FAVOURITES | November 2013.

I've got a wide range of favourites this month, some new, and some rediscovered, so let's jump right in!

My first favourite this month is Rimmel's Scandal Eyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Liner in Nude. I find this liner is perfect for any daytime make up look, as it's not as dramatic as black liner. The nude also helps open up your eyes, and helps make you appear more awake! Perfect for early mornings after those late nights! These go for €5.49 from any Rimmel retailer.

Next up is the Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof Mascara in Very Black. If there is one thing you should know about me, it's that I buy two things obsessively; mascara & lipstick! I just can't get enough! The thing I love most about this particular mascara is that the brush is quite small & thin, making for precision application. Ace! I've taken to curling my lashes, using this to set the curl, then going in with Benefit's They're Real to finish off! At €7.49, it's one of Maybelline's cheaper mascaras. 

In keeping with the things I purchase obsessively, my next favourite is, of course, a lipstick! It's 17's Stay Pout Lipstick in the shade Delinquent. Delinquent is a bright fuchsia pink and has great staying power on the lips. The formula is not drying in the slightest, and the finish keeps your lips looking moisturised! The entire Stay Pout collection is fantastic, they have a great range of shades and don't break the bank! The range is available from Boots, and retail at €5.69.

I've raved about Bleach London products countless times before (see here & here), but I'm not done yet! This month, I am loving their Super Cool Colours. What started as an innocent ombré with their Bruised Violet dye, turned into an all over colour in a matter of days! First time around, I diluted the dye with conditioner to get a muted, almost pink shade. A week later, I left the dye undiluted, and simply went for it! The result? A gorgeous, rich true purple! If like me, you want a quick & easy way to change it up a bit, then here is your solution. Simply shampoo your hair, towel dry it, and pop in your Super Cool Colour of choice. Et volià, you have transformed yourself! The dye lasts 2 to 10 washes, depending on your own hair colour, so it's not a huge commitment. They've got a great range of colours too! Can you tell that I'm totally in love with the Bleach brand yet?! I can't wait to try out some more of the colours! The Super Cool Colours retail for €6.79, and are available from select Boots stores & Boots online.

A couple of weeks ago, I posted my Ultimate Wishlist, and on said list was American Apparel's Denim Sherpa Jacket. Retailing for €135, it was, and still is, way out of my price range! Fear not, Primark has come to the rescue once more! They have a mid-wash denim sherpa jacket in stock, a dead ringer for American Apparel's one, and at €21, it's a fraction of the price AA are charging. Score! I honestly haven't stopped wearing it since purchasing. 

Last, but by no means least, we have the fantastic lads in One Direction and their 3rd studio album, Midnight Memories. Pegged to take top spot on all charts this side of Christmas, Midnight Memories is deserving of all the praise and success! There's not really much else I can say without gushing embarrassingly! Being completely honest, there is nothing about Midnight Memories that I don't like! I can tell it'll be on repeat indefinitely! One thing I will say, go for The Ultimate Edition. You can thank me later! Midnight Memories is available for download from iTunes, as well as in stores worldwide.

What are some of your favourites this month? Let me know in the comments!

Until next time,
Elle.

Find me on:
Twitter - Tumblr - Instagram @ellebolger - Bloglovin'

FESTIVE | Christmas Party Sparklers

This post actually marks the beginning of my festive season series! There's gonna be a bunch of different posts ranging from recipes to decor, fashion to beauty. So make sure you're following to be kept up to date with everything! 

From my trip to Dublin this past weekend & a perusal of all my favourite stores, one thing became inherently apparent, the major trend for this Christmas season is.... SEQUINS! Yay! 

There's no better, or easier, way to spice up an outfit than by adding a bit of sparkle! To avoid looking like a disco ball, I'd make my statement piece sequinned, while keeping everything else muted. Or vice versa! 

Here are some of my favourite sequinned pieces for this holiday season!

(Clockwise from top left: River Island Pink Sequin Midi Skirt, Lifetime of Nighttime Sequin Blazer, Missguided Ellie-May Sequin Long Sleeve Skater Dress, ASOS Premium Legging in Sequin Check)

Will you be rocking this trend at your Christmas party? 

Until next time, 

Elle. 

Find me on:

Twitter - Tumblr - Instagram @ellebolger - Bloglovin' 

Manicure Monday #4

This week's polish is NYC's In A New York Color Minute Quick Dry Polish in 228 Chelsea with Essence's Colour & Go in 112 Time For Romance over top of the ring finger! Both of these retail around the €1.99 mark, and can be purchased from Sam McCauley's Chemist & Primark stores around Ireland.

The NYC polish is a red shimmer with some pinky undertones. It reminds me of a candy apple red, as the shimmer element is not overly noticeable! The formula is thin, as it's meant to be sheer, but it is a buildable shade. The Essence polish is a deep red glitter. The formula is a little gloopy, but it works well as a top coat!

What polishes are you loving this week? How do you feel about the accent nail trend? 

Until next time, 

Elle.

Find me on:

Twitter - Tumblr - Instagram @ellebolger - Bloglovin' 

MUSIC | Monthly Playlist #1

I thought as a break from my usual spiel, at the end (or near the end) of each month, I'd post a playlist of what I'm listening to! 

This month's playlist has some new ones, some old ones and some cheeky guilty pleasures! Let's dive in! 

1. Story Of My Life - One Direction
2. Boy - Little Mix
3. Don't Let Me Be The Last To Know - Britney Spears
4. Sweater Weather - The Neighbourhood 
5. Take Me To Church - Hozier
6. I See Fire - Ed Sheeran
7. Dangerzone - Kenny Loggins
8. If I Could Change Your Mind - Haim
9. Not Like The Movies - Katy Perry
10. Can We Dance? - The Vamps
11. Her Every Flaw, Her Every Virtue - Bressie
12. Somebody's Watching Me - Rockwell
13. Can't Sleep - Paper Planes
14. Over Again - One Direction
15. Borderline - Madonna
16. Wrecking Ball - Miley Cyrus
17. I Wish - Cher Lloyd ft. TI
18. Can't Fight The Moonlight - Leann Rimes
19. Holy Grail - Jay-Z ft. Justin Timberlake
20. You Make My Dreams Come True - Hall & Oates  

That's it for November's playlist! What have you been listening to this month?! 

Until next time, 
Elle. 

Find me on:

Twitter - Tumblr - Instagram @ellebolger - Bloglovin' 

REVIEW | 17 Miracle Matte Foundation

While I'm very adventurous with all other make-up, when it comes to foundation, I play it very safe! I've been using the Maybelline Fit Me foundation for close enough to a year now, and have found it hard to look past it! However, with the current 3 for 2 in Boots, I decided to get a little brave and branch out foundation wise!

I have an unhealthy obsession with matte finishes - lipstick, eyeshadow, powder, nail polish, you name it, I want it. But I'd never tried a matte foundation.. Until now! I purchased the 17 Miracle Matte Foundation in the shade Honey. It's marketed as having a "matte satin flawless finish" and "up to 16 hour shine control". I'm not going to lie, I was excited to use it. I had been stuck in my ways for too long, and I was ready for change!

My excitement, it seems, was short-lived. On first application, the foundation was cakey and patchy. Uh oh! After A LOT of blending and a dusting of translucent powder, it began to look somewhat presentable. Second time around, I applied a primer beforehand, and it was a disaster zone. My face looked muddy and discoloured in places. Not what you want before a night out. It looked so bad, I had to go back to my old faithful!

I'm not one to write products off without a fair trial, so I gave the Miracle Matte another shot. Third time's the charm, or so they tell me! Unlike the first two applications, I began by focusing on my cheeks, applying it to one at a time, and then the rest of my face. Surprisingly, it looked okay, for the most part. There were still some patchy areas near my jawline, it just needs some TLC!

My main issue with this foundation is it dries too quickly, making difficult to blend. No bueno! Because of it's quick drying, it also needs some time when applying. My best advice, take your time, go in stages! Coverage wise, it's a nice everyday foundation, I just prefer a higher coverage. When I'm determined to like something, I will not stop until I find some sort of redeeming quality!

Have you tried any matte foundations? Did you have better luck than me?

Until next time,
Elle.

Find me on:

Twitter - Tumblr - Instagram @ellebolger - Bloglovin'

Manicure Monday #3

This week's manicure is all about nail effects! I went for two polishes, Barry M's Instant Nail Effects Nail Paint in 319 Foil and KIKO Cosmetics Sugar Mat Nail Lacquer in 635 Wisteria. The Barry M polish retails at €5.99 from Boots, while the KIKO polish retails at €3.90.

The Barry M nail paint is a silver foil effect, and the KIKO polish is a lilac 'sugar mat', which basically means it has a textured matte finish! Metallics and pastels are very on trend this season, and what better way to wear them than on your nails! Both of these polishes are super fast drying, so are perfect for 'on the go' manis, or for those of us with very little patience!

Have you tried any nail effects polishes recently? What are your thoughts on them? Be sure to let me know in the comments!

Until next time,
Elle.

Find me on:
Twitter - Tumblr - Instagram @ellebolger - Bloglovin' 

FASHION | Winter Warmers For Your Wardrobe!

I'm not one to have a favourite season, they all have their merits, but Winter is gunning for first in the fashion department this year. Big coats, hats and scarves, woolly jumpers.. BOOTS, what's a girl not to love? Here are some of my fashion picks that are guaranteed to warm your wardrobe right up!

1. Parkas

(L-R Primark Parka, RI 3-in-1 Faux Fur Parka in Black, Missguided Orla Faux Fur Detail in Burgundy )

Parkas are a perfect casual winter coat. Don't get me wrong, I love a good mac, or even a duffle, but sometimes, a casual outfit just doesn't match. Primark have a wonderful selection of parkas, one every taste, and are reasonably priced. Missguided have a great collection too, if you're willing to pay a bit more. While I look at winter coats as an investment, the River Island parka above is just a bit too much for my purse to handle. Doesn't stop me from wanting it, in fact, I think that makes me want it more. Where's the money fairy when you need her?

2. Hats. Hats. Hats.

(Clockwise from Top Right: American Apparel Wool Floppy Hat in Dark Rust, RI Navy Pom Pom Beanie, Black Hair Turban, RI Black Rolled Brim Bowler)

This is the one thing I take through every season. I love hats, a well known fact about me. I've even been told I have a head for hats, not sure if that's a complement, but I'll take it. Winter is perfect for hats, and the best part is, there's a great range that you can rock this season! Whatever look you want to achieve, I can guarantee there is a hat to match. You can look stylish and keep your noggin warm too. Result! Pictured above are some styles that I love and can't wait to wear!

3. Boots

(Clockwise from Top Right: New Look Black Cut Out Buckle Metal Tip Ankle Boots, Dunnes Tan Ankle Boots, Primark Black Heeled Chelsea Boots, Steve Madden Black TROOPA Combat Boots)

My second favourite thing about winter. Rainy days means exchanging our much loved converse and vans for sturdy, weatherproof boots. Yes! I don't know where my obsession with boots came from, all I know is I never want it to go away. Like everything else, there is something for everyone when it comes to boots. Heeled or flat, ankle, knee, or thigh high, you name it, you can find it.

4. Knitwear

(Clockwise from Top Right: New Look Grey Ombre Stripe Oversize Jumper, Forever21 Americana Dolman Sweater, Dunnes Heart Feather Jumper, Topshop Red Knitted Chunky Bobble Jumper)

While I'm not a huge fan of knitwear, I do enjoy a good oversized jumper in the aptly named 'sweater weather'. This winter season is all about the printed knit. How fun?! If prints aren't for you though, jumpers in deep reds, blues and greens are everywhere. Not to mention, who doesn't love a good striped knit?

5. Tartan

(L-R: Topshop Red & Green Check Treggings, Top to Bottom: F&F Checked Skater Skirt, New Look Red Tartan Check T-Shirt, Zara Two-Sided Soft Scarf, Pull & Bear Woollen Check Print Lingerie Dress)

Yes, I am aware that tartan is a print, but I am LOVING anything tartan this season. Coats, trousers, dresses, scarves, shirts, skirts, I want it all! The simplest way to add some plaid (see what I did there?), is with a scarf. The Zara one above is a tad pricey, but Primark offer a great alternative for €5! Go ahead, add a little grunge to your wardrobe!

Did I bypass some of your favourite ways to warm up in winter? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time,
Elle.

Find me on:
Twitter - Tumblr - Instagram @ellebolger - Bloglovin'

BEAUTY | Mini Boots Haul

Boots has become my downfall. I am totally obsessed, have you guessed yet? I can't seem to step a foot near the store without happily emptying my purse. Oops! Two recent visits to my local store resulted in this haul. With the 3 for 2 offer currently going on, it'd be rude not to partake, don't you think? I tend to get a little carried away, and it happens way more than I care to admit! Let's jump in. 

1. Seventeen Miracle Matte Foundation in Honey (€7.59)

2. Rimmel Scandal Eyes Shadowstick in Blackmail (€5.95)

3. Seventeen Stay Pout Lipstick in Going Steady (€5.69)

4. Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof in Black (€7.49)

5. Collection Primed & Ready Smoothing Make-Up Primer (€9.59)

6. Barry M Lip Paint in 156 (€6.79)

7. Rimmel Scandal Eyes Waterproof Kohl Liner in Nude (€5.49)

Do you have any weaknesses when it comes to drugstores/drugstore make up? Let me know in the comments. If you want a review on any products featured, be sure to tell me! 

Until next time, 

Elle.

Find me on:
Twitter - Tumblr - Instagram @ellebolger - Bloglovin'

NEWEST OBSESSION | The Carrie Diaries

This new found love calls for an unscheduled post! I have become obsessed with The Carrie Diaries. I managed to watch the entire first season in less than 12 hours. Crazy!

For those of you who may have never heard of The Carrie Diaries, it is "an American teen drama television series on The CW. It is a prequel to the HBO television series Sex and the City and based on the book of the same name by Candace Bushnell. The first season of the show focuses on Carrie Bradshaw during her junior year of high school in 1984, and she explores life in New York while interning at a law office".

Nothing has made me want to go back in time more than this show has. The hair, the clothes, the music, I WANT IT ALL. Not to mention, the male cast is decidedly delicious. What's not to love? Show me a girl, who at some stage didn't want to be Carrie Bradshaw, and I'll congratulate her on not getting sucked in! Carrie's adult life, minus a few mishaps, was undoubtedly fabulous, so why would her teen years be any different? 

(L-R: Katie Findlay (Maggie), Brendan Dooling (Walt), Ellen Wong (Mouse) AnnaSophia Robb (Carrie), Austin Butler (Sebastian) and Freema Agyeman (Larissa). 

With clothes to die for, killer soundtrack, and a beyond gorgeous cast, The Carrie Diaries has me waiting in anticipation for the newest episode! 

Have you watched the show? What are some of your current favourite TV shows? Let me know in the comments!

Until next time, 

Elle. 

Find me on:

Twitter - Tumblr - Instagram @ellebolger - Bloglovin'

Manicure Monday #2

This week, I went for a nude-ish colour. It's the Sinful Colors polish in Easy Going. I purchased this for $1.99 from Target, but I think the range can be found at some Boots stores and online in Europe & the UK.

I personally love the Sinful Colors brand. I have a few colours, I just think the formulation is fantastic! My favourite though, has to be this shade, Easy Going. It's said to be a dupe for Essie's Fiji, for a fraction of the price! It's a very, very pale baby pink. It's almost opaque with one coat, but needs a second coat to cover up those patches! Easy Going is a shade that can be carried through all the seasons!

                                            

What nail colours are you loving this week?

Until next time, 

Elle.

Find me on:
Twitter - Tumblr - Instagram @ellebolger - Bloglovin' 

LIFESTYLE | Ultimate Wishlist

With the Christmas season fast approaching, (where has 2013 gone?), the question of gifts is looming in the air. While pondering what I would be asking the big guy for, my mind wandered to what I really, really desired. So I've complied a list of things I'd buy if resources were unlimited, or if I had an obscenely wealthy other half *cough* Harry Styles *cough*

1. Lilac Hair

                                                     Clockwise from top: Lou & Sam Teasdale, Kelly Osbourne, Perrie Edwards (Little Mix) 

2. Jeffrey Campbell's Roscoe Cut Out's & Mulder 

                                                                                     (Top: Roscoe Cut Out. Bottom: Mulder)

3. Alexander Wang Rocco in Pebbled Black with Rose Gold hardware.

4. Ray-Ban Original Wayfarer Glasses in Black.

5.American Apparel Unisex Denim Sherpa Jacket.

6. Complete Set of Mac Brushes. 

What are some items you'd splurge on if money was no object?

Until next time,

Elle.

Find me on:
Twitter - Tumblr - Instagram @ellebolger - Bloglovin'

BEAUTY | How I Care for My Hair

While blonde is not the most high maintenance colour I've ever been, quite a bit of care needs to be taken! I'm ashamed to admit that while I've been blonde for 9 months now, it wasn't until a recent foray into the world of bleaching that I learned how to properly take care of my colour/hair. This routine is relatively new to me, and I've been getting people asking what I've been doing differently, so this post feels very apropos. 

L-R: Bleach London's Sliver Shampoo & Conditioner, Primark's Own Brand Tangle Teaser, Aussie's Miracle Insurance Leave-In Conditioner, Carino Miracle Oil, Batiste Dry Shampoo in Cherry & Tropical. 

I begin by washing my hair in lukewarm water. If the water is too cold, you'll only lock in the shampoo and dirt, and if it's too hot, you'll scald and dry out your hair. No bueno! I then use Bleach London's Silver Shampoo & Conditioner, available from Boots.ie for around €6.69. These tone any brassiness and brighten the colour up. Try limit your use of shampoo to once or twice weekly, and use a hair mask once a week to keep your hair healthy (I swear by the Aussie 3 Minute Miracle). Avoid roughly towel drying your hair once you've finished washing, this is where frizziness and split ends are born. Gently pat and squeeze the hair from root to tip with a towel.

Before brushing, I go in with Aussie's Miracle Insurance Leave-In Conditioner (€5.79; Boots Pharmacy are currently doing a 3 for €13 on Aussie hair care), spritzing it all over my hair. This nourishes hair, makes it free from tangles, and protects against daily wear and tear. Ace! I brush through my hair using Primark's own brand Tangle Teezer (€1.50). While the shape is a little awkward to hold, I find it glides through my hair, with little to no fallout. I then slather some Carino Miracle Oil (Aldi's answer to Moroccan Oil; €3.99) from root to tip. This helps tackle frizz and softens the hair!

I have quite a lot of hair, and I find blow drying just makes it 10 times more unmanageable, not to mention frizzy. After years of experimenting with different drying methods, I've finally found one that works best for me, and leaves me with nice, subtle waves. I part my hair, then section each side in to 2 or 3 pieces, depending how thick I want the waves, then twirl the pieces around my index finger and leave to air dry. To avoid any mishaps during the night, I braid my hair in two and wake up looking like I've just stepped off the beach in California. I wish! I keep my hair looking fresh between washes by using Batiste's Dry Shampoo.

There you have it, how I care for my hair. What are some of your favourite hair care methods/products? Let me know, I'm always interested in trying new things!

Until next time,
Elle.

Find me on:
Twitter - Tumblr - Instagram @ellebolger - Bloglovin'

Manicure Monday #1

As I'm quite fickle and non-committal to nail polish (I tend to get bored easily, especially if it chips early on), I figured a weekly nail post would help me with my commitment problem, and utilize my polish collection more!

This weeks' mani is courtesy of me, as most of them will be! I decided to embrace the winter-y vibes around me and go for a dark polish. This No.7 Stay Perfect Nail Colour is in the shade 13 - Betty Blues. It's available from Boots, and costs around €8.00.

When I originally purchased this colour, I wasn't too crazy about it - I vaguely recall saying it was "a navy trying too hard to be black." But now, I really think that's what I love about it. With one coat, it's almost a dark denim colour, add a second coat, and you'll need the light to hit it to prove it's actually navy! It's also a very glossy polish, which I am LOVING at the minute. Could it be? have I left my matte obsession behind? ... I DON'T THINK SO. However, I am more open to other finishes now! All in all, this polish ticks all the right boxes for a winter staple!

What are some of your favourite polishes for winter? Let me know, and you could see it featured in a future Manicure Monday!

Until next time,
Elle.

P.S. This is completely un-nail related, but my very good friends in Paper Planes just released their very first single, Can't Sleep, this past Sunday, and it's bloomin' ace! It'd mean so much to both me & the boys if you checked it out here. Tell 'em I sent ya!

Find me on:
Twitter - Tumblr - Instagram @ellebolger - Bloglovin'

FAVOURITES | October 2013

These were meant to be a part of my beauty favourites, but it was already longer than it needed to be! I'm slowly, but surely, figuring this out, so bare with me while I work out some kinks! There's not too many, and I promise to try be less long winded! Let's jump right in!

In terms of fashion pieces, I've only had one this month that I just cannot get enough of. It's these black boots from New Look. They retail at €59.99, but bare in mind, they are real leather, so you'll get your money's worth! I couldn't find these particular boots in the online store, but they could be still available for purchase in New Look stores. I adore these boots. I've worn them as much as physically possible. It does take a few wears to get them super comfortable, but for a boot that will last be the whole winter and then some, it's well worth it. I cannot speak highly enough of them! While these particular boots may not be in everyone's price range, but I do know that Primark have a very similar pair for a third of the price (€22.00), and they come in both black, and a tan colour.

Books wise, while travelling, I picked up The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare. I will admit, the sole reason I picked this book up was because I had enjoyed the movies so much both times I saw it! What I wasn't expecting was to find that the book was so different to the movie adaptation, having read online that they stuck closely to the story line! It became this brand new story, and I was unsure how it would end. I loved it immensely! So much so that I'm planning to buy the rest of the series. It is a bit daunting, beginning a book series with 5 books already published, and another on the way in 2014. Don't let that put you off! This series will have you chomping at the bit to get your hands on the next one (believe me, I'm speaking from experience here!).

In the spirit of Halloween, my movie favourites are some festive classics. Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas and Hocus Pocus must watches for me during the spookiest time of year! Both movies are jam packed with songs to sing 'til your heart's content, and aren't so scary that you'll be awake until Christmas! Perfect for scardey cats like me! 

Musically, October has been one for my favourites. I've been listening to four records in constant rotation: Arctic Monkeys' AM, Kings Of Leon's Mechanical Bull, Days Are Gone by Haim and The 1975's self titled debut. I could wax lyrical about these albums for days, just know that they all fantastic and sometimes splashing out on the deluxe edition is worth the extra euros!

Now, I couldn't mention musical favourites without mentioning my loves, One Direction (I like 'em - sue me!). Their newest single Story Of My Life was released this week, and the video will be online this coming Sunday. I'm not gonna lie, I really like the song! It usually takes me quite some time to warm up to songs, especially singles from unreleased records, but it was an instant love affair. Story Of My Life, available for download on iTunes, is from 1D's upcoming third album, Midnight Memories, which will be released November 25th of this year (expect a review to follow the release!).

This last favourite, I forgot to include in my beauty favorites. It's the Sephora Daily Brush Cleaner. I'll be the first to admit, I'm very, very lazy when it comes to cleaning my brushes. It's shocking. Prior to this, I'd never even purchased a brush cleaner, opting to use home remedies instead. At last, I have seen the light. This daily cleaner is quick and easy, and takes minimal effort. Perfect! 6 pumps covers the largest of brushes, then you lightly swipe the brush across a clean cloth until clean, then leave to dry. It's that simple. This product costs around €6.50 and can be purchased from any Sephora store. 

That's it for my monthly favourite! Hopefully next month, I'll be able to fit them all into the one post! Also, I kind of want to play around with how I lay out these types of posts. If anyone has any suggestions, or if you like this layout, please share your thoughts. Don't be a stranger!

Until next time, 

Elle. 

find me on:

Twitter - Tumblr - Instagram @ellebolger - Bloglovin'