Product Of The Week #1

A new series on A Yellow Brick Blog is here! A little thought that popped into my head this week - to share 1 product a week that I have found really amazing, useful, helpful or just generally loving.
It might be something brand new, it might have only been used once or twice or it could be something I've owned for years and years (and I'm not just talking about beauty products here!)
It may not be up every week but I thought they would be fun and quick posts for you guys to see and read (kind of a mini review!).

So here we are - #1 of my Product Of The Week and it is.... 

The Body Shop Born Lippy Strawberry Lip Balm.

If you've read my blog in the past you know that I am a sucker for well... more or less all lip products! Balms, sticks, glosses, crayons - I own way too many!

I featured this in my Body Shop haul at the beginning of the year, and too be honest nearly forgot about it until I picked it up and put it in my bag about 10 days ago!

This has a lovely sweet strawberry scent to it (a bit like the strawberry natural collection products from boots) which I love - but it might be an acquired taste.
It is easy to apply and keeps my lips so hydrated! I love popping this on when I'm on a break at work, a nice little pick me up and no drastic colour - just smooth, sweet smelling lips!
These Born Lippy balms don't break the bank either - only £3 each.
I also bought the plum flavoured one which I can't wait to try out aswell, it is safe to say that this stuff is staying firmly in my handbag. 

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Kirstie's Travel Diaries #13 : The Tonight Show

Catch up with #12 here.

DAY 13 (12/03/12)

6 months or so before our trip I was sat at home on the Isle Of Wight thinking of all the things we could do whilst in the US.
 Something that popped into my head was being in a TV audience. There are so many shows daytime and evening in America that have a live studio audience and I thought what an amazing experience it would be!
So I started looking in to how to apply to be in there (if that was even possible) and what shows would be near to where we were staying!
After alot of research I decided that The Tonight Show...aka Jay Leno would be amazing - he always has such amazing stars on there and he is a funny guy! So I e-mailed the show and explained what me and my friend were doing and why we would love to have tickets to the show!

A couple of weeks/months (can't quite remember) I received a reply and a confirmation of our tickets to the Monday show on 12th March 2012!!!! SOOO exciting! And what was even more exciting was finding out WHO was going to be on the show.

We found this out when we were in New York as it was a week before the show and the main guest was JESSICA SIMPSON! 
THE Jessica Simpson was going to be on the show promoting her then new show Fashion Show, her Elle cover and oh yeah - she was about 8 months pregnant! 
Me and my friend had always been Jessica fans so we were obviously ecstatic that we were going to be just a few metres away from her!

We had our driver again, the hilarious Harry (who told us he looked like the Armenian Jay Leno... which he actually did haha!),  he sent a snazzy black car with blacked out windows to make us feel important!
 We had been told that it was first come and first served with the e-mailed tickets so we rocked up a couple of hours early and joined the queue!
 After about an hour or so we were taken in the studios and put into another queue outside the stage with a number each. These were the numbers that were going to get us in!
After another, what felt like a lifetime, wait - we were heading in!

We walked in backstage and after one of the crew looked at us they pointed to a bit of paper (which was the layout of the seating) and had a guide show us to our seats..... and guess what - we were FRONT MIDDLE!

We literally could not believe it, about 4 metres away from the seats that Jay Leno and his guests were going to be sat in within the next hour - how was this real life?!
We had a few people come out and get the crowd warmed up, asking who had come the furthest..... we obviously won that one - with a few gasps from the rest of the audience which made us laugh!
Jay himself the came out and introduced himself and how the show worked! 
It was then time for it all to begin time for lots of clapping (I swear my hands were red after), lots of laughter and lots of smiles!

Because we were front row we got to get up at the beginning and approach Jay at the stage when he came out for high fives - amazing!
After Jay's comedy opening and he first guest had been and gone, his name was Adam Carolla I think he had been on Celebrity Apprentice or something it was time for a break and to prepare for Jessica! (I think this was how it went... it could have been the other way round... but you get the jist!)

Throughout this experience I kept having to look at my friend and say... is this real? It was bizzare - we were in LA, on the Jay Leno show waiting for Jessica Simpson, not many people for a little place in England can say they've done that!

That's right the first brunette there is me and the blonde next to me is my friend - Hiya Jay!!

Here she came - through the gap in the wall and down the walk-way. Wowee she was pregnant but looking stunning and in still wearing amazingly high heels - impressive!
I couldn't believe it is was actually Jessica Simpson!!!
She chatted about her Elle cover, her new show, her pregnancy and her obsession with Slutty Brownies.... which sound incredible!

After her interview it was time for the band Soja to play and then it was over! 
We had had the best afternoon! We hung outside the NBC studios waiting for our ride back to our hotel and in the process we spotted Jessica leave and also saw Jay for  bit as he pulled over his car to chat to us all!

Home we went and it was time to pack, we were leaving the day after next and we wanted to make sure we were all ready for our flight to San Fran before our last day in LA so we could enjoy it to the max!

NEXT POST : Horse riding in the Hollywood hills & the 21 Jump Street premiere - yup that's right.. Channing!

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Surviving The January Blues With F & F

The January Blues - I can guarantee 99% of you get this. With another year over, Christmas and new year bleeding us dry all of our hard earned cash and pay day seeming a million light years away... January can be a bit pants (not to mention the weather... will this wind and rain ever stop!)

For me this January hasn't been too great, lack of money, lack of work, lack of social interactions and those few extra lbs gained over December - they all add up and have a serious effect on my mood. (Okay I know things could be alot wore but still.... it's okay to miss Christmas and a full bank account isn't it?!)

So I was just ecstatic when F & F contacted me and ask whether I would like to cure my January Blues with a Bloggers Night In Survival Kit. Yes F & F... yes I really really would!
Not only that but this kit was for me AND a friend - and I knew exactly who I was going to pick!

February is a month I always look forward too (hello birthday!) and not only is it my big 2-4 next week but I'm also going to see Taylor Swift - something I've wanted to do for the probably the last 4 years or so! 
So it was time for a cosy night in with my pal to relax, chill, eat, watch and organise our trip to London! 
What better way to cure the January Blues than to have a perfect night in and something to look forward to in February aswell!

My box arrived and I was overwhelmed by the sheer size and weight of it - what could be in there? I literally had no idea what to expect and I could not believe what I found when I opened it!

Pyjamas each, slippers each, 3 amazing girly chick flicks, an amazing soap and glory face mask, popcorn (our favourite food), some insanely good chocolates, hairbo and some yummy hot chocolate.
I could not believe my eyes - major girl time was happening ASAP! So the next night my lovely friend came up to my crib, we got in our new pjs and slippers (which can I just say are amazing!), ditched the make-up and shoved our hair up - it was time to hit the sofa (aka the most comfiest thing ever!).

We'd both been on diets so a cheat night was definitely on the cards and seeing as F and F had totally spoilt us with incredible snack choices, we dug straight in!
Popcorn, sweets and the most amazing chocolates I've ever eaten. These were chocolates by a brand called Hotel Chocolat - and OMG I need to go to this hotel in London. Literally some of the best chocolate I have ever eaten.... and that is one serious statement from one serious chocoholic right here! As soon as I am in Tesco next my mission is to find them!

Should we be ashamed we polished off 2 bags of popcorn with ease? Nahh... never!

Not only did we have yummy treats and obviously great conversation (duh) but the TV and DVD player to ourselves (no men in sight!). 
F & F had sent us a fab choice of girly chicks flicks -What's Your Number? is amazing! AND we had the joys of Celebrity Big Brother ... man it is addictive!

We booked up our exciting trip to London - wahhooo something to look forward too and I'm sure I'll be blogging all about it!
Also... Soap & Glory facemask? FABULOUS! I'm thinking of doing a whole review post on it... what do we think?

A perfect Friday night in it was and I would like to say a huge huge huge thank you to F & F who made it possible, me and my friend couldn't have planned a better night in ourselves and we were so overwhelmed and grateful with everything they treated us with!

So it is true, the January Blues CAN be cured, just one night, one good friend and some fabulous treats and entertainment and the fact we are poor and it is still January just fades away! 
So whether it's January, February or even bloomin' August if you need a pick me up - a cosy night in with a friend or ten is definitely the way to go!

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Maybelline Colour Show Stripped Nudes Collection - 225 Bare It All

A new nail polish? It is indeed! 

This is one of Colour Show polishes from Maybelline from the new "Stripped Nudes" collection. (I think they are new anyway?!)

I haven't seen much about these around so I'm not entirely sure when they came out, or if hey are even out yet? But I managed to get my hands on one nevertheless!

I'm such a fan of a nude nail polish - I think they always look so clean, effortless and sophisticated... not to mention amazing with a tan - which I will get once I able to see some sun!

This shade is number 225 - Bare it all and it is a lovely opaque classic nude. It has more of a beige undertone than a pink and I think it prefer it that way.

This polish reminds me slightly of Barry M's Gelly polish in Lychee - wish is another of my favs.
Obviously we all know I'm on a spending ban so alas that means no more getting my nails done. Major sad face from me as I love having my nails done, no fear of chipping or having to re-do them and let's face it - they look 1million times better than just my plain boring old nails.
BUT there are worse things - so painting my own nails and saving a few pennies for now is how it is going to have to be!

Just 2 coats and this stuff looks beautiful, a fantastic staple colour that everyone needs in their collection! My new favourite nude!
Nudes & pastels are still going to be very much in this year after what I have seen so far and this is going to be top of my polish favs!
I've used other colourstay polishes before and have loved them, they have such an amazing range of colours which are definitely worth a look!

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Seventeen SUPERLash Mascara & SUPERLash Liner Review

Before you say it.... I know - I'm on a spending ban -but this was too much of a bargain to just walk past and ignore!
My current/all-time favourite mascara, Maxfactor's Masterpiece Max, is running low and rather than forking out the £10 it is for a new one I thought I would give this penny-saver a go. Saving money AND trying out a brand new product - Deal!

This is the brand new mascara from Seventeen, a brand that seems to be on my blog ...alot. (what can I say, I'm loving them!) It is the Super Lash Mascara and as it is a newbie, Seventeen have got a fabulous saving on it at the moment.

 Just £4.99 for the mascara (Saving £2 from the full price of £6.99) and not only that but you get a FREE Super Lash eyeliner to go with it! (as me and my pals would say... a barry bargain!)

I can be a bit fussy with mascara and only really like thinner-type brushes - ones that are more like combs, so before purchasing I quickly hopped onto the Boots website and looked for a photo of the brush (because there were 0 on the stand!) And thank the lord... it looked thin - and it is!

I colour I bought was Blackest Black (I wouldn't ever buy any different!) but I think they also do a black/brown for those of you who prefer that!
The packaging is super cute - bright red and yellow.... a bit like a super hero costume - I'm not going to loose that one in the make-up bag easily!

Ive been using this for the past few days and have been really liking it! I would definitley recommend 2 coats of this stuff. After one coat I wasn't overly excited at the outcome but after applying a little more over the top I was happy that it looked just as good as my Maxfactor baby that I cherish! (Not sure weather they were 93% longer loking but... I liked it!0
My only one problem so far with this product has been a bit of a panda eye effect. After a long day at work I seemed to have slight black ring underneath my eyes - which to my understanding would only be from this product as I haven't changed anything else! I am a bit guilty of a panda eye look some days - I literally don't know what I do wrong but it has seemed to be a bit worse than usual.  
That is after a long 9 hour day - so maybe I can forgive?? (Does anyone have any tips at avoiding panda eyes? ... I would love to hear them!)
So yes, this has a thumbs up from me and my bank account! Now.... the Super Lash Liner.

Eyeliner's are something I'm not too fussy with. I try them all - pencil, khol, liquid, gel, felt tip .... I haven't found a holy grail yet just lots that I am a fan of!

And well... this was free so of course I was going to try it!
First of all I love that is has a felt tip type tip, I find them so easy to use and with it being an angled tip aswell it makes it even easier.
As I have really small eyes I don't use a huge amount of eyeliner as if I do my eyes become non-existent! (not a great look for me!)
I've used this on my lower lash line and it was so easy. 
With this particular tip I think this would be fab for doing the upper lash line and flicks as it is so easy to be precise and neat with your lines!

So there we have it, another mascara and eyeliner sitting firmly in my make-up bag and all for less than £5!
Have any of you tried these out yet?

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1000 Followers Giveaway *CLOSED*

First of all, I cannot actually believe I am writing this post. 1000 followers?! Seriously where did all you little critters come from?
I am so overwhemed to hit that milestone after just 8 months back on the blogging scene - thank you so so much everyone!
When I started doing this, having 1000 followers was just something of a dream and I still can't quite believe it - High Five!
I thought I would host a giveaway over here on A Yellow Brick Blog to show how thankful I am for everyone who has taken the time to click, tweet, comment, follow over the past few months - you guys rock and you've made 2014 so exciting for me already!

There is just 1 prize and 1 winner and unfortunately due to the nature of the prize this giveaway has to be a UK ONLY giveaway (Sorry my world babes!)

So here's the prize...... 

1 x Marc Jacobs Honey 50ml Gift Set which includes :

1 x Marc Jacobs Honey Eau De Parfum 50ml

1 x Marc Jacobs Honey 75ml Shower Gel

1 x Marc Jacobs Honey 75ml Body Lotion

.... because everyone deserves to smell beautiful!

To enter just fill out the Rafflecopter below and cross your fingers.

Good Luck Everyone xxx

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Sale

As we all know I am on a spending ban! No more spontaneous buying, getting things I already have hundreds of and things I don't really need! Nope - I am a changed woman... for now! 
Aswell as cutting back on my spending I have decided to have a clearout.
Products, make-up, clothes, shoes - you name it, I am being harsh and brutal and getting rid of the stuff I really don't need,use or wear!

So I thought doing a blog sale would be a great idea - some of this stuff I have never used or only used onceor twice so why would I throw it away when it could do alot of good somewhere else!
I decided to pop my beauty bits on here as a blog sale and then all the clothing will eventually be put onto eBay! Saving money is my aim for this year - I have a holiday to think about!
These items, I have just never used, don't get one with, don't need or have them more than once!

All payments will be through Paypal as it is safe and easy for everyone involved and each product will have an individual p&p price with weight and size being taken into consideration included - so the price you see if the price you pay.

If you are interested in any of these items please e-mail me at : ayellowbrickblog@hotmail.com with "BLOG SALE" as the subject and I will get back to you as soon as possible to organise payment and shipping!

Soap & Glory Peaches and Clean - Brand New : £6 (RRP £8)

No7 Soft & Soothed Gentle Toner  200ml - Brand New : £5 (RRP £8)

No7 Beautiful Skin Radiance Exfoliator Normal/Dry Skin 75ml - Brand New : £5 (RRP £8.50)

Creative Comb-In Hair Colour (Green) - Brand New : £2  (RRP £3)

VO5 Smoothly Does It Frizz Free Cream - Used Once : £3  (RRP £3.89)

Goody Ouchless 27 Hairbands Thick Black - Brand New : £2.50  (RRP  £3.49)

Sanctuary Cocooning Body Butter 200ml -Used Once : £7 (RRP £10.25)
One Direction Our Moment Body Lotion 150ml - Brand New : £7 (RRP £12)
Champneys Spa Treatments Watermint Body Scrub 200ml - Brand New : £3.75 (RRP £6)

Soap & Glory Hand Food 125ml - Brand New : £3.50 (RRP £5)

Rimmel Sun Shimmer Instant Tan Medium Matte - Brand New : £4 (RRP £5.99)

Witch Gentle Exfoliating Face Wash - Brand New : £3 (RRP £3.49)

Revlon Colourstay 16 Hour Eyeshadow Quad 535 Siren - Brand New : £5 (RRP £7.99)

Bourjois Smokey Eyes Eye Shadow 16 gris party -Brand New : £4 (RRP £7.99)

Eyeko Skinny Mini Liquid Eyeliner - Brand New : £3.50 (RRP. approx £6)

St Tropez Shimmer Brick Bronzer - Used Twice : £6 (RRP £7.50)

Soap & Glory Feel Good Factor Translucent BB Cream - Used Once : £7.50 (RRP £12)

Revlon Colourstay Lip Butter 005 Sugar Frosting - Brand New : £4 (RRP £7.99)

2 x Seventeen Brow's That Brow Kit - Both Brand New : £3 each (ONE LEFT)

Soap & Glory Beauty Sleep Accelerator Night & Flight Moisture Miracle Cream - Used Twice : £8 (RRP £13)

FCUK Eye Shadow Palette - Brand New : £7.50 (RRP £12)

Seventeen Stay Time Long Wear Primer - Used Twice : £3 (RRP £5.49)

Seventeen Photo Flawless Primer - Brand New : £3 (RRP £4.99)

Palmers Natural Bronze Body Lotion - Used once : £4 (RRP £5.35) 

2  x Soap & Glory Glad Hair Day Intensive Conditioner - Brand New : £3 each - Both for £5

Dove Visible Effects Hand Cream 75ml - Brand New : £2.50 (RRP £3.70)

Nivea Hand Cream Smooth Nourishing 100ml - Brand New : £2.50 (RRP £3.16)

Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Cracked Heel Foot Cream 40ml - Brand New : £3.25 (RRP £6.15)

Liz Earle Intensive Nourishing Treatment Mask (Mini) , Liz Earle Brightening Treatment Mask (Mini) & Liz Earle Orange Flower Hand Wash (Mini) - All 3 for £10

Soap & Glory Thick and Fast Mascara Black - Brand New : £5 (RRP £10)

Lee Stafford Argan Oil - Used Twice : £7.50 (RRP £11.99)

Bumble & Bumble Thickening Hairspray 50ml - Brand New : £5 (RRP £7.50)

A Year in Review 2013

2013 may seem a million years ago (aka 3 weeks) but after being tagged to do this post I thought back to 2013 and how much fun I had blogging so this seemed he perfect thing to include on my here!

I was tagged by Lauren from BeautyxDivision and I loved reading her answers! So interesting to find out who everyone else has been loving and what posts have been their most popular and I thought this would be great to look back on in a couple of years!

So here we go - A Yellow Brick Blog's year in review : 2013. 

 Q1: Top 5 new blogs to read in 2013 

To whittle it down to just 5 is hard because I love so many but I think I'd have to say : 

Sugarfixx Beauty, Glambeautys, Tease Flutter Pout, Thumbelina Lillie & Late Night Nonsense . (For a list of all the blog I've been loving check out my Blogs I Love post)

Q2: List your 5 most read blog posts in 2013

They are... 

1. My Weightloss Story (Setting goals and changing for myself)

2. Kirstie's Travel Diaires #9 : Universal Studios Hollywood 

3. 500 Bloglovin' Followers Giveaway 

4. Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Review

5. Seventeen Stay Pout Lipsticks

 

Q3: Your favourite blog post of 2013

That I've written? I think I would have to say My Weightloss Story - it is a very personal post that I am quite proud of, it took alot for me to write it (it was like therapy!) and the reaction/comments I still get to this very day makes me so glad that I was brave enough to upload it! It also helps when I've gained a couple of pounds to help motivate me to get my butt in gear! I also loved completing the 30 Day Snap - I was proud to keep that up and keeping up with the creator of The 30 Day Snap (the legend that is Louise from Sprinkle Of Glitter) and her photos for each day!

Q4: What would you like to improve(if anything) on your blog next year?

100% my images. My camera isn't a bad camera and with the right lighting i'm normally quite happy with the photos I upload but over the last few winter months I have realised how much I do rely on natural sunlight! I would love to invest in a digital SLR (Canon 600D I have my eyes on you!) and some snazzy lighting to help improve A Yellow Brick Blog because I feel photos really can make or break a blog! (I would also love a total blog make-over!)

Q5: Name one blog you have a blog crush on 

Who haven't I got a blog crush on? Glambeautys, Tanya Burr, Couture Girl... the list is endless!

Q6: How often do you post?

I like to post as much as I can, I try and keep my posts mixed up so it isn't alot of one subject or one type of post but with a full-time job it is difficult to post most days. Right now I've posted 11 days in a row which I am so proud of - high fiving myself!

Q8: Share your first blog post of 2013

My first post of 2013 was back on 21st May. It was titled  'I Am Back!' - I have had A Yellow Brick Blog since 2011 but unfortunately previously when it came to blogging I'd do a couple of posts times and then the motivation would fade away and I'd forget all about it for months on end! When I uploaded this back in May I knew I wanted to may a go of my blog and put as much work into it as I could.

I've loved reading blogs and watching youtube for so many years now I wanted a little space of my own to share my loves and interests - even if it was just going to be me reading it!

Q9: Name one thing you would be doing if you weren't writing this post right now

I need to sort out my wardrobe! As I'm on a spending ban to help save money for my holiday to Florida I thought it would be great to start eBaying again and get rid of all the clothes and accessories that have just been sat in my wardrobe for months on end collecting dust! So that would be what I would be doing if I wasn't sat here on my laptop watching George Of The Jungle.... don't judge!

Q10: What have you loved the most about blogging in 2013?

Definitely the community. Everyone is so lovely, supportive and just total babes! I'd love to think that I have made some good friends through doing all this blogging malark! I've also loved watching my blog grow - the fact I am nearly hitting 1000 followers on Bloglovin after just 8 months is just insane to me - I am overwhelmed - so thank you all!

I think these are such great questions and so fun to answer and read alike! So I tag you all - all you blog writers to get involved and share all your posts and feeling about blogging in 2013!

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My Top Picks : New Beauty Products SS14

It's a new year so of course there are going to be thousands of new products hitting our shelves over the next 12 months.

I love researching everything new! I'm a sucker for a new collection or limited edition stuff and always want to get my hands on it as soon as I can!

Everytime I see an advert, a blog post, a tweet or any sort of information about a new product or collection that interests me I write it down and keep checking to see when it available! (I know I'm on a spending ban at the moment though so there is going to be alot less buying for me over the next 8 months...but still... a couple of things won't hurt right?!)

So I thought I would share with you a few things that have caught my eye for the beginning of 2014.

Some may already be available, some may be out soon and some... well  I've got no idea but they look exciting and some pretty darn gorgeous!

1. Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm

2. Maybelline Baby Skin Pink Transformer Primer

3. L'oreal Elive Fibrology Range

4. Too Faced Chocolate Bar Eyeshadow Palette

5. MAC Maleficent Collection

6. Tanya Burr Lips & Nails

7. Rita Ora Rimmel Collection

8. Kelly & Sharon Osbourne MAC Collection

9. Real Techniques Retractable Brushes

10. Maybelline Big Eyes Mascara

11. Benefit The POREfessional Primer Agent Zero Shine

So there are just a few things I've got my beady eyes on - they are so pretty - I want I want!

What have you got your eyes on? Anything new you are dying to try out?

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