Essie Gel Setter Top Coat

Essie Gel Setter Top Coat

£9.99

If you've been around here for a while, you might have picked up that I love Essie, and it's definitely up there as being one of my favourite nail varnish brands. A few months back this something new caught my eye, and since then I have to confess I haven't been wearing anything but Essie. 

I picked up the new Essie gel setter top coat when I spotted it on offer in Boots when you bought it with any other colour, and as I'd spent the last few weeks dithering over buying chillato, I decided to take the plunge and get them both. I've never been one for wearing a top coat, because mostly I just see it as extra drying time for my nails and I'm already impatient enough! I've had gel nails a few times now though, so it was the mention of 'gel' that really caught my eye.

The first time I tried it, I painted my nails about 8pm, and went to bed at 10pm (I live a wild life on evenings before work), fully expecting to wake up the next day with the standard duvet-imprint into half my nails. To my surprise, I woke up with perfectly glossy nails, that also withstood a whole day at work. I've since then discovered that its drying time is about 10 minutes (if that), and adds about 2-3 days of wear onto my nail varnish. Magic? I think so.

Have you tried Essie's latest offering? 

n xx

Rimmel Brow This Way

(I know this photo isn't 100% in focus, but I couldn't get it to focus right for love nor money)

Brow This Way eyebrow gel

£3.99

I've been in love with brow gels for a while now, and it started with Benefit's Gimme Brow, which would probably still win in a gel-off if I'm being honest. But in the interest of budgeting (thank you student life), back when it was launched, I picked up this Rimmel version instead. Because my brows are so fine, both in colour and in actual hairs, using a brow gel before my trusted MAC omega actually packs a big punch in the finished effect. It helps define shape, and show me where I need more filling in particular.

Though the Rimmel Brow This Way is a much wetter formular than Benefit's offering, it's slowly grown on me. At first I wasn't too keen, but I've found that as long as long as I wipe off the excess that gathers on the end of the wand, it's really easy to get the coverage I want. It's also a bit thicker texture than gimme brow, so the effect doesn't look entirely natural if you're looking that closely.

I have the colour 002 medium brown, which is possibly a little too dark, but I wasn't expecting a perfect match as there are only 3 shades available. That said, for only £3.99, I think it's a really good product, and will definitely be getting this again when my current one runs out!

Have you tried this?

n xx

A Sibling Weekend in London

Since I don't get to see as much of my sister Jemma now that I'm living back home, we decided to go away to London for a weekend. So we booked a hotel, tickets to see The Railway Children, and Jemma decided she wanted to treat me to an afternoon tea as a graduation present. 

We ended up going to Bea's of Bloomsbury and had Bea's Full Afternoon Tea. The food was so delicious! We had the vegetarian option, which had sandwiches with cream cheese and walnut, and onion chutney, mozzarella and lettuce. The cakes were heavenly! There were cupcakes, brownies, meringues and scones too, and I have honestly never been so full! Luckily they offer to pack up what you don't finish, or I might have fallen into a cake coma.

We had such a lovely time, and I spent far too much money and ate far too much cake, but I wish I was still there having another mini holiday! The Railway Children was the best play I've seen in a while, so if you get a chance to see it you 100% should!

I hope you're all having a lovely summer!

n xx

2015 Reading Challenge

Way back in January, I decided that in 2015, I'm going to read 50 books. For my pre-degree self, that would have been a walk in the park. But the last few years I've been reading less for me, mostly because when you have to read 20+ books a term for various modules, it puts you off reading yet another book. With finishing my degree, and going straight into a 26 hour work contract so far this year, I've fallen a little behind (12 books, if Goodreads is being picky), but I'm determined to meet my goal- I'm on my 19th book of the year at the moment!

My goodreads challenge

top 5 books so far:

1. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern 

2. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

3. The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie

4. One Hundred Names by Ceclia Ahern

4. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

reviews

  I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith | One Hundred Names by Ceclia Ahern

Have you been reading much this year?

n xx

Current ASOS Favourites

Tiger mist petite love again crop top £27

River Island croc effect mini skirt £30

Olivia Burton watch £80

River Island chelsea boots £38

Fiorelli backpack £59 £44

ASOS petite mini skirt with wrap front £15

Ted Baker bow bracelet £22

New Look I am fierce shirt £7.99

Does anyone else have an ASOS wishlist that's about 30 miles long..? Recently I've decided to treat myself to a few (a lot) of new bits, so here's a few bits that have made it to my very long short list!

Have you bought anything off ASOS recently? Let me know if you'd like to see a haul!

n xx

LUSH Celestial Moisturiser

Celestial facial moisturiser

£12.50 for 45ml

"...made of skin-soothing ingredients that form a light barrier on the skin to help it retain its moisture. Almonds are high in vitamin E, which is said to help protect skin from damage, while dove orchids condition and soothe."

I picked this up a while ago, hoping for something with a bit more oomph but without being to heavy. My skin loves a good moisturiser, but it needs to be one that sinks in relatively quickly (i.e. before it gets wiped off onto my pillows). I really love The Body Shop Vitamin E range, so when I saw this is high in vitamin E I guessed it might leave my skin feeling just as soft and nourished, and I wasn't wrong!

It does feel like quite a thick moisturiser, but it soaks into my skin super fast. It does leave behind a slightly oily residue that takes a bit longer to sink in, but its so nourishing. I can always see a difference in my skin the morning after; it looks healthier and more nourished, and it always sorts out any dry patches that I have. I also love the smell! It must be the dove orchids, because it's a little floral, and slightly of vanilla.

Overall I'd definitely recommend this! I love Lush and their fresh, ethical products, so I always love giving new products a whirl.

What's your favourite moisturiser? Have you tried any from Lush?

n xx

Norfolk Spa Break

Last week I decided to treat myself to a spa break for a few days. Originally, I was going to head to Cambridge, but then I realised, why not save on train fares and find somewhere closer to home?! There's some gorgeous places in Norfolk, and I only live a 10 minute drive from where I ended up going, Dunston Hall. My package from spabreaks.com included a 3 course evening meal, breakfast, and a 30 minute treatment, as well as full use of the spa and gym for my two day stay. It was so lovely to just get away and not have to worry for a few days! I spent a lot of time reading, planning blog ideas for the coming months, and just generally having some time to myself, that I haven't been getting much of recently!

I'd totally recommend looking for a deal if you're looking at a spa day or break! I'm already planning my next spa day... 

spabreaks

n xx

Hello August♥

The last few months have been crazy and hectic, so here's to getting my life a little more organised in the next month... 

• balance blogging and work better

The last few months have been a never ending struggle of thinking I've scheduled posts when I haven't, and being too tired from work to care. 

• stationary haul

Even though I'm no longer a student and therefore don't need the stationary that comes with it (sob), I'll still be doing my yearly notebook shopping spree. There's just something so satisfying about a new notebook.

• live in the moment

It's been hard not to count down the days until Jay gets home (63 days down, 37 to go, if you're wondering), but in the mean time I'm trying to take every opportunity thrown at me, and having adventures of my own.

• save, save, and save some more

I've been doing masses of over time at work, and I'm trying to put some money aside for a few things I'm planning for next year... though, of course, I can't forget to treat myself with a little pay day haul.

• spend time with my family

Recently there's been a few things happening that's just made me so thankful for everything I have, and I'm determined to spend more time showing that this month and more in the future.


Peace and love♥