Yearly Archives: 2012

reasons I am not a beauty blogger

24th June 2012
A few weeks ago find-me-a-gift.co.uk got in touch asking if I’d like to review a couple of makeup products.
I love makeup, a few years ago I went through a phase where it was my “thing” and built up quite a collection. Since then I have shamefully become lazy and fallen out of the loop so I thought this might be a good oppurtunity to get some of that love back. I think this post proves I still have a long way to go!

Apologies for the shocking photos that are to follow (reason number one why I am not a beauty blogger/you should always read your camera instructions)

 


I was sent The Balm Makeup- Hot Mama Blush/Eyeshadow, £14.99 which is a gorgeous rose gold colour hideously portrayed by my less than amateur photographing. The colour payoff on this is amazing and as a pale girl the colour really compliments my complexion; as an eyeshadow it doesn’t work for me, the pink makes me look like I have sore eyes, but I am confident it will look stunning on people who wear pink eyeshadow well and the texture is a dream.

I also recieved The Balm Bronzer Powder Compact- Betty Lou Manizer, £17.99. Reason number two why I am not a beauty blogger is that I have never in my life tried Bronzer before; I am infact scared of it.
As with Hot Mama the texture of this is a dream, an utter dream, and the colour pay-off is impressive; the photo above is one gentle finger swipe worth of colour! It was trial and error getting this to work for my beyond the pale skin but with a light hand and some careful buffing I think I managed admirably for a first attempt

 (And here’s reason number three why I am not a beauty blogger, the faces!)

I think both of these products will really come in to their own once I have had the benefit of some Spanish sun to lessen the bright whiteness of my skin; most of the time I love being pale, but sometimes I find it really, really hard work! That aside I really rate these products, and the colour payoff, retro packaging and luxury feel makes them worth every penny of their price tag.

Have you tried The Balm before?

And PLEASE PLEASE give me bronzer/general makeup advice!

xxx

Posted in beauty, review

Permalink 11 Comments

Classique

23rd June 2012

Being Mid-June and so say in Summer, I thought last weekend was long enough to have delayed packing away the chunky jumpers and bringing forth some of my Summer wardrobe.
Clearly this was a big mistake as ever since, I’ve been looking mournfully at the clothes hanging in my wardrobe and trying desperatley to work out what exactly I can wear without risking hypothermia.

This dress once again came to my rescue. I call it “old faithful” and bought it at least five years ago from Asda George for not very much money at all.
I have nearly got rid of it several times, but each time I drag it out I remember why I haven’t, I think it’ll be one of those dresses I’m still wearing when I’m eighty.

Even with a cardigan added I was freezing at work yesterday, and it seems S.A.D. may be making itself a year round affliction…

What in your wardrobe has stood the test of time? How are you coping with this miserable weather?

Enter my giveaway for a chance to cheer yourself up with a new bag; I wish I could send everyone a little something in the post to make them smile!

xxx

Posted in life, outfits

Permalink 29 Comments

Handbags at Dawn *giveaway*

22nd June 2012

Fellow bag lovers, this is the post and giveaway for you! Newly launched website Handbags at Dawn have teamed up with adaisychaindream to offer a brand new handbag to one lucky reader.

“Handbags-at-dawn.com is an exciting new boutique for handbags. Our vision is to bring our customers quality leather handbags in classic styles, which hold a timeless quality.  We are proud of our bags and each bag is carefully selected by our team to ensure that it will be a coveted addition to your wardrobe.
In 2012 we will be launching our limited edition collection, a unique range of stunning new bags by young designers and our fabulous auction room. Please sign up so we can keep you informed”

Up for grabs is the classic black leather Hobo bag which retails at £60. An elegant, simple piece it is spacious and practical coming with two interchangeable straps, detachable tassel, plenty of pockets and it’s own dustbag to keep it safe in storage.

To enter this giveaway all you have to do is be a follower of this here blog and pop along to Handbags at Dawn to choose your favourite bag/purse from the site. Leave a comment on this post telling me your favourite and leave a way for me to contact you if you win.
Giveaway is open to all UK readers (sorry, but postage is expensive these days!) and will be open for one week, closing at 7pm on Friday 29th June.

Good luck!

xxx

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Okay, so I am now super-excited about the Quidco Cashback Boutique popping up on Rathbone Place, just off Oxford Circus, next Thursday. From between 9am-1pm they’ll be giving away free cash to everyone who walks in – you can get up to £100! Money for nothing – what could be better ahead of the weekend?

Posted in bags, giveaway

Permalink 88 Comments

Tee and Biscuits

21st June 2012

Launched in London in 2012, simply put, The English Tee Shop is “all about English”
Made in England using fabric manufactured in England, we fuse the English language with fashion to give you an easy-to-wear collection of luxurious printed tees that really do speak for themselves. Our hand finished prints pay homage to language and serve as a cheeky reminder of things that are sometimes overlooked in our use of English.
Offering a new take on the basic wardrobe staple, The English Tee shop is a love affair of fashion, English, simplicity, heritage and laid back luxury.
We are a supporter of British manufacturing and pride ourselves on using British suppliers for all our materials.

2012 is the year for all things British, and these Tees from brand new company English Tee Shop are perfect for the occassion.
Costing £55 each they may not be the cheapest of basics, but dammit, I think they are worth every penny…they certainly tick all my boxes (quirky, independent, 100% British)
My personal favourite is the last one “To a Tee”, how about you?

Check them out on their website  or follow them on Twitter at @EnglishTeeShop

xxx

Posted in Uncategorized

Permalink 12 Comments

cornbury

21st June 2012

Top: Topshop, Jeans: Next, Shoes: Cornbury by Yull

One of the things I love most about blogging is making friends in un-expected places and that is kind of what happened with Sarah of Yull shoes
It was many, many months ago when she first e-mailed me about her business, and since then she has stayed in touch regularly, sharing triumphs of the brand as well as being all round lovely.

I’ve been lucky enough to have sample sized feet, so a couple of times now Sarah has gifted me with sample shoes…the latest being the fabulous Cornbury pair, a real stand out court! As is standard with Yull, these are made to the highest quality and are a treat for the feet! Anyone considering investing in shoes wouldn’t go far wrong browsing her site (I lived in my Chelesea boots ALL winter and they are still going strong).

How is it Thursday? This week has sped by at the speed of light! Not going to complain, the weekend is always much appreciated now I work every week day. Has anyone got any exciting plans? For me it’ll be all about chilling out and seeing friends.

xxx

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Shhh! Just heard a whisper that Quidco, the cashback website, are hosting a pop up Cashback Boutique on Rathbone Place, off Oxford Circus, next Thursday from 9am-1pm. Amazingly, we’ve heard they’ll be giving away cash to spend in all the high street favourites. Get it in your diary and we’ll keep our ear to the ground for more information!

Posted in outfits, yull

Permalink 22 Comments