THINGS I AM LOVING #1 | LIFESTYLE

These four things are my current obsessions! The first thing I am loving at the moment is my new Perspex Mules from Zara. These were a last minute purchase before a night out, and honestly I am so glad I bought them. They are the comfiest pair of heels I have ever worn, and I have worn them every time I have been out since. I must admit when the perspex heel trend first came about I hated them and I just thought it was a big no, but recently my opinion changed and when I tried them on I was like I love them!! Also at £29.99 what a bargain.  

The beauty product I have been loving at the moment is the Fenty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Foundation. I have had this foundation for a few months, and have been using it for all my nights out since. I have combination skin, and it works so well with my skin. I have a lot of scarring and hyperpigmentation from when I used to have acne, and it covers it really well. I use a powder on top too, but I think if you had a dryer complexion you would not need too. 

A social media platform I have been loving recently is Bloglovin'. You can follow me here! This is a platform where you can follow all of the different blogs you love to read all in one place, and it makes it so much easier rather than searching for all the blogs it is altogether. It is a good way to discover new blogs too, because you can see what blogs people follow from the people you follow already, and helps to see some new blogs which you would not have discovered. 

The last thing I have been loving is this Zara Bag. I have been wanting a new small handbag for ages as I always end up taking a massive bag which is so unnecessary as I just end up taking out rubbish I don't need with me. I spotted this bag when I was shopping, and the thing I loved the most was where it sat on my body. I always find that crossbody bags always sit too low on my body and I like the look of it being quite high. (You can see it styled in this Blogpost) It is really good quality, and I think it looks much more expensive than it was! I actually found it quite challenging to find a black leather handbag with gold hardware, so I am really pleased with this purchase. 

What have been your favourite items this month? 

Lorraine x

OLE HENRIKSEN GLOW | BEAUTY

When I was browsing Boots website over the Christmas period I came across an Ole Henriksen gift set with these four products in and it had a great saving and a discount on top of that too! I have always wanted to try there products, especially this range so I thought what better way than a gift set of all of them?! The main product I wanted to try out of them all was the Truth Serum  as I have heard loads of great things about it. 

 I was definitely not disappointed with this serum. It is definitely my favourite product out of this range. I use this in my nighttime routine, as I felt it was too heavy for me to use in the day. The texture of it is a gel consistency and feels very luxurious on the skin, and it also absorbs into the skin very well. I leave it for around 2-3 minutes before I out my moisturiser on, as I want it to sink in properly, and I find this works very well. When I wake up in the morning my skin looks really glowy and refreshed and feels soft. I would recommend this product to people with dry, oily and combination skin types. If you have sensitive skin, I would do a patch test before you put it all over your face as it does have a scent to it which may irritate your skin. 

The Banana Bright Eye Creme was also a product I loved. This eye cream was really moisturising, but not greasy! I get quite dry eyelids as I wear false eyelashes quite often so the glue dries my eyes out quite often, but this has really helped to keep them mositurised. The moisturiser to go along with this eye cream is the Brightening Gel Creme. I only use this moisturiser at night as I feel it is quite heavy for me to use in the day, as I do get an oily t zone, but I have heard on lots of reviews that it is really good under makeup so depending on what your skin type is then test it out! It is not a thick consistency, as it is described as 'gel' but once placed onto your skin it is quite thick but sinks into the skin very well and quick. The Banana Bright Face Primer was not my favourite primer I have used. As I have an oily t zone, this did not sit very well for me under my foundations as it made me quite shiny quickly. The texture of it is like a moisturiser, whereas I prefer my primers to be quite lightweight and runny. If you had dry or normal skin and liked a glow this would be perfect for you. Overall I love this range from Ole Henriksen, and next I want to try the toners! 

Have you tried anything from Ole Henriken before?

Lorraine x

THE STATEMENT BLAZER | FASHION

I don't know about you, but my most worn colour is definitely black! So adding a print to your outfit can change the whole look. This houndstooth print is very easy to pair with an all black outfit, and also makes it look smarter too. I bought this blazer to wear for work as it is smart, but the longline style makes it slightly more casual and stylish. I also love the double breasted buttons, as it makes it different to just an ordinary blazer. 

I styled this over an all black outfit that was a knitted plain top for warmth, and some leather look trousers and a block heeled boot. I accessorised this with a crossbody black leather handbag with gold hardware, and I think this makes the outfit look much more expensive. I accessorised with a simple rose gold watch on the wrist, and nothing else, as I think the print speaks for itself!

This blazer is so versatile, and can be worn casually with some loose cuffed trousers, and a simple crop, or can be worn smartly like the way I have styled it. This blazer is very affordable to add to your wardrobe, and a very versatile piece. I hope you love the outfit!

Lorraine x

Items worn: 

Blazer: BooHoo

Knitted top: Primark 

Leather look trousers: Zara

Bag: Zara

Boots: ASOS

THE ORDINARY NIACINAMIDE SERUM | BEAUTY

At the start of the year my skin was breaking out really bad on my forehead. I have struggled with acne in the past so was trying everything I knew, but nothing was working. My friend sent me a photo of The Ordinary Niacinimide + Zinc Serum , and said that I needed to try! It was only £5, so I thought why not? (If you're a student get it on ASOS then you get an extra 10% off too!) Also I have tried the toner, and rose hip seed oil from The Ordinary before and they worked really well, so I had high hopes.

The packaging is very sleek and simple, and the product dispenses in a pipette style, therefore it is very hygienic to apply onto the skin. The serum itself is a clear and lightweight formula, and sinks into the skin so well. I have normal to combination skin, and it works well for me, however I think this would suit all skin types as it is not heavy at all. I had no problems with adding this into my skincare routine, and I apply this just before my moisturiser morning and night.

After testing this morning and night for around 2 weeks I can say that I would really recommend this product, especially if you are struggling with your skin at the moment or having a breakout. It is such an affordable price for the quality of the product, and I am going to continue to use it everyday to help improve my skin.

Lorraine x

2020 GOALS | LIFESTYLE

I can't quite believe we are in 2020, sounds crazy to say right?! It's not just a new year either, it's a brand new decade which kind of makes me feel slightly overwhelmed.  I thought as we are in January there was no better time to write down some of my goals for the year ahead. 

• Read 1 book per month: My favourite type of books are motivational or self help books, and I have a few in my Amazon basket that I am going to purchase. I have started off the year by reading a book called 'Creating Well-Being' and so far I am really enjoying it. 
• Go to the gym 3x a week: I have never ever been a gym person, and never got into a routine for gym, so this year I am going to try and make it at least 3 times a week and make it part of my routine. 
• Establish a routine: I recently started a new job which I love! However with studying at uni, and socialising with my friends has made it quite hard. So I want to try and incorporate some type of routine where on certain days I know what I am doing and what time etc. 
• Eat out less and spend less money on food: I am VERY guilty of eating out, and getting takeaway a lot!! So this year I want to try and spend less money on food and only eat out on special occasions and not every week! I am also going to start taking lunches into work, so I will save some money that way too. 
• Get out of my student overdraft: As I am in my last year of uni I want to try and get out of my overdraft as soon as possible because I just feel it looming over me, and when I get rid of it will be such a good feeling. 
• Save, Save, Save!: I am going to make sure I put a certain amount of money away each month into my savings accounts. I have recently opened up a LISA aswell for when I buy my first home. I am also going to try and put myself on a budget so it will help me save more and not spend my money on things I do not need. 
• Graduate uni with a 2:1 or higher: I really want to graduate my Fashion Styling degree with a 2:1 or above, and if I work really hard I know I am able to achieve that. Since September I have put a lot of effort into my last years work, and will continue to do so until I finish. 
• Work hard on my blog & start YouTube videos again: I am going to post on my blog 2 times a week, and I am also going to start creating YouTube videos again. I started before I came to uni, but then I stopped as I didn't have the time, but I really enjoyed it so I want to make the time for it. 

I hope this year was just as good as my last, or even better. I can't wait to see what 2020 has in store for me. 

Lorraine x