Autumn Must haves/trends/wishlist 2015

So it is already Autumn, though it is not much of a surprise here in Ireland with the crazy weather we have been having lately, especially in the west :( 

I have recently been browsing the web, magazines and all websites possible to see what we can expect to come our way in the beauty and fashion industry, I have to say I am very excited! :D

So far in cosmetics I  am seeing plenty of what are called '90's lips', basically berry coloured lips, bronze eyeshadows rather than gold and silver, naturally flushed cheeks and an easy dramatic eye with plenty of crazy liner.

In terms of fashion, it's all about tassels, fringes, bold prints, burgundy, tan suede, denim and plenty of monochrome. It's looking like we're staying in a step back to the 60's and 70's, with a futuristic twist. The pastels have been taken away for the sale racks and burnt oranges, coppers and burgundy are creeping in. I love this time of year :D 

According to Primark, the transition to Autumn will see inspiration from 'the exotic souks of Morocco - bright tiles prints and intricate linework - while elements of traditional 70s paisley also come into play, especially when it comes to blouses and cut-out shoulder smock dresses. Despite many pieces within the collection looking minimalist and clean-cut, texture and print can still be achieved through layering with tribal printed capes and subtly fringed kimonos.'

Primark Autumn 2015

I cannot wait! 

Below are some examples of Boohoo's new collection, hello boho vibes! 

For makeup trends I have located some gorgeous new products coming soon to a shop near you! I am very excited about these :) 

First off is the maybelline color sensational creamy mattes lipstick. I am so excited to try some out, they come in 8 shades from nude to scarlet. Have to give these a try!

The Maybelline Master concealer. I have always loved Maybellines concealers and cover sticks and I hope this will be no different! 

Maybelline's Fit me Range. I wasn't able to just narrow down to one, but after the revamping of the excellent fit me range I just had to include them all! I have tried their balance stick and powder and was so upset when I ran out. With new formulas especially for dry and oily skin, they really are catering for all. There is even a questionnaire online of how to find the best fit. Get me to boots!

Next up is Catrice.

I just need a moment to appreciate these...How pretty does all of this look? And the great thing is...you could buy all of these and not be bankrupt! Just look at the rich purples and nudes. I especially cannot wait to try the foundation and deluxe eye palette. Catrice are really bang on trend this Autumn. Wait until I review some of these!

Of course I have to review this. The Urban decay long awaited naked Smoky Palette. Personally I haven't bought this yet, but I am going to as soon as I can. God bless  my sister for giving me a voucher for my birthday :D I think the colours are very similar to those in previous palettes, despite the different names. Still, I love the look of it, the gorgeous various shades in metallic and matte, Can't wait to try some gorgeous looks with this. 

In Homecare I have to say Penneys always win for me, but I like to browse Argos too :) Autumn winter is cosy season, cups of tea by the stove, slipper socks, fuzzy blankets. But it's also time for students to go back to school and college, Penneys are taking care of that :)

All items in both pictures range from 2€ to about 12€...where would you be going? :D 

Here are some of my favourites from the new homecare range :D I am so excited! Rose gold is a big trend this Autumn, perfect for a girly room. 

I hope you all enjoy my recommendations :D If you try any of the products let me know! 

Hopefully I will have some reviews soon <3

Thank you for reading!

Sandy.S

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What does Christmas mean to you?

Hello again everyone :)

Reading this you may all be wondering am I going crazy writing so many of these blogs compared to what I used to :) Well, someday I hope to make a career out of this or something similar, so I'm going to keep doing it, good practice ;)

I came across the heading of this blog on a list of blog ideas on Pinterest (my new obsession!)

and thought it was a lovely idea :) 

You might think I'm going to write something like a Leaving Cert essay but no, I'll try to keep it simple as I always do. Because we are finally in December I am going to be doing plenty of Christmas related blogs :) I hope you enjoy!X 

So what does Christmas actually mean to me? 

I can remember being really small, getting up at the crack of dawn to head to Galway, the seven of us in  the car, to get the Christmas food shopping done. We would let mam and dad go around the shops, more than likely with my older sister, as she was the one who could remind them what to get. God Forbid they should forget anything, especially the bars of Toblerone! We would wander off and get the rest of our Christmas presents, should we have forgotten them on our annual trip to Limerick (another family tradition) We would come home and unpack, load the fridge with food and do whatever needed to be done before mass :)

I can remember coming home from Christmas Eve mass, running inside to change in to my pj's, watching the news and seeing Santa in the north pole head off. Sitting in front of the TV, with a can of coke and a packet of cheese and onion tayto's in my hand, I was so excited!

We would wake up at 3 or 4 in the morning and come down to see our presents all stacked up with our names on them and eagerly wait until mam and dad got up so we could show them what we got. We'd spend Christmas day playing with them and after head to our Grandparents houses to see the massive family that we have :)

Unfortunately Christmas means something way different when you grow up, when Santa stops calling at Christmas, except to my little sister. I used to get so excited thinking about what doll I would get, would I finally get Ken or that doll house or makeup set? That along with the kids disco at school would be the most exciting thing about Christmas for me, of course the never ending sweets and biscuits too!

So what does it mean for me now?

The most exciting thing about Christmas for me now, isn't the Dinner (although Alice makes a fairly unreal turkey) or the little gifts we exchange, or the thought of seeing Santa.

It's actually the fact that for a few days my whole family are together in our house. Just messing around, laughing at gifts, or dvd's we got as presents, eating crap food and having endless cups of tea. We even have the Christmas crackers and wear the crepe hats! It's the best thing about Christmas, and because we're all nearly grown up we won't have many left with our parents. I'm not saying we won't ever see them at christmas but we'll have our own families to get excited with. This is something that should be cherished when we're young but of course we're too busy thinking about the PS4 game or Xbox to think about who is around us.  

Of course you also get to see the many friends that have been working or in college and go out and catch up. Maybe do the twelve pubs or go out for Stephen's day. You can celebrate another year with your partner or your first Christmas together. I know myself personally I can't wait to celebrate my 3rd Christmas with my boyfriend and hopefully it will be the 3rd of many to come :) 

Christmas nowadays, to me, is more about seeing people I love or that I haven't in ages and thinking about those we have lost that were there the year or so before. 

So what does Christmas mean to you? 

Just remember to think about your family this year, because after all it's not what is under the tree that counts, it is those sitting around it with you :) 

Hope you enjoy :) :)

Sandy.S

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Makeup Tip Monday !!

Hey everyone!

So seen as Monday is a dull. dreary day for everyone, I've decided to do some makeup tips every monday(hence the header above :p)

Now they are going to be purely simple :) but something you might not have known before and might help you turn you're daily look around completely! :D 

Today's tip is going to be about White eyeliner :D something so small, handy and affordable that can change your look around :) 

I like to use the Catrice brand :)

You might think what can white eye liner do for me? Well, fortunately a number of things :D!

Did you know white eyeliner can make your eyes look way bigger? Most people think black eyeliner all the way...which is OK if you're already blessed with big eyes, but unfortunately it can just make small eyes look smaller. So if you are in the latter group I suggest go to your local beauty store and pick up one of these, and line your water line with white or even a peach colored liner. If you really don't want to stay away from black, just line underneath the lower lashes for some extra definition :) 

So you've just got plucked your eyebrows or gotten them plucked professionally, but not happy with your arch? Line underneath the eyebrow with the white eyeliner and blend in, I do this after I have my eyeshadow done :) 

Also, if you've just bought a really pretty vibrant eyeshadow but it's not coming out as well as you hoped? cover the lid with the white eyeliner and use it as a base, then apply your shadow :) 

I also like to use it for contouring, by lining underneath the cheekbone and where I have used bronzer as it makes it stand out that bit more :) 

These are just some of the ways in which you can use white liner :D have any tips yourself? Please share :) every day is a learning experience!

Thanks for reading :)

Sandy.S

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Beating the Blues this Christmas :) Mental Health

Hi Guys ! :) So I know my blogs have lately been very topical :D but I like a bit of variety ;) I find it hard to think of things to write this time of year apart from the generic Christmas tags, candle reviews and makeup, so I decided on one to beat the blues. Because let's face it, it is just as upsetting as it is exciting this time of year! 

For myself personally, November is a very upsetting, dull month as I have a few Anniversaries etc to go to and that only brings back memories. I find it very similar to January really, but I try to fill it with fun things to do to make it pass quicker, for example, myself and the boyfriend went to Manchester last week and it was a nice diversion :)  I know a lot of people might adore this month for birthdays or whatever, but I for one hate it :)As well as November, December might be a month not many love, because of losses, money worries and personal issues. But don't worry as you are not the only one :) As a person who suffers from anxiety and depression, I am going to try and give you some helpful tips to help get get you through the season.

I know the weather is not perfect but try to get regular exercise if at all possible, just make yourself a random playlist and start walking/jogging/sprinting, whatever it is you like to do :) I find walking in fresh air to be the best cure when I am at all down! I go for a long walk, as long as possible and it really clears the mind :)

I know it sounds so so cheesy, but try to focus on the beautiful season that is Winter!! You might not think you have much to smile about, but have a look outside at the aftermath of a storm, with all the streams fuller etc, the robins flying around, the frosty evenings, the foggy mornings, I really think that when you start to look at the beautiful country or world we live in and appreciate nature, you will start to appreciate life that bit more :) There is nothing like being outside when snow falls, no matter what age you are and catching a few flakes :) 

Relive your youth! I don't mean start drinking out of a sippy cup or anything like that :P Sstart watching Disney movies, get out your old play station and have a game of crash bandicoot, tuck into a few selection boxes...I know we can't go back in the past but we can do something that made us smile back then and hopefully it will still make you smile now :) I know for me, I love to watch Disney movies coming up to Christmas, have a cup of tea and maybe some celebrations (malteser ones for the win!) and then break out Spyro or crash bandicoot on the PSP or PS2 :D It reminds me of being young and carefree again! :P

Be with Family and friends :) I feel like this is a very important part of the season and what christmas is all about :) In my family we usually go visit our relatives on Christmas day, it's what we've done for as long as can be remembered :) I think it's important because you never know if everyone will still be together the following Christmas! On St Stephen's day I usually go out with friends in town :) It's really important to see those you love at Christmas. If you are feeling the loss of a loved one, remember them fondly but would they really want you to be stuck inside with a bottle of wine and surrounded by Celebration's wrappers??? They would want you to be out, enjoying yourself and remembering them happily, not in a drunken stupor. 

Make a playlist of happy songs, a completely fresh playlist, not with songs that remind you of your ex or that person you miss, maybe some christmas songs or Disney songs? I personally love Shakin' Stevens snow is falling :) Listen to this while driving to work, going for that walk or even cleaning about :) 

Some of these may or may not help you, but as a personal victim I feel that they help me and will hopefully help others :) Of Course I understand everyone is completely different, but do what makes you feel happy most of all and don't worry about what others think or do, or how other people heal, just do what feels right for you :) 

I hope this helps <3 

Thanks as ever,

Sandy.S

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Review Time :)

Hello Again :) I had a shower this morning and upon using  my shampoo I decided, why not, I'll do a review :D

So for this blog I shall simply be reviewing The Garnier Ultimate Blends Shampoo range, because I am in love :)

I have only used the shampoo and conditioner of the range so far, but hear great things about the oil, treatment and dry shampoo :)

This morning I used that exact bottle of shampoo and my hair is so soft and easy to brush after! I have been comparing this to the Herbal essences brand and I would vote this one, hands down :) 

It smells amazing and as you can see from above it is made with argan and camelia oils, both are known treatments for hair :) 

So the next time you're in Penney's and spot a bottle, don't hesitate to give them a try, there are a few in the range worth trying out :) 

Thanks for reading!!

Sandy.S

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New Video! Sale haul, gifts and boots haul :)

Hey guys!! 

So I'm back with this videoooo :) It's a sale haul, some gifts I got for Christmas and a haul from Boots :)  Just clich on the link below to view :) 

Presents, small haul :)

Hope you enjoy!!! :) 

Happy New Year !!!

Thanks as always :) 

Sandy.S 

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Winter Tag!!

Hey Guys!! Sorry it's been a while, I moved house and everything with my boyfriend so I'm all over the place basically :( 

I just said seen as we're nearly at Christmas ( YAAAY) I'll do a Winter Tag :) Also because I have moved house I might not be able to do videos for a while yet :D 

So here goes :) 

Happy Christmas!! 

 Top 2 Winter Beauty Essentials

I have to say Nivea Cold Creme because my skin is so dry :( And definitely my Body Shop Shea butter lip balm, it's amazing and badly needed for the dry crisp weather :)  

 Top 2 Winter Fashion Essentials

My owl hat from Penneys( Primark) that I bought last year and my Black gloves, also from Penneys ( I live there!) I got a pair of two for €1.50, where would you be going wrong? 

 What shoes do you tend to wear the most in the winter?

I would say Uggs :) and fluffy socks, they are amazingly comfy, I secretly wear them with my pajamas too :/

 Favorite Winter Accessory

My owl Pocket Warmer that I got as a gift :D it's SOOOO cute!!! and actually works too!

 Favorite Winter Nail Polish

I got a gold metallic varnish from NYC which my little sister stole :( but it was amazing! It looked silver in the light but was actually gold.

 Hot Cocoa or Apple Cider?

Hot Cocoa :) defenitely with cream and marshmallows.

Favorite Winter Candle?

The Vanilla Tea lights from Tesco are so nice, I love the smell of the smoke from those candles :) I think they were only about 2.50 for 29 !

 Snowboarding or Skiing?

Oh lord neither, but I can remember being really young, filling a bag of cattle feed with straw or hay and sitting on them sliding down a hill :) ( I live on a farm :P)

Have you ever gone Ice Skating? Are you any good or do you FAIL miserably?.

Nope haha I have SUCH bad balance :/

 Does it snow where you live?.

Sometimes, but I live in the middle of a valley and it snows up to twenty feet on the tops of the mountains! 

 Have you ever made a snowman?

Yes of course, I can remember making a girl snowman when I was really small and putting a really old pink t-shirt around it and the snow turned pink ! 

What holiday do you celebrate?

Christmas, St Stephen's Day and New Years :)

 Favorite Christmas/Holiday song?

Probably Snow is Falling by Shakin' Stevens, such a feel good song :)

 Favorite Christmas/Holiday movie?

Probably Love Actually or Gone With the Wind always comes on, but you can't beat Home Alone :)

 What is your favorite winter treat? (candy cane, gingerbread, etc…)

Probably the selection boxes :P I love the galaxy box, or maltesers from the Celebrations Tin :D

 If you were to ask Santa for one thing and you were guaranteed to get it, what would it be? 

Probably a good job, I know that sounds so pitiful but it's all I want at the moment :( If I had to say an object or thing probably a Laptop :)

 Do you have anything fun planned for this winter

I am going to Lanzarote in two weeks and I am so excited to have a tan for all the Parties! :P 

Ok guys, thats it!! Feel free to do this tag yourself :D 

Enjoy!! If i don't write soon, Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year to every one of my readers and followers :) 

Lots of Love!x

Sandy. S

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