Look me in the eyes under expanding winter skies...

Wow, what a glorious few days! Sunny bank holidays?! Whatever next? I am sitting writing this post wearing something I haven't worn for at least six years - TROUSERS! Yes, I ventured into the world of cropped trousers last week and haven't looked back since. I've only bought one pair (so far) but have several bookmarked for when I have some money... These are the ones I've got:

Trousers: River Island, Tee: H&M, Studded pumps: Topshop, Fish necklace: Accessorize, Squirrel necklace: H&M, Flower bracelet: Accessorize.

I also tried on these two pairs, but didn't buy them. The first pair are actually supposed to be full length trousers, but since I have very long legs they actually look cropped. I think they could do with being rolled up a little more though.

Trousers: Dorothy Perkins, Top: Dorothy Perkins, Brogues: Topshop

Trousers: River Island, Top: Cath Kidston for Uniqlo, Brogues: Topshop, Necklace: Tatty Devine via eBay, Rings: eBay

Another thing I've got into recently is crackle nail polish. I bought the Barry M black crackle polish AGES ago but it just sat in my make up bag unused until I decided to use it in the week. I've worn it over Models Own Feeling Blue and Collection 2000 Hip Hop, each time adding a coat of Seche Vite as I prefer a glossy crackle effect rather than the matte effect that the polish alone gives. 

Barry M Black Crackle over Collection 2000 Hip Hop

Barry M Black Crackle over Models Own Feeling Blue

Penultimate photo for today is a terrible changing room picture of my new River Island dress, which my mum bought for me in Birmingham on Thursday. The picture washes out the colour somewhat - it's actually a vibrant bright orange shade:

Dress: River Island, Brogues: Topshop, Necklace: Tatty Devine via eBay, Rings: eBay 

Final photo for today (I promise!) shows my running triumph from Thursday - I ran just over 5km! I am at the end of week six of my nine week programme, so I think I am doing pretty well and am therefore entitled to feel a little smug!

Well, that's all from me today folks! I hope you are all well and enjoying the weekend.

xxx

Dear Father Christmas,

Hello, my name is Laura and I am 28. I hope you are keeping well in the snow and that you are ready for Christmas! It seems to have come around so quickly this year! How are the reindeer? Good, I hope. And Mrs Christmas?

I have tried hard to be good this year, I hope you will agree. If it is not too much trouble, I would love to wake up and find one (or more - cheeky!) of these items under my tree on Christmas morning. I have included where to buy the items, and also the prices to help with your budgeting at this expensive time of year!

Nutmeg & ginger bath oil, £38 for 250ml, Jo Malone

Mawi gold-plated jade and skull ring, £205, Net-A-Porter

Little Robin Red brooch, £17, Helpless Romantic

Diamond Tears necklace, £125, Tatty Devine

Small Firework necklace, £30, Tatty Devine

Set of 100 Penguin Classic postcards, £15, Urban Outfitters

Melissa for Alexandre Herchcovitch flocked wedges, £85, Urban Outfitters

Apricot double ruffle tunic, £50, Topshop

 

 

Holiday Jewel Basket, $49.95, Nubar

Thank you very much for taking the time to read my letter. I hope the journey on Friday night/Saturday morning isn't too tiring; make sure you put your feet up and relax when you get back to Lapland! 

Lots of love,

Laura

xxx

It's that time of year! 2010 favourites...

Gosh, this year seems to have flown by! Can’t believe I will have been married for a year on Monday! Madness. I thought I would do a post about my 2010 favourites before the year finishes, so, in no particular order, here goes…

1) Topshop Brighton Rock lipstick. A pinky orangey coral (!) shade with a matte finish. Only £8, this lipstick is a must-have. Looks great on its own or under a gloss, and doesn’t dry out the lips. Perfect!

2) China Glaze Riveter Rouge nail polish. A gorgeously glittery red shade. I am not usually a fan of red nail polish, but the glitter in this makes it a winner in my eyes. Applies beautifully and lasts well. The first China Glaze polish I tried, the start of my obsession…

3) Lush BIG shampoo (a rediscovery!). The Lush website says that “[Big will] give limp hair the volume it deserves, with seaweed infusion to soften hair and citrus juices for shine. After using Big, your hair will be bouncing back to life.” A perfect description. I used to use this several years ago but stopped as I thought it was getting too pricey, but decided to try it again a month or so back as my hair was looking limp and lifeless. It is expensive, but I think it is worth it. Cost per use is also low, as you only need to use a tiny amount! It also works really well with my favourite conditioner, Lush’s American Cream. 

4) Boots Botanics Rosewater toner. A product for all skin types with a beautiful rose scent. This helps to remove every last trace of make up without leaving behind a residue like other toners sometimes can. My skin is very sensitive and this is perfect for it!

 

5) Urban Decay Naked palette. In my opinion, a perfect collection of neutral shades. What more could you want? Such good value too, as you get 12 full size shades for about £25! Urban Decay says this about the palette; “THIS is how Urban Decay does neutral! Far from a group of boring beige shadows, this long, lean, seductive case is packed with TWELVE gorgeous neutrals. Shades range from delicate champagnes to dark, gritty gunmetal, and feature FIVE NEW shades with names like Darkhorse, Virgin and Buck. We've also included a range of textures: everything from glitter to shimmer to matte.”

 

6) MAC Pro Longwear foundation in NW20. Good colour match, medium coverage, easy to apply and very long-lasting, this foundation is perfect. 

7) Benefit The POREfessional primer. I will quote myself for my short review of this product; "it's a thick, pinkish brown coloured liquid that easily blends into the skin without leaving a trace of colour. It feels very soft on the skin (similar in feel to Smashbox Photo Finish Primer, actually) and smells lovely. You pat it onto the skin, and the effects are instant; pores look visibly smaller, and appear to have disappeared in some cases (although I know they have cleverly been hidden)! I have worn it alone and under make-up, and I have been pore-free for the whole day.” Amazing.

8) Topshop Parma Violet nail polish. Described by Topshop as “fast drying, extra long wear with lasting glossy wet look finish and perfect coverage.” This is a lovely pastel shade, and was the inspiration behind my blog URL so I had to mention it in my end-of-year round up!

9) Andrea Fulerton Gemstone topcoat. About which Superdrug says “enhance the look of your nail varnish colour with this beautiful jewel effect topcoat taking varnish from day to night with dazzling shiny gem like particles.” I love this over navy blue, black and dark purple shades, it gives a really unique and different effect. It also looks really good underneath a matte topcoat. 

 

10) MAC Ever Hip lipstick from the Give Me Liberty of London 2010 collection. A peachy-orange shade with a sheen. Beautiful packaging, beautiful shade, long-lasting. 

Still haven’t managed to find a moisturiser to suit my skin type, which is extremely oily on the nose, dry everywhere else and sensitive all over. Maybe in 2011?

Nail and Face Haul

Just popped into town as I was bored. Bad idea! I've come home with three new nail polishes and a new skincare regime as the one I've been using has stopped working for me. My skin is fine with skincare regimes for about three months, then it starts to react to the products and I have to start all over again. This time, I've gone for three products from the Boots Botanics range as they were on 3 for 2, and I got 100 extra points too. There was lots of choice, but I plumped for;

• Skin Brightening Cleanser, which is for all skin types and promises to gently cleanse and renew my skin. It contains sweet maple, bilberry and sweet cane and smells delicious. It was £3.99
• Rosewater Toner, which is again for all skin types and promises to gently cleanse and refresh. It contains rosewater, amongst other things. You probably could have guessed that from the name... This was also £3.99.
• First Signs of Aging Face Defence Moisture Cream, which is for slightly more mature skin. I am 27 am beginning to see changes in my skin, so thought this would be perfect. It contains horse chestnut, which apparently protects skin. This was £5.99.

I'll review these after a couple of weeks.

The three nail polishes I got are;

• GOSH Holographic, £4.99.
• No 17 Fast Finish in Smokey Marble, £4.49.
• Me Me Me in Proud, £1.49 as I had a half price voucher.

I also sampled Benefit's Pore-fessional, which claims to minimise the appearance of pores. I have horrible large pores across my cheeks and have spent YEARS searching for a product to reduce the size, or at least give the effect of smaller pores. My initial impression was very good actually, my pores were visibly smaller immediately after application. It's been on an hour now and I still feel as though my pores are smaller, plus my skin feels very smooth. In a few minutes, I am going to put some make up on over the top to see if it makes application harder as some products I've tried seem to dry the skin up so much that it makes it very hard to apply foundation etc, thus negating any positive effects. So far so good, though. This product may go on my Birmingham half-term shopping list... It's £23.50, by the way.

New Chanel nail polishes; Les Khakis de Chanel

Don't they look lovely?

I want them all.