Week 43

Chicken Fajitas // Screme Eggs - I love anything novelty // Handmade bracelets // Jumping on the BBM bandwagon! // Asda Create Your Own Pizza // Ben & Jerry's Caramel Chew Chew

Hi Lovelies,

Apologies for this being late and apologies for the lack of blog posts lately. I've lost my camera lead so even though I have lots of blog posts planned, I can't blog because the pictures for them are on my camera! I'm half way through half term, which means a week off work! Yippee! But I decided to use the time to decorate our bedroom. I don't feel like I've had a rest though! I've worked harder these past few days than I do at work! 

Once I find my camera lead, I'm going to hold a search party this weekend, I am hoping to post three times a week. Hopefully Monday, Wednesday and Friday with Monday's post being my usual weekly Instagram update. Argh! I've just remembered, I need to photograph monthly favourites and empties! I hope I find that lead so I can share them with you! 

It's Halloween tomorrow and I'm not going to party, which means I don't get to dress up! Maybe next year we'll throw a house party just so I can dress up and decorate my house! I really want to paint a Halloween design on my nails but as I'm going to be painting for the rest of the week, there's just no point! We haven't even got a pumpkin :( I have got sweets for trick or treaters! 

What have you been up to this week?

If you want to follow me on Instagram, my username is lostinlipstick. If you do follow me, make sure you leave your username below. I love finding new people on Instagram.

Rachel x 

Lost In Lipstick

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Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch Primer - Review

Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch Primer £26 

I've had this for several months now. I heard far too many bloggers rave about it and I just had to purchase it for myself. When using a primer to make my make up last, I prefer using a silicone based one (even if they're not great for my skin!) 

I don't use a primer on a daily basis as Monday to Friday, I'm just at work. However, if I'm going out in the evening straight after work, I want my make up to last as long as possible. I also reach for this little red tub when my skin isn't looking its best as it leaves my skin feeling smooth and silky. This primer provides the perfect base for make up as it leaves an almost flawless base. 

I managed to pick this tub up for about £20, which may appear steep when I can buy a high street primer for a quarter of the price, but a small amount really does go a long way. My one negative is that I would have liked a mini spatula as I struggle getting it out now I've used about half plus it's unhygienic to stick your finger in! 

Have you ever tried Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch Primer? Do you use a primer in your everyday make up routine? 

Rachel x

Lost In Lipstick

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Week 42

Dinner - Lamb Shank with Sweet Potato Mash & Asparagus // Beautiful morning sky // Loving the Halloween update of Hay Day! // Rump Steak! // Rump Steak with Potatoes, Asparagus, Carrot & Swede // Evening Service at Church

Hi Lovelies,

I had a lovely quiet weekend this week for a change. On Saturday, I looked after my nephew and he was in such a happy mood. We did lots of singing, dancing and playing. I can't believe he's two in December! Then for the majority of the day we tidied up and cleaned the house. As I was ill last weekend, it didn't get done so we had to catch up. We also built the rest of our living room furniture that we ordered from Next. We just need to get a couple of lamps now and other accessories to finish the room off. 

Next week, I'm off work for a week as it's half term. I cannot wait but there's no rest for the wicked as I plan to decorate our bedroom! Plus all the other jobs that I keep adding to the list like cleaning out the kitchen cupboards and sorting the garden out. I need way more than a week! Haha. 

What have you been up to this week?

If you want to follow me on Instagram, my username is lostinlipstick. If you do follow me, make sure you leave your username below. I love finding new people on Instagram.

Rachel x 

Lost In Lipstick

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Gap 'Back to Blue' Style Challenge

On Thursday 3rd October, I was invited to the Gap store in St Ann's Square, Manchester. It was a small blogger event organised by the store manager, Steve. We were invited in to style an outfit for Gap's campaign, Back to Blue. It's all about Gap going back to their roots of blue, denim and greys with a splash of colour as a nod to the high street trends.

I must admit, I very rarely pop into Gap when I am shopping but after seeing all the beautiful, high quality clothes, I will be adding Gap onto the list of shops to try when I'm looking for a new outfit. I am in the market for a new pair of jeans and I will head to Gap as a first port of call. They have a variety of styles and colours and the prices are very reasonable.

We could choose which department we wanted to style from; ladies, mens or children. I chose to style two female outfits and the Gap girls were on hand to help fit our chosen outfit onto the mannequins. I decided to style two outfits that I would actually wear myself and created a casual outfit and a smart casual outfit. 

Photo by Sally

Photo by Sally

Photo by Sally

My first styled outfit

My second styled outfit

I absolutely love the printed trousers and although I don't currently own any patterned trousers, I decided to step slightly out of my comfort zone and I love the finished look. I will definitely be getting some printed trousers for my wardrobe.

I had a lovely evening and I really enjoyed styling the outfits. I would love to have the opportunity to do it again. Gap have some lovely clothes in stock and quite a few items have made it onto my wish list including those trousers and the beautiful cobalt blue jumper. 

What do you think of my styled outfits? Have you shopped in Gap lately?

Rachel x

Lost In Lipstick

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Week 41

Cheeky ASOS order // Zumba Zumba! // Vogue Fashion's Night Out // Meeting Proudlock! // Me and Fran // Meeting Bip Ling!

Hi Lovelies,

What a week! Another mega busy week where the housework got neglected. On Wednesday evening, I attended a Zumba class which my friend is teaching. It was her first class and I went along for support. However, I really enjoyed it and I need to start some form of exercise so I have decided to go every week. I need to get in shape for my wedding and honeymoon too!

Thursday was the busiest day I have had in a long time. During the day, I was on a yoga course to use yoga in Primary Schools. It was a lovely course and extremely relaxing. However, as I'm sure you're all aware, Thursday night was Vogue Fashion's Night Out in Manchester. There was no way that I was going to miss it so I got home, got ready as quickly as I could and got on a train to Manchester. It was an awesome, extremely busy night but I loved it and so glad I was able to be a part of it. As you can see from the pictures above, I got to meet Proudlock and Bip Ling! 

What have you been up to this week?

If you want to follow me on Instagram, my username is lostinlipstick. If you do follow me, make sure you leave your username below. I love finding new people on Instagram.

Rachel x 

Lost In Lipstick

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August/September 2013 Favourites

Dove Hair Nourishing Oil Care Leave-In Spray // Nivea Sun Invisible Protection SPF30 // Lush Light Yellow Colour Supplement* // Sleek Face Form Contouring and Blush Palette // Kiehl's Skin Rescuer* // La Roche-Posay Effaclar A.I. // La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo

Dove Hair Nourishing Oil Care Leave-In Spray - I use this to add a bit more moisture to my hair and to banish those tangles. It's a great detangler and combined with my Tangle Teezer, they are the perfect weapon against tangles! When I first bought this, I was worried that it was going to make my hair greasy but I have not had any problems. Sometimes, I accidently spray too much and my hair just absorbs it all. An extra bonus is that it can be used on wet or dry hair, perfect for those in between days when my hair just needs an extra moisture boost.  

Nivea Sun Invisible Protection SPF30 - I didn't go to a hot sunny country this year but we have been very lucky with the weather in the UK. Only this year has the importance of SPF been at the front of my mind and I think that's with the help of blogging and reading blogs. I always wore SPF when I was sunbathing, not necessarily just 'out' in the sun and I never went about 15. Now I wear it daily on my face either SPF 30 or 50 and on my body when it's exposed with at least factor 20. It's so important to protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays. I picked this up in Morrisons for £6 as we were buying picnic supplies one sunny day. It's perfect for on the go as there is no mess and it's non greasy. Spray, rub in and go!

Lush Light Yellow Colour Supplement* - I can't get enough of this little tub of foundation. I stopped using it for a week or so as I had no way of getting down to the bottom but then I managed to get hold of a mini spatula, which I use to apply the product to the back of my hand. The light yellow shade is the perfect shade for my skin tone and it blends in easily so it's almost invisible but it leaves a more flawless base, ready for the rest of my make up. It helps to disguise my blemishes and the little red scars that have been left behind by spots. I love the finish that the foundation gives, it's in between a dewy and matte foundation but more on the matte side which is my preferred finish.

Sleek Face Form Contouring and Blush Palette - I accidently picked this up as I was actually after the Face Contour Kit. However, I am so glad I made the mistake. It includes a contouring powder, a highlighting powder and Rose Gold blush, which is beautiful. The contour powder is completely matte, which makes it the perfect contour shade whilst the highlighting powder contains beautiful shimmer to highlight your best features. I love the blush in Rose Gold. It is quite glittery but the colour makes up for this as it is gorgeous. The palette is the perfect size for travelling and fits in any make up bag.

Kiehl's Skin Rescuer* - I received this at the Kiehl's launch event and I've been loving it ever since. Jen, the PR for Kiehl's, told me how she used it just in time for her wedding and it really improved her skin during stressful times in her life. I have been using it since I got my hands on it and I love everything about it. My spots definitely look calmer after application and I don't have any red patches on my face. I find I have to leave it a little longer than my usual moisturiser to soak in before applying my make up but it's not very long and not a problem. I'm going to continue using it on a daily basis but as my wedding's in august, I may have to repurchase it when it runs out!

La Roche-Posay Effaclar A.I. - La Roche-Posay is a fairly new brand to me. I've been using products for a few months now and as I have oily/combination skin, the Effaclar range suits my skin. I read a few reviews online and what Effaclar A.I. was for, and decided it was for me. It helps to calm my breakouts as its a targeted breakout corrector. I apply it to my spots and it works by 'purging imperfections in-depth to accelerate their resorption and prevent residual skin marking'. Scars are one thing that I do suffer from and I want to prevent any more appearing so I can deal with the current ones. 

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo - This is my second tube of Effaclar Duo which I use as a moisturiser. If I use it at night, I double up and apply an additional moisturiser once it's soaked in. During the day, it provides me with enough moisture under my make up but at night, I look for an extra moisture boost. It helps to improve the overall appearance of my skin by 'reducing the appearance of imperfections and purifying the pores'. It leaves my skin feeling smooth and looking clearer, while also moisturising my face. 

What have been your favourite products this month? Have any of my favourites made your list?

Rachel x

Lost In Lipstick

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Week 40

Allioli - someone take me to Spain for the real deal! // Alice in Wonderland // Popcorn // Pizza Express // Boots Christmas catalogue! // Rump steak with rosemary, sweet potato mash and asparagus // Red Hot Mocktail from Red Hot Buffet // Sweet Kiss Mocktail // Cheeky order from ASOS!

Hi Lovelies,

I've had a busy week this week. Me and Rory had two, well deserved date nights because we haven't had one in a while. So we had a night in with a film and popcorn. I got to choose the film so we watched Alice in Wonderland! Then on Wednesday, we went to Pizza Express. It's probably our favourite place to eat and we haven't eaten there for a while. On Thursday, I attended an event at Gap with a few other bloggers where we had to complete a style challenge. I had a really fun night and enjoyed styling the manikins.

On Saturday, it was my mums birthday and we went to the florist to discuss wedding flowers and bouquets and pay our deposit. I have lots of homework to do before our next meeting. I need to find some centerpieces that I like. We've decided on flowers, I just need to decide how I want them arranging. On Sunday, we went to church and discussed weddings after the service. Everything is slowly coming together now. Although I cannot imagine a day when it's all planned!

On Sunday evening, Rory and I went to Red Hot Buffet for my second taste maker session. It replaced the one we attended on my birthday as they messed up so offered us another visit. Expect a review post soon. As well as a event write up with pictures of my styled outfits in Gap. I'm so excited for this Thursday! Vogue's Fashion Night Out in Manchester. Let me know if you're going. It would be lovely to meet up with you. 

What have you been up to this week?

If you want to follow me on Instagram, my username is lostinlipstick. If you do follow me, make sure you leave your username below. I love finding new people on Instagram.

Rachel x 

Lost In Lipstick

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Week 39

Wedding Fair with my mum // Bridal catwalk // Beautiful cake // Dessert - Sticky Toffee Millionaire's Cheesecake // Handmade bracelets // New Vaseline

Hi Lovelies,

In a way, I'm really annoyed at myself for not blogging. I love blogging and I'm constantly thinking about blogging but I seem to have lost my blogging mojo. I always wondered how that was possible as I loved it so much. I don't think I truly understood until it happened. It's really hard to describe. I need to learn to manage my time more effectively. Before I know it, it's 10pm and I've done nothing! Does anyone else feel like time just disappears? Seriously, I've been home since 4:30pm and it's now 9:30pm. In 5 hours, I've watched a film and made tea. That's about two hours. What happened to the other three?

I have so much to do all the time but nothing seems to get done. I have housework, wedding planning, blog writing and general life living to do. But I cannot account for three hours of my life tonight. It's actually quite scary. I know everyone has said they can't believe it's October, but I seriously don't know where this year has gone. In November, we have been in our house a year and that's just crazy! 

I can't wait till my blogging mojo is back. Does anyone have any tips? 

What have you been up to this week?

If you want to follow me on Instagram, my username is lostinlipstick. If you do follow me, make sure you leave your username below. I love finding new people on Instagram.

Rachel x 

Lost In Lipstick

P.S. Don't forget to enter my giveaway.

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