Wishlist!

1. Mac Candy Yum Yum or any bright pink lipstick for that matter!
2. Mulberry Double Zip Tote...*drools* Need I say more?!
3. Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm - On my ever expanding 'to buy list'
4. Zara Floral Necklace - So pretty yet edgy.
5. H&M Beige Trench Coat. Timeless
6. Zara Lace Heels. WOW!
7. H&M Black Bowler Hat, Blair Waldorf anyone?

The Perfect Tea Dress

Okay, so the suns seems to have 'disappeared' lately...however, it's now August and the middle of our ridiculously short summer, so if you can't wear a tea dress now then when can you?! I recently spotted this gorgeous dress and I knew that it had to be mine. I've really gone crazy for dresses this summer and this one is definitely up my street. Its made out of a gorgeous floaty material whilst still looking structured when on. If anything, it was the pattern that stood out the most for me. I love the contrast of the white circles on top of the green base colour and I think that it would look perfect teamed with either gold or tan accessories. Its also not too long or too short (roughly about knee length on a shorty like me) and it looks really pretty whilst also chic when on. The only negative I have to say about it is that I had to go up a size which is usual, but maybe that's just because of the style of this dress in particular... I hope ha! Just keep that in mind if you going looking hunting (it is Primark after all) for it.

The Best Things In Life Are Free

So, the best things in life are free? YES they are and for us beauty fanatics, they come in the form of... magazine freebies.

I'm not one to buy a magazine purely for the free product they have on offer unless its something that I think will A: benefit me in some way B: is a product that I have been lusting after. These boxes had been well and truly ticked and so Glamour x2 and Elle magazine became mine. The products I am babbling on about? let me introduce you to Benefit 'They're Real' mascara, Balance Me 'Super toning body wash' and Balance Me 'Moisture-Rich face cream'. (First time I've bought the same magazine twice purely for a product, I am now ruthless).

First up the mascara. Now I'm aware this came free with Elle quite a few months ago so I apologise for the late timing. However, seems that I had a little issue with my eyelashes...a review was somewhat delayed. This mascara has the strangest wand ever, but I kind of like it. It does a brilliant job at extending and thickening the eyelashes without a clump in sight and for that I am ever so grateful.

Balance Me Body Wash? Absolutely gorgeous! If anything I think I've fallen in love with the scent alone, which according to the ingredients is due to juniper, bergamot, geranium and lavender. Okay so I'd only ever heard of the last two, but they sound so good. This body wash also lathers up really well and a little really does go a long way.

The Balance Me Face Cream is another incredible smelling product. I'm not sure its made that much difference to my skin but that could be because its aimed at dry mature skin (I'm combination and still quite youthful at the ripe ol' age of 22). Either way I love the fact that Balance Me products are so natural, both 99% in this case.

No hidden nasties? Balance Me you deserve a gold star!

 

Zara Heels Dupes

Zara is my favourite shop, that's a given. However, keeping up with there prices whilst on a student budget. Not so good... If I had a money tree then I would definitely live shop there 24/7. But as those trees are in short supply, I don't. This is were Primark gets very interesting...there is a GOD! and ladies he comes in the form of Zara heel dupes *praise the lord*. Yes they are not as good quality but on the style stakes, I think there pretty much equal partners.

Expensive looking ✓

Ridiculously Chic ✓

Thin feminine straps ✓

Not toooo uncomfortable (no pain no gain n' all) ✓

Low price (£12 to be exact!) ✓

They tick all the boxes. I for one am converted.

Nail Envy - Barry M Hi-Shine Gel Effect

Painting my nails is one of my favourite things to do when relaxing. Its almost like therapy for me and for this reason I like to indulge in a regular nail 'session'. Although I would love to splurge on regular salon manicures, it just isn't practical and to be honest it would be a waste of money. Especially as the quality of the majority of high street nail polishes is so spot on, Barry M is particularly bringin' it at the moment.

I love the new Hi Shine Gel Effect range and I admit, I do own a fair few. They are so long lasting and give a shellac looking finish, which I just can't get enough off. My favourite colours so far have to be 'Blood Orange' which I would describe as more of a red than a true orange, 'Prickly Pear' which is a perfect pastel lilac, Blue Grape which is the best Nails Inc. 'Baker Street' dupe I've come across and 'Satsuma' which is a bright orange that just completes an outfit and would look incredible with a tan.

I want have to purchase some more... Blueberry, Passion Fruit, Plum and Mango, you're up next!

Festival 'Survival Kit'

I love festivals. However, being the organised person that I am *Typical Virgo*, I like to be prepared for everything. When I decided to go to Wireless festival last summer, although I was staying in a hotel, I did not anticipate the amount of things that I should have brought with me on the day. For this reason I thought I'd prepare a festival 'survival kit' that in my opinion is a necessity for a care free day/weekend.


Tissues: I cannot express how much of a life saver these tissues become when it comes to the toilet situation. At most day festivals especially, the toilet roll is completely gone by mid day and that's seriously not great situation to find yourself in when your a girl! They are also really handy for any makeup madness, like Mac Morange lipstick ending up everywhere apart from on your lips...guilty.

Sun cream: Although most festivals come hand in hand with angry looking clouds and the festival must have...rain! occasionally our summers do include the odd day of sun. Honest. When this day does arrive a miniature sun cream is an essential. This sun cream is the perfect size for your bag and will protect you all day long against the dreaded sunburn.

Mirror: Ever since I purchased this mirror it has travelled with me virtually everywhere I have ever been. Seriously, I'm talking foreign countries n' all. Its the perfect size, sleek, compatible and it even folds so you can prop it up. What more could you want? A must have for the times when you can't get near the toilets mirror's for the sheer amount of girls inside. Obviously I'm not talking port-a-loos here.


Money, Card's and ID: All essential however ID is a must! Most festival's can be strict and surviving a festival without alcohol? yeah...not great. not great at all.

Hair Brush: This brush is amazing, not only does it fold in half but it also has a miniature mirror so if you have a really tiny bag, there's no need for an additional one.

Makeup: As all girls will be aware, what goes on the face initially doesn't necessarily mean its going to stay on! Touch up's are a must, particularly at festivals.

Sunglasses: Excellent for covering those horrendous under eye bags due to lack of sleep and perfect for shielding eye makeup from the rain. Festivals are also one of the only times that you can get away with wearing sunglasses without any actual sun needed and still look chic, rather than an idiot.

Raincoat: Unless your wearing it, they can be a pain to carry round. This raincoat could easily fit in a slightly larger bag or tied to the strap of a smaller one. It also has ducks on...how could you resist?! This one's only from Primark and therefore if you lose it, it wouldn't be a big deal. They are also great to sit on if the field is muddy. Two in one? bargain.

Extras: Bobbles, hair clips, mints, chewing gum, deodorant, hand gel, camera (although I usually just use my phones, saves losing it which I seem to have a great talent at).

Hope this helps you out and prevents any festival disasters!

A Brand New Me?

So, I've decided to start blogging again - this time properly! To sum things up, my life has completely changed since I last blogged (I decided to delete all my previous posts as they were so outdated!). I'm not going to go into detail as I've not decided whether I even want to properly share my life changing...event? yeah I think I'll call it that for now. However, I've decided to not let this setback completely take over my life and after possibly the worst 8 months I think I'll ever experience, I have decided to stop feeling sorry for myself, solider on and start blogging again.

This time however, I most definitely am a 'brand new me'. Hopefully a stronger, more positive and life loving (if that's even a phrase!) version that is.