Something for the weekend...

If any of you are hitting the shops this weekend you may want to add this to your list....

I got this in Primark for just £2.50, I think its really cute and will go with any outfit!

Have a great weekend!

Stay Gorgeous

Grace xoxo

Hocus Focus

We all know that I am a huge Soap & Glory fan, well I have yet another product to show you!

For Christmas I got Hocus Pocus, which is an Istant Visual Flaw softening lotion! It uses Lightscramble Luminospheres to diffuse the appearence of fine lines, large pores and uneven skin tone!

Hocus pocus is definitely a multi functional product, it can be used as a high lighter by dabbing it on the cheek bones, you can use it alone to give your skin and fresh dewy look or add a couple of pumps to your foundation for that extra glow!

This is definitely a product that I recommend and will be getting some more to pop in to my kit!

Have you tried it out? What did you think?

Stay Gorgeous

Grace xoxo

As January is known for being the month you spring clean and organise, I have the perfect organising tool for you!

I got a jewelry organiser from Primark which is perfect for displaying your favourite pieces so you will never forget what you have and now picking out your accessories will be easier than ever! Best thing is it only costs £3.00! BARGAIN!

 It has 24 varied sized clear pockets and is double sided, it also has a coat hanger style hook so is easy to hang and display!

My other jewelry organiser is this earring stand which is a great way to hang all your jewels! This is old but I have seen them in shops fairly recently and I think it cost around £10.00. 

So have any of you gone OCD with spring cleaning and organising this January like me? Any tips I'm missing out on?

Stay Gorgeous

Grace xoxo

My first ever Nail Art Design!

This month in Cosmopolitan Magazine there is an article on Nail Art, which shows just how popular having a nail design on your nails has become! Back when I first started doing nail art it was seen as a "chavy" thing to do and although the odd person would have it on their toe nails as a treat for going on holiday (or maybe because they knew no one was going to see it!?), It really wasn't the done thing!

Now fast forward ten years and its everywhere....Finally our creative sides have been unleashed! So this weekend I was going through a cupboard and I found my old nail art display unit with loads of designs I did when I first started playing around with nail art! Luckily my skills have developed since then!

So I thought this week I would show you my first ever nail art design that I painted on someones nails!

This design is really easy but its very pretty and effective! You can change the colours and even place the design coming from the top of the nail rather than the bottom, or you could brighten up a classic french polish using this design too!

Here is my video tutorial that shows you how to get this look....

Stay Gorgeous

Grace xoxo

Beauty Bargain

Last week I popped into TK Maxx, which I tend to find a hit or miss store but this time it was definitely a HIT!! I went in to get a birthday present and whilst I was browsing I came across a make up stand which most of the things were broken but something glittery caught my eye... The Elf Smoky Eye Christmas palette!

The palette consists of nine eye shadows, three cream eye liners, eye liner pencil and a eye shadow brush. This was on sale for £4.99, It is on the elf website for £6.00 so it's not a huge saving but I didn't have to pay for shipping so that was a bonus!

So next time you're near a TK Maxx it might be worth having a rummage through the beauty section!

Stay gorgeous

Grace xoxo

This will make you laugh...

When I was at someones house the other day I noticed they had this card on their mantle piece...

It made me laugh, I hope its brings a smile to your face too! Have a great weekend.

Stay Gorgeous

Grace xoxo

I've been tagged!

So the lovely Jessie over at Hello Beautiful tagged me in a tag post just before new year (sorry jessie for taking so long!) and this is my reply...


The Rules:
1. Post these rules.
2. You must post 11 random things yourself.
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post.
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
5. Go to their blog and tell them that you've tagged them.
6. No stuff in the tagging section about ‘you are tagged if you are reading this.’ Blah blah blah, you legiti­mately have to tag 11 peeps!


Random facts about me:
1. I have a scar on my bottom lip from when I fell over at my grandmas house aged two!
2. I've traveled around Australia and Hong Kong
3. I was almost on the local news for moisturising an elephant at Bristol zoo!
4. I have never had a filling in my teeth
5. I hate chicken on bones....YUCK!
6. My favourite vegetable are courgettes
7. My dream job would be on the tv production Casualty
8. I have a dog called jonny and he looks like a mini sausage dog
9. I love the Kardashians (i Know...don't judge)
10. I am addicted to Made In Chelsea and The Only Way Is Essex
11. I can only eat bananas if they are still a little bit green! 


Jessie's Questions
1. What's your all time favorite song?
My favourite all time song is Gabrielle by Roy Davis Jnr
2. What's your favorite season?

Summer!

3. One thing that you wish you had, but is not realistic to get?
A Range Rover Vouge 
4. What's your favorite show?
I absolutely love love love gossip girl!
5. Flats or Heels?
Flats but only because i'm tall (and I cant walk in heels!)
6. What holiday do you celebrate?
Christmas.....My favourite time of year!
7. What's your New Year resolution?
To spend more time on myself, paint my nails, wear lip stick, use false lashes and use my heated rollers more!
8. What's your favorite place to visit?
London.... I love that anything goes and you can do anything you like there!
9. Favorite brand of winter shoes (i.e Uggs, Bear Paw, Emu, Air Walk, etc)
I have lived in my Emu boots this winter
10.Favorite Brand and Scent of Candles?
I don't know what brand they are but the candles that are in tins, I always get them for xmas to last me the year!
11.What would you want in a dream date night?
Romance and fairy lights!


My Questions
1. What is your earliest memory
2. Where is your favourite place you have been on holiday
3. Whats your favourite nail varnish (name and range)
4. Who is your celebrity crush
5. Whats your can't live with out beauty product
6. Where you you go on the holiday of your dreams
7. Bad boys or Nice boys
8. Whats the most outrageous colour you have ever dyed your hair
9. Twitter or Facebook
10.First make up item you ever bought
11.Favourite Cocktail


I Tag....


Lauren - Budget Beauty Queen
Stacey - The HQ of Beauty
Em - It's Em
Emma - Flossie's Beauty Love
Laura - Secret diary of a beauty journalist
Tanya - Secrets from behind the mask
Helly - Nail Newbie
MediaMarmalade - Marmalade
Annabel - Yoyo and Bel
Siobhan - A girl and a Beauty blog
Gem - Flutter and Sparkle


I can't wait to read everyone's answers!


Stay Gorgeous


Grace xoxo

Nail care tips!

This week instead of bringing you a nail design (because my nails broke off!) I thought I would bring you some Nail Care tips instead!

This time of year is not good for your nails with the cold weather drying them out, so I am going to show you some must have products that you should have in your nail kit to help keep them looking good at all times!

Essential products:
Acetone free nail varnish remover
Cuticle oil (my faves Avoplex - OPI, Rose Cuticle Oil - Boots)
Hand cream (my faves Hand food - Soap & Glory, Dessert Rose - L'Occitane)
Nail Files (always file in towards the middle and not a sawing movement)
Manicure sticks (Orange sticks)

I hope you have found this helpful!

Stay Gorgeous

Grace xoxo

Birthday Wish List!

My Birthday is coming up soon, well its seven weeks away but who's counting! But it's not just any old birthday it's my 30th (aaarrrggghhhh!!!), which I have to say fills me with dread a little bit, but many people have said life starts at 30 so I am going with that!

Over the weekend my mum asked me what I wanted, very surprisingly I didn't have any instant thoughts but after having a browse around the net I have come up with a few things for my wish list, I'm sure I will be adding more as I find other things! Now don't get me wrong, I am not making this list and expecting everything on it, so please don't think I greedy! It is simply a list of things I would love to have at some point!

 The Urban Decay Naked 2 palette, I have done a little research on the Naked palettes and I actually prefer the colours in the second palette.

 I love anything glittery, and these little beauties would be a great addition to my kit!

 I have been wanting one of these EOS lip balms for ages! I think the lemon one sounds yummy!

Ok, Ok, I admit it I love the Kardashian's! I have wanted this book for ages but have never got around to getting it so my my wish list it goes!

This would be a Big present and if I'm honest I would be more than happy to be given some money towards getting this camera. I really want to get a great camera this year as I want to be able to take pics of my work that will be good enough to add to my portfolio!

 I love this watch from Asos, it's so cute and it would be perfect for everyday!

This is my all time favourite perfume! 

I'm sure my list could go on and on but I will stop boring you all now and leave it there! Can you think of any other goodies I could add to my list?

Stay Gorgeous

Grace xoxo

Make Up Monday - Foundation routine!

This weeks Make Up Monday was requested and its my Foundation routine and the products I use.

The products that I currently use every day are:
Daily Youth Moisturiser - Soap & Glory
Studio Finish Concealer - MAC
Erase Paste - Benefit
Lasting Finish foundation - Rimmel
Luminous pressed powder - Sleek

Have you tried any of these products? Are there any different products you think I should try out?

Happy Make Up Monday!

Stay Gorgeous

Grace xoxo

What to do???

Ok, so for about a month I have been contemplating having a full fringe cut in! As most of you will know from previous pics I already have a Sweeping side fringe which I have had since I was about 16! So it is definitely a distinguishing feature of mine, but over the years (and there are far too many of them for my liking!) I have occasionally swapped to a full fringe, but as it grows so fast I tend to cut it back over to the side after a few weeks!

Well now it's the new year I am thinking it could be time for a new hair cut?

With celebrities pulling off the look its seems now may well be the time to bring back the bangs! So what do you all think, shall I or shan't I?

Stay Gorgeous

Grace xoxo

Barry M Croc Effect!

When I saw this nail varnish advertised I initially thought it was just another way of phrasing "shatter" nail varnish but after pondering over whether to buy it or not I thought I would give it a go and actually I am not disappointed!

Unlike the normal shatter / crackle style varnishes, which is very random in design, the crock effect has rounded form to its finish! It looks a lot neater and if I'm honest I prefer the croc finish to the original.

 Shatter / Crackle effect

Barry M Croc effect

The application is still the same, apply on top of a nearly dry colour base and then wait up to 3 minutes for the effect to show! You are left with what I think is quite a subtle looking nail design! I would advise applying a thin layer of the croc effect as if it's too thick it will form more patches and the effect wont be so even.

Have you tried the Barry M Croc effect nail varnish? What were your thoughts?

Stay Gorgeous

Grace xoxo

Quote of the day...

If you BELIEVE in yourself

ANYTHING is possible

I'm not sure who wrote this but it is a quote I will be trying to live by from now on!

Stay Gorgeous

Grace xoxo

Make Up Monday - Spring Clean!

New year New you.... This is something I hear a lot in January but it doesn't just apply to you! If one of your new year resolutions was to look after yourself more or be more organised then this post is perfect for you!

Now is the perfect time to get all your make up primed and ready to start the year as you mean to go on! Throw out any old make up that has been hanging around in the bottom of your make up bag and stock up on your favourite products or treat yourself to something new with any Christmas money or vouchers you may have been given.

Spring clean your products by making sure they are all clean and tidy, wash your make up brushes and freshen up your hair brushes!

So now I am all spring cleaned and ready to start the new year in style, I will be kicking off the Make Up Monday tutorials from next week! If you have any requests or suggestions for any future tutorials please leave me a comment or let me know on Facebook or Twitter.

Stay Gorgeous

Grace xoxo

New Years Resolutions!

As it is the 1st January it seems only right to do a post on my new years resolutions. The new year normally means the start of a whole list of things you wish to achieve, change or simply discard but come the end of January that list may well have been filed in the never to be seen again pile!

Well that is often the case for me and I haven't actually bothered making any new year resolutions for the past few years for that very reason, but this year is different, I am quite literally leaving the past behind in 2011 and starting afresh for 2012! My thinking behind this post is that if I actually put my list out there, I will have to stick to it so here goes!

Personal Resolutions:

• Continue to lose weight and get to my goal - So far I have lost four and a half stone, most of this has been done by following the weight watchers pro points plan, I think I would like to lose another two stone eight pounds or be a comfortable size 14 (or small 16) so when I feel comfortable at a weight/size that will be where I stop! I have always been curvy and I was at my happiest when I was a 14 so I would like to get back to that! It will also mean I can do some outfit of the day posts too!
• Use my heated rollers, wear fake lashes and lipstick more! I am a simplistic girl at heart when it comes to my make up and hair, I spend my time making other people glamorous but when it comes to me I take the easy route! So I need to inject more glamour into my routine, not necessarily every day but often! So I have dug out the heated rollers, stocked up on lashes and and have enough lipstick to sink a battle ship! 
• Learn to say NO - I am a people pleaser and definitely find it hard to say no, but last year showed me that what goes around doesn't always come back around when it comes to niceness so its time for me to put myself first and say no sometimes, I'm sure the world won't fall apart if I do??

Blog Resolutions:

• I wish to be more consistent with my posts, I want to make more time to get posts up even if it means scheduling them ready for the week ahead.
• BELIEVE - I am so inspired by other bloggers and youtubers but sometimes find myself doubting whether I am as good as them, but I need to remember I am ME and that is a good thing! I am so grateful to all the followers and subscribers I already have and love that my words are read by you all!
• Continue loving what I do! It goes without saying that if you are not enjoying what you are doing that will show, so I am so lucky that I love what I do and I hope that continues through out 2012!

So that's it, my list of new years resolutions! Have you made any, if so what are they? I hope that 2012 brings you all happiness and that your dreams all come true!

Stay Gorgeous

Grace xoxo