Soap & Glory: Thick and Fast Mascara

(Photo Source)

I've heard a lot of bad reviews about this mascara however for me it is my new favourite. The brush itself is rather big promoting larger lashes, the mascara is also build able meaning you can choose to apply one coat for a natural lash or several for a more volumlised lash. 

The only down-side to this lash is that the lashes remain rather flat, best way to combat this though is to either keep adding layers or to use an eyelash curler.

Really loving this product and it has now been added to my everyday products basket.

Anna 
xoxo

Christmas in a Box: Soap & Glory The Next Big Thing Gift

Boots has done it agin with its amazing star gift this week; The Next Big thing Gift set has been reduced from £60 to £29 Bargain! (£25 if you own a boots discount card too). The set comes in a limited edition box designed by Hattie Stewart, and all the products are safely tucked away in a cute draw string bag (perfect for storing makeup especially when travelling). It's such a nice way to make this gift unique by collaborating with a new designer every year. It means lots of newbie designers get exposure and the boxes never look the same! 
This box incudes:

• Hand Dream Super Cream 100ml

• Orangeasm Body Wash 500ml

• Butter Yourself Moisture Lotion 500ml

• Heel Genius Foot Cream 125ml

• Sugar Crush Body Scrub 300ml

• Whipped Clean Shower Butter 250ml

• The Righteous Body Butter 300ml

 • Off Your Face 3 in 1 Daily Purifying Cloths (25 cloths)

• Sexy Mother Pucker Lip Lacquer in Charm Offensive 7ml

• Thick and Fast Super Volume Mascara 10ml

• A bonus drawstring bag

Unfortunately you cant buy this gift set anymore but you can still buy the products from boots using their 3 for 2 offer. I am writing reviews of each product individually which will be posted soon. Overall I think this box is great value for money as most of the products inside are worth about £8 each!  It's also a handy present for a boyfriend who doesn't know what to get his girlfriend as there is a big selection of pamper products that she can choose from and if she doesn't like one or two they can be given as gifts for birthdays or christmas!

Hope you found this little insight helpful.

NUA: TERM ONE

As mentioned in my previous post I am now attending NUA: Norwich University of the Arts studying a BA Degree in Fine Art (much the opposite to beauty and fashion). I have just finished my first term and though I would reflect on how it went. There is one thing I want to point out first though:

An art degree is not a doss. There is a lot of work behind it and a lot of the time coming up with new theories and idea's can be a bit too much on the brain. We don't just produce art, we produce essays, research files, sketchbooks, and reflective journals as-well. Now that's over with...

There were many points in this term where I thought: What the hell am I doing with my life? (mainly when our task was to draw weeds).

Nothing is as good as my mum's home cooking (mainly her mini lasagne's she brings down when she visits).

Its okay to not be homesick. Yes I miss my parents especially my mum (who I used to live with) but why let that stop or distract you from enjoying your time at university?

It is also okay not to go out every night or every week, not everyone can be a party animal, myself included (much prefer a pizza while watching Lord of the Rings)

Here's a couple of pictures taken around my university building, it's so pretty!
Hope you enjoy.

THE #CHRISTMASTAG

It's finally December!

(Photo Source)

I have a weird obsession with Christmas from the songs (which I play all year round) to decorating my house top to toe with christmas bling. However this year I have decided to attempt #Blogmas ( already failing as I missed the 1st of December), to start off I have decided to have a go at the Christmas Tag.
 So here is my first post from many to come this month:

1. What is your favourite Christmas film?

I have a lot of favourites including Miracle on 34th Street, Home Alone, Frozen, Love Actually and Polar Express (that one always makes me well up) but my absolute favourite would have to be The Muppet Christmas Carol, not only because its an amazing movie that makes me cry (happy tears) but also because it has been a family traditional to watch this on Christmas Eve every year.

2. Have you ever had a White Christmas?

Never. Or at least that I could remember? I live in the South East of the UK which is the part of the country that is "blessed" with warmer and kinder weather....however I would much rather have snow any day.

3. Where do you usually spend your holiday?

At home with my Mum as i've never had a christmas without my family. However until Christmas Eve night I shall be staying in my university apartment due to working.

Sad Times.

4. What is your favourite Christmas song?

Probably Merry Xmas Everybody by Slade if I had a couple of other choices I would also pick All I Want For Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey and Baby Please Come Home by Darlene 

5. Do you open any presents on Christmas Eve?

Never although I still wake up at 3-4am to open stocking presents!

6. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer?

Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and of course Rudolf.

7. What holiday traditions are you looking forward to most this year?

Mainly the Muppets Christmas Carol one I mentioned earlier, also my mum taking ages to eat breakfast when all I want to do is open presents! (I hate it but it is also an essential tradition for me).

8. Is your Christmas tree real or fake?

Real. Don't even mention fake christmas tree's to me unless they are for your bedroom.

9. What is your all-time favourite holiday food/sweet treat?

Ooo Festive Friends! They are made by Cadbury's and are half biscuit and half chocolate and are only sold at Christmas. Unfortunately they aren't sold many places anymore by I know Wilko's do sell them! That is how i'm going to keep my supply cupboard full this year.

10. Be honest: do you like giving gifts or receiving gifts better?

In all honesty, I couldn’t tell you. As always, I look forward to the gifts that people are getting me this year (and maybe some have looked at my Christmas list hopefully!). However, now that I’ve done my Christmas shopping, I’m really excited to see everyone’s faces after they open them. Both actions make me ecstatic! 

11. What is the best Christmas gift you’ve ever received?

I'm not sure if I could pick one but probably getting a Computer or Camera as I always use them constantly. Also I love thoughtful gifts where someone has thought really hard or listened to your ramblings to find your perfect present.

12. What would be your dream place to visit for the holiday season?

 Anywhere that snows at Christmas. I don't really mind where I go as long as i'm with the people I love and care for.

13. Are you a pro-present wrapper, or do you fail miserably?

I am awful. However I am picking things up with age, I used to wrap weirdly shaped objects in a cracker like shape and try and sellotape it in place.

14. Most memorable Holiday moment?

One would have to be my first Nativity play when I was 4/5, I still know the words off by heart! The other would be when my grandparents were alive and we had Christmas in our old house, as the house would be bustling and there would be an open fire in sitting room whilst opening presents...oh so cosy.

15. What made you realise the truth about Santa?

I believed fully in Santa until I was 14 years old when my peers at school started making fun of my believing, I then proceeded to ask my mum about it for a while and of course she would tell me Santa was real (she wanted to keep the magic alive for as long as possible) however the teasing and making fun of me got so much that she finally told me the truth. Now as a 19 year old I try to believe in Santa as much as possible as it just doesn't feel the same without that magic belief.

16. Do you make New Years resolutions? Do you stick to them?

I do I do. For about 10 years I had a resolution of eating a piece of pie and becoming organised; However I am nearly 20, have never ate a piece of pie and my school/college/university reports still say I am disorganised...*sigh*.

17. What makes the holidays special for you?

I love how everything magical just seems to happen at Christmas, from Christmas lights to advent calendars to new hot drinks that make you want to drool. Everything is just better at Christmas. Although my special thing to do is be relaxing on my sofa all snuggled up in a blanket watching all the Christmas film's the TV bombards us with in the Christmas holidays...paradise.

All Done! I hope that got you guy's in a bit of a Christmassy mood as-well :) If you want to answer them too, either reply in the comments OR if you have your own blog, post them and put the link in the comments OR if you are on YouTube, post a video and put the link in the comments. I want to know more about you!

Anna xoxo

Personal Style #3

MINIMAL MAKEUP:

THE BODY SHOP ALL IN ONE BB CREAM IN LIGHT  

MAYBELLINE DREAM TOUCH BLUSH in BERRY 

BENEFIT THEIR REAL MASCARA 

WHAT IM WEARING: 
PRIMARK HOUNDS TOOTH DRESS. 
ACCESORIZE OLIVIA TEXTURED DOME BAG

Happy Reading! 

Moving On Up

As you may have noticed I haven't been posting much lately (as per usual) this is because I have made the big move to University!

I have been at university for nearly 2 months now and I have to say its got its up and downs; mainly up's. I will be doing quite a few university themed posts from now on so I felt I needed to warn you before I start posting a "Beans on Toast Recipe" post.

If you recognised the location below, top hat off to you. However If you didn't realise already my university is in the centre of Norwich - a town Ive always loved and admired. I've got some Norwich based posts coming up as well; from the best places to go for a drink, to getting your money's worth with student discount. But until I've finished these posts here's a few sneak peeks at what's to come:

Hope your as excited as I am! See you soon for the next "Norwich Instalment".

Anna xoxo

Blogging Tips: For Newbies and Oldies to Blogging

Recently i've been producing a lot of sponsored, wish list and event posts and while I love to swoon over clothes I can't always afford, I lost the will to blog (rather over dramatic there).

 I fell out of love with blogging; this was really bugging me because sitting down and writing a post or email became a chore rather than a pleasure.

When reflecting I feel this really due to what I blogged about, as I had topped writing about things that excited me and things I was passionate about. So as you may have seen I took a break from  took a blogging; not just because I was moving to university (post coming soon) but because I wanted to re-experience the feelings of when I first started blogging.

(Photo from weheartit)

 I read through dozens of tutorials on photography, organisation, engagement,productivity and more; and now I have decided to compile all the information I read through into a few simple blog posts for you. I found all these articles to be incredibly helpful so I hope mine will be as helpful to you as they were to me.I will be going into more detail with some aspects (mainly the ones typed above) in the future but for now here is my five top tips for both newbies and oldies to blogging:

What are you blogging for:

(trying not to start singing songs from Mulan)

A lot of bloggers forget this simple tip like I did. The most key thing to blogging are the questions: Why do/did you want to write a blog? What do you (want to) write about? I feel every blogger needs to reflect on these questions a little more often, especially when suffering with writers block or the dreaded "I'm bored of blogging" scenario. 

Dont underestimate social media:
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr, etc they are all amazing tools to have in your arsenal. Im pretty more than half my views come from Twitter and the rest are from Facebook and Instagram. /most people know this however forget how essential they are if you want people to come read your blog. No-one is going to know about your blog if you don't shout about it to the world!

The visual stuff matters:
Your blog design, your photography and your branding are the things people are going to notice first when they look at posts; quite the shallow part of blogging. Bluntly, if you don't have pretty pictures it doesn't attract new readers, but when a blog is well designed,  visually appealing and has photography which makes you lust after products or experiences, people are going to want to read.

Make an effort and others will to:
I have to admit this is one of my worst habits; putting effort into every aspect of your blog to make it great. This means creating a posting schedule and sticking to it, commenting on other peoples blogs, replying to your own comments, keeping your social media sites updated and actually posting on them etc. I feel a lot of people coming into the blogging world don't understand how much work goes on behind the scenes and sometimes it does mean hard work! The more effort you put into blogging they more you'll get out of it.

Promote individuality:
No-one wants to read a copy of someone else or dozens of the same styled posts (I rest my case with the "whats in my bag" post). What makes you YOU? What makes you that slightly bit different from Zoella, Sprinkle of Glitter or Tanya Burr? Its these differences that will make you and your blog stand out. I admit being individual in a world with thousands/millions of bloggers is rather difficult, but even if its the way you write, the pictures you post of the style of posts you do; people recognise the smallest bits of individuality and will reward you for being one of a kind. 

Hope thats helped some of you out, please do tell me in the comments if it has, or even if you don't agree with my tips write it in the comments and we can have a discussion.

Whats your top blog tip?

Anna xoxo

Coast A/W14 Lookbook

THE COLLECTION

WINTER PASTELS

Full of florals, pastels and cosy knits; I feel this collection of clothing is for those of us who want to inject at little bit of spring and summer into our winter wardrobe. As we all get bundled up in layers for winter, some people lean towards the darker colours in their wardrobe. However this collection shows off a light and feminine style to winter clothing. Key pieces in this romantic wardrobe include pastel lace, metallic day jacquards and printed separates. 

NEW ORDER 

The 60's are back in style! That includes mono and graphic prints such as spots, checks and oversized hounds tooth. For this collection you should be styling chiffon shirt dresses, batwing sleeve tunics, bold separates and statement knit dresses. 

DAY TO NIGHT

From workwear to evening wear; Coast plays with burgundy, teal, navy and a touch of bronze, to create a polished and sophisticated collection. Layering is key in styling; Think feather trimmed knits, co-ordinate sets, statement coats and tailored to fit dresses. Layer with thick faux fur to add insta-glam.

GLAMOUR FOREVER

My favourite part of the collection! Combining both glamorous and cosy, I love how items that are typical evening wear are slowly becoming more casual and everyday. Who's stopping you from wearing red carpet looks to the supermarket?

Styling playful jumpsuits, crop layered dresses and lace co-ordinate sets in a those typical autumn-esque colours,

magenta and petrol with winter sparkle. Romantic sequin maxis and voluminous organza high-low skirts are styled with chunky knits, sparkling cropped tops and statement sweatshirt styles. Also Coast mixes it up with stand-out galactic digital prints and fanciful feather trims.

I hope you enjoyed this little look inside the Coast winter wardrobe! Please do tell me if you like this sort of post in the comments!

I've been nominated for the Liebster Award!

I was nominated for the Liebster Award by the lovely Hey Gurl. As of late i've been stuck with a bit of writers block so this is a welcomed break!

THE RULES
1. Post the award on your blog
2. Thank the blogger who presented you with the award and link back to their blog
3. Write 11 facts about yourself.
4. Nominate 11 bloggers who you feel deserve this award and who have less than 500 followers.
5. Answer 11 questions posted by the presenter and ask your nominees 11 questions.


THE FACTS
1. I am adopted.

2. I am a Ravenclaw on Pottermore (House Pride!)

3. I am about to study Fine Art at Norwich University of the Arts.

4.I have an eclectic music taste which means I like every type of music (apart from screamo...that scares me) but my favourite type of music is film soundtracks, musicals and classical.

5. I am deadly afraid of wasps and spiders, they just seem to have a personal grudge on me and seek me out.

6. I am an anime obsessor. From Sword Art Online to Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood, I have watched them all about 60 times over.

7. I am constantly attached to my Macbook and Samsung Galaxy S4, and I check social media about 20 times in about 5 minutes.

8. My favourite feel good film is Legally Blonde. 

9. I have an unhealthy obsession with cats and scream whenever I see one (that includes in the middle of the street or in people's houses).

10.For Primary School and High School I went to an all-girls private school.

11.In about 2 weeks I am going to be celebrating Ben and I's first year anniversary and his 19th birthday (He's my first boyfriend too!)


Frae's Questions
1.What inspires you to blog?
I would say other bloggers? Sounds quite odd but it will make sense in a moment. Before I started blogging I wasnt really enjoying life, I didn't really have any interests and I found myself rather bored everyday. Then I came across bloggers/youtubers such as Sprinkle of Glitter and Zoella; I really admired them and how they really took on life and it inspired me to start blogging. Nowadays I would still say other bloggers inspire me, including the ones I mentioned above but for different reasons. I see peoples dedication towards their blog and it motivates me to become the best blogger I can be.

2.How important is “original content” to you?
As an artist i'm well versed in answering this question as at college (and soon university) I had to keep coming up with creative and new ideas everyday. Personally I think coming up with something new is near impossible however "putting your own stamp" on something or making your content individual is not. No-one wants to hear something generic; they want to hear your view in particular. This is probably the difference between a blogger that succeeds and a blogger who fails.

3.Do you write regular features to keep yourself motivated?
 this is probably my most annoying trait; that im not consistent in anything I do. However I do feel when I write more posts in a rown on-time I feel more motivated, so maybe organising regular features might be a life saver for my blog stats!

4.What would be your last meal?
Pasta. Im obsessed with the food and have it for lunch and dinner almost every day (if i can get away with it). Also I make a mean tomato sauce...just saying.

5.What’s your most prized possession?
Instead of having a teddy bear to get to sleep with as a child, I had a cushion. I still need it to go to sleep and when I feel stressed or upset; I dont think I could honestly live without it, so I would save my cushion (p.s. there is nothing wrong with sleeping with a special item whether it may be a teddybear or a cushion, even when your nearly 20. Ignore the haters.)

6.What was the last book you couldn’t finish and why?
I am still reading Mockingjay even though Ben (my boyfriend) bought it for me at Christmas...oops! I find it quite hard to get into books and then once I put them down I dont really bother reading them back again as Ive left it too long to get back into the middle of the story. Maybe if there was a blogger bible?

7.Worst pet peeve?
I absolutely hate silence. I find it the most awkward thing in the world, even a few seconds of it makes me want to bash my head into a wall. Most conversations I end up looking like a chatterbox just because I want to fill that silent space up!

8.Where do you see yourself in a year?
Hopefully on a Holiday, maybe Italy? I want to be enjoying university and to have finished my first year with a first (I should be so lucky).

9.Where do you see yourself in five?
I find looking forward a hard thing to do as I like to live in the moment, but i'll give it a go! I'd either like to be primary school teacher, have a job in Fashion/Beauty Pr or be an Artist...bit of a variety there. I'd also like to be moved in with my boyfriend and have our first house or apartment by then...fingers crossed!

10.What do you want most right now?
Right now what I want most is to stay in my bed at my Mum's house forever as tomorrow I am moving to my university apartment and I can't sleep because I am so nervous and stressed..isn't student life meant to be carefree and fun?

11.Favourite baby names?
My favourite baby names at the moment are Charlie, Summer, Alfie and Belle. Although I overall I prefer Charlie Andrew and Summer Maisie.


I Nominate...
Adel from PalettePale
Alex from AlexEmilyBlog
Jo from IncorrectCoffee
Pippi from PippiBee
Harri from Happinesshitherlikeatrain


MY QUESTIONS
1. Whats your best piece of blogging advice?
2. Who inspires you?
3.Whats your favourite feel good film?
4.What are your 5 essential beauty products of the moment?
5. Whats your favourite memory?
6.Spring/Summer or Autumn/Winter?
7. Do you have any pets?
8.What did you want to be when you were younger and has that changed?
9. Why did you get into blogging?
10.If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go?
11.What is your biggest accomplishment so far?

So thats it! I hope you enjoyed this post I certainly did and I look forward to seeing everyones answers!

Anna xox

Clueless Inspired || Back to School

Summer is ending and school is starting again - a horrible thought to most. I finished compulsory education in 2011 and in less than a month I'll be starting Freshers at university, so I shall be doing all the typical uni posts very soon (look forward to room tours, tips and wish-lists). Whilst i've been waiting i've really been getting into good old style related girly movies like Legally Blonde and Clueless. So when looking for inspiration on Back to School style, I thought what could be better than these classics (whilst keeping on top of current trends as-well)! 

My first "Style Inspiration" is Cher from the movie Clueless, who's iconic look is a yellow plaid ensemble (see here).

Top / Coral jacket / Print skirt / Over knee socks

Cut out flats / Silver backpack

Hope you enjoyed this type of post; please tell me if you do.

Which of you are going back to School? and what are most excited about or dreading?

Tell me below in the comments!

Anna xox

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The Body Shop Event

Recently I was lucky enough to be invited to The Body Shop event in partnership with Rakuten Marketing, this was one event is really hoping to be invited to as I am in love with The Body Shop! As per usual I arrived an hour early (as they say the early bird catches the worm) to the Grace Bar just off of Piccadilly Circus, thankfully there were some other early birds out there as I sat and exchanged blog urls with Abbigayle and Pippi. As the event began we were handed our exciting goodie bags and let wild on all the new releases.

First up were the Body Sorbets which have been released already this summer in Body Shop stores. They boast a new lightweight texture experience with 24 hour moisture, so perfect for summer when you don't want to feel sticky all day in the sun. They come in 5 different scents (Mango, Satsuma, Moringa, Strawberry and Pink Grapefruit) that will make you want to eat it right off your own body. My own favourite is pink grapefruit.

Next was the New Wild Argan Oils Collection, which has only just been released in stores. Argan Oil has become increasingly popular recently in the beauty industry however I've never really gotten into the fad, mainly because my skin type is oily and my common-sense says oily skin + oil is never a good idea. The collection includes Body Butter, The Radiant Oil, Bubbling Bath, Rough Scrub, Body Lotion, Shower Gel, Miracle Solid Oil and Solid Oil Balm. After trying out their Radiant Oil Spray it felt initially oily however after a few minutes my skin felt moisturised, soft and I was glowing like Beyonce! FleurdeForce recently went to Morocco to see the development and beginnings of the new collection; check out her video here. 

At the start I didn't believe the Drops of Youth collection was made for my age group, mainly because products with the word "youth" in their name automatically make me think of anti-ageing and wrinkles. However I was pleasantly surprised by the Drops of Youth eye concentrate that I found in my goodie bag. Using Edelweiss stem cells it refreshes your under eyes, making you look and feel more awake. I also find it hard to get up in the morning (normally taking well over an hour to get ready due to feeling sluggish) but adding this into my daily morning routine cuts that in half, just because I feel more awake! P.S. If you have sensitive or irritated skin around your eyes(due to scratching or rubbing) this product is brilliant for soothing and calming those areas.

Finally The Body Shop Colour Crush Nails have arrived! They've started off strong by coming out with 24 gorgeous shades and they only cost £5...bargain. Body Shop claims that their polishes "don't yellow nails" and that they're "chip-resistant", but I wanted to test these out for myself so whilst I was at the event I gave myself one coat of a pastel pink colour (still hating myself for not catching the name). Now I know because I did not apply a base coat, a top coat and a few more coats of the actual nail varnish, I wouldn't of seen the best of the varnish however with only one coat it managed to stay pretty on my nails for a week! (virtually impossible for an artist)

Thank you to The Body Shop and Rakuten Marketing for putting on such a fabulous event! I met lots of new bloggers as-well so go check out their blogs below:

Tricia from ThreadandMirror.com

Abbigayle from StealStylist

Lynne from Populairelife

Yolanda from YolandaasY

Freya from Freydefleur

Angelique from Angelique-ald

Dovile from Diaryofamodernsocialite

The Team from Studentmoneysaver.co.uk

Whats your favourite product from the new collections?

Tell me down in the comments below!

Anna

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Easy Cooking: Healthy Kebabs

DISCLAIMER: This is a different kind of post from me today as I don't normally go into food blogging, however I thought if I am learning new things for university I should blog about it so others can use these easy ideas as-well.

As I am Pescetarian , at home I live quite a healthy lifestyle (thanks to my mother) however as soon as I leave the house I normally end up binging on McDonalds, Crepes and Belgian Waffles...

Soon I will be heading off to university and my mother wanted to give me some quick easy cooking lessons to make sure I eat a healthy variety of food when she's not there. 

So here was my first cooking lesson: Healthy Kebabs!

You will need : Fresh Fish (salmon, tuna, non-cooked prawns), Sweet Peppers, Tomatoes, Onion, Garlic, Oil (Olive or Vegetable) and Kebab Sticks

If you want to add any other ingredients or get rid of some thats fine, just remember to keep it healthy! 

First get a bowl and mix crushed garlic and oil together (this helps  the food to cook faster and gives it a little bit of extra flavour),  then cut up vegetables and fish into small chunks (Tip: keep the sizes big enough to they won't fall off during cooking).

Arrange the food onto your kebab sticks (Tip: Place harder foods like onion and peppers on the end of the sticks so your food stays on the sticks)

Then its time to cook!

For cooking I used a disposable barbecue which can cost as little as 1.79! Just leave it on an overturned plant pot a distance away from your table for safety. To start a disposable barbecue just remove the cardboard top, light up the paper inside with a match and voila!  Tip: Leave the barbecue for a while until the coal goes a white colour then it's at its hottest.

I hope you enjoyed this different post today and I hope it is as helpful to you as to was to me. Have you got an easy recipe's you swear by? Tell me in the comments below.

Anna xox