The Blogger Induced MAC Haul

Since blogging has become such a part of my make up (no pun intended) I've found myself coveting products I'd previously never given a second thought, I think they call it blogger enabling? In my teens MAC was the only place I'd buy make-up from but as I got older matured I discovered a whole host of head turning brands. That said I recently noticed my Notes section getting busy with products from the black and white packaged power house that I keen to try, enter a free next day delivery code and the rest is history #overduebabyproblems.

The first two items to 'fall' into my basket were the Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Rubenesque and single eyeshadow in Expensive Pink, a duo that says aloha Summer and one that I couldn't get out of my head since watching Estees tutorial. With Estee rocking similar colouring to myself (big up fair skin and blue peepers) I thought this mermaid-esque paint pot and pinky eyeshadow combo might look just as swell on me as it does on Estee, I'll be sure to let you know.

Next up was a limited edition lipstick from the MAC Is Beauty range called Make Me Gorgeous. This addition was spurred on by Abigail Alice who not only has a beautiful blog but looks awesome in this Crosswires meets Costa Chic shade. Did I need it? Probably not. Will it be the perfect pick me up shade post bambino? Absolutely. Finally after much debate I snapped up the forever sold out Lip Pencil in Soar - not to achieve Kylie Jenners pout but to recreate Lilys combo of Soar and MACs Mehr, a lipstick which I picked up recently with a Debenhams voucher that I've fallen hard for (see me sporting it here).

Now don't you think all this make-up deserves a new place to rest it's head? Maybe it's time I was enabled with some make-up bag recommendations?

Do you find yourself drawn to MAC products? 

Lifestyle: May In Pictures & Words

Celebrating the royal birth with lemon drizzle - Picnic in the garden - Our new cabinet looking fly - Cloud looking seriously at home - Who knew Nutella disguised misshapen pancakes so well? - Once a rank boiler cupboard, now our baby's wardrobe - My baby shower invite - Tanya Burrs rocky road - A great read, especially for £1 - My little ones OOTDs will soon be better than mine - Baby Wild - All my faves - Baby shower artwork - Polaroid fun - I can't stop baking - Saturdays with this one are the best.

It's official, we're half way through the year - how did that even happen? I'd love to say we're now experiencing the usual June weather and I'm writing this with a Magnum in hand but that couldn't be further from the truth, things have become seriously Wintery - I don't know whether to wear a jumper or reach for my thermals! May has been one wonderful month, I finished work for maternity leave, a royal baby was born and my friends hosted the most epic baby shower in my honour. I can't think of a month where I've felt so loved and supported. One real turn around we've seen this past month is in our home, after living in our beloved cottage for twenty one months things are officially looking good. Our baby's nursery is complete, I'm absolutely thrilled with our living room and even the dining room has had a little makeover, all in perfect time for the arrival of Baby Wild. 

This past week has seen me officially nesting as I've been tidying the house, painting our love seat outside and even reaching for the baking tins - fingers crossed baby's arrival is imminent. Can you believe I'm now just over 38 weeks pregnant? While I've missed bringing outfit posts to Cagney and Lace (see my last one here) I've really enjoyed writing lifestyle posts although I must say I'm excited for the revival of the humble OOTD - did someone say new wardrobe?

Obsessed With - While baking is a strong contender for this months obsession, my current favourite recipes to make are rocky road and triple chocolate cookies (make them yourself here) one product I've not stopped reaching for is MACs Patisserie, appropriately named non? Paired with a bolder brow and the Max Factor creme puff blush in nude mauve I look suitably glowy and fresh faced, an essential look to sport throughout pregnancy. Another shout out has got to go to Hello Fashion magazine, I'm usually a Grazia girl at heart but recently they've been focussing far too much on celebrity gossip for my liking. Enter Hello Fashion which keeps things fashiony, as the name would suggest - definitely one to pick up next time you're in Marks and Spencer or WHSmith.

Lusting After - It's got to be a polaroid camera, I fancied one a couple of Christmas' ago but after seeing my friend Scarletts in action at my baby shower one has shot to the top of my wish list. Another item that's been plaguing my mind is a night cream/serum. I'm so happy with my morning skincare routine but things get pretty basic when it comes to lights out, after discovering the Nude Progenius Treatment Milk at Beauty Chat Live I've been debating taking the plunge and committing to an additional product post cleanser. Watch this space.  

Looking Forward To - Without sounding incredibly predictable I think I speak for both Craig and I when I say we're looking forward to the birth of our baby. While many people have been asking if I feel anxious or apprehensive I can honestly say I don't, I just feel real excitement to meet our little creation (when he or she is good and ready) and to begin a new chapter of our lives as a little family.

What did you get up to in the month of May? Don't forget to follow my Instagrammin' antics here.

The Story Of February

Mantra of the month - Can't get enough of our dressing table against the new wallpaper - Can't wait to give this a bash - Bills you never let me down - My favourite - Red velvet pancakes - The soon to be weds - Love this adorable card - Homemade beef Wellington - He even made dessert - Thanks dad - The nicest girls you'll ever meet - A much better use for a washing up brush - Homemade pie - The best 80p I ever spent in Primark - Tasty fodder at Couch

Oh February, didn't you pass us by quickly? I've no doubts many are pleased to see the back of such a meh month but I actually quite enjoyed the second arrival of 2015. There were trips to Manchester, York and Nottingham, pancakes galore, an Ikea expedition, home renovations and not forgetting a girly night out. I'm getting tired just thinking about how much I managed to cram in. I know that when baby Wild comes into the world things will change so I'm enjoying fitting as much as physically possible into my free time with copious amounts of relaxation on the side. While pancake day may be a distant memory (this year I shunned my usual lemon and sugar for nutella and bananas) it'll not be long before Easters here and you know what that means? Hot cross buns.

Obsessed With - MACs Boldly Bare lip liner has been gracing my pout more days than I care to admit, there's just something so understated yet chic about that super natural, polished lip shade. Now if only I could find a lipstick to match... Suggestions in the comments? 

Bar hopping may not be on my radar right now but discovering new coffee dens in Sheffield is. For far too long I've frequented the same establishments and while I'm all about supporting local there's a whole host of joints I hadn't ever even heard of, let alone tried myself. So far I've tried Bragazzis, Steam Yard and eaten more than just cake from Couch and I've loved every single joint more than the last. Who needs Costa?

Lusting After - A pair of faux leather maternity trousers. Now forgive me if I've already lusted after this must find item (call it baby brain) but as much as I enjoy a Topshop maternity jean I need me some faux leather skinnys in my life. The need is that bad I even wore my pre pregnancy pair for drinks with the girls, without a button on. Yes things have got this desperate for the ultimate outfit changer of a trouser. If anyone knows anywhere I can get my mitts on a pair I'd be eternally grateful. 

Looking Forward To - Another week off, are you sensing a story of pattern emerging? Next week Craig and I both have a weeks holiday to enjoy some much needed chill time, read we must start the nursery pronto. We've also got a day trip to London in the diary to visit Loaf and finally order our new sofas. I never thought I'd see the day where I get more excited about a sofa than a Topshop trip but here it is ladies and gents. After 18 months of sofa loaning from my parents it's time we got our own. There's also another spa trip on the cards as an early Mothers Day gift to my mum, fingers crossed these spa trips can become a monthly occurrence. 

What did February hold for you? Do you enjoy exploring the independents in your home town?

Life Lately #1

I love reading life lately/catch up style posts on blogs, I mean who doesn't want an insight into the life of the blogger behind the blog? Try and say that quickly.

Many dread the first couple of weeks/January as a whole but I for one kinda like it, sure we may all be a little bit skint after overspending at Christmas (hands up who's guilty?) and we may be mourning the loss of the festive decorations, to be honest our house suddenly looks way bigger without a Christmas tree glowing in all it's glory in the corner! Not only is January Craigs birthday but it's also the month to start planning and getting excited about the year ahead, those diary pages won't fill themselves. Over the past eight days I've been...

Watching Paddington - Both my mum and I were dying to see this film so we finally took ourselves off to see the cutest, Marmalade lovin' bear on Tuesday night. As soon as the opening scene appeared on screen I knew I was in love. We laughed, I cried and most importantly we had the best time. A must see, I promise it's not just for children.

Buying my second MAC lip liner - MAC took my lip liner virginity way back in 2013. Must dig that out. As a bold lip lover, especially those Wintery red and berry hues I thought it was about time I got some precision in my life, enter the much raved about Cherry lip pencil. I'm hoping it's love.

Excited about the return of the heavyweights - No I'm not talking boxers but Broadchurch, Scandal and Revenge, well what else are January evenings made of? I think this trio is finally filling the Homeland shaped hole. Note, viewing is always accompanied by a selection box and or a hot chocolate - Nutella hot chocolates are the one.

Discovering that dressing a pregnancy bump is a tough gig - I may only just be starting to show (if you look closely) but I'm definitely struggling with my threads. Regular skinny jeans are a no go so I'm embracing tights and maternity Leigh jeans from Topshop. The real debate begins when you factor in dresses and tops. While there's lots of choice out there it's like some sites want you to throw your fashionable self out of the window. Motherhood is going to be a huge life change all on it's own so there's no way I'm changing my sense of style too. Right now I'm sizing up and ordering from Topshop maternity, I've got a huge order at my feet so fingers crossed.

Falling in love with wedding dresses - Last night I found myself looking at wedding dresses, something I've not had an urgency to do yet. I've fallen in love with one designer and I'm already looking forward to trying some dresses on this Autumn. 2015 you're looking good.

How have you started off the new year? Do you enjoy lifestyle posts?

Review: MAC Make-Up Lesson

Hooray the big ball of yellow fire (also known as the sun) has finally decided to grace us with it's presence, I couldn't actually believe my eyes this morning when I opened my curtains to see I wouldn't need to rock my thermal vest and a hot chocolate in hand after all. Can you believe I was starting to think I'd packed my Winter woolies away too soon? Madness! Today marks the beginning of the bank holiday weekend and I for one am excited, three days doing hardly anything? Yes please!

Nearly a month ago I turned a quarter of a century and as a birthday gift my darling bestie Gemma bought me a MAC make-up lesson voucher, what can I say? The girl knows me well! You can imagine how elated I was when I arrived at Debenhams for my lesson to discover all beauty products had 10% off and mentally I apologised to my sorry little bank balance, it was going to get a whole lot worse. Arriving at MAC I met the lovely Holly H who asked me what look I'd like to create. Now ya'll who know me well will know that I'm pretty much the poster girl for natural make-up with the occasional butchered smokey eye and many a bright lip - it's not that I don't love a winged liner or a really sexy eye look, I'm just not able. Explaining my make-up woes to Holly we decided on a bronzed smokey eye with a vibrant lip for a day time look which could then be partied up with the addition of winged eye liner.

Holly was brilliant from the word go, not only was she incredibly patient but she'd talk me through what she was doing and then ask me to copy what she'd just done on my left hand side - yes guys I did most of the left hand side of my face all by myself! So what tips did I pick up? Be a little less heavy handed with the make-up brushes (this was a biggie!) MAC products are so pigmented that you only need the tiniest bit so I need to try and hold my brushes further down than I do usually - give it a go, I bet you'll notice a difference. Struggle with winger eyeliner like me? Build up your liner on your eye lids gradually with thin strokes before going under your eye and following your natural eye shape upwards to get an easy flick, you don't have to flick out from the top if you can't. Always line your lips first if you want your bold lip colour to last and finally if there's one MAC brush you need in your life it's a 217 but MAC MUA's prefer theres a little more worn down, not when they're new and uber fluffy - you heard it here first

I was incredibly pleased with not only my finished make-up look (well done me) but also the service at MAC - all the girls were friendly and the lovely Holly was amazing. I'm sure it'll come as no surprise that I spent a pretty penny on make-up lesson must haves but with 10% off and a whopping £50 voucher from my girl Gemma all my new make-up booty came to a grand total of £39 (the two lipsticks pictured were from the Back To Mac scheme). Will I be doing all my friends make-up from now on? Probably not but I know I can recreate this beauty of an eye make-up look, just remind me how I managed the winged liner again... 

Have you ever had a MAC make-up lesson? What look would you want to master?

If you love all things Cagney and Lace then I'd be ecstatic if you'd vote for me in the Cosmopolitan Blogger Awards sponsored by Next. I've been blogging for less than a year so hop on over to the Next site here and vote for Cagney and Lace in the Newcomer Award.

Keeping Things Simple

Love T-Shirt: Topshop
High Waisted Jeans: J Brand via Mimi Noor
Necklace: Warehouse
Converse Trainers: mywardrobe.com
Watch: Michael Kors
Rings: Astley Clarke & Whistles
Make-up: MAC
Nails: Essie Fiji

Well hello sunny Sunday, how much of a beauty has the weather been today? I've been pottering around in the garden this afternoon taking blog pictures galore and I must say I thoroughly enjoyed the suns rays. In the words of Alan Carr what a week it's been! At the beginning of the week I hadn't even left the house and now I've been back to work, attended a Space NK event, a Sheffield blogger meet up and a MAC make-up lesson (hence today's amaze make-up, post here) oh and did I mention that Craig and I have had an offer accepted on a house! It's very early days but we're incredibly excited to be on the way to having our own home, I'm mentally buying bedding and house hold trinkets as I type!

For Sundays when you need to be dressed in ten minutes flat you can't go wrong with a pair of high waisted skinny jeans - dressed up or down they make an incredibly versatile addition to any wardrobe and look just as fresh with a pair of Converse as they do with a pair of strappy Zara sandals. As weekends are all about laid back dressing I decided to tuck my new, oversized Love tee from Topshop into my J Brands - not only does this fit the bill for casual cool but £7 from the sale of every t-shirt goes to Fashion Targets Breast Cancer, who doesn't love feel good fashion? The finishing touches to my Sunday attire include my simple gold band necklace from Warehouse, my favourite rings and not forgetting my never-leave-the-house-without Michael Kors watch.

I hope you're all enjoying every last moment of your Sunday, I can't believe tomorrow will be my first Monday back at work in over two weeks! Right now I'm dying to order Kez a Cath Kidston dog basket as he'll be finally able to live with us...let's hope the boy isn't reading this one.

Have you been keeping things casual this Sunday? Do you love feel good fashion as much as me? 

If you love all things Cagney and Lace then I'd be beyond thrilled if you'd vote for me in the Cosmopolitan Blogger Awards sponsored by Next. I've been blogging for less than a year so hop on over to the Next site here and vote for Cagney and Lace in the Newcomer Award.

Twenty Five, Birthday Times

Great minds think a like - my bestie Gemma and close pal Claire sent Cagney and Lace themed cards

My beaut birthday flowers courtesy of Craig and a lovely new Rob Ryan vase from the parentals

My mum decorating every room for birthday times

Bernie the Bear - THE most unusual yet useful presents, he's a foot stool ladies and gents

How cool is this Sweaty Betty bag?

My new black leather jacket from Zara

Stripes and leather - the boy did good, with a nod from me of course

Perfume bottle black and white print

My London babe and week sister - Joasia and I

In case you've been living on another planet you may not know that it was my twenty fifth birthday on Friday - I'm now in a completely new box on questionnaires and surveys and I'm just that little bit closer to thirty than I am twenty, it's exciting! I'm sure I say this every year but this birthday was THE best ever - Friday morning was spent opening presents and cards, pain au chocolat in hand whilst the afternoon was spent in Leeds with my lovely beau who treated me to a divine dress from Whistles. I also spent a large proportion of the day in Mulberry and a purchase may have gone down but more on that another day... (I know, I'm a Mulberry tease!)

Friday evening was spent in a local Mediterranean restaurant with Craig, my parents and my brother before we returned home to devour huge slabs of Fancie birthday cake with mugs of tea - well it can't all be about the prosecco! Saturday was full to the brim with pampering from hair appointments to MAC makeovers so with a quick change into my Topshop birthday dress I was ready for Italian cuisine and drinks with my girls. Needless to say the evening didn't end there with a few of my closest friends and I pulling some shapes on the dance floor and indulging in an amaretto sours or two.

Every birthday I realise just how well my friends and family know me and my style and this year was no exception - I received some seriously amazing gifts from a MAC make-up lesson (thanks Gem!) to a spa voucher, beauty products galore and even a huge black bear named Bernie - isn't he the cutest footstool you've ever seen? I must mention that no bears were injured in the making of Bernie! Mondays are often a dreaded day for some but today I've not stopped smiling as I've reflected on my birthday weekend (and eaten more cake from my work colleagues), it's been spectacular and certainly one I won't forget. Now how do you use that Clarisonic?

Have you had as lovely a weekend as me?