January 2012 GlossyBox

Today is supposed to be the happiest Monday of the year. I'm not so sure about that but I was a little more cheerful preparing for work this morning after the post man called by with the new GlossyBox. This month's box is a Valentine's Day edition and the new hot pink colour reflects that perfectly. I wish they'd keep the boxes this colour - it rocks! I use my empty boxes for make up storage and would totally prefer this over the previous muted pink shade.

As always, the card enclosed gives a detailed breakdown of each product. I'm eagerly awaiting the launch of the January magazine online so I can check out their verdict on each product and get tips for usage. I love the presentation - GlossyBox win hands down for this. There is so much attention to detail in every box.

I'm not quite sure what to make of the contents of this particular box. Nothing instantly grabs me but I'll still enjoy trying them out over the course of the next week. I'm pretty interested to try the Primer as I've always stuck with the Laura Mercier Foundation Primer and keep meaning to experiment with something new.

Did any of you receive the January Box? What's your verdict? Any new loves? Have you tried out any of the other beauty boxes? Leave a comment and tell all!

In shoe heaven. Can I stay here?

Dear lovely readers, 

Many a Sunday afternoon has been spent whiling away the hours perusing the Sarenza web site, drifting off to dreamland as I visualise my ultimate shoe closet. I’ve made wishlist upon wishlist and mentally spent my hypothetical lottery win countless times. Imagine my amazement when I stumbled across this little post. I literally squealed in delight. Could a perk that perky possibly come my way? Could it?

My fave pair of all the great shoes? Converse Chuck Taylor! I’ve felt sentimental towards Converse my whole adult life, yet I only just got round to buying a pair. This simple pump invokes such fond memories of childhood. At 8 years old (inspired by classic American movies like Home Alone) I spent my pocket money on a pre-loved pair from a second hand store in London and wore them every day until my parents threw them out. I loved those shoes. 

We get a lot of pretty cool people walk through the doors where I work. Interesting, quirky characters with fall at your feet good looks. The cool kids usually favour simplicity and this iconic footwear often makes an appearance. I think they've rubbed off on me. Give me indigo skinnies, a white shirt and black high top Converse over glitz and glam any day.

Fancy making some happy Converse memories of your own? Hop on over to Sarenza and you can do just that. Might be hard to decide which colour though.

Love,

Sofia ‘Shoe Addict’ Smith xo

Psst...Sarenza, if you happen to read this, yes, I'd be chuffed to receive your shoes each month and share the splendid experience with my readers. I promise to dust off my fancy schmancy camera and make each pair come alive. Oh pretty please, let me stay in shoe heaven!

No7 Beautiful Skin

No7 recently released a new skin care line which I've had the pleasure of checking out over the past few weeks. Just so you know - I have combination skin - oily t-zone, normal everywhere else.

I'm totally enamoured with the cleanser. The label states "A gentle soap free foaming cleanser that cleverly dissolves make-up and impurities whilst helping tighten pores to help keep skin looking clear and healthy. Works in one easy step leaving no residue, just perfectly clean, refreshed, shine free skin".

It absolutely lives up to its claims. I've never come across a cleanser that promises to reduce the look of open pores so was intrigued. It absolutely works! And shine? No more! The pump bottle is super hygienic and the foaming action makes the whole process quicker than quick. It literally dissolves all make up (even my heavy foundation) in one simple step. At £9, it's cheaper than another fave of mine, Philosophy Purity Made Simple, but similar in its effect.

One negative: Slightly drying so not for those with normal skin. If you're oily I'd recommend you try this - it's not the most gentle (for more on this see here) cleanser out there but it has many virtues.

 

The day cream is also pretty good. It didn't wow me but I love that it's fairly light and does what it says - hydrates and mattifies. The SPF 15 is a nice added bonus.

What cleanser are you currently using? Any exciting new discoveries to share? Drop me a comment - I'd love to hear about it!

Psst... Nope, this post aint sponsored!

Etsy Discoveries > Jenni Jewel

It's not uncommon for me to rave about cute Etsy finds but this may well be my favourite discovery yet. I've recently been organising my costume jewellery and feel like it's time for 'out with the old and in with the new'. A lot that I have doesn't reflect my current style and something about it being the start of a new year is inspiring a change. How handy that I stumbled across this amazing store:

Cute, right?

For more of my etsy discoveries see here. Share your own in the comments section!

Feature in Cosmopolitan Magazine

The February edition of Cosmopolitan magazine landed on my doorstep this morning. The lovely ladies at Cosmo were sweet enough to send me a copy along with a certificate for my entry into the 2011 Blog Awards. A nice little mention in a major UK mag...who would have thought it? Thanks for the shout out Cosmo!

My Fashion Love Affair - Mustard

This has been the winter where I discovered mustard. Like, really discovered mustard. I wear it pretty much every day and will be all sorts of sad when spring arrives and mustard no longer fits with my warm weather wardrobe. Isn't it a delicious colour? 

 credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Things I Love Thursday

Man, it's a long time since I wrote one of these. I really need to put some love back into my life!

#1. Statement necklaces. Shame I can't find one I love in 'real' life.



#2. This amazing desk space (see here for more!). Oh, how I wish it were mine.



#3. Art prints by 3LambGraphics. I want!

#4. Daily Calendar. You write something that happened that day, then do so on the same day each year. This is genius! Imagine keeping it going for the whole of your life! Memories, memories. 

Via Design Sponge (view details of the project here)

#5. Aqua nails. Is it spring yet? 

Best Ever Chocolate Brownies

According to my newspaper, today is the most depressing day of the year. Kudos to all of you who braved the gales and made it back to work. Some of you may need a little cheering up so I just had to share this recipe that I stumbled upon recently. These are, quite literally, the best brownies you will ever taste.

Best Ever Chocolate Brownies

Makes 16

♥ 200g / 8oz butter

♥ 200g / 8oz dark chocolate (I used Green & Black's cooking chocolate)

♥ 175g / 6oz dark muscovado sugar

♥ 140g / 5oz granulated or castor sugar

♥ 4 eggs

♥ 50g / 2oz ground almonds

♥ 50g / 2oz plain flour

1. Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/Gas 4 then grease and line a 20cm square brownie tin. Heat butter and chocolate in a pan until melted. Stir through both sugars. 

2. Leave to cool for 5 minutes then stir in the (beaten) eggs until smooth. Mix in the almonds and flour then pour into the tin. Bake for 30-35 minutes. It should be just cooked through in the middle with a slight crust to the outside.

- this delicious recipe is courtesy of Good Food. Enjoy!