My Month In Pictures | December 2012

I just got Bloglovin. 

Louis Smith | SCD | Strictly Come Dancing Champion 2012

Don’t be a fool | Sunscreen | SPF | Sun Protection | ultrasun

Ultra Sun, Ultra Protection. 

I’ve seen quite a few of these posts up over the summer months. But seeing as we can jump on a plane to anywhere, at any time of year, the importance of sunscreen is an AYR issue. With skin cancer cases in the UK on the rise, it’s imperative that sun protection is the top priority on everyone’s all year round holiday shopping list.

Being of Irish heritage myself, and known by my family as the fairest of them all, (which says something when we are all so pale that we literally glow in the sunshine) SPF 50 is an absolute must for me.  I’ve discovered ultrasun very high 50+SPF this all day formula is designer for keeping babies, children and sensitive skin types safe in the sun is a top priority. That may seem a little OTT, but even with SPF 50 on my skin can burn, so this truly is a necessity for me. I’d rather be pale now, than wrinkly in later life!!

The ultrasun Sensitive 50+ delivers very high protection (UVA 99% and UVB SPF50+) and as it contains no perfume, emulsifiers or preservatives it’s suitable in the case of sun allergies, so my skin can breathe. The formula is great it doesn’t feel greasy on my skin despite being such a high protection.

In terms of aftersun care I am usually pretty terrible and just use normal moisturiser. However, I loved the formula of ultrasun so much I think that in preparation for my next holiday I shall pop to the shops and buy ultrasun aftersun, cooling and hydrating. Which promises to provide instant relief when you’ve overdone it in the sun, moisturising and soothing any irritated skin where you might have missed a bit with the suncreen… and  it helps to prevent peeling and signs of premature ageing! Liposomal SOD (Superoxide Dismutase) in this clever formulation will activate the skin’s biological repair system and help to reduce free radical activity by 58%, even after exposure to the sun.

Hmmm… just need to book another holiday now ;)

Strictly Come Dancing | Kimberley and Pasha | SCD | Saturday Night TV

Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinally. A perfect 40!

My top 3 for the final, Kimberley and Pasha, Lewis and Flavia and Vincent & Danni.

#scd

MesmerEyez Competition | Giveaway | Win | 1 of 5 pairs

The eyes have it!

With Christmas and New Years just around the corner, our diaries are all packed with events. Whilst looking for the perfect outfits, and not wanting to wear the same thing twice why not mix up your look completely with different coloured eyes!

I’ve teamed up with MesmerEyez eyes to give 5 lucky readers the changes to win a pair of contact lenses in your choice of colour*.

To enter, just leave me your blog name or email address below and let me know which colour of lense you’d like!

Check out http://www.mesmereyez.com/ to pick your colour!

This competition closes midnight Sunday 16^th December.

Good luck xxx

Obsessed | Nail Rock | ASOS

Nail Rock Designs | Exclusive to ASOS

Love them! Amazing nail art that literally cannot smudge. Amazing.

Check out Nail Rock at ASOS, there are lots of exclusive to ASOS designs too.

Cantina Laredo Covent Garden

Firstly, you must visit this restaurant... secondly, you have to try the chocolate brownie dessert... wow! We go here every year as a family for an early Christmas celebration, and every time I have the most wonderful time - great atmosphere, great food and many memories made.

Mexican!!!!!!!

Mexican Chocolate Pecan Brownie with vanilla ice-cream and bubbling brandy butter.

#YUM

Studded Nail Art Trend | Andrea Fulerton Gold Nail Studs

Spikes and studs are going nowhere. So toughen up your nails with Andrea Fulerton Gold Nail Studs (£5.99).

Studded shirts, spiked shoes and biker boots are ubiquitous in the Autumn/Winter 2012 wardrobe so why not try the trend on your nails too? A simple and low cost way to wear the stud trend.

I know, I know, I’ve done quite a few posts on nail art recently, but it’s just so quick to do now with all these great kits that are out!

These gorgeous studs are super easy to use. Paint your nails as normal, and simply stick on to the damp varnish and leave to dry as normal. The kit comes with a little pen that you pick the studs up on before placing them on your nails, I’d recommend having a little pot of water too as it’s easier to pick the studs up when you slightly dampen the end of the pen.

I did my nails in a bit of a rush as I was far too excited to try these studs out, there are so many different designs you could try out, I quite like the simple one line of studs, I've also seen someone with a cross on there nails in studs too which looks really good.

Will you be trying this trend?

Oh So Sparkly | Nails Inc | Nail Art Trend

No fuss, sparkling to the max nails curtisy of Nails Inc Bling It On Rocks from ASOS.

This Bling It On Rocks glitter nail set made by nails inc comprises of: a base coat in Black Taxi, clear top coat in Kensington Caviar, two glitter pots, dusting brush and an application tray.

How to:

1. Pour a small amount of glitter into the tray (do this before you paint your nails, the base coat is pretty quick to dry!)
1. Apply the base coat

3. Gently press polished nails into the glitter and dust off any excess.

4. Push the glitter on firmly with your fingers to ensure it's fully stuck to the varnish.

5. Allow to dry for a few minutes.

6. Apply the topcoat.

7. Allow to dry.

8. Sparkly, sparkly nails!

I absolutely love this product. It's sparky but chic. A very grown up way to wear glitter. I've got pretty big hands though, so was worried this look could verge on transvestite hands, but you get such an even covering of sparkle that it looks pretty chic. (see below).

I think I'll use this product quite a lot when the Christmas Season gets into full swing, in the meantime I'm channeling my inner Kelly Rowland and sporting the one fingered sparkle.

APPLY

DUST 

SPARKLE!

My sister is already wanting to steal this product from me having seen the results, better find somewhere to hide it ;)

A Waxing Marvel | Nads | Hair Removal | Blogger Event

I was lucky enough to go to another great Blogger event where I met Sue Ismiel CEO of Sue Ismiel & Daughters, who founded the Global brand Nad's which is sold in the USA, UK, Canada, and New Zealand.

Nad's came from somewhat humble begginings, Sue started her business in 1992 when she created Nad’s in her kitchen to help solve her daughters unwanted hair problem. With no business skills or any financial back up, she started selling Nad’s at the local markets and created the brand we all know of today.

At the event Sue demonstated to us different products from the Nad's range, there was one in particular that stood out to me, Nad’s Facial Wand Eyebrow Shaper priced at £8.99. After a little hesitation on my part I volunteered my brows to be waxed! I had no doubt in my mind that the wax would help to effectively shape my brows, the part I was less convinced about was that this would be a pain free experience. I was pleasantly surprised, pain free and beautiful brows - what more could a girl wish for?

There are plenty more products in the Nad's range for both men and women. There is even a new product out for nasal hair removal - stocking filler gift for Dad?

What are you waiting for? Get waxing!

Fine Food & Fashion Collide | Style to Savour

Browse the finest gourmet food alongside the world’s greatest designers with Style to Savour at Harrods.

Biore – Helping the nation cleanse since 1996

I was lucky enough to go to an amazing blogger event recently at The Soho Hotel, London where we not only got to sample a special blend of Bioré tea, sip on Mojitos and sample some delicious Japanese sweet treats… but we also learnt all about the new Bioré Combo Deep Cleansing Pore Strips.

Bioré were the first brand to introduce pore strips in 1996… makes me wonder what on earth did people do before this?!

Living in London, the pollution pays absolute havoc with my skin, I am constantly battling with break outs and clogged pores. The new combo deep cleansing pore strips have been designed to provide double the deep clean – diminishing the appearance of pores not only on the nose, but also on the forehead and chin.  At £10.99 RRP for 12 strips, this is definitely a cheaper alternative for battling the blemishes than a trip to the beauty salon.

To use:
1. Remove strip from pouch. Twist strip to loosen and separate slits prior to use.
2. After washing your face, thoroughly wet your nose. The strip won't stick on dry skin.
3. Dry hands. Peel strip off plastic liner. Apply to nose area, smooth side down, pressing down to ensure good contact with skin.
4. Let dry for about 10-15 minutes until stiff to the touch—like papier-mâché.
5. Slowly and carefully peel off starting at edges, pulling toward centre.