Dubai lookbook

I didn't take pictures specifically for a blog post but I thought I'd incorporate it with what I did on my holiday. It was so hot most of the time was spent inside but if any of you have been to Dubai or countries with similar cultures you'll know that people there aren't used to seeing women uncovered so I tried to cover up to avoid all the stares. This was mine and my boyfriends first holiday together so we packed in as many things as possible.

So firstly we went to the shopping mall and went bowling. I wore an off the shoulder top from primark £3.00 (It also comes in white) with loose high waisted trousers from a shop in dragon mart.

This picture is of us in the biggest sweetshop in the world that's located in Dubai Mall. I'm wearing a miss selfridge crop top (£8), zara trousers (£25.99) and topshop sandals (£30).

Next is me on the podium at ferarri world wearing a white topshop shirt (£10), black shorts and mint green vans. 

The day we went to Alain zoo and up the mountain was by far the hottest day but  I still had to make sure I was covered properly so I wore a pashmina over my shoulders too. The top was from new look  as were the sandals (£15?) and the trousers were from Dorothy Perkins (£5).

In the picture below we went up the Burf Khalifa (the tallest building in the world). I was wearing a white lace dress from Topshop with my brown Topshop sandals (£30) along with my pashmina and Michael Kors handbag.

I look like such an idiot in this picture and have no clue why I was looking at the camera in this pose but I was. Here we were on a boat which travelled along the creek as we had dinner.  I was wearing a Miss Selfridge top (£10) and my black shorts with my black new look sandals.

This final picture is from our two year anniversary. Callum took me to the Burj al Arab for afternoon tea. If you get the opportunity I would 100% recommend going. The seven courses were amazing and I really hope one day I have the opportunity to go again. Here i'm wearing a red dress from Zara (£15.99) and chunky sandals from Primark (£10).

I hope this gives some ideas and inspiration for other peoples holidays even if most people have already been on theirs

Amy x

August Empties

I do apologise for the lack of posts over the past couple of weeks but our wifi has just decided to stop working.  My next post planned was my holiday lookbook but I haven’t been able to get the pictures so that will be up in the near future.

So lets get on with todays post, My August Empties. It normally takes me ages to finish a product as I use a product until its finished and then replace it with a new alternative. As I’m the only one using them it takes a while so I thought before I forget and throw everything away I best do this post.

The first product I finished was the Superdrug Pro Vitamin silky smooth shampoo (£?). At first this made my hair a little greasier quicker than normal as it has argan oil in it and I rarely use conditioner or any other products because I have THE thinnest hair in the universe. But after a few washes my hair adjusted to the shampoo and it made my hair feel soft and replenished which is definitely what it needed. My hair now looks and feels a lot healthier.

Secondly is the Original Source shower gel (Normally £2.30, Now £1). A little goes a long way so this lasted ages! I love the smell and they have so many different ones there will 100% be one you’ll like.

Then there's the Freederm Daily Complex (£7.30). I love this stuff! I definitely saw a difference after the first use and as my skin cleared up I stopped using it until needed. Time and time again it did its job and reduced the redness and size of spots. If you apply foundation directly after applying this it doesn’t give the best finish. So I suggest you let it sink in properly first. Once it’s sunk in foundation looks beaut. Sometimes mixing it with foundation gave a more natural no make up make up look and lightens foundation.

Another product was the Johnson's make up be gone clear skin wipes (£3.05? from Superdrug). To be honest I didn’t notice they improved my skin but they didn’t cause any breakouts and removed the majority of my make up. They did fairly well to not dry out considering they were in an air conditioned room.

Next is the peroxide solution from Specsavers. I get through so many of these as I wear contacts near enough everyday. The only downfall to this product is that if it doesn't dilute properly. I found this out when I had a faulty pot as every time I put my contacts in my eyes stung and felt like they were burning. But this product does clean them thoroughly so my contacts last the whole month.

My recent foundation empty is Benefits Hello Flawless (£26.50). This is probably one of the best colour matches that I've found as well as the powder so they've done well with that however I'm not a lover of dewey foundation as by the end of the day it's almost dewey anyway so this wasn't the perfect foundation for me.

Last is one of my all time fave products and one of many finished and that is Batiste shampoo (around £3). This is amazing and helps give volume and save my hair for one more day without washing. The mini ones are fab to keep in your bag or take on holiday to save space but these big ones are great to keep at home as they last for ages.

Amy x

Dubai Haul

I wouldn't say I went overboard on my holiday shopping, my boyfriend definitely did. I was actually surprised with how little I came home with but as always it was a struggle to repack my case as much as it was to actually pack it in the first place. Yes I am that person who has to pack an outfit for each day of the holiday and especially if it's going to be 50 degrees. Everything I bought was in dirhams but I'll tell you the prices anyway incase you're visiting.

The picture above contains all of the items I bought for my room as I've recently moved rooms because we had an extension built. I chose to paint it light grey and have white furniture so I can jazz it up with decorations and it doesn't matter what colour they are. At the top is a piece of art made out of leather (60AED). I picked this up when we went to the heritage museum which was really interesting, containing information about the history of Dubai. The seven camels represent the seven sheikhs of the UAE. I am currently on the look out for a frame to put it up on my wall.  I chose this cushion (44AED) above from Fakih collections Antiques Museum because I think it's beautiful. If you're ever in Dubai this is the place to go and get all your souvenirs as everything is in one place. Finally just on the right is a metal postcard, I have an obsession with collecting postcards wherever I go. I never send them but I like to put them in my scrapbook. In this case I can't so this is another piece to decorate the wall with.

Next are a few bits and bobs. I got the two pouches as I thought they'd be useful to put in my bag and keep small things together so like chewing gum or make up etc. The camel one was from the textile suke (4AED) I think? and the pink one along with the keyring were from the Fakih Collections Antique Museum.

I bought the saucepan and frying pan from Daiso (9AED each) because one they're mini, two they're pink and three they're cute and I couldn't leave them there. I'm not sure how much food I'll exactly get in them but at least I can make mini pancakes. I then got the giraffe salad scoop things (10AED) from Fakih Collections Antique Museum because giraffes are my favourite animal and I find it hard to resist anything with a giraffe on so I just had to pick them up. Lastly there's the car air freshener (19AED) from lifestyle. I currently can't drive and don't have a car but as my test isn't far away I thought I'd prepare for the future somehow. These do smell amazing though, my mum's got one in the car and it's really strong so does what it's there to do. I've got mine in Vanilla but there are loads of other scents to choose from.

So moving on to my toiletries/cosmetics. I can't stress how many times I've been into Bath and Body Works. It is one of my all time faves. I have about 10 of their mini hand sanitisers but  haven't ever walked out with anything else. Both my mum and nan love them as they're so handy and come in every scent so I guess it runs in the family. This time I set out to buy matching shower gel and hand soap to look cute in my en suite but they didn't do the hand soap of my favourite shower gel scent (Amber blush 70 AED) which messed that one up a little so I ended up with these two above. They're fresh and the hand soap (Midnight pomegranate 40 AED) is a little fruity which is all you want when you leave the bathroom smelling your hands. That kind of sounds weird but everyone does it if the soap smells good. Hiding up the top there is my first ever NYX purchase from Lifestyle. I love this product! It's so nourishing for your lips but buildable for a more pigmented colour. It doesn't last all day but it's similar to a lib balm, once it sinks in it's gone but I like that it does two in one. 

How can you expect me to go into the worlds biggest sweetshop and come out with nothing. You're right, you can't. I could literally spend all day in Candylicious. Every time I go I bring back a bag of jelly beans that I've never tried before so I thought I'd carry on that tradition and this time thought I would try some more things out. I got the birthday cake m&ms (9AED) to try but I'm not too sure what they're going to be like, I guess I'll find out soon. As goes with the desserts flavoured skittles (9AED). I have never ever seen these before. Unless I'm blind I don't think we have these in the UK either. We're so boring when it comes to food really. And last but no means least are the two Airhead bars (9AED each) at the back. I've only ever tried raspberry and cherry ones I think before and they were nice so I thought I'd try some other flavours but the ones I found were no normal ones, they have 2 in 1 bar! I have one strawberry & watermelon and a pink lemonade & orange to try so I'll find out soon if they're good enough to repurchase 

Amy x

Alexander McQueen - Savage Beauty Exhibition 14th Mar - 2nd Aug

When we walked into the first room I was lost for words. It was far from what I'd imagined it to be. It was pitch black and there was a screen with the skeleton of a skull. If you are familiar with McQueen's work you'll know it's dark. It really is quite scary. Most of the mannequins had masks on and if a human were to wear it they'd nearly suffocate. The room with the catwalks showed the outfits on models which made the pieces look complete. The mannequins didn't do them justice.

My favourite ranges are The Girl Who Lived Under The Tree Autumn/Winter 2008 and Plato's Atlantis Spring/Summer 2010. For me these are the ranges I would most likely wear. He was looking forward to what people of the 20th century would wear and pieces designed many years ago are now current trends. Take the lace up heels or the heel less heels. He also had designs of cut outs and off the shoulder tops which are all currents trends. It's safe to say he knew exactly what he was doing and what was to come.

The best by far were the quotes on the wall as you walked around. They were either from Alexander McQueen himself or others about him or his work. They really told a story not just of his work but of his life. The ending quote was fairly emotional as you know it's his goodbye. Alexander McQueen sadly committed suicide in February 2010 just after releasing his final range Plato's Atlantis. Many said this was his greatest achievement, if only he knew that. 
He didn't get chance to reveal his Autumn/Winter 2010 collection which was yet to be named. It was unofficially named 'Angels and Demons'.  Sixteen designs had been cut by Alexander and were nearly complete. Sarah Burton finished the collection which was only shown to 7 select groups.

"There is no way back for me now. I'm going to take you on journeys you've never dreamed were possible."

The exhibition really shows you how his mind worked and how he coped with life. Fashion was how he liked to express this. He really wanted to prove that you can see beauty in everything and I think he succeeded.

"It was about trying to trap something that wasn't conventionally beautiful to show that beauty comes from within."

The exhibition was a perfect tribute to him and his work. 

I'm afraid we were unable to take photos whilst in the exhibition but most of the pieces are in his book 'Alexander McQueen'. 

Amy x

Hand Luggage Essentials

As I'm off on holiday next Tuesday and so many others are off on their travels too I thought I'd share with you what my hand luggage essentials are. I pack the vital things in my hand luggage so that if I lost my suitcase I would still be able to contact someone and carry on with my holiday.

The first and most important is your passport followed by your tickets. You won't be getting on that plane without these so leave early enough so you do have time to go back for them. I keep mine in a zipped pocket in my hand luggage that's easy to access so I know where they are all times.

I then have my phone so I can contact people at the other end and when I arrive back home. I also keep my charger to top it up if it runs out of charge. 

Staying on the topic of electricals I take my iPod to listen to and 2 pairs of headphones. My over the ear headphones and my in ear headphones. I always find over the ear hurt after a while so I take my in ear headphones too and I also find they're more comfortable to sleep in. 

I take a book and magazine with me to read in the airport. At the moment I'm reading The Secret and Twilight. Yes I have been reading Twilight for ages but I'll have time to actually read it in the airport as well as by the pool on holiday. I tend not to read them on the plane as I take full advantage of the films haha.

I keep a little pouch in my bag with some items which I know if I don't take, I'll need. I call this my emergency kit. In it there is hand sanitizer, tissues and wipes for keeping clean. Theres nothing worse than feeling like you have grubby hands. They're also useful for in the airport if you stop to have something to eat. I keep paracetamol in there incase I get a headache etc, they're useful to keep in your bag incase someone else is in need of them too. I also keep a body spray or perfume on me at all times. Little testers of perfume are perfect for travelling as they're so small and definitely won't exceed the liquid limit which is 100ml per container in the UK.

Make up isn't a must but I don't want feel disgusting so I just take concealer, powder and mascara to put on when I arrive so I look slightly presentable. At the moment I'm using MAC's Select Cover Up concealer, Benefit's Hello flawless powder and Soap and Glory's Thick and Fast High Definition Collagen Coat Mascara.

My next essentials are both food related. I always have sweets for the take off, it's just something my family always do and always have done. I also like to take chewing gum to keep my mouth feeling fresh for the whole journey.

Last but not least is sunglasses so you're prepared when you arrive and won't have to rummage around in your suitcase. This way can also prevent them braking or snapping in your suitcase.

Amy x

My Lush collection

My room constantly smells like I'm in the lush shop and I have quite recently discovered my love for lush products making it smell even stronger. These are the items that make up my ever expanding collection...

I bought this Golden Egg bath bomb (£3.75?) in Milton Keynes just after Easter and was waiting for an occasion to use it. My friends party was in June so I decided to keep it for then. It made my bath a beautiful golden sparkly colour. I didn't expect to be glittery when I got out but it was a real subtle shimmer which was great for a party and it lasted all night.  

This is what I have at this current point in time. I do have one more bath bomb but it's crumbled so I decided to miss that one out. I think it was an ice cream one from ages ago. I've had it a few years but put it in my draws to make my clothes smell nice so I think that'll be going in the bin soon. It's a good way to keep them in use whilst you're waiting to use them but don't forget they're there like I did.

So from the left I have my bath melts. I have the Floating Island (£2) which is the cream one at the back, which smells of white chocolate but I wouldn't say it's too sweet. The yellow one in front is called Shark Infested Custard and it smells exactly like custard (as the name suggests). I'm yet to try these out but as they're bath oils I'm guessing they'll be really soothing on the skin leaving it really soft? 

Next to them is Shine So Bright (£4.75) which is for split ends. I wouldn't exactly say I've seen a drastic improvement in my hair but I would definitely say my ends feel a little thicker and softer. I would say it is expensive for the size considering other products they do but I think it's a handy travel size hair treatment. I've had it a while now and it's not running out at all so it's very long lasting.

Then over to the back right I have the Popcorn Lip Scrub (£5.50). I use it mostly before I put lipstick on so my lips are soft and smooth and won't flake throughout the day. I love it for that but I really can't stand the taste. Sometimes it's a nice caramel but other times it's just a salt taste which makes me gag so I have to wipe it off with a tissue or cloth straight away. That is personal preference, I just don't like salt so if you do don't let that put you off. I do love the product and would definitely buy again but in a different flavour.

Underneath Popcorn is the Comforter Bubble Bar (£4.75) which smells just like sweets mmm. I haven't tried this out yet but I've heard so many good things about it so I'm excited to use it.

On the far right is the Sweetie Pie Shower Jelly (£3.50) which I was fairly sceptical about when I saw it in the shop. I have to say it is quite an entertaining product but you need concentration so you don't drop it. I wouldn't advise using this for a quick in out shower as it's not something you can just grab quickly but it's great fun.

Finally my last item is the Comforter Shower Gel (£4.95) which I forgot to include in the photo. It has the same scent as the bubble bar but it's just in a liquid form. I love this shower gel as it's very moisturising and doesn't leave my skin feeling dry at all. The scent stays for quite a while and is as though I've sprayed perfume. I would definitely recommend this as it's a perfect all round shower gel.

Amy x

My Naked Palette

When I saw all the reviews and the huge hype I didn't really take it in but I'm so glad I eventually did. I can't express words for this product. I am absolutely in love! My sister was kind enough to buy this as my birthday present and I've used it everyday since. I chose this out of the three as this had a range of browny warm shades that I adore and they're laid out in pairs which I thought would be a bit easier to use as I've only recently delved into the world of eyeshadow.

The shades in this palette are great for everyday looks as well as evening looks. A perfect all rounder in my opinion. My favourite shade is half baked because I love gold, most of my jewellery is gold as silver is a colder colour and I want some warmth in my life as british weather never seems to bring it (although it has a bit over the past week).

The quality is amazing, they're very pigmented due to the pigment infusion system used. This holds the pigment tightly together and they therefore last all day without smudging or melting off like cheaper eyeshadows do. Although Urban Decay palettes are a lot of money I definitely think its worth it as eyeshadows always seem to last ages for me and you get 12 good quality shades with the three palettes as well as samples with each one.

Amy x