Review: Xtras Hair Accessories #2

Wednesday, April 30, 2014
I have already created a post featuring products I was kindly sent by Xtras Online, I showed you how to use a hair doughnut to create a gorgeous big, neat bun for long/thick hair, click here to see the post. Here is my second post featuring spring hued hair ties and edgy, hair ties! To read my personal disclaimer, click here.
On my nails is Nails Inc Baker Street
*Pack of 3 Pastel Coloured Elasticated Hair Ties/Bobbles (£1.99): These products are basically cheaper versions of Twistbands, the american original version of elasticated hair ties. I have been using my Twistbands (which I received as part of a Birchbox) for ages and these are just as good - but a lot cheaper! They are elasticated so they don't pull on the hair, they are much softer and they reduce headaches - although they do still hold the hair tightly. I love the spring pastel colours! I wear them around the house and as I sleep as they keep my hair together but not super tightly. They are very comfortable to wear. ★★★★★, 5/5!

*Silver Metal Ponytail Ring Hair Cuff with Black Elastic (£2.99): I noticed these metal hair cuffs in H&M last year and I always wanted to try them. I chose the silver one as I never wear anything but silver jewellery so this one matches well. The main thing I like about this, apart from the fact that it makes a boring ponytail look like you have put a lot of effort into it, is that it hides the bobble/hair tie underneath it. It works like a normal bobble then you pull the hair through the metal ring - there is a gap at the back of the ring so it is relatively easy to thread the hair in it. It is a great, cheap hair accessory in my opinion. ★★★★☆, 4/5.

There are some fantastic, new and very cheap hair accessories at Xtras Online! Have you tried either of these products? 

OOTD: Skipton Castle

Monday, April 28, 2014
Last weekend, easter weekend, myself and my parents and sister went on a very last minute trip to Skipton Castle in Yorkshire. According to google maps the journey should have only been 44 minutes from out house but it ended up taking about 1hr 30 mins so we only had just over half an hour in the castle but we managed to take a lot of photographs (my camera battery died at the end of the trip) and it was a gorgeous sunny day! Here is my ootd (outfit of the day).
Thanks to my sister, Aimee, for taking the photos!

Top: Topshop - Jeans: Dorothy Perkins - Bag: Newlook - Shoes: Zara - iPad case: Kujali

I bought this Topshop top in the sale for about £10 and I adore it, I love anything striped! It was quite a sunny day and the top is quite large and light weight so it is perfect for english spring and summer days. I love my zara shoes, they are dove grey and had silver spikes on the front although they can be quite painful! For my makeup I chose simple black liner with a slight wing and nude lips. 
Here are some photographs of the castle, it is quite a small castle and it is located in the centre of Skipton, Yorkshire. As a child and teen I went on camping holidays with my parents, sister and our friends/neighbors where we visited a lot of castles! I love visiting castles, they are so interesting, this one is a norman castle. A primitate version of the castle was built by a norman baron in 1090. The castle was given to the Clifford family by King Edward II in 1310 and the writing on the gates of the castle bear the Clifford's Norman French motto 'Desormais' which means 'henceforth'. The two towers are the oldest part of the castle which date back to norman times. There are gorgeous views of Skipton and the surrounding areas.

Overall, I think Skipton Castle is well worth a visit! As well as the castle there is a cafe, a church, seating areas - great for photographs especially on the gorgeously sunny day that we went on. Great views of the Leeds/Liverpool canal and Eller Beck (a beck is a small stream). One place I didn't go to was the dungeon which looked really creepy (bottom left photo) and the stairs throughout the castle were very worn and a bit difficult to walk on. 

There you have my OOTD and photographs from the amazing Skipton Castle! Have you been to Skipton Castle? What do you think of my OOTD? 

Review: Arbonne #2

Saturday, April 26, 2014
I received some items from Arbonne a few weeks ago and I have already published one blog post reviewing the first set of items I received, click here, to check it out. This post is all about the skincare samples I received. Honesty as always - to read my disclaimer, click here

1. *Arbonne Intelligence Genius Nightly Resurfacing Pads (£84, 60 pads): I have approx. 8 pads as a sample and I have been using them nightly on and off for a while. I only use them on my chin and jaw as that is where my skin is not sensitive at all. I don't really want to use them all over my face. The pads are very moist and the feel a little rough on the skin, in my opinion. When I have used one pad it leaves my skin feeling greasy so I have to use my makeup remover afterwards or a toner. I think they leave my skin very smooth, moisturised and not stripped at all! Due to the greasiness and price I am giving this product ★★★☆☆, 3/5. 

2. *Arbonne Eye Makeup Remover (£14, 109ml): I adore my bioderma for removing all of my makeup but I have been using this just on my eyes. I wear waterproof mascara and shadow every time I wear a full face of makeup so any remover has to be pretty strong stuff! I find this eye makeup remover a little rough on my eyes, it doesn't feel gentle like the Bioderma micelle solution. However it doesn't sting my eyes, it doesn't feel greasy and it removes makeup quite well. ★★★☆☆, 3/5. 

3. *Arbonne Fortifying Shampoo (£25, 237ml): I only managed to get one use out of this sample as my hair is fairly long and thick. It did smell really nice and it lathered well. It was a nice shampoo overall but I feel like I cannot give an in depth review from just one use. but as a first impressions I would give it - ★★★★☆, 4/5.

4. *Arbonne Calm Gentle Daily Cleanser (£17, 148ml): As I do have sensitive skin I have to be careful with cleansers - my favourite all time cleanser is the REN hydracalm cleaning gel (which I have repurchased) and this Arbonne cleanser is very similar. It is sulphate free! This cleanser feels very gentle on the skin, it doesn't strip the skin and I haven't had any negative reaction - I am very impressed with this cleanser. I would be more than happy to purchase this cleanser myself. ★★★★★, 5/5.

5. *Arbonne Purifying FC5 Cleanser and Toner (£20, 118ml): This cleanser is not from the Calm range but I tried it any way and I am pleasantly surprised. The scent is really nice, it smells citrusy. The cleanser lathers well, it doesn't irritate my skin at all and it washes off easily. It leaves my skin feeling super clean! ★★★★★, 5/5.

There are my thoughts on some of the skincare products from Arbonne, a bit of a mixed bag but I am very impressed with both cleansers! I definitely want to try more from the Calm skincare range! 

Have you tried Arbonne products before? 

Review: Geco Wheatgrass Powder

Friday, April 18, 2014
I have been trying to eat healthier and exercise a bit more recently, especially as the weather is better and summer is not too far away. One of the products that seems to come up when I am searching for healthier foods is wheatgrass - before this product I had never tried wheatgrass or anything similar so I definitely wanted to give it a go. Honesty as always, to check out my disclaimer, click here

I have the *Geco Organic Wheatgrass Powder (100g, 500g is £21.99). Firstly, the delivery was quick and I like the packaging - all of the nutritional information and more is on the back of the sachet. This product is suitable for vegans and vegetarians, I am the latter. Wheatgrass has a lot of goodies packed into it such a vitamins and minerals (for example: vitamin B6, vitamin C, iron and more). It contains a slightly larger number of calories than I thought it would but the whole pack (100g) contains only 285 calories. 

I have tried this wheatgrass powder with numerous juices (you can add it to smoothies too which I haven't managed to get round to). I have tried it with pomegranate, orange, exotic fruit and apple juice.  To use, you just add 1 or 2 heaped tablespoons into juice or a smoothie - I haven't used that much in one drink. I have been adding half a heaped tablespoon into my juice as the wheatgrass taste is a little strong. I do not like the wheatgrass powder with orange juice or apple juice but I really like it with pomegranate and exotic fruit juice - especially exotic fruit juice! 

Overall, I think adding wheatgrass powder to your morning juice or smoothies is a great way of getting some extra vitamins, minerals and other goodies into your body with little effort. While it really doesn't taste great with some juice flavours, it is really nice with pomegranate and exotic/tropical fruit juice. Also just eating and drinking healthily makes you feel good! ★★★★☆, 4/5. 

Have you tried anything from Geco Supplements? What are your thoughts on wheatgrass? 

Review: Pai Camellia + Rose Cleanser

Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Pai is a skincare brand that I have wanted to try for a while, I know a lot of bloggers, youtubers and celebrities rave about Pai skincare. So when Pai were asking for volunteers to test their Camellia & Rose Cleanser I immediately said I would love to. Honesty as always, to check out my disclaimer, click here. I am taking part in the Pai Cleanser Challenge, are you?
*Pai Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser (100ml, £25): I have been using this cleanser twice a day for exactly 8 days now and usually I would be a bit more cautious with new products as my skin is sensitive but I haven't had any problems with this cleanser and it is for sensitive/all skin types. Firstly, the cleanser comes with a muslin cloth and I LOVE the packaging! 

The cleanser itself is suitable for vegans to use, it is cruelty free, it is alcohol free and 80% of the ingredients are organic. The cleanser has a pump dispenser which makes it super quick and easy to use as well as allowing more control over how much product is dispensed so there is no waste. The cleanser is thick, smooth and it smells fresh and floral - although it is not overpowering or irritating! I use one pump and massage it into the skin which feels quite relaxing actually because of the scent. I find the cleanser removes makeup really well and it cleanses without stripping the skin or making it feel tight.

To remove, I soak the muslin cloth in hot water and ring it out then gently buff away the cleanser in small circular motions. I LOVE the muslin cloth, it adds an exfoliating element to what is a creamy cleanser but it is not harsh or overly abrasive on my dry, sensitive skin. Also the muslin cloth is made of 100% organic cotton. 

Overall, I love the packaging, quality and scent of the cleanser and the addition of the slightly exfoliating muslin cloth leaves my skin incredibly smooth, soft, comfortable and moisturised - exactly what my dry, sensitive skin needs! It can only be ★★★★★, 5/5 from me!

Have you tried anything from Pai Skincare? #PaiChallenge

OOTE: The Perfect Murder & Star Sightings!

Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Last night myself and Gemma went to the Manchester Opera House to watch a play called 'The Perfect  Murder'. The night we went to watch it was the first night the play was performed in Manchester and we saw Roy Cropper (David Neilson) from Coronation Street and Freddie Flintoff! #FanGirlMoment 
Outfit of the evening (OOTE) - Jeans: Dorothy Perkins, Top: Monki, Jacket: H&M, Bag: Asos and Wedges: Newlook. 

The Opera House was quite hard to find, especially because of all of the road works and diversions. When we arrived there were photographers, probably because of the celebrities in the audience (a few other actors from Coronation Street were there too). The play is described as a noir comedy and it definitely was. There are only five characters in the play, a husband and wife who are both having affairs and a policeman. There are a few famous people in this play such as Les Dennis, Clarie Goose (Casualty) and Grey O'Brien (Coronation Street). 

The basic plot of the play: "Victor Smiley and his wife Joan have been married for a long time. But their marriage has reached crisis point and Victor has decided there is only one way to get Joan out of his life forever…but he's about to get a nasty surprise………. As a young Detective Roy Grace starts to investigate his very first homicide case, dark forces intervene and Grace begins to fear that nothing is quite as it seems, in this entertaining dark comedy thriller. "

The first 30 minutes of the play was pretty good but then Gray O'Brien came on - in his boxers...I think he gave the play more levity and definitely made it so much funnier! There were some twists and turns, especially towards the end (I don't want to give too much away!) but it was fantastic. Some people brought children to this play, in my opinion it is NOT suitable for children - there is swearing, violence, fake blood and more! 

Overall, a great play, well worth watching with lots of funny one liners! It is only based in Manchester for the next three days I think and if you are going to see it at the Opera House, bring a jacket and don't expect the seats to be comfy - it is quite an old theatre! 

Have you watched this play? Or read the book from which it is based on?

Review: Marie Natie Cosmetics

Monday, April 14, 2014
I was very kindly sent some makeup items to review from the Canadian natural makeup brand - Marie Natie. I hadn't heard of this brand previously but I love their ethos - "Marie researched, sourced ingredients, tested and re-tested products until she was satisfied she had created the best natural products available. Ingredients were carefully selected and tested to create the MarieNatie Cosmetics natural makeup line and her dedication to present the very best ensures that consumers are getting what they deserve." Click here, to read my disclaimer.
*Marie Natie Lip Sparkle (Nearly Wild, 8g, $18): At first the shade scared me slightly as it is quite metallic and bold in the tube but when applied it is sheer so it can be used on its own for a lovely rosy sheen or over the top of lipsticks. I think because it is so sheer you could add it to almost any lipstick or lip pencil. It gives the lips a lovely lush, full look without feeling really heavy or greasy. I like the simple packaging and it is super quick & easy to apply. The scent/taste isn't amazing but overall a nice lip gloss with very little stickiness and the best part - it doesn't contain sulphates, parabens, silicones or synthetic fragrance/dye which is fantastic! ★★★★☆, 4/5. 

*Marie Natie Eyeliner (Brown, 1.2g, $15): Next up is a dark brown liner, I tried it on my arm first and it is super creamy and it doesn't drag the skin at all. The shade is really nice, a great everyday alternative to black liner and it lasts so well. The swatch on my arm lasted all day and I tried it rub it off numerous times with hand soap and water. I haven't tried it on my waterline yet but I think it will be amazing, I will keep this post updated. So far I am very impressed, ★★★★★, 5/5.

*Marie Natie Mineral Eyeshadow (Soiree, 2.35g, $17): This shade is just beautiful, although it isn't a shade I would wear everyday! It is a deep shimmery silver, I always try shadows with my fingers first rather than a brush as you can feel the shadow texture easier. The shadow has a gorgeous smooth, buttery soft texture! Also the pigmentation is just amazing! It applies well to the lids, there is very little fall down and it looks so pretty on the eyes - especially with winged liner. Very impressive, ★★★★★, 5/5.

*Marie Natie Loose Mineral Eyeshadow (Mauve, 4g, $15): Now the shade to me is not a mauve shade, it is definitely more purple, although it is really pretty. The purple contains flecks of tiny shimmer that looks so pretty on the eyes. It is a loose eyeshadow but I found it easy to use, although I definitely prefer pressed shadows. It has good pigmentation and it applies smoothly and evenly to the skin. I will be creating a couple of party looks next month which will probably feature a few of these products, stay tuned! ★★★★☆, 4/5. 

Overall, I am very impressed with these products! The eyeliner and pressed eyeshadows are amazing! Also all of the items came in a super cute drawstring bag that can be re-used. And the products came in recyclable cardboard packaging which looked great and is fantastic for the environment. I would definitely recommend Marie Natie - the products I have tried are fantastic and they are suitable for vegans and they are all cruelty free! I want to try more of the pressed shadows, I am so impressed by the one I have. For more information on Marie Natie, click here

What do you think of these products? 

Review: Green People Sensitive Skin Solution

Sunday, April 13, 2014
I have wanted to try a new skincare range for a while, I didn't know which brand to choose but I knew I wanted more natural products. I am not unhappy with the other products I was using but I wanted to try something different and products with more natural, skin friendly ingredients. I was very kindly sent a sample set to try from Green People, I expected sample sachets but it is a large set! To check out my disclaimer, click here
I have the *Green People Sensitive Skin Solutions Set (£29.95) which contains three products - the Scent Free Cleanser (50ml), Scent Free 24-Hour Cream (50ml) and the Scent Free Eye Cream (10ml). I think this set is a great way of trying all of the products in this range - it would make a great gift too. Firstly, the delivery was quick and the items were well packaged. The packaging of the actual products is great too, very simple.

*Green People Sensitive Scent Free Cleanser & Makeup Remover (£18.95 for 200ml): The cleanser has a pump dispenser so you can easily control how much you use so there is no waste. The cleanser is very smooth and creamy on the skin and I feel like it cleanses my skin well, although it does not strip my skin! The cleanser does not irritate my skin at all (and I have eczema occasionally). Overall, this cleanser is just fantastic for dry, sensitive skin, I cannot recommend it enough. Also it is 91% organic. ★★★★★, 5/5!

*Green People Sensitive Scent Free Anti-ageing 24 Hour Cream (£15.95 for 50ml): The skincare item that can irritate my skin the most is moisturiser, although I had no such problems with this product! The cream is fairly thick but it is smooth and applies nicely to the skin. It doesn't feel heavy or greasy on the skin and it absorbs quickly leaving my skin smooth, soothed and moisturised. No irritation at all! It does have a slight scent which may be from the packaging, I am not sure, but it isn't strong or unpleasant. It provides just the right amount of moisture and leaves my skin comfortable. I cannot comment on the anti-ageing benefits as I am only 21 but it is a lovely facial moisturiser! ★★★★★, 5/5!

*Green People Rejuvenating Eye Cream (£9.50 for 10ml): I have a love hate relationship with eye creams, I feel like the ones I have tried do work but they are time consuming to use and the benefits are often only noticed after long term use. Although I feel it is important to use eye cream on a daily basis. The packaging for this eye cream looks like a lip balm tube, it is quite handy and would be great for travelling. The cream is light weight, it absorbs quickly and it leaves the skin feeling smooth and hydrated but not overly so. ★★★★☆, 4/5!

Overall, I am very impressed with the brand and products - also 10% of the net profit goes to charity! Also I tried a sample of their *Help At Hand Cream which I really like, great scent and it didn't irritate my skin. Green People are offering 10% off their sensitive skin range which lasts all month! Have you tried anything from Green People? 

How to: use a hair doughnut (long, thick hair)

Saturday, April 12, 2014
I was kindly sent a few hair accessories (that I chose) from Xtras last week and I have been playing around with them - honesty as always, for more information on my disclaimer, click here. One item I chose is a hair doughnut, I have wanted to try them for a while and here is what I came up with - it is not easy!
Apologies for the poor photo quality 
I have the *Xtras Hair Doughnut (brown, 100mm, £1.99). The colour does match my own hair colour quite well and it is super cheap! Also you can buy from the Xtras website. Firstly, my hair is quite long and thick so it is difficult to tie up anyway and this was a bit difficult for me to do but I think I have the hang of it now. 

Step 1: Brush your hair well, making sure there are no knots/tangles and tie up in a high ponytail - tie it tight!

Step 2: Place the hair doughnut/ring around your ponytail and get a few hair coloured bobbles

Step 3: Tip your head forward and fan the hair over the hair doughnut/bun so the hair covers it all. Then place a bobble/hair tie around that bun with the hair covering it. 

Step 4: You will have excess hair especially if your hair is as long as mine is - bring the excess hair to the base of the bun and split it into two sections. With the first section wrap it around the base of the bun and then use another bobble or hair pins to secure it.

Step 5: Wrap the second section of hair around the bun again but in the opposite direction to cover the rest of the base of the bun.

Step 6: There you have your hair bun using the hair doughnut and four bobbles - depending on your hair length and thickness you may need more or less bobbles and pins. I used some hair spray to tame any flyaways. My hair bun turned out massive as I have a lot of hair but it stayed in well and it didn't pull on my hair. 

This is my first spring hairstyles post, there will be one other post while my hair is long. I am getting it cut into a bob in a couple of weeks time so I might have some short hairstyles posts then. 

Have you used a hair doughnut before? Do you have any tips? 

Easter Gift Guide

Friday, April 11, 2014
Myself and my family are not very religious but we do get together and exchange small gifts during Easter - Easter Sunday in the UK is mainly a day of chocolate eating! As I will be getting a few small gifts from my family (I am getting theatre tickets for Easter this year) I thought I would share an Easter gift guide of gifts that I would be so happy to receive.

1. Lush Bunny Bubble Bar (£3.25): Lush make the most gorgeous and cute seasonal collections and this little guy is adorable! It is supposed to smell like vanilla and it contains blue cornflowers that float in the water. I may have to treat myself...

2. Hotel Chocolat A Donzen Quail Egglets (£11): Every Easter gift looks so cute and this is no exception. I have always drooled over the displays and products at Hotel Chocolat but I have never tried anything from them. These little chocolate eggs come in a few different flavours such as caramel pecan, salted caramel, fruity mandarin and more. Great if you want to try numerous flavours and great to share as well.

3. Your Design Personalised Easter Egg Candle (£7): Now for a bit more of a personal gift, these candles can be personalised with someones name or nickname on the front which I think is so cute. It would make a nice Easter gift to keep.

4. QVC Yankee Candle Easter Jar Duo (£30): Onto a more expensive and luxe gift - this candle duo from Yankee Candle would make a gorgeous gift for Easter! I would be so happy to receive this duo. The candles are Easter exclusives and they are large jars so they will last for ages!

5. Emma Bridgewater Rose and Bee Mug (£19.95): Another more expensive but lovely gift, how cute is this mug. I love Emma Bridgewater designs from her mugs to her stationary. The mug design is perfect for this time of the year and it would be a great gift for mothers or grandmas, in my opinion, well I would love it too!

6. Your Design Easter Egg Hunt Bag (£7): This Easter egg hunt bag would be great for younger or older children to collect eater eggs in for an Easter egg hunt. The bag can be personalised with the child's name or nickname on the front which makes it an extra special gift that can be re-used. 

There is my Easter 2014 gift guide, I would personally love all of the Lush Easter collection, the YC easter collection and the Emma Bridewater mug! Do you celebrate Easter? What are you buying for Easter? 

Review: Herbalife Body Lotion & Soothing Gel

Wednesday, April 09, 2014
I was very kindly sent these two products to review, click here to read my full disclaimer, honesty as always. Before receiving these products I had never tried anything from this brand and I hadn't really heard of them. The Herbalife products cannot be bought online or on the high street, they can be purchased through distributors and members - check out the product links to find a distributor near you. 
*Herbalife Herbal Aloe Everyday Soothing Hand & Body Lotion (£8.63, 200ml): I am not sure how much these items cost and I cannot really find a UK online shop selling these products - I will update when I find out! I have transferred the hand and body lotion to a pump container that I bought from Ikea just because it makes using body and hand lotion so much easier and more convenient. Although I do like the packaging of both Herbalife products. The lotion has a very fresh, aloe scent which I like especially for this time of the year. It feels very light and refreshing on the skin and it absorbs really quickly! As the lotion is quite light and fast absorbing I thought that it wouldn't be very moisturising but it is surprisingly. It is not as moisturising, in my opinion, as a thick body butter but it is quite impressive. It leaves my skin smooth, soft and moisturised with out being heavy or greasy. ★★★★★, 5/5. 

*Herbalife Soothing Gel (£8.63, 200ml): I have been using this along side the lotion when I shave as I can get bumps and my skin can be quite irritated after shaving. I do not use anything lotion or gel immediately after shaving as I find it can irritate my skin even more. But I use this gel the day after and it feels light and fresh as the lotion does. It also absorbs really quickly and doesn't irritate my skin. You only need a small amount of each product - overall, I am pleasantly surprised. ★★★★☆, 4/5. 

Have you tried anything from Herbalife? What do you think of these products? 

Spring Fashion Wish List

Tuesday, April 08, 2014
I have already posted my spring beauty wish list, click here to check it out and I also have a home ware wish list which will be posted soon. This post is all about the items I am lusting over for spring, ft. Joules, Newlook, Dorothy Perkins, Anna Lou of London, Amazon, Warehouse and Atterley Road. This is not a sponsored post. My wish list definitely has a french theme!

1. Joules Creme Stripe Nautical Jumper (£69.95): I didn't think I would fall in love with a jumper but it has happened! How gorgeous and chic is this jumper, I adore it and I need it in my life. I love the breton stripes and the tiny slit at the hem, cute attention to detail. 

2.  Anna Lou of London Engraved Anchor necklace (£67.50): I love the look of rose gold jewellery but I don't own any - that needs to change! How cute is this anchor necklace - you can get it engraved, I think I would get 'sailing' engraved onto it. 

3. Paris Street Style: A Guide to Effortless Chic Book (£10.87): This is a bit of a cheat addition to my fashion wish list but work with me - I have had this book on my Amazon wish list for months and months, I adore french style (hair, beauty and fashion) so I think this book would be perfect. It has a lot of good reviews and apparently it is full of gorgeous inspirational photographs. oh là là!

4. Newlook Monochrome It's a Paris Thing T-Shirt (£12.99): Anything stripy I will buy, it's becoming a slight problem....how cute is this tee! It would look great with ballet flats, a black blazer and the Nica bag above. Great for casual day, well most of my days are casual!

5. Warehouse Paper Lace Print Scarf (£20): As well as my addiction to jackets, coats, jumpers and stripes, I also love snoods and scarves. I think scarves can make such a difference to an outfit. I think this one would be gorgeous with a white tee, jeans and a black trilby. 

6. Dorothy Perkins Nica Brown Lulu Shopper Bag (Sale, £44): I was so tempted to buy this bag with my dorothy perkins voucher that I won but I managed to get a lot of other items instead (haul coming soon). However it is a lovely bag, I am a bit of a bag lady but I could definitely find room for more! I had a Nica bag a few years ago and it was fantastic. 

7. Atterley Road Maison Scotch Tuxedo Blazer (Sale, £79): Now that may be a little steep but it should have been £180 so it is a bargain really. The image above doesn't do the blazer justice, check out the link to see the model wearing this blazer and you will fall in love with it as I did. So chic, french and heavenly! 

There is my rather long spring fashion wish list (to be honest it could have been a lot longer, I want everything from Joules and Atterley Road!). 

What is on your spring fashion wish list?

Review: In Love With Fashion Gingham Dress

Saturday, April 05, 2014
I was kindly sent a dress to review from In Love With Fashion (through EtailPR), honesty as always, to see my disclaimer, click here. I have never tried anything from In Love With Fashion before but a lot of their items are worn by celebrities and reality tv stars. 
I have the *In Love With Fashion Black and White Gingham Shift Dress (£30) in the size S, Small. I am a UK 6/8 in dresses and this dress is fine on the top half of me but it is a bit big on the lower half - on the hanger it looks quite big. If you are thinking of getting this dress then just get what your normal size would be but it may be slightly oversized. 

I do not have anything in this gingham pattern - I haven't since primary school but it is so popular right now and I love monochrome anyway! The dress feels well made, it is made of a fairly thick fabric but it is definitely not too thick for spring. The print is really nice and the fit is fine. The one thing I do not like about the cut of the dress are the sleeves - they are short cap sleeves which I personally hate! So I had to wear my Promod faux leather jacket with it, I don't think I would wear it without a jacket or cardigan. I paired the dress with my *Oroblu tights which are incredibly soft and comfy & my Asos ankle boots which I have worn to death!

Overall, I love the print, it is made well and it is so on trend but I do not like the cap sleeves and it is a little big on me - but the length is great and I am petite. I would recommend this dress and I would like to try more items from In Love With Fashion, although a lot of pieces are not really to my personal taste. I would rate this dress, ★★★★☆ 4/5. 

Have you tried anything from In Love With Fashion? What do you think of this dress and trend?

Review: My Trusty Sunflower Cream

Friday, April 04, 2014
I saw this cream on Bloggers Required (it's similar to EtailPR and The Blogger Programme but you don't have to sign up, you can just apply to work with brands on the campaigns that are advertised) and I had to try it. I was very kindly sent the cream to review, for more information on my disclaimer, click here, honesty as always. 
I have the *My Trusty Little Sunflower Cream in the Lavender scent (100ml, £6.99). This cream is not just any cream, it was developed my the Salisbury District Hospital as a moisturiser for patients but it is now available to purchase online. And the best thing, all the profits from this cream go straight back to patient care!

Now onto the product, firstly, I love the packaging - so simple but colourful, effective and eye catching. The cream comes in the lavender scent and also an unscented version. I picked the lavender version as the scent of lavender to me is just gorgeous and very appropriate for this time of the year. The cream itself is white and it looks pearlescent - metallic almost which is a bit unusual but you do not get glitter or shimmer on the skin thankfully. 

The cream is thick but smooth and it applies really well to the skin. I have mainly been using it as a hand cream and it works really well as a thick hand cream but the best thing about the cream...it absorbs so quickly, within 60 seconds it will be fully absorbed, unless you just loads and loads of cream at once! The cream sinks in well and doesn't really leave any residue, it moisturised my hands very well and leaves the skin with a slight floral lavender scent. As well as a hand cream it is great for the nails/cuticles and also elbows etc - it is a great multi-use cream. 

Overall, I am very impressed with this cream, it is really moisturising despite the fact that it absorbs really quickly. It has a nice scent, it doesn't irritate my skin (even my eczema - unless my eczema on my hand is very bad then I have to use a very basic face cream on my hand). I have tried a lot of hand creams such as the Soap and Glory hand food, a lot of the L'Occitane hand creams, one from Avene and more - my favourite hand cream ever is the Kiehls Hand Salve which is a miracle worker!! The My Trusty Little Sunflower Cream is a very good hand cream, it is just as good as the Soap & Glory and L'Occitane creams, in my opinion. ★★★★★, 5/5.

Have you tried this cream before? What is your favourite hand cream?

Dorothy Perkins Haul #1

Thursday, April 03, 2014
At the beginning of the month I won a massive Dorothy Perkins competition on Pinterest - I couldn't believe that I won, I was a ringing everyone to tell them (they just said 'let me guess you won another competition). I am very good at winning competitions recently! I won a £250 Dorothy Perkins voucher and I have only spent £100 of it so far, I can't believe how restrained I have been (go me!). I am giving some of the voucher to my sister but there will be another couple of posts on what I buy with the rest of my voucher. Here are my first four buys - 1 dress, 2 tops and 1 pair of sunglasses. 
Outfit one - Dorothy Perkins Petite Stripe Tunic (£24, reduced to £10): This item is still in stock online, I bought it because I do not have anything like it in my wardrobe. It has a shift dress shape so it doesn't have a waistband as all of my other dresses have, it feels slouchy and I LOVE it! I also love the stripes - if you couldn't tell as all of the items in this post are stripy. The faux leather pockets and trim make it look quiet expensive in my opinion. Not everyone likes it though, my sister says it looks like pyjamas! It is made of a thick cotton like material, so comfy. My tights are from *Oroblu and my wedges are from Select (Yoox). 

Outfit two - Blue Stripe Jersey Knit Top (£16): This is not in the sale but I had to get it, I adore breton stripe tops, I think they look so french and chic! The top is quite thin and light so it would be great for spring/summer. I paired it with my Asos Petite Black Jeans, Asos Ankle Boots and my new Dorothy Perkins Tort Hawaii Clarkmaster Sunglasses (£8) which I also bought with my voucher. I am a bit unsure if these sunglasses suit me but I like them! Please excuse how massive my hips look in this photo!

Outfit three - Petite Stripe Jersey Knit (£18): This top was also not in the sale and it is almost sold out online, as I am writing this. I love stripes, I think I have an addiction...I love the grey/white marled kind of effect and it is a super soft jumper. It is fairly light and breathable so it would be great for spring. I paired it with my Dorothy Perkins Petite Jeans and my La Redoute Boots. 

What do you think of my outfits and new buys? Have you bought anything from Dorothy Perkins recently?


Review: Argan Dew Hair Mask & Oil

Wednesday, April 02, 2014
I noticed a tweet from Argan Dew asking for bloggers to test their new mask and oil samples, I obviously said yes - I love hair masks and the brand looked great! My full disclaimer can be found, here. I have been testing the samples over the past week or so, here are my thoughts so far. 
*Argan Dew Miraculous Argan Oil Daily Hair Treatment ($39, 100ml): I have three 3.5ml sachets of this hair treatment oil and I am on to my second sachet now. I have used a few hair oils such as the Osmo Berber Oil, the Vo5 Miracle oil and others but I haven't really liked them. However, I liked this oil from the first use. The scent is really nice, it smells like an expensive salon but it also has gorgeous spicy/musky notes to it - I LOVE the scent. The oil itself is very smooth and glides onto the hair so easily. I have been using this oil on damp hair as the stated on the sample and also on dry hair as a finishing oil. It doesn't weigh my hair down and it doesn't make my hair feel greasy. I am so impressed with this oil, it is lovely to use and it makes my hair so smooth, soft and hydrated! It has to be ★★★★★, 5/5!

*Argan Dew Replenishing Hair Mask ($44, 250ml): I have used a lot of hair masks and the only two that I would repurchase include the GHD Opulence mask and the Ojon restorative hair treatment. This Argan Dew Mask is up there with the best masks I have used. As with the oil it smells amazing, I cannot get enough of the scent. I use all hair masks on my hair when it is dry, not wet, I applied the whole sachet to my dry hair and then left it for a couple of hours. I find this makes any mask more effective! The mask washed out really easily and instantly makes my hair feel smoother, softer and more manageable. When my hair has been dried it doesn't feel weighed down or greasy - just soft, smooth and shiny! ★★★★★, 5/5!

I would definitely recommend both of these products and both products are SLS free. I am very tempted to buy the full size version of the oil, however shipping to the UK is a little expensive as the brand/products are from Israel. Have you tried anything from Argan Dew?