Leibster Award

The idea of this is to get up and coming bloggers some recognition and increase their following by learning a little bit more about them! Thankyou to Miss Lacey Loves for tagging me in this post, check out her blog! Here are the rules...
1. Each person tagged must post 11 things about themselves
2. They must also answer the 11 questions the ' tagger ' has set for them.       
3. Create 11 more questions to ask bloggers they have decided to tag.
4. Choose 11 bloggers with less than 200 followers and tag them in this post.
5. These lucky bloggers must then be told.
6. There's no tag backs.

11 things about me...

• I am a film-oholic and have a large and geekily alphabetised DVD collection to prove it.
• I am allergic to the gym!
• My idea of a good night with the girls is not going clubbing but to sit in with a few bottles of wine and a takeaway (which normally ends in hysterical laughing fits and inappropriate conversation!)
• I hate cauliflower, it is anaemic broccoli and therefore a pointless vegetable.
• I love history and enjoy looking at fashion between the 1920's and 1950's.
• I have a love affair with Paris and always have had!
• My sarcastic nature is a recognisable trait of mine and often gets me into trouble!
• I love my friends and family more than anything.
• I have nearly finished a degree in English Language and Literature which I am doing whilst working full time.
• I would like to win the lottery, not to be stonking rich but to buy a house and have a good sized rainy day fund!
• My nail varnish collection is ridiculous.

Miss Lacey Loves tag questions:

1. Where do you get most of your style inspiration from? Magazines. Audrey Hepburn. Lauren Conrad. I like classic styles, clean lines - sophisticated. Or anything that looks like it's from the 1940's, I'm a sucker for a tea dress!

2. What is your key holiday essential beauty product? Morraconoil, to sort out dehydrated chlorine-ridden hair!

3. If you could have anyone's life who would it be? My friend Manks (as she's affectionately known). She travels the world with her fiancee, scuba diving for a living - hard life!

4. If you could live anywhere in the world, where and why? The South of France, or Australia. Both hot and pretty with a laid back approach to life!

5. What and where is your favourite restaurant? I don't think I have a favourite! But give me a good traditional Italian or a steakhouse and I'm happy!

6. How often do you exercise/ gym if at all? Annually! Or if I'm on a health kick, daily.

7. How much water do you drink a day? Not enough, a glass or two.

8. What beauty item makes you feel the best? Mascara, it just makes me feel awake and instantly feminine.

9. How do you do your hair if it's playing up? A messy up-do, apparently looking like you just got out of bed is ok nowdays - woo!

10. What is your handbag beauty essential? CONCEALER.

11. If you could own any possession what would it be? A magic wand. Or a Mulberry Bag!

 

My 11 Questions

 

1. Who is your style icon?
2. If you could have been born in any era, when would it have been?
3. What beauty product do you buy over and over again?
4. Do you have any odd hobbies?
5. What is your vice?
6. If you could only eat one food for the rest of the year, what would it be?
7. If you could choose a different name for yourself, what would you like to be called?
8. What is your favourite film?
9. If you only sing or dance, which would you chose?
10. What or who are you most proud of?
11. If you could have any job, what would it be?

You lovely bloggers I'd love to hear from!

Helen at Goldilocks
Kirsty-Anne at 5 feet 10
Judy at Judy's Beauty Blog
Charlotte at J'adore
Annette at livingtherepurposefullife
Emily at The Beauty Mist
Monica at Make-up and London
Sophia at Sophia X
Hannah at Flawed Excellence
Beatrice at Roses Are Blue
Carly at Floral Fidelity


 

 

I am a lucky girl....

It's fair to say that due to my overwhelming need for a holiday I have been feeling a bit, well...meh.  Eleven years without seeing the sun...(unless I'm abroad, by a pool, in close proximity to a bar I do not believe the British weather can constitute my idea of 'summer')...has taken its toll and I have been a tad melancholy! HOWEVER, my parents left me a little present on my pillow when I returned home from being out and about all weekend and I must say my mood was substantially lifted!

Last month I used the last squirt of my favourite perfume Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche, and I have been waiting for the day when I have enough disposable income to justify re-purchasing. I find Chanel Chance a little heavy for my taste but Eau Fraiche has a lighter, zesty fragrance which I prefer, it is also a smell that I get complimented on a lot which has earnt it its place firmly at the top of my fragrances list.

Then...low and behold there it was, sitting on my pillow waiting for me with a little post-it note from my Mum and Dad.  I felt really special! We're all very busy in my family nowdays and time together is a lot less frequent than I would like, but this meant a lot. To be honest, as much as I loved the perfume it was the little post-it that really got me! Thank you to my wonderful parents!

What are your top fragrances?

Kathryn x

Bargain Of The Week!

It's that time of month, the final stretch to payday! My coppers have never felt more loved and my bank card has gone into hibernation for the week. HOWEVER, following a bit of dog sitting for some extra dosh I thought I would peruse the sales...and to my great surprise I FOUND IT.

For a long time I have been after a playsuit, yet due to having a long body and being chunky from the hips down, they've never quite fitted in the right places and I am not a fan of the dreaded camel toe (apologies for the coarse terminology)! Warehouse came up trumps in their sale and I have purchased their Pansy Print Playsuit which was reduced from £39 to £25.


I bought this in a size 12 which was a pleasant surprise as I am usually a 14 in Warehouse (in dresses that have a pencil skirt shape I verge on a 16) and I must say it is relatively roomy so do consider going down a dress size.  Due to my chunky light-reflective white pins I have chosen to wear black opaque tights with the playsuit and top it of with a pair of black brogues from Peacocks which I have commandeered from my Mum (I did ask first...)! I have also added a black blazer due to some dodgy uneven tanlines on my back which would have been revealed otherwise!

I'd love to hear your thoughts or any other bargins you may have found this week that you'd be willing to share!

Kathryn x

happykbo.blogspot.co.uk

Handbag Staples

Every girl has those essential make-up items in their handbag that they cannot live without. I am no exception to the rule! Infact, I used to intentionally buy large handbags that would comfortably house my make-up. In fact, my make up bag was a toiletries bag...seriously! It took me a long time, but I eventually woked out that there are a few simple items that can keep your make-up looking fresh all day.

If I had to reduce this little collection to just a top 3 (perish the thought!) then that would have to start with my clearly overused Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer in the colour Fair. It lasts for hours and is easy to blend, PLUS its light texture means it can be built up to provide good coverage without the dreaded 'I'm obviously trying to cover up a bad skin day' caked on effect!

Secondly MASCARA. I tend to feel naked without it as it opens up the eyes and instantly brightens up any face! Im currently trying out Rimmel's Scandaleyes in Blackest Black, the brush is giant which does help with volume; however I am finding the consistency a little watery so it hasn't replaced my favourite Bourjois Volumizer 1-2 which is frankly AMAZING.

My third essential would have to be Cliniques Superfine Liner for Brows in the shade 02 Soft Brown.  Until last year I had never paid much attention to my brows, I plucked them and had them threaded but never realised how much they frame your face. Mine arent terrible but lack a strong arch and can appear sparse, they take seconds to enhance and I find Clinique's liner blendable and subtle.

The other six items are not 'desert island' items but if my bag is big enough I like the comfort of their presence to rescue my melting 'long day at work' face!

1. Maxfactor Xperience Weightless Foundation in 40 Light Ivory. This provides a light to medium coverage but is easy to build up and blend. Plus it has an SPF10 which isnt great for camera flashes but protects delicate skin which is distinctly more important!
2. Rimmel Soft Kohl in 061 Jet Black.  This is a very blendable eye pencil and can transform a minimal daytime look to a stronger evening one with a little pencil along the lashline (not necessarily neatly applied) and then just blended to a soft smoke with your index finger.
3. Chanel Rouge Coco Shine Lipstick in 48 Evasion, this is a lovely peachy pink lipstick which applies like a balm.  It is subtle but adds just enough colour to brighten the complexion. Also the colour 54 Boy is a nice pinky alternative.
4. Burt's Bees Pomegranate Lip Balm.  LIP SAVIOUR. Also smells delicious and adds just a hint of colour.
5. Loreal True Match Blusher in 140 Sandalwood Rose. A good little compact blush complete with a mirror and applicator blush, handy to keep in your bag!
6. Nivea Soft Moisturiser.  I always have to moisturise before applying foundation, so a travelsize pot of this cream is always useful. It's cheap, smells great and it one of the most effective moisturisers that I have ever used despite its low pricetag!

I hope this has been a helpful little insight into some of my current handbag faves but with so many new proucts on the market, they are subject to change come payday!

Kathryn x

This and That!

Thanks to misslaceyloves.blogspot.co.uk who tagged me in her most recent post. It's amazing how different everyones product preferences are!

Blush or Bronzer? Blush! Unfortunately I have THAT complexion that ,without the aid of a little colour to the apples of my cheeks, can only be described as ghostly (or do I mean ghastly?!) 
Lipgloss or Lipstick? Lipstick, hands down! I have far many than I know what to do with and am a sucker for Chanel!

Chapstick or Lip Butter? I'd have to say somewhere in the middle, Burt's Bees Pomegranate Lip Balm has rectified my chapped lip issue. 

Matte or Sparkle Eye Shadow? I do like a little shimmer in my eyeshadow but try to keep the colours to neutral shades if they have a high shimmer content.

Eyeliner or Mascara? MASCARA. I have worn it religiously since I was about 11 and will not be seen without it! And mascara can be easily used on any eye colour or shape and look fantastic...eyeliner is slightly more tricky!

Gel, Liquid, Cream, or Pencil Eyeliner? Overall, gel eyeliner is for me applied with an angled brush.  However, keeping a simple kohl pencil in your handbag can tranform a simple daytime look.

Foundation or Concealer? Concealer, named my 'magic stick' by my boyfriend as it is constantly in my presence! I keep one in every handbag, my car...everywhere.  Being cursed with bad skin as a teenager meant I relied heavily on concealer as I can't stand caked foundation!

Liquid or Powder Foundation? Liquid, I think it's easier to apply and you can build up coverage. It is also handy as you can mix liquid foundations without much hardship which is great if like many people you are inbetween shades!

Neutral or Statement Eyes? Tough one. I used to be a smoky eye patron but over recent months have chosen to try a very neutral face during the day and add a pop of colour on the lips for evenings. However, when it comes to playing around with make-up...eyes are the best feature to work with.

Pressed or Loose Shadows? Pressed, much less messy and you don't have so much fall out over your cheeks.
Waterproof or Non Water proof? Non waterproof for me.  Especially when it comes to mascaras, I find they tend to be 'gloopier' (technical term!) and can be built up more effectively.

Brushes, Sponges or Fingers? For bases, fingers. Blushes and powders, brushes.  Eyes definitely brushes, it's all about the blending!

Powder, Cream, or Liquid Highlighter? At the moment, powder. Sleek's Contour Kit has proven to be cheap and a surprisingly nice product.  However, I am on the lookout for a good cream highlighter if anyone has any suggestions?

I'd love to hear what some of your stand out products are!

Kathryn x

To blog or not to blog...

Well this is somewhat of an odd concept to me! I have never really understood blogging until recently where I have found myself becoming addicted to numerous beauty and fashion blogs. They have opened my eyes to a wealth of different ideas so I thought, why not give it a go myself! I plan to blog about the things that I love from beauty to music and if I'm honest it is quite likely that I will use this as a little rant outlet!!!! So...welcome...I look forward to learning from some of you more experienced and competent bloggers!

Kathryn x