Hitting Rock Bottom | Boutique Shopping |

Hey there!

So, today is all about purses. No wallets. Wallet-purses? Purse-wallets? Money carriers?

Anyway, I'm talking about these absolutely gorgeous 'thingy-ma-bobs'? from a shop called 
Rock Bottom. Although they do have a website here, I can't find these purses on it. For once, I bought these from an actual store, so that's what I suggest you do. They are a small boutique with only 2 shops - one in Chester and one in a place called Mold in North Wales. But they also do a lovely range of bags instore that the website really doesn't do justice, so I think it's well worth a trip.

So this is my actual purse that I've used for about a year now. I'm really into newspaper print, and other people seem to like it too!  It's made of a waxy type material ( so it's good for using as a clutch bag, lots of grip). It got into a bit of a battle with false nail glue, hence why the $50 bill looks strange. 

This purse is a different material to the newspaper one, and has a more 'glossy' feel to it. It's a faux turtle, glittery design, and because of its colouring it goes with most outfits. 

These purses have tonnes of storage space. The ones that contain both of these sections can hold at least 24 cards in card-specific slots, and there are a variety of other compartments. So if you're into coupons or have a lot of store cards, these are the purses to you!

This is the final of the Rock Bottom purses that I own. They do a lot of variations using the leopard print in their designs.

There is also a variation in the actual design of the purse. This one just has the coin-purse centre, and not the extra  credit card slots. 

The only thing I haven't mentioned yet is the price. These purses are incredible value at only £5. So, really if you're out and about in Chester, definitely go and pick one up!

What did you do over the long Easter weekend?

Ciao for now, G x

March Favourites | Pantene Aqualight | Aussie | D&G | Rimmel

Hello There!

YAY! It's my first favourites post. I have literally never been so excited about anything, ever  in my life... Ok, so that's an exaggeration. But I'm still very excited about it. We've reached the end of a month and I want to tell you about the products that I've been loving through March. I've divided them into two parts - haircare and make-up products. 
Here we go!

Haircare products that I was loving in March:

I am facing an eternal plight against frizz, and these are two discoveries that I made which really have helped me make progress in my fight.

Left: Pantene Pro-V Aqualight Conditioner: So I succumbed to the adverts and purchased a bottle to try out the range. I tend not to be that fussy about shampoos so I just started with the conditioner. As for quite a lot of people my hair type is fine hair - but a lot of it. This actually makes it really difficult to find hair products that work. But for once, I purchased a conditioner specifically for fine hair - a first for me. And I have honestly never had a product work so well, and seen really noticeable results. I literally applied no other products to my hair and never before have I seen my hair less naturally frizzy. It looked as sleek as when I straighten my hair, but had its natural waves in it. A super-product that I am recommending to everyone.

A must-have for frizz-prone hair!

Available instore and online at ebay, amazon (3 bottles), superdrug (only 75ml), boots

£1.50-£7

Right: Aussie Curl Definition+Soft Feel Serum: The name says it all. It helps define natural waves and curls, and makes you're hair noticeably softer. When I used this product I had a massive fear of horrid greasy hair full of product, which I have experienced before from similar products. But I was in for a surprise when I plucked up the courage to try this serum. It really does help tame my hair. Especially when it feel particularly damaged after heat styling. I have to say that the Aqualight conditioner above is overall more effective than this serum, but you do have to change-up shampoos and conditioners pretty often so they stay effective. So in-between using the Aqua-light conditioner, I will be using this to keep frizz to the minimum, because it really does work. I'll also be exploring more of this range soon, so watch this space if you're interested.

Available instore and online at ebay, amazon (3 bottles), superdrug, boots

£5-10

Now onto Make-Up products that I loved in March:

Dolce & Gabbana Secret Eyes Mascara: Ok, so it's no secret that I have a massive make-up crush on this mascara. I've written a 'why should I buy this mascara?' review here, so I'm not going to add to this post except for saying that: I love this mascara. 
It's an investment for beautiful eyes. Go get it.
Available here or at a D&G counter. £23.50 + delivery. 

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation

Colour 100, Ivory: 

So this product has been raved about a lot on youtube and so I bought it in February. 

Since then it has become a regular liquid foundation for me. It applies really well, and has a nice consistency, it is dewy - but not so much so that it makes you look sweaty. It actually has what look like to be tiny-weeny little pieces of glitter or something (it sparkles basically), well it reflects light so it really does give you a 'woken up' appearance and makes you look noticeably radiant. 

It has a medium coverage, so you're likely to want concealer, but it does mean that it can be used as both a  summer and a winter foundation. 

An added bonus which I've really appreciated is the SPF15. For the winter days (like at the moment) it protects against harsh winds and rays from cloudy days, and then I can use it for the summer because it'll provide extra protection against the sun. Lovely jubbly.

And with my super-sensitive skin, I haven't reacted to this foundation either, which is a break-through for me. I've remained faithful to Maxfactor for a number of years, because I know their foundations don't react with my skin. But I bit the bullet and bought this foundation and have not been disappointed by blotchy skin, Yay! It also hasn't dried out my skin, which is always a worry for me with liquid foundations (weirdly). But it ticks all the boxes on the skin front. 

A definite all rounder liquid foundation, that will work for all the seasons. 

A must-have product. 

Available instore and online at ebay, boots, superdrug.

£6-£9

What products have you been enjoying for the past month?
If you any recommendations for me, or products you'd like me to review, give me a shout at graciiousme@hotmail.co.uk


Ciao for now, G x

Introducing: Motivational Mantra of the Month

Hello there!
New month, new challenges, new opportunities. 

It's the 1st day of a brand new month, and with it comes a new feature to my blog:

'Motivational Mantra of the Month' 

I want to help inspire you to try new things, life life to the full and be the best version of you so each new month I'll share with you a motivational mantra that I try and live my life by. 

This month the motivational mantra is:

It is also featured in my sidebar, so you'll be reminded of it every time you read my blog. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

This is my favourite saying and I find that it is the most important one for me to take notice of. I have a tendency to become very downhearted when things don't work out for me, so I focus on this saying to keep me going. And it reassures me that I just have to keep trying. 

I hope that this saying will inspire you today - You CAN do it!

(Hopefully inspire you to follow my blog)

Ciao for now, G x