Define your wardrobe!

Just recently I have been shopping a lot in Warehouse.  I have always been a budget clothing girl and whilst I realise Warehouse isn’t exactly high end, some of their items can be a bit pricier.  However, with my purchases so far I have not been disappointed with the quality and I certainly feel that it is worth saving for a few choice items rather than buying everything in sight (my general tactic when shopping in Primark).

For those of you who struggle to be prised away from the allure of buying twenty tops for £10 (regardless of whether they fall apart after the first wash) take a look at Warehouse’s ‘Definitive’ range.  These are casual basics at a good price with excellent quality to match.  They range from basic vest tops and T-shirts through to simple dresses.  Because the quality is so good these items can be worn on a day-to-day basis or dressed up with a statement necklace and heels for a night out.

My collection so far consists of Longer Line Cami (White) £10, Lacquared Lace Textured Stripe Tee (Red and White Stripe) £25, Zip Pocket Vest (Red) £14, Boyfriend Tee (Grey) £12, Boyfriend Tee (Red and White Stripe) £14.

Below are some of my outfit suggestions for two of the tops listed above.

 

 

Let me know if you’d like to see more outfit suggestions for Autumn.

 

 

 

 

Autumn Wishlist

 

 

 

As Autumn approaches fast it brings with it new collections in stores (both fashion and beauty).  Here are a few of the things I am lusting after this season.

Fossil Tote Bag Camel £189

I really love Tote bags and have been looking for an ‘investment’ bag that isn’t going to fall apart or go out of fashion this season.  This particular Fossil bag has lots of different finishes you can choose from but my favourite is this camel colour.

 

 

Dune Reta Leather Knee High Boots £125

I have been searching for ages for a pair of black boots that are flattering but comfortable.  The heel on this boot looks like it would give your leg shape but not kill your feet by the end of the day.

Staring at Stars Teardrop Pointelle Sweater £45 Urban Outfitters

This cardigan will be great in the autumn when it’s not really cold enough for chunky knits but you still want something over your shoulders when you go out.  I love the colour too.

 

 

 

Cooperative contrast Collar Dress in Tile Print £48 Urban Outfitters

I love the pattern on this dress.  It’s still nice and colourful as we move out of summer but the colours are deep enough to transfer over in to Autumn.

 

 

 

Benefit Highbeam £19.50

I love highlighters (no idea why, it’s my weird beauty obsession).  I recently tested this highlighter when I was in duty free and loved the slightly pink tone to it.

 

Nars larger than life lipgloss in shade como £19

My make-up collection is definitely lacking a decent lipgloss and I have been hearing nothing but good things about the Nars selection.  This colour is perfect for the autumn months.

Laura Mercier Silk Cream Foundation £33

A decent foundation is really important and again with this product I have heard nothing but good reports.  Definitely high on my shopping list (might blow my make-up budget though).

 

I hope you enjoyed reading my ‘wish list’.  Let me know what products you are coveting this Autumn.

 

 

Getting rid of work stress!

Apologies to all you beauty followers out there but todays post is going to be more well-being related.  The further I progress in my job the more I seem to literally live and breathe it.  I vaguely remember a time where work was that thing I did in the middle of my day to earn some cash and my life didn’t really start until 5pm where I would walk out the door and not give it another thought until the next morning.  Nowadays it seems that my job is the majority of my existence (mental and physical) and my social life is the few hours on a Saturday evening where I allow myself a couple of glasses of wine and a takeaway. 

So recently I’ve been trying to find ways of really giving myself some mental switch off to the stresses of my work and I’ve found exercise, in particular, mountain biking is the best way to forget about anything that is worrying me.  Ok, I realise it is not the most glamorous physical activity and it quite often involves getting muddy, dusty, dirty and generally a bit red-faced (well it does if you are me!!), but it is also great exercise and a chance to be out in the fresh air with some great scenery. 

I’ve never been one to exercise purely for the sake of getting fit, there has to be something else to it either some kind of challenge or skill involved that takes my mind off the pain of exercising.  To me there is nothing worse than running endlessly on a treadmill with only the pain in your chest and the ache in your legs to think about.  But mountain biking isn’t like that.  Yes, there are definitely moments of aching legs and breathlessness but these are interspersed with fun and challenging downhill sections that will certainly take your mind off the exercise element and make you focus on not hitting that huge log!

For me one of the best things about biking is the complete mental switch off.  If, like me, you have a full on job the best form of relaxation is to completely switch off mentally and not think about it, even if it’s just for a few hours.  Trust me, when you are concentrating on avoiding roots, stones and logs the last thing you will be thinking about is that email you forgot to reply to or what is on your endless to-do list the next day.

Most of all its just great exercise which makes you feel better all round.  I am never more motivated than when I have been for a good ride and as the autumn draws closer I am in favour of anything that gives me a more positive mental attitude. 

 

Have you got any really good tips for getting rid of work stress?  Leave a comment below.

Review: Bioderma

 

Ok, so I realise that I am really late in jumping on the band wagon of the whole Bioderma craze but I have only recently managed to find anywhere that ships it (I ended up paying ridiculous amounts of shipping costs on Amazon).  For some reason the packaging has always put me off as to me it looks really clinical and more like something you would put on a grazed knee rather than gently removing your eye make-up.

Anyway, after watching endless amounts of reviews on youtube I decided to suck up the delivery costs and give it a go.  I have to say I have been really pleasantly surprised.  Not only does it remove all of my make-up easily (including really tricky waterproof mascara and eye-liner) but it is really gentle.  It actually does just feel like you are using water to remove your make-up.  Some removers sting my eyes but this is so gentle and leaves your skin feeling really soft.

It’s also so much easier than having lots of different bottles of cleanser, toner and eye make-up remover!  Being incredibly lazy I love just having it all in one bottle.  I’m still not completely convinced that it is as good for my skin as using all the individual skin products but on a day-to-day basis it’s great.  All it needs now is a UK stockist to avoid all the pricey delivery costs!!

Verdict: 4/5

Have any of you used the Loreal cleansing water?  Which one do you prefer?

Budget Beauty Haul

 

I have recently made a deal with myself that I would try to go a bit more ‘high end’ with my make-up purchases, however payday arrives and I find myself stood in Superdrug with an armful of bargain basement priced products yet again.  So I have decided to embrace my budget beauty side and accept that I would rather treat myself to lots of little bits and pieces rather than one expensive product every six months!!!

Don’t get me wrong, I fully accept that you get what you pay for but sometimes if you haven’t paid that much you just don’t care!  Nothing beats the buzz of having lots of new products to try out so with that in mind I am going to do a small haul on some products I bought this morning from Superdrug.  If you would like to see swatches or a full review of any of the products mentioned please leave a comment below.

The first product I picked up is the MUA Heaven and Earth palette (£4).  I have been using the Undress Me palette for ages and most of the colours are nearly used up so I thought I would try a different one.  You get 12 eyeshadows in a range of neutrals, browns and taupe colours.  I don’t think there is one colour in this palette that I wouldn’t use which is great (whenever I buy a palette there are at least four colours that I never touch).

 

The next product is the MUA cream blush in the shade Yummy.  This is the first cream blush I have tried so I am interested to see the results.  To be honest the colour wouldn’t be my first choice for a blusher but as is often the case with MUA all the other shades were out of stock.  Still, as it only cost me £2 I’ll give it a go!

I then picked up two more MUA products (noticing a theme here!)  Firstly the Pro-Base Eye Primer (£2.50).  I have an older version of this primer and it has always served me well.  I’m sure there are better quality primers out there but this has always done the job for me. 

The last MUA product I bought was the Power Pout Colour Intense Tint and Balm in the shade Rendezvous (£3).  I love the Jelly Pong Pong lip blush and thought this looked like a good dupe.  Again, the colour wouldn’t have been my first choice but the selection was limited to say the least!

I then managed to venture away from the MUA stand and purchased two Maybelline products.

The first is the 24hr Colour Tattoo eye shadow in the shade Pink-Gold (£4.99).  I’ve had the on-and-on bronze shade for ages and couldn’t quite decide whether I really liked it but I watched a couple of tutorial videos that were using them and decided to give it another go.  I think this colour will make a really good base with possibly some of the Heaven and Earth palette blended on top.

The final item I picked up was the Volume Express Falsies mascara (7.99).  For ages this was literally the only mascara I would use but I have recently been trying to ‘widen my horizons’ in the mascara department.  However, there is nothing else for the same price that comes close to this product, it really does do what it says on the tin which in the beauty world is a rare thing to be treasured!

TAG: Best of summer!

Here’s just a quick tag about all the best bits of the summer.  I hope you enjoy reading it and if you do the tag yourself please leave a link below so I can check it out.

1.       Favourite nail polish of the summer?

Any of the Barry M Gelly Shine polishes but I’ve been loving the Satsuma colour.

2.       Favourite lipstick of the summer?

Rimmel’s Kate Moss shade No. 8.

3.       Favourite blusher of the summer?

NYX powder blush in the shade Rose Garden.

4.       Favourite face product of the summer?

NYX illuminating face and body bronzer in shade Narcissistic (I use this as a highlighter).

5.       Favourite eye product of the summer?

It has to be the Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette (not very original but a classic!!).

6.       Favourite hair product of the summer?

Tigi Catwalk Sessions Sea Salt Spray.

7.       Favourite outfit of the summer?

Tricky in a blog post so I’ve linked a picture.  I always love wearing maxi dresses in the summer.  They are comfortable and stylish and can easily be dressed up or down.  This one is from Primark.

8.       Favourite film of the summer?

To be honest I haven’t watched that many films this summer but I did download ‘Side Effects’ the other day.  Not amazing but I didn’t fall asleep so that’s a good film in my book.

9.       Favourite song of the summer?

‘Radioactive’ by Imagine Dragons (I’m not actually sure if it was released this summer?!).  Check out the video too, it’s crazy (and kind of cute!).

10.   Favourite book of the summer?

‘The Dinner’ by Herman Koch.  An unusual thriller based around four friends meeting for dinner to discuss something their sons have done.  They are the only ones who know about so it poses a moral dilemma of whether to protect their children or do what is morally right.  Definitely worth a read.

 

Don’t’ forget to leave a comment or link below if you do this tag! x

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5 most used Summer products!

As the summer draws to an end I thought I’d share with you my top 5 most used products that will cross over in to the autumn season.

 

The first is the Tigi Catwalk Session Series Salt Spray.  I have recently chopped my waist length hair to above my shoulders and the first style I was desperate to try was a beachy, natural waves look (I’d tried many times on my long hair but the weight of it just pulled the waves straight out). I spray this salt spray on to damp hair and then blow dry with a diffuser.  The spray gives your hair extra texture and hold which helps achieve a really natural look and is much quicker than using a curling iron or heated waver. (£9.99 plus delivery from Amazon)

 

Next is the Dove Summer Glow Moisturising Lotion.  If, like me you have really pale skin the summer always poses that problem of ‘to get your legs out or cover up?’  The rest of the year I literally live in leggings but there have been some days this summer where the temperature has been so high that I have had to admit defeat and throw them to one side.  I’ve used this moisturiser pretty much every day and it gradually builds a nice even ‘glow’ to your skin (don’t forget to exfoliate first).  I wouldn’t say I looked tanned after using it but it certainly gave me the confidence to ditch the leggings and go au naturel in the leg department. (£4.99 from Superdrug)

 

Number 3 on my list is the NYX Pore Filler.  I was bought the Benefit Porefessional for my birthday and really loved it but once I started to run out I was looking for a more affordable alternative.  I am a huge fan of NYX products and so when I was at IMATS recently I thought I would give their version a go.  I have been really impressed by it and to be honest I can’t tell much difference between this and the Benefit Porefessional.  A product I will definitely be re-purchasing! (£12.50 from NYX.co.uk)

 

I have always liked the Barry M Nail Polishes but since they have bought out their Gelly Shine range I have struggled to go back to my normal polishes.  The finish is so glossy and much thicker than normal nail polish and they have a great range of colours (I’m trying to collect all of them!).  This one is Satsuma and I have been wearing it most of the summer.  It has such a great depth of colour that I think it will transfer really well in to autumn. (£3.99 from Superdrug)

 

My final product of the summer is the Rimmel Kate Moss lipstick in shade No.8.  This range of lipsticks are really moisturising and great value for money.  I particularly like this colour as it gives a natural look but with slight kick of colour to avoid looking washed out.  Perfect for every-day use. (£5.49 from Superdrug)

Review: Dirt Divas ‘Back to Basics’ Course – 18 August 2013

Details – 9.30am – 4.30pm, Crowthorne Woods

Cost - £99 (incl. goody bag)

www.dirtdivas.co.uk

 

So it was with a lot of excitement and a few nerves that I set off for my ‘Back to Basics’ course in my Citroën C1, complete with mountain bike well and truly wedged in (my husband had to show me four times how to remove the front wheel!).  I have been riding my mountain bike on and off for 3 years but only recently discovered a real passion for it.  We are really lucky where we live that we have some good riding spots so I have been able to develop some basic skills but it wasn’t until a short break to Coed y Brenin that I decided this was something I would actually like to take up as a serious hobby.

Like a lot of women, my husband is also really in to his riding but doesn’t have that annoying female trait of valuing his life, therefore although we enjoy riding together I was always feeling like I was scrambling to keep up and was overcome with a sense of relief when I made it down a trail in one piece.

After a recent trip to France where I had spent nearly every ride praying for survival I decided enough was enough and started researching mountain bike courses.  I came across the ‘Dirt Divas’ website after trawling the internet for women only courses.  The important thing for me was that I didn’t want to spend the day feeling like I was holding everyone up and I wanted an approach to the instruction that appreciated the fact that some of us are actually scared of falling off and hurting ourselves. 

As soon as I found the Dirt Divas website I knew it would be the course for me. They offer a range of different courses for all abilities from ‘Back to Basics’ suitable for pretty much any ability who want to refine and improve their skills (and confidence), through to ‘Single Track skills’ and ‘Drops and Jumps’ for the slightly more experienced rider.  The most important thing is that the courses are women only, so no worries about feeling intimidated by the men who are faster and more fearless. 

The courses are taught in groups of no more than six riders so you are guaranteed a really personal approach to the coaching.  From the moment I arrived I felt immediately more relaxed as the other women on the course revealed their own fears about going downhill fast, falling off and injuring themselves.  The 5 of us all had varying experience on our mountain bikes but we were all united by a feeling that we just wanted to understand better what we were actually doing.  Our course leader Jacqueline immediately put us at ease and the day was started (after a very important cup of tea and chat) with some basic ‘get to know your bike’ info.  This was a really useful part of the day for me as usually my bike is something that is plonked in front of me, all polished and ready to go but by starting to understand how things worked and even a few names of things I suddenly felt I had more ownership of my bike.

We then moved to a quiet spot in the woods and spent the rest of the morning practicing skills and techniques that would be key to us developing our trail riding later in the day.  Exercises ranged from simple tight turns to riding over narrow planks of wood and of course perfecting the ‘attack’ position ready for those oh so scary drops offs and steep bits (not so scary when you actually understand what you are doing).

The afternoon session moved in to some short trails and drop offs where we were able to practice all the techniques we had learnt.  The good thing about a small group is that not only were we all incredibly supportive of each other but Jacqueline was able to rotate around and give individual feedback on everyone’s riding, there was no getting away with sitting down in your seat if you weren’t supposed to!!

At the end of the day we gathered together to share any thoughts and feelings on the day and receive our goody bag.  The atmosphere at the end of the day was much less tense than the morning and everyone was clearly excited about the prospect of going out for a ride that week and putting what they had learnt in to practice.

Verdict: I can’t recommend the course highly enough.  It is as much about changing your mind set as it is about developing core skills.  It acknowledges that when it comes to more ‘risky’ sports women learn differently to men and it is hard not to get caught up in Jacqueline’s enthusiasm and passion for riding.  I thought the course was excellent value for money and there are no hidden extras.  Parking was free and there is even someone taking photographs throughout the day that you can download from the website at no extra cost.

If you are thinking about getting in to mountain biking or just feel you want a chance to meet other like-minded women then these courses are definitely for you.

I’ll be updating my blog with how I am getting on and may even try to film some of my riding!!