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The Hair Repair-er

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After adding "disney princess hair" to my goals for 2015 I knew I had to up the anti with my hair care this year. After chopping off my longer locks I fell in to a bit of a rut with my haircare routine and was a tad lazier with heat protectant and hair masks. Lesson learnt: your hair might be soft and swishy when you first cut it but things can become a bit frazzled when it comes to growing things out.

In addition to daily styling wear and tear, the number of shoots I've been on in the past 6 months has increased massively and after two or three hair changes on each of these my hair has been in need of a lot of TLC. I stocked up on a few products back in January in the hope that my hair might not fall out after a few too many shoots and the star of the show by miles has been the SachaJuan Hair Repair.

I've been stalking SachaJuan range on Cult Beauty for over the year now and with my current hair predicament I decided the hair repair was definitely one to try. I use it every other wash (or every two washes - dependant on laziness/time issues) and after around a month of use I noticed my hair was starting to behave differently to it's usual self - think more shine and less fluff. The real proof has been in my vlogs where I can really see a difference from the start of the year and thankfully I'm not the only one who noticed!

After using shampoo and conditioner, I sit with it on my hair for around 10 - 15 minutes (alongside a face mask or two - ultimate pamper time)before rinsing it off. Although I'm not the most keen on the smell, the consistency is liquidly enough to distribute through the hair - nothing like the thick, slippery conditioner feel that a lot of masks bring.

Post wash, my hair now feels far more soft and sleek, in turn making it far more manageable than it has been in the past. It's more expensive than a few of my drugstore hair mask favourites but there is a noticeable difference in the condition of the hair and longevity of the results which is so important on my mission for princess hair.

Home Made Granola

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A few weeks back, the worst finally happened. I was out of granola with zero backup stash - a sad day in the Hello October household. I'd just come back from Paris and was really feeling all the travelling (in my stomach), so I was determined to get something a little more nourishing than pop tarts on my breakfast plate. I remembered seeing Fleurs healthy breakfast video and soon realised that I could make my own granola easy peasy! I tweaked the recipe a tad as their were a few extra things I wanted to add in or substitute, but the whole thing was pretty easy and rather scrumptious!

THE INGREDIENTS
2 cups of rolled oats
1/2 cup of cried chopped dates
1/2 cup of pumpkin seeds
1/4 cup of chia seeds
1/2 cup of coconut oil
1/4 cup of honey

1/4 cup of dark chocolate drops (optional)

THE "HOW" BIT 
(IT'S SUPER EASY)
1) Pre heat your oven to 160 degrees.
2) Throw all of your dry ingredients in together and mix them up. 
3) Add in your coconut oil and mix this in, followed by the honey. 
4) Mix well and add to an oven tin covered in baking parchment. 
5) Roast for 10 minutes, or until crispy and golden.
6) For chocolate fiends - sprinkle dark chocolate drops in to the granola mix once it has cooled completely. (These compliment any berries that you might serve with your granola)

For those who aren't cursed with a sweet tooth, you might want to reduce the amount of honey or choose a different dried fruit (dates are super sweet - mmm!) as this collective of ingredients can be a bit too much for those who aren't big on sweet treats.

This will never replace my love of the dried banana and strawberry granola from my local health food shop, but it's a very easy alternative and made enough for two weeks of daily servings! 

The Sunday Post: Oh, All White...

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The past few weeks have seen a few new additions to our little burrow in an attempt to add a little more of "us" to the place. From mirrors and frames to fresh flowers and a spray can full of copper paint (really rather giddy about that last one). It's starting to feel a bit more like a fun space to live and work in rather than bare walls and half finished projects. Although we are still running back and forth on getting a dining table (re-arrangement is needed), but completely needs to happen because if Nala pinches another sausage off my plate I'll be sending her back (not really, but nearly).

In addition to new home accessories, I went a tad mental in the Work Shop this weekend. The beautiful little home/kitchen store in Brighton was recommended to me by Liv and I'd been in there for less than five minutes before my arms were full of tea towls, bowls and mugs. Oops.

But seriously somebody stop me. After my recent Topshop finds and the now home haul I'm ready to lock away the cards! I have a feeling this month I'll be too busy too do very much browsing at all. Which can only be a good thing really.

Memo for March: Less spending on food and clothes and more time baking and blogging.

Sounds delicious...

February Beauty Favourites

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So I'm not sure where on earth February went, or when I said it was okay for March to show it's face (seriously, it feels like it was Christmas about ten minutes ago...) but the sun is starting to beam down on the coast and little flowers are starting to peep out of the grass, making the jump to March a little more bearable (because it's nearly the end of the tax year and finances make me want to cry).

Despite being a massive makeup fiend, there were only two makeup items that really held my attention this month (it's a tough job to be fair). The By Terry Ombre Blackstar shadow sticks in Frozen Quartz and Bronze Moon have been all I've warn throughout the month, along with the Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil*.

I've also branched out on my haircare routine a wee bit and have been loving the SachaJuan Hair Repair. I feel like I owe this product a lot, as my hair has really taken a beating over the past five months and it's still looking pretty glossy!

And then we have a few skincare additions! After almost a year of a constant routine I've found two new favourites in the form of the Ren Flash Rinse 1 Minute Facialand the Pai Lotus and Orange Blossom Toner*, whilst the Sarah Chapman Overnight Facial and the Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask*have been added back in to the mix.

For more detail you can watch the video below where I natter on about application and the like - you can also get a glimpse of the makeup in action if you're on the hunt for a By Terry swatch!

*PR SAMPLES

Behind The Scenes: Shoot Life

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Behind the scenes Instagram snaps from a recent shoot - including good food and a new furry friend...

1. #BARRYTHEWHIPPET: On set with a rather well known little pup who even comes with his own hashtag. 

2. HAIR & MAKEUP: A good five hours were spent in this chair overall. Beachy waves and a classic makeup look x2.

3. OLIVIA POPE'S WARDROBE: All white e'rrythanggg. I was in heaven!

4. ON SET TOUCH UPS: Wearing one seriously puffy white dress!

5. THAT OREO CHEESECAKE THO...

6. SLIPPERS ON SET: Being given slippers and a dressing gown on set - just another highlight to the day. The comfort levels were through the roof!

What Suzie & Olivia Did

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A few weeks back one of my favourite ladies made a trip to the seaside for an afternoon of snaps, snacks and snoopers paradise. Today's post pays homage to the lovely Liv Purvis as she very kindly took some snaps of one of my current favourite outfits for me (such a good egg). We managed to catch just enough sunlight to snap away before heading to snoopers paradise for a round or two (or three) in their photobooth - the one photo I must have with every one of my friends at one point or another! Liv is currently holding those hostage, but hopefully they'll surface soon!

It wasn't long before all the photo taking made it's way to our stomachs, so we (over) indulged in a little afternoon tea at Blackbird Tea Rooms. It was something rather special. Suffice to say we were full after, but for the record it didn't stop me demolishing a cupcake later on that evening...

After a dash around Beyond Retro and Space NK (match the blogger to the store), it was time for us both to dash home to our significant puppies *sheds tear*. Leaving us a hell of a lot heavier than at the start of the day and forever dreaming of afternoon tea... But seriously, that tea tho...


WHAT I WORE:
Coat: Zara
Shirt: ASOS
Skirt: ASOS
Boots: Topshop
Sunglasses: Topshop
Bag: ASOS



The Filmstar Bronze & Glow

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Last week whilst sauntering around Selfridges, shopping "for my friend" (I totally adopt the whole "one for you, one for me" mantra when gift buying) I stopped by the Charlotte Tilbery Counter and picked up something that had been hanging around on my "to try" list for a very long time. The Bronze & Glow palette from Charlotte Tilbery has been dividing opinions since it's release and I wanted in.

Now this purchase may come at a bad time, as I am on my way off "I love Highlighter" island. On anything other than perfect skin the highlighter seems to accentuate flaws and so is reserved for video and photographical purposes only. The highlight in this palette unfortunately did not change my mind. Good start huh? BUT... On applied on camera (or on to completely blemish free cheekbones) this highlighter looks b-e-a-u-tiful. It's been reported to be both sheer and highly pigmented depending on which reviews you read, but for me this is anything but a sheer highlighter. The consistency is beautiful, it's not too glittery or too shimmery, just perfectly finely milled. That being said, even with the lightest hand you can see I'm wearing highlighter. I prefer the Clinique Highlighter Stick a million times over. However...

On the other side of the same pan we have the bronzing/contour side (how anyone contours with this I'll never know) which is a beautiful build-able bronzing powder. The kind that does not leave your makeup bag, that sums up just why I'm happy to shell out the extra pennies when it comes to bronzer and the kind that gives the "post vacation somewhere very very warm" illusion. Warm, but not too warm, sheer, but build-able, completely blend-able (no matter how over zealous you may be). It's love, essentially.

My friend Chloe has dubbed it as the wedding palette, and I think she's right - luxurious rose gold packaging and a photo friendly product with an impossible to over-do bronzing powder. It's pricey but worth the jump if you want something special for a memorable occasion. Even the packaging comes finished with a slight distressed look, leaving the packaging to wear well no matter how many days it's spent next to your keys in your handbag... I can already vouch for that one.

Much Ado About Muffin

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Blueberry & Peanut Butter Muffins

Yes, you read that right, Blueberry AND peanut butter in a muffin... I feel like this recipe is going to be a divider between readers but after altering the recipe slightly from one I found on Meg's blog, I've become rather smitten. I don't know if I'd call them "healthy muffins" but they're definitely not packed full of nasties and make a great afternoon snack, or work as a sweet addition to a continental breakfast. They're not too heavy and still taste just as lovely as regular muffins, just without the sugar crash thirty minutes later...



YOU WILL NEED...
1 cup ground almond
1 cup peanut butter
3 eggs, whisked
1/3 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup honey
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup blueberries
A pinch of salt
+ a scattering of dark chocolate chips (or half a cup if you didn't cover your cereal with half the pack this morning - guilty)


THE HOW:

1. (The boring bit) Pre-heat your oven to 180°c

2. Add all of your dry ingredients to a large bowl and whisk your eggs in a separate smaller bowl.

3. Warm up your honey and coconut oil before adding them to the eggs (you can add them in their more solid states but it's a pain in the derrière to mix and can leave you with an oily mess later on.

4. Mix the honey, coconut oil and peanut butter with your whisked eggs and add the mixture to the dry ingredients.

5. Mix e'rrythang (yes, I just said "e'rrythang") together and add them to your muffin cases of choice on an oven tin. I suggest a specific muffin tin that will help the cases keep their shape or a more compact, high sided tin that will help keep the shape. The latter is a bit of a gamble but sometimes you just don't have the perfect tin.

6. Place your muffins on the middle shelf of your oven for 10 minutes before checking on them. If the muffins are golden brown on top and aren't too squishy, they're ready (crispy muffins are the best - said no one ever).

7. Once they're ready, take your muffins out of the oven and leave to cool on a wire rack.

8. Keep them in your fridge ready for snaffling on later alongside a cup of tea or some lemonade this weekend. Mmmmmmmm.

9. Snap It! Take a photo and tweet me if you make them (@hello_october_) - I'd make up a hashtag but I'm useless at coming up with fancy names. If you have any suggestions going forward I'd love to hear them!


The Sunday Post: Escaping From Brighton

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Last weekend things started to look rather spring-like across the south east. Whilst the world and his wife flocked in to Brighton, Josh and I headed out of town in search of somewhere a little quieter (but still picturesque). We boarded our early morning train to Lewes, and wandered through the cobbled street, chattering away and admiring the views (there were a lot of hills that we walked up), before crossing the bridge and heading to the original Bill's for breakfast. I had high hopes!

I'm not the biggest fan of the Bill's in Brighton, the service can be sloppy, no one ever wants to take your order or money and the food is often overdone (however the Covent Garden branch gets my thumbs up for great service and food). The original brand in Lewes is spacious, packed full of family sized tables (things to consider if you're a two-some) and does some awesome pancakes. Josh had the breakfast which was so delicious (order regret on my part) with a green juice on the side.

The staff were super friendly, but as usual there was the issue of not serving us after we'd eaten - I've never had a chain so reluctant to take my money like this one! However it's definitely a branch I'd choose to go back to over my local one. Sorry Brighton...

After lunch we wandered through the village, and up some more hills, before making our way home via the towns picture perfect station - it's just so pretty!

Keep your eyes peeled for a few more snaps from our little village escape come Wednesday - there may or may not be outfit photos...

The Daily Makeup Routine

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It's not often I'm known for stepping out sans liquid liner, but more recently I've become far more comfortable without it and my makeup routine is thanking me. Things are speedier and leave more lid space to get creative with eyeshadow - which is where my love for the By Terry Ombre Blackstar Shadow sticks have blossomed.

My base is made up of the Dr Jart Water Fuse BB Cream, the Origins Plantscription Concealer and Bourjois Healthy Balance Powder. Light weight, good coverage and radiant without being too dewy. Brows are made up of my usual Bobbi Brown Brow Kit* with the L'Oreal Brow Artist Plumper as my brow gel replacement of choice (it's nothing like the Benefit Gimme brow, but the staying power is quite something). And then we have something a little special encased in some rose gold Charlotte Tilbury Goodness: the Bronze & Glow Palette (review here) is my current bronzer of choice, with just a tiny bit of highlighter used in the inner corners of my eyes (because they really are too close together).

For eyes, the By Terry Ombre Blackstar in Frozen Quartz is my daily shadow of choice for casual occasions when Bronze Moon is a little too OTT. Paired with the a Clinique Gel Liner smudged along the lash line and a few lashings of the L'Oreal False Lash Teloscopic Waterproof Mascara for that day time false lash effect. It's soft and fluttery and I'm all over that for spring. Then we wrap it all together with a little duo from Chanel and Rimmel. The Exaggerate Lip Liner in East End Snob, with Chanel's Rouge Coco Shine in 90/Minute over the top. Sheeny, sheer goodness with a rosey pink hue.

 *PR SAMPLES

Things To Do This Week #1

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It's Tuesday, and sadly for some the week is still young, so today I'll be wrapping together my current favourite products, places and recipes for you to add to this weeks to-do list.

THE PLAYSUIT PURCHASE: This ASOS Playsuitis my current style obsession and with the Sun showing up more and more frequently around these parts it's a welcome addition to the wardrobe. Monochrome, with a monochrome timeless print, light fabric and flattering shape. I"m all over this, or more, it's all over me. 

BLUEBERRY MUFFIN BAKE OFF: I'm on my second batch of Blueberry Muffins now and have become quite the fan of this light, healthy-ish recipe. I'm thinking of switching things up and whipping up something a little more chocolate focused this week - but that's one for my to-do list. 

SPRING MAKEUP: The sun its shining, pastel colours are creeping their way on to our nails, and light radiant makeup is now at the forefront of our minds. It's time to whip out the BB creams, a sheer pink lipstick and a cream shadow and consider yourself spring-ready. Inspiration can be found in the form of this very spring ready Everyday Makeup Routine.

HAIR HERO ON TRIAL: The Kérastase Cristalliste Lait Cristal* is my current hair saviour. The silicone and paraben free conditioner leaves the hair glossy without feeling weighed down. Between us gals it also works really well post wash as well if you're in need of a little extra shine. but shhh. You didn't hear that from me. The sample size is available in this months My Little Box, so if you're subscribed, it's one to watch out for!

The S-Word.

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We've hit that point in the year where the S work is around every corner. I fear I've already over done it already and we're only a week in to March! But how can you not when the novelty of being able to wear a trench coat outside sans hats, gloves, scarves and thermals has not yet worn off?

The past two weekends have featured some rather glorious sunshine, and a few moments where we felt a slight warmth on our skin that was not the result of air con or central heating. We've been making the most of it and I for one have been busy re-working my wardrobe to suit the shift in the weather. Let's just pray it continues - I've got a few new pieces that I'd like to meet the light of day! (And for the vitamin D levels too, y'know?)


WHAT I WORE:
TRENCH COAT: TOPSHOP
TOP: ZARA
JEANS: TOPSHOP
BOOTS: TOPSHOP
BAG: SAINSBURY'S*
SUNNIES: ASOS
WATCH: OLIVIA BURTON
NECKLACE: ALEX MONROE

 * PR SAMPLE

The One Swipe Wonder Shadows

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A new obsession of mine (and rather late in the making considering how long it's taken me to fall for this bandwagon) comes in shadow stick form and makes eyeshadow application look like a breeze. It all started with the By Terry Ombre Blackstars and had now progressed to those from No.7 with a whole eye shadow stick wish list from various brands still to be devoured. 

There are a number of reasons behind my obsession with cream eye shadow sticks, with the top one being: Laziness. If you're a regular round these parts you'll already have cottoned on to the fact that I like minimal effort when it comes to application. Depending on the look you're going for you can get away with as little as a brief smudge with a finger. Marvellous! 

The formulas I've tried so far all seem to be super long lasting too - making reapplication or creasing (depending on how oily your eye lids are, obvs) a thing of the past. 

And the very obvious one? They're in stick form. Easy to apply and travel around with - no eye shadow quad + brushes over here!

My favourite way to apply is by blending a sheer wash of colour from the lash line upwards, repeating a few more times but blending less after each new swipe of shadow. This builds up a beautiful metallic look at the base of the lashes, with a gradient effect towards the crease. No faff with crease colours and blending more than one shadow - it's super easy and fuss free.

Current Favourites ATM: No.7 Shade & Define Shadow Stick in Glistening Ray, By Terry Ombre Blackstar in Frozen Quartz, By Terry Ombre Blackstar in Bronze Moon

Five To Follow On Snapchat...

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Snapchat has been around since 2011 - allowing us to send our triple chin selfies to friends with the knowledge that your image will evaporate as soon as we choose. The majority of these accounts are kept private for close friendship groups, but more recently there have been a few bloggers and vloggers and models who have opened up their daily life to the world of snapchat. For some it feels like a mini vlog for days off of actual vlogging, and for others it's a little snippet in to a very crazy lifestyle that you never normally see the behind the scenes of.

The accounts of those who don't vlog are the ones I find most interesting, Snapchat now opens up the BTS of major bloggers and models like we've never really been able to see before. Spontaneous, unedited, unscripted. Whether it's the every day lunch snaps from Claire Marshall, a triple chinned selfie from yours truly or the behind the scenes of Kristina Bazan's blog shoots, it's something a little different, and if you're nosey like me then you'll love these...

KAYTURE
Username: Kristina_Bazan
Follow for behind the scenes of shoots, fashion weeks, major swanky events, and her everyday craziness. Her and Fiona are the cutest little duo and the videos of them full on crazy dancing in the streets of Paris was brilliant.

HEY CLAIRE
Username: HeyClaireHey
Follow for Bruce, food snaps, and mini everyday video clips in true Claire style.

WE WORE WHAT
Username: WeWoreWhat
Follow for outfit snaps, fashion industry events and BTS of shoots.

AMELIA LIANA
Username: Amelia.Liana
Follow for killer OOTD/N's, travel and daily life snaps.

I COVET THEE
Username: ICovetThee
Follow for beauty snaps and daily lifestyle videos and photos.

These aren't the only people I follow, but these are my favourites who are the most active! If there's anyone who's snapchat you absolutely love that doesn't appear here then drop their username in the comments!

And if you want to follow me on snapchat then you are more than welcome to join the party of dog videos, daily snaps and behind the scenes bits and bobs! Just search for "hellooctober"!

The Sunday Post: There & Back Again...

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This week has definitely been quite monumental in terms of travel! Being London-bound almost every day of the week has well and truly worn me out, despite me raving "Noooo, I think I'm just used to the commute now" when people ask about how I'm finding it.

But this weeks busy schedule means I have so much to share with you over this next week! I'm not quite sure where to start really! Three days of London, two days of vlogging, a new product launch and a whole load of beauty new-ness has left me with my hands full content-wise and I couldn't be more chuffed. Rest assured post mothers day meal I'll be cracking on with my hefty workload like there's no tomorrow.

But until then my mum is the main attraction of my morning. As I've grown older Mothers Day has become a day I really enjoy (possibly more than my mum) as it's so nice to treat/spoil her and we get to go for a fancy "no boys allowed" lunch together. Perfect!

And as for next week? Let's just say it's going to be a tad quieter, with some serious life admin going on *dies of boredom*.

Get Ready With Me: Lunch In London

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This week my "look super presentable, super quick" routine was perfected after three solid days of travel - I've been loving curled hair with an all black outfit (paha - nothing new there).

I start off by using the Clarins One Step Water Comfort Cleanserto remove any excess skincare from the night before, followed by the Pai Orange & Lotus Blossom Toner. I then wrap things up by using the Bioderma Rich Cream Moisturiser and Malin & Goetz Lip Balm* and consider myself ready for makeup. Super simple skincare!

I then even out any redness on my skin and add a little coverage by blending the Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation (10 Beige) with a Kevyn Aucoin foundation brush. I use the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer (Vanilla) to cover any dark circles and spots and then added extra definition to the cheeks using the Clinique Cheek Contour Palette (04)*.

I stick with my usual eyeshadow stick & liquid liner combo in the form of the No.7 Stay Perfect Shade & Define Shadow Stick in Glistening Ray and Tom Ford Liquid Liner*. Followed up by Benefits Rollerlash - an underwhelming new purchase, but we're persevering. 

I'm a huge fan of soft, full brows at the moment, so I used the Soap & Glory Archery Pencil (Blondeshell) to lightly fill and shape my brows before combins them through and setting them in place using the L'Oreal Brow Artist Plumper.

I wrapped everything together by lighting penciling my lips using the Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Liner (East End Snob), followed by the Clarins Instant Light Lip Balm Perfector (03)*.

My hair is styled by using my GHD Wonderland V Stylers* in a curling motion, followed by the L'Oreal Elnette Volumising Hair Spray and a quick comb through of the fingers!


And that's it, before you know it I'm dressed, wearing a black ASOS shirt, Topshop Joni Jeans, New Look Shoes, Dorothy Perkins Jacket, ASOS Tote Bag and I'm flying up to London!

It's been a busy week, but I love it! If you enjoy coming along for the ride then get ready for a little vlog coming tomorrow at 4pm!
*PR SAMPLES

Delicious Delights WIth DKNY

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- SPONSORED CONTENT- 

The sun has shown its face a lot recently and last weekend Brighton became delightfully warm. After the new Delicious Delights from DKNY landed on my desk last week we felt inspired to get out in the sunshine, wandering the coloured streets of Brighton and grabbing a something a little sweet along the way...

The new Delicious Delight fragrances play on DKNY's most successful and iconic fragrance - Be Delicious, the first and only fruity fragrance to feature American Apple Accord - creating three limited edition fragrances based on the fruity flavours of sorbet. They're almost good enough to eat! (But don't, trust me.)

Cool Swirl (green bottle) is a refreshing tropical scent with top notes of black cranberry, violet leaf and coconut water. Flowers of magnolia and jasmine compliment these and are followed by  base notes of heliotrope, musk and patchouli.  Fruity Rooty (lilac bottle) is a sweet fruity scent containing top notes of blackberry, blueberry and mandarin. Followed by rose, violet and a base that combines lily and vanilla. Finally, Dreamsicle (peach bottle) is my personal favourite, containing a mix of mandarin, raspberry and blueberry to start with green apple, peach nectar and apricot at the heart. Base notes include cedar, sandalwood and vanilla.

With all the fun of testing out the new fragrances Josh and I ended up with Sorbet on the brain, we took a stroll through the north laines, admiring the sorbet coloured houses and playing dream house (I have my eye on a little blue number) whilst soaking up the suns rays. If I had to pick out anything in my life as my Delicious Delight, it would be my home town, it's beautiful in so many ways and I often feel so thankful to have had the opportunity to grow up here. Before long we passed one of my favourite gelato places and couldn't say no. We eventually headed home, my belly filled with sorbet and smelling super sweet thanks to the new Delicious Delights!
Introducing Delicious Delights by DKNY. This spring, indulge your senses with the cool flavours of the season as DKNY serves up a limited edition collection of 3 delightfully delicious fragrances inspired by cool and refreshing sorbet treats that are bursting with flavour. 

Share your own #dknydelights on Instagram and you could be in with a chance of winning delicious DKNY prizes: Just snap a picture of what makes your day delightful - whether it’s your favourite accessory, a piece of cake or your other half – and share it on Instagram with #dknydelights. 

The three best pictures will win the full DKNY Delicious Delights fragrance collection – three new sorbet-inspired fragrances bursting with flavour!**

*Compensation was provided by DKNY via Mode Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of DKNY.

** Terms & Conditions apply (click here).No purchase necessary. Entrants must be UK residents over the age of 18. Closing date 17th April 2015.

A Stroll Through Picadilly

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One minute the weather is warming up in the south, the next there's a real chill in the air and I'm wearing my faux sheep skin coated leather jacket. WHERE'S THE HEATWAVE I ORDERED EH!? I can't complain too much though, the sun shines most days, leaving my umbrella in my bag and my sunglasses on my head (let's be honest that's where they spend most of their time!

Last week Alix and I took a little afternoon stroll through Piccadilly on our way to a launch (more on that next week!). It's a part of London I don't see very often but it's tall white buildings and gorgeous architecture make it a favourite for walking around. Busy but beautiful!

Given the scenery it felt almost a shame to be wearing such a dark outfit. I feel as though something a little lighter and more floaty wouldn't have gone a miss here. We'll just have to save that for next time...

WHAT I WORE:
JACKET: M&S*
TOP: ZARA
JEANS: TOPSHOP
BOOTS: TOPSHOP
BAG: ZARA
SUNNIES: ASOS
NECKLACE: ALEX MONROE

Coco Noir.

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Flashback to approximately 365 days ago - my perfume collection was large, full of sweet sickly scents and very rarely used. When Josh and I moved last summer I gave away 90% of my perfume bottles in the hope of building something a little more streamlined.

As things stand I can count all of the scents I own on my hands! I try to use them all regularly and am really happy with the current collection. So happy I decided I'd start sharing my favourites with you week by week(ish - maybe not every week, save things getting repetitive!)

One of my most recent favourites is Chanel's Coco Noir*. Like most of my favourite scents, it's deep, dark and rich, with a hint of something a little oriental about it.

TOP NOTES 
Grapefruit, Calabrian bergamot, 

HEART 
Rose, narcissus, rose geranium leaf and jasmine. 

BASE 
Tonka bean, sandalwood, vanilla, patchouli and white musk frankincense.

For most it's a beautiful scent for evening wear, but for me it's an all day everyday kind of scent and my favourite so far of the entire Chanel range.
*PR SAMPLE

Nars Dual Intensity Eyeshadow Palette Review & Giveaway!

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-SPONSORED POST-
Earlier this week something very special dropped in to my hands (thank you Mr Postman). The Nars Dual Intensity Eyeshadow Palette launched on February 1st and, like most Nars products, I was itching to get my hands on it. Limited edition, with a super slick mirrored casing that houses a variety of eight beautiful dual intensity eyeshadows - sounds good right? (PSSTTTT - if you want one for yourself then keep on reading)

The Nars Dual Intensity Eyeshadows are a wonderful creamy consistency and can give a gorgeous sheen when used dry or super metallic finish if applied with a wet brush. They're long lasting, non creasy (well, not on me anyway) and very pigmented. The shadows in the palette range from peachy pink and subtle shimmery bronze to deep, rich purple and intense black. There's a little something for everyone, but enough consistency between shades on each row to be able to work for a majority of beauty lovers, whether you love a neutral or bold eye.

The top row is my daily go-to, containing: Europa, Himalia, Ursa Major and Subra. Whilst the bottom row is a cool blue lovers dream with Andromeda, Lysithea, Giove and Sycorax.

The good news for Nars fans is that the price of the palette is £45 - much more affordable than some past Nars palettes and a brilliant saving when you compare to purchasing the individual shadows. It also comes with the specially designed wet/dry eyeshadow brush that was released along with the individual shadows last summer. (It's a good'un, trust me!)

The even better news is that to celebrate the launch of the palette Nars are running a UK giveaway using facebook via instagram, giving away palettes every day!

From Friday 20th March (TODAY!!!) to Monday 24th March 2015, Nars are encouraging their UK NARSissists to tag their friends in a group photo via instagram and tell them the best part about being a #NARSissist for a chance to win a palette for you and up to five of your friends.

HOW IT WORKS: 
 From Friday 20th March 2015, NARS are asking UK Nars lovers to take a group photo with their friends, post it to Instagram and tell them why they are Narsissists in the caption and using the hashtag #NARSissistUK. Finally making sure to tag your friends in the picture for a chance to win palettes for yourself and up to five friends. 

TO ENTER:
 * Download the Instagram App

 * Upload the photo onto Instagram tagging Nars and your group of friends with the hashtag #NARSissistUK and a sentence on what makes you a Narsissist(just like the entry below!)

 * Make sure the hashtag #NARSissistUK is included in the photo description 

*Make sure to post the photo to Facebook as well as the winner be be notified via Facebook message.

 * NARS will select the most creative submission each day to win Narsissist Dual Intensity Eyeshadow palettes for you and up to five of your friends. 
**Contest runs 20th – 24th March 2015, on facebook.com/narscosmetics. 

One entry per Facebook follower per day. For more details, visit the NARS Exclusives Tab and click here for terms and conditions.

*SPONSORED CONTENT WITH NARS
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