Shopping the Sales ...

So usually I race out to the sales with great excitement - however this year it was more a case of not really wanting anything in particular ( Thanks to my lovely family ) mixed with not really wanting to fight for the same item with 10 other people. I kind of went in with the mentality that if I didn't want it before i'm not going to want it on sale ( i'm trying to be more sensible with the £££'s ) . However I did snap up few bits and bobs and thought I'd do a post on what I picked up.  

Clothes:  

Now I'm not the biggest Jack Wills fan for various reasons but I do like their Hoodies and infamous Gillets. I'd been wanting a thicker hoodie which would be a lighter alternative to a heavy winter coat. I saw this an mainly bought it for the lining which is so soft and warm ...essential when you live up North. (was £89.50 now £59.00) 
Urban Outfitters sale was somewhat of a success I really love this vest T-shirt especially the Elephant's and the skirts just very pretty and can be dressed up or down.(both the top and skirt were £15 each with 50% off) Finally my boyfriend spotted this bag in John Lewis which is there own brand but it is so well made and is so classic... I LOVE it !!! (was £40 now £19.50)





Beauty : 

I didn't really pick up many beauty bits in the sales but I did get the Emma Hardie Face starter kit in the Feel unique sale. This was reduced down to £22 but is now £25 ( still a reduction) I've been wanting try this for ages but didn't want to go straight  to the full size in case I didn't work on my skin ... So review to follow.  I also picked up the This works Dream team mini set in boots without actually knowing it was on sale .  I've had trouble sleeping ever since I was yee high and this actually really has helped so there will be a full size purchase come payday :) 

... And the 'special' purchase:

Sadly my Grandad passed away on boxing day but before he died he gave all us Grandchildren some money. Although most of it's gone into saving's I thought that he'd be happy with me buying a new camera as he was really into his photography. 
My Boyfriend was already going to Curry's so with that we walked up and down deciding which would be best.
I decided on a Panasonic bridge camera in the hope that it would be a bit more portable than a full SLR camera . I really do love it and it's a great reminder. 




Bit of a long post but I do hope you enjoyed it ... enjoy the rest of your week :) 

Baking box supplies :)

So I am back to blogging and really want to put my all into it whilst juggling everything else :) I plan to do a baking post every Sunday then a beauty related post every Wednesday of course they may be times when there are a lot more posts throughout the week . I decided to start by doing a post on what I Store in my baking box and see as the supplies needed ... for me - everyone's different of course . 
Last Christmas my Parents got me a really cool Joules hamper full of baking goodies. Although some of it is still in the hamper some bits are my own additions.  

Tins: It's best to have a wide range of tins and as you can see I certainly have a different range of tins (yes that is a penis cake tin guys ) It's also useful to have muffin tins, cupcake tins and brownie tins too. 

I have every cookie shape covered Halloween, Christmas ,Easter everything ... I also have a load of glitter just because every one loves glitter . I then have a load of practical bits and pieces spatulas whisks,palette knife and such like. 

Hope you enjoyed this little post and have a lovely week and new year  

MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!

Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and santa was really great to them. Unfortunately my family had some awful news on Boxing day so i won't be posting for few days thought let you all know :) I will be back in the new year with lots of cakes and bakes, beauty purchases and reviews.
Thank you :)

The Winterlicious 'tag'

I know I said I would post every day until Christmas and I haven't but in my defense I have and I am still ill :( so instead I am put two posts up today . If you watch you tube beauty videos you will probably have seen the winterlicious tag ... I quite like the questions so thought hey you know i'll do it as a blog post so there you are !!

1. Favourite winter nail polish?  Models own Jack Frost its a lovely blue/silver glitter perfect for the festive period 
2. Favourite lip product?  I chose a balm and a lipstick for this. Balm wise I would choose Nuxe Reve de Miel which is worth every penny as it is the only lip balm to make my lips feel better in the winter and it smells delightful. For lipstick I've been loving Revlon Raspberry pie lip butter. 
3. Favourite winter Scent or candle?  For some reason Chanel Mademoiselle always reminds me of Christmas.
4. Favourite winter beverage?  Hot Chocolate especially white Hot Chocolate with marshmallows and cream 
5. Favourite holiday movie?  Easy!!! the Gruffalo I love it yes its not a Christmas film but in the UK it's on every year and in my house we all look forward to it.
6. Favourite Christmas song?   Anything of the Buble Christmas album 
7. Favourite Christmas/holiday treat?  Christmas dinner!!!! I look forward to this all year round
8. Favourite Christmas decoration?  My boyfriend bought me a lovely bauble from the Moomin shop but I left it at uni so I'd say Candy canes or these cute gnomes from IKEA. 
9. Whats on the top of your Christmas list?   Kindle fire HD
10. What are your plans for the holiday? Spending it with the fam <3

Mince pies

Nothing beats a home made mince pie I like the fact that there not all perfect and this recipe is so so simple and tastes amazeballs if I do say so myself  .... I do cheat a little and use a jar of mincemeat but I like to spice it up a little make it a bit more different :)

Ingredients: 

225g COLD butter, diced                               
350g Plain flour 
100g caster sugar 
280g mincemeat 
50g ground almonds 
1/2 apple finely chopped
1 tbsp brandy  
1 egg beaten 

1)So most people would say to make the pastry by hand and yes I normally would but you know Christmas is a busy busy time so I make use of my food processor it's still by hand yes?  So put your butter , flour and sugar in the processor and process(?) until it forms a ball.  you can either chill this or use it straight away it's really up to you 
2) Preheat the oven to 200 degrees . grease a 12 hole cake tin. Put your mincemeat into a bowl and mix in the brandy,almonds and apple 
3) Roll your pastry flat you will need 12 large circles cut out for the bottoms and 12 smaller for the top . Then all you need to do is press the larger ones into the tin then place a teaspoon of mincemeat into the cases and place the smaller ones on top and brush with egg. 
4) Bake for 20 mins when golden allow to cool in the tin and then when cool pop them out and sprinkle with icing sugar.

Bob's your uncle ,easy peasy , enjoy :)                               

Happy baking 

'Christmas time Mistletoe and wine!'

Okay so I don't have any Mistletoe but I do have wine ... Mulled wine to be exact 
Mulled wine is something I used to love the smell of but hate the taste off however as I've got older I've started to enjoy it a bit more. It's such a lovely thing to make from scratch because it fills the house with beautiful Christmas aroma's :)  and can make a nice personal gift.  

Ingredients : 

-2x 75cl  Bottles of red wine I choose Shiraz  

( I don't really know what is best )

- 1L Cloudy apple juice 

-115g Caster Sugar 

- 1 Long cinnamon stick broken in half 

-2 star anise

-1tsbp cloves

- A handful frozen black cherries 

-1 sachet of mulled wine spices 

How to make : 

- Pour the wine and apple juice into a big pan 

and put on a low heat then add your sugar , cinnamon,star anise ,

cloves,fruit,and the mulled wine spices. Heat gently and  stir gently 

to dissolve  the sugar. Continue to heat for 20 minutes 

When  the wine is heated sieve and serve into glasses or bottles. 

I put the left over cherries in the bottles  and put tags and cinnamon 

for nice decoration :) 

ENJOY!!!!! 

P.S I have decided that with it only been 5 days till Santie comes I would blog everyday with some of my  preparations   hope you enjoy  and don't get too 

stressed. 

                                                                                       
                                                                                       

Whats in my bag :)

Whats in my bag :

I really love these posts and videos there a really great way of getting to see what a person is like and with that thought i'd show the world whats in my enormous bag :) 

Bag:  I got this bag in September for uni because yes it is huuuuuge but holds all my books and laptop without been too obvious (its also rather good for bashing people out of the way ) 

http://uk.accessorize.com/view/product/uk_catalog/acc_1,acc_1.9/3890094100 ( the bag in question however they don't do it in black anymore)


Cosmetic bits and bobs :

So I carry a little Liz Earle bag full of bits and pieces that I feel may need throughout the day so I have few make up bits such as Liz Earle Skin tint , Clique sample size mascara and a rimmel eyebrow pencil and tweezers these all provide any quick touch ups I may need. 

I also have origins mini ginzing eye cream for little pick me ups , Lucas paw paw ointment, Liz Earle hand cream , a little lush solid perfume : love and Soap and Glory hand gel because I have a weird hatred of wet hands and this smells lush . I then have a cute hello kitty brush and moomin mirror that my house mate bought me last Christmas . 

All The other Bits : 

I also carry a brolly , gloves and sunglasses(prepared for every weather here) my ipod which I mainly use in the car and my house keys(notice the Disney theme) I also have my purse,gum,notes,pens and work bits - bottle opener(I am not an alcoholic its just in there from work :P ) and my cards .  

So there you go hope you enjoyed that insight to my life and have a lovely week in the build up to Christmas :)