Handbag heroes #1

Hi Loves and a happy new year!!!!

So this is something different.
More of a what's in my bags, bag situation.

I decided to do a handbag heroes post about the other things that are always in my bag other than the usual umbrella and mint staples (this is London umbrella hasn't left my bag since year seven lol).

I keep my beauty ish/ miscellaneous things that I need in here so lets get started.

Lucas' Pawpaw ointment

This is my go to bag all purpose balm of choice.
I always have this in my bag and usually a back up in case I lose it but these last so long.

Medicine

 I don't have medication I take regularly so this is usually some ibuprofen, hayfever tabs, energy tabs etc I like to be prepared.
There are parts of me that are incredibly organised.
To the point where people say I am such a mum as I anticipate your needs 0.o - I am not a pusher!
 I like to be prepared!
I do get migraines and although I have a high pain threshold, life is better for all if my migraine is seen to asap.

Baylis & Harding Beauticology Grapefruit & Raspberry Handcream

ummmm the smell!
 I do have my staples when it comes to handcream (checkout my winter skincare saviours) but love to try new ones and this is proving to be pretty moisturising and light.

Hairbands 

I buy these in bulk from primark. It is like 50 of varying sizes for £1. Which is a bargain.
 They don't snag on my hair and if they snap I am ok with the price. They are also great for multipurpose quick fixes.

Lipsticks & lip pencil 

I usually have 2 lipsticks and a brown lip pencil in my pouch.
I will usually all throw in whatever lip product of the day if it is something different.
Currently I am in LOVE with brown/ deep berry brown lips so my choices at the moment are Diva & Antique velvet by MAC.
Which are very similar.- I know seriously, I know!

Blotting paper

 It gets pretty muggy rushing around all day so these are a life saver for keeping your face excessively shine free yet still leaving the skin glowing. You can find these very cheaply on eBay.

Contact lenses

 I am a frequent glasses wearer and occasionally wear contact lenses.
These are a spare back up in case I want to change my look or refresh my eyes.

Hand sanitiser 

In any major city this is a must. 

Especially in London when you are travelling on public transport.
People are DIRTY as fuck! 

So just keeping your hands clean saves you from having an unnecessary amount of germs on you.

If you work in an office with desk jumping or just a busy office this is a must also. 

Get your anti bac wipes too!

My current one is Orla Kiely in geranium.

Simple Kind to Skin Moisture Boost Hydro Mist 

This is a great travel size spritz to refresh the face during the day. 

I actually discovered this when a friend brought it back from America for me and have only seen it once in the uk. 

I had the good sense to buy 2 from the 99p shop of all places and will be sad when it is finished.
 They are however great containers to reuse.

Hair product
This could be anything.
I received a sample years and and kept the container.
I  now fill it with a small amount of gel for fly aways or conditioner.

Cork screw
yep, you read that right.
 I keep a cork screw in my bag lol
 I used to be a bar tender in my uni summer holidays and was given this for my little kit on my first day!
It's one of those fancy, I have every attachment under the sun MacGyver things.
I am also that person everybody asks for cocktail ideas, wine recommendation etc. As seen in my holiday spiced mulled cider recipe.
I even created a wedding cocktail called the J&J for my brothers wedding.
Stick with me kid, we won't be drinking white lightening at bus stops but a bit of Pinot at a picnic in a park and I am your woman!

So those are my Handbag heros, what are your must haves?

Smooches

Stephanie aka Wednesdays Girl

xoxo

Don't forget to come find me and  Follow @GirlWednesdays

The #DarkSkinRedLip Project

I absolutely love this project. As soon as I heard about it i entered right away. 

Karyn Washington the creator of for brown girls , set up a site called

 The #DarkSkinRedLip Project. This was set up to dispel the ignorant and unfounded idea of dark skinned women not being able to wear bright lipstick and reduce any stigma attached with it. Put simply this website is being used to upload pictures of dark skinned beauties rocking a seriously banging red lip.

Luckily for me my mother didn’t push any of that nonsense on to me and I grew up with the philosophy that I could wear what I wanted as long as it suited me. I have however been told once by a guy that I was pretty for a dark skin girl! I quickly and some what viciously annihilated that fool and stamped all over his mental enslavement. I do not play that shit nor do I have time for it. Safe to say he never uttered such nonsense again lol

 Here is my entry,like, tweet, share or join in. Do what you do and get the word out there!

As many of you know A$AP Rocky took it upon himself to make a few off the cuff comments about dark girls wearing certain shades of lipstick etc. I absolutely believe this project is a perfect response to him and his use of colourism. For me it goes something like “whatever A$AP. You are entitled to your misguided views BUT they aren't my fuckin problem <--- geddit geddit. *puts on Ruby woo and tosses hair*

If you would like to join in, email Kayrn at forbrowngirls@yahoo.com attaching your picture, name, location and lipstick brand.

  "Breaking Barriers and Building Confidence!" is the tag-line of ForBrownGirls’ latest ongoing online campaign that invites women with darker skin complexions to submit and showcase a photo of them rocking a red lip . Since April, the organization has been promoting this project through social media and word of mouth to help put an end to the notion that women of a darker hue don’t look attractive wearing bright colors, in particular, red lipstick. Along with abolishing that stigma, the project will serve as inspiration to any girl or woman who have given into this stereotype and shied away from wearing a red lip. In viewing such images, a darker skinned girl who is hesitant to try a red lip will find the confidence to step out of her comfort zone, disregarding the opinion of anyone else. The project has received much support and we look forward to reaching our goal of having 1,000+ women participate.

- FBG & The DSRL Project.

L-R MAC ruby woo, Sleek vamp, FashionistA double take and MAC diva

Why not try a few of my favourite shades to get you started.

Until next time........

Smooches

Stephanie aka Wednesdays Girl

xoxo

Don't forget to come find me and  Follow @GirlWednesdays  

Orange obsession

I have become quite taken with anything that is a shade of the l'orange grande. Lipsticks, blushes, fabrics, jumpers, shirts, dresses anything and everything. I have raided my dresser and wardrobe for my orange inspiration pieces to cheer myself up. What with the great British weather swinging between sunshine, gale force winds and savage rains it is time to make my own sunshine state! All shades of orange welcome (except tango tan-tastics no but really my eyes bleed) lol.

Smooches

Stephanie aka Wednesdays Girl

xoxo

Don't forget to come find me and  Follow @GirlWednesdays