Anthropologie Wishlist / Home Inspiration!

As some of you may know Anthropologie is one of my favourite stores for homeware items. It's a bit on the expensive side, but they sell some truly beautiful items.

I have put together a few moodboards/wish-lists of all the things that I'm currently loving and to also give me a little home inspiration.

I've just been really into interior design at the moment, I love putting things together to make a room feel complete with quirky yet cool items. I find decorating and making my home look pretty really really satisfying. 

I suppose this connects with my collages/illustration work, I've just always enjoyed being creative and making use of space in a really fun but stylish way!

Emma Hardie Amazing Face Age Support Eye Cream | Review

I was running low of my all time favourite Origins Ginzing eye cream and so I decided to make a risky purchase online. Instead of getting another tub of Origin's Ginzing, which is full of brightening and de-puffing miracles... I decided to try out the Emma Hardie - Amazing Face Age Support Eye Cream (longest name in the world!) It was on offer on FeelUnique when I purchased it, but has now gone back up to full-price. 

Now, I've heard good things about Emma Hardie's skincare through other beauty bloggers but I've never heard anyone talk about the eye cream that goes alongside the 'Amazing Face' collection. 

First off, the packaging is absolutely gorgeous! It comes in a weighted plastic tub with a lovely golden lid. Then inside is a rich, nourishing formula - it's very smooth and really nice to use. And, it sinks into the skin nicely.

There are lots of natural oils in this little tub, morgina seed extract, evening primrose and rose hip, which are in fact great ingredients for nourishing and adding moisture back in to the skin. It also has Vitamin E which helps protect the skin against toxins and pollution. Hyaluronic Acid is also an ingredient in this tub which helps soothe and plump the skin whilst giving the skin elasticity and firmness.

There is also something called 'Matrixyl 3000' in the formula (which I've never heard of), which has been 'claimed' to stimulate faster collagen production into the skin, which reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Now, I'm not much of a worrier of wrinkles and fine lines at the moment, I know that using an age support eye cream states otherwise... but, to be honest, I just like trying new products and the real reason I actually purchased this was because it 'improves circulation around the eye reducing puffiness and dark circles.' And that's my main concern when it comes to getting an eye cream. I have really bad dark circles and they do get a bit puffy from time to time...

And yes, it does help reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness but it's no miracle eye cream.

Also, one thing I really don't like about this eye cream, is the smell. I'm just not quite sure what it smells like. But it reminds me of earthy-cheap-like products. If you know what I mean? I think if it had a nicer smell, I would possibly enjoy using it more.

At the moment, it's early stages to say whether I'll re-purchase this. I think it's going to be one of those products that I have a love/hate relationship with. And, I do actually prefer the Origin's Ginzing one, as it's a bit cheaper than this and I think it is better for brightening, reducing dark circles and puffiness. But I will continue using this day and night to see if it does change my mind and maybe I'll notice more of a difference over time... 

My new favourite toner | La Roche-Posay's Serozinc!

La Roche Posay's Serozinc has been one of those products that has been overly hyped about across the internet, and I finally caved in and bought it. I've been using it for about a month (day and night) and I wanted to share my thoughts on the product.

If you haven't heard of La Roche Posay's Serozinc. Well let me tell you... it's a toner-spray-bottle from France, it is REALLY hard to get hold of in the UK, but I found a company online called Escentual that stock it, it was £7.20, which I think is really reasonable for a toner, and so I bought one. Also, I know Boots stock some La Roche Posay items but I couldn't seem to find this toner when I went in to have a nosey.

Anyway, Serozinc is designed for oily, blemish-prone skin. Acne-prone skin too!
Now, I have combination skin that is sensitive and prone to breakouts. So I'm always a bit hesitant to try new products when I am already loving my current routine (previously using Origins Make a Difference Plus+ Toner, but was running out). And, I have to say, for more than half the price against the Origins one, I am loving the results so far.

I really enjoy the feeling of spraying this toner on my face after cleansing... after soaking into the skin for a few minutes, I sweep a cotton pad all over my skin to remove any excess dirt that is left over. It's very refreshing and calms down any redness or inflammation I may have. Also, it doesn't have a scent which is great because putting perfumed products on to the skin can cause irritation.

In case you're wondering the ingredients included into this little wonderful bottle are aqua/water, sodium chloride and zinc sulfate. All ideal and suitable ingredients to help banish oil and those pesky blemishes.

Overall, I am really glad I purchased this. Not only does it save me quite a bit of money from my previous toner, but it also has been calming my skin down and clearing my skin up. Excellent product and definitely worth the hype!

My Contour & Highlight Routine

Hi guys, I have been mixing things up a bit on the my channel. So, I thought I would do some 'routine' styled video's, and if you guys like them then I may do a 'morning skincare routine' and 'my every day makeup routine' and so on.

Anyway, here is my 'Contour & Highlight Routine' video. It's a step by step guide - a chatty, music montagey kind of video.

I am still quite new to contouring and highlighting, I am in no way in any shape or form an expert and I am not a makeup artist. But I thought I would just share with you what I put on my face and what I would do for my face shape and fair skin.

I don't do contouring and highlighting every day, this is just what I do when I go out in the evenings or if I'm going somewhere nice. I did my contouring quite thick and dramatic in some areas (cheeks mainly) because it doesn't usually show up on my camera. Normally it would be a lot lighter and not like 'Maleficent's' cheekbones (ha). Also, I probably should of tied my hair up as it was annoying me - fringe problems, aye!

H&M Home Inspiration & Wishlists!

I have created some mood boards of the things I love most and need in my house immediately.

H&M isn't somewhere where I would normally shop for home-ware items but they have some really gorgeous pieces in at the moment. I'm really loving the copper, marble and brassness. Just, love, love, LOVE everything that has these three things on them. Just gimmie them all please!

Z & J's Valentines day!

 (I didn't mean to blur Joe's face out... it was the lens... promise.)

I can't believe it's mine and Joe's 5th Valentine's day! We're not particularly big fans of the day... as we both feel that every day should be special, not just one day of the year...

Anyway, we still had a little plan set in place. We decided to stay at home and have some lovely home cooked meals. Not boasting or anything but these were some of the BEST meals we've ever cooked. Normally we have one exceedingly good meal, but all three were banging!

In the morning we made buttermilk pancakes with maple syrup with The LAWN's Rose Garden fruit tea on the side. We were so full from pancakes that we decided to give lunch a miss... However, we did demolish the dark sea salted caramel truffles from Charbonnel et Walker that I bought for us...

A few hours had passed and we were feeling pretty peckish again, so we decided to treat ourselves to a starter before our main. We made my favourite soup, french onion. We used Haste's Kitchen's recipe. And it was so good... I'm still day dreaming about it now.
And then for main we had rib-eye steak, boiled potatoes and a garlic, parsley butter sauce.
The steak was so tender and delicious, it was actually one of the best steaks I've had in a really long time (Kudos to Joey as he did his steak research). This steak was on par to the steak I had in Paris back in 2011. I really can't remember the name of the restaurant... but my god, it was amazing!
The only thing that didn't work quite as well were the boiled potatoes, I think sweet potato fries would of complimented the dish better. But still, that steak though... it blew my mind!

After dinner, we went to McD's for a cheeky McFlurry and then headed to the cinema for a late night showing of Fifty Shades of Grey. It was quite comical in some parts and I don't think it was terrible as a lot of people and critics have stated, but it wasn't outstanding or anything. Either way I enjoyed reading Fifty Shades of Grey and Fifty Shades Darker... I never did finish the last one, it wasn't as good I don't think. So, yes, obviously I wanted to see the film... and Jamie Dornan...

Anyway, I hope everyone had a lovely Valentines day, whether you're single or in a relationship, decided to stay in or go out, I hope you enjoyed it. And if you didn't... Pancake day is two days away, and that's something to look forward to!

Valentines Day Look | Golden Eyes & Red Lips!

As Valentines day is fast approaching, I thought I'd share a smokey golden eye/red lip combo with you guys. This is the look I'm sporting this valentines day and I hope you like it!

I'm wearing my favourite red lip at the moment which is MAC's Ruby Woo. And on my eyes is a combination of products... as a base I used Maybelline' Colour Tattoo 24hr eye cream in the shade 'On and On Bronze', and then applied 'Gold Coast' and 'Sunset' from my Soap & Glory Perfect Ten palette. And of course there has to be some winged liner involved. I just used my Rimmel exaggerate waterproof liquid eye liner which I've been using since I was 15! It's a goodun'.

I think the golden eyes and red lip combo works really well together. It has that (dare I say) 'sexy' appeal. I also feel that the shimmery golden lids will truly make you sparkle on the day!

My Evening Skincare Routine!

Hi guys, so today I wanted to share my evening skincare routine with you. I've actually always been a bit hesitant to do a skincare video, because for me, it's a very personal thing - you're getting up, close and personal on the internet, you're putting your bare face out there. And that really is quite terrifying.

I actually have huge amounts of respect for anyone who has put a skincare routine up on their blogs or up on YouTube, you are brave human beings! It's actually really nice to see that people are comfortable in their own skin. And, I also enjoy seeing what products people use, so I find these videos super helpful.

Anyway, for those who are curious, my skin-type is combination. It can be oily and dry, it changes all the time. My skin is also super sensitive and I am prone to break-outs, so I am extremely careful with what I put on my skin.

The products I've shown are doing wonders for my skin right now and I'm really happy with the current routine I have! I don't always use the Origins drink up intensive face mask as a 'night moisturiser', I use it once a week to re-hydrate my skin. I actually use the Origins Make a Difference Plus+ moisturiser on a regularly basis. And, I bloody love it!
Also if my skin is feeling particularly spotty there are a few additional products I will sneak into the routine too.

Anyway, I hope you find this video somewhat helpful and hope everyone has a lovely evening!

Spoilt Rotten, Thanks Guys!

If you have been keeping an eye on my blog, you will know that I have had an operation on my womb. I'm doing a lot better today, however I am really nervous about getting my stitches removed a little later on today... Eeek!

Anyway, I just wanted to do a little appreciation post, slash, a little reminder of how lovely everyone has been to me. I have been spoilt rotten with krispy kremes (my favourite doughnuts), teas, flowers, and boxes and boxes of chocolate! Sugar heaven!

I know I've said thank you a billion times, but thank you, thank you, thank you! You are all so wonderful and I'm so lucky to have you all in my life!