June Favourites - UK Cosmetics Edition


Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer #1
I have heard SO SO SO much about this concealer and this was at the top of my list of things to try when I got to jolly old London. Boy oh boy it did not disappoint. This concealer is everything I dreamed and hoped it would be and then some. It is most comparable to Nars Creamy Concealer only not quite as thick or dry and it doesn't emphasise the fine lines around my eyes the way that Nars Creamy Concealer does. As you can see I went a little over board and bought 6 of them, but they were only $8 (around 4 pounds) each!

Benefit Dandelion Blusher 
For years now I have been itching to buy and try this blush but have put it off for one reason or another. But while staying in London with my sister I had the opportunity to use hers and really fall in love with it. I absolutely love the "I've just been standing outside in the wind and cold" rosy cheek look that it gives and it just has the most beautiful "glow from within" effect.

Bourjois Silk Edition Touch Up Powder 
I actually picked this out from a pharmacy in Paris when I ran out of my beloved Ere Perez Calendula Foundation Powder. The weather was pretty warm and my shine was getting way out of control so i just grabbed the first thing I came access, with very low expectations I might add. This powder worked out to be a real treat! It gives my skin a lovely soft, smooth and pore minimised look without being chalky or cakey and it works really well at keeping my shine at bay for a good majority of the day (hey, that rhymes).   


Tanya Burr Romantic Eye Palette 
Within the last month and a half this has become a daily staple for me. Bookworm is the perfect shade of brown to deepen and smoke out the crease, with a warm tone that makes you look more bronzed and glowy.

Tanya Burr Brow Palette 
I am pretty darn picky when it comes to brow products so I don't really like to experiment too much with them. I find something I like and LOYALY stick to it. But as a swooning fan of Tanya Burr I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to try out her ENTIRE range, including her brow palette. I was surprising impressed with the colours that she developed. Also the formula seems to be very smooth and gives really even wash of colour. In the future I think this would be a great palette to travel with as you can get a great smokey eye with these colours.

Liz Ear Hot Cloth Cleanser 
I think it was about a year ago(maybe even two) that this product was ALL THE RAGE amongst online UK beauty gurus and I can see why. I think this would be a great product for all skin types as it just left my skin feeling clean (but not squeaky), hydrated (but not greasy), plump and superbly soft. I really wish I had had the chance to pop back into Boots before I left to pick up a second bottle because I see myself running out of this pronto. 

Aussie Curl Define and Shine Mousse 
I've never really been on board with the idea of using a mousse in my hair but after watching Cary Fletcher (ItsWayPastMyBedTime) doing her curly hair routine I thought it might be worth giving it a go. So when I found this "Curl Defining" mousse from Aussie, a brand that I have been interested in trying (ironically its not available in Australia) I knew something great was about to happen. I love that my hair doesn't end up feeling crunchy or stiff after using this. I get more definition and curl longevity but I manage to maintain full body and bounce. 
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Fabric Shopping In Europe - Munich, Paris and London



My newfound love of sewing had me super excited for my trip to Europe. In the weeks leading up I had been struggling to think of souvenirs to take home. I wasn't interested in the typical tourist items - been there done that and thrown most of it out. I wanted to find things that were going to last or that at least I would really enjoy using up.

Then, voila, it came to me FABRIC! Not only was this encoring my new hobby but I would also be able to say "Oh this old thing, I made it with fabric I bought in Paris" - I mean can you get any cooler, probably not.


So I did a little research (Google searched "Fabric Stores" in the areas I was going to be staying) and on the days where I didn't have much planed I took myself to mosey around the colourful aisles.


I was a little affronted by the prices at first and was hesitant to purchase anything unless it REALLY called to me. But seeing as I wasn't intending to splurge on much else, I tried to have a little fun with it!


Munich 
My first port-of-call was a shop called Stoff&Co in Central Munich, Germany. Its a sweet little place with a fantastic range of stretch/jersey fabric. I dragged my sister in with me to this one and got her opinion on a couple items, she even picked out a few bits of fabric herself for things she wanted me to make for her. 

I did also find another gorgeous fabric shop tucked away in a small, quite corner of Regensburg called Altmann, Stoffe and Kurzwaren. While it isn't as much of a boutique store as the others I have mentioned it was such an orderly looking store and it stocked a good deal of fun cottons. 


Paris 
Anna Ka Bazar, my word was it a trek for me to get there. 40 mins on the train from where I was staying and my first trip was all for naught because most shops in Paris are closed of a Sunday! Oh well, it was all worth it in the end because Anna Ka Bazar has some of the most modern and fun patterns I have seen yet. It took all my will and restraint to not buy my weight in fabric. Beware they come with a heavy dollar sign!

London 
The Liberty House was a recommendation by a family member who does quilting (VERY successfully might I add). It's a well known brand (stocked by many a Fabric Shop) and is rather fancy pants. In all honest I find the pattens to be a little mature for my liking but I would recommend going even if only to look at the beautiful architecture of the building!

Sew Over It London is another gorgeous boutique shop, which also serves as a sort of Sewing Cafe. Take your fabric (or buy some there) thread and pattern and borrow the stores own machines for a charge. The fabric they sell there has some really fun little patterns and the prices really aren't that bad. 



Lets see what I can cook up with these! 
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Dipping My Toes Into Crime Fiction - Hercule Poirot's Christmas by Agatha Christie

Summary 

Christmas Eve finds Poirot being summoned to Gorston Hall where Simeon Lee, a bitter and somewhat sadistic old man has been brutally murdered. Suspicion fall on Simeon's family members: Alfred Lee, eldest son and a bit of a kiss ass (although he does seem to truly care for his father) and his wife Lydia. George Lee, a pompous and money hungry man and his young wife Magdalene. David Lee, a man filled with rage towards his father at the mistreatment of his dearly departed mother and his wife Hilda. Harry Lee, the "black sheep" of the family. Pilar Estravados, daughter of the later Jennifer Lee and Simeon's only grandchild. She seems a bit of a wild child and despite previous ignorance of her existence old Simeon takes a shining to her.  And last but not least Stephen Farr, son on Simeon's old business partner. 

So who done it ? 

How long did it take to read?

This book was, and I think other Agatha Christie novels in general, a super quick read, so if you are short on time it is something I would definitely recommend.

Was the story line good?

I have heard a lot of really great things about Agatha Christie and I grew up watching and loving Poirot and Miss Marple, so initially I was really excited about sticking my nose into this book.  If I am being completely honest I kind of hated the first half of the book, I found it really slow and a little bit dull - Agatha Christie isn't an author I would call poetic or revolutionary.

However once you hit that halfway point the plot develops pretty quickly, it becomes difficult to put the book down and when you finally do all you can think about is picking it up again. Despite her writing style Christie (obviously important in a crime/detective novel) has great attention to detail and the you can see clearly that she has a fantastically intelligent mind.

Overall opinion?

While I don't think is was anything special I did find if to be a really comfortable and fun read. I liked trying to work out in my head who might have done it and the ending was a really unexpected surprise! I am definitely interested in reading more of Christie's works. 
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