12:00
Good afternoon to anyone reading this, I hope everyone has had a good week! Today I decided to post an updated pamper routine for Summer.The...
Good afternoon to anyone reading this, I hope everyone has had a good week! Today I decided to post an updated pamper routine for Summer.The last pamper routine I posted was in 2015 (you can check that out here). I also plan to write an Autumn/Winter related one later in the year as I do change up a couple things.
As random as this may sound to some people, I usually have a pamper day mid week. This is due to the fact that I work evenings 6 nights a week and so I only have the one night off to pamper and chill.
The first thing I will usually do as part of a pamper is to have a shower (I find baths more relaxing however I don't have a bath in my flat.
Whilst I am in the shower I will usually listen to some chilled out music which helps to get me into a more relaxed mood. This is where I will shave, exfoliate and also usually wash my hair. My current favourite products to use are:
Any Body Shop Shower Gel (Currently using their Rich Plum Scent)
After getting out the shower I will put on a face mask and watch a film or something on Netflix. I will normally keep the face mask on for around 15-20 mins depending on what is recommend. After washing it off I will then do my evening skincare routine. (Let me know if you are interested in seeing this). On a pamper day/evening I want to be as chilled as possible so I will usually chill out for the rest of the afternoon/evening in pyjamas or my dressing gown with multiple cups of tea! I have currently just finished watching New Girl so if anyone has any recommendations on good series to watch I would be massively grateful.
One thing I always love to do when I'm having a pamper day is to re do my nails as it feels really great having a fresh set of nails! I will be posting an updated nail care routine sometime in the next couple of months but if you are interested you can check out my old one here.
The last part of my pamper routine is to fake tan. I do this as the last thing I do before bed as it has been long enough since I showered that the tan wont sink into my pores and look bad. I also prefer to sleep in my fake tan as then I can shower off the guide colour in the morning and I am then ready for the day ahead! The tan I'm currently using is the Rimmel London Sunshimmer tan mousse in medium which I have been using for years and absolutely love!
Let me know what your favourite part of a pamper routine is!
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12:00
A couple of months ago I posted a Boohoo & Pretty Little Thing wishlist with a couple of items that were currently in my wishlist and I...
A couple of months ago I posted a Boohoo & Pretty Little Thing wishlist with a couple of items that were currently in my wishlist and I enjoyed taking time out my day to really look through the sites and choose some really nice pieces to share with you.
I enjoyed making the last one so much that I've decided to do another one, however this one is going to be slightly different. As a curvier girl with bigger boobs and hips I often find that alot of swimwear both in shops and online can often be unflattering and not really suited for someone with my body shape.
So for this post I wanted to share some of my favourite swimwear options I have found recently that don't break the bank whilst also making you look fab!
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17:00
If you've been following my blog for a while now or are just a fan of Yankee Candle you will know that in 2016 I reviewed the Yankee Ca...
If you've been following my blog for a while now or are just a fan of Yankee Candle you will know that in 2016 I reviewed the Yankee Candle Simply Home gift set and then in 2017 I reviewed the Yankee Candle 'Fall In Love' range.
For the last couple years I have been pretty quiet on the blog front as I took some time out to focus on myself however this year I decided to bring back the candle reviews. I'm a big fan of having candles burning at home and the cosy feeling it provides.
A couple of days ago I happened to get an email about a new Yankee Candle collection. To me this collection definitely has a very Autumn vibe to it and I was definitely excited to receive the parcel even though it is only July!
The Campfire Nights collection consists of 4 candle scents all based around scents you might encounter at a midsummer night campfire.
Warm & Cosy
If I'm being honest when I first smelled this scent it actually reminded me of peppermint! Its quite a subtle smell but definitely gives off a cosy vibe.
Crisp Campfire Apples
The scent of this candle reminds me of toffee apples! It has a very Autumnal vibe to it definitely the fruity scent from the collection.
A Night Under The Stars
This scent reminds of the Autumn Night candle from the Fall In Love range I reviewed a few years ago. It reminds me of the scent you get from some of the radox bubble bath scents which I do really love.
Pecan Pie Bites
This scent is probably my favourite from the collection! Smells just like a pecan pie and every time I smell it it gets me in the mood to bake something!
What’s your favourite scent at the moment?
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17:00
Recently I saw a post from Beth Sandland a while ago about the apps she used for blogging and Instagram and I thought this was an amazing i...
Recently I saw a post from Beth Sandland a while ago about the apps she used for blogging and Instagram and I thought this was an amazing idea! When I started blogging there really wasn't many apps that you could use for things like planning blog posts,
PLANOLY
This is the app that I usually use for planning my Instagram feed. There are quite a few apps out there now for this kind of thing but this is the one I have found I prefer to use.
CANVA
I have been using Canva for a few years now and it is the software I use to edit and create my blog headers and my post headers. I will admit that I usually prefer to use the desktop version as I find it easier and I'm usually working on my laptop when I need it, however my highlight covers on my Instagram were created through the app.
PS EXPRESS
PS Express is the app I will use the most to edit my photos for any Instagram food posts and also for any photos I use on my blog. There are so many apps around for photo editing and it really is a case of just finding one you like to use. I'm probably one of the only bloggers not using Lightroom but it's just not a software I enjoy using.
VSCO
VSCO is another photo editing app and is easy to save filters used on previous photos which is great for keeping a more put together Instagram feed, however is also great for just simple photo edits too which is what I mostly use it for I have had themes on my Instagram a couple times now and am currently enjoying just uploading whatever I want without worrying if it suits a certain theme.
Unfold
Unfold is an app that allows you to plan Instagram stories, most of the time I like the natural look of uploading a story as and when I want to using the Instagram app itself, however I will use Unfold if I am going to an event or on a holiday that I'm able to take photos at but want the stories to look a bit more put together.
AIRBRUSH
Alot of my blog photos and Instagram photos are taken on either my Iphone or a camera I've had for years I will usually use airbrush to blur the background so that the focus is on one part of the image. This can help to make your photos look like they were taken with a more professional camera which can naturally do this. I will also occasionally edit out any blemishes I have with this app too.
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12:00
I've wanted to share a post like this for a while now and as I've been blogging on and off for 6 years I wanted to share some of th...
I've wanted to share a post like this for a while now and as I've been blogging on and off for 6 years I wanted to share some of the tips I've learned about juggling blogging whilst still working. It is 100% something that can be done but requires alot of dedication and time.
Plan Your Posts
Planning your content in advance is definitely the most important thing I'd recommend as this means that whenever you are able to find some time to blog you will have some idea of what it is you want to say and this will hopefully make it easier to write posts.
I'd also recommend bulk writing posts if you have the time as this means that in a week where you are busier and don't have as much time you will still have some content to post.
Take Photos In Bulk
Similar to above I definitely recommend taking any post photos in bulk. By having content planned already it should be easier to work out what you need photos of. Another option that I've found useful is taking photos regularly when I have time and working a post around the images I already have.
Write When You Can
As I only work evenings I have time during the day that I can dedicate to writing posts and taking photos however, I always find I am more inspired to write late at night when I get home from work and use the day time hours I have to take photos and make the most of the day time. The majority of my posts are usually written around 2am or 4am.
Work out when you are most inspired and are likely to be able to dedicate time to your blog and go from there.
Scheduling and Social Media
There are various apps out there that allow you to write social media posts in advance and schedule them to post at various times throughout the day. i find this incredibly useful for when I've scheduled a blog post to go up at a time where I am at work. This means that I don't have to worry about finding the time to promote my posts whilst at work as they are already written and scheduled to post.
Don't Feel Guilty If You Can't Post
The most important thing I can say is you and your mental health will always come first. Blogging can be great and some days you can want to dedicate every second you have to it but there will also be days where you just don't have the time or you want to spend time with people and not think about it. Both of these are completely okay!
I wrote a post a couple of years ago about how sticking to a blogging schedule was just not something that was working for me and how I was okay with that. You can read that post here if you are interested.
Let me know if you have any more tips you want to share!
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12:00
A while ago I made these almond flavoured cupcakes and never got round to sharing the recipe so I thought I would share it here now....
A while ago I made these almond flavoured cupcakes and never got round to sharing the recipe so I thought I would share it here now.
What you need
60g butter/margarine (room temperature)
100g caster sugar
2 egg
1/2tsp almond flavoring
70g self-raising flour
100g ground almonds
What to do...
Preheat oven to 180°C/325°F/Gas 5
In a bowl mix together the butter and sugar until well mixed.. add the eggs and mix well
Add in the almond flavoring and the ground almonds, mix until well combined
Sift in the flour and mix well, this is where you can add more almond flavoring depending on your personal taste
Spoon the mixture into paper cases making sure they are only half full
Bake for 20 minutes until well risen and cooked though (you could use a cake skewer to check they are fully cooked)
Leave them to cool on a wire rack
For the Icing
Icing Sugar
Butter
Almond Flavoring
Add the butter to the bowl and mix until smooth and fluffy
Sift in the icing sugar and mix well
Add the almond flavoring and mix until well combined
Add the mixture to a piping bag and decorate how you wish.
Send me a pic if you make these!
If you're interested in more baking posts check these out!
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12:00
So as most of you will know Fathers Day is next week and if you are anything like me you always leave things to the very last minute when b...
So as most of you will know Fathers Day is next week and if you are anything like me you always leave things to the very last minute when buying things like presents.
Fathers Day for most people this year is likely to be very different to usual as at the time of writing this most places are still closed (some shops open Monday however not all and not places such as pubs & restaurants).
So for this gift guide I wanted to share some ideas for the day itself as well as just ideas for gifts as alot of dads I know are happy to just spend the day with their children & family.
Gift Ideas
Day Out/In Ideas
Breakfast In Bed
If you're lucky enough to be spending lockdown together, start the day with a breakfast in bed treat, make him his favourite breakfast or even just bring him a hot drink! Remember it's the thought that counts.
Film Nights
If you're not bored of watching films or shows yet then one idea could be getting comfy, grabbing some movie snacks and having a chilled out day/evening watching yours or his favourite films together (if you can).
BBQ & Snacks
As the weather in the UK has been mostly good these past few weeks one thing I know most dads love to do is set up a BBQ and have a fun night out in the garden with a few ciders/beers.
Picnic Walks
Similar to the BBQ idea why not pack a bag with some of his favourite snacks/lunches and go for a walk and picnic somewhere.
Virtual Pub Quiz/Video Calls
If you're not able to spend the day with your dad due to the lockdown there are many ways to celebrate virtually whether this is just a phone call chat or a virtual pub quiz over a video call.
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