Excuse Moi?

I'm supposed to be budgeting, but I couldn't resist when I saw this OPI nail polish. It's from the Muppets movie range, and is named Excuse Moi (for Miss Piggy, I presume). The polish is pink glitter, with some rainbow pieces as well. At £10.50, it was quite a lot to pay, but it was definitely worth it - I'm pretty sure it's my favourite polish ever. 

Piccadilly Circus & Hyde Park Gate

My friend and I took a trip our local Nails Inc manicure bar this afternoon, as an end of Reading Week treat. She chose the purple-y Piccadilly Circus, while I went for the bright green Hyde Park Gate, which I'm really tempted to buy, especially as it's limited edition. I feel I should add that our matching Claddagh rings are not deliberate.

Chelsea Embankment

My new favourite nail polish - Chelsea Embankment by Nails Inc. I was worried the glitter would be sparse and my nail would show through, but with three coats it looks great. 

3-Step Colour Blocking

There are three different ways to do the colour blocking trend, which has always seemed a bit strange to me, it's like wearing contrasting colours, by using clothes, accessories or make-up (like eyeliner or nail polish).
I seem to have inadvertently managed to colour block my bag, skirt and nail polish.

Having let the trend seemingly pass me by, I actually do like all the bright colours around at the moment. I'm wearing the Whistles Carrie skirt with an ancient Topshop bag and Barry M nail polish No134.

NYE Nails

I know it's been 2011 for over a week now but this has been my nail varnish for the last 8 days or so - I kept reapplying it rather than removing it. I painted my nails with Rimmel Lasting Finish "I <3 London" range and then added the Very Vernis Bourjois glitter nail polish on top. The Bourjois glitter didn't work as well as the Barry M red glitter I used for my christmas nails, but I was still pleased with the results. 

Christmas Nails.

I've been doing working all day, every day all week (my first day off in a week will be Christmas Day!), and I've barely spent anytime at home or with my friends. I did find time to give my nails a little festive makeover though:

I used Model Own in Red Red Wine with a layer of Barry M red glitter that "Santa" (aka my mother) left in my stocking last year. It's lasted really well, especially given the pressure my nails are put under at work. 

I hope everyone has a lovely Christmas. 

Flo x

Birthday Wish List

It's my 19th birthday a week today, so I have comprised my semi-realistic wish list of what I would love to find waiting for me on the breakfast on my birthday morning. 

I may have these trousers in tan and navy blue, but I really want a black pair - £35.99 from Zara. 

These gorgeous heels from Office, £68 (above)

A pair of cherry red Dr. Martens, £75 (below)

Tickets to see: 

Katy Perry & Take That

(I know they're both sold out, but a girl can dream). 

 Lovely lovely Ray Bans, £82 from Sunglass Hut

My tartan tights ripped last winter and I really want some new ones. 

I love Benefit make-up. I use Erase Paste all the time, and I'm running out and I posted about my love for The Porefessional here. 

I think this is the first birthday in a long time where I haven't asked for something specific, so I'm looking forward to being surprised. 

Flo x

October shopping.

This is all I bought during the whole of October (that wasn't food, alcohol, desert boots or nail polish): 

A shearling aviator jacket, £25 from Primark. I love this jacket. I umm-ed and erm-ed about it because it is Primark, but its really cosy and keeps me really warm. 

 Brow brush and eyelash comb, £4.50 from Boots. Always useful - I've needed one for ages. It's working pretty well so far. 

 I cannot recommend this Soap and Glory conditioner (£7.50 from Boots) enough. I use it with cheapy, own-brand shampoo, and it works like a dream, especially on my difficult to manage, out of control, curly hair. I discovered it by accident, when "Santa" left it for me in my Christmas stocking, and I haven't looked back - it really defines my curls and makes my hair super shiny. It smells nice too. 

For the last four years (if not longer), I have used a Caudalie face wash (seen here). I felt it was time for a change, so I wandered into Space NK (one of my favourite shops in the world), and a very helpful sales woman helped me choose a new face wash, for £12. So far, it's working very well - my skin is clear, doesn't get to greasy, and, according to my mother, my skin has a 'glow' to it. I don't believe her. 

Budgeting and buying everything for myself has taken some getting used to, but I think I'm doing alright so far. 

Flo x

Red Red Wine

I've been hearing good things about Model's Own for ages now, so while I was in Boots earlier this week, with a friend who can only be described as a "shopping enabler". I've been looking for a new red shade for a while, and this one "Red Red Wine" (the last in the store) caught my eye. It's easily applied and dries really quickly. At £5, it pushes my student budget, but I think (hope) its going to last for a while. So far, it hasn't chipped, but I'm waiting to see what happens after I go to work tomorrow. 

Flo x

The Porefessional

I was in Fenwicks with my mother yesterday, picking up a few (very) last minute bits and pieces for university. We didn't want to wait for ages in a queue for the concession we were at, so we went round the corner, to the Benefit stand. 

The girl there was very helpful and rang up our purchases. Seeing a sales oppourtunity, she showed my mother and I the latest Benefit product, The Porefessional. 

The Porefessional is designed to "minimize the appearance of pores", and makes skin appear less shiny. The sample I tried on my hand made my skin feel really smooth and silky.  I've been looking for a product like this for a while, and at £23, the price seems pretty good, as I know from experience that Benefit products last for ages. 

Also, the sales girl looked really nice. I dislike buying products from women at store concessions whose make-up is way to over done - they are not good adverts for their brand, however the sales girl had a minimal amount of make-up on her skin, and a little bit of eyeliner on, and it seemed like she understood the make-up she was selling, so kudos to her. 

Flo x

Holiday Purchases

A few things I picked up on my travels:

1. A hair cream by J.F. Lazartigue. 

When I went to Paris a few years ago, I had a "hair consultation" at the concession J.F. Lazartigue in Printemps and the woman there recommended I used this product. The cream weighs my hair down and stops it from frizzing and going dry, but it doesn't make it look greasy or pull out the curls. I've never been able to find it in the UK, so when we were there I had to pick some up. 

2. A birthday present for someone very special.

3. Delicious macaroons from Laduree. 

4. Foaming face wash by Caudalie. 

Until recently, the only place Caudalie was available in the UK was Space N.K, who charged quite a lot for it. Recently, Boots have been stocking it, but the price has been a little high for my meagre budget, especially now that I have to buy my own skincare products. However, in France, you can pick Caudalie up at any pharmacy. I've used the Facial Foaming Mousse for several years now - it's very gentle for sensitive skin like mine, but it is pretty effective for use against spots. 

5. Chocolate for the Lindt shop (a whole shop, devoted to chocolate - my idea of heaven).

I bought this gorgeous jacket from Pinko. The sleeves are rather long but it's a beautiful cut and it fits like a dream. I bought it from a designer outlet in Tuscany, far superior to the ones in England (it had a Prada store), reduced from 275€ to 75€.

Flo x