Dream big, little one

I'm afraid this isn't a beauty review or my newest pretty dress post as I'm feeling rather philosophical this evening (if that's the right word to desrcibe this). With my exams fast approaching I find my evenings thoughts wandering to all the things I'd love to do and achieve (in my revision breaks of course...promise) and also taking a little time to think about all the things I have achieved. 

I'm not sure if I'm the only one but I often find it very difficult to see all the things I've done for myself over the years and how much I've actually accomplished, especially when I'm rather bogged down in the latest challenge heading my way. 

Passing a-levels, learning to drive, getting my first full time job and working through my uni degree are all things I take for granted as if I should just do them. We all achieve so many things and are often even praised by others for them, but I believe it's very few of us who stand back and be proud of what we've done. 

I could list forever all the things that people may or may not have done, as everyone is different. (What have you done that you're proud of? Let me know in the comments :)) I find that difficult to comprehend sometimes too. We don't all achieve the same things, but nor do we have the same goals, wants or ambitions in life and as such we're all on our own little paths towards what we see as the light at the end of our own tunnel. It's important to remember this - 'Comparison is, afterall, the thief of joy'. 

My thoughts that brought me round to these musings started with thinking about how I deal with my exams, so I'll leave you with my starting thoughts; when I sit at my desk with the paper I front of me, in those few precious moments before I can start the exam, it always, to me, feels like some sort of eye of a storm - a moment amidst the stresses of revision and exams in which there is nothing more than me and that paper. No one is going to do it for me. Some sort of magic isn't going to happen. Nor will sheer adrenalin get me through. I have to answer the paper. Me. And whatever anyone else around me writes doesn't matter one bit to my results and where I can go from there. 

I feel this is a perspective we should all apply to many aspects of our lives. We have to achieve things for ourselves, regardless of what others appear to be achieving around us. 

Remember - only believe half of what you see others doing, and none of what they tell you. They may only have the best of intentions rather than the courage to act. 

Dream big, little one. 

Lots of love, 

Little Vintage Rose 

Xx 

Beauty | Everyday Make up Routine

An everyday make up routine is one of the hardest things to master for me. I can see your confusion so let me explain... I want my everyday make up to be quick and easy to do (so it sort of looks like you haven't made much effort but have naturally managed to look stunning- that's what we all want to look like right?!), to last all day, to be photo ready in case a spontaneous co-worker gets snap happy during the day (yes this has happened to me, and yes you did read it right I'm an accountant - but that's a story for another day haha) and one which uses products which last a while (as I'm using them everyday) and doesn't set me back a months wages everytime I need to replace everything. 

So as you can see it's quite a task to satisfy all these wants, and as I feel over the past few months or so I've somewhat mastered it I thought I'd share my favourite products, tools and top tips with you all :) I'd love to know your little beauty secrets too so remember to comment below!! 

Left to right; top to bottom: 

Benefit Cosmetics 'They're Real!' Mascara 

Rimmel London Matte BB Cream in Light 

Benefit Cosmetics The Pore-fessional pro balm (primer) 

Bourjois eyebrow pencil in 04 Blond Foncé 

Rimmel London 'Wake Me Up' concealer in 010 Ivory 

Eco tools blush brush (I use it for powder though - oops!) 

Superdrug own brand blush brush (which I actually use for blush!) 

Maybelline EyeStudio eyeshadow in 605 Beige Nude 

Bourjois little round pot of blush in 95 Rose de Jaspe 

DiorSkin Forever Compact Powder in 010 (lightest shade with pink undertones) 

As you can see, most of the products I use are drugstore ones with the exception of a few, but I often use drugstore replacements for these so if you're looking for cheaper alternatives which do pretty much the same job, my top ones are: 

Mascara - Bourjois Volume Glamour Ultra Black Mascara 

Primer - Maybelline New Baby Skin 

Powder - Rimmel London Stay Matte powder (which I've ran out of - I really need to buy some more!!) 

All of the products above last pretty much the whole working day for me, but as I do have super oily skin I tend to just dab a bit of extra powder on at lunch. The other plus is that the concealer is super duper at covering up tired eyes (does as it says on the tin!) and blemishes too meaning flawless skin can happen everyday - yay! I do have a full set of Real Techniques make up brushes but to be honest I never have time in a morning to get them out and use them so the only things I apply with brushes are my powder and blush, on a daily basis. 

My top everyday tips! 

1. Dab concealer! You've heard this one before I know, but this made the biggest difference to me when I found this out! Don't rub concealer if applying it with your fingers as you basically rub the whole lot off again! Just dab it with your ring finger to blend and voila - blemishes and dark circles will be gone! 

2. Pop some of the light eyeshadow on the inner corners of your eyes and just over the first part of the eyelid to brighten them up! I find it's best not to wear eyeshadow all over the lid if you're after a natural look in the daytime. 

3. When you've finished applying blusher to the apples of your cheeks and they're looking lovely and rosy, lightly sweep the blush brush over the top of your forehead, round your jawline and down your nose and chin. It adds a touch of warmth and colour back - which is needed if you have to use powder over your whole face to avoid oily-ness like me! Remember not to put extra blusher onto the brush before doing this though or you'll apply too much and end up looking flushed instead! (Nope I definitely haven't done that before ... ahem) 

The finished look! 

I hope you find my top tips useful! If you try or have tried any of the products or something similar then let me know as I'd love to try out your favourite products and top tips too :) 

If you hear slightly less from me over the next 3 weeks ish it's because I have exams coming up! Boo! :( but I will be back posting lots and lots once they're over at the start of September :) 

Lots of love and bye for now, 

Little Vintage Rose 

Xx 

Summer Fashion | Ted Baker Bikini

I've been going on about this super cute bikini from the start of my blog and early this week it finally arrived! Eeeek!! I've taken a few photos to show how it really looks as I'm sure everyone knows that website photos don't quite show things how they really are. I know, I know... I should've taken a picture of myself in it to really show what it looks like but far too many chocolate bars have been consumed for that so no such photo shall be posted I'm afraid (sincerest apologies). 

Anyway it is gorgeous!! In true glam style it arrived in a cute Ted Baker cardboard box packaged ever so nicely with tissue and protective covers. I'm not usually the type of person to make such extravagant purchases and needless to say my mum has already made a comment or two about 'watching what I spend' - oops! Sorry mum! And at ahem... £68 it was certainly not a cheap buy! Butttt it certainly is a good example of you get what you pay for. I bought Ted size 2 - equivalent to size 10 - which is my normal size and it fits perfectly! No unsightly muffin top like you can get with ill-fitting bikini bottoms and the underwired top is the perfect shape. All round fabulous.

It's not quite as pastel as it appears on the website but it is still pale pink and ever so cute with it's girly floral pattern. The clasp at the back is Rose gold in colour (I love rose gold so this was a bonus!!) and is engraved with the logo. I could go on forever but if you're after a high end bikini for your summer holiday this is certainly a brilliant choice! It is worth every penny. If, similar to myself, you've struggled to find any bikinis you like this year, I think it's worth investing in one that you'll keep rather than 2/3 that you'll only use for one holiday. 

Here's a few photos in natural light :) let me know if you've found any similar bikinis (preferably cheaper!!). Or if you've got any questions about the fit or style let me know! 

P.s how cute are the little mini hangers  that came with it?! 

What have you all bought for your summer holidays? :) 

Lots of love, 

Little Vintage Rose

Xx