The Too Faced Beauty Editor Darlings set is exclusive to Sephora. This one came from the Boston store in the US and was just $19 (but has contents valuing $58).
It features five miniature deluxe samples of much-loved Too Faced products- Lashgasm Mascara in Black, Shadow Insurance Anti-Crease Eyeshadow Primer, Glamour Gloss Volumising Lip Gloss in ‘Sexpot’, Lip Insurance Smoothing Anti-Feathering Lip Primer, and Primed and Poreless Skin Smoothing Face Primer.
I hadn’t tried any of these Too Faced products before, so this kit was a great way to test them out and see what I like before making a bigger investment. I love the lipgloss as it enhances my natural lip colour and makes them look plump. I also love the eyeshadow primer as it really enhances the colour of shadows that you put on top.
I’m not a fan of lip primer in general as I find that it feels uncomfortable on my lips. This one does feel funny; but it works and keeps lipstick put. The mascara is a nice black that lengthens lashes well; but is nothing worth going out of your way to buy. The face primer created a really good base for my foundation. It helped it blend more easily, and helped create a more flawless finish that lasted longer. Out of the set I would probably only purchase full-size versions of the lip gloss and the eyeshadow primer.
If you aren’t lucky enough to be able to get tickets for London Fashion Week (14-18 February), you can still soak up the atmosphere of the Somerset House tents, and get some fashion inspiration at London Fashion Weekend (20-23 February 2014).
This public (but ticketed) event takes place immediately after LFW, and has catwalk shows and shopping galore. Julian McDonald is the first designer confirmed, showing his latest ultra glamourous collection. You can also get a goodie bag full of treats. It’s the chance to be a real fashion insider for the weekend.
Carrying on the style, IHG’s Holiday Inn Ariel at Heathrow is the perfect place to stay during your visit to London Fashion Weekend. This sleek but affordable hotel has 24-hour room service and a great restaurant.
There is a direct tube (on the Piccadilly Line) from Heathrow Airport to Covent Garden, one of Somerset House’s closest underground stations. It also makes it so much easier for you to catch your flight home at the end of your fun-filled weekend- no fashionista likes getting up at the crack of dawn. Or, if you drove to London, leaving your car at the Holiday Inn Ariel Heathrow is much more convenient that battling city traffic and those dreaded congestion charge zones.
There are always offers running, so make sure you check out the hotel’s website and get booked in early to make sure you don’t miss any of London Fashion Weekend.
I picked these up from Walmart in the US for a couple of Dollars each; but you can buy them on Amazon here- just unfortunately at three times the price when you add in postage.
I love the Wet’n’Wild eye shadows. They create the perfect smokey eye, and are each labelled with ‘Browbone’, ‘Crease’ and ‘Eyelid’ to make the process simple. There is a mixture of shimmer and matte eyeshadows that all go brilliantly together and blend like a dream.
The three trios I got are Knock On Wood, On Cloud Nine and Walking On Eggshells (my favourite). I can’t wait to pick up some more.
I have very much switched off for Christmas. As Dawn from Dawniepopsies blog said last week, my phrase of the moment is very much “F**k it, it’s Christmas”.
This weekend, I wrote my Christmas cards to people who have played a part in the success of this blog this year, and in the continued success of my digital title Twinkle Style & Travel Magazine.
I had the cutest cards made at Instajunction with a collage of some of the fun moments of my year from Instagram. I hope the PRs etc who receive one will have fun spotting their events.
Also, as most of you will know, I have been on a diet. In just over two months I have lost one and a half stone. This weekend was my last weigh in until the first weekend in January; so that I can enjoy Christmas guilt free. My plan (hopefully it works) is to lose another few pounds before Christmas, then put a few on over that festive week; so that when I weigh myself in January I should be the same as now.
I’ve been walking in the crisp Winter air with my new pedometer from Ozeri. The
4x3 Motion Digital Pedometer is great as it is so easy to use and measures calories burned and distance too. It also has a 7-day memory which is handy.
Other than writing and watching TV, i’ve been enjoying Christmas films such as Nativity 2: Danger In The Manger. It, and the first film, are so funny and light-hearted. I’ve also been listening to talking books on Audible. I’ve just finished Jenny Colgan’s Christmas In The Cupcake Cafe which was a gentle easy listen with some great characters, and I have just started Miranda Dickinson’s Take A Look At Me Now, which sounds like it is going to be a really good chick-lit story.
I’ve put up all my Christmas decorations, and I’ve also been using a light switch timer in my hall so that i’m not waking up in these dark mornings to a completely dark house. It works on the actual light switch rather than a plug point, and is accredited by the Police. Great for those who don’t like these Winter mornings.
Next week is the Scottish Blogger’s Christmas Party. I have my Christmas jumper ready to meet the dress code, and have my secret santa present wrapped. I’ve also got dinners with friends planned to swap presents. The festive season really has begun!
I love my Links of London gold Sweetie Bracelet and charms; but I really want a Silver one (£150). John Lewis have a great selection of Links of London charms- how cute is the little red cherry on this Cocktail Glass & Cherry Charm (£45)?! The Mini Pink Heart Charm (£35) also really appeals to me as it adds a nice touch of colour, and I love pink. Add in a letter ‘L’ Sterling Silver Alphabet Charm (£35) and I have my perfect bracelet.
I also love Links of London’s friendship bracelets with the coloured threads. I love this Mint & Yellow Woven Friendship Bracelet (£140 at John Lewis), as it would be perfect for next S/S14.
Do you have any favourite Links of London pieces?
Post sponsored by John Lewis; but opinions are my own.
I’m a tad obsessed with fashion designer Kate Spade at the moment. I love her bright and quirky designs. I’ve been wanting to re-do my living room in a Kate Spade style for a while now; but wasn’t sure how to approach it. I was browsing online last night for soft furnishings and sofas when I came across this perfect chair from furniture store Rodgers of York.
It is from Clarke & Clarke’s Sonoma collection, and is upholstered in their Creek fabric. Rodgers of York stock lots of Clarke & Clarke’s brilliant soft denim fabric designs; but this one is perfect for my Kate Spade look.
I need this chair so badly, so that I can pair it with some bright cushions like in this mood board I have made. I can see it all coming together now!
My favourite food is Thai and Chinese, so I was excited to try the menu at the pan-Asian Bar Soba West on Glasgow’s Byres Road.
We went on a Friday lunchtime, and it had a great vibe. It was great to have a seat by the window and people watch. The decor inside is very New York street-inspired with its exposed brickwork, graffitied walls, tin cans as condiment holders and wooden plank tables.
Just as much care has gone into the presentation of the food. Freshly chopped chillies and Asian vegetables add colour to dishes, and act as reminders that everything is freshly made to order.
For a starter, my husband as I shared the Mixed Sharing Platter (£6.50 per person); which was amazing. The portion size is huge, and we needed a little break before we took on our main courses. It is excellent value for money- you get a large portion of Japanese chicken tempura and vegetable tempura with sweet chilli dip, plus chicken satay skewers and peanut sauce, Malaysian Sate Ayams (which are basically like onion bhajis) and Thai fishcakes stuffed full of fresh fish.
We both chose Thai curries for our main course. I had the creamy Thai Green Chicken Curry (£10.95), which was mild and packed with flavour. My husband had Thai Red Duck Curry (£11.95) which had a stronger spice factor.
I can’t wait to go back again. The food is so authentic, flavoursome and fresh.
For more information, and to view the menu, visit http://www.barsoba.co.uk/locations/glasgow-west-end/.
Laura Pearson-Smith
I am way behind on the Kardashian TV series; but am working my way through. I am currently on the Kourtney and Kim Take Miami season, which is just before Keeping Up With The Kardashians Season 8. Last night I watched the episode where Kourtney takes Scott on a romantic Winter trip to Paris and visits the famous ‘Love Lock’ bridge.
I think this is such a beautiful idea- writing your names on padlocks and throwing the keys in the River Seine. I am now desperate to squeeze in a trip before Christmas. There is nothing better than a Winter roadtrip; so I really want to travel to Paris by bus and go on an adventure!
Photo Credit: romainguy via photopin cc / N’Grid via photopin cc / E! Online
This is my go-to toner at the moment when I get a breakout. I know a lot of people who feel a toner is an unnecessary step in a skincare routine, but I have always used one as I find it refreshing after a cleanse. This toner from La Roche Posay, however, has great skin benefits too and I love it.
It contains sebum-regulating (basically ‘oil-regulating’), micro-exfoliating and purifying active ingredients that tighten and shrink pores, and prevent pore blockage (which causes breakouts). It is a great product for those of you with oily skin, to reduce the amount of sebum produced.
It’s what I reach for when spots appear, as it also contains the famous La Roche Posay Thermal Spa Water that is rich in Selenium (which soothes and calms irritated skin).
La Roche Posay Effaclar Astringent Micro-Exfoliating Lotion (200ml) is available online at The Cosmetic Practice for £14.
