What's in my bag?

Topshop Clean Bowling Bag - £40

I always watch Youtube video's of "Whats in My Bag" so I thought I would do my own on here! This bag was a recent buy and I believe it comes in a couple of colours. It has a a phone holder inside, and a small zipped pocket too. 

Pink Umbrella 

Urban Outfitters fingerless gloves - I love love love these, they keep my hands super warm as they have a fleecy lining and they look so cute!

Paperchase Travel Card holder 

Topshop purse - I bought this a while ago, I just adore the Topshop purses I would buy them all if I could.

Paperchase Pencil

Kleenex Tissues - I do not go anywhere without a packet of tissues.

Earphones

Topshop sunglasses and floral case - I like to be optimistic and prepared for all types of weather... I do realise it is not likely to be sunny in winter months yet these live in my bag.

Red Diary - this is such a lifesaver. My Dad gave it to me as he got given it for free somewhere and didn't want it. I will be buying one exactly like this for next year because it is so useful.

The pages  look like this so there is plenty space to scribble lists and notes relevant to the week, as well as an address book at the back, and even more plain notes pages. Diary, I love you xxxxx

This little 'essentials pouch' lives in my bag - it contains stuff I might need whilst out and about and I will add to it the lipstick I'm wearing that day or some spare concealer if my skin is not behaving.

Carex Antibacterial Hand Gel - I am the tiniest bit OCD

Les Divines Alcoves Amoureuse In Love Stick Perfume - there is more about that in my perfume post:  click here to read it.

Mini nail file

Olbas Oil - I am a bit obsessed with this at the moment as I am suffering with a blocked nose due to my tree pollen allergy. I adore the smell of it (though it is really quite strong); I put some on my pillow at night which is especially useful.

M&S Peppermint Breath Spray - I don't like to chew gum so this is my alternative to having a nice minty taste all day long

Accessorize Love Compact Mirror

Glasses Wiper - this looks like a very strange contraption... in fact it is for cleaning the lenses of your glasses!

Cath Kidston Honeysuckle Hand Cream

Nivea Lip Care Pearly Shine - this is a lip balm but comes out a very light glossy pink on your lips. A nice subtle alternative to lipstick (which often makes my lips quite dry)

The final thing which you would normally find in my bag is a book:

I have just finished this (hence it not being in my bag), and it was really good, though I do love the Jodi Picoult books. It's quite emotional and hard hitting but a good read nonetheless. 

Jodi Picoult - Handle With Care

And that's all folks! I must depart as I have English Coursework to be doing (*silent tears fall from my eyes*).....

Hope your day is full of sparkles!

Minka x

P.S.... I have found this mini version of my bag IN PINK. I am desperate to own it!!!

Beauty Tag!

Hello!
I'm pretty sure this is an old tag but I really wanted to do one and this took my fancy!
Do comment if you've done it yourself, or if you are going to do it and I will definitely have a look!

What's your favorite make up look?

At the moment I’m loving the what-I-call “peaches and cream” look. I have very pale skin and I am enjoying using peachy blush colours and coral / peach lipsticks.

What is your must-have beauty product?

For me, an under eye cream is really important. Right now I’m using Laura Mercier’s “Secret Concealer” which is really helping to hide the dark circles under my eyes!!

What part of your body do you love?

I am very blessed to have thick, fairly long hair. It is a strange colour (goldey, brownish, sometimes a tiny bit ginger), but I am often complimented on it and I am lucky that it has lots of volume too.

Personally, I think I have nice teeth! I had awful, horrendous baby teeth, but my adult ones have turned out to be fine and I have had braces so they are perfectly straight....a smile is so important to me!

Who is your beauty icon?

I have a fair few “beauty icons” or “beauty envy’s”... here’s the first ones that spring to mind:

Marilyn Monroe - I’m sorry how could you think she isn’t beautiful?!

Adele - always envious of her perfect eyeliner and amazing nails

Katy Perry - sometimes she’s a little OTT but can pull off the glamourous look I absolutely love so amazingly.

Emma Watson - Generally she has the perfect natural look

Zoella - yes I have a slight obsession!!

What beauty product makes you feel instantly good?

Recently I have gone a little bit crazy about lipstick so I will go for that... it makes me feel a little more glam! (yes I am wearing some today even though I’ve got trackies on and I’m not leaving the house...)

How do you look after your skin?

I am incredibly lucky to have non-troublesome skin, obviously there’s the odd annoyance but overall it’s pretty good so I don’t spend too much time looking after it. I’m using the Bare Minerals Deep Cleansing Foam at the moment which my Mum gave to me because she got it in a set (I think) and didn’t need it. I also moisturize frequently and occasionally use a face scrub or some form of pore cleansing thing. 

What is your signature scent?

Daisy by Marc Jacobs

What is your hair care secrets?

I brush my at least twice a day (sometimes more because I find it quite enjoyable) and wash it every other day with Herbal Essences shampoo / conditioners. I never blow dry it myself and rarely ever straighten or curl it because I can’t be bothered... so it doesn’t get much heat exposure!

How do you pamper yourself?

I love a nice bubble bath and do enjoy a “mini pamper evening” of being in there for ages before applying a nice body butter and using a mask or cleansing my face whilst it soaks in. I will then sort my nails out as they are often in awful condition because I bite them. I AM SO JEALOUS of Soph’s nails... they are Perfection with a capital P.

What is your beauty annoyance?

The thing that annoys me most is when people use far too much foundation and look completely orange. I really don’t think it’s necessary, it’s not a very good look and is probably not great for your skin.

What would your desert island must haves be?

*A good book

*A few cartons of apple juice

*Some ice cream

*the playstation game Singstar with all my favourite songs on it.

*A bag of make up I can "play with"

*suncream

*sunglasses

*A bikini

*a pretty dress

*my hairbrush

*Someone fun to keep me company (la Blogmate is an ideal candidate)

(I have probably exceeded the limit on this question!!!)

Finally, do you have a beauty philosophy?

I don’t have a “beauty” philosophy but I do try to live by this quote from Marilyn Monroe:

Minka x

Colour Wheel: GREEN

Hello hello! Time for another colour wheel post, and today's colour is green!
Now, I should probably say that overall I am not the biggest fan of green but I've tried my best here!

The first item is this Barbour style coat which I wear the whole time. It's fairly light but I've also been wearing it through winter with cosy jumpers and lots of layers. Believe it or not I got this from Boden. I also love the flash of colour inside which is nice and cheery!

The next two are both Topshop buys from a while ago:

This is just a simple sleeveless green shirt which I sometimes wear on it's own or I might wear a top underneath it and wear the shirt like a jacket.

I won't lie to you, this is actually multicoloured but I think it gives off a green effect over all. This is my baggy, lazy day jumper (it's quite long) it's so cosy :)

Ok some random stuff now:

GREEN TEA LIGHT HOLDERS:

I got these in IKEA a couple of weeks ago after I became a little bit obsessed with tea lights. I have them on my desk in my room and I think they're nice because they're a little unusual and it also means the flame can't set anything alight which is obviously a benefit....

AGATHA CHRISTIE: THE MURDER ON THE LINKS:

Something you should know is that I am a huge Agatha Christie fan (yes I know thats not very girly compaired to my usual style...). I have been trying to sneak one into a post and now I can because as you can see, it is green! I get through these books so quickly, as they really suck you in (I won't put it down.. even at the dinner table) and they aren't too long either. Another pro is that they are small books, in size, so they are perfect for sunbathing... I find it too difficult to read a great big hardback sized thing when lying down.

If you aren't a bookworm, then watch some of the TV episodes - there are loads and loads and they are excellent!

Have a wonderful day!

Minka x