HAPPY SEPEMBER... 10 things I love about Autumn

Pinch... Punch.. First of the month! 

It's 1st September today... I can't believe how quickly this year has flown.. I'm sure if you had £1 for every time you heard that line you would be a millionaire by now plus it won't be long until it's Chri.... Yea yea no one really wants to hear that word just yet! 

But..

School holidays are over, your journey to work/school doubles in time in the mornings & the evenings start to get longer. 

Our summer days are officially over and autumn is heading in thick and fast, but it's not all sad as there are some amazing reasons to love Autumn. Here are my top 10 reason to love this time of year.  

1. Dig out the oversized, cosy scarves to wrap around you, an accessorie that never goes out of fashion!

2. The trees turning a beautiful shade of orange and red whilst decorating the ground in fallen, crisp leaves which you can find in a huge pile to jump into. 

3. Dust down your hot chocolate tubs from the back of your cupboards (& of course a delicious pack of bickys too dunk into your hot drink)

4. Netflix and Chill just got so much better with a roaring fire, blankets and lots of snuggles 

5. Halloween.. Which means you can be a big kid and carv pumpkins (which can be a little sticky and groose but funny to carv what ever you like without any skill, munch on toffee apples and dress up as whatever you would like to scare a lot of people. 

 

6. You can also start wearing your chunky knitted jumpers that have been hogging space in your wardrobe over the summer. 

7. Cinnamon, spiced or apple scented Yankee candles that light up any room to give you the cosy autumn glow at night. 

8. You reinvent yourself and your make up bags with red or plum lipsticks teamed with gold glittery eye shadows... 

9 Roast Dinners... I can't eat these in the summer! It has to be a cold, gloomy day which gets brightened up by piles of vegetables, Yorkshire puds & gravy! De-luscious! 

10. Okay... You just know that Christmas is just around the corner and you start writing a list to Santa knowing you've been very good this year. 

Not all the photos belong to me!

What do you love the most about Autumn? 

Love Katie xXx

 

BIGGER, BOLDER, SEXIER

THIS IS SOOO EXCITING.... Iv been desperate to get my little mitts on the new 'benefit they're real beyond blue mascara' for AGESSSS... 

Benefit advertise this mascara range as "Bigger, Bolder Sexier lashes!" 

94% volume

90% base to tip curl 

94% visible lift

100% long wearing results 

Recently Benefit have released TWO new 'they're real mascara' colours £19.50 each along side FOUR new 'they're real push up liners'. The new colours are: Beyond blue mascara and Beyond brown mascara and the push up liners come in beautiful shades of Beyond Blue, Beyond Brown, Beyond Green & Beyond Purple £18.50 each 

So much more colour ;-) 

This range has been extended from the original they're real mascara and push up liner in the Beyond Black collection. I get so bored of wearing black mascara everyday, I thought to myself that I wear different shades of lipsticks daily so I thought why not wear different shades of mascaras? 

The beyond brown mascara would probably be worn as a more neutral makeup look, I'm not a natural kind of makeup girl. I didn't purchase the brown mascara, not for any particular reason, it's just not for me and I'm not going to lie I'm all about the Beyond Blue Mascara as it looks more dramatic and F.U.N

The blue mascara is such an 80s look, and as I was growing up blue mascara reminds me of my mum. Did your mum wear blue mascara? This is the only colour she would wear when I was younger. She wore bright blue eyes and bright red lips, although as the years have gone on the blue mascara obviously went out of fashion but my mums bright red lips have remained still to this very day. 

I also didn't purchase any of they're real push up liners today as I don't really wear eye liner anymore, I do go through stages where I love a winged eye liner look but today just wasn't one of them days! I must add though that I do own a Beyond Black Liner and its perfect for people who can't hold a steady hand. The gel tip glides across your eyes giving you more control and it also dries very quickly. Quicker than you can say "Be ready in 5 minutes" (you should already be out the door) although I am SO tempted to go and buy the green, blue & purple liners dust down my liner skills and give my eyes more of a dramatic look go to with my blue mascara. 

What colour is you're favourite? 

Have you purchased any of the 'they're real collection'?

Let me know... Love Katie xXx 

OUR EGYPTIAN HOLIDAY

I usually write a diary, and for a change I'd though I'd share it with you, as this holiday means ALOT too me. 

Sunday 5th July

The holiday blog! The one I've properly been so excited too write for a long, long time. It's finally here! We're thousands and thousands of miles up in the air heading to Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt to celebrate mine and my boyfriends 6th year of being together.  We sadly had to change our holiday from Tunisia due to the awful, heartbreaking news of a shooting. As a couple we have faced many challenges along the last six years and this has been the first time were able to hop on a plane and head thousands of miles away from home to make an amazing memory that shall last a lifetime in our life together.

The view from my seat is MAGICAL. I choose a window seat as  I haven't been abroad many times before so the view keeps taking my breath away. I'm pretty sure in all honesty that it doesn't matter how many times you have been on a plane before this view stuns everyone, every time especially from a bird eye view. We flew over some really amazing countries, these included France, Italy, Greece and Turkey. I saw beautiful mountains and Coast lines views that I would never see from Land. The flight is around 5 hours long. As the hours are going by, day light is also fading, yet again leaving a beautiful picturesque evening sky line. 

Monday 6th July

Waking up to my first full day in Egypt, and it's like we've landed in paradise. The heat hits you, like KABOOOM! It's sooooooo warm... It's 8.30am and the patio doors are wide open, fresh air blowing through the Egyptian cotton nets into our room, and people down by the pool putting down their towels to reserve their sun loungers. I can not believe I'm really here. I feel like I'm in a film! I won't bore you too much about my holiday. Today's highlight: My other half being asked if he's Egyptican... TWICE... By two different men! Hilarious... It's an on going joke. Tobias has dark hair, brown eyes and he tans so easily! If he had a pound for every time he was asked if he is foreign, I'd be engaged by now! 😊 

Tuesday 7th July

Staying by the Red Sea we have been told that snorkelling is a must do! I hate getting my face wet so we only purchased one snorkelling kit for my boyfriend. We headed to the sea in search of some exotic fish, after around 15minutes Tobias persuaded me to try out his snorkels, needless to say he ended up giving in to begging me for them back.. He went off to buy me some 😊 it was amazing! Our first snorkelling experience together, we saw a puffer fish, it was surreal! Tonight we have planned to go to Egypts SOHO market, it's like the land of the rich. It had African dancers, streets entertainers, dancing fountain, ice ring, ice bar & restaurants floating on a river through the street market which they called the River Nile (obviously) A no hassle shopping mall with so much choice. The streets were immaculate, it seems hotter in the evenings than during the day! We were both BOILING! P.s our tans are coming along nicely. 

Wednesday 8th July

More sunbathing, relaxing and lounging around the pool was on today's agenda. At 7.30pm we had planned to go on an excursion we booked on Monday. We headed to Egypt's Old Market, apparently one of the oldest towns in Egypt. It was very much an experience to say the least. We got hassled by every man there was, every shop we walked past & an defiantly eye opener to what we saw.  A complete different world away to the SOHO market we went to yesterday. There were men on camels everywhere, kids playing on motorbikes, people driving around with no sense of the high way code, stray cats & dogs wondering around, the roads had rubble and rubbish scattered everywhere, & a heavy stench of fish, but we did grab ourselves some good bargains. Apparently it's the place to go shopping for all your "designer needs" I'm glad we did this market, I'd go again. I think it's more the shock of how England and Egypt are worlds apart. 

Thursday 9th July 

Tonight we walked into charming Sharm, took around 30minutes each way, every "taxi" that went past they hooted their horns and flashed their head lights half of the vehicles that made out to be a taxi were crammed with Egyptian men. Every shop we walked past we got asked to head into "we have good prices, like Primark, I make you good deal my beautiful english friend" but we only went for a McDonald's and a few souvenirs for our families. Our McDonald's was HUGE, and delicious. If your reading this blog Mr. Ronald Mcdoanld we need a spicy chicken Big Mac in England! (obviously!)

Friday 10th July. 

Today is our 6th year anniversary, this is why we're on holiday! This morning me and Tobias exchanged anniversary cards and presents. He brought me a 'looky looky Cartier love braclet' that he brought at Soho Marjet and I brought Tobias a stainless steel braclet from home. Today we decided to do a VIP Red Sea Cruise. Nothing I say, show or gabble on about will ever justify the amazing memories we saw today with our eyes. It was amazing! The best day we've had so far. We were collected from our hotel around 9am, taken down to the Old Market Port and headed out to sea with a snorkelling crew on a very posh boat. We stopped at three different destinations in the Red Sea And snorkelled around! I'm a little sad I didn't see any turtles but I suppose that's the beauty of this excursion, your never granted to know what your about too see. I can't believe the amazing sea life that lives beneath us. It's beautiful. If you ever come to Sharm El Sheikh you MUST MUST MUST do this cruise!! (I can't swim and I managed to doggy paddle around) 

Saturday 11th July

Our last full day in Egypt 😞 we've not had the time to use our hotel beach yet, so we spent all day there. Its covered in sombrero style umbrellas to shade people from the sun, camels walking up and down with a few piers branching off. We were told during the week that if we snorkelled off the pier, we would see massive fish.  We had to wait for the yellow flag to appear for it to be deemed safe! I still got knocked around and a massive bruise appeared on my leg (ouch) after the sea bashed me into the stairs (personally this yellow flag could of waited another half an hour before it went up, My legs are black a& blue) but it was all worth the view. I don't remember the names of the fish, but I think after this week I feel happy I actually faced a fear of getting my face wet as what lies beneath the sea is breath taking. 

Sunday 12th July

We fly home today (I'm so sad!) it's been amazing! We can't think of one negative thing to say about our holiday (except it's ended too soon) The hotel staff have been sooo friendly, and can't even help you out enough. Showered us with drinks, smiles & plenty of ridiculous English words. We just sat around the pool getting our last minute tan top up, when the time came to meet our bus back to Sharm El Sheihk airport I literally thought I was going to cry. IV had the most amazing holiday ever and can not wait to go back again...

My last photo of our holiday.. The beautiful birds eye view of Sharm El Sheikh. 

We were staying at Jazz Mirabel Beach hotel, Sharm El Sheikh. Its a 25minute drive from the airport. When we got to the hotel we were greated by the hotels friendly staff, check in was really quick and we had a golf buggy waiting for us at the hotels entrance with our luggage on the back. The entrance was beautiful with a fountain in the middle of the lobby. Its a five star hotel with its own private beach that you can snorkel off with a few piers either end of the beach. The beach also contains several beach bars to top up on drinks and snacks. Two large family swimming pools, with pool bars around to grab plenty of refreshments, a sports swimming pool and two children's paddling pools, plenty of sunbeds too choose from. Tennis courts, spa and an amphitheatre for entertainments. Our room was cleaned everyday, with fresh towels and new bedding and air conditioning. Our hotel balcony over looked onto the pool gardens. Plenty of restaurants to eat from & a little shopping market complex to buy bags, sunglasses and souviners from.  It was just amazing! 

I'm sorry I wasn't able to upload any photos of the Red Sea as they are on a different camera and I haven't been able  to sort them out for my blog xx

Where did you go on holiday this year? Have you ever been to Egypt?

Love Katie xXx

Just a few lines that the Egyptian men said to me & Tobias that we thought we're funny:

 Hello my good friend/ boss

Asda price like tesco 

Cheaper than primark

I love England, my cousin from Camden 

You lucky man

Dogs bollocks

Hey sister, sister 

Ah I love England!

My names Adam. 

If you call an Egyptian Mohammed, you've proberly got his name right. 

Lovely jubbly

See ya wouldn't wanna be ya

MY FAVOURITE 5 EMPTY PRODUCTS

Iv had such a personal crazy problematic last month, so I apologise now and firstly for not keeping up to my blogging schedules. Whilst my life has been hectic, running around like a headless chicken Iv managed to empty some of my favourite products that I use on a daily basis. 

As a typical girl I have ALOT of products that iv used over the years and keep going back to time and time again. 

This week my blog post is going to be dedicated to my 5 empty favourite products that I'v recently used up, and would 100% definitely purchase again and again. 

 

(In fact... I have brought these products again) I just couldn't resist  

1. MAC BRUSH CLEANSER £11 

The most easiest way to clean my makeup brushes. I apply a small amount into a folded tissue and wipe away, it's soooooo easy! No mess, no dirty bathroom basins...Just easy peasy lemon squeezy. This product lasts along time if used correctly... I'd say I clean my brushes one a fortnight (it's up too you how often you cleanse yours, some people recommend more, some people recommend less) Best tip I would give for this product is as you unfold your tissue, your left with a clean damp side to clean any other brush without wasting product ;)

2. MAC eyeshadow (ORB) £13

A great base for any eye look. It's a pale creamy colour. I find it opens up my eyes and gives a fresh clean look.  MAC eye shadows contain amazing pigment and lasts all day. I have LOADS of MAC eyeshadows deep in my makeup draw and this is the first one I've used up completely as I pretty much wear this everyday. Love, love, love!! 

3. GARNIER MICELLAR WATER 

Basically a makeup remover in the easiest form ever. I used to be so lazy with taking off my makeup at the end of the day and this year I made it a resolution. It's now June and iv stuck with this every single evening (Very proud moment). Once I settled in bed watching TV its a right old carry on getting me out of bed to go wash off my make up. This product is perfect for on the go, festivals, holidays & more as all you need is a cotton wool pad a dash of the Garnier Micellar water and simply wipe away any make up and impurities without scrubbing your face hard. I now do this routine whilst in bed watching TV. PERFECT! It leaves your face clean with a fresh feeling of cleansed pores. 

No excuse to never take off your makeup again. 

4. Soap&Glory whipped cream body butter. 

This product is pure luxury for the shower. This went really quickly, I think I had this for about 3 weeks! It's amazing to shave your legs with as you don't get lots of soapy bubbles in your way, also leave the skin silky soft  It smells DELICIOUS, the packaging is so retro and fun! Just an all around lovely products to have in the shower. (Next time I'm only using it for the days I shave my legs) I have a bottle ready and waiting to be opened... 

5. LUSH SNOW FAIRY SHOWER GEL 

This is one product I stock up and purchase year after year as its a limited edition. I LOVE the bright pink colouring of the liquid and I proberly discovered snow fairy around 3 years ago. I got a lot of snow fairy for Christmas and I've just ran out in June. That's pretty amazing.. That's half a year smelling gorgeous. It's my favourite body wash with its sweet candy floss scent  it's enough to make you relax in any shower. I squeeze some of my snow fairy onto my body I get lost in a sea of bubbles as this lathers up amazingly! It's a shame it's only used for the shower as it smells good enough to eat. 

Have you ever used any of these products? Are they in your top 5? 

Love Katie 

xXx

ROAD TRIP TO BRIGHTON

There's something that seems a little "against the rules" about waking up very early on your day off. Today in particular on the other I shall forgive. :-)  

For months Me and a friend from work (Hollie) have been trying to find the perfect opportunity to go to BRIGHTON for the day, but there's always been some kind of hiccup when doing so. This week however 

I have the week off work and it seemed the perfect time to go. I hadn't been to Brighton since I was a little girl, plus the fact it's a two hour journey away from home, it's not really a pop in - pop out of town kind of day, so we made a memorable day out of it. 

We set off early and made the most of it, if truth be told I actually invaded my friends family day out. It was Hollies mums birthday (she drove, bless her) her little brother came along and her nan. I had the most amazing day ever!! Hollies family are totally lovely and made our trip to Brighton a golly well enjoyable day! We had a good old mooch around the lanes (which I totally fell head over heels for) a glass of bubbly in a random sweet pub called "The Dorset" (How convenient when I live in Dorset, haha!) and made our selfs feel like we were on holiday by having carousel rides on Brighton beach and walking along the poor. 

I can't wait to go back again! I loved every second and I felt like I was on holiday, I would love to know what your favourite boutiques are down Brighton Lanes, and shall check them out sooner rather than later. 

Love Katie xXx

GROW YOUR OWN VEG PATCH

I'm one of these people that always thinks it would be a lovely idea to do all these weird and wonderful things and half the time I never really get round to doing them. One of the ideas in my head that I've  had for YEARS is to grow a vegetable patch. I've worked with my boss for nearly 9 years and every year she mentions about her ever growing vegetable patch, and sometimes she brings in the wonderful scrummy produce from her garden such as tomatos and strawberrys for us to try. Recently she brang in a huge amazing basket full of lettuces that she had obviously grew from seeds for one of the girls to go home and plant. I did ask to pinch one of each try of lettuce from the basket and took it home.

Outside in our front garden at home we have a large old fashioned sink that looked a little sad and need some TLC, so what better way to start my own vegetable patch.

On my day off me and my mother headed to our local garden centre and brought the entire "grow your own kit" I brought: 

🌸 Gardening Gloves

🌸 Tomato Grow bag

🌸 Composs

🌸 A spade

🌸 Lettuce seeds

🌸 Tomato feed

I couldn't wait to get home and start planting the vegetable patch that Iv longed to have for many years 

The only vegetable Iv ever grown before is a little tub of water cress that I kept on my windowsill as a child, so this is a little bit more challenging and I'm definitely open to any tips or advice any of you lovely lot have to offer. 

The vegetable and fruits that Iv planted in my garden from left to right are:

🌸 lettuce seeds (as I saw a YouTube video that apparently a lettuce is the easiest vegetable to grow) 

🌸 Sweetcorn

🌸 Strawberrys

🌸Tomatos 

🌸 Lettuces from work 

I shall water these plants everyday and see how much my little vegetable patch grows. Have you ever grown any fruit or vegetables? 

Love Katie xxx

Real Techniques Bold Metal Collection

I am addicted to makeup... And make up isn't cheap.. Nor are the brushes! But who doesn't love a little luxury for their skin? I feel like when you treat yourself to a lovely piece of makeup, you always want a really good makeup brush to apply your makeup with. 

I saw a lot of Instagram posts and Facebook pictures about the new Real Technique Bold Metal Collection last year and I instantly fell in love. I already have ALOT of Real Techniques Brushes and the quality of these brushes feel really professional so when I saw the luxury Bold Metal Collection I just knew how excited I was when I first set eyes on them, and I had to have these brushes.

The only reason that prolonged me from purchasing the brushes all at once realistically is the price. These brushes range from £10-£25 each. So over the last 4 months I have been saving my money to collect all the brushes I wanted one by one. The brushes I have brought out of the collection are: 

100 Arched powder £25

Tapered Blush £24

301 Flat Contour £22 

200 Oval Shadow £15

201 Pointed Crease £12

I didn't want to use my first brush until I had all the brushes from the collection that I wanted, so I've saved them all to one side until today, and I couldn't be more excited to share this with you. 

There are two brushes from the collection that iv not brought and this is the 101 Triangle Foundation brush nor the 202 Angled Liner Brush as I didn't feel the need for them, but seriously and honestly if any of you have them.. PLEASE let me know in the comments below what you think of them :) I may change my mind! 

These brushes have been SO popular that every-time I went online to purchase a brush they were ALWAYS SOLD OUT but much to my frustration a lot of Boots store had plenty of these brushes stocked up. 

I got all my brushes in Boots Stores across the UK and popped in to treat myself wether I was in London or Bournemouth. They are also available to buy online at http://m.boots.com/h5/cat_hub?unCountry=uk&path=/en/Real-Techniques/Real-Techniques-Bold-Metal-brushes/

The synthetic bristled on the brushes are SUPERLY DUPERY SOFT, they're beautiful and with every stroke your treating your face to a little luxury! Every handle has a different beautiful metallic shine. The gold range is designed for your 'Base', the rose gold range is designed for 'Finish' And the silver range is designed for 'Eyes' although you can multi-use these brushes. They are  just simply AMAZING!!! 

Have you brought any of the  Real Techniques Bold Metal Collection? Which brush is your favourite? 

Love Katie xXx 

I MISS MY BOYFRIEND

I stay around my boyfriends parents house pretty much every Thursday and Friday evening, every week. He's going away this weekend as his work company are taking away all their staff as a little thank you to... Malaga, Spain ☀️☀️ (He's sooo lucky)

It's 1am Saturday 2nd May in the morning, his snooze alarm has gone off and it's my duty to make sure he wakes up and gets to the airport ontime as he is RUBBISH at getting up in the mornings... let alone through out the night! I actually feel like I miss him already! (He's only downstairs sorting himself out...) but we've been together nearly 6years and always been 'just down the road' or 'a phonecall away' from one another. So if I'm honest I'm a little sad that my boyfriend/best friend won't be around this weekend as i love spending my days off with him. Instead he's going to be thousands of miles away sunning himself over the bank holiday weekend! (Hope he doesn't come back too tanned as my skin is so pale). I receive a photo as soon as he's arrives at the hotel... Although there are clouds it still looks lovely and warm, yet so relaxing! 

A few hours passed and he told me he had unpacked a surprise "love" note in his luggage from me, it brang a tear to his eye when he read my message. He's

such a softie at heart really.... 

We both go to Tunisia together this year on our 6th anniversary, so it's making me a little jealous and I just want our holiday to come around so badly.. (Even though you should never wish your life away)

Has your best friend or partner been so far away you have felt lost too? What did you do with the time to make it pass quickly? 

Happy bank holiday 

Love Katie xxx  

Monkey World

Last weekends weather was so BEAUTIFULLY SUNNY.... that during the week my friends and I arranged to go to Monkey World, Dorset. This weekend we were unsure if it was going to rain as the weather forecast said it was going to pour down... But we didn't take any notice of the threat of rain and decided to go. We were lucky that it didn't rain but the weather was bloody freezing!! 

I'm a massive animal lover, so the thought of a zoo being open to the public that's based on a rescue organisation has my vote everytime. 

Monkey World is full of... Yup you've guessed it... Monkeys... 250+ primates that have been lucky enough to be given a new lease of life (plus the best adult playgrounds around) It's amazing to read the unbelievable shocking story's of how the monkeys were kept before they were rescued by Monkey World that have managed to give them a loving, fun, caring home. As I walked around the park I was really upset to see the reality of the size of some cages these primates once lived in day and night in laboratories. 

Behind the old cages these monkeys once called home situate their new homes with sooo much more space full of ropes to swing on, baskets to sleep in and trees to climb and monkey friends to play with. 

It's such a lovely day out for all the family and Monkey World even has its own TV program which I believe is called Monkey Business which I grew up watching! Even better you can also adopt a monkey at the rescue centre. 

Have you ever been to Monkey World? Hope you've had a lovely weekend. Love Katie xXx

What's in our makeup bags?

Today I would like to know "WHATS IN YOUR MAKEUP BAG!" It's payday and every month I love going out to buy a new lipstick or new eyeshadow! I find it such an exciting experience. I'm a nosey person.. And to be honest... Who isn't? I love people watching in a restaurant or even better being nosey online and looking at other peoples recent makeup purchases. I love looking on Instagram at all the makeup pictures and seeing new makeup items! What's your most favourite product in your makeup bag this week? Here's a few of mine that I totally love and shall definitely go out to purchase again when they've sadly run out.... 

Have a lovely weekend. 

Love Katie xxx

Longleat Safari park

This week I took my boyfriend to Longleat Safari Park for his birthday. All my family and a lot of my friends have been to Longleat before and kept telling me how fun it was to DRIVE through the animal safari park...

We had an AMAZING day!!!! I have never been to a zoo before that was so interactive with the animals. We held a REAL snake (you can hold a trantular too if your not scardy pants like us) took selfies with penguins, stroked stingrays, fed birds that land on your shoulders and rode a boat to see a gorilla on its own island with HD SKY TV! Yup.. You didn't read that wrong, a silver back gorilla with his own tv... Apparently sponge bob square pants is his favourite tv program. 

The safari its self was breath taking, such an amazing experience. It took us just over three hours to drive around as it was HUGE!! We saw Giraffes, Zebras, Lions, Cheetahs, Monkeys, Deer, Tigers, Rhinos and so much more... 

Iv never been so close the half these animals before.. With only the car window separating a us, obviously with range keepers in 4x4s watching for safety. You get given a complimentary cd to listen too whilst driving around describing how each animal survives in each closure. My favourite part was the monkey enclosure, they jumped on our car and had a free cheeky ride around... Be aware they did steel the radio ariel, but it was totally worth it as they were naughty, very entertaining, yet so much fun! 

It's such a fabulous day out with no moment to spare, there was a maze we totally got lost in, apparently it's the worlds longest maze...! We managed to find the middle with lots of giggles and saying "We've already been this way" we did eventually find the middle and hadn't realised how massive the maze is until you see the view. The only thing we didn't get too do was Longleat house itself as we ran out of time, but it's a perfect excuse to visit again! An amazing day out, can't wait to go back! 

What did you get up too over Easter? 

Love Katie xxxx