Look what came today!

The first time I saw Florence + The Machine I actually thought I might be crushed alive. It was Leeds Festival 2009 and they were performing in a side tent. Flo was just breathtakingly beautiful- she just oozes icon. At the time she had a big support bandage on her wrist that she actually colour co-ordinated with her amazing floor length silk dress, accessorised with ridiculously high spike heels (making her amazonian in stature) perched a top of a speaker-no fear in life or in the incredible performance her and the band gave. 


A very dear friend of mine very cleverly decided we get each other tickets for our birthday. There is a crew of us going hence the fan spread, very excited to see her in a venue where I won't be fearing for my little life!

Amazing Artists!

Who else is going/ is a fan? 


Sarah-J x

If this doesn't make you feel fuzzy inside...!

This is my friends' gorgeous son. He's a little bruiser and the happiest, cuddliest baby on this planet and this is his first proper giggle fit!


http://youtu.be/KcYtm_oSGy0 


Sarah-J x

Dress to impress- The Interview

I have received an email today inviting me to interview for a very well know charity in Central London which I am really excited about. Each interview gives me an excuse to add a special piece to my wardrobe that I wouldn't otherwise buy under the auspices of a "confidence boost"! 


While it is great fun piecing together the perfect first impression, it can be very tricky to pitch your presentation to the tone of the company.


I've found this website which gives good examples of the 'business to casual' spectrum and I already have this jacket that I want to create the look around

Obviously it will get a good steaming to smooth out the creases, it's been sleeping in my crammed wardrobe for a fair while!


I always do a classic make-up and go for fail safe O.P.I. in Tickle My France-y on the nails as it's a very pretty taupe which looks professional.

Do you have any interview outfit fail safes or any great tips?


My one tip for interview (other than to allow them to see the true you) is to always have a few questions prepared. If you think they have covered what you were going to ask, it's always handy to ask them, 'What skills are missing from your current team which you hope to fulfill with this post?' This gives you an opportunity to give a targeted answer on how you can genuinely bring something new to the team.


Wish me luck and all the best to fellow job seekers out there!!


Sarah-J x

Some First Half of Feb Favourites!

Lovely stuff!

Starting from left to right


1. The Body Shop Chocomania Body Butter- I will come clean straight away and say that I did work for The Body Shop for a couple of years as a customer consultant and colour coach, however, I feel this makes me more objective of their products not less, as I know the standard of their great stuff and I know what I'm not so keen on. This Body Butter is part of a new Chocomania range released just before Valentine's Day and even though I'm not usually a fan of gourmand scents, the Chocomania scent in the body butter is yummy. It has all the high quality moisturising properties that you would expect from a Body Shop body butter with a smooth caramel/ creme brulee scent. It's not too heavy and I'm looking forward to trying the rest of the range.
2. Nails Inc. in Victoria- This is a great winter plum colour that lasts on the nail. I applied three thin coats, allowing drying time between, and it only started to slightly chip by Saturday which is great news as I type from 8:30am-5pm in my job so my nails do get a bashing. Dark polishes show the slightest chip straight away and I recommend this for it's rich colour and great longevity.
3. Maybelline Blush Mousse in 06- I got this while away as I hadn't packed any blushers and was drawn to the colour. I really really dislike the Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse foundation and was apprehensive about this product. I needn't have been. The cool toned pink has a sight shimmer and buffed on with an ecotools blusher brush to the apple of the cheeks gives a pretty glow. It is highly pigmented so be light with this unless Miss Piggy is your make-up icon.
4. Garnier BB Cream- I have an oily t-zone and this BB Cream does not upset it one bit. I evens out my redness and leaves my skin looking fresh and not too made up. I love this for work and I just love this make-up in general. I know there are many prestige brands with their own BB Creams but if you haven't tried one yet and would like to dip your toe- you won't go far wrong with this little beauty!
5. Clinique Turnaround Body Smoothing Cream- Clinique is another brand where I love some of their products and am very wary of others (after their toner took off the top layer of my nail varnish?!) that said, this turnaround body smoothing cream is excellent for irradicating dry, rough, uneven, flaky and generally winter addled skin. I would also highly recommend this if you work in an air conditioned environment as the active ingredients in the product work to exfoliate and smooth the skin continuously throughout the day. There is also a face masque in this range which is amazing but I have that lined up for a pamper session special post which will be coming soon :P.
6. Sleek Liquid Eyeliner in Black- Just incase anyone from Sleek is reading this, **please sort out your website!** the basket empties itself and the navigation is hyper sensitive so a bit frustrating which is a shame as you can currently only buy Sleek products from selected Superdrugs and it would be so much easier to order it online-phew! rant over! Sleek make-up is well made, well pigmented and an absolute bargain. This eyeliner has a firm but comfortable tip which allows for ease of application and is slim but not too slim meaning it's great for novices to liquid liner and also for doing more detailed eye make-up. The colour itself is a true black with a matte finish which is also blendable.


That's it so far for the first half of the month- I'd love to know what other people make of this products, especially Sleek make-up?!


Sarah-J x

Saturday Bakes!

Although I am definitely still a novice I really enjoy baking and feel that the fun is in the learning. Today I made some chocolate chip cookies from the Love Food Baking Book (pg 132). Tip: Allow them to cool completely on a wire rack before trying them as the gooey chocolate gets really hot and will burn your tongue! Mine have gone a bit crumbly in texture which I'm not sure they're supposed to be like but they're still tasty, just best enjoyed with a drink! If you fancy giving them a go here's the recipe.


Ingredients:
225g butter, softened
140g caster sugar
1 egg yolk
2 tsp vanilla extract
225g plain flour
pinch of salt
85g milk choc chips
85g white choc chips
115g plain choc, roughly chopped


1. Preheat oven to 190C and line two baking trays with greaseproof paper
2. Cream the sugar and butter with a wooden spoon and then beat in the egg yolk and vanilla extract
3. Sift together the dry ingredients, add the chocolate chips and combine with the wet ingredients
4. Make 12 balls with the mixture and slightly flatten them on the tray and push in the chopped chocolate
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes and then allow to cool on a wire rack

Here's my attempt!

Bakewell Delight

If you have never been to the Peak District you really should think about going. I had never been before when my lovely boyfriend decided we should go for a festive pre x-mas weekend. Chatsworth House is definitely worth a visit, it's breath taking. Here are some pictures of beautiful Bakewell.



beautiful shop, great products

Also- count the "original first Bakewell Pudding" shops and see if you can work out which one may have actually been the first!

Sarah :) x

A Little Lush

I was very restrained this weekend while in one of my favourite shops...LUSH! The second I smell it (which is usually a good distance before I see it) I'm already prepping myself in becoming shop assistant resistant as they are well informed and a share of product knowledge with a quick demo is usually all it takes for me to cave and accept I will be leaving with a hefty haul...That all said...I only bought three products this time round and they are three absolute crackers

1. Catastrophe Cosmetic- There are so many skin loving ingredients in this I don't know where to start! Irish moss, calamine, rose absolue and anti-oxidant blueberries combine to create a mask that everyone should keep on stand by for big nights out or pesky break outs. It soothes the skin and makes it glow, a perfect pick me up.This fresh face mask (as all LUSH face masks) is best kept in fridge.
2. Soft Coeur- An organic moisturiser packed with cocoa butter that melts to reveal a gooey chocolate centre- just yum.
3. Porridge- If your skin is a bit winter bashed, dry and irritated, get yourself some Porridge. This gentle, exfoliating cleanser has transformed my skin in just a few uses. I recommend that you chop your block of Porridge up as it's so enjoyable to use and feels like silk on the skin so it's easy to use more than you need to!

What are you lush faves and what do you not love so much?

Sarah :) x