REVIEW: Mac 'Shy Shine' Lipstick

I recently purchased this lipstick from the Cheshire Oaks' CCO store and I have to say, so far I love it. I'm generally a big fan of MAC lipsticks. Although they're a bit pricey, I think they're definitely worth the investment.

I'd describe the colour (in my opinion) as a neutral toned pink shade with a hint of tan. I'd say that compared to Creme Cup (one of my favourites) it's a bit more subtle, and I love the formula too.

For me it seems to just lightly enhance my natural lip colour whilst giving my lips a bit of gloss. So I get the glossy look without having to use a lipgloss that fades away too quickly.

On a side note, when I browsed the MAC section of the CCO, I noticed they also had Saint Germain in the lipstick section, along with the three limited edition Snowglobe eyeshadow palettes in the eyeshadow section. Just incase someone is planning to make a trip very soon :)

What are your thoughts on this lipstick?

Fiona xo

The Past Few Days..

Clinique superbalm moisturising gloss in Grapefruit

Clinique All About Eyes

...I have spent far too much time on Ebay.

Ebay is mostly a friend, I find the occasional bargains such as the one above and it's great (I believe both cost around £4.00 and they're brand new) but sometimes I get a little Ebay nutty and find myself getting far too many things, like lately. The above picture is just a selection of the naughty Ebay-related treats that have come through the letterbox. On a good note, I'm looking forward to trying these items out and I'll let you know how I find them.

Variety of Lindt bars (from the Lindt store)

...I've eaten too much chocolate.

I love chocolate, but then, who doesn't? We recently went to the Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet (for us this is quite a trek, so I did stock up on Lindt and Cadbury goodies whilst we were there). I also bought a new MAC lipstick which I'll be reviewing shortly, and a variety of christmas presents, I'm being so organised this year.

On a side note, I'd definitely recommend going to the Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet. After the long long car journey I really hoped for an excellent day and we really did get that. I thought there was a good selection of shops and the CCO (favourite!) was stacked full of MAC goodies. I even found Mr stocking himself up with new ties, which was pretty sweet.

Yankee Candle in Vanilla Satin (large jar)

...We got ourselves some Yankee Candles!

They arrived today, it's probably silly but I got excited. We ordered a large Vanilla Satin (pictured above), and a few of the smaller votives for various jars and holders I had. We're burning Vanilla Satin now, it smells somewhat sweet.

Keeping Mum DVD

...I watched Keeping Mum for the millionth time.

It's okay, because it's my favourite film, ever. I just find it so... warming? I doubt that's the way to explain it. I can watch it on a gloomy day and feel instantly better. It still makes me chuckle slightly places, even though I know what's coming. And that, I believe, is the making of a good film.

Fiona xo

Teal Homeware

Since we moved into our little rented home in July, we decided on a teal theme for our living room/lounge to go with the pale walls and laminate wood flooring. There's something so lovely about the shade, I find it so refreshing and there's so many items out there for decoration. We've spent a long while picking out those 'perfect' items to make the house our own. Here's just a selection of my favourites.

Lacquered bud vases - Dunelm Mill

Cushion (stripe teal) - Wilkinsons

'Dream' word ornament - Dunelm Mill

Teal wedge photoframe - Homebase

Rosie 2 ball table lamp - Dunelm Mill

Blissful Autumn candle - Yankee Candle

Teal mosaic tealight holder - Asda

I'm generally a fan of Dunelm Mill, if you're in the UK, there's quite a few stores about. I seem to find everything I need in there. Infact, our entire home is furnished and decorated with a mix of Dunelm Mill and Ikea.

What are your favourite homeware stores?

Fiona xo

My Autumnal Saviours: Products I'm Loving Right Now

Lanolips Rose Balm

Soap & Glory Hand Food

Carmex Strawberry

Mac Dainty Blush

Avon Eyeshadow Quad in Smoke & Mirrors (unfortunately Smoke & Mirrors is now unavailable)

When the darker nights draw in, and the weather gets colder, inevitably I find that my beauty needs and wants change from my spring/summer favourites. I've already been through my make-up bag, changing MAC's 'Dame' blush to 'Dainty' for a rosier glow and swapping my daily eyeshadow palette for plums and greys. At the moment I'm loving an eyeshadow palette I got from Avon a little while ago. I use the pale blue shade in the corners, following with the pale pinky shade all over the lid, and I use the dark purple shade in the outer corners to create a nude/plum smokey eye.

Beauty products aside, my skin seems to have a mind of its own, as soon as it gets to September/October, and the weather gets colder, my skin starts to dry out. I end up with chapped lips and dry hands.

I'm always looking out for new moisturising products to try, whether it be hand creams or lip balms. These selected items are my go-to products of the moment. I recently purchased Carmex strawberry. I seem to carry it everywhere I go. I love the strawberry scent and the tingle that you normally get with the original Carmex is still there, which I like. I find it helps moisturise my lips quite fast, which means I can still wear lipsticks (that normally dry my lips out straight away) in winter months.

I also juggle hand creams. I find if I use the same one over and over, my skin gets used to it, so I try to shake it up a bit. I use Lanolips Rose Balm when my hands are in dire need of help and the rest of the time I find myself using Soap & Glory Hand Food, unless I'm testing a new hand cream.

If you have any suggestions for wonderful mosturising miracles please do let me know :)

Three Little Wishes

1. Raspberry Colour Yoke Dress - £26.55 in the sale

2. Teal Embellished Prom Dress - £58.50 in the sale

3. Aubergine Embellished Dress - £38.00

My favourite outfit combination has to be... dresses and leggings/tights. Needless to say, I own a few too many dresses, and find myself looking to expand the collection on a regular basis. 'Looking' is the key word, but if I could, I'd be adding these beauties to my basket.

Number one and three would be work suitable with thick tights and heels or ballet flats. The middle one really caught my eye, I'm a huge fan of teal and I love a bit of sparkle. It would be nice for evening drinks or a meal out.

They're all from Dorothy Perkins. I'm really loving the collections that they have out at the moment, from their dresses to their embellished jumpers.

If only I had an infinite amount of wardrobe space... ;)

Fiona xo

Saturday Highlights

I love making the most of the weekend. Working an office job with office hours, it's nice to come home on a Friday night set for a weekend of fun and relaxation. We tend to be quite active and busy on Saturdays, leaving Sunday a relaxing day with housework in between. We'd planned this Saturday last weekend (eager that we are!) Some of the highlights of the day were:

• Seeing Skyfall in the cinema (really really enjoyed it!)
• Having a snuggly hot chocolate in Starbucks (wanted to try the salted caramel but they had sold out)
• Browsing around Primark, being tempted by their pretty pj bottoms but resisting successful
• Going to Handmade Burger Co for our dinner, I had a Hoisin Chicken Burger & it was amazing
• Relaxing on the sofa watching the usual Saturday night tv (Strictly, X Factor, with a dash of Take Me Out that we've pre-recorded), nibbling on this naughty treat:

And tomorrow, I will have a lie in, oh how I love weekends...

Fiona xo

New Beginning

Earl grey tea cupcake from The Primrose Bakery.

I thought I'd introduce myself with a cupcake, it seemed apt. I devoured the little beauty on a recent staycation to London, which was a week worth of shopping, indulging and sightseeing.

It's amazing how time flies. We went on our London trip in May, and recently I've been yearning for a little holiday. The winter cold is coming closer, and I'm finding myself in a fluffy dressing gown and boot slippers (wishing I could wear them to work). I'm feeling very autumnal and I'm fancying a bit of that shopping spree again.

Holidays aside, I thought the pretty cupcake might be a nice introduction to this little blog space of mine. I'm sure you'll learn more about me as I write, but for now, if you have any questions, fire away :)

Fiona xo