JANUARY Favourites

Another month has finished so I guess it's only right to let you know what my monthly favourites have been for the first divine month of 2014! 

I haven't posted a favourites since October so I'm quite excited to get back into the routine of writing them. 

My first favourite is my newest leather jacket, it is to die for! I spoke in detail about it here in my Post Christmas Haul, so I won't say too much about it apart from, I've been wearing it almost everyday to sixth form with a few occasions and I just can't get enough of it.

My only criticism would be that it is not the warmest of jackets, but that doesn't bother me too much!

Next, is this lovely watch I received for Christmas from my mummy. Again, I spoke about this in detail in an OOTD post I wrote recently.

I'd been wanting a new watch for ages, I wasn't necessarily bothered about what it looked like but mum hit the nail on the head with this beauty. My favourite part of it is the detail of the face which you can't quite see in this photo, but it has a gorgeous shell detailing. 

I've literally worn this everyday since the day I got it.

Onto something a little random is my Ted Baker collection. As a surprise, and a huge surprise at that, my lovely mum got me these for Christmas. It's a fact that I love having everything to match, so I cannot express how much I adore this collection I have created, especially as it is all black which is my favourite colour for accessories at it is such a timeless colour!

The first thing is the iPad case which I have only used once as for everyday I have a case with a stand on it, however, I cannot wait to use it when I go away. I then have the large wash bag which I love, love, love! I've used it so much already since Christmas! Next is the make-up bag which I have of course, been using everyday since I got it!

Last, is the purse which may just be my favourite of them all...

I love whipping it out my bag when I have to pay (oh how sad!) and refuse to have it in my bag without the carry bag it came in, I guess you could say I'm a little protective.

Moving onto scents, I am completely in love with this perfume! CK One Shock is one of the most gorgeous perfumes I have ever smelt, it's exactly my scent; a mixture of florals and fruits, I just can't get enough! I got this for Christmas from my dad, in the largest bottle possible so it can last me a long, long, long, long time. 

I featured this bronzer recently in my 'What's In My Make-Up Bag' post. I've never really been a bronzer girl until about 2 months ago, and wow was I missing out! 

Now, I wouldn't apply my make-up without this beauty of a product. I never realised how much better it can make your make-up look, in my opinion it makes it look complete. 

Now, onto non-item favourites.

First, my favourite film of the month which is a hard choice so I would have to say, it is a draw between Frozen and Wolf Of Wall Street.
As I type this, I've literally just finished watching Wolf Of Wall Street and it is amazing! First of all, Leonardo DiCaprio, need I say more? That wasn't the only reason I was interested in the film however. I study Business as one of my A Levels and it made me really intrigued to have a look at how the stock market worked back in the day, good ol' geek in me.

Frozen I watched a week or so ago, and I just love it! I'm a complete Disneyholic, I just cannot get enough of Disney so of course I was eager to see their latest creation.

I recommend both these films! 

This month I don't I have one favourite song, I have a few. The first is the whole Arctic Monkeys album AM, I literally love every single song on the album! I also love Alive by Chase and Status as to me, it is such an uplifting and empowering song, it just makes me want to get up and either dance or get things done. Last, is Happy by Pharrell Williams. How can anyone not love this song? It is literally my anthem of the moment. Every time I hear this song, I instantly feel happier even if I'm in a really bad mood! 

Once again, my favourite app of the month would have to be... (drumroll please) Instagram once again! This month, I've really been getting into posting on my personal account @alicewright_ so I recommend you take a look! 

Next, my favourite 'random' of the month would have to be oranges! Every morning before Sixth Form I make sure to have an orange as it's just a healthy kick for the day, and I love it.

Lastly my favourite day, I guess New Year's Day? 'Eurgh how cliche' I hear you say. 

For me though, yes New Year is just another normal day BUT it is a day where you can make some changes. 

I haven't hid the fact that 2013 was not the best year for me and so when entering 2014, I promised myself I would be happier and not let little things get to me. I would say I have done well with achieving that so far, apart from a couple of slip ups!

So for me, New Year's Day was my favourite day of the month as it gave me a chance for a fresh new start which I have happily embraced.

That is all for my favourites of January, what were your favourites? 

Read my last monthly favourites here.

REVIEW: Real Techniques Brushes

Hello, how's your week been?

For Christmas, Father Christmas (mum) bought me the Real Techniques Core Collection brush set and the Stippling Brush.

I thought after trialling them for the past few weeks, it was only right for me to do a review of them.

When I first started using these brushes, I wasn't entirely sure how to use the Stippling brush correctly so I steered clear of it for a week. I then decided that enough was enough and that I was going to watch some videos on the Real Techniques website on how to actually use the brush.

I'm so glad I decided to do so as I'm completely infatuated with this brush! Without sounding horribly cliche, it makes applying liquid foundation so effortless and leaves my face looking even all over - which is something other brushes I've used didn't do very well! 

Next, the Buffing Brush. I loved this brush from the word go. 

The brush is so, so, so, so soft! It's like rubbing a blanket all over my face!

I use it to apply my powder after my foundation to set my make up, keeping it lasting longer. 

Out of all the brushes, this might just be my favourite - the Contour Brush. 

It's the perfect sized brush to do it's job!

As the name suggests, I use it for contouring. First I use it to apply bronzer to my cheekbones, jaw line and temple, then I dust off the excess bronzer and use it to rub my cream blusher into the apples of my cheeks.

As I use this for both my bronzer and my blusher, I may have to think about investing in another one so I can have one for each, which I quite happily would! 

As you can see the Core Collection set comes with four brushes, however I've only reviewed two of them. I only used the Pointed Foundation Brush a couple of times and, I wasn't particularly keen on it. It didn't feel nice to put my foundation on with, I think this is because it's a lot smaller in size than you would expect, and personally I think it would be better used for concealer. 

I have yet to use the Detailer Brush, I don't really wear concealer at the moment or lipstick (these are it's recommended uses) so I don't have too much use for it. However, when it comes to summer and I start wearing concealer instead of foundation again, I shall definitely use it!

I have a feeling that I'm going to be using these brushes for a long, long, long time, probably repurchasing them more than once.

What do you think of the Real Techniques Brushes? I'd recommend giving them a whirl if you haven't yet!

If you're interested in buying them, many retail shops such as Boots, Superdrug and even Amazon stock them, or if you're interested in learning more about them be sure to check out the Real Techniques website. 

Faux Fur & Chucks: OOTD

Before the Christmas holidays ended, I took a trip to Lakeside and thought it was only right to show off my new favourite purchase.

I thought for a change I'd show my make-up of the day as well! If you want to know what I used, just take a peak at my 'Whats In My Make-up Bag' post here. 

Fur Gilet - Topshop (here)

Blouse - Primark

Jeans - Topshop Leigh (here) 

Shoes - Converse/Chucks (here) 

Bag - New Look 

Watch - Avon 

Post Christmas Haul

Happy New Year!!

It's crazy to think it is now 2014, I'm going to be seventeen this year which means finally being able to drive, how exciting!

Now, everyone loves a good after Christmas shopping spree - especially with all the amazing sales.

I received a bit of money for Christmas and got paid two days after (woohoo for pay day!) and knew a spree was in need. I've only spent about £150 in all as I'm planning on saving money for driving lessons in April but here's what I did buy.

First, I got this gorgeous faux leather jacket from Topshop. I'd been after a new leather jacket for a while as I wasn't too keen on the one I had, I wanted a fitted one that was a little shorter. 

This jacket is just perfect! I love the different pattern on the shoulders and the silver detailing. 

It was originally £58 reduced to £35, then with my student discount I got it for £31.50. 

I've already worn it nearly everyday since buying so I can tell it's going to be a favourite of mine for a long time!

Next I took a trip to Zara. 

I picked up an abundance of clothes in Zara but knew I had to control myself so took my two favourite things out of the bunch! 

First I picked up this blue polka dot shirt from Zara at £22.99 instead of £29.99. As soon as I put this top on I fell in love, I can't wait to wear it out. 

I then picked up this black structured skirt. Again, as soon as I put this on I fell in love. 

I couldn't believe the bargain I got, only £9.99! 

I love the fit of this skirt and cannot wait to wear it to sixth form. The only downside to this is the fact it picks up every single bit of fluff!

From Primark, I got this lovely cord pinafore. I've been lusting over this for months now, every shift (I work at Primark) I walk past this and think do I or don't I?

I casually picked it up whilst in there this week to try it on so I could see if I actually liked how it looked on. I loved it as soon as I put it on and knew I had to get it.

I was even more desperate to get it when I saw it had gone from £12 to only £5! 

I ended up wearing it for a New Years Eve gathering I went to as I loved it so much, and I'll most definitely be wearing it loads at sixth form.

Whilst waiting to meet my mum in town I went into New Look. I wasn't planning on buying anything, but in the back of my mind I wanted to buy a new bag. 

This grey bag caught my eye, I really like the slouchy look of it and whilst it appears small, it's actually quite roomy inside. 

I decided to get it in the spur of the moment as it was only £10 from £19.99!

A day after picking up the bag and pinafore I went shopping again - I think I'm a shopaholic guys!

I was on the search for a fur gilet after seeing them everywhere and absolutely adoring them. I knew this wasn't going to be something I could pick up for cheap, however I still took a big hit to the bank when buying this.

I found this beautiful black faux fur gilet in Topshop. 

I'd already had my eye on this for a while but just couldn't bring myself to buy it as it was £65. 

However, after looking around for a while, I realised that all faux fur gilets were around the same price as this and after trying it on and absolutely falling head over heels in love with it, I bit the bullet and bought it. 

Luckily, with student discount I got 10% off and so it was reduced to £58.50, which made me feel a tiny bit better about it.

I am completely in love with it though and can already see myself wearing it over and over and over again until I get sick of it!

Lastly, I popped into boots. Well actually, my mother dearest decided to spend an hour buying every gift set in sight as they were all half price, and out of boredom I wandered off.

I was casually strolling the isles when I picked up these three things.

The first was this Boots Natural Collection body spray in a Vanilla scent for £2. 

I love love love anything vanilla scented and for only two pound I couldn't see a reason not to get it - woohoo I'm going to be smelling sooo sweet!

Now, like I've said before I don't really like to buy things just because of the hype around them.

We all know Maybelline Baby Lips has had the biggest hype around it, especially in the blogging and instagramming world. 

In boots they were offering a 'buy one get one half price' offer on Baby Lips. I was actually suffering from dry lips at the time and it's rare for me to find a lip product which actually does help my lips, so I thought, 'I might as well try it'.

I picked up Cherry Me and Hydrate. I've already tried Cherry Me and can I just say it is SO worth the hype. I wore it for New Year's Eve as it has a subtle cherry red tint to it and I love it! 

It honestly made my dry lips go and left my lips feeling moisturised all night, as well as having a gorgeous taste and smell of cherry!

I'm yet to try Hydrate, which I would guess doesn't have a scent or tint.

A couple of days later, I took a long awaited trip to Ikea. 

I knew I wanted to get this cabinet for a while, so I got it as soon as I could!

Unfortunately I'm not exactly too good at DIY and when I first put it together, I put it together backwards - oops.

I also need to decide how I want to arrange, but for now it's like this.

The last thing I've picked up - and hopefully the last I'll pick up this month - is this pair of Aubergine coloured Joni jeans from Topshop.

I'm in love with them, they fit perfectly so I cannot wait to show them off in an OOTD.

That's it for my post Christmas haul, hopefully I won't be buying anything else unless it's a complete necessity as I'm really trying to save as much money as I can.

I hope you had a lovely Christmas and New Year, as well as picking up some bargains of your own!

I'm now off to drink some green tea and snuggle in bed watching movies.