Reviews, Tips and Discussions About Fashion, Dining, Beauty and Travel

HD BROWS TREATMENT REVIEW - A FOLLOW UP!

2011-06-07T01:27:00.000-07:00

I raved about HD Brows in my previous post and, although I would still recommend them, I wanted to write a quick follow-up post about this treatment.

I did notice a huge difference after I'd had the HD Eyebrow treatment, however I just couldn't justify the price I was paying to maintain them. I'm sure prices vary across the country, but I was paying around £36 per treatment - pretty expensive when they need redone every five weeks.

It was about January when I last had them done and I've noticed that my eyebrows seem to be a lot more sparse since I've stopped having the HD Brows treatment. So much so, that I decided to have them tinted again to fill in some of the gaps. It's not a massive issue but I wanted to ensure I provided an accurate review of the treatment.

I would still recommend the HD Brows treatment as it did make a significant difference to the look of my eyebrows and face, however I would be aware that it may slightly change the way in which your eyebrows grow after the treatment.

I would be keen to know whether this is just an isolated incident or whether anyone else has experienced a similar problem? Please do comment to share your thoughts!

TRY SOMETHING OUTSIDE OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE: MY EXPERIENCE OF HORSE RIDING?

2011-05-30T02:34:00.000-07:00

On New Year's Eve almost everyone I know makes a decision to change, start or do something different in the following year. I decided this year that I wanted to find something that I really enjoyed doing and actually stick to doing it!

When I was young my parents always encouraged me to try lots of things; I played the piano and guitar for many years, did gymnastics, dancing, swimming and even played street hockey for a while! I do regret giving some of those things up, however my biggest regret was not continuing my horse riding. I did start riding again last year but, after missing a few weeks' lessons due to being busy, I stopped - something which I again regretted as it was then twice as hard to pick it back up.

So, with this in mind I started 2011 with a promise that I would start riding again and this time not find excuses not to do it!

Now, I guess you're wondering what the point of this post is!?

Well, it's almost six months down the line and I am still riding regularly and absolutely loving it! I find it completely takes my mind off everything else and provides a challenge that I have not found with any other activity in recent years (except my job, but I'd like to focus on activities during your spare time). Riding isn't going to be everyone's thing, but I'm sure many of us have sat and thought 'I would love to do that again' or 'I'd love to try X, Y or Z' - so, why haven't you!?

The answer, I believe, is that life generally gets in the way - but is that really an excuse? Since making a decision to ride again I have managed to find in my diary every week and always look forward to my lessons. I'm now wishing that I'd picked it up again years ago, instead of putting it off and finding excuses not to do something out of my comfort zone!

So, I guess the point of this post is that if you really want to do or try something then just do it! Actually taking yourself out of your comfort zone can be hugely rewarding and allow you to find a new interest that makes you happy and gives you something to focus on.

I'm not trying to preach here but I did feel that it was worthwhile to share my thoughts. I would be happy if it encourages just one person to try something new.

As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts and would welcome suggestions of other activities worth trying.

DOGGY SHOES - THE NEXT BIG TREND IN THE UK?

2011-04-18T10:11:00.000-07:00

Firstly I'd like to apologise for the lack of content over the past few months. I've had a pretty hectic time, which included a fantastic trip to New York, and I hadn't realised how long it had actually been since my last entry. I promise that I'll now be posting again on a regular basis and I'm delighted to see that my blog has still received over 700 hits in the past four weeks - thank you all for reading!

So, where to start...

I've got several posts planned so I'm going to keep this one quite brief and focus on a new trend I discovered whilst in New York: doggy shoes. Yes, you read that right - doggy shoes.

Whilst heading to a meeting I passed a lady who was out walking her dog. I had to look twice when I realised that the dog was wearing an outfit...and shoes to match.

Now, I am a dog lover and have a pup called Nacho (pictured). I admit that he does have a wrap around jacket for the winter when it's very cold, but I just couldn't ever imagine putting him in shoes!

From a practical viewpoint I can understand the concept; how great would it be if you arrived home after a walk on a muddy field and had the ability to slip them off and not risk dirty marks on your carpet!? But, I still just can't see it!

So guys, I'm putting this one out to you!! Firstly, does anyone have a dog who wears shoes? And secondly, would you put your pooch in shoes?

Finally, I'd like to promise that if Nacho ever does sport a pair of shoes I'll upload some pictures and admit that I was wrong. Maybe I've just missed out on a great money-making opportunity!

TONI AND GUY DRY SHAMPOO - WHAT A LIFESAVER!

2011-02-14T13:04:00.000-08:00

I read a beauty report recently that claimed that dry shampoo sales have rocketed recently. I must admit that I am part of this statistic as I always have a bottle of Toni and Guy's Dry Shampoo in the house.

It's not something I use often, however it's a lifesaver (well maybe not a lifesaver, but definitely worth having) on those days when you just don't have time to wash your hair. It also adds fantastic volume.

I have extremely thick hair that takes about an hour to dry and style. As much as I've factored this into my daily routine, on some occasions I have had to resort to dry shampoo. It really does make your hair look presentable and clean, although on the downside you can feel the product in your hair.

I think this is probably one of those products that people generally prefer not to talk about, but it's worked wonderfully for me and I felt obliged to share it. Especially now the festival season is quickly approaching!

If you've used this, or any other dry shampoo, please do leave your comments and how you found the product! I'd love to hear your views.

OLAY TOTAL EFFECTS MOISTURISER

2011-02-09T11:04:00.000-08:00

When I go on holiday my skin goes very dark, however my face just goes red and I find that I end up with extremely bad panda eyes from constantly wearing sunglasses.

It was this reason that led me to discover Olay Total Effects Moisturiser. A few years ago I began wearing factor 50 suncream on my face and topped up my tan with this moisturiser as it includes a mild false tan. I now mix it with my foundation and use it every night before I go to bed.

I have tried using various brands of fake tan designed for use on your face but often find that once it starts to come off it can be quite patchy. I've never had any problems with this moisturiser.

It ensures that my face always has a sun kissed colour and has the added bonus of giving seven anti-aging effects - a must-have product for every makeup bag!

MY QUEST TO FIND THE PERFECT BRONZING POWDER

2011-02-07T10:50:00.000-08:00

When it comes to bronzing powder I'm extremely fussy. I've tried everything from Benefit to Chanel and still not managed to find one that's right. I don't like powders with shimmer in, nor do I like those that are too heavy or too light (I meant it when I said I was fussy).

I generally don't wear much makeup and usually only wear bronzer and mascara on a day-to-day basis, hence the reason that these products need to be perfect.

I decided to dedicate some time to looking around and testing several brands until I found the right one and luckily I succeeded. Bobbi Brown's bronzing power matches my skin tone perfectly and provides just the right amount of coverage I need.

I have olive skin and purchased the powder in Medium, but with five shades to choose from I'm sure there will be something for everyone. So, for those who are as fussy as myself, Bobbi Brown is definitely worth a visit.

GROUPON - GREAT DEALS TO SAVE YOU MONEY

2011-02-04T05:41:00.000-08:00

I tweeted about Groupon yesterday and several people came back asking what it was.
Basically, you sign up for a daily newsletter which includes offers for the city you live in.

I've been receiving the newsletters for several months now and used the service for the first time last night.

The voucher we purchased was for Franco's restaurant in Jesmond (a restaurant that I'd never heard of). We paid £8 for the voucher and got £22 taken off the bill - an absolute bargain! You could order anything from the menu, with the only caveat being that you had to eat before 7pm. The total bill came to £8.75.

The food was lovely! I ordered lobster filled pasta with a tomato sauce - it was delicious! We also shared a portion of potato skins for our starter. The decor was contemporary and there was a fab outside area that would be great for drinks and food in the summer. My friend ordered Gorgonzola filled pasta in a wine and cheese sauce - she said it was delicious too.

If you haven't signed up for Groupon, you should. Click here for a direct link to their site.

There's some fab offers available and it provides a great way to save money and give you an excuse to treat yourself!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

IPAD REVIEW: WHAT IS THE HYPE ABOUT!?

2011-02-02T02:13:00.000-08:00

I spent months debating whether to buy an iPad and finally gave in just after Christmas. I'd never been much of a fan of Apple, however I made the leap and purchased a MacBook at the beginning of last year. I love the functionality and ease you get from using an Apple product. Everything is so effortless and it just seems to work!

So, back to my iPad. I've been asked numerous times if it was worth the money. Here's my answers and experience with it so far...

Do you need one?
Put simply, no, I don't need one but I certainly can see the benefit in having one and I am quickly finding that I'm becoming more and more dependent on it!

I've always been the type of person who likes a written diary - something that everyone I spoke to said was old school! Since getting my iPad I've migrated to an electronic diary. I'll be honest, I struggled with this at first but I'm starting to trust that my appointments will not just disappear if the system crashes (or I accidentally delete them which would be the most likely cause).

It's fantastic for using the Internet and loads up in just a few seconds. I'm sure you've had those moments when you need to quickly look something up but can't be bothered to boot the computer - the iPad is the perfect solution.

I like to read and personally prefer reading from a screen (although I know this is not the case for a lot of people). I've always thought that I didn't have time to read but the iPad has resulted in me finding time. You can also try books before you buy - a great feature that comes as part of the Kindle app. E-books are also often a lot cheaper than print books and take up a lot less space!

There's also the iPod. I've begun using the iPad as a music player for my apartment as my CD player packed up a while ago and I didn't feel a need to replace it.

Is it worthwhile for business use?
Definitely! It's quickly becoming a vital part of my working life! I would recommend downloading the Pages, Keynote and Numbers apps though.

When attending meetings to discuss proposals I take my iPad as everything I need is at my fingertips. It's also great for meetings and interview as you can add your agenda or questions and take notes without having to keep switching pages (I think this is only something I appreciated once I began using it). It's also great for small presentations.

If you travel regularly, the size and weight of the iPad is ideal for taking on trips. It fits in my bag, is ideal for travelling on a train or plane and it doesn't take up much space when you're using it.

The battery life is fantastic - I believe you're looking at around 10 hours although I haven't put this to the test yet!

And the negatives...
I generally don't use the iPad for my emails as I find my BlackBerry is more effective. I also find that not being able to use folders in the Numbers, Pages and Keynote apps is a huge downfall as your documents are not well organised.

One massive frustration is transferring documents between these apps. You cannot save over old versions of documents and subsequently have to save a new copy each time you transfer a file from your computer to the iPad, or vice versa. I do believe there are apps that provide a solution to this issue.
Both of these issues are down to the apps and not the iPad though.

The other point I would like to highlight is that I'm currently using this alongside my MacBook and iPhone. I'm not sure how well the integration works when using with Windows. Please feel free to leave any comments if this is something you've done.

Do I go for WiFi or 3G?
I decided to go for the 3G version as I thought it was better to have the functionality than not. I was given a sim card with this and believe I can pay a one off charge of £2 per day should I need 3G access. This often proves to be cheaper than paying for hotel WiFi when I'm working away.

I could go on longer but hope this has helped if you're considering buying one.

The iPad is not a replacement for a laptop but definitely provides a range of benefits and improved convenience - especially if you travel a lot or sometimes find yourself printing unnecessary documents whilst at work.

I'd be happy to hear any comments and please do contact me if you have any further questions or would like any advice.

I'd also like to point out that I'm currently writing this post in the car whist travelling back from London as I've unfortunately missed my flight! Very glad I have it with me tonight!! :-) It's currently 1am so I hope it makes sense!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

MONICA VINADER - THE NEW CELEBRITY MUST-HAVE!

2011-01-24T10:04:00.000-08:00

I tip Monica Vinader to be one of the hottest jewellery brands for 2011.

Already a favourite with celebrities such as Louise Redknapp, Tess Daly and Danni Minogue, the brand is really starting to make its name in the fashion world and I think it will only be a matter of time before their bracelets are flaunted on wrists across the UK.

Friendship bracelets have risen in popularity following the success of Links of London and Pandora, and Monica Vinader's Fiji and Rio bracelets allow you to add a splash of colour to your jewellery collection. Priced from £78, you can build a combination that suits your personality and allows you to mix and match your jewellery with your outfit or mood.

Available in Silver, Gold and Rose Gold, I predict they will be big this year!

Monica Vinader Fiji Bracelet

Monica Vinader Rio Bracelet

STIEG LARSSON-THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO TRILOGY REVIEW

2011-01-11T12:21:00.001-08:00

I've decided to post a book review as i really think this one needs shared. I love reading and sometimes struggle to find good books to read, so I hope this helps...

I am currently looking for something to occupy my time having finished Stieg Larsson's trilogy of books and films. I'd heard lots of people raving about his first book, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, and wanted to find out what all of the hype was about; I've been hooked ever since!

I love to read, however I seemed to never have the time to pick up a book. Since reading these books I have made a conscious effort to find time to read and now always have a book on the go. I managed to read The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo in a week during lunch breaks and in any spare time I could find.

I was then due to go on holiday to the Dominican Republic, so decided to wait and read the second and third books then. Unfortunately I finished them both within a week and was left with nothing to read for the full second week of my holiday - I was very bored as I couldn't find any English books. Definitely a lesson learnt there!

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo takes a while to get started but I can promise that it's worth pursuing. The book focuses on two main characters - Michael Blomkivist and Lisbeth Salander. Both characters are brought together by a twist of fate and forge a friendship that proves invaluable to both of their futures.

Lisbeth Salander is a dark character and I was intrigued to know more about her - her past isn't really explained until the second book, The Girl Who Played With Fire.

The trilogy offers the tragic story of a girl who was the victim of a corrupt Swedish Justice System, and how her background and past lead to her to be instrumental in journalist Michael Blomkivist's life and career.

The trilogy has since been released on film (subtitled from Swedish), however they lack the depth and understanding you get from the books. This often happens and in this case I put it down to time constraints as the films average at 2.5 hours each. They probably portray about 1/3 of each books. Don't get me wrong, I would still highly recommend the films, however make sure you read the books first so as not to lose the storyline.

Unfortunately Stieg Larsson passed away before his books were published and, although rumours of further books have been discussed, there is currently no sequel to the final book, The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets' Nest.

I really hope further books are published - or someone picks up the plot from where Stieg finished - however I'm yet to be convinced that they will portray the characters as well as Larsson.

If you've read the books or seen the film, please do leave your comments!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad.

A FEW THOUGHTS ON LIFE, WORK AND MONEY

2010-12-23T14:30:00.000-08:00

I have two guilty pleasures: designer bags and shoes. I first found my love/obsession with bags when I was about 15-years-old and worked two jobs and a ridiculous amount of overtime to save for a Burberry bag. The bag was out of stock when I'd finally saved my £150 to pay for it and I subsequently asked my uncle to pick one up from Schipol airport when he was flying home from a business trip (and yes, this was when I was just 15). Everyone thought I was mad, however in quite a strange way I feel it was money well spent.

Yes, the bag was expensive, but I saved long and hard to pay for it and worked extra hours to save the money quicker. This really did give me a good lesson in money and instilled a work ethic at a young age.

From being 15-years-old, I have had at least two jobs at any given time - in addition to completing my GCSEs, A-Levels, two NVQs and a degree. Throughout my final year of University I worked three days during the week, plus an unpaid weekend job to gain work experience to complement my degree. This did pay off, as I walked into a job the day after I handed my last essay in, but I honestly would have worked longer for free if it had been necessary.

I launched my own company last year and I've since visited schools, colleges and universities to talk to students. I'm often asked for my one piece of advice and I always say the same: Be prepared to work very hard and gain as much experience in your industry as possible, whether this be paid or unpaid, short or long term.

My parents always told me that I could do anything I wanted, as long as I was prepared to work hard. I was watching a TV programme recently that followed young people who were planning a (very expensive) birthday party. I was cringing at their attitude to money and work, and their complete lack of disrespect towards their parents and the people who were providing services for their party. I can honestly say that my parents would have cancelled anything they were planning for me if I had shown any signs of disrespect like these teenagers did. I was shocked! I am aware that this makes good TV and will be dramatised, but I really felt this overstepped the mark and I really hope that no young people who watch the show think this is an acceptable way to behave or treat people!

When I started writing this post I was going to talk about bags and shoes, but seem to have gone off on a bit of a rant. I've decided to publish this post anyway and I'll attempt to write my original article again soon.

I'd be really interested to hear your views on this.

ALTERNATIVE GIFT IDEAS

2010-12-21T04:14:00.000-08:00

I’ve been told by some of my male readers that my blog is too girly, so here’s a post which applies to everyone.

I’m not sure about you, but I haven’t even started my Christmas shopping so I thought I’d add a post about alternative Christmas gifts - all of which are suitable for everyone! I’ve tried to avoid the standard socks etc, so I hope they help!

Wine Lock

A lock that stops anyone from drinking your wine without permission; need I say anymore!?

Available from www.play.com and leading department stores.

Victoria Regia ‘Hit the Slopes’ Kit

Featuring body oil, bath salts and a multi-purpose balm, this kit provides everything you need after a long day on the slopes.

Available from www.skinbistro.co.uk.

Sound Asleep Pillow

This innovative design allows you to listen to your own music without having to wear headphones. Great for those who struggle to switch off after a long day.

Available from www.soundasleeppillow.co.uk.

Treatment for Two

A chance for you to relax with your partner whilst enjoying a treatment of your choice – plus you get join in with the fun too.

Available in salons nationally.

Grow Your Own Peanut Kit

Simply add water to the soil and seeds and voila, your own peanuts!

Available at www.alt-gifts.com.

Personal Shopping or Wardrobe Planning Session

Sometimes it’s hard to find clothes that suit your body shape or size, so why not hire in some help! Why not use their help to create a capsule wardrobe collection, with items that can be mixed and matched to provide an outfit for every occasion.

Available nationally. You can also find this service at www.thedivineimage.co.uk.

Still Looking???

If you’re still looking for something unique, give www.gonedigging.co.uk a try for some very unique ideas.

Merry Christmas!!!

TREATMENT REVIEW - BIO SCULPTURE NAILS

2010-12-20T14:43:00.000-08:00

I've been having Bio Sculpture Nails done for quite a while now but I just wanted to do a post about them as they provide a much better, and healthier, alternative to nail extensions.

I'd been having nail extensions for many years, but stopped having them after a bit of a nightmare on a trip to the Dominican Republic. Basically, I managed to snap my nail about 2/3 of the way down, drawing blood and causing an awful lot of pain. I, for obvious reasons, didn't have nail glue with me and our hotel was on a resort which you couldn't leave. I tried the local shops and the best I could find was a plaster and some super glue. Hoping this worked I tried both, but the glue just melted and the plasters were constantly falling off after getting wet from the sea. To make matters worse, it happened very early on in the holiday.

I haven't touched nail extensions since, the problem with my nails is they always snap. Someone told me about Bio Sculpture nails and I decided to look into them as I don't like having really short nails. They basically apply a gel - not acrylic - to the nail which strengthens and promotes growth. Cured under a UV lamp, the treatment takes about an hour and you can choose from a wide range of colours or a french manicure.

The therapist firstly shapes your nails, primes them and then begins applying the gel. Each hand is left to cure under the UV lamp for around 2 minutes and a final sealer and top coat is applied at the end of the treatment.

As I said, I've been getting them done for a while now and have managed to get a bit of length on them, but I generally wouldn't let them get any longer.

They are very long lasting and I generally need an infill every 2-3 weeks. I definitely prefer them to my extensions!

TREATMENT REVIEW: NOVEAU LASHES INFILL

2010-12-07T13:27:00.000-08:00

It's now been two weeks since I had my Noveau Lashes done and I went for my first infill on Monday. I'd booked my infills when I had the lashes done to make sure I had my appointments sorted for Christmas. The lashes were still looking really good on the day of my appointment and I'm sure I could have managed a further week from them easily, however I still wanted to get them done to keep them in sync with my other appointments.

The treatment took around 50 minutes and was pretty much the same as the initial application. Again, it wasn't uncomfortable; I actually found it quite relaxing. I've added a few images of my lashes following the infill below:

I absolutely love having the lashes on and have received comments of numerous people who have noticed the difference. I'm saving lots of time when getting ready - as there's no need for mascara - and I'll happily go out without any make-up on as they always make me look like I've made an effort.

I think the reason that they've lasted so well is that I've really looked after them. I've not used mascara (except on my bottom lashes), avoided rubbing my eyes and if they've got wet I've combed them through to make sure that they're all in the right position.

I'd still highly recommend them, however I'm now worrying that I won't want to take them off!

EL COTO - A HIDDEN GEM IN THE CENTRE OF NEWCASTLE

2010-12-07T09:20:00.000-08:00

I love eating out and I have discovered a tapas restaurant that I can honestly say is one of the best I've ever been to. It's not just the amazing food, but the atmosphere and experience that goes with it.

El Coto is tucked away on Leazes Park Road in Newcastle, and doesn't look like much when you walk past, but down a long corridor at the back of the restaurant are two floors which offer an intimate dining experience. With low lighting and Spanish themed music, you could honestly believe that you were sitting in an authentic Spanish restaurant.

For those who have not tried tapas before, I'd suggest trying one of the set menus as they provide a selection of the most popular dishes. I found it provided a great sample of their food and also made it easier to pick what I wanted on later visits. They also offer a killer Sangria which is very much recommended.

I love restaurants that have a bit of an atmosphere and El Coto boasts a great ambiance that definitely makes you want to go back again (and again, and again).

It's reasonably priced. You're looking at an average of around £4.95 per dish and a bottle of wine will set you back about £12.95.

If you're looking for something a bit different, it's definitely worth a trip, however I would suggest you book in advance as I've struggled to get a table on the last few occasions I've visited.

VENUS IN FURS VINTAGE EVENT AT BARN ASIA

2010-12-03T12:04:00.000-08:00

I have been asked to model some clothes at vintage event, Venus In Furs, this Sunday (5th December). I'm going for a fitting at a local vintage shop on Saturday and I'm actually quite looking forward to the day (although slightly worried that I may fall over).

Venus in Furs is a vintage experience that celebrates a love of vintage clothing, whilst supporting local artists, designers, independent shops and charitable projects.

The event is taking place at Barn Asia restaurant in Newcastle between 1pm and 6pm and all proceeds go to Tanzania-based charitable projects SunCatchers and MaasaiMama.

The day will consist of a unique vintage fashion show and performance, handmade clothes and gifts, photography, cupcakes and more. There will also be a drinks and tapas available.

If you're passing please call in and say hello, and I'll upload some images of the event next week.

CHERYL COLE'S SCARF IN THE FLOOD VIDEO

2010-11-30T14:32:00.000-08:00

I've noticed several people talking about Cheryl Cole's scarf in her new video for The Flood. She teams it with a black coat and some Hunter wellies and looks absolutely fabulous - as usual.

I noticed a similar style when I was on ASOS and thought I would post it here for anyone who is looking to purchase one. Being black and white means it will go with almost any outfit, and its lightweight feel means it can also be worn throughout the summer months too. It costs £20 and ASOS offer a free delivery service. You can find it by clicking here.

Enjoy...

For those of you who have not seen the video, I've added a link to it here.

HUNTER WELLIES - THE 'MUST-HAVE' FOOTWEAR THIS SEASON

2010-11-30T11:11:00.000-08:00

I'm very proud of myself! I have just purchased the most sensible pair of footwear I have ever bought in my life! Great thing is, I think they will be one of the must-have items this winter!

Yes, I've bought my first pair of Hunter wellies!! I needed to make a trip to the bank yesterday and decided that - after several outfit changes due to the snow - I was going to get a pair. The £65 price tag did deter me slightly, however I figured they're not the sort of boots I'll buy every year, so why not! We have experienced an awful lot of snow over the past week and, with no signs of stopping, I thought I had to invest in some shoes that I can actually wear in this weather.

I decided to stick with black gloss boots as I figured that I can't really go wrong, but I did decide to buy some zebra fleece Hunter socks (£19) to fold over the top to personalise them a little - and keep my feet warm of course!

I tried a few different shops and it seems that I wasn't the only one wanting to buy them before the rush. Having tried two previous shops, I managed to get the last pair of black size 4s from Office in Newcastle. Everywhere else was literally sold out! Maybe this was also to do with the fact that Cheryl Cole is sporting a pair in her new video for The Flood.

So, a good day all round I figured. I managed to buy this season's must-have accessory, that's also practical too. Looks like I now have no excuse not to take the dog out or go horse riding - two things that I have put off as much as possible over the last few months!

ARCTIC CONDITIONS HIT THE NORTH EAST - A FEW SNAPS!

2010-11-29T09:13:00.000-08:00

I'm sure you've all heard of the arctic conditions that braced the North East last week and it seems that they are set to continue over the coming week, at least.

This is one of the coldest winters I can remember for a long time and driving - or attempting to drive - a rear wheel drive car is just not a good idea.

I absolutely love this weather and have taken several pictures of the snow over the past few days. I wasn't too sure what to do with them, so I thought I'd post them here...

TREATMENT REVIEW: NOVEAU LASHES

2010-11-27T13:21:00.000-08:00

I'm always jealous of my friends' false lashes as I seem to be completely incapable of putting them on myself. I finally stopped bothering as I was finding that smudged make up was really not a good look. I was then introduced to semi-permenant eyelash extensions, Noveau Lashes.

A friend of mine, Lauren, who is a beauty therapist said she would do them for me, so I decided to give them a try.

Here's a picture of my lashes before:

Following a brief chat about a party we were at on Saturday night, I lay back and an anti-wrinkle eye patch was applied to stop my lower lashes get in the way. Lauren set about applying individual lashes to each of my own. The full treatment took about an hour and around 50 false lashes were applied to each eye.

The treatment itself wasn't bad. The only uncomfortable part was trying to keep my eyes closed for an hour, but that really wasn't a big issue.

So, it was finally time to open my eyes. What a difference! I didn't want anything too dramatic, however you could definitely see that they had been done. I look like I have mascara on and my lashes definitely look fuller. I honestly don't even notice that they are on. They are not heavy or uncomfortable, although you do have to be careful when removing your make up. I haven't worn mascara since having them on as I really don't think there is any need. They will also last longer.

Here's an picture of my eyes now:

I'd read a few reviews about the Noveau Lashes and people who said that their natural lashes had snapped off from having the extensions. I asked Lauren about this and she assured me that the lashes will sometimes snap if they are not applied properly, however she has trained with Noveau and this shouldn't be a problem. I know she has lots of regular customers - one lady who has them done every two weeks without fail - so I'm not too worried. I will let you know how I get on though.

I will need an infill in around 2-3 weeks. I've got so many parties to go to throughout December that I think I'll keep them on until the New Year.

As for the results, it's only been a few days but I love getting up and not having to put mascara on in the morning. I'm very happy with them and anything that saves me time is a bonus.

I think they'll be the type of treatment I have done for special occasions, or for times when I have lots of parties or events planned. I'm definitely a fan and I'll blog a picture of the infill once I've had them done!

ACHIEVE A PERFECT TAN THIS CHRISTMAS WITH XEN TAN

2010-11-24T13:00:00.000-08:00

Well, it's that time of year again and I'm sure I'm not the only one looking to achieve a perfect tan to flaunt with my Christmas party dress.

I decided several years ago that I wouldn't use sunbeds and have since tried a lot of self tan brands to find one that doesn't streak, smell or rub off on my clothes! Well, several (hundred) bottles later I have finally managed to find the answer!

After a trip to Harvey Nichols - where I was looking to buy a new bottle of St Tropez - a helpful shop assistant told me about Xen tan. I thought I'd give it a try - I haven't looked back since!

Not only does it have a vanilla scent, when used with the Xen Tan Mitt (priced at around £4) it leaves a completely streak-free tan that's not orange and looks completely natural. I originally used the Deep Bronze Luxe cream, which only needs to be applied once a week and costs around £25.

I have olive skin naturally and I have recently started using the Dark Lotion Absolute Luxe (which is priced a bit higher at £35). Although I have found this works very well for my skin and provides a very deep tan, I would only recommend this for people who have naturally tanned skin as I could imagine it could easily go wrong.

I always feel better when I have a bit of a tan and it's great that Xen Tan only needs to be applied once a week to maintain its colour. Obviously everyone's skin tone is different - and some colours will suit some more than others - but Xen Tan offers three levels of colour which definitely open the product up to a lot more people! I've attached a recent photo of myself following an application of the tan.

I hope this helps and please feel free to share your experiences of using Xen Tan or any other products on the market!

PARAMORE AT THE METRO RADIO ARENA

2010-11-22T20:42:00.000-08:00

I decided to purchase last minute tickets to see Paramore, who were playing at the Metro Radio Arena last Thursday.

Although very few people seemed to know who they were, I’ve been a fan of their music for many years and I’m very glad that I decided to attend the show. They are one of the best bands that I’ve seen play live and the whole audience seemed enthralled by their performance.

There wasn’t a fancy stage set as I’ve seen so many bands do before; it simply wasn’t needed!

Lead singer Hayley Williams’ voice is absolutely amazing and she really made the show, especially when she appeared with B.O.B to sing a version of their single, Airplanes. I genuinely wasn’t expecting her to do this as I’ve seen several bands and artists who have collaborated on songs with their support acts and not performed with them before their concert.

For those who haven’t heard Paramore’s music before, I would definitely recommend a listen to their album. You can also check out some clips from their Brand New Eyes Tour on YouTube.

ZARA IS ON THE MARK FOR WORKWEAR THIS SEASON

2010-11-18T08:51:00.000-08:00

My job means I regularly have to attend meetings and events, and I've found that there's only so many pairs of black trousers you can own. Having trailed around numerous shops looking for something different, I've once again discovered Zara.

I've been in over the past few weeks and managed to find several outfits that are smart enough to wear for work and a bit more exciting than black trousers! Camel is the big colour this season and Zara has numerous different styles of clothing that will suit anyone. I also love blouses and they have a fantastic range which can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. What's also fantastic about Zara is its pricing: their clothes look like high-end fashion, yet they only cost a fraction of the price!

Last week I bought a women's pair of chinos (below) - they are definitely not my usual style, but they look great teamed with some black suede wedges and a white t-shirt. I must admit though, I really don't think this image does them justice.

I've since gone out and bought them in navy, along with a striped polo neck tee to match.

I've also purchased this blouse which looks great with black trousers, or tucked into the chinos above.

I'm actually planning to make a trip back later today to purchase a pair of jodhpur-style trousers that I saw when I was there at the weekend. I bought some black platform boots from Next recently that they would look great with! I may also purchase a few more blouses which means my capsule workwear wardrobe will finally be complete.

If you're looking to mix up your workwear collection to ensure you're on-trend this season, Zara is a definite recommendation!

CAFE 21 DEFINITELY HITS THE MARK

2010-11-16T12:55:00.000-08:00

I've just got back from an event at Café 21 on the Quayside in Newcastle.

The event was hosted by room501 publishing and top North East chef Terry Laybourne to celebrate his new range of cookery books. The books looked stunning and the recipes looked gorgeous - definitely a good Christmas gift for any 'at home' chefs.

As well as a champagne reception - which unfortunately I couldn't enjoy due to having the car - there was a fantastic selection of canapés which were absolutely delicious. The cafe's decor was very contemporary and boasted a relaxed yet sophisticated feel.

I attended the event with one of my best friends and we have decided that we are going to return over the coming weeks for a meal and a few drinks - I will of course blog about our experience. However, based on first impressions I would definitely say it was worth a visit!

TREATMENT REVIEW: HD BROWS

2010-11-15T10:58:00.000-08:00

So, after hearing several people talk about HD Eyebrows I decided to give them a go myself. Initially I didn’t have a clue what they were, but I’ve noticed more and more people who are sporting an impeccably groomed set of brows – all thanks to this new treatment. Just look on the TV at the Coronation Street, Hollyoaks and X Factor girls.

I generally maintain my eyebrows myself as - after a few bad experiences which involved me only having half an eyebrow left on two occasions - I decided I would never trust anyone with my brows again. So agreeing to go and have the treatment done was a big decision in itself. There was also the cost aspect. Now, I’m not tight, but I did feel that paying £35 for my eyebrows done was quite steep. I was very intrigued so still decided to give it a go.

I searched high and low to find specific information about the treatment to no avail, so hopefully this blog will help others in the same position.

I booked my appointment in at Jesmond Beauty Clinic in Newcastle, hoping they would look okay as I was meeting a friend for tea straight after. Here’s a picture of my eyebrows before (sorry about the quality):

I arrived at the salon and was taken up to the treatment room. I then asked the beautician to make sure that a) I still had eyebrows left at the end of the treatment and b) they weren’t too thin!

I was asked how dark I wanted my brows to be dyed. They are already dark and I didn’t want too much of a dramatic change so I decided on just a few shades darker to match my hair. She did advise me that I could go darker on the next treatment if I wanted.

She then took to trimming my eyebrows which I must admit was daunting considering I didn’t want to go much thinner! This was followed by a short tinting process.

Then came the waxing! Not painful at all and with lukewarm wax which was unusual. Each strip was positioned precisely in the right place and a tool was used to pull out all of the hairs which she didn’t want to remove. This took quite a while and the overall treatment took about 45 minutes. There was then some plucking and a general tidy up and I was passed the mirror...

Now, I wouldn’t say that it seemed too much different to a standard eyebrow treatment, however the results were completely different! My brows genuinely looked thicker, much more groomed and perfectly in place. I definitely think it was worth the money! They were slightly red (as normal with any treatment) and a mineral make-up was then applied to hide the colour.

I left the salon very happy and went to meet my friend. The first thing she said was that my eyebrows looked great and asked where I’d had them done.

I then went into a client's office (which is primarily full of men) and received several comments asking if I’d changed my hair as it looked nice! I figured that them noticing any type of change was good.

So, I’ve added a picture of my brows now – again, I know it’s not great quality but I hope it helps! I would definitely recommend the treatment to others!

If you have any questions about the treatment I’d be happy to help and please feel free to leave any comments if you’ve had, or are thinking about having, the HD Brow treatment.

I'm busy planning another treatment so will post again soon!!! Please also let me know if there's any treatments you would recommend.

I've since added a follow-up post about the HD Brows treatment. You can read this by clicking here.

SO, WHAT'S THIS ALL ABOUT???

2010-11-09T22:43:00.000-08:00

Hello,

My name is Jerri Murtagh and I'm 24-years-old.

I've been using Twitter for a while now (you can follow me by clicking here) and seem to share almost every move I make in my personal life with my 2,000+ followers.

I love fashion and beauty and trying out the latest treatments and trends. I also eat out regularly and enjoy travelling.

I find I'm always being asked about my experiences and recommendations, and sometime struggle to share fit my full opinion into 140 characters. I also find that people enjoy hearing an honest review, hence the reason I've decided to start blogging them!

The blog was spurred on by the fact that I decided to try HD Eyebrows for the first time last night. If I'm honest I really didn't know what they were, but I'd been told they are pitched as the must-have treatment of 2010. I promise to have this blog post uploaded asap.

I hope you enjoy my blog and please let me know if there's anything you'd like me to cover. Please also feel free to leave your comments as I'd like to hear your experiences too.