Boxing Day Greetings & Haul!

I can't believe its almost over for another 365 days! The most wonderful day of the year- Christmas!

I just thought I'd share with you a little haul of some goodies that I have very luckily got over this wonderful festive period.

These are all my "blog" related things; things that no doubt you will be seeing or hearing of in future posts.

Pictured Above..

Gold Mini Casio

River Island Black Platform Heels

Xen Tan Dark Lotion

MAC Studio Fix Fluid

Topshop Camel leggings & cami

H&M Floral and Black blouses

My most fantastic present to ever receive is a "bits-a-box"- mainly because I love stuff.

When I was younger; I'd receive these full of fab things such as glitter, celotape, stickers coloured paper and 'Now' Cassettes.

Now, I get a box full of my favourite things..My family clearly know me very well!

Soap & Glory, John Frieda, Phil Smith, Body Shop, MAC, Fake Bake, Tanning things, Underwear, Brushes, Hot water bottles, Cupcake and Baking goodies, Jelly Belly & Yankee Candles and lots of Chocolates and Sweeties!

I also got a gorilla pod! I love it. It literally twists and turns onto everything- my photos will never be the same again!

I got this Topshop Satchel in the sale. SO happy! £50 down to £25. Super, super!

I got really far too spoilt with money and Topshop vouchers to spend further in the sales and I can't wait.

I attempted them today but it was pretty much a sale fail! There was far too many crowds and I just wanted to get home to my family, eat lots and watch some good tv!

I've got a few suprises coming up soon, which I am very excited about! I'll let you know as and when!

I'm really so grateful for everything I have got and can't wait to get using it all.

Once again, I hope you all have had a fantastic Christmas time- enjoy every remaining moment of it!

xx

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What I'm Wearing- Christmas Eve

Its Christmas!!

I hope you've all had an absolutely great day, I have. I love Christmas- I'm very much a family orientated girl so this time of the year is just perfect for me. Plus Santa spoilt me lots.

Last night I went out with friends to a local club and this is what I wore..

-As intended, my Black faux leather shorts from Topshop £38

-My Mink lace-ish long sleeve top from Topshop £18

-A Primark basic vest £1.50

-Black River Island platform heel shoes £50

-Pauls Boutique clutch handbag

On my face I wore..

-Xen Tan Dark Lotion

-Smashbox Photo Finish Primer

-MAC Studio Fix Fluid NC35

-Studio Finish concealer NC35

-Benefit Hoola bronzer

-MAC Bronzing powder (slight shimmer)

-No7 Eyebrow Pencil

-Eyeshadows from a Ruby & Mille palette (Sorry no named shades)

-Benefit Eye Bright

-MAC Black Funk eyeliner

-Covergirl Lash Blast

-Eylure natural individuals all over the eye

-Sleek Havana corner lashes on top

-MAC St Germaine

Eek! Quite alot, but it did stay put though a rather eventful drunken Christmas Eve!

I made my hair stay put with Umberto Giannini Glam Hair Backcomb In A Bottle and as per usual it worked a treat.

On my nails I used the Nailene Natural Nails, I was pleasantly surprised with these wonders but I'll leave them to a seperate post.

(Please excuse the in-the-toilet-drunken-mirror-pose)

xx

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Christmas Belles

12 Bloggers blogging..

11 Bakers baking..

10 Tweeters tweeting..

9 Bronzed girls tanning..

8 Lips are pouting..

7 Lashes fluttering..

6 Cameras flashing..

5 GHD's..

4 Studio Fix's..

3 Xen Tans..

2 St Germaines

and

Fairy lights all over the tree..

Have a fabulous Christmas time dolls

xx

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What I'm Wearing

Girls I did it, I finally budged from NC40..I wanted to lighten up a little bit so I tried a sample on NC35 Studio Fix Fluid and I'm loving it. I'm definately going to purchase it! This may seem very trivial as its only 2 shades difference? But to me this is huge. What do you think?

I dyed my hair last night- Nice & Easy "medium brown".. I'm don't quite know what happened. First off it was visibly darker, then my entire family said it was lighter, then it looked a bit red and today how its pictured above. I'm not a happy bunny! I didn't want to really go dark dark again, but now it looks as if I'm going to have to in order to cover this mess. Any tips girls?

I'm wearing eye shadow from a LO'real quad set, I got it a while back and its in a little bit of a state now, so I thought I'd use it before I bin it. The colours are very similar to the ones in the Colour Appeal Star Secrets trio though?

The only other new product I'm wearing is some Avon bronzing pearls, there really really light in colour and very shimmery so I have just used them as a slight highlighter above my cheekbones.

The rest is my standard "normal" make up.

Hoola.

no7 Eyebrow pencil

Myth

Cover Girl Lash Blast Fusion

2 Eylure individual lashes in the corner of each eye

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Xen Tan Dark Lotion Weekly Self-Tan

By no means is this a new product; nor is it new in my collection of lotions and potions. It is however, my favourite.

I've waited a long while before writing up my review on it for a few reasons, mainly because how highly I felt about it when I first tried it- I wanted to be assured that it really was as good as it seemed by the end of the bottle. Bottles later, and I'm talking bottles later, I still love this.

I haven't kept this a secret from anyone and have mentioned it many-a-time but feel now is the moment to share my feelings in a little depth.

What they say.

"Dark Lotion gives you a rich, natural olive tan that looks great for up to 10 days. Easy to apply, it goes on evenly, smells delicious and instantly creates a gorgeous streak-free finish you'll love."

True.

The colour you gain from applying this beautiful product is a deep olive brown. Theres no hint of "orange" whatsoever with this self tan. First applied, it has colour that can be worn straight away- it is subtle, but it is great to use a guide for your tan application to avoid any disaster streaks if you haven't mastered it yet.

It applies incredibly easily, its very smooth and isn't a sticky product so applied with both your hands or a mitt- it goes on just wonderfully.

Left over night, the colour transforms beautifully. Once you have showered- a lot of product will have washed off, but fear not, underneath is a dark glowing yet natural colour.

Every time I put apply this product, it fills the air with a divine smell. Not that yuck biscuity smell that is unbearable, just a sweet marzipan like smell. If you could eat it- I would.

In terms of the tan looking great for upto 10 days, I'm not sure. I reapply every couple of days- purely because its apart of my normal routine, but theres no doubt in my mind that it would last.

The price does hit some people as a little bit steep, with each 236ml bottle retailing at £25.95 but I really do believe its worth it. I've used high end self-tans that cost similar prices and leave you very orange.

Each bottle is said to last for about 6-7 full face and body tans;

I think Xen Tan may be covering themselves a little here as I think it possibly lasts longer than that.

I haven't put in any photos of the results on this post because unfortunately my laptop is playing up.

However, I have worn it for months now and I am wearing it in all of my photos throughout the last 6 months or so on my blog.

If your a tan-a-holic or are purely just looking for the perfect fake tan, look no further.

A few little personal tips:

• Avoid oil based products, this includes moisturisers and exfoliators.
• Exfoliate at least 12 hours before.
• Don't ever apply tan immediately after shaving/waxing etc. Ever.
• Shower rather than bath.
• If possible, ask someone to wash your hair for you if want your tan to stay lovely on your hands.

xx

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Christmas time in Manchester

A few snaps to share the Christmas spirit in Manchester..

Warm up with a gorgeous Starbucks Toffee Nut Latte

xx

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A little trip to Liverpool

On the weekend I took a little trip to a city I've wanted to visit forever;

The home of the long loved Brookside,The Beetles and if I don't mention LFC my boyfriend will kill me..yes, Liverpool!

I can't believe I haven't been before seeing as its only a short train journey from Manchester and has such unbelievable shopping.

It may have taken me a while to get there, but it was definately worth the wait.

We visited the amazing shopping centres; The liverpool ONE and Metquarter which has the usual highstreet stores with a delightful mix of designer goodness, aswell as the stunning-amazing-fabulous collection of Boutiques in Cavern Walks which included Cricket, Vivienne Westwood, Boudoir Boutique and Lola.

It was paradise.

With Christmas just around the corner I was really well behaved and only picked up a new Gaga lippy in MAC and a few small bits and pieces..

Once we was well and truely tired of shopping, I picked up a delightful lemon and sugar crepe to warm me up and send my sugar levels to the roof in the Christmas Market and had a little walk down to Albert Docks.

With the snow flakes dusted on the cobbles, it was absolutely beautiful.

xx

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What I'm Wearing

Its my last week in Manchester before I go back home to London for Christmas time, so I decided to venture out to M&S to get some food to cook my boyfriend a yummy early christmas dinner with all the trimmings. It was super good!

With my hair tied up messily, I got dressed into

-River Island Cable Knit Cardi

-Topshop Cream Body

-Navy Zara Baggy Trousers with braces (also referred to as my JLS trousers)

-Brown Worker boots

-Huge River Island Snood

All very snow friendly!

xx

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Primark Fur Headbands

Just a quick little post to share with you the two fur headbands that I recently purchased in Primark.

I have been asked a couple of times to show photos wearing the cream one and if I'm honest- I haven't worn it yet.

I have previously shown the brown one in an outfit post and have worn that a few times since, I think its alot more wearable however I think worn correctly the cream one is just as sweet and rather festive too :)

xx

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Note to self: always blow dry my hair, even if I can't be bothered. Never top knot it when its wet.

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MAC Nicki Minaj Pink 4 Friday Lipstick

I got this picture from maccosmetics.co.uk

I can't explain to you how utterly excited I am about this product! Its the limited edition Nicki Minaj and MAC collaboration lipstick- The link being her new album "Pink Friday".

It was launched on Friday 26th November and will be available online only on Fridays until stock lasts!

I was one of the lucky ones to get hold of one of the 26th as they was sold out within hours and I have waited with huge excitement until this morning when finally appeared on my doorstep.

Now onto the fabulous stuff..

Before its release I was really hoping that this lipstick would have something special with the packaging, but unfortunately it doesn't. Its just the standard MAC Lipstick packaging. I would have thought they would have created something special for it, something similar to Gaga maybe? This is a little bit disapointing, but the colour makes up for it 100%..

This colour has been compared with quite a few of MAC's Pink lipsticks, It is very similar to Gaga but unfortunately mines all gone and I can't get hold of a new one so I couldn't compare it with that however, I will compare it with St Germaine swatches- one of my favourites and another lipstick it has been very closely compared with.

They are both absolute barbie/bubblegum pinks, and are VERY similar. Pink Friday is maybe a few shades darker? But seems to be almost a dupe colour on the lips.

Pink Friday is a Satin finish which I am extremely happy about as its my favourite.

Left Lipstick and Top Swatch- St Germaine, Amplified

Right Lipstick and Bottom Swatch- Pink Friday, Satin

These swatches show the results with and without a flash. As you can see, they are both very much in the same family but I adore both colours- whats your favourite?

There was alot of worries when this lipstick was compared so closely to other colours that we would all be disapointed on arrival of this beauty, but I most definately am not. I can whole heartedly say that I am so pleased with this lipstick, its not one to miss out on and would recommend that you place an order this coming Friday!

Its £12.50 and like most MAC lipsticks- worth every single penny.

A bonus to this little delivery was a sample Pro Eye Make Up Remover..

I'll have a little try and let you all know how it is.

xx

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What I'm Wearing

Happy Pink Friday my dolls ;)

First of all in reference to my opening.. Hands up who ordered the MAC Nicki Minaj "Pink Friday" lipstick today? *Puts hands up* I was online at 12:30am and was one of the lucky ones that managed to order one. I actually can't wait, I'm loving the sound of the colour, I really hope that we are not all disapointed. eeeeeeeek!

It's been quite a while since I shared a "what I wore" with you so I thought I'd do so along with a small bundle of new things that I have very happily purchased.

Please excuse the pixelated faces in the first photo, I hadn't long been awake and its very evident in the photos..

I am wearing..

- A fur headband/headwarmer from Primark- I finally got hold of them! It was so meant to be, I popped into the Bromley store in the hope that they would be there, asked a sales assistant and she said she had never seen them. I turnt around and to mine and my mums excitement there was two left!! It was completely meant to be and I was in a major case of happiness and smiles. I got two colours- both pictured below for a tiny £3 each!

- Leather cropped jacket from Warehouse- I got this last year. It cost me £130, which I think is very reasonable as my cost per wear totals to about 50p each time :) It really has been worn that much.

- Beige Cami- Primark basic, £1.50

- Khaki shirt- H&M, £7.99. I absolutely LOVE this, it is so wearable and you can dress it up and down.

- Black leggings- Marks and Spencers, £8. I'm forever hunting for new black leggings that aren't too thin and I find that Next and Marks and Spencers do the best ones. For £8 in both stores you really can't go wrong. They don't fade and don't go all thin and baggy. I got a pair of plain black ones from Topshop for close to £20 and I don't really get it? I wouldn't do that again as the quality is nowhere as good as trusty old m&s ;)

- Brown boots- Debenhams, £35 on promotion.

- MAC Studio Fix NC37

- Xen Tan dark lotion

-MAC St Germaine lippy

- Benefit Hoola

- MAC Haute & Naughty Lash

-no7 Eyebrow pencil in brown/black

My cosey perfect little fur headbands. £3! What a buy!

I have been after a camel colour jacket, but when I saw this I couldn't really resist. I'm not so much of a big jacket wearer, but when I was hunting around in Primark for my headbands I saw a girl trying this on.. She looked roughly about my size so I lurked around for a little while until she put it down. WHAT A STEAL! I'm so glad I got my mitts on it, it was a micro little £25 which I think is fantastic! I feel quite grown up wearing a jacket as normally I'm in a cardi or a tiny leather and scarf. The only problem I would say I had with it is that the buttons were quite loose, I find this quite alot in Primark but I'm not too bothered as my mum just re-buttoned it for me. It works well with quite a few of my outfits so I'm an extremely happy, warm girl.

I love my granny cardi! I had cardigans just like this "in the old days" when I was a tiny little girl that my nan knitted me. I picked it up in River Island for £39.99. It has lovely little football buttons and is all cable knitted. Its adorable and so warm!

I hope your all very well and aren't all snowed in. If you are, get snug and cosey and enjoy the time at home.

xx

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London-Manchester

After a prolonged wait to get up to Manchester- I am here, I have finally moved in!

I have managed to unpack my masses of clothes and find little homes for all of my things.

I stupidly left tons of things that I wanted to bring with me, but thats me all over..I panicked so much about what to bring with me, I forgot some of the necessities- this isn't all bad though, as I now have a reason to do a little spot of shopping.

We're living in the perfect location really, for those of you that know Manchester I'm very close to the Printworks! This means Selfridges, The Arndale Centre, a huge Topshop, good food and drink everywhere, Harvey Nics and the most beautiful picturesque christmas market all pretty much on my doorstep- I feel like a very lucky lady right now.

I had a little stress moment when I got here, my wireless wouldn't connect and the geek in me couldn't fix it, I refuse to connect to the internet restricted via a cable so I spent a good few hours of encryption codes, access keys, wep, wpa'blahblahblah... but finally I'm online and wireless, cosy on the sofa, so whilst my boyfriend works through his pile of uni work, I'm gonna catch up on a few days worth of blogs. Yay!

xx

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A catch up and a lipstick treat

Unfortunatley I've been a little quiet on the make up side of things recently, this isn't down to anything other than money. I'm really trying hard to be sensible with my money which is usually a little bit of a struggle for me but I'm trying my hardest to only buy things that are totally necessary.

Two things that I'm on the hunt for at bargain prices are;

-A faux fur headband/headwarmer. I have seen people in Primark ones, but my store doesn't have one and I'm getting quite desperate.

- A camel jacket. Theres tons of these around, but I haven't managed to find the perfect one yet? I'm not much of a jacket/coat wearer, so it has to have that perfectness about it.

If anyone can help me with these- I'd be hugely grateful!!

A little treat I did for myself to save myself from buying yet another lipstick, was turn 2 old "barely anything left" lipsticks into one. With my little lipstick in a pot trick which I did a post on a couple of months ago, I used 2 old lipsticks- Myth and Saint Germaine which I use together quite alot, and melted them together into a tiny pot. I love using it. Theres not alot of it because there wasn't hardly any left, so I apply with a little brush, but its beautiful! I can also put the two of them towards my B2M now, yay! I'm wearing my little concoction in the photo at the top of this post.

Make the most of your old lipsticks or ones you're not so keen on and experiment!

I'm loving everything wintery and cold at the moment. I love the colours, the coseyness- the everything.

As much as I love the summer and wearing pretty dresses, I love this time of year.. Christmas is just around the corner and theres nothing I love more than coseying up indoors with a hot drink and hot water bottle, snug in my pjyamas and slippers watching a movie..Glamorous or what??

I'm going to be moving up to Manchester for a little while with the boyfriend sometime this week.. I can't wait- I love shopping there (maybe I'll be slightly less careful for a while) and that its so unlike London in that everything is so close together..I'll have a lot more time to myself aswell I think, so I'm looking forward to hopefully doing a lot more blogging :)

I hope you are all well

Sparkler Fun!

xx

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Revlon Fantasy Lashes

If your like me and spend forever trying to find the perfect lash then this post hopefully will be of use to you.

Whilst I was on a little Boots spree I found myself once again lurking around the eyelash aisle trying to decide which lashes to try next. I'm quite particular with the lashes that I use because I do have quite small eyes and full strips just make me look rather ridiculous. So I prefer to use either corner or individuals and in the event of a major emergency I'll cut one length strips in half which can be a bit of a pain.

As I have mentioned many times on here and twitter, I love Sleeks Havana lashes but they can be a bit of a nightmare to get hold of, and as falsies have unfortunately become a part of my daily make up routine- I have to have back ups.

I say unfortunately only because I've become a little bit reliant on them and when I am in a rush or one plays up I feel a little bit lost without them.

Without further ado..

Revlon Fantasy Lashes in 91132 Shadow.

I've used Revlon corner lashes in the past but these are new ones and a little bit longer in terms of the strip.

I have to trim these a little bit to fit my eye comfortably, but I only take off about 6 individual lashes and use a cuticle nipper to do so, just to be a little bit more accurate and make sure I don't take any extra off.

I've recently heard a few raves about Revlon Glue and to be honest I'm not one bit impressed.

Its meant to dry clear, but it dries with an unattractive white obvious eyelash glue look and its hard to work with, its really stringy and not the easiest/quickest to apply, so I stick to my trusty Eylure black adhesive (about £4 in Boots).

However, with the lashes themselves I'm really happy. There not too heavy on the eye and there good quality. I hate lashes that fall apart after using them once, so far I've used these 5 times and there all still in tact.

I got these on a special offer, they were 2 for £8 in Boots which I thinks pretty reasonable.

I do apologise for the bad quality photos, I had to use my iPhone because I didn't have my camera to hand and with the lighting in my room I appear a bit too golden (orange) on camera so I went with the black & white.

xx

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Glamour Mag- Nails inc.

What a delightful little surprise I got when my fix of Glamour Magazine came through my door today with a little gift :)

Nails inc. Hampstead Heath.

This is definately my colour for the season andI love to wear this kind of shade nail and so was extremely happy to get it as a free gift.

The results from the pictures below are after two coats, without a base or top coat.

It dries ever so evenly and quick.

I would definately urge you to go out and get this edition of Glamour!

I think for this weekend especially, it would work as the perfect deep blood red halloween nail..

xx

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