Want- Cat Eye Glasses

I've had bad eyesight since I was 8, which had progressively gotten worse over the years. However, over the last Summer, I invested in contact lenses which has stopped my eyes weakening, the original goal of me purchasing the lenses. Even though I would be nowhere without my lenses, as they 'highlight' my eyes and allow me to sport gorgeous eye makeup (the cat eye is NOT a good look underneath glasses!), there is days when I couldn't be bothered putting contacts or when I want to wear glasses for the day. I always bought my glasses in a little shop in Vilnius, Lithuania, and I've been told the designs suit me, but the more I shop and look at fashion, I begin to crave glasses that are more me.

I love the cat-winged eye look, I do a little flick at the end of my eyeliner every day, so it's no surprise I've fallen in love with River Island's winged sunglasses and glasses. I love how they've kept the vintage red checked design on the glasses, but gave them a modern twist with balancing out the curve to slightly oval levels. They might seem like 'granny' sunglasses, however I find these incredibly modern and still vintage, and they are a pair that I think is worth investing in, and putting in your own glass to suit your eyesight, or even if you don't need glasses (lucky!) you could wear them as a statement.

I love how River Island did a pair of sunglasses to accompany the glasses- something that either rarely or never happens with most high street brands!- but kept them individual and unique. The sunglasses have a more practical look about them- they're black with a thick outline, giving a professional 'I-know-what-I'm-doing' look to them. They are quite large however, so I'm just worried if they don't make me look like I've got 'bug' eyes.

I'm in love with these two pairs and hopefully will be able to try them on in a River Island shop soon- it's time for me to choose a pair of gorgeous frames!

River Island, 13e

River Island, 17e

I've been doing some spring cleaning through my wardrobe  and opened up space for new Spring goodies! :)

These are all the clothes I had to put away in bags for either the charity shop or next year- I hate clothes that I don't wear cluttering up my wardrobe.

All ready for Spring!

Gaby x

Life, Lately #1

Every 3 months I'll be doing a Life Lately post- a summary of products, clothing and other bits and bobs I've been loving over the last couple of months. It will feature 3 makeup/skincare products, 3 pieces of clothing/shoes, and 3 random things like jewellery/chocolate bars and whatever else! I'm sorry if my blogging schedule is all over the place- Spring leaves my head full of anything but ideas.

So here it is- the things my life has been full of during January, February and March.

Kate Moss for Rimmel shade 05
With a gorgeous deep pink colour and beautifully pigmented finish, I love this lipstick to bits, and I've been wearing it every day.

Soap and Glory Scrub of Your Life
This is my first ever Soap and Glory product- I bought a travel size version as I thought the original was too expensive. I love a good scrub and this does the job brilliantly, and leaves a yummy smell.

Essence Liquid Ink 
I've been in love with winged eyeliner since last summer, but only now have I disovered a product that is perfect for the job and takes minutes to apply. The formula does crack and flake a little- however the thin precision brush allows a perfect wing.

Laura B Beige Courts
I only got these yesterday from Paul Byron, however I already love them to bits. They remind me of a softer version of the Jeffrey Campbell Darlings, which is why I got them.

Only Skinny Jeans
I love skinny jeans- I don't own any other type of jean. I got these over Christmas, and I love  love love them. They're comfy, go with everything and I fold the bottoms to give them a modern twist. I'll be wearing these forever and a day.

Leather Skater Skirt
I've been dying for a leather skirt, and finally I've got one. I bought it from Quiz clothing, and it has an elasticated waist, so it isn't loose around my waist, like most skirts are. I'll be wearing this repeatedly through summer- I love it so much.

Only jeans, my courts and the leather skirt.

River Island Sparrow Earrings+ Claire's Mirror Necklace
I've been obsessed with jewelry lately, especially this necklace. It's long and had a pretty Victorian-style pattern on the back, and a real mirror at the front, perfect for checking your lipstick on the go. These sparrow earrings are definately my favourite- they're tiny and bronze, and I wear them every day.

Dolce and Gabbana Wedges
These were on the catwalk during one of their S/S '13 shows, and I feel in love with them immidiately. They're perfection- nothing else has to be said.

We Need to Talk About Kevin
I watched this last night- it's an unreal movie. Both the making and the storyline are brilliant and really creative- I guarantee everyone sees this, however it's not for everyone. I did cry a little at the end, which is probably a little cold hearted as to how many actual sad scenes there is in the entire move.

I hope you enjoyed reading this post as much as I enjoyed making it.

I discovered that if you actually fiddle with settings and lightning on my camera, you can get some gorgeous pictures.

Happy early Paddy's Day!

Gaby x

My Daily Make Up Routine

I've been wearing make-up everyday since I started secondary school. It all started off with concealer to hide spots and mascara to enlarge my eyes, but as time went on it's spiraled into a big, hot sea of eyeliner pencils and blushers. In my opinion, I don't wear too much make-up, however I do know I wear quite a bit. The skill of makeup artistry is to create the illusion that you don't need make up, but also to emphasize the best areas of your face. 

I use these products more or less every day, maybe leaving some out on lazy days. None of them are expensive, and most of them are Essence- a brand I love love love. Everybody's skin is different, so just because it works for me, doesn't mean it will work you.

I start off with foundation. I use Essence's Soft and Natural shade 02 sand beige. I've raved about this in past blog posts and complained about how it was discontinued. However, I found a bottle of this in a nearby pharmacy, and was reunited with my to-die-for product. The secret of this is to blend it out really well, as it can leave streaks. It's got a medium-full coverage, so it's brill for concealing imperfections. I use my fingers to do this, however I will be investing in a good kabuki brush in the near future.

Even though my foundation is good for coverage, I tend to use a concealer on top to hide any bits it didn't catch. I use Essence's Coverstick shade matt sand for this, however it dries out the area under my eyes horrendously, so I tend to spare it there, even though that's where I've got horrific purple-blue bags and red dry patches. It works quite well with spots and covering up discoloured areas, and it is quite creamy so I simply blend it in with my fingers.

Eyes are next. I spend forever at my eyes- getting the shadows to blend properly and the eyeliner perfect. I line my bottom waterline with NYC kohl pencil in 004 Pure White and use Jet Black for my top waterline. Next, I take Essence's Quattro palette in 05 Be Mine and use the third shade for my crease, creating a cat shape as I blend. I take the white highlight colour and add it under my brow and my eyelid, to create depth and highlight.
Then, I move on to eyeliner. I use Essence's Smokey Eyes brush to do the trick, however it isn't that good for blending. I recently started using Essences Precision Ink- Leanne Woodfull's favourite eyeliner. I do a winged eye as it's so pretty, however I keep the wing small. Lastly, I brush on several coats of L'Oreal Million Lashes, a mascara that is great for separating out lashes and for giving a natural look.

I fill in my brows using Essence's Eyebrow Designer shade 02 Brown, a wonder product as it allows you to brush out your brows using the comb that comes attached to the cap. The pencil itself is unbelievably soft and blends really well.

Blusher is next, and I love Essence's Soft Blusher in shade 20 Babydoll. It's a light, softly pink colour that blushes slightly and highlights in one step. I apply this to my cheeks, sides of my forehead and sides under the jaw. Avon's Blusher brush has been doing the job for me since the summer, however it isn't that great at blending.

Lastly are the lips. Palmer's Original lip balm keeps my lips soft and hydrated, a product I did a review on as well. For a lip shade, I'm currently loving Kate Moss for Rimmel shade 05 lipstick- it's a deep pink that looks absolutely gorgeous and because it is really pigmented, lasts ages.


Gaby x

I'm sorry for the absence of posts- I've been going through a super stressful time lately and have had no inspiration whatsoever. On the bright side, I'm back!

I love good photography and pretty photos that I can relate my life to- it's one of the things that keep me going. I'm not taking any credit for these photos, they're just random pictures I've found online.

                                   My wrist for Self-harm Awareness Day March 1st 2013 :)

I did this myself- it's not that good or anything, not even finished, but I will be hanging it on my wall when it's done :)

                  

I hope you like! :)

Gaby x