The other week I went to visit two of my friends that live in Germany. It's true that as we get older, it gets harder to make time to see everyone but it's always possible to make time for those that matter most...even if it means jumping on a plane - they're worth it!

Also, at £23 return can you really complain? (yes Ryanair!!!)

I brought along one of my best friends and we were impressed with Germany the moment we arrived at the train station McDonalds...sounds crazy but that's because you haven't tried their white hot chocolates yet now have you?

And did I mention they also sell muffins oozing with nutella. Makes sense now doesn't it. Can the UK McDonalds pleeaseee make note. 

Aside from gawping at any place that sold 'brotchen' and currywurst, we actually did some visiting too!!

As a surprise, our friends took us to Harz for some traditional sledging...but not like the plastic sledges we have here in the UK. The proper wooden ones you see in old fashioned films etc!

I wasn't expecting to be going anywhere snowy so it all felt quite magical and narnia like. I definitely got butterflies of excitement like a small child!!! Snow makes everything look so clean and peaceful.

They did have ski lifts, but some of us have to be bikini ready this summer, so we manned up and walked up the mountain...in the snow.. dragging sledges...things got pretty sweaty but I was promised gluhwein if we made it half way.

Everyone looked so happy and it was cute seeing couples. parent and child and friends racing eachother down the slopes, some of them tumbling off!

We had snow up to our knees which meant there was a lot of tripping up (and some voluntary rolling around making snow angels)

Dare I say, I felt a little Christmassy?!! Maybe more so than I did on actual Christmas!!!

The half way point eventually came and that meant warm alcohol was the order of the day. The walking was worth it!!

Now feeling a little tipsy, we continued our journey up the mountain. Going where no sledgers had been before (because it was actually forbidden)...to the ski slopes!!!

 We whizzed down, dodging the skiiers and clinging on for dear life. It was sooooooo funnn!!!!

And obviously we returned to the gluhwein hut halfway down because you know, it's good to keep warm for health reasons.

Stick fairylights on anything and I'll find it adorable.

After hours of sledging, drinking and getting a LOT of bruises along the way, it was time to go home. Jeans soaking wet and muscles aching, we climbed back in the car and headed home. 

A perfect day was ended with peppermint tea, candles and blankets whilst we watched one of the best films ever made, Chocolat. 

There's definitely some days that I will always treasure because they were just that extra special and this is one of them. 

January Beauty Obsessions

I think a lot of us find January a bit of a 'meh' month. Christmas and New Year came and went and the cold weather isn't so festive any more. BUT I bet you have a really big stock of toiletries now! 

We all know it...you can't beat a pamper evening with some gorgeous smellies and the obligatory candle burning in the background!

Here are the products I am loving at the moment :)

Seanik Shampoo bar 

I absolutely adore Lush but I do find it a tad pricey at times! I was very lucky to get this shampoo bar as a Christmas present. It claims to last around 80 washes...which suddenly makes the higher price seem like a bargain...and I'd say at the rate I'm using it, that's probably about right. It has been a godsend for my flat hair as it dries it out a bit which helps lift it at the roots! It also has a gorgeous fresh smell and leaves your hair looking shiny which one of my housemates even commented on. Another plus is its portable size! Absolutely perfect for popping in your toiletry bag and as it's solid, you can even have it in hand luggage!

Mask of Magnaminty 

Another Lush gift I received at Christmas! I love to use face masks once or twice a week to nourish my skin and this one ticks all the boxes for me. It has a minty refreshing smell and contains lots of gentle ingredients like honey which leave your skin feeling fresh and glowing afterwards. I definitely prefer thick textured masks to peel-off ones and Lush has never disappointed with their face masks. 

Pink Pepperpod Shower Gel 

When I first opened this to smell it I just kept on inhaling it in like I had some kind of problem! I am obsessed with its unique smell. It is sweet yet sort of aftershavey and its fragrant really clings to your skin after a shower leaving you smelling lovely all day! If you're going to pick a Molton Brown shower gel, make it this one! I promise you will have zero regrets. 

Forever Living Aloe Vera Tooth Gel*

I have really enjoyed sampling some of the Forever Living products I was recently sent but I have to say, this was surprisingly one of my favourites! I was sceptical as there are a lot of dental products out there that claim to give you that perfect Hollywood smile but I genuinely believe this has made my teeth shinier! My boyfriend borrowed some and commented on it himself! I love the packaging and it's definitely a lot bigger than your average toothpaste tube. 

Forever Living Moisturising Lotion*

Drink water, remove your make up and moisturise - the key things to do for healthy skin. I am always changing between moisturisers but for the last month, I have stuck to this one by Forever Living. It is quickly absorbed and has kept that dry skin we all experience at some time over the winter months, at bay. I also find it makes a great primer if you use a smaller amount. Again, I love the smart packaging! All of their skincare range looks like this but in different colours, so they looks very organised lined up on my dressing table.

Hugo Boss Nuit

I think we all like to be that person that has their own unique scent so I am always looking for perfumes that nobody else has. I was drawn to the sophisticated look of this perfume bottle and with its black colouring, I thought it would be really strong but it actually has a very delicate sweet floral smell! It is my current 'go to' every day scent!

I haven't written about anything beauty-related in a while as food seems to have been the biggest thing in my life recently!!! Yess - even post-Christmas!

If you have any beauty favourites I'd love to hear about 'em :)

p.s. I now have a facebook page which you can find here

Instagram link

Bloglovin link

Twitter link

A festive guilt-free milkshake

"I never want to eat again. Ever" - this is me after every meal I have over Christmas. Of course, a few hours later I can be found indulging in more mince pies and knocking back the mulled wine. But that's okay because 'it's Christmas!'... 

Except, I won't be able to use that excuse anymore so in an attempt to make a transition to the healthy side, I whipped up this delicious cinnamon and vanilla milkshake, using Forever Lite Ultra* in vanilla flavour.

To make, simply add a level scoop of your forever lite powder to 300ml of semi-skimmed milk (by all means use skimmed to save on calories, but I'm not quite at that stage yet!). Then simply sprinkle in some cinnamon and give it a good ol' whisk to give it a nice creamy texture!

Sprinkle a little more cinnamon on the top, et voila!

If made with skimmed milk, that makes a grand total of 201 calories. Not bad for a tasty milkshake!!

I actually made this because I was scavenging the house looking for some Christmas leftovers as we're not having lunch till we've gone to the bank and some shops AND the garden centre, and I knew that if I didn't eat something, I'd end up eating more rubbish.

I was starving before I drank this and I can honestly say I now feel completely satisfied...and for me as the biggest eater for a little person you'll know, is saying something.

If you're really wanting to shed some pounds then you can take on the seven day challenge where you replace two of your meals with a shake! I think I'll play around with more recipes before attempting that because my love for food is just too great! And remember that if you do try the challenge then it should only be short-term..a sorta kick-start to your healthy lifestyle!

If you have any other recipes, I'd love to try them so do let me know :)

p.s. I now have a facebook page which you can find here

Instagram link

Bloglovin link

Twitter link

Cheesy Pesto Twirls

I remember making cheese straws in nursery. That's the level of difficulty we're working with here...except these cheese straws have an extra sophisticated twist to them! Easy to make and a definite crowd pleaser, you can't not have these on your spread this Christmas.

All you need is:

• an egg
• two sheets of ready rolled puff pastry
• grated mozzarella 
• a jar of green pesto ( I bet red would work just as well though!

Step One: Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C.

Step Two: Line a baking tray with some foil and then roll out your first sheet of pastry.

Step Three: Spread a generous layer of pesto across the whole sheet and then sprinkle on your grated mozzarella. 

Step Four: Lie the second sheet of pastry on top so you have made a sandwich with it. Then cut into strips of around 4-5cm width and as long as you like! 

Step Five: Twist the strips and then rub some egg over the pastry so that they leave the oven with a nice glaze. Pop  them in the oven for 25 mins.

They taste best served warm straight from the oven!

p.s. I now have a facebook page which you can find here

Instagram link

Bloglovin link

Twitter link