June Favourites

It's that time again! Seriously, where is this year going? Here are a few bits & bobs that I have been loving recently. 

Rituals 'Happy Hands Hydrating Hand Lotion' in mandarin and mint.

This is a lovely hand cream that I picked up on a bit of a whim while browsing in Rituals. It has an uplifting citrus and mint scent and is really hydrating and doesn't leave a sticky residue like so many other hand creams.

Revlon 'Colourburst Balm Stain' in Honey

This has been my go to everyday lip colour the past month, it has buildable colour and leaves a natural pink/mauve look on the lips. As it's a balm, it's really hydrating and doesn't dry out the lips at all. Also, it has a lovely peppermint scent which leaves the lips with that menthol tingle after applying.

MUA Makeup

I had a little splurge in Superdrugs MUA section a few days ago and picked up these gems (all for under £7!) I am enjoying using all of them so far but my favourite by far is the Matt Black Eyeliner. I think it maybe the best eyeliner i've used too date; easy application, matt black and the staying power of this eyeliner is amazing! 

Whistles slogan tee

My first ever Whistles purchase and i'm in love! 

Clarins 'Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil'

I recently picked up a trial size of this facial oil and was so impressed I had to get the full sized bottle. This is a great smelling oil that helps dehydrated skin, I tend too use this in the evening after my moisteriser. It's a real treat to use and look forward to this step in my evening routine.

Book i've been reading this month.

I've been meaning to read this for a few months now and have finally gotten around to it. I'm really enjoying it so far (i'm only 4 chapters deep) The story follows the story of seven generations of the Buendìa family and of Macondo, the town they have built. An insight of Colombian life, secrets and mysteries. 

What are your favourites this month?

Carly x

20 Random Facts About Me

Hi lovelies!

I thought it was time to introduce myself a bit better here, so here are 20 random facts about myself that will let you get to know me better!

1. I live in Northern Ireland, UK.

2. I have a degree in fine and applied arts.

3. I have a serious coffee addiction!

4. I am a sucker for cute duvet sets (I currently have a little racoon printed one on)

5. I have a pretty eclectic taste in music, I have been listening to a lot of Jazz recently.

6. My idea of a treat is a tub of Ben & Jerrys icecream all to myself! 

7. I am currently living with my boyfriend whom I have been with for over four years.

8. I have both my ears pierced twice, a tragus and a helix piercing. 

9. I used to have super long hair but got it all cut off recently and I love it!

10. My favourite film is Disneys Alice in Wonderland (1951)

11. I own way too many stuffed toys for somebody my age (but there so cute!)

12. I love watching cartoons, The Misadventures of Flapjack and Adventure Time are my favourites.

13. I'd rather stay home cuddled up watching Netflix than being out partying. 

14. I collect vinyl records.

15. I recently lost 3 stone through Slimming World ( I did enjoy buying a whole new wardrobe, yay!)

16. I am constantly buying new mugs even though I have no room for them.

17. My middle name is Brianna.

18. I would love to have a dog one day.

19. I am always buying new candles, I can't get enough of them.

20. I have been wearing the cat eye eyeliner look (pretty much every day) for about 8 years.

Carly x

One for the candle addicts

Okay, first up, I have a confession...

I am a candle junkie.

If there is one thing that I am guaranteed to spend my money on this is it. I usually have at least two candles burning whilst i'm in the house, one in the bedroom and one in the living room. I tend to opt for more 'spa like' scents for the bedroom as it creates a nice ambient atmosphere when it comes to bed time. In the living space I love sweet smells, pretty much anything that smells like cake or pancakes...yum...

Todays post I will be recommending some tried and tested and loved candles.

The candle for sweet tooths

First up is the classic Yankee Candle 'Vanilla Cupcake'  this creates a warm, rich and creamy scent, heavy on the vanilla with a sprinkle of lemon. If you don't like sweet smells this candle probably isn't for you. It leaves your house smelling like you have just baked a fresh batch of vanilla cupcakes. If you pick up the large jar of this it will last you around 110-150 hours, completely worth the money if you ask me. The only problem with this candle is it will make you want to eat cake, and lots of it!

The candle for seaside lovers

If you've ever smelt Jo Malones 'Sea Salt and Wood Sage ' cologne, this candle smells exactly the same as that. Fresh

seaside top notes mixed with a woody earthy sage base. It's an uplifting scent and is great to light when you want to wind down after a long day. It is a tad on the pricey side but worth investing in.

The candle if you love the outdoors

The Paddywax Apothecary 'Amber and Smoke.'  I picked this up a while ago in Urban Outfitters and have a full review of it in a previous blog. The packaging of this candle alone is beautiful, it looks great and can add some character to an otherwise dull room. The scent is a deep, woodsey, slightly piney aroma and does a really great job of scenting your whole house. 

The candle for mint lovers

The illume 'Avocado and mint' is a soy based candle from Anthropology. It comes in a beautifully designed tin and oh boy! This smells great, refreshing and packed with cool mint. It has a strong scent that lingers hours after it has been blown out. It is very similar to The White

Company Wild Mint candle but for half the price.

What are your favourite candles?

Carly x

A Week in Photos #2

1. Picked up the Happy Buddha shower foam and Fortune shower scrub from

Rituals at a 50% off sale. These smell so

good- refreshing with a citrus zing!

2. Finally got my hands on two of my favourite films on dvd- 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty' and 'The Grand Budapest Hotel.' 

3. Checked out the degree show at University of Ulster last week, there was a lot of great work on show. This students work consisted of a large studio floor covered in fake flowers, it looked amazing.

4. My very talented bestest buddy painted me this great water colour portrait of Bill Murray from the Wes Anderson film 'Moonrise Kingdom.' I have it framed in my sitting room, love it!

5. H&M have some beautiful minimalistic jewellery in stores at the minute. I haven't taken off this rose gold layered necklace, it goes with everything and anything!

6. How cute are these mason jar candles? I picked up the scent Lemon Pound Cake and Pancakes & Maple Syrup. My house smells like a bakery now :) 

7. My first ever Whistles purchase. I will get a lot of wear out this top, it's soooo soft!

8. New Book. These little penguin classics are only 80p in Waterstones!

9. The weather has been great here so a lot of coffee has been consumed outside in the sun.

Mini Energy Bites Recipe

Today I will be sharing a quick and simple recipe for mini no bake energy bites that are great for snacking and defeating that late afternoon sugar slump! 

What you will need

1 cup of dates

3/4 cup of almonds

2 tablespoons of chia seeds

1 tablespoon of coconut oil

1 tablespoon of coco powder

2 tablespoons of linseed

Directions

1. Place almonds in food processor and blend for 1 minute until they are crushed.

Then add the dates and all the other ingredients and blend until the mixture is nice and sticky.

2. Roll into bite sized balls, place in freezer for one hour to allow them to set then store in fridge.

Then enjoy with a cup of coffee :)

Carly x

A Week in Photos

1. Getting a freshly brewed cappuccino brought to you in bed by a handsome bearded gentleman, I am spoiled.

2. How adorable is this pillow?! Picked this up for £6 in Tesco, bargain! 

3. Fresh yellow roses to brighten up our living room.

4. A recent addition to my ever growing book collection; Nourish 'mind body & soul.' This is a great little book covering healthy recipes, relaxation techniques and workout ideas.

5. I have been wearing this Breakfast in Bed top a lot recently, found it while rummaging through my local TK Maxx, it is the softest most comiest top I own, perfect for lazy days.

6. Coffee! Always.

7. I have been having a nostalgic music throwback recently, does anybody remember CSS? 

8. I love love love my Wall-E mugs I got last month for my birthday. How cute are they?

9. I love to pamper myself on a Sunday evening, to treat myself this week I picked up Lush's Twilight bath bomb. A seriously lovely smelling bomb worth checking out. 

Hope you have all had a lovely week :)

Carly x

Simple Everyday Makeup

Foundation: 

Bobbi Brown Moisture Rich Foundation with SPF

This a lovely light weight foundation with added moisture, perfect for dry skin sufferers like myself. It provides quite a sheer coverage but is easily buildable. I tend to apply this with my Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge, as it blends this foundation in seemlessly.

If i'm having a good skin day I just use this, but if I have some pesky blemishes I tend to reach for the trustworthy Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer.

Blusher:

Rimmel Stay Blushed Cream Blusher in pop of pink

This is such a quick and easy way to apply blush, forget using a brush to blend in, all you need to do is place a few drops

on your cheek bones and blend in with your fingertips. It adds a subtle and natural glow to the cheeks which works great with the foundation to create a dewy/fresh look.

Lush Feeling Younger Skin Tint

This is possibly my favourite highlighter that i've tried so far, which is quite a big statement as I have quite the collection of highlighters. It comes in a handy travel friendly glass pot, containing a sizeable amount of a gorgeous light reflecting cream highlight. A little goes a long way with this, so use it sparingly! 

Maybelline Colour Tattoo in permanent taupe

I'm sure you have heard a lot of hype around these cream eyeshadows and believe me when I say they really do live up to it! They blend so easily and last a long time on the lids without creasing. Permanent taupe is a coco brown

shade that is natural enough to wear in the day time. I also have this in on and on bronze, which is beautiful shimmery bronze which is perfect to switch to for evening makeup. 

Eyeko Skinny Black Liquid Eyeliner

I have been doing the cat flick eyeliner look for years now and has now become a part of my everyday makeup. I have tried my fair share of liquid eyeliner pens and this is one of my favourite, it's jet black with a slim nib that allows you to get real close to your eyelash line and makes it much easier to perfect the sometimes frustrating flick. Also, it lasts a long time without flaking- hooray! 

Etude House Drawing Eyebrow in Dark

Brown

This was a random ebay purchase and it has pleasantly surprised me, it's a retractable soft eyebrow pencil angled perfectly to help create natural eyebrow hairs to sparse areas and generally gives them a fuller more shaped look. It comes with a spooly on the other end which comes in handy quite a lot! Also, brace yourself, It was under £3- definately worth every penny!

Maybelline The Rocket Volume Mascara

I have a bit of a love hate relationship with this mascara, but recently I have been loving it. It's great for seperating lashes and giving them a good boost of volume. I do want to get my hands on Benefits Roller Lash, but i'm not sure if i'm willing to pay that much for a mascara, eep! 

Usually I will just apply some lipbalm and i'm good to go but if i'm feeling a bit fancy, i'll apply some of the Revlon Colour Burst balm stain in the shade honey, it is a perfect nudey pink colour and has a yummy peppermint smell. 

Carly x