How We Do (Party)

Those of you who know me will know that a few of my favourite things are my family & friends, singing & dancing...and drinking. So of course I was very excited for another reason to embrace all of the above on the special occasion of Lynda's 60th birthday (my dads cousins' wife). Who else can relate to having a bigger extended family than the brady bunch? I guess it comes with being of Irish descent...my grandad was the youngest of 11! Ratings to my great grandmother for squeezing eleven children out of her lady parts. Ouch.

My dad, sister, granny, another one of dads cousins and I crammed into a cosy (crowded) car and set off for Rugby yesterday afternoon. Fact of the day: the sport, rugby, originated there. Who'd have thought eh?

Four hours later, we dragged our limp limbs out of the car and leapt up the stairs to get ready to partay. I love staying in new places: the hotel was holding a wedding reception and obvs had me day dreaming about my big day, one day, with the one.

After a rush of makeup re-application, a panic at the thought I might have to rock my Nike frees to the party as I couldn't find my platforms (turns out they were in the back of the car boot) and a minor squabble with the sis (standard), we headed to the bar Lynda and Johnny had hired out in a coach which bought back memories of my aunty's wedding last year. 

The dance floor lit up with disco lights and the *free* drink flowed (the perks of partying with your nearest and dearest!) 

Highlights of the night: 

My uncle John trying his first sambuca shot...

and this reaction...

My sister wanting to spend time with me (15 and she wears the trousers in our relationship)... 

My little cousin Dolly aka Buzz lightyear. She sure did rescue that dancefloor at the start of the night...

Johnny's speech for Linda. The. Cutest. Ever. Forget the bass...it's all about that love, Meghan Trainor. 

The food. Oh my, I've never tasted anything quite like those cheesey potato skins. They'll be on my mind for a long long time (I was too busy eating it to take pictures). 

My dad singing (this is unheard of).

My granny's Irish dancing. She's just so great.

The DJ's enthusiasm (Megan!)

...and this face...

Some more snaps...

I do love ma fam.

Hope everyone had an enjoyable Friday! Is it just me or has this month gone insanely quick? 

XOXO

How To Achieve The Kylie Jenner Lip

The Kardashians. Like marmite, you either love them or you hate them. Personally, I fall into the former category. 

Regardless of whether you loathe their every existence or secretly want to be them (any will do), I'm sure you're all aware of Kylie Jenner's lips being the subject of many gossip magazines, beauty guru's blogs and chatters with the gals for some time now. Has she or hasn't she had lip fillers? That is the question (soz Shakespeare). You can see that trout pout from all the way over here in East Sheen, and that's saying something (credits to the people who actually know where the fuck Sheen is). 

And I hate to say it, but she's quickly becoming my fave of the Kardashian clan. Kendall's structured cheekbones & stick thin model figure, Kim's bootay, Khloe's hair & 'I don't take no shit' attitude and Kourtney's relationship (if Scott ever decides to leave the brunette beauty I'll be first in line for a bit of Lord Disick action) got nothing on Kylie and those lips though...

Just look at them! She is heavenly. And I am majorly girl crushing. 

I've found the perfect lip liner / lipstick combo, both from Mac, to help achieve the signature Kylie lip. Oh so juicy, oh so plump.  

Mac Lip liner in Soar: I apply this beautiful matte rosey mauve colour all over the lips (spoiler alert: apparently it's the exact shade Kylie uses!). It's great because although it's matte, it doesn't dry out my lips or emphasise dry lips which tend to make an appearance this time of year! This is the first lip liner by Mac that I've tried, but it definitely won't be the last. Winner. 

Mac Lipstick in Honeylove: This is a light beige toned rosey nude and I think this and soar lip liner compliment each other perfectly. It's also matte so don't worry, once it's on, it's oonnnnnn (for a good while at least!)

The result: 

I tried (and failed) the Kylie pout. Here was my best shot...

My teeth are just too big #buckteeth

I'll stick to ma big cheesey grin!

This lip is so wearable and I'm obsessed. When I'm not rocking a bold lip, I'm rocking this bad boy.

Let me know if you've found any good dupes / alternative colours to recreate the Kylie lip because I'd love to try!

XOXO

How To: Quick & Easy Festive Nails

This time of year is full of festivities. Halloween, guyfawkes, the C word. I love experimenting with makeup and accessories to jazz up a simple, snuggle outfit. Grey tops/jumpers are my new obsession; I have recently bought FIVE...channelling my inner seal?!? 

I was recently browsing Topshop, a weekly ritual of mine, and those darn sneaky isle products lured me in again. This gorgeous glittery nail varnish number had my name on it (or it may as well of) and I couldn't resist popping it in the basket. 

Naturally, I paired it with a grey nail varnish courtesy of Glamour mag...I'm tempted to go back and purchase another two copies of the magazine to get the other two beautiful autumnal shades (a deep red and an off black colour). 

Shout out to my new adorable phone case (£3 from Tiger- this shop always brings it!) 

Her name is piggles and she is half dog, half mouse. Don't hate. 

The Chrismas cups are back people!!!!! 

The Gingerbread latte will always hold a special place in my heart but I'm excited to try the pumpkin spiced latte this year. What are your faves? 

I love trying out different looks on my nails so if you have any that you've nailed (pun intended), I'd love to see! 

XOXO 

Top 4 Autumn Statement Lipsticks: High End vs Drugstore

Let the battle of the Autumn lipsticks commence. 

The fur coats are out people, and the toes are well and truly in (and by that weird statement, I mean my feet are constantly covered in either winter boots / thick socks / last years reindeer slippers... don't judge). Is it just me whose feet are literally frostier than Hitler's heart for 99% of Autumn / Winter? 

During the festive season, I find that a bold lip is the perfect statement to jazz up a sometimes dull autumnal outfit. 

Don't get me wrong...I love the oversized knit, chunky scarf and jeans combo as much the next girl...but sometimes I find it hard to remain both stylish and warm. Give me comfort over 'cool' clothes (in both senses of the word) any day, know what I'm saying? Especially as the cold weather has well and truly hit London and all I want to do is hibernate under my fluffy blanket.

So without further ado, here are a list of my fave statement lipsticks to jazz up any outfit, come day or night! 

From left to right: 

Mac - Russian Red

Rimmel Kate Moss - 107 Wine

Rimmel Moisture Renew - Dark Night Water-Oops

Collection - Scorned

 1) Mac - Russian Red (£15.50)

Mac can never fail in my eyes, particularly when it comes to their lipstick department. With 100's of colours to choose from (literally) the Mac counter can be a pretty daunting experience and they're not the cheapest of the bunch, retailing at £15.50 per stick! But if you're looking for a long lasting, bold, statement red, the 'perfect red', then look no further.

I've had this a good few years now. Knowing me, you'd think I'd get bored but when winter comes back around it never fails to have its wicked way with me. It is the perfect statement red. Not too bright, not too wine-coloured. It's alluring. And its matte texture makes it incredibly long lasting. Great for lazy gals like me.

 2) Rimmel - Kate Moss range in Wine 107 (£5.50)

I got this lipstick last year after reading many raving reviews and I must say, I don't think a week went by where I didn't wack it on. I love it because it's so wearable. It's also matte, although I will say I don't think it lasts quite as long on the lips as Mac's Russian Red on the lips without a retouch.

Nevertheless, I love how buildable it is. You can dabb it on for a lighter, wine/ berry lip, great for the day time, or wear a few coats to make a statement for a night out! Laaaav it.

3) Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick - Dark Night Water-Oops (£6.50)

Okay now for the lipstick that most excites me. I bought this beauty at the weekend after seeing  the stunning Amelia Liana wearing it in her recent 'Day to Night Routine' video (watch here) and fell in love. It's so moisturising yet so pigmented (the pictures below show the intense colour after just one coat!) How is this even possible?! Tell me howwww? 

Although I don't actually own Mac's 'Rebel', I would say it's a pretty good dupe, and at more than half the price you can't really go wrong can ya? 

Absolutely. Adore. 

4) Collection - Scorned (£2.99!!)

Lastly, we have this absolute bargain of a lipstick from Collection. Yes, £2.99, your eyes aren't deceiving you. I bought this lipstick after seeing the gorgeous Jade's Halloween makeup tutorial (watch here) and decided it needed to be mine. 

If you haven't already, check out my Halloween blog post here to see more pics of it in action. It required little touch up and didn't end up all over my face which was one of my main concerns after a mad night of going HAM. I'M SO WILD. 

It's a winner.

So if you couldn't already tell, the Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in Dark Night Water-Oops is probably my fave and I can't wait to try more from the Moisture Renew range- the formula is amaze! However, I love all of these lipsticks during the colder seasons. They make me think of Christmas and that makes me happy. 

I hope this shows how you can still achieve that big bold lip without having to spend a fortune on high end brands! Don't do it! 

Until next time my loves. Oh, and happy bonfire night!

XOXO