Gingerbread Family

Merry Christmas everyone. I hope you had an enjoyable day!
This year, I got quite into the Christmas spirit and baked some delicious gingerbread men. Although Christmas has now gone, baking is definitely not seasonal and these biscuits can be made whenever!
The original gingerbread recipe is by the Sorted crew which I found whilst watching Tanya Burr's youtube channel. Don't worry if your cooking skills aren't exactly like Jamie Oliver's, the recipe is super easy and can be made by anyone!

If you have a go at making them, let me know how they turn out! 

Primark Haul | December 2012

Hello!
I recently took a quick trip to my local Primark so I thought i'd show you my purchases :)
I was specifically on the hunt for Topshop Leigh jean dupes. I've seen a few bloggers mention they were selling soft, super skinny jeans similar to those produced by Topshop but at a fraction of the price AND that they came in Tall and Short sizes!!!
As a petite girl I do struggle to find clothes that fit my height. Im not adverse to using a sewing machine and I don't mind altering clothes to fit, however, sometimes its nice to buy things off the rack that actually don't need adjustments. Anyways before I digress into a long article about the perils of being petite, back to my HAUL.

Primark black skinny jeans - £11

These jeans are equally as soft as Topshop's offering and only cost £11. As an owner of both versions I definitely think Primarks are worth the price if your not willing to spend too much on a staple pair.

I also picked up some basic shoes to wear to university. I've been looking for good chelsea boots but the ones I tend to go for are quite expensive and i'm not entirely sure if i'd wear them that much. So to try them out, I thought i'd pick up a pair of Primarks version:

Chelsea boots - £5

This pair caught my eye as I feel velvet looks great in the Winter. They're also a rich blue colour that adds a little extra to outfits; not to mention they were a steal at £5!!

Desert ankle boots - £6

The second pair I bought were these black desert ankle boots (as Primark likes to call them!). They looked like a good staple boot that can be dressed up and down!

Have you found anything nice in Primark recently?

Studs | Primark studded clutch

Studded clutch - Primark £6

Sorry I haven't posted in a while.. its been a bit hectic at uni.. but I should be more free now (:

SO, i've really been enjoying the stud craze.. from afar! ~ Mainly because I don't feel studded items mesh with my personal fashion style. Nevertheless, this clutch from Topshop really caught my eye. Accessories are a great way of keeping up with trends and much easier to blend with outfits. But as with most Topshop items, it came with a lovely price tag that I really couldn't justify spending on something I know would only be used on the odd occasion. After notching a replica Primark version cropping up in many Youtube videos, I decided to have a little look on my most recent shopping trip.

At £6 I think its well worth the price. Tucked under my arm with any outfit it'll add heaps of edge! I must admit I do prefer suede items.. like Topshop's version, because I love the rich black colour suede gives.. but for £6 I'm hardly going to cry over the fabric. And anyways at least it will fair better if a drink is split over it! I customised mine by removing the tassel and handle strap that were attached to the side, and I tucked in the zip at the top. My only fault would be that I would have loved an inner zip pocket; this clutch has only one main compartment. But again, for the price you can't have it all! 

If your looking for a studded clutch to used now and then, I definitely recommend checking out Primark's version - it also comes in a lovely nude colour as well! 

dry lips? | The Body Shop Hemp Lip Conditioner

The Body Shop Hemp Lip Conditioner £4

Winter is upon is! - Well according to my lips it is! 

They've become ever so dry and flakey and although this is a casual yearly occurrence for me.. it does tends to gets worse in the dry, cooler months. So with my Lush Chocolate Whipstick and Palmers Moisturing Lip balm failing to do a job of moisturising, I decided to look online for a better solution. 

From my online research The Body Shop's Hemp Lip Conditioner seemed to be very well received especially for dry chapped lips. But at £4 it is definitely not the cheapest lip product on the market. I do find The Body Shop can be quite overpriced for what you get, and its one of the main reasons I don't tend to shop there very often.. hardly at all to be honest! That said, I have found a few gems in there and they're constantly offering discounts codes online which are always good to look out for!

Back to the Hemp Lip Conditioner:

Is it any good?
It's packaging says "intense moisturisation for dry lips" and after using it for just over a week it certainly provides exactly that! I noticed even after the first days use my lips felt a lot smoother and softer and their overall condition had improved. I love the way it sinks into them rather than forming a thick film over the top like other lip products. An overly thick texture is what usually deters me from a lot of other lip balms and conditioners. So for me it works and is doing a great job of looking after my lips! On a side note; I also love the packaging!

So are there any bad points?

I find the smell quite odd. Its not to the point where I can't go near the product, but just different.  However its ability to moisturise my lips outweighs any smell issues I have! - the smell does go away shortly after application.. just incase your wondering. 

If your tired of buying lip products that claim to moisturise lips but instead leave them feeling dryer, then I recommend you try this. Its well worth its price and will leave your lips feeling smooth and soft.

Edit: The smell has definitely grown on me.. and I rather quite like it now! 

SALES SALES SALES

As someone with expensive taste on a student budget, i'm certainly not adverse to a bargain! But these days I feel like high street stores are constantly holding sales only to offer a poor selection of products. Instead of finding that top I'd been wanting for SO long but was too ridiculously over priced to justify buying.. it will never actually end up within the sales.. and instead I'm surround by things that never caught my eye prior to their discounted price! Anyone else ever feel like that?!

For those of you wondering why I brought this topic up its because today, on my way home from university I decided to treat myself to a quick trip to the flagship Topshop store in Oxford Circus! Although this place is an absolute nightmare; always full of people no matter what the time.. I do like to go in a rummage around their petite section. Anyways before I go off topic, as I approached I noticed the large SALE signs across the window. I must admit, I had already looked at the sale online and found nothing of interest but the internet is never the same as looking through rails and racks yourself!

Most items were available in a wide range of sizes which led me to believe the sale couldn't have started that long ago. However what was surprising was the lack of people holding precious finds. It was almost like everyone was just browsing and no one was actually picking anything up. Personally I was very unimpressed, I went round the rails numerous times in a desperate attempt to find something that was worthwhile. I genuinely felt like I shouldn't be leaving empty handed, there must be something that I had missed. But there really wasn't.

In the end I picked up a t-shirt that had been reduced to £8, but not the amazingly special piece I was longing to find!

I hope you had more luck than me! 

Autumn Bronzed? | Famous Shining Star Shimmer Brick

Darkest shade (L), Lightest shade (Middle), All shades mixed (R)

Hello!

So let me start off by telling you that i've owned this bronzer before back when it was called Famous.. by Sue Moxley and it was packaged differently. But unfortunately an incident on a night out meant it sadly had to be thrown away, and in my attempt to replace it my local superdrug never seemed to restock any of the 'Famous' range. You can imagine my delight, when on a recent shopping trip I finally found the range had been revamped and there was my bronzer only housed in a different packaging!!

There are 4 shimmer bricks in the range, all named after different celebrities; Rihanna, Beyonce, Lady Gaga and Mariah. I purchased the shade Lady shimmer as it was the one I owned before, but they are all equally beautiful.

This bronzer is comparable to the Bobbi Brown shimmer brick, which although I do not own, I have read countless reviews on their similarities. The major difference however is the price.. it retails at £6.49 for 7.5g of product, a lot cheaper than the Bobbi's offering! 

So.. is it any good?

It's a shimmer brick.. so there is obviously some shimmer, but not in a glittery-disco-ball way.. more a shimmery sheen. If, like me, your bronzer preference is usually anything matte, then I highly recommend you give this a try. I've found a little bit of shimmer can really add dimension to the face and give you a healthy glow!

The colours are highly pigmented, and can be swirled together or used seperately as a highlight and bronzer. I've even used it as an eyeshadow as they're very beautiful brown and pink shades! 

And the bad?

Some might think this packaging is a step up from the old one with the leopard effect on the front and the shocking pink around the edges, but its not for me. The old packing was a lot thinner and although this provides a large mirror I just don't love it!

This really is a great value bronzer for the price! 

September WISHlist

blouse - jacquard trousers - flannel shirt - sequin clutch - basic tee - push eyeliner brush - riding boots - surf spray - fox crew

Hi
I just thought i'd share a few pieces i'm loving at the moment..

xo

A day at the Olympic Park!

When the Olympics started I can sadly admit I was one of those secretly wishing to go on holiday and avoid the "mass" of people and overly crowded tubes. But, I have to admit, watching the Olympics on TV really got me into the spirit and equally made me want to experience the atmosphere for myself.
Fortunatley, I managed to get hold of some last minute Paralympic tickets to see the athletics.. and what an experience it was. Heading to Stratford, the atmosphere along the way was literally electric. I go to university in the heart of London, so I am used to the normal busy atmosphere.. but suddenly London felt like a completely new city. Everyone was so happy and the volunteering staff were constantly cheering getting everyones spirits up!

And what about the actual sports?
I cannot commend the Paralympic athletes enough for what they do. They are a real inspiration to us all and it was thoroughly enjoyable to watch them.

Overall, it was one very fun day. I know I'll look back on it and say "London 2012 - ye I was there"!! 

Fix me? | MAC Fix+

MAC Fix+ £13.50

I've been umming and ahhing over MAC Fix+ for nearly 2 years (yes, I kid you not!). I guess this was mainly because I hadn't read the best reviews on its ability to "set" make up.. so I wasn't sure if i'd have a use for it.. not to mention i've been quite content using hairspray for that job instead! 

So.. What made me bite the bullet? 

Well, more recently i've read how its able to remove powdery finishes and leave a dewy glow. SOLD. I hate when you put blusher/ bronzer/ mineral foundation on and it looks powdery and un-natural. I then end up struggling to remove half of it to make it look "real", by which time I begin to loose patience!! With Fix+ you spritz a light mist over your powdered make up and you should be left with a wonderfully natural look. Well thats how i'm hoping to use it! I had wanted to purchase the smaller bottle as a trial, but the MAC I went to was out so I ended up getting the 100 mL.. and at £13.50 it is quite pricey. 

I'll let you know how I get along.. Fingers crossed its worth it!!

What uses do you have for MAC Fix+?

Oh bobbi! | Bobbi Brown EXTRA repair foundation

Bobbi Brown EXTRA Repair Foundation SPF 25 £36

Whilst everyone seems to huddle around the MAC counter in Selfridges, you can find me with Bobbi! Having completely finished my BB Luminous moisturizing foundation - and I mean holding it upside down waiting for the last drop to come out - I decided it was time for something new! Don't get me wrong, that foundation was awesome, but I have this inability to buy the same thing twice!

This leads me to my BB EXTRA repair foundation SPF 25 purchase. After carrying out extensive research I settled on this; mainly because my skin is always a little dry so I liked its moisturising qualities.

Opinions please..

I've used it for just over a month and I can safely say its my current favourite foundation. It has a very rich formula which sinks into my dry, sensitive skin with ease. I might add that its not recommended for those of you with oily skin and I can see why - its only going to create a more greasy look! But if you skin is like mine, it leaves a beautifully natural glow. It provides light to medium coverage which is buildable and I find a little goes a long way; I tend to use a pea size amount with my fingers.

Any bad points?

Probably the only thing I would complain about is the smell. Its not as bad as my BB luminous moisturizing foundation which I'm smelling as I write and its AWFUL (maybe thats why I didn't repurchase). However, it definitely does have a scent.. almost like a herb - but I'm ok with that!

Have you tried the foundation? What did you think?

Beautiful? | Kurt Geiger Spence boots

KG Spence boots  £59

Since we have the most unpredictable weather in London (one minute your hot, the next your cold - I seem to always be cold), I decided why not fuel my shoe obsession with some new boots! As I've have "petite feet" its quite hard to find anything that looks nice and actually fits without having to buy insoles and the rest of that rubbish.
Anyways, my most recent purchase are these brown suede beauties which I got on sale from Kurt Geiger. Although their non-sale section seems to be ridiculously over priced, sometimes you can find complete bargains in their sales; these were reduced by more than half price! I love the feel and colour of the suede.. its that camel colour that'll go with anything, and with their slight western feel I think they'll be perfect for this autumn. 

I can't wait for the weather to turn bad so I can wear them haha! 

empty carton.

Hello to anyone who has stumble upon this blog!

After much deliberation, I finally plucked the courage to start my own blog. I guess after spending many hours poring over other wonderful blogs (and there certainly are a lot), I decided why not?

So here it is, my own empty carton that I hope to fill with beauty, lifestyle, humour and the odd bit of controversy!

I hope my posts inspire you and please feel free to leave me comments :)