Choosing a Handbag

How To Choose Your Handbag

The humble handbag is seen as a girl’s best friend and it is often the one by her side on every imaginable occasion. Whether you choose a quirky, over-the-top design or a low-key, sophisticated style, a handbag is a must-have for any fashionista.

From chic clutches and sparkly shoulder bags to leather hobos and oversized arm candy, there is certainly a handbag style for everyone.

But if their bag is a woman’s ultimate fashion accessory, it is important to choose wisely. Many women feel that clutching at the right handbag will give them instant fashion status and they are not far wrong. This is possibly why handbags appear as the best selling accessory year after year.

Size Matters

The expensive designer handbag has become a must-have accessory for the career woman, the working mum, the single lady and the wife. Those that possess both a busy social and working life may wish to invest in a larger handbag as this will house every item needed to take them from day to night.

When choosing a new handbag, it is important to shop wisely. Take your time and ask yourself exactly what it is you want from the item in question. Handbags come in a wide range of styles and each one tends to suit a different individual.

If you are the type of girl that carries around enough baggage to weigh down a small donkey, then you will need to invest in something that boasts substantial size. However, if you just need to house your keys, lipstick, a few credit cards and your phone, then something smaller will be the obvious choice.

Likewise, if you use public transport or if you intend to walk for miles, then you might go for a compact bag. After all, there is only so much your shoulder can take!

Style Choices

Classic styles come in the shape of timeless options which often appear in soft, buttery leathers and subtle hues. There is however always room for a one-off piece in the wardrobe. Such a number will be suited to special occasions and as such, should make a statement.

This season’s bag designs are showcasing a series of styles, some of which come in the shape of glitterati clutches, zip shoulder bags, cross body bags in soft leathers, patent leather shoppers and cutesy messenger bags. Whatever your style, make sure it is made of high quality materials that will last to ensure you get value for money.

If love could have saved you then you would have lived forever.

I will always love you Mum, 
Sweet dreams.

xxx
 

Review | LUSH Magic Wand Bubble Bar

Hi lovelies,

I went a bit mental shopping the other day and spent a chunk of my student loan! However I was very good in Lush and said to myself I would only buy one thing. I wanted something for the bath as I was home for the weekend and only have a shower at Uni, so I love coming home and spending hours in the bath tub.

LUSH have recently started selling all of the Christmas stock. Oh my, it is fair to say it all looks incredible. I spent ages looking at all the new stock, and I could not find anything I did not want to try. I honestly felt so festive when I was in the shop. I really wanted to buy the popular Snow Fairy shower gel, but I don't know whether it is worth the money, as it is slightly pricey in my opinion, however the assistant said it is long lasting,  so please let me know if you have bought it before!

A reusable bubble bar star that gives mounds of sweet-smelling foam. This is a solid version of our best selling Snow Fairy shower gel for those who prefer to bath.

The magic of this version is that you can wave your wand under the water until you have the amount of bubbles you want – then you just stash it somewhere safe to dry off, ready for when you next bath.

We’ve included pink ribbon and a bell, because if you are going to wave your wand, then you need some added drama and special effects!

You should get several baths from this, depending on how much bubbly magic you want in your bath. Each one will leave you smelling of candy floss and pear drops. Baths don’t get more yummy or more girly than this.

It is so simple to use but does require a few minutes of effort, it all pays off though. I filled my bath halfway with water and then started to swirl the wand through the water where a few bubbles started to form and the water started to turn pale pink. This bubble bar is harder than others I have tried, and does not crumble easily so you can swirl it through the bath without worrying that it will break.

I kept running the water and held the bubble bar under the tap for a while and ended up with a lot of lovely scented bubbles and a tub of pink creamy water waiting for me to enjoy it. I did not got as many bubbles as I would have loved, as I have said before I always want lots! But this is different to the usual bubble bars and the scent completely makes up for it. It smells exactly like Snow Fairy, and it lingered in my bathroom for ages and on my skin.

I left my wand to dry, and it does not look like I have used it so I reckon I could probably get about five more baths out of it. Great value for money!

LUSH Magic Wand Bubble Bar costs £4.95 and is available through the festive season!

Have you picked up any of the new LUSH Christmas products?

p.s My giveaway ends on the 31st of October!

http://elliegracex.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/300-follower-giveaway.html

Review | Essie Carry On

I apologise that it has been almost a week since I have posted, I have had to go home from University every Thursday to Sunday for the past three weeks to go visit my mum in hospital, and have not been taking my laptop back with me, meaning I only have a few chances a week to post and do my course work!

A few weeks ago I discovered by browsing on Fragrance Direct that they were selling Essie polishes for £1.99 each. I have never tried an Essie polish before and was not going to spend over £6 to buy them, so I may have accidently purchased 10 bottles, I am a sucker for a hyped up product

Some of the polishes from Fragrance Direct website have the thinner brush and some have the thicker brush. I do not know much about Essie but from what I have heard the range sold in UK drugstores is a diffusion line, so some of the polishes I have bought come from that, which is why there is a difference in the brush size. I love the bottles, they look so cute lined up together.

The brush for Carry On is thin, personally I do not have a preference between the two. They both are easy to work with. The thin brush is easier for painting precisely and neatly, whilst the thicker brush is easier for painting the whole nail quickly. Carry On is the perfect shade for autumn, it is a deep burgundy, which leans more towards purple than red. The formula is fairly thin and I needed about three coats to get the opaqueness I wanted.

 It started to chip after the third day, but that is usually the time I want to change the colour anyway. I love the vampy colour and shiny finish. It is elegant and flattering even on my pale skin tone. I was impressed with the wear, especially considering I had three coats on, however it was fairly streaky and I would have been disappointed if I had paid full price for it.

Have you tried any of the Essie range?

You have until the 31st of October to enter my 300 follower giveaway! :)

http://elliegracex.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/300-follower-giveaway.html

Review | Benefit That Gal Primer

Do you remember when Glamour magazine did samples of Benefit products recently? Well I went a bit crazy and got all of them so I could try all three of the products. It was dangerous because I ended up really liking the samples. The sample of That Gal ran out recently but I was lucky enough to win a full size product and so I thought I would do a review!

Benefit released a special edition design for the London Olympics, which is the product I now have!

Specially made to celebrate the 2012 Summer Olympics, this collector’s-edition “that gal” is the brightening primer of champions. It features light-reflecting pigments to help brighten all skintones…and soothes with raspberry & chamomile. Let the pretty games begin!

I am in love with the patriotic packaging and design of the bottle. I know the Olympics is long gone, but since moving to University in London, I am even more obsessed with London landmarks and designs like this.

That Gal primer is packaged in a twist up tube so you can dispense as much of the product out as you need. This is so handy as with the sample tube I wasted a lot from squeezing too much out quickly. However the whole thing does remind me of a glue stick slightly, just me? 

The primer itself is a lightweight pale pink liquid that is so smooth to apply to the face. It is applied underneath foundation and works to smooth out the skin. It brightens and illuminates your skin because of the reflective pigments, I apply it in the morning and it wakes up my skin, stopping it looking dull and like I have not slept! It also works to prolong the wear of make up.

When blended out it is sheer enough to be worn alone if you like to go make up free. If my skin is very dull I will apply this all over as my face primer or I will use it as a highlight on certain areas of my face.

I think if you have oily skin you would still get on well with That Gal as it is so light and a small amount does go a long way.

The only downside to this product for me is that it is fairly pricey, costing about £23 a tube. 

However if this one lasts a long time then it may be worth the investment!

Have you tried That Gal primer?

Benefit That Gal Primer can be purchased here.

My 300 follower giveaway is open until the 31st of October!

http://elliegracex.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/300-follower-giveaway.html

Jumper Haul!

Hi lovelies!

Winter is fast approaching, the nights get dark so quickly and it feels like I am constantly cold. One thing I do like about winter is how easy it is to dress. I end up living in thick leggings, socks and a jumper! I have purchased quite a few recently knowing that I will be needing them very soon.

Red Herring Dip Hem Pastel Jumper £30

I picked up this pastel dip dyed jumper a few weeks before I moved to University. I bought it during a discount week and also got staff discount so it was a complete bargain. I love how it is longer at the back so I can wear it with leggings without my bum hanging out for all to see! I like how the pastel colours also blend together. Obviously I have to wear a vest underneath as it has holes in it, and I don't want to flash or have cold bits. :)

Vera Moda Navy Jumper £9

I have never shopped in Vera Moda before and only wandered into the store at Bluewater by chance. I picked up this navy knitted grandad style jumper as it was cheap! I have not worn it yet, but think it would be good for layering when going to lectures or being out in London now that it is starting to get cold quickly. 

Forever 21 Batwing Tan Jumper £11.50

I love how soft this jumper is, it feels like cashmere (I know it isn't!) and is quite light so is also great for layering. I also do not have anything in this colour, it's a cross between tan and rust! It is quite long so I can comfortably wear it with leggings. I seem to be living in jumpers and leggings at university, comfort all the way.

Vila Oversized Knit Jumper £20

I bought this jumper when ASOS were doing 25% off for students, so again it was a bargain. It is by the brand Vila but is exclusive to ASOS. I love it so much, it is so snug and cosey and looks great with anything from jeans to disco pants. Burgundy is also my favourite colour for the winter time. 

daisystreet Moustache Jumper*

I was recently contacted by the lovely team at daisystreet and asked if I would like to pick something off the website to review and style. I have a post planned with different ways to style this jumper as I love it so much! The print is so quirky and cute. I personally had not heard of daisystreet but have a huge wishlist from the website now! (dangerous)

Have you gone jumper mad like me recently?

My giveaway is open until October 31st here!

http://elliegracex.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/300-follower-giveaway.html

Haul | ELF Cosmetics

Hi lovelies!

Some of you may have noticed that Elf had a 50% off code last week, which obviously was too good for me to turn down! I have purchased and reviewed a few things from Elf before and had mostly great experiences with their products so was excited to order a whole lot of new things for me to play around with.

I opened the box and was pretty happy to see a lot of things!

Liquid Eyeliner in Black, 

Waterproof Eyeliner Pen, in Black,

Brightening Eye Pencil in Black,

Single Eyeshadow in Raspberry Truffle,

Single Eyeshadow in Saddle,

Duo Cream Eyeshadow in Black Licorice,

Due Powder Eyeshadow in Butter Peacan,

Brightening Eye Colour in Drama,

Glossy Gloss in Wild Watermelon,

Glossy Gloss in Merry Cherry

Luscious Liquid Lipstick in Ruby Slipper

Tone Correcting Concealer in Rosy Beige,

Complete Coverage Concealer in Light

Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder in Sun Kissed,

Golden Bronzer

Eyebrow Kit in Light,

Eyelid Primer in Sheer,

Flat Eyeliner Brush, 

Matte Finisher Nail Polish.

Makeup Mist and Set Spray

It seems like a lot right? In total including delivery it came to £29, bit of a bargain really!

If there is any particular product you would like reviewed then please let me know and I will do the best I can for you all. :)

My giveaway is running here until Halloween!

Review | Essie Muchi Muchi

Hi lovelies!

The other week I discovered by browsing on Fragrance Direct that they were selling Essie polishes for £1.99 each. I have never tried an Essie polish before and was not going to spend over £6 to buy them, so I may have accidently purchased 10 bottles, I am a sucker for a hyped up product.

Some of the polishes from Fragrance Direct website have the thinner brush and some have the thicker brush. I do not know much about Essie but from what I have heard the range sold in UK drugstores is a diffusion line, so some of the polishes I have bought come from that, which is why there is a difference in the brush size. I love the bottles, they look so cute lined up together.

This brush is thick and easy to cover the whole nail in two strokes. I found the formula to be slightly streaky and not as opaque as I wanted, but after applying three coats and a top coat it was fine. Muchi Muchi is a light pastel pink that is very creamy!

It lasted pretty well considering I have been at work and packing up my room. It started to chip after the third day, but that is usually the time I want to change the colour anyway. I love the creamy colour and shiny finish. It is elegant and flattering even on my pale skin tone. I was impressed with the wear, especially considering I had three coats on, however it was fairly streaky and I would have been disappointed if I had paid full price for it.

Have you tried any of the Essie range?

My 300 follower giveaway is currently live at the link below so please get your entries in now! :)

http://elliegracex.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/300-follower-giveaway.html?showComment=1349220013337#c4161545101433293592