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

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. 

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! 

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!