Summer Holiday 2015 Favourites ...!

Bonjour!


Can I really be writing about this Summer's Holiday favourites already?  Doesn't seem like two minutes since I was rushing around like an idiot trying to get the packing done (getting all stressed out as I do every year!).  And then we were there ... South of France, gorgeous villa,  fantastic weather (30+ degrees most days!), good food and company - what more could you want?  And then we were back ... and it all seems like a distant memory ... so here are few bits that I snapped whilst we were on holiday that stood out for me  ...

Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue - I knew this would be ideal for holiday and I was right! I only used a small amount to add a smidge of cover and it did a brilliant job of keeping in with the 'no make-up look' - will definitely repurchase for use again next summer. Full review here.

Vichy Ideal Soleil Mattifying Face Dry Touch SPF 30  -  I'll try and sneak a full review of this on here before  the Summer ends (which basically means sooner rather than later!) it did a good job  of helping me avoid that overly greasy feeling!

Mally Under Eye Brightener - this isn't only a summer staple - it's an all-year-round staple to help combat dark circles and under eye shadows! Reviewed here this particular pot was coming to an end so I just shoved it in my make-up bag as I didn't have a travel size to take. I've since reordered a kit with both the same size pot (which honestly seems to go on for a couple of years!) and a handy travel size which will be saved for next year's holiday!

Bourjois Cream Blush in Sweet Cherry and 1 Seconde Volume in Ultra Black - a couple of winners here from Bourjois! I reviewed Sweet Cherry last year here - it's a lovely natural looking everyday blush perfect for holiday. I'm about to write up my review of 1 Seconde Volume up but I think it will be a good one - say no more!

Philip Kingley Elasticizer and Daily Damage Defence and Color Wow One Minute Transformation Styling Cream - moving onto hair products!  I've used Elasticizer for years, this travel size came with a recent Elasticizer kit from QVC and is so convenient to use on holiday, just stick it on late afternoon, sit out in the sun to catch those last rays and then just wash out when you go in to shower - easy and effective!  The Daily Damage Defence is brilliant for reviving frizz prone hair, leaving it soft without any crispiness. Similarly the Color Wow Styling Cream smooths hair with a tiny bit of texture, yet doesn't weigh hair down or leave it sticky or greasy and you only need a small amount! I left my hair to dry naturally after mostly every wash on this year's holiday and these two styling products really helped to control the inevitable frizzies and stop me looking like an extra from the Hair Bear Bunch!

Batiste Blush Dry Shampoo - I picked up this travel size on a last minute shopping trip before we went.  It does leave a bit of white cast on darker hair if you spray too close but nothing that can't be 'rubbed out' once massaged in and helps to refresh and give hair a decent amount of volume at the roots. I'd buy again to take away!

Large sun-hat and and equally large box of French Rose - a couple of obvious favourites for a hot holiday ... I don't think I need explain why!

One more favourite ... (sigh!) ... the view from our balcony ... (further sighs!) ... lovely isn't it! 

What have been your holiday favourites this year?


Jen x

Pants, Sweat, Wine and Michael Jackson!

Bonjour!

If you read my blog you may be aware that I like the word 'pants' ... to express my displeasure (I do, on occasion use a choice few other words, as I'm sure we all do, but don't feel they're suitable for airing on the net!). So ... pants it is then... pants pants pants pants!!! I'm sorry but did I fall asleep during what seemed to be the promise of Spring only to wake up mid-Autumn during this half term? Cold, grey, dull, rainy, damp and miserable at the end of May = nothing but pants in my book!

It's a darn good job I have Michael in the car to Rock My World  - you can't beat a bit of MJ to accompany you into work - makes you want to throw your shapes all over the car - impossible/dangerous whilst driving!  I have loved this track forever! It's not too fast, not too slow, just so laid back an groovy (which is what I would like to be!) ...

Michael Jackson - You Rock My World

 

So ... MJ chills me out and then I walk into the office to be hit by a mini heatwave. The air conditioning is broken so myself and my colleagues spent the day in full sweat mode - stuffy and stifling...!  I felt so fuzzy and spaced out at the end of the day that I went to the gym to clear my head and sweated a load more - it was a whole day of sweat all round - nice!

And now the last half term of the school year is at an end - bizarre! Both my brothers have been around in some capacity this week and the youngest came back from France bearing (French) gifts - most welcome gifts ...!

I can't even fit the entire length of this monster bottle into the pic! It's so tall it won't fit in the fridge so ice cubes it is! The Rose (in the box) is honestly the best I've tasted in ages - I'm not a massive drinker but this just slips down so easily! The hubby says it's because the French save all the best stuff for themselves - true in this case! And on the end is a 'normal' bottle getting in on the act - just for the sake of perspective!

Hope you've all had a good half term despite the pants weather (there I go again with my pants!). What's your favourite MJ track?

Jen x

What the Haul.....? #1

Morning!

So where does this 'haul' thing come from I wonder - I mean - who was the first blogger to use the term and why - was it because they purchased so many items that they had to 'haul' them all home...?

Anyway ... just thought I'd share a few goodies recently purchased...

Took advantage of the recent MUA offer - bought my £8.00 worth of product (actually all came to £8.50 but who's complaining?)

MUA Nail Varnish in Frozen Yogurt - £1.00
MUA Extreme Volume Mascara in Black - £2.00
MUA 3 in 1 Contour Pen in Gunmetal - £1.50
MUA 12 Shade 'Undressed' Eye Shadow Palette - £4.00

I've been wanting to get hold of the 'Undressed' palette for a while but it's always sold out in my local Superdrug, looking forward to using this, it's a firm favourite with many bloggers - some lovely soft colours in there.  Swatches and reviews to follow (I won't be opening the mascara for a while yet - I don't think I need explain further...!).

And with the above products received a free 24 shade Immaculate Collection palette. Not that I need any more eye shadows but it was just too good an offer to resist! Some really lovely colours in this palette too - I imagine something for almost every occasion.  I really need to get back into my singing again and organise a few gigs - then I could really go to town ...smokey eyes, shimmery eyes, the world could be my eye make-up oyster.....!

Anyway - back to life/back to reality and a couple of offers on in my local Sainsburys  -

Dirty Works Bye Bye Dark Circles under-eye concealer - this was on offer in my local store - reduced from £4.99 to £3.32 so I grabbed it.  Not used it yet - but I always need a bit of help with dark-circles so let's see how I go on - will report back in due course.

Dirty Works You Soft Touch Hand Cream - selected Dirty Works products appear to be on offer at half price both instore and online so this was reduced from £2.99 to £1.49. I've not tried this hand cream before - the ingredients include Cocoa Butter and Jojoba Oil - it rubs in really easily and leaves hands feeling soft and conditioned but not greasy and with a very subtle cocoa butter scent. Now that the colder weather is here I'll be going through hand cream like cold water, so think I'll try and get another of these whilst it's on offer.

And how could I resist?  On offer at '3 for £12.00' - it would have been rude to ignore this lot...!

What would be your preference - red, white or rose?  Think I prefer white or rose but I do like a glass of red with selected meals!  Of course my hubby isn't nearly as fussy - good job seen as he ends up drinking most of  everything we get in!

So...any thoughts on the origins of the 'haul' type thing?  Who drinks the most in your house?


Jen x