MY OCTOBER FAVOURITES

Hey guys!

So October is coming to a close and though I feel like I haven't actually been doing much, I've certainly become quite specific about what I'm using/wearing/watching- many a holy grail product has been discovered. I think there's just something about Autumn that makes me yearn for consistency...Alas, here's a round up of what I've been loving this month and why!

MAKEUP 

NARS really hit the spot this month and I am not even exaggerating when I say I've been wearing these two products EVERY day. Apart from one or two occasions when I started to feel bad for not utilising the rest of my makeup collection, this is combo has not left my face.
At first I didn't think of Laguna as that spectacular until I started using it to bronze up post-base application with Zoeva's 127 Luxe Sheer Cheek brush. The results have been so glorious that I've hit pan after two months with Laguna. It really does warm up my skin, it's not too matte nor shimmery and I completely understand why it's earned cult status.
It took a while for me to accept that the shade of Radiant Creamy Concealer I received for my birthday was too dark to brighten up my face but when I had, ASOS conveniently had a 25% student discount moment so I purchased the shade Custard and haven't looked back since. It is everything the name suggests and the uber creamy texture is everything my under eye area could ask for- it's divine!
I mentioned both of these in my birthday make-up haul so if you want to, you can check that post out here.

My fave lip combo of the month has been MAC's Whirl lipliner with Blankety lipstick patted in the centre of the lip. I have it on in my Twitter icon so hit me up on there to see it in action. I will upload a better picture in my next post, which will be my MAC lipstick collection.

PERFUME

I am not a perfume person. My sister is a perfume obsessive and it's something I've never really bothered with. Considering Victoria's Secret Love Spell spray is just shy of £15 why would I spend loads of money on fancy perfume, right? As you can see, being a non-perfume person has turned me into someone who sees all perfume as having Chanel no.5 mature ladylike elegance... Anyway, after being recommended it by a friend and it getting rather comfortable on my wish list for months, I finally picked me up a 50ml bottle of Georgio Armarni Si and it has become my everyday scent. In case you were wondering, I am now loving the fully fledged perfume person life.  

CLOTHES/SHOES

Not much has changed for me clothes wise recently, I have well and truly lost my Fashion Month sartorial enthusiasm and quick, casual outfits are currently the thing for me. To paint a picture for you, I haven't worn a skirt once this month simply because I'm too lazy to wear tights. I feel like I still live in my black Topshop Joni jeans and without fail wear them every week: I think it's time I get a back up pair.

Jumper- Primark
Trousers- H&M

A footwear purchase I made whilst in Manchester were these little black wonders. They are by Truffle and I got them in a shop called Ark in the Arndale centre which I'd never seen before in Londontown but basically it's a hipster-inspired Bank Fashion. They're under the same company so the comparison is rather fitting. These are really comfortable and look amazing with trousers which is something I've found hard to find, in my experience. They were £29.99 which is an absolute steal considering they're kind of Givenchy dupes. (It makes me so sad that I am too poor to avoid dupes indefinitely.)

TV

In the nature of saving the best until last, I welcome you to what I've spent this whole month doing: I AM OBSESSED WITH AMERICAN HORROR STORY.
 I've been recommending it to everyone and their Aunt Mabel and I am completely hooked. I love how each series is wrapped up by the end because episode after episode of angst and dragged out plot points is something I wish was skippable in every series. Despite being someone with no talent or expressed interest in drama/theatre studies, I always notice good acting and the cast of AHS are incredible! My favourite cast members are Evan Peters (unsurprisingly), Jessica Lange and Sarah Paulson and my most-least favorite seasons go Coven, Asylum then Murder House which isn't even accurate because I love them all. I know I'm going to watch these over and over again, I have started to quote it in my everyday life and I am a walking example of this Jenna Marbles' video. In case you were considering watching AHS, there's only 13 episodes a season, the 4th season has just started AND it's Halloween month so why haven't you started yet???

Thanks a bunch for reading, tell me what you're loving this month in the comments or link me to your October Favourites posts!

Olivia xo

MINI LOOKBOOK: Styling a Statement Bomber Jacket

At the start of summer I picked up this burnt orange bomber jacket from Hobbs in Bicester Village (outfit post from that day here) and I'm loving pairing it with simplistic outfits as a statement piece at the moment. I put together this collection of outfits to pair it with, hope you like it!

H&M Joggers, Primark tee, New Look Chelsea boots

Primark tee, Levi shorts, Adidas Superstar 80's trainers

Derp face O' Clock...

Adidas Superstar 80's

H&M crop top, Black Topshop Joni Jeans, New Look heeled chelsea boots

Dress- H&M, Tights- Primark fishnet tights cut by moi, Shoes- Dr Marten's

Topshop Lipstick in Depth

What's your favourite look?

 

Olivia xo

GLITTER FOR DAYS WITH BELISSIMO UK

If you read my blog or see me on a regular basis you will know that lipstick and I are like, really REALLY good friends. So naturally I jumped at the chance to try out some Belissimo Glitter Lips and here's what I thought of them!

The pot of glitter I received came with some cotton buds and some cute glue in a container similar to nail polish (the brush was really handy on application) in a little bag so the packaging department set us off to an excellent start.

First time round, I went straight in with applying the glitter, a move I now regret deeply. I made the collossal and tragic mistake of blotting my lips together whilst glittering my life away which left me in a sticky, messy predicament that I would advise avoiding. To do so I'd say the best way to go about applying is definitely doing one lip at a time- Glue. Glitter. Repeat. Luckily enough the pot comes with enough glitter to allow for plenty uneducated mistakes and so a second, more successful, attempt was made.

At first I was skeptical about the whole glue situation because unsurprisingly my mouth and glue are not really that familiar and I thought the glue would smell or taste weird. However, as the glue is water based it didn't smell or taste disgusting on my lips before I bedazzled them. I would definitely advise using a lip scrub of some form before application because I forgot to and think it would look smoother on the lips if I had done.

I also popped on some of my Lipstick Queen invisible lip liner pre-application to avoid bleeding/ feathering and so I didn't have a indistinguishable lip line. I was surprised by the lack of fall out there was as honestly I expected a shimmering hot mess of a mouth area but for the 3 hours I had it on for it didn't budge, smudge or make me look like I used a highlighter as a powder at all...The website says they last 12 hours and though I'm not sure I'd ever be wearing them for that long, longevity is always a bonus.

Considering how long-winded it is to remove glitter nail varnish I expected taking this off to be an issue but alas all it took was a makeup wipe and it was gone without a trace! I'm not sure what colour the one I got sent is as it doesn't have a shade written on it but from looking at the website I have a feeling it's Gilded Peach.

Overall I was really impressed with the product and I now know exactly where to turn for inspo for my next fancy dress makeup. I saw the pop up stand in Topshop when I was in Manchester and reckon one of the darker shades would look banging for a Halloween look. Dress up aside, my sister even said that she thinks they are still subtle enough to wear clubbing! 

You can purchase Glitter Lips here and if you'd like to know more you can find Belissimo on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook!

Thank you for letting me give these a go, Belissimo!

Olivia xo

My Closet Confidential Tag

This tag was created by Fleur De Force (original video here) quite some time ago but when I saw the questions I couldn't resist doing it myself! Here's my closet confidential tag! 

1. What is the oldest item in your wardrobe/closet?

My mother dug this out for me from the 'clothes from her youth' section of her wardrobe about two years ago and it's been my favourite item of clothing since. I often find myself wishing I lived a life in which I could wear it more often because it's so beautiful and unique. I've actually never seen anything like it until the other day when saw this picture of Cara Delevingne in a Burberry outfit featuring something very similar. (I almost had to pat my mother on the back for being so ahead of the game). I also love that it has sentimental value, I mean can you believe that this has been kicking about since the 80's?

2. What is the newest item?

I honestly feel like my purchasing of these Topshop Hayden jeans was fate. So as the story goes, I tried these on like 3 weeks before I bought them and fell in love but at the time I was broke so didn't get them. I went into the same Topshop once I'd been paid for a swift browse, tried them on again, bought them AND they'd been reduced from £25 to £15. Now if that isn't fate I don't know what is. Buying these was one of those times where you leave the shop with a massively creepy grin on your face and the urge to tell the world about the amazing bargain you'd just found but at the same time faced the harsh truth that no-one actually cares...

3. What is the most expensive item?

As a 17 year old student who spends more time broke than not, it's fair to say I'm not really at the prime of my life for expensive splurges. Therefore, when browsing for an item to answer this question with, the options were much bleaker than the Louboutins, Chanel bags and Valentino dresses of my dreams. Alas, for now, my most expensive item would have to be my Russell and Bromley black patent Chesters.

4. What is the most affordable/cheapest item (that you use a lot)?

This one hands down goes to this vintage Ralph Lauren shirt I got for £5 from one of the Rokit stores on Brick Lane a few years ago. It goes with EVERYTHING and can be chucked on, tucked in, layered, worn alone, dressed up: the lot. I really need to visit a Rokit soon and pick up a few more shirts because they make forming nice outfits so easy! 

5. What was the biggest bargain?

About a month ago whilst browsing the men's section of Primark for some basic tops I saw this shirt in the sale for £1. At first I didn't believe it but it was actually only £1, amazing right? This is another shirt that goes with everything and completes every outfit and is probably the best bargain I ever have/will pick up.

6. What was the biggest waste of money?

It makes me so sad to have to give this one to my Timberlands. I got them for Christmas last year and thought they'd be perfect for putting a boyish edge to a typically girly outfit but they never look as nice on as they do in theory. I feel like they make me look shorter which doesn't help my already short frame and so they hardly ever get worn. I'm hoping this autumn/winter they'll become more loved but at the moment it's just not working out between us...

7. What are your 3 favorite items right now?

I'm going through a really lazy style stage at the moment and I'm loving just chucking on simplistic outfits. Therefore my black Topshop Joni jeans, plain tees from the mens section of Primark and these heeled Chelsea boots from New Look (also featured in this blog post) are being constantly reached for right now! 

8. What is the most outrageous/colorful item in your closet (that you absolutely love)?

This was a tough one. I love lairy prints and colours and these two rank joint first for very obvious reasons. This Orange H&M jumper is so bright it surprises me that it doesn't glow in the dark and this leopard print Vera Moda shirt dress (that I learned whilst taking these photos is way too short to ever be worn as a dress again) is also pretty loud, but much easier to tone down than the orange jumper. I love them both dearly!

And that's all the questions, thanks for reading!

 A massive thank you goes to my best friend Georgia for helping me with most of the pictures on this post.

If you've done this tag, feel free to leave the links of them in the comments, I'd love to read/watch them!

Thanks for reading :)

Olivia xo

LOUNGEWEAR WITH YOUR DREAMCATCHER

The lovely people at Your DreamCatcher sent me these grey joggers and so here's my review of them! 

I have Sixth Form five days a week and I work weekends so I'm pretty busy and so any down time I get to chill in comfy loungewear is appreciated highly. Although I'll always love a good well thought out outfit, there's something about how easy joggers and a tee is that I will always love.

These joggers in particular are super soft and are that tiny bit baggy that is fundamental for those Sundays where you stuff your face and have no time for skinny jeans that are unforgiving to gluttony. Normally I don't vouch for joggers with no pockets but I don't think they'd suit this style and funnily enough I prefer these to my pocketed joggers. 

The parcel came wrapped so cutely with a Marilyn Monroe quote and divine smelling scented beads. I was really impressed; it's finishing touches like this that really make the online shopping experience for me. This combined with the fact that I've always found dreamcatchers beautiful makes me sure that Your Dreamcatcher are a company after my own heart indeed.

I styled these in the first look with a cut-out vest that I did myself back when I was a scissor happy DIY Godess and my trusted black hi-top converse. I'm not really a heavy jewellery person but felt it needed a little something else so put on this skeleton necklace from Primark to finish it off. In the second look I wore a plain black cami from Primark with this fishnet mesh tshirt I got from eBay alongside my New Look Chelsea boots which I feel like I mention in every post...whoops!

You can buy these joggers here and check out the rest of the range here which includes t-shirts and pretty bohemian jewellery.

Many thanks to Your Dreamcatcher for sending me these, the people I have been in contact with have been so lovely and I look forward to seeing what else the company has to come!

Thanks for reading!

Olivia xo