What I Read: June

 

It's the end of the month and that means it's time to share with you the book/s I enjoyed this month. However this month it's more of a book I'm reading than a book I've read. Everything I've picked up this month has just failed to catch my attention fully or keep me gripped past the first chapter. So instead today I'm going to give you my thoughts so far on the only book I've managed to get into this month.

Honeymoon Suite by Wendy Holden is the only book this month that has managed to keep my attention for more than a few pages. Based two intertwining stories involving characters Nell and Dylan, this book tells the story off their ups and downs in life and love whilst occasionally throwing the two characters together in a twisting narrative that destines them to end up together.

So far I've only gotten sixteen chapters in and it's an okay narrative but it's not making me read large chunks at a time and I honestly don't know if I'm going to complete this book. It's not necessarily a bad book and I quite like what I've read so far, I think it's just not for me. The characters are relatable and aren't hard to imagine coexsisting next to you in everyday life. The situations are dramatic but not unrealistic and I like how there is a mixture of humour alongside the drama. Wendy Holden is an amazing author, I've loved a lot of her previous works but I think that I'm not in the mood for this sort of chick lit number, especially after having read a lot of YA and crime novels after the last few months. Maybe I'll go back to it one day but I doubt I'll finish this time around.

Monthly Favourites: June

 

June has finally come to an end. For me this month has dragged slightly and I haven't discovered many new products that I've been obsessed with. However there are several non beauty favourites that I've not been able to put down or stop listening to so it balances it out well.

The only new product I discovered this month comes from B. Their newly released Camomile Facial Spritz is a brilliant dupe for the Liz Earle Instant Skin Tonic Booster. It's combined blend of Camomile, Rose and Plum, this has worked wonders at soothing, toning and refreshing my skin without breaking me out or irritating my skin like other facial spritzes have. I've used quite a fair amount already since I brought it but I've been using this every day both before moisturiser and mixed in with my primer. I've barely reached for my Liz Earle since I brought it and that's saying something, considering it's like a holy grail product for me.

Now most of the beauty products I've loved this month have been rediscoveries starting with this Make Up Revolution Setting Spray. I rediscovered it when I had a make up shake up and I've been totally blown away by how well it keeps my make up in place. I remember my first impressions being less than impressed but trying it again now and I'm actually astounded by how it's improved the longevity of my make up. And I'm not just talking a couple more hours, I'm talking a good four or five hours more, including going to work where I have absolutely no air con and humidity is always horrendous. This is the last step of my routine every morning and I can't see myself reaching for another setting spray any time soon.

My second rediscovey of the month is an eye gel that I used on and off for a couple of months and then forgot about. However with the weather warmer up and it getting a little harder to sleep at night, I've found this Optimum Phytoenergise Refreshing Eye Gel. It's a caffeine infused formula that helps to depuff the under eye area and minimise any look of fatigue. It's got a cooling rollerball that really helps cool the under eye area down and makes me feel ten times more human in the morning. And for the days when I've been absolutely shattered, I've been popping it in the fridge for five minutes to make it even colder and refreshing when I apply it.

This month I've really gotten back into the routine of moisturising my body as well as my face. I'm really lazy when it comes to moisturising my body but with Summer making itself known, I thought I'd try and get into a routine so my skin looks at least a bit better when I'm in camisoles and t-shirts. And for the I rediscovered the Soap And Glory Sugar Crush Body Buttercream. First off it smells absolutely divine and secondly it's done wonders for my skin. It's a body butter so it's thicker and doesn't really work as well during the day as it does at night. So every night before I go to bed I slather my arms and legs in this and leave it to soak in as I sleep. And boy does my skin feel soft the next morning. I'm so glad I kicked my ass into a routine as the skin on my arms has never looked better and feels so much softer to the touch.

Recently I've become obsessed with backpacks. I can't get enough of them and it's all I want to buy when browsing online or out shopping. And my only style favourite for this month is this gorgeous bee embellished backpack from Primark. It doesn't look too small against my frame and is the perfect size for carrying my essentials when I'm out and about. It's even great for carrying a ton of cinema snacks which ties is nicely with my next favourite. However at only £10 from Primark, I couldn't resist picking this up and adding it to what I can see be a rapidly expanding collection.

Tying in nicely from last favourite is my favourite film of June. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom was the perfect sequel to 2015's Jurassic World. It was made up of so many different elements that brought a variation of emotions to the audience viewing experience. I found certain parts sad and found myself tearing up whilst others parts had me laughing out loud and several moments during the final showdown had me holding my breath. The acting was superb, with the cast bringing even more depth and development to their characters. My personal favourite had to be Bryce Dallas Howard's portrayal of Clare Dearing. In Jurassic World she was more detached, almost clinical in her approach and outlook on life but in Fallen Kingdom she has done almost an complete 180 and is portrayed as being more thoughtful, more caring and determined to do right by the inhabitants of Isla Nublar. And the strong badass strength she showed at the end of Jurassic World has also been continued and developed into Fallen Kingdom. And whilst she wasn't at the forefront of the action like Chris Pratt's character, she still held her own and was more than a pretty love interest who clings helplessly to the strong male main character.

There are two album favourites this month which is normally unheard of from me but June has been a very musical month for me and I can't get enough of both of these albums. The first comes from Laurence Fox. I randomly discovered some of his music on Spotify at the beginning of the month and after listening to a few songs was hooked. Holding Patterns, his full length album has a ton of amazing songs all with a slightly melancholy feel to them but also a humilty to them that not only connects a listener to the song but shows a lot of Fox himself. My favourites are Gunfight, Shelter, The Best Mistake and The Great Unknown. They're an easy listen that you can easily have on repeat whilst doing housework or in my case post writing. It's been the only album I've listened to when I've been out and about and that's saying something considering you can never usually get me to stray from Johnny Strong's albums when I'm out and about.

And the other music favourite this month comes from an artist I've loved since I was probably about eight years old and in my eyes is an absolute vocal queen. Christina Aguilera released her new album called Liberation this month and I was hooked the moment I heard the opening beat. It's a different sound to what I remember her having but it's bloody amazing and has a great mixture of upbeat numbers which you can easily dance to as well as slower, meaningful ballads with several powerful, female empowering interludes. My favourites have to be Maria, Think Twice, Deserve, Masochist and Fall In Line. They all take me back to Christina's Back To Basics times and I've seriously loved blasting this when I'm baking or doing housework as it really gives me that energy boost to get everything done.

Top 10 Most Worn Lipsticks

Lipstick is possibly one of my favourite things in the world. It can really pull a look together or can be the main focus of your look. I wear lipstick on a daily basis ranging from pillar box red one day to a cool greige tone the next. And my collection is vast which got me wondering which lipsticks are actually my most worn of them. So today I'm sharing with you my ten most worn/most loved lipsticks.

10- MAC Matte Lipstick in Russian Red
Shade: Blue Toned Red
Why I wear it so much: It's a classic shade that goes well with most looks and suits every skin type. I always feel more confident when I wear this and I love how the blue undertone makes my fair skin look even fairer and almost flawless. Plus it's a comfortable matte finish that can be uncomfortable and drying if you have dry lips but it's nothing that a little lip balm can't fix.

9- Gosh Velvet Touch Matte Lipstick in Rose
Shade: Mauve Pink Shade
Why I wear it so much: It's a perfect everyday neutral. It's not too pink but it's not too brown either and warms up my complexion without the need for bronzer. It's matte finish is again comfortable but can become uncomfortable after a few hours, especially if you haven't prepped your lips properly beforehand. However a little lip balm pressed over top soon remedies that.

8- NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Amsterdam
Shade: Bright Tomato Red
Why I wear it so much: It's that perfect mix of blue toned red and cherry red with just the right amount of orange running through it. The formula is a dream, it's non drying, long wearing and half the time I forget I'm wearing it as it doesn't leave lips feeling dry or powdery. It can occasionally go streaky but when paired with a perfect matching lip liner, you get a highly pigmented, opaque shade.

7- Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte in Divine Wine
Shade: Deep Red
Why I wear it so much: This lipstick is Autumn in a nutshell. I love wearing this during the colder months as it has enough warmth to stop my complexion from looking sickly but it's still dark enough to meet that autumnal trend. And it's formula is a dream. Creamy to apply, highly pigmented, long wearing and non drying, this shade is forever close by during the colder months.

6- Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Patina
Shade: Neutral Pink
Why I wear it so much: It’s just beautiful. It’s got enough of a pink tone to keep it warm against my fairer complexion but it’s not that pink that it’s overpowered and looks like a Barbie pink. Sure the wear can be a little uncomfortable if you don’t prep lips properly but when lips are properly scrubbed and hydrated, this wears perfectly.

5- Rosie For Autograph Lipstick in Silk Rose
Shade: Pinky Brown
Why I wear it so much: It's my go 90's grunge brown shade. It looks darker than me than it does on others but it gives it that real 90's look and love pairing this with a ladder rip sweater and black skinny jeans. It's looks more like a sheen finish when you first apply it but once that's worn away, you're left with a beautiful satin finish that is comfortable to wear and lasts for hours. It's one of two from the Rosie For Autograph range I've worn the most.

4- Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink in Ruler
Shade: Deep raspberry pink
Why I wear it so much: It's all about the formula with this lipstick. Ruler is highly pigmented and opaque in one swipe and whilst it's advertised as a liquid lipstick it keeps some of it's sheen even after it's adhered itself to your lips. There's no dry, powdery finish with this lipstick and it can sit comfortably on the lips for hours without need for touch up. I especially love this for when I'm eating out as it doesn't budge, even when your eating the greasiest of foods.

3- Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Beso
Shade: Bright Tomato Red
Why I wear it so much: This is my ultimate go to red. I love how it wears, how it sits and how it compliments a ton of looks as well as my complexion. It's the perfect empowering red that gives me the confidence boost I occasionally need. I love this that much I've gone through and entire mini and am halfway through a full size already.

2- Smashbox Always On Liquid Lipstick in Out Loud
Shade: Pumpkin Orange
Why I wear it so much: What isn't to love about this shade. It practically screams Autumn. I wanted a burnt orange/russet shade for a while and finally found it last year in this. It's your standard liquid lipstick formula but doesn't feel powdery or dry on the lips and can be comfortably worn for long periods of time.

1- Rosie For Autograph Lipstick in Lady Rose
Shade: Neutral Pink
Why I wear it so much: If you had asked me a couple of years ago what my most worn lipstick was I would have said Rimmel's infamous 107 Matte Lipstick. Now though, it's my absolute favourite nude and one that as you can see no longer has the beautiful rose engraved in to it. Like Silk Rose this has a sheen to start with but wears away to leave behind a satin finish that lasts for an age on the lips and doesn't dry them out or leave them feeling uncomfortable. And surprisingly it was the nude lipstick that made me see I could wear nudes and neutral tones without looking washed out or ill. It's definitely one I'll repurchase time and time again no matter what other shades I have in my collection. 

Recipe: Mini Cheese Scones

 

Growing up my nan would make the best cheese scones known to man. I never knew how she did and shop brought ones never tasted the same. And recently I've been having a major craving for a really cheesy scone with a smidge of butter so I decided to take matters into my own hands and try making my own cheese scones. And for a first attempt, I'm extremely impressed with myself. They taste exactly as my nan used to make them and even the scent of them cooking in the oven took me back to my childhood.

Ingredients
- 225g Self Raising Flour, sifted
- Pinch Of Salt
- 1 Tsp Baking Powder
- 55g Butter, cubed
- 50g Red Leicester, grated
- 50g Mature Cheddar Cheese, grated
- 80-90ml milk, plus extra for glazing

Method
1- Preheat the oven to 200C. Line two baking trays with parchment paper/baking parchment
2- In a bowl sift the flour, salt and baking powder. Stir lightly to make sure they're combined.
3- Add your cubes of butter and rub in with your fingers until you have a breadcrumb consistency. Add the grated cheese and mix until the cheese is combined. Don't rub it in like you did the butter as your likely to melt the cheese and take away from the flavour.
4- Then make a well in your mix and add a little of the milk. Using your hands mix/knead it until you have a soft but firm dough that doesn't fall apart when you move it. If you need to add a little more milk then add more milk but don't pour it all in as you won't be able to rescue your dough from that.
5- Lightly flour a surface and rolling pin. Place your dough on the surface and roll out until it's 2cm thick.
6- Using a cutter size of your choice, cut out as many individual shapes as your dough can manage, rekneading the dough each time you've cut out as many as you can. I went with a smaller cutter so I go more than four or five scones but you can easily use a larger cutter to make larger scones if that's what you want.
7- Place your newly cut scones onto the baking trays and lightly glaze the tops with milk. I found I could get about six on each baking tray without them touching or overlapping in any way.
8- Pop in the oven for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown or hollow sounding when you tap the bottom.
9- Once cooked, let them cool on a cooling rack for five minutes before placing into an airtight container.
10- Then enjoy whenever you want. I like mine with a smidge of butter and it's just the perfect bitesize amount to tide my scone craving over.

Mid Year Beauty Favourites

Last week I shared with you the five non beauty related things I've loved so this year. So today I thought I'd share with you the five beauty products I've adored the most so far this year. You probably won't be surprised by any of them given how much I've spoken about them anyway.

 Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink in Ruler
I used to be a bold lip girl. I wouldn't look the way of a nude or neutral tone. If wasn't pillar box red or a deep/bright/bold shade I didn't want to know. Until last year when I fully embraced my love of a more nude/neutral lip. Now I know this shade doesn't look that neutral but compared to other shades I wear it really is. I love the lasting power of this formula, you can eat and drink whilst wearing it with minimal to no transfer. And even though they stick to your lips like glue, they aren't uncomfortable and don't go powdery like many other liquid lipstick formulas do. Ruler is a stunning pink shade that I've not stopped wearing since I brought it. It safe to say that I've worn twice every week since I brought it.

Nip And Fab 6% Glycolic Fix Liquid Glow

Nip and Fab upped their skincare game at the beginning of the year when they released their first liquid glycolic toner. And I absolutely adore it. It did take me a while to get used to it but now I can’t go a day without using it. Containing a higher percentage of glycolic acid, this works to retexturise, purify and rejuvenate skin, helping with cell turnover and acting like a chemical scrub/peel for the skin.It’s not for the faint hearted and whilst my skin can be picky and sensitive to these sorts of products, it’s had no issues with me slathering myself in it since I brought it. I haven’t finished my first bottle (that’s how little you need) but I already have a back up ready for when I do run out. 

Palmers Skin Therapy Face Oil 

Last year I diode my toe into facial oils and for a while I had my absolute go to that did me no wrong. Until it was discontinued and I had to find a new facial oil that wouldn’t break me out, leave me looking greasy and didn’t cost the earth either. Then one day I was scrolling (procrastinating) on Pinterest and stumbled on a pin discussing how amazing the Palmers Skin Therapy Face Oil was. So I picked it up to see if it was as good as claimed and I was blown away. It’s lightweight for an oil, doesn’t leave me looking like an oil slick, hasn’t broken me out as well as fading and diminishing the appearance of any marks left behind from blemishes. A little goes a long way and I’m in awe of how it works so well with my skin, I’ve had the bottle for about three months and I still have a good half a bottle if not more left. If you haven’t tried it and are in need of a facial oil, I highly recommend checking it out, the hype is definitely well deserved. 

Make Up Revolution Conceal And Define Concealer

I’m not someone who usually gets drawn into the hype of a product but when it came to two releases from Make Up Revolution, I did get hooked in. However out of the two products I am obsessed with one more than I am the other. The Make Up Revolution Conceal And Define Concealer has completely changed how my concealer and make up as a whole looks. It’s high coverage but doesn’t sit heavily on the skin and has fantastic lasting power which leave your make up looking fresher for longer. I have the shade C1 and it matches my skin perfectly and blends out beautifully both under the eyes and over top of blemishes and redness. I love that much that in the last fortnight I have brought one to use alongside three back ups as it’s like gold dust to find in stores. 

Elizabeth And James Nirvana Fragrances 

Unlike with other products I own in multiple shades and scents, this last favourite I just couldn’t choose a favourite from. So I’ve bundled them all in at once. The Elizabeth And James Nirvana fragrances can not be described by any other word but divine. I have a rollerball of each scent and can honestly say that there isn’t one I do not like. I of course have the ones I reach for more than others but as a whole I absolutely adore the entire collection, Bourbon, French Grey and Amethyst are probably most worn out of the six but I do like to mix and match this scents to create my own unique fragrance for the evening. I’d happily buy full size bottles of each but due to the ridiculous price tag that accompanies them I think I’ll stick to travel sized roller balls for the moment 

Recipe: Lemon An Lime Cupcakes

 

Growing up lemon and lime cordial was my favourite thing to drink. And even as an adult, I still enjoy a cool bottle every now and again. So whilst I was brainstorming recipe ideas for the Summer, I instantly thought of lemon and lime flavoured cupcakes that were moist, light as well as tasty and refreshing. And they've got to be good because my step-dad has eaten over half of the amount I've baked and he rarely eats that many of my baked goods. It's why the picture isn't nicely staged or well lit, I had to hide a few to take my pictures before he ate them all.

Ingredients
- 125g Softened Butter
- 125g Caster Sugar
- 2 Medium Eggs
- 100g Self Raising Flour
- 2 Tbsp Milk
- Zest Of One Lemon
- Zest Of One Lime
- Juice Of One Lemon
- Juice Of One Lime

Method
1- Pre heat oven to 180C. Line a twelve hole cupcake tin with paper cases.
2- Place the softened butter and sugar into a bowl. Beat until it's pale in colour and looks fluffy to the touch.
3- Add the eggs, flour, the lemon zest, lime zest, milk and several teaspoons of the juice. I combine the two juices together and them mix them into the mixture. It gives it a more blended taste and one isn't more overpowered than the other.
4- Mix everything together until it's combined, making sure to scrape around the sides so that everything gets fully incorporated. Also taste the mixture once it's mixed to get an idea of if you need to add more juice. I found I needed to add several more teaspoons for the taste to really come through but not overpower the mixture.
5- Spoon the mixture into the cases and bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.
6- Once cooked leave to cool in the tin for five minutes and then transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
7- Then all that's left is to enjoy them.

GRWM: Night Out With The Girls

 

On Saturday me, mum and her mate Alison went to see Killer Queen, a tribute to Freddie Mercury and the music of Queen. It wasn't a bad night out but I didn't enjoy it as I have previous nights out. A lot of that may be because my shoes rubbed me red raw, gave me a blister, I somehow managed to scrape my arm a couple of times, had a killer headache and topped the night off with a near argument with a gentleman sat down the row from me. However it was an excuse for me to don something more than a pair of converse so I can't complain. And today I'm going to be talking you through the look I went for.

Prime
Before I went anywhere near make up I popped on a pair of the Rodial Dragon's Blood Under Eye Patches. They're perfect for giving the area around my eye a hydration boost alongside reducing the appearence of my ever present dark circles. Once they came off, I went straight in with primer. Now usually I go straight in with my normal combination but today I added another product between the two to really give my skin a boost. As normal I first went in with the Barry Hydro Fix Primer Water but before I added my Maybelline SuperStay Primer, I spritzed my face with the B Vitamin Facial Sprtiz. This is contains a mixture of Caffeine and Cucumber Juice so it really refreshes the skin and perks it up which everdently leaves behind a lit from within glow without the need for a higlighter. Then I went in with my normal layer of the Maybelline which just evens out my skin and creates a tacky base for my foundation to adhere to.

Colour Corrector
Even with the help of the Rodial Under Eye Patches, my dark circles were still more prominent than I'd like them to be. So I whipped out my trusty Collection Lasting Perfection Colour Corrector Concealer in Lemon to brighten and disguise the area. I always pat this in with my finger when I use it as I find it warms up the product more and gives it a more natural look when it's blended out.

Base
During the lead up to this I wasn't sure which base I'd go for. I'd been switching between three for the last few weeks but part of me did think I was going to reach for my Rosie For Autograph Foundation. However on the night I found myself reaching for the Make Up Revolution Fast Base Foundation Stick. Then I believed I grabbed it because it's a quick base that didn't take a lot to blend out but looking back I now think I grabbed it because it's longevity is amazing. I wore this during the week and it lasted for a whole twelve hours without fading or rubbing away. So I can understand why I picked this over the other two. I just drew several stripes across my face and blended it out with a damp beauty blender. The finish is stunning and allowed me to have that perfected skin looking without looking like I was wearing a mask.

Concealer 
Now I know this looks a little obsessive but this trio works so well and works out that I actually use less concealer in the long run. I start with my trusty Maybelline The Eraser Eye and dot it several times along my under eye area. Then inbetween where I've dotted that I place a dot of the Make Up Revolution Conceal And Define Concealer. Then finally I draw a triangle with my Maybelline Fit Me Concealer. Overkill I know but when I blend it out with a damp beauty blender it not only covers my dark circles, it brightens the area and makes me look like I've had a lot more sleep than I've actually had. And because I've used so much concealer, it blends out to cover the redness that adorns the tops of my cheeks, essentially meaning I don't need to waste/use any excess concealer trying to cover that as well.

 

Powder
For powder I reached for my favourite from MUA. Their Silk Finish Loose Setting Powder is my favourite for setting make up without giving it that powdery finish or gathering in places such as around nose or eyebrows. And my favourite way to apply my powder is with my beauty blender. All I do is shake some out into the lid then roll my beauty blender in it so it's generously covered. I do tap off a little of the excess and then just gently press it over the concealer under my eyes, down the centre of my face and along it's perimeter, making sure not to remove any of the glow my facial spritz has given it.

Brows
The tint on my brows has faded slightly so I've gone back to filling them in where necessary and giving the front a little bit more shape to make them look even. And for that I always use the Rosie For Autograph Brow Pencil in 01. It's super soft so it applies easily but you can't overdo it with the product either. I like my brows to be quite bold, especially when I pair it with a bold lip so I do make sure the front sections has quite a bit of shape to them but it doesn't look as bold in real life as it does in the picture.

Lashes
I wanted my lashes to be volumised and defined for this particular look so I chose two products I knew would give me that. I started by curling my eyelashes (something I never thought I'd do) and when I was happy with the curl, I went in with the Maybelline Lash Sensational Lash Primer. This comes out and coats your lashes white but is easily covered with mascara. It just helps to give lashes an extra boost and helps hold any volume and curl your lashes have. Then over top of that I added a coat of the Maxfactor Clump Defy Mascara.  I love how this lifts and curls my lashes with minimal effort. It doesn't clump and can easily be built to give lashes maximum volume.

Lips
I knew what top I wanted to wear for this night out so I took an aspect from it and added it into my look. And for that I used two of my all time favourite Rosie For Autograph products. I started by lining my lips with the Lip Definer is Super Model. I love how creamy these are and this particular shade is a perfect match for the lipstick I applied over the top. Once I was happy with the shape, I applied the Lipstick in Super Model Kiss over top. This appears to have a cream finish but once the intial sheen wears away you're left with a satin finish that lasts all evening and doesn't require a touch up without being uncomfortable and drying on the lips. And the bright orange red shade complimented my top perfectly and was the perfect finish for my look. Nothing says night out like a bold lip for me.

Perfume
I struggled to decide what perfume I wanted to wear. I was torn between creating a unique mix with my Elizabeth and James rollerballs or one of my Rosie For Autograph fragrances. In the end Rosie won and I spritzed myself liberally with the Rosie For Autograph Nuit EDP. This is one of my favourite evening perfumes because whilst it still has the rose centifolia heart note like her original edp, it also has a deeper tone to it that makes it a little bit more sultry and evening appropriate. And I must have smelt good as I recieved a compliment before we even got to our destination.

Outfit 
For my outfit, I'd had it planned in my head for weeks. I wore one of my favourite slogan tees from Primark which has a stunning orange red slogan reading Perfectly Imperfect across the bust. I paired it with my trusty black skinny jeans and dressed it up with a pair of black simple ankle strap block heel sandals. Oh how I regret that. We hadn't even made it to dinner and my left foot felt like someone was trying to saw it of with a blunt knife. And then because I put more pressure on my right foot, that one started to feel the same. So whilst they were cute, they aren't a shoe I'll be reaching for again in a while.

And for my bag I went with my little black structured box clutch I took when we went out in May. I like how it's structured but still holds a good amount in it. The long shoulder strap is just the right length for me and I don't find it falls off or slips down my shoulder as I walk.

Setting Spray 
And the very last thing I did before heading out the door was liberally spritz my face with setting spray. Since my make up shake up back in May, I've found I've really been enjoying the Make Up Revolution Amazing Setting Spray. It really works wonders to keep make up locked in place but it doesn't dry skin out or leave it looking mask like or cakey.

 How everything looked put together.

Five Wardrobe Updates

                                          

This year I made a promise to myself to be more adventurous with my wardrobe. I always find myself admiring other people’s outfits and the tons of gorgeous clothes available online and instore but I never had the confidence to step out of my comfort zone and try them for myself. Until a few months back when I came to the realisation that everything in my wardrobe was either over worn, forgotten about or just plain boring in my eyes. So recently I’ve been shopping and browsing a lot to discover what works for me and what doesn’t. And I’m proud to say that I’ve managed to find some brilliant bits that not only take me out of my comfort zone but also didn’t cost the earth. So today I’m talking you through five styles/pieces I’ve added to my wardrobe to give it a new lease of life. 

Just a little side not, there is no try on pics because I’m not confident enough to post them yet.

Slogan T-shirts 

For a while now I’ve seen tons upon tons of tons of slogan tees in stores and online. I’ve tried on tons and always found I have two problems with them. The first is a lot of them don’t sit or fit nicely across my bust (I’m of the larger bust community), squashing them or pulling horrendously. And secondly a lot of them are very short in the body that get even shorter once they’ve met my bust. However recently I’ve managed to four stunning slogan tees from Primark that not fit well everywhere but don’t ride up or pull horribly across the bust. And the best bit, they all only cost £4. And they’re not all monochromatic which used to make up the best part of my wardrobe. Im not going to lie I did start off safe with grey and white but I’ve since added a bold yellow and my latest is again white but with this stunning teal stripe across the bust. 

Colour 

As I’ve already mentioned my wardrobe used to be predominantly monochromatic with the occasional khaki or navy top. But this year I’ve really pushed myself to wear more colour, especially colours I never thought I could wear before. At the beginning it was daunting but after buying my bold yellow slogan tee, I found it a lot easier to buy colour. And mustard/yellow tones are a big favourite of mine at the moment. I got this round neck plain mustard t-shirt in Primark for only £3 and I love it. It’s a flattering material that doesn’t cling or bunch and actually suits my fairer skin tone. I can see this paired beautifully with black skinny jeans and a pair of fancy black slip on shoes to give it a dressed up feel that isn’t too over the top. And the other bit of colour I’ve added to my wardrobe is one I haven’t quite gotten the confidence but I’ll get there and I can imagine this will look nice when I wear it. From Boohoo I picked up this orange striped basic t-shirt. On the website the orange stripes looked a lot paler than they actually are but I still like how this shirt looks. Again it’s a nice material that doesn’t cling or bunch up and I can imagine this will look nice with either blue or black jeans when I finally get the courage to wear it. 

Bottoms That Aren’t Jeans 

I love my jeans. You will never not find me in anything other than my Super High Waisted Skinny Jeans from Primark. They’re my go to jean and can be paired with everything so easily. However as I’ve been shopping I’ve seen tons of beautiful culottes and printed wide leg trousers that I’d love to have a go at wearing. There is however a slight problem with this plan. I’m only 5’3 so everything is usually too long for me to wear comfortably. That was until I found this gorgeous mustard culottes in Primark. They are made of an amazing almost crepe like material that flows nicely over my legs, don’t swamp my figure with extra material and actually sit at the length a culotte should sit at. I’m still trying to style these up but I’m love them and can’t wait til I finally wear them. I’m picturing this looking gorgeous paired with a black camisole and a sandal or slip on again in black, to make them the real talking point of the outfit. 

Shoes That Aren’t Converse, Boots Or Flip Flops

I love a good pair of Converse. For the longest time I’d always be found in Converse. The same could be said for boots, especially in the last year. However this year I wanted something a little different. I still wanted a pair of comfortable, casual shoes that would go with the majority of my wardrobe but I didn’t want them to be Converse. And that’s where good old Primark comes in again. Their range of casual slip on shoes are amazing. They don’t cost the earth, come in a range of shades and prints and are so comfortable you’ll be wearing them as much as possible. I love a good old pair of plain black slip ons that’ll go with everything but recently I spotted these grey checked ones that I could see looking gorgeous paired with a simple pair of blue jeans and a white or dark grey basic tee. And the best bit, they only cost £5 so you could stockpile them so you’re never without, I know that’s what I’ll be doing. 

However they still weren’t enough to satisfy my need for new shoes. And yes whilst they still technically look like Converse, they’re ever so slightly different. What really drew me to these was the gorgeous embroidery along the side in this bright pink shade that makes them really pop against the black. These again paired with a simple t-shirt and jeans would make a stunning comfy casual outfit with a slight pop. And finally I’ve added some slider/slip ons into my collection. I originally saw my best friend Jasmin wearing a pair and thought they looked really comfortable and a great way to dress an outfit up without being too much. Again these are from Primark and are surprisingly comfortable considering they’re quite a flat shoe. I can even picture these paired with my mustard culottes to dress them up for dinner with the girls. 

A Backpack That Doesn’t Make Me Look Like I’m Going To School

Last summer I brought a simple black backpack for when I went to the zoo with Lauren and her little girls. It meant I had enough room for plenty of food and drink but also it left my hands free to make sure my favourite ladies didn't go walkabout. And then after that, I never reached for it again. Until this year when I got the urge to wear a backpack but when I put it back on, I didn't like it as much as I did last summer. So I started looking for a new backpack that I would get a lot of wear out of and wouldn't sit gathering dust in my wardrobe. I thought I'd found the perfect one in Primark that looked like a good dupe for the Chloe backpack everyone's lusting over but it just seemed to small and silly looking on my frame. And then one day I was casually scrolling through Boohoo when I stumbled across this little beauty. It was £12 and is the exact size and style that I wanted. I was a little apprehensive on how it would look when I wore it but it isn't an issue. In fact I forget that I'm wearing a backpack half the time. I love this paired with a simple white t-shirt and jeans, with a slip on shoe of some sort. 

What I Still Want To Add To My Wardrobe 
Whilst I am happy with the updates I've made to my wardrobe there are still a few things I'd like to add. Blue jeans are on the top of that list and I recently saw some that would be right up my street, so they'll soon be added to my wardrobe. Primark have got an endless release of slogan tees so I'll definitely be adding some more of them to my collection. I'd also like to add a pair of dungarees to my wardrobe for the summer but I think that's going to take a bit more looking before I can finally add them in. Shoe wise I'm quite happy with the collection I have but ASOS do have some stunning sandals that are really inexpensive that I may treat myself to and I'd quite like to add a pair of VANs to my collection as well. If I add any of these I'll either do another update post or pop them up on my Instastories. 

Mid Year Non Beauty Favourites

                           

It's that time of the year where I round up my five favourite beauty and non beauty favourites of the year so far. Today I'm starting with my non beauty favourites, including movie, music and tv show.

My favourite movie of the year so far has to be Avengers Infinity War. I've seen quite a few good films this year but Infinity War beats them all. I don't know where to start or what to say that I didn't say in my May Favourites. Packed full of characters Marvel has spent ten years developing and introducing, this movie rips the hearts out of every Marvel fan, especially in the first five minutes. There were parts I laughed, held my best friends hand in suspense, nearly cried, covered my face when I couldn't laugh and slapped my poor best friends leg in shock when something badass or very shocking happen. Trust me that last one happened a lot. Avengers 4 is over a year away and if the reports are anything to go by then it's going to be even worse for Marvel fans that Infinity War was.

There's been a few albums I've adored so far this year but the one I've constantly had on repeat comes from the ridiculously talented Camila Cabello. Her self titled debut album caught my attention just after it was released and ever since I've not been able to stop listening to it. Havana of course is a firm favourite but Consequences, Something's Gotta Give and Into It are my all time favourites that get cranked up whenever they come on. I love every song on this album and that's a rarity for me. Only two other albums have managed to do that for me, Carrie Underwood's Storyteller album and Kelly Clarkson's Meaning Of Life album.

For TV so far this year it's been a toss up between the Strike Back reboot and Silent Witness but I think Silent Witness just pips Strike Back to the post. Series 21 carried on several storylines from the previous series and made for an emotion packed series with plenty of twists and turns as well as plot lines that got people talking and tackled very relevant issues in everyday life. I absolutely adore Silent Witness, it's my go to when I'm feeling a bit down in the dumps as it takes my mind off of everything and makes me focus on working out who the killer is. However Strike Back does get a honourable mention as the end of the series was astounding and I can't wait to see where they take the new series which they're currently filming.

When I'm not writing for here, at work, out with friends or in the kitchen baking, I like to watch YouTube. A lot of YouTube. I have a ton of favourites but someone who I absolutely love watching is Kalyn Nicholson. She's such an upbeat lifestyle/fashion/beauty YouTuber who inspires, relaxes and empowers in every single one of her videos. I always feel more zen and relaxed after watching on of her videos. Her outlook on life is just so positive and even though she acknowledges the bad, she always manages to maintain a positive outlook on life. If you haven't watched her videos before I recommend you do. Not only will you find your inner peace watching her but afterwards your inner girl boss will appear and shit will get done.

And my last favourite so far this year is again something I mentioned in last months favourites but I'm totally addicted so it had to be mentioned here. Around April time I started to try dairy free alternatives with my milk and coffee. A lot of it came from coffees made with normal milk giving me headaches and occasionally when I'd treat myself to a milkshake, the formula would leave me feeling sick and would lay quite heavily in my stomach. I tried Soya and Oat milk products but they didn't seem to agree with me. That is until I tried this. The Califia XX Espresso Cold Brew With Almond Milk is the answer to all my prayers. It's dairy free so it doesn't sit heavily in my stomach, the coffee doesn't give me a headache and compared to other non dairy options doesn't make me ill a few hours after drinking it. Sure it costs a bit more but it's worth it if I can indulge in my caffeine fix without having to worry about getting a crippling headache a few hours later.