Restaurant Review - Felix Yu.

Something completely different from me today. A few weeks ago me and my best schools buds went out for our friend's birthday. We have 3 birthday's within 12 days so like to go out for a meal to all celebrate together. We let them decide where and one of them mentioned a Chinese in Northampton town centre called Felix Yu on Castillian Street (opposite Sazerac's). Now I'm forever loyal to my absolute favourite Chinese, Wok Inn; If me and my friend Lyn are ever thinking of dinner plans that's our place; we are their most regular clients. However I had heard great things about Felix Yu so put my prejudice aside and heading out on a wet and dark evening.

Let's start with the ordering shall we? After sitting down for 25 minutes we were asked what drinks we wanted. 25 minutes?! Too long if you ask me. After getting a coke which was flat and clearly out of one of those 2 litre bottles and waiting another 20 minutes we were asked for our orders.

We started with platters of mixed hors d'oeuvres which we ate so quickly I didn't get any pictures of. There were amazing sticky ribs, spring rolls and all the other things you'd expect. There was also tofu - none of us had ever tried it before and it was in this sticky sauce and it was so good! Definitely won't turn my nose up again.

The girls then went for some duck but I'm really fussy with duck so gave it a miss.

Two hours after we initially sat down we got our main courses. They were worth the wait.

Singapore Noodles

Cashew Chicken. My favourite.

Beef in Black Bean Sauce. This is the best I have ever tried so far in life.

Sweet & Sour Chicken

Crispy Chilli Beef.

As you can see there was more for food there including some pork belly and yuk sum. We had more than 6 people could possibly eat but somehow managed really well. We know how to eat! 

The food was delicious and some dishes better than Wok Inn but the service did ruin the experience a lot. We weren't asked if we would like more drinks once throughout the meal and we didn't really feel that welcomed. We went on a very quiet weekday evening and perhaps it may be better on a weekend; more people would give it a better atmosphere but then would the service be even slower? 3 hours for 3 courses was too long.

I'm not sure if you like these kind of reviews but I do enjoy eating out and trying local independent restaurants so thought this could be useful to the folk of Northamptonshire? Let me know.

Rimmel Stay Matte Primer

I think Rimmel have answered my primer related prayers. I have been waiting for a primer which isn't silicon based that actually works for what has seemed like  forever. I picked Rimmel's Stay Matte Primer up on a whim in the Boots 3 for 2 offer and was surprised to see it's only £5.99 for 30ml. 

I have only ever tried this under make up and really wanted to test it out before I wrote about it. A few weeks later I am totally sold. It helps my make up cling onto my skin for so much longer than usual and creates a flawless finish to my foundation. The best thing is the product (which is white but blends effortlessly into my skin) doesn't feel like anything more than a very light moisturiser. The main reason I hate other silicon based primers is they feel to heavy and too slippy on my skin and I feel as if I have an extra layer of product on.

I think the real testament to this is when someone complimented my make up for other day at around 5pm - a time when normally my make up starts to pretty rubbish. It definitely has a matte finish but as I wear a dewy finish foundation it adapts to this and just makes you look healthy and radiant. 

With primers it's hard to show you what it looks like and the everyday day effect is has; I look exactly the same with it on but I look better for longer. I would thoroughly recommend this if you are still looking for a primer and as I already said at £5.99 I'm super glad I picked it up and will definitely repurchase.

My Lipstick Collection - Pink #2

Rimmel Apocalips in Nova

Stila Lip Glaze in Splendour

Revlon Colorstay Ultimate Suede in High Heels

Glossybox Lipstick in Glossy Pink

Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Moss in 101 

Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Extreme Plump in Pink Out Loud

This is the final instalment of my lipstick/gloss collection! These are more of my everyday pinks that I wear all the time. I find these go with almost everything I wear and most make up looks I go for. My night out look usually has a black smoky eye look and I find pinks finish my look without it looking too over done. My everyday pink is the Rimmel Kate Moss on 101 but I also love the Rimmel Apocalips in Nova; it leaves a beautiful finish!

I really hope you liked seeing my collection and I have already added to it lately so I will share those buys with you shortly! One of them is my dream product...

My Lipstick Collection - Pinks #1

Maybelline Baby Lips 

Collection Lasting Fix in Dreamy

Collection Lasting Fix in Pink Power

Collection Lasting Fix in Hawaiian Pink

Revlon Lip Butter in Sorbet

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable in Cherish

Stila Lip Glaze in Jolly

Pinks are my favourite lip colour. You can go bright and bold or really subtle and there's a pink for every occasion. I tend to steer clear of very bright pinks until the summer time and I think the Revlon Lip Butter in Sorbet is the perfect thing for holidays as it's light but still packs a good punch of colour. The Collection Lasting Fix lipsticks were purchased a really long time ago but all slightly different in formula. Dreamy is too drying but Hawaiian Pink & Pink Power are a lot better and look great with a lipgloss. They aren't my favourite lipsticks though; I have saved my favourite pinks for tomorrow!

Pharrell Williams - GIRL

If you are in need of some music to get you in the Spring/Summer mood then I suggest you listen to this album. GIRL by Pharrell Williams is best album for summer beats I've heard since Frank Ocean's Channel Orange (which I still adore by the way). It's so upbeat and full of funk & neo-soul with a bit of rap too; literally something for everyone. I'm sure you've all heard "Happy" which is just so annoyingly catchy but I other songs I really love include "Brand New" which features none other than V Festival headliner Justin Timberlake, "Marilyn Monroe" and "Gust of Wind". I seriously cannot get enough of this blasting out of my car at the moment and I wanted to share this with you guys in case you love it as much as me!

My Lipstick Collection - Nudes.

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable in Honey

e.l.f Hypershine Lip Gloss

Revlon Colorstay Ultimate Suede in 025 Socialite

Sleek True Colour Lipstick Sheen in Barely There

Kiko Ultra Glossy Stylo in 802

Lancome Juicy Tube (The name has worn off but it smells and looks like toffee)

MAC Hue

Stila Lip Glaze in Sugar Plum

Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Moss in 08

DuWop Venom Gloss in Buttercup

I think I need to learn what a nude is because some of these are definitely pink but on the lips look a lot nuder! I would say this are my more demure lip colours and kind of my lips but better ones I reach for very regularly. I tend to only stick to nudes at work and find when you don't know what to go with your outfit you can never go wrong. Onto some of the colours; MAC Hue was somethingI felt I needed but turns out it's too concealer lips on me. I actually need to pass this onto my friend Lyn who swears by this (she is a lot paler than me FYI). The most worn product in this section is Revlon's Just Bitten Lip Crayon in Honey - goes with everything & I love the minty smell. Talking of smells my Lancome Juicy Tube was in a Glossybox ages ago and is good enough to eat. I find it goes best over a lipstick; Sleek's True Colour in Barely There makes a particularly lovely combo. One tip I'm starting to learn when buying nudes - you need to put the colour on your lips not on your wrist because it can go all so wrong. I find swatching my wrist then popping some product on my finger then onto my lips works a little bit. We need a more hygienic way to test lip products!

Speaking of nudes - I have purchased the nudes to beat all others so keep an eye out for that!

Spending Ban Week #09

Do you guys like my new spring nails?

Monday 

£0.00 

Tuesday

Contact Lenses - £28.00 (absolutely necessary for my vision)

Wednesday 

£0.00

Thursday

£0.00

Friday 

Starbucks and Cinema - £8.00

Saturday

Costa - £7.00

Alchohol - £8.50

Taxi - £6.00

Sunday

Dinner at my favourite Chinese - £18.00

£75.50

Considering I also purchased a ticket to V Festival this week which set me back a silly sum of money last week was not a good one. The new Spring Summer collections in the shops are just too much to resist but I am succeeding at the moment. This week I only have a meal and a night out planned and am going to go through my wardrobe to pull an outfit together so I don't buy a new dress. My friend Chloe did my nails today and we went for something to help get the sunshine on our side! 

My Lipstick Collection - Purples.

Jelly Pong Pong Supermodel Stain in Cupcake Pout

Topshop Lipstick in Beguiled

Maybelline Color Sensational  in 338 Midnight Plum

Topshop Velvet Lips in Plush

Stila Lip Glaze in Sugar Plum

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable in 005 Crush

Kiko Ultra Glossy Stylo in 814

Revlon Lip Butter in Berry Smoothie

I realise a few of these are more red than purple but I class these all as my plummy/berry shades and they look quite a bit different on my lips than on my wrist. I love berry pinks with my favourite go to shade being Revlon's Lip Butter in Berry Smoothie. It's so easy to apply and is a subtle everyday look. The KIKO lipstick in 814 is a brilliant MAC Rebel dupe in a more glossy finish which I love for nights out. The most daring pick is Topshop's Velvet Lips in Plush; very matte & very drying on the lips. You need to top this up a lot and have perfectly conditioned lips however it makes for a brilliant statement lip. I think purples and berry colours are brilliant ways to add a pop of colour to your winter wardrobe (especially for me as I wear a lot of black). Does anyone have any MAC recommendations for this colour category? - I feel I need a go to MAC winter shade.

Pancake Day 2014.

Pancake Day has and will always be a big deal in my house. We get music on in the kitchen, eat standing at the counters and talk about the bad things we need to give up for Lent.

We aren't one of those sissy families who have a normal dinner then a pancake for dessert. Nope, we have them for starters, mains & pudding. My personal best is 8 (although I was sick after) but I managed a solid four tonight. Mum got this amazing Salted Caramel Sauce which I could literally eat on it's own with a spoon so I opted for some strawberries, caramel sauce and cream, then lemon & sugar and finally banana & maple syrup. 

So what's everyone giving up for lent? I think I'm giving up biscuits - they are such a huge vice of mine and I can never just have one. I'm also going to give up buying any make up. Because I just don't need anymore. 

The Fairytale Tag.

Taken from Pinterest. Please let me know if this is your image and would like me to take it down.

I found this tag over on Jennie's Blog  and thought it is such a lovely one, really different to anything I've seen in ages. I hope you enjoy and I tag anyone who stumbles across this post!

Snow White - Do you consider yourself beautiful?

I'm happy with the way I look most days. We all have bad days & good days. I think we all (well me) compare ourselves to celebrities and models on TV and therefore have an unrealistic view on what is beautiful.

Cinderella - Do you have a curfew?

No, although I do still live with my parents so I don't take the piss and come in after midnight on weekdays. On Weekends however I have no issue with falling through the door in my heels on at 5am and raising all kinds of hell.

Sleeping Beauty - How many hours do you sleep at night?

I always get a minimum of 7 and on average get 8.5 a night. I'm not a massive ones for lie ins but find a pre Saturday night nap is a right treat.

Rapunzel - Do you love being outside?

Yes. I would much rather be outside than inside but unfortunately don't have many friends that feel the same way. I live for Summer's eating my BBQ dinner al fresco with my family and feeling some warmth on my skin.

Red Riding Hood - Do you trust strangers easily?

Yes. For all I know they could be my one true love or my next BFF. I remember in Barcelona me and my sister made friends with some boys in a bar and ended up sitting with them all night and having the best night & that would never have happened if we didn't let our guard down and just speak to them. I think you can tell whether you are going to get along with within about 10 minutes and then it's just a matter of using your intuition. 

The Wolf and the Seven Young Kids - Are you easily fooled?

I don't think so. I like to think I'm very switched on and can read people really well. However we've all been a victim of a momentarily lapse of common sense where we have fallen for something totally ridiculous, haven't we?

Beauty and the Beast - What makes someone beautiful in your eyes?

Someone who is smart, ambitious, kind and funny. 

The Little Mermaid - What would you sacrifice for love?

Everything apart from my dignity and family/friends. 

The Frog Prince - What do you find disgusting?

Cheaters. And people who treat others like crap.

Jack and the Beanstalk - Do you have any plants?

No. Mum kills anything green which passes through our door. Me & my Sister may try to tend to a tomato or strawberry plant this year though as love going to our Grandparents and picking their cherry tomatoes for lunch.

Puss in Boots - Do you have pets? If not, do you want them?

I used to have a cat called Slippers and hamsters named Chip & Dale. I would like another pet but I couldn't give them the attention they deserve right now.

Bluebeard - What is your weak point?

I care too much. There's times where I should have walked away and didn't. I let people rely on me a lot and they aren't always there for me to rely on when it comes to me needing them. 

Pinocchio - What is your biggest wish?

To live a life full of love and happiness.

Peter Pan - What is your mental age?

I would say 23 (my actual age). I know what's what but I'm not wise beyond my years. I think I learn so much about life each and every year.

The Star Money - What is your most valuable possession?

My Nan's vintage perfume bottles. She gifted them to me when I was 18 and I remember loving them so much on her dressing table when I was younger. They are those old fashion ones with the pumpy things. I keep them in a box safe & sound until I have my own house to display them proudly.

Gold Mary & Pitch Mary - Are you a hard worker or a lazy one?

Not to toot my own horn but hard. I'm extremely ambitious and would never want to let my work down by being lazy. 

The Snow Queen - Who is your best friend? What would you do for them?

I'm blessed to have 4 people I could go to for absolutely anything. My Mum, Keira (my Sister) are my family and they know most things. Then there's Lyn & Mia, they know everything. We don't judge each other and are there at a moments notice if needed. And that's what is most important to me. 

The Princess and the Pea - Are you sensitive?

Yes but people don't tend to think this of me. 

Godfather Death - What qualities make a good parent?

I'm not a parent so can't comment but these are qualities I think make my parents pretty great;

- Being there for us for absolutely anything but being able to set us straight when we make F***ed up decisions.

- Teaching us the importance of responsibility 

- Instilling the values of friendship and showing us how important friendship is

- Teaching us the importance of good taste in music.

The Twelve Dancing Princesses / The Worn-Out Dancing Shoes - Do you like parties?

Hell Yes!

The Emperor's New Clothes - Do you care a lot about your clothing?

Yes. I love fashion and clothes but that doesn't mean I dress in high end designers. I just like to dress up. That's not to say I haven't gone round to my friend's house in trackies and a pyjama top on more than one occasions. I dress appropriately for the situation.

The Brave Little Tailor - Do you consider yourself brave? 

I think if I needed to be I would be. It's been a long time since I've had to be brave.

My Lipstick Collection - Corals

Rimmel Apocalips in Luna

Bourjois Colorboost in Peach on the Beach

Bourjois Rouge Edition in 03

MAC Viva Glam Nicki

MAC Coral Bliss

Stila Lip Glaze in Jack Frost

Stila Lip Glaze in Jingle

Looking from the swatches above there's about 4 colours which are pretty much identical. I love coral because it reminds me of summer but unfortunately it isn't a shade I can pull off easily. A lot of corals are very creamy which don't really compliment my skin tone. MAC's Viva Glam Nicki was one of those online buys that I had to have because everyone else had to have it. On my lips though it's just oh so wrong full on. I slightly pat this on my lips and put a gloss over the top. The Rimmel Apocalips in Luna leaves a subtle stain behind which I love. However my favourite has to be MAC's Coral Bliss as it's just my favourite shade for the Summer. Ever.

My week off work.

Playing around with my camera settings. Let's all have a big old laugh at my face.

1. The spending ban has well and truly failed me in my week off work so we are going to skip the last 2 weeks. I've just finessed watching Gossip Girl the whole way through for like the fourth time (It's my favourite TV show ever) and am now channelling my fashion idol Miss Blair Waldorf which meant I needed a few new clothes & shoes.

2. I've spent my week off seeing friends, cooing over baby Noah and catching up on some much needed sleep. Although I didn't go away I do feel like I've had a nice break but I definitely need some sunshine in my life.

3. I spent Saturday in London. Keira & I arrived bright and early to go to The Breakfast Club in Soho but my God the queue was stupid and we ended up around the corner at a lovely place and we enjoyed our pancakes with bacon. We then met our cousin Alisha and my Aunty Sue for a light lunch, serious shopping & a refreshing Starbucks. It was lovely to spend the day with my family especially as my parents have been away on a cruise all week (the lucky ducks).

4. I've followed a lots of fashion blogs this week for some outfit inspiration. It's amazing what how a few photos of beautiful styling can make you revamp the wardrobe you already have. Some of my new favourite finds are:

Viva Luxury 

Brooklyn Blonde

Atlantic Pacific 

I'd love to find some more so if you have any suggestion please comment below. I have loads of products to review at the moment so definitely need to get swatching!