Morroccan Oil

One bandwagon I am late to join is trying out Moroccan Oil. I simply couldn't get my head around spending that much money on such a teeny tiny bottle of product. I finally caved after getting 20% off HQ Hair in an email and thought that it would be an ideal time to trial run a small bottle of this supposed wonder product. Even then, I had thought it berluddy well better be a miracle maker for over £10 for an Alice in Wonderland sized potion of liquid.

Now, I don't struggle with dry hair but my hair is quite fine and can sometimes be a little bit tear away {especially when I rush to dry my hair in the mornings an end up just sticking my head upside down. Oops} and I thought it might help with that a smidge. And to be honest, having been using it a few days I don't know why I waited so long. I upturned the bottle onto my palm a couple of times and that tiny amount was more than enough. Good thing too as otherwise the teeny bottle I bought would only last 5minutes! It smells wonderful and left my hair silky and smooth with no fly away strands. I only used the product on the ends of my hair because I was concerned that a combination of fine hair + Edinburgh's water + product would leave me needing to wash my hair 5 minutes later. Does anyone use it on their roots?!

I have tried it on both wet and damp hair. In an effort to conserve said teeny tiny bottle I think I will stick to using it when my hair is damp but the effects are great either way - I guess the real difference is whether you use the product to prevent any issues or to remedy them after you've styled your do. I keep stroking my hair like some loon - it's so smooth! {anyone else do that?! No? Just me!?}

Have you used it before? Does you have any hair holy grails that you recommend?!

Love B
x

Shellac

Another bandwagon I'm maybe a bit late to is Shellac. I've had bio sculpture gel on my nails plenty of time before and although the two concepts are similar, I was recently tempted by Shellac's wide range of colours {including the dark greys that I find so appealing!}.

I had a voucher for a local beauty salon so had a full manicure done with Shellac to finish it off. I picked for a gorgeous Chanel Rouge Noir esque colour that I figured I can top up wih nail varnish if regrowth gets too bad before I get them stripped and redone.

My hands work pretty hard - I'm pretty rubbish at wearing gloves and I use my hands and nails all day long without much thought for them. They're also rather short as I'm awful for fiddling with my nails when I'm stressed or they snap. Infact, probably the only speck of Kindness I show my hands is a daily application of hand cream, without which they are bone dry.

Over a week in and the regrowth isn't too bad {though my nails have definitely grown} and my nails are still immaculate. Their prettiness has put me off fiddling and I keep glimpsing at my hands in admiration of their loveliness {stroking my hair...looking at my hands...I must look crackers}. I already own a UV lamp so I'm tempted to purchase a colour or two and a top/base coat and do my own {my gel supplies are running low}. I definitely think its worth watching it done properly at least once though! I love them.

Any tips on DIY shellac? I've been scouring blogs about it!

Love B x

Wheat, Gluten & Dairy free Chocolate Brownies

I made these chocolate brownies at the weekend to take into the staffroom on Monday morning. I have a few colleagues who can't/don't eat gluten or dairy products and considering these were meant to be my way of saying a little thank you to those that have helped me prepare for my PGDE or even just given me advice, I didn't want to skip over anyone in particular. When I found these in Sainsburys, they seemed just the ticket.

Their website says they want to get past the idea that 'healthy' foods lack flavour or quality and that they want to produce delicious gourmet free-from foods. I have to say, I'm suitably impressed. I followed the instructions, using soya spread and water instead of dairy products and the brownies turned out well. Perhaps not as gooey as 'normal' brownies but that is just as likely to be my haphazard oven climate as it is the product itself. Taste wise, they were certainly delicious and I had to quickly box them up before I scoffed the lot {so. little. willpower}.

The company do a whole variety of products, and for £1.99 {I think?! I don't remember!} this brownie mix was certainly worth it when baking with gluten or wheat intolerant friends in mind! I would definitely buy it again! I'm convincing myself that they are surely better for me than my normal brownies - they're certainly full of more wholesome ingredients.

Tasty eh?

LoveBx

You are my sunshine...

{via}

This little notebook makes my heart sing. The song featured pretty prominently in my childhood and I can't read the words without smiling a little. It would certainly make my mammoth Monday to do lists a bit brighter.

Love B x

Life through a smartphone lens

I've become one of those people that feels the need to document everything with my iPhone. Namely through instagram thanks to its ability to make everything look better. Myself including. It's like permanently vein portrayed in soft focus or by candle light. Now if I could just carry that into real life...

Here are just a few of the things I've been up to lately...

There's been baking and celebrating {I just got offered a place at Edinburgh to study for a PGDE in primary teaching and I am beyond thrilled}. 

There's been a jaunt to watch England beat Scotland in the 6 nations and spending time with this handsome fellow. 

There's been early morning views on my way to work and a little cafe I pass every morning that I mean to visit.

There's been this pair of puppy dog eyes and gorgeous flowers from a lovely friend. 

There's been home made steak sandwiches for dinner and not so home made burgers for lunch.

And that's just a fraction of what happened that I didn't manage to capture. Visits from friends being part of that. Wonderful start to the year really! I can't believe February is already upon us...

Love B

x

Delicate Jewellery

{oh hi instagram picture}

I got myself a new pair of earrings this week and I'm really thrilled with them for several reasons. They're pretty similar to the Anthropologie pair I blogged about before but instead of costing a whacking £30, these cost me....£4. They're from Orelia and were on sale in Topshop.

I've blogged about this brand before, and I have to say, I think they do a fantastic range of delicate costume jewellery at a reasonable price point {considering the details and high level of design}. That said, I still um and ah when it comes to handing over £15-£20 for a necklace. When they have sales, however, it is possible to get your hands on some gorgeous accessories that are as cheap as chips. Browsing the website I could easily drop a fortune on several pieces:

I don't feel like their website does justice to the range of gorgeous things they make, but Topshop and ASOS also stock their pieces.

What a pretty start to a Saturday!

Love B

x

ps - did you notice I caught up with technology and got myself and iphone?! I am obsessed with Instagram and its ability to make everything look prettier than it probably is in real life.

Lets get physical...

adidas by Stella McCartneyRun performance 7/8 tights | leggings |...

£70 - sweatybetty.com

Athletic shoes

$140 - nike.com

Nike Store. Nike C72 Legend (Large) Bag

$45 - nike.com

Fleece Earwarmer | ski accessories | Sweaty Betty

£15 - sweatybetty.com

Excuse the awful pun for a title but, like many of you I'm sure, January was meant to be the time for me to kick my ass into shape and get moving again. Now, I've been for the odd run and played a bit of badminton but quite frankly, I've done nowhere near as much exercise as I should have. I blame this entirely on the fact I'm a fair weather runner and the weather in Edinburgh right now is far far FAR too cold to tempt me away from the warmth of the indoors. I reckon, I need to find an active sport/exercise that I love, is maybe indoors and is one that will make me forget I'm playing sport {badminton might just be this...}. Until then, I can at least plan how I could look really attractive when I'm out going for a run. Ahem. Though, in reality, this is probably more accurate.

Do you have an exercise that you love?

Love B

x