What's in my bag?

Don't we all love these kinds of posts?  I know I do!  Tell me what's in your bag, put the link in the comments i'd love to see!!

My bag is from All Saints, and i'm absolutely in love with it.  It's made up of vintage leather biker jackets which I think is kinda cool and it has random straps hanging off it and buckles & things, and I love the front with all the different pockets.  Of course, I bought it at full price, two weeks later it was in the sale for half of that - always the way huh! 

It turns out, I have a lot of crap in my bag, but in my mind it's all essentials - and I do use all of it, so I guess that's okay, although the sunglasses raise an eyebrow (why on earth do I need those in England?!)

So, from left to right - in a roundabout way.

• Current book i'm reading - The Hunger Games triology, last in the series 'Mockingjay'.  I loovee this series, and I don't think i've ever read a book series so quickly! (Okay, maybe Harry Potter might take the biscuit there).  Soon there won't be a book though, and i'll be getting the amazon kindle for my birthday which is coming up in a couple of weeks eee :)  (the 'eeee' is my excited noise just fyi). 
• Iphone and Maurice Junior, sorry Ipod Classic.  Don't we all name our Ipods?  No?  Just me then. 
• Purse by Jasper Conran.  Of course Maurice Junior is covering up but it opens my a little clasp and it totally reminds me of something a modern day Audrey Hepburn may have :)  This may or may not be the only reason I got it in the first place!
• Sunglasses.  Perscriptive ones because i'm practically blind.  Not entirely  sure why they're in there.  Like I said, I live in England.  What sun? 
• Umbrella.  Definitely know why that's there.  Like I said, England. 
• Evian Water Facial Spray (not entirely sure of the real name, forgot to look before)  This is great if you have dry skin like I do and your face gets patchy throughout the day.  Kind of like MAC's Fix plus only cheaper. 
• Deodrant and moisturising hand sanitizer.  Both essential for a clean freak like me :)   These go in the little zip pocket inside the bag.
• Keys on a wimbledon neck thingy, it helps me find them faster.  The grey thing is my little clocker for work. And a National Rail ticket holder, also essential for getting to work. 
• Tablets.  A must for a headache suffer like myself.  I usually have '4head' in there too but that seems to have disappeared :/ 
• Hairbrush.  One of those ones that folds up and has a little mirror too. 
• MAC perfume in 'Turquatic'.  A rollerball perfect for my handbag, and it's a nice refreshing scent for touching up throughout the day.
• Kiehls handcream.  Handcream is always a must, probably wouldn't get this one again though.  £14 and not that amazing!
• Tic tacs.  Minty breath is a must.  And I don't like chewing gum.  Everytime I see someone chewing reminds me of a cow eating grass lol.
• Blistex and Burts Bees mango flavour lip balm.  Self explanatory.  

And that's it.  I say that's it, it's a pretty long list, but like I say, all essentials I think!! This bag is really good in that I don't really need to carry a little makeup bag with me to put the little things in, because it all fits in the little pockets in the front!  I don't ever carry any actual makeup around with me, unless i'm going out straight after work or something, and I don't apply touch ups during the day because I can never be bothered lol.

So tell me, what's in your bag?

Raspberry Sorbet: Philosophy Review

It's one of those brands that you always (or I do at least) hear about over in America but is not always readily available in the UK.  So when it popped up in my local Boots I was delighted as there were so many things I wanted to try.  The first thing I knew I wanted to try was one of their 3 in 1 bottles, ie shampoo, shower gel and bubble bath.  

I've always been slightly suspicious of products that claim to do all this, as essentially they all do the same thing (clean you), but do they do it as well as they would do if they were on their own? 

In short - No.  In all fairness I haven't actually tried this as a bubble bath yet, I would like to say that it's because we just had Summer but let's face it, that would be a lie.  I've never been a huge bath person, much preferring showers due to their quickness, but occasionally I like a bath.  As a shampoo though, well, it didn't really do anything amazing to my hair, nothing horrible happened, but it was pretty standard (dare I even say below?).  As for shower gel, it doesn't exactly - couldn't think of a better word - blend very well.  I don't know about you, but I like my shampoos to feel like it's washing my whole arm/leg/body part rather than sitting in one place and me scrubbing endlessly without much result.  Oh eventually it will of course, but I don't really like taking that much effort in the shower with my shower gel. 

The price for this in my local Boots anyway, is I believe, £14.  Definitely not worth that much in my opinion.  I know in the picture above, i'm about half way through, and you would think I adored it.  But i'm just trying to use it all up in all honesty.

Oh, and I read a couple of reviews on this before I bought it, somebody said that they've had their bottle for a year and it's still going strong - seriously?!  Because i've only had this a couple of months and it's just gone half way!

Spend your money on other things I say!


Have you tried any philosophy products?

Lockets & Patterns

So, you know when you're out shopping and you spot something that you just HAVE to have?  That's what happened with these two things right here. 

I fell in love with the locket and knew I had to have it.  I've been looking for a locket for a while, ever since my precious girl, my golden retriever Tanah passed away, so I can put her picture in there.  It was a beautiful find and even though it was expensive, it's something i'll wear every day so I figured it was worth it.  

The cardigan is from Urban Outfitters and again, I kinda had to have it.  I looove the pattern and the dark red colour, it's warm and it makes me think of Winter and Christmas, both of which I love!  According to the girl on the till, the cardigan is really popular and apparently they sold out yesterday but found a few random ones lurking in the back.  This was the only one in my size, so I figured it was fate! 

What have you been buying lately?

Update, and a goodbye.

Hey guys, sorry I haven't posted in a while.

Unfortunately, on the 2nd August 2011 my one true love, my beautiful beautiful girl, Tanah, passed.  It hit me hard.  Really hard.  Even though I knew she was old and I knew soon.  I just thought i'd have a little more time with her.  She was the best thing in my life and I would have died for her.  I love her more than anything and I miss her so so very much. Thank god I have some photos of her.  I'm going to print those off and make an album, and also find a locket so I can put a couple in. 

 

I'll hopefully be back to posting soon, but I just haven't really felt like it.  It's so weird not seeing her every day when I wake up.  At least I got to say goodbye and that's one thing I am thankful for.  It's incredibly hard now but I know it would have been even harder if I didn't have that.  Rest In Peace beautiful, I love you.

I went shopping!

Yup, I went shopping ^^.  And got a few bits so thought I would share them with you!  This first one is from GAP sale.  Excuse the picture quality if you can, these were taken on my iphone & it's not great!

 This was only around £6 and I love it!  Purple with tie die type white stripes :)  It's really long and comfy and a great buy :)  I wish they did more i'd go back and get all different colours! Probably best they don't haha.  At least I don't think they do!  Oh, there is another top behind that, which is also new.  It's from H&M and it's just a blue tank top with a little lace outline, it's super cute and I have one in a burgundy as well and it's about £7!  I have a pic but it's not the best because the sun is on it: 

 Close up of the lace outline around the neck.  It's so easy to just chuck on and I just may have to go back and get more colours!  

The next two items are from the All Saints sale.  As much as I love All Saints their stuff is not cheap and it's best to wait for the sale before buying!  Mind you, even in the sale it's not cheap cheap, more like average!  Anyway...moving on..

I loovee this top ^ The dude on the front reminds me of a pirate although i'm not exactly sure who he's supposed to represent haha.  But he has an eye patch and a beard, so it's gotta be a pirate right?  This is a super long top too and it's really comfy and fitted.  It was £28 so not too bad and i'll wear it a lot! (Oh, the feathers aren't on the top, it's my dream catcher on the door haha) :)

Ahh this top.  So much drama over this top!  This was the one I was most excited about, because I am in love with the design.  HOWEVER..on the website it is described as an 'oversized tee', which is fine, I have no problem with that.  But honestly, this is more like an oversized poncho! Literally couldn't find the sleeve holes at first! I went to take it back and get a refund but appaz they only do exchanges, and there was nothing else I liked.  So i've decided to wear a belt with it and it looks okay.  It just looks a tad big on me otherwise, there's so much extra material!  Sorry for the picture of this one, I couldn't get one where the design was straight!  I'll try and maybe do an OOTD post in it or something, or get one where i'm wearing it on with the belt so you can see what it looks like properly :) 

The next two items are from H&M

Just a simple 3/4 length sleeve blue/green top.  So wearable and still cute! 

Last is a pair of converse look a like shoes.  Now, I have proper converse, but i've only worn them a couple of times and they are KILLING my feet I swear.  They hurt so much!  I'm hoping that wears off, but I have to work myself up to wear them everytime haha.  These howver, were only £10 and the comfiest shoes EVER . Seriously.  I really like the little side detailing, although it doesn't actually do up when you have them on.  On my feet anyway.  But they are super comfy and actually look really nice with skinny jeans.  I still need to find a pair of flats with support that look nice, and are comfy lol, but until then, these will do! 

I actually bought a lot more from H&M but that was only a couple of short cardigans (one in black, one in grey) and a black long sleeved top/jumper thing, none too exciting so didn't take a picture!  Oh, and a really nice long sleeve top with a little pocket on it but I already wore it so it's in the wash haha.  I'll fit it in another post soon if I can! :)

By the way, I am in LOVE with these jeans from Topshop after seeing them in Gem's post last night.  I seriously need them in my life!  Just the little leather detailing ahhh.  I die.  I'm hoping they come into shops soon so I can try them on.  Or I may have to order them online if Topshop have an easy return policy.  We'll see! 

Have you been buying anything recently?  What are you lusting after right now?

A couple of reviews

 Boots Foaming Face Wash Tea Tree + Witch Hazel Cleanser Review (that is a long name!)

First thing, I have really really sensitive skin.  There are SO many brands that I can't use because they break me out, and when I get break outs, they don't go away.  I mean the bumps do (eventually) but they leave marks behind.  So I rarely try new products anymore, unless i've heard a lot of reviews that said product is good for sensitive skin.  Before this cleanser I was (still kinda am for my eyes) using Lush Ultrabland.  But that's kinda expensive and I was on the look out for a cheaper alternative.  I know tea tree and witch hazel are meant to be kind to skin, so I thought i'd give it a shot, and it's under £4 so it's not breaking the bank if it doesn't work! I gotta say though, I looovee this cleanser! Not only does it not break me out which is always a bonus, it leaves my face feeling really clean.  It has a slight minty smell but nothing at all overpowering and it leaves my face feeling fresh!Oh, and I know apparently you're not meant to use foaming cleansers for dry skin (which I have) as they can be quite drying, I haven't found this one to be drying at all and I have pretty dry skin! It tones as well, but I still like to use a toner a) just incase and b) i'm using it up lol. I use the 'Breath of Fresh Air' toner from Lush.  I love this too, just FYI :) 

Nivea Express Hydration Body Lotion  (And Pink Grapefruit Body Butter)

As well as sensitive skin I have, like I said, dry skin.  I actually got a sample of this in a magazine 'Easy Living' incase you were wondering!  And I loved it! I think it's the first time i've ever gone to buy something after i've had a sample from a magazine.  My usual body moisturiser - well actually, I have two, but we'll get to that in a minute! - is from Lush and is the 'Dream Cream'.  Now, why that is indeed a dream cream it's also roughly £10.something a pot.  I think this was half that, maybe even more then half that.  Like I said, finding cheaper alternatives :)  cheapskate over here haha! But I lovee this.  It makes my skin so smooth and doesn't have a bad smell.  Doesn't really have any smell actually, so good for sensitive skin too!  You get quite a bit in the bottle, as you can see 250ml, it's really tall haha! And this is the small one, there's a bigger one as well, I might go for that next time.  This is my night time moisturiser.  In the mornings I like to use something with a bit of a fresh scent to it, and that's where the pink grapefruit comes in!  It smells sooo good, and it's also really smooth, so you can't go wrong really!  Plus, they're usually in Body Shop 2 for £15, and I think on their own they're £12!  So you're getting a definite bargain if you pick two up!  The other one I picked up was a Coconut Body Scrub, which is good too, it just reminds me of Malibu everytime I smell it haha.  

And while I was in boots, I fancied trying a couple of face masks!  The one on the left is from the same range as the cleanser.  A Tea Tree and Witch Hazel peel off face mask (I keep wanting to write 'witch tree' and have no idea why haha!) This was around £1 so pretty darn cheap huh! I've used this, I really like it.  It's funny pulling it off though haha, looks like you're pulling off your skin! This made my skin feel really clean and i'll definitely be buying more.  For £1 something, you can't go wrong!  The 'mudd' mask I haven't tried yet, but looking forward to it!  Although I have been in the mud baths in Spain and as I almost fainted from the smell of that, i'm hoping this doesn't smell as bad haha.  This was also around £1 and they actually do a bigger pouch, but this was just for 1 mask as I wanted to try it out first.  I'll let you know how it goes when I do!




Have you been buying any skincare recently?  What would you recommend for dry/sensitive skin?

A great achievement...

Okay, so probably to you it's like 'what's the big deal?'  But to me, this was a pretty big deal.  This is coming from someone who doesn't cook very well (apart from sticking a ready meal in the oven), chicken is pretty hard to cook.  I've never managed to cook it right.  But tonight, I did.  And it was even better because it was something I was making up as I went along lol.  The thing I usually mess up on is the timings..something that i'll have to be careful with next time I get it.  Before it's always been chewy and blah.  But tonight it was soft and not dry :)  

What I did:  

• Oxo chicken stock cube. 
• Salt
• Pepper
• 1 Chopped Red Onion
• Foil to wrap it in 

I melted the stock cube in boiling water & put it over the chicken breast.  Added the salt and pepper.  Added the chopped onion.  That was all the flavouring I did.  I added this all in whilst it was on the foil so the flavours would stay there.  Then I wrapped up the foil and stuck it in the oven.  My oven was already really hot anyway because I had a jacket potato in there, so make sure the oven is preheated.  I put it in for 15 minutes with the timer and checked it after that, and put it in for another 5 minutes just to be sure.  And it was pretty much perfect :) 

It tasted really nice.  The flavourings are probably something you can do with any dish.  I had a jacket potato and carrots with it, I would probably do new potatoes next time though maybe.  

Are you a good cook?  Any easy recipes for a novice like me? :)