Friday 31 October 2014

Gel Nails At Home


When it comes to nails, I'm the literal worst. It takes so long, my hands are so shaky and it's so disappointing when you get it so right and then it chips. When I heard about this Gel Nails set from Kiss*, it sounded right up my street. Nail Wraps that are easy to apply and LAST. Yes please! 

To achieve the gel nails effect you apply the wraps as instructed and apply the top coat, pop it under the lamp, give it a wipe and your good to go. It's that easy. I mean it, if I found it easy it just MUST be. Now I've never had gel nails before so can't really compare them but I am just going to assume it is quite different. The nails are fine when applied, they look amazing so that's great but the only slightly disappointing thing was that it just didn't last long at all. I just found that they peeled off and once one had caught on something it was too annoying not to just finish the job and peel it off. I say this though and I really don't mind that that happens. I don't go towards these nails if I want something that lasts, I go to them if I want a quick fix and that I don't have to worry about getting nail polish everywhere or waiting for it to dry. Really easy to do before you head out at the point you realise you haven't done your nails and I LOVE that. 

What's your quick fix mani for when your in a rush? 


Lorna x
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Wednesday 29 October 2014

New In: NARS Audacious Lipsticks




This post is what dreams are made of. I own 5 of these damn beautiful babies and oh my god, just look at them. As if a beauty blogger could get more excited about something, some new like these pop up and its genuinely love and pure excitement. 

The new NARS Audacious Lipsticks* are just so dreamy. From the uber sleek black packaging to the creamy yet semi matte texture that actually lasts, I honestly cannot say a bad word about these lipsticks, so I warn you, this is going to be a 1 billion percent positive post. A rave review you might say...

From left to right we've got Geraldine: a 'tangerine', Rita: a 'scarlet' red, Charlotte: an 'oxblood burgundy', Brigitte: a 'nude rose' and Anna: a 'smoky rose'. Only 5 of the collection of 40 lipsticks and you can only imagine how amazing the rest of them are... I've not any purples to show you, but trust me they're just as beautiful!


L-R Geraldine, Rita, Charlotte, Brigitte, Anna

I honestly cannot tell you how happy I am with my little collection of these lipsticks. I'm a red or purple lipstick girl at heart and so Charlotte and Rita are obvious favourites. Charlotte is an absolute dream and I literally just cannot stop wearing it. I may have found my perfect lipstick... Onto the Nudes and Brigitte and Anna are SO NICE. I'm not a nude girl usually but after finding a couple from the Bourjois Rouge Edition 12 Hour Lipstick range, I've been a lot more open to them and these two have worked happily into my collection. On the other hand, I've tried to get Geraldine to suit me, but there's just something about me and oranges that just don't mix so this'll be going on to another home where it can get a little bit more lovin'. I mean, it'd just be a shame if something this beautiful sat unloved in my drawers right? 

One swipe of these lipsticks and your good to go. They're hydrating and they last and honestly I just don't know how any other lipsticks will compare now I've fallen in love with these. Luxury at its best. 

What shades would you go for? 

Lorna x
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Tuesday 28 October 2014

Sleeping Well


When it comes to sleep, I find I'm on one end or the other. I can either sleep so well. I'm a heavy sleeper so that works or I'm right at the other extreme and am struggling every night. I go through phases of both and this post is going to let you all in on a few of my best beauty buys for helping with those restless nights. 

Relaxing is SO important and I honestly cannot tell you how important it is to switch your 'work brain' off long before you're going to bed. Its the nights I stay up editing videos or writing posts until god knows what time and then expect to sleep right away that I have the biggest issues. I'm constantly thinking of new ideas and I just can't get my brain to stop... This is the worst idea, and I really don't recommend it. Tip number 1 right there, I suppose. 

But it's when we ARE having these issues and maybe we can't help but do these things that we know won't help with our sleeping that we need a little help and of course some of our favourite beauty brands have got our back on this one... 

A great idea to help with getting to sleep is by using a moisturiser targeted at sleeping well. My favourites are the Elemis Fresh Skin Dreamy Sleep Night Time Moisturiser and the Neal's Yard Remedies Beauty Sleep Concentrate*. My pick Elemis is great for hydrating your skin overnight. It's a range targeted from your teens to your 20's and is a little more subtle with the 'sleeping well' properties so if you're just looking for a little nod towards getting to sleep then this is your guy. A little more intense and the Neal's Yard Beauty Sleep Concentrate has been formulated to support your skins natural night time regeneration and the scent is just so soothing.

Then there are products that aid relaxation like the Origins Sensory Therapy Peace of Mind. Not specifically targeted at sleeping well, but it definitely can't hurt the process. You'll sleep best if your relaxed, it's just natural. Just rub a little of this on the back of your neck, temples and earlobes and it'll just help with your relaxation. I've had this product for such a long time and I always forget it's there. I really need to make sure I crack this one out more often as it's a definite fave. 

Onto products a little like my pick from Origins but ones targeted specifically at sleep. The This Works Sleep Balm and the Seascape Sleep Oil* both have aromatheraputic benefits that'll help you get to sleep a little easier. Super relaxing and they smell so good. 

Just pop a few of these products on your bedside table and see how you get on with them. I love them, they really help me to relax but the only issue I find is actually remembering to use them... 

Lorna x
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Sunday 26 October 2014

Video: Evening Pamper Skincare Routine



I'm a skincare obsessive, but we all know that by now. I thought it was about time I gave you a bit more of an insight of my skincare routine and what I do in the evening to give myself a little bit of a pamper... If you can't pamper yourself with skincare, then what can you? 

Products Used: 


A lot of my absolute favourite products! Let me know your favourites? 

Lorna x
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Friday 24 October 2014

Out With The Old, In With The New



Today marks a big day for my little place on the internet. Studs and Dreams, the blog I've been working on for the past two years has had a long awaited makeover and honestly I couldn't be happier, which is just why I felt that writing this post was extremely necessary. 

It feels like I've been running Studs and Dreams for a long time but at the same time, I can remember the day I didn't. So much has changed. I feel like there's so many things I could say in this post, so many things I want to say, but I'm finding it really hard to put into words and for me, a blogger, that's a very strange ol' concept. 

I'm so thankful for all the bloggers before me, for inspiring me to do this. If there weren't any Zoella's, Essie Button's or Gh0stparties of the world then this blog probably wouldn't be a thing. I wouldn't be here today writing this blog post, looking back and looking forward at whats to come. I wouldn't be this excited about my new design. I definitely wouldn't have done a little squeal when it finally went live and finally I wouldn't be excited about all of the new content I'm going to be creating. I feel so inspired. 

Things have changed and I'm probably totally different to how I used to be, but having this site as a hobby, and something I love doing, and something I feel so passionate about is amazing and I honestly cant imagine not having it there. 

I spend so much time blogging and making videos (this is actually something I never thought I'd get the hang of, but I am so excited about this new outlet to show content in a more visually exciting way... and of course, I bloody love doing it!) I don't think that time is a factor a lot of people realise that blogging and YouTubing can take but we're all that passionate about it that that time for us, is spent wisely and honestly, I'm speaking for all bloggers here, we wouldn't want to spend it any other way. 

I'm not saying I've always been amazing at posting. I've only just got the hang of a 'routine', which by the way, you can expect a new post every Monday, Wednesday and Friday with a new video every Sunday. Exciting!

I've had so many amazing opportunities out of doing this, and I take that as a little pat on the back for working so hard. I've made amazing friends, great contacts, found new passions, new favourite products and I got a job! I am so thankful for all of these things and I honestly cannot wait to carry on my little internet journey. 

Last up, I'm going to give a little mention to why I'm actually writing this post. I didn't just feel like being uber soppy for no reason. My new design. As you can see from the images at the top of the post, it's quite a change and I'm really excited for that. I've had my original design, albeit with a few changes here and there, from the beginning. This design has been a long time coming and I finally got here with a little help from the amazing blog designer pipdig

I designed the header myself but the rest I'll put down to them. If you ever need a site design, then I honestly wouldn't recommend anyone else. I've been burned in the past on the blog design front so I know what it feels like to be disappointed, but this was anything but.... I mean, it must be alright if I'm showing you this post from my brand spanking new design today right?!

Okay, I'll stop now... I feel like I could write for ages. A massive pool of blabber, and not really know what I'm saying. A little of nothing, a little of everything... I don't know. 

I'm going to stop being soppy... and just say a little thank you for stopping by. If you've gotten this far, and are reading this post then it really means a lot, so thank you. Really thank you. 

Please let me know your thoughts on my new design, I'd love to know what you think!

Lorna x

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Wednesday 22 October 2014

A Quick Flick: The Bourjois Mega Eyeliner Pen


I am not a pro at all when it comes to putting my makeup on. I'm not a Makeup Artist, in fact I couldn't be further from one. I just have a MASSIVE love and addiction for makeup. I mean, what's not to love about it, it's all so pretty! But when it comes to applying makeup, I'm really not one for knowing what I should be doing and how. Everything I manage to do has come from reading tonnes of blogs, watching YouTube videos, and a whole lotta practice. 

The dreaded liner flick. I could never do it. Liquid Eyeliner? No way, I mean I could tell you about an awful experience I had trying to apply it to someone else (first time for everything, right?) but I'll save that one for another day... Trust me, it's tragic and you just wouldn't want to see the outcome... So I always thought I'd never be able to achieve that gorgeous slick flick... until this baby came into my life. 

The Bourjois Mega Eyeliner Pen* is life changing. I'm not just saying that, but I've never found anything that can actually help me get a little bit of that cat eye liner flick. I mean it's not super easy, easier is probably a better word, and with a little practice, it probably does become easy. I'm not saying I get it right every time, I'm not that much of a genius, yet, but maybe one day with a little help from this eyeliner I'll be a pro.  

It has a thicker nib than other liner pens I've tried and I really didn't expect that that'd help but it really does. The liner is super black, as black as I'd ever want and it lasts so bloody long. 

If you haven't tried this liner, I really couldn't recommend it anymore. I rarely post about singular products anymore, but this one just needed a massive mention as I needed to just sing it's praises, and as you can can probably tell I LOVE it. Obsessed may be a better word? 

What are your life changing products? 

Lorna x

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Monday 20 October 2014

The Battle of the Hair Straighteners: GHD v Vidal Sassoon


See those battered up GHD's? These are the only straighteners I've ever owned. Yep, that's right, EVER. I bought these back when I was in around Year 8? Maybe the year before, or the year after. But I was around 12, and I'm 21 now. How have they lasted me this long? It's a miracle. It'll be a sad, sad day when these do finally go kaput. I honestly don't know what I'll do... Buy another pair obviously. But I just don't know how I'll live. 

When Vidal Sassoon contacted me to review a pair of their hair tools, I was sceptical, but I thought it'd be a great opportunity to give another pair a go. You know, just so I can compare. Obviously I chose the straighteners, I can't use curling tongs, I forever burn myself and to me, a hair dryer is just a hair dryer. Maybe that's just me being sceptical, but it dries hair and I thought trying a new pair of straighteners could be mutually beneficial for us both. I love my GHD's, more than I love most things I own, so if these Vidal Sassoon ones can compare... Well they must be good. 

First things first, I'll say these Vidal Sassoon Straighteners* will have to be for straightening solely as they don't have the right curve to achieve the curl like you can with the GHD's, but that isn't an issue. It's just like as if I was to use a pair of curling tongs and a pair of straighteners, both have different end results and thats okay. The best bit about these straighteners? They're a bit better for your hair than others... They use Infra Radiance Technology to achieve kinder, faster and more radiant results, and the plates are specifically created to reduce frizz! They also have extra wide plates making the whole process that bit quicker. As if it couldn't get even better, you don't have to have that worry of wondering whether you switched them off or not, they have an auto switch off after 60 minutes, genius! I'm really impressed with these straighteners, and they're so much cheaper at the moment in comparison. 

They're really worth a go as they're a fraction of the price, and as Christmas is just around the corner, why not pick them up for someone for then...

If your after a more multi-task product, I would go for the GHD's, they're a little bit more luxe and are obviously GHD's so need I say more? 

Have you tried either? What are your favourite straighteners? 

Lorna x

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Sunday 19 October 2014

Video: A Few Of My Favourite Things Tag



I decided to film a tag video and ended up with the 'a few of my favourite things tag' started by the lovely Victoria from IN THE FROW. Go on, give it a go, I tag you too... 

Lorna x

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Friday 17 October 2014

Take The Day Off: Removing Makeup


Taking your makeup off after a long day is such an important step and something not to be missed no matter how tired (or drunk) you may be. I'm quite good usually, and I'll put that down to the Garnier Miscellar Cleansing Water (that i've actually talked about before here). A quick drip on a cotton pad and you're good to go... If it's here you stop, I mean it's better than nothing but a good ol' cleanse is something really we shouldn't miss. I'm bad, I miss this step every now and again and really, that's not okay, but I do find that my skin deals with it fine and for that I know I'm just lucky. 

For a good cleanse, I'd recommend the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish*, it's a really natural cleanser and works so well for anyone I know that's tried it. Using a muslin cloth with it allows you to give your skin a good scrub while making sure all of your makeup has come right off. I'd then recommend carrying on your skincare routine as normal with a toner and moisturiser. But I'm a Liz Earle lover and so my recommendations are a bit predictable... 

It doesn't take long, so go on, just take the day off...

What do you use to take your makeup off? 

Lorna x

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Wednesday 15 October 2014

Long Lasting Lipsticks


I love wearing a statement lip, but it's a total nightmare when you have to keep reapplying to keep it in tip top condition, right? I've tried and tested the best and the worst lipsticks and this is my pick of the bunch, that'll make sure your lippy lasts a little longer next time... 

I'm going to start with the best of the best, the Sephora Cream Lip Stain in 01 just can't be beaten. Why is it such a great formula, the most perfect red but it's so god damn difficult to get over here?! I mean you can order online from Sephora now, but the super high postage charges and minimum spend limits just put me off. Thankfully my friend Danielle was spending a bit of time in New York and of course I wasn't going to turn down a Sephora purchase, was I? The perfect red lip is here, look no further, and of course, it lasts bloody ages. 

Next up is Bourjois version of the Sephora Cream Lip Stain I guess... The Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet does something a little similar, although the formula is definitely different. My pick of the range for this post is the lipstick that got me to wear a pink lip. Say what?! I know. The Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Pink Pong* is of course something just a bit special. It's a gorgeous matte pink that applies in a cream formula much like the Sephora one. It has a matte finish and still lasts a long time. This is a definite choice for a night out! Bold pink all the way... 

Another edition from Bourjois is their Rouge Edition 12 Hours and I've gone for the shade Cherry My Cherie*, a beautiful deep red. A long lasting lipstick formula that's well worth a go. 

If you're feeling a bit more subdued then the E.L.F Matte Lip Colour in Coral and the Topshop Lipstick in Powder Room will be a bit more up your street. Both beautiful nudey coraly pinky shades and they're super matte so last a bit longer on the lips. 

Perhaps a lipstick isn't really your cup of tea. Why not try the Benefit Lip Tints? My personal favourite is the Cha Cha tint and the best bit? It's a multi-use product so works well on the cheeks too. It's a tint so super long lasting although on the lips it doesn't pack much of a punch. 

If these aren't really your thing, or maybe you've got a lippy you'd love to make last a little longer, then why not try giving Lipcote a go. A bit of a hit and miss product, sometimes I find it works really well, others not so much, but it's well worth the gamble as it's not bank breaking and it can work wonders. 

The Sephora Cream Lip Stain is by far the longest lasting lip colour I've ever tried, what's the best you've used? 

Lorna x

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Tuesday 14 October 2014

Video: Quick & Easy Everyday Waves/Curls



It's that day of the week where I upload a video and this time I'm talking about how I get my everyday waves! I use my GHD hair straighteners to curl my hair, awkwardly, but you know, I get there in the end... 

Please let me know what other videos you'd like to see! Would love to know what your favourites are to watch!

Lorna x

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Monday 13 October 2014

The Beauty Game Changers


We all have come across products that have changed our beauty experience and I thought you may be interested to hear a little about some that have changed things for me. 

Starting with the foundation, I've openly said in the past that I've never really been a foundation kinda gal. I'd use a BB Cream from Garnier if I was feeling fancy but if not I'd just use a concealer as I'd always find that they just didn't sit right on my skin, or of course, that they'd be too dark. Enter the Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation and everything changed. Now I'm in love with the NARS Sheer Glow Foundation*, but the Rimmel is just as good for a much smaller price, but the colour match with NARS is just that bit better... You can see from the image, it's really quite different. 

Primers generally just don't work well with my skin, that was until I found this one from Illamasqua, I fell in love with the sample size and just couldn't wait to get my hands on the full size. Now I have it and the Illamasqua Hydra Veil Primer* is mine and I'm in love. 

I've always been a Bobbi Brown Mascara kinda gal and I used to always go back to their Bobbi Brown Lash Glamour Extreme Lengthening Mascara. That was until the Bourjois 1 Second Volume Mascara* entered my life and I definitely don't feel the need to purchase high end mascaras. A drugstore favourite that I definitely can't see going anywhere anytime soon. 

I can be so lazy when it comes to body care and I'd never really found  body cream that I really found worth using. The Body Shop's Shea Body Butter is perfect and you all need it in your life. Obsessed. 

Who's heard of an under-eye mask? A mask for your under eyes... I definitely hadn't until I picked the DHC Revitalising Moisture Strips for Eyes up in BeautyMart (I mentioned them in this video!). This product is life changing. It's so hydrating for your eye area, you can literally see and feel the difference afterwards. Perfect for those days you're really tired, maybe a little hungover and need a pick me up. I'm so in love I'm thinking about bulk buying... But that just wouldn't be good for the bank balance. 

All these products have had a certain effect on my and they're some of my absolute current favourites in the beauty world. 

What are your beauty game changers? 

Lorna x

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Friday 10 October 2014

The A/W Boots


When the Winter comes around, I'm always on the hunt for the perfect shoes and as usual, I'm a boot kinda gal. Now I don't think these boots are the one for when it gets super cold and icy as me and any sort of heel don't often mix but for this transition period of summer to autumn to winter, they're perfect. 

These are the Rocket Dog Sidney Bromley Boots in Black* and I am so impressed with them. I'm usually a Topshop only gal, but these have turned me and I'm really happy about that. They are really comfy and they're the style of boot that just go with everything. A total staple to have in your wardrobe and a pair of boots that I can imagine I'll get so much use out of. 

Where do you buy your autumn/winter shoes from? 

Lorna x

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Wednesday 8 October 2014

Neutral Eye Shadow Palettes




I love a good nude eye me. I mean, what's not to love about them? They can be super neutral for during the day, maybe you can jazz it up with a bit of shimmer or sparkle and then you can add a load of drama by smoking it up at night. Why wouldn't you want a palette that can do all that? 

Of course the Urban Decay Naked Palette is the Queen of all neutral palettes. It just wouldn't be right NOT to mention it and I still can't get past my love for it. It is worth all of the cost of the palette, and actually more. The shades are beautiful, the quality of the shadows are perfect and just, it's gorgeous. I've had so much use out of this palette that if all went wrong and I lost it or it broke, I wouldn't hesitate about buying another. I just don't know what I'd do without it. Who else can sort out my brown smokey needs like the UD Naked Palette? No one, that's right. 

Another great palette is the Wild About Beauty Safari Nights Palette*. This is a more multi-use palette, with a few blush and lip shades added to the mix as well. Gorgeous bronzy shades and definitely a palette I need to crack out more often. 

Last but not least is the budget buy of the lot, the W7 Angel Eyes in Out On The Town is beautiful. Still a very neutral palette but a couple earthy greens are added into the mix and I absolutely love that! It reminds me of my love of the MAC Shadow in Sumptuous Olive and for £6.95 for a whole palette, you just can't go wrong. 

I'm a total neutral shadow lover. Matte shades, shimmer shades and glitter shades, just gimme them all! 

What are your favourite neutral palettes? 

Lorna x

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Tuesday 7 October 2014

Sponsored Video: Joop! Crazy Night



Beauty and a night out... What's more to love? We all know I love them both so this campaign is just right up my street. 

Joop! are a fragrance brand that I've heard a lot about but actually have never tried so I'll have to pop into a store soon and give some of their fragrances a sniff and of course add a few more to the fragrance list (I mentioned some of my favourites in this post! - Marc Jacobs Daisy and Victor and Rolf Flowerbomb, I'm looking at you... )

For this campaign, Joop! have added some awesome Instagram printing machines into selected nightclubs where you can get some super cool prints of your images and be entered into a competition to win a 'crazy night' for yourself! A once-in-a-lifetime experience, why wouldn't you want to enter? A trip to Paris like in the video is something I definitely wouldn't say no to... and of course an obligatory trip to Sephora and the French Pharmacy's would just be necessary... I mean, I'd be an awful Beauty Blogger if I didn't right? 

If it's one thing I love most about nights out, it's the pictures afterwards, but there's something just that little bit more special about having print outs. I love pinning mine with little pegs to string around my room. It's so cute and such a nice way to display your memories. I just find that they become part of the room and it'd be so weird if they weren't there! I think it's something that gets a little lost when we're forever uploading our pictures to the internet, there's just something really nice about holding the image in your hand. Is anyone with me on this? 

If you like a bit of a night out, then this might be right up your street. To celebrate, Joop! are hosting an event on Thursday 9th of October in Disco at Kingly Court, London (such a cool place, you need to go!) and another on the 18th of October in Berlin at Felix Club. To go, all you need to do is RSVP yourself and your friends on the event on their Facebook Page and you're good to go. It sounds really cool, right? 

Drinks, dancing and all the Joop! fun. Go on, you know you want to... 

Lorna x

*This post features sponsored content from Joop
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Monday 6 October 2014

Keeping Hydrated: Skincare


With the colder weather coming in and the even colder weather just round the corner, keeping our skin hydrated is SO important and I honestly can't stress that enough. I'm not a skincare professional, at all, I just know what works for me and if I don't watch out for my skins hydration then I'll notice the difference and it'll just feel uncomfortable. 

A good moisturiser is essential, my current picks are the Liz Earle Moisturiser for Dry/Sensitive Skin*, the A-Derma Nutrialba Rich Nourishing Cream* and the Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentre. All really good moisturisers for dry skin and for those that need a little bit extra during the colder months. Perfect to add into your routine as and when you feel you need a bit more of a hydration hit. 

A moisture mask is a necessity to keep dehydration at bay and is a skincare saviour for a quick hydration fix as and when you need it. I think we all know by now that my favourite is the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask. It's super hydrating, works perfectly and smells delicious. 

Toning helps to keep skin hydrated as well and is a step that many will miss out. A great toner like the  Liz Earle Instant Boost Tonic works well, it also comes in a spritz bottle for even easier application. Another great 'mist' is the Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist*, super hydrating and it smells amazing! 

Last but not least, I'm talking eyes and is another area a lot of people forget about, including me (of course, I'm super forgetful and lazy... Oops!). The one I'm currently using is this Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream* and I'm a massive fan. It feels so satisfying when I've applied eye cream, so much so that I often wonder why I forget. 

What are your favourite products to keep your skin hydrated? 

Lorna x
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Sunday 5 October 2014

Video: September Favourites 2014




It's that time of the month (not THAT time of the month...) where I let you in on what I've been loving. There's a little bit of beauty, a pair of TO DIE FOR shoes and an album you just need to get your hands on. 

Here's my September faves... 












What have you been loving through September? 

Lorna x

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