'When you finally find what's beautiful, its so wonderful!..'

CAN NOT STOP LISTENING.. so wonderffuuuullll!!

i Browz Beauty Academy Make up Course

A few weeks ago myself and a couple of friends bought a deal off of Wowcher for a 3 hour make up course, and I thought I would share with you my experience. The course was run by i Browz Beauty Academy who run a number of make up and hair courses near Putney Bridge, London.

When I arrived I was slightly nervous as the address was a shabby office block with what looked like a lot of empty rooms. There was me wandering if we had been ripped off and there was no 'make up course' when we walked in to be greeted by a well presented room stocked with mac make up. My opinion swiftly changed and I was happy from the get go!

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The course started with us being told how to tell if we have yellow or pink undertones to our skin and what colours would suit each of us. Due to there being only six of us in the class the tutor was able to  answer any questions we had and was very attentive.

We went over our beauty regime for the morning and evening in which the tutor was extremely happy (and shocked) to hear I cleanse, tone and moisturise twice a day, apparently not many people do. Brownie points to me :) Always make sure you are cleansing and toning upwards girlies.. we don't want to speed up the ageing process!

Step by step we went through the process of applying make up, talking about whether concealer should go before and after foundation and also the usefulness of translucent powder. When talking about blusher application we went over face shapes in which I was told I have a square face with deep set eyes (how attractive does that sounds, naaatt!) and that to make my face seem thinner I should apply it up my cheek bones and not on the apples of my cheeks. Vice versa if you have a slimmer face and would like to make it look a little fuller.

Another point that was made when going over eye liner application is that if you are using gel/wet eyeliner you should not pull your eyelids as it will crack, so novices like myself should stick to pencil eyeliners. I have watched so many beauty gurus applying make up on YouTube and am forever amazed at how they can all apply eye liner above their eye lashes without holding their eye lid.. I am forever shaking and would make so much mess if I don't hold on.

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Alot of the course I felt I knew, such as in what order to apply everything and lots of tips and tricks to help with application. One thing I was happy to find out is about Bourjois foundations. I am big lover of Chanel Vitulemiere but not so much of the price tag, so I was EXTREMELY happy to hear that Bourjois and Chanel are created at the same factory therefore leading to the processes and products to be very similar. It is now my goal to start trying some Bourjois foundations so I can find my new go to!!

For the course I paid £34.99 through Wowcher and the original RRP is apparently £150. I thoroughly enjoyed the course and the complimentary brushes we received but I do not think it would of been worth £150. I do recommend these courses especially as something to do with your girl friends as we had a lot of fun, but I do suggest that you keep a look out on deal websites such as Wowcher and Groupon so you can get the best deal for your money :)

Have you had a good/bad experience with any of the deal websites? Also have you been on a make up course? I would love to hear about it as I am considering taking a more advanced course.


Much loves, El x

Thunder Rumbling, Castle Crumbling... I Am Trying To Hold On

This week, scrap that, this year has been a very difficult one in terms of family and loss and I do find music helps me through bad times. Even though the songs have been written by people who you have never met before and have no idea of the problems you are facing, there are some songs that relate to you and you feel 'That was written for me'!





Heres to a better second half of the year... x

Wishful Wednesday #1

Yellow Bonjour Mat  |  Pale Pink Dipped Hem Skirt
Wood iPhone Case  |  Alpha Liquid Gold  |  Glass Art Deco Jars

I have had my eye on the Urban Outfitters Moustache Mat for some time now, slightly hesitant to 'add to shopping basket' until I have a house to call my own, but now its in the sale I could be persuaded.

Dipped hem skirts and dresses are super popular at the moment, I saw so many out and about when the sun popped out a few weeks ago. This pale pink number seems the perfect example as it could be dressed up and down, parfait I tell thee.

If I had it my way my phone would have a 'wardrobe' full of cases that I could swap daily as I have come across sooooo many pretty ones. I have kept to my existing case for over a month now, time for a change?

The Alpha Liquid Gold has been on my wish list for awhile now but till I find it slightly cheaper I will not be giving in. Boo you expensive price tag, my face needs this!


These beautiful Art Deco Jars look perfect for keeping jewellery, make up and other bit and bobs around the house. So elegant and feminine, I love!


What items are on your wish list? Prey do tell :)

'I will save you.. every time you need a rescue'

A.DDIC.TED

May Not Be Able To Fly..
But I'll Take You On Adventures
May Not Move At The Speed Of Light...
But If You Need Me I'll Be There

x

Montagne Jeunnesse Skin Heroes

The Montagne Jeunnesse face masks have been something I used to constantly walk past when doing my weekly food shop in the beauty aisle of Asda and I admit I never really gave them a chance. I think because there was so many options I never looked at them properly even though I had heard good things. I have since been asked if I would like to review their new skin heroes range and straight away I replied 'YES PLEASE!' Finally I have given them a go, and I am so glad I have. These are the masks that make their new range of face masks 'Skin Heroes' -

- Shine Control (For Greasy Skin That Likes To Shine)
This is a deep cleansing mud mask containing Argan Oil to help balance oily areas and Acai berries, a powerful anti-oxidant that helps protect. After using the face mask you then use a balancing moisturiser to help control shine.

- Dry Skin Mask (Holds In Moisture to Banish Dry Areas)

This Ultra Moisturising mask is a creamy souffle containing Rasperries, Blueberries and red grapes which are high in anti-oxidants that protect and replenish your skin. Followed with a Rehydrating Skin Serum containing Kiosmetine which is clinically proven to make skin smoother.

- Break Out Mask (For Problem Skin, Prone To Eruptions)

The cleansing mud mask uses Tea Tree and soothing Canadian Willowherb to flush out blocked pored, using the natural powers of Witch Hazel calm your skin. Once finished with the mud mask, there is a Rapid Action Moisturiser which is super moisturising.

- T-Zone Peel Off (Helps Calm and Soothe Bothersome Bits)

This purifying peel off grabs dirt and helos clear impurities, followed by a Rapid Action Moisturiser which helps ease the bothersome bits and helps calm down skin.

- De-Clog Pores (Deep Cleansing Nose Strips)

These ultra-deep cleansing nose pore strips contain natural Citrus to draw out deep-rooted impurities for cleaner, less visible pores on and around the nose.

  

I am so so impressed with these face masks, I have used others before and have found myself scraping 'mud' from one cheek to try cover the other whereas these masks are extremely generous, I even found that I had some left over. After using the masks my skin felt so smooth and ungreasy which was all helped along by the second pouch of moisturiser/serum that comes with each mask to use afterwards. The mask consistencies are quite thick so unless you are extremely heavy handed the application will be an unmessy affair, and they smell so fresh and natural you won't mind keeping them on for a good 15 minutes (even the nose strips smell nice).

Skin Heroes are now available at ASDA (RRP £1.49) along with Montagne Jeunnesse's other face masks and there is so much choice, you will most definitely find at least one that is suitable for whatever skin type you are. All products are suitable for vegetarians and Montagne Jeunnesse always look to use natural ingredients, so in my books it ticks all the boxes.

I have just had a peruse of Montagne Jeunnesse's other masks, I am really intrigued by the self heating mask, I love those type of products....   I am off to Asda!

'I'm so excited I could wee its the Queen's Jubilee!'

( ^^ Yeah, I went there)

As you all must know this weekend in the UK it is the Queens Jubilee! To some this may just be exciting due to the impending 4 day weekend which will be spent away on holiday or in a pub getting merry, but to others (myself included) it brings on a chance to be patriotic and celebrate the Queen and all things British. On the lead up to the celebrations the shops have been going ceraaaaazzzyyy with their Jubilee memorillia and I LOVE  IT ALL!! (If only I had a room to fill with all things red, blue and white, to sit and drink tea, eat scones and decorate with beautiful bunting...).

I love how patriotic the country can be and love me some tacky souvenirs so here is a selection of my fave finds.

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Tatty Devine Necklace
Always a big hit with their creative bling, Tatty Devine's bunting necklace is so feminie and pretty, quite timid compared to their other more 'garish' designs, but its a big hit with me.

Emma Bridgewater Jubilee Mug
I wanted to get something as a keepsake and found most of the Jubilee mugs are quite naff and look cheap where as this mug I think is super cute.  It is now mine :)

Solar Powered Waving Queen
Spotted in a lighting shop in Soho, they are quite tacky but oh so quirky .. I.NEED.ONE.. I wander if the Queen would approve?

Bunting
I am a massive fan of bunting and have been looking for a reason to put it up around the house for months and finally, a fitting occasion! Bunting is available in many shops and it is also extrememly easy to make yourself, an extremely cheap and easy way to decorate and get in a celebratory mood.

Oyster Card

These special addition cards have been available to commemorate this special occassion since mid May, I feel they could of come up with a better design but thats only due to me being a picky designer, I would still snap one up as a keepsake.

God Save The Queen
This scarf is beautiful but a touch on the expensive side for me, I love the watercolour effect and the colours are perfect for the spring.

Marmite
Super tempted to get this for my mum, we are both big lovers of marmite and I think this would be a cute little gift.

Tea Towel
Oh how this tea towel made me chuckle when I spotted it in this weeks Stylist,  I am a big fan of rhyming and play on words so this is right up my street. Anyone so excited they could wee because its Queenies jubilee?

Are you planning on decorating for the Jubilee... bought any Jubilee inspired items? Please do share.

Hed Kandi for Models Own

Being the avid nail polish collector when I saw the new Hed Kandi for Models Own Collection I immediately knew, these had to be mine. There is something about the Models Own bottles that I just love, the packaging alone to me makes the polishes worth the money. The lid being the same shape as the bottle makes them so easy to organise and they look really cute. When I picked my choices up from Boots there was a 3 for 2 discount on throughout the store so I went for 3 and these were the colours I chose..

Ibiza Mix, Balearic Cool, Beach Party

Balearic Cool

Beach Party

Ibiza Mix

This collection is designed for holidays in the sun with Ibiza in mind and to me these have hit the nail on the head. Off to Ibiza, Zante or Malia this year.. this is the collection for you! Available in 6 shades the polishes are available at £5 each or the set of 6 for £20, which is a great price for a nail polish! 

The only downfall I have come across is that it takes a couple of coats to make these shades opaque which I know is common with a lot of varnishes out there, and like any other glitter polish, Ibiza Mix is a bugger to remove but this no longer bothers me as I have grown to love it.. its one of my go to polishes.

All in all I am a big fan and am really looking forward to going on holiday and getting a great tan to compliment these shades.

Have you tried any of this collection? Will you be taking any of them on holiday with you this year?

Eggcellent.. !!

For many a week I kept an eye out for the eggs dotted around London for 'The Faberge Big Egg Hunt', but to my dismay, no eggs for me... until Tuesday night! It was a cold, dark evening, on Carnaby Street in London town, when two slightly intoxicated ladies stumbled on said egg..

Clearly over the moon to find this egg designed by Benjamin Shine

I can't believe there are 200 eggs of this size dotted around London, and I have come across one!! I must be walking around with my eyes closed.

The hunt was 'hatched' by Elephant Family and Action for Children, who wish to create this record breaking egg hunt across Central London to raise money for both causes. You can visit the website where you will find zone maps, which will help you find the 200 eggs created by leading artists, designers, architects and jewellers.

Some of the 200 eggs..

I think this egg hunt is a great idea, it has been going on for quite a few weeks and will be around till Easter. Also, if you fancy having one of these two and a half foot fibreglass sculptures in your crib, you can bid for them! The egg we came across, is currently at £10,600!!

And there is more..  If spotting these eggs around the city isn't enough, you can text in with a keyword found at each egg, to then be in for the chance to win the golden egg! The more you text, the more entries you get. Egggcellent I say :)

El x

Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo 24 Hr Cream Gel Shadows

I first noticed the Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo 24 Hr Cream Gel Shadows (what a mouthful) when watching a vlog from LA on Fleur De Force's YouTube channel. I was intrigued by the name and have kept my eye out for these being released ever since. It was then on Twitter on Friday that I noticed they were now in shops in the UK, so made a bee line for Superdrug on my way home.

The Superdrug I visited had four colours to chose from, with which I chose 3, due to the 3 for 2 offer on Maybelline products.

I picked Eternal Gold (05), Endless Purple (15) and Permanent Taupe (40), and am regretting leaving the bright sparkly blue behind. I swatched them all when in the shop, and they stil hadn't budged two hours later!!

I am a very forgetful person and have found myself many a time rubbing my eyes, completely forgetting I have done my eye makeup, until I realise the make up all over my hands and down my face. I think these may be my saviour!

The gel shadows have a super-saturated colour and the vibrant colour really DOES NOT fade ( I am still vigorously rubbing my hand).

Really looking forward to testing these on a night out, to see if they crease and how long they last, unsure whether I will ever be able to test if they last 24 hours but we shall see. Also looking forward to seeing what other colours come out.

El x

Dear God I hope you haven't forgotten, this young brave astronaut

(Hopefully I will have the internet in the new pad next week, but until then I am afraid it is one post a week.)

I can not stop listening to this song, it is constantly whirring around in my head carrying on my obsession with the yummy Professor Green. Ever since downloading Professor Green's new album 'At Your Inconvenience' it has been on repeat at home, at work, in the car, in my own little world in my head, its beautiful!

Enjoy

I'll take care of you.

Looking out of the window at work, the sky is grey, full of miserable clouds, it looks like rain is a possibility but I am happy as today is technically my Friday. I have tomorrow off yayyyaa!

I literally have had this tune on repeat on YouTube since Monday. Anything Rihanna puts her hand to seems to be pure brilliance. Its an easy listening tune this week..





I have also noticed Drakes new album 'Take Care' has been leaked on the internet but is due for release next Tuesday. It features this track so I will definitely be purchasing.

Happy Thursday lovelies

Would love to stay and chat, but I really Moustache!

New series for you... My Friday fancies! Due to sitting at a laptop/computer daily I come across a lot of beautiful, amusing and creative things that I lust after. Friday will be my day to document and share them with you. Today, in keeping with 'Movember', I am going with Moustache themed items. I don't know what it is about the products, but anything with a moustache on seems to appeal to me and I want them all!

Rug | Necklace | Gentleman T-Shirt

Pillowcases | Giant Magnet

Hip Flask | Mug

T-Shirt | Corkscrew

Plasters | Hip Flask

Mug | Book

My absolute fave has to be the "We are gentleman' Tee. When I came across it whilst exploring Pull and Bear I was highly amused and have since found myself giggling at the slogan when remembering my find.

Happy Movember guys!! 

Much love

We never made it to the start of the race, I guess I thought that in the end we would be saved.

My tune for this Thursday is from the talented Mr Charlie Simpson.

I was one of the many extremely gutted young girls who had a lot of love for Busted, so when Charlie created Fightstar and then went solo, I wasn't so sure.

But, Charlie has come out good.

Its a happy easy song, and has helped ease me into the yucky cold weather this week has brought to us.

I wanna scream till the words dry out..

This song, amongst a couple of others, has been on repeat this week at work. Listening to music through headphones, then realising the thing your colleagues are sniggering at is you singing out loud can be highly embarrassing.

Worth it though, I am in love...




Definitely developing a crush on Mr Manderson!

Hello Autumn.

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Well I never meant for my break from here to be that long, but time is moving so quickly this year, I cant believe we are in October, not long till Christmas.

So anywho, hi there!! I am indeed back, again, and hopefully will be back for good (I know I have said that multiple times, but sometimes life just gets in the way, booo). There have been many times that I have wanted to blog, I have been at my desk, computer on and head swimming with ideas and I have clicked off of blogger. I didnt want my posts to be sporadic and disjointed as I post randomly when I had a snippet of time free, so I thought I would wait until I could put my all into it. So I here I am.

I finally found a job and am now working full time in London, which is uber exciting as well as uber tiring. My commute is currently getting the better of me and I feel like all I want to do is sleep. I leave my house at 7:15 and get home at 8ish. I have just finished my third week so my body is getting used to it and have started waking up without my alarm clock. Even so, I am constantly tired. I am worried that I may fall asleep on the train home and end up in Birmingham. (Not that I dislike Birmingham by the way, its just a good 40 miles from home). I think I need some form of sign to stick on my head, asking someone to wake me up when we get to my stop.

Hopefully this commute won't go on for much longer as I am hoping to move to London with 2 friends, thats if we can find somewhere, currently having rubbish luck. I seem to have rambled so I am going to leave it there. I shall be back tomorrow with a much more positive post, I promise :)

 

Leaving on a jet plane.

Sorry I have been M.I.A for awhile. Job applying and flat searching has been taking its toll. After staring at a computer screen all day my head hurts and eyes sting and unfortunately blogging has had to take a back seat. I am off on holiday tomorrow for two weeks, which is a well needed break. As soon as I am back I will be updating my blog layout as I have scrapped the old look and will be bombarding with you blog posts :)

Fingers crossed for coming back to a job offer (I can dream) and you lovelies have an awesome two weeks. Ta da for now.

Lots of love

You Jammy Dodger!

What an awesome start to the week I have just had, ooo I can't stop grinning.

On Friday (July 29th) I stumbled across a competition on Clippy's facebook page. Clippy are a company I am sure you have all heard about. Mainly known for their DIY bags, Clippy sell bags, washbags, folders and brollies you can customise yourself. The items have pockets in which you can slip in a photo of you and your friends, add trinkets, ribbons, and they even sell packs on the site to help get you started. I have always admired all of the products on their site so when I saw the competition, I had to enter!

The competition was to celebrate the release of their new Lunch bags and to enter you had to write a comment on where you would take your new lunchbag. After commenting, I carried on delving through their website getting myself more excited about the prospect of maybe owning a Clippy item but in the back of my mind telling myself, 'you dont win anything don't get to excited'.

A few hours later my phone went off with a Facebook notification, I HAD WON.

I have been excited all week waiting for the postman to appear with my parcel, and today was the day. As soon as I saw the parcel waiting for me I ripped it open, squealing with excitement. I am not one of those who can wait, that parcel is getting opened where ever I am!

These lunch bags come in three different designs The Sophie, The Rose and The Emily, which I received.

The Emily comes in a bright pink mock croc print with gold detailing. Perfect size for a 'lunch bag', will definitely be able to fit in your sarnies, a cool can/bottle of your fave pop and any other treats you desire. I especially love the Jammy Dodger key ring attached to the pink tassle, so cute.

The Clippy Lunch Bags retail at £24.50 and can be found on their website. They claim to keep your lunch cool for up to 8 hours, are 'wipe clean' and can also hold freezer ice packs. Impressive stuff. I am most definitely looking forward to using the bag, lets hope the weather keeps warm :)

If you haven't checked out Clippy yet, I think you should. I noticed on their Facebook page that in September they will be selling phone cases, WANT, I will definitely be getting me one of those bad boys :)

Ta da for now,

I wish I wish

Happy Thursday my pretties :) I am so extremely happy it is Thursday eve, I like this time of the week. Have had a pretty bland/stressful week this far, consisting of editing my portfolio website and applying for jobs. Still no luck with the latter.

This leads me on to Day 11 of my 30 day challenge - What you want more than anything right now.

I am currently wishing for a job that I am passionate about, in London. I don't think this is too big a wish, its achievable so I just need to push that little bit harder. I am hoping that I will look back at this blog post in October and be happy living and working in London.

There are many other things I could wish for that I would love, like a new car or a super dooper holiday, but for now a job will do :)

As a pick me up, Jody took me to a lovely restaurant this evening in Milton Keynes called Turtle Bay. I was a bit hesitant at first as there was a Nando's right next door, usually I wouldn't dare cheat on my beloved peri peri peri chicken. Tonight I did, for some beautiful jerk chicken.

Turtle Bay is a caribbean restaurant where they aim to 'capture the Caribbean island vibe by serving up exceptional, authentic dishes in an environment inspired by the love of laid-back living'. Ooooo it was so tasty. Jerk chicken with sweet potato mash and coleslaw, and then chocolate pie with ice cream for desert. I could eat it all again nom nom. I think there are only a handful of the restaurants around, but you must check it out if you pass one, I will most definitely be returning.

 Much loves

Melting..

Hi there, I am writing this whilst attempting to shelter from the heat. We constantly moan how rubbish the weather is here and then on the off chance that it is BOILING, like today, we moan. Such is life.

Today, I bring you my favourite movie. I couldn't narrow this down completely but I have three for you.

My first fave is Grease. One summer, years ago, I spent every day of the summer holidays watching the film all the way through with one of my best friends and we would re-enact it. EVERY DAY.

Film numero duo is Sleeping Beauty. Back in the day when I was little, I used to think I was Sleeping Beauty, so much so that you had to call me Aurora and I would walk round with one of those hooded towels on my head, pretending it was my long blonde locks. You can say it, I was/am strange!!

Third fave is Big Daddy. I love ALL of Adam Sandler's films, but Big Daddy is definitely my favourite. I cry without fail every time 'Frankenstein' is taken away, yet I still find it the perfect film to pick me up when I am feeling low. Hip hop hip hop-anoimous.

Talking of films, I have seen two extremely funny films in the past month. If you haven't checked out Bridesmaids or Horrible Bosses yet, then do, they had me in tears.