Here I am going to go through the 5 stages or questions I ask myself when I am de-cluttering my wardrobe.
1. When was the last time I wore it?
If I haven't wore a item for more than two season I make myself get rid. I am a big horder sometimes and think 'oh I'll wear that if I ever go...' and then I still never wear the item so I know it is just taking up space where something new could live.
2. Is it in good nick?
If anything has any pulls or holes in and I can't fix it (or usually my mother...) I get rid, there is no point in keeping it in my wardrobe for me never to wear again because it looks trampy now.
3. Do I have anything to wear with it/wear it to?
Sometime you can have an amazing top which you love but never wear it because you don't have anything to wear with it, it is too hard to style with other pieces but you don't wan't to let it go. And there is no point keeping a prom dress when you are never going to go to a prom again. Get rid of it if it never leaves the wardrobe so someone else can show it some sunlight!
4. Is it still my style?
My style has changed so much over the years and some of the items I used to wear only a year ago I would never wear now so keeping them is silly. If I don't see myself wearing it now it is a definite throw away!
5. Does it still fit?
The one thing we sometimes can't admit to ourselves, when our most loved pieces are too small for us but it would break our heart to get rid of them. When you have worn a lovely outfit to an occasion you usually want to cherish it forever but when you have 10 of them outfits it can get a little crowded. I think to myself as long as I have photos of the great night, I don't need to keep all these special outfits especially if they don't fit anymore!
Although sorting through and getting rid of old clothes can be a long process, it is also great once it is done as your old clothes can help other people along the way. All the clothes I decide to throw out either go to friends and family or to the charity bins at my nearest supermarket. Sometimes that makes the whole process a little easier to go through.
P.s. No that sadly isn't my wardrobe in the photo, thanks IKEA for taking such great photographs for your website! Click here for the wardrobe!
I love nothing more than putting on some cosy clothing and getting comfy on the sofa with a good book. I bought four books to read over the summer and I thought I would do a round up of them. You will notice that the main jist of all the books is escaping your real life and having an adventure and I'm sure you will agree that after the year I had, I could do with one myself.
Starting off with the first book I finished, A Match Made in Devon by Cathy Bramley.
There are a few different story lines happening within this book and one of the story lines i loved while another bored me a little. The main plot is about an actress from London who has to leave the city and go into hiding as such and ends up in the village where her older brother lives. A few things happen and she ends up helping an old friend who is in a sticky situation, that story line i followed and loved reading more about, then it adds in a boathouse i wasn't that interested in and a love interest who didn't tickle my fancy. The idea of the book was really appealing to me but once the ending to the plot of the story that i liked happened, i wasn't really interested in the last few chapters. It just wasn't my cup of tea but that's just my opinion.
The second book I read was The Greek Escape by Karen Swan which is about a girl called Chloe who has an amazing job working among the filthy rich. The story follows her life with her annoying ex boyfriend who followed her from England to America and the crazy chaos which comes with her job. The story includes small chapters dedicated to a mysterious women who at the end of the story you realised where she fit in. I didn't expect it to be so gripping based on the front of the book but it really surprised me how much was going on, i mean it is no Dan Brown book but it did keep me glued.
The Perfectly Imperfect Women by Milly Johnson
This book caught my eye in Tescos mainly because i thought the illustration on the front was really cute and i thought it would have a cute story behind it. I love books set in quiet villages with old women and this story is about a brilliant women called Lilian who invites a strange to visit the village she owns. Marnie, the said stranger, is running away from her life back in the city and finds a lot of secrets hidden in this small village. The plot of this story is really cute and such an easy read, i definitely want to read more of Milly's books especially The Mother of all Christmases because i love a Christmas love story!
This could change Everything by Jill Mansell
This was the last book i read out of my little summer haul and it didn't disappoint. I love Jill Mansell books so much, i find them so easy to read and become really embedded in the story. The story follows Essie who's life turns upside down after an email circulates of her saying exactly what she thinks of the people around her. I loved reading about Essie, Conor and Lucas and i think you will too. My favourite book by Jill Mansell so far is You and Me, Always which i was recommend to you all. There are too many books to choose my next read.
I thought i would give myself three aims to get my butt in gear.
1. Become at peace with the gym
I joined the gym back in November with the instinct to really hit it hard during the last two months of the year to get me prepared to become fit and healthy in 2019. Its safe to say that didn't work out well but my mission is to make this happen this year. I know a lot of people say they want to become fit every new years but i am not too fussed about being a gym bunny or having a perfect body. I am more interested in becoming more healthy and maybe losing the extra timber around my stomach crossing fingers. Wish me luck! I am already searching the internet for healthy dinner ideas which will hopefully encourage me to keep on track.
2. Use up my makeup / skincare collection
I have said before on twitter and Instagram that i really want to shop my stash this year and use up my never ending collection. I am putting myself on a spending ban until my collection has been reduced significantly, that way i use up all my products instead of letting them go bad in my draws. I only have one face so i don't need a ridiculous amount of products. This will also mean i get to try lots of products which i have forgot about in my collection.
3. Save save save for the wedding!!
It has been a year and a half since Cal and I got engaged and we think it is about time we finally start making plans. This year we are planning to hard core save so hopefully we can plan a day both of us enjoy. We are in no rush to actually walk down the aisle, maybe in the next 5 years before i turn 30. Ideally i would like to have one child before we get married so that we can have the the child as a flower girl/ page boy. I already know Callum and I will last the whole 60 without killing each other so i don't feel like i need the big white wedding before we have kids. So we start saving now and we don't get married for another 5 years then hopefully our savings will be amazing!!
The hardest out of the three aims is definitely the gym but i have some proper gym clothes, some new trainers and a whole load of cute summer dresses i want to feel comfortable in.
What are you planning to do with your year?
I am all about the glitter eye shadows during the party season and i have a few favourite products which get a lot of attention this time of year.
First off is my baby palette which i whip out every year, the Urban Decay Naked 2 palette which has some of the best shimmer gold shades. It has everything you would need for a smokey eye or a simple shimmer lid and the shades are so pigmented, especially for shimmers. You can make some easy quick looks with this palette and it is good to travel with for a weekend away for a special occasion.
Another palette from Urban Decay is the Naked Heat palette which is a mix of shimmer and matte red, orange and burgundy shades which i have fallen in love with. I really like the look of a burgundy eye and lip, which really suits my features and makes it look like i have out a lot of effort into my makeup.
The last palette in the post is the Revolution Iconic Pro palette which is super old now and basically a dupe for the Naked 2 palette but i use it just as much as the Naked version. I like to mix between the two palettes and create different looks. The packaging has changed for this palette but the shades are the same so it is worth a look if you are on a budget.
When i switch it up to a cream shadow i like to use the Collection Glam Crystals in shades divine and Envy. I like to use these cream shadows on their own or as a base underneath a powder shadow. You can either apply a thin layer for a subtle shimmer or a few layers to really build up the colour. During the day when i don't have much plans but i want to look a bit festive, i like to use these cream shadows to add a pop of colour which is subtle.
Another cream shadow i love are the Max Factor Excess Shimmer pots (similar) which are super easy to apply and look so pigmented on the lids. You can either use your fingers or a makeup brush to apply these pots but i do tend to just use my fingers as it blends out much quicker and easier.
Lastly i have the PS Bronze Metallic Eye Cream which is a rich gold shade which is really pretty. I don't use this as often as i use the Max Factor Shadow but that is mainly because the Max Factor product is my favourite cream shadow and is the easiest to apply.
My eye makeup doesn't change up very often as i don't tend to buy a lot of eye makeup, so i like to try and make lots of different eye looks with the palettes I've got. I'm a little more adventurous then i used to be so hopefully one day i will move away from earthy nude shades.
What is your go to festive eye look?
It's that time again where I list all the movies and TV shows i will be watching over Christmas and this year i will actually have the time off to watch them! I can't wait!!
Christmas Eve
The Grinch - ITV - 12:55pm
Monsters University - BBC1 - 1:20pm
Shrek the Halls - ITV - 2:55pm
Mary Poppins - BBC1 - 5pm
Despicable Me - ITV2 - 6pm
Miracle on 34th Street - Channel 4 - 6pm
Michael Buble: Back for Christmas - Channel 5 - 9:30pm
The Lady in the Van - BBC2 - 10pm
Christmas Day
Wallace and Gromit in The Curse Of The Were-Rabbit - BBC1 - 11am
Peter Pan - ITV2 - 11:20
Arthur Christmas - Channel 4 - 1:45pm
Monster Inc - ITV - 4:10pm
Elf - ITV2 - 5:40pm
Mary Berry Country House At Christmas - BBC2 - 6:35pm
Michael McIntyre 's Big Show - BBC1 - 6:45pm
The Greatest Showman - Sky One - 6:45pm
Call the Midwife - BBC1 - 7:45pm
Jurassic World - ITV2 - 7:45pm
The Great British Bake Off - Channel 4 - 8pm
Torvill and Dean - ITV - 9:15pm
Bridget Jone's Diary - ITV2 - 11:30pm
Boxing Day
Happy Feet Two - ITV2 - 10:45am
Bridesmaids - ITV2 - 9pm
Dirty Dancing - Channel 5 - 10pm
Love Actually - ITV- 10:20pm
The Green Mile - Channel 4 - 11pm
30th of December
Les Miserables
New Year's Eve
What Women Want - Channel 5 - 11:45am
Casper - ITV2 - 2:40pm
Maleficent - BBC1 - 4:15pm
Despicable Me 2 - ITV2 - 4:35pm
New Year's Eve - ITV2 - 6:40pm
Take That Live: Wonderland - Sky One - 8:20pm
Absolutely Fabulous The Movie - BBC - 9pm
TOTP2 - BBC Four - 10pm
New Years Day
Nanny McPhee - ITV2 - 3:45pm
Sister Act - Channel 4 - 5:55pm
Minions - ITV2 - 6:15pm
Doctor Who - BBC1 - 7pm
What are you going to be watching over Christmas?
I haven't posted my makeup routine since in September last year so this post is well over due, especially since all the products have flipped over. I have always been a light to medium coverage with a dewy healthy finish but i am officially a full coverage foundation lover.
I got the Clinique Beyond Perfecting foundation back in April for my birthday and on fire impressions, i didn't like it at all. I felt like it dried out my skin and left my skin feeling really clogged and slightly pale. Turns out I was using way too much product which was why it clogged my skin up so much. With a light hand it gives a really lovely smooth flawless healthy finish which lasts all day. I have been wearing this foundation non stop this month.
Then I've been using my trusty Bourjois Radiance Concealer underneath my eyes and my Collection Lasting Perfection on my chin and any blemishes. I'm trying to lay off powder at the moment as i feel like that may be a contributing factor to the uncomfortable dry skin i am currently experiencing so I've been moving straight on to bronzer and highlight and these two are products I've already spoken about this year. The Kiko Fall 2.0 bronzer is amazing at a subtle colour which paired with the foundation makes my skin look really healthy. I am still obsessed with the PS Glow Palette Highlighters so i basically don't use anything else for highlight. I use every shade in the palette and the pigment is incredible!
Onto eyes on a every day basis i have been using mainly cream eye shadows as they are super easy to wear and last all day on your lids. I'm currently using my PS Bronze Metallic eye shadow to give my eye lids a pop of metallic gold colour and make my makeup feel more festive. It is a really beautiful colour, i just wish it was easier to get the product out!! As for eye brows i am still using my holy grail product which is the NYX Tame and Shape Brow Pomade. It is really easy to use and this pot has lasted my so long without drying up which is a miracle.
Lastly for lips i have been playing it safe with my Glossier balm dot com in Cherry on a daily basis and only wearing lipsticks when i am going out anywhere nice. You can't go wrong with a good lip balm!
What is your current makeup routine?
How is it only 9 days away from Christmas? This month has flown by so quickly i don't know what to do with myself.This past month has really took everything out of me, i am always tired and never seen to feel relaxed, so my evening routine has changed up recently. The nights turning dark at 4 oclock has also changed up my routine, is it acceptable to fall sleep at 4 in the afternoon? okay no worries...
After a long day of sitting at my desk at work eating chocolate biscuits and singing along to Christmas tunes i love nothing more an a cosy night at home. I finish work at 5pm which means i can be home and in my pjs by 20 past 5 so my cosy evening begins early. As soon as i step through the door my clothes are coming off and my pjs are coming on.. The house is all set up for Christmas with our tree, animals and fairy lights so i switch them on all over the house to make it even more cosy.
Most weeks i plan our meals ahead of time so i normally know exactly what i'm having by the time i get in. If i am actually putting any effort into dinner i usually spend this time prepping any veg or meat, unless we are having a easy quick meal. I always watch YouTube or Netflix while i cook as i like to have something on in the background. Then we always find a TV show or documentary on Netflix or see what shows we have recorded on sky to watch while we eat, at the minute we are watching the second series of Making A Murderer.
We normally end up eating between 6-7:30 unless we get sidetracked by something on tv. If it is a gym day we then head to the gym for 8 for an hour workout. We joined at the end of October and although i am slow in getting my pace back, i'm enjoying my nights there. I've even bought some proper gym uniform so once i find my rhythm i'll be set!
Once we get back i jump in the bath, light a few candles and put something on my iPad to watch, vlogmas videos are keeping me busy most nights. I still have a few bottles of Molton Brown bubble bath which i like to mix together to make a a really foamy bath which smells amazing.
Once I'm all relaxed and clean, its around half 9-10 oclock and Callum is already in bed with the tv on. as you can tell we are very rock and roll. This is when we normally put on a tv show to fall asleep to or i'll pop the bed side table light on read a few chapters of my book.
So that's my weekly evening routine, not very crazy for a 24 year old but it keeps me from falling asleep at my desk during the day.
What do you do during these dark evenings?
Cleanser - Eye Shadow Brushes
Soap - Sponges and Foundation Brushes
My favourite method of cleaning my brushes is to us a sponge. I first started with a proper beauty blender soap which made cleaning my miracle complexion sponges so much easier. Once that ran out i picked up some standard body soaps and they work just as well. I find foundation brushes wash really easily with soaps as the foundation can build up on the brushes which can be stubborn to remove. The best thing about this method is that you can find packs of soap for basically nothing in B&M or Home bargains!
Shower Products - Majority of Brushes
This is definitely the cheapest option and gives my brushes the best clean out of all the three. I like to do a big clean with all my brushes when I use this method so I don't tend to do it too often as it can be time consuming. When I do use this method I feel like a new women after I am finished. I usually wet the brushed under a running tap and then swirl them around in a handful of shower gel and run under running water again until it runs clean. This can be super quick with eye shadow brushes but can take longer with foundation brushes. This is my favourite method to wash my brushes and for just £6.50 these products can last for months and months even if you washed your brushes once a week.
As you can see i have a lot of brushes to wash... Which method do you prefer to use? Do you have any cheaper alternatives?
I realised this morning while getting ready that i had really been neglecting my style as of late. I was choosing cosy clothing over fashion most days and although feeling comfortable and cosy is very important, my outfits were lacking style and smartness at work. This is what lead me to come home, stick on my pjs and scan the internet for clothing on a Monday night. It just so happened that my Boohoo items are reduced which is a treat.
B O O H O O
Sooo starting with Boohoo I ordered this black cold shoulder knitted jumper £11.20). I thought i could tuck this into my black high waist jeans to wear for work with my long brown boyfriend cold over the top. I used to be obsessed with cold shoulder tops at one stage but i guess i fell out of love with them when they seemed to be absolutely everywhere. Hopefully with it being black it will give the allusion that i haven't just eaten a box of mince pies...
Next up i have a different risky choice that i thought i would take the plunge with. I love the look of raw hemmed black mini denim skirts (£9.80) but always thought my thighs would dominate the look. Now we are basically hitting winter hard now with the cold weather i thought now was the perfect time to try it. I imagine it would look super cute with some black thick tights and a bagging jumper tucked in at the front. Now it could look absolutely hideous but at least i will have tried it. Wish me luck.
If every girl doesn't have a long sleeved stripy top (£8.40) in their wardrobe then i will eat my own arm. Over the last few months all my stripy tops seemed to have disappeared into thin arm so i thought it was about time i purchased a new staple. I already know i am going to wear this non stop with some light blue denim and ripped jeans. I just need to make sure i don't wear it to death!
Lastly from Boohoo i picked up this very festive multi coloured tinsel jumper £15.40 which i think will look super cute with some black jeans and black boots for a chilled night out during this season. If i ever get invited out after about October, you will see me in a jumper and jeans over having my legs out every single time. At the grand old age of 24 my bare leg days are over apart from the one Christmas party i attend! I like that it is cropped and will hopefully look like i have made an effort with my outfit.
A S O S
Now onto Asos which is fast become my favourite online clothing brand by far. I just find the website really easy to navigate and they do sizes that other brands fail with. I used to buy jeans from Newlook and roll them up or buy jeans from Topshop and pay a fortune. Now i buy all my jeans from Asos because they fit my properly and they don't break the bank!
I firstly bought these Ridley black high waist ripped knee jeans for £30. I am in love with my black Ridley plain jeans which i wear mostly everyday to work and i really wanted some ripped versions for the weekend. Who cares about cold knees anyway? I got a waist 28 and length 30 so they should hopefully fit my perfectly. crosses fingers
I got a bit jean happy and tonight i think and bought another pair of Ridley jeans for £28 but this time in light blue. I used to have a pair of light blue skinny jeans from Newlook which i wore to death, they literally ripped everywhere, but i never replaced them. I really wanted some light jeans to wear with my dark jumpers to balance me out a bit. My outfits are quite plain most of the time so a little bit of light denim could do wonders. Plus the colour of the jeans is lavender blue and that is just the cutest.
Lastly for the haul i bought this shock plain grey long sleeved crew neck jumper from Pull and Bear for £9.99. I thought this would be another perfect jumper to pair with my checked mini skirts for work because it looks like it fits really very and wont be baggy in the wrong places. Also i think that would look super cute and plain with the light denim jeans i bought tucked in at the front.
So that is my whole haul with a grand total of £112.79. I know i definitely wont be keeping all the items and will most probably end up only keeping less than half but hopefully i like some. I have got them all next day delivery because i am an inpatient person by the time you are reading this on Tuesday hopefully they will have arrived by them. I'll make sure to post some photos of my outfits i make with the items so make sure you are following my on instagram! I'm really trying my best to actually post photos on there instead of just staring at everyone else's!
Let me know what yo bought the black Friday / cyber Monday sales! x
Since the year 2010 i have spent my Christmas eves, boxing days and new years working in a shop and wishing i was like my family who spent all those days together. Having Christmas day and new years day as one of your two days off a week really kills your Christmas spirit. I've tried to not let it get me too down over the last 7 years and to be completely honest, after so many years it was all i knew.
Now after 7 long years i am finally out of retail and have a traditional break, i couldn't be more excited! My office are breaking up on the 21st of December and are not reopening till the 2nd of January, this is completely strange to me so it will be a shock to the system. I might not know what to do with my 11 days off. I am making the most of my weekends this month and attending the early Christmas markets, they are the best things ever! All the cute shops, great food and Christmas music.
Here is a little itinerary of my next two months with a few events I've already gone to from the start of the month.
#3rd November
Bonfire Night at Wickstead Park
#10th November
Northampton Winter Food Festival
#17th November
Higham Ferrers Christmas Sparkle
#24th November
Towcester Christmas Fayre
#1st December
Birmingham Christmas Market
#20th December
Work Christmas party at Barton Seagrave Hall
#Christmas Eve
Spending the day round my parents making sure we have everything ready for Christmas day
#Christmas Day
Christmas at the brother in laws house with all the family and a sleepover
#Boxing Day
Scanning the internet for some boxing day deals in my pj's eating the left over food
If i can bring myself to actually step foot in a shop after Christmas you may see me having a look in the sale sections. I have decided if i actually want to be on the other end this year, i know how crazy shoppers can be at Christmas.
I have used up quite a lot of skincare products since the start of the year so i thought I would round them all up and give you my opinion on whether I would purchase the products again. I have tried so many new skincare products this year so I have a few new favourites in my collection.
First off i am taking it back to August when I used up the Clinique Take The Day Off Balm. I am a big fan of cleansing balms especially in the winter when my skin can get quite dry. The balm lasted me quite a few months as I treated it more like a luxurious cleanser as I was also using the Lush Cleansing balm at the same time. Although I don't use cleansing balms a lot of the time because I am much too lazy, i do want to purchase a new pot going into winter. I loved using this cleanser on my pamper nights when my skin really needed it.
Another product I used up quite a while ago was the Origins GinZing Moisturiser which I have spoken about so many times before. I scraped that pot till there was nothing left to scrap! This moisturiser is one of my top 2 moisturisers of all time so once I finish the Cinique Moisture Surge Moisturiser that I currently have, I will be buying another pot from Bicester Village. I really love rich moisturisers which leave you skin feeling like you've just had a facial.
Back in April I was given a bunch of Glossier products for my birthday and my favourite product out of all of them was the Glossier Super Bounce Serum. I used that serum every day so it didn't last very long at all. I will definitely be repurchasing that once I use up the Botanics serum I purchased last month to replace it. Sadly they don't compare at all... The glossier serum left my skin feeling really soft and bouncy (as the name suggests) but the Botanics serum feels like it strips my skin and leaves it really dry.
Another skincare product I've used up is the Sukin Foaming Cleanser which I first tried back in January. I love using a foaming cleanser with my manual cleansing brush and this cleanser left my skin feeling cleaner than any other product I've ever used. I haven't had a chance to go out and buy another bottle yet but I definitely will soon!
Finally for the last of the skincare, I'm not going to lie I probably had my L'Oreal Pure Clay Detox Face Mask for way longer than I should had. It probably was past its sell by date but who cares it still worked. This was the only face mask I owned after a big clear out of my collection and once I finished the pot I picked up the Pure Clay Rescue Mask as a replacement. There aren't many make up brands which make great skincare (in my opinion) but L'Oreal know what they are doing. My skin is currently in a good condition but now and again springs a random spot which can get sore so these face marks are a life saver.
Now that the evenings turn dark super early and it is bitterly cold past 5pm, this is the perfect time to get comfy on the sofa and put on a cosy film. I have so many dvds at my house which just sit there in the background while Netflix gets all our attention. I have to admit that using Netflix is so easy but I do like sticking a old school dvd on for the evening. Here are just a few of the films i regularly watch this time of year.
H A L L O W E E N
I know Halloween has come and gone but i still watch Halloween films throughout winter.
#Hocus Pocus
#Halloween Town
S E A S O N A L
I love watching the Christmas 24 channel and finding some really obscure Christmas films you wouldn't normally find on sky movies. I am a sucker for a good romance, royal story line and big happy ending so i am in my element right now.
#A Christmas Prince
#Christmas Inheritance
#Once Upon A holiday
#Autumn Dreams
#My Perfect Romance
T H E C L A S S I C S
No explanation needed!
#The Holiday
#HARRY POTTER
#Bridget Jones's Diary 1/2/Baby
I love shopping for winter clothes and Asos is fast becoming one of my favourite clothing brands recently. It all started off when I tried their black skinny jeans, they actually fit my legs and don't go baggy. How did I never know this??
You can buy most brands on the asos website so a quick browses can be literal. I've narrowed down my wish list to these four jumpers which i am living for right now. Mustards and dark blacks/purples are my favourite colours at this time of year so my wish list is full of them.
First up we have a jumper which I'm pretty sure I had about four years ago but sadly it went all bobbly and horrible and I threw it out. I love stripes so much, they are so easy to wear and make it look like i have style when really, i'm the biggest plan Jane around. I really like the mustard on the top section of the jumper as well because it isn't your typical stripe jumper. I also know that the sleeves are tight and the body is baggy which is the best style of jumper.
Who doesn't love a furry jumper? I feel a little like a chicken hatching a egg... but the cosy feeling you get when you wear them is worth it. I love this burgundy cropped flurry jumper. It i could pull off the white jeans I would totally copy the picture. Sadly my thighs would look massive so I stick to dark colours.
I am really into what i call the 'London adult look' at the minute totally inspired by Emma Hill. The look is light blue denim and jumpers and blazers, like the photo above. This black off the shoulder jumper is right up my street and perfect just to throw on in a hurry.
Lastly i have the perfect jumper to stick on with all my mini skirts and tights this winter. I find roll necks really flattering on me, especially when i have my long bob hair style. This doesn't look too chunky as well so hopefully i wont sweat in thus jumper while i'm out and about probably shopping for more clothes.
Colour Block Stripe Jumper
Off The Shoulder Ribbed Jumper
Dark Fluffy Cropped Jumper
Ribbed Roll Neck Yellow Jumper
You can buy most brands on the asos website so a quick browses can be literal. I've narrowed down my wish list to these four jumpers which i am living for right now. Mustards and dark blacks/purples are my favourite colours at this time of year so my wish list is full of them.
First up we have a jumper which I'm pretty sure I had about four years ago but sadly it went all bobbly and horrible and I threw it out. I love stripes so much, they are so easy to wear and make it look like i have style when really, i'm the biggest plan Jane around. I really like the mustard on the top section of the jumper as well because it isn't your typical stripe jumper. I also know that the sleeves are tight and the body is baggy which is the best style of jumper.
Who doesn't love a furry jumper? I feel a little like a chicken hatching a egg... but the cosy feeling you get when you wear them is worth it. I love this burgundy cropped flurry jumper. It i could pull off the white jeans I would totally copy the picture. Sadly my thighs would look massive so I stick to dark colours.
I am really into what i call the 'London adult look' at the minute totally inspired by Emma Hill. The look is light blue denim and jumpers and blazers, like the photo above. This black off the shoulder jumper is right up my street and perfect just to throw on in a hurry.
Lastly i have the perfect jumper to stick on with all my mini skirts and tights this winter. I find roll necks really flattering on me, especially when i have my long bob hair style. This doesn't look too chunky as well so hopefully i wont sweat in thus jumper while i'm out and about probably shopping for more clothes.
Colour Block Stripe Jumper
Off The Shoulder Ribbed Jumper
Dark Fluffy Cropped Jumper
Ribbed Roll Neck Yellow Jumper
Like i mentioned in my previous post Lazy girl guide to cooking, I have learned to cook an array of different meals since moving out and over the last year I have learned some tips and tricks to make my food cook quicker and taste better. The best thing I have done is invested in kitchen appliances! Making a great home cooked meal everyday can be very time consuming and take a lot of energy so at the minute I have two appliances which help me out a lot.
T H E S L O W C O O K E R
Best invention ever made, there I said it.
For someone who gets anxious about cooking various meats, my slow cooker has become my life safer. I always worry that I haven't cooked meat enough or that I'll cook it too much and ruin the taste but with this, I can leave the meat in the cooker all day and know neither will be a problem. I'm still trying different things out in it all the time but my favourite meal to make is a roast with shredded chicken, it is the easiest thing to do and saves you fathing while watching everything else and entertaining the family on a sunday. I mention how to make shredded chicken in my previous post so pop over if you want to try it.
I found out how to make shredded chicken on Pinterest of all places, it seems there is a H U G E cooking community on it! I always thought it was more for clothing and interiors but I was just looking in the wrong place. I look on Pinterest for most of my meal ideas now because there is something for everyone and with slow cookers, you can cook basically anything in them! Chicken, Pork, Lamb, Mince, Lasagna, Pasta, Potatoes, even a deep dish pizza. If you want to see what I have been pinning on Pinterest click on my Slow Cooker Recipes board.
Lastly, the best thing about a slow cooker is you can place all your ingredients in there in the morning, go out all day and when you get home in the evening the food is cooked and ready for you. I know i am going to be using my slow cooker even more in winter because it means I can spend more time during the evening in the bath rather than cooking. goals
T H E S T E A M E R
This is a recent addition to my kitchen collection bur I have fallen in love with it already and use it most days. I bought a 3 tier Russel Hobbs steamer from Argos which aren't too expensive and stack away really easily.
I bought one of these because I was tired of spending all night in the kitchen standing over my hob boiling my veg. I love veg and i like to have it with every meal but boiling it can be a nuisance especially while your in the middle of cooking a roast. My mum suggested I get a steamer and I haven't looked back since.
Like the slow cooker, you can cook most things in the steamer from veg and potatoes to fish and chicken. On a daily basis I throw baby potatoes and veg in with some breaded chicken in the oven and we have a easy, quite healthy meal. One of the reasons I bought the steamer was so I could cook different vegetables more regularly. Callum doesn't like broccoli whereas I love it but i never saw the point in boiling some just for me . With the steamer I can throw some in with some peas and carrots and it is no extra work for me.
Having both of these appliances make cooking a roast dinner for my family a breeze! I have my meat in the slow cooker, my vegetables in the steamer and my roast potatoes in the oven and I still have room on the side (and time to dance around the kitchen to Mamma Mia)
I am planning to write another post about some recipes I have been making lately and both of these tools will feature heavily in it! Hope I haven't made you too hungry reading this!
You would have seen in my last post that I recently picked up the Clinique Take The Day Off makeup remover to try, now after I have been using it for a few weeks I thought I would compare it to my holy grail Simple Micellar Water. As you should all know I am a budget girl through and through only springing out for certain skincare pieces which I know work way better for me then the drugstore equivalent I have tried.
P A C K A G I N G
Not that you should judge a book by its cover but we all know the packaging is what attracts us to look at a product in the first place. For the most part both bottles are relatively similar with both being clear plastic bottles but the Clinique bottle is more appealing and expensive looking, I can't lie when I put all my Clinique products together on the side they do look good. But what the Simple bottle lacks in cuteness it makes up for with size. You know everyone always tells you size doesn't matter? It does when it comes to skincare products. The Simple bottle holds more than 3x more product than the Clinique bottle and is more than 1/3 of the price. You can't argue with maths although the Clinique bottle would be better for traveling.
F O R M U L A
When it comes to formulas these two products couldn't be any more different. The Clinique remover is oil based so the product separates in the bottle when it is untouched. Many times I have poured some of the product out before I have remember to shake the bottle and I get a face full of oil! I am learning and haven't done that is a week tho. The product also leaves a residue on the skin afterwards that I tend wash off straight away otherwise my skin is slimy for a while, afterwards you can't deny your skin feels amazing though like you have just had a facial. My skin is always super soft after I have used this product and unlike the Take The Day Of Cleansing Balm that I tried before, this product doesn't irritate my eyes.
As for the Simple cleanser it is exactly what it says on the tin (or bottle), you wipe your makeup away with a cotton pad and your done, no need to wash your face afterwards. My skin has always liked this micellor water and I really like you can get sensitive formulas as well as my skin can be unpredictable sometimes. I find with this cleaner you don't a lot of product to remove the majority of your makeup which makes my night routine even quicker.
P R I C E
Now for the all important price... I normally buy the Simple Micellor water for around £6 which is extremely good for your money but at the moment, the product is half price and £3 for the 400ml bottle which is a steal. As for the Clinique makeup remover I purchased the 125ml bottle from Boots for around £14 if you compare it to some other skincare brands isn't actually that much.
C O M P A R I S O N
I know no matter what I will also have a bottle of Simple Micellor Water in my skincare collection because it comes in really handy and I know it will always work for me. I do like to branch out with my skincare though and Clinique is one brand that I really like to try new products from. I swear by their moisturizers and feel like my skin benefits from using their products regularly. If you are looking fo ]r a bog standard does what it says on the bottle then the Simple Micellor water is the one for you but if you like the more luxurious feel then try the Clinique makeup remover because it does remove all your makeup and leave your skin feeling super silky.
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