I love this cotton trench which looks so much more expensive than it is. Definitely a great investment for the new season!

I have grew a strong love recently for Whistles. Their range does have a much steeper price tag but they have such gorgeous staple pieces. I have my eye on two tops from the brand, the first being this cute black knit with lace details. I seen a very similar top in Reiss but at a much higher cost so I was happy to see this at a much more affordable rate! The other is a little different, again another lightweight black knit but this time with cut-out shoulder details for something just a bit different. This would be such a nice option for an evening out!

Lastly, how could I do a clothing wishlist without a bit of ASOS. Firstly, I have been loving the whole pinafore trend lately. It took me a while to find a good affordable option that looked flattering but this one from ASOS seems to fit the bill. I think it will look great for everyday wear with casual tees for something a little different! Definitely something I need my hands on soon! The other two things from ASOS are very similar pairs of shoes from the brand Dune. I totally have to blame Kate from Kate La Vie for this as these shoes are all I can think about lately! The first being flat shoes in a gorgeous white and beige shade perfect for spring and super classy. These remind me so much of the Valentino Rockstud shoes (which are super dreamy!) with the studded design so a much cheaper alternative is well up my street! The other pair is basically the same although in heel form so would look great for going out.

What is on your wishlist?

Twitter | Pinterest | Bloglovin | Instagram

 

 

 

Nars Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow Palette

Whenever ASOS have a 20% off event it is basically a rule that I have to purchase something. With brands like Nars, Stila and Illamasqua I simply couldn’t say no. Being a huge lover of Nars I had always wanted to try their Dual-Intensity eyeshadow range. After working out the cost of buying single shades it actually worked out much better value buying the palette and who am I to turn down another eyeshadow palette in my collection!? After trialling it out for a while I thought I would rundown my thoughts on this beauty of an eyeshadow palette.

When it comes to eyeshadow I always like to keep things neutral and warm toned so this palette stretches a little out of my comfort zone. Having said that, I was pleasantly surprised by the wear-ability of all the shades. The palette includes a couple of light shades suitable for a base colour or the inner corner, a couple of brown toned shades and the addition of some cooler toned blue shades. Also, a deep purple-y shade and a dark black colour. My favourite shade is probably Himalia, a golden-y bronze-y brown shade that I actually considered buying as a single. It is a super wearable everyday shade that looks gorgeous on it’s own. I was also really surprised by the two blue toned shades; Lysithea and Giove which together create a really nice cool toned look which is completely different to my usual go-to.

You may be able to tell from the name ‘Dual-Intensity’ that these shadows work in two ways; wet or dry. Whilst the shadows apply much more intense wet they still offer impressive pigmentation applied dry. Although if there is one thing I struggled with in this palette, it was the application. From flat shader brushes to fluffy brushes it was a little tricky finding the right way to apply these shades. Some applied much more evenly than others particularly the lighter shades. I also did find it easier working with the shadows dry rather than wet but I guess that’s something I have still gotta work on. With good lasting power and super wearable shades, it’s definitely a thumbs up for me although the application is still something that I need to continue testing out.

Are you a fan of the Nars Dual-Intensity eyeshadows? 

Twitter | Pinterest | Bloglovin | Instagram

Give Your Wardrobe A Spring Clean

Forget daises and pastels, Spring is also the time for cleaning. Sounds tedious, I know but it doesn’t have to be. Now I’m not talking sprucing up the kitchen counters but your wardrobe. If you are like me with far too many clothes scattered in several storage spaces then it does sound rather off-putting but there is nothing better than having a good clean and tidy wardrobe full of clothes you know you will wear. Being an avid fan of clothes shopping I’ve gathered up quite the collection but as I get older and my tastes have changed I have a slight regret over choosing quantity over quality. I am now looking into giving my wardrobe a bit of a revamp and hopefully if you are in the same boat these tips might help!

1// Its time for a look into your wardrobe Checking what you own is important so that you can identify what is lacking in your collection and what you just have too much of. At this point it’s time to decide what you want to keep a hold of and know you will wear and also what pieces are ready to go. As the ultimate hoarder, this is a step I struggle with, I always tend to think even though I haven’t worn something in years it will later come in handy but its important to be harsh and do what you know is right.

2// Saying goodbye to those in the unwanted pile There is nothing more satisfying than building up wardrobe space by getting rid of those unwanted unworn clothes. If the clothes aren’t in good condition then its probably best to bin them however if they are still in a decent condition you could make some money out of them. Ebay is the obvious one but its basically your best friend when cleaning out your wardrobe. It is free to list up to 20 items per month and if sold you only have to pay a small percentage in fees. Depop is another popular method for selling, despite never trying it out, it seems to be quite popular amongst bloggers and pretty straightforward. By selling off unwanted clothes you can also generate some money to go towards some new clothing, bonus!

3//Investing in key pieces Now this step might not apply to everyone but if you are lacking in pieces its time to make the investment. Having good basics is important such as a good pair of jeans, a good jacket and some good t-shirts that you know you will wear. If you are like me and basically want to get rid of most of your wardrobe its the best idea to invest in good quality pieces that will last long rather than cheap poorer quality items that you will have to continuously repurchase. It doesn’t have to be expensive in buying new items, retailers such as ASOS hold a number of quality pieces at great prices.

4//Getting organised The last step is to give that finalised wardrobe a good tidy up. I am a sucker for organisation and I enjoy having things in order especially in my wardrobe. Having an organised wardrobe makes it a lot easier to find clothing and makes getting dressed that little bit quicker than rummaging through endless hangers of clothes. Everyone is different in how they organize so its important to chose the organisation method that suits you. Whether its through the type of clothing i.e dresses, jeans, skirts, tops or colour coordination or even through the season i.e Spring or Autumn, whatever works for you is key.

Hopefully some of these tips were helpful when the time arises to clear out that ever-growing pile of clothes. Once the cleaning is done, the challenge of keeping it clean is the next step! Now looks like I’m off to clear up the vast amount of coloured jeans in my collection… wish me luck!

Will you be giving your wardrobe a spring clean?

 

The Me Time Tag

Time for another tag 🙂 I do enjoy a good bit of me-time, just being able to chill, do nothing and most importantly not worry about completing any essays or uni coursework! I thought I would try out the ‘me-time tag’ so do enjoy and try it it out yourself!

1. What do you like to watch or read during me-time?

I do love reading a good selection of blogs both on WordPress and Bloglovin. In terms of books I am not the biggest reader but I did get some John Green Books a while back and have started to dig my way through them. Watching wise you can never go wrong with Friends! I also like to spend my spare time catching up on programmes such as Glee and 2 Broke Girls.

2. What do you wear during me-time?

Pyjamas, Pyjamas, Pyjamas. If I could wear pyjamas all day every day I would. I love Jack Will’s selection of nightwear, their leggings are so comfy and pretty. I also love a good comfy hoodie 🙂

3. What are your favourite me-time beauty products?

A good face mask never goes a miss! I’ve been alternating recently between the Lush Mask of Magnaminty and the Glam Glow Super-mud mask which both make my skin feel super soft.

4. Current favourite nail polish?

Tricky one! I never really have one single favourite nail polish but I am currently totally in love with Essie Maximillian Strasse Her and Chanel Tenderly (more of them two later!).

5. What do you eat or drink during me-time?

Anything that is really bad for me! I love a bit of nutella on toast and a Cadburys Hot chocolate with whipped cream ❤ If I am feeling that little bit more nutritional then I will go for some sliced apples with peanut butter.

6. Current favourite candle?

Tricky one again. I love my candles. I love anything sweet so one of my favourites is the Yankee Candle in Vanilla Cupcake, its so sweet and smells incredible. I am also loving the Diptyque Mimosa candle which smells so fresh and clean.

7. Do you ever have outdoor me-time?

Not unless its summer and its warm outside when I might go a walk.

8. Would you ever go and watch a film alone?

Probably not. I am not much of a film watcher and don’t really go to the cinema much but if there was a movie I really wanted to see I would maybe go alone but I would probably go to a far away cinema not local so no one would spot me haha!

9. Favourite online shop?

You can’t go wrong with a bit of ASOS! They have such a wide selection of brands and there is always something for everybody. I also have quite the habit of checking the ‘New In’ section on the Topshop website on a daily basis. If I am feeling quite adventurous I will check Etsy for some DIY inspiration.

10. Anything to add? What else do you do during me-time?

I spend a lot of time looking and dreaming over images on Pinterest, sad life I know. I also use my time to check the great world of social media, fun!

February Favourites

I don’t think I can quite believe that its March already! I think thats my starting line for every favourites posts but hey time goes fast! Anyway if you seen my favourites last month you may recall my lack of makeup but now since I’m back at uni and have some sort of life now I have been picking up a few newbies over the month and getting back to my usual makeup routine.

The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil – You may recall seeing this before in a review I did which you can check out here. I love this cleanser. Long are the days of removing my makeup with wipes and a damp cloth (extravagant, I know!). This cleanser is perfect, it removes every trace of my makeup and makes my skin feel fab as well as being a good affordable option at £10!

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Red Pepper – When it comes to liquid lipsticks I have always been put off. I don’t like the idea of putting something wet and sticky on my lips which is why I keep my lip-gloss use to a minimum and why I never really wanted to purchase this in the first place. As usual though due to phenomenal hype by so many bloggers I caved and bought it and I love it. It is super long lasting and is such a beautiful bright red which is great for daily wear.

Benefit Roller Lash – I apologize in advance if you are sick of hearing about this little gem which is Benefit’s new release. I don’t want to say too much as I may touch upon this one a little later but its probably one of the best mascaras I’ve ever used! It really does what it says on the tin!

ASOS earrings – Earrings are something I wear on a daily basis (oh the irony of not wearing any right now) and I always get sick of wearing the same basic boring earrings all the time until I seen what asos had to offer. I seen Suzie from Hello October mention these earrings in a haul and had to snap them up! They are just so different and I have had so many compliments on them, they are just fab and I have my eye on a few more from asos!

Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover – When it comes to nail polish removing its just no fun! I hate the tedious and boring job of having to remove nail polish that just wont budge. I heard a lot about this remover and picked it up and oh my has my life transformed! This really is magic, you simply stick your nail in the pot and give it a twist around and out it comes with no sign of nail polish, wow!

What have you been loving lately? 

 

January Favourites

Can you believe we have reached the end of January already *gasps* time always goes so fast! Anyway before I get stuck in to this months favorites, exciting announcement…*drumroll* Today marks this blog’s 5th anniversary!! How crazy, 5 years of blogging wow. Thank you to every one of you who reads my blog and makes it seem like I am not talking to myself all the time haha, Thank you all so much 🙂 Heres to another 5 years, right!? 😉 Anyway back to the favourites, this month has been quite unusual as I pretty much didn’t leave the house for the whole month and never really wore makeup. You can probably tell from the chilled out vibe image above which doesn’t really resemble the usual monthly favourites shebang but hey ho.

Adidas Maroon Gazelles – I have had my eye on these beauties for a long while and finally picked them up during the month. I got them from ASOS where they were on sale for a decent £52. I love a bit of maroon, it works so well with my wardrobe and I am totally loving the camel coat and trainers combo.

Friends – Do I even need to talk about how good Friends is? I am sure like pretty much everyone, their Gran and dog has watched every episode of friends and during my time off I decided to go for the full on 10 season marathon. I don’t think I have ever laughed so much at a TV series, nothing beats Friends, ever.

Looking For Alaska – For Christmas I got a selection of the John Green books after falling in love with his writing while reading The Fault in Our Stars. I have started reading Looking For Alaska which is about a boy who moves to a boarding school and falls for a girl named Alaska. I haven’t finished this book yet but I am loving it so far and John Green is just so great at twisting the conventional love story.

Essie Avenue Maintain – I picked up this nail polish in the Look Fantastic winter sale and its currently on my nails for the time being. Its a pretty “Parisan light blue” colour which is quite different to anything in my collection. The lasting power on this formula has been pretty decent as well, keep an eye on my blog for more on this polish later…

What have you been loving this month?

 

Fall 2014: Chelsea Boots

 

 

It is getting quite cold now so the Fall feeling is very much so kicking in! Another one of my favourite trends for this season is the Chelsea Boot. Again like the Boyfriend coat, Chelsea boots have been everywhere recently so I would be surprised if you haven’t seen them about. Chelsea boots were huge back in the 1960s (which is a major trend this season!) and they are distinguished by their typical elastic side panel and the tabs on the back. I recently purchased a lovely brown pair from New Look which I have listed below, and also some of my other favourites. The boots above are also both from New Look.

ASOS – Jack Wills

New Look

ASOS – New Look

River Island

Topshop

Credit to New Look, ASOS, Topshop and River Island for images.