Om nom nom....

I absolutely love being in the kitchen, more so at home than at uni as it's usually a million times cleaner and much better equipped! 

http://weheartit.com/entry/12005962

I started off baking, being inspired my mother who, in my opinion, makes the best cakes ever.  I then did a cookery course which fuelled my love for cooking as well as baking.  I am not a fancy eater, I can be extremely fussy at times but it doesn't stop me from experimenting in the kitchen.   I may not be as adventurous as others but I know what I like and I cook what I like.  

I get the most enjoyment out of cooking for others, it may be a bit of an ego boost, but I love hearing people say they enjoy my cooking.  I am quite a perfectionist though and if I think it's gone wrong or I don't like it, I hate, absolutely hate, letting other people eat it.  

I know that I am rambling now, so I think I will just get on with it.  My very lovely mother came across a bargain when she went to Sainsbury's, and knowing that I've had my eye on it for a while, when she saw it was £16 (usual RRP around £40) she very sweetly bought me a cupcake maker!

I was beyond excited when she revealed it to me and I thought I would share my first experience here with you! So here it goes.

It only takes 8 minutes for the cakes to cook! I couldn't believe it, I thought that they wouldn't be cooked in the middle but they were, and they were very delicious!

love and kisses

Vintage Beauty 

xXx

Inside My Wardrobe

 I am going to be the first to admit that I am a girl with a shopping addiction. I just cannot help myself. Although this summer I am really trying as I want to pay off my overdraft before I go back to uni in October, as well as save money for my volunteering trip to Malaysia in September.

Along with my shopping habit, I also am a bit of an organisational freak, especially with my wardrobe.  I just love opening it and it being all organised and tidy, and it really helps when trying to find something. It's really annoying being at uni because I have a lot less wardrobe space and therefore I have to leave clothes at home which can get annoying when I know I want to wear something but I can't because I don't have it. 

If you ask my mum I am constantly reorganising my wardrobe, partly because I always think that I can improve on it, but also because I genuinely enjoy it.  Whenever I go to a friend's house and they have a messy wardrobe I am dying inside to just completely organise it! 

I'm home for summer now so I have my wardrobe organised how I want it, with everything in reach! So this is how it looks at the moment. 

I'm not going to lie but when I first saw New York Minute (with Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen) I paused the screen when Ashley opens her wardrobe as I was in awe at how organised it was.  Mary Kate's made me want to close my eyes!

I can't wait to have my own flat/house one day and choose and organise my wardrobe. I am a proper organisational geek!  Hopefully it will resemble one of these! (very wishful thinking!!) 

http://www.bellemaison23.com/

http://weheartit.com/entry/11516570

http://weheartit.com/entry/11649670

http://weheartit.com/entry/12038266

http://weheartit.com/entry/12000163

http://weheartit.com/entry/11380002

http://weheartit.com/entry/11665548

love and kisses

Vintage Beauty 

xXx

Julia Roberts

One of the first ever 'grown up' films my mum let me watch when I was younger was Pretty Woman.  It has since become one of my favourite films.  On screen Julia Roberts is beautiful. In every role she takes on she looks stunning, and I think her best feature has to be her smile.  Here are some of my favourite pictures of her. 

I just think she is amazing.

My favourite films with her are Pretty Woman, Erin Brockovich, Mona Lisa Smile, Notting Hill, Stepmom, and Mystic Pizza.  

love and kisses

Vintage Beauty 

xXx

Harry Potter

Today I went to see the final Harry Potter Film. 

http://wakeywakeynews.com/58143/harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-part-2

It made me realise that I should read the last book.  I have read all the others but for some reason never got round to the last one. It didn't really make that much difference to understanding the film, but I'm sure it would have helped with the first part of The Deathly Hallows as I didn't have a clue what was going on in that one! However I really enjoyed the last film and like many other people I can't believe that it has now finally come to an end. 

It also made me realise, that its been a bigger part of my life than I thought.  I am not an obsessive Harry Potter fan, I didn't queue overnight for when a new book was released, I never went to see any of the films on the day they came out but I do enjoy both the books and the films.  However the reason its been a big part of my life, like many other people my age, is because I've grown up with it. 

You don't really think about things like this that much but I realise in the future I'll be telling the next generation of how Harry Potter was in 'my time.'  I'm sure that it's a phenomenon that will be passed on from generation to generation but I was in the generation that experienced it first hand.  From the time the first book came out, and the first films and then all the merchandise that followed, I experienced it as it happened and without sounding like a bit of a nutter I'm glad that I did. 

Anyway I think that's enough of me getting deep about Harry Potter.  If you haven't yet seen it, go! 

http://weheartit.com/entry/12127778

love and kisses

Vintage Beauty 

xXx

Skincare Routine

My Skincare Products 

It has taken me ages to find a skincare routine that I am happy doing and that works well with my skin.  I always taken my make up off before bed and thought I did a fairly decent job, even after a night out.  However, I learnt otherwise when I started using Liz Earle.  I always take my make up off with a face wipe or with cleanser before using the Cleanse & Polish and no matter how thorough a job I think I have done, there is always make up left on the muslin cloth.  I am sure most of you will be aware of how the Cleanse & Polish System works but just in case you're not, this is what I do.

You don't actually have to take your make up off before using the cleanse and polish, it's just my personal preference.  

• I take one pump onto my hand and massage it into my face for about 30 seconds.
• Run the muslin cloth under hot water and rinse it out and just wipe the product off.
• I then rinse my face a few times with tepid water and pat dry.

After the Cleanse & Polish, I use the Instant Boost Skin Tonic.  I bought it in the spray bottle because I learnt that it lasts longer and is more refreshing on your face.  If you buy the liquid bottle and you apply it using cotton wool, you are essentially wasting the product on the cotton wool.  If you buy the spray, every bit of the product gets used where its meant to - on your face! Whenever I previously bought toners I always used to pour them into spray bottles and they do last twice as long.

After I spray this I normally just brush my teeth so that I can let it soak into the skin before applying my moisturiser.

I did for three months have the Liz Earle moisturiser that is part of the system but when it finished I decided that I wanted to try Clarins Hydra Quench Lotion.  I was given a tester and it was a lot nicer than the Liz Earle one.  I do think the Liz Earle moisturiser is a great moisturiser and I would definitely buy it again but I was drawn to the Clarins one because its meant to be good for your skin with hotter climates.  I think I probably just got carried away with the freak summer weather we had in England a couple of weeks ago! However I do think it is a fantastic moisturiser. It's light weight, it smells clean and it comes in a pump bottle.  However, on reading the guidelines properly it is intended for use as a day moisturiser.  

So I had to buy a night cream.  In my last haul blog you will see that I bought Vichy Normaderm Nuit, which is meant to visibly reduce pores and even out skin texture.  I've only used it twice so can't really comment on it yet, but I'll keep you posted.  

I also use an eye cream. At the moment I am using a nivea anti-dark circles one, morning and night.  I don't think its anything special and when I finish it I really want to get the Origins GinZing eyecream. I also have the Garnier eye roll on which I sometimes use in the morning.  I like how it feels on my skin but I don't think I would repurchase it.  Might try the tinted one though....

Finally, I use a conditioning lip balm all throughout the day.  I like Blistex Intensive Moisturiser for night and if my lips are really dry and I tend to always carry a lipbalm of some sort in my bag.  Currently I am using Softlips in French Vanilla. 

I do try and drink lots of water because I know its good for your skin, but I can be quite bad and some days I get headaches from dehydration! It's something I need to sort out! Think  I might try and get on some sort of water challenge...

Hope you enjoyed reading about my skincare.  If you have any questions or comments, please write them below.

Love and Kisses

Vintage Beauty

     xXx

Revision & Exams

So, it's that time of year again.  The one thing that I hate about summertime - EXAMS! Some of my friends have actually finished uni for the summer and are just casually sipping Pimm's in the garden with no cares in the world.  I, on the other hand still have several exams to sit through and plenty of revision to be worrying about.  So soz Pimm's O'Clock, looks like you'll just have to wait for me...

This was the Pimms we had at Natalie's 21st (Check out Natalie's Blog)

Now that I've reminisced about old times, and procrastinated, time to get on with revision.  Some of you may or may not know this but I am an English student and therefore that requires a lot of reading and a lot of writing.  Fortunately I only have 4 exams, (I know someone who had 12!) but that is still more than enough revision for me.  I am confined to my desk or the library with copious amounts of books and pieces of paper full of notes which make no sense.

However I do have some strategies for coping with this overwhelming ordeal that is my life at the moment.

1. Many cups of tea and biscuits

Image taken from The Pink Whisk

2. Best friends - to have tea and biscuits with!

Bestest Friends in the universe :) 

3. Good stationary - always a must!

Stationary by vintagebeauty27 on Polyvore.com

For any of you doing exams or any final work for uni, college, school or work, I wish you the best of luck! It will all be worth it in the end!

love and kisses

Vintage Beauty
    xXx

Haul: Topshop, Dorothy Perkins and Boots

Hello my lovely blog readers, I hope you are all well.

It's been a while I know since I've blogged but I have been very busy lately with work and coursework and revision, which unfortunately won't be over for at least 3 weeks. :( But as I did go out last night and it has affected my ability to work productively (yes, that is an excuse) I have decided to dedicate some time to my blog.

So here is a little haul I have for you. One form of procrastination at its finest, and the most expensive!

So first and foremost, my best friend and I plan to have a big girls night out in Leeds after we have finished our exams, so we picked a date, booked our train tickets and now only need to find a hotel!  But being the organised, planning ahead gal that I am, I spotted this dress and fell in love with it.  Be prepared for an unecessary ramble here...
There's a bit of a story behind this dress.  Again, my best friend and I were in the big Topshop in London and managed to get separated, when we finally found each other we had both picked up the same dress, same colour, everything.  So after debate and discussion, Danielle bought the dress on agreement that I could borrow it whenever I wanted. What a babe! :) Anyway, Topshop have released it in almost every colour under the sun, so when I saw this I just had to have it.  I am in love with coral this summer and I can't wait to wear it!

Topshop Dress £46

I found a voucher for 25% off all clothes at Dorothy Perkins online, so I had to have a little look to see if there was anything there.  Guess what - there was! I bought this lacy dress from one of their boutique lines.  Obviously I would wear  a camisole underneath and most probably pair it with some black leggings.  I just thought it would be really cute for summer.  Also, I think it would also double up as a cover up for the beach.

Beige Crochet Vest Dress £27 (£21 with discount) 

I also got this cream top with speckled detail and  nice tie feature at the bottom. I think it will look really casual with some jeans and a messy bun.

Cream Speckle Tie Hem Top £15 (£11.50 with discount) 

 I also got this cream lace maxi skirt which looks really nice with a black vest top and a sleeveless denim waistcoat.  I'm so excited to wear it.  I'm really into maxi skirts this summer because, they are really flattering but you also don't need to worry about tanning because you're legs are covered up. 

I ordered this blue striped top from Topshop, again I just thought it was a nice casual top to wear with jeans and flip flops.  I think baggy t-shirts are so laid back and comfy, and give that effortless look. 

Blue Stripe Tee £18 (£16.20 with NUS discount)

 And of course, what I think is a staple in every girl's wardrobe - a plain black maxi skirt.  The great thing about the skirt is that you can make it look like a dress with a black camisole, but then you've still got so many different looks with it as a skirt.  The material of this is really flattering; it hangs really well and again is just so casual and effortless but you can still dress it up when you want to be a bit more glam. 

Topshop Basic Mazi Skirt £18 (£16.20 with NUS discount)

 So, I also popped into Boots and picked up a moisturiser.  I not long ago bought a new daily moisturiser from Clarins but then realised that I needed to get one for night. I've looked at Vichy for a long time and heard some positive things about it and when this one claimed to diminish pores, which seems to be my biggest problem at the moment, I thought I'd give it a try.  Fingers crossed it works.  :)

And as John Freida was on offer 2 for £7.50 I grabbed some hairspray and some mousse, in the hope that I can get more volume in my hair. I also picked up some massive rollers from Sallys which I am yet to properly try out, but you will be the first to know the results!

Yeah so as you can see I have pretty much burnt a hole in purse now and think it would be wise to go on a bit of a shopping ban! This makes me sad, especially on top of all the revision and work I have to do over the next few weeks....

Dairy Milk please... :)


Love and Kisses

Vintage Beauty
     xXx

Check out Danielle's blog!