Current Favourites.

It seems that, yet again, I have neglected my blog.

I thought I would make my return (where I hopefully post more frequently) a current favourites, seeing as its too early to be an April favourites and too late to be a March favourites.



http://www.amazon.co.uk/It-Alexa-Chung/dp/0141975741

I bought this book on a whim whilst out in Waterstones with a few of my flatmates and have not yet gotten around to reading the whole book yet, but from what I have read so far, I have thoroughly enjoyed it. Though, it isn't exactly what I expected - when purchasing I expected it to be more of a photography fashion and makeup 'advice' book, speaking about her personal experiences, though it was very different. The book is almost like a mood board, where she writes about her life experiences, reminding me of a autobiography but more creative. I have never read a book with this layout and I am quite excited to read the remainder.



http://www.amazon.co.uk/Letters-My-Future-Self-Treasure/dp/1452125376/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1460416650&sr=8-1&keywords=letters+to+my+future+self

I had pined over this book for so, so long. It's a book, within it is several envelopes that fold out into pages, all titled something for you to write about. So, one of the pages is "a letter to my love", the general idea is to write the letter, label it with the day you wrote it and give yourself a day in the far future to open it! I had been looking at it for ages in Waterstones as I absolutely love the idea. Over the Easter break my boyfriend had bought it for me, hoping to give it me as a birthday present - which epically failed considering my birthday is in July - but I absolutely adore it and I am incredibly thankful that he remembered.

https://www.hollisterco.com/shop/uk/girls-fragrance--1

After a day trip to Stratford-Upon-Avon, we stopped off in Birmingham for a small shopping trip (which actually turned into being a huge shopping trip) I stopped off in Hollister. I decided to purchase two more body mists. I've owned Lunada Bay and Crescent Bay for a while now and decided that Vista Cove and Silver Strand Beach had to join the family. I would describe the scents, but frankly, I cant, so you'll just have to go to Hollister and smell them yourself!

                                 

                             

                       

                                https://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/13854/310/Products/Makeup/Lips/Lipstick/Lipstick

I have been wanting a new MAC lipstick for a while now and I haven't known which shade I have wanted, out of the 170 shades, I own 5 of them and I decided I needed a sixth. I'm not a huge lipstick wearer on an everyday basis, unless its your basic nude (my normal go to is in fact Velvet Teddy) but I decided to go for more of a pinky/browny shade and surprisingly it actually does suit me. I bought the shade Whirl as one of my friends had posted a photo on Instagram of the lipstick and lip pencil and I was very intrigued and decided to purchase - which was definitely a good shout.

http://www.beautybay.com/cosmetics/morphebrushes/35p35colorplumpalette/

I have wanted a new Naked palette for a while - after buying the Naked2 over an year ago - but for only a few shades, I wasn't willing to pay another £38 no matter how incredible they are. I had saw a lot of people raving about Morphe and their products and many images of their palettes were popping up all over my social media, so, yes, I jumped on that bandwagon as well. For only £19, I believe that 35 shades is amazing. The pigment is so, so good and completely worth the money I had paid. I also picked a very good palette as the colours are very wearable and GORGEOUS!

https://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/13804/351/Products/Brushes-Tools/Brushes/Eye-Brushes/204-Lash-Brush
https://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/13804/823/Products/Brushes-Tools/Brushes/Eye-Brushes/263-Small-Angle-Brush
https://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/13804/380/Products/Brushes-Tools/Brushes/Eye-Brushes/217-Blending-Brush

I had been lusting over MAC brushes for quite a while and on the same day I visited Stratford-Upon-Avon with a few of my flatmates, I was lucky enough to pop into the MAC shop afterwards where I had a bit of a naughty splurge. The first brush, 204, is normally used for mascara, though I decided to use it for my eyebrows and, yes, its been good, but in all honesty, I could of just bought a cheaper one and I'm sure it would have just done the same job. On the other hand 263 has been a wonder. My eyebrows have never looked so good and my boyfriend keeps making comments about how my eyebrows look 'on point' (though I'm sure he doesn't really know what he's on about). Lastly is the 217, which I'm sure most of you have heard A LOT about. I have wanted the 217 for such a long time as I have heard so many bloggers talk about how amazing it is and I can now agree that it is, in fact, incredible. I don't want to harp on about it too much because I'm sure you've heard enough about it, but my eye shadow has never looked so good (although my bank balance is cursing me right now!)

https://www.boots.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10052&productId=1753182

As an avid Cosmopolitan, Vogue and Glamour reader, I had seen this product in every magazine for a long time. I had not read much into it but after using The Body Shop's InstaBlur for many a year, I branched out and bought one from Barry M. To be honest, I did just pick up the first one I saw which ended up being the brightening one which claims to minimise pores, brighten dull skin and it claims to keep your make-up matte. I can confirm it does all three. My skin hasn't looked so healthy bright and I have barely noticed my pores, though I have had to cover my nose with Benefit's Porefessional in addition. I would totally recommend and I'm guessing that the other primers would be just as good. 

http://www.asos.com/?hrd=1
**(I would like to say that this skirt was not bought from ASOS, it was in fact bought from Primark, who do not advertise their A Line Denim skirt on their website)

I have been very wary of my legs for a long while and I had chosen to buy a denim skirt on a complete whim. I bought this after trying it on (which was a nightmare) as my hips and waist are completely different sizes. Though after purchasing and actually wearing it out in public, shock horror, I love it. I felt so confident in it and other than it riding up due to my bigger hips, I had no problems and surprisingly with tights, it was considerably warm. For £10 I was very happy. 

https://uk.lush.com/products/masks/rosy-cheeks

I don't really have too much to say about the face mask other than it lives up to everything it claims to do. I thoroughly recommend before purchasing any Lush face masks, you should ask to have them tested on your skin, just in case. I spent a good while smelling all of the masks and Rosy Cheeks was indeed my favourite (with Oatfix being a solid second, though I have already owned this one). It smells absolutely divine, just like roses, a few of my friends have asked to smell my face whilst I have been wearing it and they have all freely stroked my face once I have taken it off. I NEED to repurchase in a bigger tub.

https://uk.lush.com/products/breath-fresh-air

Lastly, on the same day I bought Breath of Fresh Air, toner water. I love the smell of this, I cant really describe it other than it smells very fresh (as it claims) when sprayed on my face it feels so cooling and it just feels like it will benefit my skin so much - which it has. I spray it every evening, after I've taken my make up off and I just take a simple cotton pad and wipe it all off my face - which then takes off the remainder of my make up. When I wake up in the morning, my skin is so soft and fresh and I just love it.


So, I made my comeback! Hopefully I will post more, more frequently (whomever may read this, please leave post suggestions in the comments). Thank you for taking your time to read and I apologise for frequently rambling. 

Chelsey x

twitter; @chelssteward
instagram; chelsstewardxxx

August Favourites.

I completely understand that 'August Favourites' are meant to be done either in August, or September 1st and it's typical of me to leave it until September 4th.

Throughout the month of August I have had so many favourites, it was so hard to only pick a few to talk about. 

So here are my August favourites, I hope you enjoy!!

                                  

I thought I would start with my film favourite and there's no doubt that it's Cinderella. This has easily become my second favourite Disney movie of all time - which is actually a huge thing seeing as I'm literally a Disney fanatic. I went to watch it in the cinema when it was released and I took my 8 year old niece and she absolutely loved it and I have to admit that whilst I was surrounded by children aged 5-12, I was probably one of the only people who cried at the movie. Definitely would recommend this magic movie. 

 

                                 

My second favourite is Girl On The Train. Choosing my favourite book for the month was probably the hardest decision if them all, I can easily read 2-4 books a month and August was no exception. I haven't even finished reading the book yet - but I love it. It's so mysterious and captivating (I obviously won't give the storyline away) but it's so good! No wonder everyone is talking about it!!

                      

Although BADLANDS was released late August, I've been waiting for it for so long that it immediately became a favourite. I could go on and on about how much I love the album and how I play it every morning before I go to work, especially the song Control, which I probably listen to at least 4 times a day...oops?

                                  

     
 I have a few beauty favourites, one of them being the Maybelline Color Drama lip pencils in the shades Fab Orange and Nude Perfection. I wear Nude Perfection almost everyday, as the name states, it's honestly the perfect nude colour. It's one of those shades that (for me) can be classed as "your lips but better". I'm not very adventurous when it comes to make up but so purchasing Fab Orange was a bit of a risk but I really like the colour. The lip pencils themselves can be quite drying but if you put a balm or moisturiser underneath you're good to go and they last for such a long time.

                                

I bought two of the Hollister fragrances and out of the two Crescent Bay is my favourite. (I'm so bad at describing scents) but it's so summery and fruity, it makes me so happy and light when I spritz it. I've always loved Hollister scents, one I had previously smelt of cherry bake-wells and everything owned was covered in the spray, huge recommendation.

                                

(I apologise for the dirty lid, oops) but I recently bought L'Oreal true match foundation in the shade vanilla and I love it. It's so light on my skin and the shade is perfect. My skin tone is so strange because I'm very pale but because of my freckles I almost have tan cheeks, it's weird and I always struggle to find a foundation but this one just seems to be the perfect shade. It's so subtle too, my skin doesn't look cakey and it isn't heavy at all.

 

                               

When I bought my Naked 2 palette I got 4 tester primers and I enjoyed using them all, but I couldn't justify spending £18 on a primer! I ended up buying a Rimmel primer - but my eye shadow creased and I found that my eyeliner would also turn out an off-grey colour instead of black. So, obviously I just HAD to purchase the Urban Decay one, even if it did cost £18. I bought it in the shade Eden and it's amazing. 

                               

   
 And my final favourite of the month is my iPad! As a few of you may know, in 23 days I'm moving out and going to University and as a 'leaving present' my sister splashed out and bought me an iPad, which I'm totally thankful for. I haven't used it for UNI yet (for obvious reasons) but it's my ultimate favourite of the month. I was going to pick the iPad mini, but I'm so relieved I bought the air as its HUGE and its perfect for what I need
 

Thanks for reading!

Chelsey xxx

twitter; https://twitter.com/ChelsSteward
instagram; https://instagram.com/chelsstewardxxx

   

#UseYourAnd

If I'm correct, I set up my blog in September last year and at first I was absolutely obsessed. I was constantly brainstorming and planning new blog ideas, but for some unknown reason I fell out of love with my blog. I still have no idea why, but recently I've been reading a lot more blogs and I've fell back in love - and I hope I continue being in love!

I decided that I wanted to re-start my page, so I deleted all my previous posts, changed the entire layout and now I'm starting all over again, with topics that I truly care about and things I enjoy reading myself.

They told you, you could be anything.
A beautiful astronaut
A soccer playing ballerina
A superstar.

Back in January, Gillette Venus started a campaign to #UseYourAnd, encouraging females to step out of the box and be more than a one dimensional label that will limit your potential. As women we have been asked to take a stand against labels and we have been encouraged to show our personalities, rather than being labelled on a first glance or a quick introduction. It's extremely easy to put people into a category, females and males.

"She's just a girl"
"He's someone from school"
"She's no one special"
"He's just a friend"

If everyone looked closer, we are much more than "just people".

I am a female and I am a (very poor) blogger. I am a daughter and a sister and an auntie. I am also a best friend. I am a cashier and I am about to start my first year of University. I am persistent and I am proud of the person I've become. I am happy and I am sad. I am more than just a girl. I am bubbly and I am loud, I am appreciative and I am caring. I am slow and I am insecure.

We don't need to be just one thing. #UseYourAnd is a way to empower beauty from the inside, celebrating every little thing that makes you unique, to show all the different sides that the average person wouldn't see.

Be proud of yourself and #UseYourAnd.

Chelsey xxx


twitter; https://twitter.com/ChelsSteward
instagram; https://instagram.com/chelsstewardxxx