March Beauty Haul

From random browsing through drugstore makeup aisles this month, I decided to do a collective haul (CVS, Walgreens, Ulta, Target). I'm excited to say I have definitely picked up some new favorites! I will review each below in no particular order. 

L'Oreal Caresse Lip Stain in Rose On and On and Infinite Fuchsia

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crafty supplies and a little break :)

 

a quick catch up before I disappear off line for a while to catch up with family and friends :) this Easter is looking to be a cold one...hope you haven't packed away your woollies just yet (unless of course you live somewhere nice and warm)...

 

 -cards made with fabby Sean Simms papers and Paperchase stickers....

-this is going to be one crazy colour pop of a quilt but I love it...and I will be found buried underneath it for the next few weeks hand stitching...

there has been much activity inside my little work shed..and some new items will be ready to list in my etsy shop when I get back on line :)

 

and a few more :)

I treated myself to this book..I have only peeked inside so far but I am very excited about the contents of this book...this is so up my street crafting wise and I can't wait for a quiet moment to have a good old look...

and I have bundled up some crafty supplies to keep me going...

wishing you all a very happy easter break 

back soon 

x x x x x x x

Face Mapping: What Your Skin Is Telling You

Before I get started, I want to let any of my readers know that what I am sharing is based upon research and only research. It was consistent information, however, which is why I thought it would be interesting to tell you all about.

Have you ever wondered why you always seem to break out in certain areas of your face? There's a reason, and it correlates with your health in other parts of your body.

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How To Use Oil: Face, Hair, Nails, Skin

With the recent trend of multi-purpose oils, many people have asked me how I use them. I'm going to keep this short and sweet because I'm no expert! I just have a few quick tips to share :)

First off, what oils have I tried? Now I've tried Moroccan Oil and all that jazz that is meant solely for the hair, but I'm reviewing more of the multi-purpose/cosmetic oils from popular beauty brands.

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Plans...

Hello... It's a cold snowy Saturday and Easter is only a week away, no Easter tree for us this year but a few bunny related items will be popping up before next weekend I'm sure...
The plans for this weekend are more quilt making, snuggling and a big walk somewhere with our boys and Arnie x
Happy weekend x x x x

happy post...

...today is sunny and this post is all about a happy swap :) last week I did a little fabric swap with the lovely Susi ...her blog is beautiful and full of lovely ideas and tutorials made with young children in mind...do go take a peep..

it was supposed to be just a fabric swap but being crafty (not like a fox) types we both added a few extras...in my package was this beautiful patchwork mini quilt :)

and this cute painting....perfect . :) so excited was I to receive such lovely things from someone across the seas... the fabrics Susi sent were lovely and I had a few spare hours at the weekend so I made some cushions :)

it's really nice working with fabrics I hadn't had before...I quilted the cushions and then backed them in some black and white gingham...

 

and then added the obligatory pompoms that seem to be taking over the house at the moment :)

 I can truly recommend swapping :) it made me a very happy bunny indeed x x x 

St. Patty's Day Eye Makeup Look

Looking to add a hint of green to your eye makeup this Sunday and not sure how without it being too overpowering? I posted on Instagram about a month ago an eye look that was pretty popular among my followers. I used a new shadow that I picked up from the drugstore, coming from a line that I love and have been so impressed by. Find out how to recreate this look after the jump...

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a little shopping...

hello... I thought I would share a few high street bargains today :) my plan for this year was to re paint most of the house but as yet I don't seem to be getting very far. I have spotted a few things and brought them home in the hope it would inspire me...as yet it hasn't quite worked but I live in hope :)
Firstly was this fine retro lamp in yellow  - here

then there is a lovely retro storage jar for keeping Arnie's little bone biscuits in here

and these brilliant prints from  good old

the lurgy is still lurking and I haven't been up to much but I have been busy with the pom pom makers and have made a few cushions :)

nearly friday :)

x x x x x x x

Mario Badescu Products

After being tempted by the Ulta samples near the register and seeing many bloggers talk about Mario Badescu products, I finally gave in. After trying to figure out what products to get on their website, I saw that you can sign up for e-mails and take a survey to get free samples that are suited for your skin type. I thought that was such an awesome idea, so obviously I did it! The picture below is all of the samples I got. Pretty good deluxe sizes too and I loved the variety! Nothing that I wouldn't use.

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"March Madness" Birchbox 2013

It's that time of the month again. No...not that...I'm talking about Birchbox! This month's theme is March Madness for all you sports lovers. Overall, I'm pretty satisfied with this box except for the fact that I didn't get the Benefit Benetint! I have been DYING to try that and when I saw it in someone else's box, I hoped it would be in mine too. But instead, I got something I've been really in need of. Find out after the jump!

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NEW Covergirl Products Review

A recent CVS trip and the BOGO deal on all Covergirl products easily convinced me to try out many of the new favorite beauty items. If I'm honest, I have never been a huge fan of Covergirl makeup. The classic green powder compact was among the first of my makeup products in middle school, but ever since I haven't been impressed...until now.

Read my individual reviews below...

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Winners :) ....

Ok so after checking...double checking, checking spam comments...Facebook comments...and so on I have the winners. I apologise for the delay, I wasn't trying to do some kind of X factor type suspense thing...I have had a nasty lurgy which keeps pretending to go away but then sneaks back when I'm least expecting it...enough of that though, here's the winners
Rhia 1st prize - bag kit
Jaqueline R (Facebook) 2nd prize - fabric bundle
Gill 3rd prize - small bundle and stickers
Well done :) I will be in touch or you can email me your address so I can get these bundles posted and on their way xxx
Happy Friday :) x x x

Did You Know?

Lately, I have been preparing for job interviews at cosmetic companies in NYC. Competitive, I know, so I take any extra time I have in my day whether it's while I'm eating breakfast or right before I go to sleep to study up on the industry. During this research, I've come across so many interesting facts that I, a beauty addict and loyal blog reader, never knew. I thought I would pass along what I find in one place for all of you :)

Did you know... (find out after the jump!)
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not quite the giveaway winners..but nearly :)

thank you for entering the giveaway...I am utterly chuffed to bits that so many of you entered...now I will go away and have my little randomn generator thingy meltdown and re-appear all bright and breezy with some winners :) x x x x x x thanks again x x x x x

obsession #2..or is it #3..

...a few years ago our house was full of blankets...the crochet kind...granny square...afghan...stripe...I think you get the picture or see here ...if you want to get a better idea...now they are all folded neatly and have been put to one side to make way for a new obsession....

quilts...all these lovely new fabrics and patterns drew me in and I am hooked...

one for a friend :)

the way they look so different to the faded vintage prints I so love using is the best bit....

one for our #2

 ...this also means that my boys don't seem to mind having them around...

the latest one

so now we all have one on our bed...

mine..all mine :)

of course I still love the old florals :)

these throws are reduced at the moment in my shop

I am looking forward to making a few more quilts and then I think I need to move onto something else ...or we will need to move to a bigger house ;-)

hope you are having a happy week x x x x x 

My February Favorites

I'm a little late on bringing to you my February favorites, but better late than never! I'm now at home with my parents for my LAST spring break ever. Hard to believe I'll be a graduate in just 2 months and making my permanent move to the city of dreams, NYC.

February was a month where I really preferred the quick and convenient looks, without having to think too much into what I put on while still knowing it would look good.

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Final Thoughts on February Birchbox

Last month, once I received my Birchbox subscription in the mail, I immediately did a haul showing what I got. This month, I thought it might be more useful to my readers if I wait until the end of the month to review each product in my box. With that said, here goes my February 2013 "Red Carpet Ready" Birchbox review...

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gadget case tutorial...

sometimes... a little idea just pops into your head and won't go away....these little guys were on my mind when I woke up yesterday... so here they are :)

...at first they were just little animals but I decided to give them a purpose so now they hold my phone and camera... if you fancy making one...here's a little how to :)

you will need
fabrics (remants)
wadding
trim
scissors..pins..sewing machine

A

 A- measure your gadget and then add 3cm all the way around, cut out two pieces of outer fabric in this size
also cut two pieces of wadding and two pieces of lining fabric in the same size
cut out four ear shapes and cut any trim you wish to use to size

B - (if you want to do a contrast fabric on the front, cut out a smaller fabric piece and sew on) attach any trim now. Then place a piece of wadding on top of each outer fabric (wrong side) then place the right sides  together pin and sew around the sides and bottom with 1cm seam (leave top open)

B

C - Trim the seams and turn the case right way out. Sew up the ear pieces and sew the lining together with a 1cm seam, leave this inside out and place inside the case... press a 1cm seam over all the way around the open edge of the lining and outer...pin the ears in place and (tricky bit as its quite small) sew around the top

C

D - add features..you could use stitching...buttons or felt or fabric pens

 

 

 

D

you could miss off the face and ears and just use pretty fabrics for a more grown up look...you could make bigger ones for tablets and kindles... you could leave out the wadding and just line in fleece or felt

I think they could make cute Easter gifts or Mums day presents :)

hope you like and please share if you make any I'd love to see them :) x x x

Thanks for all your comments on the giveaway post..there is still time to enter if you missed it (see last post)

Have a lovely weekend x x x x x