Vamp It Up For Valentine's | Lipstick

Ah Valentine's Day. Whether you're spending the day with you're significant other being lavished with gifts, or Netflix and chilling by yourself (definitely the latter for me) there's no avoiding it. Either way, the day is a great excuse to get in on the consumeristic action as a treat from your partner, or as a reminder that you're cripplingly alone. Jokes aside, if you'd rather spend your money on a new lipstick rather than an overly mushy and sentimental card, then you've come to the right place.

Red is generally the typical colour associated with Valentine's, but there's something about a deep berry or plum colour that really intensifies a look.

I'm not really sure why I have three different lipsticks in a very similar shade. I assume it's something to do with the fact that most pale lipsticks make me look awfully ill and I'm hopeless at not managing to lose a lot of my makeup. Do they just jump out of your bag? Anyway, by some miracle I've managed to keep a hold of my darkest shades. From L-R: Black Cherry | D For Danger | Beguiled 

Barry M: If you'd rather play it safe with a more red toned colour, I'd go for this one. The lipstick has a glossy finish without being too in your face and is the cheaper option of them all at £4.49. 

MAC: With the brand is very well known for its staying power and stand out colours, D For Danger does not disappoint. If you're looking for a more matte shade that really grips to your lips, then you may be willing to splash the cash at £15.50. It's definitely not the cheapest option and if you are prone to dry lips, I'd recommend using a lip balm beforehand.

Topshop: I'd say this is the deepest colour of them all, with an almost sparkly plum finish. If you prefer a lipstick with an added shine, then look no further than Beguiled at £8.

With all these shades, I recommend investing in a vampy lipliner too, as darker colours tend to bleed more and looking like The Joker for Valentine's isn't exactly the most sought after look.  

Let me know if you've tried any of these shades and what you think.

Happy Valentine's ladies!

Victoria ♥

St. Tropez Express Tan

I've been a long time lover of St. Tropez tan. As a young teenager, I experimented with various cheap tanning products. It left me with a fair few Wotsit moments, to say the least. But after a few years of trials and tribulations, St. Tropez has become a tanning staple. My personal favourites come from their mousse range, so when I discovered their Express Bronzing Mousse I knew I had to try it.

The formula means you don't have to leave the tan to develop overnight. So of course, no stained bedsheets! Using my trusty mitt I applied one layer all over, rubbing an overly zealous amount on my legs. What's different about this tan is that you control the depth of darkness within a few hours. Since I only really tan on nights out, I left it on for about two and a half hours. For a more sun kissed glow I'd leave it for around an hour, but if you're really wanting to look like a bronzed babe I'd go for 3 hours plus.

After showering I was left with a nice streak free golden shade which then darkened for up to 8 hours after I'd initially washed it off. I was left seriously impressed.

A few days later and after some serious moisturising, although faded I'm still very pleased with the results.

For £33, it's not the cheapest tan our there, but I think it's certainly worth the money for a long lasting streak free tan. If you have tan favourites, do let me know!

Victoria ♥

The Nutcracker & Resolutions?

Quite a few years ago I went to see Swan Lake at Leeds Grand Theatre. I've always loved going to see musicals and plays, but I'd never seen a ballet. I did used to do ballet and tap when I was a child, though my dancing nowadays generally involves copious amounts of alcohol but I still find it great fun. When thinking back to Swan Lake, I remember being so enthralled by the experience and I'd have given anything to join the dancers onstage. Props to those dancers too, the amount of time they have to stay contorted in those positions looks excruciating. Roll on a few years later and I'm back at The Grand, only this time the production is The Nutcracker.

For anyone who doesn't know, the ballet is based on the book, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King which is about a little girl who receives a Nutcracker on Christmas Eve. The music for the ballet was composed by Tchaikovsky, who also composed the score for Swan Lake. How can you go wrong?

As before, the choreography was completely 'en pointe' ... (I'll let myself out) as were the orchestra. The costumes were brilliantly eye catching and I really have no ideas how some of the ballerinas performed in their gowns. The set was pretty basic, though I felt it needed to be since there's so many things happening at once. There were parts which definitely felt like blink and you'll miss it moments.

Unsurpsingly, I found that my favourite scene was the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. I could've just spent two hours watching that to be honest, though it did leave me feeling like quite the unflexible walrus.

If you're a first time theatre goer with a short attention span, then I really think this production could be for you. The show is two hours long and it honestly flies by - providing you don't get a numb bum. It's a great way to start or end your Christmas, so I whole heartedly recommend booking tickets for 2016.

Lastly, happy 2016! I had a bit of a whirlwind in 2015, a new fulltime job meant that I had to balance my work and social life well, which can be very stressful indeed. Last year I mentioned how my only resolution was to donate blood. Which I was successful in doing! I'm donating again in February and I've managed to drag a friend along this time - good luck Charlotte!

This year I've made three promises to myself. My only proper hobby at the moment is blogging and since I'm sat on my bum most of the day, I'm hoping to do something more active with my freetime. I don't think toning my legs on the dancefloor will cut it somehow, so I've decided I'm going to join some form of class. Dancing, running? Who knows! But I will be more active this year. Secondly, I'm going to try and procrastinate less. This will be a tough one for me because I leave everything to the last minute, but this year I'm hoping to be far more proactive with my work. Lastly I'm aiming to finally pass my driving test. Fingers crossed on that one!

I wish everyone well in 2016 and I hope you all have an amazing year. 

Victoria ♥

No7 Advent Calendar

I feel like there has been a surge of beauty advent calendars in the past few years. Unfortunately, I do think many of them are overpriced for the size of the products they contain, so finding one worth the money can be a struggle.

Fortunately, whilst doing some early online browsing for Christmas presents, I came across a No7 one which was far more likely to suit my budget. I actually bought the calendar for my mum as she has been buying No7 products for years and I really wanted to treat.

The No7 25 Days of Beauty Wonders has everything for someone who is into beauty/skincare. The caldendar contains some of their best selling products in sample sizes - a perfect way to test a brand before you commit to the full thing.

The contents also include festive themes of products, which will really help you get in the Christmas party spirit. Look at these beautiful red and gold shades for you nails.

Whilst my mum has already started using many of these products, she informed me I will be receiving all the products she doesn't use. That's what you get for being a good daughter apparently! Even if she didn't, it's great to see her face light up each day with every product. Though, she did look slightly more confused on day 20 when she thought the eyelash curlers were some kind of torture device.

I realise this post is a bit late for anyone to actually go out and buy the calendar, but I wanted to include my honest opinion on the products before posting.  But hey, there's always next year!

For myself, I think I'll stick to the chocolate advents calendars because I refuse to believe I'll be turning 20 in January and Cadburys are the best. There's something about chocolate being shaped into Santas beard which makes it extra tasty. 

Victoria ♥

My Top 25 Christmas Songs

Christmas wouldn't really be the same without the cheesey music would it? I know if I'm not in a particulary festive mood, I can pop on a bit of Mariah and my mind is suddenly transported into a Winter Wonderland. In fact I listen to that much Christmas music, I couldn't wittle my list down to anything under 25. Yes, it's that bad. I'm sorry any Cliff Richard fans, he will not be making an appearance for 'Mistletoe and Wine'.

In no particular order:

25. ‘Mary’s Boy Child’ – Harry Belafonte
24. 'Lonely This Christmas' - Mud
23. ‘Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)’ – Darlene Love
22. I Believe in Father Christmas - Greg Lake
21. ‘The Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth’
 – Bing Crosby and David Bowie
20. ‘Santa Baby’ – Eartha Kitt
19. ‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside’ – Dean Martin
18. "Stop The Calvary" - Jona Lewie
17. ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’ – Brenda Lee 
16. ‘White Christmas’ – Bing Crosby
15. ‘Driving Home for Christmas’ – Chris Rea
14. ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town’ – Jackson 5
13. "Merry Christmas Everyone" - Shakin' Stevens
12. "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday" - Wizzard 
11. "Christmas Time (Don't Let the Bells End)" - The Darkness
10. "Merry Xmas Everybody" - Slade
9. ‘Step Into Christmas’ – Elton John
8. ‘Wonderful Christmas Time’ – Paul McCartney
7. ‘Happy Xmas (War Is Over)’ – John Lennon & Yoko Ono
6. "Stay Another Day" - East 17
5. ‘Christmas Wrapping’ – The Waitresses
4. ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ – Band Aid
3. ‘Last Christmas’ – Wham!
2. ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ – Mariah Carey
1. ‘Fairytale of New York’ – The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl

To be honest, there are quite a few more tunes I could list as my top Christmas songs - but I think 25 is already a bit excessive. 

Hopefully I may have triggered some Christmas spirit in a few Scrooges with this list and if not, well then Bah humbug! 

Victoria ♥

Grans Recipe | Orange Zest Choc Chip Biscuits

Ah, winter has really set in now hasn't it? The mornings are getting colder, my eyes are getting drier and town centres are looking brighter. Literally, I'm worried about being blinded by the Christmas lights which were switched on last week?! Now I love Christmas, but I do not expect to see a fully decked out tree on the 5th of November, as well as being bombarded with numerous Christmas adverts before I've even heard even one festive Jingle. (Team Sainsburys by the way).

In light of the festive steam train that is Christmas, I was thinking about all the amazing food there is at this time of year. Now, I'm not someone who enjoys your typical festive treats. Mince pies, Christmas cake, sprouts? No thank you. Basically anything involving dried fruits is killing my Christmas spirit. Due to my repulsion of all things raisin related, I decided to share my grans simple recipe to turn simple biscuits into a must have for me this winter.

In case the quality was far too insulting for your eyes, you will need:

• Softened butter - 250g/8oz (I like using Flora Buttery)
• Caster sugar - 100g/4oz
• Self raising flour - 100g/4oz
• Grated rind from a large orange
• Chocolate chips

Lightly grease two baking trays. Put the butter and sugar in a large bowl and beat with a wooden spoon or fork. Add the chocolate chips and flour, mix well. Form the dough into walnut sized pieces and roll between your palms. Place the balls of dough onto a baking tray (9 is about right). Dip a fork into a cup of water a flatten the dough into a biscuit shape. Bake for 15-20 minutes at fan oven 150c or gas mark 4.

It's that simple! Please do let me know your favourite recipes for festive treats and if you do in fact decide to make these biscuits!

Victoria ♥

Favourite shows of the month #3

I have a confession to make. It's one that may come as a shock to some and other's may be relieved with my admission, but I feel like I have to get it out there. Yes, I am obsessed with Period Dramas.

I've always found studying history fascinating and while most dramas I watch are of a fictional nature, there are some definitive real-life aspects to them too. So if you're looking for some shows to watch this winter, I can't recommend these highly enough.

Downton Abbey

If you haven't heard of this show, where have you been?! The show looks at Britain between 1912 to 1925 and focuses on The Crawley's, an upper class family who live at Downton Abbey. The show looks at life at Downton Abbey and everyone who resides there, from the family to the staff - everyone has a story line. The show can be a bit slow at times, so if you're looking for an action packed adventure you probably won't find it in this fictional Yorkshire village. However, some of the characters are based on real-life people. The main reason I watch it is for Maggie Smith. Her sassy one-liners give me life.

Always true.

I honestly could have just done a whole post on gifs of the best lines from The Dowager Countess.

The last episode of the series airs this Sunday, I know *sob* but there's always the Christmas episode to look forward to hope. Lets just hope no one dies this time, ahem.

Call The Midwife

Much to my grans disbelief, the show is in fact a period drama. She refuses to believe it is, as it's set in the era in which she had her children. If you then mention that she is no longer younger and care free, then let the lord have mercy on your soul.

The show is set in Poplar, between the 1950s and '60s and looks a group of midwives and nuns in Nonnatus House. The initial plot follows Jenny Lee newly qualified in midwifery and her life as she joins the women at Nonnatus. The series is based on the book written by Jennifer Worth and the highs and lows she faced while being a district nurse and midwife in the East End of London in the '50s. (It's definitely worth a read). Between the bubbly Chummy and no nonsense Sister Evangelina, the characters keep the show lighthearted even in the most harrowing moments.

#spiritanimal

Love her.

Basically any shows with sassy women and I am there.

I have so many period dramas which I love, but these two are definitely my top 2. If you want any other recommendations, feel free to leave me a comment!

Victoria ♥