Friday 28 December 2012

Travel Destinations: Marrakech

Today's destination is Marrakech, one of the largest cities in Morocco.
It's a relatively cheap place to go and lovely and hot! When I went in October (last year) it was still a sweltering 31 C! Lots of UK airports fly there and the flights can be quite reasonable. The currency is Moroccan Dirham and last time I went, it was about £1 = 11 Dirham.

Saturday 22 December 2012

Christmas cheer!

So last week I had a mosey up to Oxford Street to look at the lights, and then on to Libertys off Carnaby street- I love their Christmas section :)
I must say, wasn't that impressed with the Marmite lights- guess you love them or hate them (haha terrible joke!) but I loved the other lights so I'm only showing them :) oh and the Carnaby street lights were lovely!
Oxford street

Tuesday 18 December 2012

If the shoe fits...

Just a quick post; I wanted to show you these amazing shoes, I was kindly sent by the lovely people at Keds, they've been making classic canvas trainers since 1916, when they first made their "feel-like-everyday's-a-Saturday" shoe) or 'champion' classic rubber soled shoe.
They are worn worldwide, and Taylor swift has even got in on the Ked action, with her picks and RED colection, there are so many to pick from, the classic canvas lace up sneaker in so many different colours & patterns to boots with faux shearling inside (warm!) and slip ons.
(Sorry about the crazy lighting in this photo- no idea what happened!!)
I really wanted some classic red lace ups and these Keds seemed perfect- but the boring practical side of me, drove me to pick these ones as they looked sooo warm and would keep my feet snugly when I walk to uni in the soon to be Siberian winter that the UK is expecting!.I'm really happy with them, they are Nubuck suede with this lovely wool pattern by the ankle. Maybe when summers here again, I'll finally buy some Red Keds :)

As you can see, they look great with my classic skinnies- how do you wear your Keds? :)
Thanks for reading!

Saturday 15 December 2012

Moroccan Berber vegetable couscous

So it's been quite a while since I did a recipe/cooking post. I haven't had time to cook anything interesting and take photos tbh! But finally this weekend I did! I made Moroccan/Berber vegetable couscous (and I added Lamb to mine, but it's optional).
This has to be my least lazy recipe yet, as it involves quite a lot of chopping/cooking/stirring/ time!

Sunday 9 December 2012

Gift ideas, stockings!

First up, everyone loves stockings, old, young, rich, poor etc. etc. if you don't then go away to a place where Christmas cheer and happiness doesn't exist! Scrooge....
Ok for all the non scroogey's still reading, I thought I'd do a post for the younger guys and gals (7-13) and then one for the (14-21) year olds. Cause we all know after this if you still get a stocking all you will receive is socks!! I do :(
Girls: 1) Baking house £7- Next  2) Fleece Heart trapper hat & mittens £9- Debenhams  3) Brave DVD £13- Amazon  4) Friendship stamping set £9- Debenhams
Boys: 1) Fairisle Trapper hat £9- Debenhams  2)  Avengers ultimate guide book £17.99- Debenhams  3) Nerf Vortex Praxis Blaster £15- John Lewis  4) Dr. Seuss' Lorax DVD £13- Amazon

Monday 5 November 2012

Holiday season: Gift ideas

I'm unlucky enough to have both Christmas and my birthday fall within 3 days of each other which results in lots of crap 'joint' gifts. Don't get me wrong a gift is a gift, it's just a bit disappointing getting one instead of two? And having to wait a whole year to get 'one' again!?
The thing is, this year I'm really stuck for ideas when people ask me what I want to both- let alone the one (the people that know me well and my hatred of the dreaded joint gift!!)? I just don't know, so I thought entering this blogger challenge might help me find some inspiration!
1) Hessian Owl Hipflask £12- U.O.
2) Neom Sumptuous Travel candle £15- Neom
3) Benefit 'She's..so Jetset!' £29.50- John Lewis
4) House of Marley headphones £30- U.O
5) Origins 'Let it glow' £25- Origins
As this is a list for me and a bit self indulgent I thought I'd show things I actually want and have since put on my christmas list. Namely the House of Marley Jamaica headphones. I just think these are so cool, with fabric wiring and wooden look earbuds. I've wanted them ever since I saw someone on the tube wearing them and stared at the headphones for the whole journey. I probs freaked them out a bit.. oh well!
The rest I think is pretty self explanatory, I've wanted a Neom candle for aaages and love Benefit and Origins. The hipflask; well that's to hold my alcohol for when I go out drinking as I'm to skanky to buy some- plus it has owls! You can never go wrong with owls....

Thanks for reading, what's on your Christmas lists this year?



Monday 1 October 2012

Peach Upside down cake

This is the lazy girl's recipe, as I'm using peach slices from a tin, you are more than welcome to cut up 4-5 peaches. But I couldn't be bothered...
Its pretty tasty and easy to make, so one of my favourites. You will need: a whisk (electrical preferred- this is the lazy girl's recipe!), a mixing bowl, some sort of measuring/weighing device, a baking tray.. an oven.
The ingredients are;

Thursday 27 September 2012

Back to Uni I go...

Bit of an odd post today, yesterday I officially started back at University bright and early at 9am!
I thought I'd do a little 'all the things I take to uni' kind of thing. As I have bought a lot of new notebooks and raided WHSmiths to be quite honest! I think new things a) make me happy and b) get me in the wanting to learn way of thinking... if that makes any sense?
I bought all the essentials :) There's something so nice about new stationary; a 'fresh' notebook. I can't put my finger on what it is!

Thursday 13 September 2012

Travel Destinations: Barcelona

Two weeks ago I was lucky enough to be in Barcelona; what I wouldn't give to go back there now with this cold weather!
Barcelona is Spain's second largest city and the capital of Catalonia( and the largest city). They speak Catalan, a different language altogether to Spanish. And Barcelona has 3 airports serving it; El Prat, the city's airport, Gerona about 40 minutes from Barcelona and Reus- the same. It is very easy to get the train from El Prat to Barcelona central (which I did) and takes about 20 minutes. There is so much to see and do in the city, I just didn't have time to do it all, unfortunately.

Saturday 8 September 2012

A Day at the Paralympics: Friday 7th

Yesterday I had the chance to go to the Paralympic Games at Olympic park, because of a spare ticket being free.. long story.
Anyway, I wasn't into the hype of the Paralympics as much as the Olympics but though I should see the park, as I'll never see it like that ever again; The day was sooo hot, and so many people were there. The Megastore stressed me out (it was an effort working your way around people (even the keyring stand was 4 man deep!) and all food and drink was over priced. But hey ho, rant over! The Javellin train from Kings Cross to Stratford International was a dream though!

Friday 17 August 2012

Travel destinations: Copenhagen

I was there only last weekend, and I really really like it. I've been going regularly- although not the past 5 or so years- since I was a child as some of my family are in Malmö, and Copenhagen is only a short train ride away.
It is expensive, like most of Scandinavia, but like most places if you know where not to go, it doesn't seem so bad. The currency is Danish Krone and roughly is DKK 9.5 to £1.

Sunday 5 August 2012

Travel Destinations: Sydney

Sydney is probably the most famous city in Australia, often mistaken for the capital. It's on the east coast, in New South Wales, home to approx 4.6 million and the site of the first British colony. It's considered by other Australians as the hedonistic party city. The currency is Australian dollars.

Monday 30 July 2012

Addicted to... Etat Pur

After receiving the Etat Pur Purifying face mask in my July Joliebox and loving it so much I decided to visit the website and buy some more! I've heard really good things about the brand, which was from the man who also created Bioderma and Institut Esthederm. It's a French brand which utilises 'Pure Actives' and 'Biometric skincare products' to create a unique personalized service; their A+B concept.


Monday 23 July 2012

Travel Destinations: Hong Kong

Hong Kong, known for its Sky scraper sky line, great food, shopping and mix of cultures. This Chinese city, sits alone as a state from China, but up until 1997 belonged to the UK as a colony. It has it's own currency, parliament, passports and legal system, but Beijing still appoints it's Chief Executive.

Sunday 22 July 2012

Addicted to..(More beauty box reviews) Joliebox

Can't believe how lovely and sunny it finally is in the UK, and supposedly it's only going to get hotter :)
On Friday I received my July Joliebox, (only 14 days after the June box thanks to the delivery mix up).I had cancelled my subscription soon after receiving the June birthday box as I wasn't impressed with the box or the service and the box definitely didn't make up for the service in my eyes. I am slightly regretting that after how much more I like this box! But I think my bank will thank me for cancelling as I still have my 'Shesaidbeauty' subscription.
For more on UK beauty boxes and what they are click 'here'.

Thursday 19 July 2012

So I'm poor, But the Asos sale looked so good

Really quick post today, just a round up of things I bought last night in the Asos sale (bad times) I'm quite poor but everything was such a bargain and really pretty !

Saturday 14 July 2012

Travel destinations: Venice

 This Week I'm going to look at Venice. The city on water and housing the world's most artistic masterpieces per Km square. To truly experience Venice you need to forgo cars and roads for small streets and boats. With more bridges than you can walk over its definitely a 'walking city'.
Below is a view from the Rialto bridge, the most famous and I believe largest bridge in Venice, surrounded by shops selling masks and Murano Venetian glass, it's definitely worth a visit, but beware of Pick pockets in the crowded areas.

Tuesday 10 July 2012

Summer Sun; Holiday reads

As many of you are lucky enough to be going away (or not live in the cold, wet UK) I thought I'd do a post covering all the latest popular books that everyone seems to be raving about. I love taking books to read with me on the beach. As I've had quite a bit of time on my hands I've managed to read the books before actually going away!

Friday 6 July 2012

Addicted to... Beauty Boxes: review take 2

So on the last review I stated that I was going to cancel my Glossybox and order the Joliebox and the Luxbox. I ordered the Joliebox just in time to recieve the Birthday box which I was happy about- HOWEVER if any of you also subscribe to Joliebox you will also know the hassle that its been! I only got my JUNE box today. The contents were ok but then all the beauty bloggers who'd already had theirs had raved about them so the surprise was gone. But apparently this problem is not isolated,  so bye bye Joliebox!

Heres a quick round up of what was inside my Joliebox ( I really like to box too although it was noticeably smaller than the others?!); Elysambre:Discovery range Mascara, Institut Esthederm: Bronz repair Body Lotion, L'Occitane: Angelica Hydration Cream, Leonor Greyl: Volumizing Shampoo with Algae, Yon-ka: Pamplemousse Protective and Vitalizing cream & a Jolie Nail file.

Thursday 21 June 2012

Glasto Nostalgia

So yesterday would have been the first day of Glastonbury, the long drive down there, and (what feels longer) long walk with huge bags and tents to where we normally set up camp- near 'The park' but at the bottom on the way to Hare Krishna. I wish it was on this year I could really do with a bit of Glasto in my life right now.
Heres some snaps from previous Glastos (excuse the drunkeness)

Tuesday 19 June 2012

Addicted to...

Beauty boxes
 So I am not usually one for writing about beauty products etc.
But after recently reading quite a few beauty blogs and becoming more and more interested in this area I came across the 'Beauty Box'!!
I've signed up to two at the moment and am going to compare and see which one I feel is better. But basically I'm already addicted!!

In case you didn't know 'The Beauty Box' is a new(ish) trend across the UK which involves you subscribing each month and paying aorund £10 (+p&p) and you recieve a monthly beauty box which includes five new beauty products, ranging from make up, hair products, creams, moisturisers etc for you to test and these can be in travel or full size samples.
There are many boxes avaliable; ShesaidBeauty- a monthly box costing £9 +p&p, with five products and a service to cater to you (skin type, hair etc,)  Joliebox- a montly box costing £10 + p&p, with 4-5 products, but unfortunately not as many brands are on board nor can you personalize to you skin type etc,  Glossy Box- a monthly box costing £10 +p&p, with five products, a wide variety of brands and a personaliztion beauty service(they also do a mens Glossy box), Amarya- a monthly box specialising in natural and organic brands costing £10 +p&p, unfortunately this doesn't include a service tailoring to your personal preferences. And finally the Lux Box, a box that also caters for men and women that you can personalise and which I believe is only 2 months old- so the newest to join the beauty box scene.

Saturday 9 June 2012

Summer Film review; The Cool ones

The cool ones are; Moonrise Kingdom, On the Road, and To Rome with love

Moonrise Kingdom from the director of "Fantastic Mr. Fox" , Wes Anderson. It is set in the 1960s and the film has a hue to it, giving it a sunny feel which lends itself to portraying this era. The story is about two 12 year olds who run away together into the wildnerness of New England. A large search party ensues, part made up of the film's famous cast  Tilda Swinton, Bill Murray and Ed Norton. It looks interesting enough, and seems to share the same dry sarcasm that was littered throughout "Fantastic Mr. Fox". I give this a 7.5/10

Thursday 7 June 2012

Summer Films review; The 'Big' ones

Right so to start I’m sure many of you would have already seen Avengers Assemble, and I’m sure many of you would agree it ticks the boxes needed for most films, a decent plot line attempts to add depth and emotions to each of the characters, a sad middle and a happy ending. However I found it ‘so-so’. It was far too long, farfetched in places and didn’t quite deliver in others. Yes the effects were superb but so they should be for the amount spent on making the film. Also I don’t know about you but I’m slightly disillusioned with the Hulk character after seeing 3 different actors playing him in the last 10 ten in 3 different films. So a 6.5/10 from me. And Iron man- WTF did they do to you!?