Weekend in Liverpool: Michael McIntyre Live Arena Tour

I hope you all had a very good weekend and are enjoying your week - only 4 weeks til Christmas! Despite being almost 20, I am definitely still like an excited small child around the festive season with my daily countdown and extreme love for all things Christmas related! I had one of the best weekends that I've had in a reaaally long time and have decided to share it with you all, hope you enjoy..

 

For my boyfriend's 19th birthday present (in August!) I booked two tickets to see Michael McIntyre's 'Show Time' arena tour and an overnight stay in the Novotel Hotel in Liverpool city centre. We stayed in the Novotel last year and both absolutely loved it and enjoyed the luxury of a pricey 'executive' hotel room so I thought it would be a nice idea to take a trip down memory lane and stay there again, and also it's best to stick with what you know sometimes - I didn't want to risk picking a hotel that turned out not to be so great so played it safe. The hotel was just as amazing as we both remembered it and is in a prime location; one minute walk from the shopping centre and about five minutes to the Albert Docks and Echo Arena.

 

On the Friday we arrived, checked in and as it was only 4pm thought it would be the ideal time to hit Primark as maybe it would be quieter than Saturday morning and I was right, it was busy still.. but definitely bareable and gave me the chance to peacefully mooch around all three floors and spend a considerable sum of money... :D After treating ourselves to some Krispy Kreme doughnuts and a quick bite to eat we got ready and went to the Echo Arena. I was so excited for this! I tried to explain it to my friends as 'you know if you watch a comedian on telly and it's a bit like 'ha ha that was funny'.. well seeing them live definitely makes it a lot more like 'hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha I can't breathe, oh now I'm crying!' kind of funny and I can safely say that there were lots of laughs, it was a brilliant show. We planned on having a couple of drinks in Concert Square when the show finished but we were both just too tired and all I wanted was to get warm and snuggle up in bed. We wandered back across the docks and through Liverpool One having a peek at the ice skating and just taking in all of the festivity and Christmas decorations - it was a lovely romantic little walk.

Waiting To Be Picked Up | Wheel On Albert Docks | Michael McIntyre | Novotel Bed

The Lovely Lad Himself | City Centre | Christmas Tree | Christmas Lights & Decorations

 

The next day we hit the shops about midday and my bank account took a beating ..oops! I'm not sorry though because I got myself lots of lovely new things and made a start on Christmas shopping. I happily bought myself a pair of new disco pants in navy by Glamorous that I found in Bank with a little bonus of 20% off everything in store that weekend! What wasn't so great was that Tulisa's big chavvy face was slapped on the front of the shopping bag and I had to carry it around all day. Then I spotted Jamie Oliver's Italian restaurant and suggested that we went there for lunch but when we went in they told us it'd be a 45 minute wait and our tummies were rumbling so unfortunately we didn't get to try it out.



 Shopping | Buying Christmas Presents | Decorations in Liverpool One | Jamie Oliver's Italian

Instead of Jamie's Italian we instead went for lunch at Las Iguanas - somewhere that I have wanted to try out for a really long time and it definitely didn't disappoint! I got a beef 'big burrito' and John's was chicken and we shared quesadillas for a starter. The food was aaaabsolutely amazing and I'd happily go again and would now choose it over a Nandos any day. Lunch was my treat so when our waitress brought over the pin/card machine to pay she passed it straight to John and I had to embarass her by taking it back out of his hands right infront of her and opened my purse to get my card out. Don't be so stereotypical - girls can pay too!



John in Las Iguanas | Las Iguanas | Beef 'Big Burrito' | Enjoying My Lunch

 

When we arrived back home on Saturday evening we were each heading off for a night out with our friends as it was the weekend of an annual festival in my home town: The Dickensian Festival, where everybody basically dresses up in old fashioned clothes, drinks mulled wine and eats roasted chestnuts while browsing our own version of Christmas markets. The evening always promises to be a great night out because it's always so busy and I had a really good time with the girls. The next day was a typical Sunday for me with a cooked breakfast.. bacon fried egg and cheese bun - thanks John! A chill out day and then a lovely homemade roast dinner with apple crumble for dessert with John's family later on, finally topped off by watching the final episode of Prison Break and ending up a sobbing mess even though I've seen it before ..but it really is just so touching and emotional!

 

If that's not a good weekend then I don't know what is!

Super loved up and happy!

♥ ♥ ♥

NOTD: Perfect Pair | Models Own Utopia & Ibiza Mix

I cannot believe that this is my 100th post!

100 posts in 6 months? I think maybe I've got a little bit too much to say - ha!

But just a little thank you to everyone for supporting me so far, I've really loved writing every single one of these one hundred blog posts and I hope I can continue to write hundreds more.

These are my nails that I hasily painted this afternoon and gave both Utopia and Ibiza Mix their debut appearance. I planned on just wearing Utopia on its own but I thought it looked just a little bit bland and not at all exciting so I threw a glitter on top! I love Ibiza Mix and I like the 'sparse' effect of the glitter particles that it gives with one coat but it can acheive an intense built up look too with multiple coats . There's two different sized chunks of glitter in an array of colours to give a really random and interesting look - I love this combination!

♥

Monthly Favourites | November

I know that there's still a week left to go of November but I'm going to be a busy bee over the next two weeks so this is the only chance I've really got to put this post up and I love doing favourites posts so didn't want to miss it out! Here's what I've really been loving recently:
 

 

Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Reconstructor Conditioning Treatment

I'm quite late to the party with love and appreciation for Aussie products. I've always heard people bang on about them but just never expected that I'd fall for the hype. Well, one day I tried and tested and now I am madly in love. I think the scent of their products is a real winning factor for me - so sweet and bubblegum-y - I really like it. Then there's the absolute bargain price of them and most products can almost always be found for under a fiver and the quality isn't at all compromised with the price as the standard of these is a lot higher than some expensive high end brands I've tried before! The first time that I used this reconstructor mask my hopes weren't all that high, I left it on my mid-lengths and ends for 5-10 minutes while I sat in the bath and then rinsed away. Almost instantly I could feel a difference in my hair and I have quite literally never used a conditioning mask that has impressed me so much and left my hair feeling so amazing. For the next three days I just could not stop touching and stroking my hair - LOVE.
 

Simple Kind To Skin Soothing Facial Toner

There's no frills with this one; Simple really does just live up to its brand name. I needed to get myself an affordable, everyday use toner to sweep over my face morning and night to remove all those last traces of dirt and make up and really freshen up and this bottle does the trick absolutely perfectly! I'm itching to try the rest of Simple's skincare line now after loving this so much. Imagine a really soft and soothing, moisturing water that you wipe over your face to make your skin feel clean and refreshed? Yep! It's fragrance free with no nasty chemicals so doesn't irrate or sting the skin in any way and for just over £2 it is the perfect step for inbetween cleansing and moisturising.

 

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer

Something else that I'm late to the party of love and obsession for is Collection 2000's Lasting Perfection Concealer - seriously, what was my life like before this?! I cannot believe that for years and years I used pricer alternatives when this gem has been sitting in Superdrug the whole time for less than £5! Since purchasing this every single day that my make-up has been done this has been an essential part of my routine; not just for blemishes at all as I also find it good for under eye circles with my shade being so light, and really good for any areas that need extra coverage. I normally just swipe a few small streaks across my cheeks and around my nose then gently blend before putting on foundation and I really don't ever want to be without this now! It's a thick and creamy high coverage concealer that lasts and lasts all day - 'Lasting Perfection' is a really appropriate name. I'm curious if the matching foundation is of the same high standard ..anyone know?

 

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation

Good old Rimmel Wake Me Up! I did a post on this a couple of days ago about how I thought I'd found a replacement for this trusty, amazing foundation until I rediscovered my love for it and realised that it can't be beaten - especially not for the price anyway! The post I wrote on this can be found here (link) and I basically just gush about how much I love this. Really affordable, good quality, high coverage, buildable, luminating and long lasting foundation - Nothing to complain about and this has been my foundation of choice every single day.

 

The Body Shop Tea Tree Primer

Again, something that I've recently dedicated a post to is The Body Shop's Tea Tree Pore Minimiser / Primer and you can find the quick review that I wrote here (link). This is highly comparable to the ever so famous Benefit Pore-Fessional but this is a much more purse friendly option at just £7.50 instead of £23! It's basic and simple what this product aims to do and it acts as a base for your foundation (or you can wear it alone) and it smooths out the surface of your skin, reducing the appearance of pores for a more flawless and perfected finish. It also mattifies your skin and the tea tree ingredients help to keep your complexion as fresh and clear as possible. Love The Pore-Fessional? Try this out as a cheaper alternative!

 

Real Techniques Buffing Brush

Recently giving into the hype, and becoming tired of applying foundation with my fingers, I decided to invest in a decent set of make-up tools in the form of Real Techniques brushes. They didn't break the bank; I got the Core Collection set which cost £22 and contained four brushes but was the only way that I'd be getting my hands on the much-loved Buffing Brush. I use this every day to apply my liquid foundation and just adore the smooth, flawless, even and streak-free finish that this gives in super quick time and the large head can cover quite a big surface area at a time. Applying foundation has never been so easy. 

 

Models Own Nails: Naked Shimmer & Bluebelle

Lots of love for Models Own at the moment! These two are complete opposite ends of the spectrum with regards to nail varnish colour; one being a subtle and neutral nude, with the other being a bright and bold glitter shade, but both are utterly gorgeous. Just this morning I took off Bluebelle (took forever - bloody glitter polishes!) for a change to the more muted and toned down shade of Naked Shimmer - a creamy pinky grey - and I really love both of them and can see me coming back to them again and again.

 

I'm off to Liverpool this afternoon to see Michael McIntyre's live show at the Echo Arena as I got tickets for that and a hotel too for my boyfriend's birthday present so I'm really, really excited as we've been counting down the days to this since August. Expect a haul post soon after too because I already know that I won't be resisting the shops in Liverpool One!

 

Hope you all have a nice weekend!

♥

Monthly Empties | November

Hello my little pickles! No need for too much of an introduction today but here is one of my personal favourite types of post ..'empties'. I've expressed before why I understand some people can think these posts are weird, because, well, they are. 'Just throw the empty shampoo bottles in the bin, you loon' is what I want to tell myself sometimes! But I still like to write these posts, I still like to read these posts and they're always well received too so I can't be the only person who likes to see these. So here are products that I've loved so much that I used up every last scrap of them instead of neglecting them or throwing them out:

 

 

Aussie Miracle Moist Shampoo & Conditioner

Mmmm! This jumbo sized duo for dry and damaged hair was an absolute treat to use and I can't wait to get back to using Aussie on my hair again! I recently switched things up when I finished these and starting using the Avon Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner on my hair instead and they just do not even compare! These are very affordable, smell gorgeeeous - be aware the smell is very sweet and bubblegum-like, and leave hair feels soft, smooth and really managable with minimal frizz! Love! 

 

N-Spa Lemon Souffle Body Scrub

It looks like there's a little bit left in here but I asure you that there isn't. This was a gift for Christmas last year but N-Spa has a brilliant bargain range of products and there's so many more that I want to try! This scrub is citrus scented which is great because it smells really fresh and clean and the exfoliating beads inside are quite rough and gritty so I'd recommend this for the times when you need a reaaally good clean - it's great for getting rid of patchy fake tan left overs.

 

Lee Stafford Hair Growth Treatment Mask

If you saw my verrry lengthy post on this product earlier in the month then fear not as I'm not about to ramble on for another 1,000+ words about my opinions on this, instead I'll just direct you all to the post that I wrote so you can have a read for yourself if you like: LINK. I really do love this Lee Stafford product and I'm sure I'll continue to repurchase and use this for a very long time as I feel it does wonders for my hair and can often be found for a bargain when '3 for £12' offers are on.

 

Special FX Nail Varnish

I found this little 3ml bottle rolling around in the bottom a drawer when having a sort out the other day and there was just enough left in the bottle to get one coat of colour on each of my nails, but by the time I reached my last pinky finger I really was scraping the barrel to get any more product out of here. It's a shame really because I don't know where this came from or how long I've had it for but it's a really beautiful shade and appropriate for the season; it's a lovely deep metallic navy blue and unfortunately the bottle doesn't have a shade name on it because I suspect it came as part of a set, being a miniature and all.

 

Lush Mask of Magnaminty Face & Back Pack

This mask is amaaazing! If you haven't tried it yet then I highly, highly recommend you hop on down to Lush and pick one up. In fact, try any of their face masks and I'm sure you'll be impressed - I love lots of their fresh ones. Unfortunately, as these contain fresh and natural ingredients they have a use by date of around three months and because there's so much product inside the tub I didn't get a chance to use it all up before it went off which is a shame really. As the name suggests it's a mint scented mask, it is very thick, clay-based and leaves the skin refreshingly tingly and awakened!

 

 

♥

Instagram Diary | November

Hello lovelies!

How incredibly quickly is this year flying by? There's just over five weeks left of this year and I think that's crazy. Today's post is 'November in pictures' and I hope that you enjoy. If there's a blog post relevant to one of the pictures then I've linked the caption so you can read more if you want to, and to see even more pictures you can find me on Instagram: Hannahripley1 ♥

 

Chilling on a Saturday Night | Topshop: 'All About Me' | Pamper Day! Hair Masks | Movember Moustache Loving

Homemade Bacon Cheeseburger with Onion Rings | Kitchen Wizard Bacon Cheeseburger | Foot Long Sub Meal for Lunch | Chinese - Salt and Pepper Chicken with Curry Sauce and Duck in Plum Sauce with Rice and Chips - Greedy!

Text Books From Last Year I Need To Sell | Uni Work - Criminal Law Coursework | Night Out With The Girls | Mini Jager Brought Back From Austria

Big 'FRAGILE' Delivery | New Nail Varnish Stand | Fave Combination: AWOL and Bluebelle | Giveaway Prizes

Ooops - Went Shopping | November SheSaid Beauty Box | Polka Dot Nails | Rimmel Precious Stones: Ruby Crush

Seasonal Yankee Candle Tarts | Christmas Cookie in New Tart Burner | Robot Necklace | Happy Halloween - Topshop Socks

Cartier Perfume Sample | Free 10ml Fit Me Sample From Maybelline | Dairy Milk with Oreo | Tickets Arrived for Michael McIntyre This Weekend!

♥

 

What's On My Birthday List? | Wishlist #2

I don't think I've ever been so reluctant to have a birthday in my life!

10 days from now I will unfortunately be turning the ripe old age of twenty.

Yep, two-zero, half way to forty, no longer a teenager. Old.

 

What this does mean, however, is that I get to write a birthday list and pass it onto my mum who can circulate it to the many kind and lovely relatives that I have in my family and hope that they take my hints ;) I can't be the only person who has grandparents come around for a visit in the summer and pop me the question of what I'd like for my birthday when it's still 4 months until the big day? Keen little grandparents! Unless there's something in particular that I've tried on instore and know that I love and it fits, clothes aren't something that I tend to ask for as presents. My birthday wishlist contains majority beauty related items that are mostly luxury as I don't feel prepared to treat myself to them at the moment but they'd be amazing to receive as a gift:

 

 



Benefit 'Sexy Little Stowaways' Gift Set | Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette | NARS Laguna Bronzer

Clinique Chubby Stick Intense in 'Chunkiest Chili' | YSL Touche Eclat | Paco Rabanne Lady Million EDP | Glamorous Disco Pants in 'Navy'

Ojon Rare Blend Oil | Mac Strobe Cream | Clarins Everlasting Foundation in 'Wheat' | Lee Stafford Argan Oil Trio Gift Set | Pandora Charms

 

♥

I've Fallen Back In Love With.. Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation

 

In the summer just gone, Rimmel’s new foundation without a doubt took the beauty world by storm; flying off drugstore shelves and converting long-term lovers of high end foundation to the wonders of high street brands at a fraction of the cost. Retailing at around £8.99 when first released I hopped on the bandwagon and picked myself up a bottle of this in the shade 303 True Nude to match my tanned summer skin. When the summer tan faded away and left me pale as snow this foundation was reluctantly pushed to the back of a drawer, no longer matching my fair skin. Recently, I’ve been reaching for the fake tan to make myself a look a little more human and little less like Casper the friendly ghost so had to dig out a darker foundation in order to match up and welcomed the rekindled love of Rimmel’s Wake Me Up.

 

Don’t you just love it when you rediscover something that you used to love and question yourself about how you ever thought you’d found an appropriate replacement for it? What was I thinking purchasing a £20+ bottle of Clinique foundation in the lightest shade available to take the place of Wake Me Up when I could have just as easily run to Boots and spent less than a tenner on a lighter shade of Wake Me Up for the same high quality. Sucker. I don’t feel like this about all drugstore foundations though, or even the other foundations in Rimmel’s line; Wake Me Up is a bit of an exception.

 

This foundation offers medium coverage easily buildable to full coverage without looking at all cakey and it has that ever so slight hint of shimmer to give that real ‘wake up’ and brightening look to the skin. We all have those days where we get up and our skin just doesn't look it's greatest; a little on the dull side and looking for a well needed boost ..then all you'll need as a solution is a pump or two of this buffed in and all your glowing radiance will be restored! I absolutely love this foundation for daily wear and for the price (currently on offer for £5.99) the quality is exceptional.

 

A definite repurchase and set to be a long term favourite!

What do you think of Rimmel Wake Me Up?

♥

A Day Out At The Zoo

Hello. If you've not seen yet then yesterday I did a post all about myself called 'Get To Know Me' and if you're somebody who's interested in knowing 'the blogger behind the blog', or you're just nosy and like to have a read about lifestyle then you can see this post here: link.
 

In yesterday's post I did point out that although I come from a beautiful area - the Lake District - it is unfortunately pretty deprived of excitement, and even though going for a trip to a lake or up a mountain is a really lovely thing to do it obviously isn't to everybody's preferences to do on a Sunday afternoon. One thing that we do boast in our area is a zoo! Technically called a 'wildlife park' it's less than 10 minutes in the car from my house and has monkeys, rhinos, giraffes, etc.. so it's an exciting place to visit, no matter how old you are. We don't have a Primark but we do a have a zoo!

 

We all know that when winter comes around daylight hours are shorter and the air can be bitterly cold, meaning bad business for a zoo owner. Because of this, South Lakes Wildlife Park has free admission between November and February and asks for donations to keep the park running instead of a compulsary entry fee. As it was a nice day I convinced my boyfriend to take a Sunday afternoon trip to the zoo with me seeing as it's free and only down the road.

 

Here are a few snaps from our day:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now it's time for a cosy Sunday night in, with roast chicken for dinner, apple crumble for dessert and then a cup of tea in bed watching the final few episodes of Prison Break.

Hope you have all had a good weekend!

♥