My Day Out: Leeds - Kirkstall

I had a day off work on Tuesday and decided that I really wanted to do something nice with it... or at least something full stop! Often I have a day off and end up having a lie in, not getting dressed and ready until the afternoon, pottering around and before I realise its already getting to the evening and I have pretty much wasted the day. So, with that in mind, I am trying to make my days off more activity-based and a bit more interesting!

I have lived in Leeds around 6 months now and haven't really explored anywhere other that the area that I live and the city centre, so we decided we would walk along the Leeds-Liverpool canal and head to Kirkstall (home of Kirkstall brewery and Kirkstall Abbey - if you were interested)

It was a fairly nice day, not too hot for walking and not raining, so we headed along the water's edge. The walk itself is around 4 miles and at a leisurely pace only takes an hour or so.
Our desination at the end was The Bridge Inn at Kirkstall, where we stopped for lunch before heading back. I would definitely recommend the framboise (raspberry beer)

It was just a really pleasant afternoon and felt really good to be outside, getting some fresh air and exploring our local area. Leeds itself is a busy, hectic city, so it was really nice to see a bit of nature and 'countryside' without having to travel. Also, it costs nothing to go for a really nice walk!

I've added some pictures for you to have a little look at.

Thanks for reading. Hopefully I will be able to plan some more interesting days off and write them up too :)

Speak soon
Kirsty x

My first MAC lipstick - 'Diva'

This is a short post about the very exciting thing that happened today...  I bought my very first MAC lipstick! (Actually, first MAC product altogether)

I had wanted one for ages, but after a night out with a friend where we were both wearing red lipstick, I knew I had to get one. Basically, I spent the night touching up the colour after drinks etc, whereas hers stayed on all night. The quality was just so much better.

So, when I was in town, I took a trip to Harvey Nichols to the MAC counter and picked one up. Originally, I had planned to go for 'ruby woo' or 'russian red' but when I got there and swatched a few, I opted for 'diva' - I love it!!!

It is a really deep purpley/red colour - I will put the link in to the MAC website for it, but bear in mind I don't actually think the colour represents what it truly looks like. So definitely go and see for yourself!

Here: MAC - Diva lipstick

Its a bit of an indulgence, but because it feels like such a treat I know it was worth it - and it will be a rare ocassion that I venture back there. Also, its not actually as expensve as other high end brands...

I would love to try out other MAC products when I get the chance, so if you have any recommendations then I'd love to hear what you think! :)
Or maybe any other dupe products that are a bit more budget friendly!

Thanks for reading
Speak soon
Kirsty x

Night out make up look and new lipstick!

I thought I would share my look for a recent night out, including my new favourite red lipstick... Unbelievably, its just £1 from Make-Up Revolution. Absolute bargain.

MUA 'matte perfect' foundation
MUA eyeshadow in 'enchant' and 'starshine'
Eyebrows: MUA eyeshadow in 'fir'
Rimmel liquid liner in 001, black
Avon 'Color trend' powder in 'translucent'
Collection 'super size fat lash' mascara
Make up revolution lipstick in 'rebel with cause'

I really liked this look and like I said, I am really impressed with the lipstick, it stays on really well and only needed occassional touch ups

Thanks for reading!
Speak soon!
Kirsty x

My lazy Saturday night

I never usually get the chance to have a night at home on a Saturday as I work until 11pm 5 days a week, but this week I've been on holiday (not *holiday* unfortuantely... just holiday from work!)... so I was looking forward to some nice relaxing evenings just chilling out at home.

My Saturday night consisted of:

* A lovely bath
* Soap and Glory 'The righteous butter' moisturiser and Boots No. 7 'Youthful eye-serum'
* Snacks! (Sliced apple for the healthy part and of course a few biscuits as a treat!)
* Getting cosy in bed and watching Pretty Little Liars

and...

* A cup of tea :)

Thanks for reading :)
What does everyone else to do relax on a night off??

Speak soon!
Kirsty x

No Spend Day!

Today I thought I would do a blogpost on something I do at least once a week: 'No spend day'

It is literally as it sounds... a day where I don't spend a single penny.

I do this because, firstly, like a lot of people I don't make a fortune in wages *sob sob* snd secondly, it is really satisfying to spend the day not wasting money and actually using up things I have in the house.

There are a few ways in which I do this:

* Walking to and from work:
It takes me around 30 minutes to walk to work, which isn't too bad. I like to put some music on my headphones and its actually really nice to get some fresh air and exercise. The bus is £2.30 for a single fare or £4 for a return, so that is already money saved!

* Take a packed lunch:
We always have something in to make as a packed lunch, be it bread for sandwiches, soup or vegetables to use up and make some pasta and sauce, again its really satisfying to make my own lunch and this can save anything from £3 to £8 depending on what I would have bought!

* Cut out the coffee:
Well, not cut it out exactly, just don't buy it from a coffee shop. If I really fancy one I just make myself one at home, or when I get to work. That saves another £2.50 and you get to have it in your own mug :) (I love the cute one in the picture, I got it in Paris)

It might not sound like much but it could save you around £12 a day and if you do that just one day a week that adds up to over £600 a year!

I hope this was helpful!

Thanks for reading
Speak soon!
Kirsty x

Are primers worth it?

I've never really seen the appeal of using a primer... I just felt like it was a bit of a waste of money, a bit of a 'buzz product' and I didn't really think it would make much difference to my overall make up look or feel.

I saw this MUA 'Pro Base Primer' in Superdrug for around £5 and thought that it was cheap enough to try it out and see if it was any good.

I have been using it for around 2-3 weels now and have to say that I am pleasantly surprised with the results.

My first impression was that it has a really pleasant smell to it, which is always nice. Going into using it, I applied a small amount to clean skin, with the intention of then putting foundation over it. I have to say that after waiting 30 seconds for it to absorb into my skin it left my face feeling really fresh and it made applying my foundation quite a lot easier.

My make up has been lasting all day, which I think is another positive feature and I just feel like for the price it is a very good product.

I am not sure if I am sold on the idea of primers in general, as some of them can be very expensive, but I was happy with the results and I think I would repurchase this.

What do you think about primers? And do you have any suggestions or recommendations for me to try out?

Thanks for reading
Speak soon!
Kirsty x

Get the most from your moisturiser!

I thought I would share a little tip I use to get more out of my cosmetics tubes...

I love my 'Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit' moisturiser, and whilst its not the most expensive product around (about £4) I find that when you think the tube is empty, there is actually a fair bit still in there..

If you make an incision and cut across the top of the tube you can see plenty of moisturiser, then the top part of the tube just slots on and becomes the new 'lid' ... This may sound pointless and a bit tight-fisted, but I actually got 3 days more use out of the moisturiser, and generally felt really satisfied that I hadn't thrown it away :D

Hope this was helpful. I have inserted a picture to illustrate!

Thanks for reading
Speak soon!
Kirsty x
 

Very late 'What I got for Christmas' :)

I know its realllllly late and well overdue, but I just realised that I never posted my 'What I got for Christmas' blog... But I'm sure its still fine to post now, haha. So, here it is...

I was really lucky to get some lovely things and here is quite a lot of what I got:

* Smarties!! (This is a must for Christmas... or at least some form of chocolate in a tube :P)
* Vanilla candles - really nice for making any room smell pleasant.
* A lovely set of body lotion from 'The White Company'
* A flower print dress scarf
* Fluffy socks!! (Again, another must!)
* This really cool recipe book, which is half printed recipes for you to try out and half your own 'scrapbook' area, where you can write in your own recipes or store any that you find... I really love it as I love cooking!
* A gorgeous jewelled mirror for my handbag

* This lovely Soap and Glory bath set

* 'City of Fiends' by Michael Jecks... I have almost finished this book and I am loving it. I will do a review when I am done :)
* Prada 'Amber' perfume

*Cute, snuggly, soft cat pyjamas!!

(I also got a beatiful coat, which I don't have a photograph of)

So, there you go. It is a little rushed, but I wanted to get this blog post out and make sure it didn't reach February before I got round to it!!

I have already enjoyed reading so many other people's blogs about their gifts, so I hope people liked to have a little insight :)



Thanks for reading
Speak soon
Kirsty x

New Year. A few resolutions! 2015

So 2015 has arrived and I thought I would start my first blog post of the New Year by doing pretty much what everyone else has and sharing my 2015 resolutions.. (Not everyone's cup of tea, I know...)

1.  Get driving!
I really want to be able to go places when I want to and not have to rely on public transport. I live around 80 miles away from most of my good friends and family and I want to be able to see them more often. Also, I think its just an independence thing and having a car would be amazing :)

2. See loved ones!
This ties in a little with the first one but its quite simple really... Just to make an effort to travel and see my friends and family, have days/nights out and just enjoy myself in that way.
I live with my fiancee and this is relevant to him aswell, I just really want to make great memories.

3.  Lose weight. Feel better!
This is a standard one I guess, but I do feel that I would like to lose a bit of weight and get a bit fitter. I have started off the year eating healthily and I walk to work every day, which is about a 45 minute walk, so will definitely help exercise-wise.

4. Look for my ideal career!
I currently work as a sales assistant/team member and it is totally fine, but not what I want to do forever. I don't really get that much job satisfaction, so I would really like to find something I enjoy and am genuinely interested in. This is something I have wanted for a while and is very frustrating as its now coming up to 6 years since I left uni... and I'm still no closer to finding anything :(

5. Save money!
Pretty obvious :) Stop spending so much and try to save.

I'm going to leave it at the 5, as to not be exhaustive or unrealistic.

So, I hope I can keep these up for as long as possible. I can but try!! haha...
Has anyone else made any particular resolutions? Or do they have any tips to help me keep mine? lol, they would be very much appreciated!

Thanks for reading
Speak soon
Kirsty x