Monday 28 February 2011

*Alexa Goddard*

A while back I mentioned an artist on YouTube that I had started to like...Alexa Goddard

She is such a talented R'N'B/POP british female artist, who sings a variety of different covers on YouTube. My current favourite of hers is this...



Her voice is amazing and I cannot wait for her to release her own album. Until then I am happy to sit and watch/listen to her covers, which I'm always excited to see in my subscription box. Once she hits the big time I don't doubt for a second that everyone will know who she is, joining the ranks of artists such as Jessie J and Adele. Keep up the good work Alexa :D

I urge you all to go and check her out...

Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Myspace and her Website.

If you like what you hear maybe dig into your pockets and go purchase one of her covers on itunes.

ps I am not being paid or asked to promote or endorse Alexa Goddard I am just a HUGE fan of hers and wanted to share this with my lovely followers :)

S xxx

Baking: More S'Mores?!?!?! White Chocolate and Strawberry

So my sister went and bought a Strawberry fluff (£3.99) and she came up with the brilliant idea to do White chocolate and Strawberry S'mores cookie bars. These turned out wayyyy better than the original S'mores and OMG were they absolutely gorgeous. These will definitely be something I make again and again. Obviously spaced out as they are very fattening. But who cares when they taste this good hahaha :) For the original cookie bars and recipe and method go here.

So here are some culinary skills photos haha...










Oooey gooey goodness :)




Hope you try these out as well. They will not disappoint.

S xxx

Baking: S'Mores



Right so I am a subscriber of xsparkage and a while ago she uploaded a video of these GORGEOUS Smores cookie bars, and I wanted to make them as soon as I saw them, but as per usual I'm late with doing things. So just before Christmas I decided to get baking. They didn't exactly turn out exactly how Leesha's did, but they tasted bloody brilliant.

Recipe:

S’More Cookie Bars
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/3 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs*
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 king-sized milk chocolate bars (e.g. Hershey’s)
1 1/2 cups marshmallow creme/fluff (not melted marshmallows)

·

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8-inch square baking pan.
In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light. Beat in egg and vanilla.

·
In a small bowl, whisk together flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder and salt. Add to butter mixture and mix at a low speed until combined. Divide dough in half and press half of dough into an even layer on the bottom of the prepared pan.

·
Place chocolate bars over dough. 2 king-sized Hershey’s bars should fit perfectly side by side, but break the chocolate (if necessary) to get it to fit in a single layer no more than 1/4 inch thick.

·

Spread chocolate with marshmallow creme or fluff.

·

Place remaining dough in a single layer on top of the fluff (most easily achieved by flattening the dough into small shingles and laying them together).

·

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until lightly browned.

·

Cool completely before cutting into bars

Makes 16 cookie bars.

*Note: 3/4 cup crumbs is approx 7 full-sized graham cracker sheets, whizzed in the food processor until fine.


So here are some pics of my cooking skills...

The wondrous item that is what makes these bars so scrummy...FLUFF. Fluff isn't the easiest thing to come by. There are websites that sell American food goods, but I haven't come across one that looks legit enough for me to order food from :S

There is also supposedly a place in Leicester Square that sells American food stuff, but I don't know where it is and I've heard its pretty pricey. I got mine at TK Maxx of all places lol for £3.99, they have a food corner of lots of different foods and also foods only available in the states.














I cant explain how good these tasted, although the final pic of the bar doesn't look the most glamorous (if that is even the word? haha) but they are soooooooooooooooo good.

If any of you try these out please let me know how they turn out.

S xx

Sunday 27 February 2011

TAG: ONE WORD

Just thought I would do a quick tag :)

Where is your cell?

Here


Where is your significant other?

None


Hair colour?

Brown


Mother?

Lovely


Father?

Nutty


Favourite thing?

TV


Last dream?

Weird


Dream or goal?

Success


Room you're in?

Front


Hobby?

Blogspot


Fear?

Snakes


Where do you want to be in 6 years?

Working


Where were you last night?

Home


What you're not?

Judgmental


One of your wish list items?

Laptop


Where you grew up?

London


Last thing you did?

Eat


What are you wearing?

Pyjamas


TV?

Love


Pet?

None


Computer?

Yes


Mood?

Tired


Missing someone?

Yes


Car?

Please


Something you're not wearing?

Socks


Favourite store?

MAC


Summer?

Meh


Love someone?

Yes


Favourite colour?

Pink


Last time you laughed?

Today


Last time you cried?

Last Week


S xxx

Wednesday 23 February 2011

Simple Skincare Products

So I popped into my local Superdrug to pick up some of my old faithful face items, which for a while now have been from the Simple range as I have very very sensitive skin and always seem to end up having a reaction to other brands. But I love this brand and it has kept my skin in good condition and I haven't had any reactions to it *knock on wood*

So like I said I picked up some old favourites and some new loves. Superdrug was having a 3 for 2 mix and match on all skin care items in the store and online so I thought I would take full advantage of this and pick up some new items that were in store, that I haven't given much attention before.

Usual Skincare items:

Eye Make up Remover - £1.23

"Effectively removes even waterproof mascara. 100% Oil Free. Experts in sensitive skin. No perfume, no colour."

I love this eye make up remover, it doesn't sting if it gets in my eye and removes ALL my eye make up even my waterproof mascara, I love it, I cant fault the product.

Simple Purifying Cleansing Lotion - £3.05

"Powerful yet gentle, like a wrestler in love, this creamy concoction is the perfect way to cleanse thoroughly. Pro-Vitamin B5 helps to restore and soften your skin, while added moisturisers help improve its condition."

I like this cleanser a lot. My skin feels so nice after I've use it and I think it cleanse my skin quite well.

Simple Soothing Toner - £2.91

"Simple products are 100% perfume and colour free with no unnecessary additives, and have active ingredients selected to care for the needs of even sensitive skin. For the perfect finish to your cleansing routine use our Soothing Toner to remove the last traces of make-up and cleanser. Alcohol free and pH balanced it refreshes your skin without drying. With Witch Hazel and Chamomile it will help soothe and improve your skin's condition. Soothes * Clarifies * Refreshes"

This product does what it says on the tin (well bottle in this case haha) it is such a good toner, I have not a bad word to say. What I most like about this toner is that after using it my face doesn't feel all tight, dry and tingly, it just feels refreshed.

Moisturising Foaming Face Wash - £3.05

"Foaming face wash helps keep skin soft and supple. It is soap free and pH balanced. The creamy foam gently cleanses, moisturises and improves skin condition."

This is a very, very good face wash and leaves my skin feeling so lovely afterwards, my skin looks so fresh and glowy after rinsing. Love this stuff.

Cleansing Wipes - £3.01

"Simple products are 100% perfume & colour free with no unnecessary additives to care for the needs of your sensitive skin. Simple Facial Cleansing Wipes thoroughly & gently cleanses, tones & freshens your skin without drying. It removes all make-up & impurities including eye make-up. With added moisturises to leave your skin feeling soft & smooth."

Unlike other face wipes I have used these do not make my skin feel dry or tingly because the ingredients are just so abrasive, these are so good at removing my make up. I use these to get the brunt/bulk of my make up off and then proceed with my a face routine.

Cotton wool - 2 for £2.50 - didn't really need up close shots of these, we all know what cotton wool rounds look like and what they do haha ;-P

NEW PRODUCTS:



Vital Vitamin Day Cream - £5.06

This is lovely and moisturising, I don't find my face feeling dry during the day, it say it lasts for 12 hours and that it does, its a wonderful project.


Vital Vitamin Night Cream - £5.06

This like the Day cream is wonderful and keeps my skin so moisturised.

Deep Cleansing Facial Mask - £3.67

"Revive your skin with out Deep Cleansing Facial Mask to give it a regular detox. Natural Clay draws out deep down dirt, grease and make-up and Seaweed Extract helps to cleanse and condition without drying, leaving your skin visibly brighter."

I haven't used this product yet, as I have been ill I could only muster up the energy to cleanse, tone, moisturise, eye cream and lip therapy, and that's because this routine could be done from the comfort of my own bed, but I doubt it will disappoint.

Smoothing Cleansing Scrub - £4.07

"Our Smoothing Facial Scrub is a perfect blend of active ingredients and vitamin goodness to remove dead skin cells and keep your skin brighter and more even textured. Perfect for even sensitive skin."

Just like the face mask I haven't used this yet, for the reasons stated above but again I do not feel it will disappoint.

Eye Balm - £3.73

"Our Soothing Eye Balm is a perfect blend of active ingredients and multi-vitamin goodness to reduce puffiness and refresh tired eyes. Perfect for even sensitive skin. "

My bags aren't looking as intense as they have been, I definitely feel that this is a good product for my eyes, also its not harsh at all, so...YAY :-D

Vaseline Lip Therapy with Cocoa Butter - £1.93

I bought this a few days before I bought my skincare items but definitely wanted to include it in this post as I am in love with this and it has now become part of my skin care routine. I purchased this at Boots.

My current skincare routine:

Morning:
  • Cleanser
  • Toner
  • Moisturiser
  • Eye cream
  • Vaseline lip therapy
Night:
  • Face wash
  • Moisturiser
  • Eye cream
  • Vaseline lip therapy
Once a week:
  • Face scrub
  • Face mask
  • Face Steam (Babyliss face steamer)
If anyone out there that has sensitive/very sensitive skin or doesn't really like perfumed products this is the brand for you. I would recommend these products 100% I LOVE them :)

All these products were bought over a week ago and for 2 weeks I have been on break from college so we will have to see how these products hold up once I start my early morning travel on London's public transport.

I hope you enjoyed this post, even though it was kind of long haha and I hope it was helpful.

S xxx

*all products mentioned were purchased by me with my own money, everything is my own view and I have not been paid to do this post*

New DVD'S

OK so I'm not sure I mentioned this but I am a massive movie fan. I went shopping last Saturday and I stopped off at my local HMV as it was having a closing down sale :( by the time I got there the selection of DVDs left was kinda bleak :( but my sisters and myself managed to find a few items, my sister more than me, who spent an insane amount, although a portion of what she spent was on me. So here is what she got me...

The City - The complete first season - I love this show sooo much, cant wait to get the second season, kinda bummed that it got cancelled :(


The Breakfast Club - A classic movie


A John Hughes Collection -
  • Pretty in Pink - which I have never watched but always wanted to
  • Ferris Bueller's Day Off - again another classic movie
  • Some kind of wonderful - I was obsessed with this film when I was younger, whenever we went to Blockbuster I would always take this out. The joke of it is I don't even remember what its about. So I'm really excited to watch it and remind myself why I loved it so much
Queen Teen: The Clique- This was a last minute buy, I have a thing about these shallow teeny films, I just love to sit and watch them when my brain needs to chill and not over think something fun and light hearted. I also bought it so me and my lil sis had something new to watch and it also has a girl from one of her favourite Disney TV shows. So I'm sure when I watch It I will have something to say via twitter :)


xxx

*all products/items mentioned were purchased by me with my own money, everything is my own view and I have not been paid to do this post*

Tuesday 22 February 2011

Wishlist Item - Molten Metal

Molten Metal duo:

"Molten Metal is a highly pigmented metallic cream eyeshadow duo.

The palette consists of 2 gloriously rich and highly pigmented metallic creams that ignite the skin with intensity. The formulation is soft and fluid-like allowing easy application."

In the colours Gold Leaf and Pewter

Before I go off to La la land, I saw this in Superdrug the other week but didnt have time to stop and buy it, but I want I want I want, I dont know why I just do :D

Price - £6.99

Right I bid you all adieu.

xxxxx

Sleek Palette Review - Good Girl, Bad Girl and NEW Primer palette

Finally, after I don't know how many months I am finally blogging about the limited edition Sleek Good Girl and Bad Girl palettes that came out last year. Again I cant begin to apologise on the fail that is my blogposts, college work has been kicking my ass and soaking up all my free time, which meant i had to put my blog on the back burner. Along side these palettes I am also reviewing the new Primer palette I purchased on Saturday from Superdrug.
Good Girl:

When I first saw this palette I was like, meh these wont work on my skin tone, but when I swatched them I was proven very wrong. They are gorgeous, the colours range from pink to coral to a red wine kind of colour. It is so lovely and I'm so pleased that I got this. This and the Bad girl palette were a birthday present from my sister. Like all Sleek palettes the colours are very pigmented and vibrant and apply soooooo nicely. So if you love pinks, or wanna be a human barbie doll this is the palette for you :D

I give this palette a 5 out of 5





Colours: Top left to right: Lychee, Meringue, Candy Floss, Lollipop, Pink Punch, CupcakeBottom left to right: Strawberry Sorbet, Pink Grapefruit, Peach Melba, Papaya, Raspberry Coulis, Morello

Bad Girl:

If you are looking to create dark or smokey/smoky eyes this palette is right up your street. It has wonderfully dark colours, and will definitely bring out the bad girl in you hahaha (sorry I had to haha). Again this palette is gorgeous, colours are very pigmented and apply well and I'm glad my sister got me these (at my request for my birthday). The only thing I would complain about is that the colour Obnoxious is a bit crumbly and even after tapping away the excess still has quite a bit of fall down :( but its still so pretty on the eyes. This palette is still available for purchase.

From the website:

"I Divine is a highly pigmented, soft touch eye shadow palette that possesses 12 pearlescent or matte shades. The pearlescent shades possess a large amount of mica and reflect the light giving a shimmering effect to the eye. The colour viewed in the palette is the colour that will be applied to the eye, as the payoff is excellent and the formulation is long lasting.

Bad girl contains strong and deep shades which allow one to uncover their hidden fantasies. This palette can be extreme, powerful, confident as well as sensual. "

I give this palette a 4 out of 5




Colours:
Top left to right: Innocence, Gullible, Blade, Gun Metal, Underground, NoirBottom left to right: Intoxicated, Envy, Obnoxious, Abyss, Twilight, Rebel

Primer:

I bought this palette last Saturday and I haven't had time to really play around with it, but while swatching it I found that I really like these, and feel like these are going to come in handy as primers. But as a first impression I like them, they are sooooo creamy :) You can purchase this palette here.
From the website:
"A palette of 12 coloured eye primers perfectly designed to use with all Sleek MakeUP i-DIVINE Palettes. Long-lasting and specially designed to breath a new lease of life into your eyeshadows."



So sleek seems to be naming their products now and the slide in little plastic thing that sits on the eyeshadows with the names on was incorrectly printed so I don't know if it was just my palette or a botched batch (say that two times fast hahah) so I kinda guessed which name actually went with which colour.


Colours:
Top left to right: Moonshine, Calypso, Ultra Violet, Dare Devil, Pink Frost, Silver LiningBottom left to right: Noir, Money Honey, Money Tree, Truffle, Hot Wired, Peach

This palette cost £6.99

and for first impression I give it a 4 out of 5.

If after using this consistently my mind changes I will let you know, But I'm am slowly dwindling, not even sure if this post makes sense, but I'm just too tired so yeah. I am gonna go and fall into a deep sleep my lovelies :D

I hope you enjoyed this post. I shall be back tomorrow with a post on the skincare products I purchased and some new skincare finds :) Until then ta ta.

Nighty night.

xxx


*all products mentioned were purchased by me with my own money, everything is my own view and I have not been paid to do this post*