It's been a little while since I treated myself in the beauty department and these past few weeks have been a bit tough work wise and personal life wise, so i've been a bit down and I thought the only way I could cheer myself up was to treat myself to a few new bits that i'd wanted to try out.

Recently i've been hearing a lot about new releases and i've tried to keep away from the hype as it only leads to more temptation but as I finally got the chance to see the products for myself and try them out, it definitely lead to a 'feeling spendy' moment.

It has been some time since I visited my local The Body Shop and that morning i'd received an email about a few offers they had going on so of course I took this as encouragement to pick up some new skincare bits. My skin recently has been alright for the most part, but it definitely needed something new adding to the mix and when I first saw Zoella talking The Body Shop Drops of Youth Bouncy Sleeping Mask (£22) I just knew I had to try it out. I love a good overnight mask, especially one for moisturising the skin and this one really intrigued me as i'd not seen anything like it before. So far i'm loving it and although it is quite pricey, i'd still highly recommend trying it and I will be reviewing this soon.

As i'd wanted to switch things up moisturiser wise I decided to give The Body Shop Vitamin E Aqua Boost Sorbet (£12), which again was like nothing i'd seen before but I really liked the idea of it. The texture of this is so strange at first, but really sinks into the skin leaving it feeling soft and hydrated, as if it's quenched your skin thirst. I've been using this as my day moisturiser for a few days and so far i'm really enjoying it. Lastly I picked up The Body Shop Aloe Soothing Gel (£8.50) as a replacement for the Aloe Protective Serum that they no longer sell, as I really loved that product and I thought this may offer a similar alternative. So far i'm loving this as it is so gentle on the skin and just really helps to soothe the skin, especially as mine can be quite sensitive at times. 

Next stop was Superdrug and I wasn't planning on picking anything up but they had a 3for2 offer and they now offer student discount! First thing I picked up was the new BarryM Speedy Quick Dry Nail Paint (£3.99) in the shade 'Eat My Dust'. Random name, but I had acrylics put on a few days ago and when I saw this shade I knew it would be perfect as i'm loving pastel nails at the moment. Next was something that really intrigued me, as i'm loving cream blushers so I thought why not give it a go. The Collection Speedy Blush Stick (£2.99) in the shade 'Tickled Pink' reminded me somewhat of Nars Orgasm but in a cream formula and for the price I couldn't really complain.

Lastly whilst perusing the Maybelline stand I noticed they brought out some new shades in their ColourDrama Lip Crayon (£4.99), so I picked up the shade 'Fuschia Desire' and as the name suggests this is a bright pink. I really like the formula of these as they last really well and don't dry the lips out too much, and a girl can never have too many lip products.

Have you picked up any new beauty bits recently?

Make sure you've entered my Giveaway with Iconemesis to win an iPhone case of your choice! Enter here.

It's safe to my iPhone is definitely like my sidekick, it goes pretty much everywhere I go and I can always rely on it to get me through the day. I'm always on the hunt for new and quirky phone cases, with designs that you don't really see anywhere else and i'm constantly new cases to my collection. So I thought today i'd share with you my most recent phone case addition, whilst also giving you lovely lot a chance to win a phone case of your choice.

Iconemesis are a phone case brand that i'm sure many of you are familiar with and one that I always go to when it comes to hunting down a new iPhone case, as they work with independent artists and illustrators to bring so many unique designs, for all types of different styles. 

A recent addition into my phone case collection comes from the designer Johanna Basford and this Floral iPhone Case* (£5) had me from the get go. Although I don't appear to be that much of a girly girl style wise, I definitely make up for it in other ways and I love finding cute floral phone cases for my phone. What I liked about this design was that it was different from your standard Cath Kidson'esque cases and the detail within the design really stood out to me (out comes my inner designer self) and it's just right for a subtle girly case. 

I also own the Cat Sims Feather iPhone Case* (£5) from Iconemesis, which was a loyal companion for my phone for quite a while until I decided I wanted a change. As I knew the quality of their cases were amazing for the price that you pay, I headed straight back to their website in search for my next case and so far I am loving it. 

Now onto the exciting part, the giveaway where one of you lovely readers can get the chance to win an iPhone case of your choice from Iconemesis. (Sorry to anyone who doesn't own an iPhone, but maybe you could give it to someone as gift, if you win!) 

To enter, please use the Rafflecopter below and read the T/C's...

1. Enter using the Rafflecopter form.

2. This giveaway is open internationally.

3. This giveaway will run for two weeks, ending on the May 20th.

4. The winner will chosen at random through the Rafflecopter and will be contacted either by Twitter or Email. The winner has 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen.

5. Any false/giveaway account entries will be deleted.

Goodluck everyone!

With the weather turning a bit miserable over the past few days, suddenly switching sandals for winter boots was a bit of a shock as i've been living in sandals recently. Having said that it finally gave me chance to wear a piece that i've been dying to wear but it's just been too warm.

Blue Vanilla are an amazing yet affordable online brand that stocks some of the beautiful and fashionable pieces that you usually wouldn't find on the highstreet and when this top landed on my doorstep I was in awe at how lovely it was.

I wore this Blue Vanilla Alexandra Pink Panel Top* (£18) on Friday as the weather was so miserable and the office was so cold but not cold enough for a thick knitted jumper. I love the paneled detailing to this top, on the tops of the shoulders and also at the bottom, where it looks like another top undermeath. I also really like the colour, which is a surprise as pink doesn't always suit me but the textured detail to the fabric is also what makes it interesting.

I paired this with my trusty Topshop Liegh Jeans (£38), which I haven't worn in a while but they are so comfy! I then threw on some old ASOS boots as it definitrly wasn't sandal weather and a necklace from the H&M Loves Coachella 6-pack Necklace (£9.99). I really liked my outfit on Friday as it looked like i'd made an effort, when really I hadn't.

Have you picked up anything from Blue Vanilla recently?

What I love about being a blogger is getting the opportunity to not only try out new brands, but also being in the know of what brands are releasing new products, which brands receive good reviews and just generally lusting over products that I will probably never be able to afford. I thought today I talk about a few brands that i've not really tried that many products from, but have impressed me enough to want to try more from.

If it wasn't for blogging then these brands that i'm featuring probably would have never made it onto my radar, as my love and knowledge for beauty products has grown so much through blogging.

MeMeMe Cosmetics: This brand is one that i've only just recently been introduced to but has impressed me so much so far. Their products are new and innovative but still stay affordable and are easily accessible to most as they are available online pretty much worldwide. Also the packaging of their products I find so classy and elegant, and the names of their products are different to other brands out there as they not only explain the product but also stay within the brand aesthetic. The quality of their products are by far up there with higher end, high street brands and so I cannot wait to get my hands on more products from them. 

Products I want to try: Goddess Rocks (£12.95), Shimmer Stack (£9.25), Longwear Satin Lip Cream (£8.95).

Benefit: Now you're probably thinking that this one i've got wrong, but I really haven't tried that many products from Benefit and I only own 3 full size Benefit products, the rest have been samples of which have all highly impressed me. Benefit is brand that is loved by pretty much all beauty bloggers, through their quirky packaging and innovative yet sometimes provocative products names they've pretty much got it sold, but the quality of their products is what brings it all together. Although I do find Benefit somewhat overpriced sometimes, you can really tell a lot of time and attention goes into the making of these products. 

Products I want to try: Hoola Bronzer (£23.50), Hervana Blush (£23.50), Watts Up Highlighter (£24.50).

Milani: This brand I was introduced to from a lot of American/Canadian bloggers who were raving about how good their products were, but we can't really get Milani here in the UK unless you purchase it on Amazon. Alexandra from The A Style was kind enough to send me a Milani Baked Blush when we did a beauty swap and this one product has sold me on the brand. First off, the packing is so pretty but the quality of this blush is just outstanding and I do love a baked blush. I've read so many review about their products and if/when I ever go to America or Canada I will be stocking up!

Products I want to try: Baked Bronzer (£5.39), Rose Blush (£5.99), Shadow Eyez Pencil (£3.79).

YSL: A brand that bloggers also seem to love and the only reason why I haven't is because I cannot afford to splash out on high end brands constantly. I only own two products from them, a lipstick and an eyeliner but again these two products have completely got me wanting more. The packaging is enough to make any girl swoon and some of their products are just too die for. I see so many bloggers raving and lusting over this brand, and one day I will give myself a little splurge.

Products I want to try: YSL Youth Liberator Foundation (£38), Radiance Blush (£32), Shocking Mascara (£25).

Kiko Cosmetics: A brand that I was first introduced to literally last week and already I want to try more. Kiko is a brand that i've wanted to try out for such a long time, but i'm not a huge fan of ordering makeup online and with there not being many stores in the UK i've never had the opportunity to try out their products. I was very kindly sent a few products from a new collection, which I will be reviewing very soon but the quality of these few products has impressed me so much and the packaging is beautiful.

Products I want to try: Perfect Gel Duo (£7.90), Modern Tribes Essential Bronzer (£17.90), Glow2 Blush & Highlighter (£8.90).

So those are a few brands that I want to try more products from. If you have tried any of these products that i've mentioned, then please let me know all about them!

What brands do you want to try more from?