Oats!

 Starting the day with a bowl of warm oats is one of my favourite breakfasts. Adding them to pancakes, muffins or even using them in my peanut butter cookies makes them so much healthier. But did you know they also have various skin benefits?

Oats play an important role in fighting acne or dryness. They are anti-inflammatory and absorb dirt, getting rid of all impurities. When applied to skin, if helps it form a protective barrier, reducing symptoms of itchiness, dryness and rashes. Even the Ancient Arabs and Egyptians believed they made you beautiful!

Make a simple face mask by mixing 30g oats, 1/4 teaspoon sugar, 1tsp honey, and 30ml water. Apply to a damp face for 15 to 20 minutes. Interested in more face masks? Click here and  for a collection of them!

You can also make a moisturising face scrub by finely grounding 1tbsp of them and mixing them with a finely ground tbsp of almonds. Add some water and use.

They are also a natural cleanser- when wet with lukewarm water they release a milky liquid that can be applied to the face. Pore size will become significantly smaller and leave your skin feeling silky.

Did you know of their various uses? Comment below!

Old Hollywood Star Looks

Ever wondered what secrets the Hollywood divas had to maintain their looks? Marilyn had her dewy skin, Audrey her baby-doll eyes and Katherine her clear complexion- all obtained through using simple tips and tricks which are easily achievable even now. Read on :)

Marilyn Monroe
She was famous for her Hollywood glow, which she maintained using a hormone cream. She layered that and powder foundation on top of each other to create a radiant base that shimmered on camera. The downside was she grew a fine layer of peachy-blonde hair over her face, which she was encourage to shave off but refused.
Get the look by mixing a pearlascent primer with a liquid foundation.




Audrey Hepburn
She was the Queen of the baby-doll look with a slick of liquid eye liner to create a feline flick, and a fine layer of mascara on the upper lashes. There is a rumour that she got her lashes so natural looking by separating them with a pin after applying mascara- ouch!
Get the look by using a mascara that allows you to build volume and a pen eye liner to make drawing the flick easier.




Marlene Dietrich
This German actress bravely shaved off all of her eyebrows and drew them on with a kohl pencil everyday, obtaining perfectly shaped brows. She never used mascara on her bottom lashes as she thought they cast a shadow creating the look of dark circles.
Get the look by defining your brows accentuating their natural shape. Fill them with powder or a brow mascara.




Vivien Leigh
Her perfect complexion was due to her customised skincare regime which used hand-mixed aromatic oils which also was common with English royalty.
Get the look by treating your skin to an aromatic facial. Run a clean flannel under a hot tap, applying relaxing essential oils such as lavender or tea tree, and place on your face to steam. Blast your face with cold water and pat dry. Massage a face oil or cream in to moisturise.

Greta Garbo
Her famous eye make-up was created with a thin layer of petroleum jelly over the lids, covered with skin-tone powder, and blended a darker shade in the crease to create deep-set eyes.
Get the look by using a good eye primer and a shimmery eye shadow.





Bette Davis
Her eyes were legendary- but how did she keep them that way? The simple method of placing cucumbers on her eyes and applying petroleum jelly under her eyes every night to protect against puffiness and dark circles.
Get the look by protecting the under eye area with eye cream and also applying cumber still works!

Grace Kelly
Her classic beauty was emphasised by an easy make-up trick. The illusion of high cheek bones was created by contouring her face with two different shades of blusher.
Get the look by using a blusher and a bronzer to shade and define your face.






Sophia Loren
This Italian actress used olive oil to stay beautiful. She included at least 2 tablespoons of oil in her food everyday, rubbed a small amount into her face and added a few capfuls to a hot bath for a nourishing soak.
Get the look by using olive oil as a great natural moisturiser for your body, or buy olive oil based products.







Katherine Hepburn
She kept her complexion in top condition by exfoliating regularly. She massaged a mixture of sugar, warm water and lemon juice into her skin followed up with a splash of cold water to tighten the pores.
Get the look by exfoliating just like her!

What's your favourite tip then? Comment below! xx

Spring/Summer 2014 Inspiration

This is the time of year when I am most happy as spring has finally 'sprung'. Goodbye to scarves, hats and coats, because we can finally wear all the nice new season clothes we have been yearning after. There are some trends I look forward to more than others, here they are:

Soft silky fabrics.............. just what I was missing after a cold winter season. The flattering prints are ultra-feminine and I think are ideal for a sunny weekend. 

 Big statement accessories and florals are staples that bring outfits to life. Watch out for when sparkles are added to the mix because that is when it becomes a killer combination!

Prim pastels are also anther staple that is around when the weather gets warmer. They are used everywhere lately and look their best when contrasted with bright shades.

 Every year I've made it kind or a habit to buy myself a new pair of sunnies. Transparent, leopard, round, there are so many types to suit different outfits and moods I just can't get enough of them!

One trend I'm glad doesn't go away and is there every year is stripes. What would I do without my trusty Breton top and jeans? It is definitely my outfit to go to.

Metallics is such a cool trend I really need to try and embrace. It adds impact to any outfits and even little details of it can make an outfit look glamorous. Lace is also everywhere, making outfits look delicate and detailed.

Band tees.......what better way to make people know your favourite band? I especially love these as they can be amazing conversation starters, and can even be dressed up.

So, what trends do you love the most from the sunny seasons? Comment below!

How to ......Zzzzzzzzzzz

Mock exams have filled my past week with revision and I know most people think it is very stressful. Switching off to go to sleep can be hard, so I have put together the tips I think work best.

Don't you just love these? - Sold here

1) Don't Clock Watch
Counting down the hours you have left to sleep (I'll get 3 hours if I fall asleep now..)will make you panic. Don't look at your alarm, and if you do wakeup, tell yourself its 2am. You will stop panicking and be able to get a few hours of sleep before you get up.

2) Turn Down The Heat
Cold temperatures make you fall asleep more easily than hot ones.Your body temperature also drops when you are asleep, rising only when you start to wakeup again. If you are then cold, grab a pair of socks and hot water bottle.

3)Thought Blocking
Do you know why they say you should count sheep to get to sleep? It is a word with no emotional connotations and so can help you distract from your worries. Repeat it over in your head for about 3-5 minutes and you will feel much calmer.

4)Keep A Routine
If you get to sleep and wakeup every morning at roughly the same time, your body will start getting used to it, expecting sleep at those hours.

5)Blackout
Make sure it is completely dark when your get to sleep. Invest in an eye mask if necessary.

6)Don't Hit The Snooze Button
Getting up straight after the alarm goes off automatically lifts your mood, so will make you face your day better.

Sleep well!! xx

Review | Graze Boxes + FREE box for you!

...just arrived

A few weeks ago I got given a voucher for one of these great snack boxes, and I just fell in love with them! For the people that don't know about graze, they are a company that send healthy snacks to you in the post. All the boxes are nutritionally balanced, with different types to choose from to suit your needs. The boxes are also 100% recyclable and each one fits through the letter box. If you want to try it out and get your 1st, 5th and 10th one free click on this link, there is no commitment and you can cancel any time!

As soon as you sign up you get asked to rate the snacks and get sent four of them, plus a booklet detailing its nutritional information. Favourites from my first box must be the Honeycomb Crunch which had coated milk chocolate, raisins and almonds and also the Cookies and Cream with mini chocolate cookies, roasted hazels, white chocolate buttons and sunflower seeds.

From my second box I loved the Garden of England dried fruits and the Fruity Mango Chutney! 

Overall these boxes have been a great hit in my family, especially with my parents, which, food-wise are very hard to please. They offer a great alternative to snacking on crisps and cookies, making a satisfying snack on-the-go. I await every box with excitement as I am just too curious to taste all the snacks they have.

Remember to click on the link here to get your free boxes!

xxx