What's in my Bag?? (Video)

Ramblings about what's in my handbag!!

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Christmas is Coming - Outfit

Yesterday I headed to the Manchester Christmas Markets.  Again.  

 It was heaving.  Everyone has now clearly got the memo that the markets are on.  Jeeez.

I must say, I've not been as impressed so far but I think it is because I need to go at night.  And since finding the nicest Spiced Cider in Dukes 92 I cannot find anything at the stalls to match it, so I just end up wanting to go back to Dukes! Ha.

Anyway, I wanted to be cosy but still pretty in my style of dress so I opted for the above look which is an Izabel London collared dress from here and a bargainous £20, with a Jumper from Glamorous from here and is £31.99.

Primark belt and primark shoes.

Also my coat is from Asda but I can't find the link!! Got it about a month ago and I think it was £19.

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How to Remove Shellac, Gelish, Red Carpet Manicure, Sensationail and any other Gel Polish!

Removing Shellac/Gelish/Redcarpet Manicure

Like me, a lot of you will probably have gel polish manicures, or at least give them a try.  What you might not always be able to do it get to a salon to remove them.  I have found that if one chips, or the grow out is a bit too much, I just want it off straight away as it looks too scruffy for me.  Also, fitting in salon appointments can be pretty inconvenient when you have lots of other things to do, especially in the busy lead up to xmas.

So I thought I would give you a quick run down of how I remove my gel polish at home, without the need to go to a salon and pay for the service!

1. Get your Acetone ready (you can pick this up at boots for like £3)

2. Cut up tinfoil and kitchen roll, or cotton wool - your choice and have a nail file handy

3. File the posh gently to take off the top shine (not necessary but apparently makes it quicker)

4. Put some acetone on the kitchen roll and place it on top of your nail

5. Then wrap the nail and kitchen roll in tinfoil ensuring that the foil is wrapped around tightly

6. Repeat for all nails and leave on for 10 - 15 minutes.

7.  Remove from nails and your nails should be clean, if not gently remove the rest with an orange stick (as long as you don't need to scrape - if you do - you need to soak for longer!)

End result is...

Nice gel polish free clean nails!

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Caught in the Crossfire

So after a slightly awkward moment earlier in which I was caught between two individuals arguing, I decided I needed some fresh air. And a new top. With some crosses on it.

Cue new cross top.

You like?




Obviously this is one of those awkward phone-camera-picture-taking-of-self-without-much-makeup-on-and-bad-hair moments.

But being an in the moment kind of person I thought I'd share it with you anyway!

Where can you buy it? Miss Selfridge. And it's a steal at £20.

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YouTube Video Alert - My Skincare Routine

Finally got around to filming a YouTube vid after far too long out of the YouTube game!

Back on it! 

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Recent Jumper Haul

Well I say haul, but it's really just a purchase.  It could have been a haul as there were three I wanted but this was by far the best. 

Am I too old to wear ghosts on my jumpers..?  Probably. 

Who cares!?

I love it!!!

£19.99 from New Look peeps!  Buy it here.

Oh, and I am wearing M/L because I wanted it to be big so it could double up as a dress if I wanted.  Works well!

Next up this bad boy...

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My New(ish) Marc B Amelia Handbag

Marc B Amelia Handbag

I don't know about you but I love a good handbag.  There is not many things as exciting when it comes to new items for the wardrobe.

I mean don't get me wrong, I also love a good shoe, but I get far more use out of my favourite handbags than I do my favourite shoes.

Now I have a fair few handbags and my most used are my Micheal Kors and DKNY ones seen here and here.  I had found though, since moving to Manchester, I was in dire need (well want) of a bag that I could wear over my shoulder.  I do a lot of walking now and found that my two have handbags just kept slipping off my shoulder or needing readjustment when I was walking to and from the centre.

So imagine my excitement when I was offered the opportunity to review one of Marc B's delightful handbags.  It took me a week to decide which to try but it had to be the Amelia Marc B Handbag.  It is just so pretty and has the desired over the shoulder strap!

(pssst - they also do it in cream)

So glad am I that I opted for this little beauty!! It turned up at work and the girl from the post room literally said, as she handed over the parcel, "you have great taste in bags".  I had never actually come across this brand beforehand though, which of course added to my excitement.

I've now had the bag for around 3 weeks and I have literally used it every day since.  I use it for work, at the weekends and even when going out for drinks.  It is the perfect multi-use bag!

It is £49.00 and I think totally worth the price as you can use it every day.  The interior also means that you can fit quite a bit in and organise it into various sections.  There are two main areas split by a zippable pocket and then there are several side pockets in and outside and it zips at the top too so you can close it fully - no pickpocketing here!

Generally, I am used to HUGE bags yet even though this is small than my usual, I still fit in the following:-

makeup bag
lunch
purse
umbrella
business cards
keys
pens
note pad

Oooo I should do a "what's in my bag post"...   

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My Makeup Storage - Muji Style

Well for those of you that have been reading my recent posts you will know that I have recently moved what you probably don't know is that the worst part of packing was all my makeup, products, toiletries etc. It was actually insane and in the end much of it (and I am talking 2/3's) didn't make the journey to my new home. 

As a result of that experience I decided I needed my makeup to be more accessible as there were things in my collection I had not seen for years. 

Off I therefore went to Muji in the Trafford centre and spent £50 odd quid.  (And yes, it is totally worth it). 

I (somewhat foolishly) believed that my present collection would fit in the drawers I bought.  WRONG.  So I was glad I had brought my old feel unique beauty boxes for storing my lipstick and lip glosses!  I also ended up storing things rather ad-hocly in the split open top box in the middle (which was meant to be for jewellery!). 

I will buy some more though so eventually I can see EVERYTHING as it is so much fun when you are a beauty blogger being able to see and use all of your makeup!

Don't you agree?

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Nicky Clarke Manchester Salon Review

So this is going to be one of those posts where there will be lots of pictures of my new hair (which incidentally is now around 3 weeks old)

I should have taken some pictures of the salon (naughty blogger) but it was a last minute things and I felt too shy to ask!

So if you are familiar with Manchester the Nicky Clarke salon is on the avenue in Spinningfields (off Deansgate) which, without giving too much away, is very close to where I work.  And also close to where I live.  

So it was a natural choice for me when I was looking to try a new salon one Friday afternoon.  

Now, I must say I was persuaded by the Manchester Confidential deal which allows you to get a restyle for £30.  As that was what I paid back at home I was happy to give it a go.  Albeit very nervously. 

I needn't have worried.  The salon was lovely and really big but you aren't on show.  The girls take you upstairs and wash your hair with a mini head massage which was lush and then sit you in front of a big mirror and get to work.  It's all very well lit and feels very chic.  fI saw a girl called Roisin and she was fab.  She listened to what I said and told me what she was going to do so that I didn't panic when I started to see hair on the floor and she kept the length which is what I asked for as although for a lot of you this won't be long - it's really long for me!

Here were the results (after a 15 minute walk back to the flat also).

Sorry about the red eye!

Now I absolutely love this.  It's got volume, it's what I like to call flicky and not super straight.  I love how sweeping the fringe is too. 

She managed this just by blowdrying my hair which no one has managed before.  Very impressive.  

Sadly I can't quite recreate this look although my hair is still manageable when styling.  

A cut is usually £45.  I will definitely be going back and would definitely recommend the salon and stylist.  I was so glad I had a good experience as it's tough trying to find new hairdressers!

Now to try some Nicky Clarke hair products!

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Recently I have been...

Going on holiday

Wishing I didn't have so many freckles post holiday

and then wishing they were still there when the tan faded.

Moving to Manchester (finally) into my new apartment.

Going for meals with the boyf.  Mmmm Gauchos times below.

Love this dress (!)

And waiting for the internet to be set up.  Three weeks without it has been horrendous!! It's just not normal! It has finally been set up today so you will be seeing A LOT more of me!!!

Have a great day 

xx

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I'm All Lovestruck

Please excuse the mess - I was in the middle of moving!

Hello!!

I know it's ages between my posts at the moment but it's because I have no Internet!! Booooo. Takes sky ages to install but next week I shall have it.

Anyway, I've had this beautiful dress for ages now and had the perfect opportunity to wear it for the boyf's birthday last week.

It is sooo pretty. It's called Maggie and £39 from Lovestruck which is an online store that sells THE prettiest dresses. (You can go by clicking here.)

What do you think?? Have any of you bought anything from Lovestuck?

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