Things that make me happy!

Sometimes its the little things in life that give us pleasure! If you are anything like me you will have very little time to do the things you enjoy most. One of the things I promised myself at the beginning of the year was to try and do more for myself. One of my most favourite things to do on a day off from work is to have a leisurely wander around the odd shop and spending time in coffee shops, whether I am enjoying a frothy latte or a speciality tea and a large piece of cake. 

Another thing I love to do is to go on city breaks now and then, I have been known to go to London (Shoreditch) multiple times a year as this is my favourite place ever, Lee my partner even proposed to me there last year, therefore it will always hold a special place in my heart. This year I am planning to go to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Brighton, Manchester and of course not forgetting London. 

Spending time with family is sooo important, although I feel like there is always something that gets in the way, work clashes, appointments, housework etc. Well this is going to change this year, I am going to make extra time to spend days/activities with family as time goes so quick (don't you find) and after all the housework can wait. (can't it?)

Who doesn't love a good pamper session? I love getting my hair done, having a facial (even a DIY facial), unfortunately I find getting my nails done a waste as I am not able to have them painted for work. This year I am going to make more of an effort to pamper myself more as I don't feel this happens enough. In fact I have a hair appointment coming up very soon (can't wait) I am plucking up the courage to get a good amount cut off, instead of the tiniest amount as usual.

I love a good day out with my friends, going for lunch, browsing the shops, catching up with whats going on in each of our lives, we try to do this on a monthly basis enabling each other to buy makeup, things for the home and candles, we always seem to buy candles!

Well I am looking forward to enjoying the upcoming months, ensuring I make the most of all of the above, no doubt I will keep you up to date with plenty of pictures and blog posts throughout the year!


What makes you happy? 
if you have any recommendations for city breaks etc, please let me know

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Being More Organized

I don't know about you but I am so unorganized, I never seem to have enough time, I'm constantly late and feel that I am fighting to complete the simplest of tasks on a daily basis. I feel I have been like this all of my adult life, constantly procrastinating whilst trying to undertake work projects etc,  having to apologise on a regular basis (whilst giving rubbish excuses) for my lateness. Well I thought the start of 2018 would be an excellent opportunity to change things and become more prepared, as I really want to be more organized (new year-new me).

I have found that this self-help book written by Sarah Knight has inspired me loads, also how appropriate is this title? After all I need all of the help I can get! I am currently still reading this book, but each time I read chapter I feel more encouraged to change my stressful race against time way of life. 

Get Your Sh*t Together book £12.99

To help keep myself on track I also purchased a weekly calendar planner which was only £3.99 from Tiger, where I am able to write my daily tasks and even write meal plans which can be crossed off when accomplished! (so far so good)

Weekly Calendar £3. 99

Although it is still early days with my new organisational routine, I am already feeling more organized and feel more productive in all areas of my life. I would definitely recommend ready the self-help book as this has given me loads of encouragement as well as lots of useful ideas to help maintain this productivity (fingers crossed). 

Hopefully I am able to continue with being organized and it is not like my previous new years resolutions, I will be sure to keep you informed on a later blog post!

How do you keep organized, let me know?

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

My Mac Lipstick Collection

Make-up Art Cosmetics, or M.A.C as it's more commonly known, was founded in 1984 by two Canadian chaps named Frank - make-up artist and photographer Frank Toskan and beauty salon owner Frank Angelo.

If I had to be honest I have never seen what all the fuss is about with people purchasing multiple Mac lipsticks! I have seen people with hundreds in their possession, which probably cost more than a months mortgage payment!!

Well that was until I visited my local Mac counter recently. On arrival the shop assistant was very friendly, assisting me in any way she could. After having a browse around the department, I was soon drawn to the sleek black coloured bullet lipsticks in a array of colours and finishes as well as some limited edition beauties.

After sifting and trialling all the beautiful colours onto my arm, I seemed to lose track of time, before I even realised I had three of the little beauties picked out which I have shown below (how did that happen?)

Mocha Satin Lipstick - £16.50

Peachy Yellow-Brown

Instigator Colour Lipstick - £16.50

Deep Blackened Plum

Charlotte Olympia, Leading Lady Red - £16.50

 (Unfortunately this has now sold out, although they have similar colours available)

Well can I just say I am completely in love with MAC lipsticks since these little purchases and am already looking online for other colours that are sure to catch my beady little eye!

I have found the consistency of these lipsticks gorgeous and non-drying on the lip and are easy applied from the bullet itself. Although I am generally a lover of liquid lipsticks although there will always be a place in my heart for a new MAC lipstick.

Do you own any MAC lipsticks, if so what do you think?

~Please comment below~

  

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Birchbox January 2018

Well as you have probably seen in my previous blog posts I have been subscribed to Birchbox for some time now! Now obviously some boxes are better than others,  although when I have previous compared Birchbox to other monthly subscription boxes on the internet, I always seem to prefer the products I receive in my boxes. 

This months Birchbox failed to disappoint once again, teamed together with the British stationary brand that champions creativity - Ohh  Deer to help kick-start 2018!

The Five products I received in my January Birchbox were:

Afterspa Amazing Makeup Remover - RRP: £5.50

Forget the various lotions and potions that usually assist in the removal of make-up, with this ultra-soft cloth, just wet the cloth and massage it over face to break down impurities and remove all types of make-up.  

Thermaliv Night Cream - RRP: 15.75 

When you can't guarantee a full 8 hours sleep, massage this night moisturiser into clean skin to encourages regeneration potential, boosts collagen and soothes, leaving skin plump, nourished and well-rested come morning.

Lord & Berry Blusher Crayon in peach- RRP: £15

Embrace your inner kid and scribble onto apples of your cheeks, blending with fingertips for an instant flush.

Marcelle Waterproof Eyeliner in Charcoal- RRP; 10.99

Long-lasting, smudge -resistant and waterproof eyeliner which is a wearable twist on the classic black.  

Paul & Joe Beauty Moisturising Foundation Primer S in 01 Dagree- RRP: £24.00

Enriched with botanical exracts for a moisture hit which enables your makeup to stay-put whilst waving goodbye to dry patches. This primer is also infused with a subtle gold pearl shimmer that creates dewy, naturally glowing skin. 

Do you subscribe to any monthly boxes, if so what do you think?

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

The Hummingbird Bakery - Banana Bread / Loaf

I am a big lover of Banana Loaf/Bread, whether it is warmed or toasted smothered with butter or cut straight from loaf. 

My favourite recipe which I have found the easiest and tastiest is from the Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook, which also has many other gorgeous easy to follow recipes for sweet treats! 

You can find this recipe in the Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook (pge 67) although I will post the recipe below.

You will need:

A 23 x 13 cm loaf tin, greased and dusted with flour
270g soft brown sugar
2 eggs
200g peeled banana, mashed
280g  plain flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
140g unsalted butter, melted

Firstly, Preheat the oven to 170c (325 f) gas 3

Put the sugar and eggs in a freestanding electric mixer with a paddle attachment (or use a handheld electric whisk) and beat until well incorporated. Beat in the mashed bananas. 

Add the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, cinnamon and ginger to the sugar mixture. Mix thoroughly until all the dry ingredients have been incorporated into the egg mixture. Pour in the melted butter and beat until all the ingredients are well mixed. 

Pour the mixture into the prepared loaf tin and smooth over with a palette knife. Bake in the preheated oven for about 1 hour, or until firm to touch and a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean. 

Leave the cake to cool slightly in the tin before turning out onto a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

Finally, enjoy warm with a lovely cup of tea!





~ Let me know what your favourite recipe is ~

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Favourite Meal of the Day

I don't know about you but I love Breakfast, it is my favourite and most important meal of the day!

I love making different variations of breakfast depending on my mood and time available, I have added some of my favourite breakfasts below which I have either made myself or ate whilst out and about........

Strawberries, Muesli, Natural Yogurt and Honey with English Breakfast Tea

Soft Boiled Eggs and Toasted Buttered Soldiers and English Breakfast Tea 

(my favourite)

  

Strawberries, Porridge, Peanut Butter, Coconut with Maple Syrup with English Breakfast Tea

American Style Pancakes, Natural Yoghurt, Blueberry Compote and Maple Syrup

Avacado on Toast with Poached Egg and Streaked Bacon with Fresh Chillies

(Courtesy of The Breakfast Club)

What is Your Favourite Breakfast?

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

January Sales Shopping!

Whilst shopping the other day, I found myself bargain hunting in the sales, well who doesn't love a bargain? 


Mixed with guilt that Christmas had just passed, I was so pleased with all of my purchases and really I have saved some money as they were reduced, right???


I apologise in advance if at all I encourage any January sales shopping!

Aromatherapy Associates- Ultimate Wellbeing Time: RRP- £60:00 (sale price £30:00 from Space NK)

Blue Velvet Bow Slippers: RRP- £24.00 (sale price £12:00 from John Lewis)

Lush Merry Christmas Gift Set: RRP- £22:50 (sale price £11:25 from Lush)

MOA - Magic Organic Apothecary - Fortifying Green Bath Potion: RRP- £27.50 (sale price £13:75 from Fenwicks)

  

  MOA-Magic Organic Apothecary - Aphrodite Facial Oil: RRP- £20:00 (sale price £10:00 from Fenwicks)



Let me know what you have bought in January Sales!




Follow my blog with Bloglovin