The Treat Kitchen

For all those out there who are anything like me, you can't resist a sweetie or three. You can imagine my excitement when a brand new sweet shop opened not only in my city, but a two minute walk from work! Goodbye tips from work!

The sweets are actually handmade by the owners Dad, who is a grand 85 years old- which is amazing! The rock sweets are made in Nottingham, which is brilliant for local traders. They even make thier own rock!

This place is perfect for any sort of present, I'm thinking Secret Santa's? Also along the Christmas theme (don't shout at me for talking about Christmas in September!) it would be so lovely to receive these as a stocking filler or regular present. Birthdays too! 

It's not even that expensive for what it is either. I paid £1.95 for a pack of jelly beans, orange flavour of course, but for the homemade sweets- really good value!

The service was so great too, the guy who served us was so fabby it's unreal! He even gave my friend and I a cheeky freebie to try a new sweet- a rhubarb crumble boiled sweet, definitely a new favourite! 

If you are ever in Nottingham, or are lucky enough as I am to live here, give The Treat Kitchen a visit and see what sweet treats you can find!

University packing list

I've recently been accepted to study Law and Criminology at Nottingham Trent University, starting in September- all the hard work does pay off, I promise!

As I'm moving into halls of residence, not a lot is provided, so I have come up with am extensive list of things you may want to consider whilst packing to move away to Uni, or just moving out in general. As I'm staying in the city I live in (my halls and university is approximately 25mins away from my house) I won't be taking everything as I can easily nip home to get anything I need- but for people moving far away, you can add anything you want onto the list!

◾ Duvet
◾ Pillows
◾ Blanket
◾ Desk lamp (if not already provided)
◾ Cooking utensils
◾ Cooking pots and pans
◾ Chopping boards
◾ Set of knives
◾ Plates
◾ Bowls
◾ Mugs
◾ Cups
◾ Cutlery
◾ Coat hangers
◾ Clothes horse to dry clothes cheaply
◾ Alarm clock
◾ Laptop
◾ Printer
◾ Stapler
◾ Hole punch
◾ Ink cartridges
◾ Folders
◾ Stationary
◾ Course books
◾ Door wedge to be more social at freshers
◾ Photo frames
◾ Posters
◾ Mirror
◾ Extra storage for little bits
◾ Scatter cushions
◾ Childhood teddy bear (I'm taking mine...)
◾ Any nicknacks from home

I hope this helps with any packing problems, and I hope you have an amazing time at University or moving out!

If you're going to uni, where are you going and what course are you doing?

Festival Checklist

I'm going to V-festival this year, and I have complied an extensive list of things you will need to survive a festival!

Essentials

Rucksack- A good rucksack, perhaps a DofE style rucksack, is perfect for festivals as you don't want to take anything impractical for walking along potentially wet muddy fields- which rules out a suitcase altogether!

Roll mat- Sleeping on the cold hard ground is NOT comfortable at all. Try and find an insulated one, similar to the ones in Wilko. These will keep you warm and comfortable after a hard day of dancing and walking around!

Sleeping bag- A 2-3 season sleeping bag is essential, as duvets and blankets are impractical and take up so much room in your backpack. It gets very cold in England, as you know, and even in the hottest weather, it can get very cold at night- and as most festivals are far away from civilisation, it is not easy to get a B&B.

Tent - Tents are the most important thing to take with you on a festival trip. If a large group are going try and use the "cowboy method". Place the tents in a circle, with all the doors facing in. This will create a safe area to sleep, and if its raining you can all sit in your tents and chat without getting wet! Also, as the rucksacks are large and you have a lot of stuff with you, it would be an idea to get a larger tent than you need, for example if there are two people in a tent get a three person tent so there is enough room for your things.

Waterproof jacket- This is England. Enough said.

Torch- In the campsites, they are often lit but it is helpful to have a torch to navigate the guy ropes and pathways in the dead of night when you need to make the three mile round trip to use the toilet. I would suggest getting a wind up torch, you can buy them here.

ID- If you are over 18 and planning on buying alcohol there, take a form of ID as most places operate Challenge 21 or Challenge 25, meaning if you look under the age of 21 or 25 you will be asked for ID.

Duct tape- Imagine this. It is chucking it down with rain, your tent has a hole in and you and your stuff are getting wet. What can we do about this hole? Stick it together with duct tape. It can be used to patch up your tent, you can use it to stick your wellies to your legs to stop rain and mud from getting in the tops, it can be used for everything!

Phone- If you are going with your friends, it would be a good idea to take your phone. I am taking an old one so I won't be upset if it gets lost or stolen. This is because if someone gets lost, you will be able to arrange a meeting point. 

Camera- This is optional if you have a camera phone, however you may want to take a camera incase you want to take some photos. However, don't take too many fancy electronics as they are a target for thieves and can be easily lost or damaged.

Portable charger- As 99% of the teenage population cannot live without facebook/instagram/twitter/tumblr for more than three hours, you may want to take a solar powered phone charger. Don't tell anyone apart from your friends you have one though, it may become a target for thieves!

Ear plugs- Although we are there to see the music acts, the music is so loud it may damage your ears. Many DJs use earplugs to protect their ears but they can still hear the music. Also, you may want to sleep at some point, and the music may still be on or people nearby may be loud, so earplugs may be a good idea...

Water bottle- Hydration is key! Most festivals have free water points, so take advantage and use them- especially in this weather we are having!

Plastic carrier bags- These are useful for many things. You can keep your wet and dry clothes separate from each other, which is useful if you are away for a few days. You can also use them to put your rubbish in, as it is always helpful to take away any rubbish you make so the cleanup is a lot easier.

Towel- If you dare to take a shower, it may be a good idea to take a microfibre towel, such as these ones. They dry super quick and are very compact, so will fit into your backpack a lot easier!

Clothing

Thick socks- Thick socks are the most comfortable thing to wear with wellies, as they keep your feet warm and the boots won't rub. Also, aren't they the most comfy things ever?

Thick hoody- It will get cold in the night, so if you are a cold sleeper it may be a good idea to take a thick hoody to sleep in. Even if you aren't particularly that worried about the cold, take one anyway as you may need an extra layer!

As many sets of clothes as you need- You want to look nice, right? Take the "festival essentials"- shorts, crop top, floral headband, lacey items, you know the score? Have a look at the ASOS lookbooks for Festival Fashion 2014.

Spare clothes- As I said earlier, it is England, it will probably rain, and you will probably get wet and muddy. So take spare clothes.

PJs- Unless you want to sleep in your cute denim shorts and laced crop top, take jammies. Do NOT take a onesie, festival loos are disgusting as it is, do you want to be in there for longer than you need to be, as you need to climb out your onesie? Nah I didn't think so either!

Sunglasses- As it will be sunny, protect them peepers! Get some cute sunnies that will match your looks for the whole festival. But don't take expensive ones, you will more than likely forget they are in your back pocket and sit on them! Get some from Primark, you won't be upset if they break!

Wellies- Mud. Wet. Cold. You will need wellies. Don't bother with the jelly shoes that are embracing our high street, as they will more than likely make your feet sore and are not waterproof. They don't have to be boring though, they can have loads of nice patterns on them, just have a look around!

Spare shoes- I personally do not want to travel in my wellies, so I will be taking some old pumps to travel in, and I will probably put them on when I'm sat near my tent or whatever. Like I said, they are old so I won't be upset if they get ruined!

Toiletries

Toilet roll- You've waited an hour for a wee, and you find there is no loo roll. This is a common problem at festivals, so be prepared! 

Suncream- We don't want to be sore and burnt on our festival trip, as it ruins the experience and is unhealthy for your skin. Take a high SPF and make sure you apply it every so often.

Makeup- Just the bare essentials, making sure any base products have an SPF in them! 

Toothbrush and toothpaste- Kind of standard, right?

Hairbrush and a spare bobble

Deodorant- Need I say more? Don't be that person who has the massive sweat patches and smells bad....

Cooling spray- This is a blessing in disguise. It keeps you feeling cool and isn't that expensive. Just a couple of sprays and you're good to go.

Hand sanitiser- I know we aren't in the most hygienic situation here, but no belly bugs please! Quick tip- wash your hands with a wet wipe or water before using hand sanitiser as you get all the dirt off before the bacteria!

Wet wipes- The showers are grim, so if you're going for a couple of days just use wet wipes to have a wash. If you're going to a longer festival, good luck with the showers...

Dry shampoo- Similarly, dry shampoo will be less bulky than normal shampoo and conditioner, gives volume and is cheap!

Exam tips

In the light of the Scottish Highers results being released and A-Level results to be published next week, I thought I would share my tips on how to manage exam related stress and the exams themselves- regardless of whether they are GCSE/AS/A2 level! First of all, I would like to say I am in no way an A* pupil, far from it in fact! These tips work for me and managed to come out of exam season with all my hair and no wrinkles!

The first tip is a generic one, one your teachers and older family members and friends say, but make a timetable! I always did an hour of each subject in the morning and an hour of each in the afternoon, so a total of 6 hours a day. I always kept the afternoon or morning before an exam to revise that specific module and exam, just time for cramming!

For me, revision was a prime snacking time. Naughty I know! I used to snack on sweets and crisps but this season I snacked on grapes and cashew nuts- my new favourite! As I often went to the library to revise I always went to the greengrocer to buy from a local business, which helps them out too. I mainly drank water as you learn better when you're hydrated. If normal water is too boring, read my previous blog post on how to keep healthy on a budget, which has a fruit water recipie in!

If you are easily stressed then take some time out for your friends and family. Often there is a week or so between one exam and the next, so take a day off and go shopping, have an xbox marathon, go for a drink. Do whatever relaxes you and have fun doing it. Personally for me it was going to the pub with my friends and having a laugh, as I was lucky to have my exams spaced quite apart.

On the exam day, I have a good brekkie and don't drink too much water beforehand. I needed the loo in the middle of a two and a half hour exam, and it's really awkward when a teacher has to watch you have a wee! Revision-wise try not to cram too much as it can stress you out. If you don't know something 5 minutes before the exam you won't learn it!

When it comes to note writing, I always used my specification. If your teacher doesn't give you one, get one online. They are super handy to use and can help you make notes that are precise and short, which is very helpful as you don't need to learn frilly bits that aren't on the specification. Waste of brain space! To reinforce learning, use past papers and mark them yourself. It gives you exam practice and shoes you areas you need to work on. Mark schemes are also a very good revision tool as if an answer is a nonspecific one it can give you a good summary of the topic.

I hope these tips help you out in your exams and in your revision period!

What's in my travel bag?

My makeup bag is actually a cheeky steal from my Mum (sorry mummybear), but it's from Clinique as a freebie, and it is so roomy and can fit loads in it, ideal for travelling. The cute summery pattern is perfect for summer! I keep everything all in one place, as I don't take my whole makeup collection around with me- that includes makeup, skincare and any other toiletries!

I only take the bare essentials, which for skincare is all I use anyway. I know all the beauty gurus say makeup wipes are naughty, but I can't take my cleanser, toner and mask with me everywhere, can I? So I take some Primark makeup wipes which are actually really lovely to use. I buy the exfoliating wipes so it doubles as an exfoliater (duh) when I am away. 

I also take my day-to-night spot wand, in case of skin emergencies, along with my Body Shop Vitamin A Aqua Boost Sorbet (you can read my review on my earlier post!).

Brush-wise I try and stay to basics. I take an eyeshadow brush, powder brush and then a brush for any bronzer or blush I apply. The powder brush pictured is from the Body Shop and I think they are the most incredible brushes going. They are very soft, wash perfectly and apply makeup smoothly. I haven't tried any RealTechnique brushes, but I'm in no rush to try them as my Body Shop brushes are perfect for me. I have some Jessop brushed off eBay,  you know the kind @velvetgh0st recommend? I honestly agree with her, they wash nicely and apply product with such a lovely finish. I have both sets, the eye and face set. 

My "on the go" eye makeup consists of a simple-to-use-but-effective cream eyeshadow base, my Maybelline ColourTattoo in Pink gold. I love how easy it is to apply and the size of it means I can chuck it into my travel bag! I also have my Revlon Lash Potion mascara, which isn't always in my makeup bag, I just chucked it in there because I needed a mascara. I also bring two eyeliners with me, L'Oréal Colour Riche Kohl,  which is a beautiful eyeliner- creamy, pigmented, what more can you ask for? Onto my last eye item,  Collection 2000 Fast Stroke liner. I heart it. Inky black, long lasting and budget friendly, just a perfect product. 

As it's summer, a high coverage foundation isn't ideal. I know you may think "oh gosh Jess, what are you doing?" but the CC cream pictured is from Poundland, and is really good! It goes on rather pinky toned however once it has blended into your skin it is a perfect colour match and has a lovely light coverage. I also think the Maybelline CoverSTICK is really nice for a light coverage concealer. I agree with EssieButton, some under eye dark circles can look natural, and this does the job.  I'm not s big fan of the smell though, it reminds me of the lipsticks you used to get free in magazines as a kiddo... You know my love for the Body Shop Honey Bronzer, so I won't even go there! I always take this with me, such a lovely product. Finally my Rimmel powder never leaves me! I always take this on the go as I find the regular StayMatte powder can start to look cakey after a couple of applications in the day whereas this doesn't at all look cakey. 

As you saw in my last post "What's in my bag", you'll see many lip products are featured! I always have them on me so they are usually samey. However I take my Benetint as a blush and sometimes a lip tint.

Lip addict tag

1. Best balm or treatment

This has to be the Body Shop lip butter in Grapefruit. It smells amazing, tastes a little bit of Grapefruit (but who eats lip balm?) and applies so creamy! As it is slightly pink, it can leave a slight pink tint on your lips, which I think is very pretty if you aren't wearing a lip colour!  This retails at £4 so it's a little bit expensive but it is soo worth it!

2. Best eye catching red.

My favourite red lipstick is Rimmel Moisture Renew in "Mayfair Red Lady". This was a close winner between MAC Russian Red, but this won purely because it is so creamy and moisturising as the name suggests! The colour is a perfect pillar box red and looks amazing on. This does need a lipliner as it does bleed and it also needs topping up a couple of times but who cares when it's a beauts colour and formula!

3. Best luxury and best drugstore?

YSL. YSL. What a beautiful brand. Thier lip products are top quality and have perfect everything. I got a Rouge Pur Couture lipstick in the shade 13 for Christmas. This was actually a mistake as I asked for the Rouge Volupture lipstick but blimey I don't care. It I'd a lovely reddy-orange and smells so high end it hurts. The pigmentation is just to die for and the packaging is so slick and fancy. Definite love for you Yves♡

My favourite drugstore has to be the Revlon Matte balm in "elusive". The product is very moisturising which is surprising as it is matte (Rubywoo comes to mind when I think of matte lipsticks and we all know about how drying it is!) and the colour payoff is lovely. I bought "audacious" as well but gave that away as I found the colour to be a lot brighter than in the packaging, so I was very upset, however Elusive looks exactly the same in the tube an on your lips!

4. Best MAC lipstick. 

"Peach Blossom" was my first MAC lipstick and has been my favourite since day 1. It's a cremesheen formula so is super glossy and moisturising so is perfect for spring and summer. It's a lovely pinky-nude which makes it super wearable for any age or skin tone. It smells amazing, as do all MAC lipsticks, and applies so smoothly. It's staying power is top notch and I just love it so much! 

5. Most disappointing.

If you have read my previous posts you will realise I really don't like the Nivea Lip Butter. 

It goes on the lips in a white pastey consistency and it is sticky I find. I find it dehydrating to an extent because of all the sugars in it from the scent, which is actually really lovely! Not the best product Nivea have produced...

6. Liner- yes or no?

 If I'm wearing a red lip, which is fairly often, I find a lipliner very useful. However on a day to day basis when I wear more of a neutral lip I tend to let lipliner go. I struggle to find a nice nude lipliner which will complement all my lipsticks so I don't really bother. I need to find one of these invisible lipliners,  which would be perfect!

7. Anything else?

I've only had "Benetint" for a few weeks now and as with most lip and cheek products it works better on one or the other. I find this leaves an odd looking smudge on the cheek but a beautiful healthy colour on the lip. As this retails at £22, I would recommend picking up a tester beforehand.

How to... Get a job!

Times are hard, we all know that! So it's always nice to have a part time job to buy those bits we keep having to nag our parents for- for example I spend my money on clothes, makeup and going out with my friends.

To get a job you have to have a fabby CV. A CV is a list of your achievements, hobbies, skills and interests as well as references. To make a CV pop you have to stand out from the crowd. My main achievement outside of school is fundraising and going traveling in India with my friends, so I always write what that taught me- leadership, teamwork, social skills etc...

To get noticed you must hand your CV out personally rather than getting your Mum to hand them out or emailing them to the employer. It shows initiative and the fact you are dedicated to getting a job! Always ask for the manager, assistant manager or supervisor and give your CV to them rather than the grumpy sales assistant, as you may well be replacing them! I would advise looking at independent businesses as they are often overlooked in the job market, and aren't as fussy when it comes to experience. My manager employs young people as she realises it's hard for young people to get jobs in today's economy, which is the attitude many independent business owners have!

The timing of your CV-handing out mission is crucial. I got my job straight after A-Level results day, which is the 14th August this year (ahhhhhh!!!). I say this as many students will be off to another city, perhaps the other end of the country, so will be leaving thier job open to new applicants. Good thinking eh!

If you're lucky enough to get an interview or trial shift, research the company and look at model answers. Here is a common list of interview questions:

1. Tell me about yourself.
Don't be boring and say "I'm Jess, 18 years old blah blah blah" be funny- "I'm an 18 year old who has an obsession with lipstick and netflix". This will make you stick in the interviewers mind, which is always a good thing!

2. What do you know about *business name*
Depending on where you have applied, this will vary. Just make sure you know three key points about the business so you can reel them off instantly- but don't sound monotonous!

3. Describe your current situation.
That doesn't mean "well I'm sat in a back office" is means (for example) "I've just finished my GCSEs/A-Levels and I'm currently having a nice summer relaxing before starting College/Uni and looking for a part time job to help me save for the future".

4. How would your reference describe you?
My reference would describe me as a right gobby mare with a sassy attitude, but I wouldn't say that. I would say my reference would describe me as confident, vocal and headstrong. Sounds much better doesn't it?

Vitamin E Aqua Boost Sorbet

I have sensitive skin, so I try and avoid any fancy shmansy face creams, as a few months ago I had a severe allergic reaction to a Nivea night cream to the point where my eyelids swelled and I couldn't open my eyes well! But when I walked past my local Body Shop I saw this promoted in the window.

When I initially tried it I didn't like the formula as it is very "fluffy" I feel, unlike any other face creams I have ever come across, but when I rubbed it into my hand I fell in love. It is a "cooling facial moisturiser" which I feel is ideal for this weather- so I caved.

After a week of using this moisturiser I have fallen in love with it. The light formula sinks into the skin so quickly which is ideal when you're applying makeup straight after. The cooling properties of the product makes it a pleasure to apply, as I always feel too warm when I wake up- especially in the summer months! 

The packaging is so high end and chic too. A glass pot always makes me feel like I'm using a high end cream anyway, and the smell is just how I'd imagine a spa to smell- light and refreshing!

The only downside to this product is there is no SPF, which means (unless used with another product) it provides no protection from UV, so I feel if used on its own it is better for the night time. Also, there isn't much product in the pot, but a little goes a long way so it's not that bad after all!  

What's in my bag?

For all of you out there who are as nosey as I am, here is what is in my handbag at the moment.

My handbag is a Zara bag I got for my birthday.

I love this bag, but retailing at £39.99 it's not a budget friendly bag at all, however I saved up all my tips from work to buy this! The red pouch actually comes off, which could make it a very nice iPad case.

A staple thing for me to carry around is, of course, my phone. I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 in white. I think Samsung phones have a brilliant battery life, compared to iPhones and Blackberrys anyway! Also with a Samsung you aren't at a disadvantage when it comes to apps. As this phone is an android you can get pretty much the same apps as Apple products!

Another staple for me is my Passport, which is carry round for ID. 

I keep my passport in this cute Jack Wills case I bought a couple of years ago before I went traveling, and it's such a lovely summery pattern- I lav it!

Anyone who knows me will know I have an obsession with nail polish; which is why I have 3 in my handbag!

I am currently wearing the Claire ' Accessories one in "dark cornflower blue". This was £2.50 so cheaper than the Barry M ones I have, and in my opinion, longer lasting, smoother to apply and a lot more pigmented! They have a beautiful colour colour range too. My Barry M ones are in "Rose hip" and "Sugar apple". I keep the nail varnish I am wearing in my bag so if it chips I can top it up- just seems like I kept them all in my bag...

I always keep a hand cream with me. I think I may be the only person who prefers "Endless Glove" to "Handfood" in the Soap and Glory range. The smell is so warm and  has shea butter in it, which makes it extra nourishing. I love how it's a 2 in 1 product also.  

Its no secret I love the Body Shop, especially thier body butters, so when I discovered these, I had to have them! I keep them both in my bag as nobody likes to smell throughout the day. I have the Satsuma and Grapefruit fragrances, which keep me smelling lovely and fresh throughout the day! 

I've had a bit of a dry lip problem, I I know that's odd in July! I've been obsessed with lip balm right now so I do ways have multiple in my bag! My personal favourite right now has to be the Body Shop Grapefruit lip balm, which is just beautiful. Check out my earlier blog post for a more detailed review!

Lips are my thing. I've always got a lipstick/gloss on. Therefore I always have the lip product I am wearing in my handbag, and of know the rule- once it's in your bag it never comes back out!  I really like the NATURAL COLLECTION lip glosses.  They aren't sticky at all and last quite a long time. The one pictured above is called "Turkish delight" and is a lovely dusty pink colour. However my favourite lip product at the moment has to be the Revlon Matte Balm in "elusive".

As you can see I have a lot of stuff in my bag! What is the most random thing in your bag?

Jess xx

How to keep healthy on a budget

Eat cheap but clean!

A craze amongst fitness gurus on my instafeed is fruit water. This is a very simple way to drink sugary drinks without all the chemicals and fizzyness.

1. Choose your favourite fruit(s). Good combinations are apple and mint, apple and raspberry and cucumber and mint. 
2. Fill a bottle 3/4 full- I used an old tonic water bottle.
3. Dice the fruit small enough to fit through the neck of the bottle but large enough for it to look nice.
4. Place the fruit in the bottle and refrigerate for 24 hours before drinking.

If after 24 hours it is too bitter or sour, add some natural sweetners or stevia (a natural sugar extract).

Not eating takeaways can not only be beneficial to your health, but can save you tonnes of money. If you do decide to have a cheeky Indian takeaway,  swapping pilau for boiled rice and a peshwari naan for chapatis can save over 500 calories in one sitting. Along the same lines of substituting foods for healthier alternatives, swapping normal potato for sweet potatoes is a great idea. Sweet potatoes contain vitamins and minerals that normal potato doesn't, and it's also classed as one of your five a day, which interestingly normal potato is not!

You must remember that making healthy choices is important, it is just as important to treat yourself once in a while. Have that chocolate bar or can of coke, or even that massive bag of Haribos your Sister is hiding behind the tins of beans!

Keeping fit!

Gym memberships can range from £10 to £50 a month, which may be too much for some people- me certainly! A great way to keep fit for less is using your surroundings. Run in your local park, or take your dog for a walk. Simply walking to the shop over driving, or play with your younger siblings than sat on your phone can also burn off a few calories and get you moving! Even shopping burns calories, as the saying goes, "shopping is my cardio!".

I have also discovered the "8 minute ab workout" on YouTube, which is incredible. You feel the "burn" within seconds, so you know it works! 

Mental health

Doing things you love and seeing your friends is a sure fire tip to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Alternatives to shopping or the cinema, which can be very expensive, include picnics and sleepovers. Girly nights with face masks (which can be picked up at as little as £1 in shops such as Wilkinsons) and Ryan Gosling films (or even a lads night in with your xbox) are not that expensive and you could always ask your guests to bring a few bits such as tortilla dips and a bag of popcorn, which will bring the cost down for you!

Remember, everything is healthy in moderation and you have the right to treat yourself. Just remember try not to take healthiness and weight loss to the extreme. If you feel like you are struggling with your weight there are plenty of organisations that can offer you loads of help! 

The Apple Tree

The Apple Tree is a small independent café just down the road from where I went to sixth form. They have been open for a while, however my love affair for their cupcakes only blossomed in the past few months. 

All of their cakes, scones and food are homemade and their gift shop supply local produce and independent jewellery makers wares etc. 

My particular favourite has to be the hot chocolate and lemon meringue cupcake, which doesn't come as often as I would like as the owner makes new cupcake flavours every day, so I can't complain! Every cupcake I have tried from here is beautiful.

Now I'm a sucker for marshmallows, and the lady who made me this insane hot chocolate did NOT disappoint! She may as well have used a garden spade to put them on there were that many! 

Another thing I adore about the Apple Tree is thier vintage feel, such as the China cups and saucers, plates and furniture. I love how there is a story behind every piece and it is all donated by local residents, which makes the tea room even cuter.

The atmosphere of The Apple Tree is so calm and relaxing, and there is so much to look at without it looking cluttered and messy. The staff are so polite and nice which of course makes the whole Apple Tree experience 100x better- if it could!

Rating: ☆☆☆☆

http://www.theappletreegiftshop.co.uk

July Review

Skin care

Garnier Summer body

This. This is amazing. I have reservations with using standard fake tan as I always remember someone in my school (about year 8) who had used it, with the results looking more dorito than glowing. So when I saw this I thought I might give it a try. I bought mine from my local Home Bargains (yes, one of the best shops!) for £2.49, but it retails for approximately £5 in the drugstore. I would recommend using a mitt or tanning glove as it does leave an orange tinted palm- learnt that the hard way! It smells amazing, just like apricot, which is an added bonus for me as my Mum's gradual tan smells absolutely disgusting!

Smell ☆☆☆☆

Appearance ☆☆☆

Price ☆☆☆☆☆

Quality ☆☆☆

Nivea lip butter

The hype around this lip butter is so huge I had to give this a go- I know I'm late on the band wagon! This smells incredible and is so moisturising and creamy. The only downside to this is that the pot it comes in isn't that secure so when it's at the bottom of your bag it can sometimes get fluff in and it can leave a white residue on the lips which can make them look a bit odd. Since writing this blog post I've moved onto the matching Grapefruit lip butter for the body butter down below. 

Smell ☆☆☆☆

Appearance ☆☆☆

Price ☆☆☆

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Body Shop body butter in Pink Grapefruit

I bought this back in the January sales after my stepsister got it for Christmas. It smells insanely good, and it makes my mouth water. I started using this only recently because my skin has been very dry, and my goodness I'm in love! It is so nourishing and leaves my body feeling fresh. It also soaks in really quick so you don't have to sit around for ages before you can get dressed (or get in bed!). As I bought this in the sale it cost me £5 but unfortunately the Grapefruit one has increased back to normal price of £13, however I picked up the Passionfruit scent as it is on offer for £5 now!

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Makeup

Body Shop Honey bronzer- shade 01 

I may have found the holy grail of high street bronzers. It is a really fine powder meaning it won't go on too heavy but it is still crazy pigmented. It comes in 4 shades from 01 (lightest) to 04 (darkest) which means it can be used by people with any skin tone. It is so buildable and blends so nicely to give a Kim Kardashian bone structure or a heavenly glow which can only be compared to a trip to a Spanish beach. The down side to this product is the price, as it retails for £11,  but if you sign up for the Body Shop discount card I got it for £8- much better! 

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Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection foundation 

This foundation isn't as great as the famous Lasting Perfection concealer, but certainly does the job. Stupid Jess bought this just after she got back off holiday so now it is too dark for me, so I mix it with my Olay Clarifying Milk, which is one of my favourite moisturisers, to give the foundation a lighter coverage (it is summer after all) and to lighten the colour! Ive also mixed it with hand cream when I couldn't find the Olay cream and it gave a really nice finish. On its own this foundation is medium to full coverage and has an SPF20 which is perfect for the Summer. This foundation was £5.99 so was relatively cheap. Unfortunately this product does not have the colour range of of the Lasting Perfection Concealer but it has bought some new shades out since I believe! 

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Lifestyle 

I LOVE watching the ladies of YouTube, from Zoella to Tanya Burr to HelloOctoberxo, but my favourite YouTuber has to be Gabriella, or velvetgh0st. She's super cute and shares my love for anything pastel and yellow, and she's super beautiful (all the YouTubers I've mentioned are, as is everyone). I've been watching her since day one and will watch her until she stops YouTube videos- in a non-stalker kind of way.

watch her channel now at velvetgh0st

I have also been loving fried peppers in coconut oil. 

It's super healthy and easy to make. Coconut oil is super good for your body and if you get any on your hands you can just rub it in because it's an incredibly intense and hydrating moisturiser. Put a teaspoon of coconut oil in a hot frying pan and wait for it to melt then throw in some chopped peppers and cook them for 5-10 minutes, depending on how crispy you like your vegetables.  This method of cooking peppers can be used to cook anything- I think coconut oil makes bacon crispier and taste better than normal olive or vegetable oil and makes it 10x healthier. 

Primark OTTD

I recently had my Sixth Form leaving dinner, which is basically our prom! Me being me, I hadn't got anything to wear so I had to nip into town to see if there was anything I could find- 3 hours before I was supposed to leave!

 

I dashed straight into Primark and this dress was right by the door. It's made of a chiffon material, which was actually very similar to my year 11 prom dress, and is a light turquoise. It fits perfectly and at £10 a pocket pleasing purchase. It also comes in other colours such as pink, orange and pastel purple but I thought the blue was by far the prettiest! 

My shoes are also from Primark. I tend to stay away from Primark shoes as they come small on me and don't fit my feet well, however I fell in love with these. They seem high, about 3 inches, but have a platform so aren't that bad! I bought them in a hot pink as I thought it looked nice with the blue but they also come in black and orange- may have to go send get the black pair because they are so comfy and only £12!

"Angels on bare skin"

Lush's "Angels on bare skin" is a facial cleanser containing 100% natural ingredients.

I wandered into my local Lush shop to be greeted by a lovely sales assistant (they're all so lovely in Lush, aren't they?) who asked if there was anything I was looking for. As my red pigmentation was perrrrrrtty bad that day I asked if there was anything in stock to help combat this, and she directed me to this product. 

Initially I was put off by the colour and texture of the product, as I'm used to liquid cleansers such as the Garnier Micellar Water (which is super fabby too!) but once she showed me how to use it I was sold! Once water is applied it turns into a pasty consistency which lathers slightly, which enables you to get right in them pesky pores and when rinsed, a lovely soft complexion!

I must say, even after one or two applications I have already noticed a reduction in redness in my skin, even when I'm boiling hot (fellow waitresses you can feel my pain!).

Unfortunately the only downside to this product is the fact the larger pieces of lavender don't dissolve along with the rest of the product so you end up with a petal or three in your sink, but the lavender oils that are in it make up for this!

Finally, as this is a Lush product, it is not tested on animals and this particular product is vegan, which means everybody can use this!

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Buy my new favourite face cleanser here!