Saturday 22 February 2014

The Hummingbird Cookbook | Doughy Cookies


Today I wanted to talk to you guys about The Hummingbird Bakery and its cookbook. Today I decided I wanted to make some cookies and that they should be chewy and doughy. I followed the chocolate chip cookies recipe from the cookbook and apart from not having many chocolate chips (there are about 3 in each cookie!) they turned out pretty good and I regret to tell you I have eaten 3 this morning already!


The texture of them was really nice and soft and I would love to try the ones across the page 'double chocolate chip cookies' (mmm) I have been enjoying mine with a nice big cup of Twinings chai tea (double mmm)


The book has lots of different sections and we have already tried out the chocolate cupcakes, the coconut cupcakes, the marshmallow cupcakes AND the hazelnut cupcakes! There are also other puddings, larger cakes and cookies, which they all make in their café in Soho. I have to say I have only been once but they are honestly the best cupcakes I have ever tried, the best thing being they're really light and fluffy (there also expensive, so you can't buy too many!)


I would love to go back to the actual café in Soho again and try out other flavours, and also to compare them to the ones I'm making at home! My favourites are the chocolate cupcakes and the red velvet (I actually don't know what these are supposed to taste of, but they are delicious!)

- Anna
XO

(I used artificial lighting in this posts photos)



Today we made another batch with Lindt milk chocolate chunks in them, I have to say an improvement from before! Again I regret to say I've eaten 2 and a half this morning already! 

Thursday 20 February 2014

Mercredi // OOTD and Details


What I'm Wearing:
Jacket // Topshop (here)
Tee // Topshop (here)
Fur Lined Leggings // Primark
Vans Authentic // Office (here)
Bag // Longchamp 
Lips // Revlon Matte in Showy (here)


This is the Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in 'Showy' and it is a blue toned bright pink which I think is very flattering on medium and dark skin tones. Most of the time pink tones suit people with lighter skin tones but I really feel like this one would work for anyone! I also own the colour 'Unapologetic' which is again a bright pink but more orange toned, again a colour which I think would look great on anyone! Avaliable Here To Buy


This is the TOPSHOP Nails in 'Aurora', a beautiful bronze with blue/green undertones. Outside (in natural light) it looks as if it is just a intense gold-bronze nail polish, but the more coats you add the more you can see the blue tinge at the corners. I think it is a very individual colour and was given to me as a gift from my friend Millie. The formula of TOPSHOP nail polishes are great and only need 2 or (even 1 coat sometimes) to get opaque colour. Sold Out Online - Polyvore Link Here


This is my friend Mary, to look at her (newly re-designed) blog click here


Today I went shopping in Exeter, a city which has a lovely selection of shops and thought I would share my outfit with you all. I didnt realise how french I was looking until I picked up my handbag, but it all turned out okay and thats how I'd like to explain my pathetic attempt at french in the title of this post. 

I had a really lovely day out having a browse around the shops and there were a few things that caught my eye, I am thinking of doing a wish list post soon, with all the items I'm thinking of purchasing. I ended up purchasing some velvet scrunchies from Urban Outfitters (Avaliable Here To Buy) and restrained myself from everything else! 

 - Anna 
XO

Sunday 16 February 2014

Clean on Me | Top Shower Products



Hey guys! So today I wanted to share with you my shower essentials or top products. I have a very selective routine in the shower and I have shown the products in the order they are done. For some I have shown 2 options which I might use if I want to change things up a bit. Starting off with exfoliating my body and I use the Soap and Glory Pulp Friction, Foamy Fruity Body Scrub (phew!) I just do this before washing so that I am not washing the outer layer of skin cells which would then come of when I exfoliated. Buy Here


Next, I use either one of these moisturising shower cream washes. My favourite is the Soap and Glory Clean on Me Clarifying Shower Gel because it makes me feel really squeaky clean and has that signature Soap and Glory scent. Buy Here


I also love this one by Radox because its more moisturising and thicker in consistency that the Soap and Glory one and has an amazing coconut scent which.  This and The Body Shop coconut shower cream (Buy Here) are very similar products, (I have both) but I am featuring this one because it is extremely good value (99p!) and you can buy it in your local supermarket opposed to a specific store. Buy Here


Next I wash my hair and I am somebody who only uses sulfate free products on my hair. The only exception I make to this rule is the VO5 Give Me Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner (Buy Here) because its super moisturising and makes my hair feel soft and sleek. My favourite sulfate-free shampoo is the L'oreal Ever Riche Shampoo and Conditioner, they smell absolutely divine and are for dry hair ( I would say I have slightly oily hair and it still works great!) Buy Here


The only bit of skincare that I do in the shower is using on of these exfoliating scrubs. This is my favourite at the moment and is the Neutrogena Blackhead Eliminating daily scrub. I don't think its really 'eliminates' blackheads but I do notice if I don't use it they get worse on and around my nose. It has a bit of a weird scent but you get used to it and overall is a really nice scrub. Buy Here


The other option is the St Ives Gentle apricot face scrub. I use this if I want to make my face feel moisturised and it is less deep cleansing and just makes my face feel very soft. This isnt the exact one as this is my mums but it looks very similar (the stripe is orange) I haven't got round to re-purchasing it and at the moment my skin is a little problematic with blemishes so I want to use something which will help them reduce. Buy Here


Nearly done now and I use the matching conditioner to my shampoo L'oreal Ever Riche Conditioner. This is a lovely conditioner and feels very thick and luxurious with that same lovely scent. I notice when I'm not using this because other conditioners feel thin and don't make my hair as soft as this, again no sulfates and overall just fantastic. Buy Here


This is a deep repair mask ( Herbal Essences Be Strong to be exact ) but I use it as a normal conditioner. This is when I feel like changing up the scent or want a lighter condition than the L'oreal (Yes, surprisingly this is lighter than the L'oreal even though its a mask!) I really like the scent and the tub instead of a tube. Buy Here



Finally I just thought I would share the razors I use as they are in my shower and part of my (not daily) routine! I'm not one to go for fancy razors and I like these ones a lot. Buy Here

I know this was a long post but I wanted to give mini reviews on everything I use and I hope it helped you out if you were looking for a new shampoo or wondering what a certain product was like!

What are your shower essentials?

- Anna XO