Yes to Carrots Cleanser
Posted: May 23, 2013 Filed under: Beauty | Tags: aloe vera, cleanser, face, facial, nourishing, product, sensitive skin, yes to carrots Leave a comment »My skin is currently in desperate need of some TLC and I’ve been looking for a good everyday solution. Even though it’s been around for a while now, I’ve only just tried a Yes to Carrots product. I chose a cleanser that is paraben free and made with 96% natural ingredients. The organic carrots help protect and nourish and keep your skin soft and glowing. The aloe vera refreshes, soothes and moisturises; and the shea butter restores and improves appearance.
This cleanser has a thick and creamy consistency. It’s easy to apply and a little goes a long way. It smells lovely and refreshing and leaves a subtle scent on your skin. After application, my skin was left feeling smooth, moisturised and super clean.
The Yes to Carrots range is available in many good pharmacies. This 170g bottle of cleanser cost around €8.50 which is a little more expensive than other similar products on the shelves. However I do feel that the price is justified because it’s very good quality and, since you only need a small bit with each application, it will last you that bit longer. Overall, I’m very happy with my latest find — it’s a definite yes from me for Yes to Carrots.
The Cutest Keepsake
Posted: May 22, 2013 Filed under: Life, Thoughts | Tags: five year diary, gift idea, journal, keepsake, line a day, memory book, present, review, stationery 4 Comments »Isn’t it great when you order something online, kind of forget about it and then have that lovely little surprise when it comes through your letterbox?! My most recent arrival was a five year memory book. This is a journal that features the space to note your thoughts and experiences of every day over the course of five years.
It’s a small, thick book that’s both portable and durable. The cover is a beautiful cerulean colour with elegant gold font on the cover and gold-edged pages inside. Every date in the year has its own individual page and you get 6 lines for each entry. The lines are on the narrow side so you will have to keep your writing small and neat. The limited space means that you have to keep every entry short and sweet. There are, however, three additional pages at the back of the book which are blank to give you a little extra space to expand on any important details.
These journals are available on the likes of Amazon and eBay. I bought this for myself but I think it would also make such a lovely gift for pretty much any person in your life. It’s such a fun, interesting and efficient way of keeping track of things. How great would it be to have this book to look back through years from now? I’m really going to make the effort to record an entry every day and hopefully I can fill this book with lots of great memories over the next five years 
.
Innocent Noodle Pots
Posted: May 21, 2013 Filed under: Food | Tags: dinner, healthy, innocent, lunch, malaysian rendang, meals, microwaveable, noodle pots, veg, vegetarian 2 Comments »As someone who’s been trying so hard to eat healthy, I was immediately intrigued when I learned that Innocent recently added noodle pots to their range of products. I already love their smoothies and veg pots so I didn’t hesitate in giving this a go. I chose the Malaysian Rendang option and it didn’t disappoint.
Consisting of rice noodles with red peppers in a creamy, spicy coconut sauce, this is really delicious. Even though you can cook this in the microwave, it tastes nothing like those notoriously salty and processed ready meals. Instead, it’s got a lovely fresh flavour and feel to it. It’s absolutely packed with all sorts of veg (peppers, carrots, cabbage, edamame beans and more). Each pot counts as two of your five-a-day and it’s totally suitable for vegetarians.
I think it would taste fantastic with some grilled chicken but it’s an entirely substantial meal on its own. It’s a handy one to have in the fridge for when you’re short on time and want something quick and filling. With only 266 calories per pot, all that veg and no colourings and preservatives, it’s a healthy option too. I’m already looking forward to trying the other choices in this range — Thai Tom Yum, Vietnamese Curry and Japanese Ramen. That’s dinner sorted for the rest of the week then… 
Max Factor Glossfinity
Posted: May 20, 2013 Filed under: Beauty | Tags: angel nails, glossfinity, glossy, max factor, metallic, nail polish, nail varnish, shine 3 Comments »Boots are currently running a promotion where if you spend over €20 on Max Factor products, you get a free gift. Now, if you’ve read any of my previous beauty posts, you’ll know I can never refuse an offer like that! Especially when the gift is more make-up (I’ll do a separate post on that later in the week).
So I got some CC Cream (meh) and a bottle of Glossfinity nail polish. In fairness to them, Max Factor have a lovely selection of colours for your nails. I chose number fifty-five Angel Nails which is a silvery-bronze metallic kind of colour. I found the application a bit tricky because – although it’s thin - the brush holds quite a lot of product. If you don’t wipe off the excess beforehand, you could end up with just a big blob on your nail. Take your time and a bit of care and you’ll be fine. With 2 coats on each nail, I had a smooth opaque finish.
Maybe it’s because I have so many of Rimmel’s 60 Seconds nail polishes but this one seemed to take forever to dry! After nearly ten minutes, it was still tacky to the touch. I (carefully) flipped through a magazine and my nails were just about set by the time I reached the last page. I think it was worth the wait though. It’s quite a pretty and unique colour which I like. It has subtle glittery flecks and I think it would probably suit all skin tones. It’s as glossy as it promises to be and has great shine (which made it almost impossible to photograph!). Overall, I’m fairly happy with it and I can see myself wearing this again throughout the year.
Rustic Strawberry and Rhubarb Pie
Posted: May 19, 2013 Filed under: Food | Tags: desserts, pastry, pie, rhubarb, strawberry, world baking day 10 Comments »
Since I’ve been making a serious effort to eat healthier recently, it’s been ages since I did any baking. However, seeing as today is World Baking Day and also because this is my 200th post (!), I thought I’d make an exception.
With World Baking Day, everyone is encouraged to ‘bake brave’ and try something they’ve never done before. Up until today, I had never made any kind of pastry from scratch. We have a ton of rhubarb growing in our garden so I decided to combine that with some lovely, ripe strawberries to make a classic pie.
I really enjoyed the experience. The recipe I followed was for 2 pies so I halved it but then I ended up running out of dough (hence the bizarre looking lattice!) Also I think I added a little too much water which made the dough incredibly soft and a lot harder to work with. It’s definitely rustic looking but it still tastes surprisingly delicious. The pastry has a sweet, crisp, biscuit-y taste and texture; and the slightly sharp rhubarb and sweet strawberries contrast beautifully.
Considering the fact that it’s my first pie, I’m really happy with it. It was nice to step out of my comfort zone and try something new. Since they say practice makes perfect, I’ll definitely have to try this again in the future. For now, however, I have to get back to healthy eating…as soon as I have just one more slice…
Savouring Sunday
Posted: May 19, 2013 Filed under: Life, Thoughts | Tags: end of week, relaxation, rest, sunday, things to do, weekend, winding down 2 Comments »It’s nearly over so I hope everyone had a great weekend! For me, Sunday evenings are all about relaxation. Whenever I’ve been rushing around and doing a lot (or if I’m just in the mood for some pampering!), there’s nothing I like better than coming home to a long luxurious bubble bath and a stack of the latest magazines. It’s the perfect way to unwind, clear your mind and – in this case - prepare for the week ahead. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday x
Eau so Nice
Posted: May 19, 2013 Filed under: Beauty | Tags: cosmetics, feminine, fragrance, light, new, perfume, pink princess, scent, summer, vera wang Leave a comment »I have such a weakness for good perfume. I could happily spend an entire afternoon in a department store, just sampling all the different fragrances. I don’t really have a signature scent because I’m constantly changing it up. The only perfume that’s always on my dressing table is Chanel Coco Mademoiselle. It’s an absolutely irresistible classic and family members kindly give me a bottle every Christmas which usually lasts me the year because I only wear it on special occasions.
This weekend, as I had a browse around town, I have become particularly besotted with Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb, Escada Cherry in the Air and Prada Candy. I also picked up a pretty heart-shaped sample card that was sprayed with Vera Wang’s latest offering Pink Princess. This is deliciously sweet, powdery and slightly fruity. The bottle is so pretty as well and has a gorgeous, girly feel to it. Light, fun and playful; summer scents don’t get much better than this!
Max Factor CC Cream
Posted: May 19, 2013 Filed under: Beauty | Tags: cc cream, colour correcting, cosmetics, high street, make up, max factor, new product, review 5 Comments »A couple of months ago, someone asked me if I’d normally get a lot of blemishes on my face. I shrugged and said nope, not really. Of course, ever since then, my face has been breaking out non-stop! I can’t work out if I totally jinked myself or if it’s just a mere coincidence 
. Either way, something had to be done.
I always like to try out new products but I never really bought into the whole BB cream craze. However, now that CC creams have come along and my skin is in need of some extra care, I’m a little more interested. These are Colour Correcting creams that promise to even out skin tone, give foundation-like coverage and provide a lightweight finish. As well as that, CC creams also offer all the same benefits of a BB cream such as hydration, SPF and antioxidants. Sounds impressive, right? I decided to put it to the test and so I snapped up the Max Factor CC cream this weekend.
This comes in a nice, sleek tube in three different shades: fair, natural and tanned. The description on the back reads: “Infused with skincare ingredients, the formula moisturises and instantly transforms your skin with a radiant look”.
When I first applied it, it did feel light and velvety soft on my face. However, it didn’t really cover my blemishes so I decided to build it up and apply another layer. It was still light and soft with a matte-like appearance but it wasn’t enough. I dabbed on and blended in a little extra cream where it was needed to finish it off.
I can’t say that I’m overly impressed. After nearly three layers, my blemishes were less obvious but the product felt slightly heavy on my face. It gave a light sun-kissed colour to my complexion which was nice but I still prefer my regular foundation. As the day went on, it didn’t feel quite so heavy but I noticed a crack across my chin – eek!
This cost €15.99 for a 30ml tube which may not break the bank but it will break a twenty and to be honest, I’m not sure that it’s worth it. Sorry Max Factor, but this one is a miss for me.
5 Fun Foodie Films
Posted: May 16, 2013 Filed under: Food, Movies | Tags: best, charlie and the chocolate factory, cinema, dvds, eat pray love, foodie films, girly, julie and julia, list, ratatouille, waitress 11 Comments »The following five movies are fun, quirky and charming in their own individual ways. They also have something else in common; they all celebrate the joys of good food. Whether they’re preparing fresh whole poultry from scratch or sinking their teeth in to a sweet, flaky pasty, these characters will have you drooling. Warning: do not watch on an empty stomach!
Waitress (2007)
Plot:
Jenna is a waitress with a talent for making incredible pies. She’s unhappily married to the petty and possessive Earl but doesn’t have the means to leave him. She dreams of entering a pie contest in another town and winning the $25,000 prize so she can start a new life. Jenna’s plans, however, are dashed when she realises she’s pregnant. Things get even more complicated when a handsome new doctor arrives on the scene…
Foodie highlights:
An incredibly array of sweet and savoury pies that vary from the childhood favourite ’marshmallow mermaid pie’ to the “baby screaming its head off in the middle of the night and ruining my life pie” (New York style cheesecake, brandy brushed and topped with pecans and nutmeg). This film will have you reaching for your rolling pin.
Julie and Julia (2009)
Plot:
Based on two true stories, this film focuses on two different women and their first significant cooking adventures. Julia Child has moved to Paris in the 1950s and decided to learn how to cook. This marks the beginning of her phenomenal culinary career. In New York in 2002, blogger Julie Powell has challenged herself to cook all the recipes in Julia Child’s first cookbook. Her actions will later inspire the making of this very film.
Foodie highlights:
Mouth-watering classic French cuisine — think French onion soup, boeuf Bourguignon and chocolate soufflés. C’est délicieux!
Ratatouille (2007)
Plot:
Remy is young and talented with dreams of becoming a top chef. Unfortunately for him, he’s also a rat who gets chased out of every kitchen that he enters! As fate would have it, he stumbles out of a sewer one day and into his idol’s restaurant. There, he meets a young man named Linguini and the two of them begin to bond and work together.
Foodie highlights:
More French food but this time it’s Computer Generated — although it still looks just as delicious! The main feature is, of course, the ratatouille dish that blows away the notoriously discerning critic Anton Ego.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
Plot:
Against all odds, poverty-stricken Charlie Bucket finds the golden ticket that allows him exclusive access to the world’s greatest chocolate factory. Along with four other winners and their guardians, Charlie is led on a tour by the factory’s eccentric owner Willy Wonka.
Foodie highlights:
Chocolate, of course! The chocolate room is one of the first rooms we see in the factory and it’s seriously impressive. It’s filled with chocolate in all shapes and forms as well as jellied sweets, candy apples, lollipops — ”even the grass is edible”. And who wouldn’t want to drink from that hot thick chocolate river…?
Eat Pray Love (2010)
Plot:
Feeling lost and confused after going through a rough patch, Elizabeth Gilbert goes on a journey of self-discovery. First up is Italy where she spends four months finding out about the pleasures of good food. She then moves on to India where she learns to pray and meditate. Her voyage eventually concludes in beautiful Bali where she finds love, inner peace and true happiness.
Foodie highlights:
Okay so less than a third of this film is about the food but it’s enough to make you very hungry. Liz discovers real food in Rome and so there’s authentic pizza, pasta and gelato aplenty. She is taught to appreciate different flavours and to savour every mouthful, something we all need to know how to do.
Calling all Irish Yogurt Lovers
Posted: May 15, 2013 Filed under: Food, Places | Tags: city centre, dawson street, dublin, glenisk, ireland, irish, lunch, offers, pop up shop, yoghurt, yogurt 4 Comments »If you happen to be in Dublin city centre over the next ten weeks, why not check out Glenisk’s pop-up store on Dawson Street? I’m already a big fan of the company’s products (especially their vanilla yogurt — yum!) so I was really pleased to receive a voucher for a complimentary lunch for two at their new store.
We stopped by earlier today to check it out. The pop-up store is a fresh, bright space with a creative and interesting menu. All the dishes — both sweet and savoury — have been prepared with Glenisk Organic Yogurt and/or Crème Fraiche. We didn’t have time to sit in so we got our lunch to go. We chose the Mexican salad and the carrot, apple and beetroot salad. They were both lovely, light and refreshing but still packed with flavour. Each savoury dish is also served with some seriously delicious rosemary and olive oil crostini. They’re perfect for a quick and tasty lunch.
On-site you can also buy smoothies and cheesecakes as well as the Glenisk products you see in store such as milk, cream and yogurt. I’m told that the menu changes regularly so it will be interesting to go back and see what other yummy concoctions they will come up with! They even offer free recipe cards in-store which you can take with you to recreate your favourites at home. Everything is very reasonably priced with nothing costing more than €3.50. If you’re planning a visit, make sure to check out their Facebook page first to download a 2 for 1 coupon and keep up-to-date with all their latest events and offers.
