Review | Smashbox Brown Eyes Palette

I'm taking a moment out from frantically Googling the delectable Narsissist Eyeshadow Palette to sing the praises of Smashbox's Brown Eyes Palette. I was lucky enough to receive this palette for Christmas and I'm so glad I did! I've always wanted to try Smashbox after my friend (and MUA) Natalie,  had sung the brands' praises for being of incredible quality, whilst being one of the few brands to be totally bunny friendly. 

Though my eyes are a mixture of blue and green, with a brown ring around the pupils (I'm not known for being straightforward), I feel this palette could compliment any eye colour. The pigmentation is incredible, I would say stronger than Urban Decay and Mac, and on par with Stila. 

Now I'm sure established bloggers would think me silly for this, but after I swatched the shadows on my arm I was so excited I ran through to tell my boyfriend Tomás how I was now officially a beauty blogger..! Simple pleasures!

Something I've been meaning to try for a long time has been Amelia Liana's smoky-eye Post-It Tip. I picked up these page markers from Asda for 50p (my Dad thought I was barmy when I explained why - hey ho there's no pride lost here!). Taking the line from my lower lash towards the edge of my eyebrow created the perfect guide to wing out my shadow. 

After applying my MUA Eyeshadow Primer, a product I feel is on par with the UD Primer Potion, I applied the base cream shadow first to take out any redness. I used the infamous Mac 217 Blending Brush (worth the eye-watering amount of money, though the No7 version is a mighty close second) I took the pink/brown shimmer shade from the middle of the 'Smoky Trio', and blended this from the outer corner and into the crease. To deepen this I took the darker brown and once I'd tapped off the excess (these will bleed if you don't) worked this through the crease with the same brush. Finally I took the frosted pink colour across the center of the eye to add dimension, then the base colour to soften the edges of the look once I'd removed the post-its. 

 Smashbox - If this is the quality of all of your products I feel I may have found a new love amongst the aisles of Boots. Have you tried any Smashbox products? What would you recommend I should try out next?

Lily x

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Pinteresting On A Budget - Bedroom

It's no secret that in the last couple of years interior design has been transformed by Pinterest. I spend hours upon hours pinning yet another vase of Peonies and just one more shabby chic bedset. It's an addiction for the homely sort, spending their last few pounds on fresh flowers rather than a G&T on a Friday night. Crazy eh!

But how easy really is it to achieve the 'Pinterest Look' on a genuinely shabby (anything but chic) budget? Before you grab your coat, dash to Zara Home and empty your overdraft, take a moment to find your nearest Car Boot Sale or Secondhand Store and discover some fabulous eBay sellers. 

Starting with my Filing Cabinet; it's the perfect place to store all of my jumpers & underwear whilst still allowing my boyfriend to have plenty of room for all of his bits. This was a steal at £20 from Shabitat, our local warehouse shop in Brighton, which has provided me with some of the most beautiful and unique pieces in my home. I love the way the softer touches on and around it compliment the industrial features of this piece. 

In order to fill a dressing table shaped hole in my life as my makeup collection swelled and I grew tired of a pillow on the floor, I looked to Ikea. Although many bloggers seem to have either the Malm or Henmnes, I went for the Micke Desk. This still offers the clean lines and a large drawer for storage (plus, well, a perfect backdrop for makeup photos..!). But as a desk this also comes with a cupboard to store all my skincare & hair products.

Finally lets talk about my Leirvik Bed Frame from Ikea, which I'm 99% sure every blogger and their dog rests their head on.  It is the feature of my bedroom, set off with cheap as chips ebay fairy lights this gives the perfect ambiance in the evenings. However Ikea did let themselves down on structure with this one as it is not the most stable of beds. But hey I'm a girl who will take style over substance (Sorry Paul Hollywood) any day!

So tell me what are your favourite Pinterest ideas and what are you most treasured items that you picked up on a budget?

Lily x

Winter Essentials - Tartan & Wool

Here I am easing myself in to 'Fashion blogging' with an outfit that features all of my most loved winter pieces. The boyfriend coat trend for someone who loves to pile on the giant jumpers underneath has been a godsend. This classic Black Coat was only £52 from Topshop.

My most treasured ebay-bought Edingburgh Wool Red Tartan Scarf has dictated my go to red lip this winter. It breaks up what could be a boxy silhouette and any makeup look that lets me spend an extra ten minutes in bed is a must!

The Topshop Month Boots are the easiest finish to any outfit and my Zara Monochrome Handbag has just enough room to fit my purse, keys, and powder compact. The gold chain & hardware are a nice contrast against the black coat and compliment any outfit.

I picked up this Velvet Shirt Dress from Missguided right before NYE and it worked perfectly, worn with chunky heels and a tote bag. However I'm a flats kinda gal and I have to say I prefer it dressed down, with ankle boots and Bowler Hat from Topshop.

Now I can't neglect to mention my Cream 80 Denier Tights I picked up in Primark yesterday for £2. I wanted to add another element of contrast against what could have been a very black outfit, and of course that element had to be monochrome! This may have sparked an adventure into coloured tights (my life has just got wilder), no doubt burgundy or bottle green will be my next addition!

I'm going to end this post in my most natural habitat. Choosing avocados for Mexican date night! So let me know if you've jumped on the boyfriend coat bandwagon, what are your most worn winter pieces, and maybe I'll step out of my monochrome comfort zone!

Lily x

What's On My Face

So as a means of easing myself in I'm going with a popular post theme today:
What's On My Face.

Face Make Up

Clarins Instant Smooth Self Tanning - Like most of my Clarins products, this puppy has lasted me over a year now and it's going strong. Leaving my skin with just a more 'alive' glow, all the while leaving my pores blurred. 

Clarins Instant Light Complexion Perfector - The smallest pea sized amount of pearly goodness over the face leaves, well, what can only be described as beer goggles for the skin tone!

Nars Sheer Glow - A January Blues purchase that needs no introduction. Dewy, yet also somewhat matte, medium coverage. 

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer - We're into double figures now on the repurchasing stakes. I stray occasionally but this creamy, long lasting formula will also rescue those bags and monthly chin eruption.

Nars Dolce Vita Blush - I don't hear enough about this and I just don't know why! The ultimate Autumn/Winter flush that somehow gives cheek bones simultaneously.

Brows & Eyes

Benefit Brow Zings - Genuinely I've had this longer than I care to admit and though the wax and I have fallen out of love, the powder is a gem.

Maybelline Brow Drama - I could not love the brush, colour or formula more. My caterpillar brows tamed in one sweep. 

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers - I'm lucky enough to have long eyelashes (despite my frequent fringe trimming mishaps!), but they wouldn't pack a punch without help from these expensive, but utterly worth it, gems.

Maybelline 24hr Colour Tattoo in Tough as Taupe - This matte pot gives definition on lazy days and doubles as the perfect base to other eyeshadows.

Urban Decay Naked Palette - "How do I love thee? Let me count thee ways..." In the midst of Naked 3 pandemonium, can we all take a second to just swoon. For you were the first, my last, my last, my everything and I will certainly write you a post of your own.

Rimmel Lash Accelerator Endless Mascara - Now on my 5th tube of this and though I've had moments of adoration for Benefit They're Real and Maybelline The Rocket, I can't stop coming back to this one for lengthening.

Nars Sheer Glow Deauville, Real Techniques Buffing Brush, Clarins Instant Smooth Self Tanning, Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer 01, Clarins Instand Light Complexion Perfector.

Nars Dolce Vita Blush and Real Techniques Blush Brush.

Urban Decay Naked Palette

Now if anyone wants me I'll be playing with composition of products and drooling over how pretty they all look together. 

Are you starting a blog in 2014 too? How was my first makeup post?
Let me know your thoughts & what you're hoping to achieve this year!

Lily x

The First Post

So how does one start their first blog post?

With 5 photos it seems to give you a glimpse of me. As an avid follower of countless blogs, I've always wanted to join the party. Now in 2014 I'm putting myself out there. 

Ramblings may include but are not limited too:

Makeup Musings
Secondhand Pinterest Interiors
Awkward Outfit Posts
Rabbits Rabbits Rabbits
Recipes For The 9-5'er

Watch this space kids.

Lily x