Snapshots of New York

I love, love, love to travel. My life dream is that I'll visit as many countries as I can and hopefully visit all the wonders of the world in my time here.

At the end of last year I made a trip to New York which is a city I had been longing to go visit for sometime, heavily influenced by tv shows, movies and my love for the American food and lifestyle!

New York was so amazing especially during the holiday season. We never got to complete everything we wanted to see/do there so it would be lovely to go back in the warmer weather next time.

Have you been to New York?

All the small things...

A lot of shops in the UK cater for plus size women but there doesn't seem to be a huge range on offer for the Petite or Tall ladies.

Being only 5ft 1, I often find it a struggle to find clothes that fit perfectly especially when it comes to trousers, skirts and dresses.

The department stores such as Debenhams and House of Fraser do offer a petite range but it seems to be quite limited and not always in the most recent trends. I also recently noticed that both TU at Sainsbury's and F&F at Tesco have discontinued their petite range which I often relied on to pick up basics such as work trousers and sports wear. This left me questioning just how much petite range is on offer to us little ladies in the UK.

Both Topshop and Miss Selfridge (both part of the Arcadia group) offer a range for ladies under 5 ft 3 but surprisingly only offer this in sizes 4-14.

Dorothy Perkins (also part of the Arcadia group) seems to offer a better size range in sizes 4-18.

Next has always been a favourite of mine for picking up good quality knitwear and basics as well as workwear and they provide the range in sizes 6-18.

In terms of online stores, ASOS seem to do a fantastic range in sizes 4-16 and often have some really amazing items exclusive to the petite range.

I also noticed recently that New Look have finally launched a petite range and this looks really impressive. Available in sizes 4-16 they seem to have some really on trend items, key pieces and some online exclusive for the little ladies. They also seemed to be the most reasonably priced including a leg length of 28" on some trousers which is some of the shortest length i've seen.

Do you struggle finding clothes to fit either being too tall or too small?

B. Pure Micellar Water....a Bioderma dupe?

After picking up my usual generic products from Superdrug yesterday (cotton pads, dry shampoo...), I noticed at the till an advertisement for the new B. Pure range Micellar Water at the till.

I've been a fan of the Bioderma Sensibio H20 water after reading all the hype and picking up a bottle in Paris late last year. Worrying that I was nearing the end of that bottle and it's not so easy to pick up in the UK, this new product find couldn't have come at a better time. 

After testing when I removed my make up yesterday, I can say I see absolutely no difference in the performance if has of removing my make up at all. I generally use the cleansing water first to remove the majority of my foundation/eye make up and then use the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish to remove the final bits and really give my face a good clean.

Now to compare the two..

Bioderma Ingredients: Water (Aqua), PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glyerides, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, PEG-40 Hyrdrogenated Castor Oil, Ammonium Lactate, Propylene Glycol, Cucumis Sativus (cucumber) fruit extract, Mannitol, Xylitol, Rhamnose, Fructooligosaccharides, Disodium Edta, Cetrimonium Bromide

B. Pure Ingredients: Aqua, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glyerides, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Pentylene Glycol, Disodium Cocoyl, Glutamate, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Glycol, Cucumis Sativus Juice, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Mehylpropanediol, Citric Acid, Phosphoric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Pottassium, Sorbate, Sodium Sulfite

As you can see the main ingredients are quite similar.

The one thing I did notice with the B. Pure was that it advised that it was suitable for the delicate eye area and then further on states to avoid contact with eyes! However, I have fairly sensitive eyes and experienced no stinging or redness after using this to remove the my eye make up including waterproof mascara.

Bioderma isn't readily available in the UK at the moment. I heard a rumour that Boots would be stocking this soon so at the minute it's quite limited to Ebay and you pick up the 100ml bottle for around £7.50 with shipping. 

B. Pure water is on a special offer price of £3.99 for 150ml, usually £4.99 and should be available from most Superdrug stores and their website.

Have you tried or can recommend any cleansing waters?

Nat x

Benefit Fine One One Review

I have been using Benefit products for years and had high hopes for this new cream colour for cheeks.

The product is held in a deodorant style, rose gold tube which looks pretty impressive on the dressing table.

The idea of this product is that it has three shades; pink champagne, sheer watermelon and coral. After swiping on you are left with three stripes that you then blend together in an upwards circular motion to create an even streak free finish. You can also just use the champagne colour for more highlight or a mix of the colours or one individual as a colour for the lips.

The texture and feel of this product are amazing and I really love the concept but the product just is not visible enough for me on my cheeks...and this is at my palest without any fake tan! It does leave a subtle glow but not enough pigmentation for my liking. I think this would be more suitable for days when you really do want to look like you have the no make up/make up look. I have tried building up the colour but it's nearly impossible to get the stripes aligned the second time round.

I have read some amazing reviews on this product so really disappointed this did not work for me...unless anybody has any tips on how I can make this work or maybe Benefit will bring out a darker version/different colour option in the near future.

It's available now from any Benefit stockist and retails at £23.50

Have you tried this? What did you think of it?

Nat x

Valentines Day Gift Ideas....For Him

So last time it was ideas for the girls.... this time ideas for the guys....

with

1. The Nespresso Delonghi Lattissima - http://www.debenhams.com - £230.00

This fancy coffee machine will look impressive on any kitchen counter

2. Lomography La Sardina Belle Starr Camera - http://www.urbanoutfitters.com - £180.00

If the man in your life is into his photography why not get him a camera that's a little different

3. IPad Case - http://www.allsaints.com - £45.00

A stylish and classic case to keep his IPad safe

4. Scratch Map - http://www.iwantoneofthose.com - £9.99

The perfect gift for a keen traveller

5. Treasure Hunt - http://www.marksandspencer.com - £2.50

Add a little bit of fun into Valentines Day with this personalised treasure hunt kit

6. Gordon Ramsay's Great British Pub Food - http://www.amazon.co.uk - £16.00

Traditional non fussy pub grub...hopefully you'll also get to taste what he tries to make

7. Craziest Driving experience day http://www.redletterdays.co.uk - £99.00

Forget the standard drive a Ferrari days...send him on this experience day with a difference

Valentines Day Gift Ideas....For Her

With Valentines Day lurking around the corner, I thought i'd start off with a few gift ideas for the females.....

1. Pugs & Kisses card - Urban Outfitters - £3.50

Who can resist a little pug dog?! Simple but would put a smile on anyone's face.

2. Yankee Candle - Various outlets - Prices vary

I don't know of any females who wouldn't be pleased with a candle for any gift...Yankee is a favourite brand of mine and Vanilla is a fairly safe choice of fragrance.

3. Sculpt Your Own Boyfriend Kit - www.prezzybox.com - £9.95

Perfect for that girly friend with a sense of humour....because sometimes it's nice to treat your friend on valentines day too

4. Heart Photo Frame - Debenhams - £20.00

Photo frames are always a winner. Complete with some photos of the two of you and it's easy effort for a thoughtful gift.

5. Spa Experience Day - Red Letter Days - Prices vary

Every female loves to be pampered. Why not buy a her a voucher for two so that she can take you or a friend with her.

6. Valentine heart cake - Waitrose - £11.99

They say food is the way to a man's heart and cake may be the way to a ladies...

7. Michael Kors Rose Gold Watch - Selfridges - £229.00

A classic watch that will put you in her good books for a while...

Who doesn't love a freebie?

I don't think anyone would say no to a freebie now and then.

Flicking through the March edition (yeah... It's still January!) of Cosmopolitan UK, I spotted they have a choice three little Elemis products with next months issue.

There's the option of Softly Softly Daily Moisturiser, Loving Lips Quenching Lip Balm or Skin Clear Mattifying Shine Control Moisturiser.

I will probably end up buying two copies to try and get both moisturisers as I already have enough lip balms and its a fab way to try out the products without splashing the cash for the full size.