Saturday 31 December 2011

Christmas Haul

Hey everybody!


I hope everyone had a marvellous Christmas and having a good New Year.


I know have been MIA over the last week or so ... just because I have been shopping, visiting family, etc. And I have the added pressure of studying for my prelims in February! And I realise how late this blog post is, but I thought I would just upload something fun and not too much hassle.


I would like to say that in no way am I bragging. I had a small list for Christmas, but my parents being the kind of parents they are choose to spoil me and my sister and that's why I have the presents that I have. I know that some families only buy for those in their immediate family (and there is nothing wrong with doing that) but in our family we buy for everyone, so that's why there quite a lot of pressies. I won't put all of them down because I don't want to be "showing off" and, whilst in the process of writing this I realised I don't know where I've put some of this! Also I'm planning on doing a nail polish collection so I won't show you them just now! I will add some of the things I got when I went Christmas shopping, but don't get me started on the sales. Never will I go again! I found nothing on sale that appeared to be a good buy. In my opinion, it's all the summer stuff they put on their sale stands and so I only found one bargain in Topman and Primark! But let's not worry about that! We'll get onto the haul just now!

My iPod Nano broke a few months back - well the wheel in the middle won't respond, so my parents brought this for me and it's a spectacular 160Gb worth of music. I'm pretty sure I won't use all the memory, but I love it. I have always liked the classic iPods and was shocked to find this in amongst my presents, but not disappointed!


At the moment, I'm really into the quilted print, probably set off by the jackets coming into style. I know some people are iffy about the Chanel-esque bags but I personally love them and seeing that I needed a new black bag after mine is beginning to tear apart, I received this. It's big enough for everything I carry and I love it. 



This is actually a present I wanted. I had seen a lot of the gurus on YouTube with the larger Casio watches and after a browse through ASOS, I saw the mini version and instantly fell in love with the purple-faced one and here it is!



This brown handbag was from my Auntie and Uncle from her shop. It's what I've been looking for for months but couldn't find one worth the price given to it, so my Auntie gave me this and it's amazing - goes with most outfits and fits everything I need.


Another gift from my Auntie's shop and a fashionable alternative for a hat and those who can't deal with "hat hair" is a knitted headband.


These are just so twenties that I fell in love with them straight away. Fingerless for ease but warm enough against the winter weather. But these again are from my Auntie's shop and I'm not sure what label they are.


I also got, but have placed them away, black patent quilted wellies and to match, a black quilted purse which is just gorgeous! I got pieces of jewellery too but they are in a different bag, as well as a onesie (!) and my Nivea moisturisers which are in the bathroom, but I am thankful for everything I got and the time I spent with my family.

Then in the sales, I went into Primark and found nothing under the £5 mark that I wanted, so I got an oversized green-teal cardigan for £12 and a pair of black skinny jeans for £9. But in the jewellery section, I spotted two pairs of earrings. One black pair and one blue pair which are the kind of style of earrings I love and for under £5, you can't complain!




I know everyone has these with the saints on them, but I decided to get the picture one for £6. Nothing much to say but it fits well with the Casio.


And then in Topman I found a ring I couldn't find for months and then I spotted it and for £2, I couldn't say no! The only bag thing I can say about it is that I got it in a men's medium instead of a small so its a bit loose. I love it!


Oh - and I also got a new bronzer finally and it just had to be the Bourjois Delice de Poudre bronzer that everyone raves about it. I've only use it once but I have to say, it contours well and is a pretty colour.

I hope everyone has a wonderful year after a relaxing holiday!

Rebecca xx
 

Saturday 24 December 2011

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Just a quick post before Christmas Day to say hope you have a lovely and relaxing day. And plus, here's some festive photos to get you in the mood!












Sorry for the excess photos, but I am so excited! Enjoy your holidays!

Rebecca xx 

Wednesday 21 December 2011

NOTD: OPI French Quarter For Your Thoughts

Hey!

Two posts in one day ... this is more than I do in one week! But I thought since I had finally found my camera USB that I would upload this gorgeous colour from OPI. A perfect autumn grey colour for the fashion conscious with a beautiful creme finish. It goes on like magic and sits wonderfully on the nails. It elongates the fingers too, if you're worried about these kind of colours making your fingers appear shorter. The 'Touring America' mini collection was given to me by a friend for Christmas (and yes, we opened them early) and this being one of my first OPI nail polishes, I was unsurprisingly really impressed. Great quality, beautiful colours and quirky names - I do believe I'll be investing more of these.


Rebecca xx

Tuesday 20 December 2011

Review: Revlon Grow Luscious Plumping Mascara

Hey, there!


Christmas is upon is and I hope you're all not rushing around for presents and having a relaxing time before the excitement and rush begins. So with the approaching holiday, I thought I would review a mascara that would be perfect for party nights and it's the "Revlon Grow Luscious Plumping Mascara".








This appears to have gotten a bad name over the past few months. Some are claiming that the "growing" effect of this mascara isn't working and it is gloppy and a bit messy to use.


I disagree. I love this product. It gives longer, more voluminous eyelashes with the blackest of black colour. I didn't find it messy; it just needs a steady hand to guide the wand. From the first use, I noticed the difference in the size of my lashes and their fullness. I want to apologise for the lack of evidence, but the lighting at this time of year is terrible and my camera is not suitable for taking detailed images. Sorry, again!


Although, I have only been using this for a week or so, so haven't noticed a change in the condition of my lashes, which the mascara promises to do, but I'm hoping that will come with time. The brush is massive so I would not recommend this to those with small eyes, it would just create a mascara mess and we don't want that! I would be careful with the amount of product on the brush too as it can pack on (almost) too much product, making the lashes heavy and cumbersome to deal with. But, being £9.99, I was a little resistant to the mascara to begin with, but following these results, I love it!


In no way I am affiliated with Revlon and they have not sent me the product mentioned.


Merry Christmas,
Rebecca xx

Wednesday 14 December 2011

Lookey Likey

Hiya everyone!


I am so sorry for my lack of posts but I have had quite a hard week. Nothing is going well. I have slacked on my studying and just recently started again and you know that way when you're feeling wound up and stressed that you get overly emotional and frustrated, well that's been my week! My skin's also getting on my nerves as the cold weather has certainly kicked in and my freaking stupid combination sick has gone all dry and I have no time to go out and buy a moisturiser that will accommodate the changes, so I'm hacked off about that. But not to worry, because today I have decided to do a celebrity 'dress for less' once more.


I have decided on Kim Kardashian for this look. Yes, I know she is controversial, but you must admit, she carries clothes off pretty well (most of the time) and I wanted to do one of her more "casual" looks instead of her gorgeous gowns which are difficult to replicate. So here goes:



New Look Rib Collar Bomber Jacket (£17.50 in the sale)
New Look Regular Skinny Jean (£19.99)




SoYouShoes.co.uk High Heel Peep Toe Shoe Boots (£26.00)



Warehouse Pushlock Bowling Bag (£24.00 in the ASOS sale)



ASOS Retro Sunglasses (£12.00)



New Look Grunge Chiffon Skull Print Scarf (£4.99)



Rebecca xx

Sunday 11 December 2011

Review: Vo5 Gloss Me Smoothy Shampoo

Hi!


When I first saw this advertised as having 'Adaptive Haircare Technology', I scoffed: it seemed ridiculous. But this shampoo has redeemed itself in my opinion. Vo5 describes this as having "extracts of Satin Silk and a subtle fruity fragrance with hints of jasmine and orange flower, this fabulous duo will unlock shine for a sleek and glossy transformation. Your hair will have no choice but to behave".

To me, it just smells like the clean smell of a shampoo, but it's not unpleasant. It is a smooth, white cream that requires a very, very wet head in order to get a good lather and sometimes it's a nightmare to get the shampoo from the bottle as it doesn't want to escape from its confines. But after all that, it does do what it claims to do. Having hair like hay (and yes, I mean hay) means that it's frizzy and unable to control when humidity gets its claws into it. I don't wear my hair down a lot, so anything frizz-freeing just makes it easier to smooth into a hair tie, but it has made my hair look a lot shinier and keeps it fresh in between every wash. So, if you've got hair that is frizzy, dull and unmanageable, try this!

Vo5 have other 'Adaptive Haircare Technology' ranges including 'Revive Me Daily', 'Plump Me Up' and 'Cherish My Colour'. All I haven't tried, but just a suggestion that you might like to take up. These are available at Boots and Superdrug, as well as online.

Rebecca xx

P.S. These are all my own opinions and Vo5 has not contacted me in anyway!

Saturday 10 December 2011

NOTD: Natural Collection Hibiscus

Hiya!

This really isn't a NOTD - more a NOT-last week; I have a new one on already - but I thought I would show you this colour. I bought Natural Collection's 'Hibiscus' for my holidays for a bright pop of colour if I got a tan. And it is so pretty - the perfect bubblegum pink that is both girly and fun. It does have quite good staying power for the price - 2 or 3 days - and goes on every so smoothly which makes the aesthetic appeal better. Over this, I use my Rimmel 5 in 1 Care Top and Base Coat which is available at Boots.  At the moment, my nails are a bit short because they were getting soft so I cut them, but it's so pretty I just had to show you!



Rebecca xx

Friday 9 December 2011

Shoe Lust!

Happy Friday, everyone!

I thought I'd make a little collection blog and decided on a shoe collection. I adore, adore, adore shoes ... but I don't have a massive selection as I usually buy my flats in neutral colours that go with everything or black heels that will dress up every outfit. The place I visit most for shoes is New Look, but Linzi Shoes, SoYouShoes and Boohoo do a great range of shoes! Obviously, like every girl, I would love to shop at Kurt Geiger, Jimmy Choo, etc or even Topshop, but I don't have the means sadly.

So, here's the extent of my shoe collection:



Not that much, I know, so I'll do the flats first:



What more shoe range is better known than Converse. The epitome of America's recreational activity that have managed to become a favourite of everyone across the world. I got these babies for £15 from a shoe shop that was going bust - bargain! I was so happy to find these when I was going through my "don't-know-what-she-likes" stage when you can't make your mind up what kind of clothes you like. Yes, they are scruffy, but I believe that it's obligatory for bases to look worn and well-loved. I would have liked the white pair, but I saw these and just fell in love. And believe me, these have been worn to death and I match them with everything from coral cardigans to blue t-shirts. They're just the perfect shoes for going shopping; they're sturdy and have a thick sole, but they pinch my pinky-toes like hell! But despite that, I love them and wear them incessantly.






Rawr! I love these loafers. Usually I steer clear from ostentatious choices in clothes, but having seen these in River Island, Topshop and Forever21, I had to have them! And their gorg! I've worn them with black skinny jeans and black shorts with tights and they're great for days when you want to jazz up a boring outfit. But prepare for a world of pain for the first few wears. I would advise breaking them in for a couple of days before you attempt to walk outside with them, unless you like the look of blisters! But a stunning, quirky pair of shoes.



My New Look brogues are a neutral colour and I wear them with most everything. Feet-loving, functional and fashionable, I have worn them more times than I can count. They look great with skinnies as well as boot-cut (my preferred jean) due to the pointed toe and great if want a pair of flats that will go with everything.




These Vans are years old (probably about 3 and a half) and I haven't worn them for the longest time, but I just can't throw them away. They were a purchase when I thought I was so cool and preferred "grungier" clothes. The little pink intricate design around the back is really cute and gives them a feminine twist.





My navy heels from New Look were the first pair of heels I ever purchased and I can't throw them away even though I don't wear a lot of navy. They're peep-toe and have a patent finish with a pretty bow making them girly. These were in stock during the sailor/navy trend and were really just for practicing how to walk in heels. And yet I still can't walk in them without stumbling a little! Cringe!




My favourite boots that I've owned. Bought three years ago, these are a regular piece in my autumn/winter wardrobe and bought for £20 in a New Look sale, these have lasted me ages during the harshest weather. I typically wear them with leggings and my mac coat which is the style I normally wear most during winter, but you can match with anything that you wish. I cannot say anything bad about these beauties and pray that these last for a couple more years, but I think that's a bit delusional ...



Those peep-toe tan boots were bought for only one outfit, but again, I like them too much to part with them. They're lace-up with a side zip and reminiscent of the military trend that it still common this year. They have no platform and so bad for walking, but both cute and edgy. I had to add talcum powder into them because they're a tight squeeze, but I paid £14.99 for them from Internacionale and I'm not throwing them away. If anyone can tell me more ways to wear them, please let me know! It would be much appreciated.


 My black platforms are from Deichman and bought for £12.99 in a quick dash for a pair of shoes. And how glad I am that I found them. They're matte and so make for a more demure finish than patent heels - which will be my next guilty purchase! They're my go-to shoes for most going-out outfits and the buckle means that you'll feel more secure in them than ordinary platform that you can feel a bit wobbly in - or is that just me? Not comfortable, not sensible, but beautiful!



The white heels are from Primark and for the life of me, I can't remember the price. I bought them a year ago for only one outfit (a red '50s inspired dress from Very.co.uk) and found nothing special in them but the fact that they're quite cute. But they make your feet quite sweaty - not a good feeling nor look! But they were lovely with the dress. Not a wowza investment! 






The silver and black sandals are so similar that I've combined them. From the photos, they appear quite tacky and cheap, but once on the feet they look lovely. Both are from New Look and around the £20 mark. I wore them during a cruise holiday and they went with everything except that aforementioned red dress. They're a hassle to put on and very flimsy with a zip up the back ... And don't spend too long in these - the ankle-straps bites into your skin and leaves a painful indent, so be careful of these bad boys!

So there you have it. Hope that entertained you somewhat and gave you more insight in my style!

Rebecca xx