Rose Quartz Accents For Your Home | Lifestyle

I like to think I have a rather minimalist style when it comes to my home and whilst I haven't got my own home just yet, it does NOT stop me from looking for lovely bits! There are a lot of ways you can inject a little bit of colour into your home with things like succulents but if you don't really like green tones or plants then what can you do? Well, I kind like the idea of adding crystal accents to rooms. 

I discovered these Athropologie Rose Quartz Coasters and immediately fell in love with them, my pictures don't quite do these justice! Let's start with the colour, these ones are a lovely rose colour but can look cooler or warmer depending on the surface they are put on, if you put this coaster on a white back ground it will look different than on a dark wooden surface so it makes them really versatile. Colour is a really important thing, even if you prefer minimalist decor adding something like these unique coasters can really make all the difference to the room. You can easily compliment these items with soft furnishings such as cushions or throws in a similar colour whilst keeping the rest of the room in neutral tones. Crystals are a really easy way to add colour into a room without it being overwhelming. 

Another reason I think crystals will become a trend is because they are so unique, whether you want the crystals to be carved into the coaster shape like the ones I bought or whether you like to be carved into something else, you will always know the item you have is unique to you! Some have small impurities which again, I really like because it reminds you that these creations are from the earth! Even though these marketed as coasters, actually you can use them for so much more than just that, you could put a candle on them or you could use them to keep jewellery on and you could even use them to put a small little cactus on if you wanted to. 

Many people actually believe in the healing powers of crystals, personally I don't know but I had to admit there is something quite beautiful about having crystals in your home!  

What trends do you love for your home? 

The Body Shop Fresh Plumping Mask | Beauty

Ok , ok, I know what you guys are gonna say, I'm behind yet again! All the hype over the newly released face Masks by The Body Shop but I must admit I just never thought to go in there or check out these ranges for myself! Especially since everyone was obsessed with the Himalayan Charcoal Mask but I kind of have a love hate relationship with clay masks so I opted for the British Rose Fresh Plumping Mask. 

I think I am coming to the realisation that I really love floral scented things and this mask is like being smacked in the face with a bunch of roses (without the thorns, obvs) Like this face mask has a very strong scent so if flowers aren't your thang you need to stay well away from this.

As you can see it's a very gel like consistency and actually has little shreds of rose petals actually in it which I honestly adore, I like products that go that extra mile and lookswise this totally does. Now, the thing about gel like face masks is that you never see a difference right away like you do with clay masks. This Plumping face mask has aloe vera, rosehip oil as well as omega 3 and 6 so it has a lot of deeply nourishing properties but it's something that improves skin over time. 

This mask doesn't dry which I actually really like because it means that when I wash it off, it comes off with ease and I don't end up having a bright red face that feels all weird. The British Rose Fresh Plumping Mask is one for the people out there who maybe have sensitive skin that wants something super gentle, who wants to inject a bit of moisture into their skin. I only use it once a week after I have cleansed and used my Pure Resurfacing Liquid Peel and I really like it! The mask is £16 which I actually thing is really expensive for a face mask but it's something that does exactly what I want, so I don't mind too much but after I run out I'm still a little undecided as to whether I will repurchase. 

What are you favourite face masks?  

My Love/Hate Relationship with Social Media | Lifestyle

I have been thinking about social media a lot recently and I think it's mainly because since moving back to the UK my personal social media had changed a little bit and it's leaving me feeling a bit meh about it all so I just thought what do I actually like about social media? 

Love 

Being Influenced
I frickin' love seeing bloggers or even brand showcasing different products or items and I love it even more when I can actually click through and buy the damn product. I like seeing different styles whether they be fashion or home and interior. I like seeing things that make me think differently like "I never thought to style that item that way" or "those coasters are the most beautiful things I have ever seen, I need them"  

Myself 
Every now an then I look at my entire instagram feed, I just scroll through my pictures and I think it's so nice to see the places I have been or the things I have done. All these memories that are so easy to forget and I really like taking a moment to go back and relive those memories again.

Other Peoples Lives 
I am a nosey little thing, I love to see what people are doing! I love so see their perfect curated snippet of their lives and I also love seeing those real snippets of life where I can happily relate to. Also, it's very much where I got a lot of baking ideas from! Seeing what people are doing over the weekend or over holiday is always so interesting and gives me inspiration to visit new places or try different things. 


Hate 

Being Influenced
Body image is a tricky one for women and I can't help but feel social media plays a part in whilst I see more bodies represented on social which is fab I also see so many bodies photoshopped. I even saw a girl who I used to work with photoshop her instagram image when she is a gorgeous girl, it doesn't make sense to me. I'm getting bored of seeing these perfect pore-less faces or these tiny little waists that aren't real .

Myself 
Not gonna lie, last year on Facebook I was obnoxious and the amount of passport pictures I took or "oh just flying to XXX" I never missed an opportunity to tell everyone how much fun I was having and now I am back in the UK living a less hectic/travelled lifestyle time hop never forgets to remind me what I was doing last year which leads me to compare what I am doing now. Comparison is the thief of joy!

Other Peoples Lives 
It's so easy to see a heavily curated picture and just assume that peoples lives are like that all the time when it definitely isn't. We absorb social media at such a quick rate that we become desensitised to the images we are seeing and just assume that this is how life is, and you can't help but compare your life with theirs.I have actually stopped following some big bloggers because they are no longer inspirational to me because the constant jet setting isn't realistic, they are being given trips for free which is great but out of my reach. 

And there we have it, the reasons I hate social media are exactly the same reason why I love it, it's a very thin line between the two and it's mainly because I know I have an unhealthy relationship with social media, as do most bloggers I think. Every time i start getting annoyed or frustrated with it I either take a little break or discover some new accounts to follow whilst getting rid of other ones. 

What do you love and hate about social media? 

Pure Resurfacing Liquid Peel | Beauty

Ok so if you saw my Polynesian Monoi Radiance Oil post you know I bought a lot in The Body Shop recently so I have been trying out new products which means today I am talking about a product from the Drops of Light range called the Pure Resurfacing Liquid Peel. 

The Body Shop seems to split their products by ranges, whether it be by scent or by specific ingredients, however I found myself looking at the Drops of Light range and very nearly picked up the Brighten Serum until I saw the Resurfacing Liquid Peel and thought it sounded really different so I had to give it a go really. 

It's kind of an odd gel because it's something you use a couple of pumps onto you hands and massage it onto try skin for about 20 seconds and these weird little clumps start forming the more you massage, seriously, check out the pictures below....

How weird is that?

I don't quite know how it does it but essentially it is a gel that kind of draws out impurities and removes dead skin to leave behind a much smoother and brighter appearance. I was seriously impressed with how smooth my skin looked after using it for the first time, but I must admit all those little clumps was a bit grim but doesn't put me off using this product at all. I have read some reviews on this product since buying it an a lot of people say it's really drying on their skin but I have sensitive skin and I don't have any problems whatsoever with this peel. 

It's something I use 2-3 times a week just because my skin can be really fussy I don't want to use it too much but each time I fall in love with it! I actually left the house the other day without any face make up on and felt really happy with how fresh my skin looked! This one is £18 for 145ml so again it's a little pricey but it's a really unique product! 

Have you tried anything from the Drops of Light range? 

Bloggers I am lovin' right now | Blogging

I'm getting a bit meh about blogging and my blog so today I thought I would share with you some blogs I am absolutely lovin' right now. I mean, these girls are incredible so you probably already know them but if you don't bloody check them out! 

Devoted to Pink
Leah is just one of those girls that is frickin' glamorous and owns her own buisness but she comes across like she is really down to earth and approachable! I actually first started following her in instagram and then found myself watching her instastories more and more and she is just someone you can relate to and she has just started her youtube channel! She is so inspirational to me and I think she is going to be the next blogger to really blow up big! 

Nibbles 'n' Scribbles
This wonderful blog is for the people out there who want to know what the latest snacks and how good they actually all!! This girl is also a peanut butter fan so if Nibs gives it a thumbs up you best believe I'm gonna buy it!! I always love seeing her pictures when scrolling through instagram even though they often make me incredibly hungry. She is also so bloody lovely too! 

Beth Eve
Followed Beth for about 3 years now and I consider her one of those people who is like a friend of the internet, she is so positive and SO supportive, to me she really makes the blogging space a welcoming place (ooo get that ryhme) not only that but if you like cats, you're gonna need to follow her on twitter! Beth has recently started blogging again after a little break and I am so happy that she is because she writes about diverse and interesting topics from "why I'm a hufflepuff" to "Imposter syndrome"

Annie Writes Beauty
I'm drawn to Alice's online voice because she is honest which then makes her so easy to relate to because she says what we are all thinking! I adore her instagram feed, it's so cute seeing her little bump grow over time! Alice writes anything from beauty posts to really honest and frank pregnancy updates which I really admire


Who are your favourite bloggers right now?  

Polynesian Monoi Radiance Oil | Beauty

We have something deliciously indulgent and a new brand to my little blog today, The Body Shop and I am talking about the divine Polynesian Monoi Radiance Oil. I must admit, I haven't shopped in The Body Shop in actual YEARS! It's a place I never think to go but recently the L'Oreal owned company was sold to Natura Cosméticos which is a Brazillian brand who have the same ethical values as TBS in that they don't test on animals! Due to this buzz with the cruelty free bloggers out there it got me thinking that I should go in and check out the store again. 

I used to have a rather dated view of The Body Shop, I just can't help but think about super fruity body butters and that's about it, but this time I decided to walk straight past that stuff and head to all the other lotions and potions and well, I spent a lot, like a lot in a very short space of time! Eeek! So I will write about the other stuff in separate posts but I just had to start with this Polynesian Monoi Radiance Oil, seriously oh my god!! 

Let's start with the scent, like what the hell is monoi oil anyway? So monoi oil is simply Tahitian gardenia petals soaked in coconut oil but I would say that the coconut is hardly detectable as personally I am not a fan of coconut but I didn't even know it had it in there until I googled it! From the first use I knew this would be an instant repurchase because not only is the scent delightful but how good my skin looked after using it and even the next day! I am still clinging onto a tan from when I went to Portugal and let me tell you this oil has given it a new lease of life! 

I'm probably using it about 2-3 times a week and because it's an oil a little does actually go a very long way, I was guilty of being a tad liberal at first but I'm just obsessed with it! Another great benefit to this oil is that you can use it on your hair as well, which I haven't yet because my hair is very fine so oil always weighs it down but I have read reviews that it works miracles! The bottle retails for £18 for 170mls which is quite a lot but I think this is a purchase that should be considered as an essential luxury because of how great your skin feels after! 

Are you a fan of body oils or have you tried this little gem before? 

Stews & More Albufeira, Portugal | Food

Today I am writing a whole blog post on just one restaurant in Albuferia, Portugal and the reason why is because the food was just incredible! Stews & More is restaurant that combines two cuisines Dutch and Portuguese as the restaurant owners are of those origins which does make your heart melt a little bit. 

It was a place we stumbled across and immediately thought we had to go there, it was so busy but just had a really nice energy about it, plus it smelled incredible. We inquired the next day but were met with disappointment because they were fully booked so we called up and booked a table. 

Stew & More had a great waiter who talked us through the menu and asked us what we like etc, I was even talked out of a glass of white wine and to have red instead because we're having a stew. Much like many restaurants in Albufeira, Stews & More have Couvert on the menu but with a little twist. Most couverts are served with bread, sardine pate, butter and bread, but this one was served with THE most delicious warm vegetable soup. It was a humble sized started but the soup won it hands down for me. It was a smooth consistency but had a peppery kick, I was in love! 

Now let's move onto the main reason we are all here, the stew! They had quite a good variety of stews, including something for the vegetarians out there but we opted for the Campo stew, which is a beef stew with vegetables and little pieces of bacon in it. The beef is marinated in red wine and brandy for a minimum of 3 hours so it really gets a chance to sink into the meat and adds a real rich flavour to the entire dish. Stews & More offer the stews in 2 sizes - for one or for two and the Campo Stew for two cost 23€ and you get bread and a side dish of potatoes and onions which they will top you up on any time. 

The waiter also joked that he will give us a straw for the sauce but genuinely...I wanted a straw, I couldn't get enough of that sauce, we literally had to have a second round of bread to finish it off. Herbs from the Algarve were also in the dish but it didn't specify exactly what herbs were in it but we were informed that this stew is more like a stew a Portuguese grandmother would make  

The carrots were really chunky but cooked to perfection because they were so soft, I thought they might be a bit hard. The waiter suggested that the reason they are so chunky is because the stews are slow cooked for a such a long time any thinner and they would disintegrate altogether and that wouldn't be what they wanted. There were also mushrooms in the dish, which personally I'm not a fan of but I just fish around those bits.  

Stews & More was a great little hidden gem down a side street in Albufeira and I am so happy that we were able to get a table. I would definitely go there again and urge any one who goes to this part of Portugal to check it out. 

Are you a stew fan?

Stay Matte But Not Flat NYX Foundation | Beauty

Today we are talking about the Stay Matte But Not Flat liquid foundation from NYX and I know what you're all thinking, don't worry I am still obsessed with the Sleek Make Up CC Cream but I kinda wanted to try something new. NYX is a cruelty free brand but they are owned by L'Oreal I think so it's a grey area I must admit. 

The first think that drew me to the Stay Matt But Not Flat liquid foundation firstly was the packaging, I can't stand foundation in glass bottles and I know it looks nice and I know that a lot of foundations are in glass bottles but a cute little squeezy tube is easier for me. Also, it fits better in the make up bag and it's lighter and because I travel a fair amount this is quite important. The NYX foundation retails for £6 which is a pretty good price to try out and about £3 cheaper than my beloved cc cream. Typically speaking, I don't like matte foundations I like to keep my complexion slightly dewy but I do like the fact that this foundation is water based and oil free.  

I got the shade Ivory which I think is fractionally too light for me but the next shade up was a bit too dark but I thought because it is a good price I may as well try! The first thing I noticed was that when I squeezed the product onto the back of my hand, it was more liquid than I was expecting and a lot lighter as well. 

When I actually applied to my face I also noticed that it did tend to cling to my drier patches but I just added a little bit of moisturiser to it and it evened it out a little. I normally apply my foundation with a beauty blender but I thought I would try it out with my RT expert face brush instead because I could buff it a little better into my skin. As with most matte foundations is it quite dry but it definitely wasn't as drying as I was expecting. I added a bit of the Makeup Revolution Radiance Palette powder to my face just to make it not look as matte which worked perfectly. This foundation is really impressive because it doesn't actually make your face look too cakey or matte, then when you team it with a bit of shimmer it create a really nice finish. 

As the day went on the more I liked it, I didn't look in the mirror once and think "oh god, I look weird" in fact I forgot that I was even wearing a new foundation at all! The Stay Matte but Not Flat foundation does exactly what it claims to, obviously it doesn't have the dewy glow I like BUT because it isn't as matte as the other foundations you can easily create a dewy look with other products on top of it! Overall, really big fan guys!! 

Have you tried this NYX foundation?

BBQ Essentials | Food

Sun's out, bums out!! Well, not quite but as soon as the sun comes out I get the URGE to have a BBQ like so many other people so today, I'm just gonna ramble on about my essential things everyone needs at a BBQ. 

We have to start with the obvious one which is an actual BBQ, you can get the disposable ones for like £2.50 but we discovered this cute little orange BBQ in Asda for £10 - but it isn't even online!! There is a similar BBQ but it's no way near as cute at the little orange spaceship! Obviously this is a smallish BBQ but it serves plenty for 2 people and could probably cook enough food for 4 on it no problem. 

Moving onto something to wet the whistle whilst you are waiting for the BBQ to heat up, every supermarket do different offers on booze but I kinda like places like the Co Op because they have some unusual choices and are always on offer like 3 for £5 on beers/ales/craft beers and I quite liked the look of the craft beers because they are a little different and I must recommend the Elk Warning Cider which is Apple and Blackcurrant - so frickin' yummy!  

Movng onto something a little meaty, of all the stuff, sausages make the BBQ for me, even more so than the burgers! Shock shock! The thing is I don't really have sausages on a weekly or monthly basis so when it's BBQ season you best believe sausages are the first thing I go for, the meatier the better! We went for the Jolly Hog Caramelised Porker sausages which were so bloody nice!! 

Moving onto a kind of random find but we also tried out the Gooney Bird Sweet n Sassy BBQ Sauce that we actually found in Home Sense, I didn't even realise that Home Sense did food but they actually have a quite a great selection of things that have been imported from the states or Italy or wherever really! this sauce is incredible, I was worried it might be a little too spicy because of the flames on the label but it isn't actually that bad, it's more like a subtle spice but that sweet BBQ flavour is really what comes through! 

I genuinely think that a BBQ is the perfect time to try out new brands of food and drink, to be honest in the summer all the new brands are on offer anyway so not only can you discover some fab brands but you save a few pennies whilst you're at it! 

What are you're BBQ Essentials?