RECENT PURCHASES | Sleek

Christmas shopping ultimately leads to making a few sneaky purchases for yourself along the way, as we all know. My present shopping is nearly finished now but along the way, I couldn't resist purchasing a few items from Sleek as a gift for myself. I'd had my eye on them for a while and since it's deadline week for me, I figured a treat might be a good incentive to crack this final project out.

Sleek Blush By 3 'Sweet Cheeks'

I believe this blush palette came out with one of Sleek's collections that I didn't pay much attention to. These palettes always catch my eye in stores though, and I liked this one a lot in particular. I have a lot of peach blushes and not enough pink tones so this offers a lot of colours I don't already own. There's a nice mix of brights and neutrals, mattes and shimmers, powders and creams, all that good stuff. I can't speak for longevity just yet but I have other Sleek blushes and they're always very pigmented and long-lasting, in my experience.

Sleek Face Contour Kit 'Light'

This is a product I've seen recommended countless times on YouTube. It tends to be difficult to find in stores by me, so when I ordered a few things online I knew I had to finally get this for myself. I'm a big fan of contouring, even in my everyday make up, so I'm always in the market to try a new contour powder. Plus the highlighter this comes with is lovely too. I have really dry skin so I avoid the matte look at all costs. Highlighter is a must. Plus it should be a great product to bring with me when travelling - having two-in-one is always dead handy.

WISHLIST | Shoes Please

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Shoes are my downfall. I have so many pairs, yet never enough. And a lot of the pairs I already own look really alike. It's a sickness. I can't go anywhere without falling in love with yet another pair of black ankle boots. These are some shoes I've had my eye on more recently. River Island are tempting me like no other currently. Their selection of ankle boots is impeccable. Basically, I want them all. It was difficult to narrow it down to merely two pairs to feature on this wishlist.

Another great shoe love of mine is the heel. I always wear heels on a night out. I think the gene that makes people's feet hurt after wearing heels all night skipped me, because I always soldier on. I'll run in them, I'll dance in them until the wee hours, you will not see me walking home with my shoes in one hand. I am a high heels trooper. This purple and black Topshop pair are calling to me in particular. I'm not usually one for a stiletto heel but for these I can make an exception. 

The New Balance look somewhat out of place amidst all these heels, but I've wanted a pair for a while now. I wear trainers a lot during the day, with all variety of outfits. I walk a lot and I spend hours on my feet at work so comfort is key. Plus there's something about my signature black paired with turquoise that is incredibly appealing to me.

OUTFIT | #180

dress: Miss Selfridge; clutch: H&M; shoes: BCBGeneration

Props to my housemate for snapping these pictures 5 minutes before we ran out the door. I so rarely manage to get ready in time to take pictures of what I wear on a night out, but this dress was too good not to document. I went to the student media ball at my university this week. I love a good formal affair and excuse to wear all my best rags. I knew this dress was for me the moment I spotted it in Miss Selfridge a few months ago. Even the girls in the shop said they were all obsessed with it. It's an absolute corker. I kept trying it on and ending up sitting about watching TV in it because I wouldn't want to take it off. 

Sequins aren't usually my thing, but black and form-fitting is so it worked. I didn't manage to get a picture but it's lower in the back which is a nice touch. I am in desperate need of a good new clutch though. My reliable old black number finally bit the dust a few weeks ago and I like having the option of more than one bag to choose from on a night out. Definitely an item that's going on my shopping list for future purchase.

OUTFIT | #179

jumper: Tommy Hilfiger; skirt: J. Crew; boots: H&M

This is possibly my favourite jumper I've ever owned. When I moved back to uni, I foolishly left it at my mum's house and have felt the sting of its absence ever since. In all serious though, it was really bloody annoying. I kept thinking of outfits I wanted to wear with it and then remembering I didn't have it. I went home last weekend and the first thing I did was make sure I packed this jumper securely in my bag. Reunited at last. I've worn it nearly every day since. Hopefully we won't be parted again anytime soon. 

Special mention here to my sister, since this jumper was originally hers before I stole it. Or she gave it to me, one or the other. It certainly wouldn't be the first time I've coveted her knitwear. I've got my eye on a black and cream striped number in her wardrobe currently. Watch out, sis. That one might 'accidentally' end up in my bag after I come home for Christmas.

OUTFIT | #178

jumper, boots: Topshop; skirt: H&M; bag: Rebecca Minkoff

I wore this out for dinner and drinks with some friends last week. I'd been in the library all day, in a perfectly acceptable outfit, but decided to change anyway. Sitting in silence amongst the stacks all day left me feeling rather dull. Hence the big peach jumper. That thing is a god-send on cold nights. I have never encountered a warmer item of knitwear. I can even get away with a lighter jacket when I wear this jumper. It's that warm. Since my criteria for winter outfits is basically: looks good, won't leave me frozen to death - it fits the bill.

I don't often feature the bag I use in outfit posts. Mostly because on a day-to-day basis, I just use my Fjallraven Kanken 24/7. I'm rarely without it. On the rare occasion I do ditch the backpack, I've been reaching for smaller bags lately. For my 21st I got given a Rebecca Minkoff Mini M.A.C. and it's the perfect size for running quick errands or an evening out. Not so small that I have to sacrifice bringing certain things with me, but still sleek and unobtrusive. For someone who's always been into big bags, it works surprisingly well for me.