20150124

Life Lately #8 || My New Camera, Body Shop Skincare & More




Blogmas is over and I'm back to posting every other day, which is much more manageable! I'm putting a lot more into my photography these days so this is working out really well for me so far.

Speaking of which, I hope you've noticed I got a new camera! Yayyyy! I'm beyond happy and it's allowed me to experiment a bit more with the set-up of my photos because the crisp, clear shot is a given. I've started doing regular 'makeup menu' Instagram updates as with my Panasonic Lumix FZ200 it's so quick to just take a quick snap whilst I'm getting ready. Once I'm feeling a little more 'to grips' with it I'll do a proper post all about it.



Around Christmas, the Body Shop had one of their legendary 40% off discount codes running so for the first time ever I ordered some of their skincare products. I'll do a proper review on their products once I've got my hands on a few more but you can read my thoughts on these lovelies in my updated skincare routine next week! Spoiler: I've been converted! 


received this Philosophy gift set for Christmas last year, however it's innocuous packaging meant it was sat hidden on my bookshelf all year! Whilst clearing some stuff out I came across it and used the products. The good news: they're amazing, like some of the best fragrances I've ever smelt in my life ever. The bad news: this gift set was limited edition and you can't even buy it's contents individually. However if you love yummy, sweet smells and you come across any of these definitely get your hands on them!


Speaking of gift sets; I have a few that were so cute I didn't want to get rid of them, so I converted them into candle storage! I have far too many candles to have them all out on display and it turns out my Urban Outfitters, Lily Flame and Bomb Cosmetics candles fit perfectly in them.

Now that Spring is on the distant horizon; I've done some shopping. New Look have some wonderful transition fashion in at the moment and I'll be posting a haul very soon so keep an eye out.


In terms of makeup I've been actually really enjoying using the Benefit They're Real Mascara (post hereduring the daytime, which is something I'd never done before. I thought it may look too much but I wore it pretty much every day I had off between Christmas and New Year. I've also figured out my perfect winter base combination; the Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser (post here) with the Nanshy Buffed Base Brush (post here). I just love the natural finish of it and the fact it doesn't look too shiny, even on my face!

Over Christmas I went to see the Hobbit: the Battle of Five Armies. I liked it well enough but I have the same criticism that I have of the entire series; it tells a story that could've been done in 45 minutes in 2.5 hours! It just doesn't feel like a story in its own right. More recently I saw The Theory of Everything, which I utterly enjoyed. Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones are amazing in this moving Stephen Hawking biopic. 


I had such a lovely little break from work; most of which I spent down in London. I was staying with my boyfriend and met up with 2 of my best girl friends. One of them is living in France for the year and so we hadn't seen her since summer so it was lovely to catch up. We went for lunch at Wahaca on Charlotte Street, which is kind of mid-way between Oxford Circus and Goodge Street. If you're shopping in the capital definitely stop by as they do great Mexican food and reasonably-priced cocktails. There are also loads of other interesting independent restaurants on the same street. After that I headed back up to Birmingham for a house party on New Year's Eve.

It was also over Christmas that me and my boyfriend got completely obsessed with the TV series Peaky Blinders. If you haven't watched it definitely do! If you enjoy historic gangster shows like Boardwalk Empire, you'll love it. On a trashier note I've got really Celebrity Big Brother (as usual); I can take or leave the regular version but the celebrity edition always delivers! I quite want Katie Price to win as I've quite liked her since she was in the jungle. 

Let me know what you think of my (hopefully!) improved photography! And if you're a regular here, comment your thoughts on my little layout update :)


 




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28 comments

  1. I really like the quality of your photos :)
    so many interesting beauty stuff in your post xx

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  2. The pictures look really good quality. Benefit they're real is such a good mascara isn't it!

    Vanessa // VNSX x

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    1. Yeah I've love it for ages for nights out so I'm rediscovering it as a daytime product :) xx

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  3. Charlotte Street is one of my favourites. Such a cute street with the best mix of chain restaurants and independent up and coming ones. The Body Shop's silky cleanser is one of my all time favourites, incredible for removing makeup! :)

    Elle
    www.theellenextdoor.com
    xx

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    1. Yeah I'll definitely be re-visiting next time I'm in central :) and I love that cleanser too, where has it been all my life?! xx

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  4. Great post, I would like to hear what you think about the Aloe Toner :)

    alice x | beautybyalicee | bloglovin' | youtube

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    1. I don't know what I was doing before I discovered it haha xx

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  6. Your photography has definitely improved and congratulations on your new camera. I also love your new blog layout....xx

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    1. Thank you so much :) hopefully I'll be able to improve more going forwards! And thank you - I feel like it's more user-friendly xx

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  7. Heard a lot if the healthy balance products and certainly inspired to try these out. Would you recommend the bars products photographed here?

    Amy / www.blondeamy.wordpress.com

    Xx

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    1. I love the Healthy Balance powder, Benefit primer and Nars Concealer - if you check out my 2014 Face Product favourites I've talked all about them :) I really like the Bobbi Brown foundation but the dewy finish won't be for everyone xx

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  8. It's great that you are loving your new camera and you can definitely see a difference in your photos, they are really good! I love mexican food so definitely worth going there for lunch soon, thanks for the recommendation. I'm hoping The Body Shop will have another one of their massive sales soon so I can pick up some new skincare bits x

    Beauty with charm

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    Replies
    1. Thank you lovely - I'm glad you noticed :D and yeah definitely check it out! I think the Body Shop are currently running £25 off if you spend £50 (basically half price). Not sure I want to spend £25 but it's worth doing if you can team up with a friend :) xx

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  9. That Philosophy candied pecan body scrub sounds amazing! That tortilla wrap thing looks lovely too. Sounds like you've had a nice few weeks!

    India / Touchscreens & Beautyqueens

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    1. It's so amazing - having to conserve it now I know I can't re-purchase! Thank you lovely, hope you had a lovely festive break too xx

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  10. Ok I definitely need the Pore Cleansing scrub from the body shop!

    doitfortheirony.blogspot.com

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  11. I love the pictures! I use the body shop Seaweed deep cleanser everyday and it is amazing, I love it so much so I definitely need to try the exfoliator!

    http://wonderfulandweirdbeautyandlife.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Thank you lovely! Definitely want to try more of the Seaweed range :) xx

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  12. Your new camera takes amazing photos! Great post girl!
    www.diamants-au-chocolat.blogspot.ie

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    1. Thank you hun! I'm trying to improve my photos xx

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  13. Amazing post! Your camera is looking great!

    Jessica Anna | A So Called Beauty Blog

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  14. Wahaca is my favourite place on earth!!!!! :)

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