Resolution- #Give A Second Chance

I'M no ball breaker.

In fact, anyone watching me watch a particularly emotional episode of Corrie would mistake me as being soft as sh*t. (WHY anyone would be watching me watch Corrie who knows)

But one thing I generally don't tend to do, is go back on things. (Except if it's 'I'm giving up chocolate cake!', obvs)

That foundation ain't cutting the grade? MMmmmhMMmm honey, you being kicked to the kerb.

I was SUPER-excited about the Rimmel Apolocalypse. I heard such good things about them and, being a lover of all  things lips, I knew at least one of those babies would be coming home with me. I was tempted by Big Bang, but already having a gazillion red lipsticks, glosses, liners, I knew that wasn't the best idea.

So I decided to go with Stellar. A bright, corally, reddy, pinky...(I'm great with describing words...)

Basically, it's not like any other colour in my collection. And I really, really wanted to like it. I really, really wanted to go back and get others from the collection. But when it came to it...I just...couldn't make it work.

I'm not sure what I did wrong back then. But I was so disappointed in myself, I flung it in my make-up drawer and sulked for a while. (I didn't say I wasn't stubborn...)

Anyway, I've been gazing at it longingly ever since, tempted to try it but...so...hurt by the disappointment.

T'other night, I was spending my free time doing what I love best (watching beauty gurus on youtube, obvs), when I came across fayesfix and I was watching all of her videos, obvs, when I happened upon a Primark Haul.
And all the while I was watching, I was like 'what is that on her lips? It's so unusual, I must have it!'
Being a seasoned youtube watcher, I knew to look in the downbar for the information I needed.

And there it was- Rimmel Apocalypse in Stellar.
My giddy aunt, I couldn't believe it. I was like...no way is that the same thing?!

So the next day I got up, with determination in my little heart, and I grabbed that Stellar Apocalypse and I worked with it.

AND I LOVE THE RESULT.

*wow, that's a hairy hand.....

I've started using this with a lip liner and pressing in only a small amount of colour at a time, so it's got some real staying power. My best tip is to wipe off as much excess colour from the wand as you can and apply with care.
Once I'd mastered the technique, I realised this is a real stayer.
And now definitely a stayer in my collection.

....Oh dear, I'll definitely be going back for Big Bang now...

So, as you may have guessed, today's #Resolution is to not give up on products. Just because I can't get it right the first time, doesn't mean I can't try again.

Sure, some things will never work for you. But you don't know that unless you try!

Has anyone else had this experience with the Rimmel Apocalypse? Or anyone other products you've given a second chance?


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Resolution- #Holidayyy it would be soo nice

YES, for the first time in three years I am hanging up my hard work/ procrastination and heading on holiday!

WOOHOO let the cocktails roll! *straight in to my eager little hands*

Some would say the best part of a holiday is the sun/ sea/ dancing/party time...okay okay jokes...we all know the best part is sorting out a fabulous holiday wardrobe.

So today, I thought I'd share with you some of mine

Bag- Peacocks, £14
Bikini- Asos, same here in different patterns
Sandals- Primark, £6
Feather Shell Earrings- Topshop (Sale), £4
Earrings, other- Primark, £3
Denim Shorts- New Look, here
Top- New Look, here in a haul here
Rimmel 60 Second nail polish in Sun Downer

These are just a few bits and pieces- I will post a lookbook from the sunny isles of Spain upon my return, promise...*you cry in pain*


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Fitness Friday

I AM a woman obsessed.

It's the reason I drag myself out of bed in the mornings.

I last thing I think about at night....

What is the treasure behind my drifting thoughts, I hear you ask?

A knight in shining armour? An exciting new job?

No, dear reader. The hero in this magical fairytale known as my life is none other than the hearty oat.

When you're a bit poor/ have spent what little money you have on a holiday (a well-needed holiday may I add), and clothes for said holiday, it's not always easy to get healthy foods on a budget.

If we're going in to personal views here, I may as well say I don't think living on a tight budget is any excuse for not eating right. I live on a tight budget. But you won't catch me ever buying a ready meal. Vegetables really don't cost the earth. Nor do eggs, potatoes, wholemeal pasta, fruit or fish.

And neither, as you may have guessed, do oats.

The Low-Down on Oats

Oats are a great source of important dietary fibre

One part of this soluble fibre found in oars is beta-glucans- which has been proven to lower blood cholesterol.

Oats can help stabilise blood sugar levels- helping to prevent diabetes

Oats, like many plants, contain phytochemicals which are thought to help prevent cancer

Oats can help stabilise weight (YES, PLEASE), help regulate bowel function (we won't go in to this any further..) and a daily serving is thought to lower blood pressure.

So you see the answer is OATS :)*

*yes, the answer to all life's problems

So, how do I 'style' my oats? 

Well, as you may have guessed from this blog, I like to dress things up a little bit. I know it's better for you, but I can't stand it with just water (what am I, living in an 18th century workhouse?! No thanks)

So I add a dash of semi-skimmed or skimmed milk, stir and bung in the microwave (because radiation makes things even better)

Then, if I'm feeling like a particular sweet treat (and don't want to break in to the Dairy Milk), I'll chop up a banana and chuck that in

*Because none of you know what a banana looks like.....


 Next I'll add a dash of honey...

Then pop it in to the microwave for a little longer...

And voila! Delicious.

Note- If you're giving your eating a healthy overhaul, like me, avoid *AVOID AVOID* pre-packaged oat sachets..they're packed full of sugar.
Get plain oats (which work out cheaper) and dress them up yourself.

Oats make me ever so happy. On the days I get up early enough to have them before work (these have to be good skin days..otherwise my time is spend slapping on the foundation), I'm driving to the office with a smile on my face and a content feeling in my tummy.


For more information about oats, you can have a look here

Do you like oats? How are you eating yours?


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Resolution- #Matchy-Matchy

Ahhh, the 90s. Such a wonderful time. Dungarees, puffa jackets, greasy hair...

Wait, what's that?...the 90s are all over the catwalks, you say?! Oh. Better get my lycra cycling shorts back out then..(come on, if you were a child in the 90s you definitely had a pair of these and don't try to pretend you didn't!)

Call me crazy- but I just can't bring myself to get back in to dungarees (I had a bad experience with dungarees when I was about seven. It involved a toilet. That's all I'm willing to say on the matter.)
So I've decided it's all about doing the 90s the classic way.
I'm talking women in power suits with blue eyeshadow that shoul have been left wayyy in the 80s. No, I'm only joking!

What I'm talking, is 'matchy matchy'. Matching lips and nails is the way to go. What I like about this is that it's quite effortless. Do your manicure well in a colour with a corresponding lipstick and you can wear them both straight for a week. Maximum impact- minimum effort.
Obvs, the way I would do this in the modern day is red and red (of which I can't get enough)

But we're talking 90s- so it either has to be nude, or a nice pink shade.

And I've gone with Revlon Cherries in the Snow.

Typically, I only wear this lipstick on special occasions. I know it's only a drugstore brand...but Revlon always reminds me of the glamourous 50s.
Plus, this was a gift from my boyfriend (I know, he buys me lipstick. He's a keeper) and so it always has special memories for me *sick*

I was perfectly content, so I thought, with this lipstick. Nail polish? No sir, I don't need you.
I wasn't really a fan of the colour if I'm honest. I thought it looked a bit, well, 90s.

Then one day about a year ago (?!) I was catching up on my fave youtubers (as you do) and one of my all-time favourite bloggers, essiebutton was wearing this really pretty colour on her nails in a few of her posts and I was like...stop. press. What is that?!

And what was it?! It was Revlon Cherries in the Snow, of course!
So I did end up getting the matching nail polish and I'm really glad I did.

This matchy-matchy look has become one of my glam-up faves.
When you have a busy week, you don't want to be faffing around with changing colours and cr*p.
The nail polish wears well, doesn't chip easily (as long as you let it dry thoroughly first).
It's a good colour for work if your boss sometimes raises eyebrows at your nails *hands up if you've had this happen* and when you're off for an impromptu after-work drink, you can just shove on some of the lipstick and voila- instant chic!*

 *Please don't actually shove it on...clown face= not classy, trust me...

What are your favourite colour combos? Any one tried this pair?

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OOTE- Feline Wild

 Top-Primark, £6
Skirt-Primark, £8
Bag-New Look (Sale)- £6.50
Shoes- New Look (Sale)- £9

I feel like this skirt should feature on Fitness Friday as it's a little tight- definitely an incentive!
I'm really in to nude at the moment...what is happening to me?! I wouldn't usually do the bag and the shoes together, I think the blank canvas of either makes a brighter look really 'pop'.
I love this bag just for casual use in the day too. Jeans, tee, flats and smooth smooooth hair *looks at hair*
Yep, that can only be achieved in my dreams.

Style Resolutions- #Review: Pantene Deep Moisture Souffle

It could be a long and crappy winter, central heating, over-processing-

Whatever it is, my hair was feeling seriously dry.

I find that intense conditioners work well to smooth and restore shine, but the effect's faded by the second day after washing.

By Day Two, I'm left with the same, parched-feeling hair.

So I decided to try the Pantene Deep Moisture Souffle, daily moisturiser for hair.

What it says-

Daily leave-in conditioner (for colour treated hair).
Locks in moisture for 48h for luxurious softness and instantly enhances shine.

I expected the consistency to feel like a styling mousse- light and airy.

But this has a gel texture that you can really feel when you rub between your hands. Unlike styling mousse, it doesn't expand, either, which means you don't end up with too much product which you then feel you have to use and voila- crispy hair (we've all been there).

My main concern about a product that's supposed to moisturise hair was- will it make it greasy? The 90s may be 'in' but...I'm not prepared to take grunge that far. Lanky locks are definitely not a winner.

Although I deliberately avoided the roots, it's safe to say that the answer was no.

The first time I applied this was to freshly washed, damp hair, which I then blow dried.

Already my hair felt soft and shiny and quenched.

I then applied it to day-old hair, which was slightly damp from the shower.

Finally, I worked it in to the tips the next day a few hours before washing.

I've since repeated this routine and the result? My hair genuinely doesn't feel as dry anymore.

I was dubious about a product that called itself a moisturiser for hair- a bit of a gimmick, surely?

But this has definitely done for my locks what a good old pot of Nivea does for my face.

Take this, hair!

Review by Numbers

Did it live up to it's promises?-4/5. Yes, it's not a miracle worker (but then it doesn't claim to be). What it does claim is to.......and on that front, it delivers. You need to put the effort in though

Pacaging- 3/5- I like the pinky purple colour, but the head is a little cheap.

Value for money- 5/5- It's like £4.29- you can't get a lot of magazines for that price these days

Recommend to a friend? Yes! (though all of them have lovely hair already)

Have you tried this product? What do you think? Any recommendations?  Follow @styleresolution

OOTE- Red and Leopard

Top- New Look, £9.99

Pencil Skirt- Charity Shop, £3.99

Shoes- New Look (Sale), £8

Bag- Charity Shop (£2.95)

Who says you can't wear leopard print and red?!

Well, up until a while ago- me. 

Put these two together and I'd have been like.....what's your name, Kat Slater? 

But I saw an article in company magazine about styling and outfit pretty much like this. I loved the way they'd taken the look and made it modern 

I knew I had the items I'd need in my wardbrobe, so I gave it a go. 

The result? I love it. 

Nude heels keep it modern, don't you think?

I love this little bag- another charity shop gem. It cost £2.95 and its a classic 90s piece. It kind of reminds me of something Rachel in Friends would have as an evening bag. It reminds me of Carrie Bradshaw and New York.

So, today's #Resolution is never judge a leopard by its spots....
You can reclaim a look from the trash pile and make it work for 2013.

Do you have any clothing items that remind you of places or people? Or am I just weird?*

*That was a rhetorical question...

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