My Life as a writer - When I'm not scribbling

I love makeup.  I have worn it everyday since I was about 8 or 9 years old.  I've tried hundreds of ways of applying my make up, experimented with colours and changed my look from heavy to light to somewhere in between over the years. The one thing that's always remained a constant though is on a regular basis cleaning my tools.  My grandfather always said you can tell a good workman by the way they treat their tools.  I'm careful with my make up brushes and renew them every few years as they start to loose hair and shape. Currently I have two sets which I use combined, this also allows me to have one set cleaned and using a second set while they dry.  I have sensitive skin and I can always tell if I've left it too long between cleansing sessions.  Usually I try to wash my brushes once a week, usually they are okay for two weeks, longer than that I start to notice my make up isn't as smooth as I like and my skin may start showing signs of breakouts. T...

I've seen a lot of 'What's in my handbag' vlogs on YouTube, now while I'm good with words I'm not so good on camera - I guess it's one of those areas I need to build confidence in, anyway, back to the point, I thought I'd do a written a version for my spring handbag. So, I have just got a new bag, my last one was taking a bit of a battering, so it was time for a change.  Coming in to spring you'd think I'd go for something light, bright etc. but well I'm practical a lot of the time.  I didn't want to spend a great deal on a new bag, I wanted to keep the price below £20, so I decided to look at some of the sales which are still ongoing. Now, just because I was looking in the sales doesn't mean there wasn't an array of choice and colours, but as I said practicality comes in to it.  I'm not just a blogger and I'm not just a novelist, I also have a Monday to Friday job as a PA.  So, my bag needs to be many things, Dura...

I admit it I am one of those annoying people who can't wait to put up their Christmas Decorations and has Christmas music blaring from late November. I just love Christmas.  I love the whole season.  Not only does it give you that warm feeling inside, people are generally nicer, politer and start to care  a little bit more in ways that maybe they neglect at other times of the year. Anyway, this post is a bit of a rundown on how I decorate for Christmas.  I'm a traditionalist in one sense, I love my green tree (it is artificial - mostly because I'm not quite sure my dog Hero would let a real tree survive the season)  I use a mix of white and red berry lights with traditional style baubles and an ornate decorative ribbon.  The angel atop the tree has been in my family for years and despite protests she takes pride of place every year. Hero & My Christmas Tree  The inspiration for my fire place this year is my wooden Reindeer's, they take...

I'm an autumn/winter person, bring on the cold weather as far as I'm concerned!  It's not just that the colours are deeper and warmer, the clothing is cosy, layered looks are great, I love boots rather than sandals,  its more beacuase I really don't do well in the heat, I tend to feel uncomfortable and clammy.  In autumn and winter I think I come in to my own. As it's September, I have changed the majority of my wardrobe back to warmer, darker coloured clothing.  I always keep a few lighter tops out just in case there's a few warmer days.   I love the change in wardrobe I start to feel like I have a whole new lot of clothes to wear and it hasn't cost me a penny. I have however needed / wanted to buy some new make up and that is what this post is about. Kate Upton Modelling Bobbi Brown Autumn Collection  1. Foundation & Base I tend to change my foundation if I can from season to season.  This spring/summer I have been using Clarins (s...