* Merry Christmas *

(Red Dress - H&M / Beaded Jumper - Topshop / Heels - New Look)

* Merry Christmas! *

Hello lovelies! I'd like to wish every single one of my loyal blog readers a very merry christmas! I hope you had a wonderful day filled with lots and lots (and lots!) of food and festive drinks! I spent the majority of Christmas Day making my way through a mountain of glorious treats, including chocolate cream eclairs, traditional turkey lunch (with all the trimmings, of course) soon followed with fruit pavlova, chocolate cake and trifle for pudding... Can you tell I have a sweet tooth?

I hope you are all now taking the time to relax and spent quality time with family over this festive period. I'm currently snuggled up on the sofa in my new pair of pyjamas (nothing else seems to fit!), and I'm away to settle down to watch 'It's a Wonderful Life', one of my favourite Christmas movies! 

More soon, 

Helen

x

* Red Leopard *

Red Jumper - Marks and Spencer / Black Dress & Bag - H&M / Black Jacket - New Look

Hello loves! 

So, school's out for... Winter! It was my last day of uni on Tuesday, and I found myself shocked at how fast the semester had gone - 2014 has just flown by! I'm now looking forward to putting my feet up and spending time around the house watching Christmas movies all day long... Oh how I wish! Unfortunately, I still have some coursework to get through over the holidays, although I'm sure all the delicious Christmas food and drink I'll consume over the next couple of weeks will keep me going....

Do you guys recognise this jumper from last year? {See my old post here!} I've been loving it ever since I spotted it on the M&S clothes rail last winter. It's a very soft and cozy jumper, with a festive burst of red which I find perfect for this time of year. Speaking of, I hope everyone is in a merry mood with Christmas only one week away - wow! I've been a little swamped with coursework at the moment, but I decided to take some well deserved time off a few days ago to listen to christmas music and wrap the remainder of my presents - There really is nothing better than that! :)

More soon, 

Helen

x

* My Week in Pictures *

Hello lovelies! 

I thought I'd share with you all a few snaps from my life over the last few weeks. I really enjoyed creating my last 'week in pictures post', and you guys seemed to enjoy it too! From this post, you can probably tell that I love a cappuccino (or two) and I most definitely have a huge sweet tooth! I've mentioned this in a previous post, but I'm currently obsessed with Breaking Bad. I flew through the first two seasons in one weekend, and I'm about to begin season four - I think it's safe to say I'm addicted!

When I'm not glued to my laptop, I have tried my hand at baking a few tasty treats, and last weekend I attempted my first ever pavlova! It failed slightly, as I accidentally used the wrong kind of grease proof paper (lesson learnt!), and when I went to peel it off, the whole thing crumbled in my hands. Yes, it was devastating, and my pavlova soon turned into Eton Mess. All was not lost though, as I quickly smothered the whole thing in strawberries, cream and chocolate, and it still looked and tasted amazing!  

Have you also spotted the amazing Charlotte Olympia 'Day of the Dead' flat shoes? I've been a huge fan of the accessories designer even since I laid eyes on my first pair of Kitty Flats. These skull shoes have made their way straight to the top of my fictional designer wish list... One can dream! 

Speaking of treats, I also tried my hand at baking vanilla custard kisses, or more commonly known as custard creams. The biscuits turned out much better than the pavlova, and were very easy to make! They have always been a favourite of mine, and I'll quite shamefully admit that I was responsible for eating more than half of them once they were out the oven... * Take note - recipe for the delicious custard creams will be coming soon! :)

I also had a slight hippie moment last week, listening to Fleetwood Mac on repeat whilst tackling the mountain of uni work I have at the moment. I was then inspired to watch an old favourite of mine, Almost Famous. I'll forever be lusting over the afghan coat Kate Hudson wears throughout the movie.

I'll end this post with one final message for you guys to take away with you on this cold, Sunday night... 

'There is nothing better than hot chocolate on a lazy day.' 

(I couldn't agree more!)

More soon, 

Helen

x

DeGusta Winter Box Review - A Monthly Surprise Food Box!

Hello lovelies! 

After enjoying my first Degusta Box so much, I was thrilled when the company asked me if I would like to review another (Read my first review here!). Not only did I enjoy the previous box myself, but I was able to share so much of the contents with family and friends. I eagerly awaited the arrival of the next box, and was very excited to open it once it arrived at my door!

When I first opened the package, I was again amazed at the number of items that they had managed to fit into the relatively small box. The Degusta team do such a great job at packaging and ensure each item is kept safe during transit. For instance, the amount of bubble wrap I removed from the box is a present in itself - Who doesn't love popping bubble wrap? Haha! 

Anyways like my previous post, there will be lots to talk about, so let's begin!

Sitting perfectly at the top of the box was a fantastic packet of Kettle Chips. I am a huge crisp fan and was delighted to see a Stilton and Port flavour. I imagine this unusual flavour has been designed for the festive period, and I plan on sharing these with family around Christmas time. Similarly, there was a very generous portion of Lindt Melting Moments christmas chocolate snowflakes. There were five in the box altogether, which provides me with some excellent stocking fillers, or little sweet gift to give friends. Thirdly from the box, I pulled out a large jar of Branston Caramelised Chutney. Having recently discovered the wonderful world of crackers, cheese and chutney, I am delighted to receive this, and equally excited to try! :)

Unlike the last box that contained no drinks or beverages, this month's box had a very generous supply of five drinks. Again, I'm amazed they all managed to fit in the box! I firstly pulled out 2 x Pip Organic Cloudy Apple Fruit Juice, which are perfect fruit drinks to take to uni or drink whilst on the go. Next out the box was a perfectly packaged, full size bottle of Montano Cider, which will no doubt go down a treat at Christmas time! It was then followed with not one, but two Cool Dawn Herbal Recovery Drinks, designed to cure any hangover. These are therefore perfect to drink after the Montano Cider... Thanks for thinking ahead Degusta Team! The hangover recovery drinks sound brilliant for the upcoming party season, so I'm sure they will definitely come in handy! :) 

Finally, there was a 'Sample Present' of Drink Me Chai - A Chai Tea Latte sachet. This product is a mix of exotic spices, milk and sweetened tea which provides 'a taste of India in an instant'. I've never actually tried Chai Tea Latte before, and so I'm looking forward to crossing that one off the list very soon! 

After being impressed with the previous Kents Kitchen Kit, I was happy to see another sauce kit from the cooking range. The Flavour Shots can be easily added to any cooking pot and provide you with a brilliantly quick and easy way to jazz up any meal. The packaging says that it is perfect for fajita wraps, rice or even baked potatoes, so I'm looking forward to giving them a try soon. Similarly, in the box was two sachets of Holy Cow Indian Curry Sauce. Like most folk, I'm a huge fan of curry and these two flavours (Rogan Josh and Madras) will definitely not be left in the cupboard for long. I was also impressed to discover that the sauces are suitable for gluten and coeliac sufferers (like me) - Yay! 

Lastly, at the bottom of the box was a leaflet featuring a list of all the products and their full RRP price, along with some lovely recipe suggestions. This is an excellent feature, as it allows me to see exactly how much money I would manage to save through purchasing the box. To buy all these products individually it would cost me over £22, however with Degusta Box, it only costs £12.99 including delivery. It is definitely a considerable saving and by providing this price information, it made me feel very happy with my box, making the whole experience worthwhile!

* The Final Haul *

It is always impressive to place the products against one another to show just how much is included in the box. I can honestly say that I am once again delighted with my Degusta Box delivery. I'm not sure if it's because of the wide range of lovely products that I can enjoy and share with friends and family, or whether it's because waiting for, and receiving a box feels like a Christmas present itself. I was genuinely very excited to open the box and discover what was inside, and even just experiencing that feeling makes it incredibly worthwhile.

If you are intrigued and want to try the Degusta Box experience for yourself, click here. 

More soon, 

Helen

x

* Wild at Heart *

(Dress, Jumper and Necklace - Topshop / Shoes - New Look / Bag - Vintage)

Hello lovelies! 

It's nearly the most wonderful time of the year again - Christmas! The red Starbucks cups are out in full swing, the town's Christmas lights are shining bright and all the Christmas adverts are bombarding our television screens... All clear signs that the festive period is well and truly on it's way! Unlike last year, where I found myself waiting for the postman to deliver the remainder of my presents on Christmas Eve, I have been one very organised elf this year! I have already bought the majority of my presents, and even managed to wrap them up (I know, I have seriously shocked myself too!). In fact, I think this is the most organised I've ever been for Christmas! Although I'm not proud of myself, as I credit my organisational skills down to avoiding university work and the dangerous distraction of online shopping... Oops!

You might have noticed that I'm wearing a complete Topshop ensemble today. These items are all quite old (I bought the jumper at least six years ago!) but they remain some of my wardrobe favourites. During the winter season, I love to wear summer dresses worn with cozy jumpers and a thick pair of tights (or two!) to ensure I keep warm and toasty throughout my day! :)

More soon,

Helen

x

Ice Cold Aztec

(Biker Jacket and Aztec Dress - New Look / Aztec Jumper - ASOS / Fringed Bag - H&M / Shoes - Converse)

Hello lovelies! 

Brrr. I think it's safe to say that winter has well and truly arrived. There is no snow (yet), but I find myself fishing out every chunky knit jumper I own, and throwing on layer upon layer before I leave the house - It's a wonder I don't resemble the michelin man with the amount of clothing I manage to wear all at once. I'm sure snow is on the way, for each morning I leave the house, I see cold frost on the car windows, which is a sure sign of the cold weather to come. That reminds me - I must buy a new pair of gloves, my poor wee fingers have been resembling icicles lately! 

I'm currently sat in my pyjamas with a hot cup of tea, tackling my latest uni assignment. I can't wait for the Christmas holidays once all my assignments are out the way, when I can hibernate and watch TV shows all day long. I'm currently obsessed with Breaking Bad (I'm very late to the party, I know!). Let me know in the comments below if you are also a fan, oh and no spoilers please! :)

More soon, 

Helen

x

Entrenched.

Trench Coat - Burberry

Hello lovelies!

A slightly different outfit post for you all today. This is actually a throwback post, as these pictures were taken exactly this time last year, November 2013. You might be wondering why I was jumping around my local park, posing in a Burberry trench coat and tartan umbrella? It's random I know, but I was actually working on a project for my final university year, where we were required to create an image incorporating the classic trench. 

Although I never ended up using these images for the final project, these were essentially behind the scenes pictures and it would be a shame not to share them with you all. I had completely forgotten about them, and it wasn't until I was clearing my computer one night that I rediscovered them. I find it rather fitting to share them with you all now, considering these photos were taken exactly a year ago (I haven't changed much!) and also more significantly, that we've just passed the 100th year mark of the First World War.

In the midst of war in 1914, British soldiers were kitted out in Burberry's resilient rain coats to protect them against the weather whilst positioned in the muddy trenches (hence the name). Initially perceived as an item associated with war, we are now incredibly fortunate to view a Burberry Trench as a luxurious designer piece, and one which I was very happy to pose in. 

More soon, 

Helen

x

Degusta Box Review - A Monthly Surprise Food Box !

Hello lovelies!

Last week I had the absolute pleasure to receive and review Degusta Box, a monthly surprise food box! Before I wrote this post, I had no experience of Degusta Box, and I had never even heard of them before. I'll firstly let you in on a little secret; I have never signed up or subscribed to any kind of monthly product box before. I know that many people receive product boxes, particularly beauty ones, however it's never been something that appeals to me and I've never wanted to invest in. However, if food is involved? Well, that's an entirely different story! The lovely guys over at Degusta Box must have read my food-obsessed mind, as they were kind enough to send me a box full of delicious delights, which I shall now share with you all! 

(Warning: This post is quite text heavy, as I love to talk about food!)

When I opened the box, I was presented with lovely brown paper and a box jam packed full of goodies. I was initially very impressed with the number of products they had managed to fit into the relatively small package. The first thing I spotted was a 'Degusta Box Fridge' envelope, and when opened contained a voucher for free Benecol Yoghurts - win! As if there wasn't enough in the box already, the guys spoiled us with vouchers to spend in-store! 

Anyways, onto the box. There was lots to get through, so let's begin...

Once I delved into the box, I instantly noticed that it was full of treats, and perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth! For instance, the first items I picked up were the Sour Jelly Belly Beans and the Toasted Marshmallow Creme. This made me very happy as I'm always craving a sugary snack, and white fluff is like heaven on a spoon. I hope nobody is expecting me to share, as that will not last long! There was also a very handy Enhance mini juice drink, which is perfect for those on the go. I try and drink as much water as possible throughout my day, and having this travel-size orange concentrate will come in very handy! I then came across this Original Nutty energy bar, guaranteed to give you a boost. I plan on saving this bad boy for a stressful day spent at uni when I need all the energy I can get. It seems like a healthier option than drinking 10 cups of coffee, so I'm definitely looking forward to that!

I was then incredibly pleased to find (not one, but two!!) Blue Dragon Sweet Chilli sauces. This sauce is a necessity in my house, and can be found poured on top of almost every meal. I can guarantee that there will be none left by the end of the week, so good thinking by the Degusta Box team to include two bottles! Along with the sauce, I found a 'Kents Kitchen' Meal Kit. I've never seen these before but the concept is really cool and perfect for lazy cooks like me! The small package contains cooking oil, herbs and sauce to help you create the perfect curry; you just need to add meat and carbs of your choice. I can't wait to try this and create some authentic and delicious dishes for myself!

Next out of the box was a very cute packet of Bear Alpha Bites and Dino Paws fruit shapes. I won't lie, the Dino Paws were eaten straight away. I've had these before and they are a deliciously easy snack for packed lunches and when you're on the go. A packet also provides one of your fruit and veg five a day, so even more reason to love it! I was then actually amazed when I pulled out of the box a whole Pasquier Brioche Sliced Loaf AND a full pack of Pasquier Brioche Pain au Lait. I am impressed that they had managed to fit in the box and stay intact. I have not eaten brioche in years, and seeing this product brought back some childhood memories for me. I remember my mum baking these when I was younger and it would be a treat for when we came home from school. I shared these with friends at the weekend, and they did not disappoint! :)

Next out of the box was two of what I think are everyone's favourite snacks; crisps and chocolate. I was very happy about these products, as crisps are my all time favourite snack, and who doesn't love chocolate?! I've decided to save the Dr Oetker Extra Dark Chocolate and Dark Cocoa Powder and use them to bake a chocolate cake nearer Christmas time. I will definitely share the recipe with you, so stay tuned for that later in the year! And as for the Special K Cracker Crisps? Well, they have long since been eaten, and I can confirm that they were delicious! :)

Finally, I pulled out a leaflet with recipe suggestions and a list of all the products with descriptions and full RRP prices. I thought this was a lovely last touch, and helped me to realise how much I would manage to save through purchasing the box. To buy all these products individually it would be over £24, however with Degusta Box, it only costs £12.99 including delivery. It's a considerable saving and by providing this price information, it made me feel very happy with my box, making the whole experience worthwhile!

* The Final Haul *

It wasn't until all the items were placed against each other, I realised just how much was packed into the box - There was a great feast of treats to share with all my friends and family! 

I'd like to say a big thank you to Degusta Box for sending me such a thoughtfully packed box, and for finally allowing me to experience my first monthly box. It was a great package to receive and it was a lot of fun opening it and discovering the products inside. It even felt like Christmas had arrived slightly early, with the huge amount of products to unveil. This is a service that I would definitely recommend, and if you've been interested by this post and would like to experience Degusta Box for yourself, here is a £3 off voucher code to use:  '0FWHI'.

More soon,

Helen 

x

Singin' In The Rain

Hello lovelies!

I created this quick collage on Polyvore yesterday, when I was forced to stay inside due to the non-stop rain. I had hoped to take some outfit pictures, but alas, the continual downpour prevented me from stepping outside. That is one thing about living in Scotland, we are definitely used to the turbulent weather. It is not unusual to find me carrying an umbrella on a perfectly sunny day, for we Scots know that it is possible to experience all four seasons in one afternoon. I've learnt to always be prepared for those sudden storms! :)

For all outfit details, visit my Polyvore page!

Recently, the rain has been falling non-stop, and it feels like the country is warming itself up for a very cold winter ahead. I'm sure one day soon, I will wake up and instead of rain, it will be snow. But don't get me wrong, I'm very happy about that! There is nothing I love more than to stay inside with a hot cup of tea in front of a warm fire, and watch the snow fall outside. I especially love it because it allows me to stay inside and begin my winter hibernation, catch up on all the Tv shows I've missed and finally begin that book I've been wanting to read for months... 

Do you guys agree? What do you like to do when stuck inside on a rainy/snowy day?

More soon, 

Helen

x

Essie Sugar Daddy X Bourjois Manicure Laser Toppings

Hello Lovelies!

You might have already guessed that I love fashion, but when it comes to makeup and nails, I'm afraid I let the girly side down. I'm not a 'typical girl', in that I don't tend to get excited about the new makeup 'must-have' or nail polish shade. Nevertheless, occasionally a product or two will catch my eye and I'll give it a go. When it comes to nails, I like understated and natural shades, that don't draw too much attention. That's probably due to the fact I'm constantly biting my nails and they never seem to be in good shape. Surprisingly, a few weeks ago I noticed my nails were looking pretty decent, and so I grabbed the opportunity to experiment with two new polishes: 

Essie Sugar Daddy and Bourjois Laser Toppings. 

Essie Sugar Daddy / £7.99

I started with fresh, clean nails that had no polish on them. I applied one coat of Essie Sugar Daddy which left my nails naturally glossy with a lovely shine. Essie has become one of my favourite nail brands, as their collection of natural shades are perfect for understated nail lovers, like me. I love this light pink shade as it provides an effortless, classic look which complements every outfit. Although slightly expensive (£7.99 for one small bottle), I think Essie polishes are great value, long-lasting and very versatile.

Bourjois Laser Toppings / £5.99

After I applied the Essie shade, I decided to jazz things up a little bit by applying a coat of Bourjois Laser Toppings. I had been instantly attracted to the pot of gold glitter in the store. My friend actually bought it first and when I saw it sparkling on her nails the next time we met up, I knew I also had to have it! The polish adds a touch of sparkle to any manicure and although I wouldn't wear this glitter all the time, I think it is perfect for the upcoming Christmas festivities. Apply one generous coat and you'll quickly have gorgeous, glitter nails that will make you shine during these dark winter nights. 

More soon, 

Helen

x

* My Week in Pictures *

Hello lovelies! 

Here is a selection of photos that I've taken over the last week or two. If you follow me on Instagram, you'll no doubt have already seen them, but hey, who doesn't love looking at pictures of pretty flowers and cupcakes?! It's definitely that time of year again when my cappuccino intake shoots through the roof, and the cold weather gives me a never-ending chocolate craving (hence why I have so many pictures of tasty looking treats). Unfortunately, I don't eat cupcakes everyday (if only!). It was actually my grandma's birthday a few weeks back and my mum baked those amazing looking cakes, and we also gave her the beautiful bouquet of red, pink and cream roses from M&S. 

I spent one lazy morning rediscovering the wonderful 'Unseen Vogue' book, full of behind-the-scene pictures that have never been published in the magazine. It's a great book for fashion photography inspiration, and I recently saw it priced on Amazon for a few pounds second-hand, so I'd definitely recommend it to all you fashionistas out there!

You may have also noticed The Nightmare Before Christmas themed pictures that I posted over the Halloween weekend. The inner goth in me loves Halloween as I'm able to watch all my favourite spooky Tim Burton movies, (like I need an excuse!) and The Nightmare Before Christmas is possibly my all time fav! I've loved it since I was about eight years old, and I'm forever dreaming of creating my own Sally costume for Halloween, but every year as October swings round, I always seem to be too busy. I was a pathetic 'vampire' this year, which I'll admit was a rubbish attempt, haha! :)

Anyways, I'm about to begin another very busy, coursework packed week of uni, but I'm staying positive and trying to enjoy each day as much as possible. I recently came across this Roald Dahl quote from the book, 'The Twits' and I thought it was rather lovely;

"If you have good thoughts, they will shine out of your face

like sunbeams and you will always look lovely".

Be sure to follow me on Instagram to see more of my weekly pics! 

More soon, 

Helen

x

* Clueless *

(Check Dress + Bag - ASOS / Pink Jumper - Select / Boots - Office / Jacket - New Look)

Hello lovelies!

This week has quite literally been non-stop. From completing a mountain of coursework, to catching up with old friends, I've been one busy bee! I am going to apologise in advance if my blogging pattern goes a little crazy. With my masters course being quite intense, blogging may have to be put on the back burner for a wee while. Don't worry, I definitely will continue to post as much as I can, although uni work will (unfortunately) have to come first. I realised this when, for the first time in a while, I found myself staying in on a Friday night rushing to complete coursework. I'm sure a lot of you out there can understand this though, and feel my pain! :)

Anyways, I wanted to share with you my favourite outfit at the moment. This cozy knit jumper is perfect for the fast approaching winter months, and keeps me warm during my morning commute to uni. I've loved this check dress for months now, as it allows me to channel Cher Horowitz from Clueless, who let's face it, everyone loves! I completed the look with my black biker jacket, and I was ready to face a full day of classes. 

More soon, 

Helen

x