Sunday 29 December 2013

So Much Has Changed...

So theres no denying ive been neglecting this blog for the best part of 5 months but I am back now.

I can't even begin to think about how much has changed since I last wrote on here but I'll give you the main points.

  • I GRADUATED! - I finished Uni with my 2:1 in Music Journalism and had a nice last night out with my university friends
  • I MOVED - My Uni house in Stoke-on-Trent for the past two years was finally cleared and gutted (it was made worse by us having hangovers). We also had some shit with getting back our deposits but after lots of cleaning etc, I was finally on the move back home to Yorkshire.
  • I MOVED...AGAIN - After settling in for the best part of 2 weeks I moved away from my parents to Derby...
  • I GOT A FULL TIME JOB - Granted, its nothing to do with my degree (but how many graduates get that joy instantly) but I now work full time at a Watch Shop where I sell / fix watches. Its not glamourous but its paying the bills.
  • I GOT TO 1YEAR WITH JAMIE - Writing this now, we're actually nearly at a year and a half but I felt its worth a mention
  • I TURNED 22 - I spent the day in Nottingham with Jamie and we saw Micky Flannagan which was a pretty nice way to spent my day. 
  • WE HAD CHRISTMAS IN OUR HOME - Granted, we don't own this house (its on the cards for 2014) but its our first home together and due to me having to boxing day we spent the day here which was an amazing day. I'll post my beauty related gifts shortly :)
Theres been lots more thats happened but they're the main pointers, which i'll probably bring up in the coming months. 

I've also bought a ridiculous amount of makeup/clothes/skincare items which i need to review on here asap.

Wednesday 3 July 2013

Graduation at Topshop

Sorry for the tacky title but I couldn't think of something creative.

Weather you're graduating in a matter of days or not for a few years (lucky you!) finding the perfect graduation dress is vital. You've worked for this day for 3 or more years, why should you not treat yourself with an all new attire for the day.

I've scoured some of the best high street finds to get you an idea of some of the cutest dresses out there. I'm starting with Topshop today and will bring you the likes of River Island and Miss Selfridge tomorrow.

NOTE:  I've picked completely neutr colours to add that in keeping touch to your outfit.
al shades of dresses/shoes/bags to keep everything completely all-uni friendly. Feel free to throw in your universities

Personally, I'm opting for a bit of red in my outfit as this is the colour of Staffordshire Uni but for this post, I'm keeping everything simple (I'm not being morbid with pure black dresses)

I've also kept everything to dresses. I know this isn't to everyone tastes but I think girls in dresses at graduations look lovely and more appropriate.



1) Poppy Lace Dress by Jones and Jones - £60 - here
2) Plain Bodycon Dress - £24 - here
3) Fold Top Clutch Bag - £58 - here
4) Daisy and Bug Ring - £8.50 - here  - Seriously want this!
5) Horse Head Necklace - Was £10 Now £5 - here
6) Logic Studded Sandels (Heels) - £65 - here
7) Nails in Beacon - £6 - here
8) Maylee Dolly Shoes - £26 - here



This is such a small collection in the range of dresses to chose from.  Let me know what dresses you'd chose from the website and link me below!?

Stevie-Leigh X



Tuesday 2 July 2013

VAT Free Shopping at Debenhams

So its basically a 20% off sale on beauty and fragrance selected items at Debenhams at the moment. I've become a huge lover of the department store over the last 12 months and I'm dying to get myself at least something as some of these are a great little deal.

I've picked out a few of my favourites that I've either owned, own or really badly want!!!!





1) Benefit: The Pore-fessional. £20.42 - One of my favourite items ever. Last ages and its perfect for days when you don't have time to cover your face in foundation as a quick cover up.

2) Paco Rabanne: Lady Million - £30.42 - £50.17 - My favourite perfume had to make a cheeky appearance somewhere. I'm literally on the last few spritz of mine (and have been for quite some time) as I can't bare to let go.

3) Clinique 3-step Introduction Kit - £16.67 - Firstly, you need to know your skin type before purchasing these so I'd always advise going to a counter girl as this is always the most effective route for not spending money on something unsuitable for you. I've got the Type 2 set and minus the smell (I do plan on reviewing this) Its great at making your skin smoother and feeling fresh.

4) Jimmy Choo: Flash - £30.00 - £38.33 - I have a sample of this perfume from a goodie bag I received and its beautiful. Really tempted to pick this up whilst its on offer.

5) bareMinerals Prime Time - £17.50 - I'm a bit of a rookie when it comes to the bareMinerals range but I'm planning on making a purchase soon and as you've already seen I'm a lover of a good primer and with a large variety of primers (also in the sale) it makes it more appealing knowing one will probably suit my sensitive skin.

6) Urban Decay Smoked Palette - £29.17 - UD was one of the very first higher end product I bought about 4 years with the potion pot and I've still got it now. This kit contains 10 eye shadows, an eye pencil and a mini potion primer. Such a great deal. I've been dying to venture out on my eye colours but haven't quite found some that I love but the grey 'asphalt' shade in this is beautiful.



This is just a few of my picks but I could of carried forever. Get over to www.debenhams.com to check out the full range for yourself.

Have you got your eye on anything in the sale that I've missed?? Let me know cos no doubt I'll want to buy that too!!

Stevie-Leigh X






Topshop Sale Haul

So if you haven't noticed yet, the summer sales are well and truly under way on the high street and at a time when I can't be spending a single penny due to moving in with my boyfriend in a few weeks time and scraping together a deposit, this is killing my inner shopper.

However, I did allow myself to have a cheeky trip to Topshop - one of my favourite high street stores (and nicely getting cheaper these days - if anyone else has noticed). I find that their clothes have always been really nice fitting to my figure, despite being of the curvier variety I can always get away with buying a Size 10 which I'm not going to cry about.

I also find as a brand, the range they offer for different women is continuously getting better with the Petite section being an absolute god send to 5foot1 me.

Anyway, I got the 'pre shop' email off them and thought I'd have a cheeky look to see if I could grab myself a bargain and of course I did. I never spend more than £15-£20 on an item in the sale, purely because I love a bargain and I've got to be a little bit careful now the days of Student Finance are over.

Besides the online shop - I did pop into store (I'm a terrible person) and buy a few more bits.
 
Here's my own Topshop Summer Sale goodies....



Lipstick Case - Was: £6 Now £3 -
This one has sold out but you can buy the Glitter one here
I've been after a lipstick case for months and thought I'd have to do an antique shop run to get my hands on one but for now, I'm pretty happy I've found this one.


                                       Pink Lipstick in Bombshell - Was £9 Now: £5 - Here

I'm fairly new to pink lipsticks normally settling with the standard red shades. I've also read alot of      reviews about Topshop lipsticks - some bloggers loving them and others hating them so I think its time to have my own opinion - Review coming soon.



KAPOW Tights - Was: £8.50 Now: £4 
The BANG tights can be found here

I'm a massive sucker for novelty tights - I'll probably upload my Henry Holland collection one day. But sadly I don't have HH money at the moment so these comic book style tights are perfect for now.



Petite Studded Bralet - Was:£18 Now: £5 - Out of Stock

I couldn't resist this from the online sale for a fiver. Plus I got the last one which is always a result.



Star Bodycon Skirt - Was: £22 Now: £12 - Here
I've been after a long bodycon skirt for ages (although being so short, I can wear this as a dress). I bought it in a size 10 so its going to be my target skirt.


 Long Skull Necklace - Was: 16.50 Now: £8.25 - Bought in store

Anyone that knows me, knows I love a good skull and this is beautiful. With coloured crystalled all over it, its so so cute.


Peel Off Nails in What'Up - Was: £6 Now: £3

I bought this by accident as the sale sticker was covering the 'peel off' and there's a reason its in the sale. Its awful. I don't understand the concept unless you suffer from varnish allergies. I literally applied this and it had completely wiped off an hour later. If perhaps you cant wear nail varnish for work and worry you'll forget to remove it its ideal but if you want lasting colour, don't buy this. 


I want to know what you guys have been buying in the sale???!! This is one of my favourite times of the shopping season and I'm so curious as to what others have been buying!


Stevie-Leigh X









Tuesday 25 June 2013

Week #1

So today I found out I'll be graduating University with a 2:1 in Music Journalism and Broadcasting. Can't even explain how happy I am about this.

This is the start of each week in photos (mainly stolen off my instagram). I've spent a lot of it (6 days infact) a work trying to get in as many hours before i leave this Saturday! boo!


1) Kurt Geiger Loafers, £40, TK Maxx. 2) Being a massive girl but best present off Jamie 
3) Jeffrey Campbells, Again a present off Jamie. £50, TK Maxx 4) Being a fat cow
5) Sunny view of Hanley on my lunch 6) Cheeky work drink with friends
7) Holiday presents of my housemates 8) Pretentious M&S food in the reduced section
9) The cutest pudding ever.  

Clearly this week is surrounded by food and drink (and pretty shoes). I need to kick back into my healthy eating and lose some of this chunk for summer!

Gonna try and post as much as possible next week but my internets been cut off tomorrow as we're leaving our student house in the next few weeks but I shall be back on Sunday! Promise.

Stevie-Leigh X



Friday 21 June 2013

R.I.P Republic Haul

It seems like every company on our town and cities high streets are shutting up shop as they can no longer afford to stay open.

The stores around the country has been messing with our minds for months. One minute high street store Republic is open the next its in its last few days, then we saw it suddenly okay again, then it finally hits its demise in the last few weeks.

I happened to be in my local branch of Republic when the staff members also found out 2/3 weeks ago so I knew to keep my eyes peeled for their soon-to-be closing down sale.

After the chain went into administration in February this year, it was bought out by Sports Direct yet soon faced financial crisis just a mere few months later and announced 75% of stores were to close down.

Now, I don't know if your local store has yet to close its doors or is on its final days but my advice is get there as soon as possible.

With everything 50% off, its worth the trip weather you need new items or not. Its a great excuse to even buy the most staple fashion pieces for the same price as Primark The shop has been known to stock a variety of labels suiting most people with Crafted for the 'rockier' look, Miso for fashion and nights out attire and Soul Cal for the comfy and sporty types.

Personally, Crafted and Miso have been a few popular labels in my wardrobe over the years but like (as it seems most people) i stopped shopping there frequently a few years ago when I simply stopped finding items I loved but with 50% off in the closing down sale who was I to say no.

Heres the bits I bought with everything being half the retail price.




Back Pack (every girl needs one, however uncool they may be) - £12


Pink and White Lace Top - £8

Teeth Necklace - £3.50
Spike / Cz Earrings - £2


Wet Look Skirt (So much prettier in reality) - £10









Until I got home and looked at them, I realised I could team up the top and skirt. Not too sure weather I like it tucked in or out? Advice?? 


If you'd not yet been to your local store then I hope this is a reason too, I could of spent so much more if I'd of had the money but I think ive made some wise choices with some new staple pieces for this summers wardrobe. Has anyone bought any in the closing down sales?? Would love to see everyone else's bargains on here! 

Stevie-Leigh X





Monday 17 June 2013

Bonjour

So i've finally got round to creating this blog thing ive been on about for months. Since finishing Uni and realising my love lies in the world of beauty / fashion, I've decided to actually do something with half of that degree.

I have this constant desire to tell people about the latest beauty things ive bought, sadly this is normally my boyfriend so i think nows the time to review to my hearts content with a bit of my own life through in the mix, to make you feel a little bit better about your own.

As well as reviews I plan on setting myself life goals (weight loss/growing my nails/drinking more h2o) to either inspire or amuse you all.

so for now, i hope you all enjoy this cheeky blog and feel free to read my about me for info. :)

Stevie-Leigh X