Saturday 31 January 2015

Recipe | Super Easy Energy Balls

The thing I struggle with when eating healthy is snacking. All my meals are healthy but when it comes to snacks I find it hard to choose something healthy that will satisfy my sweet tooth. I tried something similar to these a while ago and recently rediscovered them when looking for a post workout snack, I changed things up and I thought i'd share the recipe for two different types as they're really easy and super tasty.
Recipe | Super Easy Energy Balls
Recipe | Super Easy Energy Balls
Coconut Chocolate Balls (Makes around 9 balls)
Ingredients:
1/4 cup of dates (soaked)
1/4 cup of unsweetened desiccated coconut 
1 tbsp cocoa powder

1. The first thing you want to do is remove the stones from your dates then let them soak in water for around 30 minutes too an hour. I wouldn't skip this step as it makes them a lot easier to blend and the mix will be smoother.
Recipe | Super Easy Energy Balls
2. In a food processor add in all the ingredients and pulse for around 30 seconds until all the mix is combined.
Recipe | Super Easy Energy Balls
3. Once everything is blended you can use a teaspoon to scoop out the mixture and roll into a ball between your hands. In a separate bowl have some extra coconut to roll the balls in.
Recipe | Super Easy Energy Balls
4. Then you just need to put them in a container and allow to chill in the fridge for around 20 minutes so they firm up a little bit.

Nutty Chocolate Balls (Makes around 9 balls)
Ingredients:
1/4 cup of dates (soaked)
3-4 tbsp of ground almonds
1 tbsp cocoa powder
1 tbsp of seeds (I used sunflower seeds)
2 tbsp/ of nuts (I used almonds and pecans - around 5-6 of each)
Recipe | Super Easy Energy Balls
1. You're going to want to soak you dates as mentioned above then add all the ingredients into you food processor and blend. If the mix seems a little sticky you can add some more ground almonds or nuts to help it to combine more.
2. Use a teaspoon to scoop out the mix, roll into a ball and then roll the balls in sesame seeds or chopped nuts. Set aside in a container and allow to chill for 20 minutes.
Recipe | Super Easy Energy Balls
Recipe | Super Easy Energy Balls
It's that easy! These taste like you're having a treat and really help to satisfy that sweet tooth and give you an energy boost in the afternoon or after a workout. The coconut ones are probably my favourite as they taste like a bounty chocolate bar! I hope this recipe is helpful if you're looking for easy snack ideas, you can really add anything you like as long as you have equal amounts dates to dry ingredients. Let me know if you makes these and would like to see more recipe posts.

Thursday 29 January 2015

January Beauty Favourites

It's time for the first favourites post of the year and i've been trying out a few new things that i've ended up loving. My skin was playing up after indulging over Christmas and two of these products really helped to calm things down and get my skin back on track.
January Beauty Favourites
Nuxe Reve De Miel Hand and Nail Cream
Starting with body products i've been opting for showers post workout rather than baths and i've been reaching for the Soap & Glory Whipped Clean Shower Butter (review) which is a in shower body moisturiser that smells amazing, leaves my skin soft and I can get dressed straight away after using it. I've mentioned before that my hands have been very dry this Winter and the only thing that has saved them in the Nuxe Reve De Miel Hand and Nail Cream (review). This is a thick cream that sinks in quickly leaving my hands so soft and has helped so much with the dry patches i've been getting.
Clearasil Superfruits Refreshing Pads
So I mentioned that my skin was a bit spotty at the start of the month and the product that really helped was the Clearasil Superfruits Refreshing Pads (review). These I use after cleansing and wipe over the face then apply my moisturiser. I stick to using these at night but you could use them in the morning. They leave the skin really clean and help with oil control and help to sooth breakouts. For an added bonus i've been using the Botanics Shine Away Ionic Clay Mask. I've been looking for an affordable clay mask and this has been a great find. It's your classic clay mask which helps to deeply cleanse the skin; used once a week to remove excess oil and dirt.
Soap & Glory Thick & Fast Mascara
During the festive period I always love red nail polish. A new favourite find was the Barry M Gelly Hi Shine Nail Paint in Blood Orange. It's a lovely glossy classic red shade which lasts really well on the nails and looks especially good with a glitter over top. I've not been wearing a lot of makeup this month but I have been reaching for the Soap & Glory Thick & Fast Mascara. This is a great all in one mascara, it adds length, definition to the lashes and a bit of volume for good measure.
Seventeen Lip Crayon in Knockout
Finally onto a few lip favourites. I've been loving the plum and darker nude shades a lot. A staple in my handbag has been MAC Craving which is a great everyday shade that can be applied bold or sheer; both ways it looks lovely on. If i've wanted something a little darker i've been loving the Seventeen Lip Crayon in Knockout which is a great glossy plum shade. This feels like a balm on the lips, the wear time is a couple of hours but a great, fuss free option to have.

So those have been some of my favourite products this month, i've been trying to spend less on beauty products and instead i've been trying to rediscover some things I already have. What have been some of your favourite products this month?

Tuesday 27 January 2015

January Empties

Today I have the first empties post of 2015, I somehow haven't managed to use up that many products but some of them are things I don't use all the time with a few staples in there for good measure.
January Empties
Original Source Skin Quench All In One Moisturising Shower in Peach and Apricot
Original Source Skin Quench All In One Moisturising Shower in Peach and Apricot - £2.70.
I picked this up whilst doing the food shop as I was in need of a new shower gel. This claims to be moisturising as it is made with natural oils; I would say it definitely doesn't feel drying on the skin. The smell was really nice and it lasted a long time so I would definitely try some of the other scents. Repurchase? Yes.
LUSH Cinders Bath Bomb
I get this every Winter as I love the scent of it so much. It's a lovely cinnamon and spicey scent that is so lovely and relaxing in the colder months. It isn't the prettiest of bath bombs but is so effective at relaxing you at the end of a long day. Repurchase? Yes, when it's available.
Dove Purely Pampering Body Cream in Shea Butter and Warm Vanilla
Dove Purely Pampering Body Cream in Shea Butter and Warm Vanilla -  £4.99.
I love this scent that Dove do, everything i've tried from the range has been great and such good value for money. This has a nice warming scent and was a thick cream but didn't feel heavy or greasy on the skin. It has an almost whipped texture that I really enjoyed. Repurchase? Yes, once i've used up a few more products.
Garnier Minerl InvisiCool Lasting Freshness Anit-Perspirant - £1.70.
This was another product I picked up on a whim and ended up really liking. I can be a bit fussy with deodorants but this one has a fresh scent and did the job. It also has no alcohol or parabens in it. Repurchase? Yes.
L'oreal Absolute Makeup Remover Eye and Lip
Garnier Simply Essentials Soothing Vitamin Enriched Toner - £2.99.
I feel like this might be one of my most repurchased products since I use it everyday. I use it morning and night after cleansing and it removes any excess dirt. It's very basic but does the job without irritating the skin. Repurchased? Yes.
L'oreal Absolute Makeup Remover Eye and Lip - £4.99.
This is definitely my favourite eye makeup remover for when i'm wearing a lot of makeup. I try others but none of them do the job as good as this. It as oils in it which really helps to remove heavy makeup quickly. Repurchased? Yes, once i've used up some other things.
Collection Big Fake Curves Mascara
Collection Big Fake Curves Mascara - £3.99.
I think I picked this up because the brush looked really interesting. It was a bit big which did make it harder to apply but it gave a lovely curved look to the lashes. The only downside is that it dried out in about a month which isn't ideal but it is very cheap. Repurchased? Maybe not, but it is a good mascara.

So those are my first empties of 2015, not that many but a good amount of favourites. I'm really trying to use products up again this year so expect lots more empties posts. Have you used any of your favourite products this month?

Sunday 25 January 2015

The Winter Pastels

I find that I reach for a lot of darker nail polishes during the Winter but sometimes I get a bit tired of the dark plums and reds, especially when the new year comes around. Today I dug out three pastel polishes that look great in Winter; especially when paired with some glitter and will transition into Spring really nicely.
The Winter Pastels
Essie Fiji
I love Essie polishes and I think they get pastel shades spot on. The shade Figi is the perfect pink toned white that looks so elegant on the nails.It does take around 3 coats but lasts around a week on the nails, topped with a rose gold glitter this looks even better. My more affordable favourite nail polish brand is definitely Barry M. I've had the shade Berry Ice-Cream for a while and I forgot how nice it was. It's a pale lilac shade which isn't too pastel so a great option is you don't like very pale colours on your nails, this also means it only takes 1-2 coats. Finally I had to include one of the Gelly Hi Shine polishes, this shade is Huckleburry is a lovely pale blue shade that looks nice and glossy on the nails. It's also a great long wearing option.
Barry M Nail Paint Berry Ice-Cream
Barry M Gelly Hi Shine Huckleburry
All of these shades I think are perfect if you fancy something a little different from the darker shades that looks a little more subtle. Have you started to dig out some more Spring shades when it comes to nail polish? What are your favourite pastel polishes?

Friday 23 January 2015

January Health Favourites

This year, like most people i'm making a real push to be healthier when it comes to eating and working out. At the end of last year I started to do this but this year i'm really going to try and stick to it. To help me along the way I thought I would share some of my health favourites each month as I try new things.
January Health Favourites
FOOD:
Starting with my favourite part, food. This month I started eating more greek yoghurt, my favourite is the Fage Total 0%. I've had this with frozen mango, or mixed with cocoa powder and agave to make a sweet chocolate treat. I've been having overnight oats a lot this month for a quick breakfast and i've been using it in all of them to make the oats extra creamy. If you're looking for healthy, quick, filling breakfasts overnight oats are the way to go. Baking wise I made some Sweet Potato Brownies which were super tasty and easy to make.

DRINKS:
I've made a big push to cut down on coffee, i've done really well with this and had less than 5 coffees in the whole month! To replace it in the morning i've been having hot water with lemon and throughout the day the Sainsbury's Green Tea with Peach is really good.

WORKOUTS:
I've been trying to work out at least every week day. I've done pretty well at this and only missed 2-3 days in the whole month. My favourites have been the PopSugarFitness videos, they have 5, 10 and 30 minute workouts which are really great. Also this FitnessBlender Cardio workout is really good. I'm definitely not a cardio person but that workout I actually enjoy doing! 
January Health Favourites Cookbooks
COOKBOOKS:
I treated myself do some new cookbooks to help to keep me on track. The Oh She Glows Cookbook is a great one for healthy vegan meals. Everything in here looks amazing, there's breakfast, snacks, main meals and sweets. I've tried the Portabello Mushroom Fajitas and the baked oatmeal which were both really good. Chocolate Covered Katie is one of my favourite food blogs, her sweet treats are so amazing and good for you. Definitely one to get if you have a sweet treat. I also picked up the I Quit Sugar book as i'm trying to reduce my sugar intake. There's lots of information on sugar and some good recipes. I've tried some of the soups recipes which were very filling and easy to make.

So those are my January health favourites. Hopefully this was interesting if like me you're trying to stay healthy this year. If you've been on a health kick i'd love to here what have been some of your favourites this month, especially if you have any good cookbook recommendations.

Wednesday 21 January 2015

Shopping The Stash #4

I haven't done a shopping the stash post in a while and since i'm trying to slow down on the spending and use a few things up I thought it would be the perfect time to do one. Some of these I either haven't used in a while or one of them has been sitting in my stash unopened!
Dr Jart Regenerating BB Cream
Dr Jart Regenerating BB Cream -  £21.00.
This was one of my favourite bases to use on an everyday basis and I just haven't reached for it in a while. It has light-medium buildable coverage yet feels light on the skin whilst looking natural. The colour is great for paler skintones and is one of the best BB Creams i've tried because it has a decent wear time as well.
Soap & Glory Thick & Fast Mascara
No7 Instant Radiance Highlighter - £9.95.
I featured this in a post recently (here) and it reminded me how much I liked the product. Having a highlighter in a stick form makes for easy, mess free application. It's not glittery, instead gives a nice sheen to the cheeks.
Soap & Glory Thick & Fast Mascara - £10.00.
I got this in a gift set and it had just been sitting unopened in my drawer whilst I used other things up. I finally got round to using it recently and I really like it. The brush is big yet this doesn't make it hard to apply, instead you can build up the product to add volume and length to the lashes.
Revlon Colorstay Moisture Stain in New York Scene
Revlon Colorstay Moisture Stain in New York Scene - £7.99.
These seem to get mixed reviews but I think a rule is the darker shades are great the lighter shades can be a bit patchy. New York Scene is a beautiful glossy red shades, perfect for Winter. These feel nice on the lips and if you apply a light layer, blend it in then apply another coat on top the wear time is good too.
L'oreal Top Coat in Confetti
Barry M Nail Paint in Bright Purple - £2.99.
I have a lot of the Barry M nail paints but I had totally forgot about this shade. The name kind of sums it up as it's a bright purple shade which would looks great all year round and goes well with all outfits. It does chip a little which I don't normally find with Barry M polishes but is still one i'm glad to rediscover.
L'oreal Top Coat in Confetti - £4.99.
I think this polish is a little over priced and i'm sure there is a dupe by now but I do love the effect it gives. There's not many top coats that aren't glittery, this one is just black and white and looks great layered over so many shades. I just paired it with Bright Purple and it a less in your face nail art.

So those are some things that i've rediscovered in my stash this week. I'm going to try do this more often in hopes to use some products I used to love. Have you shopped your stash recently?

Monday 19 January 2015

Pretty In Pink

I used to find pink toned products a little hard to wear, i've slowly adding a few things into the mix to help me step out of my comfort zone. Today I thought I would share my favourite pink makeup up products that are some stand outs in my makeup collection.
Pretty In Pink
NAILS:
Sinful Colors Boom Boom
Nail polish is one of my favourite ways to where pink. Essie Watermelon is one of my all time favourite nail polishes as it is the perfect red toned pink. It's bright but not in your face. For a great cheaper option Sinful Colors Boom Boom is a lovely fuchsia pink which is a fun colour to wear in the warmer months.
LIPS:
Revlon Colorburst Lacquer Balm in Vivacious
The darker shades of the Revlon Colorstay Moisture Stains are really great, a stand out is the shade Barcelona Nights which is almost like Essie Watermelon in lip product form. These feel really nice on the lips and give a gloss which works great sheer or applied heavily. A more long-wearing option is the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Ole Flamingo! which is an amazing bright fuchsia colour, this lasts for hours on the lips without going patchy. The Revlon Colorburst Lacquer Balm in Vivacious feels like a lip balm on the lips so is the perfect non-drying option. It leaves a nice stain to the lips as it wears away; the shade is a geat hot pink colour with a slight red tone to it.
ChEEKS:
Bourjois Cream Blush in O3 Rose Tender
One of my all time favourite blushes is NARS Deep Throat as it is a lovely pink shade with a slight shimmer to it. It's not very bold so looks natural on the skin whilst giving a healthy glow. A great cream option is the Bourjois Cream Blush in O3 Rose Tender, this again isn't too bold which makes it easy to apply. It is more of a cream to powder finish that is the perfect rose colour which I think would suit a lot of skintones.
EYESHADOW:
Makeup Revolution Iconic 3 Palette
For a long time I found it really hard to wear pink tones on my eyes without making them look red. The Makeup Revolution Iconic 3 Palette is the perfect affordable option to step out of that comfort zone. The palette has a good range of pink toned shadows, from shimmery to matte as well as a matte brown and cream which makes putting together looks a lot easier. The shadows are creamy and easy to blend whilst giving some great pigmentation.

So those are so of my favourite products when I want to try something different and reach for something on the pink side. What are your favourite pink toned makeup products?

Saturday 17 January 2015

Soap & Glory Whipped Clean Shower Butter - Reviewed!

Every year when Soap & Glory do their big gift set for half price before Christmas I always get it as I love their products, it's such good value for money and it often gives me to chance to try new product which I might not have picked up. This was one of those product which i'd seen whilst browsing Boots but never tried it.
Soap & Glory Whipped Clean Shower Butter
Soap & Glory Whipped Clean Shower Butter
The packaging is in the classic style of Soap & Glory product, it's cream with pink so looks very girly. The product itself claims to be a body wash and moisturiser in one and is made up of 25% moisturising oils.
Soap & Glory Whipped Clean Shower Butter
Soap & Glory Whipped Clean Shower Butter
The scent is one of my favourite things about this product, it has a lovely shea butter, almond and vanilla scent to it. It's nutty with a sweetness as well. The scent definitely lingers on the skin after using it but doesn't overpower any perfume I wear with it.
Soap & Glory Whipped Clean Shower Butter
The product is a cream that looks more like a moisturiser however when it is mixed with water does lather up like a body wash. I apply it all over the skin as one of the last steps in the shower and then pat myself dry. When I use this I can skip moisturising and get dressed straight away which is great if you're getting ready in a rush. It's work in the same way as the Nivea In Shower Body Moisturiser but feels a little bit more luxurious.


This definitely isn't the cheapest body product I use but a great addition if you have dry skin and like to get ready quickly. I think I definitely repurchase this in the future as it's a really nice product to use. What are your favourite Soap & Glory body products?

Thursday 15 January 2015

Top 5 Makeup Tools

I seem to have a lot of brushes but whilst doing my makeup the other day I noticed i've been using the same few for a long time. Sometimes I add others into the mix if i'm wearing more makeup but these are definitely my top 5 that I use everyday.
Top 5 Makeup Tools
Top 5 Makeup Tools
Real Techniques Blush Brush
Real Techniques Buffing Brush - £21.99.
This is part of the core collection of brushes and is definitely my most used from the set. The other brushes are nice but this is definitely the stand out. I use the to apply all of my base products; whether it's foundation or a tinted moisturiser all of them apply better with this brush. It makes blending quick and easy and my base always looks natural. I wish they sold this brush separately so I could get a back up without buying the whole set again.
Real Techniques Blush Brush - £9.99.
I have used this for blush in the past but I find it's best to use to apply powder. The way the brush is tapered makes powder apply lightly without making your makeup looking cakey or powdery.
Real Techniques Base Shadow Brush
Sigma Large Angled Contour Brush F40 - £14.95.
I bought a set of Sigma brush a few years back and I still use a lot of them but this has definitely the one that i've stuck with the most. I use this to apply blush and the coutour of the brush gives a light application which makes applying product really easy. It can also be used with bronzer or a coutouring blush to sculpt the cheekbones.
Real Techniques Base Shadow Brush - £21.99.
This brush is again part of a set of eye brushes, this one is definitely my most used out of the set. It's perfect for using in the crease as it applies the product whilst blending the shadow out. You can also use the brush on it's side to apply product all over the lid. If I had to use only one eye brush it would probably be this one.
Superdrug Eyelash Curlers
Superdrug Eyelash Curlers - £1.99.
I've never wanted to spend a lot of money on eyelash curlers as I think they all must do the same thing. The curlers I had broke so I wanted to replace them quickly so I got these to see my over. I was surprised how effective I found them at giving a nice curl to the lashes, i've had them for a few months now and they still work really well. For the price these are definitely worth giving a try and have been a great affordable find.

So those are my top 5  makeup tools that I use every time I apply makeup. What are some of your go to makeup tools for getting ready?

Tuesday 13 January 2015

The Everyday Cream Shadows

I'm a big lover of cream shadows. Whether i'm wearing them alone for a quick eye look or as a base to a smokey eye. My favourite kind are the ones that can be used as a primer to make you eye shadow last longer and look more vibrant. Today I thought I would share the four that are my most used.
MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot
Maybelline Color Tattoo 24hr Cream Shadow
MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot
MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot - £15.50.
For a long time MAC have been one of my go-to brands for cream shadows. Their paint pots have been a favourite of mine for a long time and I have four in my collection. My favourites have to be Painterly which is the perfect matte, neutral base which can be worn alone to even out the lids or a base for any shadow look. My other favourite is Groundwork which is a brown shade that has a lovely sheen to it. It's not shimmery but works great alone or for the base of a smokey eye. I love layering a gold eyeshadow over this for a lovely eye look.
Maybelline Color Tattoo 24hr Cream Shadow
Maybelline Color Tattoo 24hr Cream Shadow - £4.99
For a long time there was a big gap in the market when it came to affordable long wearing cream shadows. Then Maybelline brought out the colour tattoo shadows and they've been a staple in my makeup collection. My favourite shade is On and On Bronze which is the perfect, golden bronze cream shadow. It's long wearing and looks so lovely alone. They recently added to the collection with the Leather Effect shadows and the shade Creamy Beige which is a matte beige colour. It's a light brown which looks great on the lids. This is a great option when you want something for a base that isn't shimmery.

So those are my everyday cream shadows. They're one of my favourite products to try out from a brand but not many meet what i'm looking for. A tip to make sure they don't dry out is to store them upside down. I do this with all my cream shadows and they're still as creamy as when I first bought them. What are your most used cream shadows?

Sunday 11 January 2015

Recipe | Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies

It's safe to say I have a bit of a sweet tooth. Since i've been on a health kick recently i've been trying out a few recipes for the perfect healthy cookies. I've taken bits from a few different recipes and come up with my own and after making these a few times I think it's time to share the recipe and these cookies are super tasty!
Recipe | Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Recipe | Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients (Makes around 16 cookies):
1 1/2 cups of ground almonds
1/2 cup of plain flour, I use spelt but any will work
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup coconut oil melted
1/4 cup honey or agave nectar (pure maple syrup will also work)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract 
2 tbsp of water
1/2 cup unsweetened desiccated coconut 
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
Recipe | Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies
1. Preheat oven to 180°C and line two trays with grease proof paper. Melt the coconut oil in a bowl. An easy way to do this is to put it in the microwave for 30 seconds. In a separate bowl combine the first 4 dry ingredients; the almonds, flour, salt and baking powder. 
2. Once the coconut oil has cooled a little in the same bowl mix the honey, vanilla extract and water in with the coconut oil. It won't combine fully but just mix it to as best as you can. 
3.Now add the wet ingredients with the dry and mix well. 
Recipe | Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies
4.Once everything is combined add in the desiccated coconut and chocolate chips. If you don't want to use coconut I think chopped nuts or oats would work well. The dough may feel a little wet which is perfectly normal. 
Recipe | Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies
5. Take a spoon or ice cream scoop and take some mixture and roll into a ball and press out into a cookie shape. Place onto the tray leaving a little space between each cookie. These won't spread too much in the oven like normal cookies. 
6. Once you've got all your cookies on the tray place in the oven and bake for around 10-12 minutes. You will know they're done when the cookies are a light golden brown colour. 
Recipe | Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies
7. Once they're done allow to cool for around 10 minutes and enjoy! I've found these will keep for around 4-5 days in an airtight container. 

So that is my super easy healthy cookies recipe. I've made these a few times and they're always a big hit as they taste so good and satisfy that sweet craving without being that bad for you. The ingredients are easy to get hold of which is an added bonus. Let me know if you try this cookie recipe, I would love to hear how they turn out!