Mulberry

It was my birthday recently and I got spoilt by my other half in Mulberry. He knew I had wanted a new purse for a long time, so he surprised me with a trip to our local HOF to pick a new purse from Mulberry.

The staff in Mulberry HOF are really patient and friendly. They brought out all the oak wallets they had in stock so I could choose the one I wanted as the grain on each wallet was completely different. I decided to go for the classic long lock wallet in natural oak as I love how it will age over time. 

The wallet itself is heavy when empty but I don't mind that. I love how roomy it is inside and the smell of the leather is amazing.

A forgotten favourite

The weather has been good recently in Northern Ireland, so I decided to pack up all my winter clothes and replace them with my summer wardrobe. 

Upon doing this I found two old summer favourites that I couldn't wait to share with you.

The skirt is about 4 years old and is from Primark. When I first bought it I couldn't figure out how to style it. I love the detailing on it and think it goes really well with the oversized Asos top.  The bag is a very well-loved Purchase that I made in Warehouse about 8 years ago. 

 

Skirt - Primark (old)

Top - Forever tee Asos (current)

Shoes - H&M (old)

Bag - Warehouse (old)

Let me know what you think. 

Les x

The statement piece

If you know me well enough, you will be aware that I don't do colours. Most of my wardrobe is made up of black and grey, and according to the husband they aren't colours.

I spotted this pink blazer a while back in River Island and was somehow drawn to it. The material is quite heavy and the shoulders are lightly padded to give it a bit more structure.

I wore it last weekend to watch the Giro d'Italia pass through Richhill.

Blazer - RI (not in store)

Top - Forever tee Asos (current)

Jeans - Joni Topshop (current)

Shoes - H&M (old)

Bag - Warehouse (old)

I would really recommend the Asos forever tshirts. They go with everything and the material is so comfortable. I'll definitely be picking them up in some other colours.

Empties #1

I rarely finish many beauty products be it makeup or skin care. I love trying new things so much that I just never finish anything up. 

This is not only a waste of money, but a waste of product too. I'm trying to use as many products as possible before I make any new purchases - let's see how long this lasts.

Here are a few products I have recently used up:

Liz Earle clean and polish - this is my 4th bottle and I have already ordered another. I absolutely love this. It leaves my skin feeling squeaky clean and glowing. I recently got the Santuary hot cleanse polish while it was on offer so I shall see how it matches up to this one. 

Jo Molone pear perfume - summer in a bottle. I absolutely love this perfume, I just wish it wasn't so expensive. I would repurchase this. 

Liz Earle Toner - I bought this toner to accompany the cleanser. It leaves skin feeling refreshed and clean. I have already ordered a replacement.

Charles Worthington volume spray - I bought this after hearing it was a dupe for Oribe dry texturising spray. It leaves hair feeling sticky and looking dull. Not something I will repurchase.

Caudaline face spray - I'll be honest I bought this product due to the hype around it and never really knew what to do with it. It's a refreshing face spray with a peppermint scent that's meant to awaken the skin up. It's a nice spray but I wouldn't repurchase it.

Mitchum deodorant - I love this deodorant, it's cheap and keeps me fresh all day long. A definite repurchase.

Shampoo - I remember buying this in Tesco as it was on offer and I had just ran out of shampoo. It's not a great product, I always give my hair two washes in the shower and still with this shampoo I never felt it left my hair clean. The next day my hair felt like it needed washed again which isn't normal for my hair. I wouldn't repurchase this.

Clothing haul

I'm currently on the worlds smallest plane on my way to Ukraine for a friends wedding. The person in front has put their seat right back - even though they're already at the exit, which has resulted in me being squashed into a little ball - not comfortable guys!

It was my birthday a couple of weeks back and I got some money/vouchers so I thought I would share my latest purchases. I haven't bought anything from asos in a long time, Im someone who likes to try clothes on before I buy and feel the material to make sure it's good quality. 

I really wanted some new spring tshirts and spotted these below:

They are called forever tshirts.  They're long - big bonus, and also a really nice fit. I picked them up in grey and pale blue. They are quite oversized too which I love.

I then visited topshop as I wanted some new jumpers to wear while In Ukraine, as there weather is currently similar to ours. I purchased two ribbed jumpers in grey and red and also a pink city jumper which I had my eye on for quite some time.  In all honesty I wouldn't recommend the rib jumpers, I love my tops to be slightly longer - no tummy flashing for me, and these jumpers are just too short in the body. I've resulted in wearing a vest top underneath which I hate doing.

My final purchase was a pair of Birkenstock sandals. Now I know these aren't to everyone's taste, in fact until recently I wouldn't have been seen dead in a pair, but I tried them on and they are just too comfy to resist. They're the perfect summer sandal, and I think they'll look really good with the asos tee and some rolled up boyfriend jeans.

Toe posing time

Have you been buying any new spring clothes recently? Let me knowing the comments below.

What to carry in your little clear bag

For me the hardest bit about packing for a short trip is deciding which beauty products make it into my little clear bag. 

I have so many favourites that I use on a daily basis that it was hard to narrow it down to the bare minimum. When I was in boots recently I spotted some clear bags in the travel section, along with some pots which you could use to carry liquids in. 

I managed to fit all this into the little pots. Loads isn't it.

Here's a rundown of whats inside. 

Pot 1 - Bobbi Brown skin finish foundation.

Pot 2 -  The Sanctuary hot polish cleanser

Pot 3 - more cleanser

Pot 4 - Bumble&Bumble colour minded conditioner

Pot 5 - Origins ginzing moisturiser

The bottle has Bumble&Bumble colour minded shampoo in it and the two grey pods contain Origins clay masks.

My travelo has Chanel chance in it and I also managed to squeeze in Nars lip pencil in orgasm.

Birthday makeup

I haven't done a FOTD post in a long time, so I thought I would share my makeup look from my birthday. 

Foundation - Chanel Vita Aqua Lumiere

Bronzer - Bobbi Brown Golden Sun

Blush - Mac Pink Swoon

Lipstick - Chanel Boy

Mascara - Maybelline

Eyebrows - Mac Charcoal Brown eye shadow

I kept the look pretty simple sticking to products that work for me, and that I know will last all evening.

OOTD Post

Long time no post. Its probably been 6 months since I last posted and to be honest I have no excuse, so, I'm just going to jump straight in with an outfit post.

Last weekend was my birthday. On the Saturday I went into Belfast with Tim for breakfast and to pick up my present.

This is me standing on the street which holds the famous Duke of York pub. The seats have been painted pink for the Giro d'Italia which comes through Belfast this Friday. 

My jacket is from River Island, Joni jeans from Topshop, grey forever tee from Asos and Longchamp shopper.

We had breakfast at The National. 

 

How beautiful is the roof!

We made a little trip to Mulberry after breakfast, but that's for another post.

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer

 

 

 

After hearing so many beauty bloggers raving about Nars latest concealer offering I just had to pick it up for myself to see what all the fuss was about. 

 

This is the first concealer I have tried from Nars. It comes in a lipgloss-esque tube with a doe foot applicator. Its a creamy concealer as the name suggests.  Upon application its quite thick, but it blends out perfectly and isn’t cakey at all.

 

It a medium to high coverage concealer, and is perfect for using under the eye area to banish the look of tired eyes.  The staying power is fantastic, I only had to top up once during the day which I think is great.  Usually I have to reapply at least 3 times a day. 

 

Its quite pricey at £21, but this is definitely my favourite concealer.  A cheaper alternative would be Collection lasting perfect concealer, but I would try this out next time you pass a Nars counter.

 

Whats your favourite concealer at the minute?

Emma Hardie Amazing Face Cleansing Balm

This is another raved about product among the beauty community.  I got a Space NK voucher for my birthday and decided to pick this up to see what the fuss was all about.  I was interested to see how this would compare with my beloved Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish.  The cleanser isn't cheap, its £34 but, it has lasted me 5 months so I think that pretty good value for such a good quality product.

the cleansing balm contains Moringa seed extract which is known for being a natural healing properties.  Other key ingredients include Wild Sea-fennel and Vitamin E to purify the skin and help reduce the appearance of pores.  The cleanser smells very fresh and clean, its thick to touch and is really easy to work into the skin, it can even be used around the eye area.

I have used the cleansing balm nearly everyday since I first purchased it in April.  I can notice a difference in my skin when I use this, my face looks fresher, my pores appear reduced and the redress I get around the sides of my nose isn't as bad.  I don't have sensitive skin, but my mum does, and the few times she tried this while visiting she didn't have any skin irritations.

Let me know if you have tried this balm.  I'm really getting into skincare these days and would love to know what you are currently using.

Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask

There's a LOT of hype around this little green bottle of goodness and I decided I needed to test it out for myself to e what all the fuss was about.

I'm quite low key when it comes to skincare and tend to leave face masks as treats for using on holidays.  I have relatively good skin, rarely breaking out.  I do, however, get dry skin especially in colder months so I decided this would be the perfect mask to test out as the weather starts to get cooler.

Over the past few months this has become a staple product. I start by removing my make up, pat my skin dry and take a pea-sized amount of product and apply it all over my face. It's an overnight mask sinking into the skin during the night acting as an intensive moisturiser.  As it's a product that works on the skin throughout the night, it can feel a little tacky when first applied so what I tend to do is apply it at least an hour before I go to bed to let it start sinking into the skin.  In the morning my skin feels super soft and revitalised.

A bonus is definitely the smell! Its absolutely gorgeous, even my husband has commented that my face smells like a smoothie.  I think it smells of passion fruit and peaches, which I adore.

Drink Up retails for £20 at House of Frazer. You get 100ml and only need a small amount of product so it will last a long time.

Have you tried any Origins products?

A Pop of Colour

I'm going to start off by saying that I know how late I am to the lip butter party.  Korres lip butters have been around for a number of years, and I've always passed up on purchasing one regardless of the rave reviews I saw from other beauty bloggers. I like to see a product in person before I purchase it and these aren't readily available in Northern Ireland. I saw them on ASOS a few months back and before I knew it, I had made an order.

 I have 3 little pots of pleasure, Jasmine, Wild Rose and Quince.  They are the softest buttery balms I have ever tried.  They smell incredible and give a punch of colour to the lips. All the shades I got are quite different. Jasmine is a nude and is perfect for during the day when I don't want to be fussy with my make up. Quince is a bright raspberry colour and Wild rose is a darker berry colour. They smell as good as they look, each shade having its own unique scent. My favourite is Jasmine, it smells like cookies (promise I haven't liked my lips as soon as I applied it).

Korres is a 'natural' brand. They use shea butter for its natural healing properties that protects the skin in harsh climates. The balms are moisturising without being greasy, and are perfect for daily use.

You can purchase Korres lip butters from ASOS for £8 each.

Worth the splurge?

Face powders are back. Last year they were briefly replaced with setting sprays but they have since had a revamp and have returned without the cakey texture.  I want a setting powder that doesn't sit in creases or add a large amount of colour to the skin. I hate powders that look powdery and have't had a great relationship with them in the past (mac mineralize I'm thinking of you).

This all changed when I tested the much talked about Chanel Les Beiges face powder. They are advertised as leaving a luminous healthy glow to the skin, without the heavy powder look.  They come in 5 shades and will set you back a hefty £38.  I chose B20 my normal Chanel shade. You can apply this as you would any setting powder over the main t-zone to keep shine away, or all over the face to leave a healthy glow that warms up the face. 

If your still not sure whether forking out the big bucks is necessary let me close the deal for you by showing you the swoon-worthy packaging.

The hunt for the perfect brows

Eyebrows are, in my opinion, the focus point of someone's face. Along with teeth they are the main thing that  I focus on when talking to someone. Tidy brows tie a make up look together, and even if your having a no-make up day doing your brows will always make you look presentable and polished.

I love thick eyebrows, getting my own groomed on a monthly basis. I tend to get HD Brows, and love how they look, but with constant cleansing they don't tend to keep they're colour after a couple of weeks. So in between appointments I like to touch up my brows with Benefit Browzing.

It comes in 3 different shades light, medium and dark. I chose medium. It comes in a sleek black compact with a good size mirror and mini angled brush and tweezers. 

On the left size is the wax and on the right  a setting powder.  The wax is very pigmented so a little goes a long way. I fill them in and then use a tiny amount of the setting powder to lock the wax in place and fill in any small areas I may have missed. 

The only con I have with Browzing is that the setting powder has a red undertone to it, so you really need to be careful to apply a small amount of product or it can tend to look a little unnatural.

You can purchase Browzing off the Benefit website here

Lock it in place

Primers are a product I often thought were pointless and a waste of money. I would rather have spent money on a new lipstick or blush than on a product that was colourless and looked, in my opinon, like a gimmick. Over the past year I have tried and tested out a few different primers, but have never tried the famous Smashbox versions.

Smashbox have always been known for their primers. They have a selection of 10 to choose from so there is definitely something for everyone. I was given a sample of their photo finish primer recently and wanted to share my thoughts.

The photo finish primer is their best selling version. A pea-size amount is enough to cover my main oily areas, focusing mainly on my nose and chin. It has that silicone feel that may bother some people as I know it can cause irritations to the skin but that didn't happen me at all. I actually love the silicone texture, it feels like I'm applying cashmere to my face. It acts as a barrier between my skin and foundation, making the application a lot easier and long lasting.

I can see why Smashbox are renowned for their primers, as I can definitely see an improvement to my makeup when I use this.  

Smashbox is now available in Boots and online at Smashbox.

Lashings of Lashes

What girl doesnt want super long volumious lashes right?  If your like me, your probably wondering how one mascara can differ so much from another. Is it the brush that makes the lashes look fuller? Is it the formula? Or is it the way you jiggle that little brush along your lashes hoping not to poke yourself in the eye. 

Well ladies, Benefit have solved all our problems and it comes in the shape of this little silver bullet.

Meet the UK's #1 selling mascara.  It's been getting rave reviews left, right and centre. They're Real promises to do everything we girls have ever wanted. It lengthens, curls, and gives plenty of volume to your lashes. Its a long-wearing formula, that doesn't clump or go dry like many other luxury brands.

You will see in the picture below how the end of the wand fans out.  This is absolutely PERFECT for getting into the inner corners of the eye.  I love that its a true black colour, and really gives lashes that wow factor.  It's only downside is that its pricey.  Retailing for an eye watering £18.50 this is definitely a splurge product, but its one that I personally will be repurchasing again and again.

Its definitely my HOLY GRAIL mascara.

You can purchase They're Real! mascara from the Benefit website HERE

Skin Perfection

L'oreal is a brand that have started to really interest me in recent months. I think they have always been known for their affordable makeup, but lately i've been hearing more about their new Skin Perfection skincare. 

While in Asda I picked up a bottle of their 3 in 1 purifying micellar solution and thought I would share my opinion on it.

If your like me and are used to using wipes to remove makeup (tut tut) your probably wondering what exactly is micellar water.

Basically its an alcohol-free makeup remover that promises to remove all traces of makeup, while drawing out any excess oil that may have gathered around tricky areas of the face such as, the sides of the nose and inner eye area. 

I place it on a cotton pad and rub it all over my face, its soothing to the skin and leaves me feeling refreshed and clean.  Its great at removing heavy eye makeup, and doesnt cause any irration to my skin at all.

I absolutely love this cleanser, its cheap and works really well with my skin.  I know everyone's raving about Bioderma, but realistically, unless you live in France or are willing to pay over-priced Ebay prices, you need to be checking L'oreal out. 

Have you tried any L'oreal skincare products recently?

FABB Blogger Sleepover at Malone Lodge Hotel

A couple of weeks ago I was lucky enough to be invited to the newly renovated Malone Lodge Belfast for a sleepover with the lovely ladies from FABB.  For anyone who doesn't already know FABB stands for Fashion and Beauty Bloggers Belfast.  We discuss fashion and beauty on a regular basis, but never in such glamorous surroundings as Malone Lodge.

Malone Lodge is a family run business, the hotel staff are friendly and approachable, going out of their way to make their guests feel right at home. Its situated on Eglantine avenue, which is a short walk away from the city centre, making it the perfect location for people who enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city  life but like to rewind in more peaceful surroundings.

The rooms are modern and spacious, I shared with Laura from Editor in Chic. It was our first proper meet up, after staring longingly at her Beautiful Mulberry bag, we changed into our new onesies from Bank and headed down to the reception to meet with everyone else.

                            I love open view kitchens

We went on a tour of the hotel, in our onesies, which was definitely an experience. I got some very strange looks.  After our tour we were taken downstairs to our own private room full of champagne and cupcakes. After a brief talk by Gareth, we were led into a candlelit room to sample some deli food from the Knife and Fork. The food was amazing.

Afterwards we retreated back into a champagne filled room with a huge bed for a pamper session with the lovely girls from Skin Medi Spa.  We were also lucky enough to get a makeup demonstration from Rebecca Bryson MUA followed by popcorn and the ultimate girls film Breakfast at Tiffany's.


The next morning, we went to the beautiful Knife and Fork restaurant for a yummy breakfast. Breakfast is my favourite meal of the day so of course I had to have the full Irish breakfast - it was tasty.

Overall, I would definitely recommend a weekend break to the Malone Lodge Hotel. The staff are friendly and attentive, the food is amazing and the bedrooms are spacious, comfortable and relaxing.

Big thank you to the Malone Lodge staff for treating us to such an enjoyable evening. I will definitely be heading back soon to the Knife and Fork restaurant.