Beauty

Pregnancy Wrap-Up

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Bye Bye Pregnancy, Hello Baby

Part One

It has taken me long enough to get this post finished but I finally made it. Considering I started writing this at thirty-nine weeks when I had all the time in the world and I’m only finishing it now with a baby strapped to me you can get a sense of what the past few weeks have been like. By now you know that Lucille has arrived and I’ve entered a world of not being able to finish a single task, cold cups of coffee, eating one-handed and semi-functioning on only a few hours sleep. Throw in the cuddles, staring at the wonder that is this mysterious human and kissing her cheeks so much it’s not worth me wearing lipstick! Continue reading →

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A lovetomtom Christmas

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A lovetomtom Christmas

Gift Guide

It’s time again for a lovetomtom Christmas gift guide and I’m being a little selfish this year and suggesting lots of things I would be more than happy for Santa to bring. Some are practical, some are extravagant, some are bargains but most importantly I hope they are useful to you. Continue reading →

Wish List #28

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Wish List

#28

 

Have you been following my Wish Lists? Well you should. I tell you I feel like have really curbed my natural instinct to shop. My wish lists seem to be providing a false sense of reality in that I feel I actually own all the things that have caught my eye and therefore don’t need to shop!

This week has been no different. Check out what goodies I’m pretending to own here.

xo

Wish List

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Wish List

#26

I have spent a lot of time online the past few weeks, not working as you’ve probably gathered, more as a way of distracting myself from the sadness that fills my heart. Honestly we hear so much negativity around social media and the big bad world of the internet but besides my amazing family and friends, the internet has provided some much-needed daydreaming and security for my heavy heart.

With many hours spent scrolling through my favourite brands and artists, filling my virtual basket with clothes, accessories, shoes, books and makeup and not once following through with a single transaction, I have become an expert at ‘fake internet shopping’. Feeling totally inspired by all the fabulous yet unnecessary material things I thought I was missing out on, I decided to venture into the real world and unapologetically do a bit of retail therapy.

You all know me well enough by now to know that I love shopping. Whether I purchase anything or not I genuinely love strolling through shops, touching fabrics, piecing outfits together, trying on shoes, buying shoes! You can imagine my disappointment then when I finally got myself together to leave my apartment and spend some cash that I was so uninspired by this season’s ‘trends’. I walked and walked and came home empty-handed. There was plenty of course that caught my eye but as usual these items were more wish list than realistic purchases, which leads me here. While the shops are full of hideous off-the-shoulder numbers and copious versions of the same old   embroidered shirts, I am steering clear and continuing my Wish List daydreaming over on Pinterest. Each week I’m going to pin everything that has caught my eye. Everything from fashion, beauty, interiors and food, and if I do actually make a purchase, it will get pinned here too! I’ll be updating my Wish List board throughout the week and have already started so why not take a look.

xo

 

New Adventure

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lovetomtom on YouTube

A new adventure

The title says it all doesn’t it? lovetomtom is on a new adventure and entering the crazy world of YouTube. Rather a daunting thought and one I’ve being toying with for some time but I’ve taken the plunge and the adventure has begun. No doubt there will be bumps along the way like filming without the camera recording, something I’ve done already but what’s an adventure without bumps, hiccups, outtakes, technical difficulties and everything else that is going to come my way.

I hope you all come along for the ride and that YouTube will be an extension of all the things I love about lovetomtom.

Here’s my very first video and don’t forget to subscribe, just in case you missed that part.

xo

Beauty and the Beast

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Find of the Week

Beauty and the Beast – The Press Tour

Are you a Beauty and the Beast fan? I am and I can’t wait to see the remake. Nothing will compare to the original of course but I’m excited all the same. Not a Disney fan? Fret not, there is more to this than just a beauty and a beast.

Emma Watson has been in the media of late not just for playing the belle in this remake. Emma Watson is wearing many hats these days; actor, UN WOMEN Global Goodwill Ambassador, feminist and now she is playing an avid role in the fashion world.

Emma sparked my interest last year at the Met Gala where she graced the red carpet in a gown made from recycled plastic bottles. Now she is using the Beauty and the Beast press tour to share her style choices, focusing on sustainable fashion. Some of you may already be following this account and if not, you should! The Press Tour Instagram posts detail each item worn, makeup and accessory choices and the brands behind them.

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The second day of @beautyandthebeast LA junket had it all… including kittens! Probably the best interview ever. Coming soon to @buzzfeed 🇺🇸🌹🐱 The white bespoke dress was created in @oscardelarenta's New York atelier, featuring hand embroidery on silk taffeta and a silk faille bow, both made in the Italian mill @taronisilk. The mill specialises in the highest quality couture fabrics, and is committed to reducing its environmental impact, including investing in solar energy and committing to removing all toxic chemicals from its supply chain by 2020. The hand embroidered silk taffeta panels have been cut and folded by hand, shaped using natural starch. The dress also features a repurposed zip from an unused sample. Black T-shirt is by @mainlinebasics. Their basics are designed, cut and sewn in San Francisco and all pieces are made from 100% organic cotton. Jewellery @allbluesofficial. The Ellipse collection, inspired by Emma, consists of necklaces, earrings, bracelets and hairclips. All pieces are handcrafted in Stockholm from locally sourced, recycled 925 Sterling silver in a third-generation, family-owned goldsmith studio. Fashion info verified by @ecoage #ecoloves Skin prepped with Heritage Store Rosewater Glycerin Water. @rmsbeauty "Un" Cover Up was used as foundation with "Un" Powder to set. RMS Beauty is free from nanotechnology and GMO ingredients. @tataharper Contour in Very Bronzing on eyes, along lower lashline, in contour of eye, under cheekbones, across top of forehead, under jawline and on temples. Tata Harper runs her company in the belief that a company that makes products for women should be run by a woman. @vitaliberata Trystal Minerals Self-Tanning Bronzing was also used for contouring. Cheeks are Tata Harper Volumizing Lip and Cheek Tint in Very Sweet. Tata Harper is made in the brand’s US-based manufacturing facility. It is not outsourced to another company as most skincare manufacturing is. Eyes and brow are @janeiredale Liquid Eyeliner in Brown and Pure Brow Gel in Clear Beauty brands verified by @contentbeauty

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 Even if some of her style choices don’t tickle your fancy I urge you to follow and read about the amazing work that is being done. Some brands I’m familiar with and some I am learning about for the first time. Each post she puts up seems to be getting longer and longer and I love that she is sharing her knowledge and making me ask questions about what sustainable fashion means to me.

I hope this account continues long after the actual Beauty and the Beast press tour ends as anything that contributes to sustainable fashion can only be a good thing.

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Tonight was a special screening of @beautyandthebeast in London. The film was shown at the Odeon Leicester Square cinema to 1,600 people after a reception at the stunning Spencer House 🌹 Bespoke @emiliawickstead structural, off-the-shoulder gown with inverted pleat train. The gown is made from end-of-line fabric sourced from a family-run, London business specialising in couture fabrics, and produced in Italy. These unwanted fabric pieces have been given a new lease of life; often irregular quantities of surplus or end-of-line fabrics cannot be sold and are destroyed. This piece was created in Emilia Wickstead's London atelier, by an all-female team. Earrings are from @catbirdnyc, whose pieces are handmade in Brooklyn. Dress validated by @ecoage #ecoloves Skin prepped with @demamielskin Dewy Facial Mist, @tataharper Repairative Moisturiser and @decleoruk Aromessence Neroli Hydrating Oil Serum. De Mamiel mist is made from ingredients sourced and blended in the UK, in small batches to maintain the vitality of each natural ingredient. Tata Harper are verified by PETA that neither the brand nor its ingredient suppliers conduct, commission, or pay for any tests on animals for ingredients, formulations, or finished products. Decléor serum is a blend of naturally derived ingredients such as neroli and sandalwood and free from mineral oils and parabens. Foundation is @inikaorganic's BB Cream, which is certified organic, vegan and not tested on animals. Concealer is the @rmsbeauty "Un" Cover-Up made from organic coconut, jojoba and cacao oil and mineral colours. Cheeks are @iliabeauty A Fine Romance Multi-Stick which is gluten-free and then finished with Inika's Mineral Mattifying Powder, blended from silica, corn, tapioca and rice powders instead of talc, which face powders have traditionally been based on. Beauty brands verified by @contentbeauty

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xo

I got married!!

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I got married!!

Wedding beauty bag

In case you hadn’t heard, I GOT MARRIED! With the destination and my outfit sorted there is one last thing to show you. Actually two things, my wedding beauty bag and the day of course!

Once I had the outfit sorted I knew exactly what makeup I wanted for the day. I decided I was going to do my makeup myself and as a bit of a treat, or research as I liked to call it, I got my makeup done at Charlotte Tilbury in Brown Thomas. It was the perfect way to try the makeup with my outfit at home and then attempt to recreate it myself in New York. 

Makeup my Lorcan

I was lucky enough to get a fabulous makeup artist, Lorcan on the day and if you have ever had your makeup done at a beauty counter you know it can be a bit risky. Thankfully I had my eye on the prize and in this case, Lorcan was definitely the prize. I explained the style and colour of my outfit and the look I wanted to go with it. I also told Lorcan that I would be doing my own makeup and he was really great in explaining each step thoroughly. I wanted to keep my makeup as simple as possible in the sense that I didn’t want to take away from my outfit. At the same time, I wanted my makeup to look natural yet striking. Asking for too much perhaps?! Nope. A smokey eye was what I was after and with Lorcan’s work as my guide, it was the perfect look.

Getting ready
Getting ready

I didn’t think it was a great idea to try any brand new skincare or makeup products right before the big day so I kept my skincare routine and foundation the same. I hadn’t taken into account air travel and a change in climate so my skin was not at it’s best but I didn’t care; I was in New York getting married! There were a few exceptions to my no new products rule. When Lorcan did my face, he used Charlotte Tilbury’s Filmstar Bronze and Glow palette and I was so surprised that I loved it! Now, I struggle with blush so contouring is a no go for me but I imagine it was the combination of the product and it being applied correctly that I finally understood the benefit of contouring. My beautiful friend SB gave me the Filmstar Bronze and Glow as a wedding gift and it was one of the best things I got! After using it now for a good few months I do feel more comfortable with it and use it less for contouring and more for a swish of warmth on my face and even for eyeshadow so I’m getting great use out of it.

Final touches

Photograph by Alex Feld

Another newish product (I’ve used similar products in other brands) was Charlotte Tilbury’s Eyes to Mesmerise in the shade Mona Lisa This was the base of my eye makeup and it was so luscious and perfect for lasting the whole day. I added a brown and taupe eyeshadow from my Stila Eyes are the Window palette to blend and soften the look, brown Barry M kohl pencil and a load of No 7 Extravagant mascara and that was my soft smokey eye completed. For lips, I kept it very simple and had the fabulous Hepburn Honey lipstick with High Society lipgloss on top. I’m not one for lipgloss but it really made the look.

Waiting our turn

Photograph by Alex Feld

Another thing that filled up my wedding beauty bag was my trusted TanOrganics Self Tanning Oil. So busy were we having fun that I actually only got to tan myself the night before. Not ideal, but I put the tiniest amount on just to even my skin tone rather than tan and that was good enough. Nail polish was the only other thing that caused me a bit of stress and it was a similar situation to my shoe dilemma. I feel most comfortable in dark colours and that’s exactly what I wore, Essie’s Bobbing for baubles which is a beautiful navy blue.

And that ladies and gents is what filled my wedding beauty bag. It was actually a really enjoyable part of the day. I took my time doing my makeup and I enjoyed every stroke! Even more so, I enjoyed that Mr B and I got ready together, although as you can imagine there wasn’t too much involved in Mr B getting ready. The thing that stood out the most was the moment when my face was done, my outfit on and I looked at myself in the mirror and thought, this is exactly how I wanted to look.

Waiting

Photograph by Alex Feld

All that was left now was to get married!

xo