MY FOUR NAIL POLISH FAVOURITES FOR AUTUMN/WINTER

Hello everyone! If you have read my posts previously or you know me, then you will know already that i am such a neutrals girl at heart from anything neutral toned to nude lip products and of course when it comes to nail colours also. For me there is just something about autumn/winter time that always makes me want to bring out the darker nail polish shades, whether that be red tones or berry tones. That being said for today's instalment i thought i would share four of my personal favourite nail polishes for autumn/winter this year...

essie nail lacquer in the shade russian roulette | click to buy |

First up we have two of my favourite non-nude nail polishes by Essie, starting with the shade Russian Roulette which is the most beautiful bright red with almost a creamy orange under-tone to do and a glossy finish. This nail polish is that perfect Christmas party or even Christmas day shade of red, as it is such a classic and easy to wear colour. The thing i always have to say about Essie nail polishes is even though they are the "more expensive" side when it comes to drugstore nail polishes, they are definitely worth spending that little bit more on.

essie nail lacquer in the shade bordeaux | click to buy |

The next nail polish also by Essie this time a shade called Bordeaux which is definitely more on the dark side when it comes to nail colour, as it is this dark wine/burgundy shade also with a glossy finish. Unlike Russian Roulette which is more on the fun side of things when it comes to choosing a nail colour, i always feel like Bordeaux definitely gives off more of a sexy vibe. Even though this shade is super dark in tone it is in no way hard to apply, as dark shades formula's can be fairly thick and harder to apply but with Essie's darker shades that is not the case at all. As this shade is dark, you definitely only need to apply two coats unlike when you were to apply a much light shade of polish.

barry m gelly high shine nail polish in the shade blackerry | click to buy |

Next up ironically we have two shades from Barry M's Gelly Hi-Shine collection, which is a selection of different shades with a gel-like finish. First up is the last dark nail polish of the post called Blackberry, Blackberry is a very dark purple shade with a blue tone to it. The thing i will say about the darker shades from the Gelly collection can have that thicker almost gloopy texture to them, so make sure you shade the bottle well and don't overload the brush with product. This is a polish that you could get away with just applying one coat, but i personally always like to opt for two.

barry m gelly high shine nail polish in the shade peanut butter | click to buy |
Finally i am finishing this post up with an all year round favourite of mine now, also from the Barry M Gelly collection and of course i had to sneak a nude in there somewhere. This particular shade is called Peanut Butter (which lets face it sells you just with it's name), Peanut Butter is the most beautiful caramel/peach-y nude shade of nail polish. Unlike some nudes this particular one is definitely slightly on the darker scale of nude, which is what makes is perfect to wear on your nails all year round.

Catch up on my neutral nail polishes i couldn't be without post: here

xo.

MISSGUIDED AUTUMN/WINTER WARMER PICKS

Hello everyone! So the weather has definitely taken a turn for the worse and when i say worse, i mean it is freezing cold in the UK at the moment. Keeping that in mind i have noticed a wide range of new-in pieces on the Missguided site that are the perfect winter warmer pieces, to keep you looking/feeling toasty warm and i thought why not share my top picks with you all...

1. black faux leather biker jacket | £45 | - click to buy |

For me personally a black leather jacket is a wardrobe staple for all year round, especially for autumn/winter as you can either dress them up or down. I love this particular style with the faux fur collar and if i had seen this one before the new one i recently picked up on ASOS first, i definitely think i would of gone for this one. I love pairing them with a top/jumper, jeans and either boots or trainers, leather jackets also look great styled with scarves.

2. cream oversized boxy shaggy teddy jacket | £65 | - click to buy |

Something that is a huge trend for this autumn/winter season is faux fur/teddy jackets, which lets face it aren't they just so cosy and warm? I love this particular style as it isn't too long in length, which i am not a huge fan of as i am only 5ft2. This particular jacket also comes in a variety of different colours from cream to black and even a beautiful red colour.

3. petite black cropped boxy denim jacket | £25 | - click to buy |

I love denim jackets for more casual looks, especially this boxy style as you can layer with them easier during autumn/winter and look good paired with jumpers, unlike a regular fit denim jacket. This particular black boxy style is available in both regular fit and petite, for me personally as i am a little shorter petite fit always fits me a lot better than a regular fit. Another selling point for this jacket is how affordable it is at just £25, for such a well made/great quality jacket. I have had a few Missguided jackets over the years, that last/wear well.

4. grey cable knitted boyfriend jumper | £25 | - click to buy |

Something that is definitely a winter wardrobe staple is knitwear/jumpers and Missguided definitely have a huge selection to choose from, including this super cosy cable knit jumper that is available in six different colours but personally i love this grey colour. They also have different styles of knit jumpers from more fitted styles to off the shoulder style and super-oversized jumpers. The pricing of jumpers range from £10 to around £25/30 (all depending on the style) and they also wash really well.

5. black faux suede western ankle boots | £28 | - click to buy |

A style that i am personally enjoying wearing so far this autumn/winter season is ankle grazer style skinny jeans, paired with black suede ankle boots. I have a few pairs in my wardrobe including a couple of pairs i recently picked up similar to this style, one heeled and one more on the flat side. The thing i love about Missguided shoes is they are super comfy to wear/walk in for a long time without your feet aching.

6. black zig zag pattern scarf | £12 | - click to buy |

Finally, no autumn/winter wardrobe is complete without a staple scarf to layer up with when going out in the cold. The perfect thing about picking up a scarf that is either black or neutral, it is going to go with so many different outfits and whatever jacket/coat you decide to pair it with. I definitely think i am going to pick this particular scarf up, to style with a leather jacket, black jeans and heeled ankle boots for the perfect "shopping" look.

Catch up on my previous post: here

xo.

EVERYDAY MAKEUP | NOVEMBER EDITION

Hello everyone! For a while i had been reaching for the same products over and over, which i had mentioned in my previous everyday makeup post but i thought why not switch out a couple of things and i actually found myself reaching for some old favourites again, as well as some new ones...

| NARS all day luminous weightless foundation |

First up for foundation is an old favourite and still a favourite now, after picking up another bottle recently. What i have always loved about this foundation is that the coverage is full yet still natural and feels like nothing on the skin, as well as lasting all day long (which for me is always a must). The finish of this foundation is definitely more of the natural-luminous finish.

| revolution conceal and define concealer |

| bareMinerals invisible light translucent powder duo |

I first used this concealer constantly when it first launched as i loved it, then i discovered the my perfect colour concealer from Primark which i loved even more. That being said i have had to go back to this concealer as i am completely out of my back-ups and i can't find the concealer anywhere anymore in the Primark's local to me, so i don't know if it has been discontinued or if it is simply out of stock. That being said this concealer is simply as beautiful, lightweight and has great coverage. Then all i do is set both my foundation/concealer in place with my trusty bareMinerals powder duo, which keeps everything in place all day long and no need for touch-ups.

| anastasia beverly hills dipbrow pomade | 

| mac cosmetics pro longwear waterproof brow set |

So i have gone back to doing my brows the regular way, using a pomade over using the revolution brow tint and even though using the brow tint saves time, in the long run i found i was having to reach for something for touch-ups more and more. Of course i had to reach for my all time favourite by Anastasia Beverly Hills, along side my favourite tinted brow gel by MAC.

| ZOEVA matte eyeshadow palette |

On an everyday basis i like to keep my eye makeup super simple and quick to do, so i tend to just reach for one shade that i can simply pop on and blend out. Sometimes i will just reach for the bronzer that i am using but sometimes i will reach for a shade from a palette, like at the moment i am loving using the shade Eerily Empty which is the most beautiful neutral warm camel matte shade from the Zoeva matte eyeshadow palette. 

| ps pro hd mascara |

So another thing i have been doing on an everyday basis is simply just applying mascara to my top lashes, rather to both top and bottom as it looks a lot more natural and significantly reduces the risk of getting any transfer on your under-eye area. I am also still loving this mascara from Primark, which is such a bargain for a mascara at just £3 and especially because i actually like it better than the majority of the high-end mascaras i have tried in the past.

| laura geller baked gelato swirl illuminator |

No matter what the season is for me personally, i love a good golden/bronze highlighter and for me Gilded Honey is one of those that is always at the top of my favourites list. The pigmentation/texture of this highlighter is simply beautiful, as it is a super fine, yet smooth and easy to blend leaving you with this stunning gold highlight to the skin. 

| bareMinerals warmth all-over face colour |

I mentioned this product first in my previous everyday makeup post, as i had been really loving using it as an everyday eye colour. That being said now i have been using it for its "actual" purpose, which is as an all over face colour and for me this shade is perfect as a bronzer for me. The way that this mineral powder just blends out effortlessly and naturally, just leaving you with a bronzed look and some dimension to the face is just simply beautiful. I am not 100% sure if i love reaching for it as much as a pressed powdered bronzer, like my favourite invisible bronze bronzer also by bareMinerals but it is a close second.

| mac cosmetics lip pencil in the shade spice |

| mac cosmetics matte lipstick in the shade kinda sexy |

Finally for lips i have been switching between two different nude looks, one super light and the other more of a deep nude perfect for autumn/winter. When i just want to quick throw a lipstick on i have been reaching for KKW by Charlotte Tilbury a lot, as it is one of my favourite nudes and it is super comfortable to wear. For the darker more autumnal nude lip look, i have been loving pairing Spice lip liner and Kinda Sexy lipstick both by MAC together, as you get this beautiful neutral yet warm darker nude look when paired together. Sometimes i will just use the Kinda Sexy lipstick worn alone, which is when i want something in-between.

Catch up on my previous post: here

xo.

H&M PICKS FROM THE WEEKEND

Hello everyone! So this weekend i went shopping (mainly on the hunt for some new jeans), of course i ended up in H&M and once again found myself wanting to buying so many pieces. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share some of my favourite picks what i spotted in-store this weekend...

1. black fine-knit jumper | £12.99 |

First up is the item that i actually ended up buying, as i was on the look-out for a lighter weight/fine-knit basic black jumper and H&M is the place to look if you are looking for great knitwear. This jumper is the softest material, which feels like it will be super cosy this autumn/winter yet not overly warm and £12.99 is such a bargain.

2. strappy satin top with lace | £14.99 |

I spotted a few different patterned versions of this strappy satin lace detailed cami top but i love the leopard best out of the bunch, even though leopard is one of those things where you can go from cute to Pat Butcher in a split second (love that meme). These lace detailed cami's would look great either worn alone with a jacket or thick knit cardigan, or layered and styled with an off the shoulder knit jumper.

3. super skinny black ankle jeans | £19.99 |

As i already mentioned i was on the hunt for some new jeans this weekend, i spotted this pair first and they ticked all of the boxes but of course they didn't have my size in-stock. I love H&M jeans as they have a wide selection of styles/colours of denim and they are also really affordable but really good quality still.

4. khaki green shoulder bag | £19.99 |

For me H&M is hit and miss for bags but they actually have a few really nice new-arrival pieces in-store and online at the moment, this bag of course is one of them. This khaki colour is perfect to style with some autumn/winter outfits, especially with the contrast of the gold hardware detailing on the bag. This bag also comes in an equally beautiful powder pink shade!

5. light pink scarf | £12.99 |

As the weather has really taken a turn for the worse and dropped colder this weekend, i thought it was time to pick up a new scarf and they had a really large selection of both knitted/wool styles and cotton also, in so many different colours. That being said i am definitely more of a wool/knitted scarf kind of girl, as they are super cosy and i love this blush pink shade scarf.

6. scented candle in glass holder | £6.99 |

Of course i can't go into H&M and not take a look at the home section, as H&M is definitely one of my favourite places for homeware. I love their selection of candles, especially their bergamot and sandalwood scents and of course these new-in style glass jar candles are available is both of those scents.

7. white knitted jumper | £17.99 |

Another item i was going to pick up yet wasn't available in the size i wanted to get, was this beautiful super-soft white knitted jumper. This material of this jumper is still super light-weight and i think it would look great styled with jeans either tucked in with a belt or without, it also comes in black and a dark green shade. 

8. regular light denim girlfriend jeans | £34.99 |

Finally another pair of jeans that i spotted this weekend, this time is a girlfriend style which isn't a style i would usually opt for, i usually just stick with skinny leg jeans. What i like about these jeans is they are a still slim style in the leg yet a lot more relaxed, i also love the subtle distress to the jeans and the tapered frayed bottom.

Sign-up to H&M club for in-store/online offers and free delivery to save money of future purchases. You can also catch up on my previous post on tips how to save money on your wardrobe: here

xo.

THINGS I LOVE TO USE PINTEREST FOR

Hello everyone! So when it comes down to looking for inspiration for anything, what are the two things we always do? Google or search on Pinterest for help of course! Personally i am a Pinterest kind of girl, where i search for help or inspiration with anything. With that in mind i thought i would switch things up for today's post and by switching things up, i mean to share the things i love to use Pinterest for...

1. quick dinner recipes

I wonder if these three words are some of the most typed words in the Pinterest search bar? I ask this as it is probably one of mine! Pinterest is great for being about to type a brief sentence then it allows you narrow down your search (such as: healthy, vegetarian, cheesy, pasta, rice dishes etc). 

2. new/fun dessert recipes

Homemade desserts are just perfection and when it comes to looking for new or fun dessert ideas, Pinterest is the place to look yet again. If you have a specific ingredient or theme you want to go with, you can simply type those things into the search bar (such as: pumpkin cake) and all of the recipes will be there for you to scroll through.

3. seasonal home decor

If you are looking for a cheap/simple way to switch up your home decor for each season, you can simply search the site for different themed decor inspiration and narrow the search down to what colour scheme you want.

4. storage ideas

When it comes to having good or organised storage, there are so many other ways to have good storage and keep things looking organised than just having a boring plastic storage box. Pinterest has so many different ideas for different uses for different things to store your everyday items in, from empty candle holders, labelled jars, custom baskets and more.

5. nail art inspiration

Time to delve into the world of beauty that Pinterest has to offer and one thing that i constantly search for is, nail art/nail colour inspiration. By doing this it not only allows you to have different nails each manicure, rather than opting for the same thing each time and there are also so many easy step-by-step easy nail art designs.

6. beauty hacks

We all love a good beauty hack, don't we? I know i do and Pinterest is definitely one of the best places to search for help and fast. Beauty hacks range from makeup ideas, easy hairstyles, overnight beauty remedies and homemade/diy face masks.

7. coffee or dressing table styling ideas

One of the most simple ways to switch up something in your home is to change up the decor on your coffee table or dressing table. The site has so many different ideas on how to stage your table area for pretty much every single room, by using different candles, flowers etc and what items go together.

8. what to style with a specific item of clothing

Fashion is something we all want a little help with from time to time, not just because we might want to switch things up but also because you might want to search for a new trend. Something i turn to help from Pinterest for is ideas on what to style with a certain piece of clothing, for example what to wear with light-wash jeans and what to or how to style ankle boots.

9. iPhone/desktop wallpapers

Everyone likes to switch up their phone/desktop wallpaper from time to time, me included and Pinterest is definitely the best place to search for a new one. There are so many different wallpapers, with so many different themes, whether that be seasonal, by colour scheme or even by quotes. 

  

10. travel inspiration

Finally i love scrolling through the site to look for travel inspiration, from reading posts on what is best to do in what country, what restaurants to visit and of course what to avoid. Another reason for searching for travel inspiration is seeing all of the beautiful photography taken in so many different countries, cities and towns.

Catch up on a suggested post: here

xo.

WHAT TO WATCH ON TV THIS AUTUMN | PART TWO

Hello everyone! Autumn is that time of year which is that perfect weather outside to simply stay inside during the evenings or a lazy Sunday and just cosy up watching some good TV. Autumn/Winter always seems to be the time when all of the good new/existing TV shows come out, which couldn't be better timing really. With that in mind for today's post i am back with part two of "what to watch on tv this autumn" and i am so excited to share with you some existing/new upcoming shows...

1. station 19 - sky witness | catch up here |

So in part one i mentioned how once September rolls around so does the new season of Grey's Anatomy, which so far has been as amazing as it always is. Now that also means Station 19 is back with another season, which i am so excited because season one ended on a cliffhanger moment. Station 19 is a "spin-off" from the creators of Grey's Anatomy but all about the fire station Station 19 in Seattle and there has been a couple of cross-over episodes now between the two shows. This show has you feeling equally as hooked as when you are watching Grey's Anatomy and has you feeling all of those similar type of feels. 

2. line of duty - bbc/netflix | catch up here |

Next up is a show that i have finally started watching myself and i am so late to the party, but i am pretty sure i am not on my own there. If you watched the Bodyguard (which i featured in part one) and loved it, then Line of Duty is for you as it by the same writer. Line of Duty is a police drama, starting when DC Steve Arnott is transferred to a police anti-corruption unit after he refuses to be part of a cover-up involving an accidental shooting. Line of Duty currently has 4 seasons, with season 5 returning early 2019, so there is definitely plenty of time to get caught up this Autumn. 

3. the little drummer girl - bbc/amc | watch the trailer here |

If you was a huge fan of The Night Manager tv series, then you are probably going to want to be watching the new up-coming six part series also by the same production company and another adaptation from the genius spy novelist John le Carré. What makes me equally as excited for this show, as not only does the trailer make the show look as good if not better than the Night Manager is the fact that The Little Drummer Girl stars Alexander Skarsgård, who is by far one of my favourite actors and i mean isn't he lovely to look at also?

4. dark heart - itv drama | watch the trailer here |

Next is another up-coming show this time to ITV this month and is from the writers of the ever so talked about Unforgotten, which is another detective drama. Dark Heart follows DI Will Wagstaffe who is haunted by the murder of his parents when he was 16 years old. This series is an adaptation from novelist Adam Creed who has written a series of books featuring the main character Will Wagstaffe. This show will also be a six part series.

5. informer - bbc | watch the trailer here |

Next up is yet another six-part bbc drama set to fill that Bodyguard shaped hole in your evening, this time in the form of the counter-terrorism spy thriller Informer. This show is set to show you the messy/boundary-crossing relationship between an informant and police handler, that is set to have you hooked this Autumn as it follows the theme of trust, deception and ever-present danger. This series has a premiere date coming Tuesday 16th October on BBC one at 9pm! 

6. a discovery of witches - sky one | catch up here |

Finally is a new show to Sky that so far has a handful of episodes that has aired called A Discovery of Witches, which is definitely a series for those who love diving into the world of something a little more supernatural. The show is based around a historian Diana who finds herself in a world of Vampires, Daemons, Witches and forbidden love and also comes across something that forces her to uncover her own magical heritage.

Catch up on "what to watch on tv this autumn" part one: here

xo.

MY TOP SIX FAVOURITE PROTEIN WORLD "SLENDER BLEND" RECIPES

Hello everyone! For today's post i am back with another foodie/healthy lifestyle type of post. This time i thought i would actually share some of my favourite recipes that i have been loving to eat for the past few months, which all have "the slender blend" by Protein World incorporated in them somewhere...

So like i said for the past few months now i have been incorporating "the slender blend" by Protein World in to my diet a lot and i have been not only enjoying the taste of everything i have tried but also the difference in the way i feel personally, as i honestly feel really good right now! There is this whole taboo subject about "weight loss" products and if i am being completely honest, i think a lot of these appetite/weight loss products that people get paid for promoting a lot on social media are not a healthy way to lose weight (don't hate me but that's just my opinion). That be said with the Slender Blend you are getting those natural ingredients that you need to maintain a healthy lifestyle, which is high protein, low calorie/sugar yet high in fibre. 

1. post-workout/meal replacement

So first of all is probably the easiest form to use Slender Blend, which is simply by making a shake the regular way with the shaker. You can get the Slender Blend in so many different yummy flavours ranging from Vanilla to Chocolate, Raspberry and White Chocolate and a lot more (personally i like to stick to the Vanilla and then Chocolate). To make this shake you simply add four scoops of powder to 400ml of water or milk (i use Almond Milk) and shake away. - Perfect for an on-the-go breakfast.

2. slender coffee shake

Next up is another shake but this time one that i pop into my Nutribullet, as it is more of a Frappe style shake and still a super quick snack/meal to have. I simply make a shot of coffee up before taking my nutribullet cup, adding Ice, two scoops of Slender Blend, then the Coffee before filling to the max point with Almond or Coconut Milk and then blend away until smooth.

3. chai vanilla porridge

Now that it is autumn i have been loving having Porridge again for breakfast, as it is not only super yummy but also Oats are so good for you. I kind of came up with this recipe by eye-balling it by chance and now i am obsessed with it, as it is full of those perfect cinnamon/chai autumn flavours. I weigh out 30g of Rude Health Oats, add one scoop of  Vanilla Slender Blend, 1/2 tsp Cinnamon, 1/2 tsp Ground Ginger, a handful of Mixed Dried Fruit and then 100ml Almond Milk, before popping in the microwave for 2-3 Minutes.

4. not-nutella overnight oats

Next up is a recipe that i put a spin on from the not-so-nutella shake recipe that Protein World have on their site, the spin being i like to do it in Overnight Oats form. Overnight Oats are that perfect, yet healthy and still yummy meal prep breakfast, which can be made into so many different flavours. To make the not-nutella Overnight Oats i simply take 30g of Oats, one scoop of Chocolate Slender Blend, 1/2 tsp Cocoa Powder, 1 tbsp Almond/Peanut or Hazelnut Butter, 2 chopped up Dates and 100 ml Almond Milk. Then all that is left to do is leave in the fridge overnight to do its magic.

5. berry protein bowl

Next up is another spin on a Protein World site recipe, as i modify it by adding/taking away some of the ingredients i don't like. A lot of smoothies have Banana incorporated into them, but fun fact i hate anything Banana flavoured or Banana in general. That being said to make the Slender Blend Berry Protein Bowl i simply add, Frozen Berries, 2 scoops of Vanilla Slender Blend, 50ml Almond Milk and a handful of Ice before blending all together and adding toppings of your choice. 

6. slender pancakes

Finally we have something that i have been itching to try for so long as they always come highly recommended, so i finally picked some up and i can now see why they are highly recommended. I love traditional pancakes as they are so yummy, so if i can get something that tastes good like they do but be good for you then i am going to take that option. They are also super easy to make you simply shake/mix the mix together with water/milk pour into the pan, flip and you are done within 3 minutes. The fun starts when you have to decide what toppings to serve with them, which you can afford to do as the pancakes are only 85 calories each.

Check out the Protein World site for more fun/yummy recipes: here

xo.

GOODREADS | BOOKS I WANT TO READ THIS AUTUMN

Hello everyone! It only feels like just yesterday that i was sharing my goodreads summer holiday romance reads, yet here we are now talking all things autumn/winter. As i mentioned in my summer goodreads post it is good to switch up the cosy-ing up with a good book for by the pool, but those days are over and we are back to getting all cosy with your favourite autumnal scented candles lit instead. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you the romance reads that i can't wait to get stuck into this autumn...

1. sweet possession - j.daniels | buy on amazon | goodreads |

First up is the second book in a Sweet Addiction series by the author J.Daniels, which i read the first book literally within two evenings i was that hooked on the story and i mentioned this in my september must-buys post. These books follow the story of Dylan and Reese who's relationship to each other started as a wedding hook-up, a one off and is definitely a must read. Book one had me feeling all of the emotions as i laughed, cried, as well as swooning over Reese and i can't wait to pick up where i left off with book two (book one ends in a cliffhanger).

2. dear jane - kendall ryan | buy on amazon | goodreads |

Next up is a book that isn't released until the middle of the month but it is one i can't wait to read, as i have read a handful of Kendall Ryan's books now and i have loved every single one of them (especially Mister Tonight). Dear Jane is kind of a re-kindling romance story as the main character broke her heard and left town ten years ago, now he says he has changed and wants one shot to make everything right again but i don't think things will be as simple as that seems. 

3. hot winter nights - jill shalvis | buy on amazon | goodreads |

Jill Shalvis is an author i know through Passionflix, as her novel The Trouble With Mistletoe was turned into a movie last Christmas time and i have watched it so many times. Almost a year on and she has a new release called Hot Winter Nights, which i can't wait to read also as of course the setting is perfect for this time of year (either autumn or winter time). That being said the story line has a very "protector" kind of theme to it, which has me itching to read more than it being fitting for the time of year.

4. pinch of salt - bethany lopez | buy on amazon | goodreads |

This is one of the book out of many that i have downloaded to my kindle whilst on free promotion, which if you didn't know you can get so many free books from the kindle store. The free books switch and change all the time, so it is worth taking the time and looking often just in-case something takes your fancy. This is a great way to try some books from authors you haven't read anything by before or to try the first book in a series. This book is one where the description made me click download as it has a slightly different theme to the story, than some of your typical romance books as it is good to switch things up from time to time.

5. flirting with forever - kendall ryan | buy on amazon | goodreads |

Another book by Kendall Ryan that is also on my to read list, is a new release by the author at the beginning of last month that i am yet to get around to reading. The theme of the book is all about not realising that the right person was right in front of them all along, in the form of a friendship turned relationship story. If it is anything like all of her other books i know i am going to love this one also, as i mentioned before i am yet to be disappointed. If you are looking for something super sexy, flirty and the perfect mix of funny and serious, then i definitely recommend her books!

6. josh and hazel's guide to not dating - christina lauren | buy on amazon | goodreads |

Finally we have a book that i spotted on my goodreads new releases list and after reading the description of the book. The story behind this book is about two friends who are apparently "just friends", that have reformed their friendship years on. As they aren't dating each other, they are setting each other up on terrible double blind dates destined for failure that means nothing between them apparently (i can already tell i am not convinced that is the case and that makes me want to read it even more).

Catch up on a suggested autumnal post: here

xo.

THINGS TO DO TO FEEL AUTUMNAL

Hello everyone! For today's post i am back with another autumnal inspired post, more specifically to help anyone who is yet to get into that autumnal spirit. I am such a summer kind of girl, but i am also a sucker for this time of year and anything/everything autumn inspired from the scents to food/drinks and decor. With that in mind here is thirty things to do to help you feel autumnal this October...

1. light/buy your favourite autumn scented candles

Catch up on my the best budget autumn candles post: here

2. dig out your favourite cosy jumpers/knitwear or treat yourself to something new

3. switch out your summer nude lipstick for a warm brown nude

4. go for a walk in the park or a forest through crisp autumn leaves

5. switch your instagram theme from summer to autumn/winter photographs

6. do some halloween/autumnal diy

7. give yourself a manicure, painting your nails in a deep red/plum shade

8. pick up a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks

Not everyone loves PSL but you never know until you try it, i personally love them

9. make pumpkin/butternut squash soup

10. create a seasonal display on your fireplace

11. invest in a pair of thick cosy soaks, primark have some amazing pairs

12. diy or buy an autumnal flower/leaves wreath

13. donate some food/tins to your local church for harvest festival

14. switch out your regular tea for chai tea

15. make roasted veggies as a side dish for your dinner

16. shop around for a new winter coat or jacket

17. buy some halloween themed sweeties or food for guests/yourself

18. buy a pumpkin/pumpkins

19. carve one of the pumpkins you bought

20. watch some of your favourite autumnal/halloween movies

21. look out for the sunrise at this time of year, they are simply beautiful

22. go to an Oktoberfest event

23. visit an around the world market local to you

24. take a weekend away somewhere

25. bake some halloween treats or pumpkin bread

26. take a trip to a country estate or village in the countryside

27. add cinnamon to your regular porridge oats to make it seasonal

28. dig out a berry/vamp-y lip colour from time to time

29. go out for a Sunday roast to your favourite village pub

30. celebrate halloween

Catch up on my previous post: here

xo.

EIGHT THINGS I'M LOVING ON ASOS RIGHT NOW

Hello everyone and Happy October! Seeing as we are officially entering cold weather season, i have been searching for some key autumn/winter pieces for my wardrobe and of course one of the places i always head straight to is ASOS. A few months back i first did a "things i'm loving on ASOS right now" post, which you can catch up on here. Keeping that in mind i thought why not do a follow up post and share a selection of my favourites on the site right now, some of the items i have already purchased and some i am planning on doing so soon...

1. ASOS DESIGN t-shirt with "yasss" print | buy here |

So first up is a slogan tee that i picked up last month because as soon as i saw it, i just couldn't not put it in my shopping bag. I am super selective when it comes to slogan t-shirts but i love the mix of sass of the phrase and the classic monochrome font/t-shirt, i also love how this t-shirt is shorter in length yet not cropped.

2. ASOS DESIGN petite jumper "mono chevron" pattern | buy here |

If you know anything about me then you will know i am usually a plain/basic design kind of girl, yet recently i am loving wearing a lot more patterned pieces. I fell in love with this mono chevron jumper as soon as i saw it, as i love the way it looked paired with the blue jeans. I also think this jumper could be dressed up for a meal out, maybe with a pair of leather/wax finish black trousers or even skirt and a belt.

3. Bershka cord dungaree dress | buy here |

I have been on the hunt to three different Primark's multiple times looking for the famous black cord dungaree dress that everyone seems to be picking up, yet i simply can't find one. So i decided to look somewhere else for one similar that is still affordable, this has definitely got to be my favourite one. I think a dungaree dress this autumn/winter time will be a great way to layer and it will make a change from jeans.

4. ASOS DESIGN petite kadi heeled over the knee boots | buy here |

If you are looking for a good quality pair of over the knee boots this new season, yet you don't want to spend a fortune then ASOS is definitely the place to take a look. They have so many different styles, colours, range of heel size and feel width also. I think these boots would look great paired with the dungaree dress above, or maybe a leather/cord skirt and a cute knit jumper.

5. ASOS DESIGN elsa sock boots | buy here |

Next up is yet another pair of boots but this time in sock/ankle boots form, i also fell straight in love with these as soon as i saw them on the New-In section. I love how these are your classic look black ankle/sock boot but they have silver mirrored metal detailing at the top of the block heel.

6. New Look tab slipper flat shoes | buy here |

Ok, we have the final pair of shoes for this post i promise! This time not a boot but this gorgeous plain black pair of slipper style flats by New Look, which i must say i am loving so many things by them at the moment (including a jumper from ASOS which is sadly no longer available for some reason). I really love the whole loafer/skinny jeans look and i think these are a super simple/classic pair, without too much fuss.

7. New Look 2-pack leopard/black skinny belt | buy here |

Belts are such a key staple for styling up an outfit at the moment and the high-street have so many great affordable versions, that being said when i saw this 2-pack on ASOS i had to look twice as for both belts it is just £3.99! Another trend i am loving that has made a come back (which i have added quite a few new pieces into my wardrobe recently) is leopard print.

8. Bershka striped heavy knitted jumper | buy it here |

Finally we have a jumper that is still currently available (for some reason they all seem to be flying out of stock, anyone would think the weather is turning cold ha ha). Bershka actually have a huge range of gorgeous knitted jumpers this year, in so many great colours and i am especially loving this pink and red combination.  

Catch up on Friday's instalment: here

xo. 

MUSIC AT THE MOMENT | MY GO-TO CHILL PLAYLIST

Hello everyone! So for today's post i am back with another music at the moment post, but this time with a twist. I don't know about you but on my Spotify (more specifically the playlists i make myself), i always have different playlists for different music/categories all depending on what mood i am in. That being said at the moment i am loving listening to my more "chill" type of music playlist and i thought why not share with you all of the songs that are on this playlist. This playlist is full of songs by some of my favourite artists such as Majid Jordan, DVSN, Bryson Tiller, Gallant, MIKExAngel, Tory Lanez and Summer Walker...

Want to listen to any of the songs included in this post? Simple click on the song title:

1. spirit - majid jordan

2. all over you - majid jordan

3. with me - dvsn

4. W.E.T - paloma ford

5. complicated - MIKExANGEL

6. ain't nobody takin my baby - russ

7. 2am - che ecru

8. lights out (hymm too) - H.I.M

9. habits - H.I.M

10. manhattan - gallant

11. i like u - NIKI

12. right now - trevor jackson

13. slip & fall - elhae feat. eric bellinger

14. king city - majid jordan

15. coming home - zhu feat. majid jordan

16. deep - summer walker

17. cpr - summer walker

18. anxious - MIKExANGEL

19. acting like - tory lanez, shlohmo

20. better - khalid

21. canceled - bryson tiller

22. we both know - bryson tiller

23. best part - daniel caesar feat. H.E.R

24. TOOGOODTOBETRUE - gallant feat. sufjan stevens

25. the first time - elliott trent

26. keep in touch - tory lanez feat. bryson tiller

27. do me like that - kalin white

28. nov 12 - SoMo

29. neither do i - stwo feat. jeremih

30. body smile - dvsn

Missed my summer favourites post? Catch up on that: here

xo.

NOTHING BUT THE BAREMINERALS | EVERYDAY MAKEUP

Hello everyone! So fun fact i used to switch up my everyday makeup routine products every single month, now it is completely the opposite and i only ever switch a couple of things out every couple of months or so. This might seem boring but i have come to stick to what i like (i know we all do this more often than not) that being said now we are into autumn, i have switched up quite a few different products. With that in mind for today's post i thought why not share with you my current everyday go-to makeup...

maybelline fit me matte + poreless foundation in the shade 220

First up is foundation and of course this is a foundation that hasn't been switched out for a while now, as it is my favourite foundation of all time. What i love about this foundation is it is so reliable and i know it isn't going to let me down, from its finish, the coverage, shade and how long-wearing it is. Talking of foundations i do really want to give the new Conceal + Define foundation by Revolution a try, as i still love love love the concealer.

revolution conceal + define concealer in the shade c6

As i just mentioned i am still completely in love with this concealer and i am currently reaching for it on a daily basis (so much so i am almost out). I honestly can't fault this concealer one single bit, it doesn't crease under the eyes even though it is a slightly thicker consistency as it is still hydrating. The coverage is medium-full/build-able and it comes in a such a wide range of different shades, to match so many different skin-tones.

bareMinerals invisible light translucent powder duo  

You will probably of figured out already but i am loving reaching for a lot of bareMinerals products at the moment, but that is simply because i can't fault their products whatsoever. I just love the finish and feel of this powder to set my makeup in place, it feels super light and looks flawless and as this is a powder duo you have both the matte finish powder and glow finish powder to play with.

bareMinerals gold obsession candlelight glow illuminator

So this product was actually limited edition from last Christmas and i am really hoping they bring it back this Christmas so i pick up another to have in stock, as i have honestly never tried anything like it before. This highlighter is so uniquely beautiful, as it is in fact a cream highlighter that once applied and blended into the skin transforms into a silky powder finish. Once applied you are left with the most beautiful yet natural golden glow to the skin, especially if you apply is with a damp beauty blender/sponge.

bareMinerals invisible bronzer bronzing powder in the shade medium

I had been loving using one of the bronzing powders from Primark over the summer, that being said i am still too caught up on this bronzer by bareMinerals and i always always always go back to it soon enough. This bronzer has probably featured in nine out of ten everyday makeup posts, as just like the Maybelline Fit Me foundation this bronzer never lets me down. The shade medium is the perfect shade for my skin, it applies flawlessly, warms up the skin yet still looks natural and of course it stays looking fresh all day long.

bareMinerals all over face colour in the shade warmth

So i have this small size in the all over face powder, which is the most beautiful deep yet warm bronze shade and i have actually been loving using it not on the face but on my eyes. The reason for this being is i do more often than not just use bronzer on my eyes, for a quick everyday eye look and as this product is more of a loose mineral product it takes zero effort to blend out. This product still leaves you with this beautiful warm/bronze wash of colour on the eyes, before i simply curl my lashes and pop some mascara on.

MAC Pro longwear waterproof brow set

As i always use the Revolution brow tint in the shade dark brown on my eyes two-three times a week, i only ever have to go in with some brow gel to finish my brows off once i have done my makeup. The brow tint has honestly cut the time it takes to do my makeup down by half, it is such a heaven sent product and i don't think i could go without it now. That being said i do still like to apply some brow gel to set the hairs in place and get rid of any small powder bits that might have got onto my brows, that is why i always leave this until the end.

MAC lip pencil in the shade spice + 

bareMinerals gen nude matte liquid lip colour in the shade cult

Finally we have the lip combination that i have been loving reaching for on an everyday basis at the moment, especially the lip liner by MAC in Spice as it is the perfect warm brown-ish nude liner for autumn. Then to lighten it up slightly i like to add a tiny amount of Cult liquid lipstick by bareMinerals to the middle of the lips before blending it in with my finger. The shade Cult is quite a light nude shade worn alone, yet paired with another lip colour it is simply stunning and not to mention long-wearing.

Want something else to read? Catch up on a suggest post: here

xo.

THE BEST BUDGET AUTUMN CANDLES

Hello everyone! If you have read a lot of my posts previously or know me personally, then you will know that i am such a sucker for a good candle and i love so many different scents for each different season. Now that we are fast headed into autumn/fall, it is all about those cosy/warming scents and you can get your hands on a bunch of autumn appropriate candles without breaking the bank. So for today's post i thought why not share with you all some of the best budget candles, that you can pick up for this autumn...

1. yankee candle warm cashmere | £17.99 |

This candle was a new release last autumn from Yankee Candle and it became one of my favourites instantly, so i am glad that it is back for another year. Yankee Candles are one of the candles worth spending that little bit more on but you still won't break the bank, they burn even and are guaranteed to fill the room with a beautiful scent. Warm cashmere is perfect for a cosy evening in as it has those beautiful calming notes of cashmere woods, sandalwood and golden amber. The fragrance is the perfect balance of warm, sweet and yet still fresh. Warm cashmere is currently the candle of the month, so take advantage of the 25% off.

2. glade nutcracker delight | £4 |

I have never really been a huge fan of the Glade candle scents but i always tend to love the room sprays, that was until i smelt this limited edition Nutcracker candle. This is another one of those cosy scents this time filled with more sweet notes, especially from the maple and praline. This scent could be one of those candles that would be perfect from autumn right until the Christmas period. If fruity fresh scents are more your thing, over anything sweet then this candle also comes in a Sugarplum Fantasies scent which is fruity and floral.

3. yankee candle autumn pearl | from £1.79 |

The good thing about Yankee Candle is you can try out any new scent without having to make the plunge and buy a larger jar, as they come in many different forms from wax melts, to votives and then the small, medium and large jars. Autumn pearl is a new scent this year from Yankee Candle and it is filled with fresh yet sweet notes like vanilla, creamy orchid, plum and spun sugar. 

4. sainsbury's home black amber + patchouli candle | £8.66 |

Sainsbury's is seriously underrated for their homeware, as they always have so stunning pieces that are an amazing quality for a great price. This candle has that really luxurious feel to it from its packaging to its beautiful warming black amber scent, which when lit gives off the most sophisticated almost sexy scent. Sainsbury's currently have a 1/3 off selected items, this candle includes as it was £13 for a large jar and it is now just £8.66.

5. h&m home no4 sandalwood scented candle | £12.99 |

H&M is literally my favourite place to buy homeware and i always have my eye on something new from them, especially when it comes to their candles. As you can probably tell from the theme one of my favourite cosy autumnal scents is sandalwood or amber, as they really give off that warm/cosy vibe to a room. This particular candle is also available in a cinnamon scent and a fig scent, two other scents perfect for the time of year. The packaging on these candles are also super luxurious and are perfect jars for reusing.    

6. yankee candle radiant autumn | £13 |

Finally we have another new scent from Yankee Candle but this time from their Home Inspiration range which you can pick up at pretty much every supermarket, especially Asda and Tesco. The great thing about this range is they have different scents available and are a lot more affordable, as a large jar is just £13 where as a regular original candle from the brand is £23.99. The scent Radiant Autumn is the perfect balance of sweet but also with a hint of fresh/crisp notes, which to me screams autumn as it is all about that balance with the cosy feel of indoors but the crisp cool air of the outdoors. 

Looking for something to watch on TV this autumn whilst getting cosy? Then catch up on my recent "what to watch on tv this autumn" post: here

xo.  

AUTUMN RECIPES | HEALTHY DINNER IDEAS

Hello everyone! So when it comes around to this time of year, there is nothing better than having something warming yet delicious to eat for dinner. That being said just because it isn't summer anymore and you are going to want something a lot heartier, it doesn't mean it can't be healthy still because it can. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you some of my personal favourite healthy dinner ideas for autumn...

1. butternut squash and chickpea curry

So i recently picked up a copy of the October Slimming World magazine, not because i follow Slimming World unlike i know a lot of people do but because i have seen so many people create yummy syn friendly/free meals created by Slimming World and i wanted to give them a go. One recipe from the magazine that really caught my eye, is this delicious butternut squash and chickpea curry. Curry is a favourite of mine as i love anything spicy and it is perfect for autumn time, with some wholegrain rice or even lentils/bulgur wheat.

2. squash, spinach and walnut linguine

Next up is another squash inspired dish and actually a recipe from a blog post of mine from almost two years ago, still a firm favourite of mine during autumn/winter. This recipe is super simple yet super tasty and packed full of all the good stuff, the only thing i would say is if you are following a certain strict diet switch the olive oil up for a tiny amount of spray oil (which is what i now do also). 

3. one pan healthy sausage and roasted vegetables

This is a recipe that can be done with regular sausages or vegetarian sausages and definitely a favourite of mine, all year round not just autumn time. This can literally all just be thrown into one pan or a baking tray and be left to roast in the oven until cooked, not many dishes to wash afterwards either. Roasted veggies always have this beautiful taste to them, unlike when you would just boil them or steam them which makes them a lot more enjoyable to eat therefor you can get more veggies inside of you. 

4. sicilian-style salmon with garlic mushrooms

Fish dishes are another one of those perfect for autumn time, especially this salmon dish from the BBC food website which is paired with autumn style veggies and yummy garlic mushrooms. This dish is super quick to throw together, doesn't contain many ingredients but is still full of beautiful flavours and full of goodness. 

5. sweet potato + kale chilli

Just like curry to me chilli screams warming/hearty autumnal food, especially this delicious sweet potato and kale chilli inspired from Pinterest. I love how full of autumnal colours this dish is, with the orange of the sweet potatoes, green of the kale and deep red of the kidney beans. This is another one of those dishes that could be either served alone, with some rice or bulgur and if you have any left overs eaten alone is perfect for lunch time.

6. broccoli pasta bake

Two things i love to eat a lot are pasta and anything cheesy and i definitely limit the amount i have so much more than i would of in the past. That being said if you do cut down the amount you eat, a little once in a while will do you good as you do need some of the benefits from the two. Broccoli pasta bake is such a simple yet delicious meal that can be made/tweaked to your own specific diet. Cutting back of cheese and adding maybe some nutritional yeast as a substitute or even just bread crumbs, or a mixture is a great way to cut back on the calories yet you are still getting the same crusty topped effect. 

Want to finish your evening off with a low calorie/syn friendly snack/dessert? Catch up on my recent blog post sharing some of my favourites: here

xo.