My Swimwear Picks

Even though it doesn't feel like summer in England, it's now officially summer which means most lucky people will be jetting off somewhere on their holidays. I've been lusting after a holiday for a while now, however while we still pick I thought I'd share some of my favourite bikini pics while I've been browsing online.

I love a high waisted bikini as it looks really flattering and it's great if you don't like your muffin top, or think you look short in flats and high waisted can really elongate your legs. This pick is from New Look, the bottoms are £12.99 and the top is £14.99.

Another New look pick and I absolutely love the pattern of these, they are really simple against the black but really feminine. If these had a bit more on the bottom I'd be picking these up immediately, as I'm not sure on the possible wedgie situation! The bottoms are £9.99 and the top is £17.99.

I'm a bit 50/50 on swimsuits because sometimes I love them and they can be really flattering, but then you can get in the water and it just all sticks in the wrong places. I really however love the pattern of this swimsuit, especially the pom poms around the halter neck. This is perfect if you are feeling that 70's trend! It's £38 from Asos.

I always head over to Boohoo.com if I'm looking for a great deal and it looks like swimsuits aren't stopping either, and as far as I can tell they come as a pair, so you don't have to spend on each separately. I think this would be great for a lazy day by the pool or beach  but probably not great for any harsh activities as it's strapless. Sticking with the pom pom theme, I think this bikini set is adorable and would look brilliant with a tan. It's so cheap too at £18!

My last pick is also from boohoo, I just love the vibrant colours of this set, but I also think it would give great support to those with a bigger bust. I always want the really cute bikini's however when they arrive I'm falling out or just not covering a nipple let alone a boob! The thicker straps add extra support even though it's a halter neck. It's also £18.

What swimwear have you been buying this year?

Orange is The New Black Season 4 (No spoilers)

So last night I finished watching Orange is the new black season 4, which came back onto netflix on June 17th. It took me less than a week to watch, and most of that was from me watching a good 9 episodes in two days...it was a quiet weekend.

I have to say I forgot what happened in season 3, so the recap was really useful. I love how the episodes start by just taking you right where you left off and there is no dicking around like other shows, it's straight into the action. It was a great first episode to bring us back and I was hooked immediately. 

 One of the main reasons I love the show so much is how it can so easily switch from lighthearted fun to really, really dark and this season was no different. I think from episode 9 onwards the show switches and it's got some absolutely beautiful, emotional and honest scenes. 

Season 4 is filled to the seams with new inmates, new enemies, new politics, less nudity and the same brilliantly addictive theme song. If you have never watched the show before, now is a great time as you'll be ready in time for next year...if it doesn't take you a month to watch them all.

What did you think of season 4? Please keep this post spoiler free!

My Bath Music Playlist

Today I thought I would share with you my relaxing bath playlist. I press shuffle on this playlist every time I have a bath, and update is semi regular when I find new calming music. If you are having a rough week, or just need some calming sounds, this playlist is for you! I hope you enjoy!

Whats your favourite songs to listen to in the bath?

The cutest app you'll ever download

Do you ever just start screaming internally because something is so cute that you can't help it? Well recently my boyfriend went onto my app store and downloaded this game for me, which he'd seen before and knew I'd adore, and so far I've been addicted.

It's a Japanese game called Neko Atsume which is basically a cat collecting game. You start off in a small garden, however can buy yourself into the house with gold sardines. You buy toys, cushions and random bits for the cats with silver sardines and of course keep the food bowls full and the cats will come. You can come off the game, go back on in 5 minutes and you'll find a cat somewhere. It's absolutely adorable.

The main 'point' of the game is to fill your cat book, where you can keep the photos of all your cats. You can also expect visits from rare cats, who don't appear often and usually need a decent treat and toy out. At the minute I'm just having so much fun seeing all the cute cats, and the game is actually really therapeutic  I love the atmosphere with the music, and how they are just sitting or playing, it's really calming.

The app is a pretty big deal with merchandise available and a whole subreddit dedicated to it. I've been on there a few times, but honestly I'd so recommend you download this game. It's too cute to not to really.

Whats your favourite app at the moment?

One for the pale skinned ladies

It's no secret that I'm a little bit obsessed with NYX at the moment. Recently I went to my second local boots and found a rare sight...an almost untouched NYX stand. I squealed with delight and went straight over while my boyfriend rolled his eyes and waited patiently. 

One item that I noticed was this soft matte lip cream in the shade Cairo. It's a really pale nude, and I thought it would be great for my pale skin.

As you can see from the above picture, it's a really good nude for the pale skin. It really sinks in to my skin tone and looks really great. I'm really excited to try a 60's inspired look with this as I think it would be great paired with quite a dramatic eye. 

Unfortunately the shade isn't brilliant close up, and can look quite patchy. To stop this happening, I make sure my lips are exfoliated and apply thin layers rather than just straight in as this can make it look a bit gloopy on the lips.

I think I'll be getting quite a few wears out of this, especially if I just want a really nude look for a casual day, and the nyx lip creams are so easy to apply so I can imagine this will be great on the go as well.

If you are lucky enough to find this, as I know quite a few stands are bare then you can find it online here. 

What do you think of Cairo? Would you be interested in purchasing it?

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A product to shine as bright as the stars

Soft and Gentle has been on my want list for a good 6 months or so, and I finally took the plunge and bought it. This is also my first of the mineralize products MAC have, and I'm just really excited to wear this all summer.

As you can see, soft and gentle has gorgeous bronze and gold specs running throughout, which is a lovely change from my mary lou-miniser which is quite silver in the pan. Just the product itself is gorgeous, and I like the new packaging which is more of a magnetic click to shut, however it can be quite difficult to open as the case is quite thin on the top. 

I've worn the highlighter a few times and it brings a really nice glow, I can imagine it would look gorgeous with a tan. I'll definitely be wearing this for nights out when I'm going for a smokey eye and needing a bit of glow on the cheeks.

Although there looks like quite a bit of shimmer on the packaging, the product doesn't have much mess, and applies really nicely with a brush. It's a build able glow which doesn't happen often, and I really like how it sits on the skin.

Have you used soft and gentle? What do you think?

Amsterdam Vlog

In February my boyfriend and I spent our 3 year anniversary/valentine's day in Amsterdam. I uploaded photo diaries of each day for the blog, and we also filmed some footage as I bought a new camera which was ideal for filming on the go.

And now about 4 months later, we've finally uploaded it! One of my new years resolutions was to film more videos and although this was my first, it's a stepping stone and I really hope you enjoy watching it.

See you soon!

Let's shake it up

I'm going to start this post by saying I've never bought anything from Lancome before, however since Lisa Eldridge is on board I've become a lot more interested in the brand, because I listen to anything she says.

I saw these little cocktail style shakers pop up on my bloglovin' feed and was sort of interested, however I was never really a gloss person, until one morning when I woke up and was just a bit sick of matte lipsticks. Don't get me wrong, I love lipsticks so matte it looks like you've never taken a drink in your life, but I think glosses are so summery and pretty, which is what led me to this purchase.

I bought the shade Berry Tale because it looked pretty and pink, and I wanted a really wearable one as I know glosses aren't long lasting. I think one of the reasons why I really like this gloss is the container is so damn cute, and I like just getting it out, giving it a shake and applying. It feels really smooth on the lips and that feeling stays once it's gone, it made my lips feel much softer than usual. It's nice and easy to apply and doesn't go everywhere which is nice.

It's a very sheer colour no matter how much you shake, but I expect that from lip glosses. I love that it's not sticky in the slightest either, which is always a great feeling. As soon as I ate something it went and I had to reapply however I think it's common practise to need to apply glosses more often than a normal lipstick.

I think if you are new to glosses or a gloss fan, this product is a bit different and worth giving a go. I won't go buying anymore shades, I don't think the colour gives that much to let that happen. I do like how it leaves a slight stain once the overall gloss has gone, and I think it's one I'll be wearing a lot over summer.

You can purchase the lip shakers here.

Whats your favourite lancome product?

Review | Mac Vegas Volt

Vegas Volt is a lipstick I've been wanting each summer, and I finally got round to purchasing it. It's a gorgeous bright coral colour, and perfect for the warmer months.

I originally had my eye on this lipstick in Florida however didn't buy it as I instead bought Ruby Woo, but from trying this lipstick on it really suited blonde hair and I loved how fresh it made make up look.

I would say it probably suits blonde hair more than my current purple, however I'm getting it dyed soon so I can't wait to wear this lipstick more. It's a very creamy formula and it's part of the amplified selection which means it packs colour as well.

I haven't worn it out enough to give an opinion on wearing time, and I've not ate with it on either. I like patting the lipstick on my lips as well as going straight from the bullet, as it can give a more wearable look. 

I think if you are wanting to transition over to orange/coral lipsticks this would be a great one for you. You can purchase it here.

Have you tried Vegas Volt? What do you think?

A small Debenhams haul

Recently Debenhams had a big sale which included 10% off beauty and fragrance. I umm'd and ahh'd about making a purchase and kept putting things in my basket, thinking about it and leaving the website however one morning I just thought stuff it, 10% off doesn't happen often and it's worth it.

I ended up picking 4 items, which included three items from MAC as I know and love them, but I've also been wanting to try the lip shaker from Lancome for a while. This was my first ever item from Lancome as well!

I have individual reviews coming soon for each item however so far I'm loving each of them, especially the lip shaker which has been really nice to wear as I haven't worn a gloss in ages.

My Summer Bucket List

Today I thought I'd share some things I'd like to do over the summer months. They aren't ones that are definitely have to be done, as work and life can sometimes get in the way of that, however they are just hopes and maybes.

1. Go on holiday somewhere hot and with a pool

2. Try learning some new cocktail recipes

3. Go to a festival

4. Get a tan

5. Spend an afternoon in a beer garden

6. Go to the seaside for the day

7. Buy a bikini

8. Have a BBQ

9. Go on a picnic

10. Have a day out somewhere I've never been before.

What are your summer plans?