Currys Wishlist

So Currys are hosting a Blogger Gift Guide where we all create a wish list from their products. I would love to have asked for some of these for Christmas but I think it may have been asking for a bit too much. But I can dream right….

Philips HR2096-01 Avance Blender

I love having shakes for breakfast and when I'm running a lot in the warmer weather I find protein recovery shakes  taste so much better in a blender. I have one that's about 10 years old but a nice shiny one would be lovely.

Roberts Revival RD60 Portable DAB Radio

I have always wanted one of these, purely for the colour! I jest. My favourite radio station on weekend mornings is Radio 1xtra and it is DAB so instead of playing it through my MAC it would make look so beaut in my bedroom.

Homedics SGM 350h Gb Shiatsu Back Shoulders Massage

This is purely not necessary to my life but would actually save it. I get such bad shoulder pain and if I could afford a weekly massage I would willingly pay it. I think my whole family would enjoy this especially Dad.

Canon Powershot S110 High Performance Compact Digital Camera

I need a decent camera mainly for blogging. My Dad kindly lends me his Canon in the house but being the clumsy fool I am, it is not allowed further than the garden. One for out and about would be amazing!

Kitchen Aid 5KSM156 Artisan Stand Mixer

I love to bake. It's one of my favourite things to do at the weekend. My Mum would be so happy if we ever owned one. I think it is any girl's dream accessory in their kitchen. Plus all my friends would benefit from me baking them treats. 

Tom Tom Go 400 Europe GPS Sat Nav

I am blessed with a brilliant sense of direction but I do have to go on long journeys for work so this would make my journeys a little easier. The majority of the time I think it could live with my Sister as she is very easily lost and is a new driver.

Apple USB Superdrive

I love my Macbook Air to pieces but sometimes I would like to play games or watch DVD's on it. This would solve that problem easily!

I always find it amazing and slightly embarrassing that I find it so easy to create a wish list…I am always wanting something new! 

If you want to take part in this competition go to the Currys PC World website here. It does end on Friday so you better get your skates on!

Gingerbread Men Recipe.

I've been trying to be extra good this season by not indulging in every treat offered to me. I can so no to a lot of things but gingerbread is not one of them. It is my favourite festive treat full stop. Every year I spend a whole afternoon baking an army of gingerbread men to share with all my loved ones. Here's my recipe to share with you.

Ingredients

• 350g plain flour
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 125g butter
• 175g light soft brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 4 tbsp golden syrup
  
  
  (A man cookie cutter to create the classic shape)!
  
  
  
  
  You will also need the following
  
  
  1 cool ass apron
  
  
  1 big mug of hot chocolate to keep you going
  
  
  2 parents who allow you to blast Christmas music throughout the house

My Method

Pre heat the oven to 180C & line to trays with greaseproof paper.

Sift the flour, bicarbonate of soda, cinnamon and ginger into a bowl.

 Add the butter and blend until the mix looks like breadcrumbs (this is usually easier if you use an electric blender). Then stir the sugar into the bowl.

Beat the egg and golden syrup together and then add it to the bowl

 Whisk this all together and it should all mix and clump together. Knead the dough (work those arms) and when it's nice and smooth wrap it in cling film and pop in the fridge for about 20 minutes.

Roll out all the dough to it's roughly half a centimetre thick and use your cookie cutter to make the shapes.

Place them on the baking tray and bake for around 12 minutes or until they are a golden brown colour.

Once done leave them to cool down and then you can get to decorating. (I know this is the most fun part but I love the taste of them alone without the icing so tend to just decorate them for friends)!

• 
  
  I make little ones so I put lots in a tin covered in wrapping paper and give them out as little presents. I'm not gunna lie, I've already eaten more of these than I care to admit.

Friday the 13th.

Source: Pinterest

Today was one of those days where I felt incredibly overwhelmed at work. I love my job but in the lead up to Christmas my work load has increased dramatically and I have no idea how it's meant to be done by the end of next week. I've subtly tried to ask for help and it's not really worked all that much because everyone else is busy and I feel a bit helpless really. But I plod along like always. After an annoying comment from someone in a different department it was all I could do not scream "HELP ME" so I went to the bathroom to sit and breathe it out.

I cried most of the way home and straight to Mum (who ever so quickly grabbed me a glass of Prosecco). I explained everything had a good cry and felt better instantly (well, after the second glass).  As usual I put the blame on me; Am I not working quick enough and all that crap. But I know I do my damn best and that's all I can do. Heck, I'm planning on going in unpaid on Sunday just to have some quiet time in the office alone. Mum helped me just by listening and I think I may take her advice and talk to someone about my workload as it's becoming too much.

I guess the point is if you normally love your job yet you are crying at home over it; you need to sort it out and stop being such a wimp like me. Or the real point is - don't keep things bottled up otherwise you might just crack. A good cry is sometimes all the therapy you need.

Botanics All Bright Purifying Face Scrub

I've found my perfect cleanser and my perfect moisturiser but yet to find a scrub which works wanders for my skin. In my quest to find this I have opted to try some high street picks in order to well save money really, the cleanser and moisturiser aren't cheap!

The All Bright Purifying Face Scrub from the Botanics range at Boots is a non offensive £3.99 (currently £1.99 in Boots here)

Boots says the following - "This cleansing scrub contains refining walnut shell to buff away flaky skin while crushed apricot seeds gently sweep away impurities. Our beauty scientists use active plant extracts approved by Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, to bring you beautiful skincare that's proven to work."

The scrub contains natural AHA's which really help with skin pigmentation and hibiscus extract which is a natural brightener. 

I really enjoy using this scrub 2 or 3 times a week after cleansing and it's definitely good at removing dead skin and brightening my complexion. It's a lovely addition to my skin care routine as it's nice and gentle but does make a difference. I would definitely repurchase this but still want to try a couple of overs as I don't think it's the be all and end all of scrubs. I need something a bit more powerful I think. 

Diesel Loverdose

Diesel Loverdose

My sister kindly got me Diesel Loverdose for my birthday last month; it's a perfume I've always tested and loved but never bought. Firstly let's admire the packaging - not so much the box the gift set came in but the bottle itself. It's edgy and sharp but still feminine and I really like it. Sometimes perfumes with pinky coloured bottles can look a little too girly but I think this bottle really represents the fragrance. It knocks over pretty easily though!

Scent wise it opens with Mandarin and star anise which makes it quite spicy and citrusy but then it settles into a more floral and sweet scent of vanilla, gardenia and my all time favourite jasmine. It also includes woody notes. I love super sweet scents but this is a lovely night out perfume because it's slightly musky among all the sweetness. 

One thing I love about the gift set is that the shower gel and body lotion it comes which is actually good. So many of them aren't good on my skin or smell way too much like the perfume. These work well but only have a subtle hint of Loverdose throughout so a definite winner in my book. 

I think most girls would love this perfume so you could always pick it up from Boots for £28.99 as a beautiful Christmas present.

ASOS Browsing.

ASOS Smock Dress With French Bulldog Print £35

ASOS Skater Dress In Christmas Reindeer Print £22

Olivia Burton Big Dial Black Watch £68 

ASOS Culottes In Blossom Print £15

ASOS Kimono in Winter Floral Print £40

 I always get such joy browsing the ASOS website (which is probably daily) so thought I would share my top picks I found this evening.

The bulldog dress is something I would die for it's totally up my street and I think I may treat myself to this this Christmas. The other top pick is definitely the Olivia Burton watch which I would love in black or white - by the way this is a massive hint for a Christmas present to any of my friends/family who read this blog.  Cheers thanks. It's so classic and I love my Micheal Kors to bits but sometimes it's a bit uncomfortable to wear to work on the days I'm glued to my desk; typing with it on can irritate my wrist a little. Working in events timing is very important so that's the need for this beaut. The kimono is a great cover up for days where a jumper is too much and I haven't seen anything like this around in the shops. It would be perfect with a white tee and dark denim jeans.

I really need to stop looking for myself and get the last couple of Christmas presents for my friends!

Sleek i-Divine Storm Pal

I'm really starting to get into the world of eyeshadow lately and have heard that Sleek is the place to go if you want an affordable palette with beautiful colours. After looking at the numerous ones on offer I opted for the Storm Palette. 

The 12 pan palette has a mixture of neutrals and colourful shades and 3 matte shades which will act as perfect bases for the 9 shimmers included. There aren't any names for the colour included in the palette but I never think they are really needed anyways. I was immediately attracted to some of the brighter colours as  I really want to try and experiment with some colour. 

The pigmentation of these are ridiculous! Better than my Naked Palette by far! Bearing that in mind you need to use this lightly to avoid looking like you have punched yourself. Also there is quite a bit of fallout with the shimmers so I would use some tissue underneath or do your base afterwards. 

Colour wise I really enjoy having a matte black in my collection as it can be used to smoke up any look. I love the two blues as they make my eyes look really brown and the two pinky tones are also really beautiful. I can honestly see myself using all the colours at some point so I think for £7.99 this is a brilliant investment.

I definitely need to have good play around with this palette. Does anyone recommend any good fluffy blending brushes? It's the one thing I'm missing for a perfect eye look!