Time flies

Sunday, 29 September 2013

Hey guys, so it doesn't feel like that long ago that I posted about mine and Jakes 2 years. Well now it's 3 years and I wanted to share a few pictures with you all. They aren't great quality as there wasn't a whole lotta light. But I tried my best and I had a great evening!

Watermelon and strawberry. Texas tostadas. BBQ chicken burger. Jake and the view from paramount cocktail bar. His n hers. Dreadful couple photo. Flowers from Interflora

These gorgeous flowers arrived at my office Friday morning and they were definitely welcome on my cluttered desk. As much as I didn't like having to work that day, Jake met me after and we had a really nice evening. We took a trip to the 32nd floor of the Paramount building for a drink and to watch the sunset. It was a pretty impressive view from up there. We soon felt pretty out of our comfort zone though and headed to Planet Hollywood in Picadilly. I'm a really picky eater so I'm not at all fussed about going to fancy restaurants, a good meal out for me is the Harvester! The atmosphere was great and the staff were so friendly. We really enjoyed the food, and would definitely go back...although we might try the 'Rainforest cafe' first? The puddings look incredible!

All in all I had a lovely evening and I can't believe how quickly the year has gone. Who knows what we will get up to next year. I guess you'll have to keep reading!

 

Megan xo

 

Autumn wishlist

Sunday, 22 September 2013

Hello autumn, I've missed you! 
Being the first day of autumn, it seemed fitting to post my wish list for this season. There is nothing I love more than being snuggled in my dressing gown with a hot cup of tea when its dark out. And I love it even more when I don't have to wait till 10pm for it to be dark. Autumn is definitely my favourite season by far, and it also holds my birthday which just makes it a million times better.


1. I love burning candles and I discovered this brand when I surprised my sister with a mini hamper after her she finished her MA. Warm welcome just sounds autumn-y and it has 5 stars on the website so it must be good, right?

2. Black ankle boots are a staple item for me during the colder months. Ballet pumps just aren't wise with all the rain we get (no one likes having soggy feet) so I live in boots. I realised during a rainy day last week that my current ankle boots have a hole somewhere at the bottom of the right foot, erghhh! These ones from New Look just look cosy.

3. If you follow me on Instagram then you've probably noticed that i'm a big fan of nail art. I have embraced neons and pastels this summer, but i'm excited to start using darker colours. Butter London nail varnishes are amazing, but just so expensive :(. I really like this mossy green sparkly colour though...maybe i'll put it on my birthday list!

4. Chapped lips+lipstick=dreadful combo. BUT, Benefit lipsticks are so so moisturising that I don't have to worry about that particular problem. These new 'hydra-smooth' lipsticks caught my eye and I have found my favourite shade in the collection. It's 'Talk flirty' and is a medium coverage pinky purple, perfect for everyday wear.

5. I spend a lot of time at work researching high street stores and looking at all the new items coming in. With the dramatic change in weather that we have seen over the last couple of weeks, high street stores are quickly stocking thick snuggly jumpers and cardigans for the cold weather we will be having for probably the next 8 months. This cardigan from River Island caught my eye at work on Tuesday, and I haven't stopped going back on the site to look at it. I am seriously struggling to dress appropriately for the weather at the minute.I dress for the cold temperatures but then get too hot on the train to work. I think this cardigan is perfect- snuggly enough for the train journey but not too thick that I can't wear it under a coat when walking around London.

Now the only problem I have is what to buy first?!


Megan xo

'Probably shouldn't have done that'

Tuesday, 17 September 2013

The title pretty much sums up what my bank balance was saying to me after I walked out of Boots on Sunday. My response was 'be quiet, they are necessary purchases.' Besides, it was buy one get one half price so it's justified right?
1. EcoTools eyeshadow brush- so I may already have this brush but its just so fluffy I had to have another.
2. Real techniques expert face brush- another brush to add to my little collection, I don't really need it, but I'll use it anyway. It's a good brush, and not a bad price!
3. Bourjois Delice de soleil- I had the chocolate block, so now I'm going to try this one. I don't really use bronzer that often (I don't think I have any cheek bones to contour but hey, it's handy to have.
4. Rimmel Wake me up foundation in ivory- I've had this foundation before and I liked it. It has good coverage, doesn't dry out my skin and also doesn't slide off my face as quickly as some others. It's a handy one to have on weekdays when I'm just going to work.
5. Revlon lip butter in cupcake- I bought one of these in the shade 'raspberry pie' as soon as they came out, and I love them when the weather gets colder. They're super moisturising, and such lovely colours. Perfect for autumn.

6. Benefit they're real mascara- I'm actually very surprised I didn't buy this mascara as soon as everyone started raving about it. Good willpower Megan, well done! 'Claps self', but when I spotted that at the moment, you get a free travel size one with it (perfect for my carry around make up bag) I couldn't resist any longer. Very good mascara, however it rubs off very easily which isn't good for someone who picks their eyelashes!

7. Benefit Rockateur blusher- I needed a new blusher, this ones new, and the sales advisor was very good at her job. Need I say more? I like it, and the shimmer goes away after a few uses which is handy for me as I'm not in to sparkly blushers.

8. Time for the grand finale, the Yves Saint Laurent le teint touché éclat foundation- expensive? Yes. Worth it? Who knows, haven't used it yet. Why? This is my first high end foundation (other than the Clinique one that was too dark for my skin when I was 15) and I wanted to treat myself to a decent one. I took myself to a counter, and then didn't know what shade I was so I completely trusted the woman behind the counter. We will soon see if she was any good at her job.


I may have to wait a little while until my next make up haul, my bank card is still crying in my purse.

Megan xo

Choc caramel

Friday, 13 September 2013

Hey guys, quick recipe post for you today. Since the GBBO has been back on, all I want to do is bake. So I did, and here it is. Chocolate cupcakes with chocolate and caramel drizzle!

Stir 125g of sugar and 2tbsp of water together in a heavy based pan, put on a medium heat until the sugar dissolves and then turn up the heat and wait until it starts to look like the below image (do not stir during this process!)

When it starts looking like caramel. Take off the heat and stir in 25g of butter and 70ml of double cream, leave to cool.
Sift 100g of plain flour, 140g of caster sugar, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, pinch of salt and 20g cocoa powder. Add 40g of butter and mix. Gradually add an egg, 1/4 tsp vanilla essence and 120ml milk, don't over mix. Divide between 12 cases or double up for 24 ;). Cook at 170 degrees, or 150 degrees in a fan oven for 20 minutes ish, or until skewer comes out clean.
Sift 375g of icing sugar and mix with 120g of butter and 35ml milk. Use a big star nozzle to create this look with the buttercream (or do whatever you want,) drizzle your caramel over the top, and if that isn't enough, melt some chocolate and put that on top too.

Don't worry, you can thank me later!

Megan xo

August round up

Saturday, 7 September 2013

Very small round up this month, not a lot has happened other than my holiday. Been earning the pennies!

Watermelon nails. Cream tea. New garden furniture. Jake on a homemade zip wire. Holiday nails. Double chocolate gateaux. Burgers at The Diner. Dirty Dancing future cinema. Date night in Southend.


I have a few things planned already for September so hopefully the next round up will have more pictures and be slightly more interesting for those of you who like these posts!

Have a good weekend guys :)

Megan xo

 

Date night

Monday, 2 September 2013

Hey guys,

Jake and I ventured over to Southend-on-sea yesterday for date night. I was super excited to go to the aquarium and walk along the sea front with sausage and chips. We are terrible at making and sticking to plans, half the time we end up staying home watching tv but I was determined to have a full weekend of plans. I spent Friday in London after work with a friend from Wallis and on Saturday I went to the 'Future Cinema, presents Dirty Dancing' in Hackney with my mum and sister (which was really good.)

I know the pictures are awful quality (blame the iPhone), but how pretty is this sunset? A round of mini golf under the twinkling lights of the adventure park and a couple of doughnuts later, we headed home to catch up on celebrity juice and have a big mug of tea.


Megan xo