Is this Urban Decay's BEST palette ever?

When I think of eyeshadow palettes I think of Urban Decay. The Naked palette was the first ever 'high end' make up product that I owned (and still own and use to this day.) I think that the Naked range is where my obsession with collecting eyeshadow palettes came from.

A lot of people collect lipsticks, they collect highlighters... I collect Eyeshadow Palettes and I live for it. Yes, I only have two eyes... yes, maybe I do always go for the same gold shades every day (I'm not ashamed) but there is something so beautiful about an untouched palette.

(How many times am I going to say the word palette in this blog post...) Anyway, swiftly moving on before I start getting proper emosh about pressed pigments.

Urban Decay - Born To Run palette. When I saw this on Instagram (months before it's release) I knew that I NEEDED this. The packaging is unlike any that I have seen on a palette and the colours are to die for.

If you take only one piece of information from my blog for the rest of time, believe me when I say this palette is SO WORTH THE MONEY!

First of all, the packaging is just amazing. It feels so sturdy, it's slightly heavy but I genuinely believe that this is ideal for travelling. Have you seen the size of this mirror!?!? Sometimes I just use this palette for the mirror alone when doing my make up, it really is amazing.

This palette has the perfect mix of matte and shimmer shades and again, going back to travelling with this, there are so many eye looks you can create with these colours/formulas that you really do only need to pack this one product with you. Gone are the days of packing 3/4 palettes because they have different shades in each one that you need.

Anyone who knows me knows that I love a gold eyeshadow look. My favourite combo is Riff, Blaze and Stranded. If I'm being completely honest... I love all the colours but thought I couldn't see myself wearing the blues and the pinks. That was until I swatched them...

Okay Urban decay... I see you. I SEE YOU. 

I would say, without a doubt, this is my favourite eyeshadow palette that Urban Decay have ever released. If you're unsure of which one to buy, I would certainly recommend this one.  Now I would like to try the whole 'Born To Run' collection pleaseeeeee. 

Have you tried any of the Born To Run collection? Which piece is your favourite?

 Lots of love.

Kirsty

xox

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My 2017 Highlights and 2018 Goals

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! 

Now that's out of the way, how have you been? How was your 2017? It feels like it's been forever since I posted... It's only fitting that my first post of 2018 is about 2017... right? 

I met the Impractical Jokers

I started off the year travelling the country with Laura, seeing 3 Impractical Jokers shows. Now, I know that sounds crazy but when the tickets got released we got a bit 'booking happy' and after trying our hardest to get Meet and Greet, we finally succeeded. 

This was honestly the best way I could have started the year. I had waited months and months and it was SO worth the wait. 

I wrote a whole blog post about it (and i definitely don't randomly read it and look back at the photos.. not at all...) 

Perfect Prints with Photowall

Have you ever taken a photo that has just captured a memory perfectly? A photo that makes you smile every time you look at it? 

One of my all time favourite memories is spending the day in Central Park with my boyfriend, Zach. The weather was beautiful (for an autumn November day!) and I couldn’t have been happier being in my favourite place in the world with my favourite person. 

Rather than just have the photo as my Facebook profile picture - the lovely people over at Photowall gave me the opportunity to have it printed onto a canvas (so that I can lay in bed staring up at it, not at all crying that I’m no longer in New York…) 

Photowall will print any photo you like… any size… in amazing quality on a Canvas!
(I must admit - I'm not very good with sizes and when this came... wow, it's huge! But it will look amazing in our bedroom when we 'eventually' move in together!)

If the idea of staring at a huge canvas of your face doesn’t appeal to you, they have categories that you can Search in and choose from a ‘ready made’ design! 

Just type in your favourite City, your favourite Animal, anything… they will most likely have a canvas available that you will fall in love with. 

I absolutely love the landscape designs and the nature shots are just beautiful!

The canvas was really easy to put together… (I say this, but my Mum’s partner actually put it together for me whilst I sat and ate biscuits.) 

The one thing I will say is that the communication from placing the order to the delivery of the order is brilliant. 

There is nothing worse than placing an order and there is an error (for instance, I didn’t put the correct sizing in) and having a company just leave it… or not reply for days. 

Photowall were super fast at responding and I had a way to track my parcel almost instantly. I knew exactly where it was and how long it would take to get to me. 

 A* delivery.

I know you’ve all just scrolled down to the bottom here to get your hands on a discount code - and I have one for you! 

20% off anything on the website! Use the code - pwkirstytttcampaign2017 

www.photowall.co.uk

The code is valid until 13th January - plenty of time to get your Christmas presents bought... or just a New Year present for yourself!

Have you ever used PhotoWall before? I’d love to hear about your experiences! 

Lots of love.

Kirsty

xox

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*Please Note: The canvas was provided free for the purpose of this review, however all opinions are my own. 

5 Blogging Things That I'll NEVER Be Good At!

WOW! Hello! Hi there, it’s been a while! How have you been? Hows the family? Any goss?

I did wonder if I could just slide back in here with a new post and be like ‘TODAY’S POST IS ABOUT…’ and pretend that I haven’t been missing for months and months but then I thought ‘better not.’ 

I’ve been super busy, super tired and super lazy. Those are my excuses. BUT… Those excuses do lead me in to todays post…. 

5 Blogging Things That I'll NEVER Be Good At.

Number 1: Posting on time

hahahaha the irony. I like to set myself little goals. 'Kirsty, write a post and upload it every Sunday.' It's not hard, is it? Well IT IS, OKAY? 

I get busy and things get forgotten and before I know it Summer is over and I'm snuggled in a blanket wondering where the last few months of my life have gone! 

In all seriousness, I really do want to get into the habit of uploading a blog post once a week. I'm pretty sure I've said this since I first started this blog but I'M GONNA TRY MY BEST! 

Number 2: Instagram Stories

You know those bloggers who post everything on their Instagram stories and it says 'slide up' and it takes you to the item, like WHAT? When did all of this begin? Writing cute little handwriting text over the top of amazing photos and it just looks so GOOD! 

It makes me want to buy ALL THE THINGS and it just looks so professional. I just can't.

I'm still stuck over on the snapchat story hype with a dog filter over my face. When did all of this happen? Will I ever learn how to adult? 

Number 3: Blogger Chats 

Out of all of the things in this list, this is something I really do want to get better at. I think I've been involved in about 2 Blogger Chats in my life and they are so much fun and everyone is so friendly. 

Again, it all comes back down to time keeping. 'Oh, that blogger chat is tonight at 7pm. I'll be there!' 

9:30pm comes and I'm like 'OH FOR ***** SAKE.'

Number 4: Posting when it is 'relevant.' 

This one is a bit specific. 

Example: 'OMG, Look at this cute little sunshine lamp. That would look SO cute in a Summer inspired post.' The date is October 8th. 

I have a habit of just getting really excited about a blog idea, writing it and posting it. I don't really 'plan' much and I just like to wing it. Is that bad? 

At least you can all be excited for Santa Claus stickers and snowman lights in my photos that I post in February! 

Number 5: Pinterest

I just don't understand this website. I like to look at it for inspiration and it almost always comes up as a link when I google something... but I just don't understand how to use it! 

I've tried multiple times and I know it 'pins' things to your 'wall' (is that even right?!) but I just cannot get my head around it! 

Please tell me I'm not the only one!? 

What are the things about blogging that YOU find difficult? Orrrr am I just totally on my own with these?! 

Lots of love.

Kirsty

xox

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Summer Skincare Wishlist

I have a feeling that every blog post you have read this week will have started with this same sentence… but I’m gonna say it anyway.

HOW THE HECK IS IT JUNE ALREADY?!?!?!?!??!?!

DIDN’T I JUST UPLOAD A POST ABOUT WINTER BLUES???? 

(Well it may feel that way because I haven’t posted in a few months but shh, nobody has to know about that.) 

I’m not sure if you feel this way or if it is just me being super weird… but if I watch or read about peoples ‘Skincare Routines’ it instantly makes me want to go out and buy lots of different skincare products.

Alas, a trip to Florida in September is stopping me from impulse buying ALL THE LOTIONS but it isn’t stopping me from showing you guys what products are currently on my ever growing list! 

Clarins Multi-Active Eye Care £35 - 

I've never ever used an eye cream/serum in my life but I suffer with really bad bags under my eyes and I've heard nothing but good things about this, so this one had to go straight in my (hypothetical) basket!

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Oil £19.80 - 

Last Christmas (I gave you my heart) I got given a Clinique Gift Set which had lots of 'minis' in and I loved every single one! I have seen this cleansing oil on so many Youtube reviews and I would love to give it a try, knowing that I already love a lot of Clinique's other products! 

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate - £38

I'm not gonna lie, this brand scares me. I don't mean this in a bad way at all but the shops are always so POSH and the price tags are so high and I never feel like I fit in... but that's my problem, not theirs! I would love to just walk into a Kiehl's shop with a purse full of money and ask them to give me ALL THE THINGS! 

This product is supposed to work overnight and replenish the skin while you sleep... which is something I definitely need because you do not wanna see me first thing in the morning. Trust me. 

Pixi Glow Tonic - £18

This one has been on my wishlist since my birthday last August, and I am still yet to try it! 

First of all, I love this packaging and I've been drawn to it ever since I first saw it. Second of all, it's had amazing reviews and I very rarely use a toner so I feel like if I had this, I'd use it all of the time! 

Bare Minerals Bare Heaven Moisturiser - £25.50

I saw this on FreddyMyLove Youtube channel and if I'm being honest, I didn't even know that Bare Minerals did products like this. I thought it was just make up (is this really stupid of me or...?) 

Apparently, this sinks into the skin SO fast and it is supposed to be a 'bare faced' product so that it feels like you have nothing on the skin, but it's doing all of the good jobs that a moisturiser should do! 

Clinique Moisture Surge - £30.60

Again, back to Clinique because I know that I love this brand! This moisturiser can be used daily, morning and night or can also be used as a face mask which is 3 products for the price of one! I would love to try this as it is supposed to plump up your skin from within the first use.

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Night Rescue Cream - £100

Well, it wouldn't be a wishlist without putting and extremely ridiculously high priced product on here, would it? 

This product is supposed to be amazing, but is it amazing enough to justify the price? I really really hope that I get to find out one day! 

What do you currently use for your skincare routine? Have you tried any of these products? 

Let me know! 

Lots of love.

Kirsty

xox

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6 Ways to Banish the Winter Blues

Is anyone else sick of dark mornings? Driving home from work in PITCH BLACK!! I want daylight back, please!! 

I love the Christmas period but once that's over, nope, I'm done.

The dark nights and cold weather can make you feel a bit gloomy, especially if you’re already not in a great mood! I’ve compiled a little list of all of my favourite things to do when I’m feeling a bit down. 

Here are my Little Pick-Me-Ups. 

THE Top 5 Highlighters (for all budgets!)

'Kirsty, are you seriously writing a post about Highlighters? Don't you think there are enough of those in the Blogging Universe?' 

YES, YES I AM WRITING ABOUT HIGHLIGHTERS. You know why? Because these are my TOP 5 HIGHLIGHTERS of all time and I feel like I'd be doing the world an injustice if I didn't talk to you about them. 

Okay, maybe i'm exaggerating a bit there... but whether you prefer splurging for some high end make up or you love collecting 'High Street,' I believe that I have the Top 5 Highlighters suitable for all budgets.

Santiago Sent Us - Meet and Greet experience (WIN A MERCHANDISE PACKAGE!!)

I have waited 9 months for this moment. I could have fallen pregnant, grown the baby in my stomach and given birth to it in the time that I’ve waited to meet The Tenderloins.

AND IT WAS WORTH EVERY BLOODY SECOND!!! 

Blogging Goals for 2017

I’ve already done the ‘Goals for 2017’ in terms of my personal life. 

2017 is going to be the year that I put all of my effort into my blog, so why not begin with a 'Blogging Goals' too? 

My Goals for 2017

My New Years Resolutions. Scrap that. Goals for 2017. 

NYC Day 8 - Do we HAVE to go home?!

Unlike our holiday in 2015, this trip to New York hasn't flown by… in fact, if has felt like we've been here a life time. But who’s complaining? Not me.

Is it just me who hates waking up on the last day of a holiday? Especially when you haven’t already packed the night before… oops. 

We had a little sleep in with it being our final morning in the hotel… well, when in New York, eh! 

NYC Day 7 - Ice Skating in New York, New York.

If you’re ever going to make a trip to New York… pack your comfiest trainers. That’s the best advice I can give you.

Talk about packing it all into one day. With just a full day and half of Tuesday left… we weren’t gonna miss anything out! 

This morning we visited ‘The High Line.’

NYC Day 6 - Chilling in Central Park

We could not have picked a better day to visit Central Park… and it was completely by accident! 

November… and the sun is shining. Not just shining, it’s actually beaming down and the sky are blue with not a cloud in sight. Absolutely incredible. 

NYC Day 5 - Christmas Spectacular, a Cinema trip and Chocolate heaven!

It’s the big day. 
It’s UFC 205 which means it’s the night where I’m gonna be alone in New York City and I’m going to try not to have a panic attack in the hotel room. 

(SPOILER ALERT: It was actually a lot easier than I thought it would be…) 

The event didn’t start until 7pm which meant that we had the WHOLE day to do whatever we wanted in the big city. The first day of this trip that was OURS and it didn’t include standing in queues! 

I had done a lot of research on Tripadvisor prior to this holiday and I’d seen so many good things about the ‘Rockettes: Christmas Spectacular’ at Radio City and after seeing Santa and the dancing, singing NY shoppers, I was sold. My heart was set on Radio City.

So that’s where we headed… to Radio City. One of the most beautiful music halls i’ve ever set foot in.

NYC Day 4 - Walking in a Winter Wonderland...

Today I had the shopping experience to top all shopping experiences. Today… I experienced Macy’s. 

I didn’t get time to shop here back in 2015 so I made it one of my to-do activities for this trip! Macy’s do Christmas. They do Christmas HARD.

NYC Day 3 - Food, Friends and aching Feet!

We WILL get up early. We WILL get dressed and go out for an early morning stroll… We WILL... let’s just snooze the alarm one more time! 

Today is the day of the UFC press conference which meant that we needed to cram as much as we could in the morning before heading back to MSG to get our tickets at lunch time. 

We actually went out for a nice, sit down breakfast! Not a quick starbucks or a quick NOTHING because we were to busy to eat!

NYC Day 2 - Manhattan Madness

Waking up in New York City is one thing that every person should have on their bucket list. 

The one thing that Zach and I have loved doing on both of our trips to the big city is falling asleep with the curtains/blinds wide open. Waking up to the view of the bustling city. (We were 22 floors up so don’t worry about our privacy, nobody could see in!) 

I think this is when it really hit me that we’re here. We are back. Looking out of the window, down onto the street where the cabs were beeping for no apparent reason and the people in suits and dresses are dodging the tourists with their cameras.

Arriving in New York City - Election Day

How is it possible to feel like you’ve waited forever for something but at the same time it’s come around SO fast?! That’s how I feel about this trip to New York! 

If you’ve read my blog before you will know that I visited NYC for the first time in October 2015 for my 21st birthday. With it being my dream destination and the fact that I loved it SO much, we booked to visit again, November 2016. 13 months later and here it is… 

The Dream Journal

The sunshine burnt through the blinds causing her to squint and rub at her eyes, her eyeliner left on from the night before staining her hands.

Dread filled her stomach as she stared at the man laying beside her… the man that was meant to be her other half. 

‘YOU ABSOLUTE IDIOT!’ she screamed, slamming her hands down on his bare chest as hard as she could. ‘HOW COULD YOU DO THAT TO ME?!?!?!’ Tears ran down her cheeks as he jumped out of bed. 

‘What are you talking about?’ he questioned.

‘DON’T PLAY DUMB WITH ME… YOU CHEATED ON ME!!’ she all but screamed. 

‘Uhh… babe. I think you’ve had a bad dream…’

There have been way too many times that I’ve woken up in the morning (or the middle of the night) feeling like crying, shaking, sweating all because of a dream that MY OWN imagination conjured up!! 

Recently, i’ve been having a lot more vivid dreams than usual and it just so happened that I watched one of Zoella’s videos that features this book in it!

  This is the ‘Dream Journal.’ 

May Must Reads // The IT Girl

When you get dat' phone shadow in the photo. TOP PHOTOGRAPHER RIGHT HERE GUYS

I finally did it. I just bit the bullet and chose a random book from my bookcase and I READ IT!!!