Besotted with Benefit!

On Friday, my friend Jessica and I made the 60 mile trip to Belfast. Jess is heading to Bali in a couple of weeks and I'm heading to Spain in four (excitement is killing me), so we wanted to do some holiday shopping. Unfortunately though, we did not come back with very much for holidays because our first stop was the Benefit counter in Debenhams.

I swear when I'm around makeup I feel like a kid in a candy shop. And Benefit have such glamorous packaging and merchandising that it really does appeal to the eye and draw you in. When one of the girls then offered to try some different products on me I was on the seat quicker than she could blink.

It turned out that it was the girl's (Laura I think her name was) first day, but she knew the products inside out, which really impressed me. Jessica also got her makeup done and we had loads of fun.

Laura showed me a huge range of products, including the porefessional. It's a balm that minimises the appearance of pores. Put on before your foundation it evens your skin tone and gives you a good base. You can also use it on its own like a tinted moisturiser. I really loved it, but I am currently trialing Dermalogica (a blog post on that is coming) so I didn't buy it then and there. I definitely will be in future though.

I also got to try the hello flawless oxygen wow! foundation. It's an oil free brightening foundation and it really does feel extremely light on your skin. It's perfect to wear during the day.

I am extremely passionate about contouring my face (creating light and shade to give it definition). I use Hoola bronzer to create shadows, but I was in need of a good highlighter. I ended up getting two!! Typical me! high beam is a liquid highlighter. I love it under my eyes to lift them and mixing it with foundation to give my skin a bit of a lift.

watt's up! is a soft highlighter that is great for the top of your cheeks. I also use it down the middle of my nose to try to make it look a bit smaller.

I also ended up coming away with a Creaseless Cream Shadow in Skinny Jeans, which is perfect for creating a subtle smokey eye. I also then got a good powder shadow brush to help improve how I apply my eyeshadows. I've really come to learn that brushes are often more important than the products when it comes to how you do your makeup.

I've had loads of fun playing with my new products and am loving the foundation. It really feels good to wear a light foundation that doesn't clog the skin. I would definitely recommend calling down to your local Benefit store and getting one of the lovely artists show you what is best for your skin. They will also give you tips on how to apply the products so you'll be a pro in no time.

Every Little Helps

It's been another long break between blog posts, so firstly let me apologise. An important blog post I am working on at the minute will explain for the lack of blogging. But before I post that, I really want to share the outfit I wore on Saturday night. 

This outfit mixed old and new basic items in my wardrobe, and the new were seriously cheap from Tesco! When my mum and I called into Tesco last week, I spotted this top and immediately had to have it. We all know how much I am loving neon and this top was such a flattering shape at such a great price.

Neon Shell Top -£10

Then I found this soft spotted blazer in the sale rack for a mere £15. I love the tailored design, which smartens up the outfit, whilst the spots make it a bit more fun and flirty.

Soft spotted blazer - £15 in the sale

I was going to a UV party, hence the face paint!

I had originally planned to wear these tops with jeans and heels, but then decided to dress it up a bit more last minute (literally half an hour before I was due to be picked up). I happened to stumble across the little denim bodycon skirt which I've had for years. It nearly made me weep looking for pictures of when I last wore this because it was just before I got pregnant with Tyler 3 years ago and I was at my 'peak'! Unfortunately, my tummy is not in the shape it was then so a crop top is out of the question. The neon top is nice and long so I could hide my tummy, which got bigger as I enjoyed some amazing penne pasta from the Ramore. This skirt is from Topshop and they have similar ones available at the minute. 

Topshop skirt 

I finished off the look with my white shoes and bag from River Island. These are a real staple in my wardrobe at the minute. They literally go with everything. My hair was curly, backcombed and half pinned back, whilst I kept my make up simple. 

Definitely one of my favourite outfits so far. All simple basics put together for a smart casual look! (Is smart casual really a look or did I just make that up?)!!

If you've got it....

Cold Shoulder Dress by Topshop - reduced to £15
Black version left here

Last night I headed out with one of my old friend Carly for what turned out to be a very messy night. I've had a pretty tough week with Tyler, so Carly put off the mountain of uni work she has to do and took me out to drown my sorrows. Sometimes you just need to put your glad rags on and dance away your problems . 

I decided to wear one of my new dresses that I got from the Topshop sale. This dress is completely different to anything I've worn in a very long time. But I thought I would order it since it was such a bargain at only £15. They still have it in black if you like it. 

I love skater dresses and think they are so flattering as they skim the hips and tummy to hide a multitude of sins. But this dress had the added twists of the cutouts in the shoulders, back and midriff. The position of the cutout is well placed for someone like me who could not normally wear a cutout because of my tummy. However, it is a bit of a nuisance to wear a bra with. I had a real issue trying to stop  my bra being on show.  It really is not a dress for the faint hearted, especially if you have any sort of chest. 

This dress definitely got me a lot of attention, but I really didn't like it. I don't really have the confidence yet to deal with drawing attention to myself (the alcohol did help a little though). It got me to thinking though, if you are big chested are cleavage flaunting dresses a no no?! Last night I got a lot of comments about my chest and its size (including being told that someone would like to park Harley Davidson in my cleavage), but is that what I get for wearing such a revealing outfit?

This picture got A LOT of comments on Facebook.

My gut reaction is that NO I shouldn't. I wouldn't walk up to someone with a small chest and say "Wow that's a nice set of very small breasts you have there." Or walk up to a man in tight jeans and say "Awk well aren't you well endowed!" You just wouldn't!

But then I have to look at the flipside of the argument and realise there is this thing called human nature. And for some reason (I really have no idea what it is), boobs seem to be quite important to a lot of people. I mean thousands of women have made a lot of money because of their breasts. And men like Hugh Hefner have made millions from brands like Playboy that are all about getting your boobs out. Whilst we can all curse the sexism of it all and how horrible it is that women are objectified in such a way (we all know I am the biggest advocate of equality); but if there wasn't a demand then there wouldn't be a supply. And that demand is HUGE! 

And it's not just from men. Some women are more obsessed with chest size than men are. To be honest, I think men just want to get their hands on boobs, they don't care what size they are (guys am I right?).Whereas I think women always want what they can't have. Personally I would love to get rid of mine, but I know a lot of women who would love to have big boobs. They really are quite a big deal, hence the huge number of breast enlargements carried out every year!

So back to my original question, if you are big chested should you cover them up unless you want to face remarks and comments? The horrible truth is that yeah you probably should. But my lovely friend Rachel informed me, if you have been blessed with good assets you shouldn't hide them. It's all about that good old thing called confidence!!!! Whether it's your boobs, legs, abs or whatever...be proud! And if they get noticed, great! If they get noticed in a not nice way, have the confidence to put someone in their place. I kindly informed the guy that wanted to park in my cleavage that it was a no parking zone and when he asked if I had a license for my puppies, I told him the only dog needing a license was him and possibly neutering too.! 

So ladies, whatever your assets, be proud and confident and take no nonsense!!! 

I made Carly pose and show off her best assets, legs that I am seriously jealous of!

I am such a shortie. Love the peach and white together.  

Free Mascara!

Benefit are offering WDMD readers a FREE BADgal lash deluxe mini when you spend over £40! All you have to do is enter code BADGAL at the checkout. Even better is that you also get free standard delivery automatically when you spend over £40.

This great offer ends midnight on the 2nd of May so Shop NOW!

The New Louise Roe Collection by StylistPick

I recently got an email from Stylistpick about the new collection from Louise Roe. Inspired by fashion icons from different eras, this collection is perfect to glam up any outfit this season.

The two shoe designs both feature a platform style, which is perfect to give you more height with less pain in the tootsies. The statement Tallulah shoe comes in either blue or coral, with both featuring bold and beautiful colours. This shoe will make you feel summery just by looking at it. Gorgeous!

Tallulah Blue - £40

Tallulah Coral - £40

The other shoe design is a bit more demure for those who don't want to rock the bright colours. Abbie is a simple and classic slingback that comes in black or the ever stylish coral again (personally I think coral is THE colour for summer). I WANT this shoe soo bad because it is so timeless and will work for seasons to come (officially added to my wishlist)!

Abbie Black - £40

Abbie Coral - £40

It will not surprise anyone that my favourite item of the collection is this lime studded cross body bag. Looking at it, it's perfectly clear why I love it!!!

Clemmie - £35

Finally I have to quickly mention the jewellery which are also statement pieces, but timeless once again. I think they will literally go with anything. Whether dressing up a simple tshirt and jeans or a dress for a night out, this jewellery is stunning!

Gemma-Gold - £18

Heather-Gold - £18

For more of Louise Roe's amazing collection check out the Stylistpick website!

It's my birthday and I'll wish if I want to..!

Well the countdown is on until the date that should be in everyone's calendar..MY BIRTHDAY (16th of May for those of you who don't have it - ha!)  I am one of those annoying people that really loves to celebrate their birthday and I constantly remind my family of the approaching date from about 6 months before. This year I will be 24 (weep!) but I haven't really celebrated my birthday since my 21st because a month after that I got pregnant with Tyler. That kind of changed birthdays for me because now relatives buy for him instead of me (seriously, bring out the violins). This combined with the very awkward timing of my birthday (exam time- I spent my 18th doing an A level exam) makes it very difficult to go out partying.

This year at their request I have decided to make it easier for my loved ones and do a wishlist, which I figured would make a good blog post. Not only does it mean that they don't have to try to work out what I want, but it also means I don't get something I don't need. When you get to 24, it does definitely get harder for loved ones to buy you presents (especially when you are a shopaholic who just buys everything yourself)!

So Mum, Dad, Ryan, Simon, Tyler (and anyone else who feels like buying me a present) take note:

Now £20 from Stylistpick - click image

Cabo-coral now £20 from Stylistpick - click image

Now £20 from Stylistpick - click image

Watt's up Highlighter from Benefit - Click image

Confessions of a concealaholic from Benefit - click image

Stunning Kimono & Short Set from Topshop -£38 for both

Batman top from River Island - £18

Neon Crochet Shorts from Topshop - £32

Shift dress from Asos - £35

Texture blue skater skirt from River Island - £18

White trousers from River Island - £35

Hair chain from River Island - £15

Waist Belt from Asos - £15

Wedge High Tops from George @ Asda - £18

Neon skater skirt from Missguided - £18

So there you have it, a very varied wishlist of things that I would not normally buy myself. Don't worry though Mum, I don't expect them all!!!!! ;)