August - September

Hey Guys!

So we are coming to the end of August and potentially the end of our summer! I'm still praying for an Indian Summer in September as I'm not ready to get the jumpers out just yet!! (I'm still wearing flipflops for goodness sake!) :) But I wanted to do like a conclusion of my favorite parts of my month and fill you in with with what I have planned for September!

My favourite parts of what I did in August...

1. My favourite meal... It has to be Bangkok Orchid in Hazel Grove, I love a good Thai and this was exactly it, really friendly atmosphere and great food!! You can read my full review HERE!

2. My favourite clothing buy...My Levi jeans, I've always wanted a pair of good quality jeans but always refused to pay the price, but I got a  bargain buy at Cheshire Oaks! Post about that fantastic day is HERE!

3. My best beauty buy... This has to be my Nailene, after my traumatic thumbnail incident I had to somehow get the acrylic off my real nail. I did a late trip to Tesco after A&E and bought it, fantastic product! It has little bristles inside to scrub your polish and nail off! I have a review of this fab product which will be out this week!

4. My best day... Going to see my big brother!! He recently moved to Poulton (near Blackpool) with his girlfriend as they are opening  a restaurant next month so I don't get to see him as often now, so I really appreciate the time I do spend with them! Plus he's a great Chef and I always get a yummy dinner!

5. My best feeling... Finishing my University placement. I was asked to stay on after my contract so I have completed 1 year and 3 months as a Garment Technologist at GSD in Preston. I have learnt so much about the technical industry of fashion, I can't wait to go back to University and apply my new skills.

What I have planned for September...

1. First thing I have planned is work! I have always worked through Uni to fund my car, phone and social life so I am going back to Mottram Hall Hotel as a waitress. As much as I have enjoyed my placement year I can't wait to get back to a busy customer service based role where I can interact with people... (I'm not sure a little office job is going to suit me for my career!)

2. I will be starting a  sketchbook again. I have kind of let all personal drawing, sticking, ideas disappear whilst I have been busy working at my placement so I am looking forward to getting back to my own creativity!! 

3. I have a summer project for Uni so I'm taking a trip to Manchester Art gallery, they have an exhibition on that I wanted to see anyway, 'Cotton Couture' I haven't been to a fashion exhibition for a while due to Whitworth Art Gallery being closed for development. Plus I'm also looking forward to seeing Bernhard Schobinger, 'The Rings of Saturn', he makes 'discovered' objects really quite beautiful, I'll post some more information when I have been. My dad has also recommended me to look at the 'Make Every Show Like Your Last' By Ryan Gander, I actually think he will tag along when I go so he can see it!

4. Events, Events, Events... I will be going to Stitching, Sewing and Hobbycraft Show at Event City on 13th September, I figured it would be good to get back into the swing of things ready for Uni, plus I got the tickets pretty cheap on Livingsocial! I'm also going to try and get to 24 Fashion Live also at Event City at the end of September.

5. Finally, I'm back to Uni!! Hurrahhh I have induction week from the 22nd and then my lectures start from the 29th so I'm sure there will be lot's of posts to update you with my final year of study and my stressed days and successful garment constructions!

Hope you have all had a fantastic Summer...

Peace & Love xx

Ice Bucket Challenge!

Hey guys!

Just sharing my Ice Bucket Challenge with you all!! If you are going to get involved don't forget to donate! It's great to raise awareness but a donation will definitely help too!!

Good luck if you have been nominated!!

Peace & Love xx

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*Batiste!

Hey guys!!!

I've been using Batiste for years!! It has a constant place in my beauty regime, greasy hair, lazy days or for when i'm just in need of a freshen up, it's always with me! I would recommend it to anyone with lighter hair. I find that my friends with brunette or dark hair either use the brunette designed dry shampoo's or spray a little amount of normal shampoos on. This particular Batiste smells great, really strong and fresh! Definitely recommend giving this one a go! Watch my video below!

Read more & Pick up your Batiste HERE

Peace & Love xx

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*Nair Home Waxing

Happy Monday!!

So I was over the moon when I was sent the new Nair home waxing kit. I had been in discussion with my best friend about going for a full wax for ages so we couldn’t wait to try this!  First impression, it’s boxed up nice, it has easy to read instructions on the box, shows the ingredients clearly and the cautions.

On opening it has a more thorough set of instructions to read, it has a plastic inner which doubles for the applicator holder and reusable woven strips. It’s easy to warm up, takes about half a minute in the microwave, I kept it in a jug of boiling water so I didn’t have to keep going up and downstairs to reheat it. On opening it smelt so nice, really orangey and sweet! It’s easy enough to apply, once you’ve got it so it’s rolling out it just applies to the skin in the direction of the hair growth, smooth the woven strip on in the same direction and then rip it off!!!

It doesn't really hurt hurt just more stings, but you can totally hear the nerves in my voice haha!! (Please excuse the flash of the bandaged thumb you see too!)

Here’s the video of my first strip…

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I think I need more practice at applying as I don’t think it worked massively well. I waxed my left leg and shaved my right so I could review the re-growth, I’m 5 days on now and my right leg is at about 2mm and my left leg, some has not come through yet and some parts are around half 0.5mm so still a better re-growth when compared to shaving. I did a patch on my vj to see how that hair would work, this I think is the best place to wax, my re-growth on  the  part shaved 5 days on is at 3-4mm whereas the waxed patch has not begun to grow yet.

Wax On...

Wax Off...

Spotty marks on the legs lasted a few hours, went down with coca oil application!

My best friend wanted to try her armpits, for newbie waxers I wouldn’t recommend it, the hair grows in two directions and is a pain to apply right, when I pulled the strips off a couple of the hairs had ripped deep and left little spots of blood, and it was very stingy!! She even said it was still a bit stingy the next day! I’d given her some cocoa oil to apply to try and sooth it which helped.

 Before

After

To clean it says to wash in warm soapy water, this is to clean the roller head and the wax strips. This is the only fault I have with the product. I scrubbed and soaked and couldn’t get the woven strips clean at all! So when I want to use the kit again I’m just going to have to pick up some new strips, and I would like to keep using it so that I can improve my technique and get better at getting the hair out right! 

To find out more information on Nair products visit their site HERE

Foodie weekend!!

Late night Sunday update...

So I've spent the weekend eating my way through some amazing food accompanied by some amazing wine!! 

Source: Instagram

Saturday: I started by taking a trip up to Blackpool to visit my big brother Chris and his girlfriend Olivia. My brother is a chef so I always expect a good dinner when I visit! Lol well I got just that! Welcomed by chilled Buck's Fizz we caught up and had a chat then he got cracking! We had steak with broccoli and Olivia's favourite dauphinois potatoes! Yummy!! Finished with a chocolate soufflé which we picked up from Boothes across the road as wine had taken effect by this point and we couldn't be bothered to slave away making desert!! Check the pics below for Saturdays antics!! 

Buck's Fizz selfie...

Cream, cheese and carbs!! Delish!

Cleared my plate like a good girl!

Mmmmmm chocolate

Sunday: I arrived home around 3pm and mum was starting preparations! We always have a big family day on a Sunday with a full house but today was extra special as it was mums birthday this week and she wanted to get her new chiminea out and my little brother and his girlfriend had both passed their A-levels so they are heading to Liverpool next month! We scoffed down a tasty assiette of pulled pork, roast lamb, corn beef hash and a selection of veg! We finished with homemade chocolate cake and chocolate custard...stick a fork in me I'm done!!

Mums pride and joy! 

Another lush meal!

So I'm completely full to the brim and definitely back to my exercise regime tomorrow! But I've had a great weeknd! Hope you've all had a good one too!!! 

I've got a waxing post for you all tomorrow so keep those eyes peeled!!

Peace & Love xx

Mama H's Birthday Meal!

Hey Guys!!

So yesterday was the birthday of my queen and my rock my Mama!! I was working in the day so we decided to go out for dinner with some of the family! There is a newish Thai restaurant in Hazel Grove called Bangkok Orchid so we headed there! 

I love a good Thai and I cannot complain about this one at all!! It's quite a small restaurant but nice enough for a big party  and a quiet romantic dinner! It was obviously decorated with a Thai influence with Buddhas and ornate pictures, there was a small bar with stools for waiting and mood lighting lining the ceiling. 

The food was amazing! They had an early bird set menu for around £12 or the normal menu with quite a big selection of different dishes. I opted for veggi spring rolls and a prawn Thai red curry with coconut rice! It was delish!!!! I was stuffed to the brim and merry from singa beer!! Couldn't fault the service the were friendly and played with my niece teaching her how to now next to the Buddha figurine! 

Bottom line, if your in the area nip in and give it a try!! Fabulous!! Find them on Facebook for more info. https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=664812140229604 

Happy Friday xxx

500!

Massive THANK YOU to all my lovely readers and followers! 

I've just gone past my 500 mark on Bloglovin'!!! 

Follow me HERE beauts!!

xxx Peace & Love xxx

*Femfresh

Okay so this was something I agreed to review with caution. I have used wipes before, my two best friend’s love the Andrex ones, but I decided to be brave and give these Femfresh ones a try when they arrived in the post.

So first impression is the size is great, it looks pretty and will tuck in my handbag. (They actually came in really handy on a night out last weekend when there was no loo roll and luckily I had them in my handbag!! Perfect!) On opening them they smell really nice, quite a light delicate smell, but then again you don’t want it to be really perfumed for down there!! The smell actually kind of reminds me of Nivea cream. They are hypoallergenic and dermatologically and gynaecological tested, I have really sensitive skin everywhere and I’ve found them really nice on the skin! So down to the real…

 Pros

• Smell nice

• Fit in the handbag

• When you use a loo and it’s ran out of toilet roll these are so handy to have with you

• Leave you feeling clean and fresh

Cons

• I can’t get used to the wet feeling left behind, kind of feel like I need to wipe dry

• £1.50 for 10 wipes and £3.20 for 25 wipes, I cannot see myself using these on a long term basis, I think it is expensive compared to buying in toilet roll or a packet of tissues to keep with you, It may be more of a one off buy now and again. (Like a treat)

Overall I think it is a product I would buy again after trying! You can find Femfresh HERE and look at all the other products they have to offer! I'd buy these myself for use now and again when needed or as a keepsake in my handbag for emergencies. But not as a long term replacement for toilet roll, I drink about 3 litres of water a day so as you can imagine I take a trip to the toilet far too many times a day for this to be a regular use thing, I’d be through a packet a day!!!

UPDATE!!

Heres the ingredients list for those worried about the chemicals :)

Viva La Nails! GIVEAWAY!!!

Hey guys!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I ordered a product sample pack from Viva La Nails at the end of July and decided to give them a go this morning. I came across the website when I was on a hunt for some samples, it’s full of things for those interested in doing nails as it has all the tips and brushes etc. for false nails. It also has a range of polishes, stickers, water decals, dried flowers and leaves…well  the list goes on!! Check out their website HERE to see more!

So I gave the little white butterflies and flowers a go this morning! I based my nails with a dark blue as I’ve had this colour on for a couple of weeks now I thought I’d just keep it the same! I then selected which flowers and butterflies I wanted, these ones were stickers so I just laid them on top of the polish. I thought I’d try some gems as well which I already had, I think this has made it a bit much but once they are on they are on lol so next time I’ll try and keep it minimal!!!

Want to give them a go!?? I’m giving the four below away so ENTER AT THE TOP!

Peace and Love xx

My Weekend...

Happy Monday! 

WARNING!!! Gruesome Picture at the bottom of the post!!

Cheshire Oaks

So I started my weekend with a trip to Cheshire Oaks with my boyfriend. (After he'd given me my gorgeous new handbag below for my birthday) We both had birthdays in July so thought we’d go and spend some birthday money. If you’ve never been or never heard of Cheshire Oaks you must go, the quality of the products is no different at all, and it’s all the genuine stores outlets so they are just loads cheaper!

We started in Levi’s my other half only really wears jeans from here. Anyone who knows me knows that I’m not a massive jeans person… comfy leggings first any day, but I may have been turned in this shop. The shop assistant (whose name I didn’t catch but she did criminology or something at Uni…I’m awful I know) anyway she was so friendly, I picked my jeans quickly so I sat in the changing rooms chatting with her whilst my bf tried his on, credit it to her she quickly went and got different sizes for us and complimented when we were trying things on which just made the experience nice!  I came out with two pairs and my other half thee. The best thing was if they had all been full price I’d have left around £700 lighter, but I didn’t, I left £125 lighter with 5 pairs of jeans, which is AMAZING!!

My two pairs, top pair are  boot cut with a higher rise and bottom pair are skinny with a low rise.

We then continued to mosey through the shops getting distracted by sparkles in Swarovski and Links London, the pretty bags in Michael Kors, suits in Next and Hugo Boss and clothes everywhere lol. My other purchase of the day was a dress from French connection for £18 reduced from £80, the coral orange flashed me as I walked through the store front, I didn’t even try it on I just bought it!

Bredbury Hall

So my aunty Susannah had just got a promotion to a senior position at work in a children’s home, so we decided it be best to go out and celebrate! I had also bumped into a very old friend the week before and mentioned we may be going out so a few texts later she was on the way too! I wore my new French Connection dress and new nude heels that I found in F&F Tesco, they are lower than my normal heel but really comfy!! And surprisingly still looked as good the next day!

My new French Connection Dress

Below Susannah on the left and my friend Kirsty on the right! (always  love a selfie)

WARNING!!! Gruesome Picture below…...

Unfortunately my night ended with me being in A&E, I’m posting this as this isn’t the first time this has happened to me and everyone should be warned! I’m clumsy yes but even so, I’m not quite sure how I even did this so badly this time! Acrylics, look so pretty until you catch it badly, I first did this a few years ago on holiday and ripped my entire natural nail off, luckily it grew back!! This time and a different nail, the nail was pulled from the nail bed and I’m now bandaged up for a week then I’ll have to see how it’s healing and decide what to do! Be warned not all nails are a great idea!! I’m still in pain now!! 

 And here it is....my poorly nail ripped from my nail bed!! After 6 injections and a painful procedure that I don't want to explain again as it was horrific!! I'm just about okay with a throbbing thumb and an nice bandage!!

I spent my Sunday hungover (again) Detox has begun this week, but I got to see my two best friends so we watched a film snuggled up in my bed having a good catch up and gossip as I moaned about my thumb nail!!

Hope you enjoyed the post and I haven't put you off your dinner!!

Peace & Love!! xx