Sunday Summary #53

Eeee January is nearly over. I have quite a few birthdays in February and after Christmas I can't think of any great presents. The easiest one seems to be for a three year old! I'm sure it will all come together in time. The shops just seem so full of sale rubbish, same old stock or nothing special enough. I've been stressing also as I placed an order with HMV (a rather big one I might add) that they emailed me saying it had been dispatched the day before they went into administration. They can debit your account once they've sent it out, except none of the items have turned up. Now I'm panicking incase they have taken my money but I don't have any items. If it was £10 I wouldn't mind so much but its much more than that. The website is shut down, their email no longer works and I can't ask in-store as it isn't anything to do with the staff there and besides I'm sure they're having a bad enough time as it is. I would go into my bank to ask for an early statement but when I did that in November they weren't overly helpful. So I'm waiting for my statement to be posted and going from there. My Mum had an order with HMV also that they emailed a dispatch email but she hasn't received anything either. I'm hoping its an auto thing and we haven't paid. If this has happened to you too let me know!
Me and my boyfriend went with our friends to see Gangster Squad on Tuesday. My boyfriend treated me beforehand to my favourite Chinese restaurant and then to popcorn and an ice blast at the cinema. Gangster Squad is an epic film, I was so excited to see it and it certainly didn't disappoint. Ryan Gosling is an absolute babe, what a beautiful man. He is so good in it and Emma Stone is really impressive too. She really suits the 1950's era. It is quite gruesome in places but they are gangsters after all but the comedy one liners lighten it. I bought Lawless on DVD this week as HMV haven't had any stock. I also tracked down a Les Misérables soundtrack as it had sold out online! I've felt so tired this week and falling asleep at every opportunity. I'm hoping its just a phase or I'm run down as its not fun having no motivation to do anything. My boyfriend was away this weekend and I ended up sleeping for 14 hours last night! My boyfriend is a very early riser for work during the week so doesn't sleep in too late plus why waste your day together sleeping. Although we have the occasional bed day :) I'm so happy it rained as its washed away all the horrible ice on the pavements. It was weird looking out the window to a green garden again as its been white for over a week now.
I really got into watching Celebrity Big Brother this year as Heidi and Spencer of The Hills fame were on it. It doesn't seem they've changed as I had wondered if they played up to create drama. However they still isolated themselves and did horrible things on CBB. My heart was in my mouth when it came down to those two and Rylan. So pleased Rylan won, he was genuine and really likeable.
I'm desperate to get my hands on the Rimmel Apocalips after swatching them on Friday but the two Boots in my town didn't have the stock to make the most of the 3 for 2, sigh. Honestly the main Boots is terrible at stocking their make-up counters. I often end up waiting weeks for items. I know if I overlook the offer they'll stock back up and I'll wish I waited and got more products for my money.

Aussie Frizz Miracle conditioner £2 Boots clearance, Nivea Smooth Nourishing hand cream £2.25 (on promotion) 

I've decided to try Aussie as I have seen people raving about it for years yet somehow never thought to actually buy it! It seemed too good a chance to miss grabbing a reduced bottle to see how I like it. I bought this Nivea cream in a travel size and love it. I was so happy to buy the full size bottle on offer, I love saving money haha. 

 Bird house with detachable roof £1.25 (sale) Evolution 

I'm not sure what I will use this for, maybe even fill it with gifts for a birthday present, but I love the florals and for the ridiculous price tag I couldn't walk away.

Daisy felt box £1 Evolution

Another steal! I love daisies and couldn't resist this little box. I'm not sure what I might keep in it but I'm certain I'll find something, I originally thought lipsticks as my lipstick drawer is getting a little full....

Anchor oversized scarf £4 Primark 

Now I haven't spent in Primark this week but my Mum did. I LOVE anchors which you probably know so I'm so excited when the spring comes to wear this :)

Free with O2 Priority Moments 

I cannot believe this was free! What a bargain, quite the penny saver this week hey. Its from 2012 so very recent. I haven't used Davina workout DVDs because the 3DS is the holy grail in my opinion. I'll give this a whirl as Davina has a cracking body. 

Claire's Accessories Bird hairband £5

I went in with intention of birthday present finding/buying and ended up with some goodies for me. I did buy A birthday present might I add. I've been wearing bows in my hair this week and my boyfriend really liked it. I always used to have bows in my hair of some variety but last year felt I should stop. Plus washing my hair much less meant most days my hair was up, and I struggle to keep hairbands right if my hair is up as they just fall back. 

Claire's Accessories navy polka dot hairband £3 

 I couldn't say no to this one. I love nautical themes and navy is one of my favourite colours. Claire's are typically the best for hairbands because they always have such a huge variety but New Look can be good on occasion too.

Claire's Accessories Sideways silver cross £3

I bought the gold one ages ago and when I saw the silver I thought, well for the days I'm wearing silver...I don't wear my gold one too often as I work with some very religious people and I don't want to offend as one is a Catholic. £3 is a steal though remembering the prices when they first became popular and the reason I could never part with such expense. 

 Claire's Accessories multi-chain ombre pink beaded necklace £7
I don't know what it is about long necklaces, I love them. This is quite different to anything long I have, most are pendants or a single chain. They are great in the summer when you have a plain blouse on. I rarely wear these in the winter because I'm bundled up and they get trapped under the layers and pull on my neck, plus I don't want to break one.

Les Misérables soundtrack £9.99 WHSmith and Lawless DVD £10 Asda

Disney Marie iphone case ebay 

My Mum got me this so I don't the seller or price, but leave a comment if you want the link 

Pamela Mann love seam tights £7.99 Amazon

I saw these on a girl on Saturday night and NEEDED them. A few days later they arrived. I haven't worn them yet but I can't wait for some warmer weather to. I'm certain Primark sold these types of tights last year and like a fool I didn't purchase them, and now wish I had!  

Avon Daily Shine Shine Supreme range 

I had a thought today that despite being an Avon Trendsetter and getting my hands on new products before anyone else I never post about them! This is the latest Advance Techniques launch and I'm really excited to see if they make my hair shiny. AT products have the same amazing smell and are really nice to use so I'm sure these won't disappoint. 

Avon SuperShock gel eyeliners in Frost and Aqua Pop 

These gel eyeliners are incredible. Since they launched I have used nothing else and swear by them. They're so creamy, smooth and long lasting. I was so excited for these new colours as previously they've done grey and a deep purple. 

Frost is a very champagne "highlight" colour while Aqua Pop is a kingfisher blue. They dried instantly on my hand and have stuck fast despite me scrubbing at them in the shower. Frost is ideal for me as I think white would be too harsh on my waterline although I've wanted to try it so this softer pearly will be a nice alternative. I know the blue will be amazing as I used to wear the No7s teal and blue eyeliners on my waterline but they didn't last through my work day so I stopped even though they looked amazing. 

I haven't really got any plans for this week, just work. Feeling so tired I don't much fancy going out after work. We'll see how it goes, hoping me and the boyfriend can do something near the end of the week maybe if I'm not still feeling so drained. If the weather wasn't so cold I'd be off to the beach for some fresh air. Such an old lady :)
Hope you've all had good weeks

Utopia Sparkles

This post has been a long time coming as I discovered the beauty of Models Own Utopia last October. I'd seen it pop up on blogs being raved about but to me it always looked such a "blah" colour. Nothing special, exciting, eye-catching or compliment worthy. When Models Own asked for 100,000 likes on Facebook to launch their annual half price sale I was dying to add some more to my collection. Utopia found itself in my basket, for £2.50 it seemed worth the risk and I wanted a neutral colour to go beneath glitter. 

I was absolutely astonished when I got round to applying this as a base for glitter. I was going to my boyfriend's nephew's Christening and wanted something neutral but pretty, see this post.

I wore Utopia for the Saturday until I had a chance that evening to apply the Northern Lights. I kept looking at Utopia, wondering why the hell I'd passed this colour so many times before. 

 Models Own Utopia £5 

Excuse the just done slightly messy look, but Utopia is in fact not a dull nude as I originally first thought but a beautiful milky, pinky white with very subtle lilac tones. It's crazy how much I love this as I am not a nude girl AT ALL! I think the pink tones of this have swayed me. I wore this for a few days, continually looking at it like a lovestruck teenager haha.

Models Own then posted a picture to their Facebook of the beautiful Northern Lights and I just had to wear it too. As Utopia was a few days old by now I only did my thumb and ring finger, it wasn't worth the effort of removing it for only a couple of days wear. I really wish glitter was slightly easier to remove. Northern Lights came off nicely as Utopia was two coats thick, and Northern Lights was a single coat with no top coat. Its my favourite way to wear glitter for ease of removal but sometimes one coat just isn't enough! 

I guess Utopia always got overlooked as all the other brighter colours called to me. Have I changed your mind?

I saw a picture of the new Barry M Gelly polishes today, I simply cannot wait to get my hands on them! Four beautiful spring shades which are released 13th February (online) and 20th February (in store). I've just re-applied Pomegranate :)

Next

I've recently taken the plunge back into Barry M nail polishes and found myself loving the Gelly Hi-Shine range. They passed me by when they were first released even though I saw rave reviews about them. I really wanted a juicy, shiny raspberry pinky red and the Barry M in number 9 Pomegranate was calling my name. They got it spot on with the range name as it really does what it says leaving a super glossy finish. The lasting power isn't too bad either. I really love this shade so much and the fact it could be deemed a winter and a summer shade. Such a beautiful colour.  

Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine nail paint in 9 Pomegranate £3.99

Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine nail paint in 6 Prickly Pear £3.99

Unfortunately I was ill when I wore this polish and my nails got chipped before I even thought about taking a picture. So for now it's modelled by the nail wheel ha, which according to my boyfriend is cheating. I actually bought them for a post I'm working on but they came in handy for this situation. I know I'll wear this colour again soon as it's such a pretty lilac shade, a true pastel. Its very easy to wear and will look great under a glitter coat. 

I like the look of Blueberry so expect to add more to my collection at some point. I really should start wearing the polishes in my boxes rather than buying new ones...

What's your favourite nail polish right now?

ps. title post inspired by the weeknd's track on the trilogy album of the same name. seriously can't stop listening to it!

Sunday Summary #52

52 weeks of these! A whole year, wow wee! This week has been crazy with the UK being snowed under. I've loved having a white blanket and even though the temperature has plummeted I've been wearing six layers inside, adding my Superdry coat, hat, gloves and snood for outside. I've been toasty with just a cold face haha. Luckily transport wise its been ok getting around, the roads could have been better but could have been worse. Its been snowing all day today so it isn't going away anytime soon. 

I made a little trip back to Primark this week to get a refund on some of the items I showed you last week. I hate the way all shops size their clothes differently and Primark are truly awful. I always have to look at the design and material to work out the size I might need. As I haven't shopped there for a while I'd forgotten how to size myself, my favourite item the blue bird shirt didn't fit my bust, wah. I did look at it buttoned up to under my bust but it looked hilarious. Praying I find a bigger size as they're currently sold out of it. I kept popping into Boots this week for cold relief and throat soothers for my boyfriend and nasal sticks, make up and eye drops for me and resisting the Rimmel Kate Moss matte lipstick in 107 even though I want it so badly. Since seeing it pop up on Instagram I want it even more and think I should just be brave and go for it - I can wear red so surely I can wear this deeper purple red?! 

Last night me and my boyfriend finally had our long awaited first second date (the same as our first, but second time round to celebrate reaching a year) and we had an amazing meal before cinema. We went to Frankie & Benny's and I picked dough sticks for my starter - INCREDIBLE! Who knew such pleasure. My main was ruined by the overuse of salt, I hate salty food and I just couldn't eat it :( I went for the cajun chicken melt wrap and had such high hopes too. We skipped dessert and headed to the cinema. It was so cold even though I was bundled up that as much as I wanted an ice blast I didn't get one but also as we were seeing Les Miserables I didn't want to need a wee as I refuse to leave during a film. We got a bottle of water because my mouth felt horrible from the salt and we didn't have any gum. The film was amazing, I wasn't sure what to expect having seen it in the theatre but it is so well done. An amazing cast, playing their characters spot on. I loved the little Cosette, so cute but outstanding in her role. I can't believe Russell Crowe can sing, or Hugh Jackman or Anne Hathaway! A must see especially for Les Mis fans. I want to go and see it all over again. Should be seeing Gangster Squad on Tuesday which I'm excited for as I love Ryan Gosling and I think Emma Stone is really doing well for herself. 

I've had the worst period pain this week. It started on Thursday and honestly I can't remember it being so bad recently. I've always suffered and tried every medication including IBS tablets (to relax stomach muscles, suggested by a doctor, they did ok) Nurofen Plus has been doing the job for the past year or so. I don't remember much pain from my first pill prescription. I had to change following a health scare and my current pill has been ok but I've still needed a high dosage of painkillers. This time was so bad I couldn't sleep and have ended up with a badly burnt stomach from so many hot water bottles and a burnt arm, where I fell asleep clutching the bottle to me one night. My boyfriend has told me not to have such hot water in the bottle but nothing else helps. If anyone has any tips or ideas I'd appreciate them :) I've also tried raspberry leaf (natural remedy). 

This weeks buys:

Hello Kitty Liberty Of London shopper bag £12.99 (£6.49 at WHSmith, not online I just looked so only in store)

It has lots of London landmarks on it and Hello Kitty and her friends dotted around :)

Variety Club Monsters Inc pin, I got mine in Cineworld 

 Schwartzkopf Osis Dust It Texture £8.95 cheapsmells.com

Dorothy Perkins cat hat £8 - I live in these in the winter and not bought one this year!

Dorothy Perkins Pearly bead collar £7.50

Dorothy Perkins Peace bracelet £2

Dorothy Perkins Reindeer earrings £2

 Boots VO5 Give Me Texture spray £3.49

 Primark nail wraps £1

Primark Anchor pumps £6 - I wanted these SO bad, my Mum got me a pair the same day I did so I have two :) which saved me going back for a second pair haha

Primark lace and stud collar £7

 Primark hoody £8 - I changed the grey one for this and sized down

Primark polka dot and bow vest £8 - love the bows on the shoulder

Primark cotton polka dot skater dress £5 - bargain or what! This looks so cute on and will be perfect for a more casual occasion when I still want a dress

Ted Baker shopper £22 ASOS - This should be £29 but is set at £22 on ASOS. I love this little puppy print and I couldn't resist it. I love the little details on this bag such as the city names down one side of the bag and "no ordinary designer bag" down the other side. The puppy is on the back like the make up bag. I love little shopper bags as you can tell! I rarely take plastic bags and if I do its because I've gone shopping by surprise or mine are all full. I wish we had the law like Wales to pay for plastic bags as I bet we'd cut usage so much

Minnie Mouse shopper 99p Card Factory - another bargain!! This bag is quite strong and sturdy for the money (that light plastic with a foamy backing) its slightly bigger than A4 size. I used it to carry a days worth of clothes about the other day and they only filled it about two thirds with a bottle of drink and at one point had my bulky snood and hat in too. I look bag obsessed also in this post!

Models Own ASOS Exclusive Models Own in Party Pieces £5 - I found this by accident and am so pleased with it. Its full of rainbow coloured glitter pieces which I expect will look amazing on. Reminds me of OPI's Rainbow Connection, for a much lower price. 

ASOS collar tips £4 (sale) - I love collar tips and wish more tops came with them. I found these in the ASOS sale and they are so beautiful. They have pink, blue and clear crystals so will go with almost any top I attach them to. They had ones with different coloured stones too. 

Primark heart fleece blanket £3 - another bargain. Mum got me this. I already have about ten blankets but they are so useful as I get cold so I've always got one in the bed with me, on the bed over the duvet while I sleep, my boyfriend often sleeps with one, and we put one on the end of the bed frame because its metal and its cold on my boyfriends feet and for when we're watching DVDs in the lounge.

And some snow pictures -

So that's my white week. Hope you've stayed safe in the snow and its not affected your day to day routines too much.
Hope you've all had good weeks