What's In My Bag?

A couple of years ago I used to have a different handbag for almost every outfit and was always misplacing my keys, purse and everything else, but as I've got older I've narrowed it down to two, a black bag and a brown bag. Sorted.

Since blogging I have become a lot more organised and I know where pretty much everything is and now that I have just two bags it's a lot easier to sort out what I need to take with me. Now of course some of these products do change depending on the weather, where I'm going and what I'm doing but here is a look in to the general bits and bobs that you would find in my handbag if you were to sneak a peak.

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The Essentials

So first of all I won't be going anywhere without my keys. Now these are just my house keys and for the purpose of a nice photo I removed my three photo keyrings, my cuddly unicorn and turtle key ring and my work keys. I have so many keyrings as they are all special to me and also because it makes finding my keys much easier.

Second is my purse, of course this is another must as without it I won't be going very far. When it comes to my purses I like them to be bright and have lots of different pockets so I was extremely happy when I was able to buy this Ralph Lauren one for just £30.

Right! I cannot state just how important it is to drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially when you're on the go. When I don't drink enough I get headaches and feel yucky which is why I always carry a bottle with me.

Eating regularly is also important and for me I like it to be something healthy and enjoyable which is why I love these nakd bars. I always make sure that I have one to eat in my bag as I get rather peckish when I'm out and if I don't eat I get very grumpy and begin to feel nauseous. 

I've always loved taking photos but since becoming a blogger I find it essential to have some form of camera in my hand at all times and well lets face it, iPhone cameras aren't the best and their storage is a joke which is why I like to take my Samsung digital camera with me wherever I go. It takes lovely photos whilst being small and light enough to go in most my bags. 

Now I never used to keep a hairbrush in my bag but as my hairs got longer it needs brushing that little bit more often especially on windy days so I now make sure I have a one in my bag at all times. This no tangles is my favourite as it gets the knots out quick and easy without damaging your hair.

Garlic, onion, salami.. possibly three of my favourite foods that seem to be in most of the meals I eat which is why I would be lost without my chewing gum. Garlic breath? No thanks!

Finally, after probably far to many years, I decided it was time to keep a pen with me at all times and now I don't know how I ever managed without one. Perhaps I should have listened to my Mum sooner.

My Makeup Bag

Being a girl the contents of my make up bag changes regularly but for me there are some things that are just a must. First is lipstick, an item which I am never without. My current favourite is Mac Cosmo as it goes with everything and keeps my lips looking hydrated all day. However, on some days my lips need that extra bit of moisture which is why I have Vaseline in almost every bag and coat pocket. Cocoa butter is my favourite! 

Next is my Rimmel bronzer and Elizabeth Arden blusher brush. I have used Rimmels bronzer since I have worn makeup and I love it just as much now as I did then. It's the perfect colour for me and I love that it's not to sparkly so it always looks natural making it suitable to be worn on bare skin and on top of foundation.

Since blogging I have started taking much better care of my skin and now I cannot be without a hand lotion and nail file. This particular hand lotion is by Molton Brown, it's a fantastic product and the bottle is just the size for my makeup bag.

Now I don't know about you, but I cannot think of anything worse than smelling which is why I take a miniature perfume with me wherever I go. At the minute I have been using this bottle of Marc Jacobs Daisy as it has such a lovely spring/summer scent.

Last but not least are bobbles and hair grips just because you never know when you're going to need them. I always make sure I have two bobbles and then just a few grips for any unruly pieces of hair.

This makeup bag is the perfect size for my things and was just £8 from next.

If We're Lucky

Living in England sunshine is not guaranteed, not even in summer, but on those days we're lucky enough to have even a minute of sun I will be there with my sunglasses! These ones are by Ralph Lauren and are probably my favourite as I don't think you can beat a tortoise shell frame.

What things do you keep in your bag?

Clinique Bonus Box.

Last month I went to Bicester Village and bought my self a few bits and bobs. One of the things I picked up whilst I was there, that I was really impressed with, was this Clinique Bonus Box for just £15.

This gorgeous little box contains 8 well sized beauty products, some that I have been using on and off and others that I have been using everyday. I'm really impressed with the majority of the products and for the price I think it's a fantastic set so with that said here's a brief review of each one from my absolute favourite to my least favourite.

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Love

1st: Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief, £34 for 50ml

By far my favourite product in the set! This peachy coloured serum goes on brilliantly and leaves you with hydrated and glowing skin all day, great for when you've got a tan and foundation isn't requires. Having said that, it does soak in completely making it a perfect product to use before applying makeup

This 15ml tub is lasting me such a long time so the price tag for 50ml isn't putting me off as much as it usually would have done. 

2nd: All About Eyes Serum De-Puffing Eye Massage, £23 for 15ml

Soothing, cooling, massaging and sensitive on the eyes, I'm loving this product especially the the roller ball application as it's very gentle and you get the perfect amount meaning it doesn't get wasted. This serum is a life saver on those early mornings.

3rd: City Block Anti-Pollution, £18 for 40ml
I applied this to my cheeks and couldn't see a thing, then I applied it to my chin where I had a small pimple and it was immediately less visible. Wear alone or as a primer, this product is lightweight and breathable and my skin felt hydrated all day. I particularly liked wearing it alone on days the sun was out and I didn't want to wear foundation.

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Like

4th: Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion+, £17.50 for 50ml

I have used this product for a long time now and the tiny 15ml bottles last absolutely ages so ignore the fact it's almost £18 for a moisturiser. For dry skin it's an amazing product and when used before primer and foundation stops your skin drying out and from  your makeup appearing caked on, however when used on it's own my skin can sometimes feel too sticky and look rather shiny.

5th: Clincial Dark Spot Corrector, £42 for 30ml

Now I don't think I've used this product enough to see results that make me want to spend £42 however I have noticed some slight improvement in the evenness of my skin tone when the product is on. It goes on really nicely and works as a great base for concealer or foundation as it doesn't dry out the skin, instead leaves a healthy glow with a matte finish.

6th: Long Last Lipstick, In Water Melon, £17.50

This lipstick goes on nicely, is very true to colour and does last a long time however after a while I did notice it started to dry out my lips due to the matte finish which in this colour can appear quite visible, not a colour I would usually pick for myself.

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Dislike

7th: Rinse Off Foaming Cleanser, £17 100ml

I'm afraid to say I didn't really enjoy using this product, though it did foam up nicely and remove my makeup it had a very strong soap smell which I am not keen on and also left my face feeling like it had a coating on it, very much like bars of soap do.

8th: Even Better Make-up SPF 15, £24.50

I found this product to be a bit too dry on my skin which is surprising as my skin is rather oily. The coverage isn't fantastic and it didn't spread very well so I ended up with powdery patches. For the price I am quite dissapointed.

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To end on a positive, I have really liked using most of the products in this set and have definitely got my self a few new beauty favourites. For just £15 this is a great set for yourself or to buy as a gift. I hope you enjoyed reading my reviews and have found them helpful, if you have a difference in opinion I would love to hear.


What are your favourite Clinique products?

A Beautiful Day In Matlock.

As a child I went to Matlock a lot, walking, visiting the caves and spending time in the sweet shops and arcades. Now that I'm older that's changed I love to go there and explore the antique stores and local shops, as supporting local businesses is such an important thing and you often find much nicer and unique items. Matlock is a beautiful place and it's perfect for a day out no matter what your age.

This bank holiday weekend the weather has been a bit temperamental we've had wind, rain and sun so I wanted an outfit that would be suitable no matter what. This gorgeous grey and nude knitted wrap was just £20 in the Next sale and I love how it can be dressed up or down and worn come rain or sun. On this occasion I tried to dress it up a bit wearing my new River Island hat with gold buckle detailing and having my hair in a chic yet simple updo. 

Black is always effortlessly glam and with the colours and pattern in the shawl I could get away with wearing it head to toe. This ASOS turtle neck dress top with side splits is gorgeous and I cant wait to share it with you a little bit more at a later date but for now all you need to know is that it actually has short sleeves and I have simple worn a long sleeved black top underneath in order to keep me warmer and also create the impression that it is a long sleeved turtle neck top. I completed my outfit with black skinny jeans, my thigh high boots and a small gold skull necklace. These boots may not have been cheap but they were definitely worth the money, I wear them loads!

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Wrap - Similar here, £12

Top - Same here, £16

Jeans - Similar here, £22.99

Boots - Same here, £159

Bag - Similar here, £7.99

Necklace - Similar here, £12

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I had great day exploring all the shops and found lots of amazing things like old binoculars, cameras, toys, typewriters and prams, we also had fun at the aquarium and enjoyed a delicious slice of tiffin at a little cafe. Whilst all the stores in Matlock are lovely I would like to give a special mention to Magpie Antiques & Collectables a gorgeous shop with friendly staff who were happy to help with taking a few photos for my blog, if you're ever in Matlock make sure you pay them a visit.

I of course couldn't leave without buying a few things and treated myself to some bathbombs from Talisman, some Joint Pain Relief from Dad's Bees and some gorgeous Helena Rudkin Earrings, all of which you can expect to see on my blog soon.

Thanks for the picture Magpie Antiques!

Project: Organised.

Working, blogging, doing an NVQ, learning to drive, going to the gym, partaking in Zumba, seeing my family, friends and partner and getting some 'me time' is a lot to get done and though I do manage to juggle it all reasonably well, I decided it was time for me to get a bit more organised and stop flapping around in my 'organised chaos'.

This simple yet cute A4 notebook was just £5 from Tesco and they also have an A5 one for £4, I opted for A4 as I HATE having to fold nice crisp pieces of white paper. Grrr, one of my many niggles. This notebook caught my eye with it's bold title. I love the simplicity of the black and white with just that little pop of colour provided by the dividers, it's very me. I also love the fact that its a binder as it makes mistakes easy to remove, one pull and the page is gone. That's another thing I dislike, mistakes in my work! 

This notebook has a plastic front and back keeping it clean, tidy and free from tears and bends, it also has an elasticated fastening to keep everything together. It is divided in to 5 sections and each divider has a pouch so that you can keep any loose sheets in it as well. There is a good amount of lined paper in each section and at the back of the notebook is a plastic wallet with a zip where you could keep smaller pieces of paper, paper clips, post-it notes and perhaps your pen.

This is a fantastic notebook and I only have one complaint, and that is that the little cards that they provide you with keep moving around and look as though I may end up loosing them.

 If you want to stay organised and you like things neat and tidy this Project Notebook is definitely for you, I love it and am already finding it so handy. You can order yours online here.

How do you stay organised?

Some Much Needed Me Time.

Work, play and not a lot of sleep, it's safe to say the past week has caught up on me big time. At the weekend I went to a wedding reception and drank a little too much and this week I have been working none stop with very little sleep. 

All this combined has resulted in me becoming run down, so finding these little goodies on my trip to Tesco was just what I needed to make me realise some "me time" was desperately needed.

This gorgeous glass bistro mug was what I spotted first. It's perfect for my delicious cup of hot lemon and ginger water in the morning, the best drink to kick start your day as it's refreshing and great for boosting the immune system, just what you need when you're feeling under the weather. Oh and it aids weight loss, just in case you needed another reason to try it!

This lovely dusky pink mug was just too cute to resist once it had caught my eye, I've been using it for a cheeky hot chocolate at night time whilst sat in bed with this delicately scented candle beside me. I know it's very simple but the colour matches my room and for a £1 I wasn't going to say no. Anyway it isn't simple anymore as a bit of lace and some double sided sticky tape fixed that.

Last but not least are these super adorable sleepy lamb slippers which I saw on my way to the till. They are so comfy and snug and I just couldn't resist them, I mean lambs are just the cutest right?! These slippers have been a life saver these cold early mornings on my tiled kitchen floor!

It's Thursday now and I'm feeling much better from taking this week off to just relax in bed watching netflix under my fairy lights.

How do you like to unwind?

Beauty(ful) Storage Solutions.

If you love beauty products and accessories as much as me, then you're probably always struggling with the dilemma of where to store them all, you want it to be organised but lets face it, its got to look good. Oh the struggles of being a girl. Well here are my top tips on beautiful storage.

Make up cases are never that attractive so I opted for this large mirrored jewellery box. In the top compartment is jewellery I don't wear that often and in the side compartments are my big statement necklaces, then I have used all the draws to store my everyday makeup. Sort your makeup into categories, for instance lips, face and eyes to make getting ready quicker and easier.

On top is my travel jewellery case which has in it all my favourite watches, bracelets, earrings, rings and necklaces that I wear regularly, that way if I'm ever away for the weekend there's no need for packing and unpacking as they're all ready to go.

In my little wooden box from turkey are my headphones, speaker and memory cards, little bits and bobs that need to be kept safe and at hand. I also keep my two favourite pairs of sunglasses out and my daily perfume so I don't forget to spritz! 

In draws forget trying to buy compartments, simply use gift boxes from Christmas and birthdays, shoe boxes, old dessert pots and I bought the odd basket for wilkos.

In my top draw I have storage compartments for all my regularly used products - hair styling and emergency skincare, new/seasonal makeup, scrunchies and headbands, false eylashes and my Elizabeth Arden makeup. Then I've slipped all my makeup bags down the side. In the other draw are all my pampering products. I have perfumes, shower toiletries, fake tanning products, skincare, Molton Brown goodies and moisturisers.

I hope you found this useful, what are your storage tips?