Saturday, 10 November 2012

Half-Term Haul!

Bonjour!

Me and my gal did a bit of shopping over half term - we went to Boots and Superdrug (there's a surprise) and I picked up a few items ...



Boots had their 'Buy 1 Get 2nd Half Price' offer on ....



Maybelline Dream Touch Lumi Concealer in nude - £6.99 - I was actually after the Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer as I've read so many good things about it - but Boots never seemed to have the colour I wanted (having been in a few times) so thought I'd give this a go - feedback to follow.

Bourjois Intuitive Liner - £6.99- I've been wanting to try out the Clarins 3-Dot Liner ever since I heard it creates the look of a thicker lash line but just can't justify spending £20 on it at the moment.  Bourjois Intuitive is meant to be a pretty good dupe (and obviously far more purse-friendly) so lets see what happens.


Batiste Dry Shampoo (dark and deep brown) - I can't live without my dry shampoo, particularly when my colour is growing out and dark roots are coming through (as they are at the moment). My hair seems to grease up so much more at the roots and this is a little life-saver.  Also adds texture and body without looking like I've tipped a tub of talc all over my barnet. Got two as they were reduced from £3.99  a can (rather expensive but it works for me) to £2.66.

Dove Heat Defence - have to admit I did just grab this as we were running out of time, thought I may as well try it at £2.99 as I'm  running low on heat protection spray being a regular user and all that!


Superdrug had 3 for 2 across cosmetics ...

MUA Lipstick - from left to right Shades 11, 13 and 1.



Just could not resist - £1 each and 3 for 2 for crying out loud! We went for the reds initially because my daughter wanted me to create a 'blood effect' around her mouth for Halloween (in the end we ended up using some red lip gloss!).  The dark nude/tawnyish shade 13 looks ideal for everyday wear.


MUA Nail Varnish ...



.... in Stormy Skies and Plum Noir - also a quid each, (picked up an extra lippie in shade 13 for my mum to make it up to 3 products) - a couple of lovely colours here with an Autumnal vibe - can't wait to get these on!


Not strictly 'half-term' - I actually popped back to Superdrug the other day and noticed these on offer at 2 for £3.79 which I thought pretty good.  I'm a terrible lip balm addict and re-apply throughout the day - can't stand the feeling of dry, chapped lips.  I've not tried Carmex Moisturising Lip Balm before but it's raved about by lovely Claire over at Another New Day so looking forward to trying out!  The tube will be ideal for shoving in my bag and the cute little tub for bedtime!

All in all quite a few bargains to be had at Boots and Superdrug - could easily get so carried away! Have you picked any bargains up recently?


Jen x



Friday, 9 November 2012

Favourite Friday Track - DJ Fresh ft. Rita Ora - Hot Right Now!

Bonjour and TFI Friday!!

Been a mad week this one - all over the place (although try telling that to 'that bloke' at work!). When I got in from a stuffy day at the office (not all bad because I do actually get to sit down whilst at work) but stuffy none-the-less, just felt drained and a bit spaced out and actually considered NOT going to the gym. Anyway, came round a bit (after a few domestic chores) so dragged myself down and this was the first tune that greeted my ears once positioned on the 'old faithful' cross-trainer...turn it up - it'll get you going...!


DJ Fresh featuring Rita Ora - Hot Right Now





"Put your hands in the air if you want it right now...!"

....and that was it...! This track is absolutely pumped full of endorphin-friendly vibes, the drum and bass just gets inside one's fibres (if you're into that sort of thing!).  Think I may have mentioned a while ago that I once sang the vocals on a garage dance/drum and bass type track in the 90s ... so clearly I am into 'that sort of thing'!

I got carried away and had to play it twice - first time just used my core to balance and peddled slow and controlled to the bass (no hands allowed and resistance turned up on the cross-trainer) and second (hands allowed and less resistance) just had a blast to the full upbeat tempo! (probably got all the musical technicalities wrong there - should have consulted my brother Mike first!).


So - which tune gets inside your fibres....there must be one or two....?


Jen x


Monday, 5 November 2012

Glamour/Nails Inc Offer!

Bonjour!

Couldn't resist a quick post on the latest Glamour offer of a free Nails Inc Polish worth £11.00! Thanks to Sasha over at Ramblings of a Beauty Bird who reminded me in her blog post last week - I'd totally forgotten!

I don't buy magazines too often but now and again I can't resist when there's a good offer on and Glamour mag usually comes up trumps! Plus - you can't go wrong with a Nails Inc Polish now can you?



There are four 'hot-right-now' (love that tune!) colours to choose from. I imagine a complete nail-polish junkie may well end up with all four options.  I just went for the one on this occasion - St James - a classic 'pillarbox' red.



Strictly speaking I don't really suit 'classic' nails.  Much prefer the quirky thing - be it clothing, footwear, make-up or manicures!  However, I was completely drawn to this colour over all the others, just thought it would be nice to try out a smart red polish with my usual un-polished (no pun intended!) attire, just to mix things up a little.



And here are the old painted nails - still in my usual haphazard fashion with cuticles all over the place I'm afraid! That aside - I really like the colour, it's easily opaque after two coats (although if needs be one coat would do). It's glossy and vibrant and just makes a nice change for me -  fitting for this time of year too and a complete bargain!

Did you pick up any Glamour mags? Which Nails Inc polish did you go for?

Jen x




Saturday, 3 November 2012

October Empties & Favourites

Bonjour!

So - I was going to open up with - 'Here we are at the end of another month again - mostly empties here (trying to get stuff used up) and a few favourites thrown in for good measure ....' but by the time I got round to finishing the post with occupying the kids over half term and everything it's now the start of November!



Emma Hardie Amazing Face Lighter Lotion and Rejuvenating Night Cream - a couple of products from the QVC TSV (today's special value) back in May which also included a full size of the Emma Hardie Moringa Balm.  The Lighter Lotion is exactly as the name suggests, a non-greasy milky liquid which keeps my skin hydrated all day - sinks in so easily, ideal for busy mornings (still a little left to use up). The pot of Rejuvenating Night Cream is (sadly) now empty. A lovely night cream - which helps replenish and plump overnight. Both these products are packed with fantastic ingredients and smell fab (the aromas may not be everyone's cup of tea but I found myself becoming addicted!). Sadly I can't afford to re-purchase as both are expensive to buy alone - the Lighter Lotion is around £35 (ish) and the Re-juvenating Cream over £50.  Please can we have another Emma Hardie TSV?

Organix Coconut Milk Shampoo and Conditioner - just finished these two off. I'm ashamed to say I'd forgotten I had these and recently found them at the back of my (bulging) bathroom cabinet. The shampoo has a weird texture - a bit glupey, almost as if you can see the whipped egg white consistency but cleanses well and rinses easily.  The conditioner is light and creamy.  Both smell lovely and coconutty (as you would expect). Not sure I would re-purchase though as it isn't the best at thickening my ever- thinning locks but then again it isn't the worst. Fence job!

Extracts Fairtrade Mango Body Butter - got this as part of a set with shower gel and sugar scrub and finished the body butter earlier in the month. Really easy to apply (can't stand having to rub in for ages) and smells lovely and zingy (I love mangoes anyway). I would re-purchase but probably only when on offer as it's £7.95 a pot (more than I usually spend on body products) or as part of a kit.

Bionsen Roll-On Deodorant -  love this deodorant, it's gentle, effective, has a great fresh fragrance - which is good because it lingers and you can smell it as you 'waft' your arms around throughout the day! Yes I would re-purchase but think I'll try the dry stick next time because - like most liquid roll-ons -  it does take time to dry.

Ojon Restorative Pre-Cleansing Treatment - got this as part of a kit from QVC ages ago - another from the back of the cupboard I'm afraid - seem to remember this being a quick alternative to the original Restorative Treatment. You apply to dry or damp hair and leave up to 5 minutes then wash and condition as usual. Not sure whether it's been discontinued or replaced with a similar product as I can't see this tube on the Ojon Website or QVC. I wouldn't have re-purchased though as I seem to remember it was expensive (as most Ojon products are) and yes it works ok to restore condition but not to the extent that I couldn't live without it.

Marks & Spencer Essential Extracts Aloe Vera Shower Gel - love this range from good old M & S - only £1 each so complete bargain. Smells fresh and invigorating - a summertime favourite but thought I'd try and use up. Will definitely re-purchase. I want to try the other fragrances in this range and have just noticed that M & S have a 'buy one get one half price' on bath and shower products at the moment so a good time to re-stock.

The Body Shop Neroli Jasmin Eau de Toilette - I love this fragrance, smells of vanilla, sweet and warming, it's a perfect Autumn scent. I got this bottle last year I think and have noticed it appears to have been re-named as Indian Night Jasmine? (not had chance of a sniff yet but hope it hasn't changed much as this was one of my faves).

Benefit Dallas Powder - Is it a blusher? - Is it a bronzer? - It's actually described as 'the perfect combination of bronzer and blush' and for me this really is. I love this blush/bronze whatever! It's perfect for adding a bit of colour and depth, especially at this time of year when I tend to retire my baby pinks and peaches for a while. I've had this box for ages and it's only just finishing - will be putting it on my Xmas list as it's pricey but if there are any dupes out there that any of you lovely gals are aware of please let me know!

17 Peep Show Mascara - love love loving this at the moment. You can see my full review here but it's grown on me even more since then. Some mascaras sometimes need to 'thicken up' a bit after having been opened (do you find?) and this is now at it's perfect level of thickness - it's in it's prime! Just so easy to apply and lasts all day - I've been reaching for this constantly of late - will definitely re-purchase - a gem at only £6.29. Could end up being one of my all time favourite mascaras.


A couple of other favourites.... I'm really into scarves at the moment...



Got this one from our Sainsburys at the end of September when they had 25% off, love it and it's hardly been off my neck since - really versatile as it goes mostly everything.



My H & M scarf here - also from around the end of September - silky and a bit more dressy. Love the colours, tend to wear with black and navy and mostly when I don't wear my specs - I can't do 'fuss near my face' and specs too - I'm weird like that!

And - what the hell - may as well chuck in one of my all time favourites for good measure...!



Just look at the size of this beauty! It's positively HUGE - the height of my kettle! I know it's sad to get exited over washing up liquid but in my book you just can't beat a bit of Fairy. A little goes a long long way  - this should last well into next year! (maybe expect to see it on one of my empties posts in spring/summer?).

What products have you been trying to use up last month? Have you got any all time favourites?


Jen x




Friday, 2 November 2012

Favourite Friday Track - D-Mob/Cathy Dennis - C'Mon and Get My Love!

Morning!

Just could not resist this one...

D-Mob featuring Cathy Dennis - C'Mon and Get My Love

Released in 1989 by D-Mob (British House Music Producer - Dancin' Danny D) featuring vocals from Cathy Dennis. If you were into Acid House Music big style as I was, you'll recall this...with fondness I hope...!  The video kicks in eventually - just need to give it a minute!






I wanted to 'be' Cathy Dennis in this video -we all used to dance around like this (not generally - on nights out I mean) and I want to do it again! Nostalgia good style...!

Turn the bass up to get the full 'House' experience  - go on it's Friday - have a bop around!


Jen x


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