Valentine's Day Accessories - A Nod to Love

Whether you're full out celebrating or just giving a romantic nod to l'amour, these great love themed

accessories are great for Valentine's Day and beyond.

DIARY DATE: Beauty Mart 50% Off Flash Sale

Outstanding, hero product bazaar, Beauty Mart is having a half price flash sale on

Kipling's 'I AM' Bag Analysis Project featuring me!

It doesn't take an expert to work out that the contents of my handbag mean I carry too much stuff but when I was asked to take part in European bag and luggage brand Kipling's new 'I AM' campaign, where they would analyse the contents of my handbag from a photo, I thought it might be fun to see what all this stuff says about me and what's going on in my life right now (other than I need to edit).

So I tipped out my bag and, pictured above, boys and girls, is what I carry around with me - on a good day, at least. I'm still looking at this pic going "what? no tissues?? where are the pens?" etc. (I'm very much a 'just in case' kinda gal). I had to choose a word to describe what I was doing while I carried/lugged all this stuff about and finish the sentence 'I am...'.  After a lot more deliberation, discussion and thought than was probably necessary, I settled on 'I am pootling'. Cos that's what I do. I pootle. Simple as that.

When I have the professional's findings based on this photograph of one of my favourite handbags and the random toteable possessions contained within, I'll post them but for now, come get involved too! See the gallery of other bags pictured for the I AM project on Kipling's My Bag = I Am..? Pinterest board (mine's there to Like or Repin if you fancy), or submit your own via their Facebook page by clicking here.

PS. For anyone who's interested, the contents of my favourite (huge) old Marc by Marc Jacobs Aidan shoulder bag, are:- 

2 x notebooks from Artbox, Marc by Marc Jacobs turnlock coin purse, Gloomy Bear drawstring used as a mini make up bag and filled with a MAC eyeshadow quad compact, Benefit Bad Gal eyeliner, lippies from Chanel and Topshop Make Up, Nanoblur, Pixi Beauty concealer compact, Philosophy mineral powder foundation and MAC Wonder Woman lipstick (both now sadly discontinued), Marc Jacobs Lola solid perfume ring and it's little leather bag, Laura Mercier Coconut and Almond hand cream,  Coca-Cola flavoured Lip Smackers lip balm, Duane Reade aloe vera hand sanitiser, Philosophy Pure Grace roll on perfume, mock croc Marc Jacobs Oyster card holder, Fuji FinePix F600 EXR digital camera in a case from Artbox, giant Lip Smacker lip balm in Candyfloss, Extra chewing gum in Apple Pie flavour (nommmm), travel size leopard print compact Tangle Teezer hairbrush, Nintendo DS (I love a bit of Professor Layton), Power Monkey travel iPhone charger, Ugly Doll key chain, glasses and case from Warby Parker, Carmex Healing Lotion moisturiser, scraggy half used packet of Panadol, Scope breath spray, Caitlin Moran's 'How To Be A Woman' and my old iPad in its little Marc by Marc Jacobs Dreamy sleeping bag case.   Ow, my neck.  

Rainbow Nail Art - Step by Step 'How To' Guide

As promised in my Revlon 'Style of Wight' post last week, here's that step-by-step 'How To' guide to recreating these Rainbow nail designs created by Jessie J's go-to nail gal, Jenny Longworth, at home.


Step 1: Apply your base coat to make your nail art last longer and prevent staining.

Step 2: Apply your base colour - here Jenny uses Revlon Nail Enamel in 'Dreamer'. She advises doing this in three strokes - one down the middle, then another either side.

Step 3: Paint a Rainbow! Using a fine nail art brush start the Rainbow by painting the bottom tier on first being careful not to overload the brush (blot any excess on a tissue).

Step 4: Using the white as a guide, add in your additional brightly coloured rainbow stripes, layering them above the white. Once you've built up your confidence using these shades, add in a darker stripe under the white one. Don't worry if you go over the edge of the nail - you can tidy this up using a concealer brush dipped in nail varnish remover afterwards. Some of the lighter colours may need a second coat but you can tidy as you go.

Step 5: Finally, seal the deal with a top coat making sure to 'float' it over the nails so as not to drag the polish.



Jenny used the following Revlon products to create this look:
Basecoat - Nail Enamel in Dreamer, Whitest White, Fashionista, Siren, Fushia Fever, and Sassy - Nail Art Detailer Brush - Topcoat.

Revlon 'Style of Wight' Festival Make Up Looks

I love make up but hate having to touch it up. I don't want to carry loads of products around, I never remember to bring my bag with me to the toilet anyway and I use all kinds of primer under waterproof everything in the hope it all just stays put.

Revlon seem to be thinking along the same lines as they've put together this 'Style of Wight Festival Survivial Kit' all ready for this weekend's Isle of Wight Festival where they're the official backstage make up experts this year. If, like me, you're into minimal effort, maximum staying power beauty - this is one for you.

Crack Revlon ace and celebrity make up artist, Lee Pycroft, knows the score, advising festival-goers to aim for a clean, dewy skinned look with an outdoorsy flush of colour. She says"Fake a modern, flawless glow and aim to hide the multitude of sins created by sleeping in a tent or partying too hard!”. 

Revlon PhotoReady Eye Brightener and Primer (£9.99) and their PhotoReady Crème Blush in Pink (£7.99) will take care of that, whilst the rest of the Revlon Style of Wight Festival Survival Kit is made up of  Just Bitten Kissable in 'Lovesick' (£7.99), Revlon Nail Enamel (£6.49) to cover up inevitably filthy festival nails, Revlon Liquid Quick Dry to seal your colour and prevent smudging (£6.49), PhotoReady 3D Mascara (£10.99) and ColorStay Liquid Eyeliner Pen £6.99.

Peacock nails!

In addition, top nail artiste and Revlon brand ambassador Jenny Longworth, whose clients include Jessie J, is creating various nail designs backstage. Three of my favs are pictured here - how cute are the rainbows below?? For those who like to go DIY, check back on Monday for a step-by-step guide on how to re-create the Rainbow nails at home.

Rainbow nail art - <3

For more info, stockists or to buy any of these products, visit www.revlon.co.uk or check their Facebook page over on www.facebook.com/RevlonUK

Starry Sky nail design

Glossybox x Harrods Miniature Beauty inc. Burberry Lip Cover

Readers of my Huffington Post blog will already know how much I love Glossybox.  Being a sucker for anything tiny or trial size, this beauty service which collates five of the best new high end products around each month - and, btw, they're not always miniatures - totally speaks to me. Handy for travelling as well as trying out the latest goodies, Glossybox makes a great gift to yourself as well as for treating friends (boys or girls - they do men's versions too).

Scuse dodgy sideways pic - Blogger's obviously trying to be funny today

For a super luxe version, Glossybox have teamed up with the iconic London department store, to produce The Harrods Edition, which includes miniature skincare products from the likes of Yves Saint Laurent and Clarins. My favourite from the Harrods Glossybox is this purse-sized Burberry Lip Cover in Rosewood (pictured) - a densely moisturising lipstick in a universally flattering pink-tinged cinnamon shade which makes you look instantly more polished, even if the rest of your make up did only take two tube stops *ahem*.

Check www.glossybox.co.uk to sign up or for more info.

Missing! Philosophy The Supernatural Airbrushed Canvas Foundation with SPF 15

 * * * THIS IS A PUBLIC APPEAL FOR INFORMATION * * * 

This - Philosophy's The Supernatural Airbrushed Canvas mineral foundation with SPF 15 - is my favourite every day foundation for all levels of quick and effective coverage.  You literally just bang it on your face and smudge in.  Not very technical, but that's basically what you do and you come out looking like you spent ages on your base.  So it's incredibly sad to hear that it's no longer available in the UK.  I've tried everywhere I can think of but still no joy finding any left in stock in the UK - has anyone stumbled across any in Natural Ivory (often just called 'Natural') please?  The US site has such an amazing range, I wish we got the same products here *sniff*

 * * * IF ANYONE HAS ANY INFORMATION PLEASE COME FORWARD * * *  

SERIOUSLY MASSIVE SPACE NK SALE

Thriftysomething product junkies, prepare to rev up those bank cards...! 

The By Terry compact blushers, a former fash mag favourite, now £15 from £32

Premier beauty emporium Space NK is giving us the chance to snap up a host of premium products from discontinued lines with up to a whopping 75% off. 

Gorgeous 'Celebration' palette from Laura Mercier, £20 from £42 

This online-only sale started today but - as you can see from these examples - by the looks of some of the prices, it won't last long -  there's already a lot less available than there was this morning.

By Terry bronzer, £20 from £40

There are great items from the likes of Laura Mercier, Rodial, By Terry, Frederik Fekkai as well as Space NK's own eponymous lines.

Laura Mercier Creme de Pistache bath & body travel set, £15 from £29

Get browsing now on www.spacenk.co.uk if you fancy treating yourself or, if you're more organized, stocking up on a few gorgeous gifts.

Saccharum (Sugar Cane) candle from Carriere Freres Industrie, £15 from £30