Baking | Nutella Christmas Muffins

Nutella has got to be one of my favorite things. I love baking with it so I thought I would give Nutella muffins a try! Since it's Christmas I decided to decorate them like little Christmas puddings. (My boyfriend doesn't like Christmas pudding/cake so he loved these!)

Ingredients

I forgot to put the Nutella in the photo... Oops!

• Self raising flour - 1.5 cups 
• Sugar - 0.5 cups 
• Butter - 0.5 cups
• Nutella - 0.5 cups
• Milk - 1 cup
• 2 Medium Eggs
• Dark chocolate - 1 bar cut  into little pieces (or you can buy chocolate chips!)
• Ready to roll icing
• Gel food colours (they need to be gel food colours as they will not affect the icing consistency)
• Muffin Tins
• Cake/muffin cases (I found this mixture made around 20 cupcake size muffins, I cooked them in 2  batches but if you use muffin cases you should get 12 from this mixture.

Method

• Preheat oven to Gas Mark 6 
• Line muffin tins with cake cases
• Mix together butter and sugar
• Stir in Eggs one at a time
• Stir in milk and nutella
• Mix until smooth
• Mix in flour little by little
• Stir in chocolate chunks

Mixture should look a little like this

• Put mixture into cake cases.
• Bake for around 15 min
• Leave to cool on wire rack

• Once cool roll out icing thinly and cut 'drippy icing' shapes (see picture)

• Use a dot of nutella to stick the shapes to each cake
• Split some left over icing into two balls
• Use the gel food coloring to make one ball green and one ball red. (this might get a bit messy so use some icing sugar to stop your hands getting to sticky)

• shape the green ball in to holly leaf shapes
• Stick two leaves to each cake with a dot of nutella
• Roll red icing into small balls
• Stick two or 3 to each cake as the holly berries
• Enjoy your Christmas pudding nutella muffins!

Do you have any Christmasy Baking ideas?
Will you be trying these?

Blogmas Day 12 | MUA Matte Lipstick Wild Berry

I love the MUA £1 lipsticks and my favorite lipstick formula is matte. So imagine my delight when I wander into Superdrug and find MUA have added matte formulas into their collection. There was only 3 colours left in the shop, but out of the ones there this one really stood out to me. It looks very scary, a kind of deep purple/burgundy colour. When its on the lips its a really nice purpley red. I really like it! I'm a bit disappointed it doesn't come out as dark as it looks but i guess that's a good thing for wear ability. (This lipstick is very wearable, day and night!). The formula isn't to drying and its not as 'matte' as my other matte lipsticks but it gives a really nice look. Just make sure you moisturise and exfoliate your lips before wearing it or it will cling to any dry parts.

For £1 I cant recomend it enough and can't wait to try the other colours in the range!

You can find them in super drug or on the MUA store!
Have you tried the new Matte Lipsticks from MUA?
LEt me know what you think! :)

Blogmas Day 11 | Seventeen Doll'd Up Mascara

Sorry for not blogging yesterday, I was not feeling well and didn't have the energy to blog. I'm back today and feeling much better! 

This Is definitely one of my favorite mascaras I have tried. I didn't like it at all when I first tried it and so it was put away for a little while. I got it out one day after the mascara I was using ran out and I'm so glad i decided to give it another go! 

I'm not usually fan a of the plastic brushes but something about this one doesn't bother me at all. It's straight on one side then curved on the other meaning it's great for getting at lover lashes and into the corners. It gives my eyelashes a fair bit of volume and is really lengthening! I don't really care to much for lengthening normally as  my lashes are naturally long but this is just amazing! I get really good compliments from people when I wear this mascara and even get asked if I have eyelash extensions! It gives a really nice effect after just one coat but can be built up for a really nice dramatic look! 

This mascara is only £6.29 which really is a bargain! You can find it in boots stores and on their website.

Have you tried this mascara?
Whats your favorite mascara?
Let me know!

Blogmas Day 9 | My Spot Fighting Bargin Picks

It's the time of year when a lot of parties are going on and so is the last time you want a nasty breakout! I suffer from acne on my face and body (gross I know) and have tried a lot of stuff over the years to try and combat it. The stuff from the doctors never seemed to for for me, or it left me with horribly dry and painful skin. I don't have a very big budget being a student so I can't try most of the wonder products I read about in blogs. I know a lot of people suffer, like me, and also don't have that kind of budget. I thought I'd share my favorites with a lower price tag.

Boots Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Foaming Face Wash

This for me is the best thing I have ever tried for combating those pesky spots. I use it daily in the shower. It works best if you use it twice a day. Often foaming face washes 'defoam' once you put them on your face but this one stays foamy until you rinse it away. It feels really gentle on the skin but really does the job! Using this clears my spots within a few days and helps prevent bad breakouts. I use this on the parts of my body prone to acne (mainly my back) and it works wonders there too! It's really cheap at just £3.59. 

Boots Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Back Spray

When I saw this I instantly wanted to try it. I have never seen products targeted at acne on the body before and this range seem to be bringing out other body products too. This is a spray which makes treating bacne really quite easy as normally I cant reach there very well.. Spray it on at least twice a day and let it do its job! It's also really refreshing when you spray it on. Again really cheap at £4.99

Quick Fix Facials Anti-Blemish Mud Mask

Now I have herd a lot about how mud masks are great for spot prone skin. I wouldn't call this a wonder product however with regular use (about once or twice a week depending on how oily your skin is) helps prevent bad breakouts and calm breakouts that you do have. Face masks can be expensive but this tube is just £4.99 and you can get around 10 face masks out of it. 

No7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing Brush

Admittedly this isn't very cheap however, compared to other cleansing face brushes this is a steal! I use it once or twice a week and my face feels so clean after! I use it with any face soap I have to hand and I love it. It took a while for my skin to get used to it, my skin is very sensitive, but making sure there's plenty of face wash on my face and keeping the brush wet I don't have a problem. It's not necessarily a spot treatment, but when trying to fight spots its essential you make sure your face is really clean and completely  rid of makeup. It also exfoliates the skin which really helps with healing spots. It's fairly expensive at £24.95 but compared to similar things (I have seen them sell for around £200) Its a really good deal. Plus Boots often have £5 off vouchers which you can use to get the price down a bit. I have had mine since they first launched and its still going strong from the same batteries, and a few drops, so definitely a sound investment!

You can find all these products at Boots!

Have you tried any of these products?
Whats your top spot fighting product?
Let me know!

Blogmas Days 8 | Diorskin NudeTan

I think that this is probably more of a summer product to write about. However, since I use it daily I thought I would write about it now!

I have this in the shade 001 Aurora. I'm not sure the true purpose of this product however, I use it as a bronzer/contour/make my face look more alive type of product. It looks really shimmery in the pan but it deffinatley doesnt look this shimmery when its on, I wear it pretty much every day and the shimmer is not a problem for me. There are two lighter, slightly pinky, quarters and two darker, more brown, quarters, I swirl my brush around all the colours to mix them up then put in the contour of my cheeks and blend upwards. I then take whats left on the brush and put it under my jawline and over my forehead. I feel this makes me look more healthy, especially when all the colour in my face is hidden with foundation. Maybe that's why its called Healthy Glow Enhancing Powder?! 

Another thing I love about this product is the packaging is stunning!

It comes in this silver compact which is just beautiful (however very prone to finger marks). It also has a large mirror which I never use but I guess is good for on the go makeup. This is definitely a luxury product, then again I wouldn't expect less from Dior. 

Overall I absolutely love this product! However would I repurchase it? Probably not, for the one and only fact... The price! It is around £37.  

Have you tried this?
What are you're Dior makeup recommendations?

Blogmas Day 7 | MAC Woodwinked Eye Shadow

 I recently did a MAC haul blog post in which I mentioned a review of this eye shadow coming soon! Well here it is. I'm not all clued up on what the different formula names mean (this is my only MAC Eye shadow) but apparently this one is a Veluxe Pearl which is nice. I assume the pearl bit is talking about the way it's shiny, but not in a shimmer way, more metalic but like a peal (can you tell I have no idea whatsoever) I love bronze eye shadow as I think it goes well with my blue/grey eyes. I wear this quite a lot blending it, on its own, all over the lid and into the crease. This looks really nice as when its blended it seems to go darker so it looks like a lot more effort was taken than was. I also like layering this over Maybelline's colour tattoo in On and on Bronze. I put the colour tattoo over the lid, blend Woodwinked into the crease and outer third. That is one of my favorite eye looks for day and night. The formula of the eye shadow is really soft and blendable and has amazing pigmentation.  Definitely a great all rounder for me!

You can find this eye shadow here!

Whats your favorite MAC eye shadow?
Let me know! :)

Blogmas Day 6 | Red Lips

Whats more festive than a bright red lip and a moody picture? (Probably a less moody picture).

 Red is probably my favorite lip colour to wear. It's classic, fun and good for day or night. For day 6 I'm going to share my favorite products for red lips!

No7 Precision Lips Pencil - Fire

This is one of those twisty up crayon type lip liners. I prefer these because no sharpening = no mess. Its really soft and doesn't pull on the lips to much. It's a really nice red, slightly darker than the Revlon lipstick. Sometimes i wear this alone all over the lips or, underneath the Revlon lipstick. It lasts a long time depending, obviously, on how much I'm not eating/drinking.

Revlon Matte Lipstick - Real Red

Real Red is my favorite red colour I have ever owned/swatched in a shop. Matte lips are my favorite. I find they last longest, look best on me and are usually pretty kiss proof (Cheeky!) 

Ohh.. I do love a swatch!

In the picture above I layered this over the No7 lip liner. Both products are really long lasting but together they last a lot longer! I also find putting the lip liner on first makes putting on the lipstick a lot easier.

You can find both of these here!

Have you tried either of these?
Whats your favorite red lipstick?
Let me know!

Blogmas Day 5 | 'Tis The Season For Dry Lips

It's around this time of year, the days get colder and the wind picks up, my lips tend to suffer a lot. Dry painful lips are not a good look, I'm sure I'm not the only one that sufferers so I thought I'd share my favorite remedies.

Carmex

I love both the original and cherry flavor. The original version is definitely the best, it has a thicker formula and instantly soothes lips and works a lot better than the cherry flavor. The cherry flavor tastes and smells a lot better but the formula is a lot thinner and feels more greasy on the lips. It does the job but something about it doesn't seem quite as good.

Maybelline Baby Lips - Cherry me

I didn't get this to long ago however, I have really fell in love with it. Its easy to apply on the go, feels really moisturizing on my lips and gives a subtle hint of colour. Also I love cherry flavored things so that's a double bonus.

Have you tried any of these?

What would you recommend?
Let me know what you think.

Blogmas Day 4 - New Start, New Notebook

After starting blogmas I soon realized what my problem with blogging regularly before had been. I have terrible organisational skills. I had a little notebook, but I used it for pretty much everything. (Blogging, shopping lists, uni notes...) I decided I needed a special blogging only notebook. I love stationary so looking for one was not a chore at all! I settled on this one, it has three sections so I can divide up different types of lists; section 1 for blog post ideas, section 2 for things I need to photograph for each post and section 3 for when I get lazy and want to use the notebook for other stuff. It's A5 so fine for carrying in my handbag for on the go ideas.  Plus its orange which is my favorite colour so always a bonus!

(I blurred out my list so you can't be cheeky and see what I have planned haha!)

Hopefully my new more organised system (notebook) should help me keep up with blogmas, and maybe even mean I can keep blogging regularly in the new year. We shall see...

I got this notebook from WHSmiths and it was £4.99. You can find it  here!

Blogmas Day 3 - November Favourites

For  today's post I thought I'd  share a few of my favorite (or most used) things from November.

MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation - NC15

I love this foundation! Although a little on the pricey side, compared to my usual foundation from boots, this is definitely worth the price tag. I have worn it nearly everyday since I got it. It matches my skin tone pretty much perfectly and it lasts a long time! I will be doing a full review on my blog soon so keep your eye out! Find it here!

Maybelline Colour Tattoo - On and On Bronze

This is pretty much a staple product in my makeup life. As you can probably tell I have used a lot of it! I wear it most days because it's so quick and easy. Just smudge it over the lid with my finger and I'm good to go. Its also a really good base for other bronze eye looks.

Find it here!

MAC Eye Shadow - Woodwinked

I love this eye shadow! It looks amazing on its own over the lid and blended in the crease. However, I have been putting it over the Maybelline colour tattoo recently and its a look I really like. There's a blog post for this coming soon too!

Find it here!

Carmex

This is a must have for me. When the weather starts getting colder my lips suffer a lot. I haven't found something that helps them as well as Carmex. Slather a bit of this on and my lips feel so much better!

Find it here!

Boots Coconut & Almond Intensive Hair Mask

My hair has been very dry recently and it tangles up really quickly no matter what I do. (I swear it practically dreadlocks within a day). To de-tangle it this works wonders. I wash my hair then lather a generous amount of this on and leave it for about 5 min. Its still a struggle but after this i can actually manage to brush through my hair without too much hair pulling. It smells pretty great too!

Find it here!

Boots - Topshop

I got these boots last year and they are still going strong which is pretty impressive since I wore them practically everyday. They are really warm and I love the way they look. They look great with boots, leggings and tights. They are comfy for long days walking around too!

You can find similar boots on the topshop website.

Jumper - Primark

I bought this jumper in early November and have wore it so much! It is really warm and comfy. Its soft to so no itchy arms like other jumpers I own. The length means I can wear it with jeans, leggings or shorts. I love the burgundy/purple and black colours. It is perfect for snuggling up in on a cold morning walk to lectures! I can't remember the exact price but I think it was around £14 and its available in other colours too!

The Fault in our Stars - John Green

I have never wrote about a book on my blog before but this one was so good I couldn't not include it in my faves! I cant really say much about the story line (I don't want to provide any spoilers). All I will say is if you like books that will make you laugh and cry (mainly on the train, not a good look for me) then this is the book! I recommend reading about it on amazon (or where ever you buy your books). I would say this tops the list of my favorite books!

I got mine of the amazon kindle store.

November seemed to go so quickly, it's still sinking in that its December already! 

Have you tried any of these?
Let me know what you think!

Blogmas Day 2 - Christmas Glitter Nails

Hello!
So I decided there was no better way of starting December than by giving my self a little Christmasy manicure. Red is the most festive colour I could think of, and whats Christmas without a dash of glitter?

I used Natural Collection's clear nail varnish as a base and top coat. I then applied 2 coats of Rimmel London's Lasting finish in Double Decker Red. I added a bit of BarryM Silver Glitter onto my ring fingers to try and create a gradient effect. (You could do it on every nail but I'm feeling lazy today). If you like glitter nails check out my previous post on them. (here!) I think these nails would be perfect for Christmas day.

You can find these nail polishes at Boots. (The Rimmel one is currently free when you buy 3 other Rimmel products)

Let me know what you think?

Blogmas Day 1...?

Never to old for an advent calender!

It's the second of December so not technically blogmas day one. However, I only just came back to reading blogs today after a weekend visiting home so today I start! I have been gone from blogging for about a month due to uni work, bloggers block and laziness.
I adore December. Big coats, cold nights and streets lit up. I get far to excited for Christmas and have the biggest urge to decorate everywhere! Also it's my birthday month so that's another thing to look forward too!
Hopefully blogmas will give me some much needed motivation to blog more! (Although I can't promise anything). Lets see how far I get!