Winter Lip care

• Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream Skin Protectant - This has to be my favourite of the bunch. This is an intensive treatment and is also multi use as you can also use this on dry, cracked and chapped skin. My lips have been so dry recently as It's been soo cold, I found this product has been the best at restoring them!

• Lush Whip stick lip balm - This is full of great, moisturising ingredients and oils such as Honey, Almond oil, Oatmilk, Organic virgin olive oil & Shea butter. It also has Sweet Orange oil, Tangerine oil, Vanilla absolute and Dark chocolate! It smells amazing. Just like orange chocolate. This comes a close second for me, I use this in the mornings just before I go out to protect my lips and to keep them moisturised.

• The Body Shop Coconut lip butter - I use this before I go to bed as this is quite thick and really moisturising. It works well for me to leave on overnight to sink in and when I wake up my lips feel completely moisturised, plump and smooth!

• Nivea pure natural Milk and Honey - I keep this in my bag to re-apply throughout the day to keep my lips moisturised.  

I love trying lip balms as my lips seem to suffer the most in cold weather, I've just recently bought Burts Bee's Honey lip balm which I absolutely love and really want to get a Korres Lip Butter but im not sure which flavour! 

What is your favourite lip balm?

xx 

Instagram Diaries #1

I’ve had it for a while, but it’s just recently I have realized the amazing-ness that is Instagram. For those who don't know, it’s a free app (click HERE to download) that allows you to take pictures (reminiscent of polaroids), apply a filter, and then share them on various social networking sites. I've decided that every so often (hopefully once a week), I'll give you guys a sneak peek into what I'm up to via Instagram. Here's the first batch of pics, enjoy!

1. My sorority had a Secret Santa gift exchange at our Christmas potluck. My Secret Santa knew me all too well and got me a pink leopard print shower wrap and mini cupcake forks.
2. My Big saw this Audrey Hepburn-cat journal and thought of me <3
3. My boyfriend and I went to Kiku’s for sushi. I ordered my favorite - sweet potato sushi with eel sauce.
4. I loved this skull-shaped glass bottle.
5. It can be so hard to study when all you can hear is your adorable snoring kitty next to you.
6. My little, Jillie, made me this amazing Tiffany’s-inspired paddle.  

My 2011 Christmas Wishlist

My dad texts me nearly every day for me to send him my Christmas List (otherwise, he has no idea what to get me). With so much going on these last weeks before winter break, it wasn't exactly a priority, but now with exams over (WOOT!), I was finally able to sit down and compile my annual list of semi-affordable sought after items. Here's what my most fashionable and practical list to date consisted of:

1. Crosley Portable USB Turntable (Urban Outfitters, $160) - saw this at Urban Thread and fell in love - with this I'll be able to finally listen to all my dad's old ABBA and Beatles vinyl records, as well as my iPod (and it's portable!). Love.
2. Wispy Pointelle Cardigan (Anthropologie, $60) - so pretty and feminine, I can see myself matching this with everything from dresses to jeans.
3. Red Rose Patch Dress (Topshop, $100)- this is one of those dresses that can easily transition from season to season - just throw on a coat and tights and you're ready for the winter!
4. Camino Metallic-Knit Sweater (Marc by Marc Jacobs, $138) - I love the neutral colors on this sweater, and I can definitely dress it up or down.
5. Naked2 Palette (Urban Decay, $50) - speaking of neutral colors...I'm jumping on the bandwagon here, but after seeing the gorgeous colors in the set my Big had, I could care less.
6. Kindle Fire (Amazon.com, $199) - my sister has an iPad and while she loves it, I'd be perfectly content with a Kindle - nothing beats a real paper bound book to me, but it sure is a lot easier to carry around.
7. Day Ladies Black Quilted Victoria Rain Boots (Kembrel, $90) - ever since I moved to Tallahassee I've been looking for the perfect rain boots for me...and I think I finally found them - love the classic black, quilting, and ribbon lacing!
8. Salmon Ballet Pumps (Topshop, $32) - it is so difficult for me to find a truly comfortable pair of flats and Topshop's are like heaven to my feet - I've just about worn out the ones I got in Dublin, so it's about time for a new pair.
9. Community Season 2 on DVD (Amazon.com, $22) - probably one of the most underrated shows on TV right now, every episode surprises me with its sheer creativity and originality. Plus, I love Joel McHale.
10. JewelMint and ShoeMint pieces ($30 and $80, respectively) - just as I got hooked on Kate Bosworth's JewelMint (looking forward to my Nordic necklace in the mail), I learned about the launch of Rachel Bilson's ShoeMint (who, as most of you guys know, I'm obsessed about). Last time I checked all the shoes were sold out, but I seriously can't wait to get my hands on a pair of Rachel-designed, Steven Madden-made shoes.

What else made the list?

1. A good trench coat - this is one thing sorely missing from my wardrobe. Since I can't exactly shell out $1,000+ for Burberry, I've been looking at alternatives. I really love Anthropologie's Elevenses Pansy Corset Trench - it's so unique and lovely with the print and lacing!
2. Jeffrey Campbell Taupe Suede Litas (Urban Outfitters, $160) - I've heard nothing good things about these shoes, and I can't wait to own a pair myself. Yeah, they're a little pricey, but they're definitely worth the investment!
3. Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception for PS3 - because this is probably my favorite PS3 game series and you can expect me to devote a good chunk of time towards playing it - and my sister is right, the guy from Psych does look like the game character.
4. Art of Catwalk 90-Day Membership (Art of the Catwalk, $180) - my old membership expired this semester (I remember when it was only $300 for a whole year) and I miss it so much. Two of my littles have recently started going and it's made me realize just how much I miss it. I only have about 3 months left here anyway and I'll have a lot more free time next semester, so why not?
5. Supernatural: The Anime Series on Blu-Ray (Amazon.com, $32) - it's Supernatural and anime - how do I not already own this?

What's on your list this year?

Gift Guide: Cat Lovers

I am a self-professed cat lover. They have been my favorite animal for as long as I can remember and, at one point, my family had 10 of them (and only 1 was an outdoor cat). I know I’m not the only one obsessed with these adorable creatures, so I’ve put together a gift guide that will make the cat lover in your life purr.

1. Angel Eye Print Dress (ASOS, $45)
2. Measuring Cups (Urban Outfitters, $24)
3. Paul & Joe Lipstick (Urban Outfitters, $25)
4. Peter Jensen Sweater (Urban Outfitters, $59)
5. Height of the Morning Mug in Cat (Modcloth, $28)
6. Cat Pillow (Urban Outfitters, $19)
7. Intarsia Sweater (ASOS, $136)
8. Cat & Mouse Scarf – (ASOS, $89)
9. Dolly Cat Sweater (ASOS, $72)
10. Beanie (ASOS, $22)
11. Soap Dispenser (Urban Outfitters, $14)
12. Cutting Board (Urban Outfitters, $16)
13. Necklace (Forever21, $8)
14. Pillow Pet (Target, $13)
15. Mini Print Scarf (ASOS, $33)

Birthday!

Eeeeeeek Birthday! I Loooove Birthdays! 

It was actually my birthday in November but I thought I would show you some of what I got! I went to Pizza express for my birthday to celebrate, still can't get over the fact i'm 25 now!!!!!

- Benefit Powza Wowza, Hula, Bella Bamba and Coralista. - I wanted this so much to test the shades before buying a full sized one. I've heard such good reviews about Hula and Coralista.

- Harry Potter Film Wizardry 

- Macaroons

- Origins Ginger Souflee body lotion - The most AMAZING smell ever! I've asked for the bubble bath for Christmas!

- Vera Wang Lovestruck - Top notes of manderin and pink guava, heart notes of tuberose and lotus blossom and base notes of precious woods and sheer musk. Love this smell.

- Mac Eyeshadows - Bisque, Patina, Naked Lunch, Quarry, Jest.

- Me - Wearing a combo of the Mac eyeshadows, Nars Orgasm Blush and Revlon Just Bitten lip stain in Forbidden.

Barry M Blue Glitter

       ...It's that time of year when you can justify wearing anything that sparkles...

I picked this up the other week in superdrug, It's such a gorgeous sparkly blue! 

This needs a couple of coats on the nails and then the blue sparkle payoff is so pretty and glittery!

I also have the Red glitter Barry M Nailvarnish which is a stunning deep glitter red and reminds me of Dorothy's shoes in the Wizard of Oz!

I hate the feel of glitter polishes - ew sandpaper anyone? - so I only really paint them on my toes. I will be Definately looking for some more colours for christmas, I'd love it if Barry M brought out an emerarld green or plumb purple one! 

xx

Throughout November

Photos in order:

- DVD's, Mcintosh Spice Yankee Candle and Whittards Caramel Hot chocolate 

- Shiny Conkers!

- November Glossybox

- River Island Make up bag, Marks and Sparks Mini Macaroons

Appologies for the lack of posts recently - I've not been very well and spent pretty much the whole past month in bed sleeping, watching DVD's, drinking hot chocolate and eating Macaroons which my boyfriend has kindly brought me!

I'm sure theres lots of reviews on Novembers Glossybox by now so thought i'd just say a bit rather than dedicate a whole post to it. 

I was especially grateful for this months Glossybox. It cheered me up so much to receive a box full of goodies. It really felt like a 'get well' package! I could pamper myself with the variety of products for my hair, nails, feet and face! Normally I think I would find this only an average box this month but I so appreciated it due to the cicumstances! I can't wait for the December Glossybox, I hope its good for Christmas!

I bought this cute little River Island Make up bag in October but as I haven't worn make up in such a long time I haven't yet had the chance to sort all my make up into it! They do fluffy ones too which look so much better but this one seems more practical as I can wipe it clean - Sure i'll get make up all over it!

I'm nearly better now and so want to focus a lot more on my blog. I feel a bit out of the loop and so want to catch up with a lot of blogs and to start posting more!

I haven't bought anything this past month so neeeed to get out there and do some Christmas shopping, I love Everything about Christmas and so cannot WAIT to get out there and see the Christmas lights and Decorations... Tis the season!

xx