Everyday Forgotten

Valentine's Day

2012-02-14T15:53:00.000Z

Happy Valentine's Day! I hope everyone is having a great day so far. Shane bought me some lovely roses and a trip to the spa (though we're not going for another 2 weeks) and tonight he's cooking us a lovely dinner and we're just going to cuddle up with some movies :) I can't wait! What are you guys doing for valentines day? So I thought I'd kinda dress for the occasion today, but to be honest, I don't really own too many red clothes so this is what I came up with! I think you'll be seeing a lot more of this headband - I just bought it yesterday and am in love with it! It's just so cute! :)

Top: Topshop // Cardigan: Mango // Shorts: New Look // Necklace & Headband: // Primark // Shoes: Minnetonka

Recipe: White Chocolate Pannacotta with Raspberry Sauce

2012-02-13T23:22:00.002Z

I must say, I'm not exactly a dessert person, but if there's pannacotta on the menu, I just have to get it - especially if it's served with a fruit coulis like rasberry or rhubarb. In case you're wondering what a pannacotta is, it's basically just creamy jelly. I love jelly, and I love anything creamy, so this is just the most perfect combination! I thought this would be a great idea for a dessert on Valentines Day, though I was supposed to post this earlier today. Let me know if you try it!

Ingredients:

500ml Double Cream

150ml Milk

100g White Chocolate

4 Gelatine Sheets

25g Sugar

Raspberries

Method:

1. Heat the double cream and milk up in a saucepan till almost simmering. Meanwhile, soak the gelatine sheets in cold water.

2. Add in the sugar and chocolate and turn off the heat. Stir till all the chocolate is melted. Leave it to cool for a couple minutes.

3. Add in the gelatine sheets and stir till it's all combined.

4. Pour into ramekins (makes about 6) and leave to cool till cold enough to put in the fridge.

5. Refrigerate for 3-5 hours or until set.

6. When the pannacotta is almost set, heat the raspberries in a saucepan and add enough sugar till the mixture is sweet enough. Crush the raspberries (you can strain them if you want, but I like the texture of them crushed), then leave to cool.

7. To serve, submerge the bottom half of the ramekins in a little warm water to loosen the pannacotta, then turn out onto a plate. Pour over the cooled raspberry sauce and enjoy!

Photo Diary: Week 13

2012-02-12T17:43:00.000Z

Free hot chocolate & marshmallows // Valentines window display // Sleepy Mr Toff // Sleepy Coffee // Couldn't decide what to wear // Pretty vintage rugs // You can buy peanut butter cups in uk now! // Making Nutella hot chocolate // Carbonara at Zizzi's // Aubergine Parmesan at Zizzi's // Table at Zizzi's // Zizzi's with Mum // White Stuff window display // Played badminton // Topshop // Topshop lipsticks // New notepad // Deciding where to go on holiday this year.

This week was a pretty good week :) Me and Mum went for lunch and shopping in our local market town which was really nice and saw some really cute window displays. Bought loads of new stuff this week too, though none of it was actually clothes haha! Hope everyone else had a great week and weekend. :)

Carry Me Home

2012-02-10T16:30:00.000Z

This is probably one of my favourite ever go-to outfits. I just love this skirt, probably because it is so easy to style and this top seems to make quite a few appearances too. We had a fresh dusting of snow last night which I was so happy about, though it was only about 2 inch's so not as bad as the other day but at least we got some more!

Top & Skirt: River Island // Cardigan: Mango // Belt: Primark // Necklace: Topshop // Boots: Dorothy Perkins

First Snowfall

2012-02-07T16:50:00.000Z

So this past weekend the majority of the UK finally got some snow! I've been waiting for it to snow all winter and I'm so glad we finally got some. It's been super cold the past couple weeks with it barely reaching above 2C so the snow isn't melting too quickly. I don't mind though, I love snow :). I don't like these boots though but they're pretty much the only shoes I own that are capable of going out in snow/rain without getting my feet soaked so they will just have to do for now haha!

Dress & Scarf: H&M // Cardigan: Topshop // Belt: Primark // Boots: Dorothy Perkins

Photo Diary: Week 12

2012-02-05T17:27:00.000Z

Smarties // Subway for Lunch // Amazing yogurts // Pork Pie and Branston Pickle // Recipe (febphotoaday - Day 2 (Words) // Making Cookies // Lunch with Mum at Bella Italia // Lush Purchases // Shopping in Lush // Lush Bath Bombs // Toffee's paws (febphotoaday - Day 3 (Hands) // Shane and Toffee snuggling // First Snowfall of winter // More snow!

I can't believe how long it's been since I've done a photo diary post! I never really have much time to go out and take photos with the DSLR, so when I was clearing out all my unused apps on my phone I found this photo app called My Tubo (practically the same as instagram just on Android) and I've kind of fell in love with it! I definately recommend if you have an android phone to download it if you're looking for something like Instagram - it's the best app I've found so far :)

Review: Bon Voyage, A Travel Journal

2012-02-04T09:27:00.000Z

When Shane and I went to Florida, I knew I wanted to keep a journal on the holiday since it was a pretty big holiday. When we went for a month long tour around Australia a few years ago, I just kept a diary in a notebook - which I've lost, so I wanted something a little more special. I saw Bee's post on this travel journal and knew it would be perfect for Florida so my parents bought me it for Christmas. It's honestly even better in real life haha! It's got so many different idea's and instructions throughout the journal such as "Describe the person in closest proximity to you right now" and the pages are just so cute with balloons, airplanes and boats that it's just so fun to write in. You also get 4 postcards too which I think is such a great idea. At the back it has a few pages for photo's on really awkward sized squares and a couple pages for names and addresses of friends you meet, but I think they could have done away with that and just put a few extra writing pages in, because I've ran out of pages to write the last day of the holiday haha! Overall, I think it's such a fun, cute journal and would definately recommend it to anyone going on holiday.

Who's That Girl?

2012-02-01T18:46:00.001Z

Ok so I'll just admit straight up that I pretty much copied Zooey's outfit from an episode of New Girl haha! I just love that show, and the fashion in it and fell in love with this outfit. The other day I got an email for a job interview and I had nothing to wear and whilst trying to find something on pretty much every site, I found this skirt which is similar to the one she wore so I thought, why not? Though I ended up not going to the interview in the end, at least I still have my Zooey outfit haha! :)

Blouse: ASOS // Skirt & Shoes: River Island // Cardigan: ASDA

January Favourites

2012-01-31T21:54:00.000Z

1. Sock Monkey & Gee // 2. A Fine Day For Sailing // 3. Selective Potential // 4. Lifesize Paperdoll // 5. Lulu Letty // 6. The Hummingbird Girls // 7. The Magpie Girl // 8. Jen Loves Kev // 9. Orchid Grey // 10. Violette Tannenbaum // 11. Liebemarlene // 12. Rouge Fox

So apparently, I've been loving black, grey and red this month which is really weird because I dont actually own many items these colours. I've also noticed that I've kind of gone off of florals a little too in these outfits and in my own which is kind of annoying since pretty much everything I own is floral print haha! What have you been loving this month?

Holiday Snaps: Day 6 - Magic Kingdom

2012-01-28T22:49:00.000Z

Magic Kingdom was probably our least favourite park of all the ones we went to. We actually only went because everyone was like "you can't go to Florida and not go to Magic Kingdom". We went on New Years Eve (such a bad idea) and planned on staying till midnight for the fireworks but we ended up leaving at 5 because we were just so exhausted and hot. It was way too busy to the point that the rides we actually wanted to go on had 3+ hour queues that were out of the queue lines - we even queued for 20 minutes for a frozen cola! We got on Space Mountain when we first arrived at the park at 8:30 and that was a 45 minute queue though the ride was amazing (probably one of my favourites of the holiday), then the Stitch's Great Escape, It's a Small World and Big Thunder Mountain though we were pretty dissapointed with them. I guess if it wasn't so busy we might enjoy it a little more but I've definately learnt, Christmas is not the time to visit haha! I definately want to visit again, though at a much quieter time haha!

Recipe: Chicken & Chorizo Gumbo

2012-01-27T23:07:00.000Z

This is one of my favourite dinners during the winter as it's just such a warming 'stew/casserole'. I like it served with some brown rice and loads of sauce to soak up into the rice. I guess you could even make it as more of a soup which would still be really nice if you wanted.

Ingredients:

Olive Oil

4 Chicken Thighs

2 Chicken Drumsticks

400g Cooking Chorizo, sliced

4 Rashers Smoked Streaky Bacon, roughly chopped

1 teaspoon Paprika

1 teaspoon Cayenne

1 Onion, finely chopped

1 Green Pepper, chopped

1 Yellow Pepper, chopped

3 Celery Sticks, chopped

3-4 Tablespoons Plain Flour

5 Garlic Cloves, thinly chopped

500g Sweet Potato, cubed into bitesize pieces

Teaspoon Dried Thyme

3 Bay Leaves

1-1.5ltr Chicken Stock

Method:

1. Coat the chicken with some salt, pepper and the paprika and cayenne. Heat up a large saucepan and add some olive oil and the chicken, chorizo and bacon and cook for around 10 minutes stirring every so often.

2. Take out the meat mixture and leave to sit. Add the onion, peppers and celery to the pan (using the juices of the meat mixture to cook it in) and cook until soft - around 10 minutes.

3. Once cooked, add the plain flour and stir until the mixture becomes a dark golden colour - this should take around 5-10 minutes depending on how dark you want it - though try to not burn it.

4. Add in the garlic, sweet potato and thyme and stir around for another minute or so, then add in the chicken stock and bay leaves. Stir to loosen the flour roux.

5. Add in the meat mixture and stir to mix up. Leave on a low heat for approximately 45 minutes or until the meat is cooked through and falls off the bone. Remove all the chicken from the pan, take it off the bone then add in the loose chicken pieces and mix it all up then serve.

(Recipe found in Jamie's America)

Woodland Sunshine

2012-01-26T17:24:00.000Z

This is one of my favourite outfits for a while. I just love the colours and the shorts - seriously though, I've been addicted to these shorts so much since we got back from Florida, that I've just been living in these and my berry colour ones. I just love it when there's so many remix options for something. I got this top when I went to Arizona back in June and I was so annoyed when I got it home and it shrunk a little in the wash (it did say handwash only and I kinda did put it in the washing machine - though on the handwash setting - and it still shrunk!) so I haven't actually worn it since, but it's not too bad. I'll just pretend its a cropped top ;).

Top: Forever 21 // Cardigan: ASDA // Shorts: New Look // Shoes: River Island

Little Black Dress

2012-01-23T17:28:00.000Z

I don't really have much to say today. I exchanged this dress last week for a skirt I bought just after I got back from Florida which I was unsure on. I've wanted a plain black dress for a while now but never found one I like. This one still isn't perfect but for £7.99 you can't really go wrong. I can't wait till it warms up a bit and I can wear it without a cardigan - it has mid length sleeves on it which is a first for me haha!

Dress, Cardigan & Belt: H&M // Shoes: Minnetonka // Necklace: Primark

Mixing Things Up

2012-01-18T15:19:00.000Z

I've been trying to mix my wardrobe up a bit lately since I tend to wear the same things over and over again till I find something new to wear repeatedly and I haven't worn this skirt or top in months so I decided to style them up. I think my favourite way I've ever worn it was in this post from last February. I also noticed in my new years recap post, that the majority of my favourite outfits are skirt combo's rather than dresses, so I've been trying to come up with more ways to style my skirts (and shorts) since I feel like I don't wear them enough. Do you have any 'style resolutions' for the new year?

Top & Belt: H&M // Skirt & Necklace: Topshop // Cardigan: Mango // Bag: Accessorize // Shoes: River Island

Holiday Snaps: Day 4 - Islands of Adventure

2012-01-15T21:40:00.002Z

I think of all the parks we visited (other than Aquatica) Islands of Adventure was definately our favourite - even though we couldn't even get into the Harry Potter section. They closed the whole section off and you had to get tickets to get in - the wait for just the tickets was 3 hours, then there was a 2 hour queue for the main ride once you got in! It was so crazy and we figured by the time we got through it would have been 10pm so we decided to just leave it and go on some other rides instead. The rides were so much more fun than the rides at the other parks that we'd visited so far and made it kinda feel more worth the wait (it's a lot easier if you're a group of 2 aswell, we always got called forward to fill the rides out haha). We went on Jurassic Park thinking it was rapids - it wasn't! We got such a shock at the end hahah, though we did eventually find some rapids which were really good. I'd definately recommend if you visit Orlando - you have to go to Islands of Adventure! :)

Holiday Snaps: Day 3 - Universal Studios

2012-01-14T18:00:00.000Z

So Universal Studios was probably our least favourite park of all, though I don't know if thats just because it was so busy that we didn't really have the patience to experience it properly or if it just wasn't our cup of tea haha! In the whole day we went on 3 rides - E.T., Twister and Jaws. They were all pretty dissapointing especially after waiting for almost 2 hours in the queue. We really wanted to go on the Simpsons and the Mummy rides, but they had 3 hour queue's and we'd pretty much drove each other insane by the time we got to them haha! It was also the coldest day, so we decided to just leave early and go to the cinema and watch the new Sherlock film (which I fell asleep in!). Overall, it just wasn't a good day haha! If any of you have been to Universal, what did you think of it - I'd love to know!?

P.S. Sorry for the massive smear on the first few photos, we didn't realise there was a fingerprint on the lense till later that day :(

Five Degrees

2012-01-13T21:18:00.002Z

Just as Shane and I were talking about how mild the winter has been so far, it goes and chills right down to 5C haha! It was soo cold, but anyway... I never actually wear this top or cardigan - they're just kind of hidden at the back of my wardrobe but when I found the top today, I really wanted to style it up and I quite like what I came up with. When I first bought it, I literally used to wear it with jeans and a blue cardigan - every. single. time! It's so weird to think how much my style has developed now! Oh and I just bought these shoes the other day - I love them and such a bargain for £10! :)

Top: Topshop // Cardigan, Skirt & Belt: H&M // Necklace: Primark // Shoes: ASDA

Winter Berries

2012-01-11T16:20:00.000Z

I don't know why but everytime I see this outfit, it just reminds me of berries! While we were in florida (and since we've got back), I basically lived in these shorts (and my other pair of tan ones which are the exact same). It's so weird because I'm not usually one to wear shorts but I just love these, and they are so comfy too. It's a shame I couldn't get any outfit photos while we were out there, but we were just too busy enjoying the holiday. Hope everyone's having a great week so far!

Top & Scarf: H&M // Cardigan: ASDA // Shorts: New Look // Bag: Accessorize // Shoes: Minnetonka

Holiday Snaps: Day 2 - Seaworld

2012-01-09T19:38:00.000Z

We weren't actually planning on going to Seaworld at all as it didn't really interest us and we planned to go shopping instead. Since we didn't have a car and to get to and from the mall was going to be too confusing than we could be bothered, we decided to just catch the I-Ride trolley (we stayed on International Drive) and go down to Seaworld instead. Turns out, it was probably our favourite park and day haha! We got to watch all the shows apart from the Sealion and Otter one as we decided to get lunch at the same time as the last show. The shamu show was by far my favourite (I took a few videos of it so I might make a video of all the parks sometime). Also, how cute are penguins?! Ahh man, I just wanted to take some home haha! I love how you can interact with the animals like the rays (they're soo slimey!) and dolphins and you get to feed them too - the sealions were hilarious, especially when the birds kept stealing the fish haha!

Holiday Snaps: Day 1 - Epcot

2012-01-08T23:13:00.000Z

*Sorry for the overload of photos - it was so hard to choose just a few!*

So I was actually debating posting photos from our holiday to Orlando, but I asked on twitter and a few people said they wanted to see them, so why not? I was going to post them in 2 day blocks, but it was sooo hard to choose a few from each day so I'll probably just recap each day instead - sorry if you get a little sick of seeing them haha!

So the first day we went to Epcot. It actually wasn't as good as we expected it to be, though we didn't really stay for that long to check everything out because we were still a little jet lagged. It's amazing how they do everything there - we thought Spaceship Earth would be really boring, but it was actually really good looking back at history (everything was so life like too). It was really good seeing the different interpretations of the cultures too, though I have to say, Great Britain looked nothing like actual Great Britain haha, we were like "Whattt? This is nothing like England haha!". It was funny seeing the crowds of people taking pictures of letter boxes and phone booths though. I'd probably say that my favourite area was Morocco - the food was amazing there too. Oh and we basically lived off those frozen lemonade and cola drinks- they were delicious!

2011 Recap

2012-01-05T17:13:00.000Z

January // February

March // April

May // June

July // August

September // October

November // December

So here are my favourite outfits of 2011! I honestly cannot believe how fast 2011 went. It was so strange looking through my outfits of each month and seeing how my style has developed. For the beginning few months it was so easy to pick a favourite, but for the last few, especially November I just couldn't pick just one outfit to choose. I can't wait to see how my style develops this year now!

December Favourites

2012-01-04T21:00:00.001Z

1. Jen Loves Kev // 2. Keiko Lynn // 3. Flattery // 4. Selective Potential // 5. Kendi Everyday // 6. Sock Monkey and Gee // 7. Miss Pandora // 8. Honeybunny in Wonderland // 9. Natalie off Duty // 10. Kenzie Faith // 11. Calivintage // 12. Delightfully Tacky // 13. Fancy Treehouse // 14. A Fine Day for Sailing // 15. Laughing with Broken Eyes

First off I just want to say that I hope everyone had an amazing Christmas and New Year! For those that didn't know, Shane and I went to Orlando, Florida for a week over Christmas and New Year (which was amazing) so I got a little behind on blogging. I was actually supposed to have this and my year's recap post scheduled before we left, but I was so busy with work overtime, spending time with family before we left and packing that I never got the chance, so they're a little late haha! Expect a few more posts this week whilst I catch up! :)

Twenty-One

2011-12-21T17:21:00.000Z

So today is my 21st birthday! :) Shane took the day off work so its been nice having him around for the day. We met up with our friends last night which was hilarious, and today we've just been lounging around pretty much, though we did go shopping and bowling which was fun (I actually won, that never happens - I'm the one that gets a score of like 10 hah). Tonight, my parents are taking us out to the dog racing so that should be great, though I never win much haha. Shane probably got me one of the best presents ever - a waffle maker haha! I've wanted one for years but never actually bought one, so I can't wait to try that out. Any good recipe suggestions? And I got a giant gummy bear too - they're soooo good!

Dress: Tesco // Cardigan: Topshop // Belt: H&M // Shoes: River Island // Bag: Accessorize

Christmas Wish List

2011-12-18T22:46:00.000Z

1. Minnetonka Shoes // 2. Giant Gummy Bear // 3. Canon IXUS 220HS Camera // 4. Bon Voyage Travel Journal // 5. Models Own - Champagne // 6. Superheadz Wide and Slim Film Camera // 7. Topshop Top // 8. Bed Head Urban Antidotes Tween Set // 9. Juicy Couture - Viva La Juicy Perfume // 10. Topshop Blouse // 11. Minnetonka Boots

I was actually supposed to post this last weekend, but I've just been so busy I never got the chance to actually make it, but by now, the majority of the stuff has already been bought either by me or shane and my parents haha! I'm terrible for knowing what I've got for christmas (usually because people ask me what I want, or the stuff I really want I'll just buy myself) but I thought I would share what I've been wanting for my birthday (I'll be 21 on wednesday!!!) and Christmas. If any of you have done wish lists, link me to them so I can check them out too! I love wish lists haha! :) Hope everyone's had a good weekend! (It's strange to think that this time next week, Shane and I will have just landed in Orlando - what a way to spend Christmas Day haha)

The Lakes

2011-12-13T19:12:00.000Z

So today, Shane booked a day off work since he had a few days holiday left over, so it was nice to get to spend the day together. We planned to go out for a bike ride and go shopping to get a few Christmas presents, but that never happened. Instead, we woke up late, got a Mcdonalds breakfast, lazed around in bed watching tv, then managed to pull ourselves out to get his hair cut (it was crazy long!!) and planned to go for a walk around the local country park. But it was so cold! Like ice wind blowing into you at 50mph cold, so we only managed to get some pictures and ran back to the car freezing haha! It was nice though. :) (I'm suprised I managed to look so composed in the pictures, when in reality I was like the last picture - cold and windswept haha!) P.S. Sorry about the quality of the pictures, there was a massive dark rain cloud hovering above us so the photos came out really dark and grainy :(

Top & Belt: H&M // Skirt: River Island // Cardigan: ASDA // Shoes: Minnetonka // Snood: Dorothy Perkins // Necklace: Primark

Photo Diary: German Christmas Market

2011-12-11T17:23:00.001Z

This week, my parents and I went on a little trip to Birmingham to look around their annual Christmas Market which apparently has over 1000 stalls. It was a really good trip, and we ended up buying quite a few things (all being food haha). I really wish I'd have taken more pictures, but it was just too busy to lug my massive camera around. They had so many food stalls of german sausage rolls (I can't remember the name), candied nuts, gingerbread (wish I'd have bought some!), flavoured marshmallows, chocolates, and pubs and restaurants where mum got a meal of pork, dumplings and gravy which was amazing. Then there were loads of little toy stalls too. I definately suggest going and looking around if your local towns have them. Its great fun!

Winter Inspiration

2011-12-07T20:22:00.001Z

Sources: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8

Although summer is probably my favourite season, winter is definately close behind (though not UK winters haha). I would honestly love to live somewhere that it snows all winter rather than just being dreary, cold and rainy like it is here. I just love the fresh, crisp and bright weather you get when it snows and the amazing crunch you get when you walk on fresh snow. Some of my favourite sports are actually snowboarding and ice skating, though I haven't done either in years (Little fact - I actually took ice skating lessons for about a year when I was younger) but I'd love to get back into them. I also love cosying up by the fire and eating christmas pudding, and of course, decorating the christmas tree! What do you enjoy most about winter?

I Never Knew

2011-12-06T15:15:00.001Z

I can't believe its been almost a week since I last did a post! I had a few things going on the end of last week and weekend so the last thing I felt like doing was going out to take some pictures and blogging - trust me, they would have been the most depressing posts ever haha. But everything is sorted now and should be back to normal so I'm happy to be back! :) I honestly didn't realise how cold it has got lately. I actually suffer from Reynauds Disease, so the cold affects me more than most people and my hands and toes were completely numb throughout most of this. I think its definately time to start wearing my supercosy primark tights and to find some boots to keep my toes nice and warm. :)

Top, Cardigan & Belt: H&M // Skirt: Thrifted // Shoes: River Island // Coat: Next

An Old Barn

2011-11-30T15:11:00.001Z

Wow, I honestly can't believe that it's December tomorrow. This year just seems to have gone so fast! It's crazy to think that this time in 4 weeks, we'll be halfway through our holiday in Florida. I went shopping the other day to try find a few pairs of cheap shorts that I could wear whilst over there (I only own skirts or dresses, which are totally rollercoaster inappropriate hah) so I popped into New Look and was really suprised. I never find anything I like in there, but I found so many cute shorts and a few tops too (including this one). I wouldn't have usually gone for an animal print top as I find them quite tacky, but I saw it on the mannequin and just fell in love. So I'm so glad I got it. I got joined by this cat again today - it's sooo cute and just ran back and forth with me to the tripod the whole time haha!

Top & Shorts: New Look // Cardigan: Mango // Shoes: Minnetonka // Necklace: Topshop

November Monthly Recap

2011-11-28T14:19:00.001Z

1. Flashes of Style // 2. Selective Potential // 3. Color Me Nana // 4. Fancy Fine // 5. Calivintage // 6. Lulu Letty // 7. First Impressions // 8. Fruity Girl // 9. Dresses on a Clothesline // 10. Keiko Lynn // 11. Po Mojej Stronie Lustra // 12. Missing Lovebirds // 13. Waking Life // 14. Style Gossiper // 15. Sock Monkey & Gee // 16. Kendi Everyday // 17. Natalie off Duty // 18. K is for Kani

I absolutely love this time of the month, where I can look back and see the outfits that have really inspired me over the last month, and where I can take my inspiration from for the next month. I also like how it lets me see what colours I've been loving each month, and apparently I'm loving navy and yellow. They're one of my favourite colour combinations, but I actually only own 1 yellow item, so I think it's definately time to stock my wardrobe up with some more mustard pieces. What have been your favourite outfits this month, and what colours have you been liking?

Photo Diary: Week 11

2011-11-27T17:02:00.001Z

This is one of my favourite collections of photos so far I think. When me and Mum went out for lunch the other week in our local market town, Market Harborough we popped into this cute little shop which sold loads of cute little house decorations and some of these bath bombs. They smelled amazing, and they were packaged so nice to look like little cupcakes and stuff. I really wish I'd have got some now for a little Christmas present or something. Then the rest are just odd ones from when I've been out taking outfit photos. Every so often, this cute fluffy cat comes and hangs around us and the other day it just sat and watched me running back and forth from my tripod haha! It was too cute to not take a picture. Hope everyone had a good weekend! :) I can't believe its only 4 weeks today till Christmas!!

Review: Tropic Skincare Smoothing Cleanser & Vitamin Boost Tonic

2011-11-25T13:20:00.001Z

I reviewed the Liz Earle cleanser and toner a couple of months back and mentioned that I was interested in trying the Tropic Skin Care products too. So when my Liz Earle stuff ran out I went ahead and bought these and I have to say, these are so much better than Liz Earle. After a few days using Liz Earle it broke me out and the more I used it, the more it broke me out so I was so glad that when I started using this, they all cleared up. I bought the Smoothing Cleanser which also comes with a Bamboo Cloth and the Vitamin Boost Tonic.

It works in the same way as the Liz Earle products in that you pump 1-2 squirts of cleanser onto your hands then massage it on to a dry face to remove any makeup, then rub it over your eye area last to remove any eye makeup. You then rinse the bamboo cloth under warm water and gently rub over your face to remove the cleanser and makeup. When I applied the cleanser, I noticed it has a more gel like consistancy which I really like because it doesn't seem to soak up into my skin like the Liz Earle cleanser does, so by the time I've finished rubbing my eye makeup off (which comes off really easy with this), the cleanser hasn't been absorbed into my skin.

With the tonic, you pour a little onto a cotton wool pad and gently rub over your face. As with the Liz Earle toner, I don't know exactly what it does, but I do like to use it because it just freshens my face up after and it smells so nice.

My skin has really improved in just a few weeks compared to what it was like before I started using any products. It's a lot brighter, firmer and much softer too. I also used to have dry/combination skin and it seems to have really evened out my skin to more of a normal skin type in just a few weeks of use which is amazing. I think its great that everything comes from 100% natural origins and its vegan and cruelty free too.

I do have a few little problems which are that the cloths aren't machine washable, so I'm left using a dirty cloth (I don't want to pay £4.95 + postage for a new one as to me, thats really expensive). Also I don't know if I just use a lot of tonic when I use it, but I'm really low on tonic compared to cleanser, so the size of that could be increased (you currently get 120ml tonic and 170ml cleanser). It would also be great to see different size options too for all of the products for travelling and gifts etc, but other than that I am completely in love with these products and don't think I'll be stopping using them anytime soon. I'm definately interested in trying a few more of the products, especially the moisturiser, but that will have to wait till I have a little extra money haha! Let me know if you've tried any of these products and how you got on, or if you're interested in trying them.

Something In The Water

2011-11-24T14:48:00.000Z

I really don't have much to say today apart from the fact that its getting a little chillier now. At least the fog has cleared up though and the sun is shining through (unless I'm out taking my pictures haha). I swear its been sunny all day, I go out to take the photos, it gets so cloudy and rainy looking then I get back home and its sunny again! I already have this cardigan in a dark grey colour, but it was double discount day at work yesterday and I had a £20 gift card to use from work too so I decided to get it in blue too. It's seriously one of my favourite cardigans - probably because it has a pattern on it and most of my other cardigans are all plain and I think I'll be living in them all winter, so expect to see them alot on here haha.

Dress: Topshop // Cardigan: ASDA // Belt: Forever 21 // Snood: Dorothy Perkins

Autumn Florals

2011-11-22T15:30:00.001Z

I feel like this outfit fits in perfectly with the location and how the weather has been lately. The colours just seem to match the surroundings. It actually took me and mum about 10 different attempts at choosing the location yesterday when we shot these, and after we both started getting irritated at each other, we finally decided on here. I'm finding the winter landscape so uninspiring at the moment, how do you guys choose a location when the tree's are bare and the weather is so gloomy? I just find that everything looks so dull. I seriously need some inspiration, and to be honest - I'd rather it just snow. I love snow!

Dress: Thrifted // Cardigan, Belt & Headband: H&M // Shoes: River Island

Recipe: White Chocolate & Cranberry Cookies

2011-11-21T16:16:00.000Z

I just have to start off by saying that these cookies are absolutely amazing! I don't usually like cookies or cakes or chocolate (I'm weird) but I do love these. The weather has been so grey and foggy for the past couple weeks now (apart from the 2 day break we had on thurs/fri) so I just felt in the mood to bake. These are pretty cheap to make too as I'm sure most people probably have the majority of the stuff already anyway.

Ingredients:

150g Plain Flour

1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

25g ground almonds

150g caster/brown sugar

50g porridge oats

50g dried cranberries

50g white chocolate, cut into small chunks

150g butter

1 egg yolk

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 190C/375F and line a large tray (or two) with baking paper.

2. Sieve the flour into a large bowl with the bicarbonate soda, salt, ground almonds, sugar, porridge oats, cranberries and white chocolate.

3. Melt the butter then add to the flour mix with the egg yolk and mix well.

4. Mould the mix into small balls (about half the size of a golf ball) then place on a the baking tray and flatten just a little. Make sure you leave enough room as they spread out when cooking. Then cook in the oven for 12 minutes or until golden.

Hope you enjoy them. Let me know if you make them :)

Tutorial: How I edit my photos

2011-11-18T21:26:00.001Z

I've had quite a few questions lately of how I edit my outfit photos. To be honest, I don't actually do that much to them apart from slightly lighten them, add a bit more contrast, lower the saturation and add some curves to create a really soft vintage effect. I always use photoshop to edit mine, but I'm sure there are some really good free programmes out there that you can do this stuff on anyway. So I thought I'd do a little tutorial on how I edit them and included a Photoshop Action for anyone that wants to use it. (If my photos are quite dark, I'll apply the action more than once till it's light enough). I've assumed that you have basic knowledge of Photoshop for this - if not just google, thats how I learned!

Step 1 - I like to lighten my photos just a little (its always better to start with an underexposed photo than an overexposed one) so start by creating a new layer by adding levels and lighten it by setting the middle value to 1.25 (It is automatically set to 1.00)

Step 2 - I like to adjust the contrast to make my photos a little bit sharper and make the colours stand out more so adjust the contrast by +35

Step 3 - After I've added a little bit more contrast to the photo, I sometimes feel that it needs to be desaturated a little, so I like to desaturate by about 5.

Step 4 - I like a more 'soft yellow' tinge to my photos and the easiest way to do this is to add Curves. I only adjust the Blue Channel and take the top right corner down to about 245 (starts off at 255). When we got our new camera a few months back I asked Hannah for some help on how she uses hers and she mentioned that her White Balance setting was set to Cloudy, so whenever I take any outfit pictures, I always make sure its set to cloudy as this also adds more of a warm glow to the pictures.

And there you have it! It took me a while to find the settings that I like best (I used so many tutorials to figure out how to create different effects) and I haven't changed from this in months. It is a very slight edit to the photos, mainly just to brighten and add contrast so you cant really notice a difference in the pictures. Obviously, you dont have to keep the settings the same - just play around with them till you find something you like.

Autumn Glow

2011-11-17T17:17:00.001Z

I swear my post titles are getting worse each time haha! But anyway. Remember when I mentioned that I went on a MAC shopping spree and ended up buying a few extras being this skirt and this dress. As soon as I saw this dress I knew I just had to go get it! The material is really nice too (it doesnt blow up to my face with the slightest bit of wind haha) and its just the perfect length. I actually had this bookmarked in a red grape colour but I prefer this one. Theres so many ways more I can style it. Also, how amazingly do the colours match the cardigan? They were made for each other haha!

Dress: Miss Selfridge // Cardigan & Belt: H&M // Shoes: River Island

Midday Sunshine

2011-11-15T16:30:00.000Z

I just have to start off by saying how much I love this location! It's at the village manor house where pretty much all my photos are taken, but I never usually go this far down because this is the major route for dog walking haha! But since I had mum with me today, she took charge and marched us down here and I love it! Anyway, I got this top a couple years ago and I barely ever wear it now. I acutally wore pretty much this exact outfit a year ago - I guess its just one of those things where you only have one way of styling it. Or is that just me haha?! Also, I just have to add, this is the first time I've ever worn polka dot tights and they haven't ripped half way through the day! I'm proud of myself ha! (Oh and please excuse my belt in some of the pictures - it went for a little wander haha)

Top & Cardigan: Miss Selfridge // Skirt: H&M // Belt & Necklace: Forever 21 // Tights: Primark // Shoes: River Island

Photo Diary: Week 10

2011-11-13T19:19:00.001Z

I haven't really done much this past two weeks. I had some really nice pictures from when Mum and I went for lunch in Market Harborough (a cute litte market town) but they were on the memory card with the halloween pictures which accidentally got reformatted haha! So most of these are just from when I've been out taking outfit pictures. I finally got round to making some pumpkin pie which is amazing! Though I just used a shop bought pastry case, but the only ones they sell aren't that deep, so it ended up being basically half pastry, half filling - though it was still tasty.

Review: Groupon

2011-11-12T09:43:00.000Z

A few weeks ago, the lovely Kate from Groupon contacted me and asked if I would be interested in doing a review of them. I hadn't really heard of them before so I was quite interested to give them a go and see what they were like. They offer a discounted deal in each city and nationwide each day till midnight. Each deal is only available to buy for 24 hours so you have to get it while it lasts (for example they had an ASOS one that you paid for a £9 voucher for £20 to spend on ASOS). You can sign up for email alerts to tell you of the deal for your local city each day (though I found that a few times I never got any emails). They have a really wide variety of things to choose from such as restaurants, beauty and spa days to things like technology and home decor - basically anything you can think of.

They gave me a voucher code to use and I originally found a spa day for 2 with a massage and mud wrap that me and mum could go to as a little treat. I had a problem when I entered the voucher code as when I went to pay for the remainder of the deal myself there was an error on the site which wouldnt let me complete my transaction, but my voucher had been identified as 'used' by the system so I had to contact support who just credited the money to my account instead (though that also meant that I missed out on my spa day with mum because by then it was the next day)! A couple weeks later, I found this Snuggle Touch Throw deal from Matching Bedrooms. For this specific deal, they sent out a voucher code that was redeemable on the Matching Bedrooms website the following day then its up to them to complete the transaction. I had no problems this time around.

I think Groupon is an amazing idea - it supports more local business's than chain stores which is great and there is a really wide selection of offers. I like the wide variety of choices, but it can be a bit hit and miss as to what they offer - and you can end up waiting weeks before anything decent pops up. For a website like this, the savings amount on each deal is massive (around 50-80% off) so some things that I wouldnt usually buy have appealed to me with their lower prices. I think it's definately worth signing up with them just incase something you're interested in pops up.

Creme Caramel

2011-11-11T16:00:00.001Z

It's amazing what two weeks can do to the scenery around you. I last took pictures here with mum two weeks ago and the trees were bright yellow and now they're almost bare! Is it weird that I don't like winter scenery unless theres frost/snow around haha? I seriously love this cardigan and think it's going to be such a staple for me this winter. I bought it at the beginning of spring this year in the sale but still wasnt too sure about it, but I love it now! So glad I bought it haha! The colour is just perfect and it's nice and warm too!

Dress: H&M // Cardigan: Dorothy Perkins // Belt: Primark // Necklace: ASOS // Shoes: Minnetonka

Wine Red

2011-11-09T17:32:00.000Z

Wow, the weather has been so bad this week, so when the sun finally came through for an hour or two, I immediately grabbed the chance to go get some outfit photos! I tried taking some in my garden, but they just didn't work out so I went to my usual spot instead. I can't remember the last time I actually wore this playsuit, but I think I have a renewed love for it. The colours are just so perfect for autumn too.

Playsuit: A|Wear via ASOS // Belt: H&M // Cardigan: Mango // Shoes: River Island

Holiday Wish List

2011-11-07T19:20:00.000Z

1. Topshop Skirt // 2. Bon Voyage Journal // 3. Pull & Bear Top // 4. Miss Selfridge Berry Shorts // 5. Romwe Jumper // 6. H&M Treggings // 7. Superheadz Wide and Slim Film Camera // 8. Romwe Jumper // 9. Romwe Cropped Jumer // 10. Miss Selfridge Shorts // 11. Pull & Bear Dress // 12. ASOS Bag // 13. Urban Outfitters Skirt // 14. Accessorize Purse // 15. Romwe Cardigan // 16. Pull & Bear Jumper // 17. Pull & Bear T-shirt // 18. Topshop Bag

So as some of you may know, Shane and I are going to Orlando for my 21st at Christmas (we actually leave on Christmas day!!) so I made up a little holiday wish list of things that I want for the holiday, but also just some other stuff aswell. I've been on the search for months for some decent shorts/trousers/playsuits because, well, who wants to wear skirts and dresses on rollercoasters haha?! And considering thats all I wear, I had to get searching! I've also been searching for some cosy sweaters for winter since I don't even own one, so I found quite a few that I love.

After Bee posted about her holiday journal, I literally fell in love with it. I love documenting my travels so I can look back and remember each holiday, so this would be perfect and it's so cute too which obviously helps haha! I've also been searching for a decent point and shoot to take with us too, because I wouldnt feel comfortable taking our Canon 500D into theme parks for quite a few reasons so a cheap little point and shoot would be perfect - I've got my eye on a couple, but any suggestions would be great! :)

Who do you think you are?

2011-11-03T12:37:00.000Z

I don't really have much to say about this outfit. I'm not sure how much I actually like it. I think it's a little bit too bland for me. I was actually going to save these pictures for a rainy day or whatever, but that day is today haha! I pursuaded mum to take them with me after work yesterday but I just wasn't feeling it and was hoping to get some of my outfit today instead but it's so dreary today. I've also taken some pictures of stuff to review on the blog too so there should be a few review posts popping up soon :)

Dress, Cardigan & Belt: H&M // Necklace: Topshop // Shoes: River Island

Autumnal

2011-11-01T18:51:00.000Z

I was supposed to have a halloween post up today with the pictures of the pumpkins I carved and Shane's outfit from last night (mine was absolutely terrible - the outfit I was supposed to be wearing turned out way too big so I made a last minute attempt at being a zombie which didn't look too great so I never got any of mine) but then earlier this afternoon I acidentally reformatted the memory card and lost everything!! But anyway - we went for a little get together at Shane's boss's house for some drinks, hot dogs and films. We watched the second paranormal activity and I spent the evening hiding behind Shane's shoulder because I'm absolutely terrified of scary films haha! He had such a great costume as a crazy scientist (who looked basically like the doc from Back to the Future) with blood squirted everywhere and a crazy wig. I guess I'll just have to get him to dress up again hehe! What did you guys get up to for halloween?

Photo Diary: Week 9

2011-10-30T19:59:00.001Z

I actually made an effort to take some photos this week - though most of them are from the day mum took my outfit photos for me. My dad and bro built a bmx ramp in the back garden, but he's got a broken wrist at the moment so our neighbour/his friend tried it out. Personally, I'm not impressed by it but I guess it's cool for them haha! Also, my parents got back from visiting my grandad in Arizona last weekend and brought me and Shane this massive loot of chocolate and Jello haha! Seriously though, american M&M's are amazing compared to english ones hence the massive bag. Also, I have a serious addiction to pistachio jello haha! :) Shane and I are off to carve some pumpkins soon ready for tomorrow. What's everyone's plans for halloween? Shane's boss is having a little party so we're going to that. Hope everyone's had a good weekend!

October Monthly Recap

2011-10-29T21:18:00.000+01:00

1. When Green Grass Was Yellow // 2. Fancy Treehouse // 3. Po Mojej Stronie Lustra // 4. Jen Loves Kev // 5. Kenzie Faith // 6. Kendi Everyday // 7. Lost in the Haze // 8. Selective Potential // 9. They Call Me Redhead // 10. Jag Lever // 11. Style Gossiper // 12. Delightfully Tacky // 13. Owl Eyed // 14. Brunette Blogging // 15. Flashes of Style

Give me nights of solitude

2011-10-28T20:31:00.000+01:00

So yesterday, me and my friend Zara went on a little MAC shopping trip. I really wanted to try out a MAC foundation and get colour matched, but I ended up buying a few more things too, like this skirt! I actually went into Topshop to look at their makeup after but as I was going up the escalator a dress below in Miss Selfridge caught my attention (which I also ended up buying) and then I found this skirt. I just love the colours and print - and it matches my top prefectly! I'll have a weekend full of monthly favourite and photo diary posts, and I've got a few ideas for some makeup/beauty reviews too for the next couple weeks. Hope everyone has a good weekend!

Top: H&M // Skirt: Miss Selfridge // Cardigan: Mango // Shoes: River Island // Necklace: Primark

La La Land

2011-10-26T17:39:00.000+01:00

For some reason, I don't actually have much to say today. I managed to pursuade my mum to come with me yesterday afternoon to take these pictures and realised that every time she takes my outfit photos, I wear this dress haha! Strange. I actually really liked what I wore today for a quick trip to buy my dad's birthday present but I was too lazy to get the tripod out (well more paranoid than lazy - it's half term so there would probably be a lot more people wandering around than normal) so I just left it. I'll definately have to get some soon though!

Dress & Cardigan: H&M // Belt: Thrifted // Shoes: River Island

The way you make me feel

2011-10-24T14:55:00.000+01:00

So last week I finally decided to pluck up the courage to go and take the tripod and get some outfit photos since the clocks go back on Sunday and it'll be dark by the time Shane gets home. I drove down the road (I had to pick my bro up from school straight after) and parked up in the village hall car park. You can imagine how stupid and kinda scared I felt - wandering out into the middle of a walkway, setting a tripod up and taking pictures of myself then running backwards and forwards. As I got out the car, I noticed a woman sitting on the curb drinking beer - at 2pm! I just ignored it, considering whether to just turn around and get back in the car, but then I thought how much more of an idiot I would look, so I carried on. I found a location, waited for everyone to walk past with their dogs then set the tripod up. It took me about 40 minutes - though I got a bit carried away and ended up taking 400 photos haha! It actually wasn't half as bad as I thought it would be - and the funny thing was I actually prefered these photos than when Shane takes them as I could set everything up how I wanted them to be. I'm sure with a bit more practise I can cut the time down, but I kinda enjoyed it haha! Do you take your own photos or do you get someone else to take them for you?

Dress & Belt: H&M // Cardigan: Dorothy Perkins // Shoes: River Island

Makeup Vlog

2011-10-20T23:39:00.000+01:00

One thing I never thought I'd do on here was post a video, but alas here I am haha. I also never thought I'd wear trousers on here either and I did that too. Something is obviously wrong haha. So I got bored this afternoon so just thought it would be fun to try do a video of some sort so I decided to just do my sort of makeup routine (mostly just the products I use everyday). Sorry if it's a little boring or whatever - I'm not a pro with makeup so I have no idea what I'm talking about as you will most likely see haha, but I've never done one before so be kind! ;) Also, I did record loads of close ups of each product thinking that my camera would be clever and autofocus - but it doesnt so I had to cut most of them out haha! Nevermind. Hope you enjoy it and let me know what you think :)

There's a first for everything

2011-10-17T20:11:00.001+01:00

Yes, believe it or not, I'm wearing trousers on the blog! I've never actually worn a pair of trousers on here before, but to be honest, I don't actually wear trousers that much at all! After I started the blog for the past year I've worn nothing but dresses, and I actually didn't even own any trousers or jeans till about a month ago when I bought these from Primark. I just wanted some cheap jeggings (as I'd probably never wear them anyway) for windy days when it's not particularly easy to wear a dress or skirt without flashing to everyone around you haha! So, I bought these for £15 or something I think and they are really comfy! I'd still rather wear a dress or skirt but for days when I just can't be bothered or its too windy - these are perfect!

Top & Jeggings: Primark // Undertop: Forever 21 // Cardigan: Mango // Shoes: River Island // Necklace: Accessorize

Photo Diary

2011-10-16T19:12:00.000+01:00

Wow, a complete photo overload here haha! I did mean to start doing this every week again, but I don't seem to do much so it's turned into every couple of weeks instead haha! Shane and I took a little walk tonight and there were just so many photo opportunities, so I just couldnt resist haha! Hope you enjoy!

Country Walks

2011-10-14T23:17:00.000+01:00

Ahh, it has been such lovely weather today! Fair enough it wasn't as hot as the other week, but for autumn I think its been quite mild. I managed to get a bit of washing done (I'm terrible for washing - I can only ever do it when it's sunny outside haha) and cleaned up a bit. I've really taken to this whole housework thing. That's definately something I never thought I'd hear myself say, thats for sure haha!

So this is probably one of my favourite dresses. It's so easy to style as it has so many colours in it, and I thought being fall, it would be perfect to pair with this orange cardigan. I just wish it was more of a deeper burnt orange than the bright colour it is, but what can you do haha! I've also been looking for a mustard cardigan too, and I swear I've looked everywhere but I can't find any! Anyway, hope everyone has a nice weekend! :)

Dress: Topshop // Cardigan & Belt: H&M // Necklace: Dorothy Perkins // Shoes: River Island

Burnt Orange

2011-10-13T19:03:00.000+01:00

I can't believe its been a week since I last posted any outfit pictures! I've just been feeling really unmotivated the past couple weeks. I think its the colder, darker weather thats getting to me. That and the fact that my parents have jetted off to Arizona for 2 weeks to visit my grandad again leaving me to look after the house and my brother, so I've been quite a busy bee this week. Hopefully I'll get back into the swing of it soon - and even venture out with my tripod since I'm going to have to get used to it sooner or later before it gets dark when the clocks go back which means I won't have Shane to help :(

I was actually planning on wearing some polka dot tights with this as I think it's a bit too plain just loads of block colours, but alas, my polka dot tights are ripped. Seriously, I dont think they ever last more than 1 wear with me haha! I definately need to stock up! I find this dress kinda hard to pair with anything too, so I just went with my trusted cream cardigan. What colour cardigan would you pair with it? Any suggestions? :)

Dress: Primark // Cardigan: Mango // Necklace: Topshop // Shoes: River Island

Recipe: Spiced Pumpkin Soup

2011-10-12T19:05:00.001+01:00

Before I start, I just have to say that this is probably one of my favourite soups of all time and perfect for autumn. I bought a few pumpkins the other day as I've been going a little pumpkin crazy on Pinterest haha! I've already made some pumpkin puree, but now I'm just trying to find the best pumpkin pie recipe to use it in - so if anyone has any suggestions let me know! :) But today for lunch, I was really just craving a warming soup so I just literally made this up as I went along, and it was de-lici-ous!! Seriously you have to try this!

Ingredients:

1 small pumpkin, skinned and cubed (approx 1kg)

2 ½ onions, roughly chopped

3-4 cloves garlic, crushed

2 rashers thick bacon (3-4 normal rashers), sliced

1 ½ teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon paprika

½ teaspoon cayenne chilli powder

2 teaspoon's parsley

1 ½ teaspoon dried coriander leaves

2 chicken stock cubes

½ teaspoon tomato puree

½ teaspoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon sugar

salt and pepper to taste

Method:

1. Soften the onions in a large pot with some oil and butter. Once softened add in the sliced bacon rashers until cooked. Add the garlic and stir for around 2 minutes.

2. Add in the herbs and spices (cumin, paprika, cayenne, parsley and coriander) and stir for another minute or 2. Add in the cubes of pumpkin and cook for 5 minutes.

3. Add in the 2 stock cubes, mix them around with the pumpkin mix and then pour over enough water to cover the pumpkin. Once all mixed, add in the tomato puree, lemon juice and sugar. Simmer on a medium heat for 25 minutes or until the pumpkin has turned semi-translucent and softened.

4. Season to taste with salt and pepper then blend in a blender to the desired consistency. Serve with a splash of cream and some warm toasted bread!

The Bridge

2011-10-07T19:24:00.001+01:00

I finally got round to taking some outfit photos! I can't believe we havent taken any in a week haha! I really need to get out with the tripod thats for sure - I'm just so nervous. Plus the fact that it takes me like an hour haha! How do you guys do it? I bought this scarf last week. Mum came with me to return a skirt to River Island and we ended up on a mini shopping trip. Just as she said how amazed I was that I hadn't actually spent anything and was going back £18 better off - I went and bought 2 scarves totalling £19. I like to think of it as 'at least I only spent £1 haha!'

Top, Skirt & Belt: H&M // Cardigan: Mango // Scarf: Dorothy Perkins // Shoes: Minnetonka

Recipe: French Apple Cake

2011-10-05T20:35:00.000+01:00

Since it's autumn now, I've been really inspired to cook some autumn dishes. Also, I'm going through this weird baking craze, and I hate baking haha! But anyway, I don't actually like cake (I always find it too dry) but this is my most favourite cake ever! I could live off this. Because the majority of the cake is actually apples (theres barely any cake batter compared to apples) it is such a moist and light cake - perfect for me! And what better season to make it in! :) Hope you enjoy!

Ingredients:

450g cooking apples, cored and chopped (I went for a variety and chopped and sliced mine)

115g self raising flour

1 tsp baking powder

115g caster sugar

90ml milk

50g butter, melted

2 eggs

1 tsp nutmeg

For the topping:

75g butter, softened

115g caster sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 egg

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 160C/325F/Gas 3 and grease and line a large baking tin with greaseproof paper. Put the chopped apples into the bottom of the tin.

2. Mix all of the batter ingredients together then pour over the apples and spread evenly. It doesnt matter if not all of the apples are covered. Bake in the oven for 40-45 minutes until it is light golden on top.

3. Cream all of the topping ingredients together then remove the cake from the oven when cooked. Pour the topping over the cake then put back in the oven for 20-25 minutes till golden brown.

4. Cool it in the cake tin, then turn it out and dust with some icing sugar.

I Can't Explain

2011-10-03T20:00:00.001+01:00

This outfit post was actually a backup post for when it rains/we cant be bothered taking any photos/when I forget the memory card. Yup, I forgot the memory card for tonights shoot! We actually went there last night to take them, but it was sooo busy being a heatwave and whatnot, so we decided to go tonight instead as it's the last day of warmth! We drove there, got out the car, started walking then I realised I had left the memory card in my laptop. At home. 20 minutes away :( So my planned outfit will just have to be redone but with tights and a cardigan now hahaha! Nevermind :) By the way, I really like my hair in this post for some reason haha!

Dress: H&M // Cardigan: Mango // Belt: Thrifted // Shoes: Minnetonka // Necklace: ASOS

Photo Diary

2011-10-02T21:36:00.000+01:00

I managed to actually get some pictures for this feature this week haha! I was looking back to see when the last one I posted was and I cant believe it was so long ago! Thought I might aswell update on Coffee too - she has some pancreas problems and something to do with the bile ducts (the vet was really confusing haha) which has been preventing her from eating (hence the weight loss) so she's been given loads of antibiotics to take for the next month so hopefully she should be back to her normal self soon!

I've seriously been enjoying this 'Indian Summer' we've been having over the last week. Considering our summer was pretty much just 15-20C everyday, it's nice to have this last little bit of heat before the cold weather sets in. It does feel strange though having BBQ's in October with the tree's shedding their leaves haha! Well I hope everyone had a good weekend!

September Monthly Recap

2011-09-30T11:12:00.000+01:00

1. The Science Fair // 2. The Clothes Horse // 3. Kendi Everyday // 4. Color Me Nana // 5. Selective Potential // 6. Pearls and Tears // 7. Jen Loves Kev // 8. Keiko Lynn // 9. K is for Kani // 10. Stolen from Grandma // 11. Randomly Jae // 12. Brunette Blogging // 13. Fancy Treehouse // 14. Little Chief Honeybee // 15. Girl and Closet

So I can't believe it's time to do another monthly recap again! I say this every month but I honestly don't know where the time has gone. I really can't believe it's October tomorrow. Hope you enjoy this months picks of some of my favourite outfits, and have a good weekend! :)

An Indian Summer

2011-09-29T21:57:00.000+01:00

Ahh, I am loving this Indian Summer we're having here in the UK. Summer is probably my favourite season, so the thought of autumn (even with all it's prettyness) coming deflated me a little, especially considering we hardly even had a summer this year! So this last week has been lush :) I sat outside this afternoon with the cats and chickens and had a little picnic which was nice. Shane and I took a little stroll around this little lake park after he got home from work. It was so nice to just wander around, taking hundreds of photos till it got dark haha! :)

Top: River Island // Skirt: Thrifted // Necklace: Topshop // Shoes: Minnetonka // Belt: H&M

Coffee

2011-09-28T20:27:00.000+01:00

No outfit post today. I actually had a great location planned out for when Shane got home from work, but one of our cat's (Coffee) has suddenly became really ill so we had to take her to the vets. She seemed fine the other day, but when I sat out in the garden with her this morning and gave her a little cuddle and stroke, she just seemed so light, then I stroked her and I could literally feel all of the bones in her spine (which you cant usually feel). She hasn't been eating today and she just seems so tired and lifeless, which is the complete opposite of what she's usually like so we took her to the vets.

The vet said shes dehydrated, anaemic and has a high temperature so she gave her some antibiotics and gave her some injections to rehydrate her. We've got to take her back for some blood tests in the morning. She said there are three possible problems: liver failure, an infection or (I think she said) cancer, but we won't know till the results come back. I just hope she's ok and it isnt serious and just comes out to be the infection. I'll be back with an outfit post tomorrow.

Recipe: Red Velvet Cupcakes

2011-09-27T19:53:00.000+01:00

I've wanted to try these for a while, and was even tempted by one when mum and I went shopping in Birmingham and ended up buying some cupcakes in Selfridges, though I decided to stick with lemon instead, so when I found a recipe the other night, I decided it was about time that I just made some instead. Besides, I've been in a little baking mood lately :) They're so simple to make (and thats coming from me who can't bake to save my life haha). Hope you enjoy! Let me know if you make them and how they come out! :)

Ingredients:

50g unsalted butter at room temperature
160g caster sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons red food colouring
2 heaped tablespoons of cocoa powder
150g plain flour
125 ml milk
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate soda
1 1/2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
For the frosting:
150g cream cheese
50g unsalted butter, room temperature
100g icing sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
juice of 1 lemon

Method:

1.     Preheat the oven to 180C and place 12 cupcake cases in a muffin tin
2.     Mix together the sugar and butter, then add the egg, vanilla extract and food colouring
3.    In another bowl mix the flour and cocoa powder and in another, mix the milk and lemon, then fold half of the flour mix into the butter mix then half of the milk mixture, then repeat with the rest
4. In another small bowl mix the bicarbonate of soda and white wine vinegar together, then stir this into the cake mix
5.     Divide the mixture into the 12 cupcake cases and bake for 20 mins or until cooked through then leave on a wire rack to cool
6.     While the cakes are cooling, mix all of the ingredients for the frosting together then spoon it on the top.

Recipe found in Jamie's America

Fallen Leaves

2011-09-26T19:50:00.000+01:00

So this is probably one of my favourite skirts. Since I bought it last christmas, I think I've worn this skirt more than anything else in my wardrobe haha! It's just so easy to style up and goes with pretty much anything. I love the location where we took the photos tonight. I've wanted to go here for a while but it's right next to the main road for my village so there's quite a few cars that go past which is rather embarressing haha, but since we've got our new(ish - we've had it since June haha) camera, we get it all done in like 10 minutes! :) I made some red velvet cupcakes today which are delicious, so I'll be back with a recipe for those tomorrow! :)

Top & Necklace: Topshop // Skirt & Shoes: River Island // Belt: Primark

Hello, Autumn

2011-09-23T21:41:00.001+01:00

So today is oficially the first day of Autumn, so I decided to wear a really autumn inspired outfit :) I feel like I've been dressing more for the seasons lately - I've been obsessed with autumn colours like these tights and cardigan (though I'm usually obsessed with the cardigan so that doesnt really count haha). I decided to try pair them together, though I think this is one of those outfits that doesnt really photograph very well, as it looks much better in real life. Also, for some reason the cardigan has come up more of a 'dirty' colour than it actually is for some reason. Well I hope everyone has a good weekend. As usual, I'll be slaving away at work all weekend haha!

Dress & Cardigan: H&M // Belt: Forever 21 // Tights: Topshop // Shoes: River Island

Polka Dotty

2011-09-21T20:39:00.000+01:00

I've been slacking recently in the outfit department :( I can't believe I havent posted one since Friday! Well, guess what? Theres another polka dot dress haha! For some reason, I've ditched my florals and found a new love of polka dots and it's even better if they're with autumn colours haha. Shane and I took these pictures after dinner, when it was just getting dark so sorry about the grainyness and the car park location haha!

Dress: Forever 21 // Cardigan: Mango // Belt: H&M // Shoes: Minnetonka

Things That Make Me Smile - Autumn Edition

2011-09-20T12:57:00.000+01:00

Sources: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 //

So I got a little carried away on Pinterest this morning! I'm not usually a fan of autumn (I love the summer too much) but as soon as I saw loads of autumn colours and inspiration, I kind of went a little autumn crazy and ended up spamming Pinterest with hundreds of pictures haha, so considering the weather is supposed to be quite rubbish today and I doubt I'll get any outfit pictures, I decided to post some pretty pictures instead. :) Hope you enjoy!

Photo Diary - A Random Collection

2011-09-18T17:18:00.000+01:00

After I got rid of my iPhone, I stopped my photo diary series as it just wasn't the same without Instagram, but I really miss being able to look back and see what I did each week, so I think I might bring it back but un-Instagramised haha! :) Whenever Shane and I go out to take outfit photos, I usually end up just taking loads of random photos, so I thought I'd start off with just putting some of those together in a 'random' post! Hope everyone has had a good weekend! I'm so glad it's monday tomorrow though (I only work Sat and Sun so it's time to relax now haha).

Country Park

2011-09-16T12:56:00.000+01:00

Shane and I took a little evening walk last night around our local country park. I didn't actually know it stays open so late! We left around 7 and there were a group of runners just arriving to go on their run, I can't wait to go back soon and take more pictures here before it starts getting dark earlier. There's so many cute little locations to take photos.

I bought this dress when mum and I went shopping the other day. I think I've gone a little polka dot crazy recently, as I got this and a lovely burnt orange coloured polka dot dress too ready for autumn! :) I didn't really know how to style this colour, but I decided to try it with grey. Also, my famous primark belt which I wear in practically every outfit post is on its way out so I bought this belt to replace it - which I actually prefer haha! Hope everyone has a good weekend!

Dress: Forever 21 // Cardigan: Miss Selfridge // Belt: H&M // Shoes: River Island

Blending In

2011-09-14T19:17:00.000+01:00

I went on a little shopping trip to Birmingham yesterday with mum which was really nice :) Lately we've been going on a lot of trips every week which has been really nice as we get to spend a bit more time together :) I only ended up getting a few things (which I guess is good for my bank balance haha) so I can't wait to show them off soon.

I absolutely love this dress. Like I've said, I have them in most colours haha! I actually bought this one a size bigger though to see if that helps the shrinking problem but I guess not :( It's still really short which is a shame because it makes them so hard to wear! I decided to try something different and mix it with a colour I wouldnt usually put with it, but I really love the look. What do you guys think?

Dress & Cardigan: H&M // Belt: Primark // Shoes: Minnetonka

Theres a Storm Brewing

2011-09-12T13:33:00.000+01:00

So apparently, Hurricane Katia has been heading towards the UK for the past few days now, though on it's journey over here, it has lost some of its power which means we're just recieving the end of it. It's been getting really windy over the past few days but today is definately the worst. I live in the Midlands which isn't so badly affected but I'd hate to think what it's like over in Ireland, Scotland and the south of the UK. Hope everyone stays safe!

This may sound really strange, but I think this is the type of dress where I have to be in the mood to like it. Sometimes, I love the print, but other days I just don't like it at all - today is one of those days haha (we took the pictures last night). Does anyone else get that with clothes? Maybe I'm just weird haha! But, I do love this belt - I think I need to puncture another hole in it though as it kinda just flops around at the moment haha! Ahh well, hope everyone had a good weekend! :)

Dress & Belt: Thrifted // Cardigan: Mango // Sandals: Dorothy Perkins

09/09/11

2011-09-09T22:11:00.000+01:00

Tonight has just been so weird/crazy haha! Shane and I decided to go out for a little 'date night' for a meal at Frankie and Benny's so we booked to go to the cinema to see Friends with Benefits too since it's just across the road. When we got to the restaurant, there was a 40 minute wait for tables so we just decided to leave it. We sat in the car for 30 mins then decided to just to go McDonalds hahah! So 45 minutes later, after just sitting in the car park bored like crazy, Shane decides he isnt in the mood to sit and watch a film and neither was I at this point, so we drove home! What a disaster - we lost our money for the cinema and in the end we could have just gone to Frankie and Benny's and saved ourselves the hour and half of sitting in car parks haha!

I never really know how to style this skirt. I love all of the colours in the print, but for some reason I just never know how to style it! It also doesnt help that it's super short so basically impossible to wear without tights/constantly holding it down. Ahh today is just not my day haha!

Top: H&M // Cardigan: Topshop // Skirt: Free People // Belt: Thrifted // Shoes: Minnetonka // Necklace: Topshop

Review: Models Own Nail Varnish

2011-09-07T23:27:00.000+01:00

Top Photo L-R: Top Base Coat // Lilac Dream // Utopia // Nude Beige // Vintage Pink // Mushroom // Grace Green // Jade Stone // True Blue // Smash Up Black

I think pretty much everyone has been on about the Models Own 50% off sale lately haha! I actually only bought my first Models Own nail varnishes a week or so before the sale started after hearing loads of really good reviews of their products, so I decided to try them out for myself with a little nail art in this post. I loved them! So, of course, when the sale came round I just had to buy some more. Now I didnt really have a great experience in their sale. My first order's payment got taken, but then they asked everyone who ordered on the first day to email them to check the order was sucessfull. Mine wasn't so I had to order again and they refunded me the money. I then put in my second order last Sunday, which apparently got despatched by 1st class mail on Thursday, though it didn't actually arrive till yesterday.

I do find the nail varnishes to be really easy to apply. All of the ones that I have go on really smooth and dry really fast too - which is great for me as I'm sooo impatient when it comes to doing my nails. I tried to get as good pictures as I could of how the colours look in real life, but the vintage pink just wouldnt come up as it is. I find it has a lot more of a rose tint to it than the red colour it comes across as in the pictures, but everything else is pretty much the same! :) Hope this helps anyone who is thinking of buying these colours!

Recipe: Banana Bread

2011-09-06T21:53:00.000+01:00

Ahh I absolutely love banana bread! It's more like a banana cake than bread though, which I guess is even better. I don't even like cake usually but this is amazing! :) It's even better spread with a little butter :) And it's sooo easy to make - I'm good at cooking, but baking? I made a cake once that was near enough a brick haha!

Ingredients:

125g Butter

175g Sugar (I used brown caster sugar)

2 eggs

280g Plain Flour

1tsp Bicarbonate of Soda

Pinch of Salt

125ml Milk

3 Ripe Bananas, Mashed

75g Walnuts, crushed/chopped

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180C and lightly butter a loaf tin.

2. Cream the butter and sugar together.

3. Add one egg, beat well. Add the second egg, beat well.

4. Sift in half flour with bicarbonate of soda and salt and fold till it creates a smoothe batter.

5. Mix in the milk then sift in the rest of the flour.

6. Add the bananas and walnuts and mix well.

7. Bake for an hour in the oven, then leave to cool in the tin for at least 20 minutes.

Hope you enjoy the recipe if you try it! I seriously recommend you do though hah! I can't wait to post some autumn inspired recipes! :)

Recipe found at: http://bitsy.eu/dwv0

One, Two, Three

2011-09-05T13:05:00.000+01:00

So this was my first time using my tripod! I bought it back in Spring sometime with the intention of using it whilst Shane was at college but never plucked up the courage to actually go out with it haha! I realised the other week that when it starts getting darker later on - I'm not going to have any outfit photos as its dark before Shane gets home and I'm at work on the weekends! When I went I must have gone at the busiest time! Everyone seemed to be walking their dogs haha! I must have looked like a right weirdo just standing there with a tripod haha! I also found it sooo hard to get myself in focus haha! I tried to focus on something and stand there but it was hard! Especially the close-ups haha! Nevermind - I'm sure I'll get used to it?

I absolutely love this skirt! It's one of the ones that I thrifted whilst I was in Arizona back in June. And the top is a few years old. It's actually a really pale pink colour but always comes up cream in photos for some reason haha! I hope everyone had a good weekend! :)

Top: Topshop // Skirt: Thrifted // Belt: Primark // Necklace: Forever 21 // Sandals: Dorothy Perkins

The Patchwork Duvet

2011-09-02T20:02:00.000+01:00

So back this time last year, I decided to make a patchwork duvet. I went out and spent loadsss of money on material and layed it all out in a particular way so there were no colours the same next to each other. Then as usual, I just got bored and fed up and left it at that. Then a few months ago I managed to sew two rows together but then I got all frustrated with it (I'd never used a sewing machine before so had no idea what I was doing even with the help of my mum) but then a couple months ago I managed to actually get a grip and finish it! I meant to post this months ago but I only just remembered to actually take some pictures of it - complete with a sleepy Mr. Toff :)

It's actually just loads of squares of material sewn together then sewn on top of a plain white Ikea duvet set as I could barely even sew the few strips of fabric together haha! I wanted it to have more of a neater look than traditional patchwork quilts and I really like how it came out. I'm considering buying a whole load of scraps of material off ebay and making a few more, but I think I'll do littler squares and make them a bit more 'messy' looking! :)

September Sunsets

2011-09-01T22:12:00.000+01:00

Shane and I went to Stanwick Lakes this evening after he got home from work. It was seriously so beautiful with the sun setting and whatnot. We ended up taking over 800 photos hahah! I think thats the most photos I've ever taken in one go! I did want to post a few of the area but I already have quite a lot of photos, so I think I'll save them for another time maybe :)

I absolutely love this skirt. I think I've worn it more times on the blog than I have done anything else! It's just so easy to style and the perfect length too! I bought this top when I went shopping in Birmingham last month but I never really knew how to style it, so I just decided to try it with the skirt. What do you guys think? How would you style it?

Top: Primark // Skirt: River Island // Belt: H&M // Shoes: Minnetonka // Necklace: Topshop

Review: Liz Earle, Cleanse and Polish

2011-09-01T10:13:00.000+01:00

I decided to buy the Liz Earle stuff after reading quite a few other blog reviews about it. I usually only wipe my face with baby wipes and occasionaly I use actual face wipes, but I decided to buy a 50ml bottle of Cleanse and Polish and a 30ml spray of the Instant Boost Skin Tonic. I bought them from the Liz Earle website and they arrived in 2 days and the packaging was really nice too. I also recieved a complementary 'sample' size tube of the skin polish and another muslin cloth with all the instructions and leaflets on how to use them and the ingredients.

With the Cleanse and Polish, you squirt 2 lots of cleanser (which comes out and apply's like a cream) on your hands and massage it into your face, focusing on the face first then removing eye make-up last. Depending on what size and pack you buy, it comes with a muslin cloth which you soak in hot water then in circular motions you rub off the cleanser. I found that it doesn't actually remove all of my eye make-up (I only wear liquid eyeliner and a little mascara) - I have to really scrub at my eyes to get it all off and by the time I've done that, the rest of the cleanser on my face has been absorbed into my skin!

The Instant Boost Skin Tonic is used after you've cleaned your face. With mine, I just spray a few times over my face and leave it to soak in. To be honest I don't really feel like it does anything, but I don't know - I might have to use it a little longer. It does smell really nice though - like lavendar and it seems to give my face a really fresh feeling so it's nice to use.

I have found that my skin does feel a little bit greasy a couple hours after washing, more so than when I use wipes, but my skin does feel a lot softer and fresh. Overall, I think the products are really good. I would probably buy them again, though I'm really interested in trying the Tropic Skin Care range of products that are similar to these to see what they are like too.

EDIT* After using these products over time, I feel that they are not right for me. When I was lazy and used them on and off over the course of a month or so, I found they were ok, but after using them as instructed twice daily for almost two weeks, in just over 2-3 days I had a massive breakout which just didn't seem to go away, with more popping up every day for well over a week until I stopped using the product. I really want to like this product, but It's just not right for my skin.

I have dry/combination skin with the majority of my face being dry, especially my cheeks and forehead then around my nose can get a little oily during the day.

Woodland Walks

2011-08-30T21:44:00.000+01:00

I never got to do an outfit post yesterday, mainly for the fact that Shane and I were just having the most lazy day together but also because it was such a dreary day with the rain constantly coming and going. We were supposed to go and watch the banger racing for the bank holiday since Shane had the day off, but because of the weather we just couldn't be bothered leaving the bed haha! We just snuggled up and had a CSI marathon haha!

This dress is always one of those dresses that I wear then forget about. I got it about 2 or 3 years ago and I think I've worn it about 3 times in total haha! After styling it I really love it, then I just end up forgetting about it. I actually wanted to style it up after seeing a customer wear it at work on Sunday (which then reminded me of it). I've noticed I always seem to go with greens when I wear it haha!

Dress: Dorothy Perkins // Cardigan: Topshop // Belt: Primark // Necklace: Old // Shoes: Minnetonka

August Monthly Favourites

2011-08-28T17:29:00.000+01:00

1. Calivintage // 2. Flashes of Style // 3. Jag Lever // 4. Fancy Treehouse // 5. Sock Monkey and Gee // 6. The Magpie Girl // 7. Steffy's Pros and Cons // 8. Natalie off Duty // 9. Transient Withdrawl // 10. Feathers and Things // 11. Leah G // 12. Fashion Hippie Loves // 13. The Capricious Club // 14. The Girl Never Gets Older // 15. Selective Potential

Autumn Wish List

2011-08-26T11:53:00.000+01:00

1. H&M Skirt // 2. Miss Selfridge Jumper // 3. H&M Jeggings // 4. Topshop Shoes // 5. River Island Dress // 6. Dorothy Perkins Belt // 7. H&M Scarf // 8. Topshop Top // 9. Topshop Tights // 10. Modcloth Dress // 11. Miss Selfridge Scarf // 12. Miss Selfridge Dress // 13. Modcloth Dress // 14. H&M Top // 15. ASOS Shoes // 16. Topshop Snood // 17. Modcloth Dress // H&M Skirt

I was hoping to do an outfit post today, but it's been raining all morning and the forecast isn't looking any better for this afternoon/evening :( So I decided to do a little autumn wish list haha! There are sooo many things I love right now, but I just got paid today and I'm left with literally no money after all my bills so I'll just have to dream. Damn that Models Own sale haha! I'm even resorting to taking a few things back to H&M that I bought when I went shopping with friends a few weeks ago - I think the fact that they aren't floral has made me dislike them over time haha! Hope everyone has a great weekend! :)

Grimsthorpe Castle

2011-08-25T13:30:00.000+01:00

So these are the rest of the photos that I took yesterday when me and mum went to Grimsthorpe Castle for the day. It was such a lovely hot sunny day so we just took a stroll around the castle and gardens. I got so many photos so sorry for the overload haha! There were just too many nice ones! I also managed to bring a bunch of lavender home with me since they had it growing pretty much everywhere. When we were walking around their kitchen garden, there was a little wooden table with some fruit and vegetables which said "Help yourself" so we donated some money and took some plums, fennel, raspberries, lavendar and another type of flower which I have no idea what it is haha! Hope you enjoy the pictures! :)

The Castle

2011-08-24T17:37:00.000+01:00

So today, mum and I visited Grimsthorpe Castle - which actually looks nothing like a castle (but apparently it is). It started off really cloudy, then when we got there it was so sunny and warm, now it's all cloudy (and it looks like it might rain). The castle has so much history and is such a beautiful place with so many gardens and a lake (though we never got to go visit that). We took a tour of the castle, though we ended up with a guide that had to tell us the history behind practically every painting and piece of furniture, not that I don't like that but it was all a bit too much! It took us an hour and 20 minutes to walk through like 10 rooms haha! I took so many pictures of it and the garden's I've decided to put them in another post tomorrow! :)

So I got this dress probably just over a year ago from Modcloth! It was my second purchase from there and I absolutely love it! It's so comfy to wear and so easy to style too, and I think it's the perfect length too! The only problem is that the back is lower (I find) than other dresses so the back of my bra likes to peep through at the top, which makes it really uncomfortable to wear without a cardigan covering me up haha.

Dress: Modcloth // Cardigan: Mango // Bag: Primark // Headband: ASDA // Sandals: Dorothy Perkins

Granny Skirt

2011-08-22T19:29:00.000+01:00

I was actually debating posting these pictures. I just sort of threw this outfit together after Shane hurrying me out the door to take the photos haha. When I looked back at them, I realised how fat the skirt makes me look. I know I'm not exactly the slimmest person, but it just emphasises that and my legs haha! I'm definately going to give it the chop a little since I just love the little pleats and pattern too much.

I found this skirt along with the other two skirts I got on my thrifting adventures in Arizona haha! I haven't stopped wearing the other two since I got back so thought it was about time I wore this one. I don't really have many clothes to actually go with this skirt. What would you guys wear with it? :) Hope everyone had a good weekend!

Top: River Island // Skirt: Thrifted // Necklace: ASOS // Sandals: Dorothy Perkins

Nails

2011-08-21T21:11:00.000+01:00

Smash Up in Black // Jade Stone // Lilac Dream // Utopia // Top/Base/Gloss

I thought I'd do a little random post today. When I went shopping with mum the other day, I really wanted to buy some Models Own nail varnish. I've heard loads of other bloggers talk about how good it is, so I thought why not get a few. Boots are (I don't know if they still are) having an offer where you buy any 2 Models Own cosmetics and you get a free 'Lilac Dream' nail varnish. So as I bought 4 colours I ended up getting 2 lilac dream's for free! To be honest, I wasn't too thrilled at a lilac colour but I'm actually glad I got it because its such a lovely colour! I'll just keep the other one for a blog giveaway or present for someone haha!

I decided to try a bit of nail 'art' and thought this leopard print one (I didn't even realise I did the same colours till now haha) would be the easiest and to be honest, coming from the person who can't even paint a block colour on their nails, it was sooo easy! I'm definately going to try a few other patterns! :) Also, when Models Own get 50,000 likes on facebook they're having a 50% off everything sale and they are so close! So go like them if you haven't already because I really want a few more colours haha! :)

The Balloon Festival

2011-08-19T21:38:00.000+01:00

*Sorry for the amount of photos haha* I have been so excited about this day for a few months now! Every year, Northampton has a 3 day balloon festival over the course of a weekend, but as I'm working tomorrow and were confused about the sunday date we decided to go today. When we first got there, they had to delay the take off's for an hour because of the wind. They then decided that the wind was a little too fast to fly, but the pilots could go up if they wished so it ended with 4 balloon's flying and one staying tethered for a while :) It's a shame no more of the other balloons decided to go up, but it was still a great evening! I can't wait till next year haha! Hope everyone has a good weekend! :)

English Country House

2011-08-17T22:24:00.003+01:00

I've had a really good week so far! Me and mum went shopping in Milton Keynes yesterday to try and find her a new purse (with no luck) and ended up popping into Ikea too for a few bits and bobs haha! Then today we decided to visit a National Trust house as the weather was really nice :) We came here a few years ago (probably 4 years ago) but it was such a hot day and I just really couldnt be bothered to walk around haha, but it was just the perfect temperature today! The house (Waddesdon Manor) was only built in 1889 so it's only 122 years old. I just love visiting things like this!

The house is decorated so nice - I honestly wish I could just take all of the furnishings and wallpapers and put them in my own house haha! I wish I could have took some photos of the interior but they don't allow photos inside and my camera battery died anyway haha! I really need to learn to charge it! I just wore a simple outfit for the day! Hope everyone else is having a great week! :) P.S. Sorry for the overload of photos haha!

Top & Belt: H&amp;amp;M // Skirt: Thrifted // Necklace: Topshop // Bag: Primark // Sandals: Dorothy Perkins

Black and Brown

2011-08-15T22:23:00.000+01:00

Shane and I have been enjoying our date night, though Harry Potter was a fail so we ended up watching friends and now Prince of Persia haha! We'll most likely watch HP tomorrow though :) I can't believe how nice the weather has been the past few days :) I got let off work 2 hours early yesterday (they never send people home) as the store was so quiet. I planned on getting some pictures last night too so I was ahead but we just couldnt be bothered to get ready haha! It was nice to go tonight though, it breaks my days up a bit :)

I got this top the other day when I went shopping with my friends. I looked in my wardrobe and realised that pretty much everything I own has a floral print on it, so decided to make a point of looking for things that werent floral. My friend even mentioned it when she saw haha! I guess thats quite bad, so I got this top and a few other things that I'm not 100% sure on. I really like the colour, so I just decided to keep things simple and pair it with a black skirt and brown belt and shoes.

Top, Skirt & Belt: H&M // Necklace: Topshop // Shoes: Minnetonka

Date Night

2011-08-15T16:40:00.000+01:00

Sources: 1 // 2 //

Shane and I are having a little date night tonight and I'm so excited :) Last time we had a date night was Friday (haha) when we went out for a meal and to the cinema to see the latest Harry Potter, which by the way if you haven't seen it - go watch it! It's amazing! I honestly don't know why we waited a month to see it, but even then the viewing was pretty much full! So, we're starting from the beginning and watching them all through and devouring Chinese takeway from our favourite restaurant! :)

I'll be back in a few hours with an outfit post :) - Well, that is the plan anyway haha!

Recipe: Nectarine and Balsamic Pizza

2011-08-14T16:45:00.003+01:00

Though the combination of this pizza sounds quite wrong - especially for a pizza topping, it was actually suprisingly delicious! I'm not exactly one to enjoy eating things that have fruit in them such as apple salads and one of the worst things are raisins and sultanas, but I honestly really loved this pizza - I don't think any other pizza will be good enough after this one. I first found it when Jen posted about it so I decided to try it out. I honestly recommend trying it!

Ingredients: (makes 4 thin pizzas)

For the pizza base:

500g type '00' or pizza/pasta flour

300ml water (luke warm)

7g sachet dried yeast

1/2 tbsp caster sugar

1/2 tbsp olive oil

1/2 tbsp salt

For the toppings:

Any soft cheese (I used ricotta and mascarpone as that's what we had available)

2 Nectarines, finely sliced

Parma Ham/Prosciutto
Balsamic Vinegar

Parmesan Cheese

Basil

Rocket

Method:

1. First make the pizza dough by sieving the flour into a large bowl with the salt. In a jug, mix the water, yeast, sugar and oil then pour into the center of the flour. Mix and kneed until the dough is nice and spongy with no lumps (but try not to overkneed the dough). Place in the bowl and cover with a damp cloth and leave to rise for 30 mins.

2. Preheat the oven to 200C. Split the dough into four large balls and roll into pizza shapes (or the shape of the tin you'll be cooking in)

3. Spread the soft cheese over the pizza base, then pull apart the slices of parma ham and add to the pizza. Cover the ham with the finely sliced nectarines. Add some roughly grated/chopped parmesan on top and bake in the oven at 200C for 12-15 mins.

4. Whilst the pizza is cooking pour some balsamic vinegar into a saucepan and slowly heat and reduce till thicker. Do not let the vinegar burn (I just kept mine on as low as possible and kept swirling the pan so it wouldn't stick) The balsamic continues to reduce once the heat has been turned off though, so turn it off before it has completely reduced - if it reduces too much, just add a splash of water to loosen.

5. Once the pizza has cooked, pour over the reduced balsamic vinegar and top with some torn basil leaves and fresh rocket.

Hope you enjoy - if you try it let me know what you think! :)

Bedroom Inspiration

2011-08-11T10:51:00.000+01:00

Sources: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 //

Ahh I've just spent the past hour or so looking at pretty pictures of bedrooms! This is why pinterest and tumblr are not good for me haha! I've had my room the same for the past 4 years now, but Shane and I are looking to move out of my parents house in the next few years (yes years unfortunately as I'm going to be starting uni in september so we won't be able to afford rent) into our own place. So I'll just live vicariously through all of these pictures and dream of how I can decorate our room when we eventually move haha! Hope you enjoy! :)

High Waisted

2011-08-10T09:54:00.003+01:00

I'm getting worse and worse at thinking of post titles haha! I'll end up just putting a date soon! So Shane and I went and took these photos last night. I really love this outfit - but I just find the lighting a little irritating! I actually wanted to go take them a little later but Shane insisted we get it over and done with haha - he also never told me that my necklace was facing the wrong way in the close up photos but it's the double clock one.

So the shorts are actually this playsuit from the Kissing Tree Vintage! I don't know what it is about it but I find it really hard to style as a playsuit so I tried folding it down to make shorts and I love it - though it's really hard to walk without it riding up alllll the time haha! Nevermind! :)

Top & Belt: H&M // Playsuit (as shorts): Kissing Tree Vintage // Cardigan: Mango // Necklace: Topshop //
Shoes: Minnetonka

Something Special

2011-08-08T22:47:00.001+01:00

I was going to try and keep it quiet till I actually go, but I am honestly just so excited that I can't keep it to myself haha! Shane and I are going to Florida, for my 21st birthday in December! I am soooo excited. We land on Christmas Day, and we will be there for Shane's 22nd birthday too, and new years eve/new years day which I'm hoping will be as amazing as it sounds haha!

So I thought it would be fun to post a few photos of when I was little and my parents took me to Florida. We used to go nearly every year (the first two photos I was probably 2, and the second two was the last time I went when I was turning 4 and it was my brother's first birthday) but I haven't been since then! We're actually only planning on going to the Universal and Seaworld parks and probably Epcot too (Yes, we're leaving out Disney) so if anyone has any recommendations of what definately shouldn't be missed that would be great :). Hope everyone had a good weekend!

Recipe: Fettuccine Alfredo

2011-08-07T18:19:00.000+01:00

Ever since I got back from Arizona, I've been craving Olive Garden fettuccine alfredo! That, and a steak from Black Angus haha! I decided to search for a similar recipe so I could make it now that I'm back home - though I seriously wish they would open restaurants over here haha! I also love their unlimited salads and garlic bread because you don't get anything like that over here! :( So I ordered myself a bottle of ranch dressing from the US (it is so hard finding any ranch dressing over here) to make the salad too haha! Yes, I am that addicted to their food haha! :)

I just found a few recipes for fettuccine alfredo and added a few ingredients myself too to work with what we have, like today I used mascarpone and ricotta cheese instead of the cream cheese just to use up the last of that and it worked fine.

Ingredients:

Fettuccine/Tagliatelle

60g Butter

80ml Double Cream

60g Cream/Soft Cheese

80g Parmesan

30g Gouda/Edam Cheese

3/4 Cloves Garlic, crushed/finely chopped

(I also added some prawns to ours for something extra)

Method:

1. Put a pan of salted water on to boil. When the water is boiled add the pasta to cook.

2. Melt the butter in a saucepan till foaming, then add the crushed garlic and cook for a minute or two - don't let the garlic or butter burn!

3. Add in the soft cheese and stir still mixed with the butter. Don't worry if it looks a little curdled, it will sort itself out.

4. Add in the gouda/edam (or any other cheese you fancy) and stir till melted. Once melted add the double cream and stir. Simmer till the pasta is nearly cooked.

5. When the pasta is cooked, add in the parmesan to the sauce and stir. Drain the pasta holding a little bit of water back. Add the pasta and a little of the water to the cheese sauce and mix well. Serve immediately.

Tan, Beige and Floral

2011-08-05T14:21:00.001+01:00

After it raining allll day yesterday, it finally stopped in the evening. I was so glad that I could go out and get a few photos but Shane wasn't feeling up to it so, my mum came with me instead! :) It's always so different when someone other than Shane takes my pictures for me because we're so used to our little pattern that it's done in 5-10 mins haha. With mum I had to show her how to use the camera and then every time we moved location she'd get confused again haha :) It was funny though. I should probably have chose a different location though because we had cars going past every couple of minutes haha.

This is one of the H&M dresses that I have in pretty much every colour haha! They seem to bring out new patterns each season (this was from the spring/summer collection) but I'm not complaining. They also had a black flower one too which I really wanted but when I went back to buy it - it was sold out. Probably a good thing though haha! I have noticed they do seem to shrink upwards a little bit after being washed though :(

Dress & Belt: H&M // Cardigan: Mango // Headband: ASDA

Summer Storms

2011-08-03T16:26:00.000+01:00

We took these pictures last night when it was seriously so hot! And I thought monday was warm, this was so much hotter! Whilst we were taking the photos, behind Shane there was a massive black cloud appearing which looked so nice agains the sunny glowing trees (I don't know why I never got a picture haha). It's been thundering for the past hour or so then literally out of knowhere it started absolutely chucking it down with rain. I actually thought the gutter was going to fall down in the conservatory and our garden is a little flooded now haha! :( Its brightened up now though :)

I'm not sure what to think on this outfit. I really like it in one sense, but then I look at it again and I'm not so sure. I absolutely love the contrast of colours which are so bright and perfect for summer but I just think it's a little too plain! I'm not used to blocks of colours since I literally live in florals haha! I don't know, what do you guys think? :)

Top: ASDA // Skirt & Belt: Forever 21 // Shoes: Dorothy Perkins // Necklace: eBay

Thirty Degrees

2011-08-01T21:08:00.001+01:00

It has been amazingly hot the past two days with today reaching up to 30C! Shane and I had a BBQ last night after I finished work which was lovely and we sat out in the garden reading with the cats and chickens. The perfect summer evening if you ask me haha :)

When I posted a link to the last way I styled this skirt in my last outfit post, I wanted to style up this skirt again. I just love the print on it and the colour is just perfect - it pretty much goes with everything :) I just kept it simple with this rust coloured top and my go-to sandals. Perfect for a hot summer evening!

Top: River Island // Skirt: Topshop // Sandals: Dorothy Perkins // Necklace: Forever 21

July Monthly Recap

2011-07-31T19:36:00.000+01:00

1. Natalie Off Duty 2. Thursday's Child 3. Louder Than Silence 4. Fancy Treehouse 5. Kendi Everyday 6. The Magpie Girl 7. Scrapbook de la Emma 8. Selective Potential 9. Fancy Fine 10. Jenny From the Block 11. K is For Kani 12. Sock Monkey and Gee

I honestly can't believe its August tomorrow! This year just seems to be flying by! This month has been quite a boring month to be honest, especially after last month with all my holidays, though I did get the chance to meet up with my friends and it was mine and Shane's 2 year anniversary :) Hopefully this next month will be quite interesting! We have the bank holiday at the end of the month so I'm trying to plan something we can do for the day as it's mine and Shane's only day off together till december! :(

Fate

2011-07-28T21:52:00.001+01:00

It was such a lovely day today! I got so much washing done and sat outside with the chickens :) Poor lenny has something wrong with her eye and has got to the point where she's got no life in her anymore. We've got some eyedrops so hopefully she should be back to her chirpy self soon. I'm so annoyed with how these photos came out and was debating not posting them or saving them for a day when I can't be bothered to go out as a back up plan, but I really like the outfit and the location so I just decided to post them anyway. Hope you don't get blinded by my dress too much haha :)

I saw the dress back in January when I went for my interview at London College of Fashion and snuck off on my break to Oxford Street hehe :) I only had enough money for 2 things so it was between this dress and the top and skirt in this outfit post. I thought about how many times I could remix all three items of clothing and decided it would be best to get the skirt and top. I was so happy when I found this dress in the sale for £10 (I think) when I went shopping in Birmingham a few weeks ago. To top it off, it was the only one - and in my size too! How perfect haha! It's a shame the close up details came out sooo overexposed because it has such cute detailing along the top half. I'll get it next time haha :)

Dress & Necklace: Topshop // Belt: Thrifted // Shoes: Dorothy Perkins