Life Updates | Big Changes

As I write this I am currently a week into a new job, new flat and essentially, a whole new life. The last month have involved some huge changes for me, in both work and my personal life and though I would normally be posting about baking, makeup, homeware or lifestyle, I thought it would be nice to take a break from all that and give you an update on me. It might also help to explain why I've been so slack with blogging lately. (Though I hope that will all change from now on.)

Debenhams Christmas in July Show

I love Christmas. Like, a lot. And though we may only be coming to the end of August, there's nothing more exciting to me than the idea of seeing all the A/W and Christmas releases in the middle of July and this is exactly what happened at the latest Debenhams Press Show. I was flattered again to be invited down to London by Vanessa and the rest of the team to another beautiful event held in a stunning townhouse in Fitzroy Square, full of fashion, accessories, homeware, gifts and my personal favourite, makeup.

Summer Homeware Haul with Ocean

Over the last month I was lucky enough to be asked to get involved with Ocean's Summer Homeware Haul, a project aimed at bringing a little needed TLC to homes over the Summer months. This season has brought with it a whole load of new trends, prints and accessories perfect for sprucing up any living space and since moving back in with my parents after living at university for three years, it was about time I injected a little more life into my unloved bedroom. As all my walls and furniture are white, I find it really easy to switch up the overall look of my bedroom by just switching up a few of the accessories I have dotted around and I decided to go from pink Spring florals to more of a bright Summer look with mismatched prints and loads of colour.

Send Me Nudes

Let's face it, for some of us, these are the only kinds of nudes we really want to be receiving. From pale peachy pinks, to dark dusty mauves, browns and everything in between, there's a shade for everyone, even if you wouldn't necessarily deem it a nude. For this post I've rounded up pretty much every remotely close to nude shade that I could find in all sorts of formulas and finishes, to really give you an idea of just what options you have and this isn't even a fraction of what's out there. For me, a nude lip is an absolute staple in my makeup collection. It's a look that can take you from subtle daytime to a sultry night look when paired with something like an intense smoky eye and long lashes. They're understated, chic and subtle or slightly more bold, whatever takes your fancy.

You're so Too Faced!

Of all the high end beauty brands, one that never fails to let me down and keeps me coming back, is Too Faced. After seeing countless beauty bloggers and vloggers using their makeup and being desperate to try out some of their products, I managed to grab a few while Stateside in December 2014 and have not looked back since. Especially now they're so easily accessible from Debenhams, the Too Faced website and a few other places. They're a brand that are instantly eye catching from the get go with packaging on point and the product to match. I never feel like I'm getting less than what I've paid for and let's me honest, they make pretty adorable additions to any makeup bag.

Debenhams AW16 Home & Fashion Press Show

Prepare yourselves for a very image heavy post. I know I've said this numerous times before but this time, I really mean it. I was lucky enough to be invited to the Debenhams AW16 Home & Fashion Press Day in London this Thursday and though I had the last hand in of my university life the day after, I couldn't miss out on such an exciting opportunity. A huge thank you to Vanessa and everyone at Debenhams for putting on such an incredible event, the collections, venue and entire set up was just beautiful. Honestly, I've left with a shopping list as long as my arm and interior design goals for a house I won't have for at least another 5 years.

A Trip Down Coconut Lane (+ 20% off code)

As a way of treating myself after my latest university hand in, I picked up a few new bits from one of my favourite websites, Coconut Lane. Coconut Lane is a bloggers dream, marble, rose gold, unicorns and all things pretty. The two pieces of jewellery I spoke about in my last post are my most worn accessories, in the day and on nights out and I've had so many compliments and questions on them. After a quick look on the website and a browse of all the new products they had, I was very eager to pick up a couple of new bracelets, as well as some of the other bits they stock, that I thought I'd share with you today as well as a discount code that will give you 20% off everything on their website!

Huge Beauty Haul

As most of you will know I was lucky enough to attend the Debenhams SS16 Beauty Press Show last month in London and after looking at all the latest releases I couldn't help but treat myself to a few (ok more than a few) new purchases. I did some serious damage to my student loan, in fact it's times like these when I'm glad that I don't live in the city as I know I'd soon be well into my overdraft. A fair few of these are products that I was introduced to at the event and just couldn't wait to get my hands on afterwards, as well as a couple I'd been lusting after. Part of the reason for waiting so long before writing up this post was that I wanted to give as many of these a try as possible, so I could give a proper opinion of them as opposed to just a first impression. Not to mention I finish uni in a week so life is pretty manic right now. (I don't want to enter the real world yet, I'm not ready.)