Sunshine and Sparkles - Nails Of The Day

I know this is a bit of a cheat doing yet another nails of the day post, but they are pretty easy to write and I've been too busy enjoying the sun ;) This colour really doesn't need any apologies though, it is stunning

Models Own Disco Mix is one of their glitter polishes and it's bling at it's very best - it's full of blue and fuchsia / purple glitter suspended in a slightly blue jelly, it took just two coats to achieve nigh on full coverage

It really looked amazing with the sun shining on it, making the sparkles dance, What do you think of Disco Mix?

Here Comes Summer :)

Just a quick post to let you know that I haven't forgotten you - I'm just taking advantage of the nice, warm, sunny weather, taking photographs, and spending some time in the garden (when I found my sun cream ;). I've been taking quite a few pictures for my next blog sale update which will probably be up on Saturday night now x I do have a few posts planned for the rest of the week but in the meantime I thought I'd show you a few pictures of a couple of my fur babies enjoying or should I say sheltering from the sun xx

I Want To Play Outside

Jasper In The Jungle

It's Too Hot For A Fur Coat 

Charlie - "It's Too Hot To Move.... Did Someone Say Dinner??"

Aren't they gorgeous? Charlie seems a bit surprised by this heat thing - it's his first summer lol  and he's not used to it - Jake and Tallulah on the other hand seem to be seeking refuge in the cool of the dining room and under the coffee table - perhaps they have the right idea- nah I love the sunshine and the heat it's great for my achy muscles and limbs x Hope your enjoying this rare sunshine xx

I Don't Love It - I Don't Hate It, Sometimes It's Just Meh - Nails Of The Day

I'm having another one of those days where I'm experiencing blogger block or brain fog, so I've abandoned the post I was going to bring you today and instead I've gone for an altogether easier prospect - a little nails of the day post featuring a limited edition from 2008 - Chanel - 187 Antilope

I have mixed feelings towards this colour, it's a lovely, nude champagne colour, it's the colour that I wanted OPI - Sand In My Suit To Be, but I still don't love it. The application was fine, bar the obvious visible brush strokes - maybe that's why I feel so meh towards this - It's nice enough - Mummy Lou loves it but it will never be one of my favourites. What do you think of Antilope?

Our Continuing Obsession With Lace x

It's hard to believe it's been over 12 months since the Royal Wedding, you wouldn't think it would you, in that time hardly a week has gone by when we haven't being bombarded with pictures of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge wearing designer, wearing high street, or even shopping in French Connection. Her style isn't to everyone's taste but she's certainly got people talking, and she's got the tills a clicking as members of the public have swarmed to buy items from her wardrobe including that Issa dress (my own personal want - I can dream on lol) , items from Zara and of course her nude tights. Perhaps though Catherine's biggest fashion legacy to date though was her wedding dress.

Sarah Burton, for Alexander McQueen's beautiful, yet classical dress, had lead to a huge resurgence in the use of lace. Once deemed just as for old ladies or weddings you can see lace on dresses, tops and even skirts in styles and prices to suit all ages and budgets. If I'm being honest I'm not a real fan of lace, all too often the high street variety is rough and scratchy and bares simply no comparison to the handmade Belgian or Cypriot varieties. I think I own one top with a lace insert and maybe a few bits with trimming but that's it. If it's not your thing though you can still embrace the trend with product packaging.

As you know I'm a huge fan of Batiste Dry Shampoo, this stuff is a real must have for me when I don't have the energy to wash my hair, it's great for removing food odours, refreshing roots, and for adding a bit of volume, so I was delighted yet disappointed in equal measure to receive an invitation to attend the launch of their latest fragrance in their collection. I was delighted that they were introducing a new fragrance but disappointed that I couldn't attend the event due to my continued ill health, never mind I was kindly sent a can of the new fragrance to try anyways, can you guess what the new fragrance is ?

Yes Lace of course, product comes in a pink can with almost baroque black lace print, which will look great on any dressing table. 

In my opinion the fragrances from Batiste are getting better and better and this is no exception, it has a beautiful soft, powdery floral fragrance, not overpowering but enough to disguise any odours. I have to say this has jumped straight into the top 3 of my favourite Batiste fragrances, with Blush and Cherry Blossom, none of these fragrances are too strong and they won't clash with your perfume, they are just soft and feminine. In over 30 years of production Batiste have never been ones to rest on their laurels, they are continuing to innovate and if Batiste Lace is an indicator of the direction their heading in, then here is to another 30 years. Batiste Lace currently only retails in the 200ml size and is priced at £2.99 - please, please can we have a mini in this one Batiste ;). Have you tried Batiste Lace yet?, If you have what did you think?Any questions as per usual leave me a comment x Thanks for reading xx

(Batiste Lace Dry Shampoo 200ml Was Provided By PR For Review Purposes)

Sometimes The Cheaper Version Is The Best - Nails Of The Day

It comes as no surprise that today's NOTD involves yet another colour that it's impossible to capture correctly on camera . I could say that it's down to the hideous, grey, dull weather but I guess I'd only be partially correct, this is one of those colours that can look so different depending on the lighting conditions. The pictures I've taken here are taken in natural light x

 Look Beauty - Kimono is a really decent high street dupe of Chanel - Peridot - the perfect combination of green, gold and bronze, not so much a duo chrome, more like a trio chrome :)   As you know I own Peridot (click here to see a NOTD ) but I have to say I think I like this better - with careful application you could probably get away with one coat, the formulation was perfect and the application was damn near perfect - any mistakes aren't down to the polish their down to my very shaky hands - I can't keep them still today for some reason :(

I love this polish soooo much - and the formulation and application has definitely made me want to try some more Look Beauty polishes. What do think of Kimono?

Birthday Goodies and Feeling The Love (Pic Heavy)

I'm never sure about doing these type of posts but popular opinion has won out - you wanted me to do it. As much as what I'm about to show you could be relevant to my blog, some people always try to make out that your showing off. I'm not honestly I was very lucky to receive so many lovely gifts and believe me I know that - my family and friends really are the best. I'm not showing you everything I got here just some of the beauty and fashion items x

We'll start with make up -  as you know at the beginning of April I went to McArthur Glen York and the CCO, at the time I picked up a few bits that went towards my birthday pressie - first up something I thought had long gone - Bobbi Brown Platinum Pink Shimmer Brick

I loved this the first time I saw it, gorgeous stripes of pink, nude and silver, that you can use on the eyes or cheeks - my first shimmer brick and I love it x

I also got another Bobbi Brown item, this time one of her Metallic Long-Wear Cream Shadows - I love the lasting ability and the formula of these I only had one before this Black Pearl but I knew I wanted more.

For some reason this one wasn't on my wishlist - doh why I really don't know it is amazing

13 Opal is exactly that, at first glance it just looks off white but give it a wiggle all this amazing shine appears for gold, to green, to peach and silver this is one beautiful shadow!!!

The final CCO item that I received was a MAC Paintpot  from the Glitter and Ice Holiday Collection, the colour in question For Effect

This is my first paintpot in limited edition packaging :) I have to say I love the white lid : For Effect is gorgeous black/ grey with lots and lots of silver sparkle so pretty and I think it will male a great base.

As well as the things I picked up from the CCO I was also lucky enough to get quite a few more make up goodies including two items from my wishlist

Yes another Chanel Illusion D'Ombre - this time in Epatant

OMG this is soooo pretty a sort of silvery, pewtery green love it :)

Next something I've wanted for ages and ages - Chanel Bronze Universal :)

I can't wait to have a proper play with this, but I'd appreciate some advice on what's the best way to apply it  and use and it and would brush do you use x please leave me a comment and let me know or link me to any post or videos you've done xx

As well as the high end stuff I also got some drugstore bits including two MUA Lip Booms in Cheeky and Doin Good

I'm going to do a full post on these so no swatches at the moment xx I'm also going to do a post on this baby too - the MUA Professional Eyeshadow Palette in Pretty Pastels

First impressions of this palette though are good some lovely right on trend spring / summer colours that seem really pigmented

Next up beauty wise - nails  - I got this Perfect Formula Nail Care Collection - I'm going to do a full review on this in a few months time when I've had a chance to see if it works :)

It wouldn't be me if I didn't get any nail polishes and I did - I got a Nails Inc set from Mummy Lou containing 7 polishes - from left to right - Royal Mews, Wilton Row, Piccadilly Arcade and Mayfair Mews

and again from left to right - Baker Street, Belgrave Mews and Cadogan Place

I'm so pleased with this kit of course I got the much wanted Baker Street but all the other colours are gorgeous especially Royal Mews which is a silver holograph, and Belgrave Mews which is the most amazing green with iridescent flashes shooting through it.

The final beauty gift I got was from one of my besties Helen x It's The Perfume Studio Design Your Own Perfume Kit in Fresh

You get a little atomiser and 6 vials of perfume oil so you can make up your own fragrances :) See you can get things to play with when you get older :)

I also got a few clothing and jewellery items including this little lapis and silver bracelet that you saw in yesterdays post

and this necklace which my godmother bought at a craft fayre

and I also got this top from Mummy Lou - I love the ruffles

My godparents were super generous as per usual and got me these bits courtesy of our shopping trip last week - first up these lovely tan ballet pumps which were from Primark x

This lovely midi skirt from New Look

and this gorgeous messenger bag from Zara

I love the mousy grey / greige colour and I love the rose gold tone hardware

I got loads of other bits and bobs, sweeties, stationary and dvds and I also got this from one of  my besties Dawn :)

How cute is that ? I'm going to be using it as a blog book so I can work out my upcoming posts, make notes and things to help me get more organised.

So yes I was well and truly spoilt and I'm very grateful to everyone for being so generous on my birthday - I'd also like to thank two lovely bloggers and tweeters who sent me two lovely surprise parcels - the lovely Liloo and the amazingly sweet and kind Charlotte, check these lovely ladies out if you haven't already they really are the epitome of human kindness and loveliness and I'm forever grateful that our paths have crossed thanks to the world wide web xx As per usual if you have any questions please leave me a comment xx