Its been now over a month since I took my healthy lifestyle up to the next level. What I mean by that is that I gave up all unrefined sugar, high fructose syrups and gluten.

Giving all of these things up sounds quite scary but its something I am passionate about and I am willing to give it a long shot, trying to make it a routine in my life.

Over the summer I read quite a few books on nutrition/ health and how the body is impacted by eating to much of these foods.

I was amazed and since studying these kind of topics, I come to realise that I had to change quite a few habits.

I thought my diet and lifestyle was already quite good but no I was wrong again. To be honest this whole food thing is actually quite confusing because everyone is saying something different. 

So if you want to make some changes for the better in your life try and do your own research otherwise you end up all confused and go right back to your normal ways.

Anyway after doing all my research ( I am sure there is more to know, it never stops) I came to the conclusion to stop eating sugar and holding back on the gluten. 

Here are some the things I started changing around the house!

1. Get a organic veg & meat box delivered every week ( I get mine from Riverford and so far they           have been fantastic)

2. Stop taking sandwiches for lunch and instead taking salads or soups with me in my much loved           Kilner jars
3. Stop eating vegetable oils and instead cook with coconut oil and butter, for salads I like to use             extra virgin olive oil

4. Stop eating pasta and instead making "pasta" from veggies like courgette

5. Stop drinking fruit juice, just have water 

6. Started making my own Yogurt ( its a great way to avoid sugar loaded ones that are in the shops)

7. For snacks I have nuts and dried berry's and when I crave chocolate I like to eat dark chocolate           (anything over 70% cocoa is great)

There are more things that I have changed but for know I think they are just enough. Pick the ones you would like to change and listen to your body. I changed all these things with time and not overnight. It takes time for the body to adapt and not crave sugary foods. Maybe just start with one. 

When I started I only wanted to drink more water and when I saw some good results I wanted to do more.

So to give you a little help and show you how easy healthy cooking can be I want to share last Sunday nights dinner with you! Hope you like it!

Lebanese Tabbouleh

serves 4-6

1 cup uncooked quinoa

half of a red onion or 3 spring onions

3 medium tomatoes

1 large bunch of parsley (1 cup)

1 small bunch of mint (half a cup)

2 cloves of garlic

half a lemon

season with extra virgin olive oil plus salt & pepper

1. Start of by rinsing the quinoa under some cold water, combine with 2 cups of water and some salt.     Bring to a rapid boil, then turn down to a low heat and cook until the quinoa is fluffy, about 20 min

2. Finely chop onion, tomatoes, parsley and mint and put aside in a large bowl

3. Empty the cooked quinoa into another bowl and let it cool down until is barley warm to the touch

4. Combine all the ingredients and drizzle the juice of the lemon and some olive oil over it.

5. Season with salt and pepper ( you might also like to but some feta into the salad to give it some more body) 

6. Give it a good stir to combine.

For the lamb steaks I simply seasoned them with some turmeric, salt and pepper and fried them on a high heat for 5 min in a pan. Easy

I hope you enjoy this recipe and give it a go at your house!

Sugar Free Raspberry Chia Jam

Hi everybody I hope you all having a good week so far! We had a really nice weekend, just me and my hubby. One of my best friends kindly offered to babysit the boys from Friday night all the way up to afternoon Saturday. So me and my husband jumped to the opportunity and had a lovely pub dinner Friday night and Saturday we went to a National Trust house up in Dorking (Polesden Lacey). We love visiting old historical places and the house we saw that day was a real inspiration in interior design and I felt great seeing such an amazing house and hearing of all the things that went on in an old Edwardian country house.

After such an refreshing weekend I felt even more inspired continuing with my new healthy lifestyle.

I went back to my much loved and missed Yoga lessons ( I haven't done any yoga in 2 years and my whole body is aching now).

One of the most important things that I like to carry on with is giving up refined sugar. I know that sounds like a huge task at hands but its something I find important and that can really improve my over all health and well being. Its has not been easy especially when I am out and about and nearly every snack or food has added sugar or other nasties that I don't even know how to spell out.

I am trying hard and I know I can get there with time so I thought I would share one of my healthy dessert options that won't even make you miss all the sugar stuff.

Its easy to do and won't take any time to whisk up.

serves 4-6

2 cups of frozen  fresh raspberries

1 tbsp of raw honey

5 tbsp of water

4 tbsp chia seeds

desiccated coconut & sliced almonds for toppings

1. Throw all the ingredients into a blender and blitz until smooth. You may need to add some more water to help combine.

2. Pour mixture into saucepan and heat over medium heat until the mixture begins to boil. reduce the heat and whisk constantly until thickened ( 3-5 min)

3. Store in an glass jar for up to 1 week.

I like to serve my Raspberry Chia Jam on top of my homemade yogurt and eat it after lunch. Its the perfect treat after lunch to kill those sugar cravings!

Enjoy!

Whole Foods Haul And Other Organic Skincare

Last weekend me and the family all went to Whole Foods and had a good nose around, it was rather a surprise visit than a planned one. It all happened when we were already in the car driving and I mentioned that there was a Whole Foods store near by, I had only just heard about this store opening and was super excited but to my big surprise my husband already knew all about it. It never crossed his mind telling me!! What!!??

After telling him a little bit more about the store, he also got excited and off we were. Now if you live in the US you might think whats the big deal but here in the UK we only have about 9 stores and 7 of them are in London. Not really worth going all the way to London to visit Whole Foods, right. Luckily the one we went to is in Richmond which is just on the outside of London and closer to us.

When we finally got there we where all quite hungry and couldn't resist the delicious food on offer in the restaurant. 

It all tasted amazing and the kids went back for some yummy organic ice cream.

I on the other hand headed straight to the pharmacy section and had a good nose around and ended up with some great addition's to my skin care collection.

I am trying to go a little bit more organic and having a healthier lifestyle. My skincare is also a big part of that. I recently found out that there can be so many irritants for the skin in normal skincare creams and lotions that I thought to myself to better stay away and go a more natural way. Who knows maybe my skin problems have also come from putting on creams that are not exactly good for me as the skin is also a large organ that absorbs everything you put onto it.

But Anyway here is what I bought!

Fist up is my new Pai Avocado & Joyoba Hydrating Day Cream. A lovely light day moisturizer that has all of its ingredients organically sourced and doesn't irritate sensitive skin. 

After trying the Pai Rosehip Oil  I really felt like I needed to try more of Sarah Brown's range. The rosehip oil has really helped my skin to balance it self out and reduce my acne break out. Can't wait to try more!

Another oil that I came across was the Dr. Scheller Organic Pomegranate Body Oil. This oil smells like heaven and feels really luxurious on the skin. I love body oils, especially when you put it on after a hot bath. It like how it makes you skin glow and how it feels like a soft hug to the skin!

Lastly is toothpaste, I know, sounds boring. But I really wanted to try an organic one to see what they are like and I swear you would not know the difference with this Kingfisher Mint Toothpaste. They taste just like regular toothpaste but are without all the nasties like artificial colourings, flavourings, sweeteners and preservatives. Instead they use natural ingredients like real peppermint or fennel. And

with 8 different flavours to choose from I am sure there is one for everyone's taste.

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Delicious Beetroot And Goats Cheese Salad With A Dash Chunky Walnuts

Beetroots, once they used to be my absolute most hated vegetable that my mother could have made me want to eat but these days it has slowly become my kind of vegetable.
I know its not the most exciting veggie on the marked but hear me out and I might just convince you to give these little red bulbs a try.
Beets have an super amount of nutritional value, they are rich in calcium, iron and vitamin A and C and are also known to be of benefit to our blood. They can lover blood pressure, boost your metabolism, fight inflammation and help your body to detox.

Things that all our body's need a little help with these days. I like to eat them once a week to give my body a little kick up the .... and get things going. And I also think that they are great at that special time of the month.
I used to have problems with my iron levels after having my two children but since I have been eating these little baby's there has been no more problems with my blood levels. So to me they are my kind of superfood that I like to reach for in that special time of the month or any other given time ;-)

This recipe is the one I like to mix up the most when I fancy me some beets. Its super easy and fresh and when you find that perfect goats cheese to go with ( I buy mine from a local farmers market), I can guarantee you that it will become a firm staple dish in your house.

Serves 2-3

4 medium organic beets

150 g fresh goats cheese

handful of walnuts

one small onion and a glove of garlic

salt, pepper, extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar for seasoning

Wash and boil the beetroots for half an hour until soft. In the mean time prepare and chop the onion, garlic and walnuts and put them into a bowl.

Peel the skin of the freshly cooked beetroots and cut them into small thin slices and add them to the bowl.

Season with the salt, pepper, olive oil and balsamic vinegar and give the salad a good stir.

Now add in the goats cheese and serve.

Enjoy!!

Watermelon And Feta Salad

If you are like me and you are dreading the cold winter months ahead and still want to hold on to summer for just a little bit longer. There is nothing better than a fresh salad made from one of my most favourite summer fruits of all time. Watermelon. Before I found this delicious recipe I used to just eat it on its own. But now I found some really exiting new ways of eating this amazingly healthy fruit.
Whether its in a salad or in my most refreshing summer juice there is just something about watermelon that puts a smile on my face.
And the best thing is that its super easy to make and won't take you longer than ten minutes. So you will be enjoying your salad in now time. All you need is ...

Serves 2

half of a Watermelon

100g of fresh greek feta cheese

1 small red onion

a bunch of fresh mint

olive oil & black pepper

Simply cut up all the first four ingredients in a bowl. Drizzle over a little extra virgin olive oil

and sprinkle with freshly ground pepper.

Done!

As I promised super healthy and easy to do, I hope you enjoy!

YSL COUTURE PALETTE #4

I think my love for neutral brown eyeshadows will never end I am always going to be drawn in by those colours. I just like how easy and chic a brown eyeshadow can look and it can take you from a simple day wash of colour all the way though to and intensive smokey eye in the night.

So there was no point even trying to resist on getting this lovely YSL Couture Palette. Its exactly what I have in mind when I think of a versatile eyeshadow palette. Lovely soft nudes with a highlighter shade and two darker ones for smoking it out.

As I mentioned the lightest shade of the palette is a lovely highlighter colour that I like to put under my eyebrows to define my eyebrow arch. Or you could also but a little in the inner eye corner to make your eyes sparkle and pop.

Then there is a lovely peachy creamy nude that YSL recommends putting as a base. I thinks is great as an all over wash of colour if you have just a few minutes on hand to do your make up. Just blend blend blend and your eye make up is sorted.

To take you from day to night, there are two brown shades, one with more golden undertones and the other one a true brown colour. Both are great to really smoke our your look and the golden one is such an amazing shade if you have blue eyes.

Lastly you have dark brown eyeshadow colour that I like to use as a liner to complete the look. The great thing with this palette is that you can also use the shadows wet.So I like to wet the darkest colour, lining my eyes beautifully.

The other thing I like about all things YSL is there amazingly chic gold packaging. It screams sophistication and feels a real treat when you holding it in your hand and do your make up.

If you haven't checked our the YSL eyeshadows I really urge you to. I think they are one of the best eyeshadows out there, super creamy with amazing colour pay off. LOVE!!

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Clarins Radiance Plus Golden Glow Booster

I have to admit that when it comes to self tanning I am normally not that into slapping on some cream or mousse and smelling a bit odd just for the sake of looking tanned. I normally just reach for my bronzer and I am good to go. But coming into spring this year and looking the pastiest I have been in a long time, I wanted something different that would help inject a little bit of life back into my face.

First time I heard about the Clarins Radiance Plus Golden Glow Booster was over on Ghostparties. Kate was saying that she, like me never fake tans but liked this because it gave her a natural boots to her complexion and that most of the Clarins tanning products never leave you orange but give you that just back from your holiday glow! That's how she convinced me to go and get it too.

And I am happy I did! The way this self tanner works is by adding 1-2 drops to your daily moisturizer, mix it together in the palm of your hands and then apply to your face like any normal moisturizer.
The best thing about using a glow concentrate like this is that its up to you how much tan you want to have on your face, I started of with 2 drops a day and quickly got to see some good results and now only use 1 drop to keep my complexion.
And the other good thing is that I can use it with any moisturizer I like. If you have sensitive skin like me, it can be difficult to find a tanning lotion that is sensitive enough to put on your face. With this you need not to worry if it can break you out as you still use your regular moisturizer that works for your skin - and with this there is no orange tinge insight.

It comes in a small 15ml bottle that I am sure will last me well enough until next summer and as I only be using it for summer. As for the smell, well it does have a little bit of fake tan smell to it but nothing like other people would pick up on. Most likely even you won't even smell it most of the time!

To me this is a fabulous unique product that I really urge you to try if you like me want to get a little bit of glow into your skin and look like you been super healthy! Who doesn't want that for Summer?!

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Skincare And Make Up Haul

March was the month of my birthday and what is a girl suppose to do when she gets some birthday money? Go shopping, right! So I thought I would show you what I got this last month instead of doing a monthly favourite roundup as not much has changed there.

First up is the Clarins HydraQuench Cream a daily moisturizer that as the name suggests, promises to keep your skin hydated throughout the day. I wasn't meant to buy this new moisturizer as I still have one on the go but lately I can not go to town without stopping by on a Clarins counter.

And that brings me on to my next buy the Clarins Radiance Plus Golden Glow Booster. The lady at the counter told me casually that clarins has won many awards lately for their tanning products and me having heard only praises for this face tanner had to give in and try it out for myself. You are meant to put a little drop of this into your daily moisturizer and it will gradually give you a natural glow or two drops if you like your tan more intense.

Last one on the skincare agenda is the Ren Claryfying Toner for combination skin. Another toner with exfoliating properties. This is the kind of toners that I like at the moment as they seem to keep my skin in check!

On to make up next and as you can see I have been developing a love for soft pink lipsticks, instead of buying just one I had to have three and all of them are from Revlon. The first two are the Revlon Colorburst Lacquer Balm in110 Croquette and 210 Unapologetic (matte). The matte version s quite intense and I can see myself reaching for it on a night out where as the glossy balm is more of an everyday lippy!
The third one of the bunch is Revlons Colourstay Ultimate Suede lipstick in the colour 020 Front Row. Now this lipstick I am still kind of on the fence about because when I bought it I absolutely loved the colour ( it was exactly what I had in mind colour wise) but this lipsticks looks for some reason not that great on. It tends to stick to any dry bits and starts looking a bit odd after a while. What a shame!! I hate when you have high hopes for a product and then lets you down!

But this did definitely not happen with the new mascara that I bought that same day. I am talking about the famous Maybelline Falsies Mascara. Until now I never really got my hands on this mascara but I can see it become a firm favourite in my collection and why everybody else is been going on about it. It has the perfect consistency (not too wet or dry) and the brush makes applying mascara a dream.

Well that's it for now. This last month I did go a bit on a spender and will have to restrain form buying anything new for a while. This often happens to me, one month I am super good and then the next everything goes out of the window, UPS!

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Dolce Dolce

Dolce (or Dolce Dolce as Carrie from Sex And The City would say) is the new perfume from Dolce and Gabana and was given to me by my lovely husband as a birthday present last month.

When I first got to smell this perfume I have to say that I wasn't that impressed with the fragrance as it smelt of something I have smelt before and when a top designer comes out with a new fragrance you would expect a perfume that is new and exciting, right. I normally get curious and think of scents that I have never smelt before.

Maybe its because of its top note of Neroli leaves which can be found it quite a few perfumes these days for its fresh yet sweet fragrance.

But non the less this is a beautiful perfume that shouts elegance and beauty. Dominico Dolce describes this as a picture he carries with him of Sicily and he wanted to capture this in a delicate fragrance. A memory of tradition and emotion in all its freshness, elegance and youthfulness.

And if you watch the Campaign you can truly see that he got that right. He captured the spirit of this Sicilian girl perfectly, her walking though an orchard full of orange trees and with beautiful flowers in the background on a lovely hot midsummer day. That's exactly what I think of when I dream about Sicily.

Anyway I am glad my husband gave me this perfume as this will be my scent for the summer and there is nothing more beautiful that coming back to a fragrance and remembering a lovely time you have had.

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Treatments For Fine Heads

Fine hair is a nightmare!! I know that sounds a little over dramatic but it really can be. There are just so many issues that come with having fine hair but it really gets a whole lot worse when you also have thinning hair. There is the daily battle with creating volume without loading on the products and making your hair look greasy. Then there is also the problem of not over washing you hair because second hair looks never really good on a fine head, not to mention growth disappointments because you need to have hair cuts on a regular basis otherwise it would just fray into nothingness and split ends. I could go on but I don't want to be here all day and moan about my hair.

If you are a fine head girl like me you probably know what its like and find it just as frustrating especially when everyone else seem to have bouncier, thicker, voluminous hair than you. But over the last year I have tried making peace with my hair and start concentrating on looking after it and treating it with some care.
Making some errors along the way but also discovering some real gems.

The first major discovery came when I used Philip Kingley Elasticizer for the first time. Back then I was still growing out my years of over bleached hair out and I needed something to take care of the dry ends.
This was a real life/hair saver as it sorted my ends out and made them look nice again. It stopped me from needing to go to the hairdressers all the time and even now that my hair is all natural I still like to pop this one once a week to keep things looking nice!

One recent find that has made using conditioner on my hair a real joy is the Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Deep Treatment Mousse. This is just brilliant and a no fail when it comes to conditioners. No more greasy heads because you got a little carried away with the conditioner in the shower or didn't wash it out long enough. Just put some mousse in your balm, smooth it through you hair, leave in for 3 minutes and then rinse. You will be left with hair that feels light but also nourished and has a lovely shine to it. I have a feeling that this will stay in my shower for some time and will definitely be repurchased.

Oven Baked Rice Pudding Recipe

Raising two young boys can sometimes get quite complicated when it comes to what to cook for them. Most of the times there is always one that is not so impressed with what I have come up with. Especially when it comes to dessert! For some reason my kids get a bit picky here!! Which I don't think is normal. I mean when have you heard a kid say no to a piece of cake but if you ask my kids they will tell you that there are only 3 sorts of cakes that they are OK with. 

And one of the most popular treats after dinner is rice pudding. No complains here!

Lucky for me its also an easy thing to whizz up in the kitchen and since I have been making it so much lately, I kind of perfected the art of making a perfect fluffy,creamy rice pudding and thought I would share it with you!

All you need is: 

600 ml milk

400ml single cream

zest 1 unwaxed lemon

1 vanilla pod

25g caster sugar

100g short grain pudding rice

25g butter

Heres is how you make it!

1. Heat oven to 120C/140C fan/gas 2. Put the milk, cream, zest and vanilla pod all in one saucepan. Gently bring to a simmer, then stir in caster sugar and rice.

2. Transfer mixture to a shallow ovenproof dish and dot the butter on top (I like to use my stoneware casserole dish as its perfect for slow cooking). Bake for 30 mins, then stir well and cook for 1 hour more until the pudding is soft and creamy and a golden skin has formed on the top. The depth and type of dish you use will affect the cooking time, so if the pudding seems loose then return it to oven once more and check every 10 mins or so. Once cooked rest for 10 min and then serve.

The good thing about rice pudding is that you can make as much or as little as you like in one go. I always make a ton and then fill it up in little glass pods so that we can still enjoy our homemade rice pudding by the end of the week!

I hope you will like this recipe and tell me if you want to see more of my cooking. I love creating healthy, tasty homecooked meals for my family and would love to share some more with you!

Flannel VS Muslin Cloth

I think the first time I heard of using a cloth with a cream cleanser was a few year back when I first got into taking my skin care more serious. Back then there was a big hype about the Liz Earl Cleans and Polish and everybody swore by using a hot muslin cloth with a cleanser to polish off any make up and also exfoliate the skin at the same time. Its funny because at that time I used to think that that was a genius idea but then I thought about it and remembered that my grandma has always loved using her flannel for her face. Yes maybe the idea of using it with a cleanser is new but not using a good old wash cloth.

So if its good enough for my granny, it must be good for me too!

But then there is the question of which one is better flannel or muslin?

Well I like them both for different reasons!!

MUSLIN CLOTH

Is a thin loosely woven cotton cloth that comes in all shapes and sizes and provides a gentle way of exfoliation.

They only need a little water to soak in and work perfect with a cream cleansers. The best way to use your muslin cloth is by soaking it in hot water and then rubbing off your cleanser with the cloth in circular motions.

The light exfoliation that you get with a muslin can really help with your complexion and that's why I love to use mine in the morning. There is nothing better than coming out of the shower with a freshly cleansed face that feels clean and energised.

FLANNEL

Is a super soft, thick wash cloth that looks the same as a towel and they normally come in a square shape design. They are easy to get (I got mine in TK Maxx but any shop with a bathroom section will have them also) and are the best thing to give your face a deep clean. I like to use mine in the evening when I get in from work. First I apply my cleanser onto my face and let hot water run over my wash cloth, wringing out the excess water, I then wipe away all the dirt and make up from the day.

I do the whole process again and I am left with super clean skin that feels pampered and ready for the next step.

Sometimes when I feel like I need a little pick me up I like to leave the warm cloth on my face so that all the pores can open. I love the feeling of warmth from the cloth on my skin, it almost feels like a mini facial.

That's why I like to use them at night, not only do they give you a really good clean but they also make you feel relaxed and calm. Perfect way to end the day!!

But don't forget to but them in the wash each time you used them, I mean you wouldn't but anything dirty on your face at any other time or would you?

So I guess next time I see my grandma doing something I mustn't think its just something old school she is doing, maybe I should take her advice instead and copy!!

Are you using any kind of cloth to remove your make up, I would love to hear your thoughts!!

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Monthly Empties

Well this is the time again where I can show you how good I have been and what I have used up until the last drop!!

I think its easy to see that I have been really loving my skincare over the last month or so. There are two cleansers, a moisturizer, a serum and I even managed to empty my hand creme ( normally I forget to use it after about a week). And it doesn't look like I am going to stop buying skincare any time soon. Ever since I discovered the Clarins Lotus Oil I have been fascinated with what else I can do to help my skin improve.

Like I have said before I have never been really into skincare (more of a make up kind of gal) but so far I am enjoying the pampering at night and the seeing results in the morning.

Anyway lets have a look what I have been using!

First up is the Clinique Take The Day Off Balm Cleanser. This is a brilliant cleanser if you are after a more affordable cleanser. Most of the balm cleansers can be quite expensive and can also have a lot of perfume in them but not the Clinique one. It's a real gem especially for girls with sensitive skin. Yes it doesn't feel as luxurious as some others do but it really gets the job done (even removes waterproof mascara). And when it comes down to it that's all I really want from a cleanser!

Another Clinique product that I was using the last month was the Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus. This claims to erase like a laser fine lines and wrinkles and also freshen up you complexion. While I don't think it has done much for my fine lines it did however help with my breakouts and complexion. If I felt like I had a spot coming on I used this at night and the next day the swelling was down and the spot was on its way out! As for repurchasing it. I would say that there are better serums out there like the Estee Lauder Night Advance Repair Serum so I would rather buy that one.

Next up is a cleanser that I have been using for years on and off. The La Roche Posay Toleriane Cleanser is one that I always like to come back to as its easy to get hold of, doesn't cost a lot and does a really good job removing my make up. Again it's for us girls with sensitive skin with no parbens or fragrance added. A perfect cleanser if you have sensitive skin and are on a budget!

When it comes to moistuizer I don't really make a big fuss. Maybe its because I still haven't found one that has made a huge difference. The Vichy Normaderm Moistuizer is a good one to use if you have oily skin as it feels super light and has salicylic acid in it. Only problem is that it doesn't have any spf in it and that's something I really look for in a moistuizer.

Do you hate the feeling of greasy hands after applying your hand cream. Yes me too but the Garnier Intensive 7 Day Hand Cream doesn't feel at all like that. That's probably why I have been sticking with applying it regular and going though it quite quickly. It keeps you hand moisturized and also makes my nails look nice and nourished. A definite repurchase!

Hair wise I have been sadly running out of the Kerastase Cristaliste Shampoo. I have to say that I really enjoyed using this shampoo. Its really good for fine haired people who want a shampoo that is not too striping on their hair and also gives a lovely shine. I will buy it in the full size as its a nice shampoo to have in my stash!

Lastly is the only make up product and its a mascara. The one I was using is the Loreal Volume Million Lash Mascara. When I bought it I was hoping that this would make my lashes look thicker and fuller but maybe I understood the volume wrong. Because it really is a good mascara if you have short lashes and you are looking for lenght. But I really had to build it up quite a bit to get the results I was after.
Do you know of a good mascara that makes you lashes thicker? I would love to know?

So that is it, now I can give myself a pat on the back and keep on shopping for new thing!!

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Two That Will Make Your Skin Glow

If you love pampering your skin with masks then you would have heard about Origins! Not only do they have a huge variety of masks to suit every skin type but they also are 100% natural.

And the two that stand out the most are the Origins Clear Improvement and the Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask.

Both of them are really good by them self and offer great results but the magic happens when you use them together! I am talking, glowing and plump skin when you wake up in the morning and a no need of wearing make up for the day (maybe just a light cc cream or a little bit of concealer but that is it).

Most of the time I like to do this little treat on a Saturday or Sunday night when I have enough time to relax and pamper my skin. I firstly start of with cleansing my skin and prepping it for the charcoal mask. I like to use a soft hot flannel cloth with my cleanser so that my pores can open and the charcoal mask can work its best sucking out all the grime and dirt. Leave on for 20 minutes and scare somebody with you face! ;-)

Then you want to use your hot flannel again and wash away the mask. The next step is get some more moisture into your skin so that you will not only look clean and bright from the charcoal mask but also plump and radiant. And that's when the second mask comes in. Luckily this one is an overnight one so all that is left to do now is to slap it on and go to sleep.

I guaranty you you will wake up with amazing skin that people will notice and compliment you one. This is a pair that really can make the difference!

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Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Light Treatment Mousse

When I first heard that Aussie where coming out with a 3 Minute Miracle Mousse Conditioner I knew I had to try it. Everybody knows and loves their regular 3 Minute Miracle Treatment, so naturally my hopes where really high.  And I have to say that this is by far the most exciting new product that has come out in a long time for us fine haired ladies. 

If you are thinking mousse and crunchy curls then think again. This is nothing like a regular hair mousse. Its a mousse that is meant to apply like any other conditioner in the shower and then like the other 3 Minute Miracle Treatment to be left in your hair for 3 minutes and then rinsed. The difference between the mousse and the regular is that this one is for us girls with fine hair. Which makes me super happy because if you are honest there isn't much out there at the moment. Lots of shampoos but no conditioners especially in the drugstore compartment.

Because of its mousse formula ( looks just like rich whipped cream) it feels weightless when I apply it to my hair in the shower and it's super easy to wash out! The results are also quite impressive, both formulas left my hair super soft and shiny, the Aussome Volume gives a slight bit of volume and the Mega a lovely rich moisturizing feel. Swishing my hair around all day!

I can see these two little miracles become a firm staple in my haircare. Like a good hair day in a can!!

The NO Time Make Up

We all know that feeling when you wake up in the morning and your eyes just don't want to open and the thought of getting up and facing the day makes you want to roll over and hide under the covers.

That's how so many of my days start. Its mostly down to the fact that I like to go to bed  too late, unbeknown to my children who like to wake up as soon as the first sun rays hit the earth.

And getting everybody ready in the morning can be quite challenging even on a good day. So time is at its essence and getting ready is often just a slap on some make up and go.

The most I have is 10-15min and even doe its not much to get a flawless face out of the door, I still want to look glowy and radiant (look like you put some thought behind your outfit and make up, you know what I mean!?)

First things first and I always like to start of with my concealer under the eyes. The Rimmel Wake me up concealer is great for hiding any dark circles and make you look awake. I like that it feels quite light and never turns into a creased mess.

Next up is foundation and the Laura Mercier Mineral Foundation has to be the one. Its just super easy to apply, just swirl your brush in it and buff into skin! It gives great coverage and leave your skin with a lovely glow that stays throughout the day and even starts to look better as your natural oils start to come through.

On to the eyes and here is where I probably spend most of my time at as I don't want rush out of the house with my eyeshadow all looking nice but no mascara on ( has happened before, don't ask how many times).

I start with applying a wash of colour with my Mac Eyeshadow in Wedge, which give some lovely depth and softness to the eyes and finish of with MAC Teddy Eyeliner and some Mascara!

After I finished my eyes I always like to give my brows a quick sweep with the Maybelline Browdrama Gel (for some definition and to keep unruly hairs in check) and then move on to my lips. At the moment I am into my pinky nude colours like the Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in Lets Get Naked or the Maybelline Color Sensatinal Lipgloss in Nude Pearl. Both feel lovely and moisturizing on the lips and are easy to apply!

Blush is next and I always like to leave it for last. I find its the safest way to not get carried away with it. If I use it straight after foundation I can often look a bit clownish with big red cheeks and lets face it that is never a good look. The one I am reaching for most days is my much loved Nars Blush in Luster. A soft peachy blush with tiny specks of glitter in it that give my skin a lovely healthy sheen!

That's it, 10 minutes are up and I am ready to go!! Have you got a routine down for those mornings when there is just to much to do and not enough time? I would be interested to find out what you go to products are!!

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Blogger Love Tag

Reading a lot of blogs and watching a ton of you tube videos there is no avoiding coming along some tag post/videos here and there. They can make you get to know your favourite blogger/youtuber more or help you pick up some useful tips every now and then. So its only fair to say that I love a good TAG post and when I saw this one I knew I had to participate. Its just a fun way to find out what blogs I have been reading and who are the people that I trust when it comes to beauty products.

Hopefully there will be also some that you never heard of and I would love for you to check out!!

What was the first blog you ever came across? 

I first started reading blogs when there where not many beauty blogs out there and I remember Laura from buy now blog later used to make You Tube videos as Lollipop26 and she started a blog to go with her channel. I remember being obsessed with her and watched many videos over and over again. Now she doesn't make any more videos on you tube but her blog has really grown and she is still up there with the blogs that I have to read every post. I just trust her opinion and feel like she is an old friend who has the same interested at heart!

Favourite blog reads

Gosh were to start? For Beauty: Vivianna Does Makeup, Gh0parties, Hello October and I COVERED THEE. Fashion: Buy now blog later, Kayture, Negin Mirsalehi and Peace Love Shea Lifestyle: A Beautiful Mess and Wellness Mama.

Best blogging friend

As I only just started blogging for about half a year now I am still trying to find my way around and have not made much friends yet. Maybe its down to me not taking much part on twitter and other social media but being a mother of two comes with its own challenges and time is always precious. But then saying that I feel like I have got to know a couple of bloggers over the last months and would love to get to know them more.

Like Zuzana from blubuttonbox (she takes the most amazing pictures on her blog!) and Kate from Katespitz (she always leaves me a lovely comment to every post). Hopefully I can get to know more of you soon, its always nice to share some beauty advise!

Name a blog that enables your purchases

Liana Beauty hands down, she always makes everything sounds like you need to run out and go and try it for yourself. She is just such a beautiful, stunning girl and I also love her style and the way she dresses. Perfect all around!!

5 blogs everyone should be reading!

NOUVELLE DAILY

VIVIANNA DOES MAKE UP

NEGIN MIRSALEHI
KAYTURE
LIANA BEAUTY

Your favourite way to read blogs

There is only one way and its Bloglovin. Its just so super easy to follow other blogs and see whats newly posted. I love going to bed early and reading whats new on other peoples blogs. Its my favourite thing to do its always so inspiring and I get new ideas for my own blog posts!

Bloggers that inspire you 

One of the most inspiring bloggers to me is Kate who runs not just one but two successful blogs Nouvelle and Ghostparties. She spends most of  her days in front of the computer thinking up some really cool post and she always has some new exiting post up and seems to never runs out of ideas. Seeing her doing so well helps me stay focused and want to write more. Truly inspiring!!

 Favourite blog design/look

Hmm let me think!! I am really loving Maddie's from Unstichedd blog design. Its clean, simple and easy to find its way around and she always has the nicest pictures to go with her blog post.

Every time she a has a new post up in awe at how beautiful her photography is.

What is your favourite thing about blogging?

I might not be the best in writing and making my blog post sound amazing but I love sharing with you guys.

Its just a really awesome feeling when I can help you find a product that you have never heard of before or are wanting to try out. And I love hearing from you! Reading the comment section is one of my favourite things about blogging.

Name a blogger you would most like to see write a book in the future! 

Wow here is a difficult question. I think I will stick with the beauty mouth itself Caroline Hirons.

She has so much knowledge about skincare that it would be great to see her write a book. In the last few years I have leaned so much from her and my skin has never looked this good since going on her skincare routine. If you have now been on her site then what are you waiting for there is a whole new would of skincare waiting for you!

February Favourites

Another month has come and gone and I must say I am glad to see this one end. It means we are a little bit closer to spring and March is also the month of my birthday. I am going to be 29 this year and while it never bothered me before I am starting to dread getting closer to 30. One more year left until the big 30. I know its only a number and it doesn't mean much but sometimes I do worry. I have so many plans for my life ahead that I often feel like I running out of time. After all I don't want to be old to achieve some of my life goals. But never mind nobody stays young forever so I should not be worried and 30 is not really old even tough I sometimes feel like it.;-)
Anyway lets not go on about my age, lets look at some of this month favourites!!

Number one has to be the Clarins Lotus Face Oil Treatment. Gosh has this changed my skin. Since using this every night for two weeks now, I have seen a huge reduction of spots and my old acne scars are fading away fast. My skin looks plump and radiant in the morning and putting on my make up has never been easier. It smoothed out my skins texture and helps with any unevenness. The only thing is my husband hates the smell of this and doesn't come close to me after I put this on but I am sorry hubby how can I stop using this lovely essential oil after seeing such amazing results?

The next thing I have been loving this month is my new cleanser. Its the OSKIA Renaissance Cleansing Gel. Its not just like any ordinary gel cleanser that I have used before, no its a gel based cleanser that turns to a luxurious oil and melts into skin to quickly and gently remove make up and any other impurities while it nourishes and brightens the skin. Wash of  with a flannel and you will be left with balanced, clean, fresh and radiant skin that feels soft and smooth.

Make up wise I have been returning to my old and faithful Laura Mercier Mineral Powder. This was my staple foundation last year and it looks like it will continue to be the one I reach for the most. I like that its a powder, so it doesn't have the heavy feeling that most liquid foundations have. It also gives great coverage that you can build up to a full without ever looking cakey or powdery. And it last on my oily skin for up to 8 hours. Pretty impressive for a powder, right??

This wouldn't be a favourites post without me throwing in a lippy! This month I have been loving my Topshop Ohh La La Lipstick. The colour of this lipstick reminds me of the 60s, its mostly because I have been watching season 6 of MAD MEN and wanting to look like the girls in the show! There is just something about that era, women looked so chic and the dresses they wore are just so pretty and feminine. Maybe the fashion will come back some day, a girl can dream!! I like to pair this lipstick with a nice cat eye feline flick and a bit of blusher and I am good to go!

Lastly I want to talk about my all time favourite perfume. If you like floral scents like me you will love the Kenzo Flower Perfume! I remember smelling this for the first time, I knew I had to have it and since then it has become my go to perfume. If there was a smell that would describe me it would be this. Sadly I run out of it but my lovely husband remembered how much I loved it and got me a new bottle on Valentines day! Its a vibrant, fresh and sensual scent that smells of rose and vanilla. Sweet Bliss!!

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Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel

Another Cleanser, I know but I can't seem to stop myself from trying out new ones. There are so many good cleansers out there at the moment that its hard to say no. One of a much raved about cleanser is the OSKIA Renaissance Cleansing Gel.

Normally I would shy away of any gel formulated cleanser but this one is different. Its quite odd because it looks like any other gel cleanser but when you massage it onto your skin it becomes a lovely luxurious oil that melts into your skin. It is super gentle so that you can even use over eyes without giving you any nasty stinging feeling. Make up is removed effortlessly and after a double cleans, there will be no trace of make up left on your face ( the toner is the prove of that).

What I like about this cleanser is that it comes in a tube. Its super easy to control how much you use ( one pump is enough) so there will be no waisting products. Not like other cleansing balms that come in a jar or tub.

But what is most impressive is the ingredients! Its almost like skincare but in a cleanser. It has vitamin A,C, E that can really help with brigthening your skin and improves the appearance of sun damage, pumpkin enzymes to remove any dead skin cells and help with skin cell renewal and chamomile and rose to soothe the skin and nourish.

To me this all sounds amazing and I have to say that it does what it says on the tin (tube)! My skin feels nourished and clean with a slight glow to it. You know how much I liked the Clinique Take The Day Off Cleanser (link here) but this one is definitely the winner of the two. The ingredients to the talking and with only using very little for a big effect, I can see this lasting me for quite some time.

The only down side to this cleanser has to be the price. Its £32.50 which is quite a lot for a cleanser but I still think it is worth the money. And you are in luck OSKIA are giving you a £10 discount with your first order so this is the perfect time to go and try it out yourself! Just enter WELCOME when you check out online! You won't be disappointed!!

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Budget Buy Of The Month

You all know how much I like a good hair products but when it comes to heat protection I can be a bit lazy. Its quite odd that I like to spend my money on expensive styling tools and shampoos but completely neglected the fact that it also needs protection from all the heat.

I think it was mostly down to the fact that I tried some of the heat sprays before and most of them either weight my hair down and made it look greasy or they made styling more difficult by being sticky so that my hair didn't feel soft and bouncy anymore.

So I gave up on them for quite some time until I came across the Loreal Elnett Satin Heat Styling Spray.

I like to spray a few pumps in my damp hair, brush it through with my hairbrush an then start blow drying it with a round brush. What I love about it is that its completely weightless and doesn't make you hair feel sticky or greasy. We all want that soft bouncy clean feeling on the day we washed our hair and this does just the trick. It even helps with flyaways and humidity and for £4.49 is an absolute bargain. As for the Volume, it says that it can "lock in volume for up to 3 days" but I think that's just a little bit to much of the advertising. While I do think it give you a little bit of hold throughout the day it certainly can not life up to a 3 day volume promise. My volume only ever last for one day, as soon as my head hits the pillow, that volume is gone!!

But as a heat protection styling spray its definitely doing a great job! Will be a repurchase!

Have you got a heat protecting spray that I need to know about then leave me a comment, I would love to know!

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