Tag: Favourites

MY FAVOURITE APPS OF 2019

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! Welcome to Blogmas Day 10! Today’s post is all about the apps that I’ve been loving throughout 2019. I’ve included all of the apps that I consider to be staples and must-haves so that you can download and enjoy them too!

Check out my favourite apps of 2017 and 2018!

FILMM

This is an absolute must-have for Instagram stories! Earlier this year, YouTuber/Blogger, Zoe Sugg, collaborated with the founders of A Color Story (Emma Chapman and Elsie Larson) to create “Filmm”. Created for creators, the app includes new video effects and filters to add all kinds of funky things to video clips. You can add light leaks, grain and dust to your videos and photos as well as filters and music! Filmm is free to download but you can also purchase packs containing more filters and effects. There’s also a subscription available to get everything for one price. I personally love using this app as it gives my videos a lovely home-made vibe. The effects aren’t just static filters but they actually move with the videos, making them look so realistic!

LIGHTROOM

I only started using this app properly earlier this year. Now, I cannot imagine my life without it – especially as a blogger and influencer! Lightroom is an editing app that allows you to edit everything from the exposure and contrast of a photo to removing haze or adding grain to it. It literally lets you edit every aspect of an image until you’re happy with how it looks. It really allows you to be a perfectionist with your work – which I love! You can also create your own or download presets, ready to copy and paste so that all of your images have the same edit. I love using presets for my Instagram themes – they have made a huge difference to my photography! There’s absolutely no going back now that I have this app in my life – it’s an everyday staple for me!

APPLE PODCASTS

I absolutely love podcasts. I listen to at least one episode of a podcast every single day. They’re perfect to have on in the background whilst I’m working, cleaning or even on a walk or a run. The Apple Podcasts app is basically a library for IOS users to access over 750,000 shows. There’s a category for everything; Comedy, Sports, True Crime, History and even Fiction! I’m not only constantly entertained and inspired by podcasts, but I can learn from them too. You can keep up to date with your favourite shows or you can download episodes so that you’ve always got some stored for those long and boring journeys. I feel like I’m always recommending podcasts to friends and family – I actually think I listen to them more than I watch TV or movies.

I’ve written two posts about the podcasts that I listen to; My Favourite Podcasts in 2018 and 3 Podcasts to Make You Laugh, so give them a read if you need something new to listen to!

SLEEP CYCLE

I’ve been struggling with sleep since I was a kid. I’ve been having very intense lucid dreams since I was about twelve years old, so I’m used to waking up in the middle of the night feeling confused and questioning what’s real etc. It usually means that in the morning, I’m still extremely tired. I currently have no problem with falling asleep, but during the night, I know my sleeping pattern is very inconsistent and easily disrupted.

I noticed this app and I thought it would help me understand my sleep cycles much more. Sleep Cycle offers a variety of features to help users track and analyse their sleep. It also has an inbuilt alarm that gently wakes you up during a light sleep in the morning. I love this as I never feel like it interrupts my sleep as I’m usually just stirring as it starts to go off. Now, I understand my sleeping pattern so much more thanks to the detailed analysis that the app provides. Also, I love that I don’t have to have anything under my pillow or attached to me. I can just put my phone on my bedside table and I’m good to go!

I know Pinterest has been around for a while! It’s just that I’ve been using it so much this year that it simply felt wrong not to mention it. Pinterest is probably the most inspiring app that I own. There’s everything available from makeup ideas and motivational quotes to storage hacks, DIY tips and tricks. There’s also plenty of beautiful and inspiring images to look at. You can discover so much just by typing a word or phrase into the search bar and hey-presto, you’ll have hours worth of content to scroll through! It’s very therapeutic to use. You can create and organise boards by theme and save what you find, it feels a lot like digital scrapbooking! As someone that likes to be creative, this app has been an amazing source of inspiration, motivation and ideas for me!

I can’t really fit everything that this app has to offer into a small paragraph, but it’s absolutely worth downloading if you don’t already have it!

Follow me on Pinterest!

I’m always looking for new apps to use, so let me know your favourites in the comments! I’ve put links to all of my social media down below and I’d love it if you would come and say hi!

Read about my favourite apps of 2017 and 2018 here!

N xxxx

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Tags 2019, App Store, Apps, blogger, BLOGMAS, Christmas, December, Favourites, Photography, Photos, Pinterest, Podcasts, Review

2019 BLOGMAS LIFE

MY FAVOURITE FESTIVE CANDLES

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date December 2, 2019
25 Comments on MY FAVOURITE FESTIVE CANDLES

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! Welcome to Blogmas Day 2! Today’s post is all about my favourite festive candles. I look for any excuse to buy candles all year round but when they start getting christmassy and seasonal – I cannot resist. It’s the perfect time of year to get cosy and have the house smelling like Santa’s grotto – what better way to do it than with candles? I thought I would share some of my latest finds with you from Homesense!

*This post contains affiliate links

DW Home – Peppermint Bark

I discovered this candle this year and I am so glad that I did! I’ve actually bought back ups because I don’t want to run out (call me crazy but I am NOT risking it). The scent takes me back to my childhood! When I was younger, I used to go to the park with my dad and get an ice cream and I would always choose mint-choc-chip! It’s such a yummy smell and is perfect for making the house smell fresh and sweet!

Yankee Candle – Cinnamon Stick

It just doesn’t feel right to celebrate Christmas without some cinnamon scented candles! This is one of my absolutely favourites from Yankee Candle. It smells absolutely flipping amazing. It features Cinnamon (obviously), Clove, Cardamom and Cedar-wood. It literally smells like Christmas in a jar and it always makes me feel so festive!

DW Home – Christmas Morning

The DW Home Christmas Morning candle has been a festive must-have of mine for a couple of years now! I always have one of these prepared for Christmas as it’s possibly my favourite scent ever… It smells of sweet roasted coffee with hints of vanilla. It’s basically like walking into a cosy coffee shop!

Vila Hermanos – Christmas Spice

My best friend actually gave me this for my birthday, she knows me too well! It smells like a combination of the typical Christmas spice ingredients (cinnamon, ginger etc.) and something smokey. I can’t quite put my finger on it but it smells SO GOOD. It’s the perfect candle to light on a cosy movie night in!

DW Home – Sweet Peppermint

I couldn’t find the exact one, so the link above is for something really similar by DW Home! For some reason, I have a bit of a thing for all things peppermint at this time of year. I think it’s because they remind me of candy canes and all the festive sweet treats that emerge during the holidays. Also, the packaging is adorable! I will definitely be keeping the jar once I’ve finished with the candle!

DW Home – Gingerbread Cookie

This literally smells like I’ve been transported to a gingerbread village. It smells like Christmas baking and warm cookies! I’m actually giving this one as a gift this year so I will definitely have to get my hands on one for myself now that I’ve fallen in love with it! Annoyingly, I can’t find it online but so many places are selling gingerbread candles at this time of year so have a good old browse and see what you can find.

I hope you enjoyed my festive candle favourites! If you have any recommendations of favourites of your own, I would love to hear all about them in the comments. I’ve put links to all of my social media down below and I’d love it if you would come and say hi!

N xxxx

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Tags 2019, BLOGMAS, Candles, Christmas, December, DW Home, Favourites, Festive, Haul, Photography, Photos, Yankee Candle

BEAUTY HAIR

MY CURRENT FAVOURITE HAIR PRODUCTS

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date October 11, 2019
1 Comment on MY CURRENT FAVOURITE HAIR PRODUCTS

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! Today’s post is all about hair products. I have to admit, up until halfway through university I pretty much ignored the whole haircare thing. Obviously, I washed it regularly and occasionally spritzed it with heat protectant when I remembered. Other than that, I barely knew anything about how to look after it properly and I very rarely invested in new hair products. One afternoon I was doing my usual lap of my local TK Maxx when I realised that they weren’t just selling shampoos and conditioner. There were hundreds of serums, masks, sprays and treatments too! I grabbed a few bits to get me started and since then, I’ve never looked back!

I thought it would be a nice idea to share my current favourite hair products with you! As usual, if you have any suggestions, go ahead and tell me in the comments – I love hearing about your favourites too! I’ve also written a post about some of my favourite face masks – check that out too!

*This post contains gifted products and affiliate links

Herbal Essences – Daily Detox Conditioners

I usually try be as sensible as possible with shampoo and conditioner and go for products that actually work and don’t just smell good . These do both! They smell absolutely incredible and they keep my hair really healthy. The Crimson Orange & Mint conditioner works on making your hair look fuller whilst the Golden Raspberry & Mint conditioner works on giving your hair a deep cleanse. I also use the shampoos in the range too and my hair has never looked or felt better!

Lee Stafford – Cactus Crush MUCHo Moisture Mask*

I love a hair mask but this has got to be one of the best that I’ve tried. The Lee Stafford MUCHo Moisture Mask provides “instant and long lasting hydration to quench hair’s thirst”. I like to curl and straighten my hair a lot which means the ends of my hair can often feel quite dry. This mask has not only helped my split ends but it has made all of my hair look glossy and healthy again! It’s the perfect mask for anyone that wants to give their hair the moisture boost that it needs.

Schwarzkopf – Gliss Shine Tonic

The Schwarzkopf Shine Tonic has been one of my favourite hair products for a couple of years now. It’s basically a spray that adds a shimmering shine to your hair in just one spritz. I like to use it right after I’ve straightened my hair to give it a sleek and shiny finish. It literally completes the look for me. I don’t go anywhere without this stuff! Also, it smells amazing too.

Pantene: Repair and Protect

The Panetene Repair and Protect Dry Oil was something I discovered earlier this year. I’d heard a bit about hair oils before, but I just couldn’t shake the whole greasy strands thing from my mind (thanks but no thanks). That was certainly enough to put me off for a while. However, after I’d done some research, I realised that some oils don’t actually leave any residue. I decided to invest in this little bottle of goodness and I’m so glad I did! I apply three pumps of oil to the middle of my hair down to my roots. It dries without a trace! No stickiness whatsoever! My hair looks so much healthier which is absolutely down to this stuff.

Lee Stafford – Cactus Crush THirsty SPRay

The Lee Stafford THirsty SPRay has been a real saviour for my hair. As I’ve mentioned, I use a lot of heated tools so I’m always looking for products to keep the ends of my hair hydrated. This spray contains cactus, wild lime and kalahari melon oil to give hair a moisture boost and that, it absolutely does! My hair no longer looks dehydrated thanks to this stuff. It made for the perfect holiday companion after my hair had been exposed to a lot of chlorine and sunshine. It’s also really lightweight and can be applied to wet hair – no oiliness. It also smells absolutely flipping delicious. You know those products that you can still smell hours later? This is one of those!

What are your favourite hair products? Let me know in the comments! I’ve put links to all of my social media down below and I’d love it if you would come and say hi!

N xxxx

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Tags BEAUTY, Beauty Blogger, Favourites, Hair, Hair Products, Haircare, Photography, Photos, Review

2018 BLOGMAS LIFE

4 OF MY FAVOURITE APPS OF 2018

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date December 3, 2018
No Comments on 4 OF MY FAVOURITE APPS OF 2018

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! Welcome to Blogmas Day 3! Today’s post is all about the apps that I’ve been loving throughout 2018. I actually wrote one last year, and since then I’ve been trying out lots of different things and I have a few more favourites to share with you! All of the apps that I’ve included are ones that I consider to be complete game changes and I can’t imagine doing what I do without them.

UNFOLD

Instagram stories started out to be fairly unpopular, as most people were just sticking with Snapchat. However, now, everyone is using them! As someone that works with social media every day, I’m always looking at ways to reach out to people that view my content. Typically, I like to use engaging language and high quality photography. Although I was doing this on my Instagram stories, I was getting bored of the same old features and ending up with the same sort of “homemade” look to all of my photography. That’s when I discovered Unfold! The app offers simple but elegant templates to curate your Instagram Story exactly the way that you want to. You can use it for photos, videos and even boomerangs! My stories now look so much more professional and well laid-out – I’ve even noticed a spike in engagement on my profile! The app is free to use however there is an option to buy some of their premium collections to give yourself some more templates to get busy with!

PREVIEW

This is probably my most used app of 2018 – I use it every single day without fail. Since becoming a blogger, I have recognised the importance of using Instagram to share my content. Not only this, but how important it is to keep it looking professional and organised. I started to use themes this year and with that came the stress of planning what photo to upload next. What would happen if I uploaded a photo and it didn’t look right or fit in? That’s where Preview comes in. This wonderful app allows you to plan your dream feed before anything goes live. You can shift the photos around to get them in the perfect position and schedule them to go up whenever suits you. You can also add hashtags to any of your images as well as being able to upload straight to Instagram without any fuss. I can’t even begin to tell you how much this has helped me, plus I now have a feed that I’m proud of. This is the kind of app that once you start using, you can’t understand how you used to function without it.

BUFFER

I’d heard so much about this app and so I finally caved in to the curiosity to download it. I’m glad I did as I use it all the time and find it so helpful! I’m a student in my final year with a busy timetable, I also post twice a week on my blog. This means that I hardly have time for dinner most days, let alone promoting the things that I write. Buffer allows you to pre-write all of your tweets and schedule them to go up whilst you’re going about your day as usual. It means I don’t have to find the time to sit and compose tweets as it’s already doing it for me! It’s made me a lot less stressed, as it’s taken one less thing of my plate. You can also sync it to other social media accounts too – it doesn’t have to be twitter.

SPROCKET

My boyfriend Kindly bought me the hp Sprocket for Christmas a couple of years ago and I’m so glad he did as I love it! The Sprocket is a wireless pocket-sized printer that doesn’t require ink or any lengthy printing sessions – just an app! The app lets you choose exactly what you want to print from any of your devices, all in a couple of taps. It also has lots of editing features that allow you to add overlays, stickers and filters for any last minute touch-ups. You can even connect it to your Instagram account to print directly from your feed! Obviously you need the Sprocket to use the app, so I’m aware lots of you won’t find this useful, but if you’re considering getting one, or even asking for it for Christmas, you can see that it’s a really handy little system to have for on-the-go use! I love that I can print instantly wherever I am, it’s definitely encouraged me to be more spontaneous and to create a memory out of every day.

I hope you enjoyed today’s post! I usually stick to lifestyle and beauty on my blog, but occasionally it’s nice to talk about something else! I’m always interested to know what apps everyone is using and whether I’m missing out on any! Be sure to let me know in the comments what your favourites are!

Have a read of last year’s post: My favourite apps of 2017

N xxxx

Tags 2018, Apps, BLOGMAS, Christmas, December, Favourites, Inspiration, Iphone, Photography, Photos, Review

2018 BEAUTY BLOGMAS MAKEUP

MY FAVOURITE FESTIVE LIPSTICKS

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date December 1, 2018
2 Comments on MY FAVOURITE FESTIVE LIPSTICKS

Hey Everyone,

Welcome to Blogmas Day 1! I can’t believe we’re already here, it seems like yesterday that I was writing last year’s Blogmas content. I thought I would kick it all off with a post about my favourite lipsticks to wear over the festive period. It’s like I evolve from being nude and neutral-loving to dark and dramatic in the space of a season. I used to practically sprint away from anything red and now it’s a totally different story!

This post contains affiliate links

MAC – Retro

First up, we have Mac’s Retro. My dad actually bought me this one last Christmas! This tends to be my transition lipstick from Autumn to Winter. It’s a muted peachy-pinky brown so I’m still getting to wear something that I’m used to but at the same time it’s darker than my usual go-to shades. I love that it has a satin finish to it as it’s non-drying but still really pigmented. A cheaper dupe for this is Sephora’s Labyrinth City!

Illamasqua – Vixen

This is the beautiful Vixen in Illamasqua’s Lava Lips range! I originally picked it up because I was so intrigued by the marbled design however, upon trying it out, it quickly became one of my Winter favourites. The colours blend so well together to create a vibrant and intense pinky-red. It’s slightly different every time I use it and that’s why I love it! The finish, again, is satin, which keeps my lips feeling soft and moisturised. The packaging is also so sophisticated and sleek – I love everything about this lipstick! I can’t find any dupes for this as it’s just so unique!

Anastasia Beverly Hills – Rogue

Here we have one of Anastasia Beverly Hill’s matte lipsticks in the shade Rogue. It’s a dark brownish red that fulfils all my festive lipstick desires! It has warm undertones, which is why I enjoy wearing it at this time of year. It may be frosty outside, but my lips will stay rosy for as long as possible thank you very much. Not only is it really pigmented, but it’s ultra-matte formula ensures that it stays on all day.

Urban Decay – Plaid

This is one of Urban Decay’s lipsticks from their Vice range in the shade Plaid. I chose it because at this time of year I can’t resist deep berry tones! It’s a cool pinky-red with a sheer finish so it’s hydrating and always makes me look so healthy! Although the texture is quite thin, it’s still pigmented and it’s buildable if I ever wanted something slightly more intense.

MAC – Persistence

A Peachy cinnamon shade, absolutely perfect for this time of year! It’s also perfect for anyone that doesn’t want to wear anything really dark or dramatic. It has warm, reddish-orange undertones, so although it’s almost a brown, it’s actually really flattering on and I’m still staying within my comfort zone! I love a matte lip in Winter too, especially with the amount of hot chocolates I get through every day, I need something that doesn’t budge! However, it can be a tiny bit drying, so I always make sure my lips are moisturised before applying it.

I really hope that you enjoyed my first Blogmas post of 2018! My makeup routine completely changes over winter, so I’m always curious as to whether or not anyone else’s does too! Let me know in the comments what your winter beauty staples are! Tomorrow’s post is a HUGE gift guide that I’ve been working on for ages! I’ve included all kinds of bits and pieces to suit lots of different price ranges, so make sure you come back at 6pm to have a read!

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N xxxx

Tags 2018, Anastasia Beverly Hills, BEAUTY, blog, BLOGMAS, December, Favourites, Illamasqua, Lipstick, MAC, Makeup, Photography, Photos, urban decay

BEAUTY SKINCARE

DOES THE NIP + FAB – TEEN SKIN FIX PORE BLASTER WORK? – REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date October 30, 2018
4 Comments on DOES THE NIP + FAB – TEEN SKIN FIX PORE BLASTER WORK? – REVIEW

Hey Everyone,

With the transition from Summer to Autumn well underway, my skin, as usual, panicked and decided to bless me with some spots – hooray! The change in weather either causes me to break out or just get ridiculously dry skin for a little while before it finally settles down, does anyone else have this issue? Typically, most of the year round, I don’t suffer too badly with my skin. However, if I’m stressed or the environment around me changes, I tend to get a period of breakouts. It shouldn’t, but it always makes me feel incredibly self conscious. Instead of hiding away indoors I decided to invest in some skincare to see if I could banish the blemishes as quickly as possible. This involved spending an hour in Superdrug trying to decide what product to invest in. There’s so much available these days! It’s hard to make a decision without feeling like it was perhaps the wrong one and that there might be something way better available down another aisle. However, today I’m doing the work for you. If you aren’t sure, scroll down and have a read!

*This post contains affiliate links

I use a lot of skincare by Nip + Fab and so far, so good. I love their products and they make my skin look and feel great. I wouldn’t say that I have “problem” skin but I do get little bumps and blemishes, particularly when I’m stressed. I have been prescribed topical gel that works but it can bleach things and leaves my skin feeling quite sensitive and dry. So I decided to dive into Nip + Fab’s Teen Skin range. I was slightly put off by the name, as it made me feel a bit silly buying something that’s aimed at teenagers at the peak of puberty however I went for it anyway and I now have zero regrets. I noticed there were lots of different products in the range, all aimed at blemishes and problem skin. I chose to try the 2 in 1 Scrub and Mask Pore Blaster first.

Nip + Fab 2 in 1 Teen Skin Pore Blaster Review

The product is aimed at congested skin and it works as a mask or as a scrub. I love multi-purpose products as I feel like I’m getting more for my money and as a student, that’s important when it comes to buying skincare. I don’t usually use scrubs as I feel like they can sometimes be too harsh on my face but this one isn’t at all! I can tell that it’s really getting to work but it’s doing so gently, which is why I enjoy this product so much! It doesn’t feel like you’re going to scrub yourself so that only your feet remain.

It stops my skin from breaking out any further as well as stopping any excess oil from building up. It contains volcanic pumice to exfoliate the skin, salicylic acid to unclog present and further breakouts and wasabi extract which acts as a powerful antioxidant. I simply wet my face and then massage the scrub onto my skin before rinsing it off with warm water. When I used it as a mask, I just apply a layer over my face and leave it to dry. Both methods have completely transformed my skin! I’m so glad that I discovered this product as it’s made such a huge difference to my confidence as well as my face. I’m looking forward to trying the other products within the range as I’m sure they will be just as fantastic and effective.

So, what’s the verdict?

I strongly recommend trying the Nip + Fab 2 in 1 Scrub and Pore Blaster. I haven’t experienced any issues with it so far and my skin had cleared up within a couple of days of using it! I’d say it’s probably not the right product for everyone’s skin, but it might. be worth a try if you also struggle to get rid of those pesky pimples once they appear. What are your holy grail products? Let me know in the comments.

N xxxx

Tags Acne, Advice, BEAUTY, Blemishes, blogger, Favourites, Lifestyle, Nip + Fab, Photography, Photos, Skincare, Spots

MONTHLY FAVOURITES

JULY 2018 FAVOURITES

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well. I recently finished my jury service and it was such an amazing experience. As a criminology student, it’s bascially my dream to be sat in a courtroom every day so I was actually really excited when I got the letter in the post! The case, (obviously I can’t go into much detail) was a fraud case, which is known to be one of the most tedious ones to go through. There were hundreds of articles to look at (bank statements and recipets) and there were so many figures and statistics to keep in mind all day, every day! I really enjoyed working so closely with a random group of people too! It’s like the relationships that you make on holiday, they’re different and it often feels like you’ve known eachother a lot longer than a few days! That’s what it felt like working with these 11 other people. We all got to know eachother so well over those two weeks and it was surprisingly fun to spend all day with eachother, discussing the case and on one occasion, trying to complete a hue jigsaw puzzle when we were given a four hour break. Have any of you guys completed your jury service? If so, what did you think of it?Summer is going by way too quickly and it’s already the end of the month which means it’s time for my July favourites post! I’ve got a few bits and bobs that I’ve been loving over the last few weeks. Don’t forget to let me know your favourites in the comments below!

This post contains affiliate links

BLANX TOOTHPASTE

I was lucky enough to be sent these toothpastes by Blanx and I haven’t stopped using them since. I feel like every teeth whitening product always promises those pearly whites to be instant but these really do work . I noticed a difference straight away and within a week my teeth looked completely different! There’s probably something in the fact that I’m tanned too, so the contrast probably made it more obvious. Either way, I’ve had compliments and I feel great about them, so that’s good enough for me! Do you use any teeth whitening products?

Check out the toothpaste here

ASOS FULLER BUST RANGE

Hello and welcome to the big titty committee! The place where you can’t walk into Primark and buy a cheap and pretty little bra, but instead you have to heave your melons into Bravissimo and get fitted into some thirty pound chunky cups if you don’t want back ache. I’m planning on doing many youtube videos (as you can probably tell, I could do with a rant), but if you didn’t know, I have big boobs and with that comes the nightmare of not only finding things that fit me but also things that I can afford. Apparently most places didn’t get the memo and decided to charge sky high prices for basic underwear if you’re bigger than the average size. I considered getting an operation because it was just too much to deal with and I was so fed up with not being able to buy into the latest trends UNTIL I discovered that ASOS do a fuller bust range and thank god I did. There’s no going back now and certainly no need for breaking the bank every time I need to buy a bikini or a new bra. I now scroll through their huge selection of affordable underwear without panicking about spending too much or looking like an old lady – I can even buy bralettes and strapless bras that work perfectly well but are half the price! If you haven’t checked them out yet, please do as they’ve been an absolute game changer for me.

KIKO SMART HYDRATING FOUNDATION

Behold! A hydrating, dewy and amazing foundation has been discovered – except this one only costs £5.90! I’ve been using it every day this summer. It gives my skin such a healthy, radiant glow and the coverage is perfect for those gross, hot and clammy days. I feel like I have nothing on and yet my skin looks flawless. It applies beautifully and blends like a dream! I never thought to look in KIKO for a foundation but everything I’ve tried by them before, I’ve ended up using every day and I’m yet to be let down. I love that their makeup always looks and feels so luxurious and yet it costs half the price of the expensive products that I wish I owned.

ZOELLA BEAUTY – SPLASH BOTANICS – LIP OIL

I absolutely love this! I use it all the time to make sure my lips stay moisturised whilst I’m going in and out of the sun. It’s so easy to carry around with me too, I’ll definitely be buying another one. I also love anything cherry scented too, so this was a winner straight away for me! I’ve always avoided lip oils as the last thing I want is to feel sticky and gross but this doesn’t seem to work like that. It feels like a lip balm but way more moisturising and adds a lovely gloss to my lips!

Click here to read my review of the full range

ZOELLA BEAUTY – SPLASH BOTANICS – BODY SORBET

This is my favourite moisturiser ever, I think I’m addicted to using it! The texture is so light and fluffy, it’s absorbed in seconds so I never feel greasy or sticky afterwards! There’s a very subtle shimmer to it too, which makes my skin glow when I’m out in the sun. I love using it after I’ve been sunbathing as it keeps my tan looking fresh and will hopefully make it last a lot longer! There’s so much product inside the pot too, I doubt I’ll finish it any time soon but I know I’ll buy another one as soon as it’s empty!

Click here to read my review of the full range

Tammi x Revolution Palette

I’ve already reviewed this so I’ll keep it short and snappy. It’s pigmented, it’s colourful and it’s affordable, what’s not to love? I’ve been using this most days to create bright makeup looks whilst I’m on holiday, as I don’t own another palette quite like it! I love that it’s easy to travel with and that it also comes with a generously sized mirror, meaning it can be used anywhere!

Click here to see my full review of the palette

Image Source: https://www.youtube.com/user/shane/

SHANE DAWSON – THE SECRET LIFE OF JEFFREE STAR

I was completely hooked on this series! Shane’s videos have always been the ones that I drop everything for but this was a whole new level. I was cramming as much of this as I could because it was just such an interesting topic. I’ve been watching Jeffree’s videos for a while now and I’ve always been intrigued by his glamorous lifestyle so I was super excited when Shane announced he would be making a documentary on it. I hope Shane continues to make these amazing series because I just love them and it appears millions of others do too, judging by the views he gets!

I hope you’ve all had a lovely month and I’ll be back next time with a review of Superdrug’s Naturally Radiant skincare range, so stay tuned for that! Don’t forget to let me know everything that you’ve been loving lately as I always look forward to hearing your recommendations!

N xxxx

Tags 2018, BEAUTY, blogger, Favourites, Makeup, Makeup Revolution, Monthly Favourite, Photography, Photos, Skincare, Summer, Zoella, Zoella Beauty

INTERIORS LIFE

INTERIOR EDIT: FANTASTIC FLAMINGOS

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date July 24, 2018
No Comments on INTERIOR EDIT: FANTASTIC FLAMINGOS

Hey Everyone,

I haven’t written a post about interior design in such a long time so I’m super keen to be back with another one for you! Today’s post is all about the summer trend of flamingos – they are EVERYWHERE! I’ve chosen a few favourites to share with you from bedding to candles so keep scrolling for some goodies! I’ve included links to everything so you can have a look for yourself if anything takes your fancy!

This post contains affiliate links

John Lewis – Sara Miller – Thermal Flask

How freaking cute is this? I love using flasks during the winter at university. It makes those 9ams so much easier when I have a nice hot tea with me! I love the print, it’s so quirky and different! With the cold weather on it’s way, grab yourself one of these to keep cosy!

CHECK OUT THE FLASK HERE

Amazon – Final Touch Flamingo Wine Glass Markers

You’d be surprised at how handy these things are! Whenever we have lots of people round for dinner and drinks, I always stick these on everyones glasses so people know which belongs to them! I hate putting a drink down and not knowing which one it is an hour later. Plus they’re cute and quirky!

CHECK OUT THE GLASS MARKERS HERE

Argos – Pieridae Flamingo Bedding Set

How gorgeous is this bedding? I hadn’t bought any bedding from Argos before so I was slightly worried that it wouldn’t be much good. However, I ordered some a while back and I have zero regrets! It’s so comfy and affordable, it’s perfect if you’re going to uni and you want some fun bedding to brighten up your new room!

CHECK OUT THE BEDDING HERE

Sass & Belle – Ziggy The Chevron Tropical Flamingo Mug

If you didn’t know already, I own far too many mugs. For some reason, I keep buying them and I can’t stop. I always go for the bigger ones so then I can have a huge cup of tea! I particulalry love the look of this one, I mean look at the handle, it’s too cute to miss out on. I love Sass & Belle and I’ve bought lots of things from them before! If you’re interested in homeware then definitely check out their website, they have some amazing bits and pieces. They’re also amazing when it comes to looking for gifts!

CHECK OUT THE MUG HERE

John Lewis – Fenella Smith Flamingo and Pineapple Ring Plate

I really love using plates like this to keep all of my trinkets and bits and pieces in one place. I have one on my bedside table to put my earrings and rings in before I go to sleep and I have a few on my desk to hold paperclips etc. They come in so handy – particularly at uni! They stop all of those little bits going missing under the bed or behind your drawers. I love the little illustration is as well – adorable!

CHECK OUT THE RING PLATE HERE

John Lewis – Sanderson Flamingos Wallpaper

Bathroom GOALS! Look at how pretty this wallpaper is! It’s like my dream design to have in my future bathroom. I’ve always liked the idea of having a feature wall in each room, this would make a great one right? I’m one of those people that can’t manage to get themselves together on a daily basis but somehow has planned their future home out – in depth. Is anyone else like that? I blame Pinterest.

CHECK OUT THE WALLPAPER HERE

If you read my other tropical themed interior post, then you’ll know how much I love flamingos and all things summer. I just love the pop of colour and the idea that you can make a room feel different with just the addition of a little pink bird! It’s strange how suddenly it started trending but I think the idea of a tropical interior is becoming much more popular as the years go by. I’m excited to see what next summer brings! This year we’ve had cactuses, flamingos and pineapples – who knows what is to come!

What do you think of this trend?

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N xxxx

Tags blogger, Decor, Design, Favourites, Flamingos, Furniture, Interior, Interior Design, Lifestyle, Photography, Photos, Review, Summer, Tropical

MONTHLY FAVOURITES

JUNE 2018 FAVOURITES

Hey Guys,

Somehow June has been and gone and what a month it’s been! What have you all been up to? I finished my exams, I’ve moved back home for the summer and I’ve already been on a mini break to Manchester all in the space of a few weeks! I feel so refreshed and ready to produce some good content! I’ve been working so hard on my photography and I hope some of you have picked up on that – it’s mainly because the lighting is ten times better now that the sun is out and I have much more time on my hands. Anyway, here are the things that I have been loving over June!

This post contains affiliate links

Soph X Revolution – Extra Spice Palette

I’ve reviewed it already so I’ll keep this short – “obsessed” doesn’t cover how much I love this palette! It’s fantastic and the quality is unreal. Pretty much every shade is super pigmented and it’s so affordably priced – I’m extremely impressed with it, plus I love Soph as a creator and I’m more than happy to support her. Click below to read my review where I have lots of photos and swatches!

CHECK OUT MY REVIEW HERE

CHECK OUT THE PALETTE HERE

Zoella Beauty – Let’s Spritz – Body Mist

I’ve raved about this multiple times on my blog but I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t my favourite fragrance ever! I wear it every single day and it smells incredible. I must have been through at least five bottles of this since the start of this year! It features Raspberry and Cassis, making it a gorgeous fresh and fruity spritz. It’s so long lasting, I find I can still smell it on me right at the end of the day when I sprayed it ten hours before. Very impressed!

CHECK OUT THE BODY MIST HERE

Natural Collection – Hydrating & Radiance Primer

I discovered this a while ago and I’m so glad I did! If you’ve read my June Birchbox review, you’ll know that I wasn’t a fan of how pricey Benefit’s POREfessional: Pearl Primer is, I’m all for treating yourself to great products however when it comes to every day use, it can become very expensive. That’s where this bad boy comes in, as it also focuses on illuminating the skin, which I find to be perfect for summer when I want my skin to be glowing.

CHECK OUT THE PRIMER HERE

Beautanics Beauty – Fill + Tame Brow Gel

I’ve always been a powder girl when it comes to filling in my brows but recently I’ve been loving and using this brow gel. It gives me a much more natural look and it’s just so easy to apply. I tend to do a few strokes in each brow and if there are any gaps, I’ll go over with a tiny bit of powder and I’m good to go. If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to tame those brows, I really recommend giving this product a try! It’s also a really great colour for me too – I use the shade brunette.

CHECK OUT THE BROW GEL HERE

BlanX PRO – Glossy White – Toothpaste

I’ve been using this every day for a while now and I’ve noticed a HUGE difference! It’s rare that a toothpaste with whitening properties kicks in as quickly as this but honestly it’s amazing! I’d really recommend checking these guys out if you want to blind everyone when you flash your nashers!

CHECK OUT THE TOOTHPASTE HERE

Image Credit – Netflix

Netflix- The Staircase

Oh my goodness. This is one of the best things that I’ve ever watched. I can’t even explain how good it is. As a criminology student, I love anything that focuses on crime or murder as it’s something that I’m really interested in. This series gives a very very real insight into a very very real case and you’re there throughout the whole thing. You get to go to the hearings, you get to hear the verdict, you get to see the crime scene photos – it’s just so moving and gripping. I’m actually sad that I’ve finished it! I’m still in two minds about what actually happened that night.

What have you been loving this month? Let me know in the comments! I hope you’ve all been enjoying this lovely weather and any fellow students are loving freedom from university just as much as I am. I’ve put links to all of my social media below so come and say hi as I love to hear from you!

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N xxxx

Tags BEAUTY, Cosmetics, Favourites, June, Makeup, Photography, Photos, Products, Review, Skincare, Summer

BEAUTY

MY FAVOURITE SUMMER FRAGRANCES*

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date June 22, 2018
2 Comments on MY FAVOURITE SUMMER FRAGRANCES*

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! A while ago I wrote a post about some of my favourite fragrances (click here to read that) and it was really popular so I thought I would do another one. I also thought I would make it summer themed as I feel like my fragrances change every season (anyone else?) and it’s time for an update. However, some of the following are the same as I definitely have some favourites that are here to stay! Therefore, I’ve kept a couple of the descriptions the same but there are new ones too.

*Paid AD and Affiliate Links

Today’s post is in collaboration with Clive Christian who have the most gorgeous range fragrances! Some of their collections, particularly their Twist Discovery Set, feature the perfect summer perfumes*, with lots of citrus and floral based scents. I really recommend checking out their website, as they have created so many different fragrances and I’m sure lots of you will find one that you love the sound of! One that I particularly love, is their fruity floral fragrance with dark plum, which also features bergamot, black pepper and frankincense – amazing!

Zoella Fragranced Body mist – Let’s Spritz – RRP £8

This is a new favourite of mine. I bought this body mist for the first time towards the end of last year and since then I’ve bought a few bottles, to make sure there’s one wherever I go! It’s definitely up there with my favourite fragrances ever. I love the packaging with the gorgeous lace design on the back and the metallic blue polka dot lid. It’s just so pretty to have on my dressing table. This spray features Raspberry and Cassis making it a gorgeous fresh and fruity spritz. I am a lover of all things berry scented so I was immediately drawn to this after testing it out. It’s so long lasting, I find I can still smell it on me right at the end of the day when I sprayed it ten hours before. Very impressed! I usually buy mine from Superdrug.

UPDATE – I wear this almost every day and I can’t imagine not using this! It’s my go-to fragrance at the moment and I absolutely love it!

CHECK OUT LET’S SPRITZ HERE

Soap and Glory Body Spray – Mist You Madly– RRP £4

I have been loving and using Soap and Glory products for a long time now and their fragrances are to blame for my addiction! I really love this scent, it’s so invigorating and it’s so perfect for a quick spritz during summer! It features bergamot, mandarin and caramon which makes such a beautiful fresh and flirty combo. It also features musk, sandalwood and vanilla which gives it a soft and sweet twist.

CHECK OUT ‘MIST YOU MADLY’ HERE

Zoella Fragranced Body mist – Gelat’eau– RRP £8

This is just SO GOOD! Firstly, the packaging is so cute and it has it’s own little space on my dressing table. It features Elderflower and Pomegranite which makes for the best fruity fragrance ever! I always seem to go for fruity scents during Summer because it’s around this time of year that I eat lots more fruit and I also want to smell like a fruit salad too. I really recommend grabbing some of this as it’s just so good that my description will not do it justice – you need to sniff it for yourselves!

CHECK OUT GELAT-EAU HERE

Shay and Blue – Blood Oranges – £25

This is a new one for me! I love how simple and minimalistic the packaging is, I think it looks so delicate and classy. This beautiful fragrance features an immediate fesh burst of bloog orange segments and juice whilst also blending with hot napa leather, charred woods and amber (WOW). I think the reason that I love this is because it’s so beautifully unique. I’ve never smelt anything like it before and the citrus notes are fantastic for summer! It’s so refreshing and energising, I’m been absolutely loving it at the moment!

CHECK OUT ‘BLOOD ORANGES‘ HERE

Soap and Glory Body Spray – Sugar Crush – £4

I really enjoy using products by Soap and Glory. I love their packaging, their branding (quirky phrases and names) and the quality of their products is always fantastic. If you want to see what my faves are, check out my post, where I review lots of Soap and Glory bits and pieces! This scent is by far my favourite in their entire collection, it’s sweet with a fruity lime twist. It features lemon oil and Elemi oil whilst also including vanilla, sweet lime, ginger and smashed brown sugar. It’s definitely a fragrance for those that like something zingy and refreshing! It lasts so long too, so you don’t have to worry about topping up if you’ve got a busy day ahead of you. This is also the travel mini, so it’s perfect to keep in my bag for on the go spritzing!

CHECK OUT SUGAR CRUSH HERE

I hope you guys enjoyed reading about my current favourite fragrances! I’ll definitely be writing these posts every season so keep a look out for more when Autumn hits. What are your favourite summer fragrances? Let me know in the comments! I’ve also linked all of my social media below so come and say hi!

N xxxx

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Anything marked with an “*” are sponsored links, which means I earn commission through every click, however all opinions are my own!

Tags Favourites, Fragrance, June, Perfume, Photography, Photos, Review, Soap and Glory, Summer, Zoella, Zoella Beauty

MONTHLY FAVOURITES

APRIL 2018 FAVOURITES

Hey Everyone,

I feel like I say this every month but where the frick has April gone? This year seems to be going by so fast! I have exams in two weeks so I would give anything for time to go by a little bit slower thank you very much. Either way, it’s time for my monthly favourites post and I have a few bits and pieces to share with you! It seems that most of these are beauty/skincare – probably because since I’ve been staying at home, I’ve been looking after myself a bit better!

L’Oréal – Pure Clay Blemish Rescue Mask*

This mask is AMAZING! I will be doing a separate review on it so I’ll keep this short but I couldn’t not include this in my favourites! It genuinely works AND it smells amazing – what more could you want? I’ve been using this every week and my skin is definitely benefiting from it. It’s been clearer and brighter and that’s exactly what I need right now. I noticed so many people were using these masks and I’m so glad I jumped on the bandwagon even if Dad says I look like a smurf when I have it on! I’ve linked the product via ASOS because any fellow students can get 10% off!

BUY THE MASK HERE

Anatomicals – Bye Bye Miss American Dry – Cherry Body Lotion

I am such a huge fan of Anatomicals and their products – the packaging is always amazing to! I love the bright and contrasting colours and the products always have the best names (I’m a pun lover). I have always loved anything cherry scented and this ticks all the boxes. It’s the nicest thing to put on after my bath and it leaves my skin feelings so soft and moisturised! They don’t seem to have it available on their website but I’ve found it on fragrance direct so I’ve put that link below!

BUY THE BODY LOTION HERE

Anatomicals – Boob Tube – grab your melons shower gel

Speaking of Anatomicals, I have another of their products to share with you! Not only does this smell incredible, it’s also designed to remind us to take 5 minutes to check out our boobs and make sure everything is okay (something I often forget to do) I was actually sent this in a Birchbox last year along with a little leaflet full of information from the charity CoppaFeel (an incredible breast cancer awareness charity). Whilst you’re pampering yourself and lathering up take a few minutes to “grab your melons” as they wonderfully put it and check everything out! I think it says a lot about Anatomicals too, in that they wanted to collaborate with a charity to create a brilliant product! I wish more brands did this.

BUY THE SHOWER GEL HERE

Coconut Lychee Candle

This candle is heavenly! I bought it last year because I spotted it in my local Homesense and I couldn’t leave it behind. The packaging sums my life up too (donuts – 40% of my diet along with a large amount of chicken nuggets) Unfortunately it isn’t branded however this is a scent I always go for when it comes to my bedroom hence why I picked it up anyway! If this is your kind of scent though, I’d recommend having a look because you never know what you will find! If I ever find out the name of this brand I will let you know asap x

Nip + Fab – Bee Sting Fix Lifting Mask*

So I’ve been using a treatment for my skin that tends to dry it out and as someone who is used to having quite oily skin this has been a bit of an issue for me. I use moisturisers but I just can’t find anything that really really works. I remembered that I had this bad boy in my box of face masks and I decided to try it again. The Bee Venom (don’t panic) controls the facial muscles and increases blood circulation which gently plumps your skin (basically a temporary and VERY subtle botox) and it contains AC Moisture Plex which maintains the skin’s natural level of moisture. This has helped SO MUCH and it’s made my skin so much less flaky and dry.

BUY THIS MASK HERE*

Zoella Beauty – Snowella Christmas Range

I have actually written a review of all of these bits and pieces so click here to read that! Either way, I have been OBSESSED with this range recently! I came back home for the Easter Holiday and it meant that I had access to a bath (don’t worry I’ve been showering at uni) and it meant I could finally use all of these lovely products. I’ve been really enjoying having pamper evenings (candles & oils – the full works) and these products have made my baths ten times better. I don’t know what I’m going to do when it runs out because eventually it won’t be available anymore! If you do want to get hold of any of these bits, the good news is you can and Feelunique stocks them (click the link below)

BUY THE SNOWELLA RANGE HERE

READ MY REVIEW HERE

Cath Kidston Meadow Posy Hand Cream

I was sent this in my April Birchbox which was in collaboration with the iconic British brand Cath Kidston! I was so happy to receiving this gorgeous little product, I immediately stashed it away in my handbag and I’ve been using it every singly day. My hands are SO much softer and they smell amazing! If you like fresh and floral scents and you haven’t tried this – you definitely should!

READ MY REVIEW HERE

BUY IT HERE

ModelCo Baked Highlighter – Moonshine

Again, Ive reviewed this HERE so I will keep it short! This highlighter is INCREDIBLE and I never want it to end. I particularly enjoy using baked products because I think they give my cheeks a lovely sheen and I look healthier. It’s the glow you’ve all been waiting for – baked highlighters are where it’s at people. I also love that this highlighter has a blend of some light and dark shades which saves me having to buy lots of separate ones. Unfortunately we got sent a pretty small sample and I may have to purchase the real thing however it’s a tad pricey. I have used some products from ModelCo before and I only have great things to say about them so that may justify paying a bit extra.

READ MY REVIEW HERE

BUY THE HIGHLIGHTER HERE

I know this month was pretty beauty focused but I hope you still enjoyed it! I’ve also been loving photography over the last few weeks and I’ve been working really hard at the photos on my blog so let me know if you think this is paying off (I hope it is anyway). Also let me know if there’s anything that you’ve been loving that you think I should try too as I love to hear your suggestions! Don’t forget to follow me on my social media to keep up with what I’m doing and my latest blog posts – come and say hi!

N xxxx

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*Anything marked with an “*” are affiliate links, which means I earn commission through every click, however all opinions are my own!

Tags BEAUTY, BIRCHBOX, Cosmetics, Favourites, Makeup, Photography, Photos, Review, Skincare, Zoella, Zoella Beauty

MONTHLY FAVOURITES

MARCH 2018 FAVOURITES

Hey Everyone,

This month came and went before I had time to say “March” out loud, I can’t believe I’m already writing another favourites post! I’ve been loving the brighter skies and slightly warmer days but there’s also been lots of other bits and pieces that I’ve been enjoying too.

DW HOME – ROSE QUARTZ

If you’ve been reading my blog posts for a while, you’ll know I am a candle fanatic and I’ve written quite a bit about them! I particularly enjoy candles by DW Home and their new ranges are incredible at the moment. This candle smells gorgeous! I don’t normally go for rose scented things but this is really really nice. It’s defintely a fresh scent but it’s also sweet with hints of vanilla.

DW HOME – LEMON LEAF

I absolutely love this candle! It’s just so refreshing with hints of lavender, sage, basil and spearmint to top it all off! I’m also digging the pastel packagaing too.

ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS

So I know this is increidlby random, but it wouldn’t be my March favourites without these included! As a blogger, I’m constantly needing props and trinkets to make my photos pop and recently I’ve started investing in artifical flowers. This rose was from Dunelm and the daffodils are from Home Bargains! They’re so affordable and can be used over and over again so it works out way cheaper than buying a real bunch every couple of weeks or so. I can’t wait to use these for my Spring and Summer themed posts.

MY BULLET JOURNAL

I have used bullet journals for a few years now and all of a sudden I’m even more obsessed than ever. Typically, I use them to track any habits, blogging stats or my diet but recently I’ve enjoyed simply writing my plans down and summarising how my day was in a few words. Don’t even get me started on the stationery – I could dedicate a whole post to this and may well do that one day! This journal is from a Papergang box which I reviewed a couple of weeks ago so click here for that!

PASTELS AND CULOTTES

So I’ve had this bodysuit for ages now and it’s perfect for me as I’m not exactly lacking in the boob department, which is one of my biggest insecruities so this can disguise it in some ways and also allows me to go braless (HELL YES). It’s also such a pretty and summery colour too so I tend to whip it out around this time of year whilst getting ready for some sun! I’ve only recently started wearing culottes and I have to say, I’m really loving them. They’re just so easy to style and they’re super easy and comfy to wear! These are from Primark and cost just £13! The only part I sometimes struggle with is what shoes to wear them with? If I’m just going to uni, I’ll throw on some trainers but when I want to dress them up a bit I’m totally stumped.

KIKO – BAKED BLUSH

I’ve defintely included this in a favourites post before but honestly it’s become an absolute MUST in my makeup bag. I don’t know what I would do without it! It’s got the most beautiful sheen to it which ties in with my highlighter and leaves my skin looking flawless. I can’t wait to see the difference that this makes to my Summer makeup looks too. I’m so glad I bought this and although it’s unavailable currently, Kiko offer some fab alternatives so I recommend checking them out.

CHECK OUT MY REVIEW OF THIS BLUSHER HERE

Source – Comedy Central UK

FRIENDS

I watched Friends back when I was tackling my first lot of GCSE’s and although it meant I was HEAVILY distracted, I think it might have saved me. I have so much love for this series and I decided to watch it from the beginning again! It’s usually on TV but there’s something nice about snuggling up in bed with a cup of tea and just tuning into the latest happenings at Central Perk. Can we also talk about how amazing the fashion is too?! I find myself wanting to clone pretty much every single one of Monica and Rachel’s outfits.

I hope you enjoyed this post! I love writing my favourites and they’re possibly one of my favourite things to read on other peoples blogs too. As always, let me know what you’ve been loving in March!

N xxxx

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Tags blogger, Candles, Clothes, Easter, Favourites, Flowers, Friends, Lifestyle, MonthlyFavourites, Netflix, Photography, Spring

LIFE LIFESTYLE REVIEWS

MY FAVOURITE SPRING CANDLES 2018

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date March 27, 2018
6 Comments on MY FAVOURITE SPRING CANDLES 2018

Hey guys,

I’m back with a candles post and this time it’s for Spring! I’ve written two posts about candles, one being my favourite Autumnal candles and the other features my favourite Christmas candles and another about my favourite Autumnal candles. These are two of my most popular posts so I thought it was only right that I shared the candles I’m loving this spring! I have to say, I’ve been much less of a candle hoard lately, I’ve been getting through my stash and actually using them (wow). What candles do you like to light during Spring? What are your favourite scents for this time of year? I definitely enjoy fresh and fruity scents when the sun starts to come out.

As you can see, I have quite the colourful bunch of scented goodies to share with you. I think the packaging for candles is definitely one of the main things that makes me actually make the purchase.

PECKSNIFF’S – RUBY ORANGE & WATERMELON CANDLE – £2.99

I purchased this candle from my favourite homeware place on earth – Homesense (I’ve written a post entirely dedicated to this, click here for that). Pecksniffs is one of my favourite fragrance companies. My mum and I used to regularly stay at a hotel in Plymouth and all of the bathroom products were by Pecksniffs and we absolutely loved them. We used to take all of the products home and continue the pampering for weeks after! As soon as I discovered that Homesense stocked their products I was straight in there buying them all. This candle has the most fruity and tropical fragrance and I LOVE it. As soon as I sniffed it, I put it straight in my basket, it smells like a fruit salad and I think it’s perfect for the warmer weather (when it actually decides to arrive)

WAX LYRICAL – MEDITERRANEAN ORANGE CANDLE – £4.50

My boyfriend purchased this from Wilko (I didn’t know they stocked branded candles?!) and he particularly loves citrus and orange scented products so I thought this would mainly be for him however I have really started to enjoy these scents for Spring. I’d never heard of this company before but I did some research and I’m loving their scents and the packaging of their products!

BUY IT HERE

YANKEE CANDLE – PEONY CANDLE – £1.99

If you read my Valentine’s Day post you’ll know that I received this as part of a gift set. I love how fresh this scent is and I think it’s perfect for Spring. Apparently it’s the fragrance of the month according to Yankee Candle (it’s also on sale right now by the way). I never used to buy floral scented candles but for some reason I’m all about them right now!

BUY IT HERE

DW HOME – PAPAYA MANGO CANDLE – £2.99

DW Home are my favourite company by far when it comes to fragranced goods. I pretty much buy all of their candles every season! I love the variety of scents that they offer and the packaging is always colourful and pretty. I really recommend checking these guys out! This candle smells FAB and I reckon I’ll be repurchasing this for Summer too. It smells kind of exotic too, it reminds me of being on holiday! I can’t wait to light this in the evenings when the sun starts to show itself.

BUY IT HERE

PECKSNIFF’S – PINEAPPLE & KEYLIME – £2.99

I love the smell of this candle! It’s very fresh and fruity (noticing a theme here?) and it’s so reasonably priced that it was rude to walk away from. I love the colour too, it adds a pop of green to my room which is much needed now that Winter is starting to budge slightly. Again, I bought this from Homesense so I can’t provide a link to the products itself but it’s fairly easy to get hold of in store!

I hope you guys enjoyed this post! I enjoy writing these, probably because I will use any excuse to go and buy candles, let alone when a new season rolls in. Let me know if there’s any scents you’re particularly loving to fill your home with at the moment!

N xxxx

Don’t forget to follow me on my social media for regular updates:

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Tags Candles, DWHome, Favourites, Fragrance, Homesense, InteriorDecor, Lifestyle, Pecksniffs, Photography, YankeeCandle

INTERIORS LIFE

INTERIOR EDIT: GEOMETRIC DESIGN

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date March 23, 2018
2 Comments on INTERIOR EDIT: GEOMETRIC DESIGN

Hey guys,

I’m back with a new Interior Trends post and today we’re talking about Geometric designs that seem to be popping up everywhere. I have always enjoyed looking at anything abstract or geometric. My mum and I once spent a whole summer holiday photocopying those mandalas you can get in adult colouring books and then we would trace them onto watercolour paper and paint them! We created some amazing paintings – remind me to do a post about these at some point! Anyway, I have been noticing so many geometric prints and even furniture that I just have to share with you! Also, If you want a fashion version of this series, let me know as I’m wanting to do something in that area, probably a couple of “trends” posts per month?

Anyway, bring on the hexagons and triangles (nerdiest thing I’ve said? Yep)

This post contains affiliate links

GEOMETRIC DESIGN

In terms of shapes, it’s definitely the year of the hexagon or triangle, they’re absolutely EVERYWHERE. Whether it’s in terms of shelving, rugs, wallpaper or mugs, every homeware and interior company seems to have caught onto this trend. If you were hoping to protect your bank account and run away, you’ve got no chance I’m afraid. Blocks and pops of colour are also everywhere at the moment. I’m a sucker for contrast/colour block t-shirts and jumpers so I absolutely love that it’s also coming into the fashion world too.

Dunelm – Geo Charcoal Bath Mat

I absolutely love this bath mat from Dunelm. I pretty much always love their homeware collections but this one is so me! Although the design is bold the colour scheme is quite subtle, so it could work anywhere. I like my bathroom to be a relaxing place, so had it included any more colours, it might have been a bit too much – I don’t want to get dizzy on my way out of the shower. Also I was expecting it to cost more than £14?! Yes Dunelm, I appreciate this! Continuing with the nerd talk, there’s also matching towels available which is perfect if you want to deck out your bathroom with a fresh set of decor!

Swoon – Kay Side Table

Another one of my favourite places to stalk the latest trends in the interior design world, is the Swoon website! I love this table! The hexagon-shaped surface and the legs make it so quirky and different. It’s quite pricey but it’s just so nice to look at I had to include it! I also just love the marble as it makes the whole table look so luxury. I reckon there are some cheaper alternatives are available too, let me know if you find any!

Made – Sienna Marble Coasters

I LOVE these. Again, the marble makes them look so luxe and glamorous. I think they could jazz up any coffee table in seconds! If you don’t fancy them for your own home, they’d make a lovely gift for any marble addicts (me) and for £12, that’s ideal for a Secret Santa or as a small gift for someone that’s just moved into a new home!

Waitrose Garden – Geo Tealight Holders

I used to avoid Waitrose like the plague when I started university. I made the assumption that it only sold ridiculously expensive products that I couldn’t afford so I just never gave it a chance. I decided to have a look the other day and I’m so glad I did as I discovered that this wasn’t the case at all! How gorgeous are these tealight holders? Plus they’re only £10! I love that they’re different to the typical flat ones that you find everywhere – they offer a bit of texture! I also love that they can be used in the garden too, because they would look beautiful on a summer’s evening if you were having a BBQ or cocktail evening.

Hay – Kaleido Hexagon Tray – Medium – Peach

I really love these trays by Hay. Not only do I love the shape but I love that they’ve chosen to combine lots of them by slotting smaller ones inside of bigger ones (check out the link below to see what I mean) and there’s literally LOADS of shapes, sizes and colours available for you to play around with. These trays aren’t that expensive either which I was happy to see as I don’t want to spam you with super pricey things in these posts! I just find things like this, particularly when they’re block colours, so satisfying to look at, they’re perfect for all the little bits I seem to collect on tables and in the corners of every room.

Kimono Cushion Pink Red Hexagon Design By Hunted and Stuffed on Notonthehighstreet.com

Although this is extremely expensive for a cushion, I think it captures this trend perfectly: hexagons and bold colours. I LOVE it. I think it looks so luxury and would add such an great pop of colour to any living space. It would definitely stand out amongst an all white/cream themed interior. It is rather pricey, but it’s great for inspiration and I’m sure you could find something similar at a much cheaper cost.

Dunelm – Elements Jaxson Reversible Navy Duvet Cover & Pillowcase Set

I own lots of Dunelm bedding and I’m always looking at their new sets. I particularly love their brushed cotton sets for Winter. Their Elements collection is definitely for anyone that loves Scandi vibes (me) and they have a huge range of products available in this range so definitely check it out if it sounds like your thing. This bedding set is so fun and I love the pops of mustard/yellow mixed with the grey and dark blue. I love the pattern as well and the abstract design definitely caught my eye!

Geometric Triangles Drum Lampshade – Minted

I love this bright and contrasting colour scheme and the triangle pattern is fab too. I think it’s got some kind of retro vibes to it, especially within a mid-century modern interior. I also love that it’s reasonably priced too as sometimes buying individual lamps with nice designs on them can be really expensive!

Amazon – Thumbs Up Diamond Glass

Amazon have definitely picked up on the geometric trend by supplying these gorgeous glasses. I really like the minimalist style of them, transparent but geometrically shaped. I think they look really sophisticated and luxe. They remind me of the terrariums everywhere seems to be selling and creating at the moment. These would definitely be my “posh” glasses for a dinner party! They’d also be a lovely house warming gift too!

Right I’m going to stop here before I become addicted to all things geometric! I hope you enjoyed this post, let me know what you think of this series so far! Also, if you’ve found anything that you think deserves some attention, feel free to comment or let me know!

N xxxx

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Tags Decor, Design, Favourites, Furniture, Geometric, Haul, Inspiration, Interior, Interior Decor, Interior Design, Lifestyle, Photography, Photos, Trends

MONTHLY FAVOURITES

FEBRUARY 2018 FAVOURITES

Hey guys,

February was going to plan until the snow hit and threw me off a bit but it’s definitely given me some much needed time to get back to regular uploads! Let me know what you guys think about my new schedule (Tuesdays and Fridays at 6 o’clock). Today I’m going to be talking about my February favourite and as usual, Ive got a good mixture of things this month including some makeup and some lifestyle bits and bobs so let’s get into it!

PLANTS

Right this is a strange one but for some reason during February I experienced a real urge to have some more greenery in my life! I’ve always loved plants, indoors and outdoors and I love how fresh and clean they can make a room look and feel. I’ve been wanting to get some plants for my flat at university for quite some time now and I just never got round to it. I’m a huge fan of artificial plants because, as someone who is living in two places all year round, I don’t always have time to water and keep real plants healthy. I’ve been buying flowers regularly at uni and those have really brightened up the windowsill in my kitchen however I just felt like the living room was also in some need of green! I bought these guys (above) in various shops around Nottingham, all are artificial except the one at the back left. All cost me under £10 each which is also fab and makes me want more! I have a few artificial plants back in my room at home which is ideal as I’m not able to tend to them whilst I’m at uni and even though they aren’t real they still look it and add such a nice pop of green to my bedroom! I have a post specifically about Homesense and another of my favourite homeware shops so click here if you want to see more!

Wilko – Cream Pot / Homesense / Primark

Dunelm’s Voyager Range

TROPICAL PRINTS

Speaking of tropical prints and my new blog post coming up soon *cough cough* (I wonder if I’ll break any records for self-promo in this post?!) I thought I would include one in my favourites. This is a trend I am more than happy to welcome into my home as I love plants and all things green and turquoise which seems to be the key features of many tropical prints out now. The above image shows off some of Dunelm’s new Voyager range which is just FABULOUS and I am obsessed with it. It features so many quirky and bold coloured items and I want it all! What do you think of this trend? Do you love it or hate it? Let me know in the comments below.

SHOP THE RANGE HERE!

URBAN DECAY NAKED ILLUMINATED SHIMMERING POWDER

I know I’ve already reviewed this product, so I’ll put a link underneath this and keep it short! I’m a huge fan of natural looking highlighters and a shimmering powder is definitely my kind of product. I love that it’s light and doesn’t look chalky whatsoever. I also really like the packaging too, it’s so pretty and elegant looking. I’m so exited to wear this during Summer for a natural glow whilst in the sun and on holiday!

HERE’S MY MORE DETAILED REVIEW!

BUY IT HERE*

ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS MODERN RENAISSANCE PALETTE

Again, I’ve reviewed this product so I’ll keep this short and sweet and there will be a link underneath this too. I’ve been using this palette every single day over the last couple of weeks and I’m loving it! I’m enjoying using pinks, reds and oranges at the moment so this palette is perfect for these looks. I tend to use Burnt Orange and Raw Sienna in my crease and then I warm it up using Realgar and Venetian Red. I darken the outer corner with Cyprus Umber and I put Vermeer or Primavera all over my lid to add some glam. Also, the quality of this palette is unreal and I recommend it to everyone that asks me what my staple products are!

YOU CAN READ MY MORE DETAILED REVIEW HERE

YOU CAN BUY THE PALETTE HERE

INTERIOR DESIGN MAGAZINES

I’ve been buying interior design magazines for a long time and it never occurred to me to put them in a favourites post as they’re just part of my normal routine. I’ve got a few on the go at the moment which I’m always flicking through to gather inspiration for my blog or for my scrapbook. I enjoy reading about the latest trends and the way that people choose to style different items of furniture and decor. I will be starting a new series this Friday (I mentioned this briefly earlier) where I will be discussing interior trends and crazes so keep your eyes peeled for that! These magazines will definitely help with these posts. If any of you have suggestions as to what interior magazines I might like, do let me know as I’m always looking for new ones to look at.

KIKO ARCTIC HOLIDAY BAKED BLUSH IN 01 MARMOREAL BISCUIT

Another plug it seems – I’ve reviewed this item before too! I really enjoyed using this over Winter and I seem to be using it even more now it’s Spring. It leaves such a healthy glow and adds the perfect amount of colour on my cheeks. I’ve always loved KIKO products, mainly for the quality but also the prices are so reasonable. Unfortunately this blusher isn’t available anymore however they still offer a huge variety of blushers and they often bring out baked products so keep an eye out for those. It might be worth checking out other brands too as baked products seem to be really popular at the moment.

READ MY REVIEW HERE

CHECK OUT KIKO HERE

THE GREATEST SHOWMAN

Dude. This film is INCREDIBLE. I’ve never been so glued to a screen in my life. The music, the colours, the story, the talent, everything about this film is truly inspiring! The whole way through I wanted to sing and dance. As someone that used to go to singing lessons for years, songs like these were something we looked for every week and I wish these had been available for my teacher and I to work on for a show! I strongly recommend going to see this in the cinema before it’s no longer available as there’s nothing like a couple of hours to zone out and enjoy something as good as this! make it a treat and get some sweets or popcorn and really enjoy yourself because it’s such a beautiful feel-good film so make the most of it!

So there we have it, all the things that have made me enjoy February that extra bit more! I would love to know what you guys have been loving so feel free to mention anything in the comments! If you didn’t see my January favourites post you can read that here!

N xxxx

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*Anything marked with an “*” are either sponsored or affiliate links, however all opinions are my own

Tags 2018, BEAUTY, Cinema, Favourites, February, Homesense, Lifestyle, MonthlyFavourites, Photography, Photos, Plants, Primark, TheGreatestShowman, TK Maxx, Wilko

BEAUTY

MY CURRENT TOP 5 FRAGRANCES

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date February 23, 2018
5 Comments on MY CURRENT TOP 5 FRAGRANCES

Hey you,

I wouldn’t say I’m an avid collector of perfumes or fragrances but I definitely have some favourites and these tend to chop and change throughout the year. Today I’m going to be sharing my current favourites with you! I went for a selection of sprays and perfumes and although it doesn’t look it, it’s a coincidence that they’re all pink!

Victoria’s Secret Fragrance Mist – Temptation – £17.72 (Currently £6.89)

I was originally obsessed with the Victoria’s Secret’s (now sadly discontinued) Strawberries and Champagne fragrance. I decided to take the plunge and try a new one and to my surprise I fell in love with another! Temptation is such a gorgeous scent, with fresh apple and saguaro flower. This spray embodies the best fruity floral combo I have come across. I really recommend testing this one out, it’s just too good to miss out on! You can get it here*. Also, it’s worth checking your local Superdrug* stores as they often have offers on these sprays!

BUY TEMPTATION HERE*

Primark Fragrance Mist – Crème Brulee

I actually love Primark fragrances. I was so impressed when they released lots more last summer – I particularly loved their mango and papaya scent (SO GOOD) which I think they still have in some stores. This spray was something I came across when browsing through their new in fragrances and I’m so glad I did. Firstly, I love the packaging. The cute little handwritten-style font and the pretty nude coloured bottle immediately caught my eye. I then noticed that it was labelled “Crème Brulee” which is one of my favourite desserts and flavours. This fragrance is definitely for those that prefer sweeter and more sugary based scents, as it contains hints of French Vanilla and White Musk. (Sorry I couldn’t include a price because I can’t find it anywhere, but it will definitely be under £5)

Soap and Glory Body Spray – Sugar Crush – £4

BUY THE SUGAR CRUSH SPRAY HERE

Zoella Fragranced Body mist – Let’s Spritz* – RRP £8.

BUY LET’S SPRITZ HERE*

Nina Ricci – Nina – RRP £46 (50ml)

This is my ultimate fave. I’ve been wearing this since I was a little girl. My mum gave it to me as a gift before we went on holiday and I was just so excited that I had a perfume with my name on it (cringe but who doesn’t want that as a little girl?!) It was my first proper perfume and I wore it all the time and it was just so special to me. It’s one of those scents that really takes me back every time that I smell it. The ornate apple-shaped bottle is absolutely gorgeous and it looks stunning wherever you put it! It’s another sweet and fruity fragrance (noticing a pattern here?) with top notes of lemon and lime. It’s strongest notes are praline, vanilla, red toffee apple (omg) and peony. It also includes cotton and cedar. Although you wouldn’t necessarily put these ingredients together, they work so beautifully in this perfect little bottle. It’s definitely for those that prefer a sweeter, fruity and floral fragrance. There’s a few others in the collection but this is the only one that I am obsessed with.

BUY NINA HERE

I hope you guys enjoyed reading about my favourite fragrances at the moment. They do tend to change a lot throughout the year, so I reckon I’ll be doing another one of these posts over Summer too! Let me know what your favourites are too as I’m always looking for new fragrances to try.

N xxxx

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*Any links marked with an “*” are either paid/sponsored/affiliate, however all opinions are my own

Tags BEAUTY, Favourites, Fragrance, Lifestyle, NinaRicci, Perfume, Primark, Soapandglory, VictoriasSecret, Zoella, ZoellaBeauty

2017 BLOGMAS LIFE LIFESTYLE REVIEWS

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS CANDLES

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date December 5, 2017
34 Comments on FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS CANDLES

BLOGMAS DAY 5

You guys seemed to really love my Autumnal candles post, as it proved to be my most viewed! I thought I would follow up with a Winter candles post as this is my favourite time of year to stock up on candles and have cosy days in with flat smelling as festive as Whoville.

I have already shared my love for DW Home candles and I’m afraid there is only more love to come! I am also including a candle by Sand + Fog, a company that claims to be inspired by “the California coast” who also sell beautifully scented candles around this time of year. Their online shop is still in the making, however, I am able to buy their candles from Homesense or TK Maxx.

This first candle, Christmas Morning has got to be my favourite candle that they’ve produced so far (which is saying something). It smells of sweet roasted coffee with hints of vanilla. It’s such an incredible smell, it’s perfect for a cosy day in! It’s honestly good enough to eat! The packaging is also gorgeous, which makes it nice to have on display at home.

Tobacco Noir is a candle I actually bought for my boyfriend but seems to have found its way into the living room with the others. DW Home seem to sell this candle all year round. The candle gives off the most amazing combination of smells; vanilla musk and subtle tobacco and topped with tonka beans which adds a scent similar to Woodruff. The Sand and Fog candle is also amazing and smells of white cranberry. I love berry scented candles for Christmas as they’re so festive and warming for Winter!

The sparkling champagne candle is incredible! There seem to be candles everywhere with prosecco or champagne in them for Christmas and I am very happy to comply with this trend! It smells so tangy and sweet, it’s perfect for freshening up the room after some cooking or even before you have friends over for drinks. The packaging is so beautiful and sparkly! I definitely will have to find a use for this pot once the candle has disappeared, it’s too pretty to throw away.

Snow Day is a beautifully fresh scent, with rich hints of peppermint and spearmint. There’s definitely some Winter berries in there too which makes it another festive must have for your candle collection.

Peppermint Snow smells like heaven. It has fresh undertones of Eucalyptus and spearmint too which reminds me of candy canes! I love the packaging for this candle too, it looks so adorable, in a kitsch sort of way, which I’m all for. White Christmas is another super minty and fresh candle. It’s so sparkly and pretty to look at, I love lighting this candle when I have people come over as it always catches their eye and makes the flat smell so delicious!

I can’t believe it’s already Day Five of Blogmas?! I hope you guys enjoyed this post, let me know if you did in the comments as there’s plenty more of where this came from! I’ll be back tomorrow with another post for Blogmas Day 6!

N xxxx

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Tags blogger, BLOGMAS, Candles, Christmas, December, Decorations, Favourites, Festive, Haul, Holiday, Homesense, Interior Decor, Lifestyle, Photography, Photos, Shopping