Winter Favourites

The Questions:

What are your favourite things about Winter?

Winter is about cold mornings, dark nights and icy roads- but if you learn to embrace it, it can be the 'most wonderful time of the year'. Apart from Christmas and everything that comes with the exciting build up, my favourite part about winter is probably the seasonable weather. Although the cold climate makes getting out of bed 100x more challenging, I love crisp frosty mornings and the chance of snow. Walking to university when the sky is blue and the air is cool is my favourite time of day, and rushing home to warm up on dark afternoons leaves me feeling so festive. If you stop moaning about it, it's all so cute and enjoyable... embrace it. 

What is your favourite Winter outfit?

A typical winter outfit for me is black skinny jeans (what's new?...), a plain tee, and my beloved (and well worn) tan Timberland boots. I've also been loving my new winter coat, a smart black duffel with a fleecey fur collar. I picked it up from Topman early last month, and you can see it on some of my recent instagram posts. If you guys are interested, I'll feature it in an outfit of the day post soon! 

What is your favourite Winter food?

Who doesn't love a roast dinner? and they're pretty mandatory at this time of year. As a Brit (and especially as a northerner) a roast dinner is eaten in my house at LEAST once a week, but they're perfect at this time of year. When you include all of the trimmings- parsnips, roast potatoes, stuffing and sprouts, it's everything. If you don't like sprouts, you're doing christmas wrong!

Favourite Winter drink?

I'd love to sound super festive and classy, and say something spectacularly Christmassy like Bailey's or a strange caramel coffee of some sort- but it's really not my thing. I recently tried Costa Coffee's new White Hot Chocolate and was beyond disappointed, to me it tasted like luke warm baby formula- not impressed. What I do enjoy though is hot chocolate, and Starbucks is every instagrammers dream at this time of year.

What is your dream way to spend a Winter’s day?

If we are talking FANTASIES, I'd spend the day shopping in NYC with an an unlimited budget and all of my friends and loved ones. Ice-skating in Central Park, Mariah's festive concert at the Rockefeller Plaza... one day I'll make it. 

How do you like to do your make-up in the Winter?

I obviously can't answer this question as I don't wear makeup to the extent of having a 'wintery' way of doing things, but for girls you can't beat a dark lip- berry tones and purples. I know Rebel by MAC is a perfect lip colour for this time of year.  Some of my friends kill it, maybe you should ask them. 

What are you hoping Santa brings you?

My Christmas list is typically the same every year: aftershaves, underwear and money (what more could a boy want? ha) What I'd kill for this year is a new iPhone, and I'm undecided whether I'd prefer the six or six plus, is bigger always better? Unless I win the lottery, I won't be getting one anytime soon, but a boy can wish. 

What are the first three things that remind you of Winter?

Snow, Santa and sparkly lights. 

What is your favourite Winter song?

If you don't follow me on Twitter (which you should) you won't know that I've been LOVING Mariah's Christmas album. 'All I Want For Christmas Is You', 'Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)' and 'Hark The Herald Angels Sing' are spectacular- check them out. Apart from the QUEEN of christmas miss MC, other festive favourites of mine include The Pogues' timeless anthem 'Fairytale of New York' and Chris Rea's 'Driving Home For Christmas'. So much love.

What is your favourite Winter memory?

Sledging seems like the perfect winter activity, but honestly I've had so many bad experiences I can't even pretend to enjoy it. Icy fingers, frozen feet and wet clothes- no thankyou. Some cute memories I have involve waking up to snow, and sitting in my pyjamas checking the school website in the hope it would close for the day. Everyday I'd wait at the bus stop, and when the busses stopped running, school was cancelled. What could possibly be more exciting for a lazy fourteen year old? Watching old movies in front of the fire when you should be working makes it all so much sweeter. 

What is your favourite Winter scent?

If we're talking winter scents it HAS to be a Yankee candle. I love the festive ones, and I'm currently burning 'Cherry Vanilla', it's heaven. In addition, I love the Christmas Markets in my hometown of Manchester. The smell is a mixture of chocolates, cinnamon, hog roast, pancakes, hotdogs and mulled wine- it wouldn't be winter without a day trip here. 

Finish this sentence… If I could have one wish this Christmas it would be…

To be surrounded by my loving family, singing and laughing over a gorgeous roast and a couple glasses of wine! oh, a white Christmas would be lovely too, so I'm wishing for snow!

Thankyou for reading, I've been super busy at university and I am finally coming towards the end of my first semester. I've been doing really well actually, and got a First Class mark on my most recent essay! I'm very happy and proud to say the least! Follow me on twitter and insta to keep up to date with my latest antics, and keep your eyes on this blog. Much more exciting stuff coming up this month :-) xx

Style Icons: Kanye West and Kim Kardashian West

Kim and Kanye are arguably one of the world's most famous and culturally relevant couples, and I am personally a massive fan.  What I admire the most about them though, is their recent interest in high fashion and their changing styles.  Kanye has long since been a style icon of mine, and I think his influence on Kimberley's stylistic choices has made the duo effortlessly chic, elegant and understated. The recently married pair have made themselves into a brand, and their ensembles (which often co-ordinate) represent them as an attractive couple of substance and relevance.  

Their fashion choices are always sophisticated and glam- an idea and style I'd love to replicate in my day to day wardrobe.  If there is one word to describe their style it's 'minimalist'- a huge trend for 2014/15 and an assured way of achieving an effortlessly understated look.

Minimalism: The concept of minimalist architecture is to strip everything down to its essential quality and achieve simplicity.The idea is not completely without ornamentation, but that all parts, details and joinery are considered as reduced to a stage where no one can remove anything further to improve the design. [source]

Below I have gathered a collection of some of my favourite 'paired down' looks that Kim and Kanye have worn. If this doesn't give you 'stylespiration' I don't know what will. 

Don't forget to find me of twitter, instagram and to follow my blog on bloglovin (all the links are at the top of the page). Comment below who your fashion crushes are, I love gaining inspiration from celebrity style and current designers. Thankyou for reading. 

What's In My Shower

I know that some of you would be interested in a tour (snoop around) of my new uni flat, and I thought the best and most interesting place to start would be in my little en-suite. Often, I am asked what products I use- and if I am honest I haven't altered my morning/night-time routine for a long time. For those who are interested, here's a sneak peak into my shower, and a review of some of my current faves.

Original Source shower gels really are your best bet if like me, you need a burst of energy and zest on those cold, early mornings. I've been obsessed with both the lemon and lime products which really pack a punch when it comes to scent and freshness.  Amazingly, forty real limes are crammed into this citrus shower gel, and the zesty scent stays with you even after you've rinsed the product away. The miniature lemon shower gel I own came free as part of a 'starter kit' when I arrived at the uni. After giving it a go I was not disappointed. The products are vegan and friendly to the environment- another bonus to the shower gels which are currently unrivalled in terms of scent and quality. I've been reserving my coconut scented bottle for the evening time, as this particular body wash is creamier and more luxurious than its fruitier counterparts. I've found it to be very relaxing after stressful days running from lecture to lecture, maybe it could do the same for you! The products are available to view here, and are widely available in most high-street drugstores and supermarkets.

When focussing on skincare, I am still using my 'holy grail' combination of St. Ives Apricot Scrub and Neutrogena Visibly Clear Pink Grapefruit Wash.  If you're interested in knowing further details and a more in-depth review of these products, check out this blogpost from earlier in the year. For me, this facial scrub and daily wash seem to work together well, and keep my skin feeling fresh and noticeably clearer with regular use. Until I hear about something that works just as well, I'm planning to re-purchase these particular brands time and time again. What kind of products are you enjoying?

The priciest items in my shower are hair lightening shampoos by John Frieda (available here). These 'Go Blonder' treatments have been very effective in gently brightening the lighter parts of my hair, and have given me a naturally, visibly blonder look. I use the shampoo in isolation, as I feel my hair is soft and fine enough without need for additional conditioning. In my experience, the John Frieda products work fantastically well alone, and don't necessarily require their sister product (shampoo + conditioner combo) to have a dramatic lightning effect on your hair. I would certainly recommend these products, and believe them to be well worth their price. If you're feeling thrifty, wait for the range to be on offer, or explore shops such as Body Care to try and grab a bargain with your toiletries. 

If you'd like me to write a full post about my hair lightening experience, let me know in the comments or on Twitter. I've used three different products in order to achieve a sun kissed look, and avoiding the use of bleach had enabled me to maintain soft and healthy hair. 

As always, thankyou for reading and continuing to tweet about and support my blog. I've been tremendously busy at university, settling in and getting to grips with my course. Freshers week really took its tole on my body and skin, and I think a full detox is definitely required to get back to feeling healthy, active and well! Studying English as I do, I'm very determined to keep up to date with my blog, and keep you informed about what I'm up to! Thankyou for reading. 

Surviving Freshers and Settling In

The short-term absence of posts from my blog has been a consequence of me starting university, which has been the scariest and best time of my life.  Experiencing freshers has been crazy, and I feel like I'm now qualified enough to give you some advice on how to survive the manic first week and finally feel at home. Whether you're feeling a little homesick, or starting to feel the effects of the all-nighters, here's my personal tips for getting settled; 

Get Out There:

The only way to meet new people and introduce yourself to other students is to get out there and socialise.  You'll be surprised how many people are out there looking for new friendships- make them now before people get stuck into their studies later down the line!  I made it my plan to learn someone's name every where I went, so don't be too shy to jump into conversations and ask questions of your own.  It doesn't need to be awkward or formal at all, avoid cringe-worthy introductions at all costs. Just get chatting about nights out, university or moving out- everyone's in the same boat after all.

Pace Yourself:

It's no lie that there is a subliminal pressure to party, drink and go wild every night of freshers and I've tried my best to make the most of the cheap drinks and clubbing atmosphere. I think I've drank more wine this week than I ever have in my entire life, and when you're twerking to Anaconda by Nicki Minaj at 3am you know it's a good night. However, unless you're some kind of unstoppable party animal- the late nights will catch up with you and you'll need to allow yourself time to relax. One night midweek, my flat all went shopping and ordered a late night Domino's pizza- you can still have fun without downing a bottle of wine beforehand...  My advice would be: don't be afraid to get stuck in, but also know your limits.  I've ended up feeling a little run down and worse for wear but my week has been fantastic.

Plan Ahead:

On my first day of university talks I woke up at death's door. It's fair to say we all went a little far at the opening night, which was a beach themed party at the accommodation's central bar/club.  In light of this I'd advice you to plan ahead, and let loose only on nights where you're guaranteed a lie in the next morning. I'm not saying never have fun or drink ever again, there have been nights where my flatmates have been passed out with their head in the freezer door... but make sure you're prepared for what's to come the next day. The same rule will apply for the rest of your time at uni really, it's all just about thinking ahead and saving yourself the tortures of a lecture when you can't even see straight (trust me, it's not pretty). 

Relax:

My final tip is simply to relax and enjoy yourself.  There will be times when you have a little wobble, wishing you were at home in your own bed, and it's important to know that everyone is feeling it behind closed doors. If it all gets too much, confide in a friend and tell people how you feel- everyone in my flat has been so caring towards one-another it's almost too much to be believed.  I've been up at 5am unable to sleep, when I can see and hear drunken lads running around outside in their boxers, but it's all just part of the fun.  Relax and calm down, and if you can't beat them, join them. 

How To: Bake Giant Chocolate Cookies

With the rising popularity of baking amongst Brits, and tv shows like The Great British Bake Off dominating the airwaves, it's no longer uncool to home make some delicious sweet treats every now and then. I recently saw youtuber Tanya Burr's video tutorial where she made some delicious looking chocolate chip cookies, and I had to give them a go. Believe me when I say these cookies are GIANT and irresistible. I used large chunks of chocolate bar as opposed to miniature chocolate chips- I've listed the ingredients and recipe below. Give them a go! 

Ingredients:

200g unsalted butter

300g caster sugar

1 egg

325g self raising flour

dash of milk (if needed)

300-400g of chocolate

Firstly preset your oven to 200°c, and gather all your ingredients together. These cookies take almost no time at all to prepare, and bake just as fast.  After allowing your butter to reach room temperature, cream it together with your caster sugar until it creates a smooth consistency. Then, after resisting the urge to taste your butter cream, whisk in the egg. The next step is to add in the flour, and I would advise adding it in approx 100g lots so as to not overload the mixture. You'll begin to think it's looking too thick, but remember you're making a dough and not a cake batter! (if the dough refuses to bind and is too powdery and loose, you can throw in a dash of milk at this stage).

The only think to do now is to toss in chunks of chocolate, and don't feel the need to break it up into tiny chips- bite size squares make the cookies chunky and indulgent. I used a standard milk chocolate, but you could experiment with white chocolate or even something a little different such as Daim or Terry's Choloate Orange... imagine. Give the dough a thorough mix with your hands to ensure the chocolate chunks are evenly distributed. I bet you can't resist a taste test at this point... you'd have to be strong willed not to!

Separating the mixture into 8-10 small fist sized portions, spread them evenly on a tin foil lined baking tray before popping them in the oven for 10-12 minutes. A handy tip to remember is that the raw cookie dough balls can be frozen at this stage, and baked at a later date when you're craving a freshly baked treat.  

Don't wait until the cookies look brown or solid, take them out when they're starting to golden and allow them to rest. Trust me, the cookies harden slightly as they cool- and you want them to be soft and chewy. Ten to twelve minutes at 200g is the optimum baking time! 

When they come out of the oven, allow them to cool for around 25 minutes before you tuck in. They're most delicious when they are still slightly warm and the chocolate is still gooey... You need to give this recipe a go, it's difficult to get wrong and the outcome is so good. 

If you've given this recipe a go let me know in the comments. I find baking really fun and enjoyable when I have a free afternoon, is it still viewed as something for just OAPs? I'd say don't knock it until you've tried it- and you HAVE TO try these!  I'll leave a link to Tanya's youtube here, I gained my inspiration for this bake from her recipe- so thankyou Tanya! 

As always, don't forget to follow me on bloglovin, twitter and instagram. I love hearing from people who've ready my blog! Liam x

University Checklist / Preparation

If you're my age and going to univeristy, the next two weeks are probably going to be the busiest and most anxious as we prepare to move out of our family home and into halls of residence with a set of other students we have not yet met. In all honesty I'm very excited. I'm not viewing it as 'moving out' or leaving my entire life behind, but putting it into perspective- I'm merely going to uni! I'll probably be home every other weekend- I'm never more than a couple of hours from home. So no need to stress. 

What could be stressful though is preparing the colossal amount of things we need to take with us- from bedding to laptops; it can all get very confusing. Recently my parents and I had a visit to Asda Living, and there we filled four large baskets with homeware, bedroom decorations and kitchen utensils. These are the kind of expenses a student loan doesn't cover and the things we don't always think about when planning to go to uni- but these items really are essential. 

For the bedroom, you'll probably need a new duvet, quilt cover, pillows and bedding. Another item I'd highly recommend is a mattress topper- they're fairly inexpensive and ensure a comfortable and clean base- you never know who's been living in that room before you... ugh. Other than that, have you thought about storage? Maybe plastic boxes, laundry baskets and extra shelving would come in handy- I suppose it's all very personal to your requirements. To make my room cosy, I'm planning on buying a couple of soft cushions, maybe some fairy lights and photo frames to make everything feel warm and homely. The last thing I want is a cold shell of a room- it needs to feel like a place of my own. 

Aswell as all of that, there's the kitchen utensils to think about. I walked down the aisle and literally filled my basket- you'll be surprised how much there is and how much you'll need. Cutlery, bottle openers, tin openers, baking trays and tongues- my accomodation is self-catered so I'm planning on rustling up some (hopefully) impressive and affordable meals. I also picked up some glasses and mugs, plates and bowls. There's so much to remember! 

Electricals. Depending on your course, other items you'll need in your flat are a laptop, printer, small tv and even a desk lamp. These are things most of us have already, but I've had to buy a new laptop and tv. Moving to univeristy can be expensive, but look for the best deals and buy items that will last you the duration of your studies. I bought a white Samsung TV and Toshiba laptop in a matching colour, I'm so thrilled and think they look so pretty; I'm in love. 

After collecting an enormous pile of bits and bobs, I also began to prepare for other aspects of my time at univeristy.  The English department sent me a reading list- the names of 6 or 7 books I am expected to purchase (and in some cases read... argh) before I arrive. This is something to bear in mind, does your course require any kind of preparation? My department have even given me a few 'tasks' to complete before my induction... homework before I even get there! I suppose I've gotten lazy over summer and the thought of educational work intimidates me slightly! I'll soon get back into the rhythm of things once I move in- I'm looking forward to it. 

Hope some of you found this post useful and interesting, even if you're not going to univeristy and just fancied a nosey. Make sure you follow me on twitter, I'm always posting on there about univeristy plans and what I'm up to... What kind of posts would you like to see next, an insight into the items I bought, advice about moving away? Let me know in the comments below. 

Recent Purchases for Autumn/Winter- Topman Haul

With the summer slowing disappearing and the darker nights approaching, I've been excited to start searching for a few items to begin my autumn/winter wardrobe. This season is my favourite time of year clothes-wise, I love to layer and wrap up in darker colours and comfortable materials. So recently I visited the Trafford Centre with the aim to spend a bit of my savings on some key pieces to kick off the fall season. I'm constantly getting asked on twitter and in private messages about how to dress and where to shop, so this post will hopefully be helpful to some of you. If I had one tip it would be keep everything simple, and stick to one colour scheme. For me this year is has to be monochrome: blacks, whites and tonal greys. 

The first item I picked up was this grey/black check skater t-shirt, which I found in Topman for £16 (available here). I was immediately drawn to it because it is made from a much thicker material than the kind of tees you find in store for spring/summer. For this reason it's ideal for the wintery months. I think I'll get a lot of wear out of it too, as it is both comfortbable and easy to style- it should see me right through to summer next year. The one I purchased was in size XXS, something I was shocked about as this size is always much too small for me- I'm almost 6ft! The t-shirt is designed to be oversized, and in order to find a fit I was comfortable with, I opted for this much smaller option. In my opinion, the XXS fits like a normal M, so bear this in mind if you decide to order it online. 

Another staple for autumn/winter is a good pair of black jeans. I've been living in my Topman Super Spray Ons, an extremely tight pair which admittedly sometimes resemble leggins. If this is the look you're going for, I'd say these are the perfect pair. In my personal style, I always think the tighter the better when it comes to denim jeans- avoid bootleg at all costs guys. My size is 28/32, put I'd definitely advise trying these on in store before you buy. Topman/Topshop always have an impressive selection of jeans available, I wouldn't bother looking elsewhere.  Online, the black super spray ons I bought aren't currently available, but a pair of black spray ons are available here for £30. 

Another recent purchase was a pair of black (are you noticing a theme?) desert boot style shoes. The 'suedette lace-up chukka boots' are available here for £40, a price I was impressed with as similar boots from Clarks can retail for up to £100. I'm saving these shoes for nights out and parties in the festive season, as they are a smart and fashionable alternative to a brogue or formal shoe. In addition to this, they are also a change to the black vans that I wear day in day out, perfect for when I feel like switching it up. I've wanted a pair like this for a long time, so I'm really happy with this buy. 

A key trend for this coming winter is the Breton stripe, a style made famous by the iconic French designer Coco Chanel. You can see this type of print everywhere on the high street, and I found this £14 oversized tee in Topman here- which was also available in red and white as opposed to navy. This shirt is a basic, and can be paired with jackets, hoodies, and denim jeans of any colour. If you're looking for a versatile item with a nod to the stipe trend- this is your best bet. If you have a bigger budget or fancy a splurge, have a nosey at the Pretty Green and Fred Perry websites- but for me Topman always clinches it on price alone. 

Thanks for reading guys as always, and don't forget to follow me on bloglovin, twitter and instagram- all my links are on here somewhere! Leave a comment with your favourite trend or items you've been liking, I love hearing from you and I'll reply as soon as I can! 

MTV VMAs 2014: Must See Looks

Last night marked one of the most glamorous events in music, the annual MTV Video Music Awards. It is always my favourite award show, bound to be filled with glitz, drama and stellar performances from world-class artists. This year was no different, with dazzling productions from Jessie J, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj and a spotlight stealing super medley from cultural icon Beyoncé. Not all of the attention was focused inside the arena though, as the red carpet was lined with stars dressed up to the nines. Below I have gathered a collection of the must see looks from this years' awards, including J Lo's stunning sequinned number and the Kardsahian's effortless glam. Other noticable looks were Taylor Swift's 'not-so-flattering' blue leotard and Miley's surprisingly dressed down bandeau top with co-ordinate trousers.  Ariana Grande looked hotter than ever in a black leather Moschino minidress and trademark thigh high go-go boots- her cutesy prom girl looks are fast becoming a distant memory. Controversially, Katy Perry arrived at the carpet fashionably late with hiphop rapper RiFF RAFF, sporting a double denim ensemble that was unmistakably an echo of Britney Spears' and Justin Timberlake's now iconic get-up back in the day. Amber Rose also shocked onlookers with a revealing draped bead 'dress' that was reminiscent of Rose McGowan's unforgettable 1998 VMA outfit. All the hottest pictures are below, let me know which is your favourite. 

ps. if you're in the UK, the 2014 VMAs air TONIGHT (Monday 25th August) on MTV! Don't miss it! 

The British Tag

Now my blog is up and running, I have noticed that a large proportion of my readership is international and not just from the UK.  For that reason, I thought this tag would be a fun insight into British culture and would also show you a few facts and thoughts of my own. Feel free to comment your ideas below and even answer the questions in the comments! Also, what other kind of posts would you like to see from me in the near future? I'm thinking of possibly uploading some fashion and entertainment ideas and reviews. Let me know! 

1. How many cups of tea do you drink a day and how many sugars? My mum and sister are true tea lovers and in some ways their habits have rubbed off on me. Although I don't get through quite as many cups a day as them, I drink at least one or two teas daily. It has to be traditional 'English Breakfast Tea', and I take one sugar and a small amount of milk- quite standard. I'm drinking one now as I write.  As well as tea though, I'm a hot chocolate lover and I have a definite sweet tooth. 

 2. Favourite part of your roast? Having a Sunday Dinner is quite a tradition in the UK and my family often get together for a carvery. It's so difficult to choose a favourite part because I honestly love them all. I think it would either be the meat, mash or Yorkshire pudding. Everything has to be covered in gravy too, I'm hungry just thinking about it. 

 3. Favourite dunking biscuit? In my opinion you can't beat a custard cream when it comes to dunking, they're traditional, inexpensive biscuits and you can't go wrong.  The chocolate digestive comes in a close second though. There's no biscuit I don't like!

4. Favourite quintessentially British past time? My favourite 'British' past time would probably be countryside walks. Living in Lancashire, there are rolling hills and country lanes everywhere I look. Since I was a child I have enjoyed walks around the village with my grandparents and dogs, I have so many lovely memories of time spent in the outdoors with the farm animals and wildlife. I'm lucky to live somewhere with such beautiful scenery around every corner. 

 5. Favourite word? One of my favourite words to use is 'belting', a word similar to brilliant which means 'really good'. For example, I might say 'we had a belting day out' or 'she's a belting singer'. I'm not sure if this word is something exclusive to Lancashire or whether it's used all of the UK, but I think it's really fun.   

6. Cockney rhyming slang? I know lots of rhyming slang, but being northern I don't tend to use it in my everyday language.  My grandma used to call the stairs 'apples and pears' when we were growing up, and we often call eyes 'mincers', coming from the rhyme mince pies for eyes. When you explain this kind of thing in writing, we British do seem a strange bunch. 

 7. Favourite sweet? My favourite sweet is probably chocolate, and Cadbury's is the best brand the UK has to offer. You cannot go wrong with a traditional Cadbury's dairy milk. Galaxy chocolate is a fave of mine too, it's hard to say!

 8. What would your pub be called? I like the idea of owning an old fashioned pub, somewhere mysterious where you might find outlaws, ghosts and pirates. So for that reason I'd name it something like The Old Tavern or The Highwayman Arms. 

 9. No.1 British person? It would be a crime not to name the royal family as the epitome of British culture, and apart from the gorgeous William and Kate- my favourite royal is probably Prince Harry. He's young and boisterous, and I like how he's always close to getting into trouble. Remember his naked antics in Vegas? I think he's pretty cool. 

 10. Favourite shop/restaurant? Topshop/Topman is an incredible example of a homegrown British fashion brand and is always at the heart of the high street, something other countries just don't have. Most of my clothing is from Topman, it's always up to date with the latest trends and offers good quality items you know will last. 

11. What British song pops into your head? If it isn't a hymn like Jerusalem or Land Of Hope And Glory, the first pop song that comes to mind is Wannabe by The Spice Girls. They're so iconic and represented Britain on the world stage back in the day. This song is their most famous and is definitely very British. Listen to it here. 

 12. Marmite? I don't like the taste of marmite at all, but Marmite flavoured crisps are unusually nice. I have only tried them a few times but remember enjoying them. Marmite isn't really as big a thing in the UK as it is made out to be in other countries, I haven't seen a tub of it for years! 

Thanks for reading guys. Don't forget to follow me on bloglovin, my links for twitter and instagram are at the top of the page too. :-)  

How To: Flawless Skin

I occasionally get asked how I keep my skin so clear, and am always willing to tell people the steps I take to look after my complexion. The truth is, nobody is flawless- especially me, but I am lucky enough to have never suffered with acne or persistent blemishes. I have answered questions about my routine on twitter and instagram before, but I think writing it all here in one place is a simpler way to answer anyone who's interested in what products I use. Sometimes, the trick to looking flawless is good lighting and most certainly a healthy diet- but keeping your face clean and moisturised is equally important.

A product I use daily (as you can tell by my almost empty bottle!) is the Neutrogena Visibly Clear Pink Grapefruit Gel Wash, an uplifting facial cleanser which is both gentle and refreshing.  I like this product because it is reasonably priced at less than £5, and the 200ml bottle seems to last forever. Unlike other gel washes I've used such as Clearasil, there are no harsh chemicals which could dry out or inflame the skin. Instead, the Neutrogena wash is gentle and calming, as well as smelling really fruity and fresh. The pseudoscience on the bottle tells me that 'MicroClear Technology' allows for deep cleansing of the pores and the elimination of blackheads etc. Works for me! If you fancy a nosey, it's available here. 

Aswell as my daily gel wash, I like to use the St. Ives Apricot Blemish Control Scrub in 'Naturally Clear' around three to four times a week. This scrub is oil-free and uses 100% natural ingredients, and I'd certainly argue it's worth the price of around £4 for 150ml. St. Ives is the best selling scrub brand in the UK, and you can find this product in most supermarkets as well as drugstores such as Boots and Superdrug on the high street. The cleansing scrub has a thick and creamy consistency, containing small beads which exfoliate the skin- removing dead skin cells that can lead to blackheads and spots. A natural product from a well respected brand, I highly recommend this Blemish Fighting Scrub- it's available here. 

Sudocrem is usually associated with young children, and is an essential part of most mums' cabinets. However, the antiseptic cream is also very useful for healing spots and scars on the face. If I ever have a troublesome patch of skin or recurring blemish, I typically apply a layer of Sudocrem to the affected area before bed- and in the morning I usually find it to be significantly calmer and less inflamed. It works very well in drying out blemishes, and is also effective on nappy rash, sunburn, minor burns, surface wounds or chilblains. It's a staple cream, and at around £2.50 per 125g, it's available here. 

Superdrug has recently introduced it's own range of mud masks, and according to some expert reviews I have read online, it can keep up with similar products from esteemed brands such as Origins. I use the Witch Hazel Mud Mask, which is purifying and calming on spot prone skin, and I really recommend this mask if you're looking for something fun and relatively inexpensive. Witch hazel and salicylic acid in the mask target blemishes, while Dead Sea mud absorbs excess oil- resulting in a clean and radiant complexion after repeated use. A pea sized amount of the mask covers the face, and after allowing ten minutes for the product to harden and set, it washes off easily in warm water or with a wet towel. I'd advice using this mask around twice a week for normal/combination skin, more frequent use for oily complexions. At £2.59 it's a must have! Available here. 

An important aspect of skin care not to overlook is moisturising, and I recommend Nivea Soft Moisturising Cream above all others if you're looking for an effective, cheaply priced product. I smother this cream on thickly every night and morning, and find it is quickly and deeply abosrbed into the skin. I cannot imagine how dry my skin could be if I didn't use it, and I feel like this product is perfect for blurring blemishes and giving a dewy complexion with regular use. With added Vitamin E and Jojoba Oil, this moisturiser is a great one and performs well: simple and proficient. On offer now for an amazing £1.24, you can pick up this one here. 

Using all of these products systematically in a routine helps me to maintain a clear complexion, and could work for you. These products are widely available, as well as competitively priced- it's a win/win. It's important to remember though that using products alone is not always enough to maintain a flawless finish on your skin. Eating healthily and drinking a lot of water is also fundamental in keeping your skin clear. Another tip is not to touch your face too often- resist the urge to pick and prod, and try to avoid touching your face throughout the day (you'll be surprised how often you catch yourself doing it!)  

I hope this post has been informative and helpful. Please let me know if you have used any of the products I've mentioned, or whether you swear by some I've not yet tried!  Thanks guys. 

A Day At The Zoo

On Wednesday, my family and I had a day trip to Chester Zoo. Being 18, I am the youngest member of my family and I enjoyed the day as much now as I would have done 15 years ago! Anyone who knows me personally could tell you I'm a definite animal lover- so a day at the zoo is literally my dream day. 

I'd advise prebooking your tickets online, as our e-tickets made our entrance to the park a much quicker process. There are always offers and deals available online too, have a look around before you turn up on the day. When we arrived we had a short walk from the grassy car park area to the main gates, but thankfully it was a dry and warm day- so no mud or raincoats. The surroundings really reminded me of the outskirts/drop off points at a festival, although I'd prefer the zoo any day!

As soon as you're in the park you're greeted by the elephants, and they have an enormous enclosure with a waterfall and scattered tree trunks, which adorably, the calves were playing with and pushing around.  All of the animals at the zoo have large, engaging spaces which is something I really care about- I wouldn't support a zoo if I felt at all unhappy about the animals' welfare. Interestingly, Chester Zoo is now a registered charity and conservation is seemingly very important to them and appears to be the ethos of the park. There are posters and staff members throughout the zoo encouraging visitors to sponsor and adopt animals, it's all very cute. 

After recently seeing Plant Of The Apes at the cinema, I was most excited on the day to see the chimpanzees. The fascinating animals are so human-like, I could've watched them all day. They have a jungle-gym climbing frame indoors, masses of outdoor space with hammocks and ropes, and probably a better life than me! I also loved seeing the lions and tigers, both of which were on the prowl and easily seen. Usually at zoos, the big cats are skulking around in the foliage out of sight.

Another bonus for me was the gift shop which was surprisingly affordable and had an array of animal themed items. From stuffed toys to pens and pencils, there's something for all ages and budgets if you fancy taking something home. So many items are under £5, it's perfect for spending your pocket money or treating young (or older!) family members to a little gift.

I am also proud to say that I faced my fears on the day and walked through the famous bat house. Honestly, it was terrifying and I don't know how I did it. The room is very dark, and the bats fly uncomfortably close to you as you walk (or in my case stumble) through a narrow tunnel of hell. It was all worth it though when ITV's The Speakmans tweeted me to congratulate me on overcoming my fears! 

I'll leave a couple of pictures below which I took on the day, hope you've enjoyed this little insight into my trip!

My sister and I pretending to be zoo keepers. For those interested- my jeans are River Island, and my shirt and tee are from Topman. 

p.s. if you follow me on twitter you'll already know that I just received my A Level results, and achieved an A*, A and B! This means I have gained a place at university this September, very exciting and daunting... Of course I'll let you all know how I get on!