Tuesday 29 January 2013

Benefit - The POREfessional

I'd heard a lot of good things about this product and really wanted to try it for myself so I headed to my local Boots store to pick one up. I wanted to get a sample first because £23 was a lot to spend on something I wasn't 100% sure on getting but low and behold could I find a sales assistant, no I could not! I used to work for Boots so I know they keep all their samples in drawers or cupboards underneath each brand but because this wasn't the store I used to work in I didn't feel comfortable just jumping in and rummaging around!

My husband was with me and hates shopping so I just grabbed the full size one and decided it would be a treat for myself as I got some money for Christmas and it has been on my wish list.

Well I must say that it was the best decision I've made in a long while. I'm totally in love with it. I thought that it wouldn't last five minutes because the tube was smaller than I thought but you only need a small amount and you can cover your whole face.

The texture is really silky and it just glides over your pores. My make up sat so much better and I noticed a difference straight away.

You can also use it over your make up for a shiny finish although I haven't tried this yet.

When it comes out of the tube it is a tan colour but when you apply it, it just disappears.

I'll definitely be purchasing this again and I'll be looking out for 3 for 2 offers so I can stock up on this and points.


Have you tried The Porefessional? Were you pleased with it?

Monday 28 January 2013

3 for 2 on Barry M at Superdrug

Superdrug are currently offering 3 for 2 across their Barry M range (selected products). There are lots of items included, including nail polish, eyeliner and eye shadows. Nail polishes include the Chameleon and Gelly ranges.


If you register for a Superdrug card you can also get points on your purchase. The Superdrug card gives you 1 point per pound spent (not as good as Boots :( but once you collect 100 points you can use them for part purchase whereas at Boots you have to collect the whole amount to spend them)

I'm not sure when this offer ends so make sure if you want anything to get it asap! 

You can shop the 3 for 2 offer here.

Will you be taking advantage of this offer? What are your favourite Barry M products?

Sunday 27 January 2013

100 Follower Giveaway!

Hi everyone!

As a little thank-you for helping me reach 100 followers i'm running a little giveaway! I'd like to thank everyone who visits my blog and especially all of you who leave me lovely comments!

I'm so excited to reach my first bloggy milestone! 


The prizes:

Barry M Nail Polish in a sparkly blue/green colour - Limited Christmas Edition from Superdrug

Beever Moulding Clay for textured and messy hair styles

Rimmel Apocolips Lip Lacquer in Celestial 

These products have been purchased by myself apart from the Beever sculping paste (unfortunately I can't use it so hopefully it will go to a new loving home) They are all new and unused.

Please enter via the rafflecopter widget below

Both current and new followers can enter - you must be following me via GFC

The winner's entries will be checked and verified before they are contacted. If the winner has not completed the criteria properly for each and every one of their entries (ie cheating) another winner will be selected.

I will contact the winner after the giveaway has closed for information on where to send your prize, if they do not respond within 5 days of me contacting them I will select a new winner.

Unfortunately this giveaway is for UK and Ireland residents only. Apologies to my readers over the pond.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Saturday 26 January 2013

Superdrug Hand Therapy

Hello my lovelies, apologies again for not posting for what seems like aaaaages! I've had a million and one things to do lately and I'm working on a couple of big projects which I'm hopefully going to be able to reveal to you soon!

Right, I need to tell you all about this...my Mum is amazing! Whenever I have an issue she always has the solution. Some of you may have read that I work in a laboratory and recently the weather and constant hand washing and glove wearing that I have to do at work has left my hands really sore and cracked. Well...I visited my Mum today and she said "here...try this" and "this" was Superdrug's Hand Therapy Anti Age Cream. I honestly have never found a product that works as well for me as this has. I pretty much saw instant improvement, after using it only a few times. It's not greasy at all like some hand creams can be and it leaves your hands feeling sooo soft! 

And the best thing about it is (despite being in a cute purple bottle) is that it's only £1.49! At the moment Superdrug also have it on a buy one get one half price offer. They also do other hand creams in their range including a 2 in 1 hand and nail cream and a cream for dry skin. I chose this one obviously because it was what my Mum had to hand but I'll definitely be trying the dry skin one too.

I'll be carrying one around with me permanently in my lab coat pocket now!

Do you suffer with dry skin in the wintertime? Have you found a hand cream that works for you?

P.S Sorry about the photos - my skin still looks a bit dry!

Tuesday 22 January 2013

Tag! You're it!

 
I was tagged to do this post by the lovely Louise over at Confessions of a Secret Shopper and think its a great way for my readers to get to know me a little bit better after taking part in the #bbloggers chat last night a few people suggested that they would like to get to know the girl behind the blog as well as what she wears on her face!

The rules are:

1. Mention the blog who tagged you Confessions of a Secret Shopper

2. Answer the 11 questions set for you

3. Set 11 questions for the people you tag


So...here we go...

Questions set for me by Louise:

1. Aside from blogging, what other hobbies do you have?

I love to bake and create and craft, I'm currently making some wedding invitations for a friend

2. What is your favourite type of cake?

I love cupcakes! I've recently got really into the idea of afternoon tea and would love to try coffee and cake.

3. If you could be anyone else for a day, who would it be any why?

I would love to be Peggy Porschen as she has the most beautiful pink boutique bakery in Belgravia, London. I'd love to make beautiful cakes like hers.

4. What would you like to achieve through blogging during 2013?

I'd like to do a blog giveaway to say thank you to my readers and I'd like to reach my next follower target of 200.

5. Do you prefer high end or drugstore makeup?

This is a tough one, I'm going to say drugstore because its more affordable but I still love my Porefessional and Estee Lauder blusher.

6. Have you ever taken dance lessons?

No but I've always wanted to. My husband wanted us to take lessons for our first dance at our wedding but we never got around to it :(

7. Which of my blog posts do you like the most?

I love the make up reviews, its always handy to know what someone else thinks of a product before you take the plunge and buy it!

8. What camera do you use to take photos for your blog?

I'm actually using my phone camera on my Nokia Lumia! I love it! The quality is so clear.

9. What is your current favourite nail polish?

I'm really loving Model's Own Sophie's Pink but I really want to try some of the Top shop nail varnishes as I've heard they're really good.

10. Do you have any children?

Not yet but hopefully soon! ;)

11. Do you take off your makeup before bed?

I've been trying to be really good and remove it every night but I've forgotten a few times (oops)

My questions to you:

1) What beauty product are you most looking forward to this year?
2) Have you ever been to a blog meetup?
3) What was your biggest achievement in 2012?
4) Whats your all time favourite film?
5) Do you have any pets?
6) What beauty product have you tried that wasn't worth the hype?
7) Whats the most expensive item you own?
8) Do you enjoy your job/college/school?
9) Whats your favourite restaurant?
10) Where is your favourite place to shop?
11) Do you find it easy to wake up in the morning?

I tag:

Lucy at Louminous
Elise at Elise Dopson
Nicolle at Nicolle Shelton
Zoe at Zoebowx

Let me know if you take part, I'd love to read your answers!


Friday 18 January 2013

Nail Trends S/S '13

Firstly, let me apologise for not posting much this week - unfortunately I've had to have one of my pets put to sleep because she wasn't very well :(

On a brighter note - I have now reached over 100 followers - yay! Keep your eyes peeled for a giveaway coming soon.

Right, onto my post...

I've only recently got into painting my nails properly after vowing to pamper myself more in 2013 but my work doesn't allow painted nails so the weekend is my only time to get painting. I've been looking into nail trends for spring/summer 2013 so I can plan ahead!

Here whats in store:

Pale Nails -neutral and cream coloured nails and the classic french manicure

Dark and chic - dark, romantic shades, navy and purples will be continuing into 2013.


Metallics - galaxy nails are set to be big this year, also gold, silver and  colours and glitter tips

Two Tone - a new twist on the French manicure, choose a contrasting shades that flatter your skin tone and use a small brush to paint on a graphic style, half moons and diagonal strips are set to be popular

Edgy Elements - dripping blood and shark bite jagged edge (!) Have shown up on the catwalk in the spring/summer catwalk shows


What trends will you be trying?

Tuesday 15 January 2013

Panties in the post!



So far I've been able to avoid all the hype of monthly subscriptions like Glossybox and Graze boxes purely because I know I'll spend so much money on them, but after reading about this box I'm really tempted to sign up!

The Knicker Issue was created by Olivia Moore, a fashion graduate from Manchester and has been featured in The Times and Vogue. 

Basically you get sent a gorgeous pair of pants in the post every month! You can choose a one month subscription from £15 right through to a twelve month subscription for £144.

All you have to do is choose your size and style (you can choose a mix or there is an option for no thongs - as they aren't everyone's cup of tea!) then choose how long you would like your subscription to last, make your payment and voila, a lovely pair of panties delivered straight to your door!

I know you could just go down to the shops and pick out your own pair of pants - but where's the fun in that? I can just imagine wondering what's going to turn up in my next box!

You can sign up to The Knicker Issue here.

Do you like this idea? Are you tempted to sign up?

Sunday 13 January 2013

Model's Own Pastel Pink

Last week I showed you Model's Own Sophie's Pink so this week i'm showing you the other Model's Own polish that I bought in the 2 for £8 at Boots. Pink is one of my favourite colours (in case you couldn't tell!) It's such a happy colour and I think I wear it because it makes me happy!


I first put on a coat of my Sally Hansen Double Duty clear polish and then did two coats of the Pastel Pink and then finished off with another coat of the Sally Hansen.

I think I'm getting better at painting them now!

Have you tried this shade? How many polishes do you own?

Saturday 12 January 2013

A few little gifts for me!

As part of my 2013 goals, I vowed to spend more time on me. So i've bought a few little gifts for myself to enable me to do that! (Plus who doesn't love spending money on themselves!) I couldn't go mad as with hubby's 30th birthday coming up I've spent a lot of money on surprises for him but that doesn't mean I can't treat myself too!

Firstly I bought myself a lovely mug from Cath Kidston for £5. I love the print on it! I decided that I "needed" it to encourage me to take a break once in a while, sit down and have a cup of coffee.

And what better to do whilst drinking that cup of coffee.....watch 2 Broke Girls of course! I absolutely love this show! With a cupcake business being the running theme behind it, how couldn't I love it. I only started getting into it half way through the series and now that series two is currently being shown on E4 I managed to pick up the whole of series one for just £10 in ADSA.

And lastly, I picked up this cute pink sparkly 2013 diary from M&S in the sale for £2.50. I saw it before Christmas when it was full price for £5 but thought that was a bit much for a small diary. Now I can get properly organised and plan more days when I can pamper myself!

What have you been buying recently? Have you picked up any bargains?

Friday 11 January 2013

Goals for 2013...

I've already done a little post on my new years resolutions but im also setting myself some personal goals that I'd like to achieve throughout the year. We'll see how far along I get with them when December comes this year!

Go to a cupcake making and decorating class

This is something I've wanted to do for a while and I've found a lovely bakery not too far away from me who does these classes for £35 a session. Im having my husbands 30th birthday cake made there. I hope it turns out ok!


Plan a little break away for me and hubby

Not necessarily abroad but we work so hard and hardly ever get to spend quality time together. Can anyone suggest nice places for us to visit?


Get my Wedding photos sorted out

We have now been married for over 7 months (the time has flown by!) and I still haven't got our wedding photos sorted out. We chose a photography package where we got all the photos on a disc so we are making our own album. We haven't even got any up in frames around the house yet!


Visit the Clothes Show

I haven't been to The Clothes Show for almost 10 years (I think! I know I was at school when we went!) and I'd really like to go again this year. I'd like to take my sister as she is studying fashion with photography at University.


 Spend time on me

This seems like a selfish one, but honestly I spend too much time worrying about other people and not enough time for myself. I've decided that 2013 is the year I pamper myself by getting my nails and hair done more than twice a year!


 Work my way through IMDB top 250 film list

I studied media at A Level and really enjoyed it but since then I haven't really had the time to watch films, also people are always asking me "have you seen such and such a film" and I say "no". IMDB have a list of the top 250 films (voted by IMDB users) so I'm going to get the list and then work my way through them!


Do a car boot sale/give my unwanted items to charity/sell on eBay

This was on my New Years resolutions but I feel I need to put it here too. We have a lot of stuff in our spare room that really needs to be sold or given to charity so we need to find a local boot sale we can go to and whatever doesn't sell will go to the charity shop.


I hope that I can say that I achieve some (all) of this by the time 2013 ends, I'll keep you all updated with my progress!

Have you set yourself any goals for this year?

Wednesday 9 January 2013

Have you heard about Boots Treat Street?

Firstly let me just say that this is not a sponsored post. I just want to spread the word and help all my lovely readers collect some extra Boots advantage card points.

I first heard about Boots Treat Street last year and was instantly hooked. Its a great way of collecting extra points to spend on lovely things in store.

Basically you sign up to the site and register your existing advantage card number then whenever you shop on certain sites online and go through the treat street website first you can claim 1 point per £1 you spend. Admittedly its not as good as getting 4 points per £1 in store but it still helps to add up your total. If you haven't got a Boots Advantage Card (if not, why not?!) you can apply for one through the Boots.com website and then sign up for Treat Street.

At the moment they are offering £2.50 worth of points for signing up and you can also get £2.50 worth of points when you refer a friend and they make their first transaction through Treat Street.

Sometimes there are special bonus point offers when you can get 2 points per £1 or 100 bonus extra points when you shop with a certain brand. I bought some train tickets via The Trainline and got 180 bonus points!

There are lots of High Street shops you can collect points with, including Dorothy Perkins, HMV, The Trainline, ASOS and New Look.

I bought some Christmas presents for my family and went via the site and got extra points.

You have to wait 35 days for the points to awarded to your card just in case you decide to return an item but its well worth the wait!

Also, another great thing about it is that you can collect points on eBay but you can also set up your nectar card on there so not only can you get Boots points but you can also top up your nectar balance too!

Im so glad i joined up to this as it means I can treat myself more often!

Do you shop through Treat Street? How many points have you collected?

Monday 7 January 2013

Model's Own Polish - Sophie's Pink


















Boots are offering two Model's Own Nail Polishes for £8 at the moment so I seized an opportunity to grab a little bargain and two shades I have been after for a while - plus who doesn't love collecting boots points?

This shade I chose is called Sophie's Pink and although my camera makes it look a bit pastel like its more of a bright pink.

I only get to wear nail varnish at the weekend because I work in a laboratory and have to have clean hands and nails (I only just about get away with wearing my wedding ring!) so I like to wear the colours I love.

Excuse the badly painted nails on my left hand - I'm a lefty and have trouble painting the left side with my right hand!

Firstly I put on my Sally Hansen base coat and then applied two coats of the Model's Own polish. Once dry I painted over the top with the Sally Hansen again. The top coat makes my nails so smooth and shiny. I'd definitely recommend getting that. The problem is i'm a little too impatient waiting for nails to dry and I always end up smudging them! I need to learn to be patient!

Overall, I think the varnish is great value for money as it goes on really smoothly and so even I haven't managed to chip it.

I'd love to visit the Model's Own store in Shepherd's Bush, London, just look at it! Doesn't it look amazing! You can buy Model's Own at www.modelsownit.com, Boots and Asos.

Image courtesy of Model's Own - www.modelsownit.com
 Have you visited this shop? Have you tried any Model's Own nail polish?

Sunday 6 January 2013

My recent beauty buys...


I've been lucky enough to get some money from my relatives this Christmas so I took to the shops on Boxing Day only to find that pretty much everything I wanted in the sales wasn't there :( so I decided to treat myself with some beauty buys that I'd heard good things about and I finally picked up The Porefessional which has been on my beauty wishlist.

Here is a little run through of the items I bought:

Benefit - The Porefessional - minimises the appearance of pores & fine lines for smooth skin. I'm going to try wearing it underneath my make up to help it stay put.

Soap & Glory Hot Cloth Cleanser - I've heard a lot about hot cloth cleansers so I've finally bought one myself to try. This Soap & Glory one was on offer at boots for £8. I'll be trying it this weekend

Soap & Glory No Clogs Allowed Face Mask - A face mask which turns blue when you use it! How awesome! It also heats up when you put it on for a deep cleanse and comes with a pretty pink sponge.

No7 Tinted Moisturiser in Fair - This is one of my regular beauty buys. I like to use this as a primer before I put on my foundation. I find that it's a really good base and helps my make up stay on longer even though its not what it's designed for I find that it works really well.

V05 Mirace Concentrate - Elixir with Argan Oil - I was going to buy the Lee Stafford equivalent of this but after hearing that this little beauty does exactly the same thing and is half the price I decided to give it a go. Hopefully it will make my hair really soft and silky.

Model's Own Nail Varnish - These were on offer in Boots 2 for £8 so I decided to get colours that would remind me of spring time as I have been wearing dark colours like purples and blacks over the Christmas period. I bought Sophie's Pink and Pastel Pink. The Pastel Pink shade has been on my beauty wishlist.

I'll be doing some posts on these over the next few days/weeks to review the products so keep an eye out!

Have you bought any new beauty products recently? Have you tried any of these? What did you think?

Saturday 5 January 2013

Button Swap #1 January

Hello lovely followers...I am looking to get to know more of you and extend our blogging community by hosting a collection of your lovely blog buttons on my sidebar each month. That way we can meet other new lovely bloggers and share our love of fashion/beauty/life. Hopefully it will encourage us to meet more like minded people and hopefully have a few blog meet ups too!

This is my blog button & link:


<div align="center"><a href="http://impatience-is-a-virtue.blogspot.co.uk/" title="Impatience is a virtue"><img src="http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb343/soontobekeyes/blogbuttonnew2.jpg" alt="Impatience is a virtue" style="border:none;" /></a></div>


Firstly, please follow me via GFC, email or Bloglovin' and then copy the above text and add it to your blogs sidebar by going to your blogs layout and adding a html/javascript gadget. Paste the text into the gadget and then press save. This should mean my button will be added to your sidebar.

Please post your button links in the comments below and I will choose some to add to my sidebar!

Holly x

Thursday 3 January 2013

My New Year Beauty Wishlist...

I purposely haven't been out to the sales before or after Christmas because I've been gathering a list of products I really want to try or need to buy more of and I knew that if I went out shopping I'd end up getting things that I didn't really need (i'm like a magpie when it comes to girly/pink/cupcake things!)

So I've put together my shopping list of beauty products i'd like to get this New Year. I'm sure you're probably familiar with what a lot of them are but I'll quickly go through them.

On the top line L-R is:

Benefit - The Porefessional - which is designed to minimise pores to create smooth skin. I want to use it as a primer before I put my make-up on for a flawless finish.

Estee Lauder - Pure Colour Blush in Pink Kiss. I've almost run out of the one I have and I NEED another one!

Viktor & Rolf - Flowerbomb perfume - I've been after this since my Mum got some for Mother's Day and I really love the scent. I'm really fussy with perfume so when I find one I like I have to get it. I've been looking for a gift set since before Christmas but I haven't been able to get my hands on one. I think I might have to treat myself!

Ciate Nail Varnish in Butterscotch - A new colour nail varnish from Ciate, perfect for work as it's not too bright.

Moroccan Oil - I haven't been looking after my hair very well recently so I could do with this to help make it shine again.

Bottom line:

Model's Own Pastel Nail Varnish collection - Now that Christmas and New Year are over it's time to get the spring/summer time shades out again!

Topshop Nail Varnish in 3D - sort of Christmassy but I love it and still want to wear it!

What's on your New Year wishlist? Have you refrained from visiting the sales to buy a specific product?

Wednesday 2 January 2013

Liebster Blog Award

"The Liebster Award is for bloggers with under 300 followers and the rules of the award is that the nominee must link back to whoever awarded them, write 11 random facts about themselves, answer the 11 questions from the award giver, and then nominate another 11 bloggers and make up 11 questions for them to answer. It's a great way for new and undiscovered bloggers to meet new people, get more followers and find some blogs that they want to follow."

I'm so excited to have been nominated for this award by the lovely Lucy over at Louminous - thank-you! 

Here are 11 random facts about me!

 1) I'm allergic to most fruits, apples, melons, kiwis - it means I have to eat a lot of vegetables!

2) I have a "little" bit of a crush on David Tennant

3) I love musicals especially Phantom of the Opera I've seen it once in London and am going again in Southampton next month

4) My favourite time of day is twilight and I love walking home from work as it's getting dark
5) German Shepherd dogs really scare me because I was bitten by one when I was younger

6) I've become a bit of a competition addict and spend my lunch and tea times at work entering competitions on Facebook and Twitter

7) When I was younger I once tried to make fudge without a sugar thermometer, It came out in a completely solid sugar lump but my grandad still ate it so I didn't get upset that no one liked it!

8) I cry at Disney films, epecially at the beginning of "Up"

9) I work in a laboratory in a hospital processing patients blood samples

10) I'm the queen of "fads" I usually have big ideas to do something, buy all the equipment etc, do it for a while and then get bored and move onto something else - it drives my husband crazy!

11) I'm a lefty!

 Here are the answers to the questions Lucy gave me:

1) What is the worst product you have ever bought?

The worst product I think I have bought is a Ruby and Millie primer from Boots, only because I used it for the first time, having used many cosmetics before thinking I would be fine but a few minutes after putting it on my face started to really burn! I tried to get it off as quickly as possible and afterwards my face turned out all blotchy! Needless to say I never used it again!

 2.How often do you find yourself blogging instead of working?

Haha! All the time! I'm usually late leaving for work every morning because I lose track of time writing and reading other people's posts. People at work also tell me off for being antisocial at lunchtime because I'm always on my phone reading new posts or with my head in my notepad coming up with blog post ideas!

  3.What are your interests aside from blogging?

 Besides blogging I love to bake and craft. My favourite things to make are cupcakes but in line with my new years resolutions I'm going to try and bake more things. I started up my own eBay shop last year selling cards but struggled to keep up with the demand. I'm hoping to start that up again soon. I also love going to the cinema and collecting DVD's, I have almost 600 in total!

4.How do you take your tea/coffee?

I don't drink tea but I do drink coffee. I have one every morning when I wake up. I take it with milk and two sugars. I also love hazelnut coffee syrup and when I manage to go to Whittards to get some (they have been sold out for weeks now) I have that instead of the sugar.

5.Name one weird or wonderful thing that you can do.

 I can make the pupils in my eyes wiggle! Freaky!

6.What is your favourite kids film?

Oh my! This question is so hard! I'm a total Disney addict and love watching kids films, even though I don't have any kids! A large chunk of my DVD collection is Disney. I think if I really had to choose, my favourite film at the moment is Rio (I know thats not Disney lol) I love the songs in it and my husband gets really annoyed because I suddenly burst into song - a lot!

 7.What do you see as your best quality/part of you? Be honest! :)
 
I don't want to sound big headed when I talk about my best quality but I do think that people would agree with me that I always go out of my way to do things for other people and put others before myself. At work, people know they can come to me if they need help with something, my colleagues call me the walking encylopedia as I remember so much stuff!

8.Describe the best day of your life so far.

This is an easy one! My wedding day. Technically I'm still classed as a newlywed as we only got married 7 months ago but that really has been the best day of my life so far. My husband and I had been engaged for three and a half years so it gave me time to plan absolutely everything. Everything was perfect on the day, the only thing was is that it seemed to go so quickly but I have some beautiful wedding photos to remind me of that day :)

9.What is your favourite food?

It's difficult to choose just one but I guess I would have to say chocolate! I was so happy to finally visit Cadbury's World a few months back and tried the new Oreo Dairy Milk bar, that was so good!

10.Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?

 I really hope that in the next 10 years we will be able to move into our own home instead of the rented flat we are in now and hopefully have at least 2 children. I'd still like to work as well as having children so I'd like to progress within my job too.

11.What is your favourite song?

I really love music and its really hard to pick just one song so I'm going to go with one that I have been playing constantly recently which is Figure 8 by Ellie Goulding

 Here are my questions:

 1) Where is the furthest you have travelled to?
 2) What's your favourite Disney movie?
3) What job would you do if you could do anything?
4) Are you a glass half empty or half full person?
5) Do you have a blogging schedule or do you blog when you feel like it?
6) If you could meet a famous person, alive or dead, who would it be and why?
 7) Are you more of a talker or a listener?
 8) What's your favourite smell?
9) What do you like to do it your spare time?
10) Are you a dog or a cat person?
11) When eating out do you have a starter or do you save yourself for dessert?

I nominate:

 Wendy at Paint the UK Pink
Sophia Olivia at Miss Sophia Olivia 
Sarah Louise at Flowers at Dawn 
Rebecca at Rebecca Recommends 
Jessica at Oh So Gawjess
Nicolle at Nicolle Shelton 
Becky at Blue Belle Lovely 

Please check out their blogs and follow if you like.

Please link back to me if you do this post as I'd love to see what you've written!

x