Friday 28 November 2014

Christmas Inspiration Board


Hello!

"They say a picture is worth a 1,000 words, well here's 12, 000 for you! "

Sometimes it's nice to get a little push in the right direction - this is exactly what inspiration boards are for! Now that it's Christmas in 27 days, the push is needed now more than ever! 

"it's Christmas in 27 days"

From decor, nail colours, socks, chestnuts and snow... it's all in here. They say a picture is worth a 1,000 words, well here's 12, 000 for you! 

What makes you most excited for Christmas? 

source: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12

Wednesday 26 November 2014

December 2014 Calendar - FREE PRINTABLE


Hello! 

"due to the utter fact it has snowflakes... that means christmas time!"

We have arrived to that time of the month, where we can't quite believe how it's the LAST MONTH OF THE YEAR next week. That's right, you can read that again: the LAST MONTH OF THE YEAR. That means a lot of things, i.e. christmas is really soon, it's okay to finally put the tree up now, presents buying time and it may just snow right about now, but most importantly: time to get the new calendar! 

Click HERE to Download

It would be daft not to include christmas decorations in a calendar for December. I hope this colourful mix of ball balls (is that the official name of them? Don't think so...) can satisfy that feeling of festivity inside you!

Click HERE to Download

You know I mentioned that 'snow' earlier on in this post? Well, here we are again. It may just be cold enough for you to see the 'smoke' coming from your mouth every time you talk, but that doesn't mean we can't think about the beautiful white christmas that can just happen! Although the previous calendar is meant to be more festive, with it's ball balls and such, I feel like this one is more so - just due to the utter fact it has snowflakes, and to me, that means christmas time! However, if you live in Australia  I guess sun's would have been more appropriate! 

None-the-less, a pretty calendar is all you really need - wherever you are in the world!
What makes you feel festive?

Monday 24 November 2014

Bag Essentials: Body Fragrance


Hello!

"Impulse was THE Chanel No. 5 of the adult world."

There are definitely times when you're out and about and find your bag has EVERYTHING in it... except for the one thing you need. Well, this is where this post comes in... one of the staples in your handbag, and a purchase of the week - something I find that is always handy!

"I had owned when it first came out many years ago... Into Glamour is still my fav! "

When I was younger, in secondary school, Impulse was THE Chanel No. 5 of the adult world. It's something every girl knew about and the smell that lingered in the P.E. changing rooms. Well, it's been a few years, but I feel like any girl, young or old, could do with a bit of Impulse. Or any body fragrance, in that case. 

" small, won't weigh your bag down, staple in every gals bag."

Why pick up two, you ask? Well, actually they were on sale. After a spritz or two of both the scents, I have fallen head over heels for 'Into Glamour'. Actually, that was the scent I had owned when it first came out many years ago, and Secret Smile is a new one for me, but Into Glamour is still my fav! 

"any girl, young or old, could do with a bit of Impulse."

Overall, a pretty small, won't weigh your bag down, staple in every gals bag.

What body fragrance/perfume do you keep in your handbag?

Friday 21 November 2014

BerryWeekly: Hot Chocolate, Candles & Baking


Hello!

"add a bit of whipped cream and marshmallows on top if we're feeling it - you know how it goes!"

It's always nice to reflect on the good things of the week, and hearing about what others did for their week is always fun too (admitting to my nosiness here). Another post I've been loving the idea of is '10 Happy Things' of the week, it's all positive thoughts and reflecting back at the same time. Totally agreeing with the moto 'you've got to look back to move forward'...might have just completely butchered that famous quote but... you know what I mean! 

"I usually just fold the page (shock horror, some people absolutely hate that)"

First of all, I've been loving my bookmark. A bookmark included in a BerryWeekly? What is so special about it? Well, like you can't already tell from the picture, it's personalised with my name on it! I was gifted it as part of a birthday present, and have been loving it. I usually just fold the page (shock horror, some people absolutely hate that), but fear not, I now use this bookmark. 
SNEAK PEAK into a possible BerryReads post in the future!

"what better time than now"

Next, this has been my go-to drink of choice. During this time of year, when it's frosty outside and for some reason the heating automatically turns off, then while waiting for it to turn back on again we make ourselves a lovely hot chocolate!! Occasionally add a bit of whipped cream and marshmallows on top if we're feeling it - you know how it goes!

"These tasted heavenly and you gotta bet I add a couple throughout the day"

Adding to that topic of consuming stuff, I did a bit of baking. I say baking, but it's no-bake chocolate pieces - sort of a dupe for the 9 bar (which is basically a nut and seed bar). These tasted heavenly and you gotta bet I add a couple throughout the day. Definitely good as pick-me-up energy bites. Let me know if you'd like a recipe! 

"all positive thoughts and reflecting back at the same time"

Finally, if you follow me on Twitter, you'll already have seen this picture. A candle always makes me happy and what better time than now to light one?!

Tell me, is hot chocolate your go-to beverage of choice, if not, what is?

Wednesday 19 November 2014

POTW: The Perfect Little Clutch


Hello! 

"Pop in a little bit of cash, possibly your Oyster card and a lippie and you're good to go."

With the Christmas parties just around the corner, we all need a go-to clutch - and I think I've found it.

Being obsessed with monochrome, this bag is definitely in my good books. The chain is long so would be safe as either a cross body or low on one shoulder. The little wristlet would be less hassle so would be the preferred way. Oh, and of course, there's the option of having neither.

"Oh, and good news: it's super inexpensive too!"
The size is pretty small, yet my phone will fit just right in. Pop in a little bit of cash, possibly your Oyster card and a lippie, and you're good to go. Another good thing about this particular clutch is the hidden pockets. There's one on the back and one on the inside bearing the opening of the middle compartment. This is good for any extra cash you may have, and the back one particular good for the Oyster*!

"parties just around the corner, we all need a go-to clutch - and I think I've found it."

Overall, it's a complete necessity in every girls wardrobe. Oh, and good news: it's super inexpensive too! Retailing at $15 (£9.40), you can't really go wrong. Link here to buy

Tell me, do you have a go-to clutch for the holiday season?

*Oyster = travel card used in London

Monday 17 November 2014

When you Just Can't Do the Day: Motivation Monday


Hello!

"There are a million good things that may happen today"

You know that dreaded feeling every Sunday night. When you know you're going to have to suck it up tomorrow and commute to work in that crowded train surrounded by people snoring? Or going to school solving sums you'll never ever have to use in your lifetime, wishing you could be home or out having fun? Well, this post is for one of those days you really don't want to go.

source
"Pretend you have 100% battery"
Accept the thoughts. I don't want to go because I want to lie in my bed - the go-to excuse in my book. But think about it. The positives of going to work/school and the aftermath of being productive. Let's be honest, the so-called 'productive high' is pretty awesome. As they say, even it's undesirable in the short term it's worth it in the long run. If we didn't have Mon-Fri working days, would we be as excited for Sat/Sun?

source
 "think about the potential benefits that could come your way"
 You'd think we'd be refreshed after our relaxing weekend, right? Then comes morning and we're like 'I need to be recharged' or 'I need another weekend'. Well, for me, this works: Pretend you have 100% battery (okay, 78%?!) and you'll feel better! :D

source
"the so-called 'productive high' is pretty awesome"
Finally, even though you're dreading the day, think about the potential benefits that could come your way. There are a million good things that may happen today and you're not going to find out if you don't get up and get going... so move on and turn that 'I really don't want to go' to 'It could be a good day!' 

So tell me, what get's you up and going?

Friday 14 November 2014

POTW: Nivea Creme Coconut Shower Cream


Hello!

"whenever I used it in the morning, I would be able to occasionally whiff it throughout the day, and I loved it!"

If it says 'coconut' on the pack, I can almost guarantee you I will be a fan. Coconut snacks, coconut hair oil, coconut body butter, coconut lip balms and you guessed it, coconut shower creme. Well, you can imagine me jumping around the shop when I saw this on the shelf in Sainsburys. Definitely my most exciting grocery shop this month! 

"I doubt it'll have the same effect as it's washed off - I shall keep you updated "

The actual product itself is the bog-standard Nivea shower product. They have released the in-shower  moisturiser which I have been meaning to try, because somedays we just want to skip the moisturising step, you know the days when you spent the night before finishing a really interesting book which lead you to run 3 hours past your 'bedtime'

"If it says 'coconut' on the pack, I can almost guarantee you I will be a fan."

Having not used this product yet, I can only hope that it leaves a lingering smell throughout the day. I used to have the Body Shop Coconut body butter and whenever I used it in the morning, I would be able to occasionally whiff it throughout the day, and I loved it! Getting that again would be great, yet as it's not a body butter, I doubt it'll have the same effect as it's washed off - I shall keep you updated on that.

"after I got out, I had forgotten I used it in the morning."

Having owned the powerfruit delight shower gel, I've already had a little experience with Nivea's shower products. Although powerfruit delight has a pleasant, wakening scent in the shower, after I got out, I had forgotten I used it in the morning. The positive aspect of powerfruit delight was the amount of lather it created - let's hope the creme coconut is as good, if not better, than powerfruit delight.

Have you used Nivea products before, if so, what are your thoughts?

Wednesday 12 November 2014

Personalised Henna Candles & Gifts: Henna by Ashi


Hello!

"pretty inexpensive yet beautiful and unique gift ideas"

Recently you have had more of an insight to my culture, including the festivals and the events to do with it. Then I came across this beauty and thought it'd be horrible to not share it with you guys! Being candle obsessed, loving nice patterns and a bargain, these were right up my street! 

"a flower floating on the melted wax!"

Henna by Ashi is a brand which hand-decorates candles with henna designs. These can be made unique to you, with various henna colours and rhinestones to choose from. 

Due to the water based henna and the wax of the candles, the henna will almost float on top of the candle when you're burning it - so it can be like a flower floating on the melted wax! 


"candle obsessed, loving nice patterns and a bargain, these were right up my street"

"made unique to you, with various henna colours and rhinestones to choose from"

These would be lovely stocking gift ideas, or even Secret Santa presents! 
"personalise your 2015 diary"

You could even ask HennaByAshi to try and personalise your 2015 diary, it'll be perfect and in case you do lose it in your office/school/college, you're more likely for it to be returned

I hope this has given you some (pretty inexpensive yet beautiful and unique) gift ideas, and inspired you to be creative! 


TO ORDER:
BBM: 7F00A421

Tell me, have you ever done henna on your hands? 


Monday 10 November 2014

The Cuckoo's Calling - J.K. Rowling under 'Robert Galbraith'


Hello!

"notice Strike's mind work in a million different ways, looking  at the faintest clues which (we) would disregard and think useless"

 You know those times when you're really into reading and read a million books in around 2 weeks? Well, I haven't had a time like that in a while, yet I did manage to finish reading this book in 3 weeks - I was up 3 hours past my 'bedtime' finishing it off last Tuesday, so you already know the ending is intriguing and a complete I-don't-want-to-put-this-down moment.

"I could see this story becoming a movie, and I hope one day, it does!"

The story is a murder mystery of a supermodel whom allegedly jumped off the balcony of her London apartment.  Former soldier, Oxford University student and now homeless private detective, Cormoran Strike (you better believe I had to sound out his first name every time it came up), has been asked to look into it further by no other that the supermodels brother.

Throughout the novel, you notice Strike's mind work in a million different ways, looking at the faintest clues which someone like me would generally disregard and think as useless. As a reader, you're curious to note why certain clues are so important to the detective, but worry not, it is amazing to see how it is all bought together in the final conclusion.

"a complete I-don't-want-to-put-this-down moment"

This is a novel which is read with a good flow, with the storyline vividly playing in your head like a movie, who needs the cinema, hey?! But seriously, I could see this story becoming a movie, and I hope one day, it does! It is fun to read and really grips you, although the ending creeped me out a little with the amount of detail J.K. Rowling (or should I say Robert Galbraith) went into, and the harsh 'reality' of the story.

Overall a good read! Definitely recommend it to you.
Are you a crime/mystery book fan or prefer another, less gory, genre?

Friday 7 November 2014

Wahaca - Lunch in Covent Garden


Hello! 

"Food comes in various sizes."

As mentioned in Friday's post, last week was my week off, so obviously that means catching up with friends over lunch in London! Duh.. who really relaxes during their week off?! *looks around like she didn't sleep all day for most of the week* 

Wahaca is near Covent Garden station - it's a small, cute little Mexican restaurant inspired by Mexican Market/Street Eating.

"service was great, the atmosphere lovely"

As you walk in, you see this skeleton on a display table surrounded by macaron hearts and gingerbread men! It's so super cute and it decorated for 'The Day of the Dead'. The whole decor in Wahaca is very quirky and full of primary colours!

"small, cute little Mexican restaurant inspired by Mexican Market/Street Eating"

Food comes in various sizes. There's 'Street Food' which is recommended to order 2-3 plates per person, and there's classics with foods such as Burritos. Unfortunately for the one dish meals, there weren't many vegetarian choices. Being a vegetarian, I was a little disappointed. However, they had a few other dishes in the street food section which were vegetarian. I went with the mushroom, corn and cheese Quesadilla and it was exactly what it said on the tin. 

Overall, not a bad place to have lunch with friends, especially if you go for Frozen Yogurt at Snog down the road later, which is what we did! They did have desserts, such as churros, if you want to have your sweet treat in the same seat. The service was great, the atmosphere lovely and not too busy (bear in mind we went on Monday at around 1.30pm) and the food is good.

What's your favourite Mexican Dish?

Wednesday 5 November 2014

Setting Your Beauty Free | Guest Post




What is the very first thing that we notice when we meet someone? Physical appereance, of course, more specifically, facial features. This is why we must take care about our skin, so we would be more satisfied with ourselves. If you are having some skin-related issues, no matter how much you are trying not to care about what others may think about you, it sometimes bothers you, because you may find yourself  unattractive, or with low self-confidence, due to the fact that you have, perhaps, acne. Yes, they might be bothersome, and nuisance, but, fortunately, they can be treated. And, you are not alone.

Causes 

According to some studies, about 80 to 90 percent of young people in Western world are affected by acne. In 2010., it seized 650 million people. And yet, science can not give straight answer to the question:”What is the cause of acne?” On the other hand, there are several factors that could contribute to appereance of this skin condition. In the past, food was considered as one of the biggest reasons for manifestation of acne, but this misconception has somewhat been proven false.

On the other hand, genetics is one of the reasons for having this condition, but, inheritance of acne does not follows the classic Mendelian pattern. Inheritance can skip generations, or be achieved from relatives, not just direct ancestors. However, some new researches have shown a link between specific type of bacteria, called Propionibacterium acnes, which causes inflammation that leads to some more serious cases.

In spite of popular opinion, dirty skin does not causes acne, in fact, scrubbing skin too hard, or using chemically aggressive coditions, lotions or soap, can only irritate skin and make things worse, leading to permanent scarring and marking. Eventually, most scientist agree that acne are connected to hormones, which is the main reason for its appereance during puberty,youth age, or menstrual cycle. For this reason, acne are harder to treat, for example, during pregnancy, when hormones are also on a rampage, because not all medical drugs can be used without risk of permanent damage to fetus.  Acne can also appear, during menopause, or as a result of a Cushing syndrome, which is outcome of abnormally high level of hormone called cortisol.

Consequences 

If not treated in time, or unprofessionally , acne can severely damage skin, and, in most cases the damage caused is permanent and irreparable. Acne can leave scars, marks, dark spots, pigmentations, which are noticeable. Apart from physical aspect, a lot more serious aspect are mental issues, which can lead into depression, anxiety, low level of self-esteem, or, in some extreme cases, even suicide.

Treatment

Treating acne should be acquired exclusively from professional doctors and dermatologists. Do not wait for acne to disappear by themselves, visit the doctor as soon as you notice any escalation of condition. They will prescribe adequate treatment and take care about you. Luckily, today, thanks to scientifical progress, there are a lot ways for you to get rid of acne. Not all of them include medications, especially those based upon benzoyl peroxide, which is connected with appereance of cancer. In general, medical drugs with each passing day are becoming more and more overcomed by new, painless and modern ways.


Laser technique, for example, represents a cutting edge of struggle of mankind to preserve its beauty. These therapies can also improve skin texture and lessen the appearance of scars. It is completely safe, reliable, and accessible anywhere in the world. If you find yourself on a holiday in Australia, for example, and because of a hot weather, your acne got worse, you can find many specialised companies for acne treatment in Sydney.

Monday 3 November 2014

Why Tap Water is HEALTHIER than Bottled


Hello!

"My favourite thing about it, though? It's got to be the cap"

You may have heard that Tap Water is not good for us. The likes of Evian, Buxton and Volvic bottles are used much more widely than ever before. But how would you feel if I told you that buying those bottles is just a waste of your time, money and damaging to your health?

"healthy (BPA free) way to have your daily 8 glasses!"

Incase you thought otherwise, 1 in 4 bottles of water are filled up with tap water. Therefore, the idea that bottled is cleaner than tap is not entirely true. 
Before you get the wrong idea, this post is meant to portray to you how bad it is to keep using those PET bottles of water. 

Chemicals from the bottle (ie. BPA, phthalates) can leach into the water, especially if exposed to heat or if the bottle is old. These chemicals are not good for our body - it's better to drink tap water (UK tap water is generally very clean) in a glass or a steel bottle rather than drinking mineral water in a plastic bottle.

"buying (plastic) bottles is just a waste of your time, money and damaging to your health"

Using reusable, especially Stainless Steel, bottles is good as they're BPA free and can be safely refilled many times. 

"1 in 4 bottles of water are filled up with tap water"

I came across this bottle by Glogg. It is white, fits a good 600ml and keeps water cooler for longer. We all know that water tastes better when it's cooler! My favourite thing about it, though? It's got to be the cap. This is the loop cap which online looks like it's a much smaller nozzle, yet in real life it's the perfect size to drink straight out of.

"better to drink tap water in a glass or a steel bottle rather than drinking mineral water in a plastic bottle."

Put it in your bag and it won't leak when closed. Definitely a trendy, healthy (BPA free) way to have your daily 8 glasses! 

Tell me, do you believe in only drinking bottled water?

*Based on London tap water
PIN BUTTON