Beauty Fashion Lifestyle

Monday 30 March 2015

Post From The Past: Creme Egg Brownies


With Easter just around the corner, I thought that I would dig up the recipe for these delicious Creme Egg Brownies that I first previewed on my blog around this time last year. There are so many lovely Easter treats recipes floating around at the moment including the classic 'Easter Nests' made from shredded wheat to more challenging bakes like making your own hot cross buns from scratch! However, this super chocolate-y and indulgent brownie recipe will always be a firm favourite in my eyes. You can read my original post from last April by clicking here, or else, keep on reading for a recap of both the ingredients you will need and the step-by-step instructions.

Ingredients needed
185g of unsalted butter
185g of dark chocolate
85g of plain flour
40g of cocoa powder
3 large eggs
275g of golden caster sugar
6 Cadbury's Creme Eggs


Step 1
Place your Creme Eggs in the fridge to firm up for later. Then, melt the dark chocolate and butter together using whichever method you prefer and set it aside to cool.


Step 2
Crack the three eggs into a bowl and add all of the golden caster sugar. Mix the ingredients together at a high speed for around 3 minutes or until the mixture has doubled in volume.


Step 3
Pour the cooled chocolate and butter mixture into the bowl with the eggs and sugar. Gently fold until everything is combined.

Step 4 
Sieve your plain flour & cocoa powder into the mixture and gently fold it all together. Pour the finished mixture into your greased/lined baking tin, smooth it out and cook for 15 minutes.

Step 5
Whilst the brownies are cooking, take your Creme Eggs out of the fridge and cut them into halves using a sharp knife. After the 15 minutes are up, remove the brownies from the oven and gently press the egg halve into the mixture. Cook for a further 5 to 10 minutes.

Step 6
Cut the brownies into squares whilst they are still hot and in the tin, as it is much easier, and then leave them to cool. Then, dig in!


Please let me know if you decide to try out this truly scrumptious recipe for yourself, I know you won't regret it (apart from maybe the calories haha!) My boyfriend has booked some time off of work this week and so I am really excited to make another batch with him this week. I cannot wait to dig in and I bet that you can't too!

Wednesday 25 March 2015

Disappointing Product Alert: L'Oreal True Match Foundation


After hearing such amazing reviews about L'Oréal's True Match foundation from multiple beauty bloggers and well-established YouTubers such as Amelia Liana and Lauren Curtis, I finally decided to try it out for myself. This decision was a huge deal for me because I am not a foundation hoarder; I play it pretty safe and I wear the same foundation day in and day out because I know that it is not only the perfect colour match for me, it works well with my combination skin too. That holy grail foundation of mine is Maybelline's Dream Satin Liquid foundation (reviewed here.)

So, biting the bullet, I put True Match (£9.99) into my basket and headed straight for the till. I was so excited with my purchase that I then went home and proceeded to apply it to my skin straight away... and I was left rather disappointed. Since then, I have worn the foundation once more and my opinion on it still hasn't changed. Although the shade I picked up (C2 Rose Vanilla) is perfect for me, I am just not getting on with the formula at all! 

It looks lovely and silky smooth on my cheek area but it looks so cakey on my forehead, around my nose and my chin - despite the fact that I thoroughly cleansed, exfoliated and moisturised both times before I applied it. It literally clings to every dry patch and settles into every line imaginable on your face! I also find that because the consistency of the foundation is so watery, I have to use more pumps than I would normally have with my usual foundation of choice.

I am determined to love this foundation just like many of you do as it sounds so great on paper, especially as it claims to improve the condition of your skin over time as well! However, this foundation just doesn't seem like its for me! Maybe I'm doing something wrong? Maybe there is a tip or a technique that might change the way that it sits on my skin? If any of you have any suggestions, I would love to hear them, so please leave any comments or helpful advice below!

Saturday 21 March 2015

Mini Forever 21 Haul


Yesterday, I went out shopping with my Mum and she treated me to a few pieces from Forever 21. For the past couple of weeks, I have been attempting to update my wardrobe for spring & summer and so far I have found some gorgeous items. Forever 21 is a great store to go to when you want to get lots of things in one go because not only are their clothes really stylish, they are super affordable too! It is by my favourite store to shop in. Anyhow, without rambling on for too long, here are the three items I picked up.

First up is this stunning Floral Lace Mock Neck Top (£12.00.) I have been looking for some more dressy tops recently to pair with some high waisted jeans for when I go out to somewhere that doesn't require wearing a full on dress and heels combo. I loved this top in particular because to me, lace looks very sophisticated yet sexy at the same time. It is ever so slightly cropped which means that you one show a slither of skin. You could wear this top with a cropped black vest underneath it but I think wearing just a lplain black bra underneath would look amazing too. I can't wait to wear it!

The next thing I picked up with this cute Tribal Print Cami (£8.00.) I have really gotten into wearing camis lately as they are so girly and comfortable to wear. I also love the tribal print trend and so this top is the perfect fit for me! There was also a blue version of this top but I opted for this orange and brown colour instead as I do not have many neutral shades in my wardrobe like these. I know that I will definitely get a lot of wear out of it, in fact, I am wearing it as I type this post right now!

Lastly, I picked up this Striped Crop Top (£5.00) is it is a great basic to have within my wardrobe. Although on the website it is the price listed above, I actually found this item whilst browsing the sale rail and managed to snatch it up for a mere £1.99 - what a bargain! As with the other items in this haul, I know that this top will become a new staple for me as it is just so versatile.

So, those are the three items that I snapped up yesterday. What do you think of them? What are you doing to update your spring/summer wardrobe? I'd love to know, so please don't hesitate to leave a comment below!

Wednesday 18 March 2015

My New Healthy Habits


Recently, I have been feeling very unhappy with my body and I have finally decided to take action! I have consciously tried to eat healthier for quite a long time now but I have found myself falling off the wagon time and time again. So, I knew that I had to start taking my eating habits a little more seriously than before. I know that 'dieting' is not for me because that word is extremely restricting, plus I only really need to shed a few pounds and tone up a little. With that in mind, I have decided to slowly ween myself away from the junk that I was eating before and simply make a few healthier choices instead (rather than cutting everything out at once.)

Today, I wanted to share with you the three main changes that I have made so far and show you my new 'healthy habits.' Let's get started!


1. Exercise
Ever since leaving school and no longer having those grueling PE lessons on the sports field, I have not participated in much physical activity - especially since I gave up my dancing lessons when I was 16 too. So, I have decided to start off with small exercises that still get my heart pumping. I have been taking my dog for more brisk walks, as well as using a Pilates DVD to help tone up my stomach, legs, arms and bum.


2. Porridge for breakfast
I used to eat Crunchy Nut almost every morning for breakfast and although it wasn't the unhealthiest thing in the world, most cereals contain a lot of sugar. So, I have recently switched to having this Special K red berry porridge instead. Not only does the wholegrain fill you up for longer but each sachet only contains 104 calories. Result!

3. Snack substitutions
As soon as I got peckish throughout the day, the first thing I used to reach for was was the biscuit tin or a chocolate bar. The temptation was just too good to be true! However, I have now started to choose slightly healthier snacks instead. I reach for a piece of fruit, a yoghurt or cereal bar instead. I love Yu! dried fruit pieces as they count as one of your 5 a day. Plus, Nakd bars are simply made up of dates, cashews, raisins and fruit.

So, those are the three subtle changes that I have made to my diet and exercise regime so far. I still have a long way to go, as I have really only just started but I am looking forward to becoming a healthier and more active individual. What are your 'healthy habits'? What do you like to do in order to stay fit? Please let me know by leaving a comment below, as I would appreciate any advice to help me better myself even further!

Friday 13 March 2015

'Prime Time' by BareMinerals


Recently, I managed to get my hands on a mini version of the 'Prime Time' foundation primer from BareMinerals after my Mum visited the Feel Unique store over in Jersey. I am a huge fan of primers and I wear one almost every day because my combination skin means that my foundation can slip off of my face or become shiny very quickly. I have tried many in the past and my favourites include Benefit's Porefessional and Clinique's Superprimer. However, I am always up for trying a new formula and I was excited to finally try out 'Prime Time' for myself after hearing lots of raving review from fellow beauty bloggers.

A normal bottle of Prime Time is 30ml in size and costs £21.00, however, my mini comes in at half the size - 15ml (which is every generous in my opinion!) My Mum received this primer as part of a BareMinerals kit but she kindly passed this product on to me, as I would get a lot more sue out of it.

So far, I have been liking this primer quite a lot but not as much as my aforementioned trusty favourites above. I think the main reason why this might be the case is because Prime Time is traditionally supposed to be used under mineral foundations (which BareMinerals are of course renound for.) However, I only use liquid foundations and so it will obviously not be as effective. Although with that being said, I have still enjoyed using this product. Prime Time glides onto my skin with ease and creates a lovely, matte base that smoothes over my pores and imperfections. As far as the longevity of my foundation throughout the day goes, it does keep my oily T-zone in check for a relatively long time. 

Overall, I do like this primer but it will certainly not be replacing my usual primer just quite yet. Maybe if you do use mineral powder foundations on a regular basis (which is what this product is specifically designed for,) however, you might see much greater results!

Have you tried Prime Time before? What is your favourite primer? Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment down below!

Tuesday 10 March 2015

TOP PICKS: Missguided


Over the weekend in the UK, we were blessed with some beautiful and relatively warm (for this time of year) weather. The clear skies and flowers starting to bloom really made me excited for spring time and for me that means one thing; updating my wardrobe! Every shop either online or on the high street now have lots of spring clothing in store already and it has inspired me to make a blog post from one of the best fashion sites around - Missguided. There were so many beautiful pieces that I found but I have finally managed to whittle it down to just a few of my favourites aka my 'top picks.' Here are the six items that I chose:

Crepe Khaki Floral Skater Dress - £25.00
To me, this dress just embodies spring! The fresh pastel colours mixed with the khaki green background is really unique and is perfect for this time of year. Plus, skater dresses suit a wide range of body shapes too.

Greta Paperbag Checked High Waisted Shorts - £20.00
These shorts really caught my eye as they are quite different from anything else I've seen online lately. I love the monochrome checked pattern and the paperbag waist really draws attention to your waist and makes it look teeny weeny!

Gingham Chiffon Peplum Shell Top - £18.00
The gingham trend is always huge during spring, it reminds me of the countryside and that classic milk-maid style. The peplum detail makes this top even more flattering too and the fact that its cropped means it would look great with a pair of white high-waisted skinnies too.

Scallop Lace Zip Back Shell Top - £22.00
I think it's clear to see that pastel blue is going to be an big trend this spring. The colour adds a lot of freshness to an outfit and this lace top has an element of class about it too; it would look great dressed both up or down, depending on the occasion.

Floral Bandeau Skort Playsuit - £30.00
This playsuit jumped out at me straight away. Of course, florals are always a consistent trend during spring time and I think that this would be the perfect outfit for going out with the girls or for a more formal event.

Bandage Asymmetric Hem Mini Skirt - £15.00
Last but not least is another outfit that would look stunning on a night out. The dusky pink colour is gorgeous and I think that both pieces are gorgeous. Plus, you can never go wrong with a bodycon co-ord, they are super sexy!

So those are my top picks for spring from the Missguided website, I hope that you like them as much as I do! Also, I am thinking about making my 'top picks' into an ongoing series on my blog, so please let me know if you would like to see more fashion posts like this in the future too! What are you most looking forward to as we go into spring time? What's your favourite spring trend that you've seen so far? Please let me know by, as always, leaving a comment down below!

Thursday 5 March 2015

My Monthly Favourites - February 2015


Hi guys, I cannot believe how fast February has flown by! It's seriously hard to fathom that we are already into the third month of 2015. As far as beauty products went, this past month was a mixture of new and old discoveries - some super simple and others a tad more luxurious! As always, I wanted to share my five favourite products of the month with you, my lovely followers, so let's just right in and get down to business and talk all things beauty!

Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream Eau De Toilette - £51.50
You may already know this if you read my Daisy Dreamin' blog post last month but my parents went on holiday and generously bought me back a bottle of Marc Jacobs' Daisy Dream perfume. As I have done an in depth review already, I won't ramble on too much but I am in love with this fragrance already. It's the perfect scent to wear as we enter into spring and it's light floral yet woody notes are to die for. This is a must buy!

Nivea Sensitive Day Cream - £4.49
My skin has really taken a turn for the worse lately and it has become prone to a lot of redness and the occasional dry patch too. I decided that a really simple moisturiser would do the trick and so far, this one from Nivea has been wonderful. As far as day creams go, this is too rich for my combination skin so I opt to use it at night time instead. However, with that being said, this cream has bought my skin back to normality and has given it a huge hit of moisture too. I highly recommend it to anybody with super sensitive or unruly skin!

MAC Mineralize Eyeshadow Duo in Joy & Laughter - £17.00
Way back in my 'What I Got For Christmas' blog post, I showed you this gorgeous eyeshadow duo from MAC that my friend Sarah kindly bought me. This lilac marble-like shadow is sooo beautiful and gives such a lovely finish on the lids. The colour really makes my eyes pop too, which is always a bonus! Rather than using the two shades separately, I like to swirl my brush around to combine the two and then add a matte shadow from my Naked 2 palette into the crease. It's seriously the perfect glitzy combo!

MAC Plumful Lipstick - £15.50
I also have a second favourite from MAC this month in the form of their ever so popular lipstick, 'Plumful.' Being one of the brands 'lustre' lipsticks, this product adds a lovely glossy and semi-sheer wash of colour to the lips - although it can be built up too if you prefer a bolder lip. The shade itself is a beautiful plum/rose colour that is extremely wearable, no matter the occasion. I an imagine this shade flattering a lot of skin tones too, so it's definitely a must buy as far as MAC lipsticks go!

Soap & Glory Hand Cream Super Dream - £7.00
Last but not least is one of my most important favourites of the month. My hands and my cuticles have been especially dry lately and so, I have been using this hand cream from Soap & Glory religiously in order to get them back in tip-top condition. The reason that I like this one in particular is because its rich without being overly sticky, which is something that I really despise when it comes to hand creams!

So, that's another lot of favourites over! I hope that you all enjoyed reading about the products that I was loving throughout February! What beauty products have you been loving lately? Please leave your comments below!

Monday 2 March 2015

My Current Obsessions


Hi guys! I have really been enjoying writing more lifestyle based blog posts recently, especially as I do not have too many beauty products to review at the minute. I have been getting a lot of inspiration from other bloggers and their innovative lists for potential blog ideas (tips like these are really helpful from time to time!) One idea that I really liked the sound of was writing about my current obsessions. I think what really excited me about the prospect of writing this post was that it would enable my followers to get to know me and my personality a little better... so, that's exactly what I did! Without any further ado, here are my nine current obsessions.

Pretty Little Liars
I absolutely love this show! There are only a few more episodes until we allegedly find out who 'A' is, the suspense is killing me!

My Dog
Of course, I have loved my dog from the moment we got her - so, she is obviously one of my permanent obsessions. I love taking adorable photos of her on Instagram!

Ariana Grande
I love everything about Ariana, from her music to her sense of style. She has an incredible voice and her songs are super catchy too.

Looking at homeware online
My brother is moving out very soon, so I will be switching over to a much bigger bedroom (yay!) I am so excited to re-decorate and I have been browsing for inspiration online a lot over the past couple of weeks.

Watching countless Youtube videos
Zoella, Tanya Burr, Amelia Liana, Essiebutton, Lily Pebbles, Vivianna Does Makeup... the list is endless! I am forever watching these lovely ladies online for beauty and fashion inspo!

My Naked 2 palette
Ever since I received this palette for Christmas, I am now a fully-fledged eyeshadow lover and I am really enjoying getting to grips with creating all sorts of different looks.

Lazy Sundays
There is nothing I love more on a Sunday than to chill out with my boyfriend, order a Dominos, snuggle up and watch a good film or TV show.

Lush products
Taking a long bath with a colourful, scented bath bomb is one of my favourite hobbies. Lush goodies make bath time a lot more fun!

Anything Kardashian/Jenner related
I cannot wait for the new series of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, I am seriosuly addicted! I also love each of the girls' individual styles, plus their make-up is always on point!

So, those are my nine current obsessions. I hope that you enjoyed reading all about them and getting to know me a little better too! What are your current obsessions? Are any the same as mine? Please let me know by leaving a comment down below!