2012

Well hasn't this year gone quickly. 2012 has been an eventful and enjoyable year, here are my highlights;

1. I became a blondie

Before 2012 I had always been a brunette. I never thought blonde hair would suit me and thought the upkeep would cost too much. At the start of 2012 mainly due to boredom I decided to pop up to the hairdressers to get highlights, which gradually turned into full on blonde.

 

 

3. Parents wedding renewal in Mexico

 

This really was a trip of a lifetime, somewhere i'll never forget. As well as my parents renewing their vows it was also my dad's 50th birthday.

 

(my dad and sis)

 

 

 

 

4. Promotion at work

 

In May I was promoted at work, i'm still in the same role and really enjoy what I do.

 

5. Italy (Venice, Florence, Pisa and Rome)

 

Another amazing trip, I would definitely recommend a visit to these cities if you've never been before if only for the food and wine, yum.

 

 

 

 

 

6. Going to the London Olympics

7. Afternoon Tea (this one was on my bucket list - look how happy the tea is making me)

8. Finally, moving out!

Happy New Year everyone, I hope 2013 brings you alot of happiness!!!



Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone. Here's my slightly wonky new christmas tree in my new home. The last few weeks have been so busy with moving out and getting everything sorted for Christmas, I've finally had chance to relax for two days.

 

I haven't yet got the internet in my new house, not until February (why must companies insist on making you wait that long?), but i'm back home today so thought i'd throw up a random quick post so you know i'm still alive.

 

I hope you all have had a fantastic Christmas!

 

Robyn xx

This Week #2

I bought these new shoes from Dorothy Perkins yesterday, only £25 reduced from £45. I couldn't find them to link online. I came home with these after heading off into town to buy food. I plan to wear them next weekend as i'm going to a comedy club with the family.

 

 

Helping my friend set up her christmas tree. We put on a classic Christmas cd and drank wine, perfect night in. Ignore my lack of makeup and tired looking face.

 

 

My new mug, bought off ebay here. 

 

 

 

I moved into my new place this week which meant I had the joy of spending time putting together things from flatpack...like this TV stand. Proud I did it all by myself.

 

 

In an attempt to clear up my skin, I made these two purchases.

Recent Reads

#1 1Q84 - Haruki Murakami (Books 1 and 2)

 

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I enjoyed this book although it was 1000 pages long and took me a while to complete it. On the whole the book is a love story within a dystopian world. Each chapter alternates between the main characters, Aomame and Tengo. There are quite a few emotive quotes within the novel and there is alot of symbolism. This is not an easy read, so if you fancy an intellectual read, one which makes you think, this is for you.

 

This is the only book I have read by Haruki Murakami, I found the narrative prose at times to be a little long winded and boring, I skimmed quite a few pages to be honest because the description of things seemed to drag. After reading other reviews, readers advise to read other shorter work of Murakami before reading this due to his intense style of writing.

 

#2 The Perks of Being a Wallflower

 

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OMG, I read this book in two days because I couldn't put it down. It is quite a short piece of teen literature, a very easy read but full of emotion and meaning. I read this because I knew the film was being released (which I haven't seen yet). I enjoyed and related to so many quotes within this book, I fell in love with the main character Charlie and his way of thinking. Would definitely recommend and can't wait to watch the film.

 

Quotes galore;

 

'we accept the love we think we deserve'

 

'there is nothing like deep breaths after laughing that hard. Nothing in the world like a sore stomach for the right reasons'

 

'things change and friends leave and life doesn't stop for anybody'

 

'I know these will all be stories someday. And our pictures will become old photographs. We'll all become somebody's mom or dad. But right now these moments are not stories. This is happening, I am here and I am looking at her. And she is so beautiful. I can see it. This one moment when you know you're not a sad story. You are alive, and you stand up and see the lights on the buildings and everything that makes you wonder. And you're listening to that song and that drive with the people you love most in this world. And in this moment I swear, we are infinite'

 

#3 Me Before You - Jojo Moyes

 

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This book tugged at my heartstrings, I definitely blubbed whilst reading this one. Me Before You is my favourite of the four I have reviewed. I expected this book to be a fluffy chick lit read (judged solely by the cover), how wrong was I. Its intense subject matter kept me intrigued and took me on an emotional rollercoaster where I was left feeling happy, sad, angry and conflicted whilst at the same time feeling satisfied. Me Before You explores the time Louisa and Will spend together. A definite must read!

 

#4 Looking for Alaska - John Green

 

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I've just finished reading this one. It was ok. It's another piece of teen lit, similar to The Perks of being a Wallflower but not as good. Looking for Alaska is about a young boy Miles and his time at boarding school. The main character has an obsession with last words and is on a mission to find the great perhaps along with the girl of his dreams Alaska. This is another easy read, but it didn't really keep me hooked and in the end I didn't care much for the characters either.

Monday Blues

Today I went back to work after having a lovely chilled week off. It's safe to say I definitely have the monday blues. So to cheer me up i've made a list of the things which have recently made me happy.

 

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#1 Cosying up infront of the fireplace on freezing afternoons whilst catching up with The Real Housewives of New York.

 

#2 Seeing my mum's face light up when me and my sister bought her a bunch of flowers from the market.

 

#3 Spending 2 hours at Pizza Express eating and catching up with a friend whom I haven't seen in months.

 

#4 Driving and singing along to the radio at the top of my lungs...this week to 'Rihanna - Diamonds'.

 

#5 Satisfying my cravings for Malteasers.

 

#6 Being able to go to the cinema in the middle of the day on orange wednesday. Cheap tickets and empty cinema = chomping loudly on nachos whilst watching 'Silver Linings Playbook'.

 

#7 My doctor telling me that people like me make her day, nice compliment to start off an early morning.

What is making you happy at the moment?

Bumble and Bumble Texture Hair (Un)dressing Creme

I used my nectar points to buy this bad boy off Amazon. I am a fan of all the bumble and bumble products I have used in the past, most notably the surf spray and thickening conditioner. This product comes in a 150ml tube where you twist the lid to squeeze some out. I only need a 5p size amount each time I use the product, any more than that will make my hair feel greasy and weighed down.Saying this when you've worked out how much to use on your hair, the results are fabulous. I apply the creme onto my ends of my hair when damp, I then blowdry and style as normal. I have very limp, flat, fine hair and am forever looking for products which will give volume and body. This styling creme gives me that extra oomph when i've blowdried my hair, it no longer lies flat on my head. I would say that this product does give that messy look, but I like that so I love the product & now I couldn't imagine styling my hair without it.

 

 

PROS: Gives body and texture to hair, a little goes a long way so will last a long time

CONS: Too much can make hair greasy, makes hair less shiny, can make hair crispy if using too much

This Week #1

 

 

 

 

A week off work has meant shopping time! I bought this long sleeved black midi dress from Topshop for work (Link) £28. It's very comfortable and stretchy but also flatters the figure with its bodycon style. It's also quite versatile and I thought I could also put a jumper over it and wear it as a skirt.

 

 

 An early morning trip to the doctors this week meant I had to skip breakfast, so I was very naughty and treated myself on the way home.

 

 

Last weekend I went for sit down 3 course meal and an eighties themed disco for my friend's 26th. There was a roll of measuring tape inside my cracker, so my 'normal' friends decided to measure my head. I do worry. The dress I am wearing is from Dorothy Perkins (couldn't find a link to the black, but here's the same in teal - link). It's safe to say we didn't do fancy dress, but beings as we were all born in the eighties we felt it was ok to just go as ourselves.

Me and my sister have a new favourite place, the Urban Coffee Company in Birmingham. I chose to have a large green tea and a tuna, cheese and spring onion sandwich, the hot chocolate is my sisters. I'm trying to cut down my tea/coffee/dairy intake to help clear up my skin, it's going well so far. If you're ever in Birmingham city centre I recommend a visit to one of these coffee shops, there are two, one on Church street and the other in the Jewellery Quarter. I also noticed it was recommended in this weeks Grazia magazine.

Ignore the weird smirk pose. This photo was taken just after I dyed my hair. I went to the hairdressers last week to get my roots done but I felt that the colour in my hair was left uneven, very blonde parts running through the fringe and more brown/dark blonde at the ends (see 2 photos above). I bought a dark blonde home hair dye from Garnier and applied it to the blondest parts. I was impressed with the outcome as the colour looks more even now.

 

The temperature has definitely dropped this week. After having the heating on full in the house for a few hours it was still cold, this little beauty warms up the living room perfectly. I felt very cosy watching a nice film with a big bag of malteasers in front of this. I plan to do exactly this tonight with a large glass of white wine!!

 

How has your week been?

Bucket List - Europe

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I have a habit of making lists. I have quite a fancy notebook next to my bed solely for this purpose, where I create wishlists, lists of foods, music, books, makeup etc. I was flicking through it recently and came across a bucket list i'd written down months ago. It got me thinking about my travels, where i'd been within the last year and also where i'd like to go in the next few years. I thought i'd share some of my European wishlist destinations (these are the realistic ones....);

SANTORINI, GREECE

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Doesn't it look beautiful? Santorini is made up of various white buildings each with gorgeous views of the clear blue sea. I can see myself here relaxing and sipping a cocktail in the blazing sun...bliss. Stuff dreams are made of.

PARIS, FRANCE

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I have been to Paris once before but I was 12, with my parents and can't remember much of it. Paris is such a charming city with an air of elegance, there's something about it that lures me back. There is so much to do; disneyland, landmarks, skincare shopping & more. It's only across the pond too, I can't believe I haven't been sooner in my adult life.

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND

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One of my closest friends described Edinburgh as 'the most beautiful city I have ever been to', and this is a friend who has travelled the world, she also wants to get married here. I've never been to Scotland but would love to go here and see the sights. I bet it's magical in winter.

TUSCANY, ITALY

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During my 8 night stay in Italy earlier this year I visited three main cities, Florence was by far my favourite. It is a very romantic city with plenty to do. If I had more time I would have loved to visit the tuscan countryside, to spend my time riding a bicycle through the winding hills and vineyards, sampling various wines as I went (wino? moi?). Not to mention the amazing italian food!

 

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There we have the top four European destinations on my list. Have you visited any of these places? If so, any hints or tips on where to go/things I need to see? On my list there are plenty more destinations across the world as well as things I want to see/do within the UK! What's on your bucket list?

Mac Lipstick Collection - Nudes and Pinks

(L-R PURE ZEN, HUE, CREMECUP, PLEASE ME, SUNNY SEOL, COSTA CHIC)

(L-R COSTA CHIC, SUNNY SEOL, PLEASE ME, CREMECUP, HUE, PURE ZEN)

These six little lovely lippies are my favourite pinks/nudes/corals from Mac. They are my everyday colours, ones I can apply in 10 seconds at 7am before work and look semi decent. Lets discuss....from left to right (second photo);

COSTA CHIC (FROST) - I don't tend to go for frost colours as they remind me of something my auntie would wear in the eighties, but this one doesn't show up frosty on the lips. It is quite a bright coral/pink colour, I am wearing it in the photo below (on the left).

SUNNY SEOUL (CREMESHEEN) - Similar shade to costa chic but more of a softer pink. I bought this lippie from the recent Cremesheen and Pearl collection, which is permanent. Sunny Seol has a glossy finish because it is infused with the pearl particles which are supposed to give a glossy slightly frosty sheen (it's more gloss than frost). I love it.

PLEASE ME (MATTE) - MAC's matte lipsticks are my favourite. I have quite big pigmented lips so I feel the matte colours suit me better and last longer. Please Me is one of my favourites from the bunch, it seems to last the longest and I tend to wear this colour in the day when I am making more of an effort.

CREME CUP (CREMESHEEN) - This was my first ever MAC lipstick purchase. It is one which I always go back to, it is a cremesheen so quite moisturising and gives a glossy effect. I wear this colour ALOT. I am wearing it in the photo below (on the left).

HUE (GLAZE) - I am gutted i'm reaching the end of this little one. A repurchase must be made asap. I go for this colour when I am sporting a decent tan, it's one of those milky nudey pink colours which doesn't drain the colour out of your face. (wearing on the left in the photo below - i'm sad I no longer have this tan).

PURE ZEN (CREMESHEEN) - Another shade from the Cremesheen and Pearl collection. This is the easiest shade to wear on a daily basis. I throw this colour on before work and touch up throughout the day. Like the other shade from this collection, Pure Zen gives a glossy effect to the lips. The most nude shade in my collection.

(L-R COSTA CHIC, SUNNY SEOL, PLEASE ME, CREMECUP, HUE, PURE ZEN)

As you can see i'm not very adventurous when it comes to my lipsticks, but I know what suits me. My lips are quite pigmented naturally, the dark reds, deep berry colours just don't look right. What is your favourite colour lipstick from MAC? Next on my list is Chatterbox, Fleshpot and Faux!

Pinterest

I have recently discovered Pinterest and I am ADDICTED. It gives me so much inspiration, you can follow me here.

 

 

For the photos' original source, see the links on my Pinterest page. Are any of you obsessed too? Leave your links below.

Clarins Lotus Face Treatment Oil

I picked this 30ml sized product up at the Clarins counter at Selfridges for £29. The lady at the counter told me to use 5 - 6 drops each night instead of my normal moisturiser. I was hoping that using an oil on my face would give me a glow and put some much needed hydration into my skin. My skin type is blemish prone oily/combination, which is exactly what this oil is targeted towards.

 

The product is said to 'purify, balance and improve combination or oily skin', quite a vague description i'd say. The oil smells lovely and refreshing with essential oil qualities of rosemary and geranium. Once rubbed into the skin it gives a really fresh moisturising effect, doesn't feel too greasy. 

 

I have used this oil for a couple of months now and it's still going strong, I haven't even used a quarter of it yet. I found that using the oil every single night was too much for my skin and was causing congestion, just making my skin more spotty, so now I only use  the oil about twice a week when it is feeling quite dry. If your skin is oily/combination but not too blemish prone I would recommend thus product as I feel it does balance the oils on the skin. Have you tried this product? Do you have any other Clarins products you would recommend? I am dying to try the Beauty Flash Balm and any of their toners.

 

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Side note: I'm still getting to grips with the whole blogging thing, and have just worked out how to add the GFC, amateur! I have a measley 0 followers so i'm talking to myself really lol. Have a nice sunday if you happen to be reading this, i'm off to clean my room and read the rest of my book, 'Looking for Alaska - John Green' if you're interested.

 

xx