Monday 21 December 2015

Brand review: Bohomoon

Hello my lovelies!
 I have a stack of these coming up, so I hope you enjoy all of them! I am always on the look out for new shops (online and in real life) so when I find one, I always want to review it. The first store I have for you is an online one called Bohomoon, which as you may have gathered from the name, is very bohemian in style. I'm not exactly a hippy, but I do love some boho-chic jewellery, and when I was searching for stores online, I had rings particularly in my mind. In the end, I bought four cheapish rings and a phone-case. Let's start!






1) Sparkles Ring in Rose Gold - £3
This was my least favourite ring, although I thought it would be my favourite. Basically it's a little diamond stud and a tiny crescent moon, separated by a small gap. Yeah, I'm great at explaining. Anyway, I thought it would be slightly bigger than it was, but the ring itself was too narrow for the protruding decorations, so it just looked a bit too cheap. However, it might be the colour that made it look slightly tacky, even though I normally love rose gold.
http://www.bohomoon.com/product/sparkles-midi-ring/
2) Emie Ring - £5
Again this looked slightly cheaper than I thought it would, but I have worn it a few times as a thumb ring. It's kind of like a silver-plated wave with slight etchings, and it's great if you want to stack your rings. It is adjustable at the back, which is good in some ways, but I can only really wear it on my thumb, as I feel like it traps my skin if I wear it on the rest of my fingers.
http://www.bohomoon.com/product/emie-arrow-stacking-ring/
3) Cut Out Crescent Ring in Silver - £6
This is probably my favourite ring, as it's lovely for stacking. It's a little crescent moon ring (probably 1cm tall) which looks kind of battered, which gives it a more rustic, bohemian look which I was going for when I bought it. And although I do normally love rose gold, I'm glad I bought it in silver, as I feel like this colour looks slightly more authentic, or at least it does from this website.
http://www.bohomoon.com/product/cut-out-crescent-moon-midi-ring-metal-selection/
4) Solem Shield Ring - £6
This was the only statement ring I bought. It's one of those products that I felt slightly disappointed when I first saw it, but as I wore it and looked at it more, I grew to really like it. I wear it on my index finger, and it's like a stretched out, decorated diamond which stretches from slightly beyond the knuckle to the first bend of the finger. It was bigger than I expected, but I think I prefer that.
http://www.bohomoon.com/product/shield-ring/
5) Glitter Waterfall Case - £8
 My old phone case kind of died, so I decided to try out another. FAVOURITE PRODUCT I BOUGHT. It's one of those phone cases that you turn upside down, and a load of glitter and stars pour down like a waterfall. I bought it in silver, so the glitter is silver and the stars are pink. And unlike a typical online phone-case, it feels really sturdy but not too thick.
http://www.bohomoon.com/product/iphone-55s-glitter-waterfall-case-pink/


In general, I did quite like this store, or at least the vibe it had. I don't think I'd buy anything else from here, just because the general appearance of the rings was slightly cheap. However, that could be because the rings I bought were on the cheaper side of things. My favourite product for sure was the phone case. I think that if you like bohemian style, and you're prepared to buy some of the more expensive items (don't worry, it's not too expensive!), then you could get some really good products from this site. Anyway, I hope you all have a good day, and Merry Christmas!
Love, Nicole x

http://www.bohomoon.com/

Friday 11 December 2015

Winter essentials!

Hello my lovelies!
 So the season of joy is upon us, and seems to be moving quickly. However, sometimes the season can be less joyful, as opposed to stressful. Here are some things that I have personally found are absolutely necessary if you want to live through these cold months in a happy, healthy manner.


1) Vitamins. I just turned vegetarian recently, so I decided to start vitamins just to ensure I had a healthy diet. However, I didn't realise how much energy they would give me, and since starting them, everyone has commented how much happier I seem. These are definitely needed to keep lurking colds and the flue at bay.
2) A warm coat. I don't care if it's fashionable or not (although I would prefer a nice one...), sometimes you have to prioritise comfort over fashion, and this translates to warmth over cold. A puffy/warm coat is definitely needed.
3) Candles! I won't babble on too much about these as I've pretty much raved about candles in all of my recent posts, but it's not Christmas without candles for me.
4) Playlist. It doesn't even have to be a Christmas playlist (she says while listening to her Christmas playlist...) but maybe a Winter playlist. I don't like listening to the music I listened to in summer while it's cold because it just feels wrong.
5) Dress/playsuit/jumpsuit. there seems to be so many parties happening around Christmas and the New Year, so you better be prepared. Even if it's just a little thing in school, or at work, odds are you're going to need a dress. Plus, who doesn't like an excuse to shop?
6) Christmas jumper/pyjamas. Cheap but adorable ones are abundant in Primark, but if you want to splurge, I'm certain any clothes store you step into will have a good range. Next seemed to have a good selection this year.
7) Favourite hot drink. Cafés everywhere have spent the past few months stressing over what they should blend to create the perfect drink, and in general have done a very good job. My favourite is the Gingerbread and Cream latté from Costa. If you don't want to go out, you can buy the flavoured syrup to make your very own from home.
8) Moisturizer. The cold, biting air has officially affected my skin, and it feels so tight and dry- I hate it! A moisturizer is 100% necessary. For my face, I love the Clinique Moisture Surge Moisturizer, and for body I have been loving Victoria's Secret Sheer Love Body Lotion, although the Vaseline Spray and Go cans will always be my fall-back.
9) New makeup. I think I'm going to write a post tomorrow on a winter style, so if you want a more detailed explanation, please come back and read it. However, in general, winter is a time for a bolder look- red lips, smoky eye shadow, less bronzer...
10) Goals. With a holiday coming up, you could just relax, but chances are you'll look back and wonder why you wasted all your time. Even if you only have a couple of days holiday, why not set yourself some tasks? For example, I want to learn my piano pieces, learn how to drive, complete my work experience, learn my singing pieces, etc... Even if I don't complete all these tasks (which I definitely won't) at least I tried.


 So I hope you enjoyed this post. If you have any other necessities that you think I've missed off, please tell me down below! And please remember to try and relax- it is a holiday after all. Have a good day, and merry Christmas!


Lots of love, Nicole x

Thursday 10 December 2015

Christmas present ideas (or birthday)!

Hello my lovelies!
 Christmas is coming, and with it, numerous people asking you the dreaded question: "what's on your Christmas list?" It feels like there's so many things I want all year round, and suddenly December comes and I want nothing. Also, who doesn't feel slightly guilty asking for things- money doesn't grow on trees, or so adults constantly remind everyone! To help all of you out slightly, I have a few ideas that you could ask for which aren't too expensive.


1) Stationery. Before you roll your eyes, you can get some really cute notebooks which are definitely worth putting on your xmas list. I love the website "Ohh Deer" for all things stationery, but even your local WHSmith should have a fancy notebook that catches your eye.
2) Makeup. Sure, not everyone likes it, but my usual go to present is some makeup from somewhere like Topshop, or some nail varnish, which always looks cute and doesn't require too much effort to think of either.
3) Clothes. Another boring one, but look online or go to your favourite stores and I can guarantee that you'll find something you like. Why use your own money when someone else will buy it, hey?
4) Comfort products. Slipper socks, hot water bottles, mugs... think of what makes you feel cosy, whether it be a steaming cup of tea or some fuzzy bed socks- most likely, these are things you would like in your life!
5) Bath sets. Go into a store like the Body Shop, or Lush, and you'll have no problem finding one you like. They're easy to buy, and lovely to smell, so why not ask for one? Plus, they're great presents for friends if you really can't think of anything else...
6) Netflix/Spotify subscription. Again, a quick and easy gift to request from your parents or someone you're close with. If that fails, you could always ask for box sets of your favourite TV series. If you're looking for something new to watch, I have recently become addicted to Grimm, Supernatural, Suits and White Collar - I'd highly suggest any of these!
7) Candles! I am slightly candle obsessed. Colton Candles has recently been my favourite brand, but Yankee Candles are always amazing, or if you want a slightly better quality (=more expensive) gift, then how about Jo Malone? I love the Peony and Blush scented candle as a soft, subtle scent.
8) Accessories. Scarves, hats, bags, jewellery... there's something for everyone if you look hard enough! If you don't know where to start looking, River Island is good for winter accessories, and Bohomoon is my favourite online store!
9) Camera/polaroid. It doesn't necessarily have to be an expensive one to be a nice little gift.
10) Money! If you really can't think of anything you want, money is the easiest present ever. Not only do you not have to bother thinking of anything, but the buyer doesn't have to go out and buy it either.


I hope this has been of some help to you. Remember, you don't necessarily have to use this list for Christmas, as opposed to your birthday or any other gift-giving occasion. Have a good day and merry Christmas!


Lots of love, Nicole x

Wednesday 9 December 2015

Festive Pamper Evening!

Hello my lovelies!
 I hope you're all feeling as joyful and festive as I have recently. I know it's a bit of a cliché, but Christmas truly is the best time of the year for me. However, that's not to say it comes without stress. Not only is buying and giving presents stressful (to you as well as your bank account), organising countless meet ups with family members can be exhausting, and if you're anything like me, you might have realised that everybody has decided to put everything on you (exams, deadlines, "favours") in an attempt to achieve something before the new year. I'm tired, no denying it. And sometimes, the best thing to do when you're tired, is to organise a pamper evening. This is what I do whenever I have the time (maybe once a month) if I need to detox slightly. Hope you enjoy!


1) Bath time! I love a good bath to melt away your worries. Usually, I light a couple of candles around the tub (favourite Christmas ones include the cinnamon scented candle by Colton Candles, £7.99, or Christmas Day by Colton Candles, also £7.99) and pop on a Christmas film on my laptop (E.g. "Elf", "The Holiday" (favourite!!!) or "Love, Actually"). For the bath itself, I don't like mixing a load of products, so I tend to stick with one product, or at the very least, one scent. I absolutely adore "The Magic of Christmas" bubble bar by Lush, or any product from the Body Shop Red Musk range (warning- this is more of a sultry evening scent that the Lush product), but truthfully, if I got any product from the Lush Christmas range, I wouldn't complain!


2) After I've soaked in the tub for a while, I moisturise (I love my Vaseline Spray and Go body moisturizer as it dries so quickly, £2.45 from Superdrug) and shove on some pyjamas. If you're looking for a good set of pyjamas, I have to rave about Next who seem to have an amazing Christmas stock in this year, but I tend to always go to Primark for some cheap pyjamas. Even now I'm wearing a pair of navy and red checked flannel PJ's, which are adorable.


3) Nail painting... sure it takes time and smudges (every time!) but who doesn't love the finished product? While traditional Christmas colours like burgundy, dark green and gold will always be classics, I have been really enjoying sparkly colours this year more than anything. Ones I have found amazing include Jem, by Topshop (£5) or Fashion Icon, by Barry M (£3.99). If you prefer a more traditional colour, I'd suggest Bordeaux by Essie (£7.99).


4) While waiting for your nails to dry, why not apply a facemask? If you want, you can do this in the bath, but I prefer not to apply anything to my face when my pores are so open for fear of not washing everything out completely. Cheap but good masks that I have tried and tested are the Quick Fix facials (they have a whole range suitable for all skin problems), but I also love Origins Clear Improvement as a more expensive option (£23.00).


5) Once your fingers and toes have dried, shove on some slippers socks and tuck up under a bundle of blankets to finish watching your film, if you haven't already. I love hot drinks like tea, or peppermint tea, but I'll admit I've been having way too many hot chocolates lately! Bit of whipped cream, mini-marshmallows (M&S do a vegetarian range now!!) and I'm a happy gal.


 Hope you enjoyed my quick review of a typical pamper evening. Obviously, this doesn't include my bath/face/general evening routine, so if you'd like to learn more, just ask below, or read my previous skin care routine. Have a good evening, and merry Christmas!


Lots of love, Nicole x