Nails Of The Day Featuring Joe Fresh

It's nails of the day, well nails of the week time again :) You think of summer and bright colours automatically spring to mind but to me nothing screams summer more than a pretty ice cream pastel to show off tanned skin. OK my skin isn't particularly tanned at the moment bar a bit of gradual tan and some faded St Moriz but I still think this looks gorgeous.

I got this Joe Fresh varnish in Faded Violet in a swap with the lovely Michelle. It's just the kind of pale creamy lilac that I love, my bedroom walls are even the same colour!

As far as I'm aware Joe Fresh isn't available in the UK but it's similar to OPI Done Out In Deco. Do you like lilac nails? I do :)

Products I've Rediscovered /Shopping My Stash - Part 1 - Eyes and Bits (Pic Heavy)

I've been promising this post and the accompanying video for a while now but it's took quite a bit of planning and photographing. Doing Project 10 Pan has been a steep learning curve for me in many ways but one of the key things that has helped me through it, is shopping my stash. Basically what this means is looking through your own make up collection and rediscovering old products. To be honest I was really shocked by how many products I had used and loved at first but relegated to the drawer when something new came along. Over the last 5 or so months I have rediscovered so many fabulous products I thought I'd show you some of my top finds :) I have quite a few things to show you so I have split it into two posts - first up eyes !


Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay In Place Cream Eyeshadow - 06 Ivory Lace

A pretty recent purchase as far as my stash goes, I bought this in Duty Free last year loved it and then relegated it. I first dug this out again when MAC released the Cham Pale collection earlier in the year. I had my heart set on one of the paint pots but shock of horrors I didn't need it. Ivory Lace was similar enough to Chilled on Ice for me to say dupe! Maybe slightly less shimmery, but a great neutral either on its own or as a base, and it doesn't come off :)

Maybelline Studio Secrets Eyeshadow Quad - 60 Spirited Seas

The first item from a swap which I rediscovered - I received this gorgeous eyeshadow quad from the lovely Michelle at Lipstick Rules, at the time we didn't have these in the UK and I have to say they are amazing, the shadows are soooo soft and pigmented. I've particularly used the neutral tones (click here to see a look) but the blue and turquoise are great for a bright look.

Maybelline Studio Secrets Marbleized Eyeshadow Duos in 50 Tantalizing Teal and 80 Sinful Sinnamon

More Maybelline goodies from Michelle - we can now get these duos in the UK but I haven't seen these two - Tantalizing Teal - a bright turquoise / teal, and a shimmery blue and white marble effect great for a brighter, fresher look, and Sinful Sinnamon a gorgeous, burnished pink /copper and a pale pink copper marble, great for a neutral with a twist everyday look as seen below :)

Famous By Sue Moxley - Eye Shadow Shimmer - Shade 2

I purchased this a little while ago when the revamped Sue Moxley range relaunched in Superdrug, The Shu Uemura esq packaging to be honest isn't great the name rubbed off pretty much straight away and it feels a little plasticy, not only that but the label is coming of the back :(. The shadow however is a gem - a lovely shimmery silver taupe - I've worn this a lot over the last few months and it's a lovely shade not the best texture admittedly but it looks gorgeous on it's own on or even applied wet. 

NYX Eyeshadow Trio - TS30A In The Woods

Next up another swap item from the lovely Michelle - I know the reason this was relegated to the back of the drawer - the Urban Decay Naked Palette which contains very similar colours came into my life. This is a gorgeous trio, the colours are so soft and pigmented, and it's great for an everyday neutral look :)

KIKO Sun Mousse Eyeshadow - 04 Light Green

Another swap item, this time from the lovely Lydia, a cream eyeshadow in a lovely golden green colour - I love colours like this and you don't need very much of this one, it's not the longest lasting so I've been pairing it with a powder shadow from Lacura (review coming soon). Here is just a quick look of what it looks like on the eyes on it's own x

Next up a couple of random things that I've rediscovered

MAC Fix + Rose

Next up something that could be a make up item or it could be a skin care item. I bought this from MAC's Rose Romance collection. I tried using it to set my make up but to be honest it just didn't work for me. Where Fix + does work and what I've been using it for is to foil eyeshadows. It works particularly well with baked and mineral shadows but I've also been using it on cheaper shadows such as the Sue Moxley one but particularly on two MAC shades that are nearing the ends of their lives and have gone a little bit crumbly. (Be careful if you use it on shadows that aren't baked though as it can ruin them or you may end up having to scrape a layer off x) Using fix plus to dampen my brush before applying Sumptuous Olive and Idol Eyes, has given the eyeshadow not only a new depth but it intensifies the metallic pigments and make it look super shiny. I've used Sumptuous Olive wet here so you can see the difference when you dampen it down, and here are some swatches of Idol Eyes - the left swatch is dry and the right has been dampened down with Fix +

Boots No7 Trio Concealer

It seems a bit of a funny one to include a concealer in a rediscovered products post but I have. The simple reason is that for the last few months my skin dare I say it has actually been pretty clear, and relatively blemish free and for a while I was actually using a darker concealer whilst my tan faded. So as I got paler and I had the odd blemish (or more than the odd blemish over the last week grr)I dug this product out. I've done a mini review and some swatches of this concealer which you can see here x

I hope you've enjoyed this little look at my rediscovered eye products and bits and bobs next up my rediscovered cheek and lip products which will  hopefully by up on Friday or Saturday, but in the mean time you can watch this video where I talk about some of the products in this post x

Any questions please ask x

A Parcel From Lydia and NOTD

The last parcel that came when I was on my hols came from the lovely Lydia from Alice In A New Wonderland - a little while ago I sent her some goodies to celebrate her graduation despite me saying that she needn't return the favour, because she is such a lovely girls she did and sent my a parcel :)
I'm sorry it's taken me almost a week to write this post but I've been trying to catch up on things which has taken more energy and time than I thought :( So last Monday we picked the kitty cats up from the cattery calling in at the post depot in the way back so I could collect my parcel. When I saw the stamps on the front I knew it was from Lydia, and I couldn't wait to get home to open it :)

First of all she got me some skin and nail care things including several items from the brand Essence - I think this is a European brand although all be it one which isn't very widely available in the UK. I've had a few things from them before that if I remember rightly I bought in Spain - she kindly sent me some Essence Pocket Beauty Oil Control Papers, some Essence Mini Spa Eye and Face Pads which are shaped like cucumber slices I can't wait to try these on my eyes, especially since I think I'm getting a cold, and some Witch Clear Pore Gel which I can't wait to try, although thankfully at the moment my skin is a little dryer due to the sun but when it goes back to normal I will be giving this a try. She also enclosed a packet of Essence Nail Stickers - you can't see them too clearly in the pic above so here is a close up pic :)

She also sent me a few eye products an Essence Multi Action Mascara, and a Deborah Glitter Eyeliner in 03 Violet a gorgeous purple colour :)

The next product really excited me the Kiko Sun Mousse Eyeshadow in 04 Light Green - a goregous creamy mousse texture and a gorgeous colour - I've already tried this and it wears really well too x

The lovely Lydia was also kind enough to send me a load of nail polishes as per usual the purples aren't showing up to well but from left to right - Essence Colour & Go  - 20 Wild (purple) , Debby Colourplay 82, Essence Multi Dimensional Polish - 57 Love Of Pink, Deborah Sense Tech 100% Mat A060, and Essence Multi Dimensional - 55 Spot On (Mauve / Purple)

Swatches in same order - the purple and mauve again aren't showing up very accurately

and finally a little NOTD with Debby Colourplay 82, it's a much brighter but pale pink in real life - this is two coats x

I  just want to say a huge thank you to Lydia she really didn't need to send me anything but I am so happy that she did - thank you my love x

FOTD and Some Pics Of My Swap Goodies

Hey Ladies
I've got a super quick face of the day post for you :) I'm on the holiday countdown now so I'm trying to get a few things done including some new You Tube videos, one of which I recorded today :) Anyway my make up look today was a super quick one using a few new items, including some of the swap goodies I received from Michelle. The FOTD pics themselves aren't that great, the lighting today is awful, but I've included a few pics and swatches of some of the swap goodies from Michelle that I used today, which will hopefully show them better than my original post did - enjoy x

Today I Wore

Alva Coleur Organic Baked Foundation - Light *
NYC Blushable Creme Stick - Plaza Pink

Maybelline Eye Studio Quad - 60 Spirited Seas (shimmery cream and bronze only)

Bourjois Coup de Theatre 2 in 1 Mascara - 51 Noir Execeptionnel

Boots No 7 Lipstick - Nude Rebellion

(*Provided by My Pure for review purposes)

A Package From Canada

I said on Tuesday that I would try and make my next post a happy one - well it most certainly is - Yesterday I received a lovely swap parcel from the lovely Michelle from Lipstick Rules :)
Myself and Michelle have been sending packages backwards and forwards for nearly a year now and this was the latest thankfully it only took a few weeks unlike the last one which took 4 months lol
Anyways she was super generous and sent me a huge batch of goodies :)

First of all she sent a lovely card with the sweetest message in it - I really appreciated it so very sweet and some goodies including a Pecan Praline Bath treat which smells amazing, MAC Pigment in Partylicious, some Chanel samples, a Sephora lipgloss and some Go Smile Touch Up Smile Perfecting Ampules - I think these are for breath freshening,and tooth whitening - I can't wait to try them
She also sent me some Milani and Nyx goodies, and 2 NYC Blushable Creme Sticks in Plaza Pink and Big Apple Blush which I can't wait to play with, and a Face Atelier Shimmer Dust in I think Snake Eyes - OMG this looks amazing very like MAC Blue Brown pigment :)

She also got me some bits from Maybelline Eye Studio - we have some of this range but not in my opinion the best bits - I was lucky enough to get a gel eyeliner in Blackest Black and a brush, and two marbelized eyeshadow duos in 50 Tantalizing Teal and 80 Sinful Sinnamon, and a quad in 60 Spirited Seas

She was also kind enough to send my some more goodies from Canadian brands including Faded Violet nail polish by Joe Fresh, two eyeshadows also by Joe Fresh in Pale Pink and Chocolate, an Annabelle trio eyeshadow in Amazon, and an Annabelle small shader brush. She also sent me two items by Lise Watier - a brand I've been very interested in trying - she sent me an Eye Shine Pencil in Lime and a Hydra Shine Lip Stain in Peche which I can't wait to wear with a tan - it's fabulous peachy coral shade

I am so, so grateful to Michelle for sending me such fabulous goodiesxx If you haven't ever done a swap I would thoroughly recommend them, as well as getting some lovely new things you really make new cyber friends across the globe :)
Thanks Michelle you are an angel x If anyone would like any review or swatches on anything I've received please let me know xx

Goods and Bads

Afternoon all - I haven't done one of these for ages and I thought now was a good time to start them up again :)

Goods

* Weight loss - I've managed to lose another pound this week making it 12lbs in total - I still have a fair way to go till I'm happy but it's given me the strength to keep at it. I've also been sent a new nutritional and weight loss supplement called Kilo Off to try - I am starting today and I'll report back in 10 days to let you know more about out and how I've got on :)

* Less than 8 weeks to my holidays - woot, woot - very excited I can't wait for a bit of sunshine and some proper relaxation

* New skin care - I am trying out some new skin care bits and I'm really loving them at the moment - reviews to come

* Swaps I love them - currently doing a few at the moment :)

* I now have over 300 followers - thank you all of you xx

Bads

* My mum isn't too well at the moment - am a bit worried about her to be honest - to much to go into but she is having problems with one of her legs :(

* My money situation - nuff said after a week or so of being bad I am back where I started

* Non paying ebay bidders grrr

* Sleeping super badly at the moment

* I am so behind in blog posts at the moment argh

Hey You + September Round Up

Hiyas - long time no speak to :) Alas the hotels Internet access was too expensive and my phone signal was non existent so apologies for the lack of updates but I am back from a gorgeous holiday in Cyprus - the weather was amazing but I got a stinky , nasty cold which I am still battling off. Anyways I have loads to catch up on - I've got a few videos to edit up and stick on You Tube and loads of holiday purchases to update you on and a few bits I've picked up since I've got home :),as well as trying to catch up with You Tube videos and blog posts so apologies in advance if I don't comment on any posts - you have been busy bees while I have been away. All of this will still probably be done without my laptop much to my irritation it is still MIA
:( Anyways to sum September up I have had a fab time buying what I've wanted for a change but this has to end - I have saved some of my holiday money for some bits from the new MAC collections but apart from that I am back to my £30 a month limit from today:)
I also persevering with trimming my stash - September wasn't the best of months - I only managed to finish 11 full sized items although I haven't counted the multitude of travel sized and mini items I finished whilst I was away

Pro Strong Pro Advanced Fluoride Nail Strengthener
Avon Bronze Sun Protection Sensitive UVA / UVB 15 Sun Lotion Spray
Avon Planet Spa Detoxifying and Firming Body Mask
Avon Planet Spa Hawaiian Thermal Volcano Paraffin Hand and Foot Treatment
The Body Shop Ginger Body Scrub
The Body Shop Peach Shower Gel
The Body Shop Strawberry Body Butter
ELF Studio Make Up Remover Wipes
The Body Shop Seaweed Clarifying Toner
Lush Jasmine Henna Fluff-Eaze
Nivea Compact Deodorant

On the plus side I have hit pan on a couple of bits in September, and a couple of bits should be finished in the next week or so - I can definitely see an improvement in my bath and body stash :)

Anyways bear with me for a few days and I'll try and get caught up on my posts - including a huge thank you to the fabulous Sara for my swap package. and thanks to the lovely Kate for a gorgeous thank you post :)

It's Holiday Time

Just a quick post to remind you that I am going on holiday for a week and a bit tomorrow - I am going here I can't wait sunshine!!! it is so miserable here today. I am probably not going to be able to post while I am a way due to the lack of laptop - the hotel does have an Internet cafe but I may have better things to spend my money on ;)Anyways I'll be back after my hols with loads more posts - I need to catch up on so many things I've promised to do - First thing though will be a post on my swap with Sara which I received this morning - huge, huge thank you honey - I can't wait to have a proper play when I get back from my hols :)
See You Soon xx

Happiness Is...

I haven't done one of these posts for ages - Plenty of stuff has made me happy over the last few months but I am prone to major periods of self doubt and even self hatred which builds up inside me and often makes even the happiest thing seem negative. Anyways it all came to a head yesterday (not necessarily in a good way though) and today I feel relatively calm again so I am going to do one of my famous happiness is posts :)

1)A New Family Member - after nearly 9 and a half months my cousin Suzanne finally gave birth in the early hours of this morning to a little boy Sonny - I am so pleased everything went well - I know she was so fed up especially as the 9 month date passed by

2)Weight Loss - Although its not as much as I would have liked I have managed to drop another pound this week

3)Potential Make Up Swaps - I am potentially going to be doing a couple of make up swaps with some lovely fellow bloggers over the next few months - so so excited about this :)

4)Shopping - I am going shopping for a couple of hours tomorrow - so, so excited about this - because of my ME I don't do shopping malls that often and when I do I really look forward to it. I don't want much really just a few bits for my holidays and my mums birthday pressie, but I have some spends so I should have some much needed fun

5) Holidays - less than a month to go till Cyprus I can't wait - sunshine!!!!

6) You Tube - I've said it previously but I was always quite apprehensive about putting myself out there and making You Tube videos but I am pleased to say so far so peoples responses have been brilliant - my videos may not be the best or the most polished but they are certainly helping me self confidence wise- Thank You x

7)My Followers OMG as it stands I have 99 followers to my blog huge, huge thanks to all of you again I really appreciate your support and your feedback - I will be hosting another giveaway when I reach the magical 100!

8)Lydia - I am so excited I won this lovely lady's blog giveaway of some lovely Italian brand cosmetics I can't wait till my goodies come - thank you honey

NYX Goodies :)

This week I have managed to get my hands on a few NYX goodies. This brand is really hard to get hold of in the UK but thankfully Love Make Up has started to sell a few bits.
First of all I got one of the 10 Color Eyeshadow Pallets in Strike A Pose. These shadows are super smooth and you get a good range of colours




Then I got 2 of the Ultra Pearl Mania Eyeshadow Dusts in Mocha Pearl (Left) and Mink Pearl (Right)


One of the Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencils in Horse Raddish


and two lipsticks Harmonica (Left) and Mute (Right)



I also ordered a lipgloss which wasn't included in the package - I am currently chasing that up :(

I am really impressed with the goodies I got and I would love to try more NYX, and more US drugstore brands such as Physicians Formula and L'oreal HIP so if anyone from the USA is willing I would love to do a make up swap - I can get my hands on most UK brands so if your interested leave a comment or email me at the address in the sidebar