What I got for my 21st birthday & haul

 As promised here are a few of the main presents I received for my 21st birthday, there are also things I got with my birthday money and some items I bought in general.

 So I don't have a photo of my birthday cake to share with you (which had candles with multi-coloured flames!) but here is a random item I bought recently. I love the sweet vanilla scent of this Yankee candle and it's just so relaxing and instantly makes me happy.

 My collection of rings were spilling everywhere so I bought myself this ultra cool zodiac/ palmistry hand ring holder and I also got an owl print trinket dish to hold my most worn earrings- both were from Urban Outfitters US online store. For my birthday I also had a Pandora bracelet which you can see closer here:

 From left to right: 1) My stack of books charm with the owl on the cover was a gift for graduating university. 2) The heart-shaped lock with dangling key was a present from my boyfriend for our 4 year anniversary. 3) The butterfly charm was a 21st birthday present. 4) The Gemini cameo was a 21st birthday present (yes I'm a Gemini). 5) I adore all things related to owls and this was a 21st birthday present. 6) I bought a Canon 600d camera with my birthday money and this camera charm so it would remind me of my 21st.

I'd wanted a studded bag for a while so I got this one with mixed studs from the US Urban Outfitters online store and the matching purse from Topshop.

 I got an Iphone 4 for my birthday and after a bit of searching for the perfect case I found this cute little sketched owl case on etsy.com!

 These are my most recent beauty purchases. I wear the Garnier BB Cream over moisturiser for extra hydration and blend with my fingers, it smells lovely and acts as a good primer. I then use my new foundation brush (the black one) and then the (orange) Barry M one which I got in Superdrug to apply foundation as the BB Cream doesn't give you very good coverage. 

 Soap and Glory's Extreme Plump lip gloss sure does work! The first time I used it my lips stayed plumper for hours afterwards but now it has a less noticeable effect after it initially tingles. I'd still use this on it's own or over another lip product for fuller lips as it works really well.

 I got this Umberto Giannini gloss mist to obviously add gloss to my hair which it doesn't really do but it does smell really nice and it makes my hair softer so it's still lovely to use. 

I got the Benefit Porefessional and Badgal Lash Mascara with Glamour magazine and while I'm still not too sure how to use the pore minimiser to its full effect the mascara is great for a quick application.

 The Beauty UK eye shadow palette was needed for costume makeup as I was going to some themed parties and I wanted bright colours. Although you have to apply the shadow heavily it really isn't bad for the price which I think was just under £4:

I also caved in to the pressure and finally bought an orange lipstick and a Revlon Lip Butter in one go! It isn't too harsh once you apply it and although it is hydrating I still wear the lip butter over lip balm:

 For my birthday I wore this triangular owl print blouse from ASOS:

 I also got a black crop top from ASOS and a soft t-shirt from Topshop:

 Hopefully you've enjoyed a look at what I've been buying and maybe have some ideas about what to get someone for their birthday if you need any! 

XOXO

Feeling Flamingo

I Want To Be A Flamingo by lauren290591 featuring high heels

 It might seem a bit odd but I'm loving all things flamingo at the moment. I think a quirky flamingo print top would look cute with some pink jeans, which I've been meaning to buy practically forever. Over Summer I'll definitely be channeling my inner flamingo- are you feeling flamourous?

Lauren Loves ♥: Anything Pink!

XOXO

Middle Eastern Trend

 Summer seems so far away but I can't wait to feel warm again! I think that all things Middle Eastern will be perfect for the hot weather and will be able to add glamour to your day.

 Think dark, mysterious eye makeup, hamsa hands, snakes, eyes and lots of gold. Wear it casually or at night; you can add a patterned scarf and bright Middle Eastern jewellery to brighten up the cold days until summer arrives too.

 I've got my gold hamsa hand jewellery ready but what will you be wearing this summer? Let me know if you're planning ahead like me!


Lauren Loves ♥: Middle Eastern mystery and charm.



XOXO

Festive treats (for me!)

 Although I did decorate the gingerbread house (with some help from my boyfriend) I must confess that this festive treat was not all for me!

 As there are so many discounts around right now I thought I'd make the most of them and buy myself some things for Christmas.

 First up are these pretty statement stone rings, I've been wanting some for a while and with the temptation of a discount code I just had to buy them from Lily Melrose's jewellery shop www.jwlry.bigcartel.com:

 Reduced from £35 to around £15 I managed to buy this t-shirt from The Orphan's Arms on ASOS:

 I went a little t-shirt crazy, being a massive Harry Potter fan and seeing Gem wearing the Deathly Hallows logo tee on www.gemsmaquillage.com I had to buy my own from Orange Circle. My wardrobe was lacking in navy items and I thought the colour went well with the cosmic print of the logo so I ended up getting the same t-shirt:

 The Topshop sale starts on Christmas Eve and I'm sure there'll be lots of bargains so you can treat yourself after all the hard work getting everything ready for Christmas.


Lauren Loves ♥: Saving money over Christmas.



XOXO

Need Christmas Outfit Ideas?

 Christmas is all about the glitz and glam and I hopefully have some inspiring outfit ideas for you!

 Why not vamp up the traditional gold sparkly Christmas dress with a cropped leather jacket and tough accessories? Wear with embellished heeled boots or if you're really daring, combat boots.

  

 Mix sequins and sparkle with other textures like leather and faux fur. Jazz up your LBD with an eye-catching clutch. Wear your favourite Christmas jumper with statement heels to a party or bejeweled flats if you want to keep things more casual.

 Most importantly, don't forget the Christmas spirit! Wear gift wrap inspired accessories/ make your own, or add novelty antlers, a Santa hat or bows to any outfit for an instant Christmas vibe. 

Lauren Loves ♥: Getting festive

XOXO

Birds of a Feather

 This weekend my boyfriend was at home and I had a lovely few days with him before he went back to university. We went to see Breaking Dawn, if anyone has seen it, how gross is the birth scene and how comical was it when Jacob first saw Renesmee's CGI face? We also went shopping, the items I purchased will follow shortly, and when I got home I found the ring I won in a competition and a letter from Charlie whose blog is http://www.new--romantic.blogspot.com/ and should shortly be changing to www.charlestownvintage.com, so thank you for my prize I really do love the bird's nest ring!

 I went to Bank and found this cozy boyfriend cardigan from Blonde + Blonde which is perfect as the weather has just turned chilly:

 As you may already know I have an obsession with owls and on my shopping travels I found a cute owl-shaped ring from Primark, which goes nicely with my wing ring and my new bird's nest ring!

 The nail polish I'm wearing is Nails Inc: Basil Street, and Model's Own: Garnet.

 I used to love Vanilla Coca Cola before they stopped selling it in the UK and I was stupidly happy to find this lip balm for £1 when I went shopping:

 So that was my weekend, what have you been up to? Feel free to leave me a link to your blog if you have one!


Lauren Loves ♥: Being cozy when the weather is cold.



XOXO

Halloween Vampire Diaries Inspiration

 The Vampire Diaries has just appeared again on my TV screen and if you'd rather channel a more glam Halloween vibe than go for a totally gory costume, then hopefully this Elena/ Katherine inspired look will help!

 Original Photo Inspiration:

My Inspirational Collage:

 To recreate the look of Nina who plays Elena/ Catherine:
1) Wear a blood red dress
2) To elongate your legs and create the illusion of bare feet wear nude heels
3) Accessorize with a jeweled or antique style statement necklace
4) Go for dark smokey eyes and either black or dark red nail polish

 And here's something for the girls who like The Vampire Diaries:



( From: http://grou.ps/vampirediariesrp/people/drwynfmftxxibmwvr )


Lauren Loves ♥: Vampires!



XOXO

Halloween Outfit Inspiration

 So I was going to have a coffee and a chat with my friends in Costa...

 When I saw this cute lil thing and had to buy it!

 The skeleton gingerbread man reminded me that Halloween is indeed approaching and I've created some inspirational collages for you:

Lauren Loves ♥: Getting ready for Halloween!



XOXO

Unlucky 13

 Friday the 13th is a special date for me so this necklace would be perfect but it's a little bit pricey. I think the quirky pieces of jewellery by Calourette are amazing so feel free to buy any of it for me!


Lauren Loves ♥: Jewellery by Calourette.



XOXO