Paris Beauty Haul

While in Paris, I couldn't resist stocking up on my essential French pharmaceutical products and Sephora is one of my all time favourite stores so of course I had to pop in!! Here is what I picked up:

French pastries!!

While in Paris we ate so many yummy cakes and pastries. All I can say is that Paris is the home of delicious pastries, they're everywhere you look so I'm just going to let the pictures tell you the rest.

Le Relais Saint Honoré

Our hotel was a lovely little boutique hotel on Saint Honoré and we really enjoyed our stay there. The staff were sweet, friendly and very welcoming and made our stay really lovely.

Paris!!

It's been a while to say the least since my last post for which I apologise, but I am really back now and have lots of exciting blog post I can't wait to share.

Last week I was lucky enough to have a little city escape to Paris for a few days and I had the most amazing time. Ate rather a lot of pastries though! There were so many delicious looking cakes and pastries everywhere I looked, so I think I'll do a separate pastry post soon.

Photo diary of Riga

Turaida Castle near Sigulda

Rundale Palace

Yummy macaroons and muffins at Muffins and More

Roasted Pumpkin dinner

Jubilee cake at the British Embassy Jubilee Street Party

Traditional Latvian Accordion player at the outdoor craft festival 

These are just a few pictures of my time in Latvia so far. The weekend was lovely and sunny so it was jam packed with castle hopping, heading to the Beach at Jurmala, going to a birthday party at the Embassy, eating yummy sushi and watching Snow White and the Huntsman which was really good. There is an Opera Festival on at the moment in Riga and every night there is a different Opera. Tonight we're off to the Opera to see the Barber of Seville which I am super excited about!!

Hope you all have a lovely evening!!

Hello from Riga!

Hi! Sorry for not having posted in so, so long.....I've been going through a bit of a hard time recently and there hasn't been anything really interesting or exciting to blog about sadly, but I'm back now!

I'm having a bit of a girly break at the moment as I've come to Riga in Latvia to visit my lovely, lovely best friend. It's really lovely to see her and just hang out. Have learnt that Riga is a bit of a spa city, there are so, so many spas in which to treat yourself to a relaxing treatment and it's so much cheaper than in London so I think I will definitely pamper myself during my stay. A bit surprisingly, there are some really good sushi places in Riga, so I have been eating a lot of sushi and have possibly become addicted!!!

I've had quite a chilled out time exploring the city so far. There are lots of beautiful parks to wander through and I've been exploring the food and flower markets and the old town. Tonight we're off to see Snow White and the Huntsman which I'm really looking forward to.

Lilies!

A very lovely someone sent these to me at work the other day which was an amazing surprise. I was told I had a delivery and thinking it was a work thing I went off to collect it and this is what greeted me. The lilies hadn't opened when I got them, so I waited until they were more in bloom before I posted them on here. Aren't they gorgeous?  They were sent to cheer me as I've been feeling a little gloomy lately and it worked, every time I see them, they make me smile! Thank you, my lovely little someone....you know who you are.

Revlon Colorburst Lipbutters

There has been a lot of hype about the Revlon Colorburst Lipbutters lately. Although they look like lipsticks, I really like the fact that they are lip balms with a noticeable tint. I was recently in Boots and they are doing a 3 for 2 so I had a little bit of a spree which included two lipbutters in the shades Sweet Tart and Raspberry Pie. In the 1st picture above Raspberry Pie looks quite dark, but as you can see from the swatch, it's quite a pinky-red and I really love it! I love them both and I wear Sweet Tart most days as I really like the coral-pink, it's a really good spring shade. I had wanted to get a neutral soft pink too, but Strawberry Shortcake was sold out and the other pinks were a bit too shimmery for me, but I was still very happy to get my hands on these two.

Has anyone else tried the Revlon Lipbutters lately? What shades are your favourites?

Girl about town

As I had the afternoon off work today, I thought I would have a bit of wander around town, although it was pretty cold! I headed to Brick Lane which was fun. I did some fabric shopping as I'm planning to make a few dresses and skirts for myself...I'll let you know how that project goes. One of my favourite things about Brick Lane are all the vintage shops so it was fun to explore a few of them today. Sadly though I didn't come away with any vintage purchases today as I was a bit weighed down with fabric but I did have a lovely candlelit afternoon tea at the tea shop in the Vintage Emporium. After that I headed over to Marble Arch as I wanted to check out the new look Superdrug and I wasn't disappointed as they now stock Essie. There was an amazing display and all the nail varnishes are £7.99 yay!!!

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March favourites 2012

This month I've had quite a few go to products, which is good as I'm trying to use the products I have and not just keep buying new things.

Nars Luster blush: I really love this blush. It's quite peachy with sparkle (but not too much sparkle). I apply it quite lightly and it gives a really natural healthy glow.

Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel -  Bronze Universel: I think this has been quite talked about on You Tube and blogs for quite a while. This is one of my favourite products. I really love the texture of it and the way it feels on the skin. The somewhat rude Chanel lady at my local Boots told me that I couldn't use this for sculpting, that it was for use all over the face, but I thought that could make me a little orange so decided to ignore her and use the bronzer for sculpting. I wear it under Nars Luster and really like the natural looking finish and that healthy sunkissed look it gives. It is the most expensive bronzer I have bought at £29, but I use it every day and it looks like I've hardly made a dent, so will last ages!

Laura Mercier Black Gold Kohl Eye Pencil: I love, love this eyeliner. It is a mix of black and bronze/gold and is perfect used on the whole lid for a no fuss smoky eye. I also like the smouldering look you can achieve by using it on the lower lash line.

MAC eyeshadow in Plumage and Quarry: These are gorgeous eyeshadows and good for everyday use. I'd been looking for a good matt taupe for ages so I was really pleased with Quarry. It blends in really well with my Asian skintone, so I use it as a base. Plumage is a matt blue/green and is great for creating a smoky eye or smudged on the lower lash line.

Maybelline 24hr Color Tattoo - Permanent Taupe: This is another matt finish taupe, but in a creamy finish. I love the texture of this, it lasts all day and it's darker than Quarry so layers well over the top of it.

China glaze nail varnish - Below Deck: Hmm I think taupe tones feature a bit for me this month. I like this as it's a taupe nail varnish with quite a plummy tone, so goes well with my skin tone, much better than a flat taupe would. I'll do a colour swatch of this soon.

Clarins Beauty Flash Balm: This is quite a cult product. It's meant to tighten pores and brighten. I don't really have a problem with noticeable pores so can't really comment on that, but I do like the way it goes on and feels on my skin. It gives a really good base for my tinted moisturiser and does make my face look brighter.

Murad skin perfecting Primer dewy finish: I got this in my Valentine's Glossybox and I tried it out once and then forgot about it. However this last month I thought I would give it another go and it's amazing! It's actually a tinted primer and I can really notice a difference after using it. Even before I apply my tinted moisturiser, it gives a lovely finish, really evens out my skin tone and provides a perfect base. I really think I'll purchase the full size product for this.

What have been your favourite products in March?

My Spring Week

• Wasabi lunch • Zizzi Dinner with Family • Strawberry sorbet - yum!

• Birthday presents for my lovely best friend • Lunch at Kimchee • Afternoon Tea at Laudurée Café

• Diptyque candle - Jasmin • Revlon Lip Butters • Style Me Vintage - Naomi Thompson

This week has been filled with lots of fun things as I had a few days off work, my lovely best friend was in town, celebrated a friend's wedding and I got to enjoy the Spring sunshine ...yay!! It does look like a food heavy week but I was lucky to be taken out to dinner with my Family and I treated my best friend to a birthday lunch at Kimchee and an afternoon tea of yummy macaroons at Laudurée Café!! All in all a lovely week!

Happy Monday!

Just a quick post from me to say yay, Monday is nearly over! Like most people, I'm not keen on Mondays and today has been incredibly stressy at work, which wasn't very fun, but I did at least make it to my Zumba class even if it was a bit of a mad dash. Zumba was as funny as ever as I'm not a natural dancer but at least the class is a good workout. Afterwards I was so so hungry, so I  indulged in Blue Monday at Yo Sushi and it was quite yum, but note to self, Yo Sushi may be not the best idea on a post Zumba hunger pang as my eyes were definitely bigger than my tummy!

Maybelline 24hr Colour Stay Tattoo eyeshadow

I've heard a lot about these cream eyeshadows on blogs and You Tube recently. I really wanted the aqua blue one: Edgy Emerald as I wanted a close match to the Makeup Forever Aqua Cream in Turquoise so that I could try out the colour pop flicked eyeliner look. As the Colour Tattoos were not available in the UK up until a few days ago I tracked down this one on Ebay a few weeks ago and it arrived today...yay so exciting!!! I love the colour of it. I wouldn't describe it as an Emerald Green more as an Aqua Turquoise really, which is perfect. It stays on really well and doesn't rub off so I think it'll be ideal as an eyeliner. I really want to try out some of the other colours now such as the 'Tough as Taupe' shade. They are on sale for £4.99 in Superdrug, who are also doing a 3 for 2 offer at the moment and I think Boots will also be stocking them. I have a feeling though that these may already be sold out as they are in huge demand, but hopefully I'll be able to get my hands on a few more soon. I'll try and put up pics of the colour pop flicked eyeliner look soon.

Wishlist

I'm seriously trying to save money at the moment as I'll be going on sabbatical in a few months so my wishlist is getting longer and longer at the moment, but these lovely items are at the top of the list.

shoes Zara • Mulberry Harriet Satchel • PiP Studio tea cup – Liberty 

                                           dress Primark • Letter M pendant ASOS • Converse  –  blue light

What's on your wishlist at the moment?

Benefit's Tan About Town

I haven't been very well this week and I was feeling a little bit sorry for myself this morning as I was doing a few errands so I popped into Boots to have a bit of a browse and I found this.....Benefit's Tan About Town. It contains travel size versions of Hoola bronzer in medium, Some-kind of gorgeous foundation faker in medium and BAD gal lash mascara. I really like the BAD gal mascara and I'd been wanting to try out the other items for ages so was really pleased with this. I like that it's travel sized as it's perfect for putting in my handbag make up bag. The kit also contained a voucher for a free makeover at Benefit counters at Boots, which is exciting.  Benefit's Tan About Town only costs £9 and as I used my Boots points it was absolutely free and cheered me up no end!!!

Glossybox

So today, in very exciting news, I received my Harrods edition Glossybox!!! I've been eagerly awating this for the last few weeks and knowing that Glossybox were collaborating with Harrods, I knew I would be in for a luxurious treat. I love that my Glossybox always arrives on a Monday as once a month I actually look forward to a Monday. This is what I received:

Clarins - Extra Firming Body Cream: 'A formula rich in regenerating and firming plant extracts which immediately helps to lift and tone, for firmer and a younger looking body.' I was really happy to receive this as I love Clarins products. This comes in a 30ml size which I thought was quite decent and will give me the chance to try it out properly. It's for use all over, but think I may just try it out on targeted areas.


Burberry Beauty - Miniature Lip Cover Rosewood No.4: 'This soft satin lipstick offers intense moisture and luminous long-lasting colour for fuller lips' I was really pleased to find this in my Glossybox. It does feel quite luxurious and I'd really wanted to try out the Burberry make up range. The packaging is quite nice and they even managed to get the Burberry pattern on the lipstick! I like the colour as it suits my Asian/olive skin tone.

Ojon - Damage Reverse Instant Restorative Hair Serum: This weightless, highly concentrated serum helps restore brilliant shine and softness to dull, damaged hair. I have to confess that I have a bit of a weakness where hair products are concerned and I'm always on the look out for a hair product that'll make my hair look amazing, so I was really, really pleased to get this. I really liked the packaging and that you have a oil dropper. It says to warm one or two drops in the palms of the hand and to dry/damp hair ends. I'd been wanting to try this range for ages, so I can't wait to use this after I wash my hair in the morning!


Fendi - Fan Di Fendi eau de toilette: A luminous floral fragrance, radiant with sunlight and leaving a lasting impression of light Roman leather on the skin. Hmm well I wasn't exactly sure about the description and the leather on the skin thing. I wasn't also sure about receiving another perfume sample as I've received quite a few from Glossybox and not really been enamoured with any of them, but I was excited about it being Fendi. The sample comes in a cute mini bottle and I have to say I love, love the fragrance!! It's light and fresh which is what I look for in a fragrance, so I'm quite tempted to get it in a bigger size.


Erno Laszlo: The Hollywood Collection: 5 piece cream gift set: This set commemorates 85 years of Erno Laszlo with formulas inspired by our iconic devotees. I did love the presentation of this on the outside; a very glam black and gold  'Hollywood' envelop, but I was a little disappointed about the sachet samples. I think little jars/pots would have been better. I haven't yet tried the creams yet, but will give an update once I have.


There was also a 20% off selected beauty products discount code when shopping on Harrods.com, so not bad at all. I'm really pleased with my box overall.


Did you receive a Glossy box this month? What were your thoughts on it?

MUA Love Hearts Range

I'm so excited about the MUA Love Hearts range!! I've read a few things about them online and as soon as I saw them I knew I had to get my hands on them. The range consists of lip balms and nail varnishes, each costing just £2!! I got three different colours in the lip balms and nail varnishes. These are the first MUA products I've purchased and I'm really impressed with the quality of them. The colours are so pretty and both the lip balms and nail varnishes have a really good consistency and finish. The MUA range is exclusive to Superdrug.

I have a Sugar Lips pink lip balm and U R FAB rose pink nail varnish which I'll be giving away soon to mark the launch of my blog. More on that soon.

Equals Live - International Women's Day

On Friday I went to the Equals Live:Women of the World Event at the Southbank Centre. The event which was lead by Annie Lennox, was part of the London International Women's Day - Women of the World celebrations and featured Emeli Sande, Katy B and Jess Mills. The event was incredible and Annie Lennox was really amazing and inspiring! Emeli Sande has such a fantastic voice and her live performances just blew us away!