Month: February 2018

Beauty // Protocol The Lift XL

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Skincare is one of my favourite topics to feature on the blog because there’s no greater feeling than getting home from work, changing into your pj’s, taking your make up off and slathering your skin in varying bottles of moisturiser, night cream and serums. Well, it’s my fave, anyway. So, when the lovely team at Protocol got in touch asking if I’d like to trial and review their latest product launch, I was all for it. I hadn’t heard of the brand before but the product intrigued me. Described as a collagen-based serum, I was eager to get my hands on the product and see how it faired in comparison to the rest of my skincare collection. 4 Week Trial I like to test new products out over time to see how my skin reacts and if I notice any difference. As it’s quite an all-rounder product and has the promise of fast results in less than 8 hours (meaning your skin can have a visible difference in the same time of an average night’s …

Fashion // Sharing My Love for Spring Shoes

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Shoes were never a first love. Boots? Absolutely. But shoes? No. That was until I decided to update my shoe collection and give into my love for all things shiny and pretty. Primark’s shoe game, I’m sure you’ll agree, is strong. As we’re willing the warmer months to appear and Spring to finally spring, I’ve turned my attention to my shoe collection (rack, if you will) and I’m aware that I need to show it some love. Switching up your footwear is the easiest way to change your look. The cold weather and extra-long winter this year has meant I got bored of my wardrobe and coat collection v quickly. So, this is where accessories come into play. If you follow me over on Instagram, which you defo should, you’ll know I’ve invested heavily in Primark’s tassel earring collection. I didn’t mean this post to become an ode to Primarni, but as I continue to write and the words flow, I guess that’s where we’re taking it… But, as I was saying, as much as …

Fashion // Three Failsafe Date Night Outfits

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Getting dressed up to head out for dinner, drinks or both is my fave kinda date night. Gone are the days of going ‘out out’ and heading to a club, combine food and cocktails are the opportunity to spend a few hours getting ready (easily the best part of the night) and I’m a happy gal. When it comes to dressing for date nights, there are various different outfits I go through before I’ve found ‘The One’. Sometimes all-out glam is the way, think dress, heels and my brightest red lipstick. Other days, I’m all for comfort and want to wear a slouchy dress, flat boots but still feel put together. So, I thought I’d share with you three new additions to my wardrobe from Tobi that are ideal for date night. Whether it’s your first date together or 100th visit to your favourite restaurant, my three go-to outfits are pretty failsafe! The Sexy Maxi Dress Let’s start off with the glam option. This is the kinda outfit I channel on holiday with flats or …

Beauty // Lola Make Up Red Lipstick Review

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If you’re sad, add more lipstick and attack, Coco Chanel I am such a red lipstick girl. It doesn’t matter whether I’ve been blonde, a redhead or a brunette. A red lipstick is the classic colour that you bring out for all the right occasions – date night, job interviews, Christmas parties. It’s fun, playful, sexy and shows you’re not afraid to play with colour. And whilst I’ve worked my way through the different reds – girls, we all remember purchasing our first Ruby Woo for MAC, snapping up on the Rimmel Kate Moss shades and then over the years, I’m sure we all retreat to our tried and tested. Well, I thought I had mine. Until Lola Make Up turned up on the doorstep and switched up the game. Matte red? Tick. Long-lasting? Tick. Comfortable to wear? Tick. Enter, the game changer. This is the first piece I’ve tried from Lola Make Up. Up until now, they’re a brand I’ve spotted on Instagram and shown some virtual love too, but I was yet to …

Review // Rumi By Bukhara, Mount Pleasant, Liverpool

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Thanks to this little blog of mine, we’re very lucky ducks who have been treated to many a lovely meal, in exchange for a review. Sometimes, it’s nice but not somewhere you’d rush back for, some you have high expectations about but then it’s not all that, and then every now and again, a find like the Rumi by Bukhara comes along. Unassuming and indifferent on the outside, but the home to amazing food at very purse-friendly prices. A definite 10/10…. Rumi first hit the radar when I spotted a babble of local Liverpool bloggers in attendance late last year. Located on Mount Pleasant, just a stones throw from Central and Lime Street, we were yet to venture up there but from what I’d heard and the evidence posted on Instagram, I had a feeling it would be good. As I mentioned earlier, from the outside the unassuming eatery has a very casual, relaxed vibe and is a trio of a cafe by day, restaurant by night plus a one-stop for gelato, sundaes and waffles. …

Food // Pancake Day Recipes with ASDA

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I think we’re all in agreement that Shrove Tuesday at the best thing about Easter (apart from the eggs of course…) cos it means we get to celebrate Pancake Day! Whether you’re more sweet than savoury, it doesn’t matter because any opportunity to stack them high and pile with your favourite toppings is good with me! I alternate between taking the easy option with a pancake mix shaker and perfecting my fave pancakes recipe. Making sure you’ve used the right amount of flour, milk and whisked your pancake mix to just the right consistency, is tough. The struggle is real. So, when Birkenhead Asda got in touch, asking me to review a variety of the homeware kitchen equipment to perfect my pancake making technique, whilst trying out a couple of my tried and tested toppings ahead of the big day, how could I resist? If you read my going dairy-free post, you’ll know I’m on a mission to cut dairy products from my diet, so as well reviewing two of the Tefal non-stick pans and …

Review // Chy, Waterloo

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Before I get into writing this post, I have a confession to make….I’ve never really been a fan of Chinese food. I much prefer to order or head to an Indian restaurant when it comes to choosing between the two. So, when the opportunity came up to head along to Chy Chinese Restaurants in Waterloo, I was slightly hesitant but decided to broaden my horizons (and please my bf who doesn’t eat Chinese food as often as he’d like) and I’m so glad I did! Chy is the third in the trio of family owned branches to open in Merseyside. Along with the two sister restaurants in the City Centre and on Lark Lane, the Waterloo eatery opened 12 months ago, and what a fantastic addition! Location Making the journey to Chy meant my first trip to Waterloo. It was super easy to get to, just 10 minutes on the train from Sandhills and located on South Road, it’s just a minutes walk from the station. And as any foodie will tell you, it’s always …

Beauty // 5 Ways to Restore Damaged Hair, Skin and Nails

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The winter weather and short days can leave you feeling sluggish, and often your hair, skin and nails will begin to suffer. Some simple tips and tricks will have you looking and feeling your best again in no time at all – carry on reading to find out more! Stay hydrated We’ve all heard how important it is to drink water, but we often don’t end up doing it. Make sure to get your 8 glasses a day, and swap out fizzy drinks or sugary beverages for a glass of water. You’ll notice a difference in how you feel in no time! To make it more interesting, try flavouring your water with cucumber or apple slices, or even citrus fruits. Eat healthy fats Healthy fats are essential for health, and can give your hair and skin a helping hand too. Omega 3 fatty acids not only contribute to normal brain function and a healthy heart, but more and more research points to the anti-inflammatory properties of Omega 3. This may benefit both skin and joints. …

Men’s Lifestyle // Valentine’s Day Gifts for Him

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Ok, so the 14th February is fast approaching and I’ll admit, I’ve always been one of those girls who think it’s a date designed for gals. Flowers, chocolates and a cheesy AF card as easy to buy for a girl, but shopping for a guy? Whole. New. Ball Game. I’m lucky enough to have a bf who’s all about equality…which means he’s expecting a new XBox game on V Day and a variety of other gifts, like it’s Christmas Day. Which, I’m kind of not about. Enter, Gifts Online 4 U. A website, designed to make shopping your Valentine (or Galentine) that much easier. All without having to brave The Shops. Perf. So what should you buy your guy for V Day, that says ‘I love you bae’ without being too cringe and resulting in #boydonegood on Insta come February 14th… Gift Ideas Aftershave. Easy, necessary and with loads to choose from, it’s not something you can go too wrong with. Over the years I’ve splashed out on super expensive bottles of the smelly stuff that …

Beauty // Epionce Lite Refresh Peel Review

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I’m sure you’re quite aware that I’m into skincare and I enjoy discovering and trialling new skincare products on the regular. But, when it comes to having treatments and caring for my skin – both old and new, I’m not quite as up to date. When I was younger I had a terrible bout of acne and saw a dermatologist when I was in my early teens, but since my mid-twenties, my skin has been pretty plain sailing, settling down into being relatively normal skin with the odd hormonal spot every now and again. So, when Pharmaesthetics in Ormskirk got in touch inviting me along to trial the Epionce Lite Refresh Peel, I was intrigued to say the least! Designed to hydrate, exfoliate and clear pores, the non-abrasive treatment was not as scary as a full peel, but my skin definitely felt the difference and was in need of some TLC. Results Photo on the left – Before the treatment Top right – Directly after the treatment Bottom right – seven days later None of the …

Food // Why I’m Going Dairy Free

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Ok, so I don’t want this post to sound like I’m being preachy or that I believe that everyone should cut food groups, for reasons other than their own personal choice and values. But, as the post title suggests, I’m making a switch to a diary-free lifestyle. Towards the end of last year, I was diagnosed with a mild form of IBS and after a process of elimination and following the fodmap food plan, dairy is the culprit. So milk, yoghurt, chocolate and cheese (to a degree. Tiny quantities once a week, is ok) has been switched for plant-based alternatives. So far, so good. I’m three months in now and I have a new found love for Almond milk, Alpro yoghurt, dairy free butter and even….chocolate. Eating out is sometimes a struggle and it’s easy to forget but I haven’t had too many bad tummy aches yet and having taken small steps to switch over to dairy free, I’m happy with my progress. So, when an email landed from the PR team who look after …

Food // Bloggers Brunch, LIV Food Market

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If you’re a Bold Street regular or someone who likes to eat healthier and discover new brands to add to the weekly shop, I’m sure you’re well acquainted with the LIV Food Market, located just opposite Liverpool Central. Since it opened its doors just under a year ago, the one-stop health food shop has quite rightly built up quite a reputation in the city. Doubling up a venue to stop for breakfast, brunch, lunch or a leisurely drink between shops and a health superstore, it’s well worth a visit. I attended their Bloggers Brunch recently and wanted to chat you through my three favourite things about the brand…. ONE The food, obvs. The cafe section of the store has a very homely decor and it’s very easy to get comfy on one of the many sofas and indulge in a dish or two from the menu. We were treated to small bites from the breakfast menu. Every blogger fave made an appearance – avo on homemade, on the premises sourdough, peanut butter and banana on toast, …