January Wishlist | Clothes | Shoes | Jewelry | Misc

As time seems limited lately I have decided to make the Wishlist on a monthly basis rather than weekly. I will still post on a Wednesday at the moment. As usual though some will be random items, some will be clothing & some weeks I will dedicate to one shop. If there is anything you would like me to post for these wishlists then let me know.

1 -Green Formal Zip Front Backpack | £19.99 | New Look | Also available in black.

2 - Light Pink Snake Cut Put Ankle Boots |£65 | River Island.

3 - Orange Satchel | £28 | River island.

4 - Chunky Knit Hot Water Bottle | £8 | Paperchase.

5 - Seksy Ladies Stainless Steel Bracelet Watch | £79.99 | H Samuel.

6 - Animal Print Faux Fur Belt | £4 | Matalan.

7 - Birdie Glitter Wire Address Book | £8 | Paperchase.

8 - Mouse Compact Mirror | £2 | Primark.

9 - Tea Towel Set - Owl & Otter | £10.99 | ZooHood.

10 - Pretty Bow Chain Bracelet | £5 | Warehouse.

11 - Stripe Floral Pleat Blouse | £40 | Warehouse.

12 - H! by Henry Holland | Designer Pink Hip Hop Owls T shirt | £16 | Debenhams.

Product Empties 5

I find it hard to believe how many products I actually go through. I seem to be doing these posts monthly even though originally I thought i would have only enough to do a post every couple of months. It is great though that I do use up more than I think I am.

As always I have Batiste dry shampoo ( the tropical one) & Dove deodorant ( various scents) empties but as I include those every time & we all know I love them both I do not feel the need to include them this time. 

Plus excluding those means I have less items to waffle on about!! 

Clinique | Happy | Perfume Spray - I love this perfume ( & scent) very much. Lovely fresh scent which lasts for a long time in the day ( or night.) I would buy this again one day but for now I have others I am just as "happy" with. Sorry I won't give up the day job!

Balance Me | Super Toning Body Wash - I hate it! It came with a mag so I could have just chucked it after the 1st use because I don't feel like a freebie is too much to worry about. I hated the smell ( Juniper, Bergamot, Geranium & Lavender ) & it was a horrid gloopy kind of formula which did not seem to lather much at all. The scent did last for a while though which might have been great if it did not make me feel sick!!!

Clarins | Hand & Nail Treatment Cream - This lasted FOREVER...well 6 months anyway. Loved it! Nice subtle scent & sunk into the skin very quickly. I do have another as I got one on a gift set but as I have about a million other hand creams as well...I am exaggerating too much today but it must be around 20 tubes mark...:-\ I would not repurchase anyway for a while.

Clinique | All About Eyes | Eye Cream - Love this. We know this. Would love to buy again but won't be for a while now as too skint after Christmas.

Tesco | Cracked Heel Cream - I do get very bad dry cracked skin on my heels so any cream has its work cut out. However this cream did not seem to do anything!! It was not expensive but actually I don't think they need to cost a lot of money to to work. I definitely won't buy again as for me personally it was a waste.

Nivea | Day Cream - This came in a gift set from last year so I have no idea whether I would have tried it otherwise. For me personally it did not really do much so I don't have anything to say about it really at all.

Benefit | Porefessional - This is a tube I won in a Twitter competition earlier this year. I loved the sample tubes I had but was not quite so happy this time around with it. I didn't feel like it was doing much at all so felt like a waste of time applying it. No to buying it again at this stage.

So that is my empties again. tell me if you have used any of these products. Would love your thoughts if you have used the ones I did not like or felt did not work for me. 

Thank you for reading

Amanda xxx

Haul | New Look | Urban Decay | New Look | Yankee Candle

Well here we are in January of 2014 & already my idea of a spending ban does not seem to be in line with my husband... here for you I bring some of my haul before we are even a week into Jan - yes there is more but I am still awaiting their arrival. Then that really does have to be it you know!! With number 1 sons school trip to pay got as well as 2 school uniforms when we have confirmation of the schools they will head to as well I really have to stop the spending. Especially as we would like a holiday in the sun too this year!! 

Anyway I am wandering with my thoughts here. On with the haul! 

First up is these 2 scarves from New Look.

The Owl one has featured in a recent wishlist. I love owls & love scarves so perfect combo. I did have it on my Xmas list but hubby could not find it. Anyway it was good that I waited as I then got it cheaper in the Jan sales! I think it was £2 but I can't find the receipt. Result. The fox one was also in the sale. Again I can't quite remember but think £3 sounds about right. The owl one more suitable for decoration rather than warmth it has to be said so I could still use in the warmer months. The fox one is a lot thicker so I will be wearing this soon.

_____________________________________________________________

Next is a cheeky purchase from Debenhams ( online in the Urban Decay section.) Unless you have been on holiday on the moon then you cannot have missed the fact that Urban Decay have a released a 3rd ( yes a 3rd) Naked palette. I am in love! I only got it yesterday ( well Friday) & adore it already. Full of "rose gold" inspired colours I could quite frankly sit & look at it for hours. My photo of the open palette does not do it justice so do look out elsewhere online for a much more clearer photo. I can do some swathes for you if required. Please just ask in the comment section & I can do another post with them. I will be honest & say I am not so keen on the tin. It might just be me being picky but it does not feel quite as good quality as the others. The contents are amazing though which is what really counts.

 _______________________________________________________

Yankee Candles next. These are all at full price though as I got them at our local garden centre as I wanted to smell them all before I buy! 

Both Champaca Blossom & Lovely Kiku are from their NEW FRAGRANCES. I also got the Beach Walk in the large jar - only because this was literally all they had left in this scent though! To be honest I could have spent an absolute fortune on them!!

 ____________________________________________

Lastly but but by no means least is this purchase also from the garden centre as I cannot resist owls & its pink! 

TY Beanie Boo Buddy 9" plush - Pinky the Owl

That is my haul for this time. I'll be back soon with more!!!

Amanda xxx

December 2013 | Random Favourites

Time for my random favourites now ( that's NON Beauty in case you wondered :-D!) It mostly seems to be food & drink...hmmm!

Top Picture

Tassimo | Twinings | Green Tea with Mint - I really should include our new Tassimo machine this month as quite frankly I am not sure how I lived without it before! I don't actually buy the teas for it as I if we want a cup of tea we just get a teabag & make one. However , I liked the sound of this so included it with my 1st order from the website. It is so nice. It reminds me a little of chewing gum ( not used though, lol!) Its a nice flavour. Enough to get a proper taste but not overpowering. It seems to be my afternoon drink of choice these days. 

Chobani Strained Yogurt -  Now ordinarily I am not a huge fan of thick yogurts but Chobani seems to have the test for me.I tried them when Tesco had them on offer ( they may still have it too but you would have to check.) The link takes you to the Blueberry flavour but off the top of my head there is also Strawberry, Passion Fruit & Pomegranate. 

Coca Cola - As a rule I should not drink much coke. I know lots of people hate it because it is truly evil stuff. I stopped drinking it 3/4 years ago as I had a couple of Crohns Disease attacks after drinking some. However , with my illeostomy I seem to be able to have certain things in moderation without any come back. I got a couple of the very small cans as I knew I could have 1 of those & know very soon if it was the wrong decision. Luckily I was fine. So I now allow myself 2/3 cans of the small size each week. It is great because I don't think there is any other drink that is actually a substitute for it. The small can too is actually plenty for me. Hurrah! Oh PS Its HAS to be Coca Cola!!

Pain Au Raisin - I am OBSESSED! I cannot seem to go a week without nipping into Cafe Nero at least 2/3 times per week for a Chai Latte & Pain Au Raisin or if time is short I will run in & take one away. Yum!! I have had to start buying them in the weekly shop to try & save the money a little as at £1.45 a pop to take away it gets a bit much!

Lastly CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS! Pretty self explanatory really but for me there is nothing like the tree & other seasonal decor going up for putting a smile on my face. Rob promises me next year we can have a real tree ( we have one every 2/3 years as Rob is grumpy & won't allow it every year. he-he.)

That's all folks
Amanda xxx

December 2013 | Beauty Favourites

Time for more beauty favourites. One you won't be surprised by & there is 1 here also that is an item I had forgot I had & started re-using!

Batiste dry shampoo - I adore the Tropical one. It is amazing. You all know I am in love with this. I have felt ill on/off for around 2 months with a cough that does not want to go away as well as the 3 colds that keep bringing it back. Thus i have not quite felt like washing my hair as often as usual. This stuff is truly amazing. Most definitely my holy grail because a few squirts of this & my hair is transformed again from which ever state it was in. I think most Batiste scents are as good but I just like the smell of my hair when using this one more.
Can be bought from places like Boots,Superdrug, Tesco etc. make sure you check a few places though as usually it is on offer in at least one place at a time too.

Toni & Guy | Deep Nourishing Mask for Brunette Hair - I have had this for a while but in the beginning I was not too impressed. However over time it seems to do a much better job. My hair feels so lovely & manageable for a couple fo days afterwards. It has a nice subtle scent too so won't overpower you. I would get this again although as we know what I am like for back ups I have others to use 1st before I do buy it :-)!

I Love...Cosmetics | Mango & Papaya Bath & Shower Creme - I bought this at Trago Mills in Cornwall back in June. A Google search only brings up the I Love ...Cosmetics website so i am not sure where else stocks this. There is a whole range of things too so it would be nice to get some as I am loving this. I haven't used a lot of it but I found that a little goes a long way. I adore the smell of my skin after using. 

Body Shop | Moringa Body Mist  - This is so nice. Don't ask me to describe the scent , that I cannot do but it is subtle but lasts for ages which is just the perfect scent for me :-). I shall definitely get this again next time I am near The Body Shop. 

MUA | Merged Trio Emotions - I really like this set. I have had it a while. Used it a few times then it has been thrown in the box to be forgotten about until now. I would say they are not that pigmented. You certainly need to build any amount of colour up. However, I like them because I find the slighter colours perfect for day time. I was worried they would be too glittery for day time use but that is not actually the case. It hardly looks used so I think they will be with me for a while!

Clarins | Gentle Eye Make Up Remover  - I bought this one day as I was running out of my other eye make up remover & was buying something from Clarins & they had the deal of buying 2 items on to receive a free gift. easily swayed me. I love this. It has that gorgeous expensive scent I always love about Clarins items. It removes my make-up without any real work & does not leave my eyes feeling greasy. 10 out of 10 from me - I will cry when it runs out probably!

LUSH | Bubblegum Lip Scrub - I really liked the Mint Julip one of this but I found this one has taken longer for me to fall in love with. I have now though & enjoy using it every night before bed. I like their lip scrubs. I always feel like they have done a great job. My lips almost tingle for a while after telling me it has worked. I do have another MJ one as back up so it would be a while before I need to buy more.

Maybelline | Superstay 24 Dual Ended Lip Color in Rose Quartz (110) - I have been a fan of this range for a while. My love for a lip colour that actual lasts more than a couple of hours makes this a go to item in my make up bag. I got this one as I liked the sparkle in the tube. There is not a huge colour pay off but it is a fab colour for day to day wear. 

So that brings me to the end of another beauty favourites. Share with me what you have been loving too.

Amanda xxx

Project Pan | January 2014

I have decided it is time to do another Project Pan. I began yesterday as I wanted to start it on the 1st. I have so many things again that I have started to use but either stopped using or only use now & then that I felt it needed to be done. I actually like everything I have included too so it is not like I can even claim that. So time to be good & use items up!

Let me know about your own project pans if you are doing it too.

My 10 items below.

CHAMPNEYS SPA TREATMENTS | WATERMINT LOTION SPRITZ  - I loved this when I 1st started to use it around Summer time but as always I think I must have got something else I wanted to use & out this aside for another day!! The mint smell of this is so nice. Subtle & perfect for spraying all over my body after a shower. I am not sure I will be able to use it all up within a month but it is worth a try.

CLINIQUE | TURNAROUND BODY LOTION - Again I love this. I originally got a small tube in a gift bag. I used it very quickly. It does not have a big scent to it & sinks in almost as it hits the skin so I used to like using this one in the mornings. I ran out & struggled to find it again until I came across the same size on eBay. I have used this one a few times but was trying to use up a couple of other lotions too so popped this one away again. 

BOURJOIS | HEALTHY MIX FOUNDATION. - In shade 52/ Vanilla. Again I love this but with other ones I wanted to try it kind of got pushed to the back of the drawer. There does not look a great deal left so I don't actually think it will take too long to use up. I will be sad when it is gone because I have so many other half used foundations that I have no need to buy any for a while.

CLINIQUE | LIPSTICK - In All Heart. Now this came as free gift so I am struggling to find it for sale anywhere. Apart from Ebay that is.It is what I would call a spicey reddish pink colour. Which is rather broad but hopefully you get the idea! lol. Really like it I just generally don't wear it often as it does not last long & we all know my views on that if you have read some previous favourites posts etc.Use it I will although i think a month may be optimistic, Especially as I am including 2 lip colours!!

REVLON | COLOURBURST LIP BUTTER - Another spicey red colour. Again used but not often because I need it to last longer. It is such a nice lip colour & does not leave my lips feeling dry so waste it I will not! 

BOURJOIS BLUSHER - This one is number 16 Rose/ Coup De Foudre. I used this lots in the beginning. Although not that you would notice as it hardly looked touched. I don't think for a minute I will actually get this used in just a month but include it I will.

OPI NAIL LACQUER - Now I am sorry I have no idea what this shade is. It came in a beauty box & is the dinkiest bottle ever. I love this size as I rarely use up a whole big bottle. I don't think there are many uses left in this at all because I have used it lots already. Really pretty pink. Goes on the nail so nicely. I can't tell you how well the chip side of things are though, I am a mum after all so nothing lasts long for me sadly!!

MUA | NAIL POLISH - In Pistachio Ice Cream. A lovely shade of bluey green ( I'm technical with my choice of colours today! ) I have used this a lot but I have actually not painted my nails a lot in recent weeks. I feel this may dry out soon anyway so I want to try & use as much as I can before it does. Mind you at just £1 it would not break the bank to re-purchase.

CLINIQUE | BOTTOM LASH MASCARA - I was using this a lot when I 1st bought it. What an amazing invention really. It was only when it got to warm in the summer & thus I wore minimal make-up that I sort of put it in its drawer & it has pretty much remained unloved since. Well no more!!! Out you come my pretty!!

RIMMEL | NATURAL BRONZER - In Sun Glow ( 025.) Loved it but again this got stopped during the warmer months. I have never got it back out again. I have hit pan though as can be seen in the photo so it won't take long I do't think. I like this one very much as it leaves a nice glow without it being obvious I am wearing it. 

So that is everything. I will probably post an update mid month to see where I am at. You never know it may include some empties. Otherwise I will put the end result up on the 31st Jan.

Thank you for reading

Amanda xxx

Happy New Year!