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Wednesday 22 April 2015

Product Review : The Body Shop : Wonderblur

Any product which can claim to smooth my skins texture and give me a flawless finish gets my attention and this is exactly what The Body Shop's latest offering Drops of Youth™ Wonderblur claims to be able to do. Having heard so many good things about it I picked up this little gem on a recent shopping trip, I simply had to give it a go myself and boy am I glad I did!



'This lightweight blur instantly smoothes skin texture, visibly reducing fine lines 
and pores for an even, flawless finish.'

I love The Body Shop, their staff are all absolutely wonderful and so so helpful, I have always had excellent customer service from them which keeps me going back. So, as I stood pondering the makeup counter a lovely lady came across to help me, initially I was looking at another product but after explaining what I wanted to get from a primer type product she recommended the Drops of Youth™ WONDERBLUR™.
The packaging is pretty standard, a simple easy to use tube makes it simple to get to the product and is easily stored in any size makeup bag.The product itself is quite a thick cream which goes on very easily and leaves your skin feeling silky soft. You really don't need very much of it and don't need to apply it all over your face if you don't want to, which means it will last for a while which is always good. Personally, I've applied it to my 'problem' areas i.e. around my nose and chin and on an evening a little on my cheeks. Application is also really easy, just a little on your fingers and apply to your skin, and it absorbs fast so you are able to apply your makeup and get going. My make up and skin was noticably smoother using this so was very pleased with the results.Personally, I wouldn't use this product everyday as I prefer more of a dewy look but for an evening makeup I would use this to enhance the wear and get a more matte texture.



The product also uses Babassu oil whch is harvested by a Fair Trade project The Cooperative of Agricultural Producers of Lago de Junco (COPPALJ), more information on this can be found here. So not only is this a fantastic primer but it is also supporting rural Brazillian communities, Excellent.

Have you tried this product? What did you think?


21st April : At the time of review The Body Shop are offering free delivery on orders containing Drops of Youth™ WONDERBLUR™



Monday 20 April 2015

The week that was...



Monday: I spent a little bit extra time and care when getting ready for work this morning, had a proper breakfast, done my hair and make up properly. Although I was a little bit later into work I genuinely felt alot better about myself and happier with the day ahead.


Tuesday: Another tuesday away from Guides, made myself a gorgeous tea and thoroughly cleaned the house, clean bedding, washing done. Paid a visit to my Mum and Dad who were celebrating their 31st wedding anniversary (oooweee) so had a sip of champers and tormented the pup who I think hates me a little bit right now after trying to make him fly!

Wednesday: A night with my head in the books was required. The penultimate (yay!) uni essay is looming so need to get that done and filed away before I can relax this week, all I really want to do is go to the gym and soak myself in the jacuzzi but alas I must be sensible.

Thursday: Essay completed, absolute relief and had time for a little soak in the jacuzzi and test drive the new sauna in the gym (its the little things). Also had a little trip to the parents who had treat me to a salad spinner, long story short but we used to play with my Grandma's when we were little, so now I shall have perfectly spun salad!

Friday: Fantastic night with my sister at Sunderland Empire to see Wicked. This is probably one of my favourite musicals ever, have seen it a few times now, and we had such a lovely time. I don't get to see my sister as much as I would like so it was a good chance to have a bit of a natter. I also donned my hat out for the first time.


Weekend:
Wowee what a weekend, I think I could have slept for the whole time. Alas, we celebrated record store day, done a spot of shopping, had a boozy sunday afternoon and James' mum and dad came around for tea. I need another weekend to recover!


Hope you all had a fantastic week, what have you got planned for the one ahead?


Monday 13 April 2015

The week that was...



Monday: It was a lovely sunny bank holiday for a change so James and I followed the masses to the garden centre and organised our garden. It was lovely to get out in the fresh air and actually do something which we will be able to enjoy for the rest of the summer and in the future years. I planted a few pots to add a bit colour to the garden and James cut, strimmed and re-seeded the grass which we planted last year. 

Tuesday: Back to work and boy its busy. Had a lovely evening with James and a little visit from my Mum who admired our beautiful garden. Sometimes its nice to have a little tuesday evening to myself, usually spend it in the company of 18 hyper guides! I also purchased a beautiful yellow rain coat, 2 sizes smaller than the last jacket I bought!!! AHH!!! 

Wednesday: Another incredibly busy day at work so used the opportunity of a free evening to make the most of my gym membership. Spent 30 mins doing some cardio, which felt alot better than the last time I tried it, and then submerged myself in the jacuzzi, ice pool, swimming pool and steam room. Absolute heaven, its amazing what wonders that place can do.

Thursday: After taking a whole hour to get home, usually a 15 min drive, I really couldn't face doing much. I also had a bit of a melt down re. clothes for work. I've lost a little bit of weight and alot of my go-to comfy but smart clothes look a bit big on me now so I dragged James to the Metro Centre and got a few bits and pieces including some nice new knickers which are always a little boost! 

Friday: Woohoo Friday! Spent the evening watching Newcastle Falcons v Bath Rugby. I'm a season ticket holder for the Falcons, no not just for the hunky men, and absolutely love it. Caught up with a few friends there and whilst we lost the match had a lovely time. It was also the first match I haven't had to wear my biggest jacket and multiple socks which is also lovely!! 

Weekend: This has been an absolute blissful weekend. I spent Saturday day in town with my friend Lauren who I haven't been able to catch up with properly in a long time. Got some lovely clothes and bits and pieces which was a proper treat. We played Bingo with James' family which was hilarious, the excitement is far too much for me! Spent some time on sunday organising the house, doing the chores and cooked a nice meal for my parents on the evening. Fully ready for the week ahead now! 

How did you spend your week? I hope it has been a good one! 


Friday 10 April 2015

March Favourites

Hello There,

Firstly thank you for taking the time to drop by my little blog, Welcome! I'm so excited to start this properly, I've tried (and failed) a few times now with this blog marlarkey and this time I am pretty determined!!! You will have to bear with me for a little bit but I hope to get in the swing of things very soon and I do have some wonderful ideas for posts which hopefully you will enjoy. 

I thought I'd kick off my wonderful little blog (if I do say so myself) with my March favourites. These are my absolute favourite posts and videos, I find that I hear about a lot of lovely things through these and I always write a little list of my own after, so why not share this with you lovely lot?! Why not indeed! So here are a few of my favourite things from the month of March, I've split these into four categories Homeware, Beauty, Music and Other: 

Homeware: 
  • My first thing is my absolute favourite, probably of all time! I have a shiny new KitchenAid Artisan mixer in Empire Red. Oh my days! My lovely James surprised me with this on a recent shopping trip in Newcastle, not going to lie I absolutely almost cried in the shop. I've been lusting after these mixers for as long as I can remember and absolutely never thought I'd have one so you might understand my emotions towards it. So far I've not really overly used it (damn diets) but I've got some healthy(ish) treats planned for this Easter weekend. 
  • Primark candles: who knew this was even a thing?! When did Primark's homeware get so good!? I've only bought this one thus far but I am absolutely loving it and will definitely be exploring the homeware section further. The smell is quite sweet, the packaging is absolutely gorgeous too. 


Beauty: 
  • Benefit Rollerlash Mascara. I am a mascara nightmare, I've got super sensitive eyes and the majority of mascara within 5 minutes of application will be half way down my cheeks from running. I'm also useless when putting mascara on, I usually end up with it all over my eyelids (top and bottom). Basically I am useless with eye make up, however, this is amazing. The packaging is fantastic, the mascara doesn't make me cry and makes my eye lashes look so full, long and curled. I'm converted! 
  • Avon Pore Penetrating Black Mineral Mask. Wow what a face mask! You can actually feel this mask getting in your pores and doing its thing, 10 minutes is all you need for this to take hold, it dries fast and you can actually see when it is done, as it changes to a grey colour. It is important to remember though not to keep it on too long, I did the first time I used it and thought I was having an allergic reaction so wash it off as soon as it dries.


Music: 
  • A Short Movie by Laura Marling. I don't really need to say much about this, all you need to do it listen to it. Its a masterpiece, already one of my favourites. 
  • Spotify's #ThrowbackThursday playlist. If you are a fan of Kisstory you are going to love this playlist, there are some absolute classics on here. This playlist has brought some amazing tunes back into my life - Ash 'Girl from Mars' anyone?! Fantastic.
Other: 
  • Throughout March I've also been absolutely loving Slimming World. I know this is a strange thing to include in my favourites but I had to. I've been following the plan since the 5th January this year (2015) and I've been doing okay on it, thus far I've lost 2 stone (lots to go) but I've been mainly loving it because I've made some lovely friends through the classes. I go to a group on a Monday evening and its honestly one of the highlights of my week, there are some amazing ladies go to the group and they have been keeping me going. So not only is it fantastic for sorting out your health and weight but its a fantastic confidence and self esteem boost, which from time to time we all need! 
  • Finally, Wotsits! Oh I've come to discover there is absolutely nothing more satisfying (in my opinion) than a packet of wotsits on an afternoon. They absolutely stink and get orange cheese dust everywhere but they are flipping delicious! I'm addicted at the moment. 
So there we have it, my March Favourites! I hope you have enjoyed this post and perhaps its opened your eyes and ears to some new things. 

What are your favourite things at the moment? Please get in touch and tell me!