Sunday Round Up #15

Hi Guys! I can't get over how lovely the weather has been lately, I hope it has been as nice where you are. This week was my first week of the Easter holidays and even though I've had mountains of work to get through, I've still been able to do the things I love most, like spending time with my friends and family. I have been getting a lot better at remembering my camera, so here a few photos too.

Kat and me

Jo, Roz, Kat and me

My friend Katie who moved to London at New Years came up for a visit and it was really nice to catch up. We went along the sea front and had a many a drink in celebration of her temporary return.

It was mothers day on Sunday so me, my sister and brother got flowers, slippers and chocolates to show how much we love our Mam. I know people say that mothers day is just another excuse for commercialism but I think special days to show your love for someone are great, because it is so easy to take them for granted. 

my Mam, Dad, Nana, Jill, Brogan and myself

On Tuesday it was my sister's 20th birthday. We had a tea party with lots of cake and I bought her a gorgeous dress for her to wear. 

On Friday my family went out to Frankies and Benny's and we had a huge three course meal to properly celebrate Brogan's birthday. It was so nice and then we finished it off by going to a yummy cocktail bar.   

Since it has been so sunny I've been reading a lot in the garden. I started on the Hunger Games series at the beginning of the week and finished the third one yesterday. I really enjoyed the books although I do think perhaps too much was packed into the very end after such a brilliant build up. I can't wait to see the film which I'm seeing tomorrow, mixed reviews but I still want to see it for myself. 

Here is a photo of Mil enjoying the sun, I always manage to sneak her beautiful face into my posts don't I?

The lovely Hayley over at http://dollymix962.blogspot.co.uk/ was giving away products on her blog and she kindly gave me the two items above. She comes across like a really lovely girl and I'm loving her youtube videos. They were such a nice surprise to pop through my door and really brightened my day!

In the week I was also notified I got that job as a marketing intern that I had an interview for on Friday. I start tomorrow and I'm really excited to get stuck in whilst I have the holidays to get accustomed, before my entire schedule heats up. I'm also beginning that Insanity 60 day workout. I hear it's crazy hardcore but I'm up for a challenge! I'm going to take photos or film myself before the sixty days and then at the end. I'll give you my truly honest opinion as I'm a bit skeptical of the results I've seen in the 60 days. Still, I'll try my hardest and you never know! It should be here for Monday so I'll probably begin then and will update you on my twitter as to how much hard work it is!

Emxx

Red Glitter Lips

There was once upon a time when I thought nothing of going to college wearing a lime green eyeshadow and red lipstick combo. One day I realised I was treading into dangerous looking-like-a-drag-queen-territory, and slowly but surely I became the most boring girl with my makeup, rarely going beyond a red lip for a special occasion.

When it came to the "glamour" module of my makeup course, the criteria was big and bold. It was so fun experimenting beyond the realms of my everyday makeup routine, and it brought me back to how much I used to love getting ready all those years ago. 

I have found one look I'm quite fond of, as I think it has a lot of impact and it reminds me of Dorothy's shoes in the Wizard of Oz. Glitter lips are very easy to do - I hope you like them!

How To Get Red Glitter Lips:
You will need:
- Lip salve (to prep the lips)
- Red lip liner/lipstick (to act as a base)
- Loose red glitter
- Lipcote (to seal the glitter)
- A lip brush
- A surface to mix on

1) Begin by prepping the lips with a good lip salve an hour before application, as this look will leave your lips drier than normal.

2) Apply a red lipstick or lipliner. This will act as a really good base to cover any patchy areas of glitter.

NOTE: If you want to avoid fall out from the glitter and you want the look to last, a lip cote is essential. I've found if I just use glitter at this stage without it, it tends to fall all over my chin when I'm applying. The glitter also tends to get smudgy after half an hour on my lips and travels all over my face. I've found through trial and error the best thing to do at this stage is to mix lip cote with the glitter, and then apply it as you would a gloss.

3) I pore a few drops of lipcote onto a surface such as a makeup palette or my hand. I dip my lip brush into this lipcote, and then dip it into the glitter.

4) When the brush is coated in glitter, I apply this to my lips in a dabbing motion. This dabbing motion (as opposed to sweeping) prevents glitter fall out and it also make it really easy to build up the intensity of the glitter.

5) When I'm happy with the amount of glitter I will then apply a layer of lipcote over my entire lips. Ta-da!

Aftercare

This method makes the glitter last ages and I don't experience any fall out at all there is no need for tops ups. I just drink through a straw and I'm careful when I'm eating. Also avoid things like snogging (I know, I'm no fun) and you should be fine!

Em xx

Manchester

I thought I'd share a recent trip away to Manchester where I met up with the lovely Emma. I've never been to Manchester before so I was really excited to see the area and have a good night out.

 It's SO much nicer getting a train during the week (I travelled down Monday and Tuesday) compared to a weekend. When I went to Liverpool on a Saturday I was scared some of the passengers were going to stab a bitch if they didn't get a good seat on the train. This though was such a nice relaxing journey, I just sat and read the entire time and looked out the window at all the sheep ha. We stayed in the Premier Inn which was great because it was super cheap (I think £45 for two adults...?) and really central if anyone is thinking of booking a room down there.

Emma, Becky and me

We were supposed to be going on the wheel but alas I chickened out upon seeing how ridiculously huge it was, just looking at it made me scared! haha. We had a nice meal at La Tasca though which was great because I've never been to a Spanish tapas restaurant before. The fish dishes were so nice and these cheesy chip things were good too (it's not a meal without a huge amount of carbs).

We went to a few bars, none of which I can remember the name of other than the main club which was called 5th. We met up with Emma's friend Becky who was lovely and we had a little groove on the dance floor, followed by an epic fail trying to get back into our hotel room :'). The next day we kept it classy with a Greggs ft. Subway nomming marathon...

I'm really glad that I started blogging because I've met some lovely people, in particular Emma is someone I'd never have met in a million years if it wasn't for the internet. If you're thinking of going to a blogger meetup I really recommend you to take the plunge and go. I also met Emily at a blogging event and she is such a lovely girl.

xx

Video: February Favourites

ALL THE PRODUCTS I MENTION:
Green concealer: SBC
Link:http://www.amazon.co.uk/SBC-Makeup-Concealer-Compact-Green/dp/B005L8YXKE

Lilac concealer: SBC
http://www.amazon.co.uk/SBC-Makeup-Concealer-Compact-Lilac/dp/B005L8ZL82

Makeup sponges: I found some online for cheap, but check out your pound shops as they're even cheaper!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Royal-20pc-MAKE-UP-WEDGES/dp/B000PQJ5I2/ref=sr_1_1?s=...

I also mention the Superdrug eyemakeup remover, No7 cleanser, superdrug toner and a derma v10 moisturiser. There are in my favourites because this routine has really helped me but the only products I specifically love are the No7 cleanser and the derma v10 moisturiser, the others I'll be swapping for other choices!