Wednesday 22 April 2015

Wishlist Wednesday - ALL ABOUT THE PRINT



1. Cigs and Lipstick Tshirt Dress £20 Missguided
2. Banana Leaf Print Open Mesh Insert Swimsuit £32 Asos
3. Mixed Faux Fur Clutch £35 River Island
4. Orange Tile Frill Bardot Neck Top £14.99 New Look
5. TORNADO Pointed Slip-On Skater Shoes £20 Topshop
6. White Stripe Print Sleeveless Dress £24.99 New Look
7. Striped Split Midi Skirt £36 Topshop
8. Festival Playsuit with Bell Sleeve £35 Asos
9. Paisley Print Flared Trousers £22 Missguided 
10. Purple Tribal Print Embellished Long Kimono £55 River Island

Whats your favouite?

Jessica h x



Sunday 19 April 2015

This week I'm loving: Orange!








After the first glimpses of sun this week, it has got me highly excited for summer and I am looking towards all things we can enjoy under those golden rays. The furry winter legs are smooth, the fake tan bottle has been dusted off and those bright nail varnishes are seeing daylight again.

It is pure co-incidence that this week's products I am loving are all orange.. I promise! I couldn't wait until the end of the month to rave about these three products, which are all new to my beauty collection.

Avon Glow Nailwear Pro+ 'Flaming Orange'
This shimmering sunset orange is perfect for the summer. It looks great with a tan, it's lovely and bright! I really like Avon nail polish, as it always applies well and dries fairly quickly. On first application, it was quite thin, so I took it back off and applied an orange base coat by Nails Inc. I then applied one layer of this over the top and it complimented it perfectly. You could go straight in with this alone, but I think you would need to build it over two or three layers. Two days later and no chips have appeared yet, but lets see what happens by the end of the week!

Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer 'Ivory'
I bought this as Fleur De Force had recommend it as an under eye concealer. I usually use the famous 'Collection' concealer, but I wanted one that was great to brighten under the eye. I bought the lightest shade and it does exactly as I had hoped. It brightens and lightens under the eye, and even better it is really affordable. I would highly recommend it, and I haven't owned it for too long!

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge
This sponge is one of those products you just keep looking at in Boots and then walking away. This time I decided to bite the bullet and buy it. I am really glad I did, as the effect you get from applying your foundation with it, is amazing. I much prefer the way the sponge applies foundation to my usual buffing brush, damp the sponge before application and it works wonders. However, there is a major downside to this sponge- washing requires effort, and I mean serious effort. As a self confessed germ-a-phobe I feel I need to wash it after every use, so this is a downside for me. After washing it with soapy water, none of the foundation stains on the sponge had budged. On top of that, it requires rinse, upon soak, upon rinse to get all the soap out of it. It took FOREVER. After several washes it didn't bounce back to it's usual shape, so I had to wrap it in a towel and stamp on it to get all the water out! Sure enough after that all the water seemed to have come out of it and it bounced back to shape. Has anyone else had this problem? I even watched youtube videos on how to wash, and everyone else's stains seem to lift off. If anyone has some tips then please throw them my way!

jessica d x

Sunday 12 April 2015

Current Favourites

So after a short Easter break we are back in the blog-o-sphere with some things we've been loving over the last couple of months. Our last favourites post was back at the start of Feb (take a look here) so we've each chosen 3 faves we've been enjoying since then...

jess d favourites





Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion

Since the days of desperately scooping the last remaining bits from a bottle with more curves than Kim K, this product has nestled snugly in my make-up bag for a fair few years. It's one of those products that you betray in attempt to find something even better, but you just keep on coming back to. 

Now in a nice big squeeze tube, it's fair to say that the packaging is far more convenient to use.
Requiring only the smallest amount, this product lasts for a very long time. My mini travel tube lasted about a year, so who know how long this giant tube will live on for! This primer potion allows my eyeshadow to stay on perfectly all day. I wouldn't apply eyeshadow without this, so it remains firmly in my make-up bag.




L'oreal Super Liner Ultra Precision

I have never quite got the hang of doing a winged liner. I just can't get along with the brushes provided in the packaging. However, I have been practising regularly and I have found something great in the L'oreal Super Liner. The applicator is shaped in a thin, precise sponge. I apply first using my slanted eyeliner brush, retiving product from the sponge. Once the line is in, I fill it in using the sponge applicator on the product. It lasts all day and doesn't smudge or budge.




MAC 'Plumful' Lipstick

Plumful is probably one of my all time favourite MAC lipsticks. A deep pink-plum colour I think it would complement any skintone. 

jess h favourites



Nivea Daily Essentials Express Hydration Primer

I've been a fan of Nivea skincare for quite a while, I find the products are usually quite gentle on my sensitive skin, and often seem to calm down any problems I've been having. I bought this on a whim on  when I was buying some other skincare in Boots (another 3 for 2...) as my skin is always a little dehydrated, and it has really worked wonders! I use it after my usual moisturising routine before I apply my make-up and I can instantly see that my skin reacts well to it. It feels fresher and plumper as soon as its applied, and is a great base for my make-up. I've been using it for over a month now and it's most definitely improved the condition of my skin. Considering it is such an affordable product, I am seriously impressed!


Barry M Speedy Quick Dry Nail Polish

As a long time lover of good old Barry M nail polish, one of my biggest pet peeves is that all of the luscious pastel colours need about 5,000 coats and take hours to dry properly. I'm not a particularly patient person when it comes to waiting for my nails to dry, so when I saw the new range of gorgeous pastels in a new "quick dry" formula I thought my prayers had been answered! I opted for the colours "Pole Position" (a fresh pale green) and "Eat My Dust" (a dusky baby blue). On my first try of these I was seriously unimpressed, they didn't seem to dry very quickly at all. However, in comparison to other Barry M pastels, the colours were very strong, only taking 2 coats to paint (could have got away with one in a rush). So I persevered, and the second time I was far more impressed. (I will blame my cold hands on the first attempt...) It isn't the quickest drying nail polish I've ever tried, but must faster than others from this brand, and the colours really are lovely.


Disney!

My third and final favourite is currently ALL THINGS DISNEY! In 3 weeks time (and counting) I'm setting off to Orland for a two week holiday visiting Disney World and Universal Studios. To say I'm excited is a huge understatement! Only having booked it early this year it has come around seriously fast and I'm so glad. I'm fast becoming a Disney fanatic in preparation, watching back classic movies I loved as a child and day dreaming about all the things I can't wait to see. (Currently trying to convince my boyfriend that the 40 minute wait to meet Mickey and Minnie is totally worth it...) I will be doing a few holiday related posts, from packing, to outfits and reviews once I'm home. Keep your eyes peeled for a few snaps popping up on our Instagram feed too!

Have you been enjoying any of the things we have recently? What are your current favourites?

jessica d & jessica h








Sunday 29 March 2015

Soap & Glory Make-up Review

Spoiler - it's a mixed bag!




A couple of weeks ago, I headed to Boots to replace my mascara. I had tried the Soap & Glory Thick & Fast mascara in a gift box I had for Christmas and loved it.  When it dried up (the downside to thicker mascaras, I've found this with more expensive alternatives too) I was happy to repurchase. I was  delighted to find that all Soap & Glory make-up was on a 3 for 2 offer, so I took full advantage and tried out some other talked about products....


Thick & Fast mascara




As I mentioned, this was a repurchase, and I haven't be disappointed. It's very similar to the Benefit mascaras, I'm a big fan of a thick brush and thick consistency, as I like a lot of volume to my lashes, but anything too lengthening makes my eyes look too dark and over done. It's a really great mascara, at a really reasonable price (£10) The packaging of all three items I bought is really great, much more than I would expect from this brand, and this mascara is better than the freebie I had in the first place. I'm really pleased I chose to buy this again, and I don't see any reason right now why I wouldn't buy it again. For such a thick mascara it doesn't clump, and it dries quickly enough not to smudge. I would recommend!

Sexy Mother Pucker Lipstick - Man Trap




I'm really impressed with this lipstick! For a start, the colour, 'Man Trap' is gorgeous. Red lipstick is a long time favourite of mine, and I very rarely stray from my trusty Mac Red, this however is more subtle. I've found its a great way of wearing a brighter colour for a more day-to-day look. I work in a fairly casual office, so heavy make up tends to look a little out of place, so it's great to find something I feel comfortable wearing but that still feels stylish. Its a really moisturising consistency, very "cremesheen" but it lasts really well. (I'm wearing this in the outfit photos on my "Denim Love" post.) £9 is a little more to pay for a drug store lipstick but this is definitely worth the few extra pounds. I will make sure I take a look at the other colours (although I don't think there are many) next time I'm looking for a new lipstick.


Anarchy brow tint & pencil


I was really keen to try this product as I'd heard a lot about it on other blogs. I have naturally very dark, thick eyebrows but they're a little untidy, so I find filling in helps to neaten them up. As they are so dark I usually need to use a pencil to match the shade but there' always a fine line between neat and too much! I thought this product could be the answer. One end is felt tip like, to draw individual hairs in, and the other end a soft pencil. I bought the colour 'Brownie Points' (they also do a blonde), however, I wouldn't say it was brown! It's very light, so looks totally out of place on me. Not only that but I feel like the felt tip was "running out", even though the box had been taped so I knew it hadn't been tested, you just don't get much product from it at all. On top of this, the pencil end is actually really hard. I had to press pretty hard on my skin to get any mark, and it was still not particularly great. I was really disappointed by this as I think it's a great idea for a product, to a achieve a bit more of a natural brow look, but it wasn't for me. I'd be interested to see if it works better for someone with lighter hair though?...





Have you tried any of the Soap & Glory make-up products? Which are your favourites and are there more I should try?


Jessica h x

Friday 27 March 2015

Trench Style







 Trench: H&M
Jeans: New Look
T-shirt: Topman
Shoes: Primark



I bought this trench coat...or mac around a year ago in H&M, it isn't stocked anymore but there are lots of similar ones out there such as these from Misguided and ASOS.

I have worn it once in the year I have had it, as I was unsure what to pair it with, and didn't have the confidence to pull it off!

 Since then, they seem to be everywhere and I have seen lots of these type of trench coats styled up, so I  have many more ideas for some outfits. I am feeling more confident to wear it.

The material is very thin so it is great for the spring time when it (hopefully) gets a bit warmer. It looks great with heels as I am not the tallest person, so pairing it with heels means I don't feel too drowned out in it. I am looking forward to pairing it with more outfits, so it will finally get it's wear!

By the way, I love these peep toe boots that the ASOS model has styled with her trench, need!



jessica d x

Tuesday 24 March 2015

L'oreal Color Riche Matte 228 'VIP'









This lipstick is my new favourite, it's the perfect coral-red matte colour that I have been looking for.

At £6.99 each, I think the L'oreal lipsticks are brilliant. Some people have commented on the smell of these lipsticks, as they have a very sweet smell. For me, it's not a scent I love- but it's not too offensive and the product itself is worth getting past the sherbet smell!

The texture on application is really creamy, an opaque effect with a strong, bold colour. I would like to find a lipliner that matched this lipstick, as it's so bold it can be tricky to apply perfectly. I prefer to have a lip liner with a lipstick as it just feels neater.

One thing I noticed was the amount transferring onto your teeth was really small. I find with some other lipsticks, that five minutes after application it's all over your teeth!

I applied this product at around 7am for work, and it stained my lips leaving the bright bold matte colour on all day. Admittedly, it did wear and by around 2pm it needed re-application as close up you could see it had worn away and left a stain. However this was after eating breakfast and lunch, so it was pretty impressive. 

Most of my long-lasting lipsticks are by MAC, so I am really pleased to have found a more affordable range of lipsticks that I love. 

I purchased this lipstick in Boots, I can't seem to find it anywhere online at all. However, it was part of their new range so it may not be online yet- it is definitely available in store!

I also purchased some other shades, so I am looking forward to reviewing those next!

jessica d x

Sunday 22 March 2015

Denim Love




As a true child of the 90's, I've always loved a full-on denim look (and posing apparently!) so the high street offering of every style and colour right now has got me pretty excited. I've never been one to shy away from a double denim look (or triple...) and whilst it might not be an every day look, but it's one I'd really love to wear a little more often. 


These courts are new from Dorothy Perkins and I adore them. They're pretty comfortable and I love the style of them. The denim just gives a bit of edge to a pretty formal pair of heels. You can find them here, currently just £18.90.

I've styled up a couple of outfits below to share my denim lovin'.

I'm a big fan of over-ripped boyfriend jeans with high heels, I love the laid back look, especially with a baggy shirt too. I really wish I was brave enough to pull off this look for an evening out, so watch this space! Mixing different tones stops the look from being too "put together. Minimal accessories also helps, which is pretty much against every other rule I have! Let me know in the comments what you think, I'd love to have a good occasion to wear something like this.



Shirt- Next (similar here)
Ripped Jeans- Asos (similar here)

As you might have seen me mention in my previous "Things I'm loving right now" post, I adore the 70's trend, and I've been on the hunt for the perfect pair of flares. I'm pretty sure I've found them! These  are from H&M and they're just what I looking for- super high waisted and perfect mid blue denim. You can probably find them in your local store, I can't see them on the website yet! (Some other great alternatives are Asos and Next.) Mixing denim of the same colour is a bit risky, a bit too B*Witched, but I quite like it in this outfit, it adds the vintage look, especially teamed with a vintage denim jacket, a good one can be found in pretty much any charity shop- or if vintage isn't your thing, the high street has some cheap alternatives too. Also, teaming up denim with Breton stripes always looks cool as!




Unfortunately, this isn't the end of my denim wishlist. I'd love a denim shift dress for the Spring Summer season- I love this Topshop one (£38);

I'm also lusting after this Asos jumpsuit (£50);

And finally, there is a coat shaped hole in my over flowing wardrobe right now, I'm really feeling the need to fill it with a denim duster coat, like this one from Monki (£60);


Let me know if you liked this post, I'd love to do some more outfit posts now that it's not too chilly outside and I'm feeling more inspired! Which is your favourite look, and how do you wear your denim?

jessica h x

Sunday 15 March 2015

A little about us...

We have been blogging away lately about clothes, make-up and home inspo- when we realised we haven't told you that much about ourselves. Whimsy By Whillis kindly nominated us for the Liebster award, this is an opportunity for new bloggers with 1000 followers or less to be nominated to answer the questions below.

So here it goes, if you have any extra questions for us, please let us know as we would be happy to answer!


1. How did you decide on the title for your blog?

JD & JH: It took us weeks, we felt like we couldn't start our blog until we had a name. We went back and forth with all sorts of strange names, until the idea just clicked- 'why not jessicajessica?' For us it's simple, strong and has a clear identity!

2. Why did you start blogging?

JD: I started blogging when I was around 20 years old. I started a Youtube channel about being a vegetarian for my university coursework. From there I discovered beauty videos and started making them myself. I also had a blog alongside it. Unfortunately the time I prioritised for my blog and Youtube channel started to fizzle and eventually I stopped. I always felt sad about this, so I am thrilled to be blogging again with jess h. It means the enthusiasm can't die down, because we can both keep each other going and produce fresh ideas with each other.

JH: I've blogged a little in the past but it never really caught on, but blogging together means we have more to blog about, and more determination to keep it going. I love sharing my thoughts and inspiration, and it's great to be doing it with my bestie! Plus it's a good excuse to immerse myself in other blogs and youtube channels, I love being part of the network!


3. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

JD: I have always felt strange with this type of question, as I just don't have the burning desire to visit certain places as others seem to do! Don't get me wrong, I love holidays and visiting new places as much as anyone else! For me it's usually who I'm standing there sharing the moment with. I went to Barcelona with my family last summer and it was just special because I saw some beautiful sights with them! However I would love to go to the town in Ireland where my family are from, as I can imagine it to feel really heart-warming! 

JH: For me it would have to be America! I have been to New York (In fact, we both went on a college trip together back in 2007!) and I can't explain now much I loved it, I've also been to Orlando twice when I was younger, and I'm going again this May, but I'd love to travel further- San Fransico, LA and Las Vegas are high on my list, I'd love to see all the sights you grow up watching in movies.


4. What is your favourite food?

JD: Myself and jess h have pretty similar taste in food! My favourite foods are pasta and pizza! I also love indian food, ooh and anything mushroom based!

JH: Ditto! I adore Italian food, and mushrooms! My other weakness is cheese, Brie is my absolute favourite! I have a pretty sweet tooth as well, I'm a sucker for old school sweets.



5. What is your thing to do with your spare time?

JD: In the past couple of years my idea of having fun in my spare time has really adjusted. I prefer the simple things! I love having the time to read, I find it really relaxing. I also love spending time with my family, now that I don't live at home, I really value that time with them. I like walks in the park, picnics and going for food and gossip with friends! Don't get me wrong, I still love shopping! 

JH: I'm still a shopping addict! I love a wander around the shops and stopping for a coffee. Luckily, my Mum shares the same enthusiasm for it, so it's always quality time spent with her, which I love. At home I'm also a big reader, as well as watching a lot of movies. I love to cuddle up in the evenings with a new film, it really helps me switch off from the day.

6. Where is your dream vacation spot?

JD: I love Italy, a mix of the food, culture and beautiful sights to see. I would love to go back to Sorrento or try somewhere I haven't been like Tuscany. 

JH: I'd love to visit Italy too, I've never been! I like to sunbathe on holiday, so anywhere hot would suit me. Relaxing holidays to me mean lying with a good book by a pool all day long!

7. Beach or the mountains?

JD: I love visiting the beach, but mountain views are usually breathtaking. I would love to have a warm, sunny spot on a mountainside with a view over a lake. 

JH: Beach please!!!

8. Are you a dog or a cat person?

JD: I would say I am more of a cat person as we have always had a family cat. When I was little I was petrified of dogs, so that has stayed in the back of my mind. I can cope with calm dogs but if they start barking or jumping up me I get a bit nervous!

JH: Definitely a cat person! I'v always had cats growing up, and I'm also a little scared of dogs. We often share crazy cat lady stories!

8. A long lost relative gives you a large sum of money, what would you do with it?

JD: At this stage in my life I would probably invest it in property, then make sure my parents had their dream property. Then I would go on an amazing holiday!

JH: I'd like to think I'd be pretty sensible with it too, but I might have to treat myself to some Louboutins!

9. Where do you see your blog going in the next year?

JD: I would love for myself & jess h to just continue blogging about what we love. I would just like to continue to improve everyday, with better content, better photography. I want our blog to be established and a place that people check in to every week to see if we have a new post up!

JH: I'm looking forward to getting really stuck into it! I've got lots of ideas for more posts so I'd like to see our ideas and our content flow, so watch this space! There's always more to come...

10. Where does your blog inspiration come from?

JD: My main inspiration is just my passion to write, I studied journalism at university so I always have a craving to write about anything and everything. I think as we have so many platforms to gather inspiration from now, that it's easy to feel creative. I suppose I gather inspiration from every day life, things I spot and think 'I must remember to blog about that.' From magazines, Instagram, Pintrest, other bloggers! I think blogging is a great place to go for some instant inspiration!


JH: As you might have gathered- I'm a bit of a shopaholic! So I love to see trends emerging on the high street and seeing how I can adapt them to my own style- so I love blogging about that. I'm also a BIG lover of Pintrest and I'm really inspired by a lot of the things I find on there. I'm also pretty inspired by the people around me, I love to see what other people are buying, using and wearing, so I always have something I wanna write about!


We have been friends for over 6 years, so we have dug out some old photos.. just so you can get a little picture of our friendship!...