FAVOURITES | March 2014

How is it the end of March? I know I said this last month, but seriously, this year is going by too quickly! Although, I am very excited for summer to come along!

The Maybelline Fit Me Foundation has been a firm favourite of mine for a while, but it wasn't until I ran out that I realised just how much I loved it! I had wanted to try out a new foundation, and ended up coming right back to this one. Who was I trying to kid? If it ain't broke, don't fix it! It's a very easy foundation to love; it comes in an amazing 18 shades, it's lightweight and easy to blend, and gives a medium coverage that can be built up! It can be found in pharmacies for €11.99.

My lips have been suffering a bit this month, so Lush's Bubblegum Lip Scrub has been my saviour! While it's quite messy (you end up looking like you've devoured some donuts), it does exactly what it's meant to! It removes any and all roughness/dead skin, and leaves your lips smooth! The best part? You can just lick your lips clean! It's completely edible, and rightly so! It'd be too much of a temptation to eat, if it wasn't! I'm not too certain of the price, as this was a Christmas gift, but having search online, the consensus seems to say under €7!

I was a little bit jealous, seeing a lot of UK bloggers and vloggers raving about Primark's new beauty line, P.S. My local store hadn't stocked it.. Until now! I spotted lots of goodies on a recent trip, but this vibrant coral nail polish really caught my eye! It's no surprise that I love neons for summer, and I've been looking of this kind of coral for ages! At €1.50, it's a right bargain!

God know how long I've been on the hunt for the perfect black jean. They've all been too long, too baggy, too big, too small, none just right! I ventured into River Island, my last resort, and stumbled upon the Black Molly Reform Jeggings. Not only do they stock a great range of sizes, but leg lengths too! I got mine in a short leg! They are pricey (€50), but they fit perfectly in every aspect. They are so soft and comfy too, I don't think I can be without them! They're also "crafted from flattering high-performance fabric in a mid rise waist" and "work hard to hold you in". Ace!

I purchased these Primark sunglasses at what I thought was the start of our good weather. Seems like I just jinxed it. Oops! I love the round lenses, and the keyhole nose bridge is very in this Spring/Summer. For €1.50, you could hardly leave them there, and I know I'll be wearing them all the time!

While I've never been vocal about my love of rugby on here, it's one of my favourite sport. From a spectators perspective obviously, I don't think I could handle all the tackling, and mauls! I posted about my trip to a Six Nation's game recently, and just this past weekend saw Munster beat Benetton Treviso in Thomond Park! It was a good game, and especially great to see the Munster lads from the national team out at half time with the Six Nations Cup. I even managed to take a cheeky selfie with Conor Murray - that's being kept under lock and key though! I highly recommend a trip to a rugby game, it's a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon/evening!

What have you been loving this month?! 

Until next time, 

Elle.

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BEAUTY | Top 5...

This edition of 'Top 5' features possibly my favourite beauty item (after lipstick!), mascara! I tend to overbuy mascara, I just can't get enough of the stuff! Because of that, these are my current Top 5. Let's dive in!

1. Maybelline's Great Lash Waterproof Mascara in Very Black

Described as "America's favourite mascara, it conditions as it thickens." While the packaging is a little bit dated, it's classic, relatively unchanged from it's original! As a child, I remember seeing the 'Great Lash' iconic pink & green packaging amongst my grandmother's things! What I love most about it is the small wand. It separates and defines lashes like a dream, and while it's definitely buildable, there's minimal clumping! Fab!

2. Benefit's They're Real

This started as an impulse buy, the mini tube calling to me from it's bowl on the Sephora checkout counter. I've never really been a fan of Benefit before, never really had the means to be, but for €10, I decided to give They're Real! a whirl! I loved it! Like Great Lash, it separates and defines, the added dome tip on the brush grabs even the smallest of lashes so no lash goes untouched! 

3. Rimmel London Lash Accelerator in Extreme Black

I love this mascara for creating length, and as a base for layering! I typically use this or Great Lash first, and then load on lots of a voluminizing mascara to get my desired look. The brush is quite thin, and is perfect for get those bottom lashes, hopefully without poking your eye out! Lash Accelerator holds the curl really well, and makes it a great base. 

4. Essence I Heart Extreme Volume Mascara

Essence mascaras are what started my obsession. They are so inexpensive that I picked one (or two) up every time I passed a stand. Oops! They literally have a mascara for everything, and they are all under €5. Can you say bargain?! This particular mascara is perfect for adding volume and drama to your lashes. It's a great finishing touch, and for touch ups when you're on the go! 

5. Kiko Make Up Milano Luxurious Lashes Waterproof Mascara

Kiko was a new brand (to me, at least) that I discovered whilst on holiday in Portugal! I was drawn in by a pretty good deal they had on mascara at the time! I love the jumbo brush, it's perfect for coating every lash and creating lots of volume! Like Lash Accelerator, Luxurious Lashes holds the curl well, and lengthens the lashes too! 

What are your Top 5 mascaras? Let me know in the comments! 

Until next time, 

Elle. 

Find me on:

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MUSIC | Monthly Playlist #5

1. Stay High (Tove Lo Flip) - Hippie Sabotage

2. No Idea - All Time Low

3. Erase Me ft. Kanye West - Kid Cudi

4. Partition - Beyoncé

5. Saving All My Love For You - Whitney Houston

6. Little Me - Little Mix 

7. Rather Be ft. Jess Glynne - Clean Bandit

8. Dark Horse ft. Juicy J - Katy Perry

9. Closer - Hogan

10. Odd Look ft. The Weeknd - Kavinsky 

11. Think Twice - Celine Dion 

12. Whenever - Kid Cudi 

13. Demons - Imagine Dragons

14. Shot Me Down ft. Skylar Grey - David Guetta

15. Can't Help Falling In Love (Cover) - Fleet Foxes

16. And We Danced - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

17. Riptide - Vance Joy

18. Breezeblocks - alt-J

19. Hard To Concentrate - Red Hot Chili Peppers

20. Otherside ft. Fences - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis 

What have you been listening to? 

Until next time,

Elle

Find me on:

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FASHION | Top 5...

This edition of Top 5 showcases my favourite online stores. If I'm being honest, I spend more time than I'd care to admit trawling through these particular sites, creating wishlists, and wanting a never-ending bank balance! Someday..

1. Charlotte Russe

Charlotte Russe is my go-to store when I travel to the states, so it seems only right that I love their website too! The clothes are super cute, and affordable, and they always have great deals on shoes! The online store is also a great insight into what's in store, so you can plan your shopping trip in advance! Yay!

2. Pacsun

Whenever I browse the Pacsun store, I always think "this is what my wardrobe would look like, if I lived on the beach in California or Hawaii!". It's total surfer/beach babe heaven, and I want it all! Kendall & Kylie Jenner have their own line with Pacsun that is to die for! 

3. Brandy Melville
Brandy does basics, and does them well! Lots of simple tees, dresses and cardigans that can be styled any way your heart desires! They've also started doing graphic tees, that are a firm favourite with the likes of the Jenner sisters, Selena Gomez and YouTuber Lauren Elizabeth! The only downside is that Brandy's sizing is a one size fits most. 

4. Victoria's Secret 

Ah, Victoria's Secret, where every girls dream of being in leagues with Miranda Kerr and Adriana Lima become a reality, if even for a moment! This is another site where I like to plan my shopping trip before hand! Not only are the undies super comfy, but they are super cute too. I also adore the Pink range, their sweat pants are my absolute favourites! 

5. Nasty Gal
Nasty Gal is my ultimate window shopping site, reserved for days when I really want to feel bad about my financial standing. Why do pretty things need such a hefty price tag? Why do I proceed to torture myself for hours on end? I guess I'm a glutton for punishment! 

What are your favourite online stores? Let me know below! 

Until next time, 

Elle.

Find me on:

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LIFESTYLE | March Wishlist

1. Benefit's Hoola bronzer.
Hoola had a hype I was not willing to give into, emphasis on had! A friend of mine used it while she was doing my make up recently, and let me tell you, I'm converted! Why have I been using any other bronzers? 

2. River Island Coral Peep Toe Sandal.
The second I saw these, I fell in love. It just screams 'Perfect Summer Sandal' to me.
3. Sleek Blush By 3 in CALIFORN.I.A.
 I adore Sleek blushes in general, but when I saw that this palette had all cream blushes, I needed it!
4. Sigma Brush Essential Kit  in Make Me Cool
Granted these brushes have been on my forever wishlist, they are just so pretty!
5. MAC's Studio Fix Fluid.
Having delayed my foray into MAC foundations (I wanted to do my research!), I think I finally found the right one for me!
6. Mulberry Willow Tote in Ballet Pink
There's not much I can say about the Willow, other than "I WANT IT! I WANT IT! I WANT IT!". That seems sufficient!
7. A Tropical Island Getaway.
We've had a week of good weather here, and while it mightn't last (fingers crossed it does!), it's left me craving a sunny break away. Preferably soon, on an island, with all the cocktails I can drink! Oh, a girl can dream..
8. Tickets for Ireland v France in Paris.
While it might seem a tad extreme that I'd give the whole left side of my body to be in Paris this Saturday, it's the utter truth! So if anyone has a magic lamp/genie/fairy godmother that can spare a wish, it'd be greatly appreciated! 

What's on your wishlist this month?!

Until next time,
Elle. 

Find me on:

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LIFESTYLE | A Day in Dublin

Before the motorway, travelling to Dublin was a chore. You had two options, a long ass train ride, or a long ass car ride. Now a return trip to our fair capital can be achieved in the time a one way trip used to take. It'd be a shame not to make use of it! My trips to Dublin are usually based around something fun; concerts, shopping, IKEA trips, and this time was no different.

By some sort of magic, my parents and I managed to get our hands on tickets for the Ireland v Italy 6 Nations test match in the Aviva. I figure someone mustn't have wanted them & sent them back to Ticketmaster, because they were really, really good seats! Lucky us! The weather fairies were looking down on us too, there were blue skies all round!

                       

The match was absolutely brilliant. The atmosphere in the Aviva was just electric! Of course, it was fantastic that we won, and by such a margin too, but it was also a great game to mark Brian O'Driscoll's last home game with Ireland! Hopefully now, the team can go onto Paris this weekend, and do what needs to be done to win the championship. Fingers crossed!

                                      

Before heading home, we stopped off at Pitt Bros BBQ on George's Street for some tasty eats! For between €12 and €13, you can pick a meat & two sides. I chose the ribs with fries, and onions. Boy, I was not let down by my choice! I don't know what they put in the sauce but it's magic! They also do really good 'Bun Meals' for less than a tenner. How could you resist? And there is a free ice-cream cone at the end of it all. Who doesn't love free ice-cream?! Pitt Bros are serving honest-to-God good BBQ food, in a fantastic environment, I'm only kicking myself that it's taken this long to find them!

                                 

How do you like to spend time in your capital?

Until next time,

Elle.

Find me on:

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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

Find me on:

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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.

Find me on:

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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

Find me on:

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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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