Busy Week and cosy house treats

Hello!  As you can tell from the title my week has been busy.  In fact it has been so busy that the theatre have given us the morning off as they think otherwise we might not survive till the end of it (the première is on Saturday night)!  Excessive tiredness can mean the show looks worse and worse instead of better and better so a bit of rest will hopefully give the show the energy lift it needs.
Last weekend (the last chance I got to take any pictures) was grey and miserable (no change there then).  Naturally I cheered myself up with a mini shopping trip (no change there either)!  The main objective was to get things to make my home feel cosier.  I was actually only heading out for candles but managed to come back with leg warmers, fluffy booties and a throw as well!

My new lovely grey throw and some vanilla scented candles.  We went especially to a shopping centre out of town that sells these candles quite cheap, about 2 euros each.  So I wanted to go there to stock up before my candle obsession makes me poor!

These slipper booties are from Next.  They are actually for work (essential to have warm comfy footware for between rehearsals) but I couldn't wait to slip them on as soon as I got home.  They are so warm and comfy and have been serving me well at the theatre so far.

I couldn't wait to slip on these soft fluffy legwarmers either.  They are also for work and stretch to cover my whole leg.  Warm and comfy to warm up in for ballet class.

This isn't something I bought but these are the curtains in our bedroom which I think work really well with the grey throw I bought.

When we got back from the shops I snuggled up in my cosy throw on the bed with a cup of tea to watch episodes of our favourite TV shows on my fiancé's laptop.  The perfect way to beat the winter blues.
How are you beating the misery of the colder weather?  I cope much better if it's sunny outside!

Till next time :)

Twirlybirdie

Little Things: Coffee and Shopping

Hello there.  I hope you're having a nice Friday evening.  I feel like I've had quite a productive and tiring week which makes me appreciate the cosy evenings at home more.  I splurged on some candles this evening to cheer myself up after a slightly stressful afternoon rehearsal.  After tidying up the living room a bit and lighting them they are having the desired effect.  It's amazing how soothing having some lit candles can be.  There must be some scientific reason for it.
Here are some little things that I've taken photos of recently but not found a blog post for.

I bought this awesome notebook recently as I've been inspired to try to write more.  This notebook was the perfect size, not too small that you feel like you'll reach the end of the page in five sentences and not so large that it wont fit in my handbag.  The print on it is awesome too.  The inside of it is the inverse of the pattern on the front.  So cool.

My fiancé bought this book to read.  I asked him how it was going and he said it was easy reading, but he's only read the first two chapters so far so I'll have to get a better review from him later on.

We went out at the weekend for pizza.  My fiancé got to have a coffee and I didn't as I'm trying to cut down on caffeine so I took a photo of it instead.

I bought these gorgeous earrings from Accessorize.  They're the colour scheme for the wedding and my fiancé liked them so I had to buy them!  I think they have an Art Deco look to them which I like.

I've been enjoying using my Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh perfume as the last of the warmer temperatures edge away.  I know that soon I'll be fully in to my winter scent, Prada's Candy but I've been trying to wear this for a few more days as I'm not ready to give up on summer just yet (clearly I'm in denial).

Hot Mama Blush by The Balm Review

Hello there!  It's been a busy week for me.  We're preparing for the premiere of a new show which means non stop rehearsals and late nights.  I realised it was time for a post!  This was something I bought recently in the sale.  I was hoping for Mary-Lou Manizer but they were all sold out so this was my compromise.
I do like the retro packaging and even though the cardboard compact feels somewhat flimsy there is an appeal to it's lightness.

The Hot Mama blush claims to be eye shadow as well as blush all in one, but this really isn't the sort of colour I would use as an eye shadow.  The shade looks like quite a dark peachy pink with a hint of shimmer in the compact. I applied this to my cheeks with a blusher brush and was surprised by the colour pay off.  I only really needed one swipe for the colour to show and I found the gold shimmer to be very visible on my cheekbones.  Pretty!  This is definitely a shade to go easy on if you have really pale skin like mine however I like how quick it is to apply because you only need one light application.

It does give a nice glow and I like looking a little healthier, particularly a the moment with the dreary weather.  I've been using this pretty frequently since I bought it so I'm guessing it's going to be a useful favourite.  I think the fact that the colour is slightly deeper and less pink than my other blushers is making it appealing for autumn.  Also the golden shimmer is making up for the lack of sun!  I realise I haven't taken a photo of it on my cheeks so I will have to get one up as soon as possible!

Till next time :)

Twirlybirdie

September Beauty Favourites

I know it's already nine days in to October but I still wanted to write about my favourite products from September.  This month was a strange one as the weather definitely shot from warm to pretty chilly towards the end of it.  That kick started my cravings for more autumnal make-up shades but as those were towards the end of the month I think I'll link them to October instead.

These are the products I noticed I had been using more than usual.  One of them was the Lumene Pure Radiance Eye Cream.  My under eye area has been looking pretty dark lately so I thought I should probably start taking care of the skin better.  To be honest the only thing I really think makes a difference is getting lots of rest but just in case I've been using this eye cream.  It is labelled as containing Vitamin C which is something I tend to go for in skin care and is meant to help eliminate dark circles.

I've been using the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Matte Finish Lipstick quite a lot on nights out.  I trust it to stay in place and love the bright pink colour.  I have shade 02 Frambourjoise.
On my cheeks I've been reaching for the blush in my Too Faced Glamour to Go palette as it's quite a subtle soft pink.  I go red naturally anyway so don't like to go too heavy on blush, particularly in the warmer months.

I've been using this Lumene Eyebrow Shaping Wax to keep my eyebrows in place.  I've been preferring more natural looking brows recently so this is all I wanted to use.  This keeps them in place and also adds a hit of colour as the wax is brown.
The Art Deco Perfect Teint Concealer is something that I hadn't been that keen on when I first bought it.  I have since found that  applying it, and then leaving it for a few seconds to dry a little before blending it in is the key to making it work for me.  I find the shade is quite light and brightening for under my eyes.

Maxfactor Colour Elixir Gloss Review

Hi!  I bought this lipgloss in the sale which I wrote about in my previous post.  I really just bought this on impulse because it looked pretty.  I chose the shade 'Enchanting Coral'.  I liked that it was a bright yet wearable colour.  The colour comes up quite subtle but still looks pretty on the lips.

It is very glossy, very moisturising and feels pleasant to wear.  It smells gorgeous!  I know lip gloss hasn't been very fashionable recently but I've been really enjoying using this.  I love the subtle touch of colour and the formula is really nice too.  It's not too wet and really does feel softening.

I've noticed propylparaben on the list of ingredients which is disappointing.  So if you're avoiding parabens this is not for you!  I'm really disappointed about that because I really did love using this gloss!

Beauty Shopping Haul

Hello there!  As the cold weather rolls in I've been cheering myself up with little purchases.  These were brought on by a big sale in our local department store.  Anyway, without further ado here they are :)

I bought the Max Factor Colour Elixir Lip gloss, Art Deco Perfect Teint Concealer, The Balm Hot Mama Blusher and the L'Oreal False Lash Telescopic Mascara.

 I bought the Max Factor lip gloss because I spotted the glosses on sale and they looked pretty!  Then I tested them out and they seemed quite pigmented.  I wanted something that wasn't too bright so that I could wear it all the time.  This seemed the perfect compromise between colour and wear-ability.
The Art Deco concealer is something I own already and have gotten a lot of use out of.  It's a pretty good brightening concealer and the sale price was really good so I decided to repurchase this as I think my old one has nearly run out.

I wanted to by the Cindy Lou Manizer Highlighing powder from the The Balm but by the time I had arrived at the shop they were all gone *sniff(!).  However I have been intrigued by this blusher as well and it was cheaper than the Manizer powders so I bought this as consolation.
The False Lash Telescopic mascara is something I've been interested in trying for a while and picking it up in the sale was as a good a time as any!

I bought these body products in the sale as well.  The Nurme Seep soap I had planned to buy in advance as they are great.  They are super natural, gentle on the skin and smell great to boot.  The Joik Green Apple body lotion was a random purchase.  I decided to test it out because it was on sale.  It smelt really nice so I bought a couple.  I will probably give one of them as a present!

I can't wait to test out all these new purchases and blog about them!  I hope you are having a good start to your week :)

Twirlybirdie :)

Autumn Outfit : Pull and Bear Faux Leather Skirt

Hello!  I had a bit of retail therapy last weekend and my mini-haul included this faux-leather mini skirt from Pull and Bear.  I also purchased a couple of basic jumpers from H&M which go with everything and are warm and snuggly.  I guess these were my first purchases for Autumn, brought on by the chillier weather.

When I spotted the faux-leather skirt in Pull and Bear I knew I had to have it!  I don't have anything similar in my wardrobe and have been wanting to wear something leather-esque for a while but never found the right way to pull it off.  This skirt shape  is something I would normally go for and the fact it was in the faux-leather fabric was a bonus.  It came in pale pink and black too.  I also really liked the pink version but felt the dark green was the most autumnal and unique.

Due to the plastic-y material there is literally no give in the waist band and I had to buy the skirt two sizes bigger than I would normally go for to feel comfortable!

I love the exposed metal zip in the back.

I also really like the ruched shoulder detailing on this cute dotty h&m jumper.  I think it sweetens up the slightly kinky skirt.

Now I have two autumn mini skirts that I love!  This one and my lilac sequinned one from Dahlia.  I think autumn fashion is taking the edge off the sadness of the end of summer and subsequent winter chill.  That and candles...and baths...and drinking hot drinks!