My blog's midlife crisis

I haven't posted in a couple weeks, partly because I've been super mega wicked busy, and partly because I have had a bit of a bloggerlife crisis!

I guess, for a while at least, I felt like I didn't know where I fit in the bloggersphere - I refer to my blog as a fashion/beauty blog, but unlike a lot of f/bbloggers, I don't have the dollar to go out and spend my salary/hypothetical student loan on goodies to review! I am supporting my partner through his studies, which is the most selfless and rewarding thing I have ever done for anyone and I am so grateful (yes really!) to have this opportunity to help someone else! However, it does mean that my salary gets stretched across 2 people and there's not a lot left over for Chanel and Nars.  Unfortunately!  I wouldn't have it any other way right now, I really wouldn't, but at the same time I feel like a fake, saying I'm a f/bblogger, when I don't much to blog about!

On another level, I don't like people thinking that I'm vapid and obsessed with cosmetics.  I have been, sure, aren't we all (at least everyone who's reading this can empathise!)? I got obsessed about active skin care until I ruined my face and made my skin ridiculously sensitive, so I transferred to haircare.  Now my scalp is really sensitive (sigh) I have turned my attention to makeup ... which is making me break out!!.  It got to the stage where the weekend before last I tried a new foundation and it oxidised and turned me orange.  I didn't have time to reapply my usual, but I decided I would rather look like an oompa loompa rather than taking 30secs to remove my makeup and go out barefaced! Don't get me wrong -  I love makeup, I love fashion, I love changing up my look and being able to express myself through appearance.  But...I feel like all these perfect-looking bbloggers that wear 300 high-end products on their face before they leave the house, are making me feel like I should be doing that too.  And I don't think I want to!

I suppose my point is that I love blogging, I love the community and I love all of you guys reading this.  But I want my blog to be MORE than just a bblog.  I want to write out pensive, exploratory posts (much like this one ha) that bore everybody else.  One of the main reasons I started blogging was to meet new people - I've moved around so much the last few years that I have lost touch with most of my friends, and although this is now changing, I don't want to lose the bblogger community that I am just beginning to become part of.

Anyway, I just needed to get it out there, and maybe get some feedback? I don't really have a point to this post.  I know I want to post more, but I often feel that, as I don't have anything new to review,  I don't have any motivation/inspiration for posts!  I guess I want this blog to convey ME and lots of personality etc; I don't want it to be a faceless, nameless bblog.  I just don't know how to go about it!

Thoughts?!

Tali xxxxxxxxxxxxx

FASHION: A/W12-13 Trend#2: Pretty Grunge

Have I mentioned how much I'm loving all the new season clothes coming into the stores right now? Summer with it's floral dresses and ice cream pastels are all very well and good, but give me A/W any day of the week purely for the fashion!

Grunge has been coming back bit by bit - first with Charlotte Free and other hot chicks with alternative style, then with the pastel grunge movement of S/S12.  Now it is full blown gritty urban hawtness and I adore it!

I find it really hard not to just put a million pics of Topshop clothes up right now, because I love pretty much every single thing that Topshop have released so far! I have managed to branch out though and show some pics of non-Topshop clothes, well done me ;)

Black PU Skirt with Studded Waistband (Fashion Union); Camo Army Jacket (Topshop); Cross Stitch Hat (Topshop); Black Biker Boots (River Island); Lace Cross Open Shoulder Sweat (Topshop)

Ok I've kinda gone overboard on the Topshop, but I need need need need need that open shoulder burgandy sweater like now!!

Can I be Charlotte Free please?

Tali xxx

Exercise IS fun (and good for you I hear...)

For about six months, I had done no exercise other than walking and the (very) occasional zumba class.  Don't get me wrong, I wasn't unhealthy or overweight, I was just lazy and very unfit!  I never thought I was a running person, after I tried to jog a couple years ago and ended up collapsing in my shower as soon as I got home (true story!).  However, getting out of breath when you've walked up a flight of stairs is generally not a indicator of good health, and nor is it very attractive, so I decided to change my lifestyle up a bit.  

I started running properly about, hmm, three months ago I think.  I do interval training (basically where you alternate running with walking in short bursts, which is supposed to be better for your heart) using an iPhone app called '5k runner'.  You can get a free version of this app called '5k free' which gives you 4 different running options - week 1 day 1, week 1 day 2, week 1 day 3, week 2 day 1.  I can't recommend this app enough!! It tells you when to run and when to walk, building the times up slowly for each run, and lets you listen to your music at the same time!

Anyway, technicalities aside, I found that I CAN RUN!! And more importantly, I freaking love it!! I exclusively listen to cheese, RnB, dance and hip hop while I run (makes a change from my usual pop punk and emo) as I find it gives me so much energy and enthusiasm.  I try and go 2-3 times a week, and sometimes it's mega easy, sometimes I hit the wall within 30 seconds haha, but the important thing is persevering.

And check out the gorgeous countryside I get to run through (there's a 30mile trail that goes past my house that I normally run on):

Another thing I've been doing, every night that I don't run, is yoga! I never used to be able to touch my knees let alone my toes (slight exaggeration, but you get the idea.. the perils of having 3ft legs!), but now I can nearly nearly touch the floor.  I find yoga really good for stress levels, as well as just unwinding and tuning in to your body after a hard day at work.

So yes, I'm back to being an exercise fanatic, but it really makes so much difference to my fatigue levels and my general happiness :)

What exercise, if any, do you do?

Xxxx

MEMEME: Week in Pictures 4

She's sleeping on mah face - cutey kitties; me stuck outside in torrential rain for 2 hours while the bus never turned up; Sparrow sleeping under the duvet; Finished GoT#3; Mike sitting on his humongous pile of new clothes; me with Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Lip Balm Stain in Lovesick; again; cutey kitties again; kitteh lovers; Frankie and Benny's breakfast; Mike showcasing some new clothes; me with Lovesick again again lol

Other than me getting massively ill after the getting stuck outside in the previously-mentioned storm, it's been a good week! I had to take Thursday and Friday off cos I felt so ill - thought I had a cold coming but I'm totally fine now?! Not complaining anyway!! Was ok to have those two days off really - I just slept and chilled out with the kittehcats so I almost enjoyed being ill :)

Finally finished Game of Thrones book 3, and started book 4.  However, book 4 actually made me angry haha, I can't believe what's happened and it's annoyed me, so I'm currently refusing to read any more on principle! Sure I'll get over it and pick the book up soon but for now I'm just mad...you'll know what I mean if you've read it!

I was Mike's personal stylist yesterday (Saturday) - he only buys the odd bits of clothing here and there, and has been feeling a bit crap about himself for a while, so we decided to spend some of his student loan injection on shopping! Woo! I'm normally such a bad person to go shopping with him - he's totally patient and even makes suggestions whenever we're in girlie shops (I know right?!), but when we normally go into any man shop, I'm tutting and looking at my watch etc... so I thought I owed him one! He got his hair done, and bought some beautiful Superdry trawler/workman boots, and lots and lots of other things for *cough* £400! He said he'll do the same for me too soon, woohoo! Haha, but seriously, it's nice to see him with a whole new wardrobe and feeling good about himself.

As a 'thanks for your help and I'm shocked at your patience' treat, I got to go to boots, and bought Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Lip Balm Stain in Lovesick, which has amazing colour payoff and pigmentation, sticks around for EVER (I woke up this morning and my lips were still a little pinker than usual! and YES I had taken my makeup off last night) and isn't drying my lips yet! I also got a Max Factor False Lash Effect mascara - it is so good to have eyelashes again, unlike with my ruined Dior mascara wand! And, although I was looking for the Dove Hair Nourishing Oil Leave in Conditioning&Care Spray, it was nowhere to be seen so I settled with Aussie Dual Personality Anti-Frizz Conditioning Milk.  I'll let you know how it is!

Tali xxx

BEST OF: August 2012

Although I haven't really bought that much in the way of beauty products in the last few months (not sure how that happened!!) I want to get into the habit of rounding up the month in products and anything else that comes to mind!

Favourite products of August:

• Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint 
• Tresemme Naturals Vibrantly Smooth Conditioner (shampoo is good too!)
• Schwarzkopf got2b Powder'ful
• Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer
• Bare Minerals Pure Radiance

Biggest lusthaves of August:

• Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Lip Balm Stain.  You've already heard the hype elsewhere I'm sure! I want need it in Lovesick, Rendezvous and Romantic.. and maybe Honey... ***
• NARS Deep Throat blush after seeing it on Emma (Milkteef) here.  I've wanted a NARS blush for approximately forever so may have to treat myself!
• New mascara.  Any will do as long as it's not my Dior Blackout ever again!!

***You may have already seen if you follow my Instagram (sugarandsakura) or my twitter (@TaliLowe) but I kinda caved and bought the Revlon Lip Balm Stain in Lovesick.  It's amazing!! Lasts so well and such a bright pop of colour :)

Favourite new blog of August:

A big name in blogging perhaps, but I'd never visited Kate's site, Gh0stparties, until a couple of weeks ago, and now I'm hooked!!

REVIEW: Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint

I've mentioned my love for this product before I know, but I thought it deserved a more in depth review :)  I lived on free samples of this foundation/tinted moisturiser for a while, and was so impressed with it I decided to buy the full size version.  I couldn't believe my luck actually - I was going to buy the 'Liz Earle trio' (Cleanse and Polish, Skin Tonic and Skin Repair moisturiser) and the Sheer Skin Tint anyway, so guess what the August bundle was? All four products for just £41 (worth over £66)!! I snapped that bad boy up on the first day of the deal ;)  The deal ends on 5th September so what are you waiting for? Go go go!!

Liz Earle describes this product as:

"The perfect way to enhance your skin. Our rich and creamy, yet lightweight formula leaves all skin types looking naturally dewy, even and radiant. With mineral UV protection SPF15, it’s enriched with our own blend of natural source vitamin E, borage and avocado, specially selected to work in harmony with our skincare range."

Me with no makeup on *gulp* I'm still recovering from being ill so be nice!

 Me with just Sheer Skin tint on my skin, and a tiny bit of mascara and Korres tinted lip balm.

Full face on - over Sheer Skin Tint is No7 pressed powder (now discontinued), No7 Natural Blush Cheek Colour, Bare Minerals Pure Radiance to subtly highlight,  Eyes - MAC Paint Pot in Vintage Selection (LE), L'oreal Carbon Gloss liquid liner, Lips - Chanel lipstick in Rouge Orage

I'm in two minds about this product, but generally I really really like it.  Most foundations aggravate my uber sensitive skin, but this in fact seems to soothe it!  A lot of makeup also seems to break me out at the moment, but Sheer Skin Tint makes my spots disappear... I kid you not!! On the rare occasions my rosacea flares up, this foundation clears it up.  So it's kind of a win/win for me.  

I have quite dry skin so I'm sold on anything that makes my complexion dewy and glowy.  If you prefer a matte finish, this foundation is not for you.  Sometimes I feel like this product makes me almost too shiny, so beware.  Of course, you can just set it with a matte powder and then you're fine, which I sometimes do.  For daytime wear, when I like having light coverage and radiant skin, this product is perfect for me.

So why am I in two minds about it? It is really really REALLY light coverage! I have quite dark shadows under my eyes, and the sides of my nose are red thanks to broken capillaries, but that's pretty much all that's wrong with my skin - I'm lucky not to have any scarring, and I don't break out that often.  Even for the sides of my nose and under my eyes, though, I find myself reaching for my concealer to mix with the Skin Tint (is it kosher to mix concealer and foundation?! Please tell me if this is taboo!) for better coverage.  

So yeah, I would prefer something with slightly more coverage, but as this is marketed more as a tinted moisturiser than a heavy duty foundation I can't really complain!  I do love the fact that it seems to be good for my skin and calms it down rather than being irritating or making me break out (this may not be the case for other people though so always patch test!).  It's a total "my skin but better" product, giving me a radiant and evened-out complexion, but don't buy it if you want/need better coverage :)

FASHION: A/W12-13 Trend#1: GLAM GOTH

Is it just me who can really feel the changing of the seasons right now? The crispness in the morning air, the leaves beginning to turn colour and the deluge of rain yesterday can only mean one thing - winter is coming (nope, that line never gets old!). 

Autumn/winter does come with some benefits - Christmas, cosying up, hot chocolate and of course A/W fashion! I get so much more excited about this season than I do about S/S in terms of fashion (obvs I always look forward to summer weather, but in Scotland summer sometimes doesn't arrive!).  

A/W clothes for the last few years have been what I would call 'elegant goth'.  Dark lace and leather, but with opulent textures like fur and velvet softening the look.  This look is sticking around for another year, and here are my favourite items so far for the look:

Mini PU Peplum Dress (Miss Selfridge); Bob Studded Ankle boot (Schuh); Oxblood Pleated Dip Hem Skirt (Topshop); Black Marcella Dipped Hem Dress (Quiz); Corset Stretch Buckle Belt (New Look)