October blues...

It all started when I came home to answer the phone and my sister-in law asked me if I had made any progress on the story I'm writing. The answer was no, but as we got talking about the main characters I kind of started to get a little inspired. So, once we hung up, I looked out my old laptop to write some ideas down, but I couldn't find the file with the story on it.
There was no trace of it anywhere. 170 pages of carefully written material - poof! - gone. Needless to say I didn't sit down and write. Instead, I poured myself a glass of wine and shut down my computer.

Oh yeah, my sis-in-law sent me the latest version I had emailed her but 3 chapters were missing from it that I had never sent her so that still didn't lift my spirits completely.

The week continued on that "positive" note: My lead guitarist quit the band. Via voicemail. After ignoring me for 2 weeks. Um... yeah.. you can imagine how happy I was about that. 

Work has been hectic and all in all so was the entire week. It consisted of work, boredom,  some N64 gaming, couch potatoe evenings between James and the dog and my housemate just spent it on the phone...

I've been able to calm down a bit today and even had a catch up with my housemate although brief because he's texting all the time(!) and because I was on my way out for the evening and he was asleep my the time I came back home. I'm looking forward to hopefully a more peaceful Sunday tomorrow. 

Anyway, I will go back to posting about the fun things in life again when I feel a little better.

By the way, the above pics were edited with Manga-Camera (Free App for iPhone) - I love it! What do you think?

Have a lovely rest of the weekend my lovelies!

xoxo

Kate

Budget Make-Up Test Part 1

As promised in my previous blog post I have been putting budget Make-Up to the test the last couple of days, starting with Collection 2000's "Angelic Eyes" which comes in at just over £4 at my local Boots Store.

With all sorts of vibrant colours in this eye shadow set, I decided to test the blue shades and run with the whole Under the Sea theme which is inspiring the fashion world right now. Here's the result: 


Whilst I am by no means an expert when it comes to applying any kind of make-up here's how I did it - in case you'd like to give it a try yourself..

• I started by generously applying the light silvery colour (1) to my entire eyelid using a fluffy round eye shadow brush, making sure to cover both the outer and inner corner of my eye and brushing up to the browbone and highlighting it at the same time. Then I lightly dusted below my lower lash line using the same colour and removed any excess powder with a cosmetic tissue.

• After lightly scraping the sky blue shade (2) with the end of my eye shadow brush to reach a colour rich result, I went to sweep the medium shade in a half-circular move on the crease of my eye lid. To add some depth I blended the shade down towards my upper lash line with a round-tipped brush that had no product on it. (I find that it's easier to avoid unwanted smudging by using a clean brush for blending heavy contrast shades)

• Next I went to softly dab the purply blue (3) coloured eye shadow just up onto the outside corner of the eyelid and using my little finger I went to blend that same shade ever so lightly into the inner corner of my eye lid.

• I used the navy blue shade (4) to accentuate the eye crease and applied a light grey eyeliner to my upper lash line, the inner corner and the outer corner of my lower lash line as well as a few dots on my brow bone. Then I finished the Under the Sea inspired look by applying some black mascara.

The application of the eye shadow took me a bit less than 10 minutes and its removal was straight forward leaving no ugly dark stains (as some other colour rich eyeshadows are known to do) so all in all I was extremely happy with the result.

As to the colour strength/pigmentation, here a little colour swatch so you can see all colours in this set

The colours lack a bit in intensity despite the fact they look so vibrant but there's nothing a good primer (as a base) and a good strong brush won't fix :) I actually used my Studio Secrets Primer from L'Oreal - have a look at this Review I wrote a little while ago if you want my opinion on some current Primers on the market.

So here we go, a big thumbs up from me to Collection 2000 Angelic Eyes - eyeshadow palette.
Really good value for money.

My piggy bank is happy and so am I. :o)

xoxo
Kate

I've got a crush...

I just wanted to share one of my latest gem-crushes with you. I've discovered a little boutique shop called "Crystals" in Exeter a few weeks ago when I was searching for wedding jewellery. I really enjoyed exploring their cute selection of jewellery, stunning crystals and rare minerals. It was amazing what gorgeous things were hidden in this tucked away little boutique just off the main high street.

I was immediately taken by this cute tear shaped amethyst pendant and chose a plain silver snake chain to go with it. Given I adore everything purple, I couldn't help but fall in love with it and buy it straight away:

I've read up a little bit about amethysts and apparently they are purple because of the iron that's in this type of quartz stone. It's quite interesting what random information you can find online about crystals.

The most funny fact I read about this particular stone was that the Greeks believed amethysts could prevent intoxication (which is why they drank wine out of amethyst wine goblets - hah!) whilst the medieval European's believed the stones had healing qualities and wore little amethyst amulets during the war..

Oh and in case you were wondering, I did actually wear this to my wedding.... :o)

xoxo
Kate

Budget Make-Up Shopping Haul

I am sure, I'm not the only one who finds it hard to save when there are so many things out there available to buy!! *sigh*

Normally my Make-Up bag is never questioned by my piggy bank. However, today's the day. I just cannot keep spending money on high end product without giving Superdrugs Finest at least a try...

So, here is my budget Shopping Haul...

Angelic Eyes by Collection 2000

Smokey Eyes by Collection 2000

Eye Shadow Pallette by Rimmel London

Single Eyeshadows by Collection 2000 and Maybelline

Overview of all product bought

I shall spend the next week testing these products and telling you all about them. Fingers crossed that we can keep the piggy bank happy and like these pieces... :)

Have a great weekend, my lovelies! x

xoxo

Kate

£50 Boohoo Fashion Voucher Blogger Challenge

Good morning my lovelies! The sun is shining and it's not cold so I am wearing my favourite dress and subsequently am in a really great mood to tell you about Fashion Voucher's blogger challenge. The challenge is to find the best outfit for £50 on Boohoo.com and blog about it for the chance to win one of four £50 fashion vouchers. (Details of Rules on how to enter yourself and the T&C's can be found here.)

£50 !! If you're eyes went as wide as mine then good on you because I wouldn't even know where to start to create an entire Outfit for that amount...

Anyway, my Fantasy Shopper Stylist friend Leanne had no troubles at all so she's chosen her ideal Outfit to enter into this competition - and what a gorgeous Outfit it is! Here we go:

Here's what Leanne has to say about her Outfit of choice:

"The base item of the outfit is the sheer lurex maxi. Maxi skirts/dresses have yet again been a wardrobe staple S/S 2012 and look set to stay through autumn as seen on the catwalks for A/W 2012 a la Valentino. (£15.00)

The corset (£8.00) was chosen to add a bit of structure and elegance to the outfit and lets face it, the corset is a true classic and a fashion that never dies. I would choose to perhaps customise this piece to form a crop but either way - it works!

As for the shoes, it always has to be a boot in the winter! I don’t want cold feet, particularly during a now typical British winter….Brrrrrrr! As for this exact choice, well they’re plain and simple, not too flashy and yet just enough to give the outfit an edge. (£20.00)

Last, but by no means least, no party outfit is complete without a dose of bling! Therefore this statement necklace and earring set at £6.00 is just too good to pass up on! Now all that is needed is my trusty clutch and I’m ready to party! :) "

Well, what do you think? I think it's definitely a winner for me - now it's over to Fashionvouchers to decide if this is worth the prize! Good Luck, Leanne!

I'll let you know if she wins! :)

xoxo
Kate

Autumn is coming

A/W 2012 collections are storming the High Street and I my wardrobe is in dire need for a revamp for this season. So, part of my goal for this week is to plan out my Autum/Winter wardrobe.

Some of my favourite trends for this fall are Spikes and Studs ( I love putting a dose of attitude in my 9-5 look), berry colours (with my dark hair I always embrace red shades as I know it suits me) and Baroque inspired jewellery and clothing.

As you know I've recently bought myself some studded ankle boots at Office shoes:

I've been lusting after this metallic Karen Millen tote from their KM by Karen Millen collection ever since it's launch - but the price tag (£99) put me off. Last week, I was doing my weekly shop at Sainsbury's and had to avoid a queue of old people so ended up in their accessories aisle...
You wouldn't believe my surprise at finding this metallic bag in their TU range for only £12 - bargain! So, I bought it :)

Now, before I go investing any more money into my autumn wardrobe I've made a little shopping list of items I need this season which I can combine with stuff that I already have:

 

Red Knit Top Phase Eight | Folli Follie Necklace

Mini Shorts | Dorothy Perkins Necklace

 

Blue Knit Top Phase Eight | Mini Dot Dress from Cath Kidston

Let's see how long it will take me to actually buy these items. Bring on Payday!
Until then I'll horde them in my Fantasy Wardrobe. :)

xoxo
Kate

Shoe Shopping...

Look at what I've treated myself to yesterday.. These boots are my most uber-cool addition to my spring/summer wardrobe. I found them in Office Shoes and totally fell in love with the stud and zip detail. I haven't taken any pics of me wearing them yet but I'm positive they'll feature in one of my next outfits on here soon

Even my dog loves them! ;) .... and now I'm looking forward to strut around in these studs.. just as well given the flip flop weather is late this summer :)

Have a lovely Sunday!

xoxo
Kate