2014 FAVOURITES | PART 2

HOMEWARE & PERSONAL THINGS

Hi everyone! Its that time again were I talk about the things I've been loving this year and because theres so many, I've had to separate them into two parts. The first part was all of my makeup and skincare favourites and then this part is all the home decor I have been loving. There may be a soppy ending as so much has happened this year. Cant say I didn't warned you. 

2014 FAVOURITES | PART 1

BEAUTY & SKINCARE FAVOURITES 

Hi everyone! 2014 is coming to an end and in only a few hours it will officially be 2015. Where has the time gone? This year has definitely been the best, I went on holiday to Cyprus, I started college, I finally started a blog that has reached 1000 followers and I've discovered a lot of amazing products. In fact, I've discovered so many amazing products that I'm having to do two separate parts. 

WHAT I GOT FOR CHRISTMAS? | #Christmasinthefastlanes

Hi everyone! I've been trying to put off doing this post for two reasons. The first being that this marks the end of christmas *sighs* and the second being that I am still yet to spend all of my christmas money. Even though i only got a few presents, it was the most money i have ever had spent on me. 

NEW YEARS MAKE-UP LOOK

Hi everyone! Its that wonderful time of year again where were all bracing ourselves to hear the words "new year, new me" from everyone we know. The one thing I do like about new years, is getting dressed up to go to a new years party. I'm usually stuck for what to wear or what make-up I should use, so I thought I'd share my new years make-up look, just incase the struggle is real for you too. 

(Sorry about the images! The make-up is a lot darker & more visible in person but my lighting doesn't do it justice)

 This look is a very subtle brown smokey eye with a nude lip. It's a lot like my christmas make up look but minus the red lips, and golden eyeshadow. Instead, I'm sticking to the nude colour palette with nudes, creams and light/dark brown. 

Starting with a clean and fresh face, I applied Loreal Paris's Lumi Magique primer to give me glowy skin an make it easier to apply my No7 stay perfect foundation. 

To conceal my under eyes I used collection perfection and then to fill in my eyebrows I used Faint from the urban decay naked basics palette. 

Moving on to the eyes, On my lid I used Bikini-tini by Benefit. And, inside my crease I used tease and snakebite from the urban decay Naked 2 palette as well as Thanks a latte by benefit. 

To line my eyes, I used my Mac eye kohl in teddy and then to create a thin cat flick I used the primark eyeliner (which is surprisingly good).

Finally, to finish of the eyes i used the Benefits they're real mascara. 

To contour my face I used a mix of Benefits Hoola bronzer and a Bronzer by Lord & Berry.  

To highlight I used My pearl pink highlighter by me me me  and then last but not least I used Mac's Creme'D nude lipstick on my lips (of course!). 

I'm currently being rushed off the internet so thanks for reading, and I hope you have a happy new year. Big kiss! S. 

HOLIDAY TREATS | #Christmasinthefastlanes

Hi everyone! Happy holidays! In October I did a post full of Halloween treat ideas and its been one of my most popular posts ever since. So I thought I'd give it another go but this time for Christmas. These recipes taste really nice and there also a lot of fun to make with your family or friends so lets get into it...

The first recipe is Gingerbread men! Anything with ginger is perfect for Christmas, I don't really know why, I'm guessing its the smell. Anyway, you will need:

• A cookie cutter
• 145g of gingerbread mix
• 2tbsp of golden syrup
• Icing
• A mixing bowl
• 30g of softened unsalted butter
• 2 tsp of water
• A little flower for rolling out the gingerbread
• Rolling pin
• A greased baking tray
• A wire cooling rack

1. Before starting to make the gingerbread, preheat the oven to 190'C/375'F/ Gas mark 5 and leave it to warm up.
2. Rub the softened, unsalted butter into the gingerbread mix with your fingers.
3. Then use a spoon to stir in the syrup and 2tsp of water. Keep stirring until you have a smooth dough.
4. Tip the dough out onto a lightly floured board and knead until it forms a smooth ball.
5. Now roll it out with a rolling pin until its about 5mm thick.
6. Use the cutter to cut out six shapes - or until all the dough is used up.
7. Place the shapes on the greased baking tray and bake for around 9-10 minutes.
8. Leave them to cool on a wire cooling rack, then decorate them with icing.
9. Try not to eat them all at once!

 You can decorate these however you want, I chose to use some edible decorations as well as the icing. These are perfect for wrapping up and giving them as a side-gift, or you can take them along with you to a Christmas party.

 

The second recipe is a Candy-Cane hot chocolate! This recipe is so simple all you have to do is make your usual hot chocolate add a bit of cream and then stir in a candy-cane. And there you have you own candy-cane hot chocolate.

 

Last but not least, a Gingerbread house! I made this for my mum and she doesn't like gingerbread so I chose to use a rocky road chocolate house instead. I recommend buying this in a set as it comes with everything you need and these are pretty difficult. I'm not going to tell you how to make this but I really recommend attempting to build one of these!

 

That's all of todays recipes, If you enjoyed this post don't forget to give it a like and I recommend making these because they are a lot of fun to make. Follow me if you want to read more #Christmasinthefastlanes. Big kiss! S.      

   

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2014 FOR HER | #Christmasinthefastlanes

Hi everyone! Happy holidays! A lot of my favourite bloggers have been doing the holiday gift guide and I thought I'd join in the fun by making my own little list. All of these items are things that I would love to receive as its aimed at girls. I have a range of gifts under £20 and then some that go just over £100 so lets get into it.  

FESTIVE ME-TIME TAG | #Christmasinthefastlanes

Hi everyone! Happy holidays! Its been a while since I last did a tag and with Christmas right around the corner I though I'd get a little festive with this one. I've taken some of my favourite questions from a few tags and put them together, so lets get into it.

1. What do you watch or read during me-time?

During December I watch one Christmas film a day until Christmas with my family. But sometimes when I'm alone I'll read a book, depending on what I'm reading at the time.

 

2.What do you wear during me-time? #NoBra

I like to be comfy whenever I'm at home so I like to wear my grey tank top from Topshop, my striped pyjama bottoms and then some Christmas socks.

 

3. What are your me-time beauty products?

Most of my me-times are late at night so I like to put on the Origins overnight mask. Its very hydrating and not at all sticky, perfect for laying around.

 

4. Current favourite nail polish?

My favourite nail polish at the moment is... by Models own. I received this in my December beauty box and its a gorgeous green with lots of glitter so you only need one coat. Perfect for the festive seasons.

 

5. What do you eat/drink during me-time?

Usually whatever is in the cupboard that I can snack on, mostly chocolate.

 

6. Current favourite candle?

I have two favourites that I have mentioned a lot in my blog. The first being The White Company's Wild mint, spearmint, peppermint & white tea. The second being Yankee candles Fireside treats.

 

7. Would you ever go see a movie alone?

Definitely not! If I did I would ask to be in the very back corner where no one can see me.

 

8. Favourite online shop?

Urban Outfitters! They have everything you could want, especially if your looking to buy for someone else.

 

9. Current favourite Christmas song?

I have two that I cant decide from. They are Shake up Christmas by Train and All I want for Christmas is you by Mariah Carey.

 

10. When do you start getting excited about Christmas?

At the very start of December when the decorations go up and its okay to sing Christmas songs.

 

That is my festive me-time tag, I tag...

Thank you for reading, give it a like if you enjoyed it and don't forget to follow for more #Christmasinthefastlanes. Big kiss! S.

CHRISTMAS PARTY MAKEUP LOOK | #Christmasinthefastlanes

Hi everyone! I just wanted to start by apologizing for not blogging these past two weeks due to being ill. There's only 4 days till Christmas and so far I only have a Christmas present for my cat. Putting all that aside, I have finally come to doing my #Christmasinthefastlanes blog series, starting with my Christmas makeup look. This suttle smokey eye with bold red lips was inspired by the gorgeous Kendall Jenner as well as some added touches of my own. 

ESTEE LAUDER'S NEW GIRL...KENDALL!

Hi everyone! Estee lauder recently announced Kendall Jenner as the new star of their campaign and if you read most of my posts, you would know she is my all-time role model.

I remember watching 'Keeping up with the kardashians' when Kendall was super young and now she's described as " fashion's new breakout star and a social media sensation".

 

"It honestly feels like a dream to represent such an iconic beauty brand - it is an incredible honour and quite humbling," said Kendall Jenner."I found out when I was backstage at Paris Fashion Week, and all this time I've had to keep the news top secret. I am so excited to share it now and be part of Estée Lauder."

 

GETTING CHRISTMASSY | DECEMBER DIARY

Hi everyone! Christmas is so close and I have so much planned for this month. As I have a lot of stuff going on I thought I would tell you guys what I've been doing. Its not December yet but I have been really busy this weekend trying to prepare for Christmas. 

MONTHLY INSTAGRAM #2

 

Hi everyone! Last month I started a series called monthly instagram. This is a segment where you can see all of last months instagram pictures if you don't follow me or don't have Instagram. If you do, and you want to follow me, my username is 'Skylarlivell'. There's also a link on the contacts page of my blog, so go check that out. Without further ado let's read this...