Wednesday 21 November 2012

Doe a Deer a Female Deer, Ray a Drop of Golden Sun

On Sunday myself and Andrew hopped in the car and took a little trip to Harrogate for the afternoon. We went to a lovely little pub called 'The Kestrel' for lunch (we had the sharing platter; the brie and cranberry was to die for FYI) and it was so nice to just get out of the hustle and bustle of Leeds for the day. On the way home THE most magical thing happened; We were driving over a steep hill and it was all misty and foggy, then we came down the other side and there was a field of deer! It might sound ridiculous to find that so exciting but it just felt SO Christmassy I could've cried. Then Biebs came on the radio and it was just the icing on the cake really, best day ever! 

Anyway I thought I'd show you a quick snap of what I wore for our little venture, Sunday's to me are all about being comfy and lazy so I don't wear much makeup or put on anything exciting but there's no point me pretending I wear leather skirts, high heels and bright lipstick 24/7 is there?



Denim Shirt - Topshop
Burgundy Dress - Topshop
Cardigan - H&M
Scarf - Zara
Boots - Office
Lips - Jason 'Lips Bee Healthier' Lip Balm

Sorry that this is a bit of a chatty, pointless post! I just really wanted to get something up tonight, I had a real urge to blog and I genuinly felt compelled to tell you all about those deer, it made my day, my week, my month and quite possibly my year! Make sure you all enter my Giveaway if you haven't already, I've just reached 100 followers so I am giving away a Mac lipstick!


Becca.x




Tuesday 20 November 2012

100 Followers Giveaway!

I'm so happy! I finally reached 100 GFC followers today and I can't believe how far my little blog has come! I just want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has followed/supported/read my blog as it brings me so much happiness knowing someone enjoys reading what I ramble on about. I've decided to hold a little giveaway to celebrate and give something back to you guys so be sure to enter, good luck everyone!



Good luck everyone and thanks again!


Becca.x


Friday 16 November 2012

Fashion Vouchers - Xmas Party Blogger Challenge

Bit of a different post from me today as this is actually my entry for the www.fashionvouchers.com 'Christmas Party Outfit Blogger Challenge'. To be in with a chance of winning £100 in fashion vouchers all you have to do is pick one of their merchants and put together the perfect Christmas party outfit that comes in under £100. The merchant I chose was of course, the ever expanding ASOS, but there is a whole host of other shops and online fashion specialists to choose from. For full details on how to enter the competition just click here.



Mango Dress - £44.99
Rimmel London Kate Lipstick in '107' - Currently £3.84
Pack of Rings - £8.00
Cross Earrings - £10.00

Total - £91.83

The outfit I put together is very vampy and perfect for Autumn/Winter parties. I chose this absolutely stunning velvet maxi dress with cut out mesh panels as it looks so expensive and is definitely something I would choose to wear. I think it would be perfect for pear shaped girls like myself as it is detailed around the top, highlighting the slimmest part of the body, but it subtly flares out of bigger hips/thighs.

I chose these gorgeous burgundy heels as they add to the gothic vibe and are very on trend with the pointed court shoe style. I carried the oxblood red through to the top of the outfit by choosing the ever-so-popular Kate Moss for Rimmel lipstick in shade '107'. 

Jewellery wise I chose these really statement cross earrings as they offer continuity to the vampish outfit but they also add a bit of drama to what is actually quite a plain ensemble. Because there are no sleeves on the dress I felt something extra was needed so chose this simple set of gold band rings as they create more interest without being too over the top.

I hope you all like my entry for the Fashion Vouchers Blogger Challenge and if you attempt this yourself please link me to your post as I love seeing what outfits people put together!



Becca.x

Thursday 15 November 2012

OOTD - Leopard & (Fake) Litas

Hi guys, just another little outfit post for you today featuring my new Lita rip-offs from Office! I just cannot get over how comfy they are, I'm usually the girl who takes her shoes off after about 5 minutes on a night out and forgets one of them in the taxi on the way home but I think these may just change that! Not that I actually go out anymore...












Shirt - River Island
Skirt - Topshop
Coat - Label Lab @ House of Fraser
Fur Stole - H&M
Boots - Office
Lipstick - Chantecaille 'Aurora' 

Apologies for featuring this skirt AGAIN. I know its been in my last 3 outfit posts but I honestly cannot stop wearing it, it literally goes with everything, I just love it! I bought this leopard print shirt from River Island a couple of months ago and I love the black contrasting sleeves and little studs on the collar,it's perfect for this time of year.

I have a few days off work at the moment so I'm trying to post as often as possible, I'm really enjoying blogging and can't believe it's nearly 6 months since I started, I feel like I've come such a long way. I'm nearly at 100 GFC followers now and looking forward to doing a little give away to thank you all for your support so keep your eyes peeled for that over the next couple of weeks! In terms of the prize I'm unsure whether to go for one high end item or whether to get a few different drugstore bits so let me know what you guys would prefer, it's one of you who will be receiving it afterall!


Becca.x


Wednesday 14 November 2012

My Autumn/Winter Shoe Collection

I feel that it is something of an occupational hazard when working in a shoe shop that you end up buying a lot of shoes. I've worked for Office for around a year and a half now and I have developed quite the footwear collection so I thought I would do a little (massive) post showing you the shoes I've been rocking for these Autumn/Winter months!






Not the most weather appropriate shoes in the world but I love wearing my white Converse all year round. They are super comfy and literally go with anything! I think Converse always look better when they've got a bit scuffed up and are more worn looking so I am pretty happy with the stage mine are at. Just a little note for if your ordering Converse online or not trying them on, they come up pretty big so you're better off going down atleast a half size; I'm a 6.5 and I got a 6!




Studded Ankle Boots - River Island

One of my few pairs of shoes not actually from Office I have had these little studded biker boots for a good 2/3 years now and I can happily say they are my favourite boots OF ALL TIME. These have studs missing, scuffs all over and pretty much no insole left inside but I think they look better than the day I bought them! They are super slouchy and loose and look so nice with skinny jeans tucked in.




Lace Up Boots - Office

I bought these little cute lace up boots from Office last year. They are such buttery soft leather and a really nice change from the standard tan/black boots. 


Vans Authentic - Office

It took me a while to buy a pair of Vans for some reason. They were everywhere over Summer but I wasn't massively keen on any of the colours but as soon it hit Autumn I knew I had to get this Burgandy pair! They are so so comfy and make every outfit look casual but thought out. As with Converse, these come up quite big; I am a 6.5 and went for the 6!





This is the comfiest boot ever and really seems to dress up any outfit! They are a gorgeous black suede with a really 90's chunky heel; Me and the girls at work call them 'Clarissa' as in Clarissa explains it all? You'll have to be a true 90's kid to know what I'm on about ;) I'm not a big fan of these with jeans but they look so lovely with tights and dresses.




Leopard Studded Shoe - Urban Outfitters

I received loads of compliments on these after featuring them in a recent outfit post, you can see that here. They were a total bargain in the sale and I think leopard print is perfect for Autumn as it looks amazing with all the dark berry colours that are around. I love the tiny heel with the studded detail and they are really easy to style.





These are the latest addition to my shoe collection and were an absolute bargain after being reduced to just £25! They are clearly a total copy of the Jeffrey Campbell Lita's but what I really love about these is that they come a lot lower on the ankle so are much more flattering if you are concious about your legs like me. Im going to be wearing these with dresses and tights all through Autumn/Winter for Christmas parties as they are so comfy and give an 'edge' (cringe) to any outfit.




'Nikita' Boot - Office 

This is probably my most worn boot, hense why it is looking a little worse for wear! This is just the easiest little ankle boot to wear and literally goes with everything.





This is easily my most worn shoe as I wear it to work most days. It is so unbelievably comfy and the leather is incredibly soft. I love the fact the studs are black as I think they go with a lot more than if they were gold or silver and look a bit more expensive. These are getting so scruffy now but I love them that much I think I will buy another pair!




Slippers - Primark

It wouldn't be an Autumn/Winter post without a pair of slippers so these are the ones Im currently wearing and they were super cheap from Primark! They are lovely and soft inside and keep my feet toasty in this freezing cold house!

So they are the main shoes and boots I've been wearing so far this Autumn/Winter. Let me know if you've liked this post as I could do something similar for my heels/going out shoes and also a similar one when Spring/Summer comes around. A few of my friends and little baby Lily are coming round for a take away tonight so I better go clean this mess up...



Becca.x


Sunday 11 November 2012

OOTD - Denim & Leather

Just a little casual OOTD for you today, you can see the new hair a bit better too! Im staying at my mums for a few days at the moment while Andrew's away working in Scotland so I'm enjoying the luxury of fast internet! I've got a few days off work this week which is so exciting too so I'm hoping to spend it blogging, seeing little Lily, catching up with friends and getting the house in order. I love this time of year and I'm really enjoying the build up to Christmas already!







Jacket - Primark
Denim Shirt - Topshop
Pleather Skirt - Topshop
Boots - Office
Lips - Benefit 'No Competition'

I literally can't get enough of this pleather Topshop skirt. It just goes with absolutely everything and makes the most casual outfit seem a little more thought out. Also it's an excellent length if your tall like me and normally find skater skirts come up too short, a real investment piece!

What are you all up to this week? Am I the only one excited for Christmas already!?


Becca.x

DIY Ombre/Dip Dye Hair - Colour B4 & L'oreal Wild Ombre Reviews

So as you know from my last OOTD post, I have been really struggling to decide what to do with my hair; It is pretty long now and I feel like it is just lifeless, one dimensional and boring. I have had it dip dyed twice before and really liked it both times but boredom lead me to change it, I have decided to give the whole ombre hair trend one last go though and thought I'd test out the new L'oreal Preference Wild Ombre DIY kit.

Since my previous dip dye I have used various coppery/red/warm brown tones on my hair and because of this I knew it would be extremely difficult to lift the ends of my hair to any other colour than orange. Because of this I decided it would be wise to try and strip the colour out of my hair using Colour B4, an at home colour build up removal kit available from Boots, Superdrug and various supermarkets.





My hair prior to using Colour B4 - As you can see it has a lot of warmth.

I won't go into too much detail about how to actually use Colour B4 as the instructions are all included with the kit and it is extremely important you follow them to a tee, but essentially there are 3 main stages. To begin with you mix bottles A and B together and apply it liberally all over, ensuring you really work it in to the hair, especially the darker sections you require the most lift. What this does is shrink the colour molecules so you are able to wash them out in the rinsing stage. If you have thick or long hair you may want to use 2 kits as I did.

For the extra strength Colour B4 kit you leave it on for 60 minutes, and I will warn you, this stuff absolutely REEKS. Think rotten egg. I'd love to say throw open the windows, but you can't. You need warmth to ensure the best possible results so any drafts are a no-no. I stuck a Tesco plastic bag on my head for extra warmth; Cling film would have the same affect. That's right, encase that stink!

After the 60 minutes are up you go on to stage 2, the rinsing. You have to rinse with warm water for 10 minutes none stop, this feels like a suprisingly long time and I felt seriously dizzy when I lifted my head back up. An easier option they recommend is to just get in the shower, but frankly I didn't want that stinky poo smell all over my body. When the 10 minutes are up you go on to stage 3, buffing. You add half of bottle C to your hair, lather it up, leave to soak in for a minute then rinse for another 5 minutes. Finally you add the other half the bottle and use as you would a regular shampoo. You are then ready to check the results.


My hair after using Colour B4 Extra Strength.

I was really impressed with the results of the Colour B4. I think some people go into it naively expecting to go back to your natural hair colour, but the truth of the matter is you have essentially stained and altered your natural hair colour so the only way to get that back would be to grow it out. The colour I was left with was a very light, coppery brown. In order to get it to the base colour I wanted I applied John Frieda Foam Colour in 'Cool Dark Pearl Blonde'. Although I wanted a light brown result, the Colour B4 leaves your hair very porous and susceptible to colour so it is best to choose a colour a few shades lighter than you are wanting. I also only left it on for 10 minutes instead of the full time as I didn't want it too dark and it is always important to remember cool/ashy colours will neutralize warm/coppery tones in your hair and vice versa.


John Frieda Foam Colour in 'Cool Dark Pearl Blonde'



My hair after using John Frieda Foam Colour in 'Cool Dark Pearl Blonde'

As you can see from the photo above my hair was now more of a standard light/medium brown with A LOT less warmth and reddyness than I originally had in my hair. The next step is to use the L'oreal Preference Wild Ombre kit to get the desired dip dye.





My hair developing - Excuse the mucky towel!

The kit really couldn't be simpler to use. You mix it up as per the instructions, put some on the little brush you are provided with and comb it through your hair to the desired height. I'd recommend starting around chin length if you have medium/long hair, and higher up around ear height if you have short/medium hair. I applied it to the lower part of my hair for the first 10 minutes, then took it higher up towards my chin and left it for a further 35 minutes.

I washed it off and conditioned with my new John Frieda 'Full Repair' hair products (which smell INCREDS) and then slapped on a load of Lee Stafford Argan Oil to try and add some extra moisture. I then dried and styled as usual.



So here's the moment you've all been waiting for...THE BIG REVEAL!


Oh hey double chin!





So there we have it! I'm actually really pleased with the results, it has blended really nicely and I think I actually prefer it to when I got it professionally done at the hairdressers. I found that last time my hair was SO dark and the ends were SO light that it was just a bit too harsh but I think this has a really nice gradient. The one thing I would say is that my hair is feeling really dry, but I expected that. You can't expect to put your hair under that much strain with stripping and bleaching and not have your hair suffer. I am hoping a lot of conditioning masks and treatments will give my hair the nourishment it needs but overall I cannot say how impressed I am with Colour B4 and L'oreal Wild Ombre. Definite stars on the DIY hair highstreet!

I hope this helped some of you if you were thinking about going down the DIY ombre route, feel free to ask me any questions in the comments section and I will do my best to help.


Becca.x


Friday 9 November 2012

Product Empties #1

Two posts in one day?! I haven't done that for a good long while! I've never done an empties post before; Mainly because it's rare I actually finish anything but also because it's taken me a while to really understand the point of these posts. When they first became popular I was kind of a bit like 'Why would anyone want to know if I've ran out of toothpaste?' but after reading other blogger's more regularly I see now that they are really a very effective way of reviewing different products. Normally you just get someone's initial reaction to a product, but with an empties post you get to see how quickly they've used it up and whether they would repurchase.




1) Chanel Vita Lumiere Aqua in 30 Beige - By far my favourite foundation of all time. It feels incredibly light and natural on the skin but provides the perfect amount of coverage; I'd say light-medium but buildable. This is my summer colour so I won't be repurchasing straight away but I already have '20 Beige' which I'm using now. I'm fairly sure I will repurchase this foundation forever!

2) Garnier Crystal Resist Hairspray - A good, natural hold without that crispy feeling. Definitely one of the best highstreet hairspray's I've used but I will probably just end up purchasing whatever is on offer when I go to Boots/Superdrug!

3) Sure Crystal Clear Aqua Deodorant - My favourite deodorant as it isn't too strongly scented and seems to work just fine! I have already repurchased the larger size as it is currently on offer in Superdrug.

4) Aussie '3 Minute Miracle' Reconstructor - The best conditioning treatment on the high street in my opinion. Even when I used to do hairdressing and had access to all manner of high end hair brands (Kerastase, Shu Uemura, L'oreal Professional...) this was still my mask of choice.

5) L'oreal Lumi Magique Primer - This is an excellent primer for those who want their foundation to last without wanting anything too matte. This has a lovely dewy finish and is an amazing price. I won't be repurchasing straight away as I am currently trying out the Clarins 'Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch' but I will definitely be buying this again in the future.

6) Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint in '02 Beige' - Before I discovered Chanel Vita Lumiere Aqua this was my go to  skin base. It is really moisturising and makes the skin look radiant and glowy. I would definitely recommend this, specifically in the warmer months, and I have no doubt I will repurchase this in the future.

7) Lancome 'Hypnose Drama' Mascara - I love this mascara, it's really thickening and definitely adds 'drama'. I don't think I'll be buying this again any time soon because I am loving my Clarins 'Wonder Perfect' mascara but it certainly does the job.

8) Collection 2000 Extreme 24 Hour Felt Tip Liner - Hands down my favourite liquid eyeliner. I would never buy a high end eyeliner when there is one as good as this available on the highstreet. It is easy to apply, smudge free and precise.

9) Mac Mineralize Skin Finish Natural in 'Medium' - I have been using this powder for over a year now and it is the best one I have tried on my skin. You only need a light dusting and it makes your foundation look flawless without looking powdery or cakey. I already have a back up of this!

10) Prada 'Infusion d'iris - I got this perfume for my birthday in May and it lasted me well throughout the Summer. It is beautiful, light, floral and fresh and one of those very distinctive smells. The only negative I have to say is it doesn't seem to linger very long on the skin so I found myself getting through it very fast.

11) Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer in 'Ivory' - Possibly one of the most infamous concealers available and it is easy to see why. It has a lovely texture and excellent coverage but shockingly I am doubting that I will repurchase this. I don't seem to suffer too badly with dark circles or spots (touch wood) so I think I am going to try out something a little cheaper next time. Let me know your favourite drugstore concealers, I can already hear a barrage of 'Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection'!

12) Models Own 3 in 1 Base Coat, Top Coat and Gloss - I am not really the person to review this as I have the worlds flakiest and weak nails so no polish ever lasts longer than a day without chipping. I would probably repurchase this as it's a reasonable price and gives a nice shine to the nails but I can't say anything for it preventing chipping.

So there you have it, my first ever empties post! I'll try and do these more regularly now so I don't have so much to cram in to one post but I hope it's given you an insight into what I would and wouldn't recommend. I don't tend to do a lot of product reviews on my blog so I think it's a good way for me to sneak in a few mini ones!



Becca.x

OOTD - Its Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

I am having the best day ever! Me and Andrew both have the day off so I spent the morning in a hot soaky bubble bath, got ready listening to Christmas songs (It's never too early) and then we sped off to M&S to buy a ton of treats for a comfy movie day. The candles are lit, cheese is being consumed, I honestly couldn't feel more festive! This is what I wore today to keep warm and cosy, I cannot get enough of this new coat!






Beanie - Primark
Coat - Label Lab @House of Fraser
Fur Stole - H&M
Jumper - Primark
Pleather Skirt - Topshop
Stud Heel Shoes - Urban Outfitters
Lips - Mac 'Shy Girl'

Soz about the serious ghost face! I hadn't put much makeup on anyway as I was just nipping to the shop; Just a bit of foundation, mascara and my favourite nude lipstick. I love my new coat, I got it in the House of Fraser brand event last week so instead of £130 it cost me around £75, bargain! It is made of real wool in a gorgeous speckled burgundy colour with a pleather collar and pocket trim. I bought the H&M fur stole in black as I love fur collars on coats. I also cannot stop wearing this new Topshop leather-look skater skirt. It gives any outfit a bit of a 'grunge' edge and is so easy to style. My leopard print shoes were the steal of the century! They were £10 in the Urban Outfitters sale with a further 20% off and free delivery so that's just £8! I love the stud detail on the heel, they look so much more expensive!

Finally I need a little advice from you all. My hair has faded sooo much as you can see from the photos and I really cannot whether to go back Ombre or dye it all really dark chocolate brown. My hair is so dull at the moment but I just don't know what to do with it. Suggestions welcome!



Becca.x