YSL Lipstick

Here it is!

One of the beauty-world's most fashionable and stylish lipsticks by Yves Saint Laurent, and I was lucky enough to be treated to one by my darling husband.

At £24.00 this is an extravagant purchase for me, I usually stick to drugstore brands rather than the designer labels, but I've admired this lipstick for such a long time and was desperate to try it out. 

Set in a metal tube with a gold finish, with YSL's name emblazoned on the side, it screams style and sophistication. It reminds me of the lipsticks my mother wore, although they probably only cost a few £'s back then, I knew they were special because my mother hardly ever wore lipstick, it signified a special occasion, which is probably why seeing lipsticks make me giddy!

(I'm rambling)

I chose colour No13, which is brighter than it looks, a gorgeous coral tone!

It glides on beautifully and feels so moisturing, almost oily, on the lips. I was told, by YSL's MUA, that the lipstick is packed with essential oils that promote healing in the lips.

Upon application, I could see why.

The colour was bright and went on smoothly, I was absolutely delighted with it, 

until...

Excellent.

I've paid £24 for a tinted lipbalm.

The colour faded after 20 minutes, slowly disappearing into my lip line, after 30 minutes, it ended up looking like a cheap lip-liner.

I did some poking around and found that a lot of beauty-gurus have complained about YSL's lipsticks doing this, I kicked myself for not researching before purchasing, but for £24 you expect some sort of quality!

I am totally disappointed and I don't think I'll be buying another. They look so beautiful and the lipstick itself sits on my dressers, taking pride of place, purely for aesthetic reasons.

I shouldn't have to pay that sort of money for a lipstick that needs to be re-applied 10+ times a day when I could have bought 4 drugstore lipsticks that have the durability of a stubborn ox, that take a pack of wipes to get off!

So there you have it, in this case, more means less!

Love,

Laura xxx

App of the Month!

I was Vegan for a year before I fell pregnant with my daughter, for personal reasons (I vomited up everything I ate) I reverted to Vegetarianism, but now I feel myself edging toward Veganism again. 

I miss the way it made me feel, yes a big bar of milky chocolate makes me feel good... whilst I'm eating it, but it's nothing compared to the feelings I got ALL the time from eating fresh and healthy foods...

Especially food that is cruelty-free, but that's a discussion for another day and another blog post.

I spied this app whilst flicking through recipe recommendations on the app store, the hot pink avatar did well to attract my attention, as did the cheery chirpy face of Sarah Kramer holding a bowl of my favourite fruit of all time!

Whats more, it was free, and I do enjoy free things!

The first thing I loved about this app is how neat and well designed it is. 

The bar across the bottom helps you to navigate from the meal you fancied, to specific recipes, videos and any files you wanted to save as your favourites.

There's even a handy little button you can click to add all of the ingredients from a particular recipe into a little shopping list for you that you can take to your supermarket, rather than having to write down and lug around a huge separate list.

The recipes themselves are laid out in such a way that makes reading the a delight. 

Bright, captivating pictures of the dish immediately make me want to lick the screen. This soup looks amazing!

Sarah adds little recorded notes into each recipe, to give extra tips, the lists are clear and even link to separate recipes on how to make your own flavorings, butters etc.

Even if you're not a Vegan, or even a Vegetarian, I encourage you to download this lovely app. It's full of such delicious healthy recipes, that would suit the budget and waist-line of any health conscious soul, or penny-pinching dieter.

I wish I had more time to cook all of these recipes, but I will be slowly making my way through this app, throughout my transition back to Veganism!

Love,

Laura xxx

Retro-Baby!

The retro/pin-up style depicts romance and kookiness! 

Big animated eyes defined by dark liner and bold bright lips make a proud statement, whereas soft delicate blush and gentle eye makeup creates a whimsical and romantic illusion.

After researching tonnes of photos of people in 'Pin-Up Era' make-up we decided that the rusty reds and muted nude lipsticks we had set aside were not going to be up to scratch for this blogpost.

So, after a quick mooch around Boots, a few new purchases were made...

Bourjois: Rouge Edition- No10

Rimmel: Apocalips
MUA: Lip Liner- Red Drama

Such vibrant, retina-burning reds!

My lovely friend, Lara, achieved this gorgeous look by wrapping a headband around her head and then tucking her loose curls into it, she pulled out a few tendrils at the front to get this beautiful glamorous style. 

As it will soon be festival season, this hairstyle would look amazing with some flowers woven into it to bring out your inner hippie!

Bright lipsticks are a must when going for a retro look.

I am wearing a brilliant new foundation by MUA, 'Undress Your Skin', a random purchase of mine this morning, it covers and blends so well, I will definitely be buying more!

Lara is wearing Rimmel's Apocalips, the colour was amazing and really clung to her lips, the only (hilarious) downside is the amount of product that ended up on poor Lara's teeth. No matter what we tried there was always a few splodges of the sticky lipgloss-style product on her teeth. Not a great look for clubbing, or for a date! 

False lashes, high arched eyebrows, bright lips and big bouncy hair are the key ingredients for recreating this fun look. The lighter the foundation and powder, the better. Anything to achieve  flawless skin, so the attention is bought to the eyes and the lips, is a must.

This is such an easy look to create and would be great for the Summer!

Love,

Laura xxx

Birchbox

Last month was the first month I reviewed Birchbox, it was packed full of amazing high-end beauty product samples (that have lasted well into this month). I raved about it so much and really hoped that the next box would be just as good, so I didn't have to eat my words.

It did not dissapoint!

The products in this month's box are based around London Fashion Week, from catwalk makeup to VIP hair products, this box gives you a little taster of the glamour that is LFW.

As usual, the cardboard box arrives in a larger shockingly pink box that always gives my Postie a much needed wake-up boost! I'm enjoying collecting the little pink drawstring bags that the products come in, they are currently being used as homes for all of my cotton wool pads and buds!

The first product is this fluorescent orange packet containing an invigorating nutrient-packed drink to give you a little wake-up shake when you're flagging from all of the walking around you've been doing at LFW... or, if like me, all of the walking you've been doing round Tesco looking for Orzo rice!

The drink is scrummy, it would be hard for me to only drink a small amount of this! 

I was excited to pull this beauty out of the box, I consider a 50ml sample size rather generous! This shower gel smells divine. Upon unscrewing the bottle my eager nose picked up Guava, Almond undertones and Aloe. I can't wait to use this as a pick-me-up in the morning. 

I was so excited (and surprised) to see an eye-lash curler nestled amongst all the products. I have been putting off buying a curler for years, I didn't see the point in using one, they looked scary and I always thought there was an imminent danger of them snapping your eyelashes off.

How wrong I was.

Suddenly, it looks like I'm wearing false lashes and I can see the full benefits of my mascara!

Anything that helps me achieve a professionally blow-dried look is welcome inside my Birchbox! Last month I was given KMS California's volumising spray and I can't rave about it enough. I've been using it every other day and the sample bottle isn't even half empty!

As a new Mum who definitely does not have the time to blow dry my hair with rollers, I will jump at the chance of using a product that helps me achieve that look.

A nice little extra came in the form of Gerda Spillmann's Bio-Fond Cream Make-Up, and it really does feel like cream!

I imagine that this would give you beautiful coverage, the shade is slightly too dark for my fair skin, so I've taken to using it as a contour.

It glides onto the skin with minimal effort and leaves it with a powder-like finish.

Lastly, Vichy's Thermal Spa Water is a refreshing facial spray. It moisturises and sets your makeup and is one of those must-have items for your bag whilst you're on-the-go.

(There's no picture because I accidentally deleted it and by the time I noticed the natural lighting had gone away, so any subsequent photo would have looked sub-par, so here's a link!)

I am thoroughly enjoying my subscription to Birchbox, the £10 a month subscription fee is more than reasonable, I seem to be getting such amazing products and am genuinely giddy with excitement every time I open a new box!

I cannot wait to see what's inside next month's box!

Love,

Laura xxx

OOTD

I was a bit apprehensive about doing this Wintery OOTD post seeing as I had a baby 11 weeks ago and my body-shape has changed dramatically, but then I love this ensemble too much not to blog about it!

I was pregnant from mid-February last year up until the end of November so last year was full of leggings and long tops as well as maxi-dresses, there were so many items of clothing that got put away and forgotten about... Until now!

 I treated myself to these heels about a month ago when I saw them on missguided.co.uk and absolutely love them. I'm pretty apprehensive about wearing them on a night out as I'm not entirely sure if bouncers will be super-happy about me sporting what could be considered a weapon on my feet. The spikes are super-sharp! They're surprisingly comfy as well as being sturdy and well-made!

I'm so pleased that I remembered I had this faux-fur gilet. It's really cozy and warm and super-soft! It goes really well with long sleeved tops, in any colour. 

I bought these jeans just after I found out I was pregnant, thinking that I would stay a size 10 for at least another couple of months!... wrong! I started to show when I was about 8 weeks pregnant, so these never got worn. 

I wore these to a friend's house the other day and it was nice to feel like I was wearing something new!

I love this little Owl ring from Topshop, I don't tend to wear a lot of jewellery but statement rings happen to be my favourite!

On my nails I'm wearing Essie's 'We Can Do It!' which is the lightest pink I've ever seen! Haha!

Even though Winter is drab and boring, your clothes don't have to be. Now that I seem to be slimming down after the birth of my Daughter I'm looking forward to experimenting with layers and my developing style as a new young Mum!

Love,

Laura xxx

Birchbox Jan 2013

Joliebox is now Birchbox!

This is the first month that I've subscribed to Birchbox (having been disappointed quite a few times but Glossybox) and I could not be more pleased with it!

Birchbox runs a £10 a month subscription service that send samples of high-end beauty for you to try, if a particular product tickles your fancy then the full size version is available to buy in their store...sometimes at discounted prices!

One thing that really impressed me is the fact that the packaging is so pretty! I know boxes aren't that exciting but I'm going to keep both, they're pretty and will make for excellent storage!

The first product I pulled out of the box is this absolutely sumptuous lip balm.

It smells like roses and blackcurrant and leaves your lips really moisturised and soft, without feeling sticky. 

Once this runs out I think I'll be re-stocking!

The next product confused me a bit... is that a lipgloss?

Nope, it's actually a cuticle repair gel.

Once I got past the thought that I was applying sticky lipgloss to my nails it actually felt nice, and smelled rather pleasant. 

Lastly, I recieved the most amazing smelling volume hair treatment by KMS California and a firming and hydrating cream by WEI.

Both products look and smell luxurious and has left me feeling that the £10 a month subscruption fee is defintely worth the money.

If that hasn't convinced you then maybe the knowledge that the more you buy, the more Birchbox points you receive, which, in turn, earns you money off!

Love,

Laura xxx

Book Review: Katie Piper

Katie Piper has got to be one of Britain's most inspirational women. For those of you who don't know of her she fell victim to a vicious acid attack arranged by her ex-boyfriend. For most people, this would mark the end of their lives, but for Katie, she turned this terrible scenario around and built up an amazing Foundation that helps people with burns and scars.
Katie has filmed many documentaries about the care she received, her surgeries and the people that are learning to deal with scars, disfigurements and burns.

Katie had also written two books, which have come to be quite profound to me at the moment. I have recently been diagnosed with something that is making healing from my birth and cesarean even tougher, as well as the infections I've picked up from the hospital.

So I implore you, if you are going through a tough time, or just need a bit of cheering up, please read the following amazing and inspirational books.

'Start Your Day With Kate' is her newest book. It is a small, purse-sized book that is full of affirmations, one for each day of the year.

For those that don't know what an affirmation is; it is a small quote, saying or sentence that inspires you, cheers you up, or helps you conquer some sort of goal.

For example, the one my birthday says...

28th April:

'Struggles are part of our lives, they enrich our characters, strengthen our souls,and give us the opportunity to try another way.'

With the occasional summary from Kate, this book is a must-have for positive thinking, without having that tragic self-help book sort of feel about it.

'Thing's Get Better' is all about recovery and healing. If you have had anything bad happen to you in your life from an injury to a loved-one passing on, and you are struggling to cope with your thoughts, then this is the book for you.

Katie writes in a pleasant and understanding manner, she has taken letters and messages from people who have contacted her and has created this book that tells you how to deal with fears, depression and negativity.

Throughout the book she tells her story in an honest way, encouraging her readers that positivity and laughter is the key to healing and the medicine of all physical and mental ails.

I would definitely reccomend both of these books, even if you are the happiest person in the world!

Love, Laura xxx

Hubby Christmas!

Men are SO hard to buy for. 

My husband has everything he needs, and anything that he wants usually borders around the ridiculously priced DIY items... which are boring to buy and out of my Christmas budget!

I prefer to buy him lots of little things rather than one big present. Buying for him this year has taken me four days! This isn't due to indecisiveness, it's mainly because whenever I've sat down to buy things Nahla has distracted me!

I thought, whilst she's asleep, that I would write a quick post about what I bought my husband this year. There are so many fun and quirky gifts out there, I was spoilt for choice!

I bought a few different types of these funny post-it notes, there's the Nag Note, the WTF note, the Passive-Agressive note and loads more. Simon's constantly forgetting things that I ask him to do, so I thought these would be a fun way to remind him.

I think this mug says it all... I bought this for him to take to work, I'm sure it'll give his workmates a laugh!

Simon swears like a sailor, it drives me mad. Especially when he randomly swears in a sentence...

'There was this really cute squirrel that I saw on the way to fucking work today.'

I bought this so his swearing makes him sound more like he's a well-travelled gentleman rather than a prat.

My lovely husband is now a father, which means his dancing is no longer cool.

Now that he's a Dad (and is in the process of growing a moustache, which makes me despair) he needs this book. Its full of hilarious pictures of Dads rocking the Hipster look.

Every year I ask him what he wants and he always replies 'Don't worry love, I don't need anything.' So if he inwardly complains about my gift-giving he can ram it.

Merry Christmas to the blokes!

How Pinteresting!

I thought I'd blog about my love for Pinterest today!

My Pinterest page is pretty poor compared to other peoples, I tend to 'like' more posts than I Pin, there are so many interesting and unique pictures and ideas on this website, so I thought I'd share my favourites...

This photo is one of my favourites! I'm assuming it's Lindsey Lohan, if not it looks a lot like her. I love the robe! I keep searching, in vain, for a really long lightweight robe to wear around the house, especially with baby on the way! I also adore the fact that she's wearing pointed stilettos. Casual yet fancy. That's the kind of person I want to look like after I've been up all night with a screaming newborn! (wishful thinking)

Pinterest is full of stylish things from changing bags to iPhone cases. I particularly love this one because it looks like a little moleskin diary. Very simple yet very chic!

I would be at a loss when it comes to fashion if it wasn't for the people I follow on Pinterest. All you have to do is type 'style' into the search bar and it's like you've been catapulted into a world of gorgeous (yet unattainable) clothing. I have found so many amazing fashion bloggers just from clicking on a little picture like this one.

Another nifty advantage to having an account is the thousands of craft ideas that are right in front of your eyes. I've found SO many things that I want to do this Christmas, as well as ideas for N's nursery, how to efficiently and quickly clean the house, how to make bunting, fairy lights, what to do with empty candle jars. 

There are an abundance of recipes available on Pinterest, which is particularly brilliant if you're a Vegetarian or a Vegan and are struggling to find a really nice recipe book. So many ideas have come from my trawling through pictures of home-made butters, puddings, pastries and main courses.

Then of course there's the makeup! There are tonnes and tonnes of make-up and hair tutorials on Pinterest that you can experiment and play with. I recently dyed my hair ombre after scrolling through the 'ombre' tag on the website.

Lastly, but not 'least-ly', there are a lot of parenting guides and ideas that are only a click away. Some are ideas of what to do with toddlers on a rainy day, there are organic meal recipes for weaning babies and fun costume ideas. I stumbled across this lovely idea that uses a positive 'calming jar' that encourages a child to take time after (or just before) a temper-tantrum to reflect and to simmer down. It works as a 'positive time-out'.
You shake the home-made jar and place it in front of the child so they can watch the bits of glitter slowly sink to the bottom, once the glitter has settled they can carry on playing. I love this idea, coming from a family that has two Autistic children, I can see how this jar would work for children with or without Autism. The visual stimulation of the glitter 'calming' would, in turn, promote calming in the child.

So, to quote Julie Andrews, these are a few of my favourite things. I love Pinterest and I do occasionally pin things to my own board, please feel free to follow me, or even just have a look!

L'oreal Wild Ombres Review

(Excuse my face! Baby N was kicking the hell out my ribs whilst I was taking photos, so it was hard to look chirpy and delighted!)

I bit the bullet and ombred my hair last night! I'm so glad that I did!
It was a pretty easy process but I'd been putting it off for so long. I asked my hair-savvy followers on Instagram if they'd had any experience with it before and I got some really helpful advice, along with some mixed reviews.
I bought two packs from Boots for £6 each, which is pretty good, considering it's only going on half of my hair!
(Disclaimer!! I'm 9 months pregnant and it has come to light that dying your hair during pregnancy is absolutely fine and poses no health risks to you or your baby. Of course, your skin and allergies change whilst your 'with youngling', you should always do a 48-hour patch test before dying all of your hair, you should ideally be doing that anyway, baby or no baby. Apart from that caution, it's fine, I even asked my midwife when I was a few months along, she replied 'What do you think happens to hairdressers when they have their babies?' Good point!)

I chose shade No1 and No3. I planned to see how blonde the first shade made me, if it wasn't blonde enough then I would add the second shade a few days later, after giving my hair a bit of a break!
I loved the wild-themed packaging, and the models, as usual, are gorgeous. giving women, myself included, the delusional thoughts that the hair dye will also change their face to look like them.

Inside the box was the usual plethora of gloves, creams, dyes and powders to help lighten the hair. It came with a caution that instructed that you shouldn't inhale the powder... which was the first thing I did. It was hard not to when it rose from the packet like smoke. I spluttered a bit, but apart from that assembling the dye was very easy.

This was my hair colour before, please excuse the quality of the lighting, I've mentioned in previous posts how photo-taking in my house during night time is a no-go area. My lights make everything look yellow and orange!

The dye was easy to apply, you're given an application brush which you load with the dye and comb through your hair. I have medium to long hair so started my gradient just under my ears. I noticed my hair started to lighten straight away. I left it in for 45ish minutes, it was very obviously a lighter colour than the rest of my hair towards the end!

My shampoo and conditioner of choice at the moment is TREsemme's Keratin Smooth, which is great if you have hair that gets bullied by you on a daily basis!

Here's the end result! I wish I'd blended it a bit better, there are a couple of places where the line between brunette and blonde pretty much STARES you in the face. If I curled it it would be hidden, but I can't be bothered! I love the subtle colour it's created, I was so worried that it was going to go bright ginger!

I'm impressed with the first half of my ombreing journey! I plan to add the second shade into the ends of my hair in the next couple of days. I think it'll be more blended then and look more professional.
I'm a huge fan of this hairstyle, its a bit different, although everyone's doing it now! It adds texture and colour to an otherwise boring shade of brunette!