Lifestyle // Charity shop & car boot haul

This week has been a crazy whirlwind of work,housework, and the kind of period that that only Cadbury's can fix (not that I'm complaining,yay recovery!) Thankfully things have calmed down a bit now, and I got out for a few hours to browse my local charity shops and car boot sale.Don't you just love it when you find exactly what you want for a fraction of the price? I've been unsuccessful with my shopping trips recently,but I've managed to pick up a few gems that I'd love to share with you.

I've seen this gorgeous looking cookbook from The Hummingbird Bakery retailing at Waterstones for £13, so I'm so happy I managed to pick this up in a charity shop for only £2.I have a massive sweet tooth and I'm always looking for new treats to bake and discover,even if they don't quite look like the beautiful cakes in the book.The photography and styling is so pretty,there's some definite photo inspiration here.I'm trying to build up a little cookbook collection and I think this book is a great one to add to my repertoire,I especially want to try the Green Tea cupcakes!

Car boot sales are an untapped resource for hidden treasures on a budget,so they're a great place to go if you love a bit of haggling or you're after a bargain.This Werthers toffee tin really caught my eye,I love the bright picture postcard design that instantly takes me back to my childhood.I think everyone's grandparents or elderly relatives have had these sweets on them at some point! I'm always looking for boxes and cases to store my bits and bobs in, and this was only 50p so I snapped it up.I was thinking I could use it to store my many USB cables,trying to find those is like looking for a needle in a haystack sometimes.

These gorgeous shoes are definitely the icing on my shopping cake! I'd been looking for some mid height

black heels that I could pair with anything,and still be able to walk in them at the end of the night.I've never owned a pair of "high end" brand shoes before and these are Kurt Geiger and they were in my size! I think the shoe gods were looking down on me.They are so comfortable and they don't really look like they've been worn very much,a quick scrub and they should be good as new! I'm so glad I carried on looking as I'd almost lost hope amongst the pairs of '80s trainers and mismatched boots.The bonus is they were only £1! A quid! 

Now that Car Boot sale season is in full swing,I'm definitely going to make sure I go to a few.I'd suggest getting there quite early though,because some people were already packing away by 11am.I'm hoping to build more of an autumn/winter wardrobe without breaking the bank too much! Luckily,there seems to be quite a few car boot sales down here,so I'll keep my eye open.

Do you ever go charity shopping or to car boot sales? What has been your most loved bargain?

Lifestyle // Tuesday Treasures #2

Here's the second edition in my Tuesday Treasures series and I'm sharing my latest Internet favorites with you all! I'm always super excited to make new discoveries,so here are the newest bits and bobs that I've been watching,reading,wanting and laughing at.

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After binge watching season 2 of Orange Is The New Black, I'd been looking for a gritty comedy-drama to watch to fill the Netflix void.Like most things I've enjoyed watching,I have heard so many great things about this show,and I haven't been dissapointed so far! It's really well written and the actors are so believable.Bryan Cranston plays a troubled middle aged man who gets into a bit of a pickle (I won't spoil it for you!) very well,I've only ever seen him in Malcolm in the Middle,but he is a very versatile actor.I'm a bit slow on the uptake as there are five seasons,but if you're into crime dramas full of suspense and dark comedy then I'd check it out!

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I've just discovered some beautiful illustrations by a Mexican artist called Ilse Valfre and I'm really glad I came across her work! I love quirky illustrations,and these adorable and wonderfully drawn characters are really striking.I'm looking to buy some art so it's great that she has an online store where you can buy clothes,accessories and prints all covered in her offbeat style.

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When I scroll through Instagram,I definitely notice a bit of a pattern going on! I've seen a Starbucks cup have tons of like before,throw in a cute cat and artsy food shots,and you're a fully fledged IG addict! Satiregram is an account full of witty sentences about our favourite and most cliched Instagram snaps.

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This beautiful bunting necklace is just too adorable for words! I love subtle jewellery that you can wear with everything,and this is a great budget piece at only £12.You can buy it from Ji Ji Kiki which is an awesome independent online store selling wonderful vintage bits and bobs.I had the pleasure of hearing Emma,the lovely owner of this shop give a talk at the South West Blog Social,she's so genuine and hard working!

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I don't really know how I'd describe my interior design style,but I love anything cute,vintage and completely unnecessary! I've seen little deer figurines all over the internet and on blogs recently,and I think they would add a lovely touch of kitsch to any home.I reckon I'd be able to find some in a charity shop,that's going to be my next mission.

There's more!

If you need any proof that elephants are awesome,here are 22 photos of them making the world a better place.

I keep wanting to play the indie horror game Slender, but I keep chickening out! Has anyone had a go? I'm a big fan of first person survival games.

This hilarious video by Brett Domino will show you how to make a pop hit song

SimplyNoise is a great site that plays white,pink or brown noise which is great to relax your mind or help you concentrate.

Taking myself back to my tween and teen years with 31 things that always got '00s girls in trouble.I think I was surgically attached to my GHD's.

What are you loving this week? I'd love some more things to check out!

Lifestyle // Tuesday Treasures

Hey guys, I hope you're having a lovely Tuesday!

I've read so many awesome posts with people sharing their favourite picks of the Internet,so I'd thought I'd share mine with you all.If you're a fan of cute animals,food and pretty photographs then why not sit down and have a cuppa?

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This print is perfect for any Orange is the new black fans!

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This recipe for Lavender Lemonade sounds like the perfect drink for Summer!

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Japan has so many wonderfully cute snacks. These Caramel Pudding flavoured Kit Kats can be baked in the oven for a creme brulee style dessert.

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This beautiful secluded Moonbeam Yurt in Okehampton looks so cosy and a change from bog standard hotels.You even get use of the hot tub for free! This is actually pretty close to home for me,so I think I'll have to give hubby a hint.

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Can you believe that this photograph was taken with a smartphone? It's so crisp and beautiful.

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This is just the hair colour I'd want if I didn't work in retail and was feeling brave!

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I don't think I've ever heard more beautiful words than "Starbucks Salted Caramel Mocha Latte Cupcakes".

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These cute cat flats are wonderful Charlotte Olympia Kitty flats lookalikes and they're only £7.05!

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This LED colour changing shower head would make early morning starts 100 times more fun!

There's more!

Kill time with these 35 Surprisingly Useful Websites you never knew you needed

I think "All about that bass" is going to be a Summer body positivity anthem

This adorable fox thinks he's a dog
These beautiful British beaches will make you think you're abroad
"Essential items" aren't taxed but there's a 5% tax on sanitary products,sign this petition to get the government to stop taxing periods.
I've been watching Miss Representation which is a really eye opening film about Women in society and leadership roles.
I'm sure we can all relate to the 10 emotions we all experience in Primark
I've been checking my Ask.fm so if you have any questions or advice that needs answering,pop over and it will feature in my Sunday Support series.

Catch up with me on Twitter & Bloglovin <3

Fashion // Budget Jewellery picks*

Lately I've been trying to get rid of all of the clothes I've acquired over the years that I don't wear anymore (I'm looking at you circle belt from 2005!), in the hopes of trying to create a more classic neutral wardrobe that's easy to style.I'm not the sort of person that has the patience to faff around with a complicated look,but I enjoy adding extra touches to make my outfit feel a bit special.I'm always looking for new accessories to add my collection because they're a cheap way of updating my outfit,and there's something about a beautiful piece of jewellery that brings a smile to my face! I was lucky enough to receive these items from Black & White boutique to review and I'm really excited to share them with you.

I always struggle with bracelets and watches because of my child sized hands (I lose out when sharing popcorn!) but this beautiful watch is so comfortable and can be adjusted to fit perfectly.There are so many designs to choose,from anchors to aztec prints and they're all under £20,which considering the price of some watches is very reasonable.This one caught my eye because it reminds me of candy canes,I love the subtle pastel design, and I think it will become a much loved piece! It's from their elegance range and it's currently on sale for £14.99.

These stackable bracelets have a really lovely boho feel to them,they'd be a perfect accessory for a flowing summer skirt and beachy hair.They're really easy to wear, and I love that you can layer them up and restyle them depending on your outfit.I've bought similar bracelets like this off Ebay,and although they were cheap,they felt very flimsy and like they could break in any second! These are really sturdy with easy to use clasps,and they feel really well made.I love the vivid purple colour and the little charms are so cute.We've got an anchor,an owl and and an infinity symbol,all of which seem like very popular prints this Summer (especially infinity symbols, which seemed to come out of nowhere!) This one is part of their Integrity range and is £12.99

I'm always looking for companies that sell affordable products,but with that it does make me think about their morals and ethics.Luckily,Black and White Boutique are making every effort to ensure that their products are ethical and support the Fair Trade industry.I love the names of their pieces too,"equality","elegance" and "integrity" to name but a few,I feel like every aspect of their creations was given a lot of thought.I was blown away by the shipping prices, delivery to the UK is only £1.50 and outside of Europe it's £3.65,so if you're like me and are always adding things to the basket only to delete when you realise shipping is £5+ then I'd head over to their site and see if there's anything that takes your fancy!


What jewellery are you loving right now?

Beauty // SPF Summer Skin care picks

These past few days have been wonderfully warm haven't they? I hope you've all been enjoying the weather.I've been trying to make the most of it by spending as much time basking in the sunshine as possible! This week I've really been making sure to include products that contain SPF in order to avoid that lobster red look.I wish I was able to get a golden tan like some people,but until then I'll stick to these as I've found these have really helped to keep my skin in check.

I've been applying this Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock religiously since it started getting warmer and I love that I can use it on my face without breaking out as it is oil free and non comedogenic (doesn't clog pores) I picked it up from the 99p store and it's the highest SPF factor that I've been able to find (let me know if you have seen any higher!) It sinks into the skin easily but it is quite slow to absorb so I'd definitely wait 5 minutes before getting dressed etc..I've used some sunscreens that have left my face looking like an oil slick,but with this one I can apply foundation over it and still have a completely matte finish.

This Holika Holika Petit BB Cream in Moisturising  is really great for those sunny days where you want to wear lighter make up and let your skin breathe.It's SPF 30 and its creamy formulation is amazing for sorting out tired dry skin whilst giving a medium coverage.I've got very pale skin and I found this to be a good match,despite looking quite orange in the tube it leaves my skin looking even and lessens the look of my pores.I wrote a full review a little while back which you can read here

As a 00's teenage girl,I was an huge fan of the Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse,but as I got into my 20's I found that I wanted a foundation that offered a more coverage and was more suited to my skin tone.I've been using Bourjois 123 Perfect Foundation in Light Vanilla (as you can see from the tatty much loved packaging!) It's £10.99 which is quite expensive compared to my budget buys,but as foundation can make such a difference I'm happy to pay it.It contains SPF 10 and has various pigments (yellow,red and green) to help combat dark circles,dull complexion and redness.It does cover light pimples and scarring,but if you're having a breakout you might need to apply some heavy duty concelear to add a little more coverage.One thing I've noticed is that it does stay on for a good few hours,a little swirl of powder is all that is needed to set this for most of the day.I could stand to go a shade paler (they don't do it!) but I love how it feels light and natural on my skin.If you're after a long lasting and medium coverage foundation then I'd really recommend it.


Although I've got my trusty skincare routine to help keep my freckles safe and the wrinkles at bay,I'm really struggling to find a foundation for pale freckly skin!


Does anybody have any recommendations?

Fashion // Stripes & Jeans OOTD

This is a very exciting post for me to write because it involves getting out of my comfort zone and facing some body issues! I haven't worn jeans for around 9 years,and each pair I've owned in the past have been filled with memories of me starving and unrealistic expectations.I must have walked in and out of Primark two or three times before deciding to pick these jeans up,but I decided that I have to challenge myself so that I can continue to tackle any negative thoughts!

Stripey Boyfriend Top £3

Black "push up & pull in" skinny jeans £13

Black leather bag £12

Brogues £10

All Primark

Now I know that this stripes and black combo isn't going to win any creative fashion prizes,but I'm really enjoy the monochrome look at the moment,and I'm trying to channel my inner French woman.I'm not used to wearing jeans,so I feel like my legs  look like sausages busting out of their casing,but they are actually quite comfortable.They feel really well made and I'm sure they'll be a feature of many future outfits.I love the slouchy cut of this top and it'd be perfect for dressing up or down.

I'm finding it quite hard to accept my shape in jeans because I often wear dresses or other loose clothing,but I have to realise that I am normal.Some people are a size 6 and some are a size 36,but everyone deserves to be included in fashion and feel good.This outfit has definitely inspired me to be more bold with my clothing choices and break out of my comfort zone every now and again!

What clothes do you wear when you're trying to shake things up?

*If you enjoy connecting with me and reading my posts,I would really appreciate any nominations for "Best Newcomer" in the Cosmo Blog Awards with Next *

Perfume // Next Just Pink EDT review

You know when you walk past someone who's perfume smell gorgeous and you've just got to ask them where they got it from? Well that happened with my Auntie a little while back and she said "Next Just Pink".
I've never really thought of heading to Next for perfumes,but they've got a great range of fragrances all under £20.This beautifully packaged perfume was only £12, but the adorable glass heart bottle and long lasting scent really makes it seem higher end.Apparently,this is a great dupe for "Ralph Lauren's Romance".

This is a very feminine and floral fragrance but it isn't cloyingly sweet or over the top,it fills the air with the light scents of flowers and it smells very clean .It's the perfect perfume for day or night because it mellows out to a more muskier scent after a few hours.

I love the glass bottle,it's the perfect size to put in my handbag and I think it's really pretty.It also looks equally as good being displayed on my cabinet! I love the simple design and 30ml is a good amount of perfume for £12.

Next Just Pink describe it's fragrance as "a fresh green floral fragrance with soft fruits and pink blooms" and I think it would be perfect for a woman of any age,it's very unobtrusive and would be great to wear at work or at home.It definitely adds that extra something to any outfit and now I know how good Next's perfumes are,I'm going to try the other fragrances they have on offer!

What perfumes are you enjoying right now? Have you tried Next perfumes before?

*If you enjoy connecting with me and reading my posts,I would really appreciate any nominations for "Best Newcomer" in the Cosmo Blog Awards with Next *

Beauty // Miss Sporty So Clear Pressed Powder Review

Miss Sporty was one of my staple make up brands when I was a teenager! I would save up my money and then head to Superdrug to see what I could get for £5 (which was most things.) I've just finished my last powder which was my beloved ELF Mineral Foundation in Fair,and I was looking for some a little cheaper and that offered something a little different.

The only problem I have with Miss Sporty products is they do tend to feel a bit plastic and cheap,but let's not judge a book by it's cover.Their target market is young girls so this kind of packaging is perfect for that make up experimenting phase.I picked this Miss Sporty So Clear Powder in Translucent from Superdrug for £2.99 and I must say I'm very impressed.I have combination skin where my t-zone can get really oily and my cheeks tend to be drier (great),but this powder leaves my problem areas looking matte and smooth,without irritating my sensitive skin.I apply it over Bourjois 123 Perfect Foundation in Vanilla  before work and 7 hours later there is little sign of change,it could do with a touch up,but my skin still looks even and relatively flaw free!

If you prefer the matte look on a budget and are prone to breakouts and blemishes,I'd really recommend this product.It settles really nicely and doesn't creep into any dry areas,I'm definitely going to repurchase this as it makes my skin look much more polished.I'm happy I picked this up!


What powder are you currently using?

*If you enjoy connecting with me and reading my posts,I would really appreciate any nominations for "Best Newcomer" in the Cosmo Blog Awards with Next *

Fashion // Current favourites

I was searching through my wardrobe this morning and amongst the five year old pyjamas and shoes I've never worn,I found all of my current favourites and arranged them so they're easy to get to.My wardrobes aren't very organised but I do like to have them to hand, a kind of organised chaos.Anyway,these are the bits and bobs that I can't stop wearing at the moment!

I can't get over how much I love this dress! It's so comfortable and I love the cut.I can't often find dresses that fit my shape like this,and the vibrant daisy print only adds to it.I have seen a similar dress in Topshop before but I picked this up in Primark and it was only £13.All of the seams appear very sturdy and the zip at the back makes it look much higher end.Well done Primark!

I was a huge My Little Pony fan when I was growing up,as I'm sure any 80's or 90's child was.I loved the bright colours and it definitely fulfilled some dream that I too could have my own ponies (albeit toy ones.) You're never too old to bring some nostalgia to your clothes though and these socks are so adorable.They were £2.50 and they've kept their colour really well.I'm definitely going to pop in and see what other ranges they offer.I know Primark have a big Marvel range out at the moment,so if you're a big comic book fan now looks like your time.

This photo really doesn't do this ring justice,but my Gran generously gave this to me a few weeks ago.She's always worn so many rings that she jingles when she walks,and I love to hear all of her stories about how she got them.I'm not too sure about the back story or what it's made of but I think it's Ruby and possibly Diamonds.I was thinking of going to a Jewellers to see if they would be able to have a look at it.The stone in the middle shines a deep claret red colour in the sun and the little gems around it sparkle too.It's so beautiful and I love that it's always going to have memories of my Gran attached to it. 

Sorry for the wrinkled socks and messy laces,I'm the kind of person that ties up their shoes rushing out of the door and then has to retie them a billion times (I should learn really.) I'm a bit late to the Brogue party,I've seen them around lots before but I never thought to buy a pair.I'm so glad I did! I love how they make any outfit look smart and polished,and these ones from Primark are so comfortable.I picked these up for £12 and I've worn them pretty much every day since.I love to wear them with that red daisy print dress and tights,they're so wearable and go with pretty much anything. I'm still thinking of more ways to wear them though,so I'd love to read any tips or OOTD's you guys have.

So there we go,there are the things I can't be without right now.I've really enjoyed writing a different post,and I think they're might be some more fashion related things on the blog soon.Hopefully I will get used to being in front of the camera!

What are you loving at the moment?

99p store bargains // Fitvits gummy vitamins review

I always seem to get a cold around Easter time,no matter what I do but recently I've been trying to make sure I take more vitamins and drink plenty of water (easier said than done!) to keep them at bay. I normally take the standard tablet vitamins,but I was browsing my local 99p store and these really caught my eye.I know I may be 22 and these are aimed at kids,but anything that encourages me to take vitamins can only be a good thing.They are by a brand called FitVits which make great tasting vitamins for children aged 3-12 (damn I just missed it!)

Both boxes were 99p each and contain a week's supply of vitamins,so this definitely isn't the most cost effective way to take supplements,but they are really easy to carry around so they're great for popping in your handbag or in your suitcase if you're going away on holiday.Also,if you find it difficult to swallow tablets or don't like the taste I would really recommend looking for a gummy vitamin.

These are the Calcium Cows and one pack of five gummies provides 12.5% of the RDA of Calcium and 20% of Vitamin D.They do say that these aren't to replace actual food and drink that contain vitamins,but they're great to top up your nutrient intake.There are two flavours,Strawberry and Banana milkshake and I love that they don't taste artificial or leave a funny aftertaste in your mouth.Also these are Vegetarian friendly as well as being Gluten and Dairy free,so they are suitable for everyone (over the age of 3.) 

The Multivitamin Gummy Bears taste a lot like Jelly Babies except they offer much more in the way of nutrients.They are also Vegetarian friendly and Gluten and Dairy free,I really like that this company don't exclude anyone from using their products.The bears come in four great tasting flavours which are Apple,Blackcurrant,Strawberry and Orange.

One pack of 7 gummies offers these percentages of the RDA

Vitamin A 75%

Vitamin D 100%

Vitamin E 83%

Vitamin C 75%

Folic Acid 100%

Vitamin B12 40%

Pantothenic Acid 100%

They also have no artificial colours or flavours,as do all of their products (that I know of) so they're great if you're trying to be more mindful of what goes into your or your child's body.

I would really recommend FitVits vitamins as a fun break from other more cost effective supplements,I mean who can resist the cute shapes and with flavours like Strawberry milkshake you can't really go wrong.If I see any more I'm definitely going to pick them up.

Do you take daily Vitamins?  If so,how do you remember to take them? (I'm so forgetful)

My day in pictures // Bank holiday seaside trip

This time of year Devon is full of tourists,and I can see why but maybe I'm a little biased! I think we can all agree that there is nothing better than a day at the seaside,it's so relaxing to sit on the warm sand and listen to the sounds of the waves lapping the shore.The only thing with beaches in the UK is that the sea breeze can be a bit too icy,but that's what tea was made for.We decided to make the most of the four day weekend and head to Paignton and Torquay.

First stop was Paignton so that we could have a walk along the sandy beach.It was very busy but the atmosphere was so happy,people were laughing and relaxing after a long week.It was quite windy and I think I probably should have worn tights,a bit of skill was needed to avoid a Marilyn Monroe moment,but it was worth it to take in the beautiful scenery and let the salty air clear my mind.

 I was pretty cold after that so I thought I'd take a break and stop for a cuppa at the pier cafe.Seeing as we were already at there,we went to see if we could win anything on the games,I swear they're fixed,but I'm a sucker and I can't just walk past them.I could walk along the Pier for ages,taking in the smell of hot doughnuts and feeling the salty air whip through my hair (I'll need no salt spray for my hair today!)

I decided to keep the amount of money I spent to a minimum by going on the 2p machines.There's something about these that bring out the little kid in me,I love the clinking sounds,flashing lights and how my hands smell like coins for hours.This pot lasted me a while as I kept winning a few back,so feeling quite full of myself I decided to head to the claw machines but as you can imagine,I didn't win anything.Some people were putting loads of money in,it's so easy to spend more than you would just buying the toy.

Paignton is great fun but it's quite a small town,so we decided to head over to Torquay to see what was going on.We got Torbay Dayriders on the bus which was £9.80 for both of us,so if you're down here and you want to travel around Torquay,Paignton and Brixham I would recommend this as a cheap way to get around,as you can go back and forth in one day as much as you want.

This time of year Torquay really comes in to it's own,the famous English Rivera palm trees sway in the summer breeze and the grass is blanketed in flowers of all colours.We thought this would be a perfect place to have a picnic so we sat down for some food.I'd definitely recommend taking a packed lunch if you could to avoid the long queues and the expensive prices.

 I couldn't leave Torquay without doing a little bit of shopping,and this guy was certainly drawing a crowd in on the High street.I've never seen a busking act like this before,but he did manage to do it! Rather him than me but he seemed to be enjoying himself and making quite a bit of money.


I came home really tired but we had so much fun,I'm definitely going to go to Torbay more when I can because I love a change of scenery and the people are always so lovely.

What are you doing this Bank Holiday weekend? Any nice plans?