Snap Happy #28: My Week In Photos

1. me basking in the sunshine. hello sexy hair, not. 2. pastel coloured houses 3. claire and i enjoying the sunshine 4. blossom in the back garden 5. mama's hydrangea 6. bacon sarnies galore! 7. my new NARS blush 8. grandma's flowers 9. blossom 10. gorgeous housing 11. blossom 12. claire's spring nail colour 13. cherry blossom! yes, i love blossom

Hello everyone! I'm currently back home sans the internet so I apologise for being a little quiet over here of late. It's such a nice feeling to be back home surrounded by my home comforts after three months away! I surprised my mamabear and sister with my return so it was quite an emotional moment. Although, my sister did later admit to me that she didn't remember who I was when she first clapped eyes on me. Sisterly love, eh?! The sunshine has been working absolute miracles for my usual moody disposition and I've been feeling quite contented with everything. It's amazing what being home (and steadily adopting your west country accent back again) can do for the soul! These are just a selection of photographs that I've taken recently. As you can see, I've gone a bit mad for flowers. I just get so bloody excited when there is sun in the sky! 


I've had quite a chilled time since I've been back. I've just been hanging out with grandma whilst she forces 8-9 mugs of tea a day down my gullet, summery walks with mamabear, bbq's where I eat my own weight in meat with fatherbear, mass cuddles with the cat and massive rants about anything and everything with my sisters. It's been perfect! I'm off camping towards the end of this week so I'm sure I'll be documenting that trip on here for you. It'll also be the three year anniversary of my Grandad's passing and what would have been my brother's 21st birthday this Saturday so I'm sure it'll be a cider fuelled day of nostalgia and toasts. That's how we do mourning in the west country ;) 


I'm off to go on a walk with the Motherbear so I'll have to love you and leave you. I'll be back soon - life without the internet is actually pretty lovely, by the way!!

Top 10 Spring/Summer Beauty Picks: Natural Collection, Korres, Essie, Models Own, Toni and Guy, L'oreal, Revlon, 17, Marc Jacobs

Hello ladies, apologies to the few gents who won't appreciate this post! Alternatively, stick around and get some inspiration for gifts to surprise your ladyfriend with...As the sun has decided to rear its yellowy head, I thought I'd share my top cheap high street/drug store beauty products for this season. I don't own any high end make-up; I'm quite humble and, to be honest, I believe that there are some great products out there that don't break the bank. Hopefully, you'll be able to grab a few bargains as a result of this post and make me feel less crap about my own spending issue. They're all in no particular order and I apologise for some of the photos - there's either too much sun or not enough! I was also in a bit of a hurry because we were in a public parky bit and I looked a tad strange; oh blogger woes!

1. Natural Collection blush in 'Peach Melba'

This is a holy grail blush product, in my humble opinion. It comes with a very small price tag and the packaging is back to basics but it's a staple in my daily routine and it's one of the few products that other people have picked up on. I get lots of compliments when I wear it and it makes me feel great. Despite its price, it's really nicely pigmented and doesn't feel too chalky once blended into the cheek. You need this in your Spring routine!

2. Korres Lip Butter in 'Quince'

I'm a little lip product mad, so I thought I'd include a range of different types of Spring/Summer lip to suit most tastes. Korres lip butters are particularly good for those that don't like the stickiness of a lipgloss or the heaviness of a lipstick in the summer heat. This balm is great for moisturising and for adding just a sweep of colour to the lips whilst also looking amazing swept over a lipstain.  These are great for an everyday wearable lip and they come in a range of different colours. Go check them out!

3. Essie in 'Mint Candy Apple'

I featured this in my 'Recent Purchases' post not long ago but I couldn't not include it in this post because it's the ideal minty hue for Spring. Lash on a couple of coats of this and you're good to go throughout the summer. I'll hopefully be rockin' this with a crackin' summer tan bit hopeful and some beachy waves. It's amazingly beautiful and I've already had people ask me what shade it is. If you're only planning on buying one shade for this summer, this should be it. 

4. Toni and Guy Texturised Salt Spray

I'm an absolute sucker for beachy waves so I'll be applying this spray to my freshly washed hair before scrunching and topknotting in order to get the nearest to a Californian beachy wave as possible. It's one of the few haircare products that I use so that must be saying something! This has worked for me and if you lack a perfect wave, it may work for you too. 

5. Marc Jacobs, 'Daisy Eau So Fresh'

I cannot stop smelling myself! I've worn this scent a couple of times already, naughty, and it's incredible. I'll be wearing this throughout the summer and I'm sure it'll evoke all manner of memories of sunshine and amazing company. I'm a massive fan of the original Daisy but this version is just as lovely and smells a little less acidic and a little more sophisticated. I adore it and it's well worth the price tag. You can read about the other perfumes in my collection here. 

6. L'oreal Caresse Rouge Lipstick in 'Dating Coral 301'

This is pretty much L'oreal's version of the Revlon Lip Butters. I'd swatched this a few times in the local Boots and eventually took the plunge and bought the bloody thing. It's my first coral shade and I adore it. I'd been on a hunt for the perfect coral but everything came off too orangey. This little beauty combines both peach and dusky pink to create a really flattering and wearable summer hue. The formula is also extremely light and is therefore perfect for days when the sun decides to shine. I'll be wearing this with my beachy waves and summer attire. P.S Abby of ABBBBZZWAAAAA fame complimented me on this lipstick ;)

7. Models Own in 'Lilac Dream'

I picked this up on a whim the other week thanks to Boots 3 for 2 cosmetics offer. It's a really pretty shade and it holds its own as well as looking lovely with other pastel shades. It's only the second nail polish that I own but it's taking pride of place in my spring hue collection. I'm pretty sure it'll compliment my summer style perfectly. I just need to grow my nails a little before I lash it on! 

8. Revlon Colorburst Lipgloss in 'Peony'

 Lets face it, lipglosses can be a bit of a pain in the bum but I'm suprisingly taken by this shade. It's a stunning shimmery pink shade with a texture ideal for summer breeze because it's not overly sticky or heavy. I've been wearing this as both a sheer sweep of lipgloss and as a gloss over my lipstick. I can confirm, it looks gorgeous both ways! It's got quite a hefty price tag for a lipgloss but I think it's something that I'll be grabbing for summer day trips.  

9. L'oreal Telescopic False Lash Effect Mascara in 'Black'

This is the best mascara I have ever used! I am head over heels in love with it. It's one of the few products that I've really seen make a drastic difference to my lashes and will forever be in my make-up bag! I can imagine it looking perfect for a summery doe eyed look and I'll be wearing it every friggin' day. Value for money and then some! 

10. 17 Mirror Shine On Lipstick in 'Beehive'

One of my favourite everyday hues and one of my favourite formulas. It's another product that makes me feel amazing and I've also had a ton of compliments when I wear it.  It's such a wearable shade but it also makes a really nice difference to a natural look. It's a lipstick I will forever be repurchasing and I've already encourages mates to go and buy it for themselves too! Everyone should have this lipstick loitering in the bottom of their beach bag. 

I hope you've found some products amongst those that I've featured that you're interested in. If you'd like to see further swatches of these products, please leave your suggestions in the comments! Have you got any of these beauty products? What are your top Spring/Summer beauty products? Thanks! I'm a bit delicate today and really upset so I'm just gunna have a quiet night ♥

bee in paleokastritsa, corfu: my holiday photos

Wow, it feels strange to be typing up blog posts again! Hello ladies and gents. I'd be lying if I said that it was 'good to be back'. If I'm perfectly honest with you, I just want to close my eyes and magically be transported back to the poolside where I could read my book in peace and tan to my heart's content. Alas, my holiday has come to an end and I'm freezing my tits off back in good ol' Blighty whilst trying to deal with all the delightful things reality likes to throw at you to remind you that no one can just sail through life without a little wave hurling them in a different direction. Paleokastritsa was beautifully serene which in turn created a safe haven for me to just forget about my own identity for a while. There was no sense of urgency or schedule and I love having that flexibility in my life. Luke and I have decided we'd like to live out our days on a yacht - now we just need to become millionaires in order to feed this desire. Oh, such is life! Here's a billion few photos of our trip. I haven't got all of them together yet so you may see more in the future! P.S I'd just like to say a big thank you to all my guest bloggers! If you missed any of my posts whilst I was away please feel free to scour back through them - they featured some cracking ladies and gents!

every bar has a pool! this was one of the stunning views | ate a whole load of bread and olive oil! | myself | gorgeous flowers | beautiful buildings in the old town | souvlaki | chilling on the beach | lazing on the beach | trance-like reading | BBQ'd chicken | poolside | beautiful Vespa | Luke being hardcore | learning traditional Greek dancing (in my seashell dress) | Sofrito - yum! | 

PPS; I documented my holiday regimentally through my gorgeous travel journal. I was wandering if people would be interested in seeing a few pages put up here? They're nothing special - my childlike attempts at drawing and to the point labelling isn't exactly the work of a literary genius but it's charming nonetheless! Luke and I are off to the cinema tonight to watch Deathly Hallows Part Two. I've psyched myself up whilst laying on the beach reading the books so I think I'm mentally prepared to cry my eyes out.

we're all going on a summer holiday: summer holiday staples

I'm a nervous packer. I worry that I won't pack enough; I worry I'll pack too much; I'll worry if it's necessary to pack 20 pairs of knickers for a 7 day trip. What?! It's just in case. (My flight got cancelled in Berlin last year - washing your smalls in a sink isn't much fun!). Because of all this anxiety, my holiday suitcase usually contains everything including the kitchen sink. I thought it'd be interesting to pick four awesome bloggers and see what they consider to be holiday suitcase staples! What do you always take on holiday with you? Are you a fellow nervous packer?

Jennie from sailboat

First of all I’d like to thank the ever beautiful Bee for inviting me to write a little guest post for her while she’s away having a fabulous time on holiday! I immediately got my thinking cap on as to what my top 5 holiday essentials would be and although I haven’t been abroad since I was 13 that doesn’t matter because you can totally have lovely holidays here in ol’ Blighty and I’ve had plenty of those over the years!

One) When you’re super pale like I am, my number one must have holiday item has to be a really good sun block, even if you’re not heading off to an incredibly sunny destination! Super City Block with SPF 40 by Clinique is my current chosen facial sunscreen because it’s got a high sun protection factor, it’s oil free and doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin. In the sunshine I’ll reapply this lots throughout the day.

Two) Big sunglasses are a staple in my spring and summer wardrobe, I always have a pair in my bag and they’re a must have for holidays! And I’m not gonna lie, there’s something about wearing them that makes me feel a little bit more confident about myself & we all love feeling self confident, right?!

Three) Whether it’s a city break abroad or a mini road trip to the seaside, I’ll never be without my iPod crammed full of my favourite summer time tunes. Nothing beats having a little sing along when you’re driving through the pretty English countryside in the sunshine or if you’re relaxing by a lovely swimming pool!

Four) My next must have item is of course, cameras! Even for someone who isn’t photography obsessed I think a camera is a must have holiday item, even if it’s just a super cheap disposable one! I think it’s lovely to have photographs to look back on & remember everything you did, even if it is just lots of images of you and your friends and family messing around in the hotel pool! Stick them in a photo album, it’ll be funny to look back over them in a couple of years time and remember some lovely things you may have forgotten!

Five) Feeling comfortable in the heat is something I constantly struggle with, I think I must naturally be super hot blooded as it takes a lot for me to feel cold. I dislike feeling sweaty, as I’m sure most people do, and figuring out what to wear during the summer is a constant battle. That battle is one that I’m (hopefully) winning after building up a nice collection of light cotton sun dresses. They look cute & stylish, can be dressed up or down and don’t leave me feeling all hot and bothered. Perfect holiday attire!

I’d love to know what your top 5 holiday essentials are! Let me know in the comments below!

Michelle from daisybutter


One) I've always been a horrific overpacker for holidays. Hello, at the age of five, I would quite happily be squeezing three outfits a day (and jelly shoes!) into the family suitcase for a short break away! Recently I haven't been so bad, one of my beauty staples is a cream blush. They're so longlasting and double up as a lip colour, because we all know how heartbreaking it is when lipsticks melt in heat. My staple at the moment would be Topshop's cream blush in 'Flush'.

Two) You can't beat a good book on holiday. Whether it's for lounging by the pool, waiting in the hotel lobby for your friends/family or for accompanying your cocktail on the beach shenanigans, nothing beats a chick lit for me. I'm dying to read The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson, it sounds sweet, lighthearted and the right amount of cheesy.

Three) I definitely couldn't go without a kaftan or some sort of loose, flowy, beach throw-on. I always feel a little exposed wandering around in a bikini, even if it's just from one side of the beach to the other! They're perfect for evenings too, with some denim shorts or simple leggings if your legs can handle the heat and humidity.

Four) My hair is that strange kind of natural straight hair: left to dry on its' own, it'll take on a wannabe tousle, which I haaate. Sea salt spray works wonders on it though, so I whack a load of that in to damp hair when I'm feeling lazy, which, let's face it, is all the time when you're on your hols!

Five) Last but not least, I wouldn't even dream of going on holiday without my camera. My family aren't huge believers in taking photos of everything, everywhere, but I firmly am. Who else would snap photos of poolside drinks, nibbles and extravagent evening dinners?!

April from Everyday Forgotten 


One) My Camera – One of the best things about going on holiday (apart from having a great time of course) is capturing those moments to share with everyone else and being able to look back on them. I usually take my big camera for trips and days out, but for hanging around the beach and pool or nights out I usually just take my little digital point-and-shoot.

Two) A little Bag – Wherever I go on holiday, whether it’s to a beach resort, a city or in the highlands of Scotland, I will always take a little cross body bag to store my essentials in. I'm pretty low maintenance when I'm out and about so all I usually carry is my phone, my little camera, some lip balm and my purse which fits in there nicely. If I'm  going out on a trip where I’ll need a lot of things I’ll usually carry a larger bag with me instead.

Three) A Basic Top – I usually pack near enough my whole room in my suitcase with me no matter where I’m going or for how long (even when I’ve been camping with my parents for a week I’ve taken a suitcase with me. I'm that bad haha) but no matter where I'm  going I will always take a basic top that can be re-styled to create different outfits, whether it’s just wearing it down to the beach or out for the day.

Four) My Mobile/iPod – I can’t go anywhere without listening to music so I always make sure my phone (I used to have an iPhone but it broke so now I just use my new phone) is full with hundreds of songs to listen to whilst relaxing by the pool or wherever else I go. I always organise my music into playlists so it’s easy to find what I'm looking for too.

Five) A good book – I have to admit that the only time I actually read is when I’m on holiday! I usually take a book with me to read whilst flying or lying by the pool. I absolutely love this book (The Pirate’s Daughter) by Margaret Cezair-Thompson which is usually my go-to book, but I’m also a massive fan of Dan Brown and of course who doesn’t love all of the Harry Potter and Twilight books haha!

Beth;