Food blogger/writer, Jack Monroe.

Recently, I've been obsessed with food bloggers, cook books and bloggers that work with a budget. With a plus one that costs a bomb to feed and a budget that just doesn't stretch to it, I needed help.

Step up,

I can really identify with Jack, having been in a similar situation not that long ago - minus a small dependent. She's made such a positive of a negative that affects so many of us but we don't talk about it!

This girl is the answer to all my problems. If you're not that flush and you can't quite stretch to a cook book purchase, do as I did and run down to the library, after all it's what they're there for! And I'm sure Jack wouldn't mind. 

I choose a bread recipe, falalfel, gnocchi, satay chicken, meatballs, ice cream, a Mediterranean dish and one or two extras and headed down to tesco to pick up the ingredients. It came to a whopping £26 (a major bargain) and that included extras such as cereal bars. 

I spent an entire day filling my freezer with all these dishes & so far so good. We're still working through the ones he likes and doesn't like but if you're looking for a challenge, a way to save a bit without giving up taste or healthy eating then this is the lady for you! 

Oh and good news! she has a second book coming, around my birthday! (hint, hint anyone.)

R x

Sale shopping!

I've been shopping! a dangerous form of cardio.

These are the major bargains i've managed to pick up.
Dress - H&M £3! (can you believe it? It was £30.) Gillet - Zara - £15, Bag - Zara £10, Heels - Zara £20, Tee shirt - M&S £6 & finally the espadrilles - H&M £7. 

I worked out that if I had paid full price for these, it would have been a hundred pounds more than I paid .. astonishing! 

R x

My week in pictures.

My days off this week consisted of the following..

Discovering another cute plant pot that has doubled up as my hair brush holder, you can find this in sainsburys for £3, I have my eye on the yellow one but I don't have a use for it! 

Then I thought sorting through my old stuff was a good idea.. Always stressful!

A visit to a 1940's museum, isn't this bar really cute?

And finally, a lovely walk with my pooch. 

R x

Benefit - they're real mascara.

Okay, I'm late to the party with this one. I'm not the type to run out and buy something during its hype period - I need a lot of convincing. It just so happens I got a sample size in a beauty box. 

And it was worth the wait! 

As you can see the brush is really defined to get inbetween those lashes, it really separates and 

lifts your lashes. The colour is very defined and really makes those lashes stand out, it could be a liner and mascara in one. Another major pro; it does not budge. I have to say, I've read so many reviews but for me personally this almost looks like I have fake lashes on. 

It isn't the cheapest - but I imagine it would last quite a long time. If you're a minimalist on make up this will seriously make your eyes stand out with hardly any need for anything else.

Plus! They're real mascara has a sista coming! - a gel based eye liner pen. This is a totally new product to the forum and I cannot wait to see if it's like the mascara. Perfect cat flicks with wide eyes coming up! 

Thank you Benefit! X

Lush - King of skin

Hello lovelies!

I might be making myself really unpopular with this post, it's about a blogger favourite.. 

The lush king of skin body butter. 

You use this after all washing etc as a wet moisturiser and then wash it off before you get out. 

I have to say for me this product is a no no, I won't be making another purchase. If you're like me that the idea of feeling a bit slippery and oily even after washing it off and off again then it really isn't for you! 

On the plus side, your skin will be soft as anything! but you'll feel like you're covered in a slippery substance for hours. 

Sorry Lush! 

R x

What's on my face #2

I went to a Rugby dinner as a proud WAG recently.. can I get away with that title? 

I wanted a simple make up look that mainly relied on a pop of colour on my lips, so here it is:

Face - Benefit, porefessional; Laura Mercier primer (radiance), Collection concealer, Rimmel match perfection foundation (classic ivory 101). Topshop cream blush in head over heels, Topshop highlighter glow stick, Laura Mercier bronzer in Dune Bronze. 

Applied with :- Real Techniques, expert face brush. 

Eyebrows - Rimmel 002 hazel brow pencil. 

Eyes - Collection work the colour eyeshadow pencil in vintage blush 3. B. precise long wearing gel eyeliner in black. 

Applied with : Real techniques, fine liner brush. 

Lips - Burts bees lip balm & Topshop lip cream in Sweetie. 

R x

BB cream

BB cream is one of the new 'in' products, there are so many to choose from, different brands, prices etc where do you turn?! 

If you're like me and really think hard before you buy a product then maybe this budget find will suit you. 

This BB cream is from... the 99p store! 

So as you might have guessed it was 99p - it also boasts a SPF of 15.. can this get much better? the answer is yes!

I can honestly say this is a dream find, it glides on brilliantly, I have very red cheeks and sometimes a quite uneven skin tone, this is like a cross between a tinted moisturisor, foundation and a silky goddess. My mum recommended this and she's quite fussy about what she's uses and has sensitive skin so this may well suit you too! 

I haven't yet tried a more expensive BB cream so I wouldn't be able to recommend if they are any better for the higher price tag but I do urge you grab this even if its for the days you don't wanna use your best stuff!

R x

Pink Lipsticks.

I needed a pink lipstick for a dinner, I wanted the gel liner eye, shocking pink lips look.

So I decided to scout around for a budget version. 

Firstly, I popped to Boots, their collection range is usually a fail safe and has so many amazing items (for example the concealer) 

I got this from the Collection Deluxe range, it's in the shade Speakeasy 04 and was £3.99. It's a lovely creamy texture and is probably the least sticky out of the mini haul but isn't as pigmented on the skin as I thought it would be. Didn't suit for my occasion but I will definitely be using it. 

I then popped to Superdrug and had a nose at the MUA stand, has anyone else noticed these are a bit.. destroyed every time you go in? So popular. This is their pinkest lippie in shade 3, it was the brightest I could find in their budget range (£1) but they did have their Luxe glosses which were practically neon. I've found this is a bit more berry colour on me but for £1 it's going to serve me well no matter how pink or berry! 

Did anyone else know about the dipping pot on the end?!

I got this in the MUA sale not that long ago but I can't find it now! I think it was about £1.50 and is a shocking pink and probably the best pigmentation from stick to face of all the purchases. The shade is Ultra Pink if it comes back into stock. 

And finally, I had picked up a little while ago another Collection lasting colour lipstick (baby pink packaging) but the shade appears to be discontinued. The nearest to it now are bubblegum or pink shock.. I'm sure they'll find their way into my collection in my hunt for the ideal pink lipstick. 

Beauty Hack.

We found this handy little thing on Pinterest. 

So easy, so cheap! Can't wait to try it.

R & M x

New Jo Malone purchase.

Dear Jo Malone,

I love you, 

You smell amazing,

your packaging is classic, 

I know we're going to be together forever,

I would like all the scents, 

maybe a candle one day, 

please don't tell my bank!

yours lovingly,

Rachel x

(my new purchase) 

Peony & Blush Suede. 

Everything 5 pounds.

You may not have heard of this website; everything5pounds.com but you'll thank me!

It's literally what it says on the tin, like the pound shop; although I still see people asking the price? 

Naturally, some of the products are a bit.. questionable but now and again you can find a really classic piece, for example Valentino lookalike shoes; unfortunately I missed those. 

If you like them on facebook you'll get an update of what are the new arrivals of the next day, at the moment I've got my eye on this. 

A pop of colour will brighten a plain outfit, or if you're feeling really brave pair this with a fuchsia dress for a spring/summer awakening!

Let me know if you find anything you like!

R x

Wish List.

I love a good nose at someones wish list, only problem is, I usually add something from theirs to mine! Here's what I'm lusting after at the moment. 

Topshop jeans are the best you'll ever buy, I mean ever. Nothing else on the high street compares to these, they're so flattering, soft, they retain their shape and last yonks! (Warning: you might have to do the 'topshop squats' the first time you wear them) 

I think I want these just because they're beautiful, that's a good reason right? We all love a bit of rose gold and these just are.. beautiful. Sigh. (Zoeva Brushes)

This rather different looking lippy is the Barry M Genie - it changes colour based on the alkali levels in your lips and will display a shade of pink that should suit you perfectly! I'm really curious to see what it would comes out like on mine. 

I've been reading about the benefits of these little babies for some time and I definitely need to give them a go, you can chuck them in almost anything you're eating not notice they're there and reap the benefits! If you want to try before you invest in a large bag, birchbox have the answer here. 

The final piece on my wish list was the Glow pots from Topshop but I can't find the colour I want online, I guess another trip to the store is necessary.. Oh damn ;) 

R x

New discoveries - Topshop make up.

Yello lovelies! 

I've been hunting for a highlighter for some time, I wanted a mid market one for a change. I've heard a bit about the budget MUA one that's £1.50 and apparently that is good, stonkin good price! 

But I decided Topshop needed to be graced with my presence in the make up department. 

So I picked up the Glow Stick in 'Play Up' it's £10 and just so easy to use. So convenient just bam up the cheek bones and down the nose and you've got a bit of structure to your face, particularly if you're like me with hamster cheeks. 

Then I picked up a cream blush.. I have to be honest, I am one of those people who sticks there fingers into the testers just to feel the consistency.. this is amazing. 

I couldn't quite describe the texture of Benefits Porefessional and neither can I for this, it's light, airy, smooth and creamy. 

I got it in the colour 'Head Over Heels' it's a corally orange, perfect for Spring/Summer tones and especially if you're not short of a bit of redness in the cheeks anyway this adds another dimension. I'm using it quite subtle at the moment but if you're brave enough you could make a real statement. This was only £7!

At the time of me popping into TopShop they were doing an amazing free Lip Gloss offer so I got this 

Bold lips are in ladies! and this will certainly make you stand out. I LOVE it. It's in the colour 'Sweetie' and is £7, it stays on all night (even after a glass or two!) and I can't say enough good things about it. 

R x

Benefit - Porefessional

Hello! I'm Back. Sorry for the absence, work,  life general etc.

But this product has been on my mind for blogging, every time I use it I feel I have to put my words across about it. I know there are a lot of reviews out there! 

Firstly, if you've used this you will have noticed the incredible texture this has, it's as light as air (no exaggeration) it blows my mind every time I pop some on my face. 

I have the biggest pores in the universe, seriously.. and I've found this to be a great base product underneath my foundation. 

I've read and heard many reviews from those who were sent this, bought it or had a sample with a beauty box and there are some varying opinions. My advice would be treat it as it's meant to be, an aid for your make up to look more flawless. 

There are a lot of products out there for pore minimisation these days, so try a few and find the perfect one for you (if you can). For me personally, I keep going back to this for my full make up days and if you have quite good skin in summer you could use this with a bit of tinted moisturisor and you'll definitely be satisfied. 

R x

Reading wish list.

I thought I'd share with you the books I'm wanting to read, I have to admit I have A LOT of books lined up to read and when I discovered the free book shop in my city, well it's caused a bit of hassle for my spare room/study! 

But I still fancy reading these;

I've noticed this book on everyone's (it seems) bedside table; a coming of age novel written through anonymous letters. I'm not sure if it's the cover, the press it's had or the title that is enticing me but it's doing something right. 

As you'll know from previous posts I am obsessed with the golden girls, it's a comedy sitcom from the eighties and early nineties about four outrageous but very different women and how they cope with the next stage in their lives. It is hilarious and anyone who's had five husbands must have some good stories, take Elizabeth Taylor! 

Mitch Albom and I are old *imaginary* friends! I've long had a love for his novels. They're affirming, inspiring, thought provoking and deeply interesting. If you've never read any of his works I strongly suggest you do. Check out Tuesdays with Morrie, a book close to my heart. 

R x

New look court shoes.

I've found these little babies 

They're the Ronald mesh detail court shoes, and are a steal at £19.99. They remind me of the PVC and mesh look that celebrities such as Kim Kardashian are currently working. I'm imagining these, peg/cigarette trousers a plain block colour top and a statement necklace. Perfect! 

You can get these from both ASOS and New Look. 

R x

Bag Bargain at ASOS

ASOS really do have the best sales. 

This little beauty is from Oasis and is half price in the sale! from £38 to £19!

It'll be great for any season, any occasion, day or night... have I talked you into it yet? 

I love it!

R x

Night time routine lately.

Just thought I'd show you what my routine for nightly skincare is lately. 

1. Liz Earle hot cloth cleanse & polish. 2. Lush Tea Tree water, even after Liz Earle's revolutionary product this baby gets so much out of my skin, frightening! 3. La Roche-Posay Effaclar duo - I'm trying this out at the moment and finger crossing I will see some of the results I've read about! 4. Finally REN night cream for my tired eyes and dull skin. 

I've been using this combination for a few days (three of the products are new to me) and it seems to have brought up all the impurities so I do look a bit terrible but hopefully the improvements will show through soon. 

As they say, it gets worse before it gets better! 

R x

Leather look jacket.

So, my current obsession with Millie Mackintosh and my desperate need for a spring jacket combined has led to my discovery of this beauty. 

George at Asda has become a serious high street contender and this on style jacket proves it so. You can pick this beauty up for £28. You could definitely work this for both the day time and evening. 

R x

Subscription boxes.

A new craze is taking the beauty, fashion and jewelry world by storm; monthly subscription boxes.

I thought it might be helpful to do a post on what boxes are available (the ones I've tried), what you'll get and where to look! 

So firstly, beauty! 

The glossybox.

Self described as the 'ultimate beauty experience' you will receive an array of beauty, skincare and sometimes lifestyle samples or full size products. You can expect brands you were completely unaware of and will never want to be without again & well known beauty gurus. The products will be tailored to a survey you fill in on your preferences and skin/hair types. You will gain 'glossy dots' to then put towards free boxes, provided you are on a rolling subscription. 

Dependent on the type of subscription you choose it will be £10 plus p&p. 

The Birchbox. 

The Birchbox is a similar experience to that of glossy, they may hate me for that; but one box I had recently was virtually identical, I believe there are some spy's in one or the other! They do however, use different brands to glossy so although the products may be the same type the brand probably won't be. Holidays and seasons are represented within the boxes too which is a nice touch. You'll collect points with Birchbox that you can then spend in their shop, this box probably has the best perks in rewards sense. 

Again, £10 with p&p.

The Love me beauty.

The Love me beauty box is a little different in approach, you can choose the products you receive from a selection of three 'menus' if you aren't comfortable with the thought of paying for a box of products you're not sure you'll even use, then this is for you. 

The pricing is again the same £10 plus p&p, again there is a reward scheme for completing reviews. This box isn't as main stream with their products, there's a different feel to this box, I don't quite have the words but it feels more natural. I've never been disappointed with this box, ever!

Jewelry. 

Astrid & miyu

A secret concept box but with jewelry! This looks so cute, I can't speak from experience with this service but the pieces I've seen have always been so lovely. Again, you can be assured by the survey you complete on your style and preference to avoid any major disasters. This is a great way to keep on trend, have something unique (everyone has the same rings etc from primark don't they?) and the packaging looks like a real treat! This subscriptions is a quarterly one of £39 with free postage and packing. 

Food.

Graze 

(Images from GoogleImages)

If you're like me, eating healthy is a bit tough when the snacking demon takes over me! Here is your answer, the graze box. At £3.89 you can choose to have them delivered as much or as little as you like, you can choose an eating plan if you're trying to be extra healthy and you can rate or bin anything you know you won't like. So completely tailored to you! It's an exciting feeling when the box comes and you can't wait to try the amazing concoctions these geniuses come up with! 

I hope this gives you a little in-sight into these services, and if they would suit you! 

R x