Top 8 beauty faves of 2013 + 'resolutions'

Thought is was only right to write up a post on my top faves, I will also include some cliche resolutions at the end. Just because.

I have been pretty much using the same products all year even though I have tons of other options - a resolution for next year? Try more products maybe.

Anyways lets get to it;

Urban Decay Naked Palette
I have a full review on this palette here so I won’t write too much but this is a MUST HAVE! It has what I personally believe to be all the shades you will ever really need, the quality of the eyeshadows is amazing! This is my only UD Naked Palette, I don’t think I need the other two as this is perfect for me.

Collection 2000 liquid eyeliner
I have been using this eyeliner for around 8 years I think, I have lost count of how many I have purchased over the years. The nib of this is cone shaped so you can achieve a thin line, a think line or even a cat eye. It stays on all day and doesn’t smudge at all. It also dries super quickly. I have tried many other liquid eyeliners but always come back to this one! I have a full review here.

GOSH natural touch foundation
This foundation is really lightweight but still provides such a great coverage, they have a range of shades so its definitely worth a look. This foundation provides such a gorgeous healthy looking finish to the skin. I have a full review here.

Collection concealer
I brought this after reading countless good reviews! I was not disappointed, this concealer is so good for the little price tag. I personally need to mix two of the shades to get the right colour. The consistency is great for under the eyes to cover dark circles and on top of spots. It doesn’t appear cakey at all.

Rimmel moisture renew lipstick - Nude delight 700
My most worn lipstick of 2013, it’s nude but not really if that makes sense. This lovely peach pink lipstick is super moisturing which is a must for light shaded lipsticks! I am eager to try more from the range.

Maybelline falsies mascara
I purchased this after seeing promising reviews too and it lived up to the hype! This mascara is great at thickening, lengthening and separating the lashes. I wrote a review here. It really does provide a 'false lash' look.

Maybelline baby lips
I recently gave into the hype and purchased the whole baby lips collection! The favourite definitely has to be the blue one, hydrate which is the moisturising lip balm out of all of them. I have a full review here.

Fashionista blush quad
This palette has been all the blush I’ve been using for most of the year. The colours I picked out are perfect for me, so I often alternate between them. Although my firm favourite is Cinnamon! I have a full review here.


Resolutions?
We all know the cliche resolutions that come with the beginning of a new year. I have quite a few personal resolutions. I don’t think i’ve ever stuck with resolutions previously but here goes, maybe 2014 will motivate me to stick with them! Here are a few of my resolutions -

Get healthy
This is a no brainer - ultimate cheese. In the new year I am going to try and eat as clean as possible, so in short non-processed foods. This includes dairy. If you’d like to hear how its going and want me to write a post on the reasons why etc let me know.

Try out more products but also throw out what you don’t need
This past year I have been sticking with the same few beauty products all year just because I know it’s what works for me. I will be shopping my stash and will attempt to rediscover old products that I have brought.

2014 Memory jar

I love this idea and will definitely be making one this year! It is such a cute idea. Throughout the year in the jar you pop in snippets of things that made you happy; tickets to an event? a sweet gift, a receipt for a luxury purchase you made, pictures, charms, happy quotes the list is endless! It’s almost like a journal in a jar.

I want to say a huge thank you for everyone who has followed my blog this last year, I reached 300 followers the other day and that was my goal to reach by tonight and it was achieved a few days earlier! This year has flown by so quickly, I have thoroughly enjoyed writing up posts for you all to read and the feedback has been great. I am also wanting to focus on my blog a lot more next year.

I hope you enjoyed this post. Let me know what products you have been loving and what resolutions you might have! I wish you all a happy and healthy new year, may it be filled with lots of good times! x

wish list #2

1. Heart shirt (black) - eBay / Heart shirt (red) - eBay

2. Yankee Candle, White chocolate and mint - eBay

3. Cath Kidston 2014 Diary -  Amazon

4. Bare Minerals foundation kit - Bare Minerals

5, Deer hot water bottle -  Urban Outfitters

6. Buckle boots -  New Look

Hope you’re all well. A few days until the new year, can’t believe this year is nearly over. My new wish list consists of a variety of products this week. The heart print shirt is everywhere at the moment since being made famous by Harry Styles! This eBay bargain is around £7 posted and the burgundy version is only £5.99. I need want a new candle. White chocolate and mint are 2 of my favourite things so a candle version sounds great. yum. Definitely need to be more organised next year so I will be snapping up this Cath Kidston diary which is half price just now. The make up is added in this post just for good measure - I have enough but really want to try something from the Bare Minerals range. Was told I need to buy 2 different foundation powders to achieve my colour. Meh. Deer hot water bottle will come in handy soon; wonder if it will snow next week? I need these buckle boots in my life, I have been saying this for ages but I think now is the perfect time to buy them! :)

I am so pleased to have reached 270 Bloglovin followers, a big thank you to all my readers. My aim is 300 followers by the new year. I have also now got a new blog layout which you might have noticed - I have been longing for this for AGES! Waiting on the blog header now - eeeek!

Let me know what you think of my wish list and also my new layout please! x

Winter sales are now on!

The Christmas sales are now on!! Eeek! I’ve already placed ALOT of orders! I thought it was only right to construct a post on what I think is the bargains to be had this year! I don’t know about you but I much prefer shopping online, the stores get too busy.

Online sales listed below; instore will be boxing day (26th)

Christmas Eve (now on)-
ASOS - Up to 50% off, meh not really a sale when you actually look through but I did still place an order nonetheless. Why not. The free delivery is a winner all.the.time. UPDATE: Further reductions!
Debenhams - Half price sale on selected items. Lots of beauty bargains to be had! They have a great range of dresses and shoes on discount too.
House of Fraser - Love this store, they have up to 50% off.
John Lewis - They have a big clearance on items; the electrical items are now at bargain prices!
New Look - This was the first stop for me! Up to 60% off. I am gutted the Fair Isle jumpers went SO quick! They have massive discounts on clothes and shoes. In my basket there are belts, tons of jewellery and dresses!
H&M - Up to 70% off! I haven’t managed to look on here yet but I’ve been told the sale is a good’un!
The Body Shop - Up to 50% off. The Christmas range has been heavily discounted and as usual the selected body butters are now £5!
Boots- A great way gain points as well as use them! Heavily discounted fragrances including sets and Christmas stock. 1/2 price off!
Cath Kidston - They have up to 25% off but I would look at ASOS first as over there you can sometimes get Cath Kidston cheaper, then with an extra 10% off if you are a student and they have free delivery!
Feel Unique - Lots of beauty discounts! Up to 50% off, GHDs are at a bargain price as is the Bare Minerals foundation which I will be snapping up! Free delivery over £10!
George at ASDA - I love George clothing, they have up to 1/2 off! They always seem to get it right with their pieces and all the clothes are such a good fit!
Urban Outifitters - Up to 50% off. They have the best homeware!
Miss Selfridge - Up to 70% off. Currently browsing through!
Accessorize and Monsoon - Up to 50% off!
River Island - This is gonna be a good’un!

Christmas Day -
A majority of the other stores will have sales on online!
Debenhams Beauty - half price sale 

Bor Island - This one is gonna be a good’un!

Hope you like my new blog layout, still currently working through a few parts of it. A big hello to the new and existing readers too :)

And on that note, happy holidays! I hope you all have a good one. Christmas DVD and popcorn time I think :)

aly x

Wooden stag head for jewellery

Wooden Stag head - iWOOT*

I am so chuffed with this! The stag head theme in itself is quite quirky and looks great paired with pastels. I have been longing for either stag head cushions or even a print frame as I love the style of them of them so much. It was just by chance I came across this 3D version online; I knew I had to have it!

This was such a fun little project to do. The stag head arrives flat packed and all you need to do is slot the pieces in together. This was a lot simpler to do than initially anticipated, it has easy to read instructions so anyone can do it! You can then paint it or leave it natural which is the way i’ve left mine. This is such a fun display or you can use it as jewellery holder. Different to the normal way of sorting jewellery, this adds so much character to the room.

Would you believe this wooden stag head is only £10! It will make such a great gift also especially now with Christmas coming up. The iWoot site in general has a great selection of gifts from onesies to sweetie dispensers!

I hope you enjoyed this little review! Let me know what you think, different to the normal way of storing jewellery right? 

Review: Fruitbroo (caffeine free and 100% natural)

FruitBroo hot drinks*

I was so glad to come across these caffeine free drinks! FruitBroo is a relatively new company who sell hot drinks which are made from ingredients that are 100% natural. Totally something I was looking for especially now with winter arriving- a hot drink is a must.

What FruitBroo says; "A new range of insanely tasty juicy fruit drinks specially blended to be served hot. 100% natural with no caffeine, gluten or dairy and only 15 calories a cup."

FruitBroo were kind enough to send me 2 flavours which are perfect for the festive season. Each bottle will make 15 cups worth, it is similar to squash in the sense that you add water to a teaspoon or two of the bottled syrup.

I was pleasantly surprised with the taste as the strength of the flavour is similar to most fruit teas. It is not over powering but if you did want it stronger you could add in more syrup. I am tempted to make iced tea with it so will let you know how it turns out. I really want to try the Honey & Lemon flavour now too! The full range is available online as well as some Sainsbury stores for £2.50. 

I hope you enjoyed this post, let me know what you think of these hot drinks! 

wish list #1

1. Mint Fair Isle jumper - New Look

2. La Sardina Camera Möbius Camera - Lomography

3. Vintage Jar - Dunelm Mill

4. Pastel Geometric print - Etsy

5. Cath Kidston Little Bird case - ASOS

6. Teddy Fur coat - Topshop

Happy weekend everyone! I have come across a few good finds this week and thought I would feature them. I originally saw this style of post from MilkBubbleTea, I love her blog you should check it out!

The Fair Isle print is something I love, super festive and this mint jumper is so stylish, it looks snuggly too. The Lomography camera is so cute isn’t it? I saw a great post on Pinterest of a glass jar filled with pink bon bons, It made such a great display! I need some new prints for my frames and this Geometric print is modern yet chic. I have just placed an order on ASOS with the 20% off code currently advertised and this cute Cath Kidston purse may have been one of the items I purchased :) and last but not least how lovely is this coat, I love it and they have it in a few other colours too. I feel this cream one would look great with pastel accessories! 

I really want to post more than once a week and will try my best. To keep up to date please follow me on bloglovin! I hope you enjoyed this post, let me know what you think!

Festive Yankee Candles!

Hello! Hope you are all well. As you can tell unfortunately I can’t take part in Blogmas this year, really gutted but I didn’t realise how busy I am.

How is the weather where you are, there is a storm here! Nothing like being cosy with a movie, popcorn and some festive candles! I wouldn’t say I’m new to Yankee Candles but I have never really been able to justify spending all that money on a candle and have settled for the little sampler candles and wax tarts instead.

Yankee Candle: Christmas Cookie

This candle was my first ever actual candle jar purchase and I went for the large jar! I purchased it this time last year and never burnt it till this year. The large jar has lasted a pretty long time the actual burning time is 110-150 hours. It is a great scent for this time of year very relaxing. Aptly named this candle I’d say smells exactly like vanilla icing! 

Yankee Candle: Sugared Apple

I purchased this candle a few days ago and have been burning it since. I didn’t realise how little it was until I received it. I now totally think the bigger jars are worth the money. It’s not as strong as the Christmas Cookie candle but does leave a subtle scent if that makes sense?! It smells similar to an apple pie and is quite a warming scent.

I would shop around for Yankee Candles as some places are cheaper than others. eBay always has a range at a discounted price, so you can often be able to grab a bargain!

I hope you enjoyed this post of my current favourite candles! Do you have any suggestions, if so please let me now in the comments! 

DIY Magazine holder

Whilst looking to organise my desk recently I realised just how expensive it was to buy office related equipment. So I made two magazine/book holders and thought it would be great to share as it literally cost nothing to make; and I think they turned out pretty good. I got the inspiration from a blog I came across recently but I can’t find the link now!

All you need is a cereal box and some wrapping paper of your choice and then tape it on. I actually used wallpaper as it is a lot thicker and durable. Super simple and cheap whilst still looking fabulous! 

I hope you enjoyed this post. I can’t believe it is December already, I am so excited for vlogmas. Guaranteed I will compile playlists each day and watch them whilst putting everything else that needs to be done on hold. Standard.

PS. I am contemplating Blogmas (blogging everyday in December) It seems like a big commitment though and I have never really believed in posting  just for the sake of it. I don’t know, thoughts? If I did they would be based around beauty, fashion, lifestyle and I might even write up some more chatty style posts which I don’t really do.

Anyways I hope you enjoyed this post, let me know what you think and if you have any desk staples!