Just Like Starting Over - An Update

Hi Guys
I just thought I'd do a quick update post for you. It's taken me a little while to get back into the swing of things blogging wise if I'm honest, I've lost so many photos and things and quite frankly I haven't really known where to start, but I'm starting to get a bit of a handle on things again, and I'm formulating a bit of a plan. So what can you expect to see this week on LouLouLand, well the big one will be the belated launch of my New Year giveaway, I have two prizes to give away on my blog and one to give away on my You Tube channel, so make sure your all subbed and following x I'm also going to try and get a review up and maybe a nails of the day post.
Away from blogging I've been a bit up and down, health issues again dominate, me and the kitty cats have had a tummy upset, I have a hospital appointment on Friday, and my mums knee operation is scheduled for next Monday - when will it end! Not only that but I weighed myself for the first time since before Christmas yesterday, and I have to say I nearly cried I have never weighed so much in my life and its not a good feeling. The diet starts here I'm going to give the Slim Fast programme another go, it's helped in the past and I'm hoping it will give me the kick start that I need - I'll keep you posted on how I get on, till then thanks for following and I'll see you soon x

A Few Purchases - Urban Decay, George, Peacocks and Lily Loves Lola

Although the spending diet has resumed I have to admit that it isn't going too well this month, I can only blame one thing if I'm being honest

Yup, Urban Decay Naked 2, ever since I saw this I wanted it and I have to say the banter on the Debenhams Beauty Club Facebook page and on Twitter on the launch night was hysterical and it was something that I'll remember for a long time x

I have to say the palette is beautiful, the metal casing is so much more practical and stylish than Naked 1, and the colours are gorgeous, early favourites are Suspect, Verve and of course YDK which is a long standing Urban Decay favourite x If you have the first Naked palette do you need this one? no probably not, although only one colour Half Baked is duplicated some of the new shades are quite similar, if you love neutrals though like me then yes I can see that this would be a good investment x

Another thing that I liked about Naked 2 is the absence of Primer Potion, I know a lot of people have said that they would have preferred it to be included but I'm not the biggest fan so I was more than happy to see a Mini Lip Junkie Lipgloss included instead  - In the shade Naked, it's quite a sheer neutral pink, with a minty taste and lip plumping properties.

So that was £36 of my monthly budget gone, which was a tad worrying considering I'd already bought a top from Asda

I have to blame the lovely Sarah from Found On Film, for this she tweeted a picture of herself wearing it and I have to say I love it. I am a huge kitty cat fan, and I love the print. 2012 seems to be the year of the kitty cat print so far  - Victoria Beckham's new fashion range Victoria includes a few items with cat prints like this one :) The photo's aren't the best but the black top features a light mustard kitty cat print on the front in a slightly sheer fabric, and a solid black back which is slightly longer than the front. I love this top and it was great value at only £9.

Keeping with the mustard and black theme I've been cyber stalking this skirt from Peacocks for sometime now, yes even on my phone I was watching it! It was £18, then it was reduced to £9 and last week I found it in store for just £5.40!!! Result!! It features a wide black elasticated waist band, a
cotton petticoat lining and it's in the most amazing mustard shade! I love mustard!

My final little purchase came from the lovely Victoria from Lily Loves Lola, if you don't already Victoria has a webstore where she sells cute handmade bracelets and other jewellery pieces. I ordered two of her friendship bracelets, both on black cord, one with a silver tone Hello Kitty charm and one with a tiny little silver tone star charm

Aren't they cute :) So they were my purchases from January so far. I admit it I have gone over my monthly limit, Naked 2 saw to that, but I'm trying to stay strong, my real test will be next week if we manage a trip to the Metro Centre and the week after when my mum goes into hospital eek. Anyways if you have any questions or thoughts please leave me a comment xx

More Charlie !

Hey Guys
I just thought I'd show you a quick video I uploaded earlier in the week of my lovely Charlie bear - He has a bit of a tummy bug today and he isn't feeling too well, hopefully this afternoons trip to the vets will sort him out - hope you enjoy x

Some Christmas Surprises From My Fellow Bloggers

I have to say I was a very lucky girl over the Christmas period as well as winning the Ray's giveaway (click here to see my prize), I also received two other lovely parcels from two of my fellow bloggers. First up I took part in the lovely Chars blogger secret Santa, I love secret santas not only because of the surprise element but in the blogosphere it can often introduce you to someone elses blog. That definitely happened in this case, my secret Santa was Trayci from Please May I, her blog is great with lots of real life posts and some great outfit posts - please check her out if you haven't already - anyways what did she get me?

She worked really well with the budget and bought me some super cute things - the two items in the Union Jack style packaging are from Wilkinsons - a little bubble bath inflatable sachet, and She's A Rebel Eye Shadow Palette. Somebody told me a while ago that Wilkinsons did their own make up and skincare line but I'd never made it to a store to try it, I have to say though if this eyeshadow duo is anything to go by this line is well worth checking out. I'm so sorry I haven't managed to do any pictures of the duo but the shadows which are just bigger than a 10p piece are in a gorgeous turquoise / aqua shade and a beautiful soft grey, they are sooo soft and pigmented - I'm really happy with this duo! Trayci also kindly got me the Boots Bobbypin Lipgloss Trio. I'm a huge Bobbypin fan and I love Jeffrey Fulvimari's fun illustrations, I already have a vanity case and a travel bag featuring his work. The lipglosses come in a lovely designed drawer style box, and they come in cute little illustrated tins, they gave a nice shiny appearance and a hint of colour either in red, pink or wine - again so cute and so me. She also got me some tissues in lip print packaging and a little heart shaped phone charm. Thanks you so much Trayci and thanks to Char for organising it xx

It's always puzzling when a fellow blogger messages you and asks for your address without giving you an explanation, but I sent my details to the lovely Emma from Computergirl's Musings anyways and I'm super happy that I did

The lovely Emma, had nominated me to receive a Christmas surprise from the lovely people at Aussie. A couple of days before Christmas I received a lovely gold wrapped parcel.

The parcel contained a lovely Christmas card on behalf of Emma and Aussie, and two fabulous Aussie haircare products. I received a huge 500ml bottle of the Aussie Aussome Volume Shampoo and a 250ml bottle of Aussie Take The Heat 3 Minute Miracle Deep Treatment. I am currently finishing some other products but I can't wait to try these products out. I just want to say a huge thank you to Emma for thinking of me and obviously a huge thank you to Aussie for providing me with the products x

I have to say again over the last month I really haven't been myself, no laptop, and a horrid flu bug did not a happy LouLou make but these two pieces of kindness really lifted my spirits - Thanks you so much ladies xx
Oh and if you would like any reviews or swatches please let me know xxx

I've Had A Visit From The Fairy Hobmother

Whilst I was sans laptop the only way I was able to check my emails was via my phone and my itouch, totally disheartening and time consuming especially when 90% of it was junk mail, but a few emails did stand out including a lovely message from The Fairy Hobmother.

If you haven't heard of The Fairy Hobmother where have you been? Over the last few months she's been sharing the love in the Blogosphere rewarding deserving bloggers with a little treat on behalf of the lovely people at Appliances Online. Appliances Online is a great site which sells over 30,000 kitchen appliances every week in the UK, from cookers, to fridge freezers, and the best washing machines - I might pass the link onto my next door neighbours their washing machine sounds like it's coming through our kitchen wall at the moment lol ;)

Anyway the lovely email really came at the right time, and it really lifted my spirits. The Fairy Hobmother very kindly sent me £20 worth of Amazon vouchers :) Thankfully I was able to use the fabulously, good Amazon mobile site, and I managed to get my goodies in time for Christmas. I decided to go for a book I'd wanted for sometime

I know some people will sneer at this but it's actual a really good book for beginners or anyone new to make up, the book explains basic technique, all about different types of products, and all about the history of make up. I've really enjoyed reading it and I've found it really useful. If anyone can recommend any other make up books I'd love to hear them x

Because the voucher was so generous I also managed to get something else with just a tiny bit of funds added - the Mrs Browns Boys DVD - this was really for Mummy Lou, she loves Agnes Brown and thinks that she / he is hilarious so I chose this as a sort of family pressie - I have to say it is so funny especially he episode where grandad pretends to be dead lol

I'd like to say a huge thank you to The Fairy Hobmother, as I say her little treat really came at the right time x I'm lead to believe that The Fairy Hobmothers time with us is nearly at an end but if your quick she might be able to grant you a wish, just leave a comment on this post with your wish and some contact details , cross your fingers tightly and you never know she might pay you a visit

Christmas and New Year Pics, Outfits and Nails of The Days

My blog absence happened to coincide with the entire festive season, and probably the worst flu bug I've had since oh maybe August ;) I'd planned to do a whole load of posts over Christmas and New Year but instead you've just got the one - first up a couple of festive snaps :)

How about some fur baby shots ?

Now some photos of the big day itself, I didn't take any of my pressies but I can assure you I was well and truly spoilt, I got lots of goodies from my wishlist including some MAC, and Chanel, some lovely D&G glasses and sooo many new nail polishes its untrue. Instead though the pictures are of my nails and my outfit - It's probably just as well that I've had no internet access my nails have been absolutely shocking, peeling, breaking you name it, I'm trying a few things to bring them round but in the meantime despite the short length my Christmas Day colour was the unfestive but super bright Nails Inc Shoreditch

The outfit was quite simple just a comfy dress and some black tights, no shoes just some pretty fair isle style slipper boots that I got for Christmas which unfortunately I forgot to picture x

I Wore

Geometric Paintbrush Design Dress -ebay

Black Tights - Primark

Well that was Christmas I ate and drank too much as per usual but that's what your supposed to do isn't it - between Christmas and New Year the cold flu thing returned and then Jasper got poorly - so me and my mum spent New Years Eve eating Mexican food, and drinking wine in front of the tv, and do you know what I thoroughly enjoyed it :) The day after New Years Day we headed to my godparents house for yet more food and beverages, I wanted to wear something nice and comfy so I went for this

I Wore

Purple Tie Side Top - Nina Leonard at QVC (I also have this in blue)

Ankle Length Black Leggings - Top Shop

Silver Tone Circle Detail Necklace - ASOS

Bracelet - The Bear and Gift Company (See Below)

Black Faux Alexander Wang A Like - ebay via My Godparents for Christmas :)

I actually wore this pretty bracelet on both occasions, from The Bear and Gift Company I actually won this in the lovely Ray's giveaway - thank you so much I love it!

Finally from my evening at my Godparents I wore a toning nail varnish to match the matte jersey of my top

Avon Matte Nailwear in Violetta is a gorgeous matte purple, the paint job isn't the best, it isn't showing the true colour that well and my nails are awful but I hope you get the idea :)

So that was Christmas and New Year I hope you all had a good one - let me know in the comments xx



Looking Back and Looking Forward

Well 2011 was an interesting year wasn't it. It started off on a bit of a low with a hospital stay and my first ever broken bone, and continued with several more illness nightmares boo. On the beauty front though I had a good year I bought, received and tried lots of brilliant product, and some not so good ones, always the way though, you have to find a bit of coal before you find the gems (yes I admit it I'm addicted to Smurfs Village!)

Like every other year in 2011 I had a few aims and things I wanted to achieve, some I managed some I didn't, first up something I didn't do so well at my spending diet

December - Not Counted
November - Not Counted
October - Not Counted
September - £8.98 - £31.02 Under
August - £52.74 - £12.74 Over
July - £22.46+++++ Very Bad
June - £43.01 +++ Way Over
May - £140.63 ++++++ Very Bad
April - £122.90 - £82.90 Over :(
March - £87.57 - £47.57 Over :(
February - £5.82 - £34.18 Under :)
January - £9.41 - £30.59 Under :)
 
As you can see looking at the year as a whole, it was a bit of a fail, I did have 3 months where I managed to stay under my £40 limit so all wasn't lost - the overwhelming conclusion though is must try harder! So that's what I'm going to do 2012 will see the continuation of my spending diet / monthly spends, again I'll be trying to stick to a £40 monthly limit - I'll be honest though and say that January may already be a bit of a fail, mainly due to the release of Urban Decay Naked 2, and the return of my little laptop and online shopping access, no matter I'll still keep a record for you and I'll try my damnedest not to go crazy. I really want to try and save a bit of money this year so I'm definitely going to need a willpower boost.. Which brings me to my next 2011 challenge trimming my stash. We'll start by looking a December
 
Superdrug 20 Nourishing Nail Polish Remover Pads
L'Oreal Elvive Nourishing Cream Shampoo 250ml
Mark Hill Gorgeous Brunette Leave In Conditioner 75ml
Total - 3 Items
 
Yeah, December on the whole wasn't a vintage month, I finished just 3 little items. This pretty much summed up an average year generally, I only managed to finish 126 items
 
December - 3 Items
November - 9 Items
October - 29 Items
September - 11 Items
August - 9 Items
July - 8 Items
June - 12 Items
May - 7 Items
April - 11 Items
March - 16 Items
February - 7 Items
January - 4 Items
Total - 126 Items
 
Don't get me wrong I still managed to finish a product roughly every 3 days but it was still majorly down on 2010's total of 182 items! Never mind I'm still pretty pleased with how I did especially since I managed to finish Project 10 Pan during that time. Needless to say this is something else that I'm going to be continuing with in 2012, I got a whole load more make up and smellies for Christmas, so yet again the stash is at super scary levels. Thankfully January has started well and I already have a little pile of empties - I'll be taking pics of all my January empties so you can see how I'm doing despite that the  I can even see the spectre of Project 10 Pan looming on the horizon, I'll keep you posted on when that's going to start ;)
 
So that was my year but what do I have in mind for 2012 well more of the same and a bit more besides - my first priority is to try and catch up on a few posts, alas some on my coming soons will have to bite the dust as I've lost photos that I simply cant replicate, other posts will just be longer in coming I'd been taking photos for months for certain posts and it's all gone - sob! Second priority is a general one to get more organised, that means more ebays, and a pile of shredding that will probably reach the moon - my head is too fuzzy to deal with confusion I need to get sorted. Thirdly I need to focus on me a bit, I sometimes get too wrapped up in other people and other things I'm starting the year with a few medical appointments to sort out some worrying new symptoms so I need to put me back as priority. That won't be too Mummy Lou's detriment though, she is due to have an operation at the beginning of February, so I'm going to need all the energy I have to care for her, me and the fur babies, so if I go a bit quiet again you'll know why x Finally I need to tackle my weight, there are lots of reasons why I gain weight and why it's hard for me to lose it but I can't use that as an excuse, I need to try and find something that works for me - again that's something I'll keep you posted on .
 
So that was 2011 and that is hopefully 2012, I've really appreciated the kind words and support from you guys over the last 12 months I know I go off on tangents and I can be a whinging moo cow on occasions but you guys have stuck with me and for that I will be eternally grateful - LouLouLand isn't just a beauty and fashion blog, it's about LouLou and I really appreciate you for realising that x I'd love to know if you have any aims or resolutions for 2012, please let me know in the comments and I'll see you tomorrow  with a few pics from Christmas and New Year xx

I'm Back

Hi Guys
A huge, huge apology for my rather extended absence - if you follow me on twitter you'll know that laptop gate went on for much longer than anticipated, culminating in a profuse apology on Saturday morning and the return of my laptop this evening , yes that's right on a Sunday!
The good news obviously is that my laptops back the bad news is that everything has gone, my pictures, my programmes, the works :( It's my own fault I guess I won't make the mistake of not backing up again, but I'm so annoyed pet photos, family pics, and of course blog photos all gone. So I guess I'm starting from scratch, first up I'm going to need some new office and photo editing software, here's hoping the compensation from the repair company covers that hmm, so in the meantime I'm hoping you'll continue to stick around whilst I get the whole blogging thing going again. I have lots of posts in my head so hopefully I'll start getting some up this week, including a post on 2011 and some of my aims for 2012, a post on some lovely bloggers, a nice surprise, and some OOTD and NOTD pics from Christmas. Which reminds me Happy Christmas and Happy New Year Guys, I'm so sorry I've missed the full festive season but don't worry my planned Christmas giveaway will happen as soon as I get myself sorted, so you can look at it as a sort of thank you :) So thank you my lovely followers for your patience and thanks to all the relevant PR companies and so on for being so understanding - now if you'll excuse me I have 4,000 emails to deal with  ;) x See you soon x

A Million Apologies

Right guys I'm going to apologise in advance I had so many posts planned in the run up to Christmas but it probably isn't going to happen now. Basically I've had a crappy day, it started off with a nagging sore throat, progressed to my near on losing my voice, and when I got home my laptop wouldn't work. Thankfully we've been paying for cover so they are coming to pick it up on Wednesday and I won't get anything back until 21st December. I'm crossing my fingers so, so tight that they manage to fix it without losing any of my data, I have blog photos for about the next 3 months ready and prepped, as well as loads of cat pics and family pics that I haven't backed up :( If they can't fix it I will get a replacement but still :(  Anyways I'm not going to be posting much if at all, I've managed to get my ancient desktop just about working, but I can't do more than one thing at once with it as it's so old and slow. I have a couple of finished posts I may be able to get up but until my laptop is replaced or fixed I'm going to be AWOL. I am absolutely gutted that I can't do everything I have planned, I promise I will still post everything I had planned and my giveaway will take place as soon as I'm up and running again. So again I'm sorry and to all the companies who have provided me with samples your reviews will be up just as soon as I can manage it. So please, please stick around and I'll see you soon xx

Nails Of The Day - Holiday Glow

Hey my loves it's time for another nails of the day post and this one is from a previous OPI Holiday Collection

Holiday Glow is a brown tone, with lots and lots of gold sparkle. I guess in comparison to the majority of OPI's this isn't the best formulation wise, it's quite sheer so you need a few coats, I used 3 coats here on the majority of nails, and 4 on a couple that still looked a bit streaky. Apologies in advance for the hang nails and the bad paint job my cuticles are a disgrace :(

Brown probably isn't the first colour you'd think of when it comes to Christmas, but the gold sparkle gives this shade a festive touch. What do you think of Holiday Glow?