Instagram Diary…

Hi guys, hows your week been? I hope you are enjoying your weekend and this surprising show of sunshine. 

I was hoping to get a proper post up on the blog this week but I’ve had a couple of things to prepare for that have taken up my time. I have a job interview on Wednesday then I have my theory test on Thursday so I’ve been swatting up for those, hopefully I’ll have time to do post once those things are done and dusted. 

 

 

1. This is what happens when you buy your twin silly pencil presents.

2. Finally brought myself a MAC 219.

3. Myself andMamma Smith are ladies who lunch.

4. Erasers of all shapes, sizes and colours of the rainbow in Blott.

5. Got this stylish little cutie to carry all my treasures on my trip to London.

6. Friday night Trivial Pursuit with the girls. So many giggles. 

7. Decided to give the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water a try after reading great reviews.

8. ‘I am haunted by humans…’ The Book Thief translated onto film beautifully, its a must see.

9. I’m 25 years old and totally unashamed of eating pig shaped gingerbread.

10. Not sure if my new scarf is bright enough.

11. I make damn fine pancakes if I say so myself. #TopChef

12. A refreshing afternoon walk.

Find/Follow me on Instagram: @JemmFrances

Jemm xoxo

Instagram Diary…Christmas Edition

Well, the Christmas break is almost over. All that excitement and it’s over in a flash. How was the big day for all of you? What did you get? I hope it was fabulous. I figure the best way to beat those post Christmas blues is to relive the best bits in a picture post. So here is a sneak peek at this year’s festivities. Let me know what Christmas looked like for you via Tweeting, Facebook or commenting below!

 

1. Kicking off the sparkly season with a bit of gold glitter. Trust me when I say it got EVERYWHERE.

2. Colourful chocolate wrappers mean Quality Streets and Quality Streets mean Christmas.

3. The desired destination of the gold glitter was actually my nails. Look how they turned out! I used Barry M polish and Topshop glitter.

4. Pre-Christmas purchase. Floaty New Look top.

5. Twas the night before Christmas and in the name of tradition, I’m watching a Christmas Carol, the Muppets edition! 

6. Letting my inner child take over on Christmas Eve by tracking Santa via NORAD.

7. The gifts awaiting me on Christmas morning. Almost to pretty to open. Almost.

8. My surprise present was Urban Decay’s Naked 3 palette. Very sneaky Mamma Smith!

9. Christmas selfie of my eye makeup, thanks Naked 3!

10. Fresh nails using my new Nails Inc Fibre Optic Effect glitter in Hampstead Court.

11. Only a few days after Christmas and a trip to Meadowhall was made to spend my gift cards. This wine coloured top is from Topshop, £38….

12.… As is this little stripy number £32.

13. I’m usually more of a pink lippy kinda girl but this MAC frost finish caught my eye. New York Apple. 

14. To top it all off I was very excited by the arrival of my train tickets to London for a March visit to see Les Mis on the West End. Let the countdown begin…

Find/follow me on Instagram @ JemmFrances

Jemm xoxo

Christmas Wish List 2013

With tomorrow being the 1st of December everyone will be able to officially and sensibly talk about Christmas. Finally. Any seasonal talk that has passed before I therefore deem unofficial and nonsensical, y’all know who you are. Those of you that have been chatting about gifts, movies and decorations since Halloween, yes I’m talking to you. Consider yourselves festively chastised. But on a jollier note tomorrow is the day from which you can buy your gifts, watch your movies and decorate your Christmas tree to your hearts content.

Say it loud and say it proud: IT’S CHRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISTMAS! Or there abouts.

So what better time for a Wish List post?

This year I won’t be asking Santa to slip a sable (what the hell is a sable? When I was young I mistook it for stable & used to wonder how he would get an actual stable with horses down the chimney and under the tree? Anyway, lets get back on point,) a yacht or a diamond ring under the tree, although if you’re feeling generous I won’t argue against the last one. What with money being a bit of an issue and my attempt to curb my spending on unnecessary things, this years list is comprised of silly little bits and bobs that I’ve been after for a while. Nothing terribly exciting I’m afraid. But I made a list anyway. Never let it be said that I don’t respect tradition.

1. Diesel Loverdose Tattoo Perfume 2. Topshop translucent pressed powder 3. Urban Decay Naked 3 4. Subscription to Company Mag

1. Before I Go To Sleep 2. How To Fall In Love 3. Some Kind of Fairy Tale

1. Debenhams Gift Card (beauty) 2. MAC Cosmetics 3. Subscription to Cosmopolitan Mag.

1. Nails Inc Fibre Optic Effect 2. Topshop Gift Card 3. Downton Series 4

One present I know I’ll be receiving is a trip to Edinburgh next weekend. I’ve never been to bonny Scotland before so I’m well and truly in the Christmas spirit for that. 

And if we’re going to make this wish list a true wish list (the never in a million years kind) lets throw a London townhouse into the mix, as far as they go this ones not too shabby.

Those are my Yuletide wishes along with world peace, global prosperity and chocolate biscuits, etc, etc, etc. What has made it onto your Christmas lists? I’d love to know what you’re expecting wrapped up all pretty under the tree so comment, tweet or Facebook your wishes to me. 

Jemm xoxo

P.s Don’t forget those advent calendars tomorrow & no cheating, only open the windows a day a time! 

Instagram Diary…

1. First attempt at Red Velvet Cupcakes…

2. They turned out pretty good! With a few subtle changes they will be even better next time.

3. Thanks to everyone that recommended Seche Vite top coat over on Twitter. The one that I had been using previously was rubbish!

4. Cheeky selfie on a Ruby Woo day.

5. This week on the blog I reviewed M L Stedman’s The Light Between Oceans. If you’re looking for a new book to read now the nights are drawing in read all about it here. 

6. Home baked scones fresh for a friends visit.

7. Glittered snowflakes over Big Ben. London inside a snowglobe.

8. Decided to give this Rimmel brow pencil a go in Dark Brown. Such a bargain compared to the Eylure one I usually use.

9. Hi pretty autumnal nails. Its been too long. So pleased I can finally paint my nails again. 

Find/Follow me on Instagram: JemmFrances.

Jemm xoxo 

My MAC Pro Palette…

I posted up a picture of my complete MAC Pro Palette on Instagram the other day (I also tweeted the pic) and I received some comments and requests asking if I would post about it on here.

I am by no means a beauty blogger and don’t generally post either fashion or beauty content, I suppose my blog falls more into the lifestyle category with opinion pieces, book reviews and picture posts etc but since I love MAC so much and almost risked third degree burns de-potting my shadows, I thought why not do a quick post about my palette since some lovely people asked so nicely. 

This isn’t really going to be a review of each individual shadow just a peek at which ones I have and what they look like. After de-potting all of the individual eyeshadows I held onto the little plastic pots and returned them to a MAC store as part of the Back 2 MAC scheme, where for every six empties you get a free lipstick and MAC get to recycle all the plastic. 

 

I ordered my palette from MACcosmetics.co.uk and it is a large single pro palette with a 15 slot insert. Palette £14.00 and insert £6.50.

 

From the top, left to right: Vapour (Velvet), Steep, Shroom (Satin), Naked Lunch (Frost), Patina (Frost), Woodwinked, Mulch (Velvet), Amber Lights (Frost), Sumptuous Olive (Veluxe Pearl) , Charcoal Brown (Matte), Brun (Satin), Satin Taupe (Frost), Sketch (Velvet), Cranberry (Frost), Swish (Frost)

I swatched the shades but the lighting was terrible, I tried every room in the house and even went outside and still the colour and shimmer of the shadows didn’t show up true to life. Like I’ve said I’m not a beauty blogger so don’t possess all the technical tools that go with like a decent camera and lights etc,but I’ll post the pic up anyway so you get a rough idea. Like a complete idiot I missed out Mulch (eye rolls) but when I complete my second palette I’ll include the swatch in with that one. 

 

The lightest nude shades such as Vapour and Naked Lunch hardly show up at all, but believe me they’re there, if I’d had better lighting conditions maybe they would be more visible. At the minute my faves are Woodwinked, Sumptuous Olive, Patina and Swish but this can change quite regularly depending on what I’m wearing day to day. 

It’s taken me a while fill the palette as the eyeshadows aren’t cheap but I’m really pleased with it and think the shadows are well worth the money. It’s not like I need any more but I can’t wait to add to my little collection! 

What are your favourite MAC shadows? Do you have a palette? 

Jemm xoxo

Instagram Diary: Birthday Edition!

 

1. Since last weekend was my birthday weekend I went a bit sparkle heavy on the nails. 

2. Cheeky selfie of my birthday outfit. Topshop jumpsuit. All ready for a night out with the girls.

3. This is my best friend Helen, she’s been a through a lot this year and handled it like a true warrior princess, BFF kisses. Mwah!

4. Chocolates. These made up my birthday breakfast.

5. Wooooo! I received lots of Debenhams beauty card gift vouchers all loaded with moolah to spend in MAC, Urban Decay & Illamasqua etc. My peoples know me so well.

6. Went out for an Indian with family to celebrate, here’s a sneaky pic with Mamma Smith.

7. My twin and I blowing out the birthday candles.

8. Red velvet birthday cake. Was yummy!

9. Dad heres a word of advice, if you leave £10 laying around I will take it to Costa and put it to good use. Thanks though.

10. Used my Debenhams cards to buy these lovely goodies… MAC eyeshadows (Clockwise) Swish, Naked Lunch, Charcoal Brown, Mulch & Sumptuous Olive. I now have more eyeshadows than pro palette spaces. Another palette it is then…

11….Urban Decay Naked 2 palette.

12….MAC Myth lipstick.

13.… Vera Wang Lovestruck perfume.

14. Pretty pink eyes with my new Swish shadow.

15. Went to see The Conjuring. Scary business. Good film though. Prepare to be spooked.

Find/Follow me on Instagram @ JemmFrances

Have a wonderful week!

Jemm xoxo

Instagram Diary

 

1. Cheers! A nice cool Ginger Ale. Lunching with Mamma Smith, it would be rude not too!

2. Couldn’t resist these MAC purchases. Been wanting these two products for a while, Paint Pot in Chilled on Ice and a 266 angled brush.

3. Sleek blusher in Rose Gold. Such a pretty product. I have been using this blush non stop since buying. 

4. I already own a Sleek eye shadow palette in Au Naturel and use it a lot. The new one in this pic is called Storm. Pigmented, easy to blend with a pocket friendly price. Winner. Doncaster Superdrug please start stocking Sleek!

5. This week I was very impressed when the new A/W issue of ASOS Magazine fell through the letter box. A fabulous little read.

6. My friend Terri and I were bonding until this happened. I’m team Costa, Terri team Starbucks. We can no longer be friends! 

7. Spent a lovely day this week with my two nephews, a trip to the Yorkshire Wildlife Park then bowling, I even won a game!

8. Topshop playsuit. Possible outfit for my birthday celebrations next weekend. 

9. Nails. Gold glitter bases. Using Topshop and Models Own polishes. 

10. Anyone else on Orange/EE that has trouble with their service? My iPhone quite regularly says No Service. Then all these zeros happen. Sort it out Orange!!

Find follow me on Instagram @ JemmFrances

Have a good week!

Jemm xoxo

Instagram Diary

1. Back in love with Essie’s Fiji nail polish with tanned hands.

2. I have a bit of a thing for stars and crescent moons so I couldn’t resist these super cute Topshop midi rings. (Sorry can’t remember how much they cost!)

3. Never before owned a pair of tan coloured sandals, until now. These pair were a bargain from Faith.

4. Got these two MAC lipsticks, Please Me & Honey Love, FREE, yes free by swapping 12 empty eyeshadow pots as part of the Back 2 MAC scheme. Happy Jemma!

5. Been after some holographic effect nail polish for ages. Found this one in Urban Outfitters.

6. Polka dot nails…

7. … to match my polka dot dress!

8. Mamma Smith and I at a family wedding in Southampton.

9. Family ladies together striking a pose.

10. Pretty purple wedding cupcakes, don’t mind if I do.

11. I love you too Costa.

12. Lastest Jemm Frances Reads post. The Universe Versus Alex Woods by Gavin Extence. If you’re looking for your next book read here first.

13. Current nail fashion. Illamasqua Obsess polish with a Topshop glitter fade.

14. Sometimes it’s just got to be done. Pink, sparkly Krispy Kreme.

Find/Follow me on Instagram @ JemmFrances.

What’s been happening with you this week?

Jemm xoxo

Instagram Diary & A Quick Note…

Hi guys!

It’s been a while hasn’t it? Lately the time seems to have run away from me and whenever I’ve sat down to write a post I’ve either hit a literary wall (literary, not literal, ouch!) or I have been distracted by something else. I know, bad blogger. But I am happy to report that I’m working on a post that should be up at some point during the week. 

Also, this Instagram Diary contains pics from the last two weeks as I tried to post up last Sunday but for some reason my WordPress account was acting all kinds of hell crazy and barred me from posting on my own blog. Rude. 

Anyway, enjoy and keep your eye on the fresh post popping up on here soon. 

1. MAC Candy Yum Yum. Have been coveting this for WEEKS and had to order online in the end. £14. 

2. Had my hair did. If only it would look like that without me having to do anything.

3. New Ralph Lauren specs. It’s scandalous that it costs an absolute fortune to not be blind.

4. Longest plate ever. Surely you get shorter runways.

5. So I figure it’s like this: there are 365 days in a year and in this country only about 9 of them will be sunny so you have to eat the McFlurries while you can.

6. Since the glasses cost a small fortune I better wear this pair.

7. Stop the press! A latte that wasn’t from Costa that I actually enjoyed. Shock face :-O 

8. In my opinion stupidly expensive for a lipstick but it had to be done at least once. Estee Lauder Crystal Honey.

9. New Jumper. Wallis.

10. Bunnies! Sunny day at Clumber Park.

11. Hoop earrings. River Island. I checked that I didn’t look like Tina McIntyre or a big fat gypsy bride before purchasing. 

12. Phone’s new outfit.

13. Oh hi pink lips! 

14. I have discovered the Illamasqua counter in Meadowhall. God help us all, but mostly me. 

15. Bright leopard print nails. Combination of Topshop, Illamasqua, Essie & Models Own polishes. 

Follow/Find me on Instagram @ JemmFrances

Have a happy week.

Jemm xoxo

Instagram Diary

1. The nicest lunch. Chunky chips and  a sandwich.

2. Weird (i.e. posh) chocolate brownie.

3. Real Techniques Powder and Blush brushes. Been after these two for a while.

4. After watching Zoella use some salt spray in a  YouTube vid I decided to give it a go myself. This is a Toni & Guy one.

5. I got sick of hearing everyone mention Sleek makeup and never being able to find it anywhere so I ordered some prods from the website. This is the iDivine eyeshadow palette in Au Naturel and a blush in Pixie Pink. I love them both.

6.Make up face using my new Sleek products.

7. It’s not like I need more but here’s Nails Inc in Victoria and Maybelline Color Show in Speckled Pink.

8. I love these little vials of nail glitter from Topshop. Decided to purchase the darker glitters after loving the lighter shades. Messy as all hell to use but super pretty!

9. Cheeky Costa with Mamma Smith.

10. Build me up buttercup….

11. Pretty stained glass window.

12. Mini Cookie Dough, bit of a let down to be honest. Only about 2 pieces of actual cookie dough in it!

13. Latest nails. Nails inc Victoria with Topshop Magpie glitter fade. Got so many compliments on these already.

14. Lord, I’m so immature! 😀

15. Another MAC lipstick addition to the collection. This one is Costa Chic. 

Find/Follow me on Instagram @ JemmFrances

Jemm xoxo