Pages

Friday 15 August 2014

The Catchup Post: July


Hello again! I am back with another update post, but this time with a different kind of title...

This month has seen many 40-hour working weeks as I have been seeing two jobs this summer; my Saturday Job at a Garden Centre (where I have worked for around a year now) and a temporary summer job at our local council. I have to admit I love the luxury of the office life - a constant flow of tea and coffee, lush outfits (a lot more feminine than my usual work uniform - consisting of combat trousers and bulky boots) and a happy set of colleagues.

On top of managing work, I have had my fair share of playtime, too. Making the most of my bike cycling around town, shopping (alot!) and in particular discovering a new diner - Chariots and Cherry Pie, so expect a review to pop on my blog very soon!

And most importantly, July is my birthday month, so several celebrations took place for my 18th birthday that was on the 30th of last month. I spent the actual day with family and friends, and on the Saturday took on my first day out on the town. For more on my first night out, take a look at my Get Ready With Me the night out beauty bag bare essentials posts for my perspective, and the beauty blogger in me's perspective of the night.

I hope you are all having an amazing summer, I can't wait for the next couple of weeks - a free house and festivals galore. Oh, and work of course.

Monday 11 August 2014

The 'Night Out' Beauty Bag




If you read my blog post last Monday, you would know that I went out on the toon for the first time in Saturday night. I had an amazing night, but with the overcrowded clubs, bright lights and lack of air circulation creates a sweatier, smellier, more tired version of myself. From this photo I only took a couple of these things, but now I have been there, done that, and got the t shirt, I have collected the things I slipped into my bag on the night...and the essentials I wish I had taken for this post.

First, I will start with the bits I did bring, and seeing as sore feet were at the top of my 'possible scenarios to avoid' list, I was sure to slip a pack of Scholl's Party Feet in my F&F clutch bag (FYI I didn't include a seperate beauty bag inside, cause ain't nobody got time for dat). They do what they say on the tin, but that didn't stop me from kicking my heels off at midnight, a job well done by my Primark Flats, comfy and only £4 - so no need to worry if they get ruined - win win! I also included my scent (Juicy Couture's Viva La Juicy) in roll on form, which is perfect for a handbag, and my lippie for the night, which was the new Revlon Moisture Stain in the shade 'Barcelona Nights'. Unfortunately it didn't feel like Barcelona in the cold British, summer night weather here, but it was as close as I could get.

Now for the things I could of done with, or the fails. As it was my first night out, a few bumps in the road were bound to happen. The first of these was forgetting powder. I applied my Stay Matte powder from Rimmel before I left, but after hours of dancing I was in need of deshining my t zone. Another sweat-free tactic I missed were hairbands (!) for emergency pineapple situations. And two things that weren't missed too much, but that I would of loved the luxury of, was my eyeliner and mascara, both from the Benefit They're Real range; to keep my eye game strong, all night long. 

Nevertheless, not any vital mistakes were made, but the whole experience could have been a lot smoother and sweat free with a few of my beauty friends.

Monday 4 August 2014

The Saturday Night Out






Oh Monday, you are my enemy right now. Particularly this week; as on Saturday I had my first night out/clubbing experience. Boy, it was good.

Me and 12 of my friends hopped into our local Italian 'Da Vincis' for some good grub, then I followed their footsteps as they showed me how to have a good night in our town. I had their spinach and ricotta tortelloni in a rich creamy sauce *drools* with a glass of rosé (because, now I can!). After our meal, we popped into the local pub for a drink, before heading to the clubs. We danced the night away and I didn't get home until after 2am. 

The first thing I organised for my birthday was in fact my outfit - #bloggerproblems or what? I lept into this strapless jumpsuit number, partnered with this beautiful beaded clutch, from none other than F&F, or otherwise known as Tesco. I definitely would not expect this outfit to be a supermarket purchase being such good quality and wonderful fit.
I spent most of my evening on the dance floor, so by about midnight I abandoned my 4 inch platform heels for my trusty Primark flats. Nevertheless these heels are actually the only pair I own. Yes, you read that correctly. Thankfully they are so simple and worked nicely with the outfit, so I opted out of buying a new pair of heels. Perhaps next time...

I wanted to wear things that made me feel comfortable, and in turn the most confident, so I kept my face makeup bronzed and fresh, all thanks to my NYC 'Sunny' Bronzing Powder, and a few dabs of the Soap & Glory . For my eyes I used my much-loved Naked Basics Palette to create a subtle smokey eye, and my favourite eyeliner of the moment; Benefit's They're Real Push-Up Liner (in love) and the matching mascara. And for my lips I was very excited to test drive Revlons Moisture Balm Stain in Barcelona Nights, which stood the test of time as it dried almost instantly and lasted all night - so it was smiles all round in the lip department.

Overall I had a great first night out on the to'on, but let's not get too carried away, we all know my next will be how I found a new flavour of green tea in Sainsburys.

Friday 1 August 2014

Jacob's Coffee House, Bath








It's no secret that I love coffee. So when my parents offered me a lift into the beautiful city of Bath; somewhere I visited countless times, but definitely more for rugby matches than shopping or mooching, i took prime opportunity of taking some time on TripAdvisor the night before to find the best independent cafés in the centre. Let's face it - I am a coffee snob...

The cafe is tucked away on a corner of Cheap Street - one of the main shopping streets in the city. The cosy size and rustic interior invited me in, but it's polished overall look convinced me that this could be a damn good cup of coffee. I usually take my coffee black, but over the summer I find myself falling for an iced soy latte, and I was very pleased to hear not only that they carried soy, but there wasn't an extra charge. Win win! 

I perched myself on a bench outside of the cosy cafe, as the weather was sunny and the view of the Abbey was too pretty to miss. Plus it was incredibly busy in their upstairs seating, so I am assured the cafe is a local favourite as well as a TripAdvisor tourist hotspot. However I noticed the temperature had risen about 10 degrees as I climbed the stairs, so perhaps if it were cooler I would of waited for a seat on the top decks.

The most important factor was the coffee, of course, and it did not disappoint. The milk was light and smooth, not the tangy, and sometimes the almost gone-off, taste that some other soy milks have. I should of asked what brand they carry to bring the Jacob's taste back home with me! The espresso was just how I like it too, strong but not too bitter.

So thanks Jacob's for a great coffee, but I wouldn't visit you on a humid rainy day - as either sitting in the rain or the hot just, well, doesn't sound hot!

Until the next post,

Libby