New Year 'Resolutions'

Hey everyone! 2012 is almost on the way out and I'm hopping on the end of year posts bandwagon! I put resolutions in the title on the post but I don't really believe in them- there's no real difference in saying you'll do something at the start of a year than at any other time of the year!

There are a few things I do want to achieve this year though so I thought I'd pop them down here- and maybe I'll be able to look back on them this time next year!

1. Stop drinking so much fizz: I love a really cold fizzy drink! I always drink the diet ones because sugared ones make my teeth feel weird but I still know they aren't good for me. So I'm going to try and drink water more regularly next year; I know I should drink water anyway, but it will also hopefully have other benefits.
   
2. Sort my skin out: Since starting this blog and regularly reading other blogs that I admire, I've really started to take notice of my skin. I've always washed my face of course, but I never really took the time to properly investigate products tailored for my skin. I've noticed my skin has been looking really dull lately and it seems to be multiplying blackheads (sorry if that's gross!) and I really want to sort it out and get it looking tip-top.
   
3. Move more!: Last year I took up running and I was actually quite good at it- nobody was more surprised than me! But I gave it up in April to concentrate on exams and never took it back up again, so I'd love to pick it back up. I also enjoy doing workout DVDs and things so I'm going to try and do those more regularly and just generally be more active. I like the feeling of achievement it gives me, as well as being good for me.
   
4. Travel: This April, Pete and I will have been together for 4 years but we've never had a proper holiday abroad just the two of us, so this summer we can hopefully change that. I'd love to go to Croatia, Greece, Italy or Sweden (to start with!) so hopefully this will be the year for that. To manage that, though, I'll need to....
   
5. Budget: I'm generally good with money but alas there is no more student loan coming my way so I have to be more frugal with the money I do get. My job is also finished now so I won't be getting much extra through the year. Unfortunately, blogging has made me aware of so many amazing products that I want to try out! I think I am just going to have to be super-strict and save up if I want anything pricey- but hopefully that will make me want things even more!
   
6. Find my perfect foundation: I am still on a quest for my holy grail foundation! I find it so hard- if one is a good colour match, the lasting power isn't great or if it lasts well then it makes me look orange! So here's hoping 2013 will be the year I get perfect skin with and without foundation!

Sorry that was all a bit rambly. What are your aims for 2013? 

Happy New Year to all of you! xxxx

Santa Baby, there's just one thing I really do need...

Well, the big day is almost upon us! I know that I'm getting a new phone this year as mine is unfortunately becoming very slow. Aside from that, my mum is very good at coming up with lots of little surprise gifts.

I thought I'd show you all what is on my fantasy wishlist- the things I would buy if money was no object! I normally don't really lust after anything that expensive- the odd lipstick here or nail polish there- as I just feel guilty splurging too much all in one go! I also never ask for anything like this- except when I was 21 I asked for a Chanel bag for my birthday because I did not realise how expensive they actually were!
If I could ask Santa for a few extravagant gifts this year, it would be these.

Mulberry Oversized Alexa: I love Mulberry bags. Sometimes in my local House of Fraser I go in and touch them, just to see what they're like (is that really weird?) Alas, they come complete with a pretty hefty price tag- this lovely thing costs £995!- and after spending so much on it I would be terrified to take it anywhere with me!

Veil Mineral Primer:Firstly, sorry for the strange ghost-like quality of this picture! I am having such a problem keeping my foundation on recently. I've heard a few really good reviews which say this primer makes skin look amazing and helps foundation really last but it's £52 for 30ml which makes me feel sick at the thought of forking out so much when it just goes on your face! 

Emma Hardie Natural Lift Cleansing Balm: I feel like skincare is something that I really should invest in, and a few of my favourite bloggers have recently been raving about this. It's £34 which isn't quite as pricey as some other skincare from other brands and seems to really work, so this could be one of the things I invest in after Christmas. I just need something to help my skin and make it much brighter and less congested.

Christian Louboutins: My dream shoes! I love black patent round toed shoes and I would love a pair of Louboutins- their iconic red soles just look so lovely. I am, however, shite with high heels sometimes. I have quite wide feet so heels can be quite uncomfortable and I then find it hard to walk in them. I'd have to try these out before ever actually buying them (and win the lottery of course!)

Tom Ford Lip Colour in Cherry Lush: The ultimate in luxury lipstick! At £36 I would never ever dream of buying this, especially as there is most definitely a dupe out there somewhere but it just looked so nice! 

So, there you have it, my ultimate fantasy wishlist! What would you buy if you could have absolutely anything?

Merry Christmas to you all! I hope you all have a lovely day, even if you don't celebrate Christmas, and I hope Santa treats you kindly! 

Jumbo Pre-Christmas Haul!

I know Christmas is supposed to be a time when you save up and spend money on other people but I have most of my shopping done already and been earning some extra money and have therefore been very naughty and bought a few bits for myself over the past few weeks.
I am definitely all shopped out now though and I am working a lot as well as writing 2 essays and doing some driving lessons so I probably won't be buying much until January now. Although I do need to head to Oxfam and get some 'Oxfam Unwrapped' gifts and maybe some charity Christmas cards.
ANYWAY, after than very long and waffley introduction, I present to you my assorted purchases!

I had a couple of hours to kill before work a few weeks ago so headed to Superdrug to take advantage of their 3 for 2 offer across all cosmetics. I was after a new liquid eyeliner for nights out so I picked up Rimmel Exaggerate. I have Glam'Eyes already and really like the formula and staying power but I am crap at using the brush! A friend of mine swears by this so I'm going to give it a try and will hopefully finally master the perfect eyeliner flicks.

I also purchased the L'Oreal Superliner (which I can't seem to find online) as an everyday eyeliner, as I find felt-tip liners easy to use while in a rush.

The last thing was the Rimmel Kate Moss Matte Lipstick in 107. This is a gorgeous deep red that I'm looking forward to trying out over winter (although I don't really need another red lipstick...)








I also took advantage of Debenhams having 10% off their beauty and fragrance department as well. I was helping my cousin choose a gift for somebody and we wandered over to the MAC counter. I used this opportunity to purchase my very first ever MAC lipstick! I chose Ruby Woo in the end, so that's another matte red lipstick to add to the collection. It's lovely though so I don't care, and there was money off so it felt like a bargain.

This Illamasqua nail polish duo caught my eye on the way out. I opted for this colourway but you can also get it in this variation. The duo I chose contains Viridian, which is a gorgeous deep peacock green, and Gliteratti which is a lovely purple shade with small flecks of glitter. It was originally £24 and I snapped it up for £21.60. It also comes in a cute little box and I think it would be a lovely Christmas gift- but I'm keeping mine for myself!
There's 10% beauty and fragrance at Debenhams until the end of today!





I have been trying to find my perfect foundation for so very long now. I heard great things about Lancome's Teint Idole Ultra 24 Hour Foundation working well with oily skin so I popped to Boots. If you go to the Lancome counter in Boots in Belfast, try and find Hollie because she is great! She was so friendly and chatty and explained exactly what she was doing and why. I felt under no pressure to buy anything but I decided to get the foundation in 02 Lys Rose. I haven't tried it out yet as I have way too many foundations on the go right now, but here's hoping I've found my perfect foundation!



And finally I got this beautiful nail polish from Topshop. I'm wearing it right now and I love it but my camera can't do justice to all the shimmery colours. It took me 4 coats to get it opaque enough for me but I love it and I've had lots of compliments on it at work this week.

So there you have my jumbo haul. I'm going to be very good and sensible now and maybe even try to save some money! Have you bought anything new recently? Maybe I'll want to buy that as well!