Birthday MAC Haul

As I woke on the morning of my 26th birthday bright-eyed and bushy-tailed I did my usual morning routine -  you know just some light yoga and a shot of healthy greens...... and by that I mean I casually lay in bed, avoided getting up and checked my phone for any exciting Kardashian news.
And BING there it was - a surprise MAC voucher waiting in my inbox for me from my lovely boyfriend (Lots of brownie points for him!)!

Of course this voucher did NOT last long and no sooner had I got it, it was gone. Although I must admit it was a tough choice picking from my never-ending wishlist!
Here's what I decided on.... 

Strobe Cream

This has been on my wishlist for so long now. Every single photo I had seen of it online looked so stunning - I'm obsessed with a perfect glow and that dewy, natural look and this cream looks like the perfect way to create that. I can't wait to play around with this stuff!

Lip Liner - Soar
The Kylie Jenner classic. I cannot believe it's taken me this long to invest in it! I LOVE MAC's lip liners - they are the best - and I'm so glad to have another nude shade to wear daily with Velvet Teddy/Brave.

Lip Liner - Nightmoth
Like I had said in my recent post I really wanted to buy a new lip liner to go with my Ariana Grande Viva Glam lipstick and THIS is the perfect shade!  Seriously dark, this plum shade is the best base for it - and also gorgeous on it's own!

Lipstick - Brave
Another product which has been on my wishlist for months and months.
 I saw a gorgeous picture on Pinterest of someone wearing Soar & Brave together and since then I have been wanting to purchase them both - and now I have! I know this is going to get some serious wear, it's such a pretty colour - perfect for everyday!

Eyebrow Pencil - Lingering
This was a total random purchase! But I've just had my eyebrows done and felt like trying something new for them! I quickly tried this out and am so impressed by how easily it works on filling in my sparse areas and how little you need! 

What's top of your MAC wishlist?

Shop the post :

Follow

Happy 2nd Birthday A Yellow Brick Blog!

I can't believe it! A Yellow Brick Blog officially turns 2 years old today!
 It's been around 104 weeks since I decided to properly start up this blog (after many failed attempts) and to be quite honest - I can't really remember life before it. (what on earth did I do with my spare time?)

Source

This little site has well and truly taken over my life but in a totally fabulous and positive way! Even with the hours wasted taking photos in crap lighting, the pressure I put on myself to constantly upload and a few technical blunders here and there I have loved every second. I am so grateful for the journey it has put me on and I'm nowhere near ready to get off this ride anytime soon.

2nd Year Stats (as of 19/05/2015) :

Bloglovin' Followers : 3,512

Twitter Followers : 9,835

Facebook Likes : 1,555

Instagram : 1,903

Pageviews : 502,900

Just reading those has me overwhelmed! I want to say a massive thank you for every like, tweet, retweet, follow, click you may have done over the last couple of years! 

I'm so proud of where my little spot on the internet has got to, it's more than I had ever thought of, and I will always keep striving to keep it going for as long as I can.

Goals for year 3 :

Hit 5,000 Followers.

Carrying on uploading to youtube as well as writing blog posts.

Finally meet the bloggers who have been so lovely to me.

Become more confident with my content.

As a proper 'thank you' I wanted to hold a giveaway - it's been a while since I had one on here and I thought it would be a great way to celebrate another year of blogging fun, for both myself and you lovely lot :)

 So keep your eyes peeled, hit follow and check back tomorrow when I will be starting it up!

#HappyBirthdayAYBB

Like this post? Follow A Yellow Brick Blog on  Bloglovin so you never miss a thing!

18 Months Of Blogging : 5 Things I've Learnt

I can't believe I'm saying this but today I had been running this blog for 18 months straight! A year and a half of chatting beauty, boots (on my feet and the store...obvs!) and even boobs! 

This time has flown by but at the same time I don't remember my life without blogging. I will hold my hands up and say it has completely and utterly taken over my life and it feels like my baby, a job and a hobby all in one!

Thinking back over the last 18months and looking at how much my blog has changed and grown I thought I would share the 5 main things I've learnt so far! My attitude towards blogging is slightly different now to when I started!

Spot the awesome pyjamas.....

1. Numbers aren't everything

If you are anything like me you may agree with this! 

When I started blogging I thought alot about how many people were clicking on my links, how many followers I was gaining every week and, I'll be honest, watching my blog grow came a bit obsessive. 

As time has gone on though I've realised that that really doesn't matter! I would much rather have 1 person click on my blog and LOVE the post I've written, write a comment/ share it than 100 people clicking on my blog, scan reading what I've put and clicking straight off again not really caring!

Obviously I'm always striving to increase my audience though, I think every blogger is, but I would honestly be happy writing posts even if I only had 10 followers who enjoyed them!

I am so so grateful for every single follower I have and watching the numbers grow over time has been totally mind boggling to me - how on earth have I managed to convince nearly 2800 of you to hit "follow" is totes crazy, I love you!

2. Blogger pals are the best

Yes we have a little community and yes 90% of the time us blogger friends have never even met each other but still - we are internet friends for now and that is fine!

Imagine talking to people who have the exact same interests as you, know the ins and outs of your hobby as well as you do and are pretty darn cool? 
The blogging community is probably online 24 hours a day so there is always someone to talk too, they are so supportive - especially when your having a "whats the point? My blog is pants" kind of day and can always help when you have any kind of trouble or need advice!
PLUS they all have blogs you can read and enjoy - duh!
Not only that but they don't have those pesky questions that non-bloggers like to ask... alot! "What's a blog?" "Why do you do that?" "You get free stuff?" "I don't get it." "What's the point?" "Do you get paid?"  haha I've lost count of how many times people have asked me these things!

I've been so lucky to make some lovely friends during the last year and a half - Kate, Liza, Megan, Estelle, Ellie, Becky, Shree to name just a few! Thank you girls for making me feel so welcome <3

3. Living on an island can suck

I live on an island and work full-time so being able to go to fabulous events is more or less always a no-no. I literally haven't been to one event or one meet-up yet and I am so disappointed with myself!
With most opportunities being in London the travel cost alone for just a 2 hour event is too much for me to justify plus most of the time I cant't get home in time for a boat which isn't 3am - which isn't ideal when I'll 9 times out of 10 have work the next day!
In 2015 I really want to try and take advantage more of all the opportunities that come my way, I feel like I miss out on so much - especially meeting other bloggers!

4. You can always say no

When I received my first e-mail from a company asking me if I would like to collaborate with them for a blog post I was over the moon and I still am every single time I receive one. 
But over time I have had some blooming random things offered to me and because of this I have learnt that saying 'no' is actually really okay, it's not rude and it's not ungrateful.
My blog is my blog so I'm not going to include anything that I don't belive in or aren't myself interesed in - for me, it's not right. 
For example a company approached me about an acne treatment - I've ever had acne in my life so I felt like it just wasn't something that was relevant to me and my life and therefore my blog, I explained this and the company was totally understanding. I don't think it's rude to decline offers, it's just honest.
There are thousands of bloggers out there so if something you know isn't for you, there will always be someone it suits!
I try my hardest to e-mail back to every e-mail I get though, even if the answer is no. (Although sometimes I am so so slow I want to punch myself!)

5. Aesthetics are key

To be honest I probably knew this when I started out just from reading other people's blogs and reading things online in general.
 A clean, neat and tidy blog/website is always going to have a more engaging audience then something that is wild, wacky and hard to navigate!
I am always looking at people's blogs and dribbling at their amazing layouts, logos, buttons, photos, collages and headers - you girls and guys have done some amazing work
I am pleased with the progress I have made when it comes to the look of A Yellow Brick Blog and it's posts. I've definitely grown from the dodgey photo editing and self-made header I started off with and am I so pleased with what it's turned into so far.
I know I have a long way to go when it comes to perfecting photography and things, in my head that's what I am seriously lacking but hopefully in the not too distant future I'll be able to invest in a new camera, some lighting and really up my blogging game!

I'm still learning with blogging and everyday I'm so glad I deciding to give it a go and pursue something I admired so many other people for! Here;s to the next 18 months!

What have you learnt so far with blogging?

Like this post? Follow A Yellow Brick Blog on  Bloglovin so you never miss a thing!



To see videos check out A Yellow Brick Vlog on YouTube

Happy 1st Blog Birthday!!!

It's here! A Yellow Brick Blog's first blog birthday! A year ago today to decided to jump in and take on the blogging world properly and become one of those people known as a "blogger"! 

Over the past year I have had so much fun, learnt so much, spoke to the nicest people ever and generally just really enjoyed myself on this crazy blogging journey!

To me it is insane that I am sat here looking at my little spot on the internet knowing that it has nearly 1,900 followers and over 210,000 views - when on earth did this happen?! Totes baffled!

Look how much it's changed in just 365 days!

I am so so grateful for everyone who has been so supportive and lovely to me especially all the other bloggers who have been so welcoming to me - you guys rock!

I feel like I'm part of a proper community and everyday I love coming online and reading comments/tweets etc from people and I'm so proud of what I've achieved so far!

So this is just a post to say thank you, thank you, thank you for every single one of you who's read, followed, commented, tweeted, re-tweeted, liked, favourited - and well... more of less done anything to encourage me along the way!

So... roll on the next year (or ten!) and whatever it has to offer!

Mac Amplified Creme Lipstick - Girl About Town Review

Here is the last of the Mac lipsticks I got for my birthday (I know, I'm a lucky lucky girl!) Check out my previous reviews of Impassioned & Candy Yum-Yum! As you can tell I have a major love for lipsticks.... especially pink ones! 

Another Amplified Creme from Mac here, a gorgeous creamy formula (my fav!). I have been eyeing this up honestly for months and months and now I finally have it I'm actually annoyed I hadn't bought it sooner because it is a beaut!

This shade reminds me slightly of a Mac lipstick I bought years ago called Trimming Talk, which was discontinued, (yup I was devo!) just a little less vibrant - it is a gorgeous deep fusicha shade.

As you can see I've already worn this one - couldn't wait sorry! Although I probably should of cleaned it up a bit before giving it a photoshoot - opps a daisy! I do look after my make-up I promise!

This is such a wearable colour - daytime, nighttime even bloomin bedtime - I will be wearing this!

I choose to wear this out for my birthday night out and thought I'd insert some photos in here so you can see what it looks like on - because normally I'm rubbish at doing that - blogger fail! (in some of these I may be a little tipsy... but it was my birthday so you can let me off right?)

It's a little darker than the other shades I featured recently but for me this is a must have colour! If you're looking to purchase a new or even your first mac lipstick I would highly recommend Girl About Town!

The pigmentation as always with Amplified creme's is perfect for me - just one swipe and you get a flawless thick opaque colour (like below) - what more could you want?

Girl About Town  is £15 and I think well worth it - I've found a pink that is so wearable and great for my skintone, a product I'd buy over and over again!

Have you tried Girl About Town?

GFC | Bloglovin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Tumblr | 1000 Followers Giveaway

24 fun facts about Kirstie

 Yup I've hit the big 2-4. Yesterday it was my birthday so I thought why not celebrate by doing a quick 24 random fun facts about myself!
I love reading these posts by other people so hopefully this will seem readable to some of you! So here we go...

(Seriously how amazing are my friends!)

1. I didn't eat pizza until I was about 15,  until then I hated it. (Now I can't get enough!)

2. I LOVE the smell of new carpet, I seriously love going into carpet shops or the carpet section in B&Q.... Mmmmm!

3. I was once in a lift with Jason Biggs. After a flight from New York I turned round and noticed he was stood next to me - but I felt too tired and ugly to attempt to speak to him.... So I just stared like a weirdo.

4. I was named after Kirstie Alley.... My mum saw her name pop up on TV and fell it love with it - originally I was going to be called Charlotte or Emma.

5. I will always find Summer Heights High hilarious. One of the best shows ever.

6. This one time...... I kissed a seal. It's a long story. 

7. My favourite food has got to be chocolate but if I had to choose a favourite dinner it would either be Christmas dinner or my mum's macaroni cheese!

8. I am obsessed with musicals.

9. I met Kat Von D and Holly Madison on the same day - it was a good day.

10. My dream job would be a dancer on tour with a superstar like Taylor Swift or Katy Perry, it looks like the funnest job ever!

11. I have a serious love for cheesy 90s music. I could listen to it all day.

12. I support Portsmouth FC.

13. I've been dying my hair since I was about 12 - but I think I'm going to stick to blonde.

14. I had a mega drive when I was younger and am an incredible player of Sonic.

15. My dad once told me that conker shells were baby hedgehogs and I took them home and gave them lettuce and milk. It was only when I wanted to talk them in for show and tell that my Dad had to confess he was winding me up ... I was 4!!!

16. When I was younger my favourite animal was a mole.... which I find hilarious... what a strange child!

17. This month will be my Twitter's 5th birthday. The most exciting people to tweet me so far have been Paris Hilton & Khloe Kardashian.

18. I never take off the diamond ring I got for my 21st birthday.

19. I have 1 brother, he is 19 months younger than me.

20. I've never ever squeezed a spot - which most people find weird. Is that a bit of a gross fact?

21. I went to Katy Perry's California Dreams tour 3 times.

22. I've never had chicken pox.

23. I have a huge love for all things Dr. Seuss.

24. I own over 65 lipsticks. #freak

And if you wanted to know anymore useless information about yours truly then check out my 20 Facts post! (Although some of them aren't exactly correct any more!)

GFC | Bloglovin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Tumblr | 1000 Followers Giveaway

My Dream Birthday Wishlist

Recently on twitter a few of you lovely beautys have been asking me whether, as it is only a matter of weeks away, I would be uploading a birthday wishlist - so I thought I would grab that idea and run with it!
I will turn 24 on 8th February and to be honest right now I am more excited about seeing Taylor Swift at the O2 on the 4th ( I cannot wait! ) but  here it is, a dream birthday wishlist of mine - things I would love to get my hands on at the moment!
1. Forever 21 Griffindor Sweater
I spotted this a couple of weeks ago and fell in love. I already have one of these sweaters from F21 (a toy story one!) and I live in it when I am a home - it is so so comfy and pretty damn cool. So when I saw a Harry Potter themed one it when straight to the top of my most wanted list!

2. Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette
Well this is an obvious product on my wishlist! I've wanted this since the day it was announced and am still without one (feel sorry for me please?) I've seen so many blog posts,reviews and youtube videos about this palette and it looks so gorgeous, I have the first Naked palette and use it to death - these are such a great investment.

3. Ed Sheeran 2014 Tour Tickets
Ed announced his new tour last week and I would do anything to go! I've only ever seen Ed in concert once and that was when I was in Florida - I actually got to meet him aswell which was awesome, he is such a nice guy! I would love to go to the O2 and see him again - he is so talented!

4. Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation
This is something I've wanted to try for literally years. I first heard about this foundation when watching Blair Fowler aka JuicyStar07 on youtube ages ago. I've only ever heard good things about it but the price tag has always stopped me from making the purchase!

5. Panic - Lauren Oliver
Some of my favourite books of all time are the Delirium trilogy by Lauren Oliver so when I heard she had a new book being released in a couple of months - Panic - I was so excited! This can only be pre-ordered at the moment but I cannot wait to get my hands on it!

Are any of you having your birthday this month or next? Do you like wishlist posts?

GFC | Bloglovin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Tumblr

21 Hours In London

This is probably going to be one of the quickest posts I've ever done......
If you follow me on twitter you know that Thursday night and Friday daytime I spent in the good old city of London.
I love going to London and always find it so much fun whatever I'm doing! I had a couple of friends over from the states so they came to visit me on the island and I then traveled back up to London with them for a little adventure!
My trip was such a short one, I was only in London for 21 hours.... which is funny as it was my friend from Florida's 21st birthday but I had work Saturday so had to head back early on Friday evening!
I thought I would share some of my (very touristy) photos with you guys and a couple from the island, so... if you are from London I'm very sorry this is probably going to be extremely boring for you! But living somewhere so small like I do staying in London is so exciting, a totally different way of life!

TOP TO BOTTOM - Big Ben Baby | Front Door At Buckingham Palace | Liz's Crib | Taking The Girls To Sandown Beach, Isle Of Wight | The Girls Having Their First Ever Fish & Chips On The Isle Of Wight | The Birthday Girl & I Outside Buckingham Palace.