Capsule Make Up Bag

Skimming our possessions down the bare essentials is all the rage at the moment. Capsule wardrobes are a hot topic and while I'm not capable of narrowing my clothing items down 37 pieces (and anyone who can probably is a different kind of human that I can only aspire to be) one thing I am quite capable of whittling down is my make up bag.

I don't wear a heap of make-up day to day anyway, but I found I was stuffing my makeup bag to breaking point. There were things in there that I never used on the regular so I decided to have a real think about what I really needed in there and I thought I'd share the results with you.

BASE

Everything starts with a good base in the last year or so I've discovered the power of a good primer. Smashbox's Primer Water is perfect. It's not too heavy and gives a nice sheen. Also it doubles up as a setting spray and also a refresh through the day if things are getting a bit dry so really it's three products in once which is great when you're slimming down your make-up bag.

In terms of foundation I knew I'd want something light but buildable. The L'Oreal Nude Magique Cushion Foundation is perfect for this. It's so light and is lovely and glory but if you need a bit more coverage to go from day to night or you've just got a few bits that need a bit more, it's very easy to build up. 

I always take two concealers. One for under eye brightening and one for blemish concealing. Pan concealers like the Seventeen Phwoar Paint are great for blemish concealing and this one is super affordable but packs a punch. However, it's too heavy, for me, for under eyes. I prefer something much lighter which is why I also chuck the Bourjois Healthy Mix concealer in. This has recently been reformulated and I've only been using it for a little while (taking over from the Bourjois Radiance Reveal concealer) but so far I'm loving it. 

SCULPT

Minis are perfect if you're trying to cut down on space in your make up bag. I got a few Benefit minis with a Christmas gift and the Hoola Bronzer and High Beam highlighter have made a firm impression  in my make up bag and I'm fairly certain I'll be going to purchase full sizes once I've used them up. The bronzer is great both for contouring but also just generally adding a bit of colour to the face. The highlighter is very glowy so if you're looking for something subtle (or haven't got time to really blend it in) this isn't going to be for you but I really like it.

I don't use blush every day but it's nice to have the option. I don't like a really pink blush so I opted for the Maybelline Master Heat in Pink Amber which is a lovely dusky colour that just adds a slight glow if you need it. 

EYES

You can't go wrong with an eyeshadow quad. One with neutral subtle colours will ensure you've got eyeshadow for any occasion. You can't buy the Revlon one I've got anymore because it's about five years old and definitely shouldn't be in my makeup collection anymore but you can find similar ones on the high street. Go for something with a darker colour for your crease, a neutral brown for all over the lid and a light colour for highlighting. 

A pencil liner is a staple. You can add a lot of drama with a simple lining of the upper water line and lash line and really make your eyes the centre of a look. I always go waterproof because otherwise you end up with black smudges through the day. The Rimmel Scandaleyes is a lovely liner and super affordable. You don't need to go expensive with a Kohl Liner. 

I'm not going to say much about the Benefit mascara as it's a new purchase and I'm still working out how I feel about it (it's kinda hard to get off) but I will say if you haven't got  time to do a full face of make up or just don't want (I don't want to most days) browns and mascara are all you need.

BROWS

Ok so Benefit are killing the brow game at the moment and my two favourites are the Precisely My Brow Pencil and the Gimme Brow Brow Gel. On their own they're great, together they're the dream team. You can build the gel for more dramatic brows and the brown pencil is so precise and just as good as the Anastacia Brow Wiz that everyone raves about. 

LIPS

Lips is simple. A nude and a red and that's all you need. Both are good for any occasion and if one doesn't work the other normally will. Maybelline offer a great range of nudes but my favourite is the Maybelline Colour Sensational Matte Lipstick in Nude Embrace. The Rimmel by Kate Moss in Shade 1 is a classic red and you can't go wrong with it really. 

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Dear March

Dear March,

Firstly can you send a message to the rest of 2017 to just slow down a little? Do you have that power?  

February was a relatively good month. As with life, there are always ups and downs but that's ok and coming to terms with that is a good lesson to learn but one I'm still learning. Maybe one I'll always be learning. No one likes when things don't go their way or the way they'd planned but taking it in our stride and riding the wave out is the best way to deal with it, I think. 

It was a busy month we got out more, there were so many birthdays and there was lots of happiness and laughter which is always nice to look back on. I feel happier this year and that's definitely a good thing. I feel more at ease with taking it easy and not stressing over the little things that don't really matter. By not stressing so much about things I've found I feel I've actually achieved more things, ticked more off the list. 

Surrounding yourself with positivity is the best way to feel positive. Positive books, positive music, positive people. Cut out the negative crap that brings you down and see what a difference it makes. Aim to be something positive in other people's lives and see what a difference that makes to both you and others.

So March is here, daffodils will start springing up soon and sunny evenings will be here before we know it. I can't wait.

Work hard. Play hard. Be nice.

Hever Castle

Call me a nerd if you will, but I love exploring castles and old houses and I am very lucky to live in a country that is filled with them. We have so much history in England and it would be a shame to waste it. Countries with less visible history our jealous of us for it, so we should all get out and make the most of it. 

Hever Castle is a lovely one although as Jack was quick to point out, 'it's more of a big house than a castle.' Although isn't that what a castle really is at the end of the day? Anyway you'll find it in Kent, 30 miles south east of London. It's got beautiful grounds and gardens as well as a humongous lake you can walk all the way round. The castle itself is teeming with history, it was once owned by the Bullen (later Boleyn) family - yep as is Anne Boleyn and is where she grew up. William Waldorf Astor (yep as in the hotels) acquired it in 1903 and restored it to it's former glory after it had gone to rack and ruin for some time. As with all these places there's a lovely cafe but on a warm summers day there's plenty of places to lay out a picnic mat and enjoy the castle in all it's glory. 

It's not too pricey at £16.90 per adult for the castle and gardens and £9.50 for a child. It's definitely worth it.

WHAT I'M WEARING

COAT Miss Selfridge | JUMPER New Look | SKIRT Topshop | BOOTS TU | HAT Dakine

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Tea Talk

I love tea, I mean I'm British and nothing if not a cliche. Aside from the classic English Breakfast tea, which is a staple addition throughout my day, every day, there are other teas that I reach to on occasion. Apart from the warming, comforting benefit of drinking tea, the ultimate and instant refresh you get from the first sip, there are teas out that with actual health benefits. I thought I'd tell you about a few of my faves, but first I'll tell you for herbal tea I always go Pukka. It's reasonably priced, all organic ingredients and there's heaps to choose from.

Peppermint Tea is a fairly recent discovery of mine but I love it. A cup of peppermint is normally my last cup of tea for the day. It's super relaxing and makes me feel calm and ready for bed. Added bonuses are that it's good for the immune system, aids digestion and can help with nausea. If you're feeling a bit crampy and bleugh in the stomach region, try a cup of peppermint tea, it will probably sort you out.

Echinacea tea if perfect for this time of year. Like peppermint tea, it boosts the immune system but can also relieve the symptoms of cold and flu. I really like the Pukka variety as it's flavoured with raspberry so it's lovely and fruity. And definite must have for your tea collection.

Lemon, Ginger & Manuka Honey is my favourite of the bunch and one I drink through the day. It tastes delicious and is the most comforting of the bunch, I think. Manuka honey is great for the immune system, warm lemon is a good antioxidant and ginger is good for relieving nausea. (Any pregnant ladies out there, apparently ginger tea is really good for morning sickness.) What I love most about it though is the spicy, sweet flavour which is really warming and relaxing.

The Detox and Night Time variety aren't ones I reach for very often but I do enjoy them every now and again. They're both a mixture of different herbs that are great for doing what they say on the tin basically. The detox tea is full of antioxidants that help you feel renewed and this is something I'd grab on a Sunday morning after one too many or really whenever I'm feeling a little groggy. The Night Time tea is perfect if, like me, you tend to get a little anxious. It's made up of different herbs that help to make you feel relaxed and calm which is great for just before you hit the hay, but also if your mind is working at a mile a minute and you're feeling a little stressed.