HIGHSTREET HAUL

I thought that I would share a few things that I've picked up recently, I found some lovely pieces in Primark and a rose gold travel mug that I just cant get enough of!

Pyjama Shorts: The pyjama shorts are from primark, I think that they'll be perfect for lounging around the flat on warm summer days. I picked them up in a size Small which is a 10-12 and they're pretty true to size. The material is so soft and the white lace trim detailing is so beautiful. 

Primark Sunglasses: I think these sunglasses look quite high end and they're so affordable at just £2. I find it so difficult to find sunglasses that suit me and these are great for now while I save up for a pair of these ralphs!

Primark Vest Top: I own a few of these lace trim vests, at £2.50 each they're a great staple for layering and are such a flattering shape. Primark have so many pretty shades of these available including a beautiful burgundy that I have my eye on next! I think they may only be around for summer as they have 'my summer vest' written inside them, i'll have to make sure to stock up on these!

Travel Mug: Lastly, I bought this rose gold travel mug from New Look, I'm not actually sure whether I'll plan to use it as a travel mug as the pot would look so pretty to store pens, make up brushes or even a little plant in. I can't find it online yet but I've spotted stacks of them by the tills in a few newlook stores!

APRIL'S BLUE FAVOURITES

We've had an unusually dry April this month and I've actually really missed the cosy rainy days. I've spent my April days snacking on blueberries (which are rich in antioxidants and vitamin c), taking my Lomography camera out to capture spring blooms and pairing my accessorize necklace (similar here) with thin grey knits.

Beauty:

Bumble & Bumble Sunday Shampoo: This is a recent repurchase for me, it's such a lovely clarifying shampoo that removes product build up, hard water minerals and pollutants. You only need to lather such a small amount through your hair to leave it feeling so clean and cleansed, it's such a lovely pampering product to use on Sunday evenings.

Essie Midnight Cami: I'm yet to completely embrace spring brights, still favouring darker shades on my nails. Essie nail polish in midnight cami has been on my nails constantly throughout April, It's a beautiful navy blue nail polish with a hint of twilight shimmer running through it. 

Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream: With notes of blackberry, pear, jasmine and blue wisteria, I've been spritzing this dreamy fragrance almost every day in April. The bottle is so beautiful and has been taking pride of place on my dressing table, see a full review here.

Origins Make a Difference Overnight Hydrating Repair Cream: This contains rose of Jericho, watermelon and rhodocrosie which helps to lock in moisture and repair the skin. I've been using this every night and it's really helped to diminish fine lines, keep my skin hydrated, plump and supple.

Gillette Venus Snap with Embrace Razor: I picked this cute razor up at half price from superdrug to take with me when I went away earlier this month. The plastic case and travel sized razor proved so useful and is something that I can keep to take away with me for our wedding and for any future holidays.

What were your favourite products in April?

MY FAVOURITE BRANDS FOR...

Eyeshadows: It was a toss up between Nars and MAC eyeshadows for me and although Nars wins on it's formulation and buttery smooth texture, MAC's shade range really stands apart. The colours available are stunning, pigmented and almost ethereal. MAC Naked Lunch and All That Glitters are two of my favourite shades and the only high end eyeshadows that I've hit pan on. Naked Lunch is a beautiful champagne pink with slightly peachy shimmer running through it and my all time favourite eyeshadow shade. See me wearing it here & here.

Shower Gel: There's something so appealing and whimsical about Lush shower gel's. Both Snow Fairy and It's Raining Men shower gel are two of my favourite Lush products, they keep the skin feeling silky soft and leave a lovely sweet lingering scent to the skin. Stocking up on Snow Fairy at Christmas is a must for me, the candy sweet pink glittery shower gel is such a treat to use.

Blusher: For me, Sleek blushers tick all of the right boxes. They're highly pigmented, long lasting, blend seamlessly onto the skin and the shades available are beautiful. Similar to Nars in pigmentation, longevity and even the shades, Sleek just tip the edge for me as they're so affordable for such great quality. Sleek Pixie Pink and Sleek Rose gold (swatched here) are such great everyday shades and Sleek blush by 3 in Sugar* is great to take away travelling with you and a perfect palette for autumn/winter. 

Nail polish: Essie has been my favourite brand of nail polish for a while now, the formula is so lovely, opaque in 2 coats and long lasting. The brush makes application so easy and the bottles are beautiful and look really pretty on my dressing table. Essie's glitter shades are just dreamy, especially Essie Summit of Style which is a rose gold/copper glitter and Essie A Cut Above, a pink glitter. See my full Essie collection here.

What are your favourite brands for these products?

WHEN YOU'RE HAVING A BAD DAY

Even with the most positive mindset I think that it's only human to have a few bad days every now and then. I've had my fair share of bad days recently, here's a few things I like to do to lift my mood:

~ Have a Lush bath - Avobath (which contains uplifting lemongrass and bergamot oils) is great for morning baths, Twilight (infused with calming lavender oils) for evening baths.

~ Paint your nails with Essie glitter.

~ Read Harry Potter/your favourite book.

~ Indulge on your favourite treat - strawberries, doughnuts, chocolate, macaroni cheese & pizza.

~ Look up at the sky/stars.

~ Breathe.

~ Watch this video.

~ ...or your favourite feel good film, for me it's The Holiday, every time.

~ Drink hot chocolate topped with cinnamon and marshmallows (I love these vegetarian ones)

~ Have a pamper evening.

~ Write a gratitude list - 10 small everyday things that you're grateful for.

~ Exercise - even if its dancing along to the radio with the curtains closed!

~ Go outside.

~ Or stay in and get lost on Pinterest for hours.

~ Build a fort and fill it with fairy lights.

~ Watch Friends, laugh a lot.

~ Call someone.

~ Remember this - nothing is/has to be permanent. 

What are your tips for a bad day?

A NEW SPRING SCENT - MARC JACOBS DAISY DREAM

I've been lusting after Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream for the longest time now, it has the most beautiful bottle scattered with little daisies and I've read countless positive reviews about the scent. I couldn't contain my excitement when I found Daisy Dream nestled on my pillow as a surprise and such a thoughtful gift from Alex, I spritzed it on straight away.

With notes of blackberry, jasmine, blue wisteria, pear and coconut water, it's such lovely scent that's perfect for spring. I normally gravitate towards sweet or spicy scents but this floral, fruity fragrance is  just beautiful. It has a slight hint of musk and smells delicate, warm, airy and light.

I wore Daisy Dream to a spring wedding and I can imagine that it will also be such a perfect scent for dining al fresco on light spring/summer evenings. It's breezy and girly yet slightly sophisticated making it also a great all round fragrance for everyday wear. 

Aside from the incredibly dreamy bottle which has taken pride of place on my dressing table, this has to be one of the nicest perfumes that I own. It's not overpowering on the skin and lingers for hours. It's my new favourite fragrance for the warmer months and will be a definite repurchase when I finish this bottle!


Have you tried Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream?

WHAT'S ON MY DESK THIS SPRING

Here are a few things that have been on my desk this spring. I've added some decorative touches to brighten up the space and I've switched out the darker winter shades for something a little more bright and colourful.

Rifle Paper Co Cards: I picked up a few of these beautiful cards in Waterstones, I've been looking for some pretty postcards to pin up and they're such lovely designs. I love the way that they look on my wall, I just need to get some nice frames or pretty washi tape for them now!

Jo Malone Perfume Sample Cards: After visiting a Jo Malone counter for the first time last weekend I came away with three scent sticks that I misted with Nectarine blossom & Honey, Blackberry & Bay and Wood Sage & Sea Salt. I've fallen in love with the Wood Sage & Sea Salt cologne, its such a fresh scent and different to any other perfume that I own!

Berries: My current favourite snack, I always try and have some berries in the fridge as they're packed full of antioxidants, vitamin C and fibre. As the weather gets warmer I like something sweet, light and fresh to snack on throughout the day and I just can't get enough of strawberries, blueberries and raspberries at the moment.

Caudalie Beauty Elixir: This refreshing spray contains organic balm mint, rosemary, grape, rose and orange blossom to smooth the skin and give the complexion a burst of radiance. I've been spritzing this on my skin daily to help give my skin back a healthy glow after the dull winter months.

Essie Cute As a Button Nail polish: This pretty coral pink nail polish is one of my favourite shades, it's been brightening my nails and desk this spring.

Nars Satin Lip Pencil in Yu: A slick of this dreamy blue toned pink lipstick brightens up any make up look and has been close to hand on my desk this month. It works so well for the warmer months and can be worn as a bold pink lip or dabbed on and rubbed in as a pretty pink stain to the lips. See it swatched here.

What's on your desk this Spring?

FIVE THINGS I'VE BEEN READING THIS WEEK

1. Cameron Diaz The Body Book: I've flicked through this book countless times in Waterstones and after spotting it for only £4 in The Works I snapped up a copy straight away. It's full of interesting and detailed information about nutrition, fitness and the body. I love Cameron and I've learnt so much from this book already, I can hear her voice in the way that it's written, it portrays such a positive message and I find myself nodding along as I'm reading!

2. The Selection by Kiera Cass: I've nearly finished the whole series in less than a week. It's completely captured me and I've found myself reading into the early hours just to find out what happens next! The book is a captivating dystopian fairytale about 35 girls competing to win a Prince's love, it's a really easy and enjoyable read.

3. Blogs – I've been making Nouvelle Daily's delicious and creamy banana ice cream flavours, getting Honeymoon inspiration (and serious Wanderlust) from reading Rosie's Maldives posts and I've been lusting after the Christopher Kane for Nars collection (especially the outer limits eyeshadow!) on temptalia.

4. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – I'm just re-starting the third (and probably my favourite) book of the series; Sirius, Animagus, Firebolts, Hippogriffs and Time turners ♥

5. The Glam Guide by FleurDeForce – This is a great guide that's full of amazing beauty, fashion and lifestyle tips. It's such a nice coffee table book that's packed with so much information. There's everything from beauty ingredients, make up guides and fashion tips to smoothie recipes and to how to read your dreams. 

What have you been reading this week?