The Autumn ASOS Edit

Grey skies, advent calendars in the shops already and the return of Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Lattes can only mean one thing: it's officially autumn. We all know what a new season calls for - a wardrobe update. As usual, ASOS are my go-to fashion store and it doesn't help that I've now got Premium which is by far the best 9.99 I've ever spent. I've trawled the site for you (it's a hard life) and bundled together the best AW15/16 ASOS Collection pieces you'll definitely want to pick up for your new-season style overhaul...

Let me know if there's any other ASOS beauties I've missed but that I need to check out for Autumn! Will you be picking any of these up?

Green Smoothie Bowl | Frill Frozen Dessert

I'm all about the dairy-free ice cream alternatives right now so when Frill asked me if I'd like to try some of their Frozen Smoothies there was no way I could turn them down! I absolutely love the idea behind Frill Frozen Smoothies as they are 100% natural, there's no added sugar or artificial flavours and their products are completely vegan (as well as gluten-free for any coeliacs out there). There's a lot of fruit, vegetables, and fibre packed into Frill tubs so they really are a guilt-free treat.

I love green smoothies so I knew I'd like Refreshing Green but I actually thought it would be my least favourite out of Frill's current three flavours- who can resist the sound of Bursting Berries and Intense Chocolate? I'll be talking about these two in another post soon - but I'm so glad that this was the one I picked to try first. It tastes seriously amazing and I've found myself waking up craving a bowl of it, which is unusual for something so healthy! It contains basically everything you might put in a green smoothie if you were making one at home - spinach, avocado, pineapple, celery, apple, basil and just general goodness. It tastes really energising so it's the perfect base for a healthy breakfast (like below) but the subtle sweetness means it works well for an afternoon snack or after-dinner treat too.

This smoothie bowl is an amazing breakfast to leave you feeling refreshed, nourished, and ready for the day! It's super quick and easy - you can have it ready by the time the kettle's boiled! I found this worked best when Frill had softened a bit so I just made sure to take the tub out of the freezer as soon as I woke up in the morning, and then it's the perfect consistency after you're out of the shower. Alternatively, if you're pushed for time in the mornings, you could leave it in the fridge overnight and that would work fine too. All you need to do is scoop some Frill Refreshing Green out into a bowl and mix it around a bit to soften it up further. It stays quite thick and firm which I loved as it means it's much more filling than a normal smoothie - especially because I usually have to add quite a lot of liquid to my blender to get it to work. Then just add whatever you fancy on top! Here I went for:

Frill Refreshing Green Frozen Smoothie

Blueberries

Raspberries

Homemade granola

Chia seeds

and a drizzle of Agave syrup

Recently I've seen Frill Frozen Smoothies in my local Waitrose, and you can also pick them up at Whole Foods if you live locally to one. I absolutely loved Refreshing Green and will definitely be picking it up again for a healthy but super tasty breakfast option. Let me know if you've tried Frill and whether you like the look of this Smoothie Bowl, I'd love to know what you think!

One Simple Switch for a Healthier Latte

I stopped buying cow's milk as a step towards a more plant-based diet almost a year ago now, but soya was never really high up on my grocery list. Coconut, oat, hazelnut and of course, heart-eyed emoji deserving almond were always on the menu, but soy was something I only really had if there was no other alternative (I'm looking at you, Starbucks..). Don't get me wrong I love a good soy latte to-go, but I always felt that soya milk made the drink a bit sweeter than I would have liked and sometimes drowned out the taste of the coffee. Well not any more, thanks to Alpro Soya Simply Mild*. Simply Mild does exactly what it says on the carton and gives you all the goodness of normal soy milk with a more subtle and less sweet flavour. It's also non-GM if that is something that has put you off soya milk in the past!

Lets get the serious stuff out of the way first, and I'll try not to bang on too long about this, but it's so important for this beautiful planet we live on that we all try and reduce the amount of animal products we consume. The environmental impacts of the cattle and dairy industry in particular are huge. Cutting down on cow's milk not only helps combat climate change, but it's good for your health too! Luckily Alpro make it super easy to do this with their range of dairy alternatives that taste amazing - definitely better than the real thing!

Alpro kindly sent me a carton of their new Soya Simply Mild to try, along with an adorable Keep Cup and a milk frother so I could make my own lattes. I found Soya Simply Mild to be the perfect alternative to milk in a latte, it makes it taste creamy with just the right amount of sweetness but it doesn't leave you with that overly full, bloated feeling you (tell me it's not just me?) get from drinking lots of cow's milk in a warm coffee. Alpro's plant-based alternatives are a lot healthier than dairy so I didn't feel bad indulging in a bowl of creamy porridge made with Soya Simply Mild along with my latte, and for tea-lovers it's definitely the best plant-based milk I've found to perfectly complement your English Breakfast habit - mine's slowly creeping up to about 6 a day...

5 Packing Tips for Travelling with Beauty Products

It's that time of year again when we all frantically bulk buy sun cream, dig out all 23 of our bikinis, and get (completely justifiably) over excited because HOLIDAY TIME!! Whether you're jetting off for a city break with only a carry-on bag of clothes between you and your boyfriend, looking forward to a cocktail filled fortnight with the girls, or packing all your worldly belongings into a massive rucksack and going it alone on the backpacking adventure of a life time, I hope these travel tips will help you save time, money and space when you're packing your beauty products.

1. LOSE THE LIQUIDS
They're just inconvenient. Leaky, sticky and not to mention really annoying if you're only travelling with hand luggage. Swap any you can for a solid version - cleansing balm instead of micellar water, a bar of soap instead of shower gel, lip balm instead of gloss... you get the idea. Lush are particularly good for this sort of thing, while I was backpacking in Borneo earlier in the year my lovely friends got me the Honey I Washed My Hair solid shampoo bar which is way more practical when you're travelling/staying in hostels with no free toiletries and it lasts longer than a liquid shampoo all while smelling amazing. I recently picked up Lush's Sun solid perfume as well which has proved much easier than lugging a massive glass bottle of perfume with me on weekend breaks!

2. MINIATURES ARE YOUR FRIEND
Use this opportunity to clear out your make up drawers and use up all those mini products and magazine freebies that you've been stashing away. High end makeup samples are perfect for taking away with you as they're often such small tubes it doesn't matter if they get lost (i.e. left in the toilets of a beach bar when you've had one too many mojitos...) and they also give you a chance to try out new products without splashing out another £30 on your annual pre-holiday Boots aisle sweep.

3. DECANT, DECANT, DECANT
It's a bit fiddly but it will save you so much hassle in the long run. I always fill little bottles or pots with just enough cleanser, eye cream and moisturiser to last me for the trip. You can easily find bottles with pumps or squeezy lids so you'll have a perfect fit for all your products. This Body Shop travel kit is a good bet, or you can pick a similar set up in Tiger.

4. KEEP IT BASIC
Seriously, do you really need those seven eyeshadows plus all three Naked palettes? I promise you will use way less products while you're away than you think. Cut your makeup bag down to the bare essentials - and I mean essentials. Try taking a BB cream or tinted moisturiser instead of foundation (it will barely last five minutes on the beach anyway due to all that sun, sand, sea and sweat...). I always pick up a cheap drugstore one that I can use to cover up any awkward only caught the sun in a line under where my sunglasses were marks or build up if I want a bit more coverage in the evening. Chuck in some waterproof mascara, a no-fuss brow product (my favourite is Benefit's Gimme Brow), a goes-with-anything lipstick and you're good to go!

5. BUY LOCAL
Things are often cheaper abroad and foreign pharmacies are always fun to look around and discover new brands in. You can pick up anything you lose/run out in them which will save you overpacking and stuffing three more tubes of cotton wool pads and another bottle of Bioderma in your suitcase at the last minute 'just in case'. This also gives you an excuse to stop in at the local Sephora, if you really needed another reason! If you're travelling for a few months, this is definitely the way to go as there's no point weighing down your already-bursting rucksack with twelve weeks worth of moisturiser! Any jet-setting beauty lovers who find themselves in Asia on their adventures, make sure to get some Tiger Balm out there as it's cheaper than buying it in the UK and it's literally a miracle cure for everything.

Let me know if you've got any other space- and stress- saving holiday packing tips, and if you found these ones helpful be a absolute babe and share it with your friends by tweeting this post!

Six Cookbooks That Will Inspire You To Eat Home-Made & Healthy

I've always liked cooking but since I've been trying to eat a more plant-based diet I've definitely got more adventurous in the kitchen - mainly thanks to all the amazing food bloggers I discovered whose websites were full of inspiring and healthy recipes. Many of them now have cookery books out and while I still love reading their blogs, there's something to be said for following a recipe out of a nice hardback book with glossy pages and beautiful photography. Today I'm sharing five of my favourites that inspire me to cook from scratch and make healthier choices (not just for me, but for the environment too). 

1. My New Roots - Sarah's book has some of the most beautiful food photography I've ever seen, and I love how it's divided into seasons (five!) to help you make the most out of seasonal produce. Her Quinoa Risotto with Grilled Scapes and Rocket is already a firm favourite of mine and there's also loads of useful information like how to grow your own sprouts (from seeds, not the Brussel variety!), make nut milk and butter, and how to cook pretty much every grain and legume you can think of. You can have a read of her blog here - I promise you won't be left disappointed, just hungry!

2. A Modern Way To Eat - Anna was trained by Jamie Oliver and it really shows in this book. The food styling and photography is especially on point and I love how honest her writing style is. Simple recipes that look amazing and taste even better; I'm particularly a fan of her Lentils and Roasted Beetroot with Salsa Verde, and I'll definitely be cooking her Turkish Fried Eggs for my boyfriend as a birthday breakfast. She lives in Hackney too, so I'm hoping I'll bump into her on Broadway Market one Saturday morning!

3. Deliciously Ella - I'm sure you've all heard of Ella! Ella's recipes are incredibly easy and as the name suggests, completely delicious. Plus, every one is vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free. Chapters each cover a food type such as grains/pulses/fruit, and again there's lots of interesting information at the start of each one. The Brazil Nut (almonds for me as I'm allergic!) and Rocket Pesto Pasta is perfect for those days when you want something really quick but nourishing and comforting, and of course there's her famous Sweet Potato Brownies!

4. The Vibrant Table - I don't own Anya's book (yet!) but I've poured over it enough in my local bookshop that I feel like I do! I'm desperate to try and replicate her Peach and Avocado Summer Rolls and Squash Blossom Quiche. The photography in here is so colourful and enticing, and all the photos are taken by Anya's daughter which I think makes it extra special.

5. Oh She Glows - The cover alone was enough for me to want Angela's book (I always always judge actual books by their covers!), but the inclusion of Broccoli and Quinoa Burritos (chuck some avocado in there and you've got what sounds like my perfect meal) sealed the deal and Oh She Glows is currently winging it's way through the post to me.

6. Kenko Kitchen - Kate's blog is full to the brim with whole foods and sugar-free, gluten-free delights, and her book is no exception to the rule. Buckwheat Bircher with Berries and Bee Pollen is an inspired antidote for a dreary morning and her vegan cheese alternatives (cashew 'goat's cheese' and macadamia 'ricotta') are next on my must-try list!

Do you have any favourite cookery books that you think I should try?

Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt

Well let's be honest, anything that involved beach rope instead of ribbon tying up the packaging was going to be a hit with me. I don't think Jo Malone have ever brought out a fragrance that I didn't like (that's a lie, what's with that Lime Basil and Mandarin one?! Do I just have a citrus aversion or does anyone else not believe it could actually be their bestseller...?) but this is definitely one of their best. I actually decided I wanted it before I even smelt it just because of the name. I don't know if it's just my inner wannabe surfer girl (I say 'wannabe' - balance and coordination are apparently quite important if you don't want to spend most of your time spluttering underwater - who knew?) but Wood Sage and Sea Salt sounded like the dream perfume to me.

It (obviously) smells like sage and sea salt, but also like seaweed and driftwood and summer. It's lighter and fresher than I first imagined, and it's one of those perfumes that once you spray on you have to stop yourself from constantly sniffing your wrists. It's kind of like going for a blustery coastal walk - but without the getting caught in a hail storm or accidentally inhaling the strands of hair that the wind has blown in your mouth (just me?), and more like the sitting in a cosy pub afterwards with rosy cheeks and a G&T. It's especially lovely coupled with my other favourite Jo Malone scent, Blackberry and Bay, and the combination of the two make me feel like I'm about to hike across some fields to get to the coast on a country dog walk, even if in reality I'm just squashed up in a Central line tube carriage that smells slightly like manure...

The Spring ASOS Edit

ASOS are always on point with their own brand collection, but for the last few months I've found myself loving almost everything I see in the 'New In' section and making a few lot more orders than usual! So for today's post I thought I'd bring you an ASOS Edit, which involved me trawling through the website (it's a hard life, I know...) to pick out my favourite pieces from their Spring collection which I think you will love too.

I think the items below would make a great capsule wardrobe if you need to pack light for a holiday, and they're all such versatile pieces that you could wear in so many different ways. I already have my hands on the raffia soled sandals and the amazing cat eyed sunglasses, and there may be a few more of the items below winging their way through the post to me as we speak... but while I wait, I may aswell have another ASOS browse, no? 

The Little Things #1

It's Saturday (happy weekend!) which means it's time to show you a few of the little things I've been loving this week...

First up is my new iPhone case from Iconemesis which I absolutely love and have had so many compliments on. It's the Cat Sims Feathers Case* and as soon as I saw it I thought the design was gorgeous. I know some people have a collection of phone cases, but I've been using the same one for about a year now so it's been nice to change things up a bit and I think the feathers look perfect for Spring. The case is much glossier than any I've had before so it feels much nicer to carry, and I really like that the design wraps all the way around the case too. Iconemesis have got a really great sale on at the moment too with lots of cases half price including this amazing cats with party hats(!) design which I might have to snap up next!

The internet is awash with marble at the moment and SSB is no exception (yes, that marble tray in the background is the same marble tray that every blogger has scoured the shelves of H&M Home to get their hands on - original I know...) but it's these earrings that really stole my heart when I was marble-haulin' in H&M. The chunky triangles, the rose gold details...everything about them is perfect and they look just as good with girlfriend jeans and a grey tee as they do with your most glam going out out outfit.

I've been wanting to get some polaroid-style pictures printed for a while now and I finally ordered some after spending far too much time going through my instagram backlog and picking my favourite photos out. The app I used was Polabox and it was so easy to use I'll definitely be ordering from them again. It's pretty inexpensive and I'm really impressed with the quality of the photos - as well as the really cute box they came in!

What little things have you been loving this week?

One Sweep Wonders

You know those days when you spend a bit too long watching youtube videos while you're eating your breakfast and then only have ten minutes to shower, dress and do your makeup? (Yep, that's everyday for me too...) Or when you're about to reach for your blending brush, but think the Kardashian-esqe look you were planning might be a bit OTT for a normal day at the office? Bring in the one sweep wonders. A selection of shadows that you can slick across your lid in one fell swoop and instantly look more put together with minimal effort - leaving you with more time to pick out a street style blog worthy outfit (okay, or just wear all black errythang again) or grab a coffee on your way out. Here's my pick of the best one sweep shadows: three different formulas, three different shades of neutral, one seriously quick everyday makeup look.

Benefit Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow in Birthday Suit - A staple in my makeup bag since I was 15, I've lost count of how many times I've repurchased this and there's a good reason for that. A suit-all bronzey taupe with a subtle shimmer which really opens your eyes up and makes you look more awake. It stays put for a good 8 hours and they're not lying, it never creases.

MAC Woodwinked - I'm betting that a lot of you will have this little gem stashed away in your beauty drawer somewhere! One's of MAC's most talked about shadows, it's easy to see why - the formula is buttery and applies like a dream, and the coppery-brown shade is one of my all time favourites to wear alone on my lids.

By Terry Ombre Blackstar in Bronze Moon - A relatively new addition to my makeup bag, I'd been coveting this for quite some time but every time I was in a Space NK they'd sold out! It was definitely worth the wait though as it's such a lovely shade of bronze and the packaging is gorgeous. This is possibly my favourite of the three as one quick swipe does the trick, and after giving you just enough time to smudge it out a little bit with your fingertip it doesn't budge until you reach for your evening cleanser.

Just pair with lashings of mascara and a pinky-nude lip (see my current favourite here) and you're ready for whatever the day throws at you! Do you have a go-to shadow for days when you're pushed for time?

Faith In Nature Shampoo & Conditioner

Is it just me that has a mini existential crisis when I'm close to finishing my current shampoo and conditioner? (hashtag first world problems) Trying to eek out the last squirts in the bottles while pondering what to do now - do I repurchase or was it just not quite volumising/highlight-enhancing/frizz-taming enough? Should I go back to an old favourite or try something new? And what about all those half finished bottles at the back of my bathroom cabinet?! It's enough to make a girl break down and contemplate doing a Britney circa 2007...

So when Faith In Nature offered me the chance to try some of their products out just as I was coming to the end of my latest Joico tubes it was perfect timing - and saved me from a 30 minute shelf-staring exercise in the John Lewis beauty department.

I opted for the Pomegranate & Rooibos Shampoo and Conditioner which both smell gorgeous - naturally fresh and fruity. All Faith In Nature products are completely organic, vegan, and best of all, 100% cruelty-free which is something I'm really trying to be more aware of when shopping now, especially as so many brands who were once cruelty-free have unfortunately started testing on animals in certain countries.

Once I've used these I feel as if my hair is what it should naturally be like - shiny, light as a feather, and squeaky clean. I think this is because all of Faith In Nature's products are natural - there's no artificial chemicals that leave any residue or build up in your hair. The shampoo doesn't lather as much as others, as you'd expect from an organic product, and while this takes a few washes to get used to I didn't find this was a problem at all - I've grown to like the more natural cleansing feel it gives. The conditioner was great at smoothing and detangling my hair, which gets knotty easily as it's long and quite fine. I also found the products great to take to the gym with me as the bottles are light and they made my hair feel amazingly clean and fresh after a (not-so) strenuous yoga class or my bi-monthly run (I wish I could say that was an exaggeration and really I run every other day but actually it's probably quite accurate...).

I've since spotted Faith In Nature products in my local As Nature Intended store and can never resist having a browse of the range when I pop in to do some food shopping. My hair definitely feels and looks better for using a more natural shampoo and conditioner, and although the bottles are getting emptier and I'm getting that itch to buy something new again, I think I'll definitely be going back to Faith In Nature in between other brands to give my hair a well needed break from those nasty chemicals! 

You spent HOW much on a lipstick? | Tom Ford Spanish Pink

And the award for the most overpriced item of makeup goes to... The RRP of a Tom Ford Lip Colour is so downright ridiculous that I'm not even going to type it, mainly because I'm trying to pretend to myself that I didn't actually spend more money on a lipstick than I would on my weekly food shop. It's beautiful, yes, but I'm not totally convinced it was worth parting with so much cash - so what better way to try and justify a purchase than to blog about it?

First things first, the packaging. The tube is so gorgeous that I've been showing it off to literally everyone - cue squeals from my best friends and an eye-roll from my boyfriend - and of course there's that oh so satisfying click when you close the lid that you get with all the best lipsticks.

I had a bit of a hard time choosing a colour and the sales guy let out an audible sigh after I changed my mind for the third time while he was trying to get me to pay, but in the end I went for Spanish Pink, the classic Tom Ford 'my-lips-but-better' (no, but like, really better) shade. I probably didn't need another nude-pink MLBB lipstick but if I was going to spend the best part of £40 then I at least wanted something I'd get a lot of wear out of.

The formula is creamy and glides on to the lips easily - if only I could bear to use it from the front rather than the back to avoid ruining that perfect T - and while I'll be trying my best to ignore the Tom Ford counter and its extortionate prices for the foreseeable, these lipsticks are the ultimate treat-yourself purchase.

Next on my list is Pink Dusk - I better start saving...

Scent City Launch | Alice and Peter Wicked Berry Perfume Review

Grab a cup of tea and get settled into the sofa girls, because today it's new launch time. And believe me when I tell you, it's a good'un. I've been looking forward to the launch of niche perfume retailer Scent City for quite some time now, as I think the idea behind the creation is a solid and original one. Based in London, Scent City is an online boutique specialising in niche perfumes for both men and women, as well as luxury fragrances for the home.

Scent City's promotional material really impressed me - the deep purple designs look sleek and sophisticated which embodies the brand perfectly. There's several different models used in their marketing, each of which have a distinct personality which is related to certain types of fragrances - for example, Ms Romance is 'Loving, with floral notes'. I think this is a really clever idea as you can pick a perfume based on the emotions you'd like it to make you feel or the situations in which you want to wear it the most.

One of the most exciting niche brands that is available from Scent City in my opinion is Alice and Peter. A small but perfectly formed collection of unique luxury perfumes, adorably packaged, currently exclusive to Scent City in the UK. Scent City kindly offered to gift me one of Alice and Peter's fragrances to try out so I could get a better idea of the types of perfume designers that will be stocked on the website. Alice and Peter's line contains five gorgeous scents inspired by cupcakes and confectionery - sweets and perfume, what's not to like? All five sounded gorgeous (Showy Toffee and Fancy Choco anyone?) but the one I liked the sound of most was Wicked Berry*. My favourite fragrances are either floral or fruity, and this combined them both! At first spray, the citrus head notes mix with the berry scents and the perfume smells entirely fruity. However, this soon clears and the floral notes at the heart of the perfume are revealed. Lilac and blackberry are the most noticeable heart notes, and the scent reminds me slightly of my favourite childhood sweets, Parma Violets! Rose, freesia and raspberry notes are also detectable, and throughout the day the base notes of vanilla, amber, and white musk start to come through. I've really grown to like this perfume as it's such a unique scent, it makes me feel all summery, and of course, the bottle is the cutest!

As with all Alice and Peter products, Wicked Berry retails at £40 for 30ml - a little on the expensive side but considering the hard-to-get-hold-of designer brand and the quality I think it's a fair price. The longevity is more impressive than most of my perfumes, it's noticeable on the skin for over 10 hours, however it does start to fade after 5 or 6.

The perfume arrived in a large box and was very well protected with polystyrene. I was really pleased to see this, as the last few times I've bought perfumes online they've been delivered in a small parcel with absolutely no protective packaging whatsoever.

I'll certainly be ordering from Scent City in the future as I think it's a fantastic concept for a brand and the service/correspondence I've recieved from them has been second to none. By the time you've read this post Scent City will have officially launched and you can check them out at www.thescentcity.com. You can also follow Scent City on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

*This product was sent to me for consideration by Scent City. All reviews are always 100% honest.

Foundation Files: The Glow Getter

In my last Foundation Files post I showed you a brilliant budget base, but today I’m going to be talking about a product that makes my bank balance wince a little bit every time I repurchase. Don’t turn away just yet though, because this one is definitely worth the money. It’s not the most expensive foundation on the market (at £30.50 it's far from it!) but it's still one you might want to wait until payday for. Nars Sheer Glow has been raved about by many a beauty blogger but I'm not ashamed to follow the crowd on this one because it's a strong contender for my all time favourite foundation.

The coverage is medium and buildable, but it always feels light on the skin and never cakey, even in summer when things can get a little sweaty... I was matched to the shade Deauville which is almost exactly my natural skin colour, and the shade range is relatively wide so most people should be able to find their perfect match. It looks so natural and makes my skin look flawless - which let me tell you, is a preeetty big task at the moment! It's also perfect for nights out or special occasions as it's SPF free - so you won't be mistaken for Casper the ghost when people are getting a bit too flash-happy with their cameras! Sheer Glow lasts well on my skin - I'll sometimes touch it up in the late afternoon but once I have it looks as fresh as it did in the morning.

The only thing I don't like about this foundation is the fact it doesn't come with a pump (why Nars, why?!). Of course, you can buy a pump separately for only a couple of pounds, but the trouble I had was finding one. They seemed to be out of stock everywhere, for months on end! I did finally get my hands on one and it makes application much easier, but I'd like to see Nars incorporate a pump into an actual lid for the bottle, even if this still would cost extra. Although the pump has a lock so there's no accidental spillages, I just think it looks like I've lost the proper lid for the bottle (or is that just me being fussy?). Fussiness aside, Nars Sheer Glow really does deserve the hype and I'm sure its Holy Grail status in the beauty world will be firmly cemented for many years to come - I know I'll be repurchasing over and over again!

Percy & Reed Wonder Balm

I've never been a huge hair product kinda gal. Don't get me wrong, I love buying them, but when it comes to actually using them they always end up at the back of a drawer after a week or two feeling a little unloved. If there's one thing I could tell them then it would be It's not you, it's me (how many of us have said that before and honestly meant it?), or more specifically it's my hair. As much as I try to style, curl, crimp (come on, we've all been there), tousle and just generally jzeush* it up it pretty much always falls flat within the hour. As a result, I try to stick to quite low maintenance styles and products (GHD Straight & Smooth Heat Protect Spray, maybe some Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray if I'm feeling really daring) and after digging out the Percy & Reed Wonder Balm, a magazine freebie from earlier this year, I've found the perfect quick-fix for my locks. Marketed as a hair primer, a blob or two before blow drying leaves my hair smoother, silkier and much more manageable than usual. It tackles my frizz well, and although I don't find it really does much to extend the life-span of any waves or curls, my hair definitely looks and feels more Loreal advert-worthy for the whole day. So ladies, if your hair is in need of a little pick me up, give this one a whirl because you know you're worth it.

* Yes I did have to google the spelling of that. J then z, who'd have known, eh?

What I Wore #1

TOP - Whistles (out of stock in pink but

a similar colour is available here)

JEANS - Uniqlo

BAG - Whistles

BOOTS - Cara London

I know, I know, long time no see. I've been MIA (now I'm humming Paper Planes) for the last few weeks because I've been interrailing around Europe with my boyfriend to celebrate us both graduating this year - does this mean I'm a real actual grown up now? Wifi was particularly scarce while we were away and although I really wanted to schedule lots of posts before I went things got a bit busy what with exams, the end of uni and more 21st birthdays than I could count! I'm really sorry for the absence but I'm back now, and won't ever be leaving it this long again. Just before we left, I popped to Cardiff to see my parents and I thought I'd show you all what I wore for my dad's 50th birthday dinner out. Let me know what you think of my boyfriend's camera skills - hopefully they're not too shabby (maybe ignore the closed eyes  in picture no. 2!) but I did make him take about 20 pictures and not one ended up showing my shoes so I've added in a picture of those below.

Foundation Files: The Budget Base

Over the next few weeks I'm going to be showing you my favourite foundations and talking a little bit about why they're good at what they do. Up this week is the only drugstore foundation I've ever repurchased (actually one of the only three I've ever tried - yes I admit it, I'm a foundation snob) - Rimmel Wake Me Up. Retailing at £8.99 it's not the cheapest out there but at less than a third of the price of most high end alternatives it's not to be sniffed at. Speaking of sniffing, the fruity scent makes me enjoy applying this in the morning - it's beats smelling like paint any day. I find myself reaching for this over my higher end bases quite often, especially as we're coming into summer and I want a lighter finish. It claims to have an anti-fatigue effect, and although I'm not sure about that (it takes more than makeup to hide the fact I'm in desperate need of a 72-hour nap!) my skin does look dewy and much fresher after I've applied it. Coupled with a primer, it's staying power is decent - on my normal/combination skin it lasts around 8 hours before I'm in need of a touch up (read: piling another layer on to try and tame my red cheeks). The shade range is pretty awful, with only 6 variations on beige being available and even the palest (100 Ivory) being, well, just not that pale. If you can forgive it that though, it definitely deserves a place in your summer makeup stash.

A Muji Alternative from Viking

OSCO Clear Acrylic Desktop Organiser* - £14.99

When the lovely people at Viking contacted me offering to gift me some items of my choice for consideration of a review on my blog, I thought I'd have to politely turn them down as at a first glance of their office supplies website I wasn't sure whether any of their products would fit in a post on my blog. Being as nosy as I am though, and a self-confessed stationary fiend, I delved a little deeper into www.viking-direct.co.uk (think Staples, only better!), and stumbled across this section. Clear acrylic storage. Every beauty bloggers holy grail dressing table organiser. I've been wanting to take a trip down to Muji for a while now, but thoughts of having to leave my east end postcode and brave the rush hour tube to get to Oxford Street before the hoards of tourists arrived were giving me the cold sweats. Plus, I knew I wanted a three drawer box (I'm fussy like that) and Muji's only offering looked quite a bit wider, but shallower in depth than I'd like (told you I was fussy). So when I saw this little beauty here, I fell in love. A less expensive, better sized Muji drawer dupe? I was sold.

I was really impressed by both the Viking website (honestly, they sell so many useful things!) and their fast delivery. The product arrived in perfect condition and was the perfect size to store some of my most-used-but-not-everyday items, which is exactly what I wanted it for. Mine currently houses 22 products in, but quite a few of these are large foundations, powders or Benefit box blushes, so with a bit of switching up I'm sure you could store even more. 

I'm so happy with this storage as before I only had a small organiser which was mainly compartments for lipstick, and all my other products ended up strewn across my desk all the time. Now I can see more of what I have and I think it looks so pretty with all the colours showing through! The drawers slide out really easily as well; I thought I might have some trouble getting products at the back out with only one hand (I'm always drinking a mug of tea while doing my makeup in the mornings) but no such problems! The acrylic seems pretty robust too so I think it will last me a long time!

I'd definitely recommend checking out Viking Direct if you fancy an alternative to Muji for your beauty storage needs, and while you're there take a look at their lovely stationery too - it's much cheaper than on the high street!

*This product was sent to me for consideration by a PR company. All reviews are always 100% honest.

Nails Inc - Royal Botanical Gardens

Can we please all take a moment to admire this adorable wrapping paper that some of my birthday presents came in? Seriously, if I could have this as wallpaper I honestly think I would. Too cute. 

Anyway, this is going to be a short one as I'm still in the middle of my final university exams and have so much revision to do I've struggled to find the time to blog. Talking about revision, it's been made seriously more fun (okay, as fun as revision can be) by some lovely coloured Stabilo pens I was very kindly sent by Viking (think Staples, only better!). I will be doing a proper post featuring them and some revision tips very soon but I just thought I'd mention them here as they're currently selling a pack for a really amazing price compared to everywhere else - you can check those out here.

Onto this weeks nails, I tried out Royal Botanical Gardens by Nails Inc and I've been absolutely loving it. It's the perfect shade for spring and when the weather's been dreary seeing this on my nails has really brightened the day up. It's a light spearmint blue which is similar to every blogger favourite, Essie's Mint Candy Apple. I prefer this shade to Essie's though, in my opinion it's a little bit brighter and the finish is so glossy! It also lasted a good few days on me without chipping, which may not seem like much but my nail polish usually chips in an hour or two - what am I doing wrong girls? I know Nails Inc are a bit on the pricey side but they honestly are one of my favourite brands for formula and colour, and Beauty Bay are currently selling this beauty for a few pounds cheaper than the RRP here.

I should probably go and study as I have an exam tomorrow morning - eek! - but I promise there will be more posts up soon as I have a few days off next week until my next exam.

Feel Unique Haul

Feel Unique recently had one of their amazing 50% off sales, and well, I couldn't not make a little order could I? The first thing I ordered was the Stila Kajal Eyeliner in Topaz, a beige-y nude shade which I've been lusting after for a while and is just perfect for that wide-eyed look. I've been wearing this on my waterline almost every day since I got it and I'm really impressed. Its creamy formula glides on easily and its staying power rivals that of my beloved Urban Decay 24/7 liners.

I remember buying the original Juicy Couture fragrance the first time I visited New York (I also bought a very sophisticated blue velour makeup case from Juicy, but we won't talk about that...) and falling in love instantly. It wasn't available in the UK then so naturally, I felt insanely cool. I still use the original fragrance from time to time but when I received the Viva La Juicy perfume around a year ago it quickly became my go-to want to smell pretty but can just spray it on and go scent. I've reached the very last spritzes of that and was looking to repurchase it, so when I saw the Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy La Fleur version for half price on Feel Unique I couldn't resist. It's much like the original Viva La Juicy but a little fresher and more floral. As much as I adore Jo Malone and Chanel (and too many others...) scents for days when I want to feel fierce (hello, Tyra Banks), I love Juicy Couture perfumes as they make me feel girly, nostalgic and 15 again!

I had a sneaky look on the non-sale section of the site and picked up the Garnier Micellar Water which I've been interested to try out for a while. I could never justify buying Bioderma as it's a bit more money than I'd want to pay for something I'd just use as a makeup remover before properly cleansing. I've used this almost every day on a cotton pad to remove most of my eye makeup and it's great at dissolving stubborn mascara and gel eyeliner. I also sometimes use it in the mornings instead of toner as it's really refreshing and honestly just feels like water. It's gentle on the eyes as well, which is a huge plus for me as I find my MAC Pro Eye Makeup Remover stings really badly!

Feel Unique also send you two samples when you spend over £30 which is a lovely added extra. I opted for Caudalie Night Infusion Cream which I haven't used yet but am really looking forward to trying out. I also picked the Kerastase Capital Force Shampoo which I stupidly didn't realise was for men! So I think the other half may find this snuck in his bathroom soon (shh don't tell!).

This was only my second time ordering from Feel Unique but both times I have been so impressed with the service and super-speedy delivery, I can't wait to make my next purchase from them!

Kensington Palace Gardens - Nails Inc

I thought I'd just write a quick post tonight and join in with the lovely Paige from Paige's Preferences's series! On my nails today is Kensington Palace Gardens by Nails Inc. I have to say, I have fallen in love with this shade! I ordered this along with a few others (you can check those out here) and on the website it was described as a 'peach'. Oh, Nails Inc, but it's so much more than that. It's almost a neon but not quite - slightly muted and dare I say it, a bit pastel-y, but still bright enough to make me feel all summery (it has actually been quite warm in London!). It's a gorgeous colour, and these pictures really don't do it justice so I'd recommend going to check it out yourself!

In other news, I've finally handed in my dissertation (I was even one day early - check me out!) so am a little bit less busy/stressed/on the verge of a breakdown. I still have 6 exams coming up but hopefully I'll have a bit more free time now so I can get back to blogging more regularly!

What are you wearing on your nails today?

Sally xx