Boux Avenue

OK, I admit it! I may have a slight obsession with buying lingerie - only the pretty kind of course! This of course lead me to Boux Avenue in Manchester Arndale when I was there a few days ago. I have bought a few bits from here before, but this is the first time I have featured them on my blog. I love Boux Avenue straight from the moment I walk in. This is probably to do with a welcoming 'Hello' you get, instead of 'can I help you with anything' you normally get walking into stores before you have even had a chance to look around. Also, each of the stores has a New York-meets-Paris feel to it and you expect everything to be priced to match this but not they are very reasonable for the quality you get.

 

As I had already purchased items from here, I knew my size and everything so I didn't need to be fitted but of course I did have to try on to be sure. The fitting rooms are so nice and pretty and huge compared to any other store I think I have ever been in! Each room is fitted with a floor to ceiling mirror and each has 3 different lighting uses - daylight, night and dusk (my favourite!) - so you can see exactly how your new lingerie or bikini is going to look.

I decided to buy the Tatiana T-Shirt Bra. Now, normally T-shirt bras are very normal and somewhat boring looking, as they are meant to be just simple, but this bra has lace just on the top of the cups and a small bow in the middle of the cups and also at the start of each straps. This gives it a little something and, to me, lace always adds just a little bit of sexiness! The straps can also be clipped back to create a racer-back if needed. To go with the bra, I got the Lia Lacy Short. These are gorgeous and the lace material is so soft to touch! Also, the small bow and Boux Avenue little heart charm is a nice touch too.

Everything was wrapped in tissue paper, with scented rose petals which smell amazing, and then placed in a cute little box. I think this is such a lovely touch and makes everything feel more expensive then it was!

I would defiantly recommend Boux Avenue to anyone, they have such a huge range of beautiful lingerie and nightwear - I just want to buy everything! I have found that everything is true to size, even when you are on the smaller side like me.

Have you been in Boux Avenue? What do you think of their stores/lingerie?

Love Laura xx

F.B.L. Quick Tip #17

 

 

Brighten your eyes by using white eyeliner, you will instantly look more awake

Only apply to your lower lash line for a more subtle look

 

 

 

Moose Coffee Manchester

After a busy few weeks, I finally had time to meet up with one of my best friends and head into Manchester city centre for a bit of retail therapy and to get, in our words, good food! Hence the reason we ended up at one of our favourite places - Moose Coffee.

This is an American style coffee shop which specialises in breakfast/brunch style food, as it is only open during the day. (8am-6pm during the week, 9am-5pm on Saturday, 10am-4pm on Sunday) For the people who know Manchester, it is on the corner of Fountain Street and York Street.This is defiantly a place to get to early as it does get very busy, but their menu is full of American goodness it is worth it!

We both had 3 pancakes with crispy bacon which also came with butter and a little jug of maple syrup. And they were huge - you defiantly wont leave Moose Coffee hungry! They are some of the nicest pancakes I have ever had and although having them with bacon may not sound appealing it works amazingly. The service there is also good and the staff are friendly and you can actually get a smile from them even though the place is so busy. Although there is jazz type music playing, you can barly hear it above the general chit-chatter of the place and you also see so many different types of people in there, it shows what a great place Moose Coffee is.

I would defiantly recommend this place to anyone who goes to Manchester - just make sure your hungry before you go!

Love Laura x

M.A.C Matte Lipstick - Pink Plaid

After having used M.A.C lipsticks by so many different MUA's on shoots, I had to buy one of my own! As M.A.C are slightly more expensive then other makeup brands, I knew I wanted to purchase a colour that I could use everyday without it being too over the top and bright. After looking at pretty much ever colour they have to offer, I decided on Pink Plaid.

This is a medium pink with blue undertones, meaning it is perfect for pale skin such as mine. It is a matte formula, but easy to apply without pulling or tugging on your lips, even when using straight from the tub. This is still quite a bright pink so you have to be willing to experiment to wear this. However, it is subtle enough for everyday where, which is what I wanted. It has a staying power of 5 hours+ and although it is not moisturising, it is not drying either.

Pink Plaid is such a good shade of pink and can be used for any event. Personally, I keep the rest of my make up pretty simple to let the lipstick shine on its own, but it would also work with a simple smoky eye look.

So happy with my first M.A.C purchase - can't wait to buy more!

Do you like M.A.C cosmetics and what is your favourite product?


Love Laura xx

F.B.L Quick Tip #16

  

Only put conditioner on the bottom 3/4 of your hair

Applying to the roots will only make your hair greasy too quickly