I'm Back/Where Have I Been?!

If you're a regular reader of my blog then you may have noticed that I've been rather MIA lately with the odd sporadic post here and there but nothing compared to how much I used to post. Now honestly, I sort of lost my blogging mojo a few months ago and I decide that I'd rather post nothing at all, than post regular terrible content. It also came down to the fact that I started a new job working 12 hours days, getting home and then just wanting to sleep and that really left little time to blog. I'm now much happier in my job situation (as of last week) and so I've been busy writing up and planning a tonne of posts this bank holiday weekend ready to start back up with regular blogging. 

My schedule is going to change slightly as there won't be any outfit posts for a while - I'm working on rectifying that - but I'm hoping to mix it up with a few wishlists and styling posts, as well as the usual beauty content. I may also throw in a few television/book related bits just for good measure but you'll see them if I do. My youtube channel will also hopefully start up again from it's rather long hiatus so keep a look out over there and subscribe if you want to keep up to date!  Hopefully my blogging mojo is back for the foreseeable future now and hopefully I'll be able to produce some of the best content iamemmawilde has ever seen! I hate to fail, especially when it comes to blogging so it's time to take it more seriously...

Until tomorrow! 

The Eyeliner for Eyeliner Novices

I found myself perusing the MAC counter a few weeks ago, which is something I find very daunting to say the least. There's just so many products, finishes, shades, the list goes on... I did however, go in with one product on my mind, the cult favourite Eye Kohl in Teddy and now it's a part of my collection, I'm never letting it go!

Reading List #1

I'll be the first to admit that I'm not an avid reader in the literature sense. I like to read books but it usually takes me several weeks (or months) to finish one, so in-between I like to read various other mediums like blogs, new websites and of course, magazines. I thought I'd start this little series, which could sort of go along with my monthly favourites posts/videos but instead of including beauty and fashion pieces I've been loving, it will include all the things I've been reading that month - or couple of months. Enjoy!

Yet to find a holy grail

If there's one make-up item that I'm constantly striving to find that holy grail moment with, it' is mascara. I've never been particularly faithful to just one and I'm starting to think that maybe my ideal mascara just doesn't really exist as one product. 

La Roche-Posay Serozinc

I'm definitely one to listen to to hype surrounding products, I mean it must be good if so many people rave about it, right? One product that has been on my radar for some time now is the La Roche-Posay Serozinc, which I managed to pick up while in Paris and one that I'm now wishing I'd picked up several cans of!

Paris Diary 2014

A few snaps from my long weekend away in Paris. I could have included an endless amount of shots of the delicious food I ate, the beautiful streets I saw and the endless views but I've managed to keep it to just a few!

Bioderma Crealine H2O

It seems every beauty-related blogger around has tried and reviewed the cult Bioderma micellar water  and now I thought I'd go ahead and share my thoughts on it too! I personally, really hate taking off my make-up, I find it such a chore and so a product that makes this step slightly easier is a winner in my books.

Prada Candy Florale

If someone were to ask me a few weeks ago what my dream perfume to own would be it would definitely be from the Prada Candy range. I have just always wanted one of the fragrances but for one reason or another, it just wasn't meant to be. Until now. I took advantage of the slightly lower prices in Sephora to finally make this mine and in the end I opted for the Florale version.

Feeling Parisian

The French have such a classic sense of style; so effortlessly chic, worn perfectly by the likes of Clemence Poesey and Alexa Chung (despite her British roots). I have always loved he simplicity of French, in particular Parisian style and so on my trip to Paris last weekend (posts to come soon) I really got a feel for the fashion and beauty worn by Parisians. 

A uniform of monochrome or the classic sailor stripes seems a very obvious choice and one that I can most relate to in my own personal style. Plain tees paired with black skinny jeans and boots is so simple but it just seems to work in France. As for make-up, I noticed women walking round with barefacee, glowing skin keeping it au naturel while still managing to look great. Those who do wear make-up wore a red lip and winged eyeliner, oft not at the same time and again with bare skin. It's all about the no make-up, make-up look. 

Et voilà, a look into how I saw Parisian fashion and beauty. Très chic! 

Wednesday Wishlist #4 | Pink Edition

 Whistles Clutch | River Island Hat | Miu Miu Sunglasses | ASOS Jumper | Topshop Necklace | River Island Vest

  

A few bits that I've been lusting after recently, which all seem to have a very pink theme. Major barbie moment it seems...

The Fragrance Line-up

I like to think that I have a very specific taste when it comes to perfumes. My mum tells me that they all have the same scent but for me, I like what I like, despite some being similar to others. I would say my ideal fragrance would be a mix of musky, floral and often quite strong. I do have quite an extensive collection, I'm talking over 25 perfumes in total, but of those, I do tend to reach for a select few each day in rotation. I've somehow managed to narrow it down to five. FIVE. That's quite impressive if I do say so myself, but these five all offer something different, while still being quite similar. Here's my current fragrance line-up...

Daisy Eau So Fresh, Marc Jacobs - Let's start with the lightest and probably most summer-appropriate scent I own. If you have ever tried (and enjoyed) parma violets before then this will be right up your street. This is deliciousness in a bottle from the outside to the inside, it screams spring/summer, despite it being very wearable in the autumn/winter months too. This is a real pick-me-up, floral fragrance.

Bombshell, Victoria's Secret - This is a mixed bag of fruity and floral notes, so it's a very fun, everyday scent. I often reach for this one when I'm not sure what scent to wear as it's not too overpowering and is a very easy-to-wear scent. I find that this isn't the most long-lasting of the fragrances I own unfortunately, but it does stick around for a good few hours so it makes the cut.

Kim Kardashian - I love this one. It's one of the strongest perfumes I own and has a bit of everything in it. Floral, fruity, vanilla and musk - it sounds like a real overload of notes but for some reason it just works. I don't think this one is going to be to everyones taste but this is definitely one the the five that I reach for most often. Well done Kim K, well done indeed.

Stella, Stella McCartney - This is the scent I reach for if I want to feel sophisticated without wearing a super overpowering scent. Stella is definitely a fresh floral scent than does have hints of amber that add those darker, more sultry aspects. This is a perfume that I coveted for so long and nope that I own it I'll never look back. It's a firm staple that's great for day and night.

Boyfriend - I'll admit, with this one I bought it solely because one of my favourite actresses, Kate Walsh, made it - plus points if you know who she is! I wanted it so badly that I got a friend to ship it over to me from the US (it's not readily available in the UK) and luckily I wasn't disappointed at all when I first smelt it. It's unlike anything I've ever smelt before with woody notes throughout and a slight floral scent coming through. This one I find really difficult to describe as it is so unusual, just give it a sniff if you ever get the chance!

Now I could probably have included a few more fragrances in this line-up but I think five is a nice number so let's leave it at that. I'd love to hear which fragrances would make the cut with you...

My Graduation 2014

Dress - Marks & Spencer | Shoes - Red Herring at Debenhams | Bracelets - Pandora, Tiffanys & Swarovski

For those of you who are new to my blog or simply weren't aware, I've been at university for the past three years studying Fashion Journalism. The past three years have actually flown by and last weekend I headed back up to Sunderland, for what will probably be the last time, for my graduation. I had a really lovely day with my family, the ceremony itself was good and then afterwards we had a meal and I basically sat and let it all sink in that I'm no longer a student! It's a really strange feeling.

Anyway, I thought it'd be nice to show you all what I wore on the day as I absolutely loved my dress, it was the perfect dress for me. I actually got it from Marks & Spencer of all places, which I was really surprised about but I saw it and knew I had to have it. For shoes I wanted to tie in the silver from the jewelled neckline of the dress and so I found these simple strappy sandals from Red Herring that I thought matched really well. I kept jewellery simple and just wore my everyday 'special' bracelets and no necklace was needed for obvious reasons. 

My graduation is definitely a day I'll remember forever and it perfectly marked the end of one chapter in my life and the start of another...

Triangl Underwear

Lucie set in 'Candy Pink - Triangl Underwear*

If you have instagram or are simply a follower of fashion then you will more than likely have heard of the Australian swimwear brand, Triangl. Their brand signature is block colours, clean black lines and mesh and neoprene textures. And of course, I have to mention the crazy packaging they come in - black, heavy duty storage boxes! 

You can probably imagine my excitement when I received this lovely gift in the post last week featuring the almost neon, Lucie set in 'Candy Pink'. The set fits perfectly and it is honesty the best made set I've ever owned - the quality is definitely there when it comes to Triangl! It's also nice to have such a bright colour as it's a little different for me from the standard black or white. 

One handy little feature of their website is that you can choose separate sizes for the top and bottom, which I think is a great thing. Nothing is worse than finding that either the top is too big or the bottoms are too small (or visa versa) in a matching set! 

Now I just need one of these sets in every colour...one can dream! 

Beauty Scenario TAG | Video

Cue the beauty scenario tag. A series of questions about possible (unlikely or likely) scenarios that could happen related to beauty situation. I'm talking lipstick on an interviewers teeth and getting a pixie cut?! Hope you enjoy! 

Wednesday Wishlist #3 | Outfit Edition

This weeks wednesday wishlist is very much the makings of a complete outfit - a very monchomre outfit, but still complete all the same. I've been wanting a pair of ripped jeans for absolutely ages now and the Topshop Jamie jeans seem the perfect place to start - especially in this off black wash. I've been wanted to add some key, simpler pieces to my wardrobe so a white t-shirt is what automatically springs to mind, along with a pair of simple black (or pink) sliders. 

I bought a check duster coat at the weekend (here) and I think I've now caught the bug as this black one, also from Topshop, has caught my eye too. It think they are a great alternative to a structured, thicker coat/jacket as they are very much the casual option. 

What are your thoughts on this very monochromatic, simplistic look? Would you wear it? 

Duster Coat & Orange Pop

After searching for the perfect duster coat for so long, I finally found one that I absolutely love. Thank you Topshop. I have honestly never purchased something so quickly than I did this, I saw it, tried it, bought it. Done and dusted - pun well and truly intended!

June Favourites '14 | Video

Oh June, where an earth did you disappear to! It was the month I completed university, turned 21 and found out my university results (most nerve-wracking day ever). I also discovered and rediscovered a few new beauty bits and I even got back into reading. There's a lightweight foundation, a cult favourite concealer and even an eyeliner - what?! It's been a good month...

A Pink Lip Lineup | Beauty

I seem to have been purchasing lip products left right and centre recently, in particular, bold pink shades, which are normally so unlike me. I tend to stick to nude and mauve shades as I'm not quite daring enough to wear the neon pop shades that are often associated with the summer months. That being said, I have gone slightly crazy lately an bought several bold pink shades from matte crayons to liquid lipsticks - I've bought them all! These five bolds have been making up my summer 'lip wardrobe' as of late (with a few nudes thrown in for those lazy days) and I thought I'd share my thoughts with you.

Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in Unapologetic: I've been trying to get my hands on this aide for months now but I was starting to think that it had become extinct or something. That was until I spotted it last week while shopping in Manchester, it was a total 'ahhhhh' moment. All of the matte balms are extremely pigmented and the lasting power is superb, especially so for the neon pink shade Unapologetic, which is the perfect summer bold. These matte balms are surprisingly hydrating on the lips and they leave a lovely stain afterwards, so there's no real need to reapply throughout the day.

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Pink Pong: If you are looking for a long lasting, creamy formulation that stays put on the lips for hours then the rouge edition velvets are the perfect option. I've been enjoying the deep pink shade Pink Pong for a less neon, and more rich look. These liquid lipsticks really do stick around for hours, they apply like a wet gloss almost but then dry to a velvet, almost matte look on the lips. Perfect!

MAC Retro Matte lipstick in Flat Out Fabulous: I suppose you could say that I'm a newbie to the world of MAC lipsticks, I haven't really explored the range much, or the types of finishes that are available. One finish that I've really been loving at the moment though is retro matte, specifically in the shade Flat Out Fabulous, which is a beautiful deep pink, almost magenta shade. I picked this up last week and I've found that the formula, although matte, isn't drying at all and of course, the colour sticks are all day. See me wearing it here.

L'Oreal L'Extraordinaire Liquid Lipstick in 201 Rose Symphony: Sometimes if I'm having a dry lips day, pretty much every lip products I own ends up sitting in all of the dry patches. The L'Oreal L'Extraordinaire however, doesn't do this at all. It's very hydrating and very soft on the lips so perfect for everyday wear. The shade range isn't fantastic but Rose Symphony is a great muted pink shade that still packs a punch. On thing, these lipsticks do have a very fruity scent to them so this could be off putting for some people.

Maybelline Color Sensational Vivid Lipstick in 902 Fuchsia Flash: This is the only glossy lipstick in the bunch and also I think the most neon. The formula of these Color Sensational lipsticks is just so creamy and so smooth that they leave your lips feeling completely moisturised. The lasting power isn't as long as some because of the more glossy formula, but this doesn't really bother me because the shade Fuchsia Flash is a joy to apply anyway. This is the one that is definitely most out of my comfort zone but I'm getting there...slowly!

So there you have it, five bold lipsticks that I've really been enjoying wearing as of late. What are you favourite bold shades to wear? I'd love to check them out!

My Everyday Make-up Routine/Tutorial | Video

Wednesday Wishlist #2

black/white (topshop) lime crepe (ASOS) | blue tile (topshop) | blue floral (ASOS)

This weeks wishlist is all about trousers, in particular of the patterned/coloured variety. I usually tend to stick to wearing jeans but I really want to find a couple of pairs of trousers that I can wear as alternatives. I've been lusting after all of these pairs online recently, especially the blue floral ones from ASOS, I just think they would make any outfit look just that little but more interesting.

Three of these pairs are quite tailored, which I really like, but the first pair from Topshop is more of a relaxed, almost jogger style and this would most likely be much more comfortable and easier to wear. The lime green pair from ASOS are my favourite, colour-wise but I'm not quite sold on the cut yet though,. I can't tell if they are supposed to be cropped or not and the fit looks like they could possibly be unflattering?

What are your thoughts on patterned/coloured trousers? How do you style yours?