My New Bag

“Hope everyone had a great xmas. The first chance I got I took my sister shopping to see what bargains we could get. I did get a few good deals but just couldn't resist this bag from River Island. It wasn't on sale but once in a while you just have to treat yourself.

Price £35

It is a good sized bag with plenty of room for putting a purse, phone, makeup etc in. It also has a good sized zipper pocket. It has 3 magnetic fastenings, on the flap and the other on the buckle details. It is a lovely shade of pink with silvery gold shiny contrast panels. It can be used as a tote or use the strap to turn it into a shoulder bag.

This is definitely a show stopping bag and will get noticed.

Super Party Look

I have just found the time to be able to show you my latest nail polishes. One is a Sally Hansen and the other is a BarryM one.

I first applied the Sally Hansen one which is a gorgeous shade called Ivy League . It took just 2 coats to give a good nail covering.

I then applied the BarryM which is a different sized glitter one called Mermaid. It cost me £3.89 from e-bay. It has gold, blue and green glittery bits.

This was all finished off with 1 top coat. I did my nails 4 days ago and have done the usual chores and even had used a scourer and as you can see my nails are as good as the first day that I applied it.

What would you apply as a first coat for the glitter to go on. Look forward to reading any comments and ideas you may have.

I have just purchased a template plate and as soon as I have mastered it I will show you how I have gotten on.

 

Body Shop Facial Wash Review

My daughter and I have been using this for a couple of weeks now. We bought it when it was half price after reading the good reviews about it.

I slightly dampened my fingers with water then put a small amount of the facial wash on my fingers. The smell of tea tree oil is quite strong and wouldn't use this if I was going out during the day. It goes quite a long way and covered all of my face. My face started to sting a little bit and when I had washed it off with water was still stinging a bit.

I decided to use this every 2 days as I didn't want to dry out my skin too much. The stinging sensation went off after I had used it a few times. My daughter who is 23 didn't experience any stinging.

I don't know if I would buy it again as the smell of it was too strong for my liking so will probably try one of their other facial washes when this one runs out.

Barry M Nail Polishes

 

I absolutely love Barry M nail polishes and this Xmas colours are gorgeous. This is the first two that I have tried on and have quite a few of their other colours to try. I had a mad splurge on nail polishes.

The first colour is a shade called Pacific. It has a lovely shiny metallic teal look to it with a tinge of pinky purple.  This looks so  great with my winter jumpers that I bought. It only took 2 coats and my nails were covered well.

At the tip of each nail I used a shade called amethyst glitter. This has silver, bright purple and a lovely shade of blue in it with a ball inside the bottle for you to mix the varnish evenly. I applied to 2 coats to make sure that I had the glitter effect that I was after.

This was then topped off by a top coat. I have had it on for 2 days now and done the usual washing and cleaning chores with no chips.

I have 6 other nail polishes that I will try and review on here over the next week or so. Hope I have inspired you to try out the new Barry M ranges as they are brilliant.

Yummy Xmas Cookie

This is one of my own recipes that I just threw together today. I am into cookie making at the moment and thought I'd try and make one with a xmas feel to it.

They are crisp and crunchy on the outside but lovely and chewy in the centre. You can add ginger or cinnamon as well to give them that extra kick.

For these you will need

Sugar - 100g
Mincemeat - 220g
1tsp - Baking Powder
1 Egg
1tsp Vanilla Essence
Self Raising Flour - 220g
Greased and Floured Baking Tray

Just put all of the ingredients together into a mxing bowl and mix together to form a dough. You need to be able to roll it into a ball without it sticking too much to your hands.
If it sticks just keep adding a drop of flour until it doesn't.

Now take a desert spoonful of the mixture and roll into a ball. Put the ball onto the baking tray and flatten with your hand. These do not spread out as they cook so you can have them quite close together.

Cook on gas Mark 5 for about 15mins or until they look a lovely golden colour. They will still feel slightly soft but will harden once cooled.

Allow to cool before removing from the tray.

Enjoy!

Kissable Lips

“ It's that time of year again girls when the dreaded chapped lips kick in again. I thought that I would try and get ahead this year by applying a lip balm at night.

This was the first one that I saw as it was on the end of the shop isle and went looking to see what other goodies they had to offer.

There are 3 flavours to choose from 

Rhubarb and Vanilla which is the one that I bought

Coconut and Vanilla

Passion Fruit and Melon.

It was a no brainer really. I love rhubarb and virtually add vanilla to all of my cake recipes even if it doesn't need it.

The price is good. £1.50 for a 100g tin. The smell is sweet and lovely. I apply this every bedtime and so far have no dry lips.

My only advice would be is to hide it or the rest of the family will want it.

My Body Shop Goodies

“

I have been looking and reading any blogs lately on face creams as mine was just about to run out. I read one on some body shop products and decided to have a look in their online shop. I must say I was a bit put off by their prices and thought I would wait until the sales started. A few days later my  hubby came and told me that they were having a 50% sale with free delivery.

I went for a facial wash, serum and 2 face creams. I will use these for 1 month and then come back and review each one of them. These are my own unbiased reviews and are based on my own findings of the product.

 

     

Softer Hands For Winter

 

Well it's that time of year again when your skin needs just that bit more help to help keep it nice and soft. I was starting to get dry skin on my hands again and decided to look for a hand cream. I decided on Cotton Tree Petroleum Jelly hand cream. The price and size is very good and the smell is lovely but is strong so I only use it when I go to bed. I bought this from Wilko's but Amazon also sell it

What it Says

It is a creamy petroleum jelly hand cream with vitamin E

It helps severely dry skin, moisturises and protects and is ultra absorbant

What I Found

It absorbs into the skin nicely and a little bit goes a long way. After only using it for a few days my hands are nice and soft again. I will be using this at night during the winter months. You get quite a good sized tube for around £3 which I think is really good.

Moist Cherry Scone Recipe

 

If you like a moist scone this recipe is the one for you. I did have a lot more scones than in the photo but as soon as these are out of the oven they are in my husbands mouth. I had to rescue these before anymore went.

Ingredients

400g self raising flour
60g margarine
60g butter
220ml milk
200g cherries

Method


Sift the flour into a large bowl and add the margarine rubbing in until it looks like fine breadcrumbs. Now add the sugar, cut the cherries into quarters and add those to the mix, stir to mix through.


Slowly add the milk until it comes together to form a ball. Roll out into about 1/4" thick and cook on gas mark 5/ 190C until risen and slightly brown on top.

I use a fairly large cutter and managed to get 14 scones out of it.

Hope you like this recipe I will be adding lots more.

The Liebster Award

First of all I would like to thank Fathima (Pathu) & Amitha(Amy) from All Girls Network        Rules for the Nominees

  1. Thank the blog that nominated you, follow them if you want to and link them

  2. Post eleven facts about yourself

3. Answer the 10 questions provided by the person that nominated you and then create a set of 10 questions for the next group of nominees.

4. Nominate 11 other bloggers with less than 200 followers and notify those that you have choosen, link them on the post.

5. Notify me when you have done your post so that I can read it.

  11 Facts About Me  

1. I love to knit and crochet

2. I am married with 3 wonderful children

3. I love cats

4. I enjoy shopping

5. I like to read Sophie Kinsella books

6. I love to knit and crochet

7. I like to cook and try out new recipes

8. I am a Yorkshire lass

9.  I am afraid of spiders and snake

10.  I watch a lot of dramas on

11. I spend way too much time on the internet.    

                             

 Questions I was Asked

1. What do you think your purpose of life is?
To enjoy life amd help others in my life do the same
2. If you are given a chance to rewrite one chapter of life, what would it be?
To tell my mum I love her and that all the advice that I laughed at when a teenager was right
3. Whats that one thing that you love and hate the most about yourself?
I am loyal. I wish that I could stand upto people more.
4. What made you start a blog?
I love to interact with others online and this is another way of doing it and having fun at the same time*
5. What talent do you wish you really had?
Not so much a talent but I wish that I could drive. I have a pannick attack when I try so gave it up.
6. What is the biggest fear you have in life?
Snakes and spiders
7. What is the first thing in your Bucket list
My wool and needles
8. Describe something that you are less confident about.
Being in a really large crowd of people
9. Name your three favorite bands.
Status Quo, Keane and George Ezra
10.If you could have anything in this world, what it would be?
To be able to go back in time for just one day to spend it with my mum and grandparents

My Nominees Are

1. Janine Harris
http://j9harris.blogspot.com/?m=1
2. Rhea Phoebe
http://rheaphoebe.blogspot.co.uk
3. SIMONE  x STYLIZED
http://simonestylized.blogspot.se/
4. Brunette with Hazel Eyes
http://brunettewithhazeleyes.blogspot.com/
5. Phillipa
just philippa.
6.Sophie 
'phie's Findings
7. Model Approved
http://www.modelapproved.blogspot.com/
8. cheri amour
yourcheriamour
9. Stresses But Well- Dressed
Stressed But Well-Dressed
10. Tamzin Swann
Tmzn Loves - Beauty Blog
11. Rachel Harris
Sparkles and Starlight...

My Questions to the Nominees

1. Which famous person would you want to be if you had the chance of swapping lifes for a year
2. What is your favourite film.
3. What do you enjoy doing when relaxing.
4. Are you scared of anything.
5. What is on your things to do list.
6. Which is your favorite animal
7. What is the most annoying thing that people do.
8. Where would you like to visit
9. What age would you like to retire.
10. What gadget can't you live without.
11. Which is your favorite song of all time.
     

My Favourite Perfume at the Moment

 

Katy Perry Purr 100 ml Eau de Parfum Spray

 

 

I have had my eye on this one for a while and when I saw it at a reduced price I just had to have it. The bottle itself looks great on your shelf and will keep it when empty.
The smell is a nice soft fruity smell and lasts quite a few hours with just a few squirts.

It is currently on offer on Amazon for £10.09 reduced from £47.99 and with free delivery is an absolute bargain.

These boots are made to be worn

 

 

Hi everyone. I have had my eye on these boots for a few weeks now but my younger sister said that they look like work boots. Anyway I went ahead and ignored her as usual and bought them. They are from New Look and cost £27.99. They look great with skinny jeans and leggings. See what you think.  The laces are 2 tone and the darker bit at the front of the boots is part of the detail and not scuff marks.

I am a shopaholic and will be posting my new goodies each week. I also love getting things at a bargain price and search out coupons and voucher codes to get things cheaper. Follow me to get the latest deals that I find.

Recipe Book From 1926

I have been rummaging through my drawer where I keep my recipe booklets and have been reading one of my grandma's from the year 1926.

It makes very interesting reading with great recipes which I will try and post them on my blog as well as ailment relief and household tips.

I don't think I will be trying any of the cures anytime soon.....lol

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Chicken Casserole Slow Cooker Recipe

This is one of my own recipes and is delicious.]

Serves 4 - 5 

Ingredients

2 large carrots
1 Red Onion
2 Cloves of Garlic
Pinch of Paprika ( optional )
 4 - 5 Shallots - ( you can use 1 large normal onion instead if preferred )
3 Large Chicken Breast Fillets or 4 smaller ones
I Green Pepper
1 x Chicken Stock Cube
Plain Flour - for coating the chicken
Tin of Chopped Tomatoes


Method

Dice the carrots, red onion, green pepper and garlic
Cut the shallots in halve.
Cut the chicken fillets up into even sized pieces.

Now dip the diced chicken into the plain flour until well coated.

Put all of the ingredients into the slow cooker ( if it tells you in your manuel to switch your slow cooker on for 15 mins before adding ingredients do it. Mine doesn't so I just put mine in).  Add the tin of tomatoes.

Make up your chicken stock - how much will depend on the size of your slow cooker but you need to make sure that the veg is covered.

Sprinkle a bit of paprika over it and switch on for 8 hours on high.

If your stock isn't thick enough either add some plain flour or cornflour  to it or mix in some gravy granules which is what I do.

Serve with potatoes.

For quickness I prepare the veg at night to save time in the morning. I also use a food processor to slice the veg. I do this as my son won't each
vegetables other can carrots and this way he eats the lot and doesn't realise what he is eating.

If you have some left over what I do is add some chunky vegetables to it the next day and you have a delicious chunky chicken winter soup.

New Website Design

Hope you like the new blogs look, I am very pleased with it. Just go to work out now how to add the pinterest widget then I will be finished.

I will be adding new posts each week from now on so please feel free to follow me. If you like cooking or are useless at it my recipes will help you. I have one bubbling away nicely downstairs and the smell is fantastic ( I will be adding that recipe next week).

If like me you like household tips or anything that makes your like much easier I will be adding a new one each week.

I also love looking at fashion and home wares and will be posting items that I think you will like.

Off  to add my first recipe now so hope you will pop back soon,

Anita.