Saturday, January 31, 2015

Soap and Glory – Wish Upon a Jar VS Beauty Sleep Accelerator

Hello errybody! I am a huge enthusiast of all things beauty. Anything that promises a better complexion / dewy skin / looking like a pretty unicorn, I will surely spend my last penny on it. And it will make me so happy, so so happy that I can’t even explain it to you. I will spread my purchases on the bed, photograph them, show them to everyone that will listen, shout to the world; look I got a new cream! I will then prep my skin and mind up for the promise of the beauty night. Light every candle, switch on every mood light. Run the bath, carefully choosing my film for the night. The effort would impress the Queen of England.

Having tried most Soap and Glory stuff, (big fan!) I am going to dish my opinion about two of their super hyped night facials. The Beauty Sleep Accelerator and the Wish Upon a Jar. To begin with, my skin type is mostly oily, and otherwise normal. I sometimes get some mega spots, but otherwise I “only” battle with oil and blackheads. So if you’re like me, you can be sure my opinion will be valid for your face, too!


Wish Upon A Jar
“with EFA antioxidants, super-youth P3000 peptides complex & energising oxygen booster”


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You are to apply every night after cleansing, with the promise of reducing the appearance of wrinkles, increasing skin elasticity, firming and smoothing.

Did it work? Yes and no! It is super rich and thick, a very posh texture and the smell is incredible (chocolate orange)! But I didn’t see any big changes or rejuvenation on my skin. Since everybody loves it online, my conclusion is that I have used it too young. I’m only 22 years old and this stuff is a 21 day collagen treatment, meaning should you have a lack of collagen and wrinkles on your face, to see a difference? Probably. I did love it, and my face felt lovely and soft, but that’s about it. The jar did last waay more than 21 days, probably about 2 months and I did use it generously every night, so it was worth the price of €20.99. Even though it did not suit my skin, I would totally recommend this to a slightly older crowd, because I do see how it is wondrous. The packaging gets 10/10!


Beauty Sleep Accelerator
“Night and flight moisture miracle with night blooming cactus flower, peach K gojuice extract, oxygenising & line plumping HIGHDRATION-24H ceramide concentrate”


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You are to smooth onto a clean face and neck before bed each night of before a long flight.

Now I first purchased this last May, when I was travelling to Granada for a few weeks. I thought; flights, I better get my cream on before all the dirty crap in the A/C affect my face.

And yes, I repurchased it the other day (even though I still have some ‘Wish Upon a Jar’ left) because I loved it ssooo much!

It’s not as flamboyant or fancy as the other jar, which would definitely put me off from trying it, but don’t judge a book by it’s cover!

This cream is a lighter formula, and my skin absorbed it like a thirsty little desert (can you tell I’m the crazy cream girl?). Its’ smell is amazing, like the poshest strawberry peach yogurt. And yes it brought back all my lovely Granada memories, so extra points there!

I would totally recommend this for everyday use, I wake up with smoother, plumper looking skin each morning and once again, can we talk about the smell? Sssoooo good.

€16.99 in Boots IRL.


Have you tried any of these creams before, and if so what did you think of them? Let me know in the comments, I’d love to know if we’re on the same page or if I’m just swimming against the tide! ;)


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Thursday, January 29, 2015

Carmi’s Gluten Free Chocolate Cake

Hello everyone! How are you? Tell me in the comments down below, what is your emotion today. Did you click on this post because you’re happy about your new-found January health kick and want to continue? Or sad and want to snack without growing an extra pair of thighs? Or something else? I’m really interested! ;)

I’m gonna start today’s post with a wordsmith’s problem; I don’t like the word gluten free or paleo! When I started eating this way, I loved it and I was throwing the word around like a reckless newbie. Nowadays everything is gluten free and paleo, when it really isn’t. Companies have sensed, with these 2 little words, they can get most women and men-with-large-biceps (and no bums) to run to the counter, buying 3 for 2. But is it really good for you? Probably not. But it’s what most people identify guilt-free snacking with, so I have to jump the bandwagon and use it. But if I wouldn’t mind a 2 sentence headline, I would probably say “Carmi’s Home-made, Natural Ingredient, Flour and Sugarless Dark Chocolate Cake”.. But that don’t look nice, do it?


Ok, but fad diet complaints aside, this cake is amazing. It’s so moist, I’m gonna die. Here it is:


Ingredients:

80g shelled pistachio nuts (you can use any kind of nuts)

100g salted organic butter

250g quality dark chocolate, at least 70% cocoa solids

4 eggs, separated

100g coconut sugar (or any other sweetener BUT normal sugar)

A sprinkle of icing sugar for decorating, this won’t kill you :)

150g ground almonds


Method:
1.) Put the pistachios in a heatproof bowl, cover with boiling water and leave to soak for 3 minutes. Drain and roughly chop.

2.) Preheat the oven to 180 degrees and grease a 23cm shallow, loose-bottomed cake tin.

3.) Melt the butter and chocolate in a large bowl set over a pan of simmering water.

4.) In a separate large bowl, whisk the egg yolks and coconut sugar until fluffy and pale in colour.

In a third large bowl, whisk the egg whites until stiff (have patience: this is going to take about 20 minutes using an electronic mixer. You’re better off, unless you want your hands to fall off!)

5.) Pour the melted choc into the yolk mixture and stir well. Mix in the ground almonds and the chopped pistachios, then gently fold in the egg whites with a metal spoon.

6.) Pour the mixture into the prepared tin and bake in the middle of the oven for 25-30 minutes.

7.) Let the cake rest for 10 minutes, then transfer to a plate. Slice, dust with the icing sugar and serve with double cream or mascarpone (This seemed too much for me, but if you’re feeling flamboyant.).


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Sunday, January 25, 2015

The Puppies

Hey everyone! I’m so glad you all liked yesterday’s post about the Smoothies, thank you for all the feedback! :) I have another yummy (and somewhat guilty) food treat coming your way soon!

So my friend / uncle’s two beautiful huskies had 6 weenie puppies a few weeks back and we are all so happy with them. They have now gotten much stronger and even opened their little eyes to see the big scary world, so I thought it is time to introduce them to all of you!

They are like the tiniest furry toy you always wanted, wobbling about on their pudgy feet. This is one of those rare times when fat, chubby and pudgy are said in the best context possible.

I am allowed to name 2 puppies to anything I want, do you guys have any cool suggestions? Think legends, spirit animals and magical creatures from Harry Potter / Lord of the Rings / Game of Thrones!

And now feast your little eyes, for what you’re about to see should be banned, it’s too cute:


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What do you think? :) Let me know if you would like to see some updates of what the little ones get up to!


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Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Morning Beach Walks

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Can you see the colour temperature & quality change in the photos? Unfortunately my battery ran out and I had to continue with my phone. Anyhow here is an example to you of a basic camera vs. smartphone footage ;) Oops.. I hope you like it!


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