New Nails #5

I've fallen in love with the idea of Ciate Caviar Manicure.

I first found out about it from Frankie from The Saturdays Twitter and then spotted a review of it over on etcllymlrs - at the time, it must have been brand new out, because when I checked the Ciate & Selfridges websites, they were all sold out - so I added them to my birthday list..... then became very impatient - I don't know what I was thinking really, my birthday isn't until November, I was never going to last until then!

So I began searching for alternatives in the only suitable place - eBay!! And came across this craft supplies seller - after spending and age deciding which colours to get [there's so many to choose from!] I bought the Jubilee Mix Beads and the Denim Blue Beads

l-r: Jubilee Mix; Denim Blue

They arrived really quickly, and were a really excellent price for the amount of beads you get - plus, they also do combined postage. I will be definitely be buying from them again.

Now for the test....

I've gone for the Jubilee Mix Beads first, and incorporated it into an Olympic themed manicure (I LOVE the Olympics)

l-r: Models Own Prussian Blue; Snow White; Red Alert

I definitely can't see it lasting more than a day, but it's cute for a night out, or special occasion.

After checking the website I can see that all colours are now back in stock on the Ciate website, so they're definitely staying on my birthday list, and I look forward to trying them out, and seeing how it's done properly!

I'm off work now for the next 2 weeks to watch the Olympics - like I said, I LOVE the Olympics - and I actually can't wait!!

GO TEAM GB!!

31 Day Challenge

So I've decided to take up a 31 Day Challenge which I found recently over on OutMUMbered. I'm going to start it on Wednesday so it'll be going through August, just to give you a chance to get to know me a bit better.

Play along if you want and let me know if you are - I'd love to follow it!

Review - Elysambre Short Eyelashes Mascara

I received a full sized version of the Elysambre Short Eyelashes Mascara in my June JolieBox, and have used it a few times since, including for a night out with the girlies last night.

What I wasn't expecting was the colour, it's a nice burgundy / plum shade, which I thought was a bit different. The colour is not so obvious when on [according to the mother] but I liked it, I found it highlighted my eyes more.

The packaging is very plain, and not at all interesting - although, after doing a bit of reading up on this brand, I've come to learn that the actual mascara packaging is refill-able, so I'm guessing what I've been sent is a refill.

I'm impressed by this mascara, it's quite thick, but not claggy, and there was no sticking together of eyelashes. There was no smudging and it lasted really well, especially in the heat of a nightclub! I'll definitely be carrying on with this.

New Nails #4

I've changed one finger of my last manicure from Wednesday to add a Cuban flag for the Cuban night me and the girlies are going to tonight - if you turn up with a Cuban flag on you, you get discounted drinks, it'd be rude not too!

Although I feel a bit of a traitor wearing a Cuban flag on the night of the Olympics Opening Ceremony since I am firmly Team GB.

I do have some Team GB nails planned for possibly tomorrow, depending on the size of my hangover, and if I can tear myself away from the Olympics, or I might leave it until Sunday.

P.s. Check out the amazing clouds we've had tonight - I love the summer...

New Nails #3

Just a simple, yet effective little manicure to tide me over for a couple of days.

My last one was beyond repairable and I plan on doing some Olympic inspired nails this weekend so I just needed something quick and cute to do before going to the cinema with the girlies tonight, we're off to see Magic Mike - no explanation needed! ;)

What I used: -

Models Own 3-in-1 Base Coat / Top Coat / Gloss

Models Own Nail Art Pen White
Models Own Blooboo
Models Own Utopia
Models Own Peach Sherbet
Models Own Pastel Pink
Models Own Lemon Meringue

I bought this t-shirt from Topshop a couple of weeks ago after spotting it on the Topshop Facebook 'Daily Fix', and I am loving it! It's so cute, but then it's got the spiked shoulders to give it a bit of a twist. I'm wearing it with my Topshop MOTO Baxter jeans turned up and my new Topshop Canvas Studded Slippers - Topshop overload!!!

July Glossy Box

My July GlossyBox arrived yesterday. This is the first time I've had a GlossyBox. I think I'm definitely liking it better than the JolieBox. So I've put my JolieBox subscription on hold for a couple of months, I'll give GlossyBox a chance then decide which of the two I want to carry on with.

Or if anyone has any other suggestions or alternatives for this kind of beauty box?

Anyway, here's what I got...

Collin Resultime - Regenerating Collagen Gel
Multitasking superhero contains 15 key skin molecules. Use daily as a serum or sleep mask
Fullsize: £47.25/50ml

Awapuhi Wild Ginger - Texturizing Sea Spray
Create a tousled, beach style any time. This surf-inspired spray adds texture and body to any locks.
Fullsize: £18.95/150ml

Monu - Extra Rich Night Cream
A luxurious night cream to intensively nourish and firm whilst you sleep.
Fullsize: £36.95/50ml

Jelly Pong Pong Cosmetics - Lip Frosting
A multifunctional cream gloss. Use on lips for a tint or colour, or cheeks for a luminous glow.
Fullsize: £10.00/15ml

Kryolan - Satin Powder
This micro-fine powder will create extraordinary shimmer effect eye make up.
Fullsize: £4.75/3g

Bonus Product: Elizabeth Arden's Visible Difference Skin Balancing line works to keep skin looking revitalized and healthy.

I like this box. I'm looking forward to using the products, especially the Lip Frosting and Satin Powder, they'll go nicely with my night out with the girlies on Friday! I'll also be reviewing the Mascara I got in my June JolieBox so keep an eye out for that over the weekend.

July Jolie Box

I received my July JolieBox today, here's what I got...

ETAT PUR Biomimetic Skincare B09- Express purifying mask
This intensive mask purifies the skin by absorbing toxins, impurities and excess sebum in the skin.

JANE IREDALE Tantasia Self Tanner
A moisturising gradual self-tanner for the face and body that provides instant, healthy looking colour.

NAILGIRLS Two mini-polishes from the Medal Collection, inspired by the Olympics
Gold, Bronze or Silver, these metallic polishes are sure to get you notices this summer.

WEN BY CAZ DEAN Sweet Almond and Mint Cleansing Conditioner
Bursting with natural herbs and botanicals, this single-step cleansing conditioner leaves hair looking and feeling deeply cleansed and nourished at the same time.

JOLIEBOX Toenail Separator

SPECIAL EXTRA
This month we had included an extra gift as a way of apology for the inconvenience that may have been caused by the late arrival and delivery of the June box.....
KMS CALIFORNIA Free Shape Hot Flex Spray
Heat-activated shaping and elastic hold for unlimited style transformations that last until the next wash. Provides heat protection.

I will be reviewing these products, as well as the June JolieBox selection, eventually - I just want the give the products a chance, and not just review them after one test.

I like this JolieBox though, it has a good mixture, and all are products that I could easily swap into my regime.

What's In My Bag

I definitely think it's the time in my Blogging 'career' for the obligatory "What's in my Bag" post.

Let's start off with the bag...

I've had this River Island bag for years now, and it still pulls in compliments. A couple of the chain mail pieces have come off, and I can't put too much weight in it because the links in the handle come undone - but apart from that, and a few scratches, it's still in excellent condition - and I have no plans to replace it any time soon.

Obviously I do have other bags, but this is my go-to general day to day bag.

The purse is from Topshop, which I got in the sale last year for about £3.50. It's the perfect size, as it fits in all my other bags perfectly, so I don't have to faff around changing purses if I want to use a small bag, and it has plenty of spaces for my cards and I.D. - I'm not one to carry money unless I absolutely have too - I always just use my Debit Card.

I have to carry round a Shopper Bag - This one is from River Island for £1 - Where I live, we get charged for carrier bags in shops, and I'm a cheapskate - it may only be 5p, but I refuse to spend 5p on a bag that I will just throw away when I get home!

I don't carry much make-up with me. I'm not allowed to wear any during the week for work. But I carry the essentials with me for post-work drinks/food and for the weekend for the morning after spending the night at the boyfs.

The make-up bag was a gift a few years ago;; Rimmel Stay Matte  Foundation ;;Rimmel Stay Matte Concealer;; Bodycare Make-Up Sponge;; Bodycare Blusher Brush (I use it to blend my eye make-up);; Natural Collection @ Boots Eyeshadow;; Natural Collection @ Boots Brown Pencil Eye Liner;; No7 Smoky Eyeliner;; No7 Extravagent Volume Mascara;; Nasal Spray;; Lorotadine Allergy Tablets;; Vaseline

Sunglasses - Ray Ban;; Mango & Papaya Body Spray Natural Collection @ Boots;; Umbrella - Tesco;; Phone - Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc;; iPod Touch;; Keys
Then there are the bits that I don't always carry, but are in my bag at the moment

River Island Vouchers;; Next Vouchers;; Mr Tom Bar;; Models Own Nail File;; Carex Grapefruit & Lime Anti-Bacteria Gel;; Bingo Dab-o-Ink!!!

New Nails #2

I've joined Pinterest [add me! :)] - at the moment, I'm just using it to look at all the pretty nail art and get some ideas and inspiration to continue posting about my own nails, as I mentioned in a previous post.

Today's nails are blatantly copied inspired by this pin.

What I used: -

* Models Own 3 in 1 Base Coat / Top Coat / Gloss

* Models Own Peach Sherbet

* Models Own Nude Beige

* Models Own Lilac Dream

* Models Own Pink Fizz

* Models Own Nail Art Pen White

* eBay Rhinestones

* eBay Nail Art Paint Brush

After applying Base Coat, apply colours and glitter.

Using Nail Art Pen draw spots on one nail

Using Nail Art Pen, Paint Brush & Rhinestones, create a bow

Clean up the edges and apply Top Coat

To keep up to date with my "New Nails" posts, (if you're not interested in reading the rest of my blog) just select the "New Nails" label below, all future posts will be labelled this way.

June Jolie Box

This was the first time I'd ever purchased a box like this - and it just so happended to be JolieBox 1st Birthday.

There was a bit of trouble with the delivery, as with everyone I presume. It wasn't delivered until two weeks after it had been dispatched, but it arrived in the end.

Now, I've not had chance to try out any of the products yet - I will be doing reviews as and when I do - but for now, here's some pictures and information on the products....

* Yon-Ka - Pamplemousse Protective & Vitalizing Cream

* Institut Esthederm - Bronz Repair Body Lotion

* L'Occitane - Angelica Hydration Cream

* Elysambre - Short Eyelashes Mascara [Full Size]

* JolieBox - Nail File

It also came with a couple of discount vouchers for JolieBox and Codage, and the JolieBox Magazine.

I have signed up for July's box, as well as starting a subscription for July with GlossyBox as a comparison - just to see if this whole idea is for me.

Overboard Sale-ing

I went a bit mad with the shopping on Tuesday - first up, the River Island Sale - I got myself up super early, ready and waiting at my computer at 8am for the sale to start and here's what I bought...

Cream Embellished Sleeveless Swing Shirt

Black Button Front Playsuit

Cream Skater Dress

Then I got into work for 9am and went straight to my computer and carried on shopping!! The second batch are presents for the boyf (for Christmas!!!!!!) and his sister and my brother for their birthdays so no pics - don't want to spoil the surprise!

And then I went to the store at lunch time and carried on shopping again....

Grey Rock n Roll Print Tank

Heart Three Pack Stud Earrings

Bright Pink Love Heart Bracelet

And then I got home from work and went straight onto Topshop and bought a few things there!......

Top: Acid Wash Bandaeu Bralet; Bottom: Pinspot Bralet

Aztec Print T-Shirt Cross Back Dress

Dip Dye Roll Back T-Shirt

Canvas Studded Slippers

Considering I've just had the bill from the boyf for all my spending on holiday, which I haven't paid off yet, I think I went overboard - just a little bit.

So now I'm thinking "where the heck do I put it all!?!?" - so a major room sort out is a must.... eugh!