A Little Help from my Loyalty Cards

My purse is literally bursting with Reward cards for different stores. It's ridiculous as some of them I don't even use, if a store assistant asks me to sign up I always end up saying yes. I just don't think I'll ever find a purse big enough to fit them all in. On the plus side the ones I tend to use like Easons, Debenhams House of Fraser, Boots, and Arnotts, always give great rewards back. Like a lot of people I do tend to forget about using my card which can be a nuisance when they can't put the points back on in store, does this happen to anyone else? I think this problem will be solved if I clean out my purse and dump the cards I never use. My favourite loyalty scheme of the bunch is Boots, sometimes they have great offers on e.g. Double Points so I've gotten quite a few goodies in the past when I build up all the points. When I was in town last week I popped into Debenhams and Easons as I knew I had rewards to spend on both cards. In the latter I picked up the latest addition of Allure magazine. This is the third issue that I've purchased so far and I really love this magazine. It's full to the brim of new beauty news and must haves, essential for any blogger. This doesn't come cheap and rings in at €6.61, probably the most expensive magazine I've bought but there's a lot a reading plus it's not full of ads like some tend to be. The gorgeous Mila Kunis is on the front of this month's issue and WOW she looks absolutely stunning. In Debenhams I picked up Urban Decay's All Nighter Setting Spray in the new handy travel size bottle. I've tried this setting spray before and I love it, it keeps my makeup looking fresh and also helps it stay in place. Debenhams had a instore promotional event last week were there was 10% of beauty/fragrances which is always a good time to pop into their store. Along with the 10% discount, I also had €5 on my BeautyClub so I ended up paying €5.80 for this product instead of €12. Looking back I do wish I had of bought the full sized bottle as I don't think I'll get too long out of this one but the funds wouldn't stretch that far. I think this will be good for travel purposes though, when I finish this bottle I can hang on to it and fill it up again.

All in all I was pretty delighted with these two purchases, I got both for a little under €9 which is great when you compare it with €19.61. I've been pretty much broke for the entire month with saving for New York so it was nice to be able to pick up these goodies. It may not of been possible without the help of my trusty loyalty cards.

Are you like me? Do you have a ridiculous amount of loyalty cards spilling out of your purse?

Laura<3

A Shopaholic's Journey #9 - Pre Christmas Debenhams Haul

After seeing online that Debenhams had 15% off Beauty & Fragrance recently, I had a little look on their website. I had most of my Christmas presents sorted so I thought I'd treat myself. I was happy to see that they accepted Laser cards which some websites don't do. I just bought two items even though I could have bought more.

Urban Decay Quinceanara Makeup Bag - €19.55

I've had my eye on the Quinceanara bag ever since it was released. Purple is my favourite colour, Amethyst is my birthstone (15th February if your wondering) so that's why I love anything purple. This makeup bag is very spacious. It fits all the products that I'd use on a daily basis, with extra room for more if needed. I think this bag would be great for travelling. If you would like to see a "What's in my Makeup bag?" post let me know in the comments below.

Origins Amazing Duos- €25.50

After hearing great reviews about this product, I've been wanting to try it for a while. Origins Vitazing Eye Cream is usually €30. When I seen that you get a coffee cup with it for the same price, of course I had to buy it. I have only tried this eyecream once so far, so I shall let you know my thoughts soon. What products from Origins should I try next?

Have you picked up any Pre-Christmas bargains?

Laura<3

A Shopaholics Journey #2- Debenhams and Brown Thomas

Hey Girlies!!...:)

Hope everyones weekend went fab!!!...Mine was pretty hectic from working on Friday to shopping on Saturday then working again on Sunday!! I really didn't have a minute to myself..so I'm happy to sit down now and write this post to tell you all about some of the beauty products I've purchased recently.Looking at the products now, it looks like I bought alot more than I thought. I don't realise how much I've actually bought until I go home and have a rummage through my shopping bags. Does this happen to any of you girlies??

Debenhams and Brown Thomas( which must seem like a shop I go to alot)  are the shops were I bought these lovely goodies!! I always go to these stores as there are promotions and events on alot. They also both have good reward schemes, Brown Thomas Black and Debenhams BeautyClub Card which is always a good way to get something back on all the purchases you make instore.

 I went to Debenhams Henry St on Thursday. There was a promotion on where you could avail of 10% off everything from Beauty & Fragrance. I picked up my first purchase instore, Smashbox Cosmetics Limitless Beauty Collection.

In this box you get as follows:
Blush Rush in Everlasting
Limitless Long Wear Lip Gloss SPF 15 in Round-The-Clock
Photo Finish Primer-Travel Size
Limitless Beauty Eyeshadow Palette (includes a brush)
Limitless Eye Liner in Java

I haven't got the chance to really try out these products with work and stuff. I've used the eyeshadow palette for everyday looks as all the colours are very neutral, I love it. I've also used the lipgloss I love the shade of peach but I don't like the taste of the product on your lips at all. Do any of you girls feel the same??

On to my Shopaholic Journey on Saturday. My day only consisted of going to one shop as the weather was completely horrendous and I was wearing a cardigan to make matters worse. Brown Thomas sometimes have beauty events instore which I like going to as it's a good way to find out about the latest products from brands you may never of heard of before. When I heard the Irish Independent's Beauty Editor, Triona McCarthy was showcasing her summer must-haves on Saturday instore I knew I had to go. I enjoyed listening to her beauty tips for the summer and also the products she thought were essentials.

While I was there I also picked up a two products from Nars for myself. To be quite honest I'm a bit of a Nars virgin as I've never tried anything before even though I read how good they are on a regular basis.

I got two products from the Portrait Of Paradise Collection, the Blush Bronzer trio and the Laguna Illuminator.

Blush Bronze Trio (Limited Edition) consists of Orgasm Blush, Albatross Highlighter and Laguna Bronzer. I've used this product twice since I got it on Saturday and I'm glad it's one of my first purchases from Nars.

Laguna Body Illuminator (Limited Edition) I like this illuminator as it leaves you with such a natural glow and  I was told in store once you apply it it doesn't rub off on your clothes which is such a good thing.

At the time of purchase there was a promotion on:)!!. When I bought the two products from this collection  I got a complimentary makeup bag with deluxe samples!

I love the makeup bag as it is so spacious..it even has room for my brushes.

The Deluxe Samples I recieved-

Pro-Prime Mulit-Protect PrimerSPF30- 2ml

Copacabana Illuminator- 2ml

Super Orgasm Illuminator- 2ml

Soft Touch Shadow Pencil in Aigle Noir- 2g

I can't wait use all these new purchases and let you know what I think soon. Do you recommend any Nars/Smashbox products for me to try next?

I also was given samples of Bliss's Triple Oxygen Energizing Mask and Chanel Aqua Lumiere in the shade 20 to try out which I'm really looking forward to.

Has anyone tried this Chanel foundation? How do you find it??

Talk to you girlies soon,

Laura<3