25 Facts About me!!!

1/ Right now, I reallllllly want a Chloe, Baby Paddington Bag in Black and several bids have been made on EBay this weekend. I LOVE lots of hardware paired with black leather.

Image from Yahoo Image Search here.

2/ I took some time out a few years ago and did a round the world trip. You know, every girl has got to see Ramsey Street.

3/ I met Dr Dastardly Darcey (Susan and Karl's nephew), remember him?!!!!

4/ I'm not quite 5ft 2 : /

5/ I sometimes still get ID ed and I'm in my thirties! Funny, how I take the whole ID thing better as I get older ; )

6/ I am obsessed with yogurt and not a day goes by when I do not have at least three!

7/ I completed the London Marathon this year and raised just over £1300 for the amazing charity, VICTA.

8/ I would love to do the London marathon again next year but know that it will break me if I come in with a slower time then I've already done.

9/ It would really p*ss me off to be sat at home watching the London marathon next year.

10/ I have a law degree but work as a Carer in the Community. I once won the Carer of the Year award. I LOVE my job and the sense of perspective it has given me, it has changed my whole outlook and probably my life.

11/ I burn up and blush at anything. People like to play on this.

12/ Take me to a coffee shop and I'm going to ask you if a 'White Chocolate Mocha', my go to, is on the menu. I have to ask you because I can never see what is written on those boards.

13/ I'm a bit short sighted.

14/ My taste in men is George Clooney, Adam Levine (and Richard Madeley???) EXTREME!

15/ I wouldn't say I dislike anybody (though I can occasionally pinpoint things I dislike about certain people...) but for some reason and I don't know why, I always twitch when Amanda Holden is on the television. No offence intended Mandy, just an observation.

16/ I think Eminem and Rihanna's, Monster and Katy Perry's, Dark Horse are the tunes that sum up 2013 for me . . .

17/ I'm finally working on the whole short hair thing. I had my extensions cut in to a blunt blog. Yep, not long after Laura from Buy now, Blog Later did.

18/ I didn't hate my short bob but I didn't feel quite so me. Now my hair is mid-to long again but not extraordinary long. I'm still getting used to it...

19/ I read 'For One More Day' by Mitch Albom (image obviously from this Amazon link) last week. I cried and it has officially been placed in my top three books of all time along with Beautiful by Katie Piper and I Capture The Castle by Dodie Smith.

20/ Though I do really like Looking for Alaska and Memoirs of a Geisha and Me Before You and Lucia, Lucia too and ...

21/ Yep, I'm a bit of a bookworm.

22/ I think I'm quite patient with people but I have absolutely NO patience with things. I swear before I even read what has pinged up on the screen in those little computer notices like update required, update now, later or cancel. I'm like why the hell ask me, I just want to read blog etc?!!! Huffffyyy.

23/ My lack of patience means I don't like to cook and actually, I don't really cook at all. I haven't got time to wait for things to rise or set etc. Mum says I should do something while I'm waiting like wash up but I can't multi-task. If I'm doing something, I am giving that, and that alone, my all.

24/ One reason I brought a charm bracelet was because I was so mesmerised by the Frog Prince charm (image from this link too). I just had to have an excuse to buy something similar.

25/ I have brought three coats in the last month but the Primark Sparkly Sleeve one is hardly ever off my back and easily my favourite. I might have to share it with you soon . . !

So that's me in 25 facts (and in the very silly picture at the top of the post), your go!!!! Have you done a 'X facts about me' post like this? Are you going to do one now? Please send me your links if you do : ) I hope you have all had a fab weekend.

Tag: 10 Things I Would Repurchase!

 

I was tagged by the lovely M of C.S.I Beauty Blog to do the 'Ten Things I'd Repurchase' tag.

Thank you, M!

I love the idea of this tag as it is so easy to get carried away when you first try a product and go 'Oh, I love it so' and then six months later find 3/4 of a tube etc in some dark, dusty corner.

Yep, we've all been there. . !

This tag makes me think about putting my money where my mouth is. What products have I actually finished? Will I/have I brought these products again?

And whoa, some of the products where I can confidently say yes, yes and yes in reply to such ponders are not necessarily the products that I get too excited about or talk about a lot here. Sometimes, daily staples are overshadowed by a newer purchase or cleverly marketed novelties.

Well, not today! Here are ten little gems that maybe I take a little too much for granted because thinking about it, I'd actually be quite lost/sad if suddenly I could not get hold of them anymore.

1/ Revlon Colorstay

The first one, Revlon Colorstay, a foundation was actually the most obvious choice for me. I love this foundation and have brought it over and over since my first bottle about three years ago. It is the only foundation I have ever found to offer a shade (Ivory) which completely blends in with my natural skin shade. I like the fact that I can buy a version in this appropriate shade that caters specifically for my dry skin too. This may be why I find that despite quite deep coverage (and I'm quite heavy handed, slapping quite a lot on), this foundation sits so well on my skin and looks natural in that 'she looks as if she has caught the right light' way. I also work very strange hours and I can say that I'm confident that this foundation looks good without touch up for ten hours straight. Though, I rarely touch it up at all as after that long, I care a lot less about what I look like. I initially had doubts about this foundation, my first bottle was very watery and difficult to work with but I think, I had a dodgy bottle as otherwise, I have found these so easy to apply. A lot of people say you have to blend quickly to get a good finish. I haven't really noticed that. The only foundation that comes close is L'Oreal True Match but it is Revlon I come back to, I love it such a lot.

2/ L'Oreal Volume Million Lash

No surprise here, I've raved about this mascara so many times on this blog. This IS the mascara to give you lashes. Yep, this one delivers volume; length and separation. In fact, if I had to design a pair of falsies for me. The lashes would basically be a blatant copy of what this mascara delivers. Yes, sometimes it can be a bit of a diva but with steady hands, dry weather and a little patience, this mascara always magics me up some fantastic lashes that no other mascara has mustered. Honestly, this mascara is worth any extra effort that may be required.

3/ The Daily Smooth

Now I'm a fan of all the Soap and Glory body butters but when we consider the gorgeous scent, the mid range price and the good emollient job delivered by the Daily Smooth then it is no wonder, that this is my body moisturiser of choice.

4/ Gucci Rush 2

This scent, with notes that include Banana, Blackcurrant and Rose, is like no other. It is the one scent that always makes me smile and sometimes, it is the only scent that will do.

5/ All That Glitters Eyeshadow (MAC)

I've read time and time again that this MAC eyeshadow may be a little orange for pale skins but I really like how this one looks on my eyes. It tends to be one of my go to shadows for work. I tend to colour block it, blend out and then poof, suddenly my eyes seem to come to life. No more work or shadows required. The result of this very, very simple eye make up is subtle in the way that it catches the attention of others and is just quite pretty. I think I've said before, this is the shadow that gets you the 'pretty eyes' rather then 'pretty eye make up' comments. Blimey, this one could become holy grail!

6/Angel lipstick (MAC)

Another daily staple for work, Angel from MAC just makes my lips look a little bit more. However, slap some gloss on top and this lippie actually becomes rather alluring.

7/ No 7 Hot Cloth Cleanser

This is my cleanser of choice now and I tend to stock up when Boots have their frequent £5 off NO 7 voucher on. It seems to cleanse my skin well, without irritating or drying it out leaving a great base for my moisturisers to begin working their magic.

8/ La Roche-Posay Hydreane Riche

I've done a rave on this one, it makes my skin so soo soft after just one application and seems to keep my complexion pretty clear. Hands down, the best (face) moisturiser I've ever tried.

9/ Benefit Erase Paste (not pictured)

I wore this for about two years and only went through three pots at the most. It lasts almost forever and gives me the finish I want (and one that lasts all day). It blends well over my colourstay and covers up my dark circles so well. The only con is the price tag and that is why recently I have been using the Collection 2000 Lasting finish concealer which is good (though probably not as good as the Erase Paste) and a lot cheaper per an item but each tube only lasts a couple of weeks making it a bit of a false economy so I think, I will be switching back to my beloved Erase paste soon.

10/ L'Oreal Elnett (not pictured)

I think most people agree that this is one of the best hairsprays ever (TIGI Headrush is good but more expensive). It holds the hair in place without stickiness, seems to add shine, brushes out easily and smells divine. I'm not really very curious (or knowledgeable) about other hairsprays because whenever I need one, I can always get hold of Elnett and it does exactly what a hairspray should promise to do.

I tag:

Amelia: Duckling to Swan

L: C.S.I Beauty

Laura: Beauty Lover's Notes

Dani: The Beauty Dressing Room

Sarah: I Heart Cosmetics

A.J: The Sunday Girl

Lisette: Lisette Loves

Muhsine: Bubblegarm

Steph: Ess-jay24

Kelly: Klg Hair Advice (+all things nice)

 

. . . because I currently really enjoy all these blogs but to be honest, I'd love to tag all of you!!! Please let me know in the comments what you'd repurchase or do a tag post like this one and link me to it in the comments. It'll be fun to see what you all buy and recommend.

Oh and don't forget to check out C.S.I Beauty Blog written by M and L. Great posts, fabulous reviews and posts almost every day. Wonder Women or what, how do they do it?!!

Have a good night.

 

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Tag 8 questions???

I have been tagged by the gorgeous Nicoletta, thank you, with eight questions.

So here we go . . .

1. What's your favourite ice cream flavour?

I love Ben and Jerry's Phish Food which is the primary reason that I try to avoid it! Otherwise, I think it has to be a tub (not so keen on cornets) of vanilla ice cream with strawberry sauce and I like to let it melt a little 'cos it is easier on the teeth and quite frankly, tastes even yummier that way.

2. How many times have you really been in love?

Twice!


3. Favourite body lotion?

Hmmm at the moment, it is all about the body oil for me and yes, there will be a post;) However, I love the Soap and Glory Daily Smooth body lotion. It smells so pretty and layers with many perfumes so fragrantly. I also like the Body Shop Butters especially Vanilla but feel that they may be slightly overpriced.

4. Do you believe in spirits/ ghosts?

My head says no but in my heart, I do! I'm not in to horror but I do find some tales, the less scary ones, fascinating. There are just too many unexplained happenings out there.

5. Whats your favourite drink? Alcoholic or soft drink?

When I was at uni, it was all about the tequila and aftershock (ouch!) but now it is all about the odd cocktail or orange and tia maria once or twice a year.

Ahem, that is the official line anyway.

On a day to day, it tends to be tap water for me although I've ridden the green tea wave.

6. Do you have a big family?

Yes, I do! I have so many cousins, aunties, uncles and the most gorgeous little nephew in the whole wide world.

7. Did you have a nickname at school?

I don't think so. Not one that I knew about anyway.
Some of my family call me Number One because I'm the eldest of three girls and I've also been called Spam because my christian name is Samantha.
My gorgeous little nephew calls me 'Ammie' and consequently, that is my favourite word in the whole wide world but he is the only one allowed to call me it.

8. What 1 makeup/ skincare item are you lusting after?

Boring and predictable but the Naked pallette, it looks gorgeous and so usable.


Laura also tagged me with the eight questions, you can see that post here. This time I am going to pass the tag on and try to come up with some questions of my own.

So.

Let me think. . . tick tock . . .tick tock . . .

My questions are


1/ What was your last make up purchase?


2/ What is your favourite perfume?


3/ What would your 'perfect' Sunday entail?


4/ You can only buy one eyeshadow or one lipstick, which do you choose?


5/ What do you spend the most energy (and maybe even money) on, your hair cut or your hair colour?


6/ If you could spend a month anywhere in the world, where would you go?


7/ You're shopping and your friend has lost you. Are you at the make up counter, rummaging in among the clothes rails or in the shoe department?


8/ Who is the one person that you would like to speak to today?

The chosen ones I tag are

belles boutique

B U B B L E G A R M

Get Gawjus

I Heart Cosmetics

Life, love and lipgloss

Superficialgirls

Tacky Blue Eyeshadow

The fashionteller notes

Happy Bank Holiday!
All images in this post were found in a google image search.

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8 Questions Tag!

I've been tagged by Laura to answer 8 questions! Laura (http://emeraldgreen88.blogspot.com/) says the rules to this tag are that I have to answer these questions then pass on the tag with 8 questions I have made up!

1. What is your most worn nail polish?

Ooh, I think that would be my Claire's Accessories Neon Pink.

2. If I gave you £1000 to spend on anything you wanted, what would you buy?

Right now?! I think it would be one of those intensive boot camp things. I need some air and to move my body a little more. Sometimes I need a jump start. I'm a person of extremes, all or nothing. Please note, they forecast rain today so unless I get myself to a boot camp pretty quick, I think I will change my mind and grab some Merle O'Grady jewellery and a Daisy Stack instead!

3. What three things do you always keep in your handbag?

Phone, purse and a mini perfume or two.

4. What is your dream job?

I wish I knew but event planning sounds fun!

5. If you could have any celebrity's wardrobe whose would you choose?

I'm not sure maybe Cheryl Cole's because there seems to be so much in there that I'm sure there would be a few pieces that I could work with. Would Laura (Emerald Green 88) throw her make up collection in too?!

6. Did you make any new years resolutions and have you stuck to them?

My mission and this blog, I've stuck with both so far.

7. What is your favourite beauty product at the moment?

Morrocan Oil

8. Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

On a beach with sunshine and the handsome man!

Thank you, Laura! Your questions were great (and made me think), I'm not sure I could better them so I tag anybody who wants to do this tag and Laura's questions. Leave me a link or your answers in the comments below.

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POST REWIND: My Lipstick Valentine!

This is a post which was published on wordpress http://essjay23x.wordpress.com/ for Valentines.
The undeniable magical connection between Creme de la Femme and I has left me feeling a bit for my all time lipstick love, Snob so I thought I would post rewind to show the absolutely fabilicious Snob a little love x

So can anybody guess which MAC lipstick is my Lipstick Valentine?


I thought when I walked in to MAC the other day, that my destiny laid with St Germain. I have seen a few swatches and read a few very complimentary comments on St Germain and was sure this would be my next MAC lipstick. When I saw it in MAC, St Germain was just as gorgeous as I imagined it to be. The only problem was I thought it was very similar to my Barry M 100 and I just could not justify getting one so similar especially as I kept picking out another lipstick again and again to swatch . . . Snob!

I love Snob x x x

This is it. This is for real. I absolutely adore this lipstick. I was so lucky to pick it up the other day. Snob and I weren’t even meant to meet properly. I was aware of Snob but thought it was just another light pink lipstick and of late, I have collected a few of those.

It is a beautiful colour on the lips and strikes the right balance between bright and subtle. Colour-wise, it should sit on the light/nude side barely noticeable but yet there is something about its energy, the vibrancy in the colour or something and I think it really draws the eye especially when it catches the light. As if that wasn’t enough, it seems to go on effortlessly and it lasts. Now I know what a perfect lipstick looks and feels like. My Lipstick Valentine!

What do you think of Snob? Have you got a Lipstick Valentine? Is it an old love or a new lust? I tag Muhsine (Bubblegarm), Laura (Lollipop26), Laura (Emerald Green), Jemma (BamboozleBeauty), Jess (Star Violet), Milly (Pearls and Poodles) and any of you who want to do a post about your one true love (well, for Valentine 2010), your Lipstick Valentine.

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The Gorgeous Blogger Award!

Thank you, Laura http://emeraldgreen88.blogspot.com. She has awarded me the Gorgeous blogger award.

The Gorgeous Blogger Rules are:



- Accept and thank the person who gave it to you.



- List 10 things about yourself.



- List 5 additional things you DON’T like.



- Then pick ten people to give this lovely award to.



Ten things about moi!



1. I like to go travelling and usually, on my own. I have been to Japan, Singapore, Italy, Ibiza, Australia, New Zealand and North America (Vegas, LA , NYC and San Fransisco) all on my own.



2. One of most amazing things I have ever done is skydive over Sydney. It is mindblowing as you float over the world and see life going about as normal below you.



3. I am really in to my tops and occasionally dresses. I love the detailing you can get on a simple vest type top which can turn it from a top in to a outfit. I think I’m quite good at finding a nice top but I am absolutely rubbish at buying jeans and trousers. At 5 2″, it is hard to get anything the right length and fit.



4. I love pretty shoes but find shoe shopping really hard work. You always have to fight to get to the nice shoes and then I find they never fit my feet perfectly enough, some toe has to be squeezed in or if I go a size up, they are too big and then I feel guilty if I buy because I know they don’t fit right and not a wise purchase but on the other hand if I don’t buy then I resent the plain boring but sensible shoes that I have to wear instead.



5. Sometimes I say little and it can be because I’m shy but sometimes it is because I just don’t see the point in saying something just so it has been said if the words mean nothing at all.



6. Although I can be quite quiet. If you catch me in a good conversation and I find what you say interesting, I’ll probably never shut up and if I’m talking back to you at length, the chances are I am letting you in.



7. I am the eldest sister but right now, I feel like the youngest and what’s more, I’m kind of liking that. Grown up stuff freaks me out sometimes. In my early twenties, I tried to be beyond my years and it just didn’t work for me.



8. I have a Law degree which I have never really used.



9. I had braces for years and my jaw realigned to straighten my teeth but I have never had a filling.



10. I absolutley adore my little nephew and feel sorry for any other child (here or to be) cos I’m not sure they could compare to my favourite thing in the whole wide world. I’m actually less fussed about being a Mum since he came along because I don’t see how any child could compare!



Five dislikes about moi!



1. I may not always be the loudest one at the party or the feistiest one in the relationship but when you finally do upset me then I don’t forgive or forget so easily.



2. I always think of the best things to say, answers and comebacks a little too late.



3. I get impatient. If I want something then I want it now and if I can not have it now then I don’t want it at all.



4. Sometimes I waste too much time on the computer mainly because technology and I do not seem to get on.



5. I love to walk things out, it really calms me down being out in the air yet I feel self-concious when I’m just walking for the sake of it with no destination in mind. One part of me knows that it calms me down but the other part thinks it is all just a bit pointless.



I hope this is ok but I would just like to tag any of you who would like to do this. Leave us a link to your post.

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Blogspot, WordPress and tag!

Hey, how are you all? I hope you are all happy, healthy and ready for lots of babble cos I've got a few little updates for you today. First of all, it is time to cheer! I have found an easy way to upload photos and posts on to Blogspot http://essjay23x.blogspot.com . I am going to copy and paste from my WordPress blog http://essjay23x.wordpress.com , is this cheating?! As you may have seen, I have already uploaded WordPress posts from the last week or so. I plan to upload any future posts more or less at the same time on my wordpress and blogspot blogs (how greedy am I, having two blogs?!) so if you'd like to follow (yes, please!) then you can choose whichever way is best for you. You will be able to follow my posts on wordpress http://www.essjay23x.wordpress.com (via e-mail or bloglovin, there will be links in the sidebar) or you can follow my blogspot one 'Mission Pretty' http://essjay23x.blogspot.com using the google friend contact (again, there will be a link in the sidebar). And then of course, you can also follow using your own readers and other things that I do not really understand. However, when the number of e-mail subscribers for wordpress, bloglovin followers and google friend followers add up to 50 then I will have another giveaway for those that are so kindly following me using one of these methods. I hope I get there because I'm already thinking about prizes, I only want to give you things that I believe to be good so I may have to have a few more hauls to try things out, hee hee. As a bonus on Blogspot, there will be some posts up as part of my 'Post Rewind' series where I will republish some of my earlier posts from WordPress possibly with updated thoughts and opinions, if applicable. For those of you who want to stay with WordPress, I may do an additional post as and when summarising these updates and linking to the original posts. Also Girlies, as I am on a mission, I would love to read any of your thoughts, comments etc. I've noticed that I have not had quite so many comments lately and I'm just hoping my wordpress comment gizmo is working ok. If you do have any problems contacting me, feel free to e-mail me or contact me through my other blog. I really would love to get to know you all a bit better and will probably reactivate my Twitter account again soon. ***** Anyway since we are talking all things bloggy today. I thought I would do the couple of tags that Laura and Jemma so kindly gave me when I was on my blog break. * Firstly we have Laura. Some of you may have heard me talk about her very enjoyable blog before. Her blog is brilliant and I can't believe that it is only about six months old. All of her posts are fab but lately I have being so impressed with her creativity and some of the make up looks that she features. Laura is also very, very supportive. She did a post of swatches for me once when I was looking for purple eyeshadows. She didn't have to do that and she doesn't have to do all the share the loving that she does. She is now gaining followers quite quickly, why don't you pop over and see why? Anyway Laura tagged me with the 20 questions tag http://emeraldgreen88.blogspot.com/2010/03/20-questions.html 1. What can't you leave the house without? My telephone and keys. The idea of being locked out freaks me out. Suddenly the world seems a much scarier place when you didn't actually intend to be outside. If I plan to be in watching The City tonight then that is where I want to be. Ooh and also I don't like to be out and about without my little Tangle Teaser. 2. Favourite makeup brand. Maybe MAC because there is a lot of hype but from what I have seen so far, most of it seems to be justified and also a special mention for Barry M because I probably would have quit my mission and took up knitting or something a long time ago, if I hadn't found their products so cheap and inspiring. 3. Favourite flower? I'm not sure about this one. It depends on the occasion. I'm not usually a colour person but if I see orange roses or carnations then I normally have to buy them. I guess it quite a novelty to find something so bright and exotic here. 4. Favourite clothing store? I was the TopShop Princess when I was at university. Cor, that card got some use but now, I don't really buy as much clothes now (I try, I tried today but I find it depressing) but when I do then my best bet is usually Oasis or Warehouse. Bay Trading as well always used to work for me. 5. Favourite perfume? Probably Gucci Rush 2. 6. Heels or flats? I used to be addicted to heels. For 10 years, I wore nothing but heels even hiking in the Lake District but then I got old and my feet started to hurt. A lot. So now I tend to wear my flat sketchers on a daily basis and heels only at night. I kind of want to go back to heels in the day again as part of my mission but I'm really conscious now of the clip clopping when you walk down the street. It really echoes in a small town like where I live and everybody turns and looks and then I normally trip up!! 7. Do you make good grades? At GCSE and A-level, I was a very good student. At uni, things slid but I came out with a Law degree. 8. Favourite colours? Depends on my mood really. 9. Do you drink energy drinks? No! 10. Do you drink juice? Very, very occasionally. Really I only drink tap water unless I'm on a night out. See question 20 for the exception. 11. Do you like swimming? I do when I make myself go but I just don't go anymore. My sisters and I did a lot of swimming when we were younger, they were very good! 12. Do you eat fries with a fork? Yeah, I probably would. 13. Favourite moisturiser? Still on a quest to find it. Neals Yard Berry one seems to be doing well. 14. Do you want to get married? I've always wanted to be find a someone to be with forever and that could mean marriage so yes, I guess. 15. Do you get mad easy? I have little rants in my head but it takes a lot for me to express that to you or others. If I am mad enough to tell you or ignore you then you are probably in very big trouble. I don't forget easily. 16. Are you into ghost hunting? I am very, very curious some days but other days, I'm like no way. It is certainly something I find fascinating to talk/read about etc. 17. Any phobias? Not really anymore. As a child, bananas;dogs and pre-made sandwiches maybe came quite close to been phobias of mine. 18. Do you bite your nails? No. 19. Have you ever had a near death experience? No. 20. Do you drink coffee? Only in a proper coffee shop and not proper coffee but like a chocolate mocha or a vanilla something. At home, I do not really drink coffee but sometimes I will add a little tiny water to powder just enough to make it soggy and scoop that up. Eurgh, did I just admit to that?! * Then Jemma nominated me http://bamboozlebeautyblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/sunshine-award.html for the Sunshine Award. Thank you, Jemma. I recommend any of the links in my WordPress sidebar. I especially recommend Bamboozle Beauty. Jemma is a very active member of the Beauty Judge community and is brilliant at reviewing products so you might find it very handy to check her blog out. If any of you want to answer the 20 questions or share the love with the Sunshine award then feel free, I tag you. It will be a great way to get to know you better. Don't forget, there are different ways you can follow my posts now so please do, if you want to! X