#52 - blog tag numero uno

Right, lack of posting this week/end is down to the fact I've pretty much lived in work, and I've been helping redo my room - which looks so much better! I'm still tidying it up, but I'll post some photos and the pretty bits I've bought from work to go in it! The lovely Alex of http://alexslifeafter20.blogspot.com/ tagged me in her last post, so here goes!

Makeup:

blusher or bronzer - blusher

lip gloss or lip stick - neither

eye liner or mascara - mascara

foundation or concealer - foundation

neutral or colour eye shadow - neutral

pressed or loose eye shadow - loose

brushes or sponges - brushes, but i prefer using my hands

Nails:

opi or china glaze - opi

long or short - long

acrylic or natural - natural, I can't function with acrylic

brights or darks - darks

Body:

perfume or body splash - perfume

lotion or body butter - body butter

body wash or soap - body wash

lush or other bath company - lush

Fashion:

jeans or sweat pants - jeans

long sleeve or short - long sleeve

dresses or skirts - skirts

stripes or plaid - stripes

flip flops or sandals - sandals

scarves or hats - scarves

studs or dangly earrings - neither, have them pierced but never put any in

necklaces or bracelets - both

heels or flats - flats

cowboy boots or riding boots - riding boots

jacket or hoodie - jacket

Hair:

curly or straight - straight

bun or ponytail - ponytail

bobby pins or butterfly clips - bobby pins

hair spray or gel - hair spray

long or short - long

light or dark - dark

side swept bangs or full bangs - side swept

up or down - down

Random:

rain or shine - shine

summer or winter - summer

autumn or spring - autumn

chocolate or vanilla - chocolate

Now I tag:

Heather - http://tolaughortocry.blogspot.com/
Rebecca - http://writtenandposted.blogspot.com/
Georgina - http://dufflecoatsandmittens.blogspot.com/
Christine - http://christinecocochanel.blogspot.com/
Laura - http://romance-is-boring.blogspot.com/
Lily - http://forbiddentorememberterrifiedtoforget.blogspot.com/

Please check out Lily's blog, she posts some seriously gorgeous photos!

#51

I'm going back for my second year of Journalism in just under a month; giving me plenty of time to prepare myself for the more extreme workload (first year was bad enough!) to get back on track with my Shorthand - something I've been dabbling in and out of over the Summer, but I need to get stuck into it if I'm going to do well at it this year.
My new furniture arrived today, so I'll finally have all the storage I'll ever need and more; I'll do a post with before and after pictures when it's complete :)

I've recently fell in love with Amazon - I have a slight obsession with Dean Koontz books, but I can never seem to find the right ones in the Waterstones in town. My mum suggested I try online, where I found old and used Dean Koontz books for a penny! This may be old news to some but I was amazed! Pay £2 P+P, and yes, the books are very worn, but any new book is going to end up like that at some point, and I love the possibility of finding inscriptions or notes from previous owners.
The following is the short list of books I'll be reading in the first few weeks of second year...

- The top three - Dean Koontz, all 1p!
- Bright Shiny Morning is one I was drawn to by the title and cover - turned out to be an amazing read, grips you from the first page with each chapter telling the story of different characters. It leaves you on a real cliffhanger too; addictive!
- I'm yet to read the Stephen Fry book, but I love the way he words things so this'll be a delight.
- And Angela Carter's Book of Fairy Tales - because every girl likes fairy tales, I especially enjoy fairy tales with a twist - Angela Carter's an amazing writer.

What have you been reading over the Summer? Anything I should pick up?

#50

Since it's my 50th post, I thought I'd treat you all to some new outfit posts - finally. Gosh I'm so exciting I can't move from the edge of my seat...
It's just outfits from the past week or so when I've remembered to take a photo.
I've stocked up on some new hair products which I'll review later this week too.

Jeans - River Island; Black vest, Blue vest and necklace - H&M.

I wore this last night to go for a meal at Red Hot - was delish! I recently re-found this necklace; I absolutely love it, but ahd to stop wearing it as it itched my neck. But my mum told me to put clear nail varnish on the back, and it works! In the close-up photo, you can see it says 'I love you' in different languages; it's also two-sided.

Vest, Cardigan - H&M; Skirt, Belt, Tights - Primark; Necklace - Vintage store online.

I wore this last Friday, going to town with Heather after our fun night out Thursday.
Totally lazy outfit, but it's soo comfy - and I looove my 'Cutest of Cupcakes' vest!

Hooded top - New Look; Jeans - River Island; Vest - H&M

And today's outfit was abit less exciting (haha) as we went for a pub lunch with family, so I tried to dress, ahem, 'politely', if that's at all possible?
(Apologies for the bad quality of the first one - dodgy flash and all)

Top, Skirt - H&M; Tights, Belt - Primark; Owl necklace - Bhs.

I'll probably find more photos later so I'll update this post after food!

#49

Issue Four of Love magazine is out today, and features and array of beautiful and equally individual women - but Rose Huntington Whiteley (mouthful or what) is simply gorgeous and my favourite out of the bunch, I would happily frame this and put it above my bed with sheer pride.
While I am yet to watch her in the newest Transformers movie, I think I'll manage without for the time being.

The majority of the other covers can be found in the following links:

Sienna
Gisele
Alessandra
Kelly
Agyness

Now, I don't really follow Agyness Deyn, but I'm sorta hoping the bridge piercing is fake, anyone know?

I'll post again later with some outfits from this week - need to find my memory card!

#48

I think it's pretty obvious I tend to have girl crushes that have dark hair and gorgeous eyes, and the next two are no expection - I'm pleased to have an excuse for featuring photos of Natalie Portman on my blog without seeming too peculiar. (EDIT: I had to Google the word peculiar, and now I've seen it that many times it no longer looks like a word, damn mind/vocab)

Natalie Portman is set to star in a new film later this year, called Black Swan. Co-starring with Mila Kunis (love her/want to be her) and Winona Ryder (not such a fan of, but never mind!)

The plot summary on IMDB is: "Nina (Portman) is a ballerina in a New York City ballet company whose life, like all those in her profession, is completely consumed with dance. She lives with her obsessive former ballerina mother Erica (Hershey) who exerts a suffocating control over her. When artistic director Thomas Leroy (Cassel) decides to replace prima ballerina Beth MacIntyre (Ryder) for the opening production of their new season, Swan Lake, Nina is his first choice. But Nina has competition: a new dancer, Lily (Kunis), who impresses Leroy as well. Swan Lake requires a dancer who can play both the White Swan with innocence and grace, and the Black Swan, who represents guile and sensuality. Nina fits the White Swan role perfectly but Lily is the personification of the Black Swan. As the two young dancers expand their rivalry into a twisted friendship, Nina begins to get more in touch with her dark side - a recklessness that threatens to destroy her."

Here's a quote from Mila herself, the article can be found here:
Kunis plays Lilly, the unhinged and possibly sadistic yin to the yang of Nina, her uptight rival played by close friend Natalie Portman. “It’s like a real-life version of the third act of Swan Lake,” she says, treading carefully around plot secrets. “I just feel like such a douche because I can’t talk about it. It’s not even that big of a deal. It’s a fucking movie. It’s not like I’m saving the world.”

Annnd apparantly Natalie and Mila "get it on" - not my words, that's definitely something a boy would write.
Sorry for the photo overload, but seriously this looks really good - I'm definitely putting it on my to-do list.

Anyway, release date is December 1 so there's plenty of time to make plans around that date, it's not one to miss!

All photos via www.beyondhollywood.com/

#47

Decided that since I keep forgetting to take photos of my outfits, I'll let you in on what's inside my makeup bag (cue various ooh's and ahh's)
Nothing that interesting, but I've noticed quite a few people have posted theis, so thought I'd join in and let you know my bargains.

Again, apologies for the poor phone quality photo!

Top row, L-R - Bourjois 10-Hr Sleep Effect foundation, Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection concealer, ELF Complexion Perfection, ELF blending brush.

Bottom row, L-R - Sleek w/proof mascara, Collection 2000 w/proof Volume Sensation mascara, Collection 2000 w/proof Fast Stroke eyeliner, Rimmel 8hr Colour Moose in 005 Glitz, Natural Collection kohl pencil, eye brightening drops, Benefit Her Glossiness in Didn't Hear It From Me, ELF lipstick in Runway Pink, ELF Candy Shop lip gloss in Cherry Bomb.

My makeup bag has definitely seen better days, but it fits everything in perfectly and I'm yet to find a decent quality bag that's not too expensive, especially since it'll get covered with makeup inside!
I don't tend to go for big expensive names when it comes to makeup - Collection 2000 has always done me well, so I'm going with "if it ain't broke, don't fix it", especially with the waterproof mascara - it's amazing, even when I was on holiday on the sweltering hot beach (in Cornwall, yes) it didn't move, yet it comes off easily before I go to bed.
I currently use a coat of that and then add a top coat of the waterproof Sleek mascara, as this lengthens my lashes really well.
When I ran out of my matte-effect foundation, I was eager to find a replacement, but I'd heard good reviews of the Bourjois one you see in the above photo. The price put me off slightly, but I figured it was an 'investment'. I wasn't disappointed; it works like a dream! It gives sheer, dewy coverage but it really lifts my skin - as if I'd had 10 hours sleep! Defnitely recommend it.
The ELF stuff you see above is really good - I know alot of people don't like the ELF range but the products I have used so far have done no wrong, special mention to the lip products - their colours are amazing.

Any questions on the above products please leave in a comment!
I'll hopefully be back tomorrow with some sort of interesting outfit posts, promise!

#46

I wasn't gonna post again (twice on a Sunday, think I'm crazy) but since I was invited to join Spotify, after pestering my best friend for an invite might I add, I've found new favourite songs by some of my oldest, favourite artists.

Like Imogen Heap, there's a new version of 'Hide and Seek' - the original was recorded with vocalisers and no background music. And while the newer version does have backing vocals and an odd background sound that I can't quite put my finger on. Not to be odd, but it sounds like a noise I recognise from the first Mighty Boosh episode, no?

Anyway, this second version is hauntingly beautiful, I think I prefer it to the original purely because it's just her voice, no digitalising, etc.

#45

Some photos to keep you amused during the next few friggin' paragraphs.. going off on a tangent again are we Jessica...


Helloo, sincere apologies for the lack of updates recently, but I do, as always, have a few excuses...

- I'm still mourning over my camera, and I'm resisting going to the camera shop and enquiring about the fixing price as I fear it will cost more than the damn camera ¬__¬

- I've been in work alllll weekend, how dare it take over my two-day break from doing, well, not much. But it's been a hectic two days in the ol' shop - at lunch today I let some 'dude' walk into Tesco before me, he grabbed the last Chocolate Fudge Brownie milkshake, you should've seen the anger on my face! Both shifts went fast, but I panicked today as I had a VAT refund form to fill out (which sounds pretty easy, but I've never completed one by myself before, even after being there for THREE YEARS!) but I kept calm, messed it up, made a joke of myself, which I'm still not sure if the poor woman understood, but I kept my cool and fixed it... all by myself.
It's quite an achievement for me as I've always ran the other way and shouted for someone's help if I ever saw one of these forms in the past, but I feel a hurdle has been jumped, and this makes me determined to keep at it. However sad I may seem, I couldn't give a bigger shit as I'm proud of myself ^__^

Anyway, back to my lengthy and seemingly ridiculous excuses for my tardiness (my love for this word is astonishing) ...
I've spent the majority of this past week either with my friends, ordering far too much food for far too small a price, drinking Cider with diluting Ribena - try it, you won't be disappointed! Or laughing about some vile person she knows and I don't but I dislike him greatly, or curled up in Jack's, with a cuppa, some sweeties and a ruddy good movie (failing that, Alan Partridge has filled our time wonderfully)

My last excuse is my terrible, purse ruining addiction to magazines. I think I may have bought twice as many this week as I usually do. But it's not that bad considering I haven't yet renewed my Company sub, so seeing the last copy of September's issue in Sainsbury's was just fate.
Even if nobody else thinks it's fate, I do.
So is bagging the last box of diddy donuts and flapjack; 2 for £2.50, yeeeah ^__^
I'm so aware of how pathetic those excuses are, and with my head hung in shame, I'm shuffling off to watch Hocus Pocus and wait for Summerslam to come on. (No judgement, I'm a life-long wrestling fan!)
I promise I'll be back ASAP with pretty outfit photos and interesting blog posts, but for now it's adios.

(L)

#44

Much to my delight, my package from ELF arrived this morning.

This is the second time I've ordered from ELF - the first time I purchased 'Desert Haze' nail varnish; Complexion Perfection; Waterproof Eyeliner Pen in Midnight; and Candy Shop lip gloss in Cherry Bomb - all of which I'll post a haul on later.

This time, however, I went for lip products, as I've heard good things about their range.

I apologise for the poor quality photos - I'm having to use my phone for now as my camera's playing up :(

So I plumped for (L-R) Mineral Blemish kit in Sheer, All Over Colour stick in Pink Lemonade, Mineral Lipstick in Runway Pink, and Luscious Liquid Lipstick in Baby Lips.

(L-R) Baby Lips, Runway Pink, Pink Lemonade.

As you can never be too sure what colour something is on the internet, as the swatches aren't always accurate, I just guessed which colours would be nice... Turns out I guessed right!
The Runway Pink lipstick is pretty much exactly the colour I've been looking for - I'm trying to wear more lipsticks, and I wanted something clean and neutral-looking with a hint of colour.
Baby Lips liquid lipstick works amazingly well as a gloss over Runway Pink; they match really well, and Baby Lips isn't sticky so I won't wanna wipe it off all the time!

Pink Lemonade is lovely; I'm yet to try it out properly, but will update this later on when I do my makeup before I go out.
Same with the Mineral Blemish Kit - I've been told their Minerals range is really good, so we'll see :)

What's your favourite ELF product? Are there any I'm missing out on?

#43

If you're anything like me, this news will excite you more than anything!
It's probably old news to most by now, but the first I heard about it was skimming through my blogs this morning...

H&M are opening an online store 16 September!

I'll happily admit that the majority of my wardrobe comes from H&M, thanks to their high quality, yet low priced gotta-have-them clothes. It's usually the first place I go when on the hunt for new beauties to add to my bulging wardrobe; I dread to think how much I've spent in there over the years.

However, the new website will bring me much joy, especially since I can never seem to find anything in store that I see in magazines... apart from, of course, the greatly stressful hunt for my denim playsuit, as seen here back in April - nowhere had it for a good month or so after I'd seen it in about four magazines. Found a size 10, too big! Then I hunted high and low for a few weeks until I found a size 8 hidden away in a rail of Sale (it wasn't in the sale, sadly!) But I still love it to pieces and wear it as often as I can!

My boyfriend, Jack always comments on how young I look in it, but with my (21st!) birthday getting ever closer, I secretly like when people say I look younger than I actually am!

Do you have any favourite pieces from H&M you can't stop wearing?

#42

Quick post before I go to bed, since I was reading about it in Look before.

Boutique by Jaeger is going to be released soon; I must say I wasn't necessarily thrilled when I heard about it a few weeks ago, but after seeing some of the outfits I'm almost looking forward to it coming out - to be able to try them on even if I can't afford them!

Here's a few of my faves from the photos I've seen so far...
 

Photos via http://sketchbookblog.tumblr.com/ 

I'm not overly keen on the trousers in the last photo, but I like the top half and bag. The trousers might look better with a lighter top? I'm in love with the burnt orange/mustard colour of the first dress though; whether or not it'd go with my skin tone is another dilemma altogether!


Do you have a favourite piece in the collection? Are there other A/W10 collections due for release you prefer?

#41

My post on Leeds is kinda late (and it's pretty looong), but I've spent the weekend working and with Jack as it was his birthday yesterday :)

Since my friend Donna, has moved to Leeds for uni, we decided to go visit her while she's over there alone. So myself, Heather and Andri dragged our overpacked bags to Lime Street, and jumped on the train. Well, that train was terminated due to a 'fatality' in Warrington - never good!
So after being thrown to and from about four different trains, we arrive in Leeds, maybe two hours late...

Her flat has a pretty similar layout to the one she had in Liverpool, but it's definitely bigger - there was an extra couch, but we still all ended up sat on cross-legged on the floor, watching Sex& the City while eating amazing homemade nachos, and a Vienetta/brownies/doughnuts.cream concoction, ohhh it was yummy!

The next day Megan joined us (her train was fine ¬__¬ ) and we spent the day exploring Leeds; and by exploring I mean the shops! Again it's not that different from Liverpool - they even have a St Johns! But there's a Harvey Nicks - I felt like I was sooo underdressed in there, but the bags are amazing!
We picked up some wine and more food for when we were getting ready to go out later.
Started off in Tiger Tiger - Donna sweet-talked the door guy and we got in for free! Bottles of wine were £5 so we were there for a good while. Ended up in Oceana - it's kinda like Mood with the different floors, etc, except the floor was covered in glass; not good!
Got home and finished off the pizza from tea, chatted about crap and fell asleep. The train home was again a nightmare, but sleeping in my bed that night was amazing!
Can't wait to go visit her again, maybe for longer if she'll let us :P


Warning - photo overload; I uploaded my favourites, which turned out to be a lot!

In Oceana (got in there half price, whatup!)