Forevermissvanity

Eye-lash Revamp: LashFibres

2013-05-17T11:01:00.001-07:00

For aslong as I can remember, my eyelashes have caused me many confidence issues. Makeup artists that have worked with me say I have wonderfully long eyelashes, but if that's the case, why do they never stand out as much I would like? I've tried curling them and purchasing many different masacras, but I came to the conclusion that all hope had gone. I felt like I was doomed to have fine none existent eyelashes all my life or surrender to a life of daily fakery - something that isn't really my 'cuppa tea'. Don't get my wrong, when I discovered fake eyelashes for the first time I thought they were a god send and I wore them as much as I could, but to do this on a daily basis would take too much time and effort. I'm a get up and go type of girl and I like simplicity. If I applied fake eyelashes everyday, I can guarantee that I'll be running for the bus and one would be stuck in my hair whilst the other would have fallen off and yes girls, I have experienced days like that before.

I was recently approached by the PR company that handles Lash fibres and asked if I wanted to do a review. Upon first hearing about the product, I laughed skeptically and told myself that it probably wouldn't make much of a difference. I've grown too accustomed to lash products letting me down over and over again and with the product having a rather low price tag I thought it would have no chance. Despite all my concerns, I thought I might as well give it ago and I can happily say I take back all my snide giggles and all my hesitancy against the product. Lash Fibres has worked really well and made such a difference to my daily makeup regime. For on the go bigger lashes, this is perfect. Gone are the hours spent wasted aligning fake eyelashes, here's a product that makes a difference instantly with no glue in sight.

LashFibres in an instant eyelash brush containing mini fibres that cling onto your mascara. This gives you luscious lash volume within seconds and takes only three steps. Perfect for those lusting over longer eyelashes, but lack the time to apply fakes.

Step one

Apply your own mascara. I've gone for my usual B Longer lengthening mascara - it's one of my favourites from Superdrug and it works really well with my short lashes.

Step 2

Apply the LashFibres over your mascara using a downwards method (the opposite to how you would normally apply your eye mascara) and then wait 30 seconds.

Step 3

Apply your second coat of mascara and voila - it's done.

As you can tell my eyelashes look more pronounced and my eyes look wider. This is probably one of the first times that my eyelashes have really stood out on camera without wearing falsies. I'm really happy that I've found a product that I can wear on a daily basis that doesn't take much effort and erases my lack of confidence when it comes to eyelashes. The product retails at £9.95 from Superdrug - at that price I think i'll be hauling these next time I go shopping.

I've finished my LashFibres look with a bright lipstick and cat-flick eyeliner, it's my signature makeup look and the one I'll be applying the most whilst using this product. I've used my Collection 2000 felt tip eyeliner and my MAC Archie Girl lipstick that I keep falling in love with over and over again. So finally...

Optional Step 4:

Do a cheesy, wacky, slightly disturbing grin on camera. Yep, that's what I do when I'm happy. I pull rather weird faces then my partner comes across them on my camera and gives me a what the hell face. Plus, you get to see how your new eyelashes look from all different angles...or take lots of 'selfies' for Facebook...go on, you know you want to.

Have you tried LashFibres?

http://www.lashfibres.com/

Fitness Challenge: Gym Music

2013-05-15T11:34:00.000-07:00

If you have recently read my Twitter feed, (@jessycalouise) many of you will know I have recently embarked on a tone up mission for my holiday to Ibiza. As you can see from my pictures, my stomach is a little bit flabby and I unfortunately have stretch marks from when I lost six stone two years ago. I'm determined to get a little bit more in shape to make myself happy at last in a bikini and I finally feel after all those years its within arms reach. All this working out inspired me to write a post about gym music. You can usually spot me at the gym shaking my hips as I'm on the cross trainer and lip syncing my favourite songs to get motivated. I find that certain music makes me work harder. It can be the simple fact that I relate to the song, I want to be like someone in that music video or the rhythm. So here's my recommendations for every new and old gym bunny out there.

Heavy songs

No-one can ever take away the rock chic side of my personality, it seems evident in most things that I do. My wardrobe is full of fake leather items and I wish I could turn back time and suddenly appear in the 80s. Rock music isn't usually listened to in the gym, but it's got a great heavy beat and can often make you feel really sexy.

Indie/ Pop Rock

I find indie rock music to be great for interval training, where you need to run at different speeds to get your heart pumping. When I listen to bands like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, I imagine running on the beach in California rather than on a treadmill, it's great for escapism.

Pop and Dance Music

Pop and dance music is very popular in the gym, because it evokes a feel good mood. There's always some type of dance music added to my gym playlist as you can never go wrong with it.

What's your favourite music?

Macadamia Control Hairspray

2013-05-13T13:45:00.001-07:00

With the wind and rain being a predominant force at the moment, we're all grabbing our hairspray cans and praying that our hair will hold out for the day. I'm really picky when it comes to hair products due to having an overly sensitive scalp and heat damaged hair. I hate it when you buy hairspray that is literally like glue and you spend hours with a comb the next day, whilst tugging half of your hair out. I gave up on hairspray for quite a long time, until discovering the Got2B range a few months ago. Their hairspray worked rather well with my hair, but I still felt it took the shine away and left my hair looking slightly lifeless. It was when I ran out of my Got2B hairspray that I turned to one of my favourite haircare brands for help and I was guided in the direction of their new control hairspray.

The Macadamia control spray is one of Macadamia Oil's newest products and they state that the spray will give you a long lasting hold which brushes out easily. The spray is also humidity resistant, enhances your hair's natural shine and gives you UV protection. The Macadamia control spray has to be one of my favourite hairsprays I've used to date. It works well as an everyday hairspray and it doesn't cause the build up that most products do. I love the scent, the sophisticated bottle design and most of all that the product contains soy proteins that helps encourage healthy looking hair. If I still worked in the hair salon, this is a product that I would recommend to my friends, family and my old clients.

The product costs £17.95 and you don't need to use that much at a time, making it very cost efficient. I would always pay that little bit more for hair products as I believe great looking hair is the most important part of a persons outfit. My friends that have accidentally sniffed my hair whilst on a night out have been asking what product I've used and my mother has been sneaking the bottle into her bedroom when I'm away. The Macadamia Oil Control spray is clearly a big hit, like all the Macadamia Oil range. If you was to invest in any hairspray, from a professional hairdressing opinion and a beauty blogger, I'd say MC's Control spray is the way to go.

What's your favourite hairspray?

www.macadamiahair.co.uk

Summer Nails

2013-05-09T10:50:00.003-07:00

With the sun being brighter than it has been all year, I'm getting ever so slightly obsessed with bright, cheerful nail polishes. Whether its bright orange, pink or even neon, there's nothing like a bold coloured nail polish to brighten your mood. Here are some of my current favourites.

Beauty UK - Posh Polish (No 15 Funky Diva) and Glam Nails ( Dolly Mixture No 70)

Unfortunately my nails aren't in the best of condition and as you scroll through all these pictures, you will notice looks of nails that look bitten. This isn't the case - I've never bitten my nails, I just unfortunately suffer from very brittle nails due to my deficiencies. I've tried nail strengtheners, different types of nail applications, but none of them really work and I don't want to wreck them either more with falsies. Just admire all the colours I have to show you, because seriously, the pictures don't do them justice.

Polish Polish

I love these colours because they stand out from the crowd and oranges, pinks and reds are my favourite choice of nail colour. They seem to effortlessly compliment my skin tone and look great with most outfits. I've found that the Beauty UK nail polishes have a long durability, which is great for those who suffer from frequent accidental nail polish chipping. The posh polish in particular is fast drying and applies really well, this is very similar to the glam nails, but I think the posh polish has the winning factor for me.

Glam Nails

Beauty UK Cancer Research Paint for Life set.

With the Beauty UK Cancer Research 'Paint for Life' set, you're able to carry on your nail polish collecting without a guilty conscience. £1 from every sale of these polishes goes to helping Cancer Research - we love shopping, especially when it's for a good cause.

The colours evoke a sense of girl power, feminine pride and symbolise the Cancer Research logo. This set makes me think of ice lollies and cocktails - a weird combination, but I've always been peculiar anyway.

http://www.beautyukcosmetics.com/

Finally if you're looking for something different, why not try out this new Nail Art collection? Nail Art's polish collection is bursting with bright, fun summer colours all from the small price of £3.00. I love bargain nail polish, especially when they come in such fabulous colours like these. The PR company kindly sent me some of the new Nail Art tattoos to try and they are incredibly cute and an easy way to revamp those dull nails. The Nail tattoos are £5.99 and there's 60 mini stickers for you to play around with.

I loved playing around with all these stickers and colours. The colours remind me of Candy floss and something that Katy Perry would probably like.

As for the stickers, I'm in love with all the little bows and hearts. They stick on easily and take quite a lot of scrubbing to get them off, which means if you keep your nails in good condition, they could last awhile. My favourite has to be the little anchors, but I'm saving them for my sailing holiday in a few weeks.

http://skinartuk.com/

So there you have it. You've seen all my new polishes that have been added to my ever-growing collection. Is it normal to have nearly 100 nail polishes? I don't know, but I can guarantee i'll end up buying some more in the near future.

What's your favourite nail polish?

bank holiday at blackpool

2013-05-07T11:42:00.000-07:00

Blackpool is usually regarded as the most cheesy, tacky, alcohol ridden city in the UK, but so many Brits still enjoy a day out on the west coast during a bank holiday weekend. This Monday was no exception. Me, my partner and my parents went to the costal city of Blackpool for the day to frolic on the beach, play in the amusements and visit the Sea Life centre. When we arrived, we were greeted by manic drivers trying to find a parking place, a disrespectful woman who thought it was appropriate to casually swear at us and a mismatch of crazy folk unsure of which direction to walk in. Sounds like a bad day? Nope, we had an amazing time - it's just a shame about hour we spent trying to to park.

The sun was gleaming and I was walking around in a crop top and mini skirt. It has been the first time in my entire life that I have worn a top that shows off my belly and the weather was perfect for it. Unfortunately I didn't think to wear suntan lotion on the hotest day in the year so far, what a big mistake.

To hide from the sun, me and my fiance decided to visit Blackpool Sea Life centre. I'm a complete fish fanatic and I love everything to do with the sea. There was so much variety at the Sea Life centre and I loved being able to walk through the tunnel of sharks, see the glowing jelly fish and most importantly their turtle exhibition. I found the Sea Life centre a wonderful distraction from the sun and all that water around us definitely gave a cooling effect.

Our journey ended with a walk along the pier and a bite to eat in a nearby bar. We saw no alcoholics or maniacs in Blackpool, just people soaking up the sun with a smile on their faces. Everyone seemed happy and we all had a pleasant, fun day out. It makes a change to escape the small suburban village where I live and encounter the bustling life of a costal town. When I said I was going to Blackpool, most people raised their eyebrows and said 'that's not really my cuppa tea'. Well I think people should start looking at the bigger picture, because during the day, Blackpool can be lots of fun.

Girl in the Glitter Coat

2013-05-03T08:44:00.001-07:00

It's a fact, everyone needs a little bit of sparkles in their life. Glitter and sparkles are an instant confidence booster, they make you feel glamorous and they shimmer wonderfully in the sunlight. Glitter coats have shot into fashion ever since Millie Macintosh wore hers on Made in Chelsea and it now seems every shop on the high-street is loving the trend. This jacket is from Krisp.co.uk and costs around £30 to buy - good price for some MIC inspired style.

I've recently been wearing it a lot, because it looks great in warm weather and it's very light to carry. The compliments came flooding in when I wore this jacket out for the first time and I think i'll be definitely wearing it out tomorrow night when I go for a meal with my partner.

Maxi Dress £14.99, Earrings £4.99 and shoes £24.99 from www.krisp.co.uk

Krisp Clothing are a relatively new brand with lots of exciting stock at prices we all like. There's so much I would love from this website and the above image is the outfit I'm dying to get my hands on for my summer holiday to Ibiza.

www.krisp.co.uk

What holiday items are you lusting over?

A day in the sunshine

2013-05-02T10:51:00.000-07:00

Last week the weather was cold and the rain was in heavy force, but this week, there has been such a drastic change. It finally feels like we're entering British Summer Time and for me, it's an opportunity to grab those beautiful summer dresses, chic wedged heels and drink plenty of cocktails. There's nothing like summer fun and having the freedom to venture out of the house without a coat on. My confidence feels at it's peak when it's sunny, because I can show off the figure I've worked damn well hard for the last few years, instead of adding layers to keep myself warm, which inevitably make me look chubby.

This burgundy skater dress from Brave Soul is one of my favourite daywear outfits. It's elegant, yet funky and looks really feminine. Being a little bit of a 'rock chic', I love the fact that it has studded shoulder pads. It's great to wear to my local rock bar or for cocktails with the girls somewhere a little more high class.

Bravesoul.co.uk has many great outfits available at such a low price range. This dress was only £25.00, which is great for any budget and there's plenty more dresses where this came from.

www.bravesoul.co.uk

What would you buy?

Time to refresh

2013-05-01T09:49:00.000-07:00

Exams are finally over and it's time for me to give time and effort back to my body. When you're under pressure, your body feels it too - from spots, bags under the eyes due to sleep deprivation to weight gain, weight loss and the general feeling of lethargy. My face has been worse hit. I've come out with spots which I've never really had before and my eyes look like they have been punched black. I'm hoping the hours I've put into my work will eventually pay off and now it's time to do the same for my body. The first thing I've been doing to get my body back in shape is going to the gym quite frequently as I've gained 5lbs...this isn't much to most people, but it's making me feel uncomfortable. I'm guessing this is most likely due to comfort eating my way through politics revision. I've been feeling so much better after swimming each day and getting my body into the rhythm of exercise. I love the feeling of endorphines and being energised when I get home.

On a morning to help my skin, I've been doing lately is using this Vitamin serum to inject some life back into my face. The Dermaviduals DMS Vitamin Serum is full of vitamin's A, C, E and D, which help promote healthy skin. I've found the product rather light, refreshing and very easy to use. Many of my dry skin patches are vanishing away, but I think I will need to use this product a little bit longer than I have been doing to see better results.

Finally, I've been using a nude nail polish to make me look healthy and preened. I love this ZOYA nail polish in shade Bela. The colour makes my nails look naturally groomed and it goes with many of my outfits. I find that the nail polish applies really easily and dries easily too, making this a perfect mini investment. The nail polish is £10.50 to buy, which I think is a pretty good value for this brand. I already prefer this product to my Nail Inc polish in the same colour, even though Nail Inc are one of my favourite brands.

http://www.biggreensmile.com/

What steps do you take to feel naturally beautiful?

Gimme a Smooch!

2013-04-29T00:50:00.001-07:00

The weather is ever so slightly picking up and i'm seeing myself grabbing more exotic coloured lipsticks. Orange and apricot shades are my favourite at the moment, because they are subtly bright and not too over the top. This Smooch lipstick in shade Inferno is my latest obsession and I like it that much, that I've bought two of them.

The first thing I need to comment on is the cute packaging. It has a vintage vibe and I love the adorable chantilly lace design. The casing has a soft, easy grip texture, which makes the lipstick easy to apply. It doesn't slip out of your hands and it helps create a surdy application. The packaging feels rather expensive for the £7.50 price tag, which makes this lipstick a great bargain.

I love the colour of the lipstick as it compliments my skin tone and hair colour, however I admit it's a colour that not everyone could probably pull off. I think the product is definitely more suited to darker hair colours as it makes the lipstick look dramatic, but yet toned down.

As I've mentioned before, I love this lipstick and adding fact that I've already bought another when I haven't even finished the first one, I can definitely see this as a product that I will be wearing for quite sometime.

http://www.smoochcosmeticsuk.com/

Have you tried any Smooch Cosmetics before?

Confessions of a Shopaholic

2013-04-27T13:35:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago it was my 22nd birthday and I never really got round to announcing it or showing my brand new treats. It was very difficult time due to the loss of a family member, but I dealt with it the best way I know how...shopping. I'm an impulsive shopper and always have been. My shopping habits are generally triggered by emotion and I'm ready to argue with anyone my belief that shopping is a real addiction. Do you ever get anxious if you haven't shopped in a long time? Have an overwhelming desire to have something new in your life on a regular basis? If you're answering yes, you're very much like me. I just can't help it, I love to shop. When I buy something I feel happy, until six months later when I have literally no wardrobe space from impulsive buys and my bedroom is literally cramped. The time I generally spend shopping is when I'm stressed. I love to stroll around and distance myself from life and pretend that I live in a different universe where money is limitless and the sky is literally the limit. Okay...maybe I have a problem.

I never really do the whole 'haul thing', because I don't like to brag about what I've bought a lot of the time. I'm one of those people who sees someone showing off their brand new Mulberry Alexa and then sulks for days because I can't really afford one. Marriage and university life comes first, Louis Vuitton, YSL and Mulberry will come when I've made all my younger sacrifices. I want to be able to get my first full time job and properly be proud of my new handbag - when it comes to expensive things, I like to feel like I've earned it.

One expensive item that I feel like I've really deserved lately is my sparkly new Macbook Pro. My last laptop was literally falling apart. I used an old mouse from a windows 98 computer to work it, my laptop switched off every time it came unplugged because the battery stopped working and it weighed far too much carry around on a regular basis. I was kindly given a bursary by my university and decided to treat myself to my new Macbook when I went to London. When I returned home, I quickly ordered this barbie pink case from Ebay to protect it from scratches. I get so many looks due to this case whilst I'm at university. I really think people assume I'm like Elle from Legally Blonde without the blonde hair.

My next purchase was this gorgeous yellow Zara dress. I love colour in my wardrobe, because it makes me feel so confident. This dress compliments my brunette hair and looks great for springtime. It can easily be dressed up for a night out or dressed down for a girly day out shopping. I try to make my wardrobe as timeless as possible to save money and I think this is a great investment.

These shoes were brought from River Island a few weeks ago. I had an urge to buy wedges as soon as the sun came out and I love this nautical, french design. I think they're so cute and they're amazingly comfy. At £25 (with student discount) I'm glad I snapped them up.

From shoes to dresses. I seriously cannot go in New Look lately without browsing endlessly at their amazing line of floral dresses. These two beauties are my recent purchases my New Look and I'm really impressed with the quality for such a low price. I love buying all my basics and staple daywear from New Look, I feel like I can never go wrong.

To complete all my outfits, I surrendered to buying this adorable Marc B bag. I love the Marc B range as they're always affordable, reliable and very sturdy handbags. It has got to the point where my mother has stolen my other Marc B bags as she agrees with me - you just can't beat them for durability.

Finally, my last big recent purchase is a well deserved week trip to Ibiza. I haven't been abroad since I was 13 - nearly 10 years. My parents bought me a passport for my birthday and I couldn't wait to book a holiday. Me and my partner are going to Ibiza for a week in July and I'm mega excited. It's going to be my first ever adult holiday and even better, I get to go with my handsome fiance. Life is feeling quite a bit better now.

I think my next treat will be these beautiful Prada sunglasses so I can enjoy the weather properly.

http://www.smartbuyglasses.co.uk/designer-eyeglasses/Prada/Prada-PR09PV-1AB1O1-162683.html

Have you bought anything nice recently?

irresistible skin treats

2013-04-23T16:19:00.002-07:00

Don't worry - I have had my eyebrows waxed since this photo *hides in shame*

Today has been rather pleasant and for the first time, I'm feeling almost my normal self. It's been a very difficult few weeks with exams and the added distress of losing a very close family member, but the sun has been shining, my work is close to completion and today has been full of productivity and positivity. With all this happiness in mind, I thought I'd share with you a few of my latest treats that have made a positive impact in my life. Sometimes when you buy a new product, you don't realise that it will be the one - like realising a first date is going really well and you know you want to see him or her again. Most of these products are now items I couldn't bare to be without. From body scrubs to face masks, these little beauties have been injecting that little bit of happiness back into my life and making my daily grooming regime, a hell of a lot easier.

Sanctuary Spa Hot Body Scrub

Sanctuary Spa products are often hit or miss when it comes to my skin type. I've tried some skin care items that have dried out my skin, but others have made my skin radiant. The Hot Body Scrub is definitely my favourite Sanctuary Spa product to date and something I really can't see myself living without. For a start, the tub is massive. You can tell you're going to get your money's worth from this product and I've been using the scrub for several weeks now and it still looks almost untouched. When you first apply this product, it feels really weird, but wonderful at the same time. When the sugar touches your body it feels like you're burning, but it soon settles down and your left with silky smooth skin. The after-scent of this product reminds me of sweeties and the seaside and I love everything about this product. I've admitted many of times that skin care isn't something I easily get gripped on, but I can see myself repurchasing this body scrub over and over again.

Rose and Lemon Lip Balm

Doctors often say that a high percentage of pre-menopausal women will get anemia at some point in their lifetime and I've been one of them. This has been going on for several months now and whilst my iron tablets have been helping me beat the exhaustion, the dry skin and lips are still in dominant force. Due to this onset of illness and the amalgamation of exam stress, one of the items I've been purchasing a lot lately is lip balm. I've always been a fan of natural lip balms as I can't stand ones that leave your lips overly glossed or having an unfamiliar chemical scent. The packaging on this product is very vintage inspired and something that I'm instantly drawn to when selecting my makeup. I like products that look elegant, even if they're only to moisten my lips. The Eve of St.Agnes lip balm has a heavenly scent of lemon and rose, infused by a mixture of oils and beeswax. I find that the lemon vastly overpowers the rose scents in this product, but I love how it reminds me of lemon sherbet. I've always loved anything infused with lemons or limes, so this product is perfect for me. The lip balm settles nicely once applied and feels soft, not sticky and I'm really impressed with the overall result.

http://www.eveofstagnes.com/

Completely my skin treats list are these two beautiful products from Ayurveda Pura. The brand belongs to an holistic spa in London and the company believe in products that help stimulate skin health and improve personal well being. I was kindly sent both these samples to review and I've thoroughly enjoyed using them. My favourite has to be the clay mask, which is a lot less messier than other masks I've used in the past and smells surprisingly nice. My skin felt fresh and revived after using the product and it worked better than I originally anticipated. The exfoliating cream is great for those who would like a lighter skin care product. I really enjoyed the soft texture of this cream and the fact that it soaks into your skin without vigorous scrubbing. Would I repurchase any of these two products? Definitely.

http://www.ayurvedapura.com/

Have you tried any of these products before?

Positive in Purple

2013-04-10T06:48:00.001-07:00

This last week has been very difficult to say the least, but I finally feel that I'm climbing the ladder of positivity and looking towards the bright side of life. This is clearly demonstrated in my clothing colour selection. I have recently been sent this beautiful dress to show you by Bon Prix and I feel the colour is quite appropriate to how I'm feeling at the moment - pretty peaceful, mellow and trying to get on with my life.

The dress is such a wonderful, flirty colour and evokes a sense of retro chic office wear. The material is comfortable and allows adequate breathing space - perfect for someone leading a very hectic lifestyle like myself. The only issue I have with this dress is that it's slightly loose around my stomach and makes me look a tiny bit podgy - this isn't any fault of the manufacturer, it's simply mine for having an awkward body shape.

The length of the dress is just below the knee line and fits perfectly on my 5ft4 frame. This is quite an achievement as most dresses are either too long or a bit too short...thumbs up for Bon Prix.

Bold colours are bang on trend at the moment and sometimes it really does give you a confidence boost wearing an item with personality.

This dress is £29.99 and I think it would be a great little investment for anyones wardrobe. It's certainly cheered me up.

http://www.bonprix.co.uk/

In Loving Memory

2013-04-08T11:31:00.000-07:00

As soon as you begin to think life is going your way, happiness is just around the corner and that the future seems so bright, it's inevitable that something will most likely go wrong. I had been offered a weeks work experience at a top PR company, I was celebrating the fact that I only have two exams left in my second year of university and I was looking forward to my birthday in London.

Last Sunday evening I had a phone call that shocked my entire system, my beloved auntie, the woman that I happily called my second mother, had suffered and stroke and was admitted to hospital. The last week has seemed like a blur - visiting the intensive care unit, watching her slowly slipping away. On Friday, the day before my birthday we sadly lost her. The woman I highly regarded throughout my life, my entire support system had vanished - apart of me died with her.

I decided to write this post in honour of this remarkable woman and to express how I genuinely feel right now, in the way I do this best - through writing. Many people suffer from heartbreak and loss all the time and I hope sharing my feelings through this difficult time, will show others that they are not alone. Turning a negative into a positive in these situations is always difficult, but most of the time, it's what the person we have lost, will want us to do.

My auntie Janet was a woman that when you met her, it was guaranteed that you wouldn't forget her easily. She was charismatic, loving and cared about everyone. Her time was dedicated to helping the needs of others way before helping herself. She volunteered for the charity Scope, spent much of time sharing pictures from the West Yorkshire Dog Rescue in hope that people would take an interest and she was above all, a very generous friend to the hundreds that knew her.

Me and my Auntie Janet had a very close relationship. Many people would often comment on how alike we are and she understood me more than anyone my life. Having suffered from depression herself, when I was diagnosed with depression awhile ago, she would devote as much time as possible to cheering me up and trying to make me see the positive sides of life. She always used to tell me: "No matter what happens, you always have me and I love you."

Unfortunately I don't have her in person anymore, but I know she will be there in spirit. If there's anything I've ever learnt from this wonderful woman, it's to make the most of my life and that I should begin to truly love myself. She was ever so proud of me and maybe it's time to reflect on how far I have become as a person - something which I have my auntie to thank so much for. I loved her in a way that I could never love again. She was my best friend, my support system, my comedian and above all, the closest family member I've ever had.

Janet will be missed by so many people and this blog post is my own personal memorial to the person that will remain my inspiration in life until the day I can meet her again.

Is Cool Britannia back for good?

2013-04-05T12:45:00.000-07:00

In Britain, we like to think of ourselves as a reliable, traditional and rather unfashionable nation.

However in reality Britain, and London in particular, has often been a world capital of fashion, design and music. And with a new wave of designers, labels and bands emerging, is Cool Britannia back for good?

The 1960s

During the 1960s, Britain was the one and only place to see and be seen. Huge bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Who had taken the world by storm and pushed Britain to the forefront of the international music scene.

In the world of fashion, British models such as Twiggy and Jean Shrimpton were modelling clothes by British designers, and London was packed full of hipsters and celebrities, with Carnaby Street at the beating heart of the swinging sixties.

The 1990s

Following the recession, unemployment and unrest, Thatcher’s Britain took quite a beating in the ‘cool’ stakes.

However, during the 90s British music started becoming exciting again. Brit pop was once more drawing attention on the world stage, and by 1997 when a young Tony Blair came to power, many people believe that Britain could be cool again.

With the resurrection of British music, fashion soon followed suit, with labels like Lipsy reigniting interest in home grown styles.

Today

With the internet turning national trends international overnight, working out where the capital of cool resides can be much more difficult.

However, London fashion week is an increasingly important indicator of world trends and you only have to take a look down any high street to see that most of the general public has embraced style more than ever before.

The British music scene is as strong as ever, with our vibrant festival culture helping to break new bands and support their growth. And you only have to glance at Hollywood to see how British actors are conquering America.

When it comes to ‘cool’, Britain has still got a thing or two up its sleeve to show the world, so let’s hope Cool Britannia is here to stay.

Little Red Easter Dress

2013-03-29T13:14:00.000-07:00

I've had such a lazy Easter Friday, but it still hasn't stopped me from dressing up in my new favourite dress and coat. Today I thought I'd show you my wonderful little red dress from http://www.be-boutique.co.uk/ If you have been a long term follower of my blog, you will know that I have a passion for retro inspired clothing and this dress reminds me of something out of the 1950s era.

This Little Mistress dress has a wonderful floaty skirt, beautiful puffy sleeves and is fabulous for someone with an hourglass figure like myself. The only negative aspect about this dress is the sizing. It says size 8 on the label, but it is rather stretchy and a little bit too big on me. However, this can be sorted with a wide waist belt.

The £20 price tag for this dress is very worthwhile and great for a small price vintage inspired investment. I can't wait for the summer to wear my wide brimmed hat and this little red frock.

http://www.be-boutique.co.uk/

What do you think of the dress?

Hair care Splurge

2013-03-26T13:54:00.000-07:00

The Au Natural Look - Still looking a bit poorly hence the blemishes, but on the mend!

The area where I live has been heavily hit by snowfall - the traffic is barely moving, people are looking far from glamorous with snow boots and hoodies and I'm feeling very uninspired in the hair department. Recently I've been tying my hair into a ponytail, grabbing my nearest jumper, which at the moment seems to be my pole dancing hoodie and running the bus stop as quick as I can to avoid the flourishes. This morning I woke up in utter despair as my locks looked dry, my roots were halfway down my head and the realisation that I had let myself go started to kick in. Yes, I've unfortunately been ill lately and the weather has not been the best, but I must try to make an effort, after all it's this face that my partner wakes up to every morning, I should be rolling around in silk pyjamas with my hair perfectly coiffed.

All these sudden thoughts made me jump out of bed, embrace the snow and run to the nearest Boots. After my mini spree, I returned with a handful of goodies which I'm very eager to try.

The first product is the Got2B - 2 Sexy mousse. I love the bright pink container as it blends with my bedroom and looks very girly. I've been a fan of Got2B products since I tried their hairspray last year and I'm seriously hooked on it.

The next product I purchased was the Wild Ombres kit from L'oreal Paris. I'm finding my hair really bland at the moment and would really like to spice things up a little. I'm hoping that this kit will be easy to use and give my locks a new lease of life. Look out for the review in the next week or so.

Finally, the last item I bought was the Flat Iron Protection Shine Mist from the Lee Stafford range. I used this earlier when I got out of the bath and straightened my hair. The product smells quite refreshing and my hair is now glimmering with shine. Although I've only used it once, I have really noticed the difference between using a heat protector and not using it before. It's been a long time since my TIGI Catwalk heat protector ran out and I probably shouldn't have left it this long to replace it.

Three other products I'm seriously in love with at the moment are all from the Timotei range. I was lucky enough to be sent two samples a few weeks ago and I've been religiously using them since they came in the post. The dry shampoo is really refreshing and perfect for those days when you're in a hurry and need your hair to be looking it's best. I like the simple packaging and that the product isn't too over fragrant. Both of these factors has made my partner take a liking to this product and he happily uses it when he's at my hair and hasn't had a chance to wash his hair before work. The dry shampoo can be purchased for under £2 and I think it's a reasonable price. Unfortunately nothing will make me stray from my Bastiste obsession, but this dry shampoo is definitely close second and a firm winner for my fiance James.

The second product I was sent to review is the 2in1 Timotei Pure Shampoo. I'm happy to report that product really exceeded my expectations. It has managed to revamp my hair and it really does wonders on my sensitive scalp. Having a sensitive scalp runs in my family and my mum has been borrowing this product every other day to use. The shampoo is quick and easy to use and gives an overall glossy look to the hair. I barely have any pitfalls about this product, but one would probably be that I need to purchase a Timotei shampoo that is more catered to my dry hair. The glossy look is perfect, but my ends dry out really quickly. This is perfect for anyone with normal hair and I would recommend it to anyone. The other product in this picture is an older Timotei product that I have been using for quite awhile now. This conditioner really helps revive my hair when it's having a dull moment and it's another conditioner that I would happily rate in my top 10.

I like that all these products have made me embrace my natural side and that my hair is looking in a healthier condition. I can't wait to properly try all the products that I bought today and I hope my dip dying session doesn't end up in a hair disaster.

Have you made any hair care changes recently?

The BooHoo Beehive

2013-03-22T12:45:00.004-07:00

BooHoo have recently released their 'how to' beehive tutorial and it's really got me thinking about spring and frolicking around fields listening to 60s music. This is far from the scenario right now, where I'm snuggled up in bed with my hoodie on due to the freezing cold air and snow settling outside. The beehive hairstyle is iconically linked with the 1960s era which saw the fame of one of my favourite models Bridget Bardot. Her beehive became the classic look for all, with many people replicating the look to go shopping on Carnaby street. The beehive is currently back in style spring/summer 2013 and so are the beautiful patterns and fabrics often associated with the 60s. Following the release of the Beehive tutorial, I've decided to put together a few outfits that I think would go perfectly with the beehive hairstyle.

The inspiration behind these outfits are shopping and cocktails with your friends.

Collage created on Photovisi photos from Boohoo.com

Outfit 1

Polka dots are so feminine and chic and they add a little flirty fun to your outfit. This polka dot skater dress has the orange retro colouring of the 1960s and would look fabulous with the cream shoulder bag and brown vintage-inspired studded booties. This outfit looks easy to wear, yet very stylish for meeting friends and go shopping around the town.

Total outfit price: £55

Collage created on photovisi. Photo's from Boohoo.com

The second outfit I've put together is something I'd wear for drinking cocktails with your friends. This outfit includes a glamorous marble print midi skirt- great for adding a little sophistication and glamour without looking over the top, a lace shirt and classy kitten heels to give a vintage vibe.

Total outfit price: £45

Here's my earlier attempt of doing a partial beehive. Usually it looks loads better, but unfortunately I had no hairspray and the whole thing flopped just as I grabbed the camera.

What do you think of my outfit choices?

www.boohoo.com

Wednesday Reflections + shopping haul

2013-03-20T04:09:00.000-07:00

It feels forever since I have done a blog posting and I'm saddened that my beautiful blog has been neglected. Unfortunately I've been struck down with a case of bad anemia and juggling university work and tiredness isn't an easy ride. I feel like my body hasn't been this weak before and every day is a struggle not to pass out. Luckily, I'm on iron tablets and I'm optimistic that I will be better in a few weeks. I couldn't leave my blog looking so empty, so I decided to do a little blog post for you guys. Today's feature will be on my shopping haul from when I went to Leeds. I bought so many wonderful items that I use regularly and although I broke my spending budget, I'm pretty certain it was all worth it.

I think I'm borderline shopaholic. I can't go a week without treating myself and Leeds was no exception. The first item I bought was this wonderful Primark makeup case. It has been a very long time since I treated myself to a makeup bag and my last one had blusher residue that wouldn't come off and looked quite a state. This little studded beauty was only £3. I couldn't believe it when I saw the price tag and I immediately jumped into the queue to buy it.

This studded beauty has adequate space for all your beauty essentials and looks fabulous in your handbag. A lot of my friends have told me how much they really it and I think this is probably one of the best items I've seen in Primark for a long time.

When shopping in Leeds, it's vital that I visit the MAC counter. We don't have a MAC counter where I live, so when I'm visiting a bigger city, I make sure I hunt down the closest location. Whilst in the Leeds MAC store, I bought this vibrant lipstick from the Archie's Girls range and is called 'Daddy's Little Girl.' This lipstick sums me up quite perfectly and the colour is beautiful.

The range is inspired by the Archie Girl comics from the 1960s. There's two lines to choose from: The Veronica range or the Betty range. I love both collections - each evokes a sense of confidence, vibrancy and gives you those kissable lips you desire. My partner loves this lipstick on me.

My final visit in Leeds was the Zara store. I bought a fabulous knitted jumper and a the black and white dress shown below. My biggest regret is that I didn't buy the yellow dress and it's currently out of stock on the website. I'm hoping I will be able to pick it up when I go down to London in two weeks time.

The black dress I bought is very 60s inspired and looks really cute with a pair of black stilettos. I'm probably going to wear this on my work experience with black tights and kitten heels. I will bring you a full blog post on the dress nearer the time.

My most recent purchase was made this morning after Kurt Geiger announced their mid season sale. I'm a sucker for a beautiful pair of shoes, especially when they embody a sort of 'rock chick' vibe. It's my birthday in two weeks time and since I have been ill, I decided to treat myself. It's typical that I went on Facebook last night and announced to my friends that I was on a spending spree and then my favourite shoes come up in the sale. £79 down from £200 - that's a complete steal.

I love these booties so much, I really cant wait for them to arrive.

What has been your most recent purchase?

xxx

Weleda Skin Care

2013-03-13T13:29:00.000-07:00

I've always been a fan of natural products that stray away from harmful chemicals. Having sensitive skin has always been a problem for me and it takes me a while to discover which products will work with my body and which are likely to bring me out in bright red marks. Natural products are a god send for me as they're less likely to have the ingredients I'm allergic to. Weleda have been creating products from plant made materials since 1921 and what first started out as a small pharmaceutical company, has turned into a worldwide success spanning over 90 years and still going strong. This year, Weleda have probably been the most known for their association with London Fashion Week. The Weleda team got involved with models and designers, as well their products being used in goodie bags for all the A-list attendees. The product 'Skin Food' was particularly successful and was requested by four designers at the fashion week.

A few of you may remember that the Weleda body oil had been included in one of the Glossy Boxes a few months ago. This was the first time I discovered the brand and fell in love with it. The oils smell sensual, blend easily and leave skin feeling soft and not too oily. When I was approached and asked if I could show you all some more of their range, I couldn't decline the offer. I was sent a few of the products that had become a recent hit at LFW and I now can see why.

Wild Rose Body Oil

Blends easily.
Smells as fresh as a field of roses.
Helps stimulate rejuvenation and revitalization of the skin.

Verdict:

The product smells really lovely and blends into the skin really well. Like all the Weleda oils I've tried, I'm rather impressed.

Skin Food

Great for dry skin.
Soothing and refreshing

Verdict

Works really well for my dry skin, but I'm not won over by the scent. This product is great for every now and then, but unfortunately wont be replacing my Clarins anytime soon.

Pomegranate Firming Serum

Tautens aging skin.
Great for moisture.

Verdict

I love this product. The pomegranate scent is really noticeable, but not too overpowering and the product soaks into the skin leaving you feeling soft and refreshed.

Wild Rose Soothing Night Cream

Replenishes skin.
Softens lines.
Provides essential nutrients.

Verdict

I quite like the scent of this product, it reminds me of vintage skin care and my grandma...but in a really good way. Unfortunately my skin did not really like this product and I became itchy - it's such a shame as every other aspect looked rather promising.

Sea Buckhorn Body Oil and the body cream

Helps regain vitality in skin.
Intensively Nourishes

Verdict

Both these products have to be my favourite. The smell great, they do exactly what it says on the tin and I've manage to easily implement them into my every day skin care regime. The body cream in particular has kept my skin nourished and freshly scented all day.

Overall I really love the variety of products available from Weleda, especially the body oils. Not only are they great for your skin, they smell and look fantastic too. I will definitely be repurchasing the Sea Buckhorn products soon and the firming serum.

Have you tried any Weleda products?

Fabb Events Leeds Meetup

2013-03-10T13:44:00.002-07:00

Yesterday I embraced the rain to hit Leeds for a spot of shopping with my partner and to attend the FABB Leeds meetup. Despite the horrible weather, the day turned out to be fantastic and I have so much admiration for Tor and Ray who managed to create such a successful event.

Meeting fashion and beauty bloggers for the first time is always something that daunts me. They always look stylish, immaculate and I often feel like - do I really belong here? Then within seconds, I feel at home and I'm gossiping about the latest release from MAC or talking about our recent 'lust haves'. I met so many wonderful fashion bloggers yesterday and I quite missed talking to them when I left. We bonded over the sight all of the beautiful cupcakes, enjoyed chit-chatting about all the presentations and best of all, traded tips of the trade whilst drinking cocktails...or Cranberry juice in my case.

The cakes were created by 'Rosie the Cake Maker' and tasted absolutely divine. I loved the attention to detail on all the frosting and the little FABB logos. It really made the event feel homely and all the bloggers took time out to take so many pictures.

For those who have never heard of Fabb Events - the whole afternoon was created by fashion and beauty bloggers Tor and Ray. They were very accommodating hosts, constantly asking if everyone was having a good time and making sure that everyone received their goodie bags.

Bloggers were treated to several presentations by various brands such as: Cloud 9, Health Point Ltd, Chiara fashion and Ark clothing. Throughout the afternoon there were various giveaways and lots of opportunities to ask questions. Chiara clothing did a really big giveaway with 10 lucky girls all walking away with various new clothing. Unfortunately I did not win (forever unlucky), but I'm looking forward to seeing all the other girls prizes on their blogs.

One of my favourite presentations of the day was from the Best British Bloggers girls. They were very amusing and kept us all giggling at the thought of pugs. It was fun to learn more about the brand and particularly exciting for me as I will be doing work experience with them in a few weeks time and it was the first I got to meet some of the team.

The final presentation was by the ever so stylish Ark Clothing girls. They looked so trendy and really sold the outfits to us bloggers. Ark clothing have revealed that there will be lots of dip dye clothing, pastel leather skirts and funky tee's coming up in the next few months - I know where my wage will be going. I'm particularly seeking this cute little dip dye skirt that I knew I had to show you all.

Before we left, we were all given various goodie bags to take away with us. I'm still in shock by the quantity of products we have been given and most importantly I'm so excited to blog about them all. Goodies included samples from: Elemis, St Moriz, Health Point Ltd, Witch Hazel, Batiste and Neal and Wolf and many more.

The event was so much fun and I really enjoyed meeting everyone. If you're a blogger, I cannot recommend Fabbevents enough and I can't wait until the next one.

Did you go to the Leeds meetup?

In Love With Radley

2013-03-06T10:14:00.000-08:00

Some people may not be well acquainted with the brand Radley, but the cute little dog logo is admired by thousands. The brand are renowned for creating beautiful, quality leather handbags and purses, but recently their accessories line has hit the limelight.

Admittedly, I was one of those people that associated Radley with older women, however I'm in love with their new 2013 collections. Radley have grasped exactly what this season is about with their bright colours and attention to detail. Since the preview of the Spring/Summer collection, lots of fashion bloggers have jumped onto the Radley bandwagon showcasing their love through a series of reviews and picture postings. The new Radley bags are clearly highly sought after, but it's their watches that have really grabbed my attention.

When I started writing my blog, if you approached me and said: "Radley would be giving you a watch to review", I would have laughed my head off and presumed you were highly intoxicated. When in fact Radley did offer me a watch to review, I started jumping up and down like a child at Christmas.

The watch arrived last week in an elegant silver box with gold writing on top. The pillow supporting the watch was soft and the embellishments around the clock face shone as I opened the lid. The thing element to really catch my attention was the tiny dog attached to the strap. It very much reminds me of a Scottish Terrier, which has to be among one of my top dog breeds. Being vegetarian, I make my love of animals known to everyone and when I first worse this watch, I knew it completely matched my personality.

Unfortunately when I received the watch, it was far too big for me and needed to be re-sized This was no fault of the watch, just mine for having quite slim wrists. I literally took the watch to the jewelers the same day it arrived, because I was itching to wear it on my night out.

The watch feels wonderful to wear. It is very light, delicate and you barely know it's there. The chain is only very small, so it looks very elegant and would easily adapt from day wear to nightwear. The stone set clock face looks really pretty and adds a gentle sparkle to the watch, without going too over the top. I find the clock face relatively easy to read and yet again, I'm loving the little Radley logo in the centre again.

The price of this watch is £119 which is reasonable for something of such high quality. I'm so glad Radley brought my attention to their line of watches, because I never even knew they made them. These beautifully crafted watches prove that Radley is such a versatile brand and there's a lot more to them than just their handbags.

Check out their beautiful watches here!

Herbalife Hair Care

2013-03-01T11:15:00.000-08:00

Since colouring my hair blonde, my beautiful locks have never quite recovered. My hair is often dry, lifeless and the only way of a revamp is to wear extensions and hope for the best. Being a hairdresser in the past, I've always been very picky when choosing shampoos and conditioners. I've been told by my old lecturers, that the trick to determine whether a shampoo is that good is whether it foams up straight away or not. If the shampoo foams up in the first wash, it's diluted and probably wont keep your hair clean as long. Many hairdressers recommend two washes for a reason - the first is to get rid of the dirt and the second is to cleanse the hair before conditioning. I really don't know whether this is an old 'hairdressers' tale, but I take it very seriously and I normally find that my hair is in great condition for it.

Being fussy about my hair means I care a lot about what goes on it and if at all possible, I like shampoos or conditioners that use natural ingredients. Herbalife Strengthening shampoo and conditioner is a paraben and sulphate free range, that contains aloe vera to add a fresh scent and keep your hair well mositurised. With a combination of lemon blossom, white lilies and musk, this little duo is perfect for those who love beautifully scented hair. The olive oil extracts and shea butter help to replenish dull hair and add the all important moisture our cuticles are in need of. The winter weather can be quite harsh on hair, so it's important to give it a treat now and then, so you and your hair look your best.

I have used these products twice since I got them and so far I'm really impressed with the results. I love changing my hair care routine every couple of months so that my hair doesn't become dull. The Herbalife shampoo and conditioner seem like the perfect next step to combat my dry, split ends and I'm already seeing an improvement. Herbalife's strengthening duo costs £9.22 for each item, but a little goes a very long way. When I go to the hairdressers, they always say that my hair is in excellent condition for someone that has changed her hair colour as almost the amount of birthdays she has gone through. I will only use the very best for my hair and if it involves spending a little bit more to get that shine, I'm happy to do so.

The Herbalife shampoo and conditioning set are so gentle that I've used them to wash my hair extensions and the above pictures show the results. I've had many compliments since using the products - many people have approached me asking if I've changed anything about my hair. The simple fact is that I've switched my hair care routine. I think my hair was trying to tell me that I needed a change and that change has made a big improvement.

For more information and the products check out: http://products.herbalife.co.uk/

What do you think of the range?

Interview with Kiri Nails It

2013-02-28T05:03:00.005-08:00

Nail art unfortunately isn't my strong point. As much as I spend hours practicing, within twenty minutes my nails are smudged or looking rather peculiar. Even though my nails look a wreck, I'm always fascinated by other peoples. I love the crazy designs that are out there and different forms of nail polish that are currently on the market. To learn more about nail art, I thought I'd introduce you to a nail technician named Kiri Louise Hardiman. Her designs are unique, trendy and she has created tutorials for the likes of 'Video Jug' and 'My Daily.' Here's what she had to say when Forevermissvanity caught up with her.

Name: Kiri Louise Hardiman

Location: Hertfordshire

Are you a qualified nail technician?

Yes I have an NVQ level 2 in 'nail art' and am qualified in 'soak off gel polish'

Where did you learn to do nail art?

It is self taught. I did have to take a nail art course though to get insured...and on the back of that I completed my NVQ Level 2

What sparked your interest in nail art?

I am an artistic person and channeled this through nail art

Where do you get all your ideas?

I get inspiration from everyday things, seasons, fabrics and also other nail art I have seen

Do you have any celebrity influences?

Rihanna, Katie Perry, Zooey Deschanel, Kelly Osbourne

What do you love the most about nail art?

I love that you can be as wacky or as subtle as you like! Any colours, any shape nail, any design you like! And you can change your nail art as regularly as you like!

What has been your favourite piece of work?

My favourite recent piece of work was for a client who was going to South Africa, so on her finger nails I did a mix of tiger, zebra and leopard print, also lion foot prints and the South African flag. Then on her little toes I carried on the leopard and tiger print and on each of her big toes I created sunsets and the silhouttes of an elephant and a giraffe.

What has been your most exciting part of your career?

Recording nail art tutorials for 'Video Jug' and 'My Daily' has been exciting, also I had my own market stall in Watford's indoor market, which was exciting setting it up etc, sadly it didn't work and was better for me to be mobile, but I always say "nothing ventured, nothing gained."

How To Do Tie Dye Nails

Talk us through three of your favourite designs:

I created some 'new years eve' nails which were glitter tipped with a clear base. These were very striking. The glitter I used was holographic and I added some diamantes for extra bling

I like doing random nails. Where the nails are all different designs. This is especially good for a client if they cannot decide on one design!

I also like doing designs with letters on the nails. This way you can really personalise your nails!

What advice would you give to anyone wanting to pursue a career in the beauty industry?

Be persistent, nothing is going to happen if you sit there and twiddle your thumbs!

Set up a twitter and facebook page for your business, they are great ways of getting your info and pics across, and they are free!

You can check out Kiri's work on Pinterest or Facebook.

What do you think of these designs?

Birthday Wishlist

2013-02-26T14:27:00.001-08:00

Tonight, it finally dawned on me that my birthday is in 5 weeks and I need to get organised. I shall be celebrating this year in London with my beautiful fiance, where we will be staying in a hotel, going to see Rock of Ages and drinking cocktails all evening in the capital. I'm far too excited and going to London on my actual birthday means I can have my dream shopping spree. In this post, I thought I'd share with you some of the items I'm loving at the moment and my birthday wishlist. The majority of these items listed are things I shall be saving up for until the the trip, however I'm hoping that someone very close will give me a helping hand...hint...hint. (only joking...well maybe)

This year I'm going to be 22. I will be leaving my youth behind me and progressing to the next stage of my life. 21 has been my favourite year and I've experienced so many things I've always dreamt of. It's funny realising that I only have one more birthday after this one and I'll be married. This is my last year as an unmarried woman and I'm planning on doing as much as I can with my partner before we really settle down, start saving for a house deposit and living as husband and wife.

Back to the shopping list. Here's the items I would currently sell one of my kidneys for:

AmeilaWonders Printed Silk Habotai Scarf

I'm not usually a scarf person, but lately I seem to be wearing them all the time. I've been a follower of AmeilaWonders Etsy shop for quite awhile and I've always wanted to order this scarf, but every time I remember it, I seem to have little money. I love the bright pink colour of this scarf and the cosmic design. It's vibrant and would make any outfit stand out from the crowd.

Michael Kors Parker Bracelet Watch

Michael Kors has always been one of my top designers and I can't get enough of my beautiful Michael Kors shoes. This Michael Kors watch is elegant, timeless and would look sophisticated with any outfit. I love expensive accessories more than I do expensive clothes. They can really revamp an outfit and they go with everything. I know if I was to get this watch, it would be something that I would wear nearly every day.

A Passport

It probably doesn't sound like the most conventional birthday present, but I really need to renew my passport and thanks to my parents, I shall be getting one in a few weeks time. I'm planning to travel to Ireland and Italy this year and hopefully lots more places too. Ideally, I'd like to visit Paris by the end of the year - I love that place.

My next collage of items are things I'm planning on buying myself. I realise that when I turn 22, birthday presents are pretty much out of the window, so I'm going to be spoiling myself. After all, we do deserve a treat on our special day. Here's a few things I plan on treating myself to on my shopping spree:

Jones and Jones Dress

The 1950s is my favourite decade and all Jones and Jones dresses remind me of 50s icons. The petticoats are full bodied giving you those ultimate curves and they have great dance ability. I love the feminine styles, the colours and they would easily suit any body shape. The dress I want at the moment is the Claire mint dress as it's perfect for the spring and summer and easy to style.

Jimmy Choo Flash

In my valentines perfume post, I wrote about how much I would like this perfume and my birthday seems like the perfect opportunity to buy it. I find that all my perfumes relate to a pivotal point in my life and I tend to buy them when something is about to happen. Each of perfume symbolise a part of my personal history and I love the fact that I can relate so easily with the scent. The first Jimmy Choo perfume will always remind me of my friends wedding, Roberto Cavalli is the perfume I wore when I got engaged and Benefit Hooked on Carmella reminds me of my college days.

Pandora London Bus

When my partner bought me my Pandora bracelet, I couldn't wait to fill it with charms. However, I'm trying to only buy them when something important happens in my life. It makes it more personal and each charm will then have a story I could tell my future children or even my friends if they ever ask. London has always been one of my favourite cities and it's the place where I got engaged. Therefore, I shall be popping into Pandora and buying the London bus as a souvenir whilst I'm visiting.

MAC Archie Girl Lipstick

This lipstick is more likely to be one of my pre-birthday presents as I'm pretty sure it will be out of stock in the next few weeks. The MAC Archie Girl line is very popular with those who love vintage inspired items or something a little bit kooky. I think the whole range is absolutely adorable and if I could afford it all, I would buy it instantly. However, for now I'd definitely be happy with one of the lipsticks.

So there's my little wish list. I'd easily be happy with just one of those items, but I'm hoping one day to own most of them.

Do you have anything you're lusting after right now?

Ambition

2013-02-24T11:51:00.000-08:00

As many of you will have already realised, I'm slightly obsessed with red lips and my red-lipstick-buying habit is showing no signs of disappearing. My latest little arrival was Lush's new lip paint, Ambition. Firstly, I have to say that the name of this product pretty much sums me up. I'm always ambitious - if not a little bit too ambitious. I have my head in the sky most of the day and will stop at nothing to secure a job in fashion PR. "You may say I'm dreamer, but I'm not the only one"...I couldn't help, but add the latter end of that sentence when I wrote it. If you haven't heard John Lennon Imagine, I suggest you Google it, although I'm pretty sure 99% of the population has done. A lot of my friends call me a dreamer, but to me, it's ambition. I know what I want and I'm always trying to figure out my way to get there. I want to prove that my dreams are a reality.

Red lipstick always ignites that confidence within me and when I'm doing a presentation or need a confidence boost, red lip paint is my best friend and that's the simple reason why I can't get enough of it. If you haven't tried Lush's new set of liquid lipsticks, you have definitely been missing out. They are easy to apply, totally vegan and a little goes a very long way. Ambition is such a powerful colour and highly pigmented, the picture does not do it justice.

The best aspect of the Lush Ambition is the fact that one little pot can give you a variety of colours. Simply apply more if you're wanting an instantly bright colour or apply very little if you're wanting something a little more subtle. If you want a softened colour, you can apply the Kiss Lip Gloss. The kiss lipgloss is probably one of my favourite new products - it never leaves my handbag. The product tastes like sweeties and adds a beautiful pink glow to your pout. It's perfect for those days where you're wanting to avoid heavy lip coverage and you're looking for something quite natural. The product also includes fair trade Shea Butter to keep your lips moisturised.

My only wish is that I had a Lush store closer to home, as it takes over an hour for me to get to the nearest one. Although, it could easily be a blessing in disguise, as I would probably spend half of my uni breaks shopping in there and dreaming of all things sweet scented.

For all of you unlucky ones like myself, there's always the Lush online store, which never closes and sells all the products you could wish for. Why not pop a little bit of Ambition into your shopping cart? I know I will be doing when it runs out.

https://www.lush.co.uk

Have you tried Lush Ambition?