This week I love...

Growing My Own Vegetables

Last year, when M & I were house shopping, a garden was one of our top priorities. We moved in last March, but with the wedding, exams etc, we didn't get the chance to do anything in it last year (except battle the jungle grass). I vowed that this year I would get a vegetable patch up & running and with the last couple of weeks offering up some amazing sunshine, I got out my pink gardening gloves and set to it. Planted are Carrots, Garlic, Tomatoes, Parsnips & Radishes. Who knows what the results will be!

My modest veggie patch!

images sourced from weheartit.com

Bridal Season...

The last 2 years have been all about my wedding (for me anyway!). This year, it is going to be so nice to kick back & just enjoy all the weddings I'll be going to without worrying about my own. Plus, I adore the rush of work over the summer months; pampering brides & being part of so many girls' special days is magical

Holidays, New York & Vegas

Our honeymoon last year included stays in NYC & Vegas. Both M & I are desperate to go back to both. We wont be going on holiday together this summer, so we have both been daydreaming about planning trips there again next year.

Tattoos

Most of you probably know by now that I have several tattoos. Recently I've been struck with itch for a new one. I can't explain where it comes from, or really even what it feels like, but when it hits, I need to do it. Most of the time, I don't even really know what I want until I go for my appointment & more than once I've been happy to give the artist a loose brief & let them work their magic. My tattoos range from massive to tiny; at the moment I seem to be coveting a very simple heart outline. But, well... we'll see!

Exercise

I seem to have fallen into a bit of a funk exercise/health wise. I know I need to get back into it & love the feeling of getting results, but that firs run/walk/class/box is always the hardest! I'm wondering if treating myself to some new trainers will help...

Lovely Summer Sunshine...

I don't think I need to say anything... everyone feels the same when the sun comes out. Happy.

FOTD: Laura Mercier Metallic Cream Eye Colour 'Gold'

This FOTD is specially dedicated to the lovely Laura from So Far, So Chic. One of my Twitter BFFs, I promised her I would do a proper FOTD post featuring my current favourite eye product; the Laura Mercier Metallic Cream Eye Colour in Gold.

So Laura, this is for you!

Products are...

Chanel Pro Lumiere (10)

MAC Select Cover-Up Concealer

Laura Mercier Metallic Cream Eye Colour in Gold

Make Up For Ever Aqua Smoky Lash

La Femme Blush in Indian Rose

Accessorize Blush/Baked Highlighter

MAC Blankety/Angel lipsticks blended together

Chanel Loose Powder in Clair

Obligatory ridiculous posing photo that always happens after FOTD pics...

A xx

2 True Guest Video - Glam Smoky Eyes!

I had a lot of fun recreating this look for 2 True. The smoky eye is so easy to do, you just need a good light/dark duo eyeshadow like the True Colour Duo Eyeshadows and it's easy!

You can see the step-by-step video tutorial exclusively for Beauty 2 True here

This entire face of makeup would have cost about £12, including Foundation, Mascara, Lipgloss, Eyeshadow, Bronzer, Eyeliner & Powder! You can shop online here or in-store at Superdrug.

Makeup Through Time

Some words of wisdom stick with us forever. They help us take risks ("only regret the things you don't do"), help us make wise decisions (do unto others....) and others just simply make it impossible for me to browse Vogue ads without scrutinising the styling to pinpoint the era of influence.

Last year, Sam (from Pixiwoo) pointed out during a lesson on makeup history, that almost any print ad will have drawn on a time in style history for it's inspiration. At the time, I casually flicked through a couple of magazines and thought 'hmmmm'. Now, it's become almost an obsession. I buy Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire et al and spend about 80% of my reading time scrutinising the ads, trying to work out which is the prominent era. Look below, you'll see she was right too...

Please excuse the shoddy quality of the pics, I took them all on my iPhone. All of these pics are from May 2011 Vogue (UK).

Louis Vuitton

A supremely modern take on the 20's. Check out those blacker than black lips & owl shaped eyes.

Still not convinced? How about that straight, downward facing eyebrow...

Marc Jacobs

The bright bold prints, the flares & the massive hats scream 1970's. But that's a dupe. Check out that makeup & you go straight back into the flapper 20's!

Dior

Some all-american 40's post-war babe?

Dolce & Gabbana

A red lip can sometimes be hard to pin-point. Tell tale signs of the period include tone of red, shape of the lips & the styling of the rest of the makeup. This one is verging on a sort of neutral modern basic red lip look, but the sexy sleepy eyes & strong arched brows are just a little too reminiscent of Monroe. I'm going with 50's.

Michael Kors

This could easily be dismissed as a pretty, glowing modern makeup, but the beachy hair & slightly brown lipstick kicks out 1990's to me.

Purple Eyes & Lips with MAC

MAC Hepcat, Satellite Dreams & Sketch Eyeshadows

MAC Rebel Lipstick