So this isn't your normal "OOTD" or "beauty review". This is something of much greater importance. As some of you may or may not know, I work in the animal industry. and have recently been working at the RSPCA.  

They have a serious problem with the amount of cats that they have to take in, this week alone they have taken in 20 cats, and only a few have been rehomed. Literally, they have had to turn their kitchen into a pen, and cats are sleeping in the sink.

This video will show just a little of what's happening.

I've socialised most of these cats and they are all adorable. Why anyone would want to abandon and mistreat them I do not understand.

 These are some of the kittys i've been socialising this week.

Yes it really is my job to play with cats all day. 

Its not all fun though. This poor pigeon was bought in after someone had spray painted it pink. It will now live in captivity for the rest of its life.

 

The RSPCA is a charity, so any donations are also put to great use helping animals. Most individual RSPCA animal homes also have amazon wishlists, so if you can't adopt an animal yourself you can buy gifts and treats for the animals!

OOTD

While in London I managed to pester my boyfriend to take an outfit shot. Sorry I look so tired!

Hat- Crooks&Castles (£14.99); Scarf-Edinburgh Wool Factory (£28); Coat- Topshop (£120); Jumper- Ebay (£12.99); Tshirt- See by Chloe (£125); Bag- Primark (old £8); Jeans- a shop in Greece (€130); Socks- Urban Outfitters (£12); Boots- Topshop (£45); Flowers- Berwick St flower lady courtesy of my bf :).

Just as a little treat, heres me being a tourist (even though I used to live in London!). HP geek forever.

  

xxx

Beth/rest.

So last night I went to see Bon Iver play at Wembley arena. There's not much I can say other than that it was the best concert I've ever seen.

They were supported by London locals The Staves, three sisters from Watford. I'd never heard of them before but I was really impressed. They all had amazing voices and I'll definitely be buying their album. They're starting their own headlining tour later this month. Dates can be found on their website , I strongly recommend going to see them!

The main event was of course Bon Iver. I've loved them for a long long time. I would probably say they're my favorite band (after The Smiths obviously). There are rumours that Justin Vernon has said in recent interviews that Bon Iver will be going on an indefinite hiatus, which I hope isn''t true but that just gave me all the more reason to go, I mean what if this was their last tour?! I also purchased some merch, nothing really tickled my fancy, nothing was very "bon ivery" if that makes sense?! so I stuck to paying £15 (extortionate) for a tote bag.

I did take some photos, but theres nothing I hate more than people who watch a concert through a camera lense. This is as good as it gets I'm afraid!!

Introducing- Dior Grand Bal.

Dior have just released the their christmas 2012 make up collection, called Grand Bal (spellcheck does not like Bal!) Here are some of my favorite picks.

"From his first collections, Christian Dior reinvents the art of going out and transfers the festive and refined elegance of the 18th century ballgowns to his creations. Embracing the fantasy of christmas, the Dior house reinterprets the spirit of grand balls with a contemporary elegance and a cheeky twist.

Fleeting and flamboyant, the christmas 2012 makeup collection is an invitation into the extreme  refinement and utmost sophistication of winter balls for today's princesses."

 

Carnet de Bal Makeup Palette. (£60)

A carnet de bal was originally the dance card that you'd write the name of your dancing partner in, and Dior have made this into a makeup palette containing a platinum and gold eyeshadow, two lip glosses, a black eyeliner and two applicators.

 

I really like the look of this and think the design is really lovely. Such a good idea to use the vintage idea of  carnet de bal as the packaging. Imagine how good this would look in your christmas clutch!

Grand Bal False Lashes- Gold Crystals. (£19)

There a two different pairs of these limited edition false lashes, gold crystals and pearl drops.

They come adorned a strip of silver pearl drops or gold swarovski crystals and are meant to make your eyes take on a mysterious appearance and sparkle with glamour.

 

I think these look beautiful. So glamorous and elegant, like a movie star! I suppose £19 is quite a lot for falsies, but I wouldn't even hesitate buying these!

Diorific Lipstick- Marylin (£25)

This is Diors new interpretation of Diorific. It comes in four shades of red- marylin, diorling, diva and lady and is meant to be long lasting and matte.

I love the look of these, obviously assuming this shade is named after the lady herself, Marylin Monroe.

It just oozes eleglance and class to me. The design of the packaging is so opulent yet simple.  I would die to have this in my collection, so beautiful. It is a reasonable price aswell, not out of my reach!

I would buy the collection if possible it all looks classic and ladylike, definitely going on my christmas list!

 

I always start my christmas shopping really early. I tend to buy one present a month, that way when it comes to getting novembers wage I don't have to spend it all on presents (it usually all gets spent on christmas party dresses!)

My sister in law and her boyfriend have just moved in together at uni, so I wanted to get them a joint present for their flat. 

I saw these amazing scrabble cushions on someone elses blog and had to check them out.

 

 I got one for each of their initials and I think they'll look great on their sofa or bed. 

Customer service over at http://www.madebystaceygray.blogspot.co.uk/  is great, all my questions were answered quickly and professionally and I can't fault this service at all! They came really nicely packaged, tied with string and these little hand-printed cards, which added a lovely touch.

They are only £4.50 each, which is great when you take into consideration these are handmade. If you were to buy these on the high street (or elsewhere on the internet) you're looking at about £25!

I couldn't recommend these enough!

(yes that is hello kitty bedding, i'm not sorry)

x

Today I tried out Sleek Face Contour kit.

I had quite high hopes for this product as I'd read a lot of good things about Sleek on other peoples blogs.

If I'm being completely honest, so far I'm not that impressed. I've watched a lot of youtube tutorials on how to contour properly so I feel like I have an idea of what to do, but this product just didn't seem to achieve alot other than making me look like I had a dirty face. (It reminded me of when you see those girls who are wearing really crap foundation and it makes them look like they need a good wash!)

I also think the colour is abit orangey for me? I chose the medium shade as I don't have pale skin and I don't have dark skin...

I'm going to persevere as I'm hoping I'm just doing something wrong and the products actually amazing! SO I shall report back with any changes in a week or so!

New jewellery!

I've had my ears stretched since I was 15, so about 9 years now (wow that makes me feel old!).

They've been stretched upto about 28mm, which on my tiny ears was ridiculous, and I look back now and wonder what I was thinking! As they were so large they'll never shrink back to normal, so I have to just make do with having these 12mm which are the smallest I can go. 

Everytime I go into a shop I see so many nice little cute earrings but alas, there is no way they'd stay in my saggy ears :(

So i've been on the look out for some attractive plugs. 

I'm rally into crystals/precious stones and their properties so I bought these amazonite plugs.

(sorry for the bad quality picture, the lighting is terrible at the moment!)

It is believed that amazonite creates a balance between masculine and feminine energy and promotes kindness and practicality. It promotes physical stamina and helps to balance your emotions.

I also found these beautys on etsy that i've persuaded my boyfriend to get me as part of my christmas present.

They contain real "lucky" heather and I just love them, they are so pretty!

Does anyone else have their ears stretched?  Where do you buy your pretty jewellery from?