The Parka 2.0

I know it's been a while since my last outfit post, but my hair was a hot mess as I was in-between hairstyles and I just couldn't let you guys see me like that lol. However, I've finally sorted it out and I'm back with another outfit post for ya! 

Parka - Warehouse // Sunglasses - H&M // Top - H&M // Jeans - New Look // Plimsoles - Shoezone

Lipstick - Papaya Punch by Sleek

Some of you may remember me first showing you my parka back in November when I wore it as a winter coat (see post here). If you remember that, you'll also remember me saying that the wool lining and fur trim are detachable, completely transforming the once heavy coat into a light Spring/Summer jacket. To complete the look I've paired the jacket with a simple striped top from H&M's basic collection, a pair or jeans and white plimsoles from good old Shoezone :) I love these shoes; they were so cheap but they are so comfortable! This jacket is perfect for those cool "summer" days we seem to be having a lot of these days in London; although they said that the weather should be warming up this week; whoever 'they' are... xo

Recipe: Coconut Cupackes

Hi guys!

With the coconut cupcake from my previous post as inspiration, I decided to bake my own. I'd never made them before so as I do when baking something new, I went searching on the internet and combined a few recipes I found. I haven't mentioned it below but I added some buttermilk to the batter for a creamy taste. Also, the recipes I found generally said they made 12 but I managed to get 17; and that was with muffin cases as my cupcakes cases ran out! I must admit the buttercream icing is very sweet, but the cupcakes are delish.

 Ingredients:

6oz caster sugar

6oz butter

6oz self-raising flour

2 eggs

1oz dessicated coconut

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp baking powder

For the buttercream icing:

4oz butter

8oz icing sugar

few drops of vanilla extract

dessicated coconut to decorate

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees/Gas Mark 4. Line a cupcake tin with paper cupcake cases.
2. Cream the sugar and butter together until light and fluffy.
3. Add the eggs one at a time and mix until fully combined.
4. Fold in the flour, baking powder and vanilla extract into a smooth consistency.
5. Spoon the mixture into the cases and bake for 20 minutes, until well risen and golden brown.
6. Leave to cool on a wire rack.
7. Mix the butter and icing sugar then add a few drops of vanilla extract. Pipe the icing onto the cakes (or use a spatula) and sprinkle with some more dessicated coconut.

I hope you enjoy this recipe and let me know if you give it a try. Also, if there are any you think I should try or you would like to see, please leave a comment below xo

Personal Shopping at Topshop, Oxford Circus

Our racks and racks of clothes

Our mini chocolate and coconut cupcakes - I had the coconut and it was delish!

Cut Out Circle Necklace £8.50 // Strappy Cami £18 // Crayon Forest Midi Skirt £35

Last week my sister and I went to Topshop in Oxford Circus for a bit of Personal Shopping. This was my first personal shopping experience and I really enjoyed it. Before going I completed a questionnaire so that Jo (our lovely personal shopper) could pick out some things she thought I would like and try on. I literally had to control myself as she picked out so many nice things. In the end, these are what I bought. I was lucky enough to still have the gift card I got for my birthday and with my student discount, I got everything for a decent price. I'd seen the cami a while back and had been meaning to buy it for ages. The necklace was actually on my sisters rack, but I feel in love with it as soon as I saw it. I'm a huge fan of long necklaces, and I really love the simple design of this one. This skirt was actually the last thing that Jo brought in for me, along with the matching crop top (which I didn't buy). I lovelove this skirt; it's so light and airy! The print is gorgeous and I adore the slits on either side. They're not too high and show the right amount of leg; I cannot wait for the weather to brighten up so I can wear it out xo

NOTD | Pinking Of You

Hello lovely readers!

A few weeks ago I purchased a Wowcher deal for a manicure & pedicure for £15, and this week I redeemed that offer. They had a few colours to choose from but I decided to go with Pinking of You by OPI. This is my first time using OPI nail lacquers and I really like the colours they have to offer. The lacquer goes on very well; I only did them a few days ago but they seem to be lasting quite well.

For those interested in mani/pedi's, waxes, massages and stuff like that you should definitely sign up to Wowcher as they have a lot of great deals xo

St. Ives Invigorating Apricot Body Scrub

Hey guys!

As some of you may remember from my beauty basics post on shea butter I was on the look out for a new body scrub, and I found one! I actually had my eye on this product for a while before I bought it but the price is what held me back (£5.09), however I decided to loosen my purse strings a buy it. Luckily when I went to buy it, it was on sale for half price; so I ended up buying it for £2.54 (I think...) I've been using this body scrub fairly regularly for nearly 2 months now and I am pleased with the results. When I first started using it I noticed it wasn't as abrasive as my previous body scrub and I thought this would be a problem, but it wasn't. It has the right amount of abrasiveness and at the same time moisturises the skin leaving it looking and feeling soft and smooth. This body scrub has 100% natural exfoliators that cleanse and exfoliate away dead cells from the skin's surface. The scent is lovely as it is not overpowering and doesn't linger too long. Now that I've had a chance to use it, I would definitely repurchase this scrub at the full price. Overall, I would recommend this product to anyone looking for a new body scrub.

Have you tried St. Ives body scrub? What body scrub do you use?

Let me know in the comments below xo