Tartan Treasures

Whilst having a little wander through TK Maxx the other day I stumbled upon a stand packed with Burberry Make up, from mascara to foundation to eyeshadow to lip gloss, if you can name it it was there.

Seeing as it was all marked down, I thought it'd be due not to pick a couple bits up!  I chose the Velvet Foundation in Trench No.201 and the Fresh Glow luminous fluid base in Nude Radiance No.01.  I've worn them both a couple times and am loving them!  The consistency of both is really lovely to apply and they look so flawless on the skin.  

The Velvet Foundation lasts aaages and blends so well, a little bit definitely goes a hella long way!  The Fresh Glow is gorgeous too, like a giant bottle of liquid highlighter that soaks into the skin and leaves you looking all healthy and shimmery.  It's perfect for those summer days when you want something on your face but not a whole face of heavy make up.

I'm not sure I could have forked out £35 each for them, but seeing as they were £20 each in TK Maxx I figured it was practically buy on get one free (that's what I told myself anyway!)

Steph

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It's a Wrap

Wrapping gifts has got to be in my top 10 things I love to do, Christmas turns me into a kid in a sweetshop!  The different papers,  the cute tags, the ribbons, the raffia, even just brown paper packages tied up with string (see what I did there haha!)  Maybe it's a throwback to my days in the chippy wrapping endless portions of fish and chips...

...anyway! When one of my besets friends' birthday rolled around and I got to send her a parcel full of goodies I was super excited.  In terms of the actual shopping for the gifts, getting them delivered and figuring out what to get her...lets just say I sent the parcel 2 weeks after her birthday (oops!) but once I had everything there, I was whirlwind of wrapping, packaging and making it all look beautiful.

It all started with a box...

...I found this one at TK Maxx and loved the message on the top.  It's so nice to be able to make the packaging itself part of the gift and something you can keep.  This one had little section cards inside as well so you can organise those photos even if they're not in the albums yet.

To put in the box I ordered some Michael Todd skin care products.  I'v been using these for a little while now and, although they can be pricey (especially with customs charges, why don't I live  in the USA?) they are all organic, vegan and so kind to your skin.  I ordered the sensitive skin bridal package (my friend isn't getting married but she has super sensitive skin so I erred on the side of caution!)

I also picked up a copy of The Vintage Tea Party a book I was given for my birthday and absolutely love.  My friend loves to bake and the whole book just instantly made me think of her.

Once I'd finally gotten round to getting all the bits and bobs to go in the box I filled it with tissue paper (I told myself it was to protect the presents in the post, but it was totally just because it looks cute!) and wrapped the book in the same paper.  I put the book  on top of the other presents so it was more of a surprise when she opened it and all she saw was tissue paper.

And then just to keep it all together in the post I tied the box shut with some raffia and slid the birthday card under the bow.

I had so much fun putting this little box together and parcelling it up in brown paper to take to the post office, and I know it will have put a smile on my friend's face to open something that's had a little time and effort spent on it.

Steph

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I Want Candy!

Summer fragrances are something I really look forward to each year.  This one being no exception I eagerly started looking for a scent I could wear all summer and still love by the time October rolls around.

I took a little more time this year, maybe because it's the first summer in four years I've been single and, therefore, not had a bunch of fragrances immediately discarded.  This year I was looking to find something that I like, regardless of how others take to it.

I found a sample for Prada Candy - Florale in a magazine I was reading and instantly fell in love with it.  It's so light, feminine and sweet without being overpowering.  The floral notes really come through but the sweetness off sets them somehow.  

(I've just realised I'm awful at describing a smell so go smell, you'll love it I promise!)

I've been wearing it non stop, every time I catch a whiff of it I fell like a child again, watching my mum getting ready to go out and wearing a gorgeous perfume.  It has an air of glamour without being in your face.

Also, can we just talk about the bottle for a minute!  It so super cute!  I love the little mushroom top to it (it's probably got some fancy name but mushroom top will do for me!) it's just really well designed and looks amazing on my perfume shelf.

I'd love to try out a couple more summer fragrances this year, so any suggestions please pop them below and I'l be sure to check them out :)

Steph

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