30 Day Snap #30 // The End!

Hello Lovelies,

Today marks the end of the 30 Day Snap, a month of toting my camera around with me, and snapping those little photo worthy moments in the day.  I really didn't think that it would be so difficult, but I have managed thirty days and am just a tad proud that I didn't miss one.

How have you found it?  

30 Day Snap #29 // Party Feet!

Hello Lovelies,

It's party day, my toes are painted and the sun is shining, there isn't much more to say than I shall put some pics up tomorrow. 

Punchy Pesto

Hello Lovelies,
I love cooking, there is something very cathartic about flicking through recipe books to find something new or just cooking an old family fave.  Pesto is one of those things that is so easy to whip up, but the majority of us (me included) are lazy and opt for a jar which just isn't the same, real pesto is punchy, fresh and oozes flavour, perfect for pasta, pizza and sandwiches.   

Ingredients:

• One Basil plant
• 50g toasted Pine nuts
• one cup of fresh Parmesan grated
• one clove of Garlic
• half a cup of Olive oil
• one pinch of salt

Tear all the leaves off your basil plant and a few stems, grate your Parmesan and measure your oil and pine nuts then throw everything in a food processor and blitz it, you can then decide whether you want it smooth or slightly chunky but that is all personal preference.

Does anyone else make their own pesto?

30 Day Snap #28 // Old Books

Hello Lovelies,

I am a complete sucker for anything old especially books, china and glassware, so I love wandering around antiques arcades and those lovely charity shops that are always full of finds.  I really loved these old books and the really sweet OXO tin.
Does anyone else have a soft spot for all things old?    

30 Day Snap #27 // Time to Party

Hello Lovelies,
Today has been full of all the stressful party planning, all those little things like writing the table plan for outside the marquee and place cards for eighty plus people, but now all that is done I can focus on the dress, shoes and makeup all the pretty fun stuff.

Does anyone else get stressed when they have an event to organise?

30 Day Snap #26 // Arty Freebies

Hello Lovelies,

When I popped into my local art shop today to grab some mount board  my chums and co-workers gave me a little freebie of some 'Brilliant Rose' Georgian Oil Paint, now I haven't used oils since my A-levels, so this little tube of joy will be in the post to my very talented Auntie.

    

Rimmel London Apocalips in 'Luna' // Review

Hello Lovelies,

Apocalips in 'Luna' and china glaze Mimosa's Before Mani's

I'm always late jumping on the bandwagon when it comes to high street lip products, as I have to admit they are not my favourite beauty product to buy, my nail varnish addiction will always overtake buying a new lipstick or gloss, but Rimmel has recently really upped It's game with their Kate lipsticks and now Apocalips (£5.99).  Apocalips are lip lacquers, they are neither a gloss or a lipstick instead they have the intense rich colour of a lipstick and the satin smooth shine of a gloss, Luna is the Coral colour of eight shades and was just to irresistible.

I like the packaging of this product and the colour is exactly as it is on the tube, I hate it when it is different. The colour is very intense and pigmented and the formula isn't at all tacky when applied, it stays on my lips and doesn't give that awful fading at the edge after a long period of time.  My one gripe with this product is that the wand holds to much product, however this is easily rectified by giving it a quick wipe on the side of the tube.  Overall I love this product and can't wait to wear it, well done Rimmel. 

Has anyone else been using this product?

Swatch of 'Luna' on my lips

Pretty Pictures of the Week #5

Hello Lovelies,
The last week has been full of the three F's Fashion, Food and Family.

• #1 If I have been craving rubbish food this week, I have been trying to substitute it with healthier options  popcorn is great substitute for crisps,
• #2 Peonies as you may know are my favourite flowers, and finally they have bloomed, the garden now looks beautiful, 
• #3 We have Olives, one of my guilty pleasures not that I think these will ever be ready for the eating! 
• #4 CONGRATULATIONS, my cousin got is degree results last week, he is a bright spark and the majority of what he says goes over my head, but congrats for your amazing results,
• #5 Now summer is supposedly here the shades have come out and my coral obsession has reached new heights, I love Jessica in Confidant Coral and Maybelline Color Show in Urban Coral.

Hope everyone has had a lovely week.

30 Day Snap #25 // Amazon Goodies

Hello Lovelies,

Today a magical parcel was delivered to my door by the lovely Royal Mail, I have been waiting for this book about Vermeer to be released for about a year and while I was perusing Amazon I came upon these gorgeous paper straws they scream Pinterest and I just can't wait to feature them in a blog post I may have to make some homemade cordial.

30 Day Snap #24 // Peonies

Hello Lovelies,

At last the Peonies are out, they are my favourite flowers, I have been staring at them for the last few weeks just waiting for the flowers to emerge, and now they are here in all there Peony glory.  

Sunday Shopping

Hello Lovelies,

I have a shindig coming up and although I already have a dress, I needed a new clutch and some shoes so a little shopping trip was in order.  My new colour obsession is coral and this clutch by Beth Jordan is perfection, this little beauty was £44.00 reduced to £12.99, so a complete utter bargain I thought I would coordinate it with some coral nail varnish and lippy, then I would be set to party.  

To go with my dress I wanted some sparkly sandals (£19.50) as I have wedges to wear while everyone is sipping champagne and nibbling canapes but after dinner when the dancing starts I wanted a pair of flats so I could boogie on down, but for some reason know where seemed to stock a nice pair of flats, after searching every shoe shop and stockists of shoes we eventually went into M&S and happened upon some silver/gold sandals with starfish on, they fitted perfectly and will match the beading on my dress.

Alongside the shoes I picked up some socks (£5.00) with a little lace, I needed some new socks for bumbling around and I just couldn't pass these up.

Has anyone else got any exciting events coming up?

30 Day Snap #23 // Forever England

Hello Lovelies,

My mother and I were having a mooch around town today when we passed Forever England, its such a cute shop full of lovely home furnishings and gorgeous bits and pieces for mini people (it sounds less scary than children).  I really love their quilts, there are so many different colours and designs.

NOTD: Maybelline Color Show Urban Coral // Review

Hello Lovelies,

I am completely in love with anything and everything coral, so Maybelline Color show in Urban Coral (£3.99)was like flashing the Crown Jewels in front of a Magpie!  I really love the Color Show polishes, and this one is no different, Urban Coral is a vibrant orange toned coral with a jelly finish.  The polish definitely has a slight sheerness to it but after two coats I got a really good finish with a high shine.  The drying time is slightly longer than other polishes but I always use Essie's good to go fast drying topcoat so the drying time isn't much of an issue.  There staying power is also fab which surprised me a little as they are erring on the cheaper side.  Overall I think the quality of these polishes is great, perfect for anyone who is looking for that vibrant pop of colour on their nails for the summer.

After discovering L'Oreal Top Coat Confettis (£4.99)last week and giving it a little try as a signature nail I thought I would give it a pop on every nail this time and I wasn't disappointed, here is a review of this gorgeous glitter.

Has anyone else tried the Maybelline Color Show polishes?  

Rasberry Buns

Hello Lovelies,

My mother used to make these for us when we were little,and alongside fairy cakes they are one of those teatime treats that remind me of my childhood.

Ingredients:

• 228g Self Raising Flour
• 114g Margarine 
• 114g Granulated Sugar
• 1 Egg
• A little Jam

Rub the margarine and flour together in a large mixing bowl until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs,you can either use your fingers or a nifty little rubbing in tool, its a complete life saver.

Beat the egg with a fork then pour onto the marg and flour, then pour in your 114g of granulated sugar, once every thing is in your bowl get mixing with your spoon of choice, this isn't a delicate mixture so wooden or metal its your personal preference.

Once it is mixed into a stiff dough, mold into a sausage shape and cut into slices.  

Once sliced pop onto a tray on a piece of baking paper then use a teaspoon to make a small well in the middle of each bun the spoon in the jam.

Then put them in a preheated oven at 160 for 20 mins or the third rung of the Aga for 12 mins.

Once they are cooked eat them with a yummy cup of tea, I'm slightly addicted to peppermint at the moment.

30 Day Snap #22 // Smoothie

Hello Lovelies,

I started my day off with a raspberry, blueberry, banana and mango smoothie, it's a yummy way to start the day and is also a good way to get part of my five fruit and veg a day.
   

Jo Malone Orange Blossom Cologne and Body and Hand Lotion // Review

Hello Lovelies,

Jo Malone is a firm fave when it comes to candle's and fragrance's and I blame that on my mother, for as long as I can remember where ever we would go whether it was Peter Jones, Selfridges or Harrods we would always look at the candles, but I never actually owned any of it, had just smelled everything to excess!  However for my twenty-first birthday one of my oldest friends bought me a bottle of Jo Malone Orange Blossom Cologne (£39.00) and some Orange Blossom Body & Hand Lotion  (£38.00), she knows me very well because I am obsessed with everything citrus scented.

The cologne smells like a Mediterranean summer, it is exactly what the bottle says the scent is - a rendition of a bitter orange blossom, it is a light and clean scent that is long lasting, clean smelling and can be worn year round it is also a unisex scent, and I think would smell great on the right man if they were brave enough to take the outdoors into the office.

I have to say the moisturiser smells divine and when pared with the cologne even on the grayest of days you could be mistaken into thinking you were in Cannes with beautiful sun kissed skin and a large pair of sunnies,  it is light in texture and silky smooth leaving your skin with a dewy quality however its moisture giving quality isn't that that fab.

Does anyone else use Jo Malone products?