2011 Favourites

2011 has been a great year of discovering new things for me and I've come across some firm favourites which I'm planning to bring into the new year with me.

{Beauty Products}

Especially in the latter half of 2011, I've found myself branching out into the beauty and hair world. I blame it on all the beauty blogs I now read. However, I have now come across a ton of products which I don't know how I survived without.

After reading lots of reviews on the Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser I really wanted to try it BUT it is so expensive! One day a couple of weeks ago I found this gem in Superdrug for only £2.99 and thought I just had to give it a go.
It is a brilliant product. It leaves my skin feeling really clean and smooth. I don't think you can go wrong with that price, especially on a student budget, and this has definitely become a firm favourite in my skincare routine.

Another significant change in 2011 is the introduction of lipsticks into my makeup collection. My favourite has to be this MAC Wonder Woman Empowered shade which is perfect for winter. It is a very light pink with a matte finish and I've really enjoyed using it.

I've also been introduced to skin primers this year and I really don't know how I survived without them. A major problem I have with my skin is that I have HUGE pores which I always find are pretty noticeable when I apply my makeup. However, after using this primer which is reasonably priced at £5 compared to over £10 for many others, I'm not looking back. Not only does it provide a great base for my makeup but my pores are minimised and my foundation stays in place all day. 

Up until quite recently I applied my foundation with my fingers because I really didn't get on with the standard flat foundation brushes. I just found my fingers did a much better job of blending in the foundation. However, after reading some blog reviews I discovered that using a flat top brush may be the answer to my brush worries. It has completely changed my attitude to foundation and it creates such a flawless finish by stippling the makeup into all the crevices and creases. This is definitely a lifelong favourite rather than just at 2011 favourite.

Finally, another firm beauty favourite is the V05 Miracle Concentrate but you can read my review here!

{Others}

When my phone contract needed to be upgraded in April of this year I thought it was the perfect opportunity to try a new type of phone. So I bought an HTC. Which I love. I can't imagine not having my emails, Facebook and Twitter at my fingertips all the time. Android now need to bring out a Pinterest app please!!

For as long as I can remember I have absolutely despised spicy food. However, over the last couple of months I have grown to love curries and other spicy dishes. My family and housemates are in complete shock about the whole thing. My new favourite crisps are the Doritos Chilli Heatwave and I enjoy nothing more than a good chicken tikka masala.

About August/September many of the highstreet shops started selling brown loafer pump shoes and I absolutely love them. By the end of 2011, I have ended up with 2 pairs - one flat and one high heeled version. I'm also eyeing up a pair my sister has. 

They go with almost any outfit and they have definitely become my shoe of choice so these will definitely follow me into 2012.

If you have been reading my blog over the last 12 months I'm sure you will have noticed that I love to bake. A firm favourite new recipe I've discovered is that of the red velvet cake. These cakes not only look stunning but also taste so moist and chocolately. They have definitely become one of my signature bakes.

Do you have any 2011 favourites?

Have a lovely Wednesday, I'm back to work this afternoon.

H

Year Review

It is almost the end of 2011, and wow how quickly has it gone?

I just thought it would be a good idea to review the last year, mainly to remind myself about how everything has changed but also to secure the memories for when I look back.

It is also quite fitting that this blog was started in January so hopefully I can capture the whole year in one post.

Super handy that Facebook has this new timeline - makes this post a ton easier to write.

Here goes:

 {January} 

The blog begins.

Connor and Jo visited London.

{February}

I visited Laura in Northampton and had a lovely weekend there.

Jeremy's Birthday.

{March}

March is Birthday month - Mary held a surprise Birthday party for Nadine and I, Nadine and I had our joint 21st meal and the girls and Jeremy took me on a boat trip for my Birthday. 

{April}

Time with Scott when I was at home for the Easter holiday.

THE ROYAL WEDDING - a major highlight of mine, still don't think I've recovered from it to be honest.

Such a fun occasion and I absolutely loved being in London for it. Unforgettable.

I went home over Easter to relax and fit in some revision. The weather was lovely. 

 {May}

The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual fav of mine - here the UK were top of the board for about a minute.

The heaviest rain of the whole year hit London - I had to make an emergency stop to the shops and this is what I wore #embarrassing.

{June}

Connor, Scott, Jo and I hung out again and went to Millets Farm which is a petting zoo. We also picked/fought with strawberries.

Nadine, Mary, DaveP, Zach and I spent one summer afternoon in Hampstead which was a summer highlight.

{July}

The first week of summer camp started in the last week July, in Cumbria.

Scott graduated in Nottingham in the middle of July. Proud.

{August}

The 2nd week of summer camp happened in Devon. This was the pirate banquet which all the staff dressed up for.

Cat now lives super close to me - good to have her here. 

We visited Highclere Castle (where they film Downtown Abbey) when it was BOILING hot.

{September}

Jo, Chazzy and I went on a roadtrip to visit Laura in Sandhurst over the summer - such nice weather. 

Back to London after the Summer holidays - I've missed this sight.

 {October}

Saw my lovely childhood friend Heather. We met when we stayed on the same caravan site for 6 weeks at a time over the summer holidays. So good to catch up with her in London

Liverpool Staff Weekend - great to see everyone again.

{November}

November was such a quiet month the only exciting thing to happen was that Chazzy and Jess visited to do some shopping:

{December}

Ice Skating with Stu, Steve and Mazo at The Tower of London this week - so much fun.

The annual Flat 37 Christmas Dinner.

Hope you've all had fulfilling and exciting 2011's.