Thursday 31 July 2014

Marc Jacob Flap Percy Handbag

This handbag has been on a few of my wish lists that I have posted on my blog and it was only a matter of time until I ended up buying it. So let me introduce you to my newest handbag in my collection called the FlapPercy by Marc Jacobs. I haven't brought a handbag in around 5 weeks which I was so proud of myself for not doing however I just craved when I saw this.
Marc Jacob Flap Percy Handbag
This is now my third handbag from the brand Marc Jacobs and I really can't fault their handbags. I am absolutely in love with the brand and how they are designed to look perfect for every occasion. The reason for getting this handbag was because I wanted a just a small brown everyday bag that I could wear with everything and I think this handbag fits the bill perfectly. 
For me, because Marc Jacobs's handbags are such good quality I am hoping this handbag will still be with me in years to come and I won't have to replace it for a while. Because I find that I am replacing my cheaper handbags a lot because they wear out so easily.
Inside Zip Pocket
Features: This handbag comes with an adjustable strap so it is perfect if you are a taller person or a smaller person like me. It also has an inside zip pocket which I love in handbags so you can keep the important things hidden. To lock the handbag it has a popper on the front to close it.
Adjustable Strap
Colour: Smoked Almond with Gold Hardware

xxx

Sunday 27 July 2014

Review: Mandara Spa Bali Santi Relaxing Bath Soaks

Mandara Spa Bali Santi Relaxing Bath Soaks
After discovering Lush bath bombs I have wanted to try other bath bombs from other brands to see if they are as good as the ones that I buy from Lush. Recently I had my eye on these ones made by the company Mandara Spa however for a while I been putting off buying them due to the price of them, they normal cost around £7 to £8 for four mini bath bombs which seems a lot of money to me. They do look like bath bombs however they are labelled as "bath soaks". 

One day, I was walking pasted the reduce section in the shop and noticed that there was a pack of them which has be reduced to just 99p because someone has taken one of the bath soaks out of the packet so I couldn't resist them being so cheap.

To use them you just drop one or two of the bath soaks into the running water and swirl them around and then relax. Each bath soak is filled with rose petals and exotic aromas of coconut and spice which smells really strong when you unwrapped them out of their wrapper however soon as you place them into the bath all their scent is lost. For me all the bath soak did was make the water a little cloudy and filled it with the mess of rose petals everywhere not so good if you have to clean the bath out after you finished. By the time I finished my bath most of the rose petals had disappeared so I only had a few left to get rid of.
Overall, I am so happy that I didn't pay full price for this product and for anyone who is thinking about purchasing this product as a present or for themselves I would strongly recommend getting something from Lush instead for the price of these. After my bath I felt that these bath soaks didn't do much at all for my skin so I don't think I would ever purchase these again.

xxx

Friday 18 July 2014

Cambridge Satchel Company 2014 Autumn Collection

I know summer has hardly started here in the UK however the Cambridge Satchel Company has just launched their new 2014 autumn collection online. I have to say there new collection is to die for and if money wasn't a problem I would buy one of each of the new designs for myself. Here are some of my favourites from their new 2014 autumn collection:Cambridge Satchels


1. Expedition Satchel: they have introduction this type satchel in a wide range of colours and two different sizes for men; I really love how this bag looks.

2. The Clutch: I believe this is an existing bag that company have in their collection all year round but for the new season they have brought it out in oxblood and a two-toned colour black and biscuit for the autumn season. I love how this handbag comes with a detachable strap so it gives you the option to wear this handbag two ways.

3. Twist Lock Satchel: this satchel has to be my favourite item from the new collection as a whole; I just love how this satchel looks in the oxblood colour. I also think if you hate the idea of always having to do up the buckles on your satchel this handbag is perfect because it only locks with a twist lock.

4. The Cambridge Satchel: for the new season they have added some new colours into their collection such as hot pink version in the size 11" to 13" and aubergine in the 11" to 15"

5. The Mini: the company have release a mini version of their well known normal everyday size satchel that comes in lots of new colours for the autumn such as oxblood, aubergine, red and two toned editions black with biscuit or black with peach pink. These satchels start at the price £125 and for the toned editions £145. 

xxx

Nintendo 3DS / DS Gaming Haul

For some reason I been on a gaming addiction with my Nintendo 3DS lately and seem to have picked up some games for it so I thought I would do a quick blog post about them. I know that this blog post won't be up everyone street so I don't mind if you don't want to read it.
So the week before I picked up Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney for 3DS and I couldn't but the game down, you can see my full review here! So because I enjoyed that game so much I decided I would pick the first Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney on DS to see where Phoenix Wright all started so I will keep you informed on what I think of this game.
The next few games I picked up were:
Top middle: Kid Icarus: Uprising 3DS - I heard that when this was game released it was the game to have for the 3DS console because of the amazing graphics and a great game to play so I am going to give it a try.
Bottom Left: Active Health with Carol Vordernan DS- As you can see I picked this for just £1 in the Asda clearance section and I thought that price you couldn't go wrong. I have started getting fit so if this game can help at all it was worth that money I spent on it.
Bottom Right: Mario Tennis 3DS - For some odd reason I went into Game looking to buy Mario and the Sonic at the Olympics and came out with this. I spent a few hours playing it already and it is so addictive trying to complete against all your favourite Mario characters.

What games are you playing at the moment?


xxx

Thursday 17 July 2014

Review: Rhythm Thief and the Emperor's Treasure (Nintendo 3DS)

Another game that I have recently completed and would like to share with you all is this game called Rhythm Thief and the Emperor's Treasure for Nintendo 3DS. I brought this game a month ago for around £4.99 from Argos and to be honest the first thing that came to me is, it must be an awful game because it is so cheap. However in this case don't judge a game by its price because I found this game to be a little gem. Most reviews say this game is like Professor Layton meets rhythm with lots rhythm theme mini games that you have to complete. 
I have to say that some of the levels at the beginning of the game are really easy however to say that this is a 12 plus I found some of the levels quite hard towards the end however this game got very addictive trying to completed them so you can go onto the next step. I think that the characters and story line is well thought out however the only downside to the game is that the overall story doesn't come to a finish and is sort of left in midair and to be honest the game is quite short. So I would love to see a sequel to the game and for the price it's definitely worth it for the game as a whole.

Plot line: the plot line is based around a boy who is called Rapheal but he has a secret identity called Phanton R who is looking his father all set in the scene of Paris. While on the search he comes across a girl called Marie who is looking for her mother so they both set out on the journey together.

xxx

Tuesday 15 July 2014

Current Handbag Cravings

Current Handbag Cravings

The Cambridge Satchel Company leather handbag / Miss Selfridge shopping bag / MARC BY MARC JACOBS shoulder bag, / MICHAEL Michael Kors leather tote,  / Mulberry crossbody handbag / MICHAEL Michael Kors leather tote

Recently, I have been so proud of myself because I haven't brought a handbag in a month because I decide to put myself on a spending ban for a few weeks. While on my spending ban it has given me a chance to think about the handbags I really want to save for and add into my collection. I have fallen in love with the Michael Kors zip totes especially the new navy colour added for the new season. I have also fallen back in love with the Mulberry Effie satchel again it so practical and a timeless piece that would go with any outfit. I also added on my list the Marc Jacobs Too Hot To Handle cross-body bag I just love the shape of it and I don't currently own a black handbag. I also have my eye out for a brown over the shoulder tote handbag for work and I came across this brown shopping tote from Miss Selfridge however for my height this handbag a little bit on the big side for me but I still have my eyes open for a similar one. The last thing on my list is a Cambridge Satchel I want one so badly I just love how the look. 

xxx

Monday 14 July 2014

Cook Book Addiction Haul

Ok, so I have been finding it so hard to resist buying recipe books at the moment. I am not sure what it is about them but maybe it is the bright coloured pictures or new ideas that attract me into buying them. So in the end I settle on getting these three:
Jamie's Food Tube: The Family Cookbook - Both of these Jamies's Food Tube books were recommended to me by a really good friend of mine Zoe (check out her blog here) who told me that the recipes inside the books are made with basic ingredients so this sounded like the right recipe books for me. To be honest I seem to buy a lot of recipe books and never make half of the recipes out of them because they always require unusual ingredients that I have never heard of. In this recipe book it is filled with 50 everyday recipes created by Kerryann Dunlop which range from jam tarts, curry, meat balls to fish fingers.
Jamie's Food Tube: The Cake Book - this book also carries on the same theme from the other books but instead it's full of baking recipes. The book is broken up into the four seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter recipes. So there is something to bake from the book all year round.
500 Cookie recipes: An Irresistible Collection of Cookies, Biscuits, Bars, Brownies, Slices, Scones, Muffins, Cupcakes, Shortbreads, Flapjacks, Crackers, Candies and More - I really do love this book it is full of ideas to get you started on making a wide range of tasty snacks for you and the family. However the only downside to using this recipe book being in the UK is that the ingredient amounts are in cups but once converted the amounts it is not a problem to make the recipes.


I am thinking maybe I should invest in a baking recipe book by Mary Berry next, any recipes books out there that you find yourself loving?

xxx

Saturday 12 July 2014

Review: Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (Nintendo 3DS)

Sorry for the lack of blog post these past weeks it's because it is all down this game called Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: AceAttorney for 3DS. This game has had me hooked on my 3DS for days so it is only right I do a blog post about my thoughts on it. To be honest I am not a big gamer and the only game systems I own in my life are a Nintendo 3DSxl and a Dreamcast.
Since completing the Professor Layton series a month's back I have seemed to abandon my 3DS for a while because I didn't know what to play next. Sure, I was playing on Animal Crossing on and off however I just missed the gripping storylines and mysteries to solve. To be honest I was in two minds whether or not to buy this game because I loved the professor Layton series however I had never played any of the Ace Attorney series, so I wasn't sure if I would like that side of that game and was the reason why I was putting of getting it. However last week I finally gave into my doubts and brought it and I am so glad that I did.

Soon as you start the game the storyline is so gripping and makes you want to play on for hours just so you don't have to turn the game of at a cliff-hanger. I love how both sets of character come together in the storyline and to be honest I am thinking about playing the Ace Attorney games now because of it, I just loved the characters in this game. I also so am amazed at the graphic, mini video clips, voices of the characters and how well the storyline is planned out.

The plot line: The way in which both character come together is due to a girl called Espella who is from a place called Labyrinthia that doesn't exist on a map. She is trying to escape from some witches that were chasing her and she arrives at Professor Layton office holding a book and asks the Professor Layton and Luke tries to help her. Luke the sees a bird at the window which turns out to be a witch in disuse and kidnaps Espella dropping the book she is carrying. The book is based on the history of Labyrinthia and inside the book it shows what will happen in the future. The professor and Luke open the book and are absorbed into the book and end up in Labyrinthia. Meanwhile at the same time Phoenix Wright and his assistant Maya have come over to London for a one of court case. Low and behold their client they are defending is Espella after the court case she leaves her book behind. So Phoenix and Maya open the book and are transported into Labyrinthia. Then both sets of characters end up meeting and working together to find out the secrets of Labyrinthia.

For me personally if you have never played either of the Ace Attorney or Professor Layton games I think this game is a great starting point for anyone who is thinking about getting into them. Sure there are a few characters that I remembered for the Professor Layton series but to be honest that is it. Overall it has to be my favourite game that I have played so far this year and I am kind of sad it all over I really open both Professor Layton and Phoenix Wright have more games coming out for the 3DS.


xxx

Monday 7 July 2014

Recipe: Custard & White Chocolate Biscuits

One of my favourite biscuit recipes that I discovered last year and is one that goes down so well in my household is this, custard and white chocolate recipe of the website BBC Good Food website. These are so quick and easy to make and taste so yummy that everyone will love them also as the website states they can keep in a biscuit tin for up to 2 weeks (if they are around your that long!).

 Ingredients:
140g Butter, softened
175g Caster Sugar
1 Egg
½ tsp Vanilla Extract
225g Self-Raising Flour
85g Custard
85g White Chocolate Chips 

 1. Preheat your oven to 180 C (gas mark 4) and line 2-3 baking trays with grease proof paper
2. In a food processor place butter and caster sugar into the process and whizz until fluffy
3. Add in the egg and vanilla extract and mix well
4. Sift together the flour and custard powder, place into the processor and mix to form the dough
5. Remove the dough from the food processor and knead the chocolate in by hand
6. Break parts of the dough off and roll into small balls and place onto the baking tray
7. Bake for 12-15 minutes until lightly golden 



xxx

Friday 4 July 2014

Payday Treat: Mini Lush Haul

This month I decided I would treat myself with a little trip to my favorite shop at the moment Lush. I love this shop its full of amazing products to treat yourself with and  best of all this company is against animal testing!
Creamy Candy:
Lush Creamy Candy
I love this bubble bar, it can do around two baths and I just love the scent of vanilla with almond oil mixed together. It makes you smell so nice and leaves your skin really soft and I think it is a really nice affordable treat for yourself or for someone else.

The Comforter:
Lush The Comforter
If you never tried anything from Lush this is the product that I would recommend that you try first, I know this is one of Lush most expensive bubble bars but it is so worth it. You get around five to six baths out of it depending on how sparingly you use it. It has a blackcurrant like scent to it and when crumbled into the bath it turns the water pink colour.  Again this smells amazing and I and it is one of the products I find myself always going back to.

Twilight:
Lush Twilight
This bath bomb smells incredible even if you leave it unwrapped on your desk it makes your whole room smell so nice. The only let down for me about this bath was that it contained glitter and it made not only the bath glittery but you as well. However I really did love the colours it created in the bath. 

xxx