LITTLE BLACK DRESS

Pretty unexciting post for y'all - sorry! Still working all hours at the moment and haven't had much of a chance to peruse the shops or get inspired recently.

But even I couldn't fail to notice that the weather has suddenly got a lot more spring-like these past few days which prompted me to pick up this little number...

 Black knitted slouchy dress from Boutique at Topshop

Picture it with bare legs, long silver necklaces and some black Ray Bans...

 Can't help but think this is the perfect thing to ease me into summer. It's casual and comfortable looking and I love the semi-sheer effect of the open knit. Hopefully this will come up as long and slouchy as it appears in the picture - Boutique stuff does tend to run slightly oversized, I've found.

PLEASE stay nice into the weekend so I actually have somewhere interesting to wear it other than the office, my car, Cessnock co-op and my house...

RECENT PURCHASES

Not THAT MUCH again really, especially in the way of clothes. However I have just seen an awesome vintage denim playsuit that I might have to add to this here wee pile, but only after I've been to the bank on Wednesday and had a look at my finances... I've a feeling they won't be too perky. WOOPSIE!

Anyways, here's what I've been buying these past few weeks:

Pegasus t-shirt from Studio at Topshop.

I bought this the same day I was running around trying to find loads of last minute stuff for the IWD Fundraiser and I can only assume  my brain was totally fried cos I'm not really sure what I was thinking. I mean, it's quite cool and I DO like the print, but... I don't know, I'm not really loving it. I've just bought like 15 other spring-type t-shirts so this was hugely unnecessary, but whatever. 

Motel lace shorts

THESE however, were not unnecessary. Since I don't wear jeans, I find myself constantly living in skirts and dresses which can get mega boring. I have a few pairs of shorts too - leather, suede and denim - but I still kind of feel they draw attention to my ass, which I don't love (read loathe). But I tried these on in the toppers in Argyle Street and totally fell in love! They are perfect to dress up or dress down and will go with my entire wardrobe. Plus they're stretchy so they fit over my ample arse but still hug my waist too. HI, PERKS OF BEING A PEAR. Someone needs to write a book about THAT, man.

H&M cropped striped sweater

So, OBVIOUSLY this is not me. DURR. But yeah, I couldn't find a pic from the website so I just stole this from Chictopia. Bad internet etiquette aside, this wee light knit is cropped to the ideal length (no accidental midriff, yay!) and is perfectly slouchy and casual  for pairing with the lacey shorts. Possibly slightly unnecessary but it was only £7.99!! Freakin' bargain or what.

Deena & Ozzy at Urban Outfitters leather western shoe

Weird confession time... I own four pairs of virtually identical western shoes (one brown pair, two black pairs and one black snake-skin pair) from Urban and I love them all. LIKE BEYOND BELIEF. They are so comfortable, go with everything and are just generally my favourite shoes ever. My brown pair are getting so battered and bruised that I've been panicking for a while that I'll have to throw them out. Lo and behold I spied these badboys on the Urban website reduced from £95 to £60 and absolutely had to have them. I just had to. You know how some guys collect trainers? Yeah, it's like that.

YSL Glossy Lip Stain

I went in to Frasers last Thursday for a wee browse of the YSL counter with a view to MAYBE picking up one of their Rouge Volupte Sheer Candies but when I swatched them they were SO sheer I figured I'd be better with a cheaper lip balm. But the woman did try out their new Glossy Stain in number 7 (coral) on me and I've been in love with it ever since! So much so that I went home and ordered number 18 (baby pink) from the website. They shine like a gloss, feel like a lipstick and have the staying power of a stain. PERFECT!

Soap and Glory Great Kisser lip balm - peach

Still kind of bummed that I never got the Sheer Candy, I picked this up as a substitute. The smell is out of this world delicious and the sticky staying power of this balm is really much more like a gloss. Which is nice because I have loads of other balms purely for repairing and moisturising, but if I had been looking for this to do those things I think I'd be a bit disappointed. Definitely a gloss in a pot.

MAC Face & Body foundation in C1 and MAC Strobe Cream

For ages now I've been wanting to try out a sheer, light foundation. Not because I have perfect skin (LOLing at the thought), but because I tend to think that thick, mattifying, powdery foundations make my skin look and feel worse than it is. I've been trying really hard with my skincare routine recently and I still have a long way to go but generally I've seen an improvement and I'm not into that full coverage, cakey look as much. BUT, having said that I really don't know if Face & Body is for me.

The consistency is so watery that the only way to apply it is with your fingers which I don't really like. It is so incredibly sheer that I can still see everything through it, almost like I've not put anything on at all. I have to layer it and layer it, which eventually does start making it look cakey. And despite being the lightest cool-toned shade, C1 is still too dark for me. On the other hand I really like the satin finish it gives and it does tend to stay on my combination/oily skin for quite a while, although I do have to powder it. All in all not amazing but I'll persevere. Maybe. I really REALLY want to try out that new Estee Lauder invisible fluid makeup next... Anyone tried it?

I am, however, totally sold on the Strobe Cream. I apply is as a moisturiser in the morning under my Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation if I feel I need more coverage that day or if I'm going out at night (not the serum one, the regular one) and it gives a beautiful finish. I also sometimes use it a little on my chest and collarbones and the subtle shimmer is gorgeous. It smells WAY WEIRD though. Don't think I'll ever get used to that.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Extreme Fluid SPF 30

Hands up who watched the Lisa Eldridge favourite French pharmacie products video?! I absolutely adore her and am consequently desperate to try out every product she ever mentions! Her latest video reminded me that I really should sort out some SPF for my face for when I go away to Portugal in May. I can't bear slapping on normal, body SPF cream all over my face since it's always gloopy, greasy, thick and MINGIN. I had heard Lisa mention La Roche-Posay's Anthelios Extreme Fluid SPF 30 before and how it's brilliant for oily skin... A quick peruse of the Boots website (one of the few places you can buy LRP in the UK) revealed that the brand is part of a 3 for 2 skincare promo that's on just now. SOLD. DONE. SORTED.

La Roche-Posay A.I Intensive Spot Treatment

The part 2 in my 3 for 2 - something to kill breakouts. I've been dabbing undiluted tea tree oil onto any random spots for a while now but it makes NO DIFFERENCE. Seriously. I will never trust what anyone says about tee tree oil ever again, nor will I ever buy any skincare products with it in it again either. Pointless. I also have an old tube of Clearasil something-or-other but that makes my skin flake and peel (mmmm nice) so I've been looking for a localised spot treatment that falls somewhere in the middle. Hello Effaclar A.I, I have high hopes for you :)

Aveeno Positively Radiant Triple Boost Serum

The part 3 of the 3 for 2 and a bit of a wildcard. I actually really wanted the Dr Weil for Origins Mega Bright Serum but it's like £40 so sack that. This Aveeno number is a total random addition but I'm very into serums just now - in fact I'm pretty sure it's my Advanced Night Repair that's made such a difference to my skin recently, and I'm hoping to double-team using that at night with this during the day. We'll see what happens. If it's guff I'll let you know.

So that's what I've been spending my HARD-EARNED cash on these last few weeks. If you've tried any of the skincare products or anything else and have an opinon on them please let me know innit.

Peace.

RECENT PURCHASES: FEBRUARY

Shockingly I've not actually spent too much this month so far! Cray cray I know and not like me at all, but I've been quite uninspired by the high street of late, and I seem to keep getting outbid by a POUND at the last second on eBay which is massively frustrating... Seems the universe is telling me to save my pennies for some reason...

*strokes beard mystically*

Anyway, here's a little mix of some of the stuff I HAVE managed to buy.

A scrummy afternoon tea with the maw at the Butterfly and Pig Tearooms.

I've been in here loads but never actually splurged on the full afternoon tea package but I was in the other day with my maw, thought SOD IT and treated her to the works. CHECK OUT THE CAKES! Absolutely delish and worth every penny!

Topshop lipstick in Innocent.

Argh, sorry for the HUGE close-up of my trout pout, just wanted to show you the difference between the bullet, swatch and how it actually looks on. As you can see it looks a little darker and warmer swatched but actually goes on quite blue-toned. This is perfect for me as I reckon I suit cooler-toned lippys but just beware before you buy. As for the texture, it's soft and quite moisturising but nowhere near as awesome as Pillow Talk from the Smoke and Mirrors collection. Oh, Topshop, PLEASE re-release it!

Topshop nail polish in Hidden Treasure.

Apparently folk are touting this as a dupe for Chanel's Peridot polish so if that floats your boat defo snap it up, it's only £9! I do like this but think it gives a better pay off when layered over black or dark green. Let's face it though, the real issue is my crappy, stubby nails. MUST STOP BITING.

MAC mineralize skinfinish natural in medium.

I do like my Chanel loose powder but sometimes, on drier days in the office with the air-con up full I find it's really VERY powdery and tends to cling onto my huge sideburns/downy fur up the sides of my cheeks. SOOO when I discovered MAC are doing free online delivery for London fashion week I just had to buy this. Waiting on it arriving and VERY excited to see if it lives up to all the hype.

Topshop floral t-shirt and tunic.

The top one is from the actual shop and looks way nicer in real life. The print is sort of worn and looks kind of vintage, but it's only on the front and not the back which BUGS ME. The second was an eBay bargain. Not even really sure why I got this... I guess I remember liking it when it was out in the shops and I managed to get it for just £8 so meh. Check me all floral out ma nut. You'd think it was like, Spring or something...

intage cat-print cropped t-shirt.

I featured this in my Etsy roundup recently and YUP, I bought it. It's REALLY, REALLY cropped though, not quite sure yet how exactly to wear it. But I'll figure it out. I mean, I have to right? Look at all the cats!!!

Minkpink Marrakesh dress.

I absolutely love this but evidently it splits opinion since Kirsten thinks it looks like a tablecloth. Last week I was literally like "I think I'll wear my new patterned dress, the one that ties at the back," and she goes, "Oh aye, yer tablecloth dress?" CHEEKY MARE. But yeah, this was in the Urban Outfitters sale for half price so double snaps for me. Love.

Liz Earle Instant Boost skin tonic.

Y'all know how much I love my cleanse and polish so I decided to pick this up when I found I was running low on my usual toner. I'd been using the Clinique anti-blemish solutions toner for YEARS but was getting pretty sick of it and I was totally lost about where to go next. Liz Earle just seemed like the sensible choice. This smells lovely and doesn't sting - so far thumbs up.

Desert Essence thoroughly clean face wash.

I got this in Whole Foods on a total whim. I'd been looking for a tea tree oil-type face wash for a while but all the ones I'd tried were really harsh and drying. This one's got loads of other oils in it too though and when it first comes out it looks and feels just like an oil, which is kind of weird. Once you start to rub it in it eventually foams up but it doesn't leave my skin tight or too squeaky. I mainly use this in the morning and I like it so far, although I've had a bad couple of outbreaks the past wee while and I can't work out what's been causing it so I'm keeping my eye on this...

Kiehls Ultimate Strength hand salve.

Reading the gumph on this online you'd think it was for WORKIES ONLY and to be honest my hands aren't really THAT dry, but what they are is old looking. The skin on the tops of my hands is really papery and thin, and I have loads of wrinkles and lines around my knuckles and ragged bits of skin round my nails where I bite and... BLEUUURGHH, OK, basically it's just hand carnage. I have the hands of a pensioner, for real.

This stuff is a super duper strength salve, really not one for chucking in your bag and using on the go. I only ever slather this on at night and in the morning they look less wrinkly and feel velvety smooth, it's magic. The weird, filmy, glove-like texture takes some getting used to so I'd say really only get this if you truly need it.

Cath Kidson toiletry bag.

For keeping my face crap in instead of it all just being strewn across my room/the bathroom/any available surface. Come on, who doesn't love Cath Kidson?

And THAT'S IT. Seems like not a lot really, but February ain't over yet...

RAWWWWWKSANNE!

You don't have to put on your red light... etc.

No, but seriously, I really don't want this blog to turn into a tedious captain's log of all the crap I buy on a daily/weekly/monthly basis cos let's face it, that would be pretty boring for you guys and would also make me look like a some kind of nutcase shopaholic with bags of money to burn - the latter of which, at least, is DEFINITELY not the case...

That said, I've been doing a few freelance things here and there on top of the day job and felt like treating myself to a new Mulberry bag, this time in black. My mind went from the Taylor to the Harriet to the Polly Pushlock and back again, until I realised I was overlooking a Mulberry CLASSIC: the iconic Roxanne bag.

One problem - it's been discontinued. At least I think it has, I've read a few conflicting things - one blogger said it was brought back last year for a limited time - but either way it was an absolute MUST HAVE a good few years ago but has slipped by the wayside in favour of the Alexa and Lily etc. But even Mulberry themselves hold it in the same esteem as their Bayswater classic, and there are usually a few to be found kicking around the outlet stores down south.

Once I realised this was the bag for me, I had a wee reccy on eBay and discovered someone selling a slightly battered, deliciously worn-in black leather Roxanne for only £185.

BARGAIN!

And look what arrived today!

I am so in love with this bag. It's probably not everyone's cup of tea - the brass hardware, pockets, belts and buckles mean it looks quite busy on the front but that's one of the things I love about it. The other is the fact that it's been pre-owned. I couldn't bear the thought of someone keeping such a gorgeous bag at the back of their wardrobe for years, never fully appreciating it, and because it's been used, the thick leather is buttery soft, flexible and uniquely creased. It's the kind of bag that's only going to get better with age - something I don't think I'll be able to say about it's much flimsier cousin, the Alexa, which is already starting to look slightly battered and dated...

Anyway, you get it. I love it. Here it is with me at work, just for the hell of it.

The little Mulberry trees are stamped on all the studs :)

Look, it opens!

I am SO busy at work right now.........

Argh! Sorry for the plook and massive eye bags - currently completing my second week of midnight-finishes which are NOT kind to the skin/eyes/soul.

But yeah. I love this bag. Sorry to, like, shove it all in yer faces. Basically my point is next time you're in the mood to splurge consider some pre-loved designer ware, in particular Mulberry. When the bags are of this high quality and have such lasting appeal, you can't really go wrong.

MULBERRY BARGAIN!

Say hello to my new winter/spring tweed boyfriend coat, courtesy of the irresistible Mulberry sale...

I have something similar from Topshop but it's totally done, and I couldn't resist this bargain - £275 down from £595! Real tweed and check out those gold buttons... Swish.

I love a boxy, mannish coat so I do, total epitome of dress up or down. Seems like a bit of a splurge but I mainly just got money from Santa and I was privy to a cheeky wee tax rebate recently so BAYUM, I just went and bought it! Cannot WAIT for it to arrive.

There's hunners of other things in the sale, including that gorgeous dress Fearne Cotton wore on Children and Need (totes stunning - when she gets it right she gets it RIGHT) so have a swatch, but be quick!

RECENT PURCHASES: NOV&DEC 2011

Howdy, y'all.

Currently obsessed with Christmas shopping, but it seems I can't trawl the shops these days without arriving home LADEN with treats for myself too. Shameful!

 In case you're wondering, here's a selection of STUFF I've been buying the last few weeks:

Topsop 'Fluro' ombre jumper. Just trust me when I say it's much nicer in real life. It's a little bit pinker at the top and quite slouchy and over-sized. Perfect for these really dull winter days when the sun never seems to properly rise.

This was ACTUALLY the only piece of clothing I've bought in the last wee while you guys, SO unlike me! The rest of my purchases have been more makeup/skincare based...

Topshop Pillow Talk lipstick. If you follow me on Twitter you might remember a while back I was asking you guys for some nice pale pink lipstick recommendations and this badboy got a lot of hype. I only bought it today so I can't tell you what it looks like on, but hopefully it'll suit me. I have fairly dark browny/pink lips naturally so I hope this has enough pigmentation to properly cover them up and not sit in the cracks and gross chapped bits. Boke! That actually makes a nice segway into my next purchase...

Elizabeth Arden 8 hour skin protectant for lips. I get really bad chapped, broken and sometimes bleeding lips in the winter which I constantly bite and pick at - HOW ATTRACTIVE, GUYS. For the last few years I've been religiously using my Smiths Rosebud Salve - cult fave - but this year they've been particularly bad and I felt it just wasn't cutting it.

I'd heard from a friend this was the way to go, but I got a PURE shock when I realised it was £18! However the girl at the counter assured me that for sore, red, chapped lips there really is nothing better, so I shelled out the moolah. SAW ME COMING, EH?

I've only been using it for a few hours but already my lips feel SO moisturised and much less inflamed. I was worried the texture might be gloopy or thick like the Burts Bees lip balm which I just DO NOT get on with, but thankfully it's light and there's a slight sheen too. I also like the citrus smell and white packaging so all in all, so far I'd say it's worth the money.

Sleek Storm i-Divine palette. I'd been hearing about the Sleek eyeshadow palettes for ages but never really felt much need to get one - usually I'm happy with a generous slick of liquid eyeliner and lashings of mascara, however, for this Christmas season I really wanted to try out some warm, browns, berries and golds.

I'm sure I've mentioned to you all before about what a beginner I am when it comes to makeup, but I kinda felt like only a PROPER DONKEY could go wrong with this particular palette. There are a wide range of shades to blend together (some shimmery and some matte), and a nice wee mirror and applicator, though I might chuck that out and get a proper brush.

I've been using it for a few weeks, on and off and I find the colours really pigmented and easy to blend. I'm still getting used to seeing my eyes with eyeshadow and not just eyeliner as it's quite a DONE sort of look, but for nights out I think I definitely quite like it.

Make Up For Ever HD Foundation. So I've been using my Skin 79 Intense Classic Blemish Balm solidly for a while now as I felt like I needed the extra coverage and slightly satin finish it gives me. Plus, it matches my skin tone EXACTLY. However, recently I've been watching more and more YouTube tutorials which feature this foundation and I love the look of it. It's not cheap though, I paid over £30 for this beast, so I have pretty high expectations. It should arrive in the next few days so I'll let you guys know what it's like. Anyone out there use it? What can I expect?

Mac 187 brush. To use with the HD foundation innit. I usually just use my fingers, or my flat Ruby and Millie foundation brush to apply foundation but I like this swirling, buffing motion I keep seeing and hearing about (amateur guys, I told you) and I fancy giving it a go. This is probably a bit of an unnecessary splurge but WHAT THE HELL, it's Christmas!

Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil finishing power.  Simply the best finishing power I've ever used. Fact! This is a much-needed and long-awaited repurchase.

Dermalogica Overnight Clearing Gel and Clearing Mattifier. In my tireless, NEVER-ENDING quest for the right skincare to tackle my evil, spot-prone skin that hates me, I stumbled across a YouTube video of Lisa Eldridge using the clearing mattifier and chatting all kindsa good stuff about how it helps control oil and stop breakouts etc etc, and I totes trust her word so, BAM, I just shelled out over £60 for these two products.

I'm really hoping these make a long-term difference you guys. I'm so sick of trying new products with my hopes all up and then nothing happening. Or in the case of the Alpha H Liquid Gold, a totes unexpected painful burning sensation and immediate breakouts the next morning :( If I'm honest though, my skin has been slightly better than usual the past 2 weeks, and that's thanks to my next new buy...

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish. I am SO glad I bought this. At first it was a bit weird smearing the white cream all over my dry face, but now that I'm used to it I can say that WITHOUT A DOUBT it's the best cleanser I've ever used. The process can be a little time-consuming what with all the rubbing, rinsing the cloth, wiping away, rinsing again and repeating, but the results are totally worth it. After patting my face dry it's completely smooth and comfortable - by that I mean it's not bright red and tight as it usually is with soapy or exfoliating cleansers. I haven't noticed a dramtic reduction in the apperance of blemishes but the overall texture of my skin is much improved. The soft, calm effect is still there in the morning when I wake up and I've noticed that I don't need to use a moisturiser in the morning any more. And it literally removes every single stitch of makeup - waterproof mascara, lipstick, you name it - without all that nasty aggravating scrubbing or harshness of astringent removers.

Seriously guys, this is my new Holy Grail product and I've been raving to everyone I see about it. It's about £18 for the largest size in John Lewis but you can get a smaller amount for cheaper if you want to try it. And seriously, YOU DO WANT TO TRY IT.

Yankee Candle in Christmas Cookie. Not clothes, makeup or skincare-y based at all but something else I'm totally loving at the moment - the Christmas Cookie Yankee candle! The others in the Yankee Candles Christmas range, like Christmas Eve, Happy Christmas and Christmas Tree are all nice enough but it's Christmas Cookie's sickly sweet and warm cosiness I can't get enough of! Sweet scents aren't for everyone and I might not get this as a present for someone unless I'm sure they really are into it, but personally I have a massive sweet tooth that just won't quit so this is perfect for me.

I love giving Yankee Candles as gifts. Sometimes candles can seem like a bit of a namby-pamby cop out but the Yankee range is so well-known and credible, which such a massive range to suit everyone that I can't imagine anybody being disappointed with one under the Christmas tree.

*cough* Hint, santa?

Finally, something I WISH I'd bought recently...

Large Mulberry Evelina satchel in black.

Please, Santa? GO ONNNNN!!!

x