Life lately ~ Summer 2015

Wow, I can't believe the kids are halfway through their summer holidays already, some schools in England haven't even broken up yet!!  I took a wee break from blogging whilst we enjoyed the end-of-term shenanigans & we all took a trip down to stay with my dad & step-mum & enjoyed a couple of days in London whilst down there.  I did actually have every intention of doing a couple of posts whilst we were away but Blogger just doesn't work well from an iPad - you can't upload photos nor go back & edit posts.  I feel I may have to invest in a wee netbook/laptop for holidays if I want to blog on the go!!

We've also visited Glamis Castle for the annual Vintage Motor Extravaganza & yesterday, I spent the day with my two besties & their children up at Blair Atholl Castle, which was absolutely stunning.   Shockingly, the sun actually shone & wait for it........it was hot too, almost like summer, you could say!!! ;)

I won't bore you with the nitty gritty so here's a few collages before I get my head firmly back in the blogging game!!!

  

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet ~ Peach Club

*Warning, perfect spring/summer lip colour alert!!!*

I love these liquid lipsticks & this is the fourth shade I've bought but I've only reviewed one, how weird???  Here's my review on Frambourjoise for those who haven't seen it & I'll get on to the other two asap.  But for now, here's Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Peach Club.

As you can see, it's a classic sponge doe-foot wand & it just takes a couple of swipes for perfect, precise application.  This shade is a fabulous corally orange, bright enough yet not too in-your-face & really is a great addition to any spring/summer makeup bag!

Although it's a matte formula, this feels so silky & comfortable on the lips, it's hard to believe that it lasts as long as it does.  I can eat lunch, drink several coffees & maybe sneak in a wee biscwit (sorry, I can't say the word normally now after the Fox's advert!!) & the colour will still be pretty much intact.

This shows how opaque the colour is as this was just the lightest of swipes on my thumb.

Ooooh, I really love it & it'll look even better with a hint of a tan, it's time to hunt out the facial gradual tanner methinks!!  Apologies for the dragged through a hedge backwards look!! ;)

Are you a fan of these lip colours?

AWOL

Wow, it's been so long since I blogged but you know what, sometimes life just gets in the way!!

I've had a pretty full on couple of months - end of term madness, holiday, days out, helping my aunt move house & settle in, getting my hair chopped off (more of that to follow!) etc, etc.....  The kids are now on to their 4th week of the summer holidays already, where does the time go eh?

So I'm sorry for being AWOL for a few weeks but when you live in Scotland & it's actually sunny, you have to get in the garden & make the most of it!!!  After all, we could be back to winter-like conditions tomorrow!!

Normal service will resume shortly!  I hope you're all enjoying your summer :)

Summer 2013 #1

Hi folks,  I've been a tad quiet this last couple of weeks due to a much needed break down at my dad's house in the Midlands & then visiting other family who were up in Scotland.  It was great to catch up with friends & we also had a great night out for my sister-in-law-to-be Sarah's hen night!  Much shopping, sunbathing, bbq-ing, reading, eating & drinking was enjoyed (I'll be blogging some of my newest purchases!!)

 

Then when we came home, the following day my dad & step-mum followed us up to Scotland & we met up with my aunt & uncle over from California at the fabulous Kilconquhar Castle in Fife.  Exciting news is to follow regarding this magnificent place!!

 

  We've all had a great time & have enjoyed the sunshine & heat immensely, seeing as we haven't felt like we've enjoyed a summer since we left France!!

 

I thought I'd post a wee mix of photos to show what we've been up to!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sorry about that last photo, I had a mad 5 minutes trying to take photos of my new Smashbox BB & was losing the will to live at this point, heh heh!!! 

 

Hope you're all enjoying your summers so far!

 

 

 

 

 

 



NOTD China Glaze ~ Make Some Noise

 

 

 

 

I adore this summery shade of coral.  It's not too bright or neon & has the slightest hint of pink to it making it a good all-round shade & great now the sun has actually decided to show it's face again!

 

I'm finding myself buying more & more China Glaze polishes now as I love the variety of shades available & it helps that I get them at the beauty wholesaler so they're a great price!  The coverage is great & when teamed with my trusty nail duo of China Glaze Strong Adhesion base coat & Seche Vite top coat, I get at least a week from my manicure.  They never chip, just show some signs of slight wear on the nail tips after about 5 or 6 days.......but I'm happy with that!

 

I applied 2 coats & the finish is quite glossy on its own but I just love the quality finish of Seche Vite.  I keep reading on other blogs about other top coats but I just can't bring myself to try any out as I personally don't think I can top this one.........can I??

 

I hope everyone's enjoying their weekend in the sun!

 

 



NOTD Essie ~ Turquoise & Caicos

Last week I hunted out my old Tiffany bracelet that I had for my 30th birthday & I decided I wanted to paint my nails to match the packaging!  After asking the Twittersphere for some suggestions of colours, by far the most popular choices for good colour matches were China Glaze For Audrey or Essie Turquoise & Caicos.

 

So the next morning I hot-footed it into town & went to the beauty wholesaler where I usually buy my China Glaze products but they didn't have For Audrey & according the sales person, were unlikely to get any, booo!!

 

Next, was onto Superdrug as they had a 3for2 offer on & Boots didn't.....well, every little helps right?!  I bought the Essie polish along with Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum foundation which I've read many good things about & L'Oréal Lumi Magique Pure Light Primer.  I'll do reviews on those soon but for now, the polish.....

 

 

 

 

The colour is divine & a pretty good match for the Tiffany packaging.  As always, I applied my China Glaze Strong Adhesion base coat to begin with & then the first coat of polish.  I have to say, I was quite shocked at how thin in consistency this seemed as I usually find Essie polishes to be really opaque & cover exceptionally well with just one coat.  However, this was not the case here.

 

Even with 2 coats of colour, the coverage was still a little streaky for my liking & I think it could've done with a third coat to be perfect but I didn't have time!  I think next time I'll try it with an opaque white base colour on first & see if that helps with the coverage.

 

I finished with my trusty Seche Vite top coat & although I had about 6 days with no chipping or flaking before I removed the colour to change it, there was some serious wear on the tips going on.  Again, this just wasn't like any other Essie polish I've tried before so I was quite baffled.  But like I've already said, the colour is beautiful & I had lots of compliments on it, I'll just try an alternative  application next time & see if that makes any difference!

 

I also bought a bargain (£4.99) ring from H&M that matched the polish perfectly, another great summer favourite!!

 

 

 

 

What are your favourite summer colours?

 

 

 

 

 

Another year older.....

So the dreaded day has been & gone, I am now another year closer to being 40!  I was having a conversation with Mr F last year about what I wanted to do for my fortieth birthday as I never celebrated my 18th, 21st or 30th birthdays.  To be honest, I'm not sure if I want a party or not.  Part of me wants to have the mother of all hooleys & I like the idea of a Rockabilly themed fancy dress party....but part of me wants to just have a quiet night with my friends, drowning my sorrows (said with tongue firmly in cheek!!)

 

The one thing however I am 100% certain about is that in the December following my 40th, I would love for us to have a Christmas shopping weekend in New York, sans enfants (sorry kids!)  Ever since I spent the summer months there when I was 18, I've wanted to go back at Christmas time.  It makes me tingle with delight at the thought of seeing NYC decked out in all it's yuletide glory....the Rockefeller tree, the ice rink in Central Park, FAO Schwartz, Macys, sipping hot chocolate in Serendipity3.....I could go on!!!

 

When I suggested this, I also suggested that we start saving for it now seeing as we are notoriously bad at spending our savings on doing up the house!  So last Christmas Day arrived & I had one present left to open.  Inside was one of those money pots that have no way of opening unless you smash them open.  This way, once the money went in, it was staying in!!  However, this is what it said.....

 

 

Now, I know it's not a big deal but seeing as my hubby knows that turning 40 is not something I'm relishing, I can't quite understand why he got me a pot with this written on it!!  Oh, don't get me wrong, the idea was fab & in the 4 months since I've had it, it's rather full already but I hate the fact I have to walk by it every day for the next 2 years, sat there on my chest of drawers screaming at me "LIFE BEGINS AT 40!!!"  Yeah, thanks for that one Mr F!!!

 

I, on the otherhand, bought him something far more practical for his birthday last month......an iPhone controlled helicopter!  See, much more practical!  Birthdays......who'd have 'em.........?