FAVOURITES | February 2014

How is it the end of February already? This year is just flying by already. Is it the effects of growing older? Time just starts passing you by? I hope not! Anyway, this month's favourites is a little lacking on all fronts. Oops!

I've been loving Rimmel London's Lasting Finish by Kate Lipstick in the shade 101. It's like the perfect pink that I've been searching for, and to top it off, it's MATTE. My favourite!

With all the new palettes I've gotten, sometimes my Urban Decay Naked 2 gets left on the back burner! Recently though, I've been loving the shades Tease, Snakebite & Suspect. I love Tease as an allover wash of colour, and Snakebite & Suspect make for a lovely, subtle smokey eye!

My ultimate favourite this month has been having, what we like to call "wine parties", with some of my best girlfriends! There's just something so nice about getting together with your favourite people to catch up and gossip over a couple glasses of Rosé! Perfection!

Embarrassingly, or not as the case may be, all I've been listening to lately is the High School Musical soundtracks. I have no shame in my love for them! They've literally been my soundtrack for everything - blogging, cleaning, showering, you name it! I'm pretty sure the renewed obsession has come from seeing Zac Efron in That Awkward Moment last month!

What's been on your favourites list this month?

Until next time, 

Elle

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FASHION | The S/S 14 Trends I Can't Wait To Wear

The spaghetti string strap has come again. We saw these at the tail end of last season on the high street, but now spaghetti straps are back and better than ever, in Spring/Summer 14's ode to the nineties. Yay! It's all about the slip dress and slinky vests. Now, who's up for a Spice Girls tribute band?!

 

L-R: River Island Bright Coral Cami and Forever 21 Iconic Slip Dress

Leather will never go out of fashion, it's like a cardinal rule or something. However this Spring/Summer, we are seeing leather in a very different light, or would that be a very different shade? That's right, leather in every colour, but black! River Island have a great offering, so you too can be hot in your leather!

Clockwise from Right: Aqua Embossed Leather Look, Lime Embossed Leather, and Light Pink Biker Jacket (All River Island)

For those casual days that you know you're going to have, get your hands on some slogan tees. The beauty of these is that, whatever the weather, or current mood, you can dress them up, or dress them down. Ace!

L-R: Forever 21 Color Me Rad, River Island Donut Talk To Me, House of Holland More Taste Than Money

There is just something about a full skirt that screams Carrie Bradshaw to me! They are just so elegant and ladylike, especially in pastels! You could rock some tartan and unleash your in grunge goddess. Or stand out from the crowd in brights. The world is your full skirt oyster - that's the saying right?!

Anti-Clockwise from Left: H&M Wide Skirt, Asos Full Midi Skirt, Boohoo Nora PU Belted Tartan Midi

This season's footwear is all about the sandal in two different ways - the daring platform & the demure strappy! To top it off, there's something for every taste. You can go simple and sweet, or bold and brash. Either way, you'll be right on trend!

L-R: Missguided Clara Leather Strappy Sandal, River Island Rose Gold Metallic Platform Sandal

What trends are you going to be filling your wardrobe with this season?

Until next time,

Elle.

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BEAUTY | Manicure Monday #13

While I've been in love with matte nails for a what seems like an age, I couldn't find a matte top coat to save my life. Until now. Thank you Wet n' Wild for being my saviour! I've been turning every mani matte this month, and for €1.99, why wouldn't I be? Wet n' Wild stands can be found in Dunnes Stores supermarkets all across Ireland!

My new favourite nail trend for S/S? Neon nails! Did anyone see Lily Allen on Graham Norton this past weekend? Not only did she look stunning House of Holland, but she rocked some amazing neon yellow nails too! While I feel like neon for summer could become passé, in a very Devil Wears Prada way ("Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking."), I can't help but love how they look on nails! Besides we need all the help we can get, to brighten up this dreary Irish weather!

Another nail obsession of mine this month; Wah Nails. Wah is a cult London-based nail salon, who have done nails for everyone from Nike to Marc Jacobs, and are a favourite at London Fashion Week! They have a salon in Dalston, as well as Topshop Oxford Circus and Harvey Nichols in our very own Dublin! I cannot stop stalking their instagram feed, and constantly suffer from nail envy! They do everything for demure nudes and pastels, to crazy patterns, something for every taste!

                             

What's been your go-to mani this month? Any trends you've been dying to try?

Side Note: Over the weekend, I reached over 100 followers on Bloglovin'. I was absolutely speechless, to think that so many people choose to subscribe to what I have to say is mind blowing. I just want to say, to anyone that has followed, commented, or even browsed this blog in the last 4 months, thank you from the bottom of my heart. It means more than I can put into words!

Until next time,

Elle

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BEAUTY | What's in my Make Up Bag?

While I try to use everything in my collection, recently I've been loving a 'No Make Up' make up look! It definitely ensures my make up bag is less cluttered! I got my bag at a Primark in Portugal a couple of months ago, it was €2! What a bargain?!

In terms of face products, I am loving Rimmel London's Wake Me Up foundation. It's a perfect 'no make up' foundation as it's light coverage and super moisturising! I'm the shade 103 True Ivory. For concealer, I have my trusty Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in '3 Medium'. I keep Natural Collection's Loose Powder in Warm Translucent for setting all that in place.

With a 'no make up' face, I usually just sweep some of Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Eden over my lid and I'm good to go! If I do want some colour, I like to use the Maybelline Colour Tattoos for a wash of colour on the lid. My current favourite is On and On Bronze. Maybelline's Great Lash Waterproof Mascara in Very Black is my favourite mascara at the minute, and Essence Long Lasting Eye Pencil in 01 Black Fever is my favourite eye pencil of all time! No matter what, brows are my number one priority, which means this Sleek Brow Kit in 818 Dark is always close to hand!

Carmex Lip Balm is my saviour. When it's not in my make up bag, it's in my handbag. It does exactly what it says on the tin, quite literally, it soothes, it relieves, it moisturises! I especially love the cherry flavour! For added colour, I keep Rimmel London's Lasting Finish Matte by Kate Moss in the shade 101 close!

In terms of tools, I use my hands for my foundation and concealer, but these two are my best friends! No matter what's in my make up bag, I always have a brow/lash comb and an eyelash curler - this one is from Boots!

What's in your make up bag? Let me know below! 

Until next time, 

Elle.

Find me on:

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TAG | Liebster Award

The lovely Nora recently nominated me for this award, so here's my response! Thanks Nora!

So what is the Liebster Award?It’s kind of like a welcome to the blogging community. The Liebster award is passed to up and coming bloggers that have just gotten their start in the blogosphere. It works the way a chain letter does helping each blogger develop their platform and connect with other audiences they might not have been able to before. Each nominee has to answer 10 random questions from the person who nominated them, and then tag 10 more bloggers (with under 200 followers) with 10 questions of their own. As this keeps going, it allows for us to get to know another side of our fellow bloggers and develop a bigger, more welcoming community. I hope this all made sense. Now on to my answers, if you have anymore questions or would like to know more feel free to ask! 

Nora's Questions:

1. Why did you start blogging?
   I started blogging as a way of using my time more proactively. Instead of spending it trawling the web, doing God-knows-what, I put it into doing something productive & fun! 
2. If you could never fail, what would you do?
   Isn't the universal answer to this 'everything'? I'd want to do anything and everything I was ever afraid to do! 
3. Favorite quote?
   My favourite quote comes from F. Scott Fitzgerald, speaking about Zelda, his wife; "I fell in love with her courage, her sincerity and her flaming self-respect and it’s these things I’d believe in even if the whole world indulged in wild suspicions that she wasn't all that she should be. But of course the real reason is that I love her and that’s the beginning and end of everything. You’re still a Catholic but Zelda’s the only God I have left now."
4. Instagram or Twitter?
   I love both, but I am addicted to Instagram. I could spends hours on that app!
5. What are you looking forward to most in 2014?
   The thing I'm most looking forward to about 2014, is the fact that it's a new year, we're only two months in, and anything possible could happen!
6. What are you most proud of?
   That's yet to be determined.. 
7. Are you an introvert or extrovert?
   I can be either depending on the people I'm around!
8. If you were invisible for a day, what would you do?
   Spend the first twelve hours fighting for the greater good, and the last twelve hours following Zac Efron around.. for research purposes obviously! 
9. Favorite place?
   Oh, that's a tough one! It's a toss up between Limerick and California, LA to be specific! Two very different places, but both have their moments! 
10. How do you stay inspired?
    I get inspired from other bloggers that I follow and from what I see online & in magazines! I stay inspired with the hope that I can do something even a fraction different to what they are doing, even if the content or subject is similar.
11. Favorite bloggers and YouTubers?
    Some of my favourite YouTubers include Zoella (I love her blog too!), Gabi (or velvetgh0st), Nicole Guerriero, Tess Christine, Jimmy Tatro, Louise (or Sprinkleofglitter), Lauren Elizabeth, Meghan Rosette, the list could go on! A lot of my fave YouTubers have blogs, so they would be in my favourite bloggers too, along with Ashley over at Ring My Bell, Chloe at Converse & Clicqout, Lily Melrose, of course the lovely ladies that I've tagged below, the list again is endless!  

Nominees:

Lauren
Sarah
Rosaleen
Sinead
Cat
Georgina
Marlee
Abs
Em
Eimear

My Questions: 

1. What's your number one holy grail beauty product? 
2. iPhone or Android?
3. Has blogging changed your life in any way?
4. Is this your first blog? Or have you made other attempts?
5. What's your favourite season?
6. One item of clothing/accessory you couldn't live without?
7. You can have dinner with 5 people dead or alive. Who are they?
8. How do your family/friends feel about your blog?
9. Dogs or cats? 
10. Who is your ultimate style icon?

There you have it! Leave a link to your post below, if you do this, girls, I can't wait to read your answers! 

Until next time,
Elle.

Find me on:

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MUSIC | Monthly Playlist #4

1. Neon Lights - Demi Lovato
2. Love & Drugs - The Maine
3. Blue Jeans - Lana Del Rey
4. Toxic (Cover) - Melanie Martinez
5. Lay All Your Love On Me - Mamma Mia OST
6. The Immortals - Kings of Leon
7. Free Fallin' (Cover) - John Mayer
8. Be Mine - Ellie Goulding ft. Erik Hassle

9. Can't Stop - Red Hot Chili Peppers
10. Teenage Dream - Katy Perry
11. Ordinary Love - U2
12. Run - The Maine
13. Timber - Pitbull ft. Ke$ha
14. Let Me Love You (Cover) - Glee
15. Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High? (Acoustic) - Arctic Monkeys
16. Wings - Birdy
17. Skinny Love (Cover) - Ed Sheeran
18. Psycho Killer - Talking Heads

19. Stronger - Britney Spears
20. Aretha's Gold - Wild Sweet Orange

What's been on your playlist this month?

Until next time,
Elle.

Find me on:

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LIFESTYLE | Top 5...

While brainstorming for future blog posts, I had the notion to start a new series here on my blog! This series is called 'Top 5...' and it's main aim is to showcase my most favourite beauty/fashion/random things in the world! I'm planning to post at least one of these a month, could be two, depending on how well they go down.

With Valentine's Day fast approaching, why not start the start the series off by sharing with you all my top 5 celebrity crushes, or a list of who I'd really love to spend Valentine's Day with! Granted this list could be endless (why is the world filled with such attractive people? & why don't they live near me?!), I have narrowed it down to a select bunch!

1. Zac Efron

2. Dylan O'Brien

3. Leo DiCaprio

4. Bradley Cooper

5. Josh Bowman

What a dreamy bunch! Who's on your Top 5 list? Let me know in the comments! 

Until next time, 

Elle. 

Find me on:

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LIFESTYLE | A Lonely Girl's Guide To Valentine's Day

I'm pretty sure the last time I actually had a valentine, my age was in single digits. Yeah.. With V-Day fast approaching, I thought I'd put together a list of things us single ladies can do on the dreaded 'Love Day'.

1. Find a valentine, you still have some time! I mean how hard could it be? Maybe you have a crush that you just can't forget about. Carpe that diem. Go out on a limb. What have you got to lose?.. If it ends terribly, at least you know now! Or blame your confession on alcohol, or poor judgement, or weird valentine's mojo! Maybe a combination of all three.
2. Gather all your best girls, get some face masks, wine and treats of choice, and watch all the romantic comedies you can possible think of. The Notebook is essential, with some sort of Zac Efron in there too! who wouldn't want Ryan Gosling & Efron to be their valentines? 
3. Sleep the day away. You'll wake up the next morning refreshed, and unfazed by the day you've missed! 
4. Treat yo'self! Head to your nearest spa, get a facial/massage/mani (or all three), then treat yourself to your favourite takeaway and just chill for the night. You deserve it! 
5. Get dolled up to the nines, lashes, nails, tan, the works! Why not take a trip to your favourite nightclub, enjoy some cocktails with your single friends, and maybe even find a valentine for the night? 
6. Alternatively, you could stay home, wallowing in self-pity, whilst crying into a pint of Ben & Jerry's over how no one will ever love you like Noah loved Allie - it always comes back to The Notebook! .. (This may be my option of choice, but a lady never tells!)

All joking aside, being single on Valentine's Day is just like being single any other day of the year. No biggie! Don't let it get you down, or at least try! And don't forget to spread the love! While I'm a firm believer that we don't need a specific day to tell our nearest and dearest that we love them, it's nice to have an excuse to be extra cheesy in our displays of affection!

No matter what you do for Valentine's Day, I hope it's filled with love and great things!

Until next time, & Happy V-Day!
(albeit a week premature!)

Elle.

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BEAUTY | The' Pink To Make The Boys Wink' Haul

While this isn't a huge haul, I had some gift cards leftover from Christmas, and discovered the Wet n' Wild stand in my local Dunnes Stores, so my spending was a little warranted!

I think I went a little crazy with the lip products. Oops! It began as a search for a pinky-nude, but escalated quite quickly. Oops again! In my defense, I can't help myself when it comes to lip products, I throw all caution to the wind! Can you blame me? I had a gift card from Sam McCauley's Chemist taking up residency in my purse, so I thought that should be my first stop! There I picked up the Rimmel Lasting Finish Matte by Kate Moss in the shade 101, Catrice's Ultimate Shine lipstick in the shade 250 Yes We Can-dy, and one of the Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquers in Apocaliptic. I then headed over to Dunnes Stores and picked up a Wet n Wild Mega Slicks Lip Balm Stain in 127 A Stiff Pink. 

L-R: Yes, We Can-dy, 101, A Stiff Pink, Apocaliptic. 

I also picked up the Catrice Camouflage Cream in 020 Light Beige in Sam McCauley's. While perusing what the new Wet n Wild stand had to offer, I came across their Wild Shine Matte Top Coat. Having been undecided about the Barry M Matte Nail Paints, I snatched this up. This way I can turn any nail polish matte! Ace! I also picked up another Wild Shine polish in French White Crème. 

That's it for this haul! If you want me to review any of these, let me know in the comments! What have you been hauling lately? Have you tried anything from Wet n Wild yet? 

Until next time,
Elle. 

Find me on:

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