6 Summer Essentials: Beauty

        

1. Essie Nail Lacquer 99 Mint Candy Apple - £7.99

2. Rimmel BB Cream - £6.99

3. L'Oreal Paris Lumi Magique Primer - £9.99

4. Soap and Glory Solar Powder Bronzer - £11

5. Maybelline Super Stay 14 Hour Lipstick - £6.99

6. Maybelline Colossal Black Waterproof Mascara - £7.19

As summer has finally arrived (although the weather in the UK begs to differ) I thought I would share my 6 Summer Beauty Essentials with you. During the summer, no one likes to apply heaps and heaps of make-up onto their faces due to the hot weather and it can start to feel cakey on the face. However, most people don't like to leave the house without any make-up whatsoever. Therefore, by using simple and key products, you can create a natural and summer ready look. 

Above, I have picked out my key beauty items from the drugstore, but you can easily switch and choose your 6 beauty products that suits you. 

Personally, a nail polish is key as this is my favourite beauty item. I love experimenting with my nails and I love picking more pastel shades for the spring/summer time. I think a mint green is perfect for the summer as it is simple, cute and adds a splash of colour to any outfit. 

Instead of a heavy-duty foundation, I prefer to use a BB cream in the summer time. It isn't as cakey and heavy on the skin, like a foundation can be, but it also covers and gives the skin a summer glow. 

A primer is also very important for the summer-time. No one wants their make-up falling down their faces by the end of the day due to the hot, humid weather. 

If you are not going away on holiday this year, you may not be getting a serious tan, so by adding a little bit of bronzer and highlighter to the skin can really lift your face and add some colour onto those cheekbones, giving the illusion of a sun-kissed tan. 

Add a pop of colour onto the lips with a summery coral or pink!

Finally, swapping your normal, everyday mascara for a waterproof. This means your lashes can still look defined and long without transfer or the risk of your mascara sweating off. 

So, these are some of my summer beauty essentials. Hope you enjoyed this blog post. Let me know your summer beauty essentials in the comments as well. 

I will be doing a summer hair and fashion essentials soon, so keep your eyes peeled for those coming soon! 

New(ish) KIKO Purchases and Review

So, I am finally back. After a long and stressful couple of weeks, crammed with revision, cups of tea and lack of sleep, I have finally finished my A Level exams! I am so happy that I have finally finished as I was starting to go a little bit crazy sitting at my desk and revising the same topic day and night. As exams are out of the way, I can now focus on my blog and writing content for you guys to enjoy!

I will admit, I did finish my exams about a week ago now (17th June), but I thought my brain deserved a bit of a break from formulating sentences and words and also it gave me a opportunity to think of some new blog ideas and topics to write about.

This blog post is particularly late as I haven't had time to take the pictures etc, but before exams started I went on a little shopping trip and popped into a KIKO store they had there. I don't have a KIKO store near where I live, so I get very excited when I find one. It has such affordable make-up and the quality is amazing.

While, I was there I picked up two make-up items.

Eyeshadow Stick - £6.90
Lip Pencil - £1.70

I picked up the Long Lasting Stick Eyeshadow in 07 (Golden Beige) which is a really gorgeous champagne colour. It is super pigmented and as the name suggests is super 'long lasting'. This shadow is great for all over the lid and blends really nicely as well. Personally, I hate doing eyeshadow. I find it is the most boring part of doing make-up, purely because I can't do a 'smokey' eye to save my life. However, these shadow sticks are so easy to use and make doing your shadow hassle-free. This shade is perfect for the summer season and is adaptable for all other seasons as well.

My other purchase was a SMART Lip Pencil in 702 (Coral). Again, this lip liner is super pigmented and lasts for a long, long time. This shade is a pinky/coral colour and is beautiful for the summer time. You can apply it with a gentle hand for a more subtle pink to the lips or you can press harder for a more bolder and brighter lip colour. As well as being amazing quality, all KIKO's lip pencils are super affordable at only £1.70!!

I hope you enjoyed this blog post and let me know what your favourite make-up item from KIKO is and if there are any recommendations I should try out. 

Also, there are going to be new blog posts every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, so please keep an eye out for those and follow me on BlogLovin' to keep up to date with when I upload new posts. 

Updated Make-Up Bag Additions!

In a few of my previous blog posts, I have shown you guys what I had recently bought, make-up wise. I really enjoyed writing my thoughts and opinions on these products and as I haven't done one of these posts in a while, I thought now would be a good time, since I have bought quite a few bits over the last couple of months.

As I was quite late to the make-up scene, I haven't got tons and tons of make-up and most of these products I am about to show you are my own opinions and have been tried and tested. I had heard about some of these products from other bloggers and YouTubers and wanted to give them a try myself.

My make-up bag is from John Lewis. It is from the brand Catseye but it is not on the John Lewis website, so I could not provide a link and I'm not sure of the price either. I got it for my 17th birthday and I absolutely love it. It is really big and is supposed to be used as a wash bag for travelling, but I prefer to use it as a make-up bag. I really love the size as it enables me to see my make-up and means I don't have to rummage around looking for something. The picture on the front is a retro, vintage inspired picture of some women in old-style swimsuits and I love how cool it looks. I love this bag and it is perfect to store my make-up.

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation in 100 Ivory

An essential to any make-up bag is a foundation. This foundation has been repurchased for the second time illustrating that I love this foundation. First up, I adore the packaging. The glass bottle and vibrant orange lid makes it stand out in my make-up bag, making it easy to find, but also creates the impression of it being quite expensive, even though it is a drug-store product. I use the shade Ivory and the foundation is really easy to work into the skin and leaves it with colour and brightens up your entire face. The foundation has some glitter in it, which you cannot notice in the bottle or on the face but up-close you would be able to see it. This makes your skin look really nice and flawless. Another thing about this foundation I love is the fact it has a pump to distribute the product. This makes it easy to apply and means that you won't be putting too much product on your hand to use.                                          

Revlon Lash Potion Waterproof Mascara in 221 Blackest Black

My next item is a new purchase, I had never tried this product before or heard anyone talk about it before either. I saw this mascara on the Superdrug website for half-price and decided to order it. The packaging is quite cool with bright colours and a pretty pattern on the tube. This mascara is okay but I don't think I would repurchase it again. I found it quite messy to apply and the applicator was too big for my eyes. Once applied, the formula was clumpy and didn't have very good separation but was good on volume. I went for the waterproof mascara as I don't own one and I am pleased with this choice as it doesn't leave any smudging under the eyes, unlike some of my other mascaras. I will continue to use this mascara until it finishes, but I don't think a repurchase is in the cards.

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in 004 Sandstorm

Another classic make-up idea is a powder. I have the very popular and much-loved Stay Matte powder. I absolutely love this product and for anyone who has started to use make-up, I would highly recommend getting this product. It makes your make-up last all day and gets rid of any shiny bits, leaving a very 'matte' finish to your skin. I got the powder in 004 Sandstorm which is a bit too dark for my skin, but I do like it as it gives my face a slight bronze tone and adds a bit of colour without looking too much.

Collection Illuminating Touch Brightening Concealer in Natural 2

Another new purchase I bought online from Superdrug was this brightening concealer. I really liked how the applicator was a brush and you have to twist the bottom to get concealer out. This means you are not wasting any product and it makes it easier to apply to the face. This concealer adds a bit of highlight to your face and brings out your features more.

Rimmel Colour Rush Colour Balm in 700 Not An Illusion

I think I have spoken about this product before. I love these Colour Rush lip products by Rimmel as they are shaped like a massive crayon and are so easy to use and apply to the lips. The colour I have is a dark browny-red colour and really suits my skin tone. These lip products are super moisturising but also have a matte effect once dried. They last quite a long time but will probably need topping up every so often.

Barry M Showgirl Extra Lengthening Black Mascara 

I love this mascara from Barry M. Firstly, this mascara is so affordable for those of you that want a good lengthening mascara from the drugstore, get this one for only £2.99. It gives your lashes a great length and makes your eyes look so much bigger. Barry M have 2 mascaras, I have the 'lengthening' mascara but they also have a 'volume' mascara which I have yet to try out. This mascara is so easy to apply and is great for school as it gives a really natural look to your lashes.

Soap and Glory Supercat Extreme Eyeliner Pen in Carbon Black

Another new purchase is some black eyeliner. I have never owned eyeliner before, so this was completely new for me. I knew that I wanted to try some eyeliner out and experiment to see if it suit me or not. I decided to choose a pen eyeliner with a skinny tip to make it easier for myself, as I am a beginner in eyeliner. After multiple attempts, I think I am starting to get the hang of it now, however I don't think I suit cat-eye liner as it makes my eyes look really small, but with a small line across the lash line, it brings out my eyes a lot more. It is so hard to get the hang of, but after trying and failing, I have got my technique down and now it starts to look pretty good. If you have any tips on eyeliner, leave your advice in the comments, I would love to know how you apply eyeliner.

Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer in Classic Beige

I have heard so many good reviews about the Rimmel Wake Me Up and I have got to agree with them. This concealer is so good for under-eye circles as it brightens your under eyes and makes you seem more awake. This product is really easy to apply and has a creamy, thick consistency which is perfect for covering up dark circles.

Tanya Burr Lipgloss in Aurora

I didn't purchase the Tanya Burr products as these were a Christmas present from my cousin. I had always wanted to buy some of Tanya's products to try out as I had heard great things about them. The lipgloss I got was Aurora and is a summery pink colour. The consistency of the product is quite thick, so I wouldn't add loads of product as it can make your lips feel a bit clumpy and horrible. However, I apply the lipgloss with a few tabs in the middle and then lightly blend with my finger across my lips. This gives your lips a bit of colour and gloss, but doesn't make it too over-the-top.

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in Cool Medium 2

Another concealer! Another product I have heard so many good reviews about. The Collection Lasting Perfection concealer is ideal for blemishes, scars and spots that you want to cover up. I personally would not apply this under the eyes but you could if you wanted. This creamy texture counteracts redness and doesn't draw any attention to your blemishes. This has to be one of my favourite products I have bought so far.

Tanya Burr Nail Polish in New York Night

The last product in my make-up bag is a Tanya Burr nail polish in New York Night. Again, this was a present and I absolutely love this colour. I currently have it on my nails and the consistency is so thick that you could easily apply one coat if you wanted and not bother applying a second. This colour is supposed to be dark purple but once applied on the nails it comes up black, which I don't mind but just thought I would give a heads up. 

So, that's everything in my make-up bag currently. Let me know what your favourite make-up item is in the comments.                                

October Favourites

I know this blog post is long overdue and I know we are now officially in November (where has this year gone?), but I still needed to share with you my October Favourites!

As always, I will be sharing my favourites of last month and it will be split up into different sections, so there is something for everybody.

1) HairSource:www.feelunique.com
The first section is hair. Recently, I have been having some serious troubles with my hair. It had become really dry and knotty, and I used to have to leave about 1 day before I would have to re-wash my hair as it was so dry. Therefore, I decided I needed to change up the products I was using. Previously, I had used the Aussie Shampoo and Conditioner set, and it was amazing for my hair, so I decided to repurchase it. As there was a offer on with 3 products for £10, I decided on the Aussie Shampoo, Conditioner and Leave-In Conditioner. Since buying these products and using them on my hair, I have noticed a massive difference in the feeling and texture the products have done to my hair. The Shampoo and Conditioner are very thick, which means you don't have to use a lot of the product on your hand, which makes them last a long time. All the products smell amazing and have reduced the amount of time I need until I choose to re-wash my hair. The dryness of my hair has gone and it is less knotty. I love the Leave-In Conditioner as well as you can decide to use it on both dry or wet hair. Plus, each of the Aussie products specialise in a particular hair treatment, so if you have weak, distressed hair or dry hair like mine, then there is a product suited to your hair needs.

2) Beauty


I have picked up three more beauty products last month which I am currently loving and I have in-cooperated in my daily make-up routine. These products are great for people who are just starting out in make-up like myself, but also are affordable as well. They are all Rimmel products, as I am personally loving Rimmel at the moment. The first beauty product is the Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder - £3.99. I did not own a powder before but I really wanted to get one. I have heard of the Stay Matte powder from Youtubers and the reviews they gave were positive, so I decided to try it out for myself. I would recommend this to anybody. It keeps all your foundation and concealer in place for the entire day. It is a very natural product and is light-weight. The second beauty product I got last month was the Rimmel London Wake Me Up Concealer - £5.49. As with the powder, I had heard about this product from YouTube and I already have the Wake Me Up Foundation and really love that, so I decided to get a new concealer. This is really good, it has a great applier which makes it easy to use. It conceals blemishes, spots and under eye circles, while still looking natural. The final beauty product is the Rimmel London Colour Rush Balm - £5.99. The colour I chose is not the one featured above. I decided on the colour Not An Illusion - 700, which is a autumnal colour, sort of like a slightly dark brown colour. These are so easy to use as they are in the shape of a crayon. They are not messy and do not go everywhere, like some lipsticks can. The Balms moisturise your lips, while adding a slight colour. They have them in a range of colours, from light pinks to dark purples. I find they can dry and give a slight matte look but I personally don't mind that, also the colour I chose smells like chocolate which is so nice.

3) Fashion

I haven't done a section on fashion before, but I did have some favourites that I bought recently. During the half term, I took a trip to Westfield to do some shopping, and I practically spent all my money. I bought a number of things but out of all the things I bought, these two items were my favourite and I can't stop wearing them. The first fashion favourite of October was this long-sleeved crop top from Urban Outfitters. Urban Outfitters is one of my favourite shops, but I always find it expensive, therefore when I do chose to buy something it is normally a treat and something that I would keep on wearing for a long time. I love the acid wash effect this top has. It is in one of my favourite colours but the gold toned detailing makes me love it even more. The cropness of the top is not extreme at all, which was amazing as I don't like crop tops in particular. I really like the high neck and how baggy the top is, which makes it super comfortable to wear. The sleeves of the top are really long but I like that as it adds to the comfort and makes me feel really cosy. Finally, the material of the top is medium, it isn't really thick, but it isn't really thin either, so it is a good balance which means you aren't going to be really hot or cold in this top. I would definitely recommend this to anyone and I think I will get so much use out of this top.

Urban Outfitters - £18 - Staring At Stars Slouchy Acid Tee - Also in Black. 

Source:www.urbanoutfitters.com 

My second fashion item is this animal print sweatshirt from Pull And Bear. I had heard many good reviews from this shop, but had never visited it. As soon as I walked in I found about 10 things I instantly fell in love with (I may have asked for some stuff for Christmas!) I love wearing sweatshirts rather than cardigans as I find them so comfortable and can look really nice with a shirt underneath and the collar peeking through. I really liked the unusual print of the bugs on the top. It has a range of insects which include, butterflies, dragonflies, beetles, grasshoppers and hornets. The material inside of the sweatshirt is really fluffy and cosy, which will keep me extra warm when the weather becomes colder. 

Source: www.pullandbear.com

Pull And Bear - £19.99 - Animal Graphic Sweatshirt 

4) TV Shows 

The final section in my October Favourites is my TV Shows. I have enjoyed one new show in October that I thought I would share with you.

The show is How To Get Away With Murder. I really love crime TV Shows and get really excited when a new one comes out. How To Get Away With Murder is slightly different than your typical who-done-it shows. The show follows an attorney lawyer called Annalise (pictured below). She teaches a class at a law school to aspiring lawyers, however she names the class 'How To Get Away With Murder'. She recruits a couple of the students to go along with her to different trials and court cases in order to show them how to win the case. Each episode, there is a different trial and the students and Annalise have to try and uncover evidence to win the case. However, there is a twist, the programme switches back to flashbacks. In the flashbacks, the recruited students are trying to get rid of a body (you don't know who it is until the end of the first episode), the audience does not have any idea of who killed the person or why. It can get confusing but it is so different to your run-of-the-mill crime drama, and I am loving it!

Source:www.lifesitenews.com

Hope you enjoyed this blog post! Let me know what you enjoyed in October. 

September Favourites

I can's believe it is already October and soon 2014 will be another year over. This is my first ever favourites blog post, but lately there have been some things I have been loving over the past month and I thought I would just blog about it.

There have been a mixture of things I have loved last month, from skincare to TV. I will be sharing with you my favourites of September!

I will try and do one post of my favourites each month, some may be more longer than others, depending on what I have been loving at that current moment. As this is my first favourites, there will be quite a few things but just bare with and you never know there might be some items that you might want to try out for yourself.

1) Skincare 

Lately I have been having a few outbreaks on my face in particular, so I thought I would start to have a skincare routine, just so my face has the right amount of attention that everything else has. For me personally and for most teenagers, there is nothing worse than breaking out in spots as you become more aware and self-conscious of your face. Plus, it doesn't matter about the amount of make-up you apply to cover up that spot, you still know it is there.
Ever since I have been maintaining a skincare routine, I have noticed a considerable difference in my face and acne. I still get the occasional spot, like everybody else, but I don't have a massive outbreak. All of the products I use are from the drugstore and nothing is expensive. All of my skincare is Simple products as I find it is soft on my skin, good quality and I notice a difference to my skin after using the products over time.



1) Simple Kind To Skin Moisturising Facial Wash - £3.49 - Boots 

The first thing I like to use when I wake up in the morning or after I have taken my make-up off is the Facial Wash by Simple. This makes me feel so refreshed and clean after having a face full of make-up or to wake me up in the morning. This product makes your skin feel thoroughly cleansed and moisturised and is even perfect for sensitive skin. All you have to do is wash your face first, add a small amount of the facial wash in your hands, rub it together and apply onto your face, then wash away.

2) Simple Kind To Skin Soothing Facial Toner - £3.29 - Boots 

This is my favourite product of September by far. After I have come out of the shower or when I have woken up and can't be bothered using the Facial Wash, I apply this Simple Toner. All your have to do is get a cotton pad and put some of the toner onto the pad and smoothly rub into your face. The Toner helps your skin feel clarified and refreshed, and is perfect for sensitive skin. Plus, it is perfect to use in the morning and evening as it isn't harsh on your skin.

3) Simple Kind To Eyes Eye Make-Up Remover - £3.49 - Boots 

Another really good Simple product is the Eye Remover. I bought the miniature version of this first to test it out and see if I liked it before I bought the larger version. Like all the Simple products, this one doesn't disappoint. Apply a few dabs of the liquid onto a cotton pad and apply to your eyes and it removes your eye make-up quickly, easily and mess-free! It can even remove waterproof mascara and is perfect for sensitive skin!

4) Simple Kind To Skin Hydrating Light Moisturiser - £1.50 - Boots 

The final product in my Simple favourites of the month is the moisturiser. Again, I purchased this in a smaller bottle to test it out and it is a really light moisturiser which does not feel heavy on the skin. By applying this, it keeps your skin feeling moisturised and pampered, and carries on working for 12 hours.

At the moment in Boots stores and on line, there is a offer on all Simple products. 3 for 2 across all selected facial skincare, hand & body, No7, indulgent bathing, vitamins and minis - cheapest free. 

2) Beauty 

In September, I only had the one make-up item that was my favourite. As I am new to using make-up, I don't have tonnes and tonnes of it, so I can't judge my make-up products against previous ones. I judge my make-up products on what others have said and whether it is good or not, before investing in it myself.

Source uk.rimmellondon.com

So, my favourite beauty product of September was the Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation in 100 Ivory. This foundation is so easy to apply to your face, plus you don't even need a lot as it blends really well and covers your face perfectly. It has a great coverage and looks really natural on your skin. I love the packaging of the foundation as well, it is in a glass bottle with a bright orange top, making it easier to find in your make-up bag. Another great thing about this foundation is that it is a pump which makes it less messy than a foundation in which you have to pour. I would recommend this foundation to anybody, but when I eventually run out I will probably choose a different foundation, not because it wasn't good, but I would like to try out different foundations which I have also heard are good. This foundation is currently £8.99 in Boots, but it also has an offer in which you get a free gift when you spend £10 or more on selected Rimmel products. 

3) Hair 

My hair is something I have always struggled with as a child and now as a teenager. I wasn't very adventurous with my hair but I have lately been trying to keep it in the best possible condition, but also trying something new as well. I have never experimented with my hair, but recently I have been gradually going lighter tones with my hair, and I am loving it. As well as lightening my hair, I have been trying to grow it as well, and ensuring it is well kept with regular trims.
I have two favourites regarding hair in September, the first is the Batiste Dry Shampoo in Original - £2.99 from Boots (Offer: On line only - Free Haircare leaflet when you buy selected haircare products)

Source www.drugstore.com

This product is perfect if you didn't have time to wash your hair the night before or if your hair feels a little bit greasy in the morning. By applying this to the roots of your hair and gently rubbing it in, it makes your hair smell amazing but also as if you have washed your hair. I have always been apprehensive over dry shampoos as I didn't think they would be any good, or feel any different, but I was mistaken. For only £2.99 for a large bottle, it is well worth the money. I bought mine about 3 months ago, and I still have a large amount left as you don't require a lot in your hair to do the job. They are available in a wide range of scents and colours. I also have the tropical one which smells like coconut.

My second hair favourite of September was the Tangle Teezer - £10.99 - Boots  

Since being a child I have always experienced frizzy hair, which has led me to have knots which occur. After investing in a tangle teezer, I don't think I would ever go back to a normal brush as this is a work of genius. After washing my hair, I use this brush to get rid of all the knots that have occurred and it is so easy and quick to use. It is small and compacted meaning it is great to pack if you go away somewhere. Although it is quite expensive for a brush, it is a great investment as you don't need to use it for long, until you have have smooth, tangle-free hair.

4) TV Shows 

Recently I have been watching some new shows, but also some series are coming to a close and I thought I would share my opinion of these shows, and you never know, you might want to try and watch some of them.

1. Faking It 

Source : www.hollywoodreporter.com

This is a brand new series on MTV and only two episodes have aired so far, so if you do want to watch this show, you will be able to catch up quickly. Basically, it is about these two best friends called Karma and Amy who really want to be popular at high school. They are invited to a house party, where it is believed that the two girls are a lesbian couple. They are nominated to be homecoming queens, and quickly become popular. However, Karma fancies a boy called Liam (pictured above), while Amy begins to have growing feelings for Karma. This show is so good and I am loving it at the moment. It is the perfect chick-flick show and so easy to watch. It has some amusing parts and some eye-candy from Liam (who has also appeared in Wizards of Waverly Place)

2. Awkward 

Source: seriesblog.tv

Another MTV show which has aired again for its fourth season. This is another easy-to-watch show and is perfect for any girl who loves chick-flick films. This show follows social outcast, Jenna Hamilton, who receives a 'confrontation' letter, which results in an accident, which looks as if she tried to commit suicide. The seasons progress with Jenna dealing with boy troubles, best friend fall outs, and vents all of her problems out in her own blog. Plus, there is more eye-candy in the shape of Matty.

3. Desperate Housewives 

Source: au.tv.yahoo.com

I know this is quite an old series but I have nearly finished all eight seasons of this show. I am so sad it is coming to the end as I have enjoyed every second of it, and have had a few surprises along the way as well. It reminds me of Pretty Little Liars in a way, but an older version. The show takes place on Wisteria Lane, and follows the lives of a group of women seen through the eyes of their dead neighbour and best friend, who committed suicide in the very first episode. The show follows the lives of Gabriella, Susan, Lynette and Bree for 13 years throughout the eight seasons. It shows their domestic struggles and family life, while dealing with murders, mysteries and secrets. Although it has a lot of seasons, you will quickly become addicted, especially after the first episode, you will start to ask questions and then, you will just have to keep watching in order to find out.

4. Made In Chelsea 

Source: platform-online.net

This is very much an English show, and I have just started watching it. I am currently on season three out of seven and am a little bit of addicted, as you do become a little bit absorbed into their lives. The show is based on the lives of affluent young people in West London. The show also follows the people on their travels to exotic locations including Dubai, Cannes, Amsterdam and South Africa. It contains lots of romances, break-ups, bitching and lots more.

5. The Great British Bake Off 

Source: www.hellomagazine.com

My final favourite of September is The Great British Bake Off. Another very English show and extremely popular in the UK. Every year when the Bake Off has aired once more, probably every television in the UK will be tuned in to watch this competition of baking. On the front it does seem very boring, a competition about baking, but in fact it is one of the most tense and exciting shows, who knew there could be so much drama when it comes to baking?
The show is a competition for amateur bakers to fight against each other to win the title of Great British Bake Off. Each episode focuses on a different aspect of baking, for example, one week could be cakes and the next pies. The show features in three rounds: the first is the Signature Bake - a bake using a tried and tested recipe the baker has practised many times before. The next round is the Technical - a recipe is provided by the judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood. However, the recipe is sparse and the bakers need to use their intuition to decide what is right. The bakers are not told before hand what the challenge is. The judges also judge the bakes blind as everyone has been given the same recipe, and then the judges rank the bakers from worst to best. The final round is the Show Stopper - a bake designed to impress the judges. This is my favourite part of the show as it is where the bakers get to show off their skills and I love seeing what the bakes look like at the end.

So, those are all my September favourites. Hope you enjoyed this post. Let me know what you loved in September.

My Week & Clothes Haul

I haven't blogged in a while, due to having a busy week this week, which is quite unusual for me. I am the sort of person that waits for each day to come and then decide what I am going to do on that day. However, over the last three days I have had some plans which I will now talk to you about.

Last weekend, my parents went away to Milton Keynes in order to attend an event there. They stayed at a hotel and then travelled home the next day. However, opposite the hotel was a massive Primark, River Island, H&M, New Look, etc. Before heading home, they decided to have a look around, and, when they arrived home, my parents had treated me to some items from Primark and Next. I was not expecting this one bit, and I felt like a little child at Christmas, opening up my presents.

So, I thought I would share with you guys what I got...

Kabuki Brush - £2.50 

The first thing I got was a powder brush. I really like the make-up brushes from Primark as I think they are just as good and do the same job as a high-end brush would do. I would recommend getting Primark brushes if you are new to make-up, like myself and then maybe getting a more expensive brush when you become more confident applying make-up.

Two packs of Antibacterial Hand Wipes - £1

Next up I got two packets of Antibacterial Hand Wipes, which are great to use during this sticky and humid weather we are currently getting in England at the moment.

Necklace - £6

Recently, I have been loving statement necklaces and when I saw this one in the bag I fell in love with it. I love the pastel colours used in the necklace which are great for the summer time. I wore this necklace to my brother's graduation, which I will talk about later in this post.

Owl Mirror - £2

This little, cute Owl Mirror will be perfect for my make-up bag. I think it is always useful to have a mirror on you at all times, as you never know when you might need it.

Dress

I love the colours and the material of this sun dress. I wore this to the Odney Club (which I will talk about later in this post). The material had a silky feel to it, which left me feeling cool and I think it would look great on holiday over a bikini, after you get out of the pool.

Pink Pumps - £4

These bright pink pumps would go perfectly with the sun dress above and I think I would probably get a lot of wear out of these, as I could wear them to sixth form either with trousers or a skirt in the winter.

Beige Pumps - £8

I got another pair of pumps as well. I really love the colour of these pumps as they would go with anything in my wardrobe and I could wear them all year round. I love the fact the pumps have a chain and strap which makes them a little bit different and adds a bit of colour. Again, I think I would get a lot of wear out of these.

Skirt - WAS - £22 NOW - £10

There was a sale on in Next in which I got this pastel pink skirt with beige pattern on it. I think this looks really summery and would be perfect for sixth form as well. I would pair this with the beige pumps above and for half price as well! What a bargain!

Stripy Pumps

These stripy pumps were also from the Next Sale. I'm not sure how much they cost as I took the label off. I have worn these already and they are super comfortable. I really love the colours as I don't own any black and white shoes or stripy shoes for that matter. I think these would look great with shorts and a crop top or maybe in the winter with black skinny jeans and a jumper. I think you could probably get a lot of different looks out of these one pair of shoes.

Dry Shampoo - £2.99

Another thing I wanted to share with you was this Batiste Dry Shampoo Original. Now, this year I have been testing and trying new things that I wouldn't normally do. For example, wearing make-up is something totally alien to me but I have been really enjoying it. Another thing is my hair. I never really did much to my hair except getting the occasional short cut. However, this year I have opted to grow my hair and try new hairstyles and products. Last weekend, my cousin straightened my hair, and, as I don't own a pair of straighteners myself (but I am asking for a pair for my birthday) I was so excited. I really loved my hair straight (as I do have naturally curly hair). In order, to keep my straight hair for as long as possible, I went out and bought some dry shampoo. I had heard about dry shampoo before, but never tried it out and I am so glad I did. It is like a miracle worker. It is so easy and simple to use as well. All you have to do is spray it onto your roots and massage it in and it feels like you have just washed your hair. This would be great if you don't have time in the morning to wash your hair or if you are going to a festival this summer, then this is a must-have. I also really liked the smell of the original shampoo which was a massive plus.

On Tuesday, I travelled to Swanage for the day with my mum and dad. Swanage is my childhood holiday destination, as we used to always go to Swanage and rent out an apartment and me and my two brothers spent out summer holidays, either playing on the beach, building sandcastles or splashing in the sea, or in the arcade, wasting the last few pennies we had on us or trying to sweet-talk our dad into giving us some money to play on the machines. These are some of my fondest memories and ones I will always treasure for a long time. Therefore, I could not wait to finally arrive. We got up bright and early and went out to get some breakfast. Then, we started on our journey. It took us longer than usual, due to traffic and the queue for the ferry was so long we had to go all the way round in order to get into Swanage. But, we finally arrived, and the weather was amazing!

View from the beach

The beach was packed and the sun was blaring down on the sand, which made it so hot to walk on, but it was such a nice day and I even managed to get a tan on my back, which I was quite proud of. As well as sunbathing, I went into the sea, which was so warm and lovely to dip your feet into.

Obviously, I had to make a quick visit to the arcade, to play on the 2p machines, but I didn't win anything, except gaining a few pennies out of the machine!

And another...

Then, me and my mum headed to this little knick-knacky shop called The Curiosity Shop, which has all sorts of bits and bobs, from sea ornaments for your home to bracelets and rings, but I didn't find anything I liked there, so we decided to leave.

I took this when we were on the ferry coming home. 

Recently, they have opened a tiny New Look in Swanage and I couldn't resist having a quick peek inside. This was the wrong idea, as I soon found lots of things I really liked, and ended up buying some clothes for my holiday.

Later on, we had some fish & chips for dinner (a must-have when going to the beach) and headed home.

Here is what I got from New Look...

Trousers - £19.99

I found these patterned trousers which are quite baggy and have a turned-up end. I thought these would be perfect to travel in on the plane as it is normally air-conditioned and these were so adorable. I also own a pair of harem pants and I got so much wear out of them, so I will probably do the same to these. I also love the colours and they are so bright and summery. Perfect for holiday!

Blouse - 14.99

When I saw this blouse sitting on the hanger, I knew instantly I had to have it. I think this would be perfect for sixth form in September as it can be quite warm when we return. This is me all over and I cannot wait to wear it! I am also a big sucker for a Peter Pan collar which made me want it even more!

Maxi Dress - WAS - £29.99 NOW - £15

I have never worn a maxi dress in my life, but I always wanted to try one out and it was in the sale so it was perfect. I love the deep royal blue with the bright pink aztec print incorporated in the dress. I love how the dress goes in at the top, leaving a baggy look on the top half. When I tried it on, it fitted perfectly and was very flattering. I love the silky material and it made me feel very grown up. Very pleased with this purchase!

Yellow Crop Top - £9.99

I have quite a few of this style of crop top and have already got so much wear out of them. I have one in a duck egg blue and a white one as well. I was going to get this crop top a while ago (which I have mentioned in a previous blog post) but they didn't have my size, however I have finally got it and I know I will constantly be wearing it.

Orange Vest - £9.99

My last item I got from New Look was this silky vest top. I thought this would go perfectly with the trousers and I will be wearing this to the airport. I don't normally go for these type of tops but it was very flattering on and I couldn't resist.

On Wednesday, I went to the Odney Club in Cookham as my cousin, Hannah invited me to go there so we could go swimming and rowing. It was such a great day out, and it was even better as we got beautiful weather as well. We arrived at the club (which you do need to be a member of but as Hannah worked there we didn't have to pay), and got our bands in order to go to the outdoor swimming pool. As we got in the pool, it was the perfect temperature, not too hot but not too cold either. We swam around for about an hour and a half, as they did have floats as well so we chilled on them. Then, we got changed and headed to get some food.

A view from the boat

I chose the Tomato, Pesto and Mozzarella Panini with Chips and a lemonade, while Hannah opted for a Fish Finger Sandwich with Chips. Hannah ended up sharing my lemonade in the end.

Hannah's fish finger sandwich

My Tomato, Mozzarella and Pesto Panini

After we had eaten our lunch, we went to reception to get the Boat Key. You have to pay a deposit of £5 which you get back at the end, they give you a key and you get your life jackets and oars from the nearby shed. Then, you open the padlock of your numbered boat, hop inside and off you go. It was so much fun, hard work and hilarious at the same time. We managed to get into a routine, and we did survive in the end, although, some man did crash into us at one point but we just laughed it off.

Once we had locked up the boat and returned the life jackets and oars, we went to get an ice cream and cool off.

Another view from the boat

Finally, on Thursday I went to my brother, Alex's graduation. It was again such a great day and the weather was so hot that we all ended up melted by the end of it. It was held at the Festival Hall in South Bank which was such a lovely place. Unfortunately, there wasn't any air conditioning in the entrance, plus hundreds of people radiating body heat did not help the situation. Let's just say that everybody was fanning themselves.

Inside the graduation ceremony, it was much cooler and bearable. The ceremony was very long but it eventually got to Alex and we all gave a massive cheer. He also shook hands with Jacqueline Wilson which was so cool, as she is my favourite childhood author. I have read all of her books and my favourites are probably either Double Act or My Sister Jodie.

Anyway, that was my week, quite busy but very enjoyable. Hope you have all had a great week. What have you been up to?

All images in this blog post we taken by me.