Bootiful

 I walked into Ecco for possibly the first time the other day. I was actually going in to take a look at the kiddie shoes as I had always classed the brand (wrongly) as one for older people or younger ones, not fashion savvy types... So imagine my surprise to see a great selection of boots that tick all the boxes in style terms. I think these ankle boots are very cool with a classic feel. Great with skinnies and thick wool tights and skirts...

They come in three great shades - sepia, black and this olive grey colour which is kinda interesting...

I liked these knee high flat boots a lot too. They're not going to set the world alight with fashion fire but they are classic with a good heel height and toe shape and they are a nice width so they don't gape on the calf.
Also, at the risk of sounding really old, and for this I apologise - but I have to tell you they are really comfy!

Ecco Shoes - who knew!

Freckles Are Beautiful...

...and most people who have them, hate them.

To me they are so cute...

...and should never be covered (it always looks bad when they are concealed)

They are part of your face and part of your prettiness. 

Freckles are beautiful, so don't ever think otherwise...

{Thursday Home Loves} Wall Decor

I like this idea and it would be pretty easy to create your own version...just get a load of sheet music and arrange in a collage, put in a cool frame and there you go - musical walls!

This shot is from Kate Spade's office. I love the slightly retro feel and the mix of graphics and text...

Isn't this cool... A map wall. I love that little ol' Ireland is there!

What a nice arrangement of plates. So much better than just one or two...throw the whole lot up in a nice shape and you get art!

(pics from country living, mmmcrafts & Pinterest)

A Circus Of Citrus

It is always slightly odd watching the Spring shows when you're just beginning to relish the idea of Winter but great design is great design - any time of year so it's not that hard to embrace the colours that we will inevitably be craving next year. I really like this citrus collection by Christian Siriano... what amazing brights!

I really like the long, lean silhouette of these skirt and t-shirt combos...

A shot of neon chartreuse with nude...never fails to please me.

Lemon Heaven...

Orange pop with stripes. Gorgeous! Now, where's that sun!

Bourjois 10 Sleep Effect - Really?

I have to admit to laughing at myself because I made an audible 'Oooh' when I spotted this bottle of foundation on the Bourjois stand! I generally like to think of myself as someone who doesn't fall for a marketing 'line' especially when it comes to makeup. But the '10 hour sleep effect' got me. Hook, line and sinker. Seeing as I haven't had anything close to ten hours of sleep in two and a half years and after December I will get decidedly less as I'll up for night feeds again, I though I'd give this little peach bottle a whirl...
I am a genuine fan of Bourjois. I think their products are real performers in the budget beauty category so I had a certain amount of confidence in this before I started with it. But I do know that my skin provides quite the challenge due to the tiredness of pregnancy mixed with running after a toddler as well as working. To say I'm a Mum on the run is an understatement! What I mean by that is that I was quite willing to let it off the hook if it didn't perk my skin up...I would test it on others as well, before I judged it completely.
No need!! It's absolutely great! I am honestly so impressed with it and I really think my skin looks better. I dare say it looks even better than it does in my usual MAC Face & Body (which I will never talk down as it is wonderful) but this is so good for such a good price (€13.99)
I find the coverage to be light to medium - don't expect heavy coverage. You can layer within reason without it caking and although it doesn't seem to contain pearly bits - it seriously brightens my skin. They say this is down to it's content of vitamins E, F and B5. It's oil free too which is great for combination skins. I bought shade 71 which is the palest and it is good for me. Being a budget brand, they don't have a huge shade extension but if you slot into one of their shades, you should be happy with this product. Best applied with fingers for perfect blending, this is one product I will continue to use both for myself and on my clients and makeup courses.

So long Tired Face (for now!)

{Wedding Wednesday} Dress Divine

Be still my beating heart...these dresses are perfection! I have always had a thing for Italian designers, Le Spose di Gio. They design ethereal, elegant dresses in wonderful fabric that are miles away from the structured, bustier topped, big skirted dresses that I am extremely tired of...

Isn't this two piece so beautiful, it looks relaxed and low key yet so very perfect for a bride. Look at the swish in the fabric....Heaven!

I adore this one. A lot! No detail, just a perfect cut and sheer, fluid lines...

They have an atelier in London and one day I hope to visit it if only to feel these amazing dresses (and perhaps to have a little try on!)

{Makeup Monday} Smashbox Primer

Do you ever find that sometimes your skin fluctuates and becomes a bit de-hydrated due to environmental factors? Or just being a bit lax on downing those 2 vital litres of water? Mine certainly does and I find it frustrating as it makes my foundation look more matte and patchy as my skin tries to take extra moisture from the oil content in my foundation.

Well, help is at hand from those experts in primers - Smashbox. Seriously, they take priming to a whole new level with something like eight in their arsenal at this stage. For the record, I rate the original one and the new luminizing one very highly too but this is the hydrating primer and it is very, very good indeed.

It adds a touch more moisture and slip to the skin without adding a layer of oil, so foundations glide on well and I have found it very useful both on myself and on clients with dry/combination skin. It is great under a semi-matte foundation too as it makes it a bit more dewy but not so much as to slide off. 

This hydrating primer is definitely the best way to give a moisture hit to the skin that leaves your base looking right. Adding more layers of your moisturiser to ramp up hydration levels is never good for makeup application; it's a one way ticket to Shinesville!