It's been a while since we had some bag lovin on this blog, so I'm bringing it back!
I got a new bag recently and am so happy with it I thought I would share it with you guys.
So the bag I got was a Michael Kors bag (I know, everyone has them now). I'll be honest I'd been eyeing the black version of this bag for a while. I really like quilted bags, but know I will never get my hands on a Chanel one, so I figured this was the next best thing!
Michael Kors make really good quality bags & they're soft leather ones are really nice.
So this bag is the Sloan Large quilted-leather should bag. You can get it in a few different colours, but I went for the grey. I went for this partly because it's something different as all my other bags are black & because I just really liked the grey. Grey still goes with everything, like black does.
So the bag itself is made of really nice quality soft leather. It has a shoulder strap with can either be used as two shorter handles or one cross body length handle. I prefer to use it with the two shorter, as it fits perfectly under your arm that way. This is great for anti-theft reasons.
Another thing I really like about this bag is the clasp, as it's not that easy to get into (again for anti-theft reasons this is great. PS can you tell I've had my purse stolen before!!)
My purse fits perfectly in this bag too, which is great as it's quite a large purse. The bag has two sections with a zip section in the middle, as well as the usual phone pockets & back zip. So there are plenty of places to put values, as well as essentials.
Overall it wasn't a cheap bag, but for me definitely worth the price.
I debated over this bag for a while, but the anti-theft features on it really sold me.
I still get super paranoid about my purse & phone getting stolen, but with this bag it's pretty much impossible.
I've been running my blog for over a year now & I feel like it's only just being to grow.
I think it's all about getting a winning formula together (something I'm still working on).
I'm very active on my blog, as I like to provide you guys with a lot of good content regularly.
So I thought it would be worth showing you guys what my blogging essentials are!
1. Apple Laptop
I have been a Mac user for many years & love them. Sorry to any windows fans out there but it is all personal preference & budget. I am constantly on my Macbook either working on photography stuff or blog/ youtube projects. It is my 'hub' of productively, without it I'd get very little done!
This laptop is what I also edit my blog photos (Adobe Photoshop) & youtube videos (Final Cut Pro) on.
2. iPhone 6
My iPhone is basically an extension of my laptop, when I'm out & about it's the way I keep up to date with all of my social media. It also allows me to communicate with you guys on the go too! I also use it to take & edit my Instagram photos & occasionally my blog photos if for whatever reason I can't use my DSLR camera.
3. Nikon D7100
This is the camera that I use to take my blog photos. It produces amazing high quality images & being a photographer means I can produce some cool/ creative stuff. I take all of my photos in the Manual setting as that's my preferred setting, so I can change any settings (ISO, Shutter speed, etc) I need to according to the lighting I have available at the time.
4. Products
Products, now this one kind of goes without saying but without products to photograph, review & write about generally you are very limited on content. Especially if you're running a beauty based blog.
5. Artificial lighting
This isn't pictured above as I was using it to take the photo, but I like to use artificial lighting quite often to achieve the style & lighting I want in my blog photos. This isn't necessary if you can find some where with great natural light but I just find it makes for a more professional like to the photos. I like to use an LED ring light most of the time & shoot through the gap.
So onto you guys, what would you say are your blog essentials?
I mentioned this product in my "Testing Tray" post.
So the testing has been done. Now it's time for my thoughts.
The packaging itself is really cute with the polka dot detail, however this is the standard that Benefit pride themselves on!
The product is one that you twist up & can apply straight to the face. Which is great is the sense of it's no mess & less fuss, however I have heard people say theirs has broken off the packaging. Not ideal.
The primer is quite a dry primer with I find a little hard to work around your face, it works best if you apply it to you hand/ finger first as this warms it up a bit.
With regards to extending wear time. I'd say it does extend the wear time of my foundation but not necessarily for 15 hours like it claims to do. Generally I don't wear my make up for 15 hours though so that isn't really a problem for me.
It's a good primer overall, the only thing I'm not too sure about is the price tag.
Jewellery isn't something I talk about much here, not because I don't like it but because I've very fussy about my jewellery.
I'm not a fan of cheap jewellery that goes green, as I'm the sort of person who only wears certain pieces but wears them permanently. So really I look for staple jewellery which will go with everything & matches the jewellery I already have.
So onto my favourite pieces!
Firstly there is my Michael Kors watch which I have had for years, which is a rose gold one.
I know every woman & her dog has one now but surely that just makes me trend setter (haha).
I had been looking for a few nice rings for years but when I got this watch rose gold wasn't such a big thing. However recently Thomas Sabo have been stocking some gorgeous rose gold rings! As well as other pieces (necklaces, bracelets, earrings etc).
The ring in the photo is from Thomas Sabo which I wear all the time, I don't even take it off to shower!
These pieces are also amazing quality they don't fade or change colour!
I would recommend them to anyone. So if you're on the hunt for some special jewellery definitely check these brands out.
Michael Kors now do rose gold bracelets, rings etc too!
For those of you who didn't know (i.e. have been living under a rock) we can now get Victoria's Secret products in the UK.
The nearest shop to me is the one in the Bullring in Birmingham, which is the newest shop I think.
Since I have been shopping there I can conclude they are the best place for all things lingerie!
This bra is a perfect example. The lace detailing is of great quality and the cobalt blue still shows through. This bra clips at the front, which is a neat little feature as it allows the back (which you can somewhat see in the photo) to be lacy and beautiful. I love this idea as it means the 'no bra with backless tops thing' is a thing of the past.
I prefer the structured padding in these bras too, it prevents them from becoming misshaped over time.
Overall they make some really cool, sexy & creative stuff.
This includes their range of bikinis too!
However in the UK Victoria's Secret isn't cheap, so pick wisely!
Creating cool Instagram photos is a blogger must these days.
A lot of Instagram follows are based of how your Instagram feed looks.
So hows a little insight into how I take my Instagram photos to make sure they're of great quality & style.
I like my Instagram feed to look clean & stylish.
I find the best way to get this look is by using light backgrounds like light wood flooring or a white table top. Darker backgrounds prevent the subjects colours from standing out as much.
Usually, in the summer time at least, natural light will be good enough lighting. However I do sometimes use some artificial LED lighting. I either use this LED top light as pictured above or a ring light. I actually prefer using a ring light as you can shoot through the gap instead of having to shoot around it.
I usually just take my Instagram photos on my iPhone 6 as I feel the camera quality is pretty damn good (for a phone anyway) & it also saves me having to transfer photos from my camera/ laptop. So I can post them straight away.
I like to lay my photos out a few different ways to make them look visibly interesting, subconsciously using my photography skills of composition.
I do also try to somewhat plan my posts so there aren't too many posts that look the same with the same content. That way your followers don't get bored of your posts & unfollow.
These are Real Techniques latest launch of brushes, a limited edition contour & sculpt set.
First of all I'd like to say that I love the metallic pink handles! So cute!
So onto the brushes, Real Techniques brushes are all synthetic, which I personally prefer. When you clean them they tend to come up cleaner and I feel like they generally last longer too!
I already have quite a few Real Techniques brushes and love them! Some I use everyday & have done for two years+ and they're still like new, no shedding, nothing!
So I was very keen to get my hands on this set.
And I have to say these are just as amazing! The brushes are ridiculously soft, even after a good few washes & just overall great quality.
The set includes a fan brush, which is ideal for sweeping highlighter onto the high points of the face. A sculpting brush for contouring, which is great as it's really dense and more long than round. Then lastly a setting brush for setting the under eye concealer. However if you really wanted to you could use this brush for a more defined and sharp contour.
With how popular contouring is right now, I think this is a great launch and a perfect set that would fit perfectly in anyone's brush collection!
Top marks from me Sam & Nic!
This set is exclusive to Superdrug & retails for £20.99!
They make some really cool bright scarves like this one below.
Photo source: Powder Facebook page
These colours just scream spring to me! I'd pair this with jeans, some Vans, plain tee and leather jacket for a daytime look. There's nothing to say you couldn't pair this with an evening outfit as well! I actually think some of their scarves would be perfect for weddings they're that nice.
They actually have a section on their website especially for their spring scarf collection.
I'm really considering purchasing one or two myself they look so nice!
If you guys are into make up you'll have heard of Sigma brushes, they are the 'it' brushes of the make up world.
So me being me had to put them to the test!
I purchased the Mr Bunny Essential Kit roughly about a year ago. Costing me approximately £110, so not cheap.
So lets face, it at that price you want them to last forever. So I thought I would do a follow up review on these.
First of all the cases are still in great condition which is good. I also have to say they are sooo useful when you're travelling, I even fit additional brushes in them.
The brushes themselves are in great condition I haven't experienced any shredding at all. The heads haven't loosened from the handles in the slightest.
I would also like to mention that I use these brushes on the daily and wash them every week/ two weeks.
The brushes are also still pretty soft. There is the odd brush that I feel lets the set down, which is the blending eye brush. None of them have even been stained by any products.
Overall though I do love this set and feel you have all the brushes you need in here.
I'm not sure they will last forever, nothing does right? But I honestly think these Sigma brushes will LAST.
I'm considering buying some more Sigma brushes soon, so that shows how much I like them!
Hi, I'm Eve. I'm a 23 year old professional photographer, who also has an interest in blogging/ vlogging. I like to write about anything really, from beauty to health issues!
