love #1

Lazy Oaf x Batman Collection

We've all been excited for The Dark Knight Rises haven't we? Well so have Lazy Oaf, as they've released a collection featuring the Batman logo - and I'm in love!

These three pieces just look like they could belong in my wardrobe...

Apologies for lack of posting  - you can thank BT and a broken camera for that one!

More soon,

what i'm reading/about to read

I'm sure we're all aware how much of an avid reader I am - it is my favourite thing in the world to do, and one of my resolutions for this year was to make time to read. Over the past little while, I've picked up books here and there and this is what is commonly referred to as my 'To Be Read' pile. Only 9 books, one of which I'm reading (which isn't too bad in my opinion!) but here are just the three I'm about to read.

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare, which is the first book in the Infernal Devices series. I've read City of Bones by the same author and wasn't blown away, so I'm trying her other series to see if I'd like that better. It's hardback so I'm saving this for summer!

The Grand Design by Stephen Hawking and Leonard Mlodinow. It is more or less, their opinions on the famous questions of the universe. I'm a big philosopher lover, but I hadn't read anything approaching the topic from science. It's quite short with large type but it isn't quite the book that you fly through!

George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones. I'm off to Portugal on Thursday (SO EXCITED!!!) and this is the only book I'm taking, along with my Kindle. Can't wait to read this.


In case you all didn't know, I do have a Goodreads account, which you can find here. What are you reading?

ysl volutpee sheer candy no10

 

 

 

 

Finally, 6 months after my last two posts about my other Voluptee lipsticks, my last one has arrived. Purchased at the same time as the others, this is probably my favourite one of them all. As you can see, it’s a soft orange colour, with the same formula as the others. Very smooth, moisturizing and comfortable to wear, and during my hating-wearing-heavy-makeup phase I’m in, this is everything I want.
I’m sure we’re all aware of my redness which ruins my life. Therefore, using orange and peachy tones on my skin and in my make up really helped to lighten up my complexion and freshens my face a bit, while avoiding a red overload. This fresh colour makes it perfect for spring and summer, although I did get this back in December and have been wearing it regularly since.
Another hit by YSL – but that’s all my Voluptees, blogged about. Perhaps time to get another few in duty free to write about?

update and things

The word ‘May’ evokes terror into the hearts of young people everywhere, including myself – Exam Month. As I’m writing this, today was my first exam. It was English and seeing as I want to go to study it at university, I really hope I passed it! I felt okay about it, just nervous. More than that, I’m over the moon that I now don’t have to read The Mayor of Casterbridge ever again! I have two exams next week (French and History) which I’m scared about but I’m just gonna study hard and I’ll get out what I put in.

My Bioderma has finally given up the ghost. Absolutely nothing left, but I’m going to Portugal in about 5 weeks time so I’ll be sure to pick up some more when I’m there. I’m absolutely loving the 1 Second nail polish remover from Bourjois too. When I’m studying for so long during the day, being able to take all my nail polish off in under a minute is something I’m loving.

During my ‘Panic what am I going to do in my life, I’m growing up shit shit shit’ mode, I decided to re-read the Harry Potter series. I’m currently on The Goblet of Fire, and of course I’m enjoying it! If you didn’t know, I do have a GOODREADS account, so if you’re interested to see what I’m reading, go follow me there!

A recent buy and one I am loving! I live in trainers pretty much all the time (as you can see) and these baby’s are my newest edition. Red Authentic Vans, I absolutely love them. They’re comfortable, go with loads of things and don’t hurt what so ever. About the same price as Converse too!

I’m sure we’re all aware if you follow me on TWITTER that I absolutely adore exercise. I run every alternate day, and do weights in between. These are my trainers, the Wave Alchemy’s and I love ‘em! Definitely recommend them as a brand to look out for, but as always, go and see for yourself and your own needs!

1st of June = last exam = BLOGGING!

recent skincare loves

Long gone are the days where I was bored of cleansers and moisturizers, quick to jump on the latest foundation or lipstick. However since becoming older and wiser (scoff!) I’ve come to realise the benefits of lovely skin. So, que walking around Superdrug wanting a quick skin pick me up, and recalling the rave reviews of both products, I came home with these a few weeks ago.
Like I said, I’ve only been using these for a few weeks, so the long term affects on my skin that these make are yet to be seen.


So here they are! The infamous Neutrogena Visibly Clear 2-in-1 wash and mask.  Smells a little like fabric conditioner, but that’s just me! I really like this, it’s quite gentle and I don’t feel like it strips my skin. It just leaves it feeling fresh, clean and lovely! I also believe it’s less than a fiver – can’t go wrong, no?
Next up is the St Ives Apricot Scrub. I was a tad wary of this, after seeing some refer to it as harsh, but on my normal-SLIGHTLY dry, SLIGHTLY sensitive skin, it works a treat. The beads really buff your skin into perfection, leaving it soft, and not at all sore. The smell is growing on me, but for the effects this gives me, I can put up with it.
Any nice new skincare things? PS – tell me I’m not the only one that will/does spend hours trawling through the hundreds of pages on Caroline's  blog?

luck.

Have you ever noticed, when something amazing happens, you're 'lucky'?  I'm going on holiday to Portugal in five weeks "Urgh, you're lucky!". I've lost two dress sizes in four months "Wow you're so lucky". No, I'm not lucky.

Lucky gives the idea that it is chance. That it simply happened to you - but trust me, neither of these things just happened to me. I work so hard to be where I am, and go in the direction I'm going. When people say I'm lucky, it occurs to me that some people actually expect just to be lucky and recieve the things they want.

Do I believe in luck? Yes and no - it's more of coincidence. I believe that if a bad thing happens to you (coincidence) something good must happen also. Case in point: my mum died when I was fifteen, three days before my birthday. Coming back from that horrible place, to study hard and get the grade I am determined to get, work out and lose the weight I've lost, simply be happy and enjoy the life I have, I believe that has stemmed from that tragic moment my amazing mum left us. Is any of that lucky? No. It's turning something bad, twisting, pulling, shaping it, into something which will in turn make you a better person. That is not lucky.

Coincidence is a wonderful thing. I do think you can be in the right place at the right time and something amazing will happen to you. But - I don't want to live my life waiting on that one thing. I want to work hard for something, achieve it, and then feel good in the fact that I actually did it. I done something that I worked hard for. It shows the power in myself,and I never want to be that person that got something incredible from being in the right place.

What do we think? Luck or coincidence? Or just hard work?

OPI vintage minnie mouse collection

I'm a Disney fiend. They are my favourite movies, I love the characters and, as I so proudly tell anyone who'll listen, I dressed up as Minnie Mouse at a part when I was five. Everyone else was a fairy or a princess or something, so she has a special place in my heart!

In upcoming months, OPI will release this red and pink collection with four shades.

As I've not got my hands on them yet, I'll link you to Lacquered Lover who has swatches and reviews of each of the polishes. In my opinion, The Colour of Minnie and Nothin' Mousie 'Bout It appeal to me most, but NMBI doesn't seem to be that worth it! Perhaps I'll have to give it a shot myself? We'll see...

zara skirts + our love affair.

£29.99

£39.99

£22.99

As summer is fast approaching, I am finding myself in need of season appropriate clothing, starting with Zara. All over Youtube & bloggesphere, I've seen nothing but raves about S/S12 Zara collection, and a quick snoop online has brought me lemming over these! I'm a big shorts wearer in summer, I feel they're more edgy, but with the influx of much more grunge style in the high street shops lately, I feel like these are much more my style! All I can think about is a grey band tee & these skirts, high wedges or vans? Oooh hurry up summer! Any certain things I should look out for to help me on my quest to find edgy, grunge clothing on a highstreet in summer?

Favourite Polishes for Spring

L-R OPI Fly, Sephora by OPI Ocean Love Potion, OPI Thanks A Windmillion, China Glaze Kinetic Candy

L-R Barry M Dusky Mauve, OPI Do You Lilac It?, Barry M Peach Melba

I'm a nail polish fiend, and Spring has to be one of the best seasons for nail colours. It's bright, it's light and it's fun, and although I'll probably be picking some more up in the coming few weeks, these are the colours I'll be wearing until then.

As you can see, blues are where it's at for me. I love the way they look with my skintone and just feel like they are very versatile.
Firstly is OPI's Fly, which is from the recent Nicki Minaj collection. It's a lovely deeper blue with green thrown through it and it looks amazing. I adore this shade, it looks perfect for a pop of colour as well as being slightly understated. Similar to Rimmel 60 Second polish in Sky High.

Sephora by OPI's Ocean Love Potion is one I've had in my collection since I was in Vegas two years ago, and still remains a favourite. More green than Fly but less green than Thanks a Windmillion, it's a great in between colour. Absolutely love this one!

A new one from the Holland collection is Thanks a Windmillion. A seafoam green shade, this is budge proof on my nails. I sometimes have trouble getting polish to stay on my nails without chipping and peeling, however this, along with a new favourite which will be appearing soon, has been a lifesaver. Not to mention it's perfect for the winter to spring transition, as it's lighter but not a pastel/neon.

Lastly is China Glaze's Kinetic Candy. From the Electro Pop collection released a while ago, this one screamed at me, a white based pastel icy blue. As much as it's a gorgeous colour, I do have to play with the formula - I find it slightly hard to work with unfortunately, but for the shade, I'm determind not to give up

What about the rest? We all know Barry M polishes are good value for money. At only £3 a pop, having the latest colours doesn't seem so far away. Dusky mauve is a lovely mushroom shade, some may say being slightly autumn appropriate. However, with a purple flash, it is much more wearable for spring and a great shade for all seasons. Peach Melba is a long running favourite. I didn't have this off my nails last year! A great shade to make you look more tanned than you are and looks lovely under glitters and crackle polishes. A real must have in my collection.

Do You Lilac It? is my favourite polish of them all - as I type this, it's what's on my nails! It's a gorgeous almost-pastel violent/lilac creme and it's absolutely gorgeous. Perhaps not the most exciting shade but I definitely think it's a must have in anyone's collection.

asos wishlist

I haven't bought any clothes in months. MONTHS. I'm starting to get a bit bored now and watching fashion hauls, reading magazines, OOTDs, I have now got a little wishlist building up on ASOS.

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Click the link to see the nicest part - the back! Now it's getting nearer summer, I'm lemming for denim shorts, Vans and pretty shirts. This one will look perfect with Lana Del Rey hair...

Link

I love this top so much. An opposite the one above, it is longer at the front rather than the back, with a racerback and dropped armholes. It comes in two colours but I love the peach - it could go with anything and will look amazing in summer.

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As if these shoes need an explanation.

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In summer, I get lost in a haze of soft denim, chiffon and florals, and this envelope leather and gold hardware clutch adds a sharp injection of much needed structure. Perfect for flitting around the festival!

Seen anything nice?

hunger games x china glaze collection

So I'm sure we all know how much I love the Hunger Games trilogy. I read all three books in 2 or 3 days and I loved all of them - even Mockingjay, somewhat of an unpopular opinion, and I can't wait for the film to come out in March (44 days!).

In collaboration with the movie release, China Glaze has released a new collection, full of colours inspired by the districts that feature in the movie/book.

One of my favourite bloggers of all time, All Lacquered Up, has swatches and a review of the collection which you can see here. I am totally lemming over Dress Me Up, Foie Gras, Stone Cold and Smoke and Ashes. Any ones you fancy? Have you read the books?

charity shop book haul

Although I own a Kindle (I say own - I like to think that I look after her, my little princess) I do sometimes miss the printed book. So, rather than spending £15+ in Waterstones, I popped into a few local charity shops and bought all of these for under £6.

I purchased Holes by Louis Sachar. I have finished this and a review will be up shortly, so I won't mention too much. It's about a boy, Stanley, who is wrongly charged with a crime and sent to a detention centre, where they have to dig one hole a day, for 'character building', but Stanley Yelnats disagrees. I enjoyed it and it's been on my to-read list for a very long time, and I am chuffed I managed to pick this up in Cancer Research.

Jodi Picoult is one of my favourite authors. I've read almost all of her books and when I found Vanishing Acts in Cancer Research I was more than pleased! It's about a woman called Delia who has flash backs of things she doesn't remember or can recall, and it sounds like a good juicy novel you can dive into on a Sunday afternoon. Can't wait to read this one.

Thirdly is Friends, Lovers, Chocolate by Alexander McCall Smith. It's about a straight-forward thinking philosopher from Edinburgh, who experiences things from a different point of view, and finds herself in a situation she can't see a clear path through. I attempted to begin this a few days ago, before Holes, but I found it so dire. It was slow, the characters annoyed me and it was a chore to read. I haven't finished it however, but when I do, I will update with a review.

Lastly, one of the most interesting books here. The Venetian Betrayal by Steve Berry is about an illness and the cure can only be found with Alexander The Great. I've heard it's quite a Dan Brown esq novel, using history to solve a problem present day. The reviews on Goodreads seem good so I'm sure this will be devoured soon enough.

Has anyone else read these?

16/365

Sometimes you just need a laugh. Hahahaha

NOTD: fury

Two coats

I picked this nail polish up a few months ago, but I've only worn it a few times. The other day after being polish-less for weeks, I decided to use this and I'm so glad I did. As usual, my base coats and top coat was the Sally Hansen Hard As Nails base coat. I find it's great for giving shine and although it doesn't help chipping (nail polish on me lasts a dismal time) it does it's job. 

Fury is a Fast Finish nail polish from 17's A/W collection (I believe?). It was a popular shade as soon as the shades hit the stores, and it's the only 17 polish I own. The colour is so hard to describe - it's a bronzed gold with shine and visible shimmer. In some lights it has green shimmers and it gives a gorgeous effect to your nails. It's a pleasure to apply, with no streaks and fully opaque in one coat, without sacrificing the effect. 

I did find this polish peeled off very easily. Like I said, chips and flaking are common on me, most polishes lasting under 24 hours, if I'm lucky. However it's great for when it is on and the small bottle (and price tag) makes it less of a chore to carry with you to top up. 

15/365

Another lazy day spent studying. I picked up some great books from a charity shop today though, a post will be up shortly on them! I love buying things from charity shops - you don't get the guilt feeling as much! Hope you're having a wonderful day. :)

14/365

My amazing boyfriend :)

I don't talk a lot about my personal life, so here's a difference. He's helped me through so many things lately and I appreciate him so much.

I'm feeling soppy today. Douglas <3

13/365

Todays purchases. Hehehe. Some retail therapy is always needed. Expect a little post popping up on these beauties soon!

365: 12

Not a photo i took myself today. I seen a photo of an American soldier on his homecoming/ leaving today. It broke my heart. Be thankful for who you have, because it could leave at any moment.

365: 10&11

Not well again. Feel horrible, emotionally and physically. Painted my nails with 17 - Fury yesterday and I really like it - what do you think? Also, in my diseased boredom, I've managed to get a new high score on Temple Run :) good times. No idea how people can get into the millions - this was a struggle!

365: 9

Todays makeup