cutie...

Thanks Rubee for awarding me with the cute blog award.

Here are the rules for passing on the award:

(1) You must thank the person who awarded you the award including a shout-out with a link on your blog.
(2) Answer the following questions
(3) Send the award on to other deserving blogs

1. What is your 'go to' make up product?

Rimmel's Liquid Eyeliner, and natural collection pressing powder.

2. What is your favourite fashion trend of 2011?

I loved the nude colours set against the rich colours this year; the soft against the edgy.

(image via imageshack)

3. What is your favourite dessert?

Most kinds of cheesecake, closely followed by creme brulee.

(image via myrecipes)

4. Favourite colour?

Green

5. What is your middle name?

Samantha

6. What was the last song you listened to?

We have music playing all day at work, but the last song I listened to out of choice was Damien Rice's Cannonball.

(image via mirror)

7. Cats or dogs?

Dogs everytime. My parents have 2 and I love and miss them loads. Me and my boyfriend already have a name picked out for when we can afford our own puppy.

Check out my picks for cute award blogs:

1.kitsch-n-sync

2. amyfbl

3.pierrelecat

4.lifeasadaydreamer

5.lifethoughtsofablonde

Inspiration from charlottesweb-blog

rainy days on monday...

Okay so it didn't actually rain yesterday but I did have the Monday Blues.

(images via google, pinterest & my own)

Yesterday was a day of doing odd bits and pieces and relaxing.

# I woke up early but stayed in bed for ages (trying to keep warm).

# I made my cv look more professional.

# I ate a yummy lunch: homemade leek and potato soup with warm poppyseed bread.

# I did Monday night baking, and baked some scones.

# I over thought a lot of things.

# I stocked up on fruit and vegetables for the beginning of February.

# I tried to stay as warm as possible, hard to do in a poorly insulated flat. If only we had a fire place.

What did your Monday consist of?

january loves.

# Birthday cake.

# Cups of tea and a good book.

(image via booksblog)

 # Afternoon tea.

# Laughing.

# My friend Ashley, making music.

# Fairy lights.

(image via twinkle-lights) 

# House/flat hunting.

# A glass of wine at the end of the day.
# Macaroni cheese.

(image via flickr)

# Planning new things for the months ahead.

(image via sitepoint)

the answer i've been looking for...

Yesterday Alex and I went shopping; I finally managed to bag those black courts that I was after. So comfy and the perfect shoe that can go with anything, be dressed up or down. I'm a very happy bunny about that.

While out I  also found a shop that I think most of my wages will go-hobbycraft. It has everything you could possibly imagine. If you want to make jewellary-they have the beads and clasps; if you want to sew-they have needles and thread in every colour you can image. I can't even tell you what I was most excited about; the candle making section, the baking, the fabric section! All of it-I was like a kid in a candy store! You could imagine me doing something damage to my credit card yesterday but I was actually very well behaved and didn't get a thing. That's not to say I didn't want to. I've decided I'm going to make a list of the things I want and go back in and stock up. I may need Alex to help me carry it all!

http://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/

my new year

(image via mollydolly)

Everybody goes January: New Year, New You. That's not really good for me. January is still full of the temptations left from Christmas and, by the time those treats have gone, it's my birthday. For me, January is still full of the indulgence that December had and so this time around, I'm calling February my new year.
By the time February has arrived, I've begun to accept that Christmas is months away, my birthday is over for another year and that its time to buckle down and to do/try new things. This year is no different. My boyfriend and I are still going to do the whole healthy eating routine that many follow in January but we're also going to explore and do more. I'm also going to make more; I was charity shop hunting the other day and found a candle making kit for the bargain price of £2.99. So much cheaper than what I had been looking at. I also have more homemade goodies lined up...I am very excited.
The new year is now in full swing and my head is buzzing with a million things I want to do throughout it; hopefully most can come true/will be successful.

happy birthday

I had a fantastic birthday; I am not a huge birthday fan, but this one turn out better than I thought. As, you may have already read, my mum came up and treated me all weekend. On the evening of my birthday I headed out with a group of friends and my boyfriend and we went food and drinks in Richmond. There was a lot of food and even more drink. I think my friend and I finally fell asleep on the sofa around 4am. Not bad going, now that I've hit 2-1!! It was a fabulous evening. I have some amazing friends, fantastic mum and a brilliant boyfriend, and they have helped make my birthday extra special.

lady in red

(tunic and cardigan- Dorothy Perkins, shorts- H&M, pumps- Primark)

For my birthday my mum took me into central London and we did a bit of shopping. There wasn't much out there but I did get a beautiful pair of boots from Aldo from my dad. They are lovely and so comfy.

My mum had also planned a surprise for me; I had no idea what it was. She took me to the National Portrait Gallery's top floor restaurant for afternoon tea; it was so fancy. I wore a red tunic (with shorts) and a little grey cardi with some basic ballet pumps. It was fancy but not over the top to wear around London, shopping.
Afternoon tea was so nice it was so filling-there was just so much! It was all so little and quaint. It was such a nice thing to do; I've never had afternoon tea before. We had a window seat and we could see out over the Trafalgar Square, House of Commons and the London Eye. As we were about to leave the staff came out with a plate of handmade truffles and Happy Birthday piped onto the plate. It was such a nice touch that either my mum and I were expecting. It was such a simple, chilled out day, with such a special touch from my mum.

Today, is my actual birthday, twenty-one! I opened some amazing presents, had to say goodbye to my mum and now get ready for a night out with Alex and my friends. I finally found a dress to wear and I found the perfect red lipstick while I was out shopping with my mum.

hero time

http://www.venusnailsandbeauty.co.uk/pages/pv.asp?p=iaw116

So when my mum came up this weekend she did my nails for me to make them all sparkly for my birthday.
She made them look amazing; it shouldn't be hard for her as it is her profession. My mum has her own business and started it all up from scratch. From doing nails in the spare bedroom/office space at home to renting her own space in a salon. From doing a bit of nail art as a hobby to being a qualified waxer, nail tech, and expert in Indian head massage. I couldn't be more proud and full of admiration for my mum. Not many have the grit and determination to start a business from scratch and be so successful from it. My mum continues to grow her business and skills all year through and she flourishes every step of the way. She may not always feel confident or know where to go next but she should know how amazing she is, with her career and life. My mum can do anything she puts her mind...including sparkly birthday nails, which I love.

time for tea

It's my 21st on Monday and my mum is up for the weekend to help start off the birthday celebrations. So yesterday, an hour before she arrived, I thought it would be perfect to bake and ice a load of cupcakes to welcome her. I managed to do it within that hour and they turned out pretty nice. I also got to use my cupcake stand for the first time since I got it at Christmas.

Strawberry Cupcakes

Ingredients

Cupcakes:
100g Butter or marg
100g caster sugar
100g self raising flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
2 eggs
Strawberries cut into quarters

Icing:
75g butter (at room temp)
175g icing sugar
A splash of milk
Food Colouring

Method

1.Preheat your oven to 180c
2.Mix the butter and sugar until smooth and fluffy.
3.Add the eggs, one at a time.
4.Add flour and strawberries and bring together.
5.Place in cases and bake until golden brown.
6.For the icing, place all ingredients in a bowl and bring together.
7.Once cooked, let the cupcakes cool and then proceed to ice and decorate however you fancy!

wish list

With my birthday under a week away I can't help but browse shops and the internet, finding things that I wouldn't mind turning up on Monday in beautiful wrapping paper. Some things I know I will never get but hey, a girl can dream!

I love these scales; they come in a variety of colours but the mint ones are my favourite. I have some scales, which are useless. I end up guessing how much of each ingredient as my scales seem incapable of doing so and, in fact, go backwards when try to weigh things on them. These mint ones would sit pride and place in my, albeit, very small kitchen.
The black shoes I think I'll end up getting regardless. I have an array of shoes in many different colours and styles but I am missing a basic black shoe. I feel this has to be a staple in any girl's wardrobe.
They seem the in thing at the moment, but I love them anyway, turquoise rings. I went Christmas shopping in Camden and spotted so many; I was in too much of a rush and busy buying other people presents to so much as get one. Maybe it'll be a birthday present to myself next time I go back up there.
I own the gold foil effect nail varnish and love it, however, I feel gold is festive and so reserve it for the months leading up to Christmas. At least the silver can be used all year round.
My dream buy/present, a Marc Jacobs bag. I adore the things this man produces and to have anything would be lovely but a bag by him would be amazing!

21 things to do...

I recently came across a blog where the blogger wrote a birthday list every year for her to work through every year. I thought this was a really good idea and...I love lists!
My list might not be the most out there but for me, it's things I really want to do and I'm hoping I can achieve them, ready for next years list.

and the winner is...

The Golden Globes; Hollywood’s first major event of the year and the ladies didn’t disappoint. No swan dresses or wannabe ballerinas just simple, elegant dresses that make me want to walk down the red carpet.

Zooey Deschanel wore a custom green and black Prada dress and looked the epitome of 60s chic. The green in the dress makes her bright blue eyes stand out more than usual. I’m just in love with the whole look; she looks so effortlessly chic and, not to stray too far from her own style, painted her nails like they were tuxedo jackets!

Charlize Theron is an actual beauty; for me, this woman can do no wrong at the Golden Globes. This year was no different; her simple hair and make up complimented the nude tones of her dress perfectly. It is easy to blend in with the nude but the slit in the Christian Dior Couture dress does not do this and instead adds a bit of spice and drama to the outfit.

Kate Winslet had to be on my best dressed. She apologises to know one for her English rose beauty and those stunning curves. In a Jenny Packman dress, she puts her curves on full display and looks gorgeous. Her simply, wavy up do keeps attention on the dress and her face.

Emma Stone pulled something special out the bag in her Lanvin dress. Also sporting a slit, like Theron, Stone’s dress embraced Hollywood glamour at its finest. Nothing too big or too fancy; the colours were gorgeous for the time of year and did not clash with her hair. Having had my hair many shades, including auburn, I can say picking colours to go with a colour like that can be tricky.

Other favourites of mine included: Michelle Williams, Evan Rachel Wood and Tilda Swinton.

(images via justjared)

peace and love

I bought this jumper, from Dorothy Perkins in October, ready for the winter months, but until recently have been unsure of it. I found it sometimes shortened me, especially if worn with shorts. Today I teamed it with my new flares (h&m) and converses. With my wavy hair, flares and jumper I feel I've fully embraced my inner 70s/The Good Life's Felicity Kendal look.

(image via lady)

popping your cherry!

(image via bbc)

Last night I settled down in front of the TV to watch Cherry Healey’s Like a Virgin on BBC 3. I’ve always like Healey’s documentaries; she’s warm, inviting and down to earth. It’s like having a chat with a really good friend. Getting all your questions answered, knowing that so many others have wanted to know or are going through the exact same thing!

Earlier in the week, while finding the listing for Like a Virgin, I stumbled across an article urging the documentary to be cancelled and never shown. Bearing in mind I had watched other documentaries presented by Cherry Healey I had no idea what she had, supposedly, done wrong. I proceeded to read it and found my answer; it was a product of the Daily Mail and, yet again, they had taken one scene completely out of context and without explaining the full situation. So when seventeen year old Beth decides to go for a bikini wax, the show should be banned as it is encouraging promiscuous behaviour and it is Cherry who should be explaining the birds and the bees to Beth! If only the DM had watch 5-minutes more; Healey sits with Beth’s parents and the truth that they have an open and honest relationship with their daughter and she knows all about sex and protection comes to light. Well done to the Daily Mail for their overreaction!

After this element of amusement just shows to me how the issue of sex is so taboo for the general public. It is programmes like Healey’s that need to be aired in order for us to feel more confident about discussing sex and all that goes along with it. Maybe then people wouldn’t be trying to ban the show but embracing it. There are plenty of programmes to discuss sex education (take Channel 4 for example) but this is surely designed for younger viewers who need to know about sex without the embarrassment of teachers and parents. Cherry Healey is able to take it one step further; to move past the teaching side of things and to embrace discussion, laughter and reflection on past experiences and able to look forward to the rest. I, for one, am able to enjoy Cherry Healey’s shows at it incorporates all elements on subjects which could potentially be awkward; sex, body image, breast-feeding. I say we need more people to stand up and unabashedly approach the more difficult subjects with a pinch of salt and a few laughs along the way!

on a quest...

Oh how I wanted this to be my birthday dress. It's so pretty but I was disappointed when I tried it on. I suppose the search continues.

home sweet home

(image via lilyloveslola)

I love the idea and the practice of making things, whether its a gift or something to brighten my own home up with. The sense of accomplishment that comes with it is just as rewarding as the finish product.
Me and my boyfriend, Alex, decided a homemade Christmas was the way forward, but as always it didn't turn out quite like we had planned. Yes, there were a few home made gifts given (our cranberry and orange vodka went down a treat) but in the end, with endless hours and work and looming uni deadlines, the shops became our saviours..yet again. My aim this year is to start now and build up a collection of presents in time for Christmas 2012. I got excited before this Christmas had already started at the prospect of our fancy, homemade Christmas the following year!

This month is about starting to collect bits and bobs that can be useful and to start planning what can be done now and what needs to be done later in the year. It's exciting to start thinking about Christmas again- it may have only been 2 weeks ago but I get the post Christmas blues so easily!

I'm also ready to pick up old hobbies and start new ones. I used to do cross-stitch and loved it, so I'm going to seize the opportunity to put this old skill back into use. Presents, cards and homely touches all with a needle and some silks. Throughout the year I will be able to keep people posted on what's being made (unless, of course, it gives the present away). But for now, invesitigations and some afternoon baking must begin!

Cranberry and Orange Vodka

Ingredients

250g fresh or frozen cranberries

Pared zest of 2 oranges

175-200g caster sugar, to taste

1 litre unbranded vodka

Method

1. Put the cranberries into a shallow dish and stab them with a fork, but don’t reduce to a mush. Put them into 2 sterilised, wide-necked jars with lids, with the strips of orange zest and the sugar. Pour over the vodka, seal and leave somewhere dark for 2 weeks, shaking the jar now and then (about once a week), until the sugar has dissolved.

Ours was left in the our boiler cupboard for 8 weeks.

2. Strain the liquid through a muslin- lined sieve into a jug, decant into sterilised bottles, seal and label.

crush on the new girl

(image via wikimedia)

I’ve always been captivated by Zooey Deschanel. She’s pretty, without being intimidating, has a voice that makes you melt, can make you laugh and make you cry with her acting skills, and ultimately, has the kind of personality that you want to hang around with. In essence, she’s the mystical friend that you want to have!

So recently, while flicking through the television channels, upset that all the Christmas films are over; I stumbled across an advert starring Deschanel. New Girl, watch the pilot online now, I did and it didn’t disappoint.

It’s charming, witty and sweet, perfect TV viewing for the likes of me. For someone who is also constantly singing, acting super nerdy and used to having blank faces stare back at me, I could somewhat connect with Deschanel’s character Jess. Inviting men to watch with Jess’ comic nudity; while tapping into the emotional context of the cheating boyfriend routine for women, this is one Friday night programme that can be watched by all. From the pilot it gets better; yes, I proceeded to find the rest of the episodes online. With a small shake up of the basic flow of the characters and Coach being replaced by Winston (good move) has helped to make the characters seem realistic and relatable. Although there can be an element of predictability to the show, I do not think this is a negative thing. Not all shows have to leave you wondering what will happen next week or leave you on the edge of your seat. Most nights I want to sit with a glass of wine and unwind in front of some easy-going television. New Girl has everything I want; a will they storyline between Nick and Jess, a cute relationship between Jess and Paul (guest star, Justin Long) and the paternal instincts of Winston and Schmidt towards Jess. What’s that Golden Globe nominated show? It’s New Girl!