New Year Haul!

Hey everyone. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and a happy new year to you all!

My main new years resolution for 2014 is to create some better quality content for the lovely group of people following my blog and become more consistent in putting up blog posts regularly.

I will try my best, but what better way to start a new year then a shopping spree, right? ;)

So here a few things I picked up ...

The first things I bought were from The Body Shop and Boots, typical me, but I got some fantastic deals on the items I bought.

From The Body Shop I bought -

Almond Body butter 200ml.

I wish they would put this in the permanent range of body butters because I absolutely love it! The scent is a sweet almond scent which to me smells just like marzipan. I was eyeing this up just before Christmas but I couldn't quite justify £13 for yet another body butter, when I already have a fair few (understatement). After boxing day sale this was put down to the price of £5 with a limited stock because it is part of the seasonal collection. Plus I had a 'spend £25 get £10 of voucher' and a £10 gift card that was very kindly given to me for Christmas. Sold.

Colour Glide Lip Colour

In the shades - 12 Damson

                      - 49 Berry Shimmer

These two shades are no longer on the website but a easily found in store. The 'Colour Glide Lip Colour' are The Body Shops range of sheer lip sticks which I think are very similar Revlon's Lip butters ( which I love and would highly recommend ). Damson, which looks a lot darker in the photo than it actually is, is a mauve - brownish shade. I have really, really fair skin and I was looking for a nude lip stick, but most nudes seem to wash me out, so I decided on these two which are very wearable shades that could be worn on an every day basis. The other shade I bought is Berry Shimmer, a pinkie - mauve shade, another 'your lips but better' type of shade. At the moment the whole range of these lipsticks are on sale for £6 reduced from £10!

All in one blusher

In the shade - 06 Guava

My last purchase from The Body Shop, a beautiful shade of hot pink, probably the brightest blush in my collection. A super fine powder blush that feels very smooth and silky.

From Boots I bought -

The Rocket and The Colossal Cat Eyes mascaras by Maybelline.

All of my mascaras had seemed to have dried up, so I decided that I was going to throw all my old mascaras away and stock back up. I bought The Rocket which was raved about a lot at the start of 2013, and I must be the last person to jump on that bandwagon. I also bought The Colossal Cat Eye, which I know is well loved by one of my close friends, so I thought it was worth a try seen a though Maybelline had a 'Buy 1 get 1 half price' deal on.

 

Puma Suedes

I am sooo excited about this purchase as I've wanted a pair of these beauties for so long and I have seen so many people wearing them. I bought this classic burgundy pair of puma suedes online at Footasylum which I would also recommend as they were very reliable and delivery was pretty quick too. They are super comfortable to wear and walk in and look really, really nice with ankle grazer skinny jeans! So happy with them :)

 

 

Topshop Joni Jeans

I went to Topshop with a £30 gift card my lovely grandparents bought me for Christmas and I found these Topshop Joni jeans in the petite section. I had never really contemplated buying the Joni jeans before as I have always been quite biased towards my beloved Leigh Jeans and had bought multiple pairs. I stopped the hunt for a perfect pair of jeans when I stumbled across the Leigh's, and fell in love with them, but finding the Joni's and trying them on, I loved them just as much and they fit me like a glove. They are super high waisted and a very stretchy, skinny fit. Almost like jeggings but a lot thicker and have a good waist band that rises high up your stomach. ( Sorry they look crinkled on the photo! )

 

Panda Tee

I'm sorry I cant find this on the website any more, but I bought it half price at Urban Outfitter for £15 from £30 and I just think that it is so incredibly cute, and I love it so, so much! It is very oversized and hangs way below your butt ( almost like a tee - dress ) and I think it would look perfect with a pair of plain black leggings that will bring out the features of the pandas face. The tee is by a brand called The Mountain and have an online website ( Link ) but I'm not sure if they ship world wide as the website is in dollars, but If they do I think the sloth print will be next on the top of my wish list!

  

Have you been shopping? I would love to have a nosey at what you bought if you bid!

Thank  you for reading, I hope you enjoyed, and have a fantastic weekend! Much love.

- Katie xo

Christmas gift ideas for girls!

Hey Everyone!
One of my favourite things about Christmas is buying and giving gifts. I realise this is probably the latest gift guide type post ever, but for those late, last minute shoppers who are unsure of what to buy, I hope to give you a few ideas that may help in the manic array of panicking shoppers in the cities. My suggestions are all for girls so might help when buying for your mum, sister, friend but I'm sure any women would be happy to receive one of these gifts. I know I would! Also these gift ideas are pretty affordable and easily accessible for everyone. 

 

The Body Shop - Shower, scrub and soften collection 

 

RRP - £17.00 each.
In each gift set there is -

Shower Cream 250ml

Soap 100g

Body Scrub 50ml

Body Butter 50ml

Mini Crinkle Lily

Firstly, the packaging of these gift sets are so cute! I think this would be a fantastic gift for someone you want to buy something special for  - but perhaps on a budget? The two I bought are the mango and strawberry sets, which both smell incredible - guaranteed! Personally I love anything from The Body Shop, and having sensitive skin, all products are super gentle. I think the products in these sets would work really well with all skin types and for the price, the amount in these sets are fantastic value!

Next - Sparkle eau de parfum

RRP - £7.50

• Price per 100ml - £25

Such a cute little gift for even the fussiest tastes in scent. A good stocking filler ide, or a last minute purchases for a friend maybe?  Retailing at £7.50, cant go wrong really. Also a really beautiful scent, and the bottle itself decorated with tiny spots of glitter. Think I might have to treat myself to one of these! ;)

Soap and glory - Clean Get Away

RRP - £10.00

• A sampler selection of four travel sized Soap & Glory bestsellers.

I must sound like a broken record, as I'm sure you've all heard about the Soap and Glory sets in online gift guides / ideas, but I can honestly say I do not know one woman who would not be happy to receive a gift like this one. The set has four travel sized products of Soap and Glory's bestsellers, so this may be a nice gift for someone who does a lot of traveling, you could introduce someone to the brand with this gift, or maybe someone who you know already loves the brand. I basically mean, any female ;)

Yankee Candle - Mandarin Cranberry

 

RRP - £7.99

• MANDARIN CRANBERRY - Bursting with the vibrant, fruity sensation of sweet, sunny oranges and crisp, tangy cranberries.
• Burn Time 25-40 hours.

I love burning candles around my home, especially if it smells good, and I know a lot of people who do too! Personally Yankee Candle has quickly become my favourite brand of candles as they are very fragrant and the jars themselves, to me, have a sort of luxury feel, but at reasonable prices!

I think this scent is a bit more mature to my taste in candle scent, as I prefer slightly sweeter fragrant candles but I known this is the sort of candle that my gran would like, and I will be giving this to her.

Also I wanted to show in the picture a beautifully designed gift bag I found in a local gift shop that fits the candle in perfectly, can we just admire how pretty that is?

  

Marks and Spencer - Home made hamper

 

 

 

This it the only gift I have included which is not entirely female orientated. I think this would be the most perfect gift if you wanted to buy for a family this Christmas. It would be a lovely gift to give and share because seriously, a hot drink and cookie on Christmas day, yes please! You could even create a hamper out of something like this and or create a tasty gift set!

 



Clinique Twice as Happy Gift Set

• Here, two reasons to make her smile: the bright scent of Clinique Happy Perfume Spray and skin softening Body Smoother. Both arrive in a ready-to-gift box at a great value.

I'm sorry, I didn't get chance photograph this gift idea as I gave it as an 18th birthday present and sadly postman pat whisked it away on his travels ;) but I still wanted to include this suggestion in this post.

I think anyone would be happy to receive this gift as owning products with the word 'Clinique' on, must have to be something special! Retailing at £25, certainly worth the price, and the bright packaging, Ooo so pretty!

( If you buy this at the Clinique counter, they wrap it in pretty Clinique wrapping paper! )

 

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas, if I don't get chance to post again before.

Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed!

- Katie xo



Confessions of a blogger

Hey everyone! Hope your all okay!

Today I have yet another tag, I realise all my posts have been tags recently but I am hoping to do some kind of gift guide for my next post, so keep you eyes peeled if your interested in seeing that! Anyway, Lizzie from http://head-full-of-flowers.blogspot.co.uk/ tagged me in the 'confessions of a blogger' tag. I'm sure you're all familiar with her blog but if not, please go and follow her. I always take pleasure in reading all her posts and her blog is super inspiring - thank you so much Lizzie!

 



When did you start blogging?

October 2013

 

Have you had any other online presence before e.g. YouTube or a previous blog?

Nope, just here.

 

Why did you start your blog?

I have been watching 'YouTube beauty gurus' for a while now and realising many of them had blogs, I started finding and following more and more. I have a passion for fashion and beauty and thought it would be fun to create my own blog.

 

When did you start becoming serious about blogging?

I haven't done a massive amount of posts yet but I am working hard to create some more interesting posts.

 

What was your first post?

After advice from Daniela, I came to the conclusion that it would be a good idea to do an introductory post, with a bit about myself and this blog.  

 

Where do you see your blog in a year?

Hopefully my post will be more creative and interesting for anyone who wishes to read. I don't have many aim, just that I hope I can make my posts of a better quality.  

 

What is the best/most rewarding thing to you about blogging?

Mostly that fact that people take the time to read what publish, and I always love to reply your comment and to read what you think.

 

What is the most discouraging thing that happens to you/ has happened?

I have never been discouraged by blogging but as I have said before I haven't had a massive amount of posts published. I am always grateful for the responses on the content I have posted and those who do comment are always kind and positive, so thank you so much everyone :) 

 

What's your lasting blogging motivation/inspiration?

Mostly other bloggers! There is some fantastic blogs to discover, some of which I mentioned in previous posts - I hope to achieve the standard of some of their blogs in the future.

 

I tag:

Daniela

LibbyJade

Simmy

:)

 

Thank you for reading!

I hope you have a lovely weekend and I will see you again soon :)

- Katie xo

Sweater Weather Tag!

Hey everyone, Sarah from http://sarahhjones.blogspot.co.uk/ tagged me in the Sweater Weather Tag! Please go and find her version of the post, and be sure to follow her blog! Thank you so much Sarah! 

( I'm sorry this post has no photos of the items mentioned. Going into winter, the nights seem to start at 4 o'clock and I had no natural light for photos that were any good :( )

 

1. Favourite candle scents for this time of the year?

I love candles and don't often buy them for myself, but if your looking for a fall/autumn - winter scented candle, I would recommend Yankee Candle's Fireside Treats.  Just go have a sniff if Yankee Candle is sold by you because its lovely! 

2. Coffee, Tea or Hot chocolate?

I like all three really but probably tea, because who doesn't like tea, right?

 

3. Dark lips or winged eye liner?

I love dark lips but I'm not very daring when I comes to lipstick and on a daily basis, a chapstick does me fine. On the other hand, I love and wear liquid eyeliner very often.

( If your looking for an eyeliner I would recommend Maybelline Master Precise liquid eyeliner)

4. Favourite fragrance for fall?

The Body Shop - Madagascan Vanilla Flower - Fragrance Mist.

 

5.What is your most Worn Sweater?

My most worn sweatshirt is one from TopShop. I tried to take a picture but it has gone too dark and I cant find it on the website :( but it is maroon with three quarter sleeves and high-low.

 

6. Hats or Scarves? 

I don't think hats really suit me so, scarves, but I prefer infinity scarves to the tradition style scarf.

7. Favourite fall nail varnishes?

My favourite fall nail polishes are Barry M Gelly High-shine in Blood Orange. I would say this is a true red with an orange undertone. I also love Shock by Barbara Daly, it is a plum shade with a pink shimmer but I don't think it is available out of the UK. Sorry!

 

8. Football games or jumping in leaves? 

I don't really do either but I love the falling of the leaves around where I live.

9. Skinny Jeans and leggings?

I love both! I probably wear my TopShop Leigh jeans more often but I love leggings too!

10. Boots or Uggs?

Boots definitely, I wear my Doc Martens all the time. The rest of the time I wear hi top trainers / pumps.

11) Favourite thing about fall? 

The fashion! To me, autumn - winter fashion is way better than spring and summer. 

 

12. Songs that really  get you into the fall spirit?

I'm not sure really but at the moment I'm loving Royals by Lorde and Counting Stars by One Republic.

Thank you for tagging me again Sarah!
I Tag everyone! Feel free to do this post, you can say I tagged you if you want to.
Thank you for reading and I hope you all have a fantastic day.
Katie xo 

Pray for the Philippines

Hey everyone! I hope you're all okay.

Today I wanted to write a different post to want I usually do.  I wanted talk to you guys about the typhoon in the Philippines.

Yesterday, one of my teachers at school told us a story about a man who was affected by Typhoon Haiyan ( Typhoon Yolanda ). His family, friends, neighbours, home, village and possessions were all destroyed by this disaster. The only thing he had to be grateful for was the fact he is still breathing.

I can't begin to imagine what people like him, in the Philippine,s are having to go through but I find these stories about Typhoon Haiyan make me much more grateful for what I have. All the times we complain about, all the little things that make us stressed, sad or just think that we've had a bad day, think of the poor Philippines man. What may be a bad day to us, there is always someone in the world whose day has been worst than ours.

 

 

( image from  the news, online )

 

There is an online website where you can donate to the Philippines to help provide shelter clean water and food. One thing we can all do is pray for those who have lost everything the had and pray for those who lost there lives.

Be grateful of everyday of you have and treat each one like it's a blessing.

Thank you for reading :)
Enjoy the rest off your weekend!
- Katie xoxo

#British Blogger Selection

Hey Everyone! Today I am going to quickly talk to you about an exciting new program that I think you should all get involved in.
My previous post was the Leibster award and I was nominated by Ellie from http://littlevintagecamera.blogspot.co.uk/. She asked me if I would be interested in joining the #British Blogger Selection and I was intrigue at the aspect of the program and how it looked such a lot of fun.
Basically every Saturday you will be given a theme to do a post about on your blog. You can make the post whatever you like but it has to be related to that theme. You do not have to do each theme every Saturday if you don't want, just when you feel you want do one.

http://littlevintagecamera.blogspot.co.uk/p/britishbloggerselection.html
(The link above will take you to more details about the program and how to sign up!)


Get involved, do fun posts for your readers and also bring people to your blog that might of never known.
I hope you have a great day and I hope to see you soon. Byeee ;)
Katie xoxo

Leibster Award!

Hey Everyone!

To me, I have a very exciting post to put up today. I have been nominated for the Leibster award! A great, big thank you to Ellie from Little Vintage Camera - http://littlevintagecamera.blogspot.co.uk/. Please go check out her blog and follow if you aren't already!

 

 

The Liebster Award is given to up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. So, what is a Liebster?  The meaning: Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, dearest. Blogging is about building a community and it's a great way to connect with other bloggers and help spread the word about newer bloggers/blogs.

1. Post the award on your blog.

2. Thank the blogger who presented this award and link back to their blog.

3. Write 11 random facts about yourself.

4. Nominate 11 bloggers who you feel deserve this award and who have less than 200 followers.

5. Answer 11 questions posted by the presenter and ask your nominees 11 questions. 

 

 11 Random facts about me.

( sorry I am going to post the same facts as my Sunshine award, can't think of many more :/ )

 

11 Random facts about me:

1. I have an overweigh, British shorthair cat called Mario

2. My favourite subjects at school are textiles and history.

3. I love the smell of freshly made bread, mmm

4. I sleepwalk and sleep talk

5. I am not a morning person

6. My favourite food is pickle, weird right?

7. I love to go to the gym, and love cycling long distance

8. My favourite season is autumn / fall.

9. I can't stand crocs ( the shoes ), they are the ugliest shoes on the planet, ew. 

10. I hate it when people walk behind me.

11. I love three-toed sloths ( has to be a three-toed, they are slower that two-toed sloths.

 

Questions from Ellie:

Question One: Who is your favourite blogger and YouTuber?

Well, I cheated in my sunshine award post, so I will try not to in this. ;)

Bloggers:

Daniela - http://beautyfabb.blogspot.co.uk/

Lizzie - http://head-full-of-flowers.blogspot.co.uk/

Two lovely girls, who have inspiring blogs,  beautifully written post and I just love them.
My favourite YouTuber would probably have to be Miss Glamourazzi. Ingrid is so happy and positive, she is funny and stunning. She's super lovely.

 

Question Two: What is your favourite season?

Autumn / Fall

Question Three: Favourite sports?

Squash / Cycling

Question Four: Your celebrity crush?

Hm, David Myers - Hairy Bikers ;)       -  joke.

Question Five: A picture of your favourite outfit?

 

Cropped shirt - Urban Outfitters
Jeans - Topshop Leigh Jeans
Coat - Asos
Hi-Tops - Urban Outfitters
Bow midi ring - River Island
Cross bracelet - Claires
Nail Polish - Barbara Daly

Question Six: If the internet didn't exist, what would your life be like now?

Busy. I'd have to work hard to invent it before anyone else ;)

Question Seven: If you were to get a blog design done what would it look like?

Something whimsical, bright, enticing and unique.

Question Eight: Your go-to lipstick?

Revlon lip butter - Berry Smoothie

Question Nine: Leather, lace or denim?
Ooo love all three, but I wear jeans most days so I would have to say denim.

 

Question Ten: Scarves or hats?
Scarves ( snoods or infinity ) 

 

Question Eleven: How much do you love me now for nominating you? LOL

A heck of a lot ;)

My Nominees :

http://realityleaveslotstoimagination.blogspot.co.uk/

http://dearthirty.blogspot.co.uk/

http://lilureelite.blogspot.co.uk/

http://twoforjoyxo.blogspot.co.uk/

http://kellylkr.blogspot.co.uk/

http://zelda249.blogspot.co.uk/

http://polishofurban.blogspot.co.uk/

http://beautywithsimmy.blogspot.co.uk/

http://crazycatbeauty.blogspot.co.uk/

http://shush-itsasecret.blogspot.co.uk/

 

My Questions for my nominees :

1. If you could have one wish, what would it be?

2. What is your staple fashion item for Autumn / Winter?

3.If you had to start your blog again, what would you change?

4. If you won the lottery, what would be the first thing you would do?

5. What is your next milestone for people following your blog?

6. If you could have a second home anywhere in the world, where would you want it to be? 

7. Do you have a nick name - if so what is it and why?

8. What is your favourite thing to do in your free time?

9. Why did you start your blog?

10. What is your favourite snack?

11. What is something you hope to achieve in the next ten years?

 

A huge thank you once again to Ellie, It means such a lot, so thank you.

Also Congrats to all my nominees. Have a great weekend everyone. Please subscribe if you enjoy and I hope to see you soon. Byeee :)

Katie xoxo