Tag: Photography

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

LIFE LIFESTYLE REVIEWS PAPERGANG

PAPERGANG FEBRUARY 2018: REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date March 20, 2018
3 Comments on PAPERGANG FEBRUARY 2018: REVIEW

Hey guys,

Ohh Deer, a company I have SO much love for, was founded in order to allow illustrators and artists to showcase their work and find people that would be interested in buying their designs. The company sells the most amazing quirky and arty products – I simply can’t get enough. I love the fact that Ohh Deer offers artists the opportunity to get noticed and therefore get something back for all their hard work that otherwise we might not have seen. Some of their clients include Paperchase, ASOS, John Lewis and Oliver Bonas (my all-time favourite shop) and some of their collections have been specifically designed for the Tate Galleries and the Science Museum!

WHAT IS PAPERGANG?

Ohh Deer decided to create a monthly subscription service for stationery addicts, such as myself called, Papergang! Each month you will receive a box filled with brilliant papery goodies and desk accessories. Some examples are notebooks, greeting cards, wrapping paper and art prints. It costs £10.95 and then a £2.95 for shipping which in my opinion, after receiving their boxes, is a great deal. Every box has a different design and theme by a different artist and for every 4 boxes, 1 tree is planted in partnership with the fantastic charity, Tree aid. To find out more about their connection with this charity here.

I am a huge stationary addict and this subscription box is probably my favourite out of the many I am a part of. I always look forward to opening my box every month and using all my new bits and pieces! Most of the products you receive are exclusive the Papergang subscribers for a while before they get sold in Ohh Deer’s shop.

This month’s box is all about bullet journalling. If you’re unsure what I mean by this, it’s basically a journal that you can create completely on your own. The idea is that you decide what the pages contain, the layout, the colour scheme, everything is up to you. I started bullet journalling a few years ago and I really enjoy it. If you want a post about my journals do let me know as I will happily do monthly spread posts if you’re interested. This month’s box was designed by Ohh Deer and although it is based on a concept that I love, I absolutely hate the colour. I usually love my Papergang boxes but this one hurts my eyes a bit! I’m all about neon colours in my pencil case and occasionally the odd item of clothing but when I realised neon pink was the theme, I felt a little disappointed. However, when you sign up for a subscription service, you can’t expect every month to be perfect for you – this could be somebody’s dream box!

Now, I do have to say that Papergang work at an odd pace. When you receive one month’s box, you’ll receive a calendar (in advance) for a different month, which can throw you off a bit. I think they do this in order to make sure if your box arrives late, you get a calendar you can still definitely use regardless of when you receive it. However, it’s nice to always have one ready to put on my desk when it’s needed! I like to prop these on a little stand on my desk to add a cute pop of colour to the corner of my room. I like that this calendar has the key/important dates of April as I tend to forget these!

A5 BULLET JOURNAL – RRP £6.95

I actually quite like this even though it’s very pink. I tend to use dotted journals anyway as I find them easier to work with and to keep everything neat and spaced out so I was more than happy to add this to my collection. I will definitely be using it! Unfortunately, I can’t find this exact journal on their website but they do have some other lovely designs so be sure to check them out!

BUY IT HERE

NEON RULER – RRP £2.95

Right I have to say that I just don’t really use rulers. I already have one and I barely use it apart from underlining the occasionally word in my bullet journal or creating margins so I don’t really need another one however it’s cute and I guess I can find a purpose for it. I would have preferred a highlighter or a pen – something I need lots of as I get through them so quickly.

BUY IT HERE

NEON ZIP BAG – RRP £3.95

Again, it’s neon pink so hmmmm but I’m always needing places to store all my scrapbook materials in and all of my bullet journalling supplies so I don’t really mind this one – I know I’ll find a use for it. I also like that it’s pretty big too so I can fit loads in it.

NEON PACK OF 3 PENCILS – RRP £2.95

I wasn’t sure how I would use these at first as they’re pretty crazy colours but actually they double up as highlighters. I will definitely be using these as highlighters as they’re so much thinner than the ones that I use currently so they take up far less room in my pencil case!

BUY IT HERE

1 X STICKERS – RRP £3.95

I am an avid sticker collector. I use them in all of my notebooks, journals and scrapbooks to make the pages more colourful and fun! I was obviously thrilled to discover these stickers as I know I will use them all. I particularly like that there’s little weather symbols and the “To Do” stickers as I reckon I’ll use those in my bullet journal.

BUY IT HERE

GREETING CARD – RRP £2.50

I really love receiving cards in my monthly boxes from Papergang as I like having lots of cards in stock ready to give to people at short notice or for birthdays and events etc. I also happen to know the perfect person to give this card to so I’m excited to get this off into the post! The cards in my Papergang boxes have always been really nice quality and everyone always asks “ooh where did you get this card?!”

So, in conclusion, the box is still of fantastic quality and value for money however I just don’t like neon pink so it just wasn’t for me this month. Even if I haven’t enjoyed some items, it’s still full of lovely bits and pieces and I could even re-gift them if necessary! I still recommend this subscription to all my fellow stationery lovers out there. You’re guaranteed to get nice items regardless of your preferences and I think that says enough about how the company work. I also really like the fact that Ohh Deer are constantly promoting the work of other artists and I think it’s a fantastic platform for those wanting to get noticed! This box values at £23.25 and considering I paid £13.90 (monthly subscription fee and postage) That’s pretty good value.

If you would like to subscribe, my invite is here!

If you want to know any more about Ohh Deer, click here!

N xxxx

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Tags Art, Design, Lifestyle, Neon, Ohhdeer, PAPERGANG, Photography, Pink, Review, Stationery

BEAUTY BIRCHBOX

BIRCHBOX MARCH 2018: BE PRESENT NOT PERFECT – REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date March 16, 2018
2 Comments on BIRCHBOX MARCH 2018: BE PRESENT NOT PERFECT – REVIEW

Birchbox is a UK beauty subscription service that sends beauty boxes to their subscribers containing 5 goodies every month. You don’t have to worry about lifelong commitments or any contracts, you can cancel anytime with a monthly subscription – no fuss whatsoever! The monthly subscription costs only £10 per month! You can edit your beauty profile on their site in order to ensure you get sent products that are suitable for your skin/hair type and personal preferences. Birchbox is so great for discovering new brands and products. I have been subscribed to Birchbox for over a year now and I look forward to receiving their boxes every month. I’ve gone on to buy lots of the things I’ve received because I have loved them so much. Every box you receive is beautifully packaged, some months are designed and inspired by artists and companies. I use some of the older boxes to store makeup in too as the designs are too pretty to throw away!

Check out my review of last month’s box here!

I really love this month’s box design, it’s so vibrant and fresh coloured which makes it perfect for Spring. Turquoise happens to be my favourite colour too! The boxes are always so beautifully designed and I nearly always keep them to store my makeup and stationery in.

The theme for this month is focused on being “present not perfect” which I believe is a great way of thinking. I know I have spent too much time worrying about how I look to the point where it’s actually stopped me doing things. For example, when I have bad skin I think about it so much that sometimes it means I’m not really listening. I think it’s so important to be present and involved in conversation but also so that I don’t miss out on the things that are important to me. It’s still okay to have ‘off’ days but don’t let the small things get in the way of what you want to do! I may do a post about mindfulness as it’s really helped me out on difficult days.

This month’s box has a great variety of products including some makeup and skincare – not to mention a makeup brush too! I love that there’s always a range of different items in each box as I like to try lots of different things out in my spare time. I feel like this box came at the perfect time too as it seems to be focused on “clear skin” which is exactly what I need right now!

BLAQ – Peel Off Mask – RRP £14

I was so happy to discover this product in my March Birchbox. I’ve never tried a charcoal mask before and the choice is always so overwhelming whenever I go into Boots or Superdrug.I’ve only used this mask once and it’s absolutely brilliant! It was super easy to apply and it dried within 15-20 minutes. It also came off pretty easily too which was a relief (didn’t fancy looking like a panda for the rest of the week). This mask definitely cleared up my skin, took all of the gunk out and dried out any spots that I had. I will definitely be using this up within the next week. Also, I would recommend applying it with one of those little spatula-like thingies as it’s very sticky and would make a bit of a mess otherwise. I used my face mask kit from Primark (it’s only £2 and it’s a lifesaver). This mask isn’t to expensive either which I like, but if you have any cheaper drugstore recommendations do let me know!

BUY THE MASK HERE

Benefit – BADgal BANG! – Volumising Mascara – RRP £21.50

Right so I’m going to get my first thought out the way – I’m not feeling the name of this product, it kind of made me cringe and I just can’t imagine being like “Oh could I get a BADgal mascara please?”. However the name has nothing to do with the product itself which actually happens to be fab. I’ve always loved using Benefit’s mascaras and I always have one of their minis in my handbag. I love the idea of a thickening mascara as I have very straight and boring lashes. I also love the “slimpact” shape of the brush as it’s narrow and will coat all of my lashes meaning I don’t have to faff about at weird angles. I’m really excited to give this a try as it’s promising some great things!

BUY THE MASCARA HERE

Manna Kadar Cosmetics (FULL SIZE) – Radiance Split Pan Bronzer And Highlighter Duo – RRP £17

I’ve been sent a lot of Manna Kadar beauty products over the years and I’ve always enjoyed using them. Often their cosmetics are very travel friendly in size and they’re usually a duo or a “3 in 1” kind of product. I was so surprised at how pigmented this bronzer and highlighter was. The only problem is, getting a bush into the bronzer and picking up enough product evenly on my brush will be a bit of a pain as it is a bit too small. I will definitely be using the highlighter as I reckon it’ll look stunning on the inner corners of my eyes and under my brows. However, if this is the full sized product, I probably won’t be paying £17 for another one as it just doesn’t seem worth it to me.

BUY THE DUO HERE

Sebamed – Clear Face Antibacterial Cleansing Foam – RRP £7.99

I was really happy to receive this product this month as it seems like a great product for problem skin. Recently with stress my skin has decided to abandon it’s usual routine and it’s been breakout central. I’ve been looking for cleansers that don’t irritate my skin or work too aggressively and I reckon this is it! I’ve been using this before bed and first thing in the morning over the past week and I’ve noticed such a difference. It’s definitely dried out any blemishes and has stopped any further breakouts which is exactly what I wanted! I’m also super impressed with the price as £7.99 for a great cleanser isn’t bad at all, especially if it actually does what it says on the bottle. I like the packaging too as it looks quite clinical and that automatically makes me think “clean” which is what I want my skin to be after-all!

BUY THE CLEANSING FOAM HERE

Spectrum Collections – C06 Tulip Eye Contour Brush – RRP £4.99

I’ve received a couple of Spectrum Brushes from Birchbox now and I couldn’t be happier about it! I absolutely love Spectrum and their products are so affordable yet they’re always of such great quality. This brush is perfect for blending out smokey eyes (I tend to do these every day so yay) as it’s tapered so it means I can be more precise when blending darker shadows. It’s so fluffy too and I’m all about fluffy brushes, I find them so much easier to work with. All Spectrum brushes are animal-friendly as well as gorgeous so they’re definitely a brand worth checking out!

BUY THIS BRUSH HERE

I’m really pleased with this month’s box. As usual, there’s a great variety of products

Overall, I am really impressed with this month’s box. I love receiving boxes with a variety of products as after all, that is why I signed up for Birchbox in the first place! I really love that there was two full-sized products too as we usually only get one (which is still fab). Let me know if you are subscribed to Birchbox and what you thought of this box or if you are subscribed to any other beauty boxes, I would love to know!

Go ahead and use my link (here) to subscribe and you will get £5 off your first Birchbox!*

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*Anything marked with an * is either paid/sponsored content, however all opinions are my own

Tags BEAUTY, Beautyblog, Benefit, BIRCHBOX, Cosmetics, Makeup, Photography, Review, Skincare

LIFE PAPERGANG

PAPERGANG MARCH 2018: REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date March 14, 2018
No Comments on PAPERGANG MARCH 2018: REVIEW

Hey Guys,

It’s been a while since I posted a Papergang review but I’m back with another one for you today! Sorry that this review is a bit late, I’ve been so busy over the Easter holiday! After last month I was really hoping this box would be a good one and I was pleasantly surprised. Below, I’ve written some information about Papergang and Ohh Deer so if you just want to read the review, keep scrolling!

WHAT IS PAPERGANG?

Ohh Deer decided to create a monthly subscription service for stationery addicts, such as myself called, Papergang! Each month you will receive a box filled with brilliant papery goodies and desk accessories. Some examples are notebooks, greeting cards, wrapping paper and art prints. It costs £10.95 and then a £2.95for shipping which in my opinion, after receiving their boxes, is a great deal. Every box has a different design and theme by a different artist and for every 4 boxes, 1 tree is planted in partnership with the fantastic charity, Tree aid. To find out more about their connection with this charity here.

As you can see, this month’s “box” was a tad different from the others. I usually expect a little box to arrive once a month so I was a bit shocked to find this HUGE package waiting for me when I got home. The packaging, although on the large side, is so lovely and the design is really cute and fun with lots of geometric trees and tiny foxes (LOVE these). This months box was designed by Peskimo. It started in 2004 and since then their designs, pins and prints have been extremely popular!

Follow Peskimo –

Insta – @Peskimo

Website –http://peskimo-illustration.tumblr.com

Every month, we receive a printed calendar as a bonus item and I absolutely love them! They’re perfect for keeping on my desk in a cute little frame. I reckon at the end of the year I’ll find a way to frame them all together, because they’re all just too nice to throw out!

A2 CAT NAPS ART PRINT – £12.95

I was so happy to see this gorgeous print in this month’s box. This explains the HUGE tube, which kept it in great condition thank god. Described as “Perfect for a crazy cat lady, doggo fan or kid’s bedroom.” it’s super fun and adds a bright pop of colour to any space. It was nice to receive a larger item this month and I’m always looking for prints to display in my flat or at home! I love the bright turquoise colour scheme (one of my favourite colours)

CHECK IT OUT HERE

SKINNY PENCIL CASE – £9.95

I always love receiving pencil cases as I have a slightly ridiculous stationery collection and I’m constantly needing new things to store it all in. I love that this one is skinny too, so that it can fit into my bag for on the go notes/bullet-journalling. The little “foxy forest” print is so adorable too, it makes me happy just looking at it!

FOXY FOREST WASHI TAPE – £2.50

As you probably know already, I have a (verging on unhealthy) obsession with washi tapes and I literally cannot stop myself collecting them. Obviously I was delighted to find this cute little tape in my box! It features the same cute print as the pencil case as well. I can’t wait to use this in my bullet journal!

CHECK IT OUT HERE

CAT NAPS PEN – £2.95

I really like this style of pen, it makes a change from my usual biros! Papergang have sent lots of pens like this in different boxes and I always look forward to receiving new ones. I love the print on this pen, it matches the poster/picture as well! I’ve been using this in my bullet journal and notebooks every single day. It’s definitely going straight into my “nice pens” pot – yes I have one of those sadly.

CHECK IT OUT HERE

Overall, I’m so happy with my March Papergang box. I love every item and I can see myself using everything I was sent! I love the fun and quirky prints and I can’t wait to have them on display around my room. This box values at £28.35 and considering I paid £13.90 (monthly subscription fee and postage) that’s amazing value! I’ve linked all of my social media down below so go and give me a follow if you want to see what I’m up to!

N xxxx

If you would like to subscribe, my invite is here!

If you want to know any more about Ohh Deer, click here!

READ LAST MONTH’S REVIEW

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Tags Art, blog, blogger, Lifestyle, Office, Ohhdeer, PAPERGANG, Photography, Photos, Stationery, Student, Studying, University

INTERIORS LIFE

INTERIOR EDIT: TROPICAL PRINTS

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date March 9, 2018
7 Comments on INTERIOR EDIT: TROPICAL PRINTS

Hey guys,

For a while now I’ve been wanting to do a monthly “interior design trends I’m loving” type of post, but there was always just way too much to talk about. I’ve decided to take it one trend at a time so it gives you guys more to read and more for me to write! I’m such an interior enthusiast, I live and breathe this stuff and it just felt stupid to hold it back any longer! I will be writing these posts regularly and you’ll be able to find them by hovering over the lifestyle category on my home page and they will all be under “Interiors”!

TROPICAL PRINTS

I really love the tropical vibes I’m seeing everywhere at the moment, they’re so eye-catching. The combination of bold greens and fresh whites creates a stunning tropical blend. I never thought I would be itching to get my hands on anything foliage focused but here I am!

New Voyager Collection From Dunelm

The above images are all from the gorgeous Voyager collection, new in at Dunelm. I am OBSESSED with this collection. It’s just one of those things I can look at and it makes me happy haha! I just love the dark greens and the royal blues mixed with pops of yellow and gold. The designers claimed to be inspired by exotic creatures and beautiful rainforests and this definitely comes through when looking at this gorgeous range. They’ve used such a vibrant and fun palette and I can’t wait to see what people do with these fab bits and pieces. Although the range appears to be quite playful, it also looks quite luxe and elegant too. I definitely would be surprised if I accidentally slipped and purchased the entire flipping range, HELP.

SHOP THE VOYAGER RANGE HERE

The Palm Digital Print Duvet Set

House of Fraser have also been doing their homework and have introduced a gorgeous new range called “Tropic Thunder”. This amazing bedding (The Palm Digital Print Duvet Set) features a colourful palette made up of navy, teals, jade and pink to give your bedroom the exotic vibe that you’re looking for (that’s if you are looking for it of course). I’m loving this lighter colour palette too as it’s not too dark and this combination of colours probably makes it easier to style than perhaps the bold green and black designs.

SHOP THE TROPICAL RANGE HERE*

Urban Outfitters Tropical Foliage Duvet Cover Set

Again the bright and bold pattern returns but this time from Urban Outfitters! I love the blue background, I think it makes the pattern less “in your face” although I do quite like the darker patterns as I think they look more sleek. This is definitely for those looking for a fun duvet cover set to brighten up their room! I have to say Urban Outfitters do a fab job of keeping up with trends in all areas but they haven’t picked up on how every product practically destroys my bank account.

BUY THE BEDDING HERE*

Hygge & West Nana (Pink) Wallpaper

I love this wallpaper, designed by Justina Blakeney for Hygge & West. I am a huge fan of these green designs on a pink background, there’s something pleasing to look at about it. Apparently it was inspired by the “regal leaf of the banana tree” like so many other patterns in the interior design world at the moment. I think it compliments indoor plants too, it’s making me want to live in the jungle (minus the things that bite).

If you like this wallpaper, you can buy it here.

Image Credit: Hygge & West Cosmic Desert (Teal)

This is the Cosmic Desert wallpaper in teal also designed by Justina Blakeney for Hygge & West. It features a gorgeous and luxe gold illustration on a dark turquoise background. It’s inspired by the shooting stars in the night sky of the desert (what cool inspiration? Beats the “oh I just like the jungle” perspective put forward by so many. I also happen to absolutely love the colour (turquoise) and I’m so happy that it’s become more popular and it seems to be everywhere at the moment. I’m loving these darker colours too and when combined with gold they look so expensive and luxury!

BUY THE WALLPAPER HERE

Image Credit: Wilko Superfresco Easy Wallpaper Palm Leaves Green

Last but by no means least, we have another rainforest inspired wallpaper from Wilko. It’s pretty much exactly the same as the more expensive brands I’ve shown you today and yet it costs £15 per roll. I’m seriously considering grabbing some of this and keeping it for when I finally have a space to decorate! I love the simple leaf print too – it’s not too overwhelming or crazy, it’s actually quite relaxing to look at. I also love how they styled it with some curvy mid-century modern style furniture to give it a retro vibe. Keep an eye on Wilko as they seem to be on top of all the latest interior trends.

BUY THE WALLPAPER HERE

Let me know what you think of this trend, I personally think it’s really cool and it’s different. I’m noticing it everywhere and it’s definitely arrived in good timing for summer! I hope you enjoyed this new type of post and more will be on their way very soon!

N xxxx

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

Tags Art, Design, Dunelm, Flowers, Inspiration, InteriorDecor, InteriorDesign, Lifestyle, Photography, Prints, Tropical

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

PRIMARK ‘NUDES’ MAKEUP RANGE – REVIEW, SWATCHES & PHOTOS

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date March 2, 2018
18 Comments on PRIMARK ‘NUDES’ MAKEUP RANGE – REVIEW, SWATCHES & PHOTOS

Hey you,

I’m back with another review of course but first can we just talk about this bloody weather? Why has it decided to snow all of a sudden? I was so excited about the sun coming out and now the Beast from the East has well and truly arrived. Nottingham has seen pretty much non-stop snow over the past few days and I think we’re all over it. Especially when I live at the top of a hill and need to get to uni most days. Anyway, with that rant over let’s get on with the review. Today, I’m going to be talking about one of Primark’s (many) new makeup ranges. I’ve always been a fan of their low priced clothing and great value for money homeware but they have only just started paying close attention to the trends within the beauty community. They’re just so on the ball with keeping up with the latest thing, I honestly don’t know how they do it and how they churn out so many products so fast! I popped into my local store last week and I was so impressed with how much their makeup ranges have improved.

I spotted their “Nudes” range straight away. Does it remind you of anything? Yep, there are some serious KKW/Yeezy S6 vibes up in here. If Primark are trying to dupe those ridiculously pricey products, I think it’s definitely worth taking a closer look as these could save us a lot of money! Who doesn’t want to save money when it comes to makeup? In terms of the packaging, they’ve ticked every box in my opinion. These nude and pinky tones are everywhere at the moment too so they did a pretty good job picking up on that. My bedroom at home is a mixture of pink and grey so anything nude fits right in – I’m super excited to add these bits to my collection.

2 x BLENDER SPONGES – £2

I have tried Primark’s beauty blenders/sponges before and I was so disappointed. It was kind of like smacking small rocks against your face which wasn’t exactly what I was hoping for. I noticed that there were some included within the “Nudes” range and I thought I would give them another shot. I was pleasantly surprised, I absolutely love these! They feel expensive – I know this sounds strange but they feel firm and well made (pretty much exactly like my actual Beauty Blender). I think these are such great value too at £2. I would happily pay £1 for a beauty blender every time I needed one as my usual sponges cost a fair bit to replace. I simply hold these under the tap and squeeze out any excess water before applying my foundation with them – they work just fine! I will definitely be buying more of these.

EYELASH CURLER £1.50

I’ve always kind of thought these things are a myth or a gimmick. Growing up, my best friend always used one every single day and swore by it but I just never really thought it would make a difference. You’ll have to excuse the state of my eyebrow but I just thought it was worth showing you the results. I’ve always had long eyelashes but they literally do NOTHING and it makes me want to cry, they just stay straight no matter what product I’m using. So somehow, my brain started working properly and I realised that eyelash curlers were the solution. These worked wonders on my lashes and actually made them do something for once. I’ve been using these every day since I bought them! Also, my lashes are still curled when I wake up so these must be doing a good job!

2 x TWEEZERS – £1.50

I know this is pretty boring but I was in dire need of some new tweezers. Last year I started using false eyelashes and I would use my regular tweezers to apply them and after a while they just got a bit sticky and clumpy and so they couldn’t be very accurate when I needed to sort my brows out (as you can see from above photo of my face hahah) I like that this pack includes average sized tweezers but also some more narrow-headed ones for more precision. Plus they’re pink and my old ones were boring and grey so yay!

MATTE LIQUID LIPSTICK & LIP LINER – THRILL SEEKER £3

NOPE. Straight up this disappointed me SO much. First of all, it’s super drying and it literally made my lips look and feel like shrivelled up prunes. Secondly, the lip liner broke off as soon as I got it out to swatch it, so I had to hold the tiny nib in my hand to try and get anything from it. Thirdly, I do not rate lip liners that aren’t pencils as you basically get zero product and if it breaks like mine did, there’s literally nothing you can do about it. Finally, the liquid lipstick dried a kind of brown/coral nude and not the pinky toned nude that it looked like it would be. It made me look so washed out. Also, it smelt of chemicals and didn’t have that typical toffee smell that most liquid lipsticks have. Overall, I’m very disappointed and Primark definitely need to work on the formulas of their lip kits.

MATTE EYE SHADOW PALETTE – £4

I was so impressed with this palette given it only retails at £4. It’s so beautifully packaged – very similar style to the Kylie Cosmetics 9 pan palettes. The colours are really pretty and elegant and they work well together, especially for Spring. I think the pigmentation of these shadows is so good, I didn’t have a single problem with blending them out and none of them were patchy. The only thing I will mention, is that the final shade I swatched (bottom right of palette) is supposed to be a purple, but no matter how many photos I took, the brown undertones took the limelight. I would really recommend trying this palette out as it’s not that different to those that I’ve spent more money on from higher-end brands. Well done Primark!

METALLIC EYE CREAM – ENCHANTED – £2

I love a good cream eyeshadow and I rarely find ones that I love, I tend to use Kiko’s cream shadows. However, I was really pleased with how this turned out. It’s pigmented, it’s creamy and easy to blend and it’s available in a few gorgeous shades. I love using this as a base for when I do halos or cut creases. I can’t wait to use this on holiday – it will look so pretty when it catches the light. I really recommend trying these out as they’re fab quality but also great size for your makeup bag.

BODY SHIMMER DUST – £4

YES. I am loving this product. It’s pretty much a luminous powder that blends out to add a gorgeous glow to your skin. It makes me look so much healthier and polished and I am obsessed with it. The packaging is so sleek and luxe too, it looks so much more expensive than it actually is. I also really love the little sponge/pad that it comes with as it’s so soft and works so well with the powder. You also get a huge amount (11g to be precise) of powder which will go A LONG way. I can’t wait for summer when I want to add a natural glow/shimmer. I absolutely recommend this product, it’s so gorgeous and it blends out so easily to add a stunning natural glow. 10/10.

Overall, I think this range is brilliant. Although the liquid lipstick was an absolute no from me, the rest of the products were all great and barely cost anything. I think they’re onto something here and they’re certainly giving Kim K something to panic about when it comes to price tags. Let me know if you want me to review any of the other Primark make up ranges as there are a few that have caught my eye. I hope you enjoyed this review even though it’s quite lengthy. I wanted to go all out with this as I tried reading some reviews myself and they didn’t include that many of the products. Let me know what you guys think of this range and whether or not you’ve tried or want to try any of the products included.

N xxxx

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Tags BEAUTY, Beautyblogger, Budget, England, Haul, Makeup, palette, Photography, Photos, Primark, Review, Shopping, Swatches

BEAUTY

MAKEUP REVOLUTION STROBE HIGHLIGHTER – REVIEW, SWATCHES & PHOTOS

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date February 27, 2018
6 Comments on MAKEUP REVOLUTION STROBE HIGHLIGHTER – REVIEW, SWATCHES & PHOTOS

Hey you,

Tam Beauty are the company that own Freedom, Makeup Revolution and I Heart Makeup. They’re cruelty free and are based in Britain. You’ll most likely spot their products in your local Superdrug* store. I own a fair amount of their products but I’m always looking at their new ranges in my local drugstore! I’m just so impressed with how far they’ve come and how they manage to keep up with the latest trends in the beauty community whilst keeping their products affordable! I’ve reviewed some of their other products (just search makeup revolution on my home page and they should all be there). Today, we’re going to be looking at Makeup Revolution‘s strobe highlighters! I have always loved the formula of this brand’s highlighters, in fact I use the Ultra Pro Glow palette almost every day.

When I saw these at £3 each, I had to try them out! Although the packaging is pretty basic and plain, I like that it isn’t too clunky as I hate makeup that takes up unnecessary space in my drawers. I also like that you can see the colour of the highlighter too as it adds a nice luxe look to my collection.

There’s a variety of highlighters available in this range, so there’s something for everyone. I chose these two as I tend to wear more caramel coloured highlighters rather than those really intense white/pink iridescent ones. On the left we have Rejuvenate* and on the right is Gold Addict*.

Without Flash (normal daylight) Left – Rejuvenate* / Right – Gold Addict*

With Flash (they changed position because this was taken on a different day – you aren’t going mad) Left – Gold Addict* / Right – Rejuvenate*

As you can see, both are incredibly pigmented, considering they’re only drugstore highlighters. I have to say, I wasn’t expecting either of them to be this gorgeous or for them to swatch this well! Apologies for how different the photos look from each other, I wanted to include a flash and non-flash shot so the lighting was completely different. They highlighters aren’t chalky or powdery and they’re super creamy and easy to blend out which I find is a must when it comes to highlighters. I like my highlight to be natural looking – I don’t suit the blinding look as well as some do, I find it doesn’t sit nicely on top of my makeup and eventually I just look like a shiny lightbulb (no thank you). They’re both buildable and can be applied wet/dry. I’ve tried using setting spray with both of these highlighters and it enhances the pigmentation SO much! Gold addict is a highlighter that I would wear every day and Rejuvenate is probably a shade I would use for a shimmery bronze look during summer or on holiday.

Overall, I think these highlighters are amazing. They cost just £3 each and yet they’re giving my high-end products a run for their money! I love the fact that you can apply them wet or dry and they still look just as flattering on the skin. The formula makes them blend beautifully and this means that they can easily build if you want a more intense look.I strongly recommend trying these out if you’re looking for a new glow but you don’t want to spend your life savings. You can get these on Tam Beauty’s website (Gold Addict/Rejuvenate) or online at Superdrug (Gold addict/Rejuvenate). Let me know what you think of these or if you’ve tried any!

N xxxx

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

Tags BEAUTY, Beautyblog, Makeup, MakeupRevolution, Photography, Review, TamBeauty

BEAUTY

URBAN DECAY NAKED ILLUMINATED POWDERS: REVIEW, SWATCHES AND PHOTOS

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date February 20, 2018
2 Comments on URBAN DECAY NAKED ILLUMINATED POWDERS: REVIEW, SWATCHES AND PHOTOS

Hey you,

I hope you’re all doing well. Today I’m back with another review for you! I am all about highlighters at the moment, I just love how much healthier and more awake I look with a little bit of a glow! I’ve been trying out lots of different ones recently so I hope you don’t mind (I know I wouldn’t – I’m a tad obsessed) highlighter spam over the next couple of weeks.

Today, we’re going to be talking about Urban Decay’s Naked Illuminated Shimmering Powders. I’ve heard so many great things about these and I’ve been dying to try them for so long. I’ve also read a lot of negative reviews saying that these were bad “highlighters” and that they lacked pigment or that it was too glittery – it’s worth keeping in mind that these are shimmering powders that are designed to illuminate and not necessarily be used just as a highlighter. I’m extremely fussy when it comes to shimmers and highlights as I prefer more natural shades as opposed to the extreme ones (blue and green?!).

I like the idea that these are more stripped back and delicate, as any powder products with a heavy consistency just aren’t for me. If you buy this expecting a highlighter, you might not get what you’re hoping for so keep that in mind! They retail at £24 each. Of course, in true Urban Decay style, the packaging is gorgeous and features a nude camo-print which I LOVE. I’m a huge fan of brands that put a lot of work into their packaging, because I’m someone that is drawn to more luxe and pretty looking products.

The powder comes in a rose-gold box and it includes a generously sized mirror as well as a dome-shaped flat brush (you have to open a separate compartment underneath the powder – amazing use of space) I applied the powder with this brush and I have to say I missed using my usual fluffy highlighter brush. I reckon I would use this when travelling because it would save space but it’s also the perfect sized brush for when you want to apply product in a specific area.

URBAN DECAY – NAKED ILLUMINATED SHIMMERING POWDER – AURA – £24

The first shimmering powder that I chose is called Aura. I went for this shade because it has a pink-bronze tone to it, which I reckon will look so nice during the summer months or for when I’m on holiday. This powder is smooth and silky and gives my skin such a healthy and beautiful glow. It’s definitely a more natural glow but that’s what I was expecting and hoping for when I bought it. Although this is technically a powder, there’s still a colour payoff and it’s so easy to work into the skin. I saw some comments saying it left a layer of glitter but I found that it was super easy to blend in and it looked so natural!

BUY IT HERE!

URBAN DECAY – NAKED ILLUMINATED SHIMMERING POWDER – LUMINOUS – £24

Luminous is a gorgeous champagne shade which I love as it’s slightly lighter than Aura, so it can act as more of a highlight for my skin tone. This powder has the same soft and silky texture to it and gives off an equal amount of shimmer and sparkle as the others in the range. I cannot wait to use this when the sun comes out more and I can blind people with the light reflecting particles on my cheekbones (hands down the nerdiest thing I’ve ever said). Its just so light and easy to wear and it’s velvety texture is just SO freaking good.

BUY IT HERE

Overall, I really like both of these products. I’m so excited to use these during summer when I’m wearing more natural makeup looks or when I’m on holiday and don’t fancy making much effort. I purchased these fully expecting a shimmering powder, hence why I wasn’t disappointed when neither provided me with a crazy intense highlight. Saying that however, it’s definitely buildable but if you’re looking for something intense from the off, this probably isn’t for you. If you are looking for something like this, check out the Urban Decay website for more info! Let me know what you guys think of these and whether or not you’ve tried them, I’d love to know! I also reviewed the Urban Decay Naked Heat Palette – so click here if you’re interested!

N xxxx

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Tags BEAUTY, blogger, highlight, highlighter, Makeup, naked, Photography, Review, urban decay

LIFE

MY VALENTINES DAY

Hey you,

I was originally going to do a Valentines makeup look but I never got round to doing it in time, so I thought I would show you what I got and did instead! Valentines Day isn’t something I’ve ever done anything crazy for, I usually just like to give a card and a present and keep it simple. I tend to save the bigger presents for birthdays and Christmas.

Firstly, my boyfriend gave me an adorable card with a sausage dog on it (my absolute fave dog breed so he was winning from the start). He also gave me this gorgeous Yankee Candle gift set. If you know me, you’ll know I bloody LOVE candles. I think I have a problem, I am obsessed with them! I absolutely love Yankee Candle, they always have such gorgeous scents and lovely packaging too. This set includes three of their fab candles: Peony, Rose and Raspberry. Peony and Rose are votives and Raspberry is a small jar candle. I think this is such a cute combination of scents as they’re all fresh and fruity and I think they work well together! They’re all pink/red as well so they look gorgeous on my dressing table. If you’re also obsessed with candles too, check out my Autumn and Winter candle posts, there will be a spring one coming soon too – eek!

We also went out for dinner at Prezzo which is our favourite Italian restaurant and they had a deal which meant we could get three courses for £20 each – YES! I’ve always enjoyed sitting in busy restaurants because there’s so many opportunities to people watch which is one of my favourite things to do! However, I did witness the poor lad next to me, on what seemed like his first date, find out that his vouchers didn’t work and he couldn’t pay for the meal in the way he had planned (this was painful to watch). Anyway, we stuffed our faces and enjoyed the evening before coming back and cracking on with coursework (sad but true). He also brought me a Costa hot chocolate, my favourite interior design magazine and some flowers too which absolutely made my day! Not to mention a Krispy Kreme donut too (I think it’s the biscoff one – my fave)

I know this was quite a simple post but I had a few friends and people over on Twitter asking me what I got up to on Valentine’s Day, so I thought I would do a short and sweet post on my blog for you! Let me know if any of you guys did anything special for the day, I would love to know.

N xxxx

Tags Candles, Flowers, Gift, Lifestyle, Meal, Photography, Present, Roses, ValentinesDay, YankeeCandle

LIFE LIFESTYLE REVIEWS PAPERGANG

PAPERGANG JANUARY 2018: REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date February 16, 2018
No Comments on PAPERGANG JANUARY 2018: REVIEW

WHAT IS PAPERGANG?

This month’s artist Jacqueline Colley, brings us adorable doodles of Cadillacs, dinosaurs, cactuses and more in her Palm Springs range. Her use of bright and feminine colours are perhaps influenced by her background in women’s fashion. Jacqueline travelled to Palm Springs in 2016 and was inspired by the architecture and the cacti varieties – you can tell just from glancing at her prints!

Follow Jacqueline –

Insta – @Jacquelinecolley

Website – Jacquelinecolley.co.uk

Every month Papergang provides us with a little monthly calendar card. I absolutely love these as I stick them in a frame and they’re the perfect size for my desk! This month’s calendar features more illustrations from Jacqueline Colley, but with a succulent theme which I LOVE.

1 x A4 Deskpad – £7.95

I absolutely love desk organisers, I find them so helpful! I’m so much more productive when my tasks and notes are all laid out in front of me on something pretty and patterned compared to when I scribble them down on a post-it that is nowhere to be found a day later. These deskpads help me prioritise what tasks I need to complete and when I need to do them – a much needed service to my student self! I also love the doodles section as I am constantly doodling on notebooks and in margins so now I have o excuse to vandalise anything but this little section every week!

1 x Washi Tape – £2.50

I have quite the collection of wash tapes (check out my January Favourites post to see a few!) so I was super happy to find one of these in this month’s box! Jacqueline’s doodles are featured on this tape, including a flamingo pool float, a dinosaur and a variety of cacti! I use washing tape to make my notes stand out, to decorate scrapbook pages and to make my bullet journal pretty!

1 x Pack of Stickers – £3.95

I’ve always loved stickers, as a little girl I used to put them on EVERYTHING. My walls, my drawers and even my bed frame! Now, I’m quite picky with them. However, these are ADORABLE. I absolutely love the warm toned illustrations on these and they make my bullet journal look so pretty and colourful. I’ve found myself using these more than I thought I would too! I’ve received sticker sheets in a few of my Papergang boxes and I’m yet to be disappointed!

1 x Pencil – £5.95

Back at home, we’ve always had those wind-up style pencils and I’ve always thought they looked a bit ugly and mechanical. I mean, they do the job but they don’t look pretty on my desk (haha yes, it’s the small things in life for me, I’m wild aren’t I?). I also tend to write with a finaliser or a black biro, however when I need to sketch, I need to use something that can be erased asap (my skills are next to none when it comes to drawing). I was delighted to find this pretty little pencil in this month’s box (might have something to do with the whole pink and rose gold design…). I also love the phrase engraved on it too! This idea of quirky messages on the sides of pens and pencils seems to be trending and I’m loving it! Last month’s box also had a set of three pens with little messages on too – check out my review here!

1 x Enamel Pin – £5.95

I’ve been meaning to stick some pins on my denim jacket for quite some time now and this made me actually do it. I was so excited when I saw this pin inside my January box, I literally went and stuck it on straight away! I think pins add a sense of identity and quirkiness to your clothes, especially if you want to make something look slightly different and more your own.

There wasn’t a single item in this month’s box that I was unsure about, I love everything. I also adore Jacqueline Colley’s illustrations and I’m more than happy to have them on my desk now! This box values at £21.30 and considering I paid £13.90 (monthly subscription fee and postage) That’s pretty awesome value!

If you would like to subscribe, my invite is here!

If you want to know any more about Ohh Deer, click here!

N xxxx

Tags Art, blog, Design, England, Inspiration, January, Lifestyle, Ohhdeer, PAPERGANG, Photography, Review, Stationery, Subscription

BEAUTY BIRCHBOX

BIRCHBOX FEBRUARY 2018: BEAUTY THROUGH THE DECADES – REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date February 13, 2018
No Comments on BIRCHBOX FEBRUARY 2018: BEAUTY THROUGH THE DECADES – REVIEW

Check out my review of last month’s box here!

We were given a choice between a 70s, 80s or 90s and I have to say it a was a tricky decision, they all looked so good! I opted for the 70s design, so my box is a real throwback with a gorgeous retro floral print. Beauty is about the classic tips and tricks as well as trying out the latest trends so I’m loving this combination! I will definitely be keeping and re-using this box as it’s just too pretty to throw out.

This month’s box has a good mixture of products including two full-sized makeup items, skincare and hair care too! I love when there’s a good variety of products to try out, so I was really happy when I saw the contents of my February box.

(FULL SIZE) The Beauty Crop Eyeshadow Trio – Love You So Latte – RRP £7

I love eyeshadow – I’m sure you’re aware of this by now, but I could honestly buy palettes every day if I had the funds! So when I saw this I was so excited to try it out. The trio includes two shimmers and one matte so it’s perfect for creating smokey and defined looks. I love how there’s a variety of shades in this little compact, as it means you can travel with it and still create a few different looks. The shadows are rich in caffeine and are packed with antioxidants to help brighten and tighten the skin, keeping your eyes bright and awake! I reckon these are flattering for any skin tone and eye colour too which is an added bonus to any product in the beauty community! These shadows are also vegan and cruelty-free with no sulphates or parabens too! It’s a shame the compact is so tiny but then again bigger palettes are harder to take on the go! The shimmer shadows were super pretty and creamy so they blended out well, however the matte brown shade was a bit harder to blend and swatched a little bit patchy.

(FULL SIZE) ModelCo® – Crème Rouge – RRP £14

I love cream products. I use a dewy foundation so products with creamy formulas blend so nicely on top. I often use a cream contour, blusher and so this was immediately something I was interested in. This 2-in-1 formula can add a pop of pink to your cheeks and your lips. It’s so easy and creamy to blend so it adds a healthy and natural-looking tint and doesn’t look too heavy on the skin (my swatch was to test how pigmented it was, I obviously wouldn’t rock about with that much product on my face!). I like that you can choose exactly how much product you want too, depending on whether or not you want a brighter pop of red or a more subtle hint.

Percy & Reed – Quite Frankly Flawless Finishing Polish – RRP £10.

I’ve always liked Percy and Reed products, I think they’re really luxurious and also so beautifully presented and packaged. I was intrigued by this product as it claims to be a leave in polish, which isn’t something I would normally go for. However, the ends of my hair could definitely do with a bit of shine. The polish is packed with horse chestnut extract and sunflower wax to give soft and flexible hold whilst also hydrating your locks!

UPDATE – I tried this today and I absolutely loved how it made my hair feel. It smelt amazing and didn’t leave my hair feeling sticky or oily. I could definitely feel that something was there but it wasn’t noticeable at all! It made my hair look more alive and healthy which are the main things that I look for in hair products and treatments. I’ve received a lot of Percy and Reed stuff over time so if you would like a review let me know as I can definitely do one for you!

Luseta Beauty – Coconut Milk Hair Mask – RRP £26

I hadn’t heard of this brand before I received this month’s box so I was excited to try this product out! I have quite damaged hair as I tend to use a lot of heat-based tools (oops) and I’m always looking for something to revive it! This mask helps to restructure hair back to it’s original and healthy state. The coconut milk, rich in vitamins C, E, B1, B5 AND B6 adds moisture and conditions the hair to tackle any dryness. This mask is sulfate, phosphate, & paraben free too! I will keep you updated with this as I will be doing a hair pampering evening soon!

Balance Me – Wonder Eye Cream – RRP £20

As a student, I don’t tend to get many full nights of sleep so any product that helps to disguise this is a godsend! This eye cream has a 3-in-1 formula smooths, softens and brightens (yes please) and it’s packed with chamomile, lemon, cucumber oil, witch hazel (one of my faves), anti-oxidant spruce knot, virgin coconut, reship oil and carrot oil (is there anything that isn’t in this product?!). My skin practically drinks this stuff up instantly and it leaves my eyes looking so much brighter!

Go ahead and use my link (here) to subscribe and you will get £5 off your first Birchbox!

Tags BEAUTY, Beautyblog, BIRCHBOX, blog, blogger, Lifestyle, Makeup, Photography, Product Review, Review

LIFE

MY TOP REVISION TIPS

Hey Everyone!

I hope you’re all doing well! I have survived school (GCSEs and A Levels) and one and half years of university (ish), so I would like to think I can give some decent advice when it comes to revision. However, everybody’s different and this means we all learn differently so what could work for me may be useless for you – don’t feel that you HAVE to do any of these, they’re just some things that have got me through those icky study periods.

START MAKING NOTES EARLY

For most of my exams (we’re talking GCSEs A levels and University) I have written my notes out early on in the term. I come home and write what I learned that day and that way it’s out of the way and you’ve gone over it at the same time. Two birds one stone right? I am also a bit of a perfectionist (when I say a bit I mean hours can go by and I still won’t think it’s neat enough) so starting early gives me time to be fussy and obsessive with colour coding and highlighting. I’ve definitely learned from leaving my notes until last minute and I would waste so much time making them look pretty that I barely had time to learn them! I like to use these packs of revision cards for all of my notes!

REMOVE PHONE/LAPTOP/TABLETS ETC NO TV OR MUSIC

I know this is such an obvious one but it’s true. I remember scowling as my parents and teachers lectured my year group about putting phones away but my God it makes a difference. I’m so much more productive without constant reminders that so and so favourited a tweet or that someone’s typing on snapchat – you’d have thought I didn’t need to figure this one out the hard way but hey ho. If you like to study with music, I would definitely recommend listening to instrumentals or music without actual lyrics because I have found myself writing down the lyrics to Thinking Out Loud as opposed to Freud’s Oedipus Complex, so cheers Ed, but not right now pal.

STICKY NOTES

I started using these last year as the amount I had to learn for first year was HUGE. I made maps on my wall using sticky notes and colour coded them to make it clear where everything was. I found this super helpful for learning dates! In the exam I was able to visualise the map and so the facts were easy for me to remember as I could still see them in my head! I love to use these post-it notes for my revision!

LEARNING IN CATEGORIES

With most of my modules or subjects there’s lots of tiny topics within these and sometimes it can be overwhelming when trying to get it all down and in one place. I recommend grabbing some small clear plastic wallets, (I use these) and using one per subject, that way everything is in sections and is organised. I find this really helps with making things easier to learn in chunks rather than as a huge great big pile of information.

COLOUR CODING

I learn from colour and I always have done, I’m not sure why but that seems to be how I work. I tend to colour code certain things, for example if I’m learning a theory, I will write it all in blue and then a different theory in red. This way, it seems clear to me what is associated with what and this stops me getting things muddled in exams which can be easily done if you’re stressed or panicking. I use a variety of pens but my favourites are the Maped Assorted Fineliners, Staedler Fineliners and Crayola Supertips!

HIGHLIGHTING

I remember when I thought revising meant writing the whole page out from a textbook. DON’T DO THIS! It wastes so much time, you won’t be able to take it all in and it’s more than likely you only need a fraction of it actually written down. This is where highlighters come in super handy. You can write as much as you need to and still highlight the key points so they stand out to you on the page. I personally like to use the Stabilo Boss Original Highlighters and also their pastel range of highlighters.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ANYONE NOT DOING ANYTHING – PARENTS/FLATMATES/BROTHERS/SISTERS/ANYONE

Last year I was in a flat of 6 people so I was asking everyone to test me which helped loads. I also absolutely rinsed my dad during my study weeks. We would sit down for hours going over the same stuff to the point where he knew it too so he could help me revise. I would learn some of my revision cards and then give them to him to ask me about. This helped so much and we wouldn’t give up until I knew everything.

WASHI TAPE

I love using these to decorate my work, bullet journal and scrapbook pages. They’re so cheap and easy to get hold of too. I tend to buy mine from Etsy or Amazon but I’ve found a few in craft shops and stationery shops too! There’s also a photo (scroll up) where you can see I’ve put tape at the top of my revision cards. I find this helps with colour coding everything and keeping organised as well as making it all look nice too!

EAT PROPERLY

I honestly didn’t think much of this until last year. The difference in my productivity and motivation between when I was bingeing on snacks and crisps and eating proper meals everyday was HUGE. I was able to concentrate for longer and I didn’t crave any snacks. I also noticed that I lost weight too when I wasn’t snacking constantly (surprise). A great alternative so salty snacks are edamame beans! You can get them in little pots ready to fry up – they’re one of my faves!

Did you find these tips helpful? What helps you with revision? Let me know in the comments! I hope this post helped some of you that are preparing for exams, I know I will be working hard over the next few months as exams are fast approaching (no thanks). If any of you have exams soon, good luck and let me know how they went!

N xxxx

Tags Advice, Art, blog, blogger, Exam, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Photography, Revision, School, Student, Tips, University

BEAUTY BIRCHBOX

BIRCHBOX JANUARY 2018: OHH DEER – REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date January 12, 2018
26 Comments on BIRCHBOX JANUARY 2018: OHH DEER – REVIEW

If you want to see last month’s review, click here!

This month’s beautiful box is in collaboration with the British stationery gods over at ‘Ohh Deer‘. I absolutely bloody love this company – I’m even subscribed to their stationary subscription service too (click here for my November Papergang box review).

The January Birchbox is a pretty good mixture of skincare and makeup. This month seemed to have less well known brands than some of the other months, but the products are still all lovely. We were also given a cute little sheet of stickers too which I’m loving as they’re perfect for putting in my bullet journal/blog planner.

(FULL SIZE) Lord & Berry – Blusher Crayon in Peach : RRP £8

First up we have a crayon blusher. I picked this last month in advance (Birchbox usually offers this for every box – you can pick one of two products) because I knew it would be a good colour for more summery makeup looks. At first I was a bit terrified when I swatched this because I’d gotten so used to wearing dark coloured makeup over the Winter months but I reckon it’ll be an easy transition once Spring arrives (asap please because I’m fed up of it getting dark by 4 o’clock). I also like that it’s super creamy in it’s consistency so it’s easy apply and to blend in. I wasn’t sure about the whole ‘crayon’ idea however it’s meant I’ve been able to put the blusher exactly where I want it. I use a dewy foundation anyway so I prefer makeup that glides onto my face rather than putting something powdery or dry on top of it. I’ve also always loved using peachy/coral coloured lip and cheek products during Summer so I will definitely be keeping this around to test whilst I’m on holiday! It will definitely save me some space in my makeup bag as I won’t need to carry a whole compact and a brush. If this product takes your fancy, get yourself one here.

Marcelle – Waterproof Eyeliner in Charcoal : RRP £10.99

I always forget how much of a difference eyeliner makes. I keep thinking ” Something doesn’t look right, what’s missing ?” and it’s always eyeliner! This product really excited me as it’s waterproof. I hate getting panda eyes a few hours into my day or after a sobbing through an episode of Grey’s Anatomy so I tend to look for waterproof products – especially when it comes to eye makeup. This eyeliner stays put and doesn’t budge for a good few hours, I only had to touch it up once in a whole day – very impressed! Grab one here!

Thermaliv – Night Cream : £21

I have always loved night creams, masks and treatments as they’re so simple and easy to use. Just plonk them on and all you have to do is go to sleep to wake up feeling fresh faced and ready to go. This product contains sea chamomile and vitamin E which leaved the skin feeling nourished and plump. It is quite pricey though so I’m not sure if I would buy the full sized version once this sample has run out. However, if this sounds like something you’d be interested, you can get yourself one here!

Paul & Joe Beauty – Moisturising Foundation Primer in 01 Dragee : RRP £24

I’ve recently started using primers and I’ve really noticed a differenced in how my makeup applies once it’s on. It makes such a good base for my foundation so I was super pleased to see this product in this month’s box. This primer is enriched with botanical extracts providing extra moisture for your skin as well as having a subtle gold shimmer that creates a healthy and dewy look which I am all about. I really recommend this product, so if you want to check it out, you can do so here!

Afterspa – Amazing Makeup Remover : RRP £5.50

I cannot get over how unbelievably soft this product is. It removes any kind of makeup including mascara and waterproof eyeliner – SAY WHAT? It isn’t necessarily as easy as a makeup wipe but it certainly saves you some dosh given it apparently lasts up to 1,000 washes! All you have to do is soak it in warm/hot water and you’re ready to go. It’s a great idea plus it also is a great option for people that have sensitive skin. Grab it here if you want to check it out for yourself!

Overall I think this box is great value for money. One of the products is full sized and it costs £15 – whereas the box itself costs £10. I think there was a good mixture of skincare and makeup in this month’s box

Let me know if you are subscribed to Birchbox and what you thought of this box or if you are subscribed to any other beauty boxes, I would love to know!

Go ahead and use my link (here) to subscribe and you will get £5 off your first Birchbox!

Tags BEAUTY, Beautyblog, BIRCHBOX, blog, blogger, Bullet Journal, Design, January, Lifestyle, Lord and berry, Makeup, Marcelle, Ohhdeer, Photography, Product Review, Review, Skincare, Spring

BEAUTY

LUSH: “THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS” BOX REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date January 10, 2018
No Comments on LUSH: “THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS” BOX REVIEW

Hey you!

Today I’m back with another Lush review except this time we’re going to be talking about their “The Night Before Christmas” box. I’ve always been a huge fan of Lush’s Christmas ranges, particularly the Snow Fairy collection, which I reviewed the other day! Check that out here. I also love Lush’s stance on animal testing which you can read more about here.

“Slip into a bath before Christmas and summon some well-deserved peace and tranquility.”

The packaging for this is just so gorgeous! I love the dark purple and the gold aesthetic plus I also love the moon and stars design. It makes me feel warm and cosy just looking at it! I feel like Lush are absolute pros when it comes to vibrant and colourful packaging – it’s partly why I look forward to any seasonal ranges.

This box includes two products; the Shoot For The Stars bath bomb (my fave) and the Christmas Eve bubble bar. I love that they both match with their deep blue colour and astrology theme.

SHOOT FOR THE STARS BATH BOMB – 200g

“Honey-scented sparkles of Brazilian orange and bergamot waltz in a swirling, cobalt sky.”

This is my absolute favourite bath bomb that Lush sells. I love the smell, I love the look and I LOVE how it makes my skin feel after I’ve had a bath. I love launching this one into the tub and waiting for the water to turn a gorgeous shimmery turquoise. The little gold stars smell like a mixture of toffee and honey and they release the most gorgeous shimmer into the water, making it perfect to sink into before bed. It’s such a warm and comforting scent to get you relaxed and cosy on a cold Winter’s night! I usually get a few of these in stock before they disappear after Christmas. I wish it was an all year round product! I really recommend trying this one out if you haven’t already.

CHRISTMAS EVE BUBBLE BAR – 100g

“Bubbles piled high smell lovely and bright. Uplifting ylang ylang puts moods just right.”

This was a new product for me, I’d never seen it before I opened this set, however it came out every year between 2009 and 2014 and was one of Lush’s most popular Christmas products. It was revamped and brought back, much to many people’s delight, last year! I usually crumble a small bit of the bubble bar under running water (or I just hold it under for a while) until soft fluffy bubbles begin to fill the tub! The scent of Christmas Eve is super relaxing and comforting, as it features both jasmine and ylang ylang. It’s more floral then I would typically go for as I am usually a more buttery/vanilla kind of girl – but I still enjoyed using this! I would recommend this if you enjoy floral, clean and fresh scents in particular.

This is definitely a lovely box to give or receive for Christmas as it contains two really lovely products and they are packaged so beautifully too. I really recommend buying Lush’s gift sets after Christmas when they are on sale as they’re obviously cheaper but you can also get a lot more for your money. I usually get a few in stock before they’re unavailable and then I can enjoy these products and scents all year round until they’re back again (thank god). Let me know what you thought of this set or whether you love or hate these products in the comments.

N xxxx

Tags Bath, BEAUTY, Beautyblog, blogger, Christmas, December, January, Lush, Luxury, Pamper, Photography, Product Review, Review

BEAUTY

LUSH: SNOW FAIRY COLLECTION REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date January 8, 2018
36 Comments on LUSH: SNOW FAIRY COLLECTION REVIEW

Lush are one of my favourite companies for beauty and skincare. I love the quality of their products, the huge range that they offer and also where they stand on animal testing (read about it here). They always impress me with their seasonal ranges but also with their more permanent products too like the Fluff Ease hair treatment, which I mentioned in my December 2017 Favourites post! If you didn’t know already, the Lush Snow Fairy scent is my all time favourite bath and shower range EVER. I also mentioned their shower gel in my December Favourites post too, so as you can probably tell, I’m a huge fan! They bring their Christmas goodies out in October/November and it’s literally like Christmas coming early every time for me. This year, they introduced some new bits in the Snow Fairy collection. I know these aren’t available online anymore but they are disappearing fast in their stores as they are on sale after Christmas. I have managed to accumulate a fair amount of their bits and pieces as you can see, so let’s take a look….

‘SNOW FAIRY BODY CONDITIONER’

I used this body conditioner for the first time last year, and I was SO happy that it was available again this year. It leaves my skin feeling so soft and hydrated and also smelling of candyfloss which is a massive yes from me. It’s made with a fruity cherry infusion, moisturising mango and avocado butters which makes it perfect for tackling dry skin (which I get during Winter). All you have to do is smooth this over your skin in the bath or shower and wash it off for fabulous results.

‘SNOW FAIRY COLD PRESSED SOAP’

This smells bloody amazing plus it’s loaded with organic cocoa butter and almond oil. The soap lathers so nicely and it’s really softening too. It’s got the same candy and bubblegum scent which leaves your hands smelling fab for hours. Lush reassured us that no fairies were harmed in the pressing of this soap (finally I’ll be able to sleep now).

‘SNOW FAIRY JELLY BOMB’

For the first time ever, I actually didn’t like this Lush bath bomb. The smell was incredible however the ‘jelly’ aspect definitely isn’t for me. It dissolved as normal and then it created a sort of jelly-like layer on the surface of the water. All was well until these little jelly lumps started sticking to my body and all over the tub. I couldn’t get them off easily so I had to rub and scrub which wasn’t the most relaxing experience. I also found that I missed some of them too so when I got out to dry, they stained my towel. It’s such a shame that I didn’t enjoy this because this is my favourite range and I absolutely love a bath bomb. I would love to know whether you guys experienced this too or if you actually loved it!

‘MMMELTING MARSHMALLOW MOMENT’ BATH OIL

I’ve been buying these for a while now as they seem to be on sale all year round. They only cost £2.50 which is a complete and utter bargain. I place these in my bath and leave them to melt in the hot water. These make my skin feel SO bloody soft, I’ve never known anything like it. They contain cocoa butter and coconut oil which are super hydrating – perfect for any dry skin days. Of course, they smell like cotton candy which is too good for me to turn down. They have loads of different bath melts/oils available so I would really recommend checking them out!

‘MAGIC WAND’ BUBBLE BAR

This might be one of my favourite products. It’s so easy to use and it makes such a difference. I hold this under the tap as my bath is filling up for the most amazing bubbles. It smells like the typical cotton-candy scent that the Snow Fairy collection has too which only adds to my already amazing smelling bath! The best bit about this product is that it lasts so long as well so not only do you get lots and lots of bubble baths but you also get what you pay for! I would definitely suggest leaving it to dry in a dry place – sometimes when my shower hits it slightly it’ll use it up whilst I’m not paying attention! Also, if you aren’t a fan of glitter, this may not be for you…

SNOW FAIRY SHOWER GEL

I absolutely LOVE using this. It makes me feel super soft and smelling like sweet vanilla and candy floss. I use this very sparingly and I still smell and feel amazing afterwards. It lathers up really easily too, so a little bit goes a long way! There are different sizes available so if you want one to travel with they have a baby size and if you’re like me and practically live on this stuff, they have bigger bottles available too. It has a tiny bit of shimmer to it too, which makes my skin look so much more alive as opposed to it’s normal dull self.

This collection is my absolutely favourite. I buy it every year and it’s always something that I look forward too. I was disappointed by the bath bomb however if there had been some sort of alternative bath bomb available that would’ve been great! I know that most Lush stores have sold their Snow Fairy collections in the Christmas sales but there’s a couple of bits still available online if you’re interested. I’m sure that Lush will come out with it again next year (if not I may cry) and that there will be some new additions too. Let me know if you liked this Lush review as I’m always trying things out by them and I would be happy to share more of my thoughts with you! I would also love to know what you guys thought of the Snow Fairy collection this year – go ahead and comment your opinions!

N xxxx

Tags Bath, BEAUTY, Beautyblog, Christmas, England, Gifts, Lifestyle, Lush, Luxury, Pamper, Photography, Review, Shopping, Snow Fairy

BEAUTY

THE BODY SHOP: CHRISTMAS SALE PICKS

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date January 5, 2018
12 Comments on THE BODY SHOP: CHRISTMAS SALE PICKS

Hey guys,

Of course, your girl has been exploring the Christmas sales. I recently posted a few of my finds from Zoella Beauty and KIKO too if you’re interested! I haven’t been looking in The Body Shop that much actually, I used to love their products and somehow I just forgot about them. I went in for a snoop around when I went to Bath (here’s my post on that too) and I was pleasantly surprised. I’ve always loved how great their products are and where they stand on animal testing (here’s their page on being cruelty free). They have SO many products and there’s absolutely loads of different scents too. They now sell cosmetics and skincare as well as bath and shower goodies. I have heard amazing things about their makeup so I may have to test these out for myself! Let’s take a look at what I did pick up from their Christmas sale.

No, I didn’t go crazy, but I did get some amazing goodies and they were on sale so it would’ve been rude to walk away empty handed! Can we talk about these scents too? Frosted Berries is my kind of scent for Christmas. I absolutely love anything that smells fruity or like berries so this was an immediate yes from me. I’ve never known anything to be Vanilla Chai scented before so I was definitely curious about this one. It smells HEAVENLY. Even if you aren’t going to buy this, please just go and give it a sniff because my GOD it’s just too good!

Okay so this was £2.50. WHAT?! Yep that’s right, it really was that cheap. The Frosted Berries Shower Gel comes in a 250ml plastic bottle and has a gorgeous little wreath design on it too (festive points are to be given for this, it’s so cute). This shower gel smells absolutely unreal. It’s fragranced with Red Berries, Vanilla and Cranberry so it’s super rich and fresh smelling. I love how it leaves my skin feeling soft and smelling amazing for hours. You can get it here!

Of course, I couldn’t resist getting my hands on the Frosted Berries Hand Cream too. This also smells incredible and you get 30ml of product, perfectly sized for your handbag! This also only cost £2.50 which is such a bargain. At first I was worried it was going to be one of those metal tubes that look like scrunched up tissue after the first use but it’s actually made of plastic so it won’t look gross. It’s also fragranced with Vanilla and Red Berries, but it’s especially enriched with Cranberry Seed Oil from North America. It’s a gel-cream formula so it really keeps your hands hydrated and soft. It doesn’t leave my hands feeling greasy either which is a yes from me. I love it! Grab it here if you’re interested.

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The Vanilla Chai Shower Gel also comes in a 250ml plastic bottle and has another cute little wreath design on it, I’m loving the festive vibes from these products. This is also priced at an extremely reasonable £2.50. It’s enriched with Vanilla extract and is fragranced with Vanilla (surprise surprise) and spiced up with Cardamon and Star Anise. I love the scent of this as it combines a buttery sweet fragrance with spices which I think is so perfect for the Winter months! Again, this shower gel lathers beautifully and leaves my skin feeling so soft. I really recommend this one, you can get it here!

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Guess what I picked up next? Yep, the matching hand cream. If you know me you’ll know I like sets so this was impossible to resist. If I love the shower gel, I’m obviously going to love the same scent for on the go use right? The Vanilla Chai Hand Cream comes in a 250ml squeezy tube, ideal for travelling with. Ten points if you can guess the price of this one too…yep, £2.50! The smell of this just makes me feel warm and cosy, do you know what I mean? It reminds me of being under a throw on the sofa with a warm drink. It’s also made from vanilla and spices so it’s the perfect festive scent in my opinion! It’s the same gel formula as the other hand cream, meaning it leaves your hands feeling super soft and hydrated and of course, smelling bloody great too. If you like the sound of this, you can grab it here!

The Body Shop had lots of products on sale and another scent in the Christmas range that caught my attention was called Frosted Plum, which you can check out here. Their Christmas range is still available on their website here, and I’m sure is still available in some stores around the country too. Let me know what you guys think of The Body Shop or if any of you have tried their Christmas products out too!

N xxxx

Tags Bath, BEAUTY, Beautyblog, Christmas, England, Festive, January, Pamper, Photography, Review, Sales, Shopping, Shower, Skincare, The Body Shop

BEAUTY

KIKO ARCTIC HOLIDAY BAKED BLUSH {REVIEW, PHOTO & SWATCHES}

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date January 4, 2018
27 Comments on KIKO ARCTIC HOLIDAY BAKED BLUSH {REVIEW, PHOTO & SWATCHES}

I only started using KIKO products in the last couple of years. I was drawn in by a sale (surprise surprise) during summer a couple of years ago and I haven’t looked back since! I have purchased so many things, from eyeshadow palettes to cream shadows, from foundations to metallic lipsticks and I am yet to have a negative experience with any of their products. I have to say, I think KIKO is very underrated, I don’t hear that much about them in terms of reviews etc and I’m not sure why that is as they are a great company! KIKO have been around for 20 years, with over 1,000 stores in 20 countries. It’s influenced by modern Italy, focusing on art, fashion and design. KIKO offer over 1,400 products ranging from makeup, skincare, brushes and beauty sponges. I really recommend checking them out.

Whilst I was in Bath (read about my trip here), I was delighted to find a nice and spacious KIKO store. I had to restrain myself as there was so many things that caught my eye! One thing that I did pick up was their Arctic Holiday Baked Blush in 01 Marmoreal Biscuit. This product particularly caught my eye because of it’s stunning golden chrome/holographic packaging, perfect for the frozen theme of the collection. I think it looks pretty high end actually. It is priced at £16.90 but it is currently on sale at £11.80

I was surprised when I found that the blush came in a little silver bag. It made the product seem so luxury and fancy, again, reminding me of high end brands. Also it’s perfect for travelling with as I recently went away and I opened my makeup bag to find that my blush had smashed and in the process had covered all my other things, so this little bag will come in very handy!

So the blush comes in a silver, mirror-style plastic packaging which I think looks very sleek and elegant and it was designed by Ross Lovegrove. I also think it matches pretty well with the icy/glacial vibes that seems to be going on.

I love the fact that there is a mirror included, again, making it brilliant to travel with. I am usually super fussy with blushes. I tend to run away from anything bright or baby pink and I typically go for more muted and musky. I really liked the shade as soon as I saw it, as it’s what I would usually go for. I also liked that it’s a baked blush with a metallic finish. I’m so used to seeing plain old matte ones and I feel like they can be quite harsh on my face (I might just be crap at blending) so I was keen to try out a different type. The blush is described to have a fragrance of “ginger and spices” which I’m not so sure about. It definitely has a subtle but pleasant scent, however ginger and spices didn’t come to mind when I first sniffed it. The smell disappears when applied to the face as well so I’m not fussed.

As you can see, this is super pigmented (this was one swatch). It has the most gorgeous creamy texture to it, which makes it so easy to blend out for a more natural look. It gives the cheeks the perfect glow and brightens up my whole complexion. I wear a dewy foundation so this blush enhances that by adding a healthy dash of colour to my face. It wears for hours and I have received so many compliments so I will definitely be keeping this in my makeup bag!

I absolutely love this baked blush. It’s basically everything I want in one – a dash of pink, a healthy sheen and a creamy texture! It’s also priced very reasonably given the immediate colour payoff and also the quality of the product in how it applies and also how it’s presented in it’s gorgeous holographic packaging. I feel like KIKO doesn’t fit into the drugstore category nor does it fit into the high end category either so it’s sort of in the middle, so I kind of expect to pay a tad more than I would from a drugstore brand. The quality of their products is always high and their packaging is always very nice too. If you like the look of this blush it’s also available in two other shades! There’s also loads more in this collection so click here if you fancy taking a look at what else is available. Everything in the Arctic Holiday collection seems to be on sale to so go go go!

I would love to know if any of you have tried this blush out or anything else in their Christmas collection. Also, let me know what you think of KIKO in general as I don’t hear that much about them and would love to know if you guys enjoy their products too.

N xxxx

Tags Bath, BEAUTY, Blush, Christmas, December, Kiko, Kiko Milano, Makeup, Photography, Review, Shopping

BEAUTY

ZOELLA BEAUTY: SNOW’ELLA 2017 CHRISTMAS RANGE REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date January 3, 2018
9 Comments on ZOELLA BEAUTY: SNOW’ELLA 2017 CHRISTMAS RANGE REVIEW

Hello lovelies!

I have been a Zoella lover since I was around 13/14 years old. I used to read her blog and then I got really into her Youtube videos. I used to watch them religiously every day, some even twice! I have always admired her approach to mental health and her bubbly personality always cheers me up. Find her blog here, and click here for her Youtube channel! When I found out a couple of years ago that she was starting a beauty range (as well as a fab lifestyle range too) I was SO excited.

Her collections have been pun-tastic and if you know Zoe Sugg, you’ll know she loves a good old pun in all areas of life, so I wasn’t surprised to find that the 2017 Christmas range was called ‘Snowella’! I was extremely excited for this range. I remember watching her video where she introduced all of the products (you can watch it here) and I literally wanted everything that I saw. I was so tempted throughout most of December to grab these bits however I knew it would be available after Christmas too (when the sales hit), so I waited. I hate to be that person but I honestly can’t resist a bargain and there’s something way more satisfying about waiting to buy a product and when you finally get to, it’s cheaper than it was originally! So without further ado, let’s take a look…

1. You’re Cracking Giftset– £14*

*£4.99 in Superdrug now

I immediately wanted this because of the packaging, I mean it’s a flipping giant cracker with copper writing on it – come on?! Zoe definitely knew what she was doing with the packaging in this range actually, as it’s all so pretty and matching and it definitely makes you want it all so many marketing points to her for that one! First in the set, is the Snow Silky Body Lotion (100ml) and the Snow Fresh Body Wash (100ml) which both contain softening Peony, brightening Winter Cranberry and soothing Mint (similar to most of the products in the range). I like the packaging for these two, they have a matte finish plus there’s copper involved as well so I mean… Finally we’ve got the Winter Wonder Hand Handcream (90ml), which I originally thought was in a metal tube (like the body shop ones I already own) so I was kind of dreading using it as it would resemble a dried prune after the first squeeze. It turned out to be a plastic tube with a copper finish so I no longer have to lose any sleep over damaging the packaging (yes I am that sad). My skin is also as dry as sand paper during Winter so I do love a good handbag sized handcream and this is idea for on the go moisturising.

2. Snow Relaxed Bath Fizzers – £6*

*£1.99 in Superdrug now or £4 at Feel Unique

MORE COPPER PACKAGING – YES PLEASE. Within this set, you get two giant bath fizzers with giant snowflakes on them. These are filled with blue iridescent glitter so they look stunning in the bath and on your skin when you get out! The fizzers are loaded with Cocoa Butter, softening Peony, brightening Winter Cranberry and soothing Mint. They smell so fresh so I love using them for baths in the morning to wake me up.

3. Snow’ella Body Mist 100ml – £14*

*£4.99 in Superdrug now

I included the miniature body mist too, which comes as part of the All Four You giftset (I got this for my birthday). The larger bottle is available on it’s own with a gorgeous white pom pom attached. It’s definitely a bottle to have on show as it looks so luxe and delicate. I’m dreading the day this runs out! It’s the same scent as the rest of the products in the range, Winter Cranberry, Mint and Peony. Also, the reindeer is from Tiger for anyone eyeing him up.

4. Merry & Bright Bubble Bath – £10*

*£2.99 in Superdrug now

The Merry & Bright Bubble Bath comes in a huge 490ml glass bottle. You get SO much product plus it’s absolutely beautiful and looks so pretty on the side in my bathroom. The bubble bath has a slight shimmer to it which I love and it also creates the best bubbles for a relaxing pamper night in! It comes with a pom pom hair tie, which I actually use if I want my hair out my face in the bath or when I’m using a face mask. I will definitely be reusing this bottle after I’m finished with the product! This is also in the Snow’ella scent.

5. Brew Me A Bath Bath Teabags & Splash Of Milk Bath Milk Powder – £12*

*£3.99 in Superdrug now or £8.40 on Feel Unique

So up first we have the Brew Me A Bath Bath Tea Bags, which I was most excited about, I think bath tea bags are such a cool concept. You get 8 x 20g bags which I think is great value for money (eight baths worth). The teabags look like they’re real, except they are filled with pink powder and there’s a cute little Z on the tag. I leave them under the tap and the powder dissolves, adding some moisture to the water but also creating some bubbles.

The Splash Of Milk Bath Milk Powder contains four 40g sachets of powder. I wish it contained more as I absolutely love this product! Empty your sachet under warm running water for a milky white moisturising bath.

SPA’RRY SPA’RRY NIGHT – £11*

*£2.99 in Superdrug now or

I love this set as it comes with two products that are perfect for pampering yourself.

First, we have the Snow Polished Body Polish (100ml). I have to admit, I don’t actually use body polishes anywhere near the amount that I should. When I do use them, my skin feels incredible and always smells so lovely for hours afterwards. I like the fact that this body polish is foaming too, so it doesn’t feel to harsh on the skin like some of the others I have tried.

Snow Smooth Body Butter (100ml) I absolutely love this product. My skin also loves it too as it’s just so moisturising and I smell amazing for hours!

WINTER WONDER HAND HAND CREAM – £6.00*

*£1.99 in Superdrug now or £4.80 from Feel Unique

I picked up one of these even though it also came in the You’re Cracking set because during Winter I get through hand cream like it’s air so I thought I would stock up before I have to say goodbye to this range.

This range is absolutely gorgeous, the packaging ticks all the aesthetic boxes for me with lots of copper, grey and pink (matching everything in my bedroom to be honest) and I just love the wide range of products. This is definitely my favourite range so far, I’m super impressed. I have to say though, some of these products were quite pricey to begin with (those are the prices I’ve written by every product above) and had there not been a sale, I probably wouldn’t have bought them. However, that doesn’t mean they aren’t good products or aren’t worth trying out, it just depends on your budget I guess. Let me know what you guys think of these products if you have tried them!

N xxxx

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

Tags Bath, BEAUTY, Beautyblog, Christmas, England, Photography, Review, Shopping, Superdrug, Zoella, ZoellaBeauty

LIFE PLACES

VISITING THE CITY OF BATH

Hello! I hope you all had a fab Christmas – I definitely ate my fair share (and more) of Twiglets and pigs in blankets! I also managed to win a game of Pointless with my apparently extensive knowledge on the different types of potato (feel free to clap).

This year, my boyfriend and I decided to give each other city breaks for Christmas! I took him to Edinburgh and he took me to Bath. I wrote a post about our trip to Edinburgh so take a look if ya fancy! I’ve been to Bath before, with my mum and dad when I was younger for a day trip and I remember loving it. It was so lively and full of shops and things to do.

The hotel, Combe Grove, is a beautiful 18th Century Manor House on a hilltop on the outskirts of Bath, away from the busy city life below. At first we wondered where on earth these tiny winding roads were leading us but then the hotel emerged and we were gobsmacked. It had a slight Downton Abbey feel to it with it’s endless amount of gardens and grand country manor aesthetic. I’ve always loved Georgian architecture, especially when it’s later been transformed into a hotel or a living space, as the history behind it is still there. We were warmly greeted and immediately offered a WiFi code (free of charge – yay!) and shown to our room. My boyfriend had booked a front facing room in the Manor House itself, as they were described to have breath-taking views. When we walked in I was stunned, the bedroom was gorgeous. The window caught my eye in particular – it was absolutely massive! The views from the hotel were incredible, especially the one from our bedroom in the morning!

There’s something special about staying somewhere old and full of character that makes a weekend away so much more enjoyable. We looked forward to getting back in for a nice glass of wine in the bar downstairs, before having a nice relaxing bath and sinking into our lovely luxury sized bed (do excuse how badly placed the throw is, that gap is really bugging me).

Breakfast was incredible. I chose the Homewood Halloumi served on a spinach flatbread with black beans, avocado and a perfect poached egg. It was SO good, I could eat this all day every day. I’ll almost always order anything with avocado involved. There was also a breakfast table with a plate of fresh fruit, granola, yoghurt, toasted breads, croissants and a fabulous array of fruit juices and jams. We also had the loveliest view of the grounds whilst we ate.

Although I did a fair amount of shopping in the sales (many blog posts are to come as a result) however we did get some time to take a look around the historical parts of Bath. The abbey looked so beautiful in the sunshine, even if it has been standing since 1499! I remember visiting the abbey as a little girl with my dad, and we went into listen to a choir rehearsal and as a result got the chance to meet Sir Willard White!

We decided it wouldn’t be a trip to Bath without visiting The Roman Baths. We originally wanted to go in the morning, but there had been a very long queue so we had to keep coming back and eventually there was only a small group in line! We practically sprinted and we were in the building within five minutes! The standard adult ticket would’ve cost us £15.50 each but as we’re students, we only had to pay £13.75 each. We were offered free audioguides (one by Bill Bryson was available?!) but we decided to just read the signs as we went along.

The first view we had of the baths was from the Terrace. There were Victorian statues of Roman Emperors lining the Terrace, dating back to 1894 and were designed for the opening of the Roman Baths in 1897. Below, was the Great Bath and although huge, apparently it makes up less than a quarter of the entire site. It was lovely to be out in the fresh air and also still able to view this fantastic historical site (from above).

Then, we looked at The Sacred Spring, at the very centre of the Roman Baths site. For thousands of years, the naturally hot water (46°C) has been rising there every day! (If you’re wondering why on earth I have applied a weird fuzzy filter over my photos, it’s actually just the steam rising from the water). It was once believed that the ancient gods were responsible for this. Many also believed that this water had healing powers and some would travel for miles and miles just to drink it or bathe here!

Part of the East Baths, this would have been a hot room for people clean up before using the baths (pretty much like modern day spas now) where they could receive massages or sit in saunas.

There were lots of objects recovered from the Baths which we found particularly fascinating. It really brings the place to life when you can see real objects from hundreds of years ago.

My favourite part of our tour was being able to look at the curses. These were messages written on lead or pewter, before being folded up and thrown into the Spring. It was believed that the spirit of the goddess dwelt within the waters and would hear their messages.

There was even a Roman skeleton in one area of the exhibition, including the coffin too. This was definitely another fascinating reminder that all of this really happened and that these people really existed.

Finally, we got to view the Great Bath up close. The bath is 1.6 metres deep with steps leading down to it on all sides. The niches around the bath were for people to sit on to talk or would have held drinks and snacks. You can sort of see in the back right of the photo, a large flat slab of stone, which is known today as the diving stone.

Just before we set off for home, we stopped at a quirky little coffee shop called SOHO coffee. It gave off strong Pret vibes but it had a very different menu. I opted for an avocado caesar baguette and a fruit pot and wait for it… a Rocky Road hot chocolate. This was the best hot chocolate I’ve ever had, generously topped with marshmallows and cream too! I would really recommend stopping by, as it’s a lovely place to sit and watch the world go by whilst recovering from lots of walking and shopping!

I had the best time in Bath, it’s such a beautiful and lively city. It’s brilliant for shopping and also sightseeing which I think makes for the perfect city break. I know I mostly focused on the hotel and The Roman Baths in this post, however the shopping will come later on! I’m saving some things back for other posts to share with you! I would love to know if any of you have visited Bath or if there’s anywhere you would recommend going to stay as we want to go on some more city breaks in 2018!

Also – Happy New Year!

N xxxx

Tags Bath, December, England, History, Holiday, Lifestyle, Photography, Roman Baths, Shopping, Tourism, Travel, Winter