Campus Books | Renting Text Books | Operations Smile

It's a new year and a new term if you're at school, college or university... I bet the Christmas break went past far too quickly, right?  I'm now in the big wide world of work but my exams are not behind me as I'm still trying to study whilst holding down a full time job.  I must admit the former isn't going very well and my revision barely happens which I find hard because during school and university I would go a little crazy and literally revise from 7am to 11pm with hardly any breaks.  Having to adapt to a new way of working is a big challenge for me but it will help my career (the exams are specific to my job) so I really need to try to get them done!

I know a lot of my readers are also studying so when I was contacted by Campus Books (based in the USA) about their company I was keen to share it with you guys.  Campus Books offers students the opportunity to rent textbooks which can save you a lot of money as they are very expensive to buy and most people never look at them after graduation. I remember spending hundreds on books every year of university. It also sounds pretty stress free as you place your order online. Other advantages include:

• Save 40-90% off of bookstore prices
• Free shipping both ways
• Can highlight in the textbooks
• Flexible renting periods
• A donation is made to Operation Smile with each textbook rented

An alternative for those who have already bought their textbooks is to rent them out to other students.  This is a new initiative introduced by Campus Books and means that you can regain some of the money you spend on your purchases. To find out more about this look at the Rent Book website.

I love that Campus Books are also looking to help those in need through Operation Smile.  This is an international charity to help children who are born with a cleft lip.  These children often find it difficult to eat, drink and smile are can be bullied because of the way they look.  Operation Smile is a volunteer based medical charity that helps thousands of children in over 60 countries by offering free surgery.

Over 1 million customers rent textbooks from Campus Books at over 5,500 college campuses across the nation (US only) and you could join them by visiting the Campus Books website here.

Do you think you would rent a textbook or let other students rent yours?

*Sponsored Post

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The Body Shop Honey Mania Body Scrub Review

A few months ago I featured a haul on my blog which included products from The Body Shop Honey Mania range. I love products that have a honey scent but not if it is too strong as I'm not a big fan of overly sweet fragrances.  The Body Shop Honey Mania range, however is perfect.  The scent is sweet without being sickly as it also has some hidden floral notes but when actually using the product I can barely smell the scent which is disappointing. This means it doesn't linger on my skin after use, though so if I want to wear a perfume (which I normally do) I can without having to worry about the mixture of scents or making a compromise to use one or the other.

The formula of this body scrub is very thick and a tiny grains so it works to lift away dead skin cells and exfoliate the skin but it is very subtle.  I have reasonably sensitive skin so I need to be careful what products I use but I have no trouble with this one at all.  It isn't too abrasive so I easily use it every day without damaging my skin.  

This Body Shop exfoliator is said to stimulate skin surface microcirculation and after use I find my skin is left feeling smooth but if I'm honest I haven't noticed much of a difference and I haven't been blown away by this product. I will use it up but I probably wouldn't re-purchase it.  If you want to try the Honey Mania body scrub you can buy it from The Body Shop for £12.50.

What is your favourite body exfoliator?

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OOTD | Going to a Family Meal ft AX Paris, Radley, New Look etc

Dress - AX Paris

Boots - New Look

Tights - Primark

Jacket - New Look

Bag - Radley

Ring and bangle - Henryka

Necklace - Tiffany & Co 

Last weekend it was my boyfriends mum's Birthday so we went for a family meal at a local restaurant to celebrate.  The dress code was smart casual and the meal was during the day so I didn't want to wear anything too fancy but wanted to make an effort.

I chose a simple short dress with which has a subtle but pretty leaf and flower design all over it.  There are also hints of gold glitter to add a little extra sparkle. This dress is from AX Paris and I love the fit because it works well with my hour glass figure. I also love that it has a capped sleeve so it makes it feel a little more casual and as it's cold here in the UK it gives a little extra warmth.  I teamed this dress with black fleecy tights from Primark because it worked better than those with a less opaque finish and my favourite ankle boots from New Look to keep the outfit looking casual.  I absolutely love these boots because they go well with a multitude of outfits and are so comfortable I can easily wear them all day and evening without leaving my feet aching and sore.

As it's cold in the UK I teamed this outfit with a super warm jacket from New Look which has a cream trim so breaks up the dark colours.  I also used my gorgeous Radley Tote to dress down the outfit.  It's amazing how much I can fit in this bag and I use it almost every day!

To finish off my outfit I added some jewellery including the stunning Tiffany necklace my boyfriend got me for Christmas and I pretty amber ring and bangle I won from Henryka.

What do you think of this outfit?

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MAC Fix + Review

Today's review is on a product which is often confused with a make-up setting spray.  Mac Fix + is a spray that can be used to refresh the face without disturbing make-up whereas a setting spray is used to prolong the length of time the make-up stays in place.  If you're looking for the latter a really great product is the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray (Read my review here).

Mac Fix + is a great product to use before you apply your makeup to freshen up or afterwards to remove the 'powdery' look some products can cause or to simply add a little more moisture into the skin and cool yourself down on a hot day.  To use you simply hold the bottle 12" away from your face and spray evenly all over.  The spray is reasonably light but some people may find it a little wet, it does dry quickly, however.

There are also other uses for Mac Fix + such as adding it to pigments or baked eyeshadow's to ease application and intensify the pigmentation.  An alternative is to use it to dilute products you find to be a little too thick like gel eyeliners, concealer and foundation, however, I never find the need to do this personally.

When I purchased Mac Fix + around 9 months ago I thought I would use it a lot but actually I very rarely reach for it.  It contains ingredients such as cucumber and caffeine which are meant to be good for the skin so maybe I should make more effort to use it but it isn't a product that has blown me away so I wouldn't re-purchase.  I just don't use it enough to justify spending that much on it again and it pretty much just sits on my dresser every day.  I expect the time I may feel more of a need to use it will be in the Summer as it is useful to have something cooking that will not ruin your make-up and as it has a catch to stop leaking it is ideal to travel with.

If you want to try Mac Fix + you can buy it from Mac Cosmetics for £14.50.

What do you think of MAC Fix +?

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My Favourite Films - Part 1

Last weekend I spent a lot of time chilling in front of the TV watching films which made a fun change to having a long list of things to do and dashing around to complete them. I'm by no means a big film buff but I thought it would be a little different to post about some of my favourite films in a mini series.  Here are my first picks:

The Devil Wears Prada

Any fashion lovers would have seen this film and possibly read the books too.  It gives a really great insight into the fashion world and I love this film from start to finish.  The characters, actors and story line is great, making this a film you can easily watch time and time again.

10 Things I Hate About You

This film is based on the Shakespeare play 'The Taming of the Shrew' and I've loved it since I was a teenager.  I watched it again last weekend which was the first time for years and it reminded me how good it is.  It's funny, sweet and romantic and a must see for everyone!

Marley and Me

I am a huge animal lover, in particular dogs because I have my own adorable Jack Russell who I absolutely adore. This is a film that has funny elements as well as sad but without fail it makes me cry every time.  I've only actually watched it a couple of times because I find it so upsetting but it is well done and I did enjoy most of it.

A Cinderella Story

This is a classic chick flick which is the perfect feel good movie.  The events that unfold are pretty predictable but it's one of those easy to watch films I reach for time and time again.

Hitch

I love pretty much any film that features Will Smith because I find him hilarious and Hitch is no exception.  It's a really fun film which is different from any of the others my in collection and again it's another which is really easy to watch.  This is another one for the girls but isn't quite as much of a chick flick so is one my boyfriend enjoys watching with me too.

I hope you enjoyed reading this post and don't mind that I did something different today.  I hope to do more of these posts in the future as there are more films I would love to share with you so if you do want to see more please leave a comment below and let me know!

What is your favourite film? What do you think of my choices?

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MAC Modesty Lipstick Review

Today's review is on the first ever MAC lipstick I purchased which is Modesty.  When looking for my first MAC lipstick I wanted a neutral shade that I could get a lot of use out of and I didn't have much time to think about it as it was at an event in London with a 20% discount so as you can imagine it was manic!

Modesty is a Cremesheen which I find to be the most moisturising on the lips of all the lipstick ranges.  It feels comfortable to wear but isn't particularly long lasting, however, I find this with many lipsticks in my collection and it doesn't bother me.  The finish is a beautiful shine with no shimmer.

MAC Modesty is a pretty deep nude with a slight hint of pink.  It's the darkest nude shade I own and it is what I would describe as 'my lips as better'.  Although this shade goes well with a multitude of make-up looks I don't often reach for it.  I'm not sure why, I guess I just prefer the other shades I have but this year I'm going to make an effort to use Modesty more often as I do like it and it makes a nice change from very bright lipsticks are those that are more pink.

If you want to try Modesty you can buy it from MAC for £15.00

What do you think of MAC Modesty?

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Online Beauty Websites I Love

The times are changing and more people are shopping online rather than in stores.  I love a bit of both.  You can't beat the in store experience of seeing the product displays, feeling the products and of course swatching the colours.  When it comes to buying beauty products I much prefer doing this than buying online, particularly for make-up as online you can't be sure of colours and textures.  However, there are some amazing online stores I love to look at when I just want to snuggle on the sofa in the warm.  It is a very easy and convenient way of shopping as at just a few clicks of a button your online basket can be filled with exciting treats which will soon be making their way to your door. 

Here are some of the online stores I love to shop at when looking for beauty, hair care or skin care treats:

Urban Retreat // Link

This is a recent discovery for me as I came across it during the January sales. I didn't buy anything then but last week I was on the hunt for the Midnight Rain La Prairie perfume as a treat to myself for my promotion (I've been lusting after it for a while) and I managed to pick up the gift set here for cheaper than the perfume on it's own.  The delivery was super quick and the parcel packaged well.. it even came with a cute black re-useable bag!

Debenhams // Link

As I am a Beauty Club member with Debenhams I can get points for every beauty related purchase I make as well as free delivery.  They also often have discounts on beauty products and I love to snap up a bargain so it is perfect! It is rare to ever get a discount on MAC make-up in particular and this is actually the only place besides the occasionally Carnaby Street events I have found that does it.

Space NK // Link

Space NK is a great store whether you are buying on the high street or online as they stock a huge variety of well loved brands.  I find delivery to be expensive but the products are always packaged well and arrive quickly.  They also have amazing sales so it's definitely worth it. I picked up the Laura Mercier Gift Set I recently featured at a whopping 50% discount.

Cult Beauty // Link

Much like Space NK, Cult beauty is known for selling a large range of well loved products.  As the name suggests, they specialise in products that are considered to be 'cult' by people in the beauty industry so you are sure to see some favourites here.

Escentual // Link

This is another great place to shop online because the range of beauty, fragrance, hair care and skin care products available is large.  I love that they include a 'Beauty and Buzz' section on their main page so you can see the current products being talked about and they even have a page dedicated to beauty bloggers.  I could easily spend hours looking through all the products they have on offer!

Feel Unique // Link

I've ordered products from Feel Unique many times and have never been disappointed.  If there's ever a product I struggle to find I know I will find it here and I spend far too much time trawling through the products on offer.  I could easily spend a small fortune on this website as I'm sure many of you guys could too.  I think this is probably one of the most popular online beauty stores!

Look Fantastic // Link

 This is another great website that offers free world wide delivery and has a huge range of products available.  Again, I could spend ages looking at the products here and I love the layout of the website.  Like the others I've mentioned in the post it is clear, easy to navigate and the pictures are gorgeous.

Beauty Bay // Link

Ah Beauty Bay is such a great website for picking up beauty treats.  The biggest thing that draws me to this website is the free delivery. I hate having to pay delivery for things, particularly if it is high and if I deem it to be too much I actually prefer to hunt around for a product elsewhere or wait and buy it in store rather than pay over the odds. I like the clean design of the website as it's easy to navigate and love that it features tips and tutorials too.

Where is your favourite place to shop online and what do you think of my picks?

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Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte Lipstick in Fetish Pink #8 Review

Happy Sunday everyone! I hope you're all having a great weekend.  I spent yesterday relaxing on the sofa in front of the TV as I've had a bad headache on and off all week so just wanted to rest.  In the evening I had a chance to catch up on some blog posts by my fellow beauty and fashion bloggers which was great and is something I wish I could do more.

In the world of make-up, looks can often be deceiving so sometimes you can find amazing beauty products in simple and somewhat boring packaging but this range of YSL lipsticks couldn't be further from this.  The packaging of this lipsticks is beautiful and to me is definitely the best on the market.  The gold shell and intricate design in the center of the case is stunning and I love that the background colour represents almost the exact shade of the lipstick itself.  This is the kind of packaging that draws attention and every time I pluck one of this lipsticks out of my hang bag people ask me who it is by or comment on how pretty it is. YSL ar onto a winner with this one.

Despite the packaging being beautiful, what really matters is the lipstick itself and it definitely doesn't disappoint. The formula is rich, smooth and creamy so it is very hydrating on the lips. I find it has a balmy texture so the finish is glossy and the lipstick feels very comfortable to wear on the lips. This particular shade is pretty sheer but as it is buildable you can add as much as you like to get the look you want.  The colour is a gorgeous natural pink which goes with a large amount of make-up looks and I've worn it a huge amount since purchasing it.  It's definitely the shade people would describe as 'your lips but better' so it gives your lips a subtle pop of colour which is perfect when teamed with a natural makeup look or smokey eye.  I don't know why this particular one seems to be darker shade at the top of the lipstick than the bottom, but either way I love it.

I love everything about Yves Saint Laurent lipsticks, they even contain SPF 15.  The only downside is they aren't particularly long wearing but I find that with a lot of lipsticks and re-applying doesn't bother me at all.  In fact, due to the sheer balmy formulation this is definitely a lipstick you can apply on the go without a mirror and be confident you won't be getting it everywhere.

YSL Lipsticks are available in a variety in stores including Boots for £24.50.

What do you think of this Rouge Volupte YSL lipstick?

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Laura Mercier Ambre Vanille Gift Set First Impressions

Hello Everyone, how has your week been? It's been crazy busy for as me usual but I did find the time to attend an amazing event run by REN which is my favourite skin care brand.  I can't wait to share what I got up to so keep an eye out for a post in the near future.

You may remember last weekend I mentioned being lucky enough to get hold of a Laura Mercier Ambre Vanille Gift Set in the January sales in my souffle review post here. Laura Mercier products are expensive but I think even at full price the gifts sets are good value for money although I am glad I managed to pick one up with an amazing 50% discount so rather than paying £60 I only paid £30.  I haven't used all of the products in it yet so I won't be going into detail about them in this post but instead I will be talking about my first impressions.

Included in the set are four products which all have the amazing Ambre Vanille scent.  As mentioned in my post last week I adore this dreamy vanilla toffee like fragrance and it is my favourite from the Laura Mercier range.  The products included are:

Candle - It's no secret that I love candles and this one smells divine, however, I don't think I will be burning it for a while as I want to make the most of it.  I've spent some time searching online but from what I can see it doesn't look like you can buy them individually. *sob sob*

Souffe Body Creme - I have been using this product since I bought this gift set and I love it.  My skin is left soft, smooth and nourished and the scent lingers for hours.  Read the review here.

Honey Scrub - I'm not too keen on the exfoliator I'm using at the moment as I'm not a fan of the scent so if I'm honest I can't wait until it's finished so I can start using this yummy honey one.  I have reasonably sensitive skin so I'm hoping it does the job without being too harsh.

Honey Bath - This looks like a very luxurious bubble bath and I can't wait to give it a try.  The colour is gorgeous and looks like liquid gold.

What do you think of this gift set?

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