The Glueless Scr4pbook.

I had seen planner addicts, all the images and tagging on Instagram and Pinterest, being the stationary addict I am it wasn't too long before I became obsessed with peoples inserts, the way they plan and prioritize, the sticker collections etc. but I soon realised the planner life is not for me, too time consuming and wholly unnecessary for my current lifestyle. I did however gain an unhealthy obsession with the Louis Vuitton Agenda collection...

After many Youtube reviews, google image searches and other general research I decided to purchase the Desk Agenda, a ring-less agenda cover which also doubles as a notebook cover, similar to the (now discontinued) Couv Carnet, or the smaller Notebook Cover PM. Louis Vuitton does sell inserts designed to fit the Desk Agenda, however this cover fits anything A5, so a normal planner or notebook can just slip in the back pockets perfectly.

I decided on the Desk Agenda (a little hard to come by in the monogram, but I managed to order it online just before Christmas) rather than the classic Agenda GM due to the versatility of the Desk Agenda. I invested in the Pocket Agenda last year and use that daily for work, expenses, appointments, meetings etc. so I don't need another agenda type, I wanted a place to hold everything else, ideas, sketches, magazine clipping, receipts, general notes, references etc. In my research I discovered Grit & Glamour she uses a brand called Levenger in her Desk Agenda and recommended a similar brand Arc by Staples which is disk bound making the pages just as versatile as a ring bound agenda, this is what I have decided to use to organise my agenda, I will be doing a separate post about this soon.

I am so happy with my choice, its my new handbag companion, I still feel a bit awkward when I use it in public but I'm sure that will pass with time. Are you Planner addict?

*none of these images belong to me, all are a result of either an Instagram or a Google search.

When I saw all the adorable Instagram snaps of overyones MAC Shadescents PR samples, with all the sweeties and cute teddy bears, that was it, sold. I had to get involved.

I ordered the Velvet Teddy lipstick as its a shade I had always heard about but never actually tried.
It is described as a deep-tone beige and is a matte finish, I would say the shade description is completely wrong to be honest as its much more of a warm browny red, almost near brick I would say but slightly toned down, the feel is smooth and hydrating like all Mac lipsticks and the matte finish is very flattering for the shade.

Scent wise, I went for Creme De Nude, mainly decided by other bloggers descriptions, people saying it was 'the most' or 'the only' wearable scent. Of course, I cannot describe it at all, its not similar to any I own, it has hints of vanilla and is quite musky but light at the same time, its not overpowering at all and therefore can be worn day and night. I ordered online, but had I been instore and had the opportunity to test this first I probably wouldn't have bought it but I will wear it nonetheless.

I have to say, the packaging of these is amazing, very instagrammable of course, but also chic (the perfume) and convenient (the lipstick), the latter being the most useful as it doesn't involve looking through 6 other Mac lipstick bases before coming across the shade you want.

Did you get anything from the line up?

Whilst on a recent trip to Cork, Ireland, I discovered this cute little store Sostrene Grene, which is kitch Swedish store, similar in ways to Tiger, but a lot more chic. They stock everything from pots & pans to notebooks and ribbon, unfortunately I had my hand luggage only situation to consider so could only pick up a few bits.
I went with the standard theme of my two favourite colours pink and gold, not intentionally, but I am naturally drawn to these shades. I spotted these cute little notebooks (not that I could possibly ever need another notebook) that I couldn't leave behind, picked up some spare ribbon to add to my gift wrapping selection, a matte pink melamine plate (which I am currently using to store jewellery but can be used for cake at a later date), some little pearl stickers which I thought would be handy for my new planner/diary obsession, a giant gold document clip and lastly the amazing gold cutlery I just could not be without (I actually had to give these to a friend to add to her luggage for fear they would be confiscated at security).

This shop is a true hidden gem, I wish there were more around, but they have a website which lists all stores, I have linked it above. Have you ever been to Sostrene Grene?

I was recently in Cork for work and managed to pick up some bargains in the duty free at the airport, its a small airport but there were plenty of beauty goodies to be found.

Firstly I headed to the Mac counter as I had my eye on the Liptensity lipstick in the shade 'Driftwood' which seemed to be sold out everywhere but I managed to find it, I also grabbed a Fix+ for my sister.
There was a stand near the Mac counter with perfume gift sets and I managed to get a 50ml EDP Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb with shower gel and body lotion for around 70euro (about £60) this is one of my favourite fragrances, but I try to use it on special occasions as its so pricey so I was chuffed with this.
 Lastly there was skincare dotted all around the cash desk so I picked up a giant bottle of the Lancome Gelatee Confort, their cream cleanser which I have actually wanted for years after trying a sample. They also had a cute little duo of the Clarins Instant Light Lip perfectors, one peachy shade and one natural pink, another product I have been wanting to try for ages after hearing years of hype about them, and finally I got a travel sized Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturiser, a product I've used before years ago and wanted to give another try, I mainly liked the fact that it was in travel friendly packaging.

All in all it was a very unexpected but worthy shopping trip. Have you picked up anything on your travels recently?

I recently put in an order with Bobbi Brown for the much raved about Face Mist with chamomile, green tea & cucumber extract, but whilst online I thought I'd also try the blotting papers, I had been meaning to pick up the MAC ones for ages, so I thought why not. I'm literally loving the face mist, the scent is light and fresh, not overpowering and the feel is refreshing and hydrating, it really sinks into the skin rather than sitting on top, works great on bare skin and over make up. I have only tried the blotting papers a few times but they do the trick just fine.

I also received a few deluxe samples with my order, the Instant Detox Mask- a clearing charcoal mask, the Extra Repair Moisture Cream- an extremely hydrating moisturiser, Hydrating Face Cream- another hydrating moisturiser and lastly the Extra Repair Eye Cream- the most deeply moisturising eye cream I have ever tried.

Have you picked up anything new recently?