MAC Prep and Prime Lip Base - My Greatest Purchase of 2014?!

I adore MAC, they make amazing products. Sometimes though they are incredibly over-hyped. This is not one of those times.

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I bough MAC Prep & Prime Lip Base in Cork recently and sweet mother of Holy Grail, I am in love! I intended on picking up a new lipstick, but when I explained to the lovely assistant that I hated how Ruby Woo felt on my lips and wanted to try a different finish, she suggested I try Prep and Prime instead. She slicked Ruby Woo on the back of my hand, and asked me how it felt. It dragged and felt uncomfortable. Then, she slicked on some Prep and Prime, and glided Ruby Woo over that. it applied like a dream but stayed matte and there was no distortion of the pigment.

Sold.

At €16.50, it's not cheap, but it works under all lipsticks and keeps the product lasting much longer, as well as being moisturizing and filling in any cracks in the surface. I haven't been so obsessed by a product in a long aul time, let me tell you. This is possibly the greatest thing I've bought all year and it's gonna take a lot to knock it off the top spot.

I promise you, you need this in your life.

Keep your eye out for my updated "Ultimate Red Lip Essentials" coming soon!

Drop me a line and let me know what other MAC gems I'm sorely missing!

Amy

xxx

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Fitness Update #2

Another week, another post. This week is a proper calendar week, 7 days, rather than 5 like the last post, which you n read HERE. I've been tracking my mileage with Map My Run, and trying where I can at least, to run loops that mean I don't get bored of my surroundings.

Image: Pinterest

Asics Gel Galaxy 7
Image: Pinterest

On Saturday: I broke in my new Asics Galaxy 7's and broke 5k!! What a good day to be alive, eh? Chris joined me and we ran a 4.4km loop to the park behind his estate, and I wanted to break 5k so much that I made him go through the park, which has loads of up and down hill terrain. Talk about finishing strong. I was dying when we got in for breakfast.

Distance: 5.18km in 42.5 minutes

I also registered for a 4km fun run on Sunday June 1st to keep me motivated and focused on a goal.

Sunday wasnot very nice but we still trundled along. After almost 4k, Chris went home and I powered around the last km just because I'm a stubborn you-know-what and then I followed Chris  home. 

Distance: 5.2km. 

Monday, I went out on my own at around 8.30am, headphones pumping out some upbeat tunes and just let it be me and the pavement. Of course, Murphy's law being what it is, meant that my original plan of doing some hills at the start, and then a nice flat route home was totally scuppered when my hills still had the gate locked on them. Boo to you Dundalk, open at dawn, ha, right!! 

Image: runnersworld.com

When the little voice on my app told me I had 5k done, I was about .5k from home. So I did it and it sucked but I still did it, mainly because I had to get home. 

Distance: 5.4km 

Tuesday: REST DAY

Wednesday I did just over 5km in the glorious sunshine! I even remembered sun cream, though not sunglasses. I over took my uncle who was out walking but somehow he beat me home... A 5k jaunt at 8.30 in the morning is one way to get rid of a hangover, that's for sure!

Distance:  5.28km

Thursday I wasn't feeling it so I took it easy with a 3.5km run with one stop halfway through! No rest day til Monday now!! I made up for missed kilometers with a 1.5km cycle which I felt really benefited the muscles in my upper legs.

Distance: 3.63

Image: sparkpeople.com

Friday: I slept in til 10am and carb-loaded, as well as indulged in protein and salad, and then after the whole day passed I threw on my running stuff and braved the awful weather in thermals and a light waterproof jacket. Apparently my perception of distances is muck because after what I thought was maybe 5.5km, I was over 7km. Whoops.

Distance: 8.10km

Total: 32.59km

So that's my running update for the past 7 days, I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did, and check back next week for another update, in the "run up to" my 4k Fun Run, if you'll pardon me the pun! 

Happy Saturday, 

Amy

xxx

Lip Service - Setting Goals

Image: Pinterest

I'm usually rubbish for setting goals. I want to be the very best, and I want it NOW, damnit!! It normally results in my kneeling at the bottom of a bridge wearing hideous shorts, a hoodie designed for Winter - in the month of July, let me tell you - and dry heaving, ruefully proclaiming my own death (I'm dying!! I'm DYING!! as I come to terms with my imminent failure.

So when I decided to do a marathon the other day, at the suggestion (or mention, ahem) of it by Chris's mam, I thought, "Why not?! I could totally run a half marathon!". The reality of that set in when I realized that 13.2km is the distance of a half marathon. Eh, no. Not even if I doped myself up to the clouds would I be capable of that.

Time to find a reachable goal. I can run and walk a grand total of 5km at the moment, but I need to alternate and stop for a short break after 3km. So. What could I do to motivate myself? First, I roped Chris into two early morning runs this weekend past, and then I signed myself up for a 4km Fun Run in the next village.

Now, a month ago, Lazy Amy would have been in peals of laughter at the idea of a Fun Run. There's nothing fun about it. Even now, Running Amy would be hard pushed to agree with that statement. Running is torture but I continue on, because Archery was torture too and I excelled at that, so why can't I be a good runner and build up my endurance and stamina for archery at the same time?!

Image: Pinterest

That's the idea anyways. So for the last week effectively, and for the next two, I will be training hard to get ready for this 4k Fun Run. Once I can achieve that goal, I can look further afield for bigger and brighter challenges. Maybe next year I'll be capable of the Womens Mini Marathon, who knows?!

At the moment, to achieve my goal of a 4km run, I am running/walking a 5km route 5 days per week, eating clean, lean meats, veg, fruits, nuts, pasta, oily fish, the lot. I'm also supplementing my fiber and protein by way of adding a milled mix of flax-seed and goji berries to smoothies and yogurts.

For things like archery, running, rugby or swimming, there is no hope for a miracle, without putting in 100% dedication and hard work. My back ached but I shot FITA shoots; I had to stop to put my put down halfway through a length of the pool but I learned to swim.

Image: Pinterest

All these little goals helped my mental strength immeasurably and that's what I'm bringing to my running every day I go out. I believe in myself, my body, I think about the goal, framing the first bib number, and crossing that finish line and how bad-ass I'm going to feel when I do.

I think about the words in the songs on my playlists, I think about the muscles I used to have from cycling, how much easier it will be to stand in the kitchens without my legs hurting, and I think about the glory.

In life, we have to set goals to keep us focused and heading in the right direction, at the right pace. If the goal is too high, the pace too fast or the time not right, then be prepared to fail, but worry not, every failure is a lesson.

I hope you have the courage to take the first step, set your goals, meet them, beat them and keep pushing forward. Remember, Goethe said, "Everything is hard before it is easy..."

Amy

xxx

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Review: S&G Some Like It Hot Thermal Scrub

After a long day, sometimes all you want is to get into the shower and have a good, therapeutic scrub. When I saw this in my local Boots, and on sale for under €6, no less so I knew I had to have it. It's just so nice...

This scrub has thermal minerals which are activated when it comes into contact with damp skin. This opens your pores, allowing the scrub to penetrate more deeply than a normal scrub. This is comparable to Cocoa Brown Tough Stuff, though it has a less abrasive texture, which means it can be used more frequently.

What I have been using it for, though it may not be designed for it, is to scrub my face 3 times a week. The heat allows my pores to open and makes a face mask more effective in drawing out impurities. A real winner for me.

Over all, this scrub is amazing and I am delighted I picked it up, on a complete whim.

You can pick it up in Boots for the normal price of €11.25

Will you be trying it?

Let me know in the comments!

Amy

xxx

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#LetsTalkBlogChallenge Week 4: Survival Guide

I'm no Bear Grylls, that's for sure, but I am adept at surviving more than a few odd situations. The awkward first day of an internship where you don't want to do stuff in case the boss has other plans for you, the calling of your boyfriend by your Ex's name the first time you go to meet his mother, drunken ranting at your then boyfriend for never letting you meet family members when you're sober, panic attacks over a balloon bursting, you name it, I've had to do it!

Today though, rather than go for an awkward situation, I thought I'd go for something different.

Surviving a Two Day Archery Shoot Weekend (Aimed -ooh pun!- at the novice shooter and elite alike)

• Before the shoot, please enter in plenty of time. People entering the night before the biggest charity shoot of the season really get on my pip. These people are always seniors who should know better!!
• On the First day, turn up EARLY, please. As someone who has run shoots, it's very annoying to have people running in as the Equipment Inspection is taking place, or having to shake people down for their fees during a break in play. A 9 am for 9.30am start means turn up before 9 please. 
• Don't ask the TO to move you just because you don't like one of your Target Buddies. If a shoot has sold out, then there's no way I can move you. I always tried to group people with their friends, and where I could, give people a choice. On the day, my shoot line is my masterpiece, and I wont change it. 
• If you want to swap details (AB/CD) with a target buddy for coaching reasons, ask the person you wish to swap with before you come and bother me. I love you, but I am also trying to keep 84 shooters happy as well as you, okay?
• Put your rubbish in one of the many, many bin bags on the fence behind the tent line, put it in your pocket, or stash it in your bow case, but keep it off my field. You have been warned.
• Sun Cream. Please bring sun-cream, I cannot count how many poor unfortunates I've seen arrive on the second day looking like a lobster because they forgot sun-cream. 
• The same goes for water. Drink as much as you can, then drink another litre. You will thank me afterwards.
• STRETCH. You're reading the words of an injured archer who didn't stretch and now it's come to bite her on the arse. It's been a long time since I got to shoot alongside my chums and chummettes. Stretch, or feel my wrath. 
• Don't hesitate to come and find me if you need the first aid kit. 99% of the time I can get you an actual medic in the form of Eamonn, if not, I will do everything in my power to help or if it's serious, call 999. My shooters are important to me, most, if not all are personal friends at this point, I don't want any harm coming to you. 
• Make a decent lunch the night before, pasta and veg or rice salad, fresh fruit, veg snack packs, yoghurt, granola, anything you like that can be eaten cold.
• Make the best of a bad day if you don't have the luxury of a sunny weekend.
• Have fun, take pictures. 

I hope you enjoyed my latest addition to the #LetsTalkBlogChallenge, as always, I want to take a moment to thank Sarah for letting me take part in this super fun challenge. I hope everyone else is having as much fun interpreting the topics as I am.

Do you think you could survive a two day shoot on my watch?

Leave me your #LTBC post links below!

Amy

xxx

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Review: Primark Workout Wear

Getting fit is a tough; challenging endeavour, without adding on the price tag of getting decent apparel to do your running/cycling/sweating in. 

As a Penneys girl through and through I decided to make the journey to Dublin earlier on Tuesday to get some work-out wear. 

Since I am the proud owner of one pair of Nike Dri Fit shorts and I've been running in Archery shirts, which is not what they're designed for, the list was simple; Sports Bras, Shirts, and Shorts. 

The Penneys range is quite varied, from short shorts to Capri pants to hoodies and crop tops in all the colours of the rainbow... They even sell light workout equipment like Pilates bands. How cool!  

However the opinion it left me with wasn't great. It was difficult to get Capri pants for my size, a UK 6-8. Everything was from 12-14 upwards. In fact there were more 18-20 sized items than anything else, and that's fine, but I want to get fit too, just as much as anyone else. Why were there almost no bottoms in my size but the whole section was heaving with the bigger sizes? I felt quite offended, as if my size doesn't warrant a need or a desire to get fit. I can't run for more than 2 minutes without feeling the need to heave. Surely that's more than enough valid reason to need something to run in? 

Eventually I found a pair of size 8 shorts among a rack of size 18 ones. 

I must admit that these shorts are very well made, with light reflective patches and a hidden pocket which is nice. They are deep grey and pink, which as a happy coincidence, will match my running shoes very well. 

They have an elasticated waistband and a drawstring which means I can tuck my phone into them without fear of it moving or falling out. Handy, when you have no decent pockets!

I picked up two sports bras, one grey with teal trim, one pink with black trim; €6 a piece. It wasn't hard to get them on my size thankfully. They seemed to be good quality and true to size but I guess the real test comes with a run. They fit ever so slightly bigger, so I would suggest sizing down, but either way, they're really good quality and they keep your basoomas in check.

 Very good, Penneys, well done you guys!

I also picked up some trainer liners and a loose-fitting, light tank top. 

What do you think of Penneys workout gear? 

Would you invest in higher end stuff or are you tempted to save a few Euro? 

Amy

xoxo

Fitness Update #1

Image: Pinterst

Image: Pinterest

I've been going on about it for days now, but if you haven't fallen victim to my incessant tweets, I took up running this week. I started on Monday, with a brisk walk, though, broken up with short jogs of about 1min a piece. It was torture, but I did it. 

Tuesday was better though it rained while I was out. I did the same distance but tried to go longer with running segments, even if it was only "just get past that big tree up ahead!". I ran, had a shower and then went off to college to sit an exam. At one point during my outing, I had to keep telling myself that I was "not going to fall/puke/die, and that I was able to get to the top of my road, now stop being a whiny bitch!" It worked though I must admit that I had to really berate myself! 

On Wednesday I went out before breakfast because I was still full from my pre-bed snack of porridge and a banana the night before and I got caught in the rain once again! I met my neighbor on the way back and we stopped for the chats but I was done in under an hour even so. I did some planks and ceiling kicks for my core when I got in before my shower.

Image: Pinterest

Thursday wasn't intended to be a rest day but a rest day it ended up being! I was in so much pain. Honestly, I've never felt pain like it... I did stretch and gently got my heart rate up before I did some planks and crunches because there was so excuse not to... Then I downloaded the Map My Run app to take my running a bit more serious and give me some structure as well as motivation. I went to bed feeling much less stiff and sore as I had woken up.



Today, Friday, I got my app all calibrated, togged out and was on the road at 8.45am. It was cool enough when I started out but by the time I capped the first kilometer, I had to take off a layer and stick it on a tree branch to get on the way back. I was delighted to have done almost 5km in 37 minutes when I checked the app after coming home. Not bad for a newb, eh?! 






Notes: 

Map My Run. Image: Pinterest

Map My Run is a great, free app that you can use to design routes, track an open route, count calories, keep time and a few other things too, if you upgrade. My favorite things about it are the GPS mapping of my run, the fact that is plays your music through the app and also lets you know when you've complete each KM, giving you your total time so far, split times, and plots them on a graph for you to look at later. 

Also, over the course of this week, I've listened to some awesome music and I'm here to tell you that Paolo Nutini's new album is amazing, and The Darkness and Fall Out Boy's new albums are very upbeat for running to. 

Even after 4 days running, I've noticed my mood is so much better which is good news for my anxiety and depression. I've also been eating healthily and have cut down drastically on salty, sweet, processed and greasy foods. 

Honestly, I have never felt better and and actually raring to go out tomorrow for another sweaty jaunt down the royal canal. I have a running (and complaining about other exercise moves) buddy in Kayliegh, who is also on a fitness kick so I might even drag her out on Sunday for a few km around Dundalk so we won't be as inclined to quit as if we were to go it entirely alone. Solidarity, yes? Yes. 

What do you think of this new journey in my life?

Have you any tips for me or motivational quotes??

Do share them down below and lets have the chats!

Amy

xxx

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Smooth, Yes. Criminal? No.

In a recent post, I mentioned how much I wanted a personal Smoothie Maker, namely, a Kenwood Smoothie2Go. Well I went one better and got a Breville Blend Active. This thing is fast becoming my favorite kitchen appliance. To start with, I've decided to do a 3 day Detox and see what happens from there.

The best way to look beautiful on the outside is to put good stuff inside!

Source: Amazon

The Blender Itself: It's a tiny base unit with one button, two bottles with two lids and a blender blade. The blender blade screws in at the bottom of the bottles, and this means you can make enough for one without dirtying a whole blender and a travel cup.

I am in love!

It's so handy and it makes taking in veg and fruit so easy. I can throw in a few strawberries, a handful of frozen blueberries, some orange juice, a banana and whizz it up. In fact, within two days of having the thing, I have gone through 4 bananas, a punnet of strawberries, a punnet of raspberries as well as also making a start on a tub of frozen pineapple, frozen blueberries and buying a heap more green veg! It's so easy to make a smoothie full of good stuff and the stuff you might not like all whizzed up together, because the flavors of fruit overpower the flavors of veg!

Source: Twenga

It's also worth mentioning that the blades and wattage in this blender are capable of crushing ice, so frozen fruit is no problem for it.

Current Favourite Combos:

• Apple and Spinach with Apple Juice. Spirulina would be awesome in this too, but I hadn't any.
• Strawberry and Oats with Lactose Free Milk for a filling lactose free milkshake.
• Orange and Pineapple. Raspberries would rock too.
• Strawberry, Orange, Banana

I am dying to try blending up tomatoes and making my own tomato soup, a la Free-lee the Banana Girl on YouTube. Blenders like this don't have to be only for smoothies folks!

You can pick this model up in Tesco for €40, or buy it on Amazon.

So, what do you think?

Would you invest in a Breville Blend Active?

Amy

xxx

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#LetsTalkBlogChellenge Week 3: Birthday Box

Another week, another topic! I'm thoroughly enjoying the new routine of writing posts for this challenge. It's relaxing to sit down and just type about a pre-decided topic. I find it takes the stress out of blogging that little bit...

Source: Google Images

Source: sixfeetfromtheedge.com 

Anyways! This week we're talking all about our ideal Birthday Boxes. This can be gifts, beauty, fashion, locations, the works! Now I don't know about the rest of the girls participating in this challenge but I have a very clear picture of my perfect birthday...

First I'd wake up and have a long hot shower, first exfoliating with Cocoa Brown Tough Stuff, and following that with The Body Shop Strawberry Shower Gel, and then moisturize with Dove Silky Nourishing Body Cream.

The Door of the VCC

After that, I'd dry and curl my hair, do my face and dress in something "me"; Ripped jeans and my beloved black docs, with a teal cami under a floaty black tank top, and a leather biker jacket.

I'd have a shopping trip, indulging in a new pair of Docs, some thrifting, make-up, books and a stint in IKEA.

In the afternoon, I would be partial to a bite to eat with my Pook and my friends. Burritos and beers anyone? Bitta banter and my favorite food, around a big table in Tolteca...

We'd split up to get ready for a night of cocktails and laughter. I'm not a big nightclub goer, so a quiet bar with cocktails would be perfect. Maybe the VCC? That would be awesome.

What do you think of my birthday box? 

Have you any suggestions for activities or venues?

Let me know down below and as always, don't forget to tweet Sarah with the hashtag #LetsTalkBlogChallenge to keep up with all the goings on!

Amy 

xxx

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Lip Service: Ginger Nuts

It's absolutely no secret that I am an obnoxiously proud ginger, though that was not always the case. I dyed my hair all through my teenage years to get away from my true colors, as it were. However, in the recent past, from last October, I would say, there has been a wave of "pro ginger" publicity in the media, and I feel it started with the beautiful Angela Scanlons amazing documentary, Oi Ginger! 

Angela herself is a beautiful blogger and telly presenter, with the most amazing deep red locks, and her documentary was a fantastic look at the bullying, prejudice and ignorance there is surrounding the ginge. However, in my search to find the documentary in order to re-watch it, I came across a clip from The Saturday Night Show (above), wherein Brendan O'Conner mentions there being a hierarchy within the ginger culture... I have no idea why anyone would think that, to be perfectly honest. We're all ginger, and we've all been bullied. So, on we go, to look at the science and the misery... 

The Ginger Gene; The MC1R gene, is a form of Melanin with a mutation on the one of the chromosomes. This mutation has two different triggers which are responsible for the darker ginge and slightly sallower skin, which Angela has, and the lighter more flame-like red coupled with pasty, glow-in-the-dark levels of pale which I think I possess. Yeah! Science! What I'm trying to say, is that we all carry the MC1R gene, Gingers just carry a mutation, and that mutation is the same in all gingers, just presenting itself differently dependent on the individual. Therefore, there is no hierarchy, Brendan! 

ginger

A human, characterized by pale skin, freckles and bright red hair. "Gingers" are generally considered to be inferior to their more melanin-rich brethren, and thus deservingly discriminated against. Gingers are thought to have no souls. The condition, "gingervitis" is genetic and incurable. 

          The quote above is taken from Urban Dictionary.


As a kid, I was bullied quite badly for my ginger tresses and it was awful. "The roof is on fire" was a common slur during primary school, and the older I got, the worse and more vulgar the bullies got too... I was backed into corners and called such unintelligent and highly un-funny ditties as "ginger pubes" and "carrot top". The abuse did peeter out when I got past the Junior Cert, I continued to dye my noodle just to be safe, and dyed it for 2 years after I finished school. I'm not the only one who took this kind of flack, and I can prove this by sharing the Independent.ie article I was featured in, along with 4 other beautiful red-head ladies, who all have different shades of the ginge. 

We have all experienced bullying, prejudice and probably all have been afraid of people as a direct result of our hair color. We've all heard the jokes, the puns, we've seen memes on Facebook and Pinterest. 

For me, part of what helps me to be strong in the face of bigotry against the Ginge is looking at the amount of amazing, successful gingers there are in the public eye. Rupert Grint, all Potterheads favoite ginger, the Phelps twins, who played Fred and George, Christina Hendricks from Mad Men, Ed Sheeran, Tim Minchin, and my personal favorite, Karen Gillan. 

Source: Cheezburger

What I'm here to say is, screw the haters. Laugh with the people who try to belittle you. They wont continue if they don't get a reaction. Bullies want a reaction, a specific one. They want you to feel bad so they can feel good. Their power is in your pain. If you reclaim that power by laughing along with them so they don't get that powerful feeling, you will be left in peace pretty quickly. I laugh along with people when they try to make fun of my hair color, because they have no power over my self esteem anymore. Many of my friends make ginger jokes, much like "woman" jokes and I laugh because they're now funny to me.

Now, what I do want to say is there will be times you cant laugh it off. There will be times you are deeply hurt, but they won't be half as frequent if you can learn to laugh with them. 

After all, if you don't laugh, you'l cry. 

Drop me a comment, 

Let me know what you thought! 

Amy

xxx

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May Wish List

Welcome to my Wish List for the month of May.

I have this whole mood board linked to a Polyvore account where you can get more details of all the items listed. Without further ado, let me talk you through my May Wish List!

May Wish List by redlipsredhair featuring cross jewelry

First up, the Kenwood Smoothie 2 Go machine. I am DYING for one of these suckers! It would allow me to make my own smoothies that would be dairy free and more filling than the junk you get at Zumo and Jump! 

Next is a single arrow pendant. Archer, need I say more? I am in love with arrows, hell, I have an arrow tattoo!! 

Over from that, is a deep fuchsia high low wrap skirt. I think these are gorgeous for summer, because they cover you but allow you to show some leg too! The color is bright but can be transitioned into Autumn too... 

Next over we have the Vichy Dermablend foundation. This has been on my "to try" list for a while now but I still haven't took the plunge. Any help you guys can offer visa vis shades/oxidization or the like would be so appreciated! 

Above that we have another arrow necklace. I have a problem with things like this! Moving swiftly along! 

Just left of that, the Wierdo crop top. I have no problem advertising my freakiness, so this is right up my alley!! It would be perfect with the high-low skirt and some ditsy-print wedges. 

In the middle we have a beautiful turquoise neck piece, three stones set in a silver lunula-style plating... 

And finally we have two cropped jumpers. I love both of these and couldn't choose. Both of these would work over some skinny jeans or a maxi-skirt and could be dressed up or down depending on your choice of shoe. 

Those are my lust-have items for the month, I hope you enjoyed my picks. 

Let me know what yours are down below. 

Amy 

xxxx

Things I Love Tuesday - Met Gala Fashion

Be still my beating heart! The Met Gala is possibly the most amazing night on the Hollywood Social Calendar, forget the Oscars, forget the Golden Globes, the Met Gala is your only man! All the stars tog out in the best of the best and the red carpet is positively heaving with gorgeous celebs in designer attire.

So the question is; Who moved me enough to earn a space on my blog?! 

Cara Delevigne 

Oh baby! This woman could turn me in a heartbeat. She's everything I want in a celeb, she's just so bloody perfect and wacky to the back bone! 

Credit: Facebook

Look at her! There's nothing, literally nothing wrong with her outfit, hair or makeup here. Perfection takes a human form in Cara. 

Credit: Twitter

Wearing trousers to what is arguably the most formal occasion in all of Celeb Culture was a huge risk, even in Stella McCartney but Cara pulls it off effortlessly. The demure pants which are figure hugging but elegant totally compliment that amazing crop too with a deep plunging neckline and cut out detailing. Sexy and sultry but without giving it all away. 

Yum.

And let's not forget her hair! Swept back sleekly to show off her amazing ensemble and fabulous shoulders but curled to make it dramatic and totally knockout. 

What did you think of Caras Met Gala outfit? 

Drop me a comment down below!

Amy 

Xx

#LetsTalkBlogChallenge Week 2 - Summer Essentials!

Welcome to Week 2 of the #LetsTalkBlogChallenge, and this week we're taking a look at some Summer Essentials! Currently the weather is absolutely awful, not Summer like at all. This is proving to be a great distraction from the awful weather...

Now, strap in, to quote Willy Wonka, "Overjoyed, enraptured, entranced. Are we ready? Yes, good. In we go!!"

50+ was always needed here... Memories! 

Factor 50+
Let me just put this out there from the start, no summer is complete without multiple bottles of Factor 50 sunblock! Honestly, I'm unable to leave the house on a sunny day without a layer of it. It's awful. The bane of my life, you might say!! I once put on 6 layers of the stuff over the course of a one day long Archery competition. Nobody wants to see the TO bursting into flames on the line, let me tell you! Maybe it's the ginge... Maybe!

A Light Cardi
I always need some kind of a light cardi, but I have no idea why. Maybe it's because of my 7st figure, maybe it's cause I'm a freak! I have got to have a cardi, something thin, just to cover me, to protect my shoulders.

A Cold Drink 
I'll leave this open to your interpretation, but unless I have a cold bottle/glass of something wet, I'm not going to be much fun. I'll be even better fun if that drink is a cocktail.

Sunnies. 
Sometimes prescription, sometimes not, sunglasses are a basic human right! I am a squinty git if I forget them and squinting brings on a migraine which reduces any possibility of banter. And, since I'm the Bantersaurus Rex, I need me some sunnies to keep the good times rolling!

Something to Read:
I am a total book worm. I LOVE a good read on a sunny day. Something light but enjoyable usually works. I have a propensity to read utter muck during the summer, evident by the fact that two summers ago I read the entire 50 Shades trilogy in a week, WHILE I was volunteering in England! Not even sorry.

Good Tunes:
Need I really say any more? My iPod is chock full of hippy-dippy sunshine tunes, ranging from Jason Mraz, to James Blunt, to Daft Punk, to Oasis, and my beloved HIM. Some good tunes and you're set to go, no matter if you're stuck on a bus, or you're sunbathing in the garden. Musical sunshine to go with the actual sunshine!







Good Friends
Always necessary, whatever the weather. Good friends make up for forgetting any of the above, and they guarantee you're gonna have a good time, even if the rain decides to make an appearance! Even when you're at a shoot in the Baltic cold mid-July, nothing can replace time spent laughing with the people who love you (and bailing out in search of breakfast!). Good times! The picture above was taken after a day training in my old Archery Club grounds, we all chipped in and got some food, made black tea and had lunch right there in the field. It was cold, but it was great!

Other Things I Love To Have, Personally. 

• A day of shooting with my archery friends, 
• A long hike round the country with my friend Anna, 
• Costa Red Berry Coolers, 
• Boho inspired Sandals, 
• Light scarves (works for a multitude)

As always, you can keep up with all the going on on Twitter and you can follow the fun using the hastag #LetsTalkBlogChallenge and following Sarah Hammersely of At The Beauty Desk, our lovely Challenge Organizer! 

What do you like to have for the Summer? 

Drop me a comment and lets keep the chat going. 

Amy

xxx

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A Couple of Life Hacks!

Life Hacks. We've all seen the infographics floating around the internet; Spend any time at all on Pinterest and you will inevitably have seen them. However, most of the time, they're nothing more than a crock o' shit, to be blunt! However, I've found some useful ones out for myself lately and I want to share them with you.

1. Uses for Disprin.

Disprin! Woo!! 

Yeah, you read that one right - Disprin, the fizzy, yucky tasting aspirin tablet! It's not my favorite thing in the world, I'd sooner a Panadol or Neurofen, but Disprin has it's uses too, ladies! crush up a tablet or two, pop two or three drops of water on it, and let's go through its alternative uses.

• Infected piercings. I recently discovered this tip from a professional piercer and I think it's worth passing along to the masses. I had an awful time with my conch piercing playing up and I was advised to pop some Disprin paste on the site of the problem once a day for 3 days. Hey ho, it's working absolute wonders! 
• Topical Spot Treatment. Dip a cotton bud into some of this paste, and pop it onto any angry spots you have. Aspirin is basically Salicyilc Acid, and this is going to help your spot to no end! 
• Good for the garden!! Here's one for all my green-thumbed chums and chummettes; One Disprin in a gallon of water will help plants to fight off infections. The salycilic acid helps the plant to become more robust and essentially tougher! And since Salycilic Acid is a natural derivative of the Willow Tree, you're not adding anything unseemly to your plants intake. Cool, huh?

Legitimately love this!! 

2. Ring Pulls from Cans. 

Before you sling that can into the recycling, pull the ring pull off it. Keep them in a wee baggie if you have it, and then when you have 20 or 30, or you can do this one by one, pop one of the holes over the top of your hanger hook, and then use the second hole to slip another hanger though. 

Now you have two items hanging from one space on the rail! I'm an avid fan of this one, as I'm a hoarder to the back bone and I never had enough space until I discovered this! 

So there you have it, two actual lifehacks that actually works! I'm going to endeavour to bring you more working life hacks in the future! 

Have you any life hacks for me?

Amy
xoxo

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