Rimmel Apocalips - Celestial.

It has been hard to escape the clutches of the new Apocalips lip products from Rimmel recently. Bloggers have gone mad for them and I can see why. They're reasonably priced, especially if makeup is on a 3 for 2 offer in Boots which it often is, and the colours seem really pigmented and good value for money.

I was inspired by a few reviews and swatch posts (mainly Fleur, Vivianna and Lucy) to buy a couple for myself. I wasn't too sure which colours to go for but in the end I opted for Celestial and Stellar. I wanted one bright shade and one subtle shade and felt like Celestial and Stellar fitted the bill.

With it being such a long time since I have worn bright lipsticks I find Stellar pretty terrifying, although I did wear it recently on a night out using a dab of lip balm to mute it slightly.

Celestial is much more my cup of tea and seems like a shade that would be suitable for any kind of occasion. Plus it seems to suit my skin tone and I feel confident that I can pull it off.

Although the initial application gives really good coverage and a brilliant pop of colour, I actually prefer it when the colour has "settled" a little bit as I don't feel like it's as smudge-able or like I have it all over my teeth.

I am not sure whether I will venture further into the range and purchase any more, as I do prefer a regular lipstick formula over these "lip lacquers", but I am pleased with the colour Celestial and can see myself getting plenty of use out if it. Stellar, on the other hand, may take a bit more time to use up!

Have you tried any of the Apocalips colours? 

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Canon 1100D.

I recently took the plunge and treated myself to a new camera. The Canon 1100D to be precise. I wanted to step up from my digital camera without venturing too far into fancy camera land, and this model seemed to be the one most recommended for beginners.

My digital camera has served me well and will still be used all the time, but it only takes good photos outdoors or indoors on a bright, sunny day which isn't always ideal.

I love taking photos on holidays and days out, as well as capturing outfits, makeup and the Pugs for my blog, and I thought it was about time I made an investment into something that would be more reliable.

Still very much sticking to "auto" mode, but dabbling slightly in the macro and sport settings, my initial impressions are very, very good. Since I bought the camera the sun hasn't made an appearance but even indoor nighttime photos using the flash come out so much better than my digitial camera ever did outdoors in perfect conditions.

I am really excited about getting into photography a lot more and (hopefully) taking some great photos. Lily and Lola have been very patient models for me and I have been enticing them to keep still using their favourite treats. But before they become obese through doggie treats I plan to venture outside or take the camera on a day out somewhere to really give it a good testing out.

Do you have this camera? Any tips for a beginner like me? Have you done any photography courses or would you recommend doing one as a newbie?

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Cocoa Wonderland, Sheffield.

At the weekend my friend and I ventured into Sheffield to visit somewhere we have had our eye on for a while but not found time to visit; Cocoa Wonderland. Sounds pretty fancy doesn't it?

I originally stumbled upon their website when I was trying to find some book and craft clubs in South Yorkshire, as Cocoa run a book club and a knitting club on a regular basis so they popped up in my results. We weren't too sure whether there was the option to sit inside and have treats as well as buying chocolate to take away, but we decided to take a drive up there to find out.

When you walk inside you're met with a small shop area with chocolate everywhere. It's brilliant. It was so busy when we arrived, possibly due to lots of people purchasing last minute Mothers Day presents, that we headed straight through the shop into the small downstairs seating area. Luckily there was a little cosy corner with a couple of free chairs and a table just right for the two of us. There was more seating upstairs, and I'd have loved to go up to have a nosy at the decor, but we stuck to downstairs and perused the menus.

If I ran a chocolate shop/cafe, I would want it to be kitted out just like Cocoa is. Well-worn armchairs, vintage framed postcards and artwork covering every wall surface, and shelves full of pretty items to purchase from giant Easter eggs to fancy photo frames, stripey drinking straws, paper lanterns, and fabric purses.

It can only be described as the Alice in Wonderland of chocolate shops. I only wish I had taken my 'proper' camera instead of having to take snaps with my iPhone, but hopefully you get the gist of it!

What happened next can only be described as a distinct lack of judgement when we placed our orders. We both went for hot chocolate AND a chocolate based cake. Katy had the Rocky Road hot chocolate along with a huge pecan brownie. I opted for the "thick" hot chocolate and a huge slab of double chocolate gateaux.

My chocolate gateaux was delicious and I ate every last morsel of it. The thick hot chocolate was just too rich for me and I utterly regretted not going for a strawberry and white chocolate milkshake, a cup of regular tea, or a normal milky hot chocolate.

Katy polished off her hot chocolate which was topped with "rocky road" goodies but only managed half of her brownie (although I think the other half lasted for about 30 minutes once she got it home...) I had a cheeky bite of the brownie and can confirm it was delicious!

We will be going back without a doubt! Next time we would like to sample one of the tasting platters and I am determined to try a milkshake, as I had complete envy over the other diners who had opted for one.

On our way out we needed to pick up a few bits from the shop for Mothers Day but it was still heaving, with the queue snaking round the shop and nobody quite knowing who was next. The girls behind the counter did a cracking job of serving us all quickly with a smile on their faces, and the time in the queue gave us chance to have a look at the truffles behind the counter and some of the bars of chocolate on display, although it was difficult to get a look at everything. 

We ordered our boxes of truffles, which were wrapped beautifully, and made our way out of the shop and back to the car feeling a little high on sugar but happy nonetheless.

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25 facts about me (part 2).

If you missed part one it's here. Since I published those 25 facts other facts have been popping into my head at random intervals so I thought a second, and final, blog post was in order! I hope you enjoy reading my silly facts.

1) When I was in my teens my friends would say I was a boyband managers dream. Westlife, Boyzone, O Town (remember them!), Hanson, Busted, McFly. You name them, I probably liked them!

2) Talking of Busted, I had the chance to be in two of their videos but had to miss out due to A-level exams.

3) The A-levels I took were English Language, Textiles, Sociology and General Studies. I did very little revision and wish I had worked harder.

4) I hope to buy a Nissan Figaro in the next few years.

5) I passed my driving test (first time) about 10 years ago, and for 9 of those years I have been driving Smart cars.

Source

6) My biggest celebrity crush is Joseph Gordon Levitt.

7) I have been to Orlando 5 times and absolutely love it there.

8) I visited the Natural History Museum when I was younger and the animatronic T-Rex made me cry. I am still scared of dinosaurs now. I can't watch Jurassic Park!

9) My parents once phoned school to say my sister and I were poorly then took us to American Adventure for the day (haha). The only thing I remember was crying on the third log flume slope as the first and second were so scary, as well as breaking down in the car on the way home.

10) I had my first asthma attack when I was really young whilst visiting my grandparents. I discovered I was allergic to things like feathers, peanuts and cats all of which I had come into contact with on my trip.

11) My asthma doesn't affect me so much as an adult but I still avoid feather pillows (not peanuts though, yum!) and "bristly" creatures such as guinea pigs which can bring me out in a rash.

12) I don't drink/like fizzy drinks.

13) I am a die-hard tea fan but every now and then I CRAVE a cup of coffee and have to have one immediately.

14) I am very sentimental and keep momentos from places I visit.

Source

15) My favourite books to read are "chick lit" books but I'm also a huge fan of Stephen King novels, especially The Shining.

16) I wish I had been nicer to my parents when I was growing up.

17) When I was little I wanted to be a barmaid, a vet or a pilot. Hmm!

18) I once had a flying lesson where I took the controls and flew the plane. It was awesome!

19) I have never known what to do in life career wise.

20) When I was at sixth form I worked at Boots every weekend and even stayed on when I started working full time as I enjoyed it there so much.

21) When I get married I would like to double-barrell my surname.

22) I like to think I am romantic.

23) If I ever had plastic surgery I would change my nose.

24) I have stupidly long toes.

25) My middle name is Claire.

So there you go! I hope you feel like you know me a little bit better after reading 50 facts about me. I had a lot of fun delving into the depths of my brain to think them up (apart from things like my middle name and telling you about my long toes. It wasn't too hard to remember those things ;))

If you made it this far and read all of my facts leave a comment to let me know a random fact about you. I'll stop by and read your blog too if you have one! I'm on the hunt for new reading material!

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The week/end.

This week I have been:

• making the most of a week at home before returning to normality (i.e. work) next week. I get a sad pleasure from seeing the washing basket empty.

• cross stitching my little heart out trying to finish the February square from my Woodland Sampler.

• playing with my new camera and not really knowing what I'm doing (thanks for the help Rosie!)

• watching episodes of The Walking Dead and The Following, mainly hiding behind my hands.

• bawling my eyes out at the last episode of Derek.

• searching for a well fitted blazer that will go with jeans, black work trousers and smart dresses but not managing to find one.

• stroking my latest shoe purchase (Jeffrey Campbell studded pumps c/o Sarenza) and wishing the rain would go away so I can actually wear them.

• reading The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets and wishing I enjoyed it more.

• exercising like a woman on a mission and feeling pretty great.

• enjoying my peachier rear (see point above).

• making old Yankee Candle jars into storage pots.

• attempting to give blood before having my appointment slot cancelled as apparently I didn't give enough notice. Don't they realise if I book it too far in advance I will chicken out!

This weekend I will be:

• cleaning the house ready for visitors on both Saturday and Sunday.

• taking a jaunt to Meadowhall to find a perfect blazer (see earlier point).

• visiting Cocoa Wonderland for tea and cake.

• having curry with friends.

• playing games and being silly with said friends.

• ringing my Mum to wish her Happy Mothers Day and to check she got her gift.

• cooking for Jonathan's family.

• enjoying an early night on Sunday ready for the start of a new week.

How about you?  What have you been up to this week and what plans have you got for the weekend?

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