Of Love and Lipstick

I just had to comment that 2014 has been an awesome year; full of good moments with little sadness. There are the small moments such as the birth of the best kitten in the world Oliver (who likes to believe he the King of the World), starting second year of University after passing all of my exams, seeing Avenue Q (after wanting to see it for a while), performing ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ in March, and many more. Then there was my hol iday to Florida in June, which was the best experience ever. I don’t care if people see it as a childish place, it is the most amazing place ever. It was so saddening to come back to reality after the two weeks ended. One of 2014’s resolutions was to be more outgoing. As you can see, I started blogging in October. In the beginning, it was the most terrifying thing ever; to put yourself out there for all to see. Now, I find it has become more of relaxing hobby (providing to remember to schedule posts to upload when they are supposed to). Here...

Hey I've been wanting to show you guys my desk setup for a while now. I thought that I'd wait to get my new furniture first. I have not had a new desk in years; before this I was using a hand-me-down from my younger cousins that only had three tiny drawers. I can safely say I've upgraded to a Micke desk and the Alex Nine Drawer Unit.

HEY GUYS! I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and that Santa was good to you! He was very overgenerous to me so I am very grateful. I love Christmas; it's my favourite time of year. The only disappointing thing is that there has been no snow yet. That would make everything ultimately better. So a bit of a deviation for my usual genre, but since, here in Scotland, the air has chilled quite a bit I thought I would share the recipe for my families homemade soup. It's really warming, and perfect for those days were you are not up to a lot of cooking. Just pop it on in the morning at a low temp and BANG! Soup for lunch!

Bandeau dress  £225 / Miu Miu platform ankle boots  £600 / Franchi hard clutch  £34 / Oval ring  £75 / Blue Nile pendant jewelry   £180   A different take on my prior Rapunzel look. As with the other, it was inspired by Rapunzel from the Disney movie 'Tangled'.

A little exam procrastination! I have my Psychology final today, and I'm at that point where I not longer care what will happen. That does not bode well considering that my attendance was sketchy at best. I just want to pass, I don't care about the grade I get. So, anyway. I had a bit of another shopping trip todayyy! I hit up my most favourite store in the world, TK Maxx, and also, as strange as it may seem; my workplace. I work at a national store known as Store 21; it only opened back in March. It is a bit of a value store, specialising in homeward and womenswear, but also selling menswear, childrenswear, nightwear, lingerie and shoes. A little mix of everything. It's a bit like TK Maxx; either a bit or a miss. Store 21 I got this totally cute knitted waffle jumper! It's so warm and snuggl y; perfect for the winter weather. It's actually a baby powder blue, instead of the blue-grey it is in the picture. It is currently on 30% of...

Lush Face Mask OH MAH GAWSH! Can you believe that before last week I had never been to Lush; when ever I pass it in the street the smell just overwhelms me. But lately, I've been more interested into revamping my skincare products. I'm not a big skincare fanatic; due to having hyper sensitive skin and a histimine intolerance means that I'm over cautious using products on my skin. I went into Lush originally looking only for their lip scrubs, but was sided tracked by the masks. The sales assistant swayed me into puts using them which lead to me, the pushover I am, buying one. The selling factor was that the masks are fresh, made with natural ingredients, and that the mask I purchased was good for sensitive skin.

Today, I'm Taking about Revlon Lip Butters. I think that they are by far the best reasonably priced lipsticks available, which is why I own multiple shades. I only buy more if I truly love it! I currently have, in my collection (from top to bottom): Juicy Papaya, Sorbet, Sweet Tart and Creme Brulee. I originally won four in a competition, but lost two a while back in America (so sad!). I recently purchased Sweet Tart and Creme Brulee, which was the inspiration behind this post. 

Hi Y'all! I decide with it being December 1st (!!!) to make some gift guides. I never thought that they'd end up being so time consuming; what with having to search for all the items. But, looking at the finished results I'm glad I made the effort! Bareminerals Afternoon Delights £29 ,   Illamasqua Multi-Facet Mirage Palette £45 , Topshop Smokey Eye Kit £, Nyx Butter Gloss Sweet Temptations Set £11 , Charlotte Tilbury Rose Gold Lips Makeup Bag £25 , MAC Viva Glam Keepsakes Bag £29 , Bobbi Brown Mini Longwear Shadow Sticks £29.50 , Urban Decay Vice 3 Palette £42 , Benefit Cheeky Sweet Spot £29.50 , Nars Modern Furture Set £30 , Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette £37 , Real Techniques Nic's Picks £29.99 Next Baking Gift £10 , Cupcake Mallow and Mini Stand £8 , Pink Floral Apron £14 , Mason Cash Bake My Day Set £44.99 , Freshly Baked Treat Kit £8.99 , Eton Mess Cookie Mix £11.99 , At Home Cookie Cutter Set £6 , Baking Bliss Measuring Cups £25 , In a Bake Of...

Hi Y'all I am soooo nearly finished with University that I can taste it: one historical sources essay, one psychology exam, a few psychology experiments, and I'M DONE!! So, many apologies for being MIA for nearly a week; it won't happen again! But anyway, onto the main topic! I've recently noticed a lack of coloured eyeliners in my meager collection. I have plenty of black liquids, black kohls, a black gel and a brown kohl, yet no COLOUR! That makes me feel very sad; it's like my choice of eyeliner depicts me as a dull person. There is a high likelihood of me getting a set of coloured kohls for Chrimbo, but obviously, I am denied access until next month. This was difficult as I was realllly in the mood of turquoise eyeliner; to tie in with my turquoise top that I was wearing at the time. So, I've had to become a bit creative. I had to figure out how to make coloured eyeliner, without actually having it. I even Googled it. All the answers led to ...

Cruella De Ville, Cruella De Ville, If she doesn't scare you; no evil thing will! Hey Guys! The latest Disney look is Cruella De Ville from the '101 Dalmatians' series. there were TV shows, animated movies, live-action movies and sequels, which made this one of the Disney greatests.

With the Christmas season almost upon us I am constantly seeing products that I'm in love with. There are just so many that I want to try! Below are just some of the ones that are higher on my list: Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso This one was just resting on the line for me. I could buy it off of Ebay or Amazon now, or I could wait until I go back to America where it would probably work out cheaper. Regardless, Milani Baked Blushes are supposed to be some of the best. They are supposed to be really pigmented and super-long lasting. I think the shade Luminoso would be the best to try first as it looks like a natural shimmery flush colour. Revlon ColorBurst Lipglosses Set A product that I've seen in a few makeup collection videos on youtube, that I just fancy trying. No other real reason. It is a set of four different shades. Nyx Centre Stage Jumbo Pencil Set This is more of a need product than a wish. I have very little in terms of eye-sha...

Just an update on some of the amazing things I have bought this week :)

I burnt down one of my jar candles completely yesterday and I felt really wasteful to be throwing out the remaining glass jar. I could have used it to store flour, or other baking materials, but I recently bought more makeup (oops!) 

(Please ignore the old photo; I was so young then...) It's hard to believe that my blog is already a whole month old. It seems like yesterday I started up; I suppose to some that's been going years, it may seem like nothing. In the course of the last month I've learnt; It won't happen overnight. Period. It may take ages for the first followers and comments to come in, but don't let that get you down!

Hey!! University has really been killing me with work recently, but on the plus side I'm nearly finished. More nail art for today; this time without the sharpies. I recently bough the November issue of Glamour Magazine. One of the freebie gifts that came with it was a bottle of Nails Inc polish. I had never tried the brand before; it just wasn't on my priority lost. I chose the grey shade called 'Marylebone Mews' as I have nothing even close to that shade. It has undertones of purple, so I kind of think of it as a 'heather grey'. The nail art is very simple; all you need is a polish in any colour of your choice. and a coordinating glitter topcoat (I used Barry M Glitter Nail Paint in Silver). Give your nails a good two or three coats of your base nail colour. I don't bother personally with base coats; I never notice my polish lasting any longer than normal. Then paint on the glitter topcoat, stopping about halfway down. Make sure the g...

Jasmine Casual by louise-barbour featuring a vintage mirror American Apparel zip hooded sweatshirt , £40/ Wallis short sleeve top  £13/ Petite jeans , £78/ Easy Spirit shoes , £35/ Tignanello backpack  £68/ Jigsaw gold bangle , £39/ House of Harlow 1960 sunglasses , £100/ New 'Get the Disney Look' post alert.  It's based on Jasmine from 'Aladdin'. It's one of my favourites as teal is the best colour in the world.

It's getting to the time of year when  people start gathering together all there gifts in the rush to the holiday season. They start trying to get the best gifts possible for the best price they can. Unfortunately that leaves them vulnerable for people to take advantage of them. The most common form of this is through the use of counterfeit goods.  Recently a MAC lipstick was purchased for me, as a Christmas gift, from eBay. When I learned of it I was immediately sceptical and dubious of how genuine it was; I like to research into the item and view the pictures available myself. When I checked the listing, the lipstick was listed as 'MAC Amplified Creme Lipstick'. Upon looking at the details and the images available, I noticed that there were very few specifics and one general image of the lipstick with the lid off. I immediately wrote to the seller asking for pictures of the bottom label on the box and the lipstick tube (Well as details such as finish and shade). I kn...

Hi guys! New glitter lips to share! I had a bot of a 'Frozen' movie marathon over the past three days while I finished some more University work. You could say that it was was made me reach for the light iridescent blue glitter. I was inspired by Elsa's dazzling transformation scene during 'Let it go' where she forms herself a new dress with her icy powers. The scene is packed full of shimmer and glitter, which is perfect inspiration. Instead of using a lipstick as my base I used The Body Shop's Born Lippy Balm Stick in Plum. I applied the fine loose glitter with a cotton bud, using small dabbing motions and pressing my lips together. The finished look ended up resulting in glitter lips that moved a bit compared to before. The balm made the glitter spread out from my lips a bit, so I'll probably go back to using lipstick again. Louise x  x

Brown purse  £1035 / Effy Collection diamond ring  £1640 / Alex Monroe stud earrings , £105/ Blue Nile 14k ring  £105 / Hourglass Cosmetics lip gloss , £21/ Ellis Faas lips makeup , £23/ Perfume fragrance , £183 New 'Get the Disney Look' post alert.  It's based on Tiana from 'The Princess and the Frog'. I've not got much to say about this look.

I was very lucky to be offered the chance to review the Magnitone Lucid**, a facial cleansing brush. Magnitone partnered up with Pixie Lott to create a new limited Edition Magnitone Lucid in a hot pink colour. I had always wanted a facial cleansing brush, but the price of a Clarisonic put me off. My original plan being to wait until I went to America in August and buying one there (it works out cheaper due to the exchange rate). Once I seen the Magnitone Lucid my train of thought went: cheaper than Clarisonic + limited edition + pink = take my money! Yeah....I'm easily swayed.

I love entering competitions, even though I rarely win anything. It's usually just me receiving free samples that I've ordered online. One of the things about me is that I am severely unlucky when it comes to competitions.  Over all of last month I entered into the Emerald Street competitions, in conjunction with Marks and Spencers. There were many prizes to be won, to do with skincare and beauty. You just had to fill out a simple form with all the usual details, such as name and address.  Imagine my surprise over the past couple of days when I received unknown packages through my door. 

Hey Not much to report, except that University is overloading me at the moment with essays and reports. I'll be happy when I finish this semester at the end of the month, and then around four weeks of blissful nothing.  When I'm studying I find that I have to pay close attention to my nail routine. They have to be perfect. Otherwise, the slightest chip or imperfection could stop my focus and irritate me until I fix it. It's just one of the little quirks that I have. Below are some of the photos I have of my nails from the other day.

It's finally November and you know what that means, Christmas preparations are under way. I really enjoy it when the evenings become shorter and the tree are bare, it screams to me ‘winter is almost upon us’. With the onset of the colder months come some of my favourite things:

Floral print shirt , £23/ Jane Norman blue mini skirt , £9/ Keds beach footwear  £19/ Loewe bag  £975/ Fantasy Jewelry Box flower stud earrings  £16/ New 'Get the Disney Look' post alert.  It's based on Rapunzel,  from iconic Disney movie Tangled. I wanted this image to convey the bright and colourful world outside of the tower

Hey Guys I've been reduce to a single post a day due to a psychology essay that's majorly kicking my behind. it's due at $pm on Monday and I've not even started. While genes and behavior are my favorite topics, I dread actually having to do the research. Oh well, 10 words done; only 1490 to go.... But anyway, I've caught the procrastination bug and have came up with a simple, yet cute, nail art. This once again uses only a base nail polish and a black sharpie.

Happy Halloween everyone! The day is nearly over here in the United Kingdom, but there is still plenty of day left over the pond. I love Halloween but, personally do nothing. There are plenty of parties currently going on, up I prefer to sit down to a Most Haunted/ Ghost Adventures marathon! I also set out my plastic, light up pumpkin in the window to let trick-or-treaters know I'm home. Although Halloween is nearly over, I have had time to get one more makeup look up. My last look is the 'skele-girl'. I've seen a lot of people, today, preferring to only do a half skull but I think that it's creepier to do a full face.

Afternoon everyone, I am a real crazy cat lady; I just love the furry cuties.  I got my first kitten when I was seven, shortly after my Gran had passed. He was a beautiful pure black, with a silver undercoat, called Sonny. Unfortunately, he passed away a few years back due to old age, but he is still the most lovely cat I ever had.  Since then there has been a few: Sassy and Peaches. Both of them disappeared overnight and have not been seen since. On a happier note, earlier this year my cat Millie gave birth to four cute kittens: a black, a white, a black and white, and a ginger. All were regimes to loving families except the ginger, who I kept and named Oliver.

Hi Guys, It's gotten to that time of year again when the shops start to proudly display all their Christmas goods, and the shop I work in is no different. The Christmas portion of deliveries in previous weeks has risen significantly. Each time I go into work I end up humming any Christmas songs I can think of. In past years I have always looked forward to the little makeup kits that all the shops seem to get, this year being the exception. I seem to be choosing more 'better quality' over quantity; going for more MAC, Benefit etc.   But, when I seen the Creative Colours collection in work I was intrigued. The deal was even sweetened when I realised I would get a discount on them.

I know it's been a while since I uploaded a normal post, but things have just been so hectic lately. I've had deadlines galore which led to me now having time to do anything else.  But! Now I'm back and just in time for some Halloween nails!  I love themed nails; they allow for so much creativity. For Halloween you could have: zombies, mummies, blood, spiders etc.

Burberry grey dress  £590 / Steve Madden pumps  £53/ Lulu Townsend black handbag  £19/ White gold earrings  £16,820 / Wedding ring , £1,987 / Disney heart necklace  £50 / Tasha flower hair accessory  £12  The next in my 'Get the Disney Look' series.  It's based on Aurora, or Briar Rose (her persona when the good fairies raise her outside the castle) from the Disney film Sleeping Beauty. I love this one due to it being monochromatic in style, with a hint of nude pink.  It's subtle and

Hi Guys, Tonight I went to see the local production of 'Avenue Q' that some of the members of the theater society that I belong to are in, and let me say, it was fantastic! The musical numbers were some of the funniest I've ever heard. There were some parts that made me flush with slight embarrassment, and moments that feel warm

Alexander McQueen long brown dress   £3,985  / Le Silla tan platform sandals   £200  / Dot earrings   £6.88  / Amrita Singh necklace   £37  The next in my 'Get the Disney Look' series.  It's based on Pocahontas from the Disney film Pocahontas. I don't love this one as much as the other I still have to put up; I think I used too

I feel like I have to write a wish list because there is just so much that I want to buy. Seriously though, amazon and eBay are the devils. These are the top 5 products on my October wishlist: Sleek I-Divine Palette in Snapshots I had a large makeup clear out earlier this year where I got rid of all my bad, old makeup, and because of this my only palettes are very basic neutral shades. I like Snapshots because of the  bright Spring/Sum mer