Lollipop Family

Following on from my Easter Crafts post I went a looking in my local shops for some things for us too do. Bearing in mind our town is awful for such things I did not get lucky apart from this in the local toy shop. Tuesday found us at home for the day so in among all my chores I found some time to sit with Finley to do this one. He seemed to enjoy himself whilst we made these, although I found all a little too fiddly for my liking! It kept him amused for an hour though so that is all good.

Thanks 

Amanda X

Beauty Empties Number 8

Today's post is my beauty empties. I say it each month that I cannot believe how much I have used again. Considering these are not meant to be monthly posts I have yet to go a month without doing these because otherwise I would be overrun with rubbish! 

VO5 Revive Me 2 in 1 shampoo - I grabbed this one day in Poundland. I am quite lazy so using a 2 in 1 is brilliant for me. I only use once a week as the rest of the week I generally get by with dry shampoo plus one intensive mask once a week. I do use separates at times but the combination are ideal for me. This was OK. Smelt lovely & did a good enough job. I probably would repurchase as at that price it was doing the job it needs too.

We all know I love the Batiste Dry Shampoo in Tropical scent. 2 of these are being thrown out because I use it so much. yes I have more.

LUSH Big Blue bath bomb - I wasn't keen on this. My bath looked like a cup of earl grey tea!! Whilst I like to drink EG I am not so keen sitting in bath with bots floating around me. Not for me this one.

The Body Shop - Cranberry Joy shower gel - This was lovely. I already have another one I have put away for next winter. Such a nice smell & I felt, although a more festive scent , it did not feel out of place using it after the new year. 

This body wash by Beauticology (Baylis & Harding) came in a pack with a body lotion. The body wash was in cherry candy cane, whilst the body lotion ( which I still have to use) is peppermint. The smell of this body wash reminds me of cherry bakewells. However that is the only positive. it took loads to get even a smell later & the lovely scent doesn't transfer to the skin at all. I am glad it was only a 50ml bottle so I used it very quickly.

Gilchrist & Soames Shower Gel - This 45ml sample bottle came in a recent beauty box. Initially I was looking forward to trying it but actually I think my husband would have been better suited to the scent. It only had enough for 4 washes in so don't think I can give it very fair review but at £15 I think for full size I am not prepared to try it out again.

Sanctuary Body Scrub - I received this for Xmas in a set. I do like scrubs & whilst this was OK I can't say it blew me away with excitement. I would not rule out trying it again though as it did a fair enough job & did smell pleasant too.

Nip & Fab Pistachio Sundae Body Butter - I featured this in a recent favourites. I initially wasn't sure I would like this as on opening I found the scent too overpowering. Luckily this does not transfer & is actually really lovely once applied. Yes I would & have bought another one.

Dove Deodorant -these are another Empties staples. I love both scents featured here ( pomegranate/lemon verbena & Cucumber/green tea.) The Cucumber one came in the compressed tin which is my 1st time using those. Waste of time. I did not think it lasted as long at all. Back to the normal cans for me.

Caudalie Hand & Nail Cream - This was lovely. I don't usually veer towards the herbal kind of scent but this was lovely. So subtle, sank in very well & did a great job with my hands. I would buy this again but have so many hand creams I have no need to buy anymore for about 5 years.

Vita Bella hand cream - another beauty box sample & another hint. Similar in smell to the caudalie one. It is quite a clean smell. Again it sank in well & did so much good to my hands. Same again though with buying as I am over run with them.

Soap & Glory Heel Genius - This is 2nd tube of this I have used. It a horrid smell ( it smells like an awful smelling vegetable, I just can't think what it is!) but does a fantastic job on my heels!! I will definitely buy it again when I have used up all my other foot creams ( which I use at a fair rate as my feet are awful - sorry to bring the tone down!)

Clinique Anti Blemish Solutions Oil Control Cleansing Mask - This was no good as I don't have oily skin as a rule so I have no idea why I bought it. 

Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask - I used this sample every night in place of my usual moisturiser. For a small sample it lasted a good 2 weeks. It was quite nice. I would consider getting the full size tube at some point.

Rodial Glamoxy Snake Serum - This was a sample sent by Space NK but it only lasted for 1 application so I don't have an opinion on it at all. It would have been nice to have a better size sample to give it a decent try out. 

Strictly Professional Cosmetic Brush Cleaner - this is my 2nd bottle. I buy it from eBay. It does the job I need it too. I need to get more.

Thanks for reading

Amanda xxx

How I Started Blogging

My journey into blogging is not at all exciting!! 

I have kept journals & diaries for a very long time. Beginning in very early teens when the stuff i recorded would be along the lines of "Why does George Michael not know I exist..." & other such trivia ( by the way we all know that even if I had been stood in front of GM he would not have noticed me for the pure fact I am "not his type!!" 

Anyway I digress... I've always loved writing , letters, stories etc so keeping a diary was always a huge part of me. Whether I wrote in it every day, short entries & long ones ,I always had one.

For me the onset probably began because at Secondary School I struggled immensely. I hated going because I did not fit in at all ( although this is a story for another day) & as such at school I did not listen in lessons. Preferring to mess about & not learning very much at all. My diary was a release from day to day struggle that otherwise I would never have escaped from.

As years went on & work began I did not have a diary other than to record the day to day events & as I was quite lonely back then there were not many entries at all.

The age of the internet introduced online journal land, which I really loved. I have a journal still at Live Journal but have not used it for a very long time. This does contain lots of different things from sill posts about doctor who to thinks much deeper where I pore my heart out.
I was asked by my Psychologist back in 2004 to keep a journal for her to read each week so whilst I was having an awful time during that period in my life, a journal was something I could do easily.

My 1st blog was set up to show off my craft makes. This blog no longer exists , although I do have another ( via my profile ) which I did set up when Finley was small. However it has not been possible for me to continue with my crafts so right now there is only small content.

This blog came into existence last year when I could feel the depression spiraling out of control again. I set it up & still do so now for me only. I write what I want too. So whilst some people might think "what the hell" to me that does not matter. It is an outlet for me to off load. Sometimes in a fun way & others more serious. It is nice to know that people are reading & I have had the odd comment too. Always positive. Who knows where this blog will end up in the future. For now it is just a simple & happy place for me to be.

Amanda x

My New Handbag || Accessorize Bea Bowling Bag

When it comes to an everyday handbag , I always have a list of the things I need from it.

I like the small handles for carry in the crook of arm , as well as the long strap for across body wearing when with Finley. I like it to have a front pocket for those things like pens & things to grab easier when out & about. I prefer it to have a zip for the main compartment. A mobile phone pocket is always handy too. Rob gave me a look when I told him all this & said "surely all bags come with handles...!". Whilst this is true I said , they don't all have both OR pockets in the front & they don't ALL have zips for the main section!

Anyway last week on their FB page Boden posted a pic of this beauty... it really was love at 1st sight. It has everything I need in a bag & the colours they had are just amazing. Details here. I loved the pink toned(it's actually called Apricot,)  & the mint blue one too. The stumbling block was the price tag. At £139( that is FROM as some are actually £159,) it was never going to be mine. So a search was on then for something similar with a much more budget friendly price tag.

Soft Leather Bowling Bag - Boden from £139

Rob & I were then lucky enough to have a couple of hours to ourselves on Saturday afternoon. We headed to Chichester & it was really nice being able to take out time wandering in & out of the shops. Late lunch at Carluccios was just perfect.

No where could I find anything remotely similar. The minty colour was in abundance but nothing remotely the same size. Finally though I struck gold ( well Pink, ) in Accessorize where I found this Bea Bowling Bag . It comes in a Yellow or Black version too but Pink is more me than Yellow & black isn't very spring like. At only £29 too it was certainly a substitute worth taking. It ticked every box too.

It's got the short handles.

Its got the long strap for across body wearing

phone slot & main zipped compartment.

Add caption

I love it. Whilst I know it won't be as lovely & soft as the Boden bag would be it is still a really good bag. I am very happy with my purchase & Rob is still baffled as to why I always want a new bag rather than use an old one...!

Thanks for reading. 

Amanda XXX

New In For Spring

This months wishlist is based on some of my favourites from the world of fashion. With Spring in my mind most of the colours are reflecting that. Plus I am really into my prints atm & these do feature quite a bit here. I am certainly excited to get searching for other things out there as I am really loving everything I come across right now.

Today's wishlist was brought to you courtesy of Monsoon, Oasis at John Lewis, H&M, Top Shop & New Look.

Amanda XXX

March 2014 Beauty Favourites

 Time for the March 2014 Beauty Favourites. The foundation is missing from the overview photo as I did not realise til I have uploaded here I did not include it in this 1st picture. 

Anyway , let's get on with the post :-).

BODY SHOP - PINK GRAPEFRUIT SHOWER GEL £4 FOR 250ML || BODY SHOP - PINK GRAPEFRUIT BODY PUREE £8 FOR 250ML || OJON - REVITALIZING FLEXIBLE HAIRSPRAY. IN SET WITH SHAMPOO/CONDITIONER FOR £27  || NARS - LIGHT OPTIMIZING PRIMER £26 || RIMMEL WAKE ME UP FOUNDATION £8.99 || REAL TECHNIQUES EXPERT FACE BRUSH. FROM £8.99 || NARS - BLUSHER IN LAGUNA £26 || ESTEE LAUDER - PURE COLOR BLUSH IN HOT SIENNA ( 06) £25 || URBAN DECAY - NAKED 1, 2 & 3 £37 EACH.

Body Shop - Shower Gel in Pink Grapefruit - I love this so much. Beautiful scent. Really smells of grapefruit. I have a huge bottle of this. 750ml ( although for some reason that size is not on the website at this time so not sure if out of stock.) This one will last me forever & I do have a smaller bottle somewhere too so no need to buy it again for a while. If I ever run out of shower gels I most definitely would though.

Body Shop - Body Puree in Pink Grapefruit - I use this in conjunction with the shower gel as seems a shame to wash in the gel & then cover it with a different scent. Again although this bottle is only 250ml I think it will last ages too. I have never used a puree before so was not sure what to expect. It sinks in really nice & quick & smells just like the shower gel so I feel like I am walking round smelling like a fruit bowl. lol.

Ojon Revitalizing Flexible Hairspray - I got this in a set with travel sized shampoo & a travel size conditioner. i don't think you can buy it on it's own. Anyway the shampoo etc has gone away for me to take on holiday with me but I wanted to try the hairspray. I tend to have a love hate relationship with them & wasn't sure about spending so much trying this out. I went for it though & I must say I really like it. There is none of that stickiness that some hairsprays leave on my hair & no crispiness. Just helps hold my hair well with a nice subtle scent to it. I don't know that I would buy it again. It is only hairspray after all BUT maybe if they released it as a product on its own I would. I lied btw. I found the link for the bottle on it's own.

Nars Light Optimizing Primer - I spoke about this in a mini review recently. I still love it! I have since tried a primer by Laura Mercier & I must say that I still think this holds things in place a lot longer. I really do feel it keeps my make-up looking fresh for a very long time. I would be sure to get this again as right now it is way ahead of the others (I can't buy it until end of May though don't forget.)

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation - Mine is in shade soft beige. I LOVE THIS. I get a lot of redness mainly around my chin & I swear this does the job so well I hardly need to use a concealer too. I was recommended the CC cream by Clinique to help combat the redness but I really think this does the job so much better than the CC cream. I will be grabbing another bottle of the wake me up as & when I am allowed as I think the price is great too (unlike the CC cream from Clinique.)

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush - this is the favourite brush of mine to apply my foundations. I just find it is the best one to get the cream to cover my face. I think it takes half the time than any other brush I have for this job. 

Nars Bronzer - in Laguna. Sorry for the awful picture. It is an awful thing to try & get the true colour to take ion my camera. I have hit & miss moments with bronzers. I have tried a few & I struggle to not look awful when I apply them. Not so with this. I do not apply loads. Just a slight dusting on my contours & around the edges on my face & down my nose. It is lovely. 

Estee Lauder - Pure Color Blush - Mine is in shade Hot Sienna ( 06.) I was horrified by this when I 1st got it. Used to more lighter pinky tones  I was not sure what I was doing ordering this burgundy coloured one instead. I was so scared I did not touch it for ages. I decided to try it a few weeks ago & now I am hooked on it. A change from my pinks & peachy tones.

Lastly we have all 3 of the Urban Decay Naked palettes. I use them all most of the time & because I mix the colours from each up decided to include all 3 here. From 1 I like to use naked, buck & dark horse. Creep I use for lining my eye sometimes. Also Virgin I use in my inner corner. Then from 2 I like suspect, pistol & verve with blackout being a eyeliner substitute at times. With 3 I am still experimenting so have not really at this stage got any clear favourites although I do like strange for inner corner. You may struggle to find the 1st one is stock as seems to sell out very quickly.

That is that then for one more month.

Let me know what you preferred using in March too.

Amanda x