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.

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Have you treated yourself lately?

Liz Earle December Skincare Essentials

If like me, you need to stock up on skincare essentials, I'd really recommend visiting the Liz Earle website this month. I usually stock up on their skincare essentials every couple of months or so and I think paying £41 for 4 products is incredibly good value. If you're not familiar with this monthly offer, you get a 100ml Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser with two muslin cloths, a 200ml Instant Boost Skin Tonic, a 50ml Skin Repair Moisturiser (you can pick the right one for your skin type or upgrade to the Superskin moisturiser) plus a complimentary gift that changes every month. In December you get a 150ml Eyebright Soothing Eye Lotion worth £10.25. In addition, the lovelies at Liz Earle are being even more generous and adding a second complimentary gift of their 8ml Lash Definition Smudgeproof Mascara in Black worth £14.50. This whole package bought individually would set you back £70.25 and you can get it for the bargain price of £41.00 with free P&P.

This month, my items arrived individually wrapped (such a cute touch!), with a Liz Earle Colour Cosmetics guide, a sample of the new Signature Foundation and a tester of the Botanical Essence in #15 which smells beautiful. I also love that you receive your invoice and a signed packing slip. Thank you Sarah :)

You can order the December Skincare Essentials until January 2nd.

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Have you tried the Skincare Essentials offer? Would you try it in the future? I'd love to know what you think!

Weekly Wishlist

1. Dior Addict Lipstick #745 New Look 2. Accessorize Wool Beret 3. Vichy Normaderm Total Mat 4. Accessorize Faux Fur Ear Muff 5. GHD Thermal Protector 6. Miss Mandeville Butterfly Teacup and Saucer 

1. I'm slowly branching out into the world of red lips and I'm loving a more sheer look rather than a full on statement lip. After seeing New Look on Lilit's blog, it quickly found its way on to my wishlist!

2. I am loving red lately and after my purchase of my numero uno wishlist item from last week, I need a matching hat of course. May as well look all chic in my winter attire, non?

3. I've decided I need a decent make up primer and after seeing Leanne's post I think I need to get my mitts on it.

4. It has been perishingly cold here of late and in the spirit of wrapping up warm, I've decided I need to regress to my childhood and have some stylish black ear muffs in my life.

5. I used to use this when I first purchased my beloved GHDs. It made protected my hair whilst making it smell amazing. A bottle lasts for ages and I really miss it. I've seen it appear in a few blog posts lately and I think I need it back in my life!

6. After my most recent spur of the moment purchase of a Tassimo machine, I've decided I need some beautiful cups to serve my beloved hot beverages in. Bombay Duck have hit the nail on the head with this beautiful range.

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Are you lusting over anything particular this week?

What's on my bedside table?

Liz Earle Skin Repair Light Moisturiser | sk:n Brightening & Firming Eye Cream | Queen Cosmetics Eyelash Cream | Lanolips Lemonaid Lip Aid | Book | Wallpaper

I've been loving reading all of the 'What's on my bedside table' posts so I thought I'd give you a peek at mine! I bought it from Ikea and I *think* it was part of the Hemnes range but I cannot find it online so can't be sure. I don't keep a lot of stuff beside my bed as I have a terrible habit of knocking it off. I stick to the essentials I reach for again and again. I'll start with the skincare products. I never go to sleep without moisturising and I reach for my uber fave Liz Earle Skin Repair Light Moisturiser as it smells heavenly and never fails to help me drift off to a peaceful slumber. I like to use a good eye cream to combat my dark circles and I'm currently using sk:n's Brightening & Firming Eye Cream. I slather a good amount of Queen Cosmetics Eyelash Cream on my lashes to help condition and aid growth. Finally I pop some Lanolips Lemonaid on my lips and off I pop to dreamland. The coaster that the products are sitting on is from a set from Next that I picked up for around £5. If I've managed to get myself in bed at a decent time, I'll usually read a chapter or two of a book. On my trip to Meadowhall at the weekend, I saw the sequel to Meet Me At The Cupcake Café by Jenny Colgan and I had to pick it up as I loved the first one. Well worth a read if you're looking for something cute and easy going that involves cupcakes! My beautiful lamp is from Wilkinsons although its no longer available. The shade is from The Range although again unfortunately no longer available. If you've got a store near you, I'd really recommend checking it out. They do the most gorgeous home furnishings at amazing prices. I've got so many items dotted around my room from them. The photo frame is one I've had since being a child from a local store that unfortunately closed down many moons ago. It contains one of my favourite photos of a summers day during my first year at university :)

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What do you keep on your beside table?

Review: Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara

You know, I thought this product was a bit of a cheeky marketing ploy and an overall con to begin with. A mascara just for your bottom lashes? At £11 for 2ml? My cynical side comes out and says 'Pah!' However, I couldn't have been more wrong. Yes I know, a very rare occurrence ;) But I'll hold my hands up and admit it. And quite frankly rave at you about how good this mascara is. It is worth every single penny. 'Why?' you may ask. Well, I'll tell you why!

I like a defined set of lashes. I'm not talking long, spidery lashes because thats unattractive. I'm talking about adding subtle definition and a hint of a deeper colour. I used to use my regular mascara on my bottom lashes but always found that it clumped, it smudged and it transfered to beneath my lashes during the course of the day. Bottom Lash Mascara has such a teeny wand that its impossible to get too much product on your lashes. Also you don't poke your eye out and its fairly hard to make a mess. I can easily coat my bottom lash line corner to corner without the need of a cotton bud and make up remover. And who doesn't love not ruining their perfect under-eye concealer?! I find that this mascara lasts all day and doesn't fade or transfer which is an absolute god-send. No panda eyes for me! It takes a bit of elbow grease to get off but I think thats a small price to pay in the grand scheme of things.

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Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara is available at Clinique counters nationwide.

Have you tried Bottom Lash Mascara? What did you think?