Store Lovin' #5 18 AND EAST

- I haven't done this in a while, probably because I have been trying to not buy things, soo. . that's going well *ahem*

- I've been "tidying" my room. i.e. taking apart my 6 (YES 6!!) wardrobes and sorting out all of my tat! (I'd just like to add that three of my wardrobes actually contain books, as I put all of my books on bookcase-like shelves within my wardrobes, one of them contains make-up/hair/toiletries and only two contain clothes and shoes, it's not THAT ridiculous!!)*

 - during this quest I began to colour co-ordinate my clothes! - blame my mother, she does it! - which made it quite easy to see exactly the sort of clothes I wear on a daily basis! I knew I shopped at the same shops over and over and over (and over and over. . . .) again without even realising.

 - One brand I like, subconsciously, is 18 AND EAST, I don't even intend to buy clothes from them, but, I love them, as do some of the TOWIE stars. If it's good enough for Essex, it's good enough for me! - So I just thought I would share, for those who have never heard of the brand.

WEBSITE . . TWITTER . . BLOG . . SHOP

- I love the patterns of the cloth, I love the shapes they make.

- One of the dresses I own is actually one of my favourites! - maybe because it was the dress I wore on my first date with the man, maybe because it is a really well made dress, a really well designed dress, comfortable and flattering. Let me tell you, actually I probably don't need to, clothes that do all that are extrememly hard to come by!

- I highly suggest you take a gander at their site, follow them on twitter, and take a peak at their blog, they are getting some pretty good press coverage so they are bound to blow up soon!

- I realise this sounds like I'm trying to advertise them! haha, I'm not I promise, all my own opinions! Perhaps I just write like I'm trying to advertise everything!

 * I'm making excuses!


 

1 :1 :1 Coconut Creams

- It's been a while. Life always seems to get in the way.

- I'm currently employed on a 0-hours contract (to enable me to find a new job), but it has left me with quite a bit more time on my hands than I typically like.

 - I felt like sharing something nice, sweet, and summery! So here you go, coconut creams, with blueberries or rhubarb (It's recently been brought to my attention that there is no rhubarb in America?)

- Inspired by this Good Food recipe

- I speak for no one but myself when I say, I really love reading through people's recipe's posted online, but  I never really get inspired unless I see the steps (That's why I always put them in, when I can!)

1. Start by dissolving 2 tbsps of powdered gelatine in 2 tbsps of boiling water (you can use leaf gelatine, but I've never done so, I believe it works on the same principles, 2 sheets in 2tbsps of cold water, but don't hold me to it!) 

2. In a pan bring to the boil 200ml of double cream and 400ml of skimmed milk, add 1 tbsp of coconut milk powder (just one of those things we always have lying around! - but you can do it with coconut milk!)

3. Add a few drops of vanilla extract and the now-soaked gelatine

4. let cool slightly before decanting into serving glasses ( I used these colourful cocktail glasses, because they are of a good size - and they look super pretty!)

5. While the creams are in the fridge setting, brew a cup of herbal tea! (This is cranberry & orange) 

This step is not desperately needed, I was just faffing now!

6. Measure out 2 tbsps of blueberries (This is VERY approximate,  I just bashed a few into a ramakin!, you could use frozen too)

7. Take a bit of you tea, and bathe the blueberries!

8. Microwave for a minute! (Full power 750mw)

9. Take some rhubarb and slice into inch long segments (America : Take note!)

10. Heat over a low heat with a splash of water until tender - add sugar to taste (or, sweetner : whatever!)

(Forced, or early rhubarb is the pinkest - therefore the prettiest, it is also slightly sweeter)

Spoon the compote's on top of the now set creams

Refridgerate a little more before serving

Enjoy!

 

11 :2 Spring-y feeling.

- If I look out of my window, I see grey skies, trees bent nearly in half with the wind, and rain travelling horizontal to the pavement. If I listen, I can also hear crowds of school children screaching (probably due to the fact that is their break time, and it's raining). These aren't exactly sounds that radiate spring, but inside my room is a little spring themed room! - I am a winter person through and through, but I love the colours of spring, so pretty.

- I use my tumblr as a way to collate inspirational pictures, not necesarilly to follow the hoardes of little girls in love with One Direction! When I am feeling a little lack-lustre I just look for images to bring a little happiness, I'd liker to share my current favourites with you.

All images can be found here

11 : 1 Matching

- I know traditionally women matched their handbags with their shoes; but we all know that in recent years, matching your footwear with your handbags is considered a little bit of a fashion faux pas. However, no one mentioned anything about matching your handbag with your nail varnish!

For a night out with my man I wore Barry M Nail Paint in #296 Coral amd paired it with my coral (It claims to be Red, but let's be real, it definitely doesn't look very red in actuality, and I would describe it as a very bright, vivid coral) Verde Clutch.

- Barry M Nail Paints, are my all time favourite nail varnish, I don't particularly like pearl/ shimmer finishes on my own nails, and the Nail Paints are the best opaques I've found, a really nice consistency and a really nice selection of colours.

- The bag was retailing for €26, however, I made friends with the woman in the shop and paid only €20 for it! I'm not sure if anyone else is really familiar with the brand, however they have some REALLY nice bags, (both my sister and I own some) I'm sure you could buy something similar ( such as this, and this) from a highstreet retailer (and usually I'm all for cheap and cheerful) but you would definitely not get the same quality. The pictures don't really do it justice, it is the SOFTEST leather you will ever feel. There were a few colours available, but I really wanted a bright clutch! Im not entirely sure where else stocks this brand, but I bought mine from a little independent bag shop.

- What do you think? Do you match your shoes and your handbag? Aside from the fact that we are told not to do it, I was reading Andrea's blog, she's no stranger to matching her shoes and bag, and she's both stunning, and stylish, so maybe times are changing?!

( Red Envelope Clutch; Verde. Nail Varnish; Barry M Nail Paint Coral #296)

Factoids

❅I am pining for a coral/orange lipstick! anyone know of any good ones? ❅ Planning my trip to Barcelona with the man! excited! ❅ Spent €300 today, I can't afford it, but I need somewhere to live ❅ I've noticed that my posture is so much better when I wear heels . . any excuse Hanna, any excuse! ❅Obsessed with peppermint tea today I must have drunk 8 litres!

(By suggestion of Sam of Fashion Through Travel, here is a full shot, but to be honest it was almost in one of the images above, which is why I didn't bother!)

10 :1 Granola!

- Hello everybody, so, it's been a while!

- My life has been SO BUSY! I really don't know where my days have gone!

- Being that Im the ridiculously busy person I am in the morning, (i.e. I can't be bothered to get up in the morning on time!) I never really eat breakfast as well as I should -

- So recently I have been making a really big effort to at least eat something in the morning, which is where I discovered my love for Granola.

- I was also sat down one evening after working all day and I was talking to Pete (The favourite man in my life) who was mocking my choice in food, saying anyone else would just have a bacon sandwich and I have to go be ridiculous and want granola. . . you know what? I don't think it's that weird!! I like it!

- Long story short, he mocked, said it was easier to make a sandwich, I decided it would be fun to make granola. . . and here we are!

- The original recipe was found ** here **
buut I decided with a few tweaks it would be better!

- I used chopped prunes and a tropical fruit mix instead of the berries, I also changed the way it bakes, instead of baking with the fruit in, I find this can make it a little bitter (I really don't know why, but it does!) I add the fruit afterward.

- As a side note, I've been watching rubbish on youtube tonight, (no comments required, there was nothing on tv!) and I found this video. . . I really like her attitutde, a lot of people I know will start a fight out of nothing, so it was really nice to hear someone say, you know what, it isn't worth it!

- Apart from that. . . I hope everyone is well. and, Happy March!

Some interesting Factoids This Week!

❅Trains scare me, for good reason, this is so sad ❅The snow is back! after a light covering last night the mountains are looking really pretty ❅ This is odd, because here in town it has been super sunny and warm! ❅ seee ---> PRETTY ❅Angola and Andorra are NOT the same place, well done CNN.❅ Shopping online will be the death of me! ❅ I'm very against drugs. - This is just through the result of knowing some pretty heavy addicts in the past ❅I don't like how drugs are prescribed, and then afterwards the side effects are noted. DEATH is a pretty big side effect!