Lavender & a love of photography

Without really thinking about it I've always had a love for taking photographs. That's one of my favourite things about running this blog. Since a young age I've been taking photos. It was always me who would bring the camera on family holidays, take the camera out with me on a dog walk, on days out with friends. At the time I thought it was because I wanted to remember those days but I can't help feel a sense of pride when I look back on a photo which has exactly the right lighting, difference between definition and blurryness, set up of the photo etc. I love how in the top photo the majority of the lavender stalks are slightly blurred with just one standing out, the depths of colour changing as you look at different aspects of the photo. In the second photo you can almost see the bee's wings moving in front of the lavender stalks which have almost merged into one creating a sea of green as the backdrop.

At random points of my day I often find myself noticing something and thinking that that would make a good photo. It's the creativity which is so much a part of me that influences this.

Pretty Things

I don't know about you but I am an absolute sucker for packaging when it comes to makeup. I would much rather spend my money on high end products because they are just so pretty.There is definitely the argument that there are some good dupes on the market right now, but I still can't help being attracted to this exclusivity of the high end products.  The sleek and simple packaging is just something that I am willing to pay more for. To be honest even when I do go to high street shops I will normally walk out empty handed as I would much prefer to spend money on a more luxurious product. Call me shallow but it makes me happy. I love seeing products on my dressing table that I know I have saved for and spent time thinking about before I actually make the purchase (80 percent of the time... sometimes I'm just feeling spendy).  Also as someone who is hoping to forge a career in the world as a makeup artist I feel like I use that as an excuse to spend a bit more.

You Need These, Trust Me

I've added a few brushes to my collection over the past few years but of all of them these are the two that have stood out the most to me. If I had to pick only two brushes that I could own it would probably be these two. On days that I wear makeup I will always use these brushes as they are both so multitasking. The MAC 130 is like a slightly smaller version of the Real Techniques stippling brush and when I first bought this I didn't realise how much I would use this brush. I've used it for applying foundation, blending concealer, applying cream blush, applying cream highlight, blending away lines (the list goes on).

I've only had the Bobbi Brown Sheer Powder brush since my birthday in July but it is ah-mazing! As the title would suggest it can be used with powder products but picks up just the right amount of product in doing so. There's no cakey powder look, nor bright out there stripes of blush. It's subtle and just the way I like it.

MAC 130 Short Duo Fibre Brush  / Bobbi Brown Sheer Powder Brush

Space NK Wishlist

I was wandering around my local town the other week and accidently stumbled into the makeup heaven that is Space NK. If I had absolutely no self restraint and limitless money I could spend a rather large fortune in there. Luckily I do have self restraint and there is certainly no large fortune around these parts so instead I added them to my wishlist which seems to be ever growing on my phone and am sharing them with you. I'm also aware that a certain festive period is just around the corner..

By Terry Ombre Blackstar in Bronze Moon :: everyone went mad for these little beauties and I have restrained myself thus far but you can't deny that these are abolutely gorgeous and oh-so luxurious. I've got my eye on Bronze Moon and Blond Opal.

NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Never Say Never :: I've never properly paid much attention to these lip pencils despite the amount of love that they receive from bloggers all around. Whilst swatching the majority of the shades on the back of my hand this shade in particular stood out to me. 

NARS Radiant Tinted Moisturizer in Terre Neuve :: technically I have already owned this particular one but very very sadly I left it on a train a couple of weeks ago. And you know the saying you didn't know what you had until it's gone, well it's true. There's been a NARS shaped hole in my life and I really really want (need) a replacement.

NARS Blush in Douceur :: i have been hearing more and more about this shade of blush over the past few months, in particular from Jennypurr. So when I was finally able to see it in real life and swatch it I begun to understand what the fuss may be about. Of course I am yet to see it on the cheeks but hopefully if it ever appears in my collection I too will understand the hype.

Going Darker

As soon as the long sunny days of summer cease the bright nail colours of summer are replaced with much darker versions. I much prefer a darker nail polish, for some reason it brings an element of chic to an outfit and can really bring your outfit up to the next level. It's such a simple statement and I have two favourites to achieve this look. Of course they both come from nail varnish royalty Essie which I am yet to find faults with, apart from maybe the price when I'm feeling particularly stingy.

Solemate / Midnight Cami

On The Reading List

I used to be a real book worm. Every night before I went to sleep I would read and I used to love that part of my day. However since leaving education I really feel like it has tainted the prospect of reading for me. Instead of finding it a relaxing process I linked it to the negative aspects of my school work and therefore for the past couple of years I have read a very minimal amount. 

Since I've started commuting to London during the week I have found myself craving a book to read and another world to get lost in. So on a recent trip to a local bookshop (yes, those do still exist and I could easily spend hours getting lost in them) I picked up these two books, of which I am now halfway through 'Me Before You' by Jojo Moyes. The second book I had seen on one of Tanya Burr's videos and I had been interested in reading it until promptly forgetting about it ten minutes later after watching the video, anyone else? I've relished reading over the past few weeks and it really does make my commute fly by.

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes / Rivers of London by Ben Aaronvitch

The Playlist #3

Since the last playlist I posted I have started commuting up to London 5 days a week. That has in turn meant that I have had alot more time to just sit and listen to music. It is one of my favourite parts of the day, just being able to relax and not really think about anything. There are some current songs and some not so current songs. Very excitingly by the time you read this post I will have been to see Ed Sheeran in concert which I am really looking forward to having bought the tickets a whole 10 months ago! And being the ultimate tween I am mega excited for One Direction and Taylor Swift's new albums, anyone else? Let's just say I'm 19 going on 9. They are going to make my drives to and from the station every day that much more exciting. This time of year is my favourite music wise as everyone seems to be releasing new albums left, right and centre. There's definitely going to have to be some self restraint before I buy them all.

1. Let It Be - Labrinth

2. Steal My Girl - One Direction (duh)

3. Say You Love Me - Jessie Ware

4. Comeback - Ella Eyre

5. Cry Me A River - Justin Timberlake

6. Picking Up The Pieces - Jason Derulo

7. Blame It On Me - George Ezra

8. Alive - Gabrielle Aplin

9. Black Widow -Iggy Azalea

10. Fly - Nicki Minaj & Rihanna

11. Missing You - Tyler Hilton

12. One Last Time - Ariana Grande

13. Say Something - A Great Big World & Christina Aguilera

14. Tenerife Sea - Ed Sheeran

15. Bloodstream - Ed Sheeran

16. Wanna Believe - Katy McAllister

17. Shake It Up - Taylor Swift

18. Ain't Been Done - Jessie J

Makeup For The Sake Of Wearing Makeup

During the week I wear zilch to very, very minimal makeup. So by the time the weekend comes around I am normally itching to get my creative on and apply some proper makeup. These are some of the offerings I chose to go for this past Sunday. I have truly fallen head over heels for the Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation. It is exactly the right amount of coverage that I like to wear when I do wear foundation and it feels effortlessly light on the skin. Paired with one of my favourite eyeshadows, 'Patina' from MAC  all over the lid, a touch of a rosy blush from Rimmel and an oh so autumnal berry lip from Chanel. 

Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation in Porcelain 0 / Rimmel Stay Blushed in Pop of Pink / MAC Eyeshadow in Patina / MAC 239 Brush / Max Factor Clump Defy Mascara / Chanel Coco Rouge Shine in Espirit 

Hues Of Berry

Like many other people, when the colder weather comes around I like to ditch the natural pink lip shades and go for more of a berry shade. Original, I know. Seeing as it's such a well-worn trend I find it really interesting to see all the different brands and lip colours that other people use to create that berry toned stain on their lips. So today I thought I would share what I like to use to follow this ever so loved trend.

The stars of the show are MAC's 'Plumful' and the Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in 'Espirit'.  The Chanel offering has a slightly more pink tone and transparent application. Whereas the MAC option is slightly more purple with a more standard lipstick finish. Both can either be applied sheer patted onto the lips or full blown colour. I couldn't tell you my favourite they're both so lovely! For such a well known and well loved trend I have to say that this is one of my favourites and one that I feel comfortable in, which is sometimes not easy (I'm looking at you red-toned eyeshadow and bright blue eyeliner). 

MAC Lipstick in Plumful / Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Espirit 

Daily Makeup :: The Commuter Edit

Estee Lauder DayWear Tinted Moistursier / Bobbi Brown Correcter in Extra Light Bisque / Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay In Place Concealer in Light 01 / NARS Blush in Deep Throat / Max Factor Clump Defy Mascara

 :: Alot of the time throughout the week I am skipping the makeup step in favour of a few more minutes sleep, but if I do set aside some time then this is what I am using. The bare minimum.

It's The Little Things

It's a Monday. The start of the week with a whole week of commuting ahead of me. I hadn't had the best weekend and I couldn't wait to get home. On a spur of the moment decision I decided to go get something from a cafe on my short walk from the tube station to the main train station. It's a simple order, a peppermint tea and a chocolate brownie. I could tell that the two workers who were in the shop, one cleaning the shelves and the other slumped behind the counter are beginning to tire from their day. I always feel like I can relate to that feeling having previously worked as a waitress for 2 years. Despite my lack of energy I always put on a happy smile for the baristas as I know a grumpy and difficult customer is not appreciated towards the latter end of the day. The man behind the counter made my tea whilst I scavenge around my bag for my purse which is of course right at the bottom in the most difficult place to reach. I heard him mumble a price but didn't quite catch it averting my gaze to the price on the till. He sensed my confusion. 

"The tea's on the house" 

I couldn't quite believe it. It's ridiculous that such a small act of kindness startled me so much. I thanked the barista and walked out with a big smile on my face and a much better mood. It was such a little thing that that man did, and he got nothing out of it but it's those little things in life that can really make someone's day. 

I wanted to write this down so I could remember it and also share it.  Small gestures can so often be overlooked, by myself included,  but they really do mean the world. I want to make sure I remember that. 

An Autumnal Walk

I'm spending a lot of my time on trains at the moment, so one of my favourite things to do at the weekend is to go for a walk. Autumn is my favourite season for walking the dog, the air is brisk but there's still a hint of warmth. We were even lucky enough to have bright blue skies as we made our way around a nearby lake. It doesn't take a lot of effort but it really makes me feel better for the rest of the day. Also it's nice to see a bit of the countryside when I'm getting up in the dark and spending all week in the hustle of Londons streets. 

Makeup Spotlight :: Rachel McAdams

All images can be found on Pinterest (link)

English Rose

As someone with pale skin all year round the term 'English Rose' is often brought up. Whenever I go to buy a new face product such as concealer or foundation I always veer towards the palest shade that they have on offer. Of course when I  was younger I initially went for what was on offer on the highstreet but I am yet to find a product that is exactly on point for my skin, they are always slightly too yellow. Over the past year or so I have been branching out and have found that high end brands offer a much more realistic and true to skin colour for skin types like myself. My two favourites are Bobbi Brown and NARS. I really dislike wearing heavy coverage foundations on a day to day basis. I honestly can't tell you the last time that I wore one. I much prefer something with a lighter coverage.My two favourites that I have found so far which are perfect matches for my skintone are the Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation in 0 Porcelain and the NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser in Terre Neuve. And surprise surprise they are both the lightest shades on offer!

As for concealer, the same concept applies. Offerings from the high street are all slightly on the orange side, but the Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay In Place Concealer in 01 Light and the NARS Pure Radiant Creamy Concealer in Chantilly are both excellent matches for those of us destined to have ever pale skin. I also find that the blue tones under my eyes can appear more present than on other skin tones so the Bobbi Brown Corrector in Extra Light Bisque has been a blessing in disguise, something that I have worn every single day for the past 6 months.

I have grown to love being a pale skinned girl and have accepted the fact that I will never, ever have a tan. For someone who hates lying in direct sun that is probably a given anyway. I feel like it suits me and it is part of who I am.

Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation in 0 Porcelain / NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser in Terre Neuve / Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay In Place Concealer in 01 Light / NARS Pure Radiant Creamy Concealer in Chantilly / Bobbi Brown Corrector in Extra Light Bisque

Positive Vibes

Images can be found on Pinterest

:: some quotes that I've found recently whilt perusing the world of Pinterest on my commute to London that made me smile. Happy Wednesday!