The Weekender

So, I'm currently sitting in my pjs having had a long old bath and soup for dinner, and am awaiting some mulled wine. Feeling wintery much? I'm also about to have a frozen muller light yoghurt (so good, try it) just to, you know, balance things out a bit.

I know I haven't been around here much...I have literally been just working and sleeping. I fell asleep at 8.30pm last night (FRIDAY night may I add). Brings a whole new meaning to 'gotta get down on Fridayyyy'. I also had a little nap today. My life is just too exciting, are you jealous?

However, I DID go on one of my pick-me-up weekend walks today. We are not too far from little spots of 'countryside' just outside London, so we usually walk to places like Hampy Heath, Totteridge, Mill Hill etc, but today the bf decided to take us on a new route which resulted in us ending up walking along a motorway like thing for 1/2 hour! Luckily I have a sense of humour and enjoyed the sights ;) We did end up having a lovely walk which made my wellies nice and muddy.

Here's a few ootds from this week:

Gotta love a good Christmassy Primark cardi.

Keeping it simple in my Asos wrap dress and boots.

I bought a blender today and made my very first smoothie! I was a bit low on ingredients though, so my first wasn't all that exciting, consisting of a banana, the remains of my soya milk and a dash of honey. Bit thick, but twas ok I guess. I want to get experimenting soon though.

Anyway, enough ramblings for tonight. I have a few posts planned as I have done rather a lot of shopping lately....

And CHRISTMAS SOON. Eek. I love this time of year, the build up more than anything. And being allowed to drink mulled wine and hot chocolate pretty much every day :)

Back Again? Update and Awkward Times...

Howdy :) I've been wanting to blog for a while, and after a pretty immense period of procrastinating about it (but once I start, I'll 'need' to do it everyday, and I won't have the time, yada yada. Bit OCD about consistency and things...) and then when I went to blog, it wouldn't let me upload photos without posting. And posts without photos are like crackers without cheese...well, unless you can write well. So maybe more the icing on the cake. I just like photos, ok, and it makes the writing process a bit easier. So let's see if they work this time!

Last weekend, this happened:

I went ice-skating at Somerset House (London). SUCH a stunning setting, and the big old tree made me feel all gooey inside. I do love Christmas. It was a tad wet, but S and I were prepared, being the hillwalkers that we are (were...we met in a hillwalking club at uni, but I don't think I could cope with hills nowadays), and wore many layers of clothing, including a waterproof coat and waterproof trousers. Kept us nice and toasty.

We also saw this lovely on our travels. Oh London, I do love you.

Today we went for a bracing walk on Hampstead Heath. Let me tell you, it was pretty darn cold, but as usual, the moment I stepped foot on the Heath I felt calm and peaceful, as twee as that sounds. And the dog watching was pretty entertaining too. Today, a particularly enthusiastic mut ran up to a tree, lauched itself into the air and latched onto a branch with its jaws. It wasn't heavy enough to pull the branch down, so it swung on it for a bit, before trying the whole thing over again. Independent dog, trying to find its own stick to play with, I like.

Oh, and look who I casually bumped into last week ;)

 

 It's only Mel.C from the Spice Girls! (erm, she prefers her grown up name Melanie now, but I can't help it...forever a Spice Girls fan!) She was actually really nervous and pretty shy. My cousin interviewed her (she's a journalist) and I sat there in silence, until my silly mouth had to pipe up. She was asked which actress she would like to play her in a SG film, and she couldn't think of someone, so I cleverly piped up 'Victoria Pendleton' because she is sporty and...you know, and Mel said 'Well, she's not an actress, but never mind' and I waved my hand in a camp manner and said 'of course, doesn't matter'. Was embarrassing. I should be banned from social situations. Doesn't sound that bad? When she asked if I would like a photo taken with her I said 'might as well', even though I was secretly thrilled. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?!

O.k, so there's a brief update, hopefully I will be back on a more regular basis now :) I've missed this scene! 

Time to get to work, which I've been avoiding all weekend. Then some bloggie and crappy channel 4 documentary time...lovely Sunday. 

Hope some of you are still around...

OOTD-Sort of celebrating the Jubilee?

So in an unconscious show of patriotism, I pulled out my little solider tee to show my support for the Queen. Or something like that.

My favuorite spring/English summer coat. You know, for when it's too hot to wear a normagiant coat, but too cold to wear just a cardi. I got this coat a few years ago from H&M kids. A bargain it was.

I also think I overblushed here! I put on a bit toooo much of Illamasqua's Cream Pigment in Androgen, which is a gorgeous coral/peachy colour. Do you know what, I think I quite liked the overblushed look in the end!

And here's the very pigment I'm speaking of. One of my fave summer blushes.

Leighton Denny Nail Polish-'Supermodel'

I am in love with my new Leighton Denny nail polish that I got free with this month's Harper's Bazaar. I would go as far as saying that it is my new faviourite shade.

Packaging

I love the simple, sophisticated packaging of this polish. It's practical, allowing you to see the colour of the product perfectly (which is pretty much identical to how it appears on the nails) whilst being stylish. There is also something pretty funky about the transparent lid covering the silver tip. I haven't fiddled around with it enough to work out if this serves a function or is simply for aesthetic purposes. If you have, let me know!

It's also a pretty sizable product, containing 12 ml of polish...hang on, is that the normal amount? Am I being tricked by the extra bit of glass at the bottom...let me check! 

Ok, so Topshop polishes are 8ml, Barry M 10ml and OPI 15ml. So on the larger side! Not at all bad for a freebie! 

Shade 

As  I said at the top of this post, I am in LOVE with this shade. It is a beige/brown shade, which to me works well in summer, spring, winter..basically all year long. It's an everyday shade, and would go with most clothing. For me, nail polishes evoke situations and outfits. For me, this shade is a girl frolicking in the countryside, maybe playing on a tyre swing, wearing a long, flowing white dress and brown sandals. 

Something like this image I found on the interwebz perhaps...

Do you make associations like this, or is it just me? 

Anyway, it's a lovely, solid nail polish that I am happy to now own. Thanks Harpers Bazaar!

New Ikea Make Up Storage!

The bf and I went on a little trip to Ikea yesterday a) for a day out (of all the things in London, I know...) and b) to get some new storage for my make up/general beauty stuff which was slowly colonising our little apartment.

I had a BRILLIANT day. It's pretty sad how happy Ikea makes me, but I walked around with a permanent smile on my face. I also wanted to buy everything in sight, especially the 'ready made apartments'. Too cool.

We made a day of it and stopped off for some (bottomless!) Cola Light and cake. The Union Jack tray was something that I purchased. I swear, by the end of the Jubilee weekend my house is going to be full of Queenie memorabilia. I am seriously tempted to buy a teatowel with the Queen's face on it.

 One of the down sides to not owning a car. Mini pack horse.

When we finaaalllllly got home, the bf started putting together the furniture for me (I'd be useless at that sort of thing) and then I spent the evening sorting. I forgot just how much I love sorting things, especially the end process where everything is neatly in its place (though my desk wouldn't know it.)

Anyway, here are the products!

 

1. Little cupboard thing with new mirror and candle (and my teddy bear, Ted. Don't judge me, I've had him since forever!)

2. wooden boxes hidden inside cupboard (let's face it, they're not that pretty!) 

3. The lips and eyeshadow boxes. 

 4. Making use of the old Glossybox boxes

The Union Jack tray that is stored on the little cupboard thing (should stop calling it that) is for my everyday makeup that I will be switching up each week to try and make use of everything I have (shopping the stash as it's called).

So yes. Now I am pretty happy with my little storage situation, and it makes getting ready in the morning a bit more exciting. An organised room makes for an organised mind...now need to organise the rest of the apartment before I go back to work. 

Oh, we also bought some cushions, which are very London Transport circa 1995. 

What do you think? 

I love seeing other people's make up storage (cos I'm nosy like that) so if you have posted on this before, you can pop the link below if you like :) Enjoy the rest of the rather soggy Jubilee weekend xx

My eyes like the sunlight...

My eyes seem to change colour all the time. They reflect my mood (so thinks I) and the weather. When it's sunny, my eyes are big and bright, when I'm feeling low, my eyes go a pale shade of grey/dark stone...it can happen, right?! My bf (ever the scientist) says that my pupils change size depending on how bright the room is (very light= smaller pupils) which is true, but I think I prefer my theory...

 Eyes on a happy/bright day

Then...eyes on a dull/sad day.

 

See into the darkness of my soooul?

After that somewhat random post, I wanted to let you know that I'll be around more often now that I have a bit of time off work. I've been super zonked everyday, and fell asleep on the settee at 8pm last night. Definitely time for some time off and blogging fun.

I'm off to Ikea now (funtimes!) but when I get back I'll catch up on all your lovely blogs xx

Weekend sun and a few little purchases...

I'll start with something typically British by saying 'HOW GLORIOUS IS THE WEATHER AT THE MOMENT?!' Ok, I didn't need to use shouty caps, but it's just so lovely.

Taking advantage of this weathery turn, the bf and I went on one of our weekend walks yesterday, and so here are a few more photos of London (as if there weren't enough already!) and some outfittery snaps.

In front of some Jubilee bunting at the tip of Regent's Street. And a bin, just to add a bit of glamour.

I wore my beloved Anne Greenable floral dress from Topshop. I got this one in the sale, but I loved it so much that I purchased it in blue too, but with a crossover strap instead of strapless, for the full price, which I think was £48. Expensive, I know, but I'll wear it a lot. In fact, I am wearing it as I type, with a blue matching cardi, because I am the queen of cardigans (read: I hate my arms!)

Some more flags and an old police telephone (you open and dial to call the police) which I thought was pretty cool. I opened it and there wasn't a phone, sadly, just an McDonald's packet. Nice.

 Of course the hot day led to getting a frappuccino fix. I got my usual coffee frappuccino light, which was yumalicious, even more yum because it was half price (3-5pm, half price frapps at Starbucks..at least in the uk, and at least for a few more days!)

I also popped into Debenhams and Selfridges and purchased a few goodies.

Firstly, I bought a little wash bag, which I am going to use as a travel make up bag when I go to Naples in the summer (squeee!)  This was around £5 from Debenhams, cheaper than their usual price because of the 25% off sale.

Secondly, I went to Selfridges and headed straight to the Bobbi Brown counter. I was intending to buy the corrector and potentially concealor. I told this to the MUA who hastily swooped on me as soon as I approached the counter (I HATE that. I'd rather look around, thanks). Anyway, she led me off and proceeded to try the whole shebang on me, eye cream, eye makeup remover, correcter, concealor, some other stuff I don't remember. The finished result I was quite please with, but when she told me the combined price of the corrector and concealor, I winced. £40.50. Er, no thanks. I was considering just buying the corrector, but maybe I will do that another time, without an angry MUA telling me what to buy. Sorry about that rant, I just find the process a bit stressful!

Anyway, the point is that in the end I headed over to Mac and purchased this (comparatively) cheap and cheerful concealor (£13.50) in NC15. So far I am happy with it too! Joy :)

I'm off to a First Holy Communion now (family stuff) but will comment when I get back. Hope you're all enjoying ze sun xxx

Candles- Wax Lyrical 'Bath Time'

I do love a good candle. They create a nice, calming atmosphere, giving what I have come to call 'instagram light' (ruined the romance there, eh?!) 'Instagram light' makes everyone's (my) pale body look that bit better, which can be good for, you know, a few things.

Also, think how much more romantic and less clinical they are than modern lighting. Snuggling on the settee, watching a movie, having a bubble bath, pampering yourself. All are better by candlelight. 

Candles, in my opinion, are EVEN better when they are scented.

Last weekend, I spent a fair few hours (well, 20 minutes) sniffing candles and getting a bit high in John Lewis. I finally settled on this one called 'Bath Time' by Wax Lyrical. Quite a cute little name if you ask me. I think it cost around the £7 mark, which isn't too bad.

It smells of cotton/general freshness, but the scent isn't as overpowering as I'd like it to be when you light it. Pleasant enough though. It also burns reallllllly quickly. I don't know what the average burning time for candles is, but I've only had this for a few weeks, and left it burning for a total of apx. 6 hours and I've pretty much used half of it already!

Next I would like to try a Yankee candle. I've been wanting to try one of these for a while now, but I don't have a Clintons near me. Where else can you buy them people? Which scents would you recommend?

Face Mask Time

Yesterday, 3 annoying pimples nastily announced themselves on my chin. Not good. So with this in mind, and feeling like a bit of pampering after a long day, I decided to use my apparently purpose built face mask Anatomicals Farewell the Scarlet Pimpernell, which was a measly £1 from Topshop for a sachet.

I love masks that come in single sachets. They remind me of the girly sleepovers of my teenage years, where we would pamper ourselves with face masks, cucumber for the eyes and lots of gossip. I still have 'sleepovers' with my girl friends now and again, even though I left my teenage years behind a fair while ago. You can't beat them if you ask me.

Anyway, back to the mask:

 

You wanted to see a photo of the scummy packaging didn't you?

Without the scum, it's pretty simple packaging appeals to me. Clear, to the point and pink to boot.

As I'm fond of oversharing, here is a smexy photo of me in modelling the face mask look:

 The mask is a 'deep cleansing mud mask' that is supposed to help absorb excess oil and help 'control spots and blackheads as it tightens the skin'. Ooh, so probably not best for dry skin like mine in theory, but y'know. I thought I'd give it a try. The result, I have to say, isn't too bad either.

I love the thick, creamy texture of the mask, which you get plenty of in the sachet, which allowed me to slather it on luxuriously (£1 luxury, even better). I left it to dry for 15 minutes and voila! My skin was softer, and not even TOO dry. As I suffer from dry skin, I always end up with dry patches no matter what I use anyway, and my skin was fine after using moisturiser, and as I said, softer.

As I only tried it tonight, the spots are still there, but they are less 'angry' than they were before, thank goodness.

For £1, I'm pretty happy with my little muddy package.

Whilst I'm here, I thought I'd show you my cool art tee. I wear this to relax in/for bed by the way. It shows faces in the style of different artists. My fave is the happy, floaty Dali head!

Hope you're all enjoying the sunshine :)

Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick-Vintage Pink

A few weeks ago I went crazy in Superdrug. They had a 3 for 2 offer on all products, and I, er, took advantage of it (no mention of being sucked in to spending more money...no. It's all good).

That's how I ended up with this rather pretty lipstick:

 Rimmel moisture renew lipstick in 108 Vintage Pink

 Shade
In the bullet, this looks like the most gorgeous, dusty pink.mauve shade. I love the way it looks on my hand too. Just noooot entirely sure that it suits me.

What do you (honestly) think?

Maybe I'm a tad too pale for this shade? I always get attracted to shades that I find pretty, certain they'll suit me...and then they don't. Duh.

Texture/Finish
As the name suggests, this is a very moisturising lipstick. Perfect for me-me and my dry lips just do not really get on with matte finishes. I have to prep and scrub and moisturise my lips beforehand which, honestly, is a bit of an annoyance when you can simply just whip on a moisturising lippie and let that do the job. I would describe the finish as being similar to the Topshop lipsticks- moisturising, but not shiny or glossy.

I have to say I'm quite a fan of Rimmel lipsticks. They have a huge variety of colours, have a good texture and finish and aren't too expensive either.

I believe that Superdrug are doing another 3 for 2 offer...I'm not going to finish that sentence!

Lovely London

Oh London, you are lovely sometimes, especially when the sun decides to make an appearance.

Now that the rain has stopped (hopefully for a while!) and the bf has finished his PhD, we went on another of our weekend walks. You may be fed up of seeing pictures of London, and if you are, sorry. But if you share the love for my home town then enjoy! Here are a few sneaky peaks of my walk to Regent's Park today.

Sadly, I didn't dress up for the occasion, so no interesting OOTD. In fact, I was ready to go straight to my pilates class, so that's my excuse for looking a tad scruffy.

1. Pretty gates

2. Willow trees! and a few ducks. As you can probably see.

3. People doing a Chinese fan class. At first I thought that this was some sort of yoga class (in the park, very romantic) until they pulled out their fans, peacock like. Looked very cool! 

4. A lovely little deck chair area. Facing a car park, haha. Note the juxtaposition- deck chairs and hooded winter coats; it can work! 

 

5 &6 Pretty gardens and nut eating squirrel! 

We finished off the walk in typical Georgia style...

 

with a trip to Starbucks. I got my usual Coffee Frappuccino light (though I usually feel so cold after that I need a hot coffee. Duh) but my bf purchased the new delicious sounding Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino. So indulgent, so good (I had a few sneaky sips). Try it, but it is probably the equivalent of a fat wedge of cake calorie wise. He never gains weight though, lucky thing. 

I'm going to spend the rest of the weekend reading, swimming, going to pilates class and drinking a glass of wine or two in front of trashy tv. Yumzers. 

How's your weekend faring? Do tell me, I like to know...I'm nosy like that! 

OOTD-Cats

So I had a not very nice experience with a cat the other day. Granted, it was enjoying a peaceful slumber in the sun. Granted, I woke it from this slumber. But I only wanted to stroke it and show it some love. And when I went to stroke it, it hissed at me and scratched me. Twice.

After this, my love for catkind diminished just a bit. But on the way home I saw a quite nice cat (there aren't any REALLY friendly cats on my street, sadly) and my faith was restored a bit.

Anyway, the point to that preamble was that my love for cats still extends enough to me wearing my little cat print dress that I purchased from Camden a while back.

 I wore it with yellow tights, my trusty mustard primark cardigan (I have these in about 4 different colours) and my new Topshop brogues. A colourful outfit for me!

Hope you are enjoying the weekend xx