50 Shades of Stripes ... (and Grey!) ...

Bonjour!


Bit random this one but last week as I was laid in bed one morning (it was half term so that's acceptable) I got to thinking that (excluding beauty products in my case of course!) we all have our weaknesses right?  For some this may be shoes, handbags, jewellery, frocks, coats or just clothing in general ... for me it seems to be ...

Stripes ... we have a selection of long sleeves and three-quarter sleeves which I tend to wear a lot for work at the moment as our office isn't as cold as our house! Then there are short sleeve Ts and vests ready for Summer.   I don't seem to venture into  dress territory for some reason but there's something about a good stripey top I can't resist ...!

Greys ... oh dear ... ok so maybe not the full 50, but seriously there are so many shades of grey ... from the palest to the deepest charcoal ... I can't get enough of it and I find it so easy to wear!  There are Tshirts, tops, sweatshirts, jumpers, thin cardigans, thick cardigans (the one on the right is from Matalan and is so thick and warm it's never off my back when I'm at home!), pencil skirts, a pair of jeans, this isn't even the full arsenal here!  I really don't need any more grey items in my wardrobe but the other day out shopping with my friend I picked up a grey T from H&M - (top far right with the label still on!) because I had some Christmas money still to spend and because I don't already have that particular shade of grey ... that's what I told myself anyway ...

Mugs ... this lot is just a random selection  a) couldn't fit them all in the pic b) some were in the dishwasher c) I probably have a couple of each pictured here.  See for me (the husband thinks I'm weird - to him a mug is a mug) different drinks taste better in different cups and also for me size matters! In the morning I want a big one (mug of tea), in the afternoon a smaller one will do coffee/tea/hot chocolate (I never seem to have a big one in the afternoon). And there's something comforting about buying a new mug and giving it a good home but I have to curb my addiction as we'll run out of cupboard space! (You think I'm weird now don't you?)

So ... am I daft or what? In my defence none of these items are really expensive even but tell me I'm not the only one with a 'problem'!  Make me feel better and tell me about your weakness(s)!


Jen x

An Introduction to Rave (Music) ...!

Bonjour!

Some time ago whilst we were in the car, my little girl (she's not actually so little any more but she's still my little girl!) posed the question 'Mum ... what's rave music?'  The words that sprang to mind were ... 'a great philosopher once wrote ... naughty naughty, very naughty!'  (If you were familiar with The Shamen back in the day you'll know where I'm coming from!).

I called upon one of my trusty 'Old Skool' CDs which just happened to be in the car  (surprise) and satisfied her curiosity.   This is one you may remember if you were around a certain age back in 1991...!

Altern 8 Activ-8 (Come with me)

Not sure my girl was totally impressed at the idea of mum and dad having jumping around liberally in clubs to this type of music when we were 'young'!  I seem to remember the hubby had a tape ... yes one of those antiquated affairs ... of all the current house/rave tracks in the car which we would play on the 7 hour drive down to Newquay for a bank holiday weekend of clubbing back in the early 90s ... it kept me awake as far Bristol but after that I was out for the count ... luckily the hubby was driving!

This is one of the many tunes on my IPod ... stick it on ... get on the treadmill on an evening ... and off you go (it's about as close to raving as I'll get these days!). Top one, nice one, get sorted!

What would be your 'introduction to rave' track?

Jen x

Makeup Revolution Blush & Contour Palette in Hot Spice - Review

Bonjour!

As it was Valentine's Day yesterday I had to share one of my current loves ... the Makeup Revolution Blush & Contour Palette in Hot Spice.  Bought it back in September and been using it loads ever since ...

It comes in a sleek black case with a mirrored lid and consists of  8 pans, a mixture of matte and shimmer in shades from darker to lighter, some more warm peach and some more of a pink tone, 1 baked blush and 1 baked highlighter (on the right there). Because of the range of colours I can see this palette being suitable for most skin tones.   The blushers have a lovely texture and the pigment is crazy (once on they last for hours and hours!) so you only need to touch your brush to the pan - any more and you'll end up looking Aunt Sally!   I'm not very good at this contouring lark and have only really had a bit of a go with the top left hand corner pan but as these shades are on the warm side I mostly just sweep from apple to temple, sometimes it's a matte, sometimes a shimmer and sometimes add a bit of highlight - I couldn't tell you which is my favourite, I like them all!

Swatches ... top row on the left and bottom row on the right ...

And on the kite ...

This has been my go-to palette for the last few months - a pop of warm peach really helps wake up the complexion on these cold, grey mornings and keeps me from looking too much like an extra from The Walking Dead!  Hot Spice is excellent value for money considering it's priced at £6.00 and the quality is amazing.  I may have just put in a cheeky order for a couple more bits from Makeup Revolution - there may be another palette or two on it's way!

What do you think of the Hot Spice palette?  Have you tried any products from Makeup Revolution?

Jen x

Benefit Roller Lash Super-Curling & Lifting Mascara - Review

Bonjour!

So ... by now everyone and their maiden aunt will have heard about the Benefit Roller Lash Mascara freebie with March's Elle magazine.  I had to try it out (that's obvious right!) ... I never got on with They're Real so was hoping the Roller Lash Super-Curling & Lifting Mascara would be a different kettle of fish!

The wand has slight curve to it and is packed with plastic bristles/spikes - longer on the top (as you may be able to see) gradually reducing in size towards the underneath - almost like rows and rows of tiny canine teeth!   I understand the bristles are meant to hug and roll each lash to provide long lasting lift, curl and definition.  Here it is on ...


Bare on the left and two very quick coats of Roller Lash on the right ...

My natural lashes are, obviously, fine and not very long (bad combination) although they do have a slight natural curl to them (I'd be interested to see how Roller Lash performs on bang straight lashes). Anyway ... it does seem to live up to it's name by grabbing each lash and pulling and curling them up. A good jet black and the formula is not too wet, dry, thick or thin but has a creamy consistency that is easy to work with. The curve of the brush fits my eyelid perfectly top and bottom,   I use the shorter bristles underneath the wand to apply the mascara and the longer ones on top to comb through then turn the wand over for the lower lashes.  I don't leave too long a gap in between coats as it can start to clump up a little, if I go back for another coat later on I use the longer bristled side of the wand to apply as this produces less clumps.  The tube has one of those internal 'brush scraper thingies' (technical term that!) inside but I still do a quick manual scrape now and then just to avoid too much excess on the brush.

I can honestly say this is one of the best mascaras I've used (and I've used a lot!).  It's great for everyday wear as it gets the job done in a jiffy - a real bonus when you're in a rush in the morning! Gives immediate length, curl and lift which opens up the eye area.  It lasts all day with no flaking or smudging but is easy enough to remove with a good eye make-up remover.  You can 'up the ante' on the volume front by adding extra coats carefully or going over with a volumising mascara - makes the lashes pop!

It's definitely a winner - the only thing about it that niggles me is the price - I understand it'll cost around £19.50 on release at the end of Feb/early March - is it too expensive? Am I being a skinflint?

Have you tried Benefit's Roller Lash yet? Would you pay the full price for this mascara?

Jen x

Autumn/Winter Nails ... Deeps

Bonjour!

As we're now officially in the last month of Winter (hurray!) I thought I'd shop my nail polish stash ... can't see the weather turning any time soon so the deeper hues will be with me for a while longer ...

Shot on location in the freezing cold back garden - got to get the right ambiance ... even if my fingers felt like frostbite was setting in ...!

From left to right ...

Barry M Matte Nail Paint in Crush - love the smooth finish of this polish - great for a grungy looking change from high gloss!

Marks & Spencer Limited Collection Quick Dry Nail Polish in Storm - my newest addition, you can see my NOTD here.

Maybelline Forever Strong in Dark Denim - had this one for ages, forgotten how much I like it -should use it more often before it dries up! 

Barry M Gelly Nail Paint in Watermelon - not the easiest to apply (I find) and not the most long lasting but I love the colour - so does my daughter, she keeps pinching it from me!

Nails Inc Polish in Hanover Square - a freebie with good ol' Glamour magazine - lovely rich colour, reminds me of a shiny aubergine!

Will you be rocking the 'deeps' for a while yet or are you champing at the bit to bring out the Spring pastels?

Jen x