Join in the Text Santa Campaign with TheHut.com!

Text Santa is ITV’s charity fundraiser appeal which runs every year in December. It aims to raise money and awareness for six selected charities to make a difference at the most special time of year.......Christmas!

The chosen charities for 2014 are:

Alzheimer’s Society
Guide Dogs
Marie Curie Cancer Care
Teenage Cancer Trust
Together for Short Lives
WellChild

The appeal first started in 2011 and last year saw over £5million being raised to help those in need.

This year online retailer TheHut.com are getting involved in the campaign and have a range of loungewear for kids and adults for sale, with a minimum 25% donation from each sale going to the Text Santa appeal which will be shared equally between the six chosen charities. You can see the full range here. I love the women's T-shirts featuring festive illustrations by Ben Mosley and the pink snowflake print onesie is fab! If you're stuck for last minute Christmas gift ideas please take a look at this range and join in with the campaign!

The Text Santa telethon will be on ITV tonight at 8pm so make sure you tune in! I will be watching in my pink 'Text Santa' onesie* and texting in my donation.

Rock On Ruby Blogger Christmas Party!

A couple of weeks ago I attended an exclusive blogger's Christmas party hosted by fashion brand Rock on Ruby.

If you haven't heard of Rock on Ruby yet....WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?!?! They have stormed the blogosphere this year and all the top bloggers have been pictured wearing their slogan tees. You can pick from the collections already available (Mean Girls collection, music tees, Christmas, unicorn and fairytale to name but a few) or you can create your own slogan and have it printed. You can even get your blog name on a tee or sweatshirt!

Binky London Nail Polish Review & Reader Exclusive Discount Code!

I have a HUGE collection of nail polishes and I love trying out new brands to see if I like them better than some of my favourites, so when I received a bottle of Binky London Nail Polish* in the colour Mocha I couldn't wait to try it!

Made in Chelsea's Binky Felstead launched her own cosmetics brand in December last year starting with just 8 nail polishes in two different finishes. Now she has a complete cosmetics line available to buy from www.binkylondon.com with prices as low as £2.95. 

I received a gel finish nail polish in the colour ‘Mocha’ from the newly released Autumn/Winter range. All Binky cosmetics products are made in the UK and this is reflected in the retro style logo on the bottle. The brush is very good quality which makes the application of the polish quick and easy. Neither too thick or too runny, the consistency of the polish is just right. It dries quite quickly (mine was touch dry within about 15 minutes) and two coats is enough to give a good coverage. The polish gives a lovely glossy hi-shine finish which is expected of gel nail polishes.

I found this Binky nail polish to be hard wearing and long lasting. My job is office based and I spend a lot of time typing on a keyboard which you would think would mean chipped nail polish within a day or two, but I got about 5 days wear from one application before I had to remove it and reapply. For a budget nail polish I think this is really good going. 

Overall I’m impressed with this nail polish and I will certainly look at adding more colours to my collection. 

If you’d like to try some of these nail polishes, then Binky London have kindly given me a 10% discount code to share with my readers. Just enter PP10 at the checkout when ordering on www.binkylondon.com to claim your discount.

What do you think of the Binky range? Let me know in the comments below if you make a purchase!

Perfume Gift Guide For Christmas With Fragrance Direct - Featuring YSL Black Opium, Gucci Guilty, Jean Paul Gaultier Classique and Elizabeth Arden Provocative Woman

It’s that time of year again when you’re struggling to decide what to buy people for Christmas. Some people are really easy to buy for and others are pretty awkward (yes, you know who you are!) 

One gift that I always enjoy receiving is a gorgeous new bottle of perfume – as long as it’s a scent you know the person will like then you’re on to a winner! I’ve joined forces with the lovely people at Fragrance Direct to bring you a little guide to some of the most popular new and classic fragrances for women to help you with your Christmas shopping.  

ghd Limited Edition Rose Gold V Styler Review

After 7 years (or maybe even longer!) of using the same ghd styler (an IV) I thought it was time to upgrade before they decide to pack in and leave me with a head full of frizz one morning! Ever since I got my first ghd’s I knew I would never need to turn to another brand again. The difference they made to my hair was amazing. However, my trusty IV styler was starting to look a bit worn and after many years of use I was needing to go over sections of hair a couple of times so I knew it was time to get a new one. But which one to choose!?!?

Dainty Daisy Jewellery - Cute and Pretty Stocking Fillers

I love discovering new brands and supporting local businesses, so I was pleased when I discovered Dainty Daisy Jewellery on Twitter. Based in Manchester, this home run business stocks cute and delicate pieces of jewellery such as earrings and bracelets, and also gorgeous bright coloured make up bags.

I was sent this Rose Gold Cupid Arrow Bracelet* by Dainty Daisy Jewellery which I selected from their website. I love rose gold at the moment and, if you haven’t noticed already, I have a bit of a rose gold theme on my blog this week (keep an eye out for another one this weekend!) This pretty little bracelet has a delicate chain and features a cute cupid’s arrow measuring approximately 1.5cm in length. It’s perfect if you’re not into chunky jewellery and have little wrists like me.

Check out the website here to browse the collection with prices as little as a few pounds and free delivery on all orders over £20. I have my eyes on the rose gold heart studs.....so pretty!

What do you think of this bracelet?  

Thomas Sabo Rose Gold Charm Bracelet From Joshua James Jewellery

I love the way that jewellery and accessories can change the whole way an outfit looks, complimenting it in a certain way or making it come to life. One of my favourite brands is Thomas Sabo - I have two bracelets and a necklace which you can add charms to from the huge collection available, and I love the way you can mix and match the charms depending on what you wear that day. 

Thomas Sabo is one of the world’s leading jewellery companies for women and men. The brand, which was founded by Mr Thomas Sabo in 1984, has grown rapidly since then and now offers approximately 2,000 products including jewellery, watches and even a signature fragrance. Since the launch of the highly successful Thomas Sabo Charm Club in 2006 its popularity has rocketed and most people I know have bought a charm bracelet for themselves or as a gift. There’s something for everyone in the collection – ranging from colourful and fun novelty figures to special keepsakes and elegant jewel-encrusted charms.

2014 has seen the brand launch a new ‘Karma Beads’ range comprising of a bracelet named the ‘Wheel of Karma’ and 72 different beads to collect. Similar to the Pandora charm bracelets which I’m also a huge fan of, I think this will be another huge success for Thomas Sabo as the world just seems to be in love with charm bracelets at the moment! Joshua James have compiled a list of their top ten selling karma beads which you can see here. My favourites are the White Pearl and Rose Quartz Karma Beads.

The newest addition to my Thomas Sabo collection is this beautiful Rose Gold Charm Carrier Bracelet* and Rose Gold and Pink Zirconia Charm* from Joshua James Jewellery. 

I'm a little bit obsessed with rose gold at the moment (expect some more rose gold themed posts on the blog later this week!) - it's so pretty and elegant and really suits every skin tone. This bracelet is available in silver and yellow gold as well but the rose gold is definitely my favourite. 

I chose the Pink Zirconia Charm to add to the bracelet as I think the colour really compliments the rose gold well. The charm is the perfect size, measuring approximately 1cm, which just adds a little bit of detail to the bracelet nicely. You can of course purchase more charms to add to it, but at the moment I quite like just the one charm – this is the beauty of Thomas Sabo bracelets though, the charms are so easy to clip on and off depending on what look you’re going for. The quality of the bracelet is excellent and the fastening feels sturdy and secure. These bracelets are also available in different sizes which is great for someone like me with tiny wrists! So often I can’t wear bracelets as they are too big and aren’t adjustable but this feels like it’s been made to measure. This one is a size small (16cm) and it fits me perfectly.

The bracelet is available to buy at Joshua James Jewellery for £55 and the charm is £45. Joshua James Jewellery is an official stockist of the Thomas Sabo range and they also offer free next day delivery on all orders – perfect for those of you who are doing your Christmas shopping online! I have my eye on the stunning pendants next  – I think I will be putting one on my Christmas list!  

Do you have a Thomas Sabo charm bracelet? Are you a fan of rose gold?

Manchester Arndale After Dark Event - Featuring My Perfect Party Dress From Oasis

Photo courtesy of the lovely Georgie at She Dreams

Thursday 27th November was the date that Manchester's fashion bloggers couldn't wait for - the Manchester Arndale's 'After Dark' event. An evening which promised to be full of glitz and glamour and a chance to be picked as one of the top 10 dresses which would go on display in the Arndale Centre for the public to vote for their favourite. 

Choosing the Perfect Party Dress From Oasis.......Manchester Arndale 'After Dark' Event



A couple of weeks ago this rather swanky looking invitation to the Manchester Arndale 'After Dark' Event landed on my doorstep. After searching the hashtag #MAAfterDark on Twitter it was clear to see that there was a lot of excitement for this event amongst Manchester's fashion bloggers.

In total, 25 bloggers have been selected to attend the event on 27th November and we have  each been allocated a store from which to choose our perfect party dress. On the night, a panel of fashionable judges (including Victoria from In The Frow) will select their favourite 10 dresses which will then be displayed in the Manchester Arndale Shopping Centre and the public will vote for their favourite for a chance to win it.

I was allocated Oasis and I couldn't have been happier - I knew that I would definitely be able to find my perfect dress there. So last Saturday I headed into Manchester with the lovely Anna from It's A Blogger's World on a mission to find a winning outfit!

Introducing Ba&sh Paris.....Elegant Timeless Fashion

I only discovered the brand Ba&sh Paris a couple of weeks ago through the lovely people at Coggles and to be honest, I can’t believe I didn’t know about it sooner! The range, which is stocked at Coggles and ASOS, is absolutely gorgeous!

The Parisian label was launched by childhood friends Barbara Boccara and Sharon Krief whose aim was to provide a collection of clothing ideal for the everyday wardrobe of today’s modern woman. The range is chic, feminine, stylish and simple – think silk, linen, cashmere and soft cottons with an obvious French influence. The style of Ba&sh would suit women who want to build a timeless base for their wardrobe that would mix well with more diverse and daring items.

After browsing the Coggles website I completely fell in love with the collection. From timeless leather bags to elegant dresses, I think I would wear most items. Straight away, these four pieces below stood out to me and they are now on my wishlist (err hello Santa, if you’re listening, I’ve been a very good girl this year!)

The lovely people at Coggles sent me a cute little ‘Ba&sh’ parcel containing a pretty little notebook and tote bag. I’m a bit of a stationery freak and I love buying new notebooks, diaries and pens so this will definitely come in use! It comes in a great slogan box and is the perfect size to pop in my handbag for jotting down any notes or ideas whilst I’m out and about. Tote bags are seen everywhere nowadays – with such a strong emphasis on recycling and ‘bags for life’, more and more people are using them to do their bit for the environment. This tote bag from Ba&sh is larger than most tote bags I’ve seen but not too big. On one side it has the Ba&sh logo and on the other it says “10 fois plus belle” which means “10 times more beautiful”. With this bag I can still look stylish whilst being kind to the environment!

Have you discovered the Ba&sh range yet? Which are your favourite pieces?

Introducing Madam Q Couture

All images provided by Madam Q Couture

Want to know where you can get the hottest new accessories designed and made in Manchester?? Then read on!

Madam Q Couture is a new and exciting fashion label by Sophie Ho - a Manchester-based fashion designer who graduated in 2012. Since then her her designs have graced the catwalk at numerous fashion shows and events including London Graduate Fashion Week, Clothes Show Live, Vogue's Fashion's Night Out in Manchester, and Manchester Fashion Week. Sophie’s designs are inspired by architecture and photography and each and every piece is not just a wearable accessory, but a work of art.  

Madam Q Couture is Sophie Ho's first ready-to-wear range. She wanted to create a collection of clutch bags that embody and symbolise the unique culture of Manchester, whilst fitting in with daily life in the city. The label is on a mission to shake up the fashion industry in Manchester and leave its mark in the city which has an important place in the history and heritage of fashion and design. Madam Q Couture have chosen to have their clutches produced locally in Manchester with a manufacturer that has over 50 years of experience – I love the fact that they are proud of the city in which they live (and me too!)

The first collection includes two clutch styles:

Olivia Clutch

• High quality PU
• 26cm x 11cm
• Removable strap

Scarlett Clutch

• High quality PU
• 29cm x 18cm
• Internal zip pocket - fits phone and keys
• Removable strap

Madam Q Couture is currently a featured project on Kickstarter  - the world’s largest funding platform for creative projects. They are currently over halfway to reaching the target to get the go-ahead to start producing the collection and there are 14 days left before the project ends. You can read all about it here.

I, for one, am very excited about this new emerging talent from Manchester. The clutch bags in this first collection are edgy but sophisticated and are very wearable. My favourite is the Scarlett Clutch in black – something I would definitely choose as it would compliment any outfit perfectly. Sophie Ho and Madam Q Couture are definitely ones to keep an eye on – with a debut collection as stunning as this one, I can’t wait to see what’s next.......

FashionChick #FashionablyFestive Event

 Last week I attended the fabulously named #FashionablyFestive event hosted by FashionChick at the swanky Epernay Champagne Bar in Manchester (one of my favourite places for a night out – the Bellinis are delicious!) I knew as soon as I received the invite that it was going to be a great night, and it did not disappoint! 

As always, I couldn't decide what to wear but in the end I went for a River Island patterned top, faux leather mini skirt from Dorothy Perkins, tights and limited edition platform boots from Primark.

Photo courtesy of https://www.facebook.com/pages/David-Pettifer-Photography/141556699387492?sk=photos_stream

FashionChick is a social shopping site for fashion-obsessed ladies in the UK. Through this website you can browse and select items of clothing, shoes and accessories from a multitude of online stores such as Boohoo, Lipsy, Missguided, Fashion Union, New Look and Dorothy Perkins and add them to your online ‘wardrobe’ ready for purchasing on payday. After signing up to the site as a ‘fashionchick’, you can create outfits from the selection online, showing off your looks and giving inspiration to other members looking for fashion and styling advice. This innovative platform means that you no longer have to search through several different websites to find your perfect outfit  -  you can look at everything all in one place. FashionChick even have an iPhone app available to download from the iTunes store for free so you can shop on the go wherever you are – a must for any serious fashionista! In the words of FashionChick themselves:-

“Fashionchick helps every woman find the perfect look.

Whatever your style, wherever you are!”

On arrival at Epernay I was greeted by the friendly FashionChick team and told to help myself to a glass of bubbly before heading into the room which had been set up for the event. Representatives from Dorothy Perkins and Boohoo (who were all really lovely!) were there to show us a sneak peak of the glamorous collections just released for the festive season. Glitter, faux fur and statement jewellery were predominantly on display which are always winners at any Christmas party, and I spotted quite a few items that I would love to have hanging in my own wardrobe ready for the party season! Also at the event were a team of hair and makeup artists with a menu of looks to choose from so we could be glammed up and pose for the camera. A delicious selection of food and light bites were brought round on wooden platters and the bubbles were kept topped up all night (not for me though as unfortunately I had to be up at 6:30am the following morning for work!)

It was a fantastic event and a great opportunity to speak to brand representatives and some of my favourite blogging buddies as well as meeting some new ones. We were also given an extremely generous goodie bag each at the end of the night with some gorgeous items from Dorothy Perkins and Boohoo that I can’t wait to wear (keep your eyes peeled for future blog posts!)

I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone at FashionChick, Boohoo and Dorothy Perkins for a lovely evening!

One last thing to say......how cute is this dress shaped cookie that I received in my goodie bag??!! I didn’t want to eat it! (But I did....and it was delicious!)

#FDXmasParty Fragrance Direct Christmas Party at All Star Lanes Manchester

On Wednesday night I attended an exclusive Christmas Party for bloggers with Fragrance Direct. It was held in the swanky private function room at the All Star Lanes in Manchester.

I arrived a little late after getting lost and the party was in full swing when I got there! Two private bowling lanes, a bar with plenty of cocktails, prosecco and milkshakes on offer, tonnes of delicious food, a makeup artist, Christmas crackers filled with perfume samples.................there was literally nothing that hadn't been thought of! 

I think every blogger in Manchester turned up to the first Christmas party of the season, and it was lovely to catch up with some of my blogger buddies as well as meeting a few new ones.

If you haven't heard of Fragrance Direct before you should take a look at their website here. The husband and wife team was set up in 1993 and has gone from strength to strength ever since. They aim to provide customers with a variety of branded cosmetics and beauty products at competitive prices so you don't have to shop around. Fragrance Direct currently stock cosmetics brands such as Bobbi Brown, W7, Bourjois and MAC as well as most of the new and bestselling fragrances available - all with up to 70% off the RRP.

There was a table set up at the event with several perfumes to test and it became apparent that the favourite was YSL Black Opium, followed closely by Marc Jacobs Lola (mainly because of the stunning bottle I think!)

I had a great night and would like to say a huge thank you to the Fragrance Direct team and their PR representatives for hosting such a fantastic event. It was plain to see that a lot of hard work and effort had gone in to organising it and everyone I spoke to said what a lovely time they were having. The Twitter hashtag for the event - #FDXmasParty - was even trending in Manchester that night!

Here's what I wore to the event:

Dress  -  River Island
Boots  -  Primark Limited Edition Range
Tights  -  Primark
Necklace  -  Thomas Sabo
Bracelets  -  Pandora, Thomas Sabo & Gemz By Emz

**I must apologise for the quality of my photos in this post - my iPhone camera does not like dim lighting at all and I didn't actually take that many as I was enjoying myself at the party too much!

Have you shopped with Fragrance Direct before?

Sephora Venezia Palette

Ahhh Sephora......that magical world of all things beauty related. I actually got to step foot inside a real Sephora store last month during my trip to Venice and I bought this little Venezia Palette which was too cute not to bring home with me!  

I love the fact that it has tiny handles to make it look like a bag or case......it fits the product perfectly because inside this little palette there are quite a few essentials that would be handy to take on your travels! It was on special offer for just under 8 Euros and, not only is this a great beauty buy, but it’s also a lovely little souvenir of my trip to Venice! 

The palette contains: 

A mirror

9 eyeshadows in a range of colours (8 with a shimmery finish and one matte shade)

1 blusher

4 lip glosses

The mirror and eyeshadows are revealed upon opening the top of the palette and the blusher and lip glosses are in little pull out trays underneath. It’s very compact and only measures 7.5cm x 7.5cm.

I haven’t used the lip glosses or the blusher yet, but I’ve tested out the eyeshadows and I was really impressed with the quality. They are finely milled, easy to apply and blend and there isn’t much fall out with the shimmery/glittery shades. I applied my E.L.F Eyeshadow Primer beforehand and these shadows lasted most of the day before I noticed any creasing.

I probably won’t use the blusher or the lip glosses on a daily basis, but they will come in handy on my next holiday as this palette takes up no room at all and it will mean I don’t have to take everything separately.

All in all, a bargain buy and one which will be very useful!

What do you think of this palette? Have you tried any Sephora own-branded products before?

Kiko Cosmetics Smart Lipstick #922 Lilac

A Long Weekend in Venice - My Surprise Birthday Trip

Last month I was whisked away to Venice for 3 nights by my husband – a surprise birthday present which he planned and arranged on his own. This was to be our first city break and our first trip to Italy. We usually stick to beach holidays in Spain or Portugal so this was going to be something completely different for us and I couldn't wait to get there!

So, the morning came and after a 2 hour flight we arrived at Marco Polo Airport. We actually flew over the island of Venice on our descent - it looked so surreal! That tiny glimpse of the beauty we were about to encounter made us so excited to land and get there as soon as possible! The staff at the airport were really helpful and told us which bus to board to get to our hotel and we were dropped off outside the door in less than 15 minutes. My husband had booked us into a modern 4 star hotel in an area called Mestre on the mainland which had been recommended to him by one of his work colleagues. It was an ideal base for us as the bus stop into Venice was right outside the front door and the journey took less than 10 minutes. We checked in, unpacked and hopped straight on a bus. There are no cars or buses allowed on the island of Venice so all buses stop at the terminal called Piazzale Roma situated at the top of the Grand Canal.

Illamasqua Glamore Lipstick in 'Rosepout'

I feel like it's been a never ending search to find the perfect nude lipstick.....but now the hunt might be over. Step forward Illamasqua Glamore lipstick in 'Rosepout'.  The first nude lipstick I've been happy with, and my first Illamasqua lipstick too.

I've tried so many different shades this year, but couldn't seem to find a nude that suited me. However, Rosepout is a lovely neutral pink brown shade which is really flattering on most skin tones. This lipstick is just one offering from the Illamasqua Glamore Nudes collection which launched in summer this year. The range contains seven new nude shades to suit cool, neutral and warm skin tones. 

This lipstick weighs in at 4g and retails for £18.50. I love the sleek shiny black packaging and the slight square shape of the casing. 'Rosepout' has a gorgeous satin finish and feels moisturising to wear as it contains Vitamin E. Another bonus for me is the fact that it is paraben free. 

I can get around 4 to 5 hours wear from this lipstick before needing to top it up. It has great opaque coverage - I like this because even though it's a nude colour, you can still have a bold look to your lips.

'Rosepout' is a welcome addition to my growing lipstick collection and I'm already thinking about which Illamasqua lipstick to purchase next!

What do you think of this shade? What's your favourite Illamasqua lipstick?