Tag: The Infinite Playlist

Hello Everyone :)

I saw this tag on Rachel's blog and thought I would do it. As much as I love make up, I adore music!! All you have to do is talk about your five favorite songs...now I have many many more favorite songs that I would love to include so I ended up just pressing random on my favorites playlist on i-tunes....

The Pogues - Love You Till The End



I love The Pogues - I was brought up listening to them by my dad and this has always been my favorite Pogues song. I think it is so so so beautiful and always makes me feel all fuzzy and warm inside. It was recently used on the P.S I love You soundtrack (which I hate myself for loving, i'm not usually one for soppiness).

No Doubt Magic's in the Make Up



I couldn't not include this song - No Doubt are by far my favorite band in the whole wide world, whenever I'm feeling a bit blue I pop on Tragic Kingdom and I instantly feel cheerier. This song was the inspiration for my blog name and is one of my favorite later No Doubt songs - so so so excited about their comeback!!

Patrick Wolf - Overture



I pretty much could have picked any Patrick Wolf song to include here - I love them all! Overture reminds me of warm sunny days in Kelvingrove Park with BBQs and boxes of cheap white wine and laughing so much it hurts.

Justice vs Simian - We Are Your Friends



This song always reminds me of walking home from Optimo singing this at the top of our voice every Sunday for a year and then lying about Sarah's living room chatting total rubbish for hours drinking vodka out of mugs and muching ice poles. Ahhhh good times!

The Smiths - Ask



Like Patrick Wolf, I could of picked any Smiths song and I would be happy. In particular Ask reminds me of being rather happy and content and butterflies in my tummy!

Roger Sanchez - Another Chance



Ah haha I can't believe this song came up! For me this was the summer before I moved out when I was 17 - it's my friends and I holiday song, it's chatting up boys wearing too much hair gel and it's a little sad as we've all moved on and don't really talk now - I suppose that's the way it goes!

Angels and Airwaves - Everything's Magic



Ahha I wouldn't say this is one of my favorite songs but it's in my favorites folder as it reminds me of Nick who loves them! When Nick and I first started seeing each other he would drive down to Dalry (where I lived on the Coast) and we'd go and sit in his car beside the seaside at Largs and talk for ages about total rubbish (eg how wierd stars are, do you think aliens exist, how if I ever have a daughter I want to call her Lola haha) for hours and he would always have Angels and Airwaves on. It just reminds me of the butterflies you get when things are new and lovely. Also I included the short film version as it makes me laugh - I love a fake moustache!

Yeah so I cheated and made it seven songs and as I said there are millions more! I would love others to do this - I want to hear some of your stories!

Lots of Love
Nic
xoxo

Review: Boots Original Formula

Hello Everyone :)

I feel like I haven't done a proper review in a very long time and I'm quite excited about these products. I have been quite the devotee to Liz Earle skin products for quite a while however lately I have read a couple of things that have made me want to see what else is out there in the world of skincare. Whilst wandering aimlessly around boots a couple of weeks ago I started looking at their original formula range and so decided to give it a bash...


In all honesty I was reeled in by the beautiful vintage style packaging and thoughts of how pretty they would look on my dressing table. However, I also love the idea of using some 'beauty classics' - skincare that is fairly simple and uncomplicated. I've been using the Cold Cream, Skin Tonic and Day Cream for the last two weeks and here are my thoughts so far...

Cold Cream

I have never used a Cold Cream before so was a tad unsure about how to use it. All I do is massage it into my skin in circular motions day and night and then remove with a damp cotton pad.

As you can see, it's quite a thick consistency which is really good for helping to remove make up at night and also feels quite moisturising for a cleanser. The formula isn't greasy and overall does exactly what it says it claims to do: 'sweeps away impurities and make up without drying your skin, leaving it soft, supple and delightfully clean'. Yep, I agree with you Boots! The only thing I would say is that i've been hesitant to use this around my eye area and have been using a separate eye make up remover.

The three products I have chosen are scented with rose oil and I think the smell is beautiful - it reminds me of being wee and sniffing all the pots in the gift shop at Culzean Castle, it's so odd how a smell can instantly take you back to a specific time! However, I do think that it may not be everyones cup of tea.

Skin Tonic

The skin tonic is good to use after the cold cream as it quickly removes any residue left over. I always remember my Granny talking about Glycerin and Rose Water which are the two main ingredients in the skin tonic. It's light and fresh and leaves the skin feeling clean and refreshed. The one downside for me is that there is a slight note in the fragrance that differs from the two creams - I wouldn't say it's unpleasant, just a little odd! It makes a nice change to the 'paint stripper' type toners that i've used before (Yes, clinique clarifying lotion, i'm looking at you - if something physically makes my eyes water i'm not putting it anywhere near my face!)

Vanishing Day Cream

Ahhh this is such a lovely, light moisturiser. Again, it is scented with rose oil and one of the main active ingredients is olive oil! It's quite a fluid cream that literally does vanish into your skin in seconds. It leaves your skin feeling moisturised and refreshed. Because the cream is so light it probably isn't suitable for someone with really dry skin but if you have normal/combination skin like I do, it works really well!

Overall, I am rather impressed with the range. All of the products are extremely affordable (in fact just now I think many of them are half price!), the packaging is beautiful and most of all I love the idea of going back to skincare basics - the cold cream is based on one of the first ever Boots recipes!

Lots of Love
Nic
xoxo

The Post I Never Thought I'd Have to Write

Hello Everyone :)

You may or may not know of the drama that occurred last night both on my blog and twitter and I wont say too much about it as there's nothing worse than dragging up old dirt but pretty much over the last week someone has been leaving quite hurtful comments on my blog concerning my weight and it came to a head last night.

I didn't respond to the person last night as anyone who knows me will tell you I avoid drama at all costs and I wanted to take some time to actually think of a response I was happy with rather than something written in the heat of the moment.

Firstly, I would like to say thank you to everyone who did respond last night - you are all lovely and I'm sending a big sloppy kiss your way! In answer to the comments I have a couple of things to say:

1. I have never once called myself thin/skinny - I am quite happy to admit that I am a happy size 14 who loves food and wine just as much as I love Taylor Lautner and Dust It.
2. I am not naive enough to believe that I am immune to criticism. If you are happy to put yourself out there on the Internet you have to be able to take criticism - I'm fine with that. This is a blog about make up - if you have something to say about how my make up looks go ahead and say it. However, I will not tolerate unnecessary nastiness. I have been unable to take anything constructive from your comments - What do you wish me to do, shade in my jaw like Boy George so you don't have to see my double chin? I just don't think that is a look I would be able to pull of...
   
3. As to your comments regarding my hiding behind a clique - I think these may be a tad hypocritical considering you're hiding behind a computer screen.
   
4. I think the most baffling thing of all are your constant references to my 'pretending to be something that I'm not'. In terms of photographs - that is just me! I'm sorry if you find them deceiving but as it was quite rightly pointed out people's faces look different from different angles. I can quite safely say that in terms of my blog I am just me! In fact my friend Clare recently said I talk on my blog the exact same way I talk in real life. Sorry, but I just don't understand what it is you're trying to say.
5. The way you conducted yourself last night was ridiculously reductive. By being so aggressive resulted in your insults becoming more ridiculous and funny than hurtful.
   

I'm quite sad that I've been forced into writing this post but after a week of comments I'm putting an end to this whole fiasco. Your negativity isn't welcome on my blog, please go away in the knowledge that I'm quite happy just the way I am - I'm not worried about my weight or how I look so I don't think you should be either. Kindly now leave me alone so I can enjoy my Lucky Charms in peace please!



Lots of Love
Nic
xoxo

Dust It Winners!

Hello Everyone :)

I am so so sorry that it has taken me this long to do this post but thank you for all your entries. So to apologise I am going to give away two bottles of Dust It and an extra bonus of the O.P.I Tiny Takeouts from the Hong Kong Collection - hopefully this makes it up :)

I wrote everyones name who entered on paper and got my lovely mum to pick out three people...



The two winners of Dust It are...


Emily at Pyxie



Abbie at AbbieBabby

And the winner of the OPI Minis is...


Kim at Dottie K

Well Done Ladies :D ...I'll email you soon to get your address!

Lots of Love
Nic
xoxo

FOTD and A Recent Rediscovery

Hello Everyone :)

I'm up bright and early for work today so thought I would take a few snaps of my make up - to be honest it's nothing fancy or complicated...


Face

MAC Studio Fix Fluid
Clinique Translucent Powder
Illamasqua Cream Blush Laid
Illamsqua Powder Blush Nymph

Eyes

UDPP
MAC Mineralize Shadow in Devil May Cry
Urban Decay Ecstasy
Urban Decay AC/DC mixed with Gunmetal
MAC Smoulder Pencil
MAC Zoom Lash

Lips

MAC Creme Cup
MAC Florabundance

Yep as I said nothing to groundbreaking or exciting though I am quite enjoying being natural and pale :)

I was having a clothes crisis this morning, I hated everything I put on and eventually was just going to wear one of Nick's hoodies (it covers bum so it's all good!), leggings and Uggs as I'm just jumping in the car and then straight into work until I found this at the back of my wardrobe...


I thought I'd lost it hooray!! I think it's so cute and a bit different to the millions of crop top/off the shoulder tops that are in the shops just now :)

Lots of Love
Nic
xoxo

Loves A Bargain

Hello Everyone :)

Nick and I popped into our local shopping centre yesterday and I nabbed some proper bargains. Topshop are having a half price jewelry sale and I spotted the sweetest hairband for £2!!

It reminds me of a candy striper and you all know I love a good hair bow!!

I also had a wander round Primark and bought the top I'm wearing for £5...it's ridiculously hard to photograph but I tried...

I think that's amazing for a fiver! The other day I was invited to a geek themed birthday party and so when I saw these glasses in Primark for £1 I had to buy them...

A rather satisfactory day bargain hunting!

Lots of Love

Nic

xoxo

A Spot of Shopping Four

Hello Everyone :)

I haven't done a post like this in ages! I do apologise if this isn't very exciting as some of the things I bought are repurchases, oh well...

My friend recently came home from the US and brought my back two NYX lipsticks...


She brought me back Georgia and Thalia - Thanks Hunny!

I popped into MAC and picked up creme cup - as you can see I slapped it on straight away! Slowly, I think cremesheens are overtaking my love of amplified cremes!


I looked at Gaga and eventually put it down - realistically I don't think I'd wear it that much (I barely wear Snob and St Germain as it is) and I think the only reason I was going to by it was because of the hype - which is a bit silly!

I also bought a back up of studio tech as I'm running out...

So it was a pretty uneventful MAC trip - I could of went crazy as there are tonnes of shadows I want but I was very responsible and reserved and have saved money for the summer instead (fingers cross I get a holiday!)

I lastly wandered into Lush - I've been whittling down all my lush bath things so my vase is looking a little bare and lonely though again I was very controlled and only bought two things...


The Glasgow Lush has loads of Easter stuff left so I picked up a Fluffy Egg (yay for snow fairy!) and Dorothy - pretty much bought Dorothy because it's so cute! I also bought Happy Hippy as it does make me feel happy...


So it was a very controlled shopping trip indeed!

Lots of Love
Nic
xoxo

Sweet Blog Award

Hello Everyone :)

I am notoriously bad for keeping up with tags but i'm changing my ways starting of today :D. I was tagged by three of my favorite ladies, Kim May and Tennille for the sweet blog award - thank you!!

Rules

Give this award to 10 sweet and friendly bloggers

Make a post about the award including the picture and mention the person who gave it to you

Put the award on your blog

So I will tag:

Abbie @ AbbieBabby
Pretty much Abbie makes me laugh plus she has amazing skillzzzz!
Emma Lou @ EmmaLou - BeautyNews
Emma Lou is so lovely and sweet and still quite new to blogging - go show her some love!
Tanya @ Tanya Talks
I love Tanya's blog - she's started doing really easy to follow tutorials which are amazing!
Jennie @ Sailboat
Jennie is lovely and has such a beautiful blog!
Stacey @ Girls are made from sugar and spice
Ahhhh Stacey is probably the most positive, upbeat person I know!
Chelsea @ Life in the GLAMorous Lane
Chelsea was one of the first fab ladies that followed my blog, she's recently started blogging again :D
Lily @ LilyLipstick (I'm not sure if Lily is your real name or blog name, sorry lovely!)
I absolutely love your style!
Caitlin @ Chrysanthemum
Caitlin has the most wonderfully beautiful nails I have seen!
Cait @ Caitlin Marie
Cait is so lovely and sweet! Again she's quite new to blogging so go say hello :D

Lots of Love
Nic
xoxo

I need some Huuuur advice!

Hello Everyone :)

After seeing Tennille's beautiful red hair I've been getting hair pangs. When I first started my blog I was a red head and I loved it, I only changed as I was a tad lazy and got tired of dying it every couple of weeks.

You all know my hair colour just now, but as a reminder...


And this was me red...


Soooo, what do you think? Do I look better dark and natural or should I change it up and go red again? Please be honest - I won't be offended either way, i'm just extremely bored of my hair...why am I so fickle?

Lots of Love
Nic
xoxo

MAC 3D Silver FOTN

Hello Everyone :)

I recently went out for my old flatmates birthday and was really irritated to find out that there was a theme...untill I heard what it was - Glitter! Count me out of pub golf, beach parties and vickers and tarts - glitter is my kinda theme :D

I had just been sent MAC 3d silver glitter from my most beautiful-ist friend Ruby and this was the perfect chance to try it out...





Face
Estee Lauder Double Wear
Clinique Translucent Powder
NARS Laguna
MAC Harmony (As contour)
Illamasqua Nymph Blush

Eyes
UDPP
MAC E/S Electra, Print and Carbon
Bourjois Blanc Diaphane
MAC Blacktrack Fluidline
MAC 3D Silver
MAC Smoulder
MAC Zoom Lash

Lips
Prestige Silk Liner
MAC Angel

3d Silver has got to be one of my favorite and most fun MAC products I own - annoyingly my photographs don't capture the millions of colours the glitter reflects - it's beautiful! I only wish I could wear it every day...

I had such an amazing night out that night, I love gay nights out - the number one reason? Take a little peek below...



Lots of Love
Nic
xoxo

My Recent Hair Saviour

Hello Everyone :)

For the last couple of weeks each time I dried my hair after washing it turned into a horrid greasy mess...dum dum duuuuuum - dreaded product build up. I mainly blame the shampoo from Hell, Pantenne...

I hate this shampoo with a passion and the one week I allow Nick to do the shopping alone, he brings this massive bottle home. I decided to give it a bash and as always it made my hair so oily and horrid boo!

A quick trip to Boots and The Body Shop ended my hairs invasion of oil smartish...

I think Boots Build Up Removal Shampoo is the bees knees...For £2 you get the most amazing clarifying shampoo that really does rinse all that build up down the plug hole after one wash. I think everyone should have a bottle of this in their bathroom cabinet. I then returned to my most coveted shampoo and conditioner ever...The Body Shop honey moisturising range. The next time you're in The Body Shop go and have a whiff of these bad boys - they smell divine! Also as a shampoo and conditioner, my hair has never felt so soft, shiny and healthy...why oh why did I ever abandon you?

I'm always on the look out for amazing hair products so comment or link me to your favorites!

Quickly just wanted to share some love for Revlon's Cherries in the Snow - what a beauty!

Lots of Love

Nic

xoxo

FOTD

Hello Everyone :)

How is everyone? This is just a quick FOTD from yesterday. Surprise surprise my skin is having a tantrum...why is it the older I get the worse my skin gets...


Face

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation
NARS Laguna
NARS Orgasm
Benefit High Beam




Eyes

Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in Strut
MAC Print E/S
MAC Carbon E/S
MAC Frozen White Pigment
MAC Smoulder Pencil
MAC Zoom Lash

Also, a bit off topic, if you like YT tutorials etc you should go and have a look at Jenny Bowkers chanel here. Her channel is still quite new but I get really excited when I see a new video from her. I think her make up style is beautiful, her tutorials are so easy to follow and she isn't falsely cheery or in your face which I find with a lot of you tubers. Also she often films her working on make up shoots which is really interesting to watch... Let me know if you've seen her vidoes before or if not, what you think :)

Lots of Love
Nic
xoxo

Budget Beauty Part Two

Hello Everyone :)

A while ago I did a 'Best of the Drugstore' post and since then i've been trying to think what us Brits should call Boots and Superdrug - I would never say 'yeah I just popped down to the drugstore...' and I don't think it feels quite right to call them a chemist so my question is - what do you call them??

In keeping with my trying to cut my beauty spending I decided to do a part two (and I think I may even do a part three if anyone is interested?) I've discovered some brilliant budget products recently...

1. Bourjois 90 Blanc Diaphane Eye Shadow


This shadow is the most beautiful highlight colour. I like to use it on both my eyes and cheeks and as long as you use a light hand, it produces such a pretty sheen on the skin. Beware if using this on your cheeks - watch how much you use - noone wants a white line as a highlight!


Isn't it beautiful?

2. Collection 2000 Glam Metallics


I had always stayed clear of the Glam Crystal's as I've never been a fan of glitter line however, when I saw the Glam Metallics I was intrigued. These are my two favorite shades - Grunge (the green) and Ripped (the purple). For the price these are really good quality. However, I would say they take quite a while to dry and if you're impatient like me it can be quite irritating...


The liners are really pigmented and have a really thin precision brush - if you haven't tried these yet, I definitely recommend them!

3. Prestige Skin Loving Minerals in Glam Tan

This is a recent discovery and I think it's going to be one of my essential summer products. It adds a beautiful sheen to the skin whilst also adding a touch of colour. It looks beautiful with a tan (sadly I don't have one right now but hopefully this will give you an idea of how it looks)

I'm really enjoying playing with Prestige products just now, their mineral shadows are gorgeous and I actually prefer their lip liners to my M.A.C ones!

4. Physicians Formula Baked Collection in Baked Sands

This is one for any international people who have access to physicians formula or anyone who is doing an international swap. These feed my lazy make up side, I don't need to think about colour combinations, it's all done for me so all I need to do is slap it on my eye...

Easy Peasy Eye Shadow :D

5. Bourjois 92. Santal Blush

I love these little pots of goodness! My favorite is Rose d'or however I've been using Santal as a blush/contour and I love it! I'm using it above with Glam Tan and I think they're rather pretty together!

6. 17 Lasting Fix Nail Polish

Again, these are quite a new discovery and I love them! The formula is quite thin but isn't streaky, it dries quickly and the colour range is amazing! These are my two favorites - Parma Violet and Fairy Cake (cutest names ever). Parma Violet is the most beautiful polish ever - I'm quite embarassed to show you my nails right now but here we go...

Just now these polishes are two for £5 :)

7. Samy Jooouge Fibre Hairspray

I'll be honest I was attracted by the packaging and the fact it's called jooouge - I'm a hair jooouger, anyone else? The spray itself isn't too sticky or crispy, still allows you to run your hands through your hair and smells delish (a bit like aussie shampoo).

Phew, that take a lot longer than I anticipated - let me know if you have tried any of these products and what you think. Also, is anyone interested in a part three?

Lots of Love
Nic
xoxo

Tag: Like, Love, Hate

Hello Everyone :)

I was tagged by one of my favorite ladies Abbie to do this really sweet tag.

The rules are as followed:-

You have to share 12 likes, 1 love and 8 hates and tag three other blogs that you admire!

I like still being a bit of a child - I still love Nintendo, Disney and Ice Cream for breakfast.

I like finding a new blog that I read from beginning to end.

I like pajama days.

I like Bill Hicks.

I like being buried in a good book.

I like Mochas from Starbucks.

I like fake hair.

I like my beautiful flat.

I like the way Nick can make me laugh more than anyone else I know.

I like people who are as beautiful on the inside as they are on the outside.

I like Tropical Jubblies.

I like Twilight.

I love the beautiful people in my life - I have the most amazing friends, family and boyfriend I could ever ask for!

I hate narrow-mindedness.

I hate when Nick hits me with his walking stick ha!

I hate cucumber.

I hate males with long nails.

I hate flat hair.

I hate noise when I'm trying to snooze.

I hate FIFA.

I hate the phrase 'I've never read a book in my life'

I've lost track on who has/hasn't done this so if you haven't go do it now :D

Lots of Love

Nic

xoxo

Who do I look like...?

Hello Everyone :)

Yesterday I broke out 'The Fringe' (If you don't know about 'The Fringe' click here), arrived at work, sat down, popped my glasses on and started reading my emails....to give you a visual this is what I looked a bit like (this was taken today, make up less)...

It was a good five minutes before I realised one of my lovely (!) co-workers was looking at me, totally ending himself with laughter. In reply to my constant whining 'whaaaaat are you laughing at' - he replied, 'With that fringe and those glasses you look like....'

UGLY BETTY?!?

Ha aye cheers pal!

Lots of Love

Nic

xoxo