Brighton Haul

So on the way back from a very sister sleepover weekend I decided to get a later train and go into Brighton to explore the Lanes. I'd already done this once before but I went to the beach instead. The lanes were really cool but I only picked up a few bits from town as I'm running quite low on funds (story of my life) and my weekend bag got quite heavy very quickly and it was quite hard to navigate my way round I found it quite complex. I went into Space NK first, which I just stumbled upon. I was really tempted to pick up a Nars Eyeshadow duo (Silk Road is gorgeous) but they're £25 (which I just couldn't justify) I had seen some girls with Mac bags so thought I would go and try to find it.

It didn't take long, I went out the back door of Space NK and it was pretty much right in front of me. I wanted to get a lipstick a bit less pink than Brave but I couldn't really find one I liked but I did pick up two Mac singles for my pro palettes. I bought Expensive Pink, I didn't really need it because I've already got All That Glitters and Honey Lust as well as the very pink toned Naked 3 palette but I was persuaded by the sales girl. Especially as it's quite a unique shade and a little bolder than some of the other more neutral shades I own. I also picked out Sable (which is a bit of a Mac staple Lily Pebbles loves this shade- I think). Although it looks very different from when I first swatched it under the store lights I wanted a warm brown shimmer and think maybe I would of preferred Satin Taupe. It's not as rich or pigmented as I first thought but there's lots of hype around this product and I'm sure I can make this work for me. (If you want to see my Mac palette so far let me know).

I went into Lush and the girls there were just the sweetest (as per usual) I had such a nice chat with all the girls I literally spent over half an hour talking about mine and their obsession with Lush. Let's be honest I could've bought the shop but I was super restrained and only picked up Honeybee and Rose Bombshell. I wasn't that bothered by Rose Bombshell at first but I saw it in a Lucy and Lydia vlog and I was completely unaware it had rose petals hiding inside also it smelt so flipping good like Rose Jam but with something a little different. Honeybee is my favourite scent for a bath bomb after the limited edition Shoot for the Stars which has OMFG has been rereleased this Easter as the Humpty Dumpty bath bomb but jeez it's so bloomin' pricey because of it's 3 in 1 premise.

How To: Sister Pamper Evening/ Session

This weekend I went to visit my sister. She's pregnant and not been feeling quite herself. So I decided to trek up to Bournemouth to pamper her.

First things first Lush bath bombs are needed. I picked up Honeybee and Lover Lamp they both have quite subtle scents so perfect for pregnant people who are scent sensitive. And LoverLamp is very moisterising so I gave that to her and I had honeybee which is my favourite scent. 

I ran her a bath and after she watched an episode or two of her favourite to show she hopped out and put her pjs on. She sat on the side of her bath and I gave her a foot scrub with Soap and Glory breakfast scrub.

 She then put her head over the bath and I washed her hair with the shampoo and conditioner she uses. Then I put Andrew Barton SOS hair repair treatment mask in the mid lengths of her hair and wrapped in a towel she had a lay down and ordered a takeaway whilst I got in the bath and used Soap and Glory breakfast scrub on myself. I got out put my pjs on and rinsed her hair and then I did mine. 

After that I gave her a foot massage with the matching Smootie Star Soap and Glory body butter.

 Then we took our makeup off and I gave her a quick and very unprofessional facial with various lotions and potions.

We went downstairs and watched 'Django: Unchained' we were going to watch 'What to Expect When You're Expecting' as it's quite a girly film and very fitting but I'd never seen Django and it had just been released on Netflix so we watched a polar opposite film instead.

After we'd stuffed ourselves with Indian takeaway we put on some of those face masks in a packet from Superdrug. Finished the film and called it a very relaxing night.

A Very Late January Favourites

January is filled with favourites because I got to try and test out a lot of the things I got for Christmas.

The first thing on my list the Andrew Barton Anti-Frizz serum, I bought a gift set in the Boxing Day sales and it came with a mini of the serum and minis of the shampoo and conditioner in the same range. The products were really great for my normally uncontrollable frizzy hair and I got the whole lot for £2.50. Although the pump on my beloved serum was utter rubbish and I ended up sawing it off which ended in tragedy when it was accidentally packed up with where I store my eye products and leaked everywhere The general range itself is exclusive to Asda so it comes as no surprise that it's really very resonable (with the full-size serum costing £2.50). And I've also tried the SOS hair mask and it did wonders and smelt amazing, so I think I might splurge a bit not to far in the distance future and try some more things in the range as they seem reliable.

Another beauty product I've loved this month was my gel eyeliner. This was a bit of a leap of faith because I've only ever been able to use the pens but I found it would always go grey and gunk up if I used it over my eyeshadow. So I picked one up with an offer in Superdrug and have been loving it ever since. It takes longer than my usual choice of Soap and Glory's Supercat liner but it sets like a rock and so far it's never looked grey. Although I think I need to pick up a new Mac 266 brush because I use it for my eyebrows as well and having to keep spot cleaning it is massively time consuming. 

I've also been loving Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Creme du Nude. I put it on under my eyeshadow (when I can remember) as a base/ primer and I have to say it's been working a treat. I've also heard it's complete dupe for Mac's Soft Ocre but it's only £5 so if you've wanted to try it or are running low on Mac maybe try this and see how you like it. 

My last beauty favourites are my Mac lipsticks. I got them for Christmas and I adore them. I don't think there's thing like the smell and feel of a Mac lipstick. I have the shades Brave and Snob. Snob is a muted bubblegum/ Barbie pink with a satin finish and Brave is best described as a mauve-y pink-y nude and is a satin finish but I find goes on a little more matte than Snob.

Next, and first on my random favourites list are my rose gold GHDs. Limited edition from last year my mum tracked them down and bought them for me for Christmas. And I love them, I use them everyday and still love just looking at them because they're so blooming gorgeous. And straighter wise I don't think you can go wrong with GHDs they straighten my hair like a dream.

I have also been loving Sali Hughes' Pretty Honest. Not only does it look gorgeous in the background of my blog photos and on my bedside table but it's actually a really great read. I don't necessarily agree with everything Sali has to say but I do looooove her 'feminist' approach to beauty. I think with a lot of these 'beauty guides' you can take what people have to say with a pinch of salt but it's such an easy read that you can dip in and out of.

One thing that has changed my haircare routine is my Tangle Teezer. It just glides through my normally uncontrollable hair and it helps I can use it on wet and dry hair-as I often do. I just can't believe it took me so long to jump on to the bandwagon.

Music favourites this month are a rather cheesy affair. By that I mean I've basically been listening to nothing but musicals. Particularly the Heather's the musical soundtrack. So much so I've been listening to it every morning as I get ready and it really peps me up for the day ahead. This dark humour approach inspired heavily by the film is just an absolute dream for me. Definitely have a listen if your a musical geek and even if you're not. It's just a work of genius in my opinion and I can't believe I've only just come across it.

And my final favourite is also very musical based it is of course Grease Live! They just did such a good job from the casting to the costumes; it was just so well done. And Vanessa Hudgens' portrayal of Rizzo captured the character so well. As was Jordan Fisher's interpretation of Doody; his rendition of one of my favourite songs (Those Magic Changes) definitely did it justice the same way Vanessa Hudgens smashed Worse Things I Could Do (my absolute favourite).

February Haul

Ooops. For someone with a very limited amount of money I sure go shopping a lot. My reasoning was simple though I'm was starting a new job tomorrow so I thought I'd spend the money I hadn't yet earned (#girl-logic). The plan was to go to my nearest Mac counter in Fenwick's and buy a lipstick or eyeshadow pan with a voucher I got for Christmas. £40 later I left the city with absolutely no mac purchases but a whole lot of other stuff.

I popped into Superdrug first, I wanted a decent drugstore foundation and there was a buy one get one half price offer on all Rimmel products. Result!- Especially as Zoella has just posted a January Favourites and was raving about 25hr Lasting Finish. So of course I picked it up. I chose the shade 103 True Ivory and even though it was a very rushed swatch in store it seems pretty perfect. I also picked up a forever favourite the Rimmel Stay Matte liquid mousse foundation as I was running pretty low and sometimes you just want to cake your face in foundation. (I use the term 'cake' very loosely).

I also picked up the Makeup Revolution New-Trals vs Neutreals eyeshadow palette (which actually was on my February Wishlist- coming soon). I chose it because it seemed really unique and was reasonably priced at £7.99. Although at second glance it actually seems to have quite a few shades that appear in my Naked 3 palette and Stila Eyes are the Window Soul palette, so I might return it. I know it's only about £8 but it's £8 I can't really afford to spare on something I don't love and use.

Then I went to Lush (this was my real downfall- curse you limited edition lush collections so close together). I picked up the very lusted over Unicorn Horn and then got another one, because when else can I get crumbly multi-coloured lustre filled unicorn magic to put in my bath. And then I proceeded to smell the Yummy Mummy shower cream just to compare it to my other favourites (that are also limited edition) Rose Jam and Prince Charming and Oh. My. Word. it smells so fricken' good. It literally smells of bottled Lush Store. And I am it's new biggest fan. So I forked out the £9.75 for the medium sized bottle.

I then very quickly nipped into Primark before I got the bus home and picked up another pack of the copper hangers because they are just so darn pretty and the very essential nude coloured cami top.

Somehow the whole lot came to a whopping £40 but I just love everything so fricken' much. I mean look how lust-worthy everything looks all laid out.

Places I Want To Travel To

Places I Want to Travel To

- Budapest, Hungary
No, it's not just because George Ezra is a babe and wrote an amazing song about this city. I love city breaks I feel like if you want to get an idea for the culture of a country definitely have a day or two in one of their main cities. I've never been to that area of Europe but it looks like a beautiful country and an even more amazing city. One thing I'd love to do is go to public baths, looks like one of those most-dos. The legal age in Hungary is 18 so I'd definitely want to check out some of the bars to get a feel for the locals.

- Paris, France
Gaye Paris. I lived in France for a year revisited at least twice a year and yet have never done more than drive through the capital of a country super close to my heart. What wouldn't I want to do in Paris. Visited the classy shops, eat until I want to burst (I loooove me some French cuisine) and wake up and pop to a bakery to fill myself to the brim with pastries. Sight-see, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame. Break out some rusty French on unsuspecting locals. And possibly even pop over to Disneyland, because where else in Europe can you meet Peter Pan and go on some kick-ass rides within the same 10 minutes.

- Rome, Venice, Sicily, Florence, Naples, Italy

What can I say I've never been to Italy! Which means I've built up a life-long lusting for visiting all of it. Like literally everywhere all over Italy! Although from what I can tell is that the different places in Italy are quite similar to the different places in the UK; different people, different food, different scenery. I mean I love French food but I'm not going to lie pizza and pasta may just about over take my love for moules-frites and coq au vin.

- Santorini, Greece
Let's not lie I think there's been enough vlogs, photos and bragging online from various bloggers and YouTube royalty that we now all want to go to Santorini if we haven't been before. I love the Greek culture, history (shout-out to anyone obsessed with Greek mythology thanks to Rick Riordan and Percy Jackson) and yes you guessed it food (love of food runs in the family). And let's not lie winter blues make it hard to not want to go on holiday somewhere as hot and sunny as Greece.

- Ireland
From what I can tell Ireland is crazy beautiful. The ancient history of the bustling city and the beauty of the breathtaking country-side really appeals to me. If I were to plan the perfect trip I'd love to have a few days in the capital or Cork or Belfast and then stay in an Air bnb in a tiny village in the middle of no-where, preferably with a decent pub.

- Chicago, Illinois, USA
A little further a field, somewhere I really want to see is Chicago. I went to Boston and fell. in. love. I feel like the next big American city to check off my list is Chicago. One thing I would love to do is go to a Chicago Bulls basketball game at the United Center. Anyone want to send me court-side tickets?
Can you tell I really like city breaks from this list so far though? (I tried to tell you)

- New England, USA (Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine)
Again somewhere else across the pond, last February I went to Maine, and drove through New England on a road-trip to Canada; it was one of the best holidays I've ever been on. So much so I fell in love with New England, it was covered in snow and took my breath away. It looked like something straight out of a movie. I want to go back though, maybe in Autumn and do more out-doorsy activities, like hiking. And really take in the New England lifestyle.

- Canada
Like I said before I went last February, we went to Montreal it was very cold and very French and I really enjoyed my time there. I'd love to explore more of Canada though, Quebec, Toronto and Vancouver seem like places I'd enjoy exploring. I'd really want to watch an ice hockey match, try some poutine and maybe pop over to St Lawerence Market (rated as one of the best food markets in the world), maybe I should try and eat my way round the world by the age I'm 25 or something.