Take A Peek Inside My Living Room

I'm no interior designer, but when me and husband moved into our first home back in November, I knew exactly how I wanted the house to look. Lucky for us, the house needed completely redecorating before we moved in and the landlord allowed us to choose colours and flooring to our taste.

I'm proud of how our home has turned out and I wanted to show you all a little peek of some of the things we have in our living room.

Here's a list of my favourite home ware shops and the places were we bought most of our stuff from:

-TK Maxx
-Ikea
-H&M
-Asda
-Zara Home
-Tiger
-Urban Outfitters
-Shabby Chic Shops
-Charity Shops
-Craft Fairs

Did you like this post? Would you like to see more 'Peek inside...' posts?

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Sunday Ramblings

I'm slowly getting back into my blogging routine again; it's something I really enjoy doing, but I find it hard to find the time. I've decided to do a little bit more of 'lifestyle' blogging, which is really hard, as I'm at work most of the time, or at home, watching Netflix or reading.

However, I've decided to give it a little go, because somebody might find my ramblings interesting.

This week has felt very 'Spring Like' as as soon as I get that feeling, I have to urge to chuck all of my junk away and try to invent a more organised, healthy version of myself.

I'm not sure if I've mentioned it before on my blog, but I've been on a diet since January. Although, at this point, I don't think I can call it a diet, because I really feel like these changes will last a life time. I've lost between 10 lbs to a stone (I didn't weigh myself until after a couple of weeks of dieting,) I used to eat so unhealthily, which made me feel like crap all of the time. And although in the last couple of weeks, I have indulged in the odd takeaway, I know it will never get to the point it was before. I want to lose another half a stone to be at my 'target'.

However, I want a couple of strict weeks again, to just get myself back on track.

I had a huge clear out of my make up on Saturday. I own so much I know that I will never use; whether it's old make up palettes I bought before replacing them with high end alternatives (Makeup Revolution Iconic 3, I'm looking at you.) or makeup I received in Glossy Boxes or goody bags from events that are just not my taste/ colour. I felt obliged to keep them, but I know they will be at least used when given to my mum or sister.

I want to do a wardrobe clear out too, but I think I'm going to focus on that next weekend.

Now the nights are lasting longer, I think I'm going to start going on walks in the evening. I get stressed really easily, so at least a nice stroll in the evening will help clear my head.

Lastly, I wanted to mention that I want to start writing again. By this, I mean fiction writing. I studied Creative Writing at University, and I want to one day publish a book (even if it doesn't do very well haha.) I bought a little notebook from TK Maxx to jot down my ideas. I also received a Planner from the Hull Bloggers meet, which I will definitely be using to keep me organised.

Well, that's my first Sunday rambles post over with. How has your week been? Have you been getting the 'Spring feeling' yet?

Kiko Campus Idol Collection*

I recently attended another Hull blogger meet up in which I received four different products from the new Campus Idol Collection from Kiko.

I've tried Kiko make-up previously, buying it from the Bristol shop. However, I get quite overwhelmed walking in as there is so much to choose from! But knowing the quality of the products I already owned, I was excited to try out stuff from their new range.

The design of the products is inspired by American Universities, and they are supposed to create a 'vivacious, rather sassy cheerleader transformed into a true leader with an ironic, casual look when she steps into an urban setting' look, whatever that means. 

I received the campus Idol Face Brush and I can honestly say that I have nothing like this in my collection. It can be used for loose or pressed powders, but due too the sheer size of the brush, I think I'm going to use it to lightly bronze my face. This brush retails for £14.90. 

I also received the Pump It Up Volume and Curl Mascara which retails at £6.20. I haven't used this yet, due to the short expiry dates on mascaras, but I've never tried a Kiko mascara so I'm very curious. I do find the packaging quite bulky compared to some of my other mascaras, but now I'm just being picky. 

Lastly, I received two lip products. To be honest, I think I'm going to give these away, as although I'm sure they're lovely products, they're just not the right colours for me. 

The first one is the Urban Sheen Lipgloss, and I received it in the shade Soft Hydrangea. This retails at £3.40. It's a pretty peachy coral, but it barely shows up on my lips. I would not have said this is a lip gloss, instead a sheer lipstick. I'd love to try another shade of this, maybe 'Fiery Poppy.' 

Lastly, I received the Double Match Lipstick and Lip Liner which retails at £5.50. I got this in the shade Cool Rose and I straight away knew that this would be too light for me. Although I'm pale, my lips are dark and I suit more brown nudes than peachy nudes. It's a shame because in the tube, the colour looks stunning. I really like the concept of this, with the lip liner at one end, and the lipstick at the other. However, the texture was just a bit too creamy for my liking and I think it would end up all over my teeth and chin. I much prefer my Vivid Colour Lipstick Pencil. 

Have you tried any of the new Kiko range? 

*Received in a Goody Bag

Hull Blogger March Meet

I was lucky enough to grab a last minute place to the Hull Bloggers March Meet. Unlike the August meet which was more of an event, this meet up was a lovely meal and catch up with 20 local bloggers.

The meet up took place at Al Porto and I ordered the winter salad which was delicious. There was so much chicken on my plate!

Events can be daunting and I was lucky enough to be surrounded by some familiar faces, but the organisers had written out some questions for us all to ask each other. It was interesting to learn why others had started blogging and what bloggers they follow. 

Of course, no Hull Blogger event is complete without an amazing goody bag. Here are some of the lovely products we were treated too.

I want to thank the organisers (twitter @HBHullBloggers) and a special shout out to Kat (@kjw130384) who couldn't make it as she was ill. I look forward to the next event. 

Check back in tomorrow for the first review of some of the products I received in the goody bag. 

Nude Nails Favourites

Isn't this time of year just awkward? One minute, the suns shining so you break out your floral's and pastel colours, and the next, you're scraping frost off your car and wrapped up in four layers.

Gone are the reds and berry colours we wore on our nails for the festive season, yet I still don't feel it the right weather to be rocking the mint and corals. I've been increasingly drawn to nude nail colours, and I think they're perfect for this time of year. Here are some of my favourites.

The PS Love nail polish in the shade 07 Nude was only 60p from Primark, and it's actually a pretty decent polish. I wore it to my friends wedding.

Formula X is a tad more pricey, and as far as I know, only available in Sephora (who can't ship polishes over to the UK) This shade is Thrilling and I got it as part of the Formula X The System To Go sets, in which you receive a cleanser, base coat and top all clicked together in a set. I'm not sure they do this exact one now, but Thrilling is available on it's own or part of a set with other polishes. On my nails, with the base and top coat, this lasted about five days without chipping.

Cappuccino  by Max Factor is stunning. It's £4.99 which I think is pricey for a mini polish, but I got it as a 3 for 2 offer.

I can't find the shade name for the Kiko polish, which isn't helpful, I know. But I think it cost £2.30 from the store in Bristol. This is a completely unique shade, almost too pink to be a 'nude' but not bright enough to be anything else. I've not yet tried this polish, but I've tried previous from Kiko and like their polishes.

Lastly is Chic and Cheerful from Rimmel. The colour is slightly darker, and slightly greyer than the Max Factor polish. I actually found it in Poundland so it was a complete bargain. I really like this polish, and it was really easy to apply.

Do you have any 'Nude' nail polish suggestions?