Who doesn't like free beauty products?

I have been really impressed this month with the quality of 'free gifts' that some of the magazines have had this month. A little trip to Tesco for some stickers for my Year 1 class ended with me walking out with 3 Glamour magazines, InStyle and Marie Claire (the latter 2 I don't even read). These are the free gifts I was tempted with!

Glamour Magazine teamed up with L'occitane and had 3 skin care items up for grabs free with the magazine. I am nearing the end of my Clinique skin care products so these deluxe samples were perfect for me! I have always wanted to try L'occitane but it's always been a bit pricey for me - I cannot wait to try out this skin care range! You have an option of a cleansing gel, face toner and a hydration cream (moisturiser). I haven't tried these yet but I have listed some information about each product below for you to have a look at! The total of these deluxe samples was around £36 so it's not too shabby!

The Angelica Cleansing Gel contains essential oils of organic angelica which works brilliantly at removing make-up but not drying out the skin. It also turns into a foam when combined with water (I hate my Clinique soap because it doesn't foam). The Face Toner is also enriched with angelica essential oil which 'moisturises, refreshes and cleanses the skin of impurities'. The Hydration Cream boasts of being fresh and silky smooth and revitalising the skin. Have you tried any products from L'occitane? What were your thoughts?

Marie Claire have teamed up with Body Shop to give you the chance of picking up one of their cheek and lip tints. There is a choice of this red one or a more bronze-ey one for the summer. These retail for £10 in store so I had some really high expectations! I have also lost my mini Benetint (sad face) so I thought this would make for a cheaper substitute but boy was I disappointed! It was gloopy and and had a really chemically taste to it. I will not be using this as a lip tint. It works far better as a cheek stain but it does take a while to build up the colour. Have you tried this? What were your thoughts?

I was really excited to extend my Nails Inc collection when I heard that InStyle had 3 Nails Inc polishes up for grabs with there magazine this month. I was planning on getting all 3 but I ended up just getting this pink pastel colour because the others didn't really appeal to me (a baby blue and a pinky white one). I absolutely love this colour and the quality of the polish. I was worried that it might not be up to the normal Nails Inc standard because it was just a freebie with a magazine but one coat lasted me for a whole week (excluding some chips). Have you picked up any of these polishes?

I was, however, super sad to find out that RED magazine had the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish product as a free gift last month. I have been meaning to try that and I was gutted when I found out that I have missed out!

Have you picked up any good magazine freebies this month?

Are there any recommendations you would make?

Hunger Games Nail Art

Everyone has been raving about 'Hunger Games'. The film buffs can't get enough of the movie, the literature geeks can't stop raving about the books, and the blogasphere can't get enough of the nails!

I watched a video by Cute Polish that showed step by step how to get the nail art on Effie Trinket. It is such a simple tutorial and you don't need any materials that you won't have lying around the house.

This is my attempt. Bare in mind that it is past 3am so they aren't as good as they could be.

I used my MaxDactor 'Deep Plum' polish for the base.

I used one of my mini Nail Inc gold glitter nail varnishes for the special star dust effect.

I used the Rimmel 60 seconds clear nail varnish to coat the top.

What nail art are you currently into?

Nailed it!

I finally used one of my Mini Nail Inc nail varnishes that I got as a free gift with my Debenhams purchases a few weeks ago. I used the Warwick Way Polish which is a vibrant teal shade and leaved a glossy finish. I was really impressed with the fact that I only needed one coat and got such great colour. I coated my nails with a clear polish to ensure that the colour lasted (I'm always chipping them). The Nail Inc lady suggested using the 'Farringdon Glitter Crackle' top coat for a more dramatic effect but I'm really not a fan of that trend so didn't bother with it.

The nail varnish was a little sample size but I still have loads left! I'm not one for spending loads of money on nail varnishes but Nail Inc is quickly becoming a strong favourite of mine.

Excuse the messy nails but it was past 1am and I was watching a really scary episode of Criminal Minds...

Something else I would like to share with you lovely bloggers out there is a give away by the lovely Beauty Balm. Check out her blog for more details (you won't be disappointed).

Wishing for a money tree...

Letting me loose in Manchester town centre when I have just had my student grant through is the worst possible thing ever! I have a few very hectic months coming up so I thought I'd get a few essentials (and treat myself whilst at it). I spent the day with my little sister smooching around shops and blowing money that really should be kept away from me.

Here are a few of my purchases;

I got this adorable clutch that resembles the Marc Jacobs bag I wanted! I love the bright yellow colour, patent material, the chain handle, and the fact that it over £500 cheaper than the one on my 'wish list'. It was a bargain at just £10.

I gave into temptation and got these Nail Inc Magnetic nail varnishes because they.are.just.too.pretty! I got the green and purple polishes because I felt that they had stronger magnetic pattern to them. At £13 a pop they were expensive BUT it was worth it because....

I got these 10 mini Nail Inc nail varnishes for FREE! There a variety of different colours in the free gift pack. I cannot wait to try these out. 2 magnetic nail varnishes and 10 mini ones for £26 sounded like a reasonable price and completed sealed the deal for me.

I got this bag satchel from Primark for £5. BARGAIN! I have needed a new one for university ever since my leather Jane Norman gave up on me. I hope it is sturdy and doesn't live up to normal Primark standards.

I fell in love with this white lace top the second my gaze crossed it in Primark. I've seen the 'Peter Pan collar' trent in most shops but this is the only top that has really grabbed my attention. I'm planning on layering this over a white shirt and wearing it over black trousers for a smart slash casual look on my new placement. At a mere £6 it was totally within my *ahem* student budget.

I was so happy when I saw this bronzer brush in Primark for £1(!). I was even happier when I got home and realised that the brush was soft against my skin and pretty good quality. I don't like spending too much money on make up brushes because I always tend to lose them or they get ruined.

I also purchased this concealer brush from Boots. It's a No.7 concealer brush and was originally £8 but I got it for £3 because I had one of their £5 off vouchers. Those vouchers are a life saver for me at the moment (I have 3 more) because I get to top up on eye shadows and brushes without making a dent in my bank account.

Even as I'm typing this I can see the money adding up (yikes!) BUT it was worth it (must.justify.this.to.myself). I have heard a lot about felt tip liners on other bloggers pages so thought I'd try one out. I got the one from MaxFactor because it was the ONLY one in store, and then, after finding out that you get a free gift containing a makeup bag, 2 mini nail varnishes, a mini mascara and a mini eye liner if you spend over £12, I decided to add the Creme Puff face powder in Translucent to my shopping basket. I will do a review on these when I get around to trying them out. I am the most excited about the powder because I need something to set my make up especially now that I need to look professional.

I cannot make up my mind about whether or not I like Lipsy; sometimes I find some great bargains in there but other times it just seems a bit chavvy. However, on this trip I saw this cute cloth bag that I have been trying to order on their website (but it's always out of stock) for just £3. It's cute, flirty and funky so I just HAD to buy it.

Being a trainee teacher means that any stationary shop is HEAVEN and that is how I feel about Paperchase. I got the cutest little heart paper clips, cat highlighters, normal 'boring' paperclips (because it's not ALL fun and games), and some star stickers to make marking more fun. I spent over an hour browsing through all their stuff because I wanted to buy EVERYTHING...and it took a looong time to narrow it down to these items...

I am a Glamour girl so was very excited to see that this month's issue came with a FREE Beauty Guide magazine and a FREE hair conditioner. I am looking forward to trying out the conditioner because I'm growing my hair longer and it needs some looking after.

What was your latest shopping spree like?

Culture, Couture and Cake

I had the most amazing day today; I spent it with a friend in Manchester to celebrate her birthday. The day was filled to the brim with funny banter, giggles and memories that will stay with us forever. We strolled around the city centre catching up with what was happening in each others lives, browsed through shops that were filled with things we couldn't afford, took in the buzzing atmosphere of the booming city and absorbed the culture that oozes out of every street that you turn into.

Here are a few of my favourite photos from today...

This Victorian style pub was a contrast to the modern city centre and buildings that surrounded it, but its ambiance drew the crowds in.

We acted like proper tourists so jumped at the chance of going on the Manchester Eye when we came across it. I love this picture, because not only can you see the harsh realism between the man-made metal machine and the open sky,, but it also makes you realise that you only play the main character in your own life and there are so many bigger things out there.

I am an architectural geek! 

I tried on the Nails Inc Magnetic Polish and I LOVE it! As you can see, it comes in a variety of colours and leaves a gorgeous print on your nails. At £13 for one nail varnish I think it is a bit too expensive but it will be a great present or treat for yourself. 

We bought cupcakes from a stall in the market place. After a day of walking, we were shattered, looking forward to resting our aching feet on the train and treating ourselves to these beautiful cupcakes. We were SO disappointed! The cakes were dry, hard and the icing had no flavour to it. However, the company was great and this little incident didn't dampen the spirit. I just wanted to let you see the amazing presentation that conned us out of £5.

How has your weekend been?

Take a step back...

I have spent the last few days relaxing because I have got a hectic few months ahead as I near the end of my PGCE! 

I enjoyed drinking cloudy lemonade (my favourite after pink lemonade) and indulging in belgian chocolate chip shortbread.

I find painting my nails very therapeutic so took this chance to coat them in a shocking red (Nails Inc). I cut and filed my nails as well because, for me, bright colours look better on shorter nails.

I enjoyed catching up on all the latest fashion gossip reading my Elle magazine. I was really pleased with this issue, because not only did it have great content but it also had a free Soap&Glory mascara (worth £10), a sample for the new Rimmel foundation and an invitation for a free Dior eye make up lesson. I do a review on the mascara soon.