Beauty SOS for the party season...

The funny thing is, I haven't even been out for Christmas yet but I look like I've been on the tear solidly for two weeks.. It's a scary day when you look in the mirror and your once youthful eyes are now replaced with tired bags and the beginnings of crow's feet...I also found THREE grey hairs on the same day so to say that I freaked out is an understatement. December has been a very busy month for me and to be honest I have let my nightly Caudalie routine slip somewhat. It's amazing the change in your skin if you change your routine or like me, abandon it completely. But with two weeks ahead of partying, over eating, consuming copious amounts of chocolate and just general unhealthiness, all I can really do is try and camouflage the damage as much as possible! There are a few things I need in this process, most of which are things I have used and swore by for years and some are new additions to my beauty bag. Ok here it goes: 

The Konjac Sponge: 

I've been using this to clean my face for about a year now and it really is a little miracle worker. It's a natural sponge made from the Konjac plant in Japan which is naturally cleansing, exfoliating, and PH balancing. It's amazing for taking off make up and removing stubborn blackheads; whenever my skin looks like shite I put the sponge under warm

Water and It lifts the dullness leaving a glow to my skin! You also use way less cleanser when you use it! 

Nuxe Reve de Miele lipbalm: 

 I am one of those unlucky people who get coldsores ( PUKE) and they ALWAYS come up when I'm run down and stressed so two weeks ago I got the lovely present of FIVE AT ONCE it was awful. So my lips are all shrivelly and dry so this is when I turn to my Nuxe lip balm because it is natural, quite buttery and contains beeswax so it's excellent for dry and chapped lips. I love this, and I can finally wear lipstick again YAY! 

Nuxe Shimmer Oil 

 

I love this. Now, I'm a Caudalie girl through and through and nothing will change that, but I do have a soft spot for this golden bottle of gorgeousness... I feel so tired and like someone has turned my light off, it's hard to describe but I just feel like a zombie and when I put this oil on I just feel so nice and so luxurious like an actual piece of gold..! :p it is so fab though, it just lifts the skin and warms it up and it's so gorgeous with tan also on the collar bone and legs. 

Caudalie Divine Oil: 

Yes, it's another oil. But not for the same reason. I discovered this by accident and as a result of being too lazy to walk downstairs and get my cleanser. I reached for this to clean my

Make up off thinking it wasn't really going to work and I was pleasantly suprised. My makeup glided off and even my glue-like Benefit mascara came off with great ease. My skin felt very soft and clean after, I'm going to use this every second night to clean my face because my skin is very dehydrated these days. If you have combination or oily skin, use only a small amount and make sure the oil

Is Natural like the Caudalie one or it will upset the excess oils already in your skin. It will be my go-to when I come home in the wee hours of the morning and quickly wash my face!  

Caudalie Beauty Elixir: 

I remember the first time I saw a bottle of Beauty Elixir and I read the back which stated that it was inspired by Queen Isabelle of Hungary's Elixir of Youth, and I knew then it was something that would be a permanent fixture in my

Make up bag. It's a natural mist for the face which can be used as a light toner after cleansing to tighten pores; it gives a glow to the skin, and it sets make up. I love the smell of it so much and even of I feel tired I spray a bit on my face and it wakes me up... Sometimes! It's something ive been using for over two years now and I

Can't stress how much i love it. Perfect for hangover days to perk you up! 

Orofluido Hair Beauty Elixir 

Another Beauty Elixir. I just really love the word Elixir, it sounds like a potion... 

This stuff is amazing, I got it with my

extensions in the summer, it gives unreal

Shine to the hair making it more manageable and appear more healthy and shiny. When I remember to use it i love what it does..not sure where this can be bought probably hair salons..? It'll be perfect the day after the night before when I'm too fearful to shower incase I see a ghost. 

Catrice Camoflage cream Concealer: 

And if all this fails, CONCEAL, CONCEAL, CONCEAL. Concealer is just feckin' brilliant. I would eat this stuff if I could. Even on my most tired eyes are like slits type of days, lash concealer under the eyes and boom I look five years old. Really couldn't live without concealer. 

That's it, my little list of products to tricking people into thinking you look naturally fabulous even when you are so tired you can't even be bothered to brush your teeth. 

Not that I ever do that. 

Anyways, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of you a very merry Christmas and just sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blogs.. I am terribly sorry for the long winded rants, I would say I'll change, but I won't. I love ranting, sorry. But, seriously, thank you. 

Here's to 2014. 

Loads of love, 

Elisha :) xo 

Along Came Pollly: The first of many Christmas Outfits..

Along Came Pollly: The first of many Christmas Outfits..: I remember the moment I fell in love with this dress. I was watching The Voice of Ireland questioning my choice of tv programmes, and then, ...

The first of many Christmas Outfits..

I remember the moment I fell in love with this dress. I was watching The Voice of Ireland questioning my choice of tv programmes, and then, Sharon Corr stepped out on stage wearing what can only be described as one of the most perfect dresses I had ever seen. It had everything I always wanted in a dress-capped sleeves, a nice neckline, perfect length, swing style AND sequins, WHITE sequins. That was it. I had to have it. So last year me and my family were in Dundrum and I popped in to French Connection and I saw it- it was even more beautiful in real life. It was also about €350. Needless to say my mother forbid me to buy it so I left Dundrum that day yes, with lots of bags, but, with a little hole in my heart I didn't think would ever be filled. Then, one day I was on eBay and I FOUND the dress from a seller in the UK! It was on auction starting at €10, I was the only bidder and I was so terrified other people would find it, so I outbid myself and I think in the end payed €25 for it..! I was so happy when it arrived I was just dying to wear it! 

At work we have an annual Ladies Night, full of glamour, glitter and wine, it's the best way to kick off Christmas so I knew the dress would be perfect. I spotted a tiara on ASOS that I also fell in love with and when I put it on with the dress I felt like an actual princess! :) I refer to myself as Blair Waldorf quite often, and minus the incessant scheming we are similar in that, all she wanted was to become a princess! I apologise for the odd rambling I had 3 hours sleep last night because I watched 6 episodes of Gossip Girl-obsession is not a strong enough word. Anyway... Here are some pictures! The tiara is unfortunately sold out on ASOS but there are lots of other types, and if you can't wear a tiara at christmas, when can you? 

One of my jobs on the night was to choose the best dressed lady, I knew the second I saw the outfit that she was my winner! The winner was Noelle Kelly who is an avid reader also, who wore a gorgeous Penneys tartan dress which she shortened herself, she just looked do beautiful and she won a huge bag of Caudalie products! Congrats Noelle! :) 

The night was a huge success, and we were wrecked after it but it was worth every second. Huge thanks to everyone who came on the night. So that was my first Christmas outfit, here's to many more, and roll on the next time I get to wear that tiara again! 

For more pictures/adventures check out my pages on Instagram/twitter/bloglovin and tumblr all with the username 'alongcamepollly' 

Feel free to ask me any questions or tell me what you thought of this outfit! 

Elisha :) xo 

Tricks to having a Champagne Wardrobe on a Lemonade Budget...Fashion for the Broke Girl..

Ah the story of my life really! But there comes a time when one must accept the harsh reality of living within a budget. Having been through college I know all about budgeting. I know that if I spend all my money in Topshop on monday, and if I'm going out three nights that week that I can survive on about €30 as long as I have a loaf of bread, a packet of eggs, a carton of milk and box of corn flakes. Ah college life. I miss it. But now I am in the big bad world and I need to be a bit more realistic, so, through many mediums such as internet, books, magazines, I have learned how to make the most out of your wardrobe. In order to create lots of outfits out of basic items you need a few things to build the foundation for your wardrobe, most women own the majority of these things:

The Leather Jacket:
It goes with EVERYTHING, punk, pretty, girlie, goth, boyish, you name it. Buy one that is relatively simple in design because that way it will never date.

 

The White Shirt:
This is an age old rule. A white shirt will create so many outfits. Workwear with tailored black pants,
buttoned up to the top and pop a jumper over with jeans for preppy chic, under a tube dress to make it more modern, or with anything leather to give it more edge. A white shirt is my go-to when I dont know what to wear. Don't have any money to buy a new outfit? Pop the shirt in the washing machine with LOTS of Daz or whitening agent, pair it with a pair of jeans and stilettos, loads of jewllery, and there you have it-classic chic.Pop the collar to chanel Ms. Hepburn and to crank up the Haute Couture...




The Black Blazer:

If you're not a leather jacket type of person then a blazer will do the job of transforming your outfits to any occasion. Worn over the shoulders in a cape style over an evening gown, with a hoody or jumper under worn with jeans for a casual look, or with a glitzy top sky high shoes and skinnies for a night out. Penney's have a great selction of black blazers that won't break the bank!



The Humble Tshirt:

In white/black/grey, I like mine in a v-neck, not too low; they are such a cheap and handy way to update an old outfit in your wardrobe! They go with EVERYTHING. The key is to stick to cotton tees with simple or no design and then add to it with statement jewellery. And it's also something that will not leave you on a diet of tea and toast until pay day.



High Black Shoes:

This is something which yes may be a bit boring but I prefer to call them 'classic'. Black is the best colour to wear if you want to look chic and stylish with minimal effort. Think of Victoria Beckham on most occasions, or the majority of French women, they always wear black and they ALWAYS look stylish and rich. This is the moral of the story people, to trick people in to thinking we have very expensive clothes. Pairing black high court shoes with any outfit will instantly give your look a more polished and chic look, just keep the design simple and don't go over the top with heel height!




The Little Black Dress:

A timeless classic, but every women should have one if not more LBD's in their closet. I have a few in different lengths and styles and they are always the perfect thing to make me feel good, especially on days when I don't have a new outfit for going out. Whether its the very little black dress, or the little mid-length black dress, find it in your wardrobe, even if it's years old, add black shoes, 'bed hair' a lot of top eyeliner and red lips and the dress will look brand new again!

 

I know I have covered all of the wardrobe basics but that is my top picks which most women will definately already own. It's an age old dilema for women worldwide, closet full of clothes but nothing to wear...Now that we've covered the closet basics,

Here's a few tips on using your wardrobe to it's full potential:

Have a clear out, if it doesn't fit don't keep it, I used to keep things promising myself I would fit in to them one day, but you know what it's silly, it's just a painful reminder that it doesn't fit and you need to have a closet full of clothes that will make you feel AMAZING!

Once cleared ou, you'll be able to see what you have. If you have a free couple of hours take pieces out and try them on. Things you haven't worn in ages, try them out with things you wouldn't normally and you might suprise yourself that they actually really work together!

Mix textures, patterns, and prints. Christmas is the only time of year youll get away with wearing that mad sequin dress with a wooly jumper going for a coffee in town so make the most of it!

Adding jewels to any outfit will instantly update it. Don't have anything new to wear out? Why do you need to? You should get lots of wear out of your gorgeous clothes and mix them around with different things instead of buying new clothes all the time! This is something I am trying to stick to myself! Instead of buying a new top or dress buy a huge chain in Penneys or Swamp or any high street store and the main focus will be on your bling!

I think the biggest secret to looking stylish or fashionable, is without a doubt CONFIDENCE.
If you walk with confidence and comfort, and genuinely love what you are wearing, people won't even notice whether you paid €10 or €100 for that outfit they will just notice how confident you are, and how well you wear the clothes! You can pull off ANYTHING you just have to walk with your head held high, and smile back at the people giving you the funny looks! Sometimes I wave just to make them feel really awkward. Just stay true to your style, but don't be afraid to take risks once in a while, and have a good look in your closet before bankrupting yourself in town, you may suprise yourself by the gems you own!

Don't be afraid to comment with any questions or to let me know what you think! Do you have any tips of your own?  You can also mail me with any questions at alongcamepollly@gmail.com...! I hope you enjoyed this and I hope it has helped somewhat!

 Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Much love girls,

Elisha :) xo

My Weekend adventures...

I went to Dublin at the weekend with my lil bro to the MS MR concert in the Academy is was AMAZING. I only heard them for the first time on BBCRadio 1 in the summer and downloaded their album and quickly fell in love.. They are the coolest couple EVER. So, we made a weekend of it and went to Dundrum for a bit of Chrisrmas Shopping. I went with a few things in my head that I wanted to buy, the River Island three piece being one!

But first my outfit I wore going shopping.. 

This is a jumper I ordered off the Chinese Site Romwe. I love this site so much, the clothes are excellent quality great value and you are sure to get very cool one-off pieces from them. When I spotted this jumper I just had to have it. It took about four weeks to arrive, and when it did I nearly knocked the postman over I couldn't contain my excitement! It was exactly as I imagined it, perfect fit, amazing design I was so excited to wear it! I thought a bit about how I would style it, it's quite loud and because I was oh going shopping I thought I'd keep it simple enough with a pair of jeans (from Penneys), a white shirt buttoned up ( also Penneys), a pastel flower chain (Dorothy Perkins), and of course my cream brogues. I got a lot of strange looks walking down Grafton Street but I didn't give a shite because I love the jumper so much. 

Here's the link for it, it's quite low in stock so is get it quick! And it's also half price!

click me to buy

I got mine in a small, so it would be about a size 8-10, it was a very comfy fir and I also had a wool jumper underneath and there was plenty of room! 

If I'm wearing this again going it for dinner or drinks, Im going to pair it with a knee length tutu and my Perspex heels to make it a bit more dressy. I'm dying to style it lots of different ways! :) 

The second outfit was the one I actually wore to the concert, this was a wool-like polo neck black Topshop dress, black open toe ankle boots (penneys), my black Missguided Kimono, and my Rock n Rose Floral crown, I also picked up this gorgeous necklace in Penneys in Dublin I love it! 

Link for Kimono from Missguided here: 

click me to buy

Link for Topshop Dress here: 

click me to buy

The next day I was shattered so I'm not even going to tell you what I wore. I'm ashamed of myself to be honest! 

 My favourite purchases of the weekend were: 

I'm soo smug in this picture.. 

All River Island, top, skirt and shorts.. I know everyone and their nan has this now but I don't care we'll all be fabulous twins together! 

Here are the links if you want to join the floral party: twins unite! 

Top: 

click here for top

But as I said in the previous post it is actually €5 cheaper on ASOS.. 

click here to save €5 on the top

Link for the pencil skirt here: 

click here for skirt

And finally link for the shorts: 

click here for shorts

This very handy keyring in H&M 

This Penneys jacket.. I love. 

This fab faux leather H&M skirt for only €20!!!!! 

And finally, My house of Holland nails! 

That's all for now... :) 

Thanks for reading if you got down this far! :) 

Elisha :) xo 

Current ASOS wishlist of things I can't afford

This is basically a list I have complied of things on ASOS that I adore but unless I win the lotto or inherit a fortune, I won't be buying anytime soon. It's the same tale told over and over again, girl spends all her money on clothes, girl can't fit any more clothes in her wardrobe yet girl has nothing to wear. I keep saying to myself, right that's it, I finally have the perfect wardrobe. Yep. I have succeeded in life. Then, I stumble across a pair of white Perspex heel loafers on ASOS and I'm crying into a vanilla latte while looking at my bank balance. I am a shopaholic, and I'm ok with that, really I am. I love clothes. I love clothes more than my own family. (Sorrynotsorry) If im having a shit day, I'll open my wardrobe and just feel all warm inside looking at all my lovely clothes.. Ok I'm starting to get weird, I just had a very strong coffee I apologise.. Anyway, so here is a collection of all the clothes and pieces I am loving on ASOS at the moment... 

Ray ban clear frame glasses... *sigh*

http://m.asos.com/mt/www.asos.com/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3364017

Felt boater hat.. 

http://m.asos.com/mt/www.asos.com/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=2705257

I love this so much... :( black satin playsuit. 

http://m.asos.com/mt/www.asos.com/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3049362

Lavish Alice Playsuit 

http://m.asos.com/mt/www.asos.com/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=2969516

These are only €18! Bargain! 

http://m.asos.com/mt/www.asos.com/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=2799414

Silver wedges only €18!

http://m.asos.com/mt/www.asos.com/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=2799266

I love this alot.. It would probably make me look like a couch but I think with a vintage black leather belt and suede platform blue or purple shoes it would look so chic and cool... 

http://m.asos.com/mt/www.asos.com/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3149566

This is ridiculously overpriced as is all of the Wildfox range but I just love it. So simpe, so classic.. Sooo out of my price range. 

http://m.asos.com/mt/www.asos.com/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3203719

I'm a bit obsessed with anything floral as I'm sure you are aware of by now. 

This Rock n Rose hairband is just so angelic... 

http://m.asos.com/mt/www.asos.com/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3540386

These are expensive at €155, but they are just so beautiful .... I'm afraid they'll be staying in my saved items until they go down to €50 in the sale..! 

http://m.asos.com/mt/www.asos.com/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3427586

I love this tiara... Every girl wants to feel like a princess...this is so Downton Abbey.. Lady Mary you say? Buy me you say? Ok. 

http://m.asos.com/mt/www.asos.com/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3328690

*sigh again* I wish I had a boyfriend I could bribe into getting me this for Christmas. 

http://m.asos.com/mt/www.asos.com/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3020899

This skirt- because you can never have enough sequins in your wardrobe. Ever. 

http://m.asos.com/mt/www.asos.com/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3670253

This is shabby chic at it's best.. Wear it with trainers heading into town or feeling lazy going out for drinks? Pop on a pair of heels and a statement necklace and voila! A laid back look..! 

http://m.asos.com/mt/www.asos.com/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3251053

You can't beat a Little Black Dress for any occasion. Love the mesh and embellished neck. 

http://m.asos.com/mt/www.asos.com/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3195198

 

So pretty and sparkly 

http://m.asos.com/mt/www.asos.com/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3327679

These earrings are ridiculously huge and over the top and I want them. 

http://m.asos.com/mt/www.asos.com/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3327242

I saw this on 'the Style Birdy' blogger recently and fell in love with it...! 

http://m.asos.com/mt/www.asos.com/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3338699

And last but not least, as I'm sure you all are lovely and sick of pictures of this print by this stage- the River Island floral top.. Which is actually €5 cheaper on ASOS! 

http://m.asos.com/mt/www.asos.com/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3631693

So that's it for now guys, sorry if you hate me for bringing these clothes into your lives because like me you can't really afford anything I've posted! It was kind if a pointless post really wasn't it?! But hey, if after reading this you find yourself on the verge of poverty, come sit with me, I'll be on the steps of Bank of Ireland drinking a latte crying...! :p 

Goodbye for now... 

I'm

Never going to sleep with all this caffeine 

Peace :) xo 

A few reviews of recent purchases from Benefit and my favourite tan of all time!

No, your eyes do not deceive you, this is my SECOND post this morning. I figured after a week of unfulfilled promises I better get writing! So here are a few if my favourite products in my make up bag which I bought recently, and a few tips on how I find they work best. 

The first is something that I was waiting for ages to arrive in Ireland and when it did I bought t straight away. The product is from Benefit and it's their 'Fine One One' blusher& highlighter stick. I'm a huge Benefit fan and aspiring Benebabe to add to the already rapidly growing list of things I'm 'aspiring' to be; I'm also a huge blusher fan so I knew this would be the right product for me. This is a twist up creamy three-part blusher stick with three seperate colours. 

The way to use this is to apply it to the cheeks with the highlighter part facing up (towards your eyes) so this will give the perfect glow and sculpt your cheekbones with a fresh colour. It is a creamy texture, and you only need to gently rub it to blend it in, so, unlike some other cream blushers, it won't move your foundation. The colour can be as strong as you want it depending on how many layers you apply, hence why mine is nearly all gone after one month. I use this for my everyday makeup because it gives the cheeks a very natural glow! 

The next product is another one from Benefit which I love so much. It took of bit of practice to get used to it, but now that I've figured out the best way to apply it, I won't be changing anytime soon! The product is Benefit's Stay Flawless 15hr Primer. To find a great primer is one of those great life achievements to a woman, much like finding the perfect foundation, pair of jeans, or bottle of wine that won't make us feel like we partied with satan in the pits of hell the night before. Well ladies, I may have the solution to one of those problems! No, it's not the wine in afraid, but I think I have found the perfect primer. This little miracle worker comes in a stick form, (I'm loving stick things these days, take from that what you like) and has a weird texture, almost moist, but once it goes on the skin it seems to disappear quite fast. 

It looks like there is a colour in it, but when applied to the skin no colour can be seen. 

So, the trick with this is to apply it in circular motions on the entire face. Now, the mistake I made the first few times I used it was using way too much which resulted in it caking in places on my faces once I applied my foundation. So just one layer is enough, a rule I use when applying it is, the 10 second rule. Use it all over the face not applying it to any area twice and it should take no more than ten seconds for the entire face. As soon as you're done apply your concealer if you use it, or foundation straight away. Fingers are fine but I did find as soon as I used a brush to apply it made the primer work alot better. The point of this is that your make up will stick to the primer and not to your skin which means it will last alot longer. They claim 15hours of wear, I have yet to leave my make up on that long, but I have worn it for about 12 hours and I have to admit it really does work. My make up hadn't moved, and my eyeliner wasn't under my eyes all smudged as it usually is! All in all, if I could take this primer with me to a desert island and live a happy life just the two of us for the rest if our lives, I would. I'm so impressed with it and it really does what it promises. Now, it is quite pricey at €35 but I really don't think I could go without it now, and I genuine think it's worth the money. I used to use a Catrice Primer which was very good but the staying power of Benefit will be hard beaten! 

Next is my favourite false tan ever. I have tried them all and loved many but once I used Vita Liberata I knew I would never change back! 

I am quite the little Casper without tan, and with only pure laziness as my excuse for not wearing tan more often, when I do eventually put tan on I always turn to this. The colour of this is perfect for me. It is dark but not Tina off Coronation Street. It is a gorgeous natural brown tan colour and I have never found it to streak. The colour goes on like a dark creamy gel form which is very hydrating, and it's great because you can see the colour going on. It comes up instantly but does get darker after a few hours or overnight so don't be going too mad with the tan glove! This is a paraben free tan and contains organic ingredients, which youur skin will love you for and it's also made in Ireland which is even better again! There are so many different types in the range to suit all skin types and tanning desires, from a darker gel, to a very light mousse, they even have the 'Phenomenal Tan' which us a mousse claiming to last up to 3 weeks! I have used this and the colour alone is just gorgeous, and although it definately doesn't last a full three weeks, I got a good 2 weeks of colour from one application! Even still, I always go back to this gel as it's quick, easy and it's the nicest colour. It's also a great price at only €25.99. And here's a shameless plug for my place of work, we have a really nice gift set with free products and the tan for under €30 in Foody's Pharmacy! One  bottle would usually  last me about five full body applications, and you would probably squeeze a bit more. So there it is my short review on some of my favourite products! 

Thank you guys for reading, 

Elisha :) xo