Nails: New from Models Own - hypergel review and swatches

Ooooh a new Models Own collection!  I’m always so excited to see what Model’s Own are bringing out as it’s never just a range of new colours, there’s always a twist and they’re not afraid to experiment with all sorts of textures and finishes.  The latest collection is called hyper gel, and it doesn’t disappoint.  

Beauty: Marc Jacobs beauty review

I was so excited when I heard Marc Jacobs was bringing out a beauty line!  This joy was somewhat dampened when we found out it wouldn't be coming to the UK, but as soon as I had the chance I ran along to a Sephora to check it out.

Beauty: kiko coloured hair shadow review

Everyone's been going bright hair crazy over the last six months or so, and as a brunette I've been feeling rather left out as generally the candy hued hair dyes and chalks only work on blondes.  KIKO however, have just released some hair shadows that are so pigmented that now everyone can play at being a rainbow unicorn - yay!

Beauty: Winter essentials for dried out and dehydrated skin

I hardly recognise my skin in Winter - the weather really changes it, and I struggle to keep up to treat the dryness and dehydration that sets in.  As I usually have quite oily skin, I find myself needing completely different products to combat the cold weather and drying central heating - these are what I'm currently trying out.

Nails: Nails of the week #1

By most people's standards I change my nail polish a lot, so I thought I might try to start documenting each mani as I go along.  I'm also trying to encourage myself to use more of a variety of the nail polishes I have in my collection, as some of them don't get enough love!

Collection: My Bath & Body Works obsession

If there was one US shop I could magically have open up in the UK tomorrow, I think I'd pick Bath & Body Works.  It's such a lovely brand with gorgeous scents and the products always look so pretty either stored or in use.  This is my current collection...

Beauty: New Revlon lacquer balms review and swatches

Back when they first landed, everyone was obsessed with Revlon’s Just Bitten Kissable lip stains (as they were then called) – almost as much as the lip butters.  I ended up with quite the collection and bought all of the colours I liked and thought it was a shame they didn’t bring out a few more.  Well, now they have - they're renamed as colorburst balms, and they’re not just new colours but new textures too....

DIY: quick and easy earring storage solution

I'm planning to introduce more easy DIYs and crafty type things this year - my first is so easy I can't believe I didn't think of it before!  Here's how I store my stud earrings...

Haul: Huge December / Winter Primark haul!

I've been quietly Primark hauling like a maniac this Winter - I've found so many nice things that I like every time I've been in, so I thought it was about time I shared what I've picked up...

What I bought in the Christmas and New Year sales

Indigo jeggings | Studded boots | Glamoxy snake kit | Plum textured dress | Ink pencil dress

My last beauty box? Love me beauty - December

I feel a bit like a meanie for saying this, but I might be over beauty boxes.  You can have too much of a good thing, and for me, I think having had a couple of years of back to back beauty boxes, I need a little break.  It's funny because I was so excited for them at the beginning, and recently one of my non-blogger friends and my boss asked me about how beauty boxes worked and whether they should get a subscription.  Of course I told them both that they should, and I know they'll really enjoy the surprise and anticipation, but right now for me, I need to downsize my products rather than add five more little extras each month!

Hey there 2014, I've been expecting you

Photo taken by me, over the arctic in Summer, from the air 

I'm not hugely into new year's resolutions - if I set myself a long list of unattainable goals I'm highly likely to fail!  But, I do always find the period between Christmas and New Year to be when I naturally reflect on the year gone by and start to make plans for the next, and these usually involve trying to better myself to some level, so I guess they're resolutions of a sort - maybe soft resolutions, and ones that are easier to achieve!