This Came Around Quick!

Wow, how many times will you hear this tomorrow... this year flew by! It seems with every year that comes you become more and more busy and the days just roll by. What I've learnt this year? A very clever quote that I found just from Facebook so if you can slug through it here it is: 

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 Beers.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full.. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand.The students laughed..

'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognise that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things---your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favourite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.. The sand is everything else---the small stuff.

'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life.

If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.

Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and mow the lawn.

Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.

One of the students raised her hand and enquired what the Beer represented. The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.' The Beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of Beers with a friend.

Its beautiful isn't it? If you didn't read it and skipped straight to today's festive post, here it is. This is for those of you who were so busy and just completely forgot about the dessert. Or just fancied a bit more cooking/baking to pack into the day. The ingredients are simple things from around the house because well everything is closed!

If you've got a ready made filo or short pastry pack, well use that because it's Christmas! But otherwise:

• 125g plain flour
• pinch of salt
• 55g cubed butter
• 3 tbsp cold milk
• 12 small apples (2 for each tin)
• Cinnamon
• Sugar
• Lemon juice
• Preferred poison

Rub the butter, salt and flour together between your fingers and thumb to create a breadcrumb texture. Take a sip of your drink. Add milk, mix to form a dough, take a drink. Cool in the fridge for 15 minutes. Core apples with a knife to form flat edges, slice thinly. Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Take a drink. Roll out dough and fit to tins after greasing. Prick the bottoms and bake for 15 minutes or until nearly golden. While they are cooking, mix apples with a bit of lemon juice, cinnamon and sugar to taste. Place the apple slices from smallest to largest from centre to outside respectively. Bake for further 5 minutes. Finish drink and be merry, done! Impressive yet it doesn't take much skill, its just time consuming. But while your waiting for that turkey why not?

I wish you all the best and a very Merry Christmas. 

Until Next Time xo

Surviving The January Sales

Well in reality if your a true bargain hunter, you'll be there with the rest, I mean thousands on boxing day morning. Queueing outside in the ice cold for a massive saving. But who hasn't got home and regretted buying nearly half of the items, some are broken and some don't even fit. Then wrapped up with New years ahead and eating the Christmas left overs we become too busy to return the junk. 

1. Get There Early

If you really want to get some serious bargains and hopefully something you wanted before Christmas but it didn't quite make it under the tree, you'll need to sacrifice those few extra hours in bed. Grab a coffee on the way there and you'll avoid some major traffic jams, parking troubles and get the first viewings for the sale. Of course you could always take the train but its undoubtedly going to be packed.

 2. Know What You Want

Before you end up like a kid in a candy store, running around aimlessly and showing each other some gorgeous clothes that you'll probably not end up getting. Be serious and go directly to what you want, then take a quick browse around before moving on to the next store.

3. Dress Correctly

If your willing to queue up for the fitting rooms then be sensible and wear some easily removable clothes! By this, I mean a simple jumper and jeans with cute pumps. You'll also be more comfortable if you wear layers, it'll get hot inside and quickly cold outside. Rather than strapped up boots, tights and a dress. Imagine taking this off and on and off and on all day, you'll probably end up with a ladder. My best advise is to try things on top of your outfit in the mirror or buy roughly and take them home to try. 

4. Take Cash

Although you will probably regret this as soon as you leave one shop and have £10 left and wish you brought just £20 more. If you know your budget before you go and don't allow any way for over spending you'll stick to it. 

5. Subliminal Shopping

Have you ever noticed how all the sales signs are in red and white? The stores do this to promote a warm Christmas memory, this drives you to buy more to keep that Christmas feeling going. Beware of this and think twice.

6. Shopping Is Like Drugs

When you find something that you can afford and you are rewarding yourself with this, your brain releases a chemical called dopamine. The same that is released from taking heroine. (Wow this escalated quickly) But this is what gives you the addiction and push to buy more and more. The other problem is social, many people feel envious when their friends or family have stretched their money further than them! Be careful!

Remember you've probably spent a month's pay on gifts for loved ones, drinks, food and partying just a few days before. Take a snack with you if your going early and queuing up a flask of coffee too so you've got extra to spend just on sale items. Keep your bag and money close, don't flash your phone and have fun! If you missed my post about an over crowded student shopping lock in party, click here. I'd love to know what bargains you got this year in the comments!

Until Next Time xo

Christmas Gift Wrap Ideas

One of the best moments of Christmas is seeing a child's face completely light up when they run under the tree and see the tower of boxes and over flowing stockings. Making this even more exciting is by using your own wrapping or adding extra decorations. Instead of the standard store bought prints how about these gorgeous recycled packages?

I  think the manuscript paper is the best, very classy and elegant. But I'm probably going to shove a few jumbo lego boxes under the tree too. Match boxes are a great idea to package small items, like jewellery or stocking fillers. 

Until Next Time xo

Primark Nail Foil Review

Primark is usually known for quantity over quality. Admittedly there are some gorgeous garments that are pretty sturdy and will last you a while, but the majority is just a quick fix. So I was wondering about the beauty range and how well the varnish would fair against the other more established brands. Please excuse the poor photos!

These are definitely just a one day thing. Maybe if your going out or for a special occasion. The quality for £1 is excellent, but day 2 and they've chipped slightly. I would advise painting a faint colour underneath just so it doesn't give it away quite as easily. Also the application instructions are very confusing. Initially I thought the straight edges were meant to be closest to my cuticles, took a few attempts to realise that wasn't quite right! When filing and trimming the edges you need to be very careful not to pull away the whole design! Also these would last a lot longer if you paint a clear top coat.

What do you think? A perfect stocking filler if the price wasn't printed on the packaging, shame.

Until Next Time xo

Sneak Preview Motel Exclusive

Just for you, we've teamed up with Motel to give you the sale a week in advance. You will get the full 50% discount code, which will be activated for the general public in 7 days. How amazing, get some gorgeous new clothes at half price just in time for the Christmas parties! 

With this code you'll also get Free Next Day UK Delivery. For those in the USA free delivery as always. Hurry before the sale kicks in. Use code 'XMASPREVIEW50' you will also need to use this secret link: Click Here 

Until Next Time xo

Simplicity is Classy

As much as I love statement necklaces and bracelets and well statement everything, sometimes you just crave to feel dainty. Some timeless pieces that you'll always love are those that aren't seasonal trends and something simple. I just found a new business via ASOS market place an amazing jewellery line. Lily King. They scream dainty, gently and gorgeous. The items are quality and very good value with these necklaces at £12 each. Gorgeous little stocking fillers or a cute little gift? 

Until Next Time xo

Dear Readers...

... As many of you would have noticed my blogging had come to a complete stand still. Thank you all for coming and checking daily to see if there were any new posts. The only explanation I can offer you is one you would know yourselves, life being completely unpredictable has its ups and for that, has to have its downs. This was something that blogging among other things had to come second to. But the support from my friends, patience from my readers, PR contacts and companies I was in the middle of working with is so much appreciated. From today expect the usual random rants, strange fashion statements and some delicious/some disgusting recipes from my kitchen.

So, here we go with the first. A few weeks back I went with James' sister to a cupcake decorating class. The baker was a friend of the family so luckily we got in last minute. Since I'd been watching so many youtube tutorials I didn't think I would learn a lot. 

But I was wrong, cake toppers look so easy but actually they take a lot of skill. Depending on the design of course but it was lots of fun and I'd recommend it! All the tools you've always wanted to use were provided as well as some edible glitter spray which everyone was immediately addicted to. Those small flowers that you would usually purchase from the supermarket are very cheap to make but so fiddly as you want them to dry hard but that means they become so brittle!

How professional are these? We were very impressed and stuffed after a delicious tea and cake break. 

If your local and would like to try you can click here. The next class will be held on the 10th of December, for £30 you have 3 hours of decorating 12 cakes which you will take home. As well as the tea and cake break in between.

Until Next Time xo