The Blogger made me buy it tag.

This tag is everywhere I read - It would be rude not to do it.

I have been reading blogs and watching youtube for about 5 years now, its my favourite thing to do, get cosy and read blogs. 

I came across this blog when reading the original over on Daniellas blog Famous In Japan - read it here, I loved it so I am doing it, got to share the love somehow!

Who are your most influential bloggers? Who are the ones that you really rely on for reviews and swatches?

This one is quite easy for me, as I find myself reading these blogs on a daily basis. I really enjoy grabbing a cuppa and reading Viviannadoesmakeup – my bank balance has definitely taken a knock from a fair few of her posts, she has excellent taste, and her skincare videos and posts have inspired my new skincare routine. I also love to read Fleur De Force who I have been watching on youtube and reading her blog from the very beginning, everything she likes I know will be good, she has never steered me wrong with her reviews! I am heavily influenced by pictures (I know I shouldn’t judge a book by its cover – but when it comes with a good review it’s allowed) and Em from The Accessory has the most amazing pictures and I can be persuaded buy products from her pictures alone!  

Do you buy a product solely as a result from one review from your favourite bloggers, or do you look for more reviews from others?

This definitely depends on the product, if it is a colour product such as lipstick or nail polish and I like the colour I will go out and buy it, however if it is foundation, skin care and things that could irritate my skin, I will look into it a lot more. On the whole I do look into products but sometimes I do buy things in excitement.

What is your most favourite item that you have ever bought as a consequence of blogs?

My aromatherapy associates bath oils, I adore them! Again these are all under Viviannadoesmakeup‘s recommendation.

What is your least favourite item that you have ever bought as a consequence of blogs?

I really didn't like the Revlon Lip Butters, I bought two and really disliked them both - controversial I know.  

Name 5 products you have bought recently as a result of blogs.

I have just purchased a whole new skin care routine – I know it is a lot, but my skin is having a the biggest hissy fit it has ever had. So with that said I have ordered, The Emma Hardie Amazing Face Cleansing Balm, GLAMGLOW Super Mud Mask, La Roche Posay Serozinc and Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair, and last but hopefully not least Embryolisse Lait-Creme-Concentre.... goodbye paycheck!

Have you ever given into blogger hype? If so, which hype?

The Naked palette, I have both and dying to get my hands on the third, I am trying to wait until my birthday in a couple of months to get the Naked 3, so far I have pondering getting it every day.

Have you ever avoided blogger hype? If so, which hype?

The Clarisonic – simply because I am scared to use it, I am having a tough time with all the breakouts on my face at the moment; it seems my skin is very sensitive; I am worried this will irritate my skin all the more.

Is everything you buy based on blogger reviews or are there some items you buy without checking out a review?

I am an impulsive person, I will go into a shop and buy things on a whim, so I have acquired most of my products that way, so no not all of my purchases are based on blogger reviews, some are though. 

Have you completed this tag? 

It's a good'un! 

x

Getting my smarts on - Book Review

I have fallen in love with a book...

I am not an avid reader by any means, but I do like to read from time to time, I get quite attached to the books that I read, I have no idea why but I always go back and read them again and again. Maybe its a comfort thing, I don't know.

The book in question is Welcome to Rosie Hopkins Sweetshop of Dreams by Jenny Colgan. This is the what the websites say..
Were you a sherbet lemon or chocolate lime fan? Penny chews or hard boiled sweeties (you do get more for your money that way)? The jangle of your pocket money ...the rustle of the pink and green striped paper bag ...Rosie Hopkins thinks leaving her busy London life, and her boyfriend Gerard, to sort out her elderly Aunt Lilian's sweetshop in a small country village is going to be dull. Boy, is she wrong. Lilian Hopkins has spent her life running Lipton's sweetshop, through wartime and family feuds. As she struggles with the idea that it might finally be time to settle up, she also wrestles with the secret history hidden behind the jars of beautifully coloured sweets. Welcome to Rosie Hopkins' Sweetshop of Dreams - a novel - with recipes. *Winner of the RNA Romantic Novel of the Year Award 2013*

Needless to say, from the first line of this review, you knew I just loved this book. I can't say enough good things about it - I mean whats not to love, romance, bit of history and SWEETS!
I picked this book up in WHSmiths at Gatwick airport just before my holiday last year. I am not going to beat around the bush and say I picked this book up because I had read lots of reviews and so on, I just picked this up on a whim, the title intrigued me, it was right up my street.
The thing I love most about this book is the way that Jenny Colgan tells the tale of two women, in installments of their lives throughout the entire book, picking up where each one left off, with cliffhangers pulling you in, feeling a need to want to know what happens next. Lilians 1940's installments were a pleasure to read if you are like me and love a bit of history. I become quite invested in both characters and both of whom I found myself really rooting for, Rosie is a bit of black sheep in the family as is Lilian, Rosie is a bit of an under achiever with a fully grown child for a boyfriend but she is still bubbly, positive and upbeat - it is refreshing to say the least.
There is just the right amount of romance in both Rosie and Lilians tales, with strapping young men in each installment of both of their lives, but the main relationship and dare I say love story in the novel is between Rosie and her great aunt Lilian, in most romantic novel the two main characters have to overcome obstacles, feelings and conflicts to gain such a bond, there is no exception here. Rosie is just what Lilian needed and Lilian is just what Rosie needed, its a match made in heaven!

I cant praise this book enough, there are plenty of things to love about this book, I urge to go and get yourself a copy of this book it is 'Sheer Indulgence'

By Terry - Touch Expert Advanced

After the party season my under eyes have been looking a little lack luster, I can't avoid the fact that my nights out over the party season are etched onto my face in the form of dark under eye circles. To combat this I decided to take the plunge and buy the By Terry - Touch Expert Advanced , a product I had been lusting after for some time; I would be browsing my local Space NK, for some reason I would always find myself over by the By Terry counter looking and swatching the miracle under eye concealer/highlighter - I think I may be being a little over dramatic by saying miracle but it does work wonders for me.

The Touch Expert Advanced comes from the lady who designed the coveted YSL - Touche Eclat (Terry de Gunzburg), upon leaving YSL she created her own cosmetics line. Obviously she used her previous ideas to come out with a revamped , improved version for her own line, I can safely say with out a shadow of a doubt that it is a lot better than the YSL Touche Eclat, and the YSL Touche Eclat is a good product which means the By Terry Touch Expert Advanced is a GREAT product!

Both have a very similar packaging and application. I found the By Terry is a lot more concealing as opposed the YSL, I would feel quite comfortable putting the By Terry on a spot, or over wrinkles and not be worried that I am highlighting my imperfections, making them even more horrendous than they already look. The By Terry gives an almost blurred effect to the skin, covering anything without looking cakey, because it blends so seamlessly and effortlessly. I does come with a hefty price tag at £32 (cue gasps) but I am afraid to say I don't think my make up bag would be complete without it now. I do not have a bad word to say about the product.

Extra note: I wear shade 2 Nude.

What have you done today to make you feel proud...

Hello Chickies,

Have you ever had one of them days where are you boiling over with anger, or shaking in rage, or over flowing with tears? I am having one today, so I thought what better way to feel better than to write out how I cheer myself up and stay positive!

First things first - Think happy thoughts.. 

Sounds simple but it can be one of the most difficult things to do when you are having a 'bad' day, I often get stuck in the dulldrums. To pull myself out of my mood I think of a time when I was most happy and I smile, making me feel much better! 

Secondly - MUSIC.. 

My most favourite thing to do to get me out of the dulldrums is to listen to my 'Feel Good' music, yes I have an entire playlist dedicated to feeling good! It is AMAZING! If you're like me you will love a bit of Stevie Wonder and old school RnB - ohhh yhhh I love a good dance, no matter how much of a bad mood I am in when I am listening to my music I always seem to do a little dance, and just doing my little dance makes me laugh (mainly because I look stupid) = instantly cheered up. 

Thirdly - Compliments.. 

Giving someone a compliment and getting a thank you and smile back. Makes me feel good, simple! 

and last but not least.. 

Do something you have been wanting to do but haven't got round to doing it yet. It can be from changing your hair colour to posting a letter, it always makes me feel better, I feel I have accomplished something, and it makes me feel proud, as the title suggests. 

I hope if your in a bad mood this post makes your day that little bit better. 

Until next time, 

Jess 

xx