I'M YOUR VENUS

I have had this palette since June and let me tell you – it is BEAUTIFUL. So now, I will share it with you.

The Venus: Grunge Palette is by Lime Crime and does not fail to deliver. With 8 stunning and useable shades I cannot go a day without it. Lime Crime thrives off of their gorgeously cute packaging and bad-ass colors, and this is no exception. So if you feel like your make up collection is in need of a kick, grab this bad boy. With so many combinations – from sultry evening looks to playful daytime lids, the Venus palette is a must have!

HOLY HIGHLIGHTER

“Holy hell look at that GLOW. I wonder what super duper product she has on?” – That’s what I hope people think any way. Even if they don’t, I’m going to tell you because I LOVE this highlighter. I picked it up early in the year and have pretty much used it every day since. It is well loved to say the least. This delightful shiny powder is by Makeup Revolution and is available to buy in Superdrug for a bargain £3.00. Yes. THREE POUNDS. I have the warmer shade named “Peach Lights”. Also a Fun fact - Makeup Revolution products are cruelty free!

FROM PENCIL TO PRINT

I have been plotting this print for about a year now and finally I have bought it to life! It was for my friend Becca’s 21^st, and I knew a year ago that I was going to make her a cute illustration for her room. She likes pink and cosmetics so I put two and two together. For this journey I thought I would take you along with me, from A to B, pencil to print. So this post is a nice little nosey into how I make an idea come to life!

THREE LIPPY LOVES

Okay, so I never used to wear many lip products on a daily basis, but now I can’t stop! I’ve currently been slapping on three lovely lip numbers, they tie together any look and are super easy to wear.

5 Autumn Favourites

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The nights are getting darker and the leaves are falling to the ground, ah autumn. I do love this season, it is a shame it doesn't last too long. There is nothing more satisfying than feeling some crisp autumn air on your face as you leave the house. I have been using a mixture of skin and body products this season, so I thought I would share! 

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Tea Tree Water - LUSH

My skin has been playing up recently so something had to be done. Anything with tea tree seems to suit my skin and calms it down, and this does just that. I spritz it on my face after cleansing in the evening and let it absorb. In the mornings before I apply my make up I spray it onto a cotton pad and wipe away any left over make up from the night before, as well as calming any redness. I love LUSH skincare products, and you always know what you are putting on your face.

Hemp Hand Protector - The Body Shop

Due to the cold autumn winds my hands have been cracking and becoming fairly dry. I had heard good reviews about The Body Shop's "Hemp hand protector" so I decided to try it out for myself. I find that this is perfect and really helps soothe brittle skin. This product is also popular with males, and with my boyfriends hands feeling rough this will be perfect for him too. 

Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion - Clinique

I have always had dry skin around blemishes and red areas, but with the change in weather they have become more obvious. I picked up this little bottle of joy when I was back home and I would like to thank my past self for doing so. This works wonders when applied to dry areas just before you apply your make up, it stops those annoying dry spots which can ruin your hard crafted foundation efforts. I would definitely recommend investing in this stuff, as a little goes a long way! 

Nails "Domestic Goddess" - Topshop

This color just says 'Autumn'. You can't go wrong with a Topshop nail color; they dry quickly and last for a good amount of time at a decent price. I have been wearing this color for the past week and love it, its rather classy in a way. (Color of photo is a more vivid than in real life)

Sweet Mint Lip Balm - EOS

Dry hands, dry face and now dry lips! I have been using this EOS for the past 3 months and won't be turning to another lip balm any time soon. It provides a good amount of hydration without that slippery lip finish. I have been reaching for this a lot more often this season. 

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Thank you for reading!

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Five Funky Things

I seem to love doing things in fives, so here we go! 

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Macaron Eyeshadow

This sweet little eyeshadow is from Beauty Buffet. I love Beauty Buffet due to their quirky packaging, hence why this had to be mine. This is a lovely warm cream colour, and has so much shine to it. I have been applying this to the corners of my eyes and the centre of my lids to give them a wonderful pop! 

Lucky Cat

Yes, I know what you are thinking, why do I even have one of these. Well here's the thing, this guy is freekin adorable! I was in MBK and was drawn to this cute version of Maneki-Neko, these "Lucky Cats" are believed to bring good luck to the owner and are usually placed near the entrance of shops to bring in customers. As I do not own a shop, he has pride of place in my room, spreading luck around me.

"Flyer Design" Book

Asia Books seems to have masses of cool design books lately, so I grabbed this amazing "Flyer Design" one. Even though the book is in Japanese, this did not put me off, the images are amazing and it's bursting with brilliant executions of design. It mixes cute and creative, I love it. 

Maybelline Mini Powder

Now 7/11 has some interesting items, and in the abyss of strange 'to-go' products was this really handy "Maybelline Clear Smooth All In One" powder. It's so mini and useful. It comes with a little built-in mirror and powder pad for application. This stuff takes the shine straight off and even has SPF 25!

Tin Bowl

Another completely random purchase was this tin bowl. I got this at an Antiques Market in Bang Na and was drawn to the paint flick effect, best thing is that it was only 60p. You can never have enough receptacles! 

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And there we go, some five funky things for you to feast your eyes on!

Life tip: Stay cool & keep hydrated.

Library Sky Garden, Birmingham

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On Wednesday my good friend Becky and I went on a nice little trip to Birmingham. We were on our way to the Ikon gallery near the river when we walked by this beautifully designed building. I have always had a soft spot for architecture and couldn't take my eyes off of it! A few moments later I realised that I had seen this stunning construct before...it was on a BBC gardening program and it was a library! Becky and I noticed people on the various roof levels and putting two and two together, there where to be gardens on the canopy's. After our quick and un-fulfilled visit to the Ikon we walked into the library and found our way to the top.

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The Library's exterior

The Library's exterior is a true marvel, it is so impressive. This postmodern creation was designed by architect Francine Houben who is renowned for her playful, human style. The building was opened in 2013 and has been given various architectural awards, no wonder why.

There are 3 gardens to visit in total, sadly we only visited two (as the 3rd one we didn't know about!); the 9th floor holds the "Discovery Terrace" which includes fruit, vegetables and herbs. The 7th floor has "The Secret Garden" containing bright and colourful flowering plants and grasses, and finally there is the first balcony with other go green plants. The aim of these gardens is to a) reduce the city's carbon footprint and b) provide some calm green space, where city goers can relax and escape the busy streets below. This building was given the BREEAM "Excellent" rating due to its sustainable methods such as the gardens but also including low carbon technology for heating and cooling, low energy lighting and water conservation systems.

Views from the sky gardens

The library's rooftops give great views of the city and provide a breath of fresh air.

As you can see there is a diverse amount of plant life, we found ladybugs and bumblebees all enjoying what the gardens had to offer.

If you are wanting to visit the Library yourself it is located on Broad Street near The ICC, and is of course free to enter!

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Becky and I

Simple Summery Flower Nails!

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I wanted to paint my nails but also didn't want to paint my nails, so I opted for a charming flower motif instead! It looks cute and is super easy to do at home...

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You will need: 

A clear top coat. 

Mine is by Beauty Buffet; its cheap and cheerful.

Two fairly opaque nail polishes.

I used 17's "Parma Violet" and "Bolt from the blue".

A dotting pen:

To make a dotting pen, simply get hold of a pencil that has an eraser built into the end. Stick the needle into the eraser and there you have it! The pencil makes the needle easier to handle. 

A palette. 

Any form of flat based receptacle will be fine!

(I tried out other colours as you can see)

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The Making:

(Sorry that there are no images) 

1. Apply one layer of your clear top coat and wait for it to go tacky.

2. Select the colour you desire to be the centre of the flower and pour some onto the palette.

3. Using your dotting tool, dab it into the colour on your palette and dot onto the centre (or anywhere you would like the flower) of your nail. 

4. Again, but with a different colour for the petals, pour the paint onto the palette.

5. Like before, dot the petals into place, and wait to dry.

6. Apply top coat to seal them in!

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Fin

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5 Things I'm Currently Loving!

Number 1:

Original Source, Vanilla and Raspberry shower gel

I was around my boyfriends house when I came across this ONE HELL OF A SHOWER GEL. I was just minding my own business, reflecting on life as I washed the troubles of the day away when my nose was suddenly infatuated with the delicious scent from Original Source, Vanilla and Raspberry shower gel. It smells AMAZING, words cannot describe, I want to eat it, yes, it is that good. The next day I went into town specifically to purchase my own.

I got it for £2.12 in Wilko, which I thought was a bit pricey for a shower gel, but it only contains natural plant extracts and scents, so it's all good really!

Number 2:

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation

I decided to purchase a new foundation as my old one was a shade too dark and well, sucked. I did some research and decided to go out and get the Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum. I was stuck between Bourjois' foundation or its serum but as my skin isn't that bad, I went for the lighter feel serum. This foundation is amazing, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants a natural, dewy and weightless foundation. It has a medium to low coverage, but it covers everything I need it to. 

Number 3:

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Really Red (Matte)

I was just browsing the Revlon section in Superdrug and this little lippy caught my eye. It was matte, a nice red to wear in the daytime (I've been wanting a daytime red for a while) and was affordable. First impressions are important and the packaging on Revlon's Super Lustrous Lipstick was on point, the classic gold and black combination sell it to me, it looks high end and definitely not drug store. I found when I was wearing the product that it didn't dry out my lips and I forgot I had it on, which is a top selling point, as well as this, after a meal it was still on and didn't look at all that bad. I find if you apply LipCote it would last even longer! 

Number 4:

Yo! Sushi

Their take away menu

Around last week, for a friends birthday we all went to Yo! Sushi. I have had sushi once before and didn't like it one bit, but I decided I would go into this cool sushi bar open minded and try some other dishes and I loved it! The whole sushi bar set-up made the experience perfect, I have never been to a proper sushi bar before and this excited me greatly, I mean who came up with the whole conveyor concept, it's brilliant! Anyways the food was delicious and I will be returning some day soon.

and finally...

Number 5:

My Neighbour Totoro

Movie Poster

Screencaps

I have two friends that are really into Japan and its everything and to be honest, I think they are rubbing off onto me! I watched Spirited Away about a month back and enjoyed its little quirks and odd story lines, yesterday I wanted to watch something similar, and My Neighbour Totoro came up. I loved this film, It was so sweet and heartwarming. The storyline consists of two young girls who move into the countryside and come across some mystical woodland spirits, one being a giant creature named Totoro. Go and watch it for yourself, if you are looking for something different and a little less of the ordinary. 

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