Recipe - Catherine's Choc Chip Cookies

Andrew's sister Catherine makes THE best cookies ever, fact. Andrew loves them so much that for Christmas this year she put him together a little goodie bag with everything he needed to make the cookies himself. She is so incredibly crafty that she actually printed the design on the giftbag and the tag herself and she typed the recipe up beautifully on her typewriter; I am not bitter and jealous at all. Me and Andrew had a rare day off together today so we took the plunge and made the cookies and Catherine has kindly allowed me to share her delicious recipe with you all.

Catherine's Cookies

Ingredients

100g butter

100g Soft light brown sugar

1 Tbsp golden syrup

150g self raising flour

100g chocolate chips (mix of milk and white)

Recipe

1) Preheat oven to 180c/350f/Gas mark 4.

2) Line several baking trays with baking paper. (We didn't have any baking paper so we lightly greased the tray and hoped for the best!)

3) Place the butter and sugar in a bowl together and whisk until pale and creamy, then add the golden syrup into the mixture.

4) Add 75g of the flour and whisk until mixed.

5) Stir in the chocolate chips and the remaining flour.

6) Roll small pieces of the dough in your hands (Or accidentally eat it raw like I did - delicious!) then flatten the balls, place them on the tray and space well apart.

7) Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown.

8) Leave on the trays for 2-3 minutes to cool, they will fall a little.

9) Transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

10) Eat and enjoy!

We displayed our cookies on this beautiful glass cake stand which was actually my Christmas present from Andrew's sister, so thankyou very much if you are reading this Catherine! We are so pleased with how they came out; They were super quick and easy to make and are super yummy and gooey!

Let me know if you have any simple recipes for me to try out, I'd love to get more into baking this year!

Becca.

Review - Benefit 'She's So Jetset' Makeup Palette

For Christmas this year I was lucky enough to receive one of the Benefit makeup kits they bring out every year around the festive season. Benefit aren't a brand I have a lot of products from, I've tried a few of their items in the past and always ended up feeling they were a bit style over substance but since hearing such amazing things about the infamous 'They're Real' Mascara, I was ecstatic to receive this little box of treats under my Christmas tree.

One thing I cannot fault Benefit on is their packaging; They have such a retro 50's vibe to all their products and is just so very iconic to Benefit as a brand. The 'She's So Jetset' kit comes in a gorgeous little box complete with a mirror in the lid and contains all the bits you'd need to create an everyday subtle smoky eye look.

The gorgeous little set contains:

The POREfessional Face Primer

'Champagne Please' Eyeshadow

'Gold Card' Eyeshadow

'Pretty In Mink' Eyeshadow

'Elegant Espresso' Eyeshadow

'First Class' Face Powder & Brush

'Life on the A-List' Lipgloss

'They're Real!' Mascara

I actually really like everything included in the kit, there's nothing I won't use up but by far the stand out stars for me are definitely the face primer, which creates a silky soft base for your foundation, and the mascara which fans out and separates lashes for a full look. The eye shadows are buttery soft and very rich in pigmentation; They create the perfect soft smoky eye for day to day wear and have just the right amount of shimmer for a subtle glow.

I don't think I'll get as much use out of the face powder as I found it didn't have much colour pay off and I have other blushers I prefer but it is nice to have it in a little kit for if I'm travelling anywhere and don't want to take loads of other products with me. Similarly the lipgloss isn't really very 'me'. It is a very pretty pale pink with pearly shimmer and whilst it isn't ideal for my naturally pigmented lips, I could see it looking beautiful on someone who suits a good nude!

This is the makeup look I created using everything included in the Benefit Palette, please ignore my bedraggled looking hair, it is wet from getting out the shower. Overall I would highly recommend it if you are looking for a compact little kit that will provide you with all the basics for a really simple, natural and girly look. Even better, now it's past Christmas you can pick this little beauty up a lot cheaper! If you are interested, take a look here.

I hope you are all having a nice weekend and have enjoyed the first week of 2013! I am really loving eating healthier and I feel so much better for it already. I have been making loads of fresh fruit juices and smoothies in my liquidiser so I've been finding eating more fruit and veg really easy and enjoyable. How are your new years resolutions going?

Becca.

A Very Festive OOTD

Long time no see blog friends! If any of you work in retail I'm sure you know just how crazy it gets over the Christmas period but come January I should have a lot more free time to post more regularly. I spent Christmas day at my Aunty's house with my mum and my cousins and it was a lovely day, mainly spent cooing over baby Lily! I thought I'd show you what I wore to Christmas dinner, and throw in a few family photos for good measure!

Sequin Jumper - Topshop

Disco Pants - American Apparel

Boots - Pop (Independent shop in Leeds)

'Holloway' Bag - Radley

Lipstick - Revlon 'Spiced Brandy'

My mum bought me the American Apparel Disco Pants for Christmas so this was my first outing in them. I've been debating them for a while but I've tried them on a few times before and seemed to be between sizes and after my bad experience with the Topshop dupes I resigned myself to the fact that those super shiny leggings just weren't for me. I finally settled on a size and I now couldn't be happier, they are so comfy, they really do suck you in and they are such amazing quality! If you are between sizes, definately go for the smaller size as I find these have stretched loads already.

This jumper was another Christmas present from my mum (Isn't she lovely) and I love how long and slouchy it is! I'm not confident enough for the whole 'top tucked into disco pants' ensemble so I love that this gave me suitable bum and thigh coverage! I bought it from the tall section in Topshop as I do with most tops/jumpers so it is nice and long.

And now for a few family snaps...

Me and Mama Sav

Beautiful Baby Lily

Myself and the yummy mummy

Christmas cuddles with Lily

I hope you all had a very merry Christmas. I've been working none stop but I'm off for new year so can't wait to relax and catch up with friends over a tipple or two thousand! How did you all celebrate the festive period?

PS this is my last Christmas post I promise!

Becca.

The Holiday Tag!

Ok Im sorry but I cannot resist ANOTHER christmas related blog post! I literally cannot think about anything else at this time of year, I am filled with the joys of the festive season. I saw Fleur from Fleur De Force recently do 'The Holiday Tag' on her YouTube channel and I just knew I had to give it a go too, minus the talking to a camera obviously!

1) What's your favourite holiday nail polish? 

I actually purchased this only today but already I can tell Barry M's 'Red Glitter' (LOVE the original name) is going to be a firm favourite of mine this Christmas! It is completely opaque glitter in just 2 coats and will be perfect for when I go out to my work Christmas party next saturday.

2) What is your favourite holiday movie?

I find this question pretty much impossible to answer with just one film so I am going to have to say it's a toss up between Home Alone, Love Actually and The Holiday; All of which I have already watched this year!

3) Share your favourite winter accessory.

I love fur collars this winter, just as I did last year as I think they add a bit of glamour to any outfit. I'll throw one over my coat for a smarter look or just over a cardigan for a bit of extra warmth and texture! I have 2; both bought from H&M recently!

4) Describe or show your favourite tree ornament. 

As most of you know, this is myself and Andrew's first Christmas in our house so we have had to buy all our tree decorations from scratch. We have bought loads of little individual ones I absolutely love but by far my most favourite are the beautiful personalised ones we ordered off Ebay. They add such a personal touch to the tree and we can bring them out year after year.

5) If you could have one wish come true this year, what would it be?

My one wish this year is that I can worry about money a little less; I know money isn't everything but it would be so nice to be able to have a little extra money left over at the end of the month to save for something special.

6) If you could kiss one celeb under the mistletoe who would it be?

Okay, this is literally IMPOSSIBLE for me to pick just one as I am a total psycho pervert so I am simply going to have to share with you all my celeb top 5. Brace yourselves...

1- Francis Boulle - He can take me for a ride on his skateboard any day.

2- James Arthur - His voice is like sugar.

3- Dougie Poynter - Probably the most beautiful human being to ever walk the planet.

4- Michael Cera - Supergood not Superbad. 

5- Justin Bieber - Have you seen him recently???

7) What's your new year's resolution?

It's the obvious one and everyone says it but I really want to lose some weight; I wish I was one of those people who just ate food to survive, alas I love food. I also want to have a bit more of a life, I don't really go out or do anything, mainly because of my lack of money, but it would be nice to get out and do more.

8) What keeps you going during the "holi-daze"?

Work, work, work. I am very lucky to be in a job I really enjoy and work with such a lovely group of people; I think it's rare to find a job where you like every person you work with and actually enjoy being at work. As you all know I work at Office Shoes and I really enjoy meeting the customers and obviously, buying shoes! It is our Christmas party next saturday, and after last year's occurances I can only begin to imagine what will happen this time! (Hi Lauren if you are reading this; BLOG STALKER.)

9) How do you celebrate the holidays with your family?

We all go to my Aunty's on Christmas day and I am sooooo excited this year as it is baby Lily's first ever Christmas! I cannot wait to give her all her pressies and have some Christmas cuddles!

10) Favourite holiday song?

All I Want For Christmas Is You. Obviously.

11) A childhood photo of you at Christmas.

Me and My Mum Christmas 1992

Me and My Mum Christmas 2010

12) What's your favourite winter candle scent?

My new favourite winter candle is 'Apple Cinnamon Wreath' by Yankee Candle. Some of them smell so sickly but this one is so yummy!

13) What's your favourite holiday candy?

It isn't really specifically a Christmas chocolate but I am completely addicted to M&S Creme Brulee white chocolate. It tastes like a posh Caramac if any of you remember those? So good!

14) What's your elf name? (Favourite nail polish + first pets name)

Red Glitter Steve. Wow. 

So that's the end of the tag! If you do it as well then please send me the link as I love reading anything Christmas related! I'd also just like to congratulate Hannah from Cosmetic Crave who won my Mac lipstick giveaway earlier this week. Thankyou to everyone that entered and I look forward to doing more giveaways in the future!

Becca.

A Little Sunday Catch Up & A Lot Of Christmas Cheer

Ahh guys it's been so long! Work has just been crazy, crazy, crazy of late so I haven't had chance to blog in well over a week! I've been extremely tired and just haven't felt the urge to write so I thought it was better to wait until I was feeling more relaxed rather than churning out some crap I clearly wasn't enjoying writing. This is just a little photo update post before normal blogging resumes this week; Me and Andrew went and bought our first ever christmas tree together today and we have spent all day dressing up the house and making it look full of festive cheer!

Andrew with our tree, we bought a Nordman Fir if you are interested!

The best thing ever. M&S smoked red leicester cheese bake for a bit of energy!

Our very own bauble collection.

The tree in all its glory.

An array of festive fragrances.

The finished tree with it's star on top.

Obviously there had to be a special little guest.

It isn't Christmas without Home Alone!

Beautiful Christmas garland and wreathe and of course a bit of Buble.

Curled up on the sofa in comfy Christmas PJ's and the new Christmas cushion.

My new favourite Yankee Candle; Apple Cinnamon Wreath.

I've had such a lovely day relaxing and making the house all lovely and Christmassy. It feels so good to be back on the blog and I can't wait to do more festive posts over December, my love for Christmas is just insane. If there's any posts you'd like to see from me please don't hesitate to let me know as I'm really struggling for inspiration at the moment! 

Becca.x

Doe a Deer a Female Deer, Ray a Drop of Golden Sun

On Sunday myself and Andrew hopped in the car and took a little trip to Harrogate for the afternoon. We went to a lovely little pub called 'The Kestrel' for lunch (we had the sharing platter; the brie and cranberry was to die for FYI) and it was so nice to just get out of the hustle and bustle of Leeds for the day. On the way home THE most magical thing happened; We were driving over a steep hill and it was all misty and foggy, then we came down the other side and there was a field of deer! It might sound ridiculous to find that so exciting but it just felt SO Christmassy I could've cried. Then Biebs came on the radio and it was just the icing on the cake really, best day ever! 

Anyway I thought I'd show you a quick snap of what I wore for our little venture, Sunday's to me are all about being comfy and lazy so I don't wear much makeup or put on anything exciting but there's no point me pretending I wear leather skirts, high heels and bright lipstick 24/7 is there?

Denim Shirt - Topshop

Burgundy Dress - Topshop

Cardigan - H&M

Scarf - Zara

Boots - Office

Lips - Jason 'Lips Bee Healthier' Lip Balm

Sorry that this is a bit of a chatty, pointless post! I just really wanted to get something up tonight, I had a real urge to blog and I genuinly felt compelled to tell you all about those deer, it made my day, my week, my month and quite possibly my year! Make sure you all enter my Giveaway if you haven't already, I've just reached 100 followers so I am giving away a Mac lipstick!

Becca.x

OOTD - Its Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

I am having the best day ever! Me and Andrew both have the day off so I spent the morning in a hot soaky bubble bath, got ready listening to Christmas songs (It's never too early) and then we sped off to M&S to buy a ton of treats for a comfy movie day. The candles are lit, cheese is being consumed, I honestly couldn't feel more festive! This is what I wore today to keep warm and cosy, I cannot get enough of this new coat!

Beanie - Primark

Coat - Label Lab @House of Fraser

Fur Stole - H&M

Jumper - Primark

Pleather Skirt - Topshop

Stud Heel Shoes - Urban Outfitters

Lips - Mac 'Shy Girl'

Soz about the serious ghost face! I hadn't put much makeup on anyway as I was just nipping to the shop; Just a bit of foundation, mascara and my favourite nude lipstick. I love my new coat, I got it in the House of Fraser brand event last week so instead of £130 it cost me around £75, bargain! It is made of real wool in a gorgeous speckled burgundy colour with a pleather collar and pocket trim. I bought the H&M fur stole in black as I love fur collars on coats. I also cannot stop wearing this new Topshop leather-look skater skirt. It gives any outfit a bit of a 'grunge' edge and is so easy to style. My leopard print shoes were the steal of the century! They were £10 in the Urban Outfitters sale with a further 20% off and free delivery so that's just £8! I love the stud detail on the heel, they look so much more expensive!

Finally I need a little advice from you all. My hair has faded sooo much as you can see from the photos and I really cannot whether to go back Ombre or dye it all really dark chocolate brown. My hair is so dull at the moment but I just don't know what to do with it. Suggestions welcome!

Becca.x