Barry M Sunset Daylight Curing Nail Paint

When I saw these pop up on Twitter last night I was instantly intrigued, as I'm always interested in gel nail alternatives. Whilst UV cured gel nails do have their bonuses, I find that removal is too much of a hassle and it can be quite damaging. These however claim to give a salon like finish whilst curing naturally in day light. You simply apply two coats of your chosen shade then apply the special topcoat. It instructs that no other top coat will work so they have to used together.
I bought these today from Superdrug for £4.99 each and was pleased to see the 3 for 2 makeup offer on across all brands. I bought the shades 'Fuchsia Generation' and 'I've been Pinkin' as well as the topcoat. I've already applied the latter shade and so far I'm impressed. The brush is shaped perfectly in order to get a neat finish and the formula is smooth and pretty easy to work with. Drying time was good too. After I had applied it I went for a quick walk in the sunshine so hopefully it has helped to 'cure' it. We shall see how it holds up! For now though they are very glossy and I love the amazingly bright pink shade. Perfect for Spring and Summer.

There was a good selection of other shades available too, so if these are a success I could be tempted to try some more!

Easter Sunday

I don't normally do anything special for Easter, usually it's just another day, but today has been particularly pleasant.

I started the day by sneakily organising an Easter egg hunt for Stu. I thought of doing it earlier in the week whilst he was ill, plus I couldn't resist the cute little tin buckets they were selling in Home Bargains! Considering I only hid them in our living room/kitchen and hallway I think I did well to hide 32 eggs and bunnies! He was pretty quick at finding them though (bar a few lower down. Being about 6ft 1 he easily got the ones on the top of the picture frames, well the ones I could reach!) so I may have to up my game next year!

After that excitment we then set off for the Chester Food, Drink and Lifestyle festival, picking up Stu's younger sister on the way. We went last year and were really impressed so I'm glad we got to go again, especially as we didn't know it was this weekend and nearly missed out. It was fairly busy when we got there but not overly so once we were looking at the outdoor stalls. There was so much to choose from but my first port of call was the Pizza Peddlers. You couldn't miss them in their van (a vintage Citreon 'H' van-called Rowlie'- I learnt this on Facebook!)/ The pizzas were wood fired and looked amazing, so I chose the wild mushroom one with mozarella and wild garlic finished with parmesan and a sprinkling of truffle oil. It was just gorgeous and done so quickly. £6 was a bargain I felt. They do weddings too so I may be looking into them. After all it is one of my favourite foods! I really wanted one of the hot dogs from the 'Piggy Smalls' stand (especially the 'Notorious P.I.G one- it had bacon jam!) but I was rather full after my pizza! I'll definitely be looking out for them in other festivals though.

After another wander we came across a macaron stall and I bought a rose and raspberry one. I've never had macarons before and there were so many flavours to choose from but I couldn't resist that combination. It was unusual but the flavours really worked. I wish I had bought a box of different ones now so I could of tried more! The macaron was pretty small, and of course I had room for more sweetness, so next I had a creme egg crepe from the 'I Love Crepes' stall. It was delicious but a little tricky to eat with a plastic spoon. I just shoved it in my gob with my fingers in the end! I'm not ashamed to say I could have had another. Or a banana and Nutella one.

It got a bit lopsided in my bag!

We did try and see Gregg Wallace in the chef demo stage area but it was absolutely rammed. I sort of expected this but at least I got to hear him! Do love Gregg has to be said.
Before we left I treated myself to a Pink Passion cocktail from The Fresh Lemonade Co. It contained vodka and passion fruit liquor (I can't remember what else- possibly their lemonade?) and was very very good! I wanted a pinl gin fizz too but at £6 a go I thought one would do! Again they also do weddings which I would love. Who doesn't love a cocktail?!
For just £6 a ticket I would highly recommend the food festival- definitely the best one I've visited so far.

We returned home and then went back out to my mums to have a roast dinner. We rarely do a roast for ourselves so it made a nice change and was very yum. Mum had also made cupcakes and brownies, which sadly put my muffins to shame. Least they looked the part!

All in all a lovely day made even better knowing there is no work tomorrow. Or for another week!

What I Have Bought Lately

Or rather, what I have been wasting my money on lately. That is often more likely the case!

So I think I should start with a rather fabulous bag that I bought from Nica- the Venice crossbody. I saw it on Twitter one day and I had to hunt it down! I was a bit disappointed when I saw that it was £45 on the website, but then I checked again a few days later and it was half price so I just had to get it. I don't normally impulse buy quite expensive things like this, but it really was love at first site! Look at that cat dammit! I had to get the blue one but they also do it in black, lemon, navy floral and black/white floral. They also do a Venice tote bag.
It's the perfect size for me and I can't wait to use it- though I sort of don't want to take it out and spoil it!

On Wednesday I went to Chester with my dad and managed to get quite a few bargains. In Boots I bought a Seventeen Stay Pout lipstick in the shade Rule Breaker and a nail polish in Toasted Almond. I've never seen these lippies before so I'm wondering if they were a free gift at one point. In any case it has a rather jazzy gem on the top and is a really pretty berry shade.

In Primark I couldn't resist these Sweep slippers. Just couldn't. I grabbed the last pair in my size so I was well chuffed! These were £4 and they also had Sooty available. I might be tempted.
I also bought some more glass nail files and some false nails to play around with. I always really like the designs they do but I must have oddly shapes thumb nails because I can never find sizes to fit them!

We had a little browse in a charity shop and I found a copy of The Miniaturist for a quid. I've been trying to read more lately so this will go onto the 'to read' pile. Pleased to get this for so cheap.

I collected my Xtras order the day too which is always very exciting. I got the W7 In The City natural nudes palette, a L'Oreal Color Riche eyeshadow in 201 Cafe Saint Germain and a Sally Hansen polish in Pinch Of Punch. 

The pigmentation of the palette is much better than I thought it would be, and bar the first two shades, are actually pretty decent for the price. I'd still use a primer with them though. The L'Oreal eyeshadow is a very wearable shimmery brown shade (for want of a better description). It's swatches more cool toned than it appears when actually applied. The texture is very soft as it is 'gel infused' but I do find that it quickly gets that shee', if you get my drift, that makes it difficult to pick up the colour. Maybe it's my fault for using my fingers and not a brush! It's quickly resolved with a little scraping though. 

The Sally Hanson polish is a bit more purple toned in real life and I bought it thinking it looked a lot like Essie's Splash of Grenadine. Which I already own a dupe of. But still. Forever an addict. Here is the Seventeen polish also. It's a bit too frosty for my liking but I think my mum will go for it. 

I've said it before but I do love Xtras. It's all so cheap and there's always a discount code around-plus it's free delivery with no minimum spend. 

On Monday I went shopping in Wrexham and got suckered into the Peacocks sale. Shamefully I bought a Christmas jumper. It was £8 from £16 so half price but still not completely bargainous. I fell in love with the robins though and I did have my eye on it when it was actually Christmas. I'm sure I'll be pleased I bought it though when December rolls around again! 

I also bought a plain grey hoodie as I live in these. Nothing exciting but I know I'll get my wear out of it. I think it was a fiver thought the sticker said eight. 

I didn't need anymore pyjamas, but I spotted these toast and biscuit ones on the way to the till and just had to have them. Love a bit of whimsy. 

The black trousers are from Primark and are the silky pj sort. I loved my pair last Summer so I thought I would get these early before they sold out, which is always the case in Primark when I see Summer clothes I like! I think these were £8, 

I did have more to include but I think I'll put them into separate posts! 

Have you bought any bargains lately? 

Amie Morning Dew Matte-Finish Moisturiser

I think I may have finally found a moisturiser that my skin agrees with- it may even be HG status! I actually bought this in late 2013 but I haven't had it opened that long, it's just been in my stash! I have been using it for quite a while though and it's coming to an end finally. I'm going to buy a replacement soon though, as I don't think I can go without it!
I think the reason I love it so much is that it actually lives up to its claim of being matte finish. So many moisturisers claim to be mattifying and I've nearly always been disappointed. Thankfully I can put this on knowing that it won't leave me looking lardy faced minutes later. It sinks in really quickly but is still effective at getting rid of any dryness. Another reason to like it is that it is free from parabens, sulphates, mineral oils and animals extracts. I'm not particularly fussy on ingredients but I do prefer products that are more natural. It's also suitable for vegans and vegetarians and is BUAV approved.
Rosehip and bilberry are used to help nourish the skin, whilst plant sugars are used to hydrate. I can also spy orange and lemon fruit extracts in the ingredients, which I'm sure have their benefits.The list isn't all virtuous but it doesn't claim to be completely natural. As long as my skin is happy with it then I don't mind, and it's better than a lot of moisturisers at this price point. Speaking (or writing) of which, this normally costs around £4 but I got mine when it was on a half price offer at Tesco. I'm hoping I can find it on offer again soon but £4 is very reasonable as it is.
If you have combination/oily, frequently blemished skin like mine then I highly recommend this moisturiser!

Saturday Strolling

Seeing as it was a lovely day yesterday we decided to take a stroll around the lake (well, mere) in Ellesmere, which is a little town outside Oswestry. Stu had been working until 1 and I had stayed in doing some tidying, so we both wanted to get out and get some fresh air and sunshine!

The water looked so blue and was surprising clear. Sort of reminded me of the super clear sea in Mallorca, not that you'd go swimming in the lake! There is a sculpture trail there too, and  although we didn't see all of them, we enjoyed looking at the ones we passed. I think Stu liked looking at all the dogs that were about more though, he does love his pooches! The lakeside is very well kept and there were lots of couples and families about enjoying the Spring sunshine. It would be a great place to take a little picnic and have an ice cream, as long as the ducks and geese don't pinch anything!

Hope you've been enjoying some much needed sunshine too! 

Sunday Shopping With Sis and Stu

Oo I love a nice bit of alliteration.

So, yes, on Sunday me and Stu met up with my sis in town. We had lunch first at Frankie and Benny's as they have a 20% off voucher going (note: do not have their mac and cheese, it was most meh) then a little mosey around the shops. I didn't need anything in particular, I was just up for a good browse. As is always the way really!

Firstly we went to QD Stores as my sister needed something from there. I don't go in here very often so it was good to have a proper look around. I bought the reward stars for work as these are the sort I use with the boy I work with on his chart. 99p for over 900 stickers is a bargain! I also couldn't resist the cupcake memo pad with pencil. I might also use this in work, but I haven't really decided yet. This was £1.99. They also did a lovely weekly planner in this design but sadly I don't need one. If you're on the look out for a blogging one then it could be of intesrest though. It was only £2.99 too!

I also bought the Fini sweets here (I think they're a Spanish brand) as I'd heard somewhere that they were good. Which I can now agree with. I'm a sugarholic though so I'm easily pleased! These were 99p and I'll probably be buying them again. 

I nearly forgot about this gift bag! I do love a good gift bag and I could not leave this doughnut one there. Also, you can't tell but one side is sparkly. The was just over a quid for the large size, I can't remember the exact price, and they also did small ones in the same design.

In Poundworld I bought the two pack of cotton gloves to try out, as I always manage to lose the pair I've got. The quality is pretty poor and they're very thin but for a quid what do you expect I suppose! They'll do as spares at least.

From TK Maxx I bought the Charbrew Strawberries and Cream teabags, for about £2 odd I think, as well as the milk and white chocolate 'Choconchoc' bar with raspberry pieces. This was in the reduced area as it's broken but it was still £2. I wanted to try it though as I've heard about the brand and it's £3.99 normally. I've already tried the fruit tea and it was very pleasant. Sweet but not too cloying.

In Wilkinsons I got quite a few bargains. Firstly I bought the E45 Repair and Protect overnight hand cream for £3.20, as my hands are in a state again and I'd read a couple of positive reviews. I've used it for a few days now and I'm not overly impressed but I'll give it a fair test and carry on a bit longer! I also got the Aussie body wash on a friends recommendation. I didn't even know about these but they were on an introductory price of £2.  I chose the Shower Smoothie one and it smells amazing! They could have used different packaging though as it does look exactly like the shampoo. The bargain of the day were the black bobbles for just 10p a pack. These have a nice amount of stretch in them (if you have thick hair you'll know how hard it is to find some with enough give!) and you can never have too many.

From Primark I bought a bunny fleecy throw and some 'Feet Heaters' socks, The throw should have been £4,50 but for some reason it was £3.90 at the till. Not that I'm complaining. I wanted it when I saw it in the store in Devon so I'm glad I've finally got it. The socks were £2 and they look really cosy. I'm always cold so these will be perfect.

Overall a good shopping day I reckon! If a little random! 

Got yourself any bargains lately? 

Urban Veda Daily Purifying Facial Wash

I've been meaning to write about this cleanser for ages but I just kept forgetting. I don't know why as I'm really impressed with it and have since bought a full size tube. I think I received this travel sized one in a beauty box- I can't remember which one. I started using it when I went back home for Christmas and I soon used it up. I like using foaming cleansers in the shower and although this contains no SLS, it lathers up really well and a little goes a long way. As the name suggests it's for oily, blemish prone skin and contains Neem and other botanicals (wild mint, witch hazel, eucalyptus) to help control sebum and minimise pores, as well as helping to mattify. It's also worth mentioning the lovely minty smell, which is perfect for using in the mornings!  I've still been getting the odd spot but I do think it has helped control blemishes in general. I don't find it anywhere near as drying as some foaming cleansers but I would always moisturise after using this. My current favourite is Amie Morning Dew Matte-Finish moisturiser- expect a review of this soon! 

If you have oily, spot prone skin, then I definitely recommend you try this out. It is a little more pricey than what I'd normally pay but I think it's worth it. You can buy it at various places online but I bought mine from Bodykind for £8.99 with free delivery. I'm very tempted to try some other products from the range. 

I've forgot to mention that as well as being SLS free, it contains no parabens or GM ingredients, and is Vegetarian Society approved and not tested on animals. Which is all good stuff.