My Gym Story feat Nuffield Health

This is a post that i never thought i would write in a million years! Lets start with a bit of a back story. When i was younger, i was never one for sports. PE lessons featured sports such as rounders, tag rugby, athletics and netball which never really floated my boat. I did quite enjoy tennis and badminton though and its something i'd love to do again sometime. Since i left school, i never felt the need to start properly exercising. I'm pretty lucky in the sense that i have never been overweight or particularly unfit. Although i've never been overweight, i have never been particularly toned or lean. I've had a bit of excess body fat here and there and have never had the physique that i always dream of.

Over the past two years, my mum has been seriously ill which meant i automatically took over all the household responsibilities and cared for her. Fortunately, she has started to recover and get back to her usual self this past year which meant that i could begin to focus on myself again. While my mum had been ill, it dawned on me that my life literally revolved around work and general day to day chores, add to this the stress that was put on me from looking after my mum and i was ready to look for some release and something to focus on, other than work!

At the time, i had just started to come across the fitness community on Instagram and bloggers/youtubers such as Carly Rowena. This made me think, hey maybe joining a gym would be a good release and new focus for me. After visiting a few gyms close to me, one being a private gym (not so good) and a few bigger chains, i decided that Nuffield Health was the one to go for! From the moment i stepped in the place, i knew it was just what i had been looking for. All the staff were incredibly friendly and informative and the general sense of the gym was great. After an initial tour and discussion with the manager, i signed on the dotted line and walked out being a new fully fledged gym member. Soon after i had signed up, i went and had my induction, programme session and health MOT. All these are included in your membership at Nuffield. Being a newbie gym goer, i found the induction really helpful as i knew how to use the treadmill and cross trainer and that was about it! Without going into too much detail, my trainer asked me if i had any goals and what my reasons for joining a gym were. Together, we devised a great programme for me to help tone areas of my body and he also recommended certain classes which would be beneficial too. 

I've been going to Nuffield for over a year now and it has become part of my weekly routine. When i first started, i enjoyed doing my gym programme and using the pool but at the moment i've really been enjoying the classes. There is so much choice on the timetable that you are literally spoilt for choice, but i have been doing classes such as All Over Body Workout (toning and aerobic exercises), Legs Bums and Tums (self explanatory!), Body Jam (dance style workout) and Body Combat (martial arts inspired workout). I have also just started doing Pilates which i'm hoping in time will improve my flexibility and and Body Pump - which is quickly becoming a favourite!

I've been going to the gym frequently for just over a year and have felt so much better both physically and mentally. Physically, i have seen my body becoming more lean, more definition in my arms and my legs and bum are looking pretty good too! The gym has also really helped me feel more energised throughout the week, improved my sleep quality and has increased my motivation and confidence. It has also made me more conscious of my diet which although has never been bad, there is always room for improvements!

When i first started at the gym, i was a little anxious that i would stick out like a sore thumb and people would be thinking 'what is she doing, she is doing that wrong!' but i've come to realise that people are focusing on their own workout and more often than not, they aren't looking at you. 

So, thats my gym experience so far. In short, i'm flipping loving it! It is something i really enjoy doing. I have to say though, sometimes there are days when i am just not feeling the gym and i know when i'm just not in the right mind frame to go. I try and stick to a routine throughout the week and go four times a week, always after work. I tried to go to the gym at 6am one morning but lets just say, it wasn't for me!

Let me know your thoughts on the gym and if you go! As fitness is one of my interests, i might start doing more health/fitness based posts - most will probably be documenting my addiction to buying fitness clothing though!

Soap and Glory Skincare Favourites

I've never been the type of person who has their skincare regime set in stone. I know lots of people have a morning and evening skincare routine, which they never sway from and i'm always slightly envious! Of course there are brands and products which i love and regularly turn to for skincare such as Liz Earle, Origins and Garnier but i've never been too loyal to them. On a recent trip to Boots, i ventured down the skincare aisle and came across the alluring Soap and Glory section. On a weird merchandising note, i have to say that Soap and Glory's branding is great and the fun pink branding really does draw you in away from the more serious looking skincare. I was on the hunt for a new exfoliator, but nothing too drying or extreme.  I spotted the Soap and Glory Scrub Your Nose In It exfoliator and after a quick read of the bottle, it went straight into my basket.

I've been using the Scrub Your Nose In It alongside the Soap and Glory Face Soap and Clarity face wash for a couple of weeks now and i've really been enjoying using them.

Fitbit Charge 2 Review

I've really been enjoying going to the gym and being aware of my lifestyle and fitness a lot more during the past year. My gym routine has been pretty steady and i try to go 3-4 times a week and while my eating habits are never 100%, they are much improved.

Since going to the gym and being more aware of my lifestyle, i've noticed i've become more toned and definitely seen an improvement in my fitness levels. However, i'm not one to use scales as unfortunately i think i would focus too much on the number and potentially become obsessed with it, which is never a good idea. With that in mind, i still wanted some form of tracking for my workouts and i decided a fitness tracker would be good idea. There are many different trackers on the market, i know the Apple watch is a popular option. However, after speaking to a few people at the gym and after some online research, i opted for the Fitbit Charge 2.

Recent Beauty Favourites

I've hit a bit of a brick wall with my blog for the past six months. I just haven't felt inspired or motivated to write anything! Over the past couple of weeks though, i've gotten back into reading my favourites and discovering some new blogs, which has really given me the spark and kick up the bum that i needed! Today, i'm going to give you a rundown on what i've been loving during January and so far in February.

Rimmel The Only 1 Matte Lipstick // Review

Today i'm here to tell you about a recent launch from Rimmel. Rimmel are one of my favourite high street brands, i love their Match Perfection range of concealers and foundations so when they got in touch and asked if i would be interested in reviewing their new lipstick launch, the answer was a big yes please! Amongst other products, Rimmel are known for their hugely popular range of lipsticks. Their Kate Moss range is a sure fire favourite with many of us, so when i received the new range of Matte lipsticks from Rimmel i was hopeful that the formula and quality would be along the same lines.

Rimmel London Sculpting Palette // Review

Hello everyone,

Hope you are all enjoying the weekend!

I saw one of my favourite YouTubers, Suzie from Hello October singing the praises of the new Rimmel Sculpting Palette. When i saw how amazing it looked on Suzi, i knew i had to have it! So, i swung by my local Boots on the way home from work and was eager to see how i got on with it.

The Rimmel Sculpting Palette is part of the hugely popular Kate Moss range. Some of my favourite lipsticks come from the Kate range, so i was excited to see how the palette's quality compared. The palette is a great all in one sculpting product as it has contour, blush and highlight shades. The palette is contained in a lightweight plastic holder with a flip lid. In the long run, it might not be the most durable but the lightweight aspect means that it is perfect for travelling and it also looks pretty gorgeous with the gold border. I believe that there are two shades of the palette available, 002 Coral Glow and 003 Coral Bronze. I chose Coral Glow as i thought it suited my skin tone better out of the two.

The highlight is the most perfect daytime appropriate highlight that i have used. Sometimes highlighters can look a little too stark for everyday where, but the Rimmel one gives the most beautiful subtle champagne glow that really adds that extra bit of sheen to your everyday look. The contour shade is on the warmer side and i feel that it works just as well as a bronzer too! The colour pay off for the contour shade is quite subtle, and is great to use if you just want a little definition. I also think the contour shade is a great opportunity for people who maybe aren't too confident in contouring to use as it is not as pigmented as other contour shades which are available from other brands. I have actually swapped my trusty Benefit Hoola contour and have been using the Rimmel contour shade everyday since i bought it! The reason being, is that the shade gives me just enough definition for an everyday look and if i apply it in a hurry before work, i can be sure that it is going to give me foolproof subtle definition. Finally, lets move onto in my opinion, the star of the show! The blush is hands down one of my favourite blushes ever. A bold statement, i know but trust me, it really is such a beautiful shade. I find that the blush has just the right amount of pigment to give a lovely coral flush to the cheeks and the slight shimmer adds a lovely glow! The texture of all the shades in the palette are quite similar and apply smoothly to the skin. 

In the past, i have found that high street brands can have quite a chalky texture to their powder products but that definitely isn't the case here. The smooth texture allows the products to apply beautifully and effortlessly to the skin and you are left with a gorgeous everyday defined look.

If you haven't guessed already, i am pretty impressed with the palette and i'm already considering buying a back up! Its a palette that i have been using religiously since i bought it as it has everything i need to create a defined daytime cheek look. Priced at just £6.99, this kit would be a perfect addition to anyones make up collection. I would especially recommend it for people who want to dabble in contouring and highlighting for the first time as the pigments in this palette help you to create a softly defined look. Although the shades in the palette are on the more subtle side, they can be built up to create a more defined look. The palette also has a helpful diagram and explanation of how to use the shades on the back. 

Let me know if you have tried this palette, and what you thought about it!

Vichy Dermablend Setting Powder | Review

Hi guys!

Over the last few months i have really got back into the swing of things beauty wise and lets just say that my bank account has had a bit of a hammering from Feel Unique, Look Fantastic and Boots! On one of my recent online binges i placed an order for the Vichy Dermablend Setting Powder. I was on the lookout for a new setting powder and having tried Vichy products in the past and being impressed, i decided to buy it and see how it performed. It also helped that their was 33% off the product at the time on Feel Unique!

In the past i have been loyal to the good old Rimmel Translucent Setting Pressed powder that we all know and love,  however i was very curious to see how a loose setting powder would compare. As usual, i received my order quickly from Feel Unique and couldn't wait to try the bits out that i had ordered. 

The Vichy Dermablend setting powder is a white loose powder, so not the most convenient to use and it can be a bit risky to use if you are in a rush...or wearing black clothing - speaking from experience here! The product comes packaged in a standard cardboard box (excuse the tatty packaging, its been sitting in my drawer awaiting photographs for a while) and the product itself is housed in a hard plastic round container with a screw lid. Once the lid is unscrewed and removed, there is a sieve top piece which helps to disperse just enough product for you to use. Just before using this product, i usually tip the product upside down for a second which allows a small amount of product to be dispersed onto the sieve section. I then swirl my brush (usually a stippling brush as this picks up just the right amount of product) into the sieve top piece, then remove an excess in the lid by tapping my brush. Then i find that i have just enough product to set my t-zone area and any other parts that i need to set. I can see that this product is going to last a long time as you only need to use a small amount in order to set your base. 

Its worth noting that this product is transparent and totally undetectable once applied. It simply sets your make up without interrupting your base and helps to mattify your skin slightly. I had hoped that this product would help keep my oily skin at bay, and whilst it does a good job until around 1pm, i do find that i have to pop on some pressed powder at around 1pm ish. When i am doing a quick touch up, i find that the powder has set my make up really well and everything is pretty much intact.

The one negative about this product is that it can be a little messy to use. If you are after a quick powder to use to set your make up, this probably isn't for you but if you have a bit more time to use the product, then it really is great. If i have ten minutes spare in the morning, i always pop some of this on as i find it really helps to set my make up and ensures that nothing slides about.  

I'm really glad that i bit the bullet and bought this product as it will last me for quite a while and i'm really impressed with it. Considering the longevity and results of this product, i think that the £17 price tag is very fair and its still on offer at Feel Unique if you fancy a bit of a bargain - link is below and no, this is not sponsored/affiliated! If you are on the lookout for an invisible, weightless powder which will help set your make up then i'd really recommend giving this ago.

Link to the product with 25% discount Feel Unique

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge // Review

I've never really been on board with the whole beauty sponge craze and have happily used my Real Techniques buffing brush, or my hands to apply my foundation with. However, on a recent shopping trip to Boots, i came across the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge and thought i'd give it a go! Most of my brushes are Real Techniques and i have been really impressed with them, so i was excited to see what the miracle complexion sponge would be like.

The product comes packaged in a semi transparent domed plastic case, which is nice as you can see the size and shape of the product. There is the usual description of the product on the front of the packaging and on the back, there is a brief description on how to use the sponge. I found this really useful as i didn't know too much about make up sponges, so this bit of guidance boosted my confidence.

Lee Stafford Coco Loco Shampoo and Conditioner

When it comes to hair care, i'm not very loyal and love to try new brands and ranges. Sure, i have my favourite and failsafe brands which i know i can depend on (Aussie and Loreal FYI) but i'm always up for trying out other products too. So, when i heard about the Coco Loco range from Lee Stafford, i knew it was something that i'd love to try!

I have been aware of Lee Stafford's range of products and have looked at the range in Boots too, but for some reason i have never taken the plunge and bought anything from the brand. As i'm sure many of you know, Lee Stafford himself is one of the Britain's most famous and influential hairdressers and whenever i see interviews with him or read about the brand, i can just feel the passion he portrays about both his brand and hairdressing, this is very reassuring and makes me feel really confident about the products. Sometimes i will buy products from other brands which i love (e.g. Aussie) but i don't really know the people behind the products or the story behind the brand. I think the Lee Stafford brand is really personable and you can really feel that a lot of thought has gone into the products. That wittering probably made no sense, but basically what i am trying to say is that i love how the products are produced by a professional hairdresser who knows what he's talking about! 

What I Got For Christmas & Hello 2016!

Hello!

I hope that you all had a great Christmas and New Year. The festive season seems to have been going on forever and i'm sure most of us will be struggling to get out of bed for work on monday! As some of you may notice, my blog has had a bit of a spring clean. I felt like my blog has been a bit slow off the mark both in terms of design and content, so i emailed the lovely Serena of Pretty Wild Things and she whipped me up my new layout. I absolutely love it and it has really instigated my interest in writing again. Let me know what you think of the design!

Now onto Christmas! As usual, i had a lovely Christmas surrounded by my family. The past year my mum has been very poorly with trips in and out of hospital and it has really taught me that its all about who you spend Christmas with, rather than the presents that you receive that matters the most. Saying that, i was luckily enough to receive some wonderful presents which i am so grateful for.

I never know what i really want for Christmas, if i want something i tend to buy it myself. So, most of my presents were beauty based, with a couple of other bits too. One present which i did ask for was a set of Zoeva brushes. I deliberated long and hard about which set to get, and finally opted for the classic set. They are stunning brushes and i can't wait to use them, although it will kill me a bit inside when they get dirty! Another present which i asked for was the Babyliss Boutique Soft Waves Hair Styler. I curl my hair about three times a week using the Enrapture Totem Styler which i do like but sometimes the clamp can leave an unsightly kink in my hair. The Babyliss Soft Waves has no clamp and is just a barrelled tong, so should give a really nice result. My lovely sister bought me the Benefit Real Cheeky Party which is a palette containing 5 Benefit powders and miniature versions of the They're Real Masacara and Eyeliner. I LOVE Benefit blushes and bronzers so i just know that i will get so much use out of it!





They were my main beauty bits but i also got a few other bits as you can see in the photos. I was truly spoilt and can't wait to try everything!

Alongside my beauty presents, i also received a couple of non-beauty bits. I recently joined a gym and needed a gym bag, as currently i am just using a large handbag! After looking at Sports Direct i chose the Nike XS Brasilia Bag in the purple shade. It is the perfect size and has lots of different compartments too. I also received from my sister, a hot pink (she knows me so well!) Nike water bottle  which will be really handy as currently i am just filling up a water bottle every time.


Finally, i received my main present which was a beautiful Ted Baker dressing gown. Its in a lovely light pink shade with embossed hearts on it. I've never felt anything so soft in my life and if i could permanently wear it, i 100% would!



I also got a few other bits which i haven't photographed such as, Soap and Glory bits, Adult Colour Book (yes, i am that cool!), Chocolate, Purse and a cute Mug for work!

I hope you all had a lovely new year, i had a quiet one this year and spent the evening with a takeaway and the family. It was nice to wake up on New Years Day without a hangover! I'm really looking forward to 2016 and just wiping the slate clean and starting afresh!

Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation & Concealer // Review

Hello!

If you have read my previous post, then you will know that the Nars Sheer Glow foundation is my current favourite base product. I am absolutely head over heels for it, however due to the high cost of the Sheer Glow, i have been using other foundations so that the Sheer Glow lasts a little bit longer!

After watching Kelly on Snapchat ( go follow her at kellycpeel if you are not already!) and hearing her singing the praises of Rimmel's Match Perfection Foundation, i decided to give it a whirl. Rimmel is one of my all time favourite high street beauty brands (i hate the word drugstore... haha) and whenever i'm browsing the Rimmel stand at Boots, i always end up walking away with something - usually a lipstick!



The shade range of the foundation isn't very extensive but in the end i chose 103 True Ivory. I bought this shade as i find that foundations can oxidise on your skin and go darker when applied. True Ivory was a safe choice and it is a good match for my skin tone. It definitely oxidises on my skin, so if you are looking for a very light shade, i wouldn't recommend True Ivory as it is not as light as the shade name would suggest. Definitely swatch it before buying.

NARS Haul & First Impressions

Hello!

Hope everyone is having a good weekend and enjoying the sunshine, if you have any! Today i thought i would talk you through my foray into the wonderful world of NARS. I have always browsed the Space NK website and have put some NARS products into my digital basket many a time, however i could never bring myself to hit the 'Confirm Order' button to complete the transaction. The thought of spending £30 plus on a product which i didn't know if i would like was a nervewracking prospect. However, a month ago my curiosity got the better of me and when i saw that my wages had landed in my bank account, i bit the bullet and ordered three items from NARS. A couple of days later and a little black box arrived in the post containing my mini haul.

Garnier Ultimate Blends The Sleek Restorer Shampoo & Conditioner // Review

Hello,

It has been a while since i have wrote a proper review, so lets see how this pans out! I'm trying to get back into the swing of blogging but i've been procrastinating lately, so i though i'd bite the bullet and sit down to write a post! I also treated myself to a Canon 600D which i've used today. Let me know what you think of the photos...

Todays post is all about a great shampoo and conditioner duo which i have been loving using recently. Normally, i'm not too fussed with shampoo and just choose whatever is on offer in Boots or the supermarket. However, i have heard so many positive remarks about Garnier's new Ultimate Blend range of shampoo and conditioner, that i just had to give them a go!

6 Months Later...

Hello!

A lot has happened in the last 6 months, hence the total lack of blog posts and limited activity on social media. The last 6 months have turned my life upside down and inside out, but it finally looks like things are settling down. My time away from my blog has made me think about my life, what i'm doing with it and where i want to go. I've decided that anything i want to do (within reason), i should do and that i shouldn't take things for granted in life, even the small things!

I've always dreamt of owning a Canon 600D and 50mm Lens, yet i've never had the guts to actually buy one. Simply because i know people would say 'you won't use it' and 'thats a waste of money'. However, the last few months have made me realise that life really is too short (nobody died, don't worry!!) and if i want a new camera, i work bloody well hard enough to treat myself to one! So, one is winging its way to me as i type.

Bare Minerals Ready To Go Complexion Perfection Palette // Review

Hello,

Hope you are all having a lovely weekend!

I was recently contacted by Chemist Direct to review one of the products off of their website. After 30 minutes of browsing, i picked the Bare Minerals Ready To Go Complexion Perfection palette. I have wanted to try some of the Bare Minerals range for a while but i never knew which product to try first, so after reading the description of the Ready To Go palette, it sounded perfect.



The Ready To Go kit is great if you are looking to try out mineral make up as in the kit you receive 5 Bare Minerals products to try (Foundation, Concealer, Bronzer, Highlighter and a Face Powder), two make up brushes and it is all held in a lovely little make up clutch/bag.

The products are housed in a rectangle palette which is held via magnets in the make up clutch. This is a pretty cool idea as once you have finished with the make up, you can still use the make up bag. Its a perfect size for work and is just big enough to carry a few essentials in. It took me a while to realise that the palette was magnetic and i originally thought that i'd ripped the palette out by mistake!



So, onto the products. As i previously mentioned, there are five products in the palette. A foundation, concealer, bronzer, highlighter and a face powder.



First up is the foundation, now unfortunately the foundation is a shade too dark for me (boo!). I applied it thinking that it may look different when applied, but alas it didn't so out came the face wipes! Even though the shade was totally wrong for me, the way it applied to the skin was lovely - very soft, blendable and it gave a nice natural 'my skin but better' finish. One thing which made me slightly hesitant about using mineral make up was simply applying it, i always thought that blending a powder foundation would probably be more difficult than a fluid liquid foundation. After all my doubts, i actually found it easier than i thought! I'd recommend not loading your brush up too much, and just building the coverage slowly. Even though the shade was too dark, i did find the foundation easy to apply and loved the finish.

Next up, concealer. Concealer is my favourite part of make up of my make up routine, i often have late nights cooped up in bed watching YouTube and before i know it its midnight and i have to be up at 6.30am, oops! As you can tell, concealer is a necessity. I found this concealer to be very creamy, easy to blend and it covered any blemishes very well. I didn't apply this under my eyes as it is slightly thick in consistency so could possibly go a little cakey under the eyes. However, on spots and blemishes it worked a treat!

The bronzer is this palette is absolutely gorgeous. I love it so much, i'm trying to only use it for special occasions! The shade is very pigmented so only a little is needed to create a lovely contour and the bronzer is on the cooler side which means there is little chance of turning into an oompa loompa! Much like the foundation, this blends like a dream.

The one product that my eyes were drawn to once i opened the palette was the luminizer, i've got a bit of a thing with highlighters at the moment and this one set my heart alight. This isn't a highly glossy or shimmery highlighter, it simply gives you a natural glow which instantly lifts your face. I apply this mainly over the top of my cheek bones and then with what ever is left on the brush, i quickly sweep over my blush to give me an extra bit of radiance. Again, this applies smoothly and leaves a beautiful glow.

The final product in the palette is the Touch Up Veil, or to you and me - a face powder. Face powder is an everyday essential for me, firstly applied in the morning and also throughout the day. The Touch Up Veil is a very good description of this product, it literally covers over any imperfections and gives them a little bit of extra coverage. This also keeps shine at bay, i applied it in the morning and needed a touch up by lunchtime - which is pretty good by my standards and considering we were in the midst of a heatwave whilst i was trialling this! I've also been using this on days when i don't fancy wearing foundation and just need a little bit of coverage.

You also receive two of the Bare Minerals brushes with this palette. The brushes are lovely and soft but unfortunately were tossed aside and i use my beloved Real Techniques brushes as i do with all my make up.

I'm very impressed with my first step into mineral make up and i may pay a visit to the Bare Minerals counter at my local Debenhams soon...

Have you tried Bare Minerals make up, any recommendations?

P.s. After reading this review back, it almost seems like a sponsored post - but i promise it isn't! I was simply given this to review, no strings attached!

Garnier Cleansing Micellar Water // Review

I've become slightly obsessed with Micellar waters, firstly i tried the elusive Bioderma (which naturally, i loved!), next i trialled Vichy's offering (which i liked, but i found it irritated my skin slightly...) and most recently i've been using Garnier's offering.

Incase you are not upto scratch on Micellar waters, i'll give you a quick lesson. Micellar solutions contain 'micelles' which latch onto make up and impurities and gently lift them from your skin. Leaving your skin, soft and hydrated. Micellar waters work very well for me as my skin has recently become quite sensitive, and as micellar waters are more pure than traditional make up removers they work very well on my skin as the formulas are very gently and they don't agitate it at all.



The Garnier Micellar Water was one product which i've heard raved about from pillar to post. After using the last drop of my Bioderma, i wanted to see what the likes of Boots/Superdrug had to offer and Garnier's rendition seemed to fit the bill. It didn't take me long to find it on the shelf, with a bright pink top and a humongous bottle - it definitely looks pretty impressive and you feel like you are getting your moneys worth due to its large size! Rather optimistically the bottle states that you can get '200 uses' out of the 400ml bottle, i'm not too sure whether you can get 200 uses as that is approx 7 months use but i do think that this would last a long time. I've been using it for about 2 months and i've only used a small amount as you can see.

I use the Garnier Micellar Water just as i would with any other, i take a cotton pad and soak it with the water then simply glide it over my face to thoroughly remove any make up. It removes make up with ease, even mascara/eye liner is removed rather swiftly with this stuff! After using this, my skin is left feeling soft, hydrated and not irritated in the slightest.

Have you tried Micellar Waters before? Which is your favourite?

Summer Fashion Haul // ASOS, Miss Selfridge & Topshop

A couple of months ago the english weather started to get a little warmer (by 'warmer' i mean above 15 degrees...) and it soon became apparent that my wardrobe was full of woolly jumpers, leggings and winter ready items. In a moment of mad panic i made a cuppa (priorities), made a hasty order on ASOS and was wearing summer ready items the next day. I spent an eye watering amount on ASOS but i did send a lot of it back, and was left with some great versatile pieces that will see me through summer. I also picked up a few bits from Topshop and Miss Selfridge. Miss Selfridge are seriously onto of their game at the moment, so definitely check them out if you're looking to top up your wardrobe.

A lot of the items i bought from ASOS were from the ASOS Collection, which i think is the best part of ASOS. Everything is very much on trend and affordable too.

Aswell as writing a blog post on my purchases i've also filmed a YouTube video on them too, so if you fancy watching me waffle on about fashion then here is the video. If you enjoyed it, please subscribe!


I don't think i have ever wrote a fashion haul on my blog before, so here we go! I hope you get some summer fashion inspiration from this post.

ASOS Top in Peach (link)

I love the style of boxy tops, so when i saw this on ASOS i decided i needed it. The peachy colour is really flattering and looks gorgeous with a tan. Its such a versatile piece which you can dress up or down, which is why i bought it for holiday and also for work.

ASOS Flightplan Sandals (link)

Buying sandals on the high street is more or less impossible for me as i have such teeny tiny feet (UK Size 2/3) and shops tend to only stock size 4 and higher. So, i regularly turn to ASOS for my shoe needs. These tan sandals are perfect for spring and summer, they are really comfy for walking around and look great too.

New Look via ASOS Boxy Tee (link)

Another boxy top! I saw this white one on ASOS and thought this would be very versatile for summer and work. At just £14.99 its a real bargain and it also comes in a variety of colours too, which i may be perusing as i type...

New Look via ASOS Kimono (link)

I've been after a kimono for ages but i didn't want a flowery one so i found this black and white aztec printed one which looks great with a pair of denim shorts and a simple top for summer evenings. Kimonos are such a great piece to throw over the top of a simple outfit to add a little something extra.

ASOS Shorts with Scallop Hem (link)
I apologise for the rubbish photo - taking photos of black shorts is harder than it would seem...

I practically lived in these shorts throughout the evenings of my holiday. They are black, so match any top i decided to wear. The unusual scalloped hem gives the shorts a much softer look and is more flattering for your legs too.

ASOS Stripe Bikini Top (link)

Everytime i go on holiday i buy a new bikini, not that i really need anymore! This time around i fancied a classic striped one. This bandeau one from ASOS fits really nicely and is a great price too. It also comes with shoulder straps but i took these off.

Miss Selfridge Blue Baroque Floral Print T Shirt (link)

This was an item which i picked up last weekend. Its slightly more cropped than i tend to go for but it makes a nice change and the length is great for summer to wear with shorts or skirts. The colour is quite an unusual mix, a combination of lilac and light blue which isn't something that i tend to go for.

Topshop Raglan Stripe T Shirt (link)

I'm always after casual daytime t-shirts, you know something that you can just throw on at the weekend with a pair of jeans. This topshop tee fits the bill perfectly, it fits really well and is a pinch at just £16!

Topshop Dress - This was in the sale and seems to have disappeared from the Topshop website...

I found this in the Topshop sale and thought it would be perfect for work and just everyday wear. The fit and flare skirt part is really flattering too and whilst the blue colour isn't usually something that I'm drawn to, i think it makes a nice change.

H&M Peach Statement Necklace

I'm not usually one for wearing a lot of jewellery but i wanted something that i could wear with my boxy style tops. I saw this in H&M and thought that this would be great, its more simple than other statement necklaces that i've seen but it still adds that extra something to an otherwise simple ensemble.

So, that is all my summer items which i've bought recently. Perhaps i need to go on a bit of a spending ban now! Hope you are all having a good weekend, monday rolls around far too quick for my liking!!

P.s. What do you think of my new blog design? The wonderful Steph from Bonjour Belle Designs created it for me and i love it. If you are looking for a great, quick and affordable designer i'd highly recommend Steph - She's awesome! 

April Favourites (YouTube Edition...)

Hi girls,

Happy Saturday!

Last night i finally got around to uploading my April Favourites to YouTube. I did mean to upload it during last week, but sleep was my main priority once i got in from work!

So here it is, a mixture of Beauty, Skincare, Haircare and a Clothing item too! :)

I'm new to the whole YouTube thing, so please give Like and Subscribe if you enjoyed the video. Oh, and once i watched back the footage i realised that i was too far away from the camera, haha! Oops!

Hope you all have a fab weekend! xx

ARK Skincare : Age Aware Skincare // Review

Hi everyone,

On my quest to find the perfect skincare range i have recently been trialling a range of products from a brand called ARK that are totally new to me. There Age Aware Skincare has received many a positive review, so i was very excited to see what they had to offer. I'll let ARK explain what their Age Aware Skincare ranges are all about...

'ARK Age Aware Skincare is prescribed by skin age rather than skin type. There are two main transition periods in the ageing process where there is a dramatic shift in hormone production and a significant change in the way the body functions: late 20s to early 30s and late 50s to early 60s. ARK has looked at the skin externally and internally during these transition periods and divided its skin therapy into three “age appropriate” product lines: Teens to Early 30s (Age Prepare), Mid 30s to 50s (Age Maintain) and 50 & Beyond (Age Repair)' 

As you can tell, they have all bases covered no matter what your age! I was given the ARK Age Aware Discovery Collection, at £28.00 you receive four of the travel size products. The products arrive in a handy little bag which would be great for travelling with. My order also arrived in a rather plush looking gift bag (who doesn't love these?!) 




Masque
I'll be honest, i'm not the hugest fan of face masques. If i'm having a pamper sesh then i'll put one on but i tend to use them more on special occasions rather than say every week. That being said, i did make more of a conscious effort to use this mask more regularly (once a week). My skin at the time of using this masque was being a bit temperamental (redness, blemishes...) and i found that after using the masque my skin felt a lot 'calmer' and i noticed that the redness had reduced too. I've suffered from large pores around my nose for quite some time now and i found that this mask helped them appear a lot smaller, which in turn made my skin look a lot smoother. I think i'll be adding masques into my skincare routine from now on...

Cleanser
I was slightly skeptical of using a new cleanser as i feel like i've finally got my cleansing routine down to a 'T'. The first thing i noticed when using this is how fresh it smelt, no strong sweet scent just quite pure and natural which is always encouraging! I found this cleanser to be very gentle and it didn't irritate my skin at all (Phew!). The cleanser lathered up quite well and my skin felt thoroughly cleansed after each use. After a few uses i noticed that my few blemishes had reduced and my skin felt a lot more calm.

Exfoliator
I'm an avid exfoliator and feel that my skin is always looking a whole lot better once its been exfoliated. This exfoliator is quite similar to the cleanser in the sense that it is very gentle, so if you don't like exfoliators that are too harsh or abrasive then this would be perfect. The texture is quite creamy with a few bentonite beads to give you a gentle exfoliation. I'd recommend this to people with sensitive skin but still want to use an exfoliator in their routine. 

Moisturiser
I've been using the Origins Ginzing moisturiser since i received it for Christmas, so i was keen to see how this would compare. I was firstly very pleased to discover that this is a non greasy moisturiser which is great news for me as i have oily/combination skin. The moisturiser is very hydrating, and after using it i really notice how soft it leaves my skin. It takes around 2-3 minutes to sink into the skin, which i think is quite good considering it is on the thicker side.

I have really enjoyed using the ARK skincare range and think the whole concept is very well thought out and easy to understand. If you have sensitive skin and prefer products that are rather gentle then i'd highly recommend them. Have you tried or heard of ARK Skincare before?

Felicity xo

A Mother's Day Gift Guide With Fragrance Direct

Hello,

With Mothers Day being less than a week away its time to think about what present to treat your wonderful mum to this year! I've teamed up with Fragrance Direct (Link) to let you know about a selection of their wonderful gift sets which are simply perfect for Mothers Day.

Paco Rabanne Lady Million £44.95 (Link)

Firstly, the packaging of this gift set is second to none and the fragrance looks stunning placed on your dressing table. This gift set is perfect for any mother who loves a bold and sexy scent - If your mum is a bit of a glamour puss then this is definitely one for her! With top notes of Neroli, Amalfi Lemon and Raspberry, heart notes of Gardenia, African Orange Flower and Jasmine and base notes of Amber, White Honey and Patchouli this fragrance is certainly a feminine and sensual affair. Alongside the fragrance is a body lotion which is an ideal way to end a pamper session and compliments the fragrance perfectly.

Chloe Signature Gift Set £55.99 (Link)

Chloe's fragrances are such a classic iconic product, that this is a very failsafe option for any woman. The brand and fragrance simply oozes elegance, class and timeless beauty. This is reflected in the rather stunning packaging of the product. A soft dusky pink box houses a bottle of the fragrance and the body lotion. The light and seductively fresh scent of Chloe Signature contains notes of peony, freesia, rose and lily of the valley which create an intensely memorable scent. As i previously mentioned, this is such a elegant timeless fragrance that i'm sure any mother would be delighted to receive it! In the gift set a body lotion is also included, the same timeless scent which will leave your skin feeling soft and nourished (and smelling delicious).

Marc Jacobs Daisy Gift Set (Link)

The iconic and popular Daisy fragrance from Marc Jacobs is a great option if your mother prefers a slightly lighter and more spring like fragrance. Boasting top notes of Wild strawberry, Violet leaves and Ruby red grapefruit. With a heart of Jasmine and Gardenia and a base of Vanilla, Musks and White woods. This fresh and floral fragrance is perfect for the forthcoming Spring/Summer months! The packaging of the fragrance is very decorative, with a duo of 3d model flowers planted on the lid, this will give your dressing table an instant spring update. With the fragrance you also receive a shower gel to add a bit of summer luxe to your pamper time and a body lotion which leaves your skin silky soft and smelling as fresh as a daisy... (sorry!!).

Fragrance Direct have an abundance of gift sets and fragrances which are an ideal mothers day present so definitely check them out if you are still on the lookout for a gift. Its also worth mentioning, the sets were delivered very quickly (within 2 days). I've just checked the Fragrance Direct website and they have a discount code for free standard delivery on orders over £40 - enter 'FREEDEL40' at the checkout. Not too sure when this discount code runs out so be quick!!