Forevermissvanity - A UK Lifestyle Blogger : March 2015

A Few of My Favourite Things

Shopping is my vice. Every weekend I'm in town or looking online trying to get my next fix and more times than not I end up impulse buying. Impulse buying is probably the worst type of shopping because you end up buying products that you don't need and often have very little use for. My wardrobe is full of clothes still with the tags on from long emotionally driven shopping sessions and half of these clothes I doubt I will ever wear. However, every now and then I do manage to pick up a few things from impulse buying that I actually love wearing. This post is dedicated to a few of my favourite things that I've picked up recently.

First on the list are these gorgeous Clarks sandals. I recently wrote about Clarks shoes and how much my recent store visit shocked me. I often associated Clarks with school shoes and nothing more, but when I visited my local store a few weeks ago I was pleasantly surprised by their offering. These sandals grabbed my attention straight away because of their vintage-esque style. These sandals are great for the summer and with their padded soles, they are not only trendy, but comfy as well.

Since coming back from my Ibiza Honeymoon I have been obsessed with floral headbands. I bought one at a small market near the beach and didn't take it off all holiday - even when I went swimming. I have been looking for one since I got back for my next few holidays this summer and picked this one up from Primark in Liverpool for £2.50. Primark never disappoints when you're in need of affordable accessories and they had so many floral headbands with so many different designs, it was hard to choose.

Lying beneath the shoes, headphones and headband is yet another new maxi dress I recently bought from Forever 21. Those who regularly follow my blog will know that I've had an obsession with Forever 21 recently and I have fallen in love with so many of these clothes. This maxi dress has a simple, understated design and fits my petite 5ft2 figure perfectly.

My final item on my favourite things list are these Bassbuds Candy earphones* that I have been recently sent to review. These Bassbuds earphones are bright pink, made from precision cut aluminium and are delicately finished with a stunning Swarovski crystal. I've had a lot of problems in the past trying to find earphones that help block out noise, stay in my ears and look trendy and these Bassbuds solve all my problems. I've never had a pair of earphones that fit so perfectly and for those who like their music loud, they sound great at high volumes. Unlike some headphones/earphones that get 'tingy' the louder they are. These are perfect for my commute to work and at the gym and I'm sure I'll get a lot of use out of them on my flight to Thailand.

What are you loving right now?

This image has been sourced from here

Writing and travel are both things that I have been very passionate about from a young age. Despite my parents not having much money when I was younger, we always tried to make every weekend an adventure and by the age of ten I had seen so many places in the UK and parts of Europe. Being the daughter of a sailor meant that I spent a lot of my weekends at sea, particularly in Wales. By the time I had reached 14 years old I had seen more wild dolphins within three feet from me than I can count on my hands, which is something incredibly magical and I had probably spent nearly every weekend of the summer somewhere other than England. These days a lot of children's first adventures are to America or Australia, but I was happy being able to see the natural beauty in my own country and believed that one day I will eventually be able to travel further afield.

I began writing at a very young age and my grandma often told me that I was destined to be a writer. Words always fascinated me and I had such a creative imagination. I would spend hours sat on my aunties lap after school writing stories - most of them themed on travel and adventure. It came as no surprise to my family that a decade later I would go to study Journalism at University. I loved being around such talented writers and learning from people that had years of experience writing for such big publications. I told myself that one day I hope I will be able to put my own journalism skills to good use and currently they are being used on this blog.

My blog has brought me so many amazing opportunities over the years, so many things that I never thought I would be able to experience. It has been hard work, but definitely worth it. My blog often surprises me.

My biggest surprise in my blogging career so far has to be the email that landed in my mail box only four weeks ago. I have been contacted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and asked if I would like to go on a press trip to Thailand with them. As a girl that has dreamed of travelling, but never had the opportunity it was like a dream come true and I accepted straight away.

From April 17 - 24 the Tourism Authority of Thailand are celebrating Discover Thainess 2015 and have invited press to discover Thainess through Thai arts, crafts and textiles. The trip will showcase these hidden gem cities in Thailand that are often undiscovered and will give the people attending a chance to explore the local way of life as well as the local fashion industry. Thailand has always been top of my bucket list as I love their way of life and of course Thai food. It has been an incredible honour being invited on this trip and i'm looking so forward to it - I really can't wait to tell you all about my journey. Follow me on Instagram and Twitter to keep updated.

Have you been to Thailand before?

* This trip will be fully hosted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

For further information check out their social media channels:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/fanclubthailand

Twitter: @fanclubthailand

Instagram: @fanclubthailand

It is strange to think how fast time flies. This time last year wasn't the best for me. I was on the verge of sadly losing someone I cared dearly about to cancer, I was finally diagnosed with my rheumatoid arthritis and on top of all that, I had my dissertation to hand in. The only thing that got me through was the support of my wonderful friends and the fact that my birthday was right in the middle of it - giving me a chance to have a day of celebration and forget my worries. Fast forward to this year and I'm in a job I love, I'm flying out to Thailand in a few weeks, I'm feeling fitter and healthier than I have been in a while and for the first time in a year or two, I'm really looking forward to my birthday next week.

I'm so lucky that this year my birthday falls on the Bank Holiday weekend which gives me plenty of time to do some birthday shopping, have my hair and nails done and also take a relaxing break from work. To celebrate my upcoming birthday, I have decided to put a wishlist of items together that I'd like to buy. I'm turning 24 this time so I don't expect to be receiving that many presents, instead these will be gifts to myself and things I'd like to purchase over the next month.

The first item on my wish list is this beautiful yellow shift dress that I saw whilst shopping at my local Mango concession in House of Fraser. I'm a big fan of yellow, especially in the summer and I love draped detail and v-neckline on this dress. I would love to team this dress up with this Marc by Marc Jacobs Sally watch. I usually go for big, bulky rose gold watches, but as I'm growing older I'd like something a little bit more delicate on my wrist. This watch would go with almost anything.

This year I intend on doing a lot of travelling and I have my first trip planned to Thailand really soon. To keep me occupied on the plane I would love to read the new Mary Portas Shop girl. Mary Portas Shop Girl is the memoir of one of the worlds most iconic retail consultants. Mary Portas is known for her works with many prestigious department stores including Harrods and Harvey Nichols. Finally, to keep me organised during my travels I would love to purchase this Aspinal of London travel wallet. I've had my eye on this for a few months now, but everytime I go to buy it it is either out of stock in my favourite colours or out of my price range at that particular time. I probably won't have the chance to purchase this before Thailand, but hopefully I will be able to buy it for the other trips I have planned this year.

Are you doing anything over the bank holiday weekend?

One thing I often get asked about being a blogger is how I started getting invited to cool events. Well the truth is at least half of the events I attend are in-store events that are open to the public! In store events are often a fantastic way to learn more about your favourite brands and benefit from the added promotional material they usually have on offer. Most in-store events will often discounts on the day or evening, goodie bags and have fun activities for you and your friends to experience whilst shopping.

If you're looking to attend one of these events, then look no further than the upcoming 'Urban Garden Parties' hosted by Warehouse to celebrate their new occasion wear. The events will take place in select flagship stores Saturday, 28 March in London, Manchester and Liverpool and Saturday 25 April in Dublin, Belfast and Leeds.

Participating Warehouse stores will be transformed into urban gardens with limited edition illustrations by Lo Parkin featured in exclusively designed windows. There will also be an abundance of lush plants which customers spending over £70 on the day can take home as gift and customers will also be given the chance to head to the personalisation station where they can make their own bespoke accessories to complement their chosen look. Of course, an outfit isn't complete without perfectly coiffed hair so Toni & Guy will be on hand to offer hair styling tips to ensure perfection from head to toe.

Check out the Warehouse website to register your interest and receive up to 20% off on the day.

Have you been to many in-store events?

I can remember the first day I ever started blogging. Everything from picking my name to typing my first ever blog post. Pressing publish was a really overwhelming experience and I sat there eagerly awaiting comments for none to even appear. I went through days of self doubt looking at my work and wondering whether anyone would read it, to days of feeling ecstatic as I gained a new follower. My blog wasn't an overnight success and it still isn't what most people would call a success today, but to me it was my little haven and will always be something that I'm proud of.

I started blogging five and a half years ago when I was nineteen years old, when sticking to something other than obsessing over boys seemed impossible. I flittered through different courses at college and every time I joined a club or tried to start a hobby, I would instantly get bored. Blogging was relatively unheard of back then. It wasn't unknown, but not many people knew what blogging was and there was no-one like Zoella acting as our kind of mascot. The most popular vlogger/blogger I remember at the time was Panacea81 or as most people know her today - Lauren Luke. She was the one that really inspired me.

My blog was primarily beauty focused when I started, but over the years it has developed more niches and I have expanded my writing style. The reason for this was due to the fact that I'm not the same person today as I was five and a half years ago. Although my blog name has the word 'vanity' in the title, I'm nowhere near vain - yes the nineteen year old me did care a lot about makeup and looking the best I can be, but the 24 year old me is now saying live for the moment. I have matured as a person and along the way my blog has matured with me.

Due to this reason, I have decided to shift some of the focus of my blog. My passions have changed since that nineteen year old girl first put the digital pen to the digital paper - I want to travel the world, delve into culture, explore different cuisines and try to dress impeccably on the way. Forever Miss Vanity I'm hoping will now take on a more lifestyle persona writing about fashion, food and travel. Of course I'm not going to shy away from beauty - makeup is still something I love, but it's not going to be the focal point of my blog anymore. I want my blog to be the diary of my life and inspire others - so here's to new beginnings.

Have you ever felt like you have outgrown something?

It's the time of the month that I get all excited about, the day that my Degustabox arrives. I have been a subscriber to the Degustabox for almost six months now and every month still feels like a treat. Admittedly I wasn't overly fond of last month due to the heavy focus on Peanut Butter - something that I've never really liked, but this box has been a ray of sunshine at what seems like a long and difficult March.

If you haven't heard of the Degusta Box, the Degusta Box is a monthly food subscription package that is delivered to your door for £12. The items remain a secret until the box arrives, giving you the element of surprise and also enriching your culinary palette as many of the items are often food that you wouldn't always think of buying on your weekly shop or brands that have just started and are not that well known. The subscription is a cancel anytime contract which is great for those looking to try something different without too many strings attached.

Degustabox have a tendency to theme some of their boxes around seasonal events, so it comes as no surprise that this months box is full of sweet treats to celebrate Easter in the next few weeks. This box included: Lindor Mini Eggs, Crabbies Cider, Juice Burst, Jordan's Lighter Granola, BBQ sauce, a posh pot noodle and many other sweet treats.

The items I'm probably looking forward to the most are the Lindor mini eggs as they are my favourite type of chocolate and the Crabbies cider. As a vegetarian I'm often worried about the items I will receive in my box, but luckily for us vegetarians the Degusta company seem to add such a variety that there's something for all of us. The products that aren't vegetarian are the ones my husband will have.

Have you received the March Degustabox?

It is such a wonderful feeling waking up on a weekend and opening the curtains to a bright, sunny day. My first thought as I leapt out of bed this morning was that it is now the perfect weather to start doing outfit posts again. Any blogger or photography enthusiast will know that gloomy weather can make life difficult when it comes to taking the perfect shot, similarly too much sun can also be a problem. The weather today was absolutely perfect - enough light to compliment my beautiful floral dress and enough heat to ensure my legs didn't freeze whilst taking this photograph.

This dress is one of my many recent purchases from Forever 21, a shop I have been raving about for the last few weeks on Twitter. It was only recently that I discovered Forever 21. Unfortunately there's no Forever 21 stores near me and I'm often put off by ordering clothes online due to sizing difficulties. When I was in Liverpool a few weeks back I took the opportunity to call in their Forever 21 store at Liverpool One and since then, I have not stopped talking about them.

I plan on teaming this dress up with my new Dulice Meg shoes from Clarks. To be quite honest, before last Saturday I hadn't been in a Clarks shoe shop since I was about five years old. I had always associated the brand with school shoes and footwear that my mum would buy, but I when I had a look round the other week after seeing a pair of shoes in the window that I liked, I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of shoes I actually wanted to buy and left the store with two new pairs. These Dulcie Meg shoes have a smooth black finish with snake effect leather ankle straps. They have a block heel of around 8cm giving them an easy to wear feel and the cushioning on the inside gives support to people like me with foot problems.

Have you shopped in Clarks or Forever 21 recently?

This weekend has been the first weekend in months that I have been able to have a 'lazy Sunday afternoon' and I have loved every minute of it. I'm far too guilty of taking on more than I can actually handle and my diary is often blocked out weeks in advance. If I'm not blogging or working, I'm being social with my friends, at events or doing something constructive. I'm not one of these people that can stay in bed all day doing nothing (unless I'm ill and even then it's a struggle) and I very rarely have any 'me time'.

Recently I've feeling a little bit run to the ground and have decided that at least once a month I'm going to take a break and have a 'lazy Sunday' consisting of not much work and lots of relaxation. I plan on using this time to do things that I don't get time to do during in the week and also catch up on some blogging. The best thing about lazy weekends is that I feel able to do things at my own leisure rather than sticking to a timetable and do things that give me a sense of happiness and put me in the good mood for the week ahead. So...what did I get up to this Sunday?

I finally got round to using my new vintage tea set.

A few months ago I wrote a post about the lovely vintage tea set that I bought in a charity shop and today, after months of it being in my kitchen draw I decided to take some more photographs and even enjoy a few cookies from Traidcraft that I was sent to review. Their cookies come in three different flavours - Double Chocolate Chunk, Stem Ginger and Chewy Fruit & Oat - and are the first cookies on the market to contain fair trade palm oil. I love all three of the flavours, but as a Sunday treat I thought Double Chocolate Chunk was the way to go.

I renewed my gym pass and went for a swim.

Over the last few months I seem to have slacked off going to the gym a fair bit and I'm now eager to get back into action. This morning I went to the gym to renew my pass and went for my first swim in months. It was great to have that little bit of 'me-time' and ease myself back into an exercise regime. The sauna and hydropool were an added bonus at the end of the session.

I put some of my old clothes and books on eBay.

My husband and I had have black bin liners in the spare room full of items we have wanted to put on Ebay, but we never had the time to do it. This afternoon was the first time in weeks that we were to photograph and list all the items. We're saving up for another holiday so the money will definitely come in handy.

Finally, I caught up on some of my favourite blogs.

I love having the time to lay back on the sofa and catch up on my favourite blogs, but most of the time I'm far too busy. It was great to spend an hour or so catching up on some of the bloggers that inspire me on a day-to-day basis and have a read through some of the newest blogs out there. Currently I am loving Em Talks, Queen Beady, Nics Nutrition and Gold Dust blog.

Have you done anything exciting this weekend?

Last week my friend Lizi and I had the pleasure of attending the Beauty Matters salon launch party in Garforth, Leeds. Beauty Matters ie one of Leeds' oldest independently owned beauty salon businesses and recently the team invested a six figure sum into a new, large premise in the town of Garforth. The new salon has an opulent yet homely feel and was fitted out by the same team who built the Harrod's Dior counter and the Ben Sherman shop in Covent Garden. There's mood lighting in the massage rooms giving you a sensual feel, there's bright beautiful lightening in the main salon area and the corridors are liking walking through someone's home with fluffy warm cream carpets and gorgeous furnishings. All these attribute to the salon being one of the most relaxing atmospheres I have seen and felt in awhile.

During the evening we were given the chance to sample a few of the Beauty Matters treatments that set them apart from many salons in the area. One of the product ranges they were keen to share with us on the night was Eviron. Environ is an effective and proven skin care brand from South Africa, favoured by the likes of Elle MacPherson and Naomi Watts. The salon uses these products in a number of treatments such as facials and the product are also available for customers to purchase at home.

Environ an effective and proven skin care brand from south africa favoured by Elle MacPherson and Naomi Watts, which will be used in a number of treatments such as facials and ill also be available for customers to purchase for use at home.

Another one of the Beauty Matters prized treatments is 3D Lipo. 3D-Lipo is probably one of the most advanced machines of its type and offers a new dimension in non-surgical fat removal, treatment of cellulite and skin tightening in one award-winning machine. Beauty Matters has a number of 3D-lipo specialists on hand to give you treatment advice and offer you the best course of action when it comes to non invasive fat removal. During the evening we were led to a room where we could watch a 3D lipo demonstration and I found it really intriguing. The woman was laid on the bed with a machine grabbing part of her stomach and freezing the fat cells. It looked slightly painful, but when I asked the woman how she felt, she said 'it didn't hurt one bit'. If I had £1,000 to spare (which can be paid in installments) I'd be all over this. The staff raved about how well it worked and if this an alternative to going under the knife, it would be something I would consider.

Next stop was the nail bar where Lizi and I were treated to an express manicure. I'm usually not one for getting my nails done as I tend to chip them really easily or pick them off when I'm stressed (which probably one of my worst habits), but I was really impressed with the CND Vinylux polish that they use. I opted for a really bright red colour and it stayed on my nails at least five days without chipping after the event.

Of course it wouldn't be an event without great canapes and champagne and boy, did the Beauty Matters team deliver. All the canapes from the event were locally sourced and some of the vegetarian offerings consisted of griddled aubergine, cheese stuffed pastries, blue cheese and pepper on bruschetta and for dessert, the most yummy chocolate mousse.

At the end of the night guests were encouraged to help raise funds for the local Macmillan Cancer trust who supported this event and as always, I was happy to donate to such a deserving cause. The next day I received an email saying that I had won a facial from their raffle, which has to be the most perfect excuse to visit the Beauty Matters team again. If you live in Leeds, Garforth is only 5 minutes out of the centre by train and I thoroughly recommend popping by. If you're in need of a girly day out or a little bit of 'me-time', Beauty Matters is the place to go.

What are your favourite beauty treatments?

I remember this time last year like it was yesterday. The sense of impending doom as I struggled along trying to add more words to my dissertation, the fear of university life being almost over and not knowing whether I would get a job and as I've always liked taking on far too much work than I can actually handle, I also had the added stress of planning my wedding. My third year of university has to be one of the most stressful, yet rewarding few months of my life. I've never considered myself to be that academic. It would take me days of planning and research to write an essay that my tutors would be proud of, whilst some of my friends could go out drinking and complete it within the last night of the deadline completely hungover. The months leading up to my dissertation hand in date were full of late, lonely nights staying at home and ensuring everything that I could possibly think of had been done. I remember handing in my dissertation and not wanting to let go. My mind was full of 'what ifs', questioning every little detail and wondering if I had filled everything in correctly. Did I spell my dissertation title right? What if I haven't used the Harvard referencing system correctly? Handing in my dissertation was one of the most frightening experiences of my life and it's strange to think that next month it will be exactly a year since I said goodbye to my university life.

Thousands of students nationwide will be going through these similar thoughts right now as exams and deadlines are fast approaching. I decided to write a little post showing you all that there is light at the end of the tunnel when you finish your degree and what life might feel like a year after you have handed in possibly one of the most important documents of your life.

My degree helped me in more ways than I imagined.

One of the biggest debates when it comes to education is whether students are able to use their degrees once they leave university. There are many graduates that often struggle to find employment, especially when they are in niche subject areas. I was lucky. Within three months of graduating I landed a full time job in a career that I had trained for and my degree had taught me so many things I needed to know about my new profession. A few of the biggest things I have learnt from my degree are my organisational and communication skills, which are imperative in a job like mine. However one of the biggest things that my degree helped me with is my positivity. I know it seems silly, but completing my degree gave me a 'can do' attitude. Every time I struggle or feel stressed, I look at that piece of paper and think hey I can do this. I trained for three long and very difficult years and I came out on top, if I can pass university, I can do anything I set my mind on.

Hard work does pay off.

The second thing I learnt since leaving university is that hard work does pay off. All those extra hours that I put into work experience whilst some of my course mates were out drinking gave me a competitive edge when I applied for jobs. The portfolio of writing I put together in my spare time alongside my degree has helped me gain freelance work. It seemed like such hard work whilst I was at university, but I learnt so many skills from putting in the extra time and it has really helped pave my career.

You never stop learning.

Finally, when you leave university you like to think of yourself as a professional that knows everything, but when you enter the working world you never stop learning. Time goes so quickly and things advance faster these days than ever before. Industries change in a heartbeat and you need to be ahead of the game. Although it seems like university will set you up for life in the knowledge department, university is only the foundation of your knowledge and as you move along in your career and your personal life, you will always be learning new things.

What life lessons did you learn from studying at University?

The thought of spring often conjures up images of fresh flowers, floral dresses and light, bright days. But when you live in the UK like me, you're bound to experience spring showers at some point in the season. Rain is always one of those things that takes us by surprise and no matter how hard we try, we can never be quite prepared for it. It always seems to rain just as I have left my house wearing a really nice outfit thinking I was in for a sunny day. Most of the time it has conned me into thinking the weather would be so nice that I will have forgotten my brolly. I can't count of my hands the amount of times I have arrived at work with my hair looking like I had just stepped out of the shower and my clothes soaked to the point they are nearly see through. British weather and I don't seem to get a long.

To help keep me prepared for any bad weather this spring, I have put together a small list of rainy day essentials. Items that every fashionista should have in their wardrobe just in case their day doesn't seem to go to plan in the weather department.

First on the list is a good pair of wellies. It's funny to think that once upon a time wellies were seen as rather unfashionable, but when Hunter came on the scene everything changed. Hunter wellies come in so many different colours and sizes that there is a pair for everyone and when it comes to protecting your feet against the wet weather, you can't get any better than these beauties made from 100% waterproof rubber with a 0.5 inch grip sole.

Next on the list is a good trench coat.Trench coats enable us to stay warm and wrapped up whilst adding definition to our waist and enhancing our curves - perfect for someone looking for a confidence boost on a rainy day. The trench coat on my watch list at the moment is this Victor Trench Coat by Jovonna currently on sale at Topshop. I'd love to team it up with a nice pair of skinny jeans and those wellies.

Finally if you spend a lot of time walking in the rain like me you will need a good, sturdy brolly like this Original Duck Head umbrella from ASOS. The brolly is made from a nylon fabric with wind resistant metal frame and has the cutest little duck head handle. This brolly is perfect for those looking to stand out in the rainy weather.

What are your rainy day essentials?

March is a funny time of year. The weather seems like a yo-yo going from bright summer mornings to random rain showers and it can't make up it's mind as to whether it wants to be luke warm or freezing cold. Spring is just around the corner, but winter doesn't yet want to let go. My skin can't keep up.

When the weather is temperamental my skin always comes out with dry flaky patches. It only takes the odd cold day to give me a rudolf nose and flaky cheeks which are hard to shift. Therefore preventative measures always need to be place and looking after my skin this time of year is a must.

I have recently fallen in love with this Manuka Honey Mask* from the brand Antipodes and it is now one of the items that I use on a daily basis to help my winter skin. If you haven't heard of the brand Antipodes before they are science based skincare company that have invested years into research and development to bring us high-performance anti-ageing products and each of their products have been carefully developed using nature's own ingredients. The Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask is made from a traditional remedy of antibacterial manuka honey used by the New Zealand Maori people. The honey helps draw moisture to your skin to give you instant hydration and moisturisation. I love how this mask gently applies to skin and the lingering fragrances of vanilla and mandarin. The product is scented but not overly powering and the cream is so soft that it leaves no residue. After using this product for several weeks my skin is noticeably softer and I still haven't got bored of it. Which is a first - I'm one of these people that buys lots of skincare pretending to start to a skincare regime and then gets bored of it three days in. Even the packaging of the Aura Manuka honey mask is something I love. It's simple, yet attractive and fits easily into a cosmetic bag.

If your skin is in need of a pick me up and you're looking for a product that is not only made from natural ingredients, but looks good and feels good too. I'd look no further than Antipodes. They seem to have got this mask spot on.

They say that when you are young, you always have health on your side, but there hasn't been a month of my life so far that I haven't felt ill and I'm only 23. Since the moment I was born (six weeks early) I've always struggled with bad health and I have so many issues that my problems list as long as my arm. As someone who works out regularly, eats very healthy and doesn't drink or smoke, I should be the epitome of health, but it seems like I'm far from it and even the doctors are confused. One of my main problems that the doctors haven't been able to diagnose is my constant troubles with IBS type symptoms - bloating, fatigue, mind fogs and other problems that would be sharing a little bit too much information. I have been tested for various conditions such as Coeliac disease, Crohns and even had a camera inside me and still haven't had answers.

A part of me has always believed I have some type of allergy or intolerance, but getting doctors to test this on the NHS can be quite difficult as it can be rather time consuming testing all the different food groups. A lot of people tend to do this privately.

The York test is one of Europe's leading providers of food and drink specific IgG antibody testing programmes, where they can test over 158 food and drinks with one droplet of blood to see if you have a certain intolerance. The Yorktest laboratory have over 30 years experience and their tests are recognised worldwide.

I was recently given the chance to review the Yorktest Food & Drink Scan and although I was daunted about pricking myself for the droplet of blood, it was all relatively easy. All I had to do was take a small blood sample (2-3 drops) using a small needle they sent in my introductory package and return the sample in a pre-paid envelope provided by the company. The results were then sent to York laboratories for expert analysis and all I had to do was sit back and wait.

My husband and I discussed the test prior to my results and had a sneaky suspicion that some of my problems might be milk related. I can't eat cereal with milk in a morning as it makes me feel sick, I have to be careful when I have milky drinks and every so often cheese leaves me feeling bloated. The only thing confusing us both is that I don't always have these symptoms when I drink milk, but then again, milk is in so many different types of food that I might not have noticed that it is milk causing my upset stomachs the majority of the time.

When the results arrived it was a letter stating what they had found and a colour chart with red, amber and green boxes showing which food I should avoid in my diet and food that I can continue eating. It came as no surprise that milk came back as the food and drink that I'm intolerant to and that I should highly avoid. What did surprise though was cashew nuts as I eat a lot of them and never really have any symptoms or so I thought.

Since receiving my results I have gone almost dairy free and have temporarily cut out cashew nuts and I have noticed a slight difference with my bloating and I am feeling a lot better so far. As part of your test you also have the chance to speak to a nutritionist about how you are going to adapt your diet, so I'm looking forward to learning a lot more from them and really making a new start on my new healthy eating plan. At £250 the YorkTest isn't cheap, but then again you cannot put a price on good health. Sometimes when you're not getting answers from the people you asking, it's always best to get a second opinion and the YorkTest was the second opinion that I really needed. I feel happier knowing that milk might be something that is causing my problems and I now have something to work on and see if my health improves. This is only the beginning of my journey to a tummy trouble free life and I'm looking forward to sharing the results again with you in a few weeks time.

Have you tried the YorkTest before?

The last few months seem to have flown by this year and we're edging towards the middle of March at speed. If you're struggling to keep up with the time and have managed to forget that next Sunday is Mother's Day, fear not. I have put together a really simple that guide that should help anyone in need of a last minute present. Mother's Day doesn't have to be about spending a lot of money - both flowers and chocolates made the most perfect presents. However if you're looking for something a little bit more unique or special, I suggest looking this way.

First on my Mother's Day gift guide are these wonderful Limited Edition Strawberry and Cream chocolates by Lindt. My husband bought me a box of these on Valentine's Day and I've been wanting more since. These chocolates are seriously smooth and delicious. They melt in your mouth after just one bite and ooze flavour.

Most mums love the thought of relaxation and pampering, especially if they are hard at work all week and lead a very busy lifestyle. Both my next recommended products are perfect for those mums that are in need of a little 'me time' and deserve a restful night. The White Gardenia candle from Sentelle is made of 100% high quality soy wax that is environmentally friendly and lasts 50% longer than most other candles. The candle is placed in elegant jar with an etched spiral design which magically unveils as the wax melts. If you're looking for a gift that gives your mum the ultimate pampering package, this Mother's Day gift bundle from Don't Buy her Flowers is the perfect choice. The gift includes everything your mum needs to unwind and pamper herself from skincare to chocolate, a few boozy surprises and a nice scarf to feel warm and loved. There are so many varieties available that you are bound to find something perfect for the special woman in your life. Finally if your mum is hard on her feet all day and craves some foot warming comfort, then look no further than these pink Emu made with premium Australian sheepskin with an easy slip on style.

If your mum would prefer a little bit of luxury injected into her life, my final two items should hit the spot. Marni have recently launched a new addition to their amazing perfume named Marni Spice. The fragrance is a delicate mix of spicy flavours such as black and pink pepper with a refreshing lemon and cardamom twist, all presented in a classic yet beautiful perfume bottle. If your mum prefers jewellery, there's no better present on Mother's day than a Pandora bracelet. With a wide variety of charms and trinkets, you can easily customise these bracelets to suit your mother's tastes and represent the fun memories you have shared.

What would be your ideal Mother's Day gift?

What do you get when you combine chocolate, cocktails, food and a big group of bloggers? A really fabulous night out. Last week I was kindly invited by Hotel Chocolat to have a sit down meal at their Leeds Restaurant the Roast and Conch and experience their popular chocolate tasting classes.

The evening began with welcome Prosecco and an introduction to the Hotel Chocolat brand. Hotel Chocolat was founded by business partners Angus Thirlwell and Peter Harris in 1987 after deciding to expand their mint company into making bespoke chocolate boxes. In 1993 they started selling chocolates online and became of the UK's earliest 'e-tailers' and later in 1998, they created their renowned 'Chocolate Tasting Club' where people could sign up and receive a monthly unique selection of chocolates. Fuelled by their love of chocolate and vastly growing customers, in 2004 the duo opened their first ever Hotel Chocolat store in Watford. Now Hotel Chocolat are one of UK's 'most advocated' British Brands and have over 75 stores and three very popular restaurants. Hotel Chocolat are one of only a few chocolatiers that run their own cocoa plantation and are involved in the chocolate making process from the cocoa beans straight to the manufacturing process. Those who work at Hotel Chocolat are finely educated in everything chocolate related and are keen to educate those looking for more information regarding their sweet treats.

This was quickly followed by a short, but fulfilling chocolate tasting masterclass where we learnt how to distinguish different types of chocolate and check for overall quality. Hotel Chocolat believe that chocolate is a sensory experience and different chocolates can evoke different flavours and emotions and to find the right chocolate for you, there are three simple tests. Firstly listen to your chocolate. The noise a chocolate makes as it is broken can help define the quality. If the chocolate snaps easily and has a clean sounding noise, this means the chocolate is of good quality. Chocolates with high levels of butter and oil can make more of a rustling noise and can be harder to snap. Secondly, always check the smell of your chocolate. According to Hotel Chocolat:' Smell accounts for over 705 of our taste and the smell of chocolate should remind us of natural products such as woodlands and spices." Chocolates that have been mass produced with unproportionate cocoa levels

will smell sugary. Finally there is taste. During the talk we briefly touched on the topic of 'chompers' vs 'suckers' and the fact that if you leave your chocolate to melt in your mouth you will experience a lot more flavour. Good quality chocolate should melt effortlessly in the mouth and not leave you with a sticky feeling unlike mass produced chocolate and this was evident in the chocolate tasting session. Every piece of chocolate we tasted melted like a piece of heaven in mouths and left us more satisfied. showing us that quality is more important than quantity when it comes to well made chocolate.

During the second part of the evening we were lead upstairs to the Hotel Chocolat Flagship restaurant the Roast and Conch where we were able to trial some of their chocolate infused offerings. I had previously heard so much about the Roast and Conch restaurant, but never had the opportunity to go. The thought of combining chocolate with savoury food left me feeling daunted and confused, but when my first course of the Market Vegetable soup with Cracked Cacao nibs arrived, I was pleasantly surprised by the subtly of the chocolate and how much flavour it gave the dish. The soup itself tasted very fresh with delicate flavours of parsnip and the cacao nibs added sharpness. Yet again it was another sensory journey taking us through different notes of the dish with added elements of surprise. This was perfectly topped off with a wedge of fresh, chewy bread.

My second course at the Roast and Conch was the Mac and Cheese in Cacao nib pastry with celeriac puree, leeks and mushrooms. I loved every element of this dish from the crunchy buttery pastry with a slight tinge of chocolate to the gooey melt in the mouth mac and cheese. The mushrooms were sautéed to perfected and the celeriac puree added a nice refreshment to what is a rather hefty main dish.

My experience at Hotel Chocolat and the Roast and Conch was an eye opener. I have learnt more about chocolate that I have ever known more and I'm also much more appreciative of level of work that goes into refining chocolate and making Hotel Chocolat taste so unbelievably good.

Have you tried Hotel Chocolat before?

Last week I was kindly invited to Selfridges at the Manchester Trafford Centre for a makeover by one of the NARS makeup artists. NARS is a brand that I have heard so much about, I have never really had the chance to try. Where I live there are no NARS makeup counters so the only chance I have to try the brand is by going after work to the Leeds counter or when I'm visiting Manchester.

I'm always a little bit anxious when having makeovers as I'm very particular when it comes to my makeup. I don't like it too heavy, but I do like bright, bold lips. I often find that makeup artists can often get carried away and cake products on. When I met the makeup artist Emily, she was really approachable and knew exactly what I wanted. She also made me feel relaxed and in return, we had a great conversation.

The consultation started with a little bit of background knowledge about the NARs brand and a few questions about my skincare routine and how I like my makeup. The makeup artist brought out a variation of colours and we discussed which ones I'd like to try and what my problem areas are.

The products Emily used were:

Moisturiser: Luminous Moisturiser Cream
Primer: Multi-Protect Primer
Foundation: All Day Luminous Deauville Light 4
Concealer: Honey/Vanilla Radiant Creamy
Translucent Powder
Mod Rouge eyeshadow base
PortoVener Eyeshadow
Bengali Eyeshadow
Liner Car Plates Stylo
Mascara Lengthening Mascara
The Multiple Copacabana
Cheek Orgasm
Lip liner Jungle Red
Lip colour: Carmen

The products that I loved the most have to be the Copacabana Multiple, the Honey Radiant Concealer, the lip liner Jungle Red and the lip colour Carmen.

The Copacabana Multiple did an excellent job at highlighting just below brows to make my eyes look larger and my eyebrows more shaped. I always find that when I apply eyeshadow, my eyes look a lot smaller, but this product helped combat that. My next favourite product had to be honey radiant concealer. As someone that is always ill a good concealer is a must. I'm always suffering from heavy bags under my eyes and I've tried a lot of things to mask it but never had good luck. The honey radiant concealer worked with just one dab and made the bags under my eyes disappear and my skin look the best it has done in a very long time. Finally, the star attraction from this makeover has to be the most beautiful red lipstick I have ever tried, Carmen. Carmen is one of the new NARS Audacious lipsticks which applies very easily with just one stroke and offers full, long lasting coverage. The lipstick is semi-matte which means it has all the colour, but with a satin like finish that is not as drying. The lipstick stayed on for a considerable amount of time after the application and I was so impressed that I went and bought it after the makeover.

If you're looking to learn more about a brand like NARS or would like a day of pampering. The Manchester Trafford Centre are hosting a fabulous Mother's Day event. Every Mother's Day Selfridges Trafford host a lovely beauty event where mother's and daughters can come and enjoy beauty treatments, consultations, Prosecco, canapés and even take home some little goodies.

Mother’s Day Beauty Event, Selfridges Trafford
Date: Saturday 14th March
Time: 12pm-6pm
Tickets: £10 (redeemable against purchases made on the day)
Activity: Live singer, engraver, complimentary flower poise with spends over £150, complimentary consultations and treatments on various counters.

Have you had a NARS makeover before?

If you're a big fan of rock music and you're looking for a fun place to eat, the Hard Rock Cafe in Manchester is a place you should have on your restaurant bucket list.

The Manchester Hard Rock Cafe is one of out of a total 198 Hard Rock venues around the world and each one are part of a globally recognised brand associated with rock memorabilia and authentically tasting American style food.

The Hard Rock Cafe is more than a restaurant, it's a must-have experience for any rock music enthusiast. Each of the 198 restaurants showcase some of the world's greatest music memorabilia from John Lennon's infamous glasses to Kurt Cobain's guitar, Madonnas Basque to The Village People's costumes. Each Hard Rock restaurant and hotel has a story of its own to tell.

Growing up I've always had an interest in rock music, especially with classic rock tunes from the likes of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones to KISS and Motley Crue. When I first discovered the Hard Rock franchise I felt it combined my love of Americana and great tasting food. In fact, the Hard Rock Veggie Leggie still remains my favourite veggie burger.

Visiting a restaurant when you are vegetarian can often be troublesome - especially when that restaurant caters mainly in meat based products, but the Hard Rock seems to always get the balance right. The menu is as equally thrilling for meat eaters and vegetarians alike, with lots of choice and plenty of flavour, not to mention the mammoth portion sizes.

The first course I had the pleasure of tasting was the Balsamic Tomato Bruschetta. This dish consists of toasted artisan bread topped with herb cream cheese, marinated Roma tomatoes and fresh basil. The dish is then topped with a balsamic oil and shaved parmesan. Whilst the dish had plenty of flavour and tasted rather yummy, I couldn't help but feel like I wanted something more. This dish was pleasurable but something that missed that Hard Rock sparkle - the thing that would make it different from all the other Bruschetta out there. The portion size for me was far too large and would have been better as a sharing dish between too, but overall it was a pleasant start to what did turn out to be a rather scrumptious meal.

My main course was the Veggie Leggie. As a vegetarian I often find restaurant veggie burgers to be bland and lack any sort of flavour, but the Hard Rock Cafe burger still remains one of the best I have ever tried and I never get bored of it. The veggie patty is succulent, tender and melts in your mouth and coupled with the grilled mushroom, zucchini and yellow squash, they are a match made in heaven. I find this veggie burger to be the most 'meat like' burger I've ever tasted and the overall appearance of the dish is no different to the other meat versions, meaning you don't have to feel like the odd one out amongst friends. This dish comes with chips or salad, coleslaw and the option to add extra sides. The chips are rather 'moreish' with just enough salt and flavourings and the coleslaw is perfectly balanced with a yummy crunchy texture and not too much mayo.

My final course was the Hard Rock Fresh Apple Cobbler, one of the newer additions to the Hard Rock menu. The cobbler was made from thick juicy apples mixed with fine spices and baked until golden brown and was served with warm vanilla ice cream topped with walnuts and caramel sauce. Like most Hard Rock desserts, this dish isn't for the faint hearted. It follows suit of all the previous courses with its very large size and yet again I would have been happier to share this dish than have it to myself. That said, the cobbler was one of the nicest cobblers I had tried. The crunchy topping delicately spiced and melted in the mouth with the ease and the vanilla ice-cream had you reaching for another mouthful despite feeling full. There's no way I could have finished this dessert, but what I did have tasted like a few minutes of heaven and for that, it was worth it.

This has been my third visit to the Hard Rock Cafe in Manchester and yet again I have not felt disappointed. My husband and I had a fantastic day out, the staff were more than accommodating and the music that we both loved made the experience even better. For all you 'rockaholics' out there or those looking for an alternative meal out, make sure to pay the Hard Rock Cafe a visit.

Have you been to a Hard Rock Cafe before?

A Few of My Favourite Things

Exciting News - I'm going to Thailand!

My Birthday Wish List

Warehouse Urban Garden Party

The Maturing Blogger

March Degustabox 2015

Sunday Style: Stepping into Spring

A Lazy Sunday Afternoon

Beauty Matters Launch - Garforth, Leeds

Things I Have Learnt Since Leaving University

Spring Shower Fashion

Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask

My YorkTest Results

Mother's Day Gift Guide

My Night with Hotel Chocolat

Makeup by NARS

Dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe, Manchester