Clutter free makeup storage...

I'm a happy bunny today, I found another way to store my makeup!



I found these little baskets from Butlers that were reduced to £2.99 each, so I grabbed 5! (Yes they come in different colours.)

Here's a before and after shot. I loved the way my makeup was stored before but no matter how I positioned things it looked cluttered and I wasn't happy with it and constantly kept swapping from acrylic storage to pretty boxes. Now it's clutter free and adds a more airy feel to the room!

I Absolutely love it, the hubs was impressed too! :)

Here's how I organised things...

1. Lipsticks
2. Lipglosses and bases
3. Blushers
4. Bronzers and some Sleek palettes
5. Pencils, eye stuff and Mac palettes
   

How are you storing your makeup?

Check out my previous STORAGE posts for more organisational ideas.

June Favourites

My favourites mostly stay the same all year round, but here are my loves from the past month...




Bumble & Bumble Gel The multi talented sculpting medium - I always use gel, mousse or hairspray to smooth my hair back when I put it up. The past month I have been loving Bb's gel to sculpt my hair when it's up or down. I have been curling my hair then running a blob of this all over and brushing it out which gives a lovely non sticky finish.

Garnier Body Tonic Sugar Scrub - I have always LOVED this to exfoliate my legs and rediscovered it again, It's fresh, gritty and lathers up well revealing radiant skin.

Avene Hydrance Optimale light hydrating cream SPF 20 - As I mentioned in my 'Pregnancy Skincare' post, I have been using mainly Avene products on my face due to the sensitivity. This cream is ultra light, non greasy, quickly absorbed, hydrating and gives a matte finish all with an SPF of 20. Perfect summer product if you ask me!

RE9 Arbonne Cellular Renewal Masque - This IS a wonder product! I was sent this along with a range of other skincare as I'm a judge for the UK Beauty Awards and wow am I glad, I have been using it once a week for the past few months and my skin has improved so much. It contains AHA's, Gycolic acid and lots of natural oils. It's only advised to be used at night as it makes your skin go RED. The first time I used it I was actually REALLY scared as it looked like really bad sunburn, but it faded after an hour or so. The day after I use it I wake up to the most beautiful soft and clear skin, after a few uses my scars from previous spots have almost diminished. Cellular renewal it is, I actually feel comfortable going out without makeup now.

On to the makeup!

Soleil Tan de Chanel & Mac 131 Brush - These two are best friends, I love that I get no hairs in my product with the 131 and pick up the right amount to bronze my face. PERFECT!

Mac 'Hue' Lipstick & Smashbox 'Pout' Lipgloss - I just can't get enough of these shades, 'Hue' is a pale pinky nude that compliments any eye makeup and 'Pout' is a blue toned pink that refreshes my complexion. I sometimes wear them together and sometimes alone.

Urban Decay Cannonball waterproof mascara - I have been loving using this in the humid weather, it doesn't budge, transfer or clump. It holds a great curl and I don't have to worry about panda eyes!

Maybelline Dream Touch Blush (16H13R) - This is a peachy apricot cream blush, it has a smooth consistency and I have either been applying it with my fingers or the 131 brush to give my cheeks a warm glow. LOVE IT!

Sleek Monaco Palette - Yes, I have still been loving this palette from the Mediterranean collection and here are a few looks I did with it that I managed to take pictures of. For some this palette looks unwearable but for me it's fantastic as I love pops of colour and I feel like it just depends on what other colours you combine it with.

Using 'Summer breeze' a matte pale mint green...

Using 'Sunset' the shimmery copper..

Using 'Midnight Garden' the matte navy...

What are your June favourites?

OMP!

I'm a little late on this one but everyone has been commenting and asking tons of questions about what's been on my nails the past week, so I thought I would clarify.

It's a shade called 'OMP' which stands for 'Oh my Pink' by Nails inc. I would describe the colour as a pink toned (blue based) red which sometimes looks a little coral but with no orange undertones. Confused? Think Mac 'Impassioned' or 'Toxic Tale' lipstick. It's currently a personal favourite for summer due to the unique undertones!

The colour is a little hard to photograph but you get the gist! (2 Coats - it was opaque in 1, no base and top coat.)

Unfortunately the shade 'OMP' is part of a limited edition set for 'Fabulous Magazine', so you can't just buy it from a Nails inc salon. The other shade in the set is called 'Atomic' and is a vivid orange which I haven't tried yet.



To get your hands on this set you will have needed to collect three tokens printed over four weeks in Fabulous magazine in 'News of the world' paper, which started on Sunday 19th June which you can redeem from Tesco stores from 3rd July.

LIST YOUR DUPES BELOW... Or dig out your Newspapers!

Keep up to date with beauty deals in the UK with Money Saving Expert!

Sunday...

Today is incredibly hot, the weather in London is as unpredictable as the lottery. I have been chilling with Peanut and the family, here are a few pictures....

When it's hot I don't bother with that much makeup, today I opted for sunscreen in my moisturiser and then slapped some Mac Face & body foundation on, Chanel cream bronzer, some eyeliner, mascara and I did have Mac 'Hue' lipstick on that's faded.

I'm still loving maxi skirts and pops of colour, I'm loving statement jewellery like always and dug out this bronze necklace that I got from H&M years ago... Still loving it!

Hope you are well, I am now on leave from work and things will get back to normal on the blog, I have SO many posts planned! Thanks for supporting me all the way! :)

Peanut, and baby Bubbles send their kisses!! xXx

What are you wearing in the heat?

25 Weeks..

My mind at the moment can't really focus on anything but the baby hence the lack of posts lately. I'm still working, but next week is my last week so I can't wait to put my feet up and relax! I still feel good but tired and have a little back pain, but it's nothing serious.

Here's what the belly looks like today, I'm exactly 25 weeks pregnant (6 months + 1 week) and I feel her moving constantly. They feel like mini kicks and punches which sometimes keep me awake at night, but I love it! :)

I went a little crazy in the 'Baby Gap' sale, I would show you but there's far too much! Ooops! :) We have decided on what cot we are getting which is a small one from Ikea, and the style of bedding I want. We fortunately got a feeding chair from Ikea already and I love it. However, I am so undecided on a pram. I want one that is suitable from birth and will last her until she grows out of it. It needs to be lightweight as I live on the 2nd floor and we have no lift so I need to think about how I will manage when I'm alone. So far, we are thinking of either the Icandy 'Peach' or 'Strawberry', or Bugaboo 'Cameleon'. But, then there's always the one's from Mama's & Papas and then I have to decide on a colour! Oh decisions decisions.... Any advice and suggestions would be great! By the time I have this baby I'm going to be an expert in pregnancy I tell you! :)

So far, I am loving my bump and dressing for it, all is good and I hope to update again soon!

Kisses from me and baby bubbles! x X x

New Cushions for the bedroom..

I felt like I needed to lighten things up so I purchased these cream cushion covers from H&M and I LOVE them!



I want to hang something big and white on the wall too just to break up the print and switch a couple more cushions. I might even change the wallpaper completely, or paint the wall white, I haven't decided yet!

As you know I'm pregnant and we only have 1 bedroom so I have to incorporate the nursery into our bedroom and I want it to look as serene as possible! HELP!!!! :)

I also recently got this pendant light from 'Laura Ashley' which is beautiful and really adds a cosy touch to the bedroom. Now I need a small lamp...

Any space saving tips on incorporating the main bedroom with a newborn baby will be much appreciated!

So far, I know I want to have some kind of pullout storage for under the crib, I want to put a little shelf above the crib with cute baby toys on it, with the fabric letters that spell her name above. I want everything to be clutter free which is going to prove difficult but I need to make it work somehow....

Lust...

If you have hazel, green or brown eyes you need this pencil in your life.

The pencil I am on about is Urban Decay's 24/7 glide on eye pencil in 'Lust' which is an intense slightly metallic purple. I use mine a lot, probably just as much as I use 'Zero' the black version. In fact my pencil is tiny now, but today I realised just how much I love it.

The pencil itself is creamy, non scratchy on my sensitive eyes and lasts all day.

On my face I am wearing:

• FACE - Urban Decay Tinted moisturiser (Shade: Bulletproof) Mac studio finish concealer and moisture cover concealer under the eyes.


• CHEEKS - 'Soleil Tan De Chanel' bronzer and Msybelline mousse bronzer in Apricot.


• LIPS - Mac 'Hue' lipstick


• EYES - UDPP, 'Lotus Flower', 'Bamboo' and 'Sand Walker' e/s from Sleek Monaco palette. Urban Decay 24/7 liner 'Lust' on upper lash and waterline. Maybelline Falsies mascara.
  
  

Voila... Impact without much effort!



What colour are your eyes, and what colour do you like best to enhance them?

23 Week Pregnancy Update!

I'm 23 weeks and 2 days pregnant and I feel great!

The baby is now a little more than 500gms and measures about 29cm. Her hearing is established and can make out a distorted version of my voice and my heart beating along with my stomach rumblings.

The biggest part of my belly now measures almost 35". My tiny waist which used to be 24" now measures 30". I started off my pregnancy at 59kg and dropped to 57kg due to morning sickness. I now weigh 62kg which is quite good, I thought I would of put on a lot more weight at this point but thankfully I haven't.

I can now feel her moving a lot more frequently, it feels like soft taps which are sometimes quite hard. I can also see my belly move slightly when she pokes me! :) I'm still using the Body Shops body butters all over my body and an extra layer of 'Neal's Yard - Mother's balm' on my bump and breasts and I have no stretch marks to report yet!

Sleeping in a comfortable position had become quite impossible so I purchased the Dream Genii pillow. I have to say it's brilliant, it supports my back and my bump and I wish I got it sooner!

I spotted a potential hospital bag at a bargain price and snapped it up!

I got it for £19.90 from Butlers, it's huge, sturdy and brown. I heart it! Also, my husband wont have to feel funny carrying it, I could never give him a girly floral bag to hold. :)

I also got this little blue bag to store bits and pieces which will also go inside the hospital bag. It's rather large and is from H&M for £4.99.

I got a few things for 0-3 months for the hospital....

I have been making notes of EVERYTHING I have to do as I am a listaholic. How cute is my notebook? It's from WH Smith by the way.

Here's my list for the hospital bag - click to enlarge and tell me if I need to add anything! :D

I told you we had already decided on her name, and we have stuck with it (not revealing it yet). I got some gorgeous fabric letters from Mama's & Papa's that I will hang on the wall above her cot. Awww :)

I also couldn't resist this patchwork dress... obviously! But it's SO cute, I want to wear it hehe!

Also, I found a picture of my hubby when he was little and doesn't he look so cute? He actually looks like a little girl! :)

How are you feeling today? I can't believe I will be exactly 6 months pregnant in a few days, I honestly can't wait to meet her, hurry up 1st of October!

Monaco Palette FOTD and OOTD..

I blogged about the new Sleek Mediterranean Collection this morning, and this afternoon I obviously wore it out!

Smiles all round!

First here's my summery outfit shot taken during our walk by the canal. I'm still loving maxi dresses and skirts as they are really comfortable with my 23 week pregnant belly! Look how much I have grown. :)

Coral Cotton Maxi Skirt - H&M
Vest Top - Primark
Denim Shirt - H&M
Belt - Nicole Farhi
Sandals - Topshop
Bag - Warehouse

Anyway onto the makeup!

I kept it quite natural as it was a daytime look but I could easily of transformed it with some black eyeliner and lipgloss.

Here's what I am wearing:

FACE - Mac Face and Body foundation and Mac 'Moisture Cover' concealer under the eyes.
CHEEKS - Soleil Tan De Chanel bronzer
LIPS - Mac 'Hue' lipstick

And finally on the eyes I am wearing 4 shades from the gorgeous Sleek Monaco palette. Here are the steps I took:

1. I Applied Nars smudgeproof e/s base all over the lid.
2. 'Washed Ashore' e/s on the entire eyelid.
3. 'Bamboo' e/s to highlight browbone and inner corners.
4. 'Moors Treasure' on the outer half of the eyelid and blended into the crease.
5. 'Sand Walker' to blend everything out in the crease.
6. I then applied Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner in 'Lucky' on upper lash and waterline.
7. Maybelline Falsies mascara.

I love how earthy this look turned out, 'Washed Ashore' looks so pretty on eyelid, and 'Moors Treasure' really added an element of smokeyness whilst keeping it wearable for during the day. I'm looking forward to doing some more looks with it, it's definitely a summer must have for 2011!

x X x

Sleek Mediterranean Collection..

Guess what I got through the post this morning? Yep, Sleeks new 'Mediterranean' collection which includes the Santorini blush, Monte Carlo lip conditioner and Monaco palette.

I was discussing the collection with my sleepy eyed husband at the breakfast table and clearly he didn't appreciate my enthusiasm for colours and textures. So I had to share swatches and my initial reaction with you right away as I needed to let it all out! The collection hits Superdrug stores on the 8th of June.

Here's the Santorini blush (£4.29) and the Monte Carlo lip conditioner (£4.29).

'Santorini' is a matte cool toned bold pink shade which is incredibly pigmented. Personally it's way too bright for me and not something I'm that excited about for now. 'Monte Carlo' is a sheer cool toned pink lip conditioner, it's a nice shade to have but not something I'm crazy about and I'm also not a fan of the scent.

However, something I am crazy about is the 'Monaco' eyeshadow palette. (£6.49)

The colours scream "Mediterranean" with coppers, browns, blues, greens and sandy browns. The best thing about this palette is that there is a range of highlighting, base and crease colours with a mixture of matte and shimmer textures which don't contain glitter. Clearly a perfect product to travel with for a holiday as these colours will compliment a sandy beach, clear blue seas and a golden tan all for an afforadble price and in compact packaging.

Mmmm yummy! I love every colour apart from maybe the green shade, which is weird because green is my favourite colour. Here are some swatches in natural light...

The matte dark navy blue will be stunning for a smokey look, and the matte turquoise will look great on the lower lash line... Ahhhh I want to decorate my eyes with these colours right now! I will be sure to post a fotd when I do!

Here are the swatches again with names and in direct sunlight. Look how pigmented they are, I applied them on the back of my hand with no base using my fingers. (Click image below to enlarge for a clearer view.)

I couldn't help but associate some of the colours to some from my Mac palette, 'Sunset' is a very close dupe for 'Coppering' e/s by Mac. 'Bamboo' is a matte cream colour that is a tad more creamy looking as opposed to white like 'Brule' from Mac. 'Humming Bird' is similar in tone to 'Steamy' from mac down to the slight golden shimmer but just brighter in tone. 'Sand Walker' is a shade lighter in tone than 'Omega' from Mac.

What's your favourite from this collection?

Disclaimer: Products mentioned were sent for review, I was not paid for this post and I am not affiliated with the brand. Honest opinion as always.