11. Sunshine in Manchester

A bit of sunshine came to Manchester and we decided to enjoy it! Sunday afternoons call for cake so we went to The Foundation Coffee House which has an impressive menu to say the least. I had a beautiful hot chocolate called the Ecuador and a Bakewell slice - sticking with the old favourites. The space is really open and was fairly busy, lots of people sitting, chatting with books or laptops. It felt very welcoming and comfortable, I think we will be going back to try more cake.

Then we took a visit to Fred Aldous which is a huge craft store full of quirky, beautiful things to spend lots of money on. We didn't buy anything but it is a lot of fun just looking at all the cute bits and bobs. There are things there for the serious arts person as well as little kits and enjoyable projects for kids (or those of us who just like to pretend to be of an arty persuasion).

Recently, Lindt have opened a shop in the Arndale centre so we had to visit there. All the Easter chocolate was on sale (dangerous) so it's just like a little bit of Willy Wonka has come to Manchester! Probably more chocolates than I've ever seen in one place and every flavour of Lindor. Having had cake, we treated ourselves to one Lindor, which was gone before we left the shop.

Lush was our next stop! The lady recommended me a cleanser, "Let the Good Times Roll" which she tried on my hand. I loved the colour of this, and the smell, and it left my hand feeling very soft. I wouldn't be too sure about using something that exfoliates every day because I'm still worried about having a reaction.  We also had a good sniff of the massage bars and fell in love with "Tender is the Night" and "Each Peach and Two's a Pair" which are delicious.

We took our usual excursion to Selfridges and indulged in the bag section (who doesn't love the smell of leather bags). On our way down to the beauty hall a member of staff handed us a surprise envelope which had a card for a free makeover at Clinique. We weren't about to pass up on that so off we went. The counter lady was really good; friendly and kind, very willing to answer to questions. She gave me a nice, fresh day look using :

Cleanser and Clarifying Lotion for type 3 (combination oily) along with Dramatically Different Moisturising Gel

Go Go Eyes Pep Start

BB Cream in Light

Line Smoothing Concealer in Light

Almost Powder in Light

High Impact Curling Mascara

Blushing Blush Powder in Innocent Peach

Lid Pop eyeshadow in Cream Pop

Clinique Pop Lip Colour and Primer in Sugar Pop

My favourite products were the BB Cream, the Innocent Peach blush and the Lid Pop eyeshadow. I really like the the Colour Pop range, it's definitely one of the better ones Clinique has released in recent years. Generally, I have a so - so relationship with Clinique. The price difference in America really bugs me, and some of their products are too harsh (their mascaras make me itch). Sorry about lack of links too, the Clinique website is terrible!

Last stop in Selfridges was Jo Malone - English Pear & Freesia  and Wood Sage & Sea Salt are solid favourites and I could smell them all day long. The staff in Selfridges are so lovely and nice the majority of the time it makes for a great shopping experience.

The end of the day found us at Pho. This is a Vietnamese café that had been highly and repeatedly recommended to us. We consumed our body weight in spring rolls (vegetarian ones won hands down)and summer rolls. Pho is a big bowl of soup and rice noddles and whatever else you decide to have in it, you can add herbs and extra sauces to it as you please. 

How do you spend these rare British summer days?

10. March 2016 Favourites

March 2016 Favourites

Here are some of the little things I have loved this month.

Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Lip protector

This old favourite is making a comeback and I can see the bottom of the tin! I always get this in duty free (great excuse to book a holiday) and it always sits on my desk. I also pop this on any dry skin patches (face, hands, elbows etc.) and it remains a steady staple and something I do actually repurchase. 

Pixi Glow Tonic

Can’t be without it, don’t ever want to be without it. Post Accutane (Isotretinoin) treatment I have not been near an exfoliator. I have tons, which are taking up space in my drawer, but this is the only one I touch. I currently only use it once a day, but it is continuing to make my skin look and feel better. I love the packaging and the smell; the price is excellent and I cannot find anything wrong with the company and ingredients. All round winner.

    Harmony Gelish Firecracker

This has been the nail colour of the month. I know many people are all about the pastels at this time of year, so I don’t know what it says about me that I go for bright red. Gelish are one of the only brands of Gel Nail I would choose to use; you get excellent brand guarantee, support and security in the knowledge that you have a legit product. Application and removal is also great so they come highly recommended. 

MAC’s Girl About Town

Hello pink lips! This is probably the first proper pink lipstick I ever owned. I think it has great colour pay off and is comfortable to wear. This is definitely a classic MAC colour and quite a warm pink to wear. It makes me feel pretty, but still grown up.

Microsoft One Note

If you are an organisation fiend (like me), you need this programme. It lets you create notebooks on the computer, with different sections and subpages which can include whatever your heart desires. You can create tick lists; have excel sheets; tables, calendars, contact details and emails.  It works live so you never press save and you can access it through the app on your phone, tablet and on your computer. You can share it with your friends/colleagues/partner etc. I have a personal one and a work one. Go and check it out! https://www.onenote.com/

Cadbury’s Easter Eggs

Yes, sticking with a classic Easter favourite! I think Cadbury’s do the best (not that I say to the others) but there is just something about them. I remember them always being so embossed nicely and looking beautiful. My family are not big on chocolate Easter eggs so I always consider myself highly lucky when someone gives me a choccie Easter egg. I am blessed to have such generous friends and colleagues!

Crocuses and daffodils

Hello spring time! These are some of my favourite flowers of all time. Along with the blue bells and snowdrops, we also get beautiful blossom on the trees. When you live in a city I think it’s extra special to enjoy the green spaces and have plants around. If only I could have flowers and plants in my office I would be a much happier person.

Happy Spring time everyone!