Thursday 30 August 2012

A Weekend Away...

Hello my lovies! I'm going away this weekend with my Mum and my auntie to Harrogate for a girly shopping/relaxing weekend. I did have lots of posts planned such as my weekend bag and the products it includes, but me and my boyfriend have had a few issues in the last couple of days so I don't really feel like writing or doing anything. We are giving each other some space for the time being and sorting our head's out, but I don't really feel enthusiastic enough to be writing posts. I'm sure I will take lots of photos though from my trip to Harrogate and I will write a nice picture filled post probably Monday!

Have a nice weekend everyone!

Love, Juliette xo

Monday 27 August 2012

Cheap or Chic? #1

I've really enjoyed having a day off today - it has consisted of watching the final Harry Potter in my pj's and stuffing my face. Perfect. Anyway, I was sorting out my lipsticks in my make-up draw last night and as I was going through them all, I noticed two were rather similar. I've seen a few of these kinda posts in the bloggersphere and I thought I would give it a shot too.

L-R MAC Lipstick in Lovelorn and Natural Collection Lipstick in Pink Mallow


As you can tell, Lovelorn is well-loved and I need to think about repurchasing it pretty soon. I only bought Pink Mallow recently and I have only wore it a couple of times. Now, the major issue between these two products is the price - Lovelorn was £14 and Pink Mallow was £1.99. 

But I find that despite the price, these lipsticks are practically dupes. Lovelorn has a lustre finish and Pink Mallow is referred to as a 'Moisture Shine Lipstick'. I find that they are both very moisturising on the lips and don't have a drying effect. If anything, I would say that Pink Mallow is a teeny weeny bit more pinker and lighter toned but there is no real significant difference.

They both aren't 'over the top' pinks and are perfect for everyday wear or even with a smokey eye on a night out. They really are beautiful colours which will accompany any skin tone and occasion.

To decide whether or not to splash the cash, is really up to you. Pink Mallow is an amazing dupe at just over 10% of the price of Lovelorn but if you are looking for the quality and the name, then MAC is your answer.

I hope this was insightful and helpful. I maybe may do more of these posts as I think they can be useful and can cater for all budgets and preferences.

Love, Juliette xo

Saturday 25 August 2012

FOTD & a cheeky OOTD

I thougth I would do a quick FOTD/OOTD for you all as I'm going to a BBQ later (despite the rain!). I posted a picture on instagram earlier this morning of today's make-up but I've decided to make a slight alteration.


This photo only shows some of the products I used but here is the full list:

MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NW25, Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer in Light, MUA Mosaic Bronzer in Shade 2, Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Translucent, Natural Collection Blush in Peach Melba, MUA Gel Eyeliner in Underground, VIVO Brow and Eye Kit, Urban Decay Primer Potion and No7 Fanomenal Lashes.


I was opting for a red lip (MUA Lipstick in Shade 13), but I thought that I would go for a coral lip instead as we are off to a BBQ and it's slightly more casual.

MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Fashion City and Collection 2000 Cream Puff in Fairy Cake



Top from Topshop, leggings from H&M, shoes from Primark, necklace from Dorothy Perkins, cone shaped bracelet from Topshop, coil ring from Miss Selfridge, green ring from Miss Selfridge and my bag from Zara

I really hope it doesn't rain later! I will go armed with my leather jacket just in case ha. I hope you all enjoy your Saturday nights :)

Love, Juliette xo

Wednesday 22 August 2012

My newly decorated bedroom!

As you know, one of the main reasons why I haven't been blogging much is because of my gorgeous little bedroom. I have wanted to give it 'a fresh lick of paint' for so long and these past couple of weeks, it has become my little hobby. I wanted to go for a vintage/girly look which will still look beautiful when I'm at uni. I'll try and include where most things are from, but if I don't it's because I don't know where I got them or if they were gifts.


Tah da! I adore it.

My dressing table is from Amazon and it's the Belgravia Dressing Table. My gorgeous wallpaper is from Next which I got discounted because my boyfriend works there (yipee!). My blind and drape curtains are both from Dunelm Mill and my duvet is from Tesco. The set of wicker baskets were my Grandma's and store all my body and skincare products.


The bedstand was my Grandma's which I think is so beautiful and the little 'LOVE' hanging from it was from Cannon Hall Garden Centre near where I live. The cushion at the front was an old pillowcase which I studded and beaded.


My shelves are from Argos and on the left shelf I have my ELLE and Glamour magazines, a couple of teddies from my boyfriend and a candle. On the right, I keep my books that I'm about to read or that I'm currently reading, a photo of me and Connor, a couple of ornaments and a candle on the end from Next.


You can see my legs in the mirror ha! On my dressing table I keep my most worn perfumes, jewellery stand, make-up brush holder, ring bowl, candles and my lamp. In the two big draws, I keep all of my make-up (this will probably be a future post!). In the little drawers I keep cotton wool pads, manicure items and miniature perfumes. The jewellery box on the top of my wicker baskets was also my Grandma's.

I do have my wardrobe at the other end of the room but everything still needs sorting out and made looking neat and tidy. Nearer the Winter, I'm going to get a rug (ideally a faux fur animal rug in creme) to put next to my bed which I think will pull it all together. All in all, I love it! I'm never venturing out of it ha ha! It still needs the odd photo hanging up and a new full length mirror but apart from that, I'm so pleased with it. It is such a transformation from what it looked like before and what I've been able to do with the space.

Enjoy the rest of your week lovelies!

Love, Juliette xo

Monday 20 August 2012

A teeny weeny haul!

Today, me and my boyfriend went on a little roadtrip to the York Designer Outlet. The main reason why I wanted to go (I didn't tell him this ha) was to visit the Cosmetics Company Store where they sell discounted Estee Lauder, Clinique and MAC products, just to name a few. It's like heaven :)

I got two products from MAC, a Sheen Supreme lipstick and an eyeshadow.


Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Fashion City £10.25

Eyeshadow in Mythical £8.50

We then drove back to Barnsley and popped into town. I had lots of points on my Boots card and there was a 3 for £5 offer on Natural Collection products, so I snapped some up.


Cream Blusher in Rosy Pink, Nail Polish in Black Cherry, Blusher in Peach Melba
Earrings from Topshop £4
I hope everyone had a lovely weekend!
Love, Juliette xo


Sunday 19 August 2012

Taking a break

Hello my lovelies! I've recently felt the need to give my hair and nails a well earned break. Because of constant nail polish and the inevitable build up of fake tan, my nails have had that yellow stain and were starting to become really weak and brittle. Even though I've been using my strengthening polishes, I thought that the best remedy was to let them breathe. 

I've also had several dancing competitions which we aren't allowed nail polish for and I've just finished decorating my room, so I didn't want paint on my nail polish. So all in all, I've had the perfect opportunities to just give them a rest.



I've found that they have become a lot stronger and I haven't noticed them peeling as much as they used to. They also look a lot whiter which makes me think they are a lot healthier. I think I'm going to give them a 'monthly break', maybe one week or so just to let them recover from the constant nail polish.

I have very fine and greasy prone hair which I find very difficult to do anything with. I always feel like a have to put in a lot of product and backcomb to even get it in a messy bun. And I know this sounds really disgusting, but I only brush my hair before I get in the shower. I find that brushing my hair makes it greasier quicker and it makes it look so thin and lifeless. 

So because of the back combing and the lack of brushing, I kept getting Bob Marley dreadlocks forming in my hair that when I tried to brush out, were so painful. So whilst I've had a week of painting, I brushed my hair thoroughly before getting in the shower (it made my scalp hurt in the process!), gave it a good conditioning, and then put no product in it and let it dry natually. Yes, it's been fine and thin and the only thing I can do with it is put it up in a ponytail, but it feels so silky and looks so shiny. It feels so much more  healthier and so many people have complemented on how much brighter and shiny it looks.



It's not the best photo as this was bed head hair but I'm so pleased with the results! and I'm definitely going to give my hair and nails a bit of TLC more often.

Love, Juliette xo

Thursday 16 August 2012

The future...

So today I collected my AS Level results; I got 3 C's in English Combined, Psychology and History and then an E in Law. I am very pleased about my C's to say that I have found the jump from GCSE to A Level so difficult. I've really struggled with what is expected of me in terms of grades. I think I've been stuck in this mind frame that because I got an A*, A's and B's at school, that I can easily get them at AS Level, when the grade equivalents are totally different. I have also struggled with the workload and the endless homework and revision. I must admit, I have hated college.

Aaand we don't need to talk about 'the E'. Ha! I went to college excited to take Law and start my journey up to hopefully becoming a barrister. The course wasn't what I expected, I didn't find my tutor's teaching methods very good and from the first modular exam I knew that it wasn't what I wanted to do. So rather than wasting my time over stressing out for my Law exam, I concentrated more on my other 3 exams which were more important and I think that this is evident in my results.

I've decided to resit two of my exams, as I was a couple of marks out from the next grade boundary. But I feel that my results have set me in good stead for next year. Because I will have dropped a subject, I think I won't be as stressed out about the extensive workload and I can really focus and concentrate on the subjects that I enjoy and know that I can do even better in.

So until I go back to college in September, I'm going to enjoy the rest of my Summer and then get my head down as soon as it starts again. I want to have the best results possible to get into uni, not only for what I know I'm capable of, but that I can say to everyone 'I did it. Yes, I struggled and found it tough, but I did it'. I reckon that next year will be easier as I know what is expected of me and the workload levels and I can imagine that I will cope better and not stress myself up too much.

I hope those who also received results are all pleased, and if not, to decide on your plan of action and for those who are expecting them next week, good luck!!

:)

Love, Juliette xo

Wednesday 15 August 2012

A very late July Favourites!

Well as I explained in my brief last post, I have been extremely busy recently so I've had no time for blogging :(. But hopefully, I'm now back into the swing of it so be expecting an abundance of posts! 


1) MUA Heaven and Earth Palette, 2) Natural Collection Pink Cloud Blush, 3) Temple Spa Toning Essence, 4) MUA Gel Eyeliner in Underground, 5) Estee Lauder DayWear Plus, 6) Elf Mineral Lipstick in Barely Bitten, 7) Urban Decay Primer Potion 8) Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Translucent

1) This has been a firm favourite ever since the day I bought it, but I've especially loved it this month because I've been loving shimmery neutral eyes and bright lips.
2) I picked this up in Boots as I went to the Advantage Card kiosk and there was 50 points available if you bought any product from Natural Collection. I love this colour and it's so pigmented to my surprise! Love, love, love it!
3) I went to a Temple Spa party one Monday and I was given a couple of toning samples. You don't need much and I only use it before bed. I have noticed such a change in my skin. It leaves it so nice and soft before I moisturise.
4) The only other gel eyeliner that I have tried before is the one by Elf, and let's say, I wasn't that impressed. I decided to give this a whirl, and it's wonderful! In the top of the tube, it holds a brush which is pretty good and the gel eyeliner hasn't cracked or dried out yet. Impressed.
5) Towards the end of July, I was very busy and up early nearly morning so I didn't have time for a full foundation routine. This DayWear Plus is perfect, as it provides a little bit of coverage and also a tint of colour.
6) This is what it says on the tin. It gives you that 'bitten lips look' - or a hint of colour! It doesn't dry out your lips and doesn't need reapplying that often.
7) Oh my God! This is my wonder product! I feel like singing to the heavens because this product is amazing. I have very, very oily eyelids and eyeshadows don't stand a chance. I can't understand why it took me so long to buy this!
8) I have been using a couple of different powders recently including the VIVO one, but I keep going back to this time and time again. It claims 'Stay Matte' and which it does as my skin is very oily, and I don't feel the need to be constantly reapplying. 

Love, Juliette xo

Sunday 12 August 2012

A welcome back?!

Hello my lovelies!

I do apologise for the lack of posts in the last couple of weeks - I've been super duper busy! Work and my personal life have been very hectic as I have requested more hours at work as I have a holiday to save for. I've had a couple of dancing galas and competitions recently, but I now have a break for the rest of the Summer which will be a nice, well earned rest.

This weekend I have also started clearing out my bedroom and preparing it ready to be decorated - I'm so excited! But, I promise there will be a couple of posts going up in the next few days. I'm really looking forward to getting back into the swing of it!

Love, Juliette xo

Friday 3 August 2012

Liebster Award

Hello darlings! Hope you are all well. The lovely, lovely Grace from Little Fashion Student and Deidre from Nowhere to Be & Forever to Get There has nominated me for the Liebster Award which I didn't really know much about. After reading both of their posts, I have discovered that the award is seen as appreciation for smaller blogs which have less than 200 followers.

The Rules:
1. Each person tagged must write 11 things about themselves.
2. Answer all 11 questions that the blogger that has nominated you has set before creating 11 more questions for the people that you intend to tag for this award.
3. Choose 11 people to tag and name them on a post about the Liebster Award.
4. Go to their pages and tell the bloggers you have tagged that you have tagged them.
5. No tags back allowed.

11 things about myself:
1. Me and Prince William share the same birthday which is also the longest day of the year.
2. I have a beautiful English Springer Spaniel called Darcey, her name being inspired by the ballerina, Darcey Bussell.
3. I hate the scratching of objects with ridged edges for example zips, knives and certain pens that have ridged nibs. Urgh it's giving me shivers just thinking about it ha ha!
4. I wanted to be an archaeologist when I was little - look what has changed! Beauty brain!
5. I'm allergic to Deep Heat Muscle Rub. I come out in a huge head-to-toe rash and my temperature rockets! Not a good thing when my boyfriend is a firm user of this awful product.
6. I keep all of my magazines and it's really bad because they clutter up my room. I can't bring myself to throw any because I may need them for 'future reference'.
7. It would be my dream come true if I became a beauty journalist for a top magazine.
8. I love the smell of fresh cut grass.
9. I have the dancing qualifications suitable to put to use in the future if I ever want to venture into teaching.
10. My favourite TV shows generally are Made In Chelsea and Geordie Shore (classy I know!!)
11. I love Nicki Minaj, I think she's brill.

Grace's questions:
1. Why did you start blogging?
I had been thinking about it for a while, but I felt as if I should just bite the bullet and go for it.
2. What's your worst habit?
Letting my bedroom get really messy.
3. How did you choose your blog name?
I have always loved the saying 'a little bird told me' and I thought it would be good as a blog name because blogging is all about telling everyone about a product, place etc.
4. What's your favourite TV series?
At the minute, Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model.
5. Favourite make-up brand?
Either Estee Lauder or MAC.
6. Favourite season?
Summer - or what we have of it!
7. What's your dream job?
Beauty Editor.
8. Do you have any weird phobias?
Yes, I hate the scratching of objects with ridged edges for example zips, knives. It makes me shiver sooo bad.
9. Favourite restaurant?
My local Indian, Curry Mahal. Yum.
10. Anywhere you haven't travelled to but would like to?
Australia.
11. Your favourite place to be?
Ideally, Dubai. That is my favourite place on this Earth that I can't wait to go back to. Other than that, my bedroom.

My questions:
1. Who is your inspiration?
2. Is there anything you would change about blogging?
3. If you could have a superpower for a day, what would it be?
4. Your favourite perfume?
5. Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?
6. If you could take yourself back to any time or event in history, when/what would it be?
7. Why did you start blogging?
8. What is your pet peeve?
9. Ideal Saturday night plans?
10. What is the last book you read?
11. Your hobby?

Blogs I nominate:
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