Octobers You Beauty Subscription Box

Hey friend

Now that October is upon us it means its time for this months You Beauty Discovery Box so without further ado let's see what I got :)

This months subscription is handbag heroes, all products that are handy to keep in your bag.

Tangle Teezer - Compact Styler.

My hair gets so knotty after it's been washed, so I'm super excited to get this is my box. I got the leopard print but it also comes in yellow and pink. This brush also has a lid to keep it clean while it's in your bag.

You Beauty Discovery - YBD Pocket Mirror

It's a must have essential to keep a small mirror in your bag, and this is the perfect size and have it not take up so much space.

Glōminerals - Lash Boosting Masacra

Everyone wants thicker and fuller lashes, so anything that can helps us achieve that is okay with me. This mascara claims to volumise, thicken, lengthen, strengthen & condition

You can buy it at www.glo-minerals.com

You can also get 20% of with discount code: YOU20

Offer valid till 16th Nov 2013

Nakd - Tasty Snack Bar

I'm not that happy to see this in my box as if I'm being honest it sounds like it's going to be tasteless. Although it's made with raw fruits and nuts, it has no added sugars or syrups, the bars are also wheat, dairy & gluten free, to me it sounds horrid. I personally like as much sugar, dairy and gluten as I can get but that's not to say you won't like this, but if you can't have any of the ingredients above or like to eat healthy then you may just like it. Mine came in Cocoa Orange, it also comes in the flavor Berry Delight.

You can get yours at www.naturalbalancefoods.co.uk

You can also get 20% off with discount code: BEAUTY13

Valid till 31st Jan 2014

That completes this months beauty box, if you are interested in joining then you can do so here :).

Till next time

XOXO

Debbie

Second Honeymoon Book Review

Hey friend

I have another book review for you and it's by James Patterson. I love all his books and tend to read them so fast, must be all those short chapters :)

Second Honeymoon (Second Honeymoon#2)

By James Patterson

2013

432 Pages.

Description:  A walk down the aisle. A resort hotel, a drink on the beach.. For these unlucky couples, the honeymoon's over. A newlywed couple steps into the Sauna in their deluxe honeymoon suite - and steps out again. When another couple are killed when boarding their honeymoon flight to Rome, it becomes clear that someone is targeting honeymooners.

FBI Agent John O'Hara is deep into solving the case, while Special Agent Sarah Brubaker is hunting another ingenious serial killer, whose victims all have one thing in common..

Review

Storyline: There is two story's going on in this books and they all have one thing in common, John O'Hara. They are both extremely well written stories both holding your attention and interesting twist as to how both stories entwine with one character. At some points you are trying to figure out what's going on before the characters do.

Characters: Some really thought out characters, each with there own story. During the book you want what's best for certain characters. 

Overall: Another great book by James Patterson. There is something about his books that just leaves you enmersed in the story that you tend to lose what day it is. I have no trouble reading all his book in less than a day. I love the short chapters.

My Rating: 10/10

Would I Recommend?: yes, even if you have never read anything by this author before.

Till next time

XOXO

Debbie

Sunday Books # 7

Hey friend

There was only one book recommendation in the magazine today, so I picked one to recommend to you as well :)

The Moment

By Claire Dyer

12th Sept 2013

400 Pages

Description: Paddington station, nine a.m., rush hour. As the crowds ebb and flow, time suddenly stands still for two people: Fern and Elliott, ex lovers who parted twenty-five years before and never expected to see each other again.

But here they are, face to face, and the connection is as powerful as it was the day they first met. Their lives have moved on - to marriage, children and divorce - yet neither has stopped regretting that day that drove them apart.

Fern gives Elliott her number and they tentatively arrange to meet again that evening when both will be travelling back through the station. And, as the day ticks on, and the memories resurface, both Fern and Elliott reflect on the past. As their emotions go round in circles, so does the Paddington clock, counting down the minutes to eight p.m. - and the moment the future is in their hands. 

You can buy yourself a copy here :)

The Body Finder (The Body Finder #1)

By Kimberly Derting

11th Nov 2010

329 Pages

Description: Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend, she is more disturbed by her "power" to sense dead bodies - or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she felt the echoes the dead leave behind in the world...and the imprints that attach to their killers.

Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift, but now that a serial killer is terrorizing her small town Violet realises she might be the only person who can stop him.

Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet find the murderer - and Violet is unnerved by her hope that Jays intention are much more than friendly. But even as she's falling in love, Violet is getting closer to discovering a killer...and becoming his prey herself.

You can buy yourself a copy here :)

I've read this book and would highly recommend it

Till next time

Happy Sunday

XOXO

Debbie

Halloween Pinterest #2

Hey friend

Time for the second Halloween Pinterest.

Top Tip

Cool idea to freak out any visitors that appear at your door or even at a party.

Decorations

Get some coloured plastic cups, draw different faces on them. Add some fake lights underneath and place then around your house.

Costumes

Wonder Woman

Wicked witch

Nails

Halloween Make Up

Till next time

XOXO

Debbie

Chit chat Thursday #2: Work

Hey friend

In today's economy many of us are face with the prospect of unemployment which can be hard on our confidence and self esteem. So this chit chat Thursday I wanted to share with you what I'm currently going through with trying to gain a full time job.

In 2005 I went to college as I wanted to be a nanny, so for two years I studied Childcare. Towards the end of my second year I was starting to lose my love of wanting to be a nanny, so I decided to take a break from Childcare and took a course in computers. Unfourtany this course was too easy for me as I had learnt it all while in secondary school. But I stuck it out for the year and after that I had had enough of studying and decided to leave college and get a full time job

It's now 2008 and the world has gone into recession so I have no other choice but to sign on and get unemployment benefits, it was not something I wanted to do but was left with no choice as I was unable to find work and needed to eat. I was signed on for two years and in that time I attended a 13 week course which by the end of it you are suppose to have a job. Which is bullshit because all you did for 13 weeks was sit there and do nothing which was highly frustrating when you just want a job.

Fast forward to 2010 and I was lucky enough to get a part time job working in a school with children who have special needs. So before I started my first day I signed off the dole system for the last time and set about earning my own money by working. Unfortunately it's only an hour a day but three years later and I'm still there.

In the three years I have been at that school I feel I've done everything possible to gain full time work. Being a nanny is no longer something I want. I'm now looking to be a teaching assistant either with special needs children or in a mainstream school. I have the qualifications to do this since I left college but was lacking experience.

So in 2011 I joined a agency that specialises in getting people that wish to be teaching assistant to do supply work in schools. This didn't seem to apply to me as I was told that because I didn't have experience they were unable to place me in any schools (that was really upsetting as to get experience you need a job, but to get a job you need experience it's a catch 22) throught 2011 and into 2012 I lived in hope of getting some supply work but with no luck I thought I would take matters into my own hands.

In March 2012 I applied to a local school and asked if I could do some voluntary work twice a week for a couple hours in the morning. I did this for 4 months, I had a lot of fun and gained some much needed experience and was something else to add to my CV. For the rest of the year I continued to apply for jobs but was always turned down which is horrible and leaves you feeling worthless and like you're not good enough.

In 2013 my luck turned and was finally given a chance to do some paid supply Teaching Assistant work it was only every now and then but it was what I needed and added to my experience. We are now in October and since being back at work since September I've only had one afternoon of TA work. I'm still applying for work but I'm losing hope and wondering if it's worth starting over and trying my hand at something else.

If you are going through this or something like it. I urge you not to give up even though you most probably want to. Make sure you've done everything you can think of to increase your chances of gaining work, like joining an agency they are normally free to join so join as many as you can, Try voluntary work and updating your CV. You could even try ringing up and asking if they would give you a trial. You are not the only one out there who are going through the same thing you are, just be patient and hang in there because your time will come.

My attempt in getting a full time job is on going but I hope I get a job soon. I hope this has been some help to you and has made you see that you're not alone and hope that I have provided some tips that maybe you didn't think of before. Sorry this was so long.

Just remember don't give up.

Till next time 

XOXO

Debbie. 

P.s if you have any questions then feel free to contact me via the contact section above :)

Make Up For Beginners: Brushes

Hey friend

I've recently been trying to transistion into wearing make up and being a beginner it can be a scary process, with trying to figure out all the different products you are going to need (foundation, concealer, bronzer, blusher, mascara, eyeliner, eyebrow & eye shadows) I think I mentioned them all and then trying to figure out all the different brushes you are going to need. Confusing right?

I did a little research and complied a list of brushes with explainations of what each one is used for. And thought I would share it with you incase you are a beginner like me and have no idea where to start.

Let's get started :)

Kabuki Brush

This brush is best used for all-over face products like mineral foundation or setting powder.

Note: Personally I think this is better for foundation as you can really get the product into the brush and using circular motions apply all over your face. 

Beauty Blender

This sponge can be used to blend in foundation and other liquid products.

Note: if you are looking for a light coverage, dampen sponge before use.

Fan Brush

This brush can be used to lightly dusts on powder. Can also be used to dust away excess products like eyeshadow fallout.

Note: is good to dust on a bronzer or highlighter.

Powder Brush

The powder brush can be used to apply any lighter coverage powders, like blush or bronzer. 

Note: To apply bronzer, suck in your cheeks (also known as the fish face) and apply to the hollows of your cheek bone. To apply blush, smile and apply the blush to the apples of your checks or check picture below.

Foundation Flat Brush

Soft, synthetic brush that allows for smooth foundation application.

Angled Contour Brush

Angled brush that allows for precise contouring along the cheekbones.

Note: This brush is good for applying bronzer to the hollows of your cheeks. 

Concealer Brush

The concealer brush is perfect for precision application and blending of concealer.

Angled Liner Brush

This brush can be used for precise lining with gel eyeliner or eye shadows also works great for eyebrows.

Note: Brush would be great for your eyebrows with eyebrow shadow.

Setting Brush

This big round brush would be good to set your make up. Apply the powder to your brush and dust over your face, focusing on the places where you may get shiny.

That's it friend, I hope I was able to provide some help with deciding on what brushes you need for what :)

To buy these brushes then you can just click here :)

Till next time

XOXO

Debbie

Disclaimer: all images are from the elf website.

City of Ashes Book Review

Hey friend

The other day I finished the second installment of The Mortal Instruments Series which is featured on my Autumn reading list and I promised a review so here it is :)

City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments #2)

By Cassandra Clare

2008

453 Pages

Description: 

Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like Werewolves, Vampires and Faries? If Clary left the world of the Shadow-hunting behind, it would mean more time with her best friend Simon.

But the Shadowhunting world isn't ready to let her go - especially her newfound brother Jace. And Clary's only chance to help her mother is to track down Rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil and also her father

Review

Storyline: I quite liked the storyline for this book, it pretty much follows on from the first book, only this time Valentine is trying to destroy the world and Clary and Jace must fight against him to save the world. The storyline between Clary and Jace is a little disturbing as this is aimed at Young Adults and would probay gross them out but it's not featured too much so you could probably just look past that.

Characters: Most of the characters from the first book are also in this one, with the exception of a few new ones. As the story progresses, each character is explored a bit more and you find out things you might not have figured out from the first book. Each character is well thought out and you can get a sense of the struggles they face throughout the book.

Overall: A great second installment of the series, didn't like the fact there wasn't many chapters but I'm looking forward to reading the next one.

My Rating: 10/10 

Would I Recommend?: yes, if you enjoyed the first book then I've no doubts that you will enjoy this one :)

Feel free to contact me in anyway shape or form in the contact section above :)

Till next time

XOXO

Debbie

Sunday Books #6

Hey friend

Wow it's already the 6th of October. I feel like I'm losing days in a blink of an eye, I'm almost to scared to blink incase it becomes Christmas hehe. 

Here are this weekends book suggestions :)

Bridget Jones: Mad About Boys

By Helen Fielding

10th Oct 2013

400 Pages

Description: 

The author introduces us to a whole new, enticing phase of Bridget's life, set in London, including the challenges of maintaining sex appeal as they years roll by, and the nightmares of drunken texting, the skinny jean, the disastrous e-mail cc, total lack of Twitter followers and TVs that need ninety buttons and three remotes to simple turn on.

Due for release on 10th October 2013 and you can pre-order your copy here :)

The Secret Keeper

By Kate Morton

9th May 2013

600 Pages

Description: 

1961: on a sweltering summers day, while her family picnics by the stream in their Suffolk farm, sixteen-year-old Laurel hides out in her childhood tree house dreaming of a boy called Billy. But before the idyllic afternoon is over, Laurel will have witnessed a shocking crime that changed everything. 

2011: Now a much-loved actress, Laurel finds herself overwhelmed by shades of the past. Haunted by memories, and the mystery of what she saw that day, she returns to her family home and begins to piece together a secret history. 

You can buy your copy here :)

That's it for this weekend, let me know if you plan on reading any of these books :)

Till next time

XOXO

Debbie

Disclaimer: All information and pictures was found on Amazon and Google.

Halloween Pinterest #1

Hey friend

With Halloween being at the end of the month I thought it was only right that I dedicated all of Octobers Pinterest posts to Halloween. That way when the 31st hits you will be ready for all those trick or treaters.

Top tip

For all those kiddies, fill plastic gloves with some sweets till it up and you have yourself a spooky glove filled with delicious treats :)

Decorations

Grab yourself a marker and get drawing.

Costume Ideas

Your typical witch and batwoman costume

Nails

Halloween Make Up

Till next time

XOXO

Debbie