The Happy Box Company!

I have a slight obsession with subscription boxes! I will openly admit that, but I have been getting rather bored of beauty boxes. So when this box landed on my door step I was a little bit excited!

I first came across The Happy Box Company via Twitter and rather than signing up to a subscription each box is sold separately every month for £14. Each month’s box has a different theme and this month was Afternoon Tea, this was a selling point for me as I thought it was a really lovely theme and was intrigued about what would be in the box!

My box was filled with so many cute pieces, here is what I received...

·         A craft goodie bag – mine was filled with string, pom poms, ribbon, mini pegs and pretty card. I think I’m going to make some kind of photo holder with it...

·         Heart lace doilies – I can see these being used in some kind of craft project in the near future.

·         Cake toppers – how cute are they!

·         Notebook and pencil – anyone who knows me knows that I always carry a notebook around with me. This is perfect!

·         Teapot necklace – this has to be my favourite thing in the whole box. I am a tea-aholic so adore this!

·         Love ring – another great addition to the box!

I am really glad I treated myself to this box. I’m not sure I will be getting it every month, I think I will keep an eye out for what the themes are and then treat myself!

What’s your favourite subscription box? Do you have any that aren’t beauty based that I should know about??

#TBT An Inkling for an Inking...

Welcome #TBT / Throw Back Thursday! Where I am going to be delving into the depths of blog posts past and repost some of my favourites to share again with you all! As someone who has been blogging for over 2 years now, I have written over 400 blog posts, some that should probably remain hidden and some that I’m still pretty proud of and are still relevant to me. Which is why I thought it would be fun to run a #TBT series each week up until Christmas and share with you all my personal favourite old ‘Lipsticks& Lashes’ posts.

Originally Posted // 3rd February 2013

After hearing an interesting debate on tattoos on my local radio station this morning I have decided to air my views on this blog as it really got me thinking. I will openly declare I have a love/hate/middle of the line attitude when it comes to tattoos.

Let me explain, a women on the radio called them 'disgusting' another said it was 'de-facing yourself'. Some kind gentleman then joined in saying 'women who have tattoos are ugly and trashy'. My back was officially up! I have 5 tattoos myself and would not class myself in any of the above categories.

These are my lot:

My first design was the butterfly, it is placed just above my hip. I had it done on a lovely hot summers day around 7 years ago. I had just been dumped and my ex hated tattoos so in a moment of madness, throw in a best friend hyping me up and the decision was made!

My second, a few months later was the stars around my feet. I love the stars and am often complimented for this inking. Originally it was only around my ankle but around 2 years later I have it extended all the way down my foot. I do declare this is my favourite!

The dragonfly on my wrist was a result of my doodles. I was apprehensive about getting it done on my wrist as all my other designs are easily hidden. It is on the outside of my wrist so I often forget its there. It often gets mistaken for a treble clef, squiggle etc but I kind of like that! All art is interpreted differently by the viewer and why shouldn't tattoos?

Next up is the word 'believe' interlaced with a paper aeroplane. It is just on the side of my ribs and I had it done to remind myself to believe in myself and believe in my dreams. I strongly feel that if I believe in those 2 things I can achieve anything. I am currently looking at expanding this somehow and am looking for a good quote with the word 'believe' in. Nothings really grasped my attention yet but I will keep looking! If anyone has any suggestions please let me know?

Last but not least, my final piece of ink was done last year, its just above the inside of my ankle and symbolises 'Hakuna Matata'. My sister got exactly the same design in the same place. We had both been looking to get something for a while and this just suited us perfectly.

I love all my tattoos because they are just 'me'. I have heard people say 'Oh you will regret those when your older', well to those people I say no as they are personal. They are just as a part of me now as my right thumb, and they each have a story and meaning to me. I have no doubt I will expand my collection in the future.

So the hater of tattoos in me.... where shall i begin? I hate, I hate teddy bear tattoos! WHY WHY WHY?!!!! I am not a fan of people getting boyfriend/girlfriend names, kids I can understand, but people who can disappear from your life or break your heart, why would you want a constant reminder?! Love Hate tattoos = so Tacky! Also I don't believe many women can get away with sleeves, don't get me wrong I have seen a few who really pull off the look and its a really cool look. However I have not seen many. Also tattoos on the face and across the jugular...Horrendous!!My personal motto is will you see if when I'm in my wedding dress?! Yes to those who know me I am ridiculously single at the moment but if or when that day comes I don't want my tattoos to be a focal point, I also love that mine can be covered up and It often surprises people that I have tattoos as apparently I don't seem 'the type'.

 On a flip note, men with Tattoos.... well in my opinion its a definite plus! I am a huge Home and Away fan, yes when I visited Oz I did make a trip to summer bay. Well my love of the show just escalated when the Braxtons moved into town, their hot bodies helped but throw in a few tattoos and id be happy to help them dry off after a surf any day! Oh and how can we forget David Beckham, Yummy!

 

Am I a Hypocrite?! Yes probably, like most people I can be quick to judge others but looking at my own (OK yes small) artwork I am reminded that each to their own. One mans trash is another mans gold. Most importantly what you do to your body is a personal choice.

Nails // Seventeen Gel Colour in Pretty Bang Bang

 

I have pretty much had this polish on my nails continuously for the past few months. It’s such a pretty colour and goes with the majority of my outfits. I love love love it! It’s a Seventeen Gel Colour in Pretty Bang Bang and comes out as a gorgeous indigo shade. I have raved on here before about Seventeen Gel Colours before as they are such a great find, they are long lasting and give a fantastic finish for such a bargain price.

This colour has been fantastic for summer but I think it’s a shade that can be worn across the seasons. Do you have a favourite shade of polish?

OOTD: My Little Black Dress

JEWEL EMBELLISHED BLACK PENCIL DRESS, £35* 

 

I haven’t done an outfit post in so long! I wouldn’t class myself as a particularly on trend or a fasionista. Personally, and I know I sound old but I love being comfortable. I like wearing what makes me happy not what the magazines are telling me to wear, so sometimes I get it right and sometimes I get it massively wrong! Therefore I don’t think many people would be interested in seeing what I am wearing, however I wore this outfit at the weekend and was particularly pleased with it so I thought I would share it with you all!

So going back to the comfort thing… I love getting dressed up for a night out as much as the next girl but I can feel ridiculously self-conscious in a little dress, which means I don’t relax resulting in a bit of a blah kind of night. So I thought I would put a grungy spin on this little black dress. I paired it with a messy hair do and a denim shirt, which was from Primark a few years ago. This is so much more me! If I didn’t think my classy friends wouldn’t tell me off I would have added my DM boots to finish off the look, instead I went for my old and amazingly comfy black wedges from New Look, they have a good heels on them which is vital when your only 5ft2” yet super comfy being wedges!

The dress its self is a black bandeau number with gorgeous gemstones on the bodice. I LOVE it! It’s from Blue Vanilla and its ones of my favourite dresses. Although it’s quite revealing so I love the denim shirt over the top, it tones it down and I feel so comfy in it.

Do you like dressing up or are you more like me and like to add an edgier dressed down tone to an evening look?

Motivational Monday #32

As someone who’s terrified of failing I adore this! These are some of the most awesome people of our time and they’ve all experienced failure at some point in their lives.

I am on such a mission, to put myself out there, say yes to more and to experience new things! Since having this mindset life has been so much more fun and my confidence has definitely grown!

I’m not sure there is such a thing as failure really, I think its just life’s way of challenging you and sending you down a more appropriate path!

Happy Monday lovelies!

A Lush Haul!

Blog land has been filled with posts and tweets about the launch of Lush’s Christmas products lately. I personally did a little squeal! As much as some of their new Christmassy items sound amazing, as that was on my mind was that it meant their ‘Snow Fairy’ shower gel is back in stock! Forget the coca cola advert, this is my sign that Christmas is on its way!

Not having a Lush shop particularly close to me, I headed online to make my purchase and ended up popping a few other of my faves into my virtual basket, so here’s what arrived in my parcel...

Snow Fairy shower gel, £11.95 – catch the review I did last year here! I will be buying a whole ton more of this between now and Christmas to make sure I am well stocked up into the New Year!

Tea Tree Toner Water, £7.95 – I used this religiously up until a while ago and then I decided to try something different. Different isn’t always better as I found out. This stuff is so refreshing and really keeps my face lovely and clean, I am so happy to have it back in my daily routine!

Candy Mountain Bubble Bar, £2.75 – I don’t understand why people buy bath bombs when you can have bubble bars! This may be because I am like a 5 year old when it comes to baths and have to have mountains of bubbles! Candy Mountain smells so lovely and sweet, a real girly scent.

Christmas Eve Bubble Bar, £2.95 – I bought 2 of these with the idea of giving them out as Christmas pressies or stocking fillers, but xmas is still a little while away so I may have accidentally used them by then!  Check out my review of the Christmas Eve Bubble Bar here!

What’s your favourite Lush product? Can you recommend any of their new Christmas range for me to try out?

Whats on my face // Party Edition!

I haven’t done a ‘What’s on my Face / Face of the Day’ in forever, since last year I reckon?! As a beauty blogger I am pretty lame in the fact that my day to day look is pretty much standard. However I do like to ramp up my look every so often, what girl doesn’t, especially on nights out! This look is from a couple of weeks ago, I was off out for a night on the town with my girls for cocktails and dancing! I was debating whether to post this one or not as the photo isn't the best, it was taken on my phone but I really like the look and wanted to share it!

FACE: Benefit The Porefessional, Benefit Boing Concealer in 02, Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Foundation in Honey

EYES: Nars Cinematic Eye Shadow in Bad Behaviour, MAC Eye Shadow in Satin Taupe, Rimmel London Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer, Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner in Black, Benefit They’re Real Mascara

CHEEKS: The Body Shop Shimmer Waves

LIPS:  MAC Retro Matte Lipstick in All Fired Up.

I was really pleased with this look, what do you all think?