05.02.18

New Month, New Start (?)

I'm winging life right now, and due to my mental health deteriorating, that's the best thing I can do.

As exclaimed in my previous post, I aim to be more creative this year and during the time I am doing this, I hope to discover my true self.

This post again, is pretty much a ramble and unfortunately we're going to have to develop a list of crap like the mainstream bloggers do. However, here is what my aims are for February:

• Create a DIY Self Care Box - Reading about these online, I've finally become keen on the idea after several years of thinking "what a load of crap, stop romanticizing my shitty feelings". A self care box doesn't have to be the same as those created on Pinterest or YouTube, so I'm going to fill it with all sorts of rubbish which reminds me of the good times.
• Buy more clothes - I probably shouldn't, according to my overflowing wardrobe and bank balance, but I aim to dress how I wish to, rather than following 'fashion' like a sheep. Goodbye to websites like PLT and Missguided...I'm not suitable for your figure hugging linen, so back to vintage it is for me. 

• Write poems - One of my very little talents. I love creative writing, and it's a great way to remove my feelings from overflowing the mind. The best bit is, no one has to read them, so I can still keep everything to myself.
• Exercise - I know. I said before I wouldn't be one of those people posting their exercise regime, however I aim to walk more seeing as exercising releasing endorphins, which are beneficial for mental health. 

Let's see how long this lasts for...

Autumn

30.01.18

It's been a while, and there's no excuses other than being uninspired by life.

I could go on with all the "new year, new me" rubbish, but let's cut the chase.
My blog began as me following inspiration from mainstream bloggers. You know, all the 'fashion, beauty, life' malarkey; showing everyone my diet plans, exercise regime and laying out my breakfast neatly to capture the perfect photo, even if I didn't intend to eat it.
Towards the end of 2017, I then decided to change the name of my blog and aim to post only make-up looks, and well, that didn't last long.

The only way I can describe it is 'New Year, New Blog', and I'll guess that will have to do. But the past week or so I have found myself driven by reading and writing once more. The stuff I feel I actually belong to.
I guess that is all I have to say during this post, and maybe I should apologise for the lack of perfectly laid out brunch on a marble top, or Tumblr worthy photographs of the sunset, but that's not my style, hence why there shall be no apology.

If you have been a previous reader of my blog, or even a passer by, I wish to thank you for reading my ranting and rambling. Although not entirely sure where this is to lead me, I believe that this is simply just the beginning.

Hopefully some of you will stick around, some of you may not, but it's going to be in interesting journey as I learn to create once more.

Autumn

Creme Egg Brownies | Baking

On Bank Holiday Monday, Kyle and I decided to take a trip to the local town and head to co-operative in order for me to purchase some belated Easter eggs for my Mum and sister. Due to it being the day after Easter Sunday, everything was super cheap, including a box of 5 Creme Eggs for only a £1! I decided to purchase two of these boxes as I have been intending to make Creme Egg Brownies for quite a while.
As today was my only day off work, that is exactly what I got up to!

The recipe is as follows:

Ingredients:

• 185g Dark Chocolate (I used milk chocolate)
• 185g Butter
• 85g Plain Flour
• 40g Cocoa Powder
• 3 Eggs
• 275g Caster Sugar
• 6 Cadbury Creme Eggs (I used 5)

Instructions:

• Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees, or Gas Mark 4.
• Melt the butter and chocolate together in a bowl over a pan of hot water. This can also be done in the microwave, however.
• Once this has melted, leave to cool.
• Mix the 3 eggs and sugar together using a fork, although this is probably done best with an electric whisk. The mixture is to double in size, and thicken.
• Add the egg and sugar mix into the cooled chocolate and butter mixture. Ensure that the chocolate and butter mixture is lukewarm or cooler before doing so.
• Sift in the flour and cocoa powder, then going on to fold everything together using a spoon.
• Pour the mixture into a brownie tray and place into the oven for around 20 minutes.
• Whilst the brownie is baking, begin to cut your creme eggs in half. This is to be carefully done using a knife, however it does not matter if they split into more than two.
• Once 20 minutes has passed, take the brownie tray out from the oven. The brownie should look fairly soft in the middle, and cooked well around the edge. Place the creme eggs on the half cooked brownie, and proceed to gently press down. 
• Bake the brownie for a further 10-15 minutes until thoroughly cooked.
• Once removed from the oven, ensure to allow the brownie to cool before cutting.

Creme Egg Brownies are super easy to make, and they're also super tasty! I make them every Easter, and can't wait to take them into work tomorrow to share. The brownie tastes great either warmed up or cool with vanilla ice cream, or just on their own.

Have you ever made Creme Egg Brownies? 

If you enjoyed this post, let me know below and I'll hopefully create some more baking posts!

Autumn-Blaze 

xxx

Lazy Day | OOTD

What's better than waking up on a Tuesday morning to head downstairs after hearing a knock on the door. Stands there is a man in red and black uniform. Ah, the delivery man.

Today he holds in his hand a delightfully coloured pink parcel. Just what I've been waiting for.

The gorgeous Maria Lace Up Tracksuit from Boutique of Molly was finally in my hands!

This super soft tracksuit feels unbelievably comfortable, and is perfect for those lazy days!

The flared sleeves of the top allow you to also be able to team it up with some jeans, ideal for looking glamorous with maximum comfort during those intense shopping sprees! I'd also pair this with a leather look skirt and heels when going for a drink with the girls.

The gorgeous two piece is a simple statement, yet the lace up either side of both the top and bottoms adds detail to make it more unique than the usual black two piece.

Naturally having the figure of an ironing board, I was hesitant when buying this as small sizes are often far too big for me, however I found that the fit was superb. The material fit me in all the right places, and did not hog the lumps and bumps which I avoid to be seen. 

The trousers sat comfortably just above my belly button, allowing me to potter round all day without having to hitch them up once - which is always a bonus! There was no gap between the top and bottoms once on, which for me, is ideal as I am not a fan of walking round with my belly out. (As seen in above photo)

With a small dose of foundation and a light contour, alongside my Maria Lace Up Tracksuit, I have never felt more glam on a lazy day! I happily popped to the shops and flaunted about, without having to worry about looking un-presentable. 

Boutique of Molly offer a super fast delivery for £3.99 to the UK, and they also post to the rest of the world! After such a positive experience with the company, I cannot wait to be buying more from their site! You can find them on Twitter here and on their website here.

What outfit do you usually go for on a lazy day? Have you bought anything from Boutique of Molly? Let me know in the comments below!!

Autumn-Blaze

xxx

Maybelline Master Sculpt Contouring | Review

As an individual whom uses the same basic make-up routine on a daily basis, I believed that it was time to treat myself and join the bandwagon, therefore I purchased Maybelline's Master Sculpt.
The main reason for buying this product was simply needing to buy a new foundation and the products being on offer, of which I could not refuse! (If you look both on the Boots website and in-store, a large majority of Maybelline's products are available for 2 for £10..hurry before the offer ends!)

The shade I bought was 01 'Light/Medium' simply because I am quite pale (and it was also literally the only one left!), and I wished for the product to look natural on my skin.
I was so excited to use the Master Sculpt (so excited that I actually dropped it when I got out of my car in a rush...oops!) and I must say, it did meet my expectations.
Although I am still to understand the whole contouring and highlighting, I applied the contour as I have seen many YouTubers and Bloggers do, and blended it in with a powder brush.

I have owned this product for around a week now, and have begun to use it on a daily basis. The small compact mirror and brush inside enables me to carry it round in my make-up bag with such ease, and I would definitely swear by this!

Before blending the products (Above photo)

After blending (Above photo)

I used this product on top of Maubelline's Dream Satin Liquid foundation in the shade 'Fawn'. Due to the 2 products for £10, these were the two I bought together. I often buy a foundation a shade or two darker than my usual skin tone in order to give more of a glow to my complexion (and to look less like a zombie!!), and these products are well suited to each other, giving me an over-all natural glow.

The reviewed product is definitely one I recommend, and I would love to hear your views upon this!

Constructive criticism would also be appreciated due to this being my first review on my blog!

Until next time,

Autumn-Blaze 

xx