Holy suncream Batman! Where is the year going!?
July really crept up on me, I was so busy getting myself together after coming back from uni I had no idea what the date was until my little brother 'pinch-punch-first-of-the-month'd me! SO mature.
But this month I really want to get some things done so I thought I'd share my July plans. They're quite indoorsy things as in August I have two holidays and a festival so I won't have time to get these things done between packing and preparing for funtimes and the actual having of said funtimes.
The first set of plans is basically getting myself organised and decluttering my room which, after 16 years of having an owner who doesn't like throwing anything away, is starting to gethorribly just a bit out of hand. The second is about getting creative and inspired. As I said in August I've got a lot on and will have to spend a lot of time being outside and/or with other people so I won't have much time to myself and therefore won't have as much time to be creative (you try writing a novel with flatmates or parents looking over your shoulder. Off-putting to say the least!) so I'm allowing myself, when not at work or seeing friends, to dedicate June to really exercising my creative brain-power!
July really crept up on me, I was so busy getting myself together after coming back from uni I had no idea what the date was until my little brother 'pinch-punch-first-of-the-month'd me! SO mature.
But this month I really want to get some things done so I thought I'd share my July plans. They're quite indoorsy things as in August I have two holidays and a festival so I won't have time to get these things done between packing and preparing for funtimes and the actual having of said funtimes.
The first set of plans is basically getting myself organised and decluttering my room which, after 16 years of having an owner who doesn't like throwing anything away, is starting to get
01. Organising
♥ Have a massive makeup/beauty chuck-out >> My beauty and makeup preferences have changed so much over the past few years, but I still own a lot of the makeup I was wearing when I was 17! There are all sorts of frosty peach lipglosses and neon green eyeshadows (Oh lordy) cluttering up my drawers and sitting in bags that I'm never going to use again. I want to chuck all that out and condense my makeup down to the products I love and use regularly. That gives me space for more!
♥ Donate my old/unwanted clothes >> Same story really. So much in my wardrobe that I just never wear! I'm going to dig right into the back of my wardrobe and pull out all the crap. The good stuff that just doesn't fit or isn't my style anymore I'll be donating to the various charity shops in my little hometown, and the things that I don't think anyone would really want to buy I want to give to a charity that gives clothes out to the homeless or those who simply can't afford clothes. Gets rid or my clutter, helps out other people and makes my soul a little shinier too. Win/Win!
♥ Create an official desk space to myself >> Unbelievably I actually have two desks in my room at home (as opposed to uni), but neither actually functions as a desk, more just two miscellaneous crap tables. I want to organise at least one of them and equip it with a stationary holder, pen box and other jazzy things so I have a place where I can write, research and be productive over the three months I'm going to be spending here!
♥ Create an official desk space to myself >> Unbelievably I actually have two desks in my room at home (as opposed to uni), but neither actually functions as a desk, more just two miscellaneous crap tables. I want to organise at least one of them and equip it with a stationary holder, pen box and other jazzy things so I have a place where I can write, research and be productive over the three months I'm going to be spending here!
02. Creating
♥ Win Camp NaNoWriMo! >> I tried to do NaNoWriMo (Don't know what it is? Click here!) back in November, and I did pretty well but I had so much work to get done. I got four essays in two weeks! So I had to prioritize and give up. However there is another opportunity during the summer and I've decided to give it another go. It started today and will go for a month. I've manged to complete today so I'm feeling good. If all goes well I may share a snippet of what I'm writing here!
♥ Create an Inspiration Board >> This is to go with the aforementioned desk space. I've always wanted to make a big board full of the things I love and find inspiring but I've just never gotten round to it. Well no excuses! I've spent ages looking at Pinterest and Weheartit at other people's and have found a big board in which to create my masterpiece! Should be interesting!
♥ Start Scrap-booking >> Another thing I've wanted to do for ever and ever! I just want to make something to keep all of my lists and drawings and favourite magazine articles and quotes and photos of the days I spend with my friends and family. I've finally purchased one from Paperchase, this one if you're interested. I'm starting to invest in colouring/ arty bits and pieces and even if I only fill a few pages I'll be happy that I've made a start.
If you have any plans for July definitely let me know!
♥ Create an Inspiration Board >> This is to go with the aforementioned desk space. I've always wanted to make a big board full of the things I love and find inspiring but I've just never gotten round to it. Well no excuses! I've spent ages looking at Pinterest and Weheartit at other people's and have found a big board in which to create my masterpiece! Should be interesting!
♥ Start Scrap-booking >> Another thing I've wanted to do for ever and ever! I just want to make something to keep all of my lists and drawings and favourite magazine articles and quotes and photos of the days I spend with my friends and family. I've finally purchased one from Paperchase, this one if you're interested. I'm starting to invest in colouring/ arty bits and pieces and even if I only fill a few pages I'll be happy that I've made a start.
If you have any plans for July definitely let me know!
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.Swatches left to right: Well Dressed, Dame, Pink Swoon, Prism.
Hi again, while I'm getting back into the swing of blogging I thought I'd share my four favourite MAC blushes. These are all permanent and, in my opinion, very flattering on most skin tones. I could happily take just these four away on a trip and have everything I could want. Well Dressed is a lovely sheer cool pink with silver shimmer that gives a lovely sweet flush to the cheeks. Dame is a darker duskier pink, great for a sophisticated look. Pink Swoon is a very bright yellow pink that looks fantastic with minimal eyes and lips and is also really flattering on darker skin tones. Finally Prism is a dark pink toned brown and is my favourite contour colour, it's great for pale skins that can't carry off an orange, or very muddy looking contour and looks very natural.
If I'm honest I don't really buy MAC blushes any more, I don't feel that most of them are worth the cost since the price has risen but these four really do live up to expectations and are a staple in my collection.
Let me know if you have favourite MAC blushes, any that you think are worth the price.
Have a great day and thanks for reading!
I'm baaaaack! Exams are over and my holidays have begun! I know things will take some time to pick up again round here but I have four whole months off and plenty of fun things I want to share with you guys and hopefully I'll be able to keep the momentum going into my next year of uni.
I just wanted to come back with a product I've been testing out recently, the Backcomb In A Bottle spray. It's a clear mist that you spritz into the roots of your hair and massage in to make perfect tousled bed hair. I've heard people complain that this makes their hair greasy and it does a little but as I usually only use it on nights out for extra volume and wash my hair the morning after it's not really a problem at all.
Despite this it does exactly what it claims, and creates a lovely fluffy volume that gives an 'undone' look to hairstyles. I like to curl my hair before a night out and mist this all over and massage it in by hand before softly brushing through. Cue instant bed-head hair!
I do recommend this product, particularly if you backcomb regularly and want to find a less damaging alternative for your hair. While I might not give as much volume as you want, it would certainly mean you require less teasing and general hair torture! Plus it holds well but washes out easily and leaves no gross residue.
I just wanted to come back with a product I've been testing out recently, the Backcomb In A Bottle spray. It's a clear mist that you spritz into the roots of your hair and massage in to make perfect tousled bed hair. I've heard people complain that this makes their hair greasy and it does a little but as I usually only use it on nights out for extra volume and wash my hair the morning after it's not really a problem at all.
Despite this it does exactly what it claims, and creates a lovely fluffy volume that gives an 'undone' look to hairstyles. I like to curl my hair before a night out and mist this all over and massage it in by hand before softly brushing through. Cue instant bed-head hair!
I do recommend this product, particularly if you backcomb regularly and want to find a less damaging alternative for your hair. While I might not give as much volume as you want, it would certainly mean you require less teasing and general hair torture! Plus it holds well but washes out easily and leaves no gross residue.
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I wanted to share with you guys my current favourite footwear. Ankle booties! I know we've all been wearing them now for a few years but I've lived in the safe zone of Chelsea boots and the standard black/brown/tan ankle boots. Now I'm beginning to explore the world of ankle boots and making them an interesting part of an outfit rather than just a throw-on-when-i-cant-be-bothered choice.
The black pair are from daisystreet.co.uk and are vaguely reminiscent of the Topshop Alvin boots that everyone went crazy for a while back.They're like kick-ass gothic-cowgirl boots! I actually call these my 'The Walking Dead' boots because I feel like if I were in that show, killing zombies in the deep south cowboy territory that is Georgia this is what I'd have on my feet. (anyone else watch it? How great was the Season 3 finale!??)
The pink pair are another slightly western inspired pair (I promise I'm not turning into a very stylish John Wayne I do have other pairs... these are just my favourites...) I bought these from New Look a while back and can't find them on the site anymore but they may well still be knocking about in stores. These look adorable with denim skirts and slouchy Tshirts and sweaters and fall into my favourite summer colour palette: The pastels!
I like wearing both of these pairs with cute girly ankle socks. My faves are these and these both from Topshop, I feel like it makes the ankle boot very modern. I love the contrast between cutesy ankle socks and the rock-n-roll, tomboy feel of the black pair, they also stop the pink pair from being too 'sexy cowgirl costume'.
Let me know what you think! What shoes are you wearing now that summer's around the corner?
The black pair are from daisystreet.co.uk and are vaguely reminiscent of the Topshop Alvin boots that everyone went crazy for a while back.They're like kick-ass gothic-cowgirl boots! I actually call these my 'The Walking Dead' boots because I feel like if I were in that show, killing zombies in the deep south cowboy territory that is Georgia this is what I'd have on my feet. (anyone else watch it? How great was the Season 3 finale!??)
The pink pair are another slightly western inspired pair (I promise I'm not turning into a very stylish John Wayne I do have other pairs... these are just my favourites...) I bought these from New Look a while back and can't find them on the site anymore but they may well still be knocking about in stores. These look adorable with denim skirts and slouchy Tshirts and sweaters and fall into my favourite summer colour palette: The pastels!
I like wearing both of these pairs with cute girly ankle socks. My faves are these and these both from Topshop, I feel like it makes the ankle boot very modern. I love the contrast between cutesy ankle socks and the rock-n-roll, tomboy feel of the black pair, they also stop the pink pair from being too 'sexy cowgirl costume'.
Let me know what you think! What shoes are you wearing now that summer's around the corner?
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Way back in January the lovely folks at Deluxebite offered to send me their January box to sample and, being a bit of a closet foodie and student who doesn't pass up free food, I said a very enthusiastic yes!
Deluxebite is a really interesting company. A monthly subscription of £20 gets you a box of luxury food items sent to you once a month. While £20 seems like a lot, all the products are full sized and very decadent so if you've got the cash and love experiencing new foods it would certainly be a good deal.
This particular box featured the following:
Raman's Handmade Butternut Squash Relish
Great Glen Game Venison Chorizo
Coffee Factory Black Label Coffee
Nim's Kiwi and Apple Fruit Crisps
Bracken Hille Fine Foods' Sugar Free Chutney
The reason this review has taken me a while is because I actually don't like chutney and I don't drink coffee but i know someone who does: My fabulous mummy. So I gave her those, along with the butternut squash, as part of her Mother's Day present. She absolutely loved all three items and actually the coffee's already gone and the chutney's well on it's way out and she's thinking of buying more!
As for the items I tried: The fruit crisps were delicious. I had them one day as a mid morning snack and they made a nice change from my usual cereal bars or dried cranberries. The venison chorizo was a little more complicated to figure out what to do with but I eventually sliced it up and threw it, with some chicken and sliced peppers into a tomato pasta dish. It was a bit strange but I actually really enjoyed it, very smoky and gamey.
I don't think I would subscribe simply because I can't justify £20 a month on a student budget. However as I said if you've got the cash to blow it would be a lovely treat for yourself and even if you don't fancy something in the box it could easily be used as a gift. Also worth remembering is that for each box bought, Deluxebite funds a meal for a family living in poverty in the UK.
Deluxebite is a really interesting company. A monthly subscription of £20 gets you a box of luxury food items sent to you once a month. While £20 seems like a lot, all the products are full sized and very decadent so if you've got the cash and love experiencing new foods it would certainly be a good deal.
This particular box featured the following:
Raman's Handmade Butternut Squash Relish
Great Glen Game Venison Chorizo
Coffee Factory Black Label Coffee
Nim's Kiwi and Apple Fruit Crisps
Bracken Hille Fine Foods' Sugar Free Chutney
The reason this review has taken me a while is because I actually don't like chutney and I don't drink coffee but i know someone who does: My fabulous mummy. So I gave her those, along with the butternut squash, as part of her Mother's Day present. She absolutely loved all three items and actually the coffee's already gone and the chutney's well on it's way out and she's thinking of buying more!
As for the items I tried: The fruit crisps were delicious. I had them one day as a mid morning snack and they made a nice change from my usual cereal bars or dried cranberries. The venison chorizo was a little more complicated to figure out what to do with but I eventually sliced it up and threw it, with some chicken and sliced peppers into a tomato pasta dish. It was a bit strange but I actually really enjoyed it, very smoky and gamey.
I don't think I would subscribe simply because I can't justify £20 a month on a student budget. However as I said if you've got the cash to blow it would be a lovely treat for yourself and even if you don't fancy something in the box it could easily be used as a gift. Also worth remembering is that for each box bought, Deluxebite funds a meal for a family living in poverty in the UK.
This post features products sent to me for review purposes. All opinions are my own.
This summer I've promised myself I'm going to scale back on the makeup I use. Rather than have thirty different eyeshadows, I want to invest in just a few good quality colours. This Dior palette (5) really caught my eye. Also rather than piling on the foundation and concealer I want to pare down the coverage and using a correcting primer (4) with a good BB cream (2) I can get a naturally flawless look without caking on products.
I really don't suit a tan... at all, but I do like to warm up my complexion so I like soft peachy cream blushes (6) to give my skin a dewy warmth rather than a plastered-on-terracotta look and it looks wonderful paired with an illuminating cream (3) to add soft dimension. I like to pair a flick of jet black liner (1) with full fluttery lashes (8) to give definition to my neutral eyes and to top it all off with a simple pink lip (7), I prefer to keep the lips a soft matte, as with dewy skin and shimmery shadows a glossy lip would make me look just the wrong side of shiny.
Thankyou for reading. What are your favourite Spring/Summer beauty items? Do you change your makeup for the warmer weather?
*Just a note, all these items can be found on feelunique.com but I wasn't sponsored to do this post or anything, I just happened to be browsing and bookmarking things I liked when this idea for a post came to me :)
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Vera Wang Princess . Miss Dior Cherie . Marc Jacob's Daisy . Thierry Muglier Alien (sunessence) . Marc Jacobs Rain .
The weather's finally warming up! So in light of the lovely weather I thought I'd share some of my favourite summer scents. I don't necessarily not wear these in the winter, but I find that the warmer weather really brings these perfumes into their own.
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These are the more 'well known' typical perfumes. Vera Wang, Princess is a gorgeous delicate floral with the tiniest hint of vanilla and musk that can be a bit dull but, in for a quick spritz in the daytime spring is lovely and feminine and flirty. Marc Jacob's Daisy is another floral but with a little more body. For something named after a flower it's actually more of a fruity scent but is fresh and happy and I love wearing it. Miss Dior Cherie is more gourmand. It's a hot sweet starchy-ness, reminiscent of burnt sugar and strawberry and perfect accompaniment to floaty dresses and pretty florals.
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These are the slightly less well-known fragrances and are actually the two that I like the most. Thierry Muglier's Alien (Sunessence Light) is one of the limited edition Alien variation and it's an amazing light, green, fresh scent with hints of lemon and amber. This is one of those fragrances that get "ooh what are you wearing?" when I get close to people. Marc Jacob's Rain isn't exactly feminine, in fact it smells like someone put a man's cologne in a dress. It's an 'aquatic', smelling very fresh, like wet flowers and gets progressively muskier as you wear it. It's a great fragrance to wear when you want something classier than your average spritzes of sugar.
Thankyou for reading! Let me know what your favourite summer fragrances are.
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I made yumminess! I'd had red velvet cake before and absolutely loved it so I thought I'd try my hand at making my own! I used this recipe, it's supposed to be for a full sized cake but the recipe works fine separated into muffin cases and cooked for the same amount of time. I got twelve pretty big cupcakes!
They're really tasty, the sponge is light and full of flavour and the frosting is rich and creamy. I added some Sainsbury's bought sprinkles. (I can get my head round a cake but making my own sprinkles is a bit much.)
They can last about a week kept in a cool dry place, but honestly with me and my family they didn't last past three days!
Let me know if you try this! Also if you have any favourite cake recipes I'd love to know!
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Where the hell did the first quarter of the year go? Can't believe it's April... partly because it's only just stopped snowing here in blighty. This little scribble was done during the many hours of hardcore procrastination while I put off doing my assignments due at the end of my Easter break. I technically still have three weeks to get them done but there are three essays and a big-ass pile of revision as well so I need to get cracking!
Goals For April:
01. Complete #doodleadayapril on instagram (follow me @Bella_bun if you like!)
02. Eat clean 3/7 days a week
03. Make more complicated friendship bracelets
04. Revise for a minimum of 7 hours a week
At least it looks like it's getting sunnier. I don't want to get my hopes up too high but I think warmer climes may be just around the corner! Excited!
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I know I know, I should still be looking at parkas and jumpers but I just can't help myself!
I'm not quite as frilly, girly, pastel - obsessed it would seem this summer. I'm drawn towards things that are, yes feminine, but in a more subtle, grown up way. God help me I might actually be growing up.
The pieces here are quite interchangeable and it all works quite nicely in a 'capsule wardrobe' sort of way. The accessories and shoes go nicely with both the dress and top-and-skirt. I also think the pop of bright lip would tie each look together beautifully, and the hat would just add that effortlessly chic touch. DO you have any thoughts on what you'll be wearing once it warms up a bit?
An open letter to summer 2013:
Dear summer, hi,
HURRY THE HELL UP PLEASE!
Yours, Bella.
Dear summer, hi,
HURRY THE HELL UP PLEASE!
Yours, Bella.
If you're in the UK then you've probably experienced at least a little snow in the last week. It's getting on my nerves. It's definitely March isn't? I haven't had some sort of horrific memory lapse and now we're in winter again have I? Despite the depressing weather I haven't let it get me down and I'm still slowly stocking up for an amazing summer to come. I've decided I want to at least have a go at self tanning this year as opposed to staying my usual paley-pale self all year round, I'm starting gently though, minimizing the risk of cheesy wotsit legs.
These sunglasses are by John Galliano. I found them in TK MAXX for about £45 which I thought was pricey but really liked them, then a quick google search later I find out these babies are worth over £500! Not bad if I do say so myself! #bargainhunter.
I'm also using the summer as an excuse to add to my nail polish collection. I've bought Coral by Barry M and Lucky Lucky Lavender by OPI. Both gorgeous shades, though as it's reverted back to winter a little bit I may need to buy more AW polishes! What a shame right?
Are you still in the mood for summer? What have you been buying recently?
These sunglasses are by John Galliano. I found them in TK MAXX for about £45 which I thought was pricey but really liked them, then a quick google search later I find out these babies are worth over £500! Not bad if I do say so myself! #bargainhunter.
I'm also using the summer as an excuse to add to my nail polish collection. I've bought Coral by Barry M and Lucky Lucky Lavender by OPI. Both gorgeous shades, though as it's reverted back to winter a little bit I may need to buy more AW polishes! What a shame right?
Are you still in the mood for summer? What have you been buying recently?
Hi team! It's definitely been a while hasn't it.... yeah... sorry about that. But Easter break is here and, while I do have a crap-tonne of revision and essays to get done, I'm really looking forward to posting on here again. I've got a few posts planned with subjects like SS13 makeup, pampering skincare, tasty baking and a few personal-type-posty-things, so if you're interested definitely keep an eye out.
I go back to Uni on the 22nd of April and then exam season starts so I can't promise much will happen in the way of posting there, however after that I have three lovely free months before second year starts and I'll definitely get myself back into the blogging scene then. For now I'm really grateful to those of you who have stuck around and hope this next month I can get some good stuff on here for you.
Meanwhile have some pictures! >>>>
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