Monday 16 November 2015

The Clothes Show Live Birmingham NEC 2015 - TICKET GIVEAWAY

 
 
 
Hi Everyone!
 
Seems like I've been away a lifetime! My blog domain ran out and I've had a nightmare trying to renew it!
 
Anyway, enough about that! I'm back with an exciting giveaway. The Clothes Show live is coming to Birmingham's NEC from 4th - 8th December 2015 and I have two tickets to give away for Saturday 5th December!
 
To be in with a chance of winning all you have to do is comment below and say why you think you deserve to win the tickets. A winner will be picked at random on Monday 23rd November at 5pm and will be notified immediately.
 
This competition is running over all my social medias so to be in with an extra chance of winning add me to Twitter and Instagram. My handle on both is helfkndoes
 
Hope you're all well and thank you for your continued viewing and reading of my blog!
 
GOOD LUCK!
 


Sunday 16 August 2015

Sephora Beauty Wishlist

 
 
Hi Everyone,
 
I thought I'd do a wish list for one of my favourite stores Sephora. I love Sephora because it sells some brand that we can't get in the UK. So it's great that I can go onto the website and get all the brands that are hard to get my hands on here in the UK at the click of a button.
 
The above is a mixture of brands that are both available and not available in the UK that I will be buying in the near future. The website is so easy to use and it's easy to find all the items you need!
 
I find Sephora to be affordable and to have great discounts. I also find that shipping isn't too expensive and it doesn't take too long to make it to the UK. Unfortunately the UK doesn't have Sephora store yet. Our nearest one is in France. Hopefully one will open here in the not so distant future!
 
What are your Sephora Wish List must haves?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Saturday 8 August 2015

60 Forgotten Pop Gems

 
Hi Everyone
If you know me personally or follow me on Twitter etc, you'll know that a lot of my back ground was to do with pop music and travelling the world for it. So i thought I'd do a quick post of 50 pop gems that are great songs but may have been forgotten about! Enjoy!
 
1. Disaster - Jojo
2. Guess I Was A Fool - Another Level
3. Walk Of Life - Billie Piper
4. Stuck - Stacie Orrico
5. Naked - Louise
6. Where Do You Go - No Mercy
7. Flava - Peter Andre
8. Dayz Like That - Fierce
9. I Quit - Hepburn
10. Ghetto Romance - Damage
11. Candy - Mandy Moore
12. I Think I'm In Love With You - Jessica Simpson
13. Liquid Dreams - OTown
14. Gotta Tell You - Samantha Mumba
15. Boom Boom Boom Boom - Vengaboys
16. Turn Back Time - Aqua
17. Rewind - Precious
18. No More - 3LW
19. Together Again - Janet Jackson
20. Boy You Knock Me Out - Tatyana Ali
21. AM To PM - Christina Milian
22. Sittin' Up In My Room - Brandy
23. Take Me There - Blackstreet Feat Mya
24. How Deep Is Your Love - Dru Hill
25. Ride For You - Danity Kane
26. I Do - Blaque Ivory
27. Where My Girls At - 702
28. Tell Me What You Want - Total
29. Lala - Ashlee Simpson
30. So Yesterday - Hilary Duff
31. See You Again - Miley Cyrus
32. Say Ya Do - Ultra
33. Get Down - Backstreet Boys
34. Perfect Gentleman - Wyclef Jean
35. Case Of The Ex - Mya
36. I Need You - 3T
37. Westside - TQ
38. Absolutely Everybody - Vanessa Amarosi
39. You - Point Break
40. Truth Hurts - Addictive
41. Free - Ultra Nate
42. One On One - Robert Miles
43. Your Woman - White Town
44. Alright - Supergrass
45. One Day In Your Life - Anastacia
46. Got Me Going - Day 26
47. Don't Think I'm Not - Kandi
48. Wrong Impression - Natalie Imbruglia
49. You're The One I Love - Shola Ama
50. Return Of The Mack - Mark Morrison
51. Upside Down - A Teens
52. Summer Of Love - Steps
53. Sitting Down Here - Lene Marlin
54. Here Comes The Hotstepper - Ine Kimoze
55. Download It - Clea
56. Good Enough - Dodgy 
57. Ooh Stick You - Daphne And Celeste
58. Thunder - East 17
59. Love You Like Mad - VS
60. Girls On Top - Girl Thing
 
You may know some of them, some of them you may not! Download if not as they're all quality pop tunes!
 
What's your favourite forgotten pop song?
 
 


Monday 3 August 2015

Long Haul Flight Essentials



2. Converse Duffle Bag £25.00
6. Cat Eye Mask (In Primark Stores from 18/08/15) £1.80
9. 5 Pack of Socks  £5.00
10. Hooded Cat Blanket and Neck Pillow £20.00

Hi Everyone!

I thought I'd do a post on what I'd take on a long haul flight. For me, it's all about staying warm! For some reason I tend to get really cold on flights. So I tend to pack things in my hand luggage that will keep me warm like a sweatshirt, socks and a light t shirt etc. I find taking a large holdall bag essential and I find them better than taking a carry on case.

For my skin I don't really wear make up on the plane as it completely dries my skin out. I always take some cleansing wipes for my travels and a good lip balm! Always stay hydrated on a flight. I would have put a litre bottle of water on here but I don't want to confuse people as you're not allowed to take liquids over 100ml through security. So you'd have to buy your liquids once you've cleared.

Headphones are a must when on any flight. If you don't take any and you want to watch films etc on the in flight entertainment system you will have to buy some really flimsy in ear ones from the airline so it's always better to take your own.

Reading materials are always good now, a good book or magazine can kill time on a long haul flight and before you know it you'll be at your destination. If you're on a day flight or night flight and you're wanting to sleep I find an eye mask can be really helpful especially if anyone around you has their over head reading light on.

If you're like me and you can't get very comfy sleeping upright take a neck pillow. These for people who are not awkward sleepers are a dream come true!

What are your flight essentials??

 


Friday 31 July 2015

July Favourites

2. Benefit CORALista £23.50
7. Glee Season Six
9. Apple Music
Wow, July went really fast. Hope you've all had a great month! The above is my current favourites for July! It's been a really good month for me. I especially love the maxi dress I purchased from Boohoo and have had a lot of wear out of it! Just hoping the summer weather keeps up for a little while longer!

As everyone knows I'm a huge Disney fan and after completing all 52 Disney classics DVDs with limited edition covers, I'm thrilled that they've brought out covers for the Disney Pixar range too!

What have been your favourites this month!?


Wednesday 29 July 2015

20 TV Shows that you should start watching.

 
Hi everyone. Thought i'd do a post about my favourite tv shows from over the years that everyone should download or start watching, Especially as before we know it we will be in Autumn! If there are any shows you think I should get into please let me know!
 
 
1. Glee
2. Sex And The City
3. Saved By The Bell
4. Orange Is The New Black
5. Pretty Little Liars
6. Nashville
7. Empire
8. Keeping Up With The Kardashians
9. The Vicar Of Dibley
10. Hells Kitchen USA
11. Once Upon A Time
12. Smash
13. Catfish
14. X Factor
15. The Office
16. Family Guy

17. Impractical Jokers
18. Americas Next Top Model
19. Ru Pauls Drag Race
20. Real Housewives Of Atlanta
 
So there you go...... my favourite shows! Please let me know if there is anything I'm missing out on!
 
 
 

Tuesday 21 July 2015

Dream Spa Bathroom

 
 
Hi everyone!
 
As we all know I'm majorly into my beauty and pampering myself almost on a daily basis. I thought I'd do a bit of a different post together after being inspired by UK Bathrooms and looking on Pintrest and a couple of other websites about my dream spa bathroom, should money be of no object.
 
 
One thing I've always wanted for my dream bathroom is a room with a view and a huge big bath tub to enjoy it in. I think it would totally relax me and a nice big bath tub is always amazing isn't it?
 
 
I'm a huge fan of giant mirrors in a bathroom, Especially when places over a lovely vanity / sink area. It really makes the room feel like a bigger space.
 
 
No dream bathroom would be complete without a walk in power shower unit. For me, I'm much more of a shower person than a bath person. I find I relax way more in a shower that I do in a bath. That may sound ridiculous to some but each to their own. The picture above of the shower unit is the perfect set up for me. I love how the tiling on the wall has the areas to store any bathroom products!
 
 
As a girl, I love my own sink so a double vessel sink would be ideal for me and my fiancé Chris for our morning routines. I think this can really make a bathroom look a smarter and stylish!
 
What would be in your dream spa bathroom?? Have a look on UK Bathrooms website for some inspiration!
 
 
 
 
 
 


Monday 20 July 2015

Disney Wish List


 
Hi Everyone!
 
As you maybe aware as well as my love of fashion and beauty i am also a HUGE Disney lover! I've been wanting to do Disney related post for a while now and have compiled my wish list of Disney products that i am loving at the moment!
 
I've included in the above my favourite soft toys, clothing items and other items that I will be purchasing over the next few weeks.
 
I got engaged in on Disney property in Orlando in 2014 to my wonderful Fiancé Chris and shall be marrying him there in June 2017.
 
What Disney products are you liking at the moment??
 


Wednesday 8 July 2015

June Favourites

 
 
5. Love Island
10. Beige Nike Blazers £69.99


Hi Everyone!!
 
As you've probably noticed i took a month out from my blog but now i am back up and running again! It's been a great month June, I had my birthday, the sun was shining and I've had a great time! Finally looks to be the start of summer!
 
The above are the things that I've been using, listening, wearing and watching this month! My particular favourite this month has been Love Island on ITV2. Literally obsessed with this programme! Love all the shock twists they keep throwing in! I LOVE Lauren! Hope she finds the man she wants!
 
I've also been loving the Afterglow Light Bronzer by Barry M. This has made my skin look so bronzed and radiant! I love how big the product is too! You can really get the right amount of product on your bronzing brush!
 
What have been you're favourite things in June?!
 
 


Tuesday 7 July 2015

Blog Chats

I don't know about anyone else but i find it so hard to keep up with all the various blogger hash tags on Twitter. I've compiled a small list of the ones i know about so everyone can keep up with the latest blogger discussions!
 
 
Monday
7pm
Bloggers Do It Better #bdib
8pm
Fashion Bloggers #Fbloggers


Tuesday
7pm
Ask a blogger chat #askablogger
8pm
Fashion, Beauty, Lifestyle Chat #Fblchat
9pm
Blog hour #bloghour

Wednesday
7pm
Lifestyle bloggers #lbloggers
7.30pm
Career Blog Chat #careerblogchat
8pm
Beauty Bloggers #bbloggers

Thursday
7pm
Crazy Bloggers #crazybloggers
Fitness Chat #Fitchat
8pm
Fashion Bloggers #fbloggers
Food Bloggers #fdbloggers


Friday
7pm
Gorgeous Bloggers #gbloggers
8pm
Bloggers Do It Better #bdib

Saturday
6pm
Social Bloggers #SocialBloggers

Sunday
5pm
Pick a blogger chat #PABchat
7pm
Lifestyle Bloggers #lbloggers
8pm
Beauty Bloggers #bbloggers
9pm
Parent Bloggers #Pbloggers
 
Hope this helps everyone to keep up with all the chats! See you there!
 


Friday 29 May 2015

May Favourites





 
Wow how quick has May flown by?? I can't believe we are nearly halfway through the year already! Only seems like yesterday it was Christmas! The above are my favourite things both beauty and non beauty that I have loved this past month!
 
As everyone knows, I am a HUGE fan of anything Disney! When they brought out this Tsum Tsum collection I was so excited. Tsum Tsum is the Japanese verb for 'To Stack' which is exactly what the Tsum Tsum's do. They come in various sizes with the small ones retailing at a bargain £3.00. Clinton cards stock these as well as the Disney Store and they have limited edition Tsum Tsums available too!
 
I've been watching You Tubers for a good while now and one thing I kept noticing was a lot of them kept praising the Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer. I tried it at the end of March and have religiously used it ever since. It really freshens up under my eyes for days when they look a bit dull and it highlights that area really nicely for my skin tone!
 
I've really been loving face masks recently. Both muds and peel offs and these by 7th Heaven are amazingness in a packet. At £1.00 you really can't go wrong. My skin always feels incredible after one of these on my face. I try and use one every 5-7 days to awaken my skin and get rid of any dead skin cells and impurities.
 
Taylor Swift can do no wrong in my eyes. She's incredible. I loved her at the height of her country music fame and now she's crossed over to a more pop vibe I still love her just as much. This album is incredible and has been played non stop since it came out. If you don't already have it I suggest you buy it as it's amazing!! All the songs are really good and you don't skip any songs! Its on offer at Tesco at the moment for £7.00
 
I was lucky enough to be gifted this Sculpting Set by Real Techniques and I absolutely love it. It comes with a Sculpting Brush, a Fan Brush and a Setting Brush. I'd been after a decent Setting and Fan brush for ages and these really fit the bill. I love the fact that they're pink also. Who doesn't love pink? The brushes feel so soft on the skin.
 
I'd been using the Nars Multiple in Laguna for quite some time and fancied a bit of a lighter highlight so bought the Nars Multiple in Copacabana. I absolutely love the highlight that this gives my cheek bones. The Laguna gave more of a bronze highlight where as this one gives such a lovely glow & highlight to the skin. I'd definitely recommend this product for highlight and shimmer.
 
I have used the Rimmel Scandal Eyes Retro Glam Mascara for a few years now and I still absolutely love it. It gives my lashes loads of volume and really separates each lash really nicely. It really helps to open my eye up and doesn't go clumpy.
 
There you have it! My May Favourites! What's been your favourites this May?
 
 
 




Sunday 24 May 2015

20 albums that changed me

 
Hi everyone!
 
Bit of a different post from me today, albeit because I love these sorts of posts from other bloggers as it means you're kind of getting to know the person behind the blog. So from that I decided to post about 20 albums that have changed me or helped me as a person, or just had a great impact on my life and can transport me back to some of the best times of my life!
 
1. Spice - Spice Girls
For me, this album had a HUGE impact on my life. As a teenager I was picked on a bit for having not developed any boobs (Who's laughing now eh?) and this was around the time the Spice Girls came onto the scene. I was, and still am, one of the biggest Spice Girls fans ever. To me, the Spice Girls weren't just a girl band to me. They literally were like my mentors. They taught me about believing in myself, self respect, morals and not caring about what others thought of you. Which is still what I live by to this very day. This album has so much to do with my life I will always be thankful to the Spice Girls for that.
 
2. 5ive - 5ive
If you're reading this and you have known me since school you will know that I worshipped the ground Scott from 5ive walked on and at one point thought I was going to marry him! (Oh to be young again!) When this album was released on June 22nd 1998 (yes I still remember the date) I dragged my mum into town after school so I could buy it. I couldn't wait. I had to have the album on release day. Back then if you were a fan release day was always huge! This album was on repeat at my house for over 5 years. I can still recite all the words and i'll always love this album.
 
3.  Backstreet Boys - Backstreet Boys
You'll see a bit of theme going here with these albums, mostly boy and girl bands, but this album was a brilliant first album for a boy band. I eagerly awaited this album as Backstreet Boys had been around a while in the UK by the time this album came out. We Got It Goin' on was released and didn't get a good chart position and was later re released from this album so at one point I didn't know if the UK would like the Backstreet Boys. At the time they were huge in Germany and I was desperate for the rest of the UK to catch on! Luckily they did. I have always preferred them to Nsync.
 
4. Now 28
Now you may think a compilation album is a bit of random choice but every holiday this was my album of choice for car trips. It still is. I went into That's Entertainment a couple of years ago to re buy the CD as mine was rather worn out. I'd say out of every album I've ever listened to this is my most played. This is mostly due to the memories that come with it.
 
5. Urban Hymns - The Verve
When I was going through my boy band phase I never really appreciated how good The Verve were. I always liked their songs but it's only since I grew up a bit I appreciated them as a band. This album is brilliant. Sonnet will always be one of my favourite songs. If you haven't bought this album I suggest you do!
 
6. The Immaculate Collection - Madonna
This album will always remind me of me and my sister growing up. I've got such happy memories of this album. On girly holidays Holiday was always blaring out the cd player. Me and Claire have always loved Madonna and this album is FULL of amazing songs from start to finish. For me, this album is when Madonna was at her absolute best.
 
7. Bad - Michael Jackson
This album speaks for itself. One of the greatest, if not the greatest album of all time.
 
8. Music Box - Mariah Carey
I credit this album as the one that got me heavily into music. Especially vocals. Mariah is a musical genius. Her range on this album is second to non. I also remember playing Without You on repeat and crying about my first boyfriend at secondary school.
 
9. What's The Story, Morning Glory - Oasis
 Around the time this came out there was a massive Britpop divide sweeping the UK. You were either a fan of Blur or you were an Oasis fan. Although I do like Blur, it was Oasis for me. This album is pure genius. One of the best British albums that has ever been released in my opinion!
 
10. Greatest Hits - Take That
If you're a boy band fan you surely have to own this album by one of the biggest brutish boy bands ever?? This album takes me back to when I was growing up. Take That we're starting to get big when I was around 9-10years old. Just as I was getting into boy bands properly around the ages of 12-13 they split up. This album for the songs alone is a staple that you can always turn to for a sing along.
 
11. Coast To Coast - Westlife
This is probably the most poignant album of them all for me. I have SO many memories attached with his album. I spent my whole teenage years doing every Westlife tour. By doing every tour I mean by travelling to every date and staying in the hotels with the bands/support acts. Some of the best times of my life I associate with this album. Funniest thing about it is that Westlife weren't my favourite boy band, I just went for the experience.
 
12.  Baby One More Time - Britney Spears
This reminds me of my college days. I always remember sitting in the common room and the lads were all surrounding the TV we had in there whenever the Baby One More Time video came on MTV or The Box. Everyone loved Britney Spears she was literally who every girl wanted to be and who every lad wanted to be with. This album is full of hits and was a great debut album.
 
13. Gold - Abba
I have always loved Abba since I was a child and this is a compilation of all their hits and I love just putting this album on and singing away without a care.
 
14. 8701 - Usher
I can't begin to tell you how much I LOVE this album. For me, by far the best album Usher has ever done. This album is in my all time top 3 albums. So many tunes on this album. If you've never listened to it get downloading it on ITunes you won't be disappointed!
 
15. Solid HarmoniE - Solid HarmoniE
I can guarantee hardly any of you will know who this band is but in my teenage years, aside from the Spice Girls I loved this band! Coincidently, Mariama went on to become a member of The Honeyz. I thought these girls were so cool and I wanted to be Melissa the lead singer! I loved their voices and remember being gutted that they weren't a massive success. They were managed at the time by the same people who managed the Backstreet Boys and NSync so were destined for big things. In the UK they had minor success with 4 singles. Still love them to this day!
 
16. The Legacy - Boyz II Men
For vocals alone this album is incredible! That's all I need to say!
 
17. Salute - Little Mix
The most recent of all the albums listed but an absolute pop classic of an album. We haven't had a great girl band around in ages and for me Little Mix fill the void. I went to see them last year and loved them. This album is great from start to finish!
 
18. Rumours - Fleetwood Mac
This album is so epic that many amazing artists have covered songs from it. This album literally tells a story and was written about the band staying together when they were falling apart.
 
19. Some Hearts - Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood is my favourite female singer. This was her first album and really reignited my love for country music. I was lucky enough to see her in 2013 at the Royal Albert Hall in London and she didn't disappoint!
 
20. Breakaway - Kelly Clarkson
This album reminds me of a time when I spent a lot of my spare time in London. I had this album on repeat for around 10 months in total and always put it on my iPod a long journey as its full of great pop songs.
 
On a footnote to the 20 above there are 2 more albums that I actually forgot to include so I've done that below.
 
 
 21. Born To Do It - Craig David
This is the greatest debut album of all time. If you've never listened to it educate yourself. So talented. I thoroughly enjoy this album.
 
22. Greatest Hits - Eternal
The only girl band the UK has ever had that could come close to Destiny's Child or any of the big US girl groups. Amazing songs!!
 
So there you have it. Sorry for the long winded post!
 
What are your favourite albums??
 
 


Saturday 23 May 2015

Make Up Palettes

 
 
 
Hi Everyone!
Everyone loves a make up palette don't they? Lately I've become obsessed with palettes more than singular items of make up. I just find them a lot more value for money and I love the wide variety of colours available in palette that I may not have put together myself!
 
The above is a selection of palettes that I absolutely love. The prices range from £6 to $79.00 so there is a selection in there to cover every budget. I also find some of the lower prices palettes are more long wearing and pigmented than some of the more expensive ones!
 
I'm really loving  blush palettes at the moment and the one from Morphe which I've shown here is one of my absolute favourites!
 
Which are your favourite make up palettes??
 
 
 
 
 
 


Monday 18 May 2015

H&M Homeware

2. Paper Napkins £1.99
3. Dishcloth £1.99
4. Curtain £19.99
5. Decorative Letters £7.99
7. Plastic Pitcher £6.99
8. Storage Box £3.99
9. Round Mirror £6.99
10. Glass Bird Candlestick £7.99 Each


Since owning my own home I have been a complete homeware geek. I'm not afraid to admit this! I love nothing more that making my home look very girly and modern. Recently i was really pleased to hear that H&M now have a homeware section in selected stores over the country!
The above is a selection of items that i absolutely love from the homeware section. I love florals and quite pastel colours in my home and H&M didn't disappoint! All of the items are really reasonably priced!
I absolutely love the floral cushion cover above as well as the tulle curtain and floral storage box. All of which go perfectly in my home. Overall I am so impressed with the items available from H&M and can't wait to shop in this range again soon!
Do you have a H&M near you that sells homeware?


Sunday 17 May 2015

IMats London Make Up Wishlist

 
 
 
 
 
In July I'm due to attend Imats London with some friends. It will be my first Imats and i cannot wait! Imats is a International Make Up Artist Trade Show. Imats have events in over 6 countries. The event is for Pro make up artists and budding make up artists to visit and buy new products and engage in the goings on in the make up community.

I can't wait to feel inspired by all the new make up looks that we will see and picking up tips from the pro MUA'S. I'm also looking forward to picking up a few bits from brand that aren't necessarily that widely available in the UK.

Lots of bloggers I know have been to Imats in previous years so when the opportunity arose to attend this years event I obviously jumped at the chance. I shall be attending with my twin sister and also my best friend who is a hair and make up artist for GHD.

The above is what I am planning to buy whilst I'm at the event. I really want to get more make up pieces into my kit and these have been the items I've had my eye on for a while.

Have you been to Imats and will you be attending this year?