The American Dream



Pizza takeaway or indeed any sort of pizza is by far my favourite food to consume. I'd eat it for breakfast (cold pizza mmmmm), lunch and dinner if I could get away with it and it wouldn't make me the size of a house. So when Dominos got in touch offering me a voucher and a party pack to help celebrate the fact they've just launched two new pizzas, The New York Deli and The Carolina - very aptly named the American Legends. I was very much on board with the idea. It just so happened the party idea coincided with the fact it was my boyfriends birthday so we had a mini celebration in the garden. My dad and I got into the spirit of things and decorated the garden with all the bits and bobs - I was very much impressed by the sheer quantity of products and garden ended up looking pretty snazzy.

So down to the most important thing which was how the pizza tasted. We plumped for the New York Deli as I'm not a fan of mustard nor BBQ sauce on a pizza. The frankfurters, ground beef, ham, onions and crispy onions went down a treat. It had just the right of meat on it without being overpowering and the base was a dominos perfection. I'm not much of a fan of deep pan to be honest and dominos in my opinion has the right amount of dough. I find the thicker the dough the more greasy thus making you feel fuller quicker. I'm all about shoving as much pizza in my gob as possible. No Dominos order is complete without the garlic pizza bread - it's what dreams are made off! I may have picked the biggest piece of the bunch...

Thanks so much to Dominos for the pizza party - it made a Tuesday night much more exciting than usual.

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The Social Wine

When I received an email in my inbox asking if I wanted to pop along to a wine tasting evening to create the first social wine, I couldn't type yes please fast enough. It was also brilliant to take my mum along and give her a little peek into the blogging world. I have to say she has networking down to a tee!

A unique joint project between Tesco and wine company Enotria, the evening was about creating the world's first social wine. It really such an amazing idea and it was very exciting to be part of it. We were asked to blind test three whites and two reds and then pop a ball in the glass containing our favourite letter or number. As you can imagine we really got into it! We were showed an indepth video detailing exactly how the wine will help the Enaleni community in South Africa. The wine will enable the community to see their produce on the shelves without a third party producer. I can't wait to see it in the shops come October and see what the final bottles taste like.

There's an amazing South African trip of a lifetime available to win on the Facebook page. You'll be able to see first how exactly how the wine is created. All you have to do is download an app and submit name ideas and label designs for the wine. You have until 13th July to get your ideas forward and the top ten ideas will be published online on 15th July for a week for everybody to vote. The winner will be announced on 22nd July. It's very excited indeed! I'm so, so sorry for the late notice in telling you about the competition but I haven't had time to think recently but I like to think you work well under pressure! Real life gets in the way sometimes. Good luck!

Thank you so much to We Are Social, Enotria and Tesco for our invites - we both had such a lovely evening.

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Get off the bandwagon and put down the handbook

Outfit:
Cream jersey camisole - Primark
Blue jacquard midi skirt - Asos
Dove blue lady dragons - Vivienne Westwood
Red lips - Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer Big Bang

This skirt is by far the most beautiful, luxurious item of clothing I own. It's just so pretty and ladylike - I can pretend I'm not a gobby Essex bird for a few minutes. It literally only lasted a few minutes too before I got my heel caught in the decking and tumbled down the stairs in front of our guests. I had to sit through the reminder of my mother's garden party with a plaster on my grazed knee like a five year old. Ladylike can't be used to describe me just yet... Maybe one day!

I wouldn't be British if I didn't mention the glorious weather we seem to be having. Long may it continue!  All I seem to want to do is sit in the garden with a good book and a pitcher of Pimms. How are you spending the sunny days? Although the underground is sweltering at the moment, it's not one aspect of Summer I'm enjoying!

You might be seeing a lot of Arctic Monkeys lyrics as blog post names in the future as my boyfriend managed to get tickets for us to see them at Earls Court in October. Their first album has been making my daily commute a little easier - I feel like i've gone back to being 18 again aka the best years of my life. I'm so excited to finally see them as it's been a long time coming! If I'm honest, I'm probably just paying £40 to hear I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor live. Excited isn't even the word to describe it.

Have you got any gigs lined up in the future? Or did you manage to get Arctic Monkeys tickets too?

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I just can't listen to the words of fools

Outfit:
Orange floral dress - Primark
Cream cardigan - Primark
Nude cut out brogues - Dorothy Perkins

This dress was found as a result of a self-imposed spending ban. I'm trying to save for New York so buying clothes is a no-no and I'm having to root around in the dark and dingy depths of my wardrobes for things to wear. Sometimes I'm disappointed but other times it's a pleasant surprise like when I found this dress. It's quite a few years old now and I remember being disgusted that it was priced at £25. A bit extortionate to be fair but it's made of lovely thick material with netting underneath to help make it poof. This is my summer uniform. It's so easy to chuck on a dress, cardigan and shoes when you pop your snooze button on a bit too many times and have to rush out the door to catch the bus. My lovely wavy hair is courtesy of the Bumble and Bumble surf spray - we've become firm friends. Just look what it does!

What is your summer uniform?

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Laura Ashley Press Day AW13

A few weeks ago I was very kindly invited along to the Laura Ashley press day to see what wares they had coming up next season. Held in a ultra swish venue in central London - Il Bottaccio in case you were wondering -, the selection  of clothes were very impressive indeed.  From patterned trousers to leather jackets everything seem to catch my eye and I built up a mental wishlist as long as my arm.  The red duffle coat above received a massive thumbs up from me and i've now decided my new winter coat will have to be a duffle. Paddington Bear is the ultimate style icon don't you agree? The company seemed to be embracing all the winter trends and showed that the patterned trousers craze really isn't showing any signs of slowing down. Statement necklaces also made a welcomed appearance. They're great for jazzing up your outfit when you're a little short of cash.

Laura Ashley is also famous for it's amazing homeware. It may be a little pricey but you really do get what you pay for - the quality looks fantastic. This glass dressing table was without a doubt my favourite piece. It is such a pretty rose gold colour and really does takes centre point. it's certainly a talking point. With lots of beautiful little trinkets on offer, you don't have to spend a fortune to inject a little glamour into your home.

Finally we were given a little sneaky peak into the Laura Ashley 60 exhibition. The company reaches the grand old age of 60 this year and have opened their archives. It was so interesting to hear how the company has evolved and look at products through the ages. How cute are the matching sailor inspired dresses?! Laura Ashley have incorporated some designs from the past into the present collection so you get a real vintage feel.

Do you shop in Laura Ashley?

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May/June Empties

A joint month this time as I ran out of time in May and only used two products up!

Soap and Glory Calm One Calm All bubble bath
My family and friends all know me inside out and always buy me a batch of Soap and Glory products for Christmas and birthdays. This is one of my favourite products. It creates an amazing set of bubbles in such a little amount and has such a gorgeous sweet smell. It has the added bonus of having a built-in moisturiser so you come out feeling silky smooth. It really is the perfect for a long soak on a Sunday night before the working week starts again.

Batiste Original Dry Shampoo

Garnier Skin Naturals Moisture Match

I swiped this out of the beauty cupboard at work when I was running out of my No7 faithful. It really doesn't seem to last very long but I don't know if that's because I'm over generous. This particular one is suitable for normal to dry skin and I'm not really sure it's made a difference. It didn't make me break out - always a plus - but it didn't leave my skin feel brilliantly hydrated. It is a good size though to keep in your handbag should you require an emergency touch up when the dreaded dry skin appears.

Soap and Glory Girlgo Body Moisturising Mist

Yet another Soap and Glory gift. I use this straight after a shower on my arms to help keep them feeling soft. It works amazingly well and I really do notice the difference if I get lazy and don't apply it for a few days, It soaks in almost immediately and feels very lightweight on your skin. It's definitely a keeper!

Mark Hill Get Gorgeous Quick Fix Dry Shampoo

I received this in a goody bag when I popped along to a Boots event at the beginning of the year. All I can say is I'm very glad I didn't pay for it! It's very overpriced in my opinion and doesn't do nowhere near as good a job as Batiste does. It needs a lot of product to make a difference and towards the end of the day your hair is feeling greasy again. It was such a disappointment.


Sanctuary Body Butter

I much prefer butters over lotions and this one didn't disappoint. The lovely thick texture glides onto your skin and doesn't take an age to sink in. It's brilliant on dry patches such as knees and heels. The cocoa butter smell completely won me over and it'll definitely be something I'll be buying again.

Have you used any of these products?

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This week i'm loving - Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray

Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray - c/o

As far as cult products go, Surf Spray is probably the most famous in the blogging world. Bumble and Bumble is an American company founded way back in 1977 by unknown hairdresser Michael Gordon and the Surf Spray itself was introduced in 2001.  It's a very popular salon brand, in fact my uncle uses the shampoo and conditioner in his hairdressing business.

I'd only really used it once when I stayed at a friends house so wasn't really sure if it was going to live up to the hype. After using it every other day for the past three weeks I can safely say I've been sucked into the hype. I use it on roughly dried hair and dry the rest of it upside down. I squirt it a few times on the crown and then evenly spray it around the bottom of my hair. I then tie it in a bun and give it a few blasts with the hairdryer. My hair is quite thick so it doesn't quite go as tousled as I'd like but it helps to break up my layers and make them look more prominent. It just helps to make it look less flat and lifeless. I'm still yet to try it on dry hair but that is next on my list!  I also need to find time to let my hair dry naturally with the product in. I never get up early enough in the mornings! At £20.50 it's not the cheapest of products but it really is worth the investment to be honest. I've found it makes a real different unlike a few other salt sprays I've tried.

Have you ever tried the Surf Spray?

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Summer cover ups

Ah the English summer. Is it ever going to arrive with a bang? With this in mind it's always essential to have a few lightweight cover ups as back up as let's face it, you have to be prepared in Britain!

The Kimono

Not just for looking whimsical at festivals, a kimono is the perfect option to give a casual outfit that extra oomph. They look classy and smart yet not too stuffy for everyday wear. It's a perfect companion for skinny jeans and cut off shorts. Given the usual lightweight material they won't weigh you down should you decide to take it off due to the searing heat. Unlikely I know. This Asos blush pink number is a great neutral colour and not too fussy meaning it'll be the perfect option for almost everything in your wardrobe. What's not to like?

The Bomber Jacket

Sports luxe is still going strong and this monochrome Glamourous bomber jacket is definitely something I can get on board with! With it's silky smooth finish it won't encourage you to overheat and is a great option if you're traveling. Public transport is always a little chilly and it won't be too heavy to sling over your arm when you finally get out into the daylight. Stylish and practical!

The boucle

In my humble opinion boucle jackets just ooze class. It's a little bit too chilly to wear them in the winter but come the warmer months they help you stay just the right temperature. They can smarten up any outfit and are brilliant to pop on when you're popping out after work for a few drinks as they instantly make you look like you've made an effort. Let's face it, it can be hard to look respectable after a nine hour shift! The studded detailing on this Miss Selfridge jacket stops it from looking frumpy and the fitted shape help you show off what your mama gave you.

The Bolero

Boleros are a fabulous option for chilly evenings. They always look smart and really help to complete an outfit. Buying one in a neutral colour can be a god send with cotton summer dresses. It helps keep the chill away without looking too clunky. If you're going to a wedding this summer, they're a great option to cover shoulders in church. This knitted black bolero from Bonprix  is a very reasonable price point. You won't have any trouble with your cost-per-wear!

The Evening Jacket

Sometimes you need a little sparkle in the evening and this silver Asos number fits the bill. With while mesh panels it allows breathing room and the silver panels will shimmer in the sunshine. You don't have to wait until Christmas to wear metallics. The key for a summer jacket is one that doesn't crease easily as you're constantly popping it on and off. You really don't want to look like a sack of spuds by the end of the night.

This was a collaborative post.

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Summer slip ons

Today the sun had finally put it's hat on - how long till it last? - so it had me thinking about the perfect summer shoe. I don't really need much excuse to buy shoes so these are just a few of my picks for this year. You can find some absolutely amazing women's shoes online.

I'm obsessed with ankle straps at the minute and these teal asos sandals tick all the boxes. The beautiful colour is neutral enough to go with most things and the gold ankle strap add a little bit of bling. Yes I did just go there with that word.

I'm a animal print fiend especially when it comes to leopard print. I love it and think it's the ultimate accessory. These Oasis sandals have just the right amount with it screaming in your face. I love the simple straps and back support. There's nothing worse than a sandal slipping while you're trying to go about your daily business.

Sometimes you need a little height. I'm not talking penguin wobbling impressions height but more have a strut in your step height. This is where the Asos flatforms come into play. I'm envisioning these with patterned trousers and midi skirts. An investment no?

If money wasn't any object i'd buy these Swedish Hasbeens in a heartbeat. Nothing screams summer to me than a good clog and the pretty pastel colour pulls at my heart strings. I'm just not too keen on wearing them - I don't deal with pain very well.

This post contains a sponsored link.

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Recipe - Weightwatchers Quorn and Aubergine Lasagne

You know when you have a meal and you don't want it to end? This was one of those times! To be honest it was a bit of a make shift dinner as i'd left the mince i'd bought at lunch in the fridge at work. Ultimate schoolboy error. Vegetable Moussaka was out of the window and it was time to improvise with what I already had at home.  I only have an instagram picture so it's a little blurry. Sorry guys but I had a few requests and I don't know when i'll make it again!

I've been trying to be vegetarian during the week in a bid to become healthier and hit my five a day. It also helps you get to eat more on Weightwatchers! If you have any tasty vegetarian recipes, link me in the comments please!

To serve one you will need:
88g of quorn pieces
1/2 an aubergine
1/2 an onion
1 teaspoon of easy garlic
2 tablespoons of half fat creme fraiche
2 dried lasange sheets
1 carton of chopped tomatoes
1 tablespoon of parmesan cheese
Few squirts of fry light

It comes to 10 propoints. To help make it lower you can always use less creme fraiche, less pasta sheets and less cheese

001. Chop all the veg and thrown it into a wok with the quorn pieces and garlic. Make sure you give the wok a few squirts of fry light so it doesn't stick. Fry for around 4-5 minutes and chuck in half of the chopped tomatoes. Cook for a further three minutes until you're happy with the softness of the veg.

002. I only used 1 and a half sheets of lasange sheets as my pot wasn't big enough so you may need to break them up before you start to layer. Start with a dollop of mixture at the bottom, then the lasange sheet, then another dollop and the final sheet.

003. Pour on the rest of the chopped tomatoes. You can use tomato passata if you prefer a smoother texture. Pop on the creme fraiche and try to smooth it around as evenly as possible. Sprinkle on the parmesan cheese.

004. Pop in the oven for around 40 minutes at around 180 degrees. I use a fan assisted oven so your cooking times may be different to mine. Keep checking it throughout to make sure it doesn't burn. I served mine with roasted pepper and tomatoes but to be honest you don't need to add anything to it as it's amazingly filling. I had a food baby once i'd finished!

Let me know if you make it!

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Bloggers take over Cardiff

Last week I travelled down to Cardiff to meet up with Gem and Emma. It was the first time i'd actually met Emma in person but we got on like a house on fire. There was a reason why we started talking in the first place! Some of these pictures were stolen from Emma's instagram.

I really did have the most amazing weekend - Gem was an absolutely brilliant guide. She took us out for a cracking night out where we ended up in Welsh club dancing to indie classics and dirty pop. The night went so well it ended with us laying in bed eating Mcdonalds at 4am. Surely that's the pinnacle of all nights out? You know you've had a good one! The whole weekend was spent eating - the delicious picnic was very kindly supplied by Marks and Spencer - and drinking pitchers in Wetherspoons. It was so fantastic to listen to Gem reel off the history of the city as we wandered around. It's always nice to get a local's take. The above breakfast of Chorizo Eggs Benedict in Cozy Club went down a treat on Sunday - I may have ordered some extra toast to combat the hangover too....

It was a bit of a bummer to go home but i'll no doubt be back in Wales soon. I may have even texted my best friend at silly o'clock in the morning informing her we need to plan a girls weekend there NOW!

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This week i'm loving - Red Lipsticks

There's just something about a red lip that draws me in. Maybe it's the throwback to yesteryear when hollywood scarletts would finish off their outfits with a slick of red. Or the fact it packs a punch to what otherwise could be a dull outfit. There's no denying red lipstick certainly makes a statement.

Here are a few of my favourites:

Chanel Rouge Allure 99 Pirate - Ah I could stare at this forever and it has pride of place on show in my bedroom. I cannot tell you how long I wanted a classic Chanel red. The price always had me bulking as I was never really a frequent lipstick wearing until last year. I agonisingly saved all my boots points until I had enough. It's a beautiful deep red but a lipliner is a must as it tends to bleed. It doesn't have the most amazing staying power but I don't mind whipping it out to reapply every now and again. Who doesn't like getting something Chanel out of their handbag?

F+F Lips Mistress - I got this lipstick in a goody bag when I attended the Florence and Fred press event last Christmas. I wasn't expecting too much to be fair but I was extremely pleasantly surprised! It is a gorgeous deep red - sense a theme?! - and it has amazing staying power with a slight glossy finish. I wore it out to an event last week and it survived lots of nibbles and a very large g+t. It still looked almost perfect on the lips by the time I got on the tube to go home. I keep meaning to pick up a few more from the lipstick range. Just make sure you apply lots of lip balm as every crack shows through.

Rimmel London Apocalips Lip Lacquer Big Bang - When all the hype about these came out I rushed off to Boots like a good blogger and picked one up. This is VERY bright and it certainly doesn't make you blend into the crowd. It doesn't feel sticky like other lipglosses which is a plus. Nothing worse than a windy day combined with sticky lips. It will need to be applied a few times throughout the night though especially if you're drinking lots. Not that I know from experience...

Rimmel Kate Lasting Finish Lipstick 01 - This one was a find in the beauty cupboard at work and i'm very glad I picked it up. It lasts fairly well - not as long as the 8 hours it claims though. Although it might if you don't take part in any eating or drinking! This is such a reasonable price for the quality and once this runs out i'll be restocking as it's a great choice for any red lip collection.

What's your go to lipstick for a red lip?

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Red and White

Outfit:
White sheer sleeveless blouse - c/o New look
White and red gingham full midi skirt - Asos via a bootsale
Cut out nude patent brogues - Dorothy Perkins
Rose gold watch - Birthday gift from Next
Statement cream gem ring - Accessorize

This skirt first caught my eye while I was trawling through the archives of Atlantic Pacific  - can I be Blair please? Her shoe collection makes me die. I didn't have the money at the time to buy it from Asos directly but kept my eyes peeled on eBay. They kept going for too much money so I gave up but at a bootsale last week I saw it fluttering in the wind. I couldn't get over there quick enough. The seller originally wanted £5 but being the hard bargainer I am I managed to nab it for £3. Seriously £5 for a skirt at a bootsale?! You ain't never gonna get that love!

I'm off out tonight for a celebratory dinner to say a big well done to my brainy boyfriend who managed to gain a 2.1 degree. It's been a tough roller-coaster for him over the last 5 years as he worked towards it and I'm so, so, so proud of him. He worked full time doing an apprenticeship while studying for a degree part time - something that I could never have done! Past the sick bucket? That Mulberry bag I mentioned buying me to celebrate still stands you know Connor... A black Lily will do nicely.

Have you got anything planned for the weekend? Picked up any bargains from the bootsales?

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