I Have A Herring Problem

Debated posting a haul but I can’t set up my stuff I usually use to take photos because of the impending house move, but this is one of the polishes I picked up. I placed an order at Fragrance Direct and added another 12 polishes to my collection. There are quite a few OPI on there right now for £3.99 so I picked up 3, this is my favourite of the lot! I also got Wooden Shoe Like To Know and Thanks A Windmillion. OPI names are so corny. Haha. Unfortunately, no great Essie picks on there though. :(

It’s a gorgeous saturated blue. Or slate shade, whichever you want to call it. Packed with the perfect amount of silver micro-glitter. This is after 3 coats as it goes on somewhat sheer. Although application is lovely as with every OPI polish I’ve owned.. sans the mini ones, they go on weird compared to full size! It was not quite opaque after two coats, although I liked the effect, I went for three and have the result you see here. The photos don’t do it justice. Okay, so it’s not a very spring shade, but it seems to suit, especially with the weather we’ve been having lately. I realised half of the colours I bought are more A/W.. Oops. Unseasonal or not. I’m in love with this shade!

Any one picked up an bargains recently? Do you own this shade?

Mavala – Nailactan

Excuse the kinda poorer images, I took these a while ago with possibly blogging on this at some point in mind, it’s taken a long period of use to be able to give the product a good go to write a fair review. Also, you may already know this, but soon, I am moving! So won’t be able to post as much. I move in.. 19 days! WOO! So excited. So bare with me for returning to sporadic posting.

I participated in the Mavala Nail Clinic a while back and they suggested this product to me for my nails. They used to split and peel so easily, all I had to do was wash my hair. Now, Nailactan smells quite strongly but I rather like the fragrance. If you’re wanting an “apply and done” solution, this isn’t for you. I did notice benefits after a couple of weeks, but to see the full effects, you need to use it for about 3 months as it helps the fresh nail growing. Now, I don’t really have nails that split and peel like they used to. Or rather, I didn’t. I keep slacking. I went a fortnight without using it and the difference was noticible. Been so busy with sorting out the move I admit, I forgot. Now I’m trying to make up for it but all this cleaning and packing will be very rough on my hands!

“Lynn Gray, Mavala Expert likens the process of Nailactan to that of feeding a plant. ‘It is necessary to understand and appreciate the benefits you can receive from using a product in the long term. Such as you would with a plant, the roots of your nails need constant care and attention too in order to improve their condition. And whilst you won’t notice the effects immediately, the new nail which you have nurtured for three months will grow healthier and stronger.”

Pretty good analogy really!

You don’t need a lot. This 15ml tube has and is lasting my ages. I put a small blob on each nail near the cuticle and rub in to the nail root. I rub it in to the entire nail too.. just cus the little blob is plenty for it.. It smells strongly but it’s not unplesant. I quite like it. after a couple of months of trying to make sure I use it regularly, my nails are in much better condition. They’d probably be EVEN better if I remembered to use it more regularly… You can use it over nail polish too, though it’s better on the naked nails… It’s a little steep at £18.65 but it does last you AGES.

You can get it here at John Lewis!

Have you tried Nailactan or any other Mavala nail products?

Recieved sample as gift for participating in the Mavala Nail Bar on twitter.

Giles Designer Clothing at Avenue 32

Today, I’m going to share a few pieces from the Giles collection available at Avenue 32, inspired by shattered glass and how fragile it is. etc. I think that’s actually pretty damn awesome. Us women can be quite delicate and fragile if mishandled, but we’re also pretty damn tough. There is more to the collection, but I’m just going to share a few pieces and tell you WHY I like them. :) (Quotes on the images are taken from Avenue 32 product descriptions) I love fashion, I’m just not very fashionable… because I’m no good at finding clothing bargains and I’m frugal. XD I seem to rarely purchase things at full price…

First up is the Giles “Doll Print” scarf. I love this. It’s like.. fashion-ception. As in inception.. in a scaf. Geddit? Because the collection was beautiful and you have it here.. on a scarf! Which is also a fashion piece! And it looks good. And it’s cashmere. Soft.. I want to rub my face on it. I love the stick figures that are “modelling” Giles’ designs.

Next is the Silver Pegasus Jaquard Dress. I love the fit of this dress and I love the pegasus design. I have a massive thing for wings as it is and I find Pegasus to give such a regal vibe making this summer-cut dress appear super classy. I love the accents to show off the waist. Plus it’s shiny. I’d wear this to a dinner party if I had it. And if no one had a dinner party, I would host one. Just so I could wear this dress. Because that’s just how I roll.

Lastly is this Black Jaquard Bustier Top. This is sleek, simple and a little bit sexy. It could easily be dressed up or be worn dressed down. I love the bust and strap detailing, I feel like if the entire top was styled like that, it’d be too much. It could also be paired with this skirt that’s in the collection!

So there you have my picks from the Giles collection on Avenue 32. Have you ever splurged on designer gear or do you just lust after it and go for the high street bargains instead? Or ever get lucky and find a designer piece while being thrifty in a charity shop or car boot sale and pick it up for a bargain?

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post.

May Birchbox (Supporting Fashion Targets Breast Cancer)

This month, Birchbox are supporting Fashion Targets Breast Cancer campaign to raise funds, vital for cancer research! During May, Birchbox UK will be donating 30% of all e-shop sales to the cause, and they will also be donating £5 when a member’s friend subscribes to Birchbox. This post will tell you about what’s in the box, but that’ll be at the end of the post because first I want to tell you about the cause!

This months Birchbox is a good one! So if you’re going to sign up, use a friends referal so money gets donated to the cause! FTBC annual campaign was set up by Ralph Lauren. He wanted the fashion industry to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer charities after losing a friend to the disease. So far, they’ve raised over £12.5 million and have helped breakthrough fund 25% of breast cancer research in the UK! How amazing is that?

Birchboxes are delivered with an outer pink box. Inside, you get your brown birchbox, tied up pretty with a ribbon and a birchbox magazine, this issue also has more information about the cause with words from Sharon and Kelly Osbourne. In the box is a pink, drawstring bag containing your goodies! This month has a little extra due to the FTBC campaign. You have your usual card with a little news, telling you what is in your Red Carpet Ready box for May. Then there are a few other bits. There’s a card telling you how to refer your friends and that you get 50 points for each referal as well as them donating that £5 to the campaign. Then there’s another card telling you about how Birchbox will be supporting the campaign. Lastly, their is a little TLC guide (Touch, look, check) on checking yourself for anything out of the ordinary with your breasts. Remember, gents can get breast cancer too, so encourage your blokes to check as well (and get them to make sure they check their testicles too, while we’re on the subject!)

I once found a lump in my breast, it was benign, but I was terrified, by the same token, I was so glad that I had been educated on breast awareness and had checked my breasts. You may think it will never happen to you, but it really might, so you should be aware and check yourself regularly. If you have any concerns, consult your GP!

Right! Now on to the box! This is what my box contained!

O.P.I Nail Laquer Mini  (Full size £11.50) – I don’t have a clue what the colour is but it looks a bit like one I already own, but OPI have many similar colours so I really don’t know! It doesn’t say the name on mini bottles and the card doesn’t tell me…

Elemental Herbology Cell Plumping Facial Moisturiser 15ml (Full Size £42) – Quite excited to try this properly. It feels quite smooth, not oily and I really like the packaging!

B/Attitude Body Souffle 50ml (Full Size – £24) – This feels mucho weird to me! It’s really rich and smells sweet yet perfumey, it has a really odd texture but I like it! It absorbs really quickly as well, well, the blob I put on my hand did!

MakeBelieve Sunbeam Bronzer & Brush (Full Size: £15) -This I love just for the packaging. It’s in a little box.. inside the box, open to reveal a large bronzer pan, a brush (which is soft as a kitties paw!) and a mirror! I’m not wild on bronzer, but I feel this is quite usable!

Doctove Duve Anti-Aging & Firming Eye cream sample sachet (Full Size- £115) – This is the little sample sachet, it feels so light inside though I’ve not actually opened it to see the actual consistency. I’m unsure as the full product is pricey and a little sample sachet isn’t really enough to decide if it’s the product for you, still, a nice little beauty extra!

Kusmi Tea Detox Tea (Full size – £13.85) – A lifestyle extra, not sure what I make of this but it’s kind of cool. I’m not really a tea drinker but I’ll give this a go. Mate, green tea and lemongrass apparently. I love the smell of lemongrass so maybe I’ll like it, who knows! I love the tin it comes in.
You can buy the full size products in the Birchbox store and 30% of those sales goes to Fashion Targets Breast Cancer, remember! You can sign up to Birchbox here. This isn’t a referal link, so if you know someone who is already signed up, get them to refer you so they can get points, and charity can get a fiver! ;]

Has anyone gotten the May birchbox?

Disclaimer: Sample

Maybelline Lavender Lies

I don’t know why but Maybelline got rid of their MNY polish range to replace with this “Colour Show” range.. The formula seems the same and the only packaging difference is the cap is black, not white, and the label is different. The bottle is the same shape. Meh. Bought myself this polish as a treat as I managed a trip to ASDA although it was very difficult for me, as well as buying myself the Chrysanthemums seen in the background :3

I don’t know if it’s supposed to.. I couldn’t get a photo of it that showed what I’m on about, but half of the brushes bristles were shorter but a quick google search turns up no results for anyone else having this. It meant I had to keep twiddling my brush around to avoid it as it made application kind of awkward. Otherwise, the polish went on fairly smoothly though.

These cost £2.99 for 7ml of product. So not expensive! Though they’re £2 at ASDA right now! I think they’re pretty good value for money. The pictures shown are 2 coats, if I’m honest, I was expecting to need 3! Speaking of 3, these polishes are 3-free (Formaldehyde, DBP and Toluene free)

Have you tried any of these?

Pantone Spring Trends

I’ve previously posted this chart on Pantone Trends, but this time, I’m sharing it with polishes to match, well, the best polishes in my collection that match! This should be short but sweet!

Lets start with the top row! From left to right…

Rimmel – Sea Green / Collection – Look at Me! / Barry M – Yellow / Nails Inc – Basil Street / Revlon – Revlon Red

Emerald/Tendershoots/Lemon Zest/Linen/Poppy Red

In the bottom row we have..

BeautyUK – Blue Moon / Mavala – Lagoon* / BeautyUK – Soft Lilac / Revlon – Royal / Mavala -  Fresh Melon*

Dusk Blue/Greyed Jade/African Violet/Monaco Blue/Nectarine

And of course.. swatches. These are swatched left to right top row, then round right to left on the bottom row.

Rimmel – Sea Green / Collection – Look at Me! / Barry M – Yellow / Nails Inc – Basil Street / Revlon – Revlon Red / Mavala – Fresh Melon* / Revlon – Royal / BeautyUK – Soft Lilac / Mavala – Lagoon* / BeautyUK – Blue Moon

I would have used a lighter green for Tender Shoots if I had one but alas.. these are the best matches in my collection! Which polishes from your collection would you choose to match the Pantone spring trends? If you want to do a post and borrow my chart, feel free, just link back. :)

Items marked with an asterisk* were press samples

Plastic Lipstick Storage

Clear plastic storage is nothing new, I know most bbloggers have Muji storage and stuff (I don’t!) but I thought I’d share this bargain clear lipstick storage with you. Well.. you don’t have to use it for lipstick, but it seems like the best use. In fact, I love this stuff so much, I ordered two more which just came. Now I have four!

I picked this up for £3.55, delivered on eBay. I ordered on the 21st of April (a Sunday) and they arrived on the 3rd May, so it took less than two weeks to arrive from Hong Kong. You can pick some up here. They hold 24 things each. :)

Philip Kingsley – Handbag brush and Case

Am I the only one who often finds hairs in her handbag? I often have a small hair brush in my bag, I don’t like those folding ones, they break on me too easily, and the small brush is too big for a make up case. Problem solved thanks to Philip Kingsley!

The brush is light maplewood and weighs virtually nothing, but it doesn’t feel flimsy to use. It’s durable and not scratchy, it also doesn’t make static build up on the hair, which is always a good sign. It’s really practical.

The light brush has an open design with rounded pins with a branded handle, packaged in a plastic sleeve. It comes in a sleek matte black case with the Philip Kingsley logo bevelled in to it. The brush fits in to the case nicely and should help keep the brush in good condition!

It looks really classy in my opinion with the only visual let down being the britles. They’re really practical but to look at just looks kind of odd to me because of how small the brush is. I popped this on to my scales. Okay, so it was just my kitchen scales so it’s an estimate really, but it’s so light that it weighs all of 50g(est) together in the case with the plastic sleeve. It adds virtually NO weight to your handbag, which, if you’re like me and carry the kitchen sink with you, is a brilliant thing. Sometimes my shoulder hurts from my bags weight. I try and carry less in it now.. and ditched my hair brush for that reason, now this is an essential in my hand bag!

Do you carry a brush in your handbag?

The handbag brush and case from Philip Kingsley officially launches in May, retailing at £10!

This product was sent to me by a PR for review consideration.

John Lewis Wishlist

Stock Image

Some of you may know that I’ve been looking at moving. And as with all potential moving.. or redecorating, comes hours of lusting at things I can not afford any time soon.. John Lewis has tonnes of amazing stuff so I found myself mooching on there for a new sofa. We kinda could do with a new one. It’s just.. we can’t afford to.. So I decided what I would buy if I could!

Firstly, I’d get this John Lewis Barbican II Large Sofa in Red. Though I’d probably get some different cushion covers or something.. I love cushion covers now that we mention it… This looks super comfy.. and modern. So.. this sofa is high on my wishlist!

Next, these Sarah Eyelet Curtains! So simple and pretty, I’d probably get cushion covers or something that match..

Beaulieau Clock / Rob Ryan Tree Season Plates / Malika Table Lamp / Sophia Dressing Table

That dressing table.. that dressing table! I want it so much. Look how pretty it is! And look at the pretty lamp.. I love the plates, though I’m not sure I’d want to eat off them. I saw Rob Ryan stuff a while back and lusting after it then, too… And the clock. Beautiful. It just.. even if it didn’t go with anything, my partner and I would find a home for it. It’s perfect. <3

So that’s my John Lewis Wishlist! What would you get if price wasn’t an issue?

This is a sponsored post

NOTD: Fresh Melon

I think this is one of my favourite colours of the season. :D This is from their Delicious Colours collection which was released last year, it’s made an appearance in the featured bit of Mavala stands and caught my eye, thought it was a new collection, felt daft and out of the loop to know it was from last year, oops? XD

As with all Mavala polishes I’ve tried, it applies like a dream, has really good wear.  Also, Mavala polishes are free from Toluene, Formaldehyde, Phthalates, Collophane, Parabens, Camphor, Animal Ingredients and Heavy Metals. I love the bottles, they’re little yet not stupidly fiddly. Which is always good.

This polish will be making an appearance in another post soon so keep an eye out!

£4.50 for 5ml available from Boots, Debenhams and John Lewis.. and probably some other places too. ;)

 

Disclaimer: Sample