Horse Print Shirt

I haven't been out shopping in Very Long Time, due to exams and deadlines and have instead resorted to online shopping.  This is something I usually rarely do; I like to be able to try on anything I buy and see what it looks like in person.  However, when I saw this shirt on Ebay, I couldn't resist!

The horse print is really cute and I can see the shirt being a rather versatile item as it can easily be dressed up or down.  This particular seller is based in China and the shirt did take a whole month to get to me.  However, they've got some really cute other Zara and ASOS items that are very cheap and I'm already planning my next order!

Kleenex Facial Cleansing Wipes

For a while now I've been using Johnson's Daily Essentials makeup wipes.  However after my last pack ran out I decided to do some shopping around and went for the Kleenex Facial Cleansing Wipes as Sainsbury's had a special introductory offer.

The Good
I have to say, I wasn't expecting to be as impressed with these as I am.  I'd got very fond of my Johnson's wipes and I didn't think anything else would match them.  The Kleenex wipes are totally different from any other makeup wipe I've used before; they're stronger and also textured.  I find that they leave my skin feeling cleaner than any other wipe, they certainly do a good job of removing any trace of makeup, even mascara.  

Upon purchasing the wipes I was a little concerned that Kleenex only have one variety of wipe, as I usually go for the type that is for sensitive skin.  So I was really pleased that these wipes are marketed as extra gentle and are suitable for those of us with sensitive skin.  So far I've been really pleased with how my skin has reacted to these.  Usually after removing my makeup with a wipe my face stays rather red and agitated for a while, but with these it calms down really quickly.

The wipes are made from 'ecoform natural fibres'; they're constructed from 65% cellulose from certified sources.  The Kleenex website says: Ecoform contains natural fibres from certified sources, has a lower carbon footprint, requires less energy and water to make, and the whole process to produce them creates less waste.  So these are a great choice for those of us wanting eco-friendly beauty products.

The Bad 
The only negative point I can find about these is that they don't moisturise as much as my old Johnson's wipes.  It's not that they leave my skin feeling particularly dry after, but with the Johnson's wipes I didn't feel the need to moisturise afterwards (however those were the only wipes that I've found moisturise enough to do so).  

I also really wish these were a little cheaper, but then again I think that about most things!  These are priced at £2.99 for 24 wipes, which is a standard price for this sort of product.

The Verdict - 9/10
Overall I would definitely buy these again.  The cleansing ability by far outweighs the lack of moisturisation these wipes provide and I'm really pleased that I've found a makeup wipe that is less damaging to the environment.

Have you tried any of the Kleenex cleansing range?

Cherry and Almond Celebrations!

I'm finished! Woop!  It's been a long four years and it feels a little bit strange that it's all ended!  However, I thought a celebration was in order, and what better way to celebrate than with cake!  This is the Cherry and Almond cake my Mum made me for my birthday.  It's so yummy, cherries are one of my favourite summer fruits!  It's also got a naughty layer of marzipan running through it too!


Cherry and Almond Cake - from here
200g butter at room temperature
200g caster sugar
4 eggs, beaten
200g self-raising flour
200g glace cherries, chopped
100g ground almonds
2-3 drops of almond extract
250g marzipan
200g blanched almonds/almond flakes
Icing sugar for dusting

•  Preheat oven to 160C(140C for fan)/Gas 3.  Grease and line a deep 20cm round cake tin.
• Beat the butter and sugar until light and creamy.  
• Pour in the beaten eggs a little at a time, adding a little flour and beating well after each addition.
• Fold in the remainder of the flour and then the cherries, ground almonds and almond extract.
• Spoon half the mixture into the tin.
• Roll out the marzipan into a 19cm circle, lay on top of the cake mixture and top with the remaining mixture.
• Level with the back of a spoon and scatter the blanched/flaked almonds on top.
• Bake for 1 hour 30 mins, covering with foil after one hour if it shows signs of burning.
• Leave to cool in the tin for 20 minutes and turn out onto a wire rack.
• Dust with icing sugar before serving.

I thoroughly enjoyed this cake!  Just a note to bare in mind though, it did become a little greasy from the marzipan, but this can be remedied by buying the best quality marzipan you can find (..or if you can bear life without marzipan just omit it altogether).  I'm a little bit of a marzipan fiend and can't imagine this cake without it!
 

Also wanted to share some cute free printable stationery!  I was searching around for some printable Thank You cards and came across these lovelies by Lisa Rupp.  The patterns and colours are so pretty and perfect for a little spring/summer note!  I've run out of coloured ink, but will be seeing how they turn out in black and white!

Image from http://thatshappy.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/mothers-day-cards-envelopes.html

Twentyfour

Yesterday I turned 24 (I swear next year I'm going to start lying about my age)!  I had a lovely day of wandering around the vintage shops in Lewes and enjoying eating lots of homemade cake!  My very talented Mum made me a Cherry and Almond Cake, which had a yummy layer of marzipan running through it, and Lemon Citrus Bars!  I'll hopefully be sharing the recipes soon after I'm completely finished with Uni and I can start blogging more!  Only one more week to go!

Wishlist 002

I've only got about two weeks until I'm all done with deadlines and exams but I've realised that one of the saddest things about finishing Uni and education in general is that I'll never get to shop for 'new school stuff' ever again!  I'm a bit of a stationery freak, and one of my favourite shops is Paperchase, so this realisation is pretty devastating!  I'm telling myself everything's OK and that I can buy new stationery for work...it doesn't really feel the same though!

Cat Highlighters : I love the cute little faces and ears on these!  They also do a panda variation!
Cath Kidston Pencil Case : I do love a bit of Cath, and this 'Bleached Flowers' print is simple and pretty.  I love the colour of the zip too!
Ladybird Pins : I must admit that I squealed when I spied these!  They're so fun and I certainly wouldn't have felt so gloomy about pinning up dates of assessment deadlines with them!
Party Invitations : I love the idea of sending out party invites for a girly cocktail evening, and these cute woodland ones are from Oxfam so all the profits go to helping others!  They're made from recycled materials too, so it would be rude not to really!
Eco Notebooks : Another Eco product, but this time from Paperchase.  The folk style flowers make me really happy!
Blueberry and Strawberry Gel pens : I have these and they smell amazing!  I'll be definitely repurchasing!
Satchel : I've been wanting an old school style satchel for a while, but I'm really fussy about bags and haven't found the perfect one yet (or one that I can afford!).  This classic offering from the Cambridge Satchel Company comes pretty close to perfect though!  I'd best start saving my pennies!

A Little Bedtime Reading

Over the past few days I've taken up reading before I go to sleep as I'd had enough of lying awake for hours worrying about my deadlines.  I find it helps take my mind off things and I get a much better night's sleep as a result.  The first non-uni book I picked up was The Help. I've had it for a while now and just never got the chance to fit it in around my course material. 

The novel is set in 1960s Mississippi and focuses on the tensions between the black and white communities at that time.  I'm only about a 100-ish pages in, but so far I'm really enjoying it.  I'm usually quite fussy about any new fiction I choose but this is a thought-provoking and funny easy read.  The characters are really well constructed and I'd certainly be interested in watching the film (although I find film adaptations are rarely as good as the book).  I've definitely found that reading has helped my stress levels and would recommend this to anyone looking for a bit of literary escapism.