Life Favourites - May 2015

May has been great - I started my new job role and the month has flown by with a constant to do list both at work and at home. I love May - two bank holiday weekends and its started to feel like summer is maybe coming. I've been loving once upon a time after getting up to speed with the good wife last month. It's like grown up fairytales it's stupidly magical and addictive.

I gave blood for the 10th time this month - it's such an important thing to do and so painless/ easy. If you're thinking about doing it just get on with it. One day you or a loved one might need the blood and you'll be thankful you spent 20 minutes a couple of times a year contributing to such an important service. So many people are unable too due to the restrictions around it so make the most of being healthy and able if you are.

I upgraded to my iPhone 6 this month too - pretty much solely because it's gold. I adore it the battery life is so much better than my old iPhone 5 and the screen is so much better for watching many many hours of youtube. We're about to start selling tickets for our 2015 gatsby ball too which is just the most exciting thing. If you're local to Southampton and fancy an amazing night out email for more details or to buy tickets georgina@thcf.org.uk

Finally internet meet Alfie pup. After Oscar passed away last month it was pretty important to find my boyfriends mum a doggle quickly as he was a huge part of her life. We found Alfie and he's the naughtiest but cutest little bundle of love. He's in no way a replacement as Oscar was just perfect but he's the start of a new chapter for everyone and he's too much fun. Follow me on instagram for stupid amounts of pictures of his very cute face @georginacallen

Georgina x.

The White Company Mustique Candle

One of my most guiltiest pleasures is visiting Gunwharf Quays every other month with my best friend Holly. We say we meet there because it's kind of in between our two homes but it's mainly because it's full of stores that we shouldn't be spending money in (she's my shopping enabler). Although when things are at outlet prices it's surely not that bad ;/.  The White Company is my complete favourite - their bed linen and home fragrance is just perfect. I love this mustique candle it's a little more masculine than a lot of their scents - I can't describe scent at all so I won't try. However the white company scents are all beautiful, natural and long lasting - next on my list is wild mint, pomegranate and sea salt. So in love - ultimate treat and the perfect present.

Georgina x. 

L'Oreal Skin Perfection Serum

L'Oreal Skin Perfection Serum £16.99

I've had this serum for a while (it's actually nearly an empty) and have been using it nearly everyday. I went to write this post about 2 weeks after using it and just didn't have any words to put against it. I kind of still feel like that but wants to put my blah feelings out there. This serum is nice, it is nice under moisturiser, a little hydrating and a nice consistency. But I hate the word nice - I've been waiting for this to amaze me and it just hasn't. I want something more from a serum to be honest I want better skintone, better texture or just an altogether better base. It doesn't do those things sadly - it is in no way offensive it's never broken me out and the pink pump packaging suits me just fine. I just wouldn't buy this again - to me it's not worth the money I'd rather spend a little more on a serum that improves my skin tone or offers a serious amount of hydration. I'm sure this works amazingly for some people and I have enjoyed using it but I've never thought damn this is amazing which is what I look for in skincare. Sorry for my blah review but I wish I'd read this before buying it so I could head for something else so I hope this manages to maybe do the same to someone in the same position.

Georgina x.

Rio Colab Dry Shampoo

I adore Ruth Crilly's blog - A Model Recommends - her no nonsense honesty alongside her amazing natural beauty makes it a must read for me and is one of the blogs I've been reading for a very long time. I actually bought this COLAB dry shampoo a few months ago and it's very nearly finished. I adore this stuff. It's a great dry shampoo - I haven't had any horrible white chalky moments with it. I tend to not use it so much for dry shampoo but mostly to add a little texture to freshly washed hair. I've always used Batiste but have found in comparison that brand clogs my hair up a bit whereas this is just fresh texture whilst keeping that feeling of clean. The range comes in a host of different scents - Rio was my personal favorite although it was a very hard choice. The range is available at Superdrug including the new extreme volume range which I can't wait to try. 

Georgina x.

Eurovision 2015 - Party Planning & Links

Less than one week until Eurovision 2015. Excited is a massive understatment. Last year I did a party planning post which all still stands but I've decided to post some of my new favourite pieces and links for making a 2015 party extra special. This year both myself and fellow host Holly are back home at our parents due to major saving targets so my parents house is being gatecrashed for major eurovision fun.

Food & Drink

We'll be drinking Austrian Hussar as our to represent this years hosts. I also love the look of these Austrian Rugelach cookies too. Irish Cream, Italian Prosecco & English sausage rolls are also a firm annual favourite. The BBC have put together 27 eurovision inspired recipes for food and cocktails which is a great look if you're lacking inspiration.

Dates 
Semi Final 1 - Tuesday 19th May
Semi Final 2 - Thursday 21st May
Final (Party night) - Saturday 23rd May

Useful Links 
Official Eurovision Site
My 2014 part planning post 
Food Flags 
Bunting Flags
Mixed Eurovision large flag
Cupcake Toppers 
Eurovision Party Idea's 

Georgina x.

Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Lotion

The Body Shop vitamin E range has been one of my best skincare buys in ages. It's really working with my skin type (oily but dehydrated). This is a great moisturizer for the day - it's light but really nourishing and creates a great even base for my make-up. Coming in at £12 this is a lot better than much more expensive moisturizers I've tried. If you have dry skin I'd recommend the night cream from this range that is stupidly hydrating. I've been so impressed with all things skincare from the Body Shop so I'll definitely be doing another haul soon. I also highly recommend signing up to their newsletter and buying online as they have some amazing deals. I ended up getting 40% off the order that this was included in making it stupidly reasonable. 

Georgina x.

H&M Home Accessories - New Arrival Picks

Copper Plant Pot -  Metal Tray - Woven Blanket - Tealight Lantern - Large Metal Tealight Holder - Scented Candle - What makes you happy Dishcloth - Copper Tealight Holder - Paper Decoration

I love the H&M homeware range - they are so seasonal and seem to bring out on point new ranges really frequently which I love. I'm also living with my parents whilst I save up to buy a place of my own so many wishlists are coming until myself and my boyfriend get to live together again and I have an entire house to paint and make my own. Excited is an understatement - however I want to create rooms that reflect our personalities and are a dream to live in. Whilst we're a good 8 months away from getting to moving time I think it's good to document everything I love before we get there so the things I buy when we do get to move in my house is a home as soon as possible. 

Georgina x.

L'Oreal Infallible 24h Matte Foundation

First things first - this stuff is amazing. I have the shade 11 vanilla and it costs £7. This little tube of goodness is an amazing drugstore base. It's a good Double Wear dupe but in my opinion has a little less coverage and just a little less longevity but for 1/5 of the price who's complaining?! I love the packaging - no fuss and perfect for traveling. I apply this with my Real Techniques buffing brush and it goes on like a dream. Not really sure what else to say without sounding like I want to marry it. I'm a foundation whore so I know I'll be purchasing all the other new releases (I won't deny it anymore) and still know that Double Wear & Silk Creme are my ultimate's but this is just a dream for work when sitting at a desk all day doesn't deserve a £30 product covering your face.

Georgina x.

The Body Shop - Lightening Touch

I have lightening touch in shade 00. It's pretty much a little more skin toned benefit high beam in a twisty pen. This has some amazing reviews on the body shop site but it just hasn't found its way into my everyday make-up. I like the applicator it twists up so gives you direct application to wherever you need a little highlight. It's good for brow bones and the top of your cheek bones but it's not the best I've tried. It only houses 3ml aswell so I know it will run out soon as do most twisty pen applicators in my experience. This isn't going to blow your socks off but it is a nice direct application highlight that you can pop in your handbag. I won't repurchase it but I have enjoyed using it. 

Georgina x.

The Library of Fragrance - Sunshine Review

The sun may have majorly hidden itself away in my part of the country but this little beauty is fast becoming my scent of choice whilst I really try keeping the sun alive - yes I'm sporting sunglasses in my car whilst it rains. I've turned into that person in a desperate attempt to keep that feeling of summer alive. I've been a bit boring with fragrance for years not really knowing what I like or wanting to spend too much on fragrance. 2015 has been a little different - I've tried new scents and subscribed to the fragrance shops little quarterly box too (review coming soon) in the vain attempt to nail down the notes and fragrances I love. 

So when the Library of Fragrance asked if I wanted to try out a scent I was excited to give it a go. I've sniffed this brand so many times in Boots in the past and have always been so impressed by just how simple and pure each one has smelt. Sunshine* smells very different to how I expected it to - they describe it as 'a comfortable cotton t-shirt warmed by the sun with a hint of suntan lotion.' To me the easiest way to describe it is vanilla with a hint of coconut. I really like it. It lasts for a good 4 hours I find and is the perfect size for my handbag. I love layering this up with coconut body lotions for a super summer hit. 

I'll be adding more scents to my collection once I can pinpoint exactly which ones to get next - how nice would it be to have a bathroom shelf just full of the full library?! It's so hard when they all look so tempting - so if anyone has any recommendations please send them over as they're currently 2 for £25 which is an offer I can't resist. 

Georgina x.

April 2015 Beauty Favourites

Where did April go? This month I haven't done anything especially different but I have reshuffled my makeup drawer to have a few different bits in my everyday stash. These are the products I've used literally every single day this month without fail. First is the Real Techniques Oval Shadow brush which I picked up as it's something I've been looking for, for ages. It's the perfect base eyeshadow brush as it has a huge surface area and is super super soft so fits into my collection just perfectly. I've been using it with the larger shades in my new Too Faced Chocolate Bar palette. Did I need another brown toned palette - no I really really didn't but I was lacking in a few brown variations that the naked palettes just weren't offering. It was a little treat to myself for some successes at work so was a little splurge but I do adore it. I love how the base shadows are double size and the mix of mattes & shimmers is spot on. I particularly like the deep red mixed with some of the goldy browns you can get so so many looks from this. 

The Vitamin E Bodyshop overnight serum has been a god send this month. It has a pippet in the lid which is one of my skin care favorites and leaves skin so plump and radiant in the morning. I am super impressed with this range as a whole but this serum is a stand out for me. The bourjois healthy mix concealer is a recent purchase but something I have loved in the past. I really like this concealer I find it's a good do it all product and it's been a favorite in my handbag mini makeup bag.

Body Shop Honey Bronzer in shade 01 has answered all of my bronzing prayers. It's a really light shade and is completely matte so perfect for a natural little bit of contour. I love the finish and texture of this - its so effortless to blend out and use - ideal for an extra 10 minutes in bed. Soap & Glory makeup has been a favorite in general this month but the kick ass powder has been stand out. I love the not to matte finish and hint of yellow that evens out the complexion - again another product that ticks all the boxes. 

Georgina x.

April 2015 - Life Favourites

April seems to have flown by - I feel like I've used my time well this month even though a lot of my lifestyle favorites are massive procrastinations. I have fallen in love with Alicia Florrick in the Good Wife and somehow made it to the end of Season 5 this month. The whole show is based around her and the law firms she works in but each episode is centered around a different case which makes it pretty addictive. Highly recommend if anyone's searching for a new netflix series.

My moleskin diary got a little neglected in March but has been back in my life everyday this month and I've felt so much more on top of life and have loved being super organised again. I've kept all my notes and plans up to date which has meant this month has run so smoothly. I picked up some walking boots this month as my boyfriend is all into the outdoors so I thought it would help me join in if I had some sensible shoes. Definitely managed to get knee deep in mud whilst out but it was such a beautiful day in the forest. My boots have been all hosed down and are ready to go again.

As the sun has come out - Team THCF (The Hannah Chamberlain Foundation) have been planning our October Gatsby Ball it's been super fun getting back into the charity and making plans for the year. As everyone on the trustee board has a full time job things slow down a little for us over the winter period so it's been good to get things ramped up again. Lots of exciting things to come so watch this space.

This month also included the massive blow of losing my boyfriends family dog Oscar. He's been a massive part of my life for the last 10 years ever since I met Steve so it has been super hard adjusting to him not being around. I wanted to include the photo printing service Sticky 9 though who had an awesome deal of 27 free prints when you download their app and the prints came within 2 days. I was so impressed and my boyfriends mum was so happy as she wanted some of the instagram snaps I had of him printed for a frame.

Finally I downloaded Run Sackboy Run. God this game is addictive. I can not stop playing it. If you're looking for major procrastination then download this game. However it will ruin many hours where you could be doing something far more productive.

Georgina x.

L'Oreal Lipstick Haul

VIP 228, Greige Amoureux 632, Cliche 229, Erotique 640, Flamingo Elegance 136, Magnolia Irreverence 132

 

I have a lot of time for the L'Oreal color riche lipsticks I picked up in a recent Superdrug haul. They're a mixture of matte and satin finishes and come in a gorgeous gold bullet. Greige amoureux is my favourite day lip colour at the moment it's so easy to wear and is one of those 'can apply without a mirror' kind of shades that are perfect for work. For night time I'm in love with VIP its a matte pink toned red that is the perfect summer shade as it brightens up so many looks. Erotique is my least favorite it's brown tone as I think it just doesn't suit me but would be perfect with a more tanned complexion.

Georgina x.

The bestest pooch I've ever known.

A very different post today but I just felt like I wanted to write it and include it in my little space of the web. One week ago today my boyfriends family dog Oscar passed away - I was lucky enough to have known this little pooch for the last 10 years of his 14 year life. Before meeting him I wasn't really a dog person (I was weird) but he completely changed that. My boyfriends house seems completely empty without him which is so strange because he was the smallest bundle. Dogs are just the best and missing little Posc has made me want to create a life where a doggle of our own can fit in as I'm currently saving up a stupid amount of kisses.

Georgina x.

Ps. I had these photo's printed by Sticky 9 for my boyfriends mum and they came just 2 days later. Amazing service and they had a little deal on some free prints if you download the app so highly recommend if you're looking to print you instagram photo's. 

nspa Coconut Body Mist

The sun is finally out - yay! I love coconut scented body products all year round but summer especially as it just screams holiday. I picked up this nspa coconut body mist as the sun was out and I was picking up lunch in asda. This is pretty much just pure coconut and is stupidly dreamy. I love the product but it could do with being a bit finer on the spray as I always feel it makes you a little 'wet'. This is gorgeous when you're relaxing in the sun and even better if you took it on holiday as it's pretty refreshing on the skin. For only £3 it's a perfect little addition to add some scent in the summer days.

Georgina x.

NARS Laguna Illuminator

I've always wanted to get my hands on the HG bronzer that is NARS Laguna however I own like all of the bronzers and when going to treat myself I realised I really didn't need it. So I decided to pick up the Laguna shade in the NARS illuminators. It was £23 which for huge 30ml tube I think is more than reasonable for high end brand - you also need the smallest amount so it will last you. The illuminator range is a set of highlights that are full of shimmer to highlight directly onto the skin or mix in with foundation to give a more glowy bronzed finish. The product itself is awesome - it's a lovely consistency and has a gorgeous glow. I do wish I'd picked up a lighter shade though as on my fair skin laguna is a little hard to work with. Super orgasm and hot sand look just perfect and are top of my wishlist for next purchases. If you're looking for a gorgeous bronze illuminator then this is the one I can get away with it on the top of my cheek bones but I need to spend some time making sure it's blended light otherwise it doesn't give that natural bronzed glow I'm after. It would be perfect on bare skin that has a holiday tan too.

I can't wait to add a few more of these to my collection.

Georgina x.

Soap & Glory Kick Ass Powder

I've been reading so much more about Soap and Glory's make-up line in recent months so have been picking little bits up during my standard monthly Boots hauls. I needed a new powder and had heard great things about this one so it was the first of many soap and glory make-up buys. It's £12 which is quite a bit more than I normally spend on the Rimmel stay matte that I've been using for a long while now. However the range seems to forever be on 3 for 2 and isn't completely unreasonable considering it's one of my favourite powders it's more than worth it in my opinion. The packaging is cute and has a huge mirror in the compact which I love. It holds make-up in place and doesn't make things look 'too' matte. It has a slightly yellow tone which evens out my sometimes reddish complexion. 

Overall it ticks all of my powder boxes and I will definitely be repurchasing. Soap and glory have been kicking butt with some of their products recently - they're slowly making their way into all parts of my routine I'm super glad I gave them a go. I'd love to hear what soap and glory lines you've been loving? 

Georgina x.

Bourjois ColorBand Eyeshadow & Liner Stick

I didn't go into boots for yet another eyeshadow pencil but I managed to leave with one. All of the colours in the range were so so pretty and it was hard to leave with just one. I bought it because I swatched them all then wondered around and tried to wipe it off - it didn't budge. The pigmentation and longevity of this is amazing. I have the shade 02 brun dadaiste - it's a golden deep brown that is the perfect daytime liner for something a little lighter than kohl blacks. I don't think it's particularly dual purchase for me it's an great chunky liner but it's not very blend-able so is hard work as a shadow. Overall on the outer corners for some day time liner this shade and formula is perfect. I've been using it everyday for the last week since I've had it which is something a bit special considering I have an entire drawer full of products very similar. I would highly recommend this new launch if you're a a pencil addict like me and even more so if you're after products to take you through the whole day.

Georgina x.

Life Favorites - 08.02.2015

January seems to have flown by and I'm not really sure what happened in it. But there are a few things that I adored and that stick out the most that I really wanted to share. Deep Sleep pillow spray has been in my life for over a year and is a staple in my night time routine. I picked up this huge 250ml bottle in a feel unique sale and I love having it on my dresser it's going to last for ever. I bought myself the Sali Hughes Pretty Honest book after Christmas - I'm half way through and loving it. Sali writes in such a honest and knowledgeable way I'm loving reading it and have already learnt so much.

Pretty Little Liars hit Netflix last month and I made my way through it in a matter of weeks. Having only one episode a week is hard but I'm kind of glad as it took over my life for a little while. Eating more fruit and veg was one of my 2015 plans so the Kenwood Smoothie 2 go maker has been my go to breakfast. It's not the best on the market I'm sure but for the £20 price tag you get a mean morning smoothie from it. I like frozen pineapple, spinach, chia seeds, lemon juice, orange juice & some carrot. I read that 80:20 veg:fruit to a morning smoothie is the key so I'm trying to up my veg as much as possible whilst keeping it tasty.

Santa bought me Amor Amor this Christmas - it was my favourite perfume from about 15 - 18 years old. I adore it and I love having it back in my life. I'm also loving my jade facial roller - I've been using it every single morning and night and although my better skin can't solely be contributed to this I feel like it's definitely playing its part. I also had to include the Encona Hot Pepper Sauce - I've gone through 2 bottles of this stuff in a month. I can't get enough of it - it's fresh and super hot and although it probably doesn't in reality I've been putting it on everything.

Finally I had to include the American Office as I finished it today and I'm awfully sad that I have no episodes to watch (I might have cried constantly through the last two). Stanley's my favourite character probably ever out of everything - I miss him already. 

Georgina x.

ps I've worked out where January went - I just watched Netflix.

January Favourites - 2015

I've been trying to mix up my make-up routine a bit and I'm trying to use up a few 'i kind of love you but i'm not mad about you' products however these 5 are 'i'm in love with you products'. I've been using the Clarins Instant Concealer all month after seeing the Pixiwoo girls rave about it. It's £21 which is pricey but you get a massive 15ml of product which is half the size of my foundation so will last forever. It's a gorgeous consistency that works for blemishes and under eyes. I'll pop a full blog up soon on this as I adore it.

I raved about the Stila liquid eye primer at the end of December and I've been using it every single day since. It makes eye shadow last all day and also makes the pigmentation much stronger on lighter colours. I find it hard to do my eye make-up without this product now and I can't imagine not using it. The other primer I am loving is the Laura Mercier foundation primer. It creates the perfect base for my favourite silk creme foundation. It's super soft, light weight and everything I look for in a primer. I've had a few 30ml samples in trial boxes and beauty boxes over the last 6 months or so and I think I'll be buying this once I've run out of it as it's become a staple to my routine. 

I've realised I'm pretty fickle when it comes to mascara - there's so many on the market that are amazing. Right now I'm loving the Estee Lauder Sumptuous extreme - it has a lovely huge brush and gives me lashes length and volume. The packaging is also ever so pretty I love anything that sparkles and metallic packaging is a huge plus for my collection. 

Finally the Kevyn Aucoin sculpting duo has become a firm favourite. I don't contour like crazy or anything but I do love playing around with bronzers and highlighters as I love that glowy bronzed look. When this came I was a little disappointed as it is stupidly small for the huge price tag. However it's very pigmented so you only need a little - it's also great for traveling. The product is so beautiful - super creamy the perfect amount of glow and no orange to the bronzer at all.

Georgina x.