bloomzy /

Topshop Mini Haul – Keeping it British

A few purchases from Topshop that I made recently

Yesterday I was lucky enough to receive a giftcard for Topshop, and guess what?
Yep, I pretty much spent it within an hour of being given it – shame on me! Actually there have been a few things I’ve wanted to purchase from Topshop recently, but managed to resist. You can imagine that this giftcard was a very welcome addition to my purse…even if it didn’t stay there for too long.
So what did I buy?
+ Mini Roller (Pork Pie) Hat
+ Jersey Skater Skirt
+ Studded Phone Case
I’ve had my eye on the Jersey Skirt for a few weeks, after trying it on and posting this photo on Instagram.
It’s a perfectly simple yet essential addition to my wardrobe this A/W, and I’m sure I’ll have fun coordinating it.
The pork pie hat is a welcome addition to my hat collection, and it feels quite British – don’t you think?
As for the studded phone case…well I’m not even sure if it will fit my iPhone 4 but I liked the look of it and…studs!!
Have you treated yourself/been treated recently?
bloomzy /

Nail Polish Haul: Essie & Models Own

Models Own and Essie Nail Polishes

Ok, I may have gone a little overboard. I can’t help it, I’m addicted to nail polishes!
It’s true, nail polishes are the one thing I will always want, and pretty much always buy.
Luckily I’m not restricted in what I can wear on my nails (by a job etc) so I tend to change them often.
That also means that I like to have a large selection of colours, and trust me, I do – one day I’ll show you them all.
Essie and Models Own are two nail polish brands well known for their selection of colours and quality.
I’ve actually only tried out a couple of Essie polishes, but now I’m happy to own quite a few.
The shades are quite simple, and grown up, wouldn’t you agree? That’s where the Models Own polishes come in. The Models Own ones are just to hold me over until I can get my hands on the Beetlejuice & Mirrorball collections, but I thought they were also a bit of fun. The photo doesn’t do them justice but they have a great glittery sheen to them.
Guys…I think I’m a Nail Polish-holic!
When I got them home I decided that actually I wasn’t too keen on two of the Essie colours,
so I’m selling them on eBay here.

bloomzy /

French Beauty & Skin Care Haul

Some French beauty products that I picked up on holiday

Whenever I go away on holiday I always spend about 90% of my money on gifts.
However this time after the fiancé kept pestering me to ‘treat [myself]’ I decided that for once I would.
I knew I wanted to buy a few French beauty products and luckily for me the well-known ones, which we also have at home, are slightly cheaper in France. Also they carry some brands that haven’t made it to the UK yet.
French pharmacies are amazing, and much better than British ones, in my opinion.
Even the smallest of pharmacies carry lots of well-known beauty brands, and their new products.
So I paid a quick visit to the pharmacy and spent a good 30mins trying to decided what I wanted to pick up.
I finally decided on a few things:
+ Avène Eau Thermale – Micellar Lotion (make-up remover)
+ Avène Eau Thermale – Eau Thermale (thermal water spray)
+ Evian Brumisateur (facial spray)
+ Caudalíe Eau de Raisin (grape water)
+ Belle à Croquer Rosée de Concombre – Sérum Plaisir des Yeux (Cucumber Eye Serum)
+ Avène Eau Thermale Crème Nutritive Compensatrice Riche (extremely rich compensating cream)
+ Avène Eau Thermale Micellar Lotion – Travel size
+ Avène Eau Thermale Lait Corporel Hydratant (moisturising body lotion)

As you can see I went a bit crazy with the facial sprays.
I’d been wanting to try out Evian’s for a while, and then I was drawn in by Avène’s & Caudalíe’s too.
I plan to try them all out and then do reviews, then later maybe do a comparison post featuring them all.
The Belle à Croquer Cucumber Eye Serum was a last minute item that sounded nice (I love the smell of cucumber, and I remember always putting cucumber on my eyes at sleepovers etc.), so I thought I’d give it a try.
I will try to review all the items as I use them, but feel free to let me know if there is one you’d like to see sooner than the others, and if there’s a general consensus I will put that one at the top of my list.
bloomzy /

Recent Fashion ‘Haul’

(Underwear & Sandals: Topshop, Blouse: Internacionale, T-shirt: Zara)

I thought I might share with you some of the fashion items I’ve been buying recently.
Don’t be surprised if you see a lot of these in my outfit shots from my holiday as that is why I bought most of them…except for the underwear, be surprised if you see those. To be honest I’d be surprised too.
Apart from a few poor pairs that I’ve bought in the past, Topshop underwear has to be my favourite.
I’m so picky about patterns and shapes etc. that I find it difficult to actually find underwear that matches what I am looking for. Topshop never fails to please in this aspect though. I always end up buying one in each type and pattern. I just wish they did matching bras in my size, but I don’t think that will ever be a reality in Topshop.
I also like their shoes, as they’re always pretty, although sometimes overpriced – luckily I grabbed these sandals in the sale for only £15. It may not be sandal weather in England right now, but hopefully it will be whilst I am away on holiday.
Finally I picked up the blouse from the Internacionale sale, and the Zara top from their sale. The Zara top was actually to replace a very similar one that the fiancé bought me in Paris, that I accidentally ruined. The blouse was because I was drawn to the colour, buttons and the cut-out shoulders. It’s incredibly sheer though, so I’ll have to figure that out.
It’s just a shame that I probably won’t get much use out of the blouse and sandals when I return.
Unless the weather changes dramatically that is, not that I would complain!
bloomzy /

Marc by Marc Jacobs ‘Haul’

Marc Jacobs Necklaces & Compact Mirror

You probably all know by now that I’m a Marc Jacobs fan.
Well whilst I was in London last month I decided to stop by the ‘Marc by Marc Jacobs’ store.
I absolutely love the store. It’s spacious, laid out well and in a gorgeous building, in a lovely part of London.
Whilst I was there I said I would treat myself to a little suttin’ suttin’, kind of like a celebratory gift to me, for finishing university and exams etc. Of course I could have picked tons of items, but I didn’t want to spend too much. I was thinking of an iPhone case as I’ve been wanting one for a while, but I love my Gemma Correll one too much.
I finally decided on the ‘Wishbone Necklace’, ‘Monocle Necklace’ and the ‘Heart Compact Mirror’.
I’ve been eyeing the wishbone necklace and mirror for a while, although I actually hadn’t seen the monocle necklace before, but I have a thing for monocles so I had to add it to my collection. I also loved the idea of a manly monocle mixed with gold and pearls.
I can’t wait to start accessorising with these!!
bloomzy /

Mini Topshop Haul

The Topshop here has actually been getting in some decent items recently.
I say that because my university town is only small, and even when the Topshop here expanded it wasn’t much bigger than before. I miss the Norwich Topshop, it’s massive – it was built inside an old cinema building. There’s a small fact for you!
Anyway I grabbed some accessories in the sale, and some socks (here) that weren’t.
Aren’t they adorable? I want these, these and these too! The 3 pairs for £8 offer isn’t helping. 
I’ve got a real thing about frilly, girly ankle socks at the moment. I should have hung onto my old school socks!
They’d probably still fit me as well, what with my wimpy ankles and size 3 feet…I have the feet of a child!
I also ended up finding some high waisted shorts, after months of deliberation. I had tried some on previously in Topshop and disliked them, but these ones were perfect. They’re a blue-y/lilac colour. They’re also really comfy and fit perfectly.
Here is a picture from my instagram, to help demonstrate:
You can find them here.
I didn’t buy the crop top, which I kinda regret.
I wasn’t sure if it suited my figure, as I’m a shorty. What do you guys think?
bloomzy /

Review: MUA Lipstick #15 & #16

MUA Lipsticks; #16 & #15
Here is the first review of several from my recent MUA make-up haul.
I choose to review the lipsticks as a friend asked for a swatch, and I do like to please.
Left to Right; #15 & #16
You may be curious as to why there are 4 swatches. Well I noticed that the colours needed a few coats, so I first swatched one coat of the colour, and then several coats of the same shade. So the first two swatches are of shade #15, and the second two are of shade #16.
Not much difference in #15 but #16 is quite different after several coats.
I also noticed some residue (??) when I first applied #16 but not after the initial swatch.
Pros:
+ Only £1!
+ Didn’t dry my lips out.
+ Colour applies evenly.
+ Coverage on #16 was good for a cheap lipstick.
+ Nice, regular colours which will work well in Spring/Summer.
Cons:
– #15 didn’t have great coverage; showed lines etc.
– Several coats were needed for me to achieve the colour I wanted on both.

Top to Bottom; #15 & #16
Notes:
For £1 I have no complaints.
These aren’t as good as my Chanel or MAC lipsticks but I never expected them to be.
I do wish #15 had been more pigmented/true to colour but that’s my only disappointment.
I ended up preferring Shade#16; Nectar (the one they accidentally sent me) to the one I had ordered.
Honestly, I think these are great if: 
1. You’re not sure whether a colour will suit you, and you want to try it out before investing.
2. If you just want to expand the colours in your lipstick collection, but don’t have lots of money.
You can shop the collection here.