Birthday celebrations 23/02/13

  

So it was my 20th birthday last Saturday, yes I was no longer a teenager. It feels weird to say that I'm not twenty, although obviously like every other birthday I feel absolutely no different. On the same day it was also my mum's birthday so it's always nice to do something together, as a family. Basically this is just a quick post to share with you some of the pictures I had taken throughout the day.

First is my outfit, I wore a dress from Primark which I love, I also have it in a red floral pattern which I have featured in an outfit post. I just love the shape of these dresses and there only £13 I believe which I think is a bargain! It was a pretty plain outfit just partnered with some silver accessories from Accessorize and my Michael Kors watch.

Next was my main birthday present from Mum and Dad which was a new camera! I was so excited about this, my old camera had done it's time and was on the way out simply because it was rather old. I love this one, not quite like the professional ones out there, but nonetheless is perfect for me. It also has Wi-Fi which I think is pretty darn amazing.

Then my two nieces and sister made me and my mum a birthday cake, to be honest it looked pretty amazing. We were told that once we cut it open we would be in for a 'surprise' and once we did, it was a pretty rainbow cake! It was pretty delicious too so overall they done a good job!

After that it was a quick testing out of my new camera and photo shoot for me, my two nieces and mum. My sister took a few (it's pretty hard to keep my nieces entertained with boring smiley pictures) so just thought I'd share one of those with you :)

Finally I just took a few pictures of some other bits and bobs I received in the morning from friends and family. I literally love all of my presents and again don't want these pictures to be taken the wrong way, just helping you guys be nosey ;) he he. I also must mention that my boyfriend got me converse, they are my new babies. They are also white so must be kept well away from any muddy puddles! I also went and visited my dad in hospital so was lovely to be able to see him for a couple of hours with the rest of my family, and I also received a couple of Cath Kidston bits from him which was lovely :)

Hope you enjoy this birthday post and having a nosey into my day :) See you this time next year, will be the big 21st then! xo

Fisheye Photography

I like to think I know what I'm doing when it comes to photography but I'll be honest with you I really don't. I'm just one of those people who loves to take pictures and edit them. If you have an iPhone or similar I'm pretty sure you'll all have Instagram.. if you don't redeem yourself now. It's the most amazing app where you can edit photos with a few taps on your screen.

I first came across fisheye photography when I discovered the Lomography cameras which really cool retro cameras and I was instantly drawn to them. The only down fall was the fact that the take films, and as I'm one to take a lot of pictures I think it would also take up a lot of money. But whilst browsing the internet on a daily basis I then came across this little gem. I found this on Amazon at a fraction of the price compared to the actual camera.

It's just like a case for your iPhone and then the actual lense just screws on as and when you want it to. Then you're free to go wild. It really is that simple. I find it so easy to just snap away on my iPhone, even more so as it's got a moulded shape in my hand, but it's amazing. It also comes with a nice pouch so when you're not using the lense you can pop it in there and then into your handbag so it doesn't get damaged.

I personally love fisheye photography as I think it makes a normal picture so much more interesting and exciting. It grabs more of your surroundings and fits more width into your pictures and I always love a round photo. I went to the beach the other day for my boyfriends birthday and took rather a lot of pictures with this new gadget so may do a post including those. It was a beautiful, sunny and surprisingly warm day at the coast so was lovely :)

I really would recommend this if you've got a good eye for photography or are just like me, someone who is snappy happy! You can get one here and they are only around £13 which I think is a bargain :) I hope you enjoyed this different post and I'd love you to leave me a comment and let me know if you'd like to see some other photos from my day out! Hope you're all having a lovely week xo

Nivea Express Hydration Primer Review

I'm pretty new to the whole world of using a primer and only since last year did I invest in my first primer then when I saw this one being advertised rather a lot I was instantly attracted. A moisturiser and a primer in one? I thought it was genius. Although I love moisturising and then applying primer to my face every morning I find the drying time sometimes a little too long, especially when I'm in a rush to try and get to work on time. If you have the same problems as me then you will definitely 

love this product.

I've been using it for a good couple of months now and really don't have a bad word to say about it. It really reduces the drying time which I find a pain, although sometimes within that time I can get distracted and find something else to do, but when I'm rushing for work it's such an easy product to apply. You literally only need a tiny amount to cover your whole face, basically a little goes a long way in this case. And like I said I've had this for a good couple of months and you can see I've barely made a dent in the product. It keeps my make up in place all day, there's just times when I would maybe re apply my concealer to my blemishes to keep them hidden away. But apart from that it's amazing staying power. 

I picked this up in Superdrug and I can't properly remember but think it was only around £3.99 maybe, so it's such a good product as such an affordable price. I believe it also came in different skin types, I think I picked up normal/combination skin with the blue lid and then there's a dry skin with a pink lid (I think? May be giving you false information, I did purchase a long time ago, sorry! Hehe) This product can also be used for touch ups throughout the day, for the dry patches on your skin or if your make up has slipped. The tub is a pretty small, compressed size too so could easily be chucked into your handbag. It is a glass tub which is always a nice touch as it makes it seem more expensive that it actually is.

Overall I would definitely recommend this product to all of you, no matter what skin type you have. And definitely if you're like me and hate waiting for moisturiser and primer to dry on your face. It really does do just an amazing job as normal. Worth a try :)

Have you tried this product? What were your views on it? :)

xo

Rimmel Cocktail Colour - Shirley Temple 120

I could just literally sit and stare at this gorgeous colour! I first saw them on FleurDeForce's blog, I think just before they were released and I knew straight away I just had to get my hands on one. So I popped into my local Superdrug a few days later and found them! Only a few left though. After standing and not being able to decide between the colours and telling myself I was only allowed to buy one I finally opted for the shade 120 Shirley Temple.

It's a gorgeous orange colour with gold flecks of glitter and after only 2 coats you can see the intensity of the colour which I think is amazing. The application was so easy! I love Rimmel nail varnishes as I love the size of the brush, it pretty much fits to my nails and with a couple of sweeps, 1 coat is finished in record timing! The bottle says 'Cocktail colour in a flash' and it 100% does that. I literally don't think I can fault this nail varnish in anyway, it really is brilliant. I believe it was only £3.99 as well which is such an affordable price for such a good quality nail polish. I'm definitely going back to Superdrug and buying the other 2 colours in this range. They are a vibrant pink and purple.

One more thing.. I wore this to work the day after I painted them and I had NO chips what so ever.. To me that is the most amazing thing, to find a gorgeous nail varnish that doesn't chip the first day I go back to work! I was amazed and also got loads of comments on the colour of these too :-)If you're humming about this product, then I say stop! Go and purchase, you will not be disappointed!

If you haven't tried these polishes already then I definitely recommend that you do! :) If you have already tried them then I'd love you to link your reviews below!

xo

Birthday Wishlist

1. Topshop Textured Pinny

2. Lace Insert Boho Dress

3. Topshop Textured Stitch Jumper

4. New Look Tapestry Skater Skirt

5. Topshop Peep Toe Shoes

6. New Look Off Shoulder Crop Top
7. Missguided Roller Hat
8. Daisy Pattern Oversized Jumper
9. Samsung Digital Camera
10. New Look High Neck Crop Top
11. White Converse
12. Rimmel London Cocktail Colour

With my birthday lingering (it's 2 weeks today!) I can't help but have a wish list, can I? I also have realised when I was putting this picture together that there was rather a lot here, but a girl can also dream right? With those questions out of the way I really am loving and dieing for all of these bits and bobs! I can see Spring/Summer coming over the hill and it makes me all giddy thinking about all the new clothes and colours that are on the horizon :) Anyway I'll carry on counting down the days and I hope you enjoy having a nosey! Hope you're all having a lovely weekend xo

A Big Thank You

Recently I was just browsing blogs, as always, and I came across some lovely illustrations which just kept popping up. I then came across Robyn's blog, her blog is so cute and full of her own personal drawings which I think adds something to a normal blog. Anyway I got in contact with Robyn and asked if she would be willing to do an illustration for me and blog and thankfully for me she said yes! I simply chose the picture I wanted and a couple of days later Robyn emailed me the result. I absolutely love the final result and am so thankful to Robyn and her amazing creative skills! I think these illustrations are so sweet, fun and a different take on a normal picture.

I hope you are all having a great week and please take a moment to go and check out Robyn's blog, I'm sure you'll fall in love just like I did. I'd just like to say one last big thank you to Robyn :)

You can find Robyn here: 

Twitter - @xrobynm

Blog - http://www.robynmakesthings.com/

50 Random Facts About Me

1. I've been with my boyfriend for 4 years

2. I love the smell of bonfires

3. I have a phobia of birds - mainly pigeons, they scare the hell out of me!

4. I absolutely love The Hills, I've watched every season billions of times and still can't get enough of it

5. I have 2 nieces and a nephew who I adore

6. I am a pretty fussy eater and just stick to what I know and love

7. I danced for around 7 years and completed all of my exams with honours

8. I love driving

9. If you didn't know already, I have a huge collection of nail varnishes and cannot stop buying more

10. I sucked my thumb from birth until the day the dentist told me to stop and I did. I was around 12

11. I've always had a dog in my life and don't think I could ever live without one

12. Lauren Conrad is definitely one of my idols

13. With every pair of shoes I buy I have to buy a pair of insoles to go inside them. Yes I have weird sized feet

14. A mini is my dream car, in cream

15. I've moved house 5 times in my life, I miss my last house it was the best

16. My last year in high school was one of the best years, I miss it

17. I love looking through old pictures and remembering all of the memories

18. I would love to travel to Australia and L.A., I'm hoping I'll bump into Lauren Conrad ;)

19. I love being tanned but am not a great lover of fake tan

20. I buy way too many mascaras to try and find 'the one'

21. On the 23rd of this month I will no longer be a teenager, that's scary

22. An old friend introduced me and my boyfriend over MSN, classy, but since that day over 4 years ago, we've spoken every day

23. I cried when my brace was put on and taken off

24. I have a small blue birthmark at the top of my nose which only shows up on some days

25. I can only sleep in pitch black and silence

26. I've seen loads of musicals with my mum, Hairspray being one of my favourites

27. I used to go to Smash Hits concerts all the time when I was younger with my family

28. Covent Garden soup is my favourite

29. My biggest pet peeve is the sound of people eating, even typing this makes me cringe, yuck!

30. I love swimming and always took part in galas and loved swimming lessons when I was younger

31. I love watching snow, it's so pretty although very annoying

32. I'm very OCD about my bedroom

33. I don't like coffee or tea, I do love a good hot chocolate though

34. I'm always on Twitter and Instagram

35. I'm always buying skin products to help with my spots and blemishes

36. I love buying DVDs and my collection is getting slightly out of hand

37. Since working in Accessorize I buy way too much jewellery

38. I've never been a lipstick kinda girl and never wear it

39. I love The Sims

40. I love a good girly night in with films and food

41. I've never worked somewhere with so many lovely work mates

42. I'm always internet shopping, I just can't stop myself

43. I drive a bright blue corsa, you'd never miss me!

44. I'm really rubbish at painting my toe nails, I'll paint them and then leave the same nail varnish on for months

45. I've always wanted to go up the Eiffel tower

46. I have a younger brother who constantly shouts on the xbox, my god it's the most annoying thing

47. I hate people who are always late

48. I can only blink with one eye, trust me I've tried hard

49. I love a good back massage, my boyfriend is getting there

50. I always like to read a book although it takes me ages to get into it and I hate long chapters

I hope you enjoyed this more personal post, I've seen it floating round a lot of other blogs and thought it would be rather fun to do myself! I'd love for you to leave your links below if you've done this tag :) Have a good week ladies xo