The Dark Side with Essence

12th November 2016
If you follow me on social media, especially over on instagram you won’t fail to have noticed that I’m going through a bit of a lipstick phase right now. I’m on a real kick of trying out new shades and going bolder and brighter than I ever have before and loving every minute of it. I’ve also been dipping my toe in to the dark side too, a real step out of my comfort zone and recently my brand of the moment- essence sent over a selection* of vampy favourites to encourage me on my journey.
I’ve made no secret of the fact I love essence mascaras more than many a more expensive brand. Their “rock ‘n doll” mascara (£2.80) promises amazing volume with an eye-opening effect and it really doesn’t disappoint. I don’t know how they manage to make such good mascara for such a bargain price but I’m not complaining…this has become a part of my regular eye makeup army.

I’m not very experienced in the world of lip liner although given my recent lipstick lovin’ I probably do need to get better acquainted. At £1.50 for a long-lasting lipliner I really don’t think you can go wrong by picking up a few from essence and I found this really easy to reply, true to it’s word it didn’t budge all day.

The 2 in 1 matte lipstick and liner was the real star of this package for me, so much darker than anything I have ever worn before (shade 05 more is more) and I was a bit apprehensive before applying it but once on I loved it! This was slightly more drying than other matte products I’ve used but it was nothing a slick of lip balm couldn’t fix and at £2.50 I’m really not going to fall out with it. A great introduction in to the world of dark colours.

Finally another shade of my hands down favourite product from essence- their gel nail polish. This is a colour called “wild and free” and is a dark grey/black with a hint of green. I’m hopeless at painting my nails but couldn’t resist a somewhat shaky manicure with this as soon as it arrived. I got a good three days (minus a top coat) out of this with zero chips and at £1.60 per bottle you just can’t beat it.

How do you feel about a more vampy makeup look for day time? I did feel a bit dressed up rocking this to a blood test appointment, but at the same time it’s winter now, time to do away with the pretty pastels and embrace the berry tones for a few months at least!

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This post contains gifted items.

Posted in beauty, brands I love, make up, nails

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How Office Yoga can Help you*

11th November 2016
Anyone who has ever worked in an office will know that you spend a lot of time sitting on your arse. A recent study has shown that office workers sitting at their desk for at least eight hours a day face a 60% increase in their risk of premature death. It’s not all doom and gloom though as making some simple changes including taking a five minute break every hour, and grabbing some exercise in your lunch break or evenings can significantly improve your chances.

With this in mind Furniture at Work have launched a campaign to encourage desk-workers to get moving using beginners yoga as a focal point. The campaign- #OfficeYoga aims to prove that it doesn’t take much time, or indeed effort to get some health benefits in to your day- using a top yoga teacher and two average office workers to highlight the importance of taking a break and how it doesn’t have to be taxing.

The campaign is backed by youtube videos showing the simple poses that can be fitted easily in to the working day as well as a great infographic both of which I’ve shared below.

Of course as well as keeping you fit reducing your risk of an early grave yoga has the additional benefit of helping you escape from the stresses of the working world and claim back some “you time” each day. Are you a yoga advocate and will we find you doing this at your desk? I’m pretty game on for instating it in my work place once I get back (I just won’t share the news with my colleagues just yet…)

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Posted in fitness, infographic, work

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Gift Inspiration: Chickidee Homeware

10th November 2016
I have a pretty good sense of humour and most of what I say to my nearest and dearest is laced with a touch of sarcasm. This would probably explain why I was so smitten with Chickidee Homeware when they got in touch offering me one of their rather fabulous mugs. After a good long browse I decided to expect my tongue in cheek approach to myself and picked myself a pretty perfect gift*.
I think mugs make a brilliant gift, I’m always grateful to receive one. I absolutely love the range on Chickidee- they have the perfect selection for all of your nearest and dearest for the very reasonable price of £6. I’m forever being told I’m a pain in the arse (and I don’t beg to differ) so I decided to indulge myself with a constant reminder.

And it’s not just gorgeous mugs that Chickidee Homeware sells, as the name would suggest there are all kinds of products that would make perfect gifts or adornments to your home. I have quite a wish list brewing for when I move out again some time next year and also rather a few ideas for the last of my Christmas shopping!

If Santa is reading my blog then I really wouldn’t say no to this candle to brighten up my days.

Which mug would you pick and for whom? Not going to lie, I really AM my favourite pain in the arse.

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Posted in brands I love, christmas, gifts, shopping, wish list

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Gift Inspiration: The Foodie One

09th November 2016
I think for most people one of the most integral parts of every festive season is the food. Even the people I know who ordinarily have little interest and view food merely as essential fuel get a little bit excited when the selection boxes hit the shelves. For those of us with serious foodies in our lives this is the perfect time of year to spoil them rotten with some luxurious and unusual treats and today I’m bringing you a selection of sweet (and savoury) little stocking filler ideas…I hope those around me are taking notes!
First up we have almost a rainbow of chocolate from Chocolate and Love* which Mae took an immediate interest in- she couldn’t even be distracted by a bag of dreamies! Chocolate and Love offers something more luxurious than your average chocolate bar, made with ethically sourced organic, high quality and fair trade ingredients. The bars come in seven different flavours which include coffee, mint, orange, sea salt and caramel as well as some varying degrees of darkness plain bars. Just how gorgeous is that packaging? You almost wouldn’t need to gift wrap these bars, just tie a stack together with some string. The mint 67% dark chocolate was my personal favourite and the coffee was a real winner with my best friend. You can pick these bars up in Sainsburys for £3.00 or look at their website for more stockists.
Next up we have a pyramid of pickles (and chutneys) from The English Provender Company* all of which would make a welcome addition to any festive buffet as much as they would make a spectacular gift nestled in to a foodie hamper. I was really excited by these as I’m a bit of a condiment queen and love loading up a festive leftovers salad or sandwich with as many kinds as I can get my hands on. The most intriguing of the selection I was sent was the Moroccan Spiced Chutney which would be simply amazing with a cous-cous and turkey based salad. The website suggests combining it with creme fraiche for a dip with a twist too, I’m so giving that a whirl! You’ll find The English Provender Company in all major supermarkets. I’m doing my best to save this selection for the festive period but I don’t know how long I’m going to last out!
I’ve been a fan of Nakd bars since they first hit supermarket shelves and the festive addition of a Christmas Pud bar has been a seasonal highlight for me for the last couple of years, despite really disliking actual Christmas Pudding. These bars are made from all natural ingredients with a festive kick and counts as one of your five a day! Stock up if you see these in store (or order yourself a case, which is my plan!). Perfect for stuffing in to stockings as an alternative to a chocolate orange too.
What are you food highlights of the festive season? I’m wondering how soon is too soon to start on the Stollen!

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Products in this post are PR samples.

Posted in christmas, food, gifts, review

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Self.Styled- the book that dares to be different

08th November 2016
I’ve been really lucky lately when it comes to books and have been sent some rather excellent ones to review. The one I am featuring on the blog today is no exception, as soon as the email about “Self.Styled” landed in my inbox I was intrigued and eagerly anticipating the arrival of a copy through my letterbox.

The book is a celebration of freedom of expression, diversity and individuality shown through personal style. Each person featured in the book was asked to select two outfits- one to represent their take on day wear and the other for night wear and this is shown by author Anthony Lycett through dual portrait photographs and well written content that makes for a thoroughly enjoyable and inspiring read. I really liked how all of the photographs have been taken against a neutral background so the individual style does all of the talking.

I didn’t want to give too much away by photographing the book, it’s one of those that you really can’t fully appreciate unless you read it yourself. I highly recommend getting hold of a copy for yourself if you enjoy fashion and expressing yourself through how you dress. It’s the culmination of a project that started back in 2008 and features people from all backgrounds and walks of life- it covers such a wide range of themes such as gender and body shape as well as personal taste and it really does have to be seen to believed.

Self.Styled will be on sale from November the 17th with an RRP of £20. Let me know if you get hold of a copy and what you think!

Posted in books, inspiration, review

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