Sunday 30 September 2012

7 Things September

It's that time of the month again to post my update on Sprinkle of Glitter's 7 Things, is it just me or are the months going faster and faster. 

My first thing was to get back in target with Slimming World I am claiming this as a success as I lost 3lbs to get back to my target weight.  I have since been on holiday and missed two weigh in's so not looking forward to this Thursday.

Secondly I wanted to sort out my recipes I have made a start on this and to be honest I didn't really grasp how time consuming this would be.  I have gone through one magazine and written out all the recipes we wanted to keep and made a start on the second.

I also wanted to relax and make more time for myself this month I did have a lovely relaxing holiday but the rest of the month has been rather stressful.

I haven't sorted out my knitting stash at all

Again I started my PTOTD tweets but then I missed a couple of days and also didn't have great wi-fi on holiday so didn't do very well on this one.

Making time for my boyfriend didn't really work out this month as planned as he worked away in Mansfield for the the majority of the month.  We did spend a lot of time together on holiday and when he was back at the weekends, I even went to the football so guess I did as much as I could.

I did take lots of photo's at the wedding I went to, and took more on holiday then I did last year.

Overall not a bad month.

In October I will

1) Continue to sort through my recipes and recycle the magazines they came from.

2) Keep up to date with my studying I have started my AAT Level 4 and I am determined to keep on top of it so when my exams come round I don't have hours of catching up and can just get on with the revision.

3) Finish reading Emma I didn't take it on holiday as I only have all Jane Austen's novels in one book, but I really want to finish and start cracking on with The Big Read

4) Start planning for Christmas. I always end up buying everything in December and really struggle financially so want to start buying bits and pieces in October so I can enjoy the festive period.

5) Curb my spending I am going to try and not buy any cosmetics or nail polish until I go to Manchester in December unless it is an essential and I don't have anything in my stash I could use.

6) Blog more, I have lots of posts I want to write I just need to get on and write them.

7) Knit something however small, maybe now the weather is changing I will be able to get back into it.

Is anyone else taking part in Sprinkle of Glitter's 7 Things?

Saturday 29 September 2012

Holiday Haul - Clothes

One of the downsides of losing weight is literally not having anything to wear when the weather changes so yesterday I went to Cambridge and did a bit of A/W shopping.
I got a grey pointelle stitch jumper from River Island which looks gorgeous with some skinny jeans.  For autumn will wear a vest top underneath as is quite sheer and in the winter a long sleeve t shirt.  I am not usually a fan of loosely fitted knit wear but this looks fantastic on and is very cosy.
From River Island I also bought the dark red studded cardigan I do worry I look a bit festive but Christmas will be here before we know it so at least I will be ready.  I really like the detailing around the cuffs also all the cardigans I have are very plain so thought this would be a great addition to my wardrobe.
I am really loving River Island at the moment their clothes fit me perfectly and have some great pieces.
I also got a slash neck sweater from Next it is very plain but thought with a pair of jeans and a scarf could be a lovely autumnal look.

Am in need of a pair of boots has anyone got any suggestions?

Holiday Haul - Beauty


I am back from a lovely holiday in Turkey and already wishing I was back there, I picked up a few things in Duty Free (well you have to pass the time some how) and also went shopping in Cambridge yesterday as we had the day off work.

I picked up two MAC eye shadows and a blush from Duty Free, although they were only fractionally cheaper then here in the UK.
The first eye shadow I got was Woodwinked I have been wanting to get this every since I saw Tanya Burr's Top Ten MAC Eyeshadows Video it has also featured on another of her video's. I know a lot of other people love this so can't wait to try it out.  
 The other eye shadow was Sable as this has been mentioned by Fleur in a couple of her video's (sorry I couldn't the video's now though) and when swatched in the shop I just knew it was a shade I had to have.
The blush I got was Style I must admit I am quite frightened of blush.  I have really struggled to find one that suits me and have quite a ruddy complexion so never wanted to make my face any redder.  As the saleslady in the MAC concession was so nice I decided to let her try and find me a blush.  We decided on Style a lovely pinky/peach.

I paid 14 Euros for the eye shadow which works out at £11.14 and they retail for £12.00 on maccosmetics.co.uk.  The blush was 18.50 Euros which is £14.72 online it is £17.50.
Back in the UK I bought Amber Diamond by Dior. I have been lusting after this for ages, again after watching Tanya Burr.  The thing that has put me off is the price as at £32.00 it isn't cheap, yesterday there was 10% off in John Lewis and I also had a £20 voucher so actually only ended up paying £8.80 (what a bargain) it is currently sold out from johnlewis.com but is available from debenhams.com
My lovely boyfriend also bought me a little something from John Lewis a Rituals Zensation Shower Gel.  I bought some Rituals products when I was in York but have not tried them out.  My boyfriend got some at the same time and has really fell in love with the brand.  The shower gels are currently on offer from johnlewis.com for £3.90  I can't wait to try this out just need to start using up my stash.

I will do swatches and reviews later just wanted to take some photos before I started using.

Tuesday 18 September 2012

Mini asos Haul

As I always leave everything to the last minute, I went into Norwich on Saturday to buy a couple more bikinis and couldn't find anything.  The shops were full of all the new season clothes so had to go online instead.
The first bikini I got was the asos contrast bikini  I really like the loop detail on bottoms and the fact you can easily remove the straps on the top.  The frill detail also makes me look a bit more busty which is always a bonus.
I also ordered the Minkpink Zulu Triangle Bikini Set unfortunately only the bottoms turned up. I contacted asos and they don't have any more tops so I am returning.
I am also returning the third bikini set I ordered which is the Pepe Jeans Solid String Triangle Bikini
I ordered the size small and the top fits beautifully, unfortunately it appears that my bottom is not small and lets just say I think I would be arrested if I wore this in public.  I am quite upset as I love the colour, how the top fits and the detailing at the back.

Monday 17 September 2012

Magazine Madness October 2012

Again, sorry for being so late with this post, next month will be better (I hope!) it was also another month with very few free gifts. Is it just me but I usually buy magazines for the free stuff?Having said that I do like InStyle and Glamour regardless and this month InStyle are giving away four free Clinique products - although I could only find two near me.
The first product is the High Impact Mascara in 01 Black, I have never tried any mascaras from Clinique but do love their eye shadows and the primer/base they do for the lids.  Has anyone tried this mascara would love to know what you think?
The second is 7ml of the Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle and UV Damage Corrector, I had to look online to see what this was and how to use it, as all it says on the back is Not For Sale see saleable product - helpful.  Will definitely be giving this a go to see if it can do any better then Origins Plantscription Anti Aging Serum for my fine lines on my forehead.

Thursday 13 September 2012

Clinique Super City Block

I bought this in June as the Liz Earle Moisturiser I was using at the time didn't have an SPF, I picked this as had a high factor, can be used as a primer and is oil free.
I was expecting a clear gel but instead it's a tinted moisturiser colour and quite runny.  It has no coverage and is invisible once worked into the skin.
I was actually really disappointed in this product and I am not sure where to start on why I don't like it. I guess the best place to start is the smell it does state it is 100% fragrance free but this has a funky smell, I can't explain it but it is quite unpleasant, although it doesn't linger.  My next issue is that it states it's oily free and suitable for all skin types but I find it rather greasy.  Lastly if you do get hot it sweats off rather unattractively on one hot day it was running off my face along with my foundation.

As for its powers as a primer my make up didn't look any different or last any longer.

I was going to take this with me on holiday (yes another mention, can you tell I am excited) but don't think it would say on my face in 31 degrees heat. 

You can pick this up from debenhams.com for £14.40 

Monday 10 September 2012

What's In My Bathroom - The Bodyshop Lychee Blossom Body Butter

This was gifted to me along with the body lotion and shower gel and has been in my stash for awhile (unfortunately this line is no longer available)
With the weather rapidly changing and my holiday coming up (yes another mention of my holiday) I really want to get my skin looking and feeling great.  The scent is very summery and this seems to linger on the skin for longer then the body lotion.
As this is a body butter it is thicker then a lotion and does take a bit more rubbing in, with body butters I do find less is more.  

My one big bug bear with the body butters is the packaging I know the product is thick but couldn't it come in a bottle instead of a pot.  I hate having to stick my fingers in the pot as you end up with all under your nails.

Does the packaging annoy anyone else?

Body butters are available from thebodyshop.co.uk

Monday 3 September 2012

Haul - Pay Day Purchase

Over the weekend I nipped into town to get some holiday essentials, need at least one more bikini and a pair of sunglasses, but ended up buying this gorgous little jacket from Primark.

I am not usually a fan of Primark the one in Norwich is not great, its always packed full of people, clothes are strewn about everywhere and they never have your size in anything you want. I have been to the one in Oxford and that was a million times nicer so am guessing more are like that then the Norwich store.

I went in on Sunday, which is the only time I can face going in there, with my boyfriend who wanted some t-shirts and as I walked through the store  I spotted this little gem.  It must have been my lucky day as they had my size - only a total of three on the rail.  

It has a cotton lining and is quite light weight so will be perfect as an early autum cover up, not cute sure what to wear with thinking would look fab with some skinny jeans and a plain tee but let me know if you have any suggestions.

The jacket was £19 from the Atmosphere range.

Sunday 2 September 2012

What's In My Bathroom - Yankee Candle Lemon Lavender Reed Diffuser

This was gifted to me along with the Garden Sweet Pea these don't last ages as they are very mini but were a lovely gift to receive.

This scent seems to be a lot stronger then the Garden Sweet Pea although it might be because I am not as keen on the smell and I had got used to the other smell. I am not a massive fan of lavender, it always makes me think of old ladies and with the lemon I think this smells a bit foodie so maybe the bathroom wasn't the best place to put this.

The bottle is again gorgeous and for someone that likes lavender I am sure that this would be perfect.

You can buy the full size from amazon.co.uk for £10.10

Saturday 1 September 2012

7 Things August

Thought I was doing quite well last month on the old  7 Things  by  Sprinkle of Glitter but after seeing my goals maybe not so here is how I did.

1). I did not go to the gym twice a week in fact I think I went three times in the whole month.  I am also not a member of the gym any more as this was a work benefit. I will be starting a new job in September so my membership has been cancelled - oh well wasn't like I was going.

2). I haven't knitted anything this month - I have thought about picking up the old needles several times but that is as far as I got.

3). I have started The Big Read and you can read my latest post about Emma by Jane Austen here

4). This one has gone very wrong as instead of being at my lowest I am actually not in my target as I went over by half a pound at my last weigh in.

5). My photographs are now on my digital photo frame I haven't decided where my frame will go in my house as I am limited as it needs to be near a plug but my photos are on it none the less.

6). I did actually manage not to buy any nail polish yes I did get a collection from QVC but they were on auto delivery so don't count.

7). I did start with the tweeting positive things but then I stopped and I don't really know why, as I do think my positive attitude helped get me my new job.

In September I will

1). Get back in target with Slimming World I have set up an online food diary and decided to go back to have fruit and fat free yoghurt for breakfast as this is what I did to lose the 1 stone 8lbs so it clearly works for me.

2). To sort out some of our recipes, we have a small metal box with a load of blank recipes cards in and a stack load of magazines we have kept for the recipes, s=o I will make a start of transferring and recycling the magazines. 

3). To make time to relax, recently I have felt very stressed and know that starting a new job and studying towards my AAT level 4 is probably going to send my stress levels higher so think I need to make time and just chill, thinking nice long baths with a book or even going for a walk.

4). To sort through my knitting stash in an attempt to rekindle my love of knitting - I used to always have a project on the go but since getting a house with my boyfriend over 15 months ago have hardly done any.  If it doesn't work may have to think about selling some of it.

5). To restart my PTOTD again as think I will need some positive thinking especially before my first day of my new job.

6). To make more time for my boyfriend think this links in with relaxing as we have both been mega stressed recently.

7). To take lots of photos have a wedding to go to and jetting off to Turkey this month, just need to remember to take lots of pics, as I usually forget.

August Empties


After loving sharing my July Empties decided to let you know what I have used up this month, so from left to right

Philip Kingsley Shampoo for flaky/itchy scalps I love this shampoo it is the only shampoo that doesn't irritate my scalp.  I use everyday, so I buy the massive litre sizes from feelunique.com I got this one just before last Christmas and pretty sure my boyfriend uses too.  As I can't live without I repurchased just before I ran out.

Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic Spritzer I am surprised with how long this has lasted as I have used morning and night since I got in mid-March.  I love the smell of this and will miss as I am going to use up a toner I had in my stash and I also really want to try Caudalie Beauty Elixir which I just saw is on sale - damn sales always on when you are trying to save.

Sally Hansen Regular Polish Remover for all nail types, which to be honest I wasn't that impressed with, I know glitter polish can be a pain to remove but you could leave your nail soaked in this for hours and the stuff still wouldn't budge.  I paint my nails regularly so can't really afford to use anything expensive to remove, this was £2.45 from boots.com but am sure that there must be better products of a similar price, needless to say I have not repurchased.

Nivea Express Hydration Hand Lotion I don't think I have ever been through a hand lotion so  quickly in all my life I got a bit addicted to putting it on at work, about 5 times a day.  I have found that since using this one up the other Nivea Hand Lotion I got at the same time is probably better as although it takes longer to sink in really does last a lot longer.  I would still repurchase this one however just maybe limit the number of reapplications.

Vera Wang Lovestruck Velvety Body Lotion I did also use up the body wash which I got in the same set as the parfum but I couldn't keep the empty bottle, as all the packaging started to peel off and was leaving pink bits everywhere.  I decided to use this whilst using the fragrance as to me that makes sense.  The products were ok - what can you really say about a free body wash and lotion other then they smelt nice and helped make the parfum last longer.

Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturiser for normal/combination skin, my thoughts on this haven't really changed since my first review.  I do think moisturisers should have an SPF in them and don't feel that my forehead has really got back under control as still can get very oily. I am going back to my old No 7 day and night cream as want to use them up, so be good to see if my skin gets worse again.