Things I learnt in December 2012

Source

001. Christmas shopping is always so much better when you have an awesome friend to share it with :)

002. I am such a little kid when I go to Christmas shops!

003. I think everyone should treat each other as they wish to be treated. Would save a lot of hassle!

004. I can do my Christmas shopping all on one day. Win.

005. I don't like being let down.

006. A change is as good as a rest.

007. I really wish I had a onesie.

Source

008. I know I'm late to the party (by about 3 years) but The Vampire Diaries is good!

009. I am addicted to The Simpsons Tapped Out

010. Its important to do what's right for you. Don't be scared of change. Embrace it.

011. I hate being ill.

012. Well, Damon Salvatore can come and bite me any time he likes ;)

013. I really need to check dates more carefully.

014. I need to learn to say no.

015. Thin crust pizza is definitely the best kind.

Source

016. I love working with my best friend :D

017. New opportunities are exciting

018. I don't know what's in Monster but it sure as heck works! Buzzing!

019. A change is as good as a rest.

020. I cannot stand sitting in traffic.

021. This is the only time of the year I will embrace glitter polish!

022. Teenagers are annoying. I swear we were not this immature at that age?

023. I love how great minds think alike :D

Source

024. Letting your hair down and having a laugh is often a much needed remedy!

025. My family and friends know me so well :)

026. People who go shopping on Boxing Day are crazy. Me included.

027. o2 Customer Service is pretty darn good!

028. Communication is key. I do wish people would realise this.

029. I do love an unexpected cheeky half day at work!

030. I cannot reverse park. Well I can, if I have at least 3 attempts at it ;)

031. I do believe I much prefer staying in to going out on New Year's Eve!

♥ ♥ ♥

This will be the last 'Things I learnt' post from me. I've got something similar up my sleeve on the theme of snapshots so stay tuned :)

I hope you all had a fab December and I hope 2013 is treating you well!

Tag: New Year Beauty

Happy New Year! I hope you've all had a fabulous start to 2013. In the spirit of the new year, I'm going to share my five beauty resolutions. Thank you to Laura from Beauty Lover's Notes for tagging me!

Rules

♥ Link back to the blogger who tagged you

♥ Share your five beauty resolutions

♥ Tag five bloggers

My 2013 beauty resolutions are:

1. Sleep more - I'll be honest, I'm a bit of a grump if I don't get my 8 hours kip. Lately I've been doing loads of overtime and I think its caught up with me. I'm going to make sure I get at least 8 hours every night so I'm bright eyed and fresh faced every morning!

2. Use my stash - This year I have a holiday to save for so I think its a perfect time to use my existing make up collection and not buy any more bits I don't need! Of course I'll allow myself the essentials when I run out but I'm determined not to buy things because there's a good deal or they look pretty. However if anything limited edition comes out that I want, I will get it.

3. Be more healthy - I need to drink more water - I say this every single year and I do it for about a week and then fail. I'm useless at remembering to drink enough water but I'm determined to make it work. Get me a truck of Evian, stat. I also want to start eating more fruit because lots of my friends have been on the Slimming World plan and have sung its praises. I definitely need to eat more fruit and veg. Eating my way thin. Fingers crossed!

4. Get back into a skincare routine - Last year I was so proud of myself for starting a proper skincare routine and sticking to it... until I got slack with it towards the end of the year. But I'm stocked up on all of my Liz Earle essentials so there's no excuse. Cleanse, tone, moisturise is my new mantra.

5. Get creative with nail polish - I have absolutely failed at nail art in the last twelve months so I want to start making time to try something new at least once a month. Within that I want to include water marbling. I've always said I've done it and never have. I'm determined to do it this year!

The five bloggers I would like to tag are:

♥ Jennie @ Sailboat

♥ Leanne @ DoNotRefreeze

♥ Bicky @ Tastes Like Glitter

♥ Sophia @ Tattooed Tealady

♥ Laura @ Belles Boutique

~*~

Let me know if you do the tag, I'd love to see your answers!

These are a few of my favourite things

♥ NYX Round Lipstick in Fig

I think this is my must have perfect pink lippie. I've been on the hunt for a decent pink for a while and I adore this one. It applies like a dream with a lip brush, its well pigmented and the staying power isn't too shabby either.

♥ LA Colors Color Craze Polish in Jewel Tone

Something I picked up in my Cherry Culture order, I wore this on my nails over the festive period and it was absolutely beautiful and a real compliment winner!

♥ Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation in 02

Applied with the right brush (Real Techniques Buffing Brush) this foundation gives me the most flawless looking complexion ever. And for me, I find this ridiculously hard to achieve! I don't even need concealer. It feels light whilst giving amazing coverage and its so long lasting. This is the first foundation I've tried that I feel like I don't have to powder although if I'm going out I will do just out of habit.

♥ Topshop Confession Lipstick
Oh girls, how could I forget that I had this beauty in my collection? Its the perfect slightly reddy pink shade. I could go on forever about the Topshop lippies - they are so moisturising and apply like an absolute dream, not to mention that they smell beautiful! I've been loving this with just the bare essentials - foundation, blush, brows and mascara. Perfect.

♥ Stage Line Professional Precise Liner
I've really gotten back in to felt tip style liner pens lately just because they're so easy to use. A quick swish and you're done. Hassle free liner in seconds without waiting for it to dry? Yes please.

♥ ♥ ♥

Are any of your favourites here? Which items have you been loving this month? Have you added a festive touch to your make up routine?

Shine bright like a diamond

Products Used

Illamasqua Base Coat

Essie Topless & Barefoot

Look Beauty Nail Pop in Bling

Illamasqua Top Coat

♥ ♥ ♥

I spent hours last night trying to decide which polish to wear. I fancied glitter, but I couldn't decide which colour to choose. Beauty blogger problems eh? After swatching several (and running out of nail wheels) I decided on Essie Topless and Barefoot with Look Beauty Bling over the top. However I just couldn't stop myself from layering the glitter on so you can't see Topless and Barefoot although it looked lovely swatched with a thin coat of Bling on top.

Are you loving glitter for the festive season? Which polishes are your favourites?

Meadowhall Treats

A few days ago I popped up to Meadowhall to finish my Christmas shopping. And as always I ended up treating myself - please tell me I'm not the only one that does this? I was incredibly restrained considering the offers that were running and I picked up these fab faves:

♥ Molton Brown Paradisiac Pink Pepperpod Bath & Shower Gel ♥

Gosh that's a mouthful! I first mentioned this in a review post and I've finally gotten around to purchasing a full size bottle. I think I love this so much because it's not stereotypically girly. Pink Pepperpod has got a deliciously intoxicating scent that lingers on your skin for hours. I adore it. I nearly bought the matching body lotion after testing it in store but resisted. Just about. Its definitely on my shopping list for my next visit!

♥ Clinique High Impact Mascara ♥
I remember having a sample of this a long time ago and I used to take it everywhere with me and use it religiously every day. That spoke volumes to me when I was trying to figure out which mascara to purchase next. I duly parted with my money, took it home, and threw out all my other mascaras because I was convinced I'd found the one. Having used it for a week and a half, I'm trying to remember exactly why I loved it in the first place. Its nice and it does the job but it just isn't wowing me. My new Liz Earle Mascara seems to be new favourite. More to follow, watch this space.

♥ Illamasqua Skin Base ♥

Skin Base was the first higher end foundation that completely wowed me and made me realise it was worth every single penny. And when we're talking £25 a bottle, thats a lot of pennies. I've fallen into a foundation rut lately, bored of the formulas I have, loving each one a little less as the days go by. I'm becoming a fickle Fiona in the foundation stakes. I can't fault the formula of Skin Base. It applies well, its a good colour (Casper shade #02 if you're wondering), it evens my skin tone, hides blemishes and imperfections without feeling or looking heavy. And blimey does it have staying power. Sans primer. Colour me impressed.

♥ ♥ ♥

Have you treated yourself lately?