Lego Advent Calendar No.2 No.3 No.4

So uploading everyday isn't really working out so well, but I collecting content everyday so...

Here's days two, three and four from my advent calender, which I'm really enjoying, probably more than I should considering I have no clue what any of those things are!

Over the last couple of days I've been craving warm drinks. My favourites being the White Hot Chocolate from Whittard's and Starbucks' Signature Hot Chocolate. Since I'm not a coffee drinker I don't really benefit from the Christmas drinks in Starbucks right now which is a shame because they look so yummy!

In other news it's mock exam week at school, which ruins my Christmas spirit a bit and since we don't even touch any Christmas decs at home until at least the 12th, I'm not 100% feeling it yet. However I'm pretty sure Christmas is going to hit me like a train this year and I'm looking forward to the long holidays!

This weekend I've got some exciting posts lined up, my whole Saturday is dedicated to blogging!

xo Belley

Lego Advent Calender No.1

How did it become December already?

To make up for my terrible absence I've even created a fancy little .gif of the first day in the calender! Ever since I can remember we've had a Lego Advent Calender, much better than some crappy chocolate! I'll try and upload each day to the blog, at least I promise to try my best!

On another note, I'm going to be changing the direction of this blog for a bit so stay tuned!

xo Belley

Morning Glory

Mornings can be messy right?

I don't think you guys have met the love of my life yet, my baby! This is how I'm usually awoken, even though a certain someone is technically not allowed on the bed...

I got this mask from Claire's and it's ancient but does the job!

To track my sleeping times and all that I use the super app, Sleepbot. I highly recommend it because it has loads of really cool features.

Upon stumbling blindly to the bathroom, I proceed to wash away the sleep. These are the products I'm loving to do that in the mornings.

Plus dental hygiene, if I do one thing in the mornings it has to be cleaning my teeth.

I only had a few errands to run today so I really couldn't be asked to put on a full face of makeup, especially since it was rainy and horrible. Just moisturiser, foundation, eyebrows, lips and my face is complete!

Collecting the bleary-eyed pooch...

WALKIES!!!!

I eat breakfast after walking Dougal, and I love these Wheetabix Minis with Fruit and Nut.

Just a brief over view of what my mornings look like for you guys. Let me know if you want me to do anything in more detail!

Xo Belley

My Etsy Wishlist

I really like creating posts like this as it gives me an excuse to spend hours browsing through the online shops!

*All pics are accredited to the relevant Etsy shop*

From left to right...

• Harry Potter Nail Decals - These are so freaking cute! Who doesn't like novelty Harry Potter items. (here)
• Neon Pink Heart Stickers - Some of the school books I have are so plain and boring so they need some jazzing up! (here)
• Red Silk Chiffon Skirt - How gorgeous is the colour? Need I say more? (here)
• Mint Hair Bow - Perfect for school because it makes easy, plain hairstyles look so cute! (here)
• Above the Knuckle Rings - I don't have any like this, which means I need some right? (here)
• Initial Necklace - Obviously I need an I or a B to match my name, but it's so dainty and cute! (here)
• See No, Speak no, Hear No Evil Monkey - I really like this print and frame, perfect for my redecorating ambitions. (here)
• Giraffe Print Pencil Case - Back to school means school supplies and I'm really putting it off.... (here)
• Jungle Tote Bag - I've been looking for a small canvas tote bag to put in my school bag because I always like having a spare, does anyone else do that? This one isn't really what I want, but it's so cute! (here)
• Hello Kitty Resins - Again these are perfect for adding some Kitty into my life! (here)
• 1940's Working Pocket Lighter - I'm not a smoker, but this is so beautiful as a decoration or to light candles. (here)
• Phone Case That Looks Like A Camera - It can be personalised!! (here)
• Orangy Pink Canvas Backpack - This is just perfection on-a-back! (here)
• Seafoam Dangle Earrings - This is such a pretty pretty colour and I've been loving dangly earrings lately. (here)
• Cat Eye Sunglasses - I'm incredibly faithful to my aviators, but I wonder if these would suit me? (here)
• USB Stick - If you blog, then you need this memory stick in your life, end of! (here)
• Leather Clutch Bag - It's simple, nude and classic, so I want it! (here)

These posts are definitely good for me as they help me channel impulse buying so that I don't end up with no money for my birthday next month! Woop!

Xo Belley

Nails Inc. Kensington Cavair Topcoat -- REVIEWED

So, I've been wanting to talk about this particular product for quite a while now!

I personally love painting my nails, but it can be a serious pain, I'm a perfectionist so it can take me ages to get my nails how I want them to be. (I smell like wet dog at the moment, just gave the pooch a bath and apparently we've swapped scents?!)

So I got this topcoat at the end of June and I was going to feature it in my July Favourites video, but decided I wanted to do a full review because there is so much to say about this topcoat.

So here is my completed "Pit and Peak" lowdown!

1. Nails Inc. OMP! (limited edition free gift) 2. Key Lime Barry M 3. Cool Blue Maybelline 4. Red 410C Ruby & Millie 5. Porchester Square Nails Inc.

Pits
1. This topcoat is particularly hit and miss for me. Sometimes it applies so beautifully and makes the nails look glossy and adds that sort after salon finish, other times, well it just screws up the placement of the nail polish, leaving streaks and actually making the colour go very strange, lumpy and thick so it never dries! This has happened to me on an assortment of different brands of polish, and it's so frustrating!

2. To enable you to use this topcoat correctly, you have to build up a sort of layer between the brush, topcoat and the colour. The topcoat applies very thickly, and although I don't mind that, it does mean that the product runs out very quickly.

3. To successfully lock in your manicure you have to use a huge blob of the topcoat, at first I tried to apply it as I would my regular nail polish. The problem with this is that it moves the colour, unless there is this layer. It's difficult to describe, but you don't want to touch the colour with the brush, just the topcoat. This means putting a fair size blob on the nail and then applying it with the brush. It's frustrating to me because it makes it very difficult to control where the polish is going! It took me at least four or five manicures, to work out the best way to apply it. Not very good.

4. Good luck if this gets on your skin or cuticles, because it's bloody impossible to budge! The typical angled brush in nail polish remover will not apply here, if you want it perfect be prepared to remove the whole nail and start over.

5. As with all Nails Inc. polishes, I don't like the brush.

6. I don't feel as though it does anything to prevent chipping.

Peaks
1. The drying ability of this topcoat is phenomenal! This, for me, is what's best about this topcoat. Assuming you can apply it correctly, your nails will be ready to go in under a minute! Fantastic for touching up the odd chip when you're in a hurry, or just because I don't like sitting around for 20 minutes waiting for my nails to dry.

2. It's so beautifully shiny! I love the gleamy, salon finish, see your own reflection shine, and it really does achieve that.

3. It actually helps make the polish an even and smooth consistency. If you apply a little bit too much polish, then this locks it down to the nail and dries it off, giving you a better looking manicure.

4. The rose tint of the polish honestly doesn't transfer on to your nail colour! Unlike other topcoats which are clear and can leave a slightly yellowish tint to your nail, this doesn't leave any trace at all, which I absolutely love! I think the colours look the exact same, with and without, it simply adds beautiful shine.

5. If the colour of your nail polish does transfer to the brush, then there's a very clever "thing" in the formula which means that it won't be a problem. You simply put the brush back into the bottle, shake it a little et voila, not a single trace of the colour on the brush! I don't know how they do it, but it's rather fantastic!

Overall
I do like this topcoat, and when it functions as I want it to it's the best I've ever used! It's just rather hit and miss at times. I do feel as though the more I've used it, the more I like it and would highly recommend picking it up online rather than in shops where it is much more expensive!

I've tried to make this as balanced as possible, have you tried this? Thoughts?
Xo Belley

My Sleepover Essentials

At the beginning of this week I slept over my best friend's house and this is what I took....

Here's the link because YouTube is playing up on me!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W44NW_s9bD8

• Mop paddle hairbrush
• Model's Own foundation brush
• Cotton buds and face cloth
• Liz Earle moisturiser
• Dove pomegranate deodorant
• Simple cleansing lotion
• Marc Jacob's Daisy perfume
• Oral B toothpaste and tooth brush and Linsterine mouthwash
• L'oreal micellar solution stuff
• Cosmopolitan mini brush set
• Mirror
• No. 7 foundation
• 17 Peep show palette
• Eyelash curlers from Sephora 
• Hairband and bobby pins
• Mascara, Soap & Glory and Jemma Kidd
• Collection 2000 liquid eyeliner
• Rimmel brow pencil
• No. 7 blush
• Collection 2000 concealer
• Burt's Bees pomegranate lip balm
• Food!!

As always let me know if you want me to talk about any of these products in more detail! My second post to day, I'm on fire!!

Xo Belley

Blenheim Palace Outing

Yesterday was my lovely Aunty's birthday so we all hiked up to Oxfordshire for the day...

Blenheim Palace was the home of the infamous Winston Churchill and is now a National Heritage site. It was filled with interesting history and luxury, plus I love big old country estates.

Set on the most stunning of landscapes, with miles and miles of land to wander round. We had a delicious picnic lunch and spent the afternoon becoming 'cultured'.

This was right up my Aunty's street and I'm very glad that I got the opportunity to go! Although I think it was overpriced to get into the site, there is lots to do and you get free entry for 12 months afterwards. Another family outing? It was quite the trek for us though, at least two and a half hours and there are much easier estates to get to, but overall it was a superb day!

Hope you're having a wonderful day!

My July Favourites!

It's that time of the month! This is my first monthly favourites video!

This month I've been loving...

Fashion
Next lace high heels, mentioned in my Prom post (here)
Jolai silver heart earrings
Juin Petite Little black handbag

Beauty
Kleenex Facial Cloth Cotton Touch
Holland and Barrett Aloe Vera Gel
Liz Earle Foot Spritzer
Aubrey Natural Sun Spf 30+

Random/Non-beauty
Animology Dry Dog Shampoo
Hello Kitty Sweet Treat Surprise Bag

What's been floating your boat this month?  
xo Belley 

YouTube DIY Passionfruit and Banana Hair Mask

Here is all the information you may want about this hair mask!

Here is a list of the ingredients I chose to add to this 'recipe' and why/their properties.

Passion fruit

• Smells great
• Rich source of antioxidants
• Source of loads of vitamins, including Vitamin A which helps strengthen skin and hair, as well as promoting growth
• Loads of minerals
• Good supply of fibre, which can help make your hair 'glowy'
• Passion fruit oil is used as an oil for the scalp because it's so amazing!

Banana

• The Vitamin C makes hair shiny
• Potassium, natural oils, carbohydrates and vitamins moisturise and protect hairs natural elasticity.
• This all means that it will help with split ends and damaged hair
• Also especially good for keeping a healthy scalp

Yoghurt

• Natural milk proteins
• Lactic acid and zinc stimulate hair growth
• Natural conditioner
• Helps split ends, damaged hair and dry scalp

Honey (this was incorporated into the yoghurt, but you can add extra if you like)

• Nourishing and enriching

Vodka

• Reducing frizz by lowering the pH levels in the hair, increasing shine
• It can have dehydrating effects, which is why I've put in the oil, to counteract the effects of any drying

Overall

• Moisturise and improve the health of your hair
• Strengthens
• Helps repair damage
• Leaves the hair silky and smooth

I hope you guys give this a try!

xo Belley

And so it begins... YouTube

I've decided to take the plunge and start filming videos alongside this blog.

I've been toying with this idea since I started writing this blog. I've always considered myself to be more of a sat at a keyboard writing person rather than sitting in front of a camera and chatting person. 

But...

I'm determined to try new things though and give it a try! Please bare with me while I get to grips with the recording on my camera, brand new for me, and just gain a little confidence!

Do you have a YouTube channel, because I'd love to check them all out!

xo Belley

Mini Waitrose Beauty Haul

This is definitely the plus side to grocery shopping with my Mother!

Waitrose is not usually the shop I go to for my beauty essentials but I did manage to pick up exactly what I needed at really good prices! 

Although these are not my favourite razors, they were half price and my sister really likes them, so I figured that it made sense to give them a try. 

I used this Clearasil cleanser when I just started to take care of my skin properly, I was maybe 12 or 13, and it did the trick for me. A couple of weeks ago I was staying at my Nana's for the weekend and in my mad panic to get my crap together I picked up the worst facial scrub I have ever used (post to come!). It broke me out in literally 5 minutes and in an attempt to get my face under control I borrowed some of my cousin's Clearasil. Low and behold, my skin was saved, so I really wanted to give it a try again since my Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish is finished.

I had a trip to the dentist's today, boo! I have one tooth at the front of my lower jaw that recedes slightly, it's not all that noticeable, but it's a haven for plaque, so my dentist had to do that horrible metalic, scrape scrape scrape, thing with that evil looking device, and urgh I hate it! So she recommended these toothbrushes for me to use and I'll try them out tonight.

Company magazine is really not my favourite, I honestly don't like it, but I use it to decorate my bedroom, sooo....

This toner/makeup remover has been raved about on the blogosphere, but I could never find it in Boots or Superdrug, Tesco or Sainsburys. So when I saw it sitting innocently on the shelf I snapped it up quicker than anything. I'm really excited to try this out later!

What I actually needed, cotton buds and cotton pads, I totally forgot to pick up! Typical!

A quick note on my Barry M polish (here) I've found that they are already chipping, despite two coats and a top coat. I've come to the conclusion that maybe three coats would be better? But maybe I just can't force it to stay put! Any thoughts?

Can any of you guys resist the lure of innocently adding little bits and pieces into the shopping cart?

xo Belley

Key Lime Nails from Barry M

I have gained quite the collection of Barry M nail polishes recently.

As part of my Sunday evening ritual I always give my nails a good paint. This is my newest nail polish. I've heard a lot about the "Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Paints" from Barry M, and this is my first purchase from the collection.

'Key Lime GNP14' is quite a beautiful shade if you ask me, and since Kermit the Frog is one of my dearest childhood friends, I like it very much. I used two coats. followed by Nails Inc.'s Kensington Cavair Topcoat to seal the colour in. I will let you know how well it fares against chipping.

I think the formula is very shiny, even without the topcoat and the texture rings true to every other Barry M nail polish. This is totally different to any other colour I own and I'll definitely pick up a couple more from this range, as I think they're good value and of a high quality, especially since they're under £5!

Hope you're all having a wonderful Sunday! Have you tried any polishes from this range?

xo Belley

5 Product Drugstore Summer Face

I've got to admit that this was a challenge for me!

Dirty mirror and proud!

I've been suffering from hay fever over the last couple of weeks so I've been trying to keep my make up as light and fresh as possible, I hate the feeling of foundation melting down my face, plus it makes me feel way more self-conscious than if I wasn't wearing any make up at all! I wore this look to meet up with some family friends for breakfast. I like it because I didn't feel as though I wasn't wearing any make up or too much for a casual occasion. I wanted to look put together and neat, I wish the same could be said for my hair, but I have honestly given up trying to tame it! It was also quick and simple to apply, around ten minutes, compared to my usual twenty-five, but I'm very slow!

In the order I applied them in:

1. Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer [Medium 3]
2. Burt's Bees Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil
3. Look Beauty Triple Hit [Cool Glam]
4. Derma Color Fixing Spray
5. Soap & Glory Thick & Fast Mascara [Superjet Black]

Face

This look is all about looking as pulled together and neat as possible in this ridiculous amount of heat and humidity at the moment. I love this concealer! It's so great for covering dark circles and redness around my nose from the hay fever. It's also great for doubling up as a highlight, so I smudged it down towards my cheeks for a subtle amount of glow. I just wish that they had more colours available.

My Derma Fixing Spray had to be in this post. It's one of my daily essentials and replaces powder during the summer months. I like it because it reduces shine on the face without looking cakey or overdone. It holds make up in place all day long and it's so lightweight and cooling, freaking awesome product!

Finally I had to have some form of bronzer on my face. What would summer make up be without smothering yourself in shimmery goodness? I love this little baked eyeshadow quad. The blues are very pigmented, but honestly not really my colour for this kind of look. I bought this little trio purely for the gorgeous shimmery bronze. It's so versatile because it's quite sheer but very buildable, so it can easily be used on the eyes as well as face. I love the look that bronzer gives the face, warm and summery. I used a regular kabuki brush to apply it, but that doesn't count as a "product" right?

Eyes
Lashings and lashings of mascara. What could be better? Keeping the eyes simple and clean, because I can never be bothered with loads of eyeshadows during the day. When I have an extra 10 minutes, say, in the mornings then I might add one, maybe two eyeshadow colours maximum. So when I have very limited amount of products I can use I'm not going to include eyeshadow. So applying loads of mascara is a great way to add some drama to the look. I really like this mascara, it adds loads of pow and has a true kick, making my eyelashes look big and curly, I didn't even use eyelash curlers!

Lips
Again, keeping it really simply and clean. I really love this slightly tinted lipbalm. It lasts ages and feels nourishing and has a nice pinky, slightly berry tone to it. It does taste a little strange though.

Could you survive with 5 products?

xo Belley

My July Wishlist

I just started using Polyvore and it's so much fun! You can follow me here!

So whilst browsing and exploring this pretty awesome website I came across loads of lovely bits and pieces that I really want to grab, but alas my bank balance is already crying tears of copper pennies so maybe not just yet!

My July Wishlist by hey-there-belley

1. Vintage shirt --- storenvy.com
2. Forever 21 alligator hair clip --- forever21.com
3. Michael Kors leather wrap bracelet --- fashion.ebay.com
4. Fornash elephant bracelet --- simplysoles.com
5. Chinese Laundry platform pumps --- heels.com
6. Topshop Moto Green Crochet Hotpants --- pinterest.com
7. Alligator hair clip --- etsy.com
8. Edun stretch denim skinny jeans --- avenue32.com
9. Linda Farrow black cat eye glasses --- monamoore.com
10. Platform booties heels --- newlook.com
11. Topshop --- topshop.com
12. Turquoise Heart Ring --- pinterest.com
13. River Island lace cami --- riverisland.com
14. Nasty gal --- svpply.com

What have you been lusting after this past month month?

xo Belley

My Prom Experience

A few weeks ago we had our school prom to celebrate the official end of secondary school!!!

Credit for the photos

Dress and Shoes

Finding the 'perfect' prom dress was truly painful! Mum and I spent at least four separate weekends in different places searching for the perfect one. I varied in style from Ted Baker, Ghost and Coast. I really didn't know what I wanted. In the end we got one in Cambridge, I had an appointment at Addenbrooke's and since it's quite a trek for us we figured it made sense to make a day out of it.

I got this dress in a small boutique after nearly giving up and going home. It was quite the find and I am so happy with it still. It was a little bigger than any other dress that I'd tried, but at this point prom was only a couple of weeks away and we didn't have any time left.

The real problem I had with prom dresses was the sizing! Seriously they didn't seem to have any dresses left in the 6/8 sizes! It was so frustrating, but I can only blame myself for leaving it so late!

Well, the dress was fantastic quality and I loved it, I felt like a princess

Although you can't actually see the shoes in any of the pictures, they looked like this. I got my shoes weeks before the dress, and managed to break them in really well. They were comfy but I put them on around 6 o'clock and didn't get to take them off until gone 1 o'clock the following morning! That my friends is stamina! 

I picked these shoes because I will definitely wear them again and I think they're gorgeous, impulse buying at its best!

Hair and Make up

I did it all myself! I spent hours trawling through YouTube and blogposts, but in the end I improvised my hair from this YouTube video. Ok, so mine looks nothing like it, but that's where I got the inspiration! I also used some big glittery bobby pins I purchased from Claire's Accessories, to close off the little "doughnuts" so that I had some more sparkle.

I don't really think that the pictures really pick up the make up that well, but it took me bloody ages to complete! I focused on the eyes, with big false lashes and mainly nude eyeshadow. I attempted a smoky eye in grey, but it was a disaster. Thankfully I extensively practised my hair and make up beforehand so I knew exactly what I was doing.

Venue and Dates

The prom was held at a local converted barn venue. I've been there for meals and stuff many times and it's a truly fantastic spot. The inside of the barn was beautifully decorated and it was obvious how much effort had gone into all the preparation and I honestly think it was all worth it! We also had some great little extras, like a sweet buffet and a photobooth, that was so fun! We got to dress up in silly hats, wigs, glasses, etc. and pose in the booth in groups, plus we got a little strip to take away, totally free!

My secondary school was a girl's, hence the absence of any guys in the pics. Although everyone was entitled to bring a date if they wanted, we decided in our friendship group, that we wouldn't. We wanted the evening to be about our friendship and the end of an era! Besides I don't have a boyfriend and honestly thought it would be a bit awkward. One of my guy friends was like, "Oh I'll take the bullet and pretend to be your boyfriend for the evening." Yeah that didn't go down well, I don't think he'll suggest it again!

Music

These songs I will now always associate with prom!

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis - Thrift Shop feat. Wanz

Nicki Minaj - Super Bass

Tinie Tempah - Frisky feat. Labrinth

Everybody was up and dancing and just having a superb time! But these are a few that stand out in the haze of the dancing, that and my feet bloody killing afterwards!

Overall...

I think prom is a night that I will never forget, it was lovely. The next morning was so depressing, a huge anti-climax. Still it was a fantastic night to get dressed up, be with friends and have a bloody amazing time!

How did all your proms go? Don't be shy leave a comment!

xo Belley