July Favourites

How has another month passed already?! It seems like no time since I did my last monthly favourites! I'm just back from a holiday in Nice so that's obviously on the top of my July favourites - side note, watch this space for some travel posts! I'm going to give you a quick roundup of some of the things I've been loving over the past month (or longer). 

So, first up...skincare! Garnier's 'Moisture Bomb' range is a firm favourite of mine. The Moisture Bomb night cream is a light gel-cream formula that injects moisture into your skin. This is an extremely refreshing moisturise and perfect for Summer! Another is the Hydrating Mist. It's basically a moisturising spray that you can use throughout the day to add hydration to your skin - this would be ideal for the warmer weather. You can spray this over makeup but I love to give my face a quick spray before I prime my face for makeup, which has proven to work really well! This is almost like a dry spray, it absorbs straight into your skin!

Moving onto makeup, I wanted to try out Rimmel's new Insta Duo Contour Stick (I got the shade 'Light') and with such an affordable price I didn't know how this would turn out...I was pleasantly surprised. I tend to apply this just on my cheekbones; use a small amount for a subtle warmth or build it up for a more obvious contour. This blends really nicely and doesn't look harsh in any way. You can either use a beauty blender or your regular foundation brush which I find works really well. I don't love the highlighter end but for the price, the contour is great! I have rekindled my love for my MAC Extra Dimension eyeshadow in 'Smoky Mauve'. This is a light, shimmery purple and is stunning all over the lid. This is beautiful all year round but I particularly like it for a summery makeup look. The formula is buttery and has great pigmentation. 

Another makeup favourite is a base combination; the Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation with the Lily Lolo Mineral Foundation. These are both light coverage but applied together build up to a medium coverage. Together these create such a beautiful finish without looking cakey in any way! I've been looking for a good highlighter for ages and I have finally found the perfect one. This Nude By Nature highlighter trio is stunning. My favourite is the middle shade but they're all so wearable. These give the right amount of glow without looking glittery. I also used these on my eyelids for a really simple look and I loved the result!

Continuing with the beauty theme, my go-to fragrance this season has been DKNY Golden Delicious. Describing scents is really not my strong point but this is a sweet, summery scent with floral and fruity notes. The packaging is also stunning, in the signature apple shape. My final beauty favourite is fake nails. I was never a fake nails wearer as I thought they could look OTT and sometimes tacky, however when I discovered these I was converted! I attended an event held by Kiss Cosmetics and I got to test out their nails, as well as bring some home. They have such a wide range of either glue-ons or tape-ons. I've been using the glue on nails and they literally last over a week without budging; the glue is so strong! They have nails in lots of pretty designs whether you want a simple nude or dramatic glitter. 

Last but not least, a fashion favourite. Buckets bags are a trend that I really like; a stylish bag that will still hold just about everything. I'd been on the hunt for a long time until I came across this fabulous Zara one...this was £20! What a bargain! It's in a lovely blue shade with an amazing silver lining. For me, this bag is the perfect size and it has drawstring closures to keep everything safe. With the standard handle, this also comes with a long shoulder strap.

I thought this would be a quick list but I guess I just like a lot of things! What have you been loving recently?

The Makeup Tools You Need

Good makeup brushes and tools are essential to flawless makeup application. If I'm being honest I probably have far too many... I use lots of different types, however I'm going to break it down to the absolute essentials! 

Foundation Buffing Brush

This is the most important, it's the starting point. For foundation, I always use a buffing brush - mine is the Real Techniques Buffing Brush. This helps the makeup to blend seamlessly and get coverage all over the face!

Beauty Blender

This is an all rounder - it can be used to apply foundation or blend concealer in. The real Beauty Blenders are far too expensive for a sponge (in my opinion), instead I opt for the Real Techniques beauty sponge. This does the job perfectly! For even better results, slightly dampen the sponge to create a more dewy finish and prevent the sponge from absorbing the makeup.

Bronzer Brush

I like to use a bronzer brush that isn't too big, the perfect size to add bronze to the cheeks and temples without going overboard. A brush that is soft and not too dense is ideal. My favourite bronzer brush is by Isabella Scott, which can be hard to get hold off but you can find them in TK Maxx. I swear by this brush.

Blusher Brush

To add a little rosiness to your cheeks, you're going to need a blusher brush. You definitely don't want a brush that's too big, otherwise you end up looking like a tomato. A brush that's too small can be tricky as well, as it can look too precise. I go for a medium sized brush as it gets the right amount of product to provide a natural colour to the cheeks. 

Powder Brush

To hold your makeup in place or simply mattify your face, a powder brush is essential. To set under the eyes a small brush works well (Real Techniques Contour Brush) and for all over the face, a larger fluffy brush is perfect (Eco Tools Powder Brush). 

Flat Eyeshadow Brush

For applying colour all over the lid, I swear by a flat eyeshadow brush such as the Zoeva 232. This applies eyeshadow so easily and is super handy! 

Eyeshadow Crease Brush

This is my all time favourite eyeshadow brush, the Real Techniques 203 which I use for applying colours to the crease. You can also use this for the outer corner, it's such a practical shape!

Eyeshadow Blending Brush

To create that perfectly blended look, a blending brush is a must-have! I would recommend the Zoeva 228 brush for effortless blending that will give you a beautiful finish - and an edge-free look!

What are your essential makeup tools?

Fashion Wish List

I recently did a Beauty Wish List so I wanted to follow it up with a Fashion Wish List. There are some pieces on this list that I've been lusting over for a long time and some I've just stumbled upon as I'm scrolling through internet. I've included a range of clothes, shoes and accessories with a wide price bracket. Who knows maybe some day I'll own them all?! I'll keep dreaming!

Clothing

All Saints Cargo Leather Biker Jacket

For me, owning an All Saints leather jacket is my ultimate fashion goal, so someday I'll definitely be investing in one. They are beautifully tailored and the leather is amazing. My favourite is the 'Cargo' style; it has that biker style without being too bulky. This jacket would literally go with everything!

Needle & Thread Whisper Midi Dress

To be honest if I could have any dress from Needle & Thread, I'd be ecstatic - their dresses never fail to amaze me. However, this one is utterly beautiful with the moonstone blue colour, tulle skirt and insanely detailed, embroidered bodice.

Shoes

Chanel Espadrilles

These are a classic for Chanel, however very expensive for a pair of espadrilles. In the Ivory & Black shade, these are such a pretty and simple style that would go with just about every summer outfit. These are also adorned with the iconic Chanel logo.

Topshop Embroidered Heeled Sandals

I'm obsessed with embroidery, it's definitely one of my favourite trends. So, naturally when I saw these heels I fell in love. Coloured embroidery covers the black material and the result is stunning! From the ankle ties to the open toe design to the block heel, these would be perfect with a mini dress or a casual denim skirt.

Handbags

Givenchy Antigona

There are so many amazing designer handbags out there, but for me the Givenchy Antigona is such a classic and timeless style. Also, in the black shade it will go with everything and it will hold all of your necessary items without being too big. If you're going to spend a ridiculous amount of money on a handbag, you might as well get the wear out of it right?!

Chloe Drew Mini Leather Shoulder Bag

This one is not quite as practical as the one above, however the prettiness (is that even a real word?!) of it makes up for that! The combination of the leather and  the suede in the blue is stunning. Along with the gold hardware and chained shoulder strap; this is perfect for all seasons, day to night.

Accessories

Missoma Snowflake Agate Slice Necklace

Missoma is probably the most stunning jewellery brand and I'm dying to get my hands on something, however it's currently slightly out of my budget. This necklace instantly caught my eye, it's the most beautiful thing...EVER! A delicate, white stone encased in a beautiful gold chain. Each necklace is slightly different as the stones are hand cut.

Missoma Mini Lightning Charm Hoops 

Another stunning product from Missoma are these mini dagger earrings. The combination of the small hoops and mini lighting bolts, creates an edgy but delicate look. I just love the lightning bolt detail! 

That was quite a hefty wish list...what can I say, I'm an ambitious girl! 

Having Fun With Fashion

We've all seen the film Clueless right?! The scene in which Cher is picking her outfit through a virtual closet is every girl's dream! Well, 'Styled' by Trendage is an app turning that dream into a reality. This is an app that allows you to create your own avatar and browse loads of stores, enabling you to see how an outfit will look before you buy it. Genius! 

The concept is simple; you take a selfie, create your body shape, choose a hairstyle then get dressing! You can explore an array of dresses, shoes, tops, skirts from many different stores. The different stores include Topshop, New Look, Alexander McQueen, Pretty Little Thing and many more. If you like an outfit, save it and click the link that leads you straight to the website. For me, it reminds me of playing dress up as a kid...except far more sophisticated! Also, who doesn't want a personal shopping experience?

We've all ordered something online and been incredibly depressed because the dress you picked just doesn't fit the way it did on the model. Am I right?! The 'Styled' app is making a change in the fashion world. We no longer have to worry about how it looks on the website or whether the item will fit you. This encourages body positivity as it enables women of all shapes and sizes to love and have fun with fashion! Who cares if you have big hips? Or short legs?! This app has you sorted! E-Commerce has been given a new lease of life. 

Trendage's Co-Founder & CEO, Vineet Chaudhary says, "Our app is a natural extension for clothing decisions we make every day while standing in front of our closets or shopping retail stores. Today, both men and women mix and match apparel to create custom looks on their mobile devices." 

*I have worked alongside Trendage for this blog post. All opinions are my own. 

Chocolate & Peanut Butter Flapjacks

I'm back with another baking post! I found such a simple yet delicious recipe for flapjacks in a Tesco magazine (I know, very cool) and I thought I'd share it with you. I tweaked the recipe slightly and these flapjacks taste so good! They're super quick to make, with a very short list of ingredients - perfect! Also, incredibly moreish! The recipe will make 16 flapjacks, depending on how big you cut them.

Ingredients

• 125g Golden Syrup
• 100g Light Brown Sugar
• 75g Butter
• 75g Peanut Butter (crunchy or smooth, whichever you prefer)
• 300g Rolled Oats
• Pinch of Salt
• 75g Milk Chocolate Chips

Method

1. Preheat oven to gas 2 / 150 (deg. C) / fan 130 (deg. C). Grease and line a 9" square baking tin. 

2. Place butter, golden syrup, peanut butter and sugar in a saucepan. Melt until smooth. 

3. In a mixing bowl, combine oats and salt. Pour in the butter and syrup mixture and mix until oats are fully coated. 

4. Once the mixture is pretty much cooled, add the chocolate chips (this prevents the chocolate from melting). 

5. Pour the flapjack mixture into the baking try and spread it flat.

6. Bake for 15 - 20 minutes or until golden - unless, like me, you have an Aga in which case, just wing it! 

7. Let the flapjacks cool slightly in the tin then with a knife mark into squares. As an optional add-on, you can drizzle a small amount of chocolate over the top to make them even prettier. 

8. Once they have completely cooled, remove from the tray and enjoy!

The Ultimate Summer Playlist

One of the things that gets me super excited and in a summery mood is music. Listening to it on holiday, in the garden on a sunny day or just getting ready in the mornings. I've accumulated a list of songs that range from throwbacks to chart music to completely chilled vibes; creating 'The Ultimate Summer Playlist'. My favourites are definitely the throwbacks! What's on your summer playlist? 

The Throwback Summer Playlist 

Put Your Records On - Corinne Bailey Rae

On Top Of The World - Imagine Dragons

Valerie - Amy Winehouse

Naive - The Kooks

Mr Brightside - The Killers 

Dog Days Are Over - Florence & The Machine

She Moves In Her Own Way - The Kooks

Elvis Ain't Dead - Scouting For Girls

Mardy Bum - Arctic Monkeys

Island In The Sun - Weezer

Best Day Of My Life - American Authors

I Get Around - The Beach Boys

Footloose - Kenny Loggins 

The Chilled Summer Playlist

Bloom - The Paper Kites

It Gets Cold - Eliza & The Bear

Bright - Echosmith 

Hero - Family of the Year

Celeste - Ezra Vine

Roll Up Your Sleeves - Meg Mac

Monster Lead Me Home - Sara Hartman

Only Love - Tim Halperin

Follow The Sun - Xavier Rudd

Message - Patrick James

Home - Dan Croll

Fly Away With Me - Tom Walker

The New Summer Playlist

Light Us Up (ft Calum Scott) - Matrix & Futurebound

Hotter Than Hell - Dua Lipa

Love Me - The 1975

Best Fake Smile - James Bay

Closer - The Chainsmokers

Flashed Junk Mind - Milky Chance 

2U (ft Justin Bieber) - David Guetta

Despacito (ft Justin Bieber) - Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee

Symphony (ft Zara Larsson) - Clean Bandit

No Promises (ft Demi Lovato) - Cheat Codes

New Rules - Dua Lipa

 

June Favourites

I can't believe how long it's been since I've done a monthly favourites - too long anyway! As it's been so long, I've accumulated quite a lot of favourites. I guess we could call it a 'several-months-favourites'...that's a thing right?! Anyway, enough rambling! Here's a look at what I've been loving recently. 

Let's start with beauty, my favourite category. A lipstick that I've been completely obsessed with is Topshop's lipstick in 'Naturist'. This is the first lipstick I've tried from Topshop and I'm seriously impressed. It's so buttery and leaves a beautiful finish. It will come right off when you eat but for the price, I'm not going to complain! The best and only primer I've been using is the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer. This smooths over pores and prolongs makeup wear - it's amazing! For eyeshadow, I've been continually reaching for my Makeup Obsession Eyeshadow in 'Tawny' which is affordable and has great pigmentation. This is a perfect gold shimmer for day to night makeup! When it comes to eyeliner it can get a little stressful, especially if you're trying to achieve that 'perfect wing'. What I've been using is the Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner. It has a fine tip, making the wing a little easier. It's ultra back, waterproof and lasts all day! 

Moving onto fashion favourites. I got the most fabulous distressed, pink denim jacket from Zara (sadly out of stock, but similar here & here) and I have not taken it off! It goes with black or blue jeans (or white) and paired with a simple tee or cami, creates such a simple yet stylish look! I especially love the over sized fit of this jacket! Marks and Spencer have really stepped up their fashion game and my sunglasses are no exception. The frame looks so high end and I love the feline shape combined with the mirrored lenses! Another fashion favourite is my New Look bag. I rarely shop in New Look but I spotted this and couldn't resist. It's so perfect for summer with the palm print! It's also such a cute size and you can still fit all of the essentials in. 

For TV, there have been a few shows that have been up there on my list of favourites! The Returned on Netflix was a tense, thought provoking and intriguing show that almost had a Stranger Things vibe to it. It tells the story of a town where several people who have been dead for years, suddenly come back to life. Another one is Ackley Bridge, which is a drama based around a high school in Yorkshire, following the lives of both the teachers and pupils; Think Waterloo Road. I'm really enjoying the British drama 'The Loch'; British dramas are amongst my favourite things to watch and this one based in Loch Ness is no exception! The story is about a small village facing a serial killer. If you're not watching Love Island then what are you doing?! The reality show has come back this summer for more drama, gossip and 'love'. Who doesn't love a bit of trashy TV every now and again?