What's in my make up bag?

As you can probably guess from the title, I'm going to let you have a glimpse at what's in my make up bag at the moment. I say at the moment because I'm constantly changing make up colours or brands. I've got about three or four make up bags lying around with products I'm not using anymore, and one main bag with all my current favourites, please tell me I'm not the only one who does that! Now I'm not quite sure why I'm sharing this with you as the contents aren't very exciting at all, but hey...here we go!  

  I told you it wasn't very exciting! If anyone would love to send me some MAC please feel free...only joking (not).   I usually start my make up routine by applying some foundation. At the moment I'm using the DREAM MATTE MOUSSE by Maybelline and the colour I've got is Ivory. I'm finding it a little bit too light for me so next time I'm in town I just might pick up the next colour on their palette. One of the products not shown in the photo is my BARE MINERALS FOUNDATION which I loooooove! Reason it's not in there is because I used it all up (booo) but I will get a new one very soon! I cannot rave about this enough, It's amazing.  I use the REAL TECHNIQUES powder brush to apply it. I've also got the REAL TECHNIQUES foundation brush but haven't used it that much yet.   I've got a really old concealer by AVON. I use it to hide my dark circles. I'm on the lookout for a new one so please recommend me one if you can!   The bronzer I use is from BOURJOIS and it's actually quite an old one, I should really replace it.   On to eye shadow and I've got quite a few AVON colours in my bag. My three most used ones at the moment are TRUE COLOUR SMOKEY EYES, TRUE COLOUR MOCHA LATTE and TRUE COLOUR PINK SANDS. I don't necessarily stick to one palette, I like to mix it up a bit. Rebellious I know.   My favourite eye pencil at the moment is EXAGGERATE by RIMMEL, I've got it in Noir and it's really good, doesn't smudge and it's waterproof! Perfect for all the rainy weather we are having at the moment. I also use the MAYBELLINE MASTER SMOKEY SHADOW PENCIL in smoky grey quite often and I've also got the smoky chocolate but that one is currently living in another bag. I love that they have a smudger at the end, very handy.   I use the REAL TECHNIQUES SHADING BRUSH to apply eye shadow, such a great brush, if you are looking for a good brush I would definitely recommend this one.   My absolute favourite mascara is the AVON SUPER SHOCK MASCARA. I love love love it and buy this mascara over and over again. I recently bought the BENEFIT THEY'RE REAL MASCARA and I'm quite impressed with that one too, although I would probably wear that one on weekends or nights out as it makes my eyelashes really big and full. Hence they name I guess.   I don't wear blusher that often, apart from the winter months when I look really pale, and the one I'm using at the moment is by COLLECTION (which I think is from Superdrug?) and it's called SHIMMER SHADES, colour is blushalicious.   Last but not least...lipsticks!!! I love lipsticks but have only got two colours in my bag. I've got a lip gloss by AVON and the colour is Coral explosion and I love this colour. I wear it every day for work. On weekends I go a bit brighter and use the MAYBELLINE SUPER STAY in Ultimate blush. It's very bright and pink, probably more a summer colour but I love it. I have a few colours on my wish list, so once I buy I will show!   And there we go, that's my make up bag. Please share your make up secrets with me, any good colours or products you can recommend me...I'd love to know.  

It's been a busy few weeks

Hellooooo I'm back....it feels like ages since I've been on here and well, it doesn't only feel like ages it HAS been ages! I've just been so busy lately and I literally haven't had the time. So what has been going on? Let me show you the best way I can...with photo's!  

 My two very best friends came to visit me for a weekend and it was so nice to see them again! We all live in different towns, quite far away from each other and we meet up every few months which is always a lot of fun! This time was quite a surprise for me because although I knew Paloma was coming...I had no idea Sue was coming as well and when she jumped out in front of me I was so surprised I burst out crying!

Emily had to build a Tudor house for one of her homework projects and even though she is quite the little artist she still needed a bit of help. I'm so proud of her hard work, I think her little house looks amazing!

All that homework makes for a tired girl who sleeps with a bowl on her head! Just a funny photo I HAD to share.

I've been doing a lot of cleaning and sorting out, luckily I had Luigi and Kitty to help me out with all the housework!

Halloween outfits....the kids went to a disco at school which they absolutely loved and sadly that's about all we did this year for Halloween. The kids were a bit disappointed we didn't go trick or treating BUT we did go to a birthday party instead.

 

Two kittens. Oh, we got a new kitten by the way! His name is Milo and he's so sweet. Emily has taken it upon herself to mother him ALL THE TIME...we sometimes have to remind her he is indeed an animal.

 More homework. Dylan was learning about ancient Greece and one of his projects was to make a Greek temple. Thank God for Pinterest and easy temple making ideas! This was actually not hard to make, it just included a lot of wrapping up cereal boxes in white paper which turned out to be my contribution to the temple.

Annnd more homework, this time Dylan had to make a Greek newspaper. He really loved this task and I think he did amazing!

 

Bad quality photo I know, but a very exciting one. Emily doing her Brownies promise.

She loves going to Brownies!

My two boys relaxing! I really like this photo.

Ah...now as you can see I went shopping....and it was raining....and I caught the wrong bus so I had to walk quite far....and then the bag ripped as I was crossing a busy road!!! Paper bags and rain is a big NO NO! On the bright side, I did get some great pyjama's!

 I took the kids to the park, got to be done while the weather is still ok!

 

We went on the lift down the cliff....Emily loved it, Dylan wasn't too sure!

Onesies seem to rule our house these days!  

I had a haircut. The long hair was getting a bit to impractical for work so I had quite a bit taken off. Pleased with the result so far as it's so much easier to style in the morning.
And that is it...that's what's been keeping me so busy these past few weeks.  

Get excited for Christmas

 

    Every year when December arrives it's a mad rush to get things sorted for Christmas. Every year when December arrives I promise myself that I will be more prepared the following year. Every year when December arrives that hasn't happened. Until now. I have decided to do a weekly series on how I get ready in time for Christmas. I'm hoping this will not only encourage myself to get my bootie in gear but also others, aiming to have a more organised Christmas.   Read part 1 here Read part 2 here   10 weeks to go (Oct 16 - Oct 22)   With only 10 weeks to go it's time to start getting ideas for you Christmas menu, drinks and snacks you might want to serve. We usually have special little treats in the house all through December, you never know who might pop in unannounced and it's always nice to have goodies handy. Pinterest is a real treasure trove for finding delicious Christmas snacks. Do read the recipes as you pin as you might come across ingredients you have to order in. Here are some of my favourite finds. I'm not making these just yet, but when the time comes I'll know exactly where to find them. All these recipes are pretty straight forward so ideal for when the kids want to help out.  

Refrigerator cookie recipe What could be easier! Make these ahead of time, pop in your fridge or freezer and save time when visitors arrive.  

Triple Christmas fudge Now this one I'm extremely excited about, I looooove fudge and it's something that keeps for a couple of days so ideal.  

Nutter Butter Snowmen I made these last year and they were delicious. I had to order the nutter butter biscuits of Ebay as they don't sell them here in the UK, so plan ahead if you intend on making these.  

 Oreo truffles These are my very own Oreo truffles, I made them last year and they were a big hit! I will post the recipe for these later this week.     Another thing to do this week is keep an eye out for more stocking fillers. Pick up little games, toiletries or sweets you might want to add. It's always a good idea to check how full the stocking is getting so you know exactly how much more to buy.   Please join me again next week.

Autumn dresses

 

dress 1, dress 2, dress 3
dress 4, dress 5, dress 6

Now that the weather is changing I've been looking at updating my wardrobe a bit, so this morning I started looking for some nice dresses and well, now I've got a bit of a problem....you see, I want them all!
I've never really been one to wear dresses, but this season they seem to be calling me.
I love pairing a dress with tights and boots, throw in a cardigan and you've got endless remixing possibilities.
Now that sounds good to me!
 

Get excited for Christmas

    Every year when December arrives it's a mad rush to get things sorted for Christmas. Every year when December arrives I promise myself that I will be more prepared the following year. Every year when December arrives that hasn't happened. Until now. I have decided to do a weekly series on how I get ready in time for Christmas. I'm hoping this will not only encourage myself to get my bootie in gear but also others, aiming to have a more organised Christmas.   Read part 1 here   11 weeks to go (October 9th -15) By now you should have a good idea whom you need to buy presents for so it's the perfect time to set a precise budget and maybe start putting some money aside for this.   Have a look at your calendar and check if you will need to buy extra presents for birthdays, if so budget them in too. It's Dylan's birthday in December so we will definitely have to keep that in mind, along with planning him a birthday party.   If you are making homemade gifts or cards start getting supplies now. I love those jars filled with cookie ingredients that seem to be all over Pinterest these days, they make perfect presents for teachers or neighbours. Last year I left it until the last minute and couldn't find suitable jars. Won't happen again!   Keep a calendar handy at all times to circle in any Christmas party invites you get.   Start looking for nice cards and wrapping paper.   Buy some more stocking fillers. Last week I picked up chocolates, this week I will pick up some bath  fizzers and small bath toys.
  Planning on going to a Christmas market in Germany or France? Start looking into it and possibly make a booking. www.germany-christmas-market.org.uk is a good website for info on this.     Halloween wise it's time to stock up on sweets, check decorations, plan costumes and decide if you are throwing a Halloween party or not. If so send out invites and start browsing for exciting snacks and drinks to serve. There are some amazing ideas to be found on Pinterest.   Remember remember the 5th of November...Bonfire night! Most shops have started selling fireworks so have a look around.  

Little anecdote

Yesterday afternoon when walking back from school Emily all of a sudden pointed to a lady across the street walking her dog.  "Look mummy, that black dog has TWO tales!!" "Erm, no Emily, that's actually two black dogs."  "Oh."  

It was so funny and she was so excited to be pointing this out, it's not every day you come across a two tailed dog after all.  

Get excited for Christmas

  Every year when December arrives its a mad rush to get things sorted for Christmas. Every year when December arrives I promise myself that I will be more prepared the following year. Every year when December arrives that hasn't happened. Until now. I have decided to do a weekly series on how I get ready in time for Christmas. I'm hoping this will not only encourage myself to get my bootie in gear but also others, aiming to have a more organised Christmas.   12 weeks to go ( October 2nd - October 8th)   Send out emails to family members asking what their plans are for Christmas. Once you know it will be a lot easier to make a plans.  If you are planning on having a Christmas meal at your house, now might be the time to let guests know.   Start a presents list. Write down everyone you are buying a gift for and if you already know what you are getting them write that down too. It will make it easier to set a budget that way. My kids are forever browsing gift catalogues crossing off what they want, which makes it easy as I immediately know prices too.   Find out if family members or friends are doing a secret Santa gift exchange. If so, start organising who is in on this.  Elfster is a good website to use for this. http://www.elfster.com/   If you are planning on going out for a Christmas meal ( whether it's with family, friends or work related) now might be the time to make restaurant bookings.   Write down a quick list of who you are sending Christmas cards to this year. This will make it easier when the time comes to buy the cards.   Make travel arrangements if you are planning to go away for Christmas.   Start thinking about what you are putting in the kids stockings and pick something up for them this week, I always start with buying some chocolates.  

Santa's list template found here Completely unrelated to Christmas but something I am preparing for as well this week is Halloween. Every year we go on a costume hunt for the kids just days before, often resulting in them not really getting the costume they wanted. This week I will be finding out what or who my kids want to dress up as. Most supermarkets sell some really nice Halloween outfits and it's better to get them early, while they still have them. If not Ebay is a great source and getting these now allows for them to get here in time.   Join me next week for part 2