Saturday 27 April 2013

18th Birthday Celebrations




 

Friday 26th April was my not-so-little sister’s 18th birthday. I can’t believe that she is officially an adult now! Even though she has been coming out and partying with me for some time it still seems so surreal that she is now actually legally old enough.
 



On Friday evening we went to Buddies USA which is a cool American diner in Northampton with some family and friends to celebrate with a delicious meal. I love this place and we often go there for family occasions and to indulge in the huge American sized portions and extensive menu. I love that they do vegetarian burgers as I don’t eat meat and I love a good burger and chips so it is a real treat for me. Their dessert menu is to die for, I can never decide what to order – I have such a sweet tooth so dessert is always my favourite part of a meal, most of the time I could quite happily skip the main course!


 

I ordered my usual which is a veggie burger with cheese, mayo, mushrooms, lettuce and tomato with chips and salad. I was stuffed but forced myself to finish the divine Oreo cookie cake with ice cream which is my all-time favourite dessert – so delicious! After all of that I felt ready to pop. Luckily I wore leather trousers that zip up at the side so secretly under my jumper the zip was only half done up to allow room for my expanding stomach!


 
 

The waitress surprised my sister with a lovely chocolate cake and candles and we all sang happy birthday.


 
 
 After the meal my mum, sister and friend Karen went for a cocktail at a lush cocktail bar called Sazeracs and we toasted the occasion with a selection of fruity drinks. I hate drinking alcohol after I have eaten a large meal - all I feel like doing is going home and getting in to bed so I chose a virgin cocktail which was a mixture of coconut, guava, pineapple and strawberry juice, it was quite easily the nicest cocktail I have ever had!



 
 

My sister had a great day and is heading out on Saturday night with her friends for her first legal night out on the town,  I’m predicting that she is going to feel far from fresh on Sunday morning hehe!


Holly xx
 

 

 

Thursday 25 April 2013

I’m in love!


 
…with this gorgeous Saint Laurent Chyc Ranch medium Tote. The things I would do to have this baby hanging off my arm!! Unfortunately the £1,540.00 is a little out of my price range.
But a girl can wish hey...

 

 

 

Tuesday 23 April 2013

New Kicks


 

I was very happy and also pleasantly surprised to find a JD Sports delivery waiting for me when I got home yesterday evening. I ordered my new Nike Free Run 5.0 trainers on Saturday and expected to receive them within the estimated 3-5 days so I was very impressed with JD’s quick 2 day delivery which was also free!

I was even happier when I tried on my new babies and instantly fell in love. They look even better in real life than they do on the website and are also SO comfy! I can’t wait to wear them in the gym tomorrow. The colour is lush and really stands out – you definitely won’t be able to miss me working out!

For me it is important to look and feel good when I work out as it makes me feel so much more confident and improves my performance so I get more out of my work out. I love buying new gym gear and these trainers are definitely going to be a key piece in my summer gym wardrobe!

I am so pleased with them and I think they are well worth the £50 (adult sizes start from £80).

Have you tried the Nike Free Run range? What do you wear to work out in?
 
 

Holly xx
 
 
 

Sunday 21 April 2013

This Week’s Buys

As usual the weekend has flown by and tomorrow is Monday and it’s back to dreaded work boo hoo :-(
 My weekend has been pretty good and I have enjoyed spending time with family, walking in the beautiful sunshine and a girl’s night in on Saturday which involved movies, onesies, pizza, popcorn and lots of sweets – definitely my kind of night!
I have also done a spot of shopping and purchased a few old favourites and some new things that I am looking forward to wearing/trying! What have you been buying this week?
Holly xx
 
 
Vanilla and Chocolate espresso Body butters
Loreal skin perfection facial scrub
Loreal skin perfection purifying solution
Loreal Elvive Extraordinary oil
Garnier Intensive 7 days hand cream
 
Nivea lip butters in Caramel cream and Vanilla and macadamia
 
 
 
 
Nude Bodycon dress – Miss Selfridge
 
 
 
 
Beige Studded boots – Miss Selfridge
 
 

 
Red Velvet Yankee candle  
 
 

 
 
Nike Free run 5.0 trainers – JD Sports




 

Tee love

 
 
One of my favourite wardrobe staples is the T-shirt. I have so many and am always on the lookout for new, stylish, quirky tees. The classic T-shirt can be worn in so many different ways and is easily styled up or down to work with casual or more dressed up outfits.

My favourite casual day time look is a white tee, skinny jeans and ballet pumps - such a chic look for summer. I am also a big fan of cropped T-shirts. I have found some cool new shirts to add to my current lust list. How do you wear yours?

 Holly xx
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 

Sunday 14 April 2013

My Weekend 12/04/13


 


This weekend has been spent in the company of good friends.
 

Friday night one of my best friends Annie came over to mine and we had a good gossip and watched American Pie the Reunion while eating my chocolate and marshmallow rocky road. Perfect night in.
 
Saturday morning I headed to the gym for a work out before beginning the preparations for a girls night out. I like to allow plenty of time so I can have a nice bubble bath, paint my nails and decide what to wear without being rushed. My friends know I take the longest to get ready so whenever we go away anywhere I am always allowed to use the bathroom first!

We all met at my friend’s house for pre drinks and then headed out to a couple of bars in town. Northampton is far from being the best place for a night out and the options of decent bars and clubs is limited, but I always think if you are with good company you can have a good time wherever you go so that’s exactly what we did.


Today the weather is looking beautiful and as though spring has finally arrived. The sun was shining earlier and there was a lovely warm breeze so I went for a run in the park and then made myself a nice bagel and salad. I think I am going to relax for the rest of the day and prepare myself to go back to work tomorrow, as much as I try not to I really do hate Mondays!


Here’s some pics from this weekend…
 


Before the gym
 

 
 

Chocolate marshmallow rocky road

 
 

Which colour to pick?
 
 
 
 
Saturday night selfies

 

 

What I wore: Top – Miss Selfridge, Skirt – H&M, Shoes – Mary Jane fashion

 
 

My sister and me. Can you see the similarity?

 
 

Strawberry cocktails

 
 

Pre drinks with the girls


 

My best friend Helen and me

 

 

Helen, Harriet and me


 

Chelsey being cheeky

 
What have you been up to this weekend?


Holly xx
 
 
 

Chocolate and marshmallow Rocky road






So my new found passion for baking continues - Ok I have made one dessert but humour me here! I wanted to make another delicious treat for my family and friends (and mainly myself) to enjoy. Unfortunately my hopes of baking a batch of chocolate chip cookies or brownies this weekend have been ruined as my oven decided to break on Friday. Bad times. However being the creative girl I am and realising that I still have half a pack of digestive biscuits left in my cupboard from making my cheesecake last weekend, I decided to make use of these and create a quick and simple dessert where no oven required.

My dessert turned out well and was a hit with all who tried it. Again I have learned that my eyes are bigger than my belly and I do not know the difference between a normal sized and humongous slice so I was left feeling slightly sick after eating it L but I cannot deny it tasted delish! The best part about this recipe is that it is quick, easy and cheap to make, you can also add and take as many ingredients as you like. Enjoy!
 
 
What you will need:
200g Milk chocolate
250g Digestive biscuits
1 pack of Marshmallows
1 pack of white/milk chocolate buttons
20cm cake tin
 
 
To make
Crush your digestive biscuits and melt the butter and chocolate. Mix the ingredients together in a bowl then add the chocolate buttons and marshmallows, mix it all together. Pour the mixture in to the cake tin and press in to the base to create a smooth layer. Place in the fridge to chill for around 2 hours. When the base feels firm and ready you can either cut in to squares/slices to serve or just do what I did and cut a slice from the tin when required.
 
 
 The recipe is so simple and can be adapted and changed using loads of different ingredients. I would love to try making it with white chocolate or peanut butter. Perhaps you could add nutella or smarties? I’m getting excited thinking about it the possibilities are endless! Anyway hopefully by next weekend I will have a new oven and I can then attempt my cookies or brownies.
 
What do you like to bake? Do you know any delicious but simple recipes?
 
Holly xx
 
 

Friday 12 April 2013

Organising my Make-up


 

Let the tidying commence!

 Something I have been meaning to do for a while is sort through and organise my make-up collection and dressing table. I like things to be organised and tidy, and everything to be in its place. I was beginning to run out of room for my ever-growing cosmetic collection so I decided on Sunday afternoon a clear-out was in order and it was time to throw away some of my older, less used make-up to clear space for the new!

After seeing many blog posts on organising make-up using the popular Muji acrylic storage I had a browse at the site and ordered the 2 drawer acrylic box for £7.95 I also ordered an acrylic cosmetic organiser from Amazon link for £5.99.
 
 

When I laid all of my make-up items out I couldn’t believe how much I actually have and how much of it I don’t even use. Quite a lot got thrown away and now that everything is organised and tidied I feel so much better. Let’s see how long this lasts for shall we…
 
 
All tidy :-)
 
Have you ordered any storage from Muji before? How do you organise your make-up? Any tips and suggestions welcome!

 

Holly xx
 
 
 

Wednesday 10 April 2013

Organix Macadamia Oil Shampoo



 
 
 
After discovering this bottle on my bathroom shelf (courtesy of the mother) I decided to give my beloved Kerastase shampoo a rest for a couple of washes and try it out. The shampoo promises to ‘drench even the driest, most brittle hair with moisture, leaving it soft, supple and with a fusion of gentle conditioning macadamia oil and moisturising bamboo extract’. I have not used any Macadamia oil products before but have read many great reviews on other hair products containing the oil so already I had high expectations.
I love a shampoo that feels thick and lathers up well without having to use too much product, and that is exactly what this one does. The smell is gorgeous - I would describe it as a natural, nutty scent that is refreshing and clean. I find that with some shampoos 2 washes is essential to get that deep clean feeling - but with this, one wash is all that is required.
After blow drying, my frizzy hair looked noticeably smoother and felt lovely and soft and smelt divine. I was by no means expecting this shampoo to be better than my favourite Kerastase – but for half the price, the quality is not far off and I am impressed with the results and noticeably improved condition of my hair afterwards. In future I would definitely consider re purchasing this shampoo and the conditioner too and will be looking out for other products to try from the brand.
Have you tried any Organix products before? What did you think?
 
Holly xx
 


Monday 8 April 2013

Photo Memories

 



In my bedroom I have a carrier bag full to the top with boxes of photos. Ever since I have had a camera from the age of about 15 I have taken photos wherever I go – usually holidays and nights out - so I have memories of all of the amazing times I have had. Although most of my photos are stored on my laptop, phone and various memory cards it is always nice to have the actual print too and then you can frame them, create albums and keep them forever. 
 
I wanted to do something with my photos instead of them just being stashed away in my cupboard where no one can see them, so yesterday I took it upon myself to sort through them and select some of my favourites to display on my cupboard door as a kind of ‘memory wall’.

It was lovely reminiscing about some of the great times I have had, and seeing pictures of old faces that I haven’t seen in a while! I love my little photo wall and now I

will smile each time I open the door. I may even do another one :-)
 
What do you think?

 
 
 
 
  

Holly xx
 


 

Sunday 7 April 2013

Toblerone Cheesecake

 
 
 
I would describe myself as a somewhat amateur and un-experienced baker. In fact I never actually bake anything. I love the idea of baking and believe me I love food – so I am usually more than happy to leave the baking to someone else and then help out with the eating part afterwards.
This week something came over me and I had a sudden urge to bake something, this could have possibly been caused by all of the delicious looking cookie and cake pictures popping up on my Instagram feed or some of the mouth-watering recipes posted on various blogs.
Anyway I had lots of chocolate left over from Easter including a large Toblerone which I probably won’t get round to eating any time soon (Lindt gold bunnies come first!). I came across this cheesecake recipe in a magazine which seemed so easy that even I would be able to follow it without messing it up! So off to the supermarket I trotted to pick up my ingredients.
The recipe is actually for a strawberry cheesecake, but I’m the sort of person that likes to change and adapt things as I go along to make them my own and that is what I did, despite knowing very little about cooking I just hoped for the best! And so I created my Toblerone recipe.
When finished I felt very proud that I had actually made something that was edible and received the approval of my fussy, sweet-toothed mother, however my sister - not being a fan of cheesecake took one bite and declared she would not be eating the rest, luckily it wasn’t my baking and is just because she hates cream cheese. I also enjoyed the cheesecake but I will warn you now, this is definitely NOT a dessert to make if you are on a diet, dislike sweet things or concerned about developing diabetes in any way! I joke, I joke, but it is very sickly so small slices are essential as I discovered after eating it!
 

What you will need:
1 large Toblerone
397g can of Carnation condensed milk
300g Digestive biscuits
200g Butter
200g soft cheese
1 lemon
Vanilla essence
Ferrero Rocher (optional)
20cm cake tin
 
 
 
 
Step 1
Crush your digestive biscuits and melt the butter and 6 chunks of Toblerone chocolate. I melted the butter and chocolate in the microwave as it’s quicker. Mix the ingredients together in a bowl and then press in to the base of the cake tin. Place in the fridge to chill for around 1 hour.
 
 
 
Step 2
Whisk together the cream cheese, condensed milk, 1tsp of vanilla essence and squirt in the juice of the lemon, be careful not to get pulp and pips in the mixture as I had to fish a few out! Once the mixture is smooth pour it on to the chilled base but make sure there is room at the top of the tin so that it doesn’t over flow.
 
 
 
 
Step 3
Now for the extra topping; crush 3 digestive biscuits and melt the rest of the Toblerone chocolate (I also added 3 Ferrero rocher chocolates I found in my cupboard but these are optional) and mix together in a bowl. Carefully spoon the mixture to the top of the cheesecake, the cream cheese topping is still runny so the chocolate biscuit mixture sink in to it. A mistake I made was pouring too much cream cheese topping on to my base so when I added the extra topping the mixture over flowed a little!
 

 
 
Step 4
Place the cheesecake in the fridge to chill for around 3 hours. Once the cake has set, enjoy! (in moderation to avoid feeling sick hehe).
 
Holly xx