FOTD: Pretty in Pink

 

FACE: MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NC15, Benefit You Rebel, Benefit Fake Up in 01 Light

EYES: Bare Minerals Eyecolor in Drama, Topshop in Precision Eyeliner, MAC Gel Eyeliner in Blacktrack, Benefit They’re Real Mascara

CHEEKS: Topshop Highlighter in Sunbeam, MAC Powder Blush in Coppertone

LIPS:  Revlon’s Just Bitten Kissable Lip Stain in Lovesick, Bourjois Paris 3D Effet Gloss Shade 53

I haven’t done a face of the day for a little while! I feel like I’ve been neglecting the beauty side of the blog for a while, but that’s all about to change as I have tons of new reviews coming up which I’m really excited about! I thought I’d start it all off with a face of the day though! This is my make up look from last Saturday. I went and visited a friend for the night and she lives near the beach, so we headed to this gorgeous beach bar for a few vinos and a really yummy meal. Was such a great girly night, I love all my friends so much and hanging out with them always puts a smile on my face. As we’ve all got older, submerged in work and relationships it seems harder to meet up but when we do it’s always great, and puts me in a fab mood!

It was a gorgeous sunny evening (I fear it may have been one of the last ones of this summer, boo!) so I wanted to have a simple pretty make up look. I have recently purchased Revlon’s Just Bitten Kissable Lip Stain in Lovesick which is a gorgeous bright pink which I think was the centre piece of this look. It’s quite bright so I toned it down slightly by applying Bourjois Paris 3D Effet Gloss Shade 53 over the top. I’m conscious the tan I got whilst on holiday has now faded so I used Benefit You Rebel which is a tinted moisture and is slightly darker shade than id use on a daily basis. Then on top of my blusher I added Topshop Highlighter in Sunbeam for a bit of a sun kissed look.

This make up look is perfect as it’s different from my every day look but isn’t too much, so perfect to watch the sun set with a glass of wine!

BOOK CLUB TAKEOVER: Georgia from 'What Georgia Did Next'

Here are my thoughts… I LOVE hearing other people’s views and reviews on pretty much anything especially books! Some of my favourite reads are ones that have been suggested by other people. So thinking along those lines,’ The Book Club Takeover’ was born! Hopefully each week I will bring to you a post from one of my lovely and amazing fellow bloggers who will in turn share with you what their favourite book is, why they love it and a review. I hope you enjoy this feature as much as I do!

I'm Georgia from whatgeorgiadidnext.blogspot.co.uk, a fashion, beauty and lifestyle blog. As a huge bookworm, when I saw Gemma was planning on doing a book review post I just knew I had to get myself and my favourite book involved!

'The Help' Book Review:

The Help has been my favourite book from the first time I picked it up. It's the story of three very different women living in Mississippi in the 1960's; wise, loving Aibileen, feisty cook Minnie and the nervous wannabe journalist, Skeeter who all find friendship, love and themselves along the way. I love The Help because it's so beautifully written- it really comes from the heart. Kathryn Stockett's (the author) imagery is flawless: her descriptions of Minnie's meals will leave you salivating and when Skeeter describes her 'wedding cake' bedroom, you almost feel like you're sat there next to her, tapping away at the typewriter. The book is about Skeeter writing a book with Aibileen and Minnie helping her. Along the way, you learn about the three women and their lives and how they develop a friendship that defies stereotypes  class boundaries and even laws. The book is inspirational and so courageous and you find yourself falling in love with the characters and their beautifully developed personalities. Skeeter is the privileged  awkward journalist wondering what's happened to her maid, and best friend who befriends Aibileen, a wise, loving maid who lost her son and only survived the loss with the help of her best friend, the utterly perfect feisty, Minnie who's 'cooking is almost as sassy as her mouth'. I can read this book constantly because, for me, it's flawless: completely absorbing you in a forgotten world of racism, sexism and cotton fields. Each woman has their struggles, has their strengths and has their success. The supporting characters are just as well developed- Miss Hilly is just as you'd imagine the popular girl at school all grown up to be, Elizabeth is a confused, lost soul you just want to shake and Miss Celia is completely unique (and probably my favourite character!).

The book has also been turned into a film, with Emma Stone, which is just as wonderfully done: sticking to the original story and most of the original wording meaning its charm remains.

I couldn't recommend this book more and what better choice could their be than to choose a book that makes me laugh, cry and 'holla' (as Minnie would say) simultaneously?

 

Seventeen Lasting Fix Nail Colour in Silver Kisses

I’ve not used Seventeen products since I was about 15 and they were the cheapest range about, hence the only brand I could afford. However on a recent trip to Boots a couple of their polishes caught my eye and I thought I’d give them a try! I bought two colours and I have been pleasantly surprised, they are still a purse friendly brand but the quality is excellent. It’s long lasting and stays put! NO CHIPS!! If you are a regular reader you will know this makes me so happy! I’m a hands on kind of person so I put my nails through a lot and struggle with finding a polish that’s not chipped within a few hours let alone days.

This colour is called silver kisses and when on looks like a gorgeous champagne colour. I’ve had lots of compliments for this one which has been lovely!

The Body Shop’s Hemp Range

 

 

Many moons ago, to help me save up to go travelling when I finished college, I took a job as a dental nurse. One of the downsides to this role is having to wear gloves all day long which completely dried out my hands. Until one day I came across The Body Shops Hemp products, and my love affair with them began!

The reason I am writing about these products now is that recently I’ve been suffering from dry hands again. I am convinced this is due to the constantly changing weather we have been experiencing lately. However we Brits do have a tendency to blame the weather for all sorts! So instead of fretting about my hands I went straight to these products and within 24 hours there was already a great improvement!

The two products I swear by are the Hemp Hand Protector and the Hemp Moisturising Hand Wash. I carry a tube of the Hemp Hand Protector around in my bag so I can use it whenever I need it. The Hemp Moisturising Hand Wash, I have by my kitchen sink and bathroom sink and use it at least a few times a day.

Ok so it’s not the nicest smelling of products, and it’s quite a strong distinctive smell but it has grown on me and I kind of like it now!

This product is pretty magical, hence why I wanted to share it with you! If you’re having any problems with dry hands then I strongly recommend giving this a try! It works wonders!

Motivational Monday #23

 

Happy Bank Holiday Monday!! Hope everyone is enjoying the extra day off work and has something planned for today. I’m working later but I’m planning a lazy morning catching up on blog stuff, replying to comments and editing photos. I’ve been so busy lately it’s quite nice to have a lazy catch up day at home and hopefully it will make me feel more prepared for the week ahead!

Today’s motivational post is so fitting for me at the moment, I’ve been having a bit of a hard time lately and I sometimes need to remind myself of the positives as I’ve been feeling a bit sensitive. As much as times can be tough there are loads of good things going on around me and I am so lucky. I think we all just need a nudge to remind ourselves that we are all pretty awesome for our own individuality!

xxx

DIY: Needle Felting Framed Pictures

 

I used to love felting years ago and recently was reminded of it again. You can do so much with felt and its so versatile. I have in the past made a lampshade and a hat from felt. However for this project I thought id go a bit old skool and do some needle felting, it’s so therapeutic and you can be as creative as you like!

 

Items Needed…

Felt sheet

Raw felt

Foam sheet (to rest on)

Felt needle

Frame

Scissors

Plasters (This might be just me!)

***I purchased most of this stuff off eBay really cheaply! ***

What to do…

1.       Lay your felt sheet on top of your foam sponge.

 

 

      2.       Once you’ve decided on a design, place the raw felt on top of the sheet. I have chosen to do a couple of different heart designs, to create a set for a birthday present for a friend.

3.       You need the raw felt to fuse with the sheet of felt, so this is the fun bit! You need to use the needle to stab the felt onto the sheet. Keep repeating. You want to feel your needle going through your wool and into the sponge or foam, but not so far that you risk going through it into the hard surface below (or your leg, if you're doing it on your lap. Ouch!!). The needles are quite fragile so beware that they can snap!

 

 

4.       You can keep adding the raw felt to build up your design, make it a bit more 3D, add more colours, etc.

 

5.       Once you’ve finished your design, you can then frame it. I cut down my felt sheet in order to fit in the frames I had.

You can be as creative as you like with this project! I am really pleased with the end result and think mine will make a really cute present. Let me know if you give this a try!

BOOK CLUB TAKEOVER: Charlotte from 'Hello, I'm Char'

Here are my thoughts… I LOVE hearing other people’s views and reviews on pretty much anything especially books! Some of my favourite reads are ones that have been suggested by other people. So thinking along those lines,’ The Book Club Takeover’ was born! Hopefully each week I will bring to you a post from one of my lovely and amazing fellow bloggers who will in turn share with you what their favourite book is, why they love it and a review. I hope you enjoy this feature as much as I do!

 

Me: Charlotte Postings

Blog Name: Hello, I'm Char

I call my blog a beauty blog, but now, it's definitely leaning towards lifestyle, as I love to post about anything and everything! It's a place for me to review products, tell you about my day, post outfits, wishlists, receipes, DIY's and whatever I fancy. When I get asked what I blog about, I say "me" because that's it really. I hope you'll check out my little space on the internet.

 

Choosen Book: Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

 

Review: After reading this I am sat with tears filling my eyes. This book is absolutely heartbreaking and makes me really appreciate everything in my life and it's made me realize that one day were all going to die, no doubt about it and it's made me want to really do something with me life before it's all over.

 

Will Traynor is stuck in a wheelchair with no movement, and has to be fed by someone else. Louisa was his carer, but she soon became more than that. She was company, a friend, someone he loved, the only reason he lived. The only thing that made him happy anymore. But that didn't mean he was going to change his mind about going to Switzerland for suicide. There was nothing she could do about it. Even though she tried. She thought she could make a difference. She told him she loved him, but he just said that wasn't enough. I guess his time had just come and that was it.

 

I really did think that he wouldn't die, and that they'd live happy and everything would be okay. But towards the end, as I gripped onto the pages, I knew what was coming. In felt my heartbreak. I felt for Louisa, I really did feel her for. This man, Will Traynor, has changed her life completely, made her believe in herself, made her see the talent that she held, made her realise there was more to live for, more to do and see in the world. & in return, she made him happy. The last six months of his life, were the happiest he had ever been and that was more than enough for him. He was leaving this world knowing he had something, even if he couldn't hold onto it. Will felt like he was just going to ruin Louisa's life.

 

This is a story of friendship and love, and just an ordinary girl, meeting an extraordinary man, and being put into a really awkward situation, that she didn't think she could cope. But, by the end of the book, even though she has filled with sadness, I felt that Louisa was better than she had ever been. The book makes you really think about your life and what your doing, and it really made me cry.