Penguin Little Black Classics

Penguin box set

complete list

One definite perk about living back at home is having not only my complete bookshelf (and my sisters too at the moment), but also having regular visits to the library. While I was away at university, reading became something that I had to do for my modules, rather than something I wanted to do. So when Penguin launched these little black classics last year, I picked a few up, but I've never read any, which I really need to now more are being added!

While I was in the library last week I saw a few I hadn't see before, so I decided to try a couple. I really love that they're short stories, extracts or short collections of work, because it makes it so much easier to find out if you're going to like that particular authors writing style. Sometimes I get into a bit of a rut of reading the same author or style of novel, so I'm really looking forward to getting into these to try and find some new books to pick up.

Have you read any of the little black classics?

n xx

One Year

This time last year, I was still a student living in Derby, finalising my dissertation. A few weeks after that, I was saying goodbye to my boyfriend as he went to America, moving back to live back with my parents in Norfolk and working in retail. I can't believe it's been a whole year since those things were happening. I worked at Lakeland for a few weeks short of a year, which flew by impossibly fast. I'm still living apart from Jay, who's currently in his final year of university. 

I was terrified of what was going to happen, and where I might be headed. But I think it's safe to say that I've changed a lot since then. I've learnt some important things about other people, and about myself too. 

you can't be everyone's cup of tea and that's okay

progress is impossible without some change

celebrate the little things

know who you are, and know that's enough

I don't doubt that this time next year things will be completely different, but that's a change that I'm not scared of anymore. Okay, scared but in a good and excited way. I've started a new job, and I'm even half way through saving up for a trip to Disneyworld Florida.

I hope you've all had a good year.

n xx

Beauty Empties

I'm still on my mission to use all of the make up I've got lying around, and it's going pretty well. It's definitely helped me to find some new favourite products!

This Seventeen Primer wasn't really empty, but it was getting super hard to get out so I gave up on it. I wasn't really the biggest fan, though not for any reason. I think it had a bit of an odd smell maybe. The MaxFactor CC sticks, on the other hand, I can never get enough of. I've been using a green corrector for years, so I've been in love with these since they launched. I think these are my 5th redness corrector and 3rd dark circles corrector, at least!

I've also finished two powders, though the Rimmel stay matte powder was more because I dropped it and it smashed everywhere (all over my freshly vacuumed bedroom carpet). It's been a firm favourite for a while, though it does get used up super quickly. This MAC mineralize skin finish, however, was one that I thought was never going to end. If you're looking for value for money, this definitely qualifies! 

I also finished my first ever MAC eyeshadow, and it's Omega, which I use on my brows. I'm not sure quite how long I've been using it for, but it's a perfect match to my brows at the moment so I'm sticking with it. The two mascaras I've finished couldn't really be more different. The Clinique lash power mascara is a super small and skinny wand, which coats a natural coverage, whereas the Bourjois volume 1 second mascara is much thicker and provides a lot more coverage. I'd definitely buy both of these again, but for totally different reasons!

What have you used up recently?

n xx

Current Loves

last month's loves

The Body Shop Vitamin E overnight serum

MAC D for Danger

Avon detangling spray

New Look hair scrunchie

It's been a while since I rummaged out this Body Shop Vitamin E overnight serum, but recently my skin has been a little dry. This definitely helps my skin, and it never makes it oily, just rescues the dry patches and makes them look healthy and rejuvenated. Over just a few nights, my dry patches are barely noticed. A newer favourite that I've found is this Avon detangling hair spray. My sister, who has much thicker hair than me, said that it's been a real life saver, so when my hair started to be unusually tangled recently I decided to give it a go. Not only does it smell amazing (apricot and shea butter), but I've definitely noticed a difference since I've been using it. I tend to spray it in damp and unbrushed hair, brush it through, then spray a little more in.

Lipstick wise, I didn't pick up this MAC shade long ago, but I'm absolutely in love with it. It's a matte shade, which is my second favourite formula (satin is top). It's quite a deep pinky red colour, as well as being long lasting and pigmented. A final favourite from the last few weeks are scrunchies, in particular this navy blue and floral one. I love the little bow tails, and how they stick up a little bit like rabbit ears. Some days I love having this super cute addition to my hair!

What have you been loving recently?

n xx

To-Read List

2016 reading goals

goodreads

I'm trying to mix up a few genres at the moment with my reading list. I've just finished The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler, which I really enjoyed but it took me forever to read. I think books into three categories for me.

01. ohmygoodnessifIdon'tfinishthisnowI'lllexplode

02. WHAT happened? Oh well... I'm kind of tired, I'll read more tomorrow

03. I can't. Nope, This is too boring.

Normally if a book falls under category 3, I'll give up after a few chapters (or sometimes pages. Sylvia Plath I'm looking at you), but luckily for the most part books fall under 1 or 2. From watching the film, I'm hoping The Time Traveller's Wife might be a 1. I've read some Sherlock Holmes stories before, but I don't think I've ever read these two, which are actually the first two stories of the series. Solitaire is also on my list because I found it on my bookshelf the other day and realised I've never actually read it!

What are you reading at the moment?

n xx

Cath Kidston Haul

Spot clasp purse £14 £5

Woodland rose mug £6.50 £4

Heart shaped pot holder £12 £6

I was going to call this a 'mini haul', but then I realised nearly all of my hauls are mini! So really this is just a normal sized shop for me. I went into Cath Kidston the other day and stumbled into the sale section. As well as a few other bits I picked up for upcoming family birthday's, I treated myself to a few pieces.

I've been lusting over a mug for so long, though goodness knows I don't need another one, but the Cath Kidston ones just seem like the perfect size. I went for the woodland rose mug pattern, which I really love because of how bright but simple it is. I also fell for this little clasp purse as soon as I saw it! I've been looking at getting one in this style for a while, so when I saw it in this bright pink polka dot pattern I couldn't resist. I'm a sucker for anything pink at the moment- which is also probably why I fell in love with this pot holder. I've only got my old oven gloves from uni at the moment, which are starting to get battered, so that's definitely a good excuse! Plus they must look nice, because my mum saw it in my bag and asked if I could get a couple for her as presents!

Are you lusting after anything from Cath Kidston?

n xx

Face Basics

Rimmel fix & protect primer £6.99

L'Oreal True Match foundation £9.99

Collection lasting perfection concealer £4.19

Soap & Glory Kick Ass pressed powder £12

I've been switching things up in my daily routine for a while now, in the hope of finding some new staples. While I don't always wear foundation on a daily basis, this combination has become my go-to for when my skin isn't looking so hot.

It's been a while since I've had a primer that I've really loved, but I spotted this recently in Boots so decided to give it a try. I love the fix & perfect pro, so I hoped that this would be a similar love affair. At the moment I'm really loving it, plus it's got SPF 25, which is extra good news. The L'Oreal true match is a love that I had back at the end of last year, and it's back as one of my staples. I find it never makes me look orange, a common problem I have with high street foundations. It also lasts all day- the other day it survived 7am until 10pm, which is impressive for my sometimes very oily t-zone.

I don't think the collection concealer is a surprise to anyone. I'm still hooked on it, and it's my go-to concealer for when I'm in a hurry getting ready. I've got a few others on the go though, so I might do a concealer update soon! Finally, I only mentioned this earlier in the week here, but I'm totally sold on this Soap & Glory kick ass pressed powder. It's translucent, which I love, and never makes my skin look cakey. So far, it always does a magical job of keeping my skin matte but not too matte (if you're with me).

At the moment I'd recommend all of these 100% if you're looking for something new in your skin basics!

Are any of these already staples for you?

n xx

Mini Soap & Glory Haul

Kick Ass Pressed Powder £12

Sexy Motherpucker Gloss Stick £3.50

Sexy Motherpucker lip gloss £9

Thick & Fast HD mascara £10.50

Recently I've been trying out a few new make up bits, and one thing turned into another when I got into Boots. Originally I just went in the Kick Ass powder, which I've wanted to try for a while so I decided to finally take the plunge. It's more expensive than the normal powder I buy (Rimmel Stay Matte), so I'm hoping it's worth the extra! It's translucent, so it won't be too dark, which is a problem I have with some S&G skin products. Plus there's a mirror inside, which I'm lacking in all my other products for when I'm on the go!

The other bits I picked up were the new gloss stick in Pink-a-boo, which is just about the girliest lip product I've ever bought. It's quite a subtle pink when it's on your lips, but it's got glitter in it too. At first I wasn't sure if I liked it, but it's grown on me after wearing it for a whole day! I've mentioned the lip gloss before here, but I thought I'd sneak it back in because it's still one of my favourite low-maintenance lip products.

Lastly, I picked up the Thick and Fast HD mascara. I absolutely love the normal version of this mascara, so I thought I'd give this one a go. The brush is different, as it's longer bristles one side, and shorter round the other, so you can target bottom and top lashes with the same mascara. I'm planning a comparison post soon!

Have you got any S&G recommendations?

n xx