Every Girl Awaits Her Prince Charming....

Golden Nails

As I mentioned in my Easter post, I spent the weekend up North in Manchester. The weekend was fab and we went out the Sunday night in Liverpool. I wore a cabolt blue dress from Topshop with gold accessories. To co-ordinate with this look I decided to paint my nails gold. I found this fab polish from Barry M Nail Paint in Foil Effects. I really loved the final look, it was easy to apply and quick drying.

Monday Motivation! #11

This made me giggle! I love it and think all females should abide by it!

Soap and Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Gloss Stick

I am on a constant hunt to find the perfect lip gloss and when I heard about Soap and Glory’s ‘Sexy Mother Pucker Gloss Stick’ I just had to give it a try. I have to say I am really pleased I did! I purchased mine from boots for £8, which I thought was a little steep. I normally go for cheap brands for glosses as I am constantly trying and buying different ones.

The packaging is quite simple and I love the fact that it's in a retractable stick with a cap as it keeps it nice and safe whilst in the jungle of danger which is my handbag. I went for Plum Jar, which looked like a deep purple however as you can see from the colour swatch when put on it’s a lovely pink/reddish sheen. I was originally worried that it would be too dark but luckily it has a very subtle finish, and has left my lips looking tinted and super-glossy. It leaves a gorgeous natural colour on your lips and I will definitely be trying out the other shades.

The reasons I am impressed with this product is that it’s a very natural looking lip gloss and stays on for a really long time which is a refreshing change! The texture is glossy but not sticky at all. It kept my lips hydrated for most of the day. With this never ending cold snap we seem to be enduring my lips have been so dry and I found this gloss really moisturising. If anything the gloss feels more like a lip balm and feels comfortable on the lips like that of a balm. It doesn't taste of anything but has a faint vanilla smell.

I just wish they did more colours and it’s a little bit pricey but worth it I think!

Book Club: The First Last Kiss by Ali Harris

The Blurb

How do you hold on to a love that is slowly slipping away from you? Can you let go of the past when you know what is in the future? And how do you cope when you know that every kiss is a countdown to goodbye? This is the story of a love affair, of Ryan and Molly and how they fell in love and were torn apart. The first time Molly kissed Ryan, she knew they'd be together forever. Six years and thousands of kisses later she's married to the man she loves. But today, when Ryan kisses her, Molly realises how many of them she wasted because the future holds something which neither of them could have ever predicted...

The Review

How many kisses do we waste, brush away, throw away, and then, when they are no longer there, how many times do we wish that we could relive them all a hundredfold?

I don’t know where to start with this review! There is so much i want to say but i don’t want to give too much away! Its such a beautiful book that i so well written.

We start the book with Molly packing her things, preparing herself to move out of her house. The story jumps about in time, each chapter telling you about a different Kiss.  The First Last Kiss jumps about in time from Molly's teenage years through college, first jobs and her on/off relationship with Ryan. Those who prefer a linear narrative might struggle and I did find it was a book easy to put down in the first half. You have to keep picking up threads of different stories but it sucks you in as the book progresses. To begin with i was a bit worried i was going to find it too hard and confusing to follow, but any concerns soon disappeared.

The book portrays a very real life cycle of a relationship. The close-calls and arguments, the compromises and the realisation that growing up doesn't mean getting to live your dreams. Ryan isn't perfect but then neither is Molly. They have differences and Molly wants more from life than Ryan, something which drives a wedge between them. I really related to Molly as i often feel i want to achieve more or im not where i should be.

I kind of had an idea about what would eventually happen right at the start. Whilst it's not necessarily predictable, the tone of the current day chapters gave me an inkling. I did find that knowing Molly is alone at the start made me feel a little like I was waiting for the story to catch up. The last quarter was definitely the best for me but do be prepared to have hankies at the ready.

Ryan is the hot boy in town who takes a shine to her and she spends a lot of the book feeling unworthy of him. I love Ryan. Even though he is described as the guy that most girls want, he is written in such a way that he is the complete opposite of how these types of 'heroes' presented. He is in love with Molly, he is romantic without being sappy or 'wet'. In some ways he is a typical Essex lad who loves his hometown, his football and his family (not necessarily in that order) but he is ultimately committed to Molly and will do anything to make her happy.
I love Ryan.

The emotions in this book are very real and very vivid and extremely thought provoking and I absolutely loved the characters, I felt connected to them from the get go. I just loved Molly and Ryan and those kisses, each and everyone one of them!!

"I'll savour every single kiss from now until...not the end...until forever.
Ali Harris deals with the situations with so much realism that you can't help but be affected by them. This truly is a love story that will live with you for a long time after you've turned that final page. This book should come with a warning * tissues required *, oh and make sure you have cookies or ice cream, you will need comfort!

Benefit Cosmetics 'Fake Up' Event

 

Yesterday I attended my first ever bloggers event which was hosted by Benefit Cosmetics at Debenhams in Bournemouth. To say I was a bit nervous was an understatement! I have been a bit poorly lately and wasn’t feeling my best, it was the first time I met other local bloggers and I had no idea what to expect. Also I wasn’t having the best day, my naughty red setter puppy ate my kindle (seriously!) and the bumper fell off my car, and my intuition was telling me to just go back to bed!

On arrival my worries were soon all squashed and everyone was so lovely and friendly. We were greeted with wine, cakes and sweets (always a winner) and Alyson gave us a demonstration of ‘Fake Up’, whilst dressed in an awesome inspectors outfit! She gave us a full explanation of the product and we also got to see it in action.

 

I’m sure you’ve all heard about Benefits latest offering, ‘Fake Up’ by now! It’s been around for a while in the states and has been Benefits fastest selling product in the UK. It is a concealer aimed at being hydrating for the under eye area as well as providing crease-control. The centre of the stick is the concealer while the outer ring is nourishing Vitamin E and apple seed extract which moisturises. ‘Fake Up’ works at hiding dark circles and diffusing fine lines for a silky smooth, ultra-natural look. It leaves the skin looking gloriously glowing. It can also be used to conceal any other imperfections and with the darkest shade can also be used as a clever contour on the cheeks and nose areas.

After the demo, we each got matched to our perfect shade and yes I was naughty and purchased it! I have to say I’m pretty impressed, I’m always keen to try anything that will banish the dark circles from under my eyes but am usually disappointed as it either is just doesn’t work full stop or it creases. ‘Fake Up’ seems to work! No creases and is so soft on the skin. This product is definitely going to be added to my daily routine.

 

To finish up the event we all then had a look at the great products, and I got to chat to a few of the other bloggers there. Sorry if I didn’t get to chat to some of you, was feeling a bit shy! We were also each given a cute little retro gift bag which was filled with an eye mask, a sample of their Hello Flawless foundation and Bad Gal Mascara and cute little necklace.

 

I would like to say a massive thank you to Benefit’s Sophie and Alyson for being fab hosts and I can’t wait for the next event now!

Motivational Monday! #10

I want to go travelling and have wanted to this for a long time. I am pretty sure my friends are sick of me saying that but not actually seeming to go anmywhere! My problem is im rubbish at saving, always have been. But this year I am determined to get there, I need to for no other reason than for myself. I love this quote, it reminds me that I am the only person who is going to get me there, i cant rely on anyone else.