A few favourites #5

1. The Hairy Dieters cookbook
I'm trying my hardest to eat healthily or at least 80% of the time. We all need a burger binge once in a lifetime right? So I've been digging around in my extensive cookbook collection and come across an old favourites. I adore The Hairy Bikers - I think I might have nearly all of their books. This one is a little gem. Every recipe I've tried has been amazing and they all feel indulgent despite shaving off a few calories from the original. It's amazing how a few changes can completely reduce the calorie content without having to compromise on taste.

2. Schwarzkopf Got2b Rise 'n' Shine Volume and Shine Hairspray*
I'm always a little heavy handed with hairspray - gotta help it stick right? - so look out for one that has a strong hold but doesn't make my hair feel rock solid. I've found just the right one thanks to Got2b. This beauty helps to stop any stray hairs coming out of place, gives it a much needed shine and boasts it's volume. The lazy girl in me loves a multi-tasker. It's easy to brush out and my hair doesn't feel heavy or sticky.

3. Urbanears Plattan headphones
My headphones suddenly packed up halfway through my commute to the city so I need of some decent quality ones sharpish. I'd spotted these in various colours on the tube so hunted around until I realised what they were. Urbanears is a Scandinavian brands and are famous for their rainbow colours. They're comfortable to wear, easy to adjust and have brilliant sound quality.

4. Next postcard clutch bag 
My darling mother treated me to this clutch in the Next sale just before I went to Barcelona. I have such a soft spot for a novelty clutch and this one ticks all the boxes. Such a conversation starter!

5. Models Own Chrome effect nail polishes*
Since I've been trying really hard to stop biting my nails, I've been smothering them in nail polish a few times a week. I've found if they look pretty, I tend to leave them alone. I picked up these polishes a few months ago from my old job and they look great on. So shiny! The gold and silver are already earmarked for the festive season.

6. Gallo Family Vineyards Spritz Raspberry and Lime & Pineapple and Passionfruit*
I do love a good glass of wine as anyone who knows me will confirm but sometimes it's nice to have something a little lighter and more refreshing. That's where these tasty concoctions came in. TV presenter Laura Whitemore is the face of the brand so you know you're going to be in good hands when you crack open a bottle. All the cool kids are drinking them!

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A few favourites #5

More favourites! I've been accumulating lots of things recently. My bank account isn't really too impressed but money is for spending right?! 

Black double strap Birkenstocks via TK Maxx: Since last year I've vowed to treat myself to a pair of birks. A few years ago I'd have gagged and felt ashamed I'd even thought about such comfortable, sensible shoes. But alas the older I'm getting, the more I'm worried about being in pain. I still love my heels to death but need something to give my poor tootsies a rest. I am in love with my new shoes. They feel like I'm wearing slippers - what could be more perfect eh?!

Emma Bridgewater floral cake tin*: Last week I was invited along to a baking masterclass with Whitworths - more on that in a different post - and was given this pretty cake tin in the goody bag. I'd neglected baking for a while thanks to being such a busy bee but this day made me rediscover my love of baking again. I'm going to try and make more time in future - I just find it so relaxing. After all, who doesn't like the smell of fresh cakes in the house?!

Got2b All Star 10-in-1 Styling Treatment*: If you're going away for the weekend and struggling to make room, this little niffy product will be a lifesaver. It will save from lots of mishaps! I had it used on my barnet at an event recently and it gave it one heck of a shine. You simply apply 2-6 pumps of the product to damp hair and blow-dry your hair. It doesn't make your hair feel sticky and smells lovely. Some hair products make me pull a face! It's great to keep all those wispy, flyaway frizzy bits at bay too. I do love a product that multi-tasks!

X+Y DVD*: I am a massive film geek and love nothing more than popping along to the pictures with my unlimited cinema card and catching a movie. But equally I also love settling down under the covers with some cake and watch a film from the comfort of my room. I especially like a film that makes you think - during it and for a while afterwards. X+Y certainly does that. Inspired by a true story, autistic maths genius Nathan is pushed to reach his potential by his school teacher Mr Humphrys. His mother Julie struggles to understand his characteristics after the death of his father in a car crash. As a result of his teacher, he earns a place at the International Maths Olympiad in Taiwan. There he happened to fall in love with Zhang. The film made me smile as wide as a cheshire cat and well up as Nathan tried his best to understand love. It's such a heart warming film - I found myself egging him on as he dealt with his new unknown feelings. Asa Butterfield who played Nathan was superb and definitely one to look out for.

Australian Bodycare Tea Tree Oil Summer Sensation Skin Wash*: Summer? What's that? Thankfully we did have a few warm days and that's when this body wash came in handy. The elements dry my skin out and I desperately need to use a moisturising body wash to keep it under control. It helps to keep my skin soft and smells of the summer! It's going to be in my Barcelona wash bag. TWO WEEKS!

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A few favourites #3

I thought I hadn't done of these for a while and I'm loving or rather getting obsessed with a lot of things. Things I think you should know about. So here we go!

1. Peaky Blinders Boxset
It may have taken me a long time to finally get around to watching this series but now I've fallen completely head over heels. I'm a massive fan of Cillian Murphy anyway and he is absolutely superb in this. He's just so good at being chilling and has such great screen presence. He really doesn't have to say much, his facial expressions tell everything. Helen McCoroy is fantastic as Aunt Polly too. I love a fierce woman. Gangster themed TV shows/films are my favourite genre - I blame watching Goodfellas as a teenager for making me wish I was part of the mafia. 2016 is so far away for season three so I might just have to watch them all over again.

2. Sleek True Colour Lipstick Candy Cane 773 c/o
I always think if you're going to plaster on some lipstick, it's the brighter the better. Sleek always have such a great selection of bright hippies. This one has got the tendency to be drying so I need to make sure I'm on my lip balm game. But it's such a gorgeous colour and so perfectly summery, I'm willing to let that go. Just one slick and you're ready to hit the ground running.

3. Ravel blocked heeled sandals
These were one of those totally necessary but unnecessary purchases. I really don't need any more shoes but they're my favourite thing to buy. During a dangerous browse of TK Maxx, I came across these and immediately needed them for my holiday. I'm a sucker for a bit of leopard print, a block heel and a sandal so when I noticed they were £30 and real leather, I decided to go without eating that week. Thanks to the chunky heel they're actually fairly comfortable. The straps could have the potential to give blisters but the leather will soon give and then they will be PERFECT!

4. Pineapple trinket tray
Everyone and their mother is going crazy for pineapple themed products at the minute. I picked this cute trinket from Paperchase while I was buying a birthday card. I like the rule of one present for you and one present for me. That's how it works right? It was only £6.50 and I thought it'd look right at home on my dressing table. I use it to pop my everyday jewellery in before I go to bed.

5. Paperchase Listbook organiser
I love writing lists, in fact I write things I've already done on a list just so I can feel accomplished. I can't be the only one? This year was going to be the year that I took my blog a lot more seriously and although I've been really happy with the content and the way it's growing, I've not been putting in as much effort as I should have. Real life has got in the way of things. But I've still got seven months of the year left to make a massive push so in a bid to get organised, I treated myself to this organiser to pop in my bag. I'm going to use it to write down post ideas, schedule posts and remind myself of product reviews. Nothing like some new stationary to give you some motivation!

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A few favourites #2

Mary Berry Baking Bible
I was very kindly given this by my sister-in-law for Christmas. I just adore Mary Berry - she's such a babe and whenever I follow her recipes I always have such incredibly tasting cakes. Admittedly I haven't made anything out of this yet as I've just not had time to think since the festive period. But things should calm down soon and I have the cheese straws and Swiss Roll at the top of list of things to bake.

Matalan Pink Initial Scarf
My mum bought my dad his own version of this scarf just before Christmas and kindly treated me too when I expressed an interest. I love things with my initial/name and I kind of feel a little like High School Musical in it. It's very warm and the £10 goes straight to Alder Hey charity. Not only do you look good but you do a good deed at the same time!

Topshop Forest Green Tunic
I've been on the hunt for suitable tops for jeans for what feels like my whole life. Okay slight exaggeration there... But in an era of crop tops, they're like a needle in a haystack. I'm quite fussy and like tops to cover my bum and to be long and flowing.  Thankfully Topshop have come up trumps with this tunic. I love the colour and it skims perfectly past my rather large booty - winner all round! I might have to get it in the oxblood colour too.

No7 Pop and Glow Cream Blush Stick
I bought this with a No7 voucher, used it once and then popped it in my make up drawer and promptly forgot all about it. Fast forward to a day where I was determined to finally get a hold on my mountain of stuff - never did - and I came across it. Since then it's barely left my cheeks. Although the colour looks a touch scary, it's the perfect shade to build to your tastes and has great staying power. I'd love to try other shades in the range.

Rimmel Apocalips Lip Laquer Big Bang
Over the last few months I can seem to get enough of a red lip and this is one of the top contenders that I reach for. It can be a little tricky to apply as it's so easy to be heavy handed with it. A lip liner might help to keep it under control. But it really does pack a punch.

Enrapture Totem Styler 
I asked for this a few birthday's ago when it reached the dizzy heights of the blogger hype. Everyone and their dog seems to have one. Again it had been pushed to one side for a good few months - sense a theme? I need to detox my room. But I picked it up before Christmas and instantly remembered how much I loved it. I adore the fact you can adjust the curl depending on your mood and it really does lasts on my dreaded heavy hair. Perfect!

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A few favourites #1

Red lipstick - Chanel Incandescente
Green glittery crop top - Topshop
Sweetpea and Freesia scented candle - c/o Laura Ashley
Smythson leather notebook - c/o Smythson
Green glitter nail varnish - Nitrogen c/o Only Fingers and Toes
Vintage cameo earrings - Local jewellery shop (similar)
Pitt Cue Co Cookbook - TK Maxx (buy it here)

As you can see from the bits and pieces in the post, i'm getting rather into the festive spirit and am looking like a Christmas tree with the green sparkles! That's never a bad thing right? Admitedly I haven't yet cooked anything from the Pitt Cue book but after trying their delicious food a few weeks ago, I had to buy this for only £8 when I saw it. The only problem is trying to decide what to cook first! I got the candle in a goodie bag at the recent Laura Ashley event and it smells absolutely gorgeous. It's lovely to have in the bathroom while I'm relaxing in the bath reading a book. A candle makes all the difference!

I was sent this gorgeous yellow notebook with a very apt quote on the front - we all need to be reminded to follow our dreams. It's been sitting in my bag ready for me to pull out when a moment of inspiration strikes. It's been so useful to write down various blog ideas and also to keep track of my life. I can't be the only one who seems to write endless lists? They have a gorgeous selection of leather diaries on the website that will make amazing Christmas presents.

What have you been loving recently?

This is a sponsored post by Smythson. All thoughts are my own. 

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Blogger babes #1

I never thought for one minute that i'd make real friends from the world of blogging. So many of them have graduated from 'internet friends' to people who I geniunely count as some of my actual friends. They had been there for me when times have been tough and they never fail to make me laugh. It also helps that they put up with some of my crazy talk and totally get my quirks! Here are just a few of my favourite blogs and the people who have made blogging so worthwhile.  I'm going to sound like a totel fangirl!

I was going to do this all in one hit but when I started writing it the list started getting longer.  So i'm going to spilt it up. This is in no particular order!

Hannah
Bow Dream Nation


















Hannah never fails to make me laugh nor fails to not tell you as it is. She's the one girl who is always up for an evening out and the one I can count on to join me in that drink. Even if she does come from the south of the river... She's also a fantastic enabler and helps me spend money I don't always have! Totes a diamond!

Sarah
City Girl Fashion Box


















This girl taught that spending £20.50 is more than acceptable for a blusher. Have you seen her collection? She clearly has too many and should *ahem* pass some onto me! She has a knack of making me laugh out loud with her saucy texts and always seem to know some cracking discount codes. Certainly one to follow!

Elodie
Elle Yeah







































The token Frenchie is absolutely bonkers but this is the very reason why she's amazing. She is so funny without even realising it and I wish I was as cool as her! Here's to many more drunken gatherings in Australia aka West London!

Sarah
My Sentimental Heart




















Sarah is one of the most genuine people I know - I haven't known her long but I can't imagine she's not got a bad bone in her body. She makes me green with envy over her fantastic wardrobe. Check out her blog for stylish outfits. It makes me want to be more sensible and invest in something other than Primark!

Sarah
A Million Dresses























Sarah is honestly one of the nicest people I know - I feel like I have so much in common with her. She is always there when you want a chat and offers some great encouragement. Not to mention she's a complete baking queen. That Victoris Sponge she made for the Leamington Bloggers meet was delish!

Look out for some more bloggers coming in the next few weeks!

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