Wednesday Wishlist #13

I can't believe I haven't blogged in so long! I just haven't found a spare half an hour or so to get everything written up! Luckily, today I've got the day off and thought I'd get a post up before I meet my sister for some shopping fun!

Before I get on with the Wednesday Wishlist, I want to tell you all that I won Desire Clothing's Britain's Best Blogger Competition! I posted my entry about two weeks ago HERE and I can't believe I was actually picked!! I won a £50 voucher and have had such trouble picking what I want! I'm going to dedicate an entire post to it when I've finally chosen! Now, onto today's Wishlist!

Topshop: Velvet Ankle Leggings, Nail Art Pen, Nail Polish Set, Make-Up Bag
Desire Clothing: Brogue Wedges, Gold Sequin Collar Shirt  

The words Velvet and Leggings probably shouldn't go in the same sentence, but although they don't sound right together, they do look rather right, which is why these Topshop Velvet Leggings are on my wishlist. Something a bit different from my usual leggings, which I'm really bored of. I definitely think I need to try before I buy with these though!

The Desire Clothing Gold Sequin Collar Shirt was on my prize wishlist, but I opted for the red version instead. However, I'm still really keen on the blue and once I recieve my prize I might consider getting this colour as well.

I've also asked for the Brogue Wedges but I'm worried they won't have my size, which is a 4. I can sometimes get into size 5's but am not sure whether to risk it or not!

I don't know about you, but I thought the Topshop Nail Art Pens were due on sale yesterday, so I popped on my iPad before work to quickly buy some and they were nowhere to be seen! They're not online today either so I'm getting a bit impatient now!

Topshop have some great Christmas gift ideas and stocking fillers. Their Set of 3 Nail Polishes are so cute and great stocking fillers. Unfortunately I don't get a stocking anymore so I'll probably buy them myself! Also really love the Pale Pink Make-Up Bag for only £8 which I definitely need as I'm getting annoyed with all my products taking up space in my bedroom!

I really must have a shower and get ready now! I only have £30 to play with in town and still need to get a whole load of Christmas presents, but most of all I'm looking forward to seeing my Niece and having a nice cup of tea somewhere! Ciao!

L'Occitane Hibiscus Flower

I can't believe how long it has taken me to get this post up! I actually got the L'Occitane Limited Edition Hibiscus Flower hand cream free in an issue of Marie Claire magazine back in September/October and it's been sat in my little review box ever since.




I've never tried L'Occitane until this product as I always saw the brand as quite expensive, somewhere up there with the likes of Elemis and one of those products I always see on QVC, which instantly puts me off.

When I saw that Marie Claire were giving away 3 or 4 different hand creams, I had to get my hands (lol!) on one and decided on the Hibiscus Flower simply because it looked and sounded the nicest of the lot.

The hand cream is available on the L'Occitane website for £7.50, which surprisingly, isn't that expensive at all! It contains 20% shea butter (always a good thing) as well as honey and almond extracts and of course, that lovely Hibiscus scent which is gorgeous!

It's a really light hand cream and sinks in rather quickly which I always love. I can't stand using a moisturiser and having clammy hands for five minute afterwards. It leaves your hands feeling really soft and I've been suffering from really dry skin lately so it's great! My favourite thing about this hand cream is the lovely packaging.It really stands out and is easily identifiable as L'Occitane.

L'Occitane would actually make great gifts for Christmas. I've brought my Nan the L'Occitane Hand Cream Trio Collection, which I nabbed for £18 instead of £20. I previously saw L'Occitane as a product for the 'older generation' but have been completely proved wrong because it's for people of all ages! I'd love to receive some more products for Christmas, perhaps I'll add some to my wishlist!

What's in my shopping bags?

Another edition of my favourite type of post! This time featuring the lovely New Look, who I've never purchased from Online before.






With work experience coming up, I thought I needed something a bit less casual than normal so decided on a three quarter length sleeve version of the Twill Blazer. Although no longer on the website (it must be so popular!), it was advertised with the Heart Print tee underneath and I thought it looked OK so would try it!


I'm not used to wearing blazers so it still feels a bit weird to me but I'll be sure to put up an Outfit Of The Day post soon! I didn't want a blazer that was too structured with shoulder pads, and this one is really loose fitting which is great. I love the three quarter length sleeves and the ruching detailing on the pockets.

I probably wouldn't wear the top without the blazer over the top as it's not very fitted and I'm not keen on the sleeves, but I think it works well. I'm not usually a leopard print fan but I really love the heart print on this Tee.

I purchased this when there was a lovely 20% discount available. I'm usually really put off by delivery charges but there is an option to receive free delivery to your nearest store, so of course I just had to get it! They gave me an expected delivery date and sure enough it was ready when they said. I actually got Vince to pick it up for me and they were actually wary about giving it to him because he obviously wasn't a girl called Cherry, but finally they handed it over and it all fits perfectly! I'd definitely recommend buying from New Look online! It's great for me because the local store isn't completely up to date and I can never find anything in it.

What do you think? Would you purchase anything like this?

Glossybox November 2011

There seems to be a pattern immerging with GlossyBox, in the way that one month people will be heaping huge amounts of praise on them, and the next, they'll be bitterly disappointed and demanding refunds.

To be honest, I think there's absolutely no need for it. When we signed up to GlossyBox, we knew what we were getting in to, so, if one month you don't like a box then it's really simple to unsubscribe instead of being damn right rude on the company's Facebook page. I subscribed a while back and missed out on two months worth of boxes, I couldn't bare to be missing out so signed up again and am really glad I did. I'm by no means disappointed with this months box and am extremely excited for the Christmas box!





What was in the box?

Arbonne FC5 Ultra Hydrating Hand Crème
Soothing crème moisturises hands, leaving a healthy appearance and skin feeling smooth and refreshed.

Dead Sea Spa Magik Dead Sea Bath Salts
2011 Beauty Awards winner. Fantastic for alleviating dry skin conditions as well as natural exfoliant, Dead Sea Bath Salts remarkably improves skin texture.

Illamasqua Freak Eau De Parfum
Celebrate the night with Freak, the dangerously exotic first fragrance from cult British beauty brand, Illamasqua.

Monu Revitalising Moisturiser
A light, easily absorbed cream to revive and soften the skin. With soothing Cucumber, Elderflower and Mallow Extracts.

Nail Rock Designer Nail Wraps
The new Nail Rock designer nail wrap range is designed to last up to 7 days on nails and 8 weeks on toes. They wont chip or stain the nail, require no drying time and deliver on trend style in just 15 minutes.












I'll admit that I looked at a few reviews Online before I got my box and it seems that we all got a few different things to each other, which is great as we can all swap and change to get what we want?

I was really hoping for the Illamasqua Freak Eau De Parfum as I was interested in giving it a little sniff, and there was no way I was going to pay £59 for it without trying it first. I have to say, I don't really like it! It's much too strong for me and when I put it on yesterday, Vince said I smelt like a man! Obviously, people's tastes differ so I'm sure someone else will absolutely love it.

I was really excited to see some Black and White Nail Rock Wraps in the box, as I've never tried them before! I would have preferred a more exciting design, perhaps the red lace ones, but these will do! I've used nail wraps in the past and they're tricky so I'll have to let you know how I get on with these! They'll be great for putting on just before my work experience starts! I'll be sure to post some pics!

The Monu Revitalising Moisturiser and the Arbonne FC5 Ultra Hydrating Hand Crème are both products I've never heard of or tried before, but this is what GlossyBox is all about, and they both sound lovely and right up my street. The moisturiser is for Normal/Combination skin and mine is particularly sensitive and dry so I'm not sure whether I'll be using it on a daily basis, but it does seem lovely. It smells great and sinks in pretty fast as well as being a really good size, so I'm pleased!

I'm in desperate need of hand crème as I suffer with Psoriasis and am constantly trying out products in the hope that they wont trigger it. It contains fresh Kiwi cell extracts which means it smells amazing and you only need a tiny pea sized amount which means it will last ages!

Last, but not least, lets discuss the Dead Sea Spa Magik Dead Sea Bath Salts, which have caused a lot of controversy over the past few days. People expect 'high-end' products in the box and I can see why they might be disappointed, but...and that's a big but, has no one but me ever heard that the Dead Sea is pretty much the best place in the world to go to for skin conditions and complaints? Dip yourself in the Dead Sea and your skin will transform, but as we can't all travel thousands of miles to try it out so these bath salts are the next best thing!

I was probably looking forward to the Bath Salts more than any other product in the box! I believe people are put off by the plastic bag packaging, but look at the amount of salts you get, that's enough for about a hundred baths! The product is a 2011 Beauty Award winner which is why they've been put in the box. They alleviate dry and flaky skin conditions - which I suffer with and they also help soften and improve the skin. I can't wait to run myself a bath and try these out, I just need to keep them hidden away from my mum who is bound to steal them!


I'm extremely happy with this box, and if you noticed on the pink piece of card it was labelled as 'The Christmas Gift Guide Part 1' which means Part 2 can only get better! When people open the boxes, I think they broadcast their opinions straight away, before having a read through and proper look at all the products. If you're expecting Nars and other high-end make-up every month then you've probably not understood the reason for the box and I'd advise you to unsubscribe, but personally I love this box and can't wait to see where Glossybox goes in the future.

Wednesday Wishlist #12

New Look: Belted Spot Tunic, 2pk Bodycon Tops
Topshop: Star Brooch Set, Snowflake Socks, Rosette Stripe Gloves  

I do really love doing these wishlist posts! Last week I mentioned that I was attending the MyStreetChic.com Christmas Blogger Party in December and I was looking for something to wear. Well, the New Look Belted Spot Tunic could be a possible contender! Though it could get a bit chilly! I want something nice to wear, but not too over the top and something I can possibly wear to Work Experience in the day time as I'll be going to the event straight from there. It's difficult to choose. I wonder if anyone else is already thinking about what they're going to wear?

Whilst browsing the New Look website, I also came across the 2pk Bodycon Tops. I really need some new tops that aren't short sleeved, what with it being so cold now. Every morning I look in my wardrobe and it's all T-shirts! These are so basic and simple that you can't really go wrong with them!

As I mentioned the cold weather, I thought the Snowflake Socks and Rosette Gloves would come in handy. Not that I need anymore socks or gloves!

I wanted to get the Star Brooch Set as it's a bit different and not something I'd usually wear. I definitely need more brooches in my life!

I'd love all of your opinions on the dress! If you're going to the MyStreetChic.com event, then let me know what you're wearing too!

Cross my heart and hope for the end

Ahh my blogging roll came to a swift end this week. I was doing quite well, getting up a post almost every day but with work and being busy on my days off, it came to a bit of a hault. Today is another day off, as is tomorrow and Thursday (yes!) so I'm trying to get some blog posts written, but today I wanted to have a little catch up with you all, so stick the kettle on and relax!

First up, as you can all see I'm having lots of fun with my iPad and am loving the Instagram app. I really wish the app was available on the Android network as I'd be snapping photos all over the place. It's a bit difficult to take my iPad everywhere I go, but I do manage to get quite a few snaps of my dog, Jasper. He usually absolutely HATES cameras, but with the iPad I'm able to snap in secret, muahah!

On Sunday, after over a year of waiting and keeping the tickets safe, Vince and I finally went to watch Lee Evans in Cardiff! I can't describe how hilarious and brilliant he was! I've seen all of his shows on DVD, but this was the first time I saw him live. We had pretty good floor seats so we could see all of his hilarious facial expressions and movements and he put on a great show, coming on at 8pm and making us laugh right through to 11pm. He also did his usual song at the end, but he also surprised the audience with his Bohemian Rhapsody routine, which I highly recommend you watch!

Although we arrived a bit late to do much shopping, Cardiff was actually really nice! The shopping centre is huge and has loads of great shops, and we loved the Christmas lights and the cute little market. We're definitely going to have to go back again for a day out.

Dad has already brought the new Lee Evans DVD and we watched it last night. It was pretty weird seeing the show again and seeing the audience react to the jokes. My cheeks were hurting by the end of the night because I was just laughing so much! I'll definitely be going if he tours again!


As I mentioned I'm catching up on my blogging and general writing bits and pieces today. I actually wrote a single review for TheWhiteboardProject.com today, which is hopefully the first of many! After AmpedReviews.net went a bit stale, it was difficult to get back into the swing of music reviewing, but I think I did OK. Hopefully one day in the future I can relaunch AmpedReviews.net and really see it go somewhere!

Right now I'm aiming to review this month's Glossybox, which has received a lot of mixed reviews. I'm actually quite happy with it and looking forward to the final box of the year in December! My review will be up sometime this week so keep your eyes peeled!

Recently I've managed to get quite a few Christmas presents brought. It's so much easier buying things here and there instead of going shopping specifically for presents. If I see something I think someone will like, I've brought it and put it in my wardrobe ready for wrapping. I've still got quite a few bits to get, but I did manage to score Coldplay tickets for Vince's Christmas present, so the most important one is out of the way, phew!

I'm trying to set some Christmas Gift Guide posts in motion, but need to have a bit of a browse first. If you've got any suggestions, let me know!

I need to stop rambling now and get on with things, ciao!

Beetlejuice.

Everyone wanted to get their hands on the new Models Own Beetlejuice collection and I was one of the people that kept checking their countdown to the release! Finally, it was time and I quickly ordered the Aqua Violet and Purple Blue shades, as those were the two that really stood out to me!

I did have a browse of ASOS.com as they were selling some of the polishes, but unfortunately not the two I wanted! There are five shades in total; Pinky Brown, Aqua Violet, Purple Blue, Golden Green and Emerald Black. As you probably already know, the polishes are pearlescent shades which mean they glimmer and shine in the light. The collection is inspired by the wings of a beetle (not by the movie as many might think) and I think Models Own have got it spot on with the shades and colourings.

When first applying the polishes I was surprised at how thin they were to begin with. I used three coats in total to get the final finish which I think is lovely. Aqua Violet is a gorgeous Purple/Blue blend with a hint of shimmer, while Purple Blue is a more glittering Fuschia and Indigo mix.

Both colours are totally gorgeous, and in the right light I can definitely see hints of purple, blue and even bits of green in the Aqua Violet. I'm also seeing pinks, reds and purple in the Purple Blue, which again, is lovely!

Aqua Violet with Purple Blue accent nail

Purple Blue with Aqua Violet accent nail

After seeing other blogs swatching all the shades, I've realised that I want them all! A box set of all five Beetlejuice polishes, plus a 3 in 1 base coat and a top coat is available on ModelsOwnIt.com for just £20. Anyone want to buy me it for Christmas?!

Carnival

Every year, Weston Super Mare holds it's annual carnival which parades through the town centre. I've been to the carnival several times before and one year I was even a part of it and had to dance around the entire route dressed as an angel!

The carnival includes floats from all sorts of different companies and businesses, complete with deafening music, bright lights, mechanics and even dancers and actors. This year Vince and I decided to go, found a comfy seat on a windowledge and finally, after a few hold ups, the floats and music reached us! I took so many pictures on the night, but just wanted to share a few of my faves!




























It seemed like it went on for ages and I never realised what large gaps there were between each float, but I guess that's probably a health and safety thing. Apart from it being freezing, and us getting a little bored towards the end, it was actually a fun night and it's something that Weston Super Mare loves to go and see so I don't think it'll ever stop. I manage to snap a rare, rather yellow image of Vince and I aswell!

17 Wild Metallics

I know I'm giving you another 17 Cosmetics review, but I wanted to get the nail polish and eyeshadow reviewed within a reasonable amount time of each other as they're relatively new and I really love them!

When I saw the Wild Metallics Cream Eyeshadow being reviewed on other blogs, I had to get my hands on it. Earlier this week I posted about the Chanel Illusion D'Ombre eyeshadow I brought, and this is a great little rival for it!

It's available in six different shades, so there's a real variety for only £3.99 each! I decided to go for something I wouldn't usually try, so opted for Wild Midnight Blue instead of the Bronze I would usually go for!






The shade is actually gorgeous, highly pigmented and very shimmery, much like the Chanel shadow. Unfortunately it doesn't come with a brush, but luckily I had one.

The shadow itself is really soft and velvety to touch and it applies brilliantly. I prefer to pat the product onto the eyelid as it creates a better, more vivid finish.

It does go a little crumbly but it lasts ages and really is sparkly and wild! You have to be careful as after a little while it does tend to transfer onto the upper lid, which is a tad annoying, but other than that it's a great little product for a great price!








I'd certainly recommend this shadow, as well as the others in the range. The other shades available are; Silver, Purple, Nude, Green and Bronze, and they're all so lovely and perfect for Christmas. They'd make great stocking fillers! I'll definitely be buying a few more!

Wednesday Wishlist #11

Can't believe I'm back at work today after three days off! I've got so comfortable at home now that I just want to stay here, haha. Yesterday I managed to get a little bit of Christmas shopping done while I was waiting for a prescription to be done. I think if you're actively looking for presents, then you won't find anything, but if you just fancy a browse around, you'll find loads! I managed to get something for Vince's parents and my dad which is a big help because they're always so difficult to buy for!

As we get close to Christmas, I think I might put together some present idea posts! Would anyone be interested in those? Anyway, onto today's Wednesday Wishlist!

Dorothy Perkins: Cream/Black Leather Trim Top
Topshop: Anchor Clip Purse, Cat Eye Pendant, Floral Snood, Sun Moon and Star Earrings 

At the weekend I had a good look through the fashion website's 'new items' sections and came up with these goodies! I've already asked Vince for the Sun, Moon and Star earrings and want the leather trim top so badly! It's one of those things I spot and love instantly, but whether it will suit me or not is another question! I'm hoping it will be in my local DP store so I can try it on!

I really need/want to get a new scarf for Winter and I really like the look of the Floral snood from Topshop. It'll go nicely with my leather jacket and it's not too badly priced like most Topshop stuff!

17 Magnetized Nail Polish

So I have finally got my hands on 17's Magnetized Nail Polish when it eventually came into stock at my local Boots. The one thing I hate about Weston Super Mare is that we're so slow to get products like clothes and cosmetics, it's so frustrating!

Although the price is a little more expensive than most of their polishes, at £5.99, I just had to buy one and I think they're totally worth it as the finished look is brill!






The polish is available in four different shades, Gun Metal, Lilac, Blue and Teal, which aren't very original, but lovely all the same. Magnetized polishes are a popular new trend so I was keen to try it out as soon as possible.

I picked up the Blue shade, and as I initially thought, the polish contains teeny tiny metal particles which react to the magnet when held over it. The effect is created by holding the magnet over the wet nail polish for around 10 seconds and voila! However, I find 15 seconds creates a more defined effect in the Blue polish.




The magnet is placed within the lid and the ridge on it gives you the ability to rest it on your finger. The polish is not supposed to touch the magnet but as you can see, I had a few accidents with it!

I actually really love the finished effect. The magnet creates dark purple zig-zags in the polish which, in the right light, look as if they're moving when you move your fingers. I am definitely going to be picking up more of the shades just because I'm curious to see the rest of the finished effects.

I'm expecting every single nail polish company to now bring out a magnetized polish, there's so many available already, but with time it will probably fade out to make way for a new trend, much like the crackle polish trend did. I actually really love this effect though so I'll be using it when it's long out of trend!

The polish can also be used without the magnet effect and is a really shimmery and lovely midnight blue shade. It also dries so quickly which is a bonus and the effect will make your nails a real talking point! I often get compliments on them in Boots of all places!