Instagram Updates #September

Nars Deep Throat Blush..New Love for this, Dinner Date look,  Big hair, getting ready for a night out, Girls Night Out, Cocktails, Boux Avenue PJ's, XEN-Tan, Pre-drinking, Space N.K Haul<3, Laura Mercier second skin blush in Lush Nectarine, feeling fabulous, Mr Darcy, Nars Illuminator, Mac Style Blush, My little man, More Space N.K purchases 

Hello Lovelies... I have been away from my blog for a little while as I just haven't been feeling myself.. a combination of feeling down, not enjoying my job and just general blaahness! I have been keeping up with all the blogs I follow so I'm not totally out of the loop. 

Is there anything you would like to see on my blog? I'd love to hear from you so please leave a comment :) 

Summer Loving in London Town

The past week has seen London bask in the most beautiful summer sun, I love how the sunshine puts a smile on even the grumpiest faces on the London commute. Although it does make the working week a tad depressing being stuck in a hot office sauna, but it also makes the countdown to the weekend immensely exciting!! Those last few hours at work on a Friday afternoon seem to fly by as anticipation for the weekend builds up, and the thought of freedom reigns supreme.
I had a delightful weekend soaking up the sunshine on long walks, exploring central London, pub lunches, boutique shopping...pure bliss.

When the sun shines on London City it is one of the most beautiful places to be, I don't think I really appreciate the prettiness of London until the sun transforms the city and the people, into a joyous place full of hope and happiness. After sampling the delights of London town we decided to make the most of the glorious weather and took a trip to Bicester Village in Oxfordshire. If you haven't been before Bicester is a lovely designer outlet village, which houses many discounted treats in a very pretty setting.

A rather impressive window display in Alexandra McQueen

❤ Happy Days 

On route to lap up the sunshine in Central London

I got some lovely little treats in Bicester Village which I will share with you in an upcoming post :)

Its a little too hot for my lil man *Cutie* 

Have you been enjoying the sunshine? What have you been up to?

Thank you so much to everyone that has left me comments on my previous posts they really brighten up my day :) 

Love Laura xxx

Natural Makeup

I've never been a fan of early mornings I find putting makeup on at 6am a real chore, so lately I've been trying to find some good products that give me the coverage I need, without sacrificing those amazing extra few minutes in bed!  Throughout my uni years I would hardly ever be seen without a full face of makeup, but since entering the working world I've been leaning towards a more natural looking face for Monday-Friday.

Theses products have become staples in my morning routine:

• Laura Mercier Foundation Primer Hydrating 
• Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer spf20 
• Collection 2000 Concealer 
• Mac Cremeblend Blush 'Something Special' 
• Nars Illuminator in 'Orgasm' 
• Mac Lipstick in 'Hue'  

Me with a more natural look for the working week 

What do you think of more natural looking makeup? Do you opt for a more natural look during the week? 

Love Laura xxx

 

Benefit Powda Wowza

 I got this little set from benefit a couple of months ago and have been really surprised by how much I've used it. I've never been overly impressed with Benefit products in the past but I really liked the look of Bella Bamba blush so when I saw this set which included Bella Bamba, Coralista blush and Hoola bronzer I just had to have it.

Benefit £19.50

• Bella Bamba: I knew i would love this blush from the moment i saw it in the pan, its a fairly pigmented pink with gold shimmer running through it, it gives the skin such a lovely glow and looks equally pretty on pale or darker skin tones. 
• Coralista: So many people rave about this blush, personally I'd never seen the appeal ...until now. Coralista is a lovely peachy toned coral, it gives a really natural glow to the skin and has been my go to blush for work most mornings. 
• Hoola Bronzer: A matte bronzer, not at all orange but I personally wouldn't say its anything special and wouldn't pay £23.50 to purchase it individually. 

Overall I think this set was great value and I would definitely re-purchase Bella Bamba and Coralista. 

Me wearing Bella Bamba 

How do you feel about Benefit Products?

Thank you for reading :) 

Laura xxx

Treat Yourself this Valentines day...

Whether you are riding solo representing all the single ladies out there... or totally loved up, us ladies need to treat ourselves to something fabulous now and then! I've compiled a little list of things I'd secretly like to buy for myself this valentines day...

  

• (1) Gorgeous Topshop Dress...I need this in my life 
• (2) Fabulous Dune Heels...Beauts 
• (3) Real Techniques Makeup Brushes 
• (4) Mulberry Postman's lock clutch bag

I think the dress is first on my list! Whatever you're doing for valentines day...Romantic..or Bridget Jones style ...remember to treat yourself  ♥

Love Laura x x 

   

My Top Cheek Products

Hello Girlies (special hello to all my new followers) all your comments on my recent posts have made me smile so thank you so much!

I absolutely love cheek products, they are by far my favourite type of product to buy! I thought I'd do a little summary of the cheek products I'm getting excited about at the moment..and a few I'm lasting after!



L-R: Mac 'Hipness',Mac Cremeblend blush 'Something Special', Bobbi Brown 'Nectar', Mac Cream Colour Base 'Hush', Sue Moxley Famous 'Bali', Mac 'Trace Gold'

• Mac 'Hipness' from the 'To the beach' collection. I got this blusher a few years ago and have used it a lot, but it's still going strong! You only need the tiniest bit for a gorgeous pop of colour! The colour itself is a pinky/corally blush with a slight gold shimmer running through it, looks fab with a tan! 



• Mac Cremeblend Blush 'Something Special' A lovely creme blush that blends so easily into the skin and leaves a lovely glow to the face, a product I always re-purchase as soon as it runs out!  



• Bobbi Brown 'Nectar' quite a bright pink but if used with a light hand leaves a lovely, defined cheek.

• Mac Creme colour base 'Hush' the one cheek product I could not live without! It gives the most beautifully highlighted cheeks, without an overload of too much shimmer...just perfect! I like to layer this under my other blushers on nights out and often receive compliments on the lovely glow it gives my cheeks. 

• Sue Moxley Famous 'Bali' I came across this product whilst browsing in Superdrug, I'd never really looked at this brand before but this gives a lovey highlight to the cheeks the kind I'm always searching for.

• Mac 'Trace Gold' A shimmery, bronzey blush that looks perfect layered over 'Hush' another product that really compliments a tan!

On my Lust List: Nars~Deep Throat and Orgasm

                          Chanel~ Tan de Soleil 

What are your favourite cheek products?

Hope you are all having a fab weekend!

Love Laura x x

FOTD: Everyday Makeup Look ♥

Good Evening girlies, hope you've had a fab Monday :) Just a quick post on my everyday makeup (days where I'm short of time or just not going anywhere particularly special) and the products that tend to be my go-to staples...

 

Laura Mercier hydrating primer

Laura Mercier silk creme foundation in 'beige ivory'

Laura Mercier Loose setting translucent powder

Mac creme colour base in 'Hush' 

L'oreal volume million lashes mascara 

Mac powder blush in 'Well Dressed'

Collection 2000 Concealer in 'medium' 

Mac lipstick in 'Hue' 

I'll be posting up some individual reviews on some of my fav makeup products and a few I received as christmas presents :) 

I'm off to apply for some internships and a few full-time jobs..wish me luck 

Love Laura x

2012...Hopes and dreams...

Hello lovelies

So its 2012, where is the time going? I love how the new year brings with it a feeling of freshness, a time to reflect on the past and set some new goals for the coming year. I thought I'd do a post on the goals I'll be working towards this year:  

• Career ~ Since graduating with an English Literature degree this summer I have felt somewhat in limbo with regards to my career. I have been working as a receptionist in a hospital and whilst its not the worst job in the world, its a million miles away from the career I dream of having. I'd love to get into the world of  journalism or PR, this year I'm determined to get some work experience/an internship to try and get myself on the road to my dream job...

• Blogging~ I really want to get stuck into writing my blog this year, I have a million ideas for posts and lots of beauty products to review but with a full time job its hard to find the time to sit down and write...this year I'll be making an extra special effort to get at least 3 posts up per week :)

• Get Financially Savvy~ I want to start actually saving money this year, often I find myself pretending I'm saving for something special then blowing my wages the first weekend I get them! Perhaps I can start a little fund for the Chanel handbag I really want... ;)

• Driving~ I've had quite a few driving lessons..I've passed my theory test but just haven't quite got to the stage of sitting the practical test... I get so nervous behind the wheel but I vow to get my licence this year!

• Get Healthy~ I know its such a cliche to say I want to get healthier/fitter in the new year... but I know when I really make an effort to work out and eat healthier I feel so much better in myself, and that that has a positive effect on all aspects of my life

I will try my best to achieve all these goals this year and hopefully I will have enough self-belief to put my plan into action ...as Walt Disney once said

'We can achieve our dreams, if we just have the courage to pursue them'

This is a motto I will be living by this year!

What are your goals for the New Year?

Love Laura x x

What did santa bring me?

Hello :)

Christmas seems to have flown by this year, I can't believe I'm back to work tomorrow :(.

•  I had a wonderful Christmas break... lots of relaxing, eating and much needed quality time with family and friends. Life has been quite stressful for me lately so some 'me time' was exactly what I needed!
•  I thought I'd do a little summary of all the lovely things i was lucky enough to receive this year...

 

As you can see I was a very lucky girl this year :)

Here are a few of my personal favs:

• Makeup bag and purse from Reiss, I have been lusting after these for ages and was over the moon to unwrap then on Christmas morning!

• Russell and Bromley 'Chanel' inspired handbag, this is probably the nearest I will get to a Chanel handbag (for now) and I absolutely love it

• Thomas Sabo Charm bracelet

• Michael Kors handbag <3 Beautiful, beautiful bag!

Lush Think Pink gift set..should keep me going for a while :)

• I also received a kindle which I can't wait to play with...any good book recommendations for me?

Hope you had an amazing Christmas! I shall be back with a post on my New Year goals for 2012!

x