Lou's Reviews :: Battle of the Cleansers

Aloha Bloggerinos,

For the past few months, I have become somewhat obsessed with skin care. In my quest for beautiful skin, I have tried a few different cleansers/makeup removers and I thought I'd share my thoughts with you. I have actually already made my YouTube video on this, which you can see HERE.

 

Way back when in about November, I was given a little sample of a Lush Cleanser called 9 to 5, which claims to 'clean the skin thoroughly with a mild antibacterial action'. I totally used all the sample (I don't always do this if I'm not enthused. I was also given an 'UltraBland' sample but didn't really warm to it) and wanted more! Soooo, in the boxing day sale, I bought a bottle for half the original price. I was going to link you to Lush and tell you the rrp but as you may well know, the site has been hacked and is temporarily shut. I *THINK* 9 to 5 Cleanser is around the £6-7 mark for a smaller bottle.

Seeing as 9 to 5 is infused with orchid oil and everlasting flower, it really does have the most soothing yummy effect on the skin.

To achieve this I wet a piece of cotton wool pleat, squish it down so it's damp, not soaking, squib on some cleanser (yes, squid) and gently rub onto my face. A lot of makeup comes off with this step, but then I take another damp cotton wool pleat with no cleanser on and rinse. I can't describe the soothingness, but it feels really calming.

It's great for taking skin makeup off but I found it struggled with my eye makeup. I think if you are a gal that only wears a light dusting of eyeshadow and a slick of mascara, you might be ok, but for my primer, shadow, eyeliner and looooadddsa mascara'd kind of eyes, it's no match. Sad times. Because if this flaw, I only use this in the mornings to kind of pep my skin up and to cleanse it of general impurities, not as a makeup remover. Or sometimes, I just use it for a little skin treat :)

As always with Lush, packaging is spot on. Sleek, unique to Lush, enjoyable to have on display in your bathroom and I enjoy that it has a small opening so you can control the flow of product, preventing mess.

In the absense of the UK site, you can check out the Lush USA site HERE.

Next up on my little quest for cleany clean skin is the MAC Pro Eye Makeup Remover which retails at £13.50 for the big 100ml bottle. I was actually sent a sample with a little postal order I made a few months back and had been saving it.

I used it all, so far so good. I had high hopes for this little number, especially since my opinion of a lot of other MAC Products is uber high, but sadly I was a bit let down. It claims to be a 'mega effective remover that lifts off every look', but as with the Lush Cleanser, I found it didn't really remove all my eyemakeup. I will be fair though and say that the sample was really teensy, so I wasn't overly generous with how much I put on the cotton wool pleat, and also I dampened the cotton wool, thus diluting the remover a bit.

I really liked the fragrance of this, not chemically but just pleasantly clean. This is a really winner for me because I am ultra fussy about smells. I also found it left my sensitive skin calm and happy, which isn't always the case with makeup removers.

I won't really go too far into this one as I don't think I had enough to fully give a fair opinion on it but I would say it's OK, but not something I will be buying soon. It works alright, but unlike the Lush 9 to 5, it doesn't make my skin smile.

On a side note, have you tried the makeup wipes from MAC- wowzas I bloomin' love them! I wish I had some of those to review for you because it would be smiles all round :)

You can check it out for yourself HERE.

Last but by no means least, is the hero of the hour. This is the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser Kit- phewf what a mouthfull!

The idea with this is to squirt a little bit of the product (which comes out as a smooth, rich, white cream) onto your fingers, massage into dry skin, then using a wet with warmed/hot water muslin cloth (2 are provided in the kit), remove (or 'polish off') the massaged in cream and it takes away all makeup and impurities.

At first I was quite sceptical about this product. Yes, I too have read a lot about it on other blogs, but I couldn't see how this white creamy stuff would manage to get off all my eyemakeup/how my eyes wouldn't sting after having something massaged into the lashes. I was wrong. Oh so wrong. This is a remover of kings I tell thee.

I could go on all day about this item but I'll try and just keep it short with what I love about it.

It is uber gentle on my skin. I haven't felt tight/dry/irritated, just fresh as a daisy. I think this may well be down to the fact that it is 'plant based'. Winner.

It has a really refreshing scent to it. As I have said a million times before, I am super fussy about fragrances but this just smells really zingy and fresh. It took me about a week to work out it was the eucalyptus. Love it.

In the kit, which retails for £13.25, you get the 100ml bottle, 2 generous sized muslin clothes and a cute pastel green wash bag to keep it in. I was really glad of the 2 clothes because it means you can have one in the wash and still use your cleanser. Top tip- Don't be a fool and put your cloth in with your jeans...unless you like baby blue. Top Fact- I read somewhere tha Kylie Minogue uses muslins to remove her makeup and look at her skin- Flawless!

The packaging is very bathroom friendly. Pastel green, sophisticated and grown up. The bottle has a pump top, preventing wastage and contamination. I only use one or two pumps a night, so hopefully this will last a while.

It removes ALL my makeup!!!!!!!!! Even dark bases like MAC SharkSkin Shadestick can't fight this.

It's pretty fair to say that I am a convert and will buying this over and over, for richer for poorer, til death us do part.

I urge you to have a look at this little wonder, HERE.

Have you tried any of these products or do you have something that you lovity love? Let me know :)

Toodlepip!

xx

Little Disclaimer- Liz Earle Cleanser was sent to me to review, but as I'm not paid by them or anything serious like that, I give you Bloggerinos my honest opinion and thoughts. Woop woop.

YouTube- Great Big Baby Clothes Haul

Aloha Bloggerinos,

I've just got back from the London IMATS 2011 and was about to make a haul video, when I realised I still had the Baby Clothes video lurking in my file. I've been being really good lately and been doing all your requests, so do let me know if you have any suggestions or wants. I know a lot of you have left me requests on my 1000 Followers Lush Giftset Giveaway (click HERE to enter) and I will tally all those up when the contest closes- thank you to those who have already entered and requested something :)

I've got TONNES of Lou's Reviews coming up for you, as well as a crafty post and maybe another pregnancy update- that's a lorra lot!

LOU'S VIEWS: Great Big Baby Clothes Haul

Also, I want to say a BIG THANK YOU to all of you who said such lovely things on my Nursery Tour and especially to those who gave me the nappy advise I asked for, I feel a lot more informed and a lot more confident, and that means a lot to me.

Happy Viewing xxx

Toodlepip!

xx

YouTube- Long Awaited Nursery Tour!!

Aloha Bloggerinos,

I'm 33 weeks pregnant now and finally have Baby Girl Watson's (or Baby Glitter- I do love that suggestion tres much) bedroom shipshape and showable.

I'm sure that in time and when finances allow, more will be added to it, but for now, I'm happy and I think it will serve Baby Glitter very well.

As promised, I'm putting a link up for you because YouTube's settings have changed slightly and this video could well get lost in the abyss :(

Long Awaited Nursery Tour!!

Enjoy!

Toodlepip!

xx

Lou's Reviews :: Collection 2000- March Range

Aloha Bloggerinos,

Last week I was kindly sent a few bits from Collection 2000 that will be hitting the shelves this March and so I thought I'd give you a sneak peak and my glittery opinion of them.

I am always really grateful when companies send me products to review, it's definitely a perk of blogging, but I do want to make it clear that I'm not paid by them or anything serious like that, so this means I can be completely honest- woop :)

This is the Ultimate Fix foundation in '02 Honey', that will be retailing at £4.99- bargain. It claims to be a 3 in 1 powder, foundation and concealer but from what I can tell, it's more of a cream to powder effect foundation, ie, it goes on like a foundation and then sets like a powder. However, I think if you were to have any blemishes that you wanted to give a bit of extra love to, you could easily just build up the product a bit in that area because it is tres creamy.

I would class this as giving a light to medium coverage, depending on how thickly you apply it, either with the sponge provided (very nice touch because there is also a mirror which would be uber handy if you were on the go or away for the weekend) or with your own tools (brushes, wedges, fingers).

(Below the foundation compartment is a secret layer of sponge and mirror. I do love a good compact)

This reminds me so much of Benefit's 'Some Kinda Gorgeous' foundation faker, which is my best friend during the summer months when I am sporting a (fake) tan and don't want too much on my face. I was comparing the both of them this morning and found I actually preferred the consistency of the Collection 2000 formula- it seemed more moist/creamy and this gave you a little more blending time.

Packaging wise I'm a happy bunny. Everything you need- product, mirror, sponge; shuts securely so no all-over-the-inside-of-your-handbag situations, sleek, simple, not gawdy or tacky. Win win.

Next up on our little sneaky peaky journey is the SkyScraper Length and Definition Mascara, which I have in '01 Black' and that will be retailing for another bargainous £4.99.

The wand of this mascara is very unusual in that it is a plastic bristle brush but one one side the bristles are longer than the other. It took me a little while to get the hang of this, but now that I have I'm really loving it. The short bristles let me get really close to the lash root on to fully coat the teensy weeny lashes on the inner corner, and the longer bristles let you kind of cuuurrrll your lashes upwards, thus creating length.

This mascara basically does exactly what it says on the tin. There is no thickening or volumising but there is definitely lenghtening and defining, thanks to the special applicator wand. This is a perfect daywear mascara, for when you want to feel fluttery and feminine but not too 'done'.

Packaging-wise I rreeeaaallllly like it. It's so unusual to see a white mascara and I'm having a bit of a thing for white things at the mo, so again, I'm a happy bunny.

The third product I have are the new 'Lock 'n' Hold' lipglosses. There will be 6 new shades coming out, of which I have 5. At £2.99 a pop and with such 'out there' packaging, I would say these will be well loved by a slightly younger buyer. I'm 25 and perhaps a bit fuddy-duddy, but I do prefer more sophisticated packaging. My 14 year old sister however, really liked them and thought the foundation packaging was 'boring', so it goes to show that everyone is different. 

Once I'd had my little think on the pink lid and graffiti writing, I was actually really impressed with the actual gloss formula. Shiny, shimmery, good staying power (it claims to last 6 hours but I didn't actually keep it on this long so couldn't tell you if this is a fact or not) and nice buildable colours. If you are a fan of lilac (do you remember last year when everyone went gaga for lilac lipstick?) then there is a shade in there just for you! 

(Colours- Break Dance, Rock Steady, Twisted Disco, Beat Box, Urban Punk)

Two unique selling points to these glosses that I noticed are 1) The Wand and 2) The Scent. The applicator wand is a spatula shaped sponge that I have never come across before. I do prefer doe foot wands but this is manageable and does provide as good a coverage as the doe foot. It is slightly more flexible, which some may like, some may not.

The scent is really unusual for a lipgloss- it smells just like victoria sponge cake (to me anyway!).

I think these are a really good price, something that a girl new to cosmetics would be able to afford on something she would enjoy to have in her stash.  

If you're interested in what else Collection 2000 has to offer, click HERE.

What do you think Bloggerinos? Up your street?

Toodlepip!

xx

YouTube- My Current Skincare Routine

Aloha Bloggerinos,

Has anyone noticed the change on YouTube? I usually like to go on there and see what videos have been uploaded by people I subscribe to but alas, it wasn't the usual format! As a Taurus, I don't take well to change and I was all bamboozled and aggrieved by the whole shibang. Thheeeennnn I thought, if I can't see your videos, you can't see mine! Uh oh!

So to combat this, I've decided that each time I upload a video (which I'll admit, isn't as often as I'd like!), I'll just give you a little link and if you want to watch you can and if you don't, then that's OK too!

Being a bit of a technology dingbat, I haven't worked out quite how to 'hyperlink' my images yet (despite Zoella explaining it only an hour ago ahaha), sooooo I've popped the link under the image..smoooooottthhhhh.

My latest video is a requested one- My Current Skincare Routine.

My Current Skincare Routine

Enjoy!

Toodlepip!

xx

Love, Love, Lovity, Love!

Aloha Bloggerinos,

It's Saturday night and despite having about three draft posts to complete, I have been mooching through all your blogs and gorging on interesting articles and pictures- I luurrvvee to do this.

I'm usually quite set in my ways and read a select few religiously (I will have mentioned them in previous posts I'm sure), but recently a few more have slipped in (ooer missus) and I thought they deserved a bit of love-share, do pop along and have a read, I think you'll enjoy them.

Starsglittersmagic

Sarahbox04

La Beaute Ecossaise

I think I'll share the love a bit more in future, I think it's nice when bloggers do this and embrace the 'blogging community'. Sheesh I've gotta a lotta love hormones racing about- I'm 32 weeks pregnant now- that's 8 months!!!! Yowzas!!

As usual, images lovingly borrowed from weheartit.com. There's no theme to them, other than I liked the look of them. Cat paws cheer my little heart I tell you!

Have you read these blogs?

Toodlepip!

xx

PS. Now I want a strawberry milkshake. Grrr.

MAC Peacocky

Aloha Bloggerinos,

As I'm sure you may have heard on the beauty grapevine, MAC are launching a new collection- Peacocky!! I don't blog about new collections for the sake of it but this could not be missed- I BLOOMIN' WELL LOVE LOVE LOOOVVVVEEEE PEACOCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, I caplocked and did a zillion exclaimation marks because I'm just so EXCITED! *deep breaths, calm down, pant pant*

I have had these images -courtesy of MAC Cosmetics- from the nice MAC PR Lady for a while now but asked to hang fire and it's been hard I tell ya!

Anyhoo, here they are! I love that the packaging is the same as the usual (I'm not a fan of the wacky out there stuff sometimes) sophisticated MAC range and that the colours are so wearable. I'm not entirely sure how you would incorporate the blue lipgloss into your look but I'm sure some of you talented Bloggerinos will.

Naturally, the MAC Press Pack is somewhat more eloquent than I will ever be, so here's what they had to say for themselves:

Arrogance or elegance? The showy display, the undeniably sexual spectacle, the

iridescent irreverence…it’s awe-inspiring. We fetishise the exotic peacock as a

symbol of extreme beauty, an act of elaborate nature, raging against everything

simplistic. Peacocky fans out in a foray of intense colour for Lips and Eyes, exotic

and sophisticated with a touch of ‘30s F. Scott Fitzgerald glamour and mesmerising

metallic sheen. New Kissable Lipcolour combines full flash with creamy comfort.

It’s molten, with elastomer technology that imparts a velvety, aerated feel without

sacrificing shine. Light as a feather. Mega Metal Shadow gleams like chrome, with

light-reflecting properties – yet creamy, crease-resistant, vitamin-fortified flexibility.

Dramatic doesn’t even begin to describe the girl who knows she’s Peacocky.

 

 

LIPS:

 

Kissable Lipcolour*

Enchantée Light blue pink

Woo Me Light pinky nude

So Vain Muted dirty coral

Vanity Fair Mid-tone blue pink

Exxxhibitionist Red-toned coral

Strut Your Stuff Bright true red

Scandelicious Blue fuchsia

Peacocky Sky blue with red pearl

Super Muted neutral brown

Temper Tantra Mid-tone reddish brown

Flaunting It Grey mauve

Love Peck Blackened blood red

RRP: £16.00 / EURO 20.00

 

EYES:

 

Mega Metal Shadow*

Peek-at-You Frosted yellow white

Dalliance Light champagne

Prance Frosted mauve pearl

Top of the Posh Frosted white pink

Tweet Me Gold bronze

Mating Call Dirty frosted violet

Odalisque Deep teal

Sexpectations Metallic burgundy

Paparazz-she Deep copper bronze

Ego Forest green

Noir Plum True purple with silver pearl

Dandizette Navy with silver pearl

Spectacle of Yourself Deep bronze

Centre Stage Frosted chocolate brown

Unflappable Frosted black with purple pearl

RRP: £15.50 / EURO 19.00

 

This pretty perfect peacock range comes out next month- I cannae wait :)

 

Is there anything you have you're beady peacock eyes on? Did any observant Bloggerinos notice my peacock colour scheme? Very special.

 

Toodleip!

 

xx

I am a Nesting Machine!

Aloha Bloggerinos!

This is a bit of an unplanned post but I do enjoy to document my little life on here, kind of like a diary, and I thought you might enjoy a baby related post.

Today I was planning on making a few YouTube videos, catching up on my correspondence (yeah, I just mean emailing people back that I need to haha), completing my uber complex 16 page maternity allowance form and make a nice dinner for Mattmoo before we go to our antenatal class at 6pm. Well, this hasn't happened.

I had a lovely long lie in and then was suddenly gripped with a crazy urge to clean, tidy, organise and polish! Obviously I've been slowly, slowly getting a bit sorted buying clothes and helping (watching) Matt make the cot etc but today I've been like a woman possessed- I even found some white paint because I felt it imperative to touch up any little scuffs there were on the skirting boards!!! Sheesh!

Seeing as I'm now about 31 weeks pregnant, I think we can safely say I'm 'nesting' and oh me oh my, it feels amazing!!

For those of you not in the know, nesting is a common oddity of pregnancy, where the Mummy feels the need to completely sort her home (her nest), in preparation for her new arrival. Common nesting things are ironing everything, folding and re-organising the baby's clothes and cleaning. Personally, I've got my eye on those windows- they need a good clean.

So, I'm off to let this nesting thing take over and blitz my nest. Have you ever heard of/experienced this?

Toodlepip!

xx

Image lovingly borrowed from weheartit.com

Lou's Reviews :: Collection 2000 vs Urban Decay

Aloha Bloggerinos,

As many of you will know, I am an avid fan of Lauren Luke (Panancea81) and her YouTube Makeup Tutorials.

In the last few, I have noticed she has used a Collection 2000 pressed eyeshadow in 'Frosting'. Seeing as Collection 2000 is so affordable (this 'Colour Intense Solo' eyeshadow is only £1.99), I decided to pick one up and give it a whirlybird. For £1.99 I wasn't expecting amazingness, I would have been happy with average but this little beauty has turned out to be a total gem!!

As with most white shadows, I use this on the inner corner of my eye to brighten or under the brow bone to highlight. It is a silvery white shade with teensy weensy finely milled silver sparkles- loves it!

I would compare this product to the Urban Decay single pressed eyeshadow in 'Polyester Bride'. Polyester Bride is also a silvery white colour with teensy weensy silver glitter flecks, except this product retails at around the £13 mark. Hmmm.

I have used both shadows in the same way (inner eye corners and as highlighters) and can honestly say that I prefer the more affordable, Collection 2000 shadow as the colour payoff is more vivid and it has a more silky feel. Keeerrrrazzy when you look at the price difference!

 This isn't to say I don't like my UD shadows, I luurrvve them, I'm just pleased when I can find something just as good (if not a bit better) for a fraction of the price.

Both have good lasting power, are easy to remove and blend well- super.

Packaging-wise I prefer the Collection 2000 one again, as it is a lot more compact and I have never been a fan of the Urban Decay singles. The grey plastic compact feels really cheap and bleaugh to me, which is surprising considering how beautiful and gorgeous all their palettes are.

Lesson to be learnt- It doesn't always pay to be a cosmetics snob and sometimes the cheaper brands are winners. Do you know of any product dupes like this? Tell me tell me!

Toodlepip!

xx

January Skies NOTD

Aloha Bloggerinos,

I haven't worn any nail varnish in an absolute age because my Step Mother told me it's not good to when you're pregnant as chemicals can get into your bloodstream and through to your baby.

Mmmmm I'm not saying this isn't true but it's not something I have really ever heard before, so in a nutshell, I decided not to sweat the small stuff and give my fingers a little treat- it's very important to feel glamorous when you're the size of a beached whale, waddling when you walk and scared to sneeze in case you wee yourself! (NB- I'm not incontinent but I fear it dagnamit, ffeeaarrr it!)

I put this on yesterday and it was the first day in a long time I'd seen blue skies so took that as my 'muse'- oh lala. I used Eyeko Pastel Polish which is a creamy pale blue 'shot with irridenscant shimmer' (although I didn't think it was very glimmery, just shiny- a good thing I thought) and then to add some extra sparkle (you all know my love for a sprinkle of glitter after all) I swiped on one thin layer of China Glaze Stellar, which is a champagne colour glitter.

 (That's right, I totally chose this pic to show off my wedding and engagement rings! As you can see, I'm not manicurist, I just paint-n-go! Haha)

 

I went on the Eyeko Website (HERE) to check something and saw that this scrummy blue polish is currently being sold at 20% off in a gorgeous limited edition set of 3- blue, mint and lilac- swoon! If you do decide to treat yourself to a January 'pick up' (who doesn't need plenty of little treats in January??), then use my Ambassador Code (E11341) at the checkout and they'll send you a free gift- woop!

 

Do you likey likey? It really does remind me of January, perhaps I'll make this my January tradition.

Toodlepip!

xx

ps- As I typed this baby dans la tummy (or 'Baby Glitter' as a Bloggerino referred to her as the other day- love it!) has kicked non stop. Do you think she wants me to buy the polish set maybe? Hahaha!

London IMATS- Will You Be There?

Aloha Bloggerinos,

Remember in this post HERE I said I was hoping to go to the London IMATS but had to see if the nice PR Lady would let me bring my chum (8 months pregnant + driving yourself to London = No Thanks). Weeelllll, she did!! Thank You Soooo Much Melissa!!

I'm beyond excited! We're going on the Sunday and I am uber excited to go to the talk with Lauren Luke aka Panacea81 in (I luurvvee her!) and stock up on a few little treats.

Also, I really really really hope to meet some of you there. If you see me, puurrrlleeaasee will you come and say hi? You won't be able to miss me, waddling about and looking like I'm about to give birth!

Are you going? What's on your shopping list?

Toodlepip!

xx

Depotting Feels Gooooodd

Aloha Bloggerinos,

In a bid to make more space in my wardrobe (I keep all my makeup in shelves in there), I have been condensing my stash somewhat.

I've been considering depotting my eyeshadows for quite a while but the thought of tearing my Urban Decay Palettes up was too much to bare and at the time, taking the insert out of my MAC Pro Palette was not on my agenda. Well, needs must and I have actually found it incredibly worthwhile as my UD eyeshadows have seen so much more love for it :)

So first up, I ripped my Amo (not entirely sure it's called that but it was the black palette with purple flocking on the front and a gun shooting out swirls) annnddddd Bamboo (again not sure what it's called- the one with bamboo casing- I'm rubbish I know) Urban Decay palettes apart and with a sharp knife, winched out the pans. I pulled the insert out of my MAC Quad, popped in the majority of UD pans (they didn't all fit but I wasn't overly distraught because I never use the light blue/aqua shades) and voila! I need to get some magnetic strips or possibly a lick of glue because currently they aren't secure but overall, I'm really happy!

These hadn't seen any use for such a long time because it was such a faff to trawl through little palettes but now, it's a cinch!!

I also decided that rather than buying another MAC Pro Palette and feeling pressurised to fill all the holes (it's sad but I know I would), I just threw caution to the wind, ripped out the insert and now can fit more in and can fill it up at my own speed.

Ooooohh I do love a good MAC Eyeshadow. I've got my eye on quite a few colours that I'm hoping to pick up at the IMATS if I can gather some mulas.

Colours in my Pro Palette are:

Top Row L-R: Carbon, Deep Truth, Parfait Amour, Swish, Nylon, Phloof

Middle Row L-R: Nehru, Fig 1, Stars 'n' Rockets, Aquadistiac, Vanilla, Crystal Avalanche

Bottom Row L-R: Contrast, Satin Taupe, Sumptuous Olive, Swimming

Can you bare to depot? What are you fav MAC colours?

Toodlepip!

xx

Chilli Pepper Palette

Aloha Bloggerinos,

We've just spent a fun filled 5 hours at Northampton Accident and Emergency, after Mattmoo was in a car accident :(. Some woman smashed into the back of him at considerable speed because she was too busy not looking at the road. Great. He's OK, but we can expect another long round of physio for his back. Great again. I know I sound 'raaarrghhh' but life sometimes seems like it's just one thing after another doesn't it?

Anyway, I'm all awake all wide eyed so I thought I'd do a little blogspot, but a nice easy one. You Bloggerinos always cheer me up, I feel like you're my little chums :)

So, this is just a little eyeshadow palette that my Auntie bought me for Christmas and I really very much enjoy it. I did a little googling but it didn't come up with much so it's a mystery palette! Any wizz kids out there know much about this brand??

I love the colours, they remind me of peacocks, which if you've been reading for a long while, will know I luuurrrvvee and I think the packaging is really cute and feminine.

It comes with a mirror, very handy, and a double ended brush. I probably won't use the brush but if I was travelling or having to do my makeup on the go, it would be useful I'm sure.

All in all, I likey likey. How's about you?

Sorry for the shortness and lack of any real info, my brain is all mushy and garbled. *Sigh*

Toodlepip!

xx

Beating the January blues, one page at a time...

Aloha Bloggerinos,

I'm just waiting for my YouTube video to upload and I thought I would do a quite blogspot- talk about multitasking!

I saw on on my chum Zoella's blog recently, a stack of books that she plans to read this coming year and in amongst her stash was one that I have previously read and enjoyed. :)

When I last read it, I was 9 weeks pregnant, feeling physically sick and awful, stressed out about wedding plans and all in all, not in a 'good place' as they say. So, after being mentally nudged by Zoe's post, I decided to dig it out and start reading it again.

I Heart New York by Linsey Kelk is such a fun, girly, easy read that I would (and am!) recommend it to all of you Bloggerinos.

I don't really want to tell you too much because I don't want to spoil it, but basically it is about a young woman who finds out (very early on in the book so I'm not ruining it here!) that her fiance is cheating on her. In her anger and upset, she boards a flight to New York, stays in a snazzy hotel, makes a chum and her adventure starts! It reminds me a little bit of 'Divas Las Vegas' (forgotten the author) but set in New York.

I'm finding it the perfect antidote to the January blues.

Have you read this or what are you reading at the mo?

Toodlepip!

xx

Mini MAC Splurge

Aloha Bloggerinos,

Knowing my obsession with all things beauty, my husband came up trumps and gave me MAC Vouchers for Christmas- Yaayyyy!!

I was in Liverpool in December so took myself off to the MAC Store (I love it so very much in there) and bought a few bits that I thought I'd show you.

I bought:

Studio Sculpt Foundation in NW15 - First Time Purchase

Cremesheen Glass in 'Just Superb' - First Time Purchase
Shadestick in 'Beige-ing'- Hundredth Time Purchase

Anndd I was given a little sample of Strobe Cream. I do enjoy a good sample!!

I would say that the shadestick is my staple MAC product and one of the first things I discovered from them way back when in 2008. I use it as a base for eyeshadows or if I'm in a rush, as an all over wash of colour. It never fails me.

It's like a creamy crayon that you can just shmear (how much do I love that word?!) all over your lid and requires no precision at all- perfecto!

Not the best swatch (lighting was artificial) but you get the idea- light browny/gold. I actually think it's very similar to a lot of the Cham-pale product colours. I get soo excited when MAC release a new shadestick but alas, it's been a while. I once had a beautiful LE one called 'Pink Couture' but used it up and never saw one again- sigh.

This Cremesheen Lipglass in 'Just Superb' is my new favourite. It's PERFECT for daywear or officewear. The hue is a dirty neutral pink and gives a lovely 'dolly' effect that isn't too 'out there'. There's no sparkle (obv I luurvvee the glitz but not for work or if i've gone wild on eye makeup) and the texture is gorgeous- not sticky, just sheeny lovely. I am definitely going to collect more Cremesheens and don't know why it's taken me this long to discover them! Also, lovely doefoot applicator which is my personal preference. I did do a swatch but actually think the website one depicts the colour better. You can see that HERE. It also has excellent lasting power- 10/10 for this little gem.

I haven't used the foundation long enough for a proper review yet, but so far, so good. I was initially given a sample and loved it so much I bought the full sized product. It goes to show, samples do work for companies :)

Do you have any of these products? What do you think?

Toodlepip!

xx

Belated 1000 Follower Giveaway!!

Aloha Bloggerinos,

I promised you all a while back when I hit 1000 followers that I would do a giveaway. Weeeelllllll, life got in the way and it got a little delayed, but, never the less, here we are with a 1245 follower giveaway! Hahaha!

So here we have it, the chance to win a brand new lovely jubbly Lush Gift Set. It's been pretty hard going keeping this all wrapped up and not using it all myself I can tell you!

(I'm aware that some Bloggers are super generous with their prizes, and think I have been in the past, but with a little bambino on ze way, I kept it small and simples. Besides, all the best things come in small packages, non?)

As usual, the rules are really simple:

For One Entry- Follow and comment. The comment I would like to see is something that you hope to achieve in 2011. It could be anything at all. I might even do a little post of a few things I want to achieve. Hmm.

For Three Entries- Write your comment and mention this giveaway somewhere else (blog, you tube, twitter, fb, etc) and give me a little link so I can see.

For Five Entries- Comment, mention this and give me a request for a YouTube video or blog post- I need inspiration, stat!

Simples.

I will also be giving an extra entry to you if you are one of my existing 1245 followers, please let me know if you are and be honest- cheaters never prosper.

I'll be picking a winner on Feb 9th, so you have a whole calendar month to get cracking :)

Looking forward to seeing your goals for 2011!

Toodlepip!

xx

Exciting Opportunity for One Lucky Bloggerino

Aloha Bloggerinos,
I've got an exciting opportunity in my hands for you, wanna know what it is?
My oldest chum (we've been friends since we were 5 and 7- how nice is that?) has been working for a snazzy Marketing Company in London for a few years now, and has starting working on a tres interesting project called 'Makeup of the Future' or 'The Future of Makeup' (I think it's still to be confirmed).
The project is all about, surprise surprise, cosmetics of the future and various techniques might be used to transform day to night looks. Cool, non?
What my friend is looking for is a model. The model will be required to submit shoulder up photos of two 'looks'. One must be a subtle day look and one is to be a vibrant, exciting evening look, so you can really go to town with your imagination and be the boss. If you already have a blog, you could even use some of your current FOTDs perhaps? When I heard about this project, I bit my friend’s hand off for the chance to tell you all about it as I know someone will be very keen to get involved.
As this is my oldest chum, there is no mula involved (it's only a couple of images after all) and it is all about the fun of creating the looks, but your face would be immortalised and you can put 'part time model' on your CV- hehe!
If you are interested, please send me a little email and I will give you my friend’s work email as I'm not keen on releasing it to the masses on here. My email- louise.pentland@hotmail.co.uk.
This is a peerrrffeecctt opportunity for any gal who likes to create looks and wants to share her passion with ze world!
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Toodlepip!
xx

IMATS 2011

Aloha Bloggerinos,

I am all of a dither of excitement becaauuusseeeee I've been very kindly offered a ticket for the London 2011 IMATS!!

This year it's being held at Alexandra Palace on the 29th and 30th of January and you can still get tickets if you have a looksie on their WEBSITE. There will be an array of shows from industry professionals as well as stalls galore and plenty of shopping opportunities- woop woop!

My only fly in the ointment is I will be 34/35 weeks pregnant by the time it swings round! I have asked the PR Lady if my friend Charly can come because 1) She will kindly drive me there (the tube is out of the question with this enormous bump hahaha) and 2) She's a nurse, which is oh so handy because yesterday I fainted and today I've been feeling really light headed. I feel a bit :( about the fainting to be honest, so will you all cross your bloggy fingers for me that Melissa the PR Lady let's Charly come, otherwise I can't :(. Phoof what a lot of waffling and unsmiley faces considering this is meant to be a happy post!!

So, are any of you going? If you are and you see me, please please come and say hello, I would love to meet the Bloggerinos that read this and will even let you have a bit of a bump stroke- ooerr!!

Toodlepip!

xx

YouTuberinos

Aloha Bloggerinos,

I'm going to get back in the swing of making YouTube videos, any requests? I have a camcorder now (Thanks Dad!!) so I can do pretty much anything, rather than be tied to my webcam :)

Toodlepip!

xx

Pregnancy Update- 29 Weeks Pregnant

Aloha Bloggerinos,

I'm 29 weeks/7 months pregnant now and feel reealllllyyy big! I keep looking back at my summer holiday or wedding photos and struggling to believe I was pregnant even then- I feel like I've been pregnant FOREVER.

There's lots to tell but to make it a little easier, I'll categorise (you seeeee, I'm starting my organising resolution early!).

Physically:

I have a big bump and am living in my maternity jeans and leggings, something I will be sad to give up. I am suffering with really acute sporadic pelvis pain, which I'm told is sciatica. It's where the ligaments in your pelvis stretch a bit too early and it HURTS! It hasn't flared up much this last few days so I'm enjoying the reprieve!

I've also been having a really horrid acidic throat type thing which sometimes makes me think I'm going to be sick, but then I'm not- anyone know what this is or how I can sooth it?

Fortunately, those are my only 2 big gripes. Obviously I have all the usual complaints like needing the loo a lot, stretch marks and breathlessness but those are par for the course and I don't mind.

On the very, very up side, I feel her kicking SO MUCH. Sometimes she kicks so hard you can actually see it from the outside, like a little alien! I love knowing she's having a little squirm and when she does it I wonder what sort of movements she'll make when she's out in the big wide world. 


(My bump on Christmas Day)

Everyone Else:

Matt has been great. He is really fascinated when she kicks and often strokes my bump and says hello. He fetches me drinks, my laptop, snacks, cooks dinners, everything! Woop woop!

I'm trying to prepare him for being a birthing partner because I'm nervous that he'll freak out and not cope with me screaming at him, and yes, I will be screaming at him. I'm not one for doing things gracefully or quietly!

People have been really generous and given us lots of baby things. The in-laws paid for our goorrrggeeouuss Silver Cross pram. It's not the ye olde fashioned Mary Poppins type, but a modern wonder in grey and pink. Shall I take some snaps and show you?

My Dad and Stepmum bought us a camcorder for Christmas so that we could film all the precious moments, we're even going to film the birth! Not from the business end though- urgh.

My Auntie has given us a steriliser, my other Aunties loads of baby shoes and clothes and my other Auntie bibs and cuddly toys- she's well kitted out! My Grandma has been on a knitting mission and knitted all sorts of things :)

My next midwife appointment is on the 4th and I'm really looking forward to it because I get to hear her heartbeat every time I go now, it sounds like she's saying "wow wow wow wow wow wow wow". :)

Hmmmmmmmmm I'm not sure what else to update you on, but if you have any questions, let me know and I'll be sure to answer.

Toodlepip!

xx