.Leanne Marie.

What I enjoyed during Christmas 2018

2019-01-07T08:27:00.000+00:00

This weekend the Christmas decorations came down, that's right. The festive period is officially over in my household! This Christmas was a bit of a mix of emotions due to things that went on in December. However I decided to have a look back and document a couple of the moments I really enjoyed!

1. Taking advantage of all the Christmas movies on Netflix. Don’t you just love a cheesy festive movie binge? There were some gems this year. Whilst I couldn’t bring myself to watch the Christmas Prince: The royal wedding as I’d heard terrible things. I loved the Christmas Chronicals, Christmas inheritance and The princess switch! The only downside of a Netflix binge was the amount of ‘christmas snacks’ I binged on while sitting on the sofa!

2. Having some time off work to spend with family. This year we were able to spend a lot of time with family. Especially our niece and nephews, as they had moved home closer to us. Seeing them get so excited leading up to the 25^th was so lovely to witness. Christmas is just magical when you’re a kid!

3. Jet2 Holidays very kindly sent us a hamper of goodies to get us in the mood for Christmas. This included a variety of sweet treats and Christmas decorations for our home. Tom and I tucked straight in to the mince pies and hot chocolate provided while looking through the goodies. The ‘Christmas market’ mugs that were sent got us discussing our citybreak to Brugge last Christmas with our friends. Unfortunately we weren’t organised enough to arrange something similar this year, therefore decided to make a conscious effort to get something booked for Christmas 2019. It’s always fun walking around the Christmas markets, picking up special gifts for loved ones as well as having a cheeky baileys hot choc!

4. We went to the Panto! Now I know for some, this is probably a yearly tradition but for me, it was the first year I’d gone along! I really enjoyed it! We went to see Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which isn’t exactly festive, but there were the odd nods here and there to the festive period! It’s obviously tailored more towards young children, but enjoyable nonetheless.

5. Socialising with friends was quite high on our agenda this year. Isn’t it funny how busy December can get social! Christmas parties, Christmas meals etc. Christmas definitely does bring people together. It’s important to cherish those moments and make memories. Something I am taking forward with me in 2019. I’ve downloaded the 1Second a day app to document my year in clips/photos. It’s going to be really interesting to look back at the year next January!

What were your favourite moments of Christmas 2018?

Travel Sized Beauty,

2017-11-12T18:00:00.000+00:00

Whilst in Sephora during our trip to the US I was sucked in by the aisle of temptation... For those of you that haven't had the pleasure of stepping into a Sephora store, this is the area by the tills full to the brim of travel sized offerings from some of your favourite beauty brands. It takes some serious will power to get to the till without adding something to your basket. In this particular instance, I decided to grab a few items which I hadn't had the pleasure of trying yet.

Origins Drink Up Intensive Mask - I'd wanted to try this mask for such a long time, so when i saw the tavelsized version I had to give it a try. It's a really hydrating overnight mask that my skin is loving! Personally for me it's a mask that, at the moment I only need to use once a week or so. But as first impressions go, I am really loving it and will probably repurchase in the larger sized tube when I finish.

Stila Liquid Lipsticks Trio - Because I am terrible at remembering to wear lipsticks, a lot of lip products get forgotten & ultimately expire. The fact that this trio came in miniature form, was ideal for me. Their small size means not only can I try them out before committing to a full sized item. I am also more likely to actually finish the product up. This trio includes the ever so popular Patina, alongside the lighter shades 'Baci' & 'Perla'.

IT Cosmetics CC Cream - Well! Once this little tube is finished, I will be purchasing this full 32ml tube for sure. After hearing many a youtuber rave about this product I had to give it a go. The Aisle of temptation provided me with this tiny tube to try and it was love at first use! I only need a tiny amount for my whole face, which I buff in with a kabuki brush. It's the prefect product for the days where I don't want a heavy base but all of the coverage!

Kat Von D 'Saint' Perfume - Rather than go down the free perfume sample route, I just went all guns blazing & purchased the handbag version of this scent. Whilst I do think the free sample vials are the way to go when it comes to trying a new scent, I just couldn't resist this pretty 10ml offering. This is the one of the first perfumes by Kat Von D & I am in love. I will be getting myself a full sized bottle for sure.,, perhaps one to pop on the Christmas list!

Sephora Favourites: Lashstash to go - Mascara is something I like to switch up often. Therefore purchasing travelsized versions like those in this handy little set is ideal. I've actually only used 1 of these so far (Too faced better than sex) so I still have some time to get through the others. Travel minis are a great way to try a different mascara without the worry of wasting your money if you don't get on with it.

As you can see I'm pretty happy with all the minis that I purchased, it's likely I'll be repurchasing some of them in their full sized glory. That's the beauty of these product minatures, you don't have to fully commit before deciding if its something that works for you. They are always pretty reasonably priced and they are within the 100ml limit for when you travel! Win Win!

Franco Manca Pizzeria, Reading.

2017-07-18T21:20:00.000+01:00

When a new pizzeria opens up near by, it's pretty much a dead cert that I will be aware of it. As a self confessed pizza obsessive, I clocked the Franco Manca restaurant on the riverside in Reading before it had officially opened it's doors. So you can imagine my delight when an email popped in my inbox inviting me to to a complimentary dinner and wine tasting event one weekday evening.

For those of you that don't know. Franco Manca is a pizzeria specializing in the traditional neopolitan soft base pizzas. The first restaurant opened in Brixton back in 2008, and as it's popularity has grown, more have opened throughout London and the South of England. Their ingredients are fresh and sourced from suppliers within the British Isles and Europe. The top dogs/Head Chefs from Franco Manca even go out on a team building exercise, hunting for the wild garlic they use in their pesto.

The Menu may be relatively simple, consisting of 6 pizza options but that doesn't mean it doesnt lack variety. We were treated to several different meats & cheeses to start. Of which included buffalo Mozzerella prepared 3 different ways accompanied by wild boar salami, wild pig salami and Prosciutto from Langhirano. In addition to this garlic and rosemary flatbed was served with Goats cheese and Franco Mancas freshly made garlic pesto. I can tell you, those platters didn't stay full for long. We all enjoyed the selection of antipasi dishes.

The event itself was really chilled and relaxed. While we sipped on fresh homemade lemonade, and no logo beers, we were given the chance to watch as head chef Alfie showed us how Franco Manca prepare their infamous sour dough. He explained how all the dough is made in-house a day in advance. This 24 hour fermentation period ensures the dough has a good texture, great taste and added nutritional values. Alfie showed us the correct mixing technique used to create the perfect sourdough along with the ingredients required. For the perfect dough, Starter is used in the mixture rather than dry yeast. This 'living food' of flour & water contains a yeast producing good bacteria, which is a vital ingredient for the perfect sourdough base. In Readings Franco Manca, the kitchen is open plan, meaning you can see the various chefs fulfilling orders from the comfort of your seat. Despite the small work area, they work efficiently and quickly to get the pizzas out, helped hugely by the large wood fired stone oven which cooks the pizzas within about 50 seconds! Now that is fast food!

As previously mentioned, their menu consists of 6 pizza options, however as of Monday 17th of July another has been added. Pizza no 7; A favourite of Franco Mancas executive chef Alfonso', including spicy sausage, buffalo ricotta and yellow piennollo tomatoes. It's one that I'm sure will be just as popular as the original 6. If you're looking for your pasta dish, I'm sorry but you wont be tucking into anything like that here. Franco Manca is exclusively pizzas only. Which is fine by me, but worth mentioning if you are someone who prefers a different type of carbohydrate!

Now I wouldn't blame you if you were wondering if a meal out at Franco Manca Reading would cost you the earth. I mean, you've got the authentic Neopolitan pizzas, fresh ingredients, dough prepped in-house, the fast & friendly service, of course you'd be thinking it might cost you more than your average trip to Pizza Express. However you'd be wrong The pizzas range from £5 to £9 (additional toppings come with an additional charge) for a pizza that is packed full of flavour, non greasy and doesn't leave you feeling bloated. Whilst we weren't able to stick around to catch a taster of all the desserts they have to offer, including lemon cake & tiramusu. We were able to take home a slice of their chocolate hazelnut cake, which I can confirm is delicious paired with some vanilla ice-cream. That's one good thing about the sourdough bases, they don't leave you feeling too full so you will have room for a naughty treat.

Will I be visiting Franco Manca again? Of course I will. From start to finish I was impressed, I've sung it's praises to anyone that cares to listen, and plan to head along to the Reading branch again with a selection of friends soon. As someone who is known within my friendship group as the pizza obsessive, I am looked upon as something of a pizza expert, so when I recommend somewhere they know it's going to be good!

*I was invited to Franco Manca, for a complimentary tasting however all views are my own and not influenced by this in any way.*

Recently Purchased..

2017-04-23T19:23:00.000+01:00

Just a couple of items I've recently purchased.

I'm in no way trying to create a capsule/minimal wardrobe, however I am trying to a) inject a bit of colour and b) pick classic items that I can easily mix and match. It's a slow process, but I'll get there.

Gone are the days where I lug around a huge handbag at the weekends, I much prefer a smaller cross body number like this red one, which is an absolute steal at £15.. I have two other bags of this style also from Accessorize, so it's safe to say they are fast becoming a favourite of mine! Just the right size for all your weekend essentials.

I do love my ankle boots, But the pairs I already have are all very similar. I'm craving a bit of variety. It was about time I bought myself a pair that were a little different, therefore opted for these open toe cut out ones from River Island. They're very comfortable, look a bit fancier than anything I already own and aren't too expensive. An all round winning pair of boots. I've found myself looking at River Island more and more recently. They've got a really great range of items out at the moment, gone are the days where it was all neons and sequins!

I've wanted a classic Levis T-shirt for a long time. After seeing it pop up on Instagram multiple times, the fashion gods were on my side & ASOS provided this offering. I feel that sometimes a branded T-shirt like this one can make it look like you've made more of an effort. Does anyone else ever feel that way? It's just a little more stylish? Do I even make sense? Jeans, converse, a branded T-shirt and jacket...also with the addition of a across body bag = an instant 'well thought out' outfit. - Well I think so anyway!

So there you have it. A simple little post from me. Going a bit 'old school' in terms of blog posts, but I think that's the direction I want to go now. Little tidbits of my life, nothing to complicated, nothing too fancy.

Much love,

FASHION: A/W 2016 Payday Wishlist

2016-10-29T16:12:00.000+01:00

Oh hello, long time no speak. So it appears I decided to take a bit of a laid back approach to blogging and when I say laid back, I mean not blog at all! Usual excuse, life gets in the way bla bla bla. Basically, I've come to the realisation that I do not blog as a job, it is a hobby. Therefore if I want to be sporadic in posting then I will! The world will not end if I don't post on the regular! Anyway I digress... I wanted to come back at you all with a bit of a payday A/W wishlist post thing. In my time away I've gone from being one of those girls that doesnt like to shop much, to the girl working out if Beans on toast is an okay meal to have daily for the rest of the month because I've spent too much... . So without further ado, here are some of my A/W picks.

I love the colder months for layering, so that's where my head is at right now when it comes to shopping! Think pretty tea dresses with ankle boots and fab jackets. Snuggly jumpers and building on those basics, all the comfortable trainers and cosy scarves! I am thinking about the upcoming months too, I really want to get the Parka jacket for our trip to Amsterdam in November along with the leopard trainers. A purrrfect (ha did I really just do that) addition for the girl that lives in black clothing! I'm also trying to plan ahead and think of Christmas and (dare I say it) NYE. I don't think it's ever too early to be looking for a party dress, the season is approaching guys! We need to be prepared! Even if you are just going out for a meal with work/friends, its nice to have something a little more special to wear!

What have you been buying this season? Chances are once I've finished this post I'll probably be making an online order for a couple of the above bits!

Much love,

FASHION: A/W Boot wishlist

2016-09-14T09:30:00.000+01:00

It's September so it is acceptable to start shopping for our Autumn/Winter wardrobe... or at least start looking at whats out there on offer! I usually spend most of the colder months in ankle boots, so naturally they would be one of the first items I would start looking around for! The other week when I was browsing the beauty section on the House of Fraser website, I decided to continue to browse through other departments and start book marking a few bits and bobs I liked the look of. Before I knew it I'd bookmarked a fair few footwear choices so it made sense to share them with you in case you were in the market looking for some new ankle boots for the upcoming months

As you can see I've gone for some classic styles and then some other curve balls like the open toe boot from Miss Selfridge. There's a girl who gets the same train as me in the mornings to work and she always wears boots like these, Over time they've grown on me and now I would like a pair! I also would like to experiment with boots other than the colour black! So the Dune Pander boots ended up being bookmarked, as they are a really nice burgandy shade which I think would look great paired with a classic pair of black skinny jeans or even with little tea dresses and tights. I am a low heel or flat boot kind of gal, so they would be perfect for the upcoming months! I'll probably end up buying a pair in October after payday!

Much love,

BOOKS: September 2016 TBR

2016-09-13T11:00:00.000+01:00

This month I am on a mission to get going with reading again. I've got slack these past few months and now I am pretty behind on my 2016 reading challenge, so September is the month I am going to try and make up for not getting though much recently! If you read my posts last week you will know that we are going on holiday this month so I am hoping a week of lying by the pool will enable to me to get some serious reading time in. The following 3 books are ones that I definitely want to read during September. So fingers crossed I achieve that!

To all the Boys I've loved before - Jenny Han.

Lara Jean keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her. One for every boy she's ever loved. When she writes, she can pour out her heart and soul and say all the things she would never say in real life, because her letters are for her eyes only.Until the day her secret letters are mailed, and suddenly Lara Jean's love life goes from imaginary to out of control.

I picked this up in a charity shop (another 95p special!) Everyone needs a little bit of chick lick to read poolside! I remember this doing the rounds online when it first came out and I believe it had decent reviews. It's one I think I will fly through while on holiday. The text is quite big and spaced out aswell, which usually is an indication that I'll read through it releatively quickly.

A fortunate age - Joanna Rakoff

Living in crumbling Brooklyn apartments, holding down jobs as actors and writers and eschewing the middle-class sensibilities of their parents, graduates of the prestigious Oberlin College, Lil, Beth, Sadie, Emily, Dave and Tal believe they can have it all. When the group come together to celebrate a marriage,anything seems possible. But soon the reality of rent, marriage and family will test them all. For this fortunate age can't last for ever, and the group must face adulthood, whether they are ready for it or not. Sprawling and richly drawn, A Fortunate Age traces the lives of the group during some of the most defining years of modern America - from the decadence of the dot com boom through to the sobering events of September 11 and the trailing years that followed - this brilliant, ambitious debut novel perfectly captures the hopes, anxieties and dreams of a generation.

I thought this would be quite an interesting read considering its based about the realities of becoming an adult and the obstacles you may face. More so as it is based around the time of some serious world issues, which I am quite intrigued as to how the author has gone about writing the characters experiences. I will admit I was drawn to the bright colours of the cover because yes I AM SOMEONE WHO JUDGES BOOKS BY THEIR COVERS (sometimes)

In her Wake - Amanda Jennings

A tragic family event reveals devastating news that rips apart Bella's comfortable existence. Embarking on a personal journey to uncover the truth, she faces a series of traumatic discoveries that take her to the ruggedly beautiful Cornish coast, where hidden truths, past betrayals and a 25-year-old mystery threaten not just her identity, but her life.Chilling, complex and profoundly moving, In Her Wake is a gripping psychological thriller that questions the nature of family - and reminds us that sometimes the most shocking crimes are committed closest to home.

There's no secret that I love a thriller/mystery and this blurb got me hooked. I was a big fan of Clare Mackintosh' 'I let you go' so I'm interested to see if this book has the same sort of twists and turns as that one did (even though its a completely different author!) If it does I'll be really pleased! It's had quite good ratings on amazon and goodreads which is a positive! This may be the first of the three I get stuck into to be honest!

What's on your September TBR?

Much love

Beauty: House of Fraser Beauty Event

2016-09-10T13:05:00.000+01:00

This weekend, if you fancy treating yourself to some new beauty bits you need to either get online or head on down to your local House of Fraser as they've got a pretty good deal going on featuring lots of popular brands. Estee Lauder, Bobbi Brown, NARS & YSL to name a few. Perhaps you need another bottle of Double wear, you've been eyeing up one of my Urban Decay Naked Palettes or like me, you require a new bronzer to help your summer tan last. HOF should be your go to store.

Running until the 11th of September House of Fraser have their Spend £50 and get £10 off beauty event, redeemable against a variety of different brands. I've taken full opportunity of this deal in the past when I held a beauty masterclass with fellow blogger Lorna and it's one not to be missed. Who doesn't love money saving especially on the higher end beauty purchases Buy something for yourself and then treat a friend. or just treat yourself to a few new products. For the full selection of products available in this offer just follow this link.

The following are a few products within the deal that I would recommend to you, having used them myself & being impressed.

The Naked palette is a makeup collection staple. It has a lovely range of shades which are perfect to take you from Day to night. If you want a palette that will provide you with Neutral, bronzey and smokey eye looks then this one has it all. Giorgio Armani Luminous silk is a treat foundaiton for me but god it's good, so good I wore it as my foundation on my wedding day. As it doesn't have SPF in it, it's really good for photographs & comes in a huge variety of shades! Combine the NARS Creamy concealer and you are onto a winner. If you like foundations to be full coverage and not budge all day, ELDW should be your pick, one I am always repurchasing this! NARS blushers are my favourite as they are so pigmented and again, they are available in such a good selection of shades! I've got a few Bobbi Brown products and this bronzer is a new addition, which I am sure I will enjoy using.

Much love,

BEAUTY : How to clean your Beauty Blender.

2016-09-07T07:00:00.000+01:00

If you haven’t bought a Beauty Blender to use with your foundation yet, why not? That little pink sponge is the answer to the perfect base application in my opinion! Yes it may seem a little ridiculous to spend £16 on a sponge, however it does the job and blends your foundation into your skin like a dream. The once downside to using a beauty blender to apply your foundation/concealer is that it gets dirty rather quickly, therefore it looks a bit grubby sitting in on your dressing table.

I’ve tried many different soaps and cleansers to clean the little pink teardrop, however there is one soap that has come up on top and that is the Dr Bronner Liquid Soap. I bought mine in TKMaxx, however you can purchase it from Feel Unique for the same price I paid which is £8.99. However you can purchase orther size bottles depending on how much you want to pay. It comes in a variety of different scents (I have unscented!) so you’re bound to find one that you find most pleasing. I also use this soap for my makeup brushes, so worth checking out if you only have brushes to clean too!

It’s very easy to clean the beauty blender, you just need to follow these instructions;

1. Soak your beauty blender under the tap, squeezing it as the warm water runs over it (as you would to dampen it before blending)

2. Take the Dr Bonners Liquid Soap and apply it evenly all over the beauty blender.

3. Using the same Squeezing technique as you would to dampen. Ensure that the soap is massaged into the sponge thoroughly to ensure all bits of foundation/concealer will be removed.

4. Add a little bit of water to the Beauty Blender to create a lather.

5. Continue to massage/squeeze the blender to attack all that stubborn makeup!

6. Finally run under the warm tap again to remove all the soap, continuing to squeeze the sponge until all makeup has been removed.

7. Put on the side on top of a towel to dry.

It’s a really easy process and does not take long at all. As you can see above, my beauty blenders are back to their bright selves! To avoid a huge build up of makeup, I try to wash my beauty blender every couple of days. I’ve learnt from leaving the cleaning of makeup brushes in the past that if you do it on a regular basis it makes it A LOT easier to get them cleaner!

If you don't have a beauty blender and want to get one, then you can get one from here. The smaller are actually by W7 makeup, and I purchased them from Peacocks.

You can purchase the Dr Bronner soap here.

What do you use to clean your Beauty Blender/Makeup brushes?

BEAUTY: Introducing Mary Kay Glowing Finish Illumating sticks

2016-09-05T07:00:00.000+01:00

*PR Sample*

You know me, I love a good highlight. Powder, liquid, cream. I'm not picky, as long as it gives me that glow I am a happy bunny! My collection is always growing as more and more brands bring out new products, and this month, Mary Kay have launched their Glowing finish illuminating sticks which come in three different shades; Gold, Silver or Bronze - Getting full on Olympics vibes right now!

These illuminating sticks were created for you to either use alone - perfect to add a bit of glow to your tan while on holiday. (Because lets be honest, going mainly makeup free on holiday is the done thing) Or you can use them with your normal makeup to give your skin that added bit of glowiness. The cream formula means they are very easy to apply and can blend well. I alternate between creams and powders all the time. I tend to reach for my cream products in the summer months, so these have landed on my doorstep at the right time!

The gold shade is very gold,with quite chunky gold glitter particles in it. which whilst looks pretty, doesnt suit my skin tone too well. However I like to think of other ways I could use it & i feel it could work well as a cream shadow if I wanted to go for a really gold based eye look.

The Silver shade, isn't as silver as I was expecting, however it is still really nice as it has pink undertones. Therefore its slightly more on the verge of rose gold than a true silver toned highlight, which isn't a bad thing. I feel it would be a good shade for those with paler skin. Unlike the gold shade there arent any large glitter particles, just pure illumination!

The bronze shade, is a true bronzey/slightly copper shade, which I know would look lovely when I have a tan from my holiday. Again unlike the gold shade, you cannot see any large glitter particles which I like. This one will probably be coming away with me when I go to the Canaries!

These glowing finish illuminators retail at £11 each, which if I am honest, I think is a little steep for the size that they are, However because they are small, it means they don't take up much room in your makeup bag so are perfect for traveling, or throwing into your handbag! Anyone else end up with various products floating around their bag? Just me? These are a nice addition to my highlight collection that I know I will get a fair bit of use out of going forward!

Have you tried anything by Mary Kay? What are your favourite kinds of highlight?

Much love,

BEAUTY : How to deal with Holiday Hair.

2016-09-03T07:00:00.000+01:00

Yay, you’re on holiday. You’ve arrived safely, your luggage made it. You’ve had a few cocktails, sunbathed, taken a dip in the pool, everything is great... oh wait what’s that – Your hair is having a moment, it’s going crazy? Monica Gellar frizz? It feels dry? Its gone green?! Keeping your hair in good condition while on holiday should be as much as a priority as your skin. No need to worry, there are many products out there to help you out.

Make sure to take a leave in conditioner with you. I like to have mine with me poolside too. When I’ve had a dip in the pool (or sea if I’m at the beach) I like to brush through my hair with my trustee tangle teezer Aqua* and spritz some product in. The one I like to use is by Phyto. Their after sunrecovery Spray. Firstly it smells amazing. Secondly it’s a really good product to use throughout the day, as it doesn’t leave my hair feeling heavy or sticky. It works to detangle my hair and continue to protect it while out in the sun. I’ve sometimes use this after showering in the evening as a additional treat for my hair.

Another conditioning product I like to use is the Aussie 3 minutemiracle treatment. Aussie have now brought out one specifically for holiday hair! – Woo! Whack this on after your usual shampoo and conditioning routine. Leave for about 5 mins max, then rinse. Your hair will thank you. It will look shiny and feel so soft. You’d never know you’d spent the day on the beach with messy salty beach hair all day.

To keep frizz at bay I use a little bit of Morrocan oil on my hair to smooth any flyaways. When I say a little bit, I really mean the smallest amount! Alternatives would be a serum. I have one in the depth of my haircare drawers by KMS which I may end up taking with me too. No one wants Monica Gellar hair on holiday!

A very inexpensive way of making sure you keep your hair nice and nourished while on holiday would be to have a tub of coconut oil with you. My Tub is from Superdrug and costs less than £3 Now I would say this is something you could do if you know for a fact your hair is going to be battling with the elements. It’s not a necessary step that you HAVE to do, but one I thought worth mentioning. You probably do overnight coconut oil treatments at home, so why not do one while away. Slather your hair with the coconut oil, put it in a bun/plaits (whatever takes your fancy) sleep on it and rinse out the following morning.

When it comes to hair styles, the go to easy ones would be topknot for around the pool or plaits (various kind – oh how I wish I could do a dutch braid) and au natural (With the help of some products) for the evenings. Using tools like curlers/straighteners in the heat are just annoying. On holiday is the time for scrunching up and creating natural waves with the help of a salt spray ( I like to use Bumble & Bumble surf spray), or experimenting with different techniques to create a unique updo. You’re on holiday, have fun!

How do you tame your hair when away on holiday?

Much love,

BEAUTY: Nail polishes to show off a tan.

2016-09-01T07:00:00.000+01:00

I think you can all agree with me that when you have a tan, you will dress in a certain way to show it off. No I don't mean rocking up in the office after your trip in a tiny co-ord with lots of flesh on display. I mean, we focus more on wearing colours that will accentuate our tans after a week/2 weeks in the sun. The main culprit being white, I always like to save a white outfit for the end of our holiday if my tan isn't as epic as I like, the white dress will help! haha. Or I'll opt for some nice white blouses while back in the office. It's sad but I don't want to return home from a trip abroad and get the whole 'you arent very tanned, did you even go away' comments. Of course I practice safe sunbathing (Have a look at this post to see what sun protection I am taking with me away) but I like to focus on little things here and there which will help make me look super tanned. One of the most simple ways of doing this is to paint your nails coloours which compliment a tan.

Now I know there are a few brands on the market that actually promote some of their shades as polishes for tans. Models own do this, and you can shop their range here. But I'm not in the market to go and buy some new nail polishes as I have enough in my collection already. So after rummaging through my stash, I've come across 3 different shades from Essie, which will probably be on rotation during and when I am back from my break.

Essie, Bikini so Teeny was a blogger favourite a few years ago, and rightly so! This shade is a lovely light cornflower blue with a subtle shimmer to it. I've worn this quite a lot in the past, and always had compliments on it! It's one that can work all year around but works especially well with a bit of a tan to your skin.

Essie, Fiji was another blogger favourite. This is a shade I repurchase a lot because it's so dammn nice. Its a creamy pastel pink, that isn't too white so that people ask why you've gone back to tipexing your nails. (Who else did that at school?) Because it is so light it is perfect to paint your nails on holiday, as your tan develops fiji will be sure to show it off.

Essie, Cute as a button. Now of course when going away (or returning) from a holiday you need to have a few brights on you nails and this shade ticks the boxes. It's a beautiful coral shade that's just bright enough to wow you but not too florescent. This one may be my go to shade for while I am away.

I find that Essie polishes apply really well and only require a couple of coats for a lovely opaque finish. Sometimes I will use Seche Vite as a topcoat as it dries ridiculously fast, however recently i've been using the CND Vinylux Weekly top coat which has done wonders at keeping my nails chip free for about 6 days - not a complete week but better than other top coats I've tried in the past! I'd recommend it!

What shade polishes do you like to wear when you have a tan?

Much love,

BEAUTY: Holiday Sun protection Sorted.

2016-08-29T07:00:00.000+01:00

The most important thing to bare in mind when going on holiday to a hotter climate is sun protection. Over the years I have learnt from my mistakes and take it a lot more seriously than I did in the past. I remember mine and Toms first holiday together, we both got so sun burnt on our first day that it just put a downer on the rest of our break. Over the years I have become more aware of what I should and shouldn’t do while in the sun. Starting with the products I use.

Now this is not necessarily sun protection, but I felt it was worth mentioning before I get to the nitty gritty. For the past 2 years pre holiday I have used the Elemis Tan Accelerator lotion 2 weeks before going away on holiday. It’s a moisturiser you use daily on the lead up to going away. The tosolin; which is made up from polysaccharides preps your skin for sun exposure, promoting a more natural deep tan. I can honestly say that going forward I will never go away without using this first. I find I get a much nicer colour, and don’t burn, now this may be in combination with my more savvy sun protection but it works, so is a product I will continue to use as part of my holiday prep!

Back in the day I would have opted for low factor sun creams from the get go. My thoughts were if I used a higher factor then I wouldn’t tan. The reality is, using a higher factor doesn’t completely stop you from getting a tan, it just reduces the speed that you do and protects your skin from the sun better, than if you were to say solely use factor 8 while away! These days for my body, I always start with a factor 30 for the first couple of days. Let’s be honest, it’s rare our skin sees proper sun in the UK so it’s probably a bit of a shock at first! My brand of choice for the last couple of years has been Piz Buin. I like to use the sun sensitive allergy versions, mainly because this type helps combat prickily heat. Which if you are a sufferer of, know that it can get really bloody annoying when you have it! The result may be different on other people, but for me it really helps combat the issue! Towards the mid part to end of my holiday I will probably switch to a lower factor product. This year I have gone with the Hawaiian Tropic protectivedry oil in factor 15. (Now I may purchase factor 20 as well, just incase I don’t want to jump down a factor so drastically) Not only will this protect my skin it also moisturises at the same time. It is water resistant, but like all sun protection I always like to do a top up after being in the water, regardless if it says it won’t come off. It’s better to be safe than sorry!

A lot of people like to reduce the amount of sun damage on their face, myself included. That is why this year I am taking the Vichy mattifying face fluid infactor 50 on holiday with me. I chose this firstly because of the high SPF and also that it’s mattifying. – I dislike my face feeling greasy in hot weather so this is the perfect product. Again it states that it is water resistant, but I will topping it up on regular intervals to ensure maximum protection.

Other non product based things you should take with you when planning to lie out in the sun would be a good sun hat. Whether it be a large straw hat with a cheeky slogan, trilby style or even a baseball cap. Not only will this offer protection for your head (No one wants a sunburnt hair line, trust me I’ve experienced it and its horrible) you can also use it to completely cover your face if you don’t want it directly in the sunlight, or you know, to look super stylish around the pool! To accompany your fashionable but practical hat, you will also need sunglasses. They are an essential. I have a selection of pairs, but I tend to use cheap ones around the pool. The amount of times you may drop them, higher risk of standing on them etc. I will not be taking my pricer shades pool side; they can just make an appearance in blog photos! No one wants to squint in the sun; it’s just going to give you awful frown lines on your forehead!

Remember to keep hydrated when sun bathing too , always have a bottle of water with you, or keep making trips to the pool bar for a cheeky cocktail/mocktail. Finally, the sun is hottest from 11am to 3pm. During that time make the most of your parasol over your sun bed, pop up it up and read a book/snooze for a couple of hours in the shade.

What are your sun protection tips when going on holiday?

Much love,

FASHION: Holiday Wardrobe Essentials.

2016-08-03T07:00:00.000+01:00

For once after being a bit of a Moaning Murtle year after year regarding the fact I have no appropriate clothes for warmer weather, I am finally taking action and beginning to purchase some bits and pieces! SHOCK . I’ve come to the realisation that I cannot get away with living in jeans or jeggings all through summer because sometimes, the UK is good to us and provides with a little bit of sunshine! With that being said I have found myself doing A LOT of browsing online on various websites, booking marking a lot of different items I’d like to get to update my summer wardrobe! The following are just a few bits and pieces I have picked out that I feel would make good additions & would work well here in the UK when the sun is shining & also when I go away on holiday later in the year!

I am quite short so I do struggle to find maxi dresses to suit me. I always have to head to the petite section! I’m lucky that petite ranges are becoming more of thing, so I have more of variety of styles to choose from! Despite the struggle to find them,I do like maxi dresses as you can literally throw them on, whack on a pair of sandals, slap on some Factor 30 & you are good to go. Perfect for evenings on holibobs! Denim shorts are a summer staple. I don’t actually have any pairs that fit me anymore *sob* so a new pair is definitely needed, sticking to my comfort zone of denim but without the leg suffocation skinny jeans bring in the warmer months! I think the floral shorts make a nice addition for when it’s warm & you have something a bit fancier to go to, pair with a nice cami top and you are ready to go. The lightweight fabric makes them ideal to take away on holiday too.

Playsuits are a summer essential for me, more so when I go away on holiday, but there are some really nice ones available that would also be UK Summer appropriate. This one from Lipsy is so pretty. I love the detailing! This year I’ve become a bit of a fan of the ol’ espadrille shoe too! I did have a black pair but they fell apart, so instead I’m eyeing up these pretty lace ones! I think they make a nice change from wearing my converse in the summer, which can get a bit hot!

There are probably a lot more holiday bits I’ll end up purchasing before we go away/during the summer months but these are a couple of items I will be sure to make sure I have in my suitcase this year!

What are your holiday wardrobe essentials?

FASHION: Butterfly Twist Windsor Wellies

2016-07-22T06:00:00.000+01:00

Yes, we are in a heatwave, Yes it appears summer has arrived, however we saw the rain at Download. We saw the rain at Glastonbury. With many other festivals still to take place throughout the summer months, & the UK's weather is known to be unpredictable the last thing you want to do is be caught out with inappropriate footwear. You need the festival essential that is a pair of wellies.

When Butterfly twists asked if I wanted to feature another style of shoe from their brand I of course said yes. You may remember the Gabriella dalmatian fold up flats I blogged about a few months ago, that I was a huge fan of. Well Butterfly Twist offer other styles, and of course the most fitting for festival season are their wellies that have the flexibility to fold up! There are 3 different styles to choose from in multiple colour ways. The Carlise - a mock croc boot available in 3 classic colours. The Eton - a shorter ankle boot style available in 5 different colourways. Finally The Windsor - A taller version of the Eton but available in 9 different colours. I decided to pick the latter in a simple grey and black combination. I figured as most of my clothing is black it would be be wrong to shy away from my favourite colours ;-)

If you aren't wearing your wellies to your destination, I think you will agree that they do take up a bit of space. They are a bit bulky to lug around. The wellies from Butterfly twists are lightweight and flexible making them really easy to fold over and store in the little drawstring bag that gets sent with them. Thus making them more compact & take up a lot less room. Also handy for after the festival if there is mud.... keep that mud contained and don't ruin the inside of your car!

Unlike other brands that offer stylish wellies, the ones from Butterfly Twist are really affordable, with the most expensive pair being £60. For a pair of boots that will keep my feet warm in the rain and snow (I realise its July and talking about snow sounds ridiculous, but you know I've got to express my thoughts and opinions all all aspects of welly wearing! haha) The fabric band at the top of the Windsors are a god send, especially if you are wearing the boots to a festival with a cute summer dress or some cut off jeans. I really hate it when the tops of the wellies rub your legs! It's so frustrating. With these I dont even need to worry about getting wellie socks to protect myself. Win Win!

Will you be taking a pair of fold up wellies to your next festival? When the weather is so unpredicable its worth making sure you have something like this on standby, not worth getting your converse caked in mud and ruined! I'm going to Reading Festival this year and these will definitely be on my feet if it's chucking down with rain!

Much Love,

BEAUTY : Healthy beauty tips for women.

2016-07-21T23:30:00.000+01:00

What makes a woman beautiful is the healthy practices that she follows and not just the mere color of her skin. Whether you want use a few creams or take better care of your health by adopting the right lifestyle is entirely upto you. Either way, here are a few tips that can really help you in the long run;

1) Drink plenty of water: This one of the most effective beauty tips you could follow on a daily basis. By consuming enough water, you can forget all about your skin and complexion problems. Water helps hydrate your skin, relaxes your mind, keeps away those wrinkles and fine lines and has many other benefits.

2) Eat the right food: Food also plays a major role in maintaining healthy skin. Eat as much legumes, fruits, vegetables, eggs and lean meat as possible which helps keeps you healthy and strong.

3) Relax: There is no point in stressing. Try to find ways in which you can keep the stress under control and keep yourself engaged in fun activities online. GameVillage Bingo is an online gaming site that provides for a rich selection of games and keeps you entertained almost every minute.

4) Adopt a new exercise: Exercising is not all about dropping the weight. Regular exercise gives you a healthy, glowing look; helps you to be more positive; keeps your mind busy and helps you to concentrate better on whatever it is you are doing.

5) Sufficient sleep: What many women fail to realize is that sleeping also plays a major part in maintaining healthy skin. Good amount of sleep is a must to a healthy skin. Make sure you get sound sleep and relax your mind fully. Try to have at least 6-7 hours of sleep everyday.

Hope these tips have helped you in more ways than one. Now, there is nothing that can stop from being the most beautiful girl you know!

Much love

BEAUTY: Yes to Carrots rich moisturising day cream Review

2016-06-17T06:30:00.000+01:00

Long time readers will know that I tend to keep my skincare routine pretty simple. I stick to what I know and don't tend to experiment too much. Why try to fix something that isn't broken? However when I a package popped through my door with a selection of products from Yes to in it, I thought i'd break the rules a little and try a few new bits. You would have read my thoughts on the Yes to Cucumber cleansing gel in my Cleansers on trial blog post. If you haven't read that then, you can do that here, but another stand out product from the brand has to be the Yest to Carrots rich moisturising day cream. The Yes to Carrots range was the original of the Yes to family, over time they have grown and produced a lot of other ranges, leaving us with multiple products to try depending on how our skin behaves. My skin is pretty normal, with the odd dry patch here and there so the Yes to Carrots is perfect for me. Yes to Cucumber products are suitable for Sensitive Skin. Yes to Grapefruit is suitable for uneven skin. Yes to Tomatoes products are for those with Combination skin. Yes to Coconut is a range for those wanting to hydrate and restore their skin and finally Yes to Blueberries is for those who have fine lines and wrinkles. So as you can see they have everyone covered! Don't you just love it when a brand does that!

So onto the Rich Moisturising day cream* from the Carrot range. For those of you who like mostly natural products and those that are cruelty free, this is a brand for you. All the ranges include at least 95% natural ingredients. The following in particular can be found in this moisturiser... Carrots which are a natural antioxidant which will protect your skin. Shea Butter, which restores your skins suppleness and improves the appearance of dry skin. Sweet Almond Oil which acts as a brilliant natural moisturiser and Avacado which provides a natural source of Amino acides, vitamins A, D & E and finally potassium. All ingredients known to help protect and nourish the skin. Knowing that this is what goes into the moisturiser, there's no wonder that my skin feels amazing after using it. The product itself comes out in a medium consistency, which sinks in to your skin relatively quickly. I sometimes suffer with dry patches around my nose, since using this moisturiser daily, those patches have not made an appearance which is nice!

I really like the packaging of the product, the see through plastic enables me to see when I am running low. The pump dispenser makes it hygienic to use, and gives me control on how much I would like to dispense (Lets just think to what it's like using products without a pump...Estee Lauder doublewear anyone - yep lots of wastage) No wastage here! It retails for £9.99 I believe (Unless on offer) Which for a day cream I feel is pretty reasonable, especially as it works so well on my skin in particular. It's definitely one I will be repurchasing and recommending to my friends. In fact I had a few work colleagues over and ended up recommending it to them, what did they do? Go and have a little Yes To shopping session in boots that weekend!

Had you heard of any of these Yes To ranges before? Perhaps you've tried them. Let me know down in the comments!

Much love,

BLOGGING: 100 blog post ideas for every blogger.

2016-06-15T06:30:00.000+01:00

Writers block, it happens to the best of us. Maybe you've had a bit of a break and are getting back into blogging. Perhaps you've been on an absolute mission blog post wise and you've hit a brick wall when it comes to ideas. Maybe you just need a back up list of post titles to keep you going when the motivation isnt there.. if you find yourself agreeing to any of these points then this is the blog post for you.. Lets get stuck in shall we?

1. A day in the life - Give an insight to your daily routine.

2. What I ate in a day. - Self explanitory!

3. Share your Top 5 _____ for _____

4. Discuss things to do in ______

5. Link to the music artists you are currently listening to.

6. Compile a list of books you would like to read.

7. A desk tour / Where I blog tour.

8. Discuss why you started blogging.

9. Share 25 facts about yourself that people may not know.

10. Give us an insight to your bucket list if you have one.

11. Create a makeup wishlist - beauty bloggers there must be products you are lusting after.

12. A week in outfits - One for the fashion bloggers.

13. Share some no heat hair styles if you know any for those trying to be kinder to their hair

14. Talk about visiting _______ on a budget

15. Share your blogging goals for the month - A good one for the start of the month

16. Link to the instagram accounts you're enjoying

17. Brand Focus posts - This could relate to any niche depending what you want to talk about.

18. Explore where you live and share the things you can do in your town/city for free.

19. Discuss who inspires you in blogging/life/career

20. Travel destinations you would like to visit.

21. Talk about the beauty products you didn't get on with.

22. Voice the Fashion trends you just don't understand

23. Do you have methods to help you relax/de stress? Share them!

24. Let us know the countries you've visited, would you recommend them?

25. Share the pros and cons you've discovered when it comes to writing a blog.

26. Review the service from an online retailer/store you recently purchased something from.

27.Are there products that are worth the hype they get? Talk about them.

28. Do mini reviews of products compiled in one post rather than individually.

29.First impressions posts - This can relate to all kinds of items and activities!

30. Facing your fears - Do you have a fear and want to conquer it?

31. Do you have a favourite recipe you like to cook? Share it!

32. Are you into fitness? Share your current routine.

33. Talk about your dreams for the future.

34. Share your favourite apps for blogging.

35. Write about your pet.

36. Style evolution - Take a trip down memory line and see how much your style has changed.

37. Interview another blogger.

38. List your favourite inspirational quotes.

39. Compile a list of beauty dupes.

40. 5 ways to style __________

41. Fancy trying a new hobby? Pick something to do and document it.

42. Create a how-to guide for something you are passionate about.

43. Talk about the best bit of advice you've been given.

44. Fashion bloggers, share your style staples for the season.

45. Share your healthy snack ideas.

46. Recommend TV shows worth the Netflix Binge on the weekend.

47. Seen a tag post you like the look of? Give us your answers.

48. Try a 30 day challenge & document it.

49. Do you have a soundcloud/Spotify playlist? Share it!

50. Share some of your favourite posts by other bloggers.

51. The classic, 'What's in my handbag' post.

52. Talk about an event you recently attended.

53. Review a book you recently read.

54. Put together a round up of your most popular blog posts

55. Share a list of essentials for blogging/travel/youtube/parenting

56. Take inspo from Buzzfeed and 'live blog' a TV Show

57. Host a giveaway for your readers.

58. Share your tips for saving money.

59. Test out Pinterest DIYs

60. Round up your favourite Snapchat accounts to follow.

61. Write a colour themed blog post

62. Are you proud of your home/bedroom/office - Give us a tour

63. Discuss a pet peeve you may have.

64. Talk about a tradition you have in your family.

65. Put together outfits inspired by celebrities looks

66. A photo diary for your holiday - Make your readers want to book a trip away!

67. A you the King/Queen of flat lays? - Share some tips.

68. Share what you think makes a perfect guys/girls day out?

69. Do you love jewellery? Put together a wishlist.

70. Tell us why you love being a blogger.

71. Ask for Q&A questions on one of your social media channels & answer them in a post.
72. Wanderlust - talk about the places you'd like to visit around the world.
73. Share some advice you think your readers would find worthwhile.
74. Your handbag/jewellery/shoes/sunglasses collection
75. List the things that make you happy.
76. Share your seasonal essentials, this could apply to clothing/products/recipes
77. Watched any good films recently? Review them on your blog.
78. Share your daily/morning/evening routines.
79. Ate somewhere recently that was awesome? Post about it!
80. Had a bad experience somewhere? Rant away..

81. Are you a really tidy and organised person? Share your tips!
82. Do you have some favourite apps on your phone? Let us know.
83. Do you have pets? Introduce them to your readers.
84. A monthly round up of all the posts you've published that month just incase anyone missed them.
85.Have a look online for Tags that are going around, take part in one.
86. Wardrobe wishlist, who doesn't browse online and add items to their saves on Asos?!
87. Travel a lot? Share how to successfully pack for a trip away
88. Do you like to experiment with makeup? Recreate a celebrities look from an event.
89. Help other bloggers out with words of wisdom you've gained over the years.
90. Share the work of other bloggers in a round up post if you've enjoyed what they wrote.

91. What do you do after you hit publish? Share your promotional strategy for your posts.
92. Talk about your haircare routine, what products do you use.
93. Best and worst wardrobe buys. Which items were worth it.
94. Talk about the beauty products you would repurchase.
95. Feeling grateful? Make a list of all the things you are grateful for.
96. Share ideas on what you can do on a rainy day.
97. Try out a digital Detox and document your experience afterwards.
98. Describe your perfect date (Miss Congeniality ref right there!)
99. Your most worn items in your wardrobe.
100. Put together a list of blog post ideas to help inspire other bloggers!

I hope these post ideas have been helpful. Don't forget to have a look at my previous post 30 blog post ideas for every blogger for more inspiration! Please feel free to Pin them to Pinterest, share on Facebook, Tweet the post to help others stuck in a bit of a blogging rut!

Much love,

FASHION: Summer Sandals under £25

2016-06-13T06:30:00.000+01:00

Maybe it's because we've just paid off the holiday we are going on in September. Perhaps its the endless snaps of people on instagram in sunnier climates getting their tan on.. Maybe it's the fact its JUNE so we should be spending our hard earned cash on summer appropriate clothing (despite the odd bit of rain that keeps making an appearance!) Well I've been looking online for some cute summer sandals to add to my wardrobe and I found these gems while browsing many a website! All for under £25!

You've got some classic strappy sandals. Some embroidery. Comfy espadrilles, don't you just love the Beach Bum ones?! Some heels for those summer evenings. A variety of colours and styles for everyone! I want to buy them all! Click on the photo to buy!

Much love,

BEAUTY: The Cosmetics Company Store

2016-06-06T06:30:00.000+01:00

On a recent trip down to Gunwarf Quays in Portsmouth, I couldn't shop without popping into the Cosmetics Company Store. For those of you who haven't heard of this shop before, it's basically a shop that sells products from premium beauty bands at a discounted price. There's a few dotted around the UK. I went to the one in Portsmouth, but you can also find them in Bicester, Swindon, Cheshire, York & Somerset. Those are the locations that I am aware of, there may be more..if you have a designer outlet village nearby there's a high chance they will be there, as that's where they are situated in the aforementioned places within the UK!

It's very much pot luck when you visit a CCO. You cant really go there with something in particular in mind to buy because there's a chance it won't be there. From the couple of different ones I've visited they do seem to stock the same brands in most. Brands you will find are likely to be MAC, Smashbox, Estee Lauder, Bobbi Brown, Clinique, Origins, and Aerin. However be warned that it tends to be a right mix of products and shades. From the multiple visits where I have gone along to a store there are a couple of products that do seem to always be there. This is mainly clinique and origins skincare, Estee Lauder doublewear foundation and Bobbi Brown eyeshadow palettes. Because of the wide variety of products available you can spend some time in a CCO. They also do perfumes, haircare, makeup tools etc not just makeup products. Conveniently for Tom there was a bench situated right outside the store in Gunwarf so he set up camp there with a coffee while I had a browse!

In the end I bought myself a couple of things from Estee Lauder. I always try to pick up Double Wear foundation from a Cosmetics Company store if they have my shade. Despite the fact I really love this foundation for its high coverage and longevity I don't buy it that often. It's one I only buy if I got to an outlet village rather than rushing out to get as soon as I finish a bottle. This is purely because it isn't a foundation that I wear on a day to day basis, so I don't feel there's a need to spend a high amount on a foundation that wont be used that often. At the CCO it costs £21 rather than the usual RRP of £30 from counters in department stores so you do make quite a bit of a saving. Having tried a mini sample size of the Estee Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Lash mascara I decided to buy the full size version they had in store. The store in gunwarf only had a few of these left on the shelf so it was clearly quite a popular choice! This would retail for £24 normally but I purchased it for £16. So again I made a decent saving by purchasing it there.

Overall by shopping at the Cosmetics Company store I saved myself £17. Which doesn't seem too much when its a premium brand but if you like your beauty products, that's £17 you could spend on another item to add to your collection! ;-)

Have you ever shopped at a Cosmetics Company Store outlet before?

Much love,

LIFE : The best of May 2016.

2016-06-04T19:00:00.000+01:00

- In May I finally manned up and tried an exercise class. I've started attending 'Clubbercise' once a week. Now, the fact this class is entirely in the dark with the exception of a few disco lights may have swung my decision to attend. I feel a lot less self conscious as its in a dark room! With glow sticks in hand, I have a 45 min cardio workout every Tuesday evening. For those unaware of Clubbercise, it's basically aerobics, but it's in a room decked out like your secondary school disco! It isn't too intense, it gets my heart pumping and it's better than sitting on the sofa on a Tuesday evening! I found my local class through Facebook, so if you are thinking of giving it a go have a search on there for somewhere near you.

- Bloom & Wild sent through a beautiful bouquet (pictured) this month. Every blogger loves a Peony Bouquet, don't they ;-) The Eloise bouqet really brightened up our flat, it was a nice surprise to find them waiting for me when I got home! The unique thing about Bloom & Wild is that with the majority of their flowers, you wont have to wait in to receive them. They are packaged in a way that they will fit through your letterbox! You just arrange them yourself when they arrive! I personally find this really handy in a couple of ways. 1. If you want to send someone a bouquet as a surprise it really will be a surprise even if they are out of the house as they will s. 2. The fact I can arrange them how I want is great as I prefer to have smaller vases dotted around our home rather than one large vase of blooms. In my opinion flowers do lift your mood, as I've mentioned before in previous posts, I like to try to have flowers in my home at all times! (Luckily neither of us suffer with Hayfever!)

- May saw me go for the big ol' chop! I havent debuted my new hair on the blog yet, however I have posted the odd photo over on snapchat (xo_Leannemarie is my username) My hair was definitely in need of a good cut, so I just decided to go for a sort of Lob. Even though I prefer how it looks when its got a bit of a wave to it, I am trying to avoid the heated appliances as much as possible. I believe that bleaching it really blonde last year and using the hair straighteners and curlers on it often took it's toll. Before the cut my hair was actually lopsided where so much had broken off! Now I'm ready to keep my hair in a lovely healthy condition! I'm still getting used to the length!

- Tom took park in two 10k runs this month, and consequently I ended up signing up to a 5K run for June! Ahh. I need to go out on a few more runs outside around where we live to get used to Road running rather than the treadmill. Tom and I are so different. I prefer running on the treadmill because I find I'm more disciplined when I am on it. I will look at the time or distance and will not stop till I hit my target for that session, whereas if I go out on the roads, I will easily give up and start walking! I think this is because I dont have a time or distance countdown right in front of me in my eyeline, therefore I feel like I've been running for a long time/distance when in fact it's been a couple of minutes! Regardless of how much 'training' I do for this 5k. I'm just going to take it easy. The entire day is for charity anyway so it's for a good cause. No different to a quick gym session on a Sunday morning right?

What did you get up to in May? I think apart from the 5k charity run I have planned June is looking to be a pretty quiet month for me!

Much love,

BEAUTY: Urban decay Revolution Lipstick in Naked.

2016-06-02T06:30:00.000+01:00

I have a few lipsticks in my collection, and realistically I could get rid of a few of them because I just don’t wear them that often at all, swiping some colour on my lips had always been an afterthought, and most days I would just go without. However things have changed in recent weeks since discovering the ‘My lips but better/oh this shade is so wearable and works for all occasions’ lipstick. I wasn’t on the hunt for a lipstick, but when I was gifted a couple of Urban Decay goodies after a event, rather than passing it onto my sister I decided to try out the Revolution Lipstick in Naked for myself....well it was love.

The pigmentation, the ease of application and creamy consistency, I was sold. I know its become a firm favourite because it’s started to mould into the appropriate shape for my lips (You know what I mean right?) Proof that I am applying this a lot more often than others in my stash. It’s a definite my lips but better shade, which is perfect for me. As i’m not one to focus on the lips anyway, wearing a lippy that gives you that little something extra without being a ‘OH MY GOD LEANNE PUT LIPSTICK ON’ shade is a winner in my books. I’ll get the odd question of what colour I have on my lips, so it is clear there is something on there, but it’s not too offensive to the eye! Perfect for those of us that want to start wearing lippy but don’t want to jump in all guns blazing with Macs girl about town, or something else equally as bright!

The Urban Decay revolution lipsticks retail for £15.50 which is more than your average drugstore lippy. However, as this is one that I clearly enjoy wearing on a regular basis, I don’t mind paying that price. The shade range in this line of lipsticks is insane. There are 22 different shades to choose from, ranging from your nudes right across to your deep purples there’s a shade to suit everyone. I’m impressed by the quality of the Revolution lipstick. The longevitiy is pretty impressive, I only find I have to reapply a couple of times a day. The packaging is pretty. Not that that has any impact on the lipsticks performance, but obviously as a beauty lover looks are sometimes important when it comes to products! Urban decay have also brought out some other lipsticks in the revolution range. This includes Sheer Revolution and Matte Revolution. I’d been keen to have a look at the shades in those ranges as it would be nice to have three go to lipsticks in a variety of different finishes.

Have you tried any of the Urban Decay Revolution Lipsticks? If not I highly recommend getting to a counter and having a good swatch fest on the back of your hand!

Much love.

BEAUTY: What's in my Makeup Bag?

2016-05-30T07:00:00.000+01:00

Recently I’ve been keeping it fairly straight forward when it comes to my daily makeup. Reaching for a few new products and some old favourites. Don’t get me wrong I like to mix things up now and again but the following products are currently working best for me so I don’t think I’ll be switching it up any time soon.

As mentioned in a previous post I have been loving the YSLTouche Eclat foundation that I purchased back in April. I won’t dwell too much on it as you can read my thoughts in this post, but it’s a firm favourite for the time being, a bit on the pricey side when it comes to a base product but worth it in my opinion. For a bit of light contouring and bronzing I have been trying Benefit Hoola. Can you believe I had never used this before. It’s such a cult product! I ended up buying a mini version from Boots for less than £10, which I think is reasonable if you want to give it a try. I use a Real Techniques Settingbrush to apply it – Totally breaking the rules there but it’s what is working for me to get in and create some cheekbones! I can see why this is such a raved about product. The colouring is perfect & it blends really well. My daily look wouldn’t be complete without a bit of highlight, for this I’ve gone back to an old favourite; MAC Soft &gentle MSF. Despite having lots of other highlighters in my collection I always go back to this one. I highly recommend it if you are looking for a new highlighter. It lasts absolutely ages and just looks stunning on your skin. A favourite among many a beauty blogger!

When it comes to Eyes I have kept it relatively simple with MAC’s groundworkpaintpot providing me with a little bit of colour to my lids. Yes If i apply too much of this I do end up looking like I’ve got a bit of a black eye. Less is more! However it’s quick and easy for me to apply in the mornings. If I’m going for eyeliner I will use the Illamasqua Precision Ink liner which I got in my Latest in beauty Spring beauty box. It’s the blackest eyeliner I have ever used! I love it. A definite repurchase when it runs out , that’s for sure! I’ve got a selection of sample mascaras floating around my dresser at the moment, for now I am using the Lancome Hypnose mascara which I am really enjoying. I’ve used it before in the past so I knew I would like it. When this runs out I will just move onto one of the other samples I have. I’m quite indifferent with mascaras I’m happy to just swap between brands unless I find one that I really dislike then I will just completely avoid... Sorry Revlon! I have realised that I forgot to photograph the brow product I like to use. I will not leave the house without my brows done! I feel naked if they aren’t sorted! I like to use the Soap & Glory Archery pencil in Hot Chocolate. For £8 it doesn’t break the bank and does the job, so i will always use this until something better comes along!

What are your daily makeup essentials?

Much love,

BEAUTY: The Back to MAC recycling scheme.

2016-05-25T07:00:00.000+01:00

Do you want to help the environment. Are you a fan of makeup? Did you answer yes to both of these questions? Well in that case, have you heard of the Back to MAC program MAC Cosmetics run? For those who have a few products from MAC, and those who have a whole collection full, this is a scheme that is worth getting involved in. 1. Because you are doing something good to help the environment and 2. Your efforts will be rewarded in the form of new makeup!

The Back to MAC program requires you to return 6 primary packaged products when you are finished with them. Primary packaging can include the following to name a few; Eyeshadow, blush, MSF, Powder, Fix+, Lipsticks.... I have heard you can also return the packaging for the makeup wipes too. If you aren’t sure, gather up your empties and take them to store, someone working at the counter will be able to confirm which they accept. Alternatively if you purchase something from a MAC counter you could ask there and then if it is part of the scheme.

After returning 6 empty products you can choose 1 lipstick for free as a ‘thank you’ from MAC for recycling. I believe that if you go to a stand alone store rather than a counter within a larger shop then you may be able to get a free eyeshadow or Lipgloss instead. It varies. But if you go to somewhere like Debenhams or House of Fraser you will only be offered a lipstick for your empties. I guess it depends what you have your heart set on. I know I’d be happy with a free lippy! When it comes to choosing what lipstick to get, you can have any of them apart from those in the Viva Glam line, as the full sale of these go to charity.
I currently have 3 empty products sat in my dresser draw, ready to go back to MAC. I don’t own that many products from MAC in the first place so it may be a while until I am able to get my free lippy! Despite taking a while, I will still persevere and get those illusive 6 empty products to try out the scheme as I think it’s such a great idea. Other makeup brands should do something similar in my opinion!

Had you heard of the back to Mac Scheme? Have you ever tried it?

Much love

FASHION: Spring ASOS Wishlist.

2016-05-23T20:30:00.001+01:00

This weekend, when I was powering through all my washing and ironing I realised that I really do own a lot of black clothes. I mean I knew the majority of my wardrobe was black. But when you wash it all at the same time, iron it all and hang it up, that is when it hits you. You are in fact Wednesday Adams. Black is a safe choice for me, however as I pointed out in my spring essentials post, I do need to attempt to inject some colour into my wardrobe. So with payday looming I decided to get my butt on good ol' ASOS and start browsing for some new pieces, and I wouldn't be a good blogger if I didn't share my picks with you and throw my enabling hat on would I! So without further adoo, here are my picks after a pretty hefty browsing session..... All images are clickable - Click on them to take you to the relevant page on ASOS to order ;-)

As you can see, I like the idea of getting a few pretty blouses, rather than opting for the usual plain Tshirt I tend to go for usually. I know I'd probably feel a little more put together with a blouse, it makes you look like you have made more of an effort! I mainly wear black jeans, and all of these would work well paired with them. There's a definite colour scheme going on here too, but nothing is black, so that is okay!

Again with dresses there's a bit of a theme going on here... but to me blue and white = Spring and summer! I've picked a selection of different styles that would work well for a multitude of ocassions. Like I've said previously I'm not that great on buying clothes for warmer weather therefore I picked a few styles that would work well here in the UK with our 'summer weather' and abroad where it is a bit hotter!

When it comes to my bottom half I pretty much live in a denim or black pair of skinny jeans. However when warmer weather arrives I can get a bit hot in those. I've only picked out a few things from ASOS that have caught my eye as I know ultimately if I can get away with wearing my skinnies then I will! - Also I find shopping for things for the bottom half of my body tough because I'm so out of proportion!

I like to wear my converse a lot. But sometimes the occasion may call for a pretty shoe, or something more weather appropriate. I've selected a mix of comfortable flats, and smaller heeled shoes. This girl cannot do massive heels anymore, I look ridiculous trying to walk in them. Despite being 4ft 11, I will never be tall even with heels. I just cant do it! With a smarter shoe I can make a simple jeans and Tshirt outfit look a bit more polished and put together!

Now that I have had a good browse of the site, I really am counting down the days till payday so I can at least treat myself to 1 or 2 or ~~3,4,5..6~~... items from this list. The bonus with ASOS is that their returns process is really easy, so if I do go crazy and place a big order, I wont have to worry too much about having to send anything back if it ends up not fitting correctly! - More of a reason to slurge no?

What takes your fancy from my picks? Have you bought anything from ASOS recently? It's nice to have a bit of retail therapy from time to time!

Much love,