Crafty Christmas Batman Apron

This is the apron that I made for my sister for Christmas. I was trying to think of something to get her that she would really like and could keep without it running out or breaking. She loves baking and batman so together a batman apron seemed perfect. I drew out the idea I had and looked for fabric that I wanted for it. For the top I used plain black cotton and for the band and skirt part I used a sequined fabric. I also used some tulle underneath to give it a more flared look. The photo is not great for showing details  but I made the bottom part more like a rara skirt.  Trying to keep it hidden and make it in secret is a bit tricky when you live in the same house. I would have to wait for her to leave for a while to get bits of it done at a time. 

Anyway it turned out just as I had hope even with my sewing machine not working very well at the moment. The only thing about it was it was very hard to find the fabric I was looking for and had to settle on a different one maybe people don't like sequined fabric anymore ?? haha. But it did give me a perfect opportunity to start sewing again. The most important part was that she loved it and that is all that matters. I'm also thinking of making myself one in pink.

MUA

I have recently bought and started to use MUA products lately. I am always excited to find new make up brands that I haven't used before and also a little hesitant. I have been really impressed with these three that I bought a few weeks ago. I took a chance on one or two that i wasn't sure would work for me but was very happy with how they worked out. I am definitely a MUA fan now.

Mua 
BB All in one Beauty Balm
Shade: Medium Rose

What it says
Primes,smooths and conceals
A multi-functional formula that works wonders to prime and protect whilst conceals to even out skin tine for a brighter, smoother complexion.

What I thought
I found that this BB cream does even out skin tone leaving a brighter smoother complexion. I does conceal but not as much as I would need. I think that most people would find it a lot better but I do have a lot of redness from acne and eczema which usually needs a little extra concealing. 
It's long lasting and light. My skin didn't feel clogged and it didn't look caked on. Which is good because nobody can pull of that look. My face didn't look shiny or dried out. 
At first I thought I had gotten the wrong shade for my skin as it looked very dark but when I applied it and blended it in it was a perfect match.
I would defiantly recommend this BB cream as an everyday wear foundation.

Mua
Lash Boom volume and length mascara

What it says
Give lashes instant boom with this super lengthening and volumising mascara.

What I thought
I bought this mascara as it says it will give lashes volume and length. I was also interested in using it as I thought the brush looked interesting.
I found it a bit clumpy at first but only compared to the previous mascara I had been using. I like the brush as I think it gave me a way to use it on small sections of my lashes, like the corner of my eye. I always make a mess and get mascara everywhere with other brushes.
It actually gave my lashes the length and volume I was looking for and it is all I have been using since I got it.

Mua
Matte lipstick
Shade: Scarlet Siren

There where two things that I was a little worried about before using this lipstick.
1. I had never used a matte lipstick before
2. I'm always afraid of looking like a clown when wearing red lipstick that I usually avoid it.

With this lipstick I should't have been worried. It went on easily, mess free and the matte finish looked great. It made me think that I had been a bit silly about avoiding shades like this before.
In the shop the shade looked a bit darker but I'm happy now that it wasn't as it would have made look a little to pale.
It lasts a good while. Fore example, I find that some lipsticks don't survive a cup of tea after applying, but I've tested this and it survived my tea test. 
I also think it may be my new favourite and I now love red lipstick.

New Make Up Box

Up until now I have been storing my makeup in decorative boxes on a self in my room but it's starting to get hard to find something when I need it and am always running out of space. I saw this box before but when I went to get it there was none left and they didn't know when they would get anymore. I had forgotten all about it and had gone to buy wallpaper when I came across it. I couldn't find a price but noticed that it was the only one around so took it with me until I found someone to price it. It cost just under €40 in B&Q and even came with keys top lock it. I do think it is deigned for tools but hey it works for make up to. The lock is probably my favourite part as I have sisters who sometimes like to help themselves to my things haha. 

As soon as I got home I start to take out all my make up and perfumes and organize it into my new box. All the compartments can be moved and re sized which was great for my brushes. I love how everything can be moved so that everything fits in it own space. I have had it almost a week now and I'm really enjoying having everything in one place and how nice and neat everything is now. 

It also gave me a great chance to have a clear out of things I had forgotten I had or didn't want anymore. I first thought that I would be able to fit all my nail polishes in there too but now I realize I was wrong. I might get a smaller one for nail stuff if I can find one.

EOS Lip Balms

What can I say ... I have fallen in love with these lip balms. Not only are they adorable looking but the flavours are amazing too. I have been seeing and hearing about them for a long while and kept telling myself I would get one and eventually I did. 

I got these online a few weeks ago from cloud10beauty and are 6.95 each. I have only recently found this site and have picked out lots of things I love and have to have. I was only going to get one of them but couldn't make my mind up over Strawberry Sorbet and Sweet Mint so I got them both. I love both of them they keep my lips soft and have not chapped yet. At the moment I am working in a very cold environment and usually suffer with dry cracked lips in the winter, I also get a breakout of eczema under my lip which has calmed down a bit since getting these. 

I find it hard to pick a favourite still I love the sweet mint as it feels very refreshing and the strawberry sorbet is so nice I could almost eat it. They don't waste away as much as others I have bought. I think a little last a a good while and none of them look like I have used much at all. I am very happy with these and may even share the happiness by getting some as little Christmas presents. Perfect stocking fillers.

Osiris Avisé CC and BB creams

I recently bought these two when I was out shopping. I got them in the Euro General shop for €1.50 each and didn't really have high hopes for them due to the price, but they really did surprise me.

CC Cream

I hadn't used a cc cream before this one and wasn't really sure if I would like it. I was wrong I now love this cc cream, it's really light and feels like I'm putting on moisturizer. I really hate the feeling of heavy foundations. I just end up thinking of my skin being completely clogged up. It covers a lot and gives my skin a more even tone. My skin can be a bit difficult at times especially in the winter. As I have a lot of redness around my eyes from eczema I do still have to use a concealer but I'm sure it's not the case for everyone. I do however find it great with eczema and it being SPF15 and having UV protection is always a plus for me.

BB Cream

Again I can't really find anything wrong with this cream, It covers my skin without looking streaky or built up on dry spots, doesn't make my face shiny and is long lasting. I do again still have to wear concealer with this but not as much as I would with some foundations. Again also has UV protection and SPF15 so another plus and find it great with eczema as well. For the price and the quality I am both happy and surprised but who doesn't love finding a bargain.  

Christmas crafty

I decided to get a little crafty and make something a little festive so I made some Magic Reindeer Food. It's pretty easy to make and is made of thing you can get very easily or may all ready have. It has a little poem that goes with it that is sort of its instructions. Basically what it's for kids to sprinkle it on the grass on Christmas eve and the reindeer's smell it and find their house easier.

My younger sisters used to have great fun doing things like this on Christmas eve. I like to make mine out of things that are edible as its sprinkled on the grass and birds will probably eat it. I know it's early but last year I had been asked to make lots of them so thought I'd make some up early this year.  My sister had a stall at a craft fair today and brought some with her and sold a few of them. I'm thinking about putting some on ebay but have only bought of eBay and have no idea about selling on it. 

I am also planning on getting a bit more Christmas crafts going as I have a great idea for a Christmas present for someone but can't find what I want anywhere so I'm planning on getting my pattern drawing book back out again and dusting off my sewing machine. It's been awhile since I've sewn anything. I can't really go into details as I don't want any surprises ruined but I am very excited to get started. I'm planning on stopping by the fabric shop on my way home some day this week and hopefully getting everything I need. My older sister has even offered to let me borrow her workshop if I need to so I can keep it hidden. 

Embellish 3D Manicure

I always thought this look was a fantastic but was surprised how easy it was to do. I had mentioned to my sister that I like the look and she came home from a day of shopping with this for me. I love the colours. It comes with a little funnel for putting the tiny little embellishments back in the bottle and a little plastic tray to catch them when your pouring them over your nails.(that what I'm calling them now because apparently calling them sprinkles is strange or so I'm told) 

First you use two coats of the green polish just like normal but when it comes to the fingers you want to embellish you have to apply your second coat and hold your finger over the tray and pour the little sprinkles over your nail and gently press them so they are all evenly on the nail. After that you wait for them to dry which didn't take to long and if you like apply a top coat. I didn't apply a top coat but will do the next time as I found a few off them over the next few day on my keyboard and my desk opps. Also it might be best to wait for the other fingers to dry before applying the top coat or sprinkles to another finger or it can get a bit messy.

Pennys Haul

PJ's

These pajamas are absolutely adorable and only cost €14. As soon as I saw them I had to buy them. I was looking for something cotton and long sleeve as my skin is very sensitive right now and I'm always cold at night so short sleeves are useless to me. I like my pj's  loose so always but a size bigger and I'm not sure if others find this problem but the bottoms are always to short on me. I don't mean just a little I mean a few inch's to short and it makes me feel uncomfortable. These seem to be some of the only one that seem to fit great and they are so soft it's fantastic. The slippers are so cut and comfy that I forgot I was wearing them and not my ugg boots and almost left the house wearing them today opps haha.

Nail Stuff

I can't seem to stop buying thing lately. I am blaming it on upcoming exams and have become a bit obsessed with doing my nails which is sort of because I find it very relaxing and like to sit down in the evening, watch the soaps and paint my nails. I am also very aware that I sound like an old woman. I got the essence decorating kit and nail art Duo stylist in Pennys and the Rimmel nail nurse top and base coat in my local chemist.

Ugg boots

I love ugg boots in the winter. There so comfy and fluffy inside and keep my toes nice and warm. And at just €8 you can't really go wrong. the sole is also rubber sole so no slipping in the rain. I don't understand how people where the flip flopy based uggs, I'm so accident prone its just an accident waiting to happen.

New outfit

This is the outfit that I got all except the gray top which was already mine. The orange jumper was only €5 and is just what I like, a little loose but not too baggy. I like to layer clothes rather then have a big thick jumper, The gray jeans where €10 and are a little stretchy and very soft. All together it was a good little shopping trip although maybe didn't need everything I bought.

Matt Pink and Glitter

I've had this pink polish for ages but hadn't gotten around to using it so thought I'd give it a try. I used one coat of Nails inc soho silk base coat, then two coats of Sinful Colours #714 Mirror Mauve on each finger but the ring fingers ( I seem to favour these to stand out) where I only used one coat then poured glitter on top of the wet polish and gently pressed it in. The glitter I used for this is supposed to be used in cake decorating but since it is not completely edible I don't like to use it and have been trying to find a new use for it for a little while, this is what I came up with. Next after leaving to dry I applied a top coat of essence matt top coat. It may sound strange but I like to watch the top coat dry and turn the shiny polish to matt. 

What I used

Base coat 

Nails inc- Soho Silk

Polish

Sinful Colours - #714 Mirror Mauve

Top Coat

Essence Matt top coat

Glitter

Divine deli's gorgeous glitter blush pink

New Bags

I found these two lovely bags recently while browsing through ebay. When I saw them I just had to have them. I got a Black one and a Pink/Orange one. They both have long adjustable staps so can be worn over the body or shoulder. There made of a suede kind of material which is lovely and soft and are fully lined inside. I hate ordering something online and when I receive it is nothing like it seemed online. Thankfully this is not the case and both of these bags are just as described. I usually love huge over sized bags ( I have no idea how I manage to fill them up!) but in this case the size is perfect not to big and not to small just right like Goldilocks and her stolen porridge. I have not used the pink/orange (the picture doesn't really do the colour justice) but I am loving the black. I have been on the lookout for a fringe detail bag eve since the last one I had got destroyed after I took it to a music festival. Each bag cost less the €10, only took a week and a half to arrive and shipping was free!! I couldn't be happier with my impulse bag buys.