My current May favorites

Seeming as I'm down in the absolute dumps with Gastroenteritis (Honestly - I have no bowels left) I decided to so something nice and light!
May has been a month of amazing finds for me so far & I'm really liking healthy glowing skin as of recent! so I thought I'd share with you what I'm loving this May :)

Lacura Aqua Complere Multi Intensive Serum - Aldi - €4

After hearing only amazing stuff about this bottle of joy I decided to go out and try it out for myself, and I am SUPER happy that I did! This serum cost's less than a fiver and is most DEFINITELY one of the best ones I have ever used. 

This serum is super refreshing when applied and instantly wakes up your skin. After a month of using it I notice that my skin is way more radiant, less spotty, and nice and firm.

One thing I found though - as with most serum's - don't use this over your spots, avoid your spotty areas.

Glow highlighter from Topshop €14

This little pot of bliss is my new best friend. I'm usually not one for cream highlighters but I decided to give this one a whack! I love this highlighter so so much! It doesn't make your face look like a disco ball AND it doesn't wear off in 10 minutes. I usually mix this in with my foundation to give my skin a healthy, natural looking glow.

Glow lotion - Soap & Glory €7.69

I picked up this stuff for a friends birthday recently and then realised i HAD to buy myself a bottle! This glow lotion looks incredible on the legs and decolletage AND has that blissful signature Soap & Glory scent that we all dream about. This can obviously be used as a highlighter on the face as well but seeming as I have sensitive skin, I'm not willing to risk it as such. Although this does wear off, it still gives you a beautiful glow and scent that looks really really natural. 

Rimmel Exxxagerate lipliner in Eastend Snob €7

This is my go to everyday lip liner since I bought it. I Love the colour, i love the texture and i love the fact you that its twist-able so you don't need to sharpen it! Although you don't get an awful lot in the stick itself its still a gorgeous nude colour that will suit nearly every skin tone 

Lace Flares from H&M Coachella collection €19

The second I saw these, I knew they had to be mine! I never knew a pair of trousers could represent me in so many ways (joke, but not really) Some of H&M's Coachella range can be a bit pricey and was expecting these to maybe be about 30 or 40 Euro. Well i only legged it to the till's when i seen they were only 19 euro! I went in the next day and they were completely sold out! I cannot wait to wear these on a summer night in a beer garden somewhere with friends.

Handbag €57 & Matching Purse €22 - River Island

After landing myself a new job I thought it was only fitting to ''Treat yo' self'' as they say. I had my eye on this matching set in River Island for SO long, but it was always 100% out of my price range. So I bit the bullet and went for it and I am so happy I did! I get so many people complimenting the handbag when I go out shopping or on a night out. If you want a good sized handbag that's not too much of a fuss BUT is still a statement piece, then this is the one for you! 

New Look : Christmas On a Budget

Happy lunch time ya'll

Now in my previous posts I wrote about how to do Christmas fashion on a budget, and I really meant a budget! We've had Forever21 : Christmas on a budget, H&M :Christmas on a budget and now we have New Look, Granted this is the most expensive of the three but if you have some spare cash then sure why not? 

This gorgeous Shimmering gold pencil dress is actually cheaper than it looks! It's €24.99 and will last you though the whole Christmas Season! This figure hugging dress is super elegant and great if you have a peachy bum! 

Next up we have this super sparkly number. Much more shimmery and beautiful in real life, this dress must be seen with your own two eyes, this dress is PERFECT for those who have a tad bit more boobage (like yours truly) it also covers those lumps and bumps that you don't want seen but are still beautiful :) This dress is the perfect party dress at €29.99

Next up we have these fabulously 90's velvet crush skater dresses, at just €22.99, you will look incredible! Dress up or dress down with some Docs, messy hair and truly be brought back to the 90's

Going to a big crazy fancy dinner? Or just want to look super elegant for Christmas? Then look no further than this gorgeous eye catching dress! With a scooped back and a midnight blue shimmer, this is one damn sexy dress! And for €34.99 it's not too shabby of a price either! 

**NOTE** This is an online exclusive dress

Like the 34.99 dress but its a little bit too much on the purse? Well then why not opt for this shorter AND cheaper but still VERY sophisticated dress? At just €17.99 this is a fraction of the price and more wearable!Make of the same fabric, this midnight blue sparkly dress will make heads turn!

This is one of my favourites! Again, this one has to be seen with your own eyes to really see how beautiful it truly is! And at €24.99 it's not the worst price tag in the world! This Stunning blue and silver shimmery dress is perfect for hiding those lumps and bumps (even though they're beautiful) I would suggest running down and getting the baby, I know I will be!

Looking for something a bit more 'Santa baby'? Yep, thought so!

Then why not slap on this stunning skater dress! A perfect shape for nearly anyone too! And the lattice neck straps make you look like a pretty little wrapped present! Awh! And the price? 

Just €14.99!

Available in 5 colours

I know this was the most expensive of the three aforementioned posts,but if you do have just that little bit extra to spend I thought id help you out!

Happy shopping!!

The Parma Violet

H&M: Christmas On a Budget

Christmas is everywhere, Christmas means parties, Parties means dresses, Dresses means money which means that you actually have to have some! And given the current climate I know that most people out there are really struggling, myself included. Being unemployed means reading these blogs near Christmas makes it feel nearly impossible to have an amazing wardrobe for the festive season. BUT I have searched the high street and have found a few select stores in which it CAN be made possible for you and I to look impeccable this winter! So without further adieu I give you the top dresses from H&M on a budget for this Christmas.

This gorgeous festive green sparkle dress is absolutely perfect for Christmas parties, and at ony 12 euro you definatey cannot say no to this super perfect budget dress! I wore this dress to a Christmas Blogger event last week! And another girl turned up in the exact same dress, just goes to show that this is a VERY popular number! 

**NOTE** This dress runs small so you will be better off grabbing the next size or two up.

Also available in black.

This one is my utter favourite budget dress!

Gwan have a guess how much it is, I bet you'd never guess! have you an estimate?

This dress is 9.99 FROM H&M!! 

I couldn't believe it! Its so beautiful and classy! This dress would suit ANY Christmas party! With a plunging back, and netted neckline this dress will leave people asking ''omg you paid HOW much'' I recently wore this dress to So Sue Me's book launch! And it is also available in powder pink and deep purple. Collect them all! :) 

Looking for a pop of red this Christmas? 

This striking red dress is just 12.99 from H&M. With a drop waist and a pleated flare, this dress screams Christmas Party! Team with a statement necklace and a 1920's hair do and you're ready to par-tay bay-bay!

Not into Dresses? More of a trouser kind of girl?

Well look no further than this delicate piece from H&M.

The wide leg on this jumpsuit gives an instant slimming effect to the waist! What more could you want? This jumpsuit is just 19.99! Team with some red or gold accessories and you'll be super festive before you know it. Or keep it all white for a very white Christmas

have the skirt/trousers and need a top?

Look at this stunning gold and black top! This is SO much more prettier in the flesh!

With just the right amount of sparkle this will totally transform any outfit! 

And it just 9.99!!

Team with a leather skirt or some sexy leather biker trousers and you'll be set for a festive night out!

Going to a fancy dinner or a family gathering? 

This this is perfect! comfortable and flowy yet still elegant and edgy!

This Pretty dress is only 19.99!!

Team with some glitzy bangles, and a statement necklace and you'll look dazzling darling!! 

I hope that this post was of some use! I really do understand that Christmas isn't as easy for everyone else when buying presents for others and Children is your main priority, you tend to forget yourself, and that it's Christmas for you too! No it's not easy but thanks to H&M it makes it that little bit easier! 

And if anyone has purchased anything from this list please let me know! I'm dying to see you all in your budget Christmas buys! 

Happy shopping everyone!!

The Parma Violet

Christmas Blog Party

November seems the season to be jolly this year! Christmas parties left right and centre! And I aint complaining!

Look how amazing everyone looks!

So I was Delighted when Nirina & Filomena invited me to their 'Christmas blogger party', I saw the invite on Facebook and I knew this was going to be amazing! Organised and Hosted by the beautiful Aoibhe, Who flew all the way home from Australia and STILL somehow found time to organise all of this! Aoibhe, you're some woman for one woman!

The party was taken place in Opium on Wexford street in Dublin, and it was a beyond perfect setting for a Christmas party! With dark lighting and a whole floor to ourselves how could we complain? There was wine...oh so much wine, gorgeous deserts, a tonne of photographs and exciting goodie bags for everyone in the audience! Inside the bags included:

•  Dream Dots For Spots
• Nivea in shower Moisturiser 
• Nivea cherry lip balm
• Nivea invisable deoderant 
• Beverly hills perfect white Black toothpaste (A god send)
• Sizers
• Cocoa brown iPhone case
• Popchips 
• Aloe Vera King Drinks
• Koh coconut water

We were absolutely spoilt!!!

And it doesn't stop there! There was a best dressed competition and everything! With everyone buzzing with excitement, trying to guess who looked killer enough to win this extra bag full of Cocoa Brown gooodies! And of course the stunning Agata won and deserved every inch of that prize, she looked festive and utterly gorgeous! Well done Agata!

And of course it wouldn't be a Christmas party without turning up dressed exactly like someone else!! Thanks to Jessika Banaghan for being my super sparkly twin all night! You rocked that dress!!!

It was the perfect party, and I met so so many gorgeously talented bloggers that I just adore! Thank you all for being such fun and lovely people to be around!It was a fantastic night and a total hit!! I can't wait to see you all again! 

Special thanks to:

Aoible Devlin - The Secret Obsession

Nirina Plunket - Killer Fashion

&

Filomena Kaguako - Enhance Whats Yours

And everyone else who were just amazing!

Zita Kelly - zee-railed

Jessika Banaghan - Chaos Wearing Lipgloss

Lorna Duffy - Fashion Boss

AJ - AJ Makeup

Agata & Veronika - Style Gamblers

Megan Day - Blondes Love Cupcakes

Katie Brennan - Okaybee

And I THINK i have everyone, if i don't, let me know and ill jot your name and blog down! ;)

And of course if you are a fellow blogger and would like to come to more events such as this one please do not hesitate to get in touch, simply comment below or email me @ nadinestephens1990@gmail.com :)

And here's a shot of the gorgeous Nirina, me (And my knickers) and the stunning Megan 

Until next time girls!

The Parma Violet