Plaiting up my weekend...

 After dabbling in some plaited fun at the weekend, it got my creative spark going.  So after a request to do a certain plaited hair doo.  I took the opportunity to look into some more Plait ideas, to see what else can be created from a simple plait technique.

 Sifting through Google, I came across these references, which show our bog standard plait in a much more creative light.

Whether your a fan of a french plait, fish plait, neat or messy look...these refs show you just how impressive a plait can be.

This weekend now having been inspired I will be doing a step by step on recreating a few of these beauties, and hopefully you will be as inspired as I am....also looking forward to the party season, these could be some handy tips to try for that special night out!

WTS....

Lx

Top o the mornin' to ya!

 Having signed off for the weekend, me and the girls headed for a weekend trip to Dublin, and what a trip that was.  We fully sampled the Irish culture, and were even encouraged to go and get drinking as we left the airport.  So who were we to deny the people of Dublin and their requests.

 Next stop after a night out was a full Irish breakfast along with of course a cheeky Irish coffee.

 As much as I would love to stick to the tradition of downing the Guinness, the best I could do was desperado's and shots of tequila, whilst stealing a Guinness beer Matt as a memento....After a few rather tense and competitive games of Jenga (Which I had forgotten how much fun this game was)...Tequila was very much welcomed.

 Of course, it is always handy to have a Make-up Artist on hand when getting ready, it was all about plaits for Saturday nights look, casual and practical, whilst giving a little something something.  So here's what I did to KC's hair.

 This french plaited half up half down style keeps hair out of the face, I then took it back and secured it into a plaited knot.  It is so quick and quite easy once you get the hang of working with hair, and really does make your average half up half down look a bit more special.

If your keen to see more plaited looks like this one, post me a comment and I will plait away!

Lx

What's inside my make-up bag...

As you can see by now I'm a bit of a make-up fan.  So I thought it might be beneficial for you to know, what I personally rely on, on a day to day basis.  So I poured the contents of my Make-up bag out, with a few added additions.

I am a strong believer of having a well prepped canvas before slapping on anything, so that means cleanse, tone and moisturise.  I cleanse mainly using Dermalogica products such as Pre-cleanse or Daily Microfoliant, if not both.  A spritz of Jurliqes Balancing rosewater mist and finish with Cauldalies Vinoperfect moisturiser.

I don't tend to wear foundation, I usually stick to tinted moisturisers, I swear by Niveas daily tinted moisturiser, easily absorbed, it pretty much does what its supposed to.  However, for those bad days I love Giorgio Armani's UV Silk foundation, it's light, but still gives good coverage.

I know a common problem for many of us are those bags under our eyes, and a friend recently asked what i would suggest. In a nutshell, Highlight where you can, foundations contain illuminating pigments, which can sometimes come out a bit too shiny, for a more subtle highlighting effect Touche Eclat does the job, however Topshop does a great alternative called Brighten, for half the price.  Add a touch under the eyes, along cheekbones, before applying concealer. I flit between Boing by benefit, which gives great coverage and easily applied, so is handy when your on the go.  MAC pro long wear concealer does the job any day.  I use this on any blemishes, under the eyes and sometimes even add a bit into my tinted moisturiser.  When banishing those under eye bags, do bare in mind not to go ridiculously pale, thinking this will counteract the bags...it won't. you will come out with panda eyes.  Instead stick to your natural  shade if not slightly darker, also make sure you use the heat of your fingers to gently blend it in, don't just smear it on.

Powder is a personal choice, if like me you get a shiny T-zone or just want to set your base, I would suggest a blotting powder or translucent powder.  Slick on some liner flicks, Rimmel Liners are cheap and have never let me down, especially when I am prone to losing them on every night out. Lashings of mascara, don't forget to curl beforehand.  I tend to use, not just one mascara but two, I like to mix it up and feel one just doesn't do the job.  L'Oreals volume lash million, to tame and separate, followed by Bourjois Volume Glamour Max.

I am obsessed with Rosey cheeks ATM, so whether your into blush or cremes, MAC and even Bourjois have some lush shades.  I get a bit carried away with MACS Dolly Mixture

Carmex is my lip saviour I always have about three of these little beauties rolling round my bag, along with a selection of lip colours ranging from Barry M's coral to my favourite ATM, Sleeks Matt colour in Stiletto.

Give some or none of these a go, and let me know what you think...

Lx

Another day at the office...with the Cambridge team!

Another shoot with the lovely Cambridge weight plan, three lovely ladies and a gent came along to be pampered and have a fabulous photo shoot to show off their amazing weight loss.

That's me set up.... this is the neatest it will stay all day!

Two of our lovely ladies having their turn in the hot seat....girls don't look so petrified!!

The lovely Keisha doing her thing in front of the camera..

Big well done to all the team Kerensa, Stewy, Chloe, Marie and new addition Rhianna!

HaPpY HaLlOwEeN hUmPdAy!!

For those of you who are getting the Chrimbo decorations at the ready.  Hold fire, I have my Halloween decorations already on the go.  Now don't get me wrong I don't go all out for halloween, however randomly bought some decorative bits to go round the house just for the sake of it.  So where better than to post them on my blog as a festive trick or treat!

 I have felt a bit out of the Halloween loop this year, pretty much missing out on all ghoulish events. So yesterday I made a conscious decision to dress especially dark and gothic today, even going so far as to investing in some, Pumpkin orange Barry M web crackle nail polish, which co-ordinated nicely with my Pumpkin Ipad cover.

 (models own)

 I have even gone as far as to injecting some halloween accessories into my outfit, by adding my new Topshop skull neclace, which I am loving right now.

If you are going all out for Halloween or just adding a little something something, have a fabulous time, hopefully with plenty more Treats than Tricks!

Sanctuary's 35th birthday...put me down to celebrate that!

So as well as it being the Sanctuary's Birthday it was also my mothers, so what else was there to do do then  combine the two.  So off we went a group of very willing ladies to have a day of pampering!  Of course we travelled in style on good ol' Tfl..to regroup in the lovely Covent Garden.

 In to the warmth and serenity of The sanctuary's shop, to then disappear through the back up stairs that would take us to reception.  Here we were whisked off, to get checked in before we rid ourselves of the constraints of clothes to be kitted out in what would be our outfit for rest of the day, cozzie and a white fluffy robe.  No complaints on that front.

Prior to our treatments we had a brief snoop around the changing rooms and other facilities on various floors.

Products were on tap, for us to test at any opportunity, I was looking forward to my shower even before I'd got stuck in to any treatments we had in store.

So off me and my girls went for our chosen treatment, which was the Hamman Rasul Experience.  I will say probably is best done with a group of close girly mates, well if you weren't before you will be after this.  The treatment has four spots.  You each have a hairband, paper knickers, a bowl of mud infused with Shea and a pot of honey laid out in front of you.  Left to your own devices, you all change into just knickers, to then slather yourselves with mud all over body and hair, if you so desire- I went all out and definitely desired the fully muddied up look.  The honey is applied to your face as a kind of face mask.  Once you are all covered in war paint, the four of you sit in a steam room for what seems like a long while, to rid the body of toxins apparently.  Once you get over the initial awkwardness of the fact you are all wearing paper knickers that don't leave alot to the imagination and covered in nothing but mud, well it all becomes quite amusing and you eventually relax and get into the whole experience.  After 20mins, a monsoon shower comes on to wash you all off.  Free from the steam, you are then encouraged to use creams and body oils, whilst drying off and re-robing.  Put it this way me and my brothers girlfriend, have a new found closeness and I will never look at paper knickers in the same way.  All in all it was good fun and I would recommend anyone to give it a go, and if anything a huge amount of belly laughs were welcomed.

Off for a spot of lunch in the Koi Carp Lounge, accompanied by some Cosmo bubble cocktails.

 Throw in a complimentary cupcake, bucks fizz and my co-ordinated toe nails.

 Put it this way, I think all of us ladies could very much get used to this.....A few more hours of  jumping in various Jacuzzis, steam rooms and pools.  We all then finished off with a final infrared treatment. The six of us sat in a row with strategically placed dry heat lamps behind and in front of us, which are said to help reduce aches and pains, also helping you lose a potential 800calories.  .  Needless to say, much as we did sweat, we definitely did not sweat out the suggested 800 calories, which is a shame....Last chance to douse ourselves in yet more Sanctuary products whilst showering and soaking up the last of our Spa session.

One last treat, and how better to finish off a truly relaxing day but with a trip to Jamie's Italian.....and plenty more bubbles.  All in all very much a perfect Sunday....

Off to the "Candy shop"... AKA visit to Mac

So off I went last night frog marching up and down Oxford street, for a bit of Make-up retail therapy.  Of course I had to squeeze this in between finishing work, and meeting friends for after works drinks....just the way I love to shop.  So it was mission Selfridges and then mission onto MAC.

 I refer to Mac as the candy shop, because I literally revert to a kid in a candy shop.

 If I don't know where to start, and I'm meant to be the professional god knows how the everyday shopper manages.

 Next stop after tackling House of Fraser, Debenhams of course I couldn't miss Selfridges.

 If your not keen on denting your debit card like me.  Remember, you can always hit the beauty counters and grab a few samples of products before paying out the full whack.  Whilst in Selfridges I picked up some foundation samples to trial, just to be sure shades, coverage was exactly right for me.  I would definitely advise this especially if your unsure on whats right for you.

Uh Oh!  A mini marathon done and dusted, and one dented debit card....well it would be rude to come home empty handed!