Making Memories...28/02/12

Ive decided as well as making my blog a place for reviews etc for others to read, I want to make it a sort of photo diary for my own reference, which I can look back on whenever I want - a sort of "In's and Out's" post if you will, but largely with pictures!

I'm hoping to update it on a weekly basis, but don't hold me to that!

Saturday was a fabulous day for me, as my beloved football team got into a cup final.

Complimentary match programme - I love how Instagram makes even the simplest things pretty!

Supping on champers, 2x Vodka/cranberry and beans on toast at 9am courtesy of the hospitality!

Crowd at Hampden

Me and my Mama - I love this pic

Melanie x

An Interview with...Robyn - Want, Buy, Blog!



(loving the Xmas jumper Robyn!)

It's been a while, but i'm back with a blog interview, this time with the lovely Robyn from Want, Buy, Blog!

So settle down with a cup of tea and get ready for an epic interview...

Blogging

What Inspired you to start your blog and/or YouTube Channel?

My friend Leanne (over at www.leanne-marie.com ) has been blogging for over a year and one day we were hanging out and talking about make-up, nail polish and blogging and she suggested that I start my own blog. I wasn’t too sure to start off with because my writing skills aren’t exactly fantastic but the more I thought about it (and the more nail polish/makeup I brought), the more I enjoyed the idea. So I decided to just go for it!

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

I’m just happy if my blog posts help people with their own purchases. My posts are usually a bit…urm…”in depth” (read as: extremely waffly!) but I like to think that this helps people decide if they want to buy something or not. I love reading reviews on people’s blogs and then really wanting to try that product just because of what someone has said about it! I also love finding reviews for products that aren’t so great either so that I don’t end up wasting money on them…

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

If you want to do it, then just do it! As long as you’re passionate about what you’re writing about then that’s the thing that makes reading a blog interesting. I know there’s a lot of talk about age in the blogging community at the moment, but some of the best blogs I’ve read are by people younger than me. Also by people older than me too! Age doesn’t matter as long as you love what you’re writing about.

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

Obviously there’s Leanne’s blog  - http://www.leanne-maire.com/ I love her mix of reviews on different things and I enjoy reading her weekly ins and outs.

I love Lucy’s Stash as well (she has some fab nail art on there!) - http://www.lucysstash.com/

I love Dawn’s blog http://inanityandthegirl.blogspot.com/ it’s a great mix of different kinds of posts and I’m in love with the Wizard of Oz shoes that she made!

Jane over at http://nailside.blogspot.com/ has THE best nail art tutorials I’ve come across so far. Her nail art is amazing too and has inspired me quite a bit!

I love Charli’s blog too http://charli-dot-dot-dot.blogspot.com/ I really like her honest reviews and I just like her writing style really.

I’m a fairly nosey person so I love Alice’s blog http://www.supergorgeous.co.uk/ as she’s really honest and does great youtube videos on beauty boxes (I can’t afford them all so I love seeing what I’m missing out on!)

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

Hmm….that’s a tough one…to be honest I’m not really sure. I’m not big celebrity fan and I don’t think I can put film directors down!(pretty sure they wouldn’t be excited about editing my blog!) Maybe I could get someone from a make-up company to edit it? Make it a little more professional! Haha!

Makeup/Skincare/Haircare

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

I love Kate Winslet. She always looks so beautiful, probably more so now that she’s a bit older. I just think she always looks flawless and also dignified. None of this “not dressing age appropriate” you know?

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

Hmm…just the one item huh? That’s tough. I find it hard to leave the house without my bag. Even if I’m just popping to the local shop! It’s like a safety blanket to me! Also if I can choose one makeup item it would be mascara. I don’t mind about anything else but I do like to have a bit of mascara on!

Do you ever go out without make-up on?

Yeah I do. I’m not overly fussed about wearing makeup if I’m just popping to the shops quickly. But if I’m heading out for a proper shop with friends I like to put a bit makeup on.

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:

My answer for all these will be Boots.  I think most people are either Boots or Superdrug people when it comes to the highstreet but I just prefer the layout of the Boots in my hometown really. Both the Superdrugs always feel too small to me…weird I know!

            a. Make-up – I recommend the Natural Collection range. Quite cheap but also really good. Lots of people over look this range but I highly recommend it! Also the 17 range. LOVE their Wild Curls mascara! (Special mention to MUA of course. My main reason to head to Superdrug too!)

b. Haircare – I really like the Boots own hair masks. They work a treat when my hair is feeling a bit blah. Also recommend checking out your local TKMaxx for some absolute bargains on branded hair care!

            c. Skincare – This is where a veer away from Boots. I have sensitive skin but also really annoying combination skin to (dry on my cheekbones, oily on my t-zone but fairly normal everywhere else!) I’m using some stuff from The Body Shop at the moment (Seaweed Mattifying Day Cream and the Vitamin C Skin Reviver, which is AMAZING!) but it’s a tad expensive so if anyone can recommend anything else I’m up for giving it a go! I hear good things about the Botanics range in Boots…

Any make-up/haircare/skincare tips?

Always moisturise (especially round your eyes!) Always bother to take your makeup off at night. If you don’t have anything to “fix” your makeup on a night out…hairspray works quite well (just don’t inhale any and only use a small spray of it!) Try making your own facemask with oats and honey – fab for the skin and smells delicious! Comb your conditioner through in the shower before rinsing for softer, easier to dry hair. If you make a mistake with your make-up at all, use a cotton bud to clean it up (just wet it a little and it’s an easy, precision based clean up tool! Saves you having to start again too…)

Style

How would you describe your style?

Um…..comfy! Haha! I like to be comfortable because there is nothing worse then feeling awkward and uncomfortable when you’re out. I do tend to wear my men’s jogging bottoms at lot when I’m at home (would NEVER wear them out!) but I like to look sort of smart/casual when out with friends. I think a lot of my friends would say my style was “boob-centric” as these are pretty much my best feature and hey, if you’ve got it flaunt it right? Haha! (This basically means I don’t wear high neck tops because they do look weird on me…)

Who's your biggest style influence/where do you draw inspiration from?

I don’t tend to follow styles to be honest (this is pretty noticeable I think…) If I see something I like and it suits me, then I’ll wear it. I’m not fussed about “fitting in with the current style” as most of the time it’s not going to suit me or I just don’t like it. What’s the point of “being in style” if you feel uncomfortable all the time?

Favourite place to shop?

My favourite place to shop is….probably H&M. A safe choice I know but I generally always find something I like in there (plus I love their nail polishes!) I really don’t like places like River Island and Topshop. I find it’s over priced and I’ve never seen anything I like in River Island…. I do quite like Peacocks too. I was surprised when I went in a few months ago for some shoes only to find the exact kind of shirt I’d been looking for for ages! Pretty good quality too! (plus their nail polishes are awesome too! Haha!)

Highstreet or designer?

Highstreet. I can’t afford designer! Also for things like jeans, I don’t really see the point in designer ones. They’re only going to get worn to death anyway and all my highstreet ones are doing just fine! I would possibly splash out on a designer dress but even then it’d only be because I really liked it and not because of the label.

Best fashion buy?

I do have a black t-shirt dress that I got YEARS ago that is still going strong. I generally wear it for work now with a top over it. Everyone always thinks it’s a really nice skirt! I love the fact that it’s got small pockets (very handy for work!) and love the neckline too (total boob dress!) Best thing is that it’s so versatile. Pop a different coloured belt on it and it transforms into a whole new outfit really! I know I’m going to need to replace it fairly soon but…I just love it so much!

What would you consider wardrobe essentials?

Belts! And decent underwear too. I used to work in Ann Summers and was constantly surprised by how many women are wearing the wrong sized bra. Not only can it make you look a bit weird in the boob department but it’s also really bad for your back/posture too. I always think that a decent set of underwear can really boost my confidence on a night out too! It’s weird how, even though I’m never going out and thinking “well someone’s going to see this tonight!” (for the record, that’s never happened anyway!), I always find if I’m wearing nice underwear I just feel instantly sexier! (even if I’m wearing control tights with them!)

               Fashion "do's and don'ts"?

Do wear what you like. Don’t listen to anyone else – if you don’t like something but it “suits you so well!” don’t buy it. You’ll just end up wearing it once and then banishing it to the back of your wardrobe! (I’ve been there before!)  However…don’t be afraid to try on different styles that you wouldn’t normally consider, the worst that can happen is that you don’t like it and don’t buy it! Don’t think that just because it’s summer you have to wear flip-flops! Loads of my friends love them but I hate wearing flip-flops! (If you do wear flip-flops though…please don’t wear socks with them. If you want warm feet then wear some bloomin’ real shoes! This is such a pet hate of mine!)   My main fashion “do” though is – find out your body shape and shop for that. You’ll be surprised how great you can look when you know what will enhance your figure! (Also don’t wear anything with feathers on it. I’ve never seen anyone pull this look of successfully!)

Any last parting words of wisdom?

I think the most important thing in life is to just be yourself. If you can’t be happy with who you are then I don’t think you can really be happy. I’m quite weird, pretty open and opinionated (I’m usually wrong but I will always defend my opinion anyway! Haha!) and I LOVE to waffle. If someone doesn’t like that, then we weren’t meant to be friends (their loss…I’m awesome! Haha!) Just be comfortable with who you are and accept that some people may not like who you are.  Be willing to change a little but don’t change so drastically that you end up as someone completely different. It never ends well. Trust me on this! (Also, really don’t forget to take your make-up off at night and moisturise! Trust me, you will be happy you did when you’re older!)

I'll think you'll agree that was a fab interview from Robyn - make sure you check out her blog (and Twitter: @RobynWBB) if you haven't already!

Melanie x

 

 



**CLOSED** 50 Subscriber Giveaway!

dabBy way of thanks (and also apology), I have decided to do a 50 Subscriber Giveaway

When I started my blog around a year ago, I did it on a whim, and I never thought I would enjoy it as much as I do, nor did I think people would read my ramblings!

I am really grateful for each and every one of you lovely subscribers that have clicked that little 'follow' button, and I would like to give a little something back to you - hence the giveaway!

So here's what's up for grabs...

2-finger ring - very Alice in Wonderland kitsch!

Set of 5 lipglosses from Ruby Recommends (Ruby Hammer from Ruby & Millie)

Pack of 2 'Ez Combs' (Brown and Silver)

Rules

• You must be a subscriber to my blog - all you have to do is click the follow button in the side bar!
• The giveaway is also open to international subscribers
• Simply post 'Enter me' (and anything else you'd like to say - I love comments!) in the comments box
• The giveaway will be open until Friday 3rd of February (at approximately midday or thereabouts)
• I will pick a winner at random (or get my mum/other willing assistant to do it!)

And that's it!

Melanie x



Boots Beauty Bargains!

Whilst having a sly look through the Gatwick Airport North Terminal branch of Boots I happened to notice (as any good beauty addict would) that they had quite a few good offers on.

As i'm unable to resist (what I consider) a bargain, I picked up a few treats...

Deal One: Buy Healthy Mix/Healthy Mix Serum Foundation and receive a free full-sized mascara

(Looking on the website, this deal seems to have ended and has been replaced with a 3 for 2 on all Bourjois products)

I had been umm-ing and aah-ing over the Healthy Mix foundation for some time, and decided to bite the bullet and just try it, especially when a free mascara was up for grabs!

I got the palest shade 01, which has turned out to be the perfect match for me.

(Full review to come)

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation, RRP £9.99

For the free mascara, there was a choice between Coup de Theatre 2 in 1, or Volume Glamour Ultra.

I opted for the former, on a whim - again watch this space for a review!

Bourjois Coup de Theatre 2 in 1 Mascara, RRP £9.49

Deal Two: Free gift when you spend £6 or more on Barry M products

(At the airport this free gift was the limited edition glitter nail polish - below right - but on the Boots website this is now a Barry M lipgloss)

How pretty?!

Barry M Nail Effects Polishes, RRP £3.99 each

Crackle nailpolishes don't interest me at all, but I was desperate to get my hands on the foil effect polishes, so I got the silver and gold. And of course the magpie in me squealed with delight when I saw you got a free glitter polish...

Have you came across any beauty bargains recently?

Melanie x

P.S. Watch this space for my giveaway coming soon - i'm so excited I've reached 50 followers!



An apology (from the worst blogger in the world)

Hello everyone

Hope you all had good Christmas and New Year.

Unfortunately mine could probably go down as my worst to date (i'll not go into details, but basically my relationship nearly ended, and we're still trying to work things out), and whilst I hadn't planned on blogging much over Christmas anyway, it definitely went out the window during this period.

I still feel like i've lost my blogging 'mojo' a little bit (I haven't turned on my laptop literally for about 2 weeks - i'm writing this at work), but I don't want to give up on my blog and i'm hoping to get back into it at some point.

I've also just realised I've passed the magic 50 subscribers (THANK YOU to you all), so when I finally get myself sorted i'm going to do a giveaway.

Thanks for bearing with me.

Melanie x