Get me to the Greek...

Hi guys,

just a little update post to let you know that I might be MIA for the next couple of weeks, as i'm going down to Kent to stay with the Boy's family from tomorrow (22nd) until the 29th, when said Boy and I fly out to Athens for a wedding.

We're back on the 3rd of August, and i'll be back home on the 7th, but in the meantime I just want to apologise in advance in case my posts are a bit sporadic (or more sporadic than they are already!).

I'll still be on Twitter (@MelanieHRH), and i'll do a post on my shenanigans when I get back!

Thanks for reading.

Melanie x

My new project: 30 Before 30

I'm the kind of person who loves the idea of goal setting/new year's resolutions etc, etc, but just never really persist and get anywhere with them. Not to mention mine were usually lame and predictable (my favourite one used to be: i'll stop biting my nails. Guess i've achieved that one...!)

However whilst reading through some new blogs I came across Sophia's Journal, and the idea of 30 Before 30 - a list of 30 things you'd love to achieve/get done before you're 30.

Now I know i'm only 23, but I figure 7 years gives me plenty of room; not only to save up for said ambitions, but in terms of time to get them done without stressing - and therefore I might enjoy them and look forward to the process rather than regarding it as a task and something which I "have" to do.

You can find my list here.

I've only filled out 18 of the 30 items so far, as I'd like to fill the rest in as I go; picking up ideas along the way! No doubt many of these will change, and heck I might not achieve them all, but I reckon it is quite an achieveable list and i'm actually excited about the thought of being able to score each of them off as done.

I'm hoping that with each item I tick off the list i'll document as a blog post, which will make for a nice record for me to look back in 7 years time!

If you've been prompted by this post to start your own 30 Before 30 (or 25 Before 25, 20 Before 20....and so on - it's your life and your ambitions!), then please let me know as i'd love to include your link to my own 30 Before 30 page.

Melanie x

Haul Part 2!

Ok so yesterday was Primark, today was a trip into town, which I meant only to get my Dad a birthday card.
Instead (along with the birthday card) I picked up a few "extras"...

Straight-Legged Jeans £19.99 - New Look

I have been on the hunt for a new pair of straight leg jeans for AGES, ever since my favourites holed in the, ahem, crotch (never a good look). I can't wear skinny jeans (it would appear I have chunky legs!), therefore straight is the way to go! I had hunted high and low before finding these in New Look.

Woven belt, £3.50 (sale) - New Look

I wanted a thick waist belt to wear with various bits in my wardrobe, and this one looks to fit the bill. Plus it was in the sale!

Crystal earrings £3.00 (sale) - New Look

I'm going to a wedding in Greece soon, and these earrings will look lovely with my navy-blue dress i'm wearing

Hoop earrings (2 pairs) £1.00 (sale) - New Look

Hoop earrings were an item I used to wear to death (I liked to think I was copying Victoria Beckham...!), then for some reason I just...stopped. I really want to start wearing them again, so for £1.00 I couldn't really pass these up!

Palmer's Cocoa Butter £2.99 - Savers

My MOST favourite body lotion. EVER.

Smells like chocolate and leaves skin lovely and smooth. And Beyonce is a fan. Random fact.

Boots Nail Polish Remover £1.00 - Boots

I usually get my nails Shellac-ed (as you should know by now!), but Lee-Anne who does my nails has taken ill this week, and (much to my nails' distress!) she had to cancel my pre-holiday appointment this week. Therefore, in an attempt to do my nails myself, I needed to buy some nail polish remover with acetone in it to remove the old Shellac.

Boots Expert Ultra Stength Nail Hardener £4.10 - Boots

(see reason above!)

I feel if i'm going to be tending my nails myself for the next 3 or so weeks, I need all the help I can get!

Rimmel Pro French Manicure Polish (433 French ivory) £4.59 - Boots

I have quite a HUGE nail polish collection, but don't yet have a kind of nude colour like this. I wanted something quite chic, and was going to go with the Bourjois Rose Lounge (because I am now officially a Kate Middleton groupie), but thought i'd try this first instead.

Watch out for a NOTD post!

...and of course the one thing I initially went into town for: Dad's card! (89p, Card Factory!)

Melanie x

Primark/Shoe Haul

First the shoes...

£1.00 (down from £4.00) - Primark

£25(ish) down from approx £70 - Very.co.uk

£6.00 (down from £12.00) - Primark

£1.00 (down from £2.50) - Primark (actually got a silver pair as well but forgot to include them!)

Then the bags...

£5.00 (down from £9.00) - Primark

This is like the Primark version of the Alexander Wang Rocco/Ebay Focco!

£9.00 - Primark

I grabbed this as soon as I saw it. It is the shape of a Louis Vuitton Alma bag, and looks so classic.

And finally the clothes/accessories...

£5.00 (down from £10.00) - Primark

£6.00 - Primark

I love the vintage-style pieces that Primark have started adding to their clothes.

£2.00 each - Primark

£5.00 (down from £11.00) - Primark

I'm still searching for the perfect blazer in this exact nude shade, but for now this waterfall waistcoat will do!

£2.50 - Primark

£1.00 (down from £2.50) - Primark

All (minus the trainers!) for £37.50!

I also treated myself to a Personal-size Filofax from an Ebay seller which i'll feature on here soon once I receive it and fill it out exactly how I want it!

Enjoy the rest of your sunday :)

Melanie x



An Interview With....Debdobdoornob!

My An Interview With... series continues this week, featuring the fabulous Deborah from DebDobDoorNob.

Deborah is a Scottish blogger (like me!), whose blog is a fab source of reviews, Nail Of The Days and other posts of loveliness, and she's possibly one of the nicest bloggers/Twitterers i've met so far!

Read on to find out how she answered my quickfire round of questions regarding makeup, skincare, haircare, style and, of course, blogging!

1. Blogging

- What inspired you to start your blog?

I spent months watching YT videos and reading the ‘famous’ beauty bloggers blogs and then came across lots of smaller blogs written by girls just like me and thought ‘I could do this...’ I never had any expectations , and I just got on with writing about what I like.

- What would you like to achieve from your blog/channel?

I wouldn’t say there is an ultimate goal, but I see my blog as a fun hobby therefore I want to continue to write about things I love and hopefully others will enjoy reading it. It gives you a great sense of satisfaction.

- What advice would you give to anyone thinking about starting their own blog and/or channel?

Write about what you like. If you write about what you think others want you to write about then the lack of passion will show. And have fun with your blog.

-  (Other than your own of course) what blogs/channels do you recommend?

flutter and sparkle

Golden Glow

Nicoletta's Beauty Space

Charlotte's Obessions

4 that I always check out.

-  If you could choose one celebrity to guest edit your blog for a day who would you choose and why?

Oh that is a hard one – I’d say Emma Watson because she is always immaculate, her style is amazing and her make up is flawless.

2. Make-up/skincare/haircare

- Which celebrity do you think has the best overall make-up/hair style?

Either Emma Watson, as above or Lauren Conrad.

- What one item (cosmetic or otherwise!) could you not leave the house without?

Cosmetic – Lipbalm, other – my mobile

- Do you ever go out without make-up on?

Rarely, but yes. Only usually when going to the gym.

-  What would you say is the best Highstreet/drugstore line for each of the following, and do you recommend any products within in each category:

a. Make-up – Maybelline – I love their falsies mascara

b. Haircare – Herbal Essences -  love the shampoo for fine hair

c. Skincare – I adore the Good Things skin care range and I love the night cream.

- Any make-up/haircare/skincare tips?

It’s a cliché but 8 glasses of water a day really does wonders to the skin.

3. Style

- How would you describe your style?

Smart/casual

- Favourite place to shop?

River Island/Primark/New look

- Highstreet or designer?

Highstreet

-  Best fashion buy?

A good fitting pair of jeans

- What would you consider wardrobe essentials?

Leggings. I wear them all the time.

- Fashion "do's and don'ts"?

Do – dress for your shape and wear what you feel comfortable in. Don’t – Follow he crowds or be afraid to express yourself.

Any last parting words of wisdom?

In the words of Coco Chanel - “The best color in the whole world, is the one that looks good, on you!”

A great little interview from the lovely blogger behind Debdobdoornob, and I would like to thank Deborah for taking the time to fill it out for me - make sure you check out her blog if you haven't already, and say hi to her on Twitter!

Melanie x

Products I regret* buying

*I feel like regret is the wrong word. And rather harsh.

There's nothing particularly "offensive" about these products, I just haven't found the right way to get them to work for me as yet!

Also in this era of blogs and YouTubes, I personally find that the "risk" of buying new products is significantly reduced by going online and checking reviews/opinions of beauty bloggers/YouTubers before investing in any particular make-up, haircare, skincare etc product.

Therefore the products below might be perfectly lovely for you, but I just don't get along with them so far!

Umberto Giannini Backcomb in a Bottle

This product seemed to come out of nowhere in a great big whoosh of blogger rave reviews.

Being the easily influenced wee soul that I am, I was desperate to get my hands on some in a bid to boost my barnet, but it was always sold out. When I eventually came across some cans in my local Boots I snapped one up (I resisted temptation to buy the three on the shelf) and couldn't wait to try it out.

Sadly I've found the effect to be more bleurgh than backcombed.

I find it far too sticky at my roots, and leaves my hair feeling lank and a bit itchy.

Any tips to make it work?!

MAC Prep + Prime Eye

I've previously discussed this as part of my Prep+Prime Vs UDPP post here.

In my opion the Urban Decay Primer Potion is the far superior product, despite being the same price as the Prep + Prime. This MAC product is very much like a creamy concealer, and doesn't last very long on my lids, which I was rather surprised/disappointed about, as I know the Prep+Prime range is an established, well-regarding range of MAC products.

Dove Pro-Age Serum

This is one of those its-not-a-regret-just-an-admission-its-not-for-my-skintype product - evidently the clue is in the name (Pro-age), i.e. for more "mature" skin types, and therefore it's too "much" for my 23 year old skin!

As you can see I did persevere for some time with this serum, but it's just simply too thick/rich/gloopy for my skin, and I feel it leaves a film which leads to spots.

Miss Sporty Liquid Eyeshadows

I want to love these, I really do: only £1.99 each and when swatched they are beautiful jewel-like metallic colours.

But when I put them on my eyelids (even over primer), they seem to just...disappear.

I've also struggled to find a brush to apply them with that they don't get absorbed by.

 

Collection 2000 Dazzle Me! Dust

The problem here is not so much the product itself (a beautiful golden fine-milled eyeshadow powder, which Laura at Lollipop26/Buy Now Blog Later once said she uses as her inner-corner eyeshadow, hence my purchase!), but the packaging.

The lid doesn't even need to be off for the dust to go EVERYWHERE.

And as much as I love channelling my inner Tinkerbell (being the big disney-loving kid I am), sometimes a coating of sparkly gold eyeshadow over everything is just a bit much!

I'm actually considering decanting it into a better pot and using it as a cheekbone highlight...

Gosh Darling Lipstick

Another cult classic that I "had" to try (despite knowing fine well that me and my very-pigmented lips just don't suit nude lipcolours!).

Therein lies my biggest problem with this lipstick: the fact I stupidly forked out nearly a fiver on a product I knew that I would probably never use, given that my natural lip line seems to bleed out around any nude colour I put on my lips!

The actual product itself is lovely: very creamy and a much more wearable nude shade (for other people!) than, for example, the very concealer-like 101 shade by Barry M.

Veet Hair Minimising Body Lotion

Another impulse buy which I was drawn to given that:
A. It was on offer as a newly launched product
and
B. I am of the, ahem, hairy sort, and anything that promises to help me tackle this problem I will always buy!

You're meant to use this for around 2 weeks straight I believe before seeing any results, and whilst I might not have strictly stuck to this "regime" (and therefore can't really expect to see miracles), I find it's really drying on my skin and I don't like the fake, plastic-y smell that comes with it.

It has been marketed as a product that can be used all over the body, but when I used it I stuck only to my legs as I can't imagine using it elsewhere.


Do you have any products that are more of a miss than a hit?!

Melanie x

Style Crush of the Week - Elle Macpherson

Who wouldn't want to look as fab as Elle at her age?!

A fair few of the following pics were taken when she was on the "school run" (leaving loads of jealous mums in her wake), but I recently read a quote from Elle regarding such photos where she said that 90% of the time - in terms of make-up, hair, clothes - she was in "work mode/attire" (i.e. going to or coming from photo shoots, tv studios, etc, etc.)

Whether not this is true (who can forget when she turned up in leather trousers?) I don't know, but I think for 48 she looks pretty freakin' amazing, and shows that 40 does not mean frumpy (I sound like Gok Wan) - maybe the whole getting-older-thing won't be so bad after all...



Melanie x