Paris

Au revoir i'm off to Paris for a long weekend to celebrate mon 21st anniversaire.

I'm off for a few days to hunt out Chanel, raid Sephora and of course, being the stereotypical tourist. I definitely plan on hitting up the Lourve, Eiffel Tower and the Jardin de Luxembourg, with a river boat tour thrown in to. The boy and i are staying in the business district at the lovely Sofitel La Defense hotel, and plan to just have a chilled out/we cant be bothered to rush around time! Pray the weather stays nice for me and that i don't have to put my Spooks MI5 practice in to action ;)

See you soon! X

Hello Chanel ;)

Ins and Outs - 3rd October

Birthday

This time next week i shall be twenty one years of age, and not forgetting in Paris! 

Despite the fact i'm super excited, i still have so much to do, sorting out maps, metro lines and packing - oh and making sure that the boy actually has a suitcase! 

My lovely friends Sarah and Liz also took me to the theatre for my birthday surprise on Wednesday night to see Clybourne Park, which starred Martin Freeman (my all time geek crush), it was such a great play and a such an amazing present idea. And i'm off to spend a good four hours aimlessly wandering around Blue Water tomorrow in a bid to find a birthday present from the boy.

Stylist Magazine

I'm back! The Features Editor Alix asked if i (specifically) could come back in this week so i could help plan for the new year! I certainly feel very glad to be asked back, not only did i have a whirl - but what a compliment! I'll be in the office in Tuesday and Wednesday, compiling lists and planners of events, new releases of books, films, music and conversing with PRs to see what's happening. Basically i get to put my organisational skills in to overdrive, and give them a massive hand in future planning.

Being a Student

As my last year as a student, i fully intend to burn my NUS card to the ground. Heaven knows how i will cope without that added little luxury of 10% off in Topshop. If you have recently graduated or are not a student - i advise you to skip the following paragraph. 

River Island and Toppers are hosting some fabulous Student Nights, with 20% off in-store, which is pretty useful if you have your eye on a great pair of winter boots or coat. I will definitely be stopping by the Oxford Street branches to have a nose! (a rummage). 

Also, ASOS who left the student discount bandwagon last year and jumped back on. They are currently offering 20% off for the time being, yet they will still offer 10% off year round. Perfect with their Super Saver Delivery.

Winning Competition

My brother is so lucky, every competition going he seems to win, or just finding that odd ten pound note flying around on the pavement. Unfortunately, i can't say that family gene has ever passed over to me. But Saturday night i was casually reading my FB news feed, and i was delighted to see that i had won a fifty pounds voucher for Accessories Online! 

I had been aware of this website for quite a long time, often having a good look at the Dogeared necklaces, toying on purchasing. I also became a fan of their FB page a while back, and incidentally i was picked at random in this prize draw!

I'm also delighted to see that they also stock Alex Monroe, so i definitely think one of his adorable necklaces will be on their way to me! 

If you want to have a ganders, see here at Accessories Online and their FB page here.

The recent terror alert system is freaking me out ever so slightly, considering i am going to Paris. But as long as i wear my glasses and make copious notes whilst watching this week's Spooks, i hope everything goes smoothly.

So there's enough chatter, i have some posts in the pipeline about new purchases, 

and here's the question of today, have you ever won anything exciting?

Do tell & any recommendations for Paris are much welcomed. 

my baby just cares for me!

It was love at first sight.

H&M - (£39.99) - Online

Trying to find the perfect pair of boots, is like trying to find the perfect boy. You want them to be of good quality to last all season, become that trustworthy piece you need in your wardrobe (well life in boyfriend terms) and most importantly they need to look damn right hot and comfy at the same time. Don't ask me how comfy translates in to the boyfriend territory err.. Enough of the crappy comparisons. 

Basically, i've been on the hunt for the perfect pair of winter boots. And as much i get that if i splurge on a decent pair, they will last me eternally, i just cannot fork out £90 plus on a decent pair, when i know that although i'm sure i will get lots of wear out of boots - i love my flats too! Much to my annoyance, my mother has the best worn out (yet chic) biker boots from Bertie that were worth every single penny. Sigh, so the search for the perfect winter boots are these classic tan riding boots from H&M. They are my middle ground. Sure they may not be leather, but i still think they are a bloody good deal.

Also, can i just ask Mr Highstreet, when are you actually going to start selling some decent winer coats? 

Not the entire female population want to live in aviator jackets, yaknow.

On another note, tomorrow i am heading up town to be whisked away to the theatre for a birthday surprise from two of my lovely & closest friends! Very exciting, plus some hard-core dedicated shopping will clearly be taking place before hand.

Thought of the Day.

You're either gonna hate me, or totally understand what i mean with my following thought of the day. 

It's like Marmite, you either totally understand the fascination, grasp this latest trend; or like me, you step back and think, how freaking ugly. As was with my utter discomfort of wet-look leggings, my latest dislike is two particular jewellery brands. Both Links of London and Pandora bracelets somewhat horrify me, in terms that I think they are over-priced mess of uglyness and that people flock towards them. They aren't classic, delicate or even making a statement. I genuinely think they are just fug. 

The Pandora bracelets are the ugly-step-sister of the charm bracelet, even a little creepy looking. And the fact that you can only really afford a few proper charms to fill it, leaves it rather sad looking.

The Links of London friend-ship bracelets look slightly weird too, i mean - i'm not going to lie, they look like a souvenir from a holiday flea market, not a high-end jewelers? I just find them ODD.

What can i say? They just baffle me - i just don't get the hype. After asking on Twitter whether i was the only one who thought this, the general consensus was, that other people thought the same too. These are my personal thoughts and taste, but i apologise sincerely, if you do own one of these bracelets, however don't get your kickers in a twist ;)

The Lust List -25th September 2010

this lust list is rather short - what can i say? i'm not greedy.

yes please.

Mui Mui Suede Strappy Platform Sandals - (£370.00)

these are too beautiful.

Christian Louboutin Spiked Ballerina Flats - (£625.00)

my chosen weapon of choice, how fierce! 

Hermés Enamel Bracelet - (£380.00)

lust, lust, lust.

i'd sell my brother for this (again.)

this bag is currently what i'm saving my pennies for, oh yes. 

as much as i love the studs i don't think i'm that much of a dedicated saver,

 plus my father might just have a heart attack at the price. 

lets wait till the christmas sales, yeah?

Mui Mui Studded Leather Bag - (£1,200.00)

(yeah, and i just said the 'c' word, gotta plan early.)

the specials

Whilst waiting for student funds to arrive - my wardrobe is seriously lacking the much needed A/W must haves. In the time being i thought i would show you my loves, 'mehs' and dislikes of the beauty world of this moment in time, there are many products you hear me batter on about but truth be told i'm rather addicted to trying out new skin and body products, so here goes:

Loves.

Queen Helene's Mint Julep Mask 

This mask is a godsend, something pretty special - have i ever found something like this on the UK market? No. This American brand Queen Helene's clay mask is formulated to dry up acne pimples, rinse away blackheads and shrink enlarged pores, gross?  But, hey it works a treat. I've used countless clay masks promising to do the same, and sure they make a slight difference but not in any way as deep cleansing as the Mint Julep Mask. Working like any other clay mask, it is to be left on the skin for 15 minutes and then washed off, yet straight after use-age you can visibly notice the impurities being bought to the surface, yes, pretty gross again but the mask is actively working away at imperfections you have rather than just working to prevent new ones forming. I use this two/three times a week and can see my pores improving. The only drawback is that this brand in American, meaning it can only be bought online, i bought mine off of Amazon for roughly £5 - and this is amazing for the size of product sold (i cannot see myself running out of this any time soon!).

No7 Tinted Moisturiser - Boots (£11.00)

I have pretty much always over looked the No7 brand, simply because it struck me as outdated, with thoughts of blue crumbly eyeshadow accompanied by orange cakey foundation was enough to scare me off. But since Boots introduced their £5 off vouchers, it was practically inviting me to try some products rather than just stocking up on the amazing eye shadow brushes that they offer. I am a self confessed foundation addict, always on the search for the next perfect formulation. After my stint with the Lancome lady (for an update see end of post) i decided that at the moment my skin doesn't require such a heavy coverage, and slathering on foundation looks so tacky. So i gave the No7 Tinted Moisturiser in Fair a shot, it states that it is suitable for all skin types, it has SPF 15 and provides a beautiful sheer colour. First off i wondered how can one product be suitable for an oily skin as well as a dry skin? Secondly, already a winner for having an SPF. And thirdly, i don't understand the term sheer..

All you need to know is that this tinted moisturiser covers and blends perfectly to provide a very light base, enough to look like you are alive, but enough to make you look very natural. I simply add concealer on any blemishes or dark circles, and to keep the shine at bay i just re-powder like normal. I have an oily skin, and i wouldn't stay it applies either dewy or matte - just enough balance.


(click to read moar)

Johnson's Facial Wipes (£2.99)

I bought these for my holiday in Egypt last year, since then, i always have a pack of these within my beauty box. These go so much further than just your normal wipes, they check all the boxes for removing make up, but the way they make your skin so soft is just damn right crazy. I went through a stage of stoking my face after using these, in awe of soft they made my skin! Plus they smell so refreshing and don't tend to dry out at all. Winner. 

Chanel Soliel Tan De Chanel (£28.00)

Yes, a tad pricey but this product has been a staple in my make-up routine all summer, in-fact i have used this ever since i bought it and i haven't even dented the amount! This bronzer politely shoved my Nar's Laguna to one side, creating the perfect bronzed base. It can built up to create a really sunkissed glow or applied lightly to contour and add that extra hint of colour. I apply this after my foundation, using the ELF powder brush, which creates a seamless, natural finish. I really recommend this product for fair skins, who just want that light touch of tan. Plus is smells LOVELY, all tropical and fruity, yum.

Laura Mercier Eye Brow Pencil (£18.00)

I have very, very fair eyebrows. Needless to say, it actually looks like i don't have any. grump grump. Thanks to Mrs Mercier, i have conquered the brow pencil in a shade that actually suits me. Due to very crappy experience at the Mac counter, where the SA shaded in the darkest brown eyebrows which resulted in caterpillar vs alien territory, i'm a firm believer in sticking to your own mind, and thank god i did, this blonde brow pencil works wonders!  

Dislikes 

Revlon Colour Stay (£11.99)

For some people this is the holy grail drug store foundation, and i'm not going to lie, i thought so too. Until i looked in the mirror one day and wondered why my pores on my face looked twice the size, for that reason alone it completely fails. The coverage of this product is surprisingly good for a drug store foundation, i want to love it, but i just can't. Plus the shade Buff that i bought, is slightly peach toned which could possibly verge of the balance of looking to orange - it sucks. Another major rant, why the hell did Revlon not add a pump? See all that mess? Do not want.

Benefit Pop of Colour Palette 

Giving this product it's due, i did buy this a few years back and granted you can no longer buy it. Yet, Benefit do still stock the shades with the palette, so i thought i would throw my two cents in. The pink shade, known as Dandelion does not show on the skin. Instead if the pop of baby pink you expect: nada.    It states that it's a brightening face powder, but why on earth would i want a dusty layer of this on my face? Hoola, the bronzing face powder is like mud, it literally just looks like dirt. And Dallas, another bronzer, i personally dislike due to the glitter - ew. All round waste of money, and the brush is laughable. 

Nivea Visage Tinted Moisturiser - unless you are actually orange do not purchase

Bastistse Dry Shampoo in Blush - the smell of this, i find nauseating - stick to the original or Tropical.

And a product that doesn't get enough love..

Mac's lipstick in Chatterbox.

Have you tried any of these products?

(I'm still conversing with Boots on my experience at Lancome, but they Customer Service team are fantastic (oh the irony!) and i will post once i have received further correspondence).

twenty ways to see the world, twenty ways to start a fight

I NEED THIS CAPE.

please!


(as spotted in Grazia)