Showing posts with label Accessories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Accessories. Show all posts

Tuesday, 20 March 2012

Mothers Day - Sunday 18th March

Mothers day for me this year was so special as it was my very first one as a new mother.  Phil and Olivia certainly made it a very special day for me.  The day started off perfectly with my husband and daughter waking me with me a card and a cup of tea.  The of course there was the present.

For a long time now, I wanted to buy a new camera so that we could take instant pictures of Olivia especially as she's growing up so fast.  The delay on our current Sony Cybershot was so long that we couldn't ever seem to capture Olivia smiling as she moves too quickly.  We'd been on the hunt for a while now to try and find a camera but we couldn't seem to find the right one.

Phil decided to take me shopping on Saturday to choose one.  He had picked out two that he thought I would like and this is the one that I went for, the Panasonic Lumix FZ48.  We bought it from my favourite department store, John Lewis as the customer service there is always excellent.  They didn't have the memory card we wanted, but we wanted to take pictures on the Saturday as Olivia had her first birthday party to go to and we also wanted to take pictures on Mothers Day.  John Lewis were great as they agreed to give us a memory card free of charge so that we could use the camera straight away.  Phil always says if you don't ask, you don't get, and in this instance he was right.

I don't know a lot about cameras.  I know enough to get by eg: how to use the settings etc, but I'm not a photographer by any means so I didn't need a really fancy one.  This one seemed to do everything I wanted, for example it takes instant shots, has a paparazzi setting, is fully HD, allows you to video, as well as having various scene settings for different effects.


It has a 24x optical zoom which allows you to take excellent close ups from across the room.


We even bought a really sturdy Lowepro protective case for it.


The only downside that I have come across so far is that the instruction manual is on a disk which is a bit of a pain especially if you want to look something up quickly.  There is a quick guide included but for some things it is a little too brief but it's enough to get you started so you can take pictures.  Also if you are not careful, you can sometimes catch your fingers when the zoom retracks automatically without warning, but I remembering that the more I use it.

My family mean the world to me and as it was Mothers Day it was really important for us to spend time as a family and for us to see my mum and Phil's mum.


It was also Phil's sisters birthday on the 19th March so I had a busy weekend making cupcakes for both our mums as well as for his sister's birthday.  This is the first time that I have made vanilla cupcakes with a vanilla butter cream and I really enjoyed making them and I can't wait to make more.  I've recently bought some excellent cook books for baking cakes and biscuits.  I have a feeling that this might start becoming a regular event in our house.  Although the dusting of icing sugar that seemed to coat the whole kitchen might become a little frustrating after a while.


How did you celebrate Mothers Day?  I really had a wonderful day and I wouldn't change anything about it.  At least Fathers Day isn't until June so it will give me plenty of time to plan something very special for Phil.

Friday, 24 February 2012

What's in my everyday makeup bag?

This is the makeup bag that I carry with me on a daily basis.  I do not keep a full face load of products with me, just a few items to refresh my makeup if I need to.  The current contents listed below were the items that were present in my What's in my handbag post. No items were added or removed, so this is a true reflection of what I carry with me (which is probably too much!). 

Mac Makeup bag from the Graphic Garden Collection
(Bought in San Francisco in 2009

The picture and list below shows you the content in more detail.  The majority of these products always remain in my makeup bag.  The only items that I change are the eye liners I use and the lip products and these tend to vary on a daily basis depending on what kind of look I am going for.


Starting from the top:

Estee Lauder Pure White Linen in Light Breeze 4ml: This is my signature summer scent, however I always leave it in my makeup bag as on the odd occasion I have forgotten to put perfume on (which I hate to do) and this sample means that I can quickly spritz some on me where ever I am.

Freedent Chewing Gum: I don't have chewing gum all the time, but again this is something that I like to have with me just in case I need to freshen my breath.

Gosh Velvet Touch Eye Liner in 006 Bananas: This is such a pretty light gold colour which I often use as an inner corner highlight, especially if I am wearing gold/bronze shadows.

3 Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils in Yeyo (white), Bourbon (brown with gold shimmer), Zero (black): These eye liners by Urban Decay are my all time favourite as they last all day long without smudging.  They also come in an array of colours.  I bought mine in a gift set that contained 5 or 6 different pencils so it is worth keeping a look out for these if you are interested in trying them.  I use the white eye liner as an inner corner highlight and the brown and black tend to go with the majority of makeup looks.  I usually just line the outer half of my lower lash line (if I line the whole lash line it tends to make my eyes look to closed and small).

Benefit It Stick: This is a pencil concealer (I shade fits all) that I use to cover any blemishes or redness throughout the day.  I like that it is small so it doesn't take up much room and it is really creamy so it is easy to apply.  Sadly I can't seem to find it on their website so it's probably been discontinued (something Benefit do a lot which is most annoying), but you still might be able to find it on Ebay or Amazon.

Mac Select Moisture Cover Concealer in NW20: This is my under eye concealer although I do sometimes use it to cover redness and blemishes as well.  If I am out and about all day and not heading home, I like to have this to refresh under my eyes so I look a little brighter.  It is really creamy and very easy to blend which is important as the skin around your eyes is so delecate that you don't want to damage it.

Sigmas travel lip brush:  I love Sigma brushes and I bought mine over a year ago as part of the Premium Professional Kit from their Website in America.  Unfortunately you can't buy this brush individually at the moment, however you can now buy some of their brushes in the UK from Love-Makeup.

Kirby Grips & Hairclip: I have very long hair and sometimes (if I have a side parting) my hair really annoys me and gets in my eyes so I like to hair a few hair grips with me so that I can clip it out of the way especially if it is windy outside as I don't want my hair getting stuck to my lipgloss.

Saline solution: I keep a few capsules with me at all times as I wear contact lenses and sometimes my eyes can feel a little dry, especially if I have been wearing my lenses for a while.

Vicks Inhaler Nasal Stick:  This might seem like a random product to have in my makeup bag but as you may have realised by now, I like to plan for the inevitable.  So many times I have been rescued from a blocked/stuffy nose at work by remembering that I had this with me.

Nail file:  Not sure what brand this is as it was a present.  I always have a nail file with me as there's nothing more annoying than having a chipped nail and I know that if I don't file it immediately I will keep picking at the chip making it a lot worse in the process.  One little tip - make sure that you get a nail file that comes in a sleeve - I stupidly didn't once and I had it in my bag and it scratched some of my things.  I was very upset!

Benefit Eye Bright: This is a instant eye brightener which comes in a milky pink shade.  I often apply it as an inner corner highlight or to line my lower waterline which helps to brighten your eyes, especially on those days when you are feeling rather tired.

L'Oreal Paris Super Liner Carbon Gloss in Carbon Black: I cannot say enough good things about this product - it is my favourite liquid eyeliner of all time and it is always in my makeup bag.  If I have been out all day, by refreshing my eyeliner (especially the little flicks that I like to do at the outer corner) I never feel the need to reapply my mascara as the eyeliner seems to make my eye makeup look as though I have just done it.  L'Oreal also do the same liner in Silver Black and I like to use this colour if I want a softer look on the eyes.

Mac Lustre Glass in Pinkaret:  This is a beautiful pink lipgloss with gold shimmer and I usually like to wear this in the summer months, but lately I have been applying this over my Mac Tinted Lip Condition for a more glossy finish.

Clinique Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss in Grapefruit:  This is a sheer pink lipgloss that is extremely moisturising on the lips and perfect if you want to add a little colour and gloss to the lips.  I got this product free when I ordered some Clinique products via their website.

Plasters:  These often become more used in the summer months when I start to wear pumps on my feet as no matter what I do I always seem to get a slight blister on my heal.  I have learnt that rubbing Vaseline into the backs of shoes helps and it does, but you never know when you might be in need of a plaster so I always keep a few to hand.

Carmex Moisturising Lip Balm:  I really like Carmex as a lip balm and this is probably my favourite for moisturising dry lips.  It is also handy as it comes in a squeezy tube and it is not as big as some of the tins that you can buy.  At first I didn't like the smell (sorry - not sure how to describe it, I guess it reminded me of playdoh) but I now quite like it.

Mac Tinted Lip Conditioner in Petting Pink:  This was in my January favourites and still is one of my favourite products I use especially as it has an spf 15.  It has a slight vanilla scent (like most of Mac products) and it really leaves your lips feeling smooth and kissable whilst adding a nice tint to the lips.  Definitely a product that I will continue to repurchase in the future.

Hairbands:  I carry these for the same reason I carry hair grips and that is because my hair often gets in my way.  Especially if I am carrying Olivia as she is just starting to grab things (my hair being one of them).  No matter where I am, these hairbands (which prevent snags) mean that I can quickly tie back my hair if I need to.

Laura Mercier Hand Cream in Creme Brulee:  This product can also be found in my January favourites.  During the Winter months my hands have been a lot dryer so I always make sure that I keep hand cream with me.  It also means that my nails stay in better condition too.

That is everything!  Like I said at the start, the majority of the items above can always be found in my makeup bag.  It is usually just the lip products and perhaps eye liners that change.  I don't carry a pressed powder with me as my skin isn't oily and my foundation tends to stay in place all day.  I also don't bother with blushes and it would mean that I would need a brush which would take up more space.  In the summer months, occasionally I might carry a cream blush with me as that can be applied with my fingers but my cheeks are quite pigmented anyway and my blusher usually stays in place (I always use Mac's Cream Colour Base in Hush underneath my blushes so that helps them to stay put).

What do you carry in your makeup bag?  Leave a comment below and subscribe for future makeup related posts. x






Monday, 20 February 2012

What's in my handbag?

Whenever someone holds my bag they always ask what I have in it as it is so heavy.  I don't think that it's that heavy, but I do carry quite a lot with me as you never know what you might need.  That and the fact that I can never be bothered to have a good clear out.
Well, today was the day when I thought enough was enough and finally I would have a look at what I have been carrying around with me for so long.
So here it is...my handbag and it's contents!

Before people judge me for having a Louis Vuitton, I want to state that I do not have lots of designer things, in fact I had wanted a LV bag for a long time and this was a first year anniversary present from my husband.  I love this bag so much and it is my pride and joy.  It is a Speedy 30 (in Monogram Canvas) which is the perfect size for me, I found the next size up to be too big, especially to use on a daily basis, whilst this one is just the right size for everything I want to have with me.

 The following picture is an overview of the contents of my bag and as you can see I carry an awful lot of "stuff" around with me on a daily basis.  Before you see inside, let me just say that this was not planned and the contents below is a true reflection of what's in my bag - I did not remove or add any items  - what would be the point! 

 So this is what I'm currently carrying around with me - a tad too much I think - but if it fits, then why not!  Let's have a closer look.  I've broken the contents up so you can see the contents in more depth.
  

  • Hall Soothers Throat Sweets in Cherry flavour (not my favourite but I had a sore throat recently and I was desperate), plus a wrapper
  • Car key
  • 10p in change - not sure why this was loose in my bag
  • Freedent chewing gum - only one left
  • House keys - also has a mini torch and a Disney key ring
  • iPhone 3GS (looking rather dirty) and phone case
  • Dior mirror (inside pouch)
  • Weight Watchers Gold Membership card

  • Mac Makeup bag (Graphic Garden collection, bought in San Francisco) - contents to be shown in a future post
  • Kleenex Balm tissues - my favourite as they don't hurt your nose
  • Old shopping list
  • Receipt
  • One of Olivia's toy rattles - just in case she wants to play
  • Muslin cloth - for those sick moments
  • Sainsburys coupon
  • Hair clip
  • Mac zip purse  (Graphic Garden collection) - contents in a picture below

  • Curtain hooks - we're putting up blackout curtains in Olivia's room
  • Olivia's booties - they never stay on her feet
  • Weight Watchers Eat Out guide - so I can try and keep to my diet if I eat out
  • Louis Vuitton purse - Zippy Wallet in Monogram Canvas
  • Receipt - JoJo Maman Bebe
  • Compact hairbrush/mirror
  • Glasses & case
  • Little Brown Bag zip purse - contents below

  • 3 pens - don't know why
  • Weight Watchers Strawberry Hearts and Mint Humbugs (2 points for the whole box)
  • Antiseptic throat spray - I've had a sore throat
  • Glasses - cheap pair from Accessorize
  • Weight Watchers points calculator
  • Prescription ticket
  • Mini Nivea deodorant
  • Contains car key for our other car and loyalty cards for Tesco and Sainsburys
  • Keys for my parents house
  • 2 pairs of spare contact lenses
  • Saline drops
  • Kirby grips
  • Hair clips
The picture below shows the layout inside my Louis Vuitton Zippy purse (this was a birthday present from Phil).  I love this purse as it can hold so much.  It can hold 12 cards although I tend to double mine up in places.  It has an additional sections behind these on both side as well as a zipped compartment for coins in the middle and another section where you can put notes.  It can also hold my iPhone, so you can use the purse as a clutch on nights out - which is one of the reasons why I wanted this one.  It has the same Monogram Canvas pattern to match my bag.
So that is the contents of my bag.  Like I have already mentioned, nothing was added or removed so this is a true reflection of what I carry around with me on a daily basis.  There is a lot of items I know, but I always like to be prepared just in case I might need something.  I would like to reduce the amount of things I carry, especially as Olivia is getting heavier to carry, this bag isn't really ideal.  But I see this bag as an investment and something that I will have for a very long time.