Thursday 24 July 2014

Adventures to Arran


A few weeks ago I went across the sea on the Waverly Paddle Steamer for a day on the Isle of Arran. The Waverly is the last sea going paddle steamer in the world and sets off from harbours up and down the country during summer months but can still be enjoyed on the Thames through to the end of October. You can check out here if there is a harbour near you. If you get the chance then I would recommend a sailing on it, except if you get sea sick very easily as it doesn't take much for the boat to rock back and forth. The day I went the sea was almost perfectly still which made for a very pleasant sailing across.

As the Waverly leaves right from Ayr Harbour which is very convenient for me as it is about about a 5 minute car ride for me. The sailing took just under two hours which goes by pretty quickly when your boyfriend is overexcited about being on a boat and taking a million photos of everything! The weather had been undecided on what to do but the minute we arrived at Brodick harbour it was warm and sunny even if there were some dark clouds lurking on occasion.


 We took the a rather bumpy open top bus to Brodick castle, where we stopped for lunch before looking around the gardens and inside the castle itself. You could wander the gardens for hours but as dark clouds appeared we decided to take cover inside. It didn't even rain in the end. There are alot of interesting things in the castle and I really liked how there were guides in each rooms should you have questions. I always feel I should ask intellectual questions but usually just end up asking "what's that?".



We decided to walk back into the centre of Brodick which should only take about half an hour. However I thought we should take the much more scenic route along the beach but ended up of a flat rock covered and slippery beach instead of the sandy beach  I thought it was. Seeing as I pretty much can't go anywhere without hurting myself I slipped on seaweed and went flying backwards landing on my right arm. Despite being incredibly painful I knew it wasn't broken as I could move my fingers and arm. A few days later movement became unbearable so off to A+E I went where after 5 x-rays I was told I had a badly sprained wrist/arm, hence why this post is belated. I had a sling to wear for a few days and painkillers to ease the pain. It's much better now but still can't do certain movements yet such as throwing the dog's ball with the ball launcher.

After almost breaking my wrist and arm we stopped off at Arran Aromatics and the cheese Factory Shop. It was a quick visit as funnily enough I wasn't in the browsing mood. We walked back the rest of the way and got chips to eat at the beach while we waited for the Waverly. The sailing back was even better as it was still warm, if you stayed at the front or top of the boat. We had a very snap happy time on the way back but these are just a couple of my favourite shots.



Have you ever been to Arran or on the Waverly?

Monday 7 July 2014

June Favourites


The sudden appearance of July seems to have taken everyone by surprise and I am no different, June went by in a flash! I am still new learning the best way techniques for taking product photos and who knew how time consuming it was, especially went you have been left to your own device with a camera you aren't familiar with and a dog that follows you everywhere shoving his face in the lens.

Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter - £10.50 

I have always been lazy with moisturising my limbs but recently I discovered that not being lazy means that I have been not having itchy arms and it helps the skin look more even. Who knew?! My guess is most people probably did. I've been switching between the Korres Body Milk and The Righteous Butter depending on what I feel my skin needs. The body milk is light but very moisturising and smells so good, I also have the same scent in a shower gel, together they're a dream team. The Righteous Butter makes very dry sky incredibly soft with its thick consistency and is well worth picking up and it's often on offer in boots.

I've used many face scrubs in the past and most of them have been tea tree ones and The Body Shop offering is the best I've come across. When my skin has angry blemishes I can see a difference after using this, they look significantly less angry. Even though I used to prefer ones with larger beads but this one has smaller and works better than them. The Body Shop site description of it says it "combines micro-fine exfoliants with bursting beads" and i guess that's what makes all the difference. 
 

I apply these shadows with my finger and then blend out with a fluffy brush and I have just been really liking the outcome of it. It's simply quick and pretty much foolproof. These two shadows are from the Most Glamorous Nudes Ever palette and are mini sizes. I really like that they are in the little pots so they can be removed from the palette and don't get the powder shadows sticking to them. 

Doll Eyes is my favourite Mascara and has been repurchased several times. I normally stock up on those reduced twin packs of them in the sales. These Alber Elbaz designed versions came out some time last year, not gonna lie this was a case of being a serious sucker for the packaging and it promptly went to the top of my gift wishlist. I like the fluttery effect this mascara gives and its buildable so you can do one quick coat for a natural look or build it up for more of an impact. It doesn't flake and once it's on it doesn't budge until you want it to. 


I've been feeling the brighter pink lips. I wrote about the Rouge Velvet in my Payday Wishlist back in May. I am kinda annoyed at my self for not getting it sooner, it is just the right shade of bold pink for me. It lasts well and it does get fade into that odd ring around your lips if you're not strict about reapplication. It is as long as you use a good lip balm before applying it isn't drying for a matte lipstick. Only after removal with an oil cleanser do lips feel a bit dry, it takes some working to remove it. 

Another mini size this month, the Clinque Chubby stick and a sheer pink colour. It lasts well and fade evenly. I find it quite moisturising on the lips. I've been liking wearing it when I feel my skin needs brightening up when I'm looking tired. 

I've had the convertible colour for a while and used up some boots points to get it, I really liked the brightening colour on my skin but my amateur blush skills meant I easily over did it. I had been applying it with a stippling brush before, and now I've been using my fingers to dab it along my cheeks and then blend it out. 

Seems to be that this month I learned that blending is the key skill to have when it comes to colours. I did know this before and somehow it never worked for me. Have you learned any new make up skills this month?