LUSH Christmas

Oh dear...so it's not even been Halloween and I'm already blogging about Christmas! I popped into LUSH on Sunday and picked up a few products, coincidentally all three were from the Christmas collection.

The first product I bought was the one I went into LUSH to buy, the Magic Wand reusable bubble bar. I wait for this product to come out every year because it's one of my absolute favourites, I just wish it would become part of the permanent collection! It has the same super sweet candy smell as the Snow Fairy shower gel, swirl it around the bath of create lots of bubbles then let it dry out to use again.

When I saw Butterbear I had to get myself one. This cute little bath bomb is just like butterball, one of my favourite LUSH bathbombs, but in cute teddy bear form, who could resist!

Finally is Candy Mountain bubble, this pink and white swirly mountain smells delicious and sweet, crumble under running water for lots of bubbles! It's a prefect Christmas treat.

Have you tried any of the LUSH Christmas Collection? What's your favourite?

 

5 Things to Love About Autumn

I think it's pretty safe to say Autumn has arrived. Leaves are falling, the weather is getting colder and the days shorter. If you're out if pouring rain or freezing cold it's easy to forget about how lovely Autumn can actually be, so just incase you're having one of those days here are five of my favourite things about our current season:

1. Hat Weather

Personally I'm a bit of a hat person, the Topshop Pork Pie hat I received last Christmas being one of my favourites. But whether it's a favourite fedora or much loved beanie hat weather is definitely something to be embraced!

2. Cosy Hot Chocolate Nights

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There's nothing quite like curling up when it's dark and raining or a bit stormy with your hot chocolate to watch a movie or read a good book. It's the kind of thing that the Autumn/Winter season was made for. Incidentally I recently started working at Costa and can thoroughly recommend a Hazelnut Hot Chocolate, it's definitely the best hot chocolate I've had so if you're passing one pop in and pick yourself one up.

3. Scenes like this

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Ok, so this one is more fairytale than reality but there's definitely something about fallen leaves while they're still fresh and crisp.

4. Autumn Fashion

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Already partially covered by hats, autumn fashion is the comfiest cosiest style that there is without being totally lazy. It's cold enough that you can wear tights, oversized sweaters and ankle boots but not so cold that you'll freeze half to death without 5 layers surrounding your outfit, it's a perfect balance.

5. Bonfire Night

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Remember, remember the 5th of November. Maybe it's a little strange to be celebrating the burning of someone but Bonfire Night is my favourite autumn holiday, I love the huge fires, fireworks, sparklers, roasted marshmallows and another excuse for hot chocolate. 

So that's it, my Autumn five, what would yours be?

The Olivia Burton Watch

Big flashy rose gold watches have been pretty big news for a while now, everywhere from Micheal Kors to River Island, it's feels like everyone has one. But if big, shiny and in your face isn't your style of arm candy then let me introduce to you Olivia Burton. A little more simple, a little more delicate and in my opinion even a little prettier, Olivia Burton matches a little vintage with current trends to create some beautiful time pieces. 

I first stumbled across Olivia Burton browsing on the Topshop website where I fell in love with the rose gold faced watch I then received for my birthday. It still has the on trend rose gold elements but with a simpler face and a beautiful white leather wrist strap. Others among the collection include vintagey floral faced watches and even a few dials decorated with butterflys, bees and hummingbirds, if the all rose gold look is the one for you, Olivia Burton even has that covered.

If you're looking for a new watch that's a bit different to the ones of the wrists of everyone else the Olivia Burton is for you. I know I can't wait to add another to my collection!

Laura Geller So Scrumptious Baked Collection

I recieved the Laura Geller So Scrumptious Baked Collection for birthday last month and while the collection is no longer available the individual components of it are so I thought it was still worth a mention. The collection consists of 5 products and a great little brush. There's a primer, foundation, eye shadow trio, blush-highlighter duo and a lip gloss.

The first product is the Spackle Tinted Under Make-Up Primer in Champagne. This is a tinted version of their Spackle primer which I love. I haven't tried out this champagne version yet however I can't wait to. Spackle is great for keeping make-up in place all day long and providing a flawless base for your foundation, this tinted version also claims to add a little glow.

Next up is Balance-n-Brighten Baked Colour Correcting Foundation. I got porcelain in this set which is my winter colour but while my skin is still a tiny bit darker (not much) I'm using this foundation in fair as my current everyday foundation. I absolutely love it. It's easy to build coverage with and definitely evens out my skin tone to provide an almost perfect (as good as it ever gets for me) skin tone. 

My favourite product from this collection is the Blush-n-Highlight Baked Cheek Colour and Highlight. This shade is Spiced Chai/French Vanilla. Unfortunately I can't find the product on their website which is a shame as I am loving the highlighter from this duo in particular, I use it everyday at the moment to lift my cheekbones a little. It's perfect for contouring and isn't too shimmery. I've only tried the blush once but found it a little dark for me and was scared off it.

The kit also contained a double ended blush and highlighter applicator which is super handy little brush to have. I've been using the sponge end to apply highlighter (as instructed by the box) and the brush end is great for applying blush or contouring with bronzer. 

Finally is the Colour Drenched Lip Gloss in Sugar Cookie. Initially I wasn't a fan of the colour as if you apply it too heavily it gives a glossed version of the 'foundation lips' look. However, when sparing applied it gives a lovely shine to the lips with a pinkish-nude colour. This lip gloss also has the most amazing smell, it reminds me of a vanilla latte, so delicious!

So that's my first impressions of the collection. If you managed to pick it up while it was about I'd love to hear your thoughts too!

Autumn Fashion Lust List

The arrival of September in fashion signifies the arrival of the new season. I've recently on various social networks a quote 'September is the January of the fashion world' and with fashion weeks taking place across the world this month I thought it was about time I shared a few of the pieces I'm dying to buy this season.

New Look Red Aztec Print Fringed Hem Blanket Wrap I saw this blanket wrap on a mannequin in the store window of my local New Look a few days ago and fell in love with it. It reminds me a little of Burberry's blanket coats for the AW14 season. Tied at the waist with a belt, this one from New Look is the perfect way to stay warm this autumn.

Topshop Sleeveless Seam Detail Flippy Dress This is another item I spotted while out shopping, wandering around Topshop this little green dress caught my eye. It's a perfect all round dress, it could be easily dressed down during the day with some patterned tights and boots or dressed up to go out with a statement necklace and your favourite heels.

Missguided Coco Designer Motif Boyfriend Tshirt As the Missguided description states, even you pocket can't stretch to the real thing this tshirt is a great way to show appreciation for fashions key players. This boyfriend tee is great for lazy days that still look stylish, black skinny jeans and heeled chelsea boots would make a perfect combination.

Red Herring Faux Fur Shawl Collar Parka I love buying new coats and this one is top of my list for this year. Parkas are one of my favourite coat styles and the faux fur collar will definitely keep you warm. The collar is also detachable so it can be mixed and matched with any outfit.

Topshop Control Over the Knee Boots I fell in love with these boots as soon as I saw them in Topshops new season email, a little pricey but totally worth it if your pocket can stretch as its looking like over the knee boots are going to be big this season. I love the suede texture and heeled style of these ones.  

Missguided Lepita Cherry Blossom Print Shorts Maybe shorts are not entirely autumn clothing but these were too cute not to add to my list. The dark print is a perfect autumn/winter floral, a pair of tights are all they need to see you through the season.

So that's it, my lust list round up. What items are you dying to own this season?

Review | MAC Vegas Volt

Since I last posted I've been to and returned from South Africa (look out for a post on my adventure soon!), received my A-Levels and finally turned 18. After almost a month I finally have the time again, and also a wifi connection, to return to my little blog. 

On my way home from South Africa while I was waiting around at Heathrow for my connection back to Newcastle I of course had a good browse through the make-up counters at World Duty Free. My sole purchase was this MAC lipstick in the shade Vegas Volt. I spotted this shade on a swatch on Pinterest and had been lusting after it since so couldn't resist when I found it at the duty free price of £12.50.

Vegas Volt is an Amplified Creme lipstick so it has great pigmentation which gives a vibrant colour with a creamy finish that glides on and moisturises lips a little too. This colour also has great staying power, when I've been wearing it I've found it's stayed in place for as long as I've worn it, usually a few hours, until I eat at which point, like most lipsticks, it tends to come off. 

I wasn't sure whether or not I'd suit the colour when I bought it but thankfully I am in love! It's not too orange which I was a little worried I wouldn't suit, the colour is more of a bright coral so it's a great summer colour for through the day and into the night. 

It's safe to say this is definitely one of my favourite MAC lipsticks!

Travel Essentials

Tomorrow I'm heading out to South Africa for two weeks so I thought now was an appropriate time to share with you some of my favourite things that I've picked up to take with me on my travels. On side note, this will also be my last post until I'm home again as I've been so busy sorting out everything for my trip that advance planning posts for when I'm away got pushed to the back of my list and didn't get done.

My first 'essential' is the carry on perfect Travel Bottle Set from Paperchase. The clear plastic bag is perfectly sized to hold your carry on liquids and unlike most other carry on plastic bags this one has a cute little palm tree image of the front, it makes me dream of being somewhere exotic (I soon will be, eeep!). Inside of the set are two spray bottles, 3 normal lid bottles perfect for shampoo, conditioner and shower gel or bubble bath, and 3 little pots you could put moisturiser, sunscreen, foundation or even an extra pair of earrings in. What I also love about this set is it comes with two sheets of clear stickers with various things you may fill your bottles an pots with so you can label them so you don't forget or mix up what's in them. How handy!

The next item is a super cute world map ticket and document pouch (similar here). This is perfect for keeping your tickets and boarding passes in as well as any important documents you may need from getting lost in the bottom of your bag. The pouch contains 3 sections labelled Documents, Passport and Tickets. This keeps all of your most important papers separate and handy.

My little black Radley leather passport cover is next on my list (similar here). My Nana got this for me not long after I'd booked my trip and it is possibly my favourite of my essentials. This handy little cover contains a clear side to hold your passport and a card holder style layout on the opposite cover. It perfectly fits my passport, vaccine book, a little money for the flight and the 3 cards I'm bringing with me (bank card, railcard and Boots card...just incase I happen to wander in at the airport...). 

Finally is my floppy hat. When I saw on my kit list I needed a wide brimmed hat, as someone who bears a surprising resemblance to a country farmer when wearing a fedora I knew this was my excuse to buy a straw floppy hat. I'm going to be working with wildlife out in South Africa but this hat would see you from Safari to Mediterranean beaches to sunny big city escapes and back home again. Perfect for any sunny holiday!  

So that's my four favourites, essentials if you like, of my packing that anyone could use. I hope you all have a great few weeks, I'll be sharing my adventures once I'm home if you're interested!