YSL Lip Stain

Lip Stain: YSL in number 9

I find it really funny that I’m doing a makeup review because I’m literally the laziest when it comes to make up. I was always the girl at school who was like ‘why spend 20 minutes doing your makeup in the morning when you could have an extra 20 minutes in bed?’. I also just didn’t get the point, like who cares what I look like? Such a dull teenager. Now I guess I’m bored of looking the same all the time and looking ill (I’m quite pale and have like one skin tone…). Actually I’m pretty sure I’m still like that 80% of the time… Anyway…. My sister has persuaded me to review a few of my favourite products. This is where I find out she’s persuaded me for jokes or something.

Here for the actual review. I know I’m pretty behind the times on this one and I’ve missed the hype all over the YSL Lip Stains but hey ho. I picked this up on my way back from Berlin over Christmas on a bit of a whim and haven’t looked back. I love it. The texture is a bit hard to explain but it’s like a creamy stain, so it’s quite moisturising, which I feel I need. It’s also really good because you can build up the colour as much as you want for different looks, making it quite a versatile product. I really like this colour (number 9), I think it’s quite…retro? All in all, I love it and really want some more colours. My sister has number 5, which is a lovely dusty rose kind of colour, really good for day time and potentially next on my list…

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New Hair

Oh look who’s got rid of their awkward growing out fringe…. And who also looks really ill. Looovely. Besides looking ill, I’m so happy to have finally sorted out my fringe, it was causing so many problems and just really annoying to deal with. I don’t really know why I left it so long, I’m so lazy when it comes to my appearance sometimes.

I got my hair cut at Rizzos, they have salons in Shrewsbury and Wellington and I think they’re pretty good but to be honest, my hair always ends up looking the same no matter where I go, so I don’t really believe that going to salons that charge extortionate amounts really makes much difference.

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Dr Jart+ BB Cream Review

Thank you to my sister for making me laugh whilst taking photos!

I used to have really good skin but recently it’s been letting me down and not looking too great so I feel like I need a little something to help me out. I generally avoid wearing foundation but if I really feel like I need something (like I clearly do these days…) then I opt for a tinted moisturiser. People have been raving about this Dr Jart+ BB cream so I thought I’d jump on the band wagon and test it out for myself. I opted for the Water Fuse version because I have fairly dry skin (nice) and I find any foundation can make that worse. There’s also the Premium version, the Platinum Version and the Regenerating version. They all have a good amount of SPF in them (Water Fuse: SPF 25, Regenerating and Platinum: SPF 30, Premium: SPF 40) and I think that’s essential because the sun makes a huge difference to the condition of your skin; I don’t even give moisturisers or foundations without SPF a second look.

For the Water Fuse, I really like it because it’s light, moisturising and gives a good level of coverage. The texture is really silky and blends into your skin really well, making it really quick and easy to apply, perfect for me because I’m generally rubbish at putting makeup on and always do it in a rush. Importantly for me, it also gives me an even skin tone (it can get quite red in the cold, again another fun fact about my skin…) and makes me look healthier than my natural self. To conclude, it’s perfect for me for its ease of use, it’s level of coverage, its moisturising qualities and its SPF. I highly recommend!

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MAC Mineralise

Lipstick: MAC Mineralise in ‘Grande Dame’

I barely ever wear lipstick (or makeup in general) because I find even the ones that claim they’re moisturising just aren’t, not for me anyway. I also hate my lips and don’t want to draw attention to them (let’s not get too emotional). Anyway, I have been determined to find a lipstick that works for me though because I find I need a touch of colour to brighten up my face; my mum is forever telling me I look ‘pasty’ and ill, she’s so kind. I also think lipstick is a quick way to make you look polished and fresh. After trying out this lipstick I think the MAC mineralise range is perfect for me; it’s super moisturising and ‘grande dame’ is such a good day time colour. It also lasts a really long time so perfect for people like me who are far to lazy to be constantly reapplying their makeup.

Also, anyone else cringing at my awkward growing out fringe? No fear, I’m getting it cut really really soon!

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Shoulder of Lamb Stuffed with Saffron Rice

Here are some snaps from when I made Roast Shoulder of Lamb stuffed with Saffron Rice. It’s the first thing I’ve cooked out of our new cookbook ‘Moro’ and was a major success.

First thing to make is the saffron rice…

 

Now for the lamb. Vegetarians, look away…

Appetising… 

 

This is the meal I cooked for my mum for Mothers’ Day (only 3 weeks ago I know, I’m catching up). I rarely cook savoury stuff or meat, I’m more of a baker, so it was quite stressful for me and I did panic quite a bit when I was trying to stuff, role and tie the shoulder of lamb – rice got everywhere but inside the lamb, it was messy… I also did two shoulders because we couldn’t find one the size the recipe suggested so it was like double the work. In the end we definitely didn’t need two; it was only for me, my sister and my mum and I swear this could have served 6 people. I haven’t put the method or ingredients on here because I followed the Moro method religiously and I’m pretty sure if I copied it on here that’s plagiarism… or something?

Anyway, the whole dish went down pretty well, despite my poor presentation, and we’ll definitely be doing it again. The saffron rice was particularly successful but I think anything cooked in butter and scattered with pistachios is bound to be a winner.

Some suggestions:

Give yourself quite a bit of time to do this – if you’re like me and are likely to get in a flap when stuffing, rolling and tying the lamb, you want to be able to at least take your time. I’d say around  an hour for the rice and and 45 minutes preparing the lamb (including sealing it), which then has to go in the oven for some time depending on the size (ours were in for around an hour but they were quite small) ,

Serve with some natural Greek yoghurt like we did, although I’d say that’s pretty much a given with Greek food.

I also suggest being more liberal with the pistachios in the rice, because in my book one can never have enough pistachios…

Enjoy!

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What I Wore to Work #8

Shirt: Cos, Jumper: H&M, Jeans: River Island, Boots: Dune (borrowed off my mum!), Coat: Topshop, Bag Modalu (borrowed off my mum!)

Shirt: Zara, Jumper: Asos,  Jeans: River Island, Boots: Dune (borrowed off my mum!), Coat: Banana Republic, Bag Modalu (borrowed off my mum!)

Polo Neck (or turtle neck? Who even knows?): Zara, Skirt: Cos, Loafers: Vintage Russell and Bromley, Jacket: Topshop, Bag: Modalu (similar here)

Shirt: Orla Kiely for Uniqlo, Jumper: M&S, Skirt: Cos, Loafers: Topshop, Bag: The Cambridge Satchel Company, Coat: Cos

And I’ve finally caught up with my outfit posts. Phew…..

This week we  had serious snow in Shropshire, like I think a lot of places have, and I don’t own any snow and work appropriate boots so I nicked these off my mum. I’m kind of in love and want a pair for myself. I also had to dig out the old duffle coat so snow got serious.

I’m two months into my placement (one month left now…) and it’s Easter Weekend and I get days off  and everything is just lovely. And to top it off, Hong Kong is just two months away, it’s creeped up on me so quickly and now I’m in a panic because there’s so much to do to prepare! So much is happening in the next month, I need to take a step back and  breathe…

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What I Wore to Work #7

Blouse: Topshop, Skirt: Asos, Shoes: Russell and Bromley, Jacket: Topshop, Bag: Modalu (similar here)

Shirt: Cos, Jumper: Cos, Jeans: Monki,  Brogues: Office (similar here), Mac: Zara (similar here), Bag: Modalu (similar here)

Blouse: Miss Selfridge: Trousers: Uniqlo, Brogues: Office (similar here), Coat: Cos, Bag: Modalu (similar here)

Blouse: Topshop, Jeans: Monki, Brogues: Office (similar here), Coat: Topshop, Bag: Modalu (similar here)

Dress: French Connection, Shoes: Topshop, Coat: Cos, Bag: Modalu (similar here) 

Okay, so week 7 is two weeks late, I catching up now though…

I want to tell you about my new jeans I wore on Tuesday and Thursday because I think they’re life changing (deep stuff). I bought them in London when I visited my sister and I’m in love. I’ve wanted a pair of high waisted blue jeans for yonks but couldn’t find any that were retro enough – I wanted ones that were really high, not too fitted/skinny and had only one button (was that really too much to ask?). American Apparel do the ideal pair but there was no way I was going to pay £70 for a pair of jeans so I sort of waited around until I could find something else and then I discovered the Monki pair that were only £35, which I think is a really good price for jeans, especially jeans you’ve been on the hunt for for a while. Anyway, I think they’re really cute and are going to be ideal for the summer, I just need the sun to come out now…

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