Hair Bobbles With No Kinks? - Invisibobble Review

Anyone will understand the pain of wanting to scoop your hair back in a bobble, to keep it out of your face, but not wanting to develop the dreadful "kink" which appears every time you remove a hair bobble. Although I think that the never-ending war of bobbles and kinky hair has now been won. Introduuuuuucing (I can't help but think of a WWE-esque narrator now) Invisibobble...

My Aunty has already pinched one out of the box, and that's why there is only two pictured! Naughty...

The idea of Invisibobble, is that they are a "traceless hair ring" which means that they will not leave a mark in your hair, they also are caring to the hair, and helps to avoid headaches (I've never found this with any bobbles, do they seriously cause headache?!)

So, does the Invisibobble live up to its claims?

Traceless? Yes, it is completely traceless, I have tried it in both my naturally curly hair, and my blow-dried straight hair. Both times it had no kinks, and my Aunty with thinner hair than me, also tried it and was left with no kinks. Whether it refers to it being IN your hair, I don't know, but it isn't very attractive, but in my eyes, neither is a regular bobble.

Caring to the hair? This works because there is no metal, and the ends are sealed together so that it won't snag your hair. It is tons better than even the metal free bands I've used in the past, which still pull out strands of my hair. When I take one of these out, it slides out with ease and pulls zero hairs out with it.

Avoids headaches? I can't put this one to the test, as I only get headaches from reading without my glasses, and I never have a bobble so tight that it would cause headache. But I can imagine how this would avoid headache, as the weight being evenly distributed  means your hair feels a lot less restricted and a lot less "slicked-back."

I now sleep in these, by putting my hair on the very top of my head and sleeping like this means I don't lie on my hair giving it awkward kinks, neither do I have bobble kinks. Win, win...

They also claim that these have a bracelet feature, meaning when you're not wearing them in your hair, you can wear them on your wrist. Which is fair enough if you're 12, but in all honesty, I'm turning 19 very soon, I shouldn't be wearing a telephone cord shaped bobble on my wrist.

Being as partial as I am for a ponytail at the top of my head at the end of the day, these are an absolute saviour, and are one of the best bobbles I have tried, have zero gimmicks and fully live up to the claims Invisiboble makes.

Invisibobble is available from Feelunique, and is £3.75 for three hair rings. Find here.

Balmain Nail Couture Collection - The Ultimate nail varnish extravagance

When huge designer houses decide to do beauty products, this is exactly what you'd expect them to look like... 

Cue... 

Balmain's beautiful, extravagant, minimalistic offering... 

I was drawn to this like a squirrel is drawn to nuts, the colours in the box are all wearable, and would be ideal for someone starting off at branching into nail polish, thanks to the "suitable for every occasion" fashion shades. I'm the biggest fan of classic shades like these, and hardly ever wear glitter, or holographic nail polishes, so for a collection to come out, with shades this beautiful, I couldn't say no, could I?

The packaging of the box is literally the epitome of elegance, a simple, monochrome box, with the Balmain logo adorning the top, and the polishes themselves follow this theme, being simple, monochrome, square shaped bottles. (3,2,1 and swoon...)

The polishes themselves are actually really good quality, and have lasted a very long time in comparison to other designer polishes, cough, Chanel and YSL. The brushes are quite a wide fan-type brush, reasonably similar to that of Essie and Dior, meaning you can apply the polish in one swoop, especially with the curved tip, which seems to just follow the curve of your cuticle perfectly. Much unlike most nail polishes now, all three of these shades are opaque in two coats, without being excessively gloopy and thick in consistency.

I didn't actually get chance to take any pictures using a proper camera, so I've decided to sneakily use these that I posted on my Instagram. (Left to right, Noir with Mat Top Coat, Rouge, Nude)

So all in all, this is one of my favourite things of the moment, I'm falling in love with this beautiful collection, and couldn't recommend it more to people, you should all get one, because, well, I insist.

Getting Curly with Paul Mitchell

Hola ladies. How are you all? I'm feeling excessively excited by the fact that I now have Photoshop on my new laptop, and that I can return to regular posting. I'm still getting used to having a newer version, but I'm like a kid at Christmas. Granted, a very technical and Photoshop-intelligent kid, but a kid all the same...

After getting in touch with the lovely Sarah, at Paul Mitchell, she very kindly offered to send me some of the new curls range to try out, and to my surprise, these full-size bottles arrived a couple days after getting in touch with her. It was quite a while ago now that I received them, and I wanted the chance to fully review them after using them for a longer length of time.

In general, the packaging of Paul Mitchell products are professional and clean-looking, matching the company well, given this product isn't available to buy at a lot of stockists, and most, being salons. Each product has detailed instructions on how to use them, making them easy to use for even the most novices, to the most expert hairdressers.



Spring Loaded Frizz-Fighting Shampoo - £14.95

I have to admit, I was left a little curious by this one, as I didn't particularly understand what difference a shampoo could make to the definition and anti-frizz effect of my curls. Especially given that when I use shampoo I use it only at my scalp to cleanse without stripping the rest of my hair of any moisture. I found that this foamed up well, and smelt of cleanliness, leaving my hair feeling clean and clarified. However I'm not sure what this added to having "zero-frizz" seeing as I've always used it with other conditioning products, and my full curl maintenance routine.

Full Circle Leave-In Treatment - £14.95

Something I'm in no way used to, is using leave-in conditioner, I've always thought it'd leave my hair lack-lustre, and a wash out option is always much easier to get hold of. I was pleasantly surprised by this, and when used on the mid-lengths to ends of my hair, left it moisturised and eliminated any dryness that came from using only shampoo previously.

Ultimate Wave Beachy Texture Cream Gel - £11.95

This was also something I was a little surprised by, given most products for a beach hair look, (sea salt sprays) usually come in the form of, well, a spray. But, once again, I was left completely surprised, and favouring this over the infamous Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray. I found a small amount of this on my wavy hair left me with texture, without looking like I had used a lot of product, and feeling like my hair needed washing immediately.

Twirl Around Crunch-Free Curl Definer - £18.95

As the saying goes, save the best for last, and that is indeed what I have done... The total winner of this collection is the Twirl Around curl definer, not only for the brilliant swirled product inside the bottle, for how simply incredible it is once out of it. Looking up close, the swirls look like a combination of cream and gel, and the bottle tells you to emulsify it between your fingers before you apply, I always do this, and put some on the outside of my hands too so that when I fluff my curls up, they all get a generous amount of product. With the majority of curl definers, they leave your curls defined, but, looking wet and feeling crusty, Paul Mitchell's offering does neither of these, and is slowly becoming my holy grail product for achieving perfect curls.

Hope this post has helped some of you fellow curly-wurlys that are finding products to make hair maintenance a little easier. I know personally how hard it is to control the 'fro. But definitely be sure to embrace it...

A Pretty Haul of Sorts...

Technically, this post includes lots of things I haven't paid for, so does this still make it a "haul"? I don't know, but just to clarify, I did not steal them... 

Space NK, meet my currently empty bank account. I LOVE a little Space NK shop, and I needed to stock up on my much-loved Touche Veloutee, which by the way, lasts FOREVER. I also needed a new serum and body lotion, so I got these two Kiehls products for the first time. I'm loving them both so far, and I've never had a lotion that did anything but moisturise, so this is quite a wonder really, details will come in a post soon ;-) 

My Aunty went away to Portugal a couple weeks ago, and despite being offered the chance to go, I was excessively excited to spend two weeks home alone, because, I cannot lie, I love my own company. (I'm so shallow.) She bought me Calvin Klein Euphoria and MAC's Hue lipstick seeing as I didn't go, pretty win-win, if you ask me.

I broke two nails and so them gorgeous long babies I was donning just had to get cut down, I decided to stock up on Avoplex in hope of encouraging a little growth. I'd also had my eye on OPI's Bubble Bath for quite a while, given its a sheer pink (you all know they're my favourite nail polishes now, right?) so whilst placing a cheeky Amazon order, I caved. I also repurchased matte nail envy, which hadn't arrived when I took these.

Favourite mascara ever repurchase, Dior Iconic Overcurl, bought with £15 in Debenhams points. Score! I also bought the Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder and fan brush upon recommendation from the forever flawless Zoe Newlove.

Seriously exciting acquisition in the form of a YSL Blush Radiance palette, and a YSL Glossy Lip Stain that I won from the incredibly lovely Dave Lackie, editor of online beauty magazine, Beauty: The Guide. He has tons of awesome beauty giveaways on Twitter, and even more incredible beauty advice, straight from the experts. I insist you go follow him straight away on @Davelackie.

Following Dixi jewellery on Instagram and Twitter is dangerous for the bank balance, but good for the soul. Last weekend they shared a flash discount with me, for 20% off, so I caved, buying the ever so beautiful and elegant moonstone midi ring, rose gold thumb ring, and rose quartz necklace. Totally gorgeous, right?

Hope you've liked this little post (apologies for the occasional bad quality photo) I will be coming back soon with more posts, given my new laptop will very soon have its presence graced with Photoshop. I cannot wait to be back to posting on a regular basis.

Reading List - Books I've Read and Reviewed

It's no secret by now that I'm quite the book worm, so I thought I'd share with you some of the books I've finished recently, and what I thought of them. So basically, a review, I don't make anything simple, do I?

The Time Keeper - Mitch Albom
This one is actually relatively new in terms of its release date, and I'd had it on pre-order for what felt like a lifetime. When it came I'd just finished reading another book so I got cracking straight away, and to my surprise I loved it THAT much I'd read the whole book in 2 days. It was such a compelling story, combining three different people, and the stories of those with too much time, and those with not enough. Its very suggestive on how much we value time, and how much does it really matter? Without giving away too much, I thoroughly recommend it to all of you, and if you get the chance to read this book - TAKE IT. (However, I do not approve of theft...)

Beautiful Ruins - Jess Walter
I'd seen this one flying around in all sorts of press, including Grazia and Glamour magazine, so I was totally intrigued, only when I saw the beautiful cover art in Waterstones was I drawn to it, but this really was quite a pleasant read. The story isn't told chronologically, but yet, manages to tell the story without going back on itself, its well written, set in a 1960's Italy and present-day Hollywood. I find that some of the Italian parts aren't excessively interesting, but for those that like strong descriptions of the scenes, you'll love it. Described in Grazia as a perfect summer beach read, it is just that, a pleasant easy read, and one I can thoroughly recommend if looking for something light-hearted.

The Notebook - Nicholas Sparks
We've all seen the film, or at least one of Nicholas Sparks' heart-wrenching romantic dramas. I liked the film and thought the book would be similar, but in my opinion was so awfully written it took me a good few weeks to finish this teeny book as I was simply so uninterested by it. Big thumbs down from me, I can't even say anything more than how boring I thought it was.

Breakfast at Tiffany's - Truman Capote

I'm totally madly obsessed with Audrey Hepburn at the moment, and I decided, before I watch the film, I was going to read the book. This wasn't an issue at all given how tiny this book actually is, it's only around 100 pages but I loved reading it, it really isn't different to the film at all, and now I feel very much like I want to read other books by Truman Capote.

The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho
I read this on recommendation of that gorgeous lady Zoe Newlove, and I expected great things from it when she said she'd read it four times! It had big claims to live up to, given it states 65 million copies had been sold on the cover, and quotes from Will Smith and Madonna grace it's back cover. I'll admit, I didn't know what to expect at all, and I found it was such an easy read, and reminded me of books I read as a child. It's a fable about a shepard who crosses the desert to reach his dreams, and the troubles and people he meets along the way. I think it is quite the inspiring book, and does have things you can carry into your everyday lives. I loved this book, and will definitely be keeping to read again, maybe even buying other books by Paulo Coelho.

Hope you've all managed to stick with me through my rambles! Do any of you have any book recommendations you think I may like based on these? And what's your favourite book? I'm all for a new read!

Straightening Curly Hair and Keeping it Frizz/Kink Free

Hey lovely people! How's the weekend going? I'm currently getting excited like a kid at Christmas anticipating buying my new iPhone 5 this Tuesday. It'll be my first iPhone, but it's joining a well loved iPod and iPad family of mine (I'm such a nerd...) so if anyone has recommendations for apps, accessories or anything I should get, let me know!

Anyway, when I was having a nosey through my blog stats the other day, I realised that my most popular post EVER is actually my post on the Invisibobbles, the little telephone cord like bobbles which give you kink-free hair. So I thought it was about time I updated you on them, aswell as letting you know all the products which add to keeping my hair kink and frizz free.


My hair is very thick and very curly naturally, meaning it requires a lot of maintenance, so I tend to only wash my hair once every 4/5 days, which may seem excessive for some, but it doesn't get greasy or suffer from product build-up. Aswell as this, my routine takes quite a while and is too time-consuming to do every other day like some people. (However, when I leave my hair to dry naturally, it lasts only two days, otherwise I would look like I'd been in a car crash)

So at the moment, my routine starts with shampoo and conditioner, and I've been using the Toni and Guy Blonde products for a few months, which are quite good, but nothing mind-blowing. I leave the conditioner on for as long as I'm in the shower, and ALWAYS wash it off with colder water than I shampooed with, and blast it with freezing cold water, which helps the hair cuticles lie flat, helping eliminate frizz. And once I get out the shower, instead of using a hair towel, I use an old (but clean!) t-shirt, which is a lot gentler on hair, and I think, adds to the elimination of frizz.


After leaving my hair wrapped in a t-shirt for about twenty minutes, I use either my Michael Mercier detangling brush, or wide-tooth comb carefully, as wet hair is more susceptible to split-ends.

I spray a little of the 3-Day Straight spray on my hair, and comb through, before separating my hair into sections using any clip I can get my hands on, and use the Neal and Wolf Heat Protection spray to shield my hair from the hot tools I use. Then, I use my Tresemme hot-air styler to blow dry my hair, section by section until its finished completely.



I think this cult product is something that everybody loves, and I personally hold this accountable for my hair-growth, as before using this, I never had such healthy and quick-growing hair. I use 2/3 pumps of this on the ends of my hair to almost add back any oils the blow-drying strip away, and let it soak in for about an hour, before I section my hair again, and use a finer-toothed comb and a sectioning clip to straighten my hair (on the lowest heat setting- to avoid any unnecessary heat damage).


As much as I try to keep my hair down, I cannot help but want to scoop it up in a ponytail, and I must confess, that most nights, I prefer sleeping with it up in a ponytail, too. When I had been using regular bobbles I had dreadful kinks in my hair so this wasn't something I could do on a regular basis, without waking up with hair like Cameron Diaz in There's Something About Mary. My original review of these babies is here if you want to read more.

It may seem a little excessive to go through so many steps, but when you wake up upto 3 days after and haven't had to do anything but comb your hair, it's totally worth it!

Tips and Tricks (A summary): 
- Apply shampoo from the crown outwards, and conditioner from the mid-lengths to ends
- Blast wet hair with cold water to flatten the cuticle and eliminate frizz
- Use an old t-shirt instead of a towel
- Take extra care when brushing/combing wet hair
- Always use heat protection
- Don't tie bobbles too tight
- Don't brush hair whilst it's still warm, or put it in a bobble. Let it cool down first...

Hope you've all found this post a little helpful, I'm really happy to have finally found a routine which works for me, I hope it can help someone else too.

If you have any questions or anything you'd like to add, please do so in the comments below!

The Brush Addiction continues - Crownbrush NEW Infinity Series

A couple weeks back I was doing possibly one of my most dreaded tasks ever, walking to the bus stop (over-dramatic, huh?) and as I strolled casually listening to the same drivel on my iPod I got a little blip on my Blackberry which was an email from the excessively talented Karla Powell make-up artist, asking if I'd like to be sent some of Crownbrushes new Infinity range to review. Being a huge fan of CB as I'm sure you all know by now, I was very giddy, and the thought of receiving some brand spanking new brushes definitely got my through the bus journey!

Anyway, onto the brushes, and large amounts of Crownbrush praise, as usual....




With the revamp of their Infinity range, the new brushes claim to apply powder, cream and liquid without absorption into the bristles, which are soft-synthetic AND vegan friendly. The handles have been changed to a much sleeker matte finish, with an imprint of each brush number to be able to access your favourite brushes easily.



C451 - Small Round Buffer
In the blogging community, everyone seems to go completely cuckoo for the Real Techniques Buffing Brush, which as a part of a set (when no one uses the others!) is a steep price for £20+, however, when compared to this little buffing brush is TERRIBLE in comparison. This buffing brush makes foundation application a breeze, and doesn't pick up excessive amounts of product, whilst smearing it around your face like some do. It makes application, quick, easy, and a lot more comfortable thanks to the super-soft bristles. I can truly recommend this brush to everyone, whether it be for personal or professional use, when looking for an incredible high definition, photo-ready application of base products.

(Note: I've used this with all different foundations, from BB creams, to thicker ones, like Laura Mercier's Silk Creme, as well as using it to buff in MAC Strobe Cream for a dewy finish, and Benefit Sun Beam for a highlighted, Victoria's Secret glow. So yes, it really is a "one size fits all" kind of deal with this brush!)

C453 - Angle Blush
Probably the dark horse of the bunch, and something people are less likely to be drawn to, but this is quite impressive at multi-tasking. So far, I've used this for foundation application, contouring (and with the thinner end of the brush) blush, and highlighter. I found this worked incredibly with powder cream and liquid products, and even when cleaned kept it's shape and original "softness."

C457 - Round Blender
This brush is completely ideal for application of concealer, eyeshadow primer, and for contouring both cheekbones and the bridge of your nose. It picks up just the right amount of product, and blends it in well without leaving little bristles on your face, like I've found with some fluffier small brushes. I've found it works well with my MAC concealer palette, and lighter, more liquid concealers, aswell as my Nars Eyeshadow Primer and Chanel Soliel Tan de Chanel, so like the other two brushes, is once again a miracle does-everything brush!

I've found all of these brushes to be absolutely amazing, and possibly some of my favourite brushes yet, especially for working with cream and liquid products, which I seem to be favouring at the moment.

As if I wasn't already madly in love with this brand, they've gone and topped themselves AGAIN. I'd like to thank you so much Crownbrush, for sending me these goodies, which have revolutionized my makeup routine and made a very happy girly. I love you guys!

Hair like Silk - Neal and Wolf Super Shine Spray Review

I feel as if I'm constantly apologising to you guys at the moment for my absence of posts, but I do promise, that once my laptop is up and running as normal, I WILL be back to posting on a regular basis, and spamming your feeds with endless wittiness (just kiddin'. Orrrrrrr, am I?) Anyway, tonight's post is a quick one too, my iPad battery is about to run out, and the Winchesters are on my TV.

Gloss, elegance and silk are the three words which come to mind when I think of this product. I had to share it with you, just because I'm falling more and more in love with this brand...

Neal and wolf are a brand which seems to be quickly gaining in popularity, and their prices sit in the mid-range of hair products, coming at around £10 a product (roughly, though... Don't hold me to it!) Their products are easy to buy, given they are pretty much a capsule collection, having just the products you REALLY need, no hair dust or any of that silly stuff.

Like the heat protection spray, which is my holy grail for protection, the shine spray is another holy grail of mine, and in all honesty, does boast some similarities to the heat protection, like the way it feels weightless on the hair, and is dispensed as a fine mist, which covers all your hair lightly and evenly. It also has that incredible scent which the heat spray has, which can only be described as luxurious. Having caramel blonde coloured hair, I do occasionally need an extra bit of help with shine, but a lot of products don't actually do anything (I'm looking at you, Oribe, I feel like I want my £30+ back!) this, does make your locks glossier, without looking unnatural and helps to tame frizz and flyaways. This can be used in numerous ways too, which aren't listed on the bottle, including, spraying it on your hands and using to moisturise the ends, mixing in with shampoo, and even mixing in with curl cream to keep curls defined but glossy.

So my lovely followers, I hope you have a fantastic weekend, I'm home alone so I'm unsure just how lazy I want to be. People keep asking me to go out, or offering to come round to mine, but isn't it just SO much more fun watching cheesy telly, and wearing either silly onesies or nothing at all? (Sorry for that bad picture, maybe it's time to go?...)

The Quest for that Perfect Glow - Dior Nail Glow Review

Hey chicas! No, you're not seeing things, this is a real post from me. I decided to brave my leg-burning, overheating, old laptop to get a post up so you don't think I've disappeared off the face of the earth.

We're forever searching for that perfect glowing look, whether it be with our hair, skin, eyes, teeth, it seems we're becoming more and more obsessed with looking healthy, and finding products that can recreate it (especially for the girls like me, struggling to say no to chocolate.) One place I'm always whining about wanting to look perfect is my nails, whether it be the hideous flaking or accidental snapping, they're always refusing to do as I tell them to. However, despite numerous buffing tools, files, treatments and cuticle oils, I've never really referred to my nails as glowing, or even wanting them to glow, until now...

Dior nail glow is a pink tinted, completely sheer polish which gives your nails a french manicure effect without the tiresome white tips which, honestly, remind me of us getting giddy with the tip-ex in boring maths lessons. -I know you all did it! I have no idea how this works, but it whitens your tips and makes the pinks of (well, the pink...) your nails pinker (you know you've missed my miraculous language don't you) ;)

As with the majority of Dior products, the Christian Dior logo is etched into the cap, adding to this products luxurious feel. I picked mine up in my local Debenhams store, and I used some of my beauty card points so I think it only ended up costing me a couple pound, but it is available to buy at Escentual for the cheapest price of £15.30. I'm so glad I purchased this, it works amazingly on my nails, and if it runs out, which I cannot imagine it doing soon (a little does go a long way!) I'd definitely recommend. A generous 9.5/10 from me! And not just because I have a little Dior addiction.

- The first hideously hideous snap is my naked nails feat a little tan staining from last week, woops! 

- The second, somewhat less hideous snap is ONE coat of Dior Nail Glow, how fantastic is that?

- The third is my complete manicure, two coats of Essie's Ballet Slippers, one coat of Essie Mademoiselle, and a generous coat of Seche Vite's top coat to give it that gel-like finish.

I personally feel if you're addicted to opaque polishes, this is a complete unnecessary product, and you'll get no use out of it whatsoever, but, if you're not allowed nail polish for work, or school, this is ideal. For sheer pink polish addicts like myself too, this is a perfect base coat, it preps your nails much better than any other base coat.

Hope you've enjoyed this post. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my Photoshop discs will transfer easy enough onto my new laptop so I can get posting again, because I miss blogging and you lovely guys!

Quick Update

Hey guys! Just thought I'd fill you in, on my lack of posting... I've been suffering from a very serious case of broken laptop (heh) and it pretty much won't let me do anything strenuous, like a put a memory card in, open Photoshop - big baby!! So I haven't had a chance to post, anyway, I have a brand spanking  new Acer Touchscreen Windows 8 laptop to play with, but I'm still getting used to it, and have to transfer all of my old files and programs over still, so it could be another few days before you hear from me again.

In the mean time, my iPad and other gadgets have me all over Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram, so feel free to follow me over there. My links are in the sidebar...

Lots of love to you all, have a brilliant weekend, be safe and to all the anxiety sufferers; KEEP STRONG.

Hair like Silk - Neal and Wolf Super Shine Spray Review

I feel as if I'm constantly apologising to you guys at the moment for my absence of posts, but I do promise, that once my laptop is up and running as normal, I WILL be back to posting on a regular basis, and spamming your feeds with endless wittiness (just kiddin'. Orrrrrrr, am I?) Anyway, tonight's post is a quick one too, my iPad battery is about to run out, and the Winchesters are on my TV.

Gloss, elegance and silk are the three words which come to mind when I think of this product. I had to share it with you, just because I'm falling more and more in love with this brand...

Neal and wolf are a brand which seems to be quickly gaining in popularity, and their prices sit in the mid-range of hair products, coming at around £10 a product (roughly, though... Don't hold me to it!) Their products are easy to buy, given they are pretty much a capsule collection, having just the products you REALLY need, no hair dust or any of that silly stuff.

Like the heat protection spray, which is my holy grail for protection, the shine spray is another holy grail of mine, and in all honesty, does boast some similarities to the heat protection, like the way it feels weightless on the hair, and is dispensed as a fine mist, which covers all your hair lightly and evenly. It also has that incredible scent which the heat spray has, which can only be described as luxurious. Having caramel blonde coloured hair, I do occasionally need an extra bit of help with shine, but a lot of products don't actually do anything (I'm looking at you, Oribe, I feel like I want my £30+ back!) this, does make your locks glossier, without looking unnatural and helps to tame frizz and flyaways. This can be used in numerous ways too, which aren't listed on the bottle, including, spraying it on your hands and using to moisturise the ends, mixing in with shampoo, and even mixing in with curl cream to keep curls defined but glossy.

So my lovely followers, I hope you have a fantastic weekend, I'm home alone so I'm unsure just how lazy I want to be. People keep asking me to go out, or offering to come round to mine, but isn't it just SO much more fun watching cheesy telly, and wearing either silly onesies or nothing at all? (Sorry for that bad picture, maybe it's time to go?...)

Birthday Gifts and Lots of Pretty Things

There's quite a few pictures in this post, for no other reason than, I got, well, a little camera happy! I thought I'd share with you my birthday gifts, a lot of which were from me, to me. Any excuse!

Oh, and just to clarify, before anyone goes off on one... I'm not bragging in anyway. Some of these are gifts, and some of them I bought for myself. I just love shopping...

One of my favourite jewellery pieces ever, comes from this beautiful, elegant, gold open heart ring by  the Irish jewellery designer, Chupi. My Nan and Grandad bought me this so it means more than it would have if I'd bought it for myself.


The beautiful Chupi ring in action, and with a vintage, ornate rose ring my Aunty got for me. I won't wear these together all the time - just thought I'd save a picture and put them together (I'm so helpful, right?!)

My Aunty bought me this beautiful coffee table book which is currently on display on my shelf, its Audrey Hepburn in Hats, and showcases a beautiful collection of images like the one above. (Isn't she just the epitome of elegance?)

The DVD collection is actually a gift to myself. I've already worked my way through all of these, and love them all so much. I'm currently becoming very much addicted to Audrey, and if you follow me on Instagram, you'll probably already have been bombarded by Audrey related pictures already...

I mentioned in my previous wishlist post I'd like to read The Notebook and my beautiful Aunty bought it for me, alongside Safe Haven, which I haven't seen the movie of yet, so I'll be holding off until I've read the book.

It's not as excessive as it seems- I promise! A lot of these are freebies which I got with various orders, but I decided, after buying my first Chanel polish that I'm very much in love with them and need more. I bought Frenzy in Southport on my actual birthday, and Blue Satin when Debenhams had a sneaky 10% off. I bought my MAC lipsticks at the same time (because of course I needed more...) And as a self-confessed Dior addict, I decided to pick up this gorgeous nude lip colour because I had £10 in points on my Beautyclub card.

They're beautiful, right?
Mac's Pure Zen and Plumful, and Dior Incognito.

(Left to right: Dior Incognito, MAC Pure Zen and Plumful)

Another treat for myself thanks to sales. This beauty was 1/3 off in Argos, and only cost me £20! It comes with a heat proof mat, full glove, and a carry bag to store it all in, not to mention how brilliant it is. I'll be reviewing this soon.

I can't say I usually shop in The Body Shop, but when I heard about the beautifying oils which had come out, I decided to go and pick one up, I use it mainly for my cuticles every evening, but it's a bugger to apply from this bottle! I also picked up a foot cream with the "Buy one get one half price" offer... GLAM.

My "to-read" list is getting ridiculous, but I still had a little stroll into Waterstones and came out with these...

And I had to add this little fella to the end of this post. If you don't follow me on Facebook, or Twitter, you won't know that I'm planning on bringing some nail-art tutorials onto my little corner of the web, so keep an eye out, and no doubt you'll find out how to make this little guy yourself.

And another reminder, my giveaway closes tomorrow, so don't forget to enter! I can't wait to draw the winner, and I'll be letting you know via Twitter, and email!

Hope you've enjoyed this post, and I promise I'll be back with more substantial posts soon, I've been a little bit of a let-down during the summer months.