May Favourites!

Hi everyone! This is a brand new regular post for the blog in a bid to let you all into my life a little bit more. Every month I'll be sharing with you my favourite products. Now I know this isn't necessarily original as thousands of other blogs do it but I absolutely love reading these posts and hopefully you will too! I'm not going to only restrict this to beauty products (though they will play a big part) as I want to include all sorts of things that I use throughout the month!

First of all I've been relying on these two nail polishes to help keep my nails healthy. The Maybelline Forever Strong Pro is supposed to keep them strong I guess? I have certainly seen a different as my nails are a lot less flaky and I love it's wide brush as it makes it much easier to apply just one coat! The Nails Inc Harley Street Ridge Filler is supposed to help fill/protect against ridges and again, I have seen a difference but I do still get ridges in my nails.

Will I keep using? Probably as I love it when my nails look very shiny!

The Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging was included in this months Glossybox and it smells absolutely delicious. Unfortunately this is the only benefit I have gotten out of it as I keep forgetting to use it when my hair is wet, maybe this will crop up again in my June favourites if I remember to use it!

Will I keep using? I'll probably try and remember to use and continue until it runs out, but after that I probably won't purchase another! :(

I'm not 100% sure why I brought this Maybelline 'The Smoother' Primer as I originally had no idea how to use it. Now I'm using it every day under my foundation. A guy at a Smashbox make-up counter recently tried to sell me the £30 Smashbox version and I wanted to laugh in his face as this only cost about £6 and does a great job!

Will I keep using? Yes!

For my first ever blusher, I have been using this Natural Collection Rosey Glow non-stop. Although in certain lights it looks a little dark, I absolutely love the way it transforms me from a horrible pasty person to someone with colour in her cheeks!

Will I keep using Definitely! It's only a couple of pounds so I'll be purchasing some more shades as well!

I've had this Maybelline Dream Satin Foundation in 'Ivory' for about a year but have only really used it on nights out before. Now I'm using most days as I can't stand the state of my skin anymore but it doesn't give brilliant coverage. It will do for now until I can stop being lazy enough to get some proper advice and some decent coverage!

Will I keep using? Probably!

This Topshop Powder Foundation in Nude 2 is a foundation that I adore. Although it's got a bit of a funny smell, the finish is brilliant and I like to use it to touch up the Maybelline foundation pictured above. I love the cute compact too. :)

Will I keep using? Well, this is my second one since the first one broke so I must have loved it enough to buy it again!

I brought this make-up bag on a whim. I needed something to put all of my new bits and pieces into for the weekend when I went home. My normal make-up bag is way too big so this is great, it looks a lot more expensive than it actually was!

Will I keep using? Yes! It's great for storing anything in for a little trip away!

This is by far the best eyeliner I have ever used and ever will use. It's such a shame that the UK does not have a Sephora because their products are great! I got this one in Paris a few years ago. It stays on all day long and stays as dark as it was when it was first applied! I would definitely recommend it.

Will I keep using? I'll keep using this until it runs out completely, and I don't know what I'll do after that as I won't be able to get my hands on it again!

This cute pencil holder is from Paperchase. I absolutely love their stationary, but I picked this up to store all of my make-up pencils, brushes and mascaras! I definitely need to get myself some more of these as they make great storage!

Will I keep using? What do you think?

I don't usually wear a lot of rings but I'm trying to get myself used to them because there are so many pretty ones out there. This is one of my most recently purchased rings from LoveSuzie!. Scrabble rings and jewellery are hugely popular at the moment and I know a lot of bloggers are selling them at the moment, however, this was the first one I came across that was selling the letter C!

Will I keep using? Of course! It fits perfectly! Unfortunately Love Suzie has closed down now! :(

I got this Marc Jacobs Daisy Solid Perfume ring for Christmas from my nan and I adore it! As a ring it isn't too bad, maybe a little heavy, and once you open it you're greeted by the lovely scent of Marc Jacobs Daisy perfume. I've been using it so much that it's starting to wear down, which means I might just have to buy the full spray!

Will I keep using? Yes. The smell is gorgeous and I need this in a full size bottle!

You're all well aware that I adore Soap & Glory products and I have a huge collection. This Feel The Knead is my most recent purchase from the range and is a great way to get a relaxing treatment for your skin. The kneader has teeny tiny particles in it that lightly exfoliate the skin and when it's dry you can use it as a normal massager, which I definitely need for my poor old shoulders.

Will I keep using? Absolutely! I love using it to buff my skin and keep it soft!

So there are all of the products I've been using this month! Have any of you tried them aswell? What did you think of them? It's interesting when you really think about what you've been using because you realise just how many different things you do actually use. As I said previously, I'll try not to fill this feature up with beauty products but I can't promise anything ;)

Hope everyone had a great weekend. To be honest, mine was extremely quiet. Apart from sorting out my tip of a bedroom, I basically did nothing but eat and watch television. I guess it was nice to get away for the long weekend but not so nice when we came back to this dirty, messy house. I was actually meant to do a bit of cleaning tonight but have been a bit distracted...I better get on!

Weekly Wishlist!

I haven't done one of these in months! I guess since getting a job, I've just been able to buy what I wanted instead of wishing I had it, but now that I've told myself to start saving instead of spending, my wishlist is bound to grow again.

Just through browsing clothing sites this morning, I've come across loads of stuff I want to add to my list. I'm currently at home for the weekend and I'm already bored stiff. I spent yesterday sorting out my bedroom, throwing lots of stuff away and generally just tidying everything into place so it's not too cluttered. I still have two suitcases to empty and tidy away but I just really can't be bothered at the moment. I also need to clear out underneath my bed ready for when I move back properly. A lot of my stuff is going to have to live under my bed as there is just no space in my bedroom for anything else. It's quite depressing having such a small room actually. It feels really cramped and I can't relax in it at all. The wardrobe is bursting already so I can't wait until my sister moves out and I can finally have my old bedroom back again!

Anyway, enough of my moaning, time for this week's Weekly Wishlist!



Cute top and shorts from Topshop. I'm still very much loving Peter Pan collars and with the added ties, they are extra cute. This one is very basic and I have a similar one in a tan colour from New Look, but you can never have too many! The shorts are a similar fit to my favourite Matalan ones. Once I find something that is a perfect fit and that I feel comfortable in, I tend to buy it over and over again in different colours and patterns, that's OK isn't it?


I spotted the Matalan Birdie Playsuit at the S/S 11 Press Day and although it doesn't look too flattering in the image, in real life, it's very pretty! I am waiting for it to pop up in my local store so I can try it on and hopefully purchase! The red New Look shorts keep popping up every time I go in store. They catch my eye every time so I think it's a sign that I need to try them on! Lastly, the two Miss Selfridge bikinis are particularly pretty, don't you think? When I move back home permanently, I am going to take up swimming again (not that I can do it very well) and I am in need of new bikinis as my current ones no longer fit! I particularly love the patterns on these but am not so crazy about the prices! I think I'll have to decide on one and buy the other another day, which one do you all prefer?

I guess I should get on with sorting out my bedroom now. Hope you all enjoy the rest of your weekend and bank holiday tomorrow!

Mini haul & Home time!

I really need to stop doing this. 'This' being, shopping in my lunch breaks. It's such a temptation seeing as the town centre is just across the park from the University I work at. It's not like it was even pay day today either!

I originally went into the town to post some items I sold on eBay, which of course lead me to just 'popping' in to Boots and Topshop for 'essentials' that I don't really need :P I ended up with a Collection 2000 Blusher, a Topshop Blusher Duo, necklace and a new T-shirt!

I have, however, given myself a stern talking to and I will now be putting away half of my wages each week. In the corner of wage slips, they always tell you how much you have earnt since starting your job at the company and the number in that box genuinely shocked me today because if I had saved it all up, I'd have more than enough for a deposit on a flat. So, from now on, the flat deposit saving starts HERE!

So please let me revel in my new goodies, as they may be some of the last nice things I buy! *cry* (Who am I kidding? I'm sure there will be plenty more haul posts for you, hah!)

Topshop Blush Duo

Collection 2000 Blush

This weekend Vince and I have decided to take a trip home again. We're planning on taking quite a bit of stuff with us in order to make moving day a bit lighter. I've had a good clear out of my wardrobe but it still seems pretty full. Isn't that always the way? I'm pretty much going to be spending the weekend sorting out my shoe-box of a room ready for when I move back at the end of June. I can't bare to part with most of the stuff, such as my childhood books and magazines that I've collected so I guess they'll be stored in the attic for the time being. To be honest, the more books I have the better as each one is a step closer to my dream 'wall of books.'

Sorry for boring the pants off you all with my equally boring weekend that lies ahead! On another note, I have been reading all of your Giveaway entries and a lot of you have been saying that you'd like to know me, the person behind the blog, a little bit better.

I am definitely going to be taking all of your comments on board and to start with I have created a Formspring account where you can ask me anything and try to get to know me better!

Sally Hansen Nail Effects Polish Strips in 'Skinny Jeans'

Recently I tried some unknown brand of 'nail effects strips' that I picked up from Boots and they were absolutely terrible, which is why I wasn't so sure about trying the Sally Hansen ones that I won in a giveaway recently. However, I thought with it being a well known brand, surely they'd be better?

Well I was right. I used the Nail Effects Polish Strips in #230 'Skinny Jeans' and have to say I'm pretty impressed. The instructions were really easy to follow and I soon disregarded them because the strips were so easy to apply, just measure them up against the nail, remove the tab and go...

There are a few that are a bit lumpy and untidy but I guess with practice I'd be able to get a smoother finish. I did completely muck up one nail and had to remove it which was a pain. Normal nail polish remover works on removing the strips but it removes the colour first and leaves all of the stickiness on your nail, which takes a while to rub off! Also, when I opened the sealed packets containing the stickers I was greeted by a huge waft of toxic smells which weren't very nice and the stickers still smell a bit funny. A nail file is provided to round off the edges but as I was filing, it began pulling at the rest of the sticker so a few edges are still quite jagged and keep getting caught in my hair!

It's a shame that there weren't more in a packet as I'd like to repeat this look again. There were about 5 left over so until I buy some more, I can do the odd nail here and there for certain designs. Apart from a few little downsides that I can quickly get over, I really love the nail strips and will definitely pick up some different designs!

Can you see how discoloured and flaky the other nail looks? Anyone got any  advice  on how to cure this?

You can buy the strips on Amazon for around £8, but I'm sure if you hunt around you'll be able to find them a tad cheaper!

Have any of you tried them before? I highly recommend them!

P.S - Don't forget to enter the Giveaway!

Cheeky Giveaway!

If you're a regular reader of my blog, you'll remember back in March I took on a work experience placement at Red magazine, and during the time I was there, they had a beauty sale. I picked up SO many products it was ridiculous, including some that I've decided to add to a giveaway for all of my readers!

I've also added in a few products I've picked up over the past few months, but have never used, as well as one product from this month's Glossy Box. So, if you're interested, please read on!

The Prizes!

NARS Nail Polish in 'King Kong'
Coco Shambhala Body Lotion from Glossybox May 2011
Bourjois 3D Effect Liploss in 'Beige Elastic'
Miss Sporty Eyeshadow in #115 'Fragile'
The Body Shop Eye shimmer in #7 'Indigo'
17 Starry Eyes Eyeshadow Trio in 'Moon Dust'
Rimmel London Eyeshadow in #122 'Live Show'
Rimmel London Lipstick in #136 'Balistic'
Miners Nail Polish in 'Bermuda Blue'
Models Own Nail Polish in 'Blue Moon'
Bobbi Brown Eyeshadow in 'Mint'
Smashbox Eyeshadow in 'Aquatica'



The Rules!
1. Be a follower on Google Friend Connect. (I will check and you won't be entered if you aren't following)

2. Leave a comment, including your email address, telling me what you would like to see more of on my blog

3. Tweet for an extra entry: 'COMPETITION! Win make-up goodies including Smashbox and NARS with @cherryp13 and Cherry Pie! http://bit.ly/ktTTqO Ends June 17th at 6pm!'

4. Open Internationally...although postage may take a little longer than usual as I'm in the UK!


That's it! The competition will close on June 17th at 6pm and I will choose a winner through Random.org.

Spend, spend, spend.

How was everyone's weekend? Vince and I haven't been up to much to be honest. We have recently taken to going to town for shopping trips either on a Friday after I finish work or on a Sunday as it's so much quieter than on a Saturday. Yesterday we went to check out a new Arts & Crafts market in the 'posh' area of Southampton and what a disappointment it was! Reading the website, it said we could expect Vintage clothing, jewellery, records etc..etc...but there were only about 5 stalls altogether, no vintage clothing, overpriced and not particularly amazing jewellery and more over priced records.

On the bright side, we got a little exercise as it's quite a walk away. On our way back we had a quick look around one of the ruins in the town. It's strange to think that I've been in Southampton almost 4 years now and never checked out any of the towns history. Southampton used to be surrounded by castle 'walls' as it's a naval town, but they were all destroyed during the war (that's totally an educated guess), however, pieces of these walls still remain and are viewable to the public. Vince and I took a little wander around an old church from the 1700's that has now been transformed into a memorial for sailors. It was pretty interesting and I managed to snap a few pics as well.

After the weather made up it's mind and decided to shine, it actually turned out to be a nice day so we had a little shopping trip. There was nothing much in particular that I wanted to pick up and I always find this the best way to go shopping. If I do have something in mind, you can guarantee that I won't find it! I ended up picking up some basic tee-shirts, a fringed top from Primark, bracelets and some Lush goodies!

This Primark fringed top is a little controversial as it's not usually something I'd go for but I love the fringing trend on other people and I was drawn to this when I saw it so had to get it. There is a teeny tiny crop top attached but I think I would probably cut it off and wear a longer vest top underneath. After trying it on I still wasn't 100% about it and I can't decide whether to take it back to the shop or not, what do you think?

While I'm here, I thought I'd post a few bits and pieces that I've picked up recently but haven't yet blogged about. I decided a few days ago that I wanted some bright blue jeans so off I popped to Zara and voila! £20 later, they were mine. I have only recently really given Zara a chance and although some of their pieces are a little pricey, there is the odd bargain, like these jeans for example. £40 in Topshop. :P I'll try and get a pic of me wearing them soon!

I also managed to snag a new Topshop Flippy skirt in 'Sand' from eBay. I originally saw it in Topshop last weekend and almost parted with £26 for it, but found the exact one on eBay for £10, bargain! I haven't worn it yet as I'm not sure what to pair it with but again, I'll try and get a pic of me wearing it soon!

I've also recently picked up a few bits and bobs such as a Topshop Powder Foundation. I got it i n the 'nude' shade and I do like but it has such a strange, chemical smell which really isn't nice. However, I can put up with the smell as it is a good foundation! I finally picked up the No7 Hot Cloth Cleanser which I've used one or twice now. I use these types of things about once a week as a little treat to my skin.

I also picked up my first ever blusher! Can you believe I've never worn blusher before? I decided to go for it on a whim really and scoured Boots for quite a while for the perfect shade. It took me ages of testing out different shades and I was getting a little annoyed so just picked up what I thought looked nice and was cheap in the Natural Collections range. I went for 'Rosey Glow' in the end which has turned out to be quite lovely! I also picked up a blusher brush from Models Own!

I also wanted to post some pics of some other clothes that I've recently brought. These aren't for me, but for my little niece who is due on July 10th! My sister has lots of newborn clothing so I've been buying a few bits that are for 3 to 6 months. I picked these up from Pumpkin Patch as they were on Sale and are so cute!

I'm sure she will be one stylish baby!