Wednesday 31 December 2014

New Years Resolutions // 2015

New Year, New Me? I don't often make new years resolutions but 2014 has been quite a stressful year, meaning it hasn't been the best or happiest year for me. That's not to say there weren't any good parts (because there was) but I thought I would set myself 5 New Years Resolutions to try and make 2015 an even better year.

Source: www.tumblr.com

1. Work Harder
I know this is a common resolution but this year I really want to work harder in order to achieve my goals and get into my top choice university. 

2. Enjoy Life
This year I want to work on feeling happier generally and realise that if one thing goes wrong in life, it is not the end of the world. I believe that if something doesn't turn out the way you planned, there is always something you can do to change it. 

3. Be Healthier
I want to do more regular exercise and eat healthier in order to feel happier with my body and feel generally healthier. 

4. Be More Confident
This one is about feeling more comfortable in situations that would normally scare me. I need to stop worrying so much about what people think of me and focus more on doing what makes me happy.

5. Let Go of People Who Make Me Unhappy
This is very important one for me this year. I have realised that life is too short to try and impress people that make me unhappy and uncomfortable. I believe that it is possible to grow out of friendships; sometimes you have to accept that and let go of people that no longer make you happy. 


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I hope you all have a great New Year. I would love to hear any resolutions you have made in the comments. 

Charlie xx

Friday 12 December 2014

Christmas Gift Guide // Under £15

With less than 2 weeks until Christmas, its time to start thinking about Christmas presents. I thought I'd put together a short gift guide aimed at teenage girls, all priced at under £15.




1. Soap & Glory - 'Soap For The Best' Gift Set - £10

Photo from www.soapandglory.com
This gift set includes:
• THE RIGHTEOUS BUTTER Body Butter 50ml
• CLEAN ON ME Creamy Moisture Shower Gel 75ml
• HAND FOOD Hand Cream 50ml
• THE SCRUB OF YOUR LIFE Smoothing Body Scrub 50ml
• A Body Polisher

2. Zoella Beauty Products - Range from £5 to £8  



Beauty range by popular blogger and vlogger Zoe Sugg (aka: Zoella). 
'Fizz Bar' is a fragrant bath fizzer which is designed as a bar so you can break off as many pieces as you like and pop them into your bath. It is suggested to drop 1 or 2 cubes into warm running water to start the fizzing process. This bar is fresh and fragrant; perfect for a relaxing, evening bath.
'Blissful Mistful' is a fragrant body mist with a sweet and floral fragrance which is not overpowering. This product is perfect for teenage girls and priced at just £8 is really affordable. 


Other products in the range include a candle (£5), a body lotion (£5), a bath soak/shower cream (£5) and two makeup-bags/pencil cases [Eyes and Guinea Pig] (£8). 

For more information see my blog post // Zoella Beauty 
The images are stunning and I just love the way the book is set out. I think it's such a clever idea how it includes all of Alexa's own fashion icons and it allows you to see where she gets her fashion inspiration. 

Although a quick read, I would definitely recommend this to anyone who either loves fashion or just loves Alexa Chung!

For more information see my blog post // Alexa Chung 'IT'
Photo From www.johnlewis.com
Notebooks are perfect for the girl who's always jotting down important notes and creative ideas. This one from Happy Jackson is the perfect handbag size (A5) and looks amazing with all of the vibrant colours. 
Photo From www.newlook.com


Oversized scarves are in season at the moment as the cold weather has begun to sink in. Tartan is a must have fashion trend this winter so this is perfect for the girl who loves to be up to date with fashion but is also practical as this oversized scarf keeps you super cosy. 

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I hope you find this useful. Have a wonderful Christmas. 
Charlie xx

Thursday 4 December 2014

Alexa Chung 'IT'

'This one-off collection of Alexa Chung's writing, doodles and photographs combines stories of early style inspirations such as her grandpa and the Spice Girls with discussion of figures of obsession like Jane Birkin and Annie Hall, reflecting on heartbreak, how to get dressed in the morning, the challenges of taking a good selfie, and more.' Amazon 



I had heard good things about this book, so when I picked it up I was really intrigued to find out what it was all about. Alexa Chung has always been one of my fashion icons because I just love the simplicity of her outfits and how chic she always looks. 

When the book arrived I started reading straight away, and I love it. The images are stunning and I just love the way the book is set out. I think it's such a clever idea how it includes all of Alexa's own fashion icons and it allows you to see where she gets her fashion inspiration. 

Although a quick read, I would definitely recommend this to anyone who either loves fashion or just loves Alexa Chung :). One thing I do regret is getting the paper back rather than the hard back because it just doesn't look as pretty let's admit it.

Buy the book:  

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If you have read this book let me know what you thought of it on the comments.

Charlie xx

Sunday 16 November 2014

Top 3 Autumn Lip Products


Vampire Kiss is a deep pinky, red shade which is perfect for Autumn and Winter makeup. I don't normally use lip gloss because I find they can feel very sticky BUT these lip glosses are very pigmented, they smell a-maz-ing and they are super long lasting.

I have owned this product for quite a while now and I love it! This is in the cremesheen finish which means it is a creamy lipstick with a soft shine and full coverage. 'Brave Red', as hinted by the name, is a bright red lip colour. What I love about this lipstick is you can either build it up for a much bolder red lip or dab it on for a more muted, berry/pink lip.

Having avoided matte lip colours (in fear of dry looking lips) I finally took the plunge and tried out shade 107 from Rimmel's Kate Moss line. I had heard wonderful things about this product before buying it, so could not wait to try it out for myself. This lipstick is deep, berry toned and I love it! Although it is a matte finish, it is not drying on the lips and it lasts all day.

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Charlie xx

Thursday 30 October 2014

Mini Ghost Biscuits Recipe // Halloween

Today I thought I'd share with you the vanilla biscuit recipe I used to make my quick and easy mini ghost Halloween biscuits.



Ingredients
Biscuits:
6 oz. (170g) Plain Flour
3 oz. (85g) Butter
3 oz. (85g) Castar Sugar
1 Egg
Few Drops of Vanilla Extract
Milk (to mix)  

Icing:
Icing sugar
Water
Coloured Writing Icing

1. Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Add one egg and the vanilla. 
3. Stir in the flour and mix to a stiff paste.
4. Roll out the dough on a floured surface and using a cutter, shape the biscuits and place on a greased baking tray.
5. Bake in the oven for about 10 minutes at 180oC until golden.
6. Mix up a water icing using icing sugar and water.
7. Cover the biscuits and pipe on eyes using writing icing. 


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Hope you enjoy!

Charlie xx

Sunday 5 October 2014

Zoella Beauty

As many of you may know the blogger and youtuber Zoe Sugg, from Zoella, has released a range of beauty products known as Zoella Beauty. The range is aimed around relaxing and pampering yourself which is something Zoe loves to do at home. 

All products are priced between £5 and £8, making them affordable for everyone. The packaging is beautiful and attractive which is an added bonus, making the products feel even more luxurious.



When I popped into Superdrug last week I picked up 'Fizz Bar' (£5) and 'Blissful Mistful' (£8). These products smell amazing

'Fizz Bar' is a fragrant bath fizzer which is designed as a bar so you can break off as many pieces as you like and pop them into your bath. It is suggested to drop 1 or 2 cubes into warm running water to start the fizzing process. This bar is fresh and fragrant; perfect for a relaxing, evening bath.

'Blissful Mistful' is a fragrant body mist with a sweet and floral fragrance which is not overpowering. This product is perfect for teenage girls and priced at just £8 is really affordable. 

Other products in the range include a candle (£5), a body lotion (£5), a bath soak/shower cream (£5) and two makeup-bags/pencil cases [Eyes and Guinea Pig] (£8). 

Products are available online at feelunique.com and online and in store at Superdrug

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Charlie xx

Thursday 25 September 2014

Top 5 Drugstore Makeup Products

I have the shade 101 Classic Ivory which is a really good match. It applies perfectly to the skin and I like to use my Real Technique buffing brush to give a natural looking finish. I think this foundation is a bargain at £6.99.

I like to set my base makeup in place using Rimmel 'Stay Matte' powder. I have the shade 'Warm Beige' but there are a variety of shades including a translucent powder. I love this powder because it helps hold makeup in place all day and removes any shine from my T-zone. Also, it does not cling to any dry patches on my skin. Amazing!

Solar Powder is a two-toned bronzing powder, allowing you to either go for a subtle glow or a full on contour. Personally, I like to blend the two shades together and use it as a gentle all over bronze.

I like the MUA pencil because it comes with a brush at one end so that you can blend the product through evenly, giving a more natural look.  I like to apply it using small strokes and then brushing through. I have the shade brunette but they also have a blonde shade and a black shade. I use a clear mascara on top to set them in place. This brow product is super cheap priced at just £1!

I recently picked up the shade Picnic in the Park and Vampire Kiss when I saw the whole Tanya Burr range on offer in Superdrug. I don't normally opt for a lip gloss because I find many of them feel sticky on the lips. However, after trying these products I might be a convert. These lip glosses are super pigmented, they smell a-maz-ing (like sweeties) and they are so long lasting. Vampire Kiss is a typical autumnal deep red shade, and Picnic in the Park is a lovely pink shade, for a more natural look.

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Charlie xx

Sunday 7 September 2014

Battle of the Brows

Over the past few months I have been experimenting with different brow products so today  I'm going to tell you what I think.


The first product I tried was an eyebrow pencil. I like the MUA pencil because it comes with a brush at one end so that you can blend the product through evenly, giving a more natural look.  I like to apply it using small strokes and then brushing through. I have the shade brunette but they also do one for blondes. I use the MUA clear mascara on top to set them in place.

This is a two-in-one product with a felt tip at one end and a waxy pencil at the other. To start with I preferred to just use the wax end but now I enjoy the felt tip end because I feel it gives a natural looking finish and lasts all day. I use the felt tip end to draw little lines which look like hairs to give a fuller looking brow. I use the shade Brownie Points which is for brunettes but they also have a shade for blondes. I also use a clear mascara on top to set my brows in place. 

This is a relatively new product which acts as a colour and setting agent in one. There is a range of shades; clear, blonde, mid brown and dark brown. I have 'dark brown' which is a perfect match for my brows. I really love this product because it is quick and easy (being a two-in-one product). However, I find that too much product comes off on the brush but this is easily sorted by wiping the excess before use.

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These are just some of the brow products available in the drugstore. Let me know in the comments what your favourite brow product is.

Charlie xx

Thursday 28 August 2014

Benefit 'The Real Steal' Review

Earlier this month I picked up 'The Real Steal' set by Benefit. It contains a full size of They're Real! mascara, a travel size of the Push-Up Liner and a tester of They're Real! remover. These three products come in a set for just £19.50 which is an absolute bargain because its RRP is £24. 

If you want to purchase this set, here are a few places you can find it:



They're Real! Mascara
I know I'm late on the bandwagon but this mascara is amazing! On use, it is so easy to apply adding length and volume as well as separating the lashes - everything I look for in a mascara. It stays in place all day without smudging and to top it all off it is easy to remove with regular makeup remover (I used the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water).

Would I repurchase: Yes


They're Real! Push Up Liner

 
I've never been able to master the art of winged eyeliner so I was excited to try this product. I had heard a mix of reviews about it so I was interested to try it for myself.  

This is a gel liner but in a super handy pen form. The nib is angled and flexible but it's not easy to get the right amount of product out. Overall, I found it difficult to use and the product itself was quite dry and flaky. All in all I made a total mess of my face and had to remove it immediately. It does not come off with regular makeup remover so you definitely need to buy the 'They're Real! Remover' (a sneaky move Benefit!).

Would I repurchase: No.

They're Real! Remover 
The remover worked pretty well to remove the liner from my eyes although I had to scrub it a bit, leaving my eyes quite red (a big no no).

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I hope this review is useful. Let me know what you think of the They're Real! range.

Charlie xx



Tuesday 5 August 2014

Mixed Berry Muffins Recipe

I found the recipe for these muffins in The Hummingbird Bakery 'Cake Days' recipe book. It suggests the following ingredients make 10-12 muffins although I found it too make 15.



Ingredients:
300g plain flour
155g caster sugar
1 tbs baking powder
1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
A pinch of salt
250ml milk
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla essence
85g unsalted butter (melted)
50g blueberries
50g raspberries



*I would advise to use more berries than the recipe recommends to make sure each muffin has an equal amount*

Method:
1. Preheat oven to 190 degrees C/gas mark 5. Line the tin with muffin cases.
2. Sift together the flour, 115g of the sugar, the baking powder, the bicarbonate of soda and salt in a large bowl. 
3. In a jug mix the milk, vanilla essence and eggs.
4. Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and pour in the milk and egg mixture - beat until smooth. 
5. Add the melted butter and mix to incorporate.
6. Stir in the berries by hand, making sure they are evenly distributed in the batter.
7. Spoon the batter into the muffin cases, filling each up to two-thirds full and sprinkle the tops with the remaining sugar.
8. Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes or until the muffins are golden brown on top and bounce back lightly when pressed. Leave in the tin for a short while, the transfer t a wire rack to cool.


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I hope you enjoy this recipe, let me know in the comments if you make them and what you think.

Charlie xx

Tuesday 29 July 2014

Edinburgh Photo Diary

Last week my sister and I went on a short city break to Edinburgh (one of our favourite cities). When we arrived on Wednesday evening we went to Wannaburger to get a takeaway for dinner.

I got a grilled chicken burger with fries and shake (black and white).
My sister had the grilled halloumi burger with cajun fries and a shake (black and white). We also shared some onion rings.

The next day we spent the morning exploring the shops on Princes Street.

Dress: Forever 21
Jumper: Zara (sale)
Shoes: Vans
Bag: Cambridge Satchel Company 11" Navy Satchel

Nails: NYC 'Raindrop'
Lipstick: MAC 'Crosswires'









In the afternoon we took a walk down the Royal Mile. 
Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle
A View of the City
St Giles Cathedral
  

The Queens Gallery
Parliament
 

Scot Monument

Top: H&M
Shorts: Forever  21
Shoes: Vans
Bag: Asos
Sunglasses: Ray Ban 'Wayfarer'
Necklace: Primark












For dinner that night we went to Nandos. I had a chicken pitta with chips. Yum. 
On Friday we strolled through Grass Market and had lunch in a lovely restaurant called The Outsider. 
Grass Market
Edinburgh Castle
 

Top: Forever 21
Shorts: Forever 21
Shoes: Nike Air Max 'Thea'
Necklace: Primark
Sunglasses: Ray Ban 'Wayfarers'














For lunch I chose crispy rosemary gnocci with peas and baby gem lettuce, it was absolutely delicious.

Alice had aubergine and halloumi salad. We shared some garlicky fries which tasted amazing.
After lunch we took a walk up to Calton Hill to get a view across the whole city. 







On the way back to the flat we stopped off at Patisserie Valerie to get a takeaway dessert :).

Lemon Cheesecake

Giotto

Overall we had a great couple of days in Edinburgh and thankfully got the best of the weather. 

Oh Comely Magazine and Gordon Street Coffee for the train home
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Are you going on holiday this summer? 

Charlie xx