Southwold

Today consisted of an afternoon in sunny Southwold; walks on the beach followed by cream tea at Tilly's. The perfect Sunday in so many ways. 

My thrifted skirt made an appearance (a St Michael special none the less); black, underskirt and a £1.50 price tag. Yes please. Who doesn't love a bargain?

Southwold is everything I love about the Suffolk coast, well worth a visit if you are up that way! One day I'd love a beach hut but at approx £60k a pop I think I will be waiting a while! For the time being I will have to be satisfied with just taking pictures of other people's candy coloured huts. See below.

Outfit
Black pleated skirt- £1.50 Charity Shop
Gold lurex top - 50p Carboot
Moschino Letter Belt- £1.99 Charity Shop
Watch- Michael Kors (it upsets me slightly that this cost approx 50x the price of the above)
Shoes- Kurt Geiger
Perfume- Dolce and Gabbana L'Amoureux

In other news: 

*I dug up the remains of my Face Atelier Foundation and my gosh I'd forgotten how good that stuff is! A little of bit powder is required as I find it dries slightly tacky however after that, set for the day! No pun intended.

*I just spotted the NARS Danmari All About Cheeks Palette on Sephora.... major craving created.  A Christmas list may now have been started. I'm not old, am I?

*Everybody knows the sunrises before it sets. With this logic applied Before Sunrise should be watched Before Sunset. Any sensible person would do this, not me however. Blondest moment of the week for sure.

Hope you have all had a fantastic weekend, any links are greatly appreciated. I'm still on the lookout for some new reading!

Elle x

Macarons & More

Green tea and white chocolate, rose, violet and blackcurrant, passion fruit and milk chocolate

Supporting local business is important to me, especially food. No chain can compete with the culinary delights that some local food retailers offer. Lunchtime would not be the same without some of the independent offerings.

The above are the work of the Norwich based MasterChef finalist, Tim Kinnaird.  Tim offers a range of macarons and luxury cakes through his Macarons & More venture and I have to admit these are my guilty pleasure. The violet and blackcurrant is truly divine. Tim is a cake/sweet treat genius.

The above were purchased from Wholesome in Norwich, an amazing fun independent grocer full of local produce. This week impressions of Alan Partridge resulted in half price coffee! If you are ever in Norwich be sure to check them out for amazing salads and said macaroons.

I have to admit I've been quite restrained with my latest purchase, two still remain nearly 24 hours later, however I don't see them lasting until the end of the day.....

Elle x

September Standouts

*Alpha-H Essential Hydration Cream- This is potentially my sixth small tube of this moisturiser, for me to come back for second helpings is pretty much unheard so this is pretty special. Sinks in quickly, moisturises all day, no strong scent and no irritation. The lack of availability is my only complaint, internet orders only for me.


* Laura Mercier Mineral Pressed Powder- I know I said I rarely come back for seconds but this is actually one of them. My Grandma actually gave me this the first time as she didn't like it. I however love it. This provides medium coverage with a matt finish, perfect for topping up a light foundation. I will admit I baulked slightly on repurchase as the till rung up at £31. Not one to be dropped.

* Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Eyeshadow in shade 8 - My ultimate lazy eyeshadow, no base and no brush are required, literally pat and go. High metallic shine, not a large glitter particle in sight, in a flattering pinked champagne.

What more could you want as you battle with the hotel hairdryer and the clock, which coincidently you have managed to over heat every day of your two week stay? Nothing good ever comes from packing lightly. Fact. T3 you won't be left again.

* Cover Girl Lash Blast Volume- I bought this in April when I was in New York however i ended up spending most of the summer with lash extensions, this therefore laying pretty much redundant. This brief bliss period with constant Bambi lashes caused me to forget the trials and tribulations of mascara. This is dark, holds a Shu Uemura induced curl nicely and finally is cheap as chips. Wins all round.


* Laura Mercier Brow Definer- Soft  This is a soft brown with no red tones and therefore perfect for dark blondes. It is pigmented waxy formula but not so much it appears unnatural and is very easy to control. Perfect for light definition. Love.

* Chanel Soleil Tan- Me and Chanel Bronze Universal are  not in favour. More often than not I catch a glimpse of myself with some tangerine stripes across my face. Not classy. Not fabulous. Definitely not Chanel. Perhaps Coco?

This however is very different, think soft focus lens and that blurry perfection. This is a blend of soft tan and gold shimmer in a light liquid consistency. This is with some Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser is proving to be a winner on good skin days.

* New nail varnish storage- The selected few made it to the Autumn/Winter kilner jar and there is only space for metallic, berry and glitter. All that glitters is most definitely gold to me. 

And finally my new glasses. Tortoiseshell, slightly oversized and most definitely over priced. Lost my sight, lost my money.

Have a happy Friday!
Link me up to your September favourites and blogs, I'm desperate for some new reads, i'm getting antsy this evening!

Elle x

Jinny Lash Lash Extensions

  A couple of months ago I was very kindly given the opportunity to try out Jinny Lash. I have had lash extensions in the past at my local beauty salon and have always been reasonably happy with the results. I was therefore intrigued to see what the Rolls-Royce of the eyelash extension world could offer.

Before: Say hello to freckle face......

After.....

The treatment was extremely relaxing, to the point that i started to drift off at numerous points. My therapist worked extremely quietly and gently. Top marks on that front. 

As I've had lashes before I'm used to the no oil, no rubbing drill. I found these lashes extremely light and comfortable in comparison to sets i have had before. The actual lashes felt lighter and thinner, offering a more natural fluttery look. My lashes didn't scream fake as I asked my therapist to keep them natural however i'm advised that if false it what you are after then this can happen!

In terms of longevity they lasted approximately two weeks. This was with no mascara and minimal eye make up. They shed very naturally and I never noticed I'd lost any of my natural eyelashes with them. Sets I have had in the past have lasted longer but i definitely noticed my own eyelashes breaking off with them. Major plus point for Jinny Lash

All this said it  is  definitely something best left for special occasions or treats in my opinion, unless you are super rich! I would highly recommend Jinny Lash if you are looking for non-damaging lashes, from people who really listen to what you want!
 

For more information on Jinny Lash you can visit their website: http://www.jinnylash.com/  

Prices start from £80 for a half set of lashes.

I had my treatment done at the James Street branch which is just off of Oxford Street so very convenient for central London.

Elle x

Brighton Rocks.....

Many people will describe Norfolk as backwards. I do my utmost to defend this stereotype; however, in terms of make up shopping we are definitely living in the dark ages. MAC appeared a few years ago, closely followed by Laura Mericer and then.......well nothing really.  Liz Earle appeared at some point this year however this didn't really excite, my skin and Liz Earle don't have the best relationship.

Away work, or 'wolidays' as I saw Bryony Gordon refer to them this morning, therefore gives me ample shopping opportunities.  Brighton has been my home for the past fortnight and like a proper addict the first thing I did was stalk out SpaceNK and have a casual browse reach for the card (well it was payday as well).

The bag of goodness.......

Two of these items were replacements, both of which had experienced the same grizzly end of being shattered on a hard floor. Butter fingers I am. The other two? Over indulgent necessities perhaps?

Diptyque Mini Candle in Baies- Rose and blackcurrant. Love. Diptyque candles are my favourite indulgence as they burn cleanly and the scent stays fresh. Nobody wants a smoke damaged ceiling again ; )

Chantecaille Just Skin- I have heard a lot of good things about this and as my skin has cleared up a lot i finally feel able to wear something lighter. Hoping for great things, will probably go running back to the Mat Lumiere

NARS Laguna- I dropped my last one, the other product I'd dropped being the candle.  I needed a new one. Of both.

Diptyque Roll on Perfume in Philosykos- Unisex and therefore right up my street. I'm not going to attempt to describe the scent and that will end in disaster. Figs feature heavily though ; ). My love of unisex scents ended in slight embarrassment, in my mind excellent scent skills, when I smelt out D+G L'amourex on a male colleague and was able to name it and number it.  Maybe this could be my Mastermind specialist subject.........

Other things I have been loving this week include:

*Avene Triacneal- I'm going to do a separate post on this at some point. Definitely a noteworthy purchase and a spot treatment that actually works!

*Brighton- Although it was work related the sun was shining, the beach was packed and the food was top notch. Terre a Terre was like no culinary experience I had encountered before, the best vegetarian I've ever eaten in. Fun food, including vodka spiked tomatoes. Need I say more.

* Using up the last summer things- This weekend i've finished up Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess perfume, some coconut body butter and i'm working through the last of my 'summer products'. Tom Ford Vanille Tobacco will soon be back ; ) 

*The sun- No explanation necessary.

Hope you've all had a fantastic weekend!

Elle x

Masquerade Ball

The annual ball comes with an annual dilemma. The dress. Last year I faltered, a last minute panic resulted in £180 being dropped on the Thursday evening in Monsoon. A dress I could just about stand but really wasn't 'me'. The dress was an omen for the night in general, one best forgotten. The memories confined to the back of mind, along with the dress at the back of my wardrobe. This year was going to be better.

I first spotted this dress in H+M when I was travelling in Budapest in July.  I loved the simple Grecian style, the pleats and the light chiffon. Space constraints however meant it was not to be.  It was a dress that stuck in my mind, yes i'm aware this is bordering on sad however I don't mind.  Back in Norwich i spotted this dress a month or two later and instantly made it mine.  Not for any particular reason, just that it would 'come in handy' one day. Cue the annual ball, this year masquerade themed.... A panic free year at a fraction of the price. Thank you H+M!

 

 Dress £29.99 - H+M

Jewellery- Vintage

Slightly patchy tan courtesy of Xen-Tan Dark Lotion

On the subject of false tan I think my habit/addiction has finally been cured. Rumour has it it takes 30 days to cure a habit, 45 an addiction. I can gladly say I had resisted the lure of the sickly scented dark glop for longer than that, until the cream dress clashed with my milky skin.  I told myself one little application wouldn't hurt and it certainly didn't. The smell left me nauseous. it clashed with my perfume, it was just generally hideous. I can only imagine I had become immune to the scent/stench in the same way as a smoker, not ideal. This is certainly one habit i'm not going back to. 

Elle x

What's in my bag? Uncut.....

This is the genuine contents of my working bag. Emptied out this evening, no edit (apart from the Kettle Chips packet, empty of course). This is the internet but I'm not shying away from the shamefully excessive contents of my bag. Everyone loves to keep it real sometimes, don't they?

 Yes, it is a Focco.

In no particular order, to draw parallel with the disordered nature of my bag.......

• Green tea bags- This was probably an attempt at a faddy health kick on Monday,  four days later and two Quarter Pounders down I have no recollection of this brilliant idea of mine. Probably for the best. 

• Miniature Batiste and Elnett- Why not? They come in miniature so must be handbag essentials....

• Tangle Teezer (aka. dog brush)- Lifesaver, why the Dragons turned this down I'll never know....... I'm pretty sure i should receive a commission based on the number of people i have convinced to buy one of these!

• Water

• Kindle and case- Not that i ever read in the week. Ever.

• Tissues/cleansing wipes- Essential

• Document wallet- Full of train tickets, receipts and random expenses I should probably claim. 

• Headphones- I need to be able to listen to Spotify at my heart's content. Album of the week is The English Riviera by Metronomy. Introduced by a random guy I met on a plane and I highly recommend, especially 'The Bay'. Check it out. 

• Purse and a coin purse- Probably should work on the consolidation of them two.  

• Keys- Car and house. Standard. I do have a pretty Mulberry keyring i got for my 21st birthday however i have nothing else to add. 

• Paracetamol and antibiotics- Nothing hardcore or interesting about them.

•  Laptop charger- No explanation necessary, except it doesn't fit in my laptop bag because of the shed like fate that that has too suffered. 

• Make up bag- We won't start on the contents of that.. probably best saved for a rainy day.

• Calculators -Yes, plural. One sans lid, one complete. One mine, one lifted in true 'Artful Dodger' fashion from ab unsuspecting colleague. Note to self- must return.

• Phone- Switched off and staying that way for the whole weekend. OK, just tonight.

• Glasses -For my dud eye.  20/20 in one eye and blind as a bat in the other. I can not see at an angle, these are therefore when sitting on a colleague's lap just isn't not an option.

• Orange card- 3G USB modem thingy. Sometimes work, sometimes doesn't. Mainly the latter. 

• Moleskine Diary- The usage of this can be determined by where the ribbon marker lies... week Wednesday 11th May.

• Most used makeup/stuff- This has a special place in my bag. Strewn across the bottom. At the moment we have Cover Girl Lash Blast, a very battered Topshop Nevada Lipstick, Sleek Pout Polish in Peach Perfection, MAC Concealer, some Avon hair serum and Fresh Cannabis Santal.

• Lamy Fountain Pen and cartridges- The pen is my attempt at being 'grown up'. I envy people who have beautiful italic writing, my attempts end up more smudged across the page with the resultant 'inked' hand. Oh well... one day...

• Mini Moleskine- I'll confess to the true purpose of this... i write words i come across in this which i don't know the meaning of. I then check them in a dictionary later. I know this is very very sad.... This week we have had virile, antsy, mercurial and bested. Who knows what next week will bring?

• Highlighters and tabs- Can you spot the reoccurring theme of excess?

Link me up to your posts, I'm female and therefore inherently nosy........

Elle x