Meet Winnie

Meet Winnie. My very cute, very gorgeous, very naughty pup! She came into the world last month and her first day with us, Saturday 09 January 2016, was filled with so much joy. What's a better way to start the year than with a new bouncy baby girl! I love her so much already and I've only known her a day. 

Hello 2016

New Year. Fresh Start.
I honestly feel like 2015 has been one of the best years of my life. There have been so many changes for the better and I've never been happier. I turned 21, broke my biggest fear, ran ten miles, moved house, moved jobs, first trip to America and best of all I've made the most amazing new friends. It's got me feeling extremely positive for the new year and thinking ahead to what I would like to achieve this year. So here are my goals for this year, which I hope to look back on in 2017 and have hopefully accomplished (mostly):

♥ General Health
I know this is a cliché to most people but this is a goal that you could say I've already achieved in the past year - I joined a gym, started running and eat healthy for a good while. I just want to keep it up and push myself further. I've already booked in for more personal training sessions and hope to join a spinning class in January. I'd also like to connect more with nature and the countryside around me - more walks and runs this year for me! In terms of eating healthily, I really enjoyed making lots of 'good for you' recipes from Deliciously Ella's cookbook in 2015 and cutting down on processed, 'bad for you' foods. My plan this month is to make daily smoothies with my nutribullet. As well as drinking more water as opposed to far too much tea - this is a must!



♥ Creativity
I would love to explore my passions and learn more skills this year. Getting back into photography, making my own music, learning a language and painting with watercolours to create art - and maybe even selling it (if it's any good!). Blogging more is going to be a priority as I'd love to be able to look back on my moments from this year which I regret not having from 2015.



♥ Socialise 
I really need to make more time to see friends this year and be the one to make the plans - otherwise it may never happen! Rekindling old friendships is also a goal, as well as strengthening the new friendships I've recently made in 2015.

♥ Organise
It's time to be more organised and pin that 'to do list' up on the wall. First thing to do is buy a 2016 diary and from then start saying YES to every opportunity and to trying new things this year.



♥ Disconnect
I'm going to start putting my phone away in the evenings and making sure a screen is not the last thing I see before I go to sleep. I'd like to try meditating, doing more yoga at home and reading at least a book a month - I think this may help me sleep better. 

♥ Travel
Travel is honestly the most motivating thing for me. Seeing new places and having new experiences is so exciting and inspiring - it was the best part of last year. I hope to be going skiing in March and will defiantly be planning another trip later on in the year!

'Life begins at the end of your comfort zone'

Bring on 2016 ♥

Benefit 'Roller Lash' Mascara ♥

I have finally had the chance to jump on the band wagon and try the new Benefit Roller Lash mascara and must I say this stuff is INCREDIBLE. As an everyday wearer and committed user of the Benefit 'They're Real' mascara for many years now, this had very high expectations to live up to. But my god, did it exceed them or what. 

I picked up this month's edition of Elle Magazine for the opportunity to try this as it is included as a free sample. Initially my thoughts were, how can Benefit improve from 'They're Real'? What does this one do that 'They're Real' doesn't? What is the point in bringing out a new mascara when 'They're Real' is so effective and popular as it is? However, reservations aside, I was very eager to see what the fuss was about and establish an opinion for myself. 

As soon as I'd applied this to my lashes, I was in love. The name is very appropriate for this product as it really does roll your lashes to create superb amounts of volume, as well as separating and lifting for a fuller effect. It also lasts all day, without a doubt. I applied this first thing in the morning and it was still as good in the evening that I didn't need to reapply for my night out (Quick Snap below). I also have sensitive eyes to some products and this was no problem at all, as usual with Benefit, it ticks all the boxes.

I don't know about you but I will defiantly be purchasing this when it is released on 26 February. 

5 Stars from me. 

♥

The LUSHest of Baths

There is nothing I love more than a nice relaxing bath after a stressful day at work. I was gifted a huge gift set of bath bombs for Christmas and have been working my way through them since the beginning of the year! 

So far I've loved Dragons Egg and Shoot for the Stars

♥

Face of the Day: Girls Night Out

Moisturiser: Nivea Daily Essentials Face Moisturiser

Base: Benefit That Gal Brightening Face Primer, The Boi-ing Industrial Strength Concealer

Eyebrows: Maybelline Master Shape Eyebrow Pencil, Benefit Speed Brow Gel

Eyes: Urban Decay Naked Palette: Virgin, Snog, Half Baked & Hustle, Collection Fast Stroke Eyeliner, Benefit 'They're Real' Falsh Lash Mascara

Face: Rimmel Stay Mate Powder, Benefit Hula Bronzer, Benefit Dandelion Blusher

Lips: Rimmel Kate Moss Lipstick 

♥

My Favourite Christmas Presents 2014! ♥

I was a very lucky girl this year and got a selection of very thoughtful presents. I clearly have a lot of loved ones in my life listening closely to me and paying attention to things I like! 

Remington Heated Rollers: 

These are brilliant! I have already used them for a night out over Christmas and they worked a treat, producing lovely bouncy curls and were also super quick to heat up. Very happy with these indeed!

OPI Nail Polishes:

 I was so pleased to receive these as I have a sparkly set that I use over Christmas and know from them that the OPI formula is so good. It's very easy to put on and lasts for at least a week, so I am excited to try out some new colours!

Soap and Glory Orangasm Gift Set:

I love Soap and Glory and haven't had the chance to try the new Orangasm scent yet so I'm looking forward to using this from now on in my morning showers!

Urban Decay NAKED Palette: 

Yay! At Last, I have a NAKED Palette and this one (the original) is my favourite of the three and I'm so excited to use 'half baked' on NYE! 

Starbucks Travel Cup:

This will be so handy to have as an on-the-go cup of tea for my morning car journeys to work. 

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish: 

I'm curious to try this original version as I'm used to the Special Edition one which is lovely but I'm not to sure on the original version's scent so it'll be interesting to try this. But, of course, either way it will still be incredible on my skin and feel so soft and fresh.

Topshop PomPom Hat: 

I got this lovely item from my best friend who clearly knows my favourite colour and my style. This is now one of my winter essentials for sure.

Toblerone:

Classic Christmas favourite. Always in my stocking and always delicious. 

Green Tea Teapigs:

I have a new obsession with green tea and haven't tried this brand yet, They look like they'll be strong which always makes for a good cup of tea. 

H Coaster:

I love this so much. A gift from my boyfriend's mum which will look excellent on my chest of drawers with a nice cup of green tea on it, watching movies in front of the Tele.

Topshop Floral Necklace: 

This cute necklace was a present from my mum and I love it. It's so pretty but still statement so I could wear it for any occasion!

Monopod Selfie Stick: 

The best way to get Selfies. I'll be using this a lot, so expect to see this featured in upcoming 'My Week in Photos' 

Ted Baker Ipad Case:

I love the finish on this case, it feels and looks very smooth and sleek. You can defiantly tell it's designer too in my opinion. 

Molton Brown London Smellies: 

I LOVE Molton Brown and can't wait to use these. They are a handy travel size so I am thinking of saving them for my holiday next year. 

POP Lush Gift Set:

YES! Lush is my favourite thing ever as any friend or family member of mine knows! This gift set smells amazing and has so many bath bombs in it. I know I'm going to have a lot of gorgeous smelling, relaxing baths in 2015!

I am so grateful for all my lovely presents and feel very lucky to have all the loved ones in my life that I do.
Here's to a fantastic 2015.
♥

My Famous Christmas Cupcakes

☆ Gingerbread Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Icing and Gingerbread Biscuit Topping ☆

I used a spotted blue and white cupcake box, with bows and red and white string to package the cupcakes for my Friends and Family as Christmas gifts!

I found the Recipe on-line and it worked a treat. Honestly if you are looking to make these, I highly recommend this recipe, especially if you like gingerbread - they are truly delicious.

I tried to make them a bit more personal by adding gingerbread men on top which I just used a simple gingerbread biscuit recipe for and a mini cutter.