Love for the Yorshire Soap Co.

Body Lotion, Shower Gel and Bath Salts

A few months ago I blogged about a charming little soap shop that I stumbled across in York. I was taken by the sheer charm and creativity of what the company had to offer. I was so pleased with my products that I couldn't resist stopping by again. So yes I stumbled once again and fell into the Yorkshire Soap Co. then picked myself up along with a few more products and went on my merry way. Bath time just got a little more exciting!

After falling in love with the Cherry Bake well range I couldn't resist trying the bottled shower gel. The formula is extremely rich in both fragrance and texture. The consistency of the gel is very thick, and feels luxurious as it glides over the skin and lathers. The gel leaves your skin feeling smooth and sensuous, making the perfect base for the complimenting body lotion. For the best results, I would recommend using this product in a relaxing bath, as it would be truly wasted in a quick 'in and out' shower. A little goes a long way meaning you can enjoy the product for longer! The blend of cherry, almond and vanilla makes for the perfect confectionery scent, that's is both sweet and alluring that lasts all day. If sickly sweet isn't your flavour of choice there are many other fragrance to choose from in the Blend range. From Yorkshire Lad and Lass to a more classic Yorkshire Rose, there will be a fragrance to suit all noses.

A 250ml bottle will cost £6.50, a reasonable price for a little piece of luxury made by a smaller company who love what they do. These products really reflect the pride and creativity of the company and are a must have for a pampering night in.

Next time I am out and about in York, I will be picking up the bath foam to complete my little range of goodies and may even delve into the Macaroon blend to see what they have to offer. Take a look at the other delights the Yorkshire Soap Company has to offer by visiting their web page here!

D.x

Viktor&Rolf FlowerBomb

 

 

Viktor&Rolf FlowerBomb EDP

 

One thing I can never leave the house without is a spritz of my favourite perfume. Over the years I

have been through bottles and bottles of perfumes, one of my favourite being Diamonds by Emporio Armani. This time I couldn't resist trying something a little different from my signature scent and this is where this bottled beauty came into my life.

Fashion duo Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren created this beautiful scent way back in 2005, collaborating with beauty powerhouse L'Oreal.  FlowerBomb is an oriental, floral scent that infuses notes of Centefolia Rose, Sambac Jasmine and Cattleya Orchid.  A perfect mix of warmth and sweetness, the powdery musk tone lingers on the skin without needing a touch up.

Packaged in a pretty pink box, stamped with the Viktor&Rolf's seal of approval, the fragrance comes in a diamond shaped grenade bottle that will stand out on any dressing table.

 The mix between floral and musk makes this fragrance ideal for the young and care-free to the older,  more sophisticated women. I first smelt this on my mum back when it was first released and ever since this has been her go to. It is slightly pricey with a 50ml bottle nearing £65 for the Eau De parfum and £55 for the Eau De Toilette so it may be one to put on the wish list for a special occasion.

I personally love this perfume and think it is different from many of high end perfumes out there and have already received a few compliments on my 'new smell'! If you are looking for a new scent that screams sophistication and glamour, give this one a try next time you pass a fragrance counter and let me know what you think!

D.x

Moving on Up

When my mum invited me out with her work friends last night I didn't quite no what to expect. Would it be awkward, would it be dull, would I be bored out of my mind? Well the answer was quite simple, no, no it wouldn't be. We drank, we giggled, we danced and we had a bloody good time.

I have a confession to make, I am a newly single girl which should explain my blogging absence since new year. I really needed a good night out, where I could just let my hair down and have fun.So I did and hope I will be doing it more often now!

Since becoming a newly singleton, I didn't really know what to do with myself. For over a year I have always had someone to experience things with and a routine. It's quite the sudden shock when all that is gone but after taking time out I came to realise people come and go, and life changes. So it is definitely time to get on with things!

I love this dress I am wearing, its a velvet French Connection dress that I bought about two years ago now. If it is black and velvet, I have to have it! I paired it up with black opaques, (my lily white legs are not ready to be seen out and about) and my new Miss.S necklace that I picked up for a measly £1.50! I've really taken to OTT jewellery lately and have picked up quite a few statement necklaces over the past few weeks. They can make or break an outfit, and make something dull a bit more lively! I love Arabella's jewellery selection, she has some lovely pieces and has inspired me to be a little more daring when it come to my own selection.

I was also in the need of a new clutch and bigger is always better in my opinion! I wanted this bag ever since it arrived in one of our delivery's months and months ago, but each time pay day came and went there were always other things I wanted more! That was until this bag went down from £35 to £10! I could no longer resist the suede touch and studded detail! Although I now face the problem of the silver stud, gold jewellery scenario! I hate mixing the two!

In more exciting news, me and my friend are planning a holiday for the summer months! Not decided on where to go as of yet but this is my first ever girly holiday and I am so excited! It means a lot of saving rather than splurging in the run up to summer but with the promise of sand, sea and cocktails I think i may just about handle it!

D.x

MAC Plumful

It has taken me a while to test out the offerings from the MAC lipstick collection. On a recent trip to York, not being one to pass up a trip to the MAC counter, I decided to part ways with fourteen pounds and picked up this beautiful shade.

I love plum and berry shades. They are a way to spice up your make up look without being too dramatic.  This shade is the perfect mix of plum and pink, not too light and not too deep. The colour starts of being quite sheer when you first apply but the colour is buildable for a stronger statement.
The staying power is brilliant, and I found I only needed to top up a few times throughout the day to just build on the colour. I found a lip brush allowed me to be more precise and made outlining the lips that much easier.

MAC Plumful £14

The finish is quite glossy, and is perfect for everyday wear. I usually prefer a matte look lip, but with the weather leaving my lips quite dry, this lipstick was a great alternative. The texture is smooth and didn't cling to problem areas. Popping on a layer of lip balm before hand, provides a great base for the colour.

There are so many other shades that I want to try from this range and for fourteen pounds I think its a cheaper way to get that MAC fix!

Which shades would you recommend for perfect every day wear?

D.x

A Vintage Affair

The Vintage Tea Party Year Waterstones £15.00

I have been in awe of the vintage phenomenon that has been sweeping our nation for the past few years. There is nothing quite like a vintage touch to demonstrate and air of class, originality and creativity.  The fashion, the hair, the lifestyle, there is something quite alluring about the past and I can't quite out my finger on it.

The Vintage Tea Party Book Waterstones £16.00

Well now it could not be easier to allow snippets from the past into your present, if you are looking for something a little retro, a little kitsch than look no further than Miss Angel Adore, author of not one but two amazing books.

The Vintage Tea Party Book burst onto our shelves earlier last year and I have never been so keen to get my hands on a book. A beautifully written exploration of the past in terms of entertaining, food and drink and personal style, Angel Adoree teaches the average novice how to turn her dream tea party into a reality.

make your own butterfly display page 220

Pages filled with charming animal illustrations that could rival Alice in Wonderland, the book is simply beautiful and looks just that amongst all my other plain Jane recipe books. If you are looking for something new to try at home, then flick through and choose at random. One of my favourites is the British Potato recipe. Baked new potatoes with soured cream and chive filling, an everyday recipe with a little something special.

Learn to bake these delicious potatoes page 126

For a sweet tooth try there trifle shots page 173

Not only does this book transform you into a wannabe housewife, but there are also plenty make and do pieces to put your craft skills to the test. Why not try making your own pinny, retro style or even attempt to put together your own bird mobile that would look perfect in any stylish home.

For something a little different that is both beautiful inside and out, pick up one of these books that you can turn to time and time again, in an entertaining emergency or simply to indulge in it's pretty pages.

Don't forget to follow me on twitter girlies need all the help I can get! @Danielle20990

D.x

Soap and Glory The Righteous Butter

I have a little confession to make, up until Christmas day I was a Soap and Glory virgin. I know almost unspeakable as a wannabe blogger but it is true. Alas do not panic as I have now delved into the world of Soap and Glory and I kind of like it.

Soap and Glory mini available at boots priced £2.50

After receiving a couple of their goodies in my Christmas stocking I have grown quite curious as to what this, once little, brand in boots has to offer me. Testing out the miniature Flake away scrub, Clean Girls body wash and The Righteous Butter body butter, I was impressed.

The Righteous Butter Boots £10.50

So impressed that I went straight out and picked up the full size body butter as It was too good to resist, 300ml of good temptations. The thick, creamy butter leaves your skins feeling smoothly nourished without the greasy aftermath. Your skins absorbs the moisture as you rub into your skin and is perfect for dry areas. The butter relieves any dry patches and restores them to their former glory. This product is great to use after jumping out the bath or shower to complete your relaxation routine.

The packing of this brand is to die for. A blend of tongue in cheek humour, retro styling and pink packaging allow for a fun, feminine feel. The black and white imagery makes the range seem vintage and classic as well as being ever so modern with the product names. They make perfect gifts as well as lining your own bathrooms and bedrooms.

I simply cannot wait to try a few more products.

D.x

MAC Fix Spray

I have always wanted to give this product a try. It is one of those products that I am not actually sure what it is supposed to accomplish for your skin and I have often questioned whether it is an essential or in fact glorified water in a spray bottle.

MAC Fix+ Spray 100ml £13.50

After having approximately five minutes at the House of Fraser MAC counter, in the Metro centre three days before Christmas, I walked away with my MAC Skin Finish and this little bottle off obscure clear liquid.

After experiencing problems in the past with my make up, not quite getting the foundation to powder ratio exact, I was often dismayed with the caked on appearance of my skin. That is where MAC Fix spray comes into play.

The finishing mist/ skin refresher is described as a 'soothing moisture mist' that will freshen up your make up during the day whilst adding a finishing touch to your make up. Well I am not sure if finishing touch is quite how I would describe the results of this spray. There is a lot of power behind this little spray and even with the most gentle of touches a lot of product comes out. I find that dabbing the product into your skin with a brush helps set it a bit more and prevents it from being, well, quite as wet.

I did find that once the product was dabbed onto dry areas, the make up underneath blended and took away the harsh bumps created by foundation in dry skin.

The product is practically unscented and doesn't irritate the skin. Avoiding those pesky leaks, the bottle comes with a turning nozzle to lock and unlock the spray, perfect for throwing into your bag when on the go.
It comes in two sizes, the 30ml and 100ml but you can only get the smaller online or in stand alone stores. I picked this up for £13.50 on a whim and wanted to see what the fuss is about.

This is a nice product to use as apart of your make up application process but in no way does it stand out. I am still undecided as to whether this is a product of just a bottle of liquid. The product is handy to have lying around in case of emergencies or if you want to add a little freshness during the day. It would be perfect for those who suffer from dry skins who wish to freshen up their foundation to a dewy more natural finish.

What did you think of the MAC fix it spray? A must have or a better left on the shelf?

D.x

MAC Skin finish

After toying with MAC products in the past such as their Studio Fix foundation and their Select Sheer Pressed powder and being more 'oh ok' this is alright rather than the praising the heaven's that I have finally found my holy grail product that I simply cannot live without. I decided to try a few more products that MAC have to offer.

MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Light £21

After my friend spent a fortune on MAC goodies in an airport in America and vowed that MAC had changed her life, I decided to jump on the bandwagon. Picking myself up the MAC Mineralize Natural Skin Finish powder on a pre-Christmas shopping trip, I was pleasantly surprised.

Opting for 'Light' shade, it matched my skin colour perfectly and offered a light dusting over my YSL foundation of choice, Touche Eclat anyone? i have found that dusting a light layer of powder over the nose, cheeks and chin offers a delicate matte finish that does not dry out the skin or make your complexion dull. One dust is all you need to take a dewy finish to a slightly mattified look. You can add more if you wish to have an all over matte finish without ending up with the all too familiar 'caked on' look.

The product comes in an array of shades too suit all skin shades and can be used just as well on it's own for a quick make up touch up. The packaging is typical MAC. Black plastic casing, simple and straight to the point. It stays clean in the bottom of your make up bag and that is good enough for me.

This product cost me £21, but in my opinion was worth the money. After using a MAC powder in the past, I have learnt that they last a long time and don't crack under pressure. Perfect for a girl on the go.

I apply my powder with the Real Techniques Powder brush, over my foundation before my highlighter and blush. I top up over the day to erase any unwanted shine and still remain un-caked.

If you are looking for a long lasting, light powder than I would give this a try and very much doubt you will be disappointed with results. This product is perfect for someone who needs that little something extra to finish off their look without being too 'made up'.

D.x

A Happy New Year to You

Happy 2013 everyone! Last year absolutely flew over and what a year it was, full of highs and lows, good things and bad things, beginnings and ends. But now 2013 has finally arrived it is time to forget the past and get on with the present!

This new years eve was spent being a little less wild than last year. After finally making plans to go out and have fun, my body decided that it was not to be and I got sick! Perfect way to end the year! The next day after feeling a little more cheery and a little less dreary, me and the boyfriend's family spent the day eating a lovely new years dinner, watching films and eating a few chocolates.

This red dress was a present from Michael and I love it! Thinking red would get me into the festive spirit, I wore this to dinner. I was thinking the dress would look perfect with seamed tights and some cute little pumps and perhaps a trench. What do you think?

Now for the fun to start! To announce my first ever giveaway winner! As promised the winner has been chosen at random using a very random number generator! The lucky winner will receive a pair of Linea polka dot tights and a pair of Jonathon Aston ankle socks and a bar of their favourite chocolate!

A drum roll please...and the winner is... Sunny from Things which make me smile, number seven on the entry list! Congratulations an email is being sent your way!

I cannot wait to start my next giveaway at the end of January, keep your eyes peeled!

D.x

Christmas Past Christmas Present

Please excuse me for my blogging absence for the past week as I have well and truly basked in the Christmas festivities. Present giving and receiving, eating mince pies, watching winter wonderland films and spending time with those closest to me. Although is hasn't all been fun and games as I work in retail. Ah yes the Christmas sales, I both have love for them and hate. Love when I am joining in on the shopping and hate whilst I watch you all shop and then pick up the trail of sale that is left behind.

It is safe to say I have been run off my feet at work but I admit it is nice to get home and forget the day with that big stocking of chocolate that I gratefully opened on Christmas day! Thanks to my lovely family and boyfriend I opened some beautiful presents over the past week. A couple of Topshop dresses, Armani Diamonds perfume, some Porefessional and a stunning Ted Baker phone case are just a few to name.

Expect to see many product reviews showing up due to the heavy number of beauty essentials that have come my way and there are some beauties! From skincare to hair care, I will have it covered in some form or another! There is nothing better than to have plenty of products to try out on the run up to the new year. Speaking of the big day, I have yet to have anything planned for the first time in years! I better think of something quick, before it me all on my lonesome!

With New Year just around the corner it can mean only one thing... the announcement of my first ever giveaway winner! Exciting stuff! To enter my giveaway just take a little look here.

Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas with some special presents!

D.x

Giveaway Update!

Hey lovely ladies there is just two weeks left to be in the chance of winning my first ever giveaway! All you need to do is leave a little comment with your email below and be a follower of this blog. If you have already entered via the first post then you don't need to worry about leaving a comment on this post as you have already entered. I will be picking the winner via number generator on NYE and the winner will be receiving a lovely email on NYs day.

The lucky winner will receive a pair of Linea polka dot tights and a pair of lace Jonathan Aston lace ankle socks that are just too cute. I will also be asking the winner's chocolate bar of choice to also send as a little extra.

Cannot wait to reveal the winner! For an extra entry just follow me on twitter and leave me a tweet quoting giveaway with your email! It is as simple as that!

Happy entering!

D.x

A Little Sock Heaven

Every now and again I go through fazes of things I buy. Last year it was tights. I loved seamed tights, stocking tights, sheer tights, thick tights, spotted, lined, you named it I bought it. This year however my little obsessions is socks.

Since buying a few pairs of polka dot socks from New Look (not pictured) I couldn't stop. I had to have more to go with my Topshop Alexy boots. Since it was impossible to find socks short enough, that wouldn't peep over the top, they had to be pretty enough to show off and of course go with whatever I was wearing on that day.

Well so many high street stores have amazing offers when it comes to socks and hosiery. Topshop, New Look and River Island all have the three for such and such and you end up getting one pair almost free. Topshop have amazing range and is my go to place for when I need some cute socks to add a little detail to my outfit. From frilly to ribbed, to glittery and studded, they have your sock needs covered.

Also River Island have some lovely little ankle socks in with baroque patterns and little bows. For the daring among us, why not try some knee high to thigh high socks there were some amazing gold glittery knee highs that will add a little sparkle to your outfit on Christmas day.

My most favourite pair that I have bought recently have to be the cat print ankle socks from Topshop which are now sold out online! They are so cute I just had to have them. I am not sure what I will wear them with and my boyfriend truly despises them but there little faces called out to me.

Ankle socks peeking out from your boots are an instant way to add detail to an otherwise plain outfit. Whether patterned and bright or simple and plain is your sock of choice there is something out there for everyone this winter.

What socks have you been buying this season?

D.x

To win a pair of your own cute ankle socks and polka dot tights, enter my giveaway here, just leave a comment with your email address and follow this blog via GFC. The winner will be announced NY day! Good luck!

Organix Moroccan Hair Care

Boots Organix Moroccan Argan Oil Hair Care

I am always on the look out for a new hair care regime that will kick my hair into shape. With heavy duty dying, blow drying and straightening, my head needs all the help it can get. With so many treatments, oils and hair rescues on the market it can be hard to find the one that will suit you best. I picked up this little trio on a trip to boots, first came the Organix Moroccan Argan hair oil and then came the complimenting shampoo and conditioner. All I can say is that this is one impressed lady.

This trio is perfect for rescuing well worked hair and when I say that I mean hair that has to overcome all the bad, heated things that hair has to go through to look good. Hair oil is one amazing product that can rectify heat damage, calm split ends and leave your hair feeling soft and glossy. The Organix hair oil is now something that I couldn't live without.At £6.99 I get my pennies worth and by using this product everyday, on towel dried hair. I use the tiniest of amounts and rake through hair evenly, starting from the roots to the tips. The product does not leave any greasy residue to you hair and once the hair is dry there is no evidence that hair oil has been used. Perfect! I have had the same bottle for about four months now if not longer.

When I feel my hair needs a little more TLC than usual I will apply a small amount to dried hair and leave in over night. It may look greasy but trust me it is worth it. You can even use a shower cap to lock in the hair oil to ensure you reap the benefits.

The shampoo and conditioner have a lovely texture and smell great. I buy the smaller bottles priced at £1.99 each and these can last me up to three weeks washing my hair everyday. Only a small amount of each product is needed to guarantee smooth hair.

The small bottles make them easy to store and take away from you, although with them looking the same at first glance it is hard to tell which is which, and yes I have taking the hair oil into the shower and not realised until I poured it into my hand! Such a waste of good product.

If you are looking for a hair oil that isn't as expensive as the Moroccanoil Oil Treatment that everyone is talking about, the Organix range offer just as good of a product for a fraction of the price!

What hair products have you been raving about lately?

D.x

Bourjois Khol Kajal

Like most girls, I wear eyeliner everyday. I favour the cat like flick with liquid eyeliner over anything else. I never get adventurous, I never stray to a different style. I have dabbled with a a khol pencil but have never ventured as far as a gel liner. It would be an understatement to say I play it safe when it comes to my eyeliners. With that in mind, it was very odd that I decided to pick up this product. Enter Bourjois' Queen Attitude Khol Kajal.

Bourjois Khole Kajal

A dramatic name for a very dramatic product. If bold eyes are your thing then this product is for you. It comes in simple black packaging with a cute black ribbon attached. Like a lipstick you you turn the bottom so the products pops out and you can have as little or as much of the eye liner on show as you like. The product itself is very lipstick-esque except that it meets in a point to ensure you get an even, thin line when you apply.

With this product you have control over how thick and bold the product is applied. You can lightly transfer onto you eyeliner in soft, small strokes or press on hard and allow for a darker, thicker line.You control the intensity of the line very easily. I find this product works really well as a smudging tool when you apply liquid liner first, perfect for a smokey eye look. You can blend the Kajal into your everyday eyeliner to 'rock' up your look or to get a darker, bolder look.

You can be very experimental with this product. I found that by using the product over the whole lid for a rough base, shadow can then be applied on top and blended up and out into the socket for an extreme smokey eye effect. This product is great for creating definition and shaping the eye. It can be used on the bottom and top lashes and looks great with lashings of mascara. This product is great for night time to ensure your eyes stand out.

I personally use the Kajal as a top up for my regular eyeliner, for a blended, rough effect and with my Topshop Palette as it works really well alongside eyeshadow. The creamy texture of the Kajal makes it easy to blend and it doesn't crack off like some liquid eyeliners. It is pretty hard wearing and it is very easy to touch up later in the day.

For £6.99 you can use the products in many ways and create different looks. If you want to change your look or experiment with different styles then this may be the product for you!

What do you think of Khol Kajal, would it replace you regular eyeliner?

D.x

Don't forget to enter my giveaway here, the winner will be announced the first of January! Just follow this blog and leave a comment with your email on the giveaway post, good luck!

Patterns and Pieces

Another day off today so planning a shopping trip for various bits and pieces perhaps a present or two for a few special people! A laid back day calls for a laid back outfit. I picked this top up in Topshop the other day. I love the print and think it makes it look more expensive than the £18 ticket price. I am planning on wearing this with my PU skirt and olive jeans. But for today I paired it up with my trusty wet look leggings. I think it may be time to buy some new ones. These are beginning to go a little sheer in places and I really do not fancy showing my underwear off to the world. Thin material leggings and bending over are never a good look.

I knew I would wear my beaded collar again to dress up a more casual look. I like the whole embellishment with a plain tee combo. Nice accessories really add a wow factor to an otherwise plain outfit. There are some amazing statement necklaces in Topshop at the moment and although some are a tad overpriced they are beautiful.

I adore this lipstick that I am wearing today. When the rest of my make up is looking a bit plain and
samey, I add some bright lipstick for a pop of colour. This is 107 from the Kate Moss for Rimmel range.The new collection in the red packaging. For such a low price they really are worth it. They last for ages and I really like the creamy texture when you first apply. I would recommend if you are looking for a striking lip colour that isn't going to break the budget.

Don't forget to enter my giveaway here. I will be announcing the winner on NY's day!

D.x

Velvet and Gold

Just getting ready for work at the moment and off to the staff Christmas do tonight which I am a little excited for! Not too sure what to wear yet, maybe my faithful black velvet skater dress from Topshop with the sparkly dots, sounds quite the Christmas do attire.

Had some exciting news yesterday, I have an interview lined up in the new year for a marketing assistant position so fingers crossed for that. Time to do my research I think. Also waiting to hear back on a couple of other writing projects so who knows maybe this time next year I may be well on my way in forging a writing career for myself!

I can't believe it is almost the new year. This year has gone so quickly, so much has happened.
Leaving University was probably the biggest and strangest change of all that and moving back home. So far so good though so I can't complain. I actually do not know what my NYE plans are yet and with only a few short weeks away I better get a shake on and start planning something. Otherwise it will be me, alone with a bottle of Dissarano for company and I simply cannot have that!

I absolutely love this dress from the Chelsea Girl section in River Island. it is fast becoming one of my favourites, I can literally wear it for anything. Work, meal, cinema, pub times, it is so versatile. It was only £30 which is very cheap for a lovely feeling velvet. The baroque pattern is very 'in' at the moment isn't it? The little fringing is so cute but I have been known to get them tangled causing some bits to fray but never mind!

This scarf is an old purchase from H&M. I love the black panther and the gold print, it is so gaudy and OTT but it reminds me of something you would find at a vintage fayre that was once owned by and old spinster that wore over sized earrings and real fur. Sometimes ugly is the new beautiful and you just have to go with it!

This is my new bag that I banged on about here. I love it, I wanted it to I bought it and have not looked back. it is so roomy that I can fit all my bits and bobs and useless things into. Great for going to and from the boyfriend's with.

Off to work I go, not sure we will get much done today, will most likely be gossipping about who is wearing what and tonight's do.

How are you and your work friends celebrating this year??

D.x