BOOK REVIEW: THE MISTER BY E L JAMES

Hello everyone! So for today's post i am back with a book review post, which i did want to do a lot sooner than i have ended up doing. The reason for it taking me a little longer to finish was a combination of two things, one i haven't had as much time the past few weeks to read and the second thing being that this book was slightly longer than most would but i got there in the end...

SYNOPSIS:

Life has been easy for Maxim Trevelyan. With his good looks, aristocratic connections, and money, he’s never had to work and he’s rarely slept alone. But all that changes when tragedy strikes and Maxim inherits his family’s noble title, wealth, and estates, and all the responsibility that entails. It’s a role he’s not prepared for and one that he struggles to face. But his biggest challenge is fighting his desire for an unexpected, enigmatic young woman who’s recently arrived in England, possessing little more than a dangerous and troublesome past. Reticent, beautiful, and musically gifted, she’s an alluring mystery, and Maxim’s longing for her deepens into a passion that he’s never experienced and dares not name. Just who is Alessia Demachi? Can Maxim protect her from the malevolence that threatens her? And what will she do when she learns that he’s been hiding secrets of his own?

MY REVIEW:

So fun fact reading the Fifty Shades trilogy by E L James is actually what got me back into reading books on a regular basis, years down the line and many books later...finally she has released a new book and i couldn't wait to pick it up. That being said when i started to read this book, it wasn't what i was expecting at all...

Unlike the Fifty Shades trilogy The Mister is actually written from both Maxim and Alessia's point of view, which i actually like to read books like that as well as just from one point of view because you tend to get more of a sense of what both characters are feeling/thinking. So The Mister starts off with a prologue basically describing the terrible way that Alessia came to be in England, which you are obviously not aware of at the beginning before heading straight into chapter one with Maxim. Maxim is going through all the stages of grieving after losing his brother Kit (including sleeping with many a woman). One thing that i wasn't a huge fan of at all in the book is how long it actually took for any interaction between the two characters to occur, which made it hard to get into unlike some books. That being said once that was over with, i got more invested in the story a lot more and i began to find it more of a page turner. Unlike Fifty Shades i did not find this "steamy" at all which of course is such a disappointment but i did find the story line good still, especially the detail/research that had obviously gone into the book and how anyone could still have believes like the ones that were written into the book about Alessia's culture/upbringing. What i am unsure of is how the book ended, as i feel like it was all leading to this one moment that ended within a page and it almost seemed unfinished but at the same time, i don't know if it was left like that on purpose to leave the opportunity for a book two or not!

Overall i give this book a 3.5 out of 5, as it wasn't the best book i have ever read but it also wasn't the worst i have ever read either. I am left wondering whether a lot of people seem the same, as it just wasn't on the same level as Fifty Shades was?

buy the mister by e l james on amazon | here |

xo.   

MUSIC AT THE MOMENT: WHAT I'M LISTENING TO ON SPOTIFY

Hello everyone! So back in January is the last time i shared with you any form of "music at the music", which made me think it was definitely about time we had a catch up/updated version of what i am listening to at the moment. As i have mentioned many times before music is something i love and listen to every single day especially when i am working out or getting ready in the morning, much so Spotify is definitely my most used app. I feel like in the past few months since i last shared what i was listening to at the time, what i have been listening to since then and now has changed so much (especially with all the new releases at the moment as we head into summer)...

1. free spirit by khalid | click to play on spotify |

So first up i thought i would share some of my favourite albums to listen to at the moment and i had to start with one of my favourites at the moment, which of course is the new one by Khalid. Khalid is on my list of all time favourite artists right now, his voice/music is just simply beautiful and i can't wait to see him on tour later in the year. I love the entire album but of course just like anything i definitely have my favourites which are: Right Back, My Bad, Bad Luck, Better and Saturday Nights (which was on the Suncity EP).

2. while we wait by kehlani | click to play on spotify |

Kehlani is an artist i had never actually really heard of until i listened to her single with Ty Dolla $ign, then i started listening to some more of her music on Spotify and now she has become one of my favourite artists at the moment. Her new album is such an easy listening album but once again, i definitely have my favourites which are: Love Language, Nights Like This, Footsteps, Nunya and Feels.

3. the rebirth 2 by eric bellinger | click to listen on spotify |

This has been an album that i am pretty sure i don't go a day without listening to either one or two songs from, since it was released back in February. Eric Bellinger has been a favourite of mine for years and if you are into R&B then you will have probably already been listening to his music, if not you definitely need to. He released the first The Rebirth album back in 2014 and has 32 songs, The Rebirth 2 album also has 32 songs. What i love about The Rebirth 2 is that it has a mixture of new music and also some songs already released that were featured on different albums filled with favourites: Type a Way, Innocent, More of Your Love, Mean What You Say, Eazy/Doze Off/Inception, Staring at the Ceiling and Not a Love Song.

4. love me now by tory lanez | click to listen on spotify |

Another artist i have loved for many years now is Tory Lanez, there is just something about this music which gets stuck in your head constantly. This album is one from back in October of last year but i still listening to it all of the time, as it is a good one to just stick on whilst doing a workout if you don't want to listen to a particular playlist and would sooner stick to one artist. I do love listening to this album from start to finish all of the time but i yet again i do have my favourites: Drip Drip Drip, Talk To Me, Flexible, Ferris Wheel and Keep In Touch.

other songs included in my current go-to spotify playlist:

puddles - trevor jackson | undecided - chris brown | the way - kehlani feat. chance the rapper | shootin shots - trey songz feat. ty dolla $ign, tory lanez | like i used to - tinashe | lost in the fire - gesaffelstein feat. the weeknd | she don't - ella mai feat. ty dolla $ign | karreuche - tory lanez | take me serious - devvon terrell | whatchamacallit - ella mai feat. chris brown | gut feeling - ella mai feat. H.E.R | take it there - tone stith feat. ty dolla $ign | after dark - drake feat. static major, ty dolla $ign | going bad - meek mill, drake | boasty - wiley, stefflon don, sean paul, idris elba | baby - giggs | droptop in the rain - ty dolla $ign, tory lanez | girl's best friend - 2chainz, ty dolla $ign |

Catch up on my previous post: here

xo.

APRIL MUST-BUYS: SPRING CLOTHING + ACCESSORIES

Hello everyone! So Spring is officially here and the weather in the UK had really started to pick up, that being said the last couple of days have not been Spring-like whatsoever. That being said i have still been picking up a few bits for the Spring/Summer season and with that in mind, for today's post i thought i would share with you some of my must-buys for the month of April...

1. i saw it first leopard print button through shirt | click to buy |

So first up i ended up picking this leopard shirt up a couple of weeks ago, as i had spotted it by chance and i had been looking for something like this to add to my wardrobe for a while now. I am pretty sure i have never ordered from isawitfirst until recently and i will definitely be looking on their site in the future, as i was really impressed with the quality, price and shipping time. 

2. primark grey button crop vest top | click to buy |

I mean who doesn't love a good basic piece? I know i do and i am always buying basic tops to go with different outfits, which Primark seem to being nailing the basics recently. I love this rib effect button crop vest top, which comes in grey and also a blush pink type of colour also. These look great paired with a pair of high wasted jeans, jacket and trainers for the perfect casual outfit. 

3. mac matte lipstick in the shade kinda sexy | click to buy |

Next up is my go-to lipstick at the moment and one that is perfect for spring but also goes with pretty much anything, which is perfect for everyday wear. This isn't a new purchase for me but if you are looking for a new lipstick that is spring perfect, i would definitely recommend picking this shade up. Kinda Sexy is this beautiful neutral almost peachy-pinky rose nude shade, with a matte formula that is comfortable to wear and long-wearing. 

4. primark lime biker jacket | click to buy |

So this particular item is one that i am yet to pick up but i really want to, as i am obsessed with this colour at the moment. I had seen is last month and wish i had picked it up then, as when i went back last week my Primark had non of my size or close to my size left. That being said i did pick up a new denim jacket which was a complete bargain at just £13, so if you are looking for a new jacket i definitely say go and look in your Primark store, as they have so many great pieces!

5. matalan animal print cross strap sliders | click to buy |

Funny story about me picking up these sandals/sliders from Matalan, as i barely ever buy anything from Matalan unless it is homeware. I was actually looking for a new pair of slippers (boring i know) and i found a pair on the site, then i also spotted these on the new-in section and i thought these would look nice with a pair of light wash jeans (when it is sandal weather obviously). They actually have a great selection of sandals/sliders this year and they are super affordable.

6. bluebooth white wireless earbuds | click to buy |

For the longest time i have been wanting a pair of wireless earbuds but i am not about spending £100+ on a pair of headphones, then i actually got informed that you can get pairs that are super similar/almost identical for a lot less from Amazon and that sold me straight away. The sound quality is as good if not slightly better than the regular Apple headphones, they are easy to connect and the battery life is really good also. These make working out so much easier!

7. missguided blue sinner clean distressed skinny jeans | click to buy |

So i think i have actually saved my favourite buy until last, as these have got to be my new favourite pair of jeans as they fit like a glove, they are super comfy and as i am short the S length leg fits me perfectly. These jeans would look great paired with the sliders from Matalan, what i did already pair them with is the leopard shirt from isawitfirst. 

Catch up on my previous post: here

xo.

APRIL FAVOURITES | BEAUTY

Hello everyone! Here we are yet again at the end of another month, about to say hello to another as well as keeping our fingers crossed and saying goodbye to April showers. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you a selection of my favourite beauty items from this month...

1. revolution brow tint in the shade dark brown

First up, earlier this month i shared a five makeup favourites for £5 and under post and i mentioned how i after giving it a go for the first time, i was left wondering why i hadn't tried it before. This brow tint is literally a brow time saver/game changer for me, as you literally paint it on like you are filling in your brows, leave it on for up to two hours before peeling off and you are left with perfectly done brows for up to three days!

2. c.y.o matte an eyelid eyeshadow in the shade deep thought

This is actually another item from that same post i mentioned above, which is an eyeshadow that has become an everyday favourite of mine and is the perfect dupe for a favourite warm matte brown eyeshadow of mine that i have almost ran out of. This brand is new to the UK and you can pick them up in most Boots stores and online, this eyeshadow was a bargain at just £3.50 and it is super pigmented, easy to blend out without any fall-out.

3. essie nail colour in the shade spin the bottle + next rose gold glitter polish

Next up is two nail polishes that have definitely been my nails and toe nails combination of choice this month, especially now we have had a handful of opportunities to wear sandals this month. I have mentioned in so many posts through the years on how Spin The Bottle from Essie is my favourite nail polish, as nude nails are my thing. That being said i have been loving switching things up by adding in a couple of accent nails using this Rose Gold Glitter polish from Next, which just adds a new level of sass to your manicure. 

4. maybelline master chrome highlighter in the shade molten gold

This favourite is actually one that i forgot to mention in last months monthly favourites post, that being said i did mention it in my affordable/drugstore go-to flawless/glow-y base makeup post. Sometimes drugstore highlighters can be hit and miss, some are good and some are not as good but this one is definitely high-end level. If you are into the whole glowing from space highlighted look, then this highlighter is for you. It actually really reminds me of the ever so famous Laura Geller Gilded Honey highlighter but half the price, twice as big and actually more pigmented, which is crazy because that is pigmented!

5. l'oréal elvive dream lengths restoring shampoo

Finally i have really been enjoying reaching for this shampoo this month, which i decided to try-out since i know how much i love the No Haircut cream and i use that religiously whenever i have washed my hair. Since using this shampoo/conditioner and then the No Haircut cream, i have noticed a huge difference in my hair as it is stays cleaner looking longer, super silky soft and a lot healthier. I would of never of said that a product would be able to help prevent split ends but this one does just that. 

Catch up on my books i want to read in 2018 part two post HERE...

xo.

TIPS + TRICKS | HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON BUYING FOOD

Hello everyone! Does anyone else always feel as if the majority of their money ends up being spent on food? Well i was starting to feel this way too, when in fact there are so many great ways to actually save yourself money yet still eat the same as you would normally (well maybe with a couple of differences). Ever since trying out different ways to save money on food, i have learnt a bunch of tips and tricks on how to do so. With that in mind for today's instalment i thought i would do something a little different and share with you some of the tricks, that i have found have worked for me in the long run...

1. download the app or visit the mySupermarket site on your phone

By looking on the mySupermarket site you can search for your favourite items, to see what is what price where (or what is on offer similar from a different store or brand). You can even scan the bar code of an item and it will automatically search it for. 

2. write a shopping list

If you write a shopping list before you go shopping you are more likely to not forget anything you need or not pick up something you already have enough of, because you simply couldn't remember if you already had one in the cupboard or the fridge at home.

3. write your list according to a meal plan

By writing your shopping list to accommodate your meal plan is a great way on you not picking up those extra unnecessary purchases, this is also another great way to stay organised/be prepared for the week ahead.  

4. never go food shopping when hungry

Never ever go food shopping when you are hungry, if you are hungry your brain is going to make you want to pick up anything and everything. Doing this is such a waste of food because once you have eaten, you will have forgotten about everything else and you are more likely to waste food.

5. set yourself a budget

If you set yourself a food budget and stick to it, only allowing yourself to use that money for buying food with you are more likely not to over-spend. Another great tip for budgeting is to test different stores weekly, seeing which one ends up being the best value for money for what you are getting.

6. pick up certain items for less 

Rather than opting for picking up certain items whilst on your food shop, pick items up that you know are less expensive from places such as Home Bargains or Poundland. Some items can be almost £3 in the supermarket, but only retail for £1 and under at those places.

7. make your own version of a take-away/eating out meal

By buying the ingredients and making your favourite take-way or eating out meal at home, you are saving yourself so much money (even though eating out is nice once in a while but the cost can add up). The price of one course at a restaurant can be the same price if not more than it would cost you to make for between 6 and 8 people, which is crazy when you think about it!

 8. budget your breakfast

By budgeting on breakfast foods you can save yourself a fortune, opt for breakfasts that you can get a week or mores worth out of such as porridge oats or cereals. You can even pick up oats-so-simple boxes containing 8 sachets for 8 breakfasts for just £1, costing you just 12.5p per day which is a bargain.

9. stock up on your favourites when on offer

If there is a certain item that you buy every single week, such as toilet paper, washing detergents, etc (including the longer life alpro products) stock up on them when they are on a good special offer. Yes this is costing you a little more at that specific time but in the long run you are going to have saved a lot more, than if you hadn't done as the item will be full price again.

10. buy frozen fruit/vegetables

Buying frozen fruit and veggies is such a saving in more ways than one, not only are they less expensive but the product will last you a lot longer and is less likely to go off than it would if you had bought it fresh. Also by having a frozen version you can take out as much or as little as you need at a time, for example for the longest time i always used to pick up sweetcorn in a tin at around 80p a time and now i opt for a large bag which lasts for ages for just under £2, taking out as much as i need for whatever i am using it for.  

Check out the mySupermarket site for current offers HERE...

xo.

MUSIC AT THE MOMENT | MY MOST PLAYED ALBUMS

Hello everyone! For today's post i am back with a "music at the moment" post but with a twist, the twist being i thought i would share with you some of my favourite/most played albums rather than playlists/singles. I have so many favourite albums that i listen to over and over again, these albums are the ones that are so easy to listen to and by that i mean i love every single song on the album unlike some...

1. my dear melancholy, ep - the weeknd
(favourite songs: try me, call out my name, wasted times)

2. the space between - majid jordan
(favourite songs: what you do to me, OG heartthrob, my imagination, one i want)

3. sept 5th - dvsn
(favourite songs: with me, hallucinations, do it well, too deep)

4. tremaine - trey songz
(favourite songs: the sheets...still, come over, games we play, she lovin it)

5.  beach house 3 - ty dolla $ign
(favourite songs: love u better, droptop in the rain, all the time)

6. x (deluxe edition) - chris brown
(favourite songs: songs on 12 play, drown in it, drunk texting, came to do)

7. heartbreak on a full moon - chris brown
(favourite songs: juicy booty, only 4 me, privacy, to my bed, no exit)

8. true to self - bryson tiller
(favourite songs: somethin tells me, teach me a lesson, we both know)

9. memories don't die - tory lanez
(favourite songs: B.I.D, hypnotised, real thing, dance for me)

10. H.E.R volume 2 - H.E.R
(favourite songs: every kind of way, lights on, say it again) 

11. eazy call - eric bellinger
(favourite songs: not a love song, dirty dancin', by now, y.a.k)

12. cuffing season - eric bellinger
(favourite songs: cuffing season, overrated, turn down for you, focused on you)

13. wildheart - miguel
(favourite songs: coffee, simple things, flesh, waves)

14. late nights: the album - jeremih
(favourite songs: impatient, woosah, don't tell em, oui, planez)

15. morning after - dvsn
(favourite songs: think about me, don't choose, nuh time/tek time, claim)

Catch up on my previous post HERE...

xo.

QUICK, EASY + HEALTHY PINTEREST LUNCH IDEAS

Hello everyone! So last week i shared with you some of my favourite/go-to quick, easy and healthy Pinterest breakfast ideas which have all the time and you can catch up on that post here if you didn't already. With that in mind i thought why not keep the ball rolling and share with you some of my favourite lunch ideas from Pinterest, which are also quick, easy and healthy to make (fun fact some of them are a healthy spin on some yummy yet naughty/not so good for you classics).

1. tortilla vegetable pizza (wallflower kitchen, blog)

If you are like me and are obsessed with pizza, then you are going to love a quick tortilla pizza for lunch and you can make them from as little as 200 calories (all depending on the calories on the tortilla wrap). You can either stick to your usual pizza toppings or go healthy by skipping the cheese and adding veggies, you can either meet in the middle adding a little of both. I have this lunch quite frequently and it only takes around 5 mins prep, before popping under the grill for a further 5-10 mins.

2. smashed peas/broad beans on toast/bruscetta (recipe: my little larder, blog)

If you have read any of my "what i ate in a day" posts previously, then you will probably remember me mentioning how much i love smashed peas or broad beans on toast, especially with some garlic and chilli. This is such a good alternative if you want an avocado on toast type of lunch but don't like avocado, which i don't. There are so many different things you can have which are quick, easy and healthy for lunch on toast, such as mushrooms, scrambled or poached egg or even a homemade/healthy version of baked beans.

3. baked sweet potato fries (live eat learn, blog)

By simply chopping some sweet potato up into thin strips before placing on a tray and adding a little salt, before baking on the oven is perfect for when you crave one of those "snack-y" type lunches. You can skip feeling guilty about having fries for lunch, as the sweet potato fries are baked and not fried therefor using a lot less oil (you probably only need a teaspoon if that). One of my favourite things to dip mine in is either sriracha hot sauce or sweet chilli dipping sauce, so yummy!

4. butternut squash, kale, butter bean pesto salad (cupful of kale, blog)

If lettuce isn't your thing but you want to up your intake of veggies at lunch time, then this butternut squash, kale and butter bean pesto salad is perfect for doing just that. Not only is this salad packed full of vitamins and goodness, it is also going to fill you up for longer than a regular salad would. This one is also great for having either hot or cold and is one that could be easily made in a larger batch for meal prepping.

5. cabbage, kale and potato rosti (delicious magazine, blog)

  I love anything potato, so rosti's are a favourite of mine and another great way of getting your intake of veggies up, without feeling like that is what you are eating. Delicious magazine has so many great recipes from lunches, dinners to desserts and this recipe also happens to be another one perfect for meal prepping and helping you save time in the long-run.

6. stuffed mushroom and halloumi pittas (olive magazine, blog)

Finally we have a quick and easy twist to your regular sandwich, by using pitta rather than bread and also pitta is lower in calories than bread. This recipe is actually one of my favourite things to grab at Nandos, so it is a great one to re-create at home also and it only takes 15 mins. You could stuff your pitta with any filling of your choosing and to suit your taste/preference.

Have a great weekend!

xo.

APRIL MUST-BUYS | CLOTHING, HOMEWARE + BEAUTY

Hello everyone and Happy April! Friday's post was me talking all things beauty and lifestyle favourites from the month of March, which you can catch up on here if you haven't done so already. So now that we are into a new month, i thought i would carry on the new tradition and share with you some of my "must-buy" items for April. This month it is a mixture of items that i have already picked up at the end of March for April, as well as a couple of things that i have my eye on and plan to pick up soon...

1. mac cosmetics hyper real glow palette | £35 |

First up is a new release from MAC last week, which i had heart eye emoji faces for from the second that i saw it and i plan to pick one up at the weekend hopefully. I am such a highlighter junkie and some of my favourites are from MAC, so i already know i am going to love this one. It is available in two different shades, get it glowin' (which is the one i want) and flash + awe. 

2. primark beauty nudes collection | from £1.50 |

So far this year i have tried and loved quite a few different products from the beauty range at Primark, they have seriously stepped their game up including launching a cool new range called "nudes". Next time i am near a Primark i am 100% going to nip in and hopefully pick up a few bits to try, i especially have my eye on the contour sticks, lipstick and lip glosses. 

3. h&m reversible powder pink shopper bag | £17.99 |

I have been looking for a larger bag for some time now in like a nude/blush colour and this one from H&M is perfect, especially for what i need it for. This size is perfect for if you are needing to carry a lot of things or when travelling. I can't believe how much of a bargain this bag is for the quality, you seriously wouldn't think it retails under £20 and it is also available in black, grey-beige and yellow but obviously i was looking for this colour.

4. mennace x missguided polka dot shirt | £15 |

Last week i placed a cheeky little order on missguided for a few things that i had my eye on, including this polka dot shirt/blouse from the mennace collaboration. What i really like about this shirt is that it could be worn either dressed up or down, with either black jeans, leather trousers or even a leather/suede skirt and £15 is a complete bargain. I'm also glad that i ordered a smaller size, as it is quite oversized. 

5. rachel vosper essence no2 large candle | £20 |

Another thing that i have an obsession with other than collecting highlighters, is collecting candles and this one from Dunelm is something like what i have been looking at getting my hands on for the longest time and nothing has ever been quite right for not an insane amount of money. I saw this one one someones Instagram post, so i am going to have to nip into my local Dunelm sometime this week and see if they have it. 

6. mac cosmetics prep+prime fix+ shimmer | £19 |

Fix+ has always been a favourite of my from MAC, so just like the highlighter palette once i saw this launch from the same "hyper glow collection" i knew i needed it. This is also available in two different finishes, goldlite (shock horror this is the one i want ha ha) and also pinklite. I love how this range caters to both those who love/suit gold tones more and then those who suit/love pink tones. This is definitely me and my sister, as i have my eye one the gold ones and she has her eye on the pink ones!

7. primark bra's/bralette | £5 |

Something that i recently picked some more up of is bra's and bralettes from Primark, as they do some of my favourites and there is no way you would think looking at them that they are £4-£5. Bra's can be super expensive and not wash nice/last for long but these ones actually do. I have a couple of the black bralette sets shown in the picture above and they are so comfy, as well as looking a little nicer than your standard bra would. Wearing a bralette also looks a little nicer under a shirt/blouse, especially if it has lace detailing. 

8. missguided white oversized striped t-shirt | £12 |

Finally another favourite item from my recent missguided order is this oversized striped t-shirt, which i picked up to wear casually with either some leggings or blue jeans. The model is wearing the t-shirt with a white denim skirt, which makes me think how nice it would look once the weather has hopefully warmed up/dried up with some white ripped jeans. This is also another item that i am glad i sized down on, taking the already oversized into consideration.

Catch up on a similar post HERE...

xo.

MY THREE GO-TO CONCEALERS

Hello everyone! Last month i kick started this little series on my blog, sharing with you my current "three go-to" products from a specific category. The posts from the series so far have been my three go-to travel friendly highlight palettes, my three go-to nude lip liners and finally my three go-to blushes, which you can catch up on by simply clicking on the post titles. This month i have found myself reaching for a couple of new concealers, which is nothing new for me seeing as i am a complete concealer junkie. So for this instalment i thought what better than to share with you, the three concealers that are my current go-to's.

maybelline fit me concealer in the shade 10 light

First up we have a concealer that i have loved for the longest time and a couple of months a go i decided to start using it again over my maybelline age rewind concealer, which i have also loved and used for years. I love this concealer as much as i love the matching foundation which is a lot, i love how full coverage yet hydrating/lightweight on the skin it is, the selling point for this concealer for me is how effortless it is to blend out and it is completely crease-proof. I have also mentioned how this is a great alternative to the nars radiant creamy concealer, but this will only set you back £5.99.

morphe brushes concealer in the shade oats

So this is a concealer that i only tried out for the first time recently, i also mentioned it in my recent what i use to fill in my brows post, as i use it to carve out/clean up my brows. I had mentioned in that post how i had heard so many mixed reviews on the concealer, that the only way to find out was to give it a try myself and i am so glad because i love it! I love me a more yellow based/under-toned concealer, to brighten up the under-eye area and the shade oats is perfect for that. What i will say is this concealer isn't as hydrating at the maybelline fit me concealer is, but it is still hydrating and doesn't crease under my eyes at all. This concealer is a complete bargain for only £5 and if you are from the uk, you can pick it up on beautybay.com.

nip+fab high coverage matte concealer in the shade 15

Finally we have this concealer from the new nip+fab makeup range, which i have been trying out a few things from this month and i will be sharing my thoughts in a post later on in the week, so stay tuned for that. Firstly if you have tried the ever so famous l.a girl pro conceal hd concealer, then this concealer is such a dupe for that, everything from it's formula to it's brush applicator in a squeeze-y tube. This concealer is super high coverage, yet creamy/not drying on the under-eyes which high coverage products can do. The only thing i would change about this concealer is that i would make it slightly more yellow toned, but  that is just my personal preference. What i will say though is for only £8.95 it is definitely a must-try affordable concealer. 

♥

WHAT I ATE WEDNESDAY

To start my day off before i had breakfast, i made a Costa Vanilla Coffee.

Then to follow... for breakfast i had Quaker Oats Porridge topped with Cinnamon and Currants.

For lunch i had something i don't have that often because to be honest soup isn't one of my favourite things to have, im not usually keen but i enjoyed this. Soup with Pea, Ham, Potato, Onion and Garlic then some Ciabatta bread on the side.

Whilst out i had a Starbucks Grande Raspberry and Blackcurrant Iced Tea, so good!!!

(Also on my nails is Essie's Jamaica Me Crazy, i love this nail polish).

For dinner i had, Red Pesto Linguine with Salmon cooked in Garlic, Red Chili and Ginger.

APRIL FAVOURITES

Hey guys! I hope you all had an amazing weekend whatever you got up to. I seriously can't believe it is the end of another month ALREADY! I keep feeling like i have been saying the same thing every month but it's true, the new month just keeps coming quicker each time. So here is a few of my favourite things from the month of April.

Elemis Fresh Skin - Skin Glow Face Wash.

I think i have mentioned in a previous blog post that i wanted to change up my skincare routine/items i was using. So i thought i would give this Elemis face wash a go and i love it! It firstly smells amazing as it contains cherry powder, jojoba beads, mandarin and aniseed; which all together smells so fresh and it leaves your skin feeling the same way.

Clarins - Beauty Flash Balm.

Like i said i wanted to change up my skincare, so i have been giving a few Clarins products a go and the beauty flash balm has definitely got to be my favourite. I have been using this as a primer right before applying my makeup, which is one of the ways you can use it or you can also apply a thick layer like a face mask and leave on for 10-15 mins then rinse away.

The Body Shop - Satsuma Shower Gel.

I think this particular fragrance of shower gel speaks for itself for lots of people, myself included. I am obsessed with the smell of this, it reminds me of those walls calippo ice lollies!

Soap & Glory - The Daily Smooth Body Butter.
Before i re discovered The Body Shop body butters, this soap & glory one was my holy grail go to one and after reaching for it again, i have fallen back in love with it. I think the thing what makes this particular one win over the tubs is the squeeze tube, it is just so much easier to get out and less messy.

Tresemmé - Keratin Smooth 60 Second Treatment Shot.
This is another one in my monthly favourites which i have mentioned in a couple of previous blog posts. I have switched my full hair care washing routine to the Keratin products and i just can't believe the difference in my hair, it's cut the time of blow drying/styling in half as it is just so much straighter and easier to handle.

Eylure - Lash Voluminous 24 Hour Eyeliner.
I haven't really been using much new this month makeup wise but whilst looking through my collection i re discovered this particular felt liner. I usually just use either my L'Oreal ultra precision liner or the MUA Luxe felt liner but that has dried out *sad face* so i reached for this one. I really like how easier it makes doing winged liner and how super black it is also.

Nivea - Vanilla and Macadamia Lip Butter.
This may just seem like boring old Nivea lip butter but oh my my this particular flavour smells and even tastes so good, almost like ice cream (the good kind you get in Italy). Another good thing about it is that it is super hydrating on my lips and they don't get dry anymore while im using this unlike before when using other lip balms/butters they would still get dry. My favourite combo is using the Lush lip scrub and then this after.

Random favourites:

TV Show: I have been watching Revenge for the whole of this month. I started watching the first couple of episodes back when it originally aired but lost interest, so i got back into it now and i am hooked!

Food: This month seeing has it has been Easter i have been loving Kinder Eggs as some of my family got me some for Easter. I just love anything Kinder chocolate!

Music: This month one of my favourite artists Justin Garner came out with a new EP called 7 and i just can't stop listening to it, whether it's when im getting ready in a morning or whilst doing some work. One of my favourite tracks is called Freakin Perfect.
If you want to check out his music you can do so here:
https://www.youtube.com/user/JustinGarnerVideos
https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/justin-garner/id431786314

What products have you been loving this month?

CHOCOLATE PRETZEL CUPCAKES

Hey guys, i hope you are all having an amazing day. I felt like i was in the mood for something chocolaty but different and easy to make. So seeing as i haven't uploading a baking blog post since back in December for Blogmas or baking at all since then, i thought i would give these chocolate cupcakes a go. If you want to re-create these "chocolate pretzel cupcakes" then please keep reading...

To make the cupcakes you will need:

175g caster sugar

175g butter

3 eggs

150g self raising flour

25g cocoa powder

1 level tsp. baking powder

12 cupcake cases

To make the topping you will need:

250g mascarpone cheese

2 tbsp. icing sugar

2 tbsp. freshly squeezed orange juice

1 bag cadbury's pretzels

Firstly before you start you are going to want to make sure you have clean hands. Then you are going to want to pre-heat your oven to gas mark 4 or 180°C/350°F and taking your baking tray you are going to want to line it with 12 cupcake cases.

To start off the cupcake mixture you are going to want to take you sugar, butter and eggs into your mixer and the sift in the flour, cocoa powder and baking powder.. then mix all together until combined and smooth.

Next you are going to want to take your mixture and spoon it into your cupcake cases, then place in the oven for 20 minutes. Once your cupcakes are cooked remove from the oven and leave to cool on a cooling wrack (you are going to have to make sure they are complete cool before moving on to the next step). 

So once cooled you are going to want to make your topping for the cupcakes, take your mascarpone, icing sugar and orange juice and mix it all together. Once the mixture is all combined either spoon or pipe your mixture onto your cupcakes then finally add your chocolate pretzels to top it off. When you have done all of this all there is left to do is eat, so enjoy!

Hope you enjoyed this type of blog post, if you ever decide to re-create this recipe then don't forget to tweet me a picture to @iamkatiee_

I would also love to know what your favourite thing is to bake?

MY HAIR FAVOURITES

It's not just important to look after your skin but also to look after your hair, i mean who doesn't love keeping their hair looking and feeling nice? cause i know i do. So today i thought i would share with you a few products i couldn't live without in my hair care routine.

*Just a quick disclaimer, all the products shown suit and work for my particular hair type which is curly*.

Like i said above my hair type is curly and not the nice kind, i 100% hate my natural hair when it is left not styled. All the products i use really work to my advantage as i always wear my hair straight, even if i wear my hair curly or wavy i always straighten it before hand as it makes the end result look so much better.

1. GHD Straighteners.

GHD is by far the best hair straightener out there (in my opinion anyway). They are around £99 but are worth every penny as they last for years and i use them every day. Also with me using them every day i also use L'Oreal Elnett 3 Day Straight heat protector spray (not shown on image), i just find that this not only helps protect my hair from the heat but also helps keep it straighter for longer.

2. ORIBE Dry Texturizing Spray.

This spray is really hyped up by a lot of other bloggers and youtubers and so it should be, i can't get enough of the stuff! I also like the Charles Worthington Salon At Home Texturizing Spray, i think it is as equally as good as the Oribe brand and probably a third of the price. I like to give my hair some volume especially at the roots, this does the job and keeps the volume instead of becoming flat again within a couple of hours. 

3. REDKEN All Soft Heavy Cream.

4. TRESEMME Keratin Smooth 60 Seconds.

These two items i alternate between them when i want to deep condition my hair after my usual shampoo and conditioner routine. I like to use these treatments once a week.

5. TRESEMME Keratin Smooth 7 Days Shampoo and Conditioner.

I have fell in love with Keratin products as i have found they have dramatically changed the way my hair looks and is so much easier to control. The Keratin formula smooths and helps straighten hair, which actually works unlike some that claim to do this but don't dramatically work.

6. TANGLE TEEZER.

I have been using a tangle teezer for around 2 years now and i would never go back to using a regular hair brush. The brush always glides straight through my hair if it has knots which i tend to get with my hair being long and it doesn't damage your hair at all. Such an amazing invention!

What are your favourite must have products for your hair type?

Hope you had an amazing Easter Weekend...

WHAT I ATE WEDNESDAY

For breakfast i had Quaker Oats So Simple multi-grain porridge with Sultanas and Cinnamon. To drink i had Orange Juice.

For lunch i had Light Philadelphia Cheese and Turkey on a Tiger Bagel, Danone Activia Peach Yogurt (i love these as they have bits of peach in them). To drink i just had Water.

For dinner i had Tagliatelle Pasta with Sweet Peppers, Tomato and Red Chilli Sauce, topped with Black Cracked Pepper and Parmesan Cheese.

I also had some San Pellegrino Limonata aka the best Lemonade ever made, it is so good!!!

APRIL EMPTIES

It's been a little over a month since i last did an empties blog post, so seeing as i have used up some more products i thought i would share my thoughts. Some are daily basics and some aren't...

L'Oreal Elnett Satin heat protecting spray.

In the past i have tried out so many different heat protectors, whether they are cheaper drugstore versions or higher end salon brands but non compare to this one I LOVE IT! The thing i hate about some heat protectors they tend to leave dried product on my straightener plates which is a nightmare to get off, this one doesn't do this at all.

Nivea gentle facial cleansing wipes in dry and sensitive skin.

I always purchase different facial wipes but then go back to these as i never like any other brands as much as these. They smell great, remove makeup well and doesn't dry my skin out. I have already repurchased and i will continue to over and over again, they are my holy grail face wipes.

Nspa Toner spray.

I have already repurchased this item as i love the fact it is in a spray bottle rather than having to use extra cotton pads, it's just so refreshing on my skin.

The Body Shop Vitamin E night cream.

I got this in a small sampler size just to try out, i liked the product i think it did it's job but there was nothing that made me think wow about it. I thought i would because i love the Cream Cleanser from this range.

No7 Exquisite Curl mascara in black.

I really liked this mascara, not for the top lashes but for my bottom lashes. The wand just seemed to work so well on them. I am not sure i will repurchase though as i just think there is so many better mascaras out there.

Tresemme Keratin Smooth 60 second treatment.

I mentioned these in my previous blog post about how much i liked them. I like to use one of these once a week after my usual shampoo and conditioner routine, i have found that it really helps my hair to straighten a lot easier after using it as my hair can be a nightmare to get completely straight with it being curly. 

The Body Shop honey mania shower gel.

I don't think i will use a different kind of shower gel again except for The Body Shop ones, i love them! The honey scent is also a top favourite, it smells so good! 

Garnier Mineral 5 protection deodorant.

I usually use the roll on deodorant by Garnier but i seen this one was new when out shopping and thought i would give it a try. I really like it as it actually does as it says. I have already repurchased.

Hope you all had an amazing weekend and are having a happy monday!