Sunday Session

Sundays are a day to torn emotions, i like to use it as a complete relax and recharge day (when I can) but at the same time Sunday night fear gets to us all!

Lately, Sunday pamper sessions have been a thing of the past due to work commitments and studying and boy did I notice them not happening. I find it a really good way to set myself up for the week and unwind,which is so important.

Heres a few things I like to do for a Sunday session:

The Routine - Since I started doing these at the beginning of the year, I looked forward to them and if I had to study on Sundays (which always happened) then I would do my best to be finished by 3pm or 4pm to allow for a couple of hours of time to unwind and relax. Ideally, I would just take the whole afternoon and potter around read magazines or a book, watch a movie or catch up on some youtube. Just whatever helps switch you off or that you don't have time to do Mon-Sat.

The Masks - Clearing my skin of all the make up and everyday nonsense is essential. To do that I will pick a clay mask, most often the Aesop Parsely Seed Mask. Soft on the skin, always leaves my skin feeling deep cleaned. I also like REN, Sanctury and Omorivicza, to name a few. I like clay masks...ok?! Then Its time to hydrate, reaching for my tryst Origins Drink Me up. Sometimes if Im not going out at all that day, I will wear this throughout the day as an extra treat for the skin. I also like to apply one of the Hydraluron Moisture Boosting Sheet Masks. My face loves me after this stage!

The Oils - Facial oils are always so luxurious and I use them throughout the week too. After a day of relaxing and time to spare I like to take my time in applying a facial oil, either Sarah Chapman Skinesis Overnight Facial or Clarins Blue Orchid Oil and massage it in. This part I completely make up, and I am holding out for a video on from Caroline Hirons Youtube channel to teach myself. It just adds a little extra luxury to my routine.

The App - I recently became really into having apps on my phone that were for relaxing and clearing my mind. A new one I would recommend if you struggle to switch off is Relax Lite. It is free to download, will make you giggle slightly but i think it helps you to relax.

Basically, I like to think of Sunday as my day to recharge and get ready for the week ahead and give myself some time to unwind from the previous week. Try it this Sunday and you will be amazed at how well it works taking some timeout of your week to regroup.

Is it Sunday yet?!

Avon Gel Finish | Review

I am a nail polish lover, especially a glossy finish can't say I have been caught up or even been attempted to try the matte trend going around just now. If you are the same let me introduce you to Avon Gel Finish polishes. Purse friendly, high gloss and lots of colours to choose from. Sold!

These polishes are really nice to apply, which is always a big tick in my book. The brush is wide enough and easy to control, so this leaves a lot less room for error when applying. The formula is also great, I have found this before with Avon polishes that the formula is thick, without being gloopy or sticky.

The colour range is really good and they have some really nice deep colours that are perfect for Autumn and Winter, which is just around the corner. My current favourite is the Purple in Lavender Sky. These polishes are £7, but they were cheaper in the book, possibly on offer so it is definitely worth while having a flick through the Avon book if you are near to one.

A little Cheek

What would a MAC visit be without some purchases. This time it was my cheeks that got the treatment. I had been searching for a pale pink blusher for those fresh, breezy looking cheeks I love to see in summer and spring. Full of Joy seriously fits this bill.

It is a pale baby pink, with tones of purple in it. On the cheek it looks effortlessly fresh, and breezy. Perfect for those, no make up, make up looks. With a tan it really pops and gives a little colour to your face.

My highlighter problem has not yet stopped, so one of them, going by the name of Hush, also found it's way into my shopping bag. oops. I admit this was an impulse purchase. It gave cheekbones a glow that looked so natural and sophisticated, I needed it. I have been wearing this a lot this summer with a tan as the golden tones just emphasis a tan even more, think Estee Lauder model...maybe.

I have rarely had these off my face since I bought them, there lovely tones and subtlety have won me over this summer.

Coconut & Orange Bars

Like most people, cake is my nemesis. I love to bake and use to have sell some of my baking at Sloans Square. This weekend I tried out some coconut and orange bars and they were delicious!

Ingredients Makes 10:
125g unsalted butter
225g golden caster sugar
2 eggs beaten
grated rind of 1 orange
3tbsp of orange juice
150ml sour cream
140g self raising flour
85g grated coconut

Frosting:
grated coconut
icing sugar
1 egg white
orange juice to make a thinner paste.



Now I have no method to my baking, basically you just want to put all the ingredients in a bowl and mix them all up. I doubled the ingredients to make 20, so you can adjust the amounts accordingly for how many you want to make.

Once you have blitzed all the ingredients together, grease up a deep tin and poi the mixture in. Only go about half way (if that) as it will rise and you don't want any over flowing! Pop it in a preheated over (180 degrees) for around 20-30mins. The best tip when making sponge is watch it like a hawk, and when it goes golden brown take a knife and prod it through the middle of the cake. Of the knife comes out clear, then it is good to go. If mix comes off on the knife then leave it a little longer.

Once they are looking good, remove them and let them cool on a baking rack. Then tip out of the tins to cool even further. For the frosting, this is down to your own taste buds, and a little of each ingredient until the taste suits your own. Spread all over the cakes and then cut. I sprinkled mine with some extra coconut and some chocolate.

Yum, coconut and orange slices. Theres your weekend treat sorted.