GIRLY NIGHT IN ESSENTIALS ♡

Hey guys!!

Whether you are by yourself or with some friends there always time for a girly night in. I won't bore you by telling to watch When Harry met Sally, Mean Girls or Say Anything... (although they are great films and you definitely should watch them) but why not try watching a TV series instead? I am currently watching S3 of Drifters on E4, it's a show about three twenty-something girls who live pretty normal lives but they are hilariously real and relatable. I rarely find a programme that actually makes me laugh, but this one never fails! I'm pretty sure you can watch the first two series on catch up so don't worry you won't miss anything! I would also recommend watching Awkward, Faking It, The Mindy Project and Dash Dolls for something to keep you entertained during your girly down time.

Something else I like to do when I'm having a girly night is make myself a nice cup of tea or hot chocolate (depending on how healthy I'm feeling) and grab some veggies and dip to snack on (plus some cheeky chocolate, it's OK if you have a balanced snack haha). To set the chilled out vibe I light some scented candles or use my Yankee Candle wax melt burner -  also if you're stuck for christmas present ideas this would make a great one. Another essential you will need is some cute/funky/character pajamas, fluffy socks or slippers, a dressing gown and a blanket (also fluffy) can't get more cosy than that!

So now for the pampering: here's some beauty products that are easy to apply, affordable and fun!

 Elegant Touch nails in Jelly Twinkle £7.95 www.eleganttouch.com

Montagne Jeunesse Fruity Beauty Face Masque Sachets £1-£2

These face masks are great, you can buy them from pretty much anywhere that sells beauty products such as Boots, Superdrug or Amazon. There's so many to choose from and you can buy individuals or a multi-pack.

If you are alone for your girly evening why not take a relaxing bath, preferably with some Radox bubble bath or bath soak and some Bath Tea from The Body Shop. Alternatively you could treat yourself to a bath bomb from Lush, I have to be careful with these because I am allergic to some of them so please ask in store for advice if you have sensitive skin.

However you choose to do it, the main thing is that you are chilled out and having some you-time. I hope that this post has reminded you to take one evening this week to have a girly night in and now you have a couple of ideas of what to do. Please let me know how they went and if there's something you do which I haven't mentioned.

Thanks for reading, I am so grateful!

Love from Lily xxxx

MY HALLOWEEN OUTFIT

Hi guys!!

I am so so excited to go out this Halloween it's such a fun holiday and I've decided to wear something a little different this time. Rather than going for the standard character dress up I have decided to wear some 'Halloween-chic' style clothes that I found online on ASOS.com.

Here's the over sized tee I'm going to wear as a dress cause hey why not! When I was telling my mum about this she did not get the pun or find it funny at all, but personally I think it's great! £18

http://www.asos.com/asos/asos-halloween-witch-please-glow-in-the-dark-oversized-tee/prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=5443992&clr=Multi&SearchQuery=halloween&pgesize=36&pge=3&totalstyles=465&gridsize=3&gridrow=11&gridcolumn=3

I'm going to pair it with these tights, I was drawn to them because of how cool the bats look on the sheer background, I think it looks really effective. £8

http://www.asos.com/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=5453401&CTARef=Mini+Bag

As for shoes I am not going to wear these exact ones but a similar pair that I already own which I bought ages ago. These ones are very cute though, I wanted to go for just a simple heel because I didn't want to take away from the rest of the outfit and make it look too busy. £25

http://www.asos.com/ASOS/ASOS-PACEY-Pointed-High-Heels/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=5650223&abi=1&clr=black&CTAref=Complete+the+Look+Thumb

I have an obsession with tassels at the moment, I realise they are not for everyone but I just think they are so fun and pretty. Plus you can obviously use this for other occasions not just Halloween and black goes with everything so you basically can't lose! £18

http://www.asos.com/asos/asos-clutch-bag-with-suede-fringing/prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=5528544&clr=Black&SearchQuery=clutch+halloween&pgesize=9&pge=0&totalstyles=9&gridsize=3&gridrow=1&gridcolumn=2

If you felt like adding a fun accessory and a little bit of glitter to your outfit then this spider phone case is definitely one to consider. It's all about seasonal accessories right now I love it! (for iphone 5 only in this design) £8

http://www.asos.com/asos/asos-halloween-metallic-spider-iphone-5-case/prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=5716630&clr=Multi&SearchQuery=spider+phone+case&SearchRedirect=true

Then just add a few sparkly black/grey jewellery pieces and you'll be golden! All items were from ASOS.com, a truly amazing site that I have been using for years.

So that's what I'm going to be wearing for Halloween, hope you enjoyed reading about it and that it's given you a few ideas if you haven't got anything already. If you have I would love to know what you're wearing please leave a comment about it!

There will be more posts to come soon, see you then!

Love From Lily xxxx

WHAT'S ON MY CHRISTMAS LIST 2015 PART 2! ❆ (quick post)

Hi guys!!

I'm feeling pretty cheery today has been a good one. I managed to have a cheeky browse around the shops before work and saw some things that I NEED in my life which I'm sure you will too once you see them. I don't have loads of time but I really just wanted to throw it out there so sorry if this looks a little messy.

1. The Yankee Candle advent calendar

I saw this in Clinton's (sooo glad that they sell Yankee in there now!) you get 24 tea lights and one votive and it costs £25 which I think is pretty reasonable as it works out at £1 per candle! I'm not sure of the scents but I'm guessing it will be the Christmas ones which smell foodie and delicious.

2. This ADORABLE penguin duvet set from M&S

At £49.50-£79 (single-superking) this is pretty expensive but hey for a christmas gift it's all good right? Plus it's worth every penny in CUTENESS! I took this photo myself when I went to the huge M&S back home, I find it's always a good idea to take photos of stuff you can't get at the time just as a little reminder or maybe to send to people you want to hint at hehe ;)

Sorry it's such a short one from me this time, I have several ideas of posts I want to put up and will try and get it done within the next couple of days but you know how it is, life happens!

Hope you are all doing well, has anyone started their christmas shopping yet? I haven't bought anything but I've got a few ideas, plus I get paid tomorrow so I'll have some coins in the bank to get this stuff with! I'll let you know what I have purchased.

Love from Lily xxxx

WHAT TO GET YOUR MAN FOR CHRISTMAS ❤

Hi guys!

Whether you have only been with your man a few months or have been with him a couple of years like myself, it's a well known fact that people of the male variety are SO much harder to buy for than ladies. There's just less out there to choose from and there's only so many pairs of jokey socks and shower gel sets they can handle! So if you are looking for something original and heartfelt to get your partner for Christmas I have created this post to give you a bit of inspiration.

1. A Personalised Destination Print

A personalised gift is always the best kind of gift because it is one of a kind and this one will remind your man of all the fond memories of holidays and events from the past whilst making a stylish piece that you can both agree will look lovely. £54 from www.notonthehighstreet.com (exact item link: http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/betsybenn/product/framed-personalised-destination-blind)

2. Wood Watch Made From Sandlewood With Military Canvas Strap

I have seen a few one these around recently but this one I particularly like because it is handmade by an American company called tmbrwood and looks really well put together. They have loads of different designs so if this one isn't quite your cup of tea check out the other ones, I believe they also do handmade wooden phone cases as well. £52.50 plus shipping from www.esty.com (exact item link: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/198444573/wood-watch-made-from-sandalwood-and?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=gifts%20for%20him&ref=sc_gallery_6&plkey=3be515ee9963249c6b07ec6920fbdf288c7c8649:198444573 )

3. Bullshirt's Men's Value Christmas T-Shirt

I have to admit this did make me laugh when I saw it, purely because I'm always being told by the BF that I'm stingy with my money (I'm not I'm just sensible, someone has to be obvs) and I'm sure he would get a giggle out of it too. It makes a change from the obligatory rudolf/santa/snowman jumper anyway! £14.99 from www.amazon.co.uk (exact item link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00P6JL3FG?keywords=christmas%20gifts&psc=1&qid=1445200011&ref_=sr_1_18&sr=8-18-spons)

4. Merci Maman Stirling Silver Personalised Men's Infinity Bracelet

I think this is super thoughtful and I love the fact you can get it engraved, it's a cute present but still very manly of course! It comes in all standard man colours (black, blue, brown and grey) so you can take your pick and you can have up to 20 characters on each side. It's really easy to get your message on there you just send them an email with the details or someone will call you within 3 days of ordering. £39.00 from www.johnlewis.com (exact item link: http://www.johnlewis.com/merci-maman-sterling-silver-personalised-men's-infinity-bracelet/p2009461?colour=Black )

I would recommend having a look at the websites I have featured on here in general as well as the items shown in the post because you will be pleasantly surprised! There's lots to look at not just for couples but for brothers, friends, fathers, uncles... you name it! And if all else fails just get them a gift card from GAME and you'll be sorted!

Hope you are all having a lovely day, and that you now have a few Christmas present ideas for the men in your life. Let me know in the comments what you thought of the post and if there's any really good present ideas I have missed. See you next time.

Love from Lily xxxx

HEALTHY SNACK REVIEW: PERKIER QUINOA BAR

Hey everyone!

Today I'm going to do a review on this healthy snack bar by a company called Perkier, I chose the Cacao and Cashew flavour as you can see. I am always on the hunt for things I can just throw in my handbag to eat on the go, but most of them are bad for me so when I was looking in the gluten free section in ASDA I found this. I have tried healthy bars before but had never come across one with quinoa in it so I thought why not give it a go? Also I have heard very good things about cacao (all the vegan bloggers and youtubers are always raving about it) it's meant to taste like chocolate but without all the nasty stuff!

"Our cacao is cold pressed, so unlike cocoa, cacao retains its vitamins, minerals & antioxidants" -perkier.co.uk

And if I'm honest it does! I really enjoyed this bar, I was worried it might taste grainy because of the quinoa but it didn't at all and the nutty chocolate flavour was delicious! If you're not already curious this bar is wheat, gluten and dairy free, vegan, plant based and rich in vitamin E antioxidants - so it's even good for your skin as well!

Here's the nutritional info (per bar):

Energy (KCal): 144

Total Fat (g): 6.2

– of which saturates: 1

Carbohydrate (g): 16.9

– of which sugars (g): 13.5

Total Fibre (g):1.8

Protein (g): 5

Salt (g): 0.1

Vit E (mg) 1.8

– % ref intake 15%

Phosphorus (mg) 102

– % ref intake 15%

I really liked this and will be purchasing it again in the future, here's where you can get it from:

ASDA = 75p each (also comes in goji and cranberry flavour)

Sainsburys = 75p (currently stocks chia, cashew and pumpkin seed flavour and goji and cranberry)

It's worth mentioning the other big supermarkets, whole foods, ocado and amazon also stock products from this brand but not the one mentioned in this post. 

Hope you enjoyed reading this, I thought it would be nice to do something a little different. Let me know if you would like to see more posts like this in the comments below and follow me on google+ if you like!

Love from Lily xxxx

I GOT A NEW SHIRT + LIFE STUFF

Hey guys!!

Look I got a new shirt isn't it pretty!? Well if I'm honest we were doing a food shop in ASDA and when I spotted it my lovely boyfriend offered to get it for me. :) I just adore the pattern and the rose gold button detail, plus when I tried it on it was super comfortable and soft material. I was wearing black leggings at the time which I thought it looked alright with but jeans would have been a better option for me personally.

I rarely go to ASDA so I hadn't taken the time to have a proper look at the George range before, but now that I have I love it! I will be sure to check out their range more regularly, most likely online purely because the store is not that easy for me to get to. If you like the pattern but want to make it a bit more girly then they also do it in a shift dress which comes down to the knee. They also had lots of extremely cosy looking knitwear which I was tempted by but as I recently got my wraps from M&S it was probably best that I wait for a bit! Besides the next thing I want to buy is some slippers because I live in bed socks when I am walking around the house but it would be nice to have something a little more shoe-like you know?

Here's some close up pics of the shirt:

 (This one shows the lovely pattern)

(This one shows the gorgeous rose gold buttons, sorry my iphone 6 camera won't focus properly... my iphone 5 was better!)

This shirt cost £14 from ASDA, if you are from outside of the UK they will most probably have the same range in Walmart.

Life update:

I know I have been neglecting the blog recently and for that I am really sorry! It's just down to me being too tired to write anything, but as I have a day off today I thought I would catch you all up. Plus I am currently suffering with a cold so constant sniffling, achey eyes and headaches are also occurring. However much like Gloria Gaynor I will survive! I have some melon slices and vitamin tea to get the old immune system working again (hopefully).

I hope you all are well, as always would love to hear what's going on in your lives and any comments about this or my other posts will be very much appreciated. Follow me on Google+ for all the latest updates as a share everything on there. Thanks for reading!

Love from Lily xxxx

A FOUNDATION THAT ACTUALLY WORKS

Hey guys 

Hope you are all good, I'm sat here with my low cal hot chocolate with sugar free marshmallows wrapped in a lovely white blanket from Primark. Not gonna lie my nose is running like a tap which means I'm probably getting a cold. :((( However I tried a new foundation today and it actually DID all the things it claimed to on the packaging so I thought why not share it with you. Plus it wasn't even expensive!

The foundation I am talking about is called Lasting Perfection Ultimate Wear Foundation by Collection. You may have noticed I have a lot of products by this brand and that's because it's cheap and it WORKS! Here's a list of everything the product claims to do:

• LAST FOR 16 HOURS
• OIL FREE
• SPF 20
• FLAWLESS COVERAGE
• MINIMISES IMPERFECTIONS

Ticks all round from me, I can work all day and it won't fade or seep into pores, oil free is always a bonus as well if you have an oily or combination skin type. I will say that you may need to top up on the powder every so often if you're using it for the full 16 but that's due to your skins natural cycle not the foundation. SPF 20 hasn't really been tested out as its not exactly the right season but it's good to know it's there if you burn so easily like I do. As for flawless coverage and minimising imperfections I would have to agree, it doesn't go on quite as smoothly as other foundations I have used in the past but once it's on the finish its beautiful and matte.

If you are looking for a new foundation but don't know which one to go for I would definitely recommend this one. Price £5.99 from Boots.

Also while you're in Boots you can check out their Christmas stuff as it has now come out, bring on the beauty gift boxes!!

Love from Lily xxxx

PRIMARK HAUL!

HEY GUYS!

I am obsessed with Primark's home items at the moment, they are sooo pretty and seasonal. It caught my eye when I was having a browse in town the other day, they had a window display with some candles, fluffy blankets and a cute wolf canvas print. Jack liked the wolf as well so we decided to have a gander upstairs to see how much it was. After going up two lots of escalators we reached the top floor where the home section was and were delighted to find that our friend wolfie was only £2.50! 

So obviously we got that and then began exploring all the other cosy looking treats. As usual I gravitated towards the candles and proceeded to smell each of them systematically. I always struggle whether I should buy them based on scent or if they match my colour scheme, if it has both then it's basically fate. I picked up one that smelt of red berry and jasmine (£1.50) (very nice indeed) and one that was called 'falling star' which apparently smelt like old ladies but it was in this gorgeous jar with a little star charm attached to it (£4)so I got it anyway, there is also a snowflake one which I may pick up at a later date. Not sure what's wrong with me at the moment but sometimes when I mean to type 'I' I type 'A' so I apologize if you notice this at any point, please let me know!

I spent ages looking at these slippers that had memory foam in the sole but when I found the perfect pair (grey mini boots with faux fur around the trim and inside with a cute bow detail) of course they didn't have my size. :( I went back the next day and still nothing but as I work in the shopping centre I guess it's okay as I can keep checking. 

Another item I got was the most comfy, fluffy, elegant looking throw I could find. We needed one for our sofa as it's not in the best condition, we figured why not just dress it up with a smart looking throw and some cushions. Now I am cushion mad, and I had to restrain myself from buying one with an adorable raccoon on it, but if it's still there next payday I'm going for it. I do have a sizable cushion collection already though so don't worry it won't be looking bare.

The last thing I got was some fluffy bed socks, you can never have too many pairs of these. They are great for just going around the house when the evenings get cooler there's nothing worse than having chilly toes! I get most of my bed socks from Primark because they have such a big selection and you can get a two pack for £2 in most of the designs. 

Don't get me wrong I would be all over Laura Ashley Home, M&S and John Lewis if I could actually buy any of their stuff without going broke! But for now I'm good with Primark, they are reasonably priced, have lots of choice and their stuff is decent! Well worth a look, here's some pictures of what I got:

Let me know what you thought of this post or what you would like to see in future posts in the comments and link you own blogs so I can have a look! See you next time :)

Love from Lily xxxx

BEAUTY 101: SAVE YOUR LIPS THIS WINTER ❤

Hi Everyone!

At the moment my lips are driving me crazy because they keep getting super dry and flaky (sorry for that image lol) so I thought I would take this opportunity to share with you some of the things I use to try and make them better.

I have chosen to put an image of the Baby Lips range be Maybelline at the top of my post today because I absolutely LOVE them. Let's be honest it was the cute packaging that made me first want to buy them, but after using them I thought they were so good I even repurchased. I have tried the orange one 'cherry me' and the pink one 'pink punch', I have to say they both are brilliant because they make my lips feel really soft and they both add a dash of colour. The only negative thing I have to say about them is that you do have to reapply fairly often, especially if you eat or drink anything. If you wish to purchase them there are available in a lot of shops that sell this brand and from Boots or Superdrug they are priced at £2.99 each.

This is a slight variation on the classic Burt's Bees lip balm, I like the fact that it comes in a squeezy tube (I always think the ones where you have to put your finger in are really unhygienic). In addition the hint of mint feels very pleasant on the lips and Vitamin E will protect and repair them. If you would like to buy this you can get it from www.burtsbees.co.uk for £4.99. Be sure to check out the other lovely natural products they have on their site as well!

Now moving on from lip balms, I have been told another way to keep your lips looking and feeling good is to use a sugar or salt scrub. This will really exfoliate your lips and leave them soft and smooth. You can buy these from most cosmetic stores or you can even make your own by mixing salt or sugar with honey. Simply rub it all over your lips and wash off with warm water, then apply a lip balm of your choice to give your lips some moisture.

Tip: If you love your lipsticks make sure during the colder months you apply a lip balm underneath to stop them from drying out.

That's all  you have to do, simple! 

I really hope you enjoyed reading this, I have something exciting to tell you all about soon but I have to wait 'til it arrives. Please leave any comments below I love hearing what you have to say! Also please follow me if you want regular updates!

Love from Lily xxxx

WHATS ON MY CHRISTMAS LIST 2015 ❄

Hi guys!

So we are in the early days of October which basically means it's Christmas time right? I am one of those people who loves the holiday season (sorry if you find that annoying~) and I make sure I am prepared early! 

I am going to share some things I've had my eye on this season NOT so people know what to get me but just to give you a little inspiration of what to get your family and friends or even some things you might want to treat yourself to, I know I do.

1. The Benefit 'Party Poppers' Beauty Advent Calendar 2015

I don't want to ruin the surprise and give away what's inside but I'm telling you now there's a bunch of CLASSICS that you will LOVE. It's not a bad price either at £34.50 considering the contents is worth £79.17! This will be available to buy from www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk from 15th October.

2. The Naked 3 Palette by Urban Decay

I know a lot of you may already have this but I personally have never had the chance to try one of the Naked palettes out. This one caught my eye because it has some great colours to go in the crease such as 'nooner' and 'limit', plus 'mugshot' would look great with a dark lip. It's priced at £38 which to me seems quite a lot to spend on eyeshadow, but for a one off treat or present it would be ideal. It also comes with a good quality brush which is always a bonus! You can buy this from most department stores or from www.urbandecay.co.uk.

3. Daisy Dream by Marc Jacobs

 A nice lady in Boots approached me and got me to smell a sample of this and I thought it was lovely. (I'm not one of those people who gets annoyed when people approach them because they are simply doing their jobs! Really bugs me when people are rude and ignore them you only have to say "no thank you"). Anyway I thought I would go back and get it close to Christmas because both the packaging and smell were amazing! You can get the 50ml bottle from Boots for £59 online and in store. Also comes in an EDT or EDP (Daisy Dream Forever) version.

There we have it, I will probably do a part two when I have spotted a few more things! But as promised here is a photo of what the nail polish mentioned in my previous post looks like on (its Field Day by Collection in shade 2. Peony):

Hope you enjoyed the post, let me know what you thought in the comments. :)

See you next time.

Love From Lily xxxx

NEW MAKEUP

Hey guys!

I felt it was time to try out a few new bits and pieces for autumn and thought I would share them with you. All of the items shown in the photo are very affordable and under £10.

So let's get started!

Top left: Gorgeous Glow Blush Block 1 by Collection £3.98 from ASDA

Second from left: Field Day by Collection in shade 2. Peony £1.98 from ASDA

Third from left: Volume Million Lashes Feline Mascara by L'oreal Paris £9.99 from Boots

Forth from left: Rimmel London Professional Eyebrow Pencil in shade 002 Hazel £2.98 from ADSA

Middle Left: Speedy Highlighter by Collection in Shade 1. Pearl Sheen £3.99 from Superdrug

Bottom Left: Collection Lasting Colour Lipstick in shade 13 Aubergine Kiss £2.98 from ASDA

It's worth nothing that the lipstick looks a lot lighter when its actually on so I've included a swatch below:

It looks really pretty on though, I had been looking for a darker shade of lipstick that actually suited me for ages and now I've finally found it! It just goes to show you don't have to spend a fortune to get decent cosmetics, you simply have to spend a bit of time trying out different drugstore brands.

When it comes to mascaras I prefer the rubber brush with the little spikes compared to the bristles every time, and when I discovered that Volume Million Lashes had one I was delighted. However it does take a few coats if you like your lashes looking thick, but if you take the time the end result is satisfying. My lashes looked lengthened and defined without clumping.

I know the nail polish isn't exactly an 'autumny' colour but I'm a sucker for pastel shades and I didn't have one in pink. Plus the packaging was cute. Going to paint them tonight and will include a photo in my next post. 

Love from Lily xxxx

FAMILY LOLS + WE WENT A BIT CRAZY IN M&S

Hey guys!

I was pleased to see my brother was ready and waiting in the car park as I arrived back in Stafford, meaning I avoided standing there like a lost idiot with all my luggage. The train journey was cramped to say the least, due to a lack of coach D where I had booked my seat. Every time we stopped at a station I prayed that the person who sat next to me wouldn't be a smelly one but as usual they always find me. I dealt with it the only way I knew how by turning away and playing 35 games of Candy Crush on my Kindle.

So when we got home I found my Mum baking a cake and she informed me that the obligatory meeting with the step Grandparents would be taking place this evening. There's only so many times you can tell them how work is going and how the weather is affecting me you know? The cake was nice though so it wasn't too bad, although I did drop Grandma's piece on the floor - I knew it was only a better of time before my clumsiness came out to play. (Got her a new piece don't worry).

The next day myself Mum and Nan all went to the giant M&S at a near by retail park, when all three of us get together it can either be a dreaded combo where both of them gang up on me or it can be a lovely day of family bonding. JK that never happens. They both have strong opinions on everything I do and aren't afraid to show them. Now don't get me wrong I can be the exact same if I'm passionate about the subject, but in general I don't have intense feelings about tights. We did buy some absolute beauties though which I will show pics of below! ALSO there was a sale section in most departments with ~significant reductions~! Here's some of the items I got:

(Sorry the photos aren't great)

All of these items can be found in M&S online or in store if you would like to check them out.

Wednesday evening an old friend was nice enough to pop over for a cuppa and a catch up, it's great to know that even though we have both moved on to pursue our own things we can still reunite and have a good old chat. That was one of my biggest fears when moving away that all my friends back home would forget about me, but this hasn't been the case! :)

OH and how could I leave out my gorgeous doggies, the one you're seeing at the top of the page is Archie, he loves that chair it makes him feel like a person I swear. When walking him early Wednesday morning I had to save him from getting run over by a bike and almost die taking him down to the river to get a drink as he won't go with Keira (our other dog and his mum). He is such a character and I miss not having them both here at the flat!

I hope you enjoyed reading this little insight of my home life back in Staffordshire, it has a mix of countryside and town which I like. That's all for now as I have an appointment in an hour, but there will be more soon.

Love from Lily xxxx