I've Been a Little Distracted and This is Why

The past two weeks have been a bit of a whirlwind, I found out that after a year of trying that I am pregnant with my first child. At the time I thought I was only a few weeks and it wasn't until I went to the doctors that I had an even bigger shock - I was already 11 weeks gone!

I informed my now stunned husband as well as both set of parents and other family. I know have a small set of knitters knitting away for December 3rd (at the moment this is roughly when I'm due but I need to wait to get scanned and meet my midwife).

I have had awful morning sickness for the past few days which not only meant I couldn't work but I have had no energy to do anything but sleep, rest I've been told is good. It's all very surreal at the moment thinking that floating about inside me is a little embryo.

Normal service will resume over the next few days as I get back into the swing of things again. Thank you to everyone for crashing my Twitter app the other night with best wishes, it really did mean a lot that everyone is really supportive and a little tear was shed (I'm blaming the hormones, honestly).

Spending Ban - Week 1

I am starting this by stating I have money (Read last weeks here), this was because the morning of the ban the ATM decided to crash and thus take my card with it. My new card has arrived today, with pay day being tomorrow, there will be no pay day treats as the ban continues.

As yet there have been no new beauty purchases, I'm going to modify one of the rules and that is the walking home rule - this is because of health reasons as I cannot handle the huge hill with my knee. I have carried on walking to work the days I have not had a lift from husband.

At the moment it hasn't bothered me that much, I've managed to take a lunch with me or buy one for around a pound so it doesn't hinder me too much. This weekend is birthday present buying for my brother's girlfriend birthday, so I looking forward to shopping even if is for a present. We are also painting our house ready for the estate agents to give us estimates, so we can finally sell it and finally move on from a huge financial burden.

I hope everyone is coping well and not giving into temptation.

NOTD: & Other Stories Blue Twill

I am a little bit smitten with & Other Stories, the store is crisp white and clear, the clothes are beautiful but feel they won't fit my fuller frame. It was the beauty area that I spent the most time in, clearly laid out, their own range of cosmetics has cause a bit of a storm since launching, and I had heard rumours that Blue Twill was a dupe for Nails Inc. Baker Street (but half the price at £5).

The colour is bright, stupidily bright, but it was love straight away, it was a good solid colour in two coats. The brush fans out perfectly and had no problems in applying it, as well as dried fast. The wear time is good, I got a good four days before the tiniest little chip on the edge. I loved it so much I took it off and refreshed it soon after.

Falling in Amour for Bourjois Cream Blush

I think we need to take a step back for a moment and think that the high street staple, Bourjois, is 150 years old. Everyday there are hundreds of beauty brands launching themselves to be the next big thing, while Bourjois has stood the test of time. They have still stayed on trend as well as keeping their delicate french charm.

I do own a few bits like the odd eye shadow, but recently I have started longing for the Healthy Mix Foundation, which when I went to London one of the girls dug out of her handbag for me to look at. Instantly loved the scent and *fanfare* the colour was perfect. This is my next foundation purchase for sure, then there was the limited edition lilac shimmer intense eye shadow from the beginning of the year (I'm still hunting this down). Oh, and I better not forget the Rainbow Connection 1-Second nail varnish, multi coloured glitter in a sheer pink/purple base.

Now onto my new Bourjois want, the new Cream Blush. A light cream to powder blush that produces a soft glow rather than something you feel like you are removing a layer of skin trying to blend. It has poppy extract to make it feel more comfortable feel, apricot extract for a healthy glow and mango extract for a softer touch. There are 4 colours: Nude Velvet, Healthy Glow (an apricot tone), Rose Tender and Sweet Cherry (Brown/Rose tone), and think that the majority would suit all skin tones.

All I can add is, "Damn you spending ban"

Available now in exclusively in Selfridges until 15th May where they will be in Boots, Superdrug and ASOS for the sum of £7.99

FOTD: BTEC Coursework - Glam Shoot

The third piece of work in the course work was for a glamour shoot. The premise that it for a set of phots for a 40-50 year old that consisted of a make over. This meant using products that were not the normal for going out but could show up in bright studio lights.

Products used:

Foundation: MUA BB Cream in light

Concealer: Estee Lauder Disappear in Light

Eyes: Sleek Sparkle Make Up 2 palette using Twinkle and Blue Spruce

Mascara: Lancome Hypnose in Black

Blusher: Benefit in Throb (Now disconuted)

Lip liner: Estee Lauder Autopencil in Fig

Lipstick: Estee Lauder Crystal in Tiramatsu

I really love this look with the Blue Spruce on the eyes (it also has silver shimmer in to match Twinkle). The Sleep Make Up palette is becoming a firm favourite, it has the right mix of light/dark colours and I already have my eye on another one of their limited palettes in Showstopper.

Trilogy Rosehip Oil Antioxidant+

 

 

I do have really sensitive skin, on my cheeks they are very dry and always seemed red (it does however save me on buying blushers). I had mentioned recently that my skin has also been full of blemishes which is now, thankfully under control.

 

I had noticed this appear on other bloggers site saying how great it was, I did a little research on the ingredients and well it sounded like a dream for my skin. I ordered this 7 day sample from latestinbeauty.com for £1.50 (excluding P&P). I managed to stretch this out to about 9 days morning and evening, as I used about dropper full patted over the face each day.

 

For me straight away the more notable thing is that the redness in my cheeks had gone down to a soft pink. I could foundation on and actually have a blank canvas to work with rather than having to correct the colouring. Secondly, foundation also went on smoother and looked a lot more even.

 

The rosehip is full of antioxidants and fatty acids that help the skin heal and fight against the signs of ageing. You use it on it's own or alongside another moisturiser, I preferred it on it's on as it seemed to be working with my dry/combination without much more help.

 

It retails for a 30ml at between £23 - £30 and it would be repurchase if I hadn't already fallen for another oil, Antipodes Avocado and Rosehip at the same size but for £19.



Being a Wee Bit Broke and the Start of Spending Ban

 

I have mentioned a few times before that our funds have been very tight since I had to take a job that was a lower in pay. I'd rather of taken the job that have to watch another minute of daytime TV, it was slowly sucking my soul. A few months back we also moved out of our two bed roomed house into an annex adjoined to my husbands family, its taken time to settle but its getting there.

 

This does mean for a while, while the house goes on the market, funds are slim on the ground. This leads me into the spending ban, I noticed that Tales of a Pale Face was looking for volunteers to do a one month ban, I thought it wouldn't hurt for a month to see if I can not give in to my buying impulses.

 

So these are the rules:

 

1. Obviously, no beauty purchases unless I run out of cotton pads or similar.

2. No Magazines - I have four subscriptions, two of which are free magazines.

3. No books - I have nearly 40 that need to be read

4. Walk - Now the nights are lighter I can walk more home, that big uphill climb will also mean I'm getting some exercise.

5. Take packed lunches to work 4 times a week - I work 5 so the spare is a 'just in case'

6. Birthday presents can be brought during this time, I'm not that mean. (A new outfit does not count)

 

I'm just hoping that my first update is not, "I spent all my money."

 

Blog sale is also coming soon