It's a Lush Life

I LOVE Lush products so this week I have chosen two little pots of wonder to experiment with 'Ultra Light' and 'Helping Hands'.  I always moisturise as a rule and I have my all time favourite, oober thick cream from Body Shop so I was a little wary of trying a new cream.  Regardless, I slapped it on one morning to see how it performed. 

It has added UV protection which is a good bonus and it smells amazing, I always opt for nutty fragrances and this one is perfect; natural and mild.  But my face was still sticky after doing my hair and getting dressed (which does take me a long time) so I was a little disappointed, I don't like moisturisers that don't sink into the skin properly.  However, I think I may have got a little over-excited and applied too much so, whilst I am not one for giving up after the first hurdle, I will be trying it again! 

On the plus side 'Ultra Light' comes in a cute little pot instead of a squeezy tube which makes it more exciting It also smells amazing, natural and nutty, not too heavy for putting on your face which is always a bonus.  

My second product is 'Helping Hands' hand cream.  This comes in a cute little pot too which makes them both great for stacking in my beauty drawer! However, the cold Winter wind means I'm keeping it on my desk for all day access.  This one also smells nutty and has added Almond oil and Cocoa Butter which are my favourite scents.  I would definitely recommend this product and I shall be keeping it to hand throughout the cold months.

So whilst only one was a success, I vow to try 'Ultra Light' again...with less excitement and application!  But for now i am off to use one of my many Lush bath bombs.....

Print Paradise

If you read my earlier post 'Confessions of a Shopaholic' you will know I am on a shopping ban until Easter, this is one of my fashion resolutions for 2013.  My second is to embrace the art of print, I have admired printed trousers, jackets and dresses from afar during the latter of 2012 and I cannot wait to try them out myself now...some may be wondering how this will be possible following my shopping ban, but I managed to sneak in these purchases just before the new year rang in!  Some were Christmas presents too so I am officially off the hook.

 

So the first of my print moves landed me at Topshop; I started mild with these burgundy spotted trousers to ease me into the trend.  They were definitely a good purchase, they are comfortable to wear and the colour is bang on trend for this season.  Burgundys and reds are essential for 2013 and this is a great way to get it into my wardrobe.

With my new found print confidence, I stumbled across the most amazing jacket!! I could not resist the bold, lavish print on the smart blazer style jacket, I had to have it.  However, the steep price tag put me off, seeing as I am only just wearing print I could not justify the jacket.  Then to my rescue came the pre-Christmas sales....and of course there it was, half off!  I immediately added the jacket to my online basket and before I knew it, it was on my doorstep in all its finery. 

I have worn it just one time so far but it is definitely a head turner.  I styled it simply, over my little black dress, to add to the wow factor to New Years Eve.

Over the Christmas period, as I gradually became brave with print (and as I ran out of time before my shopping ban kicked in) I hit the sales.  It was hot and cramped as expected but as it was not at a huge shopping destination that we visited, mum and I managed to find some calm...and some bargains!!  I reluctantly entered Next, it is not for the younger female nor for the fashion conscious at all times but it was worth a shot.  To my surprise there was a mass of printed garments untouched and calling out to me, my guess is that the trousers I was so lucky to find are a little too fashion forward for the average Next customer...much to my delight!

 

One pair is very Aztec inspired and the bold design is muted by the black, white and grey which makes them more wearable and a good transitional piece between daytime and evening.  These trousers will be a great addition to any wardrobe and at the sale price...they were too good to leave behind.

The second pair are very tropical and jungle inspired with bright green, blue and pink colours, these trousers are more of a statement piece.  Teamed with a simple one-tone blouse or t-shirt they will make a essential addition to my Spring wardrobe.

I am very please with my successful sale purchases as it can be hit and miss to find the good quality garments amidst the flurry of avid sale shoppers.  But I was lucky, and these should keep me satisfied till I am let loose once more on the highstreet!

Some of my printed garments were Christmas presents too...so Father Christmas obviously guessed my intentions to add print to my wardrobe ;)  This baroque inspired dress is two trends in one and i love it! It is comfortable due to the loose fit of the skirt but the fitted top is very flattering and nips in the waist perfectly.

 

 

The colours are quite muted meaning the dress is a great transitional piece between seasons, over Christmas I teamed it with my favourite mauve leather jacket and during the Spring I can team it with a light knit or even my coveted Zara mac.  

My final printed piece is the perfect introduction to the trend as it is a lovely handbag from Topshop, also a Christmas present, it adds instant wow to any plain outfit.  The print is Aztec, just as my trouser are, which I really like at the minute.  The bag is quite demure with regards to print as the black offsets the brightness, I have used it both in the day and at night with great results against my woolen beige coat and my little black dress.  I anticipate it being a favourite of mine for the foreseeable future. 

So I have fully embraced the art of print with various garments and accessories to try out for all occasions.  The start of 2013 will certainly be vibrant and eye-catching so here's to experimenting.....

Beauty Queen

This Christmas was all about beauty...in particular Benefit beauty, I love Benefit and it is the only make-up I use (apart from my one Body Shop BB Cream which is too good not to use!).  The Christmas gift sets are  my favorite and are always on my list, they last all year round too so by the time the new ones come out it is great to experiment and try the new shades.  This year I was greatly spoiled with Benefit products much to my delight!!

One set under the tree was 'Upgrade to Gorgeous' which includes High Beam- a complexion enhancer, Porefessional- pore minimiser, Sugarbomb- blusher, They're Real- amazing mascara and a mini sample of Laugh with me Lee Lee perfume.  Like I said, i was spoiled :) Each of these products is a great addition to my daily routine, although I do save the mascara for nights out etc as it makes them HUGE which is a bit much for daytime.  Instead I stick to Benefit Bad Gal mascara for a natural, day time look.

I was lucky enough to receive two gift sets this Christmas and this one is perfect, it creates the perfect coverage and looks great!  'How to Look the Best at Everything' comes in three different shades to cater to varying skin tones, mine is light as I am as pale as they come.  The set contains more Porefessional- pore minimiser which is velvety soft and really does hide troublesome pores, Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow- this Champagne shade Me Vain? is the perfect match for me and it feels weightless on the skin, Boi-ing- two shades of concealer which look fabulous under the dark eye circles...the virtually make them disappear, Hello Flawless- also in Me Vain? Champagne I use this powder daily as I love the way it feels and looks.  This set is great, and combined with my 'Upgrade to Gorgeous' I am all set with everything I may need for a very long time.

The only thing missing from these two sets is the amazing Benefit Brow Zings kit which adds the final touch to any make-up.  I was delighted to find this in my stocking on Christmas morning, my make-up bag is now complete! The set contains a wax for shaping the brow and the a powder to fill in and blend together for a sleek look...it even comes with two mini brushes and mini tweezers!!

Just in case I did run out of my trusty Me Vain? Champagne powder, Santa slipped an extra box under the tree to ensure I am never without. This means I shall always be prepared and looking good.

Finally, a girl needs to look good but also needs to smell good! My favourite perfume of the moment is Nina Ricci's Ricci Ricci scent and I was thrilled when I got a brand new bottle for Christmas.  It is not a flowery smell it is more subtle as I am not a flowery kind of girl.  It does get many compliments too so it must smell good to others also :) 

So it was a very beautified Christmas this year so I have no excuse to be having a bad make-up day with all this Benefit loot.  I cannot wait to start experimenting with it all, and hopefully it will banish the dry, flaky Winter skin that has been haunting me even since the sun disappeared! 

Confessions of a Shopaholic

OK so I have spent the afternoon getting organised for going back to uni.  I have corresponded to all relevant emails, organised and filed my uni work, written a plan of action for my dissertation...boring, boring!!  Then to my rescue came Confessions of a Shopaholic (AKA Confessions of ME the shopaholic), it was on TV for the afternoon, so I set aside my books and enthralled myself into the fabulous film. 

The girl in the green scarf cannot help herself when it comes to shopping, like many of us know the thrill and enjoyment of shopping makes you feel amazing...finding that special purchase that will be all yours to show off and make you happy! So saying that definitely makes me a good case for a shopaholics anonymous meeting right? But us girls know that without shopping and fashion, the world would be a duller place so in turn, we need it!!

With all this excitement about shopping, I did acknowledge that my shopping has gotten out of control...my wardrobe is bulging and my bank balance is not.  So rather than a new years resolution like the rest of you (some of whom may give up withing weeks) I have set myself a challenge....I shall not shop until Easter!! Three whole months cold turkey, no clothes, no shoes and not even any accessories NOTHING!! This is going to be the hardest three moths ever, but I am ready for the challenge.  

After all, if I am to go into styling when I graduate,  I must learn how to manage on a capsule wardrobe and alternate different clothing to create various looks....otherwise how will I earn the right to preach to others? This is a bold decision and there will be punishment if I should fail (this will be decided by mum) and I am determined to stick to it.

 

So whilst I'm being productive I also read my January issue of Company Magazine, this month is 'The superblogger' issue with lots of hints and tips on fashion blogging.  Plus there are interviews with Bip Ling and Susie Bubble, along with other well known ones, discussing their successes and how they first joined the blogging world.  

 

 

It is a very useful issue and goes through the blog 'lingo' to get novices off to a good start and runs you through the basics first, such as blog etiquette and the importance of good quality images.  I would say it is a must have for those aspiring to take over the blog world.

 

 

There is also a great feature on how to use your blog to get you a job, it features a fashion writer/stylist and a web assistant who used their blogging to network and bag themselves the perfect fashion career.  It just goes to show, what you write does matter to some people and even when page views are only creeping up slowly...someone out their is reading and is loving what you do!

With all this in mind I shall use my blog as a focus and a distraction to keep me from shopping during my three month ban, in the hope that Tilly will grow into something amazing during the process.  Whilst my next few posts may feature my fabulous Sale purchases.....I solely promise upon my debit card that they were bought previous to my shopping ban! They are just too good not to show off and are just good enough to last three months too, so happy reading.

A Right Royal Christmas Doo

The annual Christmas ball for JD Williams saw a 'royal do' at the Palace Hotel none the less...complete with an appearance from the 'Queen' (and one of her beefeaters...ooo er).  The Palace was the perfect setting for the ball and everyone donned their finery for the occasion.  

We were welcomed with champagne and cranberry, which was delicious then there was a festive spread of goats' cheese terrine, beef and seasonal veg, topped off with white chocolate and gingerbread cheesecake....however, we all found the free bar much more tasty!

All the girls were the belle of the ball, each with our own style, which made for a great array of trends.  I opted for the Gothic, leather trend as seen in Vogue and other fashion magazines throughout 2012.  Some went for striking cobalt blue and in the words of Vogue (and Meryl Streep) this is a carefully selected hue much loved by designers and a regular on the catwalk.

The rest went for classic black...an all time favourite and ever so reliable, like myself some dazzled in deep plum but I put my fashion foot wrong when I forgot my plum lipstick so has to rock the nude vibe instead, a mistake I could not believe was my own!!  Of course there were some festive dresses all in sparkles and resembling the Christmas fairy, cream and jewelled and ever so elegant.

The fun began in the photo booth complete with dress up accessories...all our fashion credentials went out the window as we transformed to our true, silly selves!  I have to say some of the disguises were ace and quite well put together but the giant wig has to be the winner!!

So whilst the doo was a royal one, we all had a right good knees up and danced the night away at the Royal Palace.  There were a few Sleeping Beauties amongst us that could not last the night, but no Cinderella was left without a Prince and we all lived on through the night, dancing happily ever after.....

Christmas Pampering

Coming home for Christmas meant I finally got to go shopping and do all things girly again!

This started with a visit to the Christmas markets where mum and I sampled the mulled wine and spiced cider!! This kept us nice and toasty as we trailed through the tiny stalls.  It was all Christmassy and lit up around the markets which definitely got me excited :)

 

 

It did get too cold so I had to buy some lovely new gloves...hand finger knitted by a little company in Manchester.  They are so nice and finally replace my favourite gloves from All Saints which have disappeared never to be seen again!

Our day was made even better with a spa pampering session at Harvey Nichols in Manchester, an amazing pedicure and manicure complete with champagne meant I was ready for the party season.  I went for deep plum toes and glittery burgundy fingers to match most of my new purchases....in plum and burgundy; I think I definitely have a theme in my winter wardrobe this year :) mum went slightly similar but opted for hot pink toes instead...a girl can never have too much pink right? The spa was so lovely and the beauticians were really friendly...and very good at the treatments!! It was an amazing treat after a hard day shopping in the busy crowds.

 

After feeling VERY relaxed we ended up dining in the Harvey Nichols restaurant; their Christmas menu was just too good to resist :) We had a great view of the markets and all the shoppers still bustling in the streets, whilst we sat warm and cosy.  The meal came complete with crackers and it was really yummy food...it was a little taste of what's to come on Christmas day and I can not wait!!

We both ate Turkey with the most amazing stuffing flavoured with Clementine...and whilst I did not eat my sprouts (bleurgh!) the rest was very good.  The meal ended with Christmas pudding and brandy sauce AND a cheese board, both of us were stuffed after the meal and it was a great end to a great day!

This was the best welcome home day ever and it definitely got me in the Christmas mood! I am looking forward to even more turkey and pampering over the holidays at home, I have my Christmas wardrobe at the ready, nails done and a taste for all the yummy food...so bring on Christmas!!

Winter Wonderland

The Christmas festivities have taken over this week! Uni deadlines have been met and it is officially Christmas time :)  Whilst being cooped up in the library, I have not seen much of the winter fashion this week but I have found the odd moment to decorate home and we have our very own reindeer, Ralph!

 

It is nice and cosy at home, whilst we haven't got a tree up at uni, fairy lights and Ralph make it just as good.  The rooftops have turned frosty now so it look more Christmassy everyday :)

 

To celebrate with the girls, we cooked a HUGE Christmas dinner one evening! We had all the trimmings and our plates were piled so high with yummy food...I also had my first experience of bread sauce which I have to say is really yummy :) We had Michael Buble's Xmas album playing, crackers on the table and even mistletoe above the door.

 We ended the night curled up on the sofa's watching 'A Nightmare before Christmas' unable to budge due to too much food...but it was so worth it!

I have already been spoilt with presents too, Secret Santa with the girls at home and with my old placement girlies too...even Anna's mum sent me a lovely present.  My placement girlies bought me a personalised Cinderella book, I am Cinderella and they are the ugly sister, along with the rest of the bunch as the other characters like the fairy godmother.  They always say I am a Princess, so they turned me into a real life one :) it is such a lovely keepsake.

 

Secret Santa with the girls at home was so much fun, we all got amazing gifts and mine especially is fab! I have a few fashion books, British Fashion Designers and Coco Chanel, sat on my cherished bookshelf but my Secret Santa bought me another to add to my collection.  It is a catalogue of old Vogue front covers from many eras, the images are so vibrant and it is the best Secret Santa I have received! Here are some of the many pages from the book, some of my favourite covers:

I must have been very good this year, Santa has been so kind already and it is not even real Christmas yet!  Finally,  my presents were complete with a gift from Anna's mum.  It was wrapped so nicely...complete with a little keepsake bell on top :) I now have my own Cath Kidston mug yay! and a cute little trinket box for my room too.  I have always wanted my own Cath Kidston mug and now I have one, I have been very spoilt.

All this excitement has made it a great end to the uni term and I can't wait to get into the outside world again and venture into the land of Christmas fashion....seeing people all wrapped up and cosy with their festive accessories.  I can not wait to go back home and sit all cosy warm by the tree...but I am sure I can fit a few more Christmas cocktails with the girls first......