I'm going on holiday!

So just over a month ago today, i booked a holiday. Just like that. 

I was at the gym with my two friends Emily & Erin and thought we're all getting in shape but had no where to show off our 'rocking new bods' (we're currently doing a fitness programme) so someone suggested we booked a holiday. It seemed like one of those ideas that seem great but never actually happens but before i knew it we were booking time off work (shock horror because we're all workaholics) and in a matter of days it was all booked!

 I wasn't even there when they booked, they called me whilst i was working and said they had found somewhere but it needed to be booked asap. I was feeling very spontaneous anyway so was like "what the hell as long as its near a beach, I'm game"! So that was it, our holiday to Tenerife was booked and the countdown began! 

Before i knew it i have found myself with less than a month until we go. I have only just realised it's been two years since i've left the UK so i'm totally in no way prepared. I don't have any of the holidays essentials. So obviously i went shopping!

Quay Invador Sunglasses

Firstly i purchased some new sunnies. I have seen these glasses on many celebrities including PLL star Shay Mitchell. I wanted the black pair as i always go for black with everything, but they were sold out everywhere! Although i originally wanted the black ones, i am surprisingly loving the white version. They give a really clean, fresh look to any outfit and i think i'm in need of more white accessories now! I love the cat eye glasses at the moment but with the cut out on the edges i think it gives it a more edgier look and i'm totally in love with them. 

Primark Floral Jumpsuit

I saw this jumpsuit on Zoella's Primark Haul and fell in love with the print but unfortunately jumpsuits never fit me properly. When i saw it in Primark i thought what the hell i'll try it on just incase a miracle happens and it fits me. A miracle didn't happen as such because its not perfect but it actually looked okay! I mean it doesn't fit properly but i don't expect Primark items to fit like they are tailor made. I had to size up so that it fit comfortably on my bum which has made the top part too big but it doesn't look ridiculous just looks oversized which i don't mind at all. Because i loved the print so much and for a price of £13 i couldn't say no!

Kiss The Sky White Tassel Dress

This dress gets me soo excited for summer, mainly because it has that festival vibe to it and i already know it's going to be one of my outfits for a festival weekend. (i haven't yet booked one this year but i will be). This dress is simple yet has enough detail to be a solid piece in its own right, so can either be dressed up with accessories but also single handedly be the main piece of an outfit. I can't wait for Tenerife so i cant finally get a chance to wear this! 

F&F Scarf Print Palazzo Pants

I am very easily distracted and whenever i go to Tesco and always find myself wandering towards the clothing isle's. It drives my boyfriend insane because we pop in to get milk or potatoes expecting to be in and out within two minutes but end up spending half an hour in the shop because i insist that we have to see if theres any new collections. I'm am so glad i always persuade him because if i had given in and just gone straight to the potatoes then i wouldn't have found these beauties!

Paperchase Passport Holder

I thought while i'm spoiling myself and making sure i'm stylish for my holiday, i thought its only fair to spruce up my passport too! I love tribal prints and monochrome so instantly fell in love with this and at only £6 what's not too love?! The question is, now do i buy the matching luggage tag too? 

I can't wait to be in the sun and able to use all my new purchases. 

Only 2 weeks & 2 days to go! Not that I'm counting or anything...

Sophie.

In The Kitchen | Peanut Butter & Banana Smoothie.

Smoothies really are brilliant. They are filling, full of good stuff, and bloody tasty! They are perfect for snacking, breakfasts, and even deserts and what's even better is that they are sooooo quick to make. 

I make smoothies a lot! I like the fact you can get a meal in a drink, you don't have to stop what you're doing to eat a meal you can drink on the go and as i'm always running late this is perfect for me.  

This smoothie is my go to if i'm craving something sweet but don't want to be naughty and eat a cadbury's dairy milk. The honey adds so much sweetness that after one of these i can't even think about chocolate or sweets but by adding the peanut butter it gives it the perfect ratio of sweet and savoury. 

Recipe
1/2 cup almond milk
1/4 cup natural peanut butter
1 banana
1 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon cinnamon
A handful of ice cubes
(sometimes if i'm feeling super naughty and chocolatley i add a table spoon of Nutella)


Method
Grab your blender, throw all the ingredients in and BLEND! It really is as simple as that. 

The recipe makes enough to almost fill a regular mason jar, so perfect for either two small smoothies or one large one for yourself (if you're feeling greedy). Personally i always make this just for myself but i do sometimes struggle to finish the whole thing. 

This is the most basic smoothie recipe i have pretty much ever come across. I like simple, i like quick and i really really like this smoothie. 

Sophie.

Short Haircuts for 2015

In recent posts i talked about my experience of chopping my hair off. Today i want to write about the different types of haircuts you can choose from if you are too, like so many other woman at the moment thinking of going for a shorter do. Here are three different haircuts i have found to be very popular in the salon recently. 

The 'Lob' 

For those of you who haven't heard of this incredibly popular haircut, the 'Lob' is quite basically a long bob. Making waves last year it has become the new 'it' haircut, almost as famous as the iconic 'Rachel' haircut Jennifer Aniston brought to us in the 90's. Cut so its just below the shoulder, usually sitting on the collar bone, this haircut is a safe option for the ladies out there wanted to try a short style but not sure they can cope with the big change. It's the perfect way of easing yourself into short styles. This easy to style cut is perfect because it's not too short so can easily be grown out back to your original long hair style, but then again its not too long that the change isn't big enough. Celebrities like Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Kim K have jumped on the bandwagon of cutting off their long hair and followed this trend. 

Carefree Crop

If you're feeling slightly braver then opt for a carefree crop. This style is cut just above the shoulder and should sit between the jaw and tips of your shoulders. Its not much shorted than the lob but the extra few inches off takes you into the category of not being able to easily tie your hair up, which can be quite important for some some of us. This style is seen on both heavily styled hair and a more everyday untouched look (see picture below). Celebrities like Lauren Conrad and Taylor Swift have both been taking their lob's shorter and rocking a more carefree crop. 

Jaw Length Waves

If you are more of the daring type and want to go for a much shorter style then cutting to the jaw is perfect for you. The trend this year is to pair this cut with loose waves and a heavy side parting to give that unkempt messy vibe. I predict this cut to become very popular in the next few month and will soon be taking over the lob craze that seems to be happening at the moment. I wish i was as brave as Sienna Miller, who recently surprised us all by cutting her hair to the jaw, and Hunger Games Star Jennifer Lawrence has grown out her pixie crop now sporting this trend too.

Do you think you will take your hair shorter this year?


Sophie.

Reveiw | The Body Shop | Drops of Youth

I have always been a big lover of The Body Shop. Growing up my mum would have those parties, where a rep would come to your house with a box full of new and classic products, would let you try and test them and then talk about them in great detail until you were convinced you'd need every single one of them! I remember always begging my mum for at least ten products and only ever being allowed to have one of them. This is where my love for The Body Shop started and since then i have tried out so many of their products and have built up a collection of holy grail products that i will forever keep purchasing.

 So after hearing so much about the new Drops of Youth range, i thought i'd try my luck and try some of the products out and purchased two products from the range. 

The first product i choose was Drops of Youth - WONDERBLUR. I'm sure a lot of you have read so much about this product already as its doing its round on so many beauty blogs. This is exactly why i went straight over to the product and instantly bought it. And well if you haven't heard of it, then where the hell have you been?! here's what the web has to say about it. 

Drops of Youth™ Wonderblur

This lightweight blur instantly smoothes skin texture, visibly reducing fine lines and pores for an even, flawless finish.

• Smoothes the appearance of fine lines
• Flawless finish
• 12-hr hydration
• With Edelweiss stem cells

At first i loved this product! The first day of the trial was a sunday and i wore no make up and it worked beautifully. I applied it after my usual skincare regime and saw an incredible different to my pores. I suffer for oily skin so regularly break out and have very visible pores. My pores had very clearly reduced in size and were almost invisible. My skin felt amazingly soft and smooth and i thought "wow, this is it! This really is a wonder product". 

Before

After

That was until the next day when i used it again. This time i wore make up over the product and found that my foundation didn't last long at all. Within hours my foundation became oily and slid off my face with the slightest touch. It certainly didn't mattify my skin like it said it should. I have read many reviews about this product and to me it seem like the your skin type really effects your love for this product. Although it is said to be suited for all skin types i disagree and find that it's best suited for dry skin. 

I am really disappointed that it didn't work so well when i wore make up. I'm not sure if it needed more time to soak into my face before applying makeup or if it would work better with a different type of foundation. I'm still yet to try it with others and see if i can find a way for it to work for me, as i really did love the outcome without make up. 

The second product i choose was Drops of Youth - Bouncy Sleeping Mask. I first read about this mask in Vouge alongside other expensive high end masks. I've never though of The Body Shop as high end, but when i saw the price tag i thought maybe it is. At £22 a tub, to me it was a bit pricey but seeing it competing against far more pricier masks and coming out quite high in comparison, i couldn't say no and ended up buying one for myself. With that being said after realising how much product was in the tub and how little you needed to use, i realised that actually you got your money's worth!

Drops of Youth™ Bouncy Sleeping Mask
Enriched with Edelweiss stem cells. Designed to be left on overnight, it leaves skin looking bouncier and feeling replenished.

• Youth-enhancing formula for bouncier-looking skin
• Unique bouncy, memory shape texture
• With Edelweiss stem cells

I love this mask and it really does do exactly what it says on the box. My skin felt bouncier and replenished. The texture of the cream (or is it a gel or a balm, i can't make my mind up) is like a goo. It feels funny to start off with but i now i've used it a few time i actually really like its consistency. They have named it completely right by calling it bouncy, it's almost like a memory foam bed. It seems thick but when applied it is incredibly lightweight and absorbs into the skin almost immediately, which i loved. It comes with a small spatula which helps a lot as its hard to get out the tub without and it's also great hygiene (it's the small things in life like this, that i really love).

The Body Shop also give you a complimentary massage technique to use when applying the gel. Which i thought was a really nice special touch. 

BOUNCY MASSAGE TECHNIQUE

1. Over The Rainbow Hands on forehead and arch out over the eyes to temples 
2. Under The Clouds Massage under the eyes out towards the side of the ears 
3. Quenching The Earth Massage outward with palms, across the cheeks to the ears 
4. Under The Sea Use sweeping upwards movements from the décolletage up the neck 
5. Pitter Patter Use finger tips to lightly tap across the forehead

Both products are great but i don't think i will be purchasing Wonderblur again unless i can find a way for it to work with make up. I defiantly am loving the sleeping mask though and think i will continue to buy this product. With that being said i don't think i will have to repurchase for a long time yet as the tub is so big that i should last yonks! (this is if my sisters and mum don't steal it) 

How do you rate The Drops of Youth range at The Body Shop?

Sophie.

A Life of Luxury | Rhinefield House | Spa

In my pervious post write all about my trip to Rhienfield House. I write about our drive down and the huge amount of food we consumed. I rambled on so much that i have had to separated the spa into its own post. That way i can ramble on even more!

As you can imagine from seeing pictures of how amazing the hotel decor was, you can picture how great the spa is going to be. I can honestly say that you wont be disappointed. 

The lighting was perfect and gave a calm, serene atmosphere. We had full use of the spa facilities which include, a splash pool, spa pool (jacuzzi), sauna and steam room. The spa pool was placed in a small cove which had small lights on the ceiling making it look like the nights sky. This probably was my favourite part of the spa. 

Whenever i go to a spa i always go straight to the sauna. It's my favourite part of spa's as i love the idea of cleansing the skin and flushing out all the bad toxins. I always leave a sauna feeling cleansed and fresh. (that is once i've showered after coming out) It sounds strange but i also prefer the dry heat of a sauna and always struggle with steam rooms as i always imagine the wetness of the room to be everyones sweat! Hahaha! Its so gross but i can't get the image out of my head of me soaking up another persons body fluids! Sauna also have other health benefits that i love, like relaxing tight muscles and soothing aches and pains. Which i get a lot of with my health and working out. It also has been proven to induce a deeper sleep and who doesn't love a good nights sleep!

Rhinefield's relaxation area also includes treatment rooms, manicure stations, a gym, and an outdoor pool with sun terrance (which was close, as it's only open during summer months). Unfortunately without realising we booked to stay at Rhinefield while they were hosting a wedding fair, so the spa was incredibly busy and they had no spaces available for treatments. Luckily i had been before and had the Elemis Exotic Lime and Ginger Salt Glow which was incredible and i would totally recommend! No only does your skin get a cleansed, moisturised and exfoliated but the therapist does it in a way that you pretty much enjoy a full body massage as well. So i'd say its defiantly worth the price tag! 

We wanted to make the most of the spa, so planned on going down again in the morning, before we had to leave. But before we could go down, we waiting for breakfast as we had ordered it to the room. It was incredible! We went all out and ordered both english breakfast and continental. I didn't have to eat again until early evening as i was so full from breakfast! Once we had finished, we headed back down to the spa and enjoyed it one last time before heading back home. 

The hotel was amazing and i would totally recommend it to anyone. Although i came home feeling fat and hungover from all the food and wine amazingly i still felt relaxed and revived. I can't wait to go back again.

The countdown begins for the next birthday trip!

Sophie.

A Life of Luxury | Rhinefield House | food & drink.

This weekend just gone (1st March) i so very kindly treated myself to a cheeky spa break with the girls i work with. On each of our birthdays we get together for a night away, this time it was Sandra's birthday and we went back to Rhinefield House. Located in the New Forest it's the perfect scenic getaway. Luckily Michelle managed to get us a deal after hours of haggling on the phone (we're not even ashamed in the slightest). In the deal we got a nights stay in their executive suite with full use of the spa and breakfast and dinner all included. A bargain to say the least!  

We left early and ended up arriving before check in. As we had time to spare and our tummy were rumbling, we drove into Lyndhurst and stopped for lunch at The Fox and Hound. 

As it was a Sunday the main restaurant was fully booked and because we only wanted something small to eat we were seated in the cafe. The restaurants decor was unbelievably cute and had a shabby chic vibe to it. The menu was so hard to choose from as i loved the sound of everything but i ended up going for the braised beef baguette. I also had a cheeky bite of Sandra's smoked salmon sandwich too, which i personally preferred. We all wanted to have an afternoon tea with our lunch but unfortunately they didn't serve cake in the cafe on Sunday's. (we were shocked too!) 

Obviously we weren't going to just go without cake so we walked down the high street to another cafe and ordered afternoon tea. A group of girl's who where seated next to us in The Fox and Hound walked past the second cafe we was in and starred into the window at disbelief, as they saw us sat there stuffing our faces with even more food. I didn't feel any guilt as they laughed at our greediness. I love food and i love cake even more, especially afternoon tea so laugh all you like! I didn't feel so great later when i had to squeeze into my swimwear mind you but it was totally worth it!

Before we knew it we had been sat around nattering for a good few hours so headed into the New Forest to check in. The rooms are stunning with huge windows, looking right out into the forest. The hotel grounds are to die for, you are completely surrounded by wild life. There is a giant pond with a centre fountain which can been seen from the windows in the lounge and conservatory.  The whole hotel had a really luxurious yet comfy feel to it and i would say its the kind of hotel suited for any occasion, be that with your girls or with your significant other.

As i went away with a group of girls. you can imagine the amount of food and drink we consumed in the weekend. As soon as we got into our room, (which was inter joining) we cracked open a buck fizz to toast the birthday girl and the fact that we had an extra day off work that week! From that point on we pretty much weren't seen without a drink in hand! Even thou we had already stuffed our faces with cream tea, we brought cakes for the room to nibble on throughout the evening. (yes, more cake)

And the food didn't stop there! In our package we had dinner included so all got dolled up and went down to the restaurant. Obviously we ordered more wine (naughty) and was served complimentary flat bread and hummus, which was delicious! I can't remember what type of hummus it was but it was lightly spiced and tasted amazing! Me and Michelle couldn't decided between shrimp or mussels for starter, so ordered one of each and split them. Both were delicious but if i had to choose, i'd recommend the mussels.

For main i choose the steak. I don't think you can ever really go wrong with a good steak and i have to say this was a bloody good steak! Cooked to perfection and served with a beautiful béarnaise sauce and chunky chips. Personally i'm not a lover of chips so i gave mine to Lucy and she said they were delicious. I felt so full up with the steak alone that even if i liked chips, i probably couldn't have eaten them. Its safe to say we all skipped desert as we had eaten more than enough cake throughout the day! 

I wouldn't be surprised if i put on a stone over the weekend, but it was totally worth it! I had such a lovely relaxed weekend away with some of the most funniest people. I couldn't have spent it with a better group of girls!

Time for me to hit the gym!

Check back for another 'Life of Luxury' post,

 where i write all about the Spa at Rhienfield House.

Sophie.

To chop or not to chop? That is the question!

To chop or not to chop? That is the question! Every girl and their cats mother have been going for the chop recently. Being a hairdresser i have noticed an increase for woman wanting to lop off their locks. Since the new year, the 'Lob' (long bob) has become a huge hit with everyone. With celebrities from the likes of Lauren Conrad, PLL star Lucy Hale and most recently Sienna Miller all cutting a good chunk off their hair, woman from across the globe have been rushing to salons with pictures of their favourite girl crushes, in the bid to trade in their long princess locks for a more edgy, stylishly short crop. 

 I am one of those girls. 

In a recent post i wrote about how i recently cut my hair off. I talked about my fears of doing so but never explained how i knew i was ready to take the plunge and just do it! It sounds dramatic but you'll be surprise how different you feel with different hair, especially if you don't regularly change your hair. 

If you're like me then would have been thinking about having a big change for a while, here are a few tips and things to consider before you go for a major haircut.

Hair type
This is important. You'll be surprised how many woman with curly hair bring in photos of a girl with dead straight hair and demand the exactly same cut as the picture. Unless you're willing to straighten or curl your hair everyday, look for pictures with the same type of hair as yours. This includes looking for hair textures and thickness and colours similar to yours too. If your hair is fine straight and brown, look for haircuts that have all of these, this way you will be able to see the closest likeliness of what the hairstyle will look like on you and what is realistically achievable from your stylist. 

bye bye top knot.

Do you frequently wear your hair up? 
Unfortunately you wont be able to easily shove your hair up in a quick and easy ponytail. You will need to invest in hair grips and LOTS of them. Oh and you will constantly be buying them as they always seem to go missing. (i put it down to the hair grip fairy stealing them) If you're they type of girl who always has her hair up, you'll have to ask yourself if you're ready to say goodbye to quick fix top knots on those dirty hair days?



which brings me on to,


Are you prepared for high maintenance? 
There is this misconception that short hair requires less maintenance. In some cases this is true, if you go as short as a pixie crop then you wont need to brush, dry and barley style it. But most of the time short hair cuts take just as much time as long ones, For instant i now i have short hair i curl it most days and i cant just shove it up when i cant be bothered with it. So really i'm not saving myself any time by having shorter hair. You also have to consider that at first it will be completely different to what you know. You will have to style your hair in a different way and it will take time getting used to your new hair and learning what style you prefer. 

you can't undo 
 It's best if you're still unsure to do it slowly as you can always go shorter. If you're thinking of having a a jaw length bob but are too nervous why not try a 'lob' and cut it just on the collar bone instead. Or if you have super long hair and are thinking of going short but you're really scared to go anywhere near the shoulders, try cutting twice or three times as much as you normally would to start with and go from there. 




Is everything else in your life stable?
This sounds weird but this is what has always held me back chopping my hair off. If you have a lot going on, be that with work, friends or at home, you might already have enough on your plate. So when a few days pass and you don't like your new hair that you instinctually cut off a few days pervious, it might seem like the end of the world if you already have a million and one things already going wrong. It always feels like the best idea to chop off your hair after a massive life change but its more than likely just a rash decision that you'll end up regretting. Try wait until you feel stable and content with everything going on in your life. 



find a stylist that cares and understands
It's a drastic change and a big commitment because growing your hair back will take time so it's important to go to a good hairstylist that understands this and aren't going to just chop your hair and leave you too it. Find a stylist that will talk you through the best styes suited to your face shape and who is also willing to help teach you new styling techniques for your new hair. The best way to find good hairdressers is word of mouth. Talk to friends, family or work colleagues to find out who they would recommend. (lots of salons do recommendation discount too!) Or you can always search for reviews online. 




It seems silly putting so much thought into getting a hair cut but it really is best to be sure about these things. No one want a bodge job haircut, never mind the years of growing and regret. 

Do you think you're ready for the chop?



Sophie.

Lust List #1

Is it just me or do you find that shops never have anything worth buying on pay day but the moment you're tight for cash, you seem to want to own the entire contents of every shop you step foot in?! This is my situation pretty much every month so i've put together a lust list of the things i'm craving to buy so when pay day comes around i can easily click the links and spend away! 

George @ ASDA Glass Globe Lamp

I've been searching for a new bedside table light for a while now, as i'm fed up of having the argument of who's turn it is to turn the light off each night! I love how different this lamp is & it suits our room decor so well! I just have to persuade Kori that this is the one we've been searching for.

MAC Cinderella Collection

Obviously as a lover of MAC, i jump up and down with joy each they releases a new collection, but my god did i squeal when i heard they were doing a Cinderella Collection! Anything Disney themed i go giddy for especially Disney Princess?! Clearly i want the whole collection, its two of my favourite things in the world paired together, how can i not want it all? But if i really had to choose i'd go for the lipstick in 'free as a butterfly', the pressed powder in 'mystery princess' and the eyeshadow palette in 'stoke of midnight'.

ghg Curve Classic Wave Wand

I'm head over heels for this new wand. I love the new oval shape which i haven't seen before. I have always longed for a curling iron that creates those glamorous 0's waves without the hassle of actually finger waving your hair. (it takes a lot of time and sectioning clips) It even has a automatic sleep mode so will turn of after 30mins, who doesn't want that feature with every hot iron they own?! I'm constantly worried i've burnt the house down.

Next Smart Black Dungarees

Dungarees are a trend that i always had a love hate relationship with. I pretty much grew up when dungarees were HUGE, this is a way makes me have a deep deep love for them because they remind me of my childhood. With this in mind this is also the reason wy i loath them because i always feel like i look really silly because staring back at me is myself as a 10 year old. These smart black ones from next stop don't make me feel silly at all. I feel sophisticated and chic. They can easily be dressed up or down for everyday wear. I absolutely love them! i just have to decided if i should get them on my next account or wait until pay day....

I suppose in a way being broke has it's way of helping me out. This way i'm not being able to impulse buy and it gives me time to walk away, think about whether or not i really need or  want it. This way in a weeks time when i get paid i can re evaluate what i really reaaaallly want from my lust list but then knowing me i'll just buy it all anyway! (problems of a shopaholic)

Sophie.