Best of Broadway

I love my UD Naked palettes don't get me wrong, I swear by them, but sometimes it just isn't practical to cart round a full 12 pan palette. I had been tempted by this NYC quad ever since lily pebbles picked it up and pointed out it was a near dupe for Chanel's Charming Ombre from their Christmas collection last year and at a mere £2.99 I couldn't resist for long. It was put it to the test this weekend when I had the almost impossible task of transforming my make up from 'work day' to 'weekend' on a busy, ever so shaky, northern rail train.

Armed with my bargain ebay brush I got to work... Let me say, the colours are perfect, all being slightly shimmery we have; a dark taupe brown, an offering of both chocolate and caramel and a peachy champagne colour. The whole shebang for a defined smokey eye!

Disappointingly the colour pay off wasn't great and the fall out was - I managed to get it everywhere (not an ideal situation in public) but once tided up I was left with a subtle bronzed look that didn't shout 'I cost less than the Starbucks peppermint mocha I'm sipping on'.

With that all well and good it was then time to tackle the eyeliner en route...

NYC Quattro Eye Shadow 'Best of Broadway' 815 - £2.99

Color Tattoo 24hr Eyeshadow by Maybelline

I don't think there is a single blogger out there that hasn't come across these little pots. However I have now found myself in the possession of three, so thought it was a perfect time to sing their praise.

The three editions to my maybeline trio include;

Permanent Taupe - A sophisticated shade perfect as a base for most smokey eye looks but also a great colour to compliment brown eyes.

On and on Bronze - The peoples fave! A simple bronze that is probably the easiest eye shadow ever to work with, even I can produce a fairly professional looking attempt at a smokey gold eye, in less than 3 minutes!!

Metallic Pomegranate - The red craze really came to town in 2013 and I predict it will continue throughout winter. Pomegranate is a very safe and subtle option for us scardy cats. Paired with a dark brown or charcoal shadow this ruby shade works a treat (and did so on Christmas Day!).

No doubt this collection will grow in no time, what shade next?

Winter Pastels

Who says you can't enjoy a good pastel mani in the colder months. I must admit I have raved about a seasonal deep red or classic nude for Autumn but it's also nice to have some alternatives up your sleeve (or on the end of one har-har)!

Today I present to you six shades I feel are the don whatever the weather...

Essie 'Fondola Gondola' - A dusky pink

Models Own 'Utopia' - A very pale lilac nude

Topshop 'Rainy Day' - A blue/grey

Barry M 'Blue Moon' - A simple baby blue

Barry M 'Lychee' - The perfect creamy nude

Rimmel 'Sage Green' - A pale khaki 

Anyone else dare to flaunt pastels this time of year?

ps. sorry for the awful lighting, its dark a lot these days...

Easy Peasy DIY Jar Candles

Lifestyle post for you today - THE easiest yet very effective chutney jar to candle conversion DIY you'll ever see...

You will need:

• A pair of scissors (please be careful)
• A reel of decorative string/ribbon/rope
• A lighter (again be careful)
• Empty jars
• Tealight candles

Using whatever shape or size jars you wish, wash them out and remove all labels. Now take your rope (or whatever you choose to use) and loosely measure around the top of the jar enough to wrap around and tie a bow. Cut the rope to the correct length and (carefully!) use the lighter to burn the edges of the rope to avoid fraying. Then simply tie a pretty bow around the top of the jar, drop in a lit tea light and voila!

very simple but very effective - 

a cheap & easy Christmas present too!

Who's feeling the Christmas spirit yet? I know I am!