Tartan Check Trousers From ASOS

At the beginning on of the month I posted and shared my excited with you all that I has been one of the lucky ones chosen to become a part of Access All ASOS (you can read that post here) and it wasn't too long until I received my first invitation down to ASOS Headquarters to take part in a Swap Shop which took place on Saturday; I wont go into too much detail about the Swap Shop as I have a post all about the amazing time I had at ASOS coming up for you all at the weekend. What I will say though is that I had the best time and managed to come away with some amazing new items for my wardrobe. As a challenge, ASOS set us the task of styling some of our new fashion finds and I thought I would share with you all the new tartan check trousers that I managed to bag in the Swap Shop.

As soon as my eyes got a glimpse of these red tartan check trousers I knew I just had to have them and crossed my fingers and toes that nobody else wanted to take them home too. With a bit of luck and a bit of a speedy run I managed to pick these trousers up and so I could take them home - Thank you so much ASOS. 

These tartan check trousers are high waisted and are made from a really soft cotton fabric that makes for comfortable wearing - I love the fit and feel of them once on. The trousers have a high waist band and are very tapered in at bottom around the ankles which make them perfect for showing off some great shoes. I've decided to pair mine with my much loved platform boots from River Island. These trousers would look amazing paired with a crop top and a leather jacket, however as its been a little on the colder side I've decided to pair mine with my favourite black cropped jumper and a statement necklace. 

I can see myself getting a lot of wear from these trousers and I love how the tartan trend is still very much in - I think I've gone a tad tartan crazy over the last few months. If you love these trousers just as much as I do you can find the link to them on ASOS right here. 

I would love to know your thoughts on this outfit and if your still loving tartan just as much as me, be sure to let me know in the comments below.

Lots of Love

Ted Baker Makeup Bag

Over the last year I've seen these beautiful Ted Baker makeup bags become quite the hit with us beauty bloggers and for the longest of time I've wanted pretty shiny patent makeup bag to store my favourite items of makeup in. I've always been lusting after one of these famous makeup bags, but as they are a bit on the expensive side (mine are usually all from Primark) I've never gotten around to treating myself to one. Luckily for me my mum knew that one of these Ted Baker makeup bags had been on my wishlist for some time and decided to treat me one for Christmas, so I thought I would share it with you all today because it's just so beautiful - I love it.

Over the last few months, since starting a job at Moss Bros, Ted Baker is a brand that I've become very fond of and my friend at work and I love pointing our customers in the direction of a Ted Baker suit and matching shoes. Seriously ladies if your man is ever after a suit you need to get him kitted out in a Ted Baker one, not only will he look sharp but the lining and detailing of each Ted Baker garment are amazing. Because Ted Baker is a brand that I now work with, I've grown to love it even more so I was extra thrilled when I opened this present on Christmas morning. I knew straight away when I saw the bright neon green box that this was a Ted Baker item as all the Ted Baker shoes that I sell come in the exact same packaging. 

I absolutely love the colour of this makeup bag that my mum picked out for me, as you can see form the pictures its a gorgeous hot pink shade that has a bright orange bow placed right in the middle of the bag. I love how girly this makeup bag is and the plastic material will make this easy to clean so it will always look pristine (hopefully) - We all know that makeup can sometimes be messy business! One thing that I've learnt from all my Ted Baker training is that the brand really do care about the customer and will always make that extra effort to make each item that extra bit special; and I've noticed that Ted Baker really go all out when it comes to the little details. For instance, I love the detailing of the zipper on this makeup bag - It has the Ted Baker signature engraved on the zipper and I love that the clasp has been designed to look like a ribbon - Its so adorable. 

I know it is a little on the expensive side for a makeup bag, but it really is gorgeous and I know I'm just going to love taking this out of my handbag every time that I need to reapply my makeup. If your looking to treat yourself to a beauty item that is a little different this year, I really would recommend in picking one of these up - I love the colours of this one, but there are so many gorgeous shades to choose from, so there is something for everyone.

There's not much more I can say about this makeup bag other than I love it, and a big thank you to my mum for treating me to one. Just a little fact for you all though ladies... Did you know that the guy behind Ted Baker is not called Ted Baker? The man behind Ted Baker is actually a man named Ray Kelvin and the idea came to him whilst fishing, which is why you see a lot of fish incorporated into some of his designs (take a peek on the website). 

I would love to know if you've got one of the Ted Baker makeup bags and what shade you picked - I'm now thinking about treating myself to one of the bigger bags for when I go travelling. 

Lots of Love

Soap & Glory Smoothie Star Body Buttercream

For those of you who have been following my blog for sometime will know that I have a huge weakness for moisturisers and body butters. I've said this before and will say it again, moisturising my skin with a luxurious body butter has to be one of my favourite parts of getting ready. I find it such an indulgent treat and nothing beats the feeling of rubbing a heavenly body butter over your skin to give it some much needed hydration and moisture.

When it comes to choosing the right Body Butter, Soap & Glory have always stood out for me as their body butters are amazing and stand out way above the rest - I don't think I've ever tried a bad one! As Soap & Glory have quite the selection of body butters to choose from I usually tend to stick with my fvourites such as Sugar Crush and the Righteous Butter. However I decided to branch out a little and try something different based on recommendations from other beauty bloggers. I thought it was about time I tried their Smoothie Star Body Buttercream and oh my gosh its absolutely incredible and I'd even go as far to say this is the best body butter I have ever used in my life, and coming from me that is quite the statement!

The Smoothie Star Body Buttercream is a thick but lightly whipped moisturiser that contains five intensive oils that will make the driest of skin super silky soft. This moisturiser has a mixture of coconut oil, almond oil, pistachio oil, shea butter and cocoa butter all infused together that will make your skin incredibly soft. This moisturiser is such a dream to apply, although its really rich and thick in texture, it skins into the skin so quickly and leaves your skin feeling instantly hydrated and nourished. If your someone who suffers from dry skin, you will love the benefits from using the Smoothie Star Body Buttercream, it really makes such a difference after one use and you skin feels amazing all day.

Not only is the actual body butter wonderful, but the scent is to die for, it has to be the most delicious smelling body butter I've ever smelt, it actually makes me want to eat it. The sweet vanilla fragrance gives this body butter the smell of cake mix, and although its really sweet smelling, it's not too sickly or overpowering. I find that the pistachio and almond oils used make this body butter smell a little more sophisticated, which makes the sweet smell not as rich. One thing that I always want from a body butter, is for the smell to really transfer onto my skin and I love how this body butter really leaves my skin smelling yummy hours after application - I'm forever getting people tell me I smell really sweet whenever I wear this. With the smell being so sweet, it makes it the perfect body butter for this time of year, I think it may be a little too much in the summer months when its really hot and sticky. However using this after a relaxing bubble bath on a cold winters evening is perfect - I sit on the sofa in my pajamas after using this and am just surrounded by sweet smelling smells - its heavenly.

I cannot fault this body butter in anyway and I can see this becoming a holy grail moisturiser for me, it really is that fabulous. If I've still not convinced you that you need to try the Smoothie Star Body Buttercream, I urge to you take a sneaky smell of it on your next visit to Boots - I promise you that you will want to take it home.

I would love to know if you've tried this body butter from Soap & Glory and if you rate it as much as I do. Be sure to let me know in the comments below.

Lots of Love

The Best of 2013 - Goals For 2014

Seeing as it's the new year I thought I would get a post up that gave myself and my readers the chance to reflect on 2013 and get thinking about 2014. Looking back at all my pictures (all of these were from Intsagram @sunshinesprkle) I think I've had a pretty good year. There were a lot of fun moments in 2013 and in the space of a year I feel like I achieved a lot, got a lot closer to those around me, made some wonderful new friends and smiled and laughed my way though the year. 

I always like the idea of making new years resolutions, however I am with the large number of people who struggle to stick at any one of the resolutions that I make, by February there usually forgotten. So this year I've decided not to set myself a list of all the ways that I want to live my life differently in order to better it. Instead I've decided to set myself some goals that I really want to aim for and achieve. I feel really positive about 2014 and feel/know that I need to work really hard in order to achieve all the things that I want. I know that last year although it had its ups and downs was a goodun! However, I feel that sometimes my judgement and mind was slightly clouded and I wasn't able to get all the things done that I would like to. Having said this a lot changed for me in the last few months of 2013 and I feel the happiest I've ever been and am ready to have a bloomin brilliant this year... Seeing as I love to share bits of my life with you guys I thought I would share with you some of the goals I've set for myself this year

1. Maintain and keep fit - Last year I opened up a new door and started on a little fitness journey which I documented on my blog. Over the last six months I saw such a difference in my body, my mood and my overall well being and I really want to keep this up. This year I'm planning to take things up a few levels in the terms of what I can achieve with my overall fitness - So be sure to stay tuned for a few more fitness related posts.

2. Last year was another year where I saw my little blog go from strength to strength, and this year I really want to continue and work at my blog so it will grow just that little more. It's crazy how much of my life is now fitted around my blog, but its something that I really love doing, am so passionate about and one of those best life changing decisions that I've ever made. This year I really want to focus on getting to know my readers and other bloggers. After two years of blogging, I've still not really been to any blogger events nor have I really gotten to meet any of you, so this is something that I would love to incorporate into my blog and my life this year.

3. And finally my last goal is probably the biggest goal of them all and one that will most definitely be the hardest to achieve, which is to buy a house. I know that this is not going to be easy as securing mortgages and finding the right place is not easy these days. But I feel that it's something that I'm ready for and with a lot of hard work, some help and a little bit of luck I'm feeling pretty confident that its something I can achieve.

So there we have it ladies, a little reflection of last year and my goals for this year. I would love to know what resolutions or goals you have set yourself this year, be sure to let me know in the comments below. Also I would like to wish you all a happy new year and I really hope 2014 brings you everything that you have your heart set on.

Lots of Love

Beauty Blogger Secret Santa

I know Christmas all seams a little behind us, especially with the new year starting - However I was so busy I didn't have a chance to blog about the Beauty Blogger Secret Santa that I decided to take part in. I was among quite a few other beauty bloggers that took part in a Secret Santa Challenge that Gemma (Miss Makeup Magpie) and Laura (Tease Flutter Pout) organised. I was so excited to be taking part as I thought it was such a lovely thing to do at Christmas, especially seeing as it was to buy beauty goodies for a fellow beauty enthusiast. I don't know about anyone else, but my favourite kind of shopping has to be shopping for beauty products.

My little box arrived a few days before Christmas and I decided to wait until Christmas morning to open up my little silver box that I just knew was going to be filled with some Christmas Sparkle. I have to admit, I was so tempted to open it before the big day, but I'm so pleased I waited as it just added a lot more excitement to my morning. At the time of opening my little box, I had no clue whatsoever as to who the sender was, but I know know it was Kate who's over at Pretty Little Us blog who sent me the best Secret Santa gift that any beauty blogger could ever ask for. Before continuing any further with this post I would like to say the BIGGEST thank you to Kate as her gift was just so amazing and so generous.

As you can see from the pictures Kate gifted me three miniature Yankee Candles, all of them being deliciously Christmas scented. All I could smell when I opened the box was a mixture of these candles, Sugared Apple, Christmas Cupcake and Salted Caramel. Oh my gosh ladies I wish I could transfer the smell of these candles straight though the computer screen so you could all take a whiff, they smell incredible and the Salted Caramel has to be my favourite - It smells so good that it actually has my mouth watering for something caramel every time that I smell it? Should that be worrying that a candle can have that effect on me?

The Yankee Candles where the first thing that I unwrapped, which I have to say got me pretty excited as I never ever think to treat myself to posh candles. However, when I opened the next little prezzie I was actually so shocked and taken back by Kate's thoughtfulness and generosity - As you can see from the pictures there is no need to explain or express my amount of excitement. All I can say is Kate is truly the best Christmas Angel EVER by treating me to not only a Mac Lipstick but one which is from the RiRi Hearts Holiday Collection - WOW, need I say anymore! The shade Kate picked out for me is Pleasure Bomb which has a matte finish and is this gorgeous bright fuchsia shade - And you all know how much I love a pink lip. Pleasure Bomb looks even more gorgeous on than what it does looking at it, and it maybe sad, but I've looked at this little beauty of a lipstick quite a lot! I mean just look at it, its beautiful :) I wont go into too much detail about how amazing this lipstick is as I'm planning on dedicating a whole blog post to it very soon, but so far I am loving it and it's been my go too lipstick since Christmas Day.

Thank you so much Kate for these wonderful Secret Santa gifts, I honestly couldn't have asked for a better Secret Santa, everything that was picked out was just perfect and I love everything. I would also like to thank Gemma and Laura as they did such a fabulous job at running and organising this Secret Santa, from what I gather everything ran so smoothly and it was a huge success! I would love to know if any of you ladies have taken part in any Secret Santa's over the holidays and would love to know how they turned out? Be sure to let me know in the comments below.

Lots of Love

#AccessALLASOS

Hi guys, first of all I want to say a BIG Happy New Year to you all and I really hope you all had an amazing Christmas too. I have to apologise for the absence in my blog over the last week or so, I know its not been that long but it really does feel like ages since I last got a post up. The last two weeks have just been manic and I've not stopped working (anyone else working in retail and feel drained from working non stop and being rushed off your feet?) So work has been the main reason that I've not been around, but now January is here things will finally go back to normal for me which means finally taking the time to sit down and work on some posts. Today I have something so exciting to share with you all, so exciting that when I found out myself I was actually did a little jump for joy - No joke.

Last week, a few days after Christmas the postman knocked at my door and delivered a parcel that was addressed to me which had been nicely concealed in packaging that gave me no clues whatsoever to the contents that were inside. Like I said I had been so busy, and I was completely baffled by this parcel as I knew that I hadn't ordered anything nor was I expecting anything to come though the door. Once I opened my parcel, rather quickly, I found this boxed which contained a personalised letter and a few goodies which had all been perfectly placed in this black box. I couldn't believe it when I read that the package was from ASOS and I had been chosen to join the Access All ASOS group and become an ASOS Insider! Seriously, Oh My Gosh guys, I still can't quite believe that I was one of the lucky ones to join the group.

I decided to apply to become an ASOS insider way back when the first lot of Insiders where chosen, which was around October time I believe. With so many people applying I honestly thought I had no chance of being chosen and popped the thought to the back of my mind, which was probably why I was so shocked when I received this parcel though the door. For those of you who are completely baffled about what I'm going on about, Access All ASOS is a programme run by ASOS where they allow all the ASOS Insiders to be in the know about everything ASOS first. This will include knowing about new collections and releases first, being invited to events (maybe even the ASOS HQ itself) and of course receive the odd freebie or discount or too.

From the minute I heard about Access All ASOS, I just knew it was going to be a fabulous programme - One, because it's ASOS and there have been many occasions where I've blown my wages on their fabulous ranges of clothing and of course beauty bits and bobs AND two there was just so much buzz and excitement about the whole thing from people wanting to join or those lucky ones who had already been accepted. My thoughts about being an insider where confirmed when I received my little ASOS box the other day - Inside was a personalised letter to me and gifts which had been selected based on what I had written in my application form. ASOS now know that I'm mad about pink lipstick and as a little surprise they included this strawberry pink glossy lip balm inside my box, which was such a lovely touch.

I cannot wait to find out what ASOS has in store for us Insiders this year and I feel extremely lucky to have been chosen, so a huge thank you to ASOS. I can't wait to get involved, meet and get to know my fellow insiders, so if you are one be sure to let me know. If your thinking about becoming an ASOS insider too and want to apply ASOS are still taking in applications all the way to the end of January, just click this link here and be sure to make your application stand out.

Thanks once again ASOS and I look forward to sharing with you all what kind of things I'll be getting up too being apart of Access All ASOS.

Lots of Love