2014 - You've been good

We’re coming into the final few hours of 2014 – which means we’re more than likely all full of turkey and chocolates and ready to start our new year’s resolutions.

Well the festive period has really got me thinking.. I love writing my blog, but for some reason I stopped September/October time. With so many popular blogs out there I think the pressure of writing a blog post every other day got too much for me and with working it alongside a full time job, I started to push the blogging to one side.

Over the past few weeks I looked back at my first blog post and reminded myself why I started writing it - to share my experiences. Good or bad I wanted a little space to be able to tell people about what I’ve been doing – in the hope that it may inspire you to share the same experiences or try new things.

So I’m not promising that you’ll see a new post from me every week to start with, but I want to get back to why I started writing this blog – not to compete with the top bloggers out there but for some me time. To share what I love with you. Even if it’s just one of you reading this!!

So let’s raise a glass for all the little blogs out there! May your 2014 end with smiles and happiness and 2015 bring you everything you always dreamed of and more!

With Love, Charlotte

Goodbye Summer - Holiday Snaps

I think it's safe to say that I have had a little bit of a break from blogging! Summer has been super busy and I found it really hard to actually sit down and spend some time on my blog. I'm a bit of a perfectionist and was reluctant to be publish anything which didn't feel 100% me or rushed.

To give you a little bit of a sneaky peak into my Summer, I wanted to share with you some of my favourite photos from the past few months.

Dress: Ted Baker Shoes: Next

At the beautiful 'La Sommita' hotel in Ostuni

These photos are taken in Ostuni Italy at a family wedding. My dress is from Ted Baker and I am in absolute LOVE with it! It's actually reversible although I personally don't have the right figure to wear it the other way round! The back has a gorgeous lace collar detail and the gold buttons which run down the back remind me of THAT Pippa Middleton bridesmaids dress (ok, so that's the real reason I bought it!)
My pearl bracelet is from Tiffany and my shoes are Next. I really wanted some white strappy shoes to wear with this dress but I just couldn't find them in time!!
Ostuni is such a beautiful setting for a wedding and we'll definitely be revisiting!

I also really loved my hair on the day - I had it professionally styled with a curling wand. Sadly I'm unsure which wand the hairdresser used - such a shame as I love the look of the curls.

Curly Locks

Summer is officially over now so it's back to work, chilly nights and for me, weekends watching my boyfriend play football! Oh and not forgetting SHOPPING! Well... it would be rude not to!

Anyone who knows me on Twitter will know that my laptop is playing up so I'm unable to load as many photos on here as I would like! I'll be updating more photos on my instagrammpage so come andfollow me - flutterbydott.

Over the coming weeks I'll be having a little change round on my blog so keep your eyes peeled!!

Charlotte

Dress Like A Celeb - Mollie King

This series is back and this time I'll be showing you how to dress like the super stylish Mollie King! One fifth of the Saturdays!

As we're in between seasons at the moment, I've copied one Mollie King look but also created one of my own.

Mollies style is great to pull off as she's a massive lover of high street fashion and buying just a few staple items will mean that you'll be looking like Mollie in no time at all.

The first look which I've recreated is perfect for those chilly Autumn days which are all too quickly on their way.
The pale blue shirt provides just a little break in the all black outfit - holding onto a little bit of Summer before we get the scarves and hats out!
My favourite part of this outfit is the rolled up jeans with the brogues. I am a massive lover of Topshop Joni jeans and think the black coated jeans are a great way to dress up an outfit. I'm on the look out for some brogues for the Autumn - think I may have to go and try these ones on!

Shop The Look

Hat - Topshop New Big Felt Floppy Hat £28
Shirt - Topshop Casual Chambray Shirt £29
Jeans - Topshop Moto Black Coated Joni Jeans £40
Nail Varnish - Essie Nail Polish Licorice £7.99
Shoes - ASOS Makeshift Brogue Lace Ups £25
Bag- Zara Leather City Bag with Front Pocket £69.99

I absolutely love this look and will definitely be purchasing the bag and jeans!! I'm also a massive lover of a collar under a jumper. If you are too then why not try to find some pretty lace or embellished shirts? Primark always have pretty shirts at affordable prices so get ready to spruce up your wardrobe ready for Autumn!

 

The second look hasn't been copied directly from Mollie, but it's an outfit I've put together using her style as inspiration.

 

Mollie (like me) is a massive lover of tans, beige's and stripes so I've teamed them all together to come up with this perfect daytime outfit.This look is great for shopping and weekends away and effortlessly says glam!

 

This double breasted trench coat has been on my wish list for some time and this year I think it's just about time I purchased it! You can wear this casually, with jeans or converse or really dress it up by doing up all the buttons and teaming it with some heeled ankle boots!

 

Shop The Look

 

Coat - French Connection Smart Catch Belted Trench Coat £165

Jeans - Topshop Moto Dark Vintage Wash Joni Jeans £36

Top - Gap Stripe Luxe Boatneck Tee £16.95

Nail Varnish - Essie Forever Yummy £7.99

Boots - Topshop Blight Chelsea Boots £45

 

If you try any of these outfits, then please tag me in some photos!

 

Charlotte

Mini Haul

 

I promised you all a little haul after my shopping trip yesterday so here it is!!

I didn't buy too much, but added a LOT to my wish list!!! Hope you enjoy this post.. I always prefer reading mini regular hauls rather than one massive monthly update.

So... here's what I bought!!

Yankee Candle Sampler - Pink Dragon Fruit
I love a Yankee Candle and at the moment Clinton Cards have 50% off selected scents. I picked up this teeny little sampler as had been wanting to try this one since it launched. As we moved into our new home in January, we found a lot of people bought us Yankee Candles as moving in presents so I'm trying to finish them all off which is why I only bought the sampler. I also noticed that they have started to stock their Christmas candles - so I'm trying to make room for the Christmas Eve large jar! That's my all time favourite Yankee and I'll defiantly be buying that from October onwards!!

The sampler is usually £1.80 but I managed to grab this bargain for 90p!

BlanX White Shock Toothpaste
I have been longer to have my teeth whitened for some time, but whilst I save some cash, I have been using BlaX shock white toothpaste.
Unlike normal whitening toothpastes, this product is super affordable at £6 a tube and I find that it really works. Whilst it doesn't give you really white teeth, it does visibly brighten teeth without providing damage. It's also activated by light - so clean your teeth using this before sunbathing and by the evening your teeth will be noticeably whiter!
I tend to use this the week before any important trips and so as I'm off to Italy this week for a wedding, I thought it would be a great time to start using it again.
I have to admit that I never use more than one tube at a time. Once this runs out I will be going back to Colgate just to make sure I'm protecting my enamel.

 

Lush BB Seaweed Face Mask

If you didn't already know (where have you been!!) I love Lush products. Not only are they 100% natural, you get to try the products in store before purchasing!! Not many shops do that but it just adds that little something extra to your shopping experience - the staff are also really helpful.
I have been suffering from a cold this week and because of this, have really dry skin on my nose. I asked in store if they could recommend a product which would start to bring some much needed moisture back into my skin. They suggested the BB Seaweed Face Mask- a mineral rich mask to cleanse, soften and beautify. All things which my face is crying out for this week!
I was sceptical about using this as sometimes you see horror stories of face masks bringing you out in massive spots! Luckily this didn't happen! The product has to be kept in the fridge which means when you apply it, it instantly cools your skin. This mask actually has  bits of seaweed in it - which is not only pretty cool, but it also cleanses your skin as you apply it. Its recommended that you leave this on for 10 minutes before washing off with warm water.
My skin felt refreshed, smooth and glowy directly after removing. I woke up this morning expecting to find a couple of pimples - but nothing!! It's actually calmed a spot I already had down - bonus!!!

Hope you enjoyed this post - I'd love to know what you've been buying recently so please comment below or send me your links

Charlotte

Lush Tea Tree Range

A few weeks back I reviewed the Lush teat tree toner tab. If you missed it, click here for the full review.

I absolutely love this product as it helped me out massively when suffering from a breakout of spots. I usually don't suffer from spots but I think a combination of this lovely British weather plus the mix of sun creams has caused a slight irritation to my skin.

As we've been lucky enough to have a warm Summer in Norwich, I needed to invest it some products which would prevent another breakout. I know tea tree isn't for everyone but it's always worked wonders for my skin.

I repurchased the tea tree toner tab as it's such a good product to keep in your beauty stash ready for any unexpected breakouts. I also love to build up a stock of little beauty treats for a weekly pamper night.. my bathroom cabinet is just full of beauty products to try from Boots and Lush!!

I also purchased the Tea Tree Toner Water. Tea Tree acts as an antibacterial so it's great for keeping away the grime and bacteria which causes spots - ewwww gross!!
It also contains grapefruit water which is really refreshing on the skin. There is nothing better than taking your make up off with a cleanser and then spraying this water on your face! Especially in this hot weather! If spraying directly onto your face isn't for you then you can also apply a couple of squirts onto a cotton pad. I tend to do this is my skin is already feel really hydrated. If it's particularly dry then I apply directly onto the face to ensure maximum coverage.

I would highly recommend these products to anyone who suffers from sudden breakouts. AS always with Lush, they're super affordable, made from all natural ingredients and to be honest I just love the shopping experience they create in the store in general!!

Happy Lush Shopping!!

Boots Haul

I'm back after a little bit of a break from blogging.. but rest assured, I have still been purchasing a LOT of beauty products!!

Whilst I try some of them out, I wanted to share with you some recent purchases from Boots. We all have those moments (you know what I mean) you go to do your makeup and realise that every product you own has run out!! Typical.. and why it is that they always run out at the same time?

So, a super expensive time for me! Here's a sneaky peak into what I bought.. I highly recommend all of these products and always repurchase them. If anyone has any alternatives for me to try then please please please comment below!

Boots coconut and almond leave in conditioner
This has been my every day leave in conditioner for 7 years now! It's super affordable at only £1.49 and is great for de tangling hair before styling. I'm not sure how protective this product is for heat as I have always suffered from split ends so I would highly recommend using this product alongside a heat protector spray.

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder
I bought this as Tanya Burr highly recommends this on every tutorial! I have to admit I'd never used a powder before but this is now a staple product for me. The Rimmel stay matt powder lasts all day and provides great coverage against oily skin. It's been a godsend for me in this heat!

Rimmel Natural Bronzer Sun Bronze
Again this has been a staple for me for years. Sun Bronze is the perfect subtle colour for me so if you're hoping for the orange effect then this product is not for you!!. I tend to wait until Boots have a 3 for 2 offer and buy two bronzers and a powder as I find the bronzers run down a lot quicker than the powders.

L'Oreal Million Lash Mascara
This featured in my April favourites which you can read here. All I can say about this mascara is that if you haven't already tried it, then you must! And let me know what you think of it!

L'Oreal MagicLumi ConcealerA fairly new product for me but another product which I'm loving at the moment! I usually use YSL Touché Éclat but have been looking for something more affordable for some time. For me this really hits the mark and provides long lasting coverage under the eyes. I also use it as a highlighter around my nose to remove any redness.

The Lush tea tree products have sneaked into this photo! I'll be reviewing those later in the week so keep an eye out!

Summer Nail Varnish

The last week before payday can only mean one thing - we've all spent far too much money during the month on beauty products and clothes meaning we have only have a handful of cash left!

We're probably all in the same boat on this one and if your anything like me, you'll be scouring the shops, trying to find any products which your last few pennies will stretch to!

We'll... we're in luck. we're now into Summer so it's the perfect time to make sure your nails are in their best condition. I mean trimmed, filed and perfectly manicured. I myself am a little bit of a nail biter, so I need a couple of weeks prep in order to grow my nails to a suitable size to paint!

In preparation for beautiful hands and feet for the summer, I use the Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment and the Clarins Foot Beauty Treatment Cream. I love Clarins products - not only do they make your skin feel super soft after using them, the smell of the products provide you with the setting of being in a spa. Definitely a splurge product but something you'll use time and time again. The great thing about Clarins products too is that when you buy more than two items, they often give away free gifts which are usually mini versions of the products. These are great as they allow you to try products you've never used before. This is usually how I fall in love with a product and always end up buying the full size!

So, onto some Summer Nail Varnish's which won't break the bank - perfect to brighten your week up before payday! This is just a sample of my favourite Summer colours and brands. The colours I have chosen vary from coral to nude and are from a variety of brands. My favourite brand of nail varnish have to be Essie and Estee Lauder. Whilst these are high end brands, the quality is amazing and leaves you with salon finish nails. They're also super hard wearing, meaning you won't need to reapply regularly.

I have chosen these colours as they'll go with any outfit. They're perfect to either compliment an outfit, or if worn with casual clothes, make a subtle statement.

From left to right, they are

1. Rimmel Salon Pro - Soul Session
2. Estee Lauder - Tempting Melon
3. Ted Baker - This one doesn't seem to have a name!
4. 17 - Supreme Shine - Simply Pink
5. Essie - Fiji

I hope you enjoyed this post. I'm now off the start growing my nails so I can wear some of these beautiful polishes!

How I Edit My Blog Photos

 

 

Recently a lot of you've been asking what camera and apps I use to edit my photos. Whilst I use my I phone 5 for a number of photos, I'm also lucky that my Dad allows me to borrow his Cannon. He's really into photography so has a load of different cameras and lenses which I borrow!

Choosing Your Background  

Whilst text makes up the main body of the blog, photos draw the readers eye to the article and therefore need to be really engaging.
A lot of beauty bloggers have white furniture which they use as a background - please do not think you need to go out and buy loads of expensive white furniture! It's easy to find some simple yet exciting backgrounds around the home.
When I'm trying to show off a product, I tend to use a white background for no other reason that it makes the product stand out to the reader. Sometimes busy backgrounds can distract from what you're talking about. My top ideas for a great background are:

1. Simple white
2. Grass
3. Plants
4. Pattern quilt cover
5. Into the sky

Turn a Photo Into a Picture

One of my favourite parts of blogging is to get the photo just right! Whilst a white background makes your product stand out, on it's own it's also rather boring so I try to accessorise the photo as much as I can, without cluttering! For example choosing flowers which compliment your product not only look great, but show how much effort has gone into the set up of the photo. My top 5 favourite accessorise are

1. Flowers
2. Candles
3. Fairy lights
4. Glass bottles
5. Other products if out of focus

My top tip is to be careful to show off too many products in one photo - it's great if you do but try to blur them slightly so you're only showing one at a time. You don't need fancy cameras to do this, this can be easily faked using Instagram.

Lighting
It's hard to get the lighting just right when blogging, especially if your only able to work on your blog in the evenings. Again there is a great app which allows you to brighten the light on your photos. I usually use whiteagram but I'm sure there are some similar apps out there which do the same thing.

Editing Using Apps 

If you've read my blog before, you'll notice that I love to add sparkles to my photos! I think it adds something extra and also makes the photo look super pretty! My favourite apps to use are

1. Whiteagram

2. Instagram

3. Afterlight

4. Repix

5. A Beautiful Mess

I don't want this to be a really long blog post but I want to show you the process of one of my images from start to finish and how you can completely change the look of an image.



Whiteagram, Repix, Afterlight, A Beautiful Mess

 

It's great to make our photos look better but be careful not to change the colour too much. If you're reviewing a product we want to know what it actually looks like!

And now for a little glimpse behind the scences of my blogging pics! I mentioned earlier that you don't need to spend loads of money on expensive white furniture. I'm currently in the process of redecorating my dressing room. I bought some shoe shelves from Argos for £11 each and they're just sitting in the room waiting to be put in my new wardrobe. And here's the secret.. Every time I want to take a blogging photo, the shoes all come off, the flowers/fairy lights/candles go on and there you have it... My very own backdrop for blogging! All for £11! Here's a photo of what it looks like behind the camera - the part which you never see!!

 

 

I hope this has answered some of the questions you had plus inspired you to take some photos for your blog! With Summer on its way, I can't wait to get out there and take some photos outside!

Happy snapping!!

Well we're halfway through June and I'm now writing my May favourites! But better late than never hey! It was hard to chose just a few this month, but these really stood out. I try to do a variety of favourites, makeup, hair, you tuber etc.

Urban Decay Naked Pallette 2
I love all of the naked pallets but this month I have been loving naked 2. For those of you who don't own one (where have you been) there are three options to chose from:

Naked 1- 12 gorgeous bronze shades in a suede case
Naked 2 - 12 neutrals in a tin case
Naked 3 - 12 rose neutrals in a hard tin

The reason why I chose Naked 2 over Naked 1 (I don't have 3) is because I've been on a couple of holidays this month and the tin case provides extra protection whilst travelling. I know what your thinking, do I need to take 12 eyeshadow a on holiday. Well the answer is yes. The naked pallets are all designed to beautifully compliment each other - which means you can mix and match different colours every night if you're on holiday! They do a smaller travel version but the colours are all matt and I like a little bit of a shimmery shade!
My favourite colours in naked 2 are 'chopper' for all over the lid 'busted' for the outer corners and underneath the eyes and 'bootycall' as a brow highlight.

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush
I have really been loving my real techniques expert face brush this month for applying foundation. Although it's much smaller than some of the foundation brushes I have used previously, it's actually great at buffing foundation into the skin - providing an ultra flawless look. When I went from using previous foundations brushes to the expert face brush, not only did I notice the difference but my friends noticed the difference too. I think I purchased this for around £12 (they're usually in boots 3 for 2). £12 for a foundation brush is towards the lower end of the market in comparison to companies such as Mac and Bobbi Brown, but this product is nothing like low end! I have been using this for 4/5 months now and the bristles remain exactly as purchased. I often find with Mac brushes that the brush sheds after a couple of weeks - this doesn't happen with Real Techniques.
I previously used the Real Techniques stippling brush which was a close second favourite but I managed to ruin mine washing it!

Molton Brown Pink Pepper Pod Body Wash
No there's a mouthful! I actually had this as a Christmas present but tried to keep hold of it as long as possible before using it in order to proudly display it in my bathroom (yes I'm that sad!). I love Molton Brown products - from the gorgeous slick packaging to the brightly coloured liquids. The great thing about them is that the scent is so strong that you only need to use a small amount of product.
I have had the pink pepper pod fragrance before and I have to admit it may not be for everyone! It's made from ground pink pepper pods so the scent is spicy! It smooths your skin leaving it hydrated and smelling yummy!
The Molton Brown body washes are prices at around £18 - a high end product but great for a night of pampering. I would recommend people to try this product before buying as whilst this scent may not be got you, they have loads to chose from. I actually double this up as a bubble bath - not sure if i should do that hmmmmmm let me know!

TRESemme Split Remedy Treatment Mask
My hair is extremely dry and I mean split ends on split ends. This has been caused from years of taming my wild hair which GHD's. I wanted to try a cheaper hair product which is not only great for my hair, but that I wouldn't worry about the cost when applying it thickly.
I have used a couple of Tresemme products before and seen great results and the Expert Recovery hair mask did not disappoint! It claims to recover parched, dried out ends and lengths.
I apply to the ends of my hair after washing and leave on for 5-10 minutes before washing. Immediately after washing my hair is noticeably smoother and much more manageable when trying to brush through. Whilst I still have split ends (it didn't work miracles) after a couple of uses they appeared visibly repaired.
I use this 1-2 times a week as a treat to my hair.

Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel
This stands out to me as my number 1 favourite product of May. This seems so much more than a cleansing gel. You put if on your face as a gel, it's then turns into an oil, removing makeup and dirt along the way. When you wash it off, the consistency is much more milky and you'll notice the gel has turned white in colour. Again I use this 1/2 times a week as a treat to my skin. I love the smell of Clarins products, it reminds me of visiting a spa so great for a night of home pampering.

Favourite You Tuber
I spend a lot of time watching You Tube videos!! I have around 10 favourite You Tubers but my favourite of all time and for the month of May is...... Funforloui.

For those of you who havnt watched his channel (you must, must, must, watch it!)  Loui vlogs every single day!! That's like a whole new soap opera but without the drama!

Loui is super down to earth and vlogs his every day life.. You'll mostly find him skateboarding to a coffee shop of hanging out with his friends.. His vlogs also follow him travelling around the world, on meet ups and charity projects. Funforloui is a breathe of fresh air in the world of vlogging. If you haven't seen him.. Click here now! It's great viewing whilst applying your makeup in the morning!

Dress Like A Celeb - Mary Kate & Ashley

Keeping it effortlessly casual

Today two of the most beautiful girls in the world turn 29 - Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen.

Mary-Kate and Ashley have been in the spotlight since they were just 6 months old! I first heard about them in 1998 - when they filmed two of a kind for Nickelodeon and ever since then I've been in awe of their style and hair! They always look so effortlessly perfect!

To celebrate their birthday, I wanted to recreate some of their recent casual looks. You'll notice that the twins always wear very baggy clothes, creating a boho look. They hair is usually either in lose beach waves, or in a sleek up do.

If you want to recreate their looks above for less, then carry on reading!

Casual Everyday

I love this look - mostly because it's full of stuff which we already have at home! Meaning that it makes this look super easy to create! Th is outfit would be great for shopping, trips to the cinema or even a first date. It's smart casual with a boho edge.

Shop The Look

Sunglasses - Topshop Alice Metal Aviator £10
Watch - River Island Black Screw Detail Bracelet Watch £28
Shoes - Office Garland Strappy Block Heel £60
Jeans - Topshop Zip Ankle Jamie Jeans £40
Shirt - Topshop Crinkle Oversized Shirt £30
Ring - Accessorize Tia Turquoise Diamante Ring £10
Bag - Warehouse Leather Metal Keepers Tote £90

Evening Boho

Mary-Kate and Ashley look great whatever they're doing - in this case, walking their dog! I love the floaty black midi teamed with detailed sandals and an everyday tote. I was unable to find a cheap alternative to the handbag, so I've gone with one from my wish list instead!

Shop The Look

Sunglasses - ASOS Oversized 70s Sunglasses £7.50
Black Midi Skirt - Miss Selfridge Organza Skirt £39
Michael Kors Bag - Selma Cros-effect Tote £345
Shirt - Oasis The Crissy Shirt £30
Sandals - River Island Black Chain T Bar Sandals - £32

I hope you all enjoy this blog post and let me know if you try to recreate the looks! Also send me any celeb ideas for next week's 'Dress Like a Celeb'.

My Everday Foundations

Finding the right foundation for your skin type and colour can be a time consuming process, however get it right and you won't have the dreaded orange mark on your jawline!

Once I find a foundation that suits me, I tend to stick with it. That's why I've been using the same foundation for a number if years. Don't get me wrong, I do occasionally mix it up and try new products, but for me, nothing has come close to the foundations below.

Everyday Foundation

I work in an office Monday to Friday 9-5 so maintaining a glowy tan is near enough impossible. That's why I chose a much paler lighter coverage foundation during the week.
I swear by Loreal True Match foundation (in the colour sand) and have been using it for years now. The light coverage means my skin is able to breathe during the day plus in a professional job, I don't want to be caked in foundation. It smooths the skin leaving my skin looking natural and acts as a great base for bronzer and powder.
The only negative about this product is that by 5 the foundation has started to wear off. I'm not someone who reapplies makeup during the day - I much prefer to put it on in the morning and leave it.

Evening Foundation

Up until last week I had one 'best' foundation. You girls know what I mean by best - you buy a product or item of clothing and keep it for 'best'.. well I do the same with foundation.
I use Studio Fix Fluid in NC35 - it's the perfect colour for me when I've fake tanned. It provides a much thicker coverage which means it stays on your face until you remove it! It's great for nights out as you know you won't need to be touching it up all evening - there's nothing worse than trying to carry a glass bottle of foundation in your clutch on a night out! This gives my skin a matt finish without making my pores look clogged.

Because I love the results from the Mac foundation so much, I wanted to try a paler colour for everyday use at work. I visited the Mac counter at my local department store (Jarrolds Norwich) and was advised that Pro Longwear offers the same lasting finish but a lighter coverage. I bought it in the colour NC40 - much darker than the Studio Fix I know but the makeup artist mentioned that Pro Longwear needs to be worked into the skin, so a darker colour will actually appear much lighter on the skin. I also took away a tester for Pro Longwear in a lighter colour for work - I'll let you know how I get on with this.

I apply all of my foundations with the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush. I've also been a lover of the Stippling brush before - but my current fav is the Expert Face Brush.

If you have any recommendations for an everyday foundations which lasts all day, please comment in the box below.

Garnier Micellar Water

A skincare product which i've been loving recently is the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water - A water based cleanser which claims to remove makeup, sooth the feel of skin and hydrate.

So, how does it work? Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water contains micelles which act like magnets, gently lifting away makeup and impurities from the skin. In other words a quick and easy way to remove makeup without using a naughty face wipe, which can be really harsh on your skin and clog pores.

Most companies sell something similar to this  product - I chose Garnier purely because it was on offer for £2.50 in Tesco. £2.50 for a product which claims to remove all makeup plus comes in a really cute bottle seemed like a steal! I also like to give my skin a break from my usual skincare routine which you can see by clicking here Daily Skincare Routine.

I've been using the water to cleanse my skin twice daily - once in the morning and once in the evening. Surprisingly just a small amount on two cotton pads removes all of my makup. I say surprisingly because I wear a lot of mascara and using a water based product to remove mascara without smudging it all down my face just seemed impossible!!

It's designed for sensitive skin and noticibly feels much lighter than a cream based cleanser. So if you usually find cream based products bring you out in spots, or you just want a change up in your skincare routine, I would definitely recommended trying it.

A couple of points to mention about this product is that once bottle claims to last 200 uses or 100 days if your using it twice daily. So far mines gone down a fair bit and I've only been using it for the past month. This is probably down to the fact I'm applying more than I should be.
Secondly if you travel around a lot this product will be perfect for you. I would recommend a moisturiser after use but iv used it without and have not seen any difference in my skin. The only negative about the product is I've doing the lid often leaks. So if your travelling about, make sure you tape it up to avoid spillages!

If you've tried out any other similar products. Please let me know in the comments box below as I'd love to try them out.

Dress Like a Celeb - Caroline Flack

When I decided to start this series of blog posts, there was no doubt as to which celeb I would start with...Caroline Flack - 34 year old TV presenter from beautiful Norfolk (which just so happens to be where I live!)

I've been a massive fan of Caroline's style since her very early days on TMI and I'm a celeb get me out of here now (where Caroline teamed cute little dresses with wellies). She's queen of the highstreet which is great for us, as we get to steal her style at affordable prices! 

Caroline knows exactly what style suits her and adapts to the occasion. You'll mostly see her wearing playsuits, cute little shorts and anything with a collar!

With festival season fastly approaching, I have chosen my 3 favourite styles which Caroline has worn in previous years and recreated the look with this seasons must haves!



My favourite Caroline Festival Styles - Festival Chic - Rock Chick - Effortlessly Glam

Festival Chic

This is my favourite look and the shops have some great dupes in at the moment. I'm unable to find a printed mac like this but have used the scarf to bring in some leopard print. Scarves are great for festivals and are a great way to add some colour to a simple outfit.

Shop The Look

Boots - Office Free Fish Sarasa Comet Boot £35
Glasses - Asos Karl Lanerfeld Hexagonal Sunglasses £125
Bag - Asos Leather Double Compartment Cross Body Bag £45
Shirt - River Island Embroided Hem Shirt £30
Shorts - River Island Scallop He, Shorts £20
Hat - Miss Selfridge Black Felt Floppy Hat £28
Scarf- Oasis Animal Leopard £6

 Rock Chick

If you're on a budget then rock chick is the best look to recreate as it uses a few staples which alot of people will already have. Denim shorts, a leather jacket and a plain white tea.Carolines brightened up the look with an orange printed scarf, but any bright colours would be great for making a bold statement.

Shop The Look

Top - Topshop
Bag - Topshop SmartCrossbody Bag £34
Glasses - Warehouse D Frame Sunglasses £16
Scarf - Forever 21 £4.90
Boots - ASOS Revoir Leather Chelsea Ankle Boots £40
Jacket - Miss Selfridge Faux Leather Biker Jacket £52
Shorts - Topshop Bright Blue Mom Shorts £30

Effortlessly Glam

Caroline mixes highstreet with designer and always manages to look effortlessly glam. To get the look, mix casual denim playsuits with cute tan wedges. I have these wedges and they are my summer must haves. Not only do they go with every outfit, but they are THE comfiest pair of heels I own. Caroline wears this outfit with lose wavy hair an minimal makeup - great for the final day of a festival.

Shop The Look

Wedges - Topshop Wizard Multistrap Wedges £45
Playsuit - Miss Selfridge Light Wash Denim Playsuit £30
Bag - Warehouse Hardware Detail Crossbody £24
Glasses - ASOS Bridge Detail Cat Eye Sunglasses with Metal Arms £12
Coat - New Look Khaki Lightweight Hooded Foldway Parka £17.99

I hope you enjoyed this post - I have to admit, this has been my favourite post to write. Check back on my blog next week for the next edition of 'Dress Like a Celeb For Less' and comment below if you have any celeb looks you'd like me to try and recreate.

Pretty in Pink.. Instagraming May

If you haven't already noticed, I just love to edit photos! My least favourite hashtag is #nofilter. Whilst it's great to know that some people don't need to filter their photos, not everyone has perfect skin and white teeth. I, along with most of the population, sure as hell don't! Plus apps like Instagram really enable you to enhance the colour in your images.

My photos go through loads of different edits before I post them anywhere - but my favourite app is Instagram. I have a private account for family and friends, plus a blogging account which is Flutterbydott - needless to say I need to do much more Instagraming over on Flutterbydott!

I thought I'd brighten my blog up by posting a little edit of all the images I posted in May. I'm really loving the pastels and pinks this month - perfect for Summer! Hope you enjoy this blog post and feel free to come over and follow me on Instagram. I just love to see everyones edits. 

Flutterbydott

Lush Tea Tree Toner Tab

Since my holiday a couple of weeks back, I have been suffering from a break out across my forehead and temples. I've never been prone to spots before but do have the odd spot here and there every month.

Iv always been nervous to try a new spot cream as I often find they make my skin worse. Creams are usually too heavy for my face and I'm yet to find a product which actually calms the appearance of spots.

Whilst shopping in lush recently (I can't seem to just pop in there to browse!) I picked up the tea tree toner tab. Priced at just £1 it was a complete bargain! I usually like to have one pamper night a week - a chance to relax and try some new products. I have to admit I didn't actually purchase this to combat the breakout. I just saw it, thought it was cute and wanted to try it!

Over the weekend my spots became increasingly worse. There were not only more of them but they were really starting to irritate my skin.

I decided to cleanse my face and try the toner tab. You put the toner tab in a bowl of hot water place your head over the bowl and cover with a towel. Similar to when you breathe in vapour rub when you have a cold. I did this for around 10/15 minutes.

The after feeling is much the same as after being in a steam room. My skin not only felt tight and refreshed but my whole face felt like it was able to breathe. I finished off by using my simple toner and moisturiser. Instantly the irritation of my spots disappeared.

Many people find that tea tree dries the skin out but I think if it's a product which suits your skin then it always works really well. My spots have become less irritable and look a lot less angry on my face!!

Iv posted a before and after picture. I feel a bit nervous to do this as blogs usually look great with glossy photos of products in their packaging, but I wanted to show you the real results.

Before and two days after treatment

Whilst my spots have started to clear up, they still occasionally itch so I'll repeat this treatment again in a couple of days.

Tea Tree Toner Tab £1 - Lush

30th Birthday Ideas

Bunting from Lushy Peas

 

On Sunday my sister Polly turns 30 and whilst I've been carefully planning the finer detail of her birthday for quite some time, the day has suddenly crept upon me.

Luckily for me, Polly's always been very easy to buy for, she loves all things pink and Disney! She's a typical girly girl with a love for the theatre and performing. As it's her 30th I not only wanted to buy her something special, I also wanted to have a part in planning the big day!

We're having friends and family over on Sunday to celebrate and over the past few months, I've spent countless nights trawling through Pinterest images for ideas for the big day! Whilst it was obvious that Polly's party would always be pink and girly, I wanted to provide an alternative for those who aren't so keen on pink.. like me!!

Polly's Pink Party


Perfect for any girly girl, regardless of age. The theme here is pink, girly and floral!! Bunting is really popular at the moment and is a great finishing touch to any garden party. It's also really easy to make, all you need is some fabric, crinkly scissors and a needle and thread!! Or if you're short of time... or just wanted someone else to do it for you (like me!) then there's loads of places to buy from online. I hand my hand made and designed by Lushy Peas www.lushypeas.co.uk . They have loads of cute Shabby Chic bits which are available to order through Facebook.


Ideas for a pink party

- Pink Candy Buffet
- Pink Tealights in old Jam Jars with a pink ribbon bow
- Pink Cupcakes
- Pink Fruit Skewers with chocolate dipping sauce
- Macaroons/Candy Floss/Pink Popcorn

Photos taken from Pinterest

Party through the years

What a great way to celebrate a big birthday (or any birthday!)than to reminisce through previous birthdays. This idea was inspired by a 'Made in 1984' cushion which I found on Not on the Highstreet. Get everyone together who means something to you and reminisce about old times.

Ideas for Party through the years

• Old photos of family and friends
• Games you used to play when you were younger - pin the tail on the donkey, apple bobbing
• Food you used to have when you were little. I think everyone had a McDonald's party when they were younger, why not recreate it by making your own happy meal's - a burger and chips in a box with a personalised gift as a reminder of the day.

Ideas taken from Pinterest

I hope you enjoyed this post. I'll be posting a blog on Monday with some photos from the day! If you have any more ideas for a pink party - please comments below! There's still time for me to add some extra things!!

Haul... When in Spain!

 

I'm back from 4 days away in not so sunny Spain.. Before I sort through the dreaded mounds of holiday washing and unpacking, I thought I would make some time to share with you a couple of things I bought whilst away.

I love airport shopping - mostly because it's tax free but also who doesn't want to go shopping for new makeup at 5.30am!! I sure as hell do!
Iv been wanting to try the Clinique bottom lash mascara for a while now and at £10 it was a steal! I have naturally long bottom lashes so trying to get them looking natural rather than like spider legs has always been a challenge for me. For those of you who've not heard about this product before, it's a mascara especially designed for your bottom lashes. The wand is super small and cute, which allows you to apply easily to the bottom lash - no more getting top and bottom lashes stuck together at the outer corner.. Something which can often happen with a bigger wand.

Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara £10 - £12

I have to admit the first time I used this I wasn't as impressed as I expected. Whilst it's a great mascara, I wasn't instantly wowed with the results. It was only when I went back to using my every day mascara that I really noticed the difference.. The smaller wand gives a naturally separated finish whilst the every day mascara left my lashes looking to long and clumpy. Overall this is a good product and I'll be repurchasing once it runs out.

The second buy was a fashion buy from mango! A shop I often skip in England but I think this could soon become one of my favourites. When browsing shops I always say to myself 'would Kate Middleton wear this' and if the answer is yes then it more than certainly gets bought! Mango has loads of great Summer clothes - especially if you're trying to create a Kate look - I'll be recreating some in a future blog.

Mango - £29.99

Whilst in Mango I picked up this beige shopper.. The thing I love about this is the space inside! It's huge! My staple colours for summer are nude, beige and tan so this bag will be perfect! I can already see this bag ending up full of half used beauty products, chewing gum and loose change but I'll try to keep it tidy! Promise!

I packed my bag... Holiday Edition

I’m off to sunny Spain this weekend and wanted to share with you my holiday essentials - everything which I'll be carrying in my hand luggage!

 

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream

 My flight leaves at 6am which means leaving for the airport at 1am!!! Yawn Yawn Yawn!! Whilst I’ll feel like an absolute grotbags, I don’t want to look like one – therefore it’s essential that I take good care of my skin. I’ll be drinking plenty of water throughout the morning and flight to make sure my skin stays hydrated. Planes are especially bad for dehydrating skin so it’s extra important to take care of it! Before the flight, I’ll be using the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour cream. This is a beauty essential for most people and it’s great for just about everything. I tend to use it whilst travelling when my face is free of makeup. It adds a glow to your skin leaving you looking fresh faced – not like you’ve been up all night!

This really is the only beauty product I use when flying – I’m terrified of flying so there is nothing worse then getting up in the air with mascara strewn down your face from crying during take off! 

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream

That leads me on nicely to my second essential

 

Batch Rescue Remedy

If you have a fear of anything, this stuff is a god send. I use it prior to flying, important meetings at work or generally when I’m out and about feeling anxious. You just put a couple of drops of your tongue as soon as you start to feel nervous and the natural remedy of Bach flowers start to calm your nerves. I know what you're thinking – it’s probably all in the mind. I generally believe that this product works for me and would definitely recommend it to anyone who suffers from anxiety and nerves. The great thing about it is that is comes in many different products such as spray, drops and pastels.

 

A good book - In this case 'The List' by Joanna Bolouri

I love reading but usually only get the time to read properly whilst I'm on holiday. I thinks there's something exciting about choosing your holiday book. It's a whole new time of shopping. Rows upon rows on neatly stacked books and I have to admit I do judge a book by its cover - every time! This time, I chose 'The List' by Joanna Bolouri. My friends always laugh at me for the amount of lists I make about everything so this title caught my eye! The books about described as the modern ladies Bridgett Jones. I'll review it when I'm back for those of you wanting to read.

The List - Joanna Bolouri

Sunglasses

There's nothing worse than stepping onto the plane in your English winter gear only to step off in the glorious sunshine - immediately feeling over dresses and reaching for the deodorant. I always wear something cool for the plane but take something to wrap up in during the flight. My sunnies are always at the top of my travel bag - ready to step off the plane into the glorious sunshine but also to hide my tired eyes after the journey! These ones were £1 from Primark. I'm going on a girly holiday so wanted a pair which I don't have to worry about losing!

They'll be loads more in my carry on bag - I'm female after all! We never know what we might need and when so packing for every eventuality is a must! Therefore iv classes everything else as bits and bobs.. Probably should be titled things I probably won't need but nether the less have felt the need to pack!

Bits and bobs! Including ear plugs, hair clips and mini Jo Malone

Apologies for the picture quality in the photos. I also packed my camera already!

 

I hope you enjoyed this post. This will the first in the series of 'I packed my bag' and hope to do, festival edition, shopping edition, first date etc etc!!!

April Favourites

 

There's been so many products I've been loving this month that it was hard to pick a select few for my April favourites! April for me, was all about Spring colours and scents - fresh, dainty and floral!

 

 Jo Malone - Peony and Blush Suede Cologne &English Pear & Freesia Body & Hand Lotion

 I was lucky enough to be invited to consultation with Jo Malone Norwich earlier on in the year. My favourite Jo Malone scent is Pomegranate Noir so for me Peony and Blush Suede is a much lighter, floral scent. At the consultation, I mentioned that I wanted to add another fragrance to it to make it stronger and longer lasting throughout the day. They suggested I try English Pear and Freesia. For those who haven't tried it, you must!! I must admit it's probably not one which I would have just picked up and sprayed, but it fastly becoming my favourite scent for Spring/Summer. I decided to buy it in the body and hand lotion as thought it was a good base for spritzing the perfume on. My favourite flowers are Peonies and Freesias so this makes a great combo!!

Tanya Burr Nail Polish in 'Be bright, be happy, be you!'



 I've been a fan of Tanya's since she appeared in Pixiwoo's videos so when she launched her beauty products, I just had to purchase some!! My Mum bought me 'Be bright, be happy, be you' for Easter and I don't think I've taken it off my nails since! The polish paints on quite thickly which is perfect if your in a hurry, with only time for one coat. Adding another layer creates extra shine with almost a gel look to the finish. I would describe the colour as a Barbie pink - great to wear with light denims, white tops and statement jewelry.

 LOreal Paris Volume Million Lashes Mascara 
 This has been my staple mascara since it launched! The brush is perfect for separating and defining lashes. I wear it in black, but it's also available in extra black (I find extra back a bit too heavy for during the day). I'm lucky that I already have quite long lashes but the mascara still creates additional length. This is available in Boots priced at £10.99 (currently in the 3 for 2 offer - I tend to stock up!!). I'm going to do a separate mascara post with before and after photos so you can see the effect you can create by layering this mascara.

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat
I suffer from dark circles under my eyes so the Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat is my morning must have for instantly hiding tired eyes! Whilst it's at the higher end of the price range for a concealer, I'm yet to find a product that works just as well (any suggestions please let me know). I wear the colour 2.5 and apply my foundation, powder and bronzer first and then apply under my eyes. I then use the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush to dab the concealer in (careful not to rub it in too much or you'll end up making your eyes look worse!). 

 Dior Addict Lip Glow - Colour Awakening Lip balm  
This product claims to beautify and durably enhance the lips natural colour. I don't tend to wear too much colour on my lips so this product is great. It's pale pink in colour but when applied, it just adds a soft tint to your lips. I love this colour for the Summer, teamed with a pale pink blush such as Mac Fleur Power.It also hydrates the lips, leaving them feeling soft smooth.