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Thursday 27 February 2014

My Portable Office

#portableoffice
Something a little bit different from me this time; I'm going to talk about my portable office. The wonderful folks at Currys/PC World are hosting a competition where you could win a Surface Pro 2 tablet simply by writing a blog post about your portable blogging experiences. I decided to have a lot of fun with mine and do something a bit different, so I hope you find it entertaining! You can find more information about the competition and a link to the full terms and conditions by clicking here.

As I'm sure most of you know, it can be really difficult updating regularly when you have a job, studies or are just taking a holiday somewhere nice. Not only that, but you have to keep up with your emails and social networking platforms as well. The idea is quite daunting. And that's where the portable office comes in; technology that you can take on the go, post whenever and wherever, and keep up to date with everyone. Perfect. This is my personal portable office, for which I am eternally grateful.

That sign does actually say "how". Stupid washed out paper.

How do I portable-office-work-thing? I actually use a variety of methods. Why don't you enjoy this collective shot of everything I use?
The main thing to note here is my notebook. Without my notebook, I'd be lost. I really do believe that a pen and paper is best as you can often do things so simply that may take a lot of time to do on a computer, or may even be impossible. In my notebook, I can write down whatever I want in whatever layout I want to write it in. Usually I use this to schedule my posts, jot down new ideas for posts and jot down new ideas for series to feature. It comes with me everywhere.

The next most-used item would have to be my laptop. Blogging, social networking, emailing, playing, reading, researching, watching, listening, procrastinating... is there anything it can't do? I use this little baby for all of the above. Mine is very old now and is on it's way to the laptop graveyard, but it still comes with me everywhere and anywhere. If I go somewhere without Wi-Fi, I just tether the internet from my phone. Speaking of phones...

HTC Incredible S. Yep, it's old and a little bit rough around the edges. However, if you're somewhere where you need easy access to the internet, look no further. I use my phone for social networking, emailing, googling, surfing, jotting notes down if I can't get my notebook out, and obviously making those very important texts and phone calls. And playing Flappy Birds. Lots and lots of Flappy Birds...

My Google Nexus 10. My little tablet of joy. My companion on all roads long and treacherous. My salvation on the road trips of train hell. Yet again, tethered to my phone this baby can do anything. It's great for the larger screen and greater capability than that of a phone. It also loads the desktop versions of sites much quicker. I use it for pretty much everything I use my phone for. Minus the Flappy Birds.

Sometimes if I need a little bit of a break from brain activity (hahahahaha) I'll bring out my book. I absolutely love to read. It's by far my most loved past time and my greatest hobby, and it's nice to take a little bit of a break from this world and transport myself into another. It just gives me a bit of a rest from the mundane nature of every day life. Not to mention it gives your eyes a rest from staring at a screen all the time! Or if I fancy a bit of fun, I'll crack open the 3DS (Pikachu edition) and play a little game of something. Phoenix Wright, Pokémon, Animal Crossing. I love them all, and if I need to check emails or something while playing you just have to minimise the game and open the internet browser and away you go! Fantastic.

Well that's it for the how... What's next?
I think a better question is "when don't I?" I always have some form of technology with me in order to check emails and whatnot. I suppose the main times I use my portable office would be when I'm travelling on trains or in cars (as a passenger of course) or when I'm just lounging about doing nothing. Of course I have my phone on me every minute of every day so it's hard to try and narrow down exactly when I use my portable technology, but I'd say those are the main two. In regards to lounging about, it's usually on weekends and in the evenings, and travelling is during the week for various reasons. Oh and maybe if I'm out and waiting for something or someone. Then I'll occupy my time with technology and blogging and gaming. And Flappy Bird. I guess that's about it for "when"... Which leaves only one last topic to discuss.

Where do I use portable technology? Well besides in transport and waiting rooms, which I couldn't get a picture of in time, let's consult this series of photographs.

The main place is in my bedroom. Yep, neon orange, yellow and green. One of my best decisions. And this is on my bed, AKA my favourite place on Earth.

I also spend quite a lot of my time in the living room with my dad, and brother if he can be bothered to come out of his room and walk down the stairs. Teenage boy, what can I say? Sometimes we have the TV on, other times we just sit and chat. I love spending time with my dad - he's like my best friend and dad rolled into one. I still like to stay in touch with everyone though, so my phone or tablet will come with me!

I also absolutely love spending time at my local park. It's quiet, peaceful and just gives me a bit of time to myself. I even get to play with the dogs being walked, and that's never a bad thing. Usually my phone and tablet come with me, but sometimes I leave all that behind and just bring my book. Occasionally I'll even play on the swings, even though the park is meant for kids under 14. Shh don't tell! 

I suppose I'll stop rambling on now. This is all about my portable office, so I hope you all enjoyed reading. 

Thanks so much,
Kerry x

P.S. those signs took me a good few days to make, so don't laugh, mmkay? ;)

Nail Art Weekly Project - Week Five, Glitz and Glam

I can't believe it's the end of the nail art weekly project already. Five weeks has flown by so quickly! I hope to be a part of a similar thing again, and it's been a real honour being a part of this, so thank you everyone for reading and thank you to Danni at gingerbreadsmiles for hosting this. It's been a pleasure.

To recap, the nail art weekly project is a weekly manicure task where you are given a weekly theme and have to create a manicure based around that theme. It was set up by the previously mentioned Danni from gingerbreadsmiles and you should all go and check out her blog. It's awesome and her manicures are so neat and tidy, and always absolutely gorgeous. Moving on...

This week's theme is "Glitz and Glam". Everything glittery, sparkly, girly and fun is going into this week, and as soon as I heard the theme, I knew exactly what polish in my collection would be perfect for it. This manicure isn't really nail art. Just a couple of coats of polish and a top coat, but the effect it leaves makes it look a million dollars, so without further ado, I give you the glitziest and glamiest manicure!




This is China Glaze Atlantis, and it's a gorgeous teal jelly polish with holographic glitter particles. Just look how it glistens so many colours! This was two coats with my Revlon Quick Dry Top Coat. Fast, perfect manicure. Definitely one of my favourite polishes of all time. 

So what do you think? Let me know in the comments! I'm so sad for it to be over, it's been a lot of fun!

Thanks so much for reading,
Kerry

Tuesday 25 February 2014

Lush Celestial Moisturiser | Review

Lush Celestial Moisturiser - £11.95
Please note that this product DOES contain parabens.

So this product has been featured a lot in my blog, first in my London Haul post and then in my January Favourites post, but I actually got an email asking for a full and in-depth review on this product. It would almost be rude of me not to accept this proposal, so I was more than happy to oblige!

When I I first started using this moisturiser, I absolutely adored it. The texture is lovely and a little goes such a long way that I dip my pointer finger in twice and it covers the entirety of my face. The smell is utterly divine - a sort of soft, powdery vanilla with a cocoa undertone, and I really like the way this product makes my skin feel immediately after application. My skin is so dry, and even when using heavy duty moisturisers it doesn't take long for it to be dry again. This moisturiser creates a barrier on the skin that keeps moisture in and moisture-soaking-up-things out. Unfortunately, the more I use this, the less of a fan I am of it.

It's now been nearly two months since I bought it (yep same tub, I told you a little goes a long way!) and this is where the review turns sour, I'm afraid. I've noticed that after using this moisturiser my skin has got dry again so quickly, particularly around my nose. It doesn't even seem to be touching the sides. Sadly, the barrier seems like a good idea, but it prevents any of the moisturiser from sinking into your skin properly and almost barres it against itself, keeping the dry skin that you had before but only masking it. After an hour or so the barrier disappears and you're just left with a dry face.

And let's not forget to mention the parabens. Lush are very big on promoting natural, cruelty free products... and yet they include parabens which have been linked to various health problems in humans. I just think humans should come under the "cruelty free" rule as well as animals. Not to mention a naturally based company using artificial chemicals is just wrong in my opinion. Will I repurchase this? I don't know. I guess I'm still on the look out for my HG moisturiser after all.

Does anyone have any suggestions for great moisturisers to try for super dry skinned girls?

Thank you so much for reading,
Kerry x

Sunday 23 February 2014

Tag: Beauty Love Affair

Welcome to the Beauty Love Affair tag. We know you're not the kind to kiss and tell; but we want to know. We want the juiciest stories about your current love. Tell us about your worst heartbreaks. Give us the juicy details of your steamiest affair. We want to know if it was love it first sight. Tell us who turned out to be a total jerk. Confide in us about your sweetest temptation. Don't worry, this isn't about the men; it's all about your Beauty Love Affair.

I was tagged by Lauren at Will Sing For Makeup. Her blog is absolutely fantastic, and she is one of the kindest people I've met through here! The Beauty Love Affair tag was created by Saffron Lallem of Saffy Style, Ashley Maria of Ashley Maria, Love, Life, Beauty andShalunya of Shalunya & Boyet. They would love to read your answers so please feel free to tag them on Google + or leave a comment on their blogs.

The Rules:
1. Answer each question with the name of a beauty product and, if you'd like, explain why.
2. Give out more Valentines (tag other bloggers).
3. If you are tagged more than once please feel free to answer the questions again using a different type of product. If you answered the first time with skincare, then answer again with an eye, lip, face, nails, or hair product.  

First Love
Oh.. You remember what it was like to fall in love for the first time. Such bliss and excitement! Who was your first love?
Rimmel Soft Khol Kajal eyeliner pencil in jet black. They are cheap, fantastically pigmented and as black as they come. I used to get through SO many of these in my goth phase...

Puppy Love
Before you knew your real love, there were those childhood crushes that sometimes blossomed into a cute puppy love. Who was yours?

I used to have a lip balm that was similar to this (it was the same colour but in different packaging) that smelt divine and was from my favourite person in the world - Barbie! It was terrible for hydrating but I loved it anyway.

Love Triangle
Such a predicament. This one is so sweet and demure, but this one is so bold and sexy. Tell us about being torn between two lovers. Who were the players in your love triangle?
I can NEVER make my mind up between these two mascaras. They're both absolutely fantastic (I really think Max Factor is the king of mascaras) and both for different reasons. The Masterpiece Max is a more natural look, but False Lash Effect is a full on dramatic look. I just can't make up my mind between the two.

Current Love

Dating? Engaged? Married? Who is your main squeeze? Tell us about the one you can't live without or can't seem to let go of. Who is your current love?
Lush Celestial moisturiser. I cannot live without it at the moment. I have super dry, flaky skin all year round (thank you, dad, for passing it on to me) and this moisturiser restores the hydration in the skin as well as creating a barrier of moisture to prevent further dryness during the day. I'm not going to go into too much detail because a full review of this product will be coming up soon.

Secret Crush
Even though you're committed to your current love, looking around and admiring from afar never hurt anyone... Who are you secretly crushing on?
Illamasqua Hydra Veil primer. As previously mentioned, my skin is super dry, and this gel based primer looks like it'll really do the job. Not too sure about it though - it's expensive and might not work. Sample time!

Blind Date
Which was The One that was introduced by a friend or mailbox company e.g Ipsy that you love?
This beautiful body butter came to me in the form of a Glossybox sample, and it is possibly the nicest thing I've ever smelt. It's also incredibly hydrating, which is what I need it for. Absolutely fantastic product.

Steamy Affair
Which was The One that you left your steadfast regular for; the sexy, handsome one that caught your eye and had you hooked in a Steamy Affair?
I was very faithful to my Rimmel Stay Matte, and then I tried this. It's velvety soft, creamy, and translucent enough to not look like you're wearing powder, but it also has a little bit of coverage for that airbrushed look. Amazing.

Sweet Temptation
Which was The One that has snagged your attention but you are only tempted by, you don't know yet whether you want a Steamy Affair or not with?
Lime Crime "Oh No She Didn't" lipstick. I love the colour and love wearing bold, bright and unusual lips... but I have a real problem with the way she runs her company and her customer service issues. I don't want to give my money to her, but this colour...

Love At First Sight
You saw it and immediately you loved it.
MAC Impassioned lipstick. It's incredible. And I needed it. And I actually won a giveaway and won this lipstick. And it's amazing. And... and... and... NO WORDS, I TELL YOU!

Double Date
They came in a box set; two great things for the price of one. 
Urban Decay Naked 3 palette with the amazing samples of the different types of primer potion, and a really nice brush to go with it. I know some people don't get along with it, but I really do. This was a fantastic deal!

Friend Zone
You just knew he was amazing; but he's not all that. Who have you relegated to the friend zone?
How absolutely stunning is this colour? I adored it from the moment I saw it. Bought it, tried it, and it just did not suit my skin tone whatsoever. For now I just admire it from afar, because it's one of my favourite colours and yet looks awful on me :(

Worst Breakup
You wanted to love him forever; but you quickly discovered that he was not 'Mr. Right.' In fact he was awful and broke your heart. Who was your worst breakup?
This foundation was the first foundation I ever tried and I was really excited about it. Until I put it on. Then it was patchy, orange toned, it oxidised horribly, barely covered anything, highlighted all of my dry patches. Just awful. It was thrown away after one use.

Total Loser 
You were giddy when he asked you out. You had high hopes for a long relationship. Instead he was a complete dud. Who was your total loser?
L'oreal True Match foundation. Just... no. This clung to every single dry area of my face and it felt like I was pulling on my skin instead of it gliding over the top of it all silky and smooth. As soon as I put it on, not only did it accentuate dry flakes, but it was also patchy and uneven no matter how I attempted to apply it. I am also incredibly pale and neutral undertoned, and this foundation made me look yellow. Not just a little bit yellow, but full on Simpson yellow. 

I couldn't wait to get this off of my face and I have since thrown it away, after trying it with a variety of different moisturisers and primers beforehand, and using a variety of different methods to apply it, it was still an awful awful foundation. However, the shade range is fantastic for most. Just not for me. I also like that the version in the UK comes with the pump bottle so you don't end up with too much wasted product and it's more hygienic in the long run.


Long Lost Love
You were young and he was among your firsts. You grew, you moved on, you two lost touch with each other. Recently you bumped into each other again and you remembered all the reasons you liked him. Who is your long lost love?
Avon Ultra Colour Lipstick in Frozen Rose. It's fabulous. Creamy, really good colour, not badly scented. Honestly I don't even know why I stopped using this. Beautiful "my lips but better" shade.

Major Lust
You haven't yet met. You're just loving him from afar because you feel like he's out of your league. Who is your major lust?
YSL Youth Liberator Serum Foundation. LOOK HOW BEAUTIFUL IT IS. I need this in my life more than I need air to breathe. Yep. 

This tag was SO much fun to do. It really brought back some memories for me haha. Most people I would tag have already done this, so instead I'll just tag each and every one of you who wants to take part. Make sure to leave me your links, I'd love to read your posts! :) 

Thanks so much for reading,
Kerry x

Thursday 20 February 2014

Nail Art Weekly Project - Week Four, The Month In Which You Were Born

How is it even possible to be week four already?! They do say that time flies when you're having fun, though. Recap or explanation for the new readers - the nail art weekly project is a weekly manicure challenge set up by the ever so beautiful Danni of gingerbreadsmiles. She sets a theme for each week and you have to create a manicure for the theme. This week is week four, and the theme is the month in which you were born. My birthday is in March, and as everyone knows March is the start of spring! So I created a spring-like manicure. Here it is!

I used Rimmel Lycra Pro nail polish in Peppermint for the base (after my base coat, of course) and then stamped some gorgeous spring like flowers over the top using a Konad stamping plate and white Konad polish. Finished it off with a thin top coat, and voila! My spring time, March birthday look. I really really like this one. I hope you guys do, too. Let me know how you feel about it in the comments!

Thank you so much for reading,
Kerry x

Tuesday 18 February 2014

The Candle Scoop | Candle Haul

Hello lovelies, and welcome to yet another new series that has been stewing in my brain as of late. I'm absolutely obsessed with scented candles, so I thought every so often I'd post a review or a collection or a haul on the candles I'm lighting, housing or buying. Today is the first of these posts, and it's my latest candle haul!

Most of these are from my favourite candle company, Wax Lyrical. They do some of the softest and most fragrant scents around, and they all have an absolutely amazing throw instead of Yankee Candle that can be a bit hit and miss. So onto the individual products!

I think this is just a Dunelm own candle or something, but it smells like crisp, fresh apples and is amazing. I've used other candles from this range and have been incredibly impressed in the burn time, throw and cleanliness of the burn itself. And they're only 99p a candle! BARGAIN! I got this in the Dunelm store but can't seem to find it online, although they do have other scents from the same range on there.


And this one was from The Range store, and yet I can't find it anywhere online. I believe it was £3.99 in store and yes, it does smell like vanilla ice cream, and yes it is heavenly. Also, how cute is that little jar holder thing?! I've never burnt one of these before, but with a cute little hut like that, I really couldn't say no. I plan on keeping the jar forever, regardless of what the candle smells like.

Wax Lyrical Oriental Wild Orchid - £3.99
Ahh Wax Lyrical Oriental Wild Orchid. AKA, my favourite candle of all time. It smells like baby powder, soap and flowers. That sounds like a really odd combination, but altogether it creates a soft, powdery and delicate scent that lasts for ages after the candle is burnt out and has an incredible throw. It's £3.99 and has a rough burning time of about 40 hours. I always buy them two at a time in case they ever discontinue them. It also has a bit of a kick to it instead of being simply powdery soft. One of the hardest scents to describe... but so good.

Wax Lyrical Rose and Ellis White Lily and Violet - £6.99
This smells like Dove soap :D Soft, elegant, powdery and fresh is how I'd describe this. I've never burnt this particular scent before, but as it's Wax Lyrical, I have high hopes for it. I usually prefer incredibly sweet scents, but for some reason this winter I've just taken to burning soft and comforting scents that feel like you've being enveloped in your favourite jumper fresh out of the drier. Lovely.

Wax Lyrical Jelly Belly Bubble Gum - £10.20
And yet another Wax Lyrical. Spotting the trend yet? ;) Haha I've never used a Jelly Belly candle before, but my friend recommended this to me because she knows I adore sweet scents. So far, this smells amazing from the jar, and yet again Wax Lyrical is a brand I know and trust so I'm very excited to be trying this out. It is said to burn for around 60 hours, so we shall see.

Yankee Candle Merry Marshmallow - £19.49
I saw this on the Yankee Candle website and I just knew I had to have it. Marshmallows are one of my favourite foods in the whole world, and favourite scents for that matter. I couldn't decide whether to buy the wax tart or the large jar, but I figured since they were limited editions for Christmas, I'd go as large as possible so I can get as much burn time as possible. These large jars burn for around 110-150 hours so hopefully I'll get a lot of use out of it. The Yankee Candles are scented throughout the entirety of the wax which means no matter how long they burn for, they will always be scented, which I love. This smells of a mixture between marshmallow and vanilla and is one of the only pure "untoasted" marshmallow scents I have ever smelt. It's absolutely divine. Can't wait to get started on this!

So that's it for now! Let me know if there's any you'd like reviewed in more detail, and also if this sort of post interests you :) I love to hear from you!

Thanks for reading,
Kerry x

Sunday 16 February 2014

Nail Art Weekly Project - Week Three, Valentines

It's that time again, folks! It's time for the Nail Art Weekly Project post. The Nail Art Weekly Project was set up by the lovely Danni at gingerbreadsmiles and the aim is to post one manicure a week that adheres to the theme that she set. Week three was Valentines themed! I don't celebrate Valentines day for a number of different reasons, but it's still a cute idea for a theme, so how could I say no?! Here's what I came up with. Excuse the terrible painting job; I was trying to snap a picture before it got dark outside so I didn't have time for a clean up after the manicure was done. And my cuticles are gross because I have a habit of biting and picking them when I get nervous :( Sorry.






I used two coats of Barry M white nail polish for the base. I absolutely hate this polish for actual base coats because it's so thick and gloopy and I think it just looks like I've Tippexed my fingernails. I use it for stamping, normally, but I didn't have another white on hand so it'll have to do. I then used a pink Barry M nail art pen to draw little hearts all over the white. Finish with a clear top coat and BAM, pretty little heart nails. 

Let me know what you think, and thank you for reading,
Kerry x

Thursday 13 February 2014

Break the Rules | Valentine's Day

Hi guys and welcome to my new series called Break the Rules. To sum it up, I'm going to be doing looks or tutorials, or maybe even reviews, that break the norm of the occasion or season in which it takes place. Today is the first edition, and it's all about Valentine's Day! I've created a look that deviates from the traditional red and pink make up but is still fitting the theme of delicate and pretty. Want to see what I came up with? If you said no, tough, because here it comes anyway!

I stuck with the purple theme pretty heavily and because of the bold lip, kept the cheeks and eyes a little bit more neutral, although not completely. I start out doing my eye make up first because I find that concealer and foundation often buffs away any fall out from eyeshadow and smudges from mascara. So here's the look I created for the eyes:

I started out using an eye primer (the Urban Decay Primer Potion) and then coated the entirety of my lid in a nice lavender shade from a really cheap palette that I got years ago for Christmas. I'll find the name and put it underneath the look, along with everything else used and prices for them. I then used some burgundy/plum eyeshadow (from the same palette) in the crease and light outer V to keep the look soft but still contoured. Finished it off with a thin coat of Rimmel Exaggerate liquid eyeliner, stopping at the lash line instead of going into a cat eye, and a few coats of Max Factor Masterpiece mascara. I ran out of my usual brow product so I had to make do with an auburn eyeshadow from the same palette that isn't quite right, but it'll do for now. I think it created quite a pretty and feminine look that breaks the red/pink rules of Valentines day, but still sticks to the romantic theme.

Moving onto the face now:

Started out with the usual cleanse, tone, moisturise routine. Then I used my Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum foundation all over the face in 51 Vanille Clair, buffing it in with a Real Techniques Buffing brush. It was then time for the concealer. I always have quite dark circles, genetically, but I found that the Maybelline Dream Touch Lumi concealer does the trick. It's not the best illumining concealer out there, but I thought I'd try it out and it's decent enough. I much prefer the L'oreal one though. Just a quick dusting of my Revlon PhotoReady powder and all I need is some blush and a tiny bit of bronzer. I always do my bronzer first, and this time I'm using the Body Shop Honey Bronze Bronzing Powder in the lightest shade. Just a quick dusting as I don't want an overly dramatic look for my cheeks. A little bit of 17's Blush Powder in Plum Puff and the face is done!

The only thing left is to add a slick of MAC Violetta on the lips and the look is complete! So what do you think? Do you like it or dislike it?

Products I Used:
Urban Decay Primer Potion (Original) - £16
Badgequo Collection Classic Eyeshadow Palette - £7.91
Rimmel Exaggerate Liquid Eyeliner - £5.29
Max Factor Masterpiece Mascara - £9.99
Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation - £10.99
Maybelline Dream Touch Lumi Concealer - £6.99
Revlon PhotoReady Powder - £11.29
The Body Shop Honey Bronze Bronzing Powder - £13.00
17 Blush Powder - £3.49
MAC Violetta Lipstick (Can't find a link) - £15.00

Thank you so much for reading,
Kerry x