Lifestyle and Parenting blog based in Surrey.

Saturday 24 January 2015

Emma Bridgewater Black Iris

Emma Bridgewater Black Iris

Sadly my Rituals Sacred Fire Candle’s flame went out for the last time last week and for me this signified the end of the Christmas festivities even more than taking the decorations down as it had been my Christmas build up and onward scent. Fragrances really hold memories for me and I think home scents are really important. So when I was picking a replacement it had to be a goodie.

For Christmas my lovely mum bought me Emma Bridgewater’s Black Iris candle (£18 M&S) which as well has a rich and luxurious fragrance of velvety flowers infused with cedar and cardamom which is really warm and inviting - perfect for these winter months as I’m not ready to embrace the fresh spring florals just yet. As I loved the fragrance, I decided to treat myself to the matching diffuser (£18 M&S) to help envelope my house this decadent scent. Additional plus from the diffuser is it also matches my Emma Bridgewater Black Toast crockery. I had read some reviews that said the fragrance was really weak, but I haven’t found this, with my large kitchen filled with the fragrance, so I’ve been really pleased. 

I’m hoping this fragrance will last me through January and February might be the right time to start thinking about a Spring scent...

Emma Bridgewater Black Iris candle

Emma Bridgewater Black Iris candle


SHARE:

Wednesday 21 January 2015

The Little White Company Sale Haul


the little white company sale haul

I've been trying to be really good and not buying any baby clothes for baby BMB who isn't due until late Spring, but The Little White Company Sale broke me. I am such a fan of their beautiful clothing and accessories, it just seemed too good an opportunity to miss.

the little white company floral wrap sleep suit

the little white company floral wrap sleep suit

I've been told you can't have enough baby grows, so this tiny heart fleece sleep suit (was £26 now £18.20) and floral wrap sleep suit (sold old but similar style here £20) seem which I loved the pattern of seemed like good investments. The curve design on the wrap suit is cute and can be layered up on cold days.

the little white company tiny heart fleece sleep suit

the little white company tiny heart fleece sleep suit

I am obsessed by babies in bear eared hoods and this cute pink fleecy number should keep little ones warm in the chilly winter months, the inner hood is also in the same pattern as the tiny heart baby grow (I'm sure I am dreaming at these levels of co-ordination...) Was £36 Now £18 also available in star print.

the little white company fleece romper

the little white company fleece romper

The Little White Company also do the cutest dresses and this pleated tutu dress is darling. Was £32 now £16. Also available this season in white.




Finally, not really an essential for a spring baby, but I just couldn't resist these bunny slippers (was £20 now £10) which are also available in a bear design for little boys and this season in koalas and mice.

the little white company bunny booties

the little white company bunny booties
SHARE:

Monday 19 January 2015

Bobbi Brown Illuminating Nudes Collection

Bobbi Brown Illuminating Nudes Collection

I do love a new Bobbi Brown Collection and being a fan of neutrals was excited to see what the Illuminating Nudes Collection had in store. A compact collection, including 6 products (Extra Illuminating Moisture Balm and Brightening Lip Gloss not pictured) I was in a rush to try them out.

Bobbi Brown Illuminating Nudes Collection swatches

The CC Cream contains SPF 35, so will be a great companion for your skin in the winter sunshine it is meant to help even out your skin tones with colour-correction, luring imperfections and illuminates. Sadly the new shade of Rich Nude is far too dark for my skin tone, so I haven’t tried it, but it has a light a soft texture (£29)

I normally opt for a brow powder, so I am a bit of a novice using a cream, but the soft look from the Natural Brow Shaper and Hair Touch Up in Slate was perfect for a casual Sunday. The mascara style wand was easy to use, but did mean precise application was trickier, I would have liked the wand to be slightly narrower to allow for this (£16).

For a Sunday I rarely use a lip colour, so the Natural Brow Shaper and Hair Touch Up in Slate none sticky gloss gives a soft sheen helping my lips look fuller and helping my casual look a little more sophisticated (£18.50).

I do love my sparkles, so was instantly drawn to the Sparkle Eye Shadow in White Sand (£23) which is more bronze than the name suggests.The super-lightweight consistency means you can’t notice its on and it doesn’t migrate to your creases as the day progresses.

Bobbi Brown Illuminating Nudes Collection


SHARE:

Monday 12 January 2015

Mani Monday: Bourjois Grey To Meet You

Bourjois Grey To Meet You nails

Being January and commencing my second week back at work after the holidays, I chose a nail colour to reflect my mood. Grey. Grey To Meet You in-fact from Bourjois (£6 Very.com). Although that sounds a bit depressing, I am loving this chic shade, especially on my currently short nails. The gel like finish gives a much needed sheen and complements my winter wardrobe colours. Although it is meant to give full coverage in one coat, I did need two, which added on a few more minutes to the drying time. I think this dark grey might be having a few more shows before the Spring arrives...

Bourjois Grey To Meet You nails


Bourjois Grey To Meet You nails

SHARE:

Monday 5 January 2015

Mani Monday: My NYE Nails Elegant Touch Little Mix by Jade

Nails Elegant Touch Little Mix by Jade

NYE seems such an age ago now with all my christmas decorations down and going back to work today.... Whaaaaa! However the memories of a fun evening haven't faded and my nails were still going strong until a long washing up sesh yesterday... so here they are in they full glory!

Nails Elegant Touch Little Mix by Jade

Nails Elegant Touch Little Mix by Jade

Nails Elegant Touch Little Mix by Jade

Nails Elegant Touch Little Mix by Jade

My nails are pretty rubbish at the moment (my mum has recommended eating jelly, apparently the gelatine works wonders for dry skin and nails - I'll let you now how that goes...) so I was up for covering my split and broken nails up and opted for these fun beauties I've had waiting to be used for a while.

I really like Elegant Touch's press on nails, the regular ones are a nice short, square shape which looks really natural and the stick on adhesive keeps them wiggle free for up to a week (if yo don't hang about too much in warm soapy water!). The Little Mix collaboration includes a range of fun designs, but Jade's back and gold black-tie inspired ones were my fave when I went to the launch event a good while back. The 3D bows were my favourite of the nails, but they do get a bit annoying, caught in my hair and clothes, so I ended up changing them for other designs a day or so into 2015. They are really reasonable priced at £6 (Look Fantastic) which is about the same as a new bottle of polish and if you are careful when taking them off you can re-use too.
SHARE:

Sunday 4 January 2015

No 7 Winter Makeup Look 3: Evening Elegance

Happy 2015! To start the new year, I have been trying out the final makeup look from my No 7 winter challenge. Called Evening Elegance, this look combines navy eyes with use lips and a flush of colour on the cheeks and is probably my fav of the three looks I've tried.


Once again the base is using Stay Perfect Superlight Foundation, this time I've tried Deeply Ivory which again works with my skin tone well giving a medium coverage without looking too made-up. The blush is the Natural Blush Tint Powder in Coral Flush which adds some earth warmth to the completion without looking summery.

No 7 Stay Perfect Superlight Foundation

no 7 Natural Blush Tint Powder in Coral Flush

The eyes are my favourite part of the look, the Stay Perfect Trio Eye Shadow Palette in In The Navy is beautiful. I swept the cream across all of my eye lid, then added the brown to give shadow in the creases and blended. Then, using a slant-edged brush, used the navy to line my lashes and it gives a much softer finish then a black liner. I also added the Stay Perfect Amazing Eye Pencil in Deepest Blue to my lower lash line to add intensity.

no 7 Stay Perfect Trio Eye Shadow Palette in In The Navy

To finish, the lips are given a base in Precision Lips Pencil in Nude which as well as helping define the lip line also helps the Sheer Temptation Lipstick in Romantic hold. The understated pink with a glossy feel is really pretty and I'd wear it as an everyday lipstick.

No 7  Sheer Temptation Lipstick in Romantic


Products (all No 7 by Boots):
Sheer Temptation Lipstick in Romantic £9.95
Precision Lips Pencil in Nude £6.75
Stay Perfect Amazing Eye Pencil in Deepest Blue £6.50
Lash Impact Mascara £13.50
Stay Perfect Trio Eye Shadow Palette in In The Navy £9.50
Natural Blush Tint Powder in Coral Flush £8
Stay Perfect Superlight Foundation £14.50
SHARE:
Blogger Template Created by pipdig