Beauty Comeback

It's been over two years since I posted on pillowtalk but I am back on the blogging scene! It's great to see how blogging has evolved over the past few years and I am keen to get back to reading my regular favourites and more! Also, a quick thank you to all the followers that have stayed with me!

Today's post features an event I attended the other night at Harvey Nichols, Leeds. 

HARVEY NICHOLS BEAUTY CRUSH, LEEDS: TUESDAY 5TH FEBRUARY 2013

 As a big fan of Harvey Nichols and their previous events, I was very keen to attend the evening and see what was on offer. The night encompassed the latest beauty trends and products that some of the top brands are offering this spring, along with complimentary champagne much to everyone's delight!

Various demonstrations were scheduled for throughout the evening. I myself watched a few, including a curls demonstration by Aveda showcasing their new Be Curly range, which as a girl with naturally wavy hair am keen to try! I was also impressed with the new Laura Mercier spring caviar sticks and creme eyeliners that can be found in gorgeous pastel and electric shades. Emma from Laura Mercier demonstrated a sleek look using a slightly bronze caviar stick and to contrast a purple gel eyeliner which I thought looked incredibly fresh for the spring.

BCBG Max Azria also showcased their latest collection of fun, flirty spring dresses. Hues of mint, coral and graphic prints featured heavily and the models each wore a stunning piece from the collection. 

Is everyone ready for the summer to arrive?

Big City Dreams.

Hello my dear readers!

I must firstly apologise for the absence of my posting, I feel so guilty for abandoning my blog  for nearly 2 months but as some of you may know from before I have moved to another country!

So, yes I am now currently living in Madrid. I moved here on 21st September so have been here almost 3 weeks now. The weather's been glorious, about 25-29 degrees everyday, although it has now got to the rain stage booo.

Me and Phil at the Sol Metro

I'm here on my year abroad for university on a placement through the British Council teaching kids english in a bilingual primary school. The level of the kids english is insane to think how young they are. I'm teaching Years 1,2 and 3 (ages 5-8) this term and will be moving to the older kids after christmas. The kids are really cute, fairly well behaved but they do get excited easily!

Madrid itself is beautiful, there's so much to see, but is is SO expensive! Nights out here are a laugh too, always something going on! Finding a flat was a challenge, it took me and Alex 2 weeks to find somewhere decent. Everything seemed to small, too far out, too expensive or too minging! Now that I have a flat I feel I have abit more stability and can get myself into a proper routine. The hardest challenge for me really is being away from my boyfriend, I miss him so much and would love to be sharing this experience with him but I know we can go back and forth to see each other. I've booked my first trip home for November and I can't wait to go back and see him and my family and friends for some home comforts!

 Heres a few snapshots from so far!

By far my favourite find here!

 Parque del Oeste

 So many pugs in Madrid, I'm in heaven!

Templo de Deblod

Huelga General in Retiro

♥

officially now 21

Hello my lovely dears !

Again, sorry for the lack of updates, I've had a very busy past few weeks what with it having been my 21st birthday and also my boyfriend's the following week ! Unfortunately I didn't manage to get my beloved dress from my previous posts from Nasty Gal as when I went to order it, it said SOLD! As you can imagine I was hugely disappointed as I'd had my heart set on it. Fear not I found a wonderful replacement in this little number from Topshop, that I purchased in the Oxford Circus branch in London.

I was lucky enough to receive not only one, but two gifts from Tiffany's for my birthday. The 'return to Tiffany's heart tag charm bracelet' and a Tiffany's heart key pendant. It was so great to receive such classic presents as I didn't previously have any special pieces of jewellery before and it made me feel pretty special! I also received a gorgeous angel wing's necklace from Thomas Sabo from my best friend which she informed me signified hope and light, I will definitely be thinking of her and our great friendship when I wear it!

These are the two Tiffany's items below in case you wanted to have a peek!

excuse the scar, I burned myself on a baking tray like a fool!

I had a great week of celebrations, starting with a meal with my bestest friends at the Italian restaurant, Bibi's where we all ate, drank and were merry, and enjoyed some entertainment from an Abba tribute act (hilarious i might add). The following day I went to a Japanese restaurant called Little Tokyo's in town with my mum, stepdad, auntie and my boyfriend. The food was amazing as always, I love a good bento box. Then the following night I had drinks and a buffet at my house along with my amazing birthday cupcakes that I made with my mum before heading out into Leeds for a night out with my friends, from which most of the pictures below are from. After that I spent the weekend at my dad's in Wilmslow and had a great time over there, I feel that this truly was a special birthday.

The princess cupcakes that me and my mum made ourselves completely from scratch !

Oh and a tip for the girls, I used the Nadine eyelashes from the Girls Aloud collection for Eyelure which I must say are FANTASTIC. I received so many compliments about them, and the best one was that they looked so natural. A definite reccommended product !

So now I feel that I've reached the all important age. An adult. A decision maker for real this time. At this moment it only stands to be just over a month before I move away to Madrid for 9 months for my year abroad for universirty. I'm feeling somewhat unprepared and feel I still have a lot to do.. one being checking out what shops there are for me to spend my hard-earned money in whilst I'm there !

I'll leave you with some pictures from my birthday, next post following soon!

♥

Summer of Love ♥

Summer is well and truly in full swing as we all know, so what better way to feel good about the gorgeous weather and the great clothes that summer brings, than reading the latest issue of online based Cellardoor Magazine!

 The Summer of Love issue is the 4th production by the Cellardoor team and is full of great reads for a hot summer's day, including an interview with Wildfox! It has a great girlie vibe to it and definitely does not disappoint if you're looking for fashion advice, choice and something intellectual to read. The girls have worked so hard on producing such a great read it is a must for every girl to check out this summer!

Take a look at the issue right here !

Look out for the next autumn issue coming September 2010!

♥

soon to be twenty one..

So guys, it's exactly 14 days til my 21st birthday, yep 2 weeks how scary!!

I've decided to start looking for a dress and came across this gorgeous dress by Nasty Gal.
I'm thinking of getting it but want some of your lovely fashionista opinions to spur me on!

Dress, Nasty Gal

I love the draping effect, and the combination of tye-dye and grey completely won me over.

You can check out Nasty Gal's latest collection right here!

Let me know what you think! Feel free to share your alternatives/suggestions/accessories to go with it!

♥ Francesca.