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The sun it out, it's a bank holiday weekend and I'm cleaning. It's the first Sunday of the month of May, so it's time for a spring clean. Swooping the winter and summer wardrobe over, chucking things I never wore last year-and am most definitely not going to wear this year. It's not great fun during, but the results are so cleansing!

Tomorrow looks to be much more exciting. It's the first bank holiday in what feels like forever that the boy and I both have off. We've planned to go for a country walk around our area, we've lived here for 9 months and haven't really ventured further than the end of our road. We have heard of a rumored pub hidden in the woods near by that we plan to find and sample. Here's hoping the sunshine continues!

This week was mostly filled with working, washing and food shopping. None of this is exactly to excite to photograph, so no instagram post this time. We did go for a Wagama's on Tuesday and saw Iron Man 3. Which was bloody amazing, go see it now! Hopfully I'll have something much more exciting to report next weeek, I've also got a bundle of post lined up, so stay turned.

How has your week been, anything planned for bank holiday weekend?

Watching
Anna's Skincare videos have been a favorite of mine, hoping if I use everything she does I may, in say way achieve her perfect complication. Her newest offering, Skin Care Bolt-Ons has been compiling a long shopping list and dusting of some untried products.

Reading
I haven't been able to put down this months Elle magazine. Sometime I buy it a flick through, a couple of articles take my interest but mostly it's a bit blaah. But this month I've read it cover to cover. Also it came with a sample size of Benefits They're Real Mascara. Worth picking up. 

Lustin'
After they've been splashed over most blogs, I can't help just have fallen for the Bourjois Little Round Post Cream Blushers. I've only a few cream blushers but love the few I have. The swatches I've seen show up a really lovely, wearable colours. Right up my street. I'll be waiting at the doors of Boots when the these launch on the 15th. 

Labels: sunday edit

1.H&M Bag - £24.99 | 2.Zara Earrinsg - £9.99  | 3.H&M 3 Stacked Ring - £5.99 | 4.New Look Coral Tribal Tank - £26.99  | 5.Topshop Silk Floral Tee - £70   | 6.Next Leopard Slippers - £40

Labels: Fashion, fashion lustin

@jadedclouds Trying out some new Sinful Color polish, post coming up | Nipping home to see the parents on a lovely day | The lady of the house taking out a sofa napping | the main lady of mine making her self comfy | early morning ritual | A day at Twickenham watching my boyfriends brother pay in the Army vs Navy game (we won!)

It's just been one of those weeks! I feel as though I just haven't stopped, backwards and forward over the country.

I worked for the first half or the week leaving me with nothing exciting to report. However with it being pay day on Friday I did a tiny winy bit of shopping (read: lots) and picked up a few things I've been lustin' after recently. Including a couple of bits from REN and over due vist to MAC. I'll post a haul sometime next week.

The weekend had me and Ian driving back home. We stopped into my parents on Friday night before heading over to Ian's for an early night and early morning. On Saturday we left at 8:30 to make our way to Twickenham in London for a day of rugby. Ian's younger brother is in the Army and was playing at Twickenham for the first time. With us all being rugby nuts this was obviously a huge deal for us. Sadly the Under 21 Combined services lost, but Rob did score and try. Which made eveything worth while.

Anything to report from your week?

Watching
 Part 3 of Estee's Spring Trilogy, Food had me drooling. Her and Aslan made one of the nicest plates of food I've ever seen and It's now on my list of things I must consume. 

Reading
Lilly has intrgued me with her post all about Fig Scents . Having never been a fan of Fig's I now want to sniff anything fig scented that I possibly can get my hands of. Her list gives me a good starting point.

Lustin'
With summer on it's way (eventually) I look forward to the joy of makeup melting of my face. Lovely image for you there. I have Normal skin with an Oily T-Zone, so struggle a little with looking oily through out the day. Which has lead me to do some research on ways to combat this, resulting in Urban Decays De-Slick Oil Control Setting Spray. This gets a lot of love in the beauty world and I'm hoping to add this to my routine and avoid that sexy melty look.

Labels: instagram, misc, sunday edit

The phrase that sends my purse on a spa break is being tossed about again. I mentioned in my March Favourites that I was starting to shop my stash, and had found a few oldies but goodies making their way back into my everyday rotation. Here's what I found, just to give you a push in the money saving direction! Here are a few products that I've rekindled my love affair with.

Phyto Phytonectar Treatment Oil
This was a unwanted purchase that my mother kindly passed onto me. She brought them on a cruise on a whim about a year ago. At that point I'd never really heard about the Phyto brand, I vowed to do some research, but forgot so I stuck with what I knew and never used this.  Phyto then started popping up on quite a few blogs, so thought I might as well give it a whirl and I was pleasantly surprised. I put this in my hair either before bed and leave it in all night for a really deep treatment, or slick some in before I go for a run or exercise, giving it a while to soak in. I've found this has made a huge difference to my dry split ends. I know nothing can get ride of split ends, apart from cutting them off, but this has certainly made them a lot less visible, leaving my hair looking shiny and smooth.


MAC Marine Life Blush
Everyone in the beauty 'community' (I cringe whenever I read or type that sentence) went through that phase when you had to by everything MAC related in existence. Waiting up and refreshing the MAC website waiting for the new collection to come out, being the first to own that purple lipstick that you know you're never going to really wear, but everyone said it was a must own! Yeah, this was one of those purchases. It was the hyped product of MAC's To The Beach Collection. However, after you look at how much you've spent on MAC products in a year, over £400. Shocking, I know, you then go into absolute shock and treat those limited edition products like gold dust. I was so scared of using this product as I knew I wouldn't be able to get my hands on another one, so I just stopped using it. In no way am I saying this is sane thinking but it's how my min works something. After going through my stash I realised I needed to grow up and get over this hoarding, so out it came again to grace my cheeks. Marine Life really is pretty. It's now my go to summer blush, a bright candy redish pink, while also being slightly coral. It's fun and a little in your face. This many not look like everyone's cup of tea in the pan, but it blends into a really wearable flush. There are dupes out there of this, I not saying pay through the nose for this on ebay, but if you've got this sitting in you hoard please pull it out.

Lush BubbleGum Lip Scrub
Bought It, used it twice, didn't see the point, chucked it in the back of my bathroom. Remember when these little guys came out and everyone brought and loved 'em? Yeah, I brought into the hype. When I got it home I just wasn't that impressed with it. I'm not sure what I was about it, maybe it didn't live up the hype surround it? While reorganizing my bathroom I came across this and though 'meh, give it a go' And so I did. Whihtout that hype around this I wasn't expecting mircales or anything so maybe that why I enjoy using it, now. It's bright pink and smells exactly like bubblegum, which is a sickly plus. I found my lips a little dry recently, and with it coming to summer it's time to pull those

MAC Woodwink Eyeshadow
Sitting in my 'Neutrals' palette this shadow tends to get over looked, I don't know, something about the colour in the pan  just didn't really appeal to me. It just looked a bit blah, and I tended to pick Mulch by MAC of this. However I saw Alix using this in her older makeup tutorial and it looked really lovely on her, so I gave it a go. I can't stay it's anything magic, and undupeable, but it is very pigmented. It blends from a golden brown into a soft slight warm brown. It blend incredibly easily while staying pigmented. I've read that I does wonders for brown eyes, but I have light blue eyes and I found it really made them pop! I've been using this either in the crease with a matte cream on the lid or an all over lid colour blended out on its own.

MAC By Candlelight  Mineralize Skin Finish 
This was another product that I brought during the 'MAC attack' phase. I used this a lot when I first got it like crazy. But then I hit a really back skin patch and I felt like this just emphasized every little flaw on my skin, so it got stuffed in the back of my draw. I accumulated a fair few other highlighter between now and then, so never really picked this back up again. I feel like I've been missing out. Leaving the perfect highlight on the top of the cheek bones and bridge of the nose this has fast become one of my most used products. I use this on my face most day and I found it works wonderfully on collar bones and all down the arms when I brushed this on for a wedding look. It's got chunks of glitter that really catch the light, but these wear down after awhile. But you are then left with the finely milled shimmer that just look amazing. This dose lean slightly on the darker side, so very fair skinned people would probably get away with using this as a blush. If you have this sitting in your collection dig it out, you wont be disappointed.

Sleek Powder Peach Perfection Pout Polish
I pulled this out from within my collection of a million and one lip balms and it has made it's way into my everyday routine. I find it incredibly moisturizing, staying on my lips for a few hours without that horrible stickiness. This works either on it's own, or what I've doing is applying this over a bright lipstick for a more toned down daytime look, I'm not quite readying for Candy Yum Yum and Show Orchid just yet!


If your makeup bag is feeling a little lack luster, delve into your stash and pull out some oldies but goodies. 

Labels: beauty, shopping the stash

 


To sum my week in one child word; poop. Yes, poop. It's been a combination of either feeling ill or very tired regardless of the amount of sleep I've been able to get. Now, I'm not sure if its the shock of being back at work after two weeks off, or if I've got some underlying lurgy going on. I'm hoping it's the first and I'm just being a bit of a drama queen and will get into the swing of thing again soon.

On a lighter ramble the week ended on a much better note than the rest of the week. I got up around midday trundled down stairs had a cuppa then Ian suggested a Sunday Lunch out someone where, Oh yesh. I was on that like a tramp on chips. So the hair went up in a top note and I slapped on the Origins VitaZing and of we went to our local Pub. It was nice to actually to able to sit out in the evening sun and enjoy a meal, it feels like so long ago since you were able to do that.
It's amazing how only a few hours can turn a back week on it's head.

So, I'm now going to go back to editing the photos from out best friends wedding last weekend,
as seen above!


Watching
To lighten my mood I've had Pitch Perfect on constant loop. It's my favorite movie of the moment, it's a perfect pick me up move. I love Anna Kendrick, come one, this tweet from her swayed me. It also introduced me to the wonders of Rebael Wilson; hilarious and Skylar Astin;Yum. The soundtrack to this has been in my car for a good few months and I just love singing my heart out to this on those horrible drives to work in the morning. Honestly, see this movie.

Reading
I'm sure most of you will have heard about the Steubenville Rape case and trial (if you have not, please read up on this. It makes for some uncomfortable reading, but it's worth it) The whole debacle surround this case made me mad as hell, and even now it makes me sick. Anyway, one of my favorite blogs, The F Word takes a look at how this case isn't the only one of it's kind, and is, sadly a growing phenomenon.

Lustin'
Since watching Lilys The Glow Factor video I've been adding dewy finish related product to my basket left, right and center. I've always been a bit of no frills skin kinda' girl, I like matte skin. The horror. But Lily always looks to healthy and wonderful on her blog and youtube channel. So I'm hoping by taking her advice I may to look healthy and wonderful! Two products that I've now got my eye on are; The Topshop highlighter in Glow and The Kevyn Aucoin Creamy Glow.

Labels: misc, sunday edit

I really don't want to start this post of by saying 'Can you really beleieve it April already?! March flew buy!' Oh, wait, I guess I just did. That maybe why I'm a little late on getting this up, I had no idea the month had ended. You'd think I would have got used to the passing of time by now.
Since January I've been trying to use up products in my hoard, as my Makeup Collection is getting out of hand.  When you have your entire spare room dedicated to Make-up while your boyfriend enquirers every now and then if there is any free draw space in 'My room'. So, long story short, I haven't been excited about any new product but I still manged to find some gems with 'shoppin' my stash'.

Alpha-H Absolute Eye Complex
I brought this after seeing Vivianna rave about it here. I had previously been using a Botanics Hydrating Eye Cream, but it just wasn't cutting it for me. I have quite a dry area and while using the Botanics eye cream there was no marked difference. However when using using this product I could tell the difference almost immediately. It feel wonderfully cooling/soothing when first applied and has been making a real impact on those dry patches.

Korres Pomegranate Tonic Lotion
Korres was always a brand I was interested in but never really got around to trying, apart from their lip butters, which I also love. Anyway, I picked this 'tonic' up when I was in TK Maxx for around the £7 mark, bargain. I was a little worried when I saw the dark purple liquid, but it doesn't show when I pour it onto a cotton pad. The reason I love this so much it partly the smell, it's delicious but it control my oily tea zone throughout the day perfectly. Removing the oil without drying out my skin and leaving it super soft. I will most definitely re-purchase this at full price in the future.

Orgins VitaZing
Remember when this was the big thing in the beauty world and everyone and their Mums were raging about it? Yeah me too, I brought and went through 3 of these, This was my forth. I used this religiously for around a year and a half. Then for some reason I just stopped using it, I don't remember why. The other day I found this in the back of my skin care draw and I was looking a little pale so smoothed this on. It reminded me immediately why I loved this and now for the life of me I can't understand why I stopped using this! I love the smell and it's the perfect base for my make-up. The slight coverage it gives me lets me use a lot less foundation and/or concealer. Shopping my stash is playing off.

Chanel Illusion D'Ombre in Emerveille
I'll use the words my friend used when she first got this 'it's like applying liquid gold on your eyelids!' She's right. This sat in the draw for months without being touched, 'It's just to pretty' I would squeal every time my boyfriend asked about it predestine condition. But one day on a whim I just stuck a brush in there. After the initial shock, I swept this across my lids and there a love affair started. It's perfect on its own, or as a base, or a highlight. It's just perrrrfect.

Clinique High Impact Mascara
The sample of this in Glamour did it's job, I used it, loved it, so went out a brought it. Normally with sample I either toss them out immediately or I use them up and never think of the product again. But this one was different, it was everything I'd be looking for in a mascara. It's the blackest black mascara I've ever used. And Building volume perfectly. It's been my good to mascara all this month.

Labels: beauty, monthly favourites

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Labels: Tumblin' Thursday

1. Caudalie Beauty Elixir £11 | 2. Cane & Austin Retexturizing Pads £24 | 3. Nude Progenius £58 | 4. Origins High Potenct Night-a-Mins £33 | 5. Dr Jart+ Most Moist Water-Up Serum £20 | 6. Philosophy Microdelivery Peel £59

For the most part during my beauty obsessed life I only cared about make-up. However since delving slightly deeper than the Miss Sporty display in Superdrug I've gained a love for the plethora of serum, masks and treatments that now fill my draws. Dispitue my overflowing draws I'm always looking for more to add. Here are a few I'd love to add to my hoard.


I doubt this product needs any background, but up first is Caudalies Beauty Elixir. I'll put this in my shopping basket and then take it out again, I've yet to commit to the purchase. Something always nigels at the back of my mind saying it's just hyped up water in a nice glass bottle. Yet, alas, here it is on my wish list.

Number two is a tried as tested want. I got a sample of these, Retexturzing Pads from Space.NK a week or so ago, and really liked them! The lady on the counter said these had the highest level of Glycolic acid (10%) in a skincare product. Now, I don't know if this is true, but it certainly sold me on the product. Since using Alpha H Liquid Gold and the Glycolic Mask from REN I'm kinda addicted to Glycolic acid. The acid has improved the feel and look of my skin significantly. And these little pads made a startling difference simply overnight. They aren't bank breaking at £25 for 24 pads, so next time I accidentally stumble into Space.NK I'll be grabbing a tube of these.

I'm putting the blame for this lust solely on Kate. She has raved about this so often its snuck it's way into my subconscious. I don't currently has a night time serum and with my skin being alright' at the moment I wasn't sure I need one, but I do, I really do. At £58 though I'm going to see if I can snag a sample next time I'm in Space.NK. I don't want to fork out £58 for something that doesn't work for me. So this me lusting for a sample of the Nude Progenius.

This is another hyped up product, Origins Night-a-Mins- heard of it?! And I've been after it for awhile. I made an order on Origins and honestly just forgot to put this in my basket. And sadly the Origins counter near me have been out for the week. And now I really want it! I've been nighttime miosterierless(?!) for a few months now, I ran out of my previous L'Oreal one. It was nothing special and I just didn't bother to buy another one. Now I'm thinking it's about time to bring a new one into my life as my skin has been a little dryer in the morning

I've heard a lot about the Dr Jart+ Water Sleeping Mask, all good, but I have the Origins Drink Up Mask which I'm more than happy with. However when I was browsing the Boots site I found the new Most Moist Water-Up Serum. It works on the same principle as the Sleep Mask but in a intense serum. Now, with me being a bit of a sucker for a good old serum I've been religiously check my local Boots for this, but alas nothing yet. I'll be nipping into town on a un-beauty related note tomorrow, but I may have to take a slight detour.

There's something intriguing about a product that I don't quite understand, with a long winded name.  Philosophy is a brand I've always been interested in, but the price for a shower gel has always put me of slightly. One of my holy grails is The Present Clear Primer so I'm interested in trying some more of their skin care range. I've heard a lot about this In-Home Peel Kit from quite a few US bloggers, less about it over here. I doubt I'll ever buy this, but it's always something I go back to lusting after.

Are there any skin care products you've you after? Any new release I should check out?

Labels: beauty, skincare lust

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Labels: Tumblin' Thursday

1. Lightwash Jeans £35 | 2. Blue Floral Tank  £12.99 | 3. Slingback Shoes £24 | 4. Love Bullet Necklace £18 | 5. Stack Rings £6.99

1. Pleat shirt £35 | 2. Boyfriend Shorts £19.99 | 3. Cat Eye Sunglasses £25 | 4. Chunky Necklace £12 | 5. Cutout Wedges £60

1. Wrap Front Dress £40 | 2. Statement Necklace £16 | 3. Knitted Cardi £55 | 4. Metal Toe Slipper £25 | 5. Winged Clutch £12.99

Here in England this post may be wishful thinking (I'm currently looking at a slight flurry of snow) but I wanted to use it as a pick me up! Don't get me wrong, I love Fall/Winter and layer up, but enough with this ice cold wind.
This is just something I put together to give me some ideas for Spring/Summer outfits. We will see if I pick some of these bits up over the next couple of months. I've been lusting after these metal toe slipper shoes since seen Lilly wearing them in a number of outfits.

Are you lusting after the summer feeling? 

Labels: ASOS, New Look, Outfit Ideas, River Island, Topshop

Will be back with beauty related posts later tonight.

Labels: Tumblin' Thursday

Labels: Tumblin' Thursday

This has been done upteen times before, but I always find they quite interesting and tend to discover new interesting products. I'm going to try and do a couple of top fives; eyeshadow, brushes, lipstick ect. A lot of people are big blush fans so I thought it would be best to start here!

Honestly, I'm not the biggest blush fan. A lot has to do with the fact I'm a bit hit a miss with my application. My cheek bones are pretty high, and I tend to struggled with blush placement. I some how end up looking like a dirty tramp. Not good. I have however managed to obtain a rather larger collection, most MAC with a few other brands thrown in for good measure.

1. Topshop - Neon Rose
I picked this up awhile ago, I think when Topshop first released their Make-up range. There was quite a lot of hype surrounding this blush so I thought why not. I must say when I first saw it and swatched it I thought there was no way I was going to wear it, it was so, Neon (duh). But when blended out it gives a really natural and life like hue to the cheek.  It's differently a staple in mt collection, it always goes with me.


2. MAC - Don't Be Shy
Well I'm sorry that this blush is looking in such a state, I managed to crack it while depotting and had to repress it. This blush is sadly well discontinued, it came out with the Barbie collection way back in 2007 (!!!). I picked this up in a sale some time last year and haven't stopped using it! I love everything about this blush, the pigmentation is amazing as is the color and consistency. It's a bright blue based pink, with a slight frost.


3. MAC - Pinch O' Peach
The name on this is a little deceiving, it leans towards the pink side rather the the peach. Saying that it's not the most unique color ever, but still, I love it. It's just so easy and simple to wear. I'll throw this on when I can't make my mind up and it will work with any eye and lip combo. It's pigmentation is perfect, not to make but enough that you know you've got it on. It gives my skin a gorgeous glow and color, and is perfect over Neon Rose by Topshop above.


4. MAC - Pretty Baby
While this is not technically a blush it's a beauty power, I use it as a blush (what else you would use it for, I'm unsure) so I'm including it, so ner. Another discontinued product, sorry! This came out with the much talked about Hello Kitty Collection in 2009. Again I snatched this up in a sale, mostly for the packaging. I will one day when I get round to it put my face power in here to keep in my purse, as it's duper cute. Anyway, the actual product. It's very light and sheer baby pink with a tiny sheen. I use this on nights out or when I've got a bright pink lip as it gives a subtle glow and it actually last a really long time on the skin.  


5. MAC - Florida
You do not need to adjust your computer screens, the blush really is this bright. A bright pink/fuchsia it may not seem like everyones delious cuppa tea. However once blended into the skin it gives a youthful flush. It's super pigmented so a little goes a long way, so this will last forever.

Labels: Blush, MAC, make-up, Top 5, Topshop

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14

The Boy meets Girl may be my favorite of the trends. It's simple to achieve  and can probably be made up of a couple of pieces in your wardrobe.
Catwalks were filled with androgynous shapes, a whole lot of black, flat workman boots, white shirts and fitted blazers. While this trend may seem easy to achieve, don't be deceived. Sadly you can't just raid your boyfriend or brothers wardrobe and through on any old pieces, you'll look homeless. Go for slimmer, sleeker and more refined shapes and look of menswear staples. Pick up some fitted or over sized blazers like 2 and 14.

Labels: Autum trends, WIWIMWW

Labels: Book, Book Review, Kelley Armstrong

Gold Cross Necklace - £14.00 | Sliver Cross Bracelet - £6.00

Models Own Nail Polish - Lilac Dreams, Juicy Jules | Revlon Nail Polish - Stormy Canvas, Facets of Fuschia | Models Own Nail Art Pen | Maybelline Lipstick - Luminous Beige  | Revlon ColorStay Liquid Eye Pen

Labels: haul, make-up, Maybelline, MO, Nail varnish, Revlon, UO

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