happiness.

The most simple way to be happy in life is to let go of the things that make you sad.

this week I'm totes loving...

Pastel skinnies.

So we all know pastels are a damn hot tip this season (if you didn't, now you do!) and coloured jeans have been big all winter. So do you want the good news or the bad news first? Good is that coloured skinnies are going nowhere but the bad is that your rusts, camels and aubergine ones may have to gather dust for a few months because this season is all about get your legs pastelled up to the max. We're talking coral, we're talking lilac, we're talking mint!

Just a little in love with these beauts.

Best part is that they're called Sorbet.

Topshop, of course. As with most Toppers jeans, they'll set you back 40 quids but they're cut gorgeously and slightly high-waisted for you to tuck in with a cute top and a pleated belt to finish.

Good enough to eat.

This teensy picture doesn't do these justice so go see for yourself!

Okay so they're a big brighter than your typical pastel but I have fallen head over heels.

And at under £25, you can't go wrong, right?!

I'm seeing these dressed up with heels and a skinny fit blazer for the night-time or a loose band tee for the day.

My faves.

Lancome's new Foundation

Now I've always said it'd take nothing short of a miracle make me stray from my MAC StudioFix and here it is ladies...

There is pretty much nothing I can say to explain why you need this in your lives apart from get yourself to your nearest Lancome counter, try it and you will bloody well thank me.

I'd heard all the hype and brushed it off for a while with my typical 'won't compare to MAC' attitude then the other day I was passing and decided to get myself colour-matched. I sat down  while she tried a couple of shades on me. Part of the beauty is that like MAC, they've got a wicked colour range so it looks so natural on.

Anyway, I sat there as she sold me all the BS about polymers etc and I nodded along, not buying. It was only when I caught a glimpse of my skin in the mirror compared to the other side with my StudioFix that I started to get excited. I'd thought the colour she had put on was too light (a frequent problem) but it had blended to my skin perfectly and covered up all (of my many) dark spots and blemishes. I couldn't believe it!

So from researching it further, the beauty of it is that instead of relying heavily on opaquity like most other foundations that go on heavy to give you full coverage, it absorbs the light and the polymers move with your skin allowing it to breath rather than coating it. Although I know nothing about polymers, I can vouch for the fact that it feels like you're wearing no make-up at all. After years of heavy foundations, it was a godsend and I couldn't believe the fullness of the coverage for how light it felt.

It also reflects like the light beautifully. I felt like I'd used MAC Strobe Cream on my highlighted points as it has this gorgeous reflectiveness about it which makes which gives you a beautiful subtle shimmer as the light falls in the right places.

As if it couldn't get any better...it stays on for ages and I mean ages! Put a good primer underneath - I use MAC Skin Repair Zone which is the absolute one for oily skin and then I dust either MAC Mineralize or MAC Translucent Finishing Powder over the top just to set.

At £27, it's a payday or wait until 10% beauty events splurge but you get a huge bottle and trust me belles, you will not be disappointed!

Nice boys.

After spending what seems like forever wasting time on wastemen, I think I've finally had an epiphany and thought 'what the fuck am I doing?!' So it's goodbye laddy wankers and hello nice normal boys who don't think they're the God's best gift to the female sex since the invention of the Rampant Rabbit.

I'll let you know how it goes...

Ed's new vid.

Talking of nice boys, our Ed is back with a banging new tune and another cracking vid.

Upsetting lack of my Ron this time but we get to oogle my other favourite ginger so all is well.

Check it out, it's definitely one to wack on after work on Friday night while you're getting ready!

What are you belles loving this week?

Anything you'd like me to review?

Holla at your girl...

@candiloveslove #blog

mwah. xo

Insecurity.

So I'm back.

It's been a hectic month so apologies for the neglect. I hope you're all well and no broken limbs from the brief snowy stint. So much to share since I've been away but I'll start of with a subject that's really been getting my goat lately, one that I don't talk about very often but I think definitely needs to be discussed more...

So we've all seen this floating around facebook, right?

We hear the argument all the time but we all know that naturally as time moves on, trends change and more often than not what used to be desirable isn't anymore. That's just the way it goes.

However, recently I really have started to wonder if it's all gone a little bit too far?

The interesting thing is that it seems as a nation, sometimes the lines between what we think we want to see and the reality become blurred because if I asked you all if you'd prefer to see:- (a) a stick-thin supermodel type or (b) a curvy real-girl in the magazines, I can almost guarantee that I know the majority answer.

So why is it more often than not as soon as we're faced with it in reality, we can't handle it?

Take the new Ann Summers model for instance:

When size-16 student Lucy won the Real Girls modelling competition, these pictures caused complete uproar. Within minutes, keyboard warriors were scrawling foul abuse, calling her a "fat c***" amongst other disgusting comments and shop windows were graffitied with abuse over her picture.

But take a minute to have a look at the actual photograph. I don't know what you see but I see a girl who yes, looks different to our typical stereotypical underwear model but I see a curvy girl with gorgeous hair, beautiful skin, great boobs and an all-round good shape. So she hasn't got washboard abs? How many of us bloody have without the luxury of an £100 an hour personal trainer?! She looks no different to girls we see walking past us in the street day in, day out so it is a real shame that stereotypical barriers and expectations cannot be lowered enough just to accept and embrace the refreshing difference.

Because in my opinion that's exactly what it is, difference.

It's not as simple as being fat or being thin anymore and neither one is right or wrong.

It's about embracing the difference and accepting it.

Us girls beat ourselves up enough about insecurities without having to see every girl brave enough to have a bit of meat on her bones get shot down and tormented.

I mean, look at Adele. 6 Grammy awards, probably the most successful female singer/songwriter to come out of Britain this decade yet the Creative Director of Chanel pipes up calling her 'a litttle too fat.' An epic fail, if ever I've heard one.

Luckily our belle Adele came back fighting and made some comments which I think are pretty damn inspirational, I must say. In her recent interview with People, she explained that her recent weight loss is only due to illness and gave old Laggers the two fingers but chiping:

'I've never wanted to look like models on the cover of magazines. I represent the majority of women and I'm very proud of that.

'I don't want to be some skinny mini with my t*** out. I really don't want to do it and I don't want people confusing what it is that I'm about.

I enjoy being me; I always have done. I’ve seen people where it rules their lives, you know, who want to be thinner or have bigger boobs, and how it wears them down. And I just don’t want that in my life.

It’s just never been an issue – at least, I’ve never hung out with the sort of horrible people who make it an issue.

I have insecurities of course, but I don’t hang out with anyone who points them out to me.'

I just love that and I think she makes such valid points about how sometimes we spend so long being caught up in our insecurity net, wishing things away that sometimes life starts to pass us by.

I know I've personally spent most of my teenage/adult life picking faults in myself and getting overcome by insecurity. The thing with insecurity is that if you get caught in the negative little bubble of hate then you eventually completely lose sight of all of the good and more often than not it's the things that make you different that make you beautiful.

It's taken me up until very recently to start to come to terms with my (many) flaws. Sometimes I have a complete mise then I just think to myself 'Snap the hell out of it and deal with it!' Jerk chicken is in my bloody genes and I've had big boobs and thighs since I was about 12 - pretty sure they're here for the long haul now!

It's funny because each and every one of my friends has completely different insecurities from their height to their boobs/bums and genuinely, I think the features that they're insecure about are those which make them stand out.

At the end of the day, it is what it is and we are who we are.

If you can't change it, embrace it!

Us girls need to stick together.

Nasty body jibes are expected of silly little boys who the closest they've got to a real woman is their blow-up doll but not from girlies because when it comes to insecurities, let's be honest - we all have them!

Bring back girl power, that's what I say...

mwah. xo

TODAY'S POLL

Do you think Karl Lagerfeld was entitled to comment on Adele's weight?

Yes - he's entitled to his opinion

No - it was hurtful and unnecessary

my number one.

So as I'm pretty sure you already know, I'm a MAC girl through and through.

Occasionally I cheat on MAC and as like all cheats, I regret it.

I could go on forever about MAC products but I recently just bought this back into my life after a brief fling with Bare Minerals (a good fling but its staying power has nothing on MAC) so I just had to use this opportunity to rave about it.

Mac Mineralize Skinfinish Powder.

What I love about it is that it's one for absolutely everyone. For those of you who haven't used mineral powders, you're missing out. I thought it was just hype but you only have to try it to see the difference. It actually feels soft to touch and it goes onto your skin in the same silky fashion. As a result, your skin looks flawless and insanely smooth and the beauty of minerals is if you're blessed with beautiful skin, it will just give you a nice natural finish but if like me, you're not so blessed, you can build it up for full coverage which still looks natural yet has a gorgeous glow.  It lasts all day too.

It comes loads of different colours but not the normal NW/NC range because it's mineralize so blends perfectly. For best results, use with a Kabuki brush which helps give the best coverage. £20 and I've a complete coverage lover who uses it everyday and it still lasts me at least 2/3 months.

Trust me girlies, this is one not to be missed!

mwah xo.

horoscopes.

Right, as some of you will know, I love a good horoscope and I'm always trying to find good astrologists. So I wanted to do a bit of shameless advertising for someone I feel is one of the best out there...Mr Josh Daniels. It's manly for the ladies but could apply to the males also. He is on facebook here and his twitter is on its way but I have copied and pasted some of his latest reads below so you can see what he is all about (all material copyright of Josh Daniels (c))

Firstly mine which could not have been any more spot-on:

LEO:

your heart is in the wrong place at the moment because you thinking too much about your past all you want to do is be happy if you had your way you will be travelling the world yes you do need a holiday when the timing is right it looks like you might delete or block someone from Facebook soon more good news about work opportunities will come to your way soon in 2012 you will be having sex without a condom soon: someone you know will be going in court soon you will be told about the person whose in trouble with the law. BY JOSH DANIELS (C)2012

I read this literally just as I was thinking about booking a holiday and disappearing off and after the day I've had, it is so apparent that I am indeed thinking way too much about my past. No sex without a condom planned though guys as much as I obsess about cute babs. Ha.

CANCER:
your mind is all over the place,your memory is getting worse I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't know where you put your own mobile phone,on level you need extra sleep you haven't been sleeping longer than 4-5 hour,your body is doing so much plus you haven't really been going to the gym to keep fit your sexy body need's exercise I didnt tell you to have sex to keep fit lol,:BY JOSH DANIELS (C)2012

PISCES:
other people haven't showed you the respect you deserved,you still cricitised for being selfish in the reality you're a good person when you say things you don't think of consequences until after you realised you was in the wrong,something is clearly confusing the hell of you that why you not 100% how to deal with your personal problems in order for you to move forward you need to trust your decisions that's the only way you going to get good results:BY JOSH DANIELS (C)2012

SAGITTARIUS:
I can't wait for you to get your hair done soon,you due to get stressed out soon,your mouth is way too big you could upset other people with your opinion I guess it's not in your nature to keep things in for too long,around June and July 2012 you will be doing travelling to City to City,your love life will remain complicated if you're in relationship you're single new lover will be wearing red you and that person will click :BY JOSH DANIELS (C)2012

TAURUS:
you're not going to be a happy bunny someone is due to start on you for no reason don't anyone upset you someone will be asking you what you doing for valentines you haven't planned no valentines that far plus someone meet on road will ask you for your digit plus you will be taking proper long to respond to friends requests from Facebook,you will be going shopping at the last minute next week money is abit tight you spending your money way too much I guess you love good things with your expensive taste...lol you due to buy new shoes soon as special treat.....BY JOSH DANIELS (C)2012

SCORPIO:
listen you need to make time for your close friends you owe it to them when you was going through hard time someone was giving you advice yes you're busy focusing with work or study seriously make time for your friends call them or text them more often lead a good example even your friends even your friends aren't making time for you yes you can then lock them off out of your life like they say everything happens for a reason:BY JOSH DANIELS (C)2012

VIRGO:
you not taking no chances with negative people in your life you've made few changes recently you not wasting your full energy worrying about other people's problems your stress level is better than last year you're gaining full control of your life today you not feeling emotional your body is feeling tired you be listening to music today to keep your mind relaxed:BY JOSH DANIELS (C)2012

ARIES:
you will know when the right man comes along,it feel's a long process to find someone special all you ever wanted is to be happy,your family past needs to be sorted soon life is too short anything can happen to to your family plus you going to meet a light skinned guy soon he maybe the one for you plus someone from your past will take interest to date you and you be travelling soon:BY JOSH DANIELS (C)2012

GEMINI:
you was in the funny mood this week,certain someone is going to get on your nerves this week,you haven't been 100% happy because you not in the long term relationship plus it is hard to find a guy whose loyal and whose in your level so far you're trying to avoid being stressed out all you want is to have peaceful life last year was too much drama going on ,2012 you're hoping you will be able to stay 100% focused:BY JOSH DANIELS (C)2012

There's a couple of signs missing so make sure that you go follow him on twitter/facebook!

Night sweets. xo

hmm.

focus on what really matters in life.
the truth is you only get one go at it.
you only get one family so treasure them.
because everything else will come and go.

and if you love something, you make sure you hold onto it with both hands.

the best way to get over someone.

They say it's to 'get under someone else'.

They say it's best to keep yourself well distracted.

There's definitely no shortage of advice on the matter.

But the truth is, there is no miracle cure for a broken heart.

Because if there was it would be mass-produced and sold to millions.

One of the worst parts of getting your heart broken is that we all know there's only one real healer and that is time.

We've all been there, your boyfriend's broken up with you and all of a sudden your life is definitely, completely 100% over so who the hell wants to hear that 'time is the only healer' or there's 'plenty more fish in the sea' because who wants a bloody fish? Is a fish going to spoon you at night or snuggle up on the sofa watching Easties with you? I think not. Deep down though, although we won't be hurrying out with our fishing nets, we all know that eventually over time, we will start to fill better despite how impossible it seems as we mope in a pile of our own mascara-stained tissues listening to 'Someone like you' on repeat.

So here are my realistic tips to getting over a broken heart (no metaphors, I promise):

1. Turn off Adele. I know it's hard because every lyric is so true *sob* but unless Adele is going to come round and prise the wine bottle out of your hand, she is no use to you now.
2. Put down your glass of wine and close the box of Malteasers. I'm sure that you don't want your ex to mistake you for a beached whale on dry land next time he sees you so it's for your own good.
3. Delete his number...and his text messages...and the call register and throw away the bit of paper that you've written it on just in case of 'emergencies'.
4. Now this is one of the hardest ones but honestly, how productive is a facebook stalk? I know we all do it but why, oh why do we force ourselves to go through the agony of seeing that he's become suddenly become friends with that girl. Block him immediately.
5. Take the upper hand. Telling anyone who will listen that he's got a tiny penis will make you feel good for about five minutes. Putting on a smile and not even uttering his name will help you feel better indefinitely.
6. If you're going to go out, make sure you enjoy it and do not spend the whole time worrying about bumping into him. If he is there, you want him to see you looking hot-to-trot and dancing around with your head held high not climbing on the railings of the dancefloor to see if you can spot him dancing with another girl.
7. In the initial, the less contact you have with him the better. This is a major one as everytime you talk to him while feelings are still raw, you are one step further away from getting over him. Obviously, this completely rules out the possibly of the cardinal sin: ex-sex. It is never a good idea.
8. Surround yourself with your friends because we've all been there. It is a law as a best friend that even in an ex's new girlfriend is Kim Kardashian still is still 'nothing on you, babes.'
9. Strangely, I always find the gym helps because it's so productive. You're letting out agression (and yes, it's perfectly find to imagine that he is laying down on the treadmill and you're trampling all over him) and you're working towards good results.
10. Most importantly, give it time. You're not going to get over someone overnight but there is no better feeling than when you look back and realise how far you've come. You were fine before them and you'll be fine again.

And always remember that you deserve better! No really, you do.

move over hunter.

So as if my viv-love could get any worse, Miss Westwood then releases these beauties for the drizzly season. As if to make my obsession worse, a girl walks into the bar clad in a fur coat, leggings and these absolute gems on her feet.

Unfortunately after a battle with my conscience, I've had to accept that my savings account does not warrant spending the best part of 100 quid on a pair of welly boots. Besides the bow style ones are sold out pretty much nationwide now!

So you can only imagine my delight when I stroll into Primark and find these absolute beauts at for...wait for it...a tenner!

I'll be wearing mine with skinnies or jeggings and a cable knit cardi or fur coat or dressing them up with 100 denier opaque tights and a cute skater hem dress. How will you wear yours?