February Favourites 2014

Hey

I haven't done a favourites post since I first started my blog, but I recently tried a ton of new stuff so thought it was about time I did another favourites.

Blush

Last week I went out and brought my first ever blush. Seeing how I was on a budget I didn't want to go overboard  and spend a fortune on a blusher.

I decided to go with the brand MUA (Make Up Academy) and picked up this pink tone blush in the colour Candyfloss for £1.00. It gives you that pretty flush after being out in the cold.

Moisturiser 

I brought a new moisturiser at the end of January and have since used it everyday and have noticed a difference in my skin. I suffer from dry patches and since using this product my skin is no longer dry and my makeup goes on a lot better as the foundation no longer clings to any dry patches on my face. It's from Avon, priced at £3.50 for 100ml. You can check out my Avon haul HERE!

Foundation

I did a review on this foundation not that long ago. I'm a big fan and don't have any problems when using it. It does a good job of evening out my skin tone. I'm in the shade Ivory and find it matches my skin tone perfectly. £5.99 for (add size)

(Source)

Veronica Mars.

Can I just say how AMAZING this show is. I can't believe it's taken me this long to start watching this show. If you haven't seen it I demand you do what ever you can to see this show. It's about a high school student who works as a PI with her father after her best friend gets murdered. It's a brilliant show and I love Kristen Bell who was in Gossip Girl. I'm currently on Season Three which just happens to be the final series (sad face) but no fear Veroinca Mars the movie is due out at the end of March. Yay!!

Concealer

I needed a concealer to cover up my blemishes (when I have them) and my under eye circles. 

I picked up the Rimmel Hide The Blemish Concealer in the shade Ivory, which matches my foundation perfectly. (Thumbs up if you're in the Ivory shade). Priced at £3.99

Nuts.

Now I'm one of those people that just constantly eats junk food and I was starting to get sick of it, so I opted for nuts, pistachois to be exact. These are the only nuts I like, but find once I start I can't stop. But they are super yummy and found they can be expensive to buy in some supermarkets. Unless of course you go to Aldi's where they are then half the price at only £1.25 for 150g. Go get you some.

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I hope you enjoyed this month favourites. What were your favourites this month, let me know in the comments below.

Till next time

XOXO

Debbie.

The Best Of Me - Nicholas Sparks Review

Hey

Today I bring you a review from the talented Nicholas Sparks, he also features on my current Reading List.

The Best Of Me

Nicholas Sparks

Published: 2012
292 Pages

Amazon | Waterstones | Barnes & Noble

                                  

Description: The Best Of Me is the heart-rending story of two small-town former high school sweethearts from opposite sides of the tracks. Now middle-aged, they've taken wildly divergent paths, but neither has lived the life they imagined...and neither can forget the passionate first love that forever altered their world. When they are both called back to their hometown for the funeral of the mentor who once gave them shelter, they will be forced to confront the choices each has made, and ask whether love can truly rewrite the past.

Review: As with every Nicholas Sparks book you find yourself drawn into the story, before you know it your bawling your eyes out. I really enjoyed this story. Of course it's another love story but a unique one all the same, it leaves you wishing you could experienced a love like that.

I felt connected with the two main characters, Nicholas sparks sure knows how to transport you into their world. It touches your heart and shows you what true love is like. Even though it does get sad and you end up screaming "NO" at the book, everything turns out like it should. And some how Nicholas captures all this in a mere 292 pages. Genius!

My rating: 5/5

Would I recommend?: Yes, there hasn't been a Nicholas Sparks novel I haven't liked.

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Are you a fan of Nicholas Sparks, if so let me know what your favourite book is.

Happy Reading

XOXO

Debbie

FTC: I purchased this book with my own money. All opinions are my own & 100% honest. Description is from Goodreads & Image is from Google.

Argan Oil Shampoo - Review

Hey

I brought this item quite a while ago but life got in the way and I totally forgot about this product till I stumbled across it when tidying up my room, and I knew I needed to do the review so here it is.

Argan Oil Shampoo with Moroccan Argan Oil Extract. Nourishes and moisturises leaving hair shiny, smooth & healthy. The product says Argan Oil shampoo has been formulated using a unique blend of ingredients specially developed to help condition and revive hair for soft, shiny results. Suitable for all hair types, this shampoo will help protect and moisturiser the hair.

Basically in my opinion this product is pants. I brought this from my local supermarket (Asda) for a £1.00 for 150ml and yes before you say it I am a cheapskate. I was sucked in by the claims and dropped it into my basket in the hope it would give my hair what it needed (this was before I invested in a proper conditioner). I was in the process of washing my hair, the product says to apply a small amount to wet hair. Like most people I like my shampoo to lather up and this product didn't do that even when I added extra. So I've no idea how this product is suppose to nourish and moisturiser the hair, unless you possibly used the whole bottle. 

For a £1.00 I wasn't expecting a miracle with this shampoo but I was at least expecting something but unfortunately that wasn't the case. I think it's a shampoo that should be avoided at all costs. I can't say what would have happened had I just washed it out, I like the feel of washed hair and this product just doesn't do it for me. The only good thing about the product is that it's a nice smell but that's about it.

My Rating?: 0/5 

Would I recommend?: No, avoid at all costs and invest in something better.

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I hope you enjoyed this review, have you tried this product before? If so what did you think. I'm going to find the nearest bin and dispose of this product.

Till next time

XOXO

Debbie

FTC: I brought this product with my own money & my opinion is my own and 100% honest.

Avon Haul

Hey

So recently I spent a small fortune on some products from Avon & thought I would share with you what I got. Shall we take a look?

First up I wanted a clay mask as I heard somewhere that clay masks were supposed to be really good so I figured I would jump on board and give it a go

It's by the brand Clear skin and the product contains an oil-absorbing blend of mineral clays that attracts and effectively removes pore-clogging oils. It also contains Salicylic Acid. Seeing as how it is clay it is black in colour and once applied to your face & it starts drying it changes to a light grey colour it's time to wash it off. You get 75ml for £3.50.

Next up is a lip balm, if you've seen my Dove & Baby lips reviews then you will know I suffer from dry & chapped lips. And as I was running out of my Baby lips balm I wanted to try something new.

It's by the brand Avon Care. I haven't seen anything like this balm before as it's Royal Jelly.  It's intensive moisture with SPF15 with royal jelly. it's pretty small in size, you get 15ml for £2.20

Third up is a body mist. I like smelling nice and buying perfumes can be expensive so I turn to body mists to give me a scent.

There's three mist in the Secret Fantasy collection and I ended up buying two of them. The Secret Fantasy original which is the first picture I own in the perfume and as it smells so good I wanted the mist as well. The second picture is in the Kiss scent & they both smell amazing. They both cost £1.99 each for 100ml

Next is a moisturiser. I felt my skin was getting used to my current one and wanted to switch it up and try something new.

Can we start off by discussing how amazing this smells. I wish I could bathe in this stuff. If I could I would. I suffer from dry skin so I got it in normal to dry skin. It's a Nourishing Face Cream with soybean and vitamin 6. They also have two others, but unfortunately I can't remember what they are. You get 100ml for £3.50 I think.

Next is another face mask as I heard Fleur De Force on YouTube talking about how Ginseng is also good for your skin so figured I'd give it a go.

It's by the brand Planet Spa and the product is a Chinese ginseng revitalising face mask, it's a clear mask that you peel off after 20 minutes. You get 75ml for £1.50 I think. I'm not too sure on the price as I no longer have the book or receipt but it wasn't expensive.

Last but by no means least is another body mist. 

It's from the naturals collection in the scent Strawberry and Hibiscus and this one also smells freakin amazing. You get 100ml for £1.50

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That's it for this haul. I hope you enjoyed seeing what I got. I will be doing full reviews on some of the products so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for them.

Till next time

XOXO

Debbie

FTC: I was not sponsored to make this post. I brought these products with my own money.

Mistress - James Patterson Review

Hey

I recently read another book by James Patterson and decided it was time for another review.

Mistress

James Patterson

Published: 2013

Amazon | Waterstones | Barnes & Noble

Description: Ben isn't like most people. Unable to control his racing thoughts, he's a man consumed by his obsessions: movies, motorcycles, presidential trivia-and Diana Hotchkiss, a beautiful woman Ben knows he can never have. When Diana is found dead outside her apartment, Ben's infatuation drives him on a hunt to find out what happened to the love of his life. Ben soon discovers that the woman he pinned got was hiding a shocking double life. And now someone is out to stop Ben from uncovering the truth about Diana's illicit affairs. 

Review: I was really disappointed with this book. I normally love everything he writes but a few of his books haven't been that good and this one falls into that cateorgary. I found the story line is just a little too far fetched. I found it to be all over the place and am now wondering if that's the point seeing as how Ben is a bit mental. 

While the book did keep me reading it was only to see what the big secret was which I can say I didn't see coming and while I did read to the end I still felt it was boring and probably could have saved myself some hours by not reading it.

My Rating?: 3/5

Would I recommend?: No, unless you are dying to know what the secret is.

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Have you read this book? If so let me know as I'd be interested to hear what you thought.

Happy Reading

XOXO

Debbie

FTC: I purchased this book myself with my own money. All opinions are my own & 100% honest. Description is from Goodreads and image is from Google

The Discovery Club 5th Edition

Hey

One of the blogs I follow recently did a post on a perfume subscription service, you can check her out HERE! And I love me some subscription boxes and knew I had to give it a go, and I did and here is my little box of goodies.

First off every 3 months you get 6 perfume samples but on this occasion you get an extra 3 which are men's aftershave. Before I mention the price I want you all to take a moment and get a price in your head...got it? And the price is £5.00 from The Fragrance Shop. Its a bargain I tell you. 

They aren't the biggest of samples but they are near enough filled to the top that they would probably last you the 3 months you also get a booklet filled with £5.00 off vouchers, it's also a great way to try out new scents. Let's take a look shall we?

Classique

Jean Paul GAULTIER

20ml £28.50 / 50ml £48.50 / 100ml £69.99

Nina

By Nina Ricci

30ml £27.99 / 50ml £38.50 / 80ml £52.50

Guilty

By GUCCI

30ml £39.50 / 50ml £52.50 / 75ml £67.50

Angel

By Thierry Mugler

40ml £44.99 / 80ml £64.50

Alien

By Thierry Mugler

30ml £31.50 / 50ml £49.50

Very Irrésistible

By GIVENCHY

30ml £34.50 / 50ml £47.50

Hugo Man

By Hugo - Hugo Boss

40ml £26.50

Boss Bottled

By Boss - Hugo Boss

30ml £29.99 / 50ml £39.99 / 100ml 51.50

L'Eau D'lssey Pour Homme

By Issey Miyake

40ml £29.99 / 75ml £39.50 / 125ml £56.50

All in all I like this subscription and would recommend to anyone that likes trying out new scents. If you fancy signing up then you can do so HERE!

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I hope you enjoyed this post. If you decide to join then let me know.

Till next time

XOXO

Debbie

FTC: I brought this subscription with my own money. All opinions are my own and 100% honest 

Recipe: Bacon Layanaise

Hey

I haven't done a recipe post in forever & seeing how it's winter I figured a nice comfort meal was needed, plus it uses very few ingredients. :)

Ingredients You Will Need:

Bacon - 10 Slices (or more depending on how many is eating it) I'm using unsmoked bacon but you can use what ever bacon you like

Onion - Chopped

Potatoes - Sliced

Bay leaves - 4. The bigger they are, the easier they are to find.

Lamb Stock - 2 cubes 

Carrots - Chopped.

Equipment You Will Need

Frying Pan/s

Casserole dish or some sort of deep dish

Measuring Jug

Method:

Pre-heat your oven to Gas Mark 6

1) Start off by cutting up the bacon and place it around your dish.

2) Add 4 bay leaves on top of the bacon

3) Chop up the onion and plonk it into your frying pan.

4) Slice the potatoes and satuee them along with the onion until they are lightly brown OR the potatoes are soft. 

NOTE: I use two pans to fry the potatoes as there is three of us eating it and the pan can get a but crowded and they don't soften as well.

5) When they have gone brown or soften, transfer them to the dish laying them over the bacon & bay leaves.

6) Next you will need to add the stock so put the two stock cubes into the measuring jug and add 6oz of water (you can use more depending on if you like a lot of juice.

7) Pour over the stock and put the dish into the oven at the top and cook for 45 mins turning half way through.

8) While your dinner is cooking you can start boiling your carrots and they should be ready at the same time as your dinner.

9) You will know when it's done when the potatoes have gone brown and the stock is bubbling.

10) Take out the bay leaves as you don't want to be eating them. Serve and dig in :)

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Let me know if you try out this dish. I highly recommend it as it's super yummy.

Happy eating

XOXO

Debbie

Sunday Books: Valentines Edition # 2

Hey

With Valentines Day being next week, I here by bring you the last Valentines themed Sunday Books. Enjoy.

When You Walked Back Into My Life

Hilary Boyd

Published: 2013

424 Pages

Amazon | Waterstones

Description: For eight years Flora's love affair with Fin was a whirlwind of fun and spontaneity - but when Flora wanted to settle down and have children, Fin vanished.

Life moved on and Flora's world filled with other people, other cares. There were benefits to being single - no socks under the bed, no mess in the bathroom - even if the memory of Fin could never be completely erased.

But then suddenly, shockingly, Fun reappears. He's a changed man, he says, and he wants her back. Is this a chance to put right the wrongs? Or a massive mistake?

Here's Looking At You

Mhairi McFarlane

Published: 2013

432 Pages

Amazon | Waterstones | Barnes & Noble

Description: Anna Alessi - history expert, possessor of a lot of hair and an occasionally filthy mouth - seeks nice man for intelligent coversations and Mills and Boon moments.

Despite the oddballs that keep turning up on her dates, Anna couldn't be happier. As a 30-something with a job she loves, life has turned out better than she dared dream. However, things weren't always this way, and her years spent as the 'Italian Galleon' of an East London comprehensive are ones she's rather forget.

So when James Fraser - the architect of Anna's final humiliation at school - walks back into her life, her world is turned upside down. But James seems a changed man. Polite. Mature. Funny, even. People can change, right? So why does Anna feel like she's a fool to trust him?

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I wish you all a happy Valentines Day even if you aren't doing anything special.

Till next time

XOXO

Debbie

FTC: All descriptions are from Goodreads & Images are from Google.