Sophie Kathleen

New year make-up

Hi everyone,

Here is the makeup i'll be wearing for new year!! I hope you all have a safe new year with loved ones and this look will maybe give you some inspiration for your NYE make-up :)

For this look I used a pink shimmer as my base (this had a gold undertone) with deep plum in the outer corner. I used a gel liner to really exenterate the eyes before lining the eyes with a royal blue shadow.

I really like how the eyes turned out and thought they would go perfectly with a pale pink blush and nude lip.

What are your plans for celebrating the New Year? I’m actually having a cosy one this year but it’s still an excuse to jazz up you makes up right? :)

I’ll see you tomorrow for my New Year, New Me post! Ha jokes, I do however have a lovely little idea to share with you all.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

BLOGLOVIN | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

With all the excitement of opening presents and spending time with love ones, I'll be honest, how I look isn't something I worry about. I don't tend to get out of my pj's until at least 11 in the morning but when I do I like to put on my Christmas outfit and do my hair and make-up ready for dinner.

I'm not one to fuss to much, I'd rather use the time eating mince pies and pigs in blankets, but I've put together a festive look for you which can be done in 10 minutes. I hope you like it.

For the eyes I used sidecar from the naked pallet and blended this over my crease using a MAC 217 brush, then I used a smaller brush to sweep this under the lower lash line. Next I used sin and just dabbed this onto the inner corner and blended it through to the middle.

To finish off the look I used Maybelline colossal mascara and Rimmel lipstick in 880 rose passion before applying Avon revitalized blush.

This really is a perfect look that's so quick and easy for Christmas Day!

Merry Christmas to all and to all and goodnight :)

Xxx

Today I bring to you a gift idea for those difficult women in your life. You know the ones; either they already have everything, give you no idea of what they want or maybe the're just as much of a beauty geek as you :) either way, this is the perfect gift idea for all of the above or anyone who your struggling for ideas with.

I'm not a fan of giving vouchers even though I love receiving them. I’m a sentimental person, I love making an effort and making someone feel really special. This was actually for a friend’s birthday, but I think this would be perfect for a Christmas gift with a change to the colour theme.

I decided to put together the ultimate pamper kit for her to indulge in, she had never experimented with skincare and made do with the products she picked up at the supermarket, so I wanted to put together the ultimate pamper hamper.

I included in the hamper:

Perfect pedicure
Toe Separators
Pumice Stone
tweezers
Nail clippers
Nail File

Nivea Skincare
Face wipes
Make-up Remover
Facial wash gel
2 in 1 cleanser & Toner
Exfoliating Scrub
Day Cream
Moisturiser

Bath Time

Body scrub
Creamy shower wash
Shower/bath gel
Exfoliating gloves
Flannel
Loofer

So lets get into making this into a lovely gift :) I started off with this little wicker basket from Tesco, I thought this was perfect as my friend could use this to store all the products in her bathroom.

Next I packed it with some tissue paper to create some height for me to display the products

I placed the products into the basket adding more tissue paper as and when needed to give some products a little more height.

When I was happy with my little display I then wrapped this in tissue paper.

Using pink patterned cellophane I measured enough to go around the basket and then doubled it, as you can see In the picture below I then bunched this together.

Using ribbon I tied above the basket and then folded and sellotaped the outside edges. If you have excess ribbon hanging, rather than cutting off, score the ribbon to create a curl.

I then added a bow, which I learnt from my mom (shes a florist)

I hope you enjoyed this quick post, I just wanted to share with you as it’s a great idea when your stuck of what to get and you can throw this together which lots of little things that are a little more personal to someone.

This will be my last post before Christmas, so I wish you all a very merry Christmas :)

Until next time...

BLOGLOVIN | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

Tantastic Tartan

Oh hi... long-time no see.

I know I've been THE worst blogger the past few weeks. Unfortunately I've had a really bad back and was advised by my physio to give it a rest for a bit (sitting at a computer all day and then spending the rest of your life leaning over a laptop apparently isn’t great on the old back), but I’ve had enough now, I’ve got too many pictures that have accumulated in my laptop absence, so here I am raring to go :) I hope you’ll forgive me! I promise not to be gone this long again *slaps wrist* anyway enough about me! How are you all??

Today I thought I’d ease you back in with an outfit post. This one was inspired by Made in Chelsea star Louise. She wore a similar outfit in a recent episode. I took to twitter and found that Glomourous.com had this one! I instantly fell in love; I really like the cute feel to this playsuit. I teamed it with some black tight and then tan show boots and belt

Top - F&F

Pinafore Playsuit - Glamourous

Belt - New Look

Tights - Primark (super cosy)

Boots - New Look (last season)

Are you a fan of Made in Chelsea? I'm obsessed!!

Ciao for now loves

BLOGLOVIN | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

hello lovelies... I'm back with an update on my first week with Weight Watchers, and what a week it’s been. let’s jump straight into the results for the week. I've lost 5lbs...Whoop!! I'm really happy with the result, especially considering how confused I found myself, getting to grips with what to eat was a bit of a struggle.

So following on from last week, I told you that I’ve joined Weight Watchers online and had downloaded the app on my phone. Over the week I tracked everything I ate using the tracker. I found this so easy to use; it really is a great tool. You can search foods or input the info from a packet to calculate points. The app also enables you to track your weight, after every weigh in it shows you your progress on a graph. There are some success stories to inspire you, as well as various recipes. I found this really helpful and have loved tracking my meals and finding out how many points are in all the things I’ve ate. Some have been a bit of a shock to say the least!

Following my result I decided to put together a little graph of the points I had used at each sitting just to get some clarity of where my problem areas are. I found that I never ate more than 4 points for breakfast and 8 for lunch but would be snacking a lot or having a lot for dinner. I also found that over the weekend I went over quite a lot. With that being said, this week I’m going to concentrate on ensuring I eat breakfast every day and snack on more fruit. I am also going to plan my meals over the weekend as much as possible so that I stick to the plan and don’t let temptation get in my way!

Have you been trying to drop a few pounds? What has/hasn't worked for you?

If you have any questions or advise, please leave them in the comments below :)

BLOGLOVIN | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

I'm trying desperately to teach my boyfriend how to take pictures for my outfit posts, I've had quite a few that were just unusable. however with this 20 minute, 500 photo shoot, I managed to salvage a few to use. so, I bring to you, pleather pastels.

I'm loving the Autumn/Winter trends this year, its all very biker, tartan & grungy. I do love a little bit of a girly touch though so that was my inspiration for this look. I think its important to not go too gloomy in the colder weather so decided to mix things up a little and incorporate this bright scarf into this edgy look.
I work in an office, so Monday - Thursday is pretty much dresses and blazers, but every Friday is 'dress down day' where we can wear smart/casual attire. This was what I wore this last Friday.

Coated Disco Pants | Newlook | £22.99
I was kind of on a spending ban, when Newlook text to let me in on 25% off for cardholders, honestly, it would be rude not to at least have a look, right?
whilst browsing the tall section (something I love about Newlook) I came across these beauties. To be honest at first I thought pffftt £22.99 for basically a pair of leggings, but when I considered the 25% off I slipped them in my basket, and I'm so happy I did. These are so comfortable and stretchy and they are really high waisted, so if like me your a little insecure of those lumps and bumps, these are a great buy.

Grey Faded Jumper | Primark | £10
I found this in my local Primark, and could not believe the quality, this honestly feels so soft and cosy, it's well structured and was an absolute bargain in my opinion. Its a great length for both leggings (covers the bum) and jeans and goes with pretty much anything. I love it.

Pastel Scarf | Gift from Egypt
This scarf was a gift from Egypt from a friend a few years back. Its a bit of an awkward length and is neither here nor their so I've struggled in the past to find things to wear it with, despite my love of the colour. I think the contrast between grungy pleather and this girly pastel scarf works great.

Pastel Pink Statement Necklace | Primark | £3.99
I saw this necklace in Primark and had to snap it up, its so pretty and perfect for jazzing up a plane T or jumper. You would usually expect to pay between 10 and 15 pounds for a necklace of this size. Yes, its quality isn't as good as those expensive ones, but for the price you cant go wrong. I think its gorgeous.

Checked Pleather Sleeve Blazer | F&F | £15
This was one of the many things I picked up at the F&F 50% sale recently, this was before I banned myself from spending! Lets just say I went a little crazy haha.
This was love at first sight its gorgeous and so comfortable, and with the checked body and leather look sleeves, its right on trend. What more could you ask for?

Leather & Suede Boots | Aldo | £100
Finally these boots. ahhhh they are just THE BEST! When I recently attended the Next Blogger Network event in October, I got the chance to meet the lovely Lily Pebbles and Anna from Vivianna Does Makeup. During the whole seminar I couldn't help but stare and Lily's boots, so much so, that I had to ask her where they were from. Would you believe, that very day my boyfriend won a bet on the football and gave me £100. a sign? surely haha. I couldn't resist, I whipped these straight up and couldn't be happier with them.

What do you think of this look? whats your staple item this Autumn/Winter?

BLOGLOVIN | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

Ever since I can remember, I've struggled with my weight. I eat a burger... and you can literally see it on my hips the next day. As a young child I was slim, before ballooning during my early teens. As I grew taller through high school it seemed to level out, but after leaving college, getting a full time office job and settling into a comfortable relationship, I soon started to pile on the pounds.

Last January my weight had really crept up (by nearly 3 stone), enough was enough and It was time take control. I decided to join slimming world and instantly the weight started dropping off. By April I had lost nearly 2.5 Stones, I was doing so well but unfortunately my anxiety started to get in the way and I gradually started to go less and less before stopping altogether. Over the past year I have continued to lose half a stone, then put it back on, its kind of a vicious cycle.

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you may know that I stopped smoking on 5th September. Although It's the best thing I've ever done, unfortunately It's helped me put on an extra stone. So with that and the fact that I have an under active thyroid, I just have to do something to get the weight off, and keep it off, before it becomes a big issue.

I've been calorie counting whilst following the principles of Slimming world for a while now, but felt that I was falling off at the weekends. So I decided to join Weight Watchers Online after recommendation from a friend. I thought it would be a good opportunity to really concentrate on what I'm eating as I'm not really sure of what you can eat on the plan, its new and fresh and will require my full attention. I joined on Monday and so far have struggled to get to grips with what is good and bad on the plan, but over the next week I plan to get to grips with it and update you with my thought's then. I've downloaded the app so ill see how I get on :)

Have you ever done Weight Watchers? How did you get on?
Any tips/recipes welcome, leave me links :D

BLOGLOVIN | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

When I refreshed my Bloglovin feed and saw that Rochelle and Natasha from Next Route Style had a new post I clicked straight away. If you've not heard of them, then please go check them out, there posts are so well written and informative, it really brightens my day when I see they have a new post :)

They have created a tag called I'm A Beauty Blogger: Get Me Out OF Here you can check theirs out here. I think this is just genius, I'm a huge fan of I'm a celeb and am really excited to be part of this little series. All you need to do to join in is include in your post the above photo, the questions, your answers and of course link back to the lovely Rochelle and Natasha.

The Questions:

1) You can only take ONE product into the jungle (aka your luxury item). What would you choose and why?

2) What would be your main pre jungle worry?

3) You only have five minutes to get ready before going into the jungle, what would be your quick beauty routine?

4) Last year we saw Helen Flanagan wearing her hair in a top bun. What would be your signature hairstyle?

5) For moral support, which female celebrity would you like to be in the jungle with you?

6) Everyone’s given a role in the camp. What lifestyle skill would you bring to the jungle?

7) What one thing about being a beauty blogger sometimes makes you want to scream ‘Get Me Out Of Here’?

8) Challenge – This is a once in a life time opportunity. You’re up for a trial to face your fears or try something new, what would you choose to do and why?

My Answers:

1) My Luxury Item would have to be a moisturiser with as high SPF as I could find.

2) The bugs, definitely the bugs. Even the thought of going to sleep in that jungle makes me cringe

3) concealer, blush, mascara and some lippy :)

4) French plaits all the way!

5) Oooo that's really hard! (15 minutes later) ...

6) Organisation :) I love giving everything a home and making sure it gets put back there!

7) Most of the time myself lol ... I set high standards for myself and if I don't reach them then its really frustrating so I should probably relax a little haha

8) Id love to do a sky dive. I'd probably try to back out. but I know id love it once I'd done it!

I Tag:
Beth - Beauty In Beta
Chloe - Clo's Beauty Spot
Beth - Bethany Worrall
Marylou - English Rain
Rebecca - Rebecca Coco
and YOU!!

If you've done it then please leave a comment below with your link so I can have a read

BLOGLOVIN | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

My hair has seen it's ups and downs over the years, and with the stresses of blow drying and straightening/curling on a regular basis topped with the now colder weather, lets just say its seen better days. I find when winter starts to set in my skin and hair can become really dry and dull. So when John Frieda contacted me to try some of the products from their new full repair range I jumped at the shot and was really excited to try out some products that would potentially care for my dry hair.

I've dabbled in John Frieda briefly in the past but to be honest I've always fallen back into a routine of buying the brand that's on offer or just using whats already in the house (the joys of living with your parents). So when these arrived at my door I was so excited, the packaging looked so 'expensive' in comparison to the shampoos and conditioners i'm used to using, I felt like I was really treating myself.

The Hydrate & Rescue Shampoo* smells luxurious and lathers like a dream. It made my hair feel super light and airy and when I rinsed my hair felt squeaky clean and was really smooth. For me, I find after I've shampooed my hair usually feels matted and rough until I put conditioner on, but with this it felt great.

The Hydrate & Rescue conditioner* smelt just as great, I found it didn't go as far as the shampoo but that's pretty typical with conditioners I find. As always I left the conditioner to sit while I do the rest of my shower routine, before rinsing it out. honestly, mu hair felt so smooth and silky I couldn't keep my hands of it! The biggest difference came when I dried my hair, usually it dries quite tamed, but I was amazed at how smooth it looked, it was like it had been professionally blow dried, not blasted.

I chose a separate occasion to try out the samples from the luxurious volume range, something I was really excited about. My hair is pretty straight naturally and being long its weighed down, add that to the fact my hair is dip dyed means my hair looks flat when its straight. I sprayed the Blow Dry Lotion Root Booster* into my root area and the Fine To Full Blow-Out Spray* mainly to the roots as well as through the mid lengths. I blasted my hair as normal, before using a round brush to lift the hair at the crown of the head. As you can see from the below picture, it did make quite a difference.

I trialed the products for a week or so and found that the Blow Dry Lotion Root Booster* worked best for me on its own. Fine To Full Blow-Out Spray* I think would work best for people with fine hair, because mine is quite thick and heavy it needs a thicker product to make a difference.

Overall I really enjoyed using the John Frieda products and would definitely repurchase the shampoo and conditioner and the Blow Dry Lotion Root Booster*. I will definitely be trying out some of the other ranges from John Frieda an would definitely recommend you check them out too :)

Have you ever tried any products from John Frieda? what did you think?

BLOGLOVIN | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

Hello Beauties,

I hope your all well... I'm so sorry I've neglected my blog a little recently. I've had a lot going on in my personal life, but I'm back and raring to go :)

Today I bring to you this gorgeous twisted ponytail. I thinks It's absolutely beautiful and it is sooo easy to achieve.

So let get into it... here's what you will need:

- Brush
- Bobby pins
- Hair bobble
- Hair spray

I think this style looks really sophisticated and sleek when done on straight hair but that's just my personal preference. So firstly brush your hair and part where you feel comfortable. I've gone for a slight side part.

Starting on one side, section of the very front ( as pictured below)

Next you want to split this into two and cross the strand closest to the hairline over the other, twice (see below)

Now we are literally going to grab more hair from the bottom of the twist and add it into the front section each time we cross.

Continue this all the way down to just above the nape of the neck (if your struggling, head on over to my Instagram where I filmed a short tutorial on this hair look)