Mermaid Buys & Spectrum Collections Glam Clam Review...

I first saw Spectrum collections 'Glam Clam' on Instagram shared by a friend and I fell in love! I fell hard! within 48 hours I'd justified it as an essential and had ordered one. It arrived within about four days and was packaged beautifully in a box with lilac tissue paper and a hand written thank you note (I love little touches like that). 

The zip up faux leather shell shaped case is just adorable and I've tried to keep the brushes in it so far although I'm sure they'll end up in a pot as they get a bit messier but the case will be proudly on display like it is now (It could even be used as a large clutch bag if you wanted to, perfect excuse for mermaid fancy dress!). The Brushes look almost too good to use and at first I didn't want to mess up the fabulous ombre bristles with messy make up. They are just by far the nicest looking brushes I've ever seen, I love the rose gold metal to compliment the turquoise handles and I can't imagine how they could design one better, although they do have other colour ranges these are definitely my favourites! Although Pink, with Orange and Yellow ombre would make a fabulous tropical collection! I don't know why I love those colours together so much, it reminds me of those hard penny sweets? not black jacks, but the same packet and fruity flavoured? what were they called??

Spectrum are proud to labels all their brushes as Vegan and cruelty free which I really love, so I have compared them to my Body Shop brushes as they are also cruelty free. So firstly just looking at the Spectrum brushes they look like they would be expensive even out of the case and the quality looks and feels brilliant. Compared to the body shop brushes (which I have been a fan of for years and use daily) they feel both softer and fuller, and the finish on them is fantastic! They not only feel lovely touching the skin and apply make up really evenly, they are a perfect large size and even the handle shape feels nicer to hold! 

Here are the brushes you receive in the 'Glam Clam' (hopefully) matched up correctly, it did take a little working out.
1, Large Domed Powder Brush. 2, Small Angled Blush Brush. 3, Flat Top Buffer Brush.
4, Buffing Concealer Brush. 5, Large Fluffy Shader Brush. 

In total you get 10 brushes varying in sizes in the clam shaped case for £59.99. Compared to most good quality make up brushes these are such good value even if you take a couple out that you may not use depending on what make up you wear. If you can't justify replacing all your brushes in one go you can purchase Spectrum brushes separately to with the cheapest being under £5 which really is a bargain for this quality. I've actually ordered a couple of extras in the pink sale ones to whoops. 

6, Small Angled Blender Brush. 7, Tall Tapered Blender Brush. 8, Eyeliner Brush.
9, Angled Brow Brush. 10, Lip Liner Brush. (Numbers 8 and 10 could well be the wrong way round).

Since buying the Glam Clam through Spectrum's website here it has since sold out online at the moment, but I've read on their social media that it is still available from Selfridges London and Birmingham. 

What can I say about it that I haven't already? It's beauty with a conscious, you can buy knowing no bunnies were hurt making these. Your make up bag can be as pretty as you feel with your make up on, and well with these pastel beauties your basically one step closer to being a mermaid and who doesn't want that!

If that doesn't fill your Mermaid fix here are some other themed buys I've found this month... 

Asos 'Save the Mermaids' t-shirt, available in the summer sale at a bargain price here. To make it a more summery vest shape I've simply got the scissors out and left the edges raw so no sewing! If your a little wary of cutting the shape yourself, fold your Asos t-shirt in half, down the centre front and lay a vest that you like the shape of on top. Make sure the shoulders are in the same place on both tops and mark with your Asos t-shirt with chalk, unfold and check it against yourself to make sure you like the shape you've drawn before you cut it. Remember less is more! you can always cut more away so start with less than you think rather than eagerly cutting too much. 

As a bra made of shell might be a little toooo much, I've found this gorgeous South Beach bikini to lie about on the beach instead (straight in the California suitcase it goes). I'm so happy this summer these shape bikinis have been around, not particularly great for bigger busts but us smaller ladies have to have some perks and these are especially flattering. I brought this set in the Asos sale here. But you can shop the full South Beach range on their website here. 

And to finish off these fabulous Anna Lou of London tassels bracelets made from semi precious stones that just scream sunshine and beaches in tropical places to me! They are sold separately but would look amazing mixed together or one with your own collection of bracelets. And there is no better jewellery than turquoise jewellery in my opinion. Available here. 
You can also find all the links in my 'Blog Shopping' board on Pinterest.  

Say Yes to the Dress...

Have you ever watched say yes to the dress? Have you ever watched a marathon of it on TLC? Have you ever sat and watched it with your friends and popcorn? If not your missing out and I strongly suggest you do this! If you've no idea what I'm on about here's a brief description of the show.. 

  

Set in a HUGE bridal store, Kleinfeld's in New York City, brides come across the country, or quite often from New Jersey for an appointment to find their dream dress from the 2000 ish they have to choose from in store. They usually bring a huge group of way to many people (Aunts, cousins, every single one of their sorority sisters) or a smaller group including an over opinionated mom/best friend who has the opposite taste to them and will hate everything they try on. And in some really weird episodes the Grooms come along to. 

Most want to look like a princess but the best brides are the ones with imaginative visions of what they want to look like on their big day. 

The selected bridal brunch will look in disgust as the bride comes out in her 'dream dress' (usually a mermaid style or as requested 'with a lot of bling') they will then roam free and start to find dresses that they think the bride should be wearing and through gritted teeth and a fake smile the assistant will politely agree to show the bride despite it being 3 times her budget. It's brilliant, I don't know if I'm selling it to you enough but I could watch it all day! Literally.. I mean I have 82 episodes on the TiVo box. 

So when my friend sent me the advertisement for a local bridal shop and hotel hosting an afternoon with Kleinfeld's Fashion Director Randy Fenoli I had heart palpitations. I don't know how I missed out Randy in the description of the show but he makes it! He eases the stressed brides, controls the overbearing mothers and always looks amazingly dapper in his matching tie, pocket square combo. You want him as your best friend. So I'm pretty excited to go and see his presentation, I mean you never know he could pick me to start a UK Kleinfelds, no?

Now that I've written this post I'm not actually sure where I'm going with this I think I'm just a little too excited now I've booked tickets and wanted to spread the word in case you're a fan to, I was going to wait and write a review afterwards but didn't want any of you to miss this! So if you love Randy as much as me I'll see you there! Now to plan my outfit, would a wedding dress be too much? x

If you are interested I'm sure Wedding Belles of Four Oaks who are hosting it won't mind answering any questions about it (sorry if your reading this and do, but I'm sure you won't). You can find details on their facebook page and see here for ticket info & prices.