Max Factor Diva Violet

I'm back baby! No real internet for five days! I think I may have been twitching by the time I arrived home. Had a lovely time and thankfully the weather was amazing! So what has been going on, did I miss anything?

I wore this the other week but it's so pretty I couldn't not post it. A beautiful almost pastel purple. I love minis but I find Max Factor brushes to be slightly too small so application is a bit shoddy and need three coats. 

Fingers crossed the sun is here to stay! x

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Ahoy There Matey!

Skirt: Vintage  |  Top: La Redoute  |  Sunnies: Primark  |  

Ah Hello Sun! My old friend, how have you been?! 

How beautiful has it been today? (for those in the UK anyway) Today has mostly been spent waking up at stupid o'clock (for me and not for most I must say) as my mother in law has arrived from Australia to spend a few weeks here. And then not much else except a little shopping for food, a BBQ and few Corona's in the sun!

I am away on Thursday for 5 days and as schedule posts never seem to work for me I will be AWOL and probably not post as frequent for a week after that too. To be honest I don't quite know how I will cope without blogging every day!

Keep your fingers crossed the sun is here to stay xx

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Jarlo A/W Collection Preview

I was kindly invited to preview Jarlo's Autumn/Winter Collection held by Fluorescent PR. There were other brands there but I will put that in a separate post. I didn't get the best photo's unfortunately as I took the boy with me and I was quite preoccupied with making sure he wasn't getting up to mischief!

I had the pleasure to meet the creative brains behind the brand, siblings Carly and Joe. Mix their name together and you get Jarlo - brilliant! They were super lovely to talk to and so many questions I could have asked but my brain switched off ha! It was great to find out that Carly takes inspiration from bloggers - there are quite a few amazing fashion blogs out there that I am in awe of and her love for vintage definitely shows through the designs. 

As I hope you know I love my vintage/retro clothing which is probably why I am drawn to Jarlo and the Autumn/Winter collection is fabulous! Lot's of blacks/greys/purples and retro prints - perfect wintery colours. My top picks are the glittery shift dress, faux fur jacket, star print shirt and the bird print dress (my favourite) - all in the pictures above.

The second and third picture is from the spring/summer collection out now and the autumn/winter collection will be available July sometime. 

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Nails: Nails Inc Porchester Square

This again was a swap. I have been recently embracing nudes (as well as the pinks) and this is so gorgeous! In some lights I see a grey nude but in others I see Lilac undertones. Either way I lurvve it. 

I found this particular formula quite thick and I think I applied too much as it smudged seconds after taking this photo...damn! So I didn't have it on for long, smudged  nail varnish is not the best look...

What's your favourite nude?




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Jolie Box: May's Edition

Essential Care - Organic Moisturiser (15ml) £19 for full size

I am not too excited by this moisturiser. I am more into anti-aging products so this probably won't get used. But according to the website you can also use it as a eye cream?! Will look into that a bit more. It is a good brand though, I have their black Kohl eyeliner which is fab!

Talika - Eye Therapy Patch (1 Pair) £24 for 6 Pairs

There was either this or the eyelash growth serum. I was raging a bit when I saw I had the patch as I would

have loved the serum but I have since calmed down haha! I have used the serum and it does work so at least I get to try something new. The patches are reusable of up to 3 times, you leave on for 30 minutes and they are made to instantly smooth wrinkles and reduce bags (in my case suitcases) and dark circles. Might try this later as I am going out tonight.

RMK - Make Up Base (15ml) £28 for 30ml

I am VERY excited about this product. Have heard good things and I love trying base products! It contains shea butter to add moisture and provide the perfect base. Will try this out tonight I think!

China Glaze - Nail Polish (Full Size) £7.95

I like the formula of China Glaze so when I saw spoilers with this featured I was over the moon! I received the colour Argo and it looks like a dupe for Chanel's Peridot. I have seen swatches of Chanel's and many other dupes but I just do not like the colour agh! In all the spoilers I have seen some beautiful colours so just my luck I get the one colour I dislike.

So I am half happy, half not. Shame but it's the name of the game I guess, boo hiss! There are also 4 products which I have no problem with as they are good sizes and brands.

What are everyone else's thoughts?

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The Vintage Cosmetic Company False Eyelashes in Gracie

These Lashes were in the May She Said Beauty Box. To be honest when I saw the spoiler on their website and realised there were false lashes in the box I didn't feel excitement at all, only because I felt like we have been a bit overloaded with lashes lately. BUT I completely changed my mind when I opened the box as these looked fabulous! I think the packaging for The Vintage Cosmetic Company Lashes is pretty cool. Very cutesy and the names go brilliantly and you know, anything Vintagey (if this isn't a word, it should be) I am drawn too. The Gracie lashes I have on here are not the style I received but these were very kindly sent to me by a really lovely lady on Beauty Box Swaps for nothing in return. So a BIG thank you to Karen!

The Gracie lashes are fairly natural looking and as they state they do create length and volume. Unlike most I have tried these took me two attempts to get them on. Not sure whether it was the glue or the fact that the strip the lashes are attached to is much thinner than I am used too. Either way it's not much of a biggy as they create such a gorgeous look! They do last very well, I put them on at 10am and took them off around 9pm!  

You can buy them for £6 on their website but that doesn't seem to working at the moment. Their Twitter is here if you want to find out more.

I will most probably be wearing the 'Nancy' pair tomorrow for my girls night out so I'll keep you posted! 

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Topshop All About Me Lipstick

This was a lipstick I wanted to pick up last time I was in Topshop but they didn't have any in stock and so I ended up with a blusher (can't go out empty handed of course). As I was near Oxford Street the other day I couldn't not pop in hoping they had it, and they did (obviously) which made me happy, happy indeed!! 

This hot fuchsia lipstick is AMAZING! Seriously look how beautiful that colour is. 

I didn't realise that it was a Matte formula as I probably wouldn't have picked it up due to the belief that Matte lipsticks are drying, but this is far from that! Very moisturising and a fabulous colour payoff. Last's only a couple of hours and can be quite transferring but agh the colour is gorgeous!  

I am so into bright lipsticks right now it's not funny so any recommendations for orange, pinks and reds are most welcome! 

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Nails: Nails Inc Peach Sorbet

This little beauty was a freebie from InStyle magazine (still available now). There are three colours to choose from, Peach Sorbet, Bluebell and Power Pink. I actually bypassed them as I thought I probably had similar colours but after seeing a few swatches realised that Peach Sorbet was a colour I don't think I have ever used, so of course I had to get it! 

I originally thought it would be a clearish peachy shade but it's more of a creamy white peach (does that make any sense?) and it would look fabulous when I have a tan! Where are you sun?? Two coats was enough and has lasted a good 4 days with Seche Vite on top. 

These shades were formulated especially for InStyle as far as I am aware so I would nip out to get them if you haven't already as once they are gone, they're gone!

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D Squared

Top: La Redoute | Jeans: French Connection | Sunnies: Primark | Necklace: A Recent Swap

Ahhh I haven't posted an OOTD for so long! Work load has eased off a bit and the sun was shinning so I had a bit of time to take some pictures outside before I headed off to see Jarlo's Autumn/Winter collection at the Fluorescent PR Press Event - post to come!

The jeans are my old trusty summer favourites as they aren't too thick and are just above ankle length which look fab with just a pair of flip flops. I've had them for about 5 years and hope they last another 5! 

The top is new and looks really great with this gorgeous necklace I swapped recently from one of the lovely girls at Beauty Box Swaps!

How's your Wednesday been? 

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Benefit Series: Some Kind of Gorgeous Foundation Faker

This product is an oil free cream to powder formula that fakes foundation. I was a bit confused really, a foundation faker? How does that even work, surely it's just a foundation? 

I really love the retro disk packaging, very cool. With the full size product you get a mirror and a lovely soft sponge (checked it out in store) but as I only have the mini I get bupkis. 

There are only three shades to choose from, light, medium and deep, which isn't such a wide range. I have medium and as you can see the colour swatched on my hand is way too dark but on my face it wasn't such a bad match. 

The plus notes: It felt smooth and silky on my skin. The downside is that is did literary nothing for my skin. No coverage in the slightest! Complete pointless product for me which is a shame as it does feel good on the skin. I didn't even apply to the whole face as I was that disappointed (hence no before and after pictures), plus I was going out and needed the coverage so used another foundation. 

You win some you lose some and this is the first Benefit product I have used and not liked. Ho hum...

Would love to hear everyone else's thoughts!

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3 Bean Chili Recipe

Ingredients 
1 Tin of Black Beans - drained
1 Tin of Cannellini Beans - drained
1 Tin of Kidney Beans - drained
1 Onion finely chopped
1 Medium green pepper chopped
4 - 6 cloves of garlic crushed
2 tins of chopped tomatoes
250ml Veg Stock
2 tsp of Oregano
1/2 cup of sweetcorn (tinned or frozen)
2 tsp of Cumin
2 tsp of Coriander
1/2 tsp of Chili powder (more if you can handle it)
Fresh Chili's (as many as you like) - optional
1 big handful of fresh coriander chopped
Seasoning

Saute the onion, pepper and garlic for 5 minutes
Add everything including the optional chilis and except the sweetcorn and fresh coriander, bring to the boil and simmer for 20- 30 minutes
Check seasoning, add the sweetcorn and coriander and simmer for another 5 minutes. You should end up with something like below

For a light lunch serve with cheese and crusty bread or for a main add rice and sour cream!

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Benefit Series: Cha Cha Tint Review

Everyone seems to rave about this product so I couldn't resist giving it a whirl! I already use and love the Posie Tint for the cheeks which is a similar product but just a different colour.

There's no denying it's quite a scary colour once you open the bottle. A fluorescent orange liquid is not normally something I like to apply to my face but it applies, blends in well and leaves you with a lovely flush of colour. It looks more pinky on me rather than coral but still I seriously love it and so much more than I thought I would. It's very easy to use and you can build it up to more of a stronger colour plus the bottle will last for ageees! I've tried it as a lip tint but not much colour came through so I think I will just use it as a cheek tint. 

One thing is do not leave it too long on the skin before blending as it does stain, if you can see in the swatch photo I was left with a mark where I had left it on to take pictures.

It's expensive but if you like just a natural flush of colour this would be great as like I said before, it will last quite a while! Posie tint is still my favourite though.

Any thoughts on this? x



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Max Factor False Lash Effect

I won this mascara in a Twitter competition, can't quite remember who from though! I think I have actually used it before, a very long time ago but I have no recollection on how I felt about it at that time. Luckily I do this time as I think it's blinking (hehe) awesome! 

One coat and my lashes looked long and full. It's also buildable but I wouldn't use more than 3 coats otherwise you'll get the clumpy spidery look. I honestly love this and am so glad I have fallen in love with a high street brand (good on the purse and all that). I also ALWAYS use mascara on my bottom lashes but totally feel I can get away without it and find it looks so much better. I do find I am not the best at applying mascara there anyway so bonus! 

Have you tried this? 

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Nails: OPI Sparrow Me The Drama

I received this gorgeous dusty pink OPI in a recent swap. Great formula as always with it lasting 5ish days. Another beautiful pink to add to my collection and I may have mentioned before it's the colour I gravitate towards lately!

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!


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Outfit Wish List #13

1. 80's Jelly Shoes 

2. Vintage Playsuit 

3. Vintage Sunglasses

4. Vintage Compact

Oooh jelly shoes! Takes me back to being a kid! Loving playsuits at the moment and this one from Rokit is so cute. The compact would be great to pop in your bag to use for touch ups. 

I am a bit of a sunglasses nut and the bigger the better! These are fab and would love a few more vintage sunnies to add to my collection.

Anything on your wishlist this week?


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