Easy Like Sunday Blogging... On A Monday

You know those things that people tell you happen, but you refuse, or even can't believe them until you see them? Well I just had one of those moments. Everyone told me that Lake Mendota, the lake next to my halls would be frozen when I got back to Madison in January. Now that lake is a blood big body of water, unlike any we have back in England. But today, I saw it with my own eyes. It is all completely frozen; people are walking on it!
I have honestly never seen anything like it. But it makes me love Madison even more.

- As some of you may know, it was my 21st on the 11th, and I had a really nice day, what was spent with Mother. It was actually the first birthday I have looked forward to in quite a few years. (Probably because it means I can drink in America now...sssh) I feel like whenever you have a birthday everyone around you pressures you to do something big and amazing, and I just feel like that pressure can ruin the day itself. Hence why I spent the best part of the day doing nothing but spending time with Mother (and my cats). The work Christmas party was the night before, and at midnight that turned into a kind of celebration including free glasses of wine and a gargantuan cake...so I guess that counts haha.

- I have recently made some fairly extravagant purchases... I had been lusting over the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette for months. And I mean months. Like I had looked at it on Sephora nearly everyday for about a week.
Then the day came in January when I added it to my basket, especially as there was my free birthday gift as well. I left it for about an hour or two to really mull it over... and to my complete distress it was then out of stock. Everywhere. On Hourglass. On Sephora. On SpaceNK. EVERYWHERE. I was devastated. Then on Friday, just while I should be packing, Sephora emailed me to tell me that it was discontinued. Noooo! But! Hourglass themselves had it back!!! And I finally ordered it; I am eagerly awaiting it's delivery very soon.
Then at Heathrow on Saturday morning, there I was in Nars, facing the Nars Loves New York Exclusive to London Heathrow and Limited Edition Set. With the palette for uptown to downton, the nail varnish in Chinatown and the Lip gloss in Dolce Vita. Well after the stress with Hourglass I couldn't say no really could I?

- I am currently in the process of making a list of 21 things to do whilst I'm 21. I love making these kinds of lists. If anyone has any suggestions, I am open! I of course have gamble and drink in the US...more to come on that one later, but I am also thinking of maybe putting in things such as travel to somewhere by myself? And I mean, really by myself. Stay somewhere by myself and explore by myself. I'm thinking somewhere near hear such as Milwaukee; but that's a tentative plan. Any other good ideas would be welcome though!

I hope you are all having good Januarys! The snow is coming down here, and I am trying to be productive on this Martin Luther King day (#noclasses.)

xoxo

Soap&Glory Sugar Crush Body Scrub | An Ode To Products at Home

Now that I am actually back at home, this piece seems easier to do and I am reunited with all of my products and stuff! I have a whole basket full of just beauty/body/hair products and it's so exciting to be rediscovering things.
I adore this product, mainly because of the smell. It smells just like sweets and kinda makes me wanna just eat it with a spoon ... it's limey and sweet and just sooo good. The product itself is also amazing; it's one of those scrubs that has the right amount of scrubby bits; not to mention the the general consistency of it makes it so easy to use. It's thick and works as soon as you apply it to your skin, leaving it feeling gorgeously smooth. It isn't too harsh so you can use it every few days as it doesn't aggravate sensitive skin or leave your skin feeling a bit raw. It has the perfect balance of the aforementioned scrubby bits to be used on a regualr enough basis to keep your skin from being any kind of scaley!

You will note that the above picture is of the older packaging; this is the particular version which I have almost used up (a little goes a long way!) and I much prefer the entire old packaging collection of all Soap&Glory products and thus am refusing to accept the new packaging. But for those not living in the past, the new version is thus:

You can get it here for £8.00 or here for $25. (Note that S&G is waaaaaay more expensive in the US!)

Have you tried this product?

xoxo

Easy Like Sunday Blogging

Easy Like Sunday Blogging by superkarina5 featuring a panda hat

We are already well on our way into November; the countdown to Thanksgiving being prominent! (16 days!) 

- Firstly, I have an accouncement. In what can only be described as typical me fashion, I missed my blog's birthday. That's right. On the 5th of November (bonfire night, who knew! And how DID I FORGET?!) I made my very first post. I cannot believe that a whole year has gone by since then, but thank you to all who have followed me since the beginning, or have just jumped on the love train that is The Kazlight Anthem. I am eternally grateful for all the support and if I could make you all a cup of tea I would!
Starting this blog was one of the best things that I think I have done and could ever have done and I absolutely adore it. Without my blog, I wouldn't have started my youtube channel which is something else that I love. 
And don't worry, there will be an obligatory birthday post coming up!

- Secondly, I am sorry if my posting has gotten a bit slower of late. Midterms have happened (where I made up Greek names... #winning), papers are currently happening, work is imminetly happening. Basically, a lot of stuff has been happening. I have also been in a bit of a blog dry spell; my blogging spirit has, like the temperature here dropped and with that has come the sense that I don't want to to just whack out any old post for the sake of posting.
So I apologise, but be thankful you aren't getting posts talking about how much I hate all of the essay prompts for my History of Ancient Philosophy paper. 

- Last Sunday night, after receiving a Beauty Insider email from Sephora, depicting the latest freebie which was available for a limited time only, a purchase was made. Damage was done. Yet I felt no shame, only that wonderful rush  of excitement and joy when you purchase something that you've been saving up for for weeks yet still can't reaaally afford. 
That's right everyone, I purchased the Sephora Favourites Superstars Set. And ooohmy. I love it. I have been experimenting with it today, whilst avoiding aforementioned philosophy essay and I must say: make up makes me so happy. 

- The Starbucks Red Cups are back!!!! If you follow me on Instagram, then you will have seen my obligatory selfie with me posing with said red cup. Sooo many people here did not know what I was talking about!! Madness!!

- I've been thinking about filming a video showing all of the beauty products that I brought with me from home, yet have been shying away from doing it with the thought that 'nobody cares'. But would you guys be interested? Let me know and maybe it will give me more motivation to actually film it, instead of keep talking myself out of it!

I hope you have all had fabulous first weeks of November! Remember those gloves everyone, it's getting chilly out!
xoxo

Easy Like Sunday Blogging

Easy Like Sunday Blogigng 3 by superkarina5 featuring beauty products

I cannot believe how quickly these weeks are flying by! This weekend seems to have gone pretty slowly though which of course I'm not complaining about!

• So today I had my photo shoot for my Moda article today; I haven't seen the photos yet but it's definitely exciting! It's amazing to think I'm going to have an article published in a magazine!
  
  
• Today we went to a different mall, but a much better one. And low and behold...there was Sephora!!! Currently I am majorly lusting after their superstars set...but I was good. I reigned myself in...and only bought two things! I didn't even buy anything in the aisle of doom. Well done Karina! All I got was the Formula X nail varnish in 'Alchemy'; it's limited edition and I had to get it after seeing it in Fleur's video. I also picked up some of the Ole Henrikson wipes...which were a little treat to myself!
  
  
• Now I'm sure everyone is aware of my love of Taylor Swift (from here on out she will just be referred to as Taylor). She is sent from the gods. She is my idol in life. And on Monday she released Out of the Woods; I had a full on breakdown trying to get it...if you follow me on twitter you will have seen it in action! I am loving it. 8 days until 1989 !!
  
  
• I received my Social Security number this week! I was really excited, which I know probably sounds really sad...but it made me feel like I am really at home :)
  
  
• For those of you who read this post last week... you will be pleased to know that I managed to finalllly order that Asos scarf! It only took me two different orders, one being refunded...but yess! (There have been a lot of Fleur inspired things going on here...#noshame)

I hope that you have all had a lovely week! I've got a really great idea for a video that I'm hoping to get out to you this week...if I can film it!

xoxo

A Day In The Life #3 | Birthday Goodies!

So some of you may be aware that it was my birthday a couple of weeks ago and I was completely spoilt by my family and friends. I wanted to blog all of the lovely things that I received, it has just taken me some time...
Get ready for a picture heavy post!

So here are some bits; as you can see it is a mixture of amazing beauty products and percy pig...
From left to right: keyboard stickers, Mac lip gloss, Moleskine Diary, Percy Pig sweets and cake mix, Nail Art Set (buzzing to try!), Bicycle necklace, Hello Kitty Sweets, Sisley eyeshadow and eyeliner pencil and of course some stickers.

My sister also sent me a box of lovely goodies! Most of which were Moomin related; if you follow me on Twitter, you'll probably know that I love Moomins.

From Mother... this beautiful gold Claddagh ring which I have been wanting for years

And of course my lovely kitty cats sent me this Vaseline pouch as they know I am always losing it.

I hope that you found this interesting; if you're nosy like me then I love seeing what people receive for birthdays and Christmas etc! 

xoxo

Autumn Favourites

This is one of my favourite times of year, (despite the cold dropping to below double digits and it being pitch black dark before half 5). Autumn make up and clothing, I feel, is definitely one of the best. After all the bright and sunny colours of the Summer, everything moves into much more darker, warmer tones.
As I love Autumn, I thought I would share some of my favourite Autumnal products!

Lips
(From left to right) Bellapierre Super Lip gloss in 'Raspberry'. Revlon Lip Butter in 'Peach Parfait', Maybelline Baby Lips in 'Cherry Me', Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in '005 Crush', Sephora Lipstick in 'No.19' and MeMeMe Cherub's Blush Cheek and Lip Tint. 

 Face
Rimmel Stay Blushed in '001 Pop of Pink'

(From left to right) Garnier Moisture Match - Combination to Oily Skin, Benefit Triple Performance Moisturiser, Clinique All About Eyes and Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief

Hair
(From top to bottom) Herbal Essences Beautiful Ends Split End Protection Mask and L'Oreal Elvive Smooth and Polish Mask

 Nails
(From left to right) Leighton Denny 'Nude', Barry M Nail Paints in 'Raspberry' and 'Indigo' and Sinful Colours in 'Winterberry'

And of course cosy clothes!!

 What are your Autumnal favourites? 

  xoxo