Yankee Candle Tart Melts

The difference between candle tarts to your usual candles are that they do not have a wick and therefore can be used on an oil burner. I have been meaning to try out Yankee Candle Tart Melts for ages now, I searched on ebay and settled for buying some from the seller hazydaysforever.

I bought a bulk order of 10 different scents from a choice of about 50 smells, and my package came through the door within a couple of days.

"Yankee Candle Tart Melt in Gardenia"

I am currently using a ceramic oil burner from The Body Shop which I already had. I thought I would be adventurous and mix two scents to burn - I setteld for half of 'Gardenia' and a quarter of 'Spiced Orange'. I found just using my hands to snap them was half easier (lazier) than using a knife.

The tarts made my entire room smell lovely for ages. I think that if the dish of my burner was larger, the scent would have been more intense. But as I already have this, it will have to do for now. I am making a list of the scents I like as I am using them up so that I know which to repurchase next time - as well as try out some other ones.  So far, I can tell that the ones I will enjoy the most are the 'clean smelling ones' such as 'fluffy towels', 'fresh cut roses' etc.

These Candle Tarts are meant to last for up to eight hours, and the scents are also available in larger, candle versions - I believe that this ebay seller has a whole range of Yankee and room - smells stuff. Below is a pretty good guide on how to use candle tarts.

If you try any out, let me know what you think and which you would recommend!

p.s. I have placed the remaining bits of the open tarts inside my wardrobe as a freshner as I sometimes do with my Lush products.... and its works!

MONEY / Méké Menété

I know almost nothing about this band. There is not much information about them on the net except that they have changed their band name a few times and the hail from Manchester (rumour has it). I kind of like this sense of mystery - makes the music even more mysterious. I don't they have released many songs but the stuff I have heard, I love. I especially adore the two songs below. The music and lyrics are haunting. The line 'New York is winking at me' in particular from 'Goodnight London' makes my heart yearn to go back to the Big Apple. So may memories, so many memories of that place. Oh but the  lyrics as a whole are pretty amazing.

They seem to be a pretty intelligent and a politically conscious band which is always a good thing in my opinion. Anyway, although not to everyone's taste, I think this is some of the most exciting music I have discovered in a long time. 

GOODNIGHT LONDON

LETTER TO YESTERDAY

Check out their facebook. Some solid (albeit scarce) information available on MONEY. Always has interesting writing and pics. Hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

https://www.facebook.com/courtesyisafallacy

Things I like

I bought myself a new desk, rearranged my make up collection, made some more space in my room to concentrate on kick starting a second career. And I just can't seem to get into it. For some reason, it seems more fun to plan holidays, watch Judge Judy and actually enjoy the weekdays not having to watch it go by through an office window.

Actually, ANYTHING else seems to be more interesting than working at the moment (even spending time with relatives). I am lucky I have a small amount of savings which I can eat into, so maybe I should just enjoy being a lazy bum for a while (but not for too long).

Any hoot, another post on a few things I am really liking at the moment.

L-R: B&BW hand gel, Eve Lom Lip Balm, Bourjois Foundation,  Forever 21 earrings 

Bath & Bodyworks Ani-Bacterial Hand Gel
There is something about spending money shopping abroad without having too much concern about price etc. Its almost like it is not really money. Does that make sense? This is what happened to me when I went to a Bath & Bodyworks store in USA recently. I went nuts in there and spent a small fortune on sprays, lotions and soaps. I got really excited about discovering pocket-sized hand sanitizers that smell lovely that I bought loads for myself and and gave some away as gifts to friends and family. I have not come across this type of product anywhere here in the UK (I can't usually stand the smell of hand gels) so maybe that is why I got a bit happy when I saw them. The one I am currently using is called Midnight Pomegranate and has cute little floating beads in it. I know it is just a hand gel, but I really think it is great! I think they were $1.50 each and were on offer at the time. If ANYONE knows where I can get Bath & BodyWorks stuff in the UK, please, please let me know!!

Eve Lom Kiss Mix
This has a pretty thick consistency so I like applying it about half hour before I put on my make up for it to sink in well before I apply my lipstick. It gives a bit of a tingly feeling and therefore helps plump my lips slightly (although that might just all be in my head). Very moisturising for dry lips.

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation
I have always been impressed with every Bourjois foundation that I have tried. I have also tried the other, foundation version and I love it as much, The only reason why I have the serum at the moment is because it works better for me in the winter as it is slightly more moisturising. This stays put all day and does make my skin look healthier. Its costs less than a third of the price of some of the other foundations I have - plus Bourjois does not test on animals - bonus!

Forever 21 earrings
Forever 21 do some really good reasonably priced jewellery - which is very important to me as I lose/break necklaces, earrings etc all the time. I just think they are really cute.

Hope you your day is slightly more productive than mine :)

Miracle of the Chanel Pressed Powder

I went away for a mini break a few months and when I got to duty free, I realised that I had left my Laura Mercier translucent pressed powder behind at home. I coincidenlty (!) happened to be sitting by the make up and perfume section and thought I'd look to see if there is a coloured pressed powder that I could pick up. I settled for the CHANEL POUDRE UNIVERSELLE COMPACTE and I am so glad I did. This has to be one of my most favourite make up items ever. 

I have this in 'Translucent Shade 3'

I apply it at home with my MAC 150 brush, and press with the sponge applicator when I'm out and about (I pop over to a Chanel counter every now and then to pick up sample replacements of the applicator). 


It gives a light coverage, and I love how it helps provide a natural, even toned and more smoother complexion. 


I can be heavy handed with it as I don't feel that it looks cakey at all. A definite Love.


To carry on with the powder theme, another great find - and happened to be freeish, is the Clinique Blended Powder 

It came as part of one of those Bonus TIme products - where you buy two products and get a bunch of stuff free. It is loose translucent powder which is so finely milled its almost like air. I buff away with this, and it smooths any lines, helps keep make up set and just evens out the face. It also gives a healthy glow which is a huge bonus. I have a friend who has some scars left from childhood acne - she will just have this over some concealor during work days and and her skin looks all lovely and smooth!

Most disappointing makeup product ever...

... actually, this is the most disappointing make up product I have experienced in a very very long time. It is the Revlon Just Bitten Lip Stain and Balm.

I am a big fan of lip and cheek stains and like trying out new ones. Although I was under no illusion that I would end up looking like Jessica Biel if I wore it - she looks sickeningly gorgeous in this Revlon ad:

I was however hoping that the pigment would be strong and bold, and was pretty excited about the balm part.

So here is mine;

I got this in the colour 'Flame'

First of all, the plastic packaging was a nightmare to take off. I understood that it had to be extremely airtight as to not dry out the pen part. So I was okay with that. But then I opened it. The balm fell off with the lid.

I put the balm back on but it keeps falling off every time I try and apply it directly from the stick

Basically, the balm does not twist down - so you have to be really careful when taking the lid open or the balm just breaks off. Silly packaging, but I thought of well, I should have been more diligent. What disappointed me completely was the colour pay-off. The first application was fine. But then it completely dried up. The swatch below is after keeping it standing for a week.

I only got one proper use out of it and I ended up throwing out today.

What a waste of £6.

Shopping!

What a completely unoriginal title for this post...

I got back from California last week and my suitcase is still at the foot of my bed, waiting to be unpacked. I finally decided to do it today, but after just taking my shoes out, I've already had enough. I hate the packing, travelling and unpacking that comes with holidays. I am really tempted to leave a lot of the stuff in there ready for my next holiday which is in over a month's time. But that would be just TOO LAZY - even for me. Anyway, I thought I would take a break from the - ahem - the unpacking, and write up a quick post on a few things I picked up recently.

Jaeger black mini shorts

The sale in Jaeger in ridiculously amazing. You can pick up a real bargain from it. I picked up these shorts for £20 which were originally £100!

They were exactly what I was looking for and sit pretty well around my rotund hips. They are very short - even with black opaque tights - so they will only come out for very special occasions and with a casual top to dress it down.

Primark lace cardigan (£8)

This didn't look very nice on the hanger but I fell in love with the peachy colour and thought it would help dress up a casual outfit. I wore it to the Breakfast Club  last week over a pair of black skinny jeans and a white vest top. Blurry picture below.

Fossil Vintage Handbag

Got this little treat during my trip to California. It was about $230 but was on sale for half the price. I love the colour, I love the size but hate the fact that I accidently left a half eaten sharwama in there when I look it out last week :(

On a side note, my trip away last week was exactly what I wanted. My friends (who moved there years ago) and their friends (who I had never met before), were beyond hospitable. They are coming to visit the UK in summer and I have no idea how I will repay them back. This trip restored my faith in humankind, and I am truly glad that I have some really wonderful people in my life. I bought back loads of Almond M&Ms and Bath and Beauty products which are still in my suitcase. Once I manage to unpack, shall post the products here.

xx

Things I'm loving at the moment

No7 Radiance Boosting Hot Cloth Cleanser

I have been coming home quite late a lot recently and this is what I keep reaching for on those evenings. It takes off everything, really quickly and causes no irritation to my skin whatsoever. I really love the fact that you can see how much product you have left (unlike the Liz Earle cleanser tube - only downside I hasten to add). Its about £9 from Boots.

Aloe vera gel 
Especially for 'the time of the month'. I slather it on my breakouts at night and seems to calm them down by the morning.

I get mine from Holland & Barratt

Batiste Nude Dry Shampoo

I love how I can volumise my hair with this when applied to the roots. I end up with  a messy, wavy head. Great stuff. You can get this from a whole bunch of places.

Green tea

I thought all green tea tasted the same. But I was wrong. I am trying to cut down on coffee because of my inability to sleep for more that four hours in a row. I have taken to drinking more water, and try and drink at least two cups of green tea a day at work. I bought these from a stall at a Japanese festival I went to recently. Green tea is the only ingredient in it, and it is delicious.