Zara Home: Black Vanilla Reed Diffuser

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ZARA Home - Black Vanilla Home Fragrance £15.99 (on sale)

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I bought this on the day I went to afternoon tea (if you haven't read the post, you are missing out on sugary goodness) and thought I would give it a test run for a while before I reviewed it!

I LOVE home fragrances! Anyone who knows me or has entered my room clearly knows this! I love scented candles and reed diffusers as I find that it helps me relax after those long, stressful and tiring days! You know, where you just want to lay in bed, or in the bath with nice cup of tea and some soft music in the background, while the scent starts to set the ambiance for a cosy night in... that's what I love to treat myself to! 

So trust me when I tell you that this is heavenly! It has a luxurious smell that doesn't become overpowering but remains subtle and delicate, a scent that leaves a faint smile on your lips! I have to be quite honest in saying that this has beaten my all time favourite smell NEOM: Moroccan Blush Rose (I still do love that with all my heart). 

The first thing you smell is that sweetness of vanilla and praline! Oh it's so delightful and warming! Which then is followed by a slight citrus scent (this would take away from the overpowering sweetness you sometimes get with vanilla) and it makes it so addictive and intoxicating! It's scent is seductive and classy, as the name suggest!

The bottle itself if elegant and simple which I love as it would suit any place in the household! I have been using this product day and night as I have become that addicted to it! I absolutely love it!

Main Aromatic Notes: Praline, milk, musk, citrus fruits, vanilla.

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Have you used any of ZARA home fragances?

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YSL Baby Doll Kiss & Blush - 04 Orange Fougueux ♥ Review

YSL Baby Doll Kiss & Blush - 04 Orange Fougueux £27

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This particular shade from YSL's Baby Doll Kiss and Blush range was sold out online and going from one department store to another on Oxford Street, I was being told that it was also sold out :( and as I was nearing the end of all hope of getting my hands on it, finally, I managed to find one in Debenhams (with limited stock). Hooray for me!!! These are available in 12 different shades!

The packaging is consistent with the entire brands usual look. The bottle itself is so adorable! I love the fact that it is nail varnish-esque or ink bottle like. It has a tall lid and small pot. The lid is gold and the top part of the pot is black. I love that YSL have done something fun and extremely cute with regards to it's appearance! It definitely makes for a 'buy me' feature!  

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This little gem is a two in one product. Now I am hardly keen on these kinds of products as it usually works better in one area than the other. With cheek and lip stains/lipsticks, which we have all seen around, I find that the texture is either too watery for the lips or too thick for the cheeks. But. I have to make an exception for this product, as the instant you start applying it on your lips and cheeks, you feel the soft velvety creamy mousse smoothness. It doesn't leave a sticky residue and the consistency is extremely buildable! A little goes a long way.

The colour Orange Fougueux itself looks very intense and super bright but the beauty behind this product is that it's blendable! You literally only need a few dabs on your lips/cheeks for a very light sweet natural look. 

The applicator is tapered and spongy! Its tear drop shape and its 'patented' hidden pearl makes it the perfect applicator as it is easier to apply to the cupid's bow and the corners of the lips!

As you can see from the colour swatch above, you can achieve around 3 levels of intensity.

 The first is completely unblended and applied heavily which shows off its bright tone! - Perfect for when you have sun kissed skin on holiday. 

The second swatch is applied in a much lighter format and lightly blended!

The third swatch is literally one dab of the brush and blended. This makes for an everyday wearable shade and will bring a slight hint of colour to your day.

They say that it is meant to be a soft matte but it doesn't really go matte until a good 20mins later and even then it has a very light luminous glow to it - not that I am complaining, I quite like it. The formula isn't drying and is extremely soft on the lips (I have mentioned this before but I thought I would remind you)

Since I bought this, I carry it in my bag, everywhere! It's just the cutest and most versatile, multi-tasking YSL product ever! I LOVE IT! 

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Have you tried YSL Baby Doll Kiss & Blush yet?

Sweet, Sugar, Candyman! - Afternoon Tea inspired by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

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"Who can take a sunrise
Sprinkle it in dew
Cover it in chocolate 
and a miracle or two?"

. . .

"The candyman can cause he mixes it with love 
And makes the world taste good

And the world tastes good cause the candyman thinks it should"

What I Wore

Shirt: Zara - Vest Top: H&M - Trousers: Fenn Wright Manson - Shoes: Carvela - Bag: Zara - Bracelet: Tatty Devine

Afternoon Tea at One Aldwych Hotel was ...well ...to die for! Everything was so much fun that it brings out your inner child! I mean for starters it was one of my childhood dreams that Willy Wonka's delights would be real and this was pretty close to living that dream!

Everything was just so playful that it had us reeling in delight. The menu was absolutely perfect and a true reflection of Roald Dalh's classic story. The savoury and sweet part of the menu complimented each other brilliantly. Everything was so light and delicate. There wasn't one thing that was either too sweet or the base of a tart overcooked/under-cooked. Everything was in the right balance!

The Menu

My favourite things from the entire menu were the Leek and Stilton Quiche from the savoury and the Chocolate Caramel Milk, Homemade Candyfloss and Golden Chocolate Egg filled with Vanilla Cheesecake and Mango Puree! Everything was so light and fluffy! It didn't leave you feeling bloated or sickly! We chose to have the Smooth Caramel tea which had a hint of vanilla in it! It complimented everything so beautifully, I can still taste the aroma now (far far away in my bed)! On top of everything being so yummy, the service was exceptionally friendly and caring.

They serve the savoury part of the menu first and then once you have finished they bring out the sweet menu, however we requested to have the sweet alongside the savoury and within 5 minutes they brought out the (best part) sweets! 

When presented with the sweet part of the menu, our host told us to try and guess what flavour the candyfloss was! When we took a bite into it, we were shocked because it wasn't the candyfloss sweet you expect it to be. Instead it had a tangy kick to it! It was almost refreshing for something that is meant to be so sweet! The flavour was Rhubarb and Custard! I don't think I can enjoy normal candyfloss as much after this one!

  

Happy girls -  Karen and I are all smiles!

I definitely recommend this for anyone who enjoys going for afternoon teas, anyone who has a sweet tooth, anyone who likes food and appreciates a touch of elegance with a quirky twist!

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Make sure you check out Karen's food blog Digestible Love for scrumptious recipes 

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Where is your favourite spot for afternoon tea?

Zara Gussetted Shopper Bag

£29.99

I've been looking for a good decent white bag for what seems to be forever. One rule when it comes to online shopping is that I never purchase a bag without seeing it instore beforehand (unless it's from a Korean/Japanese online store then I don't really have that luxury), as I find that bags can be deceiving and I am let down by the quality. However I made an exception for this beauty. I came across this bag on the ZARA website and fell in love with its simplicity. I loved the fact that  it looks like the zips at the top are a bow; it adds a delicate feminine touch. It comes with adjustable and detachable straps which is always a plus point as you can wear it in two different ways. Its size is quite generous for those who, like me, carry a lot with them. It has 1 zip compartment and two smaller compartments in the inside zip part of the bag and it has two empty sections on either side of it. The bag itself is quite lightweight which makes it easy to carry around. I was not let down by the quality of this bag and know that this has become my staple summer bag!

Composition: 100% Polyester

Dimensions: 20 x 25 x 10 cm / 8 x 10 x 4" 

What's your favourite ZARA bag?

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Michael Kors Glam Jasmine

As the days are getting warmer and summer is slowly making its appearance in London :) I wanted something very young, fresh and alluring for the holidays, as the perfumes I generally tend to use are more mature, sensual and sexy. Now I don't know if it's because it is the meaning of my name but I have always loved the smell of Jasmine. When I was younger we used to have Jasmine flowers wrapped around the wooden garden arch, and when the flowers bloomed I loved passing through it and sitting under it! 

So as I was testing the different perfumes available, I was having a hard time choosing a new fragrance that matched what I wanted. The scents were either too sweet with cherry undertones or far too floral (in a sticky sweet kind of way). 

I then remembered that Michael Kors had brought out fragrances and somewhere in the back of my mind I had a vague memory of one being called Glam Jasmine. At this point my arms and wrists were covered in various scents and to be quite honest all the smells had fused together so I was having a hard time differentiating the perfumes in general. I sprayed it on my shoulder and it was love at first sniff. 

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The packaging is simple and elegant in white with gold details: 

 Glam Jasmine is in a tall, glass flacon with a golden stopper that has MICHAEL KORS EST. 1981 engraved into it and a stud in each corner:

They are available in 30ml, 50ml and 100ml. Unfortunately boots didn't stock the 100ml so I got the 50ml.

Top Notes

 White florals with a hint of sparkling citrus and cassis   

Heart Notes

 Egyptian jasmine, jasmine sambac and jasmine petals

Base Notes

 A deep seductive dry-down of creamy sandalwood and cedarwood

The perfume itself has strong staying power and silage. The smell only slightly lightens after 3-4 hours.

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I have only had my bottle for 4 days and I have worn it everyday since! It's alluring, indulgent and statement-making. Anyone whom I have had contact with, and on a couple of occasions, just walked past, have complimented and asked what I was wearing. This is definitely now my staple everyday, feel good summer scent.

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Selfridges The #BeautyProject Shopping

http://www.selfridges.com/en/StaticPage/the-beauty-project#events

My favourite department store was holding an event! How could I miss it? I have an undying love for Selfridges, it's always my go to from everything from beauty - fashion - technology - home. I mean the famous windows are enough to go for!  So when I saw that it was holding an event titled "The Beauty Project" I booked a ticket, got my self ready and went eagerly to see what was happening. After collecting my ticket, I was offered complimentary selection of drinks/Pinkberry/rainbow meringues from a bunch of good looking models who were also giving out complimentary Tatty Devine bracelets. There was a DJ set and some dancers that were celebrating all definitions of beauty. These small little gestures made my shopping experience so much more fun (I mean what's not to like about shopping while eating a delicious pinkberry and having a glass of watermelon and vodka).

Needless to say I was sucked in (doesn't take a lot) and ended up buying a bunch of stuff! :) oops...

I just want to also point out that all the sales assistants in Selfridges I spoke to that day (regardless if I bought the item or not) were so helpful, kind and well knowledgeable on their products that it made my shopping experience that more relaxing and fun! 

Beauty face on:
Eyeshadow: MAC Carbon Matte
                 MAC Flashtrack
                            Coastal Scents Palette
Eyeliner: Maybelline Liner Express
Foundation: DiorSkin Nude 020
Bronzer: Chanel Les Beiges N. 50
Blusher: MaxFactor 225 Mulberry
Lips: Burberry Lip Mist Nude Peach.

Mini Shopping Haul


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DIORBLUSH CORAL CRUISE 676 £30

I had heard that Dior's blusher range had been reformulated recently and I had always wanted to go and test them out, so (naturally) I thought that this was the perfect opportunity. As I was browsing through the different shades, the sales assistant came over and asked if I needed help. Now usually I am pretty okay when it comes to choosing what I want but I was so thrown by the colour choices as they were so bright and vibrant (no suprise - the collection is called Vibrant Colour Powder Brush) that I took on her offer. I usually use a dark plum tone as a blusher so was a little lost as to try on something quite bright! The SA suggested I go for the shade 'Happy Cherry 876' as it would brighten up my face. I found that this shade was far too pink and even though I tried it on  and was told it suited me, I just wanted to wipe it off my face and stick to my dark tones! I told her that I would be more comfortable trying something that is more peachy/coral as those are the tones that suit me best. She then presented me with the shade 'Coral Cruise 676' . This colour looks very intense in the pan but when applied it is actually quite light and has a really good build up. I fell in love with this shade pretty much straight away. It has a soft silky feel to it and there isn't any of that nasty shimmer that some (most) blushers have. Instead it provides that soft healthy glow that we all yearn for! I found it surprisingly easy to blend on the face giving me that transparent natural flush! 

So here is what it looks like on me! As you can see the colour is natural and it isn't as bright as it looks like in the pan. I have been using this blush pretty much everyday and am totally in love with it because it is so easy to build up and blend! Easily one of my most favourite purchases to date!

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RMK HERBAL MIST £19

I love RMK products because they all smell so good and work well! I came across this little gem and was instantly drawn to the simplicity of the product and packaging (definitely located a place for it on my makeup table in my head) and that for me, is a great selling point! I got this face mist spray in Rose.This smells so good, the scent isn't overpowering and doesn't leave me with a headache! It has a refreshing and calming scent that is an instant pick me up. It is great to hydrate your skin with when you feel like your skin is feeling dry and it is actually amazing to spray onto make up! The Sales Assistant was a total gem and it didn't take too long for her to sell it to me (I was already 70% there). She informed me that it is formulated with extract of cucumber to tighten pores and extracts of green tea and rose to rejuvenate the skin! After her spritzing me I can honestly agree with what she said! My skin instantly started to feel a lot more refreshed. A definite must-have (especially since it's almost summer)! I am already contemplating on going to buy another one in a different scent!

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NARS RED LIZARD £18.50

I have been on the hunt for a good shade of red lipstick since forever (a girl can never really have enough lipstick)! I have a sort of love hate relationship with the colour red! It is so hard for me to find a shade that isn't too bright or too dark or too shiny or too drying. For some odd reason I never once thought to try the lipsticks offered by NARS. 

I love NARS products so am actually quite baffled with myself as to why I hadn't tried it before. I approached the Sales Assistant, told her the kind of look and shade of red I wanted and asked her to try on a few that they had! She turned around and said that she knows which one I will fall in love with straight away. And so she applied. And so I looked in the mirror. And I smiled.

 THE HUNT IS OFFICIALLY OVER! 

I cannot express my satisfaction with this lipstick enough! It is semi-matte and called Red Lizard.  The texture produces velvety, full-bodied lips. It's not drying as some matte lipsticks prove to be which is great although I do think it makes for a better application when you have exfoliated and moisturized your lips beforehand but it isn't a necessity. The colour is true to the name, it is a bold and fiesty red. The shade itself, I believe, has a blue undertone! I was told that the blue undertone actually helps brighten the skin and I can honestly tell you that it does do that! It compliments my complexion and gives me that fresh but powerful statement. I would definitely, 100% be repurchasing this lipstick in the years to come and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a good shade of red!

RED LIZARD

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and as if one wasn't enough.......

NARS BELLE DE JOUR £18.50

Like I said before, a girl can never have too much lipstick! As soon as I decided on buying Red Lizard I suddenly wanted to buy a nude lipstick (for the days I don't wear red). I told the SA that I wanted something that would just stain my lips and that would be light enough to wear once I go bronze (hopefully) in the summer, that it compliments my tan. Basically something that doesn't leave me looking as if I have concealer on my lips. She showed me Barbarella  and Belle De Jour. These two shades are sheer lipsticks and are enriched with Vitamin E to help moisturize the lips. I knew instantly out of the two which one I wanted. I tried them both on. Belle De Jour on my top lip and Barbarella on the bottom lip. Because these two are sheer lipsticks - the colour pigmentation isn't bold, it's more a translucent stain. Now there really wasn't much difference in the two shades but I knew that Barbarella would be slightly brighter as the colour has a warm orangey undertone making it more peachy than nude, whereas Belle De Jour is a sheer beige.

The application is smooth and it feels silky and moisturizing on the lips. The lipstick being sheer provides a natural stained look and the colour pigmentation is strong in regards to it being translucent. The colour itself lasts a long time on the lips and you don't need a mirror when applying this on as it is so easy to wear! 

This has definitely become my staple nude lipstick in my collection! A must - have for anyone! 

Belle de Jour

And this is how I wear Belle de Jour. As you can see it gives the lips a light stain and it looks very natural! I am seriously in love with this lipstick! It is so so easy to wear and doesn't leave your lips feeling naked!

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And here are some non-beauty related (mainly from ARTBOX in Selfridges) purchases:

Q-LIA LETTER SET: MOYA MOYA ANIMALS £4.20

&

CUTE POO PEN: £2.20

I love writing letters! Since most of my best friends have moved country/returned home, I find that this is the nicest way to keep in touch! Seeing as I absolutely adore anything remotely cute (and japanese) it's easy enough to say that when I saw this Q-Lia Letter Set: Moya Moya Animals and a Cute Poop Pen I couldn't resist! I bought them and since have written to my friends and I absolutely LOVE how adorable they look ^_^ 

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Q-LIA STICKERS: JAPANESE CAT £2.60

Ultra Kawaii <3

....and you can't really send out letters and packages without some cute foamy stickers can you? I mean it's just not done. So I got em :) 

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SUGAR HOTEL CARD CASE: MILK £1.90

Cutest oyster card holder or what?

And I really don't have any other excuse other than this was extremely cute and makes me happy :) I mean I now have a happy milk carton oyster card holder...... :) 

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HAPPY JACKSON: MINI CHEERFUL NOTEBOOKS £6.00

Since I am always lugging around a notebook in my bag - which can be inconvenient at times due to it making my handbag heavy. Sometimes, I can't even take it as it doesn't fit in my bag. So these are absolutely amazing just to be able to pop into your bag. They are mini and light! Perfect!

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and a little something free from the event :)

TATTY DEVINE CHARM BRACELET