IKEA Haul

Last week I took a cheeky trip to IKEA leading to this Friday Favourite (on a Sunday) and home ware haul post. Like the majority of people in this world I love an IKEA trip and always come back with a basket full of goodies. I can never quite get over how cheap things are for good quality. When I move in with my boyfriend later on this year, I think I might aswell just have my paycheque forwarded to IKEA. 

Anyway, let's stop rambling so you can look at what I have recently bought :) 

The candle holder/plant pot/makeup brush holder that nearly every blogger has. And I don't ever care because it's pretty and the perfect size and has taken pride of place on top of my MUJI storage.

The tray (underneath) is from the new PS 2014 collection and is one of my favourite purchases because it's the perfect size for two cups of tea and a plate of toast for breakfast in bed with the boyfriend. When it's not acting as a breakfast tray it occasionally sits on top of my drawers housing my every growing candle collection. These candle holders are also from IKEA and are a lovely and safe way to display my DIY washi tape candles.

IKEA have really stepped up their bowl game and their PS 2014 collection has again made me happy. These bowls came in a set of two but there were other colours available (mint green bowl you will be mine soon).

To be honest i'm not sure what to do with these. They come as a set of three and I thought I could store rings etc in them but it turns out I don't actually have many. Who'd have thought it! They might be hiding away until I start my teaching job in September and I can use them for storing paper clips etc. 

Oops another bowl. For some reason this colour just jumped out at me and they actually had a larger one on display but I couldn't find them anywhere on the shelves. It broke my heart but this little one will do nicely for now. He's happily storing my washi tapes for me and doing a very good job. 

My absolute favourite find was this pillow from the PS 2014 collection. I bought two of these and another two in a brighter pink colour. I think this peachy pink is just the perfect shade and I adore the pattern. Also, it matches my bowls which just makes me too happy.

A bit of a boring one but this jar was something like 75p (crazy I know) and has ended up storing all my bobble, pins and elastic bands. Not very pretty but useful. 

 Can we all just take a moment and appreciate how cute that flamingo glass is! Again I think it was about 75p for one so I stocked up with 4 of them. I'm sure my other half isn't going to be a big fan but ah well. I bought two of the tall glasses with the intention of using them for hot chocolates with marshmallows...of course.  

For some reason I went a bit glassware crazy on this trip and got these pink cups to add to my fast growing collection. I can imagine sitting in the sunshine with a pink cup filled with a fresh strawberry smoothie and a matching pink straw. Am I sad? And no IKEA trip is complete without picking up a pack of their straws. What girl doesn't want pastel straws?

What are your favourite IKEA finds?

Friday Favourite | Pink Beauty Products

What is it with pink makeup? I'm obsessed. When deciding between products, I always find myself drawn towards the pink and nude choices. My nails always look best when pink, nude or pastel. I've already admitted to being a nudest when it comes to lips and it seems my eyes always look sleepy unless I use a pink or champagne eyeshadow. These pink products have been some of my favourites over the past few weeks.

As far back as I can remember i've always been drawn to pink and nude nail polishes. I think I have been influenced by my mum who is an advocate for 'classy nails'. She has a beautiful collection of nudes, greys and pinks which I have dipped into over the years. Also, as i'm a primary school teacher, I try to keep my nails reasonably simple (even though I don't necessarily have to). Maybelline nail polishes make up most of my collection but the Maybelline Color Show in Love This Sweater might just be my favourite. It's so classy and subtle on the nails and paired with a topcoat, doesn't chip for days. 

Another Maybelline product I have been using is the oh so popular Maybelline Color Tattoo Eyeshadow in Pink Gold. I tend to find that a huge amount of eyeshadow colours don't suit me but a light sweep of this product adds a pop of colour to my eyes without making them look dirty and tired (anyone else know what I mean my dirty?). It lasts well and is a great eyeshadow to apply quickly if you're in a rush.

Recently I have been experimenting with makeup brushes and have fallen in love with the Real Techniques Stippling Brush. I'm always after a way to create that 'no makeup, makeup look' and this brush allows me to create a light, smooth base. The dual-fibre bristles are so soft and pick up the product well. For the past month or so I have been swapping between this brush and the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush. They're both amazing.

I bought the Sleek Blush by 3 pallet after seeing a lot of other beauty bloggers/vloggers review it. Most blushers seem to suit me (or at least I think they do!) so a purchasing a pallet instead of more individual blushers seemed to make sense. I've been using the cream blush a lot as I try not to use too many powder products (stupid dry skin) and so far i've been very happy. From the two powder options I much prefer the shade 'Icing Sugar' as 'Pink Mint' is just a bit too dark for me. Perhaps it will be more appropriate in summer when I have a tan (wishful thinking Jen). 

As I've already said, i'm a complete nudest when it comes to lips. I've been branching out a bit recently and have particularly enjoyed exploring Revlon lip products. The Revlon Colourburst Lacquer Balm in Demure Reservee is a beautiful lip lacquer that gives your lips just the right amount of colour and shimmer. The Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Sky Line Pink is from their pearl collection and has a creamy consistency which is very hydrating on the lips. The colour isn't as pigmented but that works for me and my fear of intense colour. Its a lovely lipstick to throw on and not worry about colour fading, texture or smudging. Just my cup of tea.

(Left to right)

Revlon Colourburst Lacquer Balm (105, Demure Reservee)

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick (025 Sky Line Pink)

Maybelline Colour Tattoo Eyeshadow (Pink Gold)

Sleek Blush by 3 (369 Pink Lemonade - Icing Sugar, Macaroon, Pink Mint)

What is your favourite pink beauty product?

Friday Favourite | LVNDR

LVNDR is a jewellery and fashion accessory shop that stocks the most beautiful dainty products you will ever see. Recently I decided to treat my hands to some of their pieces and i've never been happier. I have got into a routine of buying silver jewellery lately so I decided to buy some gold pieces to add to my collection. Luckily for my bank account, they were very reasonably priced (less that £4 each for the rings and £4.99 for the bracelet).

P.S how cute is this packaging! *Squeals*

Overall i'm very pleased I found this shop and will definitely be returning. The first time wearing the giraffe ring I received compliments from two different shop assistants (yes I was shopping again...oops) and even my other half liked it. So a very successful buy if you ask me.

What are your favourite jewellery shops?

Friday Favourite | Topshop lipsticks

Saint - Petal - Pillow Talk - Whimsical - Rio Rio

Now i'm not the biggest beauty addict in the world and I am certainly no expert but let's face it...I am a girl. Therefore, whenever I walk past a makeup stand my heart skips a beat. When it comes to lipstick I am a bit of a nudest and rarely find lipsticks that compliment my pale skin. However, Topshop seems to do the job. I bought my first makeup item from them about 6 months ago and haven't looked back since. In fact, I have actually repurchased the colour 'Saint' 3 times now (Yikes!). 

Saint - Petal - Pillow Talk - Whimsical - Rio Rio

Saint

Saint is my perfect nude. Like all Topshop lipsticks it is really velvety and nourishing on the lips. It suits my pale skin particularly well without making me look washed out. 

Petal

Petal is my newest addition and has taken a front row seat in my collection. It has quickly become a regular day time lipstick as it is still nude but with a more pink hint.

Pillow Talk

I'm going to be honest... Pillow Talk does not suit me as much as the others. Lip products that are too pink tend to not look quite right on me. Saying that, I have work this shade in the evenings and it looks beautiful. It's just slightly too pink for my daytime look!

Whimsical

Recently I have enjoyed wearing Whimsical with quite natural face makeup. It has been my go to evening lipstick and I can't fault it. Well done Topshop.

Rio Rio

Anyone that knows me will know how scared I am of red lipstick. I have been told I suit red but I've not had an occasion where I feel confident enough to wear it. I've even tried just wearing it around the house to try to get used to it. Anyone else do that? Just me? Let's hope I suddenly get invited to a ball and get the chance to test drive this beauty.

What's your favourite Topshop makeup product?