POTD#1

Parisian Navy Swallow Print Skater Dress

£19.99

Buy it here!

Parisian Stone Bird Print Skater Dress

£19.99

Buy it here!

The skater dress style has always been a must for me! I have an hourglass figure and I think these dresses are really flattering on me... I think they're flattering on all figures actually. 

They're tighter at the waste so they create that curve and the skirt flares out so it can create hips or hide a multitude of sins. It's perfection!

I also love the high neckline. I do have a big chest and hate that every outfit looks trashy because my cleavage is front and central. I love that it looks relaxed and classy at the same time.

Effortless.

I've read some back reviews about New Look but I've never had a problem. It's cheap and cheerful. You just have to know what to look for.

1. My key buying point is to always invest. I tend to stick to key colours like neutrals or block colours because even if fashion changes... key colours are always in. Navy, black, creams, whites and greys are all sitting proud in my wardrobe.
2. I NEVER buy materials that are too flimsy or thick. I like to be able to wear my clothes all year round so I don't buy anything too Summery or too big for Winter. I love a dress that I can wear in Summer and then just add tights and a cardigan to for Winter.
3. DON'T buy products with a thread loose or a stain on. At least NOT for full price. Point it out or leave it on the rack. I don't believe in 'fixing' clothes that should be on sale or made perfectly by the manufacturer anyway.
4. DO buy pattern but make sure it's a pattern you know you'll love for a long time. Keep the word investment in your head at all times. I LOVE birds and animals so I know I'll always find the shirt or dress cute and me in ten years time. 

                                                    

I need, need, need!

 1. Puff On Radiance by Lily Cole. £16.00.

2. Shimmer Cubes by Lily Cole. £16.00.

3. Pearl Radiance Primer by Lily Cole. £12.00.

4. Radiant Highlighter. £11.00.

5. Colourglide™ Shine Lip Colours in Vintage Rose, Pink Flash & Iced Violet. £9.00.

6. Brush on Radiance. £13.00.

Buy them all here! 

 I already own a lot of The Body Shop products and make up so I know exactly what I'd be getting.

Amazing quality, 

Their brushes are the softest I've ever tried AND they're cruelty-free so this is a gigantic thing for me.

I think their Shimmer cubes are my favourite eyeshadows to use along with Urban Decay *also cruelty free*.

I'm actually skint at the minute so I've convinced my boyfriend to get me some of the Lily Cole collection for my birthday (which is in December, lol) because I presume it's limited edition? I'm not sure but I wanted to be safe.

At least I'll have something waiting for me in a few months!

Summer is dark.

I know it's Summer and it is hot as hell where I live but black is my favourite shade to wear. I cannot get enough of it. 

Yes, I love bright colours, patterns and pastels but if I'm unsure... I a-l-w-a-y-s go back to black.

Cow Purse. £95. Love Moschino.

Buy it here!

My gosh, I LOVE this purse. I want it so badly! It's so adorable and right up my street.

Pack of 3 moustache rings. £8. Asos.

Buy them here!

This are so cute. I love anything moustache and I love black and gold together. Perfect.

JK Jemma Kidd On Location set. £16. Asos.

Buy it here! 

This is a beautiful palette and it comes in two different sets. I prefer 01 Dare to Bare. It's more me and it's something that can be used everyday so it's good for the price!

Platform heel sandals. £49.99. Zara.

Buy them here!

These are soooo gorgeous. Definitely my style. I prefer thicker heels. They're more comfortable, I find.

These are so chic too.

Gold and gorgeous!

1. Printed Canvas Shopper. KARL. £20.

Buy it here!

I love this bag. Shoppers are a must for me as I don't use leather. I love anything fashion and anything artsy so this sketch of Karl Lagerfeld is bliss to me. Lovely.

2. Bug Buckle Metal Belt. ASOS. £15.

Buy it here!

I love all living things and I love to wear images of them! I have cats, bunnies, dears, people, birds, bugs!

This is perfect!

3. Gold Tone Anchor Stud Earrings. RIVER ISLAND. £1.50

Buy them here!

What a bargain! I've always been in love with the ocean and anything nautical! Perfect for Summer!

4. Gold Plated & Silver Feather Drop Earrings. MATHIAS CHAIZE. £85.

Buy them here!

These are right up my street. So lovely and not obnoxious at all. I love two toned jewelry!

5. S.O.P.H.I.E - I Collection lipstick in Test. ILLAMASQUA. £15.50.

Buy it here!

I love Illamasqua's lipsticks. I'm a huge fan of matte lipsticks and these are generally that perfect texture that I love so much. I love their design of packaging too. So chic!

6. Multi Zip Horse Clutch in Nude. ASOS. £30.

Buy it here!

They also do this clutch in black and I'd struggle to pick one but I love this nude for Summer. It's not a huge contrast from the gold so it's not too in-your-face.

7. Little Round Pot Eyeshadow in 10 Beige Pailette. BOURJOIS. £5.99

Buy it here!

I used to collect the little round pots in Boots because they're always 3 for 2! I stopped for a while because the colour pay off isn't great but with neutrals... I don't mind! It is buildable.

8. Gold Cat and Mouse Multi Finger Ring. RIVER ISLAND. £7.

Buy it here!

I cannot tell you how much I LOVE this ring. It's so cute and I am obsessed with cats so this is amazing to me!

9. Holiday 2011 Highlighting Blush. NARS. £20.50.

Buy it here!

I want, want, want this. I am using a Topshop one at the moment and I love it but I really, really want this because I also love NARS packaging!

Have fun buying my faves!

Soap & Glory?! Or Soap and Gory?! We'll see!

For years now, I've avoided Soap & Glory. I still don't like the smell of their products BUT I gave in because of my friends' great reviews! 

Now I'm sat here... in my little room trying to avoid admitting defeat. I love an item from Soap & Glory's range.

I am in love with their Breakfast Scrub... as you can clearly see!

The Breakfast Scrub by Soap & Glory (£9.50, Boots)

I think I love this more because it doesn't have the usual Soap & Glory smell!

I think I'm the only person in the world who cannot stand their original scent.

This smells of maple... yes, you read correctly... MAPLE. I want to eat it so badly.

I use this twice a week in rotation with my Body Shop exfoliation body brush... I don't want to scare the life out of my skin!

It's has lasted for 4 months so far and I think it still has 1 to go!

Definitely worth the money. Deffffffinitely.

*sniffs it*

GAH!

L-R: Hand Food (£5.00, Boots) & Heel Genius (£5.50, Boots)

Okay, this is my third Hand Food! It's lovely and my hands have never been softer BUT that could also be my almond hand cream from The Body Shop... which smells so much better too!

Once I've finished all three tubes, I won't be buying anymore! I just don't love it as much as everyone else does. And I find that if you accidentally squeeze just a smidge more than a pea-sized amount... you're rubbing it into my hands for ages! 

Onto Hell Genius... I... love... it.

The biggest and only negative about this is that it smells worse than Hand Food. It smells so horrible BUT I can ignore that in this case because it's the best foot cream I've ever used!

I put a lot on before bed and then put my little moisturising socks on top and in the morning my feet are softer than a feather brushing against a cherub's chubby cheek.

And the packaging on it is gorgeous!

I got this as a gift off my mum for Christmas and they're still full! I don't have a price for them because they came in a set that Boots just seemed to sell at Christmas.

They're both in handy (no pun intended!) pump-top bottles! I leave these on my dresser in their metal holder so I can just pump on the go! 

The packaging is adorable so I don't mind them taking up space in my room.

Both have the usual Soap & Glory scent.

Last forever!

So, I'm not the biggest Soap & Glory fan (excluding the cosmetic line, it's amazing)!

I'll be walking past 90% of their products in Boots unless they change the smell!

Off to work I go!

Katy x

Products I'm lusting after...

Recent buys that I love!

I did buy this stuff in Edinburgh! I guess it's a continuation from the other blog post.

There is more... this is not the last from the Edinburgh spends!

So I went into Zara (as usual) for the black bag with the rose gold latch! 

See it here!
I also went into the store for some black ballerina flats with little skulls on. So cute.
We searched for about 15 minutes but nope, all gone! I did ask the person wandering around doing nothing but she said they don't sell the bag anymore and that the shoes are only available on the website. Bah.
As we walked upstairs to look at clothes for my boyfriend... I remembered that I bookmarked a gorgeous bag on the website that also had a rose gold latch...
They had it! Yey!
It was £19.99 which is amazing for Zara. It isn't leather but I don't use or buy leather so I was so happy.
It's so spacious inside!

I also bought Cleopatra with Liz Taylor. It's one of my favourite movies! Amazing.
It cost me £5.00 from HMV.
Bargain!

Then we went to the Museum of Childhood and it was so cool! Lots of old games and dolls!
But the best part was the gift shop, of course!

This book is amazing! I love baking and I adore crafts and it's jam-packed full of all things to do with Alice in Wonderland.
I'll be using a lot of things in this book for my wedding when it eventually happens!

Hope you liked what I bought!

Katy x

LUSH! Cupcake Fresh Face Mask

So, I've been super loyal to products that have done me some justice, lately! I used to be really fickle but let's face it (no pun intended)... I used to get spots all the time!

I discovered LUSH! a few years ago and since then I've been in love.

I'd always try a new bath bomb or bubble bomb but I'd never switch up my face masks.

I either used Cupcake from LUSH! or The Body Shop's Warming Mineral Mask (also insanely good).

WARNING

This face mask will make you instantly attractive and all men will think you're a fox!

I know the label says it's perfect for teen skin and oily skin but I have always had super dry skin. Guess what? It works for me. I should have read the label... It could have gone totally wrong.

It didn't!

I loveeee the Cupcake mask and always will!

And on a plus... the smell ALWAYS makes me feel happy.

I know what you're thinking! It looks like something that is familiar to all of us... but we won't go there! Promise!

Actually, I lied... the texture of the face mask is also a bit of an icky reminder to our icky friend that we hate and it also includes a few little lumps but get past the horrible look and feel and you'll be happy!

I also love LUSH! fresh face masks throughout Summer because you keep them in the fridge so it's an instant amazebomb moment when you smear that gorgeous, lumpy, brown stuff all over your face on a hot day!

Never thought I'd type that!

Katy x

PS. How cute are my nails this week? I'm about to change them now so figured I'd let you see first.

Tutorial coming soon(ish)!

LUSH! and The Body Shop haul

I said in my previous post how The Boy and I had spent wayyy too much money on our little trip to Edinburgh. Well, instead of doing one giant haul post... I've decided to split it into a few! It means I'm not sat here all day writing one gigantic post. 

I'll start with The Body Shop because I only got a few things from there. It's probably my favourite store. Actually, I can say it is 100%!

Above: Chocomania Lip Butter (£4.00, The Body Shop)

I've wanted to try The Body Shop's Chocomania range for a while now. I am a huge chocolate fan but I've given it up now so I wanted to avoid anything that would tempt me! I didn't give it up to help in weight loss or anything... I get severe migraines and chocolate is my main cause.

I felt I could smell this now without wanting to lick it and after all that waiting... I actually hate the smell, lol but I will use it because I hate waste! It's (ironically) a bit too chocolatey!

 L-R: Shea Body Butter (£12.50, The Body Shop) & Body Brush (£7.00, The Body Shop)

I love anything that's very organic smelling. I love wood and nut scents. My favourite body butters from The Body Shop are the Shea, Almond, Coconut, Cocoa and Brazil nut!

I'm not a huge fruit-scent fan a part from Watermelon and Guava.

And as for the body brush... I have really wanted one of these for ages but always forgot to get one. I use The Body Shop's small face brush and it's done wonders for me. A lot cheaper than a Clarisonic, anyway.

I am absolutely in love with LUSH! I am a complete LUSHPuppet! (My new term, it's the new 'fetch' for LUSH!)

I could buy that whole store but I was with The Boy and I know he gets bored really easily in there. I took him there for a gigantic shop at Christmas because I love their cinnamon stuff! Yummy.

Above: Space Girl (£1.95, LUSH!)

You'll LOVE this if you love Parmaviolets! One of my favourite. It also has little flecks of glitter. Lovely. I got a few of these to tide me over until I get to a LUSH! store again... there isn't one in my city!

Above: Mmmelting Marshmallow (£3.75, LUSH!)

This one is a first for me but it's got amazing reviews. It's very sweet smelling just like their Creamy Candy bubble bar. Not the most attractive compared to LUSH!'s other products. 

Above: The Comforter (£4.15, LUSH!)

I've tried this once before and it was a 'meh' product to me but I always get drawn to the look of it so I figured I'd try it again. It smells kind of soapy to me.

L-R: Yuzu and Cocoa Bubbleroon (£2.95, LUSH!) and Creamy Candy (£2.45, LUSH!)

I've just tried the Bubbleroon for the first time two days ago and it is absolutely amazing. It smells like a subtle Terry's Chocolate Orange to me. It left my skin feeling sooo soft and it was one of the most relaxing baths I've ever had. Bliss. So happy I got two of these!

Creamy Candy is a firm favourite of mine. Only buy this if you like sweet smells because my mum said it smelled like someone had vomited candy floss in the bathroom. Charming, I know.

 Above: Oatifix Fresh Face Mask (£5.75, LUSH!)

LUSH! facemasks have to be my favourite of all! They have done my skin wonders and I love that they're all organic and fresh instead of having those cheap, sticky, chemical masks from Superdrug! You know the ones I mean! 

This one smells horrible in the store but I know how good oats and bananas are for your skin so I ignored that. Once I'd put it on I got a huge whiff of bananas on warm porridge. It was lovely. 

Only negative was that my family thought it was hilarious. 

*Looks seriously like baby vomit when applied*

I usually stuck to Cupcake but I'm reaching out a lot more. Next I'm trying Catastrophe Cosmetic and Ayesha!

That's all for now! Hope you have a fab day!

Katy x