The Sunday Catch Up #34

So that's one week of September done! I still can't believe we're into the last few months of the year, I am already looking forward to Christmas!

I've felt much better this week after being ill previously. The honey and lemon with blackcurrant worked such a treat that I've even been drinking it when I've been well because it's so tasty.

This week has flown by as usual. I've not done much after work in the evenings really, which is such a waste as I could probably be getting on with some blogging or something. I definitely need to make the most of my evenings more often. Have you noticed how it's getting darker earlier and earlier? I think it was dark at around 8pm the other day!

Yesterday I spent the morning doing a few chores like picking up parcels, doing a bit of shopping. I also popped to Homebase with Vince to pick up some pots and compost to plant up some bulbs. I know I said I wouldn't bother trying to grow anything again because everything always goes wrong, dies or doesn't grow at all but I wanted to have a go at planting some bulbs. I bought some Hyacinths and Tulips because they are some of my favourite and it would be great to be able to grow my own. We'll see how it goes come the spring…I might try my hand at growing tomatoes and beans again. It's a bit of a pain because I don't really have much in the way of borders in my garden and the earth is really hard and full of stones, not good for growing in so I have to do most of it in pots and grow bags. If you know of anything idiot-proof that I could grow, let me know!

I'm hoping to get my blogging head on today. I really want to get an outfit post shot as I was sent a tshirt to feature but I'm just not sure what to wear it with! I find shooting outfit photos around 5pm is a good time to do as otherwise I get alsorts of awful sunlight streaming through them or I'm squinting because the sun's in my eyes, no matter which area of the garden I shoot! I wish I could do more outfit photos but my wardrobe isn't particularly interesting to be honest. If I bought clothes more often I might be able to do more and be more adventurous with my locations - maybe it could be a resolution for the New Year!

Before I go I just wanted to let you know that this week I was featured on a little thing put together by Yahoo Lifestyle, who featured a range of beauty bloggers talking about their August beauty favourites. Check it out here.

Also before I go…I finished Game of Thrones this week - ahhh! I need series 5 to hurry up. Has anyone else watched it?

Let me know in the comments what you've been up to this week and what you have planned for next.

Catch up on the week:

Lush Catastrophe Cosmetic Face Mask

Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette

Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette

Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette - £22*




I'm well aware that since receiving this palette another version has been released but it's SO similar that I wouldn't really see the point in having both. The shades are only a tiny bit different and I personally wouldn't splash out on it. I was actually sent the original Basics palette so I'm very, very lucky as I absolutely love it!

I was originally sent the palette as part of my Folli Follie Festival Style and it was so lovely that I wanted to dedicate an entire post to it.

The palette itself contains six neutral shades, which are absolutely ideal for me. They are my go to colours and I've been using this palette on a regular basis. You pretty much have a shade for every occasion here. 'Venus' and 'Fox' are ideal for using as base eyeshadows or you can use them if you fancy creating an extremely natural, almost no make-up look. 'Naked2' and 'Faint' are my typical, every day colours. I've been wearing them regularly but if you're off out you might want to mix things up with 'Crave' for a bit of a smokey look or you could even use it as an eyeliner as it's so dark.

The eyeshadows are gorgeous to apply, lovely and soft, almost velvety and they last an absolute age as well. Perfect for putting on and not worrying about having to re-apply or any of that silly business. There's no fall out or transfer either so I'm extremely impressed!

I believe this palette may have gone down in price a bit now so I would purchase it at a reduced price. I'd much prefer to buy this compacted basics palette than the bigger, more expensive ones as really these shades are all you need!

Have you tried the Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette? Let me know what you thought in the comments.

Lush Catastrophe Cosmetic Face Mask

Lush Catastrophe Cosmetic Face Mask - £6.25*


I'm a recent convert to the world of face masks and now I'm a big, big lover of them. I'm also a big lover of Lush but have never tried any of its skincare products - shocking I know.

I was introduced to the skincare range when I attended a blogging event at one of the Lush stores at the beginning of August and we actually watched the face mask being made, which was really interesting! It contains actual blueberries, calamine and chamomile, rose and almond oils. The blueberries are used whole as they are rich in vitamins and minerals such as vitamins A, C, and E that help to protect the skin from damage. The rose and almond oils are also fab for softening and smoothing the skin so this is a real treat for your face.

The mask itself is very clay like, which is my preferred face mask consistency as there's no dripping or mess and for extra skin help it's best to keep the mask in the fridge so it's lovely and cold on application. It feels really good when applied cold but it's very weird seeing your face covered in little blueberries! It also smells absolutely gorgeous.

The mask dries quickly and it is a little tricky to get off - it takes a bit of scrubbing but it left my skin feeling super soft and smooth as well as very fragrant! Unfortunately as it is a fresh face mask it does have to be used within a couple of weeks. I think perhaps the face masks could come in a smaller pot for people like me who don't do face masks that often, probably only once a week or so. Saying that, my pots don't have an end date on as they were free samples so I'm not sure exactly what will happen if I use them when they're 'out of date' so to speak.

I've read a couple of other reviews on the Lush website and some people have used it after it's best before date so I think I'll keep mine and not waste it! I really like this mask as my skin feels lovely afterwards and it only benefits from the natural ingredients.

Have you tried any of the fresh face masks from Lush? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.