Ready for me!

This was taken earlier this week, after all my sister's ex-flatmate's crap was taken out of the room, everything cleaned and rearranged to my liking.

It's ready for me to put my finishing touches on it!

New skincare products

While I was at John Lewis I decided to buy a couple of new skincare products since I'm almost out of facewash and toner.

My friend introduced me to Liz Earle, a skincare brand that I think is relatively new, and looks really interesting. For example, the whole brand only has one type of shampoo which is supposed to work on all types of hair! Right now I'm still happy with Aussie so I don't think I'll be changing shampoo just yet, but I liked the look of their hot polish cleanser and toner.

At the moment their products are online (uk.lizearle.com) or at John Lewis. And, compared with a lot of designer store skincare, it's a lot cheaper than I was expecting!

Cleanse and Polish kit (100ml pump bottle of cleanser, 1 muslin cloth, cute little pouch), £14.25
Skin Tonic (200ml), £12.50

Both products can be used morning and night. Can't wait to try them!

Guess who else likes the aviator blanket...

Aviator Blanket!

It's been a very cold day here! It was only 6 degrees when I woke up, even though it's still September. It was so cold my sister's cat climbed under the quilt to cuddle up to me.

So I decided that I needed a throw for both on top of my blanket for when I sleep and for when I'm on the sofa. There are a lot of blankets at my parents' house but I didn't have any of my own here at my sister's.

Habitat was a disappointment, but then again it was only a small habitat, so I hopped on the bus to the local shopping centre and had a rummage around John Lewis. Most of the throws didn't have any character, though they were good quality and decently priced...

Until I spotted this one tucked away on the bottom of shelf! Done in a wool and leather aviator style, complete with buckle straps to keep it neat when not in use and a handle fit easy carrying, I fell in love with it.

I'm using it now on the sofa (second image), so comfortable!

Aviator throw (I couldn't find an official name for it), John Lewis, £60.

The downside? Dry clean only. And pure polyester! But I do love it, I like my accessories to have character, even my homeware.

Product review - Clinique Pore Minimiser

One of my major skin concerns is open pores - namely on my nose and on my cheeks just at the side of my nose, so pretty much an extension of the vertical of the T-zone.

I've been searching for ages for something that would treat them. I used to use the old Clinique Pore Refining cream, which came in a lilac tube.

Sadly, after using it for months, I found it hadn't done anything except discolour my skin slightly, making it lighter than the rest of the skin where the product hadn't been applied, so I stopped using it. I eventually found a cosmetic solution from Benefit, their Porefessional (will do a separate review for that).

Then while windowshopping recently I saw Clinique had discontinued their previous lilac-packaged serum - it had more of a lotion consistency so I don't really count it as a serum... - in favour of the gel-cream green-packaged new version.

I immediately decided when I had enough money to spare for it that I'd get it. Everyone has been telling me pores become worse when you get older - especially my mother, for whom pores are also a concern.

The new serum has a pretty hefty price tag for me: £38.00 But boasts quick results, "in 2 weeks, pores look 58% smaller. Guaranteed." as the website says.

And I have to admit, even though I was doubtful, it's true that the pores do look smaller. Blackheads are removed, there's not nearly as much dead skin collected there which I used to get, despite washing my face thoroughly twice a day.

The downside - the serum makes my skin so smooth that it feels greasy. I can't use it under make up, and if I use it when I'm wearing glasses I get frustrated at just how much more my glasses slide down my nose. It's rather annoying. On days when I'm going to be wearing make up, I just use it at night after my nighttime washing routine.

And of course the other downside is the price of it. However I've found you only need to use the tiniest amount of it to thoroughly cover the problem areas, so hopefully it'll last for a long time (I think I've been using it for about a month or just over a month now)

But, the important point, the pores are smaller.

Verdict: 7/10. (lost one point for the price, two points for the super slippery feeling)

Follow up

"Once Upon a Time" is still my post-work/pre-bed favourite right now, though some of the episodes do make me feel kinda sad. Maybe it's just me being sensitive due to being tired.

Still can't stop thinking about the Sheriff ¬_¬ damn crushes.

Got 6 mins before I have to start working.

Once Upon a Time

Started watching "Once Upon a Time".

I'm a lot more into it than I thought I'd be...

...and I can't stop thinking about the Sheriff T^T I think I have a crush on him...

...not useful when I'm at work!