Mothers Day Inspiration

Reminder folks! Mothers day is this coming Sunday! Best to get inspired now. I'll be working that morning so have planned an afternoon tea at home rather than brunch. Though it doesn't show in her dressing or decor, my Mum is secretly super girly so I plan to make it as twee and pretty as possible. I love looking online for inspiring bits and pieces, especially on sites like pinterest. They're really good for cheaper alternatives that get you thinking creatively. Hopefully Mum appreciates it! What are your plans for Mothers day?

(None of the photos are my own)

Birchbox UK | March 2014

Birchbox - March 2014 Edition

I just love the look of this month's Birchbox, in collaboration with Lulu Guinness! It was so different from the usual box designs and really lovely and bright. Here is a round-up of my box opening:

Benefit | Stay Don't Stray

Benefit is a really good quality brand you can rely on so I'm really excited to try this eye primer. The packaging is adorable. I have a few cheap eye shadows that are really bad for clotting when I'm out at night, but I love the colours and can't bare to get rid, so hopefully this will be the perfect product to help out.

Dr. Brandt | Pores No More Pore Refiner

I am a huge fan of Dr. Brandt products, they are really expensive (a full size of this product is £39) but they really work. This will be a nice alternative to primer for a more natural look, I'm hoping it will leave my skin looking dewy and clear.

Aroma Works | Serenity Body Oil

This oil smells so good! The scent is a mix of lemongrass, neroli and geranium, it's really fresh and sweet. I love that it is a citrus scent in an oil, it would be the perfect wake up call for early mornings. The texture is smooth too so it goes on really easily and it feels really luxurious. It absorbed really well, especially on my legs that were left with a subtle glow (not too shiny like other oils!)

Molton Brown | Rhubarb & Rose Replenishing Hand Cream

My hands get so dry at work so this is definitely going in my hand bag! It isn't as strong as other hand moisturisers but it does make a difference. It is such an unusual scent, rhubarb is definitely not something I would have chosen for myself, but I'm so glad it was chosen for me! One of the main reasons I love my birchbox is because it chooses products I wouldn't otherwise try. The rhubarb is a different choice, but it's a winner for me, I love that it reminds me of my mum's rhubarb pie!

English Laundry | No. 7 For Her

This perfume is described as having 'top notes of pear and jasmine blend with gardenia, vanilla and sandalwood'. It's a sweet smelling perfume, personally I would use it as day wear perfume. It is quite a fruity scent but the vanilla balances that out.

Candy Rock

A cute stripy piece of rock was popped in as a lifestyle extra. It represents the Lulu Guinness side of the collaboration, as she was inspired in her Spring/Summer 2014 collection by traditional sweet shops. It has been ages since I've had a piece of rock, it always reminds me of my Grandad and visiting him in Great Yarmouth!

I really loved the design of the box this month, the collaboration with Lulu Guinness was awesome. There were a lot of lovely scents this month, perfect to get me into the mood for Spring and out of the hibernation mind set!

You can subscribe to Birchbox for £10 per month (plus £2.95 for P&P). You receive 5-6 beauty samples to try each month, and makes a great present for family and friends, or just a monthly treat for yourself!

NicoleXMissguided.

Celebrity collaborations can be very hit and miss, but I think this one works really successfully. The collection comprises of a mix of laidback lux with sporty details and fitted body con pieces. The colour palette of monochrome and cobalt blue is perfectly modern, the colours work so well together. The glamourous style of Nicole Scherzinger is captured really well but also what customers of missguided really want, which is wearable, reasonably priced fashion. I love that it's quite minimalist but really sexy at the same time.

These are my favourite pieces - did you guys have any favourites?

You can shop the collection here.

Mad March Hair| Topsy Tail x3

I've been really bored with my hair recently and I thought it might be fun to try out new styles rather than my usual down and wavy. I don't spend a huge amount of time doing my hair and I like it a bit rough and ready, so I've been experimenting with quick and easy styles that will last through the day.

This hair style is so basic to do and it takes mere minutes, but it is really effective as a cute and different style. All you need is a topsy tail tool (you can get one here) and 3 hair bands.

You section the hair into three parts and tie them with the bands. Then use the tool to twist the tail into itself. You repeat that with each section. The two top tails then get tucked into the twists underneath them. Spray with a little hairspray and you're done! It is so simple!

I wore this up do to work, and it lasted all day - if anything, it looks better when the hair comes away a little from the style.

If you guys have a style to recommend, I'd love to hear from you!

Swans.

Top: H&M (old)

Dress: H&M

Jumper: Vintage

Shoes: Office Shoes

Rings: B&Q

I bought this jumper in Paris I think 5 years ago in a vintage shop there, and I don't think I could ever throw it away. I have always loved the textures on it and all the beading, and I have so many good memories of wearing it. That's what I love about a beautiful vintage piece, they are just so unique. I bought these rings when I was styling my garments for my fashion show at university and I kept a hold of them because I love the colour and how different they look, though you can't keep them on too long as they will stain your fingers after a while! That, and the dog goes nuts and thinks they are for playing with, even if you are wearing them!

Obviously this is my first outfit post and look how uncomfortable I am! I've been really ill with flu the last few days but I've been sucking it up and working at the same time. I really can't wait to have a break and have a lazy morning, preferably with tea and biscuits involved.

I'm going to do a post in the next couple of days detailing how I did my hair so keep an eye out for that!

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Recipe

I love pancakes, they are so quick and easy to make and they generally go with anything. Here is my super quick, super easy recipe.

Ingredients: 1 large egg, 1 cup self raising flour, 1 cup semi skimmed milk, a couple of knobs of butter, toppings*.

Equipment: 1 large frying pan, a spoon, a spatula, 1 mixing bowl, 1 whisk (I use electric), sieve, measuring cup (you can literally just use a cup - another awesome thing about baking pancakes, no weighing ingredients).

Flour, milk and egg go together in the whisking bowl and are whisked into a runny batter. Remember to sieve the flour so the batter isn't lumpy.

Melt the butter in the pan on a medium heat. Once it has melted, add a little of the batter at a time using a spoon. Cook for a couple of minutes until the bottom is solid enough to flip over, then a couple more minutes and they are done.

*Toppings

I topped my pancakes with some healthy blueberries and maple syrup (my absolute favourite). The recipe is savoury so really you can top them with whatever you want! My other recommendations would be any kind of fruit (can't go wrong with some strawberries and cream) or lemon juice and sugar for traditionalists!

What are your favourite pancake toppings? Any other maple syrup lovers, or savoury fans with tips? Let me know!