Tuesday 31 January 2017

What's in my sisters make up bag?

Hello My Lovelies

Today I wanted to share with you all my sister's daily makeup bag contents- it's always fun to see what other people use and in my sisters case she loves and always has loved drugstore bits and bobs which is very different to how my makeup collection looks.

First up are two concealers one from Rimmel their Hide the Blemish which has been a firm favourite of hers for about ten years and a more recent purchase on my recommendation the Collection Lasting Perfection concealer. I think she likes to use a combination of the two to cover blemishes and under eyes. Another of her ultimate 'go to' products is from Avon and their CC cream pencil she also swears by the Primark one, and if you can find it in your local store is an utter bargain

Next up is the Seventeen BB Balm which she uses everyday- she's not particularly a fan of foundations so tends to use this one from Seventeen as it's light and natural looking on the skin. Miss Sporty is one of the face powders she tends to go for, though this one tends to be a little darker so perfect for the Summer months.

She finishes her daily makeup routine with an eyebrow pencil from Rimmel which I have to agree is easy to apply and shockingly for a £2.99 pencil will last a whole work day and the Natural Collection mascara. I think the whole contents of my sisters makeup bag is under £25 which is amazing when you think about it!

What's in the contents of your siblings makeup bag I would love to hear their recommendations!

Till next time,
                 Tori.
                      X

Thursday 26 January 2017

Book Haul 3!

Hello My Lovelies

Well last year started with a book drought, I had no inclination to want to read and then all of a sudden I was buying and whizzing through books by the Summer and into Autumn. So here I am back with another batch of books that I recently picked up, I can't wait for a quiet weekend when its too cold to go out and I can snuggle down with a cup of tea and read one of these!

Both books I chose to pick up are again Young Adult fiction-I seem to be enjoying this genre and there are so many amazing YA authors out there at the moment. In The Art of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson our main character David is different to his piers, his parents think he's gay and everybody at school just don't understand him-only his two best friends know the real truth that David wants to be a girl. I think this book is going to be full of change, coming to terms with who you are but also love and friendship and will possibly make me have a little cry.

Next up is You Know Me Well by Nina LaCour and David Levithan which screams teenage angst, told in alternating points of view between Mark and Kate who have known each other a whole year but have never spoken. This story is going to follow them both, how important they become to each other and teenage love.

I look forward to feeding back to you all my impressions of both books and if you've read them please let me know what you think.


Till next time,
                  Tori.
                       X

Monday 23 January 2017

Make up bag: Winter Edition!

Hello My Lovelies

Autumn and Winter is when I use make up the most and when I also tend to buy the most. During the warmer months I try to keep my make up quite minimal but in the Winter I love to try out new products and looks. I thought I'd share with you all what I currently have in my make up bag this Winter.

First up my makeup bag is from Matalan a really decent size that I use for travelling- I love anything that's monogrammed. Inside I have the Kat Von D concealer which I've been using for the past couple of months, whilst it is very good and covers my under eye bags I wouldn't say it's as good as Estee Lauder's double wear and which I need to repurchase ASAP.

The foundation I've been grabbing recently is the candle glow foundation which I picked up in Las Vegas last year- Laura Mercier foundations are my ultimate favourite as they create such a flawless look. I also have Mac Mineralise Skinfinish which mattifies my oily skin and means that I rarely have to top over the course of the day.

I've been going back to my Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush recently it's such an easy blendable subtle colour-if you haven't tried anything from this brand you must! Just before Christmas I bought my first ever Charlotte Tilbury eye shadow palette-I love the light colours which can be worn during the day or night. 

My Final three items are ones that I couldn't live without the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz which really is my holy grail eyebrow pencil and one I don't see myself ever changing, from the same brand one of their liquid lipsticks and finally the Urban Decay All Nighter setting spray- which I didn't know that I couldn't live without until last year. The setting spray is prefect to keep makeup in place all day and stops it from slipping off of my face.

What are your current must have makeup pieces? Let me know in the comments!

Till next time,
                  Tori.
                      X    

Wednesday 18 January 2017

Winter Pamper Evening!

Hello My Lovelies

I adore having pamper evenings especially in the winter months- its nice to take some time out and relax especially during the depressing month of January and here's how I like to do it!

I'll start by removing my makeup and then applying a face mask (these ones are from Primark and amazing for the price) or my ultimate face mask choice is the clay mask from Superdrug. I'll then chill out on my bed with either a cup of tea or glass of wine and read my book of choice, currently it's this one by Nina LaCour and David Levithan.

Next...there's nothing better (in my opinion) than a hot shower using all of my favourite shower products some of my current choices are Soap and Glory Clean On Me and Original Source-I'll also take some time to use my BIC razor. After it's all about the luxury of moisturising (which most days I don't have the time for) and I literally adore the Palmer's Rapid Moisture as it smells delicious and is so easy to use.

I like to finish up by painting my nails with one of the many nail polishes that I have in my collection but this particular one I picked up in Las Vegas last year and is from Wet n' Wild a really natural colour perfect for work.

How do you like to spend a pamper evening in the Winter-make sure you share with me in the comments!

Till next time,
                  Tori.
                       X

Thursday 12 January 2017

Empties Number 16!

Hello My Lovelies
It's been a while since I brought you an empties post but I've now got a few bits together and wanted to let you know if I would repurchase them again!

First up is the Body Shop Pina Colada body wash which had an incredible coconut scent and I loved- I always look forward to seeing which fragranced items they will bring out during Christmas and the Summer months. I've also recently finished up some Botanics face wipes, I think I originally bought these as you got some extra Boots points if you did- but I was pleasantly surprised at how good they were and would definitely purchase them again.

Also finished is the Maybelline face powder which was way too dusty for me to use/buy again and the Essence concealer which was a fab dark eye concealer-if I had a Wilko's near me I would buy it again. 

As you all know CO-LAB is my favourite dry shampoo brand and this time I decided to try it in the scent Rio- I think I still prefer the London but it was fun to try something new. I've not used any Palmolive products in years but I saw this in Superdrug for £1 and the scent was a glorious fruity, summery one and came with small granules to exfoliate your body. Finally I've used the Sanex anti-perspirant for a long time but decided to give the roll on a go and wow did this tube last and last and last-I think I was using this for about 3 months which is amazing for a £1.50 deodorant!

What have you been using from your stash recently? Let me know in the comments!

Till next time,
                   Tori.
                       X

Monday 9 January 2017

January Sales Haul 2017!

Hello My Lovelies

For the past few years when ever I've bought some bits and bobs in the January sales I've taken to my blog to share them with you and this year is no exception. I've not gone crazy as I've been trying really hard to save my money as I have quite a few holidays booked for this year with two of them in the first four months of 2017! So as you can imagine every spare penny is having to be put away for these upcoming trips. However I have still sniffed out some great bargains and you might still be able to grab them yourselves!

I've wanted a Zoe Karssen t-shirt for a long long time. I've always held back as I've never been sure that one of her tops would actually fit me but as I've lost some weight this past year I decided to go for it and I was really happy to find that it does indeed fit! I picked this up for half price at £20 from Very Exclusive. It is the softest top, I adore the design and I know I'll get lots of wear out of it especially as we start to get some nicer warmer weather.

Every year I go to the Marks and Spencer sale as you can pick up some amazing finds. This year I picked up this black jumper which has the nicest neckline and which looks great with jeans and boots. I found this in my local shop for £9.00 originally I think £15.00.

In M&S I also found this gorgeous dress which has a slight roll neck and zipper detailing on the wrists. From the Per Una range it was originally £28.00 but I got this at a complete steal for £11.00!!! I do love a bargain and I feel this is a pretty good one. I also picked up two pairs of black work trousers whilst looking around as my old ones were way too loose to the point I was having to roll the waistband over (which isn't vey fetching!)

Finally I decided randomly to have a quick look at the Sweaty Betty website and surprisingly came across these cropped workout trousers for £15, yes Sweaty Betty pants for £15!! Again I was little nervous that they might be a bit too tight but they are just perfect and I know that I will wear these a ton to my dance classes come Spring.


What did you pick up in the January sales make sure you share all of your bargains with me in the comments!

Till next time,
                  Tori.
                       X



Friday 6 January 2017

New In: Wellwoman Energy Tablets!

Hello My Lovelies

I'm not sure if you feel like me but I'm shattered from the Festive season- It's been hectic I worked right up until Christmas and in between I was popping to London, Oxford and parties with friends and colleagues and now that we are at the start of a new year I'm ready for a little pick me up.

Wellwoman Energy are a great way to give yourself a pep- I've taken mine first thing in the morning by popping one in a glass of water and also eating a banana (as these are slow releasing energy) to keep going all day!
The tablets are jam packed with B6 and B12 which also contribute to your natural energy release. The tablets are easy to use and come in a handy bag sized canister that means you can take these on the go. Coming in two flavours orange (my particular favourite) and lime and only contain 7 calories.

I found that by taking a tablet when I need it (not every day) helped my energy levels so that I could continue my day without flagging at 2:30pm and reaching for a sugary drink or snack which in the past I would regularly do. They are also great for vegetarians, contain no artificial flavours or preservatives, gluten and aspartame free! Taken with a balanced diet Wellwoman energy tablets could give you that little push that we all need at this time of the year.

Have you tried any products from Wellwoman-let me know in the comments!

Till next time,
                  Tori.
                       X


*PR Sample.
 

Tuesday 3 January 2017

What I got for Christmas 2016!

Hello My Lovelies

Happy New Year! I can't believe that we are now in 2017. I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas. As I do every year I like to share with you all what I was so kindly gifted by friends and family, and wow was I spoilt!

My mum and dad (my mum really) knew I wanted a pair of Ugg boots and these are perfect, they have kept my toes warm all Christmas and I've not wanted to take them off!

My mum also knew that I was in desperate need of a hairdryer as mine broke ages ago and I've been using a little travel one which isn't ideal especially in winter. I'm a fan of anything from GHD so I was really happy and overwhelmed that my mum chose this one for me.

My sister bought me a candy cane mug from Starbucks a few years ago and it chipped recently so she picked me a new one that also came with some hot chocolate and coins. She also knew that I've recently got into calligraphy and bought me this amazing set along with a 2017 calendar for my work desk and the cutest little purse which I think I'm going to use for coins when I'm abroad.

From my parents and sister were knickers and socks, Yankee candle, Nails Inc nail polish, my favourite brand of hair brush in the form of a travel brush from Wet Brush. Also some chocolate pretzels (yum!!) and a goals notebook.

I have a few trips booked for this year and needed a decent size rucksack so asked if my sister could pick one for me and I also found a Hygge book under the tree from her- I literally can't wait to read it!

My friend Hayley picked these amazing thoughtful gifts for me in the form of a 'V' trinket plate, makeup bag and Nails Inc face mask ( I wasn't aware that they were now selling face masks!)

Finally my mum and dad popped under the tree some comfy clothes: a Fatface dress, USA t-shirt and the softest nightie from M&S.

I had the best Christmas spending time with my family, eating too much and watching lots of T.V. How did you spend yours? Don't forget to let me know what you got for Christmas in the comments.

Till next time,
                  Tori.
                      X