April Favourites (a tad late)

Sorry this post is a little bit late, this year is going so fast I barely noticed that it was mid May! Anyway, here is a round up of all the things I've been loving during the month of April.

Watercolour Sports Bra (similar here) - I've been running recently as I was taking part in the Race for Life in Glasgow last weekend which was so much fun despite the weather and I've actually got into running after years of insisting that I "couldn't run". I got this sports bra in Primark and it's comfortable and really well made. Also, I love the print and have the running jacket to match!

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion - I picked this book up thinking that it might be another run of the mill romcom but it is so much more than that. It is hilariously funny but also broke my heart at some points, I'll definitely be reading the second book in this series.

I'll Take New York by Miranda Dickinson - I actually got this book around Christmas time but just couldn't get into it but once I did it swept me up! The love story itself does go back and forth a bit which would probably annoy some people but I got so wrapped up in the setting that it didn't bother me too much. This makes New York look seem like a hipster, Tumblr dream!

Knock-off Mulberry Alexa Satchel (similar here) - Now, there is no way I have enough money to buy a REAL Mulberry bag but I really like this knock-off that I seen on holiday in Turkey. The only thing is the bag is quite heavy without anything in it and is pretty small on the inside especially for someone like me who stuffs all sorts of rubbish in their bags! But I really like that you can get the look of a Mulberry bag without the price tag.

Nivea Hand SOS Intensive Balm - For whatever reason, maybe due to the weather or the air conditioning at work but my skin has been unbearably dry recently, especially my hands. Sometimes they get so dry that they get a bit chapped and sore and none of my normal hand creams were working so I got this hand balm. It goes on really smoothly and sinks in quickly but also leaves a sort of protective layer on your skin so hopefully my hands will be back to normal soon!

What have you been loving this month? Leave me a comment down below!

Take Me To Paris

Details: Top - F+F for Tesco / Skirt - Topshop

 Shoes - Vans (second hand store) / socks - Primark

Necklace - Primark

My first outfit post! This is quite a casual outfit I put on for going out to town. Stripes and tartan probably aren't most people's idea of a "low key outfit" but I think the contrasting prints go together quite well. Also, I love midi skirts for when the weather is a bit all over the place - one minute it's blazing sunshine and the next it's pissing down - showing a little bit of leg but covered up enough so as not to freeze to death!


NB: new blogger here, so apologies if the photo quality isn't perfect but I'm learning as I go along :)

March Favourites 2015

I can't believe March has passed so fast and it's now Spring. Well, as I'm writing this it's blowing a gale and sleeting - ah Scotland, I do love your unexpected weather mood swings! 

So here's what I've been loving in March:

- h&m black snood - this has been my go to scarf for the whole month because it's super cosy and goes with every outfit.

- metallic Sharpie pens - I'm a stationary nerd so these were a no-brainer. I've been using these to make prints for my bedroom wall - more on that later!

- L'Oreal Rouge Caresse Lipstick in Cheeky Magenta - since we're coming into springtime I thought it was time to break out the bright lip colours. I like the smooth formulation of these lipsticks which is also very moisturising and the perfect pop of pink!

- Rimmel London Kate Lipstick in 03 - I got this because it looked like a good dupe for the "Kylie Jenner" look and I was right! It's a lovely nude without washing out even my pale skin and it has amazing staying power.

- Pantene Advanced Keratin Repair Masque - even though I don't use that much heat on my hair I like to use a mask once a week to make my hair look super healthy. This actually gave amazing results! My hair was beautifully soft and shiny - possible holy grail?!

- Maybelline Colour Show in Cool Blue - I adore this beautiful pastel blue because it reminds me of summer and it actually stays on my nails. Also this is my second bottle so if that doesn't say I love it I don't know what will! 

Let me know what you have been loving this month in the comments! 

Inspiration No.1

All images from weheartit.com

So I might be a little early thinking about summer at the end of March, especially since we hardly get any good summer weather in Scotland but fingers crossed!

Summer things I'm looking forward to:

- flowers budding and leaves on trees again

- jetting off to somewhere new and exciting

- sunshine!

- bare legs, I cannot wait to wear shorts, dresses and 

skirts without tights

- spending more time outside

- picnics in the park

- getting tanned (even if it is fake)

- eating ice cream

-lying in the garden, reading or listening to music

-having to turn on the air conditioning instead of 

the heating in the car

- summer clothes!

-getting freckles

-iced coffee

-getting woken up by the sun

What are you looking forward to this spring/summer?

xxx

Current Skincare

Skincare posts are one of my favourite to read, I'm always on the lookout for new products to keep my skin healthy.

A couple of weeks ago I ran out of my regular The Sanctuary Spa Hot Cloth Cleanser so I picked up the No. 7 Melting Gel Cleanser. Having used it for about a week I quite like it, it's a nice consistency; it comes out as a gel then when in contact with your skin it becomes an oil and then washes off like a cream wash. It does take all your make up off, I like to wipe it off with a damp muslin cloth, but it can be a little irritating on the eyes so I'll probably go back to The Sanctuary one. 

I've been using the Clinique Dramatically Different moisturiser for years but since I had ran out (why do all your beauty products run out at the same time?!) and No. 7 had a 3 for 2 offer on skincare I thought I'd give the Beautiful Skin Day Cream a go. It's very smooth on the skin and sinks in right away. I find that my skin is much more hydrated using this, I'll still use my Clinique moisturiser in the warmer months as I expect this could make my skin quite oily in the summer. 

For the past month or so the weather has been particularly cold and blowing a gale which has left my skin feeling really tight and dry. I picked up the No. 7 Dry Skin Rescue Balm and I love this. It tells you to apply to dry patches but I smooth it all over my face before bed so that it sinks in overnight and I wake up to soft plumped up skin. 

Let me know in the comments is you've tried anything from the No.7 range that you think is worth trying out! 

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January & February Update

Wow, where has the start of the year went?! I can't believe that we are now in March and on the verge of Spring. I've been pretty busy the last two months so I thought I'd do a quick update post of some of the photos I took during January and February! 

- I turned the ripe old age of 24! 

- Alex and I spent a couple of days in Iceland at the end of January. Whilst it was super cold it is also such a beautiful place and the food is cracking too.

- I cut my hair! I hadn't had a proper haircut since I was 16 and I was seriously fed up so I lobbed it all off in favour of a long bob and I love it!

- we've continued broadening our culinary skills with a Parma ham, mozzarella and rocket salad and beef and sweet potato curry topping the list

- on Valentine's Day Alex and I went to a burlesque show so I took the opportunity to go all out gothic vintage! 

- last week I went to see one of my favourite bands of the moment, Royal Blood. They're a refreshing change on the rock scene and I can't wait to see what they come out with next. 

Hope you've had a great start to the year and stay tuned for more regular posts!

Lazy Sunday Brunches

Je'taime: French Toast with Smoked Bacon

Since one of the only days I get off in the week is a Sunday, they tend to be pretty lazy. However, my boyfriend Alex and I have been using this time to whip up some scrumptious brunches! Today we made Tiger Loaf French Toast and Smoked Bacon, so delicious. 

Using tiger loaf turned out to be better than normal bread because the slices were thicker so they were well cooked on the outside but still gooey on the inside. The smoked bacon, one of my favourite foods, was the perfect accompaniment with loads of maple syrup of course!

Tip: I still had some eggs left over from dipping the bread in so I just threw it in the pan afterwards and made some scrambled egg as well!

 Desayunos: Spanish Tortilla with Chorizo and Tostada

Last week we felt like making breakfast Spanish style! We used a Jamie Oliver recipe that can be found here. It's a really good breakfast if you've got a busy day ahead because it really fills you up. Sometimes when recipes say that you need to use fresh herbs, I sometimes cheat and use the dried version I already have in the cupboard, shh! Since making this I realised that fresh herbs add so much extra flavour and are well worth spending the extra pennies on.

The tostada is good as a side or on its own if you want a lighter breakfast. It's really easy to make but so tasty. All you need is a baguette, baby plum tomatoes and olive oil. First chop the tomatoes into quarters, then cut the baguette lengthways. Drizzle a little olive oil on the baguette, take a piece of tomato and rub it on the bread so that the flavours infuse. Pile the rest of the tomatoes on top and enjoy!

I fully intend to try more delicious brunch recipes this year so keep your eyes peeled!

Let me know in the comments below any of your tried and tested recipes.

Have a good week! Love Laura x




All photos are property of Laura McAvoy unless specified otherwise.

New Beginnings

First things first, welcome! This has been a long time coming, over the years I have started blogs and half heartedly tried to keep them going but for one reason or another I never did. Now this year I am making the effort to work hard for the things I want to do in life, So in grabbing the bull by the horns I feel like I'm finally doing something that makes me happy. I've always wanted a creative outlet to share my life and thoughts but had always been too shy up until this point to actually put it on the internet! Now, with time I have learned that you shouldn't stop yourself from doing things because you're scared of what other people think. In the end you'll probably find that they actually think you're pretty damn cool for not giving a toss and being fancy-free! 

This is the year when I take pride in the things I create, not rubbish them before anyone else does and who's going to believe in me if I don't even believe in myself? So, what better time to start something new than at the beginning of a new year when everyone is buzzing from the energy of self improvement and lifestyle adjustments! 

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog as it grows and I wish you all the best for 2015, I have a feeling it's gonna be a good'un!