THUNDER + THREADS

Welcome To My Bedroom; My Safe Haven..

2013-05-19T18:08:00.000+01:00

I'm sure many of you can relate to the feeling of relief when you open the door into your bedroom after a long and tedious day, collapsing on to your bed and whipping your bra off immediately (let's be honest). My bedroom is indeed my safe haven; packed with inspiration, memories and everything I love. I'm quite a Victorian when it comes to decoration; I'm known to like a bit of (organised) clutter and images scattered everywhere and anywhere. Minimalism isn't my forté! Whether it be Old Hollywood postcards, paintings, music vinyls or photographs of friends, I like to be reminded of what makes me happy on a daily basis.

(Featuring; posters and postcards from the Imperial War Museum, London. Paintings by Paddy Lennon and Christine Lennon (my Aunty and Uncle), an original London Calling vinyl (favourite object I own), an Ikea wardrobe and bookshelf, books from The Book Depository, a plastic chandelier from Homebase and an array of bits'n'bobs from here, there and anywhere.)

Best Dry Shampoo for Dark Hair - TIGI | Review

2013-05-15T08:47:00.004+01:00

I'm sure many of you fellow dark-haired lassies (and lads) know the difficulty in finding suitable dry shampoo; every dry shampoo I've tried has been far too white, grey or light for my hair colour. It was extremely irritating, as my hair becomes greasy after a day and dry shampoo is an absolute necessity in my routine. I gave up hope that one would come out for the blackest of black hair colours, until I tried this guy! I've finally found a dry shampoo that doesn't leave ANY residue or colour in the hair, and genuinely works and does the job well. TIGI's Catwalk Session Series Transforming Dry Shampoo* is €11.70 (£9.95) to buy from Fabriah (lowest price).

This invisible dry shampoo works wonders for freshening up my second-day hair and instantly absorbs any excess oil at the roots. It's brilliant for creating volume and texture in the hair, in particular when creating quiffs and high styles! It smells nice; quite masculine, yet not overpowering. It doesn't leave ANY off-colour in the hair at all, regardless of how much you apply. It's the only dry shampoo that also just about let's me get away with 3-day hair, which was practically unheard of for me before! The bottle is large; you get 250ml of product and a little bit goes a long way when using so it lasts ages. It's a bit of a pain to carry around in your handbag because of the size, so hopefully TIGI bring out a travel size (if they haven't already). It's the only dry shampoo that I've tried that works for black hair and I'll be sticking to it from now. I can't elaborate much more on the product; it's great, it works and it's invisible - what more do you need!?

What's your favourite dry shampoo?

Fun at Dublin Zoo with Canon Ireland | Event

2013-05-13T02:17:00.002+01:00

I was recently invited out to a wonderful Canon Ireland event in Dublin Zoo, and I have to say it was one of the greatest events I've ever been to! The Canon Ireland team talked us through new models, how to use the cameras and gave us a heap of photography tips and tricks to take with us. We split into groups, and ventured around the zoo taking shots on the animals on the new cameras. Luckily, one of the newer models was the Canon SX50; the camera I got for Christmas! I was fortunate enough to be able to use my own camera throughout the day, learn how to use it properly (finally) and I couldn't be happier with how the photos turned out. I'm not a photographer, so the photos below are evidence that the cameras are foolproof. I set it on Automatic mode for the majority of the time, giving me professional-looking, stunning shots. I particularly adore my peacock photos!

Not only did we try out the new cameras for Spring/ Summer, we also got to print out our favourite photos on Canon printers at the end for keepsakes. I was beyond impressed with not only the event, but also the Pembroke Commincations PR's and the Canon Ireland team; it was such a fantastic idea for an event. What better way to learn about new cameras, than to actually use them yourself? If you're looking to buy a new camera soon, there's really no better brand than Canon. It's a brand my family have always stuck to, and the proof is in the pudding with the quality you get.

Kinvara Organic Skincare | Review

2013-05-07T19:30:00.000+01:00

There's nothing that excites me more than discovering new Irish products - especially beauty products! Kinvara Skincare is a relatively new product range, hailing from Co. Galway. Kinvara skincare use plant extracts in their products, all of which are organic and come from all over the world. Dr. Joanne Reilly, the owner of the brand, worked as a scientist in Asia herself and "saw first hand the amazing potential of plants in caring for your skin". I tried and tested 3 of their products; Rosehip Face Serum (€28)*, Rosehip Day Cream (€24)* and Absolute Cleansing Oil (€20)*.

I was impressed with all three products if I'm honest, especially the Rosehip Face Serum. I have oily-combination skin so serums and heavy moisturisers can be quite hit and miss with me. Serums are meant to be applied before moisturiser, to help renew and restore the skin deeper than your moisturiser goes. It smells beautiful, feels luxurious and sinks in quicker than most other serums I've used. I use it around 3-4 times a week, applying 1-2 pumps at nighttime and I noticed an instant difference in my skin within a week. After using it for a few weeks at this stage, my skin looks firmer, plumper and not as dull as before. It's definitely something I'll be continuing to use.
I'm quite a fan of cleansing oils, so I was excited to try out the Absolute Cleansing Oil. I've been using Shu Uemura's one for over a year now and rarely remove my makeup without using one in my routine. The Kinvara cleansing oil smells beautiful and it quite simply does the job. The container is greater; oil products without pumps are so messy, as I'm sure many of you know! I remove my eye makeup first during my makeup removal process, then apply 2-3 pumps of this oil on to my dampened face (with makeup still on). It instantly breaks down the makeup and makes removing the rest of it with a cream cleanser easier and quicker. Cleansing oils aren't the cheapest of products, so €20 for this one wasn't too bad.
The Rosehip Day Cream is an anti-ageing formula, containing plant oils and vitamins to ensure your skin is nourished throughout the day. I really like this moisturiser, although I found it quite oily for my skin type and started using it as a nighttime moisturiser instead. It smells beautiful and fresh, you only need a small amount of the product itself to moisturise your whole face and neck. 60ml for a moisturiser is also quite a generous, it's lasting me ages! Using this in conjunction with the Rosehip Serum shows the best results, even after a few days.
Overall, I was really impressed with Kinvara. It's great to see such fantastic products come out of this country and I'm excited to see what else the brand has under their sleeve.

You can buy Kinvara skincare products online here.

My Underbite Experience. (Post-Surgery) 2 Months

2013-05-06T21:09:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone! I can't believe I'm on my first "milestone" post-surgery blog post. It's been just over 2 months since I underwent my double jaw surgery and I couldn't be happier. The first month dragged by, like I mentioned before, but the last 4 weeks have flown in - it's scary! The full results of my surgery are more noticeable now than ever, as you can see in the photos above. I still have my braces, surgical hooks and a few wires in though, so it's not the final result just yet.

The swelling has gone 90% from my face; there's some areas surrounding my jawline, cheeks and nose that are still swollen but aren't noticeable. I'm still quite numb; mainly in my chin. My bottom lip is FINALLY starting to get feeling back in it, slight tingles and twitches running through it - it's a great sign. As long as my lips have feeling in them, I don't mind too much about my chin!

I'm eating 100% back to normal now, there's no restrictions really. As long as the food fits in my mouth and is easy enough to chew, it's fine! I can't fully express how delighted I am to be back on a normal diet; the liquid diet was one of the worst things about the whole experience. I never want another bowl of soup or milkshake again, bleugh. I've drank alcohol twice since the surgery, after approximately 7 weeks and had no side affects (I've had a few people ask me about this). There was no extra pain the next day, my face was only a tiny bit more swollen the next day but not noticeable at all and it went day pretty quickly. Obviously when drinking, don't go overboard and avoid really busy places like clubs and gig etc until your bones are fully healed.

One of the toughest things for me to deal with over the last few weeks, has been stretching my jaws. I was told a few weeks back, that I should be able to fit 3 fingers comfortably in my mouth; I'm currently only able to fit 2 in. I have to do jaw stretches everyday, which absolutely wreck so I can get quite lazy with it, if I'm being honest. I really hope it doesn't become an ongoing issue for me, as I'm afraid of going through another surgery or further pain in the future.

My surgical hooks are hopefully going to be removed soon; they're quite an annoyance and make it difficult to sit your face in a neutral position. I wear two wires at the back on each side of my mouth now, and take them out to eat and to stretch the jaws. They're lighter than my first set of bands, and aren't an issue in the grand scale of things.

I feel like life has just begun for me, as cliché it sounds! I never realised how much of a difference the surgery would make; it's like a black cloud has moved away from me. Absolutely everything is different about me, not only my physical appearance but also my personality and confidence. I've been socialising more than ever, I've become more daring with outfits and I'm saying "Yes!" to opportunities that I would have turned down in the past because of my lack of confidence. I'm not going to say I'm "comfortable in my own skin" or anything along those lines, because I'm not. I have a better view of myself, but unfortunately have started to shift my focus on other flaws. I'm trying really hard to think positively however, and to accept myself and what I look like. It's difficult; this surgery definitely improved my body image views, no doubt, but there's a lot I still have to work on.

I technically still have another month to go until I'm 100% recovered; as I've mentioned before, the jaw bones take on average 3 months to heal. I'll hopefully be getting my braces off this Summer, which I'm dying for! I've had them since I was 11, so it's fair to say I'm sick of the sight of them.

Overall, I'm really happy. I'd recommend the surgery to anyone going through similar issues. It's scary, it's tough, but boy do you feel like a tough cookie afterwards! I highly doubt (and hope) I'll never have to go through anything similar like the surgery or experience again, it's nice knowing that it's all behind me.

I was featured on the front cover of the Irish Independent's 'Health & Living' supplement today, discussing my experience with my underbite and the surgery. My scanner isn't working at the moment unfortunately, so I'll have to post the article up in the future for people overseas to read. I've received a fantastic response from it though, particularly from people with jaw deformations themselves. I'm delighted!

(Please excuse any font or spacing errors in this post - it's my third attempt at posting and editing it. Blogger is acting up YET AGAIN; so tempted to move blogging platforms! Gah.)

How To Style: Converse All Stars

2013-05-05T21:10:00.000+01:00

One of my most requested blog posts since I started Thunder & Threads, has been how to style Converse. How I haven't written about them before is beyond me, so here we go! I wear my Chucks constantly, I feature them regularly and have an undying love for the classic shoe. The company Converse is over 100 years old and still growing from strength to strength to this day. They're an extremely versatile shoe; you can wear them with practically anything! I love both the high top and low top versions, and currently own quite a few pairs (pictured above). My first pair of Converse were black high tops; I bought them when I was 13 and subsequently drew emo-licious pictures and lyrics all over them (broken hearts, MCR lyrics - I was cool). I wore them to death and eventually had to bin them. I've never not owned a pair since!

Styling-wise, the less you think about styling a pair of Converse, the better. They're a casual shoe that can add edge and an element of grunge to any look. Take Kristen Stewart, whom I adore, wearing a pair of Converse with her Yigal Azrouel dress to the MTV Movie Awards. It shocked the fashion critics worldwide, caused quite a frenzy but oh, did it work! It suited her, she looked like she was actually comfortable walking down the red carpet and it was different. I absolutely adore wearing Converse with dresses and skirts; it's unexpected and it doesn't look like you've tried too hard.

If you want that Olsen-esque laidback 'I just threw this on' vibe to your outfit, throw on an oversized baggy jumper/ cardigan, a pair of black leggings and some Converse and you're good to go. Add chicness with a slouchy bag and oversized sunnies, if you don't want to look too shabby! My day to day outfits usually consist of my leather jacket, a band t-shirt and Levi shorts. I tend to wear my Converse with those outfits 90% of the time; I reach for them more than my Vans and other casual shoes. If you find that your outfits are too simple and lack 'edge', invest in a pair of printed Converse (like my leopard-print pair pictured above) and you're good to go.

High top and low tops alike tend to lengthen the legs when worn, so they're ideal to throw on during the Summer months. They look just as good with bare legs, as they do with fishnet tights and skinny jeans. There's a pair out there for everyone - trust me!

If you don't own a pair of Converse yet, I'd recommend sticking to a black or white pair as you'll get more wear out of them and will be able to style them with more pieces. There's a huge range of Converse out there; the 90's-style platforms are particularly en vogue at the moment! I got this all-black pair (pictured below) from ASOS on sale at around Christmas time. They're just as comfortable as my regular-soled Chucks and they give me that extra bit of height - which is always good! Sometimes Converse do hurt when breaking into them initially, but out of all of my pairs, only two have hurt significantly during the first few wears. I personally love when Converse get a little grubby and worn-looking, and tend to purposely try and get them a little messed up during the first few days.

How I style Converse..

There's a heap of places you can buy Converse from - my favourite stores in particular are ASOS, JD Sports and Office. All three usually stock not only the basic styles, but also trendy and limited edition Converse. I'm a size 6 1/2 (UK) in shoes but in Converse I'm a size 6. They tend to stretch slightly after a good bit of wear, so always try on a pair prior to buying.

I have my eye on a few pairs of Converse at the moment, in particular a pair of nude low-tops. They'd be ideal to wear with faded skinnies rolled up at the ankle and an oversized white t-shirt!

How do you wear your Converse? What styles do you own?

OOTD feat. Persunmall, Cotton Face Vintage & Penneys

2013-05-02T15:11:00.001+01:00

Jacket // H&M

Polka-dot shirt* // Persunmall

Skirt // Penneys (Primark)

Necklace* // Cotton Face Vintage

Converse Platforms // ASOS

Awkward Posing // Born With It

OOTD feat. Urban Outfitters, Romwe & A|Wear

2013-05-01T01:07:00.000+01:00

Jacket // Topshop

Flannel Shirt // Urban Outfitters

Boyfriend Tank Top // American Apparel

Lace Bicycle Shorts // Motel Rocks

Handbag // A|Wear

Sunglasses* // Romwe

Platform Converse // ASOS

Ouija Board Phone Cover* // Zero Gravity

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural - 'Light' | Review

2013-04-29T13:21:00.000+01:00

There's nothing I love more than venturing out into the wilderness (Brown Thomas) and having a wee splurge on makeup. I picked up MAC's famous Mineralize Skinfinish Natural powder last year, for €26.50. I use it frequently; it definitely wasn't a waste of money, but it didn't live up to my expectations.

MAC's Mineralize Skinfinish Powders are often used as setting powders for makeup, but can be used as a light foundation when applied wet (best to use MAC's Fix+ for this). I prefer using it as a setting powder, as I find it gives very little coverage when attempting to use it as a foundation; I like medium-heavy coverage, so if you're looking for something light and natural, you'd love this. The main reason I like this powder, is because it has lasted me absolutely ages! There's barely a dent made in the pan, and I've had it for at least 8 months. I love the packaging; it's simple and sturdy. It doesn't get too grubby and it's able to take a good battering amongst other makeup bag essentials.

It's good to use as a setting powder, mainly because of the colour and glow it gives. It makes your skin look healthy and fresh, and keeps your foundation and concealer in place nicely. However, if you have oily-combination skin this doesn't work too well! I find that after an hour, my t-zone is incredibly oily again (especially around my nose). I use a mattifying, translucent powder on my t-zone and apply this everywhere else on my face. I find this works alright applied over translucent powder, so it's ideal to pop into my handbag for touch-ups throughout the day. It's a fantastically light powder; suiting pale skin well - unlike a lot of powders out there claiming to be "porcelain", when in fact they make me look orange! It works best applied with a synthetic brush, also.

Overall, it's a great powder, it just doesn't suit my skin type. It's 100% worth the money; probably one of the best MAC products I own, price-wise. If you're pale and looking for a nice powder for Summer, try it asap!

Have you tried this powder? What did you think?

Maybelline Collossal Volum' Express Mascara | Review

2013-04-25T00:24:00.000+01:00

Mascara applied on my right eyelashes, nothing on the left lashes (excuse the messy brow).

Mascara has always been a product that I've been reaaally picky about over the years; I've tried my fair share of both high-end and high-street versions and have stuck to the same 2 or 3 over the years. My No.1 mascara of all time is Maybelline's The Falsies, so I was curious to try out their other hyped up mascara; The Colossal Volum' Express. Whilst this mascara didn't knock The Falsies off of my No.1 spot, it definitely impressed me and I can see where the hype lies.

If you're a fan of The Falsies, but not sure if the full-on false lash effect look is suitable for daytime, try this! I personally love OTT lashes; false lash effects without the hassle of false lashes themselves. However, I know a bunch of people need their eyes toned down a tad for work/ school/ whatever be havin' you. This is like The Falsies' little sister. The packaging is great - as it always is with Maybelline mascaras. The leopard-print in particular caught my eye!

The curved spoon-like wand is fantastic; very similar to The Falsies' - amazing at reaching every lash and giving you a voluminous curl. It coats each lash instantly, lifts them and doesn't clump at all (even after a few coats). I don't curl my lashes as I have a phobia of lash curlers, but there's no need to even use them with this mascara (see the picture above).

Will I be repurchasing this? Probably not, to be honest. As much as I like it, I really do prefer The Falsies' dramatic effect on my lashes and think it suits my makeup looks more. I can see a heap of people adoring this however, so try it if you're on the hunt for something effective, yet simple. I bought this in London last year from Superdrug, but it's around the usual €9-mark in Irish stores at the moment.

Have you tried this mascara before? What did you think?

WIN MY WARDROBE | Day 4

2013-04-23T19:57:00.000+01:00

Evening all! I'm sure you all know the drill of these giveaways by now - I've been giving away a heap of pre-loved clothes over the last few weeks on my blog. This is my second-last WMW installment; the final giveaway will be posted this weekend featuring a dress worth over €100. The blazer below was worn once, and the playsuit has never been worn (or even tried on)! There's no damage or marks of wear on either of them.

T&C's & info..

The blazer is a UK size 10, the playsuit is a UK size 8.

(Both would fit a size 8-10.)

One winner will receive both items.

This is open to Ireland & UK residents only.

The giveaway will end on Friday 26th April (3 days).

Winner selection: I select 5 people at random, and the person with the most extra entries completed wins. (This is how I've run my giveaways for years, and it works best for me!)

If the winner doesn't email me back within 2-3 days, I'll select another winner.

I'll be announcing the winner on Twitter and on my Facebook page.

To enter..

You MUST follow this blog via GFC or Twitter - click here to follow.

Leave a comment below telling me how you'd style one/ all of the items.

Leave your email address in the comment (this is how I'll notify the winner).

Extra entries..

Follow me on Twitter - click here.

Subscribe to me on Youtube - click here.

Follow this blog on Bloglovin' - click here.

'Like' Thunder & Threads on Facebook - click here.

'Like' Leanne Woodfull on Facebook - click here.

Follow me on Instagram (LeanneWoodfull) - click here.

Follow me on Tumblr - click here.

Good luck! xo

OOTD feat. Romwe, Motel Rocks & Zara

2013-04-22T13:18:00.000+01:00

Jacket* // Romwe

Sunglasses* // Romwe

Disco Pants // Motel Rocks

Nude Heels // New Look

Office City Bag // Zara

Shortlisted - Best Fashion Blog | Company Magazine Style Blogger Awards 2013 - Vote For Me!

2013-04-20T11:22:00.000+01:00

I have to say, April is being very kind to me this year! Company Magazine have just posted their shortlisted nominees for their famous Style Blogger Awards in association with New Look - and I've been nominated! I've been nominated for Best Fashion Blog , all thanks to you guys for voting for me. I'm up against some of the best, so it's really an honour.

I've read Company since I was around 13, when it was A4 size, and ever since it's been a magazine I've bought monthly and love. To win Best Fashion Blogger would mean the world to me; it'd be the first blog award I've ever won! I'm completely determined to make 2013 my best year ever; this would make quite a fabulous contribution to that!

I'd love if you guys could vote for me - I have a heap of giveaways planned to say thank you for this (and everything else for that matter)! I'm so, so delighted.

To vote for my blog Thunder & Threads -> click here.

(To vote, you have to go through various stages. The Best Fashion Blogger stage is No.5 - my blog is listed on the righthand side!)

My lovely friend Tara from TarMarTales is also nominated for Best Personal Style and Fashion Newcomer. We're both determined to represent Ireland as best we can in the fashion world, so please throw a vote her way too if you can! I feel us Irish bloggers aren't recognised enough in the UK media, so this would be a fantastic opportunity for us both to make our stamp on the world!

OOTD feat. Zara, New Look & Choies

2013-04-19T16:00:00.000+01:00

Turquoise faux fur jacket* // Choies

V-neck plunge crop top* // Motel Rocks

Leopard-print trousers // Zara

Office City bag // Zara

Nude heels // New Look

Red and gold hoop earrings // New Look

Sunglasses Wishlist & Laser Eye Surgery Ramblings

2013-04-19T10:00:00.000+01:00

// Vintage Deco D Frame sunglasses - Motel Rocks // Colourful Big Frame Sunglasses - Romwe // Tortoise Shell cat-eye sunglasses - Ebay // Polka dot heart sunglasses - Topshop // Bel Air sunglasses - Wildfox //

Oh, sunglasses - how I heart thee! I've been quite obsessed with sunglasses for a good few years now; always buying new frames for Summer. They're a piece that can instantly transform and jazz up an outfit! I like and own both high-street and high-end frames, of all different styles and colours. I've had my eye on all of the frames pictured above, but doubt I'll buy anymore this year (nearly 10 pairs of sunglasses is more than enough). However, I'm sure some of you will like the frames above and maybe, just maybe, you'll buy a pair and send me a picture of you wearing them! They're all so beautiful. I tend to go for quite retro and kitsch frames; something classic or something quirky.

One of the only downfalls to wearing sunglasses for me, is that none of the frames I own are prescription! I never like any of the prescription glasses on sale in my opticians, so I continue to go about my day shielded from the sun but still blind as a bat. I've written about my whole eyesight journey before (see here) and love my current Missoni frames to death, but I'd love to eventually get rid of the hassle of wearing glasses. I'm looking to get laser eye surgery in a few years, as wearing glasses can be quite irritating for me at times. I'm looking at places such as Optical Express to go and undergo the laser eye treatment (visit them here), as I've heard many great "life changing" stories referred back to them (especially from their Dundrum premises). If any of you have undergone laser eye surgery, please let me know in a comment below. I know I'll probably have to wait a few years until my eye sight stabilises and until I save enough money for it, but planning it now wouldn't do any harm. I'm not even two months recovering from my jaw surgery and already I'm thinking of the next bump in the road to get over! I've been reading a heap of forums and blog posts on the experience (especially this one) and have to say the thought of it bloody terrifies me. However, if I can get through having both of my jaws broken, I'm sure I could get through this!

What sunglasses are you wearing at the moment? Spot any you like above?

OOTD feat. Fashion Union, Romwe & Motel Rocks

2013-04-18T17:00:00.000+01:00

Metallic faux leather jacket* // Romwe

Floral sunglasses* // Choies

Heart print crop top* // Fashion Union

Disco Pants // Motel Rocks

Tardy Boots // Jeffrey Campbell

Make Up For Ever HD Foundation | Review

2013-04-18T11:00:00.000+01:00

Most of you know by now the difficulty I have in finding base products that match my Casper-like complexion. I've tried every brand under the sun; from Chanel, Clinique, Estée Lauder, Rimmel, Revlon - you name it! None of them offer genuinely pale shades (in foundations especially), it's really irritating - especially in this day and age. One of the only brands I've stuck to for years, has been Make Up For Ever. Lucky for us folks in Dublin, we have a Make Up For Ever store in the City Centre situated here. I know how difficult it is to get in other countries, so I always feel extra-lucky that we're able to get our paws on it on these shores. I usually switch my foundations up between one of three Make Up For Ever products I have in my stash (HD, Mat Velvet +, Face & Body) and MAC's recent launch: Studio Fix Fluid NW10. I studied Pro-Artistry Makeup in MUFE two years ago and fell in love with the ever-so talked about HD Foundation* instantly, in my opinion it's 100% worth the hype.

If you love a light, natural and dewy finish, this foundation isn't for you (try their Face & Body) - if you're like me and love medium-high coverage and photoshop-perfect skin, you'll adore this! I have combination-oily skin and foundation is something that can be quite hit and miss with me because of this; as much as I love my MAC Studio Fix Fluid NW10, it can sometimes get quite oily around my T-Zone area and needs to be touched up every few hours. The HD Foundation stays puts for at least 6 hours, with minimal powder touch-ups required - it's completely oil-free, which is a major bonus! I've heard from drier-skinned people, that it tends to not work too well for their skin type, as it has a tendency to cling to dry patches on their face. Exfoliating and moisturising just before application would combat that issue, I'd imagine!

My shade in the HD Foundation is N110 - 'Pink Porcelain'. It's a nice balance between pink and yellow (I have both tones in my skin). There is a lighter shade (107 - 'Pink') but it's far too pink-toned for me and doesn't look too flattering on. Shade-wise, the foundation is the slightest bit too dark but looks fine once blended into the skin and amongst other products. It's designed for the likes of people who are on stage, on tv or are being photographed; the finish it gives on camera is fantastic and natural-looking, without looking cakey.

I apply the HD Foundation with a buffing brush, as I find it gives me the best coverage. It's advised you apply the foundation with a sponge, but I personally find that they soak up and waste product. It's all personal preference, however! The HD Foundation to buy is €39.50, for 30ml of product. A little goes a long way with it, so it lasts at least 4-5 months. During the makeup course, we used all of the HD products in conjunction with each other; the HD powder, HD cream blushers, HD primers etc and it gave an overall flawless look to the face. The range does what it says on the tin; if you're up for a splurge, buy the foundation and HD Powder at least - you won't be disappointed!

If you can't visit the store anytime soon, you can also buy Make Up For Ever products online directly from the Dublin store here!

Have you tried MUFE's HD Foundation before? What did you think?

WIN MY WARDROBE | Day 3

2013-04-17T20:45:00.000+01:00

After the recent success of my previous two Win My Wardrobe giveaways, I've decided to post Day 3 up early! I'm sure you all know the jist by now, but just in case; I cleared out my bedroom a week or two ago, getting rid of things I didn't want, wear or get use of anymore. I've given bags of clothes and makeup away to charity, friends and family but I also wanted to give bits away to you guys.

I'd never sell clothes that have been sent to me by PR's or a company, so I thought it'd be a good idea to give away my "wardrobe" through competitions. I still love each and every item listed, but I just don't have the room for it all anymore. All of the pieces have been featured in my most popular outfit posts and videos - you probably recognise them! There'll be one more Win My Wardrobe giveaway posted on this blog next week, featuring a very special item of clothing worth over €120!

The prizes this time around include an AX Paris black dress with studded detailing on the upper back and around the neck, a Motel Rocks black cropped Peter Pan collar shirt and a Romwe PVC studded skirt. All of these items haven't been worn more than twice, and there are no signs of damage or wear on any of them.

T&C's & info..

All of the items are a size UK 8-10.

One winner will receive all three items.

This is open to Ireland & UK residents only.

The giveaway will end on Saturday 20th April (3 days).

Winner selection: I select 5 people at random, and the person with the most extra entries completed wins. (This is how I've run my giveaways for years, and it works best for me!)

If the winner doesn't email me back within 2-3 days, I'll select another winner.

I'll be announcing the winner on Twitter and on my Facebook page.

To enter..

You MUST follow this blog via GFC or Twitter - click here to follow.

Leave a comment below telling me how you'd style one/ all of the items.

Leave your email address in the comment (this is how I'll notify the winner).

Extra entries..

Follow me on Twitter - click here.

Subscribe to me on Youtube - click here.

Follow this blog on Bloglovin' - click here.

'Like' Thunder & Threads on Facebook - click here.

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Good luck! xo

OOTD feat. Wildfox, Jeffrey Campbell & Fashion Union

2013-04-17T14:00:00.000+01:00

California Girl shirt // Wildfox Couture

Daisy-print skirt* // Fashion Union

Tardy Boots // Jeffrey Campbell

Cat-eye sunglasses* // Romwe

Hoop earrings // Penneys

Faux leather belt // Penneys

Zero Gravity 'Black Magic' iPhone Case | Review

2013-04-16T21:50:00.000+01:00

We all know that one of the main reasons people want iPhones is for the vast range of covers and cases you can buy for them, me included! I change my phone covers, like I change my outfits. I love switching it up and having a bit of fun with them - the more unique, interesting and fun they are, the better! US brand Zero Gravity recently sent me out an iPhone case of my choice; I chose their magnificent ouija board cover entitled 'Black Magic'*. I'm sure you're all aware by now that I love all things paranormal, spooky and gloomy - I think it's fair to say this phone cover suits me quite well.

The Black Magic phone cover is neat, easy to apply on the phone and is sturdy. I usually find that plastic covers can be flimsy and easily breakable with iPhones, but not a scratch has landed on this since I put it on early last week (I'm quite clumsy, this is a major plus)! The phone cover doesn't cover the screen, so the front of the iPhone isn't altered in any way. iPhone screens are extremely delicate and are known to break so easily, I'd recommend keeping your iPhone in a phone sock with one of these covers on them - just to be safe.

The Black Magic phone cover works out at around €20 ($24.50) and you can buy it online here. The Black Magic design is also available here for iPhone 5's, laptop covers, iPad covers and more. Zero Gravity offer an absolutely huge range of iPhone cases, so they're ideal to order for a gift for someone. I'm thrilled with my case, and the quality of it especially. I plan on purchasing more cases from Zero Gravity in the future for myself and friends. Impressed!

Have you used a Zero Gravity case before?

OOTD & Mini Charity Shop Haul

2013-04-16T01:17:00.000+01:00

Faux fur jacket* // Choies.com

Striped jeans* // MotelRocks.com

Céline Paris t-shirt // Ebay (given to me by Ciara)

Black platform high-tops // ASOS

Boy, does it feel like ages since I've blogged about an outfit! It's been a while, I'm glad to be back on track after the big day last month. I've been out and about more over the last two weeks, feeling a lot more energetic and enthusiastic about life en general! I went to Dun Laoghaire yesterday with my Nana to have a look at an art exhibition, and to have a peek around my favourite charity shops in the area. I picked up three glorious items (pictured below); a vintage Radley 40's-style dress from the 1970s, a vintage polka-dot blouse and The Craft on VCR. It's one of my favourite movies, for 50c I needed to own this gem of the 90's on VCR - it felt right.

Luckily, the weather has finally changed for the better in Dublin. March was our coldest recorded since records began, so the current sunshine and mildness aren't anything to miss. I wore a heap of new pieces out including this amazing turquoise faux fur coat; it's OTT, it's flashy and I adore it. I want (need) one in every colour. Unless you've been living under a rock over the last few months, you'd know that monochrome is biiig news right now trend-wise. My outfit was entirely monochrome, until the pop of colour in the jacket broke it up. I like monochrome as much as the next person, but usually need a bit of colour thrown in somewhere so I don't end up looking like a zebra crossing!

My Motel Rocks code is worth a whopping 25% off for this week only - you can receive the discount off of any full-priced items. Enter the code LeanneWoodfull at the checkout. Happy shopping!

Pink nail polishes - Rimmel & Ciate* // Rings - Topshop & ASOS

Best of Dublin | Vintage | 9 Crow Street

2013-04-11T12:10:00.000+01:00

Today marks the beginning of a whole new blog series; Best of Dublin! It's something I've been planning for a while now. I want to write and inform people about the best of my home city; whether it be shops, restaurants, tourist attractions, young talent or hangout spots. I don't think Dublin gets enough credit for what it is and what it has to offer. We're an eclectic city, booming in the areas of arts, crafts and music in particular. Ever since the doom and gloom recession hopped upon these shores, small businesses and independent companies have sprung up everywhere.

9 Crow Street began as a small vintage shop in late 2010 situated at 9 Crow Street, Temple Bar. Growing a loyal customer base over the years, it was a brilliant place to pop into for the chats and to have a gander through the rails upon rails of clothes. 9 Crow Street eventually moved to a new HQ on Amiens Street and now sell their stock online. Emma, Melissa and Dean are the brains behind 9 Crows; three wonderfully talented and humble people that I've had the pleasure of knowing for quite some time now. You can't get much better than these guys when it comes to buying and selling vintage in this city, they're the best of the best. Influencing and encouraging the youth of Dublin (if not, Ireland), they consistently make a brilliant example of what creative Dublin has to offer.

Over the last few years, the vintage and secondhand industry has boomed in Ireland, especially in Dublin. As a fan of vintage myself, I found vintage shopping difficult in the city. I discovered that a lot of places were sticking the vintage label on to items that weren't even a decade old and came from popular high-street chains such as Penneys and Topshop. Not only was it false advertising, in a sense, the majority of "vintage" stock was horrendously overpriced. To this day, I only stick to the same 2-3 vintage stores in Dublin - 9 Crow Street being my main rummage-spot. Their stock is carefully selected and thought-out, reasonably priced and always in fantastic condition. 9 Crow Street most definitely filled the gap for a lot of people when it came to vintage buying and bargain hunting in Dublin. You can see for yourself the variety of clothes they have to offer, for both men and women on their website. I can't recommend them enough, they're by far one of my favourite stores in Dublin and I predict even bigger and greater things for them - they deserve it.

You can visit the 9 Crow Street website here - they ship to all over Ireland, Europe and Worldwide. The HQ on Amiens Street are open 7 days a week and welcome walk-in appointments if you contact them in advance (email - admin@9crowstreet.com).
For more info - click here.

Top Picks:

Rose print crop top - €24 - Blue and purple midi skirt - €22 - Blue dress - €42

9crowstreet on Vimeo.

Essie 'Action' Nail Polish | Review

2013-04-10T16:39:00.000+01:00

I have officially found my nail polish for Summer, everyone; Essie's 'Action' is the new love of my life. There is nothing better than applying a nail polish that instantly transforms your look and brightens up your day, fact! I bought four Essie nail polishes recently from Fragrance Direct for £1.99 each (quite a steal, as they're usually around €10 to buy in stores here). One of the polishes I bought was this juicy orange shade. Orange is never a colour I'm drawn to, but 'Action' immediately caught my eye as it wasn't too OTT and I had nothing in my collection that was similar.

Most orange nail polishes can be quite one dimensional or too luminous - 'Action' is a unique shade in itself and one I haven't seen before on the high-street. It took 2 coats for complete opaqueness, but looked best after 3. It took less time to dry than 'Bikini So Teeny' (see review here). I applied a top coat after 15 minutes and it was good to go at 20. It lasted 3 days in total, with minimal wear at the tips and the sides. It'll be my go-to shade for Summer and it's one I'll definitely repurchase once I've used it up. I'm starting to understand the hype surrounding Essie nail polishes now, as quite frankly, they're brilliant! Between the shade range, quality, longevity, the easy to handle brushes and the packaging, I'm so impressed.

Have you tried 'Action' before? What's your favourite orange nail polish?

WIN MY WARDROBE | Day 1

2013-04-10T14:16:00.000+01:00

Afternoon everyone! As many of you know, I've been clearing out my bedroom over the last few days. I've given bags of clothes and makeup away to charity, friends and family but I also wanted to give bits away to you guys. I'd never sell clothes that have been sent to me by PR's or a company, so I thought it'd be a good idea to give away my "wardrobe" through competitions. I still love each and every item listed, but I just don't have the room for it all anymore. All of the pieces bar one brand new item, have been featured in my most popular outfit posts and videos - you probably recognise most of them! I put the idea for this out on Twitter the other day, and received a fantastic response so voila..

There'll be 4 Win My Wardrobe giveaways on this blog over the next fortnight, featuring 10 items of clothing. I'll be holding a mini giveaway over the next few days over on my Facebook page also, where you can win a bundle of my favourite jewellery.

The first Win My Wardrobe giveaway today consists of a peplum top with faux leather sleeves from LavishAlice.com, a galaxy print sheer shirt from BooHoo.com and a sheer panel dress from MotelRocks.com. All of these items haven't been worn more than twice, and there are no signs of damage or wear on any of them.

T&C's & info..

All of the items are a size UK 8.

One winner will receive all three items.

This is open to Ireland & UK residents only.

The giveaway will end on Saturday 13th April (3 days).

Winner selection: I select 5 people at random, and the person with the most extra entries completed wins. (This is how I've run my giveaways for years, and it works best for me!)

If the winner doesn't email me back within 2-3 days, I'll select another winner.

I'll be announcing the winner on Twitter and on my Facebook page.

To enter..

You MUST follow this blog via GFC or Twitter - click here to follow.

Leave a comment below telling me how you'd style one/ all of the items.

Leave your email address in the comment (this is how I'll notify the winner).

Extra entries..

Follow me on Twitter - click here.

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Good luck! xo

Clarins HydraQuench Cream | Review

2013-04-09T09:21:00.000+01:00

Ever since my surgery last month, my skin has been acting absolutely crazy; anesthetic and heavy doses of medication are notorious for messing peoples' skin up. My skin has been constantly dry, dehydrated and 'tight' over the last 3-4 weeks; I have combination-oily skin, so I've never experienced the tightness before (which I know many dry-skinned people have). I had to switch up my skincare products, to ones suited to my current skin type; I'm a loyal Clarins user, so luckily I had a pot of HydraQuench Cream* in my stash.

HydraQuench Cream is a moisturiser best suited for those with normal-dry skin types. It's a thick, creamy moisturiser that sinks into the skin within minutes and doesn't leave any oily residue. My T-Zone has remained the oiliest area on my face, even though it's nothing like it usually is when my skin's normal - the HydraQuench Cream doesn't make it shinier and applied makeup continues to stay put on the area throughout the day. It's ideal to wear under makeup and to also use at nighttime; I find using it both night and day shows the best results. It smells beautiful and fresh - like a typical Clarins scent. After only a few days of use, my skin instantly looked more alive and fresh, I was beyond impressed! I've been using it for around a fortnight now and the tight feeling and dry patches have subsided.

The 50ml jar seems to last forever, as barely a dent has been made in my tub since I started using it. HydraQuench Cream is €45, but I honestly think it's worth the price as it lasts ages (I'm predicting 3-4 months) and does the job well! If you suffer from dry skin, give this a go - Clarins have yet again, hit the nail on the head with combating skin issues! If you have normal skin and are in need of a boost after Winter, I think it'd suit you well - use it as a night cream, as opposed to a day cream. If you're a fan of Clarins, you'll really love it - it's simple, it gets the job done and it's a little bit of luxury to add to your day. 10/10!

Do you have dry skin? What's your go-to moisturiser?