6 Fashion Pieces I've Been Eyeing Up For Spring/Summer

When next seasons items are out, I like to browse online to see what is in store fashion wise, and when I mean browse I mean hours of endless scrolling on every online shop known to man. These are a few pieces I came across for spring/summer 2016. 

Starting from top left to bottom right // ASOS Denim Mom Shorts,  ASOS Leather Knotted Tie Leg Sandals, Topshop Belted Shirtdress, Topshop Mini Leather Crossbody Bag, Topshop Crinkle Trim Bardot Playsuit, Topshop MOTO Short Denim Dungaree

These ASOS Denim Mom Shorts are the perfect pair of simple shorts for when the sun is out. I find a lot of denim tend to have rips in them so it's nice to find a not tampered with pair of shorts. They are perfect to pair with a plain tee and a blue denim jacket for little extra warmth, because lets face it, in England 'just shorts weather' is very rare. Moving onto shoes, I love the look of these ASOS Leather Knotted Tie Leg Sandals. I can imagine some funky tan lines as a result of these but they are so worth it, a little bit of something extra to the simple sandal. This Topshop Belted Shirtdess is so chic for the warmer months and can be paired with converse for a casual look and black sandal heels for a night time look. Now for accessories, I believe that with every season comes a new bag and in the spring/summer months I tend to stray away from the 'fit everything but the kitchen sink' type bags I tend to normally go for. This small and simple white Topshop Mini Leather Crossbody Bag is perfect, it matches with pretty much anything and is just big enough to fit in the essentials. Next, a playsuit is something every women should have in her wardrobe, especially for those 'I really can't be bothered to choose an outfit' type days, just throw one piece on and you're ready to go with this Topshop Crinkle Bardot Playsuit. The last fashion piece for spring/summer is the Topshop MOTO Short Denim Dungaree, I have been seeing these everywhere and they are really making a comeback. These definitely takes me to my toddler days and I am loving it.      

Collective Beauty Haul

I love a good collective beauty haul, they are the main enabler of the multiple order confirmation emails I get from Cult Beauty and Space NK. Even though I am aware of the damage these posts do, I still very much enjoy reading them so I though I would do one myself. As this is a collective beauty haul I have tried all of these products so you will get a mini review in this post too! I hope you enjoy reading about these products and may this brings many confirmation emails your way ♥

I am going to introduce this collective haul with my favourite and most loved product in my collection now, the Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation. I have heard so many people rave on and on about this foundation but this is the first time ever trying this and boy, am I glad I did. The finish is so stunning with a medium but build-able coverage, I find with a lot of medium finishes they tend to look cakey but this one does nothing of the sort. A perfect foundation and look out for a full review soon!

This Morphe 12NB eyeshadow palette is one of the best in terms of value for its money, with twelve generous sized eyeshadows in beautiful, pigmented colours. I love the colour range, however the formula of some, but not all, of these shadows aren't my favourite. The lighter shades, specifically the first two lightest swatches, are slightly chalky if you know what I mean. Don't get me wrong, these eyeshadows are amazing for the money you are spending, but compared to others such as Lorac, MAC and Urban Decay, they don't give off that lovely buttery kind of feel to them. All in all I recommend this palette for the price and gorgeous shades they include but keep in mind the texture if you are a fan of the higher priced palettes.

I was lusting over the Becca Backlight Priming Filter and Cult Beauty temped me to a discounted set of 20% off with the Becca Correcting Eye Brightener, so of course I couldn't pass up the deal of both right? I will explain my thoughts on the Becca Backlight Priming Filter below but as for the corrector I didn't love using this for it's purpose, which was to mainly use under your concealer. I found it to be very creasing when used with the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer, and I never have a creasing problem with that concealer. Having said this I do make a use for this product on 'no makeup, makeup days', I use this for the only product under my eyes with a bit of tinted moisturiser and it creates a lovely bright completion and under eye area. If you want to get a bit more creative with this product, this is also a lovely creamy highlighter for the high points of the face. All in all, I wouldn't purchase this again but as I have it in my collection I am putting use to it.  

Now for the beautiful, luminous Becca Backlight Priming Filter. This stuff is amazing. There not really much else to say about it apart from that it gives a beautiful glow to the skin, one of those products that will subtly make a difference in your base. I haven't found this to extend or compromise wear time of foundations but it does create a lovely canvas to apply your makeup to. This can also be used to mix into any foundation that tends to make your skin a bit dull and will completely transform it. I highly recommend this product if you are looking for a bit of glow to your skin.

Lastly, the ever so lovely Estee Lauder EE Cream. I was very tempted by this product from reading ViviannaDoesMakeup talk about this in one of her videos, and naturally along with most things she reviews, I had to give this one a go. I love using this as a base on a good skin day or very minimal makeup days. I have heard about using this under makeup as a moisturiser base but would only recommend doing this for more matte finish foundations and possibly not with oily skin as it can all become a bit too much glow and result in a bit of oil face look. Overall I do love this product and it makes for beautiful moisturiser that gives your skin the perfect glow and tint.

3 Eyeshadow Palettes I Can't Live Without

There are so many eyeshadow palettes out on the market but I find it's very hit and miss. I have tried out a lot of different palettes from a variety of brands but there are only a few that I would keep if I had to clear out the 'stash'.

Now lets start with the queen of all eyeshadow palettes, Urban Decay. In my opinion you really can't go wrong with an eye palette from this brand, the formula, pigment and variety of colours they provide in these are amazing. I currently own all three of the naked palettes and the first naked basics palette but there are only two that I feel like I need.

First, we have the ever so lovely Naked 3 palette by Urban Decay. I was never really into the pink tones when this hit the stores and never got the hype, but a friend purchased this and after trying it I completely understood. You can do pretty much anything with this palette, for an everyday look I love the shades 'Strange' all over the lid with 'Limit' and 'Nooner' in the crease. If you want to smoke things out then they have the most beautiful black with purple tones, a colour you will most likely struggle to find in your collection.

Next, the Naked Basics palette. This can be used for a simple, beautiful day and night look. This palette contains six shades, one with slight shimmer but nothing too glittery and five matte shades. The shades are super simple and contain three light cream shades (with a yellow toned and peach toned colour), two browns that are perfect for the crease ('Naked 2' and 'Faint') and one completely black shade ('Crave'). This allows you to create a very light, everyday look and also smoke out the eye for after hours.

You've probably heard enough about Urban Decay so I'm going to go onto my most loved, most versatile palette I own- the Lorac Pro Palette. This really is all it's cracked up to be and more. The top row contains eight, gorgeous pigmented shades, mainly mattes, with some creams, browns and a mauve colour whereas the bottom row is all about the shimmers with a mix of nudes, golds and they've even thrown in a burnt orange and blue toned grey. My all time favourite shade is the 'Nude', I use this for an all over the lid colour, inner corner and brow bone highlight, I will also apply it onto the high points of my face. If they ever make this as a highlight shade I would be all over that.

So those are the three eye palettes I really could not live without in my collection, I would love to see some of your suggestions in the comments of eyeshadow palettes you can't live without!

My Beauty Must Haves

These are a collection of products I have kept repurchasing more times that I can keep track of, plus a new favourite must have from Kevin Aucoin.

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer, in the shade Fair 1 This is one of those products that I will keep repurchasing and going back to no matter what concealer I try. I have tried concealers from Bobbi Brown, Nars, Makeup Forever and so many more but nothing can beat this one, and for £4.19 that is a winner in my books.

La Rouche Posay Effeclair Duo Plus I first started using this when my skin was not in the best way acne wise and I haven't stopped using it since. I don't know if this was the product that changed my skin but it certainly contributed as this was the only think I haven't changed in my skincare routine and its still going strong! I use this all over my face as a moisturiser type product then apply Aveeno Moisturising Cream to the drier areas.

Burts Bees Lip Balm This really does what it says on the tin, just a lip balm but a damn good one! This is super moisturising but the thing that wins me is I have to apply it once throughout the day and never again until bed. I have used this for at least four years and don't think I will ever stop.

Kevin Aucoin Sculpting Powder, in the shade Medium This is a new edition to my bronzer/contour products and boy do I love it. It may not look like it but I have had this for long but it has been quite a few months and it looks like I've barely touched the pan. This is a beautiful contour shade that is not orange or muddy and gives a perfect grey shadow-esque contour on the face.    

Bumble and Bumble Pret-a-Powder Hands down the best hair product if you have hair that lacks a bit of life sometimes. After I style my hair whether it is straight or wavy I will sprinkle this on the roots and it gives a perfect 'oomph'. This is also one of this products that you can transform slept on second day hair to make it look freshly washed, I really can't say anything bad about this. 

Links I've Been Loving #2

1. I don't know why I proceeded to scroll through the pictures of this copper kitchen pot set after I saw the price tag, but they were too beautiful not to share and drool over.

2. This travel blog is one of my favourites, from Morocco to this lovely beach cottage in East Sussex, it covers many Pinterest worthy locations. 

3. What's a 'Links I've Been Loving' post without a baked goods recipe, right?!

4. I am currently in search of a new apartment for next year so I am loving these bedroom decor ideas and will definitely be trying some things out.

5. Just a little something to satisfying that burrito craving...

6. If your a sucker for illustrations, stationary and jewellery, and you click on this link it's more than likely you will spend all of your monthly earnings here. Sorry in advance.

My Brow Routine

Recently I have started filling out my brows and I really don't know what I was doing before this. Since I am a brow 'newbie' quick and easy products is what I search for, and the combo I am currently using does just that. 

The first brow products I used were the NYX eyebrow gel in the colour 'blonde' paired with the NYX tinted brow mascara in the colour 'blonde' to set them. While I did like these products I found filling out my brows with the eyebrow gel was a bit of a faff, it just look too much time and not a great brow outcome every time.    

To replace the eyebrow gel I decided to pick up the holy grail of all eyebrow products- the Anastasia Brow Wiz in the colour 'Caramel'. This new combo I am using is perfect for my colour and super simple to use in my opinion. If you are a redhead like me, I find it pretty hard to match the colour of my brows and Anastasia products definitely does the job. I still use the NYX tinted brow mascara in 'blonde' to set them which does wonders and makes sure they do not budge throughout the day. 

Anastasia Brow Wiz £15.50

NYX Tinted Brow Mascara £5.50

Let me know what your favourite brow products are in the comments below ♥ 

8 Healthy Snack Recipes

I love snacking so I am always searching Pinterest for new, healthy and quick snack ideas. So I thought I would share these are some recipes I have come across. Enjoy!

 1. Avocado Toast by littlebroken.com

 2. Apple Sandwiches by garnishwithlemon.com

 3. Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls by viviannadoesmakeup.com 

4. Veggies and Greek Yogurt Dip by cookingclassy.com

5. Green Smoothie Bowl by kitchenconfidante.com

 6. Frozen Banana Bites by sheknows.com

 7. Crispy Chickpeas and Edamame by thegarlicdiaries.com

8. Apples and Peanut Butter Honey Yogurt Dip by twopeasandtheirpod.com