In and Out 1

OK so I haven't been on here for absolutely ages...or blogged for what feels like years. But rest assured I've not been slacking...my credit card's taken a major battering over the last 10 months. I had been working in Bolton and my journey home usually involved a little de-tour to the Trafford Centre where I discovered Nars, Chanel, MAC, Illamasqua, etc under Selfridges' roof. It was a disaster waiting to happen really.

But now I've moved jobs back to Liverpool...so far so good...I wanted to pop into MAC after work today at 6.30pm but it was closed. Probably a good thing really!!

But since I've been away for so long, I thought I'd give you an insight into what I'm loving and what's not...! (That sounds horribly cliched...sorry!)

In

Lovely Summer Weather
I'm loving the awesome British Summer weather at the moment. My new desk faces out towards the square where 3 sets of offices converge, which makes it the ideal spot for some sneaky lunchtime sunbathing!! It also makes my short walk from the bus stop / car park (depending on my mood!) before and after work slightly more enjoyable!

Sports Galore!!
I think I may be a complete paradox but I'm loving the fact that the World Cup and Wimbledon are dominating the TV schedules at the moment! I've been brought up well by my dad and absolutely LOVE watching most sports! The World Cup gives almost ANYBODY a great excuse to socialise...case in point, I left the office for 2 hours this afternoon to watch the England game! Absolutely awesome afternoon-drinking!!

C'MON ENGLAND!!! P.S. I think I become a bit of a football hooligan whenever an England, Liverpool or Leicester game is on the telly! Haha

Boots 17 Mirror Shine Lipstick in Beehive
I had to trek round 3 Boots in town to find this but I have to say it's definitely worth it. It's the only lipstick I've found so far where I don't need to wear a base coat of a true nude to have the desired nude pink effect!!

I love teaming this up with Bobbi Brown Lipgloss in Pink Nude. I got this at CCO a couple weeks ago in a Compact rather than with the horrible BB Lipgloss applicator!

MAC Well Dressed Blush
I've re-discovered this blush recently...it's a perfect blush which is subtle but really pretty at the same time. I like wearing this to work for understated glamour. I also like pairing this with Dior Highlighter LE - I think it's called Diamond Pop?

Clean and Simple Make-Up
You might have guessed but I'm really loving experimenting with make-up to achieve the perfect 'natural' look and my summer FOTD seems to be flawless skin (see below >.<), pretty blush and a nude / baby pink lip.

OUT

Horrible Skin
I seem to be going through a phase where my skin hates me! I blame it on hormones but in reality it's a combination of things...inconsistent skincare, late nights, lack of water...you get the idea! So I'm on the lookout for a good combination of skincare, I seem to have accumulated so much rubbish over the years and I need a skin care that works and I can just stick to!!

Foundation Incompatability
If you look in my bottom drawer of my makeup tower, you'll find an array of foundations / tinted moisturiers / BB creams, etc. I can't seem to find ONE that I love all-year round...especially in this hotter weather and with my grotesque skin!! Suggestions? See if you can find one I haven't yet tried!! Hehe.

Career Frustrations
You may not know where I am at the moment in my career, I don't think I've talked about it before. I finished my Legal Practice Course nearly a year ago and I've been on the search for a Training Contract ever since then. I've been very blessed with an amazing firm that's given me a shed-load of experience, and now at a National firm getting even more experience. Don't get me wrong, I'm REALLY grateful for a job but I WANT A TRAINING CONTRACT. So when I get home from 7 hours in front of the computer, I log on my laptop and apply for more jobs! IT SUCKS!! OK...deep breath...rant over!!

OK...need to go food shopping and then catch the 2nd half of Germany v Ghana.

P.S. Did anyone catch the 54 + game thriller at Wimbledon today? EPIC!!

xx

What I'm Using Right Now...

I thought this might be a good way to catch up with you guys...those who still read this anyways...and let you know what I'm using right now! :D

Shampoo - Johnson's Baby Shampoo

Conditioner - I rarely use it but when I do, ironically I use Toni & Guy Daily Conditioner

Hair Mask - none

Styling Products - Tresemme 24 Hour Body Finishing Spray

Body Wash - Boots' Mango Body Wash

Body Moisturiser - Mm...when I remember, I use Body Shop Coconut Milk Spray...it was a present from someone special and using it always reminds me of that person :)

Anti-Perspirent - Nivea....the pinky-purple one!

Make-up Remover - Bobbi Brown Cleansing Oil / Botanics Eye Make-Up Remover

Cleanser - Bobbi Brown Lathering Soap

Exfoliator - Bobbi Brown Exfoliating Beads

Primer - MAC Prep and Prime Face Protect SPF 50

Foundation - Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation

Concealer - Bobbi Brown Eye Brightener / Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer / YSL Creamy Concealer

Powder - Shiseido Perfect Smoothing Powder Foundation

Blush - MAC Margin / Bobbi Brown Desert Pink

Bronzer - MAC Golden / Dior Amber Diamond

Highlighter - Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Nectar

Eyebase - None...

Eyeshadow - MAC Sea & Sky Mineralize Shadow and any deep brown shadow really...

Eyeliner - Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner and MAC Liquidlast in Cocobar

Mascara - Diorshow Mascara and Clinique Lash Power

Lipstick - Khiel's Lipbalm with some Bobbi Brown concealer...or else MAC Creme d'Nude / YSL Rouge Volupte No.2

Gloss - MAC Plushglass in Pretty Plush ... it smells delicious!! Khiel's Lipgloss...I think it's called Icy something!!

Nail Varnish - Just clear at the moment....but I love Rimmel Desire...gorgeous deep red

Perfume - Paul Smith 'Rose'...see the comment about the Body Moisturiser ;)

I'm embarking on a new project soon...just so I can use up some products. Taking my most used products for the moment and ONLY using those for a week. Reckon I can manage it??

J xxx

Happy 2010!!

So I'm probably a week or so late for this but HAPPY NEW YEAR. I know I haven't been on here for a while but I still follow the blogs and keep lemming after various things. So let me tell you a little bit about what I've been up to.


WORK
I've been in my new job for about 6 months now. The work experience I'm getting here is fantastic but my commute is getting me more than down. So I'm looking into options...either I move nearer to there or I find a job nearer to me. Either way, I know something's gotta change..I spent 4 hours in the car on Tuesday attempting to get to work. The combination of a 38 mile journey and 'adverse weather conditions' just isn't a good idea!



CLOTHES
One nice thing about work is the ability to dress smartly...I'm loving my black wool A-line skirt with some silk blouses and a thin belt to break the line up :) I also have invested in a couple of gorgeous dresses (one from Coast and one from Monsoon - both in the SALE) which will double up as work dresses and evening outfits :)


I'm also seeking a pair of grey platforms...tried a pair on in New Look but they're ridiculously high so I would never been able to walk around in them! Any suggestions?



MAKE-UP
So the most important item on the agenda...!



I had a bit of a skin dilemma a couple of months ago and even though I had steered clear of any moisture in foundation, I found that my mattifying ones just too drying and so I used this little baby constantly for a couple of weeks :)

It's a great little foundation to use when the weather gets this cold and your skin needs a little burst of moisture throughout the day. The only complaint I have is that it's not as long-lasting as say the Dior Forever foundation.

Talking of Dior...I'm waiting on the Nude Sculpting Powder and Concealer to come out mid-January. It looks amazing and I hope that it'll compliment the Nude Foundation that I have already. Realistically I'm gonna have to wait until payday as I've just surveyed my bank balance!!!

Lip-wise I'm loving the YSL Rouge Volupte in 001 and 002...a true nude and a nudey-pink. It makes all my other lip-glosses possible. I'm also loving MAC Plushglass...they smell amazing and there are some lovely nude colours to go on top.

I hope that's sufficiently updated you guys. I miss blogging and I will try and update more often this year! Lots of love...J xx

PS What were your finds of 2009?? xx