My Mum, sister and I have always made an effort to be close so whenever all of us are free we have a girly day. Not long ago now was our latest girly day and we decided to get our classy on and had afternoon tea in an adorable little vintage style cafe called Mrs Bridges, hidden away in The Lanes in Leicester.

If you love good traditional food and vintage then this place wold be a complete dream come true for you. Yo can order anything as simple as a bacon sandwich all the way through to a a salmon dinner with macaroon after. 

(This photo from Leicester Mercury website)

We had afternoon tea which is a favourite thing to do of mine so I was very happy about that! If you love old style things like I do then you must out this right on your to-do list. It may not look like yo a lot of food to share between you but believe me you will feel full to the brim with cakes, scones and sandwiches when you're done.

I'm really getting into putting ot more lifestyle posts so if you're enjoying reading them then please let me know so I can put out more! 

xxx

Where to Apply Highlight:

Highlight is an important finishing touch when it comes to makeup, it's definitely become far more poplar of late too with a variety of different formulas from gels and to powders and liquid to solid stick form. 

As for where to put the product, of course everyone's face shape is different and it also depends on what kind of look that you're going for. In terms of an everyday face, however the main places you need to think abot is wherever the light will hit. The opposite of  what yo would be doing if you contoured.

Those would be along the top of the cheekbones, down the bridge of the nose, along the cupids bow of the lip and some people like to add a small amount to their forehead. Although if yo have naturally oily skin yo may want to skip that step. If your skin is extremely oily then chances are you can skip highlighting in general. 

I hope this post has helped some of you, I'll see you next time! 

xxx

It's a Wing Thing:

A few months a go I went through a real phase of loving winged liner, after that however, I soon abandoned liner for softer shadows over Summer. Lately I'm really enjoying finishing off my look with a wing but this time I like to take a coloured shadow similar but darker than the ones I've used with the rest of my eye look. In this case I've gone for a purple but it works with all colours.

I think it adds a nice touch of definition and you can get a nice sharp edge when yo use an angled brush such as a MAC 266. 

What about yo is there a particular look you've found yourself bringing back lately? Let me know in the comments.

xxx

Review: MUA Pearl Eyeshadows:

Eye shadow's are one of my favourite items of make-up and MUA has always been one of my favourite brands. With that in mind how could I not love their pearl shadows.

I have shade 24, which is a gorgeous almost rose gold colour which you can blend out to be an almost purple toned pink or pack on to an light shimmery brown.

I also have shade 22 which is a opalescent baby pink which reflects light blues and pinks in the light. I tend to use this as a highlight. 

As you can see by the pictures they're very highly pigmented but sheer out well too. I've said before and I'll say it again that when it comes to MUA as a brand you're paying drug store prices for a high end quality product. The shadows stay all day and have a soft buttery texture, which at just £1 is a complete and utter dream come true! I would definitely recommend picking up these shadows next time you're out shopping whether you're just getting into make-up or have loved it for years 

xxx

The Phase (New Series?):

I've been having a little blogging block lately, when I look back over my old posts I'm not sure if that's my style any more (which is part of why I've really been wanting a redesign lately). With that in mind when I do come up with new blogging I've actually started to come up with some ideas for new series'. One of which I would like to call "The Phase". If you know me personally then you'll know I don't just start to like things I really get obsessed and then it's all I can think about for months on end until I completely stop being in love with it and move on to something new. For example around June and July pretty much the only thing I bought, watched videos on or read articles about was skincare, I become completely obsessed. Now however all I want to do is go clothes shopping and put an entirely new wardrobe together!

I think a clothing wishlist will be my next "The Phase" post but I wanted to give it some sort of proper introduction. If I continue with this idea then I plan on doing posts about everything from clothes and makeup to what foods and TV shows I've been obsessing over!

If you like the idea then please do let me know in the comments because as much as I'm changing my blog around to suit me more and to keep myself enjoying it whenever I get a nice comment it makes me smile so much!

xxx

London Calling:

A while a go my Dad took my sister, boyfriend and I for a tourist style day out in London. We didn't actually go in anywhere other than the History Museum but walked around all day. My sister is really into photography at the moment so we essentially just followed her around all day as she stopped to take photo's of the sights as well as buildings from certain angles etc. All the above pictures are from my phone and all the below ones are Natalia's.

I think Natalia has a real talent for photography and I hope she carries on with it. I know this wasn't my most talkative of posts but I personally really like a post that's mainly photo's every now and again. I hope you do too and I'll see you next time! 

LONDON BABY! 

xxx

Latest Obsession! Accessorize Bombshell Blusher:

Ever since I made myself start using this blusher again in my Shop My Stash post I've been head over heels in love with it. It seems to be the perfect mix of pink, brown and shimmer that makes it an amazing blush, bronzer and highlight all in one. You'd think with the product all mixed in together that you'd find you got the wrong colour in the wrong place but that's never been the case for me. I find that when you run the product over your face with a big fluffy blush then you get just the right amount and it all hits the right areas. It seems that no matter what angle it reflects the light perfectly making it seem as though you have an inner glow. I don't even feel the need to contour when I use this product, which is something I used to do every single day. It does have a quite orange tone too it but I'm yet to see it go patchy or muddy on my face so don't let that scare you off.

5 Minute 5 Product Face:

We've all been there. That mad rush to get ready when you've only got about 5 minutes. With that in mind I thought I'd give a 5 minute face a go and too add an extra challenge for myself I've limited myself to five products too. 

The Products:

- Concealer

- Eyeshadow 

-Bronzer

-Mascara

-Lipgloss

If you've not got long then a light base is your safest bet so instead of madly buffing at your face trying to blend in your foundation (which let's face it never cooperates when you're in a rush) just dab some concealer under the eyes and on any blemishes and your base is pretty much good to go.

In terms of eyeshadow I used a brown because that way I could do both my eyebrows as well as add some definition to my lids. If you're in a rush then two in one products are an absolute God-send. The same goes for bronzer since you could use it all over the face to warm up the complexion or to contour and add definition to the face.

Mascara is a total must for making us girls feel alive and any face of make-up will look bizarre without it so a few coats of it and you'll feel transformed making a huge difference to you if you've had to get ready in a rush. 

Lipgloss or balm is another nice finishing touch that will wake up your look, finish off your face nicely and all in all make you look much more put together than you are.

I hope you enjoyed this post, would you have any different products in your five minute face? Let me know.

xxx

The 7 Deadly Sins of Beauty:

Greed:

What is your most expensive and most inexpensive product?

My most expensive product is probably my Naked palette at £38, but I think it's totally worth is because there isn't a single colour in there I haven't used. I use it practically every single day and I know I will continue to do so. The pigmentation and quality of the product is amazing too.

My most inexpensive product are my MUA eyeshadow's at just £1 each! Everyone loves MUA because not only are the prices incredible but the products perform better than some ten times their price. I would hugely recommend them to you especially if you're just getting started with makeup.

Wrath: 

What beauty product do you have a love/hate relationship with?

My love/hate relationship is with blue eyeshadow. Mainly because I know because of my brown eyes it's supposed to help make my eyes pop, but I just find that you have to be so careful with it's almost not worth it. Too much and I find myself looking like a drag queen.

Gluttony:

What is your most delicious product?

My most delicious smelling product is Anna Sui's Flight of Fancy perfume. It's one of my favourites. With it's main notes being Java Lemon, Lychee and Yuzu along with some more subtle but still nice floral tones in there too it's certainly a lovely summer and very tasty scent.

Sloth:

Which products do you most neglect due to laziness?

I'd probably have to say lip liners for this one. I don't even have one with me to take a photo, that's how much I just can never be bothered to use them. I would like to buy some to see if it would make me use them more though.

Pride:

Which product gives you the most self confidence?

I know this lipstick has featured a fair bit recently but I just love it! M.A.C's Girl About Town makes me feel so glamorous and done up when I wear it. I think it adds that extra something to a look that gives you a bit of oomph. 

Lust:

What attributes do you find most attractive in the opposite sex?

I'm not too sure what this is doing in a beauty tag, but I'd probably have to say in terms of physical looks, someone who clearly looks after themselves and has nice eyes. As for personality, I love a kind and funny gentleman. Someone who you can just sit and laugh with and be totally silly. 

Envy:

What products would you most like to receive as a gift?

At the moment I have to say I'm really lusting after YSL lipsticks, but any high end makeup or skincare in general is always a very lovely treat.

xxx

Stationary Haul:

I love love love stationary and with being off to university soon I thought it was the perfect excuse to pick up some new bits! All of these are from Tesco's stationary range so they we're super cheap and cheerful! 

First up is a super simple a super cute lever arch folder, on it is roses and butterflies in pink on top of a "greige" background. I thought it was definitely necessary since with university I'll probably have lots of notes to store.

I also thought something to write notes in was equally important and that this is equally cute! I prefer the cover of this to the folder, I love the cute girly colours and prints. On the inside there's a cross pattern and on each page there's a little butterfly popping out of the corner.

This is probably my favourite thing in the whole haul because it's an organiser's dream! It has the same print as the inside of the notebook but all over, it clips magnetically together so it's nice and compact and you can carry it around with you. When you open it out there's a little pouch that I don't really know what I'd use for, maybe receipts? Next to them are different sized post it notes which I love since I use them all the time. The section on the right is by far my favourite! It's big pad of paper with every day of the week on them and an extra little section for notes which I can't wait to use to get everything all organised (we'll see how long that lasts).

Last but not least is a sweet little blue pencilcase with a floral print over the top. I like the fact it looks like quite a vintage print as opposed to a big bright floral print. It's the perfect size, not to big and not to small. I think it will be especially useful since I like to carry different coloured pens with me as I find they help keep my notes organised. 

That's all for this post, if you liked this different kind of haul then please do let me know and I'll be sure to do more. 

xxx

First Impressions: Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm:

Since lately I seem to be bringing back my old style posts I thought it was time I did a first impressions. I'm late on the band wagon with this cleanser as it is so it was time to give it a go. The smell is so nice! It's very refreshing and herbal. You can smell it as soon as you open the pot and you instantly feel like your skin is in for a treat. 

As for the application of the product itself, you're supposed to take a small amount and rub it together on your fingertips with some water to create a cream then rub it into your face until you feel the make up lift from you face. I've only used this twice so far but I've found that compared to other cleansers I've used it takes much longer and you have to work it into the skin more. 

Nonetheless when you do get the make up off it really does come off, there's not a trace on there. Your skin is also left feeling very looked after and smooth. The beneficial ingredients listed are:

"Moringa seeds, Wild sea fennel and vitamin E to balance, purify and minimise the appearance of open pores, whilst a blend of uplifting orange, neroli and mandarin extract combined with calming jasmine and rose to revitalise, dull dry, dehydrated and mature skin". 

I don't know yet about all the claims it makes since I've only just started using it, but if you would like me to I'll do an updated review when I've been using it for longer. What I will say is that so far my skin has been feeling much softer and smoother and well looked after. This cleansing balm comes with quite a big price tag so it's definitely a treat. 

Have you been using it too? Or do you think your cleanser is better? Let me know in the comments and I hope to see you all soon.

xxx

Empties #5:

Another series that hasn't been updated for a long time! This time it's empties.

My first empty I wont talk too much about because its got a review all to itself. What I will say is that it's a lovely refreshing spray so you could use it for morning but at the same time it has a very soothing and relaxing feel and smell to it so you could use it at bed time too. It makes a nice treat for your skin and I would definitely repurchase it. 

This perfume was a present, Next Diamonds was a very strong sweet girly fragrance which when I first smelt I thought oh no I'm not going to like this but the more I smelt it the more I enjoyed wearing it. It lasted all day and I got loads of compliments when I wore it. So would I repurchase? I'm not sure, I do like it and would wear it again but there's so many perfumes I'd like to try out first that I think it would be in the distant future for now.

A nice cheap and cheerful set of products now. You guys know how much I love nspa for there quality and amazing prices. Both this Raspberry and Clementine moisturisers were amazing and nice and rich and moisturising. The smells were great too so I would definitely repurchase.

This is another skin care product that has had its own review. If you read it then you'll remember how much I raved about it, I wont go into too much detail again because the post wasn't that long ago but I will say this...BUY IT! I wouldn't say that lightly because I wouldn't want to cause any of your skin damage but it is so good and will remove that make up super quick! I would 100% repurchase this.

Lastly is this rather tatty looking mascara from Collection. It's the Super Size Fat Lash mascara, I wouldn't say it did any of those things at all! If anything it lengthened and separated my lashes which was nice but certainly not what I wanted from it. I would maybe repurchase it at a push but there's definitely better mascaras out there.

That's all for this empties post, I probably wont be doing another one for a while because you guys know how long it takes for me to collect them up. Hope you enjoyed this post and I'll see you next time! 

xxx