Hello loves,

I thought it may be fun to write a post about 'What is in my handbag?'.  I really enjoy being nosey and finding out what other ladies may be hiding in their bags.

Often girls can be so resourceful on what they manage to fit into their bags, but my resourcefulness may not reach these levels. I'll leave it for you to judge.

So without further ado....

My handbag is just a small black faux-suede mini satchel bag from River Island. If you wanted to get your mitts on this little bag, just click here. These are also available in other colours, but I'm particularly liking the oxblood one and the leopard print hybrid. There is plenty of room for everything you need to carry, and the magnetic latches are very sturdy. The price is also not too bad!

And this is literally all the goodies that I tend to carry in my little bag. I've really been into carrying smaller bags, compared to my usual larger totes. I just think that my poor shoulders needed a good break! The time to downsize had come along and now I'm just embracing it.

  

I have my wallet in my bag from River Island also. I know that there is a bit of a trend here for River Island, however I just found it a really convenient size. It has a white flap and gold/grey clasp with the main body being a lime green. It is a really nice colour combination and was perfect to celebrate the start of summer. I've always used the River Island large purses, and they have enough space for cash, cards and coins. They are literally all I have been using. However, please watch this space on the blog for some 'lust-have' accessories, which should be coming up soon! 

Another essential is my gold iPhone (not pictured here) and my iPhone headphones. The headphones aren't very comfortable but I just suck it up as they fit so nicely in the little case. I also carry a small diary and a pen to keep up-to-date with appointments. I know I could use my phone in this wonderful digital age, but I'm a bit old school and still like to keep a diary on hand.

 

My sister-in-law also kindly bought me a Gucci hand-mirror which is beautiful. It is quite heavy but such a nice piece to carry with you and whip out to fix make-up. I also keep Kleenex blotting sheets with me, in case my T-zone gets oily. Previously I've also used the DHC ones (which I really like). 

I keep minimal make-up on me during the day, however lippy is a MUST. My latest lip muse is MAC's Snob, which is just the prettiest pink that is a hint off your own lip colour. It is not too garish or too bold and hits the right notes for a pretty look.

The other pieces that I have to carry with me is without a doubt my Soap and Glory Hand Maid anti-bacterial gel. This is scented quite heavily so if that is not your thing, steer clear! The scent is definitely not unpleasant and it really keeps those nasties at bay. I also carry Soap and Glory's Endless Glove hand cream, which is super nourishing on my mitts. I've had dry hands on quite a few occassions lately, and this whips my skin back into shape.

I have to always have a lipbalm on hand and my current favourite is the Burt's Bees Mango lipbalm. The butters in this baby is awesome and keeps my lips amazingly soft and kissable. I also keep a lipgloss on hand just in case I need some sheen on my lips and at the moment that is in the form of Urban Decay's Naked gloss in Sesso. This is a rose colour with pink shimmer in. It looks great if you want to give your look a boost or polish. And the final items I always keep on hand is the Yes to... cucumber wipes in travel size and some polo mints. They are fairly self explanatory. Wipes if something spills or my face needs a wipe and polo mints for minty fresh breathe. Not the biggest fan of gum anymore, so mints are great.

What do you keep in your bag?

Flawless Skin by Summer

Hey everyone, 

Happy Friday!!

For the most part I consider my self a planner, a list-maker, a generally-organised type of chick. The exception? Whenever the seasons change.

Chalk it up to living the majority of my life in Southern Africa (where we barely even have seasons), but I'm always caught off guard when the weather flips. And now that I live in the United Kingdom I typically don't get around to buying a new coat until February or a new bathing suit until July, and at that point it's a bit of a wash.

Same with my daily skin care routine. I'll find myself using my heavy winter creams in April and wondering why my skin is breaking out. So when the first hints of summer showed its cute little face I knew it was time to start tweaking my skincare routine - a must for spring. I considered it a chance to get myself in gear for the new season too. I looked to some of the experts for both the product swaps we should all be making, as well as the in-office and at-home skin care treatments that help get rid of dry, winter skin in time for shorts weather.

Now I've got a new daily skin care regimen and heck, I may even get a jump-start on buying a new bikini this year, too.

Enroll in body bootcamp

This is not a call to hit the gym (although that certainly doesn't hurt) but rather the derm and the spa. Spring is the perfect time to prep your skin for all that bikini- and shorts-wearing you'll be doing come summer. "If you wait until June it'll be too late," says London dermatologist Dr. Rebecca Baxt.

To start, take a look in the mirror and if there are any brown spots, spider veins, or other "distractions," then make an appointment to get them zapped. Baxt also suggests microdermabrasion (for your face and body), chemical peels, or intense pulse light treatment to help get rid of dry winter skin and even skin tone.

You can also start laser hair removal now (if you're into that), so you can get through the whole series of treatments before summer, Baxt says.

And even if you can't make it to a dermatologist or esthetician, Birmingham-based esthetician Gina Marí suggests using a body scrub regularly at home for softer skin (she likes Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish, £35.45). Baxt says adding products with vitamin C will help even skin tone.

Budget Friendly Scrub:  Soap and Glory's Sugar Crush Body scrub (100ml), £8.

Re-think your retinol

If you use retinol, whether for anti-aging or acne benefits, Baxt says you can go one of two ways come spring.

If you were using retinol less often (or not at all) in the winter because it dried out your skin, you can start using it again and increase the frequency, says Baxt.

However, she says some of her patients actually use retinol less often in the spring than they do in the winter. The reason? All that lovely sunshine. "The downside of increasing retinol is you become more sun sensitive, so if you know you'll be in the sun more and you know you won't be good with the sunscreen, then you may want to skip retinol in the spring."

Get the SPF out of hibernation

You know you're supposed to wear sunscreen all year long. But let's be real, when you haven't seen more than a sliver of sun in weeks, it's easy to justify skipping the stuff.

But now that it's spring and the sun is going from guest star to main cast member, it's time to reach in the back of your medicine cabinet and grab the SPF. Two important things to remember (aside from simply using it): reapply often and hit up all of your body parts that are going to see the sun.

"Sunscreen only lasts 2 or 3 hours at best, so keep a powder sunblock in your purse or car and swish it on your face," Baxt says. "It'll look like you touched up your makeup, and you've got more sunscreen on." One to try: BareMinerals SPF 30 Natural Sunscreen, £21.25.

And when you're applying, don't forget these spots: your neck, chest, hands, the backs of your ears, and the back of your neck if you have your hair up.

Lighten up

Increased humidity means you can put down the heavy moisturising creams and switch to a lighter lotion, Baxt says. Just look to your complexion as a guide. If your skin still feels tight after putting on your moisturiser, try a slightly richer product; if you've got the afternoon greasies, use a lighter lotion.

Or, if you're really oily or acne prone, Marí says you can skip the moisturiser all together -- if you use a toner. "Toner, not an astringent, helps bring the pH level back to normal after washing your face," she says. "Washing your face strips your skin of it's natural moisture barrier, and it takes your body time to get that back. But toner can help you do this right away." Marí likes Dermatologica Multi-active Toner, £26.40.

Lay off your scalp

Dandruff is typically worse in winter thanks to dry heat indoors and extra-hot showers, but when the humidity starts rising in spring you can usually put down the Head & Shoulders, Baxt says. Obviously if your dandruff is severe there's no reason to stop using a medicated shampoo, but if you're dying to try a different formula Baxt says now is the time to do it.












These tips will be easy peasy and you'll be summer ready in no time!

Have a great weekend!

Stay sweet,

New Everyday Beauty Essentials

Good morning,

I'm always looking out for the next beauty find that will settle my cravings for makeup, skincare, haircare and health care.  So any new products are always very much on my radar!

Here is the latest collection of beauty finds I'd like to share with you:

Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfectors

The three latest shades – Rosewood, Candy and Petal – are great everyday hues. If, like me, you find lip glosses too ‘done’ and gloopy, the gel based formula of these Lip Perfectors gives you pigment-rich colour that are kind of textureless, in a good way - lips are smooth but feel completely natural and product-free.

Estée Lauder Perfectly Clean Triple Action Cleanser/Toner/Make-up Remover

Perfecting a skincare regime is very grown up and ladylike, but, let’s face it, sometimes you just can’t be bothered. This 3-in-1 product is a dream – just lather on and wash off make-up while cleansing and toning in the process. I love the peachy soft feel of skin after use and, since using, sporadic outbreaks of spots have happily disappeared.

Lancôme Blush Subtil Palette

Who doesn’t wish for Kate Moss-esque cheekbones? Living up to its billing as an all-in-one contour, blush and highlighter, this compact (in Rose Blush) is an easy way to chisel your face. Used with a light touch, this is the best contouring palette I’ve tried.

Elemis Pro-Radiance Illuminating Balm

This is being marketed as a ‘hybrid moisturiser’ and I would agree. A cross between Clarins Flash Balm and Elemis Pro-Collagen Cream, the balm sinks straight into skin and works as a great glow-giving primer. The neroli and lemon scent is lush – I’m totally addicted.  I love the great products that Elemis offer and these deals on QVC is also worth looking at to safe money in bundles.  Check Ebay to buy Elemis samples for smaller prices to try  before you buy (the full size product). ;-)

Colour Wow One-Minute Transformation Miracle Styling Cream

For those that wake up to find their hair flattened to their crown, smooth a dollop of this from root to tip and blast the unruly section with a hairdryer for just-washed looking locks. The groundbreaking silicone formula also transforms frizzy ends into silky lengths - seriously.

Seche Fast Dry One Coat Nail Polish

The Seche Fast Dry Top Coat is a cult product beloved by backstage manicurists. The new Fast Dry One Coat Nail Polish is equally good, my favourite shade being Portobello, a taupe neutral in line with this seasons trend for nude nails (seen at nearly every LFW s/s 13 show). Rich in pigment, you only need one coat (though I prefer two) and it dries rock hard. It’s giving my favourite, Rimmel Pro Beige Babe, a run for its money.

Soap & Glory Puffy Eye Attack Turbo-Boost Hydragel 

Eye creams are my nemesis. I cannot recall the number I’ve sampled in the quest to banish my panda eyes and squidgy undereye bags, all to very little avail. I do feel like this has improved them, at a very good price point. Containing botanical peptides, usually only found in premium eyecare ranges, the quick-melt gel has an instant cooling, de-puffing effect, which I’ve amped up by sticking it in the fridge before use each morning. And I can safe up my Boots points to get this free. Bargain!!

Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation

OK, this one has been out for a few months but it needs a mention because it’s great. I’ve tried innumerable foundations but my stalwart is Chanel Vitalumiere, found in the kit of every make up artist worth their salt. I still love it, but this is the closest contender I’ve found. The range of shades are great, particularly for pale skin (why are so many ‘ivory’ foundation shades, in fact, tan?) and it gives a light, dewy finish. Clearly, everyone’s complexion differs, but for £6.99 it’s absolutely worth a try.


So those are my current every day picks for new beauty.  I'm very excited about all of these and would love to find out which products you've recently discovered!

Stay sweet,

Reasons to LOVE London

Admittedly, I am a sucker for ornate pomp and circumstance, and so I always tune into the Summer Olympics. I may not be a professional athlete (I'll stick to Pilates, thank you very much) but I love the thrill of the opening ceremony, and this year the event is taking place across the pond in fabulously chic London, so I'm even more excited than usual.

We have so many reasons to love London and the UK: "Downton Abbey," Kate and William, Adele, Harry Potter. In honor of the 2012 Olympics, I've rounded up a few of my favorite British beauty products and trends, since it's no secret that us Brits know beauty.

I realised just how much us British know beauty when I studied abroad in London during college. After a semi-gross meal of bangers and mash at a pub, I wandered into a Boots pharmacy. I was amazed at the endless selection of awesome products in the makeup aisle. When it came to London's fashion and beauty, the city had me covered.

 From Twiggy's mod influence to English products like Butter London nail polish, I have compiled the ultimate list of British beauty trends and products that I think deserve a shiny gold medal.

No. 1: Kate Middleton

What is it about British royalty that has us so utterly obsessed? Maybe it has something to do with Kate Middleton's relaxed elegance and sophistication. Or maybe I just love that the Duchess of Cambridge is a down-to-earth girl who wears Zara skinny jeans and shops at the grocery store. She's just like us. Well ... sort of.

No. 2: Butter London's Olympic Collection

Butter London is paying homage to its hometown by releasing a special "Olympic Heavy Metal collection." Gold is the goal for an athlete, but in this case the bronze, silver, and gold colors are all equally shiny and pretty. And remember, you can always mix metallics, so there's nothing wrong with wearing 'em all at once.

No. 3: Vidal Sassoon's Wedge Bob

Vidal Sassoon was a visionary London hair stylist who invented the ultra-popular geometric wedge bob in the 1960s. It's still considered edgy and chic today (Victoria Beckham's angled bob is a modern spin on it). While I may not be able to pull off this daring look myself, I still feel chic using his namesake product line.

No. 4: Burberry Lip Cover

Burberry's timeless style makes it the ultimate luxury British brand. A new Burberry trench coat would wipe out my bank account, but the Burberry Lip Cover lipstick is much more affordable at only £20.28. The hydrating formula goes on silky smooth and it comes in 30 pretty shades.

No. 5: Twiggy

In the 1950s the curvy Marilyn Monroe figure was all the rage, but when rail-thin Twiggy walked on the scene in the '60s, the modeling world was completely transformed. You can easily steal Twiggy's signature mod style (even if you've got more of a Marilyn figure) by pairing a shift mini dress with heavy mascara and eyeliner.

No. 6: Soap and Glory Facial Scrub

Cheeky and fun, the Soap and Glory brand embodies the British sense of humor. This exfoliator is titled, "The Greatest Scrub of All," £9, which sounds a tad presumptuous, but it does leave you squeaky clean and so we think it lives up to its grand name.

No. 7: Jo Malone Bath Oil

I don't actually drop fresh rose petals in the tub when I take a bath (does anyone?), but with the Jo Malone Red Roses Bath Oil, £38, it feels like I did. It's impossible to feel stressed out after a bath in this stuff. It must be how every Brit stays so cool, calm, and collected.

No. 8: Downton Abbey Fashion

It seemed like I was the only one in the world not watching "Downton Abbey," and when I finally caught up, I was hooked. Who knew BBC could be so fashionable? Sure, the main reason to tune in is the WWI drama, but I'm even more interested in the intricate hairstyles and dresses.

No. 9: Rimmel London Mascara

Adele is one of my favorite Brits, and while I'll never sound like her when I sing in the shower, at the very least I can achieve her long lashes with the Rimmel London Lash Accelerator, £8.99.

No. 10: Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish

Nothing removes my stubborn mascara like the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish, £14.25, and it's still super gentle on my skin. Plus, this English brand just won a UK Beauty Award for being one of the best products of the last 20 years. Not too shabby.

No. 11: Boots Body Butter

Boots Pharmacy has been around London for more than 160 years. That's an insanely long time. It's a great go-to British brand for beauty staples like this nourishing Boots Body Butter, £5.62, with natural honey extract.

No. 12: Elaborate Hats

Other than weddings or ladies day at the races, we don't wear hats that often in the U.K. But the British have mastered the art of elaborate hat wearing especially the Royals.  Ribbons, feathers, flowers, birds' nests ... really anything goes.

No. 13: Mason Pearson Hairbrushes

The Mason Pearson Brush, £38, is the Cadillac of hairbrushes. The bristles leave your hair looking healthy and shiny. No snags or snarls. Yes, the price is pretty outrageous, but it'll last forever so it's worth the splurge if you can swing it.

No. 14: Alexander McQueen Skull Clutch

Typically skulls scare me. But somehow, when they are adorned in crystals atop an Alexander McQueen clutch, they're not so frightening.

No. 15: Illamasqua Cream Blusher

Simply dab and blend this Illamasqua Cream Blusher, £16.50, with your fingers for highlighted cheekbones and a rosy glow. It's a delightfully easy process, which makes sense since the Brits are all about fuss-free beauty.











I'm so excited for the Queen's Golden Jubilee, and thus I celebrate everything that is great about Great Britain.  Hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

What do you like about Britain?

Pretty Pink Fashion Trends: Barbie's story

In middle school I used to wear a mood ring -- remember those? The idea is that depending on your mood, the ring's stone would change colour. Mine was consistently a bright shade of pepto pink ... which was fine by me, because I've always been the cheerful, glass-half-full type. But it's not like I dot my i's with hearts or dress up as Elle Woods for Halloween, I just have a slight girly-girl streak.

And my love of all things pink has lasted -- even after Paris Hilton almost ruined the colour for an entire decade. So when I started seeing my favorite hue on the runways and in magazines recently, I couldn't have been more excited. It should be no surprise that for this colour story I rounded up a massive list of beauty and fashion trends in pepto pink -- the pinkest of pinks.

Now, pink isn't just for Barbie (although I'll take the convertible and dream house any day). There are a ton of ways to work it into your style, whether your mood ring is naturally pepto or a smoky gray. Here are three key tips to get started:

1. Pair pink with hardware like studs or chains to balance things out and avoid that too sugary sweet vibe.
2. Add an unexpected pop of pink to an otherwise neutral outfit. A pink lip or pepto clutch is a great place to start.
3. Mix with other bright colours like tangerine or cobalt. Just make sure to keep a streamlined silhouette to avoid a mess.

Okay, ready for a pink parade? SCROLL for Pink OVERLOAD!

No. 1: Aldo Platform Pumps

Get plenty of mileage out of these patent leather pink pumps.

Get it: Aldo Platform Pumps, £29.99

No. 2: Essie Nail Polish in "Off the Shoulder"

Bright pink nails always look so pretty and polished (pun intended).

Get it: Essie "Off the Shoulder" Nail Polish, £9.95

No. 3: TIKKR Pink Panther Watch

Being punctual is even better when you do it with a pepto pink watch.

Get it: TIKKR Pink Panther Watch, £5.99

No. 4: Aldo McEnroe Crossbody Bag

Pink crossbody bags are ideal for the girl on the go.

Get it: Aldo McEnroe Crossbody, £28.50

No. 5: Dior Rosy Glow Blush

Don't be afraid of a bright pink blush, but also don't go too heavy. A light dusting will do.

Get it: Dior Rosy Glow Blush, £29.50

No. 6: Cheap Monday Skinny Jeans

Swapping out blue denim for colored jeans is one of the fastest ways to brighten up your look.

Get it: Cheap Monday Skinny Jeans, £50

No. 7: Forever 21 Lux Stone Necklace

Pair this pink statement necklace with a solid silk blouse for a great day-to-evening look.

Get it: Forever 21 Lux Stone Necklance, £8.40

No. 8: Soap and Glory Birthday Box

This Soap and Glory birthday gift set is as fabulous (but sadly not as delicious) as a slice of confetti cake.

Get it: Soap and Glory Birthday Box, £15

No. 9: Tweezerman Set

Tweezing doesn't feel as painful when plucking in pink.

Get it: Tweezerman Set, £26

No. 10: Betsey Johnson Bow Flats

Crochet-style pink flats are perfect for transitioning from spring to summer.

Get it: Similar found here, £10

No. 11: Marc Jacobs Oh, Lola! Fragrance

The signature scent of a pepto pink girl? Oh, Lola! by Marc Jacobs.

Get it: Oh, Lola! Fragrance, £37














And those are my hot (pink) picks!  I'm in love.

Do you like any of these items?  Is pink a colour you secretly love?

Soap & Glory's A Great Kisser Balm

I'm a big fan of certain products in the Soap & Glory range.  The range is very versatile and affordable at the same time.  Since they released their makeup range, I was unsure of which products to try out first!  As I'm such a huge fan of lipbalms this seemed a great starting point!  And as it goes, I'm also giving this product away in my big February competition!  

 

This trio of beautiful balms claim to contain mango butter to moisturise, apricot butter for weather protection, lingonberry oil to boost barrier repair (and prevent water loss) and pomegranate extract to renew your ‘dewy’. It all sounds very appealing and to top it off, they come in three different flavours:

 Juicy Peach (a gorgeous coral)

Sweet Coconut (clear with a hint of shimmer)

Chocolate Cherry (a sheer, popsicle pink)

 

 

The balms on the left and right (Juicy Peach & Chocolate Cherry) are actually tinted, leaving a hint of juicy colour on the lips, whilst the Sweet Coconut shade in the middle is clear with a splash of shimmer. Soap & Glory say:

"It’s not too waxy, not too slippery, not too greasy, not too sticky. In fact, it’s just right."

Price: £5.00 / €7 each. 18g / 0.63 Oz.

 

I've been using my 'Juicy Peach' balm now for the past week and I LOVE it!  The balm is really luscious and moisturising and gives you a beautiful hint of gloss to the lips (nothing too major though). They smell divine and last for ages and ages on the lips.  I'm in love!  

What are your thoughts?  Which other products of Soap & Glory do you love?

Special GIVEAWAY [CLOSED]

I'm finally doing my much talked about GIVEAWAY!  Part of the giveaway will be shared with you my amazing followers. However, some parts will be kept secret to allow for this to a little bit exciting!  I'm very excited to offer you the chance of winning this lovely prize, and hope that you will enjoy the process of entering the competition! 

The main prize will be the Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette!

 

Other prizes include:  Naked Starflower Crush Body Wash, Foam Bath and Body Butter.  Then there is a fun little photo album with the funky gerbil on, a handbag hook, Hello Kitty keyring, handbag tissues, metallic red nail wraps, Montagne Jeunesse Chocolate Face Mask, Kiss Lashes, Soap and Glory's new 'A Great Kisser' Lip Moisture Balm in Juicy Peach and a little hamster pen. 

What does the secret giveaway mean?

It basically means that a part of the giveaway will be shown here, and another part will be kept secret.  I've listed the brands below to allow you to see whether any of the competition is worth entering. 

So, what brands are going to be in the giveaway?

Urban Decay, Benefit, Soap & Glory, Naked, Kiss, Nail Wrap, OPI, LUSH and Montagne Jeunesse. 

How do I enter?

The rules are pretty simple and straightforward:

1. Be a member/follower of the blog via Google Friend Connect (the box in the left hand column)

2. If you can't follow the blog via GFC then I will accept email entries at the normal address (buttonsfriend85@gmail.com)

3. Leave a comment on this post telling me what you would like to see more of on the blog and/or what you find the most useful (i.e. add video tutorials/do more nail posts/fashion is important)

4. Leave a valid email address or Twitter handle for me to contact you on in case you are the winner

5. Spread the word via Twitter or Facebook to all your friends and family - This isn't really an entry requirement and you won't get any extra brownie points but if someone you know wins, then maybe you can divvy up the prize.

That's it!

Like I said, the rules and regulations are straightforward and all entries must fulfill the requirements or else it won't be counted. If you don't leave a comment, name, contact info or be a follower then you are automatically taken out of the loop and lose the chance of winning. It's only one entry per person so if you've left a comment then you don't need to email me your entry because it won't count, and vice versa.

The giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY and is now live so you can start leaving your comments from here on. I will close the giveaway on Wednesday 29th February at 9pm so there is enough time to get your entries in. Remember, you snooze you lose!

I look forward to reading through all your entries and remember, keep an eye out on Twitter for information about more brands being added to the giveaway.

Ready... Set.... GO!

Lots of