Hull Blogger Goody Bag

We were all lucky enough to receive a goody bag at the Hull Blogger event that I attended in September. 18 brands were involved in the meet overall, donating raffle prizes or contributing to the goody bags.

In the Goody Bag, I received a Hull Blogger tote bag. I always try to carry a tote bag with me so I don't have to buy plastic bags so this will get plenty of use. UltraDEX and Nanshy have been involved in Hull Blogger meets before, but I've never tried the UltraDEX Oral spray, or the Nanshy Fan Brush.

We also got some samples of Paul Mitchell shampoo and conditioner which I'm looking forward to trying.

Tessies is a local shop which I used to go in when I was a student and they kindle gave contributed some jewellery to the goody bags, as well as a gift card.

In the raffle, I won some Creightons Beautiful Brunette shampoo and conditioner. It has argon oil in and smells incredible.

I also won a thatlamecompany print for being most active on social media. This will go in my bedroom once I've bought all my new furniture.

Here's a list of all the brands who got involved in the meet:

Liquid Jade
Aloha Lola Cards
Boomf
Busy B
Paul Mitchell
Personal Planner
UltraDEX
Nanshy
DateNight
DIWAH Jewellery
In Retrospect Magazine
Lobster Homeware
Little-Known Box
thatlamecompany
The Hull Pie
Empire Girl Planner
Tessies
Poorboy Boutique

Have you tried anything from any of these brands?

Hello October!

October is by far my favourite month. I feel like it really is the beginning of Autumn and it's now okay to wear jumpers and dark lipstick.

Not only that, but my birthday falls at the end of the month.

I've just come back from a couple of weeks in Orlando and they take Autumn (or Fall as it is in the US) very seriously. Even though I went at the beginning of September, I've come back with so much pumpkin flavoured food, candles and general Autumn inspired things which I can't wait to show on the blog.

I'm hoping to blog every day this month, but I always say this and it never goes to plan. But I've got some exciting posts planned coming up in the next couple of days, including a Sephora haul, so keep checking back.

What's your favourite thing about Autumn?

Glossy Box // September Review

Despite not receiving the correct MUA palette I chose for August box for the second month in a row, Septembers Glossy Box was really good.

I was already looking forward to receiving this box after seeing a sneak preview last month showing us that we would be receiving the Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara. I've had this mascara twice before and was glad to get it again. It leaves my lashes so thick and long, and I will continue to repurchase this.

A Hydro Face Mask was also featured in this box. I feel face masks are so common in beauty boxes and leave me quite uninspired. This retails for £7.99 which is more than I would ever pay for just one mask. However, after just leaving a 9 hour flight and two weeks of continuous sun, my skin could do with some hydration. Hopefully, this lives up to it's claims of 120 hydration.

I've not tried anything from Rodial before and received a Smokey Eye Pen worth £17. I don't usually like receiving eye liners but I swatched this on my hand and it smoked out beautifully.

The last makeup item I received was a Long Lasting Lip Marker from Gosh. I love Gosh but don't have that much from the brand. This colour seemed a little bright considering we're just about to go into Autumn and perhaps a berry shade would have been more suited. However, I've only swatched this on my hand so it may look completely different on the lips.

Lastly, there was a Gel Envy Diamond Top Coat from Revlon. I actually like receiving top coats as I can never seem to keep my polish on for more than a few days without it chipping.

As a little extra we all received a small sample of a Body Shop Face Mask. I do like Body Shop products and I don't mind face masks when they're not in place of another product. I'm looking forward to trying this out.

I hope next months box is as good as this one with as many makeup products. What did you think of this months Glossy Box?

Hull Bloggers Meet // Sept 2016

Just over a couple of weeks ago, you would have seen my social media filled with posts about the #hullbloggers event held in Liquid Jade (infact I won a prize for being most active on social media.) I've only just got round to writing a blog post about it as I left the day after to go to Orlando.

The event was held in Liquid Jade which was right up my street with the decor. I never knew it existed as it's quite hidden away, but I'll definitely visit again to try some of their scrumptous cake and coffee.

It was lovely to see some familar faces at the Hull blogger meet- I've made some great friends through Hull blogger meets, some who even came to my wedding! It was nice to talk to some new bloggers too.

The event was quite laid back, with everyone chatting over a drink, posing with a DIY photo booth and examining the extensive collection of teas that Liquid Jade where offering. But at the same time Charley , Hannah and Courtney (our blogger hosts) kept us busy with a blogging bucket list and a small taste of the blogger workshop they have been running. I unfortunately couldn't attend the first one as it was my first wedding anniversary, however, I loved the idea of the workshop and I left inspired to find more time to put into my blog.

The event ended with a raffle (the proceeds going to local charity Purple House) and goody bags being given out. Both raffle and bags contained some lovely bits and I will do another blog post showing what I won and received.

Once again, thanks to the hosts and all the brands who got involved. There is a #hullbloggers twitter @hullbloggers which you can follow to keep up to date with the latest blogging events happening in Hull.

Breakfast Banana Smoothie!

Sometimes, the most simple smoothies are the best ones- and this one has only four  ingredients.

All you need is one banana, porridge oats, milk and cinnamon (optional).

I break the banana up with my fingers and put it in the smoothie maker. I add 2 tablespoons of plain porridge oats, and then pour in enough milk to fill the size of the glass I want. I then add cinnamon to taste.

This takes me less than a minute to make, and is delicious. I recently went to a little cafe in the town centre which did the same smoothie and charged £3.50.

Do you have a favourite smoothie recipe?

Seventeen Mirror Shine Lipstick 'Beehive' // Review

Seventeen is a brand whose makeup stand I often walk past. But everything I've tried from Seventeen, I've really liked.

I recently rediscovered my Mirror Shine Lipstick in the shade 'Beehive' which I bought a while ago. The Youtuber Lily Melrose shares the same taste in makeup that I do, so when she recommended this in a haul I watched ages ago, I went out and bought it straight away.

The lipstick is only £4.19 and I can say I don't own anything else like this lipstick. The shade 'Beehive' is a peachy nude colour which is a perfect everyday shade. I recently went on a trip to Whitby and this was the only nude I brought with me.

The finish is quite glossy and sheer, but also moisturising which is what I'm looking for as we keep having these mini heat waves. The packaging is very sleek and smart, and also has a mirror tucked in with the lipstick which I don't have on any other packaging.

This is such a great everyday shade, and it will probably end up in my Florida makeup bag now I've rediscovered it.

Have you tried any lipsticks from this range? What did you think?

Shopping My Stash // Skin and Body Products

I love bank holidays as I use them as an excuse to sort out a load of my stuff. The first May bank holiday, I took as an opportunity to sort through all of my makeup, chucking out what was old, or giving away what I didn't like/ use and it was quite successful.

However, I own quite a bit more skin care/ hair care/ body products than I do make up. So much so that I have a full Ikea Alex 9 drawer full of products, a train case, a Christmas Soap & Glory box full, and two more bags spilling over with items.

I'm not a compulsive buyer. However, I frequently go to blogger meets where the good bags are over flowing with products. Also, I'm subscribed to Glossy Box, and although Christmas was five months ago now, I'm still tackling my Lush and S&G xmas items.

The main reason for wanting to 'shop my stash' was to make more room and also save a bit of money. I have my favourite cleansers, however, instead of buying a new one when it runs out, I should use one of the five I already own.

I'm a collector, but I'm also a creature of habit. I like trying new things, but I also have my favourites. I  know a lot of people like to 'shop their stash' but I'd thought I'd write a quick post on my methods. Maybe it will inspire someone else to have a clear out, or maybe someone can offer me their own tips.

First of all I empty everything I have onto the floor and sort into piles. Some of the piles were quite specific, whilst some more general.

With my bath stuff, I simply split into body lotions and shower gels.

With hair care I split into shampoo and conditioner, dry shampoos and hair products.

Skin care was by far the biggest piles; moisturisers, serums, toners, face masks, face washes, sun cream etc...

If a product had been opened a long time, I generally threw it out, unless it still smelt/ looked okay.

Then it was time to organise everything. I tried to make my process simple. I would use my drawers (as they're the easiest to get to) to store my everyday items. The products that only had a few uses left would go in there too, and I plan to finish these first. With some items, like toner and face masks, I would only put one in the drawer, so I only had one choice and would use these first.

I had an empty Victoria Secret's bag, so I decided to put my 'back ups' in there. I put in all of my shampoo and conditioners samples. Shampoo and conditioner are 'everyday' products' and I know I buy them quite regularly. Although I already have some on the go, instead of buying more when I've finished the bottles, I can just dip into this bag.

I've also put some make up removers and cleansers in the bag. I love my Garnier Micellar Water and Soap & Glory Cleansing Milk, but I know that as long as I keep buying those products, the others won't get used.

I've also put in shower gels I've opened and used, but not finished. I have so many shower gels on the go, that I don't think I'll need to buy any until next year.

Overall, 'shopping my stash' was quite therapeutic. I've got my first ever empties post scheduled for tomorrow so be sure to check back.

Do you 'shop your stash'? Do you have any tips for me.