Beauty Wishlist.

Hey everyone, can we just talk about how cold it is? Seriously, I know it's Ireland but cmon'! Between the wind, rain and sunshine I don't know what to wear.

Anyway this post is on my top 3 high end makeup and beauty items I keep meaning to buy, but just haven't gotten around to it yet. Something always seems to come up that I spend my money on instead (cough pennys cough) :)

#1.

This would have to be the Soleil Tan De Chanel. Which is none other than their ever famous cream bronzer. Cream bronzer scares alot of people but Debenhams in Newbridge gave me a sample before to try and I fell in love! It's almost got a moouse type texture and just blends perfectly on the skin. You can use it under or over your foundation, I personally prefer over it. It only comes in one shade as far as I know and it's a medium-ish shade. It's not too light but not too dark. It seems to blend into any skin tone, just know you can always add more but it's harder to take away :) There's a slight sheen that gives a healthy glow so it's perfect for contouring. Who doesn't love a bit of conturing? It's €38.50 in Debenhams but sign up for their emails. Debenhams seem to always have sales. 

#2.

This would be the Diorskin Nude BB Creme. Dior is my favourite brand for foundation. I have been using the Diorskin Nude healthy glow foundation for over 3 years now. I went into Debenhams in Blanchardstown looking for the Estee Lauder double wear foundation, but there was no MUA at the counter. So the Dior lady came over to ask was I ok and then we got talking about foundations. As my skin is super oily she recommended the Diorskin Nude to me and I haven't looked back. I use shade 31 for normal use and shade 30 for when I have fake tan on or I'm going out or have a tan. I love love love it so I'm excited to try the BB creme as surely it will be amazing too? It's €41.50 and I do need a new bottle of foundation so I might just get this and give it a go! If I do there will defo be a review up :)

#3.

Thirdly would be the Clarisonic face cleanser. It's a spinning brush that you use along with a cleaner to wash your face. It promises "beautiful skin in 60 days, designed to create softer, smoother and healthier looking skin". You can also get this at Debenhams, there's different types you can buy, honestly I'm not sure what the differences are, I just know I want the pink one :) There are different brush heads, sensitive, normal, acne prone etc. You can also get a HUGE body brush head which would be perfect for exfoliation in the shower. Also a pedi head for use on your feet. It's rather expensive at €149.00 for the Clarisonic Mia 2 Delux limited edition set. But this is the best value as it includes Limited Edition set includes: Mia 2 Pink Sonic Skin Cleansing System, Deep Pore Brush Head, Delicate Brush Head, Sensitive Brush Head, Refreshing Gel Cleanser 30ml, Universal Pink charger. Debenhams have a huge range to suit anyone but the price doesn't go below €119.00. Replacement heads are €40 for two in a pack :) 

They're my top 3 beauty wishlist items. I swear this post wasn't sponsored by Debenhams. They're all available there and it was the easiest to link and get prices from. Comment or tweet me with your top 3 beauty wishlist items :)

For now bundle up it's cold out there! Hopefully we'll get some snow soon :D 

Toodles

Niamh xo

MixGreens - Lettuce entertain you

As most of you know I've taken some time off college. In September my friend Ellie brought a group of us to a new restaurant called MixGreens in Athlone. They have a restaurant in Athlone just beside the Post office in the new shopping centre, across from Viva nightclub, also one in Galway and Limerick according to the website! I instantly fell in love! I'm not joking it took about 15mins to decide what to eat. 

For me a HUGE thing is customer service. I mean manners cost nothing am I right? If a waiter or waitress is nice that makes the whole experience better. I was a waitress for a long time in different settings and it didn't matter how rude a customer was I always smiled and was polite. I mean I earned serious tips around Christmas because of it.

So even after the waiter asking about 6 times were we ready he just laughed and didn't get annoyed that we were taking so long to decide. He got used to us doing this overtime we came in. He even suggested stuff for us. And told us all about the new student offers that were in place and special offers for that month. He really was lovely and makes the experience amazing. Sep because my friends and I have a serious habit of asking for things with or without certain ingredients and he was always lovely about it. 

So down to the food, be warned you will be extremely hungry after seeing these pictures! (complied over a few visits, we didn't eat this all in one go. :)

Ellie's Curry.

Bex and Jess Pasta.

Ellie's Burrito.

Amy's Burger and Jess' Noodles.

Amy's Noodles.

The first time I went I ordered the "Paleo Diet", which was turkey burgers with sweet potato pureé and steamed green vegetables topped with fresh chopped chili. (I have the menu in front of me :P ) I didn't have the chili tho. It was lovely! And great for anyone who happens to be in a relationship or friends with a fitness fanatic who like to prepare meals. At least theres a 100% 'clean' meal there for them. 

I also had the Vegetable Satay Udon Noodles. But I got chicken added to them. OH MY GOD next to my Dad's spag bol they are the nicest things I've ever eaten. I haven't stopped thinking about them since! The noodles are thick and really fill you up and the satay sauce is very peanutty which I love! I'm drooling just thinking about them. 

Well I have to say all in all MixGreens is amazing! I can't wait to go to Galway next weekend and go there! Also to get back to Athlone and visit! They have different sections for everyone, Pasta, Noodle Dishes, Seasonal Special, Burritos, Burgers, Hot Pots, MG Wok Salad, Quesadillas, Popular Diets, Breakfast Menu, Chili Bowls and Curries. Everything can be ordered either with or without, beef, pork, seafood, chicken or vegetarian. Also something really handy they have symbols for gluten free, wheat free, contains nuts and paleo! Perfect for if like me you're celiac. (I've recently discovered and am in complete denial!)

So all in all I adore MixGreens and really recommend you check them out! So happy there is one in Galway as my boyfriend lives there so I can visit alot! If you do go make sure to tweet me or comment and let me know what you tried :)

Toodles,

Niamh xo

All about being an idiot..

Ok this post is a little bit of a rant. So please be warned. I am a big advocate of mental health and people looking after themselves. Especially young girls when it comes to body image. Having gone through my own personal troubles with body image growing up as a result of bullying, this is very important to me. 

Now Meghan Trainor's song "all about that bass" actually BOILS MY BLOOD! It pisses me off so much I couldn't even describe it. My dad was singing it the other day after hearing it on the radio and I lost the plot. I explained to him the lyrics and how they are an absolute disgrace. He hadn't heard the whole song just thought the chorus was catchy. Once I explained he then said he didn't agree with the song.

The fact that this song is purely making young girls who are naturally slim feel like their inadequate, not good enough and according to Meghan and her mother will never find a man. First off all who the hell says girls need to change for men? Or that your life is incomplete if you're single? Women don't have to answer to men, we don't have to be a certain way for them. Men have their own ideals want what they are attracted to not what Meghan says! I know plenty of guys who prefer their women to be a size 2 (UK6). That's a separate topic all together but I'm sorry women's lives don't revolve around pleasing men!

Which is the message Meghan is giving to young girls. Shaming someone because they're thin is no worse than if they're bigger. If I wrote a song about "It's pretty clear I ain't no size 16.." I would be burned out of my house! I'd get no air time and that song sure as hell wouldn't be a number one!

This whole song is making young girls who are thin feel bad that they should be bigger. This can cause a whole list of mental health problems. But yet this song is still number one.. I just don't get it! The catchy chorus is what gets people to listen. I don't think people even listen to the lyrics. But the "Skinny Bitches".. Seriously if I ever meet this girl she will get serious chunk of my mind and then she can call me a skinny bitch once I'm done with her!

But what really really boiled my blood was when I was a quote from her on another bloggers page. (Leanne Woodfull read here http://www.thunderandthreads.com)

"I wasn't strong enough to have an eating disorder. I tried to go anorexic for a good three hours. I ate ice and celery, but that's not even anorexic. And I quit. I was like, 'Ma, can you make me a sandwich? Like, immediately'." 

Are you actually shitting me?!? "Tried to go anorexic" it's not something you try to do! It's a mental disorder! It's not some fad diet! Men and women young guys and girls have died from this disease. They sure as hell were'nt trying to do it. It took over their minds and ultimately caused them to die! You can't just try to be anorexic and then stop whenever you want. You need medication, counselling a supportive family to help you get through it. I think that is the most insensitive or completely disgraceful thing I've ever read! It's like saying you trying to get a terminal disease!

I mean this song has pissed me off so much! It's an absolute disgrace and the fact it was sung on the X-Factor is even worse. 

Moral of the story, everyone is beautiful as they are! Don't change for anyone because if they're worth your time they'll love you as you are! Just perfect! Ladies please stop shaming one another and embrace each other, no one person is better than anyone else! Don't let songs like these take over! 

You are beautiful!

Well that's just a rant and a half. Let me know what you think about the song?

Toodles

Niamh xo