Saturday 31 December 2011

Would you like to be a Guest Blogger?

Hey girls,

Due to personal reasons, I may not be blogging as much as usual for the next couple of weeks (a great start to the New Year, I know :( I am really sorry!). So I am looking for a few lovely bloggers who would like to write a guest post for me whilst I am gone. Your post could be anything beauty or fashion related; a tutorial, a review, an outfit you have put together, etc.

If you are interested, please email me at francescassandra@hotmail.co.uk telling me what sort of post you would like to do and we will work something out :)

I am really sorry that I am having to go on this hiatus, but it is something I really need to do, sometimes things happen unexpectedly and you need to take a break to feel better. I hope you understand, I will still try and get a post up every now and again, and I will be back as soon as possible!


Wishes for the New Year.

What a year. A few months ago I couldn't wait for this year to be over, but looking back now, January doesn't seem like it happened that long ago. This definitely hasn't been the best year for me, but I have high hopes and determination that 2012 will bring better things. I don't make New Year's Resolutions as such, because I have always been rubbish at sticking to them, but I have put together a list of wishes and things I would like to do/ achieve in 2012. Some are just for fun, some are more serious. Some I will definitely stick to, and some will take more work.


  • Get a proper job.
  • Read more.
  • Blog more and grow as a blogger.
  • Upload more videos to my music Youtube Channel.
  • Write songs
  • Pass my second year of university with a 2:1.
  • Go to the gym more. 
  • Have more patience with my parents.
  • Pluck up the courage to get a new piercing/ tattoo.
  • Worry less.
  • Do something for Charity.
  • Decorate my bedroom.
  • Eat healthier.
  • Re-learn at the least the basics of piano.
  • Attend at least one blogger meet up. 

    Maybe this time next year I will reflect on this list and see what I managed to do :)

     Do you make New Year Resolutions? What are your wishes for 2012?
    I want to thank my readers who have given me the encouragement to keep blogging; knowing that people enjoy reading what I write means a lot to me. I have only been blogging properly for a little over a month and I already feel like I have come so far! I hope that 2011 has been a great year for you all, and that 2012 is even better, and that it brings you good health and happiness and everything you wish for :)

      Friday 30 December 2011

      100 Things 41-50

      Part five of 100 things I like/ that make me happy :)
      (Pictures from We Heart It)

      41. Organisation

      42. Flowers

      43. Lush Products

      44. Listening to songs I used to love but haven't listened to in a long time.

      45. Handshakes when meeting somebody new.

      46. Tarsiers.

      47. Being somebody's confidant.

      48.  Cheese.

      49. When people say cheesy/ corny things.

      50. Concerts.


      What do you like/ what makes you happy?
      If you have a post like this, be sure to link me to it :)

      Thursday 29 December 2011

      FOTD: Effortless.

      I'm not the kind of girl who spends hours in the morning getting ready, I much prefer to keep it simple unless it is for a special occasion. This is the sort of makeup I wear on an every day basis; no eye shadow, just winged black eyeliner (sometimes I even skip this step), and a bit of colour on my lips that I switch around depending on how I feel that day, though I have been loving this dark fuschia colour this winter. I would usually just use a bit of concealer on my spots and under my eyes, but on a particularly bad skin day (like today) I like to get out my Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector for that extra little bit of coverage. This makeup routine usually takes me no more than fifteen minutes to do, meaning I can spend longer in bed!  :)


      Makeup I used:

      Face
      -Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream (Light)
      -Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer (Light)
      -Rimmel London Powder Blush (Smoked Oyster)

      Eyes
      -Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner (Black)
      -Maybelline The Colossal Volum' Express Mascara (Black)

      Lips
      -MUA Lipstick (Shade 2)


      Wednesday 28 December 2011

      Review: Tangle Teezer

       I got a request to do a review on the Tangle Teezer, so here it is! :)
      I got this for Christmas, so I have only used it for a couple of days, but I love it already!
      Being a naturally wavy haired girl, the hair brushes I previously used were a nightmare on my hair, they would hurt my head so bad and pull so much of my hair out that the brush would be full of hair in about a week. In the end, I actually gave up with hair brushes, and would just drag my fingers through my hair a few times to pull apart any tangles, which was probably just as bad.
      I saw so many good reviews on the Tangle Teezer so I really wanted to try it. My dad looked at me like I had gone crazy when I asked him to get me a hair brush for Christmas haha.


      If it hasn't caught on already, the Tangle Teezer is a detangling hair brush. It claims to brush out tangles painlessly and effortlessly, without damaging your hair. In all honesty, when you see and feel this hair brush for the first time, it seems more like a torture device, the bristles look and feel so harsh and sharp. But when I brushed it through my hair, it glided so smoothly through it, and it didn't hurt one bit. The Tangle Teezer can be used on wet or dry hair and is designed to be easy to hold in your palm. I was always worried about brushing my hair after washing it as your hair is more vulnerable to breakage when it is wet, but this hair brush is really gentle. I still find some hairs caught in the bristles when I have finished brushing my hair, but there isn't half as much as when I have used other hair brushes; I think it is more due to the natural breakage of my hair, rather than the brush pulling it out.
      The Tangle Teezer also claims to make your hair shinier, which I am not too sure about, I don't know how it could. I think it just untangles and smooths you hair to make it look shinier.

      I would definitely recommend the Tangle Teezer, especially if you have wavy, tangle-prone hair. You can buy it from their website or Boots for around £10-£13. That may seem a bit steep for a hair brush, it is one of the factors that put me off buying it for a while, but I definitely think it is worth it. It comes in quite a few different colours, such as neon pink, neon orange and black. I chose the glittery purple one as it wasn't too bright but it wasn't plain either. You can also buy a compact size for travelling or a flower pot style which can sit on your vanity and has storage for hair bands/ clips.

      Do you have a Tangle Teezer? What do you think of it?
      If you have any more post requests, let me know!

      Tuesday 27 December 2011

      NOTD #5: Dusky Mauve

      I think I have a thing about wearing nail polishes that are hard to photograph. Capturing the true beauty of this one was definitely not a walk in the park haha.
      When I saw that this was a dupe of Chanel's Paradoxal, I really wanted it (I think the Chanel nail polish costs around £17.00, who doesn't want a similar polish for a fraction of the price?!), so I asked my grandma to buy it for me along with a couple of other Barry M Nail Paints for Christmas. I always thought that brown and purple was a strange combination but the more I looked at swatches of it the more it grew on me.
      The fact that this photograph isn't straight is really bugging me aha.



       Dusky Mauve is a deep brown polish with fine purple shimmer running through it, it looks really pretty when the light hits it. The formula of this polish is really good too, it applies easily and only needs one or two coats to become opaque. I think this is going to become one of my go-to nail polishes, I think it's lovely for day or night and could go with anything. I have been wearing it for two days now and I can see some slight tip wear, but I am always sat typing away at my laptop, so it is hard for me to avoid that.



      Have any of you tried this polish? What do you think of it?

      Monday 26 December 2011

      Christmas Haul

      I hope you all had a lovely day yesterday, laughed lots, ate and drank until you almost burst, and got everything you wished for. Today I am going to show you the things I received. Of course, I am in no way doing this to brag, I just thought that some of you would be interested in seeing what I got. I'd love to see what all of you got, so if you have done a post like this, be sure to link me to it :)
      I hope you are all having a nice, restful boxing day, or a successful shopping trip if you are hitting the sales!







      SPA Foot Treats
      Ferrero Rochers
      Guylian Chocolates
      Lush Stardust Gift Set
      Love Hearts Sweets
      Tights
      Nail Polish Remover
      Collection 2000 Cream Puffs (Cotton Candy and Angel Delight)
      Barry M Nail Paints (Silver Cascade, Mushroom and Dusky Mauve)
      Marks and Spencer Perfection 6 Piece Makeup Brush Set
      Underwear
      Tangle Teezer
      Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner
      Unbranded Makeup Set (Two makeup brushes, eyeliner, mascara, lipgloss, eyeshadow)
      Furry Animal Ears Hat
      Faux Leather/ Jersey Biker Jacket


      If anybody would like to see a more indepth post/review on any of these items, please let me know!

      What did you get for Christmas? Are you hitting the Boxing Day sales?

      Saturday 24 December 2011

      100 Things: 31-40

      Part Four of the 100 things I love/ that make me happy :)
      (Pictures from We Heart It)


      31. The feeling when you get home after a long day out.

      32. Hand written letters.

      33. Watching people's faces light up when they open a present.

      34. Fuzzy socks.

      35. Remembering something funny that happened ages ago.

      36. (Faux) Fur.

      37. Bubble baths

      38. Christmas dinner.

      39. Ballet

      40. Fresh bed sheets.




      Can you believe it is Christmas Eve?!
      I have just been running around town with my dad finishing our Christmas shopping because we always leave it to the last minute haha. I just have to wrap everything now and then I think I'm done :)
      I just want to wish my readers an amazing Christmas! Make sure you eat and drink lots and I hope you get everything you have wished for! :) If you don't celebrate Christmas then I just hope you have a wonderful time spent with those closest to you!
      I will be back after tomorrow with loads to blog about! :)
      All the best Christmas wishes,

      Friday 23 December 2011

      FOTD: Sleek Berry Collection

      So the other day, I was a little bit naughty and I purchased the Sleek limited edition Berry Collection for myself whilst I was out shopping for Christmas presents. I love the matte berry colours in the set and thought they would be perfect teamed with gold, shimmery eyes for a Christmas or New Year party :) As usual, it was a battle to get good photographs with the lighting being so gloomy, but I think these were the best ones. I hope you like it and I definitely recommend buying this set before it sells out!



      Makeup I used:

      Face
      -Rimmel London Stay Matte Foundation, 201 Classic Beige
      -Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer, Light
      -Sleek Contour Palette, Medium
      -Sleek Blush, Fenberry (Sleek Berry Collection)

      Lips
      -Sleek Kohl Pencil, Mossberry (Sleek Berry Collection)
      -Sleek True Colour Lipstick, Cranberry (Sleek Berry Collection)

      Eyes
      -MUA Heaven and Earth Palette
      1. Inner Corner
      2.Crease and lower lashline
      3.Lid
      4.Browbone highlight
      5. Outer Corner

      -Upper lashline: Stila Smudge stick, Moray
      -Water line: MUA Intense Colour Eyeliner, Snow White
      -Mascara: Maybelline the Colossal Volum' Express Mascara, Black



      If you have any questions, feel free to ask :) 
      Also, if you haven't seen my mention on my previous blog posts, I am looking to hold a Giveaway soon to celebrate passing 100 Followers, but I am stuck for what to include in the prize. Skin care or makeup? A set or a random selection of things? Please comment below and tell me what you would like to win, and whether you prefer to know what the prize is when you enter, or if I should keep it a surprise until the winner is announced? Thank youu! :)


      Wednesday 21 December 2011

      Wednesday Wishlist #3


      I actually wasn't sure if I liked this perfume when I first received a sample of it in one of the Glossyboxes, but now I've worn it a few times it has actually grown on me, and I love the way the bottle stands at an angle. It is definitely a very unique and sexy scent, but it isn't the cheapest of perfumes :(

      I just want a fur Trapper Hat in general but the one pictured is from Topshop for £25.. I saw a brown one today in TK Maxx for £19 and I fell in love with it, it was the warmest thing ever!

      I actually put together the collage for this wishlist last night as I knew I would be out for most of the day today, but I may have been a little naughty whilst I was out shopping today and bought this for myself (I hate buying things for myself so close to Christmas!) I didn't expect there to be any left in stock in my local Superdrug so when I saw it I thought I would grab it... I had put it off for so long as I thought the blush was a little daring and unwearable, but after swatching it I found that it wasn't, it is quite sheer and very buildable. Grab this while you can!

      I saw Blush Crush wearing a lovely Silver Cross Bracelet from Miss Selfridge in one of her posts and I really wanted it, but it was sold out online and in my local Miss Selfridge :( She had another gold one from ASOS however, which is a bit smaller than the Miss Selfridge one but so pretty and delicate looking. This is the silver version of it; I have a £5 ASOS voucher so I might just put that towards buying this :)

      I am having a bit of a breakdown at the moment with all the shops holding sales in the middle of December! I actually saw this cardigan in store today for £15 reduced from about £25-£29 I think. I adore jumpers and cardigans with elbow patches.



      I was also scouring the shops today trying to find some things that I can include in my 100 Follower Giveaway but I really don't have a clue what you guys would like! So please comment below and give me some ideas :) Would you like it if I gathered a few little things and made it a surprise prize that I announce when the winner is chosen, or do you like to know what you could win before you enter?

      Monday 19 December 2011

      Tag: Ready For Christmas?

      So I'm a bit stumped for blog posts for the next few days due to a lack of buying things for myself because of Christmas shopping, and now also because of a lack of camera as I have lent mine to my boyfriend so he can do his university project. So with it also being less than a week to Christmas I thought it was the perfect time to throw in this Christmas tag :) I haven't been feeling very Christmassy lately which is very unlike me :( so this is a perfect opportunity to add a bit of Christmas spirit to my blog :)

        Is this not the most amazing Christmas tree ever?! (Picture from We Heart It)


      1.Whats Your Favorite Holiday Movie? 
      - I love Christmas films, I always get really excited when they begin to be aired in December. I can't really choose a favourite but a few that I really enjoy are Elf, Home Alone and A Christmas Carol.
      2. Whats Your Favorite Christmas Color? 
      - Green. I love green and red, and green and gold combinations around Christmas time :)


      3. Do You Like To Stay in Your PJs Or Dress Up For Christmas?
      -I like to stay in my pyjamas for a little bit in the morning but I get dressed around lunch time. I have never been one to get really dressed up on Christmas Day though.


      4. If You Could Only Buy One Person a Present This Year Who Would It Be? 
      - This is too difficult, I hate missing people out haha. I think my dad is the most deserving though, he gives so much to my family throughout the year and has been there for me through the hardest times this year.

      5. Do You Open Your Present Christmas Eve Or Christmas Morning?
      -I open my presents on Christmas Morning. When I was younger I used to open a couple on Christmas Eve because I was so excited, but I just like to wait now.


      6. Have You Ever Built a Ginger Bread House?
      - I haven't, but it looks really fun and I would like to try it... I can just imagine it falling down on me though :( haha.

      7. What Do You Like To Do On Your Christmas Break?
      - Relax, not have to worry about a thing, get a little bit merry, spend lots of time with my boyfriend and family, and accompany my dad on his annual mad dash for Christmas presents on Christmas Eve.

      8. Any Christmas Wishes?
      - For everybody to be able to put whatever bad has happened to them this year behind them and have a really lovely Christmas and look forward to a fresh start in the New Year!

      9. Favorite Christmas Smell?
      - I love spicy cinnamon/ vanilla scented candles and the smell on Christmas Day of all the wrapping paper and Christmas Dinner cooking in the kitchen.

      10. Favorite Christmas Meal Or Treat? 
      - Christmas Dinner, of course, with all the trimmings. And a chocolate Yule log for dessert :)

      11) What are you doing for the holidays this year?
      - Just staying at home, I don't like spending Christmas abroad, I have only done it once and it doesn't feel right to me.

      12) What's your favorite holiday drink?
      - Bailey's hot chocolate!

      13) Candy cane or Gingerbread man?
      - Candy cane, I'm not the biggest fan of ginger bread, though I do enjoy cookies and biscuits more than sticks of rock.

      14) What's your favorite holiday/Christmas song?
      - AND THE BOYS FROM THE NYPD CHOIR WERE SINGING GALWAY BAY, AND THE BELLS WERE RINGING OUT FOR CHRISTMAS DAY!

      Fairytale of New York, no question about it.
      15) What's the weirdest gift you've ever received?
      - I don't think I've ever received a "weird" gift, but my dad used to buy me loads of those science experiment kits for kids when I was younger where you could build a water- powered rocket or grow strange plants. I think it was more so that he could play with them, he's a kid at heart and loves science haha.


      What a cutie, this made me smile :) (Picture from Locked Illusions Photography)


      I hope you enjoyed this tag, feel free to link me if you have done this tag or one similar :)

      Also, I would like to thank all my followers as I have recently passed 100 followers! It honestly means so much to me that you enjoy reading my blog and I will definitely hold a giveaway soon to say thank you!