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

The Work Challenge...

I'm SO sorry I've been MIA for so long...!!

I've just started my new job at a solicitors and have upcoming interviews for a training contract too so it's finally looking up on the careers-side!!

Now I have started work, my quest is on for a everyday routine that stays the distance and doesn't look too made up. It's 2 weeks so far and I've been trying out a few things so I'll let you know how I get on shortly!!

In the mean time, I'll do a quick list of things I'm loving at the moment and things I'm not liking so much!!

LOVING...

• Dior Forever and Nude Foundation - I love BOTH of them!!!
• Clarins Instant Light Lipbalm
• Smart Work-Wear + Dress-Down Fridays = Best of BOTH Worlds
• Clarks Sale - Don't turn your noses up at this, I've found some serious bargins there
• The Home Show - It's become a bit of a regular watch in our household

NOT LOVING...

• Unsettled weather - a girl needs to KNOW what to wear
• Not enough sleep - there's just too much to do
• Long commutes - driving up and down the motorway isn't how I'd like to spend 4 hours of my day
• Friends being away - I can't WAIT to have them home NEXT WEEK!!
• Not enough holidays - since I started halfway through the year, I only have 8 days till 2010!!!

Enough of that...I really need to get some shut-eye before work tomorrow. Will hopefully see you all soon.

J xx

The Beginning of Summer

For the first time in ages...I'm looking forward to doing something other than studying. And it's very exciting!! I finish exams in 5 days...which means my Summer officially begins. It also means the prospect of being unemployed!!

So the things I'm looking forward to this Summer:

• my Birthday
• a trip to Alton Towers
• starting a new job SOMEWHERE in the UK
• potentially going to Arizona for a week to see friends
• Barn Dance with my Uni friends
• Garden Parties and various BBQs throughout the Summer
• my friends being home

My biggest dilemmas will be what to wear for said parties. It needs to be practical, girlie, sexy and comfortable at the same. Here are just some ideas...let me know what you think!

Garden Party "1" 2009 by ickleangel featuring Miss Selfridge

Garden Party "2" 2009 by ickleangel featuring Dorothy Perkins

Garden Parties "3" 2009 by ickleangel featuring Dorothy Perkins accessories

xxxx

Just a little note...

If you've been following my Twitter...you'll know that I splurged on Dior Forever Liquid Foundation yesterday after reading Holly's blog yesterday. What do I think?

Well as I've only worn it for a day, I can't really give a full review BUT so far so good. I thought I might have got the wrong colour but I think I may just need to apply less possibly. For reference I bought Shade 031.

I had an exam today and even though I felt oily, when I checked in the mirror after a gruelling 2 and a half hours, my T-zone wasn't an oil-slick as I thought it would be.

I nearly went and bought the Clinique Blendable Face Powder but reasoned that I have the Bobbi Brown Loose Powder which works JUST as well!

For an even lighter look, I might work the Tinted Moisturiser again with my Dior Forever Powder Foundation which I bought last year. I'll let you know how it goes.

Might catch a nap before continuing on this revision malarky!!! Ta-ra xxxx

Drugstore Skincare Challenge

So I've been thinking recently whether there's really any need to splash out so much money on High-End skin care when Drugstore (and Purse-friendly) brands have been so good to my clear-complexioned friends. And I've decided to try the theory out...

So this month, I've stopped using all my Clinique stuff and am sticking to Neutrogena and I'll let you know how I've been getting on later this month.

It's exam-time which means crazy-skin anyways so it's OBVIOUSLY the perfect time to try something like this out. Haha.

For your reference I'll be using the Visibly Clear Spot Stress Control and Oil-Free range. There are so many nice products in this line. Including a Gel-like Moisturiser and a Non-oily Make-up remover which are 2 of my favourite skincare products!!

What are your favourite Drugstore Branded Skincare Products?

Take Care xx

I have no self-control...

I think the title explains it all really...

...Against all reason, I went shopping today at the CCO and New Look so you can imagine the damage. I get the first half of my year's results tomorrow so will be celebrating / commiserating on Friday...any ideas for outfits??

SALSA dancing tomorrow...watch Twitter for updates! XD

Mondays....

Shamelessly stolen from MagpieSparkles ;)

Mood: Hmmm...restless! I'm trying to finish my work as soon as possible so I can job-search and catch-up with friends (and shop if my credit card allows...XD)

First words out of my mouth this morning: "Leave me alone" A friend of mine woke me up just because he had to be back at work this morning and I didn't have Uni...great fun!!

What I’m looking forward to this week: Salsa time...some of my friends recommended going at the weekend so I'll be putting my heels on and maybe I might even find a nice boy to partner-up with!!

One thing I’d like to improve about myself: My body-image and my lack of self-control when it comes to shopping

On my makeup lust list: Revlon Matte Lipstick in Pink Pout. I need to curb my spending on make-up habit!!

Last dream I can remember: Hmm...the last one I remember was a very strange one where me and a good friend of mine ended up going out...VERY strange!!

Cheeks and lips: Surprisingly, Rimmel in Misty Rose. It's a perfect balance between pink / peach and my HG everyday blush...FOR NOW. On my lips, it has to be the Yes Yes Yes Lipbutter with Clear Lipglass!

Outfit: Today it's been all about PJ's coz I've been at home doing work but I wore a pretty outfit for a friend's 21st
You can't really see the outfit properly but it consists of the following...

• Topshop Skirt
• Plain Black Top
• Black Cardigan from New Look
• Brown Waist-Belt from New Look
• Tan Brown Sling-Back Heels from River Island

Fragrance: Body Shop's Cassis Rose...it's my ultimate go-to fragrance. It's very light and non-offensive!

Weekly goals: Hmmm...not to spend any money? It's going to be so hard..especially as I wanted to pick up some summer staples tomorrow! DILEMMA! But I am meeting with my best friend next week for dinner so that should spur me on! XD

Have a good week girlies xxx