Becoming a Smart Shopper.

Picture from confessions of a shopaholic. 

Sale shopping can be something people absolutely dread especially after Christmas. All the people pushing and shoving with elbows out to make sure they get the biggest bargain and It's becoming dangerous. Obviously the option many people now take is online shopping but you can do it in the comfort of your own home with coffee in hand but personally, I prefer actually going to the shops, that way you can make sure everything is just right and fits perfectly and none of that postage and packaging stuff.

I'm here today to present my 'Guide to Smart Shopping' (Sounds rather snazzy right?)

1. Go with a game plan.
Decide the perfect time to get up and the right time to leave. What shops you are going to first and last and what shops you are going to completely avoid. Who are you going with and who's driving? This leaves you feeling more confident about your trip and makes sure that you won't get swept away with the crowds.

 2. Plan your outfit.
Think comfy. Don't wear heeled boots that you can't walk very far in and a dress that takes 20 minutes to get in and out of as that just isn't going to benefit you. Make sure you have comfy shoes and outfit on even if its trainers and leggings; trust me, people aren't going to judge. I would recommend something slide on such as comfy ballet flats so you can easily try on shoes with ease.

 3. Search the web first.
Go online and plan your purchases. Look on your favourite websites and have a look at items on there and see what you like a don't like. Decide on your favourite bits so you know what you're looking for and you don't end up taking arms full to the changing rooms.

 4. Set a budget.
This goes arm in arm with number three. Look online and decide what you like but allow a little bit extra for shops that may not have a website with everything listed on it (such as Primark and any individual stores). If you love Primark, set a budget for that such as £40 so you don't overspend in one shop and have to compromise later.

 5. Pack your bag the night before.
Did you ever or do you still pack your bag the night before for school or work to make sure that you don't forget anything, well it's a bit like that for shopping too. Make sure you have a good sized bag and I would recommend a smallish over the shoulder bag so you're hands free apart from your bags of brand new goodies. Have your purse ready with cards, cash and gift cards that you may have received at Christmas. I always have an emergency kit with me with plasters, a nail file, plasters and any other emergency stuff (ahem.) so you don't get caught short. Nothing will ruin your trip!

 6. Bring a snack.
There's nothing worse than shopping on an empty stomach. It might be a long time between breakfast and lunch and you get hungry and tired when shopping. Bring an energy boost to make sure you have something between meal times. That cereal bar will be greatly appreciated trust me!

7. Have fun!
Enjoy yourself and relax, don't get stressed and just have fun! 

 I hope my six step guide to smart shopping helps you in the busy time of sale shopping! Go out and buy lots of lovely things and have fun! I would love to know what you get in the sales! 
♥ 


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Lazy Sunday.

I threw this outfit together today because I wanted something kind of smart casual. I was spending most of the day inside so I didn't need to worry about a big thick coat but a thin blazer would be absolutely fine! 

Jeans |  Topshop mom jeans
T-shirt | River Island
Blazer | Primark (Old)
Bag | Zara
Shoes | Primark
Watch | Sekonda (via Amazon)

I love this outfit and for something I quickly threw on, I am actually quite pleased with it. These shoes are my new favourite heels and I've written a blogpost completely devoted to them so go and check it out if you haven't already!

♥ 


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Do what makes you happiest.


You can't go through life pleasing everyone else. 

I recently wrote a Motivational Monday post on living and living your life to the full. At the end of the day, it is your life and the decisions that you make on a day to day basis are not going to affect other people in the future. I know many people may be under pressure from parents or teachers to take a certain path in life to achieve a certain job but I believe that there is no 'path' to something. You create that path yourself and no, not everything is going to run smoothly and you are going to have to go on little diversions when obstacles get in the way but that's what happens. 

My new years resolution for 2014 was not to directly plan ahead. Obviously that can't always happened but I didn't want to put stress on myself creating direct routes knowing where I wanted to go when I leave school and then exactly what I want to do after that. I am a list maker. I sit in school assemblies and lectures making lists if there's nothing to do; I pull out a piece of scrap paper and make a list of what I need to do when I get home that evening or makeup looks I want to do to put in my portfolio but I try not to get to stressed if that list doesn't go to plan. I juggle things around and move a couple of items but that's fine and that's what has to be done. My phone is constantly full of to do lists. 

But when people ask me what I want to do once I leave for college and how long I plan to study there for, my answer is always 'I don't know, I'll go where the wind takes me" if you like. My current plan is to stay on for two and a half years to do a level two, three and four course but It might turn out that I have plenty of jobs coming in by level three. I just don't know. It isn't something I've planned. 

I feel as though sometimes you need to stand up for yourself and say that you are going to make your own decisions whether that is how you want to dress or the job you want to do, it's completely up to you and your own choice after all, no one knows you better than you. Whether it's pressure from parents, teachers, friends or the media, it's your choice and you have to do what makes you happiest. 

♥ 


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Perfect Party Shoe?


These are my new loves. I picked these up a couple of weeks ago from Primark for £14.50 as I thought these would be perfect for the festive season. These heels reminded me of the Valentino 'Rockstud leather courts'. Now, obviously I realise that these aren't studded and the back is completely different but I just loved the pointed toe and the straps that run across the front of the foot and obviously a lot cheaper (I think it works out just over 2% of the price) so clearly an absolute bargain!


The material on the toe is a faux lizard/crocodile skin which I absolutely love. The trim around the side and the heel is faux suede and the straps are patent leather I think. They have a simple buckle at the back and provide plenty of support whilst you strut yo' stuff!



Overall, I love these heels and I can tell I am going to get plenty of wear out of them over the christmas period as you can dress them up and dress them down so they're a multipurpose shoe! By the way, This is not sponsored by Primark, I just think that these are an absolute bargain and the perfect shoe for your collection so hop on down to your local primary and check these out!

♥ 


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Is it really worth the hype? | Naked Basics 2


If you love makeup and eyeshadow then you need this palette! If you haven't already got it then stick it on your Christmas list and thank me later. 

This palette retails for £22.00 so that's £3.66 for each eyeshadow and I bet you would walk into boots and happily pick up a couple from No. 7 for £7.00 a piece. Buying this palette means you are getting 2 eye shadows for the price of one and I bet these eye shadows are better quality. 

Wow, I've made this sound like a sponsored post haven't I! well I promise its not, I just bloomin' love this palette. This palette, like the original basics had six eye shadows in it, five matte and one shimmery, that are perfect for everyday wear on their own or with a sparkly glitter on top. 


If you owned the original basic palette, then if like mine, your matte black may have dried up and just cracks and gets everywhere. It's an absolute pain to get off my wooden dresser and if you have a white vanity table then you definitely wouldn't after using the original. This one hasn't yet! I chuck it in my bag, it travels with me, it goes to a from rooms and used everyday and still hasn't cracked! Perfect update.

From left to right: Skimp | Stark | Frisk | Cover | Primal | Undone

The colours in this palette are really pigmented and perfect to be worn on their own. I think any beauty and makeup lover needs this palette in their life so if you don't get it for Christmas, hop on down to your nearest Urban Decay counter and pick this bad boy up!

♥ 


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Beauty Blogger tag.



Today I decided to do a tag post, I wasn't actually tagged to do the 'Beauty Blogger tag' but I thought it would be a fun one to do seeing as I'm so passionate about makeup and beauty. Enjoy!

Name a beauty routine that you barely do.
Contouring. When I have enough time, I try. Somedays it looks great but other times, It looks like my face is really bruised.

Is washing your makeup brushes something you do regularly?
Yes! Oh my god! I love using the good ol' Johnson's baby shampoo and give my brushes a good scrubbin'. Honestly though, Not something I'm a fan of because With over 60 brushes that are used all the time, it takes soooo long and by the end of it, my hand is numb but once they're done, I love them!

How long will you last with chipped nail polish?
Not very long. One to two days max. I hate chipped nail polish and I would rather have no polish than chipped polish. 

How long do you put off buying/replacing a beauty or nail polish product even if you need it? (i.e. top coat, foundation etc)
Once again, not very long. I recently ran out of my foundation, powder and concealer all within two days and I was lost without them! I have loads of foundation samples but none are light enough for my skin so I had to lighten them up with white cream makeup and really really light concealers that I'm not keen on so that was not fun at all. Desperate times. 

What is your worst beauty habit?
Not washing and cleansing my face properly. I know that sounds really gross and I know it probably is. I honestly don't have bad skin. A few breakouts here and there and at that time of the month (ahem) but apart from that, I can get away with just using a makeup wipe or micellar water and not having majorly bad skin. I go through stages where I have a full on skin care routine with wash, moisturiser, masks, scrubs and all that jazz but I don't feel like there's a major difference. I don't know, maybe in the future I will find an amazing skincare routine that I do see a difference in my face area but that's for the future.

Name something non-beauty related that you put off doing all the time.
Cleaning out my bag. It is huge so collects loads of junk. I think there's still a pair of sunglasses in there from August.

When going somewhere, do you leave getting ready to the last minute or not?
Pfft, 'last minute getting ready' isn't really a phrase in my vocabulary. If We're going out to a party or a dinner and 7 or 7.30 then my getting ready routine consists of getting in the shower and washing my hair at 3 o'clock, putting my hair in velcro rollers usually and starting my makeup at about five. I'm usually still not ready on time. oopsie.

Can you commit to spending bans?
No. Definitely not. I'm pretty good with money so I don't really ever need to commit to a spending ban. I just need to keep asking myself: "Do you really need that?" and if its a no, then I put it back on the shelf and walk out of the shop, swiftly before anything else catches my eye.

How organised is your makeup and nail polish collection?
Pretty organised. My nail polish collection at the minute is a little bit muddled at the minute as I have just thrown my nail polishes in recently but apart from that, It's pretty organised. My makeup collection is also very organised but overflowing (oops again), I'm just not completely happy with the current setup. 

What's the longest time you've gone without writing a blogpost?
Probably a month and I'm extremely sorry about that but you now have my undivided attention and thank you for sticking with me.

So thats it really. Me in a nutshell haha. I tag you, Yes you to do this tag! If you don't write a blog then maybe answer one or a few of the questions in the comments below! I would love to read them!

 ♥ 


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New in | Sephora 'Kiss me' balm

I'm pretty sure that this 'Kiss me' balm is quite new to Sephora. I went to France for a day trip a few weeks ago and it was on the 'new in' stand and I grabbed one straight away. The colour I went for was 'Candy apple' as this was my favourite of the five shades on offer not including a clear one for you more neutral loving girls. 

These lip balms retail for $8.00 which I think sounds pretty expensive for a simple lip balm but stick a lip liner under it and you basically have the look of a lipstick, liner and gloss all in one. Perfect and much less work!
This colour I have is the only proper red in the line and I absolutely adore it!  This promises four hours of hydration and I'm sure it lives up to that. Not only hydration but the colour stays on your lips for hours and when it eventually starts to disappear, mine turns into a lighter red slightly pinky colour. This is such a perfect product for this cold winter season when you don't want dry and chapped lips but still want a pop of colour in your makeup routine. And if you aren't a red lip colour kind a gal, Theres plenty of other colours from pale pinks to a dark plum. The choice is yours!

♥ 


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It's time for a change...

It's time for a change.

This sounds a bit serious doesn't it? I don't mean for it to be, not at all. I created a 'Little update' post a couple of weeks age which I have recently deleted after realising I wanted to change it and needed to add more things in to it so this is it; my new update post. It is the start of a new beginning if you will. 

On the 26th of November, I celebrated my 1 year blogiversary and no, I didn't write about it on any social media and it wasn't really a very known thing as I haven't been very devoted to my blog since my laptop broke and having to fight over a family computer isn't always the easiest thing. I also don't feel like all of my posts have been perfect and the photography hasn't been great but from now on, I'm only going to post something that I am really proud of. 

I am also not so keen on the name 'Aimee talks beauty'. After a year of writing under that name, I have realised that I don't just want to be known for that. I love fashion, and shoes, and photography and foody posts and that is what I am so passionate about; not just makeup and beauty (although I do still love that). After weeks and months of disliking my blog name, I have decided to change it. I want something a little bit more... well open in a way. I don't want people to see my blog URL and automatically think I was just a beauty guru. I have decided to change my name but I need suggestions and until then I will continue to write posts on this blog under the name 'Aimee talks beauty'. So please leave your suggestions below!

I'm also going to try and write at least three posts a week and maybe four, you lucky lot! There will be a new post on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday throughout December. Monday will be a chatty post, (Motivational monday, tag post, advice etc.) I haven't decided on the rest, I'll just go with the flow as some say!


Next change is my new laptop! Woo hoo! After my Sony Vaio died on me after 6 years of usage I wanted an upgrade and a complete change from a windows laptop. (Not that there's anything wrong with a windows at all and I will still be using a windows computer on the odd occasion) After pondering in the apple store for about an hour, I bit the bullet and purchased a 13" Macbook air. I will be using this amazing new bit of tech for blogposts and video editing and also for course work and work when I go to college in September. (Exciting stuff!!)

I am also creating a new youtube channel as I had had my old one for years and the URL was pretty cringy and one I created when I was about ten so wasn't really suitable for me anymore. I am creating a new channel using my work email so that everything will be under one email address and easier for me to access. I hope you will all go and subscribe to my new youtube channel and I will see you with a new youtube video very soon.


The last thing that I haven't really spoken about is my new studio/office. When I was younger, My loft was converted into a playroom and chill out area where I could put all of my toys and extra things I didn't want in my bedroom. All the walls were covered with white plaster board, the edges of the loft had sliding doors put in and a velux window was also put in creating a nice space with lots of natural light. A few weeks ago, I took a trip to Ikea with my Mum and Dad and bought some furniture to redo the loft into a nice space for me to work in. It isn't completely finished though as Christmas is right around the corner and it is currently housing all the Christmas presents and wrapping stuff but once christmas is over, I can make it into a pretty girly work area. 

♥ 


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To live is the rarest thing in the world.

I'm back! I have a new laptop and I'm loving it! There should be a blogpost up soon with some changes that have happened and a little bit of a chit chat. But, I'm going to kickstart December off with a Motivational Monday!


I don't believe that many people actually 'live'. Just because you have you have a very good job or you are an award winning singer (none of which are bad things) does that mean that you are making the most out of life and actually enjoying yourself? You could make thousands in a day but might just wake up, go to work, go home, sleep; Without talking to anyone and stuck behind a computer all day, everyday. Is that actually living and enjoying yourself? I believe that you could be the poorest person in the world but could be making the most out of life, loving every second and actually having fun. 

The memories that you will look back to may not always be good but some of the things you didn't enjoy doing at the time because you were getting wet and muddy may become some of your best memories. For example, in Year 8 (roughly the age of 12 - 13) I went to Cornwall for five days during school for an 'Activities week' There were only a few of us on the trip and we went to Adventure international in Cornwall and it turned out to be very rainy and muddy. Most of us complained while we were there, about the weather, the early morning runs, the clothes we were wearing but in the end it was actually such a fun week and something I will probably never do again and wish I could do it all over again.

I think in the end of it all, clothes will wash, hair will wash, people will forget and you will always remember something and whatever you may be doing, you will be able to tell people about it in years to come.

So go for it, do something new and enjoy yourself. Have fun and make the last chapter of 2014 the best one!

♥ 


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