Fashion | The New Black Bag

Black Plate Premium Large Bag | £50.00 | Link

As soon as I see something that I like, I know I have to have it and it was the same with this Black Plate Premium Bag from Next. Out of all the handbags I own, I only owned one black bag and I had recently started to think that it was coming to the end of it's life so as soon as I spotted this one it immediately ticked all the boxes and I used up the last of my birthday money to buy it.

I love the simplicity of the bag, yet it still has attractive detailing. I'm also forever hoarding round crates of stuff with me so tha fact that it's big enough to fit all my junk in is another bonus. The bag consists of 3 compartments, 1 large zipped compartment in the middle, and the other two are either side and use poppers rather than zips. I'm always very safety conscious so anything valuable such as phone, money etc go into the zipped compartment and anything else like lip glosses and a ridiculous amount of sweet wrappers for when I can't find a bin go in the popper compartments.

At £50.00 some people may find this bag rather on the pricey side especially as it's just from Next. However, the quality is brilliant and so far it hasn't shown any signs of wear and tear like my Primark bags do in their first few weeks of life. I also like the fact that there is also an adjustable handle so that you can carry the bag in which ever way is comfiest, on long days out, with any bag I'm always swapping and changing the way I carry it in order to stop my shoulders from aching - perhaps that's a sign that I carry too much?!

There is nothing I could fault this bag for and I haven't let it out of my grasp since I brought it.

What's your recent favourite purchase?

Beauty | Weleda Wild Rose Smoothing Night Cream

Weleda Wild Rose Smoothing Night Cream 30ml - £16.95 link
Recently I've been trying really hard with my skincare routine and one of the products I've been using the most is this Weleda Wild Rose Smoothing Night Cream. This night cream was in one of the Glossy Boxes, and I sort of seemed to dismiss it, probably because I cannot stand Rose products due to the Rose scent. But at the moment I'd give anything a go to improve my skin, and I've found that this has helped tremendously.

The night cream aims to replenish the skin and aid natural skin regeneration, and also help will dull and dryness. I've always been slightly sceptical about products which have all these aims to improve your skin and make it look a certain way, but I was pleasantly surprised with this product. In the morning, there wasn't a patch of dryness on my skin and it had actually helped with the moisture balance between oily and dry which I've been suffering with recently, especially with with my T-zone area. I also found that the Rose scent wasn't over-powering in the slightest and that actually it smelt really pleasant, almost as if it is mixed with Lavender, that really soft floral scent!

The Wild Rose Smoothing Care range also includes a Day Cream and an Eye Cream which is also suppose to help with age-prevention. These two products are definitely something I want to try in the future if they're as good as the Night Cream, but as they retail at £16.95 for 30mls I think I might need to save a little bit first as I find them a little bit on the pricey end.

Have you tried anything from the Wild Rose Smoothing Care range yet?!

Beauty | Barry M Matte Nail Paint

Barry M Matte Nail Paint - £3.99 each.

I haven't written a Nail Polish review in what feels like forever, even though I frequently wear it. Recently I picked up two new shades from Barry M's new Matte collection. I had never tried matte nail polish up until now and I love it. I love how the finish is so completely different to any other polishes which I've purchased before. I chose the colours Burgundy Crush and Mocha as I thought that they were perfect winter colours!

I've always loved Barry M Nail Paints as I think they're brilliant quality for their price. From the pictures you can tell that the polishes really do have a matte effect which I love, however in the daylight, naturally, it gives the polish more of a shine. The top photo is the day of application and the second photo is 4 days after I had painted my nails. I wanted to show just how great the polishes last, which to me is something which is really important that I look for in a nail polish and Barry M always keep me happy with their quality of product.

I think Burgundy Crush is going to be one of my new winter favourites with it's deep red colour and Mocha will be perfect for winter, but for spring too, as it's a very similar colour to their famous Mushroom Nail Paint, just in a matte finish. As you can tell I love both these nail paints, although I don't think I'll be purchasing the other colours in the collection as I already own a lot, and I mean a lot of dark nail polishes. However, I will always replace these two and may purchase other colours if they bring out a new colour range. I think Matte pastels would be lovely for spring!?

Have you tried Barry M's Matte Nail Paint?!

Beauty | The Fragrance Shop Discovery Club 5th Edition*.

I would be lying if I said I didn't love perfume. I think I'm the most perfume addicted person out there, and I just can't help but buy more and more! So when I was sent The Fragrance Shop's Discovery Box* it was like a dream come true, plus I had already read lots of reviews on this subscription and was toying with the idea of signing up.

Like Glossy Box and Love Me Beauty Boxes you can sign up to the Discovery Club which is ran by The Fragrance Shop. Every quarter of a year you can pay £5.00 to have your box of perfume samples sent straight you your door for you to try. In this edition, the 5th edition there are 9 perfume samples, usually there are 5 so it's a complete bargain. Each box also comes with a Discovery Club booklet which tells you about each perfume you've received and also includes lots of vouchers worth up to £45.00 to spend in The Fragrance Shop. So this is what you can expect to see in a box.

The box contains popular samples for you to try, and I've enjoyed every bit of sampling new perfumes and deciding on my favourites. I have a feeling that this could be bad for my perfume addiction! 

I also love how they have included fragrances for men in the box which I'm sure my boyfriend will find a loving home for, especially as the Hugo Boss Boss Bottled is already one of his favourites on his shelf and he always smells so divine when he wears it. Surely I can't be the only girl who goes weak at the knees over a good smelling bloke?! Hugo Boss Hugo Man is also another great smell for guys and both of these have top notes of apple, along with other fruits and spices. Finally in the men's range is Issey Miyake L'Eau D'Issey Pour Homme. Now Issey Miyake has always been a brand which I've associated with older men, but with it's distinct woody smell with top notes of yuzu - a Japanese citron, it too, also smells incredible.

Now for the ladies, this edition we have 6 popular favourites, and some which I am already familiar with. I'm no stranger when it comes to Givency's Very Irresistible, something which I've had before and adore it's floral combination of roses and peonies. It's a very unmistakable feminine smell. There are also two by Thierry Mugler, Alien and Angel which I know are two favourites within the blogging world. I can already see Alien becoming a top favourite of mine! Like Givency's Very Irresistible, Guilty by Gucci is another one of my favourites due to it's similarities, although Gucci's Guilty uses oriental florals. Finishing with the florals is Jean Paul Gaultier Classsique which also includes hints of ginger entwined with the florals. Finally for the ladies, is Nina Ricci Nina, a fruity favourite for most.

As you can tell there is quite a range in this box and something there for everyone, even if there's one which may not quite be your favourite I'm sure you'll be able to find someone else who loves it. Personally, I just think this box is a great way for people to try out new fragrances and the samples are even handy just to stick in your handbag to freshen up. Along with the vouchers this box really is worth it's value for money and I can't wait to see what is in the next quarterly instalment!

Is the Discovery Club something you'd be interested in?

Lifestyle | Warning: This Is An Opinionated Post Against - Abortion In The UK

I don't usually write posts like this at all, but whilst scrolling through the Internet this morning I came across something which I feel very passionate about, and that I strongly believe that something needs to be done about it. This post is entirely my own opinions and something which I want to share, as I believe that in the UK the law which allows pregnant woman to abort their unborn child at 24 weeks is wrong on every level.

I came across this article about a young baby, named Walter Joshua Fretz. Walter made it to his 19th week before devastatingly being miscarried. He was a very much wanted and loved baby. There was no explanation to his death, except that it was just natural and of no fault.

As you can see from the photos that at 19 weeks, Walter was incredibly developed. Just think, that at 24 weeks Walter would have been even more developed and in fact, able to survive in this world if born prematurely. At 24 weeks a baby's tastebuds have developed. Their lungs are continuing to grow stronger, hair is starting to grow on the baby's skin and their eyelids are fully formed. They are even able to do things such as suck their thumbs as their brain continues to develop!

To me, this baby is already a living person yet a woman is able to make a choice on whether it continues to live or not, and these reasons could be from pure selfishness. Now don't get me wrong, I completely understand that in some cases abortion is needed where perhaps the pregnancy is the result of rape, a child under the age of 18, or the mother has a severe medical illness which could affect the baby and their development whilst in the womb. But I cannot agree and will not agree that a woman who has been carrying a baby for 24 weeks, six months, has the right to terminate her baby's life because 'it isn't convenient' for her or 'it was a mistake, a result of a one night stand.' This I cannot agree with. This is why I believe that it should be made legal to have an abortion at the latest, of around 9-12 weeks. Personally, I believe that's enough time to find out whether you are pregnant and make a decision. Not wait 6 months to decide.

In this present day there are more and more women who are unable to conceive and have a child of their own, who try desperately but are not fortunate enough. These women then go down the route of adoption. Just because you might not want your baby, there will always be someone else who will. Someone who will provide that baby with eternal love, support and care. Someone who will raise and love that baby as if they're their own. You've already carried the baby for 6 months, another 3 isn't going to hurt really, is it?

I know that not everyone will agree with me but after reading Walter's story and seeing how beautiful he is even after just 19 weeks of development, it makes me more passionate that abortion at 24 weeks is wrong and that something needs to be done about it. There will always be exceptions to abortion but I cannot stand it when a woman choose to abort her baby at such a late stage in her pregnancy due to her own selfish reasons, and I believe it's wrong. It's a living life and something needs to be done.

If you would like to read the full article about Walter then you can read it here

http://cultureshift.tumblr.com/post/54505134725/meet-walter-joshua-fretz-a-human-being

Thank you for taking the time to read this post.

Beauty | L'Oréal 3 In 1 Purifying Micellar Solution

The L'Oréal 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Solution is something else which I brought because every other blogger was raving about it! However, I am thoroughly glad I did as this has been such a great product to work with.

To start with, Micellar Water is a cleansing water which is free from soap, and one of the best factors as to why people love this product is because unlike most cleansers you don't need water to rinse the cleanser and clean the face like a usual routine. You can simply apply the water onto a cotton pad and then straight onto the face. Once you've finished all that's left is to use a toner. You do not need to use water to remove this product. The Micellar water is also great at removing make up, as from the name, it uses molecules called Micelles which trap and remove all elements of dirt from the skin such as make up, dust, grease and grime, Finally the solution draws the impurities out from the skin and hydrates it at the same time. What could be better from a product?!

With the  L'Oréal Purifying Solution it has three uses. Firstly, it removes all traces of make up and I even find that it can also get rid of really stubborn Mascara, which is a huge positive to me as removing eye make and mascara is one of my least favourite tasks. It also unclogs pores and remove impurities which every girl wants, as no one wants to be left with dirt trapped in their skin! Finally, it tones and soothes the skin. The  L'Oréal Purifying Solution also comes with an affordable price tag which is even better considering that it does three great jobs in one. At £4.99 it's available to buy in any Boots or Superdrug store.

Although the Micellar Water has three great functions, I wouldn't recommend that you change your skin care routine to solely this product as it's actually as in the wrong hands it becomes a lazy persons product when we all know that there isn't anything better for our skin than a proper cleanse and tone with a cleansing balm or cream. This product is great for travelling and even going to things such as festivals or when you're in a hurry. I tend to use this product when I come home at silly o'clock in the morning from a night out and cannot keep my eyes open long enough to cleanse and tone, especially as it removes stubborn eye make up and lip products. Or I use it on days where I haven't worn any make up but know that my skin needs a quick clean before bed.

I would definitely say that this is a product which every girl needs to own in their bathroom cupboards as it does work well on the skin, especially as it's also suitable for those with sensitive skin. It's a quick way of removing make up when you need it to and it's incredibly affordable!

Have you tried  L'Oréal's 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Solution?

Beauty | The First 2014 Haul!

It may be awful, but when I'm feeling a bit down I got for a bit of a make up spending spree! Boots and Superdrug are both my bestfriends and also my enemies, as far as my bank account is concerned! I recently headed to both, and surprise, surprise brought things from both! So here's a little look at what I brought!

Firstly, a trip to Superdrug is never complete without buying something from MUA! MUA is like my holy grail beauty brand as their prices are incredibly affordable and the quality is really impressive for what you pay. I'm yet to come across a MUA product which I don't like. Their palettes have always been a favourite of mine, especially my much loved Heaven and Earth palette. I've also been dying to try out their new Colour Blast Eyeshadow Tint and chose the colour 'Stay'. I also picked up their 'Smokin' palette and their 'Ever After' matte palette.

Next, I headed to Boots where I embarked upon a new adventure. I don't know how it's possible to go this long without one but I picked up my first Bourjois blush in shade 35 Rose d'Or - Golder Rose and it is the most beautiful colour ever! I also repurchased an ever favourite of the Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Translucent. This is currently one of my most used products and helping with any oilyness I've been having recently. I'm also always on the look out for that perfect mascara and after watching a video by Moree Milk, ages ago, where she swore by this Mascara as being the best I knew I had to give it a go. So that's how Number 17's Peep Show Mascara ended up in my basket! Finally, after hearing everyone endlessly rave about Barry M's matte Nail Paint I had to have some for myself, along with adding another Gelly Hi Shine to my collection. I brought the Gelly Hi Shine in shade 'Plum' and the matte Nail Paints in shades 'Crush' and 'Mocha'.

- MUA Smokin Palette - £6.00
- MUA Ever After Matte Palette - £4.00
- MUA Colourblast Eyeshadow Tint - £3.00
- Rimmel Stay Matte Translucent Pressed Powder - £3.99
- 17 Peep Show Mascara - £6.29
- Bourjois Blush Rose d'Or Golden Rose - £7.99
- Barry M Gelly Hi Shine Plum - £3.99
- Barry M Matte Nail Paint Crush - £3.99
- Barry M Matte Nail Paint Mocha - £3.99

So that's what I've been buying recently, and reviews will be coming as soon as I possibly can find time to write them, as it's starting to get hectic again being back at uni!

What are your recent favourite purchases?!