Xmas wish list

1. Liz Earle cleanse and polish - I haven't used this in probably 3 years and I just remember how great my skin felt after using it so I'm eager to get it again.
2. Lush snow fairy - this is a must at Christmas, I actually only recently used up my last years snow fairy as I got the huge bottle of it and the scent doesn't fade in the bottle.
3. Liz Earle soothing eye lotion - I've never tried this before but as I'm going to be a first time mum in 2016 I think this will be great as I'm expecting a lot of sleepless nights.
4. The body shop aloe protective restoring mask - I had a sample of this and it left my skin feeling amazing and plump the next morning so I would love the full size of this.
5. The body shop camomile cleansing butter - I still haven't tried this so would love to receive it at Xmas.
6. Tolkien colouring book - I'm obsessed with all things Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit so of course I would want this colouring book!
7. Chromecast - we have a smart tv in our living room and would love one for our bedroom but we already have a good flat screen tv in it so we want this to covert it to a 'smart tv'.

What's on your Xmas wish list?

~Laura~

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Mascara focus

Revlon bold lacquer grow luscious waterproof mascara

Clarins wonder perfect mascara - sample size

I love having thicker fuller lashes and these two products combined together give me a look that lasts all day.

It does look quite clumpy but when you get used to using it, it really doesn't clump your eyelashes and it gives a great curl that lasts all day.

As the clarins mascara isn't waterproof I use it first then use this over the top to make it waterproof.

I love mascara wands that have are bristles instead of the plastic wands.  What type of mascara wand do you prefer?

~Laura~

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Winter reds

From left to right

Max Factor lip gloss in 30 captivating ruby (limited edition colour)

Revlon just bitten kissable balm stain in 045 romantic (I think this has been discontinued)

Maybelline color drama intense velvet lip pencil in 510 red essential 

Benefit bene balm hydrating tinted lip balm

Bourjois rouge edition velvet in 04 peach club (names peach but I think it's more on the red side)

Revlon colorburst lip butter in 035 candy apple 

Burts Bees lip balm in pomegranate (didn't show well on my skin but it does give a tint of colour to the lips)

Have you a favourite red lip colour?

~Laura~

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Recent Superdrug haul

~Biore charcoal nose strips x 2 - I usually buy the superdrug own nose strips but they were out of stock, however these were on offer (buy one get one free).

~Superdrug Pro Care Sensitive Whitening Toothpaste x 2 - I've switched to using this superdrug own brand toothpaste as so far I'm really liking it.

~Wilkinson Sword Quatro disposal razors - I said in a previous post that I used to buy the expensive gillette razors but I found they weren't lasting that long so I've started to buy these disposable ones and they are pretty good.

~Superdrug manuka honey antibacterial hand wash x 2 - I go through so much hand wash so I picked these up when they are on sale for 68p!

~Superdrug micellar wipes x 3 - I've said many times before that Iove buying Superdrug own brand products as they don't test on animals, so I picked up these wipes as they were on 3 for 2.

~Simple refreshing shower gel - I get irritated skin every now and then so like to always have a unperfumed shower gel and this is currently on sale for £1.45 and it's a 500ml bottle. 

~Palmers cocoa butter stretch mark cream - I'm currently 25 weeks pregnant and I've went through two bottles of this already, I use it every morning and night.

~Superdrug my little star baby cotton pads x 2 - these cotton pads are lovely and soft as they are meant for babies but I like cutting them in half (as they are quite big) which means they last longer.

Do you like any of the Superdrug own brand products?

~Laura~

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Current face of the day

These are the makeup items I've been using for the past 2 weeks:)

Jessup slanted face brush

Real techniques stippling brush

Real techniques detail brush

Revlon grow luscious waterproof mascara

Collection black 24hr felt tip liner

Maybelline brow satin eyebrow pencil

No7 lip liner (colour has worn off)

Max Factor masterpiece eyeshadow in coffee

Benefit eyebright - I use this on my inner eyes & bridge of my nose

Clarins wonder perfect mascara travel size

Max Factor face finity 3 in 1 foundation

Rimmel vintage pink lipstick

Burts bees lip balm in pomegranate

Rimmel match perfection concealer - I use this under my eyes

Rimmel lasting finish concealer - this is great for conealing any spots

Maybelline dream bouncy blush in coffee cake - I love this colour as it's a pink/bronzed colour so I don't feel the need to use bronzer.

Real techniques miracle sponge

~Laura~

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Collated empties #7

• Tresemme heat protector - this was probably one of the first ever brands of heat protectors I bought as a teenager, so I've went through a lot of these over the years. However I don't think I will repurchase as my hair is much dryer now and needs a more moisture locking heat protector.  
• Simple age regeneration age resisting night cream - when this is on offer I usually stock up on it as it gives my skin the right amount of moisture it needs.
• Superdrug brunette dry shampoo - as I am pregnant I've stopped colouring my hair, luckily I've found that this superdrug own brand dry shampoo for brunette hair is the exact colour of my hair and covers my roots perfect! 
• Loreal volume texturising spray - I love using this on freshly curled hair to loosen the curls give it a bit of volume.
• Method foaming hand wash - this is my favourite brand of hand wash, any of their hand washes are great and don't dry your skin. 
• Nivea eye makeup remover- this does a great job at removing waterproof mascara but my favourite is now the body shops camomile remover as I feel it's more natural.
• Lush snow fairy - believe it or not this big bottle of snow fairy is from last Christmas, it lasted nearly all year.
• The Body Shop Camomile waterproof eye and lip makeup remover - this stuff is great and it doesn't irritate my eyes at all.
• Palmers cocoa butter stretch marks - this is really moisturising even if you're not pregnant and layering it all over your belly!lol! I also use it on my legs and arm and it leaves my skin lovely and smooth.
• Waitrose pure hair conditioner - I got this when I was in London at the start of the year, I really did enjoy using it but obviously can't repurchase as we have no waitrose in Ireland.
• Nip + fab glycolic fix exfoliating pads - I bought these when they were on offer along with the dragons blood ones and I do really like them but would probably only purchase if they are on offer.
• Max factor false lash effect waterproof mascara - I think I got this in a max factor free gift set, it does do a great job but I'm currently on the hunt for a cruelty free mascara that gives great volume (still need to research if max factor is cruelty free or not)
• Max factor face finity 3 in 1 foundation - I use this on a daily basis for work as it lasts pretty much all day, I did a blog post comparing it to the Estee Lauder double wear light and I think for the price it is a great dupe.
• Trilogy botanical shower gel - this is probably the most luxurious shower gel I've ever used, it feels like a spa treatment. You can purchase it in a large pump bottle which I'm trying to resist from buying as I still have so many products to use up.

I'm currently trying to use up most of my products before I buy new things as I want to try and convert to cruelty free products. I need to research my favourite products/brands and see if they are cruelty free or not.

~Laura~

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The Body Shop sale buys

If you've read my blog for a while you will probably know that The Body Shop is my all time favourite place to buy skincare, bodycare & beauty. When I got an email to say 40% off,of course I had to go straight online and order!:)

• Camomile waterproof eye and lip makeup remover - retails at £9 each, sale price £10.80 for two. As I only use waterproof mascara I have found that is the only makeup remover that actually removes all traces of my eye makeup, plus it doesn't irritate my eyes.
• Aloe vera antiperspirant roll on deodorants - retails at £4 each, sale price £4.80 for two. I have really sensitive under arms especially after shaving, I've used this for a week and it's probably the most moisturising deodorant I've ever used.
• Vitamin E facial spray - retails at £9.50, sale price was £5.70. I ran out of MAC fix plus so I thought I would try this as a finishing spray over makeup.  So far it's working great and adding extra moisture to my skin which is a bonus for autumn/winter.

~Laura~

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Baby wish list

1 Mama's & Papas bouncer - this looks so cosy for a little baby and it has stars on it so how could I resist.
2 Digital duck thermometer for the bath - as this is our first baby I want to be extra careful with bath water temperature until I become more confident.
3 Mama's & Papas blanket - colour depending on the sex of our baby, they have so many gorgeous ones:)
4 Hauck sit n relax highchair - this looks amazing, it goes from a lower bouncer to a high bouncer which can sit level to your kitchen table then it turns into a high chair and a chair for the child to sit at the table when they are old enough.
5 Gro gro-egg room thermometer - this changes colour to show you if the room is too hot/cold and when it is just right.
6 Mamas & Papas black travel system pram - I want a plain black pram to keep things simple and it has to be quite compact as we have a small car so I'm thinking of this or a Joie travel system.
7 Jackson Reece Kinder by nature natural biodegradable wipes - not only are these unfragranced and natural they have the bonus of being biodegradable which is great!
8 Tommee tippee closer to nature set - it seems to be cheaper to buy this set rather than buying individually.
9 Hanging nappy change organiser - this looks like a super handy thing to have in a baby room, everything in the one place.

I have many more things on my baby wish list, are there any products you would recommend?

~Laura~

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Superdrug haul...

• Palmers cocoa butter stretch marks lotion - as you may or may not know my husband and I are expecting our first child. I already have bought a bottle of this but it was on offer for £2.05 so thought I would pick up another one.
• Superdrug sensitive procare toothpaste - this was also on offer for 98p, such a bargain.
• Collection extreme 24 hour felt tip eyeliner in black - an always favourite, can't go wrong for £2.99!!!
• Collection extreme 24 hour felt tip eyeliner in brown
• Rimmel match perfection concealer in 010 ivory - I rediscovered this in my makeup stash and really enjoy it for concealing my under eye area so I thought I would pick up another one.
• Real techniques miracle complexion sponge - I still haven't managed to buy the 'real' beauty blender as this works fine for me.
• Wilkinson sword quattro blades - I usually buy the Gillette embrace blades but recently I've found they start to rust quickly and they are over £10 for maybe 4 blades. These Wilkinson disposable blades were on offer for £3.86 which I thought would be worth a try and so far I'm really pleased with them. 
• Superdrug essential cleansing face wipes for dry skin - I love superdrug own brands as they don't test on animals and I'm slowly trying to switch to only cruelty free products.  The legislation is tricky as I thought all products sold in the UK had to be cruelty free but I recently read that companies have found a loop hole which allows them to still carry out animal testing (I would love to know if anyone knows brands that are 100% not tested on animals?).
• Rimmel wonder'full waterproof mascara with argan oil in black - Rimmel was on buy was get one half price so f course I had to buy something else. I've been using this for a few days now and I'm not too thrilled with it, it defines my lashes but doesn't give much volume:(

~Laura~

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Hand creams to the rescue!

• Lush dream cream - this is great as it's a hand and body lotion.
• The body shop vanilla bliss (I think this might have been discontinued)
• Palmers cocoa butter concentrated cream - this is great to use at night time as it's a thicker consistency.
• The body shop hand cream samples in; rose, hemp, absinthe & almond - so far I've used some of the rose hand cream and it sinks into the skin well.
• Beau Jardin hand cream in citrus grove - this would also be a night time cream a it is thicker and takes longer to sink into the skin.
• Neutrogena hand cream - this is probably one of the first hand creams I ever tried and is always one to go back to if all others fail to save chapped hands.
• No7 protect & perfect intense hand cream with spf 15 - this might be my favourite day time hand cream, not only does it moisturise my hands well but has the added bonus of having spf in it.

~Laura~

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A bronzed Autumn/Winter

In Autumn/Winter I love wearing a more matt foundation and pair it with a bronzer to give warmth to your face. From left to right:

• Elf contouring blush and bronzer in St Lucia
• Bourjois bronzer and highlighter
• The body shop baked to last bronzer in 01 golden bronze
• The body shop honey bronze bronzing powder in 01
• Benefit hula bronzer (in a small Z palette) - I depotted this from the Christmas Sweet Spot set, purchased at a duty free event last Christmas (link here)
• W7 chucky bronzer

What's your favourite bronzer?

~Laura~

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Eco friendly household haul...

Ecover toilet cleaner in pine fresh

Planet clean multi-surface cleaner

Ecover washing-up liquid in pomegranate & lime

Method multi-surface cleaner in pink grapefruit

Ecover all in one dishwasher tablets

Have you tried any eco friendly cleaning products?

~Laura~

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Autumn lips...

From left to right:

Stila long wear lip color in Flushed

Stila lip glaze in Glory 

Revlon colorburst lacquer balm 125 Flirtatious 

Revlon colorburst lip stain 001 Honey

Maybelline color drama velvet lip pencil 510 Red Essential

Rimmel Kate lasting finish 30 

Bourjois rouge edition velvet 07 Nude-ist

Rimmel moisture renew 180 Vintage Pink

Max Factor 615 Star Dust Pink (I think this was a limited editon)

Revlon Matte 002 Pink Pout

~Laura~

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Shopping my makeup stash...

We are currently redecorating our bedrooms so that means a major clear out. This has not only been thereputic but I've found lots of products I had forgotten about. Below are some of the makeup items I found in my stash:

Avon face pearls

Maybelline color tattoo in pink gold

Max Factor masterpiece colour precision in coffee

Revlon photo ready concealer in light

Maybelline dream bouncy blush in 60 coffee cake

Mac in the groove eyeshadow trio in togetherness 

NYX eyeshadow in copper

Clarins Instant light natural lip perfector on 02

Bourjois rouge edition velvet 07 Nude-ist

Too Faced galaxy glam baked eyeshadow in cocoa comet

Rimmel moisture renew 180 Vintage Pink

Revlon colorburst lacquer balm 125 Flirtatious 

~Laura~

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Current skincare products...

• Simple age regeneration face wash - this is my favourite face wash as it doesn't dry my skin.
• Nip + Fab glycolic fox exfoliating facial pads - I only use these maybe twice a week and I really do see a difference in my skin when I've used them.
• Simple age regeneration night cream - I've been using this for probably a year now and I can't fault it.
• B.O.N natural oils liquid gold pure tissue oil* - Back in April I attended the Irish Bloggers Conference (link here) and received this in a goodie bag.  I use this every night after I've cleansed my face and it just sinks into my skin and clears up my dry patches.
• Olay regenerist 3 point cleansing system - I've read mixed reviews about this as I think people were hoping it was exactly like the famous clarisonic system. I've never tried it but this olay system does leave my skin feeling smooth, I use it in conjunction with my simple face wash.
• Superdrug pore cleansing nose strips - these are my 'holy grail' drugstore nose strips, they are the only ones I've found that actually work and they are always on offer which is a bonus.
• The body shop pomegranate firming day lotion spf 15 - this is a lovely creamy consistency with a subtle scent.
• Botanics all bright radiance balm - this really does give your skin an amazing radiant glow and I will always repurchase this.
• The body shop vitamin c skin reviver sample - I was gifted lots of samples back in April when I was invited to The Body Shop store in Dublin to try out their brow bar (link here) and I'm slowly getting through them.  All I can say so far is how much I love to use this in the morning as the smell makes you feel revitalised.  Plus the product itself is great, I like to use a small drop of it below my makeup.
• Superdrug deep action anti-blemish gel -this is my all time favourite spot treatment as it really does shrink those horrible huge spots overnight. 
• Maple Holistics vitamin c anti-ageing serum* - I was gifted this amazing product by Maple Holistics, I've only been using it for a week and so far I am very pleased with it.  It leaves my skin feeling silky smooth and refined.
• Simple age regeneration eye cream - I always buy the Simple age regeneration products when they are on offer as they give my skin the right amount of moisture.  I like this eye cream as it doesn't irritate my eye area which has happened with other products I've used.
• The body shop seaweed ionic clay mask - I only use this when my skin has broken out as this helps clear the spots by drawing them to the surface which means they clear up quicker.

Have you tried any of these products?

~Laura~

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Collated empties #6

• Yes to grapefruit brightening facial wipes - I found these too harsh on my skin and left my face very red after use.
• Soap & Glory puffy eye attack gel - this left my eye area nice and moisturised, it's a gel like consistency however I didn't notice a huge difference in the 'puffiness' so I'm not sure if I would repurchase this.
• Simple age regeneration face wash  - I always have this in backup as it is gentle on my skin and a little bit goes a long way.
• The body shop argan oil body cream (from xmas calendar) - I  really enjoyed using this as it was a nice light-weight lotion but it had all the moisture packed into it.
• The body shop tea tree body wash - this is really refreshing however you need to moisturise afterwards as it can dry your skin.
• The body shop coconut body scrub - who doesn't love the smell of coconut? I only use a body scrub twice a month (probably should use it more) and this was perfect, left my skin feeling polished.
• The body shop shea butter body butter - this is probably my favourite Body Shop body butter, such a nice smell and it really does leave your skin super smooth.
• The body shop coconut body butter - to me the body shop butters are the best, this was my most used summer body butter.
• Simple age regeneration night cream - this is the second time I used this and it gives my skin the moisture it needs, I've read mixed reviews about this on blogs but it works for me.
• Collection concealer - this is always in beauty blogs as it is great at covering spots, however it can be drying.
• Maybelline baby lips - I'm finally throwing these out as they are probably the worst lip products I've ever used. However I read a blog once where the person didn't like them either but used them as blushers and highlighters so I might try this.
• Rimmel exaggerate lip liner in east end snob  - I love this colour but there isn't much product in it therefore doesn't last very long:(
• Eyeko skinny liquid eyeliner pen in black - this went dry very quickly and didn't give as a defined line as I like so I wouldn't repurchase.
• MAC fix plus - this is another of my favourites, can anybody recommend a cheaper alternative?
• John Frieda frizz ease 3 day straight - I've had this in quite a few of my empties as it's a constant favourite, if you have frizzy hair this will be your best friend.
• The body shop vitamin E gentle facial wash - as the name suggests it is a really gentle face wash and great when I have dry skin as it's moisturising.
• Purederm age defying eye gel mask  - these are super cheap and I actually think they make a difference, however I'm trying to switch to cruelty free products and not sure if these are.

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Giveaway - Maple Holistics Argan Shampoo and Argan Conditioner!

I have a very exciting giveaway for all you lovely readers.  Maple Holistics is offering one of you the chance to win the above argan shampoo & argan conditioner.

Below is an extract from their website to give you a little bit more info about their products:

''Maple Holistics has one goal in mind: to provide a natural, holistic range of premium products which can enhance hygiene, health and daily living.''

                                                 How to enter

• This giveaway is open to people based in Ireland, UK & the US

• Leave a comment below stating why you would like to win this giveaway and I will choose my top favourites and pick a name at random from a 'hat' (or an empty container.lol

• Giveaway will last for one week (closes 12pm Sunday the 16th of August 15) 

• The company will be posting the prize directly to you so once I have a winner I will email you and ask for your address so I can pass it onto the company.

Good luck!

~Laura~

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Collated empties #5

• Vo5 nourish my shine shampoo & Vo5 nourish my shine conditioner - I don't think I would repurchase this as I felt it left my hair heavy and it didn't feel properly cleansed.
• Boots botanics all bright purifying face scrub - I felt that this was too harsh for my skin so I wouldn't repurchase.
• Sanex derma moisturising shower gel - sanex do great shower gels and I will always repurchase them.
• Lee Stafford dry shampoo in dark - this is my favourite dry shampoo, when I ran out of this I bought the batiste in dark brown but it doesn't feel as nice as this one.
• Garnier ultimate blends honey treasures 1 minute treatment - I didn't see any difference to my hair when I used this so I wont be buying it again.
• Juicy water lemons & limes - I could drink this stuff every day, it really quenches your thirst!
• Original source extreme deep clean liquorice body scrub - this body scrub didn't last very long as it is quite watery, it did leave my skin feeling cleansed but I don't think I will buy it again.

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My favourite ceaser salad recipe

Grilled chicken covered in Nando's peri-peri salt - grilled in a George Foreman

Smoked bacon

Mature cheese

Vine tomatoes

little gem lettuce (or whatever you prefer)

Ripe avocado

Pizza express ceaser dressing (this is now available in supermarkets)

Delicious!

~Laura~

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Simple dark chocolate treats

Ingredients/utensils

74% dark chocolate from Lidl

Roasted hazelnuts & flaked almonds (or whichever nuts you prefer)

You could also add dried fruit if you like

Silicone moulds 

At the end of last year I attended a chocolate making class as part of a hen party (very fun), on this I learnt that the darker the chocolate the better the quality of cocoa is.  They actually recommended Lidl chocolate as they have a varied range of great quality dark chocolate.

• Break the chocolate into a glass bowl
• Melt the chocolate in the glass bowl over warm water in a saucepan on the hob (I’ve tried the quick method of microwaving and have ended up burning my chocolate)
• While the chocolate melts place some nuts into the moulds
• Once the chocolate is fully melted pour it into the moulds on top of the nuts
• Then place in the fridge to set
• Once set turn out onto a plate or tray
• Voilà the finished chocolates ready to eat.

You could also wrap them in cellophane and finish with ribbon to make a great little present.

~Laura~

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My cook book collection

Finally here it is, a look at my obsession with cook books (note to self stop buying cook books!)

Good Housekeeping step-by-step cook book
The slow cooker cookbook 
Best kept secrets of the Women's Institute - Healthy eating  
A chocolate dream (I was given this one and the above and I can't find links)
Glorious Cakes
Good Housekeeping easy to make wheat free
The burger 
4 ingredients Christmas
400 budget recipes
Reboot Juice book
Gluten-free cooking
The healthy slow cooker cook book
Good housekeeping easy to make soups
The hairy dieters
Vegan & gluten free baking
Gluten free baking
Seriously good gluten free cooking - Phil Vickery
Donal Skehan Home Cooked
Donal Skehan Kitchen Hero
Itsu - The Cookbook
Flourless
Flat belly diet, gluten free cookbook
Simply gluten free and dairy free
I quit sugar for life
Deliciously Ella
Paleo diet
Honeybuns gluten free baking
Wheat gluten & dairy free 

Below are a few close up pictures of my favourites.

Finally, no cook book is complete without having a pretty cook book stand to display them in. Even when I'm not planning on making anything I like to keep a recipe open as it adds a nice touch to my kitchen.

~Laura~

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