Floral vs. Stripes

Striped top: H+M

Floral Skirt: Forever 21

Worn with black Primark brogues

 Right Hand:

Tiffany Bracelet

Bare Escentuals Friendship bracelet prize from Lipglossiping

Tiffany Ring

Left Hand:

Diamond ring from Gavin

Silver leaf ring Topshop

Guess Silver Watch

Nails:

OPI

Lucky Lucky Lavendar

Another pound off this week 

12 1/2 in total now :)

Love

Belle

xxx

Dream Cream Review

I was given Lush's Dream Cream hand and body lotion for Christmas by my Mum

I remembered one of my Auntie's raving about it a few years ago and was eager to try it

It's a little more expensive than my average body lotions but I still put it on my Christmas list to try..

£10.25 for 240g 

 What Lush say: 'Incredibly soothing body lotion for troubled skin. Dream Cream is Lush's best-selling product because it makes sore skin feel good again. Chamomile and lavender calm irritations, reduce redness and banish blotches. We also use oat milk, too, which has traditionally been used on troubled skin for centuries. It contains everything nature makes for soothing your skin.'

Ingredients:

Oat Milk (Avena sativa), Rose Water (Rosa centifolia), Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Olea europaea), Cocoa Butter (Theobroma cacao), Glycerine, Stearic Acid, Triethanolamine, Tincture of Benzoin (Styrax benzoin), Rose Absolute (Rosa damascena), Chamomile Blue Oil (Matricaria chamomilla), Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia), Lavender Oil (Lavandula angustifolia), Cetearyl Alcohol, *Geraniol, *Limonene, *Linalool, Perfume, Methylparaben, Propylparaben 

What I think: I love this body lotion. The smell of lavender can be a bit overpowering, I'm not the biggest fan of the smell to be honest but can tolerate it. It seems to me like it's soothing qualities would be ideal before bed but I've only used the cream after my morning showers so far. The cream's not too thick, just the right consistency and soaks in to my skin really quickly. Leaves it feeling really soft as well. I suffered from eczema when I was younger but not much anymore, I just have sensitive skin and this cream hasn't caused any flare ups at all, in fact it's lovely and calming if my skins a bit sore. Overall I would definitely repurchase Dream Cream, especially with the Lush incentive to save 5 black pots and exchange them for a fresh face mask. I'd say a 4/5, the price is a wee bit high but I understand that's due to all of the natural, organic products.

I'm yet to find a Lush product I don't like!

I'm sure it will probably happen but fingers crossed it doesn't

Love

Belle

xxx

Smiles

I know I posted about taking a break but I'm feeling much better

My essays written and waiting to be handed in

I had a fantastic weekend with friends and family

Nearly there...

A few things putting a smile on my face right now

 My beautiful Mum

 Sunny days spent with family

 Some of the greatest friends I could ever ask for

 The one that knows me inside and out

You brighten up my day bubbles

 Feeling old but still acting like a like a little kid

 Easter Chocolate

These bad boys are AMAZING

Planning my 21st Birthday Celebrations

So bloody excited

I have a few reviews I want to write now I have a bit of essay free time

Sorry for the temporary glitch in my 'mood' but I think I can say I'm back now

Love

Belle

xxx

Brief Break

Hi guys

I'm debating taking a brief blogger break

I've been finding myself very unmotivated to do a lot of things at the moment

Not good with third year university deadlines round the corner

I need to concentrate on these

And also on personal matters family, friends and relationships

A rather tragic thing happened this week and it's made me think that life is too short to feel the way I have been feeling

Life can be taken away at any moment, it needs to be grabbed by the horns

I want to embrace life and enjoy every second of it

I need to dedicate time to healing myself and getting back on track

I will be back, maybe in two to three weeks time

Things are too much of a struggle right now and I am in no way coping

I'll still be reading everyone elses blogs

I just don't want to blog in the frame of mind I'm in all the time

You'll get fed up of the rubbish I spout!

Take Care lovely people

Belle

xxxx

They Never Said It Would Be Easy

So I haven't posted in a while

It's been a tough week

On the plus side I've spent some time seeing my friends 

I won't go into details here but I owe a lot to my friends and family

They are all my rocks and I don't know how I would have coped this week/weekend

Love them all to bits <3 

I've very nearly finished uni now

All my 120 film is scanned and just needs editing

Anyone good at photoshop!? I suck at it!!!

I've got two essays to write but one's very nearly there so not stressing yet

Believe me in two weeks time I'll be ripping my hair out

The weight loss is going well, I've lost 9 and a half pounds to date and people are starting to notice :) 

Right now I'm trying to decide what to do for my 21st 

My Mum wants one thing but I'm not sure it's practical

I want another but the boy isn't keen on it

How to keep everyone happy!

Due to my current situation I've done a wee bit of retail therapy

It has significantly raised my spirits...sad but true

No outfits recently as I've felt pretty rubbish

I'll try and get on it this week

Mini 'Haulage'

 Primark Diamante Studded Jumper

£12

I really love love love this 

I bought it on a whim last weekend and wore it straight out that night

I stayed at my Mum's a few days and didn't have the right clothes to go out with

I decided on this with skinny jeans and black biker boots

I only went to the local gay bar (it's actually pretty awesome :) ) with a few friends in an effort to put a smile on my face, which it definitely did

Again I love them so much

The blush pink colour works well with my skin tone which I really wasn't expecting 

So yeah I'm impressed with my little Primark purchase

 This very nearly felt like fate...

Primark Cherry Print Playsuit

£13

The only one of these I saw in my local Primark and it was my size

Granted it doesn't quite do up but it won't be long

Literally half an inch and it's there

My other playsuit from Primark has elasticated bit on it so I assume the fact this one doesn't explains why it doesn't quite fit

Can't wait to wear this

 Close up of the print

 New Look Camel Dotty Peter Pan Collar Dress

£10

I tried this on when it was full priced and begrudgingly put it back on the shelf

It didn't fit at all :( And I refused to size up

Normally I don't mind but for some reason I wouldn't this time

When I saw this in the sale for a tenner I grabbed it

It still doesn't quite do up but it goes up a hell of a lot further than it did

I reckon this will fit around the same time the playsuit will

I know it seems silly to buy clothes that don't quite fit but to me it's an incentive to get into all the prettyness

 The bestest took me to Lakeside last week

I hadn't been in years

The Primark there quite literally BLEW MY EFFING MIND

I fell in love

It's huge, much bigger than my local store

I prefer it to Oxford Street, no where near as busy and I felt I didn't have to rush

I could have literally spent hundreds in there

I'm not too ashamed to say I dreamed about it that night :/ okay maybe that is slightly embarassing...

Primark Floral Summer Dress

£5 yes another one

This was so flattering, I'll wear it with tights now but can't wait to get my bare legs out in the Summer

 No idea what to call this...

Erm a floral Kimono/Bedroom Jacket/Blaaah??

Anyway it was £10 and I only saw it in my size

Another fateful purchase?

I wore this the other day to the cinema with my Mummy (we saw Battle LA, go see it it's AMAZING!!) and I felt so summery, shame it was still so bloody cold

 Primark Nautical Flats

£6

Loved the anchor detail and the strawy bit on the sole

Perfect for Summer

 Primark Hot Pink Ballet Flats

£4

Pink, flats, cheap what more can I ask for

 These are actually navy

Slightly more expensive at £12 but still love them

Only showing one here as I broke the other and it was in the process of being super glued back together...long story

I'll hopefully try and keep up blogging regularly 

But things are super tough right now so please bear with me

Much Love

Belle

xxx

Everyday Make up

Yes I'm still procastinating from uni work

It doesn't help I feel like hell and can't bring myself to do it...

Or go to the gym for that matter

Bleurgh!

So I thought I'd do a quick post about my everyday make up bag

Might work out how much it all costs :S could be scary!

I love my make-up bag

Panda+Pink= ADORE!

Benefit That Gal Primer: £20

Clinique City Block: £15.50

Soap and Glory Trick and Treatment: £9

Benefit Erase Paste: £20

YSL Touche Eclat: £25

MAC Mineralize SkinFinsh Foundation Powder: £18.50

MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation: £23

MAC blot Powder: £17.50

MAC Blusher 'Well Dressed': £17

Nars Blusher 'Orgasm': £20.50

Nars Bronzer 'Laguna': £24

ELF Eyelid Primer: £1.50

Benefit Lemon Aid: £17

No 7 Eyeshadow 'Wheatsheaf': £8

17 Wild Curls Mascara: £6

Maxfactor False Lash Effect Mascara: £11

Burts Bees Lip Balm: £3.50

*Not Pictured*

MAC Eyeshadow 'Woodwinked': £9.50

MAC Eyeshadow 'Mulch': £9.50

MAC Lipstick 'Viva Glam Gaga 2': £13.50

These are my current go tos

I normally grab this bag and a few essential brushes for days I go straight from the gym else where

Total: £289.50

Oh dear! May have to think twice about carting it all with me to the gym in future

Just because I have a great love for the minions from Despicable Me

Love

Belle

xxx

Things can only get better

It's been quite a while since I last posted

All I can say is sorry

I've had a crazy week

My best friend has had some time off from work so I've been seeing her loveliness a lot

I've also had to squeeze in work, uni work and other socialising

So blogging has taken a back seat

I'm still have a few issues with various things but just trying to keep in perspective that things will get better

It can stay crap forever after all

I've also been thinking about my Nanny a lot recently

This is a year I really wish she could see

My cousin and I turn 21, a big thing in our family

It's my graduation

And quite possibly a few other amazing things will happen but I won't jinx it

I miss her so much but endeavour to embody her out look on life

Just to smile, plain and simple

A smile can instantly change your mood

If I ever feel like crying, or feel angry I try to just smile and feel better  

I had a few realisations this week

Mainly uni based....

I've got an essay due in two works which I really should start

Another at the end of April

And my final major project for uni is due May 15th

Problem is I need the project finished at the latest end of April

And I've been working to the May deadline...whoops

Fingers crossed I can get it all done but I can already feel myself slipping into stress out mode

I can't deal with stress mode for the next 2 and a bit months

Another realisation would be that I am poor

Stinking dirty poor

Which sucks

And reading copious amount of beauty and fashion blogs doesn't help when one has no money to buy the items one covets froms said blogs...

Skirt: Dorothy Perkins

Top: Topshop

I'm so happy this skirt fits again

I was so upset when I tried it on a couple of weeks ago and it didn't fit properly

Love it :)

And I promptly changed my bra after I saw these pictures!

Cardi: Aerie

I swapped the cardi for my blazer and popped some heels on for the evening

Just a few drinks at the local pub

Vest: Jack Wills

Jacket: Primark

Jeans: Tesco

I think I was a bit premature with such a Spring time outfit!

I went to Lakeside the other day for the first time

And I'm in love with their Primark

It's amazing!

I held back but I know as soon as I have monies, and lost some more weight, I'll be all over that place like a rash

Love

Belle

xxx

MAC Wonder Woman and Viva Glam Gaga II

When I got my scholarship fund in I knew I had to get me some Wonder Woman action

I did have to wait a bit and many a temptation came my way, I only gave in at the make up show though

So come Wednesday this week when I saw the collection had gone live on the MAC site I had a wee browse

I thought it wasn't going live until Thursday but it's all good!

I really wanted to get my mitts on the Pink Power MSF as Golden Lariat looks too dark for my paler than a polar bear complexion

But it still says 'coming soon' on it so I'll just have to keep checking

If not on the 17th I'm off to London for tea with the bestest and seeing as my closest MAC is in London and I have a £15 gift card I will hunt it down

So I settled on the blush in Amazon Princess, the lipglass in Wonder Woman and also added the newest addition to the Viva Glam collection of lipsticks, Gaga II, to my basket...just tog et it above £50 for free shipping of course....

And today my little package arrived (well yesterday but I wasn't in so had to pick it up today...) I do love that little black box 

 I know a lot of people have expressed their dislike for the new collection's packaging but I personally love it

I love bright stuff, and pretty girly things too of course

But a bit of in your face red, yellow and blue really gets me too

Plus they're the colours of my university...and quite possibly my graduation gown 

Who knows!

Everything seems to be on steroids...it's all so big compared to usual sizes (apart from the lipstick of course) I'm desperate for the MSF, writing this has made me realise how much I want it. I've not bought any of the past collections.

To be fair I've only been buying MAC since August so not many have come along. 

I fully intended to get something from A Tartan Tale but just didn't get around to it, and forgot to tell Mum for Christmas, I really coveted the Rose Ole Powder for the ChamPale collection but it sold out before I could get it in my basket, and then the Peacocky collection just didn't really appeal I guess, the eyeshadow colours looked lovely but nothing screamed buy me...

I think buying MAC in America where it's so much cheaper doesn't help as I struggle to justify so much money on make up but felt I deserved a treat this week

I lost another 2lbs at Weightwatchers so thats now 9lbs in three weeks, definitely worth a treat and buying clothes seems a bit silly at the moment

 Anyway onto the products after a lengthy ramble...

Viva Glam Gaga II 

£13.50

MAC describe this as a light warm beige with an amplified finish

I've got a few nude colour lipsticks and struggle to pull them off

I prefer a little flush of colour and something easy to whack on without a mirror

I don't have the time to faff about with mirrors and lip brushes...blaaah!

I do have the original Viva Glam Gaga and really like it but have to be in the right mood for a proper girly pink

This version is a bit warmer than Creme De Nude and I find it much more wearable

It's a lovely, smooth application and I can see myself getting a lot of use out of this

Might have to look into a few of MAC's other nude offerings, Myth and Hue may be added to the 'to be hunted down and swatched' list 

 On my lips

Excuse the lack of make up, I'm feeling pretty tender from last night

Took a tumble and am really feeling it today

Gavin's threatening to throw away my favourite biker style boots as they have no grip

I'm trying to persuade him it's just because I was slightly tipsy....

 R.I.P Amazon Princess Blusher

£21

I was in Mum's car when I opened my parcel and as soon as I saw the sprinkling of pink powder my heart sank

I was gutted to open the box and see the blusher had smashed

I did however get straight on the phone to customer services who have said this is a common problem with this blusher, but only certain batches??

Why am I so unlucky!

The woman who can re-roder for me isn't in till Monday so I have to wait till then for it to be re-ordered

I just hope it doesn't sell out over the weekend

If it does I guess I'll have to exchange for some of my long list of eyeshadows..

 :(

 It's kind of still useable and I've done a swatch a bit further down

Mum reckons the colour's a bit bright for me but with a light hand it should be OK

 Cue stupid hungover sad face 

 Swatches

The colours are lovely so I do hope I can get a replacement

But then again I'm tempted to just go for an eyeshadow and lipstick instead...decisions

 And finally the Lipglass in Wonder Woman

£17

 It's huge!

 Size comparison with my favourite lipglass Nymphette

 It's a lovely red colour, I don't have a red lip gloss so thought it was a justified purchase 

 Look at the size of that doefoot!

HUGE!!!!

It's quite an effort to get the applicator out of the tube and then to use the doefoot as it's so large but I reckon once I get the hang of it it'll be fine

Wonder Woman lipglass on top of Viva Glam Gaga II lipstick

The lipstick tones the red down a fair bit

I do plan to wear the gloss out tonight so I'll try to remember to take a photo then

Sorry about such a lengthy post!

Love

Belle

xxx

Two O.P.I Nail Looks

After the Excel show I've been painting my nails the minute my previous mani chips

These are the two recent colours

O.P.I My Private Jet

 After the bubblegum sweet pink and sparkly nails I had previous to this the darker colour was a welcome addition

It was hard to photograph in our crappily lit living room but I tried

I'd describe it as a mid-tone black/grey with silvery glitter shot through

I suck at describing colours, obviously

 The above picture shows the colour a lot better

O.P.I Ink Suede finish

 I just applied this polish when I got in from uni and I LOVE it!

The matte/suede finish is gorgeous

I like how it's so different from the normal glossy finish of most of my varnishes

Might have to invest in a matte topcoat

I was expecting a more navy bluey colour but irl it's more purple

Still love it, and it should complement tonight's outfit nicely

I think I've managed to shoot my final images today for my project

Now to scann all of the negatives and get to editing

Fun!

I just want it all to be over, bring on May 16th!!

Love

Belle

xxx