Happy 2011!

Well, I know I say this every year but I can't believe it's 2011! Happy New Year to everyone! I enjoyed a lovely Christmas with my parents and boyfriend and it was my first year playing hostess! Luckily, no cooking disasters occurred which was a relief given that fact that I'm a hopeless case in the kitchen. In fact, one of my New Year's resolutions (or 'goals' as I'd like to think of them as resolutions are usually broken by mid-January), is to get a bit more familiar with my kitchen and it's yet-to-be discovered utensils as to be honest, my cooking skills need some serious work!

I'd really like to develop my blog this year too. I'm thinking of touching more on lifestyle content, experiment with more outfit photos, get better with my photography and of course, try and post more regularly. There are some amazing blogs out there that have really inspired me to try and develop mine more and make it a bit more substantial than what it is at the moment!

As for any other resolutions or goals, I think simply to be happy, healthy, work hard at my virtual assistant business, generally live life to the fullest and achieve a good work/life balance - that can be a tough one!

I hope you all had a great Christmas and New Year and let's make 2011 a good one!

She's Only Gone and Done an Outfit Photo!

An outfit post is somewhat of a rarity on This Is Miss Laura. This is partly due to my severe lack of camera skills (and lack of a tripod) but more honestly, because I'm completely camera shy! Well, yesterday I met up with a good friend who I haven't seen in a while and he's taken up photography so alas, I (begrudgingly) allowed him to take some pics.

And here are the results.

Isn't the YSL ring just a beaut??

It would be great to know what you think of the pics and look :)

Faux Fur Coat-: Dorothy Perkins

Leggings-: Topshop

Snood-: Topshop

Ring-: YSL from Net-a-porter

YSL Arty Ring - It's Mine!

When the YSL Arty rings came back in stock at Net-a-porter this week, though I know its a little extravagant before Christmas.......I couldn't resist.

No words are needed to describe the beauty.

Xx

Product Rave: Eyeko 3 in 1 Cream

Last weekend I attended the Eyeko event and I have to say that I've been enjoying testing out the various products that we were very kindly given. For me personally, I think that the star of the goody bag show has to be the new Limited Edition Eyeko Cream Extra Glow.

I'll get the superficial stuff out the way - first and foremost the packaging is just gorgeous; very girly, pretty and kitsch. Perhaps not to everyone's taste, but I like it.



Now to the product itself. Well, it claims to be a 3 in 1 cream - a highlighter, a moisturiser and an eye cream. I have to admit I wouldn't use it solely as a moisturiser or an eye cream though the jojoba and vitamin E contained within the product does mean that it is gentle on the skin and it does have a 'moisturising' quality texture-wise. The main reason I would only use it for highlighting effect is that it is super duper glowy and to slather it on in the way I would my moisturiser would mean that I'd look like something from another galaxy. However, I regard that as a positive point as in terms of its effect as a highlighter, this is probably the best product I've used, and trust me, a little goes a long way.

The formula is incredibly iridescent and leaves a beautiful, radiant sheen to the skin. The way in which I've been using the cream is either mixed in with my foundation to create a more natural dewy look, or on top of make-up to highlight the cheekbones, the brow bones and cupids bow. If you don't need/want to use a foundation, when used on its own, it's also a nice way of providing the skin with a bit of natural looking 'pzazz' - though I recommend you go light on the application.

The Eyeko cream is priced at £8 which I think is fantastic for such a useable product that definitely provides you with that 'lit from within' look that we all so desire.

P.S If you use my Ambassador code E11297 at the checkout, you will receive a free Eyeko gift.

Liz Earle Skincare and Coconut Water

I recently decided that my skincare regime required a bit of an overhaul. My skin hasn’t been bad - I just feel it needs a bit of tlc, and as I’m now in my ‘late twenties’ (sad face), I should probably invest a bit more time taking care of my skin as opposed to my usual slap dash approach which currently consists of a very bland routine of Simple cleanser and moisturiser. I actually really do rate Simple skincare; it’s great for sensitive skin, is cheap as chips and keeps your skin looking nice. I just feel that a little more effort is now required.

So who do you turn to when you’re faced with a gazillion skincare brands tempting you with promises of amazingly glowy, hydrated and youthful looking skin? Whose whopping price tag does your bank balance suffer for? Well, in my case I have opted for the brand who everyone raves about (no, this isn’t an original blog post by any means), isn’t too damaging to the credit card and promises great results. Yes, Liz Earle strikes again.

Yesterday I caved and purchased the Liz Earle Mini 'Try Me' Kit for dry/sensitive skin which includes the legendary Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser (30 ml), the Instant Boost Skin Tonic (50ml), the Skin Repair Moisturiser (15ml), the Gentle Face Exfoliator (15ml) and 1 muslin cloth. After two uses my first impression is definitely positive – my skin feels slightly plumper, very refreshed and smooth. However, before I can give an honest review, I’ll give the set a try for a month or so and see how I go but so far so good! The kit cost a very reasonable £21 from John Lewis.

Whilst I was there, I thought it would be a travesty not to try out the Liz Earle shampoo and conditioner too (I went for the dry and damaged conditioner option) and I’m definitely expecting great things from these.

Another random bandwagon I’ve jumped on is drinking coconut water.



After hearing missglamorazzi rave about it on a recent video and reading about it on t’interweb, the benefits seem to be incredible (hugely improves your skin, is super hydrating, gives you energy, great for digestion etc...). If that isn’t enough to entice you, check out the blurb on the website-:

“Vita Coco’s all natural-super-hydrating, fat-free, cholesterol-free, nutrient-packed, potassium-stacked, mega-electrolyte coconut super water!”

Wow!

I picked up three cartons of the plain Vita Cocos to try out from Holland & Barrett at £1.69 each though of course, I’m aware I’ll need a few more to probably notice any tangible results, but I just wanted to make sure it wasn’t too grim tasting! It’s actually fine – not amazing but definitely drinkable and with promises of those benefits, hell, who cares!

I’ll keep you posted on the progress :)
xx

Eyeko Celebrates its 10th Birthday

Last night I was one of the lucky bloggers invited to the Eyeko 10th birthday bash which was held in a super snazzy function room at the Wenlock & Essex in Angel. First and foremost, I have to say that this was probably one of the most enjoyable events I have ever been to – we were looked after so well and each member of the Eyeko team took the time to talk to everyone which I think is a lovely touch and makes you feel involved; like the brand genuinely respects and values your opinion on the products.

We were treated to an array of gorgeous canapés, Lola’s Cupcakes, some fab tunes and a selection of cocktails which I have to admit, went down very well! We also got to take a look at some of the new Eyeko products and there was a manicurist on site to snazz up our nails (I took advantage and opted for the Chi Chi Polish), and even a tarot card reader - though I chickened out on this!








I was also very lucky to meet some lovely bloggers and YouTubers including Lucy from .lucy duckett. (who I stealthily stalked before the event in Starbucks), Guilia, Gemma from Gem's Maquillage, Nicola from Nicola VC86 and Eyeko's Ling whose goes under the name of moonbeamstarlight on YouTube. Everyone was so friendly and it’s great to meet everyone ‘in person’ after spending so much time reading their blogs and/or watching their YouTube channels online.





The goodie bag was also full of some great products to try out. I’m so excited to give the new Military Polish and Punk Polish a whirl as well as the Graffiti eyeliners pens. I’ve heard fab reviews on the mascara (the packaging is so pretty!) and the new lip glosses also come in a selection of gorgeous and wearble shades and are named after places in London such as Soho, Portobello and Shoreditch. Lots of testing will be carried out this week methinks so look out for some reviews......



Thank you Eyeko for a wonderful evening!

You can check out all the Eyeko products here.

P.S. Use my Eyeko Ambassador Code E11297 to receive a free Eyeko gift with all purchases over £10!

Shiny Nails with Sally Hansen Mega Shine

I’m a big fan of nail polishes with a shiny finish – particularly if the tone of the polish is creamy, pink, lilac or mauve as I feel if gives a lovely groomed and well..'polished' finish! However, some nail polishes do somewhat lack the shine factor but I have now found a product that when applied onto any nail polish, gives a nice shiny finish and also prevents chipping.



The product in question is Sally Hansen Mega Shine and is available in Boots in the UK for around £6.45. The nail polish that I am wearing is Maybelline’s Express Finish Pearl in shade Violet Doux and with the Sally Hansen Mega Shine used as a topcoat. I love the effect and the pop of shine isn’t too OTT but enhances the colour of the Maybelline polish.

I’m also on the hunt for the perfect metallic gold and silver nail polish. Any suggestions of some good ones to try?

xx