Christmas Wishlist/ Gift Guide

It's two weeks today till Christmas so I hope you've all written your Christmas lists and sent them to Father Christmas! If not or your in despair about what to buy your gal pals for Christmas then you may find this post as some much needed inspiration! 

Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette - £37

Yes the worlds most hyped up neutrals palette has returned for a third time in the form of the Naked 3 palette. The Naked 3 palette, unlike 1 and 2, is very pink based hense the beautiful rose gold packaging. I don't own the first two palettes, I'm planning to buy them when I go to New York, but I can't wait until February for this palette as all year I've been looking for the perfect pink toned eyeshadows. The palette is being released on the 16th of Decemeber so just in time for Christmas but if you want one you may have to preorder one from Look Fantastic as I have a feeling they're going to sell out very quickly!

Baz Luhrmann Epic Romances Box Set - £8.50
Personally I think that DVD's are a stocking essential and a box set is always a great gift for a film and TV lover like myself. This year I've asked for the Epic Romances box set (that includes Romeo and Juliet, Moulin Rouge and Australia) and also another box set that includes Clueless and Mean Girls. These are some of my all time favourite films but for some reason I don't own them on DVD, but if I get them for Christmas I know what I'll be watching during my break for Sixth Form!

River Island Black Pleat Front Halter Neck Top - £28 and Black Draped Tulip Mini Skirt - £25
Oh my gosh I am so in love with this black crop top and skirt combo from River Island! I love the shape and cut of both the skirt and the top, and they can be styled separately or together. Co-ordinaries are a great idea if you've got lots of parties over the holiday season as you can mix and match without having to buy 3 different outfits! Topshop Mini Nail Polish - £5

HOW CUTE IS THIS MINI NAIL VARNISH?! Seriously this thing is amazing as it's even a Christmas tree decoration! Imagine coming downstairs on Christmas morning and seeing this cutie hanging on the tree? Or if that's not your thing it would be a great idea as a secret Santa present because they come in loads of different sparkly colours to suit any nail polish lover.

ASOS iPad Case - £15

Okay so I don't have an iPad but if I did I'd totally buy this case if I did! It doesn't provide a lot of protection but if your just looking for a simple clip on case then ASOS have loads of cases in different patterns. If you don't have an iPad like myself then they also do iPhone cases and things all at reason prices and a great stocking filler.

I mean of course there are other things that I would like for Christmas such as Leonardo DiCaprio or some other gorgeous guy wrapped up in a big gold bow, but sadly we all know that's never going to happen! So in the meantime I'm just thankful for what I've already got such as loving and caring family, friends and readers such as yourself. Thank you.

Eleanor xx

Sunday Nails - Somewhere Only We Know

Now there's nothing like Christmas adverts to get into the festive spirit. For the majority of the year we despise adverts and thank the lord that bbc do not have adverts, but in recent years I've been getting excited about Christmas adverts and impatiently waiting to see the during the ad breaks of my favourite shows. 

This year was no disappointment as we had offerings from Coca Cola, KFC, Aldi, M and S and best of all John Lewis. John Lewis have gone all out in the Christmas advert stakes this year with the story of the hare and the bear, a story in which the hate gives the bear an alarm clock so that he can wake up for Christmas and they can spend the day together. That paired with Lily Allen's rendition of Kean's 'Somewhere Only We Know' provides the most magical advert that embodies the Christmas spirit of sharing and spending time with your loves ones! So obviously I had to have a go at some nail art inspired by the advert!

By the way guys, I haven't been sponsored by John Lewis (I totally should have been haha) I'm just in love with their advert! What's been your favourite Christmas advert this year?

Eleanor xx

Superdrug Haul

When my friend Louise, who works at Superdrug, offered to give me a voucher for 30% off Superdrug own brand and 20% off other brands, that she'd been given at work I jumped at the chance! I mean what better excuse to buy makeup than discount? So I thought I'd share with you the things that I bought with the discount as it's rare that I buy lots of makeup in one go.

I've been looking for some good quality lip liners at a reasonable price for a while, so I picked up these Eau La La Liners from Sleek in the shades Raisin and Moulin Rouge. I love Sleek makeup: they are one of my favourite drugstore brands, and these lip liners definitely meet my expectations. The Eau La La Liners are multipurpose liners and are very soft and creamy, making application smooth. Moulin Rouge is as the name suggests a vibrant, classic red and Raisin is a lovely plum/berry shade that is perfect for winter.  

Sleek Eau La La Liners in Moulin Rouge and Raisin £4.99 (£3.49)

While browsing at the Sleek counter how could I pass on the opportunity to buy one of their raved about blushers? Like all of Sleeks products their blushers are highly pigmented and as good, if not better than a lot of high end blushers that I've tried. Pixie is a bright baby pink in a matte finish, I love this colour and I really feel like it suits my cool skin tone as it has a blue undertone. 

Sleek Blush in Pixie £4.49 (£3.14)

This product, like a few of the products in this haul, is a re-purchase. I love this mascara and it's very reasonable compared to a lot of drugstore mascaras which are verging on the £10 mark if not more. I've actually done a review of the Max Factor 2000 Calorie here.

Max Factor 2000 Calorie Waterproof Mascara £6.99 (£5.59)

I don't actually need more of Barry M Basecoat, Topcoat and Nail Hardener but it's my favourite basecoat and topcoat meaning that it runs out very quickly as I use it every time I paint my nails, which is very often. So I thought that while I have the opportunity to get it discounted I thought I might as well buy some more!

Barry M Basecoat, Topcoat and Nail Hardener £2.99 (£2.39)

I'm sure you don't need me to tell you about how much I love this concealer as practically everyone in the beauty blogging community has tried it and raved about how much they love it. This is maybe my third tube of it as it does run out quite quickly because the rubbish packaging makes it impossible to get all of the product out, but for under a fiver it hardly breaks the bank.

Collection Lasting Perfection Ultimate Wear Concealer £4.19 (£3.35)

It's times like these when it pays to have friends who work in shops that sell amazing makeup. It's just annoying because I missed out on the 3 for 2 offer by a day but overall I saved £7.19 which I'm very pleased with! Also I hope you don't mind but I've been taking some of the photo's on my I phone, it's just easier to edit and they focus better. But hopefully when I eventually get a job I'll be able to afford a decent camera!

Hope your having a good week

Eleanor xx

Sunday Nails - Far Far Fair Isle Away

Hello December 2013 and all of the joy that you bring along with it! Finally we can put up our Christmas decorations, play Christmas music and stuff our faces with vast amounts of chocolate without feeling guilty in slightest. So to get us into the Christmas spirit I decided to do nail art inspired by a pattern that would be fit for any beautiful Christmas jumper: fair isle.

I love this nail varnish, I feel like it's the perfect Christmas red. Plus you'd never guess that it was free with some Colgate tooth paste! To make it even better it's Nails Inc! Pretty amazing freebie if I do say so myself. As you have probably already guessed to do the nail art I used my favourite white nail art pen from Models Own. I was going to attempt to do a Christmas tree but my hand started shaking so I thought I'd going for something a bit simpler!

As this nail art is inspired by Christmas jumpers please can you guys tell me about Christmas jumper etiquette? Like when is it okay to wear one? Or where is the best place to get one from? Or do you go ultra ugly a la Briget Jones style or simple and understated? I have never owned a Christmas jumper and therefore need your help before I delve into this unknown world.

Eleanor xx

November Rate Or Hate

I know I say this every month but wow November has gone fast! I feel like I've been slacking this month with my blog but my studies have got to come first and A Levels are pretty demanding! But unlike previous months, this month I haven't struggled thinking of my rate and hate for this month. 

So here it is this months Rate Or Hate...

John Frieda Sheer Blonde Go Blonder Lightening Spray and the Balance me Pure Skin Face Wash

Rate -

Ever since I bleached my hair I've been worried about the blonde fading. That's because if the blonde fades I'll have to re-bleach it, which I fear will end in a disaster in which all my hair will fall out. So to avoid that I bought the John Frieda Go Blonder Lightening Spray to try maintain my ombré. 

I use the spray once a week after I've washed my hair, spraying it through the ends of my hair and combing it through. I always feel my hair looks blonder after I've used it and definetly more tonal. It's a great way to maintain blonde and it's worked really well on my hair, so all in all I'd really recommend it! Also my friend (who has naturally blonde hair) used it during the summer and it worked really well on her hair as well, so it should work on all types of blondes.

Hate -

I got this as a sample free in a magazine back in the summer and never used it until I ran out of my usual cleanser at the start of this month and found this at the back of my drawers. The first thing I noticed about the Balance Me Pure Skin Face Wash as soon as I opened the bottle was the smell. The scent of the face wash is intensly overpowering and hideous. I'm not very good at describing scents but all I can say is that this smells like old ladies, lavender and musk.

The strong scent not only irritated my nose but my skin, inflaming my spots leaving my skin red and sore. Nasty. So unless you like the smell of old people and red puffy spots I wouldn't really recommend it! Of course it may not react to everyone's skin but if strong fragrances often irritate your skin you were warned!

I hope you've enjoyed this post but I was just wondering that next month instead of a rate or hate you'd like to see a post about my favourite products this year? Seeing as it will be the end of the year and all that! 

Eleanor xx

Sunday Nails - Hundreds and Hundreds

I cannot believe that tomorrow it will be a month till Christmas! Its come around so quickly and I haven't even began to think about what I'm going to buy my friends and family let alone when I'm going to go Christmas shopping! Don't worry though I promise that I'll try not to talk about Christmas in everyone of my posts from now and the 25th December.

You'll probably be thankful to know that today my nail art isn't Christmas themed (though there will be some in December) but instead a pretty and delicate pattern. I did this pattern with a toothpick, some nail varnish and a steady hand! 

I hope you enjoyed this post and that you're getting just as excited as me about Christmas! I don't know whether you guys noticed or not but this is actually my 100th post on my blog! I kind of wanted to do something special for my 100th post but there are so many days in a week and not enough for me to come up with some miraculous idea for a special post! 

Eleanor xx

What's In My Bag?

I love the what's in my bag tag it is one of my favourite types of blog posts to read or YouTube videos to watch. It's probably just because I'm nosy but I know that other people also enjoy this sorts of posts, so I thought it was about time I got round to doing my own.

Tk Maxx

In my bag I try to carry things that will aid me in every eventually, such as variations in weather, having a cold, being injured, being thirsty, bad breath, ruining my makeup and any situation that may need money! To some it may seem excessive but for me it is crucial and I can say that I've used everything that I carry in my bag and I've also lent things to other people who wished they'd had such items in their bag!

001 Makeup Bag - The Body Shop - I'll probably do another post on my makeup essentials that I carry round with me.

002 Purse - Dune - Note: the purse is only useful if it's got money in which sadly mine hardly ever does.

003 Sunglasses - Primark - No one likes the sun in their eyes plus they provide a great disguise if you're trying to hide from someone.
004 House Keys - I've forgotten my house keys so many times now that I have to keep a set of keys in every bag I own. I feel like Holly Golightly but a lot less gorgeous and without a cat.
005 Umbrella - What can I say? The British weather is unpredictable.
006 Plasters - Superdrug - My shoes always rub me to the point where they start to bleed, so plasters reduce the pain and stop me bleeding all over the shop.
007 Tissues - Honestly how many times have you had a cold and been without a tissue? More than you'd like to admit I'm sure!
008 Hand Sanitiser - The Body Shop - Any hand sanitiser is a necessity as public places can be quite dirty but I especially love this one as it smells like strawberries, YUM!
009 Tic tacs - My favourite mints, the only mints I've tried that don't blow my mind with their minty-ness. 
010 Bottle of water - Great for keeping hydrated and saves money on buying drinks all the time.

If you've done a what's in my bag post or video leave the link below as I love them. If not tell me what are your handbag essentials?

Eleanor xx

Sunday Nails - Autumn Leaves

Last week while I was waiting for my father to pick my up from Sixth Form I noticed that I was standing in a huge pile of leaves that covered the floor like a blanket. It was only then that I realised how beautiful leaves are when they've fallen from their tree. I find it weird that leaves are more beautiful when they're dead than when they're actually hanging on a tree. WEIRD.

As leaves are so festive and pretty what better inspiration for my nails this Sunday? To keep with the autumnal theme I decided to buy myself a burgundy nail varnish while I was in town today so I could use it for this nail art. I used a Barry M Nail Paint in 115 Red Black for those of you wondering. I was a bit lazy and only did the nail art on my ring finger but sometimes I think it's best not to go over the top.

What are you doing to get into the festive spirit? Apart from admiring piles of leaves I've got Christmas candles burning left right and centre, not next to the leaves I might add that would be a for hazard.

Eleanor xx

November Wishlist

Finally my student card has come after a couple of months of waiting and it getting lost in the post. What does that have to do with anything? I hear you ask, well my friend I can now go shopping and feel slightly less guilty about spending my money if I get discount. Oh yes (be jealous) as this is what I'm going to buy:

Topshop Check A-Line Skirt - £42

I saw this skirt in Topshop in Birmingham and fell in love! I think it's a cross between Cher in Clueless and a biker, and it's very different to a lot of other tartan skirts I've seen about. Okay £42 is quite expensive but it's so pretty, I need it!

New Look Black Ankle Boots - £27.99

I've seen so many expensive black boots with this 'workman' sole on blogs and in the shops all around the £70-£80 price mark, so was quite shocked to see these beauties on the New Look website for £27.99. In the past I've bought loads of shoes from New Look and they've always been great value for money so if that's anything to go buy these would definetly last you through the cold winter months.

River Island Leather Look Trousers - £35

I've always wanted a pair of leather look trousers but I've never found a pair I liked or if I have they've always been really expensive, but these are perfect. I saw these on Tar Mar and they looked amazing on her which just made me want them even more!

Real Techniques Sam's Picks Set - £29.99

Real Techniques is by far my favourite brand for makeup brushes and I currently own the Core Collection set and the Starter Set. The newest set that Real Techniques are launching is full of Samatha Chapman's favourite brushes, the set includes the multi task brush, the buffing brush, essential crease brush, setting brush, pointed foundation brush and the fine liner brush. The set is being released this month.

Topshop Lip Crayon in Suspect - £7
I've been looking for the perfect dark lipstick all month, I started looking at Mac lipsticks (my favourite brand for lipsticks) but I just could find the right colour and I wasn't going to spend £15 if I wasn't in love with the shade. Topshop's Lip Crayon in Suspect is the perfect dark burgendy lipstick that is each to apply because it's in the shape of a crayon (obz haha) and for £7 what's not to love?

I hoped you liked this post and what I'm hoping to buy this month. Oh and for those of you wondering the shopping ban didn't work out as you probably guessed, I'm sorry okay...

Eleanor xx

Sunday Nails - Neutral Aztec

I love doing crazy colourful nail art but sometimes you just want to be a bit more subtle and understated, and that is how I felt this week. It's been my first week back at school since the half term break and I'm trying to keep cool, calm and collected as I get back into my routine and that is definitely reflected on my nails.

The truth is that I'm worn out and just couldn't be bothered to experiment, nor did I have the time with all of my school work, helping out at open evenings, watching drama performances and trying to get my room back together after decorating. That being said it's nice not to worry about getting paint under my nails now we've finished painting, but my room still isn't finished! 

Before I get new wardrobes my parents have suggested I look for a new carpet as I still have the original carpet that was in the house when my parents moved in just before I was born, yes the carpet is that old (now you can see why I got a rug haha!) But when I get a new carpet I do not know let alone new wardrobes, but I promise when I do that I will either do a room tour post or YouTube video. (If you want a sneak peak of how my room is starting to look check out my Instagram.)

Do you ever get those weeks when you just cannot be bothered to make a huge effort?

Eleanor xx