Dear Santa...

So it's that time again where I get really giddy about Christmas being around the corner and literally want everything. For the past few years, I have always received a phone contract/laptop/techno thingy off my parents and a few bits and bobs on the side. But this year, I pay my own phone bill and I got an iPad earlier in the year so there is no need for a technology based present. Commence a list full of clothes and make-up!

L-R The Perks of being a Wallflower, NARS Laguna Bronzer, MAC Blankety Lipstick, MAC Rebel Lipstick, Onesie from Next, Daisy by Marc Jacobs Perfume Gift Set, Real Techniques Starter Set, BaByliss Thermo Ceramic Rollers, Zara Studded shopper, both t-shirts from Zara

These are just some of the things I'm asking for off Santa - I've been a good girl! What's on your Christmas list?

Love, Juliette xo

Walnut & Cinnamon Muffins! Perfect Christmas Treats

Two posts in one day?! Woah, I am on a roll! This afternoon I made some delicious Walnut & Cinnamon muffins. After raiding all of our baking cook books for inspiration knowing that I wanted to include cinnamon, I found a simple recipe in my 'Sweet Treats Collection' recipe book series from Next.

The finished result! They are very moist inside - you could compare it to a carrot cake perhaps (it is practically the same concept apart from the carrot and bananas). The cinnamon isn't too overpowering and the walnuts soften so that they aren't too crunchy. I trickled a little bit of plain icing on the top of them in a crisscross shape and then left them to dry and finish cooling. They are not only perfect for Christmas, but November nights, cosied up on the sofa with a hot chocolate. Don't tell anyone but I've just eaten my fourth one haha!

Love, Juliette xo
*recipe is from the Sweet Treats Collection from Next, no copyright intended

October Favourites!

Hello my lovelies! I hope everyone is enjoying the half-term week off - I know I certainly am! I've just had a nice chilled week where I've spent time with friends and family and caught up on sleep and coursework (and drooled over Daniel Craig in Skyfall. Yum). Here are a few products that I have been loving throughout October: 

L-R Boots Traditional Glycerin and Rosewater Toner, Barry M Lip Gloss in Coral, Rimmel Kate Moss Spring Collection lipstick in 19, Rose & Co Sweet Vanilla Salve, MAC Studio Finish concealer in NW20, Natural Collection blusher in Peach Melba, MUA Intense Colour Eyeliner in Jet Black

Boots Traditional Glycerin and Rosewater Toner

My skin has been terrible throughout October - you can definitely tell I have a lot on my plate just by the state of my skin. It's been spotty, blemishy and quite red and this toner has been brilliant in trying to calm everything down. It's very moisturising and quite oily, which I don't mind as I use it before bed.

Barry M Lip Gloss in Coral

This smells amazing and doesn't feel sticky like many lip glosses do - it feels more like a balm. I've been wearing this on my lips when I've had a smokey eye or just a simple look.

Rimmel Kate Moss Spring Collection lipstick in 19

This is a gorgeous plummy-toned lipstick that I think depending on your skin tone, looks different on everyone. On me, it appears quite plummy/brown and could even be seen as a muted red. It lasts well on the lips and doesn't dry them out.

Rose & Co Sweet Vanilla Salve

I mentioned this little gem in my Handbag Must Haves so it definitely is doing the trick if it's in my favourites! Smells lovely and sweet, isn't sticky and keep lips flake free. Perfect.

MAC Studio Finish concealer in NW20

As I mentioned, my skin has been terrible and I found that my usual Lasting Perfection concealer was yes, covering spots and blemishes, but I would find them to reappear throughout the day due to the product slipping. I use a tiny bit of this with my MAC 224 brush and seal with powder and I haven't had a problem.

Natural Collection blusher in Peach Melba

This is such a healthy, fresh looking blusher which has helped brightened up my skin - you never have the risk of looking too orange with this product either.

MUA Intense Colour Eyeliner in Jet Black

I've been using this on the outer corners of my eye and then smudged into the waterline and lashline to create a simple smokey eye.

So these have been my favourites for October - as much as I love November for Bonfire Night and parkin, it has suddenly got so cold! Keep warm girls!

Love, Juliette xo

Pretty and Polished!

Hello my beauties! I hope you have had a nice weekend - perhaps Halloween celebrations? I went out on Saturday night, as a vampire, after changing my mind from dressing up as a cat and it was a brilliant night out! I was planning on having a catch-up blogging session yesterday but I spent 90% of the day asleep, nursing a hangover and lounging in my pjs - I only surfaced for Homeland haha!

Eeee scary!! Dress from ASOS, necklace from Topman, clutch bag from Primark, shoes from Miss-guided

 

Anyway, today's post is about simple, well-polished make-up that makes me look healthy and glowy - a real thumbs up in Autumn/Winter! You may be thinking, where is your dark wine coloured lipstick that is the Autumn must have? Well, I just feel that neutral tones make me look healthier and it doesn't look too summery because I haven't been using highlighter: a well defined, greyish, contoured eye, peachy cheeks and a glossy nude lip.

 

L-R MUA Gel Liner in Underground, Avon Ideal Flawless foundation in Ivory, MAC lipstick in Lovelorn, L'Oreal Color Riche Golden Naturals Blond lipstick in Velvet Gold, Natural Collection Blusher in Peach Melba, MUA Undressed palette, Rimmel Scandaleyes Kohl in Nude, Collection Illuminating Touch Concealer, No7 Lip Liner in 20 Nude

 

 

On some days throughout the week, I've worn my ELF lipstick in Barely Bitten which is a gorgeous muted red shade that helps tie it in with Autumn.

 

 

I'm going to spend tonight pampering, watching Made In Chelsea and catching up on sleep!

 

Love, Juliette xo





Handbag Must Haves

Good evening! I thought I would do a quick post of my handbag essentials, which I carry around day-to-day and are always coming in handy.

 

L-R QVS Nail File, L'Occitane Rose Petals Hand Cream, hair grips and Rose & Co Sweet Vanilla Salve

 

QVS Nail File

This is absolutely perfect for when you end up catching your nail or chipping them and you are in desperate need for a nail file! It doesn't make an appearance often but when it does, boy, it's a life saviour!

 

L'Occitane Rose Petals Hand Cream

I got this free with this month's Marie Claire and I've had my eye on these hand creams for a while but I was going to wait until Christmas. It smells good enough to eat and doesn't leave your hands feeling slimey or sticky. Really comes in handy as the weather is deteriorating and hands are getting chapped and dry.

 

Hair grips

Good old hair grips! You always end up needing one or your friend does. I keep them in this little tube which stops them from cluttering up every little pocket in my bag.

 

Rose & Co Sweet Vanilla Salve

I've fallen out with my Carmex Cherry Lip Balm as I feel it just isn't doing what it should anymore. So I've swapped to this one that I had hiding in my dressing table draw - it smells so sweet and delicious and feels really nourishing on the lips. I love putting it on the top of my lipstick when my lips start to feel dry.

 

These are just a couple of things which make my day a little easier. I could name endless more necessities - mints, tissues, perfume, bobbles, nail varnish remover pads, deodorant - but these are usually the most popular with me and what I would prefer to have in my bag.  

 

Love, Juliette xo