May's Blue Favourites

This month actually has been anything but blue! I had a few pinch me moments - firstly being shot by the incredible Rankin whilst wearing and having a peek at Essie's gorgeous new Gel Couture Range (heads up, they're incredible!) and then winning Fleur's Luxe Life competition, I mean, is this all really happening?! It's truly been a wonderful month!

The cooler, cosy rainy days mid-May meant that I was able to indulge in the occasional Lush bath, I've been obsessed with Intergalactic, it's my favourite bath time treat! This space inspired bath bomb is simply incredible, it smells divine, like sweet peppermint and transforms the bath into something reminiscent of the nights sky - with lustre vortexes and swirling neon galaxy's! It's such a pretty pick and packs a punch with twinkling gold glitter and twilight blue hues which I love, it really is a magical treat!

My H&M sunglasses have also been a top pick this month, similar to the ray-ban round sunglasses at just a fraction of the price, they're so flattering, ideal for summer too!

For the home, I'm still so in love with this ampersand print from Nouvelle Daily, it looks so pretty sitting on my bookcase, I've got my eye on the Happily Ever After print to buy next!

For beauty, the Liz Earle Botanical Shine shampoo has been a daily staple throughout May, it leaves me with silky soft, bouncy, just out of the salon feeling tresses. It's full of essential oils, fruit extracts and is SLS free and so gentle on the scalp. I've also loved using the Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo, it's perfect for clarifying and removing product build up from your hair!

With the changing weather wrecking havoc on my skin this month I've added La Roche Posay Serozinc to my daily routine. This soothing mist helps to keep breakouts at bay, I've been using this in the morning before my moisturiser and it's really helped to clear up my skin.

Lastly, on my nails I've been reaching for blue hues. I love wearing Essie Aruba Blue, a sapphire foil on my toes during the warmer months, I've also been pairing Essie Midnight Cami, a deep blue with twilight shimmer with Essie A Stroke of Brilliance as a glittery accent nail. Essie Maximilian Strasse Her is still a go to favourite at this time of the year too!

What were your favourite products in May?

A Summery Wishlist

Although it's still a little gloomy and rainy outside, summer must be on it's way soon so I thought that I would pull together a huge wishlist packed full of summery picks, floaty dresses and things for the home. There are loads of dreamy picks in stores at the moment - heavenly scents, cute tees and pretty home decor pieces, so many lovely things to choose from!
Hydrating/cooling misting sprays, dewy summer make up and studded nude pink flats are at the top my wishlist this summer, here are some of my summer picks:

What's on your summer wishlist?

Four Highlighting Picks For A Dewy Glow

I've been totally addicted to dewy, highlighted skin this spring and reaching for complexion enhancing, shimmering shades for a radiant, luminous finish. Here are four of my current favourite picks!

First up is an old favourite - MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft & Gentle, a dreamy, golden champagne highlighter that instantly awakens and brightens the skin with it's shimmery, luminous pigments. This is my go to for a instant glow, it's SO flattering and ideal for summer. You only need the smallest amount for dewy skin, I've had this pot for ages now and have hardly made a dent!

The NYX Born To Glow Liquid Illuminator in Sunbeam is the latest addition to my stash, mixed into your foundation or dotted and blended onto cheekbones, the brow bone and cupids bow this liquid pearl illuminator looks divine. Once set it's completely budge-proof and provides a subtle glow for a radiant flawless complexion. Layered up and paired with vampy lips this looks unreal, the pearl pink hue perks up lacklustre skin and gives a gorgeous runway glow.

For something a little more bold, the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal is my go to for an evening highlight. This shimmering golden peach shade is SO pretty and the texture dreamy - buttery, soft and so pigmented which makes application effortless. Just a light dusting is all that's needed for dewy skin, the soft peach tones are the perfect complexion pick me up!

Last up is the Sleek Solstice Highlighting Palette, I just adore this affordable palette. With four complexion enhancing, gorgeous hues, including two baked powders, one silky shimmer powder and one luxe cream highlight, this palette really is so versatile! I like to use the cream dabbed on and blended out with a finger for a natural highlight, the lilac shade is ideal for tired skin, one of the shades is a great dupe for Becca Champagne Pop too!

What are your favourite highlighters?

NYX Picks

I'm so happy that NYX are now available at Boots, Asos too (although I think Asos have stocked them for a while now?!). With so many pretty swatches online I armed myself with a list full of potential shades and headed to my nearest NYX stocked boots store to have a swatch and a peek at their collection.

The first thing that I picked up was the NYX Born To Glow Liquid Illuminator in Sunbeam. I've been after Nars Copabanana for a while now and this is supposedly a great dupe. Creamy, blendable and pigmented this liquid pearl illuminator is divine, once set it's pretty budge proof too! The shade is dreamy, a shimmering pearl with a hint of pink and a subtle sparkle to it, one to pair with vampy lips and flawless skin - ideal for autumn!

After hearing so much hype around the NYX Soft Matte Lip creams, I was excited to see what the fuss was about. After swatching and falling in love with almost every shade in the range, I narrowed it down to three picks.

First up is Cannes, a pretty rose and my favourite of the bunch, it's SO flattering - a great everyday shade. Next I picked up Copenhagen, a glorious burgundy that looks ideal for autumn and works beautifully with the Sunbeam Illuminator. Lastly I reached for Milan, a dreamy mauve pink that looks great for spring, its super pretty on the lips.

I can't rave enough about the NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams - the texture is unreal, pigmented, so creamy and soft - almost mousse like and comfortable on the lips. After a little while it dries and sets in place meaning that they stay put for hours, this can be a little drying but nothing a little balm dabbed on top can't fix! They also smell like vanilla buttercream, yum!

The colour range is pretty impressive, ranging from light nudes to dark vampy purples. I've already added a few more shades to my wishlist, a peachy pink like Antwerp looks gorgeous for summer and Transylvania looks perfect for Halloween!

Have you picked up anything from NYX recently? Is there anything I should try next?

H&M Sunglasses

H&M are hands down my favourite store at the moment, I love everything from their heavenly home decor to incredible accessories, I just can't keep away! After yet another visit, I fell in love with their sunglasses and ended up walking away with three pairs!

Aside from my everyday pair (shown here) the two that I'm the most excited about are these dreamy mirrored picks. They're SO similar to their Ray-ban Round Metal counterparts at just a fraction of the price - which makes me feel totally justified in buying both pairs, ...right?

The first pair that I picked up were these gorgeous duo chromed ones with a blue/purple/green toned tint to the lenses. I love the combination of the blue lenses with the gold frames, one for summer holidays, they're fun and so flattering!

I just couldn't resist the rose gold metallic pair too. The rose gold frames are beautiful, and they have a slight pink red tone to the lenses which looks so flattering on. I can't get enough of rose gold this spring and these mirrored sunnies are such a cute pick!

Here are a few more similar dupes, I adore those Accessorize ones!

New Home Details

I just can't seem to stop buying home decor at the moment! After yet another little H&M and Ikea spree, I think our flat is finally starting to come together. I've been working on replacing some worn/tired pieces along with adding a few new additions to our home too!

From H&M home I picked up a few essentials, fluffy new towels from H&M (pink for me, grey for Alex) and some trivets for the kitchen. I just love H&M towels, they're gorgeous, affordable and great quality! The pops of pink in my revamped bathroom have really brightened up the place, along with the gold details it has such a relaxing, luxe feel about it now. 

I picked up these whiskey style glasses from Ikea, I'm planning to use them for smoothies, fresh juices and mocktails on warm summer evenings. For now I've been enjoying an iced blueberry drink with sticks of apple, it's delish! They're the ideal size for sipping on a refreshing ice cold orange juice for a treat in the morning too! 

I couldn't leave Ikea without a plant, I instantly fell in love with this adorable hawthornia succulent - I've named him Stanley and popped him on my shelf for now, he fits in so well!

Crystals seem to be everywhere at the moment, they make a divine addition to coffee tables, bedside tables, shelves or bookcases. Whilst on a whirlwind trip to Chichester I stumbled upon an adorable little crystal shop and picked up two amethyst pieces to pop on my shelves and brighten up my living room. They look heavenly and the way that they reflect the light is beyond pretty - I'm already hooked, have you seen aura quartz? I'm in love!

Lastly, you may seen a peek at my new dreamy Oliver Bonas mirror in my latest dressing table post, I'm still so smitten with this hexagon pick, it's such a pretty piece!

Perky Spring Blushers

Although it's been raining pretty much every day this week, I thought I would share a few favourite seasonal blush picks this spring. I've been reaching for perky peach, coral and bright pink hues to give me a fresh flush on these gloomy spring days!

First up is my current favourite of the bunch, the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Diffused Heat. This dreamy coral blush is a heavenly pick, with swirls of radiance boosting ambient lighting powder it's ideal for adding a dewy glow. The soft, finely milled texture of this pigmented blush glides effortlessly over the cheeks, leaving a flawless, soft focus effect to the skin.

Next is the cult favourite Nars Orgasm, a gorgeous warm pink blush with a divine golden sheen. The texture of this brightening Nars blush is unreal, it's buttery soft, blendable and so pigmented. One of the most flattering blushes that I own, this pink peach blush brings a wash of light and warmth to the complexion.

For something a little more bold, Sleek's Pixie Pink seriously packs a punch with it's vibrant pink pigments. One to approach with a light hand, this bright pink hue gives a fresh, healthy flush to the cheeks. Paired with a shimmery highlighter it gives the perfect dewy, radiant complexion for a pretty spring glow.

My last pick is the divine Sleek Rose Gold blusher. Similar to Nars Orgasm, it's a dreamy warm pink with flecks of gold, although Rose Gold leans slightly towards more of a coral toned pink. This silky blusher perks up the skin with an impressive glow, it lasts all day and blends like a dream.

What are your favourite blushers for a perky spring glow?

A Mini Mac Haul

Having a little MAC splurge always feels like such a treat! Last week I added a few picks that I've longed for for a while now to my online basket. Here's what I picked up:

MAC Soar Lip Liner - I didn't expect to love this mid-toned pink brown hue as much as I do, it's such a flattering shade! I've been wearing this practically every day since I bought it, it looks ideal for autumn/winter too. I'm excited to pair this with and wear under MAC Mehr, it's the perfect pairing!

MAC Whirl Lip Liner - I finally caved and picked up this coveted shade (can I just have Kylie Jenner lips now please?!). I love the texture of these lip pencils, they're creamy and glide easily over the lips when first prepped with a little balm. Whirl is a gorgeous muted rosy brown that has a 90's feel about it - I've already added the lipstick version to my wishlist, it's such a pretty shade!

MAC Honeylust Eyeshadow - After a bid to revamp and fill up my MAC pro palette I thought I would pick up a new shade. After flitting between a few different hues I settled on Honeylust, a gorgeous peachy bronze with a hint of sparkle. It's such a versatile shade that works so well paired with bright lips for spring, soar lip liner or a vampy lipstick for winter!

MAC Pro palette and Insert. - I get so much use from my MAC quad but my Pro Eyeshadow Palette often feels a little neglected. After coming to the realisation that having the transparent cover on my MAC Quad was the reason for me reaching for it on a much more regular basis, I decided to upgrade my (very) old opaque pro palette and pick up a shiny new one. It's already made such a difference, I've rearranged my whole stash and now reach for it daily, I have 5 shades left to fill...which shade to pick up next?

Little Spring Luxuries

Fresher, lighter meals

Healthy eating seems almost effortless when it's light and sunny outside. It's so much easier to step away from heavy, comforting foods that are more suited to winter and move towards lighter meals on a bright spring day!

Huge punnets of strawberries, ice cold smoothies made with frozen crushed pineapple and coconut water, warm salads, berries, guacamole - there's so many lovely treats to snack on in spring!

Farmers markets are also great to visit at this time of the year, full of fresh produce, inspiration and seasonal picks, they're normally pretty affordable too.

Dewy make up 

Pulling out your highlighters, perky corals, bright pinks and dewy bases is always such a pleasure each spring. I've loved reaching for softer shades and swapping rich moisturisers and nourishing oils for something a little lighter! Popping on a coral pink lip, dewy highlighter or pastel nail polish is such a delight, it instantly freshens and brightens your make up!

Spring blooms

Whether it's spotting a tree in fresh bloom, getting caught in a whirlwind of blossom petal confetti or picking up a bunch of fresh flowers for the home, spring blooms are such a treat to boost your mood. Towards the end of Spring, peonies trickle back into stores, my absolute favourite flower, they really brighten up the home and smell divine!

Sun and showers
Although this season's weather tends to be a little unpredictable (sunshine one day, rain/hail/snow the next!) I love the ever-changing weather. You get the best of both worlds - mood-boosting sunshine with that vitamin D fix and also cold, cosy days where a hot chocolate or a Lush bath wouldn't go amiss!

Wearing lighter shades
I'm not normally one to gravitate away from my dark colour wardrobe picks but this spring has left me reaching for lighter shades, blush pinks and creams. Gorgeous airy white tops, floaty blush pink skirts, dresses and light grey camp's there's so much to choose from!

Here are a few of my favourite spring picks:

A May To Do List

1. Find the perfect Spring Jacket, preferably in a blush pink or light grey shade like this one.

2. Perfect a refreshing, ice cold smoothie recipe ready for summer. Something that's sweet, fresh and healthy with strawberries, lime or raspberries- Yum!

3. Treat myself to a few NYX products, the soft matte lip creams look dreamy!

4. Snap up this gorgeous scallop bikini after seeing it on the beautiful Suzie.

5. Have a little 'me' time - spend time colouring in, reading, practising yoga and pampering.

6. (Finally) Start watching Game Of Thrones.

7. Pre-order all the new Harry Potter books - The Cursed Child, Fantastic Beasts, Oh and the new Magical Places and Characters Colouring Book too! 

8. Splurge on this Bloom planter and fill it with pink flowers. It's so pretty and will constantly remind me of one of my favourite quotes - 'Bloom where you are planted'.

9. Get more sleep. Lighter mornings, early rising singing (or sometimes screeching!) birds and warmer nights all disrupt my sleep around this time of the year. I'm planning on pulling out my sleep mask and investing in the This Works Deep Sleep Spray for a better nights sleep.

10. Keep an eye out for peonies in store, they're my favourite flowers - I'm so excited for them to be back in season!

What's on your to do list for May?

What's In My Bag

Can we just take a minute to appreciate how dreamy this bag is - swoon! I don't think I've ever coveted a bag as much as I have this gorgeous Topshop number, everything from the luxe shape and blush pink lining to the gold detailing makes this my ideal bag. I snapped it up as soon as I could! The only downside is the clasp, the fact that it doesn't zip up or secure closed makes it not the most practical/safe pick. I've mentioned before that I prefer to carry around a small bag on an everyday basis and although I've been using this as my daily bag for now, it's really to replace my old Zara City bag so it'll mainly be used for car trips, quick trips to visit family and short train breaks away - which makes it the perfect fit!

I thought I would share a few things that I've been carrying around with me lately whilst I'm using it as an everyday bag. Aside from the essentials (keys, purse, phone) I carry around a few lip products, some sunnies and far too many rose gold accessories! 

This gorgeous Rose Gold Sunglasses Case was a steal from H&M, it's secure and study - my glasses don't slide around and it's a similar style to the Rayban cases which I love. My sunglasses are also from H&M, I think I've finally found a flattering shape and a pair that suits me. They're so simple and chic - I may have to pop back to H&M to look for a couple more pairs!
A few more rose gold picks include my blush pink pom pom keyring (similar here), this dreamy Accessorize card holder and my Layla headphones - so that I can listen to music or watch youtube videos whilst on the move!

For beauty, I always carry a nude liner to brighten up my tired peepers throughout the day. The H&M Soft Eyeliner Pencil in Pale Nude is perfect to pop on your waterline, it's creamy, stays put for hours and the packaging is beautiful!

I like to keep my bag quite minimal and so aside from the occasional loose bobby pin, cadburys wrapper or receipt it's fairly clutter free. I've also cut down on the amount of lip products I carry, narrowing it down to just three at the moment. The Nars Satin Lip Pencil in Yu is a spring staple, it's creamy on the lips, a gorgeous shocking pink and budge-proof. Another pick is the Charlotte Tilbury Kissing Lipstick in Coachella Coral, a dreamy coral pink that's ideal to perk up and freshen your make up on the go. Lastly, I can't be without a lip balm and the Korres Lip Butter in Quince is my current go to pick. I'm actually on the look out for a new balm, something that's nourishing, hydrating and that you don't have to dip your finger in the pot when out and about, the Nuxe Reve De Miel Lip Stick looks ideal!

What are your everyday must haves?

April's Pastel Favourites

April is my favourite spring month - full of blossoming tree's, pastel hues, new summery treats in store and the start of A/W previews online. Not to mention the cosy, showery days where a sip of hot chocolate, Lush baths and snug blankets can be a temporary thing again - I just love it!

As I tried to make April a sugar free month (bar a mini egg downfall mid-month) I created a healthy hot chocolate treat, mixing raw cocoa powder with hot almond milk and a dash of cinnamon. Surprisingly rich, chocolatey and only slightly bitter (which I actually love), this really helped to curb my sugar cravings and helped me to get my Sunday hot chocolate fix.

This gorgeous mint Riess enamel saucepan has made heating up my almond milk a dream, it's such a cute addition to my kitchen, I actually picked mine up in TKMaxx for around £7, as a hot chocolate lover it's such a treat to have!

This adorable pastel rainbow mug has also been the perfect match for my hot chocolates, it's huge - the ideal size for an ultimate indulgence. Plus it reminds me of rainbows and unicorns - heavenly!

My favourite accessory pick this month is this blush pink pom pom bag charm. It helps to add a little spring colour to my bag, it's so cute and fluffy too!

The mixture of April's cold, rainy days, hay feverish warm/sunny days and even the occasional snow shower (what?!) has left my skin quite parched and dry. The Lush Lemony Flutter buttery balm has been my saviour this month, treating dry patches and flaky skin with nourishing shea butter, mango butter, coconut oil and avocado oil. I honestly don't know how I survived without this multi-purpose balm, a little goes such a long way, it leaves me with silky soft skin and it smells divine!

For nails, I've been switching between Essie Cabana Boy, a soft pearl with a hint of lilac and Essie Mint Candy Apple, a fresh mint green. These dreamy shades are ideal for spring, I honestly can't get enough of Cabana Boy, it's such a pretty, delicate shade and so flattering on the nails!

Another beauty pick this month is the Topshop Lipstick in Innocent. This pastel pink lipstick looks incredible paired with a smudgy, smokey eye or winged liner. The formula of Topshop lipsticks are pretty impressive - pigmented, creamy on application and fairly long lasting too.

Lastly, I've been smitten with my bdellium tools brushes, these vegan, eco friendly brushes are some of my top picks. The 785 brush is heavenly, so soft and blends eyeshadows effortlessly. Another favourite is the 781 brush, it's tapered and so nestles into the crease and blends perfectly.

What were your favourite products in April?