November & December Favourites

Advent Calendar

If you follow me on Instagram, you're probably sick to death of seeing this advent calendar! If not, then keep an eye out for my blog post coming in January, reviewing all the bits I got! I've absolutely loved opening this every day through-out December & I'm extremely sad it's finished.

Candles

If I had a life time favourites, candles would feature for sure, but this month I've fallen back in love with Yankee Candles. James & I were kindly gifted a pine scented one at the beginning of December from my mum & we've already burnt through it! I'm so sad, but perfect timing to say goodbye to Christmas & start a fresh for the New Year.

Blood Orange Bodyspray
This was one of the items I got in my advent calendar & I've been wearing it most days since opening it. It smells so Christmassy & not surprisingly.. quite orangey! Who wouldn't want to smell like a chocolate orange at Christmas time?!

Clinique Lipstick

I mean, nothing beats a red lip at Christmas time. It just completes every outfit in my eyes & makes you look like you've put in so much more effort than you actually have! This one from Clinique is never far away from my lips, it's such a lovely formula.

Matte Pink Lipstick

I've never bought anything from the brand Stila before, but loved the look of their products, especially the lipsticks. When this one popped out of my advent calendar, I was so excited! I started wearing it the next day & haven't taken it off my lips (apart from when I'm wearing the Clinique red lipstick!) 

Mince Pies & Cheese
I mean, not together obviously, but who doesn't love a mince pie & cheese & crackers at Christmas! I've lost count of what I've consumed this year.. oops!

Music

Ed Sheeran - Shape Of You (remix)

Christmas songs!

TV

Vampire Diaries 
James & I have started watching this from the beginning & are loving it. I'd watched up to season 5 a few years ago, but forgotten so much of it! 

Events

Grandad celebrated his 90th birthday in the middle of November! 

James & I celebrated our 5th anniversary with a trip to Kingston-Upon Thames.

As well as meeting up with friends & family in December, the girls & I went to Wakehurst Place for the Glowalk, we had a group meal at Elisa & Jamie's & I organised our work Christmas do at Bills. It has definitely been a month of eating, drinking & social gatherings!

& finally, it was Christmas! From start to finish, Christmas is always so busy. James & I started off with Christmas Eve at Valerie & Barrie's, my Grandparents' on Christmas Day & then Boxing Day at Allan & Maria's. I still haven't managed to sort through all my presents yet as it was so manic, but I wouldn't have it any other way!

How was your Christmas'? Hope you all had a lovely time however you celebrated & I hope you all have a very Happy New Year! : )

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September & October Favourites

Glittery Nail Polish

A glitter top coat just completes my everyday look at the moment. I'm loving using this one from Nails Inc over dark reds, greens & even pastel colours like lilacs & baby pinks. If you want to check out more of my nail art, you can see them over on my Instagram, or I regularly post about What I'm Wearing On My Nails so keep an eye out for those!

Soap & Glory Mascara
I only seem to discover new products when I run out of my exsisting ones. My favourite mascara is & always will be the Maybelline Lash Sensational mascara, but I have to say, this one is slowly creeping up my list. I think it's pretty similar to the Maybelline one, it definitely lengthens my lashes but it seems to hold the lift longer throughout the day.

The Life-Changing Magic Of Tidying
I bought this book a few years ago & never actually read it. I mean, I started it, got a few pages in, then completely forgot about it & moved on to the next book. I rediscovered it the other day when I was sorting through my collection of books & decided to give it another go. It amazes me how the subject of tidying can be so interesting. That sounds weird, but why would you write a whole book on how to tidy? Isn't it easy..? Marie Condo is a brilliant author & honestly captures your attention on the subject right from the first page & I can't wait to put into practice all the tips & tricks she suggests.

Gold Accessorize Eyeshadow 

I mean, can you get anymore Autumnal? I've absolutely loved wearing this for evenings out over the past month, paired with this Primark top, they make such a statement together. 

Primark Top

I picked this up in the Primark in Poole on our holiday to The New Forest last month & I'm obsessed. It's perfect for days out, or dinner & drinks in the evening with jeans & boots. It goes with everything & I can see it's going to be a staple in my wardrobe. I went shopping with my girlies last week & I also picked it up in red.. it's just such a lovely style, I couldn't resist.

Music

Ellie Goulding - First Time

The Citrus Clouds - Fire Exits

TV

TOWIE

Ah the new season started in September & as always, I'm obsessed. 

Dr Foster 
So, it was only when someone said to me 'season 2 starts next week' did I suddenly remember 'I forgot to watch season 1!' James & I started this last month & we are hooked. It's so gripping. We are half way through season 2 at the moment, so no spoilers please!

Events

James & I went on holiday to The New Forest in the middle of September & had the most amazing time. I wrote a full post on our adventure which you can read here if you like.

James got a new job! I'm so proud of him. It's still working with animals but is in a much better paid position. He's just started his first week so we're excited to see where it'll take him in the future.

The girls & I headed to London for the day & we generally had one of the best days ever. We had a picnic, visited Choccywoccydoodah, The Sky Gardens & finished by seeing a show in the evening. It was called The Comedy About A Bank Robbery.

I got my hair cut! I absolutely love it. I now have a longish bob & it's so much fun to style.

We celebrated Mum's birthday on 22nd. We had a chilled day together, eating lots of food & venturing out on an Autumn walk.

& finally it was Halloween! I didn't go out to celebrate this year, but we all dressed up at work & it was so much fun. I'll obviously fill you in a bit more in my next life update post!

& seriously, I can't actually believe that when I come to write the next Favourites Post, it's going to be reviewing the end of the year.. how scary is that!? So much has happened, it's going to be quite an emotional post I think.

Did you celebrate Halloween this year? : )

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July & August Favourites

"Go-Pro"

Ok, so this isn't an actual go-pro. It's a replica I purchased off Groupon about a year ago, but seriously, it's perfect for what I wanted it for. I took it on holiday to Lanzarote & got some brilliant underwater shots & the wide angle lens is perfect for capturing those long sandy beaches. I couldn't be more pleased with it. (Keep an eye out for a Lanzarote vlog soon that was filmed using this camera!) 

Revlon Foundation
I've been using this foundation for a couple of months now & am so pleased with how flawless my skins looks when I use it. I usually mix it in with the Youth Lift Glow-Plexion & it creates the most beautiful texture on my skin. I can't recommend it enough.

Studio 10 Youth Lift Glow Plexion 

This has to be my favourite product I've tried in a long time. My mum got a free beauty box when she ordered over a certain amount with M&S & this was one of the products. It's an all-in-one primer, radiance creme, illuminator & highlighter.

Heat Protect Spray
I actually picked this up when I went into Boots to replace my VO5 heat protect spray, but this one caught my eye. It's almost £2 cheaper & smelt incredible. I'm totally converted. I've used it a few times on my hair so far & it's helped tame the frizz as well as protect my hair against my dryer & straighteners.

Dachshund Stationary
Ok, so I've always been obsessed with stationary & making notes, but since I've found these adorable Dachshund notepads / sticky notes in The Works, I've become even more obsessed. And of course, the best part is they are covered in dogs! What more could you want.

Matte Lip Crayon
This is my absolute favourite lipstick at the moment. I have the shade Raspberry Wine & it's the perfect dusky pink that seems to compliment every outfit. I wore it every night on holiday & most days at work. Even though it's quite a matte shade, it's also incredibly moisurising.

Kindle
I have a continuous love affair with books. The only problem is, I never find time to read them. I only ever tend to read when I'm on holiday, so Lanzarote was a perfect excuse to blow the dust off my kindle!

Music 

Britney Spears
Ever since Erin did a poll on Twitter to find the best Britney song, I've been obsessed with listening to all her tunes. Yes I blame you girly ; ) There were so many amazing songs that I'd forgotten about, it was the best trip down memory lane.

Disney
This past month I've found myself sitting there not knowing what to play on my ipod & everytime going back to the same playlist, Disney. It's perfect for lifting my mood, or for just putting on while I'm doing the house work.

Events

All my friends came together for my annual Summer BBQ, which was incredible. It's always one of my favourite days of the year.

I got a new car! I've had Connie just over a month now & I can't wait to have lots of adventures with her.

James & I visited The Harry Potter Studios in London. I absolutely loved the whole experience, I'd definitely go again!

& finally, I went on holiday to Lanzarote with my girls! There will be a full post coming soon but I can safely say it was a massive highlight of this year so far!

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March & April Favourites

Floral Boots

Since buying these boots, they have not left my feet. Seriously. I just love them so much. Embroidery has been massive so far this year & I really hope it stays for the Summer, because it's just too damn cute. They are seriously one of the comfiest boots I've owned & only cost £18 in the sale!

Fluffy Birkenstocks

Ok, so I'm thinking you'll either love or hate these! But look at them, they are so fluffy & soft! I picked them up on a recent trip to Primark thinking they'd be perfect for holiday when we are sun bathing around the pool. I've actually been wearing them around the house instead of slippers now it's got a bit warmer & they are just the comfiest pair of shoes eveeeer.

Soap & Glory Body Lotion

If you haven't smelt this, drop everything & get yourself down to Boots. It's just sooooo good. It instantly reminds me of holidays & I can't wait to get back into the sunshine this Summer!

All The Bright Places 

Ok, so I'm reading a book. Have you fallen off your chair yet? Haha! It's rare for me to read as I just 'never find the time'. Yeah, that old chestnut. It's true though. I really struggle to sit down & immerse myself in a book. However, this one has really got me hooked & I find myself racing home to read it each day! 

Chokers

To be fair, I've always loved chokers, but as they've recently come back into fashion, retailers have brought out some beautiful designs. I'm loving this bow tie one from Primark that came in a pack of 3 for £3. So affordable.

Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Lipgloss

Have you ever used a lip-plumping lip gloss before? Neither had I until this one, but I'm seriously addicted to it. Nothing prepares you for the sensation of the lip gloss working its magic on your lips. It feels almost numbing but satisfying at the same time! My lips have never looked as healthy as they do when I apply this gloss! I'm so tempted to pick up a darker shade to add to my collection.

TV

The Only Way Is Essex

I've watched TOWIE since the very beginning, so I get extremely excited when a new series starts. We're almost at the end of this one but I'm seriously loving it as always. 

Riverdale

How addictive is this show? I heard loads of bloggers raving about it on Twitter so thought I'd give it a go & I'm loving it so far. 

One Night With My Ex

Trashy tv at it's best right? This again has been so addictive & actually quite emotional at times.

Orange Is The New Black

So James & I have only just started watching this but seriously, why has nobody ever told me how good this was!? Ok, some people have but we just haven't gotten around to watching it. I'm already so invested in the characters & just want to know what all their back stories are!

Events

At the end of March, Maria celebrated her hen do. I've written a full post if you wanted to have a read here, but we had the most amazing time eating tons of food & dancing the night away to a Michael Buble tribute! I can't believe her wedding is under 5 weeks now! I'm so excited.

Gemma & Ollie welcomed baby Alice into the world & she is absolutely beautiful. She's so tiny & soft. I wish I still had baby skin!

James & I went to see Craig David at the beginning of April & oh my word, that man has still got it. He was absolutely incredible on stage & performed solidly for 2 hours. Tinie Tempah  made a guest appearance as well which was such a surprise.

& finally James & I moved in together! I'm sure you already know this as it's been plastered all over my social media & blog but yay! Definitely a highlight for me & probably the biggest adult thing in my life to date. I'm already so in love with our little flat & can't wait to make some memories there.

How has your month been lovelies?

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Life Lately #127

Hi lovelies,

My friend Bo was in a play called Family Planning a few weeks back & Gail, Cathy, Elisa & I went to watch her perform. It was such a good little show! Bo's boyfriend Chris was actually performing alongside her, so it was lovely to see them both on stage!

Hasn't the UK had a mixture of weather recently? Luckily the majority has been beautiful sunshine, mixed in with a few cloudy days. I met my girl Ricka for tea at our local garden centre last weekend & we managed to sit outside in the sunshine for about a couple of hours, catching up on life. We actually got so warm!

I also managed to meet up with Cathy, Boop, Gem & baby Alice for lunch after seeing Ricka. We went to Sumners Ponds, which is the most wonderful place. They have a few animals, a lake where you can camp in the summer & outside seating, where you can watch the fishermen around the lake. We had a walk after lunch & visited the cows & most importantly, had a well over-due catch up!

Ah, so I've been looking forward to last Sunday since the end of last year when I booked the tickets as a surprise for James! We drove up to London to see Craig David at the SSE Arena. It was absolutely incredible! We stopped for dinner at Nandos before hand & drove back home after the show. I can't stress how amazing it was to see him live on stage, he is such a talented man.

How has your month been so far lovelies?

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January & February Favourites

Soap & Glory Face Wash
I got this face wash in a Soap & Glory gift set for Christmas (how amazing was that deal in Boots for a whole suitcase of products btw!?) & I've been using it since the beginning of the year. My skin absolutely loves it & it makes my face feel so clean after I've used it. I think because it smells so minty, it just makes you feel so awake & fresh.

Hygge Book
I picked this book up at the beginning of the year & I'm obsessed. I've got a full post coming on it so I won't write too much about it now, but if you haven't heard of Hygge, I'd highly recommend you pick up one of the many books out there about this style of living. What I've found most exciting is I can literally pick up this book when ever I feel like I need a warm hug & it's right there to offer comfort & relaxation.

Video Editing Software - Power Director 
So, after struggling with a basic video editing software for the longest time, I put the Power Director on my wish list for Christmas & I kindly received it from my grandparents. I'm absolutely loving using it & editing videos from last year! Vlogging is so much fun & this allows me to play around with all my clips & make videos.

Soap & Glory Speed Plump Moisturiser
 This smells incredible. Seriously. If you haven't tried this, you need too. I use this as a primer before applying my makeup in the morning as my skin is very dry on my T-zone, so this just preps my skin before I apply my foundation. I just can't get enough of it!

Garnet Ring
I got this ring for my birthday in January & haven't really had a day where I haven't worn it. It's just so pretty! It was from my parents & they ordered it off Etsy. The rings are all handmade & after looking at a few more of the seller's pieces, I really want to order some more!

Garnet Necklace
This was a gift from my best friend for my birthday & how perfect was it that it matched my ring! The two of them together make the perfect combo!

Barry M Quick Dry Nail Polish
I love painting my nails as I'm sure you all know, however, I do get extremely impatient waiting for them to dry when I've got things to do! These Barry M nail polishes are life savers, they dry within a couple of minutes & the shades in the range are just so beautiful. This lilac shade is my absolute favourite & perfect for spring time.  

TV

Ibiza Weekender
This show is my absolute guilty pleasure. I love all the characters & now they're back with a bang for 2017, I'm loving everything about the show, especially David being head rep. He's just so fabulous.

Making A Murderer

This has totally taken over our lives, both James & I are obsessed. But equally, it makes us so angry watching it! If you've seen it you'll know what I mean, but we're about half way through & can't wait to finish it.

The OA
Ahhh, who's watched this?! We finished it a few weeks ago & I've actually written a full review post on it here if you'd like a read. In a nutshell, it was one of the most confusing shows we've watched, but it was so gripping at the same time. Season 2 has been announced so we're keen to watch that when it's out.

Events

In the middle of January, James & I moved our furniture into storage, with the help of his dad Allan. It took us all day, in the snow, but we eventually got everything packed safely away. It's so exciting, because as soon as James starts his new job (on Monday!) we can get a few months pay checks under our belts & start looking for a place to move into!

It wouldn't be a January / February favourites without mentioning my birthday & as always, I had 3-4 days worth of celebrations & I loved every minute of it. I have to say though, my favourite part was staying in 'a cabin in the woods' with James on my actual birthday evening. I reviewed the place we stayed & it was absolutely beautiful & perfect for us. You can check out the post here if you like.

At the end of January, we organised Gem's baby shower. Can you believe she's due to give birth this month!? Where does the time go..

Ah Valentine's Day this year was just perfect. James & I went to Brighton for the day & I finally gave him the tickets I bought for Craig David back in December, so he now knows we are going next month! I'm so excited!

Nan & Dad's both had their birthdays at the end of February, so we had a buffet lunch to celebrate. I've written a bit about it in my last update post if you wanted to see Nan's cake!

& finally, this is kind of a sad event but also a happy one. My manager at work had his retirement do last Sunday & although it was the most wonderful day & he was so grateful to us all, we are going to miss him so much. Work already feels so different without him.

Music

JP Cooper - September Song (Indian Summer Mix) 

What have you been loving this year so far? : )

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December & November Favourites

Printing Photos

Earlier in the year I purchased a voucher on Groupon to get 200 photos printed & sent to me. I've wanted to fill up this photo album for the longest time. I don't know about you, but I am guilty of taking hundreds of photos but never getting them printed. I'm going to try & keep up to date with them all now & do a batch every couple of months. I love looking through albums & bringing back happy memories.

Dachshund Purse
Can you get a more perfect purse? I'm so in love with it. Plus, it has a decent amount of sections for loyalty cards & random receipts which I always seem to have tons of in my bag!

Maybelline Mascara

I think this mascara has featured in my favourites before, but I had to mention it again as I went off it for a while & have just rediscovered it again. I have no idea why I stopped using it. It's seriously the best drug store mascara I've found.

Primark Matte Lipstick

I bought this lipstick back in Spring & put it at the back of my draw to save for the Autumn / Winter months as it's a very dark red shade. I forgot about it till the other week when I re-discovered it in my lipstick draw & got so excited! It's so perfect when you can't be bothered to do a full face of a makeup. A touch of mascara & this on your lips & your good to go! I reviewed this lipstick back in March if you'd like a read.

Ted Baker Nail Polish

Ah doesn't this colour just scream Christmas? I've been obsessed with it this past month (as you'll see in my next nail art post) James kindly got it for me for our anniversary at the beginning of December & it looks so perfect with a glitter top coat.

Ted Baker Body Spray

Ah another amazing present from James! This body spray has to be one of my new favourites. It's very sweet & reminds me of Spring, but I love it for that. Even though I love more sultry perfumes, I always go back to the sweet, spring scents.

Worthers Originals

Right, I blame Elisa for this one.. She brought some Worthers into work last month & offered me one & oh my god. I hadn't had one for years & now I'm obsessed again. What's so amazing about these though is they have gooey middles. I mean, c'mon. They are seriously the best.

Netflix

Ok, so Netflix is my life now. Haha, I'm kidding, but seriously.. how did I ever survive without it!? James & I have a few series we've been hooked on; Stranger Things was the first. It was really scary but addictive & then The Big Bang Theory which James had never seen but I'd dipped in & out of over the years. I'd love to hear what you've discovered on Netflix & what we should watch next?

Music

Busted - Night Driver Album

The Weeknd - I Feel It Coming

Events

At the beginning of November, Gemma & Ollie revealed they were expecting a little girl! I can't actually wait to meet her. We've got lots of excitement ahead with the baby shower in January too & then Gemma is due in March!

Grandad celebrated his 89th birthday last month. I can't believe he is that age, he still seems so young to me!

James & I celebrated our 4 year anniversary on 1st December. It feels like forever, but also no time at all!

This year's panto at work is Aladdin & I can't begin to tell you what a lovely cast we have had. Every year, it feels like a new family join us, but especially this year, as sometimes as staff members you don't feel apart of it, but they've all been so lovely, it'll be sad to say goodbye to them all.

& of course a highlight of these past two months has to be Christmas. What I love most about Christmas is to James & I, it's not just one day. We move from family member to family member, but we celebrate with each & everyone of them & it's like starting Christmas day over & over again. It's the best time of year!

How has your December been lovelies?

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September & October Favourites

The Sidemen Book
Ok, this book makes me seriously happy. James & I are massive fans of The Sidemen, so when we heard there was a book coming out, I went straight onto Amazon to pre-order it. It arrived on 18th October & we haven't put it down since! Yeah, we are hard-core fans.. ; D

Elizavecca - Milky Piggy - Carbonated Bubble Clay Mask
I'm not going to write too much about this mask, as I've already written a full post reviewing it, but you can probably guess as it's in my favourites how much I love it. It's just such good fun to use & leaves my face feeling so soft & revitalised. Like I say, make sure you check out my full post about it (even if it's just to laugh at my moon face..)

Maybelline - Matte Maker
I needed a new powder to set my foundation & thought I would try this 'Matte Maker' from Maybelline. I wasn't expecting too much from it if I'm honest but I was seriously impressed. It's only £3.99 (from Superdrug) & lasts all day.

Lush
Ah Lush. Not just Lush, but Lush at this time of year! I'm loving everything in store at the moment. From the Autumn bath bombs, to the new sparkly Christmas bath melts, to the products they stock all year, everything is just so perfect. I recently picked up & reviewed the Pumpkin Bath Bomb & the Autumn Leaf Bath Bomb. Reviews of some of the new Christmas bath bombs will be coming soon!

Lists / Meal Planner
Who else loves a good list? I've been obsessed with this meal planner from The Works this month. James & I aren't the best when it comes to healthy eating & planning meals (mostly because of working shifts that stretch into the evening) so we find it hard to have a balanced diet & tend to just grab what ever we find in the cupboard. This planner allows us to sit down & actually discuss what we are eating & what food we need to get in for that week. It's been a life saver!

Essie - Ruffles & Feathers
This polish is one that I keep coming back too & I love using it as a base for nail art. It features in my recent nail art post, which will be coming soon!

Everyday Luxe - Pumpkin Spice
I'm so sorry I couldn't find the link to this candle. (more gutted that I can't seem to find where to buy a replacement for when I burn this one!) I bought it from TK Maxx last year & re-discovered it this Autumn & I can't get enough of the scent. It's so delicious. I keep popping into TK Maxx to see if they have had another one this year, but so far no luck.

Events

Right at the end of August, Mum & I had afternoon tea at The Hickstead Hotel. It was lovely to spend the afternoon catching up with her, alongside endless supplies of tea, coffee & cake. I've written a full post about our day, which will be up very soon!

At the end of September, I decided to have my hair balayaged & cut. I've had it done before, but this time I went for less blonde tones & more brown, warmer tones. I couldn't be more happy with it.

Earlier this month, James took me to meet his giraffes at Chessington. I only posted about our trip to Longleat a few week ago, where I got to feed the giraffes there, but this was a special VIP experience, where we were taken to the giraffes house to feed them & have pictures for half an hour. It was so much fun & they are all so beautiful.

On 19th October, James & I travelled to Gloucester for his graduation. I seriously couldn't have been more proud!

Oh & finally, it was Mum's birthday on 22nd October & we had the most lovely weekend together. We had a family meal in the evening with my grandparents which was so nice, lots of wine was consumed!

Music

The Chain Smokers - Closer

Bruno Mars - 24k Magic

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July & August Favourites

Blue Vanilla Check Top

I lived in this when we were in Lanzarote, it was perfect for throwing over my bikini at breakfast time & creates that perfect 'I don't want to look like I've made an effort, I've just chucked this on' look. I paired it with denim shorts & it looked so cute.

Zoella Candy Cream Body Lotion

Anyone else suffer from dry skin on their legs in the Summer? I do in the winter as well, but I've noticed it more this year as I've been on holiday & I've had my legs out a lot more (woohoo!) I just can't get over how delicious this lotion smells & it clears up any dry skin on my body.

Inflatable Pillow & Eye Mask

I could seriously talk about this pillow & eye mask set all day, but I won't as I know how boring that would be! I can't imagine travelling any distance without them now, they really are ideal for a flight or long car journey. The pillow is easily blown up & can be stored away when you're not using it & hardly takes up any space in your bag.

Zoella Body Mist

& simply because I love the lotion so much, I picked up the body mist in the same scent. I already own the Zoella Blissful Mistful body mist & loved it, so thought I'd pick up one of her newer scents to add to my collection. What are your thoughts on Zoe's range?

Salad pot

Salads. You either love them or hate them. I used to hate them, up until a few years ago. I couldn't think of anything worse than eating a plate of lettuce, cucumber & tomato when there was a McDonalds down the road. I mean, they just taste so boring don't they? However, I have recently been preparing my lunches the day before work & found salads are one of the easiest, healthiest meals to make. I wanted to purchase a pot like this one for the longest time so I could easily transport & store it at work & when I caught a glimpse of this one in the window of Tiger, I knew I had to have it! It even comes with a pink fork & a small cup in the lid if you wanted to take dressing with you & for £3? You can't go wrong.

Plastic Ice Cubes

Now these I dig out every Summer as they are my perfect hack to keeping a drink cold, but not watering it down. Nobody wants watery wine! They come with water inside them & all you need to do is pop them into the freezer till they are frozen, pop them in your drink & just wash them before putting them back into the freezer again. These have lasted me the longest time & I can't recommend them enough.

Events

At the beginning of July I held my annual Summer BBQ, which as always, was so much fun. I bought a marquee & set up games which included football, cricket & badminton. We had the most beautiful sunny day!

At the end of July, Cathy & I went on holiday to Lanzarote for a week! I had such a lovely time & I've written a whole post about our hotel if you'd like a read.

August is one of the busiest months for birthdays in our group, so I'll give a quick recap. Mils had a lip sync party, we had a BBQ at Cathy's, Gail's was an evening of games & gossiping around her firepit, Lorna's we went to Drusillas (post coming soon) & finally Elisa's we went for a meal at our local curry house. All involved our big group getting together & catching up which is so lovely as we all have such busy lives & it is near impossible to get us all in one place at one time!

Oh & last Monday, Gem & Ollie announced they were pregnant! I seriously am so excited by the news, I can't wait to meet their little one! & of course, it means Lily will have a little friend in our group now! Ahhh, bring on March!

& finally, James & I went to visit Longleat last week. We stayed in a beautiful B'n'B for two nights & explored the local countryside as well as the animals on safari. I'm going to write a full post about our mini get-a-way so make sure you check that out next week : )

Music

We Don't Talk Anymore - Charlie Puth

Perfect Strangers - Jonas Blue

Make Me - Britney Spears

This Girl - Kungs vs Cookin’ On 3 Burners

What have you been loving this month? : )

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Life Lately #106

Hello lovelies!

Last week, I met up with my girl Ricka & we went for a walk & had a catch up at our local garden centre. It's the perfect location, a short walk from her house, takes us through the fields, across to the café. They do the most delicious cookies as well as proper lunch time meals. It's always so relaxed in there & despite them always being busy, there's plenty of seating, indoor & outdoor.

Ok, so the main update & highlight of this month was last Saturday when two of my best friend's tied the knot! It was the most perfect day, despite the occasional shower of rain. (May weather, so unpredictable..) They got married in the local church & held the reception just down the road. I can't stress how proud I am of both of them, it was such an emotional day. Vlog will be coming soon!

Sunday I was also lucky enough to not have to work, so James & I made the most of the sunshine & went for a long walk with the dogs. Honey gets extremely hot in this weather with her long coat, but she did amazingly well with her little short legs! We also visited James' dad & Maria for Sunday dinner. Was so lovely as we hadn't seen them for over a month & a half.

On Wednesday, my friend Sarah drove to mine for a walk with her year old dog Vinny who is such a crazy character! We took Harvey with us & they both seemed to get on really well.

Thursday I met up with Lorna & we went for tea in our local town. I always love meeting up with her, she has such amazing stories to tell!

& finally, last night the girls & I; Mils, Cathy, Kym & Catherine went to see Busted in London. Oh my god. My teenage self was extremely happy. I have loved James Bourne since I first saw him in the What I Go To School For video! I'd highly recommend going to see them live if you get the chance, they all have so much energy!

How has your week been lovelies? : )

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March & April Favourites

Accessorize Blusher

This blush, what can I say. I've been wearing it for years but just discovered that I've never posted about it. (well I did feature it in a haul, but never reviewed it) It's the most beautiful blush I've ever used & if you see me out & about, I will be wearing this on my cheeks. It's in the shade Quiver & after searching for it on the Accessorize website, I couldn't seem to find it so I'm not sure if they even do it anymore! It has the most beautiful pink & silver shimmers running through it & looks gorgeous on the cheeks.

Topshop Highlighter

I was shopping with James a few weeks ago & we headed into Topshop because I had a voucher (& there was a sale.. so I really couldn't resist) I hardly ever head to the makeup section in store, but decided to give it a look. I came across their highlighters & found this one. Oh my God, I'm in love. I don't want to write too much about it in this post as I have a full review coming soon, but it's one of the most beautiful highlighters I own. Definitely worth the price tag.

Primark Mug

Let me just start by saying, I'm obsessed with mugs. Like, actually obsessed. I've been slowly collecting them over the past year & when I saw this one in Primark for £2, I knew I had to have it. Even though it is quite a big mug, it does hold the heat very well & of course, holds a lot of tea which is always a good thing! I'm going to stop now, reading this back sounds so boring if your not a mug lover!

Makeup Revolution Palette

I reviewed this palette at the end of February so I won't chatter on about it too much here (view the post here if you like) but it's one of the most gorgeous, pigmented palettes I own. There's a mixture of shimmer & matte shades, perfect for any occasion.

Calm 

Ah where do I start? I am going to do a full post on this book & app, but I wanted to feature it in my favourites this month because it has been just that, a favourite. I first discovered the Calm book when reading Kayleigh's blog a few weeks ago & went straight onto my Amazon account & purchased it. It came the next day & I got sucked straight into it. I'm pacing myself though, you know when you're so excited about something, especially a book, you read it so quickly then get really sad when it's over in a flash? Yes, exactly that. So I'm gradually reading a few pages a night alongside listening to the Calm app. Like I say, I'll post properly about the book & app in the next few weeks, so keep an eye out for that!

Primark Nail Polish

You might have seen me mention this nail polish in my recent nail art post, but I seriously can't rave about it enough! Let's start with the price, I know Primark are known for their bargains, but this polish only cost me 80p! & of course, being so cheap, you wouldn't expect the formula to be great, but I only applied two coats & it didn't budge for a week! Absolutely amazing. The feature I was most excited about was how it claimed to be a quick-dry nail varnish. I get so bored waiting for my polish to dry, that I always try to find brands that use quick dry in their advertising. Again, this did not disappoint. It dried within a few minutes & I was ready to get on with my day. I will just say that I recently tried another polish from Primark (not a quick dry) & it did chip within a few days, so not all of the formulas are as good as this one.

Music - This Year, Marger / Hands To Myself, Selena Gomez

Ah these songs! Totally different to what I usually listen to but I just can't get enough of them this month! Selena Gomez' album is just incredible.

Events

At the beginning of March, we pulled of a surprise birthday party for my beautiful best friend Boop. I vlogged the whole day so you can watch it here if you like! We managed to trick her into thinking we were going out for dinner, but actually appeared at a barn we'd hired, filled with friends & family. It was so lovely to see her shocked face!

James & I also went to Crufts at the beginning of March. It's somewhere I've always wanted to go & was such a lovely day. I even got to hug a pug & a Chihuahua!

At the end of March, my grandparents celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. I still can't get over how amazing that is. They are still so adorable together & we celebrated with a family meal on Easter Sunday. James was also on his Easter break from uni, so we had a few weeks together at the beginning of April.

How has your month been lovelies?

I'm so excited for May & June, there is so much happening. We have Elisa & Jamie's wedding, The Sidemen football match & of course our holiday to Corfu! Make sure your subscribed to my Twitter & Instagram to keep up to date with all our adventures! : )

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July & August Favourites

 

Imperial Leather Shower Cream - Fruit Salad 

You might remember seeing this shower cream featured in my latest Boots Haul at the beginning of the month. When I picked it up, obviously I was amazed at the scent, but I never knew I would fall in love with it as much as I have. It's so light & fresh & perfect when you want that extra lift in the morning. I'd highly recommend this product, along with the other beautiful new scents Imperial Leather have recently released. (The marshmallow one is also to die for!)

 

MUA Sweet Sheen Lip Balm - Cherry Bomb 

I was in Superdrug a while back & walked past the MUA stand & this beautiful lip balm caught my eye. I love the MUA lip sticks, they have always been one of my favourite lip products to use & at such a steal as well, you really can't go wrong for £1. This sweet sheen lip balm retails at £2, so I thought I'd give it a go. As you can see, I obviously love it as it's featuring in my favourites this month. Firstly I have to say I was surprised by the colour it came out on my lips. It was a lighter red than the packaging suggests but it's absolutely stunning & although it doesn't last as long as I'd like, every time you top it up, it applies so smoothly onto the lips.

 

Zoella Scrubbing Me Softly Body Scrub

If you guys haven't seen the new range by the blogger Zoella, you really need too! She has recently released a second collection of beautiful products, including this 'Scrubbing Me Softly' body scrub. I've done a full review here if you'd like a read, but to sum it up, I'm in love with this scrub!

 

Zoella Kissy Missy Lip Balm

Again, another product by Zoella, but I just can't seem to get enough of this lip balm! My favourite thing about this product is the pigmentation. When you first apply it to your lips, the colour is simply stunning. Again, if you'd like to read more about it, you can in a full post here.

 

* Selected Zoella products currently have £1 in Superdrug! *

 

Rimmel Volume Lash Scandaleyes Mascara

 This mascara. What can I say? I want to do a full post reviewing it so won't say too much on here, but I've been using it all this month & feel it really has made a difference to my 'everyday face'. It really does lengthen & adds so much volume to my lashes.

 

Tinie Tempah feat. Jess Glynne - Not Letting Go / Charlie Puth - Marvin Gaye Feat. Meghan Trainor

My two most played songs this month! Not much to say about them really except I love them & they've been on repeat! Love how I've been singing the Marvin Gaye song so much my friends keep sending me snapchats of the song.. hahaha!

 

Just wanted to mention as well, that August has been one of the busiest months of my life! 7 birthdays, a hen do, a wedding, full time work + celebrations, James moving out of his flat & a range of different social events has made me so exhausted. But, myself & James are off to France on holiday for a week today! I'm massively looking forward to some relaxation time, despite the weather not looking great.. I was all packed with my bikinis & summer dresses in my suitcase to find we have highs of 22 degrees. Not great, but hopefully better than the weather in the UK.

 

Hope you've all had a fabulous August!

Please link me to your favourites post's, I'd love to read them : )

 

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April Favourites

 

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

I have to admit, I picked this product up because of the hype around it but I don't regret it one bit! This product has changed my evening routine. I'm one of those lazy people that hate taking off their makeup at night. By the time I think about it, I'm too tired & just want to get into bed. I love that you don't have to rinse this product off, it's as simple as using as much as you need on a cotton pad & just lightly washing your face. Ideal for lazy people like myself!

Pomegranate & Pineapple Fragrance Jar Candle

James bought me this candle for Valentines Day & you can see, I've nearly burnt it all! I'm definitely going to Clintons to re-purchase it. It's such a beautiful scent & such good value, I'd say it was on par with the Yankee Candles, but a lot more affordable.

Nails Inc Express Nail Polish Remover
 As I mentioned, I'm a lazy person. This nail polish remover has been a complete dream come true. If you're not familiar with the product, all you have to do is simply dip your finger into the pot which is filled with sponges & you twist the pot to rub the nail against the sides. It's so easy to do & the nail varnish comes off within seconds. I picked this Nails Inc one up in the Boots clearance section, I seriously couldn't believe my luck!

Odesza - All We Need

This song, just wow. Sammi mentioned the band Odesza in her favourites not long ago which prompted me to search for them on YouTube. Some of their songs aren't to my taste, but this one has been on repeat for me all month!

Revlon Colorstay Lipliner - Pink / Rose

I bought this lip liner from Save On Makeup, a website that sells a mixture of high & low end beauty products. I'm seriously in love with this lip liner! Not only is the colour gorgeous & goes with so many of my lipsticks, but it's very long lasting. I tend to wear lipstick most days & have found that this lip liner stays on a lot longer than a lot of my lipsticks! I really need to purchase a nude & a red shade to complete my collection.

Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara

I've heard mixed reviews about this mascara but I'm convinced it's the perfect one for day time wear. The mascara claims to 'volumise & define the look of longer lashes' which I totally agree that is does. The best thing about this mascara for me is not only the price but the fact my eyelashes hold a long lasting curl all through the day. With previous mascaras, my lashes seem to fall flat & lose their curl within a couple of hours, so I was over the moon when I noticed how well this one compares!

Tesco Finest Earl Grey Leaf Tea

I love tea. Anyone that knows me will know that. However, when I've been eating out or having a catch up with the girls, I've been ordering Earl Grey. I was always a Breakfast Tea kinda girl, but since receiving a lose leaf tea strainer for my birthday, I ventured out & purchased the Finest Earl Grey from Tesco. Even though it takes more time than just putting a tea bag in a mug & adding hot water, it's so worth it. I find the making of the tea to be as relaxing as drinking it. Nothing beats snuggling up in the evenings with my favourite brew.

 

What have you been loving this month? Please leave me links to your favourites posts, I'd love to read them! : )

 

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Life Lately #75

 

Hello lovelies,

 

How are you all? I've been getting back into my health & fitness this month, starting with my new purchase, a blender. I made my first smoothie & got a bit excited by throwing in every fruit we had in the house into one bottle.. it tasted ok, but I really need to find some good recipes for smoothies. Is there any you'd recommend? I've also been jogging every other day / 3 times a week to get a toned body for summer. Primark's sports wear section has been a complete life saver!

 

Did you see my Easter posts? I decided to try my first ever set of false nails over the Easter weekend & spent the day on Sunday with my family.

 

I've also been loving this hot weather! James has been home over Easter, so we've been doing lots of fun things around work in the sunshine. This was my outfit of the day last week when we went to see Fast & Furious 7. It was amazing. Seriously. I've loved the previous movies for as long as I can remember & was so excited to see it even though it's the last one with Paul Walker. I wore my Dad's denim shirt, with leggings & my trusty New Look boots.

 

Last Monday, I went to see McBusted in Bournemouth with the girls. We saw them last year in London & decided to go for the standing area this year. We travelled down by car & stopped for a cheeky Nandos on the way. The concert was amazing. The atmosphere was incredible & the boys didn't disappoint : )

 

Hope you've had a lovely week lovelies!

 

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