Our Tuscan Holiday | Photo Diary

Hello everyone, just a quick photo diary post of what we got up to in Tuscany today as I have had a couple of requests to share what we got up to. All in all it was quite a chilled out holiday and we didn't get up to much exploring you know, Tuscany and chill as it were. We stayed in a 'grande' villa just a 20 minute drive from Montepulciano, we had a few thunder storms, some glorious weather and a lovely pool to relax in and as I said we didn't really take that many pictures, because how many interiors shots do you guys really want to see? So here are some of the snaps we did manage to capture while we were off on our adventures. 

Hope you enjoy!

Body Shop Aberdeen | Bloggers Evening and Skincare Haul

Coming back at you today with yet another Aberdeen Bloggers event, myself and the girls from the #Abzmeet group were invited along to the Body Shop in Aberdeen's St Nicholas centre to test out their new range of spa products as well as their oils of life range and their exciting foray into flawless foundation! Needless to say as a lover of all things spa, beauty and just product really I was so excited to go along for the evening and get my learn on. Admittedly the Body Shop is not somewhere I usually venture just mainly because I have a tendency to stick to what I know skin care wise and never stray too far from my typical Boots and Lush products, but I knew myself it was time for a revamp!

We were introduced to the team at the Aberdeen store and they explained we would each get time with their three experts, one from the spa range, one from skincare and one from the make up team. As there was only three of us able to make it we each had a considerable amount of time with each of the ladies and were given advice tailored to our individual needs and skincare requirements which was brilliant and so informative. We got to try out pretty much all of their new products, my personal favourites being the new spa range which has all sorts of smelly, goodies and loveliness for you to get your hands on, their oils of life which make your skin feel unbelievable and their new foundation which I may even do a separate post on because it is a thing of wonders (am I exaggerating? NO!) 

Instead of today bending your ear on all the intricacies of my own skin and the ins and outs of what we tried on, what worked, what didn't work, I just want to share my haul of products I came away with on the evening, how they benefit my skin and how they might benefit yours if you're skin type is similar to mine. 

Honey and Milk Bath Mix
When I got a whiff of this from their spa range I knew I had to have it, and given that we will have a bath in our new home I am so excited for this to become my go to relaxing bath scent! The formula leaves your skin feeling hydrated, moisturised and all manner of silky smooth. The mix was inspired by Egyptian Queen Cleopatra who used to bathe in milk to keep her skin in tip top condition. So if this mix is going to leave me looking anything like the late great Liz Taylor I'm all for it.

Oil of Life (pictured above)
Okay so like many of you ladies and gents out there I struggle with dry skin, particularly at the moment with the colder weather coming in. I leave my house in the morning hydrated and looking alive but after facing the elements and the general day I'll left with unattractive dry patches showing through my foundation and I'm in need for a little TLC. This is why I have invested in a facial oil, I have been seeing these everywhere lately, these babies are the new face serums. You put this on before you go to bed and after your shower in the morning before you use your moisturiser, it basically preps your face for moisturising and helps your skin to absorb the product a bit easier. 

Vitamin C Microdermabrasion

Again, with the Scottish weather lately my skin has turned a bit grey and as fashionable as the colour is for home interiors right now I don't want it on my face! Given that I'm a bit of an exfoliation junkie I jumped at the chance to get my hands on an exfoliator with skin brightening vitamin C properties.

Fresh Nude Foundation in Porcelain (Pictured above)
And for the big finish! After spending a bit of time with the Body Shop's senior make up artist and talking about my skin care needs and what tones go best with my face in general she showed me their new Fresh Nude Foundation. I will be doing a full full review of this product but I just have to give it props right now for how wonderful it makes my skin look. Never have I ever had a product match my skin tone as well as this does, it's lightweight, build-able and one of the best parts? You can wear it matte or dewy by doing one small thing (no tools required) stay tuned for the full review of this wonder product soon!

On top of all of my haul goodies we were treated to some gift bags and freebies which has an amazing array of products inside that I can't wait to try out, vanilla scented sprays, lip balms and a highlighter dupe for Benefit's High Beam to name a few. I'm hoping to discover some skincare saviours for winter in my little bundle and if I do I'll be sure to share them with you guys who also suffer with dry winter weather skin like I do!

Apologies for the lengthy, lengthy post today guys but I honestly can't say enough good things about the staff at the Body Shop in Aberdeen, I was so impressed by how passionate they are about the brand, the ethics and the product quality in total (and before anyone says, no they are not on commission!) so if you're looking for your very own skin care saviours be sure to spare a thought for Body Shop and pop in past to have a chat with their experts. Do you have any must have beauty, skin or shower products from the Body Shop? I'd love to hear all of your thoughts, comments, suggestions and link your reviews below, and as always you can catch me, myself and I on Twitter or more from the blog on Bloglovin.

Until next time folks, bathing just like Cleo!

H.Elizabeth x

LASplash Cosmetics | Disney Liquid Lipstick Review

As some of you may know if you have been spying my Twitter and Instagram feeds of late you'll know that I was one of those few who jumped on the liquid lippy bandwagon and got their hands on a few of the Disney lippys by LASplash Cosmetics this last month. These sold like nothing I've ever seen, you know, except for every limited edition MAC lippy ever, and I was so pleased when I was able to get my hands on 3 of the shades I had been coveting, namely Lady, Evil Queen and Belle.

This will have been  my first ever foray into 'American' make up as well as one of my first known forays into cruelty free make up which I am aiming to look a bit more into in the coming months so do stay tuned for that. Ever since I fell head over heels for my bourjois liquid lipsticks, namely in the colour nudist all I have ever wanted to wear has been liquid lipsticks and having heard the likes of LASplash and Limecrime are the reigning champs of liquid lipsticks it felt like fate when LASplash released a Disney line.

For being shipped from the US these really didn't take long to arrive with me, it must have been about 2 weeks max, when I half expected to be waiting for like 6 - 8 weeks and had given up hopes of having these throughout the autumnal season. They came well wrapped in little plastic boxes and I got a little purple glitter pigment as a freebie too so that was nice, though I have no idea what I'll do with it, other than make a quite obvious mess!

The shades I chose for me all all relatively safe, I do tend to stick to my reds and browns and behave like autumn is an all round constant. Lady is what can only be described as a true red with subtle red glitter pigments which is going to be gorgeous for Christmas time and may even end up being my Christmas day lippy, who knows? Only time will tell. Evil Queen is a more burgundy red with purple running throughout the colour in the form of glitter pigments once again, it's so vampy and striking which I love, particularly for this time of year. And finally Belle which along with Nala (which was sold out) I really wanted to get my hands on, once swatched  on my hand Bell looks like a golden colour but on my lips is a beautiful pale coffee shade which I think compliments my skin tone perfectly without making me look washed out.

On the first day I decided to undertake a little experiment and swatch all three to see just how durable these babies were, as they are supposed to be waterproof and literally won't budge unless you want them to (not in a 'I command thee' sort of way!) and I was so so impressed. They didn't budge at all, honestly this was a day where I had a van hired and was moving furniture and it didn't move, I washed my hands, bashed them off boxes, everything, they faded slightly but only moved fully when I took my make up remover to them.

My one and only criticism would be that these are quite drying on your lips and often don't feel very pleasant but I suppose you've just got to prioritize whether you want durability and high pigmentation or the conditioning properties for dry lips. I myself always moisturise my lips in the morning and evening so it doesn't bother me too much, but for those with very dry lips I would steer clear. And on a similar note you have got to be super careful not to drop some of the product on your cheek or anywhere you don't want it that day. I'm serious when I say these lippys don't budge.

I hope you guys have enjoyed yet another lippy review from Granite City Girl, did you manage to get your hands on any LASplash Disney lipsticks? If so leave your thoughts on the in the comments below, I'm also super interested in the Limecrime Velveteen range so if you have any reviews or thoughts on those I'm all ears. Otherwise you can catch me in the usual ways, via Twitter or more from the blog via Bloglovin.

Until next time folks, getting lyrical with my lippy.

H.Elizabeth x

Blogger Tag | 11 Things You Didn't Know About Me

Today I'll be doing my first blogger tag in a long, long time as I have been tagged by Karen of Tiny Bird Heart to take part in the 11 things you didn't know about me tag. This is right up my street becasuse as you guys probably already know I'm super nosy and can't wait to pass my questions along and get all of the gory bloggery details from everyone else. Without further ado here are 11 things you didn't know about me:

 
1. Your favourite blog
I follow so many blogs on Bloglovin that it's really difficult to pick just one, but if we're thinking about one I revisit on a regular basis then it would have to be Becky's Milk Bubble Tea, I think her photography is gorgeous and I love her week round ups from instagram, overall two very enthusiastic thumbs up! 

2. Your favourite holiday destination so far
This year my husband and I spent our honeymoon in Paris and a trip to Disneyland and it has got to be the highlight of my year. The weather was perfect and we had so many fun activities planned from a romantic dinner cruise to going a bit crazy on the rides in Disneyland it's definitely my one to top! 

3. The last film you watched
This might be a weird one but the last film I watched was the 51st State with Samuel L Jackson, Robert Carlyle and Meatloaf, it was on BBC a few days ago and it was by far one of the oddest movies I have ever seen. A synopsis for you would be lots of drugs, explosive diarrhea and Sam L Jackson in a kilt... 

4. Your favourite teddy or soft toy growing up
I don't think as a child I was particularly attached to one teddy or soft toy but I did like socks and dusters, so take from that what you will! 

5. Your favourite decade
Fashion wise I have to say the 1960's, when I was a teenager I went through a mass phase of flower crowns and baby doll dresses and I just love the music that came from that decade like Dusty Springfield and Nancy Sinatra, but tech wise I have to say I'm pretty happy with here and now.

6. The last person you retweeted and what it said
The last person I retweeted is really a company, specifically STV Aberdeen and it was giving news on our brand new potential Cat Cafe which I wrote a little bit about here.

7. Your middle name(s)
Since getting married last year this has changed as I now have two middle names as I was very reluctant to give up my last name so I just shifted everything up, so now my full name is Hannah Elizabeth Cosgrove Adams.

8. Who was your favourite Spice Girl?
Need you ask! Ginger spice was definitely my favourite, I loved her hair colour and how she owned it and really I just related, is that a little sad?

9. What are you currently reading?
I'm so bad at starting books and never finishing them just because you know... life. But at the moment I am half reading Stephen King's Misery and I'm loving it, I love reading horror novels as I'm far too scared and squeamish to watch the movies.

10. Do you play any instruments?
Nope unfortunately I do not have a musical bone in my body though I do wish I could play something cool, but then doesn't everyone?

11. Can you curl your tongue?!
Yes I can, I can also lick my elbow in case you wanted to continue the freakery here!

So guys the rules are simple, as always tag the blogger who selected you for this tag and answer the questions at the bottom, keep the love going by tagging more bloggers in your post and ask your own 11 questions. Today I'd like to tag Lisa of Diary of a Jaded Zombie, Dyan of the Little Blog of Everything and Jude of The Wee Blondie, and ladies I want to know:

1. Who is your blogging inspiration?

2. What are your hobbies other than blogging?
3. Dead or alive who would you love to have dinner with?
4. What is your favourite childhood memory?
5. Where is your favourite place to shop?
6. Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?
7. What is your favourite drink at Starbucks / Costa?
8. If you could only have one make up product what would it be?

9. Would you rather have bushy brows or unruly underarms?
10. What is your favourite film?
11. What is your 'party trick'?

Can't wait to read your responses ladies, be sure to leave me your links to them in the comments below or on Twitter, apologies for the weirdies. And as for the rest of you lovely lot reading this post if there's anything you'd like to know or if you'd even like to just answer these yourself be sure to leave me your responses in the comments, and as always if you liked this post and you'd like to see more of my face, tags and general oddballness be sure to follow Granite City Girl on Bloglovin.

Until next time folks, contemplating bushy brows and body hair!

H.Elizabeth x

Whats in my make up bag? | Everyday Edition

For those of you who don't know me, I'm a nosy besom (and for those of you who don't know what a besom is, Google it). Truly, in fact you there reading this very post, I have probably stalked your Twitter at some point! Or your instagram, who knows maybe even your house! In fact, just consider me to be lurking on most corners of the social media world waiting for you to post, tweet, hashtag or update. But I know I'm not alone in this, in fact my generation appears to be the generation of social media stalkers, Tweet freaks and like lurkers, so knowing that both my nosiness and your nosiness know no bounds I thought I would today let you in to my world a little bit and share my every day make up essentials for my daily work face!

Eyeko Liner Pen; I discovered this when it came free with a magazine and I fell in love. I buy this from ASOS, it is so dark and glides on your eye so easily, I usually just put this on top of a regular pencil eyeliner to give me a little more definition (it's also super easy to cat flick - just sayin')

Benefit Roller Lash; As you guy know this is my first love... sort of you know after the 'They're Real' mascara by Benefit too (what can I say? I've had a lot of loves!) for my full review click here.

Brow Zing in the shade light by Benefit; this was actually a free sample from the Benefit Brow Bar, which as you probably know is where I have my brows done, this is a gel like brow product with a lovely little soft brush that you literally brush through your brows and you're good to go!

Smashbox Primer; so if you're into your make up as I am I won't need to tell you how amazing this primer feels. It is quite thick but feels like silk on the skin and protects your pores from your foundation, products and all manner of dirt and grime. Since using this I have not had a breakout caused by make up build up and I rarely need to buy a new one as it lasts so long.

MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation in NW15; having repurchased this twice now I can safely say this is my true shade, my one and only, my love. This offers a medium to high coverage, a little goes a very long way if applied properly and is makes up my daily face skin! You can read my full review here!

Soar lip liner by MAC; one of my newest MAC additions, with it having been sold out every which where I jumped at the chance when I saw it in my local. The colour is amazing it's a sort of your lips but better and well I don't really need to tell you how great it looks and feels!

Soap and Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Lip Gloss; and to top off my entire lippy look I apply a slick of this soap and glory gloss which helps draw blood to your lips and give you that much coveted trout pout. It's such a subtle colour and goes really well with my Soar liner. 

Eyelure Lashes Enchanted Edition in Poise; when I could no longer find my Katy Perry lashes in stores I resorted to these and they're a fantastic sub, they're a bit more exaggerated and extravagant than my other more 'natural' lashes but I'm loving the dramatics at the moment!

Well guys I hope this has given you nosy nellies a bit of insight into my face, this is just my sort of everyday, work make up, if you liked this post be sure to drop me a comment below and share your favourite every day products, I may even do a night out edition shortly, but we shall see. As you know I also love hearing from you on Twitter and as usual if you want to keep up with my latests be sure to follow me on Bloglovin.

Until next time folks, I'm probably i-stalking you right now!

H.Elizabeth

Cafe Culture | Aberdeens First Ever Cat Cafe Crowdfunding Appeal

Cakes, coffee and cats, these are indeed a few of my favourite things and very soon myself and my fellow residents of Aberdeen may be able to simultaneously enjoy all three with thanks to The Cat in the Window cat cafe. Yes that's right the Granite City is potentially heading the way of Edinburgh, London, Paris and Tokyo with the latest cat craze sweeping the world and cafes everywhere!

The Cat in the Window is the brainchild of local Aberdonian and self confessed cat lover Heather Lynch who simply wants to bring her love of cakes, home bakes and cats to all of us right here in the Granite City. The cafe will feature 10 feline friendlies and serve a selection of sandwiches, tea, cakes, coffee and delicious home bakes.

Now you guys know how much I love local business and particularly ventures that involve coffee, cake, cats or critters and I find Heathers business venture to be so inspiring. Heather was in a job and sector she was unhappy with and so what did she do? Changed all of that with her cat cafe ventures. I truly hope the business starts up and becomes a raging success, there's nothing I love more than seeing people follow their ambitions and achieve, achieve, achieve. I salute you Heather Lynch!

The hope is that the cat cafe will launch early 2016, and be able to give a little bit back to local charities working to protect felines in the area and of course work together to create as positive an environment as possible for the cats in residence.

Now before we all rush and put our cat lady jumpers on the cafe is still in the planning and development stage due to funding and while the start up funds are generously being covered by the Princes Trust the cat cafe is relying on a crowdfunding appeal which I am planning on donating to come payday and if you're a fellow Aberdonian or you just love cats I hope you will too. So if you're interested in dining in feline style or as Health so aptly put, 'if this is up your alley cat' please be sure to visit the crowdfunding page and give their Facebook a quick like.

Until next time folks, cat with your coffee anyone?

H.Elizabeth x

Blogging Pet Peeves | A Rant by Granite City Girl

As a blogger and human being of this particular generation I read a lot of blogs. Through the use of social media and tools such as Bloglovin, technology has enabled me to discover some amazing writing talent, experience the wider world and dare I say live vicariously through my favourite bloggers, but sometimes you'll come across a piece of writing, design or blog in general that makes you question all that you know about the world; and I'm not talking total worldly enlightenment I'm talking, aah the humanity!!! Okay so as you know I may be one to exaggerate but if it helps get my point across then that's really all that matters. In light of my recent burst blood vessel(s) paroosing the twittersphere and blogosphere I thought I would share some of my top blogging pet peeves and just say, stop it!

Image Credit: Pinterest

There have been so many blog posts detailing why this is wrong so I won't go into all of the gory details all I will say however is that this is theft and is a crime against copyright laws. Yes it may make your blog look very pretty, professional even, that is in fact because it came from a professional bloggers post! This makes my index fingers curl up inside my body that's how great a peeve it is for me, it is an automatic 'unfollow' and discredit to your blog. If you want to learn a bit more about image crediting, blogging and copyright you should have a read of Forever Amber's post here.

Scheduled Promo Overload

Last week I unfollowed somebody on Twitter for posting 15 (yes you read that right 15!) promotions for the same post in a row on Twitter. Don't get me wrong, scheduling is sometimes an amazing thing, a fantastic promotions tool for bloggers, but if you're posting the same Tweet at say hourly intervals someone is bound to notice (FYI that someone is me!) for me it's off putting as I like to feel as if I'm having a conversation with the blogger but it's obvious that particular person is switched off and just happy enough to post out automated messages.

Twitter Auto Responses
Bleh, the ultimate form of shameless social media poaching, you know the ones I mean, 'Hi thank you for following me on Twitter, why not follow my blog too,' with sickly, sugary x's and o's. Again it's so impersonal and isn't the entire point of blogging to share your views with the world, open up a dialogue and meet new people. After extensive research and attempting to open up a dialogue with the particulars who have these auto responses I can confirm they are not interested.

So this may have disgressed int more of a social media scheduling, response, twitter rant but it kind of links to blogging right? I'd love to know what your biggest blogging pet peeves are or even social media peeves, in fact just use the space below to have a good old rant, those are my favourites as you can probably tell. Be sure NOT to send me your auto responses on Twitter or spam me with your promos (grrrr internal screaming) but quick plug if you do enjoy my rants and ravings be sure to follow Granite City Girl on Bloglovin.

Until next time folks, screaming internally at all of the blogging blunders.

H.Elizabeth x