MOTIVATION MONDAY #3 | MY TEN GO-TO HEALTHY BREAKFASTS

Hello everyone and welcome back to the third instalment in my "Monday Motivation" series this month! When it comes to trying to stay on track/stay eating healthy, one of the key steps to maintaining this is to ALWAYS eat breakfast. By starting your day off eating breakfast, you are not only going to have more energy to stay motivated during the day but you are also going to less likely snack/eat foods that are not necessarily good for you. With that in mind for this weeks instalment, i thought i would share my ten go-to healthy breakfasts...

1. good grain puffed wheat or multigrain cheerios with almond milk

Cereal is such a quick and easy breakfast but a lot of cereals tend to have a ton of sugar in them, so if you are trying to be good make sure you check the sugar contents on the box before hand. Two of my go-to's are the Good Grain puffed wheat, which is high in fibre, low in sugar and calories. The other cereal i love is the plain multigrain cheerios, unlike the honey/chocolate ones, the multigrain ones are lower in sugar and are super high in fibre. I always have unsweetened almond milk with mine or sometimes coconut milk, as i don't have cows milk.

2. overnight oats

Overnight oats are another great quick and easy breakfast to have, as it literally takes five minutes if that to make the night before and leave it in the fridge until you are good to go. Oats are a really good fat burner, as well as keeping you fuller for longer. I actually have a full blog post on my blog already with lots of different overnight oats recipes/toppings, which you can catch here.

3. porridge

As well as overnight oats another oat-y breakfast i love is regular porridge, some people see porridge as boring but you can add so many different things to it and make it a lot more interesting/tasty. My current favourite is oats, unsweetened almond milk, a tablespoon of PB2, cinnamon and a tsp of organic honey.

4. yogurt and fruit

Another quick and easy breakfast, which i am all about in the morning is yogurt and fruit on top. My favourite is a fruit-y muller light yogurt with some peaches sliced up on top. You can do this with so many different fruits/flavoured yogurts, you can also add a drizzle of honey or agave nectar over the top if you wish. 

5. alpro plant yogurt with homemade/granola topping

Another great yogurt breakfast, this time completely vegan/dairy-free is some of the Alpro plant based yogurt, either the vanilla or almond flavour topped with some homemade granola. The homemade granola we have is literally just dates, dried fruit, different nuts and oats baked in the oven and it is delicious.

6. coffee protein smoothie

This particular breakfast is what i always tend to have if i am not feeling particular hungry when i get up, but i still have breakfast so you don't skip a meal. The smoothie couldn't be easier to make either as it is simply just four tablespoons of rolled oats, two tablespoons PB2 either plain or cocoa, one tablespoon coffee or espresso powder, almond milk and ice.

7. scrambled egg on toast

It is not often that i have toast for breakfast anymore but i do tend to more so on the weekend, yet unlike before i only ever have one slice and it is always wholegrain/seeded. Then to top it off i will have one large egg scrambled, with a splash of water added to it and this allows them to go super fluffy and then i always like to have a drizzle of chilli sauce over top.

8. homemade beans on toast

Another great weekend breakfast on toast is homemade baked beans, which is literally just any canned beans you want, onion, garlic, chilli and tinned chopped tomatoes cooked on the hob. Then just like the egg once cooked, i place some over top of one slice of wholegrain/seeded toast. I also don't have butter or butter substitute on the toast, as i just prefer it without but that is totally up to you.

9. smoothie bowl

Another smoothie one but this time in a bowl with toppings on top, when it comes to the smoothie itself i opt for frozen mixed berries mixed with almond milk and then topped with some nuts or the homemade granola. You could also top it off with some more fresh fruit, or even all of the above all depending how hungry you are.

10. homemade baked oatmeal/granola bars or squares

Finally this is definitely one of those good for both breakfasts or a snack when on the go, as you can make a tray up and keep them stored all week. You can pretty much make your oatmeal bars whatever flavour you want, a good one is blueberry and coconut. You can find a ton of different recipes on Pinterest.

Catch up on last week's instalment 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.

TWELVE PHOTOGRAPHY PROPS UNDER £12

Hello everyone! So if you are a blogger or you just enjoying taking beautiful thought about shots for your social media, then i am pretty sure when you see something you think to yourself "that would make a great photography prop" because i know i do. A lot of these items can add up to be pretty expensive but it doesn't have to be the case at all, as there are so many great affordable options out there. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would do something different and share with you twelve great photography props for £12 and under.

1. Plate or Jewellery Dish | H&M Home Porcelain Plate | £6.99

Plates and dishes have to be one of my favourites, as it can add simple detail to an image and also create space for more items on one image.

2. Candle Jar | H&M Home Scented Candle | £6.99

Candles really add that classic/homely feel to set a scene in an image, they also look great for storing other items once all the wax has been burned.

3. Artificial Flowers/Flower Vase | M&S Allium in Vase | £9.50
Flowers or Flowers in a vase are great for adding background detail, as well as being able to add a little colour to a more neutral photograph or theme.

4. Stationary Props | Typo Eiffel Scissors | Was £8 Now £6
Using stationary for a more lifestyle themed photograph is great to fill in any empty spaces, as well as adding more detail and thought to the themed image.

5. Jewellery | ASOS Ring Sets | £6
Simple jewellery is another great space filler or even placed on a jewellery dish for more detail, you can even pick some up for as little as £1 from Primark if you want them purely for photos.

6. Makeup Brushes | Amazon 12 Piece Eye Makeup Brush Set | £3.34
Even if amazon brush sets aren't your thing for using on a day to day basis to apply your makeup, they are still great/beautiful for adding in with a makeup themed post.

7. Hanging/Flat Decorations | H&M Home Star Decoration | £2.99
Adding decorations which can be picked up for such little money, is perfect for adding a theme to your photos as well as being fitting for Christmas/Winter posts coming soon.

8. Potpourri/Pine Cones/Leaves | M&S Home Potpourri | £7.50/£0
Potpourri is another great space filler, as well as being perfect to set an autumnal themed photo. If you don't want to spend a single penny, collecting pine cones or leaves is another great way.

9. Coffee Table/Style Books & Magazines | Love x Style x Life Book | £10.52/£1
Another favourite prop of mine, which is books or magazines and you can pick a magazine up for as little as £1. Using pages can add further detail to a simple theme.

10. Print/Buy Quote Prints | Not On The High Street Print | £9/£0
A5 sized prints of either quotes or a simple word to set the theme of your post is perfect to bring that editorial look to your photo, you can either buy them or print your own.

11. Makeup/Skincare | Using products from your collections | £0
Using other products in the background of your image is another great way of setting a scene, especially if the packaging is metallic/pretty.

12.  Fairy Lights | Primark 40LED Indoor Firefly Lights | £2.50
Finally fairy lights are a super in-expensive way to add warmth to an image, using wired lights gives you more control on where you can place them either through the centre of the image or the background.

Catch up on my previous post HERE...

xo.

UPDATED MAKEUP WISHLIST

Hello everyone! How is that it either goes one of two ways in the world of makeup, you are either not lusting after anything or you are lusting after everything? My case just recently is that i am lusting after pretty much everything, so much so i feel like i need to share an updated wishlist post even though i only shared a two part special with you all last month, which consisted of a makeup edition and a skincare edition.

1. urban decay optical illusion complexion primer

So i believe this is a new product from urban decay, i well i know it has just been released here in the uk and i am so intrigued by it, but i have heard a couple of huge differences in opinions about this product. Putting that aside this is a product that i feel i would like, as i am all about the flawless looking base and products that help you achieve just that. I also believe that this particular product comes in three different finishes, the optical illusion, the self-adjusting and the de-slick.

2. bareMinerals invisible bronze bronzer in the shade medium

I have mentioned in several posts that i am really enjoying makeup from bareMinerals at the moment, especially their gen nude lip products. This particular bronzer has been on my to buy list for quite a while, but there is one problem it is forever out of stock in the shade i want to get and it is so frustrating because i feel like this bronzer would look stunning, even more so in the summer time.

3. huda beauty 3D higlight palette in the golden sands edition

This is probably one of those products that is going to be super hard to get a hold of, as if you follow huda on snapchat you will have seen how insanely beautiful the swatches/formula these highlighter palettes are. There is two different editions of the unique buttery formulated strobe/illuminating palettes, the pink sands edition and the one i am lusting after the golden sands edition.  

4. zoeva sweet glamour blush palette

I have mentioned so many times in the past that i was never a huge blush fan/collector but, oh boy how times of changed and now i find myself always lusting after some form of blush palette. That being said one of my favourite brand of blushes are by zoeva, i already have a few of the luxe color blushes, the pink spectrum palette and the rose golden palette. So naturally i am going to lust after whatever one they release next and can i just say how stunning is the sweet glamour palette packaging?

5. mac cosmetics lipglass in the shade signs of spring

First of all just recently i have been loving a glossy finish to whatever nude lip look i am going for on that day. I also recently picked up a sized to go gloss in the shade clear water from mac, which i love and is super handy to have in your handbag. That being said there is still quite a few different shades in the lipglass collection that i have my eye one, especially the shade signs of spring.

6. iconic london limited edition illumination in the shade original

So i have seen quite a few people on instagram/youtube use these particular illumination drops from iconic london and i have always thought wow they look stunning. Now that i really got into using more cream/liquid highlighters these drops have firmly made their way onto the wishlist, i love the look of the shade original as it is champagne toned with golden shimmer and i am all about the gold/bronze toned highlighters.

♥

OFFICE/DESK FINDS: STATIONERY/DECOR

Hello everyone! A couple of weeks a go i shared a post talking about dressing table essentials that won't break the bank, i also mentioned the fact that my dressing table also doubles up as my desk/work space. So with that in mind for today's post i thought i would do a part two to the essentials post, this time sharing some great office desk/stationery finds from organising to decorative items.

1. typo gold acrylic stapler was £20 now £12

2. john lewis rose gold magazine file £15

3. sass & belle stargazer unicorn trinket dish £7.19

4. paperchase rose gold paperclips £2.50

5. typo rose gold eiffel scissors (also available in gold) £8

6. paperchase rose gold hb pencils (set of 5) £3

7. asos x ohh deer big dreams notebook £4.95

8. paperchase rose gold binder clips (pack of 24) £2.50

9. etsy fresh and modern color mouse pad £9.86

10. john lewis gold stripe mug £5

11. john lewis rose gold pen pot £8.50 

12. etsy ooh la la print french quote £5

13. etsy eiffel tower print £4.50

14.next large coral ranunculus jar £10

♥

LIGHTS, CAMERA, LASHES: DRUGSTORE MASCARAS

Hello everyone! So back in January i mentioned that i was making it my mission this year to try a new mascara each time i ran out, which i mentioned in my january beauty favourites. Now that we are well into April, i thought why not share with you the particular mascaras i have been putting to the test so far and they are all happen to be easy accessible from the drugstore.

l'oréal paris false lash superstar x fiber mascara

This is the first mascara i tried out at the start of the year, as it was a new release at the time by L'Oréal. If you are looking for a mascara that will give you that super false lash effect instantly, without having to spend time building it up then this mascara is a must try. This mascara comes with a double wand, the first to be used as a primer that adds volume to the lashes and the second to add length with the fibers. This particular mascara retails for £10.99 from Boots, Superdrug and selected L'Oréal stockists.

maybelline the falsies push up angel mascara

Next up is a mascara by Maybelline, which next to L'Oréal is probably my favourite brand of mascaras and not just from the drugstore as they just always do a great job. I had tried the original push up drama mascara when it was first released and i loved it, so naturally i had high hopes for the push up angel mascara when they came out with it and i wasn't wrong. At first when i saw the shape of the wand, i was convinced that i was going to hate it but i was wrong. This mascara coats each lash, lengthening for that false lash effect without clumping and is a perfect as a bottom lash mascara. This mascara is slightly more affordable than the L'Oréal fiber mascara, retailing for just £7.99 also from Boots and Superdrug.

l'oréal paris mega volume miss baby roll mascara

Finally we have the mascara that i am currently using, another new release by L'Oréal and a product that comes in more than just black (indigo, lilac and teal). L'Oréal also have a range of several mega volume mascaras that i also love such as the miss hippie and the miss manga mascara. If your lashes struggle to hold the curl or you want them curled without using a curler first, then this mascara is a must-try. This mascara is the perfect dupe for the roller lash mascara by Benefit, the only difference between the two is the wands are slightly different. This mascara also retails for £7.99 from Boots, Superdrug and selected L'Oréal stockists.

♥

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?

GOODBYE FEBRUARY, HELLO MARCH

Saying that February is the shortest month of the year, it has actually felt like one of the longest. So March is finally here and we can start to say goodbye to winter and hello to spring time, pastel colours and hopefully some warmer weather. Here is some of my favourite things from the month of February...

Cream eyeshadows have been a real go to for me this month as they are great as a base for your regular eyeshadows or worn on itself. My two personal favourites are:

New CID Cosmetics i-colour long wear cream eyeshadow in the shade Romance.

Maybelline Color Tattoo 24Hr cream eyeshadow in the shade Permanent Taupe.

This month i had been wanting to try out a new foundation and had heard good reviews about the Revlon Colorstay foundation, so i gave it a try. I love this foundation it has a great finish to it and the lasting power is so good, i am not sure about 24hours though because i never have makeup on for that long but it definitely lasts all day long. At the end of last month the lovely Tanya Burr launched her range of lip glosses and nail polishes, so of course i had to make a purchase there. The quality of her products are amazing, i definitely recommend taking a look at her range.

Revlon Colorstay 24HR Foundation in the shade Ivory.

Tanya Burr Lipgloss in the shade Afternoon Tea.

At the end of last month i switched up my shampoo and condition as i thought my hair was feeling a little dry and lacking moisture. So i decided to give Aussie a try, i have never used any of their products before and i am so glad that i have now. I have seen the biggest change in my hairs condition just after the first use, it has made my hair super soft and in really good condition.

Aussie Miracle Moist Shampoo.

Aussie Miracle Moist Conditioner.

This month i have re-discovered The Body Shop and fell in love with a lot of their products all over again and also tried out quiet a few new things to me.

The Body Shop Moringa Body Milk.

The Body Shop Vitamin E Cream Cleanser.

This month i have been listening to these two songs non stop, i just can't get enough of them. 

Na Na - Trey Songz

Letter To My Ex - Pleasure P

Also i have been loving Marcus Cooper aka Pleasure P's new mixtape "Break Up to Make Up".

http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/25899/pleasure-p-break-up-to-make-up.html

It has only been back for one episode after a mid-season break on the last day of the month, but Grey's Anatomy is one of favourite TV shows ever, such an amazing show!

So that is the end of my "February Favourites" what things have you been loving this month?
Hope you all have a great month of March and i will be back very soon...

Katie♥

WHAT'S IN MY HANDBAG

I love looking at other bloggers and youtuber's "what's in my handbag" posts and videos as let's face it who doesn't love having a good nosey in someone's bag. I have been meaning to do this blog post for a while now ever since i changed up my handbag. So to cut a long story short, here is the contents of my bag...

Since before last month.. i'd say for around 18 months i had been carrying around my trusty River Island handbag and even now there is still nothing wrong with it, i just fancied a change. So i decided to pick up this one from Just Fab online and i am so glad i did, it's such a spacious bag and as it's black it pretty much goes with every outfit. I love the gold detailing on the front and the material of the bag is really good quality. I would definitely recommend taking a look on the site as they have some really nice shoes/boots and accessories available and are reasonably priced, my particular tote bag is only £35.

Inside My Bag: Beauty Items

1. Soap & Glory Hand Food - i literary can't go anywhere without this stuff.

2. Beyoncé Heat Perfume - i am obsessed with this perfume, it smells so nice.

3. The Body Shop Pink Grapefruit Lip Butter - cause nobody likes getting chapped lips especially in this cold winter weather, so i like to keep them moisturized.

4. L'Oreal Lumi Magique Highlight Pen in Light - i like to keep this in my bag just in case my under eye areas need a quick pick me up and brightening.

5. Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Transparent - i always carry this trusty powder just to touch up my face during the day in any shiny areas.

6. The Body Shop Mango Hand Cleansing Gel - i carry hand gel anywhere and everywhere i go, as i tend to be a really bad germaphobe and this one smells amazing.

7. Revlon Lip Butter in Sugar Frosting - i like to apply this if i want a little bit of colour as well as to hydrate my lips throughout the day/evening.

8. MAC Cremesheen Lipstick in Creme D'Nude - cause we always have to carry a nude lipstick it is just essential and necessary.

As of late i am really proud of myself for only carrying around 3 lip products, cause before my handbag tended to be a place full of different lipsticks/lipglosses that i didn't even know was there.

Inside My Bag: Random Items

9. Floral 2014 Diary - i always keep this diary with me just in case i want to write down any dates or different ideas for blog posts and etc.

10. Wrigley's Extra Gum - just because who doesn't carry gum in their handbag.

11. My Keys - to get in and out of my car and house obviously, i love my little miss princess key chain that my sister got for my not too long ago.

12. iPhone Headphones - i swear this pair is actually indestructible, they are always getting tangled up and just thrown to the bottom of my bag.

13. French Connection Purse - i got this new purse around the same time as my new handbag for a steal in the sale on ASOS and is such a classic.

So there it is the contents of my handbag. What random things do you keep in yours?

Katie♥

SPRING'14: FASHION PART ONE

If you loved the Netflix series "orange is the new black" then you are going to love this spring '14. Models have hit the catwalks of fashion week sporting bright orange shades. If you are not daring enough to go all out on a bright orange piece such as a dress you could just accessorize any outfit with a pop of orange. Here is a few of my favourite "orange" pieces available on the high street this spring...

My hot pick favourite: Limited edition aztec print skirt from River Island for a bargain £15.

http://www.riverisland.com/women/skirts/mini-skirts/Orange-aztec-print-mini-tube-skirt-647475

Hope you are all having an amazing day and i will be back very soon with:

"spring '14 fashion part two: pretty pastels".

Katie♥

SPRING '14 MAKEUP

So winter is over in a few weeks and it is nearly time to switch into spring mode. A massive trend for this spring is purples and pinky shades, which is right up my street as purples suit my eye colour the best and really makes them pop as well as it being one of my favourite colours.

Above is a few of my favourite items perfect for spring time.

1. The Body Shop baked-to-last blush in 01 petal.

I love this blush it is super pigmented and you only need a small amount, i just like to take my blush brush, swirl it around and tap off the excess but you could also use the two colours separate if you wanted.  

2. NYX diamond sparkle lipstick in DS sparkling satin.

This is a perfect pink shade lipstick for spring as it is not too bright or too pale and it has the right amount of sparkle to it, suitable for a wide range of different eye looks.

3. L'Oreal lumi magique highlighter pen in 1 light. 

I have talked about this highlighter pen in numerous blog posts. It is without a doubt one of my favourite highlighters, really brightening and fresh looking.

4. NYX eye shadow in ES35 platinum pink.

I am really unsure why they named this eye shadow platinum pink because to me platinum is a really luminous shade of colours and this is a really neutral light pink shade but it looks stunning and really brightens up the eyes, making you look really awake and fresh looking.

5. NYX liquid crystal liner in LCL103 crystal pink.

This glitter liner is perfect for spring time, to me this glitter liner is more on the purple/lilac side rather than pink. I like to wear this in place of a blank winged liner look.

Also perfect for this spring is without a doubt is the MAC a fantasy of flowers collection. I literally can not wait to get my hands on some of this collection because it all just looks stunning. This collection is launching Feb/March all depending which parts of the world you are in.

The items i have my eye on the most are:

1. MAC lipstick in rose lily.

2. MAC mineralize skinfinish in stereo rose.

3. MAC cremesheen glass lipgloss in pagoda.

4. MAC lipstick in snapdragon.

Hope you are all having a great weekend whatever you are doing...

Katie♥

CHEESECAKE BROWNIES

85% of the time if brownies are on the menu at a restaurant and i'm having dessert i will have them. I love me some brownies. Here is a quick and easy cheesecake brownie recipe to cheer you up if you are either having a rubbish week, fed up with this winter weather or you just love you some chocolate goodness.

For the brownie mixture you will need:

225g/8oz dark chocolate (minimum 70%)

150g/5½oz unsalted butter

3 free-range eggs

225g/8oz caster sugar

100ml/3½fl oz strong espresso

100g/3½oz plain flour

For the cheesecake mixture you will need:

150g/5½oz full fat cream cheese

50g/1¾oz caster sugar

1 free-range egg

Method:

Pre-heat the oven to 170C/325F/Gas-Mark3. Grease and line a 8in/20cm square cake tin. For the brownies, melt the chocolate and butter in a bowl set over a pan of simmering water (Making sure the base of the bowl isn't touching the water.) Remove the bowl from the pan and set aside to cool slightly. Whisk the eggs, caster sugar and coffee in a bowl until well combined. Sift in the flour and chocolate mixture and mix until well combined.

For the cheesecake, beat the cream cheese, caster sugar and egg until smooth.

Spoon the brownie mixture into the cake tin then spoon the cheesecake mixture on top and use a knife to cut lines into the mixture to create a marble effect.

Bake in the oven for 35-40 minutes, or until just set. Remove the tin from the oven, set aside to cool completely, then cut into squares.

When all the above is completed all that is left to do is sit back, relax and enjoy.

Hope you are all having a happy Wednesday...

Katie♥

COLLECTIVE BEAUTY HAUL

Over the past couple of weeks i have purchased a few different beauty related items both online and in boots which for those who do not know what boots is, it is basically a drugstore in the UK. Some of the items i have bought i have already tried them out but some i just got yesterday so i haven't tried them as of yet.

1. Maybelline Baby Skin (instant pore eraser) primer- £7.99

I have been using this primer every single day since i bought it and i truthfully have no bad word to say about it, it's such a great primer. A lot of people have likened it to the Benefit Porefessional but the Baby Skin is obviously a lot more affordable if you're on a budget.

2. Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Suede (030 high heels) lipstick- £8.99

I love love love this lipstick, the colour is a really nice shade of pink not too pale and not too bright, super pigmented and very long lasting. I will definitely be buying more colours very soon.

3. NYX Liqud Crystal (lcl103 crystal pink) glitter liner- £4.00

I just got this specific colour yesterday and haven't tried it out yet but i have it in a gold colour and i really like it. It has a really good formula, not clumpy and applies so easy.

4. NYX Mega Shine (138 rust) lip gloss- £6.00

I really like this lip gloss, the formula is really nice and glossy but not sticky. I usually apply this on top of my favourite nude lipstick (NYX celene) the two work really nice together.

5. NYX Glitter On The Go (golden peach) loose glitter- £4.50

I have tried this glitter pigment a couple of times and i really liked the way there was no fall out which sometimes with glitter can drop down during the day, i always apply it with a flat eyeshadow brush with some MAC fix+ and pat it onto the lid.

6. NYX Lip Pencil (816 fushcia) lip liner- £3.50

I swear by NYX lip liners they are one of my favourite's, so i decided to purchase it in this purple colour to team it with another lipstick i have bought which will be shown in the next image.

7. NYX Jumbo Lip Pencil (703 pink nude and 727 vanilla ice) lip crayons- £5.00 each

I have always liked the jumbo eye pencils and a fan of lip crayons in general so i thought i would give these two a go and i really like the finish of them you don't really need a gloss on top as they are pretty glossy on their own, i will definitely be purchasing more colours in the future.

8. NYX Diamond Sparkle (ds21 sparkling satin) lipstick- £4.00

I just got this lipstick yesterday and haven't tried it out yet. I love the shade it's such a pretty pink which is right up my street as i am such a pink/nude lipstick kind of girl.

9. Collection Little Mix (perrie) lipstick- £2.49

This is the lipstick i will pair up with the NYX lip liner shown in the previous image. It really reminds me of the shade which Beyoncé is wearing in the "No Angel" music video, so i am so excited to try this out.

10. Revlon Lip Butter (027 juicy papaya and 005 sugar frosting)- £7.99 (2 for £10 at boots)

I have always wanted to try these for the longest time as i have heard so many people say lots of great things about them. So i finally went to try one and the were also on special offer so i got two. They are really moisturizing which is always a good thing and they have a really nice sheen to them.

11. No7 Exquisite Curl (black) mascara- £5.00 (sale at boots)

I always like trying and finding different mascaras and this was in the sale over half price, so that was a bargain i couldn't refuse. My favourite thing about this mascara is the curved wand.

12. No7 Poppy King Rain Drops (playing, a red colour) lip crayon- £2.00 (sale at boots)

I have never tried out a No7 lip crayon before so i am excited to try this particular one out. This was also a sale item and i am unsure what the full price was as it is a limited edition collection. I swatched the crayon and it is super pigmented, i really like the fact it comes with a jumbo sharpener on the end.

13. Clean and Clear Morning Energy (skin brightening) facial scrub- £3.99

I had ran out of my usual L'Oreal facial wash and wanted to try a different morning time facial wash, so i went for this facial scrub and i honestly prefer it to my usual one. The smell is amazing (lemon and papaya) and it is really energizing and wakes me up in the morning.

14. Nivea Hydro Care (aloe vera) lip balm- £1.58

I have so many different lip balms as i feel as you can never have enough but i had none in stick form and i wanted one to travel with as it is more hygienic when you are on the go. Simple but a classic item.

Hope you are all having a lovely week and are staying warm if you're in this cold weather...

Katie♥

  

GLOWING SKIN: TOP 5 SKIN HIGHLIGHTERS

I am all about having glowing skin, so highlighters are a big part of my makeup collection. There is so many beautiful products out there whether it is a powdered highlight or a liquid luminizer form, both high-end and drugstore.
So here is my top five skin highlighters...

1. NARS liquid illuminator in the shade Copacabana - £22 House of Fraser.

2. MUA undress your skin highlighting powder - £3 Superdrug/MUAonline.

3. Benefit girl meets pearl twist up liquid highlighter - £24.50 Debenhams.

4. NARS powder highlight in Albatross -£21.50 HQhair.

5. L'Oreal lumi magique liquid illuminator pen in light - £8.49 Boots.

Hope you all have a lovely weekend...

Katie♥

ROOM TOUR: NEW BEDDING

For a while now i have been wanting to change up my bedroom and the way it looks and i am finally really happy with the way it looks and has turned out. So here is what i did with my room and where i got everything from..

1. I am really into floral prints and that hasn't changed from when i last updated my room but this time i have opted for a really pretty purple floral duvet bedding. - £35 double duvet and two pillowcases and £15 for a double fitted sheet and two pillowcases for the underneath. - Both from Next.
2. Dark purple silk effect cushions really coordinate with the darker purples in the bedding, i bought two of these one for each outer sides of the bed. - £5.99 Each from Dunelm Mill.
3/4. For two statement cushions to feature in the center of the bed i opted for this creamy white faux fur effect cushion - £7.99 from Dunelm Mill and then a darker cream quote pillow which says "always kiss me goodnight" which i thought was so cute. - £9 from Next (last season).
5/6. For accessories i went for this white and purple ornament which says "relax, revive, rejuvenate" - £3.59 from Dunelm Mill and then seeing as i am a complete Yankee Candle junkie to tie in with the purple theme i have a medium jar in "beach flowers" which smells amazing - £16.99 from House of Fraser.
7. I have been wanting a really cute white makeup brush holder for a while now and haven't been able to find one that i really like and i finally did. It's a vase which had a tea light holder inside but i just took that out and replaced it with my brushes - £10 Rocha John Rocha at Debemhams.

Katie ♥

TOP 10 DRUGSTORE: PART TWO

There are so many great items available at the drugstore which shows you that you don't have to spend a whole lot of money on a product, yet you are still getting a good quality product. Personally i am a massive lover of drugstore makeup and around 75% of my makeup collection is drugstore. So i have put together my top 10 favourite drugstore items...

1. Rimmel Stay Matte Powder -£3.99
2. Maybelline The Falsies Flared -£7.99
3. Rimmel Lasting Finish Blush -£3.99
4. L'Oreal Color Riche Quad -£7.99
5. MUA Highlighter Powder -£3.00
6. Rimmel Scandal Eyes Kohl -£3.99
7. MaxFactor Bronzing Powder -£6.99
8. L'Oreal Lumi Magique Base -£9.99
9. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss -£6.99
10. Bourjois 123 Foundation -£10.99

All the items listed above are priced matched to Boots (except 5. MUA Highlight Powder - Superdrug). As i also said in part one to this blog post you can also get the majority of these items at various drugstores and places.

Katie ♥

TOP 10 DRUGSTORE: PART ONE

Mascara has got to be one of my must have beauty items. If i could only take a couple of makeup products onto a deserted island lets put it this way mascara would be one of them, it just puts that finishing look to any makeup look. So many people go on and on about a lot of high end mascaras and they are amazing but i am definitely a drugstore mascara junkie as there is so many different amazing ones available at the drugstore. So here is my top 10 favourite drugstore mascaras...

1. Maybelline The Falsies Flared -£7.99
2. Bourjois Volumizer 2 Step -£10.99
3. No7 Stay Perfect -£12.95
4. MaxFactor False Lash Effect -£10.99
5. Soap&Glory Thick And Fast -£10.00
6. Revlon Lash Potion -£9.99
7. L'Oreal Mega Volume -£10.99
8. Rimmel Glam Eyes -£7.99
9. Maybelline Rocket Volume -£7.99
10. MaxFactor Wild MegaVolume -£6.99

All the mascaras shown in the list are price matched to Boots but you can also get your hands on most of the mascaras at various different drugstores or online.

Katie ♥

BH COSMETICS DAY & NIGHT PALETTE EYE-LOOK

As i said a few blog post's back i received a couple of eye shadow palettes as gifts for Christmas and that i would more than likely do a first impression on them. Since Christmas i have been really playing around with the "BHcosmetics day & night" palette and i am really loving it, the colours are super pigmented and blend very easily without a lot of fall out (which is always a winner). The palette contains 60 different eye shadows from nudes and browns to bright neon colours, so basically it is a very versatile palette and you could pretty much create any look using it. After looking up the palette online it is also very affordable for the quantity and quality of product you get.
US: http://www.bhcosmetics.com/products/eyes/60color-bh-day-and-night-palette
UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/60-Color-Day-Night-Palette/dp/B007BSA5ZO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388925288&sr=8-1&keywords=bh+day+and+night+palette

PRODUCTS IN ORDER OF USE:

Soap and glory hand maid gel, B pure micellar water, Nspa lip treatment, Nivea day cream, L'Oreal lumi magique primer, Bourjois 123 perfect foundation, Maybelline cover stick, Maybelline fit me concealer.

Apply (base) colour all over the eye lid and then repeat with the (lid) colour. Apply (crease) colour through the crease using wind wiper motions. Apply (outer corner) colour onto a fluffy blending brush and apply to outer corner of the eye blending as you go.

Mua brow kit, L'Oreal superliner ultra precision, Curl eyelashes, Soap and glory mascara, Soap and glory kohl liner, i used soap and glory powder trip to contour and blush (image not shown) Nars highlight, Rimmel moisture renew lipstick and Too faced lip gloss.

Hope you are all having a lovely weekend and are enjoying your 2014 so far...

Katie ♥