50 Things I'm Trying Not To Buy This Week

Wishlist Despite the fact that I'm on a bit of a minimalism kick at the moment I still can't help but spend my down time, glass of rosé in hand, scrolling through the 'new in' sections of my favourite fashion sites. I've been making an effort to declutter my life at the moment, and what better way to start than tackling my wardrobe full of unworn clothes! My playlist of clear out videos may be growing, but I've still been getting that itch to log on to ASOS and spend a few hours gathering up a basket full of new Summery purchases. I don't have a problem, right? Here's my current wishlist made up of everything in my saved items. To add to temptation ASOS also have a 20% off with the code "SWEET' going around just for today! Maybe I'll just pick one thing...

What's on My Christmas List This Year

Kicking off the festivities around these parts, I've compiled a little Christmas Wishlist of mine to share with you today! I'm not massively into gift guides (although I have one up on my channel if you're looking for a special beauty gift to give this year!) but I thought taking a peek at my own personal list would be fun! Sidenote/disclaimer, wishful thinking is playing a very big part here..

Beauty Sales Picks

In recent years Boxing Day has been all about consuming my body weight in cheese and leftovers, spending the entire day in festive themed pyjamas and most importantly, tucking myself up on the sofa, iPad in hand and dedicating a good few hours to trawling the online beauty sales. There are always some gems to be found - particularly when it comes to reduced Christmas sets and brand-wide discounts and all without the stress of venturing into an actual shop on the day all sales assistants have come to loath - trust me, I've been there.

What's On My Christmas List

Things are about to get very festive around these parts come December, so what better way to kick things off than with my own personal Christmas List. Over the past few months I've been putting in some serious time window shopping, saving up links and scribbling things down on post-it notes that I've ensured make their way into Darren's possession, mostly by sticking them on the bathroom mirror.

Unsurprisingly the list is a beauty exclusive zone, starting with a perfume that's been on my mind for nearly an entire year when I came across it last December. Diptyque Volutes Eau de Toilette is a deep, musky fragrance unlike anything else in my collection and one that would make for a perfect warm Winter scent. I've also been eyeing up their Baies Room Spray after my trip to Suzie's where this made her entire flat smell beautiful. Candles have always been a constant in my Christmas lists over the years and this time it's the Malin + Goetz Votive Set that's caught my eye. While the scents of Dark Rum, Tocacco and Vetiver may be an odd combination to get your head around, I've heard they're not to be missed.

The colder seasons are also when I like to indulge in a good amount of bath time and Laura Mercier's Honey Musk Bath & Body Duet, combining the Soufflé Body Cream and Honey Bath, looks like the perfect touch of luxury for this. Also on the list for winding down in the evening is the This Works Deep Sleep Plus+, a soothing pillow spray that aids in drifting off to sleep and another constant on my list year by year. The new ramped up Plus+ formula also promises to help any restless sleepers enjoy an uninterrupted slumber and I can't say no to that.

Aside from the obligatory novelty socks (these Christmas Kitten pair from Asos are definitely the one) the last few bits on this list fall somewhere in the category of 'it's just so pretty!' items that I can't get out of my head, including the Zoeva Rose Gold Brush Set which I've been dreaming of owning for months - not just a beautiful set of brushes but from a brand I've come to trust and love too, and the Nails Inc Alexa Hearts Collection. Since Alexa Chung became the face of the brand and the new packaging design launched earlier this year, Nails Inc have been peaking my interest more so than my all time favourite Essie - and that's saying something. This set contains six polishes, with three exclusive shades, a holographic top coat and two chunky glitters made up of hearts and stars. I'm in love!

Deep breath - that was a long one! What's on your Christmas list this year?

Sitting In My Sephora Basket

Ever since Sephora started shipping to the UK and opened the floodgates to all those wonderful beauty brands that have yet to make it to our shores, I've found it hard to actually stay off the site and adding things to my not-so-imaginary shopping list had become quite the bad habit. Most of the time I manage to step back and tell myself I don't need to spend something equivalent to a month's worth of food shopping on more make up, but if (and when) I do take the plunge, these six products will be at the top of the list!

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Exposed: One of the biggest draws to the site for me is definitely the extensive range of Tarte products which, although have now slowly started trickling into the UK via QVC, still include some of the holy grail products not available here that I've heard US bloggers rave about for years. Exposed is a blush I've needed in my life for a long time; neutral warm toned goodness wrapped up in probably one of the best formulas out there.

Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask: Although I'll always be a faithful NUXE Reve De Miel girl, there are days when even the thickest layer of the stuff won't do the job and the Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask sounds like just the thing for packing some extra hydration into my lips overnight. I've heard it smells incredible too!

Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Oil: Just saying the words Josie Maran will get my attention these days and although if I had it my way I'd be adding the entire range to this list, unfortunately it's still impossible to get hold of some of the bestsellers like the original 100% Pure Argan Oil thanks to the no-glass shipping policy. Cleansing oil however is always a favourite and thanks to the plastic packaging I'm counting on this to be a good introduction to the line!

Tarte The Sculptor Contouring Face Slenderizer: If there's one thing I'll always be a novice at, it's contouring. No matter how many products or tools I try, I just can't seem to achieve anything remotely cheekbone-like - although if we're being honest my overly round face probably has something to do with it.. This creamy, blendable contour in a stick however looks like it could be the perfect product for chiselling out some serious definition.

Josie Maran Love That Flush Argan Infinity Lip and Cheek Creamy Oil Set: One thing that Sephora do so much better than any of the UK retailers is their appreciation for travel sizes, gift sets and samples, because who needs four full sized Argan Infinity Lip and Cheek Creamy Oils when you can have four adorable miniatures? Another lusted after product from Josie Maran, these oil to cream formulas not only sound ingenious but look like they give a beautiful healthy looking complexion with a sheer tint of colour.

Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash Mascara: I've gone through quite the love/hate relationship with this mascara, coveting it for so many years, finally getting my hands on one during a previous Sephora Haul, being utterly unimpressed and then falling head over heels after giving it a second chance. The trick is letting it dry out, which may sound like a horrific thing to do for mascara lovers out there, but it really does get better and better with time, until that is, it's time is up and like me you'll be lost without it until you order a new one!

What have you been wishing for from Sephora?

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Beauty Sale Favourites

After spending my Boxing Day afternoon scrolling through hundreds of pages of sales - pyjama clad and Terry's Chocolate Orange in hand of course, I've come up with a list of my favourite tried and tested beauty bargains just for you.

Feel Unique know how to do a sale and you'll find a host of well know, well loved brands with great discounts. Cult favourites such as the Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm and the Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask - my personal favourite for sore Winter skin, both come in at a much lower price than you're ever likely to find them. There are also full brand discounts on premium houses such as Guerlain and YSL - my picks including the Terracotta Light Sheer Bronzing Powder and the Rouge Pur Couture Vernis À Lèvres Glossy Stains which although may only have a few pounds off are still very hard to say no to.

If you're looking to invest a little more and 2014 has been earmarked as the year you're getting into skincare the Clarisonic Mia 2 has a whopping 20% off - a considerable amount for a higher priced product and a system I would whole heartedly recommend to those wanting something that little bit special for their skin.

Space NK is always the place to go for harder to find luxury brands and they've made considerable reductions on a handful of Diptyque fragrances including my favourite, Philisykos. There's also a beautiful selection of Laura Mercier Votive Candles bundled together in one pretty package for half the usual price. All four are gourmande scents from Fresh Fig to Crème Brûlée - good enough to eat!

Most of the sales I've come across have featured Aromatherapy Associates - definitely a brand worth checking out for their Bath and Shower Oils alone, but it's Beauty Bay I've found to be offering up the best price with their Relax Deep coming in at nearly £10 less than it's original price.

Beauty Expert have a host of well discounted haircare finds including my new favourite styling product of the moment, the Kérastase Boucles d'Art Mousse and the majority of the Redken Shampoo and Conditioner Duos, led by the unparalleled All Soft range - perfect for post-holiday season hydration.

Asos have a much smaller selection of sale items in the beauty category but there are quite a few gems to be found, including O.P.I's Christmas 2013 Collection which boasts possibly the chunkiest silver glitter I've ever laid my eyes on in the form of I Snow You Love Me that should keep you and your nails in a festive mood for weeks to come.

Have you bagged yourself any sale bargains today?

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What's On My Christmas List 2013

01. Zara Check Scarf: My penchant for tartan prints is getting slightly out of hand (today I wore not only a tartan scarf but corresponding trousers too) and this near-blanket sized offering from Zara seems the perfect warm weather staple to see me through January.

02. Diptyque Classic Coffret: Diptyque candles truly have my heart and this set of three would be the perfect way to discover more from he brand. Made up of Figuier; a firm favourite, Baies; a staple of theirs and Roses; sweeter than my usual taste but one I could see burning away nicely on a Spring evening.

03. Parisian Chic: Forever longing to be roaming the streets of Paris in a stripe shirt and flats, this style guide penned by model Ines de La Fressange should help me on my way to that effortless French Girl cool.

04. Zara Office City Bag: After my last 'What's In My Bag' offering you should be well aware that I like to carry around a lot on a daily basis and this Zara number full of it's various zippers, compartments and pockets - that can even fit in a Macbook I hear, may just be the next Mary Poppins-esque bag I'm looking for. Plus, isn't it just beautiful?

05. Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay Cologne: I can hand on heart say I am now obsessed with Jo Malone. Trust me ladies, one tip to their beautiful counter is all it takes. I recently came away with their Peony and Blush Suede Cologne which has instantly stolen the title of my favourite fragrance this year, but another scent that really caught my attention was Blackberry and Bay. Every one of the perfumes are designed to be layered and the combination of these two was out of this world.

06. Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette: The one I didn't think I wanted but now can't stop thinking about - The Naked 3 Palette. At it's surprise announcement the Beauty World got a little wobbly at the knees for the rose toned collection of neutrals. I dread to think of the scramble for this once it hits counters on Monday!

07. Charlotte Tilbury Powder & Sculpt Brush: It's about time a tapered brush came into my life and this beauty from Charlotte Tilbury, a brand I'm just dying to try, seems to be the perfect multitasking shape for precision powdering, highlighting and sculpting all in one.

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New Look Summer Wishlist

- Post in Association With New Look -


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I'm pretty sure we can officially call it Summer now and even if the temperature outside isn't quite reflecting it yet there's nothing better to get yourself in a sunny mood than switching up your wardrobe and embracing some warm weather pieces.

Space NK Wishlist

Living by the Seaside may have it's advantages, but being nearly an hour away from the nearest Space NK is definitely not one of them. Possibly my favourite beauty destination of them all, I could keep myself entertained in one for hours. Here are my current picks from the host of brands that Space NK houses.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused Light: I've certainly been lusting after this one for a long time. Powered and I have never really gotten along, but with the promise of the perfect dewey finnish that not only holds make up in place but covers imperfections too, the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders definitely sound like the perfect products for some all year round glow.

By Terry Touche Veloutée: I'm always on the hunt for products to help my tired eyes and highlighting pens tend to be the ones that work best for me. This offering from By Terry has not only had some serious hype surrounding but it also sounds like the perfect concealing, crease free formula.

Kevyn Aucoin Creamy Glow in Liquifuchsia: Cream blushers now play a huge part in my make up routine and I rarely choose a powder over these days. The colour alone would sell this beautiful Kenyn Aucoin blush to me but idea of a lit-from-within glow that can be built up to create a strong colour or washed out for a slight flush sounds mouth watering.

Diptyque Philosykos Eau De Toilette: If theres one thing I come to Space Nk for its to have a good sniff of anything Diptyque. I'm certain Philosykos has been on many a wishlist in the past but for some reason I've never taken the plunge and actually purchased it. There's always something very distinct about a Diptyque scent and the fresh fig notes teamed with deeper woody elements make this one no exception.

Pierre Hardy For Nars Nail Polish Duo in Sharp Lines: Inspired by his 2013 shoe collection, Pierre Hardy infuses his ultra modern colour palette into these limited edition nail polish pairs. Varying from a duo of pastel shades to this dark and light combo, it would be extremely hard to walk away with just one set.

Chantecaille Just Skin Tinted Moisturiser: I've practically had to forbid myself from buying this product with its staggering £57 price tag, or what I like to call two weeks worth of food shopping. However, I just can't seem to get it out of my head. Images of Millie Mackintosh (a known lover of Chantecaille) and her impeccably glowing skin spring lustfully to mind and I've never heard a bad word said about the tinted moisturiser that's just so much more.


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Cult Beauty Wishlist

Ying Yang Rollers Jade Facial Roller: Hailed as the gym workout for the face, this funky looking roller brings the healing properties of jade to the skin to help the lymph system expel toxins. I'm itching to get my hands on one of these if for nothing other than de-puffing those morning eye bags which it is also highly reccomended for.

Jouer Replenish & Protect Hydrating Bronzer: Jouer are a brand that have been popping up on my radar quite frequently of recent, however their products are super hard to come across. Not only does this powder serve as the perfect honey toned bronzer, it also contains a hefty SPF 39 and helps keep the skin hydrated and stop any pesky drying that some other chalky bronzers can cause.

Sachajuan Ocean Mist: Somewhere inbetween a hairspray and salt spray this elegant looking little bottle is famed for adding grip and hold to a style without a crispy or 'over done' looking edge. It also bulks up hair thats on the thinner side and would be great for banishing that limp and lifeless 'just washed' feeling that my hair is so very prone to. Think Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray meets a can of Elnett.

Fig+Yarrow Cardamon + Coffee Body Scrub: I may not be the biggest bath person but theres nothing I enjoy more than a steamy hot shower (oh err!) and a good body scrub to invigorate my skin. The combination of Cardamon and Coffee sounds like an intoxicating bomb of heaven and with sugar granules and Cocoa and Shea butters to soften surely it can do no wrong. Again this one targets the lymphatic system, this time with the benefits of coffee which is well known to kick that ahem.. cellulite we all dread come summer.

Jouer Lip Sheer in Capri: The colour of this lipstick alone would have me swayed but the sheer consistency is something I love to wear in the summer. Loaded with Vitamin E and Aloe Vera this lip colour and balm hybrid gives just a hint of colour and a veil of glossiness.

Fig+Yarrow Pink Love Salts: I say I'm not a bath person, but could anyone say no to something with that name? I have it on good authority that bath salts are the new thing (according to Miss Bath Queen herself, ViannaDoesMakeup) drawing out impurities you never even know you had and softening the skin deep down. These fragrant Pink Love Salts contain essential oils of Patchouli, Ylang Ylang, Bergamot, Orange, Geranium and Black Pepper which all come together to turn your bathroom into a 'sensual boudoir of ambiance'. I'll take one to go please!


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Things I Want This Week #13

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Really loving everything alphabet/letter print at the moment and this oversized sweat shirt would look perfect with Topshop's new hight waisted Joni jeans and some chunky gold and neon jewellery. I've actually had a pair of fake Converses for a while now and I've gotten so much wear out of them the soles are falling apart! That's what you get for paying £7 in Primark for shoes.. I think I need to invest in a real pair as I love the laid back edge they give to an outfit.


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Things I Want This Week #12

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As much as I love the deep colours and vast layers of winter I'm already looking ahead to spring fashions (despite having quite a while to go yet..) I honestly can't wait for it to be appropriate to start wearing pastels again and I think my standard outfit this year is definitely going to include some serious tailored trousers and crisp accessories. I'm absolutely smitten with Topshop's Debutant Collection (which shamefully 90% of the above items are from) and sure I'll be picking out as many bits and pieces over the coming weeks as I can get my hands on!


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