Summer Wishlist

Who doesn't love a bit of online "window" shopping. I've been bookmarking some beauty items and accessories recently and thought I would share them with you as I always love to see what's on other people's wishlists. 

Olivia Burton Watch, Essie Cute As A Button and Ladylike, Shop Dixi Adrana and Midi Rings, Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Suspense, WEN Sweet Almond Mint Cleansing Conditioner, Clarks Originals Frida Sun Sandals, Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Eau Fraiche Skinscent, Clarks Milli Rosa Bag

I've been looking for a new watch recently to replace my grubby looking Casio. I thought it would be good to invest in a nice classic watch and this Olivia Burton one from ASOS fits the bill perfectly with it's tan leather band and big gold face. 

I've wanted these two Essie shades for a long time. Cute As A Button is the perfect summer shade and Ladylike is a year round classic nail colour. 

I've been wearing more silver jewellery lately, in particular rings, after picking up two gorgeous vintage ones a few weeks ago. I've been eyeing up a few on Shop Dixi recently which is a great accessories site. I love wearing a mix and match of big rings with thin midi rings. 

I've wanted this lipstick ever since I found out it was the one Sigrid Agren is wearing in this Chanel ad. I don't know how anyone can watch that ad and not want the lipstick.

I'm planning on signing up to the WEN hair care club this month, I'll let you know how it goes but so far I've read nothing but good things about this range of cleansing conditioners. 

I adore the Clarks Originals range and in particular these sandals, my feet are so bad that finding comfort and style combined can be difficult but Clarks are a footwear brand I can always count on to find something I like, I don't have a pair of black sandals so these are at the top of my shopping list.

I had read a lot about the Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess range when it was first released at the beginning of the Summer and I was eager to try out the Bronze Goddess Skinscent hoping to not like it as it's a Limited Edition fragrance. Unfortunately I fell in love and now I have to get it before they are all sold out. I urge you to try this next time you're near an Estée Lauder counter, it's Summer in a bottle.

Lastly is this really cute and classic bag I spotted in Clarks last week when I was shopping with my mam, we both thought it was gorgeous. It's one of those items that really makes you feel like a lady.

Do any of these items interest you? What's on your current wishlist?

Emma x

Five Songs...

...I've been listening to recently

I first heard this song because Childish Gambino used it in his song New Prince. It's also used in the trailer for Sofia Coppola's new film The Bling Ring which I'm so excited to see. This won't be to everyone's taste but I love listening to it when I want to hear something really loud.   

I've been trying to get into French music and I discovered this after reading up about the soundtrack to Quentin Tarantino's Death Proof. One of the songs on that soundtrack is Chick Habit by April March which is an English language version of Serge Gainsbourg's song Laisse Tomber Les Filles. April March recorded the French version too but I love this one which was originally recorded by France Gall in 1964. 

There seems to be a film theme going on here as this New Order song opens the film American Psycho. It's a great used of music in film and I was fortunate enough to get to see New Order perform this live last year. 

Yet another film song, I'm Deranged is on David Bowie's album, Outside from 1995. It was also used in the opening and closing credits of David Lynch's 1997 film Lost Highway, which if you haven't seen is definitely worth watching (although if you don't like David Lynch, you probably won't like it). This is such an eerie song, perfect for a Lynch film. 

I've been listening to Beck again quite a bit recently. I loved Guero when it was first released and it's always great to go back and rediscover an album you once loved. This is actually a bonus track on a Limited Edition release of the album, but it is one of my favourites. 

What have you been listening to recently, all suggestions welcome, I love finding new music!

Emma x

Rouge Buzz

If you're in any way into reading beauty blogs, you've probably already heard of the Bourjois Rouge Edition range of lipsticks. I was curious about them mainly because the only Bourjois lip products I've tried in the past are their Effet 3D lip glosses which I really love because they are so silky to wear and smell incredible. I haven't been buying make up for the past couple of months but I had accrued a lot of Boots Advantage Card points and decided to treat myself to shade 10 Rouge Buzz as I don't have any orange red shades in my collection.

Products Used:

Estée Lauder Double Wear Light in Intensity 1
Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in Fair
Dainty Doll Cream Blush  in Paper Roses
Benefit They're Real Mascara
theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer Highlighting Powder
Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin
No7 Eye Shadow in Innocence
Revlon Matte Eye Shadow in Rich Sable
Natural Collection Lash Care Mascara in Clear
No7 Perfect Light Loose Powder in Translucent


I wasn't that pushed to try these out until I saw this colour and I thought it would be worth adding to my collection. The colour range is great, with 18 shades in total, including some gorgeous pinks and corals. The closest shade I can compare this to is MAC's Lady Danger which I don't have but have wanted to try out for a while now. It's a much more orange based red than the likes of my Russian Red.

The formula of these lipsticks is creamy and smooth, comparable to that of my beloved Revlon Super Lustrous lipsticks. They are also enriched with Orchid Blossom Extract which after some research, seems to be used for it's anti-ageing, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. They are supposed to leave the lips smooth, hydrated and protected for up to 10 hours. I definitely don't need my lipstick to last 10 hours but I do find this lasts quite well, not as good as my matte finish ones but still good for a creamy textured lipstick and without lip liner.

Overall I'm very impressed these lipsticks, they are priced at €10.99, so a little less than Revlon but a bit more than Rimmel. The packaged isn't anything amazing but it's sturdy and practical and I do like how there is a little block of colour on the end. Bourjois are also releasing a Shine Edition collection next month with a more sheer formula of lipstick.


What do you think? Have you bought any great lipsticks recently?

Emma x

PS. My little absence and added freckles can both be explained by the glorious weather we've had in Ireland  over the past week. It's raining now though so I can finally get some blogging done and not feel like I'm missing out!

Mary-Lou Manizer

After being a High Beam only user for many years I decided it was time to invest in a powder highlighter. I got a gorgeous Laura Mercier one for my birthday last year (which I hope to review soon) but it's quite intense and more suited to an evening look, so when I saw the Mary-Lou Manizer by theBalm, it looked like just the product for me.

Products Used:

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation in Ivory

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in Fair

Natural Collection Clear Mascara

NARS Blush in Sin

Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin

Urban Decay Eye Shadow in Sin

Revlon Rich Sable Matte Eye Shadow

Revlon Smoked Peach Lipstick

Essence Liquid Ink Waterproof Eye Liner

Maybelline The Falsies Volum' Express Mascara

I got this back in November and have used it a lot since then and it still looks barely touched so I think it will last me a long time. As you can see above it's quite pigmented, but used with a light touch it gives your face a gorgeous, subtle glow. The packaging is very cute (reminiscent of Benefit/Soap and Glory) and durable (I've dropped mine a few times and it hasn't smashed).

I still like High Beam for when I want a really natural glow, but this just gives your face a great shape, I really don't like using bronzer as way of contouring my face as I'm just too fair for it, but I think highlighter can do just as good a job of shaping your cheekbones. I hope the photos above demonstrate that. The powder has a smooth velvety texture similar to that of Urban Decay eyeshadows which makes it easy to apply.

For €18.75, it's a more affordable version of the Dior and Laura Mercier highlighters and I think it's just as good.

Emma x

Five Tv Comedys

I've been watching recently...

 

 New Girl

I watched the first couple of episodes of New Girl when it first aired last year and I thought it was a bit lame. However after numerous people telling me it got better and was actually really good, I decided to give it another go. The second time around I fell in love. I know some people think Zooey can only play the kooky cutesy girl, but if it ain't broke, right? I personally love her and I liked her character Jess more and more with every episode I watched. Another big attraction to the show for me is my love Jake Johnson (who is excellent in Safety Not Guaranteed too). He is adorable. My brother in law and Donnacha are sick of Kate and I swooning every time he is on screen. I still don't get Winston though, people seem to love him but I don't think the writer's have given him much to work with. If you hate Zooey, you will not like this, but I'd recommend it for Nick's "I gave you cookie" speech alone. 

Workaholics

Workaholics was all over tumblr and I kept wondering what it was and then Donnacha asked if I wanted to watch it and we did and we never looked back. It really reminds me of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia in that the guys in the show are all friends and write it together. Like New Girl, it's another grower and gets better and better. For those of you who haven't heard of it, the show revolves around three house-mates in their mid twenties who work in the same cubicle in a company where they do as little work as possible and drink all the time and act like they are 15. It's hysterical.

Nathan For You

Nathan For You is a show wherein Nathan Fielder tries to help businesses to become more successful by providing them with the most ridiculous ideas to improve the way they do things. All the businesses and people are completely real and Nathan is unbelievable at playing the straight man in the most unbelievable scenarios. I cannot stress how amazing Nathan Fielder is. You have to watch this show.

Kroll Show

Nick Kroll has been in so many amazing shows such as Reno 911, Parks and Recreation, The League, Community and The Life and Times of Tim and now has his own sketch show in which he plays lots of ridiculous and obnoxious characters. The scary thing is that some of the characters aren't that far from reality. It has some great guest stars too like Jenny Slate, John Mulaney and Jon Daly, three of the funniest people ever.

Bob's Burgers

Bob's Burger's is from Loren Bouchard, creator of another one of my favourite animated shows, Home Movies. Once again a show where I watched the first episode and wasn't crazy about it and so Donnacha watched it by himself but had it on a few times while I was in the room but not really watching it. Slowly I started laughing at bits and pieces I would hear in the background and then I started watching it too. It' so cute and funny and the characters are great and it has Jon Benjamin. Please be warned though, it will make you want a burger. 

What are your favourite comedy shows?

Emma x

*I could have included Arrested Development but I just finished watching it and need to digest it some more. Plus it kind of deserves it's own post, right?


Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Optical Express Laser Eye Surgery

If you are a regular reader of my blog you will know that I have previously discussed glasses and eye issues here. I consider myself very fortunate to have perfect vision, but some of my family members and my boyfriend are not as lucky. My mother just recently got a prescription for glasses after years of being in denial about her sight and squinting at everything. After months and months of pestering her to get an eye test, she finally made the appointment and got her prescription. I have to say I think her glasses look great on her but she always forgets to wear them and I still catch her squinting and chastise her for not wearing her glasses (it's funny how you take on the role of the parent sometimes).

I think it's hard for anyone who has has their eye sight deteriorate over the years to get used to constantly having to remember to put glasses in their bag just in case they might need to read something and for us women this is a lot harder as we tend to carry around a lot more than we need to in our bags so finding a glasses case can be hard when you're not wearing them (I only know this from trying to remember and find my sunglasses every day). It would be so much easier to not have to wear glasses at all.


I've asked my glasses wearing friends and family if they would ever consider having laser eye surgery and the consensus seemed to be that they would consider it if their sight got bad enough that it was really interfering with their quality of life. From what I have read and the people I know who have had it done, that seems to be the main reason for making the decision. I can't imagine what it's like to not be able to see properly and so the miracle of being able to fix that is something I know I would want to try. The people I know who have had Laser Eye Surgery  have all said that the procedure has changed their life for the better.


You can visit Optical Express if you want to learn more about having Laser Eye Surgery.

Would you ever consider Laser Eye Surgery? Have you had it done?

Emma x

Will You Put My Hands Away?

Over the weekend we had some glorious weather here in Dublin. We took full advantage and snapped some outfit photos on Saturday before going to my aunt and uncle's house to celebrate my little cousin's communion.

Dress, Bag and Bangle- Monsoon

Jacket- Penneys

Shoes and Sunglasses- Marks and Spencers

Ring- Zara Taylor

Earrings- Anthropologie (A gift from my lovely friend Ashley)

Nails- Revlon One Hot Coral

Lips- Revlon Fire and Ice

Saturday afternoon was spent talking, laughing, eating lovely food and drinking lovely wine in my aunt and uncle's back garden, it was such a nice day. Donnacha and I celebrated seven years together this past week by taking a little hotel break and going out for a gorgeous dinner. I also attended the Antiques Fair on Sunday as I won a voucher and complimentary tickets. I'm sure I'll be wearing the items I got with the voucher in a future outfit post. We've had a very happy, busy yet relaxing week and even managed to fit in some of the new episodes of Arrested Development before getting up at the crack of dawn today for a long day in work. Last weekend we had the pleasure of meeting our friend Ashley's parents who were here on  trip with some students from Nashville. They were so kind and took us out to dinner, then Donnacha showed them around Skerries on Wednesday. It made me miss my American friends even more but also appreciate how lucky I am to have met them in the first place.

How was your weekend?

Emma x

*Post title comes from my most played song on my iPod, Hands Away by Interpol