Monday 30 September 2013

Finally, my baby... | Review - Maybelline Baby Lips

Helllo there,


I've been hearing about Maybelline's Baby Lips for so so long, every blogger, vlogger, everyone and their grandma seems to be raving about them. So the other day when I saw an advert for them I developed this sudden need to own them (I can't help it - I'm a sucker for adverts!). To be honest, I didn't even know they were available in the UK - am I going crazy or were they only available in America for a while? 

I was really excited about trying Baby Lips because I love lip balms, my lips get dry very easily in the winter so I've always got a good stock of lip balms in my bag. Also, I struggle finding lipsticks with really good staying powder and I always just end up with the edge of my lips being covered in lipstick and looking like a scary clown!

Anyhoo, I popped down to Boots and the odds were in my favour; Buy One Get One Half Price! Yes please and thank you! I obviously bought two, which was a struggle for me as they had it in 3 different colours! I picked Pink Punch and Peach Kiss, mainly because I always go for red colours so I wanted to try something a little difference.


Overall, the product is lovely and I'd definitely recommend it! It's really soft and makes your lips feel really smooth. They also smell delicious and fruity - which I always think is very important if you're going to put something that close to your nose. However, as with all things there are a couple of things I don't like. Firstly the packaging. To me, it looks a bit cheap, like something you might get in a stocking when you're 13. Something about the colours and the font - I just don't like it.

L-R: Pink Punch, Peach Kiss
Also, (as you can see in the photos above) the colour pay-off isn't fantastic. When you first put it on you can see a bit of a tint but this goes pretty quickly. I prefer Peach Kiss to Pink Punch just because it's more of a baby pink than I was expecting. I really want to try the red Cherry Me just to see if that's a bit more pigmented.

But don't let any of that deter you. I really do like the product overall! It's a great lip balm just not brilliant if you're looking for a strong colour.

So have you tried Baby Lips? Which colours? Do you like them? 

Thursday 19 September 2013

Where I've Been | European Adventure | Part Three - Berlin

Heyaaa,
So I've recently moved back to Norwich and settled into a new student house like a proper grown up, it means my blogs been a little neglected for the last week or so and my posts are in a bit of a mish-mash order (damn scheduling!) Anyway there will be posts on my new house soon! But first I wanted to finish my European Adventure photo diary before I venture into new ground...so here we go!

The last place we went was Berlin and it was easily my favourite place. Granted the people were not quite as friendly as the wonderful Dutch people we met but the food was incredible, it was fantastically cheap and, as a history student, I couldn't get over the sheer amount of history that surrounds the place! Definitely recommend it if you're planning a trip on a budget...












So I guess that means all the summer fun is over, back to Uni, back to work! Pah, who am I kidding? It's Freshers weeeeeeek - next post will have been written on a horrendous hangover!

Sunday 15 September 2013

Bakewell Slice | Recipe

Heyaaa,


The other day my mum bet me that I couldn't make a Bakewell Slice, so the next day I did. I now realise that this was probably some kind of trick, she knows I can't resist a bet and wanted Bakewell Slice. Damn my competitive attitude!! Anyway I forgot to take any photos of the actual process but here's the recipe so I'm sure you can work it out for yourself!

Happy Baking!



For the pastry
Mix 300g of plain flour with 125g of cold unsalted butter and 30g of caster sugar until you get a fine breadcrumb texture (you can do this in the blender or by hand whichever is easiest for you)
Add one egg and mix until you get a rough pastry. If this is too dry add a drop of milk.
Wrap the pastry in cling film and chill in the fridge for 20 minutes.
After 20 minutes, take the pastry out of the fridge and line a square tin with it. Then chill in the fridge for another 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 200c/Gas Mark 6
Line the pastry case with greaseproof paper and fill with baking beans or lentils or anything else that will weigh down the pastry case whilst you bake it. Bake until the pastry is a light golden colour, this should take about 15 minutes.
Take the pastry out of the oven, remove the baking beans and paper, brush over with a beaten egg or milk and return to the oven for a further 5 minutes.

For the filling
Beat together 225g of butter and 225g of caster sugar until they are light and fluffy.
Add 225g of ground almonds (I actually used 150g because I read my recipe wrong so you can change this depending on how almondy you want your slice) and 3 eggs. Make sure you fully beat in each egg after you add it.
To this, add the zest of one lemon and 50g of plain flour.

To assemble
Spread a good helping of raspberry jam over the pastry case (you'll want nearly a whole jar, I put in just over half a jar and it definitely needed more!)
Spread the almondy mixture over the top of the jam and sprinkle some flaked almonds over the top
Bake at 180c for around 20 minutes, until the mixture is golden and set
Allow the tarts to cool in the tin, then cut into squares and have with a cup of tea! Yum Yum!





Monday 9 September 2013

Where I've Been | European Adventure | Part Two - Amsterdam

Hiya,
My adventure round Europe continued. After I left Brussels I got on a Eurolines coach to Amsterdam, it took me a couple of hours and was an absolute bargain at only 20 Euros I would recommend them 100%. Amsterdam was great fun, all bright lights and loud noises, like DisneyLand for grown ups. Obviously Amsterdam has got a bit of reputation which precedes it and it definitely lived up to it (this wasn't helped by the fact our hostel was smack bang in the middle of the Red Light District)...

Here's a couple of snaps









Saturday 7 September 2013

Where I've Been | European Adventure | Part One - Brussels

Hellllo,

So I've been a bit absent recently but I promise I had a good reason! I've been on a little trip to Europe, travelled round for 12 days and visited loads of amazing, beautiful places.

The first place I visited was Brussels, which was just outstandingly beautiful so thought I'd share a few photos.

Hope you enjoy xx