Matalans New Range of Cute Handbags.. ♥

I posted on Twitter during the week about how gorgeous the new handbag range from Matalan is, and everyone agreed. And added bonus, they are super low prices! After sending the tweet, Matalan emailed me asking if I would like to receive a copy of their Summer Lookbook, which I can't wait to check out! 

Here's a selection of some of my favourite bags from their website, I really want the pastel blue clutch (3) and fox bag (8)!

Take a look at their full range of bags here.

1. Rucksack, £12

2. Quilted Chain Bag, £10

3. Stud Envelope Bag, £8

4. Oversized Zip Bag, £8

5. Layered Frill Clutch, £8

6. Patent Croc Clutch, £5

7. Leather Look Rucksack, £12

8. Fox Bag, £8

9. Vintage Floral Weekender, £8

10. Satchel, £8

11. Block Clutch, £8

12. Stripe Satchel, £8

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EcoTools Cosmetic Brushes.. ♥

As most of you beauty bloggers will know, EcoTools is a beauty brand that creates eco-consious products, including their incredibly soft cosmetic brushes. I am lucky enough to have been sent a few samples of these brushes to see how they really work. I am fairly new to cosmetic brushes, as since only recently, I always just used my fingers to apply my make up. However, since trying out brushes, I have really noticed the difference that they make to my overall make up look.

The EcoTools collection of cosmetic accessories are made with innovative, earth-friendly materials, and they also give 1% of their sales to an environmental alliance. They launched in 2008 and have grown tremendously around the globe.

 

I was sent the retractable foundation brush, the concealer brush, and the angled eyeliner brush.

 The angled eyeliner brush is a great way to create either a defined, sleek line, or a smudged, smokey eyed effect. The bristles are so soft, but because they are short they are quite firm and easy to manage. This brush retails for £5.49.

 This deluxe concealer brush is good for using underneath dark eye circles with your favourite concealer. It can also be used for helping disguise unsightly spots or blemishes. You can use the tip of brush to apply and the flat portion to blend. This also retails for only £5.49.

This impressive recycles retractable foundation brush is encased in an aluminium case, with a lid. This is used to apply and blend liquid or creme foundation into the skin. The long bristles feel so soft against my face, and it leaves my make up perfectly even. And the case makes in perfect for popping in your handbag without it getting damaged! This retails for £9.99.

You can buy a large range of the EcoTools in the UK from Boots.

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Cosmo Blog Awards.. Voting Ends Today! ♥

Your nominations for the Cosmo Blog Awards close at midnight tonight! 

If you enjoy reading my blog, then please vote for me for 'Best lifestyle blog' and your other favourite bloggers over all categories!

Click here to vote! Thanks xx

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OOTD 27/6/12 - Nude Mesh Bodice Dress.. ♥

Here's an OOTD from this week when it was very warm. I bought this dress from H&M for only £12.99 a couple of months ago. It's lovely and light, and I love the shape of the bodice against the mesh. Sorry the photo's have come out a bit pale and colourless.. not sure whats happened there!

Dress: H&M | Shoes: Primark

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Fairytales & Hidden Notes Teacup Ring.. ♥

I was asked by the lovely Aartthie at Fairytales and Hidden Notes if I would like to try out something from their independant online jewellery boutique. It look me quite a while to choose something, her store has a gorgeous range of vintage style jewellery. One of her pieces was even worn by Fearne Cotton and featured in Marie Claire.

I eventually decided to choose a ring, because since growing my nails, I don't mind drawing attention to my hands. Aartthie also sells necklaces, bracelets, and brooches. I was stumpted between choosing a gorgeous 'Once upon a time' ring with a brass swallow on, or a teacup ring, which I eventually decided on!

My ring came beautifully packaged, I love the box it came in with the handwritten shop name, it adds an extra personal touch. The box was also lined with hot pink tissue paper, and inside was my lovely new 'Blue Teacup' ring! 

The ring is adjustable and gold in colour, and then it has a tiny dainty ceramic tea cup and saucer placed on top! It is seriously cute! This ring sells for £8, and theres also another teacup ring in green, and a matching necklace. 

Take a look at the other gorgeous jewellery pieces from Fairytales and Hidden Notes.

And what do you think of my newly grown finger nails?! I'm a terrible nail chewer, but I've stopped for about 4 weeks now, and I gave myself a little manicure :) I can start doing nail art now too! Yay!

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My Ted Baker Mini Shopping Spree.. ♥

I was thrilled to have won a £250 giftcard to spend in Ted Baker a couple of months ago, and I had eyed up a few things I wanted to purchase, but I my giftcard couldn't quite cover them all and I didn't have any spare cash to use myself. However, they have now started their Ted Baker summer sale, which meant that I could buy both of the items I wanted, and a couple of extras too! So here's what I got..

 

My purchases came packaged in a big sturdy cardboard box with Ted Baker logos, and then inside they were individually packaged again. 

 

 Firstly, the item I most wanted to buy was this Hobbie bow detail across the body bag. It is made from real leather, and has a removable strap. It was originally £119, but I bought it in the sale for £71. I adore this handbag, I think it's so stunning. The colour is a very creamy, pale pink, with gold metal detail. I have a family event to attend this weekend, so I will be showing it off then.

 

I also really wanted to buy this Grete dress, which was originally £149, but I bought it in the sale for only £49. It's a gorgeous feminine dress with applique heart detail around the bodice, and a it has a lovely lined floaty skirt. It was just a shame that they only had it in a size 14, so it is too big for me, but I hope to get it professionally altered, because it is so beautiful!

 This Fruskie coin purse was a little extra because I had some money left over, and I thought it is so cute. It's a creamy nude colour, made from real leather. It has gold writing on it that reads 'You make my heart skip a beat'... beautiful! This came in its own little cardboard box, and was reduced from £35 to £21.

 And lastly, I bought this little perfume for only £5. Perfect handbag size!

Overall I am thrilled with my Ted Baker buys! I never treat myself to expensive goodies, so this has been pretty exciting for me! The items are really gorgeous in real life, and you can see that they are amazing quality. Check out their sale here!

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Pink Blazer from Pop Couture: How would you wear it? ♥

I was very kindly offered an item from a great fashion website called Pop Couture. Pop Couture are an up and coming online fashion store with new trends at low prices. I chose this tailored round hem blazer in pink, and I picked this because I didn't own a blazer and envy all the fashion bloggers than manage to pull one off! I thought I would give it a go, and although I am not 100% confident that I can look good, I do love it.

Not being a fashion guru, I wasn't sure how to wear it, but I decided to try it with a sleeveless white collared blouse, and dark skinny jeans. Many people suggested to me when I asked, that I could wear it over a pretty girly dress too. I like that it has three quater length sleeves so that it has a more feminine feel, and it's nice and light. I was expecting a blazer to fit more box-ily and bulky, but this one is very sleek infact. Although I'm not sure I do it any justice, the colour is gorgeously girls and it's a great fit! And it's a bargain at only £21 (buy it here).

What do you think? What outfit do you think would be more suited to this blazer? 

Check out Pop Couture for more gorgeous fashion items! I ADORE this dress! They also offer free delivery when you spend £30+.

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For Old Times Sake.. a photo post! ♥

For those of you that followed me from the beginning, you may remember that the majority of my blog posts were just lots of pretty photos. I've drifted away from that now, but a few people tell me that they miss my old posts! So here's a new photo post for you with photos I found that inspire me from around the web :)

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