Happy New Year

Good Evening and Happy New Year!

Well we have a lot to be thankful for, and even though we definitely neglect you lot, you just keep coming back! We’re not professional bloggers, hell we don’t even hold jobs in fashion or beauty, so the fact we’re getting a fair amount of views is a miracle. Thank you for sticking with us. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and that Santa was good to you. I know he was to me; I’d be nothing without my wonderful, generous, patient friends and loved ones and it was wonderful to spend two weeks with everyone that makes my life all it is.

Over the past year, I've held two different jobs, several voluntary jobs, got a degree, a driving licence and been through many a financial hardship. I know things have been just as hectic for Clover, so the fact we managed between us to pull the entries we do together is quite the achievement. You lot clearly enjoy what we do in our spare moments and that’s what fashion and beauty is about – the fun little indulgences we allow ourselves, be it a new outfit for a night on the town, a soak in the bath, a new lipstick or taking five minutes to read a magazine or blog like this.

So, I’m about to embark on yet another temporary paid venture, this time in the arts, so a change from education! I have a conditional offer for a post graduate course starting next September and 2013 promises to be just as life-changing, confusing, stressful and rewarding as this one has been. I’ll try not neglect our readership quite so badly and keep you lot updated on just what I’m wearing and putting on my face throughout the ever shifting unknown that is to come.

So, I know you’ll be dying to know, but this is what I got for Christmas!

As well as more Soap and Glory and Sanctuary products than I can ever possibly use in a year, I got a Fiorelli bag and some clothes. The red t-shirt, grey sweater and red patterned skirt are all from River Island, the other t-shirt and printed Aztec shirt are from New Look. Rabbit scarf from Next and I'd had my eye on it for months! Accessories and make up wise, I got a No 7 set of blushers and bronzers, a couple of Barry M nail varnishes, a Revlon nail varnish and lip butter, Soap and Glory Sexy Mother Pucker lip gloss and Thick and Fast Mascara, some owl earrings from Accessorise and three wonderful perfumes: Boss Nuit, Intimately Beckham and Marc Jacobs Dot.

I particularly love the bag. I haven’t been anywhere without it since Christmas Day and it adds to any outfit. It just goes with everything, anywhere. The black and white shirt and patterned skirt will also work well in spring and summer, providing we get any weather other than rain. The shirt looks wonderful with dark jeans, gold jewellery and leathers now, but in the coming months, I look forward to wearing it open as a cover up with pale blue skinny jeans and a black vest and more summer appropriate shoes. It could also work with denim shorts. If I get away anywhere sunny this year, the skirt will be coming with to go with wedges or strappy sandals and wooden and gold accessories for a tribal look.

Make up wise, I was amazed by the lip butter, the balm texture makes it really wearable – it doesn’t dry out and makes a normally in your face colour look softer and somehow suitable for every day. Special mention to Sexy Mother Pucker also – it really does plump your lips, but I hear the tingling is a bit of a love it or hate it sensation. Personally, I love it!

The perfumes are also fantastic. The Beckham fragrance is a really girly, floral, every day perfume, whereas Boss Nuit feels much more grown up and fabulous with jasmine and woody base notes. True to form, Marc Jacobs Dot is flirty and fun, but unusual – floral and fruity with essence of red berries and dragon fruit. It’s intriguing and interesting, which is what everyone should want to be, so it’s great to have a perfume to match - definitely my favourite.

So, I was spoilt rotten! What did you lot get? I’ll hopefully get chance to show you more of my outfits and some reviews of the many products am working my way through soon!

Crimson

xoxo