My May Favourites!

      Where is time going? Did May even happen? It has passed by so quickly! Anyway, here are a few things that I've been loving this month:

• Sleek Makeup Face Form Contouring and Blush Palette – I’ve only started using this product towards the end of May, but I fell in love with it instantly! The packaging is gorgeous and so, well, sleek. This contouring palette (which I have in the colour light) includes 3 beautiful colours: a contour, a highlight and a blush. This contour palette gives my face such great definition and I especially love the pretty highlighter. It’s a great product with a low price!

•  L’Oréal Paris Superstar Mascara – When I first heard about this mascara I was more than sceptical as it claims to give a ‘false lash’ effect. However, after trying it, it's now one of my favourite mascaras – and I’m very fussy about mascara. The white primer instantly makes my lashes appear thicker and the black top coat gives my (very short) lashes amazing length.

• Aussie Frizz Miracle Shampoo and Conditioner – Whenever I let my hair dry naturally it becomes a frizzy mess. It is untameable. Even straightening doesn’t rid my hair of frizz. But then I found these in Boots and they're the best things that have ever happened to my hair! They leave my hair soft, shiny and frizz-free!

• Multiply -   I’ve loved listening to Ed Sheeran’s album, Multiply, throughout the month of May. Two of my favourite songs off the album are Photograph and Tenerife Sea. I think they are both such beautiful songs and I’m constantly singing them (badly). They've been helping me get through revision, making it more bearable - well, as bearable as revision can be.

• Gossip Girl – I know, I know I’m about 8 years late, but I started to watch Gossip Girl near the start of the month on Netflix and it’s now my favourite TV show. It also helped my procrastination as I should have been revising (oops!). Priorities. Over the summer I will definitely be binge watching all of the seasons. The only problem with watching Gossip Girl? It makes me want to go to New York sooo much more than I already did.

Source here

What did you love throughout May?

Sarah-Michelle x

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Summer Lovin' #1: Nail Polish

As summer is fast approaching, I thought I would start a series called Summer Lovin’ and every week write about beauty products that I love during the summer months. This week it’s nail polish!

The other day I was rummaging through my – fairly large – collection of nail polishes, trying to decide which colour to paint my nails. I came across two colours that I absolutely adored last summer, but had completely forgotten about: ‘Blueberry’ from the Barry M Gelly Hi Shine range and ‘Instyle Coral’ by Rimmel London (which sadly is no longer available, so I hope the one I have doesn't dry up any time soon!).

Both polishes glide onto your nails easily to give a perfectly even finish. Usually, I only put one coat of these on (because I’m lazy, and don’t want to wait for the top coat to dry before putting another on) but I find they are vibrant enough that you really only need one coat.

 I will definitely be wearing these as much as I did last year, if not more! 

What nail polish will you be wearing this summer?

Sarah-Michelle x

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THE BEST BROWNIE RECIPE

I first made these brownies 2 years ago and they were so delicious that they were devoured within a day! Brownies are my go-to if I feel like baking. They're perfect with a cuppa or a glass of milk, and they're wonderfully chocolate-y. 

INGREDIENTS:

325g caster sugar

300g dark chocolate 

275g unsalted butter 

175g plain flour

4 large eggs

1tsp baking powder

1tsp vanilla essence

EQUIPMENT: 

Large mixing bowl

Sieve 

Rectangular baking tray 

Baking paper

Saucepan

Bowl

First things first, you need to preheat your oven to 170C/325F/Gas Mark 3 and line your baking tray with the grease proof paper.

Then the baking can beginning!

METHOD:

Melt the chocolate and butter together in a bowl over a saucepan of hot water. While the chocolate is melting, sieve the flour and baking powder into the mixing bowl. Once the chocolate and butter has melted (it smells amazing), remove it from the heat and stir in the caster sugar. Then, beat the four eggs and add the teaspoon of vanilla essence. You can then add all of the ingredients together (if you want you can add marshmallows, nuts, chocolate chips, or anything you want at this point to the brownies), and fold the mixture. Spread the mixture evenly in the baking tray and put in the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is firm and the middle is soft and squishy.

Try to refrain from eating them straight away and leave them to cool. Then you can cut them into small squares and enjoy! 

If you make the brownies, feel free to tweet me a picture! :-)

Sarah-Michelle x

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Dressed Like A Daydream

As well as her incredible voice, amazing live shows and legs that go on forever, Taylor Swift is also known for her style, and I adore everything that she wears!

Seriously, can I have her wardrobe (and legs) please?

When my bestie and I see pictures of Taylor, or one of her videos on TV, we have to admire her outfits. They always look perfect. Whether she's on the red carpet, walking around New York, or even going to the gym, her outfits are always on point! So, here are just a few of my favourite Taylor outfits!

Sarah-Michelle x

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*All images are from Pinterest

What I Want To Do This Summer

Image from Tumblr

It’s that time of year again in the UK.

Yep, it’s exam season. *Sobs*

On the plus side, it’s only a month until my summer holidays start and then I have about 8 weeks of freedom (until I start panicking about results that is). So, I thought I would share with you some of the things I hope to do this summer!

The best notificaton I've recieved all week.

One of the things I plan to do is eat better, exercise more and be healthier in general. I’ve never been good at sticking to exercise regimes or eating plans, but I feel like summer is a good time to start fresh! School is over, exams are finished and that means more time and less chocolate as a means of coping with stress! Less chocolate, not No chocolate because, let’s face it, I don’t have the will power for that.

I really want to start taking more photographs! I love photography and this summer, now that I actually have a decent camera, I want to carry it with me everywhere I go and take some Tumblr-worthy (hopefully) shots of everything I see.

And what better way to capture the most picturesque landscapes and do a bit of exercise than to go on a hike? A couple of years ago I took part in the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and really enjoyed the hiking part of it - lugging an 80 litre rucksack full of stuff around, not so much. But I definitely want to go hiking again!

A photo I took while on a hike a few years ago.

I also want to start learning to drive this summer. I’ve been 17 for a while now (almost a year actually, scary), and figure it’s time to start taking driving lessons. I want to be able to drive myself places and not pester my parents every time I want to go shopping.

In August I’m going to see one of my all time favourite bands, All Time Low, with some of mi amigos and I cannot wait!

What do you want to do this summer?

Sarah-Michelle x

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My Top 5 Beauty Products

1. Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation

I use this foundation daily and I think it’s perfect for everyday use. It’s lightweight and, as it’s a serum, it’s good for drier skin.  It doesn’t stick to the drier patches on your face, leaving them obvious, and it has a dewy finish.  It also has a fruity smell which is a bonus!

2. Barry M Brow Kit

I used to fill my eyebrows in with eyeshadow due to my lack of any other eyebrow product. So, when I saw this brow kit I immediately bought it, and I definitely do not regret it! Since I’ve started to use this product I’ve been told so many times that my eyebrows are ‘on point’ which is always nice to hear!

3. Burt's Bees Lip Balm

 I don’t think I could live without this Lip Balm. My lips get quite chapped, but this leaves them feeling so soft and smooth. I don’t have to apply it as often as other lip balms either, and so it lasts for a long time. Burt’s Bees is an essential that I have to carry with me everywhere!

4. Soap & Glory Hand Food Hand Cream

I’ve never been a fan of hand creams because I hate how greasy my hands feel afterwards and it feels like if I hold anything it could slide out of my hands at any moment. However, I can’t say the same for the Soap & Glory hand cream. It leaves my hands feeling silky smooth and completely grease-free! And it smells amazing too, like every Soap & Glory product.

5. Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie Lip Gloss

 Some lip glosses can have a very thick, sticky consistency which is unpleasant to wear, but the Marvelous Moxie lip gloss by Bare Minerals is the opposite! While adding shine to your lips, it adds a hint of colour as well and it also makes your lips look fuller to give you the perfect pout!

What's your favourite beauty product?

Sarah-Michelle x

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