Music Monday - What's playing on your ipod this week?

On my ipod this week it is James Blunt and 'Carry You Home' 

What's in my......

What's in my jewellery boxes?

This is another of my little posts allowing you a fleeting glimpse into my home and the things I like .....

These two lovely wooden boxes nestle happily on my large chest of drawers next to my hairbrushes. They were a present from my husband and are made out of an old beam from a Devon longhouse so are unique and just a little bit quirky! I use them to contain the earrings that are 'in favour' and I wear most at the moment. The rest are relegated to boxes in a drawer on a chest of drawers we have on the landing until I decide I want a change. 

This is the collection I have in the two boxes at the moment - a few rings have managed to sneak in as well I've noticed, including a simple crossed silver band with a tiny diamond that I got when my granny passed away a few years ago.

These earrings were a present from my Father, many years ago, before he got really sick . He wouldn't remember now.  They will always mean a lot to me.

I love these little pearl earrings and was rather pleased to find a necklace that goes so well with them for less than £20. These get worn quite a lot!

These were chosen for me by my daughter for my birthday - I actually love the childish nature of them!

My wedding earrings from Sassi Holfords - not kept in my wooden boxes, but worth a mention. Need I say more. Love!

What are you favourite style of earrings at the moment?

Wednesday Beauty Buys

Benefit

I have a fabulous Benefit Mascara ( Bad Gal Lash) which I love. I don't know if it is the chunky brush or the creamy consistency that doesn't clump that makes the difference, but this mascara is a real winner for my lashes. 

It has given me the confidence to branch out and try a couple more of their products that previously I have been a little reluctant to . I'm not one for jumping on the band wagon, as such, but - if it works for me I'll use it. 

I've been trying out primers and have found a primer that is reasonable from Rimmel that does a good job, but  decided, on recommendation,  to try the Pore fessional from Benefit. I missed this when it was available as a sample on the glossies a few months ago and was gutted, so have bitten the bullet and paid full price for a full size product - lets hope I like it ( deep intake of breath here please.)

I was expecting it to be white so was pleasantly pleased to see a creamy skin toned cream when I opened the package. The instructions are to pat a fine layer onto clean and moisturised skin from the centre of the face outwards , to wait a few seconds and then apply make up. If pores reappear then pat delicately over make up and blend. You can re touch during the day as well. My first impressions are good and I have found that it has helped to give a more even appearance. My only concern is value for money and how long this will last, especially if you do have to reapply during the day. At the moment I have not needed to reapply, but maybe that is laziness or lack of time, more than anything else, so we shall see!

My second product is called Watts Up! It is a soft focus highlighter for the face. Already I love this product and I have only used it twice. It has an end for the creamy product and an end that has a sponge to blend. It gives a soft subtle shimmer to cheeks and brows - as much or as little as you want. It can be used over make up or simply on it's own for a healthy glow. A lovely flexible product. Again , not particularly cheap, but we will see how long I can make this stretch......!

I am sure this is just the start of another one of my collections so watch this space!! The tinted lip gloss is also another lovely product - just thought I'd add that final thought there!

What are your favourite Benefit products you think are worth trying?

30 with 30 The Final Week!

The Final week has come for the 30 with 30 challenge so I am linking up with Lauren at From my Grey Desk for the last week! I must admit to having found this a really beneficial challenge on so many different levels.

 I have learnt some self restraint when out shopping - it is not always necessary to buy something new every time you enter a shop!

You can be creative with a smaller number of items from your wardrobe - it just takes a bit of thought.

Planning ahead with your outfits, saves time and money.

I have realised that some styles I thought suited me , actually don't .

I have realised that some styles I thought didn't suit me, actually do!

I have used the time to sort through my closet, revamp what I could wear and sell on /give away what I won't.

I have planned some items I need for the Autumn to avoid panic buying and wasting money - I have posted a few of my favourite items on a Pinterest board called My Autumn Wardrobe . I wont be buying everything on here of course!


So my final 3 outfits of the 30 with 30 challenge are:

Outfit 1:

Outfit Two:

Outfit three:

 These two pictures show the shirt I won from the people tree giveaway from The Small Fabric Of My Life . Love a white Shirt with a pair of dark blue jeans any day of the week! 

Toiletry Bags

I love my products as you have probably worked out by now if you visit my blog on a regular basis! Now I don't think I am unusual in that ... most of my women friends would confess to being much the same , whether it be make up, hair products, or just general beautifying ourselves products - we tend to have cupboards full of them! If you add to that being a parent , the amount of toiletries required on a day to day basis goes crazy. Everybody seems to require a different type of shampoo , some have dry skin, some oily , nearly all now require deodorant ( 3 smelly males in the house - no thanks) and their own shower gel. The youngest still needs sudocrem and hydrocortisone for the odd patch of eczema. Toothpaste seems to be different for every age group and I wont even start on me.........

The point I am making is, I have never found a toiletry bag that is large enough, that I like, to carry the items needed to go away on holiday together, even when we decant into smaller bottles. There are of course certain items that come in large bottles that won't decant - hairspray, and if persuaded to use the same product, a one bottle does all shampoo has to be pretty large anyway for a family of 5 for 2 weeks! 

However, I was in town recently and came across a gorgeous range of toiletry bags that come in a variety of shapes and sizes. One caught my eye and I was instantly in love! I snapped it up straight away without hesitation! Just take a look at this beauty ......

They come from a company called Love Hart who also sell a variety of other delicious products too. The detail and finish on this bag is faultless and it's simplicity is perfect. I have yet to use it to go away, but have already tried a variety of products in it and the amount of room is amazing. I am definitely going to buy a few more of the smaller ones as well for make up and smaller items. Do check out their site here to see their full range of products, sizes and prices. They offer free UK delivery on orders over £30 too.

The pattern on the fabric is really inviting in a subtle arrangement of greens and blues.

                                                                              
A beautifully fitted zip that is finished attractively with a striped cotton tie .

I can see myself giving the older children a small bag each for their independent items and taking a large bag for our shared products and first aid items. The complicated lives we lead!

Definitely check them out and let me know what you think!

Love Hart



* This is not a sponsored post.