Adventure Time: Graduation

I am pretty late doing this post considering that my graduation was actually at the beginning of September!  You might have already seen some photos if you follow me on Twitter or Instagram, if not, links are to the right, come follow and I promise you get to see pictures of my dog, cups of tea and some make up thrown in for good measure.

It's Freshers week at the University of Lincoln this week - this is where I went and I loved it.  In fact, I beyond loved it.  I almost wish that I had failed a year just so I got to go back for another year - and not even to be a lazy, bed-ridden student!  I want to go back to my classes!  If you're looking for a uni this year, look no further because Lincoln is amazing and you need to go.  Plus, you get to graduate at Lincoln Cathedral - amazing.

I graduated on the 5th September and it was the sunniest day ever!  So hot, especially under all those layers.  I spent ages planning what to wear and I knew I wanted a dress, and some pointy heels.  Obviously you get your black cap and gown, but the Lincoln colours for the hood was bright blue and yellow.  Lucky for me, cobalt blue has been a trending colour this season so there was plenty to choose from!  I went with a dress from Oasis, and you can find it and see it better online here - it was £45 but I think I got it with a student discount offer.

I wore ASOS Pasha Heels which were exactly what I was looking for, and for a bargain price of £25.  I even managed student discount on these too!  But...wide footed ladies, these are not for you.  Christ these are narrow, I had to full on talc my fat feet up to wedge them in the shoes because I didn't have time to find other shoes which were perfect in all aspects, including fit!  They were killing my feet by the end of the day!

I kept accessories simple, and opted for a gold cuff necklace from Dorothy Perkins.  I can't find this on the website to show you, but I believe it cost £10, and I've had a lot of wear out of it since I bought it!  Before I took these photographs, I actually had my first proper use of my Enrapture Heated Rollers, which I loved!  I am a total hair novice, but these were amazing and after a bit of practice, were pretty easy to use!  Sadly though, my hairspray didn't keep the curls in and they dropped pretty quickly...but my hair did look briefly amazing compared to my normal bolt straight hair.

Are you applying to University, or have you just graduated?  What do you think of my outfit?

Memento Mori

You may or may not know, I studied Product Design at university.  Aside from my obsession with buying new make up, and various moisturisers, I love design and here comes my first design post.  If you follow me on Twitter, you may have already seen what I am about to write about.  If not, prepare yourself as I am going to expose you to something bloody gorgeous...

Fiona Krüger Time Pieces

 



This is the Memento Mori watch designed by Fiona Krüger.  I have literally been stalking this since I saw it back in 2011, watching it go from the initial prototype and through the developmental stages; I am so excited that it is finally available to buy.  I won't kid myself, this is probably the most expensive watch I've ever laid eyes on as it's all hand decorated and assembled by hand.  (I'm literally talking around £16,000...)  If I ever win the lottery, or manage to get a bloody good job, this is going to be the first thing that I buy. 

 

What do you think of this watch?  Has it made it onto your wish list?

Tagged: The Autumn Tag

Sophie from Sophie Rosee has tagged me to do the Autumn post!  I've never done a tag before, so I'm quite looking forward to doing my first!  Thanks Sophie!

Favourite thing about Autumn?

I won't lie here, I hate the cold so I am dreading Autumn being here, because then it means winter is even closer!  So my favourite thing about Autumn would have to be big chunky knits, wooly hats, gloves and when I'm home, the fire on and my Batman onesie!

Favourite Drink?

Here we go, because aside from the usual mug of tea or green tea, I am a massive biddy.  I bloody love Horlicks.  I said it...the hot malted drink?  I love it, a nice big mug right before bed so I'm toasty and ready for a good sleep!

Favourite Scent/Candle?

I love candles, but I can't ever bring myself to pay for them because I just forget to light them.  I love my Black Cherry Yankee Candle, but I bought my Mum a Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir candle for her birthday this month.  Oh lord, it smells amazing!  I'm currently planning my plan on stealing it back...I joke...or do I?

Best Lipstick?

I wear my MAC Plumful or Brick O La a lot anyway, but these will be continuing to get used in Autumn too!  But I'm excited to bring back the berry lips.  My favourite lipstick in this shade has got to be Illamasqua Magnetism.  It's a beauty!

Go-to Moisturiser?

Because I've got oily skin, I try and avoid the richer winter moisturisers during the day and only crack out the super ones in the evening.  I love the feeling and smell of Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Moisturiser, and I can see it being used a lot more once it starts getting colder!  I'd love some new suggestions though for some other amazing ones!

Go-to Colour for the Eyes?

I am one of those people that time their get up to the T - I don't usually factor in time for an eyeshadow!  But I love a good brown smokey eye.  Anything neutral then I am in, which reminds me...I need to get my mits on the Urban Decay Naked palette!

Favourite Music to Listen to?

I love practically all music, I'm very easily pleased.  I love chart music right through to full on metal.  Probably for Autumn though, I love nice relaxing music like Mumford and Sons.  I love listening to the piano and the accoustic.

Favourite Outfit to Wear?

I live in leggings permanently, black ones only.  But this year, I'd love to get some proper high waisted jeans or a nice winter dress with thick tights.  I love my big knits like I've already said, with ankle boots!  I imagine when I get the coat and boots from my wishlist, they'd feature on this section!

Autumn Treat?

I don't know what my Autumn treat will be just yet.  Probably plenty of warm clothes, not really a treat though when it's necessary!  Plus I'm on this spending ban.  I'm meant to be saving for a house so I've got to be careful with these treats!

Favourite Place to Be?

One hundred percent, home!  I work seven days a week at the moment, so I'm not home very often.  I just like being in and doing nothing at the moment, as my work schedule is so rammed and has been since July!  I don't see my boyfriend much at the moment either, so my ultimate favourite place is home when he is round, or if I get to have the evening at his.

I tag...

Laura-Beth

Carly

Sara

Yuen

Hope you enjoyed reading my Autumn tag!  Be sure to check out the lovely ladies above!

Wednesday Wishlist #2

Well it has been a while hasn't it...  Since starting this blog, I've ran into so many troubles which have managed to stop me posting as often as I would have liked!  First it was the internet which was down for five weeks, and within a week of it being back up, my laptop screen smashed!  Disaster.  But I'm back now, got plenty lined up, and even have a special guest post lined up reviewing a new product!

I am currently taking part in a spending ban...it's going well so far, but the cold is kicking in and I'm desperately in need of new clothes which will break my spending ban.  But necessities are necessities.  Only one of the things in this wish list is actually needed...the other I just desperately want!  If anyone wants to keep track of my spending ban, there is a group of us doing it under #roseenospend.  Come check it out, and be sure to check out Sophie's blog here.  She has just uploaded a great outfit for winter which also ought to be added to this wishlist!

1/2/3/4/5

Onto the wishlist.  I am absolutely needing MAC's Lady Danger in my life.  Right now.  I very nearly caved and bought it when there was a discount week at work, and I could have got my staff discount on top of the store discount!  But I resisted...how long for though is another thing altogether.  It's a gorgeous matte orange, and it was actually Kate from the Minted Beauty who convinced me that I needed it!  (You can find her blog here, also an ace read!)

The second make up item on my wishlist is the Clinique Chubby Stick for eyes in Whopping Willow.  I've never actually owned any Clinique make up before, but their Chubby Sticks for lips have always tempted me.  This though...I tried it in store the other weekend and it is such a gorgeous shade that is perfect for Autumn!  It's a greeny gold shade, and actually matches my current nail polish which is Topshop's Hidden Treasure - you might have seen already on Instagram!

THIS COAT.  Now I'm not convinced on just this picture.  I don't think that it will be very flattering on me zipped up like this.  I need it though because I love the colour, and I'm hoping it will look amazing unzipped with a huge chunky knit scarf and plenty of layers!  This is the thing on my wishlist that I need because I don't have any nice coats, just very old jackets!  I've managed to get myself 25% discount as well with this months Elle magazine, which means that I've DEFINITELY got to buy this...I love girl maths.

Next up is Raw Skincare Skin Serum.  My skin is misbehaving (again!) and I'd love to give this a go.  It's handmade with 100% natural ingredients, and is said to visibly improve the look and feel of your skin using active ingredients!  There's a few more things on Raw Skincare I'd like to try (Little Muddies, I'm looking at you!) which I might have to get come pay day, and when this spending ban is over of course.

Finally, these Topshop boots...ohhh, these just are made for my feet.  They've sold out online at the moment, but to be honest, I love every colour they come in so would be happy with any.  But this black pair would get the most wear.  At £92 this is a big spend, but one that I'm willing to work hard and save for!  I hope they come back in stock soon!

What do you think of my picks?  Is there anything that I need to add?

Sanctuary Spa 30 Day Thermal Transformation Mask

On Wednesday night, I was frantically preparing for my graduation which was on the Thursday!  I was busy prepping my skin which, as you might have read, I've been having trouble with the past few weeks.  A few months back now, I actually received this sample in one of my Glossyboxes.  It is the Sanctuary Spa 30 Day Thermal Transformation Mask and is a two step facial mask which "improves the appearance of your skin without cosmetic injections."  I don't really think that I'm the target market for this type of product, but I thought that I'd give it a go anyway and see what happened!



So step one is a peptide transformation serum - it's goes on as a clear gel that you apply generously onto a clean face.  I didn't feel anything really when I put this on, and didn't know what to expect at all.  What I found strange about this mask is that you leave step one on the skin and then apply step two...  The peptide serum doesn't dry and stays wet, so it feels odd rubbing on a second lot of mask.

The second step is the thermal rose clay mask and as soon as this mask made contact with the serum my face was instantly heated.  It was, as it is described on the sachet, an intense warming sensation.  It didn't last too long, but it was so unexpected!  I've used warming masks before, but this was another level, it was literally instantaneous.  The mask does have a floral scent, but nothing over powering.  This gets left on for fifteen minutes before wiping it off with a muslin cloth.

What I did like about this was how easy it was to remove the mask.  Clay masks that I usually use dry up, and can be quite difficult to remove.  The combination of the clay and the serum meant that this didn't dry, and was so easy to wipe away.  The warming sensation didn't last the whole fifteen minutes, but it was a comfortable warmth that I could feel working.

You need to follow this mask with an SPF, as it contains hyaluronic acid which removes the top layer of skin cells.  This is what makes your skin look radiant, but honestly, I didn't really notice any real changes in my skin after using this.  My skin felt cleaner, and smoother, but I think for real results, I would need to use this as it describes for the full thirty days.

The mask is available in Boots for £27.50 - it's not the cheapest, but I think that I would buy this to give it a full test to see if I get any noticable results.

Have you tried this mask?  What were your thoughts?

Bourjois Java Rice Loose Powder

This week I was lucky enough to have this treat drop through my letter box after winning it on a Twitter competition!  But even though this one was a prize, I would one hundred percent buy this again as I absolutely love it.

It is the new Bourjois Java Rice Powder*, and it has been released in celebration of Bourjois' 150th Anniversary!  This was actually their first international best seller, and having used it, I can definitely see why!  It's housed in the cutest vintage style packaging which has been inspired by the original design from 1879.



The lid screws on and off, and the product dispenses through one of those rotating halves so that you can stop the packaging getting covered in the powder.  I did find the protective seal quite  hard to grab and remove, so I had to grab the tweezers to pull it away!



I didn't really know what to expect from this powder when I received it.  It's described as an illuminating powder, so I honestly did think that it would be a unique powder to sweep everywhere but it's definitely a highlighter.  It's a beautiful pinky toned, translucent powder that has a very subtle shimmer once blended in.  If you see the dots that have been left on the protective sticker, you can really see the colour of the powder!  It's so pretty!

I've tried to pat this on my skin a bit more than I would normally so that you can all see what it looks like, but it blends in flawlessly and gives a really radiant glow to the skin.  I apply it using my Real Techniques Contouring brush as it fits so nicely into the pot, and is the perfect size for applying just the right amount of the powder along the top of my cheek bones.

One of my favourite things about this powder too is the smell!  It smells amazing - if you follow me on Twitter, this was the first thing that I mentioned.  It has that vintage talc, floral scent to it that I keep getting hints of through out the day, and it's a real pleasure to wear!  It smells similar to their pot blushes, but I think it's a lot more prominent and distinctive.  I couldn't recommend this powder enough!  It will last forever, and I would definitely buy it when this one runs out!

Will you be picking up the Bourjois Java Powder?  What are your thoughts if you already have?

*I received this product from Bourjois after winning a Twitter competition.  All opinions are honest and my own.