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Sunday 30 August 2015

House of Fraser Estée Lauder Gift with Purchase Review + Giveaway

Hello My Lovelies, 

I hope you are all doing well and you have had a wonderful bank holiday weekend so far. I thought today I would share one of my first beauty posts in collaboration with House of Fraser since winning the Beauty Ambassador competition. I will be posting more about everything soon, however, I just wanted to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to everyone who supported me and congratulated me - it really means so much to me and sometimes I struggle to find the words to show how grateful I am. So, I thought today I would bring you a review of the current House of Fraser Gift with Purchase and also a cheeky little giveaway for you all. 

The Gift with Purchase is definitely one of the most eye-catching sets I have seen from Estée Lauder for a little while - I mean how gorgeous is this unique print?! The set includes a gorgeous 'Opening Ceremony' limited edition cosmetic pouch which is full to the rim of Deluxe Estée Lauder samples. Admittedly, I am a complete newbie when it comes to Estée Lauder skincare so I was over the moon when I found out about this set. If only I had know about this Gift with Purchase a few weeks ago! I literally just made a little splurge at one of my local Estée Lauder counters - I mean who doesn't love a good ol' gift with purchase?! The promotion will be running until the 5th September so if you fancy picking up one of these exclusive sets I would suggest you head on over to House of Fraser as soon as possible - there is limited stock! To qualify for one of these gift sets, you would need to purchase two or more Estée Lauder products (one of those having to be a foundation or skincare product). Full T&C's can be found here

What do you get inside the cosmetic pouch? First up we have two product from the Advanced Night Repair line. The Advanced Night Repair Synchronised Recovery Complex II helps you to wake up to a more beautiful looking skin on a daily basis. It targets the look of all key signs to ageing and exclusive ChronoluxCB Technology to help skin's natural nightly renewal. This is a product that I have wanted to try for the longest time and I am so glad that I now have a sample in my collection. The second product from the line is the Advanced Night Repair Eye Sync Complex II which is an incredibly innovative hydrating eye cream that works similar to the serum. It maximizes the power of the night to re-ignite the vital, youthful-looking light that can fade due to fatigue, pollution and age. Being in my early twenties now I think you can never start soon enough when it comes to anti-aging products. I am going to enjoy incorporating this into my evening skincare routine and look forward to seeing how it works for my skin. The Advanced Night Repair line from Estée Lauder is not cheap so I was pleasantly surprised to see some really generous samples including within the offer - you can definitely get a few weeks wear out of these which is plenty of time to see how they work with you skin.


Next we have another two skincare products. Firstly, the Revitalizing Supreme Global Anti-Aging Creme which sounds absolutely incredible. This is a high-performance, multi-action creme that anticipates and responds to skin's changing needs - it's like magic in a tub! According to Estée Lauder, it helps significantly reduce the appearance of multiple signs of ageing lines, wrinkles, loss of firmness, dullness, dehydration - all with the IntuiGen™ Technology. Secondly, we have the Perfectly Clean Multi-Action Foam Cleanser which treats your skin to a refreshing foam that cleanses gently yet thoroughly. The formulation consists of a proprietary technology, this is a creamy formula that rapidly lathers into a rich foam that works for all skin types. You can use this product two different ways. One, as a morning and evening daily cleanser or two, twice a week as a 3-minute purifying mask. I haven't given this product a proper try as yet but I am already sold and I am looking forward to giving this a try!


Now, there are two gorgeous makeup products within the gift set. Firstly, we have a beautiful Pure Color Gloss in #9 Rock Candy. When I first set my eyes on this lipgloss I just knew Iw as going to love it - I mean just look at that gorgeous pink shade. I absolutely love Estee Lauder lip products because they always have a creamy smooth consistency that glides onto your lips  like a dream, they also hydrate and can instantly transform your lips. Also, all of their lip products have this gorgeous sugar sweet scent that I absolutely adore. Secondly, we have this fast-drying and long-wearing Pure color Nail Lacquer in So Vain. This is not my typical go-to shade when it comes to my nails, but I am surprised at how much I really like it. You can turn your fingertips into a fashion statement with a wardrobe of sensational shades to choose from. So Vain is a gorgeous taupe nude with a slight shimmery tone to it - when I saw this shade it reminded me of something Kylie Jenner would be sporting. Finally, the set includes a Lips to Envy 3-Minute Beauty Techniques card with samples of their Double Wear Concealer (Light/Medium) and three shades of the Pure color Envy Lipsticks (Intense Nude, Powerful and Envious). I have received samples like this in the past and I have to say I really do enjoy them. They are a great way to see which shade of lipstick you prefer and so on. Additionally,  this set comes with a 2-step 2-Minute masterclass on how to achieve a lip look using a combination of the products in the card.

Overall, I think this is a wonderful offer and if you are considering making an Estée Lauder purchase soon then this would be the perfect time as you would be receiving an additional gift with purchase! Now onto the giveaway! House of Fraser has kindly offered 3 of my lovely readers the opportunity to win one of these sets! To qualify for this giveaway please follow the rules and the instructions on the Rafflecopter widget below.

The Rules

1. You MUST be following my blog through GFC & Bloglovin' to qualify
2. This Giveaway will run from 30th August 2015 until 13th September 2015
3. I am using Rafflecopter for this giveaway so please follow the instructions on the widget - The more you enter the better the chance of winning this giveaway!
4. There are going to be 3 individual winners 


I hope you all enjoyed taking a peek inside this wonderful Estée Lauder Gift with Purchase set. Like always lovelies, if you have any questions, requests or if you just want a chat you can contact me via my social media or leave me a comment below. I love hearing from you all and I make sure to ready every single comment...they really make my day!

What do you think of this Estée Lauder Gift with Purchase set? Will you be making a cheeky splurge? If so, what will you be picking up?

Lots of Love

*PR Sample
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Friday 28 August 2015

My V Festival Experience with Sure UK

Hello My Lovelies,

I hope you are all doing well and you have had a fabulous week. Yay for a three day bank holiday weekend! If you follow me on my various social media channels then you will know that last weekend I had the opportunity to attend V Festival. This was my first time at V festival as I have only been to Love Box and Reading in the past. I didn't bring my camera in fear of doing something stupid and losing it or something so I took some snaps with my handy dandy iPhone - hope you enjoy!

Not so long ago I received a wonderful email in my inbox from Sure UK inviting me along to V Festival for a weekend of music, fun and fitness! As Sure UK were one of the sponsors for this year's festival they teamed up with a selection of bloggers to put their Sure 'Shower Fresh' Motionsense deodorant to the test. When I received the invitation I literally had to pinch myself because I couldn't believe Sure wanted me involved with this campaign. When offered such an amazing opportunity I really couldn't turn it down - especially as Sure house a selection of my most trusted and beloved antiperspirants. I must admit I was a little dubious trying out a different deodorant to my usual favourite, the Sure Maximum Protection line (you can see my reviews here & here), however, sometimes we have to step outside of our comfort zone and take a chance. On this occasion, the chance definitely payed off and I was pleasantly surprised will how well the 'Shower Fresh' Motionsense deodorant worked for me.


As Sure had teamed up with FitBit, our blogging mission was to bring to life the reality of how much people actually move at a festival and how the 'Shower Fresh' Motionsense deodorant worked at essentially keeping us 'shower fresh' throughout the duration of the weekend. Sure have recently created a Motionsense technology, the world's first antiperspirant that is activated directly by movement so the more you move the more it protects. This technology is unlike anything I have heard or seen before and it is exclusive to Sure. The Motionsense has unique microcapsules that break with friction (don’t worry, you cannot feel a thing) to release freshness that lasts all day to keep you moving #nonstopsummer style!


The FitBit that I had the opportunity to try out was the famous 'Flex' which has been dubbed as 'the stylish wristband that suits your lifestyle'. The Flex is a great size and it sits incredibly snug and comfortable on your wrist without the fear of it coming loose and losing it throughout the day (touch wood). The Flex tracks your steps, distance travelled, calories burned all the way through to monitoring your sleeping patterns - I have become so obsessed with this contraption. Overall, it is completely full proof and so far I have been blown away with the results I have been receiving on a daily basis and how it is motivating me to move more. Another great thing about the Flex is you have more than one option on how you can use it. If you don't fancy wearing the wristband one day you can easily 'pop-out' the data sensor gadget and throw it into your handbag or pocket on the go - the FitBit will still be tracking all of your movement and will be storing your data! Impressive right?! If you have a FitBit and fancy motivating each other, you can add me by using my email which can be found by clicking the email social button under my picture to the right.


So what did my festival experience entail? Well, for the most part, I had such an incredible time watching all of the different artists, relaxing in the VIP area, eating lots of yummy food (sorry diet)...I even got dragged onto a scary roller coaster ride! Saturday we experienced some difficulty actually getting into the main arena though! We parked up and went straight to our closest gate which was number 5 - however, only to be told that we could only go to gate 1 to pick up our wristbands. As you can imagine going from gate 5 to gate 1 was going to be quite a trek, especially in the scorching heat. However, we needed our wristbands so we continued on to gate 1. Once we arrive we received more bad news, we were told by two stewards (who were not very helpful at all) that gate 1 was apparently closed and we had to either go back to gate 5 or try gate 3. Well, at this point we were not going to trek back to gate 5 so we tried our luck at gate 3. Yup, you guessed right...we also had no luck at gate 3. After queuing up for around 30 minutes, which resulted in me missing the Sure UK bloggers meet up, we decided to ask an information desk. Cut a long story short we walked all the way back to gate 1, which was in actual fact open for VIP wristbands and then all the way back to gate 5 to actually get into the area. After walking pretty much the length of the entire arena, we were feeling pretty fed up, however, kind of motivated as I was so curious to see how many steps we had achieved! The signal in the area wasn't that great so using social and checking apps was quite difficult so I had to wait until the evening to be able to check my Fitbit app. On Saturday, I took a total of 18,149 steps, which work out at 12.07km! I don't think I have walked that distance in a super long time and the scary part is because you are so engrossed with the festival itself you have no idea how many steps you are actually taking! I still can't believe how far we walked that day and in the scorching heat - after showering that evening I noticed I had even burnt my shoulders and my scalp - ouchies!

Sunday, day 2 of V Festival was slightly more chilled out as we got straight into the arena with no problems what so ever.  We explored a little more but eventually worked our way back to the VIP area - after experiencing VIP at a festival for the first time I definitely think that I will be paying that little bit extra in the future! We stumbled across a Pringle stand where you had to do hoola hooping, limbo, karaoke and frisbee shooting to win tokens and redeem them against pringles and pringle branded items – I won a few things, one of which was a rain poncho which came in extremely handy later on in the afternoon as it literally poured. Now, when it comes to rollercoasters I am absolutely fine, I am a bit of an adrenaline junkie to be honest, however, after hearing all the horror stories in the news recently I was super nervous getting on any kind of rollercoaster - even if it was something like tea cups! After much convincing I decided to go for it but thank goodness I had a good deodorant on my side – stressing out can cause a sweat you know haha! I did a total of 12,928 steps that day, which work out at 8.60km. Not quite as much as Saturday but still a fair distance...and I have noticed quite a significant drop since being back home and back into my day-to-day life haha.



Overall, I was really impressed with the 'Shower Fresh' Motionsense deodorant and I would definitely consider purchasing it again. As Sure were a main sponsor at this year's festival they had a few 'Sure Stop Off Tents' located around the arena where you had the opportunity to freshen up. I think these were such a great idea and definitely think they should be considered at all festivals. The tents consisted of the 'Shower Fresh' Motionsense deodorant (I topped up once on Saturday as an added precaution as it was extremely warm), dry shampoo, hot styling tools, hairspray and so on - safe to say I was in my element! We even took a cheeky selfie in their Hollywood style mirrors! I have added some snaps from the weekend, however, don't forget to head on over to my Twitter or Instagram to see more (@SophiaMeola)!

I hope you all enjoyed this post, I loved how it turned out to be a combination of beauty and lifestyle! I want to say another huge thank you to Sure for giving me this wonderful opportunity and for being part of some amazing memroies from the weekend. Like always lovelies, if you have any questions, requests or if you just want a chat you can contact me via my social media or leave me a comment below. I love hearing from you all and I make sure to ready every single comment...they really make my day!

Lots of Love


*V Festival Experience provided by Sure UK - all opinions are my own
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Sunday 23 August 2015

Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion | #AveenoSkincareSecrets

 Hello My Lovelies,

I hope you are all doing well and have had a wonderful weekend. Whilst you are reading this I will still be at V Festival so make sure to keep checking back as I will be posting about my Festival experience really soon. Usually on Sundays I will be pampering myself ready for the week ahead – hopefully I can still get some of my routines in place when I get home late after the festival. Not so long ago I was contacted by Aveeno to try out their Daily Moisturiser. As the weather is constantly fluctuating here in the UK from warm to cold to hot to raining, I thought it would be a great idea to try out a new moisturiser. This was my first time trying out an Aveeno product, so naturally I did some research behind the brand before getting started. According to the Aveeno website and various pages on the interweb, they are one of the most trusted skincare brands as they only use natural ingredients in their products. One of the main ingredients that they use that is highly recommended by dermatologists is oats. Aveeno makes sure to include this ingredient in most, if not all of their products, which is great to hear as it is not something I have typically heard of in other skincare I have tried. As a skin protectant active ingredient, oatmeal can help restore skin’s normal pH and aid in the maintenance of skin’s moisture barrier to help prevent and protect dry skin. The Daily Moisturising lotion is extremely nourishing and is clinically proven to improve the health of dry skin in just one day with significant improvements in 2 weeks. The formulation consists of Active Naturals® Colloidal Oatmeal and rich emollients, which help prevent and protect dry skin.

I never knew this before, however, there are so many benefits to oats in skincare! They increase skin hydration, as colloidal oatmeal helps restore and protect the skin's natural barrier helping to prevent water loss and maintain moisture. This is something I really love about this product because one of my #AveenoSkincareSecrets it to moisturise straight out of the shower when you are still slightly damp – this helps lock in even more moisture! Doing this in combination with the Aveeno Daily Moisturiser would be and has been a dream, team! It also soothes, as oatmeal is known for its soothing benefits on sensitive skin. It cleanses, the oat particles adhere to dirt and dead skin cells (like a magnet) allowing them to be washed away. They protect, they create a protective film on the surface on the skin. Finally it buffers, which helps return skin to normal pH levels.

I have been using the Daily Moisturiser now for around 2 weeks and so far it has left me really impressed as my skin has been looking tip top – well I think so anyway! I love it when you can actually see a product work over time. This moisturising lotion left my skin feeling extremely soft to the touch, smooth and enhanced a naturally healthy glow. An added bonus is the fact that it is fragrance-free, non-greasy and non-comedogenic so it is perfect for pretty much any skin type.When I was younger I used to suffer from some mild eczema, which was linked to my hayfever allergies. Years passed and it seemed as if I had grown out of it all, however, during the past few months it seems to have come back ever so slightly – especially in my inner elbow area. Using the Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion has definitely helped soothe and improve my skin and it has left me feeling more confident as eczema can be so frustrating, especially when it is being stubborn! What I enjoyed the most was the fact that it started hydrating my skin immediately and when it soaks in, your skin looks glowing, healthy and soft to the touch. I definitely feel I would pick up another bottle of this as it has worked really well with my skin personally – a 300ml bottle costs around £7.14 (from the Aveeno site here), which is so reasonable! This is definitely one of those ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ products because even though the packaging is not extremely eye catching the product inside is pretty outstanding. Now I have tried the Daily Moisturiser, I would love to give the body wash and hand cream a try!

I hope you all enjoyed today's post, I would love to hear what you thought about the Daily moisturiser and what you #AveenoSkincareSecrets are! I would like to tag one of my blogging besties India from The Jewel Beauty to share her skincare secrets also. She is the skincare queen so make sure you stop by to see what she has to share! Also, how cute is the customised Alphabet pouch that my Aveeno Daily Moisturiser arrived in?! I am a sucker for anything personalised and I have been obsessed with this pouch ever since it arrived haha. To check out their range, you can visit their site here. Like always lovelies, if you have any questions, requests or if you just want a chat you can contact me via my social media or leave me a comment below. I love hearing from you all and I make sure to ready every single comment...they really make my day!

What do you think of the Aveeno Daily Moisturiser? Also, what are your #AveenoSkincareSecrets?! You can check out the official Aveeno UK Facebook page to see what secrets everyone is sharing! 

Lots of Love

*Sponsored Post
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Sunday 16 August 2015

Glossybox | August 2015

Hello My Lovelies, 

I hope you are all doing well and have had a fabulous weekend so far! Have you noticed anything different over on my blog? After months and month of thinking about it I finally gave my blog a mini makeover (with a custom domain to follow shortly). I am actually working on a completely new site design and brand concept with some developers at the moment. I have decided that I don't want to rush anything so we are making sure to take our time through each process to make sure it is everything I want and more. My blog is that special little place where I can seek refuge and having done this mini makeover has made a huge different in my inspiration and motivational levels. I feel like I have got my blogging mojo back and I can't wait to share what is to come with you all...I have lots to catch up on haha! 

I thought today I would share with you the September 2015 Glossybox. This little beauty landed on my doorstep last weekend I believe and I couldn't wait to share it with you all. I have reviewed a few different beauty subscription boxes on my blog and I have to say that I really do like the overall concept of them. In some instances you have no idea what is going to arrive in your box and it is almost like a little surprise gift to yourself. Who doesn't like treating themselves from time to time haha. Not only that but it also offers you the chance to try out some products that you might not have necessarily been drawn to in the first instance...it is a great way to expand your beauty collection and try out some fabulous new brands!

Glossybox are celebrating their 4th Birthday this month and in honour of their global experts who have contributed to Glossybox as a whole each box is filled with beauty discoveries from around the world. Did you know that Glossybox is available in 10 different countries? Not only that but there are also four, yes four full size products in this months box - these consist of home grown favourites to must-haves hailing from Spain and the USA. The great thing also about this months box is the fact that we all had our say about what could be included. According to Glossybox, if you ask then you shall receive and after voting for a versatile blush product they decided to include one from Sweden's leading professional brand Emite. How exiting?! Whether you are anticipating a staycation or vacation make a little space in your suitcase - as you'll want to take these beauty discoveries with you. 

Naobay Calming Face Toner | Full Size | RRP £10.65

First up we have this Calming Face Toner by Naobay, which is a luxurious natural organic brand. This is the second Naobay product I have tried and I thank Glossybox for introducing them to me as I am not sure how I would have stumbled across them without the monthly subscription box. This citrus-scented liquid toner tackles four skincare requirements...removing traces of makeup while also cleansing, calming and hydrating the skin thanks to its chamomile and got kola extracts. Also, how chic is the packaging?! It is so simple yet so effective - this is definitely a product that would look lovely on a shelf. I really like the sound of this toner and I already have it lined up to use after I finish my current one. I will make sure to follow up with a full review sometime soon. 

SASS Purifying Cleanser | Deluxe Sample

When I first saw the words 'Purifying Cleanser' I was like 'fabulous, another new skincare product to try' - oh boy was I wrong! Ladies and gentleman, in actual fact this is an intimate product purifying cleanser. SASS is a brand I was introduced to back in the May 2015 Glossybox and overall I think it is a great brand, however, I don't think I have tried enough of their product to wow me. This gentle formula ensures you stay shower-fresh all day and it also works as a probiotic to balance skin's PH levels. Being a deluxe travel size product this would be perfect to bring away on your travels. 


Emile Artist Colour Powder Blush in 108 | Full Size | RRP £20.59

Back in May Glossybox asked whether you would like to see a blush or brush in this months box. We all voted and Glossybox listened and were pleased to add a blush/bronzer hybrid into August's box. Hailing from pro-inspired Swedish brand Emite, this warm terracotta sandstone shade adds a warm glow to the skin and has the ability to be used for contour. To be this shade leans more onto a bronzer than a blusher, however, either way this 'blunzer' is a gorgeous shade. The now thing that didn't wow me was the packaging. For a pro-inspired brand I would have thought that the clear cap on the compact would at least have a logo of smoking - it just looked a little naked. 

MeMeMe Lipglide in Playful Peach | Full Size | £6.95

MeMeMe is a brand I have tried previously and absolutely loved - you can see my brand overview here. However, this will be the first Lipglide product I would have tried and first impressions wise I was extremely impressed. The shade Playful Peach is a gorgeous coral hue with a matte-velvet formulation perfect for the Summer time. I did find you had ago build up the shade to have a bright pop of colour, however, for everyday where this gives a lovely sheen to the lips. I absolutely love chubby stick type products as I would have to say that they are the perfect travel companion and work great for application on the go. 


Manna Kadar Lash Primer | Full Size | £14.55

When I first saw this product in the box I honestly thought that it was a sample size and after reading the leaflet that comes with the box I was quite shocked to see that it was full size! This was another new brand for me, however, any product that is going to help me achieve fluttery false like effect lashes then I am sold. This is a product that hails from the USA and is a creamy gel formula that primes your eyelashes before mascara. According to Manna Kadar, it works to nourish lashes thanks to the inclusion of vitamin B12 which leaves your lashes conditioned and volumous. 

Overall, I really enjoyed diving into this months box, being introduced to some new products and seeing four full sized products this time around. There was also a great variety of products this month as last month contained predominately skincare products - there is something for everyone. If you would like to see any in-depth reviews of the products mentioned above then please let me know. Like always lovelies, if you have any questions, requests or if you just want a chat you can contact me via my social media or leave me a comment below. I love hearing from you all and I make sure to ready every single comment...they really make my day! 

Lots of Love

*PR Sample
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Thursday 13 August 2015

I Knew You Were Trouble by Paige Toon


Hello My Lovelies, 

I hope you are all doing well and have had a wonderful week so far! I thought today I would mix things up a little bit and bring you a brand new book review. As you all know (as I sound like a broken record) one of my New Years resolutions was to write more diversely over on my blog and I love bringing you more lifestyle related posts. My current read has been ‘I knew You Were Trouble’ by Paige Toon and I couldn’t wait to share it with you all. I won’t be giving much away in terms of the story, as I would hate to spoil your experience if you are planning on or are currently reading the book yourself.  This is my first read by Paige Toon and now I have become completely hooked. Paige Toon is a bestselling author of women’s fiction who has sold over around 250,000+ books to date. After doing some research it seems as if characters are linked throughout each of her novels and I think this is an extremely exciting and unique element to see. You will see that the main character’s father in ‘I Knew You Were Trouble’ originally had his own novel called ‘Johnny the Good’. A few other books within her line that I would love to read are ‘The Accidental Life of Jessie Jefferson’ and ‘The Sun in her Eyes’.

So, I completely admit when I read the title of the book I started singing ‘I Knew You Were Trouble’ by Taylor Swift! In some ways this can be linked as Jessie Jefferson (the main character) has recently found out that her Dad is a global superstar. This is the second novel in the series; however, I could barely tell as the story flowed so well. The novel itself mainly focuses around Jessie and how she has adopted change to her life after finding out her Dad is in fact Johnny Jefferson – a super famous superstar. After a whirlwind summer in LA, with celebrity parties and a certain hot guitarist to keep her occupied, Jessie’s finding it hard to work out who she is and who she wants to be. She has been thrown into the public eye now and the press have caught wind of who she is which means Jessie’s life is pretty much never going to be the same again. Reading this novel really helps you see everything from Jessie’s perspective as essentially this has become a reality for her – you see the positives and the negatives that come with the fame and fortune. However, throughout the novel you see how Jessie is a down to earth ‘normal girl’ who stays true to herself and her relationship that she builds up with her father is so endearing. In a nutshell, Jessie is now split between two countries, two families, two sets of friends and now two boys! Yikes – that is a lot to take in!

Also, I wanted to add a little note about the cover design of the novel itself. I think the illustrator did a great job of capturing elements of the story and encompassing them onto the cover. The pastel hues and fun photography elements really helped you get a feel for what you were about to read and it represented the young adult genre really well. I know they say to never judge a book by its cover, however, being in a marketing profession and writing a dissertation around semiotics I really couldn’t help but add a few notes around the cover. It is pretty cute right?!

Overall, I found this a completely fun chick flick novel to sink myself into. Lately I have had no time at all to myself so I really enjoying cutting myself off from the world and diving into this story for a few evenings. I am super excited for part three of the Jessie Jefferson series to be released, however, I am not sure how I am going to cope as I want to read it as soon as possible! Trust me when I say that once you have read one story you will definitely want to read another. In the mean time I am going to take it back a few steps and get myself a copy of the first novel so I am completely up to date with everything that is going on in the world of Jessie Jefferson. One thing I would also like to add is, whilst getting so engrossed with the novel I found myself envisioning the story being created into a movie or television series of some kind. I don’t know about you but that would definitely be something I would watch for sure. I would definitely say this is a young adult chick flick, however, it was great to see Paige Toon also cover some serious themes surrounding change, family, friendship and so much more whilst still keep the writing style modern, fun and quite relatable. 

I hope you all enjoyed this review, I would love to hear your thoughts on the novel itself and if you have read or are planning on reading ‘I Knew You Were Trouble’. If you would like to hear more about Paige Toon you can watch a short video here or go to her official website here. Additionally, if you would like to read the book for yourself you can purchase a copy from Amazon here. Like always lovelies, if you have any questions, requests or if you just want a chat you can contact me via my social media or leave me a comment below. I love hearing from you all and I make sure to ready every single comment...they really make my day!

Lots of Love

*Sponsored Post 
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Sunday 9 August 2015

Glamour Summer Edit Beauty Box 2015

Hello My Lovelies,

I hope you are all doing well and have had a fabulous weekend! How has it flown by so quickly though?! Seeing as we are due to receive a heat wave within the next few weeks or so, I thought today I would share with you the Glamour Summer Edit Beauty Box for 2015*. This is my first experience trying out a beauty box from Latest in Beauty and they did not disappoint whatsoever when it came to their Summer Edit Box - the overall design and content was 100% on point - how cute is the watermelon printing! When this wonderful box of goodies landed on my doorstep a few weeks ago it literally felt like summer had officially arrived and true to the name, all of the items inside are absolutely perfect to get you summer ready or see you through the warmer summer months. I have reviewed a few different beauty subscription boxes on my blog previously and I have to say that I really do like the whole concept of them. In some instances you have no idea what is arriving in your box each month and it is almost like a surprise gift to yourself! Not only that but it also offers you the chance to try out some products that you might not have necessarily been drawn to in the first instance...it is a great way to expand your beauty collection and try out some new brands!


This special edition box was designed and created with Glamour Magazines Beauty Director, Alessandra Steinherr.  She has dubbed this box one of the most exciting beauty boxes to date and has filled it to the rim with a selection of summer must-have products that she knows we are all going to love as much as she does. With a variety of full size and travel size products, Alessandra wanted you to have the option to bring some of these cult product away in your holiday suitcase. You think that all sounds pretty wonderful? Well, that is not all - the entire box has a total whopping value of £117.99, however, they have knocked down the cost to £17.99 which I think it pretty fantastic! However, at the moment Latest in Beauty are offering a further 20% discount on the box itself - so if you would like to pick up this box for £14.39 I would do so quickly before all the stock sells out. 

Seekers of the Sun Luxury Temporary Tattoos

These are an exclusive item in this special edition box as Seekers of the Sun have collaborated with Glamour to bring these one-off designs that are only available through purchasing this box. Temporary metallic tattoos like these are pretty much everywhere at the moment and are perfect for summer parities and festivals. I am actually off to a festival the end of August (it's quite hush hush at the moment but I am so excited to finally announce everything) so I will make sure to bring these along with me for sure. 

Nails Inc Gel Effect Polish

Nails Inc is a brand I really enjoy when it comes to my nails, however, I can literally count the times I have tried their polished first hand. This is not down to anything particular as their polish range is fabulous - if anything, receiving this polish has pushed me to give more of their products a try. Within the box you had the opportunity to receive one of 3 shades and I received 'Kensington Passage' which is a gorgeous coral pink shade. All three available shades offer pinky hues that are perfect for the summer season. This particular polish is part of the Nails Inc gel-effect line, however, what makes these special is the fact that you do not need to use any UV lamps or soak of the polish in any particular way after use. These polishes have a revolutionary plasticiser technology which offer a flawless manicure at home with easy application. I am going to enjoy giving this polish a try and comparing it to my gelish manicures that I have been treating myself to recently. 

Vita Liberata Trystal Minerals & Kabuki Brush

When I saw that these were featured in the box I was extremely excited to finally give them a try. I am collaborating with Vita Liberate in a future post so I am intrigued to try as many of their products as possible as I do love having an all year round summer glow. The Vita Liberate Trystal Minerals are one of the most exciting launches of 2015 - this is the first ever self-tanning bronzer...yes, you did indeed read that right! Simply dust the powder across your face and a natural looking tan will develop and last for up to five days. I really like how the box itself included a kabuki brush to go alongside the product - I think these are going to be the ultimate dream team. 

Eucerin Sun Care Tinted Face Cream 

I think including an SPF product in a summer edition box was inevitable and I am so glad that they included a brand that might not necessarily be my first choice when it comes to sun protection. Eucerin are ideal for sensitive skin and won't leave any oily residue after application. Just like the Nails Inc polish you had the opportunity to receive one of four Eucerin products and I received the SPF 50 Sun Care Tinted Face Cream. This formulation is an advanced facial sunscreen with like mineral tinted pigments that provides sun protection plus an even, natural tanned-look to the skin.

L'Occtaine Shampoo & Conditioner 

These will be the first ever L'Occtaine hair care product I would have tried and I am excited to see how they work with my hair. You can gosh, nourish and soften your hair with this hard-working duo, plus, you can also enjoy the calming side effect of the essential oils within the formulation for some much needed relaxation. I feel like the essential oils in the formulation are perfect for giving your hair some much needed TLC after indulging in the sunshine on vacation.

Pixi Glow Tonic

This has been a raved about beauty product throughout the bloggerspehere for as long as I can remember. When I was last in the US I saw the Pixi line whilst in Target but for some reason I didn't pick up anything to bring home with me...shock horror! I am excited to see how this works incorporated into my skincare routine and I hope this kickstarts my voyage into trying out more Pixi products. I am not sure how I feel about the 15ml sample as it is quite small, however, it should be the perfect size to help distinguish if it reacts well into your skincare routine before purchasing the full size. The Pixi Glow Tonic gentle exfoliates to even out squinting for a brighter, smoother and more glowing complexion. 

Caudalie Divine Oil 

Caudalie is another well-loved brand throughout the bloggerspshere and from what I have tried previously I can totally understand why. Oil products are perfect for the summer time as they are so versatile and offer a lot of moisturising properties. Caudalie Divine Oil offers everything you need to make your skin feel completely pampered. This multi-use miracle oil is great for your hair, your nails, your body and your face. The formulation is a unique blend of four vegetable oils that offer a head-to-toe summer glow. When you have been outside in the sunshine all day long simply add the oil to the ends of your hair, onto your cuticles and straight onto the skin for a refreshing pick-me-up. For some added TLC you could even add a few drops of the Divine Oil into a bath for a full on pamper experience! 

Balance Me Super Toning Body Polish

Balance Me is a brand I have tried many times and absolutely come away loving even more. The Super Toning Body Polish is actually one of the products I haven't tried from their line so I was super eager to try it out as soon as I could. This energising body polish works to improve skin tone, smoothness and good circulation with its gentle buffing ability. The formulation consists of ground walnut shells and blackberry leaf extract that work wonderfully together to slough away dead skin cells and encourage cell renewal. Not only that, the products itself feeds skin with collagen and elastin-boosting properties while the signature Super Toning sos-inspired blend of naturally active essential oils (juniper, geranium, lavender and bergamot) purify the skin with every polish. This products sounds and feels absolutely incredible.  


Bourjois Color Boost Lip Crayon 

Believe it or not but this was the first ever Bourjois lip crayon that I have ever tried...slapon the wrist I know! Chunky lip pencils are perfect all year round and even more so in the summer for quick and easy application on the go. One swipe delivers a gorgeous, subtle veil of colour that is perfect for those days when you are enjoying the sunshine...I was so pleased to see that these offer SPF 15 protection which makes these both a practical and beautiful product! Just like with a few products within this box you had the opportunity to receive one of three different shades, I received the every so gorgeous Fuchsia Libre, which true to its name offers a bright fuchsia shade perfect for the summer time. 


Overall, I was completely impressed with the contents of the Glamour Summer Edit Beauty Box for 2015. Being the first box I have tried from Latest in Beauty it has really set the standard high so I am looking forward to trying some more boxes in the future. I am looking forward to giving each product a try even more and take a few of these goodies away on vacation with me. Like always lovelies, if you have any questions, requests or if you just want a chat you can contact me via my social media or leave me a comment below. I love hearing from you all and I make sure to ready every single comment...they really make my day!

What did you think of the Glamour Summer Edit Beauty Box? Do you have a favourite beauty subscription box?

Lots of Love
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Sunday 2 August 2015

Little Mistress by Look Magazine

Hello My Lovelies, 

I hope you are all doing well and have had a fabulous weekend so far. Like I have mentioned in a few of my posts this year, one thing I wanted to make sure of when it came down to new years resolutions and blogging is offering a wider variety of content. My blog is around beauty, fashion and lifestyle, however, I think I can steer into the beauty section a lot more than the others...what can I say, I have a thing for makeup haha. I thought today I would share with you a beautiful dress that I was sent not so long ago and some snaps of the dress in action at one of my cousins recent graduations. I wanted to keep the dress for a super special occasion! 


The dress in question is part of the Little Mistress by Look Magazine collection. The entire collection is absolutely stunning and narrowing down all of the choices to the Evie dress was not an easy task at all. The collection has arrived at the most perfect time with lots of summer weddings, graduations and celebrations going on they have you covered in the outfit department. The entire collection consists of a mixture of embellished, maxi and short prom style dresses perfect for the summer season, however, I definitely feel that most of them could be worn all year round also. 

The dress that I finally chose to try from the collection was the Evie dress, which unfortunately is now out of stock as it was extremely popular. The black and white chevron printed hem is a fresh take on summer's top nautical trend, however, I feel monochrome could be worn all year round. The dress has a delicately pleated chiffon silhouette that is cinched in at the waist with a classic black and gold belt.  As the dress has quite a statement print I decided to keep things simple with natural makeup, soft hair and minimal accessories. I absolutely adored the neck detailing on the dress and I am so glad I opted for something a little out of my comfort zone. I must admit that I did have to get used to the neck straps as it is a different style I usually go for but overall I felt completely comfortable throughout the entire day.  

As soon as I unwrapped my dress I could tell that the quality was going to be exceptional. The fabric has weight to it which is something I aways check when dresses are on the pricey side. The added belt was of great quality and I really like how they stuck to the classic black and gold detailing. The price point for the collection ranges from £55 to £85 which is a little pricey, however, the quality of the dresses are second to none so you are paying for the quality. The collection overall is simply gorgeous and I definitely feel you could get multiple wears out of these dresses - just change up the accessories and you will be good to go. 

I hope you all enjoyed this outfit post and taking a peek at the new Little Mistress by Look Magazine collection. Like always lovelies, if you have any questions, requests or if you just want a chat you can contact me via my social media or leave me a comment below. I love hearing from you all and I make sure to ready every single comment...they really make my day! 

What do you think of the Little Mistress by Look Magazine collection?

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