Absence Makes The Heart Grow Fonder?

If you're anything like me, you may find that there are simple things in life that just make you smile! I've been absent from blogging for a little over a week due to some sucky things that life just throws at you every now and again, but today I've had a day that has just made me smile, laugh and have a jolly good time!

(Image weheartit.com)

Today I helped my Dad with the gardening. I'm not particularly an outdoorsy kind of girl and I'm definitely not green fingered, but it allowed me be out in the beautiful sunshine, which is very rare in London, and it also helped with my mood as I could take my frustration out on those darn weeds! 

I went for a loooong walk with the bf. Admittedly I hated the idea of walking in the heat when he first suggested it, but once I'd reluctantly left the house, we ended up having a good old giggle!It also counted as strenuous exercise as we trekked up a humongous hill (his idea yet again!), which is great for my weight-loss programme! 

One of my friends sent my photo's from my last birthday over and I had a right good laugh at the drunken antics and how ridiculous we looked in our geek outfits!

Writing this post is also another reason that has made me smile. I love my little bloggy blog and how there are no constraints to what, when and how I write on it! 

Hope you all have a lovely weekend......

 ♥

Estee Lauder Make Up Collection Video

I've recently dabbled in making YouTube Video's and I must say I'm really enjoying doing it..I still feel a bit like an idiot talking to myself but I'm sure once I get into the swing of things it won't feel so strange. I did a post a few months back on my Estee lauder Lipstick Collection and got a few request on what other Estee Lauder products I owned so I hope this answers the questions that you had. Please check out my YouTube channel if you liked this video.

Have a lovely week ladies

♥

Hair Of The Day...Bow Updo

This is a really simple look to achieve, but after trying and failing numerous of times to type the explanation out, I've come to the conclusion it is impossible for me to explain without doing a demonstration. If you'd like to know how to achieve this updo or just have any questions then please ask away :) I may do a YouTube video or maybe a step by step photo blog post jobby thingy majig if that would interest you ladies at all?

Loveth 

 ♥

Calorie Counting

Image: weheartit.com

This is a different type of post from me today girlies and that is due to the fact that over the past 3 years or so I have become quite, lets just say, Chunky. 

I think my time at uni played a huge part in my weight gain. To me studying = FOOD! Lets face it is anyone ever healthy at uni? Uni for me, consisted of late nights, skipping meals, vast amounts of alcohol consumption (I was a student not an alcoholic) and spending my money on clothes and make up rather than food, this is just a recipe for disaster!

Now I'm living back home with the parentals. I've become slightly more health conscious (In other words my size 10 jeans are a tight squeeze) and I've taken the plunge and started calorie counting and exercising! Obviously exercise is the main component of weight loss but I really want to start eating healthily as I know that I always feel better after eating a healthy meal opposed to eating pizza.

 Previously when I've tried to diet all that seemed to be on my mind was food but to combat this I've downloaded a Calorie Counting app on my iPhone, and this has allowed me to plan and document exactly what I've been eating and the calories I am consuming. I'm aiming for a 1500 calorie a day diet but have actually been floating around the 1000 calorie mark as I have been cutting out all of the unnecessary junk that I used to eat.

I've substituted bread for Ryvita, Crisps for Snack a Jacks and all white pasta for brown pasta. Instead of having a chocolate for a snack I now have a Satsuma or a low fat yogurt, and my main meal is now at lunch time so that I can have a light dinner, which really helps as I don't exercise in the evenings. 

I've been sticking to calorie counting for roughly 3weeks and I can see the benefits already, I'm not as lethargic as I previously was and I have already lost 6lbs which is very good news indeed. Fingers crossed I keep it up and I'll end up having a body like Kim Kardashian in no time (I can dream right?) Haha!

Do you have any calorie counting/weight loss tips?

♥

Hair Of The Day...Bohemian Bun

No Make up...ERGH!

This morning my hair was as flat as pancake and could have quite possibly done with a wash and blowdry! Instead of going of through the whole process of washing and blowdrying ( It takes me so long as I have sooo much hair), I spritzed lots of Batiste all over, parted it and did a large bohemian twist on the left side of my hair. I brought the plait to the right side of my head and secured it with the right side of hair in a messy bun. I then hairsprayed the hell out of it and headed out in the horrendous rain and wind. Where on earth has Summer gone?

I took these pictures after being out in the monsoon (slight exaggeration) and think that it lasted pretty well. I'm surprisingly very pleased with this quick simple updo...I hope you like it.


♥ 
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Maybelline Moisture Extreme Lipsticks Review

Most of you will already know that I love lipsticks. A few weeks ago I did a haul post from xtras online (which you can find HERE) and I bought 3 Maybelline Moisture Extreme Lipsticks . So, what do I think of them once I'd given them a whirl?

Rose Sunrise, Amber Shimmer,  Flamant Rose Flamingo

Amber Shimmer, Rose Sunrise, Flamant Rose Flamingo

Packaging: I find the packaging to be a little meh. I'm not really a fan of the red bullets as I feel they look slightly cheap and tacky

Texture: A.mazing. Super moisturising and I really feel like my lips are being conditioned as well as applying a beautiful colour. 

Pigmentation: The two pinky coloured lipsticks are really pigmented but sadly Amber Shimmer didn't live up to the high standard that the other two had set.

Durability: As the lipsticks are a moisturising formula they don't last as long as a matte shade would, therefore I do find myself reapplying the lipstick quite frequently.

Price: I LOVE the price of these lipsticks, £1.99 is an absolute bargain for such a moisturising lipstick. I think the original price before they were discontinued was around £6 which I too could justify paying for them.

Overall I love these lipsticks, I like the fact that they make my lips feel conditioned and moisturised whilst adding a beautiful flash of colour. I have a feeling I will be buying more from the collection in the near future.

Have you tried these lipsticks? What is your favourite shade?

♥

Costume Jewellery

I'm aware that costume jewellery doesn't tickle everyone's pickle but recently I have become a little obsessed with it. I have a bought a few rings over the past few weeks and wanted to share them with you as I actually love them, even if they are a little chunky and garish.

I wasn't intending on doing a post when I bought these rings so I cannot find the receipts for the life of me (is it me or do receipts just go missing when you need them?), but I do remember where I bought them from, so hopefully that may help if you see something that floats your boat.

Clockwise From Left to Right: 

White Butterfly Ring: Accessorize

Black and Gold Flower Ring: Miss Selfridge

Cream Floral Bow Ring: Primark

Black Rose Ring: Miss Selfridge

Coral Flower Ring: Accessorize

Turquoise and Gold Ring: Miss Selfridge

It will come as no surprise to you that I like Miss Selfridge jewellery, I find that it's so reasonably priced and I always see something that I instantly need want in my life!

Do you like costume jewellery? What is your favourite type of costume jewellery?

♥

Hair Of The Day...Simple Updo

I thought today I'd do a quick and my first ever Hair of The Day Post. I was having a nightmare with my hair this morning, my fringe wouldn't sit right and I think I may have left my conditioner in too long as it looked a tad greasy so I thought I'd try a simple updo. 

I have such a cheesy grin ha

Trying to do a pout but ending up looking a strange haha

I literally just twisted the back sections of my hair and tied them together as you would with the start of a bow. I then used kirby grips (bobby pins) to secure it and then brought the front sections to the back and pinned them into place. My fringe is getting far too long and in need of a snip but I twisted it to the side and also pinned that in place.  I added the flower head band just to cover up the messy sections and it also helped keep my fringe in place. This took the whole of 5 minutes to do and I think it looks quite boho chic! 

Hope you like it girlies, if you have any questions ask away.

♥

It's Oh So Natural To Me

Unfortunately for me, I am unable to pull off dark, dramatic, sexy eyes as I feel I somewhat resemble a drag queen! I long to have big eyes, not big googly fish eyes, but big eyes that can really take dark, dramatic eye shadow and liner. I tend to stick more natural, light coloured eye make up as I feel it complements my smaller than average eyes so I thought I'd share with you my favourite eye shadows for a natural eye.

NARS CREAM EYESHADOW EL DORADO

BENEFIT SILKY POWDER EYE SHADOW LOW PROFILE

CLINIQUE QUAD, LEFT TO RIGHT: PINK CHOCOLATE,  STRAWBERRY FUDGE, STONE VIOLET, CHOCOLATE CHIP

MAC SATIN FINISH EYE SHADOW VELOUR

N07 STAY PERFECT EYE SHADOW MINK

FRONT COVER EYE SHADOWS, LEFT TO RIGHT: MOTHER OF PEARL AND BISCUIT 

 I normally use the lighter and shimmer shadows all over my lid and then the darker, matte shadows in the outer third of my lid, crease and under the bottom lashes for a more smokey effect. I feel that the smokey effect with these types of colours is less harsh for my small eyes and can be worn in the day with a brown kohl in the water or a thin brown liquid liner right at the lashes for a night out. I really notice a difference in the appearance of my eyes when I wear the colours above, they seem to make my eyes appear bigger and bluer in colour which is exactly why I stick to the warmer, natural shadows. I would really recommend these shades for those of you with small eyes like me and for those of you with big eyes, I'm ever so jealous ha! 

I'd like to just say apologies for the cheesy title and reference to an old S Club7 classic but it had to be done! 

Hope you all enjoy the Diamond Jubilee and the extra days off work. I know I will!

♥