The Blogger Tag

Helloo,

I have been tagged by one of my ultimate favourite bloggers Alice from Annie Writes Beauty, you really should check out her blog its amazing :) This is 'The Blogger Tag'

1. What is your favourite beauty product?

Ohh such a hard one to chose to be honest. Estee Lauder Double (which Alice chose too and enabled me to buy) is super amazing. But I think I am in love with MAC Plumful lipstick, I just wear it every day since I brought it earlier this year. Its the perfect shade for me, as a bit more daring but as it is a lustre finish bit more sheer for me which I like! :)

2. If you could travel anywhere in the world where would it be and why?

I have top 3 places I want to visit - Disney Land Florida, Paris and New York. Probably because of all the movies I watched growing up painting the perfect picture of how life would be when I grow up. They look like such incredible places. I want the romance on the top of the Eiffel Tower, I want to see Corey's face in Disney Land and I want to visit the Statue Of Liberty!

3. What is your all time favourite brand?

I think L'Oreal Paris, they do amazing shade ranges of foundations, great blushes that last forever and the mascara's are better than most high end. The list could go on really, but they really do so well for drugstore prices :)

4. Do you collect anything. If so what is it?

On days out to things such as Sea Life (my favourite place ever) I will also buy a souvenir and make sure I have one of those pictures. Usually ends up in a magnet or something - just always! I grew up with them memories now I want to do the same with Corey and any future children :)

5. Early bird or night owl?

Bit of both, I am awake until about midnight but I do not ever want to be, just physically can't go to sleep any earlier at the moment. I have always been a morning person, I never lay in past 9am (it is very rare if I do!) but I am so grumpy if I do not get enough sleep.

6. Tea or Coffee?

Yuk, neither!

7. What is your favourite TV show?

Oh wow, I have so many! Old classics like Friends, One Tree Hill, Prison Break etc. At the moment I am liking Revenge, Blacklist and Arrow.

8. If you could travel to any era what would it be?

I don't think you can class the future as an era but I want to go the the future, I really want to see how my future turns out. Too nosey and impatient to wait!

So there you have it :) I tag: Andrea, Becka, Tanya and Hayley - sorry if any of you have done it before, if not hope you take part so I can see your answers. 

Love, Gemma xo

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Birds Eye #AfterSchoolChefs Challenge*

Helloo,

Being apart of the Brit Mums Community means I am lucky enough to get some really fun opportunities to work with some great brands. Today it is Birds Eye :) As soon as I hear their name, I instantly think fish fingers. I was sent £20 worth of vouchers, to spend in store and create some meals which would be perfect for after school etc.

Here is ALL the goodies I managed to pick up for only roughly £16 at Tesco and Sainsburys who both had special offers on at the moment. It seems a lot to buy that much worth of just Birds Eye goodies but I have a lot for the money which will be a fair few meals for us two!

If you read my blog regularly then most of you may know that recently I became a single parent. But I have been dying for a roast, frankly it didn't seem worth the effort or money for just myself and Corey. Whilst on my shop, I came across these and was so over the moon. It may seem lazy to some, but for someone in my position, it is a god send and was only £2 each. I am so excited to try and will certainly report back when I get the chance to try later this week :) Nothing more satisfying then helping a craving!

Not only that but honestly I am not the greatest cook, I can cook but sometimes after a long day (okay more so when I was working) I just couldn't be bothered. I have more time now as a current stay at home mum but those days are soon to be over. Birds Eye provide such healthy quick easy meal options. Corey will be starting school soon as will I with working, I dread that evening rush of getting in to prepare dinner, bath and bed all before a certain time. It doesn't seem realistic in my eyes but I am sure when I get used to it, it will be easier. Any tips on how to manage this would be great? :)

I am not a fan of fish fingers, don't know why but just never have been. Once a friend of mine cooked a fish finger sandwich with a difference and it was super yummy. Shame I haven't got a picture to show you but you must try it. Make a fish finger sandwich with egg (either fried or scrambled) and ketchup. Then when sandwich is made, pour beans over the top of the sandwich. So it's not a sandwich you can pick up with your hands but the mix of them all is so strangely yummy :) Corey loves it and it is filling, a great Sunday morning brunch idea too instead of a fry up!

The sausage rolls I purchased are easily some of the best sausage rolls ever, we usually have for lunch with crisps but pair it with the potato waffles and some veg for dinner and got yet another meal.

I admit it looks a bit naughty as I haven't brought any vegetables but Birds Eye do great frozen selections of vegetables, all sorts of different ranges including steam bag versions. They also have frozen pasta bits which are at the top of my list to try next as both Corey and I have a huge obsession with anything pasta!

Here is one meal we made and Corey enjoying himself:

I know it seems a bit of a weird mixture what we actually had but it was a nice healthy meal and gave a really good size portion! It was delicious as you can tell by Corey's concentration face and was eaten very fast :) He found the mashtag's so funny. After a debate on trying to explain what a hashtag was, when he thought the @ sign was a snail - I just went with it!

As I am typing this away after our dinner, he goes type that is was "so so so so yum" whilst rubbing his belly :)

The meal took about 25 minutes to cook, which seems a while but it was as easy as shove most of it in the oven. I would recommend that time be when the children do some homework whilst waiting for it to cook. That is probably what I will end up doing when Corey starts school.

Don't you think it is so handy that everything is frozen so lasts longer yet with all the goodness of fresh stuff. I just much rather frozen as then I don't have to worry as much of using it before it goes off or anything. Plus the possibilities of various meals, with mixing and matching etc is just endless. If you go to their site here, you can see their ranges which include - Fish, Chicken, Vegetables, Bakery, Rice, Meals, Potatoes, Red Meat, Inspirations and Desserts. How yummy do they all sound? :) Plus check their recipe page out here for lots of fantastic ideas!

What would be your ultimate must-have after school dinner? :) Would love some more ideas!

This post is an entry for #AfterSchoolChefs Linky Challenge (view here) sponsored by Birds Eye. Learn more on Birds Eye Facebook Page (view here).

Love, Gemma xo

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Silent Sunday #12

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Top 10 Facebook Businesses

Helloo,

I have found so many amazing Facebook companies who are truly wonderful ladies and have created many beautiful products. I wish I could spend all my money on them, if only money grew on trees. I have decided to share these today because everyone should know about them and give each of their pages a like. It's great to help businesses like these out as word of mouth will help them grow too. Plus who doesn't love a handmade personalised product? I am obsessed! :) In no particular order here are my top 10 Facebook Businesses:

Little Sugar Plums

As you can see these are brilliantly designed dolls, I already own 3 but now I still want more! This reindeer print is so cute, and who doesn't love an Elsa? This page holds monthly market nights too so you can always get a chance to get your hands on one! They are just so adorable :)

The Banner Boutique

I have been on the waiting list since last year, my time has now come and I will have a Christmas banner in time for this year - super exciting :) They are just so cute and I really want a London themed one, or a really cute girl one for myself!

The Wooden Ladybird Company

Again, if you haven't guessed - I am obsessed. Over the past 2 years I have equated quite a fair bit from this lovely company. I shall probably dedicated a whole post of its own at some point but most is in the attic ready for Christmas - my favourite time of year!

Love Keep Create

I am beyond in love with the idea of these, making keepsakes out of old baby clothes. I want, need, must have one of these but I haven't been able to dig out Corey's old clothes yet. But how sweet would it be to have some of his premature baby clothes made into a little bear or something :) I adore keepsakes, so this really is one I will get one day!

The Crafty Giraffe

Only recently have I came across these very unique wooden designs, but I will not rest until I have one of these Santa treat boards. They are just adorable and so much pretty delicate art work.

Just For Tiny People

I would be very shocked if you said you haven't heard of this company before, they are massive and even recently made it onto Dragons Den for their hugely growing company. They offer amazing teepee's, hidey holes (bottom left), animal houses, and soo much more. They are doing surprise Christmas gift box, which I wanted so badly (for Corey obviously!) but I didn't manage to get one in time. Mum came to rescue when she said she had ordered one!!!

Tilly B

Just look at how adorable everything is? I don't even know what else to say about them to be honest. I see the animals and instantly think "awww". Those halloween bits are at top of my list too and cute penguin families (not pictured) - must haves!!

House Of Jacks

You may have guessed I love all things personalised, but this company creates prints, cases etc - whatever you want. I love the idea of personalised cartoon bits too. I so want to buy but haven't thought of the perfect personalisation just yet.

Loving Dot

How cute? Loving Dot creates the cutest little things and even designs blog headers - check out The Mummy Diary by clicking here :)

Magic Beanz Bespoke Jewellery

I was drawn to this company but the starts and moon, it reminds me of the saying "to the moon and back" which is one of my favourite. I so want one for my key ring :) Look at all the lovely little designs they can put on whatever you wish really.

Another great place to search on Facebook is 'Showcase Handmade UK' (or click here) as exactly what it says by showcasing handmade items, it is like Pinterest heaven for Facebook! 

So what do you think of all these lovely Facebook businesses? :) Do you have any more you can recommend to me?

Love, Gemma xo

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Skincare Saviours

Hellooo,

I recently posted about Body Shop Tea Tree Range (view here) which is so totally amazing for those who suffer with acne and/or oily skin like myself. Today I thought I would share some other skincare recommendations that I have found fairly amazing :)

Aveeno

I was actually prescribed this from a Dermatologist at the Hospital when receiving acne medicine called 'Roaccutane'. The specific one I have is meant for dry skin (what the tablets did) and is natural etc. But to my surprise it is very moisturising BUT it is also mattifing - it is brilliant for oily skin sufferers like myself! A real must have :) No moisturiser has worked this good. Great for under make-up and only a tiny amount is needed as quite thick but doesn't feel it once applied to skin. Because using only a tiny amount it lasts soo long. Plus a reasonable price at around roughly £5 in Boots.

Sudocrem

So somewhere in the blogisphere on Twitter, a long time ago now I saw someone mention that Sudocrem is great for acne. Oh I so didn't believe them but thought I would try any ways and I was shocked! I am not sure why it works, but it does and really well. It seems to dry them out which gets rid of them. I wouldn't say it is for an all over face kind of thing, but if you want quick results on the odd spot then this is by far the best I have found. I dot on the cream to targeted areas (do not rub in) and just leave over night or if I am having a lazy day. Not very attractive but it can work over night, literally but usually 2 or 3 nights and they are gone :)

Benefit It's Potent Eye Cream

I received a sample in a beauty box once and with using twice daily. I really noticed a difference, a big difference. It really lightened my whole under eye area, got rid of dark circles and blue vein line bits. I can't tell you much about wrinkles as I don't have any (yet!). It is quite a thick cream so you do not need much at all but still sits nicely under make-up. My sample like shown in the picture has lasted me a little over 3 months. This is soo good and honestly because it lasted so long, it is well worth buying the big size they offer but I am still reluctant as it is so expensive at £23.50!!! (money I just don't have at the moment but if you do, treat yourself now and you won't regret it)

There you have it, a few of the other little tricks I use :) Do you have any other useful tips or tricks that you could share?! Especially for acne/oily skin.

Love, Gemma xo

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Next Wishlist & Giveaway

Helloo,

I literally LOVE Next, like full blown obsession because everything is so beyond beautiful. If I could have everything I wanted then I soo would but it can be quite costly when you want the whole store :)

I am going to share a few of the bits I am lusting over at the moment, if anyone wants to treat me then please feel free - it would be greatly appreciated ;) Christmas is coming up soon you know!

Homeware

Boys

Beauty

So there you have it, a little wishlist of goodies :) What catches your eye? Are you just as obsessed as me?

I have to admit that there website doesn't seem to be as easy to find as much goodies these days. I much prefer going into the store to have a look. I just wish they would bring a whole Next Home store near me - that would be perfection!

Because I have this massive obsession with Next and this is my 200th post/1 year blogiversary which you can read about here (can't believe it took me 3 weeks - sorry!). I did promise a massive thank you giveaway :) I can't decide whether to have £20 voucher OR you can have some surprise goodies from Next chosen by me!

Giveaway Rules

1. Will run from 22nd September 2014 7am - 3rd October 2014 7pm.
2. Winner will be announced within 24 hours of closing via Twitter and Facebook.
3. The winner will have 72 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.
4. You must do the mandatory requirements which is follow Twitter and BlogLovin.
5. Any other is just if you want to for more of a chance.
6. The competition will be run with Rafflecopter and winner chosen via random.org
7. Anyone who does not do the mandatory requirements like no4 states then they will be disqualified.
8. Giveaway prize will either by £20 Next gift voucher OR surprise goodies chosen by me from Next.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck Everyone!!! :)

Love, Gemma xo

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Silent Sunday #11

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