Relaxing before Bedtime

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After a long day, I like to unwind by firstly running a warm bath with a lush bubble bar of choice. I enjoy having a long soak to ease away any the stresses of the day. 

I love putting on clean pyjamas! What more can I say? I put my pyjamas on once I have moisturised. I then apply Aromatherapy Associates Deep Relax Balm to temples and pulse points to aid relaxation. 

To help myself relax, I light a candle in my bedroom as dim candlelight is always super cosy, especially a nice relaxing scent.

tea.......... I love any kind of tea, but try not to have caffeine before bed, I am currently obsessed with Clipper Organic Sleep Easy Infusion tea bags which contain natural herbal ingredients, which can help promote and maintain healthy sleep.  

 ~ What do you do to relax? let me know ~ 

Zoella Fragrance

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Where do I start with these little cuties?

This gorgeous pack of three fragrances are named Good Things Come In Three's and cost £14.00 from Superdrug and Feelunique. Each 15mg fragrance are different from each other, so depending on your mood or what type of day you're having, you have a scent for every occasion. They are also ideal sized for handbag and travelling. 

The scents included in this pack are :

Sweet Inspirations: which is a delicious gourmand fragrance with notes of Sweet Almond, Creamy Vanilla and Honey.

Lets Spritz: which is a fresh and fruity spritz with delicate notes of Raspberry and Cassis.

Blissful Mistful: which is a beautiful soft, feminine fragrance with notes of Strawberry, Grapefruit, Violet, Jasmine and Gardenia. 

Although all three scents are lovely, I have to say Blissful Mistful is still my absolute favourite,
which is yours?

~   

Baking Tanya Burr's Victoria Sandwich Cake

Who doesn't love a Victoria Sponge Cake (especially with fresh strawberries) for the summer months?

Whilst I was searching for a Victoria Sponge Cake recipe in my cookbooks, I  came across this bad boy in my Tanya Bakes cookbook. The picture itself tempted me (although mine does mot look as aesthetically pleasing, I'm sure it tasted just as good). I found the recipe easy to follow, which is always a bonus!

You can find this recipe in the Tanya Bakes book (pge 115) although I will post the recipe below.

You will need:

2x21cm round  loose-bottomed cake tins

225g unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing

225g caster sugar

4 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

225g self-raising flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

pinch of salt

For the filling:

200ml double cream

1 jar strawberry jam

1 punnet fresh strawberries

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees celsius, grease the cake tins and line with grease-proof paper. 

Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Whisk in the eggs and vanilla extract, then mix in the flour, baking powder and salt until you have a smooth batter. 

Divide the batter evenly between the two tins and bake in the centre of the oven for 25mins, or until risen, springy and golden and a skewer poked into the centre of the cake comes out clean. 

Cool slightly in the tin, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. 

 For the Filling, whisk the cream in a bowl until it is thick and peaks form. Spread one cake with a thick layer of strawberry jam, then gently lay the cream on top.  Add a layer of strawberries, and gently rest the other cake on top. 

Pop a couple of strawberries on the top and dust with icing sugar to serve. 

~Last of all Enjoy~

Whats In My Bag

Thought I would share with you all of the contents of my bag (hopefully nothing too embarrassing) as I am getting better at emptying my bag on regular basis!

The Bag in question is a Black Longchamp backpack

Bailey and Nelson Glasses (sold out)

Valentino V713s Sunglasses (sold out)

Apple Earphones (came with phone)

Keys 

Hair Band

Asos Small Purse (sold out)

 Cowshed Pocket Hand Cream

Charlotte Tilbury Lipstick in Glastonberry

BYREDO BAL D'AFRIQUE eau de parfum (got as gift)

Tanya Burr Lipstick in Happily Ever After 

  

Hope you have enjoyed having a sneak peak into my bag!

My Smith & Cult Nail Polish Collection

Where do I start? The colours, they are all fabulous, they apply really easily and evenly. Not to mention the beautiful bottles and excellent names. 

GAY PONIES DANCING IN THE SNOW £19.00

Lovers Creep £19.00

ABOVE IT ALL (top coat) £19.00

KUNDALINI  HUSTLE  £19.00

SHATTERED SOULS  £19.00

I hopefully will be adding to my collection very soon, let me know what colours are your favourite in the collection!

June Birchbox Subscription

As you will all be aware, there are many beauty boxes available for monthly subscriptions. I have been subscribed to Birchbox for some time now and I have to say, that I have never felt disappointed with the products which I have received.   

In each box you receive five beauty goodies, personalised to your skin/hair type and also taking into account your preferred style.   

Exclusively for June, each Birchbox was instead replaced with a Birchbag in a choice of two colours (zesty lemon or fresh mint). The bag of choice for myself was the fresh mint, which is 

perfect for the summer months!



The five beauty treats I received within the June Birchag was:

MeechNMia brow liner in #022 (full size) RRP 12.99

Sparse or uneven brows have met their nemesis with this oh-so-precise pencil. The cruelty-free formula has been specially created to glide on for naturally defined arches in moments.

Bobbi Brown Extra Eye Repair Cream RRP £46.00

Need an espresso shot for tired under-eyes? You'll be bright-eyed in no time with this hard-working cream. It melts into skin quickly to brighten, smooth and prep your skin for concealer. 






Bumble and bumble Don't Blow it Thick (H)Air Styler RRP £24.00

Even the thickest strands can enjoy a great hair day without using heat, thanks to this innovative creme. Polymers and oils work to condition and enhance your natural texture for an effortless air-dried look.

Scrub Love Coffee Body Scrub RRP from £11.95

Made from 100% natural ingredients, this exfoliator delivers more of an energy boost than your morning coffee. Stimulating circulation, buffing away dead cells and hydrating skin as it goes. 







Cynthia Rowley Beauty Brightening Illuminator RRP £28.00

This suits-all highlighter is great for adding a healthy dose of radiance to all skin tones. Ideal when you're looking for a little extra brightness without looking like a disco ball!

~ Joining Birchbox has  no commitments, contracts and immediate cancellation options  ~

Baking Tanya Burr Triple Chocolate Cookies

Today I decided to bake Tanya Burr's Triple Chocolate Cookies, as was in need of serious chocolate fix!

You can find this recipe in the Love Tanya book (pge 213) or on Tanya Burr's blog, although I will post the recipe below.

You will need:

200g butter

300g caster sugar

1 large egg

275g self-raising flour

75g cocoa powder

a little dash of milk

chocolate 

The cookies are made with milk and white chocolate pieces, although you could add whatever you prefer. 

To start, preheat your oven to 200 degrees celsius then mix your butter and sugar, until you have a smooth consistency. Crack in the egg and put in your dry ingredients and blend together. If your mixture looks too dry, add some milk. 

Now for the best bit:

Break up your chocolate (of your choice) and throw it into the mixture. Once all of the mixture is combined, line the trays with baking paper and separate mixture into equal amounts (this recipe suggests making 10 large cookies, although I made approx 25 bite size cookies). 

Place your equal amounts of mixture into the oven for approx 11 mins (reduce time if smaller in size). When you take them from oven they do not appear cooked although they become harder once cooled.

(leave for approx 30mins if can resist)

Last of all

Enjoy x

~Hope I have inspired you to bake this coming weekend!~

My new beauty finds!

As you all will have heard about this skincare range all over the internet recently, I couldn't resist picking up a few products to try on a recent visit to my local Fenwicks store.

The Ordinary is the latest launch from Deciem Skincare. They are an umbrella of brands which focus on advanced functional beauty.

All Deciem products, including The Ordinary, are free of parabens, sulphates, mineral oil, methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone, animal oils, benzalkonium chloride, coal tar dyes, formaldehyde, mercury and oxybenzone.

Deciem state they do not test on animals.

Although there are many skin-care products within the range, I only selected a items which I thought would be appropriate for my dry/mature skin type. These include:

Matrixyl 10% +HA  (£9.60)
A highly-effective anti-ageing serum formulated to target fine lines and wrinkles. Utilising two generations of matrixyl-one of the most powerful anti-ageing ingredients combined at a high concentration of 10%. This serum dramatically reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles by stimulating collagen and elastin production. The addition of hyaluronic acid provides a boost of hydration and means that the formula is efficiently delivered deep beneath the skins surface.

So far I have noticed a plumper/smoother look and feel of my skin, the consistency of the serum is rather sticky although once I have applied face oil and moisturiser that soon disappears, I would definitely re-purchase.

Alpha Lipoic Acid 5% (£5.90)
A highly concentrated antioxidant formula, Alpha Lipoic Acid 5% is a powerful treatment for ageing skin. Working to improve the tone and texture of the skin with gentle exfoliation, it is an effective means to treat scars, pigmentation and dullness, as well as lines and wrinkles. Apply sparingly 2-3 nights a week for a softer, smoother and more radiant complexion.

Not really sure what I think of this product yet (or maybe just early days). I have problems with pigmentation and dullness so will let you know if I notice any difference, although my skin does feel softer following using this.

.

Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2% (£6.00)
Visibly targets uneven tone, textural irregularities and fine lines. Offers mild exfoliation at a 10% concentration, this lightweight serum works to improve skin texture, reducing pigmentation caused by acne scars and age spots by stimulating cell regeneration. The addition of hyaluronic acid strengthens the lipid barrier to improve the skins ability to attract and retain moisture, leading to healthier, stronger skin.

I really like this product, my skin feels softer and complexion looks clearer, I feel like skin is glowing on waking after using this at night- definitely a keeper.

Advanced Retinoid 2% (£8.00)
A gentle but hardworking serum which targets all signs of ageing and textural irregularities. Utilising a high concentration of two next-gen retinoids (proven to be more effective than standard retinoids) this light weight milky-textured serum works hard to defeat the main signs of skin ageing. Lines, wrinkles, loose skin and pigmentation are all visibly reduced in appearance without the irritation typically associated with retinoid use.

My skin appears plumper, softer and visually smoother with this product. It is a little sticky although not a problem once moisturiser is applied
(and no irritation in sight).  

100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed OIl  (£9.00)

A pure blend of cold-pressed and organic rose-hip oil which hydrates and supports healthy skin. Rich in vitamins, antioxidants and essential fatty acids, rose-hip oil is renowned for its anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties. This silky oil helps to calm redness, hydrate dry skin, treat scars and burns, brighten skin and regenerate damaged tissue. 

I use facial oil as part of my skin care routine before applying moisturiser and this has replaced my regular oil. It leaves my skin feeling soft, hydrated and glowing and fine lines appear to be less obvious. Although the texture of the oil is slightly thicker than previous used oils, I would definitely re-purchase. 

Natural Moisturising Factors+HA (4.90)

A lightweight moisturising treatment which boosts and supports skins natural methods of hydration. Dehydrated skin suffers from a shortage of the compounds naturally produced by skin to maintain hydration levels. This clever formula is made up of these ingredients that are naturally present in the skin-meaning that it re-hydrates skin in the most natural and effective way possible. 

My favourite product so far! This moisturiser makes my skin feel so hydrated and smooth. I noticed the effects of this immediately with no greasy residue, this feels so rich when applied. I would recommend this 100%. 

Overall, I think these products are a great way to introduce skin-care products/regimes without the extra cost. I am excited to continue with my already purchased items and am looking forward to try more products within this range.