Avon Haul Brochure 5

Here's my latest order. First up is something far from beauty related:

Tea towel set (2) :D very bright cutlery covered tea towels... that will look stinking cute in our new kitchen.... in our new home.... if we EVER make it!!!!! Patience, patience, patience.... more like long-suffering. They are going to be our 'display' tea towels for drying hands only :D is that weird? I don't care :D May be getting some coasters in the next order too.... showy ones :D to look pretty...

 



Brow and Lash Comb- just one of those things you need.... especially for £2.50. So far I love it! The brush is sturdy enough to really put those brow hairs in their place. And the other end is useful for the unruly lashes that don't always cooperate with the awesome mascara :D nice and sleek and black too...

Color Trend Wild Things Eye Pencil in Lioness- a gorgeous bronzey brown. Is initially very creamy in texture and blends out and applies like a dream.... but without a primer it creases almost within minutes and fades a lot as the day goes on, which is a shame as it's just so darn beautiful! I'm such a sucker! With a eye primer it does last longer in terms of not fading, but still get a bit of creasing. I just love how easy it is to use though... lazy bones. May be better used as just a liner.... I can hope!

BBxx

Simple Eye Make-Up Remover Comparison

Although my B. Micellar Water is good at removing eye make-up I do feel like I have to do more rubbing than I'd like to remove my eye make-up. So I decided to look into specific eye make-up removers. Simple is renowned for being kind to sensitive skin, and that is especially important when you're dealing with eyes (more so when you are a contact lense wearer). These two products had very high reviews online so I decided to give them both a go, as they are very different options. Plus Simple was on 3 for 2 in Boots (always a deal going on), so I got these along with their toner. Let's see how they diddly doo:

Simple Kind To Eyes Eye Make-Up Remover Pads

• Retails at £3.99
• 30 pads, so will last let's say a month.....
• Claims "Our pads won't sting or irritate your delicate eyes" and they don't.
• Simple (hehehe) to use- probably really useful for travelling etc. as everything you need is there in the pack
• Good size pads- one enough for both eyes when not wearing too much. Probably need one per eye if you've got a full on looks going on (bow chicka wow wow ;)
• Claims to remove even waterproof mascara, but does just as well as my micellar water which is a little disappointing.
• Does require a bit of rubbing and eyes are left feeling kinda bare, in a 'I need nourishing' kinda way.

Simple Kind To Eyes Nourishing Eye Make-up Remove Cream

• Retails at £3.75, so cheaper, but then you need to use (so purchase) cotton pads to use with this one.
• 100ml of cream (a nice white creamy cream... non-edible...) which I think will last AGES! Also really good size bottle that sits upside down so all the cream runs to the bottle ready for you! No need for that annoying shaking.
• Can easily squeeze out the amount you need, which isn't very much.
• Claims to 'effectively remove even waterproof mascara and moisturise your delicate eye area' and it does! It's way better at removing waterproof mascara than the pads and anything I've used before- even manages to get rid of the immovable Benefit They're Real!! Not had panda eyes the following morning after using this.
• Leaves your eyes feeling moist and cared for- not rubbed or sore- I think that's my most favourite thing about it.
• Does feel gloopish at start when you first put it on your eye, but then it just sucks everything off your lid :D

The cream definitely wins for me :D

High End vs. Drugstore: Eyeshadow Primers

Comparison time! Having been the sole user of Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Original, I took it upon myself to find a cheaper drugstore alternative, with the hopes of it being as floopin' awesome! Here are my findings.... (nerdy glasses on ;)

The alternative I decided to purchase was Soap and Glory It's About Prime in the shade Bright Light. There is also a darker shade suitable for darker skin tones or if you want to have a smokier base. My expectations were high as there has been a lot of hype about various Soap and Glory products, and initially the packaging, name and price had me excited (retails at £8, though there is nearly always a deal going on with S&G products at Boots like 3 for 2). But... then I discovered that although the full size UD primer is £16 (double!!!), their travel size which I reckon by eye contains a similar amount to that of S&G is also £8!!! Further info... the travel size contains 6ml of product, the full size 11ml.... so you get more for your money by buying the smaller product!!! A whole new but likeable concept, especially as I don't see the need to by the big product as it will probably go bad by the time you use it all up!!! DEAL!!!

As you can see from the swatch UD is matter and blends in perfectly, matching my skin tone, and works well under any shadow. S&G is much lighter, the brightening part of it really clear to me! Fine if you're wanting a shimmery eye, but not so great when you want a more matte eye, or something more subtle. It is also much wetter in texture, and you have to wait 30 seconds for it to set. To be honest it's pretty scary when you first put it on, but is workable in the end.
UD is pretty much ready to rock and roll straight away which is good if you're impatient or in a rush (like me!). UD is creamier and much less messy- you can't really go wrong. It is also available in other shades (which I have samples of to try in the future!!!) and one which is also anti-aging. This is the trial size and has lasted forever.  I much prefer being able to apply it straight with my finger with the UD than with the applicator in S&G's as I feel you can control the amount you use and the application better. Also think it's more hygienic in a way, plus the squishy tube assures me I'm gonna make use of every drop (and a teeny drop is literally all you need per eye). This tube has literally lasted forever, and I'm pretty sure I'll end up frustrated with the S&G and just throw it across the room in annoyance of trying to get all the dregs- don't worry I only do it with make-up, not humans :D

Let's get to the real nitty gritty though especially as it works out they retail at basically the same price- which makes your eyeshadow last the longest with the least creasing?
We have an easy winner!!! Without a doubt Urban Decay is flawless! Holds my shadow ALL DAY! Whether I'm wearing very little on the eye, or layer upon layer, it does not crease and stays vibrant in colour. Soap & Glory starts promising, but when I come to take off my make up (even if I've only had it on half a day) there is a definite crease in the crease. It's not hugely noticeable, but still frustrating. If you go to the trouble of using an eye primer you want it to do a darn good job. At the minute Urban Decay's the one for me! I can literally find no fault in it especially as it's not got the usual high end price. But if you know a good drugstore alternative tell me... tell me!!! I've heard L'Oreal do a good one but nowhere in the UK seems to stock it... if it even exists... maybe I've been fooled!
Anyways...

High End WINS!!!!
BBxx

Natural Collection Make-Up Review

A few weeks back now I was on the hunt for a good loose powder. The Accessorize powder I had been using was cakey and drying on the skin, and I had heard how loose powder was always the better option. So I searched reviews on Boots and Superdrug and that's when I came across the awesome 3 for £5 deal at Boots on Natural Collection. And their loose powder (as well as many of their products) had high starring reviews.... so I caved! Thought it would be well worth doing a review on the 3 products I managed to decide on (can't guarantee I won't be purchasing more:) as I didn't have particularly high expectations of the products given they were so cheap! Here are my findings.... (GCSE Science would be proud, just need an 'equipment used' list, though I guess the products themselves count as that!).

Let's start with the main culprit of this little spend- Loose Powder in Cool Translucent. The packaging (as can be said for all 3) is on the cheap, plasticky side of things, but for the lone price of £1.99 I didn't expect anything more. I guess it's kinda sleek and simple in a way though. As a loose powder it's not exactly ideal for application on the go- but when do I do that??? Uh... never.. face wise anyway... so that doesn't bother me. I just use it to set my concealer and foundation just so things feel less slippyish... and to get rid of a bit of shine. And it does that for me :D and it doesn't cake! Wahoo!!! I'm sure there are better powders out there, but for the price I definitely think not. It also comes in tones from warm to neutral to cool which is pretty handy :D just a good staple powder. No fuss, but nothing too special!

 

LashCurl Mascara in Brown/Black. This had lots of good reviews online- like most of their mascaras. I chose this one because my lashes aren't particularly curly and I just wanted to test it! At first I thought it was naff as it seemed really wet and just a paint for the lashes than actually doing anything. The brush ain't too pretty neither me loves. But then I gave it another go. See for yourselves:

Now I'm very impressed with it! Adds length, but really love how much it curls them! Really opens up my eyes. The hold lasts all day too, and I've not had any smudging and the like. Only real downfall is it's initial wetness and a bit of clumping, but nothing different from other much more expensive mascaras. Think it's going to replace my Avon one for everyday use, as it is also good when I'm wearing specs, as curl is better than length, otherwise your lashes catch the lenses- all you fellow specs wearers I salute you and myself in our eye make up successes and fails. It's the definition of a bargain find!!!

Blushed Cheeks in Pink Cloud. This had the most positive reviews of all their products... I think anyway.... don't quote me on that! It's a good size blush pot, and the powder is surprisingly pigmented and somewhat creamy in texture... whilst still being a powder... clever, I know :D It's the perfect baby pinky colour, and I love it- even more so because it isn't shimmery like lots of blushers. The pay off on the cheeks is impressive too, and lasts. With many of my other blushers, including my new Sleek Pink Lemonade trio, I underestimate how much I need to work my brush into the product- but this I don't. I literally cannot believe how good it is for the price.... and all the shades are kinda simple day wear. Seriously you need to try them. Think this is my favourite of the three simply because there's no faults with it at all.

For sure go check out their stuff in Boots! You'll be pleasantly surprised as was I. Some of their eyeshadows- especially their matte neutral colours- are gorgeous. But I must contain my inner spender, so go.... go my young ones.... go spend on my behalf.... and totally hold me accountable :D

Love, love, love...
BBxx

Sally's Valentine's OOTD

Okay.... I was gonna do an outfit of the day for me for this loving day... but then I thought NAH! Let's whip out the cute baby :D plus her clothes are waaaay cooler :D
Here's my love:

Top: Tesco- it says "Daddy's Gorgeous Girl"
Trousers: Primark red rose detail cords
Socks: Tesco- they have a heart on them with 'Love' written inside :D
Shoes: Clarks....Pink with grey and pink flower detail... her second ever pair! And she has super skinny feet so we only had two choices, these were the winner :D
Love her soooooo much!!!
Happy Valentine's from us to you!
And no, I don't want you to know what I'm doing for Valentine's, as much as I don't want to know what you're doing... or not doing... hush up :D hehe ;)
Love yous!!!!!!!!
BBxx

Valentine's Day Naked 3 Make-Up Look

Thought I'd try something a little different today- so bear with (anyone watch Miranda ;) as pictures etc. may be a bit naff. I promise to improve :D
Just a nice pinky/neutral eye look perfect for during the day but with a change of lip can be suitable for a night time date (lucky you ;) ;)
Here goes!!!!

Base

Primed my face with my Nivea Express Hydration Primer (click here for review). Mixed a small pump each of Yves Saint Laurent Le Teint Touche Éclat Foundation in 01- BR10 (the lightest shade) and Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation in 100- Ivory (also the lightest shade) on the back of my hand. A mix of the two matches my skin perfectly and creates a good coverage without being drying. Using my Real Techniques Expert Face Brush I blended it in from the centre of my face (where I need most coverage) outwards. A long lasting base :) FYI: I got the YSL one in the closing down sale of our local Co-Op department store last year for a fiver!!!!! Bargain of the decade!!!         

 

Brows

 

 

Just lightly went over my brows to just fill and neaten them. I will warn you, they are a bit pow in your face :D hehe.... but I blame that on the MUA Luxe Power Brow pencil in mid brown. Think that despite my mid brown hair I may actually be better suited to fair.... or maybe just stick with powder. Though it could just be I'm used to less defined brows! Ho hey see what you think later. I then went over them with my GOSH Defining Brow Gel to just hold the hairs in place (was in my 2013 favourites!). 

 

 

Eyes

 

Began by priming my eyes with Urban Decay Primer Potion (Original) as you don't want your eyeshadow creasing or moving on a special occasion do you :) 

This is where my photo skills are dodge....  Limit, Buzz and Factory are all a bit darker than you see here....

Used the Urban Decay Naked 3 palette for all of the eye :D It's rose hued shades are PERFECT for a Valentine's look! But any pinky shadows will do! Click the link to see a more accurate picture of the shades I used. Descriptions of each shadow are taken from the link :) that way you know it's accurate :D

To highlight the brow bone I took Strange "a pale neutral pink matte-satin", using the fluff side of my Benefit mini brush. 

Then Buzz, "a metallic rose shimmer with silver micro-glitter" all over the lid (just up to the crease) using the crease side of the Urban Decay brush that comes with the palette.

With the other end of the UD brush I took Dust, " a pale metallic pink shimmer with iridescent micro-glitter" through the inner quarter (if that) of the eye, and in the inner corner just to brighten that area.

Then Factory, "a pinky-brown satin", on the Real Techniques Shading Brush on the outer third of the lid and crease- smokes it out a bit.

I then blended it out a bit using a clean brush, the Real Techniques Duo-Fibre Eye Brush, before taking Limit, "a light dusty rose matte", through the whole crease using the Real Techniques Base Shadow Brush to bring everything together, blending a bit more too.

Using the other end of my Benefit mini brush (talent brush) I took Blackheart, " a smoky black matte with rosy red micro-sparkle" and lined my lash all along the top, smoking it out a bit at the outer edge. Also took it about half-way across my bottom lashes.

Then lined my upper and corner waterline using Avon Supershock Gel Eyeliner in Blackberry, and my bottom waterline with the Benefit Eye Bright Pencil (got it free donkies ago with a magazine!).

Then curled my lashes with my new and first pair of curlers from QVS (cost just 99p!!!), and popped on the new Maybelline Big Eyes Waterproof Mascara, which has two brushes, one for top lashes and one diddy one for bottom which I love!

Here's a close up of the result.

Face

Concealer time with my Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer (everyone loves this stuff) in shades 1 Fair and 2 Light. Use the light under the eye to cover and brighten and just round the nose if there's any redness using the Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush (perfect size brush for under the eye). Then a mix of the two to cover any blemishes and leftover redness, which was actually very little thanks to the awesome foundation combo. Just use my foundation brush to blend it all in nicely :D

A quick dusting of Natural Collection Loose Powder in Cool Translucent using Real Techniques Duo-Fibre Face Brush- as I have dry skin I use very little and this brush is perfect for not picking up too much. Use it mainly round the T-Zone to dispel shine, and a bit under the eye to set the concealer.

Using the Real Techniques Blush Brush I took my bronzer the Bourjois Delice de Poudre Bronzing Powder under the cheekbone, across the temples and along the jawline to add a bit of colour and contour- nothing to heavy though.

Highlighted the tops of my cheekbones in a C-shape sweep up to the brow bone using the Real Techniques Duo-Fibre Contour Brush and the MUA Undress Your Skin Highlighting Powder.

Using the Blush Brush again I took Icing Sugar (shimmery baby pink) from the Sleek Pink Lemonade Blush By 3 and worked it at the apples of the cheeks along the cheekbone. 

Then a quick blend with the foundation brush to blur any harsh lines.

 

Lips

Two options for the lips. One for day and one for night :D

Day- Maybelline Baby Lips Lip Balm in Pink Punch. This is so nourishing and gives the perfect wash of pink over your lips- plus it smells delish! Easy to reapply on the go too, as you don't need to worry about having a mirror to do it.

Night- MUA Lipstick Shade 2. This is a gorgeous dark berry pink colour with a nice kinda shimmer. I feel like you can get a bit hit and miss with MUA lipsticks but this one's a definite hit as it's so creamy and easy to apply, and leaves a nice stain. Any deep pink will work well for night with this look.

 

And a spritz of Katy Perry's Killer Queen and.... Ta-da!

Somehow managed to make an identical expression in the second and third! Don't ask me how- do need to practice my selfies a bit more though me thinks as my heads gone a funny shape! And sort out that fringe.

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this post in some shape or form.

Happy Valentine's!

Now go stuff your face with choccies :D

BBxx









Nivea Skincare

These three items were going to be featured in my January Favourites but as they are all the same brand and I have quite a bit to say about them I decided they deserved a whole post of their own.

In order from left to right :)

Nivea pure & natural soothing day cream dry/sensitive- this is the perfect cream for my skin. It contains aloe vera (all of these contain it I believe), which really soothes skin. I used to get blotchy and redness, especially after showering and this has combatted that- all three have in fact! Just a nice simple day cream that calms and soothes whilst keeping my skin nicely hydrated. Plus I love the glass jars and it's not strongly scented (all have a nice mild moisturising smell :). It's also not too thick which I appreciate in a day cream.

Nivea daily essentials express hydration primer dry and sensitive skin- this is the first primer I have ever used and am really pleased with it. As I have dry skin a primer isn't too important in terms of my make up not slipping. I bought it more for the purpose of soothing my skin and reducing the redness more so (after the day cream) before applying make up. It works a treat. You need very little for the whole face. I have found it most useful for smoothing my skin and  acting as a protective layer between my skin and the make up, preventing a sensitive reaction to any product. Really like it :D and I have found that my make up has lasted much longer, evidenced by my dirtied cotton pads at the end of a day :D a good primer for me- especially for the price :D

Nivea pure and natural regenerating night cream- I think this is somehow my favourite of the three!!! And that's saying something. This is not designed for any specific skin type, and I feel, is a good all rounder. It's so thick and luxurious without being greasy. Whenever I put it on at night I can hear my skin shouting its thanks :) literally!!!! My skin gets so soft I'm constantly asking Dave to feel it (trying to persuade him to release his metrosexual and start moisturising). My skin also feels plumper and tighter than before (in a good way!), hopefully keeping those wrinkles at bay!

Just love the combination of the three... don't know if I could bring myself to try any alternatives now... any of you guys got some dream products?
P.S all three are around the £5 mark which is also awesome- especially when you get a 3 for 2 deal or any other deal.... I love deals......
BBxx

New hair!

Yep, I got the snip :D my hair's been in desperate need of at least a trim for a while, and I've been sick of just shoving it up in a messy bun to make it at all presentable!
So I got it all chopped off again on Saturday :D for some reason I always forget how much I love having a full fringe AND shorter hair :) so I did the double wammy!
Here's the result!!!

Got it done at Toni & Guy, bit pricier but I had an awesome discount and you know it's reliable! Plus the extra treatment they give when washing your hair is super magical! I literally could have fell asleep at the sink (and it doesn't give you a stiff and sore neck). Really love the result! Excited to see how it goes naturally! Gonna defo try and keep my fringe trimmed rather than let it go unruly!
I now feel so daring with my new head of hair! Watch out world, hear I come!!! BBxx

Daddy's Girl

Dave would be the first to admit that Sally's my side kick (though it's probably more likely that I'm hers!). From day 1 she's pretty much been attached to me, which I love of course, but Dave's always had to put a bit more effort in to gain her adoration :)
The past few weeks she's been loving chasing him round when he gets in from work, and they love playing in her princess house together (I know what to get Dave for his birthday :). It's so cute to see how much fun she has with him, and he relishes it too! But usually fun is all she sees in him- a giant play mate :D which is pretty awesome in itself. But today she did something that made him super happy! She walked over to him at his computer where he was doing his usual boring computty searchy stuff (oh so technical- he'll be so proud of me) and he sat her next to him on the chair I sit in when we do our COD couple sessions :) she sat there for a good 30 mins just holding her baby and on occasion an Xbox controller watching him just tip tap away on his keyboard. She just sat there so happy to be next to him. I think she secretly wants to be just like him :D but just wants to keep his ego under control :D hehe....
Managed to capture it on camera :D she's just sooooooo cute!!!!!!! Nom, nom, nom!!!!!

BBxx

Avon Order Brochure 4

It's that time again! Only got a couple of bargains this time round!

Planet Spa Aromatherapy Candles- have found a new love for candles. Their presence alone calms me :) I couldn't resist these two! Got the uplifting one burning now.... the stress of house buying.....  hehe..... just simple, not too sweet scented candles. They're about the size of a shot glass so will probably not have too long of a burning time, though it seems to be going pretty well at the mo.

Avon Ultra Colour Lip Crayon in Risqué Rose- bought this under the temptation of the golden ticket reward (got a code for £50 off a holiday.... typical as we just booked our family holiday a month ago!). I had been wanting to try one of these anyway though as I love lip crayon/pencils for ease of application. Plus the lip pencil I got in the previous order (click here to see blog) was sooooo good I was hopeful for a similar result. It's a bit of a brighter pink than I expected and is very glittery- perhaps a bit too glittery for every day, unless paired with a nude eye. Applied very easy and is long lasting but because of the glitter it's not as smooth and a bit chunky- no way near as smooth and nourishing as my Revlon balm stains one's. Will obviously make use of it, as I do still love this colour :) Definitely more of a lipstick and less of a tinted balm which was what I expected.

You ordered anything from Avon recently? Find your nearest representative here

BBxx

Black Tied Jewellery

The last few months I've been wanting to get my hands on some good quality jewellery- you know the kind that doesn't turn your fingers and neck green :D hehe.... I cleared out my old jewellery, with the intention of giving it to charity, but it seems Sally wanted to get her hands on some new jewellery too :D kids love playing with the simplest things.
I came across the brand Black Tied (click on link to see their website) on Twitter and they were kind enough to provide me with a 20% discount code :D so how could I refuse!
I ordered the following.....

Silver handcuffs on silver chain necklace. This was in the sale and I just couldn't resist! Is a physical representation of my love of all things criminal.... sounds dodge but you get me :) plus my dream job is to be a bounty hunter, and as it doesn't seem the laws in this country are going to be changing anytime soon, I'll just have to wear this and dream :) Don't worry Dog and Beth, I'll be over to help soon :D

Gold plated twisted above knuckle midi rings (set of 2) and sterling silver above knuckle midi rings (set of two). I've been wanting to try out midi rings for a while and was very pleased to find these! They're the perfect size for my index and ring finger- can even squeeze the silver ones onto my middle finger. They sit there comfortably and I never fear that they are gonna slip off like I thought they might :D just think they look so cool... and I know it's uncool to say that, but ho-hey!

Overall I just love the simplicity of the jewellery- what you see is what you get :D and they have so many quirky pieces- had to stop myself from getting the infinity necklace, and a couple of pairs of earrings. They are all very fairly priced too, which is always nice! Plus I have the confidence that no body parts will turn green :) will definitely be ordering from them in the future.... now to plant that money tree :)

BBxx

Our Aldi Experience!

Last week a new Aldi store opened in our town. Safe to say I was pretty excited to go check out what all the adverts are about! Gone are the days of my childhood when, ashamedly, the kids whose parents shopped at Aldi were teased and shunned. What's the deal with kids??? A supermarket's a supermarket! We're a cruel species....anyways...

It was rather busy when we decided to venture over Saturday morning, but I'm not easily put off.... it's shopping in the end :D everyone just needs to take a few chill pills before doing their shop, some right stressy peeps around!!!! I was ready to rumble!!!!
So here's my pros and cons from my first shop.....

Pros:

• Can get some SUPER bargains.... for example pack of blueberries for 69p (normally £2 elsewhere unless you get them reduced!), and 1kg of chicken breast for just over £6.
• They have random bits of bobs at awesome prices from week to week- Dave was pretty chuffed with some of the 'manly' tools stuff he came across... and bought....
• Because they have far fewer branded products you have very little choice, so you're not stood for half an hour scanning the shelves trying to work out the best deal.
• It's fun trying new things!

Cons:

• Need a £1 coin for the trollies.... for some reason this always annoys me! Though I understand why, and I can't lie, it's nice not to have random trollies around the car park, moving in the wind... so perhaps a positive for some.
• Some things aren't much cheaper- e.g. canned veg etc.
• They have this weird way of packing- they scan everything super quick then put it straight back into your trolley, where you could have all your bags lovingly prepared to receive your goods. If not there's a shelf where you can pack it all.... just found it a bit odd. Perhaps will get used to it, but I know that this probably puts people off.
• The car park at our one isn't set up very well- they need an exit somewhere else than the entrance.....

All in all I will most likely continue doing my BIG monthly shops at Tesco online, but will definitely venture over to Aldi once a week or so to snap up those bargains that really can't be missed! Like seriously 69p for a big bag of Braeburn apples!!!! And I'm one for saving every penny :D

January Favourites

Hey hey!
So that blogging break... yeah... seems it's gonna be a couple more weeks till we can move.... disappointing but ta-da I'm here!
Here are my beauty-ish favourites for the month!

First is this Boots No.25 Home Fragrance candle, in mulled wine and cinnamon. It was the perfect post-Christmas scent! Not too strong either, and very relaxing! Only downside was that it didn't last as long as I'd hoped as the wick went all silly at the bottom. But going to burn my tea lights in the beautiful glass holder to get what I can of the left wax, and just because the jar is too beautiful to throw out. A wonderful present from a wonderful sister (she's the bestest at picking out presents!). There's a whole load of other scents in the collection too :) this one was a limited edition for Christmas time methinks.

Avon Foot Works XXL glycerine and cocoa butter deep moisture cream. I have always been a fan of Avon foot creams- no one else seems to have as good a range as them. I got this one for a bargain in some brochure at some point (like most of my Avon purchases :). I hadn't been using a foot cream for a while just out of laziness, but so glad I turned to this one! Immediately softened my dry feet! And it isn't greasy (so you don't feel like you're going to pick up all the carpet fluff with your bare feet!), nor does it have a funky smell (so you don't mind it getting on your hands :).

MUA Ever After Matte Palette. I got this just before Christmas and have used it for pretty much the entirety of this month. There is nothing I can say bad about it. A lovely range of matte colours suitable for every day or smokey night ;) love using them with a slick black winged liner and a deep red/purple lip. Perfect for winter. A must have for every make up lover and user. All pigmented and wearable- especially for £4!!!!!

In order, top to bottom...
Real Techniques duo-fibre eye brush. I got the limited edition duo-fibre set from my sister for Christmas (said she's the greatest present buyer), and I don't know how I ever lived without this one! Use it for blending my eye shadow but also for using a bit of bronzer to contour my crease. Does the best job as it's tapered and doesn't pick up too much product! Just love it.... these Pixiwoo sisters are pure genius....

Real Techniques pixel-point eyeliner brush- and that's why they have a second brush featured in my favourites. Over Christmas whilst at my mum and dad's I lost my brow brush from this collection :( it's still missing (sadtimes). So I wondered what on earth I was going to use to fill in my brows! Then I'd thought I'd give this brush a go. To be honest it has never really been a brush I've used before- always found it a bit thick for liner- but I decided to see how well it would do my brows. And it's AMAZING! Dare I say even better than my brow brush (not that I wouldn't like to see it's safe return if you find it lonely somewhere... someone... anyone!!!!). It's so precise and just really good :D

Benefit brush. Yes okay... another brush! This I've had for ages- came in a Benefit Primpcess little travelset my sister got me (yes okay my sister AGAIN! You totally need to become her best friend :). It's a diddy double ended brush. One side fluff shadow the other called 'talent brush' designed for liner. And the liner side is just awesome!!! The perfect companion to when you're using shadow to line which I do a lot. The bristles keep firm to their shape. And because it's so small you have really good control. The shadow side's pretty handy too as a general blendy brush, or I like to use it when highlighting my brow bone. "It's sooooo fluffy I could die!!!" (Name that movie :D)

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter- 080 Strawberry Shortcake. Okay I really didn't know that like all of my favourites would be gifts from my sister but this is another one! She just has such good taste!!! Wanted one of these so bad, and this shade is gorgeous! Can keep it quite sheer, or build it up for a more noticeable baby pink lip. If you follow me on twitter you'll know how I love my baby pink lip in winter :D especially with steely grey/blue on the eyes :D screams snow queen and all things frosty... but in a glamourous way of course :D so nourishing and all in all a simple easy to use, no disappointments lip product... good job sister Rella got me another shade for my birthday then ;) ;) #bestsisterever
P.S the packaging is just so darn cute! Much like my sister ;)

Last one I promise! Seche Vite dry fast top coat. This is one of those products beauty gurus (and my sister :D) rave about. So I decided to take the plunge- it is cheaper after all than the Nails Inc Kensington Top Coat which is also a quick dryer and had been my favourite until this beauty :D My varnish has seriously lasted so much longer using this. The varnish dries super quick and you're left with a gorgeous shine and plumpness to the nails that is somewhat gel-like. And it seems to be lasting much longer than my nails inc one :D and doesn't have any colour to it at all- which is good when you like to use pale varnishes :D

In other areas I've been LOVING....

• Frozen (the Disney movie). The songs are IMMENSE! Especially 'Let It Go'. Sally loves all the little clips on youtube... she loves swaying and singing along :D
• Law and Order SVU (Special Victims Unit) - got series 2 and 3 for Christmas, and already half way through season 3 :) brings the criminologist out of me :D
• Sherlock- who didn't love the latest series. GENIUS!
• Grey's Anatomy- unexpectedly discovered the latest series had started on Sky Living :D pure awesomeness....
• Silent Witness- this latest series has been superb- more unrealistic in terms of the involvement of the team but makes such good tv... I love tv.... don't judge ;)
• MY SISTER!!!!! :D

What have you loved this month?
BBxx

Noah was a Prophet....

Have really loved studying the Old Testament lessons so far this year. Have learnt sooooo much I've never thought of before.
Was preparing today for next weeks lesson on Noah and the flood. It's one of those Bible accounts known by the world, but too often reflected on as just a story about a man gathering animals. Today I've seen it in a completely different light. An account of a truly righteous man, chosen before his birth, obeying his Heavenly Father's loving command.
Here's a couple of sectons from the Old Testament institute manual.

(4-11) Genesis 6:9. The Man Noah

 

“Noah, who built the ark, was one of God’s greatest servants, chosen before he was born as were others of the prophets. He was no eccentric, as many have supposed. Neither was he a mythical figure created only in legend. Noah was real. …

“Let no one downgrade the life and mission of this great prophet. Noah was so near perfect in his day that he literally walked and talked with God. …

“Few men in any age were as great as Noah. In many respects he was like Adam, the first man. Both had served as ministering angels in the presence of God even after their mortal experience. Adam was Michael, the archangel, but Noah was Gabriel, one of those nearest to God. Of all the hosts of heaven, he was chosen to open the Christian era by announcing to Mary that she would become the mother of the Savior, Jesus Christ. He even designated the name by which the Redeemer should be known here on earth, saying He would be the Son of God. …

“… The Lord decreed that [the earth would be cleansed] by water, a worldwide deluge. Therefore, from among his premortal spirit children, God chose another great individual—His third in line, Gabriel—to resume the propagation of mankind following the flood.” (Mark E. Petersen, Noah and the Flood [1982], 1–4.)

 

(4-16) The Flood Was an Act of Love

“Now I will go back to show you how the Lord operates. He destroyed a whole world at one time save a few, whom he preserved for his own special purpose. And why? He had more than one reason for doing so. This antediluvian people were not only very wicked themselves, but having the power to propagate their species, they transmitted their unrighteous natures and desires to their children, and brought them up to indulge in their own wicked practices. And the spirits that dwelt in the eternal worlds knew this, and they knew very well that to be born of such parentage would entail upon themselves an infinite amount of trouble, misery and sin. And supposing ourselves to be of the number of unborn spirits, would it not be fair to presume that we would appeal to the Lord, crying, ‘Father, do you not behold the condition of this people, how corrupt and wicked they are?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Is it then just that we who are now pure should take of such bodies and thus subject ourselves to most bitter experiences before we can be redeemed, according to the plan of salvation?’ ‘No,’ the Father would say, ‘it is not in keeping with my justice.’ ‘Well, what will you do in the matter; man has his free agency and cannot be coerced, and while he lives he has the power of perpetuating his species?’ ‘I will first send them my word, offering them deliverance from sin, and warning them of my justice, which shall certainly overtake them if they reject it, and I will destroy them from off the face of the earth, thus preventing their increase, and I will raise up another seed.’ Well, they did reject the preaching of Noah, the servant of God, who was sent to them, and consequently the Lord caused the rains of heaven to descend incessantly for forty days and nights, which flooded the land, and there being no means of escape, save for the eight souls who were obedient to the message, all the others were drowned. But, says the caviller, is it right that a just God should sweep off so many people? Is that in accordance with mercy? Yes, it was just to those spirits that had not received their bodies, and it was just and merciful too to those people guilty of the iniquity. Why? Because by taking away their earthly existence he prevented them from entailing their sins upon their posterity and degenerating them, and also prevented them from committing further acts of wickedness.” (John Taylor, in Journal of Discourses, 19:158–59.)

 

My testimony of these great men and Prophets of old has grown so much in such a small time! And I imagine it will continue to do so :)

BBxx