New Nude (ish) Lipsticks

So it would appear I have been suckered in by the trend for nude lips at the moment. I've never been a massive fan of truly 'nude' lips as I often find then too brown and most just wash me out. I definitely prefer more pink based ones as they are much more flattering on me. I think my favourite one is my Essence lipstick in Natural Beauty. I wanted to experiment a little lately though and I've amassed quite a few new shades.

The first shade is 'Whispers' by Freedom. It's isn't technically a nude, on me at least, as on the lips it's quite bright and pink, It's really nice though and not a shade I've worn before. Plus it was a bargain at only a quid. The second shade is the Rimmel Kate lipstick in 45- the pinkest nude in the new range. I'm still on the fence about this one. I think if it was a little more sheer I would like it more. Next is another Freedom one in 'Sooner or Later'. I think this has just the right amount of pink and brown tones. This would be the one I would use for a 'proper' nude lip. Following this is a Maybelline Color Sensational  lipstick in 'Iced Caramel'. This is the darkest of the bunch, and though quite brown, I do like it. Not a fan at all but I think it would fall under the 'Kylie Jenner' catorgory! Lastly we have a Wild About Beauty Nutrilips lipstick in 'Bobbie'. I received this shade in a YouBeauty Discovery box and was quite disappointed when I saw it! I find it too pale and brown to wear on it's own (it really washes me out!) but as it's sheer it seems to work well layered over brighter pink lippies to tone them down. I tried this with 'Whispers' to lessen the brightness and it did the job nicely. It's a shame the colour isn't me as the texture is really lovely.

L-R-Freedom 'Whispers', Rimmel Kate '45', Freedom 'Sooner or Later', Maybelline 'Iced Coffee', Wild About Beauty 'Bobbie'

Do you have any of these shades? What do you think?

School's Out For Summer!

Cliché title but I couldn't help it! I now have 7 (yup!) weeks off before I start work again in September, In the past I've had a summer job to help tide me over but, at the risk of sounding lazy, I just don't fancy it. I work really hard during term time and I find it both mentally and physically draining, so I just want to have a summer relaxing and doing what I like.

I love a 'to-do' post but I thought I'd do a more positive one than the last, and list the more fun things I want to do with my time off.

• Have a road trip to Bangor. I went to Bangor Uni (8 years ago now-how?!) and I haven't been back since my graduation in 2011. For the most part I had a really good time there so I'm looking forward to going back and reminiscing. Going to Menai bridge and looking at the gorgeous views along the straits is top of the list for me. I'm hopefully going to go with my friend, who I met in my first year in halls. We're both from the same place and we've stayed close ever since-she's truly lovely.

• My birthday! It's my birthday in August and I've been thinking of ways I want to spend the day. I've already got my eye on a good restaurant we could go to in Chester. I'm also toying with the idea of a fancy afternoon tea. Anything with food really! I'm grateful for any gifts but I'd love to get the Sabrina the Teenage Witch boxset. I only thought of it the other day but it would be perfect! Harvey & Sabrina forever <3 

• Camping. I'd love to go camping this year. I used to go on a camping holiday every year when I was younger and adored it. I think it would be a really good way to de-stress and get away from technology! Ideally I'd like to go camping near the coast but I'm open to different ideas. 

• Trip to the seaside! Linked to the above I suppose, but I really, really want to go the beach. I find it so relaxing looking out to sea and strolling on the sand. I will keep an eye on the weather and try and plan a trip. Added ice creams preferable. 

• Barbecue. My mum has been saying she's going to do one for ages, so hopefully we'll get lucky with the weather soon and they'll be free to do one. She does do a good spread, haha. 

• Walks. I love going on a relaxing, scenic walk. It's good to just get outside and get some fresh air and exercise, which is much needed! I'd like to see some more places in Shropshire and Powys. Theres some pretty villages around so it would be good to do some exploring!

That's all I can think of for now, but I'm sure more will pop up!

Weekend Wedding

Hi! Hope you're all doing well. I've been pretty busy lately but the thought of just 2 more weeks in school (well 9 working days now) is keeping me going! I can't wait for a break so that I can finally get the flat sorted and tackle all the jobs I've been meaning to do!
On Saturday we went to a friends wedding in a lovely little village outside of Oswestry. The weather was gorgeous and we had a great time. It got me thinking about how I want my wedding to be and how I need to start saving. How many times have I said that on here since I've gotten engaged?! It will happen though, it has to! I was also pretty pleased that I managed to wear some proper high heels without toppling over. Quite an achievement for me! I loved the dress I chose and I'm a bit sad that I didn't manage to get a picture of myself in it but you can see it here! It wasn't the dress I was going to wear originally but I saw it on sale for 30% off in Dorothy Perkins and I had to have it. I did have to loosen the belt on it later on though thanks to the amazing hog roast and buffet!
Make up wise I stuck to what I know and used my usual Rimmel Lasting Finish Nude foundation along with my Make Up Gallery blusher and Body Shop honey bronzer. For eyes I chose my favourite combo of colours (the taupey shades) from my Make Up Revolution Iconic 2 palette, finished off with my fave Seventeen Doll'd Up mascara. I don't really know why I bother having other shadows when I nearly always just use this one! My lipstick, which I'm not actually wearing in the picture, is from Essence in the shade Natural Beauty.
I straightened my hair but as usual it got pouffy again quickly. I can never get my hair as sleek as they do in the hairdressers! Hopefully when I'm not in work I'll have the time to embrace my natural waves-it'll be much less hassle!

Hope you had a good weekend too :)

Book Review: I'll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson

I have been reading furiously over the weekend in order to get this review out, but I have to say it was a pleasure not a pain! I haven't been into reading of late (books as opposed to mags, blogs etc) but this one gripped me and now I feel like I really want to crack on with some more in my to- read pile.
I was very interested in reading this when I read it would be the first #sassybooks title (the blogger book club created by Hayley and Charlotte) as although I'm not usually into YA fiction, it was about twins, and being one myself, it really piqued my interest. One of the first things that struck me was how descriptive and emotional Nelson's writing is. It really is beautiful. Though I have to admit sometimes it was so abstract it was hard to get my head around! Art plays a major part of the story and the way she paints a picture with words really reflects this. Incidentally the art theme was also endearing to me as our parents met in art college. I wish I could say I'm as talented as they are but sadly I don't have the same flair!
I'll Give You The Sun revolves around twins Noah and Jude who were once 'more one than two' but through a series of events have ended up fragmented and so far away from each other, though they live in the same house. As I was getting into it, I wondered what it would be like to have a twin brother rather than a sister and if we would be as close as we are. Who knows! What I do know is that I could appreciate the special bond that twins have, as corny as it sounds. I was particularly taken with the part where Jude describes the first time they were apart in life. Not sure of a page number but location 3213 of 5276 on my Kindle if that helps. It really resonated with me.
 I liked that the story alternated between Jude and Noah, at different ages. I always find that books with alternating narrators are better at keeping my attention. It was good to see things from their point of view and to see how their pieces of the story fit together as the story progresses. Also, what I loved was how well developed the characters were. Nelson really brings them to life and you can imagine perfectly what they look they and how they act. The whole spectrum of emotions ( and probably more!) are covered from pure elation to crushing lows and everything in between. It's introspection brilliantly done. However I do wonder if anyone really thinks like that on a day to day basis- it would be very exhausting. Though I don't doubt that we all have our moments.
Normally with YA I find the characters to be quite immature. I'm 26 shortly and though I don't feel my age ( I've definitely not had a hard paper round)  I still find that I can't relate to a lot of the storylines, or have empathy towards the characters. However with this I didn't find that to be the case. Even the parts told by a 13 year old Noah struck a cord. I'm not sure how many teenagers are that philosophical, they surely exist of course, but in any case it's all the better for it.
 As emotionally descriptive as it is, it's still what I would class as 'easy' to read, without being fluffy and superficial. These are the types of books I enjoy best so I'm very glad I chose to read this as ordinary I don't think I would be drawn to it as, like I mentioned earlier, YA is not a genre I tend to go for. So thank you to Hayley and Charlotte for bringing it to my attention!
Definitely one I can recommend.

Make Up Gallery Long Lasting Foundation- Initial Thoughts

Today I tried out one of my latest purchases from the Make Up Gallery line at Poundland. I'm not a make up snob any means but I did wonder how well a pound shop foundation would perform. After wearing it today I can say that for the price it's really not bad. I got the palest shade available 'Ivory' and it's still a little dark on me. It's wearable but I think it will be a better match once I've got more of a tan. Coverage was pretty low but I think it could be built up. It still worked well at evening out my skin but it sadly didn't cover a big spot up very well! It applied well with a beauty blender- the formula doesn't feel cheap. It claims to leave a matte finish but I felt it was a bit more shiny than my regular Rimmel Lasting Finish Nude. I definitely needed to use powder afterwards, but I do have quite oily skin. It's now been about 5 hours since I first put it on and I could do with a blotting paper!It lasted pretty well though considering my skin type.
All in all, not a bad budget buy. Hopefully I'll be able to get a proper picture of me wearing it soon.

Make Up Gallery Feeling Blush Blusher

Today I thought I'd do a review on my Make Up Gallery blusher in the shade Candyfloss. This was one of the first items I bought when I found out that Poundland were launching their own make up range. After using it for a good while now I can definitely say it was well worth a pound.
Candyfloss is a peachy pink shade that I think works well for Spring/Summer especially. I've been enjoying wearing this alongside a bit of my Bodyshop honey bronzer- they seem to compliment one another. I usually stick to pink blushes so it makes a nice change to wear a shade that leans more on the peach side.
It's a bit powdery but the pigmentation is really good. In fact it can be quite easy to go overboard! I don't really need any more blushers but for a quid I'm tempted to try another one!

Have you been impressed with anything from Make Up Gallery? 

Sorting Myself Out!

There are so many things I need to do lately that I thought I'd do a post to sort of spur me on and to organise in my head what I need to do!

One of the perks of working in a school is that I have a considerable amount of time off (this just about makes up for the rubbish pay) and whilst I'm facing a long 7 weeks left of term, I know that I'll have plenty of time off in the summer. We're not going away this year either so that's more time to sort my shit out!

• Job hunt. I am seriously considering looking for another job as thinking towards the future, in particular, our wedding (one day!) I need a job with more hours/better pay. I've found work to be more frustrating and challenging this year and it has left me questioning whether I want to branch out and try something different. Trouble is I've only ever worked in schools/nurseries so my experience outside this area is extremely limited! I don't even know what I want so that doesn't help either. We shall see. I think I'll also have a better idea of what I want to do at the end of term, when our roles for the following school year are given. 

• Saving. I desperately need to start saving seriously. As I've said I want to start thinking realistically about wedding planning. Cut backs will definitely need to be made! I need to stop internet shopping and impulse buying, in addition to meal planning properly so that we are not in the supermarket nearly every day. I'm also planning on doing some car boots in the holidays and selling some items on ebay. I have enough junk in the flat and at home to get me started! 

• Sorting & tidying. As much as I'm dreading it, the flat really does need a good sort out! The spare/junk room is really starting to stress me out- trying to get at anything in there is a challenge! I also am in desperate need of storage. Ikea trip I think! My cupboards and drawers are overflowing and I'm tired of items not having a place. I'll try not to take up too much at once as it's so easy to become overwhelmed, especially when you get to that horrible stage of the place looking worse than when you started! 

• The shit tip that is my car. My car. Urgh. It's served me well over the 9 years that I've had it, but it's starting to show its age now. I need to clean my boot out properly once and for all (contents may include a bag of poster paint, mouldy trainers and an old tv amongst all the other miscellaneous crap) and finally get my heating sorted. It constantly blows out hot air even when nothings turned on. Not pleasant at all, especially now it's getting hotter! In an ideal world I would get another, but at the moment it's not financially possible. 

• Me time. I'm planning on getting my hair coloured again during the break. I'm thinking of going back to blonde as it's nearly all grown out now, and it'll help make me feel more summery. I also want to get back into reading ( I feel I say this a lot) and get through all the books that I have stacked up. I want to get away from relying on my laptop/phone for entertainment so I've bought a pack of origami paper so I can have a go at making some more designs. I really enjoying making my lotus and what with all the youtube tutorials about it's not too hard. Well less difficult than trying to follow diagrams!

I hope you haven't found this post too boring- I just really needed to get down my plans!