Product Empties 4

I did not expect to have many empties for this post. On looking in the bag I actually discovered I have 14 items!! I think because many are smaller items like gift sized bottles & make up it made me think the bag was empty. I am going to do them all in one post as I don't think I need to split them up this time. 

One thing I did notice was ... NO BATISTE! This is shocking & I am obviously slacking on the hair front ( or maybe just being less lazy & washing it more often!)

Aquafresh Extra Care Tingling Mint Mouthwash. This is Family friendly ( 6+.) I like this one. I don't like them when they are too strong & think this does a great job. I buy this one all the time. Usually Tesco or Boots. Depending which has it on offer! Boots are including it in their 3 for 2 on dental right now.

Dove Deodorant. Well we certainly have this chat on a regular basis. Yes I love this. Yes I would & have buy again. Available in Boots, Tesco, Wilkos, Sainsbury etc....

LUSH Dirty Springwash Shower Gel . This is another favourite of mine. Seen in favourites & previous empties. Love it. Need to get more. I don't like a scent to be over powering. This is really nice & subtle but lasts all day. Brilliant.

Body Shop Body Butter - Moringa. I got this little pot at my sons school summer fete. A stall of toiletries for 50p each?? Don't mind if i do. I like Moringa very much. I am currently using the body spray of it & could continue to use it for ever more. Another nice long lasting fragrance. Shame I have run out of this. I have so many other body butters in my back up drawer to last me for years so I can't re buy this one. The full sized tub is around £13 but there are offers right now so definitely worth checking out.

Body Shop Bath & Shower Gel in Papaya. An item from a gift set. I wasn't that taken with this. I did not think there was much of scent at all & not much lather to write home about either. Still it used up one of the many gift sized bottles I have. The full size is 200ml at £4.

Champneys Spa Treatments Skin Comforting Shower Cream. I could not find this item at all apart from within a gift set from Boots ( which is how mine came anyway.) Did not like. Contains coconut oil so not really my thing at all. It got used up though so happy to throw the empty container away.

Botanics Softening Body Wash. Another gift set item. Not sure if I have just had this too long ( although I actually only opened it last month) but there did not seem any scent to it at all & again there was no real lather going on. Don't impress me much as Shania Twain would say!

Nivea Daily Essentials Double Effect Eye Make-Up Remover. Not for me. the kind with half liquid / half oil. It did not seem to remove my make-up well at all. I felt the stuff on my lids for a while after too & on occasion my eyes stung too briefly. 

Rimmel Match Perfection Fix & Primer. Another on my always re buy list. Really does the job it is meant to a lot more than others i have tired. I would not call it holy grail stuff though as I am sure there is something even better out there but I have yet to find such a thing.

Max Factor FaceFinity Compact Foundation - Sand (05.) I have used this many times in the past but this is the 1st time I have used this in brand in about a year as I have been loving my Boujois one instead. Whilst I still very much like the forumla for this one I did not think to check the colour was still a match for my skin. Sadly it made my face a little too orange this time.Something for me to remember when I next buy it. Oops.

Good Things Bright Eyes Eye Cream. I don't think it did anything special. I don't think I would purchase this again. 

Max Factor LipFinity. I have been a long time fan of the LipFinity lip colours. I always have one in my make-up bag. As you will probably remember I always talk about being able to use a lip colour that I know is going to last for a while. These definitely fit the bill. I am not sure on the shade as both name & number have come off. Really nice as always my lips do not dry out  but has now dried out in the tube. There wasn't a great amount left though so I don't mind too much.

Maybelline Stay 24 Lip Colour - Rose Dust (185.) Another just like the LipFinity for long lasting. This was a slightly pinker tone for me as I generally veer towards reddy tones more. 

NYX Concealer - Light(CW03.) The problem with buying online can be you don;t always choose the right shade for things. Sadly that was the case for this in that it was too light so thus did nothing! 

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That draws to a close another empties post. Thank you for reading this. Do tell me what you have been using up lately. Do you use any of the products mentioned? 

Amanda xx

Double Chocolate Muffins

Recipe taken from HERE.

Ingredients 

Makes: 20 muffins

• 140g plain chocolate
• 375g self-raising flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 55g unsweetened cocoa powder
• 85g caster sugar

• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 6 tablespoons sunflower oil
• 375ml milk
• 140g white chocolate chips

Method

Prep:20min  ›  Cook:20min  ›  Ready in:40min 

1. Preheat oven to 200 C / Gas 6. Line two muffin tins with 20 paper cases.
2. Melt plain chocolate over simmering water, stirring constantly until smooth. Let cool slightly.
3. Sift together the flour, baking powder and cocoa into a medium bowl and stir in sugar.
4. In a separate bowl, beat together eggs, vanilla, oil and milk. Stir in melted chocolate.
5. Fold together dry and wet ingredients, then fold in chocolate chips. Do not beat or overwork.
6. Fill muffin cases with batter and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until well risen.
7. Remove from oven and place onto a wire rack. Dust with icing sugar. Serve warm or cold. Store any leftovers in an airtight container for upto 4 days.

have a good day

Amanda x

Groceries | 4/5 Dec | Tesco | Ocado

As I said last week I have decided to not go to Tesco as much for my weekly shop. I have done an Ocado shop this week & just nipped to Tesco for the things like the sausages which we really like, the milk is still 3 for £3 so no brainer there. Plus Tesco had a deal on the Tassimo items which ended on Tuesday. I spent slightly more than I should have done but I added an Xmas present to the trolley ( not shown because the person may read this) & also the heart bowls were a naughty purchase!! hehe.

From Tesco - Tassimo/Twinnings Chai Latte & Tassimo/Costa Americano ( 2 for £6 - the deal has now ended I believe although may still be worth checking.) Semi skimmed milk ( 3 for £3.) Porridge pots (  5 for £4.50. I have various flavours here to try.) Multivitamins ( for the kids. It was 3 for 2 on these. So I paid £6 instead of £9.) Cumberland sausages. Eggs. Tesco choc chip cookies ( 2 packs.) Style at home magazine. 2 bread rolls. 

Lastly the set of 3 heart bowls were £10. It was 3 for 2 on this type of thing but I did not see anything else I really wanted. 

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Now for my thoughts on my 1st Ocado order. I found it really easy to use the site & had the shop done in no time. It helped I think because this week the shopping list was much less anyway & with the stuff I got in Tesco it made for a quite a nice little shopping haul.

The delivery driver was really nice. Let's face it I think this was one of my main worries. We know how some delivery drivers can be so this was always going to be a big part of the whole process for me. Anyway he was very helpful explaining everything, answering a couple fo questions I had too. 

Photo 1- Nestle Oats & More Raisins. Dettol Anti-bac wipes ( 3 for 2. Usual price £3 each.) Nivea Visage Cleansing Wipes ( these were half price. Should have been £2.90 each but I paid £4.35 for the 3 packs. ) Sweetcorn triple pack. Crosse & Blackwell Beans ( we usually have Heinz but I thought I would give these a try as they are a 1/3 off. Usually £2.35.) Malted milk biscuits. Bourbons ( 2 packs.) Hot x Buns. Icing Sugar. Granulated Sugar. 

Photo 2 - Waitrose Essential Straight cut chips. 

Photo 3 - Lucozade Sport ( 2 for £5. Usually £3.85 each. ) Turkey Rashers. Utterly Butterly ( half price. usually £1.80 each) Waitrose Low Fat Natural Yogurt. Walkers Hoops & Crosses ( 3 for £4. We have not had these before so a try we will give.

Photo 4 - Spinach x3 packs ( Mix & Match 3 for £2.50. Usually 99p each.) Ocado Spring Greens. Ocado British Seasonal Apples. Cherry toms. White cabbage & last but not least Red grapes.

So I think on 1st impressions I really like doing the shopping this way. Will definitely be using them for the foreseeable anyway. 

Thank you for reading.

Amanda xx

Wednesday Wishlist | New Look Special

Having recently had to head into my local New Look I was surprised to see so many things that I would like to add to my own wardrobe. here are just a few of the items I chose for this weeks wishlist.

Blackbird Print Shirred Waist Dress £14.99

Grey Owl Print Skinny Chiffon Scarf £3.99 - this has made it on to my own Christmas list as I love it so much!

Elegant Touch Fairisle False Nails. £5.99.

Navy Hear Print Puff Sleeve Dress. £19.99
Also available in Shell Pink & Burgandy.

Red Owl Print Zip Pocket T shirt. £16.99

Nude Flocked Floral Peplum Top £19.99
Available in Teal as well.

Pink Animal Print Camisole Pyjama Top £10.99

Limited Stone Leopard Print Cow Hair Leather Cross Strap Sandals. £34.99
Available in Black also.

Black Reindeer Light Up Christmas Jumper £29.99.
Yes! I would wear this! lol.

Cream Heart Print Skinny Chiffon Scarf. £3.99

Black & White Penguin Slippers £8.99

Cream Light Up Christmas Tree Jumper. £29.99

So that is my wishlist for this week. Back next Wednesday with another!

Thanks for reading.

Amanda x

Our Decorations

It is that time of year again! I struggle to wait until December the 1st to put our decorations up. It is the one thing though that Rob is adamant about. It was quite a busy weekend but there was no way I was waiting til the next one to do them! There is still a few things to put out. Mainly the things that I need Robs help for. I am also still debating whether I need more on  the top shelf as shown in picture 2. The 2nd shelf looks better as I have the candles making it appear brighter I think. I have another idea though so when I get a moment later today ( although it is 2 pm already & with, laundry  ironing & dinner prep to get on with it I don't that will be this side of dinner!!)

I am not the best tree decorator in the world but I have to say this year I am really liking it.  I do think next year we may have to get some new baubles though. Many are losing their paint now as we have had them for quite a few years & as always happens a few break with each passing year. So, a must for the sales I think if I can find what I like. 

I don't as a rule have much else on my tree apart from lights, baubles & the star. This Owl though was very lucky to be placed on the tree along with another little Robin chap in the same pink & green colours. Again I may have to grab more when the sales hit as I they look so lovely on my tree ( & it gives me a chance to have pink in the room! lol.) 

Santa's Workshop is our newest ornament. We have 3 of the scenes now as they are our Xmas "tradition" right now. This one should have been £94 but as I had a 50% voucher to use I got it for a much better price. It is is definitely my favourite of the scenes we have. 

I hope you have enjoyed a look at my decorations with me. I am by no means a fantastic decorator ata ll but it does look very festive in here , especially when the other lights are off & the room is lit by the fairy lights etc only. 

Thanks for reading

Amanda xx

Random Favourites | November 2013

November did not produce any Beauty favourites for November. I have not been wearing much make-up & thus have just been using things that I would have shown in my last favourites plus I have been mixing it up with different foundations/ BB creams etc so nothing stands out this month.

December starts then with my random favourites instead. Still a small list but share them I will.

Yankee Candle

We are starting off with the Yankee Candles I am burning. As it is towards the end of November I have decided that it is OK to burn the seasonal scents. At the moment we have Gingerbread here ( as far as I know this is only available in the UK from the website.) It is very strong so if you are not into your scents being too powerful then this is not for you.
Merry Marshmallow is much more subtle. The boys in my household do not complain about this one as much :-).
lastly Cherries In Snow. I had the small jar of this & burnt it within 2 weeks as I adored it that much. It does not seem to be available anymore though so I went back to the place I bought it & managed to find 2 more of the small jars. I shall put those away for next year though as with a North Pole one as well I have just started burning I don't really need more for this year.

Tassimo 
The Tassimo machine is a newly required & much used appliance in our house. It is fair to say I love it. I can't stop drinking the Chai Latte & the Caramel Latte. I have received an order yesterday from Tassimo with the Lemongrass chai latte so am very interested to give that a try. 

This last one needs no words if you are a geek like me! lol. Only just scrapping into the November faves by a few days but I can't not include it. Amazing. I will always love this show & the 50th anniversary did not disappoint at all.

Thank you for reading. Tell me your favourites for this month too.

Amanda xx

Groceries | Tesco | 27/11/13

Another week & another grocery haul. I'm thinking next week of mixing it up a little & shopping elsewhere. I am so over Tesco. We nipped into ASDA the other day as I wanted to try & get a Tresamme gift set they had ( which I did get btw) & it was so nice to shop somewhere different. I am thinking I may try my 1st Ocado shop next week.

Anyway here is what I have bought this week. I got about £20 off this weeks shop as I had a few of my club card vouchers to use up plus a £5 off when you spend £40 receipt.l I also had a double points one so all helped a lot this time. 

Back row - Large apple juice x 4. Semi skimmed milk Still 3 for £3. Activia pouring yoghurt in natural. Apple Juice small cartons ( 3 packs of 3 for £2.50. Usually 99p a pack.)) Vanilla Ice cream. Chocolate ice cream.
Middle row - chicken slices. Duck legs. Frubes x 2 packs. Cumberland sausages. Diced chicken ( x 2.) 6 eggs ( free range!!!) Lardons. Chobani yoghurts in blueberry & some in pomegranate ( 5 for £3. Usually 89p each.)
Front row - Pizza. 2 x pepperoni & 1 cheese . On offer 2 for £4.

Monster Munch ( 2 for 1. Usually £3.15 each.) Blackcurrant squash x 2. Pom Bears. Sultanas. 4 tins Heinz tomato soup. 2 jars of Tesco Chicken Tikka sauce. Jammie Dodgers ( 2 for 1. Usually £1.15 each.) 2 x choc chip cookies.

Bananas. Spinach. Sugar Snap Peas. pepper x 2.
Fine green beans. Mushrooms. Grapes. Cherry Tomatoes. Veg selection x 2 ( 2 for £2.) Greens. Raspberries. Apples.


Thank you for reading. Please let me know if you find these posts interesting. Would these posts be better with more photos so that the items are shown closer? I bunch them together to make less photos but maybe more would be easier?

Amanda x