NOTD: Miss Minty

Happy Weekend Flowers!!

I have a little NOTD post for you all, featuring Gosh's Miss Minty... this is my newest nail polish splurge, and I picked it up in A-Wear for around €8.

(Please excuse the slightly smudged edges on my nails... I painted them and then got distracted - I had to do some damage control before snapping these photos!)

 I absolutely love Gosh nail polishes - the texture is perfect, they can work with one coat (two is better though) and they dry so quickly....... and they're not uber-expensive!

I have a few more Gosh polishes which will be featuring on here in the coming weeks... I have a new addiction!!

Have a wonderful weekend petals

Domino: The Book of Decorating

I am a massive interior design dork. As long as I can remember, I have thoroughly enjoyed watching DIY and Home Design shows, like Grand Designs and 60 Minute Makeover. As a child, I used to get up early to watch them during the summer... I don't go THAT far now, but I certainly catch up online!

In the future, I plan to take some interior design courses and design my own home, completely from scratch. This has been a long standing dream of mine, and I routinely pick up bits and pieces that I think will be useful... Today, I hit the jackpot.

I was trudging to the bus stop after work today, in the pouring rain, and happened to pass by Urban Outfitters. Instead of waiting in the wet for 20 minutes, I decided to have a snoop inside. Urban Outfitters is one of my favourite shops. Their pieces are all so eclectic and charming (I especially love their necklaces, which are casually adorned with birds, watches and roses... perfection!!)

I was happily musing over certain purchases (not wanting to spent more than the €30 clutched in my fist) when I spotted this...

Domino: The Book of Decorating

The book contains pages and pages of beautifully photos of impeccably designed rooms. From entryways to bedrooms, it covers everything in astonishing detail.

 

Almost every photo in the book comes with an explanation (either little or large), detailing what pieces of furniture and dressing were used in the creation of the room, and why they all seem to "work". The book also provides you with a handy guide on how to create accurate floor plans, which map out all the decorating options you have and give you a wonderful sense of how the finished room will look.

This book is a must read for any aspiring designers out there... or for anyone who is redecorating!! You can pick it up on Amazon or drop into Urban Outfitters and see it for yourself. I bet you will love it ♥♥

Haul: Illamasqua Kabuki Brush

I fell through the door this evening, sopping wet and weary, after a long day in the office. I was sure that nothing but a hot shower and an early bedtime could cure my misery, until I spotted a precious little box on the table... my ASOS order had arrived 2 days early!!

This was my first ASOS order, so I was extra excited and gleefully ripped open the box to reveal my BEAUTIFUL purchase!! Thanks to the bad influences of Jennifer and Kelly, I splurged €30 on the Illamasqua Kabuki Brush...

This gigantically large body brush is perfect for applying face powder, blotting powder and bronzer... and it will (hopefully) cut down on application time in the morning (more sleep = happier me)

It is, without doubt, the softest thing I have EVER felt. I have fallen head over heels for it, and I have owned it for about 45 seconds... oooops!!

If you are quick enough, you can snap this baby up in the ASOS sale, it's currently €30/£22 (roughly) and it normally retails for £35.... bargain!!

If my post didn't convince you that you NEED this brush, you should check out Jennifer's video (by clicking here... the review starts at about 1:10) - this video is what inspired me to purchase this makeup bag essential!

I cannot big this brush up enough - it is, literally, perfect!!

Review: You've Been Mangoed Bath Melt

Good morning flowers - I hope that you all had a splendid weekend and that Monday morning isn't being too hard on you!! Last night I decided to treat myself to a long soak before throwing myself into a busy week at work. I grabbed my favourite luxury bath melt from Lush - the delicious "You've Been Mangoed" - and the book I'm reading, and off I popped.

The Lush website describes this baby as "bright and breezy, with nutritious mango and avocado butters to make your skin feel as if it's just had a really healthy breakfast and is all set up for the day" (source)

PROS

This product is a favourite of mine for several reasons... firstly, the mango butter is super moisturising. I have dry skin on my body (and oily on my face... worst combination!!) and I always step out of the bath feeling soft and silky! Second of all, this product contains a generous amount of lemongrass oil, which tones your skin big time! It also (supposedly) leaves you in a good mood, due to the citrus scent (maybe that's just me... big citrus fan right here!!!). Lastly, it smells DIVINE... literally mouthwatering - one of my favourite Lush scents ever!!

CONS

The only downsides to this product are the lack of bubbles (they just make baths more fun... right?) and the semi-grey tint it gives to your bath water, which not exactly enticing!! However, f you can get over these (minor) issues, you will bloomin' love this luxurious, delicious bath melt.

Rating

9/10

Happy Monday

Summer Loving: 3. Oversized Sunglasses

I have another (slightly belated) summer favourites post for you to peruse and enjoy.

Oversized Sunglasses

The marmite of eye-wear - you either love them or loathe them... either way, you notice them!! No one wore them better than this beautiful lady

The queen of the oversized sunglasses was the incredible Jackie O, but in more recent times, they have become a style staple of the off-duty celebrity:

I'm a big fan of big eye-wear, and these lovely ladies inspired me to start my own collection. Here are a few of my favourite pairs of extra large sunnies:

These are my absolute favourite pair. I picked them up in Accessorise in Dublin Airport for around €20... totally worth it - they're really comfy and uber stylish!! Love them

So, what do you think about oversized sunglasses? Do you love or loathe them? Do you lust over Posh's mouth-watering collection or do you think that these specs make people look like "bug-eyed freaks" (thanks, Dad)

Benefit Perfume

Project 10 Pan is well under way - saving lots of money and getting through all my unloved makeup products!! Anyways, I was browsing through Benefit yesterday (my friend wanted some new foundation and I convinced her to pick up a PlayStick, ooops) and I picked up FREE samples of their three new fragrances... Lookin' to Rock Rita, Garden of Good and Eva and So Hooked on Carmella.

Lookin' to Rock Rita

Benefit describe this fragrance as exhilarating and stylish, with top notes of coconut, lemon and freesia. This is my least favourite of the three scents, but it is still yummy!!

Garden of Good and Eva

This is my favourite of these new fragrances, with top notes of pear, watermelon, ozone accords and muguet. Benefit describe this fruity perfume as "fresh and crisp".

So Hooked on Carmella

This beautiful scent has top notes of lemon, grapefruit and rhubard. With a delicious bottom note of heavenly vanilla, this scent definitely is feminine and flirty.

I will definitely be using all three perfumes and possible picking up their full-sized sisters when I finish Project 10 Pan!!

Take care flowers