Birthday Love!

If you've seen any tweets from me or M you will have seen that it was my birthday on Tuesday.

I was lucky enough to book the week off work and it was the first week off I've had without uni work or lectures to go to in years. So after my friends hen weekend I dragged M to Harry Potter Studios on Monday for a pre birthday trip.

I don't know if you have been there or want to go there but I fully recommend it whether you are a fan or not. The 'secrets' of the filming is fascinating, the sets and props are so intricately designed that anyone would appreciate them and there is of course many photo opportunities, shops and the chance to try real butter beer!



As you can see.....I was VERY excited!

I can write a post on it if anyone is interested in seeing a few snaps and my thoughts on the tour in general, just let me know.

As it was my birthday the next day I decided to buy a present to myself, from myself....as you do.

I'm a huge fan and couldn't resist the gold plated official replica of Hermione's time turner necklace:

I know I'm obsessed with HP but along with my penchant for gold jewellery this was a purchase made in heaven for me! I'm in love with it's uniqueness and it's my new pride and joy.

M also gave me my presents from her and I was so excited to see all of these individually wrapped, I'm sure you can tell I was so pleased with them all :)

I was a bit spoilt for my birthday considering it wasn't a milestone one.

Here's a few snaps of my presents:

My brother got me Breaking Bad seasons 1-4, I've always wanted to watch it so I'm glad I've finally got my hands on it and can watch them all whenever I like.

The Ralph Lauren carrier bags were quite exciting when I saw them in the morning...

 

I'd been shopping with my mum and picked up some of the jeggings and the iconic black military style blazer a few months ago, so this wasn't a surprise but I'd forgotten quite how lovely they were!
I wore them out with a white chiffon top from Warehouse for my meal in the evening. We went out for steak at Miller and Carter and it was so amazing we couldn't believe it. 100% recommend the steaks and ribs!

A blazer and skinny jeans/jeggings are a staple in my wardrobe and I thought it was about time I got some better quality pieces in my wardrobe.

Between my aunty and nan I was given 2 cardigans and 2 polo shirts from Ralph Lauren also.

I felt so spoilt and just like Kate Middleton with all my Ralph gear, if only I was the same size eh?!

(Though maybe not pregnant...)

My cousin has been working for Ralph Lauren so I imagine that there has been some serious discount passing around. I always think this is a great idea, why pay more for something??

I'd also sent my mum a not-so-subtle email a few months back requesting either of the Oz palettes from Urban Decay. I received the Theodora palette which is gorgeous and I couldn't wait to test it out.

I had no idea it had eye liner and a lipstick with it so this was a nice surprise and I would expect a post on it sometime soon!

I received some underwear from my favourite underwear shop Boux Avenue and a kit from Ojon which I can only assume will leave my hair glossy, conditioned and the envy of all of South Wales.

This would be lush as my hair is feeling a little dry of late due to the weather and air con at work.

My mum always gets me a caterpillar cake from M&S every year, but this year she went one step further and also got me the Colin the Caterpillar chocolate shape!

I absolutely love these and the chocolate tastes great, such happy memories from when i was a kid.

So there's my birthday presents in a nut shell.
I did go shopping yesterday and spent the money that I received (and a lot more on my credit card...) so I'll be putting some photos of that up soon too!

Me, M and a few of my friends are going out on the weekend to celebrate my birthday with a few cocktails. We've booked to have our make up done in Mac as we know well end up buying a lipstick soon we might as well get it done!
We cannot wait and I'm sure a post on our night out, make up, dresses and cocktails will be up next week.

This is the last week that I will be spending......I plan on getting back on the spending ban wagon and banning all purchases of cosmetics and clothes for as long as I possibly can.

But enough on that for now, I'm still smiling from my presents and shopping trip so I'll get back to my depression next week ha.

What do you think of my presents? Do you have the Oz palettes from Urban Decay? Are blazers a staple part of your wardrobe? Are you as Harry Potter obsessed as me?

L xxx

Review: Avon Nail File With Buffer

I first mentioned this product in this NOTD. My mum gave me this product as she had it in her bag and I used it and loved it and she said she'd get herself a new one (she's very good to me like that). It comes from Avon and is a 3 in 1 product. It's a metal file, a buffer and cuitcle remover (which has a plastic lid to protect 

it). It can be bought here. 

I'm not keen on the nail file. It'll do for emergencies but otherwise I don't love it. I'm not a fan of metal nail files personally. The buffer isn't something I've tried. 

I was totally draw in by the cuticle trimmer. I've always pushed mine back but not found it the best method to actually remove the excess cuticle. Where I'm a nail biter my cuticle seem to be worse. I've tried it cutters like nail clippers but found these to hard to use and a little sore if you aren't careful.

This file makes removing the cuticle so easy and neat. It's so simple, basically line the V up to wear you want your cuticle removed and gently push it along.

It removes the cuticle in one smooth motion. It leaves a neat line along the nail bed. The cuticle is removed and the nail looks tidy. There are no untidy edges with it.

I love it, I use it every time I remove my false nails.

What type of cuticle remover do you use?

Love M

xxx

Spending Ban Update 9

The spending ban is very nearing the end, it's completely changed me. Even though I want things I have developed some will power (ignore last week's post where will power disappeared for a brief moment haha). I've stopped buying make up it seems. I'm so proud of this. I am now keeping my empties and I don't seem to be using much of it. I think even when the ban ends I really need to resist buying any more foundation, primer or mascara for a while. A girl always needs more lipstick though right.

First things first I did break the ban twice this week. One thing was absolutely necessary. It was this black dress from Asos. Unfortunately my mum's auntie passed away last week so I needed something long and plain suitable for a funeral. It was only £16.50 and it will be great for work after.

Secondly I went bridesmaid shopping with one of my friends for her wedding. I had decided I wanted to look my best while shopping and decided to do my make up how I may wear it on the wedding day. This involved individual lashes which I didn't own. As in Boots it's 3 for 2 at the moment it seemed silly to just buy the lashes. So I also picked up a Revlon Nail Varnish and the False nails I always use. (shown in this post).

The nail varnish is so gorgeous!! I love all the colours in it.

I will be adding on a few extra weeks to make up for my breaks. I'm thinking maybe I'll go till July. We will see.

How are your bans going?

Love M

xxx

Review: Smashbox Jet Set Waterproof Eye Liner and Brush

Hello all!

I hope your weekend has started well.

I'm actually going to a hen weekend of the first of my friends to be getting married, so I'm sat at home writing this on a Friday night whilst surrounded by all manner of shoes, dresses and make up!

My bag is bulging and I haven't even begun with the accessories and make up eek!

A few weeks ago I picked up this beauty from the Cosmetics Company Outlet in Swindon.

If you've never been to one of those shops then I seriously recommend it, owned by Estee Lauder it has an array of Mac, Bobbi Brown, Clinique, Estee Lauder, Smashbox, Ojon and Origins amongst others for you to get your product greedy mitts on just like me for a discounted price!

I personally spend a rather generous sum and I hope one day to own the whole shop.

I was lucky enough to buy Smashbox's infamous waterproof eye liner along with the matching brush (Arced Liner Brush #21) to use together and I have to say, I'm completely converted to using the brush!

I obviously bought the liner in black, there were other colours present but wanting to get the best value and check out the product first I bought it in black for maximum wear.

The brush you can see below is really thin and has quite long hairs matched with an angled tip making it easier to line your eyes without your arms getting in the way and stopping you from being able to see....wicked!

I'd never used a brush like this so was a bit suspicious but I've been told multiple times how amazing they are so just caved and snapped it up!

I like that the brushes are bright red making them easy to find in amongst the darker packaging of my other make up. I like things to be kept simple but this is massively helpful at 6am!

The design of the pot is pretty bog standard, glass pot with screw on lid, nothing too out there!

Look at the pot of smoothness!

It's so creamy and easy to apply I cannot say a bad thing about it.

This cost me £11 at CCO but normally retails for £16.

I wouldn't spend £16 on a gel eyeliner as I know that Maybelline's is rather good and I am quite a big fan of it, and couldn't justify spending the extra £10 on something that although is amazing, isn't £10 amazing.

However for an extra £5 I think this liner is worth every penny!

It's so creamy and easy to apply, easy to mop up mistakes (as long as your quick!) and stays put all day whether wind, rain or shine.

Even at the end of the day however it swipes off with a tiny bit of make up remover and requires no rubbing.

It's just like the Maybelline one which was my first love, but better.

I'd definitely pick this up again from CCO!

Here's a few pictures of it working it's magic...:

The one below shows me without mascara so you can see the liner better.

I did edit it on my phone, but as black is black it hasn't edited the colour at all.

The one below has mascara on the top lid, and shows a bigger flick.

The brush makes it so easy to do these neatly and quickly and only requires a baby wipe to clean off during the week!

What do you think of the gel eye liner? Are you a fan of them?

What other Smashbox products have you tried?
This was one of my first and I've loved it!

L xxx