These are a few of my favourite things..

Hello all! Hope you're having a fab new year. Any New Years Resolutions? Mine, as usual, have gone to pot (don't know why i bother!). I'm just going to focus on being happy and passing these bloody exams.

I was so undecided on whether to do a 2012 Favourites, i love reading them myself but, i'm not one to constantly use something. I swap and change my products every two seconds so trying to find favourites for the majority of a year was too hard. So here a just a few things i have been loving (some for longer than others)..

Makeup

MAC Eyeshadow Palette - i first started this last christmas and continued building it up in 2012 until i finally finished it! I absolutely adore this little collection of eyeshadows, there is a wide range of colours (all of which i love). I love grabbing it and having lots of lovely, good quality eyeshadows all in one place. And despite there being 15 eyeshadows it isn't too bad for travelling.

Real Techniques Brushes - I have only pictured the Stippling Brush here but i also have the Core Collection which i absolutely adore. I rarely use any other brushes since i got these. Affordable, amazing quality, easy to wash, easy to use, the list goes on..

Rimmel Eyebrow Pencil - this has been the only thing i have used on my brows throughout 2012, i think i have found a new favourite now but nevertheless this is the perfect colour, easy to carry around and easy to apply. I simply use it in little stoke motions to fill in my brows and they instantly look miles better. It lasts all day too.

Nars 'Casino' Bronzer - This must be the darkest bronzer i've ever used, which personally is great for my tanned skin as it makes the most perfect contour. I regularly reach for this despite having other bronzers i cant help myself. It just does everything it's supposed to do.

MAC Mineralise Skinfinish Powder - A favourite for years. I did neglect this for quite a while but i can't help but love the way it sets my makeup without adding lots of coverage or looking cakey. It simply mattes the skin whilst still looking very natural. You could apply lots of this without it going cakey so i usually always have this in my handbag for touch ups.

Avon SuperShock Eyeliner - i love the SuperShock mascara for Avon so i obviously had to try this, it has the most amazing pigmentation (i have never used an eyeliner so black!) This is perfect for a night out and smokey eyes. Its so soft and creamy its perfect for smudging.

Beauty

Tresemme Hairspray - This is literally all i have used for years. Definitely a firm favourite for me. It sets the hair without leaving my hair feeling rock hard - love it.

The Body Shop Body Butter - i've pictured the Almond one here (probably my absolute favourite ever) but i also adore the Coconut and Mango ones. They're so luxurious and creamy, such a delight to put on. I find them amazing for dry skin without being too sticky and the scent is so strong to leave me feeling fab. I apply these every single day.

Juicy Couture Perfume - The scent of 2012 for me and i've had it once before. I find it's such a lovely, strong but not overpowering scent. It's not very floral or fruity like the ones i usually go for it's a bit more mature and i love giving myself a good few spritz of this before i go anywhere.

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Gel - If i had to recommend any moisturiser for combination/oily skin, this would be it. Its so light and cooling yet gives enough moisture without being too much. Perfect, enough said.

Natural Collection Body Spray - Definitely a little bargain at £2 and definitely something i have been reaching for a lot last year. They're perfect on a day-to-day basis for making you smell gorgeous in a subtle way.

MAC Fix+ - Not something i use everyday but definitely comes in very handy for nights out or more dramatic makeup looks. I use this on my eyeshadow brush to make my eyeshadows appear more pigmented and bright, it also makes the shimmer/glitter stand out more. I also spray it onto my face when i've done all my makeup to help it look less full/cakey and more natural.



Well, that was a pretty long post. Just a few of the things i grab for the most and definitely all things that i have been reaching for regularly for quite a long time.

What are you're favourite items that you reach for often?

Smell Wonderful All Day this A/W

Hello! Please exuse my lack of blogging these past few weeks, i've been so busy with other things that blogging has really took a back seat. But i'm determined to get back on track and get back into a regular routine.

Gosh life has been a little crazy recently (and i've been a little lazy) but one little routine i have kept up is this. It makes me feel pampered and smell wonderful..

Lately i've become addicted to body butters, not quite sure why, but i have. It might be because i used the mango one everyday on holiday and since then i've been craving the butteriness in a more winter related scent. Hahaa, mango and winter just don't go together, or is that just me?

So, i took advantage of that free body butter offer The Body Shop had recently and got a Coconut Body Butter. It smells utterly amazing, just like the typical coconut scent you would expect. At first it's a little strong but once settled you smell lovely all day long. So i apply this morning and night with a few squirts of Natural Collection's Vanilla Body Spray which also lasts all day. This combo is amazing.

But after seeing the Almond Body Butter on sale, i was dead set on getting that one too. I love the smell of almond it's much more sweeter than the coconut one but is still dusky and wintery. I also spritz abit of vanilla body spray on top of this too (which is only £2 from boots).

Both of these combo's are my go-to everyday. For a dusky winter scent, these will leave you with a light scent all day and leave you feeling moisturised and refreshed.

London Haul!

So, considering i went to London for 3 days you probably think i bought loads, right? Wrong. I didn't buy masses of stuff i didn't need. On our main shopping day where we had a wonder all the way down Oxford Street, my boyfriend did the most shopping - he loved it! Whereas i didn't see too much that i liked and didn't see the point in spending all my money on rubbish i didn't really want or need.

I'd really wanted a leather jacket for absolutely ages so i knew that was definitely on my 'to by list'. Also on my list was the Real Techniques Core Collection, 17 Miracle Matte Primer and Body Shop Hand Cream. All of which made it's way to my basket! But, here is what i got...

Here are my beauty purchases (not much i'm impressed). I've already been loving the Real Techniques brushes and 17 primer with my Laura Mercier Mineral Powder and Nars bronzer (which you can see here).

Here are the jewellery purchases. The collar is from H&M - i can't take it off! Nor can i take off the silver bangle from Monki, it was a mere £3 and it slides on the wrist to look like two thin metal bangles! The other bits are from Camden Markets.

Now here are two purchases from my favourite shops in London, it was the first time i've been to either or these shops and i loved them! The lace peplum top was another Monki item, £8 in the sale which i thought was amazing as it looks great on a night out or in the day with a black vest top underneath. The grey top is from Bershka - another £8 sale item! I love the studs on the shoulders.

The playsuit is from New Look (another sale item). I was surprised this playsuit suited me as they normally don't but this looks great and i can imagine me wearing it a lot - day, night, holiday!! Jeans - boring huh? These are from New Look, similar to ones i liked from Topshop but with a cheaper price tag so i couldn't resist. I also couldn't resist these floral pants from Zara again, pants don't normally suit me (i'm more of a jean, tights and leggins girl) but these looks amazing and definitely make a statement!


Last but not least, two more Zara purchases. Zara really impressed me, i'm sure the ones in Manchester aren't as good :( I literally squealed with excitement when i found this leather jacket, it feels so soft (like real leather apparently) and the best part is.. it was only £40! Cheaper than the ones in Topshop/Miss Selfridge which don't feel as nice and cost more. I also picked up this bag for £10, i'm unsure whether to keep this as i wanted a handbag as opposed to a shoulder bag. But i do like this as it's pretty big.


So yes, that is everything i bought. I wouldn't say it was a lot but it's not exactly little either ahaa (and i did by gifts too!) I don't know, shopping wise i loved the shops we don't get in Manchester like Monki, Bershka, Liberty. I weren't that impressed with though Forever 21 unfortunately.

What do you think of shopping in London? And what are your favourite shops (i like being nosey)? 

Favourites of March!

To be honest - i'm struggling with this monthly favourites thing - due to the fact i'm a boring sod and stick to what i know! My daily routine never really varies - think i might have to get a bit more adventurous though, don't you think?

 l-r - Rose of Bulgaria Cleansing Milk, Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing gel, Body Shop Mango Body Butter, Lee Stafford Poker Straight Heat Defence Spray, All About Nails Nail Polish, Avon Colortrend Double-ended Kajalstick. 

Rose of Bulgaria Cleansing milk - www.rose-of-bulgaria.com - 4.80 euro's. 
I got this whilst on holiday in Bulgaria - it's really handy for getting makeup off at night and does an extremely good, fast and easy job of it! It smells like roses (obviously) and is soo gentle and soothing on the skin! If you go to Bulgaria i suggest looking at the Rose of Bulgaria line (cheap and cheerful).
Clinique Moisurizing Gel 125ml- Clinique (counter/online)  - £29
With the recent flush of hot weather in England (which has now gone) this has been a saviour - it gives my skin enough moisture without 'over do'ing' it. This helped my skin to be less oily so my makeup stayed on for longer in the heat! Not a fan of the pricetag though!
The Body Shop Body Butter 200ml - Mango - The Body Shop (store/online) -  usually £12.50 but available online now for £6.25 (bargainnnnnn!)
My mum has been a huge fan of this for a longgg time but i never really understood the buzz about this until recently! The scent is to die for - smells delicious! A little goes a long way - it adds lots of moisture to your skin, sinks straight in (no sticky/greasy legs!) and is so smooth. LOVE THIS STUFF!

Lee Stafford Poker Straight Flat Iron Protection Shine Mist - Boots (online/store) - £5.89
I have been a huge fan of Lee Stafford hair products for years - affordable, lovely looking (yay for the pink bottles) and definitely do what they say! I re-discovered this this month and wonder how i have coped without it? Protects hair against all heat (hair dryer, straighteners, curlers etc.) and does keep hair looking healthy and shiny!

All About Nails Nail Varnish - 'Mulberry Pie' - Tesco - £1
Love this polish - everything about it - the colour, consistency, chip-resistence! (full review here)

Avon Colortrend Kajalstick - 'Black and Violet' - Avon (online/brochure) - Usually around 99p (price varies)
I featured the black and brown version of this is my January Favourites - can't get enough of these pencils - two colours in one, they last all day and are so handy to take out and about. I've been loving the purple to add some colour to the lower lashline and a black pencil eyeliner is always handy!


So, of course, i recommend all these products - and they're becoming or already are firm favourites of mine throughout the year not just march!  What are your march favourites?

p.s. get your body butters from www.thebodyshop.co.uk quick while they are so cheap! you won't regret it!