february blog love

Another month has passed (already?!) so it's time for my next post sharing some of the blogs I've been loving throughout February. Check my blog love tag for more links, and feel free to leave a link to your own blog on this post and I'll take a look!



blog: www.rachelphipps.com
twitter: @makingmewonder
Rachel blogs about two of my favourite things: food and fashion. I particularly enjoy her 'places to eat in London' series and when I next visit London I will be hiring Rachel to take me on a tour and scout out the nicest places to eat as this girl definitely has a talent for finding them! Rachel also writes posts which are great discussion starters, such as this one about matching your accessories to your fridge (yes, really!). I actually did paint my nails red polka dots this week to match my phone case. Guilty as charged!




blog: www.shutterbug-z.blogspot.com
twitter: @sian_lb
I've followed Sian's blog for a long time now, and I'm glad to see she's back after a short break from blogging. She's one of my favourite bloggers for outfit posts, making everything looks effortlessly stylish, and making me wish I could pull off a maxi skirt as well as she does. Sian also posts youtube videos, including a 'how to style' series which I can't wait to see more of!




blog: www.whatoliviadid.com
twitter: @livpurvis
I only recently discovered Olivia's blog, but I wish I had found it sooner. She has an impeccable sense of style and I especially love her ability to style jeans in a certain way that makes me want to dig out the sole pair of jeans that I own but hate to wear. I'd also love to know the secret to her lovely voluminous hair style, jealous!




blog: www.ceritaylor.blogspot.com
twitter: @ceriblog
I found Ceri's blog around Christmas time, when I was paired up as her Secret Santa. It's not often that I watch Youtube videos, but Ceri films some of my favourites and I especially love it when her boyfriend features in them (this one where he does her make up is the best!) because they're such a hilarious and cute couple!

toy soldiers

shorts: new look | top: primark | lipstick: barry m pillarbox red
Just a casual outfit wearing a little scalloped top I picked up in Primark last week. After buying this top a few months ago I hoped they'd bring out more in a similar style, and they have! There's LOTS of different patterns to choose from (including cat print which as you can guess, I had to buy too) and they're only £4. They don't roll up at the edges like the old one I have either! I think I might pick up a few more because they're so cute and easy to wear.

Looking forward to going to a S/S12 press show for Debenhams tomorrow night with Rani, not too sure what to expect but it sounds like fun! Is anyone else going?

february joliebox

jane iredale lip and cheek stain | lavera organic hand cream
macadamia deep repair masque | rmk cleansing oil | taaj himalaya micellar water
After receiving a disappointing Glossybox this month, I was really looking forward to Joliebox, which is my favourite beauty box subscription. It has to be said though, I wasn't massively impressed with this box either.

The first thing I noticed was that they'd changed the packaging. As I've mentioned before, it's the little details like the ribbon and the delicate tissue paper packaging that I really enjoy about beauty boxes. I buy them as a treat, and having them nicely presented, ready for you to unwrap feels like a treat. Having them sat in the bottom of a bag doesn't feel quite as special.

I think these are all very practical products, quite safe choices that most people would use, but like Glossybox nothing seems to stick out for me this month. Hand creams and water based make up removers are two products that I use already. The ones provided in the box work well, but aren't anything amazing. I haven't used the cleansing oil yet, but I have used the hair repair masque and my hair is feeling in much better condition after just one use. I really like Macadamia products.

The products will all get used, except from the Jane Iredale lip and cheek stain which comes up a neon pink on my skin which is a shame, as it'd be handy to carry around in your bag. It does change colour depending on your mood and temperature (how does that work?!) so I might try it again.

I still feel like cancelling all my beauty box subscriptions and part of me is wondering if it's because the novelty has worn off. I wonder if I had received this box a few months ago, when I had just started subscribing to beauty boxes, if I had felt any differently towards it?

week in photos #57

It's been a good week, filled with lots of tasty food, including a huge stack of pancakes and the best Pop Tarts ever! I spent minimal days at work, a few days shopping, went to a bloggers event at The Academy of Make-Up in Glasgow (more on that later!) and seen the lovely Rani twice.

I also went to see The Woman in Black, and for those asking me to let them know how it was - it was terrifying! Well, the whole film wasn't scary but the parts that were, were really scary! I let out a few squeals and had to close my eyes at parts. For those of you who have seen it, the part with the fingerprint on the window was the worst! If you've not already been to see it then I really recommend it.

february glossybox

paul mitchell round trip | como shambhala invigorate lotion
dr bronner's magic soaps | bm beauty eyeshadow | duwop lipgloss
It's that time of the month again - Glossybox time. To be honest, I was going to cancel my Glossybox subscription but after the amazing box I received last month, I decided to keep it for a little longer. This months offerings didn't live up to the last months and I wasn't overly impressed with what I received to be honest.

The one thing about this box that put a big smile on my face was actually reading the description of Dr Bronner's Magic Soap, which I've included a photo of for you to read. This mysterious product has 18 different uses, including toothpaste, household cleaner and shampoo, however the packaging isn't too clear about the uses. Instead it contains a rather odd description including the following: "Enjoy body rub to stimulate body-mind-soul-spirit and teach the essene Moral ABC uniting all free in the shepherd astronomer Israel's greatest ALL-ONE-GOD-FAITH! This definitely made me laugh! Not sure whether this is something I'd use, it seems a bit strange and it smells of Vicks VapoRub.

I also received a Paul Mitchell curl defining product which is what I'm most looking forward to trying, as I've been curling my hair a lot recently and finding that the curls aren't lasting as long as I'd like. The Body Lotion will get used, for me body lotion is handy to have but it's not overly exciting to receive. The eyeshadow is a really nice golden colour, very pigmented and it also gets bonus points for being vegan and cruelty free! BM Beauty isn't a brand I've heard before either, but I'll definitely be checking out their website. And finally, the Duwop lip gloss which isn't a colour I'd wear.

Overall, I would use 3 out of 5 of the products, but unlike other boxes nothing stands out and it doesn't really have the wow-factor. I think beauty boxes are all so random and hit/miss anyway and it crosses my mind every month to cancel my subscriptions and spend the money I save on product(s) I do want to try, but there's always something to lure me in for another month, this month being the mention of a special mystery box available on the 24th of February.

Did you receive a Glossybox this month? What did you think?

little shadow

skirt: h&m | top: primark | blazer: h&m
necklace: disney couture | bag: asos | lipstick: barry m pillarbox red
I'm trying not to think on when I last posted an outfit, because it's been far too long. Working 12 hour days and having plans on what seems like all of my days off has meant that I never have the chance to snap any photos of what I'm wearing but I promised myself I would with my 3 days off this week!

I picked this blazer up yesterday before I met my favourite, Rani, for lunch. It was only £19.99 and ticks all the boxes for the perfect blazer I had in my mind. I also spotted more of this cute bunny print range in H&M and managed to resist buying more of it.... right before buying a cat print top. Ha!

I also made my blog it's own Facebook page which you can click and like if you want!

foaming tea tree cleanser

I've mentioned before that I don't like using tea tree products because in the past they've made my dry skin worse, but after trying these tea tree toner tabs I got brave and ordered this cleanser from The Body Shop in their 40% off sale.

My skin is dry, but I've always been blessed with a clear complexion. That was up until November, when I got a hideous breakout which wouldn't go away. I've tried more skincare products since then than I can count, and none have helped at all - not even my holy grail of Angels on Bare Skin. I don't have lots of spots, but the ones I do have are red and those stubborn under the skin type that don't ever seem to to disappear, particularly around the jawline.

After my first use of this cleaner, which foams as you squirt it out, I wasn't impressed. It didn't leave my face feeling overly clean, didn't leave my skin feeling super soft, it just didn't feel like it had done anything. Because of this I didn't think it would help my skin at all but I kept using it anyway. After about 2 weeks of use, I noticed that the stubborn spots around my jawline that had been there for a month were barely visible. The red marks left by some of the worst blemishes, which had been there since before Christmas (!!!), had also been reduced significantly and I noticed my skin was a lot clearer and needing less concealer in the mornings.

I do still have a few bumpy areas and a few red marks which are annoying, but I'm feeling much happier with my skin and I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel and the return of my clear skin.

If you suffer from breakouts then I definitely recommend trying this cleanser. I imagine it would be suitable for all skin types, and although it doesn't hydrate my dry skin, it definitely doesn't dry it out like I expected.

week in photos #56

I had a really lovely week this week, receiving red roses, driving my new car, lots of days off work, some shopping, visiting the Tiki Bar for cocktails at last, and a cheeky white russian by my side as I write this post! I've already got a few plans for this week including a blogger event, and hopefully seeing The Woman in Black. Has anyone seen it yet, is it good?

Hope you all had a great week!

day old blues

After my self imposed spending ban in January, I've definitely made up for it this month and had a little bit of a pay day splurge. I got lucky in Topshop and found a lot of pieces I had wanted in the sale, in my size, which is always fate good so I couldn't resist.

I also picked up a few staples that I had run out of - Body Shop eye make up remover, and a new hand cream which smells good enough to eat and was only 75p in the sale! The Crème Brûlée Vaseline made it "big" in the blogger scene recently so I thought I'd give it a try it's honestly not what I expected. It's become my go-to lip product (most likely because the rest are lost in my various bags) but I'm still not 100% I like the taste. I've been telling all of my friends about these cheap (only £1!) Superdrug eyebrow shapers because they're brilliant! Easy to use and just as effective as a salon wax!

OH. And I bought the cat bag I posted about here. How could I not?

What have you been buying this month? I don't feel my spending spree is finished quite yet, so feel free to leave links to try and tempt me into more shopping!

leap frog

Leap Frog is another product from the Lush Valentines Day range, which I think is still available online and in stores for another few days.

He's scented with jasmine, sandalwood and rose and smells quite herby, and a little bit like grass (quite possibly the worst description ever!) - not usually the type of fragrance I'd pick up from Lush but I couldn't resist the cuteness. Right up until the moment I put this in the bath I still wasn't sure about the scent. I prefer sweet smells, and this didn't do it for me. However, once it started fizzing away in my bath I realised that the smell was actually really nice, very fresh and energising. It wasn't as strong as I expected, and whilst it left the room and my skin smelling of it, it wasn't too over powering.

There was also a cute little message inside, which I almost missed as it started disolving in the water! I'm going to stock up on a few more of these before they vanish from the shelves and maybe if I kiss one he might turn into my prince charming?

healthy bannoffee layer

Myself and the four other bloggers who write at Where Are My Knees? were recently contacted by the people of Baking Mad to try out some of their healthy baking recipes. I chose this low calorie banoffee layer and it was delicious! A few of you asked me to share recipe after featuring it in my week in photos, so I thought I'd post it on here too.

It's also worth pointing out that I can't stand dates, and I don't think I'm alone, but they do actually taste almost like toffee when cooked with sugar. I added a little bit to my dessert (less than the recipe suggests) and was surprised at how nice they were!

It felt really indulgent eating these, and it was guilt free knowing that there was no fatty cream, biscuit base or sugary toffee to sabotage my diet! I will definitely be making these again, and also trying them with different fruits. They look great too, so would be a perfect way to impress if you're having friends over for dinner!



INGREDIENTS:

4 low fat oatcakes
3 tsp half spoon granulated sugar (silver spoon)
1 tbsp low fat spread, melted
75 grams pitted dates
2 bananas
Lemon juice
2 tbsp crème fraîche low fat
1 dark chocolate square

DIRECTIONS:

001. Place the oatcakes in a food processor and process until the become crumbs. You could also put the biscuits into plastic bags and beat with a rolling pin.

002. Mix the crumbs, 2 tsp sugar and melted low fat spread.

003. Place the dates, remaining sugar and 4 tbsp water in a small pan and heat gently until the dates have become soft. Beat the mixture so it resembles toffee.

004. Slice the banana and toss in the lemon juice to avoid browning.

005. Spoon half the biscuits crumb in the bottom of two glasses. Top with sliced banana then the date puree followed by crème frachie. Repeat the layers until all the ingredients have been used finished with a dollop of crème fraiche and banana.

006. Grate the chocolate over the cream and serve immediately.

week in photos #55

Today is the day I finally got my new Fiat 500, Fi-Fi, and it felt like all my Christmases came at once! I already love it so much, especially the little quirks it has such as voice commands, storing my phonebook and making phone calls, lights that automatically come on and her gorgeous red interior. I can't help but smile every time I walk out of the house/shops and see her! The photos don't do it justice either. I'm so happy! Even if a bird has already left it's mark on it, grrr...

I haven't done else this week apart from make delicious (and healthy!) bannoffee layer desserts, change my skincare routine, spend too much money on clothes and jewellery, and work work work and more work.

magic mushroom

This cute little ping pong, party and see-saw loving Magic Mushroom bubble bar (no, I haven't gone mad! He really does love ping pong, parties and see-saw - look!) is one of the many cute Valentines Day themed offerings from Lush. After my boxing day splurge I've been trying to limit my spending in Lush until it's used up, but I couldn't resist picking up one of these little guys and, ummm.. maybe a few other things.

The red top of the mushroom is scented with the famous Vanillary fragrance, whilst the bottom smells of strawberries, combining to make a lovely creamy, sweet (but not sickly sweet) strawberries and cream scented bath with lots of soft bubbles on top. As with any Lush product, he left my skin feeling silky smooth and I could smell strawberries and cream all day. Mmmm...

What's the last Lush product you used? Have you tried this little mushroom?

scottish bloggers charity meet

Calling all Scottish Bloggers, we're having another meet up! This time, it's organised by Kirsty to celebrate International Women's Day 2012.

Oxfam are encouraging women and girls to hold get togethers (tea parties, dinners, pampering days, clothes-swap days, whatevs) to help raise some money for selected women's charities around the world. Kirsty thought this would be a good opportunity for us bloggers to get together and has organised a tea party-style event with an optional clothes swap, raffle, quiz etc. There will be a few surprises on the night and also some goody-bags!


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The event will be held in Glasgow on the evening of Thursday the 8th of March, venue TBC, and is free and non ticketed (although being for charity, donations are expected) but you MUST register to attend.

E-mail k-mclaren@hotmail.com with your name and address, and those of any guests you plan to bring, by Friday the 10th of February.


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Hope to see you all there!

week in photos #54

As you can tell by the photos, I've had quite an indulgent week. I spent the majority of Monday sitting in a bar (yes, one bar, it's my favourite!) racking up a £100+ bill on cocktails with my two favourite boys. Absinthe laced glass filled with bourbon anyone? Needless to say I ended up more than a little bit drunk and tweeting absolute nonsense in true Charlene style! Getting myself to work by 8am the next morning, for the first of 3 12hr shifts in a row, wasn't fun. The rest of my week was spent working, sleeping, carbooting and eating a naughty chinese!

I'm working another 4 12hr shifts this week and lots of other plans so I've no idea how I'll fit blogging in but I've got a few things I want to post about! But for now, it's off to relax in a Lush bath. :)