Collective Haul - Boots, Urban Decay, Michael Kors

Sorry for the lack of posts over the past month, I've just been bogged down with work and college. I hardly have time to think nowadays at all, hopefully I get some spare time soon to get back to blogging. I thought I'd show you guys some of the bits and pieces I've bought over the past while. I'm considering just doing Collective Haul posts in the future as I think it's better than doing numerous ones throughout the month. At least this way and give you guys some feedback on how I like everything.

I spotted these candle holders in Carraig Donn and I fell in love with them straight away. I'm forever picking up bits and bobs so I thought these would look great in my room. They weren't too expensive at €4 each so I'm really happy with them, the colours are perfect for this time of year. I haven't been using these for candles though, I've been using them to store my makeup brushes, lipglosses and whatnot.

As you all know I love Urban Decay Decay palettes, I have quite a few. The Smoked and Naked 2 palette would be my favourites. To be honest when I first seen the Vice Palette online I wasn't too blown away. When I went it store to have a look though it was a totally different story. The Vice  Palette contains twenty shadows that are exclusive to this palette. The majority of shades in the palette are neutral with a pink, purple, blue and greens thrown in. I like how there is a bit of a mixture though, for this time of the year especially you don't want to be rushing out to pick up one pink shadow for a fancy dress. All the eyeshadow are extremely pigmented in this palette, I haven't been having any problems with fallout like with previously palettes. My favourite shadows so far would be Provocateur, Jagged and Muse. I've been using the latter in the crease with Provocateur as the base and it looks so pretty.

I went to Boots on two seperate occasions as they have their amazing 3 for 2 on makeup offer on. I bought quite a bit both times as you can see, there are still some bits I haven't got around to trying yet. I've tried all three foundations I bought and I can't say I think too highly of the Max Factor All Day Flawless 3 in 1 Foundation, it's so thick and doesn't sit on my skin too well. The shade I went for doesn't match my skin tone either so just a bad purchase by all accounts. I may give this to my Sister as she may like it more than me who knows, I just don't want it to go to waste as I paid like €16.99 for it which is shocking. I'm undecided on Maybelline's Superstay 24hr foundation, so I'll keep you updated on that on but my favourite foundation by far was Rimmel's Match Perfection foundation. It has such a lovely formula and blends beautifully into my skin leaving a glowy finish. If like me you have oily/combination skin just add a bit of powder I use Rimmel's Stay Matte powder which is great and affordable. I picked up an assortment of nail polishes from Barry M and Rimmel which I've been loving lately. My two favourite polishes would have to be the Barry M glitter and sparkle ones, there so pretty but a nightmare to get off.  Other purchases I made that are definitely worth the money are the Loreal Colour Riche eyeshadow palettes. I picked up three as the 3 for 2 promotion meant I'd get one for free and I'm so glad I did. I haven't seen too many reviews on these around the blogosphere but they are so pigmented and I've been using them alot so expect a review very soon.

Over the last while I've wanted to treat myself to something for doing so well with Slimming World. I didn't want to buy another makeup palette or expensive beauty products as they'd come and go like everything else. I wanted to have something that would stay with me forever so I decided to splurge on a Michael Kors Rose Gold watch. I was undecided between the diamond and plain face but I finally went with the latter as I thought it would go with way more. I was definitely right, this watch has not left my wrist since I bought it over three weeks ago, it works really well with everything and I couldn't be happier with it. I may start doing fashion posts soon as it's something I've wanted to do for a while now so I'd love to know what you guys think.

Have you treated yourself to anything nice lately?

Laura<3

Here Comes Halloween!

Don't be fooled by the title of this post, I'm sure you all already know Halloween isn't my favourite holiday. Dressing up has never really appealed to me at all. I can probably count on one hand the amount of times I've dressed up for Halloween, I can remember going out as a witch and a princess when I was younger, I know how original. This year some of the girls and I are going to a Haunted Farm in Meath this Sunday which doesn't sound like my cup of tea at all as I hate being scared. My sister went last week and it sounds TERRIFYING!! I'm not going to lie I'm a tad bit on the scared side about the whole experience so I'll let you how I get on. I went to a attraction like this in Florida called Skull Kingdom and let's just say I didn't last 2 mins in the place, I'm curious to see will I be the same this time.At least my sister came back alive which is the main thing as I know I'll definitely come out okay.

The two things I do like about Halloween that gets me by, is decorating the house and Lush goodies. My Mom goes all out when it's Halloween and she picks up the cutest decorations, we must have tonnes in our Sitting room. I think they just give such a warm feel to the place and my little nephew loves them too. He's dressing up as Woody from Toy Story this year and he's so excited so unlike his Auntie. My Mom always has two candles on the go at once, this time of the year is no different. I adore the two she's burning at the moment, Blissful Autumn and Candy Corn & Buttercream. My Sister picked me up the latter as I loved it so much in the store, it smells amazing and I love the illustration on the front. When my Mom seen mine she went to the store the next day and got one for herself and my Aunty. It's different to any other Yankee candle I've seen as it contains different coloured wax (orange & ivory) swirled together. If your near the Yankee store in Carrickmines I'd definitely pick one up as they are half price. At the moment I think there around the €10 mark which is really good value considering how much they usually are. My Mom bought me a little holder for mine which you can see in the picture above, I love it and I'll definitely be putting my Christmas candles in it. Candy Corn & Buttercream is always burning in my Sitting room and the smells to die for, it has such a gorgeous sweet scent.

At this time of the year Lush bring out their Halloween and Christmas collections which I always pick up a few bits from. I know I'm getting a bit ahead of myself talking about the festive season so I'll show you some of their Halloween bits. The Enchanter* is one of their limited edition bath ballistics for Halloween which smells amazing. I bought a few Lush Bath products when I was in Manchester during the Summer as I never get to try them at home as I don't have a bath. I remember buying a few of their bubble bars, Rose Jam and The Comforter. I was literally was on a mission to go to Lush and buy a couple of their bath products as I never get to try them not having a bath. I must of had a hundred baths in the hotel I stayed in over the five days I was there.  I bought a couple of bath products but the two I just mentioned really stood out for me and if I was going to buy any again I'd buy these. I haven't gotten around to trying The Enchanter yet so I can't wait to stay in my Aunt's house to give it a go. I haven't used Lush's Bath Ballistics before, what do you guys think of them? I really can't wait to use this as it has such a gorgeous citrusy scent and going by the website it changes colour as it fizzes which sounds pretty cool to me. On the other hand I've been using their Twilight shower gel* a hell of alot. I'm a big fan of their shower gels already, my boyfriend already bought me one of their Christmas ones (Ponche) which I love and I can't wait to pick up Snow Fairy next. When I first smelt Twilight I wasn't too keen on it, the strong lavendar scent was a bit too much. After using it in the shower a couple of time I've done a complete 360 and I really like it. It's a nice relaxing shower gel that I've been using mainly at night and the scent sticks around for ages. I love the colour purple so me and this product was a match made in heaven, it also little bits of silver glitter in it, don't worry it doesn't show up on your skin at all. The only thing that I'd say is if you don't like scented products, Twilight may not be for you.

Lastly seeing as I had Friday off work I decided to do a bit of a clean out of my room. I was surprised at the amount of clothes I had to throw out now, they are all miles to be big. This is a good thing but I have to wait til Friday to buy some more, I really want to get a new Winter coat I may have a look in Zara. I tidied up my makeup collection and made a little gift bag for my Sister with alot a products. I always buy new stuff at this time of year so there was no point in me keeping lots of makeup that I may not necessarily use if that makes sense. I'm hope she likes everything but I have a sneaky suspicion she will.

Do you like Halloween? What are you getting up to?

Laura<3

Fearne Cottons Favourites Hatbox

Last week seen the unveiling of the second Star Gift from Boots which was Fearne's Favourites Hatbox. I love seeing what gift set is on offer as the selection of Christmas goodies this year in Boots is amazing. I always pick up their Soap & Glory sets as all the products come beautifully packaged and make great Christmas presents. I wasn't planning on buying Fearne's Favourites Hat Box last week, I came home from work to find that my Mom had bought it for me. I'm glad she did, it was a wonderful surprise and I probably may not of picked it up myself otherwise as I'm so broke til payday!

Usually €47.00, last week this beautiful set was on special for €22 which is slightely over half price and such amazing value for what you get. First off if you don't know who Fearne Cotton is she's a very popular TV and Radion presenter from England. She has her own clothing line which has some beautiful pieces that I've had my eye on recently. Every year in Boots at Christmas, they bring out a Fearne Cotton Beauty Collection. I haven't tried anything of hers before as I've always been drawn in by Soap & Glory and Ted Baker so I'm glad my Mom picked this up for me.

You may be wondering what's inside this hatbox, there's quite an assortment of products to tickle your fancy.  I've start off with the two makeup products, a mascara and eyeshadow palette. You can buy the latter individually on its own in Boots for €10.50, so if you managed to get this set for €22 you've made good savings. The palette itself wouldn't be my favourite item from this set, two of the siz shades (olive green shades in particular) wouldn't be what I'd usually go for. Maybe they'll grow on me, I think for this time of the year you could incorporate them into any look. The packaging for this palette is gorgeous too so I wouldn't mind pulling this out of my makeup bag either.I was pleasantly surprised by the mascara, I wasn't expecting anything amazing from it. It doesn't clump which is rare for mascaras from gift sets, I hardly ever use them. It leaves my eyelashes seperated and natural with maybe a added bit of volume The rest of the goodies consist of  full sized body products e.g body wash, body polish, hand lotion etc. which all have a gorgeous light musky vanilla scent. As you can see all the products come in beautiful matching packaging, I absolutely love the design. I think these products would look good in any bathroom or bedside table. I can't wait to start using them all myself, I have already popped the body spritzer and hand lotion in my bag. I'm going to keep the hatbox for storage as it's just too pretty to throw away I think. The drawstring bag will also come in handy, when I travel I'll probably use it for toiletries. I really like this set and though I didn't pay the full €47 for it, thats the joys of Boots Star Gift as you may purchase something you wouldn't usually go for as the offers are just so good.

What do you think of the Boots Star Buys so far? Do you have your eye on anything?

Laura<3