Life: Anniversary Weekend in Glasgow

A few weekends ago it was our second wedding anniversary so we had a trip up to sunny Glasgow to visit some friends and explore the city.

Here are some photos from my phone from the weekend...

Highlights included breakfast at the lovely Riverhill Cafe on Gordon Street by the station, a lovely Italian dinner at Amarone on Buchannan Street and one of the best curries I've ever had at The Dhabba in Merchant City. Can you tell we like our food!

We also visited the lovely West End area of Hill Head and spent an afternoon at the Kelvingrove museum and gallery.

Have you been to Glasgow? Where you you recommend we go next time?

Katie xx

Life: Summer TV Favourites

Let's start this post of by stating the obvious....My name is Katie and I'm a telly addict! I have always been a massive TV and film watcher. Even as a small child, back when there was no scaremongering about putting small children in front of screens, I used to get up super early and watch a good few hours of TV before my Mum woke up.

Then Saturday night always involved a trip to the video shop (retro!) and I would watch my film, usually something with Care Bears, My Little Pony or the Thriller music video, that evening and again the next morning.

Now that we have set the scene you will understand my current dilemma. Summer is an awful time for TV! Come September/October I usually have over 15 shows on the go at any one time. I will do a separate post on my favourite Autumn/Fall TV shows but for now I wanted to give some love to the shows that have been getting me through the TV wasteland that is the Summer.

Under The Dome


Image via BBC.co.uk

This Stephen King adaptation is coming to Channel 5 in the UK in the coming weeks. I have been watching this via CBS and I am already hooked after under 10 episodes.

The premise is that a mysterious and impervious dome falls from the sky, covering the once sleepy town of Chster's Mill. Most of the town and some visitors are stuck inside the dome and some of the towns' residents are stuck outside of it.

There are several dodgy and mysterious characters and gradually, episode by episode, we as the viewers start to get more details about the dome, its effects on the people under it and where it might have come from.

I can see this one continuing for a good few series/seasons and I will be right there with it!

Perception


Image via: TNT.com

Perception is now in its second season and it shown on TNT in the US. It stars Will & Grace favourite Eric McCormack and 90's teen movie leading lady, Rachael Leigh Cook along with a host of other stars from previous hit shows.

This show focusses on McCormack's character, Dr Daniel Pearce, who is a renowned neuroscience professor who helps former student Rachael Leigh Cook with her complicated FBI cases.

This ticks two of the boxes that I often look for in an easy to watch TV show; procedural, in that it follows the same format from week to week, and crime-based. I love me a crime-based TV show!

King & Maxwell



Image via: MoviePilot.de

King & Maxwell is another TNT drama, but this one is also in its first season. This show stars Rebecca Romjin and John Tenney as two former Secret Service agents who now work as private detectives in Washington DC.

The supporting cast in this show is great, with the quirky genius assistant and the cantankerous FBI agent, they take on cases the authorities wouldn't and often end up in some scrapes.

Again, this is easy watching and the sub-plot isn't too taxing I.e. as a viewer you don't have to remember loads of detail to keep up with what's going on.

Rizzoli & Isles


Image via: ferver-records.com

Last but by no means least is Rizzoli and Isles. Now in its fourth season and starring two recognisable faces, this is another crime-based procedural. The main attraction for this show for me is the friendship between the two main characters. They are both the best in their fields and have a friendship that most of us would 'kill for' (sorry!).

Again the supporting cast is great and the various sub-plots throughout the four seasons have been meaty enough to keep the viewer entertained.

What have you been watching this Summer?

Katie xx

Life: Carrot Cake Cupcakes

After completing the cupcake decorating course at Hey Little Cupcake!, which I talk about here, I wanted to keep the momentum going and try a new recipe with my new skills.

I waited for pay day and popped down to Home Sense, which is TK Maxx's new homeware chain, and picked up a new muffin tin and an icing bag and nozzle set and I was ready to go.

The recipe I used was this one from the BBC website and I found it really easy to follow, even after 10 years without baking a thing.

I didn't add the nuts or dried fruit to the cake mixture but I found that the cinnamon and mixed spice added a lovely twist.

Be aware though that, unless you've got a GIANT muffin tin, this recipe will make loads more than the 12 it states. I got 21 cakes out of this. The frosting though did only top 12 cakes so I have saved some cakes un-frosted for later in the week.

Here are some photos of my first attempt at cucpakes...

** The cook has to taste the goods! **



Have you baked anything recently?

Katie xx

Fitness: Favourite 'At Home' Workouts

For various reasons, sometimes you just don't feel up to going to the gym. It may be the weekend or you may only have 40 minutes or so to work out and don't feel like trekking all the way to the gym.

In my uni days I used to buy a new workout video (yes video!!) each year and do it in my room in halls as I couldn't afford the gym as a lowly student. I think some of these thrifty habits have stayed because I still like to do the odd workout in my living room now and again.

My favourites at the moment are...

Jillian Michaels: Banish Fat Boost Metabolism Workout



Oh Jillian. I shouldn't love you but I do. Ever since her days on Biggest Loser USA and then the ever popular '30 Day Shred', which I actually bought on DVD she has been my at-home fitness guru of choice.

This workout, for those familiar with Jillian's methods, runs along the same lines. There are different routines, each focussing on various parts of the body. This isn't for the faint of heart as it's very high intensity but if you're after something intense to do in your living room, this is the one for you!

Denise Austin: Ultimate Fat Burn Workout



Now this is a great one if you haven't got a lot of time and don't want anything too intense. There is a lower intensity workout and only lasts just over 20 minutes so is a great option if you need to squeeze it in in a hurry.

I found this one on the Be Fit channel on You Tube, which has some great fitness videos and they're all FREE!

What are you favourite 'at-home' workouts?

Katie xx

Wishlist: Home Edition September 2013

This month I thought I’d do a home decor Wishlist post as I have found some great websites and would happily buy everything they sell. I managed to pick a few favourite items though to add to my wishlist…

1. Ferm Living Happy Flags 27.00EUR

I really like the look of a small string of bunting inside the home and think this colourway would be perfect in our (almost finished) guest bedroom. Now to convince the husband!

2. Ferm Living Stripe Tin Boxes - Set of 3 22.00EUR

Again I think these would work well in our guest room with the striped wall. Not sure what I would put in these but for now they will just look pretty on the floating shelves. They also come in monochrome and a lovely blush and cream colourway.

3. Ferm Living Wire Basket - Small 58.00EUR

These wire baskets come in several sizes and you can even purchase solid wooden lids to turn them into practical side tables with storage from the same website. I have added the black version to my list but there is an equally gorgeous blush colour, which I am toying over too. No idea where this would go in the house but I really like it.

4. Rose & Grey - Vintage World Map £29.95

This world map poster has a gorgeous vintage feel to it and would look lovely in a distressed frame. I think this might be another guest room item to add to the list. I love the idea of having maps framed on the walls as they offer so much more than simple prints and I could stare at them for hours.

5. Rose & Grey - Sorting Office Tray £14.50

This sorting/document tray is going to be perfect for the new built in floating desk we have had fitted in the lounge. I want to keep the look of the pieces we style the desk with quite industrial and parted down and this will fit in perfectly.

6. Rose & Grey - Heart Dish £14.00

Mercury glass is quickly becoming one of my favourite materials and, whilst I am not the biggest fan of hearts or anything too girly, this will be perfect for holding earrings and necklaces on my bedside table/night stand. At the moment I am using a scented candle to store these, meaning I can’t light the candle so this will come in handy as well and looking cute and matching the decor in our master bedroom.

7. & 8. Ferm Living Bau Deco Poster – K & J 25.00EUR

These posters are really cute. Again, no idea where they would go at the moment but we’re planning to re-do the stairs and hallway at some point and I know my husband loves the idea of having frames going all the way up the stairs so I might suggest these. For those wondering, J and K are our initials.

What's on your home decor wishlist this month?

Katie xx

Favourites: August 2013

I changed things up a bit in the last few months due to the 'unseasonal' Summer weather we had here in the UK! Here's what I have been using in August...

Skin 79 Super+ BB Cream

This is my third bottle of this original Korean BB cream. I found it on eBay after seeing it in one of Miss Glamouratzi's videos. I know that Ingrid has combination skin like myself so thought this would be a good option that wouldn't leave me with a face like an oil slick by lunchtime.

The formula is thick, creamy and fairly grey in tone, though it does alter to match the colour of your skin when blended. Having said that, I have very pale skin so I don't think this would work for anyone darker than an NC/NW25 in MAC foundations.

The coverage is medium but buildable and I have found that it does let some shine through towards the end of the day, even after powdering. I think this has also helped to fade some of my previous blemish scars as many Asian skincare and make-up products are whitening.

If you are on the paler side and want to try an original Korean BB cream if highly recommend this.

Revlon Photoready Cream Blush in Pinched & Flushed

I bought these two beauties about 6 months ago but always struggled to use them without the cream taking all of the foundation off my cheeks on blending. Then I tried applying them before powder but after the BB cream above and I love the result.

I often don't use powder on my cheeks when wearing one of these to let the dewiness of the blush shine through. It provides a nice contrast to the rest of my skin, which I like to keep quite matte.

These are a great affordable way to test the water with cream blusher and perfect for the warmer weather. I have since purchased a lovely MAC cream blusher, which I'll review when I've had a bit more of a play.

Maybelline EyeStudio Colour Tattoo 24hr Eyeshadow in On and On Bronze

This is a fairly recent purchase and one I have been loving for a quick smokey eye. Paired with a waterproof/long-lasting black pencil liner it gives a dramatic and long-wearing look.

I apply this with my ring finger all over the lid up to the crease and then blend the edges into the crease with a MAC 217 or similar fluffy brush. It lasts all day without creasing and I can't fault it.

I now want to try the Permanent Taupe colour as I think this would be great for an easy defined crease eye look.

What were you loving in July?

Katie xx

Review: Oribe Dry Texturising Spray

Oribe Dry Texturising Spray £18.00

This product is quickly achieving cult status, particularly in the blogging world, so I thought I’d give it a go. I was in Space NK picking up a new brush head for my Clarisonic Mia and this was next to the till (damn you Space NK and your tempting till offerings!).

The first thing to point out about this product is the not so purse friendly price point. I picked up the travel/handbag size and even this was a whopping £18.00 but I was so excited to try it I put it to the back of my mind and handed over my debit card.

For a while now I have wanted to try and perfect the ‘undone’ hair look for that ‘just rolled out of bed looking gorgeous’ feeling and I thought that this product would be the key to achieving it. The result, unfortunately, was a messy (not in a good way), dry feeling mop.

I know the clue is in the name of the product but I just wasn’t expecting my hair to feel so dry after using this. Oribe promote this as an alternative to dry shampoo for creating texture and volume and it definitely has the same feeling as my beloved Batiste.

After really trying to make this work for me I have come to the conclusion that I just can’t pull off the messy hair look. Particularly as I get older I think having ‘messy’ hair just makes me look like a harried mother of three (even though I don’t yet have any kids!).

I think I’m going to stick to the clean, shiny ‘done’ look for now!

Have you tried this product? What do you think of the ‘messy’ hair trend?

Katie xx

Haul: Boots August 2013

Barry M Gelly Hi Shine Nail Effects in Papaya

This is the second of these gel-style polishes from Barry M that I have picked up. I rushed out to buy Lychee when they first came out like everyone else but, whilst I was having a browse the other day, I noticed they had a few new colours.

Papaya seemed like a quite unique muted orange. Previously I’ve steered away from all things orange-toned as I worry they will clash with my hair but I really like this colour. A bit different to the traditional coral, I can’t wait to try this one out on my nails.I have heard that the darker colours in this line stain the nails so I’ll make sure I used a good base coat.

Barry M Sequin Nail Effects in White

This was a complete impulse purchase but I couldn’t leave it on the stand. I have been eyeing up a really similar version from Revlon for ages and this was at least half the price. I’m not sure how this will translate on the nails as, quite often, you need to slap on a good few coats to get a decent amount of the glitter to transfer.

I quite like the idea of this toning down some of the brighter colours I have with its milky, white base. It might be one of my last forays into glitter polish due to my advancing age. Can a 30 year old still wear glitter nail polish??

Rimmel Scandaleyes Thick & Thin Eyeliner

I couldn’t resist trying this one as soon as I got it. I’ve been wearing a slick of black eyeliner with a flick almost every day for the last 12 or so years and I’m a big fan of these pen-style liners.

I love the really fine nib as it makes getting a precise flick so much easier. I wasn’t however too impressed with the colour pay-off of this. It’s not as black or opaque as many others I’ve tried but the staying power is good. It claims to be waterproof, which I haven’t tested but it definitely passes the inner corner smudge test, which may other pen liners don’t.

Bourjois Colour Boost Lip Crayon in Red Sunrise

After seeing these new lip crayons on Lily’s blog I immediately added them to my list. Originally I was planning to get Peach on the Beach but when I saw Red Sunrise I couldn’t resist it.

This is different from the other lip crayons I’ve tried in that the colour you get when you first apply it is really close to the colour you’re left with after a few hours. I wouldn’t call them stains but they do leave a nice, subtle colour behind if you’re lazy like me and only remember to apply lip colour in the morning.

This is the perfect lazy red colour. It gives great colour pay-off but you don’t need to be too precise with your application (sorry lip pencil!) I find this perfect for work.

Bourjois 1 Seconde Nail Polish in Tourquoise

This was a slightly older purchase but I thought I’d add it in here anyway. I have barely had this off my nails since I bought it and LOVE the colour!

The application is the best of any nail polish I have ever tried. The brush is wide enough to coat the whole nail (apart from the thumb) and you can get away with just one coat, although I often do two just for staying power. This coupled with my Seche Vite top coat are a dream combination and have definitely been my Summer nails of choice this year.

Have you tried any of these beauties?

Katie xx

Review: MAC Cream Blush in Ladyblush

 

This lovely cream blush featured in my recent MAC & Primark Haul post and wasn’t really a planned purchase.

I recently fell in love with cream blusher after buying the Revlon Photoready cream blushers ages ago and finally finding a way to wear them.

MAC Ladyblush is a pigmented, peachy-orange cream blusher that applies with a slight sheen but no shimmer, which is just what I was looking for.

I wanted something slightly darker than a coral or a true peach and this is the perfect shade and will see me through to Autumn.

I apply this after foundation and concealer but before powder and, more often than not, don’t powder over it to keep the radiant sheen show through and make me look younger more awake than I am.

Although there isn't a massive shade range in the Cream Blend blushers, I think MAC have got this one just right. You can pick this up anywhere that sells MAC products and it is £18.00 or £15.00 in the pan.

Have you tried this blusher?

Katie xx