Wanderlust

It's not a great secret that a lot  of people in Stoke on Trent don't actually have passports! It's really weird, when I went to uni all the Stokies in my class apart from one were strangers to travelling abroad. I am part of this very odd group; only travelling to France once on a school trip! Now I've grown up though, I kind of really want to go and see the world! But saying that, the thought of going on a plane sickens me and the price of the passport itself is equally as vomit inducing! I would really dislike to go on holiday and spend all my time lounging around on a beach in the sun all day, doing pretty much nothing. If I wanted to be exposed to UV rays and get a bit sweaty, I'd just go on a sunbed and maybe take a bucket of sand to complete the beach experience. I would however, love to experience cultures of different countries and do things that are different. A major element of my wanderlust is FOOD. But I really cannot justify the expense of travelling to another country just to have a few nice and exotic lunches! Although I imagine I would get just as excited about fondue in a Ski Chalet as this guy has:

 If you're looking to ski in luxury, Book a chalet today with Supertravel and you can be as happy as this chappy. Which brings me on to the second thing I would love to do if I travelled. Go skiing! Well, snowboarding preferably. I always love to wrap up warm when it's cold outside and snowboarding looks like the most fun you could have in the snow without Tony Hawk being around. Staying in a wood chalet on a snow covered mountain also sounds so lovely doesn't it. Warming up by the log fire with a nice hot chocolate, oooh it'd be like some kind of 80's film, especially when a bad guy swoops in and a massive shoot 'em up happens (although that isn't very likely nowadays is it? Oh, the 80's).... Other than that Thailand is on the list, as is Japan, Germany and perhaps France! I know this is a stupid question, but have you ever been abroad? If not, why and if so, where was your favourite place to go?!

Your New Favourite Brow Kit

It's no secret nowadays that eyebrow's are big news, on some occasions they can be slightly too big I guess, for example when you go a little too Desperate Scousewives with them and create the 'slug effect'. I've only discovered filling in my eyebrows recently so am currently loving exploring ways to make them look ace. I don't buy into eye brow kits too much as I think it's something that can be created cheaper by buying a one off slanted brush and some cheap eye shadow, and also the kit's are often a bit too large for a make up bag.... But when I got sent this wonderful little eyebrow kit from Oriflame the other day I quickly changed my tune about a few of the things that put me off investing in a real kit!

Radiant Dawn, Morning Dew

I've never been one to be bothered about what kinds of products I put on my skin. I'm not big on organic or natural ingredients and like many, I don't actively seek out products which are exclusively cruelty free. Lately though, via Twitter tweeters like Sugarpuffish I've been seeing a lot more about natural beauty products and have shown a little more intrigue when selecting skin care, although it's probably not changed my buying habits that much I'm still a bit more aware. I spotted these lovely looking Amie products in Tesco over the weekend when I popped there during Leeds Festival. Feeling really muggy and grim after sleeping in a field for days I thought these looked like really refreshing products to treat my face too when I got back!

The Simplest Way to Ombre

The other day I noticed on the shelves of Boots that Lee Stafford had released a *new product* which was a spray on bleach which you could 'create 4 different styles with, including ombre'. It retailed at £7.99... At first I was a little intrigued just because it was a product I'd not noticed before, but then I just realised. ''FFS IT'S JUST SUN IN'' but in a fancy new pink bottle. Grrr Lee Stafford, grrr at you.

Full Repair

I've always been a little intrigued by the John Frieda Full Repair range, but there's always been something holding me back from actually purchasing it and I don't know what it is! I wasn't going to write this post about the range, as I'm sure you're aware I wasn't keen on their PR tactics. They have been e-mailing bloggers and saying if they put their official video's on their blog they will send the products to review, I really don't see the sense in this, and told them that. I said I wouldn't mind combining the post of a review with the video but they didn't like that idea. After a pretty honest response off me though in the end they changed their tune and sent the stuff anyway. I felt a little bad as my e-mail was rather scathing, but anyway, I was so impressed with the range I thought I would actually tell you about it regardless. (still not being blackmailed into including any videos mind!)

No Frills Face

It's that time of year where everyone is going on and on about Festivals. I'm off to Leeds this year again and I'm currently in the midst of my 'packing for the weekend' procrastination, I forgot to schedule as many blog posts as I'd hoped I would, so excuse the little hiatus this weekend. I'm sorry! I thought it would be a good idea to try and write as I pack though and what better subject to go with than the make up...

The Value of Words

A rather taboo subject that always crops up on the regular #bbloggers chat on Twitter, is the matter of Sponsored Posts and payment for blog content. It's one of those great mysteries that no one wants to divulge any information about, but still want to know all the answers to. You know me though, I'm open and honest and if I can help anyone out with anything I will (to a point that is, don't expect to throw me 50quid to do in your mother in law or anything). This lunch time I had a mini #bbloggers chat of my own to see what other people thought about pricing YOUR words.

Dupe Wop

I never usually buy into these little crazes that appear in the beauty world every now and again, and this time is no different. A whole host of bloggers and beauty editors alike have been writing about the two new big things on the market: Clinique Chubby Stick's and Revlon's Just Bitten Kissable Lip Balm Stain. I of little funds however, do not have the spare cash lying around to splurge £6 - £15 a time on a lip product, so in usual 'Hello, Terri Lowe' style I bring you 4 cheaper alternatives or 'dupes' as they are commonly known of the two wonder products in question!

Green Wishes

If you hadn't guessed by now, then green is my all time favourite colour. I'm not really sure what makes me love it so much as it's not traditionally a colour that people associate with aesthetically pleasing things. But I just love it. The murkier the better in most cases. As me and my friend are looking for a new abode I thought I'd take this little opportunity to start putting together wish lists of things I would love to have in a new place! Although we're very much going to be on a tight budget so a 'wish' list is what it shall remain for now.

Trend Spotting Part Deux

Just thought I'd write this pretty short and sweet post about this new necklace* I've received from Oasap.com. I ordered this kind of for the sake of it and in a rush as I was tired and wanted to splurge my credits. I don't even know what drew me to this necklace and it's completely not my style at all. But now I've got it and worn it I am in love with it! 

Why Did The Fish Blush?

BECAUSE THE SEA WEED! Hahahahaa. Yeah. I couldn't write a post about a Japanese Crispy Seaweed snack without cracking the best joke ever, could I? I picked this packet Tao Kae Noi Spicy Smoked Chicken Flavour Seaweed along with the Mochi Cakes from Miso the other night. I only got them because they were one of the cheapest products on the shelf and I had no idea what to expect! 

The Witching Hour

Another week, another amazing miracle BB Cream on the market. This one is a little different though as it comes from those blemish fighting warriors at Witch. Witch Sticks have always been my old favourite when it comes to tackling spots, it's the product I always forget about but when I use it again it's a little bit of a miracle. It clears them up and reduces them in size a lot better than most of the more expensive products out there. So when I spotted their new range of make up products on the shelf, for half price, I thought I'd be a damn fool not to try.

Trend Spotter

I'm not one for being 'on trend' but two things I really haven't been able to ignore lately are: cut out shoulder tops and studded slipper shoes. I've been after some good cut out shoulder tops for so so long, since about May last year actually! I've bought a few off eBay which have been utterly crap, then I found some awesome T Shirts in New Look to curb my desire for them. But now, oh Forever 21, you have made my life complete with this mustard number!

Mochi Love

What's that noise? Oh it's the sound of my male readers breathing a sigh of relief that this is not yet another make up or beauty post! Sorry guys, I know it's been a bit dull for you people not interested in that type of thing lately. What can I say? I'm trying to not eat as many lovely things as my little belly is not so little lately. Oh well, it was a friday night when I bought these and I thought 'Treat yo' self Terri Lowe!' (after I'd eaten a rather large meal in Stoke's premier Japanese restaurant Miso that is)

Clynol Colour And Care

Ah, shampoo and conditioner, as a lady that likes to avoid the hairdressers at all costs you're an every day blessing that completes my life. The Clynol range of haircare is available exclusively in Salons and is a range I have tried before and loved. So I was super excited that I got to try some of their 'Colour & Care' Shampoo and Conditioners recently.

Famous For a Day

You've read my post about the Famous Leopard Eyeshadow Palette right? If not, why not! You fool! Go discover it! As well as that little treasure I also got a few other goodies to play around with from the lovely ladies at Famous. I thought I'd do more of a 'round up' post rather than single posts. I know some of my readers like the write ups on food and other non make up/beauty related subjects so I do apologise there's not been too much of that going on lately, I'm rubbish I know!

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain? Nahhh...

Oh, Revlon 'Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain' how you have captured my intrigue with your ridiculously long name alongside the brag of all day colour with lip softening goodness. Alas, I am poorer than Kerry Katona after the swift demise of Atomic Kitten, so I will have to make do with this Pound Land dupe instead. I give you CHIT CHAT JUICY LIPSTICK. Yeah boiii.

Famous Leopards

As you may have seen on an abundance of blogs lately, Famous (by Sue Moxley) Make Up  has been doing the rounds. I was lucky enough to receive some from the post man as I was unable to attend their launch event in LANDAN. It was an unexpected surprise and I must say; the things I have cracked open so far are already some strong contenders in my 'every day' make up routine. As I was sent a few different products I thought I'd start off a mini series of reviews with the Leopard Eye Palette. 

Grizzly

I've wanted to try Feather Hair Extensions for so long, I love the idea of having feathers in my hair for a little touch of boho on a daily basis. I was a bit put off though as they're so rare to find on actual websites and I thought if I got them on ebay I wouldn't have all the apparatus to put them in properly! Alas hairtrade.com have come to my rescue and you can purchase actual kits from them which consist of everything you need to put them in.

For Pasty Petals

I've never been one of those ladies blessed with a tan, of any description. Apart from a brief stage I used sun beds once a week to help my spotty little face (something to do with the lights being similar to that expensive light therapy treatment I think, worked anyway). That was until  I realised the health risks involved with sun beds and the fact a mole grew into a little nubbin concerned me too much to continue, so alas, my legs bear a resemblance to that of a frozen chicken and my complexion with the wrong make up can make me look a little ill. Anyway, long story short, I'm pale. That's why I got a little bit excited when I noticed this new range of Make Up in The Body Shop by the queen of pale Lily Cole.

Disco, Disco Duck

You really couldn't get a snack with a more exciting name than DISCO biscuit could you? Although these aren't a new food product I've recently tried, they are a sweet snack I have rekindled my love for. I forgot they existed until I had some time to kill and popped into Aldi the other day. I'm not usually one for sweet things; I could just eat crisps until my gums bleed! But a Disco Biscuit? Oh, I've got a lot of time for you my confectioned friend.

Bargain Hunt - Stila

It is absolutely no secret that I am a massive Bargain Hunter, and when you're in the city of Stoke on Trent it's really not that hard to come across TREASURES. The Poundshop's are generally awash with stock you'd expect to find at a higher price elsewhere and it's very common to see brands such as Collection, Rimmel and Revlon in there. The other day though, I got sniff that they were stocking Stila items and I immediately took a trip to Hanley to scout out some bargains!