Lifestyle | DIY Bedside table

There's nothing I love more than a little DIY project, especially if it means up-cycling something that needs replacing but can have a little bit of extra life squeezed out of it. I was watching Stacey Solomons Instagram story where she showed a complete renovation of her bedside tables from something plain to chic and fresh. Being inspired I decided that I too could do this, lol. I initially thought it would be harder to do but in reality it took a day, a few supplies and a lot of patience. 

What you need

• Marble vinyl
• White wood paint
• Silver wood paint
• Decorative drawer knobs

The steps for this little project are so easy and need little explanation, but I'll briefly let you know how I did it. First of all I cleared my side and gave it a complete wipe down. Depending on what material your side is made out of you might need to sand it down too, but I didn't need this step and was able to apply the vinyl directly to the top and paint to the surfaces. I would say the vinyl application was probably the hardest out of everything to do. My only advice to make it easier is to roll it onto the table whilst rubbing it down and smoothing. The great thing about vinyl is if you make a mistake it is relatively inexpensive to replace, or you could just pull off and try again. Next I decided what colours I wanted to use for the sides and drawers. I went for white and silver to match the jewelled drawer knobs I had found in TKMaxx. After removing the old drawer knobs I started to paint a couple of layers to the drawers until I was happy with the colour. The final step is to add the new drawer knobs and to put into place. 

Overall I was super happy with the outcome of this little project! I was planning to replace the unit completely but as money is now a little tight thought this was a great alternative for now.

Let me know if there's any other DIY's that you've been up to and are as easy as this one!

Until next time, 

 

Beauty | Harrods Beauty at Intu Lakeside!

When I first heard that my local shopping centre Intu Lakeside was getting a brand spanking new beauty shop I was so excited. Then when the news broke that it would actually be a Harrods beauty hall I was over the moon. Lakeside is full of so many incredible stores, including a few stand alone make up ones, but it really was missing one of this kind. So on Friday Emma and I decided we would pop down as soon as it opened to see what it was all about and we were not left disappointed!

Firstly the store itself is the perfect size for the wide variety of brands that are included. The aisles are large and allow social distancing which is ideal currently, but it also allows you to differentiate between the different brands. Charlotte Tilbury, Chanel, Penhaligons and Nars had the biggest displays and product ranges to select from, but smaller brands were also highlighted in individual aisles. With the current laws Emma and I didn't test anything out in the store on the day but the sample selection was great too. We worked our way around each aisle and was so excited to see all of our favourite brands in person, including a few that we hadn't ever seen up close before and thought were online exclusives. 

Another thing to note was the whole shopping experience itself. We were greeted by a lovely shop assistant and security guard at the door who welcomed us in and handed us a cute gold basket. Each main stand had someone offering help if needed, but allowed you to browse and prompt any interaction and the smaller ones had someone hovering every few metres or so. Nothing felt forced and we didn't feel like we had eyes on us the whole time. Both Emma and I commented on how nice it felt to actually look and we probably did browse for a good hour or so getting lost in all the makeup! The store also had a few stands of non makeup products too. These included the famous Harrods bear, water bottles and the new normal face masks. 

It was dangerous to our pocket but we enjoyed our little shopping spree, keep reading to see what I purchased!  

I had told myself I wasn't going to go too crazy on this trip, and I think I reigned myself in very well (I say as I'm fully preparing to go back for the Iconic London illuminator!). First was a repurchase of a very loved product of mine and my used to be daily lipstick. The Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips in shade Super Cindy.  This colour is definitely my perfect nude and the colour that makes me feel the most like 'me' so I always make sure it's a repurchase of mine. The next product was absolutely encouraged by Emma who told me all the great things about it. The Brazilian Bum Bum Cream which claims to help smooth and visibly tighten the appearance of skin. If this works, you best believe I will be shouting about it from the rooftops! Finally I was swayed by the aisle of doom AKA the checkout which had so many mini products which always look so cute. The Tonymoly Egg Pore Nose Pack is another brand I had heard a lot about so wanted to try them out for myself. The pack comes with 7 sheets and I can't wait to get them out and use them. 

Overall Emma and I had such a lovely time visiting Harrods beauty. If you were to compare it to anything it would be Sephora, which as you know is a store the UK is missing! 

Until next time, 

BLOGMAS 4 || Gingerbread House Fail

Every now and then, I get these big ideas to do something super fun and crafty that completely fails. This is 100% one of those occasions! 

Every year I have attempted to make an amazing gingerbread house with white royal icing piped to perfection in cute little heart shapes with amazing trees and plump snow.... that never happens. This year I thought I would make life easier for myself and buy a kit. I found one in Ikea two weeks ago and thought I was onto a winner. That was, until I realised how much more effort it was going to take to put the house together. I followed every step, but no matter what I tried to do, I just couldn't get it to look that pretty. So here's my little house contribution. It doesn't look the prettiest, but I like it and it tastes AMAZING - so that's a winner right?!

Have you made a gingerbread house yet this year? Do you have any tips on how I can make it better? 

Until next time, x

Beauty | Urban Decay Naked Heat!

I know, I am VERY behind with writing this post and realise that everyone and their mum has probably already got a review of this little beauty up on their blogs already, but good things come to those who wait right?

I've dreamt of owning this palette ever since my eyes first saw it last summer when interning at Heat magazine (a story for another time, lol). To be completely honest with you, I just couldn't justify spending the money on buying it for myself! Just before Christmas my brother and his girlfriend Emma went to New York for a couple of days and face timed me to ask if I wanted one, of course I had said YES before Emma had even finished her sentence. 

Like most things this day and age, the packaging pretty much sold it for me. I love it when brands get creative, and Urban Decay never ever disappoint! I love how similar in shape and design this palette is to smoky as they look so cute sat on my dressing table together. Obviously with the name being Heat, the palette is full of orange, brown and gold shades that are all perfect to create a warm eye look. The pigmentation of the palette is equally as great, although I knew this would be the case!

The palette consists of 12 shades, seven mattes and five shimmers. Urban decay have gone down the right track with the perfect shimmery shade 'Lumber', which is probably my most favourite out of the whole palette. So what are the pro's and con's?

Pro's - It's a gorgeous, well thought and put together palette. The basic base shades of 'Low Blow', 'Sauced' and 'Chaser', set the eye perfectly for other colours to be effortlessly blended on top. I like to use my primer potion as a base and find it to work well with the shadows.

Con's - If I was to have to pick a con, it would probably be the fact the packaging is quite bulky. As much as I love it, a smaller design like the original Naked palette would be better for travel.

So there we go, my review finally, of the Urban Decay Naked Heat palette. It was about time I joined the beauty blogger world! I would love to know your thoughts on the palette, as well as looks I can try out!

Until next time, 

Lifestyle || Setting goals for 2019

Many people like to set themselves goals, and there's no more popular a time to be setting them than at the start of a fresh new year. I consider myself to be one of these people, although the way I've made these goals over the last couple of years has definitely changed! So let's take a look back on last years goals to see what I've been able to achieve, as well as make some new ones for 2019.

Blog four times a month

Well this didn't happen. I mean it almost did, but as the year went on, the busier I was getting at work which unfortunately meant my blog has taken a little bit of a back seat. I'm hoping to kick start things this month and feel really inspired to write again. 

Get outside and take advantage of the outdoors as a backdrop

Again, I have kind of met this goal. Over the last year I have felt more comfortable with taken photography with the help of my parents/brother. Many of these shoots have taken place outside. So my first big TICK!

Write for me

I think this is another goal of 2018 that I managed to meet. At my busiest this year I have felt stressed to write posts just to have content to advertise. Considering the fact I've been a little quiet through the months of September-December proves that I've taken some time to get myself sorted. My second TICK! 

Feel Inspired

I would consider this to be my third and final TICK! I have really enjoyed the content I have produced on this blog in 2018 and most of that is due to the fact I've been feeling inspired by trends/fashion and life! Let's hope this continues into 2019...

So I guess all that's left to do now is set myself new goals for the year ahead! 

1) Continue to enjoy writing and develop my own voice. One of the hardest things about blogging is finding your own way of writing and that's something that I have struggled with a little throughout 2018. I enjoy typing the way I would be having a conversation, however I know that this isn't always seen as grammatically correct. I would love to find that balance in 2019! 

2) Get creative with photography. Photography is one of my favourite parts of writing this blog. 2018 was the year I fell in love with Instagram. I would love to continue enjoying this platform by being creative with my photography/editing. 

3) Attend 5 blogging events. I would love to meet new bloggers this year! Blogging can be quite a lonely hobby, so I'm hoping to discover events in the Essex/London area that I can make the effort to attend. 

4) Enjoy blogging!!! Blogging has been a big hobby of mine for the last 4 years, but there's been many a time I have felt myself posting because of a schedule/wanting something to upload. This year I want to enjoy and fall in love with blogging again - so far so good!

So there's just a few of my new blogging goals for 2019, I would love to know what yours are or if we share any similar aims!

Until next time, 

Beauty || Zoeva Cocoa Blend Palette

I've been a 'working' girl for over 5 months now, so it's hard to believe that this is the first beauty splurge I have purchased, does that mean I am finally growing up? probably not! I was in London last weekend shopping with my cousin, when we decided to pop into  the Selfridges beauty department. By 'pop' I actually mean spending about an hour lusting over all the luxury products that neither of us could afford but wanted anyway! We came across the Zoeva stand and both of us fell in love with the products. Usually I purchase makeup if I have read a great review on it, seen it mentioned in magazines or generally if I have had my eye on it for a while. So purchasing this was a complete whim for me, but I am so glad that I did. After many swatches later the Cocoa Blend palette was mine and I have been enjoying playing around with it ever since.

The first thing that excited me about this palette was the gorgeous shimmery cranberry shade named 'warm notes'. This shade is extremely pigmented and was something I wanted to experiment and play around with! A couple of other favourite shades in the palette are 'Freshly Toasted', 'Substitute For Love' and 'Pure Ganache' which is a gorgeous golden shimmery shade. The pigmentation of this palette is something that I haven't really experienced before from a 'cheaper' eyeshadow palette. By cheaper I mean £18 compared to the Naked palette price of £39.50. If you have read my blog before, then you would note that I love the Urban Decay Naked palettes as well as the Too Faced Peach Palette. These are still firm favourites of mine, but the Zoeva palette fits right in with them for a fraction of the price. 

L-R: Bitter Start, Sweeter End, Warm Notes, Subtle Blend and Beans Are White.

L-R: Pure Ganache, Subsitute For Love, Freshly Toasted, Infusion and Delicate Acidity.

Overall, it's safe to say that I am already such a big fan of this palette. I love that you are able to use this palette to create such different looks - this makes it perfect for travelling. The pigmentation is perfect and lasts all day. I applied the makeup in the images above at lunchtime and took the final image of my eye at 11pm that night. Not only is my eyeliner still on (thanks Soap and Glory), but my eyeshadow stayed put also without any creasing! Another positive of this palette is the price tag. For £18 you get a lot for your money. I would have been prepared to pay at least £25 for this beauty. 

What do you think of this palette? Have you tried this one or any others from Zoeva that you think I might like? Let me know! 

Until next time, 

Beauty || Makeup products I can't live without

I've now been wearing makeup for the past four years, I know I'm a late bloomer! Over the years i've dabbled with so many different products my collection is overflowing. Over the weekend I had a massive clean out of products that I no longer use. This got me thinking about the products I know I wouldn't ever be able to get rid of which led to this post. It's odd to think about a time when I didn't rely heavily on these products to give me a little confidence but hey ho! I would be interested to know what products you can't live without? Let me know! 

Rimmel London Wake Me Up Foundation

This has been my go to foundation for the last three years. I use this daily and very rarely swap it out for a higher coverage foundation for evenings out. I find it easy to apply to the skin, and love the coverage it gives me daily. 

Rimmel London Stay Matte Powder

This powder is probably one of the most talked about 'blogger favourite' powders on the market. I love using this as it works well, and to be honest I haven't tried many other setting products. I love using this on top of the Wake Me Up Foundation

Benefit Hoola Bronzer

This bronzer is probably one of the 'marmite' products spoken about within the blogging community. I personally love using it in my everyday makeup routine as it gives me a natural bronzed look. This was one of the first 'high end' makeup items that I purchased myself so it holds a special place in my little makeup heart! 

Too Faced Peach Palette

I've been using this eyeshadow palette for the last year as the base for every single makeup look I have created. The shade 'Peaches N Cream' works as the best colour underneath shades and 'Summer Yum' is probably another one of my most used shades from the palette. 

Charlotte Tilbury 'Super Cindy' Lipstick

You know when you just find 'your' lipstick colour? Well for me, this shade is it. As much as I love wearing a super matte product on my lips, for everyday nothing beats a pretty moisturising nude. I love how this product applies to the lips and I find that it lasts for the whole day whenever I am wearing it. Plus - who doesn't love rose gold packaging? I certainly do! 

Benefit They're Real Mascara

I have tried and tested so many different mascaras in the last four years, but one product always kept me repurchasing. I love how this mascara works with my lashes. If I am in the mood for long lashes with minimal effort, then this is the product I will always go for.

What products can you not live without? I would be interested in knowing if you have similar favourites! 

Until next time,