iPost: Lost in Edinburgh

beach

So on Tuesday me and my Fiancé Liam got lost. We had to go up to the Minor Injuries Clinic because we though Liam had broken his nose when he went to see Enter Shikari at the weekend (I gave my ticket to his friend because I had to go to my mums that weekend). Turns out its just bent and swollen, niiice. We hopped on the same bus we had taken to get the the hospital and ended up at the other end of Edinburgh, oooops. But we did find a beautiful breakwater. 


We took a stroll across the beach and breakwater and it was lovely. Both of us have smart phones, so we knew that we could find out where we were if we wanted to, but it was nice to just 'be lost'. It's such a big busy city that sometimes it's nice to be nowhere. Liam is from Shetland and I'm from a little fishing village/town on the North-east coast so we're both pretty accustomed to being near the sea, so it kinda felt homely there.  

We eventually hopped on a bus that took us into the middle of town. Turns out we were in Granton. I think if we were to move out of our current flat we would want something up in that area if possible. We miss the sea too much!  but we also want to move in with some friends so I don't see us getting to move nearer to the coast.

For now we'll stick with our adventures I guess!


Late March Glossybox! Harrods Edition

beauty
I know this is super late, but I got the box and started the review that day. But then my family received some bad news and I had to travel to my mum's in Yorkshire. So half this was written as first impressions and the rest after a week of using most of it.

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I finally have the much anticipated Harrods Edition Glossy box! This is my first beauty box so I was really impressed with the packaging (I'd never seen a post which includes it so i figured I would!) It's such a nice touch to have the logo on the outer-packaging, It feels all that much more special when the angry posty has come to your door at stupid o'clock and you're wearing your embarrasing Lil' Miss Sunshine PJ's. The box looks very classy, I like the all black and white approach they took for this special box.

It had the usual tissue paper wrapped in a bow look, however the bow does say Harrods. I'm not too keen on the green, but oh well!  by this point I was super excited to open it as it was my first beauty box ever!


And here's what I got:
Clairns Extra Firming Body Cream 
Molton Brown Bath & Shower 
Skii Moisturiser 
Lancome Mascara  
Valentino Perfume 
Shu Uemura Oil 


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Valentino Perfume; Valentina 
£71.00
"A daring, addictive oriental, floralfragrance from Valentino. A true feminine classic, twisted with the pure insolence of Italian ingredients; bergamot, alba truffle, amalfi orange blossom, wild strawberry, cedar woods and amber."
This sample was exactly the kind of size I was expecting from the box. It's perfect to just put in the small pocket in my bag for a spritz every now and again when I'm on the go. It smells just delicious too. £71 is a bit expensive for a skint student like me, and I don't feel it lasts on my skin very long (I'm yet to find one other than 'Lola' that does!) So I won't be buying the full price. I would urge you to give it a sniff if you come across it in store.


LANCOME Hypnôse Drama Mascara
£21.00 
  • "Lancôme’s new curvaceous oversized brush gives full lash contact for dramatically fuller and thicker looking lashes.The Hypnôse formula is deep and intensely black, gliding sumptuously along each lash, to immediately coat and amplify from root to tip. A professional curvaceous brush allows full contact with lashes for instant full-bodied volume."
  • Again, it's size is just what I expected. I have tried this mascara a few times now, and me and it just don't agree. I don't have the fullest of lashes but this does nothing for that. They look like 'spider eyes' as my mother would say. It doesn't make them look thicker at all. The wand is interesting, I don't mind that, but I think it's the formula being too thin and liquid-y that does nothing. Compared to my usual (Soap & Glory's Thick & Fast Mascara) it really doesn't cut it.

Clairns Extra Firming Body Cream  
(This isn't even on the glossybox page on the Harrods website so I have no info for this)
This is super thick and moisturising. However, I don't know where to use it! It's such a small sample that if I started it at my ankles and worked up concentrating on my problem areas like suggested it would be all used up in one go! Then I would never be able to see if it actually firms everything. I used it on my neck/chest/chin area last 2 times I used it but I feel no different. I think I'll try it somewhere that needs a bit more firming. But at 19 how much more firm do I really need to be?

SK-II Skin Signature
    £127.00
 Skin Signature is a unique new anti-ageing moisturiser with concentrated Pitera® and Oli-Vityl™, a combination of 2 botanical extracts. Together with vitamin B3, these properties help to re-condition the skin, improve its resilience and leave the complexion smooth and radiant. Skin Signature is designed to be used daily after purifying the skin with your ideal SK-II cleanser and applying Facial Treatment EssenceI've been using this instead of my usual moisturiser but I've not seen a difference on my face. However, I put a bit on the back of my mothers hand when I was down seeing her and her hands felt like butter. I have no idea why its not having the same effect on my face! Don't get me wrong, its doing its job, I'm not flaky or devoid of moisture or anything, its just not doing £127 worth of moisturising. Maybe my face is too dry for it? Oh who knows.  Although the pot is a normal sample size, because the cream is so thin you only have to use the smallest amount to cover your entire face. I've been using it every day and you can't even tell yet.
SHU UEMURA Cleansing Beauty Oil
£28.00 
"Cleansing Beauty Oil is the number 1 selling Shu Uemura cleansing oil in the world. A premium anti-oxidant skin purifier that thoroughly cleanses the skin while protecting it against the internal and external aggressions associated with skin ageing."
I've not used this yet because there is only just enough for one use and I've just not felt the need to yet. I do wish there was more, but I feel this is an added extra as it's a 6th item so I can't really complain! It is aimed at anti-skin ageing which isn't such an issue for me yet, but I will update when I use it .

& Last but not least
Vitalising Vitamin A, B & C Bath & Shower Gel
£18.00 
"Refresh and revitalise your mind and body with this enlivening gel cleanser from Molton Brown. Squeezed from fresh oranges, the vitamin complex shower gel and bath foam softens, tones and strengthens the skin and boosts the senses with vitality"
This has to be the least exciting product I received. I still have loads of left over shower gel from Christmas toiletries sets I received so this is just going to sit in a draw for months. I did give it a sniff and it's quite nice. Not really my kind of scent to be honest. I don't really see Molton Brown as a Harrods item either, more a hotel item. This is probably because of my collection of it I've gotton from staying in hotels though!

The three others are all from hotel rooms, and as you can see, the sample from glossybox is a bit bigger, which is great! I do have the 'Heavenly Gingerlily' shower gel some people received. It foams up really nicely and makes your skin feel lovely, but I do hate the smell. It's only been used because I forgot shower gel when I went away! 

Overalll I'm not super impressed with my first glossybox, It's good, but these are not my kind of products. I would have loved to try the hair oil some people got. 

I only ordered the Harrods box as a one off with my birthday money so I wont be staying signed up. I did also sign up to Carmine to get their March box, again with my birthday money, but they have since merged with Glossybox and refunded their customers, so that's out of the window! Next up; 'She Said Beauty' box I think!

What do you think of the March Glossybox? Happy with what you got?



Happy Belated Birthday To Me!

beauty

It was my birthday recently (I say recently, it was a week and a bit ago, but that's recent enough right?) So I thought I'd do a post about what I got.

Unfortunately I was away down in Oxfordshire for a training course for work the morning of my birthday, so I didn't get home untill about 5pm, but I was a happy bunny when I did!

These were my two main pressies;

The straighteners are 'Remington Wet2Straight' and the hair dryer is the Coriolis Candy Cane edition. For me they were perfect! My current straighteners (Toni & Guy something or others) will turn themselves off randomly when I'm using it, and I've had four electric shocks from my hair dryer! I did throw the hair dryer away after the fourth time, don't worry. (the hairdryer was one I'd had since I was 11 and had 'Mary-Kate and Ashley' written down the side of it, so don't worry there is very minimal chance you and I have the same one!)

The straightners come with a heat-proof carry bag, which will be handy when I pop to my mums or have to go away for training again.

They switch on the body as well as a dial so you're never using too much heat for your hair. It also came with a little booklet that tells you what kind of heat you need for your hair type/condition.

I've used them a few times now and I love them! I won't go into too much detail about them because I plan on doing a full review and walk through. I just need to find the time to take pictures of me using it!

The hairdryer is just gorgeous! The colour fits me perfectly, My fiancé clearly knows me well. It's very lightweight but super powerful (My last one used to make my arms ache when I used it, but this doesn't at all). It has three power settings and three heat settings as well as a cool shot button. I usually just use it on the most powerful and the hottest because it gets the job done (and I'm almost always in a rush) but I know that's superbad for my hair so I'm going to slow down on that.

It comes with the usual attachments. I can't say I've ever used a diffuser in my life, but I'm going to make a point in using this one!
I love this hairdryer, and I have had no shocks what-so-ever you'll be glad to hear. The cord is super long too so you're not stuck next to the socket with it. It's from Boots I assume (as it had the no7 voucher they are currently giving away with it), so if you're in need of a new dryer, I'd recommend this one.

I also got a few more bits, like a new chunky-knit cardigan and a hat that's a birthday cake. I got some money from my family too so I ordered myself a Glossybox and Carmine box along with a few bits from E.L.F Cosmetics. So look out for my reviews on the boxes!

Thank you to my family, Liam's side of our family and Liam for all of this stuff. I'm so so grateful! Plus I got to finally go home and cuddle with my boy, so it was the perfect day.

Hope everyone has had a nice weekend and Monday wasn't too harsh on you!


Disclaimer: This is not me boasting, I just wanted to do a short review. If you're offended by hauls etc I'd advise not following my blog.

Pastel Outfit Wishlist

fashion
1. New Look: Draped Pocket Blazer; £22.99
2. New Look: Coloured Skinny Jeans; £16.99
3. Cream Bird Print Shirt; £12.99
4. Lace Up Plimsoll; £6.99
5. Purple Plastic Watch; £20.00
5. 3 Feather Drop Clip; £2.99

I wish I had both the money and the figure for this outfit! I'm loving the pastel craze. 

What do you guys think of the sudden love for pastels?
& what about my outfit idea?


Edit: I've just seen blazers pretty much the exact same in Primark for around £15! Bargain! 


Trend: Pastel jeans.

cosmetics
(img via tumblr/http://www.fashionsalade.com/lovelypepa)

I'm currently really interested in the pastel trend. At the moment I have very, very light pastel pink hair (due to bleach bathing my pink hair to try and make it more acceptable for work), So this trend fits me well! 

On a recent trip into town I saw jeans like this in the window of pretty much every clothes retailer! I think they're so gorgeous! I can't help but think they're going to look odd on me though. Yet again another trend not for the curvy ladies it seems. I haven't yet dared to try on a pair (mostly because if I do end up loving them I don't have the pennys just yet!). I'm so so tempted to though!

I also get the feeling I'll end up looking like I did when I was 13 and going through the 'bright skinny jeans and emo fringe' phase. Yuck!

I think for now, until my change in lifestyle starts to make an impact on my tum at least, I'll stick to my pastel nail varnishes. (Which I'll do a post on soon!)

Any curvy ladies out there loving these on you?


Taking the blogging plunge

blog
I'm finally doing it!

For a while I've been considering starting a blog. Now I already use Tumblr, usually just to reblog pictures of things I like, or find inspiration.  But recently I have found myself watching a lot of reviews and reading a lot more beauty blogs, and have become inspired! Now I am no where near 'fashion forward', I'm a curvy girl with very little spare cash! But I do have oppinions.

I plan to use this blog to write some reviews (I use a lot more hair products than make-up products due to having bleached hair, but I'm definitely interested in make-up), I'll be posting any bargains I hear of (voucher codes, etc), I'll be writing a bit about my life (although I'm not insanely interesting, the life of a 19 year old engaged student can somewhat differ to the usual party-animal stereotype), and pretty much everything in between!

I'm not under any impression anyone will follow me or anything but it's a nice way to keep a record of my opinions, and to fill my time between uni work and trying to teach my fiancé to work the oven!