Nails // Topshop Nails in 'Wide Awake'

 

 

Another week another Nails post! I should probably give them a break but its keeping them pretty stops me from biting them! Terrible habit but I’m working on it! Today’s nails are painted in ‘Wide Awake’ from Topshops Nails range. I love Topshops Nail polish, it’s such a fab range and it is chip proof! Seriously! This is one of the best polishes for this and I don’t know why we don’t hear more about this range!

The only way I can describe the shade ‘Wide Awake’ is as a dirty orange, a sort of muted bright orange. I know that doesn’t particularly sell it, but take my word for it when I say it’s a gorgeous colour! It’s definitely a bit different and adds a pop of colour in this winter weather. I really like it, it adds a bit of fun to my wardrobe.

What do you think?

Motivational Monday #4

 

I chose today’s quote as lately I have been feeling very miserable and grumpy. I have become an exceptional moaner! It’s a terrible way to be, I know that but I’ve been finding it really hard to snap out of it!

This quote is a reality check for me, I am exceptionally lucky and in the grand scheme of things have very little to whinge about. Life can be hard sometimes and I do struggle like most people to stay up beat during these times, especially if I’m getting stressed out. This quote makes me look at the bigger picture and is to remind that compared to some in the world I have it pretty good. So this week I am going to more grateful, find the good things in life and try not to be a moaning Minnie! Wish me luck!

Happy Monday Lovelies!

p.s Have you checked out my latest project? I am running a Bloggers Snail Mail and would love for you to join in!

The Bloggers Snail Mail

Back in December I joined in with the Snail Mail Collective which was set up by the lovely Melyssa and Chelsea, it was a monthly gift exchange where you can meet other people from around the world. I had so much fun getting to know my partner and picking their gifts and then receiving my own (I shall be posting about this soon!) I was a little disappointed to find out that December was actually the last one they were running!

It got me thinking and I have decided to have a go at facilitating my own version, ‘The Bloggers Snail Mail’ and see what happens. So here is what I propose:

A quarterly gift exchange where you can meet other bloggers from around the world and spread a bit of positivity! You can sign up in March, June, September and December. During the sign up period, every participant will be paired with one other new participant and you’ll spend a few weeks becoming BFFs (i.e. reading each other’s blogs, sending happy e-mails, you name it!). After that, you’ll send your partner a gift from your country that you think they may like from the info you now know about them. There’s a £5 limit on the gifts to make this project as affordable as possible. Be as creative as you can and make it meaningful! Motivate them, tell them all the beautiful things you learned about them, and make them feel special! We could all use a little encouragement, especially from our new friends. Also, each package should include a postcard (or a letter if you can’t find one!) with some motivating love or positive words of wisdom written all over it.

So to sign up for the first ‘The Bloggers Snail Mail’ you just need to send an email to whatsinyourmakeupbag@gmail.com, title it ‘The Bloggers Snail Mail’ and include in it your name, where you are from, and you blog! Sign ups will be open until the Friday 7^th March. I will then randomly match you all up aiming to make sure you are with someone from another country or at least in another area from you! I will then let you know by Monday 10^TH March who your partner is and you then have 4 weeks to get to know them! So the week of the 7^th April, you can then send your new buddy their Snail Mail!

Once you receive your gifts, write a blog post about your experience, sharing what you gave, received, and learnt through this being part of this and meeting your new pal.

If you want to tweet about this project, use the hashtag #TheBloggersSnailMail, You can also tag me @GemmaMarieJames and ill retweet your post, so everyone can share your experience!

Guest Post // Top Ten Pick Me Ups

Hello! I’m Amy from amyrutter.com and I’m very excited about being invited to write for Lipstick and Lashes. I’m a lifestyle blogger from Brighton and I write about topics such as home, food, health, beauty, fitness and relationships.

When I need a bit of cheering up, there are a few fail-safe options I turn to. Whether I’m feeling a little sad because it’s a dull, rainy day or I’m a bit bored, one of these will brighten my mood.

1.       Watch a girly movie or TV series

 

Something like Girls or Sex and the City normally does it for me. I think it’s mostly about the escapism more than anything else – having a little delve into someone else’s perfect (or not so perfect) life and having a laugh about it.

 

2.       Bake some cookies

 

 

Home baked biscuits are always so much more satisfying than ripping open a packet of supermarket biscuits. And I find it even more satisfying if I manage to make biscuits purely from leftovers. I normally have granola knocking about so I mix it with margarine, sugar, honey and an egg. Simple, quick and delicious!

 

3.       Catch up with a friend

A good natter can immediately cheer you up – if there’s something troubling you, chatting it through will put your mind at rest. I don’t speak to my friends nearly enough, but I know that as soon as I pick up the phone, it’s like old times.

 

4.       Buy little personalised gifts for a friend

Sometimes I like to pick up little gifts, whether they be small pampering products or a DVD I think a friend will like and send them to them as a surprise present.

 

5.       Buy flowers

 

Flowers immediately brighten a home and they cheer me up every time I enter the room.

 

6.       Write a list

 

Ok so I might be a bit of a geek, but I love writing a good old list. It makes my head feel organised and I can’t remember everything without one anyway. And it feels soooo good to tick something off. Is that really sad??

 

7.       Go for a run

It took me a while to get into running as I don’t really do any other exercise (although I was also doing zumba classes when I started running). I take my iPod with me and sing along in my head while I’m having a run around the local park and I love it. Sure, it’s hard work, but again it’s satisfying. It’s a good chance to think things through while getting some fresh air – and burn off some calories!

8.       Have a clean-up and a clear out

This might feel like the last thing you want to do if you’re in a bad mood but clearing up is oddly uplifting. I suppose because it gives you a chance to create some order, clear space and in doing so create order in your mind. There’s nothing more frustrating than not being able to find something in your house, so by clearing through stuff you’re going to feel more in control of everything.

 

9.       Watching the world go past in a coffee shop

 

I love grabbing a hot drink and people watching. Replace the words ‘coffee shop’ with ‘beer garden’ when it’s sunny!

 

10.   Have a long hot bath

 

A soak in a good bubble bath with candles and a glass of wine is just perfection.

What’s your ultimate pick me up treat?

Confession: I am 28 and addicted to Teen Dramas

Ok so I am 28, when I was younger I thought that by 28 I'd have a ton of kids, be married just in general be a proper grown up even possible indulge in things like gardening. Back in the day 28 used to seem old, like super old. Instead I'm nowhere near that, I'm a 28 year old who loves fashion, makeup, catching up with my fab friends and behind closed doors I have a dirty little secret. I am obsessed with teen dramas... The vampire diaries, pretty little liars, revenge... I am hooked!

It all started many years ago when I started watching Dawsons Creek, I was completely in love with Pacey and I was hooked on the show. When it guttingly came to an end, I thanked my lucky stars when next came The OC. Since those early days my love of Teen Drama Series just grew. I love the fashion, the love dramas, the cute boys, the friendships, I adore it all! My friends all watch the soaps or those ITV crime series that are always popping up. That just isn’t my cup of tea! I don’t want to waste my free time, my me time, on serious programmes, the soaps are just so depressing! I want to be swept away to shiny places, to indulge in a bit of fun viewing.

Now my question to you all is it ok for a 28 year old to like these shows? Is there like an age limit? Or do I just need to grow up? My view on it is people like all sorts and for a few hours each week it provides a fun bit of escapism. I LOVE

what’s your TV addiction? Is there anything you do that you may be classed as too old for? Do you have any programmes along these you can recommend me??

What you would pack for a weekend away?

I recently came across an awesome competition from Trek America in which you can win their ‘Westerner 2’ trip. Which involves visiting Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Francisco, the Grand Canyon and Yosemite National Park. INCREDIBLE right?! The west coast has always been on my travelling wish list, especially San Francisco! When I saw that to enter the competition you need to write a blog post under the topic `What you would pack for a weekend away’. I was just about to head off on a weekend to Cornwall to stay with an old friend, I felt like it was fates way of saying I should enter so below is my piece for the competition!

 

So what do I pack when I head off on an adventure for a weekend? Well I am very much a last minute, throw it all in the bag and hope when I get there I have what I need kind of girl! This works well for me 99% of the time, there has been the odd occasion where I’ve had to borrow pj’s or buy a new toothbrush as in my rapid packing I’ve forgotten them! I also like to pack light, if you have to do a lot of lugging your bag around, you will be grateful for the less is more approach!! Your shoulders and arms will definitely thank you!

When I say that I’m a throw whatever in a bag type of packer, that doesn’t mean I don’t have some essential items I like to carry on any trip. Asides from pants and pj’s here is what I also like to make sure I have packed for a weekend away:

 

Okay, so as many of you who read this blog know I am a bit of a makeup junkie! However for weekends away and away trips or holidays I have a established a basic make up kit which is made up of these essentials made up of the above!

 

I love to write and this year I am on a mission to improve my photography skills, so also in the bag go my notebook, a few pens and my beloved DSLR camera.

 

Next up is my Iphone, sad but true! It’s so handy for keeping up with the world. I am also a social media addict, and on weekend’s away Google maps has come in handy more than once with my sense of direction! Also there is my kindle, I am a complete book nerd!

 

A pair of converse trainers, the most comfy shoes I own and they always come away with me!

 

A pack of cards, an odd choice you may think? I always take a pack away with me and it’s come in very handy especially when you have an 8 hour stopover in an airport and it’s also a great way to meet people! I am a complete hustler when it comes to Shed, Rummy and Poker!

 

Finally everyone has a road trip/travelling sweet supply in their bag right?!

 

Finally I just wanted to share this photo I took this morning as I drove back from Penryn in Cornwall, to Dorset. As I came into my home county this was the gorgeous view I was blessed with, isn’t it nice to have sunshine today instead of rain!

Motivational Monday #3

I love today’s quote, this is what I am desperately trying to do with my life at the moment. I really want to appreciate what I have in the here and now, I don’t want to regret anything and I want to make the most of what I’ve got. I often find myself veering down the negative view path lately, I’ve been a bit low and self depreciating which I am determined to turn around.

Life lately... the past week has been so hectic. I am currently typing this up from down in Cornwall where I have ventured the three hours from home yesterday to hang out with one of my best friends for a few a days. On Saturday I went to London with another friend and her Son to be complete tourists for the day and take cheesy selfies in front of all the famous landmarks! It was super fun! Prior to the weekend I had an absolutely crazy week at work, but I still managed to fit in a trip up north to Cheltenham to have a dinner and good old catch up with a group of friends I went to uni with. The reason being one of the lucky devils is immigrating to New Zealand next week! I am completely and utterly jealous! Any way to my week has been full of road trips and friends. I feel so lucky to have such an array of crazy friends and it’s been so good to see some of the further afield ones.

Being this busy has meant my blog has taken a bit of a back seat. I felt terrible guilty that I didn’t get a chance to do a motivational Monday post last week. However it has made me reflect on my blog. I started this as a platform where I can write about my life and what’s on my mind in general, mainly just for myself, I never expected anyone to venture to my little corner of the internet, let alone read or follow my wittering! I will always try and post regularly and I find blogging so therapeutic, however I need to remind myself it’s OK to have breaks and days off, as I said above I want to live in the moment.

Random Acts of Kindness... If you saw my post a couple of weeks ago you’ll know that for the 28 days of February I am going to attempt to do 28 random acts of kindness. I have done a fair few so far, however I have to be honest with you all I am a little nervous I am going to run out of ideas! I have been trying to mix planned acts with completely in the moment things too. I will keep you updated on how I get on!

A Thank You...Finally, I just wanted to say that last week’s post ‘Are you a secret Blogger?’ had such an incredible response, I just wanted to say a massive Thank You to anyone who took the time to read it and to all those who left such lovely comments! I promise I will respond to each and every one of them this week, I went to do it a few times over the past couple of days but have been so overwhelmed by how lovely and by how many of you there are that are like me and keep your blog as a naughty little secret!

Happy Monday my lovelies!

 

Dear future husband......

 

In the spirit of Valentines day and all that it encompasses I give you todays post! I could take the bitter single girl approach to it but valentines day actually encompasses for me all the hope and excitement of the unknown and what my future love life could hold. I am a hopeless romantic, I do think there is someone out there for everyone. This may be due to watching way to many Disney films as a child! Any hows I really wanted to share this awesome you tube video with you on the most romantic day of the year...

This is my IDEAL wedding proposal!! OK so I admit I may watch proposal videos on You Tube, but before you get any ideas I'm not some Bridget Jones type, sat at home with a big tub of ice cream, crying into my bucket of wine about how miserable it is to be single. That is just not me! Yes it would be nice to meet a guy but right now I'm no rush to go out of my way to find him! As I said before I am just a big gooball of gushy romanticness and love a good proposal!

Anyway, back to the point! This is my IDEAL wedding proposal! Its so much fun! The proposals pretty awesome and is a complete surprise which is ace! However I think my favourite part is (Please watch video before you continue to read!!) that the wedding is part of it, they do it there and then!This is why i love it!! Its often said that many women plan there wedding from childhood and want the whole full fairytale massive white meringue dream. I am not one of them, yes I do know what kind of dress I want, something very simple, a boho chic kind of style.... That being said, I HATE being the focus of everyone attentions and I am completely useless when it comes to planning and organising. I am the ultimate of last minute panic to pull things together when it comes to just about anything! So the thought of planning my wedding fills me with fear, I think I would just feel responsible for making sure the guests were having a good time and forgot the purpose of why we were all together in the first place. Too much pressure for my little brain!

I often watch 'Dont Tell The Bride' with my friends and they often cringe and say there is no way they would let their boyfriends plan their big day, I watch it and think how great it would be! But this video encompasses it perfectly for me. If I'm head over heels, I can be pretty impulsive and wouldn't want a long engagement, so to follow up the proposal with a surprise wedding would be perfect!

For the record, in case this is to occur, please make sure the wedding is a simple pretty wedding, lots of fairy lights and candles, filled with only close family and friends followed by a good party after!

Er so now I gues I need to find my man... if anyone knows any hot, funny single males send them my way!

Nails || Models Own Hyper Gel Polish in Lilac Sheen

 

Lately I have heard tons about Models Own Hyper Gel Nail Varnish and have been very tempted by them so when they recently have a 50% off sale on their website I just HAD to make a purchase! Er ok that’s not strictly true... I bought a one hyper gel set as well as a couple of sets and numerous brushes! Whooops!

Today’s nails are Models Own Hyper Gel Nail Varnish in Lilac Sheen. I am in LOVE with this colour!! It’s just too gorgeous! This is one of the best gel polishes I have ever used, I’ve been wearing it for over a week now and it still in one piece, no chips, still shiny! I keep getting asked where I got my nails done, the ultimate compliment!

Have you tried any of the Hyper Gel shades?

Thailand || New Years Eve in Bangkok

 

 

New Years Eve in Bangkok – what an experience! When we originally decided we would be spending it here. I was a little apprehensive but due to arriving in Thailand on the 30^th, it seemed the easiest option. I kept having flashes of ‘The Hangover 2’ movie pop up in my head, so I’m pleased to say no one’s face (or anywhere else) got tattooed and I think it was one of the best New Years Eves I’ve ever had! It was just SO much fun!

We began our evening by going for dinner at a lovely outdoor restaurant round the corner from our hotel. I had a Pad Thai and it was mouth wateringly good! We followed this with a few cocktails at a street bar.

We then headed back to our hotel, The Dang Dern hotel, as it had a rooftop pool and bar and we were told at midnight The Grand Palace were having a fire work display and thought this would be a great spot for a fantastic view. We weren’t wrong! The fireworks were incredible and they were followed by hundreds of lanterns being let up into the air, it was such a beautiful sight and a magical way to welcome in 2014.

The party didn’t stop there! We befriended some crazy Canadians and as I said in my last post Koh San Road was party central and that night it hosted a giant street party, so guess where we headed?! There were hundreds of people there and the atmosphere was just electric! The rest of the night involved joining in with a break dancing display, trying scorpions (very crunchy and not that nice!) and tons of dancing and mojitos!

This was definitely one New Years I won’t forget!

p.s Apologies for the dodgy pics, turns out me plus alcohol plus a camera equals not great results!

 

Are you a secret blogger?

I have a confession to make. Only a few people in my ‘real life’ know I blog, when I say a few I mean my mum and two friends. All of whom don’t really know anything about blogging so aren’t interested and don’t bat an eye lid. The more I think about it, the odder I find it. I feel like I spend a large part of my spare time blogging or thinking about it. I have lots of amazing, supportive friends and family, so why haven’t I shared my hobby with them?

I’m not sure I actually have a definitive answer to that question. Am I embarrassed of my little space on the blogosphere? Well no, I’m actually really proud – not in a big headed way, promise! I have just put a lot of time into it and achieved things I would have never guessed possible or that I would have had the skills to do. I think it’s the ‘my little space’ that may be a preventative to sharing. I originally started blogging as a personal project to improve my writing skills and as an outlet to vent what’s on my mind. I never expected anyone to read it. I didn’t even realise that there was a concept of ‘followers’ or that there was even such an amazing and supportive blogging community out there. It’s something that still amazes me!

Blogging has been such a positive experience for me and I guess maybe sharing what I do opens it up for criticism, which I’m not sure I’m ready for. I’m also not sure my friends would understand it, none of them do anything like this (that I know of!). What if they don’t get it? What if they make fun of it? Urgh, I HATE ‘what ifs…..’! but it then leads to the questions, do and should I care what people think? Do their opinions matter and why?

I guess the purpose of this post was to get my thoughts out there in black and white. It’s been playing on my mind since a #bbloggers chat before Christmas, where a few lovely bloggers mentioned no one close to them knows they blog. I can hear you thinking – am I going to out myself as a blogger? The answer is probably not just yet! Maybe someday but right now I quite like having a naughty little secret!

Are you a secret blogger? Do your friends know about your blog? How do they react to it?

Empties #1

 

Welcome to my first ever Empties post! This year I am trying to be a bit more restrained when it comes to spending money, especially when it comes to beauty bits! I have so many bits and pieces in drawers that I’ve only ever used once or even not at all! I hang my head in shame! So I have decided this year instead of buying all the latest products I am going to use up my beauty stash first and so far I’m doing ok! So you expect a few more of these posts coming up.

So here are all the items I’ve finished up this past month or so...

1.       Clinique Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer – I have been using this for a couple of years now. If I had to chose been a foundation and a Tinted moisturizer, the moisturizer wins every time! I just find it a lot lighter on my skin and this one is just such a perfect shade. However saying that since this ran I’ve been using my foundation instead of re-purchasing! Get me being restrained!

2.       Benefit They’re Real Mascara – Check out my review here! I have tried many, many different Mascaras but have yet to find one that beat this! It is my ‘can't live without product’! It lengthens, adds volume and thickens... LOVE!

3.       The Body Shop’s Indian Night Jasmine Eau De Toilette – this was such a gorgeous scent! I love to wear perfume most days, it’s an expensive habit so the gorgeous scents The Body Shop do at a reasonable price make it a little easier on my purse!

4.       Benefits The Porefessional primer – I received this in my last Birchbox so it’s a small tester size. It’s such a great primer! I really noticed the effects when I used it and it’s definitely going on the wish list!

5.       Rimmels Stay Matte Foundation – another tester product id received and it was what I turned to when I ran out of the Clinique Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer! I was really impressed, instead of being all liquid it came out like a mouse and applied really easily. I also found the shade was a great match to my skin.

6.       Benefits Fake Up – an under eye concealer. I was a bit gutted when this ran out, it worked wonders on my bags and was also really moisturising. I may have to be naughty and treat myself to another.

7.       Liz Earles Energising Body Wash – I was sent a few Liz Earle products recently, I always thought they were for the more mature lady but have been pleasantly surprised by all of them! This shower gel was gorgeous, it smelt woodlandy and you could pick out the essential oils. A really lovely product.

Have you tried any of these products? What did you think?

Nails // Company Polish

Waaay back before Christmas I received a couple of nail polishes free with my Company magazine. I had completely forgotten about them until I was having a clear out last weekend and found them again! I really like the colours, ones a vampy red/purple colour and the other was a mint green. I thought they really complemented each other so decided to play around with them and here is the results!

I love a good freebie! Whets the best thing you’ve got free with a magazine?

Motivational Monday #2 || 28 Random Acts of Kindness

 

Today’s Motivational Monday is going to be slightly different! This whole idea of these posts which I have been doing for way over a year now was to give me a kick up the bum and get me to be a more positive and happy person. I think it’s working, since I started this blog nearly two years ago I am so much more confident in myself, I worry less about what others think and I am just so much more happier in general!

However, sometimes this just isn’t enough. I feel in a bit of a rut at the mo and feel like I need to put in some work to switch up the cosmic universe and get some good Karma! I am a huge believer in karma, what you give out you get back. If you send out positive vibes, positive things will happen. So going along these lines, for the whole of February I am going to do a good deed or Random Act of Kindness each and every day. That’s 28 days so 28 acts of kindness! Kid of fitting seeing as I just turned 28!!

I’m a bit excited about this! I am stepping out of the box and making an effort to put a smile on others faces! Its day three and so far I’ve taken my friends daughter who has difficult behaviour, for a day out to give my friend some rest bite, I then bagged up some clothes for the charity shop and today I’m taking a cream egg in for everyone at work, just cos! I have a few exciting plans for doing this, including some big ones but I’m a little nervous I may run out of ideas! I’m hoping things will just happen, so I can be spontaneous! Saying that, if you have any ideas feel free to let me know!

Being kind is such a simple act but it can really make someone’s day, it doesn’t have to cost anything at all!

Thailand || Bangkok

If you are a regular visitor to ‘Lipsticks and Lashes’ or follow me on Twitter or Instagram, you may have seen that I have just returned from three incredible weeks in Thailand with my friend Kate! I feel very blessed that over the years I have done quite a lot of travelling. I really do believe that getting out there and seeing what the world has to offer is truly one of the best things you can do!

 

I was originally going to do one big post, however on started to put said post together it would have been HUGE! So I’ve decided to break it down into places we visited, and do a few posts over the next couple of weeks. I hope you enjoy them!

 

 

 

So first up is Bangkok! After an 8 hour flight to India, an 8 hour stop in the airport (which isn’t the pleasantest place in the world) followed by a short 4 hour flight, we finally arrived in Thailand! After a bit of deliberation we decided to pre-book our accommodation in Bangkok and stay for 3 nights. I am so glad we did after that long journey, as I’m not sure I would have had the brain power to sort that out on landing! It also meant we would be spending NYE in Bangkok – I will be doing a whole separate post on this experience alone so won’t say much about that now!

We stayed on Koh San Road in the Dang Dern Hotel. This road is party central, mainly filled with travellers but there are quite a few locals too. Therefore if your want sleep or are travelling with a young family, I wouldn’t recommend staying here unless you have an amazing pair of ear plugs. For our needs though it worked well, as it was where we wanted to be for New Years Eve and central to all the places we wanted to visit and explore.

 

We arrived late on the 30^th December so didn’t do much that evening. The next day we got up early and headed via Tuk Tuk – SO much Fun! – to the ‘Travel Authority of Thailand’ who were ridiculously helpful and sorted out our accommodation, domestic flights and transfers for the next three weeks. I can’t fault this service, our advisor really got it right for us, especially as we wanted to see as much as we could in a short space of time. It definitely took the pressure off us and gave us more time to enjoy the experience. We paid just over £400 for it all and I think this was pretty reasonable when you look at everything we got for it. However, if you are going to Thailand for a longer period of time I would recommend doing it yourself as you go along as everything is so inexpensive you could definitely do it for a lot cheaper than we did!

After getting organised, we then wandered back towards Koh San Road hitting the Temple of the Tall Buddha on our way. This is where we saw a cat in a dress, I repeat A CAT IN A ADRESS!! Still speechless in regards to this! Whilst in Bangkok we also visited the Grand Palace which was just so beautiful, the detail of these temples is just so incredible.

We then followed this with a visit to the Horizontal Buddha, this was the only temple we had to pay to visit (all the others were just accepting donations). This one was pretty much what it said on the tin, a huge laying down Buddha, also known to us as the lazy one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shopping in Bangkok was pretty interesting. Koh San Road is filled with market stalls and everything is crazy cheap. We found that clothes, gifts etc were cheaper here than anywhere else we visited which is worth keeping in mind if you’re planning a trip! Mixed in between the clothes stands were tons of street food vendors. The food here was just incredible, so yummy and fresh!!

 

 

Bangkok really exceeded my expectations! Before arriving I thought it would be my least favourite place, as I’m not a huge city fan, however it was just awesome! Busy not unmanageable, fun and vibrant. I felt so safe here too, not like other big cities I’ve previously visited. I really hope I can visit there again soon!

Keep your eye out for more Thailand posts coming up soon!