Back to Blogging: Best Bits

It seems I always go through peaks and troughs when it comes to blogging. I tend to stumble over hurdles, whether its writer's block or simply being overly busy with work and seeing friends. Blogging has always been a hobby to do in my spare time, and when time runs out, unfortunately, this is the first thing that it effects. So, I managed to miss out writing anything for you guys for the whole month of October. I'd like to say loads has happened but to be honest I'm taking a whack at prioritising different things at the moment and it's making me feel a lot better. I'm glad that I've managed to muscle up the time to write a blog post because I've got a few things that I'm loving at the moment, whether its fashion, beauty of lifestyle bits. 
So here they are...

1. Feminists Don't Wear Pink 

Let's start with something I've been banging on about over and over... Feminists Don't Wear Pink and other lies by Scarlet Curtis. I urge everyone, male or female to have a read of this book. It's a collection of essays from a variety of different women about what feminism means to them. The goal of the book is to help the reader come to their own personal understanding of the word, because lord knows it's got some pretty negative connotations these days - let's not get me started! It's funny, witty, real and heartfelt. 

2. Mio Liquid Yoga 

Bath time favourite - Liquid Yoga. Mio strikes again with another fab product. I'm really loving alternating between the gym and yoga at the moment- one clears my head and the other helps me to think- but with all this exercise I do tend to get really achy muscles and this product is perfect. Plus, it smells like Deep Heat or Tiger Balm, so what's not to love!

3. OGX Orchid Oil Shampoo

Unless you haven't realised, I've really tried to go fairly natural and eco-friendly recently, whether its beauty products that I'm using, recycling a bit more, my weekly food shop or cleaning products. It is a bit of a struggle when you have certain products that are great and you just can't let go of them... BUT I have found the perfect shampoo- I say this but I often have to change shampoo every 2-3 months otherwise my hair gets used to it- alas, at the moment this is my perfect shampoo! Sulphate-free and super hydrating, this shampoo allows me to leave my hair for a few days without washing (which by the way is a pretty big deal for me). Also, a pro for anyone that's looking to use this who colours their hair, it's great for protecting colour and locking in moisture!

4. Morphe x Jaclyn Hill

I was lucky enough to get these babies through work and for now, these are FOR SURE my go-to brand for make-up brushes. They are super smooth. These professional brushes are made from a natural blend of sable and goat bristles and are 100% animal cruelty-free <3

5. Why Buddhism Is True 

So, for this one I took an image from the internet because my book is looking pretty rank right now, God knows how many tube journeys and bus routes it's been on. Now the front cover of this book doesn't do itself justice at all. People will read the front and think - ahh this is going to be a book about how we should all be calm, try meditating and seek enlightenment. Well, not quite. I'm in love with this book, and with only 80 pages left I hope Robert Wright doesn't somehow screw it up with such a short space to go. The book looks at the science and philosophy behind Buddhism from an evolutionary psychologist's perspective. Now, Robert himself looks at the paradoxical view of Buddhism and shows both pros and cons to meditation and enlightenment. This book has made me look at things in an entirely different way, the difference between feelings, emotions, essence all of which are human-made. I can't rate this book enough if I could make all my friends read it I would! 

Sugar Scrubs and Bath Salts

Hey Guys! So I've been pretty broke recently and have been looking at ways to treat myself, and also cheap alternatives  to buying friends birthday presents. So I decided to have a night in with a friend, instead of going out and hitting the town- as i'd previously said... we're kinda broke- and made bath salts and sugar body scrubs! Its simple,f un and easy, so here are the favourite essences that we made...

 Before starting I made a trip to Asda and purchased these cute little jars, 4 for £2!

 We decided to gather everything and anything that we thought might smell good in a bath and beauty product around the kitchen.

Bath Salts

 We used approximately 1 cup full of fresh sea salt shavings, then mixed these with a teaspoon of coconut and baby oil. The first was a fusion of lime zest, 1 green tea bag and a hand full of jasmine. The second (Fruit Cocktail) was a mixture of lime zest, almost zest, strawberry, vanilla pods and extract. It's so simple! You can do this with whatever ingredients you chose. 

Sugar Body Scrub

This step-by-step is fairly similar to the bath salts. I started by using just 1 cup demerara sugar, but then decided to mix it together with 1/2 a cup of sea salt flakes, to reduce the sweetness and soften the colour. I then mixed in double the amount of coconut and baby oil, as previously stated in the sea salts, and started to add ingredients. I decided to keep the sugar body scrub sweet smelling and added vanilla pod, extract, cinnamon and a small amount of honey. 

Enjoy!

K.

K's Christmas Bundle

Hey Guys! We're so sorry that we haven't posted in a while, but i've been completely overloaded with university work and S has been busy getting promoted!! So here's a short but sweet post to keep you up-to-date on a few of my favourite Christmas presents...

So my presents started a little before Christmas day when my parents decided to surprise me with Ice Skating tickets to the Somerset House Skate Rink ! It was amazing, and as it was sponsored by Fortnum & Mason the nibbles and hot chocolate were amazing!

Here's one I got in my santa sack: Benefit's How to Look Good at Everything! It's great and allows you to achieve that flawless complexion everyone's dying for. It includes Pore Professional, Hello Flawles, Boi-ing and 'I Love Me' Ivory

Here are another two for the makeup bag! Benefit's Stay Flawless Primer (and when it says 15-hour is means it!) and my much awaited concealer brush from Mac

As many of you may remember I worked for House of Holland over the Summer and here are some of their adorable Christmas nails which I styled out for the festive period.

Last but not least is my Olivia Burton watch. I've been looking at these for a few months now and was ecstatic when I opened up the box to find i'd been gifted my favourite model! 

Hope you guys liked my Christmas Bundle! I'll be sure to not leave it quite so long before writing a new post.

K. 

Alex and Ani (+) Energy - Spiritual ornamental Jewellery

Alex and Ani are an American spiritual jewellery company. The franchise believe in the power of positive energy, which contributes to the formation of the base of their industry. The companies aim is to share the attributes and benefits of positive energy through their jewellery. Each of their ornaments have individual symbols which generate their positive energy through their unique beauty and spiritual meaning. 

In this post I will display a few of the many charms which the brand have created that are infused with their positive energy. 

These are my first three Alex and Ani Bangle charms. Each with their own unique symbol and spiritual meaning. It is said that these can only be worn in odd numbers, a spiritual balance or 'lucky' ora produced by the uneven count.

Working from the left, the first is the Endless Knot Charm Bracelet: this represents the interweaving and ever-changing spiritual path, the endless knot expresses boundless wisdom and compassion. It illustrates an eternal pattern in its design, connecting one's destiny bound by time and change. Wear the Endless Knot Charm to remind you of life's journey and the entanglements of faith.

Secondly, in the middle, is the Phoenix Wrap. The Phoenix, a mythical and sacred firebird known to rise from its ashes in regeneration. The creature is a symbol of divinity, loyalty and immortality. It is a reminder that transformation and change is good for the soul. 

The third is the Path Of Life Charm Bangle. The symbol is representative of an infinite number of possibilities and expressions of love. Additionally illustrating the unexpected twists an turns in life. This charm can be warn to demonstrate your willingness to travel in pursuit of happiness. 

My most recent addition to my collection is the Eye Of Horus Beaded Bracelet. An Egyptian symbol associated with intuition, good health, and protection in connection with the moon. Egyptian Kings were buried with the symbol as it was believed to keep you safe in the afterlife and ward off evil. It is  known for it's healing and protection abilities. 

Alex and Ani(+)Energy have recently branched out internationally, opening stores in the UK after demonstrating their admirable conquest of the States. They are still rather exclusive in the UK due to only having two stores and one stand. Their stores can be found in Bath and Essex. Additionally they launched a shop within a shop, selling their items in Argento in Nottingham. I highly recommend Alex and Ani products due to their innovative designs and symbols. 

To look at more of their products go to - http://www.alexandani.com


K.