Updated Handbag Essentials

I'm sure that I am not the only one who is constantly changing up the bits and pieces that are kept in their handbag. Especially if you treat yourself to a new one. Or if you're like me, and always say yes when asked 'would you like your receipt?', then you are also constantly going through and clearing out your bag.. These are the items that I like to keep in my handbag. 

Purse

Of course! You can't have a handbag without a purse. Even if it is just for loose change to pay for parking. I know a lot of people have their cards on their phone for Apple Pay, but I don't use that, and like to have my cards on me. How cute is this one?! I was kindly treated to a new handbag for my birthday last year and my other Ted Baker purse was too big for this gorgeous little bag. Sam choose this card wallet as a Christmas present, and it goes so well with the bag. 

Hand Sanitiser

I think this one goes without saying - but definitely an essential to have in my handbag at the moment. It comes in handy at work, to wash my hands quickly before having a snack. Plus it's the convenience of having it in your handbag, as then you will always have it on you. 

Lipsticks Of Choice

That's right, plural. I am always swapping and changing my lipsticks that I wear on the daily, but I will always carry it with me, in case I need to top up throughout the day. My favourites at the moment as always are the Mac Whirl lipliner, with Mac Yash matte lipstick. If I fancy a bit of gloss then it's the Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb in Fu$$y. The lip gloss is in place of my beloved Vaseline. 

Hand Cream

Can't be without a tube of hand cream at the moment. With the rate of washing my hands, I hate not having any hand cream near by. I picked this one up on a weekly shop and I am obsessed. It smells like coconut, almond heaven. The scent lingers too, which I love. If you're not a fan of overly scented products, than this won't be for you, but I love!

What are your handbag essentials?

Amber X

Summer Loves

There hasn't be a monthly favourites post on my blog for a while. It's probably due to the lack of trying new things - I don't switch up the products I'm using as much as others, I tend to stick what I know works best. Don't get me wrong. I do like trying new things but I have found recently that as the seasons change, so do the bits and pieces that I reach for. So another seasonal roundup of items that I have been obsessing over. Enjoy..

Ray bans
Recently, I treated myself for the first time in such a long time. I've only owned one pair of sunglasses, a lovely pair of all black Quai aviators. I brought them in an ASOS sale YEARS ago, but swore by them. They used to live in the bottom of my handbag, and due to them having a soft cloth case, the lenses got scratched pretty bad. I've always wanted a nice pair of sunglasses but have never known what to go for. I loved the round style, and after trying some on, decided to treat myself to an upgrade - all ready for holiday!

Giorgio Emporio Si Perfume
This just smells delightful. It's been my favourite since I got it for Christmas (thank you Sam) and I can't get enough of it! It's perfect for everyday wear, as well as going out. It's described as being a "rose scent" and is incredibly light.

Pineapple Mango Bath and Body Works Candle
This candle smells incredible, and it fills up the whole room with its scent so quickly! It definitely is one of the sweeter candles that I have, but I love it for that. It's such a summery smell. 100% glad that I saved it and didn't burn it in the colder months of the year. If you can get your hands on this candle, you must!

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer
I have been loving this concealer the past couple of months - so much so that I have a back up for when this one runs out already. It's so light weight, a little goes such a long way, and it's heavy duty. It doesn't move all day when it's set with powder. The coverage is unlike a lot of concealers I have tried over the years and it's £4.. Craziness.

What have you been loving recently?

Amber X

Handbag Essentials

I've never done a post like this one before, but I recently read another bloggers post, and thought it was such a good idea! I love to be nosey, so therefore seeing what other people keep inside their handbags on the daily basis, for a day out, or for a trip to the supermarket - I'm so intrigued! So other than the wrappers, accumulating number of receipts and loose plasters, this is what my handbag consists of on a daily basis.

Vaseline 
It gives me heart palpitations when I leave the house without some sort of lip balm. I always find that whenever you don't need a lip balm, you have one on you. But that one time that you are really suffering with dry lips, your lip balm that lives in your handbag is NEVER there. Surely I can't be the only one?! You'll always find at least one tin of Vaseline in my handbag.

Hand Cream
Because I am always washing my hands (don't ask me why.. I just always do haha), my hands tend to get dry really quickly. So keeping a handy size - if you pardon the pun - in my handbag is a life saver for when my hands need a bit of care.

Lipstick
Whatever lipstick I chose to wear in the morning always remains in my bag, wherever I go. Just in case I need a top up. I always carry around the lipliner that I used in the morning too. My favourite if the Mac Whirl - it's gotten so small due to the amount of use that it's received, I really should get another haha.

Purse
Of course, this one goes without saying.

Hair Accessories
A hair brush always lives in my handbag, no matter how small it is. You never know when you might need one. Alongside that, I keep a handful of hair grips and hairbands, for putting my hair up if I need too, or if it is already up and needs some attention. Always have to be prepared haha.

What must you have in your handbag?

Amber X

A December Evening Pamper

There is no doubt that a pamper session is the perfect way to spend an evening after a long day of work, studying or just generally being busy. But having a relaxing evening, after spending the day Christmas shopping, decorating, writing Christmas cards, preparing food ready for Christmas day, or even watching Christmas films all day, sounds 100x better. Here are some things I like to do when I want to spend the evening unwinding, and soaking up all the festivities. 

First on my list for some down time, is taking off my makeup. I know this may seem strange to some of you, but there are days that I genuinely look forward to taking my makeup off. It means the day is done, and it's time to get cosy. Especially after a long day, makeup can start to feel unwanted on my skin, and it feels much better once it's been removed. First off I use wipes, and then I take my trusty, Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish to ensure that everything is gone. For a gentle exfoliation, my favourite is the Neutrogena Visibly Clear Pink Grapefruit Daily Scrub. This stuff leaves my skin feeling super clean and fresh. I then tone, if I want too (this Liz Earle one is amazing) and then I moisturise with the Nivea moisturizer. 

Unfortunately, at uni we don't have a bath in our flat (big sad face). So after a hot shower, I like to put my pj's on. I recently brought myself the cutest Christmas pj bottoms from Next. Nothing is better, or cosier, than xmas pj's. I like to pair my pj's with fluffy socks, and a fleecy dressing gown. 

From here, there are so many different things I like to do, but it is completely dependent on my mood. Face masks, painting my nails, making a hot chocolate (click here for the yummiest recipe), sticking on a Christmas film whilst munching on Christmas chocolate, putting some music on, catching up on YouTube videos, browsing the internet, watching some Netflix, reading, or simply just putting on some fairy lights.

What do you like to do to pamper yourself?

Amber X 

My Autumn Essentials

If you're like me, there are always a handful of items that I love to have and wear when the Autumn time rolls round. Getting Autumn ready is always something I look forward too every year. Here is a small list of the things that I know I'll love throughout Autumn...

Scarves

Having a pretty scarf to pair with an oversized jumper or coat is the ultimate combination. Not only does it look good and somewhat put together, it's super comfy. It definitely makes stepping out the house into the cold, that little bit more bearable! There are always so many different patterns, colours, and styles to choose from... I just don't think you can go wrong with a cosy scarf.

Dark Nail Varnishes 

I have always been a fan of dark coloured nails and what better time to wear them. One of my favourites for this time of the year is 'Raspberry' and 'Blackcurrant' by Barry M. 

A Hydrating Moisturiser

Typically, during the colder months of the year, I tend to notice my skin feeling drier than usual. It only takes a cold breeze and a frosty morning and the moisture in my skin just disappears. Don't get me wrong, I love these things about the colder months, but I feel better in myself when my skin isn't dry. There are so many moisturizers out there to choose from, and personally, I think Autumn is a great time to switch them up. 

Lip Liner and Lipstick 

Using a lip liner makes wearing and applying a bold lip colour SO much better (well for me anyways). Lip liners stop lipstick bleeding, and makes application of lipstick much neater. If you don't have a liner that matches your favourite dark, berry tone lipstick, I'd advise you get one!

Winter Boots

 Boot shopping seems 100x better at this time of the year. Shops no longer stock as many sandals and pumps, leaving more room for all the winter boots you've been waiting for! Boots are great for colder weather, and I love chunky shoes. 

What could you not be without in Autumn?

Amber X

University Advice - What To Take

 Keeping with the university theme seeing as it's now September (what?!) a lot of people will slowly be getting back into their routines of school, work, university or whatever it may be. I thought I'd share my list of items that I'll be taking back to university with me, hoping that it may help some of you! I'm aware that you'll already have purchased and gathered together the majority of things by now, but just in case something slipped your mind...

Kitchen

The obvious here are things like dinner plates, bowls, mugs, glasses, cutlery, pots with their lids, a frying pan, chopping knives, spatula, wooden spoon, cheese grater, potato masher, chopping board, bin bags, Tupperware boxes or freezer bags, surface spray like Dettol, kitchen roll, washing up liquid, tea towels and a sponge/cloth. 

My tip's I'd give with kitchen stuff, is to bring more than one set of cutlery. Not only does it have a tendency to go missing, but if you only bring one lot, you'll be washing up a lot... who has time for that! Also, if possible, take down 'cupboard' food bits like pasta and tinned foods when you move down. This will save your arms when doing a food shop, and you won't necessarily have to go food shopping as soon as you move in. 

Bathroom

Whether you've got an en suite or you're sharing a bathroom, these are the bits that I would recommend bringing. Bath towels, hand towels, flannel/face cloth, soap of some sort, toothbrush & toothpaste of course, something to put these in like a cup, bath mat, hair products - shampoo conditioner, shower gel/scrub, a pedal bin, toilet cleaner, toilet rolls, cotton pads, q tips, and face washes.

Bedroom 

My favourite part about university is making my room my own. By all means, bring whatever you want to make your room exactly how you like it! This is what I am going to bring with me for third year to make my room cosy.

Duvet cover, fitted bed sheet, pillow cases, pillows, duvet, cushions for the bed, a throw, fairy lights, command hooks to hang the lights up, extension cables, acrylic storage for makeup, brush holders, mattress topper, light up vanity mirror, a desk mirror, skin care products, hair brushes, hair bands and grips, jewellery, a dish for my jewellery, a bin, printer, ink, paper, notepads, pens, pen pot, pencil case, diary/journal, perfumes, photographs of loved ones, clothes and other bits for the wardrobe, shoes, a suitcase for travelling home when the semester comes to an end, a hot water bottle, my laptop, ipad, and all the chargers I need.

What could you not be without when at university?

Amber X